Celebrating the new release of Braving the Darkness with a shares giveaway!
goo.gl/0y3dcw (Series link)
http://goo.gl/hclmQn (Braving the Darkness)
All have sacrificed, but one will sacrifice all…
Just when Olivia thought she’d finally have everything she always wanted, she was never closer to losing it all. Haden rocked Olivia’s foundation when he professed his love for her, and then turned himself in to the High Court. Although it was for the best, watching him walk out of her life was one of the hardest things she’d ever done.
Liam has always been the angel that holds her heart. But nothing will test the bonds of that love more than when a sick twist of fate brings all their lives crashing back together again.
Bitter enemies in love with the same woman, Liam and Haden must put their differences aside to battle an evil whose reach is far greater than either of them ever imagined. It will take all their strength to protect Olivia from an enemy that’s come to claim her and usher in a power-play to overthrow the High Court.
Love, sacrifice, and betrayal… It all comes to a heart-stopping conclusion in Braving the Darkness.
When “Mr. Perfect” becomes a perfect nightmare…
Until Darkness Comes
On Sale .99
A guardian angel… A forbidden love… Eternal consequences…
Olivia Norton was born with a gift—a gift heaven has sworn to protect, and hell is bound to destroy. Her perfect world is turned upside-down when two handsome strangers, Max and Liam, step into her life. Olivia soon discovers that her ‘Mr. Perfect’ is actually a perfect nightmare.
The rules of engagement have changed and Liam, Olivia’s guardian angel, is forced to cross dimensional borders or risk losing the woman he’s sworn to protect. Suddenly, thrust into a world unlike anything he’s ever known, Liam isn’t prepared to come face to face with the young woman whose life he holds in his hands.
But nothing is as it seems, and secrets abound that will ultimately force him to choose between two impossibilities. Max will stop at nothing to finish what he’s started, and Olivia is soon plunged into a battle between good and evil. Her very life hangs in the balance as two forces fight to win her heart.
Buy link: goo.gl/rUh1OT
Cover Reveal for Braving the Darkness (Book 4 Redemption Series)
Braving the Darkness
Coming October 16, 2014!
All have sacrificed, but one will sacrifice all…
Just when Olivia thought she’d finally have everything she always wanted, she was never closer to losing it all. Haden rocked Olivia’s foundation when he professed his love for her, and then turned himself in to the High Court. Although it was for the best, watching him walk out of her life was one of the hardest things she’d ever done.
Liam has always been the angel that holds her heart. But nothing will test the bonds of that love more than when a sick twist of fate brings all their lives crashing back together again.
Bitter enemies in love with the same woman, Liam and Haden must put their differences aside to battle an evil whose reach is far greater than either of them ever imagined. It will take all their strength to protect Olivia from an enemy that’s come to claim her and usher in a power-play to overthrow the High Court.
Love, sacrifice, and betrayal… It all comes to a heart-stopping conclusion in Braving the Darkness.
She’s captured the hearts of Heaven and Hell…
Courting Darkness
New Release!
She’s captured the hearts of Heaven and Hell…
Betrayed by her true love, Olivia cannot let go of the angel her mind doesn’t remember, and her heart refuses to forget. In an attempt to reclaim her broken life, she is determined to unearth her past, but some secrets are better left buried.
To save her life, he sacrificed everything. Universal Law was broken when Liam violated Olivia’s free will. His guardianship has been revoked, and the pain of letting her go is nothing compared to the torture of enduring their shattered bond. He can no longer sense her, no longer feel her, and the enemy he risked it all to save her from, now has free reign to claim her for his own. To get her back, Liam must turn away from all he is, all he was, for the one thing he may have already lost forever—Olivia’s love.
Haden will stop at nothing to possess Immanuel’s Stone, and locked away in Olivia’s memories is the key he needs to find it. But in his quest for vengeance, he never expected to lose his heart to the enchanting green-eyed beauty. Forced to choose between love and revenge, Haden becomes captivated by a woman who will never be his…or will she?
Excerpt of Courting Darkness:
Guardian? Olivia’s pulse kicked in her throat, choking off her air in a startled gasp. At the last moment, she jerked her hand back before Tate could make contact. Oh shit, this guy was crazier than she was. Stumbling away from her “guardian,” her retreat was halted when she collided with the wall, smacking the back of her head.
Tate winced with a that-must-have-hurt grimace as the bang echoed throughout the elevator.
It did. A lot.
“Actually, I’m your new guardian.”
She reached up to rub away the sting, scowling at the stranger as if this was his fault. Two thoughts crossed Olivia’s mind. One, you’re about to become a skin suit. And two, play along with this nut job until the elevator stops, then run like hell.
Swallowing back the panic, she forced a negligent shrug. “New guardian, huh? What happened to my old one? He get fired or something?”
At her sarcastic bark of laughter, the stranger gave her a disapproving scowl and grumbled, “Something like that. And he’s not too happy about it, either.”
Could this elevator go any slower? Looking at the very large, very attractive man, no one in their right mind would ever suspect he was bat-shit crazy. Perhaps that was how he lured unsuspecting women into his web of death—right before he Ted Bundyed them.
Humoring the guy and yes, stalling while this elevator took the painfully slow journey from the sixth floor to the lobby, she asked, “So, what did he do to uhh… get fired?”
“The fact that you don’t know is precisely the reason.”
Well, that’s…cryptic.
The elevator suddenly came to a jarring halt between floors, pitching Olivia forward. Her hands shot out, bracing for a fall, palms planting solidly against his chest. The rich scent of muted spices enveloped her, reminding Olivia of…nothing. Dammit, another black hole.
Trying to play it cool, she hastened an apology and quickly retreated to her respective corner of the elevator. Pinching the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger, she closed her eyes and drew a deep breath that failed to calm her jangled nerves. “I’m trying to follow you here, I really am. But I don’t see what my having amnesia has to do with you or my so-called ‘guardian.’”
“You don’t have amnesia.”
A cynical bark of unladylike laughter tore from her throat. “Well, that’s good to know. But I’ve got about twenty-thousand dollars worth of medical bills that beg to differ with your diagnosis, Dr. Tate.”
She reached over and slammed her palm against the “emergency” button on the control panel, sending a shrill alarm up the elevator shaft.
Tate scowled, making no attempt to disguise his irritation as he reached in front of her and very pointedly hit the button again. The sharp ringing abruptly ceased. “Look, Olivia, your free will has been violated, and it’s imperative that I speak with you about this. I— Why are you looking at me like that?” he snapped impatiently.
“Because I never told you my name. How do you know me?”
“I already told you. I’m your guardian. I assure you, I have no intention of harming you, Olivia.”
“Guardian of what?” she challenged. “Because you certainly don’t look like an angel to me.” Just how naive did this guy think she was? What kind of a creep would hang out at a psychiatrist’s office and prey on emotionally damaged women? Did this guy really have nothing better to do with his time?
He exhaled an exasperated breath, muttering something about stubborn women and never wanting this job in the first place. When he looked back at her, he seemed to have rallied a measure of patience. “Exactly what is it we’re supposed to look like, Olivia?”
Well, for starters, how about not huge, hot, and terrifying?
“Am I to have a halo over my head, wear a white flowing dress, and sprinkle fairy dust about wherever I go?”
The sudden arch of his dark brow suggested he was poking fun at her. She was having none of it. “Well, that would help,” she quipped back with equal snark to his sarcasm.
“Sorry… I’m not that kind of an angel.”
An angel! Seriously…? He wasn’t even denying it!
Suddenly, as if a light clicked on, it all made sense to her. This guy must be one of Dr. Shriner’s patients. He had to have been in the office and overheard the secretary calling her name—that’s how he knew her. Oh shit…then this guy really was crazy, which was a hell of a lot more terrifying than hypothetical nuts.
Her hands swung up to back him off. “Look, Tate, maybe you don’t mean to scare me, but you are. Honestly, you’re really freaking me out right now. If you truly believe that you’re my guardian angel, then you need some serious help. Perhaps you should talk to Dr. Shriner about this God complex you seem to have. I’m sure she can help you, but please, leave me alone.”
At her request, the elevator jerked and continued its descent. His furrowed brows were a combination of frustrated and pissed off, and neither look said “hey, you can trust me not to kill you.”
As the elevator chimed, announcing they’d reached the lobby, Olivia made a final attempt to diffuse the situation. “I thank you for your concern, but I don’t want a guardian and I don’t need a guardian.” As the metal prison doors slowly slid open, she bolted for the exit, slipping out sideways before they could even open all the way.
“You’re wrong, Olivia. You need me,” Tate called after her. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.”
At this taunting reply, she glanced over her shoulder, making sure he wasn’t following her. With each hurried step, her sandals clapped briskly against the gray tile floor. When the elevator doors slid closed, she caught a glimpse of Tate dragging his hand through his hair, growling what she could only imagine was a very unangel-like curse.
Olivia exhaled a sigh of relief to be away from the nut job and hastened her steps. The moment she was safely locked inside her car, she’d call up to Dr. Shriner’s office and report this Tate, whatever his last name was. Someone definitely needed to adjust that guy’s meds.
Rushing out the glass doors, her poorly anchored sandals slapped against the marble steps with rapid-fire clap, clap, clap. She was nearly to the sidewalk, her black Camaro in sight, when the stranger suddenly materialized out of thin air.
Olivia let out a startled yelp. Headed right for him, she put on the brakes, but the laws of physics were not in her favor. Momentum pitched her forward, her foot slipping off the step and hitting the one below. White-hot pain exploded in her ankle as it rolled beneath her. Her knee buckled under the duress and she reached for the iron railing, trying to catch herself before face-planting into the now scowling man.
He looked as if he wanted to come to her aid, but wisely stayed back. “Are you all right?” he asked, sounding genuinely concerned.
She wasn’t buyin’ it. He was probably worried she’d scuff her knees and damage his skin suit.
“Are you all right, dear?” an elderly woman asked, hobbling over to her. The well-meaning geriatric looked like she needed more help than Olivia did, but she was limited on her choice of saviors, so granny was gonna have to do.
“No. I’m not all right,” Olivia replied, unable to keep the panic from edging into her voice. Lifting an accusing finger, she directed it at the stranger and accused, “This man is harassing me.”
Following the direction of Olivia’s outstretched arm, the old woman’s cataract-grayed eyes squinted to the bottom of the marble steps. After a moment of hard looking, she readjusted her glasses and gave it another try. “Dear, there’s no one there.”
“Oh Lord, I really am crazy,” she murmured.
Grandma laid a sympathetic hand on Olivia’s arm and gave it a patronizing pat.
“You’re not crazy,” the figment of her imagination piped in.
“Let me get someone to help you,” sweet granny offered. “Here, take my cane and sit on the bench.” She gestured to the vacant wrought iron bench on the sidewalk, precisely four feet from Olivia’s very large, very muscular illusion.
“She can’t see me,” he explained, taking a step up the marble stairs. “Let me help you, Olivia.”
The familiarity in the way he used her name added insult to injury. Ignoring his offer, she tested the strength of her ankle. When it refused to hold her weight, she begrudgingly accepted the old woman’s cane. “Thank you. I just need to sit for a minute. I’m sure my ankle will be all right.”
“I’ll get you some help.”
Before Olivia could protest, the Good Samaritan hobbled away, leaning heavily on the railing as she snail-paced it up the stairs.
“Are you always this stubborn?” her illusion asked, folding his arms across his wide chest. He followed a few steps behind as she gimped to the bench. On the plus side, if she was going to start imagining guys, at least she made them hot.
“Ignoring me won’t make me any less real,” he persisted.
Then Plan A was a bust, because that was exactly what she’d intended to do. “Will it make you go away?” she snapped.
“No. Not until I tell you what I came here to say.”
Somehow, Olivia wasn’t so sure that even then, he would leave her alone. But the way she saw it, she had two things going for her. One, if Tate was a figment of her imagination, then at least he couldn’t kill her. Two, if by some unexplainable phenomena he really did exist, then it was doubtful he’d whack her right here in public. So either way, it was unlikely death was imminent. Besides, Grandma was going for help, albeit not as quickly as Olivia would have liked, but help was on its way.
“All right then, talk,” she snapped impatiently, looking down at her watch. Shit…she was going to be late. “Tell me whatever it is you have to say and then go.”
He stood before her, dark brows scrunching in displeasure. Clearly, he didn’t appreciate her candidness—or perhaps being told what to do. This guy looked like he was more used to giving orders than taking them. She had to admit, for a figment of her imagination, his commanding presence felt pretty damn intimidating.
He watched her a moment in contemplative silence. Then, as if deciding on something, knelt on the sidewalk before her. “Let me see your ankle.”
She didn’t miss the note of impatience in his voice. Before she could refuse, he reached out and gently but firmly grasped her foot, slipping off her sandal.
His touch sent a jolt of awareness flooding her veins. “You are real,” she gasped, unable to deny the power coursing through his hands and seeping into her ankle. Liquid heat spread up her leg as the throbbing pain steadily diminished. “Why can I see you but that woman couldn’t?”
Tate stopped the assessment of her injury and glanced up at her with a dark violet gaze that made her heart ache with unexplainable loss. She didn’t like the way he made her feel. The emotions he stirred to life were painful and confusing. As a surge of overwhelming grief knifed into her heart, she suddenly found herself fighting back the urge to start sobbing.
“That old woman couldn’t see me because I wasn’t in corporeal form. You can see me because you have the gift of Sight, Olivia. Your eyesight can transcend dimensions, which means you possess the ability to see angels and demons. I can block your sight, demons cannot, which is why you’re in danger. You are a threat to the Dark Court because you can expose them. They want you dead. My job is to make sure that doesn’t happen. Your job is to let me do my job, and so far you haven’t been cooperating very well.”
He focused his attention back on her ankle, and Olivia winced when his fingers found a particularly tender spot. His grimace looked genuinely remorseful. Maybe, just maybe, he was telling her the truth. And if he was…God help her.
“Back in the elevator, you said you were my new guardian. What happened to my old one and why can’t I remember him? What was his name?”
Seeming overly focused on his task, he looked reluctant to answer, his dark brows furrowing in contemplation. “Look, Olivia, I’m not even supposed to be here, and I’m sure as hell not supposed to be telling you this. But the way I see it, you haven’t given me any other choice. Your life is at stake—”
“Tell me his name,” she pressed, believing Tate more and more with each passing second. Something told her he spoke the truth. The comforting heat infusing her ankle warred with the dread churning in her gut. Could it be possible that this…angel held the answers she’d spent the last eight weeks seeing a shrink to get? After two months of therapy, she wasn’t any closer to the truth now than before. “Tate…”
He gave a pensive sigh and met her stare. “His name is Liam.”
Her heart hammered against her chest at hearing the same name her mother had spoken the night she’d picked Olivia up from that hospital in Duluth. She hadn’t uttered it since, and wouldn’t talk of it now, even when Olivia had pressed her for answers. Her mother claimed she didn’t know anything. The only thing she could tell her was that Liam was an “old boyfriend” from several years ago. Minutes before she was to walk down the aisle and marry Mitch, he’d snuck into the church and abducted her. Kim didn’t know anything beyond that, other than there had been an accident. She’d been in a coma for days before Liam had called her mother and father to come and get her. By the time Olivia had awoken, he was gone, and so was her memory.
“There were rumors…that he loved you. That he…” Tate cleared his throat, seeming uncomfortable to continue. Casting his gaze to the ground he murmured, “That he…crossed boundaries of an intimate nature with you.”
Oh Lord…had he? Did they? She couldn’t remember.
“I should say, in his defense, that these allegations were never proven in court. But ultimately, he lost his guardianship of you because he violated Universal Law. Even though his bond to you has been severed, and he can no longer feel your emotions, I believe your connection to him remains. Although you can no longer remember him, I think you’re still in love with him, Olivia. And as long as you are, I cannot bond to you. Without that bond, I can’t sense you. I cannot tell when you’re in danger so I can’t keep you safe.”
Tate’s hands left her ankle to grasp one of hers—pleadingly. Were someone to see them across the street, one might think he was proposing to her. His grip was strong, surprisingly gentle. It seemed crazy, but she’d swear she felt his energy coursing through her veins as he looked up at her, imploring, “Olivia, you have to let him go. If you don’t, I can’t protect you and you will surely die.”
“This is crazy. How can you expect me to stop loving someone I can’t even remember? And what exactly does that mean? Violating Universal Law?” Her mind was reeling, trying to absorb the information he’d just dumped on her. She was still stuck back in the conversation where her guardian was in love with her. And she loved him, too? Really? Was that why her heart ached so? Why she felt like a part of her was missing?
“Universal Law demands that at all costs, a human’s free will must be honored—even unto death. You don’t have amnesia, Olivia. Liam stole your memory—”
“There you are, dear,” an aged voice called from the stairs.
She swung her head to look over her shoulder. A security officer was escorting the hobbling old woman toward Olivia. The warm hands that held hers disappeared, and when she glanced back, Tate was gone.
Redemption Series:
“Writing the Redemption Series has been a fantastic adventure, culminating a world of mystery, suspense, love and deception. Have you ever wondered what it might be like to see beyond our dimension? Step into Olivia Norton’s world, where nothing is quite as it seems, and evil lurks where she least expects it.”
~ Melynda
Public contact information
Website: www.melyndaprice.com
Email: Melynda@MelyndaPrice.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelyndaPrice1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelyndaPrice1
Celebrating Courting Darkness’ release Jan 23rd!~Giveaway
I am so excited about the upcoming release of Courting Darkness, Jan 23rd! In celebration of my new release, Until Darkness Comes is on sale for .99 all month! To help spread the word, I’m hosting a Share and Like giveaway! Like and share my author page below, and follow my blog, to enter to win a 25$ Amazon gift card! The winner will be announced on Thursday. Be sure to leave a comment below so I can contact you. 🙂
She’s captured the hearts of Heaven and Hell…
Betrayed by her true love, Olivia cannot let go of the angel her mind doesn’t remember, but her heart refuses to forget. In an attempt to reclaim her broken life, she is determined to unearth her past, but some secrets are better left buried.
To save her life, he sacrificed everything. Universal Law was broken when Liam violated Olivia’s free will. His guardianship has been revoked, and the pain of letting her go is nothing compared to the torture of enduring their shattered bond. He can no longer sense her, no longer feel her, and the enemy he risked it all to save her from, now has free reign to claim her for his own. To get her back, Liam must turn away from all he is, all he was, for the one thing he may have already lost forever—Olivia’s love.
Haden will stop at nothing to possess Immanuel’s Stone, and locked away in Olivia’s memories is the key he needs to find it. But in his quest for vengeance, he never expected to lose his heart to the enchanting green-eyed beauty. Forced to choose between love and revenge, Haden is captivated by a woman who will never be his…or will she?
Book1 Redemption Series
Until Darkness Comes .99 http://goo.gl/gn1dJo
Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MelyndaPrice1?ref=hl
Creatus… Where fairy tale meets reality
Prepare to believe…
CREATUS is a new romantic-suspense with a supernatural edge that delves into the myths of monsters and fairy tales…
Here are two deleted scenes Carmen has shared with me to release!
~Enjoy! 🙂
New Adult: A shooting star or here to stay?
There has been a lot of hype about New Adult, its place in the literary world, and the potential to over-shadow different genre’s. I’ve also discovered that New Adult can mean different things to different people. In my quest for clarity, I’ve found an article I’d like to share. I think it does a great job of defining this new genre. Thank you, Jami Gold, for a well written article. http://jamigold.com/2013/01/the-new-adult-genre-why-does-it-exist/
Define Sexy…Winner/Name My Bad Boy
Congratulations Elizabeth, on winning my Define Sexy… giveaway. All winners are chosen through Randomizer.org. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and commented. It was really fun to read all your thoughts! It looks like stubble won by popular vote. Hmm…and now what to name him? 😉 I’m thinking Kryss, Ezra, or Uri. What do you think?
Define Sexy… *giveaway*
I’m creating a new character for the Atillian Warrior series I’m writing, and I can’t decide…smooth or rough? I’m a clean-shaven, GQ junkie. But I have to admit, there’s something to be said for a little stubble and shaggy locks. How do you define sexy? Leave a comment and “like” my author page by clicking the angel pic below and enter to win a $10 Amazon giftcard! 🙂
THIS…?
OR THIS…?
“Like” (click image)
Thanks for stopping by! I look forward to hearing what you think is sexy. Have a great day! 😉
Book Giveaway to Celebrate the New Release of Shades of Darkness!
Haden schooled his features, fighting the unexpected tide of jealousy rising inside him. It didn’t make sense he’d have an opinion either way. He’d just met the woman he was sent here to kill. “Who will you marry?” he asked with forced casualness.
“The spirits have spoken of a man, the one who came here for me.” Lifting her eyes to boldly meet his stare, Anya simply said, “You.”
Haden’s heart thundered inside his chest. Clearly, the woman was insane—beautiful, yes, but absolutely freaking nuts. He wasn’t going to marry her. Kill her?—probably, but marry her? Not a fucking chance in hell…
Celebrate with me by downloading Until Darkness Comes, the first book in my Redemption Series, for FREE! Until Darkness Comes is currently #6 in Paranormal!
Celebrating Shades of Darkness with a giveaway!
Olivia lost it. The stress of the last few days had finally pushed her past the breaking point. She stepped toward Liam and shoved him with everything she had. She was even more furious when he didn’t budge. “You shouldn’t have left me!” she yelled, not sure if she meant tonight or three years ago—probably both…
To celebrate the release of Shades of Darkness , Until Darkness Comes (book1), will be available for free on Amazon from 2/28-3/4! I have twenty digital copies of Shades of Darkness to distribute, and I’m looking for fans interested in reviewing for me on Amazon, Goodreads and B&N. Leave a comment below if you’re interested in being a reviewer! 🙂
Freewill comes at a cost…
Three years after losing the love of her life, Olivia Norton refuses to continue living in the shadows of what will never be. But how can she marry another, when her guardian angel still holds her heart?
Bound by Universal Law, Liam is forced to choose between his honor and his heart. Returning for Olivia nearly cost him his salvation once, but twice may prove to be his final undoing. Some sacrifices are worth the risk, while others could bring consequences that would last an immortal lifetime.
The game has changed—new players bring new threats and challenges. The evil that nearly took Olivia’s life three years ago has returned with a vengeance. A legion has been sent to finish what Max failed to do, and the Dark Court will not rest until the last remaining sighted female has been killed.
An old enemy returns… Evil has a new face, a new name, and Haden will stop at nothing to possess the key Olivia holds, unlocking the power he needs to claim his revenge.
Shades of Darkness 2/28/13! Celebrating my new release with a giveaway!
“Do you love him, Olivia?” Liam’s amber-hued eyes raked over her with scorching betrayal.
She ached to reach out and touch his beautiful face, just one more time–to feel whole in his embrace once again and let him wash away the years of pain and suffering she’d endured in his absence—to taste that delicious kiss she longed for…
Mark your calendars, Shades of Darkness releases 2/28/13! To celebrate my new release, Until Darkness Comes, the first book in this four-part series, will be available for FREE on Amazon 2/28-3/4!
Freewill comes at a cost…
Three years after losing the love of her life, Olivia Norton refuses to continue living in the shadows of what will never be. But how can she marry another, when her guardian angel still holds her heart?
Bound by Universal Law, Liam is forced to choose between his honor and his heart. Returning for Olivia nearly cost him his salvation once, but twice may prove to be his final undoing. Some sacrifices are worth the risk, while others could bring consequences that would last an immortal lifetime.
The game has changed—new players bring new threats and challenges. The evil that nearly took Olivia’s life three years ago has returned with a vengeance. A legion has been sent to finish what Max failed to do, and the Dark Court will not rest until the last remaining sighted female has been killed.
An old enemy returns… Evil has a new face, a new name, and Haden will stop at nothing to possess the key Olivia holds, unlocking the power he needs to claim his revenge.
A guardian angel… A forbidden love… Eternal consequences…
Olivia Norton was born with a gift—a gift heaven has sworn to protect, and hell is bound to destroy. Her perfect world is turned upside-down when two handsome strangers, Max and Liam, step into her life. Olivia soon discovers that her ‘Mr. Perfect’ is actually a perfect nightmare.
The rules of engagement have changed and Liam, Olivia’s guardian angel, is forced to cross dimensional borders or risk losing the woman he’s sworn to protect. Suddenly, thrust into a world unlike anything he’s ever known, Liam isn’t prepared to come face to face with the young woman whose life he holds in his hands.
But nothing is as it seems, and secrets abound that will ultimately force him to choose between two impossibilities. Max will stop at nothing to finish what he’s started, and Olivia is soon plunged into a battle between good and evil. Her very life hangs in the balance as two forces fight to win her heart.
Thanks for stopping by and please celebrate with me by sharing!
Have a wonderful day! 🙂
Melynda
Haden’s Winner Announced!
Congratulations, Judy, for winning this month’s Amazon gift-card giveaway, courtesy of 5Prince Publishing, in celebration for my upcoming release, Shades of Darkness, Book 2 of the Redemption Series releasing February 28th!
Thank you, everyone, for stopping by and participating. I’m excited to introduce Haden, my dark and twisted Nephilim, in these monthly blog excerpts.
Happy Valentines Day!
Melynda
Still running my 400 “Likes” contest!
We’re getting close to the next 100!
For every 100 “Likes” on my FB author page, I’m giving away a $50 Amazon giftcard!
Click this pic and enter to win!
Heartbreaker Blog Hop Winner and Get to Know Haden Amazon Giveaway!
New Release February 28th!
First of all, thank you, Carrie Ann Ryan, for hosting another fabulous hop, and thanks to everyone who participated. It was tons of fun! The winner of my 25$ Amazon gift-card giveaway was chosen through Randomizer.org. Congratulations, Jeannie, for winning!
In conjunction with this blog hop, I’m hosting the 4th and final Get to know Haden $10 Amazon gift-card giveaway!
To celebrate the upcoming release of Shades of Darkness, Book Two of my Redemption Series, 5Prince Publishing is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card!
Haden is the bad boy you’ll love to hate in this series. Just leave a comment below to be entered to win! A winner will be announced Valentines Day~2/14.
My inspiration for Haden…
Olivia picked up her cards, trying to ignore the stranger with the haunting sea green gaze, and asked the dealer for another card.
The stranger leaned closer, peering at her hand, and whispered, “I think you should stay.”
The card landed on the table in front of her and she reached out to grab it, scoffing, “You’re crazy. Nine or less, and I’m golden. No way I’m gonna stay.”
He cocked his brow in basic male arrogance and shrugged. “Suit yourself. You flip that card and you’re going to lose.”
She hesitated, her outstretched hand gripping the edge of the royal blue diamond-printed card.
“Before you flip it and lose this game, I’ll make you a wager.” His whiskey smooth voice drawled with a foreign accent she couldn’t place. “If I’m right and you bust, you let me buy you a drink at the bar.”
She smiled. Oh, this guy was smooth. “That hardly seems like a win for you—buying me a drink.”
“Oh, it’s a win, believe me. Having a drink with a beautiful woman can hardly be counted a loss.”
Thanks again for stopping by, and have a great day!
Heartbreaker Blog Hop 2/8-2/11
Hi, everyone, welcome to the Heartbreaker Blog Hop. At this stop, I’m giving away a $25 Amazon gift card. The winner will be announced Feb 12th. Enter to win by reading this excerpt from my paranormal romance, Until Darkness Comes, and following the steps below. Commenting on this blog will enter you to win one of 3 Grand Prizes listed below!
A guardian angel… A forbidden love… Eternal consequences…
Olivia Norton was born with a gift—a gift heaven has sworn to protect, and hell is bound to destroy. Her perfect world is turned upside-down when two handsome strangers, Max and Liam, step into her life. Olivia soon discovers that her ‘Mr. Perfect’ is actually a perfect nightmare.
The rules of engagement have changed and Liam, Olivia’s guardian angel, is forced to cross dimensional borders or risk losing the woman he’s sworn to protect. Suddenly, thrust into a world unlike anything he’s ever known, Liam isn’t prepared to come face to face with the young woman whose life he holds in his hands.
But nothing is as it seems, and secrets abound that will ultimately force him to choose between two impossibilities. Max will stop at nothing to finish what he’s started, and Olivia is soon plunged into a battle between good and evil. Her very life hangs in the balance as two forces fight to win her heart.
Until Darkness Comes Excerpt:
Max stood in the parking lot, straddling his Harley. “Come on,” he called impatiently.
“I’m not running, Max. You could have waited for me.”
Sighing, he climbed off the motorcycle and walked toward Olivia. The charming smile painted on his face reminded her of the Cheshire cat. Gathering her in his arms, he pulled her close. “I’m sorry, Liv.”
A smile touched her lips at his attempt to make amends. Now, that’s more like it.
She couldn’t stay mad. Her resistance softened as he placed small kisses along the side of her neck, his throaty purr making her laugh. Olivia playfully spun from his embrace and ran down the beach. Fine, warm grains of sand spilled into her sandals with each step. She glanced over her shoulder to see if he followed, enjoying her little game. His brow quirked in amusement, his dark eyes locked on her, watching her with the intensity of a lion tracking its prey. A tremble of excitement fluttered in the pit of her stomach.
“Don’t make me chase you, Olivia,” his husky growl carried to her on the briny air.
“Ha, you couldn’t catch me,” she challenged.
As the last word left her mouth, Max dashed after her. Letting out a high-pitched squeal, she jagged to the left, running toward the lapping shore of the Gulf. Just as her sandaled foot touched the cool, frothy water, a pair of muscular arms whisked her high in the air.
She yelped playfully, laughing as he swung her around and kissed her.
“I told you not to make me chase you.” His husky whisper brushed against her lips. “You could never outrun me, Olivia.”
Until Darkness Comes is available in paperback or eBook at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or All Romance.
Shades of Darkness, releases Feb. 28th!
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We have 3 grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!
1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $100 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!
Haden’s Winner Announced!
Congratulations, Kaylyn, for winning this month’s Amazon gift-card giveaway, courtesy of 5Prince Publishing! In celebration for my upcoming release, Shades of Darkness, Book 2 of the Redemption Series on February 28th, I’ll be hosting monthly giveaways. February’s giveaway will be big! So stop by, read excerpts from Shades of Darkness, and enter to win. Follow my blog for upcoming details.
Thank you, everyone, for stopping by. I’m excited to introduce Haden, my dark and twisted Nephilim, in these monthly blog excerpts.
Have a great day!
Melynda
Still running my 400 “Likes” contest!
For every 100 “Likes” on my FB author page, I’m giving away a $50 Amazon giftcard!
Click this pic and enter to win!
“I don’t trust you.” Get to know Haden~Part 3. Enter to win an Amazon giftcard!
To celebrate the upcoming release of Shades of Darkness, Book Two of my Redemption Series, 5Prince Publishing is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card!
Haden is the bad boy you’ll love to hate in this series. Every month until Shades of Darkness is released on Feb 28th, I’ll be posting an excerpt from my upcoming release. Just leave a comment below to be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift-card! A winner will be announced 1/29.
My inspiration for Haden…
“Let’s get something clear, Haden. I don’t trust you. For all I know, you’re the one who attacked me last night!”
The amusement drained from his face, and those hateful eyes blazed with barely controlled rage. He took a step closer and grabbed Ashley’s arm in a punishing grip. Bending down, he snarled in her ear. “Listen here, you haughty little shit. If I had attacked you, you’d damn well remember it! And for the record—” he paused, his voice thick with disdain “—you’re not my type.”
Haden released her with a shove, as if having her so close disgusted him. “Here’s a little word of advice you might want to take to heart in the future–don’t piss off your guardian. You nearly got yourself killed last night, and I’m no babysitter. You put yourself on a ledge like that again, and I’m gonna shove you off!”
New Release February 28th!
Free will comes at a cost…
Three years after losing the love of her life, Olivia Norton refuses to continue living in the shadows of what will never be. But how can she marry another, when her guardian angel still holds her heart?
Bound by Universal Law, Liam is forced to choose between his honor and his heart. Returning for Olivia once nearly cost him his salvation, but twice may finally prove to be his undoing. Some sacrifices are worth the risk, while others could bring consequences lasting an immortal lifetime.
The game has changed—new players bring new challenges, and the evil that nearly took Olivia’s life three years ago has returned with a vengeance. A legion has been sent to finish what Max failed to do, and the Dark Court will not rest until the last sighted female has been killed.
Evil has a new face, a new name, and will stop at nothing to possess the key Olivia holds, the power Haden needs to unleash his revenge…
If you haven’t indulged in the forbidden love story between Liam and Olivia, there’s still time!
A guardian angel… A forbidden love… Eternal consequences… Olivia Norton was born with a gift—a gift heaven has sworn to protect, and hell is bound to destroy. Her perfect world is turned upside-down when two handsome strangers, Max and Liam, step into her life. Olivia soon discovers that her ‘Mr. Perfect’ is actually a perfect nightmare.
The rules of engagement have changed and Liam, Olivia’s guardian angel, is forced to cross dimensional borders or risk losing the woman he’s sworn to protect. Suddenly, thrust into a world unlike anything he’s ever known, Liam isn’t prepared to come face to face with the young woman whose life he holds in his hands.
But nothing is as it seems, and secrets abound that will ultimately force him to choose between two impossibilities. Max will stop at nothing to finish what he’s started, and Olivia is soon plunged into a battle between good and evil. Her very life hangs in the balance as two forces fight to win her heart.
400 “Likes” Contest~ 1st winner announced
We’ve hit 100! Congrats Lisa Walker, on being the first winner of my 400 Likes Contest. For every 100 likes, I’m giving away a $50 Amazon gift-card until I hit 400! http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/MelyndaPrice1
“Like” to win a $50 Amazon Gift-card!
I’ve just created my Facebook author page! For every 100 likes, I’m giving away a $50 Amazon gift-card until I hit 400! Winners will be announced as the numbers climb. 🙂 Once I hit 400 I can host events through Facebook. In February, I’ll be giving away a Kindle Fire HD in celebration of my new release, Shades of Darkness, coming out 2/28/13. Keep following my blog for upcoming details! http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/MelyndaPrice1
In the beginning… Get to know Haden (part two) and enter to win an Amazon gift-card!
To celebrate the upcoming release of Shades of Darkness, Book Two of my Redemption Series, 5Prince Publishing is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card!
Haden is the bad boy you’ll love to hate in this series. Every month until Shades of Darkness is released on Feb 28th, I’ll be posting an excerpt from my upcoming release. Just leave a comment below to be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift-card! A winner will be announced 12/21. Follow my blog for upcoming details!
I’ll leave you with a pic of my inspiration for Haden. Enjoy!! 🙂
In the beginning…
Mahala stepped from the entrance of his home as a shadow swept across the land chasing away the last glimpse of the sun. The woman he’d taken for his wife, Anisa, lay resting in the back room with their newborn son nestled snugly in her arms. Looking into the dark ominous sky, a profound sense of impending doom washed over him as the first few drops of rain splattered lightly against his face.
The crisp, floral scent of Heaven touched his nostrils, stirring a deep ache of regret in his chest. As the falling moisture gathered in strength, the low rumble of thunder echoed in the distance—a warning of the wrath to come.
His mind raced, rage and betrayal boiling up inside him. “How could He do this to us?” Mahala snarled, spinning around and storming back into his dwelling. As he entered their bedroom, his exhausted wife woke with a start.
“What are you doing?” Anisa asked, her voice groggy.
He charged forward, and her vibrant green eyes suddenly grew wide with fear. It killed him to do this to her, to their son, but there was no other way. “The boy,” Mahala demanded abruptly, steeling his heart against the grief that threatened to consume him. “Give me the boy!”
“What’s wrong?” Panic filled her voice as Mahala pulled the newborn infant from her arms.
The look of confusion and, God help him, betrayal that flooded his wife’s fear-filled eyes tore his heart out. Each rapid beat crashed against his chest, a stabbing pain that took his breath away. “The end is near,” he managed to rasp past the lump in his throat. Turning away from his beloved and all he held dear in this world, he took their infant and ran out into the cold, drenching downpour.
“Mahala…!” she screamed, her terror cutting through him like a blade. “Mahala! Come back!” Anisa’s broken sobs resonated through the low, growling thunder. It was in that moment Mahala truly died—his flesh would soon follow.
New Release February 28th!
Freewill comes at a cost…
Three years after losing the love of her life, Olivia Norton refuses to continue living in the shadows of what will never be. But how can she marry another, when her guardian angel still holds her heart?
Bound by Universal Law, Liam is forced to choose between his honor and his heart. Returning for Olivia once nearly cost him his salvation, but twice may finally prove to be his undoing. Some sacrifices are worth the risk, while others could bring consequences lasting an immortal lifetime.
The game has changed—new players bring new challenges, and the evil that nearly took Olivia’s life three years ago has returned with a vengeance. A legion has been sent to finish what Max failed to do, and the Dark Court will not rest until the last sighted female has been killed.
Evil has a new face, a new name, and will stop at nothing to possess the key Olivia holds, the power Haden needs to unleash his revenge…
If you haven’t indulged in the forbidden love story between Liam and Olivia, there’s still time!
A guardian angel… A forbidden love… Eternal consequences… Olivia Norton was born with a gift—a gift heaven has sworn to protect, and hell is bound to destroy. Her perfect world is turned upside-down when two handsome strangers, Max and Liam, step into her life. Olivia soon discovers that her ‘Mr. Perfect’ is actually a perfect nightmare.
The rules of engagement have changed and Liam, Olivia’s guardian angel, is forced to cross dimensional borders or risk losing the woman he’s sworn to protect. Suddenly, thrust into a world unlike anything he’s ever known, Liam isn’t prepared to come face to face with the young woman whose life he holds in his hands.
But nothing is as it seems, and secrets abound that will ultimately force him to choose between two impossibilities. Max will stop at nothing to finish what he’s started, and Olivia is soon plunged into a battle between good and evil. Her very life hangs in the balance as two forces fight to win her heart.
Get to Know Haden and Enter to Win a $10 Amazon Gift Card!
To celebrate the upcoming release of Shades of Darkness, Book Two of my Redemption Series, 5Prince Publishing is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card!
Haden is the bad boy you’ll love to hate in this series. Every month until Shades of Darkness is released on Feb 28th, I’ll be posting an excerpt from my upcoming release. Just leave a comment below to be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! A winner will be announced 11/28. Here’s a pic of my inspiration for Haden. Enjoy!!
“So, is it true?” Haden demanded, grabbing Jace’s arm and pulling him into the supply room tucked in the back of the bar. He kicked the door closed with the heel of his boot and leaned against the frame to prevent any untimely interruptions. Too long he’d been waiting for this moment–too long he’d been searching for the sighted one.
“Did you see her? Does she have it?”
Jace looked over his shoulder as if checking to make sure they were truly alone before answering. Turning back, he nodded, “Yeah, it’s true.”
“You saw it then? You saw the stone?” Could it possibly be true? Immanuel’s Stone was actually here on Earth?
“I saw the stone,” Jace repeated.
“That’s fantastic! Have you told anyone else about it?” Haden stepped closer to his friend, casually sliding his arm around the demon’s heavily tattooed neck.
“No, only you, just like you said. Her warrior nearly killed me, though. I could hardly get close enough to see it. You know, for a minute there, I thought you’d sent me on a suicide mission.”
“I did,” quipped his icy reply. With preternatural speed and strength, Haden grabbed his wrist, trapping the demon in a vice-grip and jerked up. The crunch echoed through the small room as Haden released his old friend, watching his lifeless body sag to the floor. Shadows poured beneath the demon, enveloping him in a thick, black mist.
“Sorry about that,” Haden said, stepping over the crumpled heap, taking care not to let the shadows of Sheol touch him. “But to rise to the top, soldiers must fall…”
****
If you haven’t indulged in the forbidden love story between Liam and Olivia, there’s still time!
A guardian angel… A forbidden love… Eternal consequences…
Olivia Norton was born with a gift—a gift heaven has sworn to protect, and hell is bound to destroy. Her perfect world is turned upside-down when two handsome strangers, Max and Liam, step into her life. Olivia soon discovers that her ‘Mr. Perfect’ is actually a perfect nightmare.
The rules of engagement have changed and Liam, Olivia’s guardian angel, is forced to cross dimensional borders or risk losing the woman he’s sworn to protect. Suddenly, thrust into a world unlike anything he’s ever known, Liam isn’t prepared to come face to face with the young woman whose life he holds in his hands.
But nothing is as it seems, and secrets abound that will ultimately force him to choose between two impossibilities. Max will stop at nothing to finish what he’s started, and Olivia is soon plunged into a battle between good and evil. Her very life hangs in the balance as two forces fight to win her heart.
Alpha Male Blog Hop ~ Oct.19-22
Hi, everyone, welcome to the Alpha Male Hop. At this stop, I’m giving away a $25 Amazon gift card. The winner will be announced Oct. 23rd. Enter to win by reading this excerpt from my paranormal romance, Until Darkness Comes, and following the steps below. Commenting on this blog will enter you to win one of 3 Grand Prizes listed below!
A guardian angel… A forbidden love… Eternal consequences…
Olivia Norton was born with a gift—a gift heaven has sworn to protect, and hell is bound to destroy. Her perfect world is turned upside-down when two handsome strangers, Max and Liam, step into her life. Olivia soon discovers that her ‘Mr. Perfect’ is actually a perfect nightmare.
The rules of engagement have changed and Liam, Olivia’s guardian angel, is forced to cross dimensional borders or risk losing the woman he’s sworn to protect. Suddenly, thrust into a world unlike anything he’s ever known, Liam isn’t prepared to come face to face with the young woman whose life he holds in his hands.
But nothing is as it seems, and secrets abound that will ultimately force him to choose between two impossibilities. Max will stop at nothing to finish what he’s started, and Olivia is soon plunged into a battle between good and evil. Her very life hangs in the balance as two forces fight to win her heart.
Until Darkness Comes Excerpt:
Max folded his arms across his chest and cocked his brow. “You’re kinda jumpy, Liv. Something happen today you want to tell me about?”
“No, nothing’s wrong,” she denied. “But we’d better get downstairs, they’re waiting.” Max stood between her and freedom. Olivia walked toward the door, praying he would let her pass. With lightning speed, his hand shot out and caught her wrist before she could dodge his grasp. He pulled her back several steps, looking down at her, he leaned in and inhaled deeply.
“Who were you with today?”
His low, menacing growl sent goose bumps prickling up her arms. His grip on her wrist tightened, and she bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out. “Just a friend,” she replied, hoping he wouldn’t see through the lie.
“A friend, huh?” Arching a brow, he echoed her answer skeptically.
Olivia tried to force a smile. “Yeah, just a friend. So, what did you do today?”
“I waited for you,” Max growled, jerking Olivia’s arm toward him. She stumbled against his rock-hard chest, and before she could register what was happening, his lips came crashing down on hers. Max’s kiss was nothing like Liam’s. It was angry and controlling—suffocating. He tasted stale and smoky as his tongue pressed past her lips and brushed against hers, sending a jolt of panic rushing through her.
She let out a startled yelp when Max suddenly broke their kiss and shoved her away. She stumbled back a few steps and his hand shot out again, grabbing her tender wrist, jerking her back to him like a yo-yo.
“You lying, cheating, little whore!” he growled. “You’ve been kissing him! Don’t even bother trying to deny it. I can taste that son of a bitch!”
Olivia stared at Max, momentarily speechless, her heart slamming inside her chest. “Max,” she said, trying to sound more braver than she felt. “I’m not denying anything, and I think it would be best if you left. I have no interest in continuing this relationship. We’re done.”
“The hell we are!” Max hissed, jerking his hand back.
Preparing for Max to strike, Olivia squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the blow that didn’t come. Suddenly, Max’s hold on her wrist was ripped away and her eyes flew open in time to see Liam’s elbow smash into the side of Max’s jaw.
A loud crack filled the room. Max’s head snapped back, recoiling from the blow and when he looked back at Liam, his feral grin made her blood run cold. His lower lip was split open and bleeding. Slowly, Max’s tongue snaked out to taste the dark blood oozing down the corner of his mouth and gave Liam a sardonic “it’s on” smile. Bursting forward, he wrapped his hands around Liam’s neck for leverage, and drove his knee into his stomach.
Max moved so fast, she only saw a swift blur before a thud filled the room. Liam brought his hands up hard and fast, breaking Max’s hold around his neck. As Max stumbled back, Liam sent a side-kick into his chest, propelling him across the bedroom. He landed against her bed. The impact sent it sliding across the floor, and crashing into the wall.
Liam jumped on top of Max before her eyes could track his movement. When she blinked again, Max was back up, his fist connecting with Liam’s cheek, splitting it open..
A ferocious snarl tore from Liam’s lips as he slammed his shoulder into Max’s chest, driving him back. They flew across the bedroom and crashed through the open window.
“Liam!” Olivia screamed, running to the window. Panic squeezed her throat, choking her as she imagined what she’d find on the grass below. She stuck her head through the opening and gasped—they were gone! Something was terribly wrong here. Normal people didn’t fight like this—normal people couldn’t move this fast, and normal people didn’t fall from two-story windows and disappear!
~~~~~
Until Darkness Comes is available in paperback or eBook at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or All Romance.
1.) Friend me on facebook
2.) Follow me on twitter
3.) “Follow me” on my blog (button located on the right sidebar.)
4.) Friend me on Goodreads.
5.) Leave a comment below, telling me which of these things you’ve done of if you’re already following me. 🙂 Do all four and you have four chances to win! Good Luck!
We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!
Now what are those prizes?
1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $130 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack!
6.) Return to the Hop! Have a great day!
Shades of Darkness ~ Excerpt
I’m so excited to have finished Shades of Darkness, Book 2 Redemption Series, that I had to post an excerpt! Sending it in to my editor today! 🙂
I’m attaching a pic of my inspiration for Haden, the new antagonist in my series you’ll love to hate!
Shades of Darkness
Prologue
Three Years Later
“So, is it true?” Haden demanded, grabbing hold of Jace’s arm and pulling him into the tiny supply room tucked away in the back of the bar. He kicked the door closed with the heel of his boot and leaned against the frame to prevent any untimely interruptions. Too long he’d been waiting for this moment, too long he’d been searching for the “sighted” one. “Did you see her? Does she have it?”
Jace looked over his shoulder as if to make sure they were truly alone before answering. Turning back around, he nodded, “Yeah, it’s true.”
“You saw it then? You saw the stone?” Could it possibly be true? Was Immanuel’s Stone actually here, on Earth?
“I saw the stone,” Jace repeated.
“That’s fantastic! Have you told anyone else about it?” Haden stepped closer to his friend, casually sliding his arm around the demon’s heavily tattooed neck.
“No, only you, just like you said. Her warrior nearly killed me, though. I could hardly get close enough to her to see it. You know, for a minute there, I thought you’d sent me on a suicide mission.”
“I did…” Haden growled, grabbing hold of his arm circling the demon’s neck and jerked up with preternatural strength. The crunch echoed through the small room, and Haden released his old friend, watching as his lifeless body sagged to the floor. Shadows poured out beneath the demon, enveloping him in a thick, black mist.
“Sorry about that,” Haden said, stepping over the crumpled heap. “But to rise to the top, soldiers must fall.”
Genesis
(The Great Flood)
Two by two, the last of the animals stepped onto the great ark as the heavy door slammed closed with a resolute bang echoing all the way up to the Heavens.
Angels watched in amazement as the first drops of rain began to fall upon the earth. Before this moment, the world had received all of its life-giving water from underground springs. Rumors of an impending flood had been passing through Heaven and Earth for months, but until this very moment, no one had ever witnessed this phenomenon called rain.
“It has begun,” Tate said, his voice rich with vindication. “God’s wrath will finally rid the world of its evil abomination. Soon, the daughters of Cain will wail in despair, for the Great Flood is upon them.”
“It’s unfortunate the fallen have forced the Father’s hand in this matter. They must realize a lineage of half-breeds would never be allowed to exist.” Unlike his brethren, Liam took no pleasure in knowing what terrible destruction would soon befall the Earth.
“Undisciplined and evil…” Tate grunted as the giant raindrops quickly gathered in strength.
***
Mahala stepped from the entrance of his home as a shadow swept across the land, chasing away the last glimpse of the sun. The woman he’d taken for his wife, Anisa, lay resting in the back room with their newborn son nestled snugly in her arms. Looking into the dark, ominous sky, a profound sense of impending doom washed over him as the first few drops of rain splattered lightly against his face. The crisp floral scent of Heaven touched his nostrils, stirring a deep ache of regret in his chest. As the falling moisture gathered in strength, the low rumble of thunder echoed somewhere in the distance, bringing with it a warning of the wrath to come.
His mind raced, rage and betrayal boiling up inside him. “How could He do this to us?” Mahala snarled, spinning around and storming back into his dwelling. As he entered their bedroom, his exhausted wife woke with a start.
“What are you doing?” Anisa asked, her voice groggy.
He charged forward, and her vibrant green eyes suddenly grew wide with fear. It killed him to do this to her, to their son, but there was no other way. “The boy,” Mahala demanded abruptly, steeling his heart against the grief that threatened to swallow him whole. “Give me the boy!”
“What’s wrong?” Panic filled her voice as Mahala pulled the newborn infant from her arms and wrapped a blanket around him.
The look of confusion and, God help him, betrayal that flooded his wife’s fear-filled eyes, tore his heart out. Each rapid beat crashed against his chest, a stabbing pain that took his breath away. “The end is near,” he managed to rasp past the lump in his throat. Turning away from his beloved and all he held dear in this world, he took their infant and ran into the downpour of cold, drenching rain.
“Mahala…!” his wife screamed. Her terror cut through him like razor blades. “Mahala! Come back!” her broken sobs resonated through the low, growling thunder. It was in that moment Mahala truly died—his flesh would soon follow.
***
Mahala looked down at the small bundle in his arms one last time before walking through the chamber doors of the Dark Court. Stiffening his resolve, he placed one determined foot in front of the other until he stood before the three lords of the underworld. My God, how things have changed… Once powerful, noble warriors, he would have proudly fought beside, and died for, any one of these three.
Now, seated before him in a throne room that stunk of sulfur and rotting flesh, he barely recognized his long-ago comrades, fallen and exiled for crimes of treason against their creator.
“Mahala,” Lorca greeted, his scratchy voice no doubt burned raw from the sulfurous gas hissing through the cracked rocks jutting up behind them. “It’s been a long time.”
In a moment of weakness, he nearly changed his mind. Every muscle in his body screamed for him to turn back and flee this hell. Surely the floods would be preferable to this. But Mahala was not ignorant to prophecy, and to return his son to Earth would be to condemn the infant to certain death.
“Come…tell us, what brings you before the Dark Court, and not empty-handed I see.”
“The Great Flood is upon us.” He looked from Lorca, who seated on the left, to Gahn, who sat on the right, and tried to avoid the piercing gaze of the disfigured abomination positioned in between them. The one whose beauty had once been beyond compare—the one was responsible for orchestrating this cluster fuck that ultimately led to one-third of the angels falling from grace.
“And what do you think we can possibly do about this?” Gahn asked.
“Nothing…nothing can be done! His will is in motion and we are all helpless to stop it!” desperation edging into his voice.
“So why are you here?” Lorca snapped.
“It’s my son.” Mahala held the small, delicate bundle up before the court. “I seek asylum for my son. The Nephilim race will be wiped from existence unless you save him.”
“And we should care why?” Gahn asked.
“Because…Nephilim are gifted. If given the chance, I am confident my son will serve the Dark Court well. Please, take the boy. If I return to Earth with him, he will surely die.”
The three sat there, motionless, contemplating his request. The seconds dragged by until finally, Gahn stood, stepping down from the throne. “Leave the boy,” he commanded with a dismissive wave of his hand. “The Nephilim shall be granted asylum as you requested.”
Mahala’s relief was short-lived. Dread quickly engulfed him as the ramifications of his actions slammed into him with wrecking force. He’d just made a deal with the devil in exchange for his son’s life—a life he’d just indentured to the lords of the underworld. Yet, unable to bear the thought of watching his flesh and blood die, he placed a kiss on the newborn’s forehead and laid the blanketed bundle on the ground before forcing himself to step away.
A shrill infant cry filled the chamber and Mahala froze. Every instinct inside him raged in protest to the injustice being wrought upon his innocent son. He looked back to see Gahn standing over the child, and thought, if for only a moment, he might have seen a softening in the demon’s coal black eyes as the infant’s pale green gaze stared back at him.
Gahn reached down to pick up the tiny bundle, his long, gnarled fingers circling the infant’s chest. Mahala forced himself to walk out the door, each step carrying him farther and farther from his infant son. He had no choice. This was the only way to ensure survival of the Nephilim race.
Mahala walked through the chamber doors and back to his mortal wife. She’d never forgive him—not for this, and not for God’s wrath which, even now, was pouring down upon them. But even if she did grant him that small mercy before her death, he knew he was to blame, they all were, and no amount of begging or pleading would absolve him of his sins. The fallen had been strictly forbidden to take mortal wives, and the children born of these unions were a cursed race. They had infected God’s beloved, and their day of judgment was finally at hand.
In Shadows 31 Days Event hosted by Brynna Curry
Welcome to In Shadows 31 Days Event hosted by Brynna Curry!! To celebrate her Halloween event, I’m giving away a copy of Until Darkness Comes! Enter to win by leaving a comment below. Happy Halloween! 🙂
Nearly all Halloween traditions can be traced to the ancient Celtic day of the dead. Halloween is a holiday of many mysterious customs, but each one has a history, or at least a story behind it. One of the most celebrated traditions is pumpkin carving.
We’re all familiar with these sometimes cute but mostly ghoulish glowing faces but do you know why we go to the pumpkin patch (or your local grocery store) and spend a pain-staking amount of time searching for and picking the best one, only to go home, carve it up, stick a candle inside it and display it so proudly on the front step?
The Celts believed that on October 31st the Lord of Death, Saman, would call together all the souls that had died the previous year to travel to the afterlife during the Vigil of Samhain. Ancestral ghosts and demons emerged from sidh (ancient mounds or barrows of the countryside) and were free to roam the earth, harm crops, and cause trouble.
To deter these evil spirits from coming to people’s homes, the Celts would carve faces in gourds, light them with a candle, and display them in the windows of their homes. They believed the frightening faces would scare off any evil spirits.
So this Halloween, be sure to carve your pumpkin extra scary to keep the ghouls at bay. 🙂
Have a safe and tradition-filled Halloween!
If you’re looking for a good paranormal romance about angels and demons, check out my new release, Until Darkness Comes, Book 1 Redemption Series. Enter to win a copy of Until Darkness Comes by leaving a comment below.
A guardian angel… A forbidden love… Eternal consequences…
Olivia Norton was born with a gift—a gift heaven has sworn to protect, and hell is bound to destroy. Her perfect world is turned upside-down when two handsome strangers, Max and Liam, step into her life. Olivia soon discovers that her ‘Mr. Perfect’ is actually a perfect nightmare.
The rules of engagement have changed and Liam, Olivia’s guardian angel, is forced to cross dimensional borders or risk losing the woman he’s sworn to protect. Suddenly, thrust into a world unlike anything he’s ever known, Liam isn’t prepared to come face to face with the young woman whose life he holds in his hands.
But nothing is as it seems, and secrets abound that will ultimately force him to choose between two impossibilities. Max will stop at nothing to finish what he’s started, and Olivia is soon plunged into a battle between good and evil. Her very life hangs in the balance as two forces fight to win her heart.
Until Darkness Comes is available in paperback or eBook at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or All Romance.
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