I'm rather proud of all my titles. So, Gareth. The tough alpha male who doesn't know how to show his feelings, his affection. One fiance left him, and now there's this woman in his life. Good thing Arabelle doesn't take any of his shit!
I don't know why I did it, I mean I'm not planning on being online much this weekend, but I signed up to be a part of The Romance Studio's Thanksgiving Party.
Roman nocked her arrow, drew back an imaginative bow, took aim, released her words, and hit bull’s eye dead-center!
Get ready to save a camel and ride a magicker. Yes, I did say that. Go ahead, you can read it again if you’d like. This is erotica, after all!
Desert & Destiny: England, April 1883Following the treasure-lined path he had earlier, he found Arabelle Bahari exactly where they’d left her, standing before her father’s now-empty desk.
Not entering immediately, he remained in the shadowed hallway and
studied her. Her shoulders were slumped and head bowed, and Gareth didn’t think it was the overwhelming presence of six powerful magickers who invaded her sanctuary that caused this display of emotion.
A single tear dropped from her cheek to the desktop.
Although she was the most exotically beautiful woman he’d ever seen, Gareth was surprised at his reaction to her. He wanted her with a fierceness he’d never experienced. Never expected.
“Are you going to stand in the shadows for what’s left of the night?”
Her voice was even huskier now, putting him to mind of moonlight on her skin as that golden skin wrapped around him. When she looked up, her eyes were clear as glass, the blackest of glass.
“I was worried about you,” he said, stepping into the brightly lighted office. “You lost a friend tonight, that could rattle anyone.”
“I’m not rattled,” she said, voice melancholy. “I’ve lost friends before. As magickers.” She tossed her head and her long black hair whirled about her. He hadn’t noticed it before, the silk of it, the length. It added to her allure. Gareth wanted to feel its weight, feel it against his skin, wrapping around them as they made love.
“We grow all-too accustomed to losing those we care for.”
Making the effort, he rounded the desk to stand before her. He debated
taking her hand, uncomfortable with such displays. “Yes. We’ve lost too many, to
the point where our grief has hardened us.”
“I’m surprised,” she said, leaning a hip against the desk.
“That I understand grief?” Gareth offered a short bitter laugh. “You’re not the only one who’s lost those she loves.”
“No,” Miss Bahari said, “I’m surprised the grief of those outside your circle affects you.”
Angered with her callous remark, Gareth grabbed her upper arms and shook her. They were slim and muscular beneath the loose white top she wore. “I didn’t ask for this, Miss Bahari. I was born to it and have done the best I could under the circumstances in which we live. It’s never been just my life at stake.”
“You’ve protected yours,” she snapped back, “but what about the rest of us?”
She didn’t try to break away but her voice fought him, her eyes blazed fury at him. Some small part of Gareth thought he shouldn’t be so attracted to her anger, but it was soon drowned out by his own anger, anger and desire.
“You denied us the chance to learn from you. Even now, I can feel my own magick increasing with your nearness. Yet you’ve left us in the cold.”
“It was not,” he said softly, still holding her, “my intent.”
The air shifted between them, then, sparked around them. She hadn’t moved, hadn’t tried to break free since he’d grabbed her. Suddenly her hands were on his face, pulling him forward. Her mouth was on his, hot and greedy. The spark turned to an inferno and he embraced it.
Shadow State first, because my wehrwölfes hold a special place in my heart. 5 Tombstones: My only complaint is that the story was so short; the people and surrounding periphery were intriguing, and I would have loved to get more of it all. I hope Ms. Roman has more of these stories in the works as I’m bound to gobble them up as well. Be prepared to devote all your time to completing this one - it was hard to put down!
Murder & Magick 4.5 Tombstones
Sex & Subterfuge 3.5 Tombstones
Desert & Destiny 4.5 TombstonesHolly said: Isabel Roman has once again taken us back in time to revisit her Druidic masters. The usual cast of characters is present: Raven and Malcolm, Lucien and Morgana, and Lady Isadore Harrington are all here. At the onset, Gareth is still bitter and resentful of Malcolm, Lord Preston for seducing and marrying Raven, and it colors many of his actions. But Arabelle realizes she cares for Gareth, and does all she can to win him over.
The location this time, Egypt of the late 1800’s, is one of contrasts.
There are luxurious hotels catering to the tourists and crumbling hovels that the native people live in almost next to each other. The characters are, as always, richly charismatic and superbly detailed. The women are strong and intelligent, and as willing to jump into the fray as the men are.The action is fast and exciting, the mystery engaging, and the romance is searingly hot. For anyone who likes a bit of history with their romance, this one fills the bill quite nicely. Do Gareth and Arabelle get the happy ever after they deserve? Read Dark Desires of the Druids III: Desert and Destiny and find out.
IvyD said: Morgana is as different from Raven as you can get. Older, widowed and very secure in both her magick and position as Master. She wields both effortlessly and plays the game well. The need for secrecy is just as strong in America as England. The politics haven’t changed much and people in power still want the magickers eradicated. It’s always fascinating when two strong willed independent people are as attracted to each other as Lucien and Morgana are. Will the very qualities they value, respect and admire bring them together or tear them apart? Not only do they have their own natures to deal with but the responsibilities they both shoulder are no small matter and literally, an ocean apart. The tension ratchets up when a dire threat against the American magickers and Morgana herself is discovered. How can it be nullified without sacrificing all that’s been established?
Dark Desires Of The Druids II: Sex And Subterfuge, the second installment of the Druids series is just as interesting a read as the first. There is danger, treachery, romance and passion aplenty. Takoda, Morgana’s self-appointed body guard is an intriguing character I’d like to learn more about. All in all, a worthy follow up to the Murder And Magick.
Isabel Roman had done a wonderful job of telling this story about how strong the female line was in the American Blackthorne family. The simple fact that Morgana put everyone else before her wants and needs, including her trusted cousin, James, and friend, Takoda, told me she had a great concern for others. I cannot wait to dive into the next book to see what happens with the Magickers.And Desert & Destiny, giving it 4.5 Nymphs:
Isabel Roman has done a wonderful job of writing about ancient Egypt, the Magickers power to control the flow of life, and how love will survive. I especially love the fact that she added a twist to the couple’s lives without their knowing. Once the group retrieved the book they were looking for, I felt as though there should be something more, and hope that Ms. Roman will make me a happy camper continuing this series.
Love Romance Passion gave it 5 stars and says, "Mmm-mmm delicious! Roman
certainly has a way with storytelling."
Literary Nymphsgave it 4.5 Nymphs: "A very intriguing story of Gypsies, murder, and a bonding love that will hold for all time."
And from Coffee Time Romance4 cups of coffee "The characters are vividly drawn and the plot is very well crafted. This is the start of an extremely promising new
series, and I am going to buy and read every single one of them."
