This week, we're welcoming author Christina Phillips, with her latest title set in ancient times, Betrayed. Join us on Sunday, when the author will offer a free copy of the book to a lucky blog visitor. Here's the blurb:
In 51 A.D., Druid priestess Nimue is
injured and enslaved by the hated Roman Legions. Even though she is drawn to
her captor, she’s determined to escape and complete her mission for the Briton
king and her duty to Arianrhod, the goddess she is bound to.
Roman warrior Tacitus is enchanted by the fiery beauty who shows no fear and challenges him at every turn. Though enslaving her goes against his heart, he’s determined to make her his. No woman has ever heated his blood as she does. But when he discovers her true nature as one who actually communes with the gods, his loyalties are torn between his heritage and a woman who could destroy everything he’s ever believed in.
A Romantica® fantasy erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
“I recommend this novel to all lovers of erotic romance, especially those who like a historical theme and a strong heroine and a leading man who is the embodiment of male sexuality and virtue. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, Tainted.” 5 Stars A Readers Review
“I hungered desperately for them to come to an understanding, to bridge the divide between their cultures but I must admit for a few moments I wasn't even sure if it was going to happen, leaving me biting my nails for quite a few pages!
“If you enjoy historical romances with some steam, you are sure to enjoy this and I would expect most romance readers to enjoy it. Although the setting is gripping and enthralling, Ms. Phillips manages not to dictate a history lesson to the reader but simply draws you in, allowing the focus to stay on the two most important people.” 5 Stars Love Lust and Lipstick Stains
Learn more about author Christina Phillips:
Betrayed Book Trailer
The tough Roman warrior who captures her
is far from the brutal barbarian she expects. His touch inflames her desires
and passion burns between them. Though Nimue does not accept her enslavement,
her heart surrenders to her enemy. When Arianrhod appears to her in the form of
an owl, Nimue knows the union is blessed.
Roman warrior Tacitus is enchanted by the fiery beauty who shows no fear and challenges him at every turn. Though enslaving her goes against his heart, he’s determined to make her his. No woman has ever heated his blood as she does. But when he discovers her true nature as one who actually communes with the gods, his loyalties are torn between his heritage and a woman who could destroy everything he’s ever believed in.
A Romantica® fantasy erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
**An Excerpt from Betrayed**
An eerie chill trickled along
Nimue’s spine, causing the hair to rise on the back of her neck and arms.
Without thinking she leaped to her feet, dagger once again in her hand. But it
wasn’t a lone legionary who had caught her so unawares. It was a mounted Roman
officer, in a flowing scarlet cloak, with his shield in one hand and sword in
the other.
For a moment all she could
feel was the erratic thud of her heart in her ears, the uneven gasp of her
breath in her throat. The sun dazzled her, glinting off the polished metal of
his armor as he stared down at her, and obscurely she noted his impressive
biceps, his muscles flexing as he urged his horse forward.
Flee. The command whispered in her
mind, faint and insubstantial. But the treacherous rocks on her right, the fast
flowing stream at her back and the steep bank on the far side did not offer her
a speedy escape. But somehow she had to lead him farther away from the queen
and princess. Except he had effectively trapped her by the edge of the stream.
Yet even as the weight of her
responsibility tormented her conscience, she couldn’t drag her fascinated gaze
from the Roman. His face was hard, autocratic, unsmiling. The face of countless
Romans, and yet like none she had ever seen before. His eyes were narrowed, his
strong jaw shadowed. And the tip of his sword was a mere arm’s length from her
face.
“Surrender to the might of the
Eagle,” he said in the ancient Celtic language of her people. His voice was
deep, sensuous, and dark embers stirred between her thighs, as if she faced a
brave warrior of Cymru instead of a cowardly barbarian of Rome. “And you shall
remain unharmed.”
Her palm was sweaty around her
dagger and she tightened her grip before it slipped from her grasp. She might
not have a chance against this Roman but she would never surrender to him. And
she would never willingly give up her weapons, either.
“I would sooner die fighting
you,” she said in Latin, just to show him she was no ignorant native of a
fractured land. Her mother had taught her the language well. “Than surrender my
freedom to your filthy Emperor.”
She had no freedom under Rome.
As soon as they discovered she was a Druid, her life would be forfeit. Crucifixion
was terrifying enough, but it was the torture she would doubtless endure
beforehand that shriveled her soul.
His black stallion whickered,
pawed the ground, but the Roman did not break eye contact nor did his sword
waver.
“Brave words, little Celt.”
Still he spoke in her language, and disbelief unfurled through her breast at
the tone of his voice. Did he find her challenge amusing? “But I don’t fight women.”
She ignored the threat of his
sword and stepped forward, her dagger on clear display. He had no right to
enter her land and then mock her
prowess as a warrior. Just because she did not possess the brute strength of a
full-grown male didn’t mean she lacked dexterity or speed. She glared up at
him, wishing, obscurely, she could see the color of his eyes.
“Why? Are you afraid I may
unman you?” Why was she trying to raise his ire? Wouldn’t it make more sense to
beg for freedom? Pretend to be a mere peasant, caught up in this revolt?
Perhaps, then, he would allow her to escape without persecution?
Even as the thought teased her
mind she knew the silver bracelets on her wrists, the torque at her throat and
jewels in her ears plainly branded her as anything but a peasant.
For one brief moment the
corner of his lips quirked, as if he found her not only amusing but highly
entertaining.
“I believe,” his voice was a
seductive caress along the naked flesh of her arms, the exposed swell of her
breasts. “I am more than man enough for you, Celt.”
Reviews
“The author creates a world full
characters that jumped of the page. I am no scholar of ancient Britain but she
appears to have done a lot of research into the customs, religion and medicinal
uses of various herbs etc. of the time…
“I recommend this novel to all lovers of erotic romance, especially those who like a historical theme and a strong heroine and a leading man who is the embodiment of male sexuality and virtue. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, Tainted.” 5 Stars A Readers Review
“I hungered desperately for them to come to an understanding, to bridge the divide between their cultures but I must admit for a few moments I wasn't even sure if it was going to happen, leaving me biting my nails for quite a few pages!
“If you enjoy historical romances with some steam, you are sure to enjoy this and I would expect most romance readers to enjoy it. Although the setting is gripping and enthralling, Ms. Phillips manages not to dictate a history lesson to the reader but simply draws you in, allowing the focus to stay on the two most important people.” 5 Stars Love Lust and Lipstick Stains
Learn more about author Christina Phillips:
Betrayed Book Trailer
Betrayed YouTube url: http://youtu.be/-ZNznIYK-dw
