Dexter's Final Cut Review

Dexter’s Final Cut   

Author: Jeff Lindsay

Publisher: Doubleday

American release date: September 17, 2013

Format/Genre/Length: Novel/Horror/368pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★

A pilot for a much-anticipated TV series is being shot in Miami, and Dexter is ordered to allow himself to be shadowed by the actor that plays the show’s blood spatter analyst, none other than Robert Chase himself. Too bad for Chase, the very sight of blood makes him violently ill. Deborah is ordered to perform the same task for the show’s leading lady, the very beautiful Jackie Forrest. With movie-like timing, they manage to arrival fast on the heels of a new serial killer, who’s seriously butchered and mutilated a young woman and thrown her into a Dumpster. (Cue the obligatory vomit scene from Mr. Chase).

Meanwhile, at home, Dexter and Rita are in the process of moving into a new home, a larger home. One with a pool. And the pool needs a new cage, which can’t be cheap. So when Fate intervenes and offers Dexter the opportunity to become the paid protector of Jackie Forrest, who is being threatened by a stalker, he leaps at the chance. Of course, it has nothing to do with the fact that she’s beautiful. And he can’t stop thinking about her. Or in pissing off her assistant.

Dexter finds living the good life very pleasant indeed, and becomes to waft away on daydreams of making this a permanent lifestyle. He finds Robert annoying as hell, and thinks Chase has a crush on Dexter. (Much like Vince Masuoka has on Robert). Hell, everybody loves Robert, even Astor. (but not Dexter). When another co-star joins them, a popular comedian named Renny, Dexter makes a startling discovery.

Let me say that I love these books whole heartedly, and have ever since I first discovered them.

And this one... not at all. Where to begin?

If I hadn’t read the books that preceded this one, I could have accepted this Dexter and not known any better. But I have read them and so I can’t. Dexter pining after a blonde goddess, yearning to go to Hollywood and step into the glamour of the footlights? What, is this book supposed to be set in an alternate universe and Jeff Lindsay forgot to mention the fact? Dexter forsaking the shadows of his life for glitz and glamour? What the hell?

As that part of the plot began to unravel, I wanted to throw the book, to keep it from my disbelieving eyes. But no, I kept reading, certain that it was all a farce, that the real Dexter would soon stand up and be counted. But it didn’t happen. Not only did my Dexter not appear, but stupid!Dexter took his place. Drooling, brain-damaged Dexter, who couldn’t figure out the identity of the killer that I spotted almost from the beginning of the book. Who made stupid basic mistakes that Dexter would not have made, such as letting a pre-teen girl walk off with a virtual stranger. Maybe he doesn’t love Rita in the normal sense, but he knows her value, and he does care for Astor and Cody. And Lily. Yet he’s ready to walk away from them all? And perhaps even the Dark Passenger?

I don’t know what happened here. I don’t even know if this is the last book of the series or not, to coincide with the end of the TV series (which I heard was bad, but I’m too far behind to worry about that now). The ending is not only stupid, it’s indecisive, and almost screams another book is coming to explain what just happened. Only I think I’d rather that didn’t happen. Just let the series go out with a whimper than risk any more of this atrocious storytelling. If I could un-read this one, I would. I’d tell Jeff Lindsay to please, rewrite this and give us something we can love, not this horrible tripe.

I know Dexter fans will be compelled to read this, so my telling you not to will probably fall on deaf ears. But honestly, it’s just not good, and I don’t say that lightly. Go back and re-read the others. You’ll be better off.

If this was Dexter’s final cut, I just hope Lindsay doesn’t bring out the director’s cut next.

Wednesday Briefs: No Way Out #25

Happy Wednesday everyone! Hard to believe the week is half gone already! Hope you're all having a good one, and you're ready to read some flash fiction courtesy of the Wednesday Briefers!

In last week's episode of No Way Out, Wyatt is nervously awaiting Shy's arrival. Shy's not having a good evening, far from it. Will Wyatt be sensitive to his needs? Does Lukas need to read him the riot act? Find out in this week's chapter of No Way Out. Also, just a reminder that next week will be the last one that I'll post online. So if you want to keep up with the story as I write it, email me and let me know.  Don't forget to see what the rest of the Briefers are up to. Their links follow my tale!  Enjoy!

No Way Out #25

“What the fuck do you think I am, an animal?” Wyatt’s indignation mounted, but at a glance from Lukas, he subsided into wounded silence.

“I didn’t say that. Didn’t even think it. But you honestly don’t know what you’re dealing with. It would take so little to scar that poor boy. And I’m not just talking sex here, though God knows that probably hasn’t been pleasant. Just don’t expect him to respond to you because you want him to. He won’t appreciate it, and he won’t know how to handle it. Take everything very slow with him. Everything, Wyatt.”

“I just want to help him, Lukas,” Wyatt said plaintively. “That’s all. I have no ulterior motives. I’m not trying to get him into bed or anything. Honest.”

“I believe you care about him. Too much.”

“What do you mean too much?”

“I think you’re forgetting who he belongs to.”

Another growl rose in Wyatt’s throat. “That’s ridiculous. He can’t belong to anyone but himself. What kind of times do you think we live in?”

“You tell him that and you’ll find out,” Lukas said flatly. He laid a hand on Wyatt’s arm, gazing earnestly into his eyes. “I know you mean well and you want to protect him. But what happens when he tells you he’s going back to Randy? What happens when his dom gets out of the hospital and claims Shy all over again? You have to realize that’s going to happen. You can’t afford to love this boy, Wyatt, you just can’t.”

“Maybe he won’t get out.” Wyatt clutched at straws. “People die from heart attacks all the time.”

“Yeah and maybe that would be a kindness to Shy, but you can’t count on that. And I don’t believe you’d wish someone’s death for that reason.”

Wyatt set his mouth in a tight line and refused to let himself be drawn into an argument. Grant’s death would not cause him to shed any tears, and he’d be no loss to the world. Most of all, Shy would be set free... If that was a horrible thought, then so be it.

“So, what are you planning on doing?”

Good question.

“Just keep him safe. Take care of him the best I can.”

“With no expectations?”

“With no expectations.”

“Good.” Lukas let out a long breath. “That’s a start.”

Wyatt saw the lights first, cutting through the darkness of the street. He jumped to his feet, almost falling in the process. A swift but gentle kick from Lukas reminded him to settle down.

“Why don’t you answer the door while I clear up this mess?” He gathered up the empty bottles in one hand, picked up the glasses in his other, and quirked a brow at Wyatt.

“Yes, I know. Friend, not lover.”

Lukas nodded, satisfied, and left the room.

It felt like an eternity, but was probably mere moments later, that the sound of the doorbell shattered the silence. Wyatt took a deep breath. You can do this. You have to do this. For Shy’s sake.

Then he opened the door.

* * * *

The thought uppermost in Shy’s mind was home. Getting home before Randy, making sure everything was immaculate. And preparing for his punishment. That he’d be punished, he had no doubt. Randy had told him to do something, and he’d not done it. There would be consequences, that Shy knew.

The man who drove him home was nice. He hadn’t talked much, for which Shy was grateful. He’d asked Shy what music he liked to listen to. Shy said he didn’t know much about music, so the man—who said his name was Bill—picked out a station. Shy didn’t care; he wasn’t listening.

When they walked up the path, only then did he realize that this was not home. But before he could voice his concern, the door had opened and there stood Wyatt, and whatever Shy had been about to say evaporated, leaving him tongue-tied.

“Come in, come in,” Wyatt welcomed them, standing aside. Bill motioned Shy ahead of him. Shy was unsure of what to do, but his feet had no such problem, and he found himself inside the house, without having decided to move.

Another man entered the room, presumably from the back of the house. Shy recognized him. He knew his name was Lukas. He was a friend of the man who lived across the street from them. He was also a member of the club.

Lukas glanced at Wyatt, then at Bill. Everyone seemed frozen, like living statues. Wyatt broke the silence first.

“Sit down, Shy, please.” He took a step toward him then stopped, gesturing toward the sofa.

Shy reluctantly took a seat, to be polite, but he hovered on the edge of the cushions; he didn’t intend to stay for any length of time. “I have to get home,” he repeated. Maybe if he said it often enough, it would happen.

Another awkward moment. When Bill cleared his throat, Shy thought Wyatt would jump out of his skin. The thought almost made him giggle, but he held it in.

“Sorry,” Lukas apologized. “Wyatt, this is Bill Blankenship. Bill, this is my protégé, Wyatt Findley. You’ve heard me talk about him, I’m sure.”

“Oh yes, definitely.” Bill held out his hand to Wyatt, and Shy watched them shake.

“Thank you for bringing Shy. And for everything you did for him. I can’t thank you enough...”

“You don’t have to thank me. That was just—” He stopped speaking, glanced at Shy. “That was wrong on too many levels,” he finished.

“Does he know—? I mean, has there been any word?” That was Lukas now.

Does who know what? Sometimes they seemed to be speaking just outside of his knowledge, as if they were discussing him and didn’t want him to know what they were talking about. But why?

“I haven’t heard anything, but frankly, I’m not interested in his condition,” Bill replied.

Whose condition?

to be continued

Now go check out the rest of the Briefers and see what they're up to!

M.A. Church

 Nephylim  

Cia Nordwell

JC Wallace

Shelly Schulz

Chris T. Kat

Rob Colton

 Victoria Adams

Renee Stevens

Tali Spencer

A.R. Von

Renee Stevens

 Andrew Gordon

 Elyzabeth VaLey   

 Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

Virtual Book Tour and Book Review: Stealing Fire

Please welcome author Susan Sloate, who is going to talk about her newest release, Stealing Fire. And after that, I shall be reviewing the book, so stay tuned!

 Susan will be awarding a notebook that is just perfect for journaling to one lucky commenter. The more often you comment, the better your chances of winning! To find out where the other tour stops are, go here.

STEALING FIRE

By

Susan Sloate

BLURB:  

“How do you recognize your soulmate?

In glittery 1980’s Los Angeles, Beau Kellogg is a brilliant Broadway lyricist now writing advertising jingles and yearning for one more hit to compensate for his miserable marriage and disappointing life.

Amanda Harary, a young singer out of synch with her contemporaries, works at a small New York hotel, while she dreams of singing on Broadway.

When they meet late at night over the hotel switchboard, what begins will bring them each unexpected success, untold joy, and piercing heartache ... until they learn that some connections, however improbable, are meant to last forever.

STEALING FIRE is, at its heart, a story for romantics everywhere, who believe in the transformative power of love.”

STEALING FIRE was a Quarter-Finalist (Top 5%) in the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest.

EXCERPT:  

    

The phones were ringing off the hook, and it was after three.  And Amanda was tired.

    

She disposed of all the calls; she didn't think she could be bright and bubbling tonight. As she started to put down her headset, she realized she'd left one call on hold; the red light winked tantalizingly at her. She pushed the button, and was startled to hear a light, clear whistle delicately sounding one of her favorite old songs.

    

For a moment, she just listened. Then she started to hum along, filling in the words where she could remember them.

    

The whistling stopped, and the voice she'd come to recognize and dread pushed out at her.  "So you know it."

    

"It's one of my favorites." She hummed a few more bars, hesitatingly. "I've known it for years."

    

"Remember the title?"  It was a challenge.

   

 "`Bursting Bubbles'."  That was easy.  She remembered the scratchy old record that Josie had broken years ago. Even now she felt a small pang at losing it. "From a show called The Life and Times."

    

"Well, well. I'm impressed. Two points for you."

    

"And for you, 704.  Are you into trivia games?"

    

He chuckled.  "So you know who I am. That makes you one up on me. I don't know who you are."

   

 "Why do you want to know? Gonna complain to the boss?"

   

 "I wanted to thank you. I don't often have a chocolate shake for breakfast, but it really hit the spot this morning. I never get service like this, not even at the Lorelei."

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Susan Sloate is the author of 20 published books, including FORWARD TO CAMELOT (with Kevin Finn), an alternative history of the JFK assassination, STEALING FIRE, an autobiographical love story, and REALIZING YOU (with Ron Doades), for which she invented a new genre – the self-help novel.  FORWARD TO CAMELOT was a #6 Amazon bestseller, took honors in 3 literary competitions and was optioned for film production by a Hollywood company. STEALING FIRE was a quarter-finalist in the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest. Susan has also written young-adult fiction and non-fiction, including RAY CHARLES: FIND ANOTHER WAY!, which won a silver medal in the 2007 Children’s Moonbeam Book Awards, AMELIA EARHART: CHALLENGING THE SKIES, a perennial Amazon bestseller, and MYSTERIES UNWRAPPED: THE SECRETS OF ALCATRAZ, which led to her appearance on a special for The History Channel in 2009, as well as books for five girls’ fiction series. As a screenwriter, she has written an informational film for McGraw-Hill Films and optioned two scripts to Hollywood production companies. As a sportswriter, she’s covered the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Mets. She’s also managed two recent political campaigns, founded the East Cooper Authors Festival (which put 18 professional authors in 17 area schools in one day) and serves on the Culture, Arts and Pride Commission of the Town of Mount Pleasant.

 Review: Stealing Fire

 Stealing Fire   

Author: Susan Sloate

Publisher: Drake Valley Press

American release date: July 5, 2013

Format/Genre/Length: Ebook/M/F May/December Romance/320 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

At one time, Beau Kellogg’s lyrics set the musical stage aflame, producing hit after hit after hit. But musicals have changed with time, it’s the 1980’s now, and at the age of sixty, Beau finds himself not exactly in demand, reduced to writing jingles for soft drinks and living in LA, when once he called New York home. But he does it because it’s the wish of his wife of many years, even though she no longer lights his fire.

Amanda Harary is a young wannabe singer who pays for her music lessons by working at the Lorelei Hotel in New York. In her mid-twenties, Amanda is an old soul in a young body. She knows all the old musicals by heart, and is especially fond of one that is long out of production, The Life and Times. With lyrics by Beau Kellogg.

Fate in the form of a soft drink jingle and an army buddy who owns a hotel bring these two together, and over the telephone they form a connection, and find themselves talking for hours at a time, never running out of things to say.

When they finally meet in person, there is an undeniable attraction between them. But is that enough when there is such a gap in age and experience? When Beau is married and not even available? Are there really such things as soul mates, and once we find that person, how hard should we cling in the face of incredible odds?

Reading Stealing Fire was like watching an old time musical unfold before me. In an old movie I watched once about screen writers, one of them, Jimmy Cagney, says there is a basic formula for romances: Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl. And that is so true here as you follow these two through the ups and downs of their relationships, on the edge of your seat and praying for their happiness.

Susan Sloate creates memorable characters in Beau and Amanda. The story is told primarily through their eyes. Beau is yearning for what he once had with his writing, although he’s given up on having true love... until he meets Amanda. Amanda works her fingers to the bone between her job at the hotel and working to fulfill her dreams of being a singer. These were people that I thought about even when my Kindle was closed, thinking ahead to what might happen next. I came to love them, and to wish only the best for them.

Supporting characters include Beau’s unfaithful wife, his current writing partner, Jules, and his past partner, Ben, who is dying and knows it, as well as Amanda’s boss and her friends. Amanda has a mother who can’t see her daughter for who she is, too caught up in her other daughter, who is a thoroughly unworthy object of her affection. It’s impossible not to like Beau and Amanda and root for them, even if the odds seem stacked against them.

Stealing Fire is about working for what you want, believing in yourself, and never giving up on your dreams, even if you have to rebuild them. I enjoyed reading this very much and would recommend it if you like good old-fashioned romance with heart.

Wednesday Briefs: No Way Out #24

Happy Wednesday everybody! Hard to believe Hump Day is already here! Plus it's only two weeks until GRL! So, who wants to read some flash fiction? Great, 'cause we have some for you!

Last week, as you'll recall, after Randy's heart attack, Shy was left hanging, and the question arose of what to do with him. See where he ends up in this week's installment of No Way Out. Don't forget to see what the other Briefers are doing. Their links follow my tale. Enjoy!

No Way Out #24

“Wyatt, quit pacing. You’re worse than an expectant father.”

Wyatt stopped in mid-stride, turning toward his mentor. Lukas poured himself another shot and leaned back against the sofa, crossing his legs.

“He’ll be here when he’s here. You worrying about it isn’t going to make it happen any sooner.”

Wyatt’s head was still spinning from the news they’d received. Or, rather, the call Lukas had gotten from Bobby Demaris. Telling them that asshole Grant had a heart attack and went to the hospital and Shy was all alone and now someone was bringing him here.

Here. Why here? Because the only name Shylor had given them was Wyatt’s. He gave Lukas a puzzled look. “How did they figure out to call you?” he asked again, as the first explanation had flown over his head in his excitement.

“Boy, you need to calm down,” Lukas chided him in a gentle tone. He patted the seat beside him. “Get over here before you wear a hole in the carpet and I’ll tell you.”

Wyatt didn’t want to, but he did, anyway, dropping onto the piece of furniture with little grace. That earned him another look, but Lukas let the matter pass. “Shy must have told them you’re living here, and since Bobby knows John, and knows he’s out of the country, it only made sense to call me. Now, listen to me. Before he gets here, we need to discuss a few things.”

“Discuss? Discuss what?”

“Well, how you intend to handle the situation.”

Wyatt ran his fingers through his messy curls, trying not to tear out some of the strands in his frustration. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on what Lukas was saying. This was too important no to; Shy’s well-being depended on his keeping his cool.

“What do you mean?” he asked in a moderately calmer voice.

“I mean Shy’s got to be traumatized, if for no other reason, he just watched his... saw Grant have a heart attack in front of him.”

Wyatt saw the flash of something in Lukas’ eyes, something resembling horror... or disgust... Whatever it was, he didn’t like it.

“What else? There’s something else, isn’t there? What happened to Shy at that club tonight?” He pronounced the word club as if it had an unpleasant taste, based on what he’d heard went on there alone. How could people live like that?

“Now, Wyatt, you have to promise me not to fly off the handle. And do not say anything to Shy about what I’m about to tell you. The only reason I am telling you is so you don’t ask him about it. Got it?”

Wyatt nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He clenched his fists on top of his legs, bracing himself for the worst, whatever it might be.

“Here, drink this first.” Lukas poured what little of the bourbon was left in the bottle into Wyatt’s glass and held it to his lips. Wyatt tilted his head back and let the warmth trickle into his mouth and down his throat, sending reinforcement to his extremities.

“Apparently, from what Bobby told me, Randy and another guy got into it. Something to do with business.” He paused, looking down at his hands, then back up to Wyatt.

“And?” That couldn’t be all it was, there had to be more to it, surely.

“And after they were threatened with being kicked out, they made up and Randy...”

“And Randy what?”

Lukas took a deep breath and let the words out quickly, as if to deaden the impact. “Randy offered to have Shy blow a whole room of men.”

“He what?” Wyatt exploded. He leapt up from the sofa, his heart pounding, literally seeing red, he was so angry. “That motherfucker! I’m going to kill him! Who the fuck does he think—?”

He found himself yanked unceremoniously off his feet and back onto the couch, before he could aim one of his fists toward the coffee table.

“What did I tell you?” Lukas didn’t yell, didn’t raise his voice, but his tone was too serious not to listen to, as if he was used to taking charge. Come to think of it, he probably was.

“Oh God, oh God, oh God,” Wyatt moaned, then caught himself. Dammit to hell, Lukas was right. He couldn’t fall apart now. Shy needed him. He was depending on him. And what was he doing? Losing his shit like a fool. Hadn’t Shy asked for him by name? Didn’t that mean something? Something very significant? What good would it do for Wyatt to fall apart on him?

He took deep, calming breaths, forced himself to focus. He had to know, to prepare himself for the truth. Whatever it was, he swore to himself, he wasn’t going to react. He’d hold it in as long as it took.

“Did he... did he force Shy to...” He couldn’t even get the words out; if he were to finish that sentence, he knew he’d be violently ill.

“No.”

Thank God.

“Luckily, one of the members intervened on Shy’s behalf, and questioned whether Shy was actually consenting, or being forced .”

“What did Shy say?”

Lukas shrugged. “Not much of anything. But that’s when Randy had his heart attack, so it became a moot point.”

Wyatt was glad on many levels, mostly for Shy’s sake. “W-why... why would someone do that to another human being? Against his will?” Not that he’d be happy if Shy’d consented, but at least he’d accept that. But to be forced... that was just inhuman.

“Well, I honestly don’t know. And, to be honest, I think, after tonight, he’s worn out his welcome at the club, if that makes you feel any better.”

“I’d feel a hell of a lot better if Shy got away from him. Permanently.” Wyatt growled.

“Can’t do nothing about that right now, and that’s nothing to worry about. Just keep something else in mind, Wyatt.”

“What’s that?”

“You can’t touch him.”

to be continued

Now go visit the rest of the Briefers and see what they have to offer!

 Nephylim  

A.R. Von

Chris T. Kat

 Lily Sawyer 

MA Church

JC Wallace

Shelly Schulz

Cia Nordwell

 Victoria Adams

Renee Stevens

 Rob Colton

Michael Mandrake 

Tali Spencer

 Andrew Gordon

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

Virtual Book Tour: The Sheik Retold

Please welcome author Victoria Vane today. She's going to talk about her newest release, The Sheik Retold. Victoria will be awarding one copy of "A Wild Night's Bride" or "A Breach of Promise" to randomly drawn commenters during the tour. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. To see the other stops on the tour, go here.

The Sheik Retold

by Victoria Vane and E. M. Hull

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

A haughty young heiress for whom the world is a playground…

A savage son of the Sahara who knows no law but his own…

When pride and passion vie for supremacy…

Blistering desert days are nothing compared to the sizzling Sahara nights…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT:

"S'il vous plait." He waved me to a low Turkish divan. "Come and sit, mademoiselle. I shall call for coffee and then you shall recount to me all that is the cause of your great distress." He smiled and settled his girth into a large leather-covered chair. "I wish to know precisely how such a delicate English woman managed to survive alone for months in such inhospitable conditions."

"I am not so delicate, nor was I alone," I replied. "I was abducted and held captive."

"Were you indeed?" He lit a cigarette and then offered his case to me, but I didn't care for the scent of the cheap Gauloises tobacco, having become accustomed to the rich aroma of pure Turkish Murads.

"I suppose these savages demanded a ransom for your release?" he asked and took a long draw on his cigarette.

"No, he did not."

"He?" His brows rose as he blew a wispy cloud of grey smoke.

"Yes. My captor wanted nothing monetarily."

"Is that so?" He was silent for a long moment as his beady black gaze swept over me. The unspoken implication and his lascivious sent a profusion of heat to my face. Nevertheless, I forged on. "It is my belief, monsieur, that my own brother may have intended to kill me."

"You believe your own brother has intrigued against you? And where is he now, this brother?"

"He is in New York or perhaps Newport. He has a perfect alibi, of course, but I have evidence to support my suspicions."

He nodded slowly and then pursed his lips. "Then your abductor was an accomplice in this nefarious plot?"

"No. It is not as simple as that. As it turns out, my captor inadvertently saved my life."

"Alors! This is fascinating indeed. I wish to hear this tale en totalité, but first I shall  summon my scribe to record this story. After which, I intend to send an urgent dispatch to the British Embassy in Paris. I assure you, mademoiselle, justice will be served."

He stubbed out his cigarette. "As to your abductor, I shall deal with this heathen dog, this barbaric bâtard, personally." His gaze suddenly narrowed on me with a disconcerting intensity. "You must tell me now, Mademoiselle Mayo, who was the perpetrator of this…this… outrage to your person?"

And in that moment I knew.

 It was not the details of my intended murder that had captured his interest. No, he didn't care at all about me. He desired only to know what I knew—specifically, the name and location of the force behind the simmering unrest—my captor and my lover— Sheik Ahmed Ben Hassan. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Victoria Vane is a multiple award-winning romance novelist, cowboy addict, and history junkie whose collective works of fiction range from wildly comedic romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance. Victoria also writes historical fiction as Emery Lee and is the founder of Goodreads Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers and the Romantic Historical Lovers book review blog. Look for Victoria's sexy new contemporary cowboy series coming from Sourcebooks  summer 2014.

CONTACT:

Email: victoria.vane@hotmail.com

Web: http://www.victoriavane.com

Blog: http://victoriavane.wordpress.com

Twitter: @authorvictoriav

Facebook: Author Victoria Vane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky4_cEWZxsQ

Virtual Book Tour: To Steal a Highlander's Heart

Please welcome author Samantha Holt, who is here to talk about her newest release, To Steal a Highlander's Heart. Samantha is giving away a $50 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during her tour. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. To find out where her other tour stops are, go here.

TO STEAL A HIGHLANDER'S HEART

By

Samantha Holt

BLURB:  

Alana sets eyes on Morgann for the first time in several years and what does he do? He captures her! But Alana refuses to go meekly with the sexy Highland warrior. Her kidnapping will reignite the rift that’s existed between the two clans since her father accused Morgann of theft and she doesn’t want to see her father harmed in the inevitable war that will ensue.

Unfortunately for Alana, the faeries seek to interfere with her plans to escape. The sidhe have a debt to repay and Tèile, the green faery, is determined to mend the rift between the clans for good. And that means ensuring Alana and Morgann marry.

Morgann has his own reasons for taking Alana and they are nothing to do with marriage or war. He wants to use her to reveal a secret from the past, the one that had him accused of theft. If only he didn’t find his childhood friend so attractive. When circumstances force them together, Alana’s life is threatened and war is imminent. Can Morgann reveal the truth without losing Alana? And will the faeries meddling help or hinder his cause?

EXCERPT:  

“‘Tis something I have to do. I cannae explain my motives but ‘tis nae for something as petty as revenge, I promise ye.”

Shaking her head, she inched closer. “I donnae see why ye cannae explain. Ye used to tell me everything, remember?”

 “Not everything.”

Hand thrust out, he pressed it to her shoulder in an attempt to hold her back. She could hardly think when she got closer but the heat of his body seemed to suck her in. They were speaking in riddles. Dancing around one another. Both trying to understand what the other wanted. She’d intended to manipulate him. To bargain her freedom, yet somewhere along the line the past had caught up with her and the burning desire to understand what had happened all those years ago snared her.

And then another kind of desire swept her up.

Alana curled her fingers around his wrist and drew his hand away from her shoulder. She glanced down at his arm and paused. Bringing her other hand up, she gently rolled up his sleeve, fingertips skimming over his skin.

“What did ye not tell me then?”

His throat worked as he swallowed and Morgann shook his head. “I’d hardly tell ye now.”

“Ye are a stubborn man, Morgann MacRae.” Her fingers settled on the scar on his arm, tracing the shape of it—a brand in the shape of a dagger tip. She winced as she considered the pain he must have felt.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Samantha resides in Warwickshire, England with her twin girls and husband. She's a romance addict and has been devouring all kinds of romance for as long as she can remember.

Having studied archaeology, Samantha likes to blend her love of the past with her passion for romance to create thrilling and passionate tales set to medieval backdrops. She thinks there's nothing sexier than a rugged warrior and a feisty maiden falling head over heels for each other.

Website/Blog – www.samanthaholt.org.uk

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/romanticfiction

Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008FKHIXY