UPDATE: The winner of FATED from the overall blog hop is Gabrielle and the winner from my blog is Karli A. Congratulations!
Welcome to the Spreading the Love Blog Hop! These are so much fun. And I really liked the picture they chose for people to interpret this time. However, FATED will be released in less than two weeks, and I thought I’d tell you about it…as well is give away a signed copy to someone commenting on my blog. This gives you two chances to win; one on the entire blog hop and one on my blog. Good luck!
FATED is a sexy romance featuring a strategic soldier (who happens to be a vampire) and a tough single mother (who is an empath). The back cover blurb and a couple of excerpts are available on this site, so I thought I’d add an excerpt that isn’t on my website. Here it is, and I hope you enjoy!
Slowly, Talen pushed to his feet and strolled across the conference room.
Cara took a step back, her breath hitching.
Smiling, he leaned against the closed door.
She’d need to go through him to get out. God, he was huge. Even if she had known how to fight, she doubted she’d stand a chance when faced with such size and obvious strength. A feminine fear and a flutter she refused to identify whispered through her, and her spine straightened with a sharp snap.
“I won’t hurt you.” His voice lowered, deepening to a tone that increased her flutter. He relaxed his stance against the door, his muscled arms crossing. “I won’t let anyone harm either of you. Ever.”
Okay. Fine. He was too big for her to fight, but she did have a brain. “Listen, Talen,” she kept her voice soft, soothing. “It’s great your dating pool just opened up and all, but I’m not looking for—”
A dimple winked in his cheek, stopping her words. She fought to keep her tone mild. “Am I amusing you?” Her chin lifted.
“Yes.”
“Why?” She could even feel his amusement in the air, damn it.
“Your people. I’ve never understood why you ignore fate. She has her own plans.”
“Fate?” He was throwing destiny at her? Come on.
He nodded. “Fate.”
“Wow. That’s poetic, Talen.” Sarcasm replaced the softness. “But there’s no way fate is involved here.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Prove it.”
“Okay.” He lifted his right hand, palm out. A crest, an intricate one, spread across his calloused skin. Thick and black, a webbing of arcs together formed a knot with what might be an elaborate ‘K’ in the middle.
“A tattoo?” She quirked an eyebrow, wondered if he had other tats on that magnificent body.
“No. A brand of sorts. It appeared earlier after I took your arm.”
“A brand?” She snorted. “Bullshit.”
Talen shrugged. “It’s true, Cara. The Mark usually doesn’t appear until the mating act, but there are exceptions.” Golden eyes pinned her. “Our bond must be strong.”
“No.”
Talen lifted a shoulder.
Her mind rebelled at the physical evidence before her eyes. “I said, no. I choose to ignore your fate.” How could the mark have appeared? Conviction sat easily upon his face and her stomach rolled at the question of how far he’d go to follow his fate.
“That is your choice,” he agreed.
“Damn straight.” She searched his face for a trick, determination tightening her own jaw. A raised eyebrow met her glare. “But you don’t know anything about me. I could be married.”
“You’re not.”
“How do you know?”
He shrugged. “My brother Dage shot your file to my smart phone.”
Smart phone? Vampires used smart phones? Come on. “Where were you?” Damn her curiosity.
“In a meeting with my other brother, Conn.”
Geez. Sounded like a family oriented creature of the night. Or day. Or whatever. She tried another tack. “Besides, I have a date tonight.”
She wasn’t sure what her goal was, but she didn’t reach it. A genuine smile played across his lips, and he uncrossed his arms. “You’re not going to make it.”
ooooooh – I must know what happens next!
Yes, I believe in fate.
Wow – what a passage. I loved it. I can’t wait to read the book. Your hero is so strong and I love him already.
Rebecca, that is one incredible excerpt – hot and sexy – I loved it! (thanks, Bron, for alerting me to it! 🙂 )
Do I believe in fate? To a certain extent.
I like to think our choices help determine out fate and that by doing so we sort of dictate the path our lives take.
I used to get all worked up about why or why didn’t something happen the way I’d envisaged it, and found that just stressed me out too much. Now, I try (yes, I said try!) to take a calmer approach, live the experience, learn from it if I can, and move on, whatever the outcome.
I think all things happen for a reason and not always because of why we think they do. Sometimes we never figure out those reasons. Just enjoy the journey as much as possible.
Looking forward to seeing FATED on the shelves! 😀
kyliegriffin (at) clearmail (dot) com (dot) au
A great excerpt, Rebecca. I love those tough yet tender protective types and I’m a sucker (sorry!) for vampires.
Not sure I believe in fate precisely because fate implies (to me) an unavoidable set of circumstances. I believe there are some things we can’t avoid, but a lot we can–by making appropriate choices. I guess some people would call that fate.
How’s that for a wishy-washy answer!
🙂
That is one awesome excerpt, Rebecca! It sure whetted my appetite. I want more! The tension between your hero and heroine is palpable – and, for me, that’s a must. As for the fate thing, yep, I’m a great believer in fate. Though she’s never gone and branded my palm as a reminder of things to come 🙂 What a cool concept!
I have to read the rest of this.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Yes I think some things are fated to be.
That IS a fabulous passage– love! I don’t believe in fate in “real” life, although I love the idea of it. Particularly in books 😉
I’ve added another book to my wish list! I love paranormal romance! Vampires are HOT!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Great Excerpt!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Hi, Rebecca! I am very intrigued by the characters and story line for “Fated”! It sounds like a terrific beginning for your new “Dark Protectors” series : ) I believe that Fate and Choice are unbreakably entwined. Fate magnanimously allows us to make choices, all the while knowing what the results will be. We do have the ability to make choices, but the consequences of the decision are written in stone. You can’t change the past, you can only live for today and hope for tomorrow!
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
Great excerpt. Yes, I do believe in fate.
I have to read this book…Looking forward to the release..
Ahh! Cliffhanger! I want to know what happens next! hahah.. Great blog post 🙂
Great excerpt. Yes, I believe in fate.
Not a cliffhanger! What happens next?!!! I do believe in fate!
I saw this one on the All About Romance site a while back and have been looking forward to it. Pick me! Pick me!
Umm…I think I would have a hard time resisting Talen!!
I love paranormal romances Rebecca, and your excerpt definitely has me wanting to read more.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
Great excerpt. Do I believe in fate? yes and no. I think fate has a hand in putting us in situations but we have the choice on what we do with it.
My wish list is growing again. 🙂
Can’t wait to read the rest of the story.
I believe in fate, but that free will can mess it up(our own and others). I also don’t think fate is all inclusive(meaning it doesn’t control every aspect of our lives-just a few high points).
Hope that makes sense.
I do believe in fate. There’s too many unexplained things in the world not to believe in things beyond your control. No matter how hard you plan, things still go the way their meant to go.
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
Oh…that makes me want to read it so much more!
Do I believe in fate? To a point. I don’t think that all our decisions are predetermined. There are too many choices to be made. But I think that there are some instances where something might have been a little to kismet to have been only chance or coincidence.
Rebecca, great excerpt!
I absolutely believe in fate. I can’t wait to read this book. Looks really good.
Such a Terrific Excerpt I had to go read the rest!! It looks like a Great series! Congrats!
Very intriguing. Must read more.
that was fantastic
I really want to believe in fate but you must make your way as well. you can’t sit at home and just wait for fate to find you.
Absolutely I believe in Fate! It’s hard at work everyday from the day you’re born. Sometimes it’s obvious to spot and others Fate takes a more subtle approach in getting us where we need to be.
yadkny@hotmail.com
love the excerpt
Fantastic excerpt! Another one added to my TBB list. Thanks Rebecca!
I do believe in fate.
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
Kim
I enjoyed reading the excerpt, and I’m not sure whether I believe in fate — Happy Valentine’s Day 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!
Oh, I enjoyed the excerpt!! Yes, I am a total believer in Fate!!!
Happy Valentine’s Day
I’m looking forward to this one!
Yes, I believe in fate.
smaccall @ comcast.net
Yup. I do believe in fate and I think the hero is going to make a believer out of the heroine, too.
I love the excerpt. And yes, I do believe in fate. 🙂