The
Black Lotusby Claire Warner
Release Date:June 29th 2014
Summary from Goodreads:....though I would dearly love to play court to you, I would hurt you more than any other.
It is 1752.
The year that will change the life of heiress Melissa De Vire. As she makes her first fumbling steps into society, she meets the handsome young cad Justin Lestrade and his world tears her perceptions apart. For Justin is more than he appears and his secrets and enemies are manifold. Drawn irresistibly to him, she finds herself sinking into a realm of feuds, magic and old curses and her life will never again be the same.
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About
the Author
When
I was a child, I made up games and characters when my sister and I
played with dolls. As I grew older, I would make up scenarios and
scenes, fully intending to write them down but never finding the
time. In my late teens, I discovered the world of role playing and
settled into an avid ‘geeky’ life of D&D, comics, sci-fi and
fantasy fiction. Years passed and I finally gave voice to the stories
in my head. I write romance, fantasy, action and adventure. I love
tales of steampunk and history, tales of magical powers and dark
curses lurking in the shadows. Though The Black Lotus is not my first
attempt at a novel, it is the first I have finished.
And
some fun facts about me:
I
sew.
My
favourite Disney film is Atlantis.
I’ve
been a film extra and stood 5 feet away from Sam Rockwell.
Babylon
5 is my fave sci-fi show.
I
cried at the end of Toy Story 3.
Author
Links:
Excerpt
(1):
“I’m
Justin Lestrade, I’m sure you’ve been told about me.” In his warm voice she
could hear suppressed laughter and she smiled, answering his amusement with
some of her own. Even so she wondered at his hidden laughter for she felt that
it was not directed toward the conversation but at something she couldn’t quite
understand.
“My
brother did mention you,”
“Of
course he would have done,” The amusement thrummed through his voice and she
was sure that he was quite aware of her brother’s warnings. “And you would be
Melissa De Vire? Yes I’ve heard quite a bit about you. You’re the toast of the
room.” The laughter spilled from his voice and spread across his face, it made
his features look less jaded, more human. There was something magnetic about
his voice; it held a confidence beyond the norm for a man his age and a mildly
derisive humour that she couldn’t fathom.
“Only
because I’m a fresh face,” Melissa replied, a soft smile touching her lips. “I
got the impression that I was a shiny new toy.” She took a sip of the sweet
wine and relaxed a little more.
“Well
that silk does suit you well,” Justin responded, the compliment falling easily
from his lips. “Green is your colour,” He beckoned a waiter carrying a laden
tray forward and removed a small glass of canary. Dismissing the servant with a
wave, he turned his attention back to Melissa. “I daresay shiny new toy is the
best description for you at this point. It’s your first night in society;
people are supposed to be curious and intrigued.”
“Intrigued?”
Melissa asked, her eyes shifting from his handsome face with required modesty.
“You
are an unknown. And the unknown is always to be explored.” His eyes sparked as
he regarded her and he smiled. Melissa felt her breath catch as he turned that
devastating smile full on her. There were layers to his conversation, meanings that
she knew were not for a lady or at the least were meant for someone more versed
in the arts of seduction. Ordinarily such a conversation would leave her tongue
tied and stammering, yet he put her at such ease that she felt confident in
replying.
“Perhaps
the unknown is best left a mystery.” She answered finally, her fingers sliding
over the smooth glass in her hands as she stared at him.
“Perhaps,”
He conceded, “but exploring a mystery is a wonderful venture.” He lifted the
glass to his lips and delicately took a sip. Melissa followed the motion, drawn
to his mouth and its sensual twist with an interest that could not be
considered academic.
“What
if the unknown wishes to remain unexplored?” It was a bold question and one she
should not even be thinking of saying, yet his manner seemed to draw it from
her.
His
rakish smile encouraged indiscretion and for once in her ordered existence she
revelled in the opportunity to be free with her thoughts.
“Does
the unknown have a choice? What if the explorer decides to find out all he
can?” His voice was honey soft and seductive.
She
met his eyes boldly. “Then perhaps the unknown will poison him unexpectedly.”
Shock flickered through his gaze like summer lightning at her daring and for a
second, their conversation stuttered to a halt. Melissa did not drop her gaze
as a modest lady should and they both stared at each other. Melissa’s frank
gaze meeting his startled one as the room gossiped and danced around them.
Justin
laughed; a low chuckle that broke the unnatural silence and relaxed the tension
surrounding them. “This explorer always
treads carefully,” He conceded finally as the chuckles
subsided. “And chooses the safe path,” He sipped the
canary and sat back, regarding the girl before him with more interest than
before. “What has your brother imparted about me?” His eyes laughed as he
looked down at her. “All bad I daresay,”
Playlist:
Burn:
The Cure
The
Kill: 30 seconds to Mars
Prayer:
Disturbed
Moonchild:
Fields of the Nephilim
Gimme
Shelter: Rolling Stones
Closer
to the Edge: 30 seconds to Mars
In the
end: Linkin Park
The
Farthest Star: VNV Nation
Bring
me to Life; Evanesence
Sadeness:
Enigma
We are
Glass: Gary Numan
Down
in the Park: Gary Numan
Seed
of a lie: Gary Numan
Queen
of the Damned Soundtrack: Various
Anyplace
Anywhere Anytime: Kim Wilde and Nina
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