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DENIED
SHADOWED
LOVE, BOOK TWO
By
Kinley Baker
Genre:
Fantasy Romance
Publisher:
Crescent Moon Press
When
invaders brutally massacred the women and children of the Varner, Caleb
witnessed loss and destruction on a scale few can comprehend. As the leader of
a race on the brink of extinction, his only hope for survival is gaining
acceptance into the Shadow Shifter Kingdom. Struggling with new customs, he
meets Tabitha, a woman who challenges his limits.
Refused
the right to join the king’s guard because of her gender, Tabitha must be
stronger than the men to prove she deserves to be the first accepted female
Warrior in the kingdom. She believes Caleb will help improve her abilities,
until she learns her goals conflict with the foundation of his culture.
When
the realm is attacked, Tabitha and Caleb must come together not only to fight,
but to find the strength to win against an evil with the potential to destroy
everything they revere most--including each other.
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DENIED
EXCERPT
Right
before entering the next clearing, Caleb caught a flash of color contrasting
against the green. He paused, moving aside a few leaves so he could peer
through the opening. His attention caught on a tantalizing sight.
A woman
moved in a dance of lethal grace with her eyes closed. She swung her blade with
the skill of someone long trained. Challenging only the air around her, it was
clear she strived to improve her form.
Her
beauty was only enhanced by her bare, capable arms. The sleeveless shirt and
pants she wore were nothing like the robes of the Shadow Shifters’ traditions.
Her biceps and triceps flexed, illuminating well-formed muscles.
Amusement
slid through him. This was the first time he’d ever seen a woman with a blade.
And he couldn’t help but admire her. Part of him knew he should admire no
female other than his aroha, his fated mate. But the other part of him was
intrigued by this display of warrior patience.
The
women of his people had never been trained in battle. It was Caleb who had
failed to protect them. The female in front of him didn’t look like she needed
protection, and the concept baffled him.
A man
should always stand between a woman and a fight. And if they failed to protect
as Caleb had his own people, then the man should carry that weight around
forever, and the guilt, just as he did.
Need
for redemption soaked into his veins. Perhaps he could help this female improve
her form to make up for his other failures.
“You’re
dropping your left side,” he said, moving out from behind his cover.
Her
head whipped around, her sword following with force. The very tip aimed toward
his heart. Five feet separated him from the lethal point. He was not yet in
danger so his gaze trailed from the sharp blade to connect with her gaze.
Honey-colored
eyes clashed with his. Awareness shot through him. He did his best to hide his
response. His entire world shifted, the foundation reforming in the blink of a
second. The change. The moment every man of the Varner desired. The finding. Of
the one woman meant to be his mate.
How
many times had he imagined this moment?
The
warrior woman was his aroha. His body pulsed to life. For the first time his
lust awakened in response to another, just as the old tales stated. His muscles
tensed, everything inside him urging him to act, urging him to brand. He was
ready to make her his.
The
fire in her eyes held him back. As well as the vivid distinction that this
woman with a sword was far from a delicate female of the Varner. From his
experience the past two years and the difficulty of fumbling his way through
foreign cultures for the same length of time, he knew it was better to keep his
revelation to himself. For now. She might not sense the connection like he
could, like the women of the Varner had been able to.
His
fascination overwhelmed the new ache in his groin. She was extraordinary. He’d
never seen another woman like her. Fierce and strong with steel in her gaze.
Beautiful, mighty . . . his. The core of him roared that this miraculous
creature belonged to him.
“Who
are you?” She jabbed her blade forward an inch.
He
barely kept from smiling at her demand. “You’re dropping your left side when
you turn.”
Her
chin jutted up. “Are you such a fine warrior that you feel yourself worthy of
dispensing unsought advice?”
“Some
would say.” He moved closer to her.
She
tensed, but didn’t attack. Perhaps it was the foot and inches of his height
advantage that stalled her.
The sun
shining through the trees bestowed a glow off her light brown hair, giving her
an ethereal aura. Strong features curved with womanhood invited him to touch.
His
hand almost reached toward her before he stopped himself.
Every
inch of him yearned to claim his woman, his destined mate, his aroha.
His
fingers ached to touch her and make sure she was real. Even if it was only to
correct her sword form. Could he really have found the woman he’d searched for
all of his adulthood after thirty-three years of living? He needed to brush her
skin and make sure he wasn’t fantasizing. Although he knew this must be real
because he had never imagined a woman like her.
He
closed the distance between them.
“What
are you doing?”
“Showing
you how to keep your side up.”
After
hesitating, she finally lowered her blade. “They say we aren’t supposed to
speak with men from the Varner. The villagers call you giants.”
“We
aren’t much different from you. And I’ve never seen a female Shadow Shifter
train with a sword. I don’t think you’re a woman who abides by the rules.”
Was
that a flush in her cheeks? He moved around to direct her arm. When he hovered
near her, his front almost touching her back, she glanced over her shoulder
warily. He kept himself far enough away so she couldn’t feel the press of his
male interest. He ignored the flustered feeling inching up his spine. He’d
never been snared by a woman’s scent.
He
wanted to inhale her natural fragrance and brand it to his memory. In this open
area near the forest where so many aromas mingled, hers stood out—a citrus
blend of foreign fruit mixed with the spicy scent of flesh dampened from
exertion.
His
fingers closed over her grip on the blade. He showed her how to turn without
dropping her side.
“Perfect,”
he said, unsure if he meant the improvement in her form or the feel of her soft
flesh against his roughened palm. He freed her with reluctance.
With a
little space between them, she tried again, flawlessly turning.
She
frowned. “Thank you.”
“I am
impressed by your skill.”
“It’s
not enough.”
____
RUINED:
Shadowed Love Book One
By
Kinley Baker
Genre:
Fantasy Romance
BLURB:
Jessa
is one healing away from death. Under the thrall of her gift, the Court's
Senior Healer risks giving her life in exchange for her patient's.
Vale is
a rebel ruler. When his brother is killed, he's given the throne and the decree
from the Court to produce an heir or lose his family's hold on the land--and
his deceiving advisors aren't afraid to use murder as a weapon if their
directive to stay away from the Senior Healer goes unheeded.
But
Vale burns to possess Jessa. The heat between them leaves a wake of smoke, and
even the powerful forces above want to bind them in a union that lasts forever.
Vale taking another would be a betrayal neither could survive.
Their
enemies fear a child born of such a powerful Healer and Warrior, but the true
threat lies in the bond forged in shadows and fused in fire.
Book
trailer on YouTube: http://youtu.be/aG2oSaUZeJM
EXCERPT
RUINED:
"You."
Fury burned hot under Jessa's skin as she glared at Vale. "Who do you
think you are, demanding I come live in this castle? You can't just order your
guards to enter a woman's home and pack up her things."
"Well,
I did." Vale came around the desk and propped one hip against it, more of
a threatening than casual movement.
"Someone
tried to kill me. It makes sense that I have my Healer close by."
She
released a pent-up breath. "Why couldn't you have explained that instead
of mandating?" Silly. Her imagination had run away with her. The king
needed his Healer. But the realization he didn't want her made her angrier.
"Because
I didn't want to give you the option of saying no."
She
most definitely would have said no.
"If
you would have explained your reasoning, I would have complied. Your safety and
health come first, even if I-"
"Even
if you what?"
"Loathe
you." She bunched her fingers into two fists, seriously tempted to hit
him. For all the nonexistent pain it would inflict upon him.
"Do
you?" His tone deadened with calm. "Because I can't stop thinking
about you."
"That's
normal." She brushed off the claim. "I saved your life."
He
moved in a blur. A true Shadow Shifter. One second he stood near his desk, the
next he had her in his arms, one locked around her waist and one hand tangled
in her hair. Their lips almost brushed.
"I
can't stop thinking about you." His murmur played down her spine, leaving
a tingling trail. His scent invaded her. His voice embraced her like bare skin
against satin sheets.
Her
heart beat fast, her pulse jumped.
She
disliked him, but didn't want him to let her go.
"Have
you been thinking about me?" His soft tone feathered over her flesh.
"Only
how much I dislike you." Lust pulsed in her belly.
He
pulled her head back gently by her hair, so they looked straight into each
other's eyes. Their bodies pressed tightly together. "Liar."
__________
Check
out Kinley’s new
novella, Freed, set in the world of The Shadowed Love series
BLURB
After
mortal invaders slay a Shadow Shifter woman, Queen Ella knows there is more
blood on the horizon. As the most powerful Sensitive in the village, Ella has
always known she’s destined to save the kingdom. But her task seems impossible.
She must move the Well of Souls to a new realm to save her people or risk
failing the Ancestor gods.
The
woman King Falon loves will never love him back, despite a binding marriage
built on regal decorum. Falon’s first duty is to his people, and he only wants
to provide the Shadow Shifters with a safe future. He must assert his power to
gain the respect of the warriors.
Harder
still, King Falon must accept the salvation of his people lies with his own
Queen Ella, a woman who speaks madness... a woman he’s always loved, but hardly
knows.
EXCERPT
Chapter
One
The
Mortal Realm, 657
King
Falon looked up at the darkening sky, and a heavy burden settled inside his
chest. Where were their Ancestor gods?
From
his castle balcony, he stared over the hills of his homeland in Northern
Britain, the place the Shadow Shifters had always called home. Their history
and their hearts were embedded in these lands.
The
mortals had always been a danger, but his people had escaped their persecution.
That was no longer the case. The martyrs wanted to annihilate the Shadow
Shifters, a race who thrived in the darkness, who thrived in the shadows, who
thrived in the night.
Holy
believers were coming for them, without any understanding of what they
attempted to fight. The Shadow Shifter village had remained protected on these
hills, with their Ancestor gods watching over them. Now, their existence was
threatened.
“It
isn’t your fault.” The sound of Pavel’s voice came from behind him.
Falon
couldn’t bear to face his oldest friend and advisor. “Then whose is it?”
“We
knew we couldn’t stay hidden here forever.”
“Why
must they attack during my reign? Why must this fall to me?” He sighed. “For
centuries, peace existed for our people.”
New to the throne, newly wed, newly orphaned.
Too many firsts weighed on his shoulders. He didn’t know how to handle the
burden.
Pavel
seemed to read his mind. “The Ancestors would never give you this challenge if
they didn’t believe you capable of discovering a way to provide for our
people.”
His
friend had so much faith in bodiless apparitions. As the Spirit Teacher,
perhaps Pavel had to have faith. But Falon struggled. He’d always struggled.
“That
girl--” He couldn’t finish. Seeing the mutilated body of one of his people had
made bile rise to his throat. His people had looked to him for answers, and
he’d nearly crumbled in front of them.
“You
did your duty per our traditions and honored her family.”
Falon
had done his duty, but the young girl’s face. He’d never forget it.
“When
do you think they’ll come?”
Pavel
sighed. “After their savagery, it could be this night, it could be a fortnight.
I do not have the answers.”
“We
must prepare the Warriors.” To stop his people from being destroyed.
“Then
you’ll fight?”
“What
other choice do I have?” He glared at his friend, freeing his frustration.
“None
that you see.”
“I
don’t have time for riddles.”
Pavel
smiled. “You never did.”
“I’ll
do whatever’s necessary to protect our lands and the Well of Souls. We can’t
afford to allow the mortals access to our sacred power source.”
“I
trust you’ll do what you must.”
His
friend might have too much faith. Falon studied their lands for another long
moment, watching the sun fall into the lure of the mountains.
“Of
course I will.” But when he glanced back again, Pavel was gone. He had a way of
disappearing.
Falon
knew he couldn’t dwell on the events of the past week. A young girl was gone,
killed by bloodthirsty strangers, but the rest of his people remained. He could
not allow her tragic death to befall the whole.
He
strode through his private chambers to an adjoining room, deciding not to use
the shadows to shift so he could take a deep breath and collect himself. After
passing through the doorway, he came to an abrupt halt.
His
breath caught at the sight before him. A woman of supreme elegance stood in the
last flickers of light, staring out at the disappearing sun from her balcony.
Heavy,
thick robes lined her luscious form. Beautiful velvet in a rich blue color fit
snugly to her curves. A crown of entwined flowers sat proud atop her head. Her
delicate profile showed her true regal magnificence.
Light
hair curled down long and brushed against the fabric of her dress. She stood,
ethereal, like an Ancestor goddess in his midst. Perfect. Untouchable.
Supposedly his.
She
didn’t turn to look at him, although he knew she always knew when he entered
the room. This was a woman of ultimate power, the strongest Sensitive in the
kingdom. And one of only a few in the village who seemed to glow with magic.
So
soft. So kind. So distant.
She was
his wife. His queen.
And so
far out of reach. He wanted her with a desperation that made him ache. But he
often thought his wanting of her would be the death of him. He couldn’t allow
it to be the death of his kingdom.
“We’re
expected for the evening meal.” His tone was rigid.
Her
stance remained the same, as if she couldn’t hear him.
“Ella,”
he said.
She
didn’t move.
Ella
made him question himself in a way no one ever had. As a royal and now a king,
he wasn’t used to scrutiny. No one seemed able to read his shortcomings as
easily as his wife.
His
patience frayed. Defiance was not a battle he needed to wage this day.
Especially against the one woman who was supposed to stand by him always. Newly
married and he’d already learned. The wife he’d married for love would never
love him back. And she’d never be on his side.
***
War.
Ella’s blood boiled with the truth. The scent of blood drifted on the horizon.
As the sun faded behind the mountains, her people’s safety faded with it. She
felt this truth as surely as she felt her nails curling into her palms.
Loss.
The wind swirled with it. Inevitable sacrifices lingered in their future, but
she couldn’t define what they risked. Everything inside her yearned to place
the pieces into a discernible pattern, something she could give to the king to
use. But for the first time in her life, answers eluded her.
Were
the Ancestors punishing her? She stared into the angry gray clouds and
questioned. Something she’d rarely had to do. As a Sensitive, she’d always
known the truth. Not now. Everything was changing, evolving, yielding, one day
into the next, a whirlwind she couldn’t stop.
Despair.
She could feel the pain in the air, like a blade suspended in time, destined to
kill through the ages, destined to harm. A tear slid down her cheek. She was
supposed to save her people. She’d always known it. But how?
About
the Author:
Kinley
Baker is the author of the fantasy romance series, Shadowed Love. She read her
first romance at the age of thirteen and immediately fell in love with the hero
and the genre.
She
lives with her husband, Benjamin, and her dog, Joker, in the Pacific Northwest.
Ruined, Denied, and Freed are all available now from Crescent Moon Press.
Look
for a new paranormal romance series in 2013. As a firm supporter of all
supernatural lifestyles, she writes fantasy, paranormal, and futuristic
romances.
You can
find Kinley at www.kinleybaker.com
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2 comments:
Thank you for dropping by and letting us peruse your books!
Thank you for allowing me to visit today, Mila!
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