Rogues Angels Presents -- Chrysallis by Michel Prince

Please welcome Michel Prince author of Chrysallis.

l will be awarding a butterfly gift basket to one randomly drawn commenter and a butterfly necklace to a second randomly drawn commenter.

Don't forget to leave a comment.

Chrysalis

By

Michel Prince

INTERVIEW:

Interview Questions for Rogue's Angels 

1.    What or who inspired you to start writing?  I always toyed with it over the years.  When I was younger I got a few poems published, but I never considered going further.  One day I was watching a Stephanie Meyer interview where she talked about writing down a dream and it just kept going.  Up to that point I had a prologue that I’d written out a few times when I was bored.  It was always the same thing, but this time I took it a little further.  Eighty thousand words later I decided I should see how long a novel usually was…then I realized I needed to wrap up Chrysalis and move on to the next book in the series because I hadn’t gotten to my prolog part yet.  Now the prologue is in the third book of the series Not Even Death, that should come out in 2013 through Rebel Ink Press.  Thus began my career. 

2.    What elements are necessary components for this genre?  In all romance there has to be a coming together, a break, and something bringing the couple back together with a stronger bond than before.  With the paranormal elements I needed to do quite a bit of research into Gods and demons.  Gaap is listed as Lucifer’s third son, I tweaked him a little, but he was born of Lucifer and Lilith, Adam’s first wife.  The biggest thing with paranormal is to let go of reality. The hard part of that for me is I still need it to be realistic so I like to tie in real situations that could have a paranormal twist.

3.    How did you come up with your idea for your novel?  Have you ever look around at people and thought, “That’s what you think is a good idea?” Sometimes you have to wonder if there are others influencing them because the decisions aren’t logical.  Why would a person continue to put themselves in dangerous or destructive situations?  I was trying to show a reason why those decisions were made.  With Ellie she comes from a family that are the consummate study in failure even though they come from a normal nuclear family.  Instead of showing the normal white girl from the good family saving the black boy from the ghetto, you have the reverse. 

4.    What expertise did you bring to your writing?  I usually have main characters that are athletes.  Being an athlete all the way to college as well as marrying an athlete and now raising one I tend to understand their mentality.  If nothing else my sports scenes are realistic. 

5.    What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?  The best dates my husband and I have are when we learn to make a new dish.  The last one was Vietnamese egg rolls.  Maybe that’s why I have Oscar and Ellie come together so much over Sunday’s dinners as he teaches her to cook. 

6.    As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?  I have a few different characters I want to explore more.  Many I think could branch out into a multi-level universe.  In addition the Chrysalis series is a cross over series that follows Oscar and Ellie through adulthood.  Right now I’m playing a little with spinning off a few of the characters because they keep bouncing around in my head making me laugh.

7.    If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?  ?  I love Ellie’s growth over the series.  As each book progresses she blossoms from a self-doubting person to learning how amazing she is. 

Can you give us a sneak peak into this book? 

Only a few minutes removed from Sharyn’s injury and still everything seemed as if it was moving in slow motion.  It felt like it took an hour to walk to my position.  Shaking out my hands, hoping my fear would go with it, the Bears setter looked at me and smirked.  She knew she was older, more experienced.  What was I doing?  Was I crazy?  I closed my eyes, reminding myself that I’d worked hard for this.  This was my position. 

I could still hear Sharyn screaming on the bench.  Her parents were there to help get her settled down, fighting over whether they should leave now for the emergency room or wait until the end of the game.

I don’t know where I found it, but somewhere deep inside I found the courage to step up to the situation.  I kept telling myself it was just practice.  The ball went back and forth a few times.  The score was now tied 25-25.  We needed two points to win.  Betsy served us up an ace which was great.  No pressure.  If she could do that one more time, we would win. 

Slam!  The ball went deep into the left hand corner.  Pass, set, get low, get low, get low, here comes the spike.  Kelly dug the ball, but it came off her arms wrong.  I ran to where it flew my eyes trained on the ball, refusing to let it get away.  This was my job!  I had to get this ball and set up for the kill.  Yelling "mine, mine, mine" at the top of my lungs, I ran across the floor.  Finally catching it on my fingertips right by the stands, I did a back set, yelling "5-2, 5-2, 5-2," letting Mary know it was coming to her and low at that.  I felt myself falling backwards.  I knew I had to turn, but the arch from my back getting it to Mary was enough to upset my center of balance.  I fell back in time to see her slam home a spike that went right through the defenders’ block and hit between the left and center back players.  They both dove, missing the ball and ended up hitting each other.

Our bench erupted.  I scrambled to get myself off the floor and this was when I realized I truly never fell.  Someone’s strong hand was holding me on my low back above my waist.  I lifted my head.  Oscar’s deep brown eyes were like a warm inviting macchiato begging me to fall forward to him.  My legs were straddling one of his own. 

He slowly pulled me up so I stood upright, but he kept his hand on the small of my back.  His hand was so massive it fit across the whole of my back.  I clutched his shoulders for balance and to let him know he could let me go.  But he kept looking in my eyes.  If I didn’t turn I’d be eternally lost in his. 

"Aahh…thanks.  I think I got it from here." 

"Great save.  Lucky for you I was here to save your life." 

  

8.    Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?  Critigue groups are not apart of my normal writing process, but there are always people I can turn to when I just need to bounce an idea or need help with a blurb. I used to have a small crit group, but when someone read my first chapter of my book The Frozen and tell me one of the characters were unnecessary I found that the group was unnecessary because the character was one of the three POV’s in the book.  Although I do now have a smaller group of beta readers that help me catch things that I miss because my brain inserts the words, I only use them closer to final edits.

9. When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?  With my first book I realized how much my writing was taking me away from my family.  It wasn’t just something that I did when I had free time.  My writing became an all the time, on the sidelines of my son’s games, while I waited to pick my son up from school, and as I watched a movie with the family.  If I was going to take that much time away from my family I wanted it to be worth it.  I’m not the traditional author, I know that, but I am someone who works hard and puts my heart into my work.  I am an artist and I wanted to share my stories.  For encouragement I have my husband who always backs me in everything I try.  In addition I had a few people read my book and they were wanting more. 

10. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)  The best I got from J.R. Ward’s book on the BDB series that she has a section to writers in and that was to just “write it down”.  It’ll all get settled and connected later.  That was something my husband told me when I was blocked.  He told me write the scenes that are in your mind now.  My first book Chrysalis I wrote straight through, but the rest of the series was jumbled between scenes I knew had to be in there.  Writing them out helped me connect the books.  As for the worst…getting rid of a main character because in the first chapter he seems minor would be up there.  It amazes me how people can read a page or a chapter and determine everything about a story.  I always read at least fifty pages before I walk away from a novel.

11. Do you outline your books or just start writing?  Just start writing.  I do have some important things like timeline, eye color, hair, special abilities or family trees mapped out as they come to me because I write so many books at the same time I don’t want Kelly’s abilities to get confused with the Demon Gaap.

12. How do you maintain your creativity?  Flash fiction challenges.  It’s amazing how limiting yourself to 250 words and picture can spark something in your muse.  In addition I read because my muse needs to sleep so I let her rest while I listen to another’s.  At all times I have a book on my kindle, a book I’m listening to on audiable and a paperback.  Much like how I write there are at least three books going at one time.

13. Who is your favorite character in the book? Can you tell us why? In Chrysalis and The Beam I enjoy Max.  He’s a side character but is like a big frat boy once you get to know him.  Joking and irritated by the teenagers he has to deal with on a regular basis.

14. Are your plotting bunnies angels or demons?  Depends on the book.

BLURB:  

In the annals of dysfunctional families, the Chisholm’s are working their way to the top. Drug abuse, an unwed mother with multiple fathers, and the questionable cash flow for the 'pretty one'.   All this from a seemingly normal, two parent middle class family. But were the choices truly made of their free will?

            Bad choices are a Chisholm family trait, one that confounds the youngest child, Ellie, who's trying to separate herself by making smart decisions. And falling for Oscar Jeffreys, the hottest guy at school, would be number one on the list of  Chisholm family disasters.  Yet the crazy part is it’s not a one sided attraction.  Somehow Ellie has caught Oscar Jeffreys’ eye.   Sure she could see the barriers between them.  Race, age, popularity.  They were at opposite ends of the spectrum.  But a demon set to destroy her family? She can't see that.  

            Oscar provides security and acceptance Ellie never imagined she deserved.  As the passion of first love grows, Ellie honestly believes she has a chance to beat the odds and live a happy, normal life. Then her world collapses around her. With the help of a guardian angel, Ellie learns of a world that has unknowingly surrounded her for years.  And she'll have to find strength buried deep inside to save not only her future, but flush out and stop the demon in her midst.

            And Ellie will have to learn that sometimes the hardest lesson about growing up is accepting that you're worth more.  

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Michel Prince is an author who graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science.  Michel writes young adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.

With characters yelling "It's my turn damn it!!!" She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn.  She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.

When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or cheering for her son in a variety of sports.  She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.

Michel is a member of RWA Pro and Midwest Fiction Writers.  She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, cat and new puppy. 

Book Two

LINKS:

www.michelprincebooks.com

http://www.facebook.com/MichelPrinceBooks?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/MichelPrince1

http://www.youtube.com/user/Michelprincebooks?feature=guide

http://www.amazon.com/Chrysalis-ebook/dp/B007USU6AO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1351526304&sr=8-2&keywords=Chrysalis+by+michel+prince

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/chrysalis-by-michel-prince?store=allproducts&keyword=chrysalis+by+michel+prince

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-chrysalis-779953-140.html

http://www.bookstrand.com/chrysalis-0

Don't Forget to leave a comment.

NEW RELEASE AT SPECIAL PRICE FOR LIMITED TIME!

I am excited to start off the new year with a new release: LEGACY UNDER FIRE.

This is the sixth book of my Halo Legacy Series, nine heartwarming romances with a shadow of mystery. 

This series has been an exciting and challenging project for me. My first book took fourteen years from start through rewrites and rewrites and rewrites until it was published. Now I'm finishing the stories in the Halo Legacy Series in about two months. 

Yes, they are shorter books--approximately 35,000 words. That makes for a quick read, but you won't have to wait long for the next installment. They are scheduled for release every two months through July 2013.

To start the New Year motivated to reach your goals, step into Dr. Shiloh's shoes in LEGACY UNDER FIRE. She has two urgent goals: recover her memory and identify the arsonists trying to kill her--before they succeed.

AS A SPECIAL OFFER, LEGACY UNDER FIRE WILL BE JUST 99 CENTS FOR THE FIRST 13 DAYS OF 2013!

CLIFF HANGER SATURDAY...

Here's an explosive sneak peak--and a cliffhanger from my January 1 release, LEGACY UNDER FIRE...

**Shifts in the emergency room hadn't prepared Shiloh for triage on a site that looked like a battlefield. She simply patched up bloody arms and faces as best she could with limited supplies, then sent people on to a safe place.

Though shocked and hurting, the pioneer spirit of these citizens was obvious in their stoic expressions and assistance in helping their neighbors and the strangers who were in town for the news conference. In a short time, the bandages and antiseptic Shiloh had crammed into her bag were gone, leaving her searching the bottom of an empty bag for tape to close a gash on someone's forehead.

"I'm going to get more supplies!" Shiloh shouted to one of the EMTs.

She sprinted back across Celestial Creek to her clinic, through the side door and upstairs where medical supplies were stored. As she jerked open the door of the storage room, orange tongues of fire roared toward her like the angry bellow of a giant beast intent on swallowing her whole.

The gasp of surprise was ripped from her throat as the force of the inferno threw her against the wall. Shiloh crumpled to the floor, instinctively curling into a ball.

Stunned and gasping for breath, she lay unmoving... 

**Excerpt from LEGACY UNDER FIRE, copyright by Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel.

SNEAK PEAK OF JANUARY 1 RELEASE: LEGACY UNDER FIRE!

I'm excited to share a sneak peak excerpt from my upcoming January 1 release, LEGACY UNDER FIRE. This is the sixth book of my Halo Legacy Series, a heartwarming romance between O'Shea brother, Jeremiah, and the town's Dr. Shiloh. Of course, the journey to their happily-ever-after won't be easy, but there are some melt-your-heart scenes, such as this one. Enjoy!

**As Shiloh stood watching the dancers, butterflies swooped in her belly like the rainbow of satin gowns swirling across the dance floor. 

"Would you like to dance?"

Shiloh gazed at Jeremiah, her handsome escort. No smudges on his face from smoke and ashes. No sturdy turnouts with its fabric rough against her cheek. 

Handsome. Serious. Sexy. 

Though he barely touched her fingers, the heat shimmered between them. 

Shiloh's breath caught in her throat. Tonight was different. He wasn't a hero doing his job. He was a man whose gaze looked into her soul.

And found what? 

Did he see the holes where her memory had been? Did he sense her fear and wonder at her doubts? 

"I-I can't."

A frown settled briefly on his brow. 

"I've never learned any dance steps--I just sway to the music." Shiloh shrugged ruefully. 

"I can teach you."

Shiloh's mouth went dry. She struggled to swallow as the fantasy of Jer teaching her more than dance steps raised goosebumps across her skin.

"It's easy." Jeremiah turned his hand over so her palm rested against his. "Just a few simple steps in a box pattern."

His other hand moved to her hip, and he quietly counted the steps as they moved to the music. "One, two, three. One, two, three."

Mesmerized by the movement of his lips, Shiloh simply followed his lead. Until he turned and she stumbled against his feet. She jerked upright, flushed, and stammered out an apology. "I guess all my skill is in my hands--or used to be..."

"You can stand on my feet if you want to until you get the hang of it. Marly used to when she was a kid and Tallie was trying to 'give us some culture', as she said."

"That sounds nice." Wistfulness wove between Shiloh's words.

"Trampled feet or culture?" A dimple appeared in Jeremiah's left cheek when he smiled. 

Why had she not noticed that before? "Having lots of siblings must have been nice."

"Intrusive sometimes."

"Better than being alone."

"Were you lonely as a child?" Jeremiah continued dancing with Shiloh as they talked.

"I knew my parents loved me and were doing important work. But I missed being around kids my own age."

"Yeah, you missed out on bruises and elbows in the ribs during basketball games."

They laughed together.

"I didn't realize how lucky I was," Jer said. "Until lately."

"Much has happened lately," Shiloh agreed.

Jer swung her under his arm and she concentrated on keeping her feet moving so she didn't stumble. For the rest of the song, Shiloh focused on dancing rather than talking. As the dance ended, a cautious pride bloomed in Shiloh's chest.

"You're a fast learner."

Jer was staring at her. With something different in his eyes Shiloh hadn't noticed before. Speculation. Desire perhaps.

The orchestra began playing again and she melted into his arms. In this beautiful old house, time seemed to have receded to a gentler era when gentlemen and ladies put on their best manners with their fine clothes for a special night on the town. 

Shiloh let her eyes drift closed, wondering what making love would be like with Jeremiah. She fancied it would be much like dancing with him. A slow, tantalizing journey unlike any other she had taken. 

Is this what she had missed in younger years by focusing on her studies? Or was this magic reserved for a special someone? Someone she hadn't met until Jeremiah. 

When she opened her eyes, Jer was gazing at her. A slight smile on his lips and banked fire in his eyes. He wanted her. Yet made no move to put his desires into action. Truly a gentleman. A hero.

The man she had fallen in love with.

**Excerpt from LEGACY UNDER FIRE, by Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel.

Rogues Angels Presents - Dakota's Bride by Christine Young

Dakota's Bride by Christine Young

Excerpt Heat Level: 1

Book Heat Level: 4

Buy at:  www.roguephoenixpress.com 

This is the 4th book in the Lakota/Pinkerton series

Dakota's Bride, My Angel, The Locket, The Talisman, and Forever His

Moonless and frigid, the December night sent chills down Emma's spine. Yet she didn't stop at the lighted inn nearby, nor did she break stride when she stumbled over a rut in the muddy road. Instead, she pulled her skirts higher. A carriage raced by, hell-bent in the same direction, spitting mud as it flew past

A frantic look over her shoulder did nothing to relieve the fear. He was closing on her, forcing her from her hiding place. She stopped for a moment while she quickly shook the mud off her cape, then she turned to the little girl.

"You all right, Clare?" Emma asked.

The little girl nodded but didn't say anything, her face screwed tight with concentration, her breaths ragged and hard.

The big Mississippi paddle wheeler, due to leave in ten minutes, let out two loud, booming whistles. To Emma's frayed nerves, the sound was heart-stopping.

The wind from the docks smelled of fish and tar. When it shifted, she could make out the aroma of fresh baked scones coming from the inn. Emma gripped the tiny hand she held in her own a little tighter, and prayed that Clare could keep up the pace.

"It's only a wee bit farther. We can make it," Emma told the little girl, her sister. Half sister, she reminded herself.

Clare's father was not her own. His demonically hand­some face leering at her while he calmly explained what he meant for Emma to do in the bordello was something she'd never forget.

Clare was a tiny and very fragile seven-year old. She had loving green eyes and a long, slender nose coupled with delicate cheekbones. Emma knew that someday Clare would grow into a classic beauty.

One long blond lock of hair slipped loose from Clare's cap. The little girl pushed it away with her free hand, wrinkling her nose disgustedly.

Frost coated the road, and each hurried step caused the almost frozen mud to crunch beneath their feet. A horse and rider passed them, the man tipping his hat as he and his mount thundered by. Church bells rang out, the sound hollow and thin. It was almost six o'clock. She had five minutes to reach the boat.

A gust of wind caught her broadside and whisked the hood of her cape off the top of her head. She grabbed the soft fur and pulled the fabric back where it belonged. Distracted by the wind and her haste to reach the boat, Emma caught the toe of her shoe on a rock and balanced precariously for an instant.

She swore softly under her breath.

Had only one month passed?

No, three weeks ago her mother had died and two weeks ago she had learned the awful truth. Lawrence Stevens had slowly poisoned her mother. He had given her a small dose of arsenic each day until finally her mother took to her bed. Several days later Emma had held her mother's hand while she breathed her last.

Emma would never have known about the murder if she hadn't overheard Stevens speaking in harsh whispers with a friend of his. There were other things said and promised, things Emma had not wanted to acknowledge.

Disbelief and denial had caused her to waste precious time. Seven days had come and gone since she'd had her last horrible encounter with her stepfather. It was an encounter that had left her with no doubts that everything she'd heard was the god-awful truth. Stevens had meant to sell her to a whorehouse. Still, she'd had a difficult time believing the extent of Lawrence Stevens's depravity. But when he'd installed her in Madame leBon's bordello, she realized too late that her life was in grave jeopardy.

And Clare, sweet, sweet Clare, had understood all she'd told her and perhaps more. With the eyes of a child, Clare had somehow sensed the evil that surrounded her father long before anyone else did.

Five long days and nights they'd spent on the run. Clare had not complained. No matter how exhausted or hungry she was, the little girl had pressed on, understanding the imminent danger that faced Emma. Clare had somehow known that Emma had to get as far away from Lawrence as possible.

This incredible romance is one I positively fell in love with and is good enough to read again and again.

Cherokee
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More 4 Cups

I can’t remember the last time I was so engrossed in a book: Dakota’s Bride took over my weekend, and even now, am wishing to go peruse it one more time…

Rating: 4.5 Books
Reviewed by Snapdragon Long and Short Reviews 

Rogues Angels Says Merry Christmas To All

Merry Christmas

From the Angels

ROGUES ANGELS PRESENTS -- EVERYDAY MIRACLES: FREE DOWNLOAD!

During this month of holiday celebrations, I'm going to do something different for "Everyday Miracles." One of my books, THE BODYGUARD, was described as a "feel-good Christmas story" by my first editor. That book is also available as a free download every Monday until Christmas (thanks to my wonderful publisher, Rogue Phoenix Press!). So I'm going to offer excerpts from THE BODYGUARD that illustrate those miracles. (This book and all my Rock'n'Romance trilogy are available for the special holiday price of 99 cents through December 31.)

This is the last day THE BODYGUARD is available as a free download--a gift from Rogue Phoenix Press and me. I hope you enjoy this excerpt, and that you experience your own miracles!

The town of Halo lay in shrouded silence as the weary band of survivors trudged down the main street. Julia would have shouted for joy if she thought her bruised body wouldn’t shatter from the effort.

Her children were safe. That’s all that mattered.

Abraham slept in a sling on Cayle’s back. Angelina curled in Mitch’s arms, restless in her exhausted sleep. It had taken a dozen tumbles in the snow for Julia to relinquish her precious bundle to Mitch. She would have carried both children if she had been physically able.

Gabe barked as they neared the community center, waking the twins and stirring the rescue teams who were awaiting the first light of day to go back up the mountain.

The door of the center burst open, spilling warm light onto the sparkling snow. Soon the teams surrounded them, their shouts of joy and relief filling the predawn sky.

Within moments, they had been swept into the warmth of the community hall. As word of the rescue spread throughout town, people came from their beds to celebrate.

Mitch watched the scene with weary pleasure. Was it really over, this adventure that had turned his emotions inside out and shown him how to love again?

A hand on Mitch’s shoulder dragged his attention from his uncharacteristically mellow thoughts. Dawson Browning grinned. "So we got a miracle for Christmas after all."

--from THE BODYGUARD, copyright Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel

Rogues Angels Presents -- A Marriage of Inconvenience

This is the third book in the Twelve Dancing Princesses series

Title: A Marriage of Inconvenience

Author: Christine Young

Email: achristay@aol.com

Genre: Historical Romance

Excerpt Heat Level: 1

Book Heat Level: 4

Buy at: www.roguephoenixpress.com

LOGLINE:

A regal beauty declares her engagement to a devil-may-care smuggler who has far different plans than the English heiress.

BLURB:

A REGAL BEAUTY

When the duchess decides to wed her to a wastrel and a fop, Ravyn Grahm takes matters into her own hands and declares her engagement to another man. Instead of fessing up and telling her great aunt what she has done, she goes through with the pretense. Aric Lakeland is the bastard son of an earl and has a dangerous reputation. But Ravyn is willing to do most anything to keep the duchess from discovering the lie.

A DEVIL-MAY-CARE SMUGGLER

He'd bought land in America, looking to put down roots and end his life of adventure, but Aric Lakeland got more than he bargained for when he encountered a beautiful heiress who made a promise she didn't want to keep. But the promise could not be undone and standing between them were more obstacles than either ever dreamed. Aric had made plans to spend the rest of his life in America and that was at odds with Ravyn's plan of living in England and running her father's estate. Now, he'll have to choose between his dreams and the woman he loves more than life.

EXCERPT

Aric Lakeland dodged foot-traffic along the boulevard in a crazy attempt to keep up with the bouncing erratic carriage he followed. The day was intolerably hot and his mood was no better. He resented this mission. He’d left a cool pub and a cold brew to sweat beneath the hot sun.

His idea of fun was not traipsing after a notorious gambler and womanizer. Nor did he want to baby sit a spoiled debutante.

Yet, he’d promised. A wave of guilt washed through him.

Sweat beaded on his forehead, dripping down his face. He swiped it with the back of his hand and sidestepped, nearly knocking packages from a lady just exiting a dressmaker’s shop.

“You owe me, my friend. When this is done, I will collect,” he swore beneath his breath and began thinking of all the favors he might ask of his half brother.

The carriage he followed turned a corner and disappeared from sight. He plowed into a lamppost, swore again and raced through the crowds. Richy Richmond did not deserve this absurd protection. Richy could deal with his own affairs. The other part of his half brother’s request bothered Aric. He did not want anything to happen to the lady he followed. His half brother had reason to believe Richy might do something to compromise her. His gut instincts had never been wrong. Ravyn Grahm, cousin to his half brother’s wife, was in serious trouble.

Richy’s carriage came to an abrupt halt. Richy jumped from the vehicle. His cane in hand, he strode toward a dress shop Aric had reason to visit on occasion.

Aric watched, fascinated as the scene unfolded. He started forward but noticed Richy race to protect the women Aric followed. 

“You ruffians!  Get your hands off me!”  The white-haried Duchess shrieked, her age-lined face mottled with rage, pushing at two little guttersnipes who seemed more intent on shoving the elderly woman around than stealing the packages she carried.

Ravyn swiped her parasol across a boy’s head and turned to the other, her eyes blazing, shooting violet blue sparks.

“Stop it!” she cried out, raising her parasol again and again. “Take that!  And that!”

Amused, Aric leaned against a lamppost similar to the one he had run into earlier in his race to keep Richy’s carriage in view.

He crossed his arms over his chest, grinning as he watched Ravyn batter the boys who had had the audacity to try and harm the Duchess.

He chuckled, prepared to step in if needed but it appeared the two women had the situation under control. Ravyn, he mused, the regal, classy lady who seldom had a hair on her gorgeous head out of place was decidedly disheveled. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair flowed beautifully from its perfectly coiffed hairdo. Her jacket sleeve was torn and to his amazement, she grinned as if she were having the time of her life.

“Go on, get,” Richy stepped in, shooing the two boys away. He grabbed hold of one of the boy’s arms and shook him. “Patrol,” he yelled, looking around for help. The boy stomped on Richy’s foot. Surprised, Richy let go. “Bloody hell!  Come back here. Little brat,” he yelled as the boy ran off.

Aric cocked an eyebrow, watching and wondering what would happen next, knowing Richy had a card up his sleeve. He had not forgotten he was supposed to be watching Richy, nor had he forgotten the man had suffered innumerable losses at the gaming tables and the racetrack the last few days and he might do something to Ravyn.

Aric pushed away from the lamppost and strode toward the women and Richy. He watched Richy change demeanor. Suddenly instead of rescuer, he was attacker. Aric’s heart stopped for a moment then raced.

Richy wrenched Ravyn against him, pulling her close, her arm behind her back, his mouth close to her ear as if he whispered something to Ravyn.

“Let go,” Ravyn cried out, twisting and thrashing her arms. It seemed to be the opposite scenario as moments before. The crowds that had previously closed around the women had now dissipated.

“Let go,” Ravyn cried again. 

“You’re mine, Ravyn,” Richy said in a low well-modulated voice. “You should have realized it months ago and I’d have won the wager. But instead, you ignored me. You taunted me and sometimes you pretended to care while other times you turned up your pert little nose when I walked by.”

“What do you think you are doing?  Let go of me!”  Ravyn cried out, hatred now in her stormy violet eyes.

To Aric, she sounded incredulous, perhaps confused. But strangely, not afraid.

“We--“he paused a moment--“are going to Gretna Green. We are getting married and I will inherit your estate. You will be mine.”

Rogues Angels Presents -- The Wager by Christine Young

The Wager is the second book in the Twelve Dancing Princesses Series

The Wager

Christine Young

Excerpt Heat Level: 1

Book Heat Level: 4

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Coast of England 1816

"It's a bloody cursed day." Damian Andrews swept the child into his arms and waded through the pounding surf to the beach. He braced himself against the out-going current then sloshed through the crashing waves. Salt spray clung to the wind, stinging his nostrils.

Damian turned. Beneath his ribs, his heart pounded the cadence hard and fast. He swore again as he watched the captain shout orders to his crew. The French brandy that was supposed to have arrived this night would have to wait.

Standing in the longboat, the captain of the ship that brought the brandy as well as the political refugees from the Germanies held a torch aloft--the only light in the vast darkness. "Hurry, laddie. We have human cargo tonight and the tide is changing."

A little girl whimpered.

Damian pulled her into his arms, bent on protecting her at all cost.

"It's all right. You will all be together soon." The smuggling of French brandy was a cover for the cause that meant so much to him. Religious and political refugees--at times it seemed they came in droves. All were seeking a better life. A life of freedom. "Your mother is coming as well as your baby brother. You will all be safe."

Damian looked to the captain. "The father?" he queried.

"He didn't come with his family. He said he had one more thing to do. You must hurry."

The child leaned into Damian, her little face nuzzling his shoulder, her silent sobs gut-wrenching. He pulled her closer, cursing at the elements as well as mankind and wishing he could find a way to shield the tiny child from all harm. He knew the feat to be impossible. The little girl touched a place in his heart and for a moment filled that broken space with light. Yes, the mother would be with her children, but why had the father stayed where his life was in peril? He had learned long ago one could come to regret rash actions. And he'd also learned one could lose all chance at love in one instant.

Lord, but he'd lost his concentration and in losing that, he could well lose his edge.

No secrets-- no lies. The thought haunted him.

His life was a lie, but he would change nothing until his penance was paid. A constant drizzle soaked him to the skin. The wind sent goose bumps rising on his arms. He reached shore and handed the girl over to Aric Lakeland, a trusted friend and accomplice in this night's work, then turned and walked back to the longboat. Her baby brother as well as her mother waited.

He had never meant to get involved. It was the greatest of ironies that he was here now. He'd been a man who loved his family and his home.

He'd been content but that seemed years ago--a life time.

It felt like centuries.

The captain spoke, his voice hushed. "Hurry, now, Master Damian.

It's the watch. They are due to ride by here any time now. The patrols have doubled these last few weeks. I fear it's not as safe as it used to be." The captain handed over the baby wrapped in blankets. Damian stared at the child. The babe couldn't be a year old. The child didn't make a sound, not even a whimper.

This was injustice, a travesty. He looked at the mother. "Can you make it on your own?" He prayed the fragile lady standing before him had more courage than she appeared to have. She nodded and with the captain's help, she stepped into the ocean, struggling for balance. Yet her shoulders were squared and her spine stiff.

As soon as the captain placed the babe in Damian's arms and the three of them were headed for land, he gave orders. Two sailors rowed out to sea, moving toward the black ship that rose and fell on the distant waves.

On a cliff above, the dark silhouette of a third man, Ryder McClaren, could be seen for a brief moment. He waved his arms then disappeared into the shadows once more.

"Hurry," Damian bade the mother, his hand resting on the small of her back, urging her forward.