Midnight
Temptation
Raven’s
Hollow Coven
Book
Two
Shari
Nichols
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: City Owl Press
Date of Publication: June 30,
2020
ISBN: 1949090647
ASIN: 978-1949090642
Number of pages: 274
Word Count: 68,500
Tagline: A witch and a vampire
must work together to take down the ruthless head of a human trafficking ring.
Book Description:
When tarot card reader Gillian
Howe hosts a supernatural speed dating event, she’s hopeful to discover her
chance at love. Making the perfect match is her passion.
Too bad she can’t find one for
herself. A chance encounter with a wealthy vampire soon finds her plunged into
a secret society of trancing, blood bonds, and human escort rings. She’ll need
help to survive, but the vampire detective is the last person she wants...even
if he is scorching hot.
Garrett Mulroney’s sire tried to
force him into a life of debauchery, but he chose to uphold the law instead.
The fact that the one woman he can’t seem to get out of his lust-filled dreams
is at the center of his investigation doesn’t bode well. It's a good thing she
hates his guts, because it helps douse his growing desire for her and focus on
the case. But when Gillian’s cousin is kidnapped into the Du Sang Brotherhood,
she becomes the prime witness. Now they’re forced to put their differences
aside and go undercover by pretending to be a couple. The more time they spend
together, the more Garrett wants her in his life—and in his bed.
Will they be able to develop the
love and trust needed to take down the Brotherhood or become its next victim?
Excerpt:
Suddenly, all
the hairs on the back of Gillian’s neck stood on end. Her whole body tensed.
The chatter and music became muffled. Her eyes flickered across the lobby in
search of who, or what, had caught her attention.
Then she saw
him.
Six-feet-three
inches of tall, dark, and brooding stood at the front desk. Detective Garrett
Mulroney? What the hell was he doing here? Seeing him again after all these
months sent a jolt of shock rippling through her.
His gaze locked
with hers, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe. They both stood there,
staring at each other. It was as though he could see beneath her armor, the
kind she wore under the little black dress.
The word
handsome didn’t even begin to describe him. Mythological titans like Adonis and
Poseidon came to mind, males so stunning, they couldn’t possibly be real. But
then she thought of other words too, like arrogant, brash…controlling…she could
go on.
Mulroney crossed
the lobby with a confidant gait, his long legs eating up the distance between
them in a few easy strides. Her heart hammered in her chest with every step.
Every female
head turned to catch a glimpse of the vampire. The closer he got, the more her
body became hyperaware of his presence. He kept his thick head of dark hair
short on the sides and longer in the front. The cut showed off the angles and
hard lines of his face. Sexy stubble darkened a square jaw, and he looked every
bit as dangerous as she remembered. Long, and lean, Gillian could make out the
ripple of sinewy muscle beneath the jacket of his grey suit. In the past, she’d
always been attracted to the artistic types. So, there was no good reason why
she was drawn to this rough-hewn alpha.
But Goddess help
her, he was magnificent.
Laughter drifted
from the bar, and that’s when she realized she was still standing on a chair,
gawking at him like some lovesick schoolgirl. She went to step down and her
foot slipped out from one of her strappy sandals. Before she could fall
sideways onto the marble, two strong arms wrapped around her waist and caught
her in midair.
When she looked
up and into Mulroney’s ice-blue eyes, her heart gave a little flutter.
Apparently, the legends about vampires having preternatural speed and strength
were real. But then, as his gaze filled with a kind of raw, primal desire, she
had no doubt the steamy ones about them possessing a certain sexual allure also
rang true.
“You’re
lucky you didn’t break your neck,” Mulroney whispered close to her ear and set
her on her feet. “What are you doing here tonight, Miss Howe?” The deep rumble
of his voice did funny things to her insides.
“I could ask you
the same question.” Gillian grabbed the scissors and scotch tape off the table,
then shoved them in her black beaded bag. “If you must know, I’m working,”
Gillian snapped. Ever since the prickly detective had been assigned to
investigate the robbery of one of her clients, a local antique dealer, their
paths had collided on more than one occasion.
Mulroney’s eyes
did a slow sweep of her from the tips of her three-inch heels to the top of her
head. Goosebumps instantly spread across her flesh. Gillian wanted to squirm
from the flagrant perusal, but remained still, refusing to give him the
satisfaction. Why would she? After all, he had tried to ruin her life. “Interesting
work attire,” he murmured.
Her hands
clenched at her sides, fighting the urge to tug on her dress again. “I’m sure
you didn’t walk over here to comment on my choice of clothing. To what do I owe
the unexpected pleasure?” she asked with a healthy dose of sarcasm.
“Trust me, this
wasn’t planned,” he said in a gruff voice, refusing to look her in the eye.
Gillian couldn’t
help remembering the day he and his partner had showed up at the coven.
Peppering her with questions and unwarranted accusations, they’d invaded her
safe space, conjuring that too familiar lash of shame, and reminding her of the
days when the neighbors used to call the cops to keep her parents from an
all-out war.
He kept his
hands stuffed in his pockets, his stance casual, but he wasn’t fooling anyone.
There was no mistaking the predatory way he kept checking out the people
strolling by as only a cop would. She followed his gaze as it took in every
detail, restless with intensity, before finally landing on their banner. “Is
this a private fundraiser?”
She nodded, not
in the mood to elaborate. “Are you here in an official capacity? What’s the
matter, no real criminals on the streets tonight?” Or maybe this was personal
and he was meeting someone. He’d worked with Alex on several cases, and
according to Willow, he was a confirmed bachelor, not that she had inquired or
anything.
“A quick word, please, Miss Howe. We need to
talk.” The object of her unhealthy obsession ignored her questions and reached
for her elbow, pulling her off to the side. His touch seared through the thin
material of her dress, leaving a hot flush along her skin. At five-foot-seven,
she wasn’t exactly short, but even in her heels, he towered over her.
“Hold on. I’m
kind of busy right now. What’s this about?” Gillian demanded, catching a whiff
of his masculine scent, a blend of sandalwood and clean laundry. She fought the
urge to sigh and glared at him instead.
“You shouldn’t
be here.” Mulroney glanced over at the couple’s tables scattered with rose
petals, floating candles, bowls of heart-shaped chocolates, and the Lawrence
Charity placards. He turned back to face her and scowled. “I want you to leave.
Now.”
“Excuse me?” His
words knocked Gillian off-center and before she could process them, an
attractive female vampire with dark hair pulled in a tight ponytail walked up
to Mulroney and placed a hand on his arm.
“It’s time. We need to go.” A surge of
irrational jealousy coursed through Gillian’s veins like battery acid.
For a split
second he hesitated, his gaze still fixed on Gillian, and she sensed some kind
of inner battle raging inside him. Then he gave her a curt nod and walked away.
Her heart sank.
Brooke
approached and crossed her arms over her chest. “What was that all about?”
Not sure what to
make of their twisted interaction, or of Mulroney’s ominous words for that
matter, Gillian sucked in a quivering breath and let it out. “No idea.”
About
the Author:
Shari Nichols grew up in a small
town in Connecticut where haunted houses, ghosts and Ouija boards were common
place, spurring her fascination with all things paranormal. Ever since she read
her first Barbara Cartland novel, her life-long dream has been to write sexy,
romantic stories. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, going to the gym, or
hanging out with family and friends.
Shari’s a member of Romance
Writers of America, New Jersey Romance Writers, Liberty States Fiction Writers
and Fantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal Romance Writers. Shari’s new
series, Ravens’ Hollow Coven, is an
urban fantasy with City Owl Press.
Awards: Beverley Award, Golden Leaf Finalist, Best
Book Finalist by a New Jersey Author, HOLT Medallion Finalist, Literary Titan
Silver Medal Winner.
