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Adora Leonnte, sister to the Uttoran emperor, endured a year
trapped in a nightmarish forced marriage to a Sebboyan prince driven by a
sinister prophecy to take her against her will. The war that followed destroyed
the small country, but she emerges unbroken…if not unscathed. Safe again in
Uttor, she vows to put the horrors she faced behind her and once again become
the fearless young woman she was before her abduction.
As fate would have it, her hated kidnapper left her carrying his child, and that is a condition even she cannot wish away. Adora’s enduring hope for romance fades until a blue-eyed, self-possessed foreigner walks back into her life and reawakens feelings promising the erotic delights of which she’s always dreamed.
Vallmer Berringen, the handsome and devout prince of a country allied with conquered Sebboy, has come to Uttor for two reasons: to secure the treaty that will give his country a much needed alliance, and to fulfill his father’s orders to use the occasion to find a suitable bride. Captivated by Adora’s intelligence and courage, Vallmer is torn by the fact she is both pregnant and pagan. Her infamous reputation taints Adora, a woman that a man of his position and faith should never be tempted to woo.
Can he reconcile his vision for his country with his passion for a woman whose spirit sets his blood on fire—but for whom kingdoms have gone to war?
As fate would have it, her hated kidnapper left her carrying his child, and that is a condition even she cannot wish away. Adora’s enduring hope for romance fades until a blue-eyed, self-possessed foreigner walks back into her life and reawakens feelings promising the erotic delights of which she’s always dreamed.
Vallmer Berringen, the handsome and devout prince of a country allied with conquered Sebboy, has come to Uttor for two reasons: to secure the treaty that will give his country a much needed alliance, and to fulfill his father’s orders to use the occasion to find a suitable bride. Captivated by Adora’s intelligence and courage, Vallmer is torn by the fact she is both pregnant and pagan. Her infamous reputation taints Adora, a woman that a man of his position and faith should never be tempted to woo.
Can he reconcile his vision for his country with his passion for a woman whose spirit sets his blood on fire—but for whom kingdoms have gone to war?
Hero and Heroine
Did she really expect him
to answer so personal a question? Apparently she did, because she was giving
him the most provocative smile, one that said she knew she’d put him on the
spot. His answer, however, would be too revealing.
She laughed again, but the
sound was warm, embracing. “You know, sex doesn’t have to be impolite. It’s a
little undignified, but—”
“Which is why it is
private.”
“Yes,” she agreed, and
cocked her head, reassessing him. “Yes, it is.”
“Why are we talking about
this?”
“You tell me.”
Now that would be
dangerous. He was talking to her about sex because she made him think of it.
Because Adora looked and sounded and smelled like a woman who might enjoy being
with a man. Lorant had called her a slut, but Vallmer had never been fool
enough to believe it. He had known all along Lorant could not abide being
rejected by a woman who found him wanting. Vallmer liked that about Adora, that
she was fearless about her opinions. He met too many women who were so
completely deferential to men their thoughts could not be trusted.
“I talk to you this way
because I feel I can talk with you about anything, anything at all. And because
I feel this way, you can steer me into talking about anything you wish.”
Her smile beckoned him to
thoughts he would do better to avoid. “Are you calling me artful, Prince
Vallmer?”
“I am calling you
fascinating.”
Tali
Spencer fell in love with writing at an early age and never stopped. Thanks to
a restless father, she grew up as a bit of a nomad and still loves to travel
whenever she can. Her longest stint in one place was Milwaukee where she went
to college, enjoyed a series of interesting careers, and raised three
surprisingly well-adjusted sons. She later married her true love and put down
new roots in Philadelphia, where she lives in an ongoing Italian American
family sitcom. At least she’s learned how make good pasta. When not writing,
Tali reads everything from sweet goofy romances to medical research, manages
her fantasy football team—go Gekkos!—and takes long walks with her loving, if
slightly neurotic, poodle.
Visit Tali’s blog
E-mail: tali.spencer1@gmail.com
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Thanks so much for having me as your guest. I'll be popping in with champagne and to answer any questions. :)
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Happy New Year!
DeleteHow old were you when you learned Santa wasn't real? How did you find out?
ReplyDeleteI was nine years old when a neighborhood boy of the same age told me Santa wasn't real. He called me stupid for believing in a fairy tale. I was disappointed when Dad fessed up, because I rather liked believing in Santa. Santa and elves and the North Pole, all of it, made the world more fun and magical. I learned instead that magic in the world is where we make it happen. That sense of wonder is one reason I love writing stories. Thanks so much for asking, Mai, and a very happy New Year to you!
DeleteTHank you for informing me about this book.
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteAdded to my list :D
ReplyDeleteSounds like an awesome book, I can't wait to read it! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed the excerpt. Thank you so much!
ReplyDelete