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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Alpha Male Diner: Guest cook Christina Phillips + giveaway

It is another sinfully delicious day at the Diner. Erotic fantasy author Christina Phillips is serving a mounted Roman Warrior...  get your mind out of the gutter, he rides a horse! Grab a napkin and get ready to feast...


Lucius Marius Tacitus (Roman Warrior-human) 
Recipe by Christina Phillips 
Betrayed (Forbidden Book #3)



 For a yummy nibble of a tough Roman warrior combine the following ingredients in a cauldron, and prepare to be served, seduced and sensually satisfied. 
*One bronzed, hard warrior body
*Add a pair of mesmerizing violet eyes 
*Stir in a smoky, sexy accent 
*Season with a conflicted past and unwanted enslavement 
*Turn up the heat with a heroine who receives mystical messages from her Moon Goddess 
*Sprinkle with suspicion of Druidic magic 
*Blend with a hint of betrayal and denial 

Allow to simmer with sinful secrets and immortal imperatives. 


Taste Test


The first meeting between Tacitus and his heroine, Nimue. 

An eerie chill trickled along her spine, causing the hair to rise on the back of her neck and arms. Without thinking she leaped to her feet, dagger once again in her hand. But it wasn't a lone legionary who had caught her so unawares. It was a mounted Roman officer, in a flowing scarlet cloak, with his shield in one hand and sword in the other.

For a moment, all she could feel was the erratic thud of her heart in her ears, the uneven gasp of her breath in her throat. The sun dazzled her, glinting off the polished metal of his armor as he stared down at her, and obscurely, she noted his impressive biceps, his muscles flexing as he urged his horse forward.

Flee. The command whispered in her mind, faint and insubstantial. The treacherous rocks on her right, the fast flowing stream at her back and the steep bank on the far side did not offer her a speedy escape. But somehow, she had to lead him farther away from the queen and princess. Except he had effectively trapped her by the edge of the stream.

Yet even as the weight of her responsibility tormented her conscience, she couldn't drag her fascinated gaze from the Roman. His face was hard, autocratic, unsmiling. The face of countless Romans, and yet like none she had ever seen before. His eyes were narrowed, his strong jaw shadowed. And the tip of his sword was a mere arm’s length from her face.

“Surrender to the might of the Eagle,” he said in the ancient Celtic language of her people. His voice was deep, sensuous, and dark embers stirred between her thighs, heat licking into her sensitive channel. Shocked, she clenched the muscles of her wet cleft, forcing the sensations aside, but still they persisted. Still they penetrated. As if she faced a brave warrior of Cymru instead of a cowardly barbarian of Rome. “And you shall remain unharmed.”

Her palm was sweaty around her dagger and she tightened her grip before it slipped from her grasp. She might not have a chance against this Roman but she would never surrender to him. And she would never willingly give up her weapons, either.

“I would sooner die fighting you,” she said in Latin, just to show him she was no ignorant native of a fractured land. Her mother had taught her the language well. “Than surrender my freedom to your filthy Emperor.”

She had no freedom under Rome. As soon as they discovered she was a Druid, her life would be forfeit. Crucifixion was terrifying enough, but it was the torture she would doubtless endure beforehand that shriveled her soul.

His black stallion whickered, pawed the ground, but the Roman did not break eye contact nor did his sword waver.

“Brave words, little Celt.” Still he spoke in her language, and disbelief unfurled through her breast at the tone of his voice. Did he find her challenge amusing? “But I don’t fight women.”

She ignored the threat of his sword and stepped forward, her dagger on clear display. He had no right to enter her land and then mock her prowess as a warrior. Just because she did not possess the brute strength of a full-grown male didn’t mean she lacked dexterity or speed. She glared up at him, wishing, obscurely, she could see the color of his eyes.

“Why? Are you afraid I may unman you?” Why was she trying to raise his ire? Wouldn’t it make more sense to beg for freedom? Pretend to be a mere peasant, caught up in this revolt? Perhaps, then, he would allow her to escape without persecution?

Even as the thought teased her mind, she knew the silver bracelets on her wrists, the torque at her throat and jewels in her ears plainly branded her as anything but a peasant.

For one brief moment the corner of his lips quirked, as if he found her not only amusing, but highly entertaining.

“I believe,” his voice was a seductive caress along the naked flesh of her arms, the exposed swell of her breasts. “I am more than man enough for you, Celt.” 




Betrayed 
Christina Phillips 
Released: March 20, 2013

Ellora’s Cave 
In 51 A.D., Druid priestess Nimue is injured and enslaved by the hated Roman Legions. Even though she is drawn to her captor, she’s determined to escape and complete her mission for the Briton king and her duty to Arianrhod, the goddess she is bound to.

The tough Roman warrior who captures her is far from the brutal barbarian she expects. His touch inflames her desires and passion burns between them. Though Nimue does not accept her enslavement, her heart surrenders to her enemy. When Arianrhod appears to her in the form of an owl, Nimue knows the union is blessed.

Roman warrior Tacitus is enchanted by the fiery beauty who shows no fear and challenges him at every turn. Though enslaving her goes against his heart, he’s determined to make her his. No woman has ever heated his blood as she does. But when he discovers her true nature as one who actually communes with the gods, his loyalties are torn between his heritage and a woman who could destroy everything he’s ever believed in. 
A Romantica® fantasy erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave 


About the Author:
Christina Phillips has always loved writing, and while her efforts in eighth grade usually involved space ships, time travel and unfortunate endings, as soon as she discovered romance novels a whole new world opened up. She now writes fantasy historical romance about strong heroines and gorgeous warrior heroes who, no matter how torturous the journey, are guaranteed their happily-ever-after. Christina was born in the United Kingdom, but now lives in sunny Western Australia with her real-life hero, their three children and three regal cats. 

GIVEAWAY
I have an e-copy of BETRAYED to giveaway to one lucky commenter. Just leave a comment or let me know – heroes in skirts, sexy or not? <G>

a Rafflecopter giveaway

40 comments:

  1. Heroes can be quite sexy in skirts so to speak.
    Debby236 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Debby, I agree they can be! Shows off their sexy calves :-)

      Delete
  2. Heroes in anything is HOT who doesn't love a hero!!!!
    but something about a guy in a kilt would be a turn on if he was good looking and built like a brick!!!!

    angelalove@uwmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Angela,

      Yes, he has to have the body for it! Like, say, Jason Momoa :-)

      Delete
  3. I love a man in a kilt. They are hot, hot, hot!
    Lorimeehan 1 @ aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love gladiators in skirts and men in kilts!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Way SEXY!!!!
    Picardsmom at yahoo dot com


    I swear I've seen those covers
    do youhave an alter ego??
    angels jump to mind

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi PM350,

      Yes, that's me :-) The lovely Sharon and Katie interviewed me in the dungeons back in December :-)

      BETRAYED is the third book set in my Roman/Druid world. So excited it's finally hit the cyber shelves!!!

      Delete
  6. I was hoping for some steamy stuff. :D

    Romans are sexy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Diane,

      LOL! I wasn't sure how naughty I could get. I have the first chapter up of BETRAYED on my website, but perhaps I should also post up a steamy scene? I'll do that today. Thanks for giving me the idea :-)

      And yes, Romans are soooo sexy!!!

      Delete
    2. We have to keep things PG-13 just in case some YA reader finds our flock. But the dungeon is adult only! ;)

      Delete
    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    4. Sharon, that's what I thought. I've posted an 18+ scene up on my website if anyone wanted to take a peek :-)

      (Apologies for deleted comment above. I was posting as my other self!)

      Delete
    5. I shall check this adult only site. rowr! lol

      Delete
  7. As long as they don't have fugly knees ;) Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Erin,

      I agree!! We don't want any fugly knees!!!

      Delete
  8. Hi nightowl03148808,

    They sure are!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sexy! =) I just read a story with a firefighter in a kilt *rawr* and i loved it!
    Thanks for the giveaway & Happy Easter!
    //Linda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Linda,

      I love the sound of a kilt wearing firefighter! *fans self* ! Happy Easter :-)

      Delete
  10. Heroes in skirts = very sexy to me ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Heroes in kilts? yes. Heroes in skirts? No.

    mestith@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Meghan,

    Yes, I think we'll stick with heroes in kilts :-)

    ReplyDelete