GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Character Courtroom: Devlin Dalcon vs the Court (Taken For His Own by Tara Fox Hall) +giveaway | I Smell Sheep

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Character Courtroom: Devlin Dalcon vs the Court (Taken For His Own by Tara Fox Hall) +giveaway

Tara Fox Hall has a sexy PNR series called Promise Me written from the point of view of the human Sarell. She is caught between 3 sexy vampires and holy "vampire magnet" in book #4  Taken For His Own, she gets another one, Devlin. Did he coerce her or did she act on her own desires? Let's listen in... 

(A courtroom that is oddly empty, save for a tall brunette woman in a tailored suit and heels as plaintiff, a tall handsome blond man in an Armani grey suit as defendant, an older woman judge, a mixed jury, and a short man in black near the door. The plaintiff’s expression is venomous, as is the countenance of the man in black. The blond defendant’s face carries an easy smile, but his eyes glitter with anger. The judge’s face is stern as she picks up her paper.)

Judge: Mr. Devlin Dalcon, you have been summoned here to stand trial for your actions in the latest Promise Me book, Taken for His Own. Now that the District Attorney of Supernatural Affairs has presented all her evidence, do you have anything to say for yourself?

Devlin: <stands, with hands in pockets> Of course. This is all a farce. You have no case.


DA: Objection!

Judge: Sustained. Mr. Dalcon, if you have any witnesses to call or any evidence to present, please do so now.

Devlin: There is no evidence; how could there be? The only ones who really know what happened are Sar and myself. <sneers> You were put up to this by Sar’s doctor, weren’t you? His examination found nothing—


DA: Objection! Who reported the violation is not relevant. We've already clearly established that Sar was very anemic after her encounter with Devlin—


Devlin: Of course she was. I drank some of her blood, as she asked me to. <looks over with a seductive smile at DA> I always aim to please my lovers.


Judge: Enough, Mr. Dalcon. Now do you have anything to say in your defense or not?

Devlin: <stands> Yes. <he walks out from behind the desk and then leans back on it, facing the jury> You have charged me with coercing Sar into a relationship—


DA: A sexual encounter.


Devlin: <glaring at DA> A sexual relationship, admittedly, but one we both desired. And yes, I do have evidence to that. <motions to the man in black> Lash, please take the stand. <The man in black narrows his eyes, but does as requested, including swearing to tell the truth>


Devlin: Tell them what you made me agree to close to a hundred years ago, as a condition of our friendship and working relationship.


Lash: I told you I wouldn't have any part of hurting women. And I told you if you ever did it again, I’d quit our friendship and your employ.


DA: <incredulous> You expect us to believe the word of a weresnake?


Lash: <hisses, his eyes shifting briefly to snake then back to human> It’s the truth, lady. And as far as I know, Devlin never broke his word on that. <smiles nastily> He never has to. Your sex falls all over yourselves trying to get into his pants.


Judge: <bangs gavel> Enough! Please step down, Mr. Lash. <looks to Devlin> The word of your best friend and a known assassin is not sufficient evidence.

Devlin: Then how about from Sar herself? Read page 189 of Taken for His Own. It’s all there, that she’s not sorry we took our relationship to the next level. Hell, read the series! It’s all there in the pages, how she wanted me all along! That woman reeked of her desire every time I was around her!


DA: <jumps up> Objection! A woman can desire a man and retain her right to refuse his advances. We are not in the 1900’s, Mr. Dalcon.


Devlin: <smiles> Alas, as you are definitely a shrew that needs taming—


Judge: <strident and angry> Mr. Dalcon, one more comment like that and you’ll be held in contempt. Am I making myself clear?

Devlin: Of course.


Judge: Your rebuttal that she wanted you cannot be proven. The law says that a woman reserves the right to change her mind.

Devlin: Very well. Then I offer you the hard data that my brother Danial used to show Sar that her actions were not coerced at all. Pages 219-220. Firstly, Sar has some special feature about her that allowed her to bear a vampire’s child for my brother. Dr. Camlyn is researching the data he collected now. We believe that the cause is something rare in her blood: whatever causes it to be so unnaturally fresh and sweet compared to usual human blood—


DA: Objection. We do not need to hear about the virtues of the victim’s blood—


Devlin: <suddenly angry> I tell you there is something different about her blood, and about her! My point here is that making her a vampire would destroy that forever. There is no way I would logically do that, not for any reason! Well, unless Sar were dying and I had to turn her into a vampire to save her from certain death.


DA: Objection, counsel just perjured himself.


Devlin: <very angry> I care about her. I know how she feels about being mortal. No one responsible makes vampires on a whim. <Brings a thick book up to the judge> This is the vampire handbook. I was one of its coauthors close to 200 years ago. It is forbidden worldwide to make someone vampire against their will. I've enforced that rule since its enactment. I, along with my brother Danial, was forced to become a vampire.


DA: <sifting through her papers> Isn't turning something you've done as punishment to vampire hunters in the past? <gives Devlin a malicious look> And to their families?


Devlin: Yes, on occasion. But you’re taking the rule out of context. That rule was meant to protect innocent humans from being turned by irresponsible vampires. Hunters who attack vampires are fair game for reprisal. I don’t need to be wounded first to strike a fatal return blow, if I see someone is intent on killing me.


Judge: Understandable if not exactly something I can empathize with, Mr. Dalcon. Do you have anything else to offer?

Devlin: One final argument: that all of the Promise Me books to date are from Sar’s point of view alone. We don’t know anything that she does not, at this point in the series. Therefore, if she chooses to exclude something, readers don’t know about it.


Judge: What exactly are you saying?

Devlin: That Sar is bound by mortal laws, and she wants readers to like her. She is also married to Theo. Admitting that she wanted me and we made love immediately jeopardizes her standing with readers. That is why she has no answer for all of the logical arguments about why she didn't find a way not to give into my desire. <tone softens> The real reason is that she had desires of her own, and it was to be with me.

Judge: This might be the most logical thing you've said so far, Mr. Dalcon. However, like your previous evidence, this also cannot be proved.

Devlin: The only truth here, Your Honor, is that your court has no power over me. As a vampire, I am subject to my brother’s rule, not yours. He is a Vampire Lord. If punishment is given, it will come from his hand. And his assessment of the situation is that I am blameless. <sits down> As I've said, this trial is a farce.


Judge: <grimaces> I declare this a mistrial. <bangs gavel>

DA: <jumps to her feet> Your Honor, you can’t believe that this vampire—


Judge: What I believe is that of all Sar’s romantic interests, Danial both loves her best and understands her the most. He also likely knows his brother better than we do. Mr. Dalcon is right, that his brother has declined to punish him. That evidence is known as the truth to anyone who follows the series, and it does cast light that there is much more to this situation than we have been made aware of. <turns to Devlin> I understand that Sar is experiencing the symptoms of turning at the close of Taken for His Own. Would you say that this is the cause for her behavior?

<DA glares at judge, gathers her papers, and leaves. Jury files out, some of them arguing Devlin’s and Sar’s guilt and innocence>

Devlin: <worried> Possibly. If that’s the case Sar has a real battle in front of her. Almost all humans that begin to turn into vampires complete the transformation eventually. I’ve been consulting with my brother on how best to handle the situation. Danial and his sorcerer Terian have come up with a daring solution, but it’s got to have Theo’s approval, which Danial is still waiting for.


Judge: Then I suppose I should offer your brother and Sar good luck. <sternly> And I don’t want to see you back here again, Mr. Dalcon. Understand?

Devlin: <bows> It is much appreciated. And yes, I’ll do my best not to return to see you too soon. <grins> Adieu. <turns and strides toward Lash as set fades to black>


Taken for His Own (Promise Me Series #4)
Vampire romanceFormat: print and e-book 
Pages: 247
ISBN: 9781612356228
Date Released: late April 2013
Amazon Link
After learning Theo is alive, Sar immediately embarks on a mission to find him. Reunited, the lovers return to New York; Danial, Terian and Theo uneasily combining forces to protect Sar from Al’s assassins still seeking her. But when Sar is taken prisoner in an all-out attack, only one man can save her: her old adversary, Devlin.




Buy Links: 
Amazon
Amazon UK 
Smashwords 
Melange/lulu link for Print, PDF and HTML copies 
All Romance E-books 



Excerpt: 



“What about what you did to me?” I whispered, gazing at him and biting my lip. 

“That wasn't a whim,” Devlin said, dropping his eyes. “That was my bad judgment. Sadly, it wasn't the worst mistake I've made in my life.”


“What was?”

Devlin didn’t answer. I reached out and took his cool hand in mine.

“When you lead others you must do whatever you have to in order to save your people,” he said with a sigh. “Compromising values should matter less than saving lives.”

“I agree with you,” I said. “If you rule others, you have a responsibility to them above the responsibility to yourself. But even then, I think your family should come first.”

“They should,” Devlin said in a cracked voice. He swallowed hard. “But the past can’t be undone.”

I squeezed his hand. “What happened to Danial wasn't your fault.”

“Yes, it was,” he said softly.

“How is it your fault?” I said curiously, easing closer to him.

“Because I should have known what the thing was when it attacked. I didn't know anything back then, except strategy and tactics. I was too concerned about rising through the ranks as fast as possible, so I could leave my family behind and become someone important.”

“What did you want to be?”

“A commander of men, either soldiers or police.”

I was surprised that Devlin would want to uphold the law or spend his life guarding others. Yet it made sense. When he’d taken me from my house years ago, he’d insisted on taking me to Danial, because I wore the choker. He was here putting himself in danger now to keep me safe.

“I knew something had attacked a few people on that road in that last month,” he continued. “I knew that there was a chance we might be attacked transporting the prisoner. But the road was the quickest way to our destination. I’d been assured that if I made the journey in good time, I’d get the promotion I wanted, and Danial would get my old position.”

“You aren't at fault for what you did. It wasn't for an evil reason.”

“Yes, I am,” he said despondently. “It was my greed and pride that doomed us.”

Carefully, I reached for Devlin and put my arms around him. He tensed at my touch, then relaxed.

“You did the best you could. You aren't damned.”

“Yes, I am. You have no idea what I've done.”

I shifted uneasily.

“And I wouldn't want you to,” Devlin added, his arms snaking around me loosely. “My ends have always justified the means, no matter what they were. I've done great evil in the hope of averting worse evil. Sometimes it worked and sometimes not. Still, it’s likely that given the chance to do my life over, I’d do the same things, make the same choices. I’d find myself here, at this same point in time, a fallen king.”

“In case you’re wondering,” I said deliberately. “I’m waiting for you to add into your speech somewhere that you regret everything you did to me while you were king…um, ruler.”

“I regret hurting you,” Devlin said quickly. “Yet I don’t regret coming for you that night or taking you to Danial.” He looked up at me. “You might not have gone back to Danial after Theo went missing, if I hadn't  Theoron might not be here. I can’t regret any action of mine that led to him being born.”

I didn't reply, considering his words.

Devlin laid his head against my chest, and his arms tightened on me slightly. We lay there like that for a few moments, not speaking, then I slipped into sleep.

I woke sometime later when Devlin stirred. According to the bedside clock, it was almost dusk.

“I have only one regret,” Devlin said finally, propping himself up on his elbow, his expression intent.

“What’s that?” I said, covering my yawn with my hand.

“That it wasn't me you found in your quarry that night,” Devlin said, kissing the back of my hand with cool lips. His golden eyes locked on mine, transfixing me, as he drew my hand away from my face.

He was going to kiss me. My lips parted as my breath caught in my throat.

About the Author:
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Tara Fox Hall’s writing credits include nonfiction, horror, suspense, erotica, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She also coauthored the essay “The Allure of the Serial Killer,” published in Serial Killers - Philosophy for Everyone: Being and Killing (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010). Her first full-length action-adventure novel, Lash, published in April 2012. Her vampire series begins in June 2012, with the 1st novel Promise Me. Tara divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice.

Try the Promise Me series

GIVEAWAY
Thank you to I Smell Sheep for graciously hosting this Character Courtroom! 
I will give away a black T-shirt (lg) with the cover of Taken for His Own on the front and on the back say "He risked his life to safe her. Now he will claim her for his own." to the best commenter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

31 comments:

  1. Thanks for this great post, I am not sure this is the series for me, too erotic, but I did like this piece.

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    1. Hi Aurian :) Yes, there is more than a little sex in the Promise Me Series. The earlier books have less, but later books, like this one, have more. :) Thank you for the compliment! :) I'm very glad you liked the post. Devlin often gets out of hand, LOL.

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  2. THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY! SHELLEY S. calicolady60@hotmail.com

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  3. Just suck and roll with it

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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    1. Hello bn100 :) I LOVE your line! Prepare to see it in a future work! So awesome! :) And yes, If I use it I'll give you credit!

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  4. Argh! Teasing me with such hints and leaving me to guess! I love this piece, it's fantastic and points out the depth of your work in a beautiful way. You're so amazing!

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  5. Totally enjoyed this courtroom scene. Very clever!

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    1. Thank you, Nancy! :) I have to give the credit for inspiring the post to Sharon of I Smell Sheep. As soon as she mentioned having a character on trial, I knew I wanted to do Devlin.

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  6. This was great. Love the courtroom scene. Devlin is one of my favs.

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    1. Oh and if I had to give advice on a women that bagged 4 vamps, then I would say, take lots of iron. Want to keep the blood count up so that you can feed those vamps. lol. Or garlic if you don't want them snacking. :D

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    2. Mine too, Tab :) LOL Iron is a very good idea! Garlic...you know, I don't think I've ever addressed that in the series. I'll make a point to do so. Hurrah, more inspiration! :)

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  7. ooooh my book boyfriend from the other wonderful series made an appearance! SQUEEE! I LOVE YOU LASH!!

    ok with that said, this was an awesome post!! I love the whole court thing, that was cool as hell! Thank you for that :)

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    1. So glad you liked it, Jessica! :) Lash sends his love <3 You will be seeing a lot more of your favorite weresnake this fall :)

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  8. I have to read this!!! and You better hope that none of them got away to tell the other vampires! LOL And you go girl!
    -Amber
    goodblinknpark(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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  9. I would have to tell her, "Woman, take it easy. Some of us are still waiting for just ONE vampire. You're gonna hog 'em all up. Greed is a cardinal sin. Start sharing the love, lady." Of course, I don't want her in the picture with me...give me two male vamps, or two male anything, for that matter...When I say 'share', I really mean, "give them to me"...
    michelle_willms@yahoo.com

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    1. LOL Michelle, yes, Sar certainly has her hands full! Two male vampires and a werecougar is a lot for any woman to handle! Good luck! :) Thanks for commenting!

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  10. I wouldn't give her advice, I'd be ASKING HER for advice (she's obviously doing something right!)

    Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
    elizabeth @ bookattict . com

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    1. I hope its appropriate to say LMAO here...because I am! Love your attitude! Good luck in the giveaway, Book Attict! :)

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  11. Great exchange, Tara! Leaves us on a cliff hanger, for sure, you stinker...;)

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  12. No advice, she doesn't need it but I'd tell her "Damn girl, you sure eat your Wheaties!"

    Froggy
    froggarita@gmail.com

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  13. You know that blood and meat are good sources of Iron. Will help keep the spirits up! Strength too!

    daringzoey@yahoo.com

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  14. ALWAYS SLEEP WITH ONE EYE OPEN!!

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  15. I would tell her that she is one lucky girl!!! Not only because she got to sleep with 4 vampires (which always come across as THE BEST lovers) but also that all 4 of them abided by the Vampire Laws. As much as Sar has traveled and the things she's seen, she is quite lucky that someone/something hasn't taken her by force and had their way with her.

    I must say, this court room idea is GREAT!! I hope that you will do this more often!!

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    1. thanks! There are so many possibilities with this feature. I like it too :) and yes, Sar is a lucky girl ;) thanks for stopping by and commenting!

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  16. I LOVE THE COVER TARA!!

    lindarb49@hotmail.com

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