Cover Reveal: Tainted by Christina Phillips

Release date: 28th August 2013

Tainted 
by Christina Phillips
ISBN: 9781419940734
Ellora's Cave 
A dangerous love that Rome will never allow…
Driven by the knowledge he failed to protect his king and embittered at losing the woman he loves, Celtic warrior Gawain despises the lust he feels for the beautiful Roman patrician, Antonia. She is everything he’s never wanted in a woman, yet she ignites his passion like no other. Despite the danger of discovery he embarks on an illicit liaison with her, determined to uncover the reason for the infinite sorrow that haunts her eyes.

Newly arrived in Britannia from Rome, Antonia is inexplicably drawn to the cold, tough Celt whose touch stirs a desire she long thought died at the hands of her brutal former husband. With Gawain she learns the pleasure of sex and his unexpected tenderness thaws her frozen heart. But she hides a deadly secret that could be her undoing, and knows her growing feelings for him can lead nowhere. Yet when a shadow from her past threatens her future Antonia is torn between the Empire of her birth and betraying Gawain, the man she’s grown to love.

Inside Scoop: This medieval romance dabbles a wee bit in the paranormal.

A Romantica® historical erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Read Chapter One of Tainted

Excerpt

A door opened to her left and she turned to see Gawain stroll in from the bathhouse. Her heart thudded against her chest, making it hard to draw breath, and the pit of her stomach trembled with strange, liquid heat.

He looked utterly foreign, a savage warrior, and sunlight glinted on the barbaric jewelry around his throat and at his ear. He smiled, a slow, seductive smile that sent tremors through her blood and did nothing to ease the constriction in her breast.Except for Elpis, she was alone with a strange man, a man she had virtually propositioned in the street. A native of a conquered land who made no secret of the fact he despised her people. And yet it wasn’t derision that glowed in his eyes. It was lust.

For her.

“Lady Antonia.” His smoky voice wrapped around her senses, as potent as though he had wrapped his arms around her naked body. “You kept your word.”

“Did you doubt I would?” She scarcely recognized her voice. She sounded like a sultry seductress. Perhaps, after all, Gawain would never guess what a novice she was when it came to playing such dangerous games.He stopped in front of her, so close that the amber flecks in his dark eyes mesmerized her. “No.” The word sank into her blood, igniting sparks of pleasure that skittered across her exposed flesh. “You want this as much as I do.”

It was true. Why should she deny it? “Yes.”

About the Author:
Website Facebook Twitter Goodreads Blog 

Christina loves writing dark tales of tough, sexy warriors who are brought to their knees by their heroines. A mystical touch of fantasy or paranormal usually weaves its way through her stories, although strangely enough this wasn’t her intention when she first starting writing her Roman/Druid romances. But when ancient gods and goddesses get involved, it’s best just to go with the flow J

She is published by Ellora’s Cave and Berkley Heat and has dipped her toe in the indie pub waters. She is a member of the Romance Writers of Australia, Romance Writers of America, the DarkSide Down Under Group Blog and Historical Hearts Group Blog.
Christina is an ex-pat Brit who now lives in sunny Western Australia with her family. She is also owned by three gorgeous cats who are convinced the universe revolves around their needs. They are not wrong.

Alpha Male Diner: Vampire created by Christina Phillips + giveaway

One of the most popular dishes served at the Alpha Male Diner is Vampire...Today Christina Phillips is cooking up her decadent dish Alexius from Bloodlust Denied. Don't deny yourself... take a bite!

His Grace, the Duke of Havenshire (aka Alexius) Vampire

Recipe by Christina Phillips

Bloodlust Denied

Take one cynical two thousand year old vampire, with hair of deepest midnight and glittering emerald eyes.

Stir with a dash of arrogance, season with angst and a fractured sense of honor.
Add a seething thirst for vengeance and an insatiable craving to possess the elusive Morana.
Marinade with timeless secrets, cursed immortality and an ancient pact with Death.
Sample at your own risk…

Taste Test

The refined garden square of St James faded into the distance, and the dank underbelly of London rolled over him like a fetid corpse. Whores called out to him, reached for him, their already dead eyes following him. But tonight they weren’t enough. Their polluted, weary blood offended his senses and revulsion skittered along his spine at the thought of slaking his hunger with any but the one he sought.

He turned into another dark alley, the stink of decay and despair wrapping around him in an unwelcome caress of death. But threaded through every beat of this misbegotten city her scent throbbed, rich, vibrant. Closer.

So close he could taste the sweetness, savor the texture, feel the thick luscious fluid as it pumped down his throat. Lust stirred deep in his groin, thickening his shaft and the haunting melody of a single violin scarcely penetrated the heavy thud of desire that pounded through his temples.

And then he saw her, captured in the flickering light of a single lantern. Long black hair cascaded down her back and slender arms arched above her head as her lithe body undulated to the exquisite strains of the violin.

She appeared oblivious to her captivated audience, and Alexius ignored the dozen or so drunken men gathered around her. They were of no consequence. This woman was his, and he intended to have her.

The intricate crescendo sank into his brain, pounding in tandem with escalating lust. The woman spun faster, heedless of the broken cobblestones, heedless of his deadly intent. Focused only on her own pleasure in the music, in the movement, in the sensuous cocoon she wove.

With dramatic flourish, the shadowy musician ended the solo, the final note echoing through the dark alley like the call from a lover long since forgotten. Yet still Alexius couldn’t move toward her, as if he was still enchanted by the magic eroticism of her dance.

She flung back her head, her wild hair framing her face, and looked directly at him. His heart, no longer a slumbering organ, slammed against his ribs, pulses escalating.

He hadn’t felt so alive in millennia.

Tired of the thin-blooded aristocrats in 1815 London, Alexius yearns for better sport. He is drawn to a dark-haired seductress who shows no fear and refuses to obey his commands. Entranced by such novelty, he denies his bloodlust and decides to keep her to warm his bed.

Immortal vampire hunter Morana has never mistaken her prey before, but the dark stranger mesmerizes her, enticing her to forget everything but the dangerous pleasure she finds in his arms.

Neither one can deny the pull of the other, but there is something beyond the lust—a recognition neither can put a name to. The past and present collide and unless they discover the truth behind the lies, Death will triumph once more.

Inside Scoop: Silk makes much softer shackles than iron, but is just as binding as our lovers engage in light BDSM sport with spanking and mild submission in this risqué Regency story.

Ellora’s Cave Amazon ARe Amazon UK
Read chapter 1

About the Author:

Christina's Website-Facebook -Twitter -Goodreads
Christina Phillips has always loved things that go bump in the night and as a young teen was hooked on watching the old Hammer Horror movies on TV. While she doesn’t remember thinking vampires back then were hot and sexy, there was definitely a thread of naughtiness weaving its way through her overheated imagination. Necking took on a whole new meaning J

She loves writing dark tales of tortured vampires, alpha angels and demons and tough arsed warriors who are brought to their knees by their heroines. However, in real life if a vampire ever loomed from the shadows to do unspeakable things to her or a demon from the pit confronted her she would likely die of fright.

Christina lives in sunny Western Australia with her family. She is also owned by three cats who are convinced the universe revolves around their needs. They are not wrong.

GIVEAWAY

one ecopy of Bloodlust Denied

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.” 

Read Chapter One of Betrayed 

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's Website-Twitter-Facebook

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>

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Sheep Interview: Christina Ashcroft + giveaway

Today we have Christina Ashcroft to talk about her new book Archangel of Mercy and maybe we brought up naughty bits once or twice <G>

Katie: Thank you for coming by to chat with us today Christina! The dungeons have been cleaned in your honor, just disregard all the moans.

*Sharon turns up background music* 

Christina: Thanks so much for having me here today, Katie and Sharon! Nice dungeons! 

Katie: Tell readers a little about your story Archangel of Mercy. 
Christina: The Archangel Gabriel is a tortured hero, who suffers from survivor’s guilt and the heartbreaking knowledge that he is forever separated from his soul mate. It’s for these reasons he fights his growing attraction toward Aurora—not because he has a pathological aversion to commitment but because he no longer possesses the capacity to love. 

As for Aurora, although in many ways she is the girl-next-door type she does have one significant difference to every other human Gabe’s encountered. And the consequences of her actions in trying to claim her heritage is the catalyst that causes an Archangel to fall from the heavens… and in to her arms. 
Katie: Oh dang! So he is going to fall? 
Sharon: *holds out arms* I’ll catch him! 
Christina: Yes, he well and truly falls although of course he fights it all the way.

Sharon: Why do all your stories have happy ever afters?
Christina: I love happy ever afters. I only ever read books where I know there’s going to be a happy ever after and it’s the same with movies. I don’t mind a good cry in the middle but if I’m in tears at the end (and not in a good way!) then watch out world! Dinner will be burned that night :) 

Katie: Would you say your Angels are the soft lovey type or the darker version? 
Christina: They are definitely the darker type. They survived an Apocalypse millennia ago and the events from that time still impact on them in the present day. They are hot, bad ass and immortal but when they find the right woman their entire existence is turned inside out (don’t you just love it when that happens?) 
Katie: And you have numbers for the single ones I presume? 
Sharon: Dossiers? I want some stats.
Christina: If only! They’re not very forthcoming until it’s all too late and by then the woman destined to steal their heart away has arrived on the scene *sigh* Still, at least I get inside info on what’s happening which can be very… interesting…

Katie: How does erotic PNR differ from straight PNR?
Sharon: Um…we are a PG-13 site…just saying <G> You can call them naughty bits.
Christina: LOL! Well, I write for Berkley Heat which is the erotic line, and my editor was very keen for me to write an erotic romance with archangels. The focus is very much on Gabe and Aurora’s developing relationship and I confess I do mention one or two naughty bits. Several times. *Ahem* 

As for how it’s different to straight PNR, I don’t think it is except perhaps the love scenes are a little more explicit. There’s plenty of action going on that doesn’t include the naughty bits! 

Sharon: Do Archangels have better naughty bits than regular angels? 

Christina: The quick answer to that is yes. The long answer is… OMG yesssssssssssssssss!!!

Sharon: With a house full of kids and animals, how do you carve out time and space to write? 
Christina: Luckily my kids are older now so I no longer do the school/college run – but whoever said it got easier as kids grew up was totally lying!!! My three kitties are completely adorable and one of them usually keeps me company by sleeping on my desk as I work. This is a bit awkward, as they also like to stretch out over all my notes and diary and don’t like being disturbed when I try and find something. Another of their favourite games is to see how quickly they can bat everything off my desk before I catch them. My best time to write is early morning but I’m hopelessly addicted to checking my inbox, Facebook and Twitter accounts. I might need an intervention. 

Sharon: Diary? Got any secrets to share?

Christina: 

Not counting my Sekrit Project, it’s filled with deadlines and reminders and word counts. Unless you mean Clive Owen and Henry Cavill’s phone numbers? Uh, sorry, not telling!!

Katie: How far do you see this series going? Is there a "final" book in your mind? 
Christina: Although there are threads that weave through the books relating to the ancient beings of the universe, the main focus of each book is on an individual Archangel and his heroine and their particular conflicts. At the moment I don’t have an end-book as such in mind, as I would really love to explore this world with all the different elements and archangels, demons and vampires that inhabit it. I have finished the second book in the series, ARCHANGEL OF DEATH, and have some ideas floating about for the third book. But I’m still waiting to hear back from my editor on that :)
Sharon: Back to the naughty bits…this Archangel of Death…are his naughty bits better.. SMACK!! 

*Katie bops Sharon on the head for trying to work the word phrase naughty bits into the interview again* 

Christina: I like the word phrase naughty bits. I’m going to use that in my next book! (Sharon, I have it on good authority the Archangel of Death’s naughty bits are very naughty indeed but I’m not going near the better bit or not…)

Sharon: Which of the 7 deadly sins did you last commit? 
Christina: I have a dreadful weakness for chocolate éclairs at the moment so that might come under the sin of gluttony. But I also frequently lust over my current hero. I might have committed both sins together very recently… 

Sharon: Which Disney Princess would you want to be? 
Christina: I’d have to say Princess Fiona—that would be before she turns into an ogre! She’s a real kick-arse, take no prisoners girl. Umm, is Fiona a Disney Princess? *Hunts through the DVD pile* Uh… (Christina hides behind a large rock) 

Katie: Now it's time for some rapid fire questions. Just answer with the first thing that pops up!

Katie: Banana or Mango? 

Christina: Mango in yogurt! 
*Sharon whispers* with naughty bits

Sharon: left or right? 

Christina: Left (no idea why as I’m right handed!) 
Sharon: Welcome to the left side…mwahahaha! 
Christina: Do we have cookies?
Sharon: we have something better...moonpies!

  Katie: Coke or Pepsi? 

Christina: Trying to give it up, but on my bad days it’s Coke all the way! 
Katie: YES!!! Coke again for the win!!! 
Sharon: *grumble, hiss, spit* 

Sharon: feather boa or fancy scarf? 

Christina: I have fancy scarfs but I’ve always wanted a feather boa. A pink and glittery one! It would go nicely with the tiara! 
Sharon: And Diva bling-bling sunglasses! 

Katie: Walk really fast or hail a cab? 

Christina: I want to fib and say I would walk. But the chances are good I’d hail a cab! Just don’t let the girls know over at the Romance Writers of the Apocalypse as we’re supposed to be getting fit for the End of Days. 
Sharon: Cardio Christina, cardio! 
Christina: Cardio should be a four letter word!

Sharon: Singing in the car or singing in the shower? 
Christina: I’ll sing anywhere, anytime, so long as there’s no one around to hear me! 

Katie: Gangnam Style or Macharina? 

Christina: Macharina! 

Sharon: Rockies or the Alps? 
Christina: I haven’t been to either, but both the Rockies and the Alps are breathtaking places I would love to visit – can I say both? 
Sharon: Well, I am sure Katie and I can come up with a fair trade…maybe an archangel or two? 
Christina: I’ll see what I can do!

Katie: Bold or italics? 

Christina: Italics in a fancy swirly script. 

Katie: Thanks again for coming over to hang out with us. Anything you would like to add before we wrap? 

Christina: You can keep up with what’s happening in my crazy writerly world over on Facebook and Twitter. I love to chat with readers and would love to see you over there! I have a newsletter that I send out a few times a year - Christina's Newsletter 
It’s not a chat loop so your inbox won’t be flooded.

I also write hot historical romances as Christina Phillips for Berkley Heat and Ellora’s Cave. 

Between an angel and a desperate woman comes salvation – and a raw passion that challenges them at every turn… 

When Aurora Robinson attempts to open a rift between dimensions to embrace her true heritage, an arrogant Archangel is the only one who can save her from the jaws of hell. And while she owes Gabriel her life, she’s determined not to fall at his feet-despite the desire she feels whenever they’re together. 

After his wings were brutally destroyed millennia ago, Gabriel has no compassion for humans like those who ruined him and betrayed the ones he loved. But when he inexplicably finds himself defying ancient protocols to rescue a woman from a fate worse than death, he is shocked by the searing attraction he feels for a mortal. 

As the ancient forces that seek to punish Aurora for her actions close in, Gabriel offers the tempting woman protection at his private sanctuary. But as they both succumb to their desires, they discover an even deeper connection-one that threatens to consume them. 
The Book Depository 
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About the author:

Website- Facebook -Twitter

Christina Ashcroft is an ex-pat Brit who now lives in Western Australia with her high school sweetheart, their three children, an eccentric Maltese-cross and three regal cats. She can’t remember a time when she didn’t write, and always managed to include an element of fantasy or the paranormal in her English essay homework. Luckily her English teachers didn’t mind, despite the fact these stories generally finished with the hero, heroine (or both) coming to a dire end. Thankfully by the time she hit fourteen she discovered romance novels and the wonder of a Happily Ever After. She now writes about hot archangels and the women who capture their hearts for Penguin/Berkley Heat and her books always have a happily-ever-after. 

***GIVEAWAY***

An e-book of my erotic futuristic/fantasy novella, TOUCH OF THE DEMON, written under my other name – Christina Phillips – and some gorgeous Archangel swag. 



To enter:
1. Leave contact info in comments
2. Do you prefer erotic or tamer PNR and is there a naughty bit word that you just can't stand!?
*followers get an extra entry

Contest ends: Nov. 23 at midnight