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Showing posts with label Traci Douglass. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Traci Douglass. Show all posts

Monday, April 17, 2017

Excerpt Spotlight: Blood Vowed (Blood Ravagers #3) by Traci Douglass + giveaway

by Traci Douglass

April 13, 2017
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Reverend “Rev” Walker, expected some backlash after he foiled The Council’s attempts to overthrow the Blood Ravager Biker Gang. What he hadn’t expected was to wake up in the last place he ever wanted to see again—a dank cell of The Council’s Siberian dungeon. Drained and chained, he faces certain death if he can’t escape from the hellish prison. Now, his only means of escape depends on him accepting help from a fellow prisoner, a woman whose very existence is a lie and the only one capable of awakening Rev’s long-dormant heart.

Claire Deveraux is Dygarian, a race of shadow-shifters who have been slandered and hunted to extinction by The Council. But Claire has used her years of enslavement well, reading her captors’ secret texts and hearing their whispered secrets. Now, after being locked up for a crime she didn’t commit, she plans to use her knowledge of the dungeon’s maze-like interior to gain her freedom, or die trying. Then a new prisoner arrives, a man Claire has dreamed of and knows in her heart is her destined mate, if only she can break through his walls.

On the run and threatened from all sides, will Rev and Claire learn to trust each other and their growing feelings for one another before it’s too late?



Excerpt from Blood Vowed:
Peering around Rev, Claire studied the new opponent. The thing was big and ugly and must’ve come running from the deepest crevices of the dungeons. It launched itself at Rev, saliva dripping from its huge sword-like fangs as if it wanted to gobble the vamp up for dinner. 

This wasn’t her first run-in with the Council’s monsters who went bump in the night. There were others, many, many others that lurked in the shadows down here. In the past she’d always had a contingent of guards surrounding her when she’d come to clean, then later, she’d had the iron bars of her cage. Now, though, there was nothing between her and what looked like certain death. Nothing but a vamp she didn’t know and didn’t particularly trust, who was currently getting the thrashing of his immortal life from the looks of it. 

The need for self-preservation swelling inside her, Claire mentally reviewed the texts she’d read about hand-to-hand combat while she searched for a weapon. At last, she settled on a sharp shard of wood from one of the vicious roots that had died and assumed a battle stance. 

Time for a little payback. 

As she crouched and prepared to strike, Rev dodged from one side of the narrow passage to the other, slicing the tip of his makeshift rock dagger across the beast’s throat…only to disappear. Vampires were notoriously fast and Rev even more so due to his training.

Still, the creature remained on its feet, healing quickly and growing angrier. 

Rev reappeared in a flash and struck again and again, inflicting more damage each time. The creature tried to claw him, but Rev always seemed to duck at the perfect moment. Much as Claire hated to admit it, his masterful skill was impressive. He never seemed to make actual deadly contact with the monster or land a punch though. Why? She wasn’t sure, since the opportunities were there. 

Then the idea occurred that perhaps the whispered rumors of the other prisoners were true. Perhaps he had left his killer ways behind and now searched for redemption by turning only against the people who had made him what he was. That would certainly make sense, given what he’d told her about why he was here, why he’d sacrificed himself and his freedom.

Claire clutched her wooden stake tighter. No. Even if that were true and he had changed his ways, it would not alter his fate. She had nothing to her name now, nothing but her integrity and her vengeance. She would use him to keep her safe until she could fend for herself and then she would end him as she’d promised. 

The beast swiped a razor-sharp talon at Rev, nearly beheading him if not for his quick reflexes, and this time Claire jumped into the action. The assassin was hers to kill. No one else’s. “You have five seconds, creature,” she shouted. “I suggest you run. Fast.” 

At the sound of her voice, the monster narrowed its black gaze, growling, “Mine.” 

“Three seconds left.” 

Rev dove through the air and gouged out one of the beast’s eyes. Yelps of pain echoed. 

Retaliating, the creature slammed hard into Rev’s chest. Rev tumbled backward through the dark tunnel, disappearing into the shadows beyond. 

Slowly, Claire turned back to face the beast that had just signed its death warrant. “Zero.”


Other Books in the Blood Ravagers Series



Anna Frost had a bad feeling when her twin sister, Liz, told her she’d run off with a member of the notorious Otherworld biker gang, the Blood Ravagers. And her unease skyrockets when her sister subsequently vanishes. The police have no authority and little interest, so Anna decides to take matters into her own hands by infiltrating the group to discover for herself what happened to Liz, where she meets…. 

Dante, half demon, half human. A mix of two worlds, accepted by neither, he’s had no choice but to learn the hard way how to play whatever side of the fence kept him alive during his nearly 500 years of existence. Now, as second-in-command of the Blood Ravagers biker gang, his survival depends on keeping his humanity a secret. Dante’s ultimate goal is to fulfill the vows he made over two centuries ago to create a world where half-breeds can live in safety and equality. 


But when sheltered schoolteacher Anna finds unexpected, white-hot passion in the arms of Dante, will her quest for the truth cost him more than he ever bargained for? Or will they find a way to save Liz – and their love – together?




Elizabeth “Liz” Frost has always been the wild one. But now, with a niece or nephew on the way and her promise to become half of the new psychic Oracle team for the Blood Ravagers Biker Gang, she’s ready to turn over a new leaf. And what better way to start than by answering the call when gang leader Dante needs help? Her mission: to travel cross-country to get the information the gang needs to complete the Oracle Binding Ceremony. Should be easy, right? Except for the incredibly tempting lone-wolf shifter named Dex who’ll be her riding partner and protector on the journey.

Dexter “Dex” MacCallahan is tasked with guarding Liz Frost, one of the gang’s beautiful and bewildering new psychics. Dex can’t refuse the mission, but there’s one small problem. The time of his Rut is approaching, a rare occurrence where male wolf-shifters must physically bond with their chosen mate or face certain insanity and death. It could cost him not only the new life he’s built, but also his battered, scarred heart. 


Together, Dex and Liz must search for the information they need before his old nemesis and a rival gang annihilates all they hold dear. But when the simmering chemistry between them boils over into searing hot passion, will they risk losing their hearts to save the ones they love?


About the Author:
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Traci is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary and Paranormal Romance. Her stories feature sizzling heroes full of dark humor, quick wits and major attitudes and heroines who are smart, tenacious, and always give as good as they get. She holds an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University and she loves animals, chocolate, coffee, hot British actors, and sarcasm—not necessarily in that order.



GIVEAWAY
Kindle to one lucky winner and 2 runners-up will receive a signed copy of Blood Bound (or monetary equivalent if international).


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Thursday, November 10, 2016

Book Review: Blood Bound (Blood Ravagers Book One) by Traci Douglass + giveaway/excerpt

Blood Bound (Blood Ravagers Book One)
by Traci Douglass
October 10, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-945879-17-3
Anna Frost had a bad feeling when her twin sister, Liz, told her she’d run off with a member of the notorious Otherworld biker gang, the Blood Ravagers. And her unease skyrockets when her sister subsequently vanishes. The police have no authority and little interest, so Anna decides to take matters into her own hands by infiltrating the group to discover for herself what happened to Liz, where she meets….

Dante, half demon, half human. A mix of two worlds, accepted by neither, he’s had no choice but to learn the hard way how to play whatever side of the fence kept him alive during his nearly 500 years of existence. Now, as second-in-command of the Blood Ravagers biker gang, his survival depends on keeping his humanity a secret. Dante’s ultimate goal is to fulfill the vows he made over two centuries ago to create a world where half-breeds can live in safety and equality.

But when sheltered schoolteacher Anna finds unexpected, white-hot passion in the arms of Dante, will her quest for the truth cost him more than he ever bargained for? Or will they find a way to save Liz – and their love – together?


Excerpt 2:
“Do you know why they call this place Seven?”
“It’s the magic number?”
His expression remained flat.
Anna cleared her throat, doing her best to hide the fact her knees were quaking. “Something to do with poker, maybe?”
The man released her arm and stepped closer. For each step he took, she retreated, until the cold stone wall pressed against her back, preventing escape. He stopped several inches in front of her, the intense heat of him searing her front. Close enough for her to smell his scent—cloves and smoke and clean, aroused male. Once upon a time, he would’ve been exactly the kind of guy she would’ve gone for—all dark and erotic and alpha sexy. The kind of man who filled her dark fantasies, who would take control and appease her secret cravings for pain while giving her the ultimate pleasure in return.
She gasped and shrank away. 
No one knew about her fetishes. Those she kept private and locked away.
They were far too dangerous.
Just like her past, her talents, her true essence.
“Seven is indeed a magic number. But not in the way you think.” Frowning, he reached out and toyed with a lock of hair from her wig, then traced a fingertip down her cheek. The crimson flames flared hotter in his eyes before vanishing once more—tempting, elusive, hypnotic. “Are you familiar with the Nine Circles of Hell?”
“The Inferno, you mean?” Yeah, she’d read it. Back in high school or maybe college, she couldn’t remember. Couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything except his fingertip on her skin—stroking, stroking, stroking.
“Yes.” He smiled again, slowly, his voice emerging as little more than a purr. Thick, hot lust pooled low in her abdomen at the sensual promise in his tone. Anna shouldn’t want this, shouldn’t want him, but she did. “Pleasure and pain.”
“What?”
“To experience extreme pleasure, one must first endure pain.”
It was as if her soul had been laid bare before him. She’d never told anyone about the cutting, had hidden her scars for years. Never told anyone about her overwhelming desire to submit, to have someone else take charge for a while, take away her burden of responsibility—if only for a few blissful hours—and just allow her to feel, to be, to live. Live like she had before tragedy had struck and she’d set aside her wants and needs for the greater good… 
The more he talked the more her traitorous body fell under his spell. Moisture gathered between her legs and her nipples hardened against the soft cotton of her shirt. Anna couldn’t remember ever being this turned on. 
Thankfully, he walked away before she climaxed on the spot. 
“What does this bar have to do with the circles of hell?” she asked, once she could breathe.
“Number seven.”
“What?” She glanced toward the window again, considered jumping then decided breaking both of her legs probably wouldn’t help her escape. 
A loud crack snapped through the room. 
Oh, Lord. 
The man had a whip. Her tingling knees threatened to buckle. 
“The seventh circle of hell.”  He wrapped the leather fall around his hand. “Violence. This club. Seven. It is home to all the most interesting sinners.”
Okay. Yeah. She had to escape Mr. Tall, Dark, and Dominant before she was kneeling at his feet, begging him for mercy. “Maybe I should leave now?”

“Yes.” He stood a good foot taller than her five-foot-three-inch height and his shoulder-length black curls all but begged her to tousle them, begged her to fist them tight in her hands while he beat her then fucked her silly. Her fingers twitched as he leaned closer, his breath ghosting across her cheek as he whispered, “Yes, perhaps you should, tu effapyfs.”

REVIEW
Searching for her missing twin sister, Anna Frost bravely rolls into the frontier town of Salvation. Seven, the outlaw bar in Salvation, is a haven for paranormal activity and Anna’s destination. Within the unsavory barroom of Seven, Anna hopes to find a lead on Liz’s whereabouts. But in her search for clues Anna gets more than she bargained for in Dante, the resident pain demon. Dante is second in command in the Blood Ravagers, the paranormal outlaw motorcycle gang reigning in Salvation, and he has his own secrets. He has answers for Anna, but they’re not necessarily the answers she wants.

Blood Bound has something for every paranormal romance reader: tough alpha bikers, BDSM and "vanilla" sex, demonic intrigue, secret oracles, even a vampire cowboy. However, in covering such vast territory, the challenge becomes meaningful coverage in any area of the story. Blood Bound’s strengths are in its erotic elements. The romance is immediate, frequent, and highly charged. The characters are fairly well developed, but I can’t say I’m attached to any. Rev, the mysterious vampire cowboy has certainly caught my attention and I’m interested in what Douglass has in stored for him for future installment in this series.

Paranormal aspects of this story are well explored and integrated into the biker genre. I liked the joining of the two elements. The plot, however, is rather confused with character and plot inconsistencies. The book also abounds with clichés common to the genre. Overall, however, it’s an entertaining, quick read.

Three Sheep





Bianca Greenwood

About the Author:
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Traci is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary and Paranormal Romance. Her stories feature sizzling heroes full of dark humor, quick wits and major attitudes and heroines who are smart, tenacious, and always give as good as they get. She holds an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University and she loves animals, chocolate, coffee, hot British actors, and sarcasm—not necessarily in that order.


Tour Giveaway
1 grand prize--$25 Amazon gift card, bookmark, and e-book copy of book.
3 second prize winners:
Custom Bookmark by Bewitching Book Swag and e-book copy of book
a Rafflecopter giveaway