Author: Anne Marie Andrus
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Release Date: October 11th 2017
Book Length: 438 pages
Fledgling nurse Sorcha Alden knew she had the skills to save lives, but she never dreamed that her own life would be the one in danger.
Driven by tragedy to honor her family name, Sorcha embarks on a journey that takes her from the bleak but familiar streets of New York, through the sultry and seductive city of New Orleans, and into the brutal jungles of Nepal. Forging friendships and carrying on her mother's mission of healing was her dream. Plunging into a love affair with the mysterious Dr. Ashayle could have been a fairytale.
Being murdered and waking up as a blood-thirsty monster---became her living nightmare.
Torn away form a life that had just begun, Sorcha returns to New Orleans as a newborn vampire, forced to start over in a cutthroat underworld of devilry and decadence. Complicated politics, bitter rivals and jealous ancestors stand between her and the promises she's still determined to keep.
In a realm where the boundary between good and evil is as murky as the Mississippi River and immortal does not mean invincible, will Sorcha ever risk her shattered heart and love again? Can the magical harmony of the Crescent City give her enough courage to fulfill her eternal destiny?
Excerpt
Across Canal, onto Royal, past the
cathedral, left turn toward the party noise. Strangers saw Raimond and
instinctively stepped back.
Sorcha had walked this path as a young
woman, steering clear of anyone who looked threatening. Now, it was different.
Bombarded by the acrid smell of flesh, she gravitated toward bars spilling out
loud music and drunk patrons.
The human pulses vibrated the center of
Sorcha’s chest and clobbered her eardrums.
Heartbeats.
“This way, we’re going to dinner.”
Raimond’s vise grip guided Sorcha down a crooked alley.
Rue
Bourbon. Finally.
In
the damp courtyard, two disheveled figures stared blankly at a moss covered
wall. Raimond blocked her path. “The idea here is to drink enough to quench
your thirst—not kill them. It’s a fine line.”
Nausea twisted Sorcha’s stomach. How can I hurt these innocent people?
The pounding tempo in each man’s neck overrode her hesitation. Blood threatened
to burst out of their arteries. Not a
glimmer of fear. “Why aren’t they running?”
“I was here already tonight. They won’t
give us any trouble.” Raimond pointed to the inside of one man’s elbow. “Avoid
the delicate neck area, for now.”
“Why?” Who
cares, I’m famished. She lunged, clamping her fangs into his arm. The skin
was as soft as the goat’s, but the blood wasn’t watery. Chocolate syrup meets cherry soda. Drawing her face back to look
into his eyes, Sorcha dragged the man down onto the cold stone of the
courtyard, latching back onto the limp arm.
“That eccentric heartbeat is your signal to
stop.” Raimond needed all his strength to disconnect her jaws from the wilting
man. They wound up a tangled heap in a stone fountain, under a dripping
gargoyle.
“The drooling goblin—from my dream.”
“What?” Shaking his head, Raimond looked
into her eyes. Pale blue had turned into burning sapphire. “You’ll need some
practice. It’s not necessary to wear your dinner.”
Sorcha looked down at her blood-soaked
shirt. Her face was sticky too but she felt so alive and powerful, it didn’t
matter. Her gaze shifted toward the second man. “Ooo…”
“Pace yourself.” Losing his grip on
Sorcha’s arm, Raimond yanked her back by her hair. “Let’s clean up this fella
first. He can’t go out onto the street looking like he got bitten.” He sliced
his finger on his own fangs, rubbing the blood into the victim’s arm. The
sloppy wound started to heal immediately. “You try now.”
Sorcha followed his lead and the scar faded
into unbroken skin. “I’m still hungry.”
“Watch carefully.” Raimond bared his fangs,
pulling the second human’s head to the side and exposing the bounding pulse in
his neck. “Only bite hard enough to puncture the skin, then let the heartbeat
drive blood down your throat.”
“Got it—no throat ripping. Why did you put
them under such a trance?”
“Would you rather they fight back?”
“Maybe
a little.”
Sorcha marveled at Raimond’s skill. Looks effortless. He took two long
swallows and disengaged, offering his student an unmarked section of flesh. Blazing red eyes, flexing muscles—and fangs
under his smile. Erotic...devastating. Hope I blocked that thought.
Sorcha pushed the images away and followed
Raimond’s instructions to the best of her ability. “How was that?”
“Not bad, for a beginner.” Raimond examined
the bite, bigger than his and not as tidy. “Practice, practice.”
“Won’t be a problem.” Sorcha’s thirst felt
endless. She sliced her finger, covered both wounds and watched them heal.
“That’s amazing, but now what—they tell all their friends that vampires ate
them?”
“No, that’s the next part of tonight’s
lesson. Planting your version of events.” Raimond maneuvered Sorcha until she
stared into the first man’s glazed eyes.
“What do I say to make him believe me?”
“I’ll show you.” Raimond traded places with
her.
Sorcha watched as the air turned hazy.
“You went out to a party and someone
slipped something in your drink. You and your friend passed out behind the
bar.”
The man repeated the statement back word
for word.
Raimond pointed toward the second man. “You
try. Concentrate and make a connection. Look deeper than his eyes. Force your
words into his mind.”
It took Sorcha a few tries to get any
results at all. The man seemed confused. He repeated back a story but not the
correct one. This needs practice too.
Raimond stepped in, easily planting the
correct version and dumping both men on the banquette. He moistened a cloth in
the old fountain. “Clean up.” He motioned to Sorcha’s face and neck. “Wear my
jacket, your shirt is drenched with blood.”
Stepping
over the pile of humans, they emerged from the darkness of the alley. Sorcha
reached behind her head, untied the hair ribbon and shook soft waves around her
face. She walked down the middle of Bourbon Street as if she owned it,
oblivious to the crowds that parted in front of them.
About the Author:
Anne Marie has been an equestrienne, chorale singer, candy-striper, EMT, and baseball fan. Roaming the back roads of New Jersey with her family, she found great respect for antiques, historical locations and the stories they hold. Her current list of favorite pastimes include coffee, bourbon, and Les Miserables--which requires more bourbon. She has been known to attend sporting events just for the flyover. The boat she and her husband christened Glory Days, is her escape from the chaos of everyday life.
The inspiration for Anne Marie's debut novel, Monsters & Angels, is her fascination with vampires and her passion for everything New Orleans. When she isn't writing, she can be found working nights with the critical care team in a busy trauma center.
Thanks for hosting today, Cody! :)
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read this one for a while!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cody! This is one of my favorite scenes!
ReplyDelete