Guest Post & Giveaway: Midnight Conquest & Midnight Captive by Arial Burnz

Bonded by Blood: Vampire Chronicles

Midnight Conquest
Bonded by Blood: Vampire Chronicles, Book 1
Arial Burnz

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Mystical Press

Date of Publication: May 31, 2011

Number of pages: 509

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN    Sony     Kobo     ARe    Smashwords

Masked in a Gypsy guise, Broderick MacDougal hides his vampiric identity while seeking to destroy the man who slaughtered his family. When an old Clan rival ensnares Broderick in a trap using an enticing widow, he is compelled to discover if she is bait or an accomplice, and the cinnamon-haired beauty is his next conquest.

Widow of an abusive husband, Davina Stewart-Russell clings to the only image that gave her strength during those dark times—the Gypsy rogue who stole her heart as a youth. After nine years, she is finally face-to-face with him again, but reality clashes with fantasy as she is confronted with Broderick’s passionate pursuit.

When Davina’s past returns to haunt her, Broderick is forced to reveal a dark secret worse than anything Davina thought possible. The challenge before them has fatal risks and neither of them is prepared for the sacrifices expected for the sake of eternal love.

Excerpt: 

“Chess?”

Snapping out of her stupor, she gawked at Broderick. “What?”

He sauntered toward the chess table and picked up a black marble pawn. “Do you play?”

“Very well, thank you.” Davina maintained a defensive posture. “And when do Gypsies find the time to play chess?”

“I haven’t always been a Gypsy, you know.”

“I gathered that, considering your current attire.” Davina hoped he would take the conversation further and she could learn a bit more about his past, which intrigued her. Broderick chuckled and sat at the table. She sighed with disappointment.

“Please,” Broderick pressed, motioning toward the chair across from him. “Join me in a friendly game.”

“Why?”

Broderick traveled his eyes down Davina’s body, sending delightful, heated tingles through to her toes. “Because I enjoy your company, and wish to engage in a battle of wits.” His eyes met hers, challenging.

She refused to take the bait. “Well, I do not, sir. Please leave.”

“Do not wish to engage in a battle of wits, or do not enjoy my company?”

“Neither.”

Broderick’s head tipped back in laughter, a laughter that filled the parlor and her soul. She shook off the strange desire to join in, reminding herself he mocked her.

“I really must ask you to leave.”

“I’m making a valiant effort to pay you a proper visit.” Shaking his head, he crossed his ankle upon his knee. “I will not leave this room until you play me a splendid game of chess.” His leveling eyes told her he meant to do just what he said. With his deep voice, he added, “If you force me to leave, I shall steal into your bedchamber in the middle of the night, and seduce myself into your dreams.”

Her stomach fluttered, and Davina cursed him under her breath as she seated before him. “You are intolerable, Gypsy.”

“Thank you, milady.”

“‘Twas not a compliment.”

Broderick chuckled.

Midnight Captive
Bonded by Blood: Vampire Chronicles, Book 2
Arial Burnz

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Mystical Press

Date of Publication: February 12, 2013

Number of pages: 342

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Sony     Kobo     ARe    Smashwords

Cailin MacDougal has lived a dangerous life being the adopted daughter of vampire Broderick "Rick" MacDougal, so she had no choice but to learn to fight in order to protect herself. However, such behavior is hardly desirable in a dutiful wife who's supposed to embroider and run a household. This aggressive side of her behavior should be easy enough to hide from her betrothed...shouldn't it?

After being away at fencing school for seven years, James Knightly has returned as a master swordsman, ready to captain his own ship and finally wed his childhood sweetheart, Cailin MacDougal. What he finds waiting for him is a dagger-toting hellion for a bride, an immortal father-in-law, and an enemy bent on extracting revenge by threatening the family James holds most dear--the MacDougals.

Broderick MacDougal is lured away from his family with the promise of-at last-learning a way to protect those he loves from his clan enemy, Angus Campbell. Broderick knows he's headed for a trap, but the bait is too tempting to resist...and he unravels the beginning of a prophecy that will lead to redemption for all vampires. The cost of such redemption, though, may be the very soul of the woman he would die for...his wife, Davina.

Excerpt: 

“Is my lady dressed?” James’s deep voice swept through the room like a warm breeze. Cailin’s heart staccatoed in her breast.

“Aye, you may see her if you wish.” Margeret stepped aside, allowing James to enter the room.

Cailin stood and had to stop herself from gawking. Dark-brown hose hugged his muscular thighs above knee-high black boots formed over his calves, making her mouth water. Midnight-blue sleeves, bloused and laced at his shoulders, protruded from the matching brown brocade vest. Save for the cod piece at his groin—which Cailin found herself staring at a bit too long—and the billowing sleeves, his outfit left little to the imagination of his excellent and wondrously fit form. His baldric was slung over his right shoulder and hung diagonally across his chest, the sword her father presented him nestled at his trim hip. He looked magnificent. Her eyes finally met his. The roguish grin on his face told her he enjoyed her open admiration of his outfit.

Cailin cleared her throat. “Give us a moment, would you, Maggie?”

“My pleasure,” she said, and sat herself upon the settee at the foot of Cailin’s bed.

She tore her eyes away from James and glared at her handmaid. “We are hardly going to consummate our marriage in the few moments I am requesting. Please step out of the room.”

“I most certainly will not!”

Cailin marched over to Margeret and shooed her out of the chamber all the while saying, “James and I are to be wed in a just a few months. Even if he did toss my skirts, we are to be wed anyway! What difference does—”

“A pox on that mouth of yours, child!” She stood in the hallway, pointing that scolding finger. “We taught you better than—” Cailin closed and latched the door.

James dashed to Cailin and snatched her up, his hands on her bottom and wrapping her legs around his waist as he carried her giggling to the bed. She screeched when she lost her shoe.

“I can guarantee,” his deep, husky voice promised as he nuzzled her neck, “that I can most certainly toss your skirts and consummate our marriage in just moments!”

Playfully beating his shoulder, she spoke through her laughter. “Behave, you rogue! She is going to break that door down if you do not cease your wonderful ravishing of my person.”

Interview: 

Thank you, Judy, for hosting me on your blog today! I also want to thank you for bringing to my attention the fact that I hadn’t yet interviewed my heroines! Shame on me! I was so wrapped up in my HOT male characters, I neglected my poor ladies!

Since most readers are just getting to know my Bonded By Blood Vampire Chronicles, this interview features Davina Stewart-Russell, the heroine of MIDNIGHT CONQUEST, Book 1 in my Bonded By Blood Vampire Chronicles. There’s been a lot of misunderstanding about her and I think this interview might clear up a few things. Without further ado, I give you…Davina.

Interview – Davina Stewart-Russell

Having met Davina at Stewart Glen--the fictional town and castle in which she grew up—I now follow her into the parlor. A warm fire burns in the hearth, brightening the room and adding to the orange glow of the tallow candles scattered about the chamber.

Davina settles into a chair, spine erect, hands folded in her lap. A pleasant smile spreads across her full lips and the firelight reflects off the cinnamon curls framing her face. The rest of her long hair, which reaches to the backs of her knees, is wrapped and sectioned with ribbons and netting, coiled down her back. As always, she is graceful, beautiful in an exotic way, and guarded--though definitely not as much when I first penned her in my stories.

“I’m going to hop right into the questions.” I tell her.

She dips her head, maintaining her smile.

“One question may people ask me often is why you resisted Broderick so much.”

Her husky chuckle catches me off guard. “Arial, he was a total brute at our first meeting.”

“That is true. He was a womanizer before you calmed the beast.”

“I hardly think I’ve calmed him.” She purses her lips. “You have to remember, after experiencing such an abusive marriage, I was hesitant to trust anyone…especially Broderick, who was the largest man I’d ever set eyes upon.”

“I imagine those trust issues were compounded when Broderick behaved like such a cad.”

Davina laughs. “Compounded is an understatement. For many years, I’d built this fantastical idea of Broderick as a knight in shining armor. I thought he would see me, instantly recognize me and sweep me into his arms, proclaiming his undying love and swear he’d never let me out of his sight again.” She shakes her head and emits a mirthless chuckle. “My fantasies from a love-struck adolescent had only matured in sexuality, not realism. What I never considered, until he was literally upon my person, was how much of a rogue he actually was.”

“Yep, that’s Rick!”

We chortle together.

“But it wasn’t just your own safety you were worried about when Broderick made his advances, was it?”

“Well, at first, it was. Broderick’s size was very intimidating! However, once I’d regained my wits, my daughter Cailin was my primary concern. As a widow, I was free to bed who I wanted as long as I was discreet. But most widows had children grown. Who I let into my life would affect Cailin. She is the only blessing that came out of my marriage to Ian. As desirable, alluring and wonderfully seductive as Broderick was, giving in to my own indulgences was not an option. I had to think of her. When you have a child, your life is not your own.” She shrugs one shoulder. “Those are my reasons for resisting Broderick, and I don’t regret my actions. My daughter comes first.”

“Understood and thank you for being honest.” I scan the questions for our interview in my notebook. “How do you think Broderick has changed you or enhanced who you are?”

A warm glow radiates from Davina’s face. “His ability to laugh has taught me to appreciate the brighter side of life. In spite of everything Broderick has been through, he’s always had a delightful sense of humor. It’s inspired me to let go of past hurts and live for tomorrow. That, in itself, has allowed me to open my eyes to the world around me. I’m happier as a result.”

“And she becomes more beautiful with each passing day.” Broderick saunters into the parlor, a roguish smile on his full mouth.

I purse my lips. “This is the second interview you’ve interrupted.”

He bends over, kisses Davina’s palm and her face flushes crimson. Rick inhales deeply through his nose and nuzzles Davina’s wrist.

She snatches her hand away. “Broderick,” she scolds softly, but the corner of her mouth curves into a smile. “Don’t be rude.”

“Arial is the one being rude, Blossom.” He pulls Davina to her feet and snakes his arm around her. As Davina presses against his chest, Broderick cocks an eyebrow in my direction. “You should have done the interview during the day. As it is, you’ve already stolen her from me longer than I can stand.”

As Rick plants a sigh-worthy kiss on my heroine, I cross my arms. “Oh, all right.” I gather my notebook and pen and march to the parlor door. “Do you have any parting words for our readers?” I ask Davina.

She opens her mouth to speak, but Broderick lays a finger over her lips. “Aye, never interfere with a Scotsman’s playtime.” He shoos me with a wave of his hand.

I chuckle and leave Broderick and Davina to their own romantic devices.

Three hours later, with the interview completed—and now that Broderick’s had his fun—Davina and I are both available for comments or questions. Rick’s also available if anyone has any comments for him. We all look forward to interacting with you!

Giveaway: 

Arial will be awarding a $15 Amazon or BN Gift Card (winner's choice) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Also, at every stop a randomly drawn commenter will be awarded a 5-Star Short Story eBook, Romance Trading Card set and signed Bonded By Blood series post card.

So follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

Book Tour Info: 
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

July 29:
Danita Minnis
Christine Young Romance Writer

August 5:
Crazy Four Books

August 12:
Musings and Ramblings

August 19:
Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess

August 26:
Unabridged Andra

September 2:
Andi's Book Reviews
Straight from the Library

September 9:
It's Raining Books

September 16:
Long and Short Reviews

Author Bio:

Arial Burnz has been an avid reader of both paranormal and fantasy fiction for over thirty years. With bedtime stories filled with unicorns, hobbits, dragons and elves, she had no choice but to craft her own tales, penning to life the many magical creatures roaming her mind and dreams. And with a romantic husband who's taught her the meaning of true love, she's helpless to weave romance into her tales. Now she shares them with the world. Arial Burnz lives in Rancho Cucamonga, California, with her husband (a.k.a. her romance novel hero)—who is also a descendent of Clan MacDougal—along with their dog and two cats.

To connect with the author online:

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