Cruel Enchantment is the second full-length novel in the Dark Magick series and will release in September.

BTW, for everyone waiting on a book from me (you are legion), I’m addressing the envelopes today and will have them in the mail ASAP.

Aqualung — Strange & Beautiful

Moby — Shot in the Back of the Head

U2 — If God Will Send His Angels

Apocalyptica — Cohkka

Angelzoom — Fairyland

My Morning Jacket — Gideon

Sirenia — Seven Sirens and a Silver Tear

Apocalyptica — I Don’t Care

Seether — Walk Away from the Sun

Black Light Burns — Cruel Melody

And many more. :)

So, here’s what I’m going to do. Comment on this post by 5pm eastern time today and you will win one of the above books. Two prizes, two winners. Sound good? Answer the following question: What one word would you use to sum up 2009?

And the winners are…….

Sue B….., who said her year was challenging, (lots of challengings in the comments) won the copy of COMING UNDONE

Incident, who used the word Chaos to sum up the year, won the copy of BONE MAGIC

Please email me within a week to collect your prize! anyabast (at) gmail.com. Thank you all so much for entering!!!! :)

Whew…had a helluva time getting into my blog. My site is either getting lots of hits or mercury retrograde is screwing with me. :)

All eyes are on Gabriel Mac Braire the day he makes his first appearance in the Seelie Court, including those of Aislinn Finvarra. Despite deep bitterness over her last failed relationship, Aislinn cannot help but be curious about the half incubus who is known to possess dark magick, both lethal and sexual in nature. Rumors abound of the women who have become enslaved to his irresistible charms.

So when the Summer Queen of the fae orders Aislinn herself to act as his guide in the court, she is understandably on guard. She’s fallen under the spell of far less persuasive men before. In addition, Gabriel might be more than he seems and his true mission is far from innocent.

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Excerpt…..

It was good that she didn’t trust him. Healthy. She shouldn’t trust him. Gabriel liked her honesty, too. He knew where he stood with her. No guessing. And that was refreshing.

Aislinn was an intelligent person and insightful, too. Those two things, combined with her beauty and the mystery of her magick, made her intriguing to him on a level not many women were.

He genuinely liked her.

Too bad he was duping her.

An odd, heavy sensation filled his chest, wilting the smile he wore as he gazed at her. For some inexplicable reason his thought process had diminished his pleasure. What was this feeling? Aislinn breezed past him, touching the gowns hanging on the racks near the door of the small, crowded shop. His smile completely faded and the heavy weight grew as he watched her. Was this regret?

Gods . . . was it . . . guilt?

Carina hit him playfully on the shoulder. “You’re frowning. What’s wrong?”

He blinked and jerked, not sure how long he’d been standing there so annoyingly confused. “Where’s the lingerie and let’s see if we can get Aislinn into some,” he growled and walked toward his prey.

“There’s my boy,” Carina purred.

Aislinn had stopped to finger the material of a dark red gown with a plunging neckline and back. It was sleeveless and had a long straight sheath skirt. Aislinn would be a knockout in that dress. It would set off her light skin tone, the silver blond fall of her subtly curling hair, and her beautiful light gray eyes.

“It’s beautiful,” he murmured as he imagined taking it off her. She’d look even better swathed in nothing but moonlight. Or just his hands.
She flipped the tag up at him. “It’s Valentino and it’s twelve thousand dollars.”

“You can’t afford it?”

“Oh, yes, I can afford it,” she said, moving to the next rack of gowns. “My family had money before Piefferburg was created.” She flicked him a sour glance. “We don’t live off the backs of the troop. However, I make it a point never to spend that much on any article of clothing for myself. It’s too self-indulgent.”

“I would spend that much in a heartbeat,” murmured Carina, coming to stand beside Gabriel. She fingered the rich material of the dress, then wandered off toward the purses.

“Okay,” answered Gabriel, pushing past Carina. “Then let me buy you something expensive and self-indulgent.”

She turned and narrowed her eyes at him. “No.”

“You have to let me. It’s to show you my appreciation for being my guide this week.”

She turned her back to him. “No, thank you. It’s not necessary.”

“Something slinky and sexy for your next lover, maybe?” He paused. “Who won’t be me.” Lie, lie, lie.

“No.”

“Ah, that means you will be taking me as your next lover?”

A clerk came near. Aislinn smiled and waved her away. “Hardly.”

“Good. We’re agreed. Let me buy something for the next lucky man. You have no reason to say no and you’ll offend me if you do, since I’m trying to repay you for your kindness.”

She halted near a rack of designer shoes. “I haven’t been very kind to you.”

“All the more reason to relent and allow me to buy you a gift.”

She ran her index finger down a pair of red Jimmy Choos. “I’ll say yes just to get you to quit and let me shop. I have a feeling you won’t stop until I give in to you.”

Oh, she was right about that.

He flashed a smile and hoped it didn’t look as predatory as he felt. “I’m nothing if not persistent.”

“Believe me, I noticed.” She turned and began to saunter away. “When I find something suitable, I’ll let you know.”

“It has to be lingerie and you have to let me see it on you before I buy it. You know, to make sure your next lover will approve.”

Her steps faltered, but she only called airily over her shoulder, “Fine.”

He blinked. He thought she’d howl at that string he’d attached.

Having no particular interest in women’s clothing other than when he was taking it off someone, Gabriel watched Aislinn. She touched the gowns, examined their sizes and lengths, talked to the clerk about alterations, but she did it all with a dull look in her eyes. Whereas Carina seemed beatific in the shop, with her ability to buy new things to wear at court, Aislinn touched the garments with listless, roaming hands, as though searching for something that wasn’t there, something she knew she’d never find between the four walls of the building. While all the time she kept glancing out the plate-glass window to the street and the passersby.

Aislinn Christiana Guinevere Finvarra of the Seelie Court, supposed purebred Tuatha Dé Danann, was bored. Bored with her life, yearning for more. That was another secret she kept from her peers. Add it to the pile.

She had to feel so lonely.

The heaviness that had settled in his chest earlier eased a bit. Luring her to the Unseelie Court was the best thing he could do for her. In the Black Tower she could develop her magick without fear of reprisal or banishment. A woman as intelligent and as interesting as Aislinn deserved that and more. She didn’t deserve to be stifled and strangled in a toxic and delusionary environment like the Seelie Court.

She wouldn’t be bored anymore. She wouldn’t be alone. Sure, she’d hate him for what he’d done. This couldn’t end any other way. But in the long run she’d be better off in Black with her own people.

“I think I found it.”

Gabriel came back to himself, realizing she’d browsed over to the lingerie section. A distance away he could hear Carina nattering at one of the store clerks. He walked to Aislinn and saw she held a red satin and chiffon slip in her hands. It looked long and . . . fascinating. Sexy. Now these were the kind of clothes that men were interested in, at least for the couple of minutes a woman wore them before they became a heap on the floor of the bedroom.

His eyebrows rose. “Try it on.”

She disappeared into the fitting room and reappeared a couple of minutes later. It covered her down to her ankles, yet still managed to be the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. The bodice cupped her breasts just perfectly, just the way he wanted to. His fingers curled as he imagined doing just that. The red looked incredible against her skin tone.

“Turn around.” His voice came out just a tad hoarse and he realized he was clutching a silk gown off one of the racks hard enough to wrinkle.
She turned and he lost his breath. The back dipped down very far, all the way to the top of her beautifully rounded bottom. He wanted to run his lips over every inch of slender, flawless skin from the nape of her neck to the small of her back and then—

“Gabriel?” She’d turned around and was staring at him, frowning.

He cleared his throat. “It’s beautiful on you. Your next lover will drool all over the carpet.” He knew that for certain because he would be that man. No way was he allowing any other man to see her in that gown.

Aislinn was his.

Belinda, please contact either me or Lauren with your mailing address so that we can get your Nook to you. My email is anyabast (at) gmail.com

***PLEASE REMEMBER YOU MUST LIVE IN AN AREA THAT SUPPORTS NOOK TO WIN AND THAT YOU MUST CLAIM THE PRIZE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS***

The winner of the book-of-the-day prize from yesterday is…. Michellek, who said, “Actually I was thinking of giving your Witch’s series a try. Looks like some kick ass woman and I love that.” Congrats! And, btw, Michelle, you totally should do that. ;)

Email me within a week to collect your prize.

Thanks so much for playing, everyone!!!

The last book giveaway of the contest! Head on over to Lauren’s blog to see which one of mine she’s giving away. Today you get not only a novella by Lauren Dane, but one by Megan Hart too. Not bad!

By random drawing, the winner of yesterday’s book-of-the-day contest for UNDERCOVER is Amelia, who said, “I like all genres. I do like to read the new twists that authors give to the traditional paranormals.”

Congratulations! You have a week from today to contact me and collect your prize. anyabast (at) gmail.com

NO RESERVATIONS: Four days in Vegas. Two sexy and determined men. One penthouse suite… And No Reservations.

Christmas isn’t so merry for Kate and Leah. Kate’s romantic winter holiday is destroyed by the sudden and uninvited presence of Dix’s annoying ex-wife while Brandon’s super-perfect family and a diamond ring sends Leah running for the refuge of a girl’s holiday in Sin City with Kate in tow.

Dix and Brandon both know what they want. Hopping a plane in hot pursuit, the men show up in Vegas, ready to use every sensual trick they have to convince Kate and Leah to take a gamble on forever.

Want a shot at winning this book? Answer the following question in the comments:

Name one new author you’ve discovered lately and want to share with other readers. If you haven’t discovered a new author recently, what author are you thinking of taking a chance on?

Every day from today until January 4th, 2010, I’ll be giving away one of Lauren Dane’s fabulous novels. In turn, she will be giving one of mine away. Head on over to her blog to see which one.

By random drawing, the winner of yesterday’s book-of-the-day contest for MAKING CHASE is Jane, who said, “I would love to travel to Italy. I definitely want to visit all the museums.”

Congratulations! You have a week from today to contact me and collect your prize. anyabast (at) gmail.com

Federation Chronicles: UNDERCOVER: On the battleground or in the bedroom, one woman and two men fight for dominance in a bold, new, and excitingly different direction in erotica…

As a lieutenant of the Federation military, Sera Ayers is accustomed to giving orders, not taking them. Now she must obey the one man she can’t stand—and can’t stop thinking about.

With the enemy Imperialists gaining ground, a covert team is assembled by Ash Walker. Ten years before, Sera had lovingly submitted to Ash’s dominance in the bedroom. But when he was forced into a political marriage, she refused to play mistress. His marriage now over, Ash wants Sera on his team—and back in his bed.

The third team member, Brandt Pela, has an elegance to match Ash’s savage sexuality. And when their undercover plan requires Sera to pose as Brandt’s lover, it ignites a passion among the three of them more dangerous than their mission.

Want a shot at winning this book? Answer the following question in the comments:

Which subgenres of romance do you enjoy reading the most? Paranormal, contemporary, historical, futuristic?