Lexi: One of the reasons we love a good series is to see those mesmerizing secondary characters get their own happily ever after. She made us wait until book five so let’s not waste any time getting down to the questions. Welcome Amanda J. Greene!
Amanda: Hi! I’m happy to be here with Reading Between the Wines Book Club. I’ve been a devoted follower of the blog for years. One of the first reviews for Caressed by Moonlight, was on this site back in 2011.
Lexi: 👐 Wooh! You introduced us to Gabriel in Caressed by Moonlight, book one in the Rulers of Darkness series. We were taken with Victoria and Dorian’s story as she got side-tracked finding a suitable husband and him fighting his curse, a 4 wine read! But we also remember meeting Gabriel Erhard. How long had you been planning to write Gabriel’s story?
Amanda: I wrote the first draft of Caressed by Moonlight over 15 years ago and many of the series’ characters were not in it. I had planned separate books from Dimitri (book 2), Hadrian (book 3), and Gabriel (book 5). When I decided to revisit Dorian and Victoria’s story I did some revisions and decided to make it into a series in which my other leading men would fit. The Rulers of Darkness were born. I created surrounding characters who have developed over time and some will have their own books upcoming up - such as Gannon and Silvie. When I originally mapped out the series I had only outline 5 books, now it has grown to 6 and it may increase again...
Lexi: Gabriel’s got some serious baggage…but all the best heroes do. What is it about Gabriel that drew you to his story? Is there any piece of him, or characteristic, that really stood out for you?
Amanda: From the start I knew Gabriel was going to be a tortured character, a fromer blood slave turned hardened vampire. I like to think of all my heros as teddy bears with fangs. They can be sweet, kind, and unexpectedly gentle, but they will tear someone’s head. Gabriel has always had a special place in my heart and is hands down one my own favorite characters. His strength, courage, and perseverance have always stood out to me. His need to protect those in his inner circle is endearing.
Lexi: There may be some readers that are over the paranormal/vampire stories. But we certainly aren’t, and are excited to have Caressed by the Edge of Darkness out in the world! You’ve said before your favorite sub genres are historical and paranormal, as a reader do you miss the vampire boom? Have you noticed more interest in your Rulers of Darkness series recently?
Amanda: Personally, I only purchase historical romance and paranormal romance. I can’t get enough! I’ve been planning some historical books and hope to release them in the coming years. With the release of Caressed by the Edge of Darkness I have seen renewed interest in my Rulers of Darkness series along with an up take in my novella series, Under Realm Assassins. I will be releasing Wicked Passion, the third installment of the Under Realm Assassin series this coming spring.
Lexi: Congratulations on the upcoming release! One thing that always stands out in your writing are the sex scenes. How you manage to bring us book after hotter book, we’ll never know. We thank you, by the way. And in Caressed by the Edge of Darkness you bring a hunter and vampire together, so we know things are bound to get interesting. Care to share a sentence from your favorite Gabriel-Jordan encounter?
Amanda:
He growled low as his chest tightened. God, he despised emotion, but the little human never failed to make him feel. To make him weak. Jealousy, rage, and possessiveness battered him, twisted his heart, resurrected his humanity and…made his soul soar. He hated it. He loved it.
No! He had wanted the cold existence he’d grown accustomed to over the centuries—he wanted to be emotionally barren—but there was no going back. Not for him and, after tonight, not for her.
“What are you doing?” she demanded, stumbling and tripping, struggling to match his long strides. “You had no right to threaten Chris like that.”
Chris. He’d file the name away in the event he decided to do murder later. “I’m his Chieftain. I have every right.”
“It’s not his fault. I came on to him.”
That made him pause. Just outside her dressing room, he swung her around and pinned her against the door. His hands on either side of her head, he leaned in, his lower body sinking into hers. “Why?”
Jordan didn’t shrink; she didn’t try to slip away. She bravely met his threatening glower. “I have my reasons, and I don’t have to share them with you.”
Her haughty tone drew a growl from him. “But you will.” He shoved the door open and pushed her inside the private room.
Jordan caught her balance by gripping the edge of the vanity. Her eyes glinted with fury. Gabriel studied her. She wasn’t breathless, as she always was after his kiss. Her cheeks were flushed in anger, not desire. Her nipples weren’t hard, and he scented no passion from her. She hadn’t enjoyed the other male’s kiss.
The knowledge cooled the worst of his rage, but he still had to know why she’d gone for the vampire. He supposed Chris was good looking, the male never lacked for groupies, but he was weak. Definitely not a match for Jordan.
Gabriel muttered, “I should have slain him.”
“He did nothing wrong.”
Nothing wrong? Was she fucking joking? He touched what’s mine.
“Am I to be with no one while you line up lovers and knock ‘em down?” she sneered. “Where are your women? They must be missing you.”
“Don’t know. Don’t care.”
“I’m sure they won’t be hard to find but, if they are, I know two blondes you can have a go at.”
Gabriel’s lips curled with a male satisfied smile. “Jealous?”
“Jealous! That’s hilarious. Take a look in the mirror, big guy, you’re turning green.”
He snarled, loathing how right she was. “Why did you kiss him?”
“Why were you with those women?”
He wanted to snarl, I was trying to forget you. Since the night he’d found her picture attached to the empty cell, he’d done nothing but dream of her, fantasize about her. He’d tried to be with others. Had wanted to be others. Hell, he’d hoped to fuck those vampiress tonight until he couldn’t move, but he…couldn’t. Their sighs, their kisses, their touch, their scent—wrong. It had all been wrong.
His anger slid a notch higher. Jordan had bewitched him. Somehow she’d gotten under his skin, in his head. He ached for her. Burned. The tension building, pressure rising, unfilled desire, a seeming endless torment. All because of her. Months of forced celibacy because of her. The little human couldn’t begin to imagine the tab she’d wrung up. Oh, she would atone for his suffering in the most delicious of ways.
His cock stiffened. The plans he had for her…“You defy me?”
“You aren’t my Chieftain.” She moved to step around him, but he blocked her exit. “I’ve got to get back to work, and you’ve got to find your bed partners before they get too lonely and pick another stud.”
She was jealous. She was angry over the females, not because he’d ended her would-be tryst with the bass player. Never had he found possessiveness an attractive trait in a female. He fucked multiple women at the same time, ensuring none ever developed an attachment or thought they’d get anything more from him. One night was all he gave, never did he expect them to be exclusive. It was just sex and rarely did he make the effort to know their names. No ties. No emotion. Full control.
But Jordan’s response made his shaft grow harder.
She made him reckless, wild. Her defiance summoned his instincts from deep within. Take her. Master her.
I will.
He rubbed his hand over his aching cock. The motion caught her rapt attention and the ability to breathe momentarily abandoned her. “You’re stiff as stone.”
Her lust perfumed the air. He inhaled, drawing her delicate natural scent. Amazing. She gasped as his erection swelled even more under her scorching stare.
Shaking her head, fighting her desire, she drew her gaze up to meet his. “Better take care of that. Wouldn’t want you frightening the customers or causing a massive chick fight.”
Gabriel closed in on her, towering over her. “My pleasure will be seen to soon enough.” And so would hers, but she still hadn’t answered his question. “Tell me why.”
“Go find those babes.”
His hands shot out to shackle her wrists. “Answer.”
Jordan arrogantly tossed her head back, her hair falling over her shoulders, and his eyes locked on her tempting, pounding pulse point. He licked his lips.
“Fuck off, vampire. I’m done talking to you.”
God, her anger was thrilling, her courage refreshing, and that mouth of hers…sexy as hell. She thought to dismiss him? “I may not be your king, but you’re under my protection. Under my rule. I should toss you over my knee and tan your ass for your disrespect.”
“Try it,” she snarled, her lips pulling back from her teeth. He almost wished she’d flashed fangs at him. No. Never her.
“You did this.” Gabriel pressed her hands down, her fingers tracing over his cock. He nearly shuddered. “Not the others. You.”
Her eyes fell to his erection again. He groaned when she ran her tongue over her lips, imagining that mouth sucking him, her little tongue lapping at him.
“You’ve maddened me.” He pinched her chin, holding her head down. God, her eyes on him! Burning alive. The sweetest of tortures. “And you’ll see to my pleasure.” He’d have her.
Jordan’s hand wrapped around his shaft and squeezed. “Interesting fact, I may not give a damn about your pleasure.”
Saucy piece. Like flipping a switch, his demon reacted out of his control. Gabriel was on her. His fingers pressed into her hips, lifting her on to the vanity, her back against the mirror, his hips wedged between her thighs.
“Answer my question!”
She didn’t look up at him, didn’t pull her hands from him though he’d freed them. She stroked his penis through his pants. “I can kiss whoever I want, whenever I want.”
“If you want to be kissed—” He knocked her hands away and ground his erection against her. “I’ll see to your needs.”
He wound her hair around his fist, pulled her head back. Their gazes clashed, and he swore lightning struck them. Incinerating his control, amplifying her need. His mouth slammed down on hers as she wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms locking around his neck. Instantly, his body became her slave, her pleasure suddenly the only thing that mattered. He had to make her come, watch her, feel her inner muscles clench around him, hear her scream his name. He’d make her see stars. He’d ruin her. He’d make her crave him. Only him. Forever.
Without warning, his tongue plunged into her mouth. Taking. Demanding. Her taste was decadent.
Her tongue brazenly met his. She matched his hunger, his aggression, and then raised it. Her nails scraped down his back so hard he felt their tips through his shirt. His cock strained against his pants, seeking. Needing.
His leather clad hands slipped to her thighs then under the hem of her dress to pull it up. He brushed his fingers over her center. Her panties were drenched. She desired him as much as he desired her.
She sucked his tongue, nibbled on his lips.
Mindless.
She was perfect. So perfect. Meant for him.
Gabriel stroked his fingers over the apex of her thighs. She violently shivered, and he swallowed her groan. Jordan arched against him, seeking more contact, more pressure. He stroked her again. The scent of her arousal intensified. She was close.
His lips curled into a sensually evil smile and he broke their kiss to rasp, “Not yet.”
Lexi: Thank you so much for stopping by, Amanda. And an even bigger thank you for Gabriel and Jordan’s story in Caressed by the Edge of Darkness! We hope to see you again soon!
Amanda: I hope to release at least two titles this year. I wish everyone happy reading! Thank you!
Caressed by the Edge of Darkness (Rulers of Darkness #5)
by Amanda J. Greene
ebook
Published October 10th 2017
Hardened by centuries of torture, former blood slave, Gabriel Erhard, is driven by an insatiable need to destroy his enemies. Violence darkens his battered soul, leaving no place for mercy in his world. Gabriel’s only desire is vengeance—until he finds her.
Seized by vampires, bound as a slave, and placed on the auction block, Jordan Culver is instantly entranced by the dangerous male who claims her. Jordan’s new captor vows to set her free, but his haunted gaze burns with savage desire and his wicked kiss makes her crave his touch and...complete surrender.
While Gabriel battles his enemies, he will break every sacred law to achieve his ultimate goal—uniting the Outcast Society and creating a new vampire Clan. But the distracting human with mesmerizing violet eyes jeopardizes his plans. With every soft whisper she evokes his tormented memories, testing his sanity and challenging his every boundary. Can Jordan help him overcome the miseries of his past and find a future with her?
Rulers of Darkness
About the Author:
Amanda J. Greene creates paranormal romance for ravenous readers. She lives in Southern California, where she enjoys escaping the rewarding but hectic world of writing by spending time in the sun and sand with her military husband and their two dogs. http://amandajgreene.blogspot.com
Thank you!
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