I would like to welcome Erica Hayes to The Avid Reader today. Thanks for stopping by Erica. Please be sure and check out Erica's novel Redemption book #2 in The Seven Signs Series. Check out my review of Redemption and my guest post with Erica. Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a Kindle Fire (US only). You will recieve an Amazon Gift Card same value as a Kindke Fire if you live outside the US.
Title: Redemption
Series: The Seven Signs, Book 2
Author: Erica Hayes
Genre: paranormal romance, urban fantasy romance
ISBN: 978-0425258385
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Number of pages: 330
Word Count: 100K
Cover Artist: Kris Keller
PURCHASE
Redemption
Amazon
Book Depository
BN
PURCHASE
Revelation
Amazon
BN
iTunes
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Redemption
Japheth the Tainted is on the hunt for a mysterious demon vampire. But meeting her face-to-face might disarm his warrior spirit-and spark an unquenchable passion with apocalyptic consequences.
As a fallen angel, Japheth is determined to make his way back to heaven by staying pure and slaying hellspawn. With a new scourge of vampires unleashed by a blood-drinking demon, the Prince of Thirst, there's plenty to be done. But Japheth is after one vampire in particular-the one they call the Angel Slayer.
Rose Harley never wanted to be a vampire, but the Prince of Thirst can turn even the kindest soul into a soldier of hell. Feeling abandoned by God, she stalks the West Village taking revenge on his angels-until she meets her match.
When Japheth and Rose encounter each other, the battle is fierce and charged with desire. But when they discover a common enemy-the Prince of Thirst himself-they form a dangerous alliance that could either cost them their eternal lives, or spark a love more powerful than heaven or hell.
EXCERPT
Redemption
That female still huddled against the wall. He could smell her terror, bitter and sharp like lemon. It bristled his feathers. What was she thinking, hanging around the West Village at night? Everyone knew the vampire coven ruled these streets. And now she was doomed . . .
But his fingers clenched, unwilling to strike. So delicate and innocent. Damnation was a b- well, it was unfair, when it wasn't your fault. When you caught it like a disease. Unlike the Chosen-who'd all submitted gleefully to the demon prince's tricks, how else did you swallow a demon's blood from the source?-she likely didn't deserve the place she was going.
But he didn't know for sure she was infected. And he couldn't just leave her here, covered in blood like shark bait. "I'll take you home," he offered coldly. "It isn't safe here."
She just sobbed, hiding her face.
He crouched, impatient, wings flaring aglow. "Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you . . ."
The woman looked up, and Japheth's voice died, strangled by the sudden hitch in his throat.
Heaven's sweet grace, she was lovely.
He swallowed, painful. Hot dark eyes, bottomless, framed in long curling lashes. Exquisite heart-shaped face, bruised with bloody tears. A pretty dark freckle graced her left cheek. And that mouth . . . he'd be haunted tonight by visions of those full, cherry-ripe lips. He wanted to taste them, drink the soft honeyed heat of her kiss . . .
He coughed. Yeah, well, he wanted a lot of things. Wanting and doing weren't the same. Like he'd remember how to kiss a woman in the first place.
But his skin tingled, hot and glittery, and blood rushed to all the awkward places. He shifted, aching. Lord, he was flushing. She'd see what he was thinking, laugh at him for it. "Umm . . . are you okay? You've got blood . . ."
"Yeah." Low voice, a husky promise of pleasure. She wiped her face, and laughed shakily. "They attacked me, but I ran away . . . God, I'm so embarrassed. I don't usually lose my cool like this. You must think I'm such a flake." She licked her bloody bottom lip, and turned her haunting gaze up to him.
Japheth stared, transfixed. The tip of her soft pink tongue was the most hypnotic thing he'd ever laid eyes on. Hell, no. Don't go there . . . but too late. He'd already imagined her warm dark flavor, the softness inside her mouth, that naughty tongue teasing his. Those swelling cherry lips, sliding over his cock, drowning him in her sweet heat . . .
He clenched shaking fists, willing this ugly desire to fade. He didn't know her. She was wounded, bleeding, frightened. Thinking about . . . those things with her was very uncool. Heaven, forgive me . . .
She inhaled, and the tiny catch in her breath quivered his feathers stiff.
And for the first time in centuries, his ice-walled resolve melted.
In a flash-how did it happen?-he was on his knees. The wall at her back grazed his palms. Her breasts swelled against his metal-clad chest. She gasped, rich with excitement, and hot blood pounded in his head and he wrapped his fingers in that sinful dark hair and gave himself up to her kiss.
Oh, Lord. She tasted of flames and blood, so good he groaned. For one precious, shocking moment, her lips molded to his, delicious, alive . . .
And then his mouth caught fire.
Pain flashed, accusing. Burnt skin soured his tongue. Her hair sizzled his fingers with telltale wrath. And a hot demon-spelled blade pressed sweet agony against the thudding pulse in his throat.
Vampire!
Ash rained like snow, the broken remnants of demon magic. Too late, hellcurse's foul stink sickened him. He'd been holding his breath, he realized distantly. Hadn't smelled it. Too fixated on sinful pleasures to see the evil glimmer in her eyes. But now, her scent was unmistakable.
No accidental vampire, this scheming seductress. She was Chosen. Hell's whore. The demon's willing slave.
She laughed, and her sharp fangs crunched out. "Bleeding Christ. You're all so stupid."
Japheth's mind stumbled, dizzy. His heart still pounded, his blood still screaming with toxic need. Should've known his irrational lust for her wasn't real. She'd spelled him with her evil magic, and he'd fallen for it spectacularly.
But that didn't change the ugly truth. The beautiful bitch was hellspawn. And he'd kissed her.
GUEST BLOG
About the
Hot Supernatural Dudes
Hello, and thanks for having me on The Avid Reader today!
Glad you could drop by.
Paranormal romance is all about the hero, right? We all love a cool heroine, but for me, the hero is the one who makes or breaks the book. Doesn't matter what kind of hot supernatural dude he is. I love all sorts! Except werewolves. For some reason, I can't get into werewolves. Maybe I just haven't met the right were…
As an author, I like to mix it up a little. I've done sexy fae heroes, soul-stealing incubi, and guys who turn into snakes-yes, I have a snake-shifter romance, and it's totally hot! I even have a dark ironfairy hero who may or may not be a serial killer… That's the beauty of paranormal. You can break the rules.
But the heroes in my Seven Signs series are fierce fallen angel warriors. A gang called the Tainted Host, who roam the earth doing heaven's dirty jobs. So when a posse of insane demons try to hijack the signs of the Apocalypse and create hell on earth, these guys are first on the scene.
Let me introduce a few:
Luniel is the hero of book 1, REVELATION. Hot-blooded, impulsive, fascinated by new experiences, Luniel used to immerse himself in the human world with relish. But when long ago he loved a human woman, his demon enemies seduced her and stole her soul, taunting him for failing to protect her. Shunned by heaven for the sin of lust, Lune is determined never to let his heart be his weakness again.
Nickname: Lune
Appearance: sky-blue eyes, velvety black feathers. Smolder. And don't let his massive size fool you: this guy can move.
Weapon of choice: two-handed sword.
Favorite magic spell: compulsion. He lures his enemies to their deaths. Hey, at least they go to hell happy.
Favorite drink: single malt scotch. It takes a lot to get an angel drunk. When he's having a bad day? Challenge accepted.
Strength: compassion and honesty. With Lune, you always know where you stand. If he decides he wants you? You'll totally see him coming. Ahem.
Weakness: damsels in distress.
Saying: Screw obedience, it ain't over till it's over
Favorite swear words: Jesus Christ on a jelly sandwich.
Heroine: Dr. Morgan Sterling, a forensic pathologist. She doesn't believe in angels. He'll soon fix that.
The hero of book 2, REDEMPTION, is Japheth. Beautiful and incorruptible, a powerful warrior for justice, Japheth was once heaven's golden child. Now shunned for some mysterious sin, he's determined to redeem himself in heaven's eyes, and avoids temptation or earthly pleasures lest he fall again. He's sworn to do anything for redemption, and he's got an iron will and nothing to lose, so don't get in his way.
Nickname: Jae, or JJ.
Appearance: Fiery golden feathers, eyes greener than envy. Japheth is the frosty ice prince of disdain. He so doesn't look it.
Weapon of choice: a light sword, plus a left-hand dagger. He refuses to cheat, because that's a sin. Don't think that'll stop him swapping hands on you.
Favorite magic spell: immolation. He likes burning stuff. It's fun.
Favorite drink: tonic on ice, no lime. Spike his drink at your peril.
Strength: determination, and a will of steel. He's resisted all temptation for a thousand years. Don't think you'll easily get under his skin.
Weakness: self-doubt. Why did heaven really cast him out, huh? Could it be because he's not worth saving?
Saying: Better safe than screwed.
Favorite swear words: Japheth doesn't curse. It's a sin, don't you know?
Heroine: Rose Harley, a vampire angel-slayer sent to lure his soul to hell. They meet. They kiss. They try to kill each other.
Anyhow. I hope you enjoy the Seven Signs series! And thanks for hosting me on the blog today.
Hey, I have so enjoyed having you on The Avid Reader. Thanks for dropping by and you are welcome here anytime.
P.S. That snake-shifter book? It's called POISON KISSED. You know you want to.
So tell me: what's your favorite kind of hot supernatural hero? Good old-fashioned vamps and weres? Angels and demons? Or do you like something a bit different?
I would have to say my favorite supernatural dude/dudette's are good old-fashioned vamps and witches.
MY REVIEW
Redemption
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I was given a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.
Japheth is a tainted angel who was casted out of heaven to watch over and protect the humans and to slay the demons. Ever since he was cast out of heaven Japheth has been doing whatever it takes to earn his way back into heaven again. He has tried to follow all the rules and go on all of his assigned mission to find and kill demons.
The archangel Michael has made Japheth a deal he can't refuse. Michael sends him after a vampire that has been slaying angels. They call this vampire the Angel Slayer. Japheth goes out hunting this vampire-angel slayer and who does he meet? Rose Harley the vampire-angel slayer herself. Japheth does not expect the angel slayer to be this very beautiful woman whom he is attracted to instantly.
Japheth and Rose discover that they both have one enemy in common. A demon who is known as the Prince of Thirst. A blood drinking vampire the one and same vampire that turned
Rose. They each want this one demon for their own personal reasons. So they decided to team up together and go after this demon for their own revenge and to save all the humans from him. If they can find this demon and kill him maybe they can stop the apocalypses.
What I really liked about Redemption is that the angels were not perfect as we are taught perfect is. What I mean by being perfect is being like Jesus. Not saying bad words and not killing people or hurting people. An angel can be bad or have evil in their heart just like most demons. And demons can have a good heart never wanting to hurt anyone but yet they are still a demon.
Redemption is telling us that God knows what is in the angels and the demons hearts. God or heaven only cares about what kind of person you are or what is in your heart. As the saying goes action speaks louder than words. Words doesn't mean anything only what we put on them and the way we use them.
Would I recommend Redemption? Yes I would but I do suggest that you read revelation book #1 in the series before you read Redemption. Well you could read Redemption first and still know what is going on. Erica gives you enough info in Redemption that comes from Revelation so that you can understand what is happening. But if you want to know who and what the other characters are all about and their rolls in the story then reading Revelation before Redemption would be a wise choice.
I can't make my mind up as to which book I liked the best book #1 or book #2. It is a very difficult decision to make. All I can say is I don't know. Please don't make me make that choice. Hey I know how about you guys go get your copy of both books Revelation and Redemption and read them then come back here and let me know what you think. How does that sound? I know Erica would really appreciate you buying both of her books. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Who's story or life will we get to read about next? Will it be Jadzia or maybe it might be Michael's? Or one of the other tainted angels?
Erica Hayes was a law student, an air force officer, an editorial assistant and a musician, before finally landing her dream job: fantasy and romance writer.
She writes dark paranormal and urban fantasy romance, and her books feature tough, smart heroines and colourful heroes with dark secrets.
She hails from Australia, where she drifts from city to city, leaving a trail of chaos behind her. Currently, she's terrorizing the wilds of Northumberland.
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The giveaway is for a Kindle Fire (US only). If the winner lives outside the US they will recieve an Amazon gift card with an equivalent value of the Kindle Fire.
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