I would like to welcome Tricia Skinner to The Avid Reader today. Thanks for stopping by Tricia. Please be sure and check out Tricia's novel Angel Bait. Check out my review of Angel Bait. Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win one of five ebook copies of Angel Bait.
Title: Angel Bait
Series: Book 1 of the Angel Assassins Series
Author: Tricia Skinner
Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Crimson Romance (F+W Media)
Date of Publication: February 18, 2013
ISBN : 10: 1-4405-6515-5
ISBN : 13: 978-1-4405-6515-1
eISBN : 10: 1-4405-6516-3
eISBN : 13: 978-1-4405-6516-8
Number of pages: 140
Word Count: 65,000
PURCHASE
Angel Bait
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Angel Bait
Saved by the angel sent to kill them, four half-angel boys are trained and employed as Heaven's assassins. Jarrid and his nephilim brothers are raised as members of The Eternal Order, and must enforce Heaven's laws by hunting down those who defy the Directorate.
His only shot at freedom is Ascension, but his employers won't permit the ancient ritual. Then Jarrid learns a Renegade angel is in Detroit. Such a high-level takedown is the answer to his prayers-all the leverage he needs to Ascend.
For freedom, Jarrid is willing to do anything to lure his elusive enemy out of hiding.
Even use an innocent woman as bait.
News reporter Ionie Gifford has no clue an angel outlaw wants her dead. She agrees to help Jarrid, the enigmatic nephilim with penetrating silver eyes and a worship-worthy body, but only because he accepts her terms. He's her all-access pass into the city's supernatural underworld where she hopes to locate her mother's killer.
Blindsided by Ionie's beauty and tenacity, Jarrid soon finds the eternity-old glacier around his heart thawing. With duty and desire at war within him, he's forced to make a choice-either save Ionie from the trap he snared and stay chained to Heaven, or allow her to become collateral damage.
EXCERPT
Angel Bait
She leaned back and studied him, taking in the casual way his thigh rested against a chair. Her throat closed, smothering her clever retort. Jarrid angled his chiseled face to study items on her desk, and Ionie caught the awed stares of her passing colleagues.
One woman tripped over her own feet.
Another face-planted into a wall.
Jesus Christ.
The half-angel was so handsome it hurt. Jarrid didn't seem to notice the attention directed at him. Or maybe he didn't care.
"You're upset I won't allow photos, but you still plan to work with me," he said, his fingers sliding over a shriveled dictionary. "I want to know why."
Blunt and to the point.
"I'm not upset." Ionie snorted, a sound she hoped made her seem indifferent. "You've answered my prayers. I'm used to working obits, or chasing the occasional fire truck."
He flicked his head at the desk adjoining hers. "You work with someone?"
"I don't do partners."
"Yet you will do me." The simple statement, spoken in his sexy rumble, liquefied the marrow in Ionie's bones.
"Uh," she said. "My work takes on a whole new meaning when you say it."
He leaned in, a smooth slide of firm muscle and taut flesh. She caught a whiff of his scent; she hadn't noticed it before. Something nameless, celestial like the man - the being - it belonged to. She inhaled deep, lulled by his nearness. Gorgeous. No other word fit him better.
"Is there a problem?" Jarrid's lips curved down. His tone held an edge she couldn't place.
"Problem?" Mario's smooth voice yanked Ionie from her trance. She shook her head and leaned away from the nephilim. "You okay, kid?"
What the hell am I doing?
Ionie strained to smile at Jarrid. The half-angel's face presented a solid mask, obscuring any hint of his reaction.
"I'm fine," she said. "Mario, this is Jarrid. He's with the Eternal Order ... and my new story. Jarrid, this is Mario Hernandez. He trained me on the graveyard shift."
"Story?" The men exchanged handshakes. She could see Mario's mind working behind his casual expression.
"On Patrick's say so." She suppressed some of her excitement. "I'm doing a feature on angel society.
"Angels don't seek attention. Why the switch?"
"Times change," Jarrid said in a tight, controlled voice.
The older reporter narrowed his eyes at the flat tone. She didn't blame him. "Doesn't explain why the boys above have sent a nephilim. Aren't you guys a bit high level for PR?"
The muscles in Jarrid's arms ticked. "My work is classified."
"I bet," Mario said.
What the hell?
Ionie stared at her friend, then Jarrid. The corded line of his neck bulged with thick throbbing veins. Her source appeared ready to pounce on the curious old coot. She slid off her chair. "We should get going."
Neither man moved. Ionie reached out and touched Jarrid's bicep. His arm shifted beneath her hand like she'd branded him. She removed her fingers before he decided to break them off.
No touching. Got it.
Without a word, he marched from the office. With the weird question and answer session over, she grabbed her bag and hauled ass to catch up.
"What happened back there?" She jogged to keep pace with him, his long strides churning yards of polished marble floor in his wake. "Why are you acting like this?"
Jarrid turned on her with a scowl. "Your buddy is inquisitive."
"Newsflash. He's a reporter, like me. Nosey is what we do." That didn't help. Not the way Jarrid stared at her as if she'd sprouted horns. "You're a big deal in Heaven, huh? If it's a secret, you shouldn't be hanging around journalists. We suck up secrets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner."
"We keep to ourselves." A tremor of annoyance filtered through the words.
"Not anymore." The two of them standing in a newspaper lobby made the whole conversation seem ridiculous. Ionie stepped closer to Jarrid and angled her head to see his eyes. "Not many people can say they've seen, or met, an angel. Your kind might want to keep on the down low, but when you step out, you're going to draw attention."
His steady glare told her he didn't believe a word. Or maybe he didn't like what he heard. Or maybe he just liked glaring at her like she'd eventually shut the hell up.
Jerk. Angels weren't the only ones who preferred seclusion. Try tracking down the Fae. Those bastards were near impossible to get out in the open. She'd tried.
"Angels and nephilim are private. I get the cloak and dagger bull, but you came to me. This covert thing? You want people to answer your questions?"
He gave a microscopic bob of his head.
"First lesson? People are naturally curious, especially humans." Ionie moistened her bottom lip. She hated the nervous response, but Jarrid held a remote control on her anxiety. "They may have questions for you, too. We're drawn to the unknown like butter to toast, at least according to my grandma. I'll help you. You'll help me. Everybody gets what they need."
Silver eyes dipped to her lips.
The gap between them sizzled like someone had flipped on a low-voltage current. Every hair on her skin saluted. She stared into his eyes and her heartbeat doubled. By now she should be nervous, but the hint of danger she sensed in him only brought an embarrassing rush of arousal.
Her face must have flushed apple red because Jarrid's mouth parted. His now wide gaze traced over her features, lingering on her cheeks and lips. She should kiss him. Kiss him right in the middle of her workplace. Kiss him in front of Stan the desk clerk who took classified ads. One kiss on the nephilim's too-full lips. One hard press ....
She licked her lip again. His gaze tracked her tongue. Before she could lean into his body and act on the impulse, he jerked back and stepped out of reach.
"What are you doing?" His voice was low, dangerous.
What was she doing? She'd almost pounced on a guy at work! She didn't jump her sources. Another wave of heat seared her face and she stared at her feet. "So ... we still have a deal?"
Jarrid didn't reply. She chanced a peek at him. He looked pissed. His back was ramrod straight and his eyes glowed. Maybe she'd offended his angel sensibilities with her odd human reactions.
Wasn't he half-Human? Did he feel an attraction to her?
A miserable minute ticked by.
"We still have a deal," he said. "First, you meet my brothers."
EARLY REVIEWS
Angel Bait
Updated Jan. 25, 2013
ANGEL BAIT, the debut urban fantasy novel by author Tricia Skinner, breathes new life into the ancient Nephilim legend. With rich storytelling, a quartet of lethally sexy half-angel, half-human assassins, and a feisty, unforgettable heroine, Skinner weaves together a complex, diverse world that keeps you turning pages well into the night.
ANGEL BAIT is a must-read, epic treat for the senses and will leave you eager for the next divine installment.
-- Traci Douglass, author of SEAL OF DESTINY
Riveting. Tricia Skinner brings urban fantasy to life with descendants of angels and a sizzling twist. Treat yourself to The Eternal Order and a gritty world where half-angel assassins keep their eyes on heaven, and ignite hearts on fire.
-- Paula Millhouse, author of DRAGONSTONE
FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
Set in a Detroit where supernatural creatures are commonplace and angels are assassins, ANGEL BAIT takes the reader on a blood-pumping ride of danger, vengeance, and forbidden romance. Led by a tormented hero and fierce heroine, filled with courage and passion, secrets and betrayal, ANGEL BAIT refuses to let go until the final page. Tricia Skinner has the beginning of an exciting series. I can't wait for the sequel.
-- CJ Burright, author (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/505563300)
"If you are a lover of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series you will love this series by Tricia Skinner."
-- T.J. Loveless, author (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/487528923)
"Angel Bait is now one of my favorite books of all time. I was hooked from page 1, and the book only got better from there. The pacing was flawless; the characters were perfect; the world-building rivaled today's bestsellers. I will be thinking about this book for a long, long time, but not as long as I'll be anxiously awaiting the next book. Fingers crossed that this is the start of a series, because I'm not ready to forget about the hunky nephilim introduced in this book."
-- Micah Persell, author of OF ETERNAL LIFE and OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/491081589)
FOUR-STAR REVIEWS
Tricia Skinner has created an amazing world full of fascinating characters and sets them off on an adventure that is fun to read and hard to put down. She handles the story with all its twists and turns like a pro and gives us the happiest of endings. The lady can write, folks. Read her book.
-- Peggy Bird, author of the Second Chance Series (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/508185931)
"I would whole heartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for a bit of spice amongst the smorgasbord of urban fantasy and supernatural novels that are on the market today, with a caveat: I hope you like your meals steamy."
-- Male reviewer on Goodreads
"The book went by fast, in the end, but like any good book or tv show, the better ones fly by and you look forward to the next installment."
-- Male reviewer on Goodreads
MY REVIEW
Angel Bait
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.
Jarrid and his brothers are nephilim, half-human and half-angel who work for Heaven as assassins. Jarrid and his brothers are also members of The Eternal Order. Their job is to hunt down the criminals who break Heaven's laws and go against the Directorate. Being half-human Jarrid is not allowed in heaven. He wants more than anything and will do whatever it takes to be allowed to enter Heaven.
Jarrid finds out that there is a renegade angel in town and if he can capture him or bring him down then he thinks or hopes that bringing him down will get him into heaven. Jarrid learns that the renegade angel is after a woman, a news reporter, Ionie Gifford. Ionie has no idea that the angel wants her or why. Jarrid has no clue why the angel wants her either but he dosent' care. All Jarrid is worried about is getting hisself a spot in heaven.
Jarrid goes to Ionie to make a deal with her to get her to help him. He doesn't tell her that the angel wants her. She agrees to help him find this angel in return for helping him she will get to do an exclusive story on angels.
Jarrid is one tall/big man/angel and Ionie thinks he is one goregous dude. When Jarrid meet Ionie he is not sure of what he is feeling for Ionie. He has never been in a relationship before. Heaven doesn't allow half-angels to have a relationship. But Jarrid can't help how he feels about Ionie and so therefore can't stop his love for her.
Ionie is a very independent and brave woman. She has a mouth on her and is not afraid to use it. She is comical and will have you laughing out loud at times with the things that she comes up with to say. Jarrid has never been a humours person always serious kind of dude but Ionie can make him laugh. I mean like the belly shaking kind of laugh but I don't image he has much that shakes with all his muscles.
Angel Bait is one of those books that you just want to keep reading. You want to keep reading wanting to see what Ionie is going to say next. You also want to know what she is going to do next. Your like what kind of trouble is she going to get into now? Will Jarrid and his brothers find her in time to be able to save her? Why does the renegade angel want Ionie? Will he get his hands on her? These are some of the questions you will probably be asking when you are reading it. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. So why don't you go and pick up your own copy today. I don't think you would be disappointed.
- About the Author
After spending several years as a newspaper reporter and corporate communications director, Tricia Skinner cast off traditional journalism for the freedom of novel writing. ANGEL BAIT is her urban fantasy romance debut. Her reading tastes are all over the place, but she's mainly drawn to fantasy (and its subgenres), paranormal, sci-fi, and history.
In those rare moments when she's not writing, Tricia is a newbie "green" practitioner, a fitness procrastinator, and a technology geek. She is a mother and a wife. Her family includes two Great Danes.
Tricia stays active in various writing communities. She's the Web Editor for Pony Express(ions), the online literary journal of the Masters of Liberal Studies Program at Southern Methodist Uni-versity; a volunteer with SMU's The Writers Path; the Newsletter Editor and a Mud Puddle Critique Group moderator for the Fantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal Chapter of Romance Writers of America. . In December 2012 she received a master's degree with a Creative Writing focus from SMU.
- ONLINE LINKS
- GIVEAWAY
Five copies of the e-book
