Betrayal
The
Demon Hunters
Book
3
A.S.
Fenichel
Genre:
Historical Paranormal Romance
Publisher:
Kensington/Lyrical
Date
of Publication: December 8, 2015
ISBN:
9781616505851
ASIN:
B00URQETG8
Number
of pages: 175
Word
Count: 79,000
Cover
Artist: Morgan Pielli
Book
Description:
In
service to His Majesty, one must be prepared for Hell.
To
survive as a scullery maid requires hard work, discipline, and a
stiff upper lip. To survive as a Demon Hunter is something else
entirely. Elizabeth Smythe learned this after she was captured by
Demons and rescued by Hunters. Now a Hunter herself, Elizabeth’s
first task in this new and strange world is to aid the recently
wounded Lord Reece Foxjohn, and get him back into Demon-slaying
shape. . .
Reece
Foxjohn is used to defying convention. He enraged his family by
becoming a Demon Hunter, and prefers eviscerating the spawn of Satan
to mixing with the ton. He is a man who doesn’t hesitate when he
knows what he wants, and what he wants is Miss Elizabeth Smythe. To
watch her behead the progeny of Evil is to behold a thing of
beauty—one he must claim for his at all costs. . .
Excerpt
“Don’t
you even want to know why I broke the chair?”
She
shrugged. “You’re angry. I do not blame you. I would be angry
too.”
He
stepped closer. His breath warmed her cheek as he lifted her chin
with one finger. “Since you will offer no lecture and have no plans
to draw out my feelings, why not tell me why I’m so angry?”
Swallowing
to clear the lump in her throat, she gazed into those eyes. “You
think you’ve lost everything. You were on top of the world, and now
you have to start over again and from lower than before. You doubt
you can ever recover and fear you will end up a crippled old man.”
He
gaped as he stepped back from her. His head hung, and the shoulders
she’d been admiring slumped. “Dear God, Lizzy, am I that
obvious?”
Her
heart ached for him, and she stepped forward. Wrapping her arms
around his middle, she rested her head on his chest bare chest. If
heaven existed, she’d found it. She imagined an eternity snuggled
against his warmth. “I do not think it is quite as clear to
everyone, Reece. You put up a good front at the wedding. Lillian
likely saw through it, but maybe not the rest.”
His
arms remained at his sides, but his cheek brushed against the top of
her head. “Lilly has known me for years. How is it you see through
me so easily?”
“You
forget I have spent part of every day for a year watching you heal.
Plus, I know how I would feel if I had to start training all over
again. You were probably already strong when you started training to
become a hunter, but I was only as strong as heavy pots and buckets
filled with water can make a girl. I would be in despair if I had to
do it all again.”
One
hand skimmed the center of her back. “And would you? Would you
start all over again, if you lost everything you have gained in the
last year?”
She
tipped her head up and stared him in the eyes. “I would do
everything in my power to be better than before.”
“And
if you failed?”
“I
would pick myself up and try again until I succeeded.” Her heart
tripped.
His
head lowered until full lips she’d longed for touched hers in a
whispered kiss. She stiffened at the first touch and relaxed as his
hand came up to cup her cheek.
He
pressed his thumb to her jaw, and when her mouth opened, he swept his
tongue inside.
The
kiss reached through, around, and inside her. Rising on her tiptoes,
she opened for him and matched his kisses with her own desperation.
Yes, this was what she wanted, more of this man. Her imagination had
not done the moment justice. She threaded her fingers through his
hair, pulling it from the neat queue. Soft tresses spilled over her
hands. She burned as she molded against him.
Reece
broke the kiss and stepped back, heaving breath and staring at her as
if he’d never seen her before. “I should not have done that.”
Elizabeth
gasped to catch her breath. The pleasant tightening in her lower
belly knotted painfully. Tears threatened to push out, but she
refused to cry in front of him. “I see. Well, what is done is done.
I will see you at dinner.”
Before
she could run from the room, he grabbed her arm. The temptation to
hit him so hard he’d release her warred with her desire to nurse
him back to his former glory. Maybe then, he would see more than a
scullery maid when he looked at her.
“Please,
Lizzy, do not be cross with me. I wanted to kiss you. Just because I
want something does not mean it is the right thing. I should not have
forced myself on you, but I was caught up in the moment.”
Jerking
her arm away from his grip, she laughed. “You think you could have
kissed me if I was opposed to it? I am a demon hunter, Reece Foxjohn.
Just because you have not yet seen me in action, do not suppose I am
not capable of stopping you or anyone else. I know you, but you
clearly know nothing about me. You should rest. I will see you at
dinner.”
She
gathered her wits in the hallway before she ran to her room, bolted
the door, and looked for something she could break. She paced the
carpet, took up a pale green vase, lifted it over her head, and then
set it back on the table with added care. Breaking the expensive
glassware would not change anything. It would not make her his equal.
If The Company could not do that, then nothing could. Above her
station, he viewed kissing her as an error in judgment. His
conscience would not let him take liberties with the help. She
understood. In fact, over the years, she had wished more of her
employers had been so honorable. Ironically, she hated him for the
same virtue that made her admire him so.
About
the Author:
A.S.
Fenichel gave up a successful career in New York City to follow her
husband to Texas and pursue her lifelong dream of being a
professional writer. She’s never looked back.
A.S.
adores writing stories filled with love, passion, desire, magic and
maybe a little mayhem tossed in for good measure. Books have always
been her perfect escape and she still relishes diving into one and
staying up all night to finish a good story.
Multi-published
in historical, paranormal, erotic and contemporary romance, A.S. is
the author of The Demon Hunters series, the Psychic Mates series, and
more. With several books currently contracted to multiple publishers,
A.S. will be bringing you her brand of edgy romance for years to
come.
Originally
from New York, she grew up in New Jersey, and now lives in the East
Texas with her real life hero, her wonderful husband. When not
reading or writing she enjoys cooking, travel, history, and puttering
in her garden. Her babies are both rescues and include; a demanding
dog and a temperamental cat, both bring constant joy and laughter.
Interview
Where are you from? I was born in Valley Stream, New
York and raised in South Brunswick, New Jersey. I currently live in East Texas.
Tell us your latest news? My latest book Betrayal
just released. It’s book 3 in the Demon Hunter series. It’s a really fast paced
story about good vs. evil and love under the worst circumstances.
Oh, and I just signed a three book contract for a
historical series with Kensington Books/Lyrical Press.
When and why did you begin writing? I don’t remember
a time when I didn’t have a story in my head. That said, I never wrote one down
until I was in my twenties. I think it never occurred to me that I could write
them or that anyone would want to read them. I had a professor who gave an
assignment to write a short story. It was like magic. I loved writing it. I
loved the praise that came with it. I was instantly addicted.
When did you first consider yourself a writer? When
I finished my first full length novel. It will never see the light of day, but
it was a project that took a good piece of my life and I finished it.
What inspired you to write your first book? I had a
story in my head and I wanted to be an artist of some kind. I had originally
dreamed of being an actress, but while I might have had the talent, I didn’t
have the perseverance to follow through. When I left acting school it created a
void in my life. Writing fills that void and then some. I think back and wonder
if acting was just the catalyst to being a writer.
Do you have a specific writing style? Hmm… I don’t
know. I’m pretty straight forward. I
don’t linger long telling you about every blade of grass. I like the book to
move along and keep you interested. Is that a style?
How did you come up with the title? Betrayal is
about fighting demons, but it’s also about trusting another person beyond what
everyone around you is whispering in your ear. And the book is about the
ultimate betrayal. I’ll leave you to wonder exactly what that means. I don’t
want to ruin the story.
Is there a message in your novel that you want
readers to grasp? Most of my books are about the battle between good and evil
but they are also about love being the one constant in humanity. Love is the thing
that makes us or breaks us.
How much of the book is realistic? The Regency part
is somewhat accurate, though as far as I know, there were no demons running
around. I’ve taken some liberties, but much of history is still intact. Since
The Company of demon hunters work in the shadows, it’s easy to leave what we
know of the time unaltered.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events
in your own life? I have been very fortunate in my love life. The romance is
based on what I know. The demons come from my imagination. Though there are
plenty of demons in our world, just watch the nightly news and you’ll see them.
What books have most influenced your life most?
Everything Jane Austen and Eloisa James wrote. Mary Jo Putney showed me I could
combine paranormal with historical. So many more wonderful writers shaped my
writing, from Sandra Brown to Judith McNaught, Stephen King to Louis L’amour. I
have had well rounded reading and education. I’m lucky to have had two parents
who loved books more than anything.
If you had to choose, which writer would you
consider a mentor? If Eloisa James and Stephen King morphed into one person…
Hmmm….
What book are you reading now? I’m reading Stealing
Home by Karla Doyle
Are there any new authors that have grasped your
interest? I love Juliette Cross, Sarah Heggar, Karla Doyle, Kit Rocha, Veronica
Scott and the list goes on.
What are your current projects? I’m writing a
contemporary with paranormal elements called A Touch of Scotland. The first
book of the Forever Brides series, Tainted Bride will be released in September
of 2016. I’m very excited about that series and can’t wait to hear what readers
think.
What would you like my readers to know? Betrayal is
book three in the Demon Hunter series but it can stand on its own. I promise
you will understand everything even if you don’t read book one and two. Though,
I hope you’ll want to go back and read about the other characters.
It was a great pleasure to be here today. I hope you
enjoy Betrayal and will stop by my website www.asfenichel.com and give me your thoughts.
While
here, explore the site, find out what’s coming up and share it with
your friends.
Web
Site- http://asfenichel.com/
Blog
- http://asfenichel.com/blog/
Twitter
- https://twitter.com/asfenichel
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- https://www.facebook.com/A.S.Fenichel
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- http://pinterest.com/asfenichel/boards/
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