I like to say that I write “heat with heart”.  To be honest, I’ve always been a romantic.  Do you know that moment in the old Technicolor movies when the music swells and the hero takes the heroine in his arms and the camera pans back to capture their silhouette against the sunset?  I’m completely addicted to that sexy high.  That’s why I recreate it time and time again in my own stories!  Now, imagine a classic movie that begins with a young girl arriving at a dark and gloomy mansion after traveling across the windswept moors of Northern England.  On her hand is the heavy blood-red ring that ties her for the rest of her life to a “monster”, a vampire who needs her blood to survive.  Doesn’t that give you a delicious shiver?  No?  Well, how about if you knew the vampire was not exactly the monster she was expecting?  Malcolm Hayes is dark, brooding, definitely dangerous—but also sensual, passionate and determined to stop himself from hurting his Shadow bride.

Mmmm, now we can indulge in that  shiver. 

In “A Shadow’s Kiss” I took a walk on the gothic side and I enjoyed every shadowy minute of it.  I hope you will too.  I also hope you will enjoy helping out The American Heart Association.  As someone who writes “heat with heart”, I’m proud to support this worthy cause.

Blurb:

Can their love overcome a legacy of evil…

Anna Benecia can’t escape her destiny. A promise signed in blood binds a Shadow for eternity even if the one bound longs to live in the sunny here and now.

Malcolm Hayes is the new host for the hunger of an evil spirit who has walked the earth for a thousand years. The Darkhaven shade must have the blood of innocents fed upon by the vampires he creates and controls in order to remain manifest. Freshly possessed and cursed to burn with a hunger only his Shadow bride can slake, Malcolm is determined to fight.

Can a young woman destined to marry into darkness bring the light of hope to a man newly cursed to walk the night?

Excerpt:

She was dying.

Her health had been failing slowly for five beautiful, free years. She had walked on the sun-kissed sand of a hundred beaches from North Shore, Oahu, to Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

But she hadn’t escaped the life of a Shadow.

She didn’t want to die because death would mean the final irrevocable loss of hope. More importantly, if she broke the promise, her entire family would suffer for it.

“I do,” Anna forced herself to say, giving her consent. She held her hand out, proud that it didn’t shake. She had run for as long as she could, but she wouldn’t cower now that the time for running was past. She wouldn’t cringe—yet.

Haversham took the ring from the box and placed it on the third finger of her left hand. It was heavy and cold. The tarnished silver setting was much chunkier and ornate than modern sensibilities could appreciate. Then again, its purpose might affect her perceptions.

The ring fit her finger perfectly, but its chill was alien and ugly on her hand.

“Darkhaven is waiting,” Haversham sighed.

The house or the man or the curse? Anna wondered. Then she realized there was no distinction, at all.

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-ashadowskiss-402484-139.html

As the daughter of an alcoholic, Barbara learned at a young age to turn to fictional worlds for escape.  She especially loved fantasy,  romance and science fiction.  When she decided to write, it was natural that she should combine her early loves.  Barbara has a special affinity for characters who live in the shadows but refuse to be defined by the darkness that surrounds them. She loves exploring deep emotions, bringing happily ever afters to life on the page… and Glacier Mint ice cream.  You can find Barbara at the blog she hosts for lovers of paranormal romance http://embracetheshadows.wordpress.com  or at her website  www.barbarajhancock.com

A Shadow’s Kiss trailer:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-pW2Alpitw

My website: www.barbarajhancock.com
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