The Twilight Deception - Alina Morgan [repub] [Jun 08]

Maria · #1 February 8th, 2009, 06:24 PM

Soon to be released - a previously published Sterling romance book

The Twilight Deception

Shadowguard: Book One

by: Alina Morgan*

ISBN: 978-1-59578-561-9

*previously published under the name Elisabeth Drake

Stay tuned to this topic for all the latest on this Coming Soon

Blurb:

When the FBI receives word of vampire-related murders, they order tough-as-nails resident witch Arielle Thompson to investigate. But the last thing Arielle expects is to have her butt saved by a friendly vampire who claims he's tracking the master vamp responsible for the murders.

Despite her wounded pride, Arielle can't help her inexplicable attraction to this sexy-as-sin vampire who calls himself simply "Jackson." He reluctantly informs her that their enemy is far more powerful than reports said -- and his powerbase is only increasing.

Arielle and Jackson must team up to stop him, before he grows too powerful to defeat.

Maria · #2 February 8th, 2009, 06:25 PM

Excerpt:
(Unedited)

I spun around, facing down the oncoming swarm, my hand sweaty around the Glock. Even if they were new, weak vampires, they were still vampires—and we were still outnumbered. Silently, I prayed that I'd get out of this alive.

Jackson stopped halfway between me and them and turned around, slipping into a defensive stance. I swore under my breath, hoping he wouldn't get in the way. But as I set my sights and tightened down on the trigger, he leapt forward, into the vamps. My eyes widened. "Fucking. Insane. Male," I muttered, firing. It missed, ricocheting off the alley wall and hitting another in the arm.

The vampire screeched in agony and snapped its neck to face me. Eyes gleamed with pure hatred and insatiable hunger. My Sight slipped, and I caught a glimpse of the creature's aura. Instead of a healthy burgundy or crimson, it was a sick scarlet, oozing with shades of puke green and olive brown. It felt ... tainted. Wrong.

Like it deserved to die.

Like it wanted to die.

Before it could come any closer, I shot it in straight in the throat. Its eyes widened and it fell backwards, gurgling. I thought I heard a whispered, "Thank you."

Or maybe I was imagining things. Either way, it wasn't getting the job done. I jerked away from the now-dead undead and back to Jackson—who was slicing and dicing his way through the baby vamps like a professional Cuisinart. I gaped as they collapsed to the ground. If they'd been human, they would've been spurting gobs of blood as his daggers chopped them like wilted veggies. Instead, there was—nothing. No blood. Nothing.

I hadn't realized until that moment how much of a killer Jackson was. I knew he was an assassin, but ... he outclassed and outmatched me. If he wanted me dead, all he had to do was—do it. I could fight back, but as fast as he was moving, I didn't stand much chance. Or maybe adrenaline hits vampires stronger than it does humans. Whatever. Pissing him off? Not a good idea.

Especially not when his death dance came to a close, leaving him standing in a mound of shredded corpses.

Jackson looked back at me, the wind blowing through his black hair. His eyes were darkened with blood rage—but they flashed with something else. I didn't know what. "Arielle! Behind you!"

I spun around, but I wasn't fast enough. Large hands dug into my sides, fingernails scratching the skin, holding my arms apart so I couldn't shoot. The vampire sank its teeth into my throat, sharp fangs piercing my skin. Frantically, I tried to knock his arms aside, but the venom was already spreading through my system. I could feel myself growing weaker, laxer, falling into his arms even as I struggled to fight ...

I was vaguely aware of a sound, then the vampire stiffened. He slumped to the ground, and my knees started to give way. I glanced down, catching sight of his body. A dagger stuck out of his forehead, buried to the hilt.

I knew something about that should've seemed off to me, but I couldn't think. All I could do was try to slow myself as my knees crumpled—but strong arms caught me as I fell, lifting me. My face pressed against a solid male chest, and I lolled my head back, the whole world spinning as my eyes set on Jackson. "This ... is ... talk about ... high," I mumbled, the words slurring together as I rested my head against him.

"Let's get you back home," he whispered, his lips touching my hair.

I wasn't about to argue.

**Jennifer Leeland** · #3 February 8th, 2009, 07:14 PM

Ooooh I'm so glad to see this one up!!!!!!

**Alina Morgan** · #4 February 9th, 2009, 06:08 AM

Hiya!

Here's the blurb for The Twilight Deception. I'll post an excerpt as soon as I get the go-ahead!

*BLURB MOVED TO FIRST POST*

**Jennifer Leeland** · #5 February 9th, 2009, 06:09 AM

Ooooo this one is such a great story!!!!!! Great blurb, Alina.

**Alina Morgan** · #6 February 9th, 2009, 06:29 AM

Thanks, Jen! I quite like it myself.

Nina Pierce · #7 February 9th, 2009, 09:19 AM

Nice blurbage! Sexy vamps ... what's not to love! Can't wait for the excerpt Alina!

**Alina Morgan** · #8 February 9th, 2009, 07:06 PM

Thank you, Nina!

Savanna Kougar · #9 February 10th, 2009, 02:01 AM

Sexy blurbage...I wouldn't mind teaming up with a the right Vamp...

**Alina Morgan** · #10 February 15th, 2009, 06:25 AM

After some thought, I decided to go with an action scene for the excerpt. Mind you, this is unedited except for my pre-submission polish, so there will most likely be changes.

Here's a taste...

*EXCERPT MOVED TO SECOND POST ABOVE*

**Mike** · #11 May 13th, 2009, 05:26 AM

Christine's deceiver.

Gem Sivad · #12 May 13th, 2009, 07:19 AM

Fun excerpt Alina. Congrats on the neat cover and upcoming release.

**Alina Morgan** · #13 May 13th, 2009, 06:32 PM

The cover is gorgeous. I am so in love with it. Can't quit staring.

**Christa Paige** · #14 May 13th, 2009, 06:39 PM

Love "sexy as sin vampires", this looks like a great story!

Christa

Alanna Coca · #15 May 13th, 2009, 11:05 PM

Wow, congrats on a great cover Alina, and nice work Christine!

**Tina Holland** · #16 May 14th, 2009, 12:30 AM

Love the cover!

Savanna Kougar · #17 May 14th, 2009, 03:58 AM

Love the action-excerpt!
And the cover looks perfect for your story.

Olivia Brynn · #18 May 14th, 2009, 07:56 PM

Great excerpt! My TBR pile grows quickly...

Maria · #19 May 18th, 2009, 06:24 PM

Sexy noir coming at you on June 8.

**Alina Morgan** · #20 May 19th, 2009, 03:37 PM

Thanks, guys!!

Maria · #21 June 8th, 2009, 09:38 PM

Buy it now.

Alanna Coca · #22 June 8th, 2009, 09:52 PM

Happy Release Day Alina!!

Stephanie Bennett · #23 June 8th, 2009, 11:12 PM

Congrats on the release!

**Alina Morgan** · #24 June 9th, 2009, 05:55 AM

Thanks! I hope everyone likes it as much as I liked telling the story.

**Alina Morgan** · #25 June 9th, 2009, 06:00 PM

If anyone is interested, I'm running a contest for a free copy of The Twilight Deception -- and maybe a chance to be named as a character in one of the later books. Check it out here: http://www.alinamorgan.com/2009/06/0...e-and-contest/

**Cameron Dane** · #26 June 9th, 2009, 08:20 PM

Belated Happy Release Day! --CD