Excerpt PAGAN QUEEN - by Vijaya Schartz

CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE Book 2

PAGAN QUEEN

by Vijaya Schartz

May 2012 release from Books We Love Ltd

Find it with book one, Princessof Bretabhe, on Amazon  HERE

EXCERPT

"You almost died. And our son might have lived if you had not disobeyed." Elinas slapped Caliburn’s scabbard against his leather trews.

Pressine had not seen him so upset since the first day he’d barged into these very rooms, after she had cleaned and rearranged them, erasing all traces of his departed queen. Even the roaring fire in the hearth did not dispel the chill.

"I did not think the child would suffer. At the time, I had to save the villagers." Still, the guilt weighed heavily on Pressine’s chest, robbing her of the will to defend herself.

"Endangering your life and his, to confront a pack of hungry beasts... alone?" Jaw twitching, Elinas locked his hands behind the back of his purple coat and paced like a caged wolf, eyes ablaze with simmering fury.

"I had the power to stop the carnage. No one else could." Heart racing, Pressine smoothed her blue dress, trying to sound convincing. "In my vision the wolves slaughtered many women and children. It was my duty to help."

Elinas rolled his eyes toward the wide beams holding the ceiling. "Do not talk to me about sacred duty!"

Walking the length of the table, he ignored the untouched breakfast of pea flour bread, boiled duck eggs, and fresh goat cheese. If Elinas infuriated so easily, now would not be the time to tell him that Mattacks had tried to kill her. He would never believe it.

"Maybe you did as you pleased among the Ladies of the Lost Isle..." Elinas turned fiery eyes on Pressine. "But in my castle, I am responsible for your well being. You should never have endangered your life. No duty of yours is worth dying for."

Pressine’s chest tightened at the harsh tone. Where had all the love and tenderness gone? Was this the same man who had pleasured her all night on this very bed, whispering sweet words in her ear?

"You deliberately endangered your life!" A heavy fist slammed the table.

Pressine jumped along with the breakfast food, the pewter cups, and the ewer of mulled ale. Elinas’ anger hurt so much, she wanted to cry, but she steeled herself against the onslaught.

Although deeply shaken, she managed to keep her voice calm. "I am not just your wife, not just a queen. I am a Priestess of the Lost Isle. I belong to the Great Goddess. I thought you understood, since you have some Fae blood in you."

"So I am told, but it does not affect my judgement." Elinas glowered from across the table. His dark stubbled jaw tensed.

Pressine braced herself to weather the storm.

"After three years of marriage, you still remain a mystery to me. What are you really?" The feral eyes narrowed to slits. "How many deadly secrets are you hiding from me? Would you leave me if the Goddess demanded it?"

Pressine remained silent. Would she? Could she?

Elinas paused, as if stunned by the implications of her silence. He turned away and stared

at the rug, shoulders tense with raw emotions. "What else are you not telling me? Will all our children be deformed?"

THE CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE now has two books - by Vijaya Schartz

From history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic Ladies, who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a curse. For centuries, imbued with hereditary gifts, they hide their deadly secret... but if the Church ever suspects what they really are, they will be hunted, tortured, and burned at the stake.

PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE:

http://amzn.com/B007K1EGAM

806 AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland) -

As the Vikings raid the coast of Alba, Pressine of Bretagne sets out to seduce King Elinas of Dumfries, chosen by the Goddess to unite the tribes against the foreign invader. Elinas, still mourning his departed queen, has no intention to remarry. Head-strong and independent, Pressine does not expect to fall for the very attractive, wise and noble ruler... Furthermore, her Pagan nature clashes with the religious fanaticism of the king’s Christian heir, who suspects her unholy ancestry and will stop at nothing to get rid of her.

PAGAN QUEEN:http://amzn.com/B007Z8F7IA

810 AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland) - Queen at last, Pressine brings victory to her beloved Elinas and prosperity to their growing kingdom. But she has to contend with the intrigues of Charlemagne's bishops, spurred by her Christian stepson. While Elinas, on the battlefield, remains unaware of his son’s machinations, Pressine fends off repeated assaults against her life. She also fears the curse that could bring her downfall. For the love of Elinas, she will tempt fate and become with child. But when her indomitable passion challenges the wrath of the Goddess Herself... can she win that battle?

Although each novel can be read separately, both novels feature the same hero and heroine a few years apart and should be read back to back. Originally they were supposed to be one very long book, but it was way too much for one volume, so it was decided to make it two separate novels. The next novels in this series will skip generations and involve different main characters.

Vijaya also writes medieval and romantic science fiction series, like The Chronicles of Kassouk and the Ancient Enemy series and the Archangel twin books, Crusader and Checkmate.

Find all Vijaya's other books in Amazon kindle HERE

PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE - Curse of the Lost Isle Book One - New Medieval series by Vijaya Schartz

Princess of Bretagne is the first book of a new medieval series titled THE CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE. Don't you love that first cover?

From history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic Ladies, who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a curse. For centuries, imbued with hereditary gifts, they hide their deadly secret, stirring passions in their wake as they fight the Viking hordes, send the first knights to the Holy Land, give birth to kings and emperors... but if the Church ever suspects what they really are, they will be hunted, tortured, and burned at the stake. PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE:806 AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland) -
As the Vikings raid the coast of Alba, Pressine of Bretagne sets out to seduce King Elinas of Dumfries, chosen by the Goddess to unite the tribes against the foreign invader. Elinas, still mourning his departed queen, has no intention to remarry. Head-strong and independent, Pressine does not expect to fall for the very attractive, wise and noble ruler... Furthermore, her Pagan nature clashes with the religious fanaticism of the king’s Christian heir, who suspects her unholy ancestry and will stop at nothing to get rid of her.

This saga is based on authentic French legends and involves magic but also gritty realistic historical descriptions as well as strong romantic elements. Battle scenes, love scenes, Vikings and Scotland... I researched for many years before writing this series. The second book is scheduled for release in mid April. Others will follow soon after that.

Hope you enjoy the read. It's only $2.99 on Amazon, so go for it HERE

Each novel is a complete story, although you may want to read them in the right order if you are like me. The entire series is outlined on my webpage HERE

Happy readings!

Vijaya Schartz
Swords, Blasters, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com/
Find my books on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Vijaya-Schartz/e/B001JP7UJ4

Jianne Carlo Checking In

Hey Everyone *waves*! Welcome to the party!

I hope no one was impacted by the horrible weather over the last few days. The images on the internet and television are horrifying. Hopefully, you’re all safe.

I’m Jianne Carlo, and I write a whole bunch of genres; Viking tales, Paranormal mysteries, SEAL suspense stories, Time Travel Witches, and Contemporary cross-genres – all erotic and fast paced. I live in South Florida where we’re all complaining about our unseasonably warm winter *cringes when everyone up north throws snowballs at me*.

So, where are y’all from? How’s the weather your way?

I'm going to be doing giveaways today - and anyone who answers any of the questions at the end of my posts will be entered into my KINDLE FIRE contest.

Anyone planning brunch? I am. Making Dutch apple pancakes for the dh and my three boys (the dh was born in Holland and this is his mom’s recipe). Thought I’d share it with everyone.

Holland Appel Pannekoeken

1 cup flour (I use whole wheat – his mom thinks it’s a sacrilege)

Dash salt

1/3 cup white sugar

1 cup beer, room temperature

3 egg yolks

4 egg whites at room temperature

3 apples

1 small lemon, juice and grated peel

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

3 tbsp. Unsalted butter

Whipped cream sweetened with icing sugar

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix the flour, 1 tbsp. of sugar and the salt. Add the beer and mix until very smooth. Beat in yolks one at a time.

Beat egg whites with 1tbsp of sugar until the peaks are soft and shiny. Fold into flour mixture.

Peel, core, and slice apples into 1/3” slices. Coat apples with lemon juice. Combine remaining white and brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon peel. Place 3 tbsp. of mixture and apples in a ziplock bag and shake well.

Melt butter and oil and coat a 9” pie plate and then pour 1/2 flour mixture and cover with apples. Top the apples with the rest of the mixture.

Bake until golden brown – approximately 1 hour. Loosen pancake from pan and slide onto a plate. Garnish with remaining cinnamon mixture and place a dollop of whipped cream on top.

It’s really delicious and a great way to start a Sunday!

Stay tuned for excerpts, news, and contest information!

Cheers,

Jianne Carlo

P.S. The recipe says this serves 4-6, but my boys are hungry Vikings and I make two batches.

Upcoming New Release - RIEVER'S HEART, Fantasy Romance

Elves Go A-Viking???

The warrior in her was ready for anything. But she never saw him coming.

GUARDIANS OF LIGHT Book 5, from Renee Wildes & Samhain Publishing

VERDEEN is on the brink of becoming an elite elven warrior ranger until the untimate humiliation - no war mare selects her for the advanced training. King Loren's "consolation prize isn't much better. Journey to Isadorikja, the Isle of Ice, as bodyguard to a mortal human riever. Daq ARYK. Barbarian. Prince of Thieves.

ARYK dreams the impossible: unite six fractious clans into one peaceful nation. Failure means they are all doomed to kill each other off - and his recurring nightmare of his son's death by sword will come true. The new elven ambassador rouses his ire, not because she's a woman but because she's inexperienced. Her possibly needless death weighs on his already overburdened soul. Her beauty is a distraction he can't afford.

In a fragrant moonlit garden, VERDEEN dares yield to an irresistible compulsion to kiss the mortal riever. The heat shakes her to the core and frees a desire that should occur but once in her life. With a mate.

As their quest turns down ever more dangerous paths, though, their bond is the asset that could assure peace...or the liability that could send a dream down in flames.

WARNING:

This tale illustrates what happens when adventurous dreamer meets seen-it-all cynic. Contains hot, no-hold-barred sex, voyeurism and some self-loving. Also some graphic (but never gratuitous) battle violence.