September Sizzles…

Shiloh Walker 7 September, 2010

Contest is now over.  Winners to be posted at participating authors blogs.

Enter to win your chance at a signed book from the author and a chance to win $150 in book money from the online retailer of your choice…Read on for details…

Assassin’s Heart by Monica Burns

The laser hit his skin again from his ear down to his jaw. The pain pulled a pitched scream of agonized terror from him, and he fell backward into a black pool of nothingness—his last thought was of Ancient Rome and Phaedra running to meet him. He was home again.

He had no idea how long he’d been out, but when he awoke, everything was silent and dark. Was it nighttime in the Elysium Fields? He tried to sit up. The slight movement sent fire streaking through every cell in his body. He started to cry. The Praetorian bastardo had left him here to die. Alone. His own son.

He grew still with horror. He wasn’t Sicari. He was Praetorian. The obscene thought pulled a cry of denial from him. His mind hovered on the brink of despair. Impossible. It couldn’t be true. But they shared the same birthmark. The whisper of truth curled through his head. He wouldn’t believe it. The bastardo was lying. A teardrop rolled over his skinned cheek, and it pulled a sob of anguish from him.

“Fotte. Fotte. Fotte.”

It was a roar of fear and helplessness, as well as a cry of agony. More tears flowed over his bared muscles, until the pain sent him back to that dark place again.

Voices filtered their way down into the pit, and he shuddered with terror. They’d come back for him. Like a wild animal anticipating more torture, he tugged at his restraints ignoring the fire that consumed his body. He wouldn’t be able to keep the figlio di puttana out of his head this time. He heard running feet, and then he smelled the soft scent of a woman. Marta?

“Sweet Juno.” Cleo leaned over him, her cool hand brushing across his forehead. Horror widened her eyes as she stared down at him. In the next instant, she spoke into her mic. “Lysander’s alive, but I don’t know for how much longer. He needs the Curavi. Now.”

He couldn’t hear the response she got, but a sudden image of Phaedra filled his head. She was here. A subtle warmth filled him as her fear and worry for him whispered sweetly across his mind. Deus, he needed her right now. Needed to feel her touch. Her hand in his, her healing—no.

The sound of feet pounded on the warehouse floor once more, and first Ares then Phaedra came into view. He’d never seen a more beautiful, yet terrifying, sight in his entire life. He couldn’t take part in seeing her lovely face marred by his injuries. Couldn’t let her see the monster inside him. Terror lanced through him as she reached for his hand. Tormented, he tugged at his restraints.

“No. No Curavi.”

Cleo clamped down on his arm. “Merda, he’s out of his mind with pain.”

“For the love of God, Cleo. Tighten those restraints.” Panic laced through Phaedra’s voice. “I can’t heal him if he’s fighting me. I’ll heal the lesser injuries first. Then we can transport him. When we’re home, I’ll…I’ll do what I can for his other wounds.”

He saw her swallow hard and recognized her fear. The idea of her taking on his injuries was a nightmare, but he knew without a doubt that when she touched him she’d be able to see all the darkness inside him. He was too weak to keep her locked out of his thoughts if she touched him. She’d see. She’d see everything because the pain was too horrible to prevent her from learning the truth.

“No,” he roared. “No Curavi.”

The strength of his voice echoed loudly in the room, and he heard Ares utter a vicious curse while Cleo grasped his hand in a death grip. Fear and horror darkened Phaedra’s eyes as bent over him. Her mouth brushed across the ear on his unmarked cheek.

“Let me do this for you, carino,” she whispered in a sweet, gentle voice. “I’m not afraid.”

“No. Refuse the Curavi.”

He tried to shake his head as he forged through the pain and ground out the word forcefully. Couldn’t let her see. Her parents’ murder…hated Praetorians…couldn’t bear her hatred. He felt himself slipping off into oblivion and climbed up the cliff back into the pain. She’d heal him without his permission if he didn’t protest.

“Listen you dumb son of a bitch.” Cleo’s voice was harsh. “You let Phaedra heal you or I’m going to rip you a new one. You hear me?”

“No…dead already.” And he was. He was Praetorian, and if anyone found out…he’d rather die.

“Give me your hands, Lysander. With your permission, I must touch you to heal your injuries.” There was a frantic desperation in Phaedra’s voice, but it only made him clench his hands into tight fists.

“I. Refuse. Curavi.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it was strong and determined. He heard someone nearby release a vicious sound. Ares. His Legatus pushed Cleo aside to grip his arm with force.

“Take the goddamn, Curavi, you sorry bastardo.”

Something wet hit his unscarred cheek and his gaze shifted from Ares to Phaedra. In the dim light, he could see tears clinging to her lashes. He wouldn’t hurt her. Wouldn’t let her see he was everything she hated. He loved her too much. He released a sob of pain.

“Is. My. Right. Refuse. Curavi.” Each word was a labor of effort to say.

“No,” Phaedra exclaimed violently. “I’m not about to let you die, you dumb bacciagalupe.”

Visit’s Alison’s Blog…next up in the September Sizzle’s contest…

September Sizzles…

Would you like to win a signed book from Monica’s available backlist*?  Just leave a comment to enter.  Commenting also enters you to win a $150 GC to the online book retailer of your choice (we must be able to purchase a gift certificate from within the US.)  If you visit each participating author’s blog and comment, that increases your odds of winning. Visiting/commenting at each participating author blog will get your five entries. However, only one comment per blog.

Rules:

  • Contest runs through 9/17/2010
  • One comment/entry per blog
  • Winners to be posted by 9/30/2010 on the participating authors’ blogs
  • You must check back at the authors’ blogs to send if you have won-if you don’t claim your prize within one week, you forfeit your prize.
  • Void where prohibited
  • Please make sure to abide by hosting author’s standard contest rules.

ETA: *please note… the contest isn’t for this book… it’s for a title from Monica’s backlist-one of her older releases… thank you!

170 Replies to “September Sizzles…”

  4. I’m loving this contest! I’m enjoying the idea that I get to check out all these author’s blogs plus get a sneak peek into the books! Thanks for the contest. 🙂

  8. Ooooh, another great contest!!! This is awesome. And another great excerpt and another great looking book to add to my wishlist.

    Also, even though I am in Germany, I can easily order books from amazon.com.

    So, please count me in!!!

  10. This is like an Easter contest, running around finding the books instead of the chocolate eggs and just as addictive. I have not tried Monica yet but after seeing her on several blogs recently she is on the wish list.

  13. Oh I could feel the pain and emotion running through Lysander and Phaedra. Shot by his bastard son, I definitely want to find out more!! Great prizes!!

  14. Great excerpt! I’m looking forward to reading this series. I also have a book in mind from Monica’s backlist 😉 Thanks for the contest!

  15. That was an awesome excerpt, sounds like a really great read. Can’t wait to read more

  16. You all are killing me here! One awesome excerpt after another! 🙂 Very cool contest!

  18. Thanks so much for the amazing contest and it great to learn about new authors

  19. Wow – great contest.

    I’m really looking forward to reading Veil of Shadows and Riding the Night. Now I can add Assassin’s Heart based on the great excerpt.

  21. I have just found Monica Burns and I absolutely love her. This contest is a great idea.

  26. Monica Burns books are alredy on my wishlist and I can’t wait to read them! thanks for sharing the excerpt!

  28. Great excerpt, makes me want the book right now. LOL Can’t wait til it comes out. Don’t you just love tortured heroes and the women that love them. I certainly do. Great contest. I have read Monica’s books before and she does
    a wonderful job of telling stories.

  34. I’ve never read Monica’s work. I’d love the chance to start with this book. Great contest BTW!

  38. Wow, this book looks great! Another title to add to my growing amazon wish list, haha.

  44. Greetings….please add my name to the contest list and maybe I’ll have a chance to read some great books if I win.

  45. This looks pretty good. Seems like I need to check out Monica Burns’ books, as I haven’t read any before. Great contest BTW.

  49. Thanks for the contest! This was a great snippet- I’ve heard lots of good things about this book.

  53. I have been wanting to read something from Monica Burns… this book sounds really really good! Thanks for this wonderful contest!

  61. What a great contest. I would love to win this book and the other gift card prize would be great as well..being retired I sure would have fun using my card if I was to win. Please enter my name in the contest and thanks for sharing the excerpt to such a good book. susan L.

  62. This is a new author for me and i like very much.will be looking into her books for more of her work most definitly U keep writing and i’ll keep buying.God bless and ur Shiloh.

  64. Book sounds really good. I am always lookng for differet authors to read so have ear marked this one.

  65. Another new author for me to try…this book sounds really good.. Can’t wait to get it and read it…great contest..really fun way to do this and meet others…

  69. Great excerpt. Now I want to read the whole thing. Great contest your having too. I love finding new authors to read from.

  78. The Assassin series is fabulous. Monica’s writing is wonderful. Thanks for the contest!

  81. I’ve found this series fascinating since Assassin’s Honor was released. This only ups my excitement to start reading it ;)! Thanks for the great excerpt – would love to win any of Monica’s books!

  86. Great blurb (loving all of them from the different blogs, my TBR pile is growing, lol).

  88. Ohh, this sounds really good. I’m getting my kindle in a few days so I might just be checking out her books on my new reader!

  92. I haven’t read any of her books (I don’t think?)so I’d love to be able to choose from her back list 🙂

  99. I’d love the chance to win, I haven’t read any of Monica Burn’s books and would enjoy the chance to do so. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

  102. Wow! I love books based on mythology or with mythical references. They always make me want to re-read Edith Hamilton or Bulfinch for a bit of mythical gossip. Thanx for sharing.

  103. i love this series that monica burns is doing – great stuff!

    thank you for the awesome contest!

    k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com

  105. This is a very emotional scene with a very damaged hero–which I love. Thanks for the great excerpt!

    joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com

  108. Think I’m gonna love this book. Gonna buy it A.S.A.P. Best contest I’ve ever participated in.

  111. Hi Shiloh,
    Your blog is set up differently, usually the comment button is on the bottom of the blog post and I thought I was gonna have to send you an email to ask how to comment for the contest. I also want to tell you that I really like your “Hunter” series. I read one of them now I have the rest on my TBR mountain. Have a great weekend.

    Robin

  113. this series sounds like a great read. I have it on my tbb list. Looking forward to reading it.

  114. The book sound very deep but intresting.Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
    sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com

  119. I’m so excited to see that you are going to be in Kentucky in November. Sounds like a great book.

  121. I’ve read the first in the wicked, assassin and veil series, i loved them all the second ones look even more promising.

  124. This one’s on my TBB–I’ve enjoyed Monica’s previous books; thanks for the excerpt!

  126. Testing new nook at B&N site. Got “I Thought It Was You” free!! Gonna go read now!! Thanks

  128. cant wait to read these books havent read any of hers either great post and covers are also hot of hers deff have to check out more

  132. AM INTERESTED IN STARTING READING YOUR
    BOOKS. IT IS ALWAYS EXCITING WHEN I FIND A NEW AUTHOR.

  139. Oh I want this one! I’ve not read any of Monica’s books yet, but need to start!
    Thank you for having this contest!!!

  147. I have a couple of Monica’s stories on my wish list already, so thanks tons for the contest.

  150. WOW… this looks like a good read. Looking forward to reading Monica Burn’s books. I just downloaded her to my nook so i can start reading 🙂

    Thanks

  153. Love this contest! And just in time for my busy reading season-it’s getting colder! Thanks for the great contests!

  155. OOOOoooooo I’ve got Monica’s first Assassin’s Book and am waiting on the second. Definitely was hooked by the premise – now just need to read them :X

  157. The short excerpt of this story pulled me in and touched my emotions. i want to read MORE – find out what happens to all the characters.

  166. My favorite thing in the world is a new book to read. Please enter me in the contest. Thank you.

Comments are closed.