Love can change destiny
I love love LOVE stories about redemption. The hero has resigned himself to a lonely existence, one he believes is his fate. Then bam! he meets the heroine. That single moment sets into motion an unstoppable force – love. It sets them on a collision course with fate, and changes everything.
It’s one reason I LOVE LOVE LOVE Cursed! Bruno diCesare is tortured and flawed, literally fighting his own demon. Not by choice, he lives a life of isolation in Venice until the Carnevalefestival begins. For ten glorious days, he can finally mingle with others and enjoy the abandon of freedom. But what sort of alpha hero is hidden beneath his costume?
I’m so excited about this release. Cursed is the first book of a trilogy. This story kept drawing me into its world. The characters kept surprising me – in the best sort of way. It’s magical, with a bit of science and suspense and a twist on history. Decadent released the second book, Charmed, last month, and I’m in edits now for Claimed. I can’t wait to bring you this unique world.
Here’s a peek at Cursed:
....a cold and lonely existence....
Bruno diCesare lives in the shadows. Alone and hidden from the world, his only joy comes but once a year---at Carnevale. For ten days, he can blend in with the colorful, masked masses without revealing his true nature. But this time, he is faced with fiery temptation.
Carnevale allows Melina Weaver to be someone else--someone sexy, daring, enticing, someone who lives on the edge. It's a far cry from her real life, with long and boring hours spent in a sterile lab. When her fire dancing arouses the curiosity of a dark and compelling stranger, she might have more excitement--and danger--than she ever imagined.
Can Bruno escape his cursed existence? Can he protect her, and can she trust him to save them both?
Ten days. The difference between bliss or desolation, redemption or remaining forever Cursed
Melina should have stayed in her room. Finding him had seemed like such incredible luck. Now she wondered whether luck had turned against her.
That sound—almost an animal sound—had that come from him? Had she imagined it? Strange things went on during Carnevale, her online friends had said, some so inexplicable no science could explain them. She’d laughed when they warned her she might get in over her head.
The sheer strength of his muscles, the raw power beneath his clothes, thrilled her. His pace conveyed the same urgency.
Pressed to his side, nerves jangling, her foot slipped on the stone step.
In one fluid motion, he scooped her into his arms and continued hurrying along. “Are you all right?”
“Unless embarrassment leaves a mortal wound. I’m normally not so clumsy.” She settled against his broad chest. Such incredible stamina. An image pierced her mind: his muscular, naked torso above her, his hips rocking against hers. His presence overwhelmed her, and she was acutely aware of every motion, every breath.
At the bottom of the stone stairs, he set her on her feet but maintained his firm hold. “Dampness has a habit of lingering here. You’d best allow me to assist you.”
“Please.” She fitted herself against him, acutely aware of the way his body moved against hers.
“In these calle of San Samuele,” he said, “Giacomo Casanova spent his youth.”
“Calle?” She should have brushed up on her Italian.
He dipped his head closer. “Narrow alleyways.”
“Narrow and dark. I wonder how many trysts Casanova had in these alleys?” And Casanova had nothing on Bruno. Women probably flocked around him constantly. Acid flashed through her at the thought.
“Too many to recount.” He paused, then added, “If one believes the writings in his diary. His mentor, the poet Giorgio Baffe, lived just down there.”
“Mentor?” She didn’t recall Casanova writing poetry. Did Bruno as well? Or was he not romantic that way?
“Of a sort. The man who introduced Casanova to worldly pleasures.”
The way the last two words rolled off his tongue, so enticing. She glanced at the dark steps that led to deeper shadows beside the canal.
She surprised herself by steering him down there, tugging him to an abrupt halt. “Do such mentors still exist?”
He whirled her against a wall. “Why? Would you be interested?”
She let her hands wander across the contours of his chest. “You did offer to introduce me to the delights of Venice.”
The same growl as earlier rumbled in his throat, unmistakable this time. “You do like to play with fire, don’t you?”
And he knew how to ignite one.
Watch the book video: http://youtu.be/Zwp1Xdg0Dd8
Available from
Decadent Publishing:http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=767&osCsid=55spbi1c1g6m9c5lo8rdo7jd17
Coffee Time Romance:http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookStore/pubs_product_book_info/decadent-publishing-c-93/cursed-p-9911
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/308564
View the book video, Casting Call, reviews, excerpt and more on my blog:http://catemasters.blogspot.com/2013/04/cursed-vitruvian-man-book-1-paranormal.html
About Cate
Cate Masters has made beautiful central Pennsylvania her home, but she’ll always be a Jersey girl at heart. When not spending time with her dear hubby, she can be found in her lair, concocting a magical brew of contemporary, historical, and fantasy/paranormal stories with her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company. Look for her athttp://catemasters.blogspot.com and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.
Cate loves to hear from readers! Email her at: cate.masters@gmail.com
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Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CateMasters
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TAGS
paranormal romance, Venice, Carnevale, masquerade ball, feisty heroine, alpha male, tortured hero, fire dancing, fire dancer, witches, warlocks, magic, Cursed, The Vitruvian Man, Decadent Publishing
Thanks for sharing the great excerpt and the giveaway. evamillien at gmail dot com
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