Good morning! This excerpt is from one of my older titles that’s part of the Blood and Soul universe. Thank you for stopping by, and don’t forget to check out more excerpts from authors in the MFRW Book Hooks Blog Hop.
Excerpt from Starving Artist:
The English Countryside, 1885
Maybe it was because she arrived at ten minutes to midnight that Wildberry Hill looked ominous. Tangles of bushes lined both sides of the walk leading up to the cobbled mansion silhouetted against the enormous autumn moon.
May shivered in her worn cloak and made her way toward the house. Several times she glanced over her shoulder, her heart pounding. She thought she’d heard someone behind her, but it was merely the echo of her own shoes against the cobblestones.
As instructed, she walked to the front door, but hesitated before using the brass knocker. It was terribly inappropriate for a servant to approach the front door, but Mr. Fiske had said her new employer insisted that everyone enter through the front. He’d said Mr. Black was an artist and a bit of a recluse.
A strong wind cut through her and she considered knocking again.
Then the door opened and she found herself facing a blue-eyed man with wild ginger hair and a short beard. Tall and lean, he wore a linen shirt, unbuttoned, and well-fitting black trousers that accentuated the length of his legs. Paint in various colors stained his clothes and marked the pale skin of his lean chest. A streak of blue ran down the length of his long, straight nose.
“Hello,” he said, staring at her, his brow furrowed in question.
“Pardon me, but I’m here to see Mr. Black.”
His slender lips pressed into an annoyed line. He stared at her so long that she started to feel quite uncomfortable, yet that was a sensation she’d grown accustomed to of late. Finally he said, “What business do you have with Mr. Black?”
“I’m the new maid.”
“The new what?” He curled his lip and her stomach clenched. She nearly took a step back, but held her ground.
Starving Artist (Scarlet Nights 1)
by Kate Hill
Erotic Paranormal Romance, Vampire Romance
Blurb:
After finding his family brutally murdered, Blair tries to end his life, but is instead Changed by a vampire. Burdened by guilt and driven by rage, he dedicates his new life to fighting evil. When he fails to save a family from the fate his own had suffered, he retreats to endure self-imposed starvation while he immerses himself in his art.
Alone and penniless, May is hired by a mysterious gentleman who sends her to work at his friend’s country manor. Mr. Black is even stranger than the man who hired her, but she is soon infatuated with the handsome, tormented artist who has deeper secrets than she could ever imagine.
From Changeling Press
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This sounds great, Kate!
I’m working on a Victorian period series myself. You’ve definitely captured the language and the mood.
Elements of Gothic are present. Sounds like an interesting situation
Kate, you in danger, girl!
Hmm. If I were the new maid’s mother, I would be worried. If I were the new maid, not so much!
Those vampires always seem to be pretty boys.
OH dear Kate doesn’t know what she’s in for. Thanks for sharing.