Between the Dragon King and His Wrath by Barbara Russell - Book Tour
Book Blurb
~ Please note this isn't a dragon-shifter romance ~
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68057091-between-the-dragon-king-and-his-wrath
Buy Links - https://geni.us/qYezIr
Excerpt
She adjusted the bodice of her
gown with her free hand. “I wasn’t going to fall. The parapet is ten times
wider than the balance beam I practise on.” Dancing and practising with her
crossbow were her only rays of sunlight in the dullness of a life of constrictions
and sacrifices. Even her meals and sleeping hours were strictly regulated by
her tutors. That was enough to push a princess to abdicate her royal position.
Her father released her wrist reluctantly.
“Please, stop behaving like a wild monkey.” His voice shook with his concern.
“And don’t do anything dangerous. Not in this place. You really scared me,
darling.”
Having fun was her plan. Not to cause her papa
harm. Since Mama died, he never ceased to worry about her. Annika folded her
hands in front of her and lowered her gaze. She was about to apologise when he
patted her cheek.
“I’m sorry for my harsh tone, but really, this
trip isn’t a holiday.” He released a breath that caused his shoulders to slump.
The fine, fur-trimmed burgundy velvet robe seemed to sag under the weight of
his fatigue. “This visit… I shouldn’t have brought you with me. It was a
mistake.” He paced, dragging a hand over his face. The wrinkles around his eyes
deepened. “Perhaps you should go home. Tonight. Right now. Don’t wait for a
maid to pack your gowns. Take only the essential things and leave with our
carriage.” The words rushed out of him in a torrent difficult to follow.
“Papa.” She followed him in his wanderings around
the room. “I don’t want to leave.”
She had no intention of travelling for hours at
night in the rocking and cold carriage, and being sent home to take manners
lessons when King Hosman was organising the most luxurious spring festival she
had ever been part of. For once, she wanted to eat full slices of cake and
roasted pork, dance until dawn, meet people of her age, and laugh. But her
protest died a merciless death in front of her father’s pallor.
“What is it? Why are you so worried?” she asked.
He skidded to a stop next to the four-poster bed.
“Did you bring your crossbow with you?”
“Now you’re jesting.” She scowled. “You told me
that you didn’t want to see me train with ‘that abominable thing’ any longer.
And why would I bring it to a festival anyway?”
“Since when do you do as you’re told?” He returned
the scowl, but his voice sounded steadier than before.
Loud voices and raucous laughs boomed from the
corridor. A woman’s loud voice caused them to jolt. Then more masculine laughs
and pounding footsteps.
Eyes widening, he took her shoulders. The
solemnity in his face sobered her. “I don’t trust King Hosman, much less Lord
Draga,” he whispered. “I saw how they treat their servants and how brutal they
are with women of any rank. I had no idea the situation here was so tense.”
“We’re guests of the king.” Annika held his cold
hand, trying to reassure him. “King Hosman isn’t going to be rude to us or
treat us poorly.”
“He can afford to be more than rude to us. His
soldiers outnumber ours by twenty to one.” He let out a bitter chuckle. “Who am
I fooling? I don’t even have a proper army. Annika, King Hosman can squash us
under his thumb without effort, as he did with King Radu,” he said the last
words in a tone so low that she had to inch closer to hear him.
Author Bio
Love stories have always captured my imagination. What’s better than two people falling in love with each other? I write steamy romance, usually with a paranormal twist in an historical setting. Add a touch of suspense and mystery and a pinch of darkness. I love stories with strong, sexy heroes and mischievous heroines who pull no punches.
I live in the City of Sails, New Zealand, drinking tea (coffee gives me anxiety) and devouring books.
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If you love steamy paranormal romance set in Victorian London, my Royal Occult Bureau series is for you:
The Royal Occult Bureau Series
Are you into shape-shifter romance? Check out my da Vinci’s Beasts series, set in WW2:
For more Victorian paranormal romance with witches and sexy warriors, see the Knights of the White Blade series:
Love steampunk? Check out my Auckland Steampunk series:
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1 Comments
thank you for being a part of the tour x
ReplyDeletePlease try not to spam posts with the same comments over and over again. Authors like seeing thoughtful comments about their books, not the same old, "I like the cover" or "sounds good" comments. While that is nice, putting some real thought and effort in is appreciated. Thank you.