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Exclusive Excerpt: Fire Kissed by Erin Kellison

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Erin KellisonI am excited to welcome Erin Kellison to Literary Escapism today.  Erin has just released Fire Kissed, which is the first book in her new Shadow Kiss series.

Fae Fire
It is Kaye Brand’s power to wield. But outcast from her kind, she’s been selling herself to the highest bidder – money for her survival in exchange for a magic glimpse into the flames of the future.

Angel Ice
One of the angelic Order, Jack Bastian has no use for a female like Kaye, as provocative and unexpected as her blazing beauty. Yet he has no choice but to hire her to uncover the secrets of his sworn enemy and her former fiance, Ferrol Grey.

Magekind
War is inevitable between the defenders of the Order and the mage Houses who threaten to engulf the world in Shadow. For Jack, mage-born Kaye is off limits, no matter how hot the impossible attraction between them. But in the coming darkness, beset by danger and desire, everything is about to change…

Make sure you stick around to the end. We’ll be giving away a $25 gift certificate and copy of Fire Kissed.
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First, a HUGE thank you to Jackie and Literary Escapism for hosting me here today. And as a thank you for readers stopping by, I am giving away a $25 gift certificate and copy of Fire Kissed (book #1 Shadow Kissed series) to someone who tells me their favorite paranormal romance couple.

Jack Bastian and Kaye Brand are the couple heating up the pages of Fire Kissed. She’s a firemage, attempting to make her way back into the good graces of her kind. He’s an angel, committed to Order, who’s paying Kaye to report magekind’s plans (they are up to no good). Below is an exclusive excerpt of Bastian and Kaye together. It’s early in the book, but already sparks are flying.

Excerpt from Fire Kissed:

Bastian turned and picked up something. “While you were out, this was delivered.”

He held out a crisp, square envelope, an invitation. Kaye’s name was scrawled in black, by a masculine hand. The seal on the envelope was broken, Bastian’s work no doubt. She pulled out a white linen card, the words hand-lettered in careful, modern calligraphy.

Ferrol Bartholomew Grey
invites you to a formal reception
honoring the triumphant return of
Kaye Ilona Brand
January 12, 8:00 pm
Grey House
Shadow only

“He’s throwing you a party,” Bastian said. “It’s unfortunate that you’re too ill to attend.”

Kaye stared at the invitation. The dark lettering grew starker as she contemplated its meaning. Ferro Grey was throwing her a party. That had to mean that her show of fire had met with his approval. And now he was presenting her to magekind.

He was both her tormenter and her sponsor, but that was mage life for you.

“Oh, I’m going,” Kaye answered, though the prospect sent terror screaming through her.

“You can’t even get out of bed.” Jack rose from a chair at her bedside and paced the length of the room. “Count the days, and you’ll figure out that the event is tomorrow and you’re still as weak as a baby.” He stopped and faced her, expression furious. “And you look like hell.”

The man actually seemed worried.

“There’s no choice here,” she said. Bastian had to see that. “He’s throwing the damn party in my honor. It would be an unforgivable insult not to attend.” She pushed the wet bedsheet away and found herself in a T-shirt, not hers, and underwear. Fantastic. “The repercussions would be terrible.”

Bastian leaned forward and grabbed the card out of Kaye’s hand. “Look here.” He pointed to a line on the card. “Right here. It says, Shadow only. Which means I cannot accompany you.”

“I wouldn’t want to take you anyway,” she mumbled, trying a little weight on her legs. “I thought we already covered that.” The shift to standing made her heart pound like a drum.

But Bastian was at her side, his arm under her shoulders. Solid. He smelled of sweat, as if he hadn’t showered in days, but still, disturbingly, good. “He sent ten wraiths to test you. I’m not letting you anywhere near magekind, especially not when you’re this weak.”

“Bathroom, please,” Kaye said, taking a first step. “I have a whole day to rest, but I am going. This is the opportunity you wanted for me to join Grey’s circle, to gain his trust.” She tried for humor, patting his hand when they reached the bathroom door. “You can come next time.”

His body filled the door frame behind her, which he gripped as if he could hold his ground in the argument by remaining steadfastly at the threshold of the bathroom. His angel’s light was still missing, but the glower of his frustration was just as intense.

She must have really scared him.

“Of course I’ll need something to wear,” she said to distract them both. And there was little time to have anything altered to fit. Shoes too. And jewelry.

“You don’t have the energy to shop,” he returned, biting.

Her heart had kicked up again, making her breathless, so she leaned nonchalantly against the counter. It was either lean or pass out, which wouldn’t help her cause. She had the sense to lift a feminine smile. “I always have energy to shop.”

His expression went mean. “What about fire?” He stepped inside, too close for comfort, and looked down at her like a bully, or a lover. “Show me a little Shadowfire to prove you can handle yourself.”

She stuck up her chin, met his glare. “I’m pretty sure I’ve already proven myself. Or do I need to demonstrate one more time?”

Tension hung in the air. Jack’s jaw finally twitched and he stepped back. “You’d probably spend yourself again, and that wouldn’t do anyone any good.”

No, it wouldn’t.

His gaze bored into her, and she knew the argument was far from over.

“I’ll be out in a minute,” Kaye said. When he didn’t move, she added, “If you please?”

“God damn it.” His ferocity made her drop her smile. The man was angrier than she’d ever seen him. Maybe it was better not to push just now.

Bastian turned and closed the bathroom door with chilling control, but his question remained. Kaye lifted her hand, palm up. She closed her eyes and searched for a spark within, sought a little heat in her blood, that dark twist of ecstasy, and pushed.

Nothing.

She tried again for Shadow, harder this time, made the room tilt and stars prick into her vision.

But still, nothing.

Panting for breath, Kaye dropped her hand to the counter and wracked her brain for what to do. It was as if she was fifteen all over again, and at a total loss. Bastian’s opinion was clear.

She shook her head. No, that was not an option.

She had to attend, or she’d incur Ferro Grey’s wrath. For all that he’d seemed so friendly at the coffeehouse, the mage had still sent ten wraiths for her to prove her mettle. Shadow bred ruthlessness.

Right.

There was really no choice, not unless she wanted to run away. Or hide among those self-righteous angels, a fate worse than death.

Her mind reached back to the suffocating press of power among the gathering of mages, the other ceremonies she’d attended as a child. The seduction of the darkness, the cruel illusions cast to trick and test and torment. She was a grown woman now.

She would attend her party, with fire, or without.
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Meet Erin Kellison

Erin Kellison is the author of the Shadow Series, which includes Shadow Bound, Shadow Fall, Shadowman and the e-novellas Shadow Touch and Shadow Play. Stories have always been a central part of Erin’s life. She attempted her first book in sixth grade, a dark fantasy adventure, and she still has those early hand-written chapters. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in English Language and Literature and went on for a masters in Cultural Anthropology, focusing on oral storytelling. When she had children, nothing scared her anymore, so her focus shifted to writing fiction.

EKellison-Fire KissedContact Info
Website: www.ErinKellison.com
Blog: Erin Kellison
Social Media: Facebook / Twitter

Want to purchase Erin’s novel?
Shadow

  1. Shadow Bound at Amazon or the Book Depository
  2. Shadow Fall at Amazon
  3. Shadow Man at Amazon or the Book Depository

Shadow Touch at Amazon
Shadow Play at Amazon

Shadow Kissed

  1. Fire Kiss at Amazon or the Book Depository

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Contest Time!

Thank you Erin for taking the time to stop by Literary Escapism!

Erin is giving away a $25 gift certificate and copy of Fire Kissed to one lucky reader. To enter, all you have to do is answer this one question: Who is your favorite paranormal romance couple and why?Remember, you must answer the question in order to be entered.

Even though I’m not giving the additional entries any more, you can still help support the author by sharing their article, and this contest, on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, or anywhere you can. After all, the more people who are aware of this fabulous author ensures we get more fabulous stories.

The winner must post a review of the novel someplace. Whether it is on their own blog, Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing or wherever, it doesn’t matter. Just help get the word out.

The contest will stay open until July 31st at which time I’ll determine the winner with help from the snazzy new plug-in I have.


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