Bleeding Hearts
(Demimonde #1)
Book Description:
Sophie Galen is an advice columnist who is saving the world - one
Don't forget to check out "Blood Rush" (Demimonde #2) and get ready for "Wolf's Bane" (Demimonde #3), coming out this June!
Excerpt:
"What a waste of money." A hard voice startled me and snapped my spine taut. It was hard to misinterpret that particular tone.
I counted to five before turning around. "Sorry? Did you say something?"
A hefty mountain of olive drab, mirrored Oakleys, and black work boots leaned against the wall of the pizza joint where the awning cast the deepest shadow. His black knit cap, the kind I imagined muggers favored, enhanced my perception of a threat. Strong. Harsh. Dangerous. Funny I didn't see him the first time I looked--he was sort of hard to miss.
"Of course I did." Caustic words dripped like acid as he snapped the collar of his canvas coat up around his ears. "You're delusional if you think he'll go to your little soup kitchen. He's a drunk. You gave him rum money."
"How do you know? Just because he's a bum doesn't mean he's..." I floundered, flustered, fishing for words and not finding them fast enough. "A bum."
He laughed, Brillo Pad-on-skinned-knees mean.
"Of course he is. It's his nature. Why do you think he's on the street? Kiss your charity goodbye." He jammed his hands into his pockets, hunching his shoulders and looking, if it were at all possible, even more menacing. "You won't survive in this city if you don't stop being so naïve."
"I am not naïve!" My retort drew alarmed looks from a lady who clutched her bag and quickened her pace as she passed me. I should have followed her. "I just don't think the worst of everyone I meet. Unlike some people, apparently."
"So when a bum asks for a quarter, you offer to feed him for a lifetime? This is the city, lady. Learn the rules."
"Good advice. First rule is, don't talk to strangers." I never wanted a medal for being nice but I didn't need to be criticized, either. Turning on my heel, I stomped away.
Mr. Tall Dark And Pushy didn't seem to get the hint. His low voice grated across my nerves, sounding uncomfortably close behind. "I'm not finished."
"Oh yes, you are." I spun around but, when I saw he still hadn't moved, I faltered. I guessed arrogance helped a voice to carry.
Remembering the focus of my irritation, I jabbed my hands onto my hips, fighting the overwhelming urge to march over to him and do something foolish. Usually I'm more flight than fight. I should have been running but my smart mouth had taken over. "I don't know who you think you are but you're messing with the wrong lady."
"No, I don't think I am." He straightened and shrugged his jacket into place.
I backed up a step, as if the distance between us were inches instead of feet. It was his reach that worried me. "You don't think, period. Who even talks to people like that?"
Even his chuckle was arrogant. "You've got spirit."
"You've got nerve. And no, I'm not coming any closer so quit telling me what to do."
"I didn't say a thing."
"Well-" I sputtered. Didn't I hear him say it? "Stop-thinking it, then."
He laughed, sounding delighted to have irked me to the point of incoherence. Dismissing me with a wave, his tone became more condescending. "Forget I said anything and go home."
I fisted my hands, wanting nothing more than to leave, but I had a historic need to have the last word. When sufficient words failed me I stamped my foot.
He leaned at the waist, looking over the tops of his sunglasses. His bright green eyes flashed, much brighter than if they'd simply captured a glint of sun. "I said, go on home."
I snapped an about-face and marched all the way to my stop without pausing. His sardonic laughter taunted me, scalding my cheeks long after I caught the bus. By the time I got home, I'd forgotten every odd detail, including the brief realization I hadn't seen his mouth move when he told me to leave. The weird occurrences had been swept from my mind, leaving behind a diluted version of a generic encounter.
I'd forgotten everything except being angry. What can I say? I could hold a grudge with both hands tied.
My Review:
I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.
Sophie Galen is a great person with a heart as big as Texas. Sophie tries her best to save everyone she comes in contact with. Sophie has had some heart ache in her time and doesn't like to see other people hurt. Sophie works at a magazine as an advice columnist and is very good at what she does. People actually read her articles and follows her advice as well. Her best friend is a priest, Jared. Jared and Sophie have been best friends since high school. Whenever she needs a friend to talk to Jared is always there for her. Sophie has never had many friends or boyfriends because she didn't want to get hurt she has a few heart aches along life's journey. Not that she has not had a good life because she has she just has never exactly found "Mr. Right".
Sophie has a new guy come into her life and she is drawn to him right away. She knows and can feel what he is feeling. She knows when he is hurting or even if he is sad and miserable. This new guy Marek is so good looking and can charm a snake if he took a notion to just with his looks a lone. Marek is one hot tomalley. He will make your tongue slap your brains out. Marek has some problems of his own and all Sophie wants is to take away all of his hurt so he will feel it no more. She just wants to make him happy. And that is all Marek wants as well is to make Sophie happy as well and give her what her heart desires.
Marek cares about Sophie very, very much and never wants to hurt or cause her pain. But he is afraid that will. Marek is a Demivampire and is afraid that he will lose himself to his dark side and eventually hurt her. But the love he feels for her is more powerful than his want to feed from her is. So he gives into his feelings and goes with it. For some people love only comes once in a lifetime and you have to take that chance and just hope that everything will work out for the best in the end.
I have truly enjoyed reading Bleeding Hearts. I loved how Sophie always wanted to help other people. I loved how big her heart was. She never expected anything in return for the things she did for others. I loved Marek too oh man he was swoon worthy. If you have not read Bleeding Hearts then I recommend that you pick up your copy today and give it a try trust me you will love it and Marek too of course.
About the Author:
Ash Krafton is a writer of all things spec fic. She believes spectacular endings make the best beginnings… Why not? One billion black holes can't be wrong. Her first novel BLEEDING HEARTS: Book One of the Demimonde is available through Pink Narcissus Press. The manuscript earned finalist distinction in several Romance Writers of America 2011 competitions and has earned several other awards. The follow-up BLOOD RUSH (Demimonde #2) was published in 2013 and the third installment WOLF'S BANE (Demimonde #3) is expected mid-2014. Her urban fantasy novelette STRANGER AT THE HELL GATE is available through the Black Rose line of The Wild Rose Press. In addition to novel-length fiction, Ash enjoys writing poetry and short fiction, some of which earned awards and distinction in several national competitions. One of her poems was selected as a Pushcart prize nominee. She's a member of Pennwriters, RWA, Pikes Peak Writers, SFPA, and the Maryland Writers Association. She also contributes to Query Tracker's Blog. Ash resides with her family in a rural town in the heart of the Pennsylvania anthracite coal region. She'll never leave, either, because coal is just another example of a spectacular ending waiting for a brilliant beginning. (It's kinda fitting.) And because, like a black hole, once you're in…you can never get out.
Bleeding Hearts is on sale at $1.99 on Amazon and Barnes&Noble until April 30th!!
Giveaway:
There will be an International giveaway running on our site and on each stop, and the prizes up for grabs are: $25 Amazon Gift Card + Swag
1 comments:
I'm glad you enjoyed it Nancy! I've read both Bleeding Hearts and Blood Rush (book #2) and totally loved them!
However, I have to disagree with you on Marek because I'm Team Rodrian =D
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