Promo: Immortal Protector by Claire Ashgrove

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Excerpt from Immortal Protector

Long after they had finished dinner and the drive to Atchison had concluded, Iain still chewed over the glimpse of Catherine’s childhood he had witnessed. ’Twas no wonder he recognized that look of fear when the man she had collided with reached for her. ’Twas the exact same reason Ella cringed each time a man moved too fast. And he experienced the same, violent desire to do harm to the man who had put his fists to Catherine as he had with Ella’s abuser. Even now, though their conversation had shifted to more pleasant subjects, and he had laughed with her uncountable times, fierce protective instincts surged beyond his control.

            “Iain?”

            Sweet sacred Mary, he loved the sound of his name on her lips. “Aye?” he answered hoarsely, struck once more by something even more intense than the urge to keep her safe. Desire barreled through his bloodstream, hot and unwanted, craving far more than his name on her lips and the feel of her hand against his.

            He wanted more intimacy than that of conversation. And yet, he could not allow the craving to know freedom. The abbey rose before them. Even if he ignored her dedication to the Church, there would be no privacy to be found long enough to sate the fire that simmered in his veins.

            Her words tumbled out in a rush. “Iain, I’m not ready to go home.”

            As if she had thrust the pommel of a sword into his gut, his diaphragm constricted. Nor was he ready to part. But if he did not deliver her to the abbey, he could not trust himself to recall his determination to refrain from swaying her convictions. He opened his mouth to offer a plausible excuse before want of her could override logic.

            “It’s a beautiful night. Would you walk with me in the garden for a while?” As she looked at him, she tipped her head, and her hair tumbled over her shoulder. In the moonlight, it shone like lengths of silver that he ached to draw his fingers through.

            Iain groaned inwardly. Nay. Nay. He could not. Perhaps another night, when he had not seen her with a student and witnessed a side of Catherine that was so compelling he yearned to somehow be part of it, of her.

            “I do not think such would be wise,” he answered with difficulty as he pulled into the abbey’s parking lot.

            Puzzlement creased her brow. “Because of the sisters? It’s after midnight, they are all sound asleep.”

            Sighing heavily, he braked to a stop in front of the main entrance. “Nay, Catherine.” He dropped his head against the headrest and closed his eyes. Excuses did her a disservice—she deserved better. “There are things I want from you, you cannot give.”

For more about The Curse of the Templars, discover all the books at Claire’s Templar Webpage 

 

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Building on a background of fantasy game design, a fascination with history, and a lifetime love of books, Award-Winning Author Claire Ashgrove brings to life action-filled, passionate journeys of the heart. Her first contemporary novel, Seduction's Stakes, sold to The Wild Rose Press in 2008, where she continues to write for the Champagne and Black Rose lines. Adding to these critically acclaimed romances, Claire's paranormal series, The Curse of the Templars (Tor), marries the history of the Knights Templar with the chilling aspirations of the most unholy--a must-read for speculative fiction fans. Her books have received multiple nominations for "Best Romance of the Year" awards as well as placements within a variety of contests, including the rigorous, Reader's Crown Awards, where Immortal Hope was named Best Paranormal Romance of 2011. For those who prefer the more erotic side of life, she also writes darkly arousing espionage novels for Berkley as the National Bestselling Author Tori St. Claire.

She is an active member of Romance Writers of America, and her local RWA chapters, Heartland Romance Authors, Midwest Romance Writers, and North Texas Romance Writers of America.

Claire lives in Missouri with her two young sons and too-many horses, cats, and dogs. In her "free" time, she enjoys cooking, studying Ancient Civilizations, and spending downtime with her children and the critters. She credits her success to her family's constant support and endless patience.

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Find Clair and her books

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Immortal Protector
The Curse of the Templars Companion

After the brutal murder of his seraph, Iain Donnelly's salvation is eternally lost. Damned to become a dark knight of Azazel, he can no longer embrace his immortal purpose as a Templar Knight. When the archangels send him on Sabbatical to find his faith once more, his quest leads him straight into the forbidden arms of a Benedictine Sister, whom Azazel is threatening. But this woman arouses far more than his protective instincts. He wants her as he's wanted no other woman, and he's willing to provoke the archangels’ fury to keep her safe.

Catherine Grady has devoted herself to the fellowship of faith and forged a path of eternal dedication to a higher calling. But when a traffic accident forces her to accept Iain's aid, she discovers that her chosen path is not what her heart craves. Iain awakens a buried yearning to be needed and loved in a way her broken childhood denied her. As she struggles to reconcile her desires, she stumbles into the truth about her heritage, ancient secrets, and unholy danger. Iain's immortality is all that can protect her.

For Iain, it's an impossible choice. The archangels have decreed if he walks away from the Templar, they will reclaim his soul. Yet returning to the Order only guarantees his inevitable death…
At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.

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