UFI welcomes Claire Ashgrove author of The Curse of the Templars Series . Thanks for Joining us!!
Excerpt from Immortal Trust
“Chloe.”
His quiet voice urged her eyes
back to his.
“I will make you a promise. When
I return it, I will do everything in my power to establish a sacred resting
place for such an important item. A place where it can be viewed, its story can
be told, and ’tis safe from thieves and those who would wish to use it for
corruption.”
For one endless moment, Chloe
couldn’t breathe. Compromise, she hadn’t anticipated. But what he offered was
exactly what she desired—if the relic proved to be what he claimed. She
didn’t know how to respond to such a generous offer. Didn’t know how to look
away from his mesmerizing gray eyes that revealed such honesty she could feel
his words in her soul. He meant it. He really meant it.
So had Blake, at one time.
She shook off the spell and
frowned. “What if it isn’t the Veronica? What if it’s just another cloth, or
what if nothing’s inside at all?”
A smile lifted the corners of
his mouth. “’Tis not, but should it be, you may do what you will with both the
reliquary and the contents. We could open it tonight and solve those
questions.”
“Don’t be silly. There are processes.
Protocols I established with my team to ensure every relic was treated the same
way.” Her frown deepened as she remembered her students and her brother. “This
isn’t just about me and you. Julian wants to witness the opening. Andy’s
excited about it also. I have a whole team that came here in the middle of winter,
hoping to find something of significance. Now we have. I won’t cut them out.
And I won’t jeopardize the integrity of my hard work among my professional
peers either.”
“I shall respect that.” His
thumb stroked over the back of her palm, stirring to life all the awareness she
so desperately wanted to ignore. Tingles raced up to her shoulder. Her pulse
stuttered. In the core of her soul, something wholly unfamiliar awakened to
that gentle back-and-forth motion.
“Will you trust I shall reveal
the cloth when the time is appropriate?” His eyes said something else, a plea
she didn’t dare consider: Will you trust me?
She glanced down at their joined
hands, the warmth of his palm as enticing as water after a hot day amid the
Egyptian sands. Strong fingers. A grip meant to soothe, yet prominent evidence
of the power in his hands. Altogether masculine. Wholly appealing.
Against her will, her fingers
tightened around his. She nearly sighed at the delight of holding on to him. They
sat in her room, avoiding the subject of their earlier kiss. It had been so
long . . . Did she dare take a leap of faith and believe in what he offered? His
words and the physical pleasure?
__________________________________
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.
__________________________________
Find Clair and her books
__________________________________
Immortal Trust
The Curse of the Templars #3
Amazon Barnes
and Noble
When archaeoloist Chloe
Broussard acccepts the contract to lead a dig in Ornes, France, she has
no idea she will uncover the Veil of Veronica. When she does, she
discovers a danger far greater than the demons she's confronted since
childhood. Azazel wants her, as well as the Veronica, and his chosen
minion is her brother. Her hope lies with immortal Templar Knight Lucan.
Her life depends on oaths she knows nothing about.
For countless
centuries, Lucan of Seacourt has lived with the knowledge that his
brother killed their family. Now, as Azazel's darkness eats away at his
soul, old betrayal stirs suspicion. He trusts no one. Not even the
seraph who can heal his dying spirit.
With the fate of the
Almighty hanging in the balance, Lucan must find faith in something more
terrifying than the dark lord's creations. He must learn to believe his
heart.
__________________________________
GILDED
DESTINY is the first of three novellas in Nola
Sarina’s dark fantasy VESPER series,
represented by Michelle Johnson of Inklings Literary Agency. Follow Nola on
Twitter @NolaSarina and on
Facebook for awesome announcements,
giveaways, and upcoming info about the second Novella in the series!
