The hostesses, dressed in elegant Victorian attire, climb the stairs to the front entrance of Royal Oak, a centuries old ancestral home set atop the cliffs off the coast of Devon, England.
In the distance, waves crash against the rocks,
and a sharp wind whips across the sea, chilling the hostesses as Oliver opens the door and invites them into the home of Morgan D'Arcy, a titled lord, concert pianist, and vampire.
Oliver introduces the hostesses, Debby, LaVerne, Lilly, Lyn, and Mary to the handsome earl.
Lord D'Arcy bends over each of their hands, kissing their knuckles. "Good evening, ladies. Thank you for helping me host this party to celebrate Linda Nightingale's publication of my memoirs." He frowned. "I understand she's turned my life into some sort of romance novel."
Lyn beams. "Indeed, m'lord, and I hear it's quite good."
"Oh, yes," Mary gushes. "And you are every bit as handsome as the picture on the book's cover."
Lilly leans close to LaVerne. "He's more than handsome. He's freaking gorgeous. And with that long mane of blond hair, he looks more like a rock star than a concert pianist."
"Or a vampire," LaVerne whispers, catching D'Arcy's eye. She slips behind Lilly, trying to hide behind her ample backside, made even larger by the bustle on the back of her dress. "Why is he staring at me?"
"You're so pale, he probably thinks you're a vampire too," Debby says as she pats her high-coiffed hair.
"I'm not
that pale," LaVerne mumbles.
Mary stands arrow straight, her amble bosom all but popping out of the low decolletage of her dress. "Oh, we are so delighted to be your hostesses for the evening."
"Oh yes," Debby adds. "It's our pleasure."
"Stop gushing, ladies," Lyn says, stepping forward and nearly tripping over her large, slipper-clad feet. "We're not his only hostesses tonight. Dr. Amber Wolfe will be seated to his right."
"And we can't wait to meet her, Lord D'Arcy," LaVerne says when she finally gets the nerve to speak to him.
"Please, call me Morgan." His smile is almost hypnotic. "All of you, please."
"Oh, my" LaVerne squeaks, covering her neck with her hand. At that moment, a stunning redhead in a brilliant green gown approaches, and Lord D'Arcy, Morgan, only has eyes for her.
He watches her graceful approach as she all but glides across the floor.
Debby sighs. "Such love."
"Such beauty," Lilly adds.
Mary's stomach growls. "Such wonderful smelling food."
Amber Wolf laughs. "Thank you for helping Morgan and I host this celebration tonight. We'll be eating shortly -- a lovely sit-down dinner followed by an enchanting evening of music by my dear, Morgan."
"And where is the guest of honor?" Lyn asks.
"There she is," Mary says, rushing forward as Linda Nightingale steps into the room.
"Thank you so much for the lovely party," she exclaims. "The food looks lovely."
"Then by all means, lets eat," Morgan says, escorting the woman into the elegant dining room where liveried servants align the walls, waiting to attend the guests' every need.
Once the ladies are seated, one servant brings chilled cucumber soup while Oliver serves white wine.
This is soon followed by the main course of Norwegian Char with lemon and dill sauce.
For dessert, there's Drambuie Crème Brule and a sparkling Moscato wine.
There's also Port with an assortment of cheeses including Stilton.
And just before Morgan suggests retiring to the music room, the hostess all stand and raise a glass to the guest of honor, Linda Nightingale.
"To you, Linda, and to your awesome new release, A Vampyre Rhapsody."
(This week's 'Roast' written and illustrated by Lilly Gayle)
Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody
By Linda Nightingale
From The Wild Rose Press
Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor
Editor: Callie Lynn Wolfe
Tagline: A titled lord, concert pianist, and … vampire, Morgan D’Arcy has
everything he wants…except what he most desires…the woman of his dreams—the
search is on.
Rating: Spicy
Digital Price:
$3.99
Print Price: $13.99
Blurb:
The greatest enemy of a vampire is boredom. Four centuries of existence have
taught Lord Morgan Gabriel D'Arcy to fear nothing and no one. Humans and their
weapons have little chance against his preternatural speed and arcane powers.
Vampires are viral mutations of human DNA. Still, the Vampyre code requires
secrecy, and he has learned to hide his nature from the world. The lure of mortality,
of a life in the sun, puts Morgan again and again at the mercy of calculating human
women though they fail to consider his charm and determination into the equation.
However, even grooming a future bride from infancy proves to be fraught with
heartbreak. And second chances are not always what they seem unless... you are
Morgan. Immortality and beauty, aren’t they grand?
“…Morgan…is a tour de force of egotism, wit, sensuality, and
talent…” ~Author Toni V. Sweeney
“Morgan D’Arcy is a class act and the most arresting vampire I’ve
ever
encountered in literature or films.” ~
Historical and Paranormal Romance Author Beth Trissel
Excerpt (Some adult content)
Mischief
overcame me. “Vampires,” I kissed the word, trying to shock her.
“Have a static aura.”
“One
night you said that your victim experiences...” Her voice was low,
throaty, and lusty.
“Intense
pleasure.” I brushed my lips to the back of her neck, and a sigh
escaped her.
“Kiss
me.” She hugged herself, her tight bodice hinting at cleavage. “I long
to feel that pleasure.”
Expectancy
sizzled in the inches separating us. A shudder of pure desire
leapt over me. Passion smoked in Amber’s eyes. She cradled my chin between
index finger and thumb. I reached behind her, freeing her hair. Red silk
drowned my hands. I sifted the gleaming strands through my fingers.
She
was asking me to take her, and ód’s Teeth, I yearned to sink my
fangs into
her throat and shaft her until she released on a cry.
The
tip of her pink tongue wisped over her lower lip. I stared at her beautiful
mouth, her sensual expression achieving the effect she intended. My
cock flexed hard. The dusky scent of her arousal ratcheted tension to breaking
point. I needed Amber for more than sex. Taking her blood might bind
her to me—or terrify her into leaving. She had accepted me, was working
with me, but our fragile relationship balanced on a shilling.
I freed
my face and kissed her hand to soften the blow then shook my head.
“No.”
She
lurched to her feet. “Why do you refuse? I know you find me attractive.
You feel the magnetism between us.”
I
glided upright in one svelte move, and fear darted across her face.
“When
we are farther along the path of discovery, perhaps. We can’t allow anything
to cloud our focus now.”
Her
breasts heaved with rapid, angry breaths. “You would wag pleasure
before me like a carrot tempting a stubborn horse?”
I
arched a brow, chastising her for the dramatics. For several thudding heartbeats,
she held my gaze before looking away. Without another word, I drifted
to the hearth, my swift departure vampire light and soundless. In no uncertain
terms, Amber must know the manner of man she tempted. Behind
me,
I heard a soft gasp. If I enjoyed her fear and her angry, was I a
monster?
The
clock ticked a couple of seconds. How familiar the heavy mortal footsteps
chasing me and immortality! She would now offer anything in an attempt
to change my mind.
Delicate
hands gripped my shoulders with startling strength. “Face me,
Morgan, and tell me you don’t want to share pleasure with me.”
I
shrugged. “I promised not to lie.”
Buy Link: Morgan
D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody
About Linda:
Born in South Carolina, Linda has lived in England, Canada, Miami,
Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta and Houston. She’s seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a
truck pulling a horse trailer, having bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses for many years.
Linda has won several writing awards, including the Georgia
Romance Writers Magnolia Award.
She is the mother of two wonderful sons, a retired legal
assistant, member of the Houston Symphony League, and enjoys events with her car club. Among her
favorite things are her two marvelous sons, a snazzy black convertible, and her parlor grand
piano. She loves to dress up and host formal dinner parties.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LNightingale
- @Lnightingale
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaNightingaleAuthor
Web Site: http://www.lindanightingale.com
– Visit and look around. There’s a free continuing vampire story.
Blog: https://lindanightingale.wordpress.com/
- Lots of interesting guests & prizes
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4839311.Linda_Nightingale
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lbnightingale1/
***GIVEAWAY***
To win a copy of Linda's book, all you have to do is just leave a comment and your e-mail address.
Contest ends on Sunday and everyone who comments is eligible.
(We reserve the right to waive the prize in any week when there are not enough contestants for a draw to be deemed fair and unbiased)