That's right. She has managed to blend two of my favorite romantic themes: vampires and knights. I don't know about you, but I'm already having fantasies. Read on as Kryssie tells us about the very sexy Knights Vampire.
The Legend
of Blaxton the Bold
When you think of knights in shining armor,
what do you see? Warriors charging down the tourney field, lances extended?
Powerful men with huge muscles wielding broadswords with deadly effect? A hero
with a battle ax defending his lady’s honor?
In a time of courtly love and chivalry, one
warrior knight leaps out of the history books. Sir Blaxton de Ferrers was
fiercer, stronger, and smarter. A medieval superstar, he blushed when ladies
sighed over his physique or men praised his fighting prowess.
Some say Sir Walter Scott used the folk tales
about Blaxton to create his hero, Ivanhoe. Like Blaxton, Ivanhoe fought to save
a group of Jews when the people of York wanted them dead. Outnumbered, he put
his life on the line to do the right thing.
York was the only time Blaxton was wounded,
but he kept his charges safe. A moneylender’s daughter named Rebecca nursed him
back to health. Anyone who knows Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe will see the
similarities here.
Afterward, Blaxton joined the Knights
Defenders—a religious order founded by Henry I to protect his traveling
justices. Blaxton the Bold took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience when he
joined the Knights Defenders.
Later Eleanor of Aquitaine complained to her
son Richard the Lionheat, “My ladies in waiting wept for days.”
Undefeated on foot or on horse, Blaxton
became a medieval superstar. When he went on crusade, Richard the Lionheart
wanted to fight at his side.
Then the Knights Defenders stole Blaxton’s
soul. Nine hundred years later, he still doesn’t understand why. A few months
later, his cousin stuck a knife in his back and killed him. Only, without his
soul, he didn’t stay dead.
Blaxton the Bold became Blaxton de Ferrers, Knight
Vampire.
Book Blurb
Betrayed by the Knight Defenders and murdered by his cousin, crusader
knight Blaxton de Ferrers rose as a vampire. For nine centuries, he’s
preyed on the people he once swore to protect. Gradually, as his
emotions leach out of him, he forgets how to feel. Then he meets Harriet.
Harriet Mortlake’s a strong sassy woman who battles her weight and her
temper. Her job is to seek out the ancient secrets of the castle that was
Blaxton’s childhood home. Instead, she finds the love of her life.
When danger threatens Harriet, Blaxton steps in. Harriet and Blaxton, are
a match made in heaven. Except… he’s a vampire and to fully claim her,
he’ll have to kill her.
Excerpt
Harriet studied him as though he were a bug beneath a microscope. “De Ferrers? Are you a descendant of the original family that ruled here in medieval times? Do you really know things about this castle that no one else does? What makes you think the chapel was really a temple? And if it was, who worshiped there? And if it was a pagan stronghold, then why do the oldest documents mark it with a cross?”
He raised his hands in surrender. “Slow down. You’re firing questions the way a machine gun fires bullets. Yes, my ancestors once ruled here, but it was a long time ago. How about you tell me why you believe that black hole’s a chapel? It looks more like a dungeon to me.”
She threw back her head and laughed. “Clever, turning my own question back on me. Okay, I’ll play. I’m the new archivist here, but back in Victorian times, they unearthed an original map of the castle. Your dungeon, temple, or whatever you want to call it was marked with a cross. See? Temples are pagan strongholds, not places for Christian worship.”
He grinned that devastating smile that melted her bones, and tossed her a tidbit of information. “The cross on the plans. Were all the arms the same length? Was it bright blue on a silver-gray background, and did the arms have cut off triangle bases inverted and stuck on their ends?”
Harriet’s breath came faster, and as she stared down at her hand, it shook so hard she almost spilled her coffee. “You mean like a Knights Templar cross but in different colors? Azure and argent? Sorry, you’d call them sky blue and silver. Those were the Knights Defender’s colors, weren’t they? Do you really think it was one of their temples where they carried out their most secret and sacred rituals? Really? It’d make my career if you’re right, but we don’t have any Knights Defender connections here.”
Hot coffee scalded Harriet’s throat, but the quicker she drank it the sooner she could return to her office and check out the original map. Proving a Knights Defender connection could make her reputation and impress the higher-ups who’d doubted her. “I’ll dig out those original plans and check, but I can’t believe anyone could make such a foolish mistake. Can I have your phone number or something, and if you’re right, I’d love to talk.”
Mortified, she realized she’d just asked this stranger for his phone number. He wound her up like a clockwork toy, and when she chased after him, he talked with such authority she almost believed him. Besides, even if he’d made his wild story up, she really wanted to see him again. Who was she kidding? She needed to know if he tasted as great as he smelled—all sandalwood and exotic spices. If he did, she’d surely find him addictive.
Blaxton grinned, pulled out a business card, and scribbled a cell phone number underneath his business contacts. “Here. That’s my personal number.”
She studied the card and laughed. “It says here you’re a property developer. I can’t see you being able to do much with a twelfth-century castle, even if it wasn’t grade one listed.”
He stared out to sea, and for a moment he looked lost. His smile returned so quickly Harriet wondered if she’d imagined his brief withdrawal.
He finished his coffee and stood up. “Maybe I could demolish the damned temple and replace it with a real chapel. I’m not staying in Yorkshire long, but would you have dinner with me tonight? We can discuss the Knights Defender if you like. How about we meet up in the Italian restaurant by the harbor? I’ll book a table for eight o’clock tonight if you’re free.”
Harriet blushed, but she smiled back. Tonight she’d be dining with the best-looking guy in the town—if he turned up. She’d been stood up so many times by her ex before she’d stupidly let him share her body and her bed. After the way he’d treated her, dating came hard.
Blaxton de Ferrers seemed genuine. Part of her wanted to run out and get her nails done right along with her hair. What the hell am I going to wear? She wasn’t some sophisticated London beauty, but she cleaned up okay despite her extra ten pounds. Besides, no way would she miss a chance to pump him for information. And if he wants to kiss me goodnight… Well, I might just let him.
Buy
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Amazon US author
page http://www.amazon.com/Kryssie-Fortune/e/B00J5AQOBU/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
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I’d love to hear from you, or answer any questions
you might have.
Blog / Web
site http://kryssiefortune.blogspot.co.uk/?zx=ccc4a46fd9391f4c
HI Rosanna,. Thank you for having me. Damn, you made me look good. I'm really proud of this book. I just hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to have you, Kryssie! It looks awesome and I wish you tons of sales.
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