FRIDAY FAVORITES with Isabel Roman

Favorite Genre(s): thrillers, romantic suspense

List of at least 5 Favorite Books in that Genre: Um…drat, I have to pick? Slave driver. Okay, okay, let me think. Nope, I thought about this for a month and I don’t really have favorite books I re-read. I love reading new stuff, there are so many books and authors out there I want to try them all. I can pick recently read books I really enjoyed, but I can’t say they’re my favorites. But I’d recommend them!

Wolf at the Door, Jack Higgins

Now You Die, Roxanne St. Claire

What You Can’t See, Allison Brennan

Spies of the Balkans, Alan Furst

The Red Pyramid, Rick Riordan

Favorite Author in that Genre, and Favorite Book by that Author: Currently it’s Alan Furst. I love his mix of romance (not like we read but there’s small things there) and WWII. Splices of life you never hear about. Plus, I just finished his latest, the Spies of the Balkans and really enjoyed it.

Favorite Book of All Time: Beowulf. What? I love romances, and primarily read them, but I adore the story of Beowulf. There’s something about it that draws me back.

Favorite Book Read Last Month: Rebecca by Daphne DeMurier. I hadn’t read it before, I’d seen the movie, but never read the book. Much as I love Laurence Oliver, the book is far superior.

Favorite Book You Wrote: It’s a toss up: Dark Desires of the Druids: Murder and Magick because it was my first. *wink* And Shadow State, my 1934 German werewolf story--sexy werewolves, hot sex, and Naizis.

Give Us One More Favorite Thing Beyond Books: Classic movies. My favorite? Arsenic and Old Lace. It cracks me up every single time. Cary Grant is timeless. There aren’t any actors today who can do such wonderful acting with a look or a wordless cry. If you haven’t seen it, rent it, it’s worth your time. Especially the scene when he’s on the window seat. Hysterical!

 Isabel Roman

 Hot romances with a paranormal twist.

www.isabelroman.com

http://authorisabelroman.blogspot.com

@ladyisabel

Sex and Subterfuge Blurb:

A master magicker, Morgana Blackthorne has a tenuous hold on her following. When a strange Englishman arrives on her doorstep with news of other druidic magickers, and magicker problems, she's intrigued but suspicious. There hasn't been contact between the American and European druids in over a hundred years. Plus she has her own worries and doesn't need the handsome earl adding to them.


Lucien, Earl of Granville, left England to seek out the Blackthorne Druid line and discover what they've been up to since contact was lost. Once he and Morgana meet, their mutual attraction distracts him from his purpose. Embroiled in her problems, he finds himself more concerned with her welfare than is practical for a passing affair.


When I invited you into my bed, it never occurred to me I wouldn’t want you to leave.


There are darker forces at work and the hunger of a weak magicker desperate for power. Will Lucien convince Morgana of his true feelings before things spiral out of control? Or will the surrounding subterfuge tear them apart?

4.5 Cherries from Whipped Cream Reviews

Excerpt:

The characters are all well defined and multi-faceted. Morgana is a strong woman, but one who is willing to give all to those she cares deeply for....I also appreciated the research that must have gone into this book to make everything so true to the time period. I respect the author’s time taken to get it right.

4 Stars from Manic Readers

... There is danger, treachery, romance and passion aplenty. Takoda, Morgana’s self-appointed body guard is an intriguing character I’d like to learn more about. All in all, a worthy follow up to the Murder And Magick.

4 Nymphs from Literary Nymphs

Excerpt:

Isabel Roman had done a wonderful job of telling this story about how strong the female line was in the American Blackthorne family. The simple fact that Morgana put everyone else before her wants and needs, including her trusted cousin, James, and friend, Takoda, told me she had a great concern for others. I cannot wait to dive into the next book to see what happens with the Magickers.

Sex and Subterfuge Excerpt:

[After Lucien and Morgana return from intimidating a French smuggler into handing over a case of dangerous and illegal venom used in making potions.]

“I need to speak with him,” Morgana said. “I’ll send him along later.”

James’s eyes narrowed at her, but he nodded. Even in company he barely tolerated, he’d never question her. Especially in company he barely tolerated.

Lucien watched her with a quizzical expression and she smiled. The parlor door closed silently behind her. They wouldn’t be interrupted by servants. Now was the time.

“Since we met,” she said confidently and closed the distance between them. “I’ve been attracted to you.”

He nodded, caressing her cheek with the knuckles of one hand. “I’ve felt the same way.”

“Good,” she whispered, voice husky, lips a breath from his. “Come upstairs with me.”

                Lucien tried to recall a time when a woman was bold enough to seduce him, and could not. Morgana was different from his previous lovers and far, far more daring. His entire being was focused on her, on her body. Thoughts of their night, the venom, and André’s mysterious buyer swept from his head the instant she kissed him.

Now, both half naked, his lips trailed down her thigh, over her knee, to her delicate ankle. Up the other leg, over the delicate swell of her hip. He looked at her in the dimness of the room. And in the shifting shadows, her eyes were a deep recess that drew Lucien in and captured him. In those interminable minutes before their lips touched again, he felt himself drowning in her; her taste, her scent, her very essence.

Their lips touched softly, gently at first. Flesh on flesh. Then she opened her mouth under his and drew him in. He watched her eyes flutter shut as she gave herself over and he pulled her closer, determined to have all of her this night.

Tiny, invisible tendrils wound around them, drawing them to each other, into each other and together they crossed that final barrier. He felt her hands move up his sides, over his shoulders to caress his neck, only to wind themselves around and pull him even closer, molding her body to his – perfectly.

Lucien thought he knew what it was to give into lust. To know that rush, and revel in it for as long as it lasted. Thought he’d experienced everything there was to experience when it came to matters of the flesh. As her hands tugged off his shirt, slowly roaming the bare flesh underneath, he discovered he was wrong.

Morgana sighed his name. “Lucien.”