Category: Egyptian Gods Romance

MID WEEK TEASE

Tmonique Stephens

#MWTease

MidWeekTease2

AVERY AND EMELINE GET DIRTY!

 

One hundred feet to the front door, soon she’d be home free. She dodged the drunks, the stoners, the lovers, the dancers, and had almost made it to the exit when Lincoln stepped into her path.

Emeline rolled her eyes, sucked in a deep breath, but choked when an unexpected laugh erupted. She doubled over, holding her side, from the sudden hysteria carrying her away. “Of course I would run into you. It’s been that kinda night.”

Lincoln didn’t return her humor. He stood there, arms folded over his chest, trying to appear intimidating. “I was going to let you go. Leave you alone to live your life after seeing you at the club. Then you show up here, to see me.” He signaled to the DJ and the music ended. “You miss me, baby? Came to apologize? Kiss and make up? Start on your knees.” He pointed to the hardwood floor.

A circle formed around them. Emeline scanned the crowd, checking for Ridley and the mysterious goddess. Lincoln whistled, snapped his fingers in front her face. “Don’t have all day.”

What did I ever see in this morally bankrupt, egotistical man? Definitely not her finest moment. He opened his pants. Unzipped his fly. Took out his less than impressive, erect dick and stood there with a stupid grin. He chanted ‘knees’ and the crowd joined the chorus. Her blood boiled at him, the drunk crowd, Ridley, Avery, everything. The crowd wanted a show. Tonight, they came to the right place.

With a sultry grin plastered on her face, Emeline clasped his dick. She stroked up from the base, circled the head, and let her hand slide down. Lincoln’s head fell back and he groaned, deep and throaty. Catcalls swept through the room along with flashes from cell phone cameras as he thrust his hips out and began rocking. “You remember how I like it.” He panted.

How he liked it was pretty much how every man liked it and nothing noteworthy to remember. That was Lincoln’s problem; he thought he was special because of his family’s influence and because his genitals dangled.

She’d fallen for it. So what did that say about her standards? Not much, but tonight wasn’t about reminiscing. After what happened to Belinda, Emeline had a taste for vengeance and Lincoln volunteered to be on the menu.

She cupped his balls, rolled them in her hand. He moaned, gave a throaty laugh and high-fived the dude standing next to him.

Yeah, enjoying it bastard? She tightened her hand, ready to strike.

Awareness pricked her senses. Darkness swirled at the edge of her mind, drowning her in waves of fury. She fought it, retreating would allow the sensation to swallow her. Unconscious at Lincoln’s mercy, and the crowd was not an option.

She shook her head to clear the fog—and collided with Avery’s feral glare.

Though her insides squirmed and urged her to tuck tail and run, Emeline couldn’t move. Avery’s furious glare rooted her to the spot. His lips were peeled back and he growled. She actually heard it. Swore she felt the sound reverberate in her chest. He shoved two people out of his way and broke the circle, just as she twisted Lincoln’s junk three hundred and sixty degrees.

He screamed, went up on his tip-toes, “Get her off! Get her off!”

Emeline jabbed her elbow into his throat and the heel of her palm into his nose. His head snapped back, blood gushed and splattered on her. All the while, she kept his dick and balls in a vise grip. A fist from one of Lincoln’s friends came flying at her head.

Avery blocked the blow and tossed the guy into the nearest wall. Another came at him. A quick jab and an uppercut knocked his opponent senseless. “Wanna let go of his shit or do you plan on taking it home for Christmas?” he shouted over the din while putting a guy in a headlock and flinging him into the wall.

“I don’t want this under my tree.” Emeline kicked Lincoln’s knee and released his parts. He collapsed, cradling his crotch. She picked up a bottle of whiskey next to the punch bowl, doused her offending hand, and dried her palm on her jeans.

She hadn’t come here to start a brawl, but—oh well.

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COMING IN NOVEMBER!

There is no such thing as a chance meeting.

There’s no room in Avery Nicolis life for an obsession, yet why else does he stalk Emeline Gamble. Lurking in the shadows, he hungers for a woman he can’t have. Between the secrets he guards and anarchy roiling in his soul, his only solace are his glimpses of Emeline. He will resist her, protect her from himself, and deny his desire to claim her heart.

Emeline Gamble was a Watcher for the Order—a secret society of women charged with monitoring the offspring of the gods. For months, she observed Avery Nicolis, an elite mercenary, Descendant of Ra, and enemy of the Order. Never knowing he had her in his crosshairs.

Trapped in a lie, Emeline is forced to accept Avery as her bodyguard. Compelled to spend time with him, she learns to care for his tortured soul and see the hero lurking beneath the assassin’s façade.

But every word out of her mouth is a lie. Every action a betrayal. Because to save her family she is forced to accept a new assignment, deliver Avery Nicolis to the Goddess of Chaos, alive…

And do not fall in love with him.

 

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MID WEEK TEASE!!! EVERMORE

Tmonique Stephens

 

#MWTease 

MidWeekTease2

It’s Wednesday! Happy Hump day! And it’s time for a tease from my upcoming release. Evermore, the third novel in my Descendants of Ra series will be available in October.

 

Tires squealed to a stop. It wasn’t long before a pair of combat boots came into her line of sight. Strong hands scooped her up and cradled her against a broad chest encased in a leather coat. Warmth surrounded her, made her want to burrow closer to his heat. Male musk and a hint of something else, something dangerous filled her nostrils.

“I got you.” His voice, guttural and so damn sexy, rumbled through her.

No, he was on the hook. And she had just reeled him in. Her teeth chattered from the cold, his heat, her nerves, the lies.

Avery opened the passenger door and carefully sat her on the leather seat. He hit the overhead lights and gently took her chin between his thumb and forefinger. Calloused fingers brushed her hair away and angled her face toward the light.

“Who did this to you?” Low, his voice promised retribution.

“I didn’t get their number.” She tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let her. His intensity made her insides squirm.

“I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“No.” She touched his hand. “It’s okay, not as bad as it seems.” She wiggled her jaw and managed only a slight grimace.

He leaned closer. All of him filled her vision. “Are you hurt anywhere else?”

Captured by his heated stare, she shook her head.

“How many were there?” His finger trailed over her cheek and down her neck.

Her thoughts kinda fizzled at his touch. “Who are you?” She remembered to ask again. He gave her a quizzical look, possibly thinking of a lie, she wondered. Her phone rang. Emeline fished it out of her purse and answered without looking. She listened to Zackary pound his chest about hiring a bodyguard for her. He was so proud of himself and expected a reward. The sick hope in his voice almost made her laugh.

“Describe him.” She ordered watching Avery.

“Big guy, bald, pissy attitude. I wanted his brother, but he volunteered,” Zachary said.

“Thanks, Zachary. I owe you one.”

“Really? Well—”

She pressed end. “So you’re my bodyguard?” Perfect. Zachary finally did something right.

“Until I get someone else.” He stepped back and slammed the passenger door closed.

Why accept the job only to get someone else? Nerves made her stomach flutter as she watched him walk around the front of the Range Rover and climb into the driver’s seat. “Do you have a name or shall I make up one?”

“Avery,” he said without looking at her. The car rumbled to a start. Something loud and angry blasted from the speakers. He clicked it off, though she didn’t mind. She preferred Hip-Hop, R&B, and a little bit of Rap. No love songs, though Luther Vandross could put the most celibate body in the mood.

“Emeline,” she offered when he didn’t ask. A giggle threatened to escape, but her bruised ribs would have none of it. ‘Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.’ Well we are both, well and truly tangled.

“Something funny?” He pulled into traffic.

He’s observant as a killer or watcher should be. No more lapses. She had to be on guard. Emeline noticed his hands gripping the steering wheel. Big capable hands. “Two men. They wore masks. Tried to steal my purse.” He glanced at the satchel in her lap. Damn, she should’ve insisted they take it.

“Two men, one purse?” His gaze locked on hers. “Why do you need protection, Miss Gamble?”

She hadn’t told him her last name. She could call him on it, but he’d say Zachary told him, so she let it slide. “I don’t. I’m not the one who hired you.”

“Your ex is very concerned about you welfare.”

“You know a lot about me in such a short time, Mr.—what is your last name?” The car rolled to a stop at a red light. His head turned to her and she shifted in her seat to keep an eye on him.

“Nicolis. Your ex filled in a few blank spots before I caught up to you. Anything else you want to know?”

“Yeah. Did he fill you in on where I live too ‘cause we’re real close?”

His eyes narrowed and he glanced at the surrounding area. The light turned green. “Your boss said someone broke into your house. Beat up you and your grandfather. Now you’re attacked on the street. Your enemies, who and where are they?”

She lives in a big house on Riverside Drive. I will take you straight to her. “I don’t have enemies.”

“We all have enemies,” he growled. “Some closer than others.”

Ain’t that the truth.

 

BLURB

There is no such thing as a chance meeting.

There’s no room in Avery Nicolis’s life for an obsession, yet why else does he stalk Emeline Gamble. Lurking in the shadows, he hungers for a woman he can’t have. Between the secrets he guards and anarchy roiling in his soul, his only solace are his glimpses of Emeline. He will resist her, protect her from himself, and deny his desire to claim her heart.

Emeline Gamble was a Watcher for the Order—a secret society of women charged with monitoring the offspring of the gods. For months, she observed Avery Nicolis, an elite mercenary, Descendant of Ra, and enemy of the Order. Never knowing he had her in his crosshairs.

Trapped in a lie, Emeline is forced to accept Avery as her bodyguard. Compelled to spend time with him, she learns to care for his tortured soul and see the hero lurking beneath the assassin’s façade.

But every word out of her mouth is a lie. Every action a betrayal. Because to save her family she is forced to accept a new assignment, deliver Avery Nicolis to the Goddess of Chaos, alive…

And do not fall in love with him.

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COMING SOON! 

 

C

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Tmonique Stephens

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HERE IS A SNIPPET FROM MY NEXT NOVEL, EVERMORE.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Avery said.

“What?” Emeline opened the water, ready to pass it to him.

He turned, finally giving her his fully attention from his crouched position. Flames danced across his skin, turning him into a molten god. “Serve me. You’re not working and I’m not a customer” he said with a scowl.

His words slapped her. “You asshole. I would feed anyone who came to my home. It’s call common courtesy. Having manners which you have none.”

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COMING SOON

 

 

COVER REVEAL TIME!

Tmonique Stephens

It’s time to reveal the cover of EVERMORE! The newest Descendants of Ra novel.

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There is no such thing as a chance meeting.

There’s no room in Avery Nicolis life for an obsession, yet why else does he stalk Emeline Gamble. Lurking in the shadows, he hungers for a woman he can’t have. Between the secrets he guards and anarchy roiling in his soul, his only solace are his glimpses of Emeline. He will resist her, protect her from himself, and deny his desire to claim her heart.

Emeline Gamble was a Watcher for the Order—a secret society of women charged with monitoring the offspring of the gods. For months, she observed Avery Nicolis, an elite mercenary, Descendant of Ra, and enemy of the Order. Never knowing he had her in his crosshairs.

Trapped in a lie, Emeline is forced to accept Avery as her bodyguard. Compelled to spend time with him, she learns to care for his tortured soul and see the hero lurking beneath the assassin’s façade.

But every word out of her mouth is a lie. Every action a betrayal. Because to save her family she is forced to accept a new assignment, deliver Avery Nicolis to the Goddess of Chaos, alive…

And do not fall in love with him.

COMING SOON

VIKINGS: Lagertha Lothbok

Tmonique Stephens

vikings_history_channel_wallpaper_by_palo90-d5y13hdAt first, I’ve watched Vikings on the History Channel since its debut on 2013 with a bit of wistfulness and nostalgia because it reminded me of Starz’s epic series, Spartacus which ended in 2013.

The comparisons between the two series are numerous: The battles, blood, feuds, death, betrayal, and the politics. The subplots and subterfuge in Vikings were as riveting as what held my attention in Spartacus. Though what solidified the appeal of the show was Lagertha Lothbok, (actress Kathryn Winnick)  Katheryn-Winnick-vikings

 

 

KW

 

 

 

 

 

wife of Ragnar, a mighty Earl.

Lagertha is a shield maiden, a warrior. She can wield a sword, hoist a shield, and kill without mercy. She is as fierce as any man, and can bring to pain in any battle. She takes no shit from anyone, including her husband who she eventually leaves when he decides the one son they share isn’t enough. Ragnar decides to take a new wife. Lagertha packs up, leaves with her son, remarries, and becomes an Earl herself.

A fitting character arc for a smart, loyal woman who fears only losing her child, and will fight to keep what she has gained. Kathryn Winnick brings her martial arts talents, beauty, and vulnerability to her portrayal of the Lagertha that captures my imagination.

I want to imbue the many facets of Lagertha’s character to my heroines, the value she places on herself, her compassion for Ragnar’s new wife and their children, leadership of her clan, the respect she has earned by being who she is. Kathryn Winnick makes it look easy, hopefully I can do the same.

I anxiously await the third season of this riveting drama. 2015 is too far away.

 

 

 

 

Tmonique Stephens

wewriwa

Another snippet from Everlasting: Descendants of Ra Book 2

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“When you leave, do you go back to Chemmis?” A cold wave hit her. His lips thinned into an angry line and his hands fisted. He nodded once. Hmm? He held no love for the place.

“I need to sleep.” She walked around him and his fingers brushed the back of her hand. A jolt of sorrow caused her entire body to seize. Then his fingers slipped into her palm. A dull ache welled in her center and spread to every cell, leaving a void in its wake. The pain wasn’t hers.

Alexis canted her head at Reign. To the world, he was a six foot eight inch warrior. Deadly to his enemies and her sense of self-preservation. Still, watching his bowed head, feeling the desolation seeping from his palm into her, she saw the truth.

Their gazes locked. Longing lay naked in the depths of his eyes. “Reign—”

He claimed her lips with a scorching kiss. Raw and hungry, her head reeled. A hand cupped her head. Another gripped her hip and gave a gentle tug. She didn’t fight him guiding her closer or the desire he ignited in her blood. His knee slipped between her thighs and he lifted her until she hooked a leg around his waist. Chest to breast, abs to abs, groin pressed against groin, she felt him lengthen. Her core blossomed. Alexis moaned and his tongue slid into her mouth. He tasted like Sunday dinner at grandma’s, Christmas morning, and Midnight on New Year’s Eve, while his body promised Disney World. His biceps flexed as his hand slid under her shirt and stroked up her back.

She moved her hand up his chest, feeling the cotton fabric, the tense muscles beneath, and the thud of his racing heartbeat. Then her fingertips brushed the bare skin of his neck.

A bundle of conflicting emotions slammed into her. Passion warred with frustration and a simmering rage. Terror and loneliness mixed with a profound hunger and a darkness no sun could penetrate. Betrayal had tainted his memories, leaving an anger that stretched centuries. All of this was woven together by bitter regret.

Questions cleared the lust from her mind. She tore her lips away, aching from pain belonging to Reign. Briefly, his hands tightened on her body. His head dropped into the crook of her neck before she could search his face for answers. Warm breath fanned her collar. She bit her lip to keep from protesting when his hands dropped to her hips and he set her on her feet.

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Why I Stopped Watching The Vampire Diaries

Tmonique Stephens

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After four seasons, I just couldn’t stand it anymore. I stopped watching The Vampire Diaries. My teenage daughter first introduced me to it, and I admit the chemistry and magnetism of the male leading characters—Damon and Stefan—perked up my estrogen level and kept me glued for four seasons. But unfortunately the unimaginative and repetitive story line sapped the loyalty right out of me.

The biggest issue: ELENA. While the actress, Nina Dobrev is beautiful and talented etc. her character, Elena has spent too much being possessed by other characters. Elena is a doppelganger to the evil vampire Katerina Petrova aka Katherine Pierce. If that wasn’t hard enough to follow, Elena repeatedly pretends to be Katherine and vice versa. Katherine takes over Elena’s body, Elena takes over Katherine’s body. At the end of season four, the writers introduce a new character and guess who she is…another doppelganger of Elena, but wait! She’s the original and everyone else is a copy of her.

Phuleesse!

All of that on top of the bed hopping Elena goes through by first loving Stephan, then loving Damon, but lately she’s had sexual dreams about—wait for it—Stephan because that is who she is really meant to be with. Yet, she is determined to stick it out with Damon.

Phuleesse!

Stick a fork in me… I am done. I’ve erased my old episodes off my DVR and cancelled further recordings. I wish the world of Mystic Falls all my best. I’m watching The Originals, the first spin-off from Vampire Diaries…that is until a doppelganger appears.

STARCROSSED

Tmonique Stephens

star crossed 4I’ve spent the last few weeks watching STAR CROSSED, the new CW series. It’s the story of a romance between a human girl and an alien boy 10 years after they landed on Earth. The premise is not new; he and others of his kind are integrated into a suburban high school. Boy meets girl, gazes lock across a crowded room, an interest sparks, and then world conspires to keep them apart. Absolutely nothing new there. Even the alien theme isn’t new anymore! It has been done before in Smallville, Mark and Mindy, etc.

But, what first captured my interest was their initial meeting after Roman’s spacecraft crashed in Middle America. (Of course it’s Middle America!) Roman and Emery meet as children, one child aiding the other as soldiers kill the arriving aliens. star crossed 2

  Their bond is rekindled after they meet again in high school. Because he’s an alien, Roman lives in an internment camp and is restricted from mingling with humans. Even as a new plan of integration and assimilation is implemented by the government.

 After five episodes, you have the predictable storyline of a society torn between their traditions and the new world they are force to live in…and the standard a love triangle. There are political intrigues, both alien and human which gives the series a new and different dynamic. Racism and prejudice against the alien race is poignant, especially as I compare the real world we live in. This all plays out within the angst filled confines of high school, though a large percentage of the cast is in their late twenties and early thirties. I find this particularly funny as there is an abundance of available teenage actors who could have filled the roles.

Of course, Roman and Emery are beautiful Matt Lanter (Roman) has the most soulful eyes. Aimee Teegarden (Emery) is blond and ethereal. God forbid the producers cast an average Joe and Jane! Don’t get me wrong, I love looking at a hot guy as much as the next one… and there are certainly some stunning examples on Star Crossed. Greg Finley (Drake) is a fine example. He’s the one on the left.hot starcrossed

I think I’m hooked on the series and l can’t wait for the rest of the season!

Tokyo court rules to stop companies with book ‘digitization’ services

Tmonique Stephens

Reblogged: http://japandailypress.com/tokyo-court-rules-to-stop-companies-with-book-digitization-services-0337091/

Tokyo court rules to stop companies with book ‘digitization’ services

The Tokyo District Court had recently ordered two companies that digitize customers’ print books to stop operations and pay a total of 1.4 million yen (over in US$14,000) in damages. The two companies, Sundream Co. in Tokyo’s Minato Ward and Doraibareggi Japan in Tokyo’s Katsushika Ward, offer a service called “jisui” – literally “cooking for oneself” – alluding to the act of making one’s own electronic booksby scanning print copies into a computer so that users can transfer that new “cooked” e-book to their electronic devices.

In a landmark first such ruling handed down by the courts, Presiding Judge Shigeru Osuga stated, “There’s a chance the companies are violating copyrights.” Seven writers, including novelists Jiro Asada and Keigo Higashino, as well as manga author Kenshi Hirokane, had filed the lawsuit against the two companies, arguing that the two companies were in violation of the Copyright Law, and demanded they terminate their services and pay for damages. Jisui is often employed for a harmless enough purpose, which is to reduce space taken up by print books in shelves. The process has become increasingly popular with the ubiquity of tablets and smartphones, and so companies have started providing jisui services as a result, charging them several hundred yen per book, but usually without the permission of the author.

The defendants had referred to a provision in the Copyright Law that approves the reproduction of copyrighted works for personal use. They argued that they were “merely serving as the hands and feet of their customers” to reproduce books for private use, but the judge dismissed the claim. “We will appeal,” said a Doraibareggi Japan representative. “The ruling is unfair to readers.” A lawyer for the plaintiffs approved of the judge’s decision, saying, “The ruling was meaningful in clearly indicating that making a business out of scanning books without permission is illegal.”

[via Mainichi]