Mid Week Tease! July 13, 2016

July 13, 2016July 12, 2016Tmonique Stephens

#MWT

Welcome to my Mid Week Tease.

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Available for Pre-Order Now!

Encore: Descendants of Ra Book 4.

Here is a sexy little snippet of ENCORE.

Ridley sucked in a sharp breath. “I can’t sleep with you,” she whispered all breathy and needy.

What he wanted to do to her didn’t involve sleep.

Her damn curse. He got it, understood the limitations, and wouldn’t cross the line. That didn’t mean they couldn’t flirt with that line, blur it a little. Only if she’d let him. It required a leap of faith and a truckload of trust. The question: Did she have it to give?

“All I want to do is kiss you. Touch you. See you.”

Her cheeks pinkened to a lovely shade. “Why should I show you anything?” She side-eyed him, yet couldn’t hide her interest.

Oh, he liked a challenge. “Never mind.” He moved away from her, gave her his back.

“Never mind? Like that—” She snapped her fingers, “—you’re not interested.”

Slowly, he turned and lingered on everything he desired. “Oh, I’m interested. I just don’t want you to say I coerced you later.”

“I wouldn’t do that.” She planted her hand on her hip.

Yes, she would, but he didn’t hold it against her. “How about a game of cards?”

“Cards?” she snorted.

He retrieved a deck off the mantle.

“I don’t have time for cards. I have to go now. It’s getting late, be dark soon,” she mumbled but didn’t make a move toward the stairs to retrieve her stuff.

“One hand of Black Jack. I win, you stay. You win, you do what you want.”

“Why should I do that?” She ran a hand through her platinum hair making the ends stand up farther.

“Now you’re just being contrary for the sake of being contrary. Food, warmth, companionship. Those are the reasons. And if that’s not enough, I know where Josie and Marilyn are.” He didn’t wait for her answer to shuffle as he planted his ass on the floor beside the coffee table.

She stood another moment, her foot tapping. Her gaze darted from the door to the deck.

Come on, Candy Cane. Make the right choice.

“Fine.” She huffed and plopped down opposite him.

“You do know how to play, right?”

She rolled her eyes and said, “Deal.”

The first card went to her. An ace of hearts.

His card. Ten of spades.

Ridley rapped her knuckles on the table. She wanted another card. Eight of clubs. “Beat my nineteen and you win.”

He needed an ace or a ten to beat her, nothing else would win. Good thing this was his favorite deck. He pulled a card and placed it face down on top of his ten of Spades. “Sure you want to do this? I’d rather you stay because you wanted to, not because I won and forced you to.”

Her lips thinned while her eyes narrowed. EJ waited while she contemplated her options. A shame she didn’t really have any.

“Flip the card, EJ.”

With a flick of his wrist, Ridley lost the game. “Ace of Diamonds. Make yourself at home, Candy Cane. You’re not going anywhere.”

Ridley Cross will stop at nothing to break her family curse. Including enslaving an innocent man, EJ Nicolis. He doesn’t deserve it, but regardless of the consequences, she’ll use him as a means to an end. Yet, the more time she spends with EJ, the line between survival and passion blur. Can she trust the man she has shamelessly used?

Trapped in a prison of his own flesh and bones, EJ Nicolis will kill the one who placed him there. No matter how much he hungers for her, he will resist her amethyst eyes, her pouty lips, and fiery soul when he wraps his hands around her slender, graceful neck and…

With evil at every turn, the Descendants of Ra out to rescue their brother EJ—and make her pay—Ridley can’t afford to fall in love. The stakes are higher than her desires.

Greater than her needs.

More important than his life.

Or hers.

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me, it means a lot. Be sure to check out all the Mid Week Teasers. Click here.

NEW RELEASES COMING JUNE 21,2016

May 14, 2016May 13, 2016Tmonique Stephens

NEW BOOK/NEW COVER

DESCENDANTS OF RA

NEW COVER FOR ETERNITY NEW DESCENDANTS OF RA BOOK

Mid Week Tease May 11, 2016

May 11, 2016May 10, 2016Tmonique Stephens

#MWT

Welcome to my Mid Week Tease.

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Here is a sample of my latest manuscript Encore: Descendants of Ra Book 4. A little setup: EJ Nicolis doesn’t have his free will. All he can do is listen to Ridley Cross, the woman who has kidnapped his body along with his heart, share thoughts she would never impart if she knew he understood every word.

Ridley sucked in a sharp breath. “I can’t sleep with you,” she whispered all breathy and needy.

What he wanted to do to her didn’t involve sleep.

“All I want to do is kiss you. Touch you. See you.”

Her cheeks pinkened to a lovely shade. “Why should I show you anything?” She side-eyed him, yet couldn’t hide her interest.

Oh, he liked a challenge. “Never mind.” He moved away from her, gave her his back.

“Never mind? Like that—” She snapped her fingers, “—you’re not interested.”

Slowly, he turned and lingered on everything he desired. “Oh, I’m interested. I just don’t want you to say I coerced you later.”

“I wouldn’t do that.” She planted her hand on her hip.

Yes, she would, but he didn’t hold it against her. “How about a game of cards?”

“Cards?” she snorted.

He retrieved a deck off the mantle.

“I don’t have time for cards. I have to go now. It’s getting late, be dark soon,” she mumbled but didn’t make a move toward the stairs to retrieve her stuff.

“One hand of Black Jack. I win, you stay. You win, you do what you want.”

“Why should I do that?” She ran a hand through her platinum hair making the ends stand up farther.

She stood another moment, her foot tapping. Her gaze darted from the door to the deck.

Come on, Candy Cane. Make the right choice.

“Fine.” She huffed and plopped down opposite him.

“You do know how to play, right?”

She rolled her eyes and said, “Deal.”

The first card went to her. An ace of hearts.

His card. Ten of spades.

Ridley rapped her knuckles on the table. She wanted another card. Eight of clubs. “Beat my nineteen and you win.”

Her lips thinned while her eyes narrowed. EJ waited while she contemplated her options. A shame she didn’t really have any.

“Flip the card, EJ.”

With a flick of his wrist, Ridley lost the game. “Ace of Diamonds. Make yourself at home, Candy Cane. You’re not going anywhere.”

With evil at every turn, the Descendants of Ra out to rescue their brother EJ—and make her pay—Ridley can’t afford to fall in love. The stakes are higher than her desires.

Greater than her needs.

More important than his life.

Or hers.

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me, it means a lot. Be sure to check out all the Mid Week Teasers. Click here.

MID WEEK TEASE 2/17/2016

February 17, 2016February 15, 2016Tmonique Stephens

#MWT

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Here is another sexy snippet from Everlasting, the 2nd novel in my Descendants of Ra series. Reign Nicolis is a former sex slave to an Egyptian Goddess and Alexis Lever is the detective trying resist her attraction and arrest him.

Strands of his long hair swept across his face, partially hiding his expression. Alexis brushed the wayward locks away. She skimmed her palm down his sculpted cheek and through his short beard. His eyes widened and…he stopped breathing. Amazed that she had actually caused a man to stop breathing at her mere touch, Alexis leaned in for a taste, that’s all she promised. One kiss to settle the heat stirring in her blood.

Centimeters away from his lips, she paused, then drew away.

There’s a reason you’re celibate, Alexis. Too many relationships had soured quick and left her swearing off men for the past year. But if there was ever a reason to end her diet, Reign was it.

He waited. Not a muscle betrayed his emotions, yet a vein pulsed wildly at the base of his neck.

But he lied.

What if you approach this logically? You want him. Your panties are sticking to you, you want him so bad. So have him. Leave your heart out of it. Hell, men do it. You can do it too. Screw him, let him work all your kinks out. Just don’t fall in love with him so when the shit hits the fan—

I won’t be the one cut by the blades.

She pressed her lips to his.

Holy hell! Nothing had ever tasted so delicious, felt as delightful as his firm lips slanted across her mouth. His whiskers gently brushed her skin, heightening her senses. His scent, woodsy with a hint of musk, filled her lungs. She leaned into him, parted her lips, and licked the seam of his closed mouth. He shuddered and his lips parted. His tongue darted inside her mouth and ignited her blood.

He wanted her. She didn’t just feel in it in his touch, but knew it as if she were peeking into his soul.

They yanked apart, she panting while Reign inhaled sharply and exhaled deliberately. His pecs heaved as his gaze devoured her. Nothing made sense, not the heat surfing through her body or the hunger gnawing at her soul. Kissing Reign erased the presence of every man who had ever touched her.

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Kill the beast.

Save your brother.

Win your freedom.

No problem.

Falling in love with the cop trying to arrest you?

Problem.

To save his twin from death, Reign Nicolis will have to bargain with Goddess of the Dead, and once more become what he despises, El Mortem, The Scourge, a killer trained to show mercy to none. But he is haunted by those who have fallen beneath his blade. Their ghostly shapes dog his footsteps, relentless in their torture to make him suffer for what he was put on this earth to do two thousand years ago. Saving his twin ensures Reign’s enslavement to the Goddess. She may own his body, but never his heart.

Detective Alexis Lever’s career is in shambles. Her only chance at redemption is to discover what happened to the body of Daniel Nicolis. To do that she’ll have to thwart two men: Reign Nicolis and Roman Nicolis. Both belong in jail. But one has stolen her heart.

Available on Amazon

Please check out the teases from the other awesome Mid Week Authors.

My Sexy Saturday Dec 5, 2015

December 5, 2015December 4, 2015Tmonique Stephens

#MSS

Time for a My Sexy Saturday post. Here is an excerpt from my latest manuscript, Descendants of Ra Book 4.

Her finger traced a pattern on his arm, which sent a shot of lust down his spine.

“Boy, you’re easy to talk too…when you can’t answer back.” A dry laugh escaped, and quickly dropped to a sigh. “Never thought I would miss the sound of someone’s voice.” The back of her hand stroked his cheek and slipped under his chin. She leaned closer. So close her breath fanned his lips. So close her amethyst eyes were all he could see.

Damn he wanted to taste her, slide his tongue between her parted lips, and draw her breath into his lungs. Just once, to quiet the question that suddenly needed an answer. He couldn’t move, not without her permission.

The smaller wiser, saner part of his brain raised a red flag and threw out query. After the kiss, then what? Fuck her? Kill her? Both or neither, what’s the game plan? Exit strategy?

Ridley closed her eyes, shook her head, and pulled away to move her food around her plate. He heard the word stupid mumbled under her breath and had to agree. From one to ten, them kissing had to be level fifteen stupid. Yet he’d never claimed to be a rocket scientist. The thought of being stupid with Ridley Cross had his blood humming. He watched as she chowed down her food in record time and push away from the breakfast bar.

“I’m going to check out our loot while you finish eating.” She stomped away.

EJ obeyed the order with gusto until a gasp came from the bedroom, then a strangled scream. “No! Noooo!”

Coming August 2016

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me, it means a lot. Be sure to check out all the My Sexy Author excerpts.

MID WEEK TEASE

November 4, 2015Tmonique Stephens

#MWT

TIme for another sexy snippet of Encore: Descendants of Ra Book 4.

“Now is your chance to tell me to stop. Your only chance, because I’m going to have all of you.”
Her pupils dilated, lips parted. Her breast rose on a long inhale. “And what about me?” Breathy, her voice stoked his fires.
“You…” God she was lovely. He gripped her coat. Gentle pressure on her thighs from his hips and they parted for him to shift between. His new home. He clasped her hips and slid her core against the bulge straining against his zipper. “Get me, kissing you, touching you, loving you.”
He whispered the words into her mouth and had planned to give her another moment to decide, but she hauled him closer. Her lips were soft and winter kissed cool. He kept still and let her have her way even when her hands crept beneath his jacket and shoved it off his shoulders. Her tongue made its way down his neck, mixed with flicks from her tongue. Warm tongue, cool lips, a hot hand eased passed his belt and cupped him. He groaned and pressed his bulge into her hand. Her mouth returned to his in a frantic kiss that spoke of her desire.
He broke the kiss and studied her through passion-drunk eyes. “Last chance, Candy Cane. Tell me what you want. Say it. Wanna hear it from your own lips.”
As she did in the shower, she unbuckled his belt, unbuttoned his pants, and freed him. From base to tip, she stroked him with a firm grip that left him gasping. EJ gritted his teeth to keep from exploding. Then trailed her fingers away.
Forehead pressed to his, her eyes bore into his. “I want you to strip… slowly, so I can enjoy the show.”
No one had ever requested that. It gave him a thrill that she had. “Do that? Yes I can.”
EJ secured his pants on his hips and stood. Ridley didn’t move from her semi-sprawled position. Lust rode him hard as he took her creamy thighs, red boots and –Surprise! Surprise!—red panties playing peek-a-boo. He couldn’t help grinning as he caught the edge of his shirt and lifted. She hissed and her eyes widened. He adored the need drawing her face tight, made him feel…
Shit. It made him feel the last thing he expected. He… Nah… he couldn’t possibly be in love. It took more time than a month and a half to fall in love. He paused, suddenly uncertain.
“What’s wrong?” The need faded from Ridley’s face, replaced with a wary unease. She closed her legs and seemed to lock herself down.
“Umm… nothing.”
Her eyes narrowed. She didn’t buy. Neither would he.
“I’ve never stripped for a woman.”
Her eyebrows furrowed, her head tilted, she blinked a few times. “Come again?”
“Oh, I plan on cuming again. And again. And again.”

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me, it means a lot. Be sure to check out all the Mid Week Teasers. Click here.

MID WEEK TEASE OCT 21, 2015 Back To The Future Day!!

October 21, 2015October 21, 2015Tmonique Stephens

#MWT

Today is the day Martie McFly went Back To The Future! Wow. I remember sitting in the theater watching that movie and thinking 2015 was one hundred years away. And here we are. In honor of Back To The Future, I’m going to post an excerpt from a novella I started to write, then stopped because I realized it needed to be a full-length novel and it wasn’t the right time for it. But some time-in the Future-I will be Back to it.

I hope you enjoy this small taste of ECHO: Descendants of Ra BooK…Hmmm? I’m not quite sure which book this will be.

RULE #1 of the Egyptian Pantheon set down by Ra in the first Epoch

Never interfere with the will of the humans.

CHAPTER ONE

The Great Goddess Nu, ruler of the heaven’s and sky, symbolic matriarch of the Egyptian Pantheon sat motionless on her throne. Serenity graced her features and her hands rested loosely in her lap. Both belied the racing of her heart.

Her gaze had fixed to a point on the distant wall and her mind had turned inward to her favorite place on earth, the virgin forest of Thrace. Where she transformed into a doe and traversed the land. Often she retreated there when the dictate of her station became too much to bear.

Lightning struck outside the council chambers. She flinched. Thunder boomed a second later and mixed with a horrendous wail from one who was her friend. No longer could she pretend she was somewhere else. All three combined snatched her back to the present task.

Her gaze drifted from the wall and landed on her friend. Baal, the once exalted God of Storms. Baal angled his head and spittle ran freely from a broken jaw. His pained gaze met hers. Lightning flashed within his sky blue eyes before his head slumped.

Goddess, are you disturbed by the display?

She turned to the being seated in the gold chair. Though he sat beside her on a raised throne much grander than hers, Ra spoke the words directly into her mind. Able to be every thing and every where simultaneously, his elderly appearance fooled none. Master of the universe, creator of all, why he lingered here, on this small world puzzled the pantheon, but no one dared to question.

Ra waited for her answer. His placid face mimicked hers. How could she not be affected by the blood splatter marring her once pristine robes and the wails for mercy drowning out the raging tempest outside.

Incapable of lying Nu, finally turned her gaze to the drama unfolding a few feet away from her. Stripped and chained to the floor, back bowed Baal’s essence bleed from the many gashes dissecting his lean frame. A dakkardar whistled as it many tails sliced the air and dug into the gods hide. Chunks ripped free.

“I am greatly disturbed,” she said loud enough for all to hear. “The God of Storms knew the laws passed down from the time of Sakhmet. His actions have determined his fate. Show him mercy and he will not stray again.” As the Goddess of Heaven, violence went against her nature. As consort to Ra, she did her duty and supported his position even though her soul rebelled at the horror.

“No, I will not give him the chance to stray once more.”

Pleased with her response, Ra stood, rested his staff against his throne and crossed the room. He took the dakkardar from Aten’s hand. Disappointment flared in the sycophant’s eyes before reverence masked the minor sun god’s emotions.

Ra whipped the tails into the air. Infusing them with his power, the weapon turned into blinding streams of light. The tails connected with skin. Acrid smoked filled the chamber. When it cleared nothing of the handsome Baal remained. Most of his body charred, Baal slumped unconscious on the marble floor.

“Nu.” Ra’s gazed landed on her and shifted to the Serpent necklace snug around her neck. One of the seven sacred relics, this Anu-Ra belonged solely to her. Only she could wield it. He didn’t have to speak for her to know his intention.

No, she nearly screeched, but one couldn’t refuse Ra. On shaky legs, she stood and proceeded forward. With each step, the necklace uncoiled from her neck. Its warm body stretched ad snaked across her bare shoulders, down her arm to wrap once around her wrist. The ruby eyes set in its golden head twinkled as it bobbed, waiting. At the opposite end the twin emerald eyed head rested against her pulsing jugular.

If she had support she could protest. Nu glanced at the other deity’s gathered as witness for Baal’s punishment. A few stared blankly ahead, but avid delight at another’s suffering transformed many more.

Ra spoke her full name, commanding her attention and ending any hope of finding unity or a budding coalition of opposition. Once more, she was reminded of Ra power and how little the Pantheon cared for each other. She almost wished she wasn’t a god.

She stopped short of the prone of Baal’s body and his cooling essence. Forgive me balanced on the tip of her tongue as she extended her arm. Golden scales expanded. The Serpent lengthened and stretched toward Baal. Blood raced through her aching heart. Ruby eyes flared and glowed. Emerald eyes matched the display. For this act only fangs sunk into her neck and drew power from her. Goddess of the Heavens, Nu kept the balance between heaven and earth, and the gods and humans.

The ruby head bit into Baal. Power flowed into the Serpent where it would remain until called forth. When it ended, Baal was gone. Not even dust remained.

Tears threatened to spill. Nu lifted her head. The storm clouds hovering over the open chamber dissipated and cleansing sunlight washed clean everywhere it touched.

Ra turned to the Pantheon. “As a reward for his loyalty, Aten will receive Baal’s power.”

Her stomach rolled. Nu ignored the gasps that circled the room and whipped around and faced Ra and Aten. Eagerness showed on the lesser god’s face while Ra’s bedrock features never wavered. His steady gaze commanded her compliance.

“I refuse.”

Tension hummed through the room and several gods gathered their power. Ra’s face turned molten and flamed like the surface of the sun. He strode to her and only stopped a breath away. His heat billowed, baking her.

“Repeat your words.” His voice cracked the silence of the room.

His power eclipsed hers ten times over. Nu stiffened her spine. “He is unworthy of such a gift.”

All waited for Ra to speak. A second or a millennium, neither mattered to a deity.

Finally, you show some backbone. The words filled her head.

“As you wish Great Goddess,” Ra said loudly. You have made an enemy today. Very unwise.

Ra vanished, but his words lingered in Nu’s head and began to fester. A rustle of fabric caught her attention. She scanned the room and met each hostile stare until they bowed with proper respect. Only then did she leave the chamber.

I hope you enjoyed it. Be sure to check out the first novels in the Descendants of Ra series.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me, it means a lot. Be sure to check out all the Mid Week Teasers. Find authors here.

My Sexy Saturday 8/29/15

August 28, 2015August 28, 2015Tmonique Stephens

Welcome to My Sexy Saturday post! Today, I’m share 7 sentences from my latest work in progress, the 4th novel in my Descendants of Ra series, Encore. Meet EJ Nicolis. He’s a descendant of Ra, a mercenary and a prisoner of the sexiest woman he’s ever met.

Day One. EJ Nicolis sat zombified in a ratty tan Barcalounger. The planned destruction and death of one person gave him focus and kept him sane. It didn’t matter how fine her ass was in the red tartan mini. Or how her thighs peeked all milk creamy between the slats of the skirt. Or how freaking sexy her candy apple red patent leather knee-high Doc Marten’s gleamed in competition with pouty red lips and her amethyst eyes. As soon as he freed himself from his forced servitude—Ridley Cross was a dead woman.

Hope you enjoyed it. Be sure to check out the first 3 novels in the Descendants of Ra series available on AMAZON

MID WEEK TEASE

June 24, 2015June 23, 2015Tmonique Stephens

#MWT

Hello Everyone,

In the last few weeks, I’ve been busy working on three projects. The first project is Encore, the fourth novel in the Descendants of Ra series. The second project is Forever, a Descendants of Ra novella, featuring Reign and Alexis from the second novel in the series. The third project is a brand new series featuring the Cimmerians, a group of disgruntled fallen angels who are seeking redemption in order to return to heaven, or are they? In the coming weeks, I’ll be leaving snippets from all three projects.

Today, you’re getting a snippet for Encore. When last we left EJ Nicolis, he was little more than a zombie. Trapped in his own body with only his mind to keep him company. Until Ridley Cross, the woman who helped turn him in her personal zombie slave, arrives. Not to free him, but to command him.

Ridley dropped to her haunches in front of EJ. She’d never been this close. Her amethyst eyes—violet flecked with silver—so brilliant in her pale face, met his.

“I don’t know why I bother talking to you?” She traced a finger down his cheek. Her lips curled into a frown. She sighed and tapped his temple. “There’s nothing in there. You’re an empty shell.” Her gaze moved lower to his chest. Lower to his abs. Lower…

Her hand dipped into the pocket of her red leather coat and retrieved a photo. EJ couldn’t see the image so he studied the solemn expression on Ridley’s face, happy that something had caused her pain. A sigh eased from her and unshed tears shimmered in her eyes. Her forehead dropped to his knee and her shoulder trembled.

Concern was the last thing he expected to feel, but it was there. This wasn’t the woman who left him to rot. That woman wouldn’t have tears to shed.

Her chin rose and she scooted between his knees. “I’m sorry, s-sorry for all of this,” she stuttered, her breath hitching between each word. “Sorry you got caught in the crossfire, but you’re here now, and I need you—your help, your muscle.”

What would bring her this low to seek an enemy for help?

She stood, popped her hands on her hips, and widened her stance. “You will help me.” Gone was the contrite person who just apologized. “Okay, let’s make this official. Look at me,” she demanded.

The order bulldozed his will. His chin tilted and his gaze traveled up her body, past her exposed belly button, the cropped sweater molding to the swell of her breasts. They were small, no more than a handful. Well…he had big hands.

His gaze continued the journey, pausing at the deep hue of her full lips.

“I said look at me.” Impatience stamped her voice. And a bit of fear.

Good. She should be afraid. Very. Because he was going to kill her. Slowly and with great joy.

He looked past her nose, flaring with each agitated inhale to finally met her gaze. Brows lowered over her eyes, she expected his complete obedience. And he was powerless to refuse her.

“Elroy Jasper, you are my bodyguard.”

He cringed at the sound of his full name and swore additional vengeance.

“You will do what I say, when I say. Protecting me from any injury, any enemy is your primary goal. If you understand, nod.”

He understood plenty. He was now her brick wall, her armor, her bulletproof vest. Up and down, his head moved. Now I’m a damn bobblehead! A string of curses ricocheted inside his head though none left his lips.

“Rise.”

He unfurled from the chair. Seated for so long, his muscles screamed in relief. His joints snapped, crackled, and popped.

Her lovely face glowed with amusement. “You sound like an old man.”

That’s because you made me sit for six fucking days! Rage. Four letters meshed together to denote an emotion. That’s what he should feel. The only thing that made sense. Instead, curiosity had him studying her. What did she need with him? Something illegal?

“Sorry for leaving you here for so long. I move faster without you.”

He’d seen how she moved. There one moment, gone the next. Once he was free, he’d find a way to immobilize her and get some payback.

Where are we going? The words stayed in his head because she hadn’t given him permission to speak.

“Put on your coat and follow me.”

She opened the door and like an obedient slave, he fell in line behind her, powerless to disobey.

For now.

Check out the other Descendants of Ra novels available on Amazon.

The Romance Reviews Sizzling Summer Romance Reads Party

June 5, 2015June 5, 2015Tmonique Stephens

Welcome to your next stop on the Sizzling Summer Reads Party tour! Hi, I’m Tmonique Stephens and I’m showcasing the first novel in my Descendants of Ra series, Eternity. If you’re into vengeful gods and the hot descendants, then this is the read for you!

Cursed for 2000 years, Roman Nicolis has tracked his lovers’ soul through each reincarnation only to lose her horribly every time. Reclaiming their love is his only salvation. He’s been her friend, her father, her neighbor, but never again her lover . . . until now.

A late night walk home throws Stella Walker into the path of a killer. The last thing she remembers are the deep blue eyes of the man trying to kill her—and the first things she sees after a seven day coma are the same blue eyes in the handsome face of the man hired to protect her. Is he truly the owner of a security firm or the man who wants to finish her off? Is it fears she feels when Roman touches her or the memory of something sweeter?

Past secrets haunt them. An angry demon stalks them.

Roman will do anything to recover what they once had. Though Stella’s ruined childhood has made her close her heart and body to any man, he must get past the walls around her to gain her love and trust, for it will take their union to defeat an unexpected enemy sent from the Egyptian Gods. A man Romans respects, and Stella trusts.

ETERNITY EXCERPT

Curled on his body in the middle of Central Park, Roman let Stella sleep. Holding her wasn’t a hardship as his mind wandered to the future, their future. Foolhardy, definitely, but what else could he do when he held the object of his obsession in his arms?

Remember your promise and let her go.

He stroked a wayward lock of hair behind her ear and slid his fingers down her silky cheek. She nuzzled him, turned her face into his palm and kissed him. Every noble intention evaporated like a bead of sizzling water in a hot skillet. Cock rock hard, he had to kiss her, feel her breath on his skin, in his body. In the deserted park, he needed her now.

The fine hairs on the back of his neck bristled. He froze. Battle instincts surged to the forefront, screaming for action, instead, he listened to the night surrounding him and waited. Though not a hub of wildlife, the creatures of Central Park were silent. They also waited. Somewhere, nearby, a predator stalked.

He nudged Stella. She stretched, making him aware of every curve and hollow she possessed, and purred, a sexy rumble deep in her throat. Before she could say a word, he cupped her head and pulled her into a quick kiss.

“Shhh, we’re in danger,” he whispered against her lips.

Her head popped up and she eased off him. In the gloom, her frightened eyes met his. “What?” She mouthed.

“We have to get out of here.”

Crouched low, he took her hand, together they crawled along next to the hedge. He looked over. His keen eyesight picked up nothing and no one. So why did the same excitement he used to get before a battle race through his veins? Stella squeezed his hand. Her wide eyes sent him a question he couldn’t answer.

He drew his gun from the small of his back and the silencer from his jacket pocket.

“Roman?” Her voice wavered.

He spared her a glance. “Whatever happens, do exactly as I say. Understand?”

Her head bobbed on her neck.

“Walk beside me, not in front or behind. Got it?”

Not far from the nearest road, they stuck to the trees and away from the open expanse of the Great Lawn.

Leaves crunched behind them. He’d never run from anything in his life. Even before the curse and his immortality, he stood his ground and killed everything in his path. Now, whatever stalked him, stalked her. His senses told him only one lurked in the darkness, but with Stella to protect, he couldn’t risk it.

The Delacorte amphitheater loomed ahead. He guided her into the shadows. Stationed behind a statue, he aimed and watched the route they had just taken. Stella clutched his jacket, her shivering body pressed close.

“Tell me.”

“There’s someone out there.”

“It could be anyone, ’kids maybe?”

“Maybe.” He agreed purely to reassure her. But as he spoke, one hundred yards away, something peeled away from the shadows of a large tree and charged.

“Stay.” He ordered. Through his jacket, her nails dug into his back. He pulled away, but she wouldn’t let go. He shrugged out of his jacket and advanced. She called to him, begging him to return, but the blood rushing in his ears drown out her voice. He rushed forward and focused on the attacking foe.

Wait. He skidded to a halt. He had a shot, but . . . something was wrong. The height was too short. Whoever ran toward him must be a child—or running on all fours. He squinted at the slice of darkness closing the distance between them. The tree coverage ended and speckled moonlight dotted the Great Lawn, uncovering the thing barreling forward. For a split second his mind tried to unravel the impossible nightmare quickly shrinking the distance, before he fired three shots between its widely spaced eyes. It roared and charged faster.

“Run, Stella!” He fired running back to the theater. She hadn’t listened. Instead of running away, she met him. He grabbed her hand and ran, but she couldn’t keep up and the thing behind them closed the distance.

“Is it him, The Strangler?” she shouted breathless.

They ran past The Preserve, rounded a column and then stopped. Shrouded in gloom, the outline of the pond appeared in front of the Belvedere Castle. He didn’t want her to see what chased them, but before he could stop her, she turned. Her scream pierced the night. Yards away, a bellow replied. He jerked her around and shoved. She stumbled and fell into the water.

“Go!” This time, she didn’t fight. For a second, he watched her swim. Then turned in time for claws to dig into his side.