[BookStrand Paranormal Romantic Suspense, vampires]
Successful children's book illustrator Holly Seaton is no stranger to the paranormal. With her artist's hand, she creates magical beings of myth and fantasy. Little does she know some of these creatures actually exist and she just met one in the supermarket.
Stryker Cain is a vampire on a crucial mission to save his people from extinction. For years he's been settling small enclaves of vampires amidst human communities all over the world. Stryker has deadly enemies, people who will stop at nothing to destroy his dream. He doesn't have time to deal with the complex feelings Holly engenders within him, but some things can't be pushed aside. She's his bloodmate. The one person a vampire cannot deny.
When innocent people close to him are murdered, Stryker is forced to pull Holly into his world in order to keep her safe. But is Holly the one who will need saving?
"I love vampires. Always have and probably always will. I think it's a terrible pity they can't sun bathe because I love a man with a tan. The white-and-sickly-looking need not apply. I'm intrigued by the idea that maybe they're out there living amongst us. Sure some of them are predators, but what if humans were the real threat? We've managed to make a mess of just about everything else. Look at what witches have endured over the years. Is it possible that we've misunderstood the vampire? Maybe their stories don't have to be so filled with darkness. So, with all of that in mind, I wrote Drawing Blood, a vampire story with a little sunshine mixed in." ~ Mary ~
A BookStrand Mainstream Romance
5 DELIGHTFUL DIVAS, RECOMMENDED READ: "Every now and again you come across a book that completely blows you away. Right from the very start Mary Lou George drew me in with her beautiful writing style, and by the time I had read the first couple of pages, she had me firmly in her clutches and didn’t release me until I’d finished reading the book. I could tell you that the sex scenes were hot, but that would be a lie. They were blistering! The sexual tension between Holly and Stryker was so strong, at times it was palpable. The actual sex scenes were so hot, I wouldn’t have been surprised if my computer had spontaneously combusted!" -- Helen, Dark Diva Reviews
5 BLUE RIBBONS: "With a compelling story, an entertaining cast of secondary characters, and hilarious banter between the Holly and her best friend Avery, Drawing Blood is an excellent continuation of the Bloodstalker Series. The attraction between Stryker and Holly is red-hot, and the love scenes between them will make you blush. Ms. George has done a fantastic job creating her world, and the result is well worth the read! Great job!" -- Noelle, Romance Junkies
4.5 TOMBSTONES: "Drawing Blood is a page turner. It is definitely suspenseful – the kind that makes you sit at the edge of your seat while reading. The well thought out storyline for the series is deeply established. Plus, I just love all the characters. Holly and Avery’s friendship makes me remember my relationship with my own best friend. I cannot wait to revisit them again in the next installment. I guarantee you will enjoy this book." --CeCe, Bitten by Books
4 BOOKS: "Holly is certainly a very likable heroine. Her decision to move away from the suffocating influence of her father is admirable and took courage. Still, her father insists on sending Holly precooked meals. Holly allows this because she doesn't want to hurt her family's feelings, but this is also a sign that Holly still seeks their approval. However, as the story progresses, Holly learns to stand up to her father and demand the respect that she deserves. I enjoyed watching her transition from a doormat to a self confident young woman. Stryker is the classic mysterious hero. Even though there is a sense of danger about him, he's also a perfect gentleman, which Holly finds irresistible. Stryker's attraction to Holly is immediate and strong. He knows they belong together, but he holds back because he's afraid of how she'll react when she learns he's a vampire. If he and Holly are going to be together, he's going to have to learn to trust that she can handle the truth. Drawing Blood is loaded with suspense and all things paranormal. Any fan of paranormal romance should definitely pick up a copy of Drawing Blood today." -- Poinsettia, Long and Short Reviews
STORY EXCERPT
He consoled her. “Sorry, Holly, but any more and I won’t be able to stop.”
In a husky voice not quite under her command, she said, “I don’t remember asking you to.”
He smiled ruefully. “You have no idea what you’re in for if I don’t put the brakes on right now.”
She frowned. “Tell me then. What exactly am I in for?”
“I can’t right now. It’s complicated.” He cupped her face in his hand and stroked her lips with his thumb. “Please, trust me, Holly, there’s nothing I want more right now than to lose myself in you, but I can’t. It wouldn’t be fair to you.”
Angered by his martyrdom, she pulled away from him. “Thanks for thinking of me, Galahad. Maybe you should leave now. This was obviously a huge mistake.” His patronizing rejection of what she’d so willingly offered had struck at her pride. The balance of power felt lost. He’d touched her so intimately and sent her exploding in every direction, but he’d kept himself from her. He didn’t want her to touch him. She felt tears of hurt and humiliation threaten and gritted her teeth. He wouldn’t see her cry.
Stryker didn’t move. He looked at her hopelessly. His body was still aroused. He couldn’t hide that from her. “I’m sorry, Holly. My timing sucks I know, but please bear with me.”
She shook her head and moved to the chair opposite him. She looked up at the ceiling, forcing the tears and frustration away. She slumped against the cushions and closed her eyes.
He said, “You don’t know enough about me to make this kind of a decision.”
Anger washed over her again and briefly she welcomed its distraction from her hurt. She said, “That’s not for you to decide. But for argument’s sake let’s just take a minute here. So what you’re saying is that I’m promiscuous. I’m willing to jump into bed with you without knowing you.” She stood up, pointing a finger at him. “Listen, buster, I think I’ve been insulted enough for one day. Why don’t you quit while you’ve dug a hole so deep you’ve hit magma?”
He didn’t give up and pleaded with her. “You misunderstand me, Holly. I wanted…Iwant you just as much…oh hell…more than you want me. I took things too far, too soon. Please don’t take offense, none was meant.”
She stared at him unwilling to let go of her anger for the moment. It was an emotion she could handle much better than hurt, but finally her better judgment won out. She sighed and said, “Okay, I won’t kick you out…just yet…but you’re going to have to say or do something right now to make me feel better.”
He smiled. Relief sounded in the tone of his voice. “I appreciate your honesty. I won’t even bother to sweet talk you. You’re too bright for that, so I’ll be as honest with you as I can.” She narrowed her eyes and he took a deep breath. He said, “Just now, here, on that couch, I wanted you more than I’ve ever wanted anything or anyone in my entire life. One day you’ll understand just how much that really means. But for now, please trust me.”
She sighed, frustration warmed her breath. “Well, now I’m totally confused. I don’t ever offer myself lightly, but you got to me, and for once in my life, I went with it and let myself respond naturally. It was a mistake obviously.” She narrowed her eyes and punctuated her point with a wave of her hand. “Next time it won’t be so easy. You trust me on that one, mister.”
He nodded with acceptance. “I understand. I’m willing to take my punishment. I deserve it.” He smiled at her hopefully.
Still she didn’t smile, but finally after a few moments, the edges of her mouth turned up despite her better judgment and she reluctantly grinned.
Holly tapped her left hand on her knee. “I will demand an explanation soon.”
He nodded. “Got it. And I’ll give you one soon too.” He looked down at her hand as it continued to beat a tattoo against her leg. “Are you okay?”
She frowned at the offending hand and then met his eyes warily. She said, “I’m a southpaw, it always itches and tingles just before I slip into automatic drawing mode.” She walked away from him grabbing a sketch pad from her desk. She deliberately ignored the colored pencils in favor of an HB. “Congratulations, Stryker, you’re about to enter the Twilight Zone.”
