I am thrilled to announce the release of my bestselling trilogy in one volume!
Shifting Tides is out now in paperback! Venture beneath the shimmering waves of a turquoise ocean and discover the portal to an enchanted realm in this paranormal erotic romance collection from author Cassandra Curtis. One man’s ultimate quest for power troubles an undersea world already rife with dark danger and political intrigues, forcing three women to face down their fears and embrace their destiny. In Beneath A Midnight Sea, Terri Fletcher is a woman who knows how to flirt and how to meet men…just not how to keep one. When she comes home after attending a workshop on how to find Mr. Right, the last thing she expects is to find him, wet, naked, and passed out behind her house. Destin MacCodrum, a shape shifting selkie, survives both a strange storm at sea and a shark attack, only to wash ashore minus his sealskin cap. Much has changed since his last visit to the world of the land-dwellers. Including his resistance to the lusty charms of their women, namely his beautiful rescuer. Unable to change back into his aquatic form without his cap, Destin suspects Terri may have hidden it to keep him with her, just as all the legends say. Together they must learn trust, while another plots in secret to destroy Destin’s world beneath the midnight sea. In Song of The Sea, Terri’s cousin Vivilyn Ondine is a runaway bride escaping a mafia wedding. When private investigator Peter Varien is hired to find her he suspects something is fishy. He just didn’t expect it to be the bride. He manages to track his quarry down at a nightclub in Memphis, where she’s belting out jazzy torch songs with the boys in the band. She’s every man’s desire, with a body born of sin and a voice that enthralls, putting men under a sexual spell. A sea siren, Viv is having the time of her life among the land-dwellers. She’s never fallen in love, never truly surrendered—until she meets the handsome private eye. Soon, Peter and Vivilyn are in a race against time, and must join forces to defeat a dangerous enemy who will stop at nothing, even murder, to capture Viv and force her to reveal the location of the magical pearl known as the Soul of The Sea. In Soul of The Sea, Jill Kohlson is a woman looking for answers and bent on revenge. Her plans take a side turn when she travels to Mermaid Isle and meets the handsome Botoa brothers. Gavin and Garde are twin Dolphine Botos, a race of Brazilian shape-shifters that according to myth and legend, can claim your soul and take you to the Encanté, an enchanted undersea world. The twins share everything, including their lovers. For the first time in her life, Jill can explore all her sexual fantasies and appease her hungry appetites. She knows there is no future in the summer fling, especially if the brothers discover her secret; a magical amulet she wears to disguise her true nature. When the twin's foster father Silas Mariner is kidnapped, Jill realizes her one chance to find answers has disappeared too. With the help of her friend Melissa, she infiltrates the compound of crime boss Nick Sharkey, and must make the toughest decision of her life. Fulfill her lust for revenge, or risk all to save the twins and the one she loves. Meet the heroes and heroines in Shifting Tides.
Excerpt 1 from Shifting Tides, ©2009 , by Cassandra Curtis.Terri forced herself to stop ogling the sexy stranger. He worked out—a lot. But those rippled abs and long, sleek muscles didn’t come from a gym. At first, she’d been too worried about him to notice what an incredible specimen of man she’d found.
Oh my…those dark, almost black eyes, and the inky hair. She just knew when it was dry, clean of sea water and sand, brushed straight, it would feather through her fingers in a silky, dark wave. She tried to peer closer at the strange tattoo on his inner bicep. It was a circle of black. Inside, lines formed an interwoven petal-like design. She’d seen this same tattoo somewhere else, long ago, but couldn’t remember where.
The approaching siren interrupted her thoughts. She should be ashamed. The man was hurt. He could be married with kids at home, his family worried about him. And she hadn’t thought to ask if he needed her to call someone for him. All he seemed concerned about was his baseball cap. She vowed to look for it in the morning.
She excused herself and went to meet the medics. The two men followed her to the deck. While one of them asked Destin questions, the other opened a case and began treating the wound—which was a heck of a lot smaller than she remembered! It looked like nothing more than a nasty scratch and a couple of small puncture wounds. What the—?
“What type of animal did you say attacked him?”
“Umm, shark. It looked like a shark bite to me. And there was lots of blood. He passed out.”
“Could be, judging by the teeth marks, but if it was, your man got lucky. It was probably a baby.”
Destin shot her a warning glance. But why? She knew the gouge she’d seen wasn’t from a baby shark.
“How many fingers am I holding up?” One of the medics asked, while the other expertly debrided and bandaged Destin’s thigh.
“Three.”
“Who is president?”
“Of what?”
A look passed between the paramedics. “The United States.”
“He’s not from here. He’s visiting from Scotland,” she interjected, worried now that Destin would wind up in the hospital’s “special wing.”
One of the men stood to shine a light in his eyes. Then he made a notation on a clipboard. “You know what day it is?”
She tried to “mouth” the word Friday, but quit when she noticed the medic glance from Destin to her.
“Ah, Friday.”
The medic shot her a disgusted glare. “Can you tell me what year it is?” He asked Destin.
“I will answer no more of your foolish questions.”
“I can’t help you if you won’t answer the questions.”
“I need no more help.”
“Fine, the docs in ER can deal with you, buddy.”
“Nay. I’ll not go to your hospital.”
“Look, if you don’t go, then your insurance won’t pay for our trip.”
She had no idea if that was true or if the medic had said it to cajole him. But Destin wasn’t easily cajoled…or anything else it seemed. He folded his arms in front of his broad chest and shook his head.
“I stay right here.”
“I…umm, I don’t think he has insurance anyway.”
“No insurance?”
She glanced at Destin, and he shook his head. “I guess not.”
“Well, then if you are refusing to go to the hospital, there’s nothing more for us here. Keep off the leg for a while if you can. And you might want to see if your girlfriend has antibiotic ointment and fresh bandages for tomorrow.” He repacked his case, while the other man handed a clipboard and pen to Destin.
“It’s a release I need you to sign, saying that you are refusing transport.”
He scrawled something on it, then handed it back to the man.
“He should follow up—make him go to a doctor Monday.”
“I will.” She ignored Destin’s fierce scowl.
The medics nodded to her as they left.
She scooted her chair closer to his, and sat down beside him. “Destin, you really should have gone with them. You could have hit your head when you passed out and be suffering from a concussion.”
“You truly worry for me? A stranger?”
“Of course I do. Anyone would.”
“Nay. Few would. And surely not a land-dweller.” He reached out to touch her hair, then leaned closer, whispering, “Fair beauty…”
“Now, I’m really worried,” she quipped. “Definitely a concussion.”
His lips were mere inches from hers. He leaned in. She tilted her head and met him halfway. The ocean’s roar echoed in her mind. Her senses were overwhelmed as she sank beneath his kiss.
He tasted of salt air and the sea. His hands cupped the back of her head and his fingers wove through her hair. He gave a gentle tug, and she opened her mouth.
Now she was the one who felt light-headed. His tongue dove and fluttered, teasing her, tempting her. She placed her hands on his smooth chest and glided her fingers over the rock-solid pecs. Like warm satin over steel. Liquid heat flooded her, sensitizing her skin to his touch. She squeezed her thighs tight.
He pulled back, eyes glittering with some distant emotion. If she didn’t know better, she’d think it was wonder. He caressed her face with a butterfly’s touch, as she took huge gulping breaths and tried to gather her scattered wits. Despite what her mother thought, she’d been kissed plenty of times—but none like that!
Peter and VivilynExcerpt 2 from Shifting Tides, ©2009 , by Cassandra Curtis.
She fingered the silk tie dangling from her hands and cinched it tight around her waist. Heat flooded her cheeks when she recalled how he’d used the strip of silk, tied her wrists to the headboard, and made her helpless. She’d fought him, then realized she’d also have to fight herself, and gave in to his domination.
God, what was wrong with her? She’d never felt this burning need before, never wanted any man this much. She looked at her hands. Faint indentions still marked her palms from where she’d dug her nails. She also had delicate bruises on her wrists from struggling against the silk after Peter tied her to the bedposts.
Viv glanced at the coffee maker. She sighed and dumped the stale brown liquid from the pot into the bathroom sink. Where the hell was he? If he did work for Nicky, he was probably somewhere sweating a few bullets himself this morning.
A non-ensorcelled man could not be trusted. Hadn’t her mother told her that her entire life? Her beloved Uncle Mack’s marriage to his witch-woman had also failed because his enchantments and her aunt’s powerful earth magick cancelled each other out. Then again, it could be because her uncle’s ex-wife was a difficult woman, equal in power and might, who refused to back down. That wouldn’t sit well with her uncle, a prince of the seas.
But Peter had no animal power, no fey magick. He was just a human. She shouldn’t need anything more than her natural sex appeal to captivate and keep him. Unless all this time landlocked had caused her to lose some of her power? Was that even possible? Panic hit her. She glanced up into the bathroom mirror and tried to see a difference.
Dark circles bruised the skin beneath her eyes. Too many late nights and not enough sleep. She splashed cold water on her face and then caught a glimpse of something else reflected in the mirror that gave her hope. His trench coat slung across the chair near the sofa. If he wanted it back, he’d have to see her again.
The coffee pot forgotten, she absently set it on the bathroom counter and hurried across the room to grab the coat. She held it to her face and sniffed the fresh musky scent of his cologne on the lapels. She reached a hand down into the pocket. And felt the edges of something.
She pulled out a color photograph—of herself. She remembered she’d been “land-locked” for only a couple of weeks when the photo had been taken. Nicky had insisted. If she hadn’t known exactly who and what Nick Sharkey was, she might have fallen for the smooth, handsome façade and the wide, charming smile as he joked with her and took her picture.
He even encouraged her singing career, something her parents abhorred and tried to prevent. Of course, she knew why he wanted her in his clubs. Nick Sharkey savored power, and the ultimate control. She was simply a tool to achieve his goals. Having her in his bed as his wife also protected him and provided an added bonus, a permanent hostage against his worst enemies—the Undines—her people.
Now it seemed she’d merely bypassed one trap for another. She wondered if Peter knew he could name any price and Nicky would pay it to get her back. Her hand shook as she returned the photo to Peter’s coat pocket. Her legs wobbled, and she slumped into the sofa cushions. Well, she had suspected he’d been the one following her, that he might be some human Nicky hired.
Peter must have called his boss by now. How long before Nicky’s men showed up in the hotel lobby? She guessed she had a few hours head start at best.
Garde, Gavin, Jill, and MelissaExcerpt 3a from Shifting Tides, ©2009 , by Cassandra Curtis.
She wove among the tourists, flip-flops kicking up sand, and removed her sunglasses when she saw the sign: Mariner’s Treasures of the Deep. No one seeing the dinky excuse for a gift shop would ever guess the true value or the priceless nature of some items hidden within the shack. Sneaky old pirate. Silas Mariner had made good on his promise to her, though. Now it was her turn. So why did her stomach fill with dread?
Jill blinked, her eyes adjusting from bright sunshine to natural, indoor light, and then blinked again at the unexpected sight less than three feet away.
Dear Neptune! The man was too beautiful. Long waves of honey dark hair, gathered by a strip of thin rope, hung past his shoulders. Seashells suspended from a few braided strands. He carried the scent of ocean breezes and warm tropical nights spent in a haze of sexual delight. Her mouth watered and her stomach clenched. Mmm…she was hungry for a taste.
She admired his rippled abs and strong back as he bent to retrieve a large conch shell from a bag and move it to a bottom shelf in the gift shop. With his tanned chest and arms bare, Jill could see the telltale mark of his clan tattooed on the inside of his bicep.
A stylized tribal tattoo, waves within a circle. The fluted tail fin of a Dolphine boto in the center. They were supposed to be extinct. Nothing left of them but myth and legend…Brazilian shapeshifters that, in the guise of human desire, could claim your soul and take you to Encanté, an enchanted underwater world. Twins. She remembered now. The Dolphine race had always calved twins. Yet here stood one of them. So where was this one’s brother? She warned herself to be on guard. Many pretty things came from the Amazon, and the prettiest were often deadly.
Could he sense the sea magick in her? She fingered the earth amulet around her neck. Well, she’d wanted to test it to make sure it worked before she put her plan in motion. What better way than to wear it in the presence of a male Dolphine?
When he straightened, their eyes locked for a brief minute. Her heart pounded in equal amounts excitement and no little amount of fear. Dolphines and their common, non-magickal distant cousins, the dolphins, were known as fierce fighters and enemies of all sharks.
Deep-set eyes the color of midnight blue lapis drifted over her figure, lingering on her breasts. Did she pass inspection? She glanced down…difficult to tell since he wore board shorts. A whisper of sound escaped his lips. She looked up and realized she’d been caught staring at his potential assets as well. Heat flushed her cheeks, but did not stop her arousal or her determination.
“Is the owner here?” The question tumbled from her lips, her breath caught on the flash of pearl white teeth as he smiled.
“No. I will have to do. Garde Botoa,” he introduced as he took her hand. But instead of shaking it, he pulled her closer and kissed her on each cheek. The contact of their joined hands tingled, and zings of static electricity danced where his lips brushed her face.
Desire hit her full force, leaving her legs shaky and her nipples tight. In her mind, she could hear his soft accent, his gentle words of enchantment. He meant to bespell her with passionsong! A normal human would never recognize the seductive call for what it was—imposed lust, carnal fire. His will dominant over her and none the wiser.
Except she wasn’t your average woman. Or even completely human. She was more, and the knowledge brought a smile to her face…because he didn’t know!
The amulet had worked!
Excerpt 3b from Shifting Tides, ©2009 , by Cassandra Curtis.
Melissa saw two doors and tried opening them, but both were locked. She continued along the path until it dead-ended. Right or left? She listened for Jill’s voice, or any sign of a door opening or closing. Not hearing any movement or noise, she decided on the right branching hallway.
A sudden, high-pitched cry drew her attention. Not a baby, more like an animal. Whatever made the sound was in terrible pain. And it was coming from behind a door ahead to her left. Should she try going for help? The sound repeated again and again. She couldn’t ignore it. The thing sounded desperate.
Melissa forgot about Jill and ran for the door. Four large tanks sat inside the room. The sound came from the largest tank. She reminded herself that a hurt animal could be a dangerous animal, and peered cautiously over the clear rim. A lone bottlenose dolphin cried out, swimming sideways in an ungraceful arc. She noted the ripped and bloody fins, and the gouge marks in the creature’s side. Mutilated, the dolphin struggled, but managed to swim over to her, the mournful sounds so loud she knew it didn’t have long before it would go under and possibly drown.
Intelligence lurked behind those dark blue eyes. Poor thing. She needed to get it on a gurney and into her hospital at the marine lab. Needs antibiotics and surgery, stat! She’d have to find help fast. But as she started turning away to do just that, the dolphin emitted a different pitched squeal and pressed its nose and mouth to the glass. It breathed, creating a fogged surface. Astonished, she watched as the animal’s nose pushed against the glass. The head moved up and down.
She blinked. No. No it can’t be. Impossible. She raised her hand to the glass and traced the letters and words that emerged on the other side of the tank.
Help! Save me. Save us.
She pinched the bridge of her nose and rubbed her eyes, but the message was still there. “Us?”
Find friend.
No way this was happening. Dreaming. That’s it, she was probably still in her bed and this was nothing more than a very vivid dream.
I hope you've enjoyed this peek into the Shifting Tides world. :-)
Purchase at: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/ShiftingTides.html
or through Barnes and Noble HERE!
.:::Contest Time:::.
If you read the blurbs and the excerpts above,
you will probably know the answer to this question.
How is Terri related to Vivilyn?
Please email your answers to cass@cassandracurtis.com
for your chance to win a cool Shifting Tides goody bag that includes:
A Shifting Tides mouse pad, Cassandra Curtis pen, Cassandra Curtis magnet, an autographed copy of my paperback book Shifting Tides, autographed bookmarks,
and a handcrafted book tote bag! Cool swag, huh?
Contest ends midnight October 3, 2009.
A winner will be chosen at random from all entries received and will be announced here
and at my blog on October 4, 2009.
Good Luck, ya'll. ((hugs))
Must be 18+ to enter. The odds of winning depend upon the number of participants.
Contest void where prohibited by law.
Labels: cassandra, new releases, paperback, shapeshifters, Shifting Tides |
Sherrilyn Kenyon's Born of Night
