New Release! It’s “Perfect”!

Gone Country: Perfect officially releases TODAY from Tease Publishing. Tease sells primarily through AllRomanceeBooks.com and other online ebook sellers like Fictionwise, etc. Tease is a very new publisher but I think they’re destined for great things! My thanks to Stella Price for an excellent cover and all kinds of support behind the scenes and the rest of the folks at Tease. Here’s to many more “Gone Country” stories in the future!

Buy Perfect now from ARe for only $1.99

FireDrake Flies Today!

Finally, FireDrake releases today from Samhain Publishing! I say “finally” because it feels like I’ve been waiting a long time to get Drake’s story out there. It’s the start of a new chapter in the Dragon Knights saga with a lot more magic and action/adventure. I hope you like it as much as I do!

Here’s an excerpt - the entire Prologue - to whet your appetite and if you click the “more info” link it’ll take you to the Samhain website where you can either purchase the book or read the rest of Chapter One. Enjoy!

Click Here for More Info

Click Here to Buy Now

Prologue

Prince Nico, Spymaster of Draconia, and now King-Consort of the Jinn Brotherhood walked the battlements. The high towers of the Draconian royal castle were his home, and among his most favored places. His keen eyes searched the wide expanse, built so high in the clouds, until he found the creature he’d come to see.

She was a juvenile dragon, only about twenty-five winters old, in an absolutely stunning gold, pink and soft orange color. That’s what happened, Nico thought as he approached her, when a red and a golden dragon mated and were very, very lucky.

Jenet was one of the prettiest dragons Nico had ever seen, though she was often melancholy and refused to train with the knights and other dragons, since she had no knight. Nor would she choose a knight. She’d made her choice, she would reply when asked, and until the stubborn man died of old age without her, she would choose no other.

So Jenet served as a sort of royal babysitter, watching the younger princes when they flew as black dragons—something only a precious few males of the royal line, who could trace their lineage back to Draneth the Wise, could do. At the moment, Jenet was watching Nico’s younger brother Wil and the younger set of twins making lazy loops in the sky. They were playing tag, but the activity also served to heighten their fledgling flying skills.

Nico walked over and sat next to Jenet, his human legs dangling over the sides of the high parapet. He had no fear of falling, for if he did, he would simply transform into the dragon that shared his soul and soar away on tar-colored wings.

“How goes it today?” Nico had known Lady Jenet all his life, so there was little need for formality between them.

“Passing fair, my liege.”

“Please, Jen, just use my name. I’m sick to death of all this formality. It’s even worse now that my new wife has been crowned Queen of the Jinn. Thank heaven it’s mostly a ceremonial title.” Nico spoke mind to mind with the dragon, as only a few people could do.

A dragonish chuckle, complete with a smoky, cinnamon-scented cloud, answered him as Jenet moved her large golden head to study him. Her jewel-like eyes blinked once, fixing her gaze on him.

“You never coveted your brother’s throne, did you? Perhaps that’s the reason the Mother of All saw fit to grant you one of your own, King Nico.”

Nico groaned and clutched one hand to his chest in mock agony. “You wound me, mistress, to remind me of my woes.”

Jenet laughed outright at that, filling the air with smoky dragonish laughter. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company this morn? As you can see, your little brothers are playing on the air currents above and all is secure.”

“I came to see you, actually. I have some news I thought you’d like to hear.”

The fire opal eyes blinked once as she regarded him. “And what is your news, Prince Tease?”

Nico chuckled, relishing the moment. His news could change her life and would definitely brighten her mood, if he knew Jenet at all. He drew out the moment as long as he could, heightening the anticipation, but in the end there was just no way to say it but straight out.

“Drake’s coming home.”

“Drake!” Jenet jumped to her feet faster than Nico would have credited. She was a nimble little thing for all that she was as large as any healthy juvenile dragon. She crouched on all fours, her wings outstretched and trembling in a show of excited eagerness. Her large head crowded him as he stood. “Is it true?”

Nico smiled at her soft, almost frightened tone. “It’s true. I had a special messenger from the Jinn arrive just this morning. Drake sent him ahead to make sure my brother Roland would stay put. Drake’s coming to personally deliver a message from the Doge of Helios.”

“Drake! Coming home!” Jenet rose up to stand on her hind legs and trumpeted her delight to the sky. Her magnificent pearl-like wings flapped happily, stirring up a joyful breeze as Nico watched, gratified and amused. It had been too long since Jenet had been this happy. It was good to see her so alive again.

And it was all because of Drake.

Drake had taken the eager light from her eyes when he’d left home fifteen years ago and she’d pined for him ever since. Now he was coming home, but for how long? Would he spurn her again? Or would he finally accept what was so obvious to everyone else who knew them?

Only time would tell.

Perfect - Now Up for Pre-Order!

My first contemporary novella from Tease Publishing is now available for pre-order at AllRomanceeBooks.com. I intend it to be the beginning of a new series of contemporary stories based on the concept of a person (either hero or heroine) who’s given up city life and “Gone Country.” (The way I often wish I could do myself.)

Here’s a little bit about the story… (Also stay tuned for an excerpt later this week.)

A city girl meets a country boy. She’s “gone country” and he’s just the man to teach her to ride…

A city girl, successful business woman and former bakery owner, Cassandra, has sold out and moved West to her own slice of heaven — a working ranch, complete with cowboys. She doesn’t know much about ranch life, but she’s a willing student, especially when the new ranch hand catches her eye.

Cody compliments her cooking and charms his way into her life, but he’s keeping secrets, and she doesn’t know if she can trust her instincts where he’s concerned. She’s going to have to make a decision, but should she take the risk?

PRE-ORDER NOW for only $1.99 from ARe!

Three New Print Releases!

Three New PRINT Releases from Bianca D’Arc

SONS OF AMBER - The first two Sons of Amber stories together in one print volume. When an alien virus decimates humanity, Dr. Amber Waithe creates a small group of men who are immune. These genetically engineered supermen are the Sons of Amber. Their mission: to repopulate the human worlds. Of course, nobody expects them to fall in love. BUY NOW from Phaze HARA’S LEGACY - 2008 EPPIE Award Winner! - The first in a five book series set on a futuristic Earth where an alien race has decimated most of the planet and only special people with psychic abilities survive in the wild places. The O’Hara brothers will do anything to protect the empathic woman they grew up with. But in a post-apocalyptic world, can they adapt to share her love if it’s the only way to keep them all safe? It’s a serious game of cowboys and aliens when three psychically gifted brothers try to protect the one fragile, empathic woman who holds all their hearts against a menacing alien threat. BUY NOW from MBAM - BUY NOW from Amazon I DREAM OF DRAGONS Vol. 1 - Wings of Change - One young woman could be the miracle that heals a dying dragon — and unites a family with her love. BUY NOW from MBAM - BUY NOW from Amazon

Sons of Amber - In Print Today!

The Sons of Amber compliation has just been released in print! This book contains the first two Sons of Amber stories - Ezekiel and Michael. Here’s the BUY LINK. And here’s a bit about the book:

When an alien virus decimates humanity, Dr. Amber Waithe creates a small group of men who are immune. These genetically engineered supermen are the Sons of Amber. Their mission: to repopulate the human worlds. Of course, nobody expects them to fall in love.

Ezekiel - Crash landing on a strange desert world, Ezekiel is rescued by an angel who nurses him back to health. The small community of humans could be the only uninfected colony in the galaxy and he must protect them at all costs. Likewise, he must protect Angela - his angel - the one woman he wants like no other in the universe.

Davin’s Quest - Available Now!

Which man will Callie choose, the alien or the warrior? Or can she have both?

Resonance Mates Book 2

For each Alvian, there is one perfect match—a Resonance Mate whose soul blends in perfect harmony. Unlike the rest of his race, Davin has emotions and suffers for it. Without a mate, he is doomed to go mad. Searching for answers and understanding, he seeks out Callie O’Hara, a human woman with strong empathic gifts. Could this fragile human be his Resonance Mate?

Rick St. John is a tough-as-nails survivor of the Alvian occupation of Earth. He doesn’t believe in much, but when he sees Callie for the first time, he starts to believe in love at first sight.

The Governing Council is gunning for Davin, the upstart who dares to defy them. And they’ll kill anyone who gets in their way. Davin and Rick must come to terms with their feelings for Callie in order to keep her safe, while she has to find a way to save them both…with her love.

Warning: Warning, this title contains hot alien love, explicit sex, graphic language, and ménage a trois.

Read An Excerpt Online

It’s That Busy Time of Year

So much to do! And so little time to do it in. I got my hair done this morning and the salon was buzzing with busy people, so at least now I know I’m not the only one. Here are some new developments that some of you might find interesting…

First, the Fortune’s Fool anthology has a new cover for the print edition, which is supposed to be out sometime soon. Have a look:

I don’t know if you can make it out, but there’s a buff guy’s chest in the crystal ball. Hubba hubba.

Also, without my realizing it, Whiskey Creek Press Torrid has released my short Holiday story, Solstice Dreams. It’s in Volume 7 of their Celtic Love Knots series, along with a short story by Barri Bryan. My tale is an uplifting story about the union of opposites.

Two elves - one high court and one lower court sidhe - are both searching the far North, seeking wisdom from the fabled jolly old elf. When the warrior and the witch meet, an instant attraction draws them, though such a union is forbidden. Will they flaunt convention and fall in love or will they remain forever searching? (I bet you can tell how it’s going to end!) Pick up your copy now at the WCPT site.

Tonight, I’m heading into Manhattan to have dinner with a few publishing folks and some writer friends and tomorrow I’ll be signing at the Indie & Small Press Book Fair (see my previous post for the address and website info). I hope I’ll see some of you there! We’ll have both ebooks and print books for sale and I’ll be sitting at a table with my good friend, Stella Price, so you’ll be able to find us pretty easily - we’ll be the ones gossiping and having a good time!

Prince of Spies in Print!

Just wanted to crow a bit about the official print release of Prince of Spies. Finally! It’s here!

Prince Nico is a cunning master of stealth, but can he master a maiden’s fragile heart?

Prince Nico is known as the Prince of Spies for a reason. Not only is he the Spymaster of Draconia, but he’s a cunning shapeshifter able to take on dragon form or human, as the mood strikes. The gift of his royal heritage comes in handy as a spy for his brother, the king, but it’s a great secret known only to a few.

Riki lives in misery, chained up to serve a mad king’s perverted magic. Forced to use her draining healing skills to keep King Lucan of Skithdron alive, Riki is a shadow of the woman she should be. But when she heals the new prisoner, his energy sparks her own, healing her as well.

When Nico wakes, he knows Ricki is the woman he’s been searching for and wastes no time busting them both out of the enemy palace. Thus starts an adventure that will take them across two countries, through peril and danger, and the discovery of an undeniable love and mutual respect.

Here, finally is the woman Prince Nico can claim as his mate…if she’ll have him. But Riki’s life has been traumatic and she cannot trust easily - especially not her heart. Will Nico have the courage to let her fly free, trusting she’ll return to him, or will his love smother the fledgling beauty who is breathing free air for the first time in her tragic life?

The print version of this book also has a little surprise - the lyrics to the song Riki sings in the tavern printed in back. It’s a sea shanty I wrote a few years back called The Siren and it tells the story of the sea siren and the men she lures to their deaths - in particular, one young man who escaped her spell. I hope you like it!

It’s available now from Amazon, MBAM, and wherever books are sold. Ask your local bookseller to stock it if they don’t have it already!

As for me, I still have a doozy of a cold and am recovering bit by bit, day by day. Thanks for all the good wishes.

Wings of Change Flies Today!

Wings of Change marks the beginning of a new era for my ongoing Dragon Knights series, and I’m thrilled to have it be part of such an outstanding anthology of dragon stories by some amazing authors. While the first four of my Dragon Knights tales have focused on the love stories of a mother and her three grown daughters, with Wings of Change the story shifts a bit to examine the males of Draconia. In future installments, we’ll be concentrating more on the knights of the royal household and how they discover special women to share their lives. The women will be a little more kick-ass, the men even hotter (if that’s even possible), and the magic more thrilling and pervasive.Wings of Change will introduce new magical creatures who will play a role in the stories to come. FireDrake is the next Dragon Knights story, due out next Spring from Samhain. That story will pick up where Wings of Change leaves off, introducing even more new magical races and facets to the over-arching story of a wizard war that took place long ago and has now come back to haunt the people of Draconia.

Aside from all these grandiose plans, there’s also a really great love story going on in Wings of Change. It’s a menage with two knights and an exotic beauty who has secrets in her past. They are brought together by a dying dragon and her compassion for the creature she’s come to respect and love. When she demands help from the castle to save the dragon’s life, she runs into not only the sick dragon’s knight, but his dragoness’s knight as well.

Sir Kaden and Sir Marcus are two very different men, but both know when they first see Lucia, that she’s no ordinary woman. For one thing, she can speak to dragons – not a common ability. She shows no fear of dragons and has enough courage to get help for the injured dragon and aid in his recovery. They fall in love with her and work to convince her to share her life with them.

Some characters from previous books make cameo appearances, but I try to make it so each of these books can be read on their own, without having to know the events of the previous books. This way, folks can pick up the series at any point and enjoy it — as I hope you will enjoy this new installment of my Dragon Knights series!

So here’s a little excerpt (if you’re still reading at this point), to whet your appetite:

EXCERPT
Wings of Change
© 2007 Bianca D’Arc

Lucia had never ridden on a dragon’s back before. Toady was indeed a day of firsts. Linea flew beautifully and if not for the dire situation, Lucia would have enjoyed her first flight immensely. The dragon was poetry in motion beneath her, and the handsome knight holding her waist made her feel warm and cared for in a way she hadn’t experienced since losing her family all those years ago.

They set down in the tavern yard, the pale green dragon followed closely by the stunning silver beast named Tor. Everyone had heard tales about the royal Ice Dragon who’d been raised by the queen. Lucia strongly suspected the lovely woman riding on the silver dragon was the queen herself.

Jumping down from the dragon’s back into Marcu’s strong arms, Lucia tried to suppress the little thrill of attraction she felt for the handsome knight. This was no time to start dreaming impossible dreams. Reynor had to come first. His life was at stake here. She led the way into the large tavern — empty now, so early in the day. Part of the old city, the main room had been built on a scale to hold two or three dragons, if they wished to hear some music and join in the merriment of an evening with their knights.

But for the past few days, Reynor had become a full-time resident. Nobody questioned it at first, though they saw to it he had plenty of water. Dragons could go a few days without eating, but everyone knew they enjoyed sweets like melons and bushels of apples, so he had all he could want within easy reach.

Only Lucia would dare go close enough to serve the dragons. She liked them a great deal and hand no fear of them, so whenever a dragon deigned to visit the tavern, Lucia was elected to serve them. She didn’t mind it at all. In fact, she looked forward to such occasions.

Lucy, what have you done? Rey’s deep voice shivered through her mind.

“I did what I had to do. I brought help.” She stood before the shimmering blue dragon, unafraid, with her hands perched on her hips, as if daring him to argue. When he only sighed in defeat and lowered his head to the ground, she walked forward and crouched beside him. “I don’t want to see you crippled… or dead, Rey. You’re too special for me to allow it. Please forgive me.”

There is nothing to forgive. You have a good heart, Lucy.

The queen went immediately to the dragon’s left wing. The area near the joint had swollen to three times its normal size and the would was badly inflamed. Reynor spread his wing at the queen’s gentle urging, though not without a great deal of pain. Lucia stayed by his head, stroking his scales soothingly while the other woman worked.

A man she’d seen only a few times before crouched down next to the dragon on the other side, touching the scaled head and looking deep into Reynor’s jeweled eyes. Remorse shone clearly on the knight’s face. Remorse, fear…and love. Lucia backed off, seeing the two reunited as they should be.

As she moved back, she faltered, but strong arms caught her against a hard chest. Sir Marcus held her waist, tucking her under his chin, her back to his warm, hard front. He gentled her when she would have struggled out of his hold.

“Be at ease, little dragon tamer.” His words whispered over her hair. “You’ve done a beautiful thing by bringing us here. It is a debt we can never repay.”

She settled back against him. Sir Kaden lay on the floor, hugging the dragon’s neck hard as the queen set about her work. The glow of magic in the air was undeniable. Lucia hadn’t seen it since she was a child, but she recognized the subtle scent of ozone and the tingle of strong magic.

When she’d realized how badly Rey was hurt, Lucia had been tempted to try to use the magic talisman given to her when she escaped her homeland all those years ago, but she was too afraid. For one thing, the precious gift was only to be used in the most dire of circumstances, when all other hopes had failed. Such was the credo of her line. For another, Lucia had never used magic before, though she knew some of her family had once been potent healers. They’d been killed before she could learn or even discover if she had the ability.

Still, Reynor was a special being and she’d felt desperate as she watched him grow weaker. Unable to stand by and watch him die, she’d done what was necessary to get help for him. The queen was reputed to be a strong dragon healer, though Lucia could see Reynor’s eyes cloud with agony as the woman worked. He twitched with pain, but his knight held him and comforted him as best he could.

“I only wish I’d gone to the castle sooner.” Her words whispered out on a tragic sigh. She became aware of the green dragon’s head looming next to them. Linea, it seemed, refused to be left outside.

Will he be all right? Marcus, do you know? In her agitation, the female dragon was broadcasting her worries to Lucia as well.

“The queen has said nothing yet, but she doesn’t look too worried to me,” Marcus replied. “Judging from her expression I’d say he’ll live, though whether he’ll ever fly properly again is in the hands of the Mother, I’ll wager.”

It always was, Linea answered. The injury was bad enough in the first place, but now those two fools have let it get out of hand! The dragon seemed infuriated if the twitching of her tail was any indication.

“May I ask…” Lucia’s words were a hesitant whisper. “How did it happen?”

“It was stupid, really.” Marcus’s hands tightened on her waist, fingers digging into her hips before he seemed to realize what he was doing and released her. “Have you heard about the fighting on the border?” When she nodded, he continued, “We were involved in a skirmish the last time out. Sometimes with these kinds of engagements, you get caught low, within range of ground weapons. It happens.” He shrugged. “I saw Rey dodge an arrow. He lost altitude and came within sword distance of a group of cavalry. In such instances, the knight can engage with his own weapons, which Kaden did—and very well too—until one got past his guard and a wild swing took a chunk out of Reynor’s wing, down near the joint. It’s one of the few places not well protected by scale—it needs to be flexible, you see. A freak of luck for the adversary, though Rey’s blast of flame took care of him and his horse soon enough. Still, Rey barely stayed aloft and we had to practically tow him back here. The queen saw to him that night, but the kind of healing he needs is tricky. It’s not simply a matter of sewing together something that was torn. A wedge of his wing was actually cut out.”

Tears flowed down Lucia’s face as she heard the tale, watching the beautiful young queen try to banish the raging infection. Turning in Marcus’s loose embrace, Lucia sobbed against the man’s chest. She knew she was overreacting, but she couldn’t help herself. Rey was so special. He was such a good and kind dragon. She couldn’t imagine him crippled for life. It was too painful to contemplate.

“I’m sorry.” She sniffled as strong arms settled around her. She wasn’t above accepting comfort from Sir Marcus. Men of his station never looked twice at her now that she was a serving wench, though once upon a time…

But fairy tales wouldn’t put food in her belly. She’d learned that the hard way when all she’d ever known was cruelly ripped from her grasp. She didn’t have much faith in people, but the knights she’d seen in Draconia had begun to make her think maybe─just maybe─there were a few good men left in the world. It was her friendship with the dragons that started her thinking about the men they chose as partners. Surely such noble, magical creatures could see into the hearts of the men they chose to fight alongside.

Lucia dried her tears and cautioned herself to restrain her emotions. Coming apart at the seams did nobody any good. She straightened away from the knight, averting her eyes in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry, Sir Marcus. Please excuse my behavior.”

He tipped her chin up until her eyes met his. She was mortified. She just knew her face was blotchy and her eyes were probably red. Oh, why did she have to look like a watery hag when faced with masculine perfection given life?

“You are a puzzle, madam. You look like a tavern girl, but you speak like a lady.”

She read curiosity in his lovely eyes. Curiosity and a flicker of interest? Surely not.

“The riddle is easily solved, sir. I am a tavern girl now, but I was once a lady.”

To read more, check out Wings of Change – available today from Samhain!

Buy Now from MBAM

The Dragons Are Coming!

The official release date for Wings of Change is tomorrow, but (shh, this is a secret!) they usually put the books up on the site on Monday night. So I’m going to be hitting the “refresh” button a few million times later today to see my newest baby go live. How exciting!

I’ll post an excerpt and the delicious cover again for you all tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who attended our List Mom Day over on the Samhain Cafe Loop yesterday. It was lots of fun!