Guest Post & Giveaway: Claire Ashgrove

Farran de Clare, loyal member of the cursed Knights Templar, wants nothing to do with predestined mates. Even the Almighty won’t turn him into a fool again—he’d rather sacrifice his soul. Yet in the scientist Noelle Keane, a devout atheist, Farran meets the seraph designed for him.

Ordered by the archangel Gabriel to protect Noelle, the possessor of a sacred relic that could give Azazel incredible power, Farran swears to do his duty—but in name only. Fighting an attraction that grows with each day, he’s determined that he’ll never pledge himself to her.

As they war over her future, their mutual passion ignites a conflict far more damning. But before Noelle will agree to eternity with him, she demands the ultimate sacrifice – his heart.

Hello everyone! Thanks so much for hosting me today. We’re going on the third week Immortal Surrender has been on the shelves, and I’m so excited about this book’s release. Probably a little more so than all the other releases this year, combined.

It seems every reader I talk to has a favorite series. Whether that’s a vibrant historical family saga, or a clan of demons (or Immortal Templar Knights, right?), they are avidly chasing down the next book to come. And I think I’ve figured out why.

We bond as readers with hero and heroine. Series books allow us to keep those bonds intact. We don’t have to reinvest a whole new set of emotions for every new book each time we pick something up. When we read in series, often we meet continuing characters before we get to their book, and we are immersed in that world. We see our friends more than just once.

We’re also allowed more time to stay in touch with our world. We can spend more time in Rome, in Atlantis, on Mars, or simply in your own contemporary backyard. The author builds a fascinating setting, and we want to stay there longer! When the next book comes in series, we return to the fantasy world we feel like we’re a part of. It’s kinda like going home after an extremely pleasant trip. Comfortable, inviting, and familiar.

Sure, in some cases, its unresolved plot or subplot that draws us back. Sometimes we’re so addicted to the events we can’t stand the idea of letting them slip by. But at least for me, if I don’t have a bond with the world or the characters, I won’t return. There’s nothing holding me there. I read to return to the experience I had before. To lose myself again, and meet new, but familiar, faces.

What about all of you? Are you series driven too? What keeps you coming back for more? 

Answer Claire's question in the comments below for your chance to win the book of your choice from her backlist (outside of the Templar series.) In addition, commenters’ names will be added into the tour-end drawing of a 25.00 Amazon gift card. Follow the tour – the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. Complete tour dates can be found here.

In the meantime, here is an excerpt from Immortal Surrender:

“Damnation,” he hissed through clenched teeth.

He stalked back to the bed. No longer concerned for her injuries, he snatched up her fingers and inspected the scar once more. Nay, his eyes did not play tricks. She bore a dagger on her hand. It matched his as if someone had miniaturized the eighteen-inch-long weapon and scalded it into her flesh.

She belonged to him.

The door opened, and Farran’s head snapped up. He returned Louise’s pleasant smile with a glare. “You may undress the wench.” He shouldered past the aging caretaker, ignoring the way she spluttered.

So Gabriel sought to pair him with a maid, did he? ‘Twas no wonder the archangel did not forewarn him of her nature. Gabriel well knew Farran would rather swallow his own sword.

He took the stairs two at a time, in desperate need of fresh air. His fingers twitched with the need to pummel something. A seraph! His seraph! God’s teeth, would he be allowed no mercy? Could he not just leave this world and be done with life?

In the wide front room, Farran braced his hands on the table and squeezed his eyes shut tight. Duty bound him to accept the pairing. With the oaths they were fated to take, the Templar would gain much needed strength. Much as he would like nothing more, he could not walk away from the woman in the bed upstairs.

And yet . . .he did not have to stay either.

“Brother? Is something amiss?” Lucan’s voice drifted down the stairs.

Farran turned around and raised his glower to Lucan’s face. “You will go to her apartment. Fetch her cat. Fetch her things. Deliver them all to Mikhail.”

Lucan’s gaze narrowed with suspicion. “I trust you do not seek to have the maid to yourself?”

“Nay!” God’s teeth, nay. He would no more touch her now than he would touch a snake. He would say his oath, deliver her to the temple, and leave with the first light.

Cocking his head, Lucan studied him. Slow dawning filtered into his expression, and he answered with a thoughtful nod. “You recognize her mark. I shall have her mate sent here.”

Farran exhaled through his teeth. At his thigh, he clenched a hand into a tight fist. “There is no need for such.”

“Farran, you cannot be serious. She must be paired at once. ’Tis written—”

“She is mine, Lucan.” With the vile truth exposed, Farran stormed out the door.