THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
The winner of yesterday’s book, Witch Fire, Ashly L., who said, “Moving to Chicago to start my internship and moving in with my great aunt and uncle to live. Two new situations I was thrown into in a very short time span.” Congrats! Please email me at anyabast(at)gmail.com with your snail mail.
In this sensuous and lust-filled otherworld, the Chosen are vampires fighting for their very existence.
It is Daria’s destiny to become one of them…
Daria Morris is a special forces agent with one obsession: to wreak vengeance on the brutal vampire who nearly destroyed her. Now she’s finally about to get her chance, on one condition. She must become something she detests: a vampire.
Her fate rests upon one man’s lethal bite. His name is Alejandro Martinez, and he can help her infiltrate a highly guarded group of the Chosen. But Alejandro is also a distraction for Daria. Because thirteen years ago, they shared a scorching night of passion neither has forgotten.
Now, while Daria struggles against her newfound bloodlust, the two must slip into the shadows to bring a monster to justice—even as their desire threatens to consume them. But under the cover of night, they’ll discover that it’s the darkness within that may stand in the way of their hunger for retribution…
Daria Morris pushed the door open and stepped into the Blood Spot. Her pupils adjusted to the dim light and her nostrils flared at the heavy odor—a combination of Darpongese booze, the bitter smoke from rashish cigarettes, and the metallic scent of blood. The pounding beat of the club’s music assaulted her eardrums.
There were vamps in here. She could feel them. This sleazy club in the outreaches of the Darpong was well known as a place where glamjammers, blood donors who were psychologically addicted to a vamp’s glamour and physically addicted to the chemicals secreted by a vamp’s bite, hung out, waiting for a vampire to grace them with their presence…and their fangs. The edges of her mouth curled down in disgust.
Alliance law had made blood extraction from a willing donor a consensual crime long ago. It went unpunished except in the most conservative parts of the Allied Territories. Darpong Sector, where she was now, was definitely not a conservative part.
If it was up to Daria, glamjamming would be illegal everywhere. She found the practice abhorrent, despite the supposed joys of having a vampire sink his or her fangs into you and unfurl their illusions within your mind.
There were addiction clinics all over the Logos Territories. You’d think people would learn not to get their kicks this way. There were even isolated cases of groups of vampires trafficking in the sale of addicted humans they called blood slaves. She shook her head, glancing around at the people that filled the building. The fools.
Daria’s hand rested on her patrol-issued disruptor, a weapon capable of briefly preventing muscular impulses, or the cessation of synapses firing in the brain, depending on the setting. The weapon worked on most species, even the Chosen. She was not a willing blood donor and she’d be damned if anyone mistook her for one.
Her pupils finally adjusted to the dim light and she sought out Alejandro Martinez. She hadn’t seen him in over thirteen years. All the same, she spotted him right away since he still looked like sin made flesh. A black leather dune-biker jacket sheathed broad shoulders and his muscular arms and chest. Thick black hair framed a face hewn in masculine lines, with a strong chin, chocolate-brown eyes, and a mouth made for kissing…and other things. She filled in from memory what she couldn’t see, since his face was currently buried in the neck of a tall redhead.
Daria hung back, watching him sway and dip the woman in his arms, his pelvis moving sensually against hers. The rhythm to which they danced was a lot slower than the music. They looked like they were in the throes of a slow, pleasurable fuck, oblivious to everyone around them.
Daria shook her head. It had been far too long since she’d had one of those. Everything looked sensual to her these days. Although, Alejandro had always exuded confident sexuality, even before he’d been Chosen.
What the hell was he doing biting a human? That was against GBC regulation.
She worked her way around the edge of the room, picking past entangled vampires and donors and stepping in sloshed beer and other substances she didn’t care to identify. Finally, she entered the crush on the dance floor and elbowed her way to him.
“Alejandro?” she queried loudly, competing with the music. “It’s me, Daria.”
No reaction. Just that irritating sway and thrust.
“Alejandro,” she repeated, louder this time.
He raised his head. His dark eyes were heavy lidded, and a hank of black hair had fallen across his cheek. Dark stubble graced the square jut of his jaw and shaded the skin around his well-formed mouth. Those beautiful lips twisted. “Your turn?” he drawled with a trace of a Spanish accent.
He released the glamjammer redhead who stumbled back drunkenly with a smile on her face. Daria stepped away, but he grabbed her around the waist and drew her close.
Her protest died on her tongue as his hot breath caressed her throat. Some strange quirk of vampire chemistry made a Chosen’s breath consistently sweet. Their non-human bodies took the blood they drank and transformed it into pure energy, pure life. Scientists had hypothesized that it acted as a mild tranquilizer, lulling their human victim. Daria held her breath, trying not to inhale it. Alejandro bussed his lips across the bare skin between her collarbone and shoulder. The hard rake of fangs followed the sensation.
That broke her momentary stupor. She pushed him away and hooked her leg around to sweep his legs out from under him. He went down hard on his back, scattering the bar’s patrons around them. Daria knelt beside him, drawing her disruptor and pointing it at his temple. It whirred up, readying to fire. “I told you, Alejandro. No fangs.”
Someone to their immediate left gasped, another screamed. They all backed away. But Daria knew that in this place ruckus wasn’t uncommon. They’d go back to their drinks and dancing soon enough.
Alejandro blinked. “Daria? Jesus, I didn’t recognize you.”
Self-consciously, she touched her hair with her free hand. She’d undergone a lot of cosmetic work for this operation. The face of the person she’d been when she’d known Alejandro was now permanently altered. Her dark chestnut-colored hair was now blond, and her jaw was shaped square instead of delicately pointed. Her lips were fuller and her cheekbones more prominent. The only thing she’d left untouched from the neck up were her eyes. They were still a dark blue. When she went undercover, she’d turn her blue eyes brown with an ordinary pair of colored contacts. There’d be no way her quarry would recognize her even without the added precaution of the contacts, but there was no sense in taking chances.
Sante used to say he loved the color of her eyes, the bastard.
“You haven’t changed at all,” she said. “Don’t sink your fangs into me, got it? No biting. No fangs.”
“That’s kind of ironic considering what you want me for. How do you think this is going to work, anyway? I can’t Choose you without taking your blood.”
A fine tremble in her hand shook the disruptor. “I know.” She was still in denial about that part. She’d do it, but until that time, she didn’t want to think about it…or talk about it. “But that’s for a good reason. I don’t want you to bite me just for kicks. I’m not a glamjammer.”
He stared at her for a moment before speaking. “You’re not ready for this at all, are you?”
She ignored the question and cocked her head to the side. “What the hell are you doing breaking GBC law, anyway? Are you blood drunk?”
“What makes you think that?”
“You let me spill you on your ass, Alejandro, and me a puny human and all.” She smiled. “You a lush now, big guy?”
With the kind of speed achieved by only the Chosen, he disarmed and flipped her in one smooth motion. She tried to strike out at his throat and eyes, but he grabbed her wrists and pinned them to the floor. “If I was blood drunk, would I have been able to disarm and restrain an agent of the Allied Bureau of Investigation so easily?”
“You son of a bitch, Alejandro. I could’ve killed you if I wanted to. Your brain was only a trigger squeeze away.” She lifted a brow. “If I didn’t need you for this mission, I’d report you to the GBC for your little…slip. I wonder how often you’re slipping these days?”
Fear flashed through his eyes and he clenched jaw before responding. “Such fire, Daria. I don’t remember you being like this. It’s so arousing.” He lowered his mouth and brushed his lips across hers. “I might have to change your mind about not allowing my” —he inhaled her scent and groaned— “fangs to sink into you.”
His accent rolled over her and tingled places that hadn’t tingled in a long time. She ignored it. “Some things never change,” she said. “Not after thirteen years, not even after you’ve been Chosen. You think all the women will just fall at your feet.”
He smiled. “Didn’t you?”
“That was before you were Chosen. It wouldn’t happen now.”
White teeth flashed, making him look feral in the half-light. His fangs were retracted, thank God. “It would be even better now.”
It had been fantastic before. She could still remember that night, the taste of him in her mouth and the feel of him moving inside her. He’d brought her to climax hard and fast at first, and then he’d taken his time with her, drawing out two more orgasms before he was finished. He’d been better than Sante had ever been, and Sante had been Chosen when she’d slept with him, even though she hadn’t known it.
She’d used Alejandro that night. He’d known it and hadn’t minded. She’d needed him to help her forget what had happened, to drown her in lust so she wouldn’t drown in sorrow. He’d done a good job. For that one night, he’d been like a knight in shining armor to her damsel in distress.
Daria shivered as his mouth came down on hers. His lips slid over hers like silk, in just the lightest brush. Pure desire shot down her spine straight to her sex. Damn him! She was still attracted to him after all these years. And, of all the things he could be, he was a vampire. She bit his bottom lip and tasted blood. It spread across her tongue like silk and wine. She resisted the urge to spit.
Swearing, he jerked back and Daria rolled away. She snatched up her lost disruptor and stood, wiping the floor yuck from her clothing with a grimace. “Get up, Alejandro. We need to move.” She offered her hand and he took it.
Once he was on his feet, she turned on her heel and headed straight for the bar. She needed to take a minute to settle her nerves. Whisky could be a good thing, and right now, Daria thought it might be the very best thing ever.
“Rocks?” the bartender asked.
She gave her head a shake.
The bartender served her the shot and she downed it. There was nothing like Darpong whiskey. It was a little like Earth whiskey, but stronger and with a slightly bitter flavor.
Alejandro touched her shoulder. “You okay?”
She shrugged him off. “I’m fine.” She set the shot glass back on the bar and closed her eyes for a moment. It was a lie, one she was desperately trying to believe.
Two years of service in the Galactic Patrol, eleven years in the Allied Bureau of Investigation, two medals of valor, numerous undercover operations and hundreds of busts and she still wasn’t sure she could handle what was to come.
I love futuristics, but there don’t seem to be many of them out there. I’m assuming you like futuristics, too, since you’re entering to win this book. What are a few of your favorite titles? Or maybe you’re new to futuristics and want to try one?
Leave a comment for a chance to win an autographed copy of THE CHOSEN SIN. Don’t forget to check back tomorrow it see if you’ve won. Good luck!
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
One of my favourites is Daring Time by Beth Kery. And the one that rethinks the phenomena of time travel and makes you think deeper is Being with Him by Jessica Inclan.
by Frana October 21st, 2010 at 3:17 amAn old favorite futuristic, Shield’s Lady by Jayne Krentz. Coming to mind quickly, Susan Grant’s series, and Robin Owen’s Heart series, Driven by Eve Kenin. I love Nalini Singh’s Psy series, and I think those could fall into the futuristic range. The new steampunk I’d consider futuristic, too, like Meljean Brook’s The Iron Duke (fabulous).
Then, sci-fi outside of romance I loved was The Gray Lensmen series, I suppose more space opera, but I think of that category as futuristic.
by Pam P October 21st, 2010 at 4:33 ami like furturistics can’t think of a title (i’m terrible with names) but i’d love to try this one out thanks 😉
by April Strength October 21st, 2010 at 5:19 amThere are so many! I agree with a lot of the series Pam P mentioned previously (Psy-Changling series is a serious FAV!). I also like Angela Knight’s Time Hunter series and Lauren Dane’s Federation Chronicles.
by Heather S October 21st, 2010 at 5:37 amI couldn’t even begin to choose one. The Iron Duke was fantastic if that is considered futuristic.
by Stacy (Chllybrd) October 21st, 2010 at 6:18 amI love Angela Knight’s “Time Hunters” series. They are really good. I really loved this one! Any chance you are doing any more related to this?
by Kathy October 21st, 2010 at 6:27 amLinnea Sinclair’s books are awesome. I love the Psy/changeling series, too.
by Marlene Breakfield October 21st, 2010 at 6:34 amI haven’t read any futuristics but would like the chance to try one.
by Sandyg265 October 21st, 2010 at 7:00 amLauren Dane’s Federation Chronicles including the first book in the Phantom Corps miniseries. I love the ‘Verses she created. Can’t wait for her next futuristic in the series Mesmerized.
by Stacie October 21st, 2010 at 7:06 amI enjoyed the Iron Duke, thought it was really good. I am terrible with remembering titles.
by Jean P October 21st, 2010 at 7:08 amI like Eve Kenin’s Hidden and Driven.
by Stacy S October 21st, 2010 at 7:19 amI like Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling Series, Anglea Knight’s Time Hunters series, and Susan Grant.
by Stephanie McCarthy October 21st, 2010 at 7:56 amAnglea Knight’s Time Hunters series
by Sandy B. October 21st, 2010 at 8:11 amYes, I love them.
Pam P made some wonderful suggestions.
I also love Angela Verdenius’s Heart and Soul series which is a mix of scifi and futuristic.
Valerie
by Valerie October 21st, 2010 at 8:11 amin Germany
I love futuristic books and one of my all time favorites is Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling series.
by Jeanette Juan October 21st, 2010 at 8:40 amWhen i think futuristic books i go back to what i first started reading like Anne Mccaffrey’s Rowan series. As i got older and more into romance i love the Psy/Changeling and Time Hunters as well as Lora Leigh’s Breed i could go on and on. 🙂
by Kami October 21st, 2010 at 8:48 amMy favourite futuristic series are the Psy/Changeling by Nalini Singh and the Envy Chronicles by Joss Ware.
by Spav October 21st, 2010 at 9:11 amI like futuristic books and two of my favorite series are the Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews and the Psy/Changeling Series by Nalini Singh – both created worlds I can’t resist and it’s incredible to visit them!
by Ina S. October 21st, 2010 at 9:11 amJayne Krentz/Castle/Amanda Quick series of Harmony-Arcane Society books are fun both as futuristic, contemporary and historical, depending on which name she’s writing under…
by Lori Howe October 21st, 2010 at 9:23 amI really liked Jane’s Warlord by Angela Knight. But I also gotta agree with alot of the others Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle are great futuristic novels since they are what got me started reading futurisitics in the first place
by Mandy B. October 21st, 2010 at 9:48 amI have read a few futuristics and enjoyed them. I would have to say that some of my favorites would have to be the series written by Sherrilyn Kenyon. It’s called The League.
by Lexee October 21st, 2010 at 10:02 amHave to add some of the ones listed above to my list to read… have enjoyed a few futuristic books… mostly otherworldly!
by Colleen October 21st, 2010 at 10:34 amI love Nalini’s Psy-Changeling series. It’s one of my favorites. Also the Breeds by Lora Leigh are also set in the future. I also read a short story in Nocturnal anthology that was based in the future by Jacquelyn Frank. it was pretty good.
I have always loved the cover to Chosen Sin. it’s been one of my favorites.
by Heather Brewer October 21st, 2010 at 10:45 amSherrilyn Kenyon and JD Robb have some of my favorite futuristic books. I like most all books, but these really engage the imagination.
by Deanna October 21st, 2010 at 10:52 amI am relatively new to Futuristic books, but I started with Gena Showalter’s Alien Huntress Series. I see that Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling Series is quite popular. I recently started reading her Guild Hunter Series.
by Cindy G. October 21st, 2010 at 11:01 amI love futuristic books although at the moment I can’t think of any particular titles.
by Raelena P. October 21st, 2010 at 11:12 amI haven’t read any futuristic books that I remember. This sounds fantastic.
by chey October 21st, 2010 at 11:30 amOne of my favorites is Point of No Return by Mandy Roth. I love books that start out with strong female characters and thats what drew me to The Chosen Sin. I’d love to have a copy!
by Colleen Tran October 21st, 2010 at 11:33 amI am a lover of futuristics and among my favourites are:
by Ilona October 21st, 2010 at 11:37 amSky Pirate by Justine Davis
The Rystani Series by Susan Kearney
Otherworldly Men by Susan Grant
2176 Series by Various Authors
Sirantha Jax books by Ann Aguirre
I have read a couple of futuristics and definitely liked them. But I have way more that I haven’t read on my TBR list!
by Rae M. October 21st, 2010 at 11:45 amDefinitely, the In Death series are my favorite futuristic.
by Scorpio M. October 21st, 2010 at 11:50 amI haven’t read that many futuristic series but I do really enjoy the In Death series by J.D. Robb.
by Terri October 21st, 2010 at 12:33 pmI’ve read some of the ones already mentioned here (yay Sherri Kenyon!), but just recently I read Fallen and Guardian by Claire Delacroix, and just loved them!
by Ley October 21st, 2010 at 12:37 pmI enjoy JD Robbs series, and Anne McCaffery’s Talent series. There was also Linnea Sinclair’s An Accidental Goddess, if that counts. What makes something a futuristic rather than sci-fi?
by Lauren October 21st, 2010 at 1:14 pmhonestly since futuristic could also be found under the steam punk catagory really
The Iron duke awesome read
Beth kery’s Daring Time
I have onlyr ead a couple Jd robb books but the one sive read r awesome theres some new authors and titles i haventheard of that i will have to check outbecause well i love futuristic books
another one
Steamed by katie macalister has futuristic elements honestly this book of yours has been on my wish list ofboks since i found ur witch series crosse s my fingers
by SiNn October 21st, 2010 at 1:44 pmI am new to futuristics 🙂 Definitely want to try one, though!
by Chelsea B. October 21st, 2010 at 2:02 pmI love futuristics – they’re so much fun! Most recently it’s Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling series but an oldy-but-goody is Ann Maxwell’s Dancer series.
by Sarah M October 21st, 2010 at 2:36 pmAbout 2 years ago, I read Interstellar Service & Discipline 1: Victorious Star by Morgan Hawke and it blew my mind. What a wild road (galaxy) that was.
by Tracey D October 21st, 2010 at 2:38 pmI like furturistic series because the author usually has to create a whole new world. The In Death series is one of my favorites as well as the couple of books Johanna Lindsey wrote.
by Ashley L October 21st, 2010 at 3:01 pmI love futuristic books, not good at remembering titles either, but I believe The Dragon Lords series by Michelle Pillow would be my favorites.
by Judy Cox October 21st, 2010 at 4:07 pmSince I recieved my kindle as a gift for my birthday last year I have been reading many different types of books – and not always good at knowing what class they are suppose to be in – Love all books and always up for reading something I haven’t read before – like trying a new wine I will never know if I like it until a drink a bottle or two
by Debbie Shepherd October 21st, 2010 at 4:10 pmI’m new to the genre and would like to learn more about it.
by Leni October 21st, 2010 at 4:42 pmI haven’t read a lot of futuristic books and now I can’t really thing of any. I just finished Eden Bradley’s new book Bloodsong. That series is set in 2069 (hehe). He and the Smutketeers have also written a futuristic type series the Wasteland.
Kelly 🙂
by Kelly Thrash October 21st, 2010 at 5:24 pmOne of my favorites would be Slave Auction by Stormy Glenn. I love the idea of space travel. I kinda think it is egotistical to think that in all the many universes that we are the only intelligent form of life.
by Foretta October 21st, 2010 at 5:27 pmYeah, Psy-Changeling series is good, also Sable Grey’s Sala City. And let’s not forget Frost’s Night Huntress series.
kk
by keatonkat October 21st, 2010 at 5:34 pmI’m super excited for the new Ann Aguirre & Carrie Lofty “Ellen Connor” futuristic, post-apocalyptic to come out. It looks VERY good!
by MinnChica October 21st, 2010 at 5:45 pmI am not sure if I can pick just one favorite. I love your books of course but I also really love Lauren Dane also.
by Terri October 21st, 2010 at 5:50 pmHMMMM my fav author or series. Hard question. I guess I would have to choose Lora Leigh and her Breed series. I love that it is such a long series.
by Patti October 21st, 2010 at 6:12 pmDo not read many futuristics since they seem to be UF more than PNR. I tend to follow authors more than genre so if Lauren Dane, Shiloh Walker or Nalini Singh writes something I will pick it up.
by Lindsey Ekland October 21st, 2010 at 6:15 pmI have wanted this book since I saw it on your last contest. Fave futuristic would be the Red series by Jordan Summers.
by Rory G October 21st, 2010 at 6:27 pmI love Sherrilyn Kenyon’s The League series and her new Belador series. I am so hooked into her books.
by Kai W. October 21st, 2010 at 6:34 pmIt’s an older series but I loved Johanna Lindsey Ly-San-Ter Series.
by Tammy October 21st, 2010 at 6:59 pmAs others have mentioned, Sherrilyn Kenyon and Jayne Anne Krentz have good futuristic romance series. I recently read The Mars Series by Kim Stanley Robinson. It’s straight futuristic sci-fi and they are really good. I absolutely devoured them. I like that the excerpt for The Chosen Sin mentions that donors can go to addiction treatment centers. Kind of like a drug problem. Neat twist.
by Jen B. October 21st, 2010 at 7:21 pmGena Showalter’s Alien Huntress series is amazing! The first book is Awaken Me Darkly.
by Casey H October 21st, 2010 at 7:26 pmThere is a series called Immorals after dark by many different authors. It’s about when magic and mystical beings are accepted as real. There is an evil force that the immortal warriors of old are called to defeat. Wonderful series….very interesting.
by Carol October 21st, 2010 at 7:45 pmFuturistics fascinate me largely because of the view on the possibilities. But in truth many of the books I have loved as futuristics are probably more properly categorized as sci fi.
by Little Lamb Lost October 21st, 2010 at 10:48 pmtesting
by Cindy G. October 21st, 2010 at 10:58 pmI wish there were more futuristics out there! I’m a big fan of Angela Knight’s Time Hunter series (especially Jane’s Warlord) and Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series.
by Julie October 22nd, 2010 at 12:14 amI have never read any futuristics and would love to try this one thanks.
by natalie Cleary October 22nd, 2010 at 1:01 am