Evermore by Tmonique Stephens - Excerpt & Guest Post

Evermore
Descendants of RA, Book 3

Tmonique Stephens

Paranormal Fantasy
November 11, 2014

Amazon | Goodreads

There is no such thing as a chance meeting.
There’s no room in Avery Nicolis's life for an obsession, yet why else does he stalk Emeline Gamble. Lurking in the shadows, he hungers for a woman he can’t have.

Between the secrets he guards and anarchy roiling in his soul, his only solace are his glimpses of Emeline. He will resist her, protect her from himself, and deny his desire to claim her heart.
Emeline Gamble was a Watcher for the Order—a secret society of women charged with monitoring the offspring of the gods. For months, she observed Avery Nicolis, an elite mercenary, Descendant of Ra, and enemy of the Order. Never knowing he had her in his crosshairs.
Trapped in a lie, Emeline is forced to accept Avery as her bodyguard. Compelled to spend time with him, she learns to care for his tortured soul and see the hero lurking beneath the assassin’s façade.

But every word out of her mouth is a lie. Every action a betrayal. Because to save her family she is forced to accept a new assignment, deliver Avery Nicolis to the Goddess of Chaos, alive...
And do not fall in love with him.

Excerpt

Tires squealed to a stop. It wasn’t long before a pair of combat boots came into her line of sight. Strong hands scooped her up and cradled her against a broad chest encased in a leather coat. Warmth surrounded her, made her want to burrow closer to his heat. Male musk and a hint of something else, something dangerous filled her nostrils.

“I got you.” His voice, guttural and so damn sexy, rumbled through her.

No, he was on the hook. And she had just reeled him in. Her teeth chattered from the cold, his heat, her nerves, the lies.

Avery opened the passenger door and carefully sat her on the leather seat. He hit the overhead lights and gently took her chin between his thumb and forefinger. Calloused fingers brushed her hair away and angled her face toward the light.

“Who did this to you?” Low, his voice promised retribution.

“I didn’t get their number.” She tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let her. His intensity made her insides squirm.

“I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“No.” She touched his hand. “It’s okay, not as bad as it seems.” She wiggled her jaw and managed only a slight grimace.

He leaned closer. All of him filled her vision. “Are you hurt anywhere else?”

Captured by his heated stare, she shook her head.

“How many were there?” His finger trailed over her cheek and down her neck.

Her thoughts kinda fizzled at his touch. “Who are you?” She remembered to ask again. He gave her a quizzical look, possibly thinking of a lie, she wondered. Her phone rang. Emeline fished it out of her purse and answered without looking. She listened to Zackary pound his chest about hiring a bodyguard for her. He was so proud of himself and expected a reward. The sick hope in his voice almost made her laugh.

“Describe him.” She ordered watching Avery.

“Big guy, bald, pissy attitude. I wanted his brother, but he volunteered,” Zachary said.

“Thanks, Zachary. I owe you one.”

“Really? Well—”

She pressed end. “So you’re my bodyguard?” Perfect. Zachary finally did something right.

“Until I get someone else.” He stepped back and slammed the passenger door closed.

Why accept the job only to get someone else? Nerves made her stomach flutter as she watched him walk around the front of the Range Rover and climb into the driver’s seat. “Do you have a name or shall I make up one?”

“Avery,” he said without looking at her. The car rumbled to a start. Something loud and angry blasted from the speakers. He clicked it off, though she didn’t mind. She preferred Hip-Hop, R&B, and a little bit of Rap. No love songs, though Luther Vandross could put the most celibate body in the mood.

“Emeline,” she offered when he didn’t ask. A giggle threatened to escape, but her bruised ribs would have none of it. ‘Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.’ Well we are both, well and truly tangled.

“Something funny?” He pulled into traffic.

He’s observant as a killer or watcher should be. No more lapses. She had to be on guard. Emeline noticed his hands gripping the steering wheel. Big capable hands. “Two men. They wore masks. Tried to steal my purse.” He glanced at the satchel in her lap. Damn, she should’ve insisted they take it.

“Two men, one purse?” His gaze locked on hers. “Why do you need protection, Miss Gamble?”

She hadn’t told him her last name. She could call him on it, but he’d say Zachary told him, so she let it slide. “I don’t. I’m not the one who hired you.”

“Your ex is very concerned about you welfare.”

“You know a lot about me in such a short time, Mr.—what is your last name?” The car rolled to a stop at a red light. His head turned to her and she shifted in her seat to keep an eye on him.

“Nicolis. Your ex filled in a few blank spots before I caught up to you. Anything else you want to know?”

“Yeah. Did he fill you in on where I live too ‘cause we’re real close?”

His eyes narrowed and he glanced at the surrounding area. The light turned green. “Your boss said someone broke into your house. Beat up you and your grandfather. Now you’re attacked on the street. Your enemies, who and where are they?”

She lives in a big house on Riverside Drive. I will take you straight to her. “I don’t have enemies.”

“We all have enemies,” he growled. “Some closer than others.”

Ain’t that the truth.

Guest Post by Tmonique Stephens

The holidays are over and Valentine’s Day approaches! With that in mind, I decided to make of list of “My  Favorite Heartbreakers”. These are men I often think of when I’m in the process of starting a new novel and hero. All of them are stunners! Men you would lose your heart to at first sight, but there is more to them than just good looks. They bring a depth to the characters they portray, character that we, the viewing public, hope they truly have and is not just all make believe.

My tenth Heartbreaker is:

James Dean.

He lived hard and died way to fast but while he was here, every girl’s heart beat a bit faster for this ultimate bad boy.

My ninth Heartbreaker is:

Shemar Moore.

This is one good looking guy. Tan, muscular, and bald…whew! He is a disaster to anything with ovaries. He’s dated a lot of woman and no one has pinned this hunk down. I can’t wait to see the woman that does.

My eighth Heartbreaker is:

Cary Grant.

This is my nod to old Hollywood. I love classic movies. AMC and TMC are two of my favorite channels. Cary Grant was a king of that era. Classic good look, witty, funny, and a joy to watch on film.  To Catch a Thief, Notorious, The Philadelphia Story, and my absolute favorite, An Affair to Remember. Nobody did romance better than Mr. Grant. When he fell in love, we wanted to be the woman who brought him to his knees.

My seventh Heartbreaker is:

Brad Pitt.

He represents the reformed bad boy. Yes, he broke Jennifer’s heart, and received the wrath of the female nation. I firmly believe that if he and Angelina just had a fling, something which was over in a blink, his star would have remained tarnished for a very long time. But Angie is his Soulmate. Their longevity and the children prove that. Seeing him with Angie and their children endears him to me. I know some will disagree, but in my book, Brad will always have heartbreaker status. Plus, the older he gets, the sexier he becomes.

My sixth Heartbreaker is:

Idris Elba.

He is seriously sexy with those dark eyes and salt and pepper beard. Also, that deep, rumbly voice that makes my blood hum. There’s a rumor he may be the new James Bond after Daniel Craig. All I can say is he is sexy enough, alpha enough, and definitely talented enough to breathe new life into the iconic role.

My fifth Heartbreaker is:

Henry Cavill.

He has the most perfect features on any man I have ever seen. His face…his body is Perfection. And he’s Superman. Oh My God, this Welsh actor is the sexiest Superman ever. I’ve had the hots for him when I first spied him on The Tudors. Then he put on the red and blue costume and I was fanning myself during my viewing of Man of Steel.  I can’t wait to see him in Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016.

My fourth Heartbreaker is:

Jason Momoa:

This guy is sexy personified. I love his long hair, his dangerous eyes and that body! Whoa! I cried when his character Khal Drogo died on Game of Thrones. I wanted more than one season of his sinful body. He is how I picture my twin brothers in my Descendants of Ra series.

Okay, now for my top three! These are the men I’ve secretly labeled ‘the one night stand, the lover, and the husband’. There are the men I would drop panties for in a heartbeat!

My third heartbreaker is:

Channing Tatum. Magic Mike, need I say more. He is my ‘One Night Stand’ because I just want one unforgettable night with him.

My second Heartbreaker is:

Chris Hemsworth. Yes, he is the Sexiest Man Alive. He is my ‘Lover’ because I know I would never get enough of the hotter than hot Aussie. I could star into his dreamy blue eyes all day long. Whew! 

And for the finale! My ultimate Heartbreaker, the one I secretly call ‘My Husband’ is:

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

Not only is he a hunk of a sexiness wrapped in caramel skin, not only is he a serious, badass alpha male, but he is funny. I love a man who is not afraid to laugh at himself and make me laugh too. This is a man I would keep for a lifetime.

There you have it!  This is my list of heartbreakers. Who are yours?

Oh, boy, those are some hot men. I think I need a cold shower.

My number one Heartbreaker is Hugh Jackman.

He's not only a great actor, but he can sing and dance. And watching him as Wolverine... I have no words. ~Kimber Leigh

About the Author

Tmonique Stephens wrote her first novel about a reporter and a hockey player after the U.S. hockey team won gold in the 1980 Olympics. She loves writing flawed characters who reflect the emotional baggage we all carry. She writes complicated stories for complicated people. Paranormal romances and fantasy novels are her favorite genre.

Eternity, Everlasting, and Evermore are the first three novels in her Descendants of Ra series. Currently, she is working a contemporary revenge series and Encore, the fourth novel in the Descendants of Ra series. She will read anything about fairies, demons, or angels.  She also enjoys Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Preston and Child.

Born in St. Thomas USVI, Tmonique Stephens grew up in The Bronx, New York one mile from Yankee Stadium. She loves SyFy, the History channels, and also Asian cuisine. But her heart and stomach longs for anything from the Caribbean.

Author (Contact Links)

Website: http://tmoniquestephens.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTmoniqueStephens

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tmoniquebooks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6518131.Tmonique_Stephens

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/TMonique-Stephens/e/B0094ODM30/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1413918164&sr=8-2

http://www.paranormalcravings.com