Immortal Protector
The Curse of the Templars,
Companion Novella
The Curse of the Templars,
Companion Novella
After the brutal murder of his
seraph, Iain Donnelly's salvation is eternally lost. Damned to become a dark
knight of Azazel, he can no longer embrace his immortal purpose as a Templar
Knight. When the archangels send him on Sabbatical to find his faith once more,
his quest leads him straight into the forbidden arms of a Benedictine Sister,
whom Azazel is threatening. But this
woman arouses far more than his protective instincts. He wants her as he's wanted no other woman,
and he's willing to provoke the archangels’ fury to keep her safe.
Catherine Grady has devoted
herself to the fellowship of faith and forged a path of eternal dedication to a
higher calling. But when a traffic
accident forces her to accept Iain's aid, she discovers that her chosen path is
not what her heart craves. Iain awakens
a buried yearning to be needed and loved in a way her broken childhood denied
her. As she struggles to reconcile her
desires, she stumbles into the truth about her heritage, ancient secrets, and
unholy danger. Iain's immortality is all
that can protect her.
For Iain, it's an impossible
choice. The archangels have decreed if
he walks away from the Templar, they will reclaim his soul. Yet returning to the Order only guarantees
his inevitable death…
For more about The
Curse of the Templars, discover all the books at Claire’s Templar Webpage
Blurb:
“Catherine,” he began, his voice unsteady. He cleared his throat,
tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “I return home in a short while. But
I should like to see you again.”
She went absolutely
still.
Horns of warning
echoed in his head. A woman who returned his interest would not behave as if
she had suddenly turned to ice. And yet, he could not still his tongue. “I have
not enjoyed an evening so much in too many years to count.”
Her teeth worked at
her lower lip. In her lap, she twisted her hands together. “I’ve enjoyed it
too. A lot.”
Her confession came
so quietly, several seconds passed before it fully registered in his head. When
the words connected, the space behind his ribs contracted pleasantly. “Then
tomorrow—”
“Turn here.” Her
unadorned fingernail rapped on the passenger-side window.
Iain navigated the
turn and pulled into the abbey’s small parking lot. He nosed into a spot,
turned off the engine, and jumped out to hurry around and open her door. She
slid out of the seat, and her gaze connected with his. Before she quickly
averted it and took a step toward the entrance, he caught the flash of
appreciation that had so oft filled those pale blue eyes throughout the night.
She desired him,
though for some reason she did not wish to acknowledge it.
Iain fell into step
beside her, taking her small hand in his once more. She did not fight the
contact. Indeed, her fingers slid between his in a most welcoming manner.
“Tomorrow is Friday—do you have transportation to your school?”
“Not . . . really . . .”
she answered hesitantly.
“Then what say you about
allowing me to drive you in, come morning. After, I will take you to dinner,
and I shall spend tomorrow planning the rest of the eve.”
She came to a halt on the
top stair and turned to face him. “Iain, I—”
Her eyes locked with his,
and her words fell into silence. A riot of emotions reflected in those blue
depths. Desire, hesitation, uncertainty, and curiosity captured Iain like a
tightly woven net cast over his person. The air around them transformed,
filling with subtle heat. Her gaze lowered to his mouth. When she drew her
upper lip between her teeth, an invisible fist thumped into Iain’s gut. Saints’
blood, he wanted to know the softness there. Wanted to taste the sweet sugar
that lingered on her tongue from the minted tea she drank through dinner.
About the Author:
Building on a background of fantasy game design, a
fascination with history, and a lifetime love of books, Award-Winning Author
Claire Ashgrove brings to life action-filled, passionate journeys of the heart.
Her first contemporary novel, Seduction's Stakes, sold to The Wild Rose Press
in 2008, where she continues to write for the Champagne and Black Rose lines. Adding to
these critically acclaimed romances, Claire's paranormal series, The Curse of
the Templars (Tor), marries the history of the Knights Templar with the
chilling aspirations of the most unholy--a must-read for speculative fiction
fans. Her books have received multiple nominations for "Best Romance of
the Year" awards as well as placements within a variety of contests,
including the rigorous, Reader's Crown Awards, where Immortal Hope was named
Best Paranormal Romance of 2011. For those who prefer the more erotic side of
life, she also writes darkly arousing espionage novels for Berkley as the National Bestselling Author
Tori St. Claire.
She is an active member of Romance Writers of America, and her local RWA chapters, Heartland Romance Authors, Midwest Romance Writers, and North Texas Romance Writers of America.
She is an active member of Romance Writers of America, and her local RWA chapters, Heartland Romance Authors, Midwest Romance Writers, and North Texas Romance Writers of America.
Claire lives in
To learn more about Claire, visit her on the web at www.claireashgrove.com, or www.toristclaire.com.
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