Sleight Of Hand
Whispers Publishing
ISBN: 978-0979332791
Genre: Paranormal, Vampire
Length: Novella
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Vampire king, Xander Stryker has found his match in human bar owner, Lissette Norris. Between the two there’s enough chemistry to melt plastic.
But there’s trouble in the form of Graciella Stryker, Xander’s mother. She’s mad as hell after finding out what a faithless jerk Xander’s father was and she will stop Xander’s half brother from entering into their tribe at all costs, including murder.
Trouble is, the boy has come to stay with Lissie and all hell has broken loose. Lissie has had it with Xander’s mother’s murderous impulses and Xander’s soft hearted stance toward her.
There’s a new queen in town and she’s taking no prisoners.
“The hurt anger in her eyes was irresistible and drew his fingers to touch the warm flesh of her cheek. She jerked away and he shook his head slowly. “Don’t think you can hold yourself away from me, Lissette.” His eyes glittered with their otherworldly magic as he said it.
“Don’t you pull out your vampire mojo! I told you, we’re over.” Her back was to the bar, the scent of his skin wafted into her face. She adored the way he smelled—that combination of man and his cologne and soap. It was extremely difficult not to fall under his spell.
“We are not over, Lissie. You and I have had a misunderstanding but we will work it out. And you know there is nothing between Cherry and me. There hasn’t been since the first moment I laid my eyes on you. And it may amuse you to know she claims that you have grown on her. She even gave me a lecture for making you upset.”
Closing her eyes a moment against his appeal, she stomped her boot frustratedly. “Why are you doing this? Damn it, Stryker! Get out of here. You are no longer welcome in my bar or my life.”
He pressed his body against hers more fully, putting his face in her hair a moment, feeling that silk against his cheek before he pulled back and looked into her eyes. Lips just barely shy of hers he murmured, “Don’t be stupid, Lissie. You’re angry and hurt. I get that and I’m sorry. I should have asked you myself. But that doesn’t mean we’re over.”
“You can come over and visit Alex when I’m here at the bar. I’ll work with Henry to make sure he gets in school and is taken care of during the day. Don’t come in here again, Stryker, or I’ll ban your entire tribe.”
The worry that he couldn’t get her back began to eat away at him and he didn’t care for the feeling at all. He had to pull out his big guns. Moving back from her a bit, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a coin.
Twirling it between his fingers he gave her a predator’s grin. “Do you remember the first time we were together?”
She closed her eyes and he watched a shiver work through her. The tension holding his stomach loosened a bit. He still affected her, all wasn’t lost.
“What about it?” she whispered. The memories of that night swept through her. His hands on her, his lips and the way she’d felt as his teeth had slid over the tender flesh at the place where thigh met leg. He’d filled her up. Body and soul. From that moment, she’d felt as if her body was made for his and he’d held her heart. She was a damned fool but oh how she loved him.
Continuing to twirl the quarter he went on, seeing in her eyes that she did remember it and as fondly as he did. “Come on then. Heads or tails, Lissie? Let’s leave this up to chance because you know I won’t give up. You’re mine.”
“If I win the toss you’ll leave me alone?” she asked, skeptical.
“Of course not. I told you, you’re mine. If you win the toss, I’ll leave you alone until the Alex situation is resolved and then we can work things out.”
She narrowed her eyes. “And if you win?”
“Oh ho. Much better than if you win. If I win, I get to fuck you right here, against your bar. Then we go back to your house and I fuck you in your bedroom and any other place I that takes my fancy and you let me feed. This whole `we’re over’ thing goes away. We can work out the rest but you can’t dump me without trying to work things out.”
Looking into her eyes, watching the flecks of color there, he did his own remembering of that first time they’d been together. He’d been coming to the bar nightly for months and had pursued her relentlessly. She’d continually deflected his advances much to his great frustration. So, he’d watched her, learned her. He took note of her love of games of chance and of taking risks and he used it. Daring to lay it on the line, he challenged her to trust fate and let the coin decide. As he knew he would, he won the toss and they’d gone back to her Victorian in Queen Anne and he’d watched her disrobe in the golden light of the candles she’d lit all around the room. Her hair had flowed over her shoulders like liquid flame and he was sure at that moment that he’d never seen a more beautiful sight. And for the last six months, he’d been with her as often as he could, in and out of her bed but always in her life every moment he could steal. He had immense greed for her.
“Well? What do you say, beautiful?”
Chewing on her bottom lip she considered what to do. The truth of it settled into her in a way she could no longer deny. She loved Xander Stryker to distraction. The fact that he’d sent Henry to strong arm her into taking Alex in instead of coming to her himself—the way he’s instructed Henry to use her owing him a favor based on something she’d thought he’d done out of affection hurt her more than just about anything she’d ever experienced. All because she loved him.
Nodding, she decided to trust fate another time. To let her know whether she should move on and kick this ass out of her life, or give him another chance.
“Okay, I call tails.”
Contessa at The Romance Studio gives SLEIGHT OF HAND Four and A Half Hearts and says in part: “SLEIGHT OF HAND by Lauren Dane is a thrilling romance story that is sure to set your blood on fire. From start to finish I was caught up in the dynamics of this exciting book. Both Lissie and Xander were very headstrong characters that did not believe in giving up on what they believed in. They were constantly butting heads, which made this novel a highly erotic and interesting read. The sexual encounters between Lissie and Xander were scorching hot and intensely passionate to say the least. I recommend this enjoyable read to all vampire lovers!”
Angel at Romance Junkies gives SLEIGHT OF HAND 4 1/2 ribbons! She says in part: “SLEIGHT OF HAND is a wonderful book full ofadventure and erotic romance. This is the first book that I have readfrom Whispers Publishing and I will certainly be on the lookout formore of their books in the future. Lissie is one tough cookie andstands up to Xander on every hand. Xander is dominant but also has asensitive side that will make readers melt. The love scenes betweenthis couple are steamy so keep some ice handy. Xander’s mother as thevillain accents the plot. Lauren Dane has penned a wonderful storythat readers are sure to enjoy. Her creative writing will certainlyhave you searching for more of her books.”
MA at The Pink Posse gives SLEIGHT OF HAND a FIVE PINK HATS SALUTE!! She says in part: “A 5 Pink Hats Off Salute to Lauren Dane for a sizzling hot and fun to read story that captures the frustration people often face in a new relationship.
“I recommend reading this story because the chemistry between Xander and Lissie is so strong and real that you will feel a part of their story. Grab a glass of ice water and be prepared for an enjoyable read.”
Lil at Love Romances gives SLEIGHT OF HAND four hearts and says in part: “This was a tightly written tale and was especially impressive in leaving no loose threads for such a short offering. Readers will be thrilled with this spunky heroine and her particular brand of sarcasm. Opportunities in arguments to turn the tables on the hero are not wasted. It was particularly refreshing to see a heroine that did not allow for fundamental issues of the relationship to be glossed over with sex. On the contrary, the hero was taken to account regarding differences in viewpoint. Xander for his part is fun to watch as he moves from arrogance to something closer to accommodation. Difficulties in facing the dichotomy of his memories of the gentle mother of his childhood and the vindictive woman scorned are handled credibly. Not being a fool, he understands exactly how well matched his love and he are…it just takes him a bit of time to convince Lissette of this. The sex scenes sizzle. This is a very satisfying read and definitely recommended.”
Serena at Fallen Angel Reviews gives SOH four angels and says in part: “This was a book I found really hard to put down. The byplay between Xander and Lissette was phenomenal. I really enjoyed how she would not lay down and let him run roughshod over her. The secondary plot of Graciella’s psychosis was well written also. To have a woman threaten the love child of her husband was just tweaked enough to make you hate her, but feel for her as well. The ending was absolutely wonderful and rounded out a really great story. Lissette was so much fun to read, she found herself in a terrible situation, but did what she knew was right even if it threatened her life.”
Nannette at Joyfully Reviewed: “Ms. Dane’s character’s are well written and a pleasure to read. Lissette is witty and tough but at the same time she is vulnerable. Xander is one gorgeous, powerful and sexy vampire. There are moments when they made love that they left me panting for more. These two really heat up the sheets! (…)
“SLEIGHT OF HAND is a very emotional book. It offers a different take on a frequently told story. Ms. Dane has taken issues that many women face and woven them into an exciting vampire romance! I highly recommend SLEIGHT OF HAND; it’s a relatable love story, it’s uniquely told, and it is smoking hot!”
And Michele, a reader who won an early copy says in part: “I Loved IT!!!! SLEIGHT OF HAND was great…oooh, I loved the last line.. The ending was so perfect!”