About The Book
Title: Aeromancist
Book 2: Seven Forbidden Arts Series
Author: Charmaine Pauls
Publisher: Mélange Books
Publication Date: July 6, 2015
Pages: 284
ASIN: B010766W5S
Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance
Format: eBook / ePub / PDF
Preorder Book Buy Links: Publication Date: July 6, 2015
Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE
Book Description:
Passion always comes with a price.
All he could offer was thirty days of passion.
He condemned her to a terrible fate instead.
Now he’ll do everything in his power to save her.
He is known as the Weatherman. Lann Dréan is the last of his kind. A price on his head, chased for a power he should not possess, he can’t promise any woman forever. All he can offer Katherine White is thirty days of passion. But his uncontainable desire comes with an unforeseen price. Lann’s lust will cost Kat everything. Now he’ll do anything to save her from the fate he has brought upon her.
* This book contains adult content with explicit language and frequent, consummated love scenes, including light bondage, sex toys and breath play. Reader discretion is advised.
I'm going to get this out of the way upfront: if you decide to read this book, and I do recommend it because it's a very good story, please read the first part of this story Aeromancist, The Beginning because that is the part of the story that tells about Lann's and Katherine thirty day agreement. Had I known about that book, I would have read it first, because I was all sorts of confused when I started this book since I didn't realize this was the second part of the story.
On to the good stuff: this is an entertaining story that's listed as a paranormal romance, and while it definitely has both elements, it's not your typical vampire/shapeshifter paranormal element, but rather someone who has the ability to control elements. Lann and Katherine embark on a thirty day sexual binge because that's all he can offer her, but she's not to contact him again after the thirty days are up. Of course there will be a reason that Katherine voids the contract, and Lann doesn't handle the news well and that creates all kinds of backlash. There will be danger that will occur due to Katherine's decisions and Lann wanting to go all hulk-smash and save his woman who's not supposed to be his woman.
The sexy times are well-written, and this was my first time reading anything involving breath play (obviously I need to expand my knowledge on these topics), so I found that to be interesting. Overall I enjoyed this story even through my confusion since I didn't read the previous book. I would recommend this if you like paranormal stories and want something different from the typical paranormal abilities that have saturated that genre.
ARC provided in exchange for honest review.
Book Excerpt:
From the expression on Lann’s face,
Kat knew he hadn’t expected her. Alfonso hadn’t warned him of her visit. Lann
sat behind his desk, very similar to the first time they had met, but this time
he was in the library, and not in his office. He had probably been working on
the restoration of his ancient books, because he wore his glasses. Removing
them, he immediately got to his feet. The air felt lighter, as it always did in
his presence. Wisps of her hair lifted as if to an invisible caress, but Lann
didn’t acknowledge the subtle dance of molecules this time.
As
always he looked impeccable in tailored pants and a white dress shirt. He stood
immobile, exerting calm, waiting for her to make the first move. Kat had never
been fooled about the latent danger that lurked under his quiet sophistication
and intellectual air. There was a raw energy about Lann that hinted at his
wildness, even as his exterior was polished civility.
“Alfonso
showed me in,” she said.
“Katherine.”
His lips lifted in the corner, exposing his dimple.
Her
heart broke at his smile. It was the one he reserved for other people. Never
for her. It was automatic, a practiced social stance, and she hated it.
Hers
was faint in return. She glanced at the employees who were handling his books
with protective gloves. “May we speak in private, please?”
He
frowned. “Let’s go to my office.”
He
led the way. At least he hadn’t thrown her out on sight. She was walking the
familiar path she believed she’d never walk again. The air gathered around his
ankles as he moved, lapping at her feet as she followed in his wake. She had
never felt it stronger, and yet, it should have been the reverse. She was
supposed to be cutting the tie, not strengthening it, dammit.
Inside
his office he almost took a military stance, his shoulders straight, his arms
behind his back, as if keeping them there would prevent him from touching her.
But his eyes were filled with warmth and concern.
“Katherine,
I didn’t tell you I was back because I didn’t want to make it harder on you.”
He
didn’t owe her an explanation. She agreed to his terms. With her eyes wide
open.
“I
came back to take care of the money,” he continued. “When Alfonso told me you
returned everything–”
“I
don’t want your money.”
“You
can live in comfort. Why struggle, if I have enough to share?”
“Because
it wasn’t part of our agreement,” she snapped. She took a calming breath. “Because
it’ll make me feel like a prostitute.”
His
expression was incredulous as he considered the statement, but after a moment
he inclined his head. “Of course. I respect your decision.”
“Lann…”
She chewed her lip, thinking of the best way to tell him. Hadn’t she practiced
her line a million times? “I wouldn’t have broken our agreement if it wasn’t
necessary.”
He
stared at her expectantly. There was no easy way to break the news.
“I’m
pregnant.”
He
froze. The heat evaporated from his gaze. His upper arms flexed as he clasped
his hands behind his back. She couldn’t tell if he was mad or disappointed.
Either way, neither was the reaction she was hoping for.
The
silence stretched between them. For a while he seemed incapable of speaking or
moving. Only his eyes lowered and rested on her abdomen.
“It’s
impossible,” he finally said.
She
opened her handbag, retrieved the blood test results and offered it to him
shakily. Lann lifted one hand from behind his back and took the piece of paper.
Kat watched him closely as he read it. His eyes widened and narrowed again. She
presumed he was looking at the age of the child growing inside of her, doing
the calculation in his mind. Emotions she couldn’t place played across his
face. Was it sadness, envy, anger that made him press his lips so tightly
together? Finally, he lifted his head. She didn’t like the way he looked at
her.
He
handed her back the report. “Congratulations.” His voice was impersonal. “Who’s
the father?”
The
words punched the air from Kat’s lungs with the same ferocity as when he had
cut her airflow during lovemaking. Then it had given her an earth-shattering
orgasm. Now it caused her pain, with the same intensity. She couldn’t believe
he said that. Hurt and anger blurred her vision. She drew back her hand, and
before she could stop herself, she slapped him. She took a step away from him,
biting back the tears. The trace of her fingers lay red across his pale cheek.
Lann accepted her abuse with a stoic expression, without uttering a word.
“You
bastard,” she whispered. “You needn’t feign your innocence by insulting me. Are
you afraid I’ll ask you for child support? Do you think I expect you to play an
unwilling role in this baby’s life? Maybe you think I’ll try to emotionally
blackmail you into marrying me.” She clutched her bag to her chest like a
shield. “I didn’t come here expecting anything from you. I want nothing. I only
came because you had a right to know.” She took a ragged breath. “And to ask
why you lied to me.”
When
he still didn’t speak, she nodded slowly, the unwelcome tears threatening to
find their way to her cheeks. He wasn’t going to offer any explanation, any
solace, any excuse.
“I
see,” she said. “Then we have nothing more to say to each other.”
She
turned for the door, but Lann’s voice halted her. “Please stay. You’re upset.
I’ll take you home when you feel calmer.”
To
her dismay, a small gasp escaped her. Did he honestly think she’d stay after
what he just said? Not looking back, she ran downstairs, not caring that Lann
was calling after her loud enough for the building to hear, or that his
employees were staring at her from the library window.
About The Author
Charmaine Pauls was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa. She obtained a degree in Communication at the University of Potchestroom, and followed a diverse career path in journalism, public relations, advertising, communications, photography, graphic design, and brand marketing. Her writing has always been an integral part of her professions.
After relocating to France with her French husband, she fulfilled her passion to write creatively full-time. Charmaine has published six novels since 2011, as well as several short stories and articles.
When she is not writing, she likes to travel, read, and rescue cats. Charmaine currently lives in Chile with her husband and children. Their household is a linguistic mélange of Afrikaans, English, French and Spanish.
Read more about Charmaine’s romance novels and psychological short stories here on www.charmainepauls.com.
Contact Charmaine at:
Website: www.charmainepauls.com
Blog: www.charmainepauls.com/blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Charmaine-Pauls/175738829145132 Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharmainePauls Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AuthorCharmainePauls
Contest Giveaway
Enter To Win Throughout The Tour!
The prizes include:
a set of 5 antiqued silver bookmarks,
a paperback copy of Aeromancist
and eBooks of the preceding books in the series:
Loving the Enemy, Pyromancist, and Aeromancist, The Beginning
Virtual Book Tour Page
Thank you for hosting the tour. - Kathleen Anderson, PUYB Tour Coord.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for hosting the Aeromancist book tour and for your review, Nicole.
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