Knights of Stone - Lachlan (19 page)

“It is a new way of telling Romeo and Juliet. You cannot be with them because of something their ancestors did, and the kids saying I do not care about that, I want to be with them regardless. A lesson many of us need to learn. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting something a little different from their normal.”

~ 5* from Books and Beyond Fifty Shades

USA Today bestselling author Lisa Carlisle loves stories with dark, brooding heroes and independent heroines. For much of her professional career, she’s written non-fiction — but she’s discovered writing romance is the most fun. Her romances have been named Top Picks at Night Owl Reviews and All Romance Ebooks.

When she was younger, she worked in a variety of jobs, moving to various countries. She backpacked alone through Europe, and lived in Paris before returning to the U.S. She owned a bookstore for a few years as she loves to read. She’s now married to a fantastic man, and they have two kids, two kittens, and too many fish.

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Chateau Seductions Part 1

Grad student Savannah Evans is thrilled to be accepted as a resident to a prestigious art colony. Where else would she be able to focus on her craft of writing poetry in a setting like that of the medieval-styled castle? The remote New England island is a respite from her hectic city life. When she meets her benefactor, a mysterious French sculptor, her expectations for carefree days writing near the ocean are distracted by unprofessional fantasies about her sponsor.

Antoine Chevalier built Les Beaux Arts on DeRoche Island to bring purpose back to an existence that has lost meaning. He’s wandered the earth for decades and finds solace in returning to art. When Savannah applies for a residency, something about her words touches him. After her arrival, a physical attraction grows between them, which he struggles against. She deserves more than someone of his kind.

Antoine proposes they become lovers during her stay. But the situation turns complicated when Savannah discovers his secret. She had suspicions about his identity, but finds the truth overwhelming. Consumed by her desire for Antoine and faced with a tough decision, she is blind to the danger that has arrived at DeRoche Island.

A New Adult Romance
Paranormal / gargoyle / vampire / shapeshifter

Excerpt from Dark Velvet

Savannah’s fingers traced the cool marble of the god’s muscular back and then the definition in his arm as he drew an arrow to shoot. She pictured Antoine bent over the sculpture, brows furrowed in concentration, losing sense of time as he polished each portion to perfection.

“Do you like this?” A deep voice whispering in her ear startled her. She jumped at the sound of his voice, bumping back into his hard chest, and he caught her upper arms to steady her. Only one man in the castle spoke in that smooth French accent—the sculptor himself.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Antoine.” She fumbled taking a half step forward, away from him. “I shouldn’t have touched it.”

“No, don’t apologize.”

He let go of her arms, but his warm breath tickled her ear. He took her hand, caressing her palm, which sent tingles up her arm. Her bottom lip quivered as he brought her fingers to rest again on the marble piece. She thanked the gods he remained behind her so he couldn’t witness her nervous reaction, and she bit her lip to halt the tremors. This was not the way for a young protégée to behave in front of her benefactor. He owned the castle, created the art colony here where she was attending on a poetry scholarship—she shouldn’t go gaga simply from his touch. Which was exactly what she was doing.

“It pleases me that you appreciate my work.” Leading her fingers down the figure’s chiseled chest, he leaned in closer and added, “I liked watching you admire it.”

His voice alone sent flames rippling through her. Every nerve in her being lit with awareness in reaction to him. In the months since they’d met, they’d never been alone in such proximity. Weeks of heated looks from afar had inflamed her desire so the slightest touch became intimate, strengthening her need for more.

Sounds of approaching voices indicated this evening’s performance in the chateau would soon begin. Several of the musicians in the art colony had collaborated on orchestral pieces they wanted to play in front of an audience for the first time. As fellow artists in residence, they sought the support of fellow residents.

Antoine kissed her hand like a suitor in a bygone era. “I hope you enjoy the concert, Savannah.”

Her lips parted, opening and closing like a fish while she thought of what to say. When she mustered up the courage to turn and face him, he had already left the room, filling her with both relief and disappointment. Unaware she’d been holding her breath, she exhaled deeply.

Several times over the course of the evening, Savannah caught Antoine’s dark eyes watching her. Her emotions roiled in confusion while the performers played Barber’s Adagio for Strings. The way he held her gaze without blinking made her squirm in the burgundy armchair. The rising tension and resolution from the violin and cello underscored her tumultuous emotions. She smiled at him briefly and focused on the musicians, aware of how her heartbeat had escalated.

When she glanced again at Antoine, he still watched her unabashed, as if unconcerned about what the others would think. He took a sip of Porto, nodded her way, and then returned his attention to the musicians. She sat up straighter and crossed her legs at the ankles, then uncrossed them, and crossed them again.

The attraction was becoming more difficult to ignore. In light of how he breached the physical distance by touching her earlier, she feared she’d be unable to keep her desires hidden much longer. She’d developed an instant crush since she arrived at the castle six weeks before. How could she not be? He was a renowned sculptor with a devastating, dark appeal. What was she to him than just another young resident who would be gone in six weeks, replaced by another.

Was she reading more into the brief exchange than was warranted? Adjusting in her seat, she pictured kissing his soft lips, tasting the sweet rich Porto on his tongue. A tingle grew in her nipples. She imagined him touching them, kissing them, as he peered at her with those seductive eyes. An ardent rush of desire flooded between her thighs.

It’s just a look. Only a casual glance my way.

Even as she attempted to fool herself, she knew she was full of shit.

Since she had arrived for her stay at the artists’ colony called Les Beaux Arts at the Chateau DeRoche, she’d noticed something different about the owner, Antoine Chevalier. And not just the way his eyes bore into hers, shooting shivers through her and making it difficult to breathe. His quiet nature, his preference for seclusion for days at a time, and his still, composed temperament belied an intensity within. Noir eyes that rarely blinked spoke of haunted depth and smoldering passion. He was quite simply unlike any man she had ever met.

Antoine had established an artist’s colony here in the early 2000s. He named it Les Beaux Arts at the Chateau DeRoche in homage both to his native France and DeRoche Island, where the chateau was located off the coast of Massachusetts, but most of the residents referred to it as the castle or the colony. The castle was perched atop one of the rocky cliffs on the tiny and remote island, which made it visible from many locations on land. The island itself was scarcely a mile with no paved roads, streetlights, or cars, and only the diehard were permanent residents. Many residents came to the island by boat during the summer months and left before winter; Antoine kept the colony open year round.

Although she forced herself to focus on the performance by watching the violinist’s hands before her, her thoughts drifted throughout the rest of the piece. Sensuous images of Antoine kissing her everywhere with those finely sculpted lips flooded her mind. She didn’t dare glance his way again, fearing her flushed cheeks would give her away.

When the music ended and the audience applauded, they drifted out of the salon. Savannah congratulated the musicians who’d played on a job well done. Although it was a cool winter night, her body was aflame with need, and she had to get some air. She strode down the stone hallway bedecked with Renaissance paintings to get to the front entrance.

“How did you like the performance?” Antoine fell in step beside her, and her urgency to get outside dissipated.

She stopped walking and faced him, the heat within her rose. “It was lovely,” she answered, her voice an octave higher than usual. Something about Antoine being so close kicked her body to work at a higher gear. Her pulse raced, she had to remind herself to breathe normally. “They worked so hard putting it together, and it came out wonderfully. I think they’re more than ready to perform it for outside guests soon.”

Stop babbling, Savannah.

Antoine glanced around at the others and then leaned closer. “Come to my library tonight,” he said in such a low sultry voice she barely heard him.

Her heart pounded, and when she glanced at him, his gaze was even more intense than usual. Antoine both excited and terrorized her. The way his hawk-like eyes bore into her incited physical reactions she couldn’t ignore.

“Uh, um—” Taking a deep breath to steady her heartbeat, she said, “For any reason in particular?”

“Yes.” One corner of his mouth twitched in a smile before he continued down the hall away from the residents. He turned back to see her gaping. “Say, ten o’clock,” he added.

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“Looking for a sexy vampire novel? If so, then this is definitely a must buy!”

“…insanely hot chemistry between the female protagonist Savannah & vampire Antoine. Their intensity starts off right away and you’re not a chapter in before it takes off like a rocket.

~ Paranormal Romance Junkies

“Carlisle gives readers a blend of the paranormal and the erotic. This novella was a very enjoyable read for me. The setting on DeRoche Island was beautiful, and felt like it was from another time. The chemistry between Savannah and Antoine is sure to draw the reader in as well.

Dark Velvet is the first novella in the Chateau Seduction series. I am very excited to read Carlisle’s next installment!”

– That’s Erotica

Chateau Seductions, part 2

It takes time before Gina Meiro warms up to people and her shyness is often misunderstood. She hasn’t had to worry about meeting new people at a remote art colony until a new resident arrives—a rock guitarist more suited for a billboard. Her carefree days of painting at the medieval-styled castle on a remote New England island are shattered when she stumbles right into his welcome gathering.

After a falling out with his band, Dante Riani wants nothing more at Les Beaux Arts on DeRoche Island than solitude to work on new songs. When a shy young painter asks to paint him at sunset, he’s tempted by the opportunity to be alone with her.

Someone at the colony claims to know what Dante is and asks for his help. Dante fears his plans are coming undone, especially as he grows more drawn to Gina. Her scent and vulnerability are too difficult to resist. But he must stay away from her—she would never understand his secret.

5* Review from Books and Beyond Fifty Shades! –

“While it is a story about struggle, it is also about love; and doing whatever needs to be done to be with the one you are attracted to. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Gina and Dante. This story has the perfect amount of witty banter, sex, and romance.”