Genre: Paranormal
Romance
Publisher: Lyrical
Press
Date of
Publication: Feb. 4th 2013
Word Count: 40,000
Cover Artist: Renee
Rocco
Book Description:
Never make a deal with a dragon.
Sandra’s sister is
dying. All the doctors agree that nothing more can be done, but she can’t give
up hope. After using all her resources searching for a cure, a little bird
whispers in Sandra’s ear about secret worlds, Gates, and the Keepers who
protect them. A dragon Gatekeeper, who hoards magical treasure within his
volcano home in Japan, can possibly hold an item to cure her sister.
Gates choose their
Keepers and Koishi thinks his did an excellent job in picking him. Not many
dare to cross and none who try survive.
However, one tiny human female with either the courage of an army or the
intelligence of a gnat has arrived on the island asking for him. Curious and
not wanting to disappoint, he waits for the locals to steer her to his human
‘servant’, which is him in his man form.
Let the games
begin…
Review:
This story was an enjoyable quick read. There
was romance and action, a bit of drama, humor and a hot dragon! I love LOVE
books that have little random things that make me laugh out loud ( I love
laughing while reading a book because of the looks people around give me :P ).
Sandra was a great character. She would do (and
does) everything possible to help her sister, who is dying. She puts her
sister's health before her own happiness. She is a very strong character that
you can connect with.
Koishi is so amusing. Because he finds
everything Sandra does amusing. He is always ready to laugh and joke. But he is
very serious about his gate. I love that he lets one of the creatures live and
become his cook. It shows a whole new side of him that you couldn't see. He
doesn't just care about the gate and the girl, he has a real heart.
4/5 Stars.
Excerpt:
“Thank you.” Sandra
shifted the weight of the pack on her back and marched toward the street.
The stranger twisted as
she passed him, his gaze weighing heavily on her. “It’s about a three hour walk
to the nearest hotel. If you run, you might beat the storm.”
She spun around. “What?”
she wanted to smack that stupid grin off his face. The trip across the strait
had been harrowing enough. She wasn’t in any shape to hike in a storm. “Do you
have cabs?”
“Yes.” He approached
her. “During tourist season.”
“Then how do people move
around the island? There have to be buses.” She peered at the storm clouds,
which appeared closer than before. She hadn’t considered the consequences of
rushing here. Time was running out and she’d jumped on the first flight out to
Japan.
“They walk or bike.
There are a few buses, but I don’t know their schedules.” His gaze lowered to
the opening of her blouse. “Maybe we could come to some kind of arrangement.”
Gasping, she clutched
the edges of her blouse shut. “I don’t think so.” She must look better than she
felt or smelled. How could anyone be interested in her in this state?
He rolled his eyes. “I
meant your necklace.”
“Oh.” The heat of her
mortified blush almost blistered the skin off her cheeks. Of course, he wasn’t
making a crude pass at her. He was only trying to swindle her. Nice.
He gave her a crooked
smile as if he knew exactly what she’d been thinking. “The gold reflects the
light very nicely.” Reaching for her jewelry, he bypassed her swatting hands
until he held the small heart-shaped pendant in his palm.
She yanked it away.
“It’s not up for trade. My mother gave it to me.” She’d died in her sleep a
year earlier after a long, happy life. Out of all the things from her estate,
Sandra had only wanted this necklace. Her father, who’d passed years ago, had
given it to her mother when they’d first met.
“It has a nice weight to
it and is well crafted.” His gaze lingered on her necklace for a second longer
before meeting her stare. “I have a truck. I could drive you into town where
you would have a pick of fine hotels.”
“That’s very kind of
you.”
“For the necklace.”
She growled like a rabid
dog. Yes, it had been that kind of day. “I said no. Nain!”
“Nine?”
“What?” She threw up her
arms and abandoned all hope of help.
“That’s what you said.
Nine what? Rides? I usually don’t play taxi for tourists, but…” His gaze grew
heavy with darker promises. “For you, I’d offer a ride on me.”
She blinked. Did he
understand what he’d just said? “I think we lost something in translation.” In
both their cases. “I’ll manage on my own.” Stalking to the road, she ignored
his laughter and pulled out her phrase book. Lost and tired, all she wanted was
a room. Maybe she could stay in someone’s home for the night. But how did she
ask? These sentences were more tailored for people who had already arrived at
their destination. Where is the bathroom? Where is the phone? She didn’t
see a Can I spend the night? written anywhere. Then again, that could
translate improperly and she’d end up in a worse situation.
Reaching the road, she turned right
and kept searching for some kind of help. Another American tourist, an embassy,
or even a flipping McDonald’s would be welcome.
A pick-up truck slowed
next to her and the window rolled down. “Maybe you have something else to
trade?”
The stranger had
followed her and she gave him a what-the-hell look.
“I’d hate for you to
walk all that way after such a harrowing boat ride.” He winked at her.
“That’s very kind of
you.” She stopped walking, forcing him to slam on the brakes to maintain their
conversation. Could she trust this stranger who exhibited a touch of stalker
tendency? Flashes of serial killer music sang through her thoughts. She glanced
around at the mostly empty road. What choice did she have? At least he spoke
good English so when he murdered her she’d understand his evil monologue.
“Maybe you could offer to drive me for free?”
He stared at her with
mock surprise. “There’s such a thing?”
“Yes.” She dropped her
pack to the ground, her shoulders already aching, and tried her best to not
smile back at the jerk.
Leaning forward, he
tilted his head to the side. “Why?”
She shook her head. “It
must be a cultural thing.” Kneeling, she rummaged inside her bag and pulled out
her wallet. She was on a tight budget. All her savings had gone to purchasing
information. “How much?”
“Money?” He grimaced. “I
don’t like paper. Don’t you carry anything valuable?”
“Most people would
consider money valuable.” She mumbled under her breath as she shoved her wallet
back into her pack. With a little more digging, she found her small carrying
case and held out two silver earrings. “That’s all I’ve got. Take it or bug
off.” She laid them on his outstretched hand.
He sniffed at the metal.
“There’s not much silver in this.”
“How can you tell?” Her
shout echoed over the water.
“I just can. Get in.
I’ll give generosity a try.”
She climbed inside the
old cab with peeling leather seats before he could change his mind. “It’s only
charitable if you don’t keep the earrings.”
He dropped them in his
breast pocket. “Believe me, this is charity.”
About the Author
Annie
Nicholas hibernates in the rural, green mountains of Vermont where she dreams
of different worlds, heroes, and heroines. When spring arrives the stories pour
from her, in hopes to share them with the masses one day.
Mother,
daughter, wife are some of the hats she happily wears while trudging after her
cubs through the hills and dales. The four seasons an inspiration and muse.
Facebook:
Twitter:
@annienicholas
Giveaway:
Up for grabs is an ebook copy of Koishi! Leave a comment with your email to be enter! Easy peasy! Think about following me GFC please :)
MJ is a lunch lady in the heart of Central Illinois. My
gosh, can you get more folksy than that? She met her husband at the University
of Missouri-Columbia and now she has an nineteen-year-old (how did that
happen?) and seventeen year old triplets! She loves to read, karaoke (where she
can pretend she is a rock star) and spends WAY too much time on Facebook. She
grew up in St. Louis and still has family there.
