Book spotlight for Immortal Protector by Claire Ashgrove

Immortal Protector
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…

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For more about The Curse of the Templars, discover all the books at Claire’s Templar Webpage

EXCERPT

Certain Iain could feel the sudden, chaotic thumping of her heart, Catherine lowered her gaze to his hand. The sight of those short manicured nails, those strong fingers so near to her breast left her momentarily incapable of mental reasoning. She willed her voice not to tremble. “It was a gift.”

“A gift?” He slid off the desk and took a step forward, bringing that big powerful body near to hers. The faint scent of soap from a morning shower tickled her nose. She fought the urge to set her hands on his narrow hips and steady herself. She would not lean away, although she should. Sweet blue heaven above, she should move now.

“A gift from whom?”

Her throat felt sticky, like she’d just eaten too much peanut butter straight out of the jar. She swallowed hard. Oh, he was too close, too devastatingly near.

He tucked his fingers beneath the medallion a little more, the shift of his hand stirring her long-neglected flesh. To her shame, her nipples tightened beneath her bra, and a layer of gooseflesh pricked her breasts. She forced her eyes away from his fingers and stared at his belt. If she looked up, he’d know without a doubt how very much he affected her. And that was one bit of truth she didn’t dare reveal.

“From the prioress at Mount Saint Scholastica,” she answered.

“The prioress?” Surprise lifted the normal baritone timbre of his voice.

“Yes.” Nodding, Catherine lifted her gaze, braving those warm, inviting portals of soft brown. As her thoughts slid slowly back into place, she leaned her shoulders away. The press of his knuckles against her breast lifted, but he refused to let go of the necklace. His stare penetrated into her, curious, intense, and . . . oh, dear heavens . . . lusty.

With a twist of her shoulders, she terminated the link between them. Her necklace thumped against her breastbone where it laid heavily, a stark reminder of how it felt to have him touch her so innocently, and yet so intimately.

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.

Claire lives in Missouri with her two young sons and too-many horses, cats, and dogs. In her "free" time, she enjoys cooking, studying Ancient Civilizations, and spending downtime with her children and the critters. She credits her success to her family's constant support and endless patience.

To learn more about Claire, visit her on the web at www.claireashgrove.com, or www.toristclaire.com.