Book Spotlight & Excerpt: "Caressed by a Crimson Moon" Amanda Greene

Consumed by madness and tormented by dark memories of blood and death, Hadrian Lucretius, King of the Validus Clan, has returned after living in self-imposed exile for nearly three hundred and fifty years.

To maintain peace with the vampires, Eva Maldonado is offered as a sacrifice to the crazed vampire king by her father, the alpha of the Silveria Shifter Pack. Hadrian’s reputation is both legendary and lethal; he is ruthless, bloodthirsty, lusty, and soulless. When Eva arrives at the ancient fortress high in the Carpathian Mountains, she is shocked to find a ravaged man with dark burning eyes filled with loneliness and dangerous desire.

Would she be his lover…or his prey? His savior…or his victim? Would Hadrian lure her into madness or would their perilous passion be their redemption?

Hadrian’s lips caressed her ear as he asked, “What is it you really want?”

Sensual heat fired her blood. Struggling to find her voice, she swallowed hard and whispered her confession, “You.”

The scent of her arousal set alarms off in his head. Need slammed into Hadrian so hard it rocked his entire body, making him tremble with urgent desire.

“You shouldn’t,” he grated, forcing himself to move away from her. The sexual heat of her body was an inferno and he needed the bite of the cold to maintain his ever-slipping, ever fragile control.

Eva’s sigh was one of frustration as she rounded to face him. “Do you honestly think I don’t know that?” she snapped.

The corners of Hadrian’s lips twitched, but he did not smile.

“I apologize for my tone—”

“This is not a formal conversation, you may speak freely.”

Eva shook her head. “This was a mistake,” she said cursing herself for telling Hadrian she wanted him.

Nothing could happen between them. They were too different, he a king, she a bastard peasant, half-breed who meant nothing. He was crazy and she, well, she wasn’t so sure didn’t have a few screws loose after last night. Hell, they weren’t even the same species!

Deciding it would be best if she returned to the castle before she suffered any more embarrassment and before her self-esteem took a hit, she had to get one thing off her chest.

“We can pretend this,” she waved a hand at the space between them, “never happened, but I—”

“Why would we pretend this,” he mimicked her, “never happened?”

Refusing to answer, Eva continued, “I need to know. Have you planted thoughts in my head, making me believe I’m attracted to you?”

Hadrian balked as if she had gravely insulted him. “I have never invaded your mind. Your emotions and thoughts are your own.”

Eva ground her teeth. If he was telling the truth then she was in more trouble than she wanted to admit. It would be easier to blame the vampire for the turmoil that ragged within her. Shaking her head, she could not think about this right now. She just needed to get away from him and his intoxicatingly fresh male scent and hungry eyes.

She brushed past him and headed for the labyrinth.

“Wait.”

It was not a command, but a request and Eva’s body froze against her will.

“What happened in the solarium and…all the other times, I want you to know that…it will not happen again. I’m deeply sorry for causing you confusion.”

“Forget it, nothing ever actually happened.” And nothing ever will.

She turned back toward the maze, but he stood, blocking the entrance.

His large frame shook, his muscles strained as if he were forcing himself to remain still. His eyes focused on the snow that covered his bare feet.

When he spoke, his words were strained, “I must make you understand.”

Was he going to try to scare her into not wanting him?

He looked up, his gaze meeting hers. Eva swayed from the force of her shock.

His eyes were an impossible blood red, the white completely consumed by the deep crimson.

“As you can see, I am not like other vampires. I am the monster that demons fear. And,” his eyes slowly roamed over her body, she gasped as if he had physically caressed her, “I want you. I want to drink you to the quick as I claim your body. I want to feel your heart slow beneath my lips as I come deep within you.”

Eva closed her eyes as his words settled over her. How could she find what he was saying sexy? God, she had to be twisted. After all the time living amongst her father’s pack, her mind must have snapped. He was describing how he wanted to kill her and she was getting hot?

“My grip on reality is fragile, my control razor thin.”

The harshness of his voice faltered every so slightly and Eva snapped her eyes open.

Anguish. Despair. Loneliness. Hate. It was plan to see the emotions that flickered to life within his red eyes. He spoke of being a monster, but all she saw was a tortured man. She did not doubt what he said was true, yet, as she stood, bewitched by his glowing red eyes, she knew evil was not his true nature.

Slowly, she raised a hand, cautiously reaching out to him. She expected him to growl at her, to slap her hand away or vanish. Instead, he stood firm as a marble statue. His hellish gaze fixed on her.

Comfort. Something within her cried out to comfort this vampire.

He admitted he wants to kill me.

Eva snapped her hand back. Preparing to scream as loud as she could. Taking in a large gulp of air, she prayed that Falcon would find her. Rescue her from—

“No,” his whisper was barely audible. “Touch. Me.” She had not seen him move, but now, he towered over her. “Please.” His eyes narrowed as if willing her to reach out to him. “Please, Eva, I need you touch me.”~