Title: A Vampire’s Tale
Author: Maya Tyler
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Book Blurb:
Ancient and powerful vampire Corgan has been influencing struggling writer Marisa's life path. He wants to tell his story, before ending his existence, and chooses her to author his tale. But it’s complicated. Corgan knows his request will place her in grave danger. She doesn't.
Excerpt:
Although some of the stereotypes were true, Corgan was more than she ever could have imagined. It was even possible, judging from the last stream of images, he had planted the suggestion of fiction writing in her head… As long ago as college. Did he also influence her obsession with writing vampire stories?
Flipping open her laptop, she looked at the last section she'd written. Let’s see here. Destruction of the vampire nest. Dee releasing him. Yikes. The vampire maker-offspring relationship seemed as complicated as a human parent-child. She was sure she'd given her parents a run for their money when she was a teen, and they continued to love her—at least until she left college against their wishes—but she was as equally sure they wouldn't have killed a whole family for bothering her.
Maybe it was a morality thing. It certainly would've bothered her if Corgan had chosen to kill the two men the other night. But he'd spared their lives. His surprising show of compassion added another facet to the already complex being she was discovering. He showed her what he wanted her to see. What was left unrevealed?
How she'd felt in the car, when he'd been feeding from her. Well. It had been an amazing, almost indescribable experience. She felt good, the most relaxed she'd ever felt and at the same time, the most excited, pushing her toward orgasmic heights. She wondered how it made him feel.
The same.
Oh. Sitting up straighter, she turned and scanned the room for him. Corgan, where are you?
Here. He sat beside her. His presence seemed larger than life as he loomed over her, pressing her against the raised back of the settee.
Oh.
The intense look in his eyes made her want to run. But she'd stood her ground with him so far, and she wasn't about to back down now.
“You called?”
“Just wondering where you were?”
“And now you know.”
“Now I know,” she echoed.
He put his hands on either side of her head and leaned in closer. “I'm here. What now?”
She gulped. Knowing what she wanted and having to ask for it were two different things. With him so close, she could barely breathe, let alone think. “I, uh…”
“Yes, love?”
Was he going to make her spell it out? Wasn't it obvious what she wanted? “Corgan, I—”
A low rustling sound outside drew her attention and had Corgan off in a flash, standing by the window, scanning the yard. “I'll be right back.”
Marisa sat up and hugged her knees into her chest. That sound had Corgan
spooked. Did he get spooked? Was there anything out there? Would he be okay?
No need to worry, little one. Just taking a precaution.
Reassurance or not, she still worried. Something concerned Corgan. What worried a vampire? Wooden stakes, silver, holy water? She inwardly laughed. How much was true? How ridiculous humans must look to vampires for believing every vampire tale Hollywood produced. What was their true nature? Would she ever discover the whole story?
Still in a hurry to figure us out, little one? Have patience, and all the answers you seek will be revealed.
Is everything okay out there?
I'll be back in a minute.
He didn't say everything was okay. In fact, he deflected her question with his
response, leaving her to conclude something was up.
The air around her shifted, and Corgan appeared back in the room. “I need to contact someone.”
Nodding, she glanced around the room for a phone.
“I don't have a phone. I'll be right back.”
Marisa trembled and bit her bottom lip. “Are you leaving here?”
“Yes.”
“Can I come with you?”
“No, you'll be safer here.”
She felt the blood drain from her face. Safer? He actually thought she’d be safer left alone, with something out there. Possibly something sinister? What could it be? Was it still there? She squeezed her eyes shut, rocking in place. Think happy thoughts. Happy thoughts. Wait—the something or someone—how did they find Corgan?
He grabbed her hand and spoke a few words she didn't understand as he traced something on her palm. “I want you to go to the basement. Behind the hot water tank, there is a black marking on the wall. Place your hand over the marking, and the wall will open for you. Once you step inside the room, you will be safe. Do not leave for any reason. I will come get you.”
“But I—” She stood frozen in place.
“Go now, little one.” With a light kiss on her forehead, he disappeared, leaving a puff of smoke.
Wasting no time, she grabbed her laptop and headed toward the basement stairs. The door was closed, and she hesitated for a second before turning the knob and swinging it open. The stairway was dark. She turned on the flashlight on her cell phone to illuminate the way. Once she could see, she closed the door, grabbed the rail, and headed down the rickety stairs.
At the bottom of the stairs, there were three doors opening from a square landing. She checked two before she found the furnace room. This is it.
Stepping into the room, she closed the door behind her and walked toward the hot water tank. Taking a deep breath, she peered behind the tank. Just as Corgan had told her, there was a black mark on the wall. She looked at her palm, didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Here goes nothing. Pressing her hand against the wall, she waited for it to open. Within seconds, the wall moved apart in the middle like an automatic sliding door. Even though she expected it, she still gasped as a hidden room appeared. Without any hesitation, she stepped into the room, and the wall closed behind her.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Tirgearr Publishing http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Tyler_Maya/a-vampires-tale.htm
Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYBQUUZ/
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MYBQUUZ
Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01MYBQUUZ/
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/698693
What’s your favorite way to combat stress?
I wish I could say cleaning… Although I do enjoy the end result of cleaning house and it’s certainly a cathartic practice, it isn’t my go-to stress buster. Reading is definitely my favorite way to combat stress. There’s nothing like losing yourself in a book or five, right? I write paranormal romance, but I read many other subgenres of romance. From a historical set in the Scottish Highlands to a contemporary shifter fantasy, I’m a sucker for a happily-ever-after. There’s no better way to release the stresses of the day!
Why is your featured book a stress busting read?
A Vampire’s Tale kicks off a fantastical adventure into the world of The Magicals. In this series, my characters defy expectations, foraging their own paths to fulfill their dreams.
Marisa, my heroine in Book 1, is a delight. She’s brave and creative, and she speaks very quickly when she’s nervous. And, as a writer herself, she is quite the wordsmith. My hero Corgan is the epitome of tall, dark, and dangerous. He’s a vampire, but not the type usually portrayed in Hollywood. The writer and a vampire make an unlikely couple, but their paths are fated to cross. Corgan knows this for certain. He has the gift of future sight. But what he doesn’t anticipate is that his feelings for Marisa will change the course of his life.
A Vampire’s Tale is a light-hearted introduction to The Magicals. You can step away from reality and immerse yourself in Marisa and Corgan’s unexpected love story. But the fun doesn’t end there. The best part about a series is that the stressful decision of what to read next is right in front of you. Book 2.
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Open internationally
Runs May 1 – 31, 2021.
Drawing will be held on June 1, 2021.
Author Biography:
Maya Tyler is a multi-published author of paranormal romance novels and blogger at Maya’s Musings. An avid reader, Maya writes the books she loves to read—romances! Her paranormal romances come with complex plot twists and happily-ever-afters.
When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, listening to music (alternative rock, especially from the 1990s), practicing yoga, and watching movies and TV.
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