Title: Bloodbane
Author: Sydney Winward
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Book Blurb:
Vampires mate for life. They marry for love. Oriel Covaci has the worst luck. For years, he has searched for the right mate, only to meet with frustration and disappointment. Now, unable to trust himself with yet another courtship, he seeks out an arranged union—something almost unheard of in vampire culture. All her life, Cosette Dragomir hid behind her books and her music, wanting to fade into the background while simultaneously longing for something more. When her father approaches her about an arranged union with the vampire she has fancied for a long time, she must brave her timidity and sacrifice her solitude for the future she has only dreamed of. But as two very different people are thrown into the pits of danger, they could lose each other forever. Can their love overcome their trials or are they destined to fail?
Excerpt:
“Where are my manners?” he asked, shaking his head disappointedly at himself. “I am far too flustered to think straight. I don’t know a single thing about you. You live in the castle?”
Cosette nodded, and she noticed he didn’t keep his eyes off her for long. She hoped in the deepest recesses of her heart he felt the same attraction for her as she did for him.
He looked away as if thinking of another question, but he quickly returned his gaze, staring into her eyes. “I know most everyone in the castle. Goodness, I even know most of the people living in Ichor Knell. I’m quite sure I would have remembered seeing you before. Did you know who I am before tonight?”
Again, she nodded, unable to find her voice. If only he knew.
“Huh…” he said thoughtfully, spinning her out of the way of yet another dancing couple. It was clear he didn’t simply forget how to dance. Rather, he was quite skilled at it. “I am completely baffled. I am convinced you have a talent for avoiding people. Though, I’m not sure what I did wrong to deserve your disdain.”
Her lips twitched again as she fought back a smile. Somehow, he had salvaged their meeting and even their dance. And he had done it effortlessly. She hadn’t fled. She hadn’t cried. Instead, she found herself closer to smiling than tearing up.
“Something about you seems familiar.” His gaze flitted over her features as if searching for something. “Are you sure we have not met before?”
She didn’t get the chance to reply because the song ended too soon, and to her horror, she noticed her father trying to convince the musicians to continue the number as if to drag on the dance. But even as they struck up the song where they left off, it was too late. Lord Covaci wouldn’t dance two songs with her, obviously not when he was engaged, though he didn’t know he was engaged to her.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Lady Dragomir,” he said, and kissed her gloved hand.
Somehow, she managed a curtsy even though her shaking legs wanted to collapse on her. “A pleasure,” she whispered.
She thought she might either collapse with relief or shout with joy, but neither could she do in Lord Covaci’s presence. She turned and quickly made her way to the door for a timely exit, but her father intercepted her.
“So?” he asked quietly, glancing over his shoulder. “What will you choose?”
Cosette turned, surprised to find Lord Covaci gazing back at her, but he quickly averted his eyes and hurried in the opposite direction.
A smile tugged on her lips as she watched him go, a feeling of relief flooding through her. He was more amazing than she remembered.
“Yes,” she breathed. “I accept him to become my mate.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bloodbane-sydney-winward/1141502522?ean=2940185729519
Author Biography:
Sydney Winward is a fantasy and paranormal romance author who dabbles in the occasional historical fiction. She loves building complex worlds filled with magic, strong characters, and emotional stories that can make you laugh and cry.
Sydney is the author of The Bloodborn Series and the Sunlight and Shadows Series. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, thinking about stories, or going on adventures with her children. She lives in Utah with her husband and three amazing kids.
Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SydneyWinward
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sydneyewinward
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydneywinward/
Website: https://sydneywinward.com/