BETRAYED & TAINTED

I heard from my editor a couple of weeks ago when she let me know she was reading Betrayed. So I'm looking forward to edits landing any time now on that! And when I say I'm looking forward to them, I kind of mean it. I love having input from editors, and working on their suggestions to make the book as strong as it possibly can be.

I received the cover a little while ago and will be unveiling that shortly! 

Betrayed

When Druid priestess Nimue is injured and enslaved by the hated Roman Legion, she’s determined to escape and complete her mission for the Briton king.

But the tough Roman warrior who saved her life is far from the brutal barbarian she fears. His touch inflames and passion burns and against everything she believes in her heart surrenders to her enemy.

Roman warrior Tacitus is enchanted by the fiery beauty who shows no fear and challenges him at every turn. He’s determined to make her his, whatever it takes.But when he discovers the depth of her betrayal his loyalties are torn between his heritage and a woman who could destroy everything he’s ever believed in.

I'm currently a third into writing the fourth installment of my Roman/Druid world, Tainted. This book is set in what is now Colchester in the UK. This time the heroine is a Roman noblewoman, Antonia, and her hero is a tough barbarian warrior from one of my previous books in the series. Maximus and Carys, from Forbidden, feature a lot in this book and I've loved finding out what's been happening to them during the two years since they first fell in love.

(This blurb is likely to be tweaked when I've finished writing the book!)

Tainted

Driven by the knowledge he failed to protect his king and embittered at losing the woman he loves, Druid warrior Gawain despises the lust he feels for the beautiful Roman patrician, Antonia. But despite the danger of discovery he embarks on an illicit liaison with her, determined to uncover the reason for the infinite sorrow that haunts her eyes.

Newly arrived in Britannia from Rome, Antonia is inexplicably drawn to the cold, tough Celt who ignites a passion she long thought died at the hands of her brutal former husband. She knows her growing feelings for him can lead nowhere. But when a shadow from her past threatens her future Antonia is torn between the Empire of her birth and betraying Gawain, the man she’s grown to love.

 

SOLD! To Ellora's Cave!

I'm beyond delighted to share that books 3 and 4 in my Forbidden Roman/Druid series have been contracted to Ellora's Cave! I have my fingers crossed that book 3 will be out later this year or early next year. I'll keep you posted!

Here are the (unedited) blurbs to give you a taster:

Betrayed

When Druid priestess Nimue is injured and enslaved by the hated Roman Legion, she's determined to escape and complete her mission for the Briton king.

But the tough Roman warrior who saved her life is far from the brutal barbarian she fears. His touch inflames and passion burns and against everything she believes in her heart surrenders to her enemy.

Roman warrior Tacitus is enchanted by the fiery beauty who shows no fear and challenges him at every turn. He's determined to make her his, whatever it takes.But when he discovers the depth of her betrayal his loyalties are torn between his heritage and a woman who could destroy everything he's ever believed in.

Tainted

Driven by the knowledge he failed to protect his king and embittered at losing the woman he loves, Druid warrior Gawain despises the lust he feels for the beautiful Roman patrician, Antonia. But despite the danger of discovery he embarks on an illicit liaison with her, determined to uncover the reason for the infinite sorrow that haunts her eyes.

Newly arrived in Britannia from Rome, Antonia is inexplicably drawn to the cold, tough Celt who ignites a passion she long thought died at the hands of her brutal former husband. She knows her growing feelings for him can lead nowhere. But when a shadow from her past threatens her future Antonia is torn between the Empire of her birth and betraying Gawain, the man she's grown to love.

I've also sold a Regency Vampire novella and an exciting Highland Warrior series to Ellora's Cave. More details on those books coming soon. Looks like a busy year ahead!

Hot Romans, Magical Druids & a Paranoid Emperor

Today I'm blogging over at Historical Hearts on What is an Ancient Historical Romance, Anyway? There's a little bit of background to the world that my Roman/Druid books are set in and I also explain how the Emperor Claudius's paranoia when it came to Druids dovetailed so beautifully with my plot for Forbidden!

Cool Forests & Ancient Magic

Today I'm over at RR@H Novel Thoughts & Book Talk chatting about my world of Forbidden - with a copy of Forbidden for one lucky commenter!

I found a lovely reader review for Forbidden over on the Australian Romance Readers Association blog yesterday. The reviewer, Nicola Smith, had this to say:

"I enjoyed reading Forbidden. It took me to another place of cool forests and ancient magic. The characters Carys and Maximus are strong and likeable. I also enjoyed reading about their cultures and the impact the Romans had on the Celt society."

Don't forget to scroll down and leave a comment on Michelle's post to be in with a chance of winning her fabulous Undone, The Perfect Concubine!

Captive at Novel Adventurers

I'm very excited to be over at Novel Adventurers today with fellow RWA member, Alli Sinclair. I first met Alli at conference last year, and she has the dubious honor of being the first person I actually told there that my book was coming out the following month :-)

We'd love to see you over there if you get a mo - there's a copy of either Forbidden or Captive up for grabs for one commenter and the contest is open all week. I'm chatting about the historical background to my Forbidden world and welcome any questions!!

In other not so fab news, we have a cyclone warning so are currently battening down the hatches and hoping for the best. Seriously, the weather is getting so freaky **still not thinking of 2012**

Book Trailer for Captive

I've been working on the trailer for Captive for the last few weeks, and it's finally finished. Here it is - hope you enjoy!

Go, Captive!

I'm quite easily pleased, and last night I was pretty much over the moon when I discovered (via Google!!!) that Captive is up for pre-order at WH Smith in the UK! Growing up in England, WH Smith was a huge part of my life, and I used to spend most of my pocket money on the lovely Penguin classics. Captive is also up for pre-order at Tesco UK - and I used to do all my grocery shopping there for years, so this all feels very surreal and strange and exciting!

Don't forget to pop over to the Dark Side Dowunder blog tomorrow (Wednesday) to check out who won my Magic Thursday giveaway!

The "Forbidden" Goddesses

Join me over at the Dark Side Downunder blog, where I'm chatting about the goddesses who inspired me in my Forbidden series, and there's a chance to win an early copy of Captive!!

A New Sale!

I'm absolutely thrilled to announce Berkley Heat have bought the third book in my Forbidden series, ENSLAVED. This is the story of Nimue, a Druid priestess who appears near the end of Captive. As soon as she appeared I knew I wanted to tell her story and I'm so excited I'll be able to!

Here's the blurb from Publishers Marketplace:

Christina Phillips's ENSLAVED, in which a druid priestess is captured and enslaved to a Roman tribune who must decide whether his loyalty lies with his heritage or the woman he suspects may be Rome's deadliest enemy...