Allegiance Sworn ~ Kylie Griffin

Huge congratulations to my good friend, Kylie Griffin, whose third book in her awesome Light Blade series, Allegiance Sworn, is out today!

ALLEGIANCE SWORN
(Book #3 of the Light Blade series)
 

There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not purebred is virtually powerless. Until a demon leader seeks to unify the races…

With the alliance of the humans and the half-blood Na’Chi forged, the demon Na’Reish prepare for war by seizing human blood-slaves. Captured during a rescue mission-gone-wrong, Light Blade warrior Arek Barial finds himself claimed by a Na’Reishi female who offers him an unexpected choice.

Raised in the elite ranks of a society she abhors, Imhara Kaal lives a dangerous double life as a Na’Reish Clan-leader and an advocate for a caste-free life that honors the Old Ways. Openly rebelling against the Na’Reish would mean her death, unless she can find an emissary willing to present her petition to the human Blade council.

But Arek isn’t about to blindly follow a demon—despite the intense attraction growing between them. And while hatred for the Na’Reish is all he has ever known, Arek must learn to trust Imhara, or risk the destruction of all three races…

ARCHANGEL OF MERCY's Release Day!!!

Today is the official release day for Archangel of Mercy! And look what just turned up! My beautiful author copies!!!

 "Ashcroft’s unique world-building blends several familiar mythologies and draws the reader in with a creative and intriguing plot… Her characters are fascinating, the story line compelling, the romance scorching – don’t be surprised if you find yourself reading this book late into the night!”

Kylie Griffin, National Bestselling Author of The Light Blade Series

Destined to fall... destined to love...

"Archangel Of Mercy would appeal to readers who enjoy Nalini Singh and JR Ward. Dark, gritty and erotic. I loved it!”

Laurie London, Author of the Sweetblood Series

When Aurora Robinson attempts to open a rift between dimensions to embrace her true heritage, an arrogant Archangel is the only one who can save her from the jaws of hell. And while she owes Gabriel her life, she’s determined not to fall at his feet-despite the desire she feels whenever they’re together.

After his wings were brutally destroyed millennia ago, Gabriel has no compassion for humans like those who ruined him and betrayed the ones he loved. But when he inexplicably finds himself defying ancient protocols to rescue a woman from a fate worse than death, he is shocked by the searing attraction he feels for a mortal.

As the ancient forces that seek to punish Aurora for her actions close in, Gabriel offers the tempting woman protection at his private sanctuary. But as they both succumb to their desires, they discover an even deeper connection-one that threatens to consume them.

Excerpt

Available from:

The Book Depository

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Booktopia   Temptation   Fishpond 

Rendezvous   Rosemary’s Romance  

Ever After   Intrigue

Diamonds are Forever - RWA Gold Coast Conference 2012

As promised here are a few photos from the Gold Coast conference last week, with big thanks to Sara Hantz who not only remembered to take her camera but also remembered to use it!! This is the spectacular view from our hotel balcony. Despite August being the middle of winter Down Under the weather was gorgeous for the entire weekend.

It happened to be my birthday on the Saturday so, any chance for a celebration, here I am with Amanda Ashby and our posh pink plastic cups of champagne!

Here I am with fellow Berkley Babe, Kylie Griffin, enjoying another cup of champagne (I lost count how many I had, but this was entirely Sara's fault as she kept topping me up. Therefore, I do believe I only ever had one cup!!!)

With a couple of the lovely Apocalypse girls, Kylie Scott and Tracey O'Hara just before the Awards Dinner on Saturday night.

And here is Fiona Lowe with her RITA award for her Carina Press novel, Boomerang Bride!  She also won the RWAus prestigious R*BY Award for best long romance. Although we caught up briefly at the conference itself, we didn't have a good chat until we both caught the same shuttle back to the Gold Coast airport on Sunday afternoon. I even got to have a hold of the golden RITA at the airport!! She is rather heavy and very beautiful!

Next year the conference is in my home state of Western Australia and I promise to not only take my camera next time (I thought I could get away with just my phone this year - big mistake!!!) I promise to take lots of photos too!!!

Paranormal DownUnder Series

A quick heads up to let you know that this weekend I'm over at Kylie Griffin's blog as part of her The Paranormal DownUnder Series, where she highlights authors who write para romance from Australia and New Zealand.

Find out what compels me to write in the paranormal genre!

(Apart from the scorchingly hot heroes, that is!!!)

A cream donut may (not) be on offer...

Fabulous Cover Quotes for ARCHANGEL OF MERCY

I'm delighted to share the absolutely awesome cover quotes we received over the weekend for my debut paranormal romance as Christina Ashcroft! I'm a huge fan of both Kylie Griffin's Light Blade series and Laurie London's Sweetblood series and am completely blown away that they found the time to read the book and give us quotes within the very tight deadline given.

Destined to fall... destined to love...

Here are the endorsements that are going on the cover of Archangel of Mercy.

"In ARCHANGEL OF MERCY, Ashcroft's unique world-building blends several familiar mythologies and draws the reader in with a creative and intriguing plot involving archangels, demons, gods, demi-gods and other extraordinary races. Her characters are fascinating, the story line compelling, the romance scorching – don't be surprised if you find yourself reading this book late into the night!

Paranormal romance fans could very well discover a new angel addiction in Ashcroft's series!"

Kylie Griffin, National Bestselling Author of The Light Blade Series

"I was completely drawn into Christina Ashcroft's scorchingly hot (book) and couldn't put it down. With its sizzlingly hot archangels, richly imagined world, and truly despicable villains, Archangel Of Mercy would appeal to readers who enjoy Nalini Singh and JR Ward. Dark, gritty and erotic. I loved it!"

~ Laurie London, author of the Sweetblood series 

Pre-Order from

The Book Depository
Barnes & Noble
Chapters

Amazon

Powells 

Sharing the Cover Love

In 1811 getting off the streets of London was a very good thing. So why does Charlotte Raven keep going back?

I thought I'd share some cover love today and first up is this truly breathtaking one from fellow West Australian historical author, Michelle Diener, for her November 2012 release, The Emperor's Conspiracy.

 There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not purebred is virtually powerless. Until a demon leader seeks to unify the races…

And look at this stunning cover for the third book in Kylie Griffin's Light Blade series. Gorgeous! Allegiance Sworn is out on 2nd April 2013.

An ancient darkness has risen from the ashes . . . and terror has been loosed upon an unsuspecting world.

And finally today how about this striking cover for Sin's Dark Cares? This is the third book in Tracey O'Hara's Dark Brethren series and it hit the shelves on Tuesday!

An Author's Life... Double Trouble

Today I'm over at fellow Berkley author Kylie Griffin's blog where she grills me on An Author's Life. Actually both Christina Phillips and Christina Ashcroft were invited which was pretty cool! If you want to find out the down and dirty on my double life then pop on over and say hi!

Congratulations Kylie Griffin!

A big congratulations to my good friend, Kylie Griffin, on the release of her debut novel from Berkley Sensation today! Kylie is having a party over at her blog if you want to pop on over and join in the fun!

VENGEANCE BORN: A Novel of the Light Blade
There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not pure bred is virtually powerless. Until an unlikely champion is born…

Annika, half-blood daughter of the Na’Reish King, longs for more than her tormented life among her father’s people. Conceived in hatred and bred as a tool of retribution, she’s gifted with a special talent that can heal as well as destroy.

With the Na’Reish vastly outnumbering them, Kalan, a Light Blade warrior, knows the future of humankind depends on him alone. Incursions into human territory and raids for blood-slaves by the Na’Reish Horde have increased. As Chosen-leader, he faces the task of stopping the demons—and convincing the Council of aging Light Blade warriors that change is necessary for survival.

When Annika learns Kalan is a prisoner in her father’s dungeon, her dream of escape seems within reach. She agrees to free him in exchange for his protection once they reach human territory. Now, marked for death for helping him, Annika must learn to trust Kalan as they face not only the perilous journey to the border but enemies within the Council—and discover a shocking truth that could throw the human race into civil war…

Behind the Scenes of Creating a Cover

If you've ever wondered about the process that goes on behind the scenes to create a book cover, then hop on over to fellow Berkley author Kylie Griffin's blog. Not only is she showcasing the stunning new cover for the second book in her forthcoming Light Blade series, Alliance Forged, but she also has Part One of a fascinating interview with the artist who created both covers.

And here's the captivating lowdown on book 2!

(Book #2 in the Light Blade series)

Berkley Sensation

Release date JULY 2012

There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not purebred is virtually powerless. Until a blind priestess lays claim to a half-breed warrior, body and soul…

Hunted and marked for death by Na’Reish demons for their half-blood heritage, the Na’Chi are searching for a new home—something an alliance offered by the human leader could provide. With both races divided by prejudice, when Light Blade rebels brutally attack the Na’Chi, the alliance seems doomed to fail.

Varian, leader of the Na’Chi, a hybrid race of gifted warriors, is cursed with the darker impulses of his demon heritage. Controlling the part of himself that craves the high of the battle is a struggle he’s afraid he’ll lose—until he meets Kymora Tayn, a priestess driven to serve her deity. While he’s unwilling to trust anyone outside his people, he finds himself drawn to Kymora’s strength and passionate nature, and discovers she has the power to calm the darkness inside him.

When the Na’Reish raid human territory for blood-slaves and kickstart a war, the key to the survival of both races—Na’Chi and human— is an alliance. However, when Kymora is kidnapped, pitting human against human, Varian realizes he must embrace his darker half, not only to save the alliance…but also the woman he loves.

Vengeance Born - Stunning Cover!!

My good friend Kylie Griffin has just unveiled the cover for her debut fantasy romance from Berkley Sensation - isn't it completely gorgeous? It hits the shelves on 7th February 2012. I'm so looking forward to reading this series. Congratulations, Kylie!!

VENGEANCE BORN: A Novel of the Light Blade
There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not pure bred is virtually powerless. Until an unlikely champion is born…

Annika, half-blood daughter of the Na’Reish King, longs for more than her tormented life among her father’s people. Conceived in hatred and bred as a tool of retribution, she’s gifted with a special talent that can heal as well as destroy.

With the Na’Reish vastly outnumbering them, Kalan, a Light Blade warrior, knows the future of humankind depends on him alone. Incursions into human territory and raids for blood-slaves by the Na’Reish Horde have increased. As Chosen-leader, he faces the task of stopping the demons—and convincing the Council of aging Light Blade warriors that change is necessary for survival.

When Annika learns Kalan is a prisoner in her father’s dungeon, her dream of escape seems within reach. She agrees to free him in exchange for his protection once they reach human territory. Now, marked for death for helping him, Annika must learn to trust Kalan as they face not only the perilous journey to the border but enemies within the Council—and discover a shocking truth that could throw the human race into civil war…

Captive Kitties

Today I'm over at fellow Berkley author, Kylie Griffin's blog, chatting about my writing procedure and my kittens (oops, I mean my daughter's kittens. But, details...) There's a signed copy of Captive up for grabs or, if the winner lives internationally, an Amazon gift card. And while you're over at Kylie's, check out her upcoming debut romance! Vengeance Born is due out in February 2012 and it looks totally awesome!!

Visiting with our Golden Girl!

I tried doing my first sticky post today - let's see if it works! :-)

Today I'm over at Golden Heart Winner Kylie Griffin's blog, where I reveal all sorts of weird facts about myself :-) There is also a copy of Forbidden up for grabs for one lucky commenter - love to see you over there for a natter!!!

Lots of Congratulations!!!

I'm a bit late with this, but that's because the last two weeks have somehow bypassed me completely! Anyway, I am beyond thrilled and proud to announce my fabulous CP, Amanda Ashby, has made the New York Public Library's Stuff for the Teen Age 2010 with her brilliant YA, Zombie Queen of Newbury High! This honour was also awarded to my other CP, Sara Hantz, for her amazing debut, The Second Virginity of Suzy Green a couple of years ago. I have a lot to live up to!!!

In other fantastic news, talented Aussie Kylie Griffin has been having a truly breathtaking week! First of all she finalled in the paranormal section of RWA Golden Heart contest, and then today found out her entry in the Emily had been judged Best of the Best of the entire contest! Woot! Way to go, Kylie!