Excerpt (scroll down to read, reviews
follow)
She couldn’t stop looking at it. The way it twinkled in the sunlight, or under any light for that matter. She lifted her hand again, trying to catch the reflections in the diamond. She laughed aloud, giddy with happiness. They’d spent the last hour talking, but it still distracted her.
“So I guess that means you like it?” Marc Brodeur quirked one brow, his lips pursed in amusement.
“As a matter of fact, I don’t like it.” Kara Staten twirled about, trying to catch the sunlight in her ring one more time. She stopped in front of Marc and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love it!”
She gazed up into Marc’s blue eyes and was sure she saw forever written there. Finally. I have my forever. Tugging his head down, she arched her neck to touch her lips to his. She put everything she had into that kiss. Everything she felt. She didn’t care that they were standing in the middle of the town’s central park. Didn’t care if people were watching. All she cared about was the sizzle that shocked her every time they kissed, every time they touched. It was no different now, as the moment his lips touched hers a spark shot through her system—like having pins and needles zing through her body, but better. Kara swore she could feel an actual buzz at her hip.
Wait, a buzz? She groaned, and pushed back from Marc. “My cell is ringing. Damn, I missed it.”
Marc looked confused. “I didn’t hear anything.”
“I know. I had it on vibrate. What I thought was the thrill of your embrace turned out to be my cell phone ringing.”
“So my embrace didn’t thrill you?” The question came out in a low growl that sent all new sensations zipping through her body. Sometimes there was something almost dangerous about him. Other times he was just her sweet Marc. Both sides were equally compelling. It was hard to believe he was now her fiancé. How did I get so lucky?
“Oh, you thrill me all right,” she said, lecherously. She stole a glance at her phone. There were a couple of voice mails. “As much as I’d like to continue this, I have to get back. There’s still so much to do before the grand opening on Saturday. It’s only a few days away.” She looped her arm through his, and they walked to their cars.
They had arrived separately. Marc had asked her to meet him for a late afternoon picnic under the big tree in the park. He loved that tree, said it was the best shady place to cavort. That line always made her laugh. Kara hadn’t expected the proposal, hadn’t seen it coming. She had been so preoccupied opening her skincare salon. Although the grand opening was on Saturday, it had actually opened the previous week. She had wanted to train staff and ease into things before having the big opening and newspaper announcements. And now, she was engaged. Life was good. Things were definitely falling into place.
Like what you’ve read? It is available from Cobblestone Press - the Vampire Oracle line is being released as ebooks in sets of 5, which began on June 1, 2008. There are 25 in total, so be sure to collect them all. These books will then be compiled into a print anthology, also combined in the same 5 sets per print book, for a total of 5 print books, to be available sometime in 2009.
"I totally loved this story and how the pair react to their combined as well as individual challenges. It gives such a reaffirmation of their love and devotion for each other..."
~4.5 out of 5 from A.J. O'Donovan
" Marc makes a perfect tortured hero... Harmony is a wonderful short story with a tempting and sexy hero readers will love."
~Cerri Ellis, The Shape of Imagination
"I absolutely loved HARMONY! MG Braden did a beautiful job of weaving a very interesting story with the perfect amount of vampires that all paranormal lovers crave. The chemistry between Kara and Mark had me enthralled, hoping that the two lovers ended up together in the end, despite their obvious differences."
~4.5 Blue Ribbons from Meg at Romance Junkies
"M.G. Braden spins a delightful read with The Vampire Oracles: Harmony. The heat between Kara and Marc acts like a blazing inferno. They emit emotions that bring out their joy, laughter, pain, even sorrow. This believable couple had me rooting for them throughout the story."
~4 Cups from Cherokee at Coffee Time Romance
"I am always on the lookout for a good vampire story, especially one that breaks out of the usual stereotypes. And while the ending was a bit common (although rather unexpected on my part), the story on the whole was very good, and different as well."
"...I was happy, I discovered what I needed to know and then moved on to the personal finish, which was very well done. Marc and Kara got their HEA and it made for a nice finish to the story. Overall, I loved it and would certainly reccommend it to anyone, vamp lover or otherwise."
~from Crazy Lady at Reading Something Crazy
"I will never turn down a good vampire story and Vampire Oracle: Harmony was definitely a good story! Not just in regards to vampires, but in regards to every day relationships as well. The characters are engaging and the story holds your interest. If you love steaming hot sex coupled with a sexy vamp, then this is a story for you."
~4 Cherries from Cholla at Whipped Cream Reviews
