Book Feature with Edenmary Black, author of Sanctum Retribution: Shadow Havens Book 3

Indie Book Promo is happy to welcome Edenmary Black to the blog. She is the author of Sanctum Retribution: Shadow Havens Book 3 and is here to share some information about her book.  If this sounds like something that you would be interested in reading, please find buy links at the bottom of the post and pick up a copy or two.

• • •

Blurb:

As Ilea steps farther into her role as the law of the Demesne, anxious speculation about Sebastien and his next move flourishes. Tensions build, as passion sizzles at long-awaited Matings and Kya’s romantic dream comes true when Meniari asks her to attend one with him. It’s a fresh beginning for a warrior with a past and a female hiding a gentle heart behind a tough persona.

Meanwhile, the Father of the Demesnes is having a grand time in Paris, but intelligence soon arrives from the spy he left behind. Infuriated by what he learns, he embarks on a rage-driven plan to force a brutal wedge between the Sanctum and the Saint Rushton Demesne forever, one that will jeopardize Iridea and her unborn child.

A vampiress on the run from the Parisian Demesne risks everything to find Micah Odera in Scotland, shattering his newfound peace with a strange tale of barbaric punishment, an act of treason that saved her life, a nefarious scheme and Circe’s dangerous fascination with Sebastien. Seeking the protection of the Sanctum, she reveals all she knows to Miriel and Andrieu, forcing the haven into a partnership with the Saint Rushton Demesne.

A desperately precarious plan takes shape, as Xavier struggles with Ilea’s demand that he keep a terrible secret for her. If he breaks his vow, the betrayal may cost him her love. If he keeps his word, she may die. Ultimately, Ilea and Iridea will have a single chance to do what only they can – bring Sebastien to meet fate.

Sanctum Retribution: Shadow Havens Book 3 contains descriptive material and scenes of explicit sexual encounters between consenting male and female adult characters. It is intended for adult readers only.

Excerpt:

Ilea Galaurus raised her head, closed her eyes and inhaled the cold night winds. The skies had cleared, leaving a dazzling spray of stars across black velvet skies. Under other circumstances, she might have taken a moment to admire the beautiful display, but she could afford no such distraction on this night. Her sweeping sapphire blue cloak and deep red hair, pulled upward away from her face, gave her a majestic appearance, despite her diminutive size and soft gray eyes. She folded her hands together beneath the bell sleeves of the cloak and dropped her gaze to the warriors in front of her.

The Demesne’s were and vampiric warriors towered over her like hard-faced totems, surrounding the small, torchlit platform where she stood, flanked by Keircnan Grey, her son in law, Iridea, her pregnant daughter and Xavier, her second in command as well as her confidante. Her three companions stood ready to protect her if necessary and she sensed their tension, even as she felt there would be no need for them to use the weapons they carried. She carried nothing herself, save the words that would come from her heart, unrehearsed, unvarnished by platitudes and unheard by anyone before. An expectant hush fell as she took in the size of these fighters, the leather they wore, the weapons they carried. None would fight this night and they knew it, but tradition demanded the arming. One hundred and fifty warriors would hear her at this gathering and their words… what she hoped for… would be carried on the winds to heaven, as powerful a vow as those taken at a Mating.

“All are assembled, my lady,” Xavier said, touching her shoulder lightly. “We await your commands.” His role as her second was evident in his use of the traditional prompt, even though he’d become much more important to her than that role would imply. Ilea smiled as she thanked Xavier and walked forward to the platform’s edge. She paused for just a moment …and stepped lightly to the ground to walk among her haven’s fighters. They moved closer around her, like walls closing in, yet she felt no fear. Clearing her throat, she began to speak, conscious that her actions were now the catalyst for renewal of her haven… her Demesne.

“You have come here, on this night, as warriors of the Demesne and each of you will make a decision before you leave this gathering,” she said, walking farther into the center of the rough circle of muscle. Looking around, their names filtered through Ilea’s mind, as she’d come to know each of them since her mate, Sebastien, had escaped her hold to wreak havoc in Saint Rushton. Once, she’d been almost invisible to these warriors, but that time had passed. “Sebastien Galaurus is my Mate; however, he is no longer among us. As all of you know, he escaped the haven… a choice that was his alone to make. The warriors who went with him made their choices as well. I have taken the haven and with the aid of many, I will build a new future… one that does not inspire fear or violence. That was Sebastien’s legacy and his rule. My rule will not allow for it.”

As Ilea spoke, the warriors followed her slight form, listening intently. Some shuffled, their booted feet brushing dry scrub, but none spoke.

“On this night, you will be asked to swear your fealty to my rule… to this haven… to those who abide within our borders and those who come to us as allies. This is your choice… your decision. If you do not swear your loyalty, by dagger and blood, you may leave the Demesne and no one will stop you,” she said, turning a slow circle to meet the eyes of the warriors nearest to her. “You may choose to live anywhere, but if you prey upon the innocents of Saint Rushton or other supernaturals or havens, you will be hunted and killed. By your own brethren.”

A were warrior, his hair in a long chestnut queue, stepped toward her, placing a callused hand on her shoulder. Ilea turned quickly to look up at him, as she heard the unmistakable click of a gun’s safety being undone. Another followed it and she turned to raise her hand to Xavier and Iridea, who aimed their weapons at the were. “It is all right!” she declared. “Lower your weapons! Fortune means no harm to me!”

Xavier held the gun steady, saying nothing, although Iridea lowered hers. Keirc took a step toward her, his fists bunched at his sides, a scowl creasing his face.

“Fortune is loyal, Keircnan,” she said quietly. “All is well.”

The were jerked his hand from Ilea’s shoulder to hold both palms up. “No fears! I bring our lady no harm,” he said to them, over her head. “Lady Ilea, none here would harm you or yours,” he said, looking down at her. “Let us swear our fealty now. Sebastien would not be welcomed by any here tonight should he return.”

Ilea smiled. “It pleases me to hear this. Your loyalty… the allegiance of all of our warriors is crucial to our haven, but I tell each of you this… the Demesne that existed under Sebastien’s rule is no more. Day to day life will change little, but the hunt will end for all who feed upon blood. The activities that went on in the clubs owned by the Demesne in Saint Rushton will end. The prostitution…the gambling…the drugs…all of it must end. Whether you agree with my resolutions or not, you will be asked to enforce all that I have told you. That is the price of remaining as a warrior of the Demesne. Will you pay it? Each of you?” she asked, turning to Fortune, before looking her warriors over again.

“I will,” Fortune answered, his amber eyes bright as the torches surrounding the platform. “We have all heard rumors of what your rule might entail. You have my dagger and my blood.” He dropped to a knee before her, his head nearly as high as her shoulder.

“I welcome both, Fortune,” she said, quietly dropping her hand to his shoulder.

Looking around as he came to his feet, Fortune raised a hand. “Swear to Lady Ilea’s rule and the Demesne or get out,” he ordered.

Bio:

Edenmary Black has been writing since she could clutch a pencil. She has always been fascinated with the mysteries of the paranormal and loves the question all writers answer when they pen fiction. For her, it’s all about that magical, “What if?” When not working her keyboard, she enjoys long walks with her golden retriever, reading and spending time with her family, all of whom are male. She spends far too much on lingerie and is very, very weak for chocolate.

Edenmary can be found … Website, Goodreads and iTunes

Sanctum Retribution: Shadow Havens Book 3 can be purchased:

Amazon US   *   Amazon UK    *   Barnes&Noble   *   iTunes

Sony’s Reader Store   *   Kobo   *   eBookIt.com