Hi peeps, we have Evelyn Elliott popping in with the tour for her debut story Bad Magic, we have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Lisa’s review, so enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~
Bad Magic
Evelyn Elliott
Morality is relative. At least that’s what young sorcerer Regis Teller convinces himself. He’s done what he must to survive: working for a witch since he was nine, helping her throw the kingdom into anarchy, and taking his only comfort in her mysterious son, Crow. And soon, Regis is going to commit his first murder.
A do-gooder named Jonathan White has information the witch needs, and it’s Regis’s job to get that information and slit Jonathan’s throat. But then Regis actually meets Jonathan. And Jonathan is perfect—a hero with a passion for justice and little regard for civility.
Lucky for Regis, Jonathan has a weakness for attractive men. Lucky for Jonathan, Regis is fast developing a conscience and a heart. But for Regis, keeping both of them alive at their adventure’s end means breaking a magical oath and surviving his ruthless boss—all without telling Jonathan the truth. Falling in love is never easy, especially when everyone involved is lying through their teeth.
Excerpt
Jonathan knelt, wiping the blood from Regis’s lips. There were lines around Jonathan’s eyes that hadn’t been there before, a slackness that betrayed exhaustion. For once, he seemed too tired to keep his stoic mask on straight. “Are you all right?” he murmured.
“I’ve been better. Thanks for the rescue, though.” Regis shifted in his restraints. “A little help?”
Drawing a knife, Jonathan knelt by Regis’s side. As he went, his hand slid from Regis’s shoulder, to his chest, to his hip. His touch held, then dropped. His mouth was level with Regis’s crotch.
Regis glanced down. He swallowed.
He sliced the ropes at Regis’s elbows. Regis rolled his shoulders, groaning in relief. Jonathan put the knife at the ropes that bound Regis’s hands, then paused. His fingers traced the veins in Regis’s wrists. It made Regis’s skin prickle.
Regis wet his lips. “Jonathan?”
Without speaking, Jonathan rose to his feet, leaving Regis’s wrists bound. Regis’s heart leapt to his throat as he backed away. Every step he took, Jonathan matched. His back hit the wall, and Jonathan leaned in.
Jonathan hooked a finger in the collar. “You can’t use magic at all?”
“N-no.” When had he developed a stutter?
A smile touched Jonathan’s mouth. “I was worried you did something to me.”
Regis blinked. His head felt full of cotton, as if someone had snapped a second collar on him. “Did something to you,” he repeated.
Jonathan tugged on the collar, forcing Regis’s neck to crane. He ran his thumb over the metal. Regis could feel the warmth of him, so close but not yet touching. Jonathan’s smile was sweet and disarming, completely at odds with his predatory eyes; they were dark and hooded, and something, something, lurked there that made heat coil in Regis’s gut.
Fingertips brushed Regis’s neck. The heat sparked into a blaze. “I didn’t do anything,” he said hoarsely.
Bare inches of space between them closed. Regis couldn’t move, not with Jonathan’s body pressed against him, all hard lines and lean muscle. They breathed the same air now, and Regis could feel it brush his lips and catch in his throat. Jonathan smelled of blood and sweat and leather, and, gods, Regis wanted to touch him.
He twisted against the ropes, felt Jonathan run a finger over his wrists. The knots were tight. They had bound him in a hurry and with coarse rope. “Jonathan,” he said. His voice had a ragged note.
With great deliberation, Jonathan asked, “What?”
“Please.”
“Please. What?”
“Untie me.”
Jonathan slit the ropes. “Good,” Regis said, “thank you,” his voice a little high-pitched, “thank—”
Then Jonathan crowded him up against the wall again, so close that Regis flattened himself against the stones, and still they touched. Warm breath ghosted his cheek, and he had a split-second to wonder, stupefied, what Jonathan was doing, before Jonathan leaned in and kissed him hard on the mouth.
Regis made a strangled noise and went utterly still. He blinked stupidly at Jonathan’s face before his brain caught up with his body; he closed his eyes and, with every ounce of willpower in his considerable possession, did not respond.
Jonathan dropped the knife and grabbed the back of Regis’s shirt. With his free hand, he fumbled with the key to the collar, then pushed it in and twisted it. The collar fell and hit the floor. Jonathan’s leg slid between Regis’s thighs, pressing against places that made Regis arch and his hands clench in Jonathan’s tunic.
Regis was in an agony of want. He forced himself to break the kiss, then found Jonathan’s mouth trailing lower instead. “Jonathan, please.” His voice broke, and he felt himself begin to react. Another kiss and he’d give in. Another moment and he’d be unclothed. Another week and Belcane would find out, a week and a day and they’d both be dead. “Stop, damn it!”
Jonathan, bless him, let go the moment he was told. Regis crumpled to the floor. Sunlight shone through the window, highlighting Jonathan with a shimmer. His eyes were wide. His hair was mussed, and his mouth was red.
Regis thought: In a week, I’m going to kill him.
Jonathan knelt, reaching out. “Regis? Did I hurt you?”
Regis did the only thing he could do. He pointed at Jonathan and said, “Get out.”
Jonathan’s hand jerked back. “I thought—it seemed like you—”
“I was tied up, helpless, and scared out of my wits,” Regis said, “and you thought that was a good time to assault me?”
Jonathan backed out the door. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He turned and ran, leaving an empty space behind.
Regis didn’t watch. He curled into a corner instead. “Get it together,” he told himself. “This isn’t like you.” But all he could think of was the press of Jonathan’s body, his too-warm touch, his callused hands. The places Jonathan had touched burned as if branded—the back of his neck, his wrists.
And Regis didn’t know how to feel about that.
About Evelyn
At first glance, Evelyn Elliott seems like a perfectly normal person. Do not be deceived.
Her hobbies include watching grisly horror movies, torturing her characters, and tending to her flower garden. She enjoys long walks on the beach and collecting the souls of small children. Whenever she reads a book, she always roots for the villain.
Avoid her at all costs. Certainly do not find her on facebook or befriend her online. You have better things to do.
Where to find the author:
Giveaway!
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Review
Title: Bad Magic
Series: Spell Slave 01
Author: Evelyn Elliott
Genre: High Fantasy/Fairy Tale
Length: 161 pages
ISBN: 978-1-63476-636-4
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (October 28, 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½ Hearts
Blurb: Morality is relative. At least that’s what young sorcerer Regis Teller convinces himself. He’s done what he must to survive: working for a witch since he was nine, helping her throw the kingdom into anarchy, and taking his only comfort in her mysterious son, Crow. And soon, Regis is going to commit his first murder.
A do-gooder named Jonathan White has information the witch needs, and it’s Regis’s job to get that information and slit Jonathan’s throat. But then Regis actually meets Jonathan. And Jonathan is perfect—a hero with a passion for justice and little regard for civility.
Lucky for Regis, Jonathan has a weakness for attractive men. Lucky for Jonathan, Regis is fast developing a conscience and a heart. But for Regis, keeping both of them alive at their adventure’s end means breaking a magical oath and surviving his ruthless boss—all without telling Jonathan the truth. Falling in love is never easy, especially when everyone involved is lying through their teeth.
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7012
Reviewer: Lisa
Review: Every once in a while you come across an author that will fascinate you and for me Evelyn Elliott has done this. She is a new author for me, so I was a bit leery of reading this story. I love the magical part of this story. However, I wished that Crow would have had a better hand in this. He is very loveable to me.
What caught my attention was the cover and how it shows you the fantasy side to the story. Then I read the blurb and I knew that I had to read it. It didn’t catch my attention right at the start. like it should have. But, it turned around pretty fast. The characters and plot were well detailed and fully fleshed out. It also had just a hint of humor. Which for me was a plus.
Regis has learned to survive from such a young age. He worked for this evil witch since he was nine years old. Helping her take over and create trouble throughout. The only thing that helped was Crow. That all ended, when he was to kill Jonathan. Jonathan is one of those good guy/hero types, who has some information that the witch wants. Regis is to kill him, but instead finds himself caught.
Being with Jonathan, Regis is getting his heart back. His feelings come alive and he has to keep them both safe. Which is a bit hard when your boss is a powerful witch who likes to cause pain. Now, I disagreed with the not telling Jonathan everything, though. Especially, since his world is about to go crazy.
I was quite shocked by this story. It turned out way better than I had originally thought. And makes me want to see what other stories this author has out. I had fun reading this and look forward in reading her next story.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
This sounds wonderful!
Hello, Evelyn, and congratulations on the new book. It sounds really good!
*sidles in*
Crow’s book (“Feather Fall”) comes out on April 22nd. People seem pretty fond of him for some reason.
*sidles out*
Hi Evelyn. Congrats on your new book. I like a little magic with my gay fantasies, so this sounds great.