Monday 21 January 2013

MONDAY MOMENTS presents MAXIMUS

Today's feature on Monday Moments is MAXIMUS by Christine Elaine Black, published by The Wild Rose Press.  

I'm really looking forward to reading this one when it comes to the top of my lovely 'To Be Read' pile. It looks absolutely perfect for the lover of historical romance!


Buy links:

Blurb:
Carissa Valeria distrusts the handsome soldier who rescues her reckless son from plunging to an early death. Recalling the man's heartless treatment of her from years ago, she itches to even the score, but her son hails the rescuer as a hero. When he becomes her neighbor, her son's friendship with the soldier threatens to uncover old secrets and place her family and her heart in danger.
Exiled to the countryside by the Roman emperor, Maximus Octavius is confounded by the brittle countenance of the woman he's willing to befriend. She's afraid, and he's determined to find out why. But helping Carissa and her son means confronting the guilt of his long-forgotten past and stirring the silenced passion in his heart.

Can Maximus win Carissa before fear and revenge tear them apart forever?


Excerpt: 
Four cubits away, a man idly leaned against a tree, watching her with a carefree grin on his face.
Maximus.
“Have you come to finish the job, Ulla?”
Carissa’s hand instinctively went to the knife.
He shook his head. “That little weapon doesn’t scare me half as much as the arrow you had earlier. You’ve come without the protection of the bow this time. Why?”
Carissa held fast to the knife, estimating her chances at removing it before he reached her. “I’m looking for my boy, nothing else.” Her pulse raced, and her mind swirled in turmoil. She swallowed down her fear and held his gaze, desperately wanting to run away but knowing he would catch her easily.
“He is not here, as you can see.” The man’s intense blue eyes burned into hers, hungry for something she could name but preferred to forget.
“I’ll be on my way.” Rooted to the spot, she trembled. If she passed him, she would be unable to defend against an attack.
His grin faded, and he narrowed his eyes. “You don’t like me, do you? Is it all men or just me you have a grudge against?”
“Just you.”

Thank you, Elaine, for letting me showcase Maximus today.

Slainthe!

16 comments:

  1. Great excerpt, Elaine. I love it when a small snippet gives me a clear visual. I've been wondering who did that beautiful cover.

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  2. Love the cover and the blurb. This sounds like a great read. Who doesn't love Maximus?

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  3. Hi everyone. I'm very happy to be featured on Nancy's beautiful blog today. My cover art was done by the lovely Debbie Taylor via my publisher - The Wild Rose Press. Love it! Covers play a big part in catching a reader's attention. I know I stop to enjoy many of the book covers out there. :):)

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  4. Hi, Christine. Loved Maximus. You did a fabulous job with keeping the action going while weaving through bits of history. Congratulations!

    And, Debbie is my graphic artist also.: ) I love her work.

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    1. Thanks Robena, I'm so thrilled you read and enjoyed Maximus. :):)

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  5. Sounds like a great read in an era that doesn't often get written about in romance novels! (And Wild Rose always does fabulous covers, don't they?!)

    DebraStJohn

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    1. And the really great news is that the sequel, Taurus, will be out in 2013. Can't wait!!

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  6. Hi Robena and Debra. I'm also a great fan of the Celtic/ Roman era! Thanks for stopping by.

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  7. Intriguing! I pictured Gerard Butler as I read it. Not intentionally, but his image came to me. LOL

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    1. Gee Calisa, I wonder if Gerard Butler fancies doing a cover for Taurus :):) I'm Scottish so he may consider it for a fellow countrywoman. (lol)

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  8. Thanks for having me on your blog today, Nancy. It was a thrill to be here. :):)

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    1. Great to host you, Elaine. Good luck with the rest of your places to be visiting with Gerard er...Max. I'm quite a fan of Gerry B. :-)

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  9. Elaine,
    Stopping by to say thanks again for hosting me last Friday...and to repeat that MAXIMUS is at the top of my TBR list. Really looks wonderful--and right down my historical alley :-)
    Very best of luck!

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