Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Guest blog and Giveaway with Claire Ashgrove



Good morning, everyone!  Thanks for having me here today.  I caught up with the reclusive Declan while I was wandering through the temple the other afternoon, and I managed to get him to sit still for some answers.  He agreed, surprisingly.  Here’s what our handsome Scot had to say:

Claire:  What made you decide to isolate yourself from your brothers, to join Leofric?

Declan:  Leofric is a man I have long admired and he has always held the Templar interests in high esteem.  As I willna take a seraph, I saw a need I could satisfy in the little time I have remaining in this lifetime.  His purpose is noble, his commitment to the Order values is unmoving, and there are many amongst us, such as Tane and Gottfriend, who dishonor what we stand for.

Claire:  When you interfered in the growing relationship with Farran and Noelle, what was the purpose?

Declan: Only to return them to the proper path.  As you well know we are sworn to a Code.   Their pairing may be inevitable.  How they choose to go about it should remain as noble as the oaths we have sworn.  A slight distance between them shouldna cause harm.

Claire:  But if the archangels and the Almighty have it set this way, why would you believe it is up to you to change it?

Declan:  Och! Nay.  ‘Tis not so.  What has been set is the pairing of knight and seraph.  Not how that is executed. 

Claire: I think I follow the logic.  So how do you feel about the appearance of the Noelle as the second seraph?

Declan: I am most pleased for Sir Farran now that the oaths have been taken and vows are intact.  ‘Tis encouraging for the Order as a whole to have another seraph found.  My brother is a lucky man, as is Merrick.  Would that the archangels would see others quickly matched as well, and we shall again be strong.

Claire:  You said you wouldn’t take a seraph.  Do you think Gabriel will try to pair you before your soul turns?

Declan shakes his head.  ‘Twould not matter.  Like Caradoc, I willna take a seraph.  My reasonings are mine own, though well founded.  I will walk amongst angels before I force a woman to accept me for eternity.

Claire:  You were reluctant to talk about why your lack of faith and meaning brought you to the Templar in our last meeting, are you willing to shed light now?

Declan:  Nay, lass.  I understand you are curious, and I donna wish to offend.  But ‘tis personal and of the past.  Allow it to remain there.

Claire: I guess I don’t have much choice.  Okay, I promised not to keep you long, so I’ll let you get back to whatever it is you’re doing.  Thanks again.

Declan stands and offers a slight bow.  Thank you, lass.  Safe journeys to you.

Claire:  You as well, Declan.

Immortal Surrender Back Cover Blurb

Farran de Clare, loyal member of the cursed Knights Templar, wants nothing to do with predestined mates. Even the Almighty won’t turn him into a fool again—he’d rather sacrifice his soul. Yet in the scientist Noelle Keane, a devout atheist, Farran meets the seraph designed for him.

Ordered by the archangel Gabriel to protect Noelle, the possessor of a sacred relic that could give Azazel incredible power, Farran swears to do his duty—but in name only. Fighting an attraction that grows with each day, he’s determined that he’ll never pledge himself to her.

As they war over her future, their mutual passion ignites a conflict far more damning. But before Noelle will agree to eternity with him, she demands the ultimate sacrifice – his heart.

“This series (The Curse of the Templars) is explosive, sexy, riveting, and Claire Ashgrove is a master of her craft.” ~ NYTimes Bestselling Author, Maggie Shayne

Excerpt:

EXCERPT #1


“Damnation,” he hissed through clenched teeth.

He stalked back to the bed. No longer concerned for her injuries, he snatched up her fingers and inspected the scar once more. Nay, his eyes did not play tricks. She bore a dagger on her hand. It matched his as if someone had miniaturized the eighteen-inch-long weapon and scalded it into her flesh.

She belonged to him.

The door opened, and Farran’s head snapped up. He returned Louise’s pleasant smile with a glare. “You may undress the wench.” He shouldered past the aging caretaker, ignoring the way she spluttered.

So Gabriel sought to pair him with a maid, did he? ‘Twas no wonder the archangel did not forewarn him of her nature. Gabriel well knew Farran would rather swallow his own sword.

He took the stairs two at a time, in desperate need of fresh air. His fingers twitched with the need to pummel something. A seraph! His seraph! God’s teeth, would he be allowed no mercy? Could he not just leave this world and be done with life?

In the wide front room, Farran braced his hands on the table and squeezed his eyes shut tight. Duty bound him to accept the pairing. With the oaths they were fated to take, the Templar would gain much needed strength. Much as he would like nothing more, he could not walk away from the woman in the bed upstairs.

And yet . . .he did not have to stay either.

“Brother? Is something amiss?” Lucan’s voice drifted down the stairs.

Farran turned around and raised his glower to Lucan’s face. “You will go to her apartment. Fetch her cat. Fetch her things. Deliver them all to Mikhail.”

Lucan’s gaze narrowed with suspicion. “I trust you do not seek to have the maid to yourself?”

“Nay!” God’s teeth, nay. He would no more touch her now than he would touch a snake. He would say his oath, deliver her to the temple, and leave with the first light.

Cocking his head, Lucan studied him. Slow dawning filtered into his expression, and he answered with a thoughtful nod. “You recognize her mark. I shall have her mate sent here.”

Farran exhaled through his teeth. At his thigh, he clenched a hand into a tight fist. “There is no need for such.”

“Farran, you cannot be serious. She must be paired at once. ’Tis written—”

“She is mine, Lucan.” With the vile truth exposed, Farran stormed out the door.

Giveaway Time:


Claire is giving away one digital copy of any one of her backlist books, excepting those in the Templar series, to one randomly drawn commenter at each stop on the blog tour.  

In addition, commenters’ names will be added into the tour-end drawing of a 25.00 Amazon gift card.  

Follow the tour – the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.  

Complete tour dates can be found here.

You must leave a valid email address to be entered into the contest.



4 comments:

Debby said...

The Templars are fascinating to study. I went to Malta for a semester and learned a lot about them
debby236 at gmail dot com

booklover0226 said...

I love character interviews and this one was great. I enjoyed the excerpt, too. I have added this to my must have list.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

bn100 said...

I enjoyed the excerpt. The book sounds good.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

donnas said...

Great excerpt. Cant wait to read more.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

 
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