Feature: The White Lily by Juliette Cross (Vampire Blood 3)

**The White Lily by Juliette Cross**

I am sucker for vampires. It’s been an obsession since I was a tween and saw The Lost Boys. Truth. So when I read about a new author (at least to me) and a new story and it involves vampires … let’s just call it an automatic. This one I was drawn to because it’s regency, paranormal – and the hero (a vampire) becomes protector. Not that this isn’t an uncommon scenario, but this time there sounds to be a bit of dishonesty initially – and children are involved. But I’m going to stop trying to explain what I think I know and just get on with this feature. I was granted the opportunity to review this book and I absolutely cannot wait to tell you what I think about it!

**Juliette Cross**

**BIO**

Juliette is a multi-published author of paranormal and fantasy romance and lives in lush, moss-laden Louisiana where she lives with her husband, four kids, and black lab, Kona. She loves reading and writing brooding characters, mysterious settings, persevering heroines, and dark, sexy heroes.

From the moment she read JANE EYRE as a teenager, she fell in love with the Gothic romance. Even then, she not only longed to read more novels set in Gothic worlds, she wanted to create her own.

 To find out more about Mr. Cross, please visit:

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**THE WHITE LILY**

Title: THE WHITE LILY

Series: VAMPIRE BLOOD (Book 3)

Title ISBN:   978-1-64063-198-4

Book Length: 95K

Publisher:  Entangled Publishing

**BLURB**

To the north of the Varis empire, a mysterious faction spreads propaganda against the vampire monarchy. Friedrich Volya, the Duke of Winter Hill, seeks to discover who they are before his uncle finds them first. King Dominik will punish the traitors with brutal force.

Local schoolteacher, the raven-haired Brennalyn, is on her own mission—to spy on the duke and discover what she can for the Black Lily. She longs to help the commonwealth and bring justice to the many orphans left behind from the ravages of the blood madness, like the children she lovingly keeps in her care. What she doesn’t plan for is the heart-pounding attraction she feels for the duke, enemy to the Black Lily.

But when Brennalyn’s secret puts her life and the life of her children in danger, Friedrich steps in as her protector, she finds out there’s more to the duke than she thought.

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**EXCERPT**

By reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age.

If you are under the age of 18, please exit this site.

On the next turn, he pulled her close, till her breasts brushed his chest. The friction, as brief as it was, rasped her nipples. She gasped then quickly clamped her mouth shut, trying to put some distance between them. But he was in full control, his large frame engulfing her, his intimidating presence swallowing her with each turn.

“Your dress is quite beautiful on you.” He ignored her question entirely. “So much more appealing than your gray frocks.”

“What is wrong with my frocks?”

“They’re hideous.”

She gasped. “My frocks are entirely suitable to a woman of my role in society.”

“And what role is that? An old crone?” She caught his mischievous smile. He was goading her. And it was working.

“An unmarried woman. The town’s schoolteacher.”

He scoffed, slowing their waltz. “You think yourself a spinster at three and twenty? I think not. I’m going to burn every one of them when I get the chance.”

“Your Grace. You will do no such thing. You have no right to destroy any of my possessions.”

He grinned and slowed their forward movement to a stop, drawing her even closer. She tried to step from his embrace, but he held her good.

“Your Grace?”

“I’m not quite sure you know what’s happening between us, Miss Snow. But let me be clear. Those hideous rags are not worthy of your luscious body. Not worthy of you. You may try to hide your beauty behind drab colors and formless frocks and tight buns. But I see what’s beneath. And I want—no, I will have you in all your glory. Therefore, prepare yourself to be draped in silk quite soon.”

She saw the lion in the man, gazing down at her with steadfast calm and confidence. All of which was breathtaking and alluring. She spent the majority of her life trying to order and control her surroundings, only to find her world tilted at every turn. She wondered how the duke would feel to lose his control.

“It must be very difficult,” she said.

“What must be difficult?” He swept her away from clumsy Mr. Powell, who nearly barreled into them with his dance partner.

“Believing that you own everyone you meet.”

“You wound me. I don’t believe that at all.”

“Really? You just stated as if it were a decree that I’d be draped in silk. What if I don’t like silk?”

His smoldering smile made her knees buckle. “Come now, Miss Snow.” He leaned close to her ear, his lip brushing the shell as he whispered on the turn, “If not a silk dress, how about silk sheets?”

She laughed, his naughty teasing bringing a heated flush to her face. “You’re most improper for a royal duke.”

“Thank you,” he said with a smirk. “I do my best.”

“It wasn’t a compliment.”

“It most certainly was.”

She narrowed her gaze. “Well, whatever you may believe, I’d like to clarify that you do not own me, Your Grace.”

“I don’t want to own you, kitten. I want to possess you.”

“There is no difference.”

“Indeed. There is.”

Eyes darkening and hooded in shadow, she caught them drifting over her face before they landed on her mouth. His own parted slightly.

“Your Grace,” she warned, “if you are making plans to kiss me on the dance floor, let me tell you that it will not be welcome.”

“All right. Will it be welcome in my carriage on the way home?”

She arched her brow. “Are you always so forward with ladies you’re trying to woo?”

“No. Indeed not. I’m usually much more charming, but you seem to bring out the beast in me, Miss Snow. I’d rather skip all the games and get straight to the prize.”

**GIVEAWAY**

(1) $25 Amazon GC

(2) $15 Starbucks GC

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book 2 in this series, THE RED LILY, is on sale for .99 from 10/30 - 11/5

Oh Lord! That excerpt was on point! That one well and truly caught me. If I wasn’t sure before, I am now. It’s a pity I do not yet have my review copy, else I’d be cracking that thing open directly after posting this. But I will say that it will be read as soon as I receive it. You all should have a review very soon. So what did you think? Are you as obsessed with vamps as I am? Does regency and paranormal work for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts and why you would or wouldn’t place this book on your shelf! Your feedback is always wanted.  I hope you all enjoyed your time here today. A thanks to Paranormal Cravings Book Tours for putting all of the info together. And a special thank you to Ms. Cross for allowing us to feature their book today!

As always, buy links are included in the post. If you are so inclined, purchase the book for yourself. There is no better way to support an author. I would like to thank each and every one of you for joining us today. Wishing you all a fabulous day. Until next time …

HAPPY READING!!!