I'm very honored to be here talking about my upcoming print release of Velvet Cataclysm. Larissa has become one of the modern-day storytellers of the vampire legend, adding her own unique spin and voice to wonderful effect in the Demonica series. Every writer hoping to contribute to this popular genre has a considerable task before her–how to add something unique to her telling of the vampire myth. For my own part, I knew I wanted to write my settings in the underground labyrinth beneath city streets. I love to travel, and the underground worlds of great cities are so fascinating.

Each of my six heroes has been spread across the globe, where he is the sentinel of the underground world, the only force that can control the bloodlust of his clone. We always consider vampires soulless, so I wanted to include another theme in my Princes of the Underground series: how does one go about gaining the ultimate prize of the soul? In the princes' case, the answer lies in hope, magic, six very unique women, and the friction of suffering.

A new soul is birthed in the fires of longing, torment and love.

Warning: Velvet Cataclysm contains graphic scenes of sex and violence, although at its core, it is first and foremost a romance.

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In his battle to resist, he found the impossible. His soul.

Christina Astor's telepathic ability is an asset in her job as a psychiatric social worker. What's driving her crazy, though, is her elusive, gorgeous landlord. She senses that Saint Sevliss wants her with an all-consuming hunger that's somehow…different. Just how different becomes all too clear when his dangerous world collides with hers.

For centuries, Saint's kind have been called vampire and werewolf. Even soulless. But their true nature remains a mystery. Bound by a magical mandate to control his bloodthirsty clone, Teslar, at all costs, Saint will do anything to keep Christina away. She infuses his gray universe with life and color, but his world—and his need—would destroy her.

When an attack reveals the true power of Christina's gift, one thing is certain—Teslar won't rest in his underground labyrinth until he possesses her, body and soul…

Excerpt:

"You've got a lot of nerve, you know that?" She slammed the door shut and swept across the room like a wildfire on the rampage. "It's you who put this fixed idea in Aidan's head that we shouldn't move away from Whitby. Didn't I tell you to stay away from him?"

"You're wrong. No intervention was required on my part. Aidan is very upset about the idea of leaving Whitby. It's his home."

"Wrong. Whitby Manor is your home," she corrected, pointing accusingly.

She stepped back when he stood abruptly, quick as a snake at the strike. "It's my home because you're there," he growled.

Christina was set off-balance by his unexpected revelation accompanied by a focused explosion of feeling. The vivid memory of the gazebo made her recover. "Maybe you should have thought of that before you brought your girlfriends to what should have been our first date."

She'd never seen Saint show an emotion as mundane as incredulity until now.

"First date? You saw what I am! Saw it with your own eyes, and yet the only thing you consider is that I was unfaithful to your infantile fantasies?"

She snarled and picked up a heavy marble paperweight from her desk, fully prepared to hurl it at Saint's stunned expression of disbelief. A frustrated cry left her lips when he was suddenly beside her, restraining her wrists. He wrapped his arms around her and pushed her back into his chest.

"Calm down."

For a few seconds, she was dazed by his resonant, deep voice and the sensation of his body pressed against her. She twisted furiously in his hold, but her body slowly sagged. When she realized she was following Saint's order without conscious thought, her fury erupted.

"_God_, I hate you! How could you have done that to me?"

"I am what I am. If I could change my nature, I would in a second. You gave me no choice but to reveal to you the truth about why your dreams are merely that—the fantasies of a child."

Fury bloomed in her chest, feeling as if it would explode through the skin at any moment. "I told you the other night. I knew you weren't like everybody else. I didn't guess you're…whatever you are…a vampire?"

"Humans have called me that. The truth is a bit more complicated."

"Vampire or not, you're an asshole. Some things remain consistent across the species. Even the paranormal variety."

She braced her legs and twisted viciously to push herself out of his hold. She might as well have been trying to throw a mountain off her. His strength was effortless, as though she were being restrained by steel instead of flesh.

"Let go of me."

"When you calm down."

She tried to ignore the shiver of excitement that raced down her neck when she felt his voice rumbling from his chest to her back and his warm breath brushing her ear. She inhaled his familiar scent. As usual, it started an unstoppable chemical cascade of arousal in her body. Her lack of control over her reaction infuriated her further.

"I'm about ready to scream myself hoarse. Do you want to upset Aidan?"

"No. Do you?"

She twisted her neck around and glared up at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Do you think you're really doing the best thing by taking him away from Whitby?"



"As a matter of fact, I do."

"Who's making that decision? The loving mother? Or your battered ego?"

She went completely still. For a few seconds she thought she'd go stark raving mad if she didn't get to punch Saint Sevliss's gorgeous, smug face just once. He stared down at her with those amazing blue eyes while she panted and her breath burned in her lungs.

Click here to buy Velvet Cataclysm

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Okay, so Beth is giving away a copy of Velvet Cataclysm to one lucky commenter! Just tell me if you've read anything by Beth before. Winner will be announced tomorrow evening!