What is Magic by Brynna Curry

*Brynna is giving away a print copy of Charmed (Elemental Magic Anthology Vol. 1) containing Earth Enchanted, To Take Up the Sword, and Wait for the Wind to one commentor today. Winner will be drawn June 19th at 4:00pm CST and announced within the comment section of this post. To enter, please leave your name and email address with your comment.

What is magic? Does the word conjure images of wild, wicked spells, a tangible force that can both save and destroy? A stranger’s kindness? Or do you think of the changing leaves of Fall, the Spring flowers that seem to appear overnight? Perhaps magic is like beauty, forever in the eyes of the beholder, different for everyone.

For Devin McLoch, magic has always meant power. As a phoenix— the physical embodiment of pure fire— Dev used his gift to protect those he loved until he was betrayed by his cousin Daemon. Exiled from Scotland by his own magic, he lashed out in frustration. Devin became a thief and mercenary to survive, amassing his fortune, but always living by one simple creed. An it harm none.

A thousand years, later he’s turned away from darker pursuits to lead a life of peace, protecting those he loves and considers part of his clan. He enjoys teaching magic to Allaina and the other Corrigan children, but something is missing in his life. Ari

Bound by magic, the sorceress is the one woman he can never forget. Ari must be given a chance to change, to accept her heart and now his. Over time he’s watched Arianne Farrell in the reflections of ancient gems, felt her calling to him in dreams.

But his Ari has a dark power of her own, secrets she keeps locked up tight for fear of being betrayed again by those she loves. According to Liv Roarke’s (Earth Enchanted) legend she tried to destroy her sister, but Ari’s generosity and kindness tell a much different story.

The Elemental Magic series comes to a close with Fire’s Ice. It’s a little bittersweet to give up characters that have been with you so long, but I’m pleased with the way things turned out.

Come with me to a castle in the Scottish highlands where there is magic in the air, a fire burning in the hearth and a fat black cat named Tessa stretched out on the rug at Devin's feet. We've been waiting for you.


Author Bio: Paranormal romance and romantic suspense author Brynna Curry is a lifelong believer in the importance of reading. She enjoys the writing process, helping others hone their craft by lending her time to review books, critique manuscripts and serving as a contest judge. She loves hearing from her readers.

When she isn’t writing, she’s often found haunting the library for new books to read, at the park with her children, or just spending an quiet evening at home with her husband Jackie watching old westerns on TV. She makes her home in North Alabama where the history is rich with music and culture, forests and lakes are abundant and beautiful, and every day is another adventure.


Visit her at http://www.brynnacurry.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brynna-Curry/123687767669232

Twitter: @BrynnaCurry http://twitter.com/#!/brynnacurry


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Fire’s Ice

Blurb: Ultimate power, or endless love?


Born the son of a Scottish laird a thousand years ago, but now trapped by his cousin's spell, Devin McLoch has seen countless battles and death. The erstwhile thief has turned away from darker pursuits to lead a life of peace, protecting those he loves and considers part of his clan. However, there is one woman he can never forget, who must be given a chance to change, to accept her heart and his.

Arianne Farrell is just as dangerous and intoxicating as her power. Imprisoned in an ancient stone dance more than a thousand years ago, her only chance at freedom from the spell is through love--a love she denied. When Devin asks for her aid to save another from imminent death, she realizes there is more at stake than just her freedom or her heart.


WARNING: Two stubborn sexy wizards using magic with no bounds, scorching love scenes, and happy ever after. Ever play with fire?
Excerpt

Excerpt #1 – (Steamy)


Dark, rich chocolate colored bedding echoed the tile framing the fireplace. Dainty furniture, curved legs and soft cushions, yet the poster bed was large and sturdy. She’d seen it before while she visited his dreams. Definitely Devin’s room. And remembering didn’t help the ache snaking through her body.


Walking into the en suite, the first thing to catch her eyes was the floor-to-ceiling mirror covering one wall. Arianne studied her reflection. Her long, dark curls were mussed and tangled around a pale face. Her lips were pink and just a bit swollen from Devin’s kiss. The only thing she wore was a long white shirt. Sniffing the collar, she smelled the crisp, clean fragrance clinging to the material. His shirt, not conjured. Devin didn’t wear cologne, but the scent of his soap always stayed with her. He must have changed her clothes. What else had she missed?


Because I love you. Men were ever a puzzle. Still, hadn’t she known? The dreams they shared had changed over time, slow and sweet instead of hot and fierce. A softness came over his face each night she visited his sleep, the same one she had seen this morning. Just that look was enough to have her quaking inside.

She found a bottle of bubble bath on the side of the tub. Thanks to Devin's dreams and Allie's influence, she had knowledge of modern conveniences such as indoor plumbing. Turning the faucet on hot, Arianne poured two capfuls under the stream and let the water run until the big round tub filled. Reluctantly, she unfastened the shirt buttons and let the material fall away to the floor. Slipping into the frothy bubbles, she sighed and let the reality of her situation sink in.

I am finally out of that wretched circle. True enough, but she was still in a prison of sorts. One with running water, walls, food that didn’t taste like air, and a sexy male witch bent on driving her to frustration. Not so bad, all things considered.


Being trapped in the stone dance didn’t mean she hadn’t noticed changes in the world around her for a thousand years. She tipped her feet out of the water, waved toward them, and turned her toenails a bright fiery red. Allie brought her little things from the modern world. Mostly books filled with sweet love stories; more than a few of them brought a blush to her cheeks. What would Ryan think of his daughter’s taste in novels? Better not to head down that road. Allie had dreams of being a writer like her aunt and uncle. If what she liked to read was any indication, she’d write hot. Very hot. Speaking of hot, a soft tapping sounded at the door. Her maddening laird had returned

“Okay in there?” His voice sounded hesitant. “Breakfast is ready.”

Time to ruffle the phoenix’s feathers a bit. “There is no need to be shy, Devin. You can come in.”

*****

The sound of splashing water rippled past his ears. Temptress.


Knowing Ari was just on the other side of the door, naked and wet, willing to succumb to every fantasy he could imagine, was a torment in itself. All he had to do was accept her sultry invitation and toss aside his plan. But she deserved a sweet slide into love, not the wild, mad rush of pleasure he craved. One palm rested on the door of its own volition, ready to comply. Not yet. Now, if only his traitorous body would listen to his heart. “That depends, sweetheart.”


“Oh?” she called out from the other side. “On what?”


Devin chuckled at the line, but he just couldn’t resist teasing her. “What are you wearing?”

She laughed. “Bubbles. Lots of bubbles. Share them with me.”

He saw it so clearly. Ari’s creamy skin peeking through the frothy bubbles. Open, welcoming. Need clawed under the skin, screamed at him. Why the hell not? Feeling a quiver of desire vibrate through his body, he called her bluff. “And what would you have me do with those bubbles? Hmm, Ari?”


“Oh, I am sure you could think of something. Something deliciously wicked. I have shared your dreams. I know your fantasies, Devin.”

Oh, you have no idea. His mind made up, Devin opened the door.

She lay in his huge garden tub, feet propped up on the rim, eyes closed, waterfall of black hair piled on top of her head. A soft smile graced her face. So she was enjoying their teasing banter. “Have you changed your mind and decided to join me?”

“Maybe.” No reason he couldn’t push them both to the edge. Pulling the t-shirt over his head, Devin tossed it into the corner. He laid his cellphone on the sink--out of danger--kneeled by the edge of the tub and dipped one hand into cooling water, using his magic to heat it.


“Mmm. Nice.”

He let his voice drop to a whisper as he leaned close to her ear. “I want to slick my hands over every inch of your skin until you shiver from the heat.” His fingers found the back of her knee in the water and trailed higher along the inside of her thigh. “And then…”

A soft “Devin” slipped from her lips as Arianne’s eyes flew open. “And then…”


Excerpt Link: http://www.lyricalpress.com/samples/brynnacurry_firesice.html