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Secrets at Midnight

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Post by Elaine Wed Apr 09, 2014 10:36 am

Nalini had mentioned an upcoming anthology, she has announced in her blog that it's coming out in November. It will have Bastien, Mercy's brother, as hero.

heere's her post
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Post by ConvertMePlease Tue Oct 28, 2014 4:37 pm

There is a sneak peak of the story at the end of Archangel's Shadows. The female lead's name is Kira and it almost sounds like she is latent, like Dorian, only she doesn't know she has changeling blood running through her veins. I am probably wrong but that is what it sounds like. I can't wait until next month when the book comes out.
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Post by TheFLuff Thu Oct 30, 2014 3:43 am

*wibbles*

ok, I need to get Archangels Shadow NOW.

it´s been bumbed down my TBR ppile til I finally worked my way through the last IAD books.

hrmpf

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Secrets at Midnight Empty Secrets At Midnight Excerpt!

Post by Elaine Tue Nov 11, 2014 8:19 am

from Nalini's blog:


Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Secrets At Midnight Excerpt
Not long before Night Shift is out!! Here's an excerpt from my novella to whet your appetites. Release date is November 25th.

(This excerpt is also available in back of Archangel's Shadows).

Excerpt from Secrets At Midnight by Nalini Singh
Part of: Night Shift Anthology
Release date: November 25th

Vivid green eyes watched her with an unwavering focus that raised the tiny hairs on Kirby’s arms and made her stomach go tight, a strange breathlessness in her chest. She didn’t recognize the tall, muscled male with skin tanned a beautiful gold, but he had to be part of the DarkRiver leopard pack—there was something feline about the way he stood, a stealthy predator at rest. She had the insane urge to go up to him,touch him, curl naked against him, skin to skin.

The uncharacteristic nature of the forceful sensual compulsion snapped her back to her senses, and all at once, she was aware of Vera looking at her with a distinctly quizzical expression on her face. Not sure how long she’d been standing stock still staring at the stranger, Kirby held up the small white box in her arms and said, “I baked yesterday.” Her pulse thudded hard and fast, her words huskier than they should’ve been. “I thought I’d drop off half the cake for you, since I know you like black forest.”

“I like black forest, too.” A deep male voice that brushed over her senses like the most luxuriant fur, the lips that had shaped the words curved in a teasing smile, until she could almost believe she’d imagined the feral intensity of him when he’d first looked at her.

Tapping her cane on the ground, Vera looked up into that green-eyed face that had twisted Kirby’s insides into a tangled snarl. “I suppose you want some?”

“Yes, please.” Hands behind his back, expression as innocent as a five-year-old’s.

Snorting, Vera jerked her head at Kirby. “This is Bastien. Don’t let him charm you—next thing you know, you’ll be naked.”

Kirby’s face filled with heat, the rush of blood so loud in her ears that she almost missed Bastien’s protests. Ignoring them both, Vera walked toward her door at a spry pace, a grace to her movements even at this age that made it clear she was changeling.

Not able to look Bastien in the face when her own was no doubt the color of an overripe tomato, Kirby began to follow the older woman . . . and realized she’d acquired a six-foot-plus shadow.

“I feel I have to defend myself,” he murmured, the words a purr of sound against her ears.

Cat, very definitely a cat. A big, gorgeous, stalking cat.

“Really?” she managed to say, her nape prickling at his proximity, the scent of clean, fresh soap and warm-blooded male in her every breath. “You don’t like making women naked?” It was a response driven by some hereto hidden part of her that told her to show him her claws, despite the fact she was human, didn’t have claws. No matter if it felt as if the sharply curved tips were shoving against her skin.

A pause.

Kirby had the feeling she’d surprised the leopard at her side, but he recovered quickly. “Oh, I do.” His voice had dropped, acquired a rougher edge that threw her stomach into dangerous freefall. “However, and despite Vera’s refusal to believe me, I’m very particular about who I make naked now that I’m no longer a hormone-driven teenager. Of course, when I was a teenager, a naked woman would’ve ended things rather abruptly, physically speaking.”

Skin burning again when it had just settled, Kirby nonetheless refused to back down. “I hope your ability to stand . . .firm”—Was she really saying this?—“against temptation has improved with time?” She’d never flirted in such a sinfully sexual way, hadn’t known she could.

A hand on her lower back, the touch searing her through her cardigan and the camisole she wore beneath, and his breath warm against her earlobe as he bent close to say, “You have no idea, little cat.”

Fighting the shiver that threatened, she walked into Vera’s house and to the kitchen, where she placed the cake on the counter, and said, “I’ll make the coffee,” before either Bastien or Vera could make the offer themselves. The routine task gave her something to do, though if she’d thought it’d help her ignore Bastien, that proved a futile effort.

Sprawled in a chair at the kitchen table opposite Vera, he was saying something that had the older woman laughing.“Why are you dressed up so spiffy?” Vera asked once her laughter had faded, lifting her fashionable but unnecessary cane to tap Bastien’s forearm. “Was it for the girl selection?”

Bastien dropped his head in his hands, the stunning dark red of his hair catching the sunlight pouring through the kitchen windows, all of which overlooked woods filled with verdant green firs. His white shirt was pulled taut over his shoulders in this position, his strength apparent. “I thought Mom needed a few minutes help moving furniture for a book club lunch,” he growled when he raised his head. “If I’d known it was about matchmaking, I’d have worn my rattiest jeans and a stained T‑shirt.”

Ears straining to catch every snarly word, Kirby found the cups as the coffee began to perk.

“Your mother loves you.” Vera glared at Bastien. “You’re in fine form, prime of your life, you should find a girl before you get old and crinkly.”

“Gee, thanks, Vera.” A masculine mutter as he leaned back again, one arm braced lazily against the back of his chair, his big body loose limbed, very much a cat at rest. “I was hoping I had a few more years yet.”

Vera’s response was a grin bright and full of anticipation. “I’ll enjoy watching you fall, Bastien Smith. I bet she wraps you around her finger.”

A shrug, those deliciously broad shoulders catching Kirby’s attention again. “Of course she will.” Impossible as it was, it felt as if his voice was pitched to stroke over her senses. “What would be the point otherwise?”

Vera’s smile turned affectionate. “I’m glad to see you understand that.” Glancing up as Kirby brought across the tray holding the coffee, Vera’s expression softened. “And you, Kirby?” She tugged Kirby into a seat. “Have you found someone yet?”

“I’ve only been in the city two weeks,” she said, conscious of Bastien going preternaturally still for a single, taut moment, the green of his eyes no longer human, before he rose to get the cake.

“From the accent,” he said, “I’m guessing . . . Georgia?”

Kirby nodded, happy he’d changed the subject, but Vera wasn’t done.

“Two weeks, schmoo weeks. It’s never too early to start looking.” The older woman’s eyes glinted, flicking from Kirby to Bastien. “You two would make pretty cubs together.”

Kirby wanted to die. Dig a hole, jump inside, bury herself for good measure. Bastien on the other hand—now standing between her and Vera—served up the cake without missing a beat, his body heat lapping against her like a tactile caress. “Undoubtedly,” he said, “but not if you terrify Kirby away with warnings about the likelihood of ending up naked while with me.”

Kirby responded in pure self-defense, driven by that strangeness in her that said she couldn’t permit him to overwhelm her. Not now, not ever. She might not be a dominant, but it was critical he didn’t see her as weak. The tips of her fingers stung on that fierce thought, the pain sharp, biting.

Putting down the coffee cup that was clearly hotter than she’d realized, she said, “That likelihood is getting less and less with every word you speak.”

Laughing, Vera slapped her thigh. Bastien retook his seat with a meek expression belied by the fact he’d shifted his chair so that his thigh pressed against Kirby’s own. It incited an escalation in her clawing awareness of him, her skin prickling in a way that felt as if it came from inside and out both. Almost as if she had a leopard under her skin, too, one that was rubbing up against it in an effort to get closer to this gorgeous cat who made her nerve endings go haywire.

Shaking off the curious sensation, she focused on his conversation with Vera. Intelligent, witty, a little bit wicked, Bastien was the kind of man who’d never have trouble attracting a woman. Kirby was far from immune. If she was brutally honest, she’d never reacted to anyone as strongly as she’d done to Bastien.

That violent wave of need, of want at the start, followed by an increasing desire to know more about him, know everything. . . it was profoundly unsettling. As was the tearing disappointment that had her nails digging into her palms and her eyes threatening to burn when he glanced at his watch and said, “I better get into the office. With the instability caused by the Psy political situation, I have to keep an extra-sharp eye on things.”

“All work and no play.” Vera shook her head as Kirby stared deliberately into her half-empty coffee cup in an effort to hide her disturbing reaction, her skin flushing alternately hot then cold. “Be careful you don’t become a dull boy.”

“I thought I was making women naked on a regular basis?” Rising with that quip, Bastien went around to kiss Vera on the cheek. “Can I give you a ride somewhere, Kirby?” he asked, his hand on the back of her chair.

Scared by how much she wanted to lean back, rub her cheek against his arm, tug him down to her mouth, she shook her head.

“Don’t be silly,” Vera said. “You haven’t got a car.”

Her fingers flexed, the tingling in her fingertips increasing in strength. “It’s no trouble to catch the—”

Bastien’s breath whispered hot and silken over her ear, his face a caress away from her own. “I promise I don’t bite.” It was a dare.

Available November 25th!
Pre-order: iBooks, Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Penguin
Amazon, B&N, BookDepo B-A-M, Chapters, IndBnd Powells

Posted by Nalini Singh at 12:53 AM 2 comments
Labels: Anthology, Excerpt, Night Shift, Secrets At Midnight
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Post by tabitha Wed Nov 12, 2014 11:39 am

Sounds really good and is out two days after my birthday so yay to that Smile
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Post by Elaine Thu Nov 27, 2014 11:31 am

The book Night Shift is out now. Anyone read it yet?
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Post by TheFLuff Wed Dec 03, 2014 3:02 am

I did. It was cute.
Nothing earth shattering, but really really cute!
She had me at
Spoiler:

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Secrets at Midnight Empty Re: Secrets at Midnight

Post by Patricia Sun Feb 08, 2015 8:05 pm

Sidenote.. Kirby was a name I couldn't handle. I mean, the story was cute and all, but Kirby reminded me of those weird.. Furby? Yes, those. But I mean,
Spoiler:
I guess?
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Post by TheFLuff Thu Feb 12, 2015 1:32 am

hrm... yep... but the name is...yeah...

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Post by Patricia Fri Feb 13, 2015 4:35 am

*cackles and runs away*
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Post by tabitha Tue Feb 17, 2015 9:23 am

Agree about the name. I was a good story but I've red better Very Happy
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Post by Patricia Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:20 am

True. I have a soft spot for novellas, perhaps because sometimes they manage to be more romantic, maybe just because of the gaps that readers are allowed to fill in themselves, or because they're often more focussed on the couple than the plot, but in this case, I expected a bit better.
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Post by Elaine Thu Feb 19, 2015 9:41 pm

Aside from the name, Kirby also goes from 0 to sixty in the touch hunger. She could have started with the other changelings she knew (maternal, etc.); does all touch hunger have to be sexual? Razz
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Post by TheFLuff Fri Feb 20, 2015 6:58 am

I´m pretty sure we´re not reading that stuff for maternal cuddling. But yeah, I know ^^

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Post by Patricia Fri Feb 20, 2015 7:05 am

TheFLuff wrote:I´m pretty sure we´re not reading that stuff for maternal cuddling. But yeah, I know ^^

I actually LOVE platonic cuddling, and would LOVE to see more of the kind in the series. In some Asian countries, they call these things "skinship" and I'm absolutely on board for any form of platonic and romantic skinship.
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Post by TheFLuff Fri Feb 20, 2015 7:18 am

Me too.
And some of the people might actually need tons of it.
*Cough*Arrows*cough*

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Post by Elaine Fri Feb 20, 2015 8:14 am

TheFLuff wrote:Me too.
And some of the people might actually need tons of it.
*Cough*Arrows*cough*

So, so TRUE
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Post by Patricia Sat Feb 21, 2015 3:03 am

Can you IMAGINE?? An Arrow Cuddle Camp. I need this in my life.
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Post by TheFLuff Sat Feb 21, 2015 3:43 am

I need Willi the Dart: are you sad, big bad Arrow? Why are you sad? mommy and Daddy make a cuddle pile when I'm sad. Let's make an Arrow Cuddle Pile!

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Post by Patricia Sat Feb 21, 2015 5:57 am

TheFLuff wrote:I need Willi the Dart: are you sad, big bad Arrow? Why are you sad? mommy and Daddy make a cuddle pile when I'm sad. Let's make an Arrow Cuddle Pile!

What is Willi the Dart? Surprised

I just have this imagery in my mind.. a long line of Arrows, all waiting for their daily cuddle.
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Post by TheFLuff Sat Feb 21, 2015 6:07 am

William, Judd's pupil? The baby Arrow

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Post by Elaine Sat Feb 21, 2015 6:08 am

Arrow Cuddle Boot Camp!  Yay!

main lecturer: Judd Lauren with demonstrations by Vasic Zen
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Post by Patricia Sat Feb 21, 2015 10:06 am

Ooooh, I can't believe I forgot about William. D: Oh my..

Elaine, I need Nalini to write shit like that just for the giggles. Like with Kate Daniels and the ongoing Twitter-thing.
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Post by Elaine Mon Feb 23, 2015 1:39 am

Yes, Patricia. I'd like vignettes for the Arrow Squad too, just like she does the free short stories for the Changelings.

And since Toby was being targeted for the squad also (per Walker), I'd like him to also teach the Arrows how to have fun. Laughing
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