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Showing posts with label Seal of Destiny. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seal of Destiny. Show all posts

Monday, February 18, 2013

Tour! A Review of Seal of Destiny by Traci Douglass




Genre: Adult Fiction (Paranormal Romance)
Date Published: January 21, 2013
Publisher: Crimson Romance

The Blurb:
Love conquers all . . . but can it stop the Apocalypse?

Mira Herald is having the worst life ever. Not only is she plagued by horrific nightmares starring the Devil himself, she’s now the target of a power-hungry, rogue minion, freshly sprung from Hell and bent on her destruction. To complicate matters further, she’s acquired a stalker. One who insists he’s a divine warrior sent for her protection because she houses an ancient relic with the power to unleash Armageddon. Last time Mira checked, she wasn't insane. Still, all this celestial mayhem is enough to drive a girl crazy.

Kagan is a member of the Scion, an elite team of immortal warriors selected by Divinity to aid mankind and save the world. After a century alone, Kagan is summoned for a new mission. He’s eager to begin. Eager until he’s informed his mission consists of protecting a woman with no clue to the power she wields. Plus, his briefing fails to prepare him for his new target’s cosmic-sized attitude problem. As Divinity’s sworn servant, he’s required to fulfill his duty. His oath, however, does not require him to be enthusiastic about his new assignment or warm-and-fuzzy toward his new compatriot. He plans a wham-bam rescue and a quick return to solitude.

The minion attacks—with the backing of a mysterious organization—and all Hades erupts, putting a fast end to any whirlwind escapes. Accustomed to staunch independence, Mira’s survival now requires full cooperation and an unwavering belief in Kagan. The battle-hardened warrior is also forced to chose: between duty and desire. Amidst the turmoil, Kagan and Mira’s undeniable passion draws them closer to each other and down a path neither expected but both yearn for, more than they ever knew.

Will love save the day? The world’s fate depends on the answer.


My Review:
Seal of Destiny is book one in the Seven Seals Series by Traci Douglass. This book had a good mix of action, humor, and romance. Mira was a strong and confident character, even if she seemed to lack any common sense at times. Kagan was mysterious and tough and likes to use Italian exclamations repetitively. The idea that the seven seals are hidden within people is an idea I hadn't heard before. It was intriguing, and made for some intense action within the story. I always love originality in books. It's hard to find. Sometimes it seems all the good ideas are taken. Seal of Destiny was a quick and entertaining read.

Seal of Destiny by Traci Douglass was provided to me by Bewitching Book Tours for review. The opinions are my own.

The Excerpt:
“Basta!” Kagan grabbed her by the arm and twisted slightly, not enough to hurt, but enough to let her know he meant business as he directed her to a corner booth. He ignored the half-full beverages and coats scattered on the seats and shoved Mira into the confined space. When the booth’s original owners took issue with his hostile takeover, Kagan dispatched them with a lethal glare. He wasn’t sure where the girl had gotten the idea his mind was damaged, but he was damn sure he didn’t like it. He moved in behind her to block her escape.

“Oh, hell, no!” After several unsuccessful strikes to his muscled physique, Mira tried to slide out beneath the table. The angle proved too awkward. Defeated, she shoved as far away as she could into the corner and propped those killer boots on the seat in front of her in warning. “You better let me out of here, asshole, before I call the cops! I caught you stalking me, pervert!”

Kagan took a deep breath. He never lost his cool in battle, and he wasn’t about to start now. “Pervert? You’re of age, si?”

Mira glared. Kagan ticked through their earlier interactions, searching for a reason behind her intense hostility. His preternatural instincts sensed her intention before her hand reached his carotid. He blocked her quickly, locking her small hand within his and forcing it to the table beneath his own. Her pulse raced against his palm. He took another swig of beer then flashed his most endearing grin. “Let’s start over.” He released his bottle and extended his hand. “I’m Kagan.”

She refused to acquiesce. Kagan spoke in quiet tones meant to calm, to reassure. “I know I’m a stranger, but we have things to discuss.” He glanced around the crowded club, at the bodies packed tight. “We can’t do it here, though—no privacy. My apartment is close. Why don’t we go there and talk?”

Mira kicked him hard in the thigh.

“Merda!” Kagan grabbed his throbbing leg. “What’s in those damn boots? Marble?”

“Let me out of here, jackass, before I sideline your baby-maker!” Mira struggled within the tight confines of the booth. As she squirmed, the spicy scent of her shampoo wafted, and he was overcome with the strangest urge to plunge his hands into the riotous mass of her hair, to feel it curl around his fingers. She tugged on the hand pinned beneath his, and his thumb traced over her thudding veins. His heart pounding along with hers. The odd tingle sped through his torso, and his mouth turned to cotton. Her gaze blazed up at him, a swirling mix of green and golden brown. He noted the dark smudges below and wondered what kept her from slumber.

Dolce Cristo! Kagan looked away, fought for control. This was getting way out of hand. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d bedded a woman, but apparently it had been far too long.
author
About the Author:
Traci is the author of paranormal/urban fantasy and contemporary romances featuring a sly, urban edge, including her current Seven Seals series. Her stories feature sizzling alpha-male heroes full of dark humor, quick wits and major attitudes; smart, independent heroines who always give as good as they get; and scrumptiously evil villains who are—more often than not—bent on world destruction. She enjoys weaving ancient curses and mythology, modern science and old religion, and great dialogue together to build red-hot, sizzling chemistry between her main characters.

A storyteller since childhood, she began putting her tales down on paper in November 2011 after the idea for the Seven Seals Series occurred to her in a dream. She finished the first draft of what was to become Seal of Destiny in one month and decided to pursue a full-time writing career in January of 2012. Life has now been a rollercoaster, crash course in pursuing your dreams.

Traci is an active member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Indiana Romance Writers of America (IRWA) and Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Writers (FF&P) and is pursing a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Writing Popular Fiction through Seton Hill University. Her stories have made the final rounds in several RWA chapter contests, including the 2012 Duel on the Delta, the 2012 Molly Awards, and the 2012 Catherine Awards. An earlier draft of Seal of Destiny won the paranormal category of the 2012 Marlene Awards sponsored by the Washington Romance Writers.

Other current projects include upcoming books in the Seven Seals series and a new futuristic detective series with hints of the paranormal and plenty of romance.
To learn more about Traci Douglass and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Seal of Destiny Tour: An Interview with Traci Douglass




We're happy to have Traci Douglass joins us today on our stop along the Seal of Destiny Blog Tour! 

authorHow long have you been writing?
I've been writing seriously since November 2011, with an eye toward publication. Seal of Destiny is my first novel.

What inspired you to write Seal Of Destiny?
A dream I had last November. I woke up and couldn't get the story out of my mind. To keep my sanity, I started writing. Not sure if it worked. LOL!

When you first started writing Seal Of Destiny, did you plan for it to be a series?
Yes, I always planned on having a book for each of the seven Seals and the warriors who protect them.

Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
Hmm. Good question. I suppose it depends on the day. Some days I feel tough, like Mira. Some days, I feel strong like Kagan. But most days I feel ornery like Argus! :D

What is a secret about you that nobody else knows?
Ha! Let's see... Well, I don't kill bugs unless absolutely necessary. I feel compelled to catch them and release them back into the wild. Unless they're those awful things with a million legs. Those are just wrong and should be destroyed.

If your real life as a teenager was a Young Adult book, what would you, the main character, be like?
I'd be the snarky kid in the corner who has great insights about all the people around them but is totally clueless as to how to make their own life perfect.

What book have you read too many times to count?
What book haven't I read too many time to count... :) I do love the old Johanna Lindsey stuff, Tender Rebel and Gentle Rogue and the Mallorys. And Harry Potter. One can never have too much Harry.

What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
Just get it down on the page. You can fix everything except a blank page.

If you could hop into the life of any fictional character for a day, who would it be and why?
Oh, good question! Only one? Well, in that case I'd have to say... Albus Dumbledore. What fun to have all those magical powers and the run of Hogwarts! Plus the wisdom to know what to do with your authority. And I bet I could finagle a spell or two to keep me there well past one day.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
LOL! The vast array of profanity around the world. And Enochian, the language of the angels. It's a real language, with dictionaries online.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Reading, listening to music, watching movies. I'm a Project Runway fanatic and love the Wednesday line-up on ABC (Modern Family, The Middle, The Neighbors, Suburgatory). Great stuff. I also love to eat chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate.

Are any of the things in your books based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
A combination of both. I think all writers draw some inspiration from their own lives when creating their stories. The trick is to make it universal, to disguise the events well enough so no one knows which is true and which is make-believe. :)

About the Author:
Traci is the author of paranormal/urban fantasy and contemporary romances featuring a sly, urban edge, including her current Seven Seals series. Her stories feature sizzling alpha-male heroes full of dark humor, quick wits and major attitudes; smart, independent heroines who always give as good as they get; and scrumptiously evil villains who are—more often than not—bent on world destruction. She enjoys weaving ancient curses and mythology, modern science and old religion, and great dialogue together to build red-hot, sizzling chemistry between her main characters.

A storyteller since childhood, she began putting her tales down on paper in November 2011 after the idea for the Seven Seals Series occurred to her in a dream. She finished the first draft of what was to become Seal of Destiny in one month and decided to pursue a full-time writing career in January of 2012. Life has now been a rollercoaster, crash course in pursuing your dreams.

Traci is an active member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Indiana Romance Writers of America (IRWA) and Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Writers (FF&P) and is pursing a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Writing Popular Fiction through Seton Hill University. Her stories have made the final rounds in several RWA chapter contests, including the 2012 Duel on the Delta, the 2012 Molly Awards, and the 2012 Catherine Awards. An earlier draft of Seal of Destiny won the paranormal category of the 2012 Marlene Awards sponsored by the Washington Romance Writers.

Other current projects include upcoming books in the Seven Seals series and a new futuristic detective series with hints of the paranormal and plenty of romance.

Check out my review of Seal of Destiny.

To learn more about Traci Douglass and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.