Happy Book Birthday – Demetrius (Brethren Origins Book 2) by Barbara Devlin is here! I will be posting my review soon, until then please check out the official book summary provided by Barbara Devlin. Then head over to amazon and download your copy today at $0.99 – I’m sure that price won’t last long!
Official Blurb from Author:
Athelyna Des Moutiers has lived the better portion of her years in a convent, isolated from the harsh realities of her world, and has dedicated her life in service to a higher calling. When her father dies, her manipulative older brother negotiates a betrothal contract to one of the King’s knights, surrendering her to a creature utterly foreign—a man. A wedding present, an ancient brooch with mythical powers, foretells a future she cannot deny, so she accepts her fate. Can she win the love of her husband, a stubborn brute equally resistant to marriage?
Demetrius de Blackbourne is a Nautionnier Knight, a pious man, and a virgin who, much like his bride, has vowed to devote himself to divine endeavors, and his plans do not include a wife. When he is tasked with settling a troublesome region, and installing the King’s new garrison, he neglects the most important charge of all—his lady. But the gentle spirit and quiet strength of Athelyna manifest a temptation he can neither ignore nor deny, and Demetrius finds himself fighting for the one thing he never thought he would want—her heart.
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To all those readers who love a must read historical romance with a spicy kick and have not read the Brethren series, congratulations today is your lucky day. You have hit the reader jackpot!
Welcome to the Brethren, it’s time to meet your Knights. There are seven books and a novella in this series so far, each one promises to sweep you off your feet. When you’re done with those, take a journey back to the Origins and meet Arucard and Demetrius.
Each story that Barbara writes can be read as a standalone and promises to be a spicy adventure! I have provided a link below of my previous reviews so be sure to check them out!
Stay tuned to the blog later as I post the cover reveal for the next book in Origins, another must read series! Sign up for my posts – this is one cover you won’t want to miss!
Happy Reading 🙂
Excerpt from Demetrius:
As the sun rose on his wedding day, Demetrius studied his reflection in the long mirror, practicing various expressions intended to convey in a convincing fashion his surprise, shock, and dismay at being rejected and abandoned at the altar. Given his dedication to faith and honor, he struggled with such rehearsed dissemblance, but he had no choice in the matter, as his audience included His Majesty, and Demetrius could not fail.
Resolved to stay his course, he pondered Athelyna’s current location and prayed she made it to her destination safe and sound. Thus he had to play his part to perfection, in order to protect her, else the consequences could be fatal, should their hastily sketched conspiracy to flout the Crown be discovered. So he altered his countenance, as he deemed appropriate.
At first, he flinched, opened wide his eyes and mouth, and gasped. Just as quick, he scowled. “Thou dost look ridiculous, and no one will believe ye art genuine in thy distress.”
Rolling his shoulders, he eased the tension investing his frame and made several attempts to compose the right mix of emotions. Varying between smiles and frowns, along with wild hand gestures for added authenticity, he thought he found a suitable combination and chuckled, until a pounding at the door had him jumping in earnest.
“Art thou ready to meet thy fate, brother?” Arucard peered around the edge of the heavy oak panel and grinned. “It is time to depart for the abbey.”
“Must ye appear so pleased by the prospect?” Demetrius scrutinized his dark blue velvet doublet trimmed in gold embroidery, the matching mantle, and the black chausses. Then he recalled his role in the dangerous game and grumbled a complaint, to which his fellow Nautionnier Knight laughed.
“In truth, I have been awaiting this day since I wed Isolde.” Then Arucard glanced at the table. “Thy trencher is empty.”
“Yea, what of it?” As a final touch, he donned the latest fashion, a livery collar of Esses wrought of gold, from which the badge of his new earldom hung. Of course, on the back had been etched the eight-pointed wind-star of the Brethren of the Coast, the order created to accommodate the exiled Templars.
“I mean no offense.” Arucard arched a brow. “But I chose to forgo a meal on the morn of my nuptials, as I did not wish to be ill and embarrass myself, because I was nervous as a virgin on her wedding night.”
“But thou were a virgin on thy wedding night.” And Demetrius remained similarly afflicted, but he refused to share that bit of information. “Shall we remove to the Chapter House, as I would not be late?”
“After thee.” With an exaggerated flourish, Arucard bowed, and Demetrius just resisted the urge to kick his old friend in the arse.
A carriage bearing the coat of arms associated with his title conveyed him to Westminster Abbey. With a calm façade, he strolled the cloister walk, until he reached the now familiar double-door entry topped with a Portland stone tympanum. On the steps of the Chapter House, the archbishop loomed as the specter of doom, but Demetrius reminded himself of the drama about to commence and swallowed his apprehension.
“Welcome, Sir Demetrius.” Archbishop Cobham flipped through the pages of a leather-bound tome. “Now that all parties are present, shall we begin?”
In that instant, Demetrius clutched his chest and, for a few seconds, sheer terror rang in his ears. Panic danced a merry jig down his spine, when his veiled bride, gowned in blue, the traditional color of purity, and escorted by her brother, marched forth. To Demetrius’s everlasting shame, he bent, vomited in the bushes, stumbled backwards, and fainted.
Author Info:
Bestselling author Barbara Devlin was born a storyteller. A Texan, through and through, Barbara hasn’t been without a book in her possession since she was in kindergarten. She wrote her first short story, a really cheesy murder-mystery, in high school, but it was a Christmas gift, a lovely little diary with a bronze lock, given to her in the fifth grade that truly inspired her love of writing.
After completing part of her undergraduate studies at the University of London, where she developed a love of all things British, Barbara returned home and began a career in banking. But the late 80s weren’t too promising for the financial industry, and every bank that hired Barbara soon folded. So she searched for a stable occupation, and the local police department offered the answer to her prayers.
Initially, Barbara wasn’t too sure about her new career in law enforcement, but she soon came to love being a police officer. And then one uncharacteristically cold and icy day in December 1998, Barbara was struck by a car and pinned against a guardrail while working an accident on a major highway. Permanently disabled, she retired from the police department and devoted her time and energy to physical therapy.
Once Barbara got back on her feet, she focused on a new career in academia. She earned an MA in English and continued a course of study for a Doctorate in Literature and Rhetoric. She happily considered herself an exceedingly eccentric English professor, until success in Indie publishing lured her into writing, full-time, featuring her fictional knighthood, the Brethren of the Coast.
ICYMI Just click on the book title to be directed to my previous reviews:
Arucard (Brethren Origins Book 1)
Loving Lieutenant Douglas (Novella)
The Most Unlikely Lady (Book 3)
In Love With An Improper Stranger (Book 7)
Get to Know Barbara Devlin: Coffee With
***Please note that any previous contests associated with the above posts are now closed.***
Yay! It’s out!! :>
Woohoo! Happy Birthday Ms Barb and Happy Book Birthday! Congratulations!!!
Happy Book Birthday