Romance beguiling as white flowers

Fixation

Mia Cherish and Jacqueline Quaid
Novella (28,000 words)
Paranormal Romance
Heat Level:  Sensual/Spicy (love scenes fully realized, no graphic detail and explicit language)
Available April 2009

Vampirism was a cool gig.  He just wasn’t sure he wanted it.

Malcolm Blackmon had nothing against vampires.  He just wasn’t sure he wanted to be one.  A crime scene gone bad and mortal injury forced the Australian transplant into a hasty decision, accepting a vampire friend’s adoption.  His new  family welcomed him with promises of a wonderful life free of his responsibilities as an undercover cop.  Early retirement, no money worries, and pretty donors catering to his appetites for blood and pleasure?  Not bad.  Hunting down New Orleans criminal low-life for blood and sport…He’d get used to it.

He’d manage all right if he could just get past Emily Kagan.  Mistaken for his donor when Malcolm first rose, her lush dancer’s body filled his arms while her sweet kisses and sweeter blood flooded Malcolm’s senses.  Since then nothing has smelled, tasted, or felt the same.  His vampire family warns him his fixation is a danger—Emily’s taste has been amplified in his memories due to the stress of his first hunger when he rose.  But it’s so much more to Malcolm.  His spirit lingers with Emily during the day, flirting, seducing, protecting.  Loving.  Can Malcolm control his vampirism, and keep nice with his family while the family patriarch researches more of Emily’s unique origins and the wonderful connection Malcolm is destined to share with the love he never found in life? 
 

“Fixation” excerpt:

"Well, I have to say the wait was worth it.  You look gorgeous.  Hair, the dress, everything.  I'm impressed."

Not security.  He wore a suit.  Emily's night vision was better than most and even in moonlight she recognized the sheen of silk.  He smelled good too, soap and water clean.  When he smiled a face that at first glance was well proportioned graduated to handsome.

"Thank you. Are you my brother's way of saying I don't date enough?"

"Could be.  Though I hardly think a lady such as yourself would have a problem with that."  The smile brought out dimples!  Lord.  Handsome just got upgraded to 'oh my goodness.'  "Let's just say I don't mind if I'm your prospect for tonight."  His biceps bulged under dark silk when he put one hand in his pocket, all feline grace.

"It's a bit late."  She couldn't help smiling.  The situation was too ridiculous given some of her more abysmal luck with men.  Did Randy think she was so incapable he had to arrange a blind date in a cemetery? 

"Maybe I overslept."  Those dimples didn't ease up.  "Bloody hell, you smell aces!"  He stepped a bit closer.  "Never knew a sheila could smell that good."  His eyes closed for a moment as he drew a deep breath.

Emily swallowed.  "Thanks."  The skin on the back of her neck was alive.  Various nerves all over her body skittered in excitement and her blood felt like it was humming.  Was this what women's fashion magazines called "chemistry"?  It was fantastic even if it was slightly scary.  And he smelled wonderful himself, a trace of cologne, very light and more the warmth of a man's skin. 

He was so close now his body almost touched hers.  Emily took a tentative step backwards from his intensity and her own unusual response to it.  "Something wrong?"  His brow furrowed at her movement.

"Kind of.  We're strangers talking in a graveyard."  Now she felt like she was babbling.  Her next step back would have sent her stumbling but for a movement and hold that came so quick she felt it rather than saw it.

"Steady on," he coaxed. 

"Thanks."

He didn't unwrap his arms from her body and she looked into deep eyes, mild and inquisitive, friendly amusement dancing in their depths.  There had to be some secret freaky flaw to this dreamboat.  Why else would he be here? 

___________________

Passions for blood and pleasure blossom in a precious garden.

Clancy never expected a sorority prank against Belle Madame to result in a delicious love affair with the notorious vampiress.  Intrigued with Clancy’s innocence, Leonor's bloodlusts and sensuality ignite the girl's blooming sexuality in ways she couldn’t imagine.  As their connection deepens they must decide where their hearts belong.

Reviews for “The Garden House”

5 Swords at Reviewed by Frost
http://www.jlfoster.biz/review-gardenhouse.html

“For me there has always been a type of Classic New Orleans that exists beyond the dimensions of space and time; a city that harboured the likes of Marie Laveau, Voodoo Queen; home of Anne Rice’s lovely vampire sagas; a city untouched by the ravages of Katrina and Rita. It is in this New Orleans that The Garden House possesses such power—a power of vampirism and Lesbian romance and steamy erotica that challenges the heat and humidity of the blanketing Louisiana nights. This is a New Orleans we all wish we could find…

Caution to reader: even those of you with straight hair will find you finish this book with a perm! The eroticism is very subtle but nonetheless totally scorching. This book appeared in the summer of 2006 and immediately took its place on my Bedtime Reading Shelf…”

4.5 Nymphs at Literary Nymphs Reviews Only
http://literarynymphsreviewsonly.blogspot.com/2009/03/garden-house.html

“The Garden House is a beautifully written story, rich in detail and love scenes. It’s so easy to imagine the lush Creole landscape and the unbelievable eroticism that flows between these two women. Lea is sultry and refined, and the touches of French in her accent only add to her appeal. Clancy is a sweet college girl who is learning about love in the best way possible: at the hands (and lips) of a loving, gentle partner.

If you enjoy lesbian romances (and even if you normally don’t), don’t pass up The Garden House…”|
--Satyr Vael, Literary Nymphs Reviewer

5 Angels at Fallen Angel Reviews
http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2007/January/AmandaH-TheGardenHouse.htm

“Wow. 5 Angels for both The Garden House and for authors Mia Cherish and Jacqueline Quaid. A story with romance and erotica mixed in with love and fear. What else could someone want out of a story? Leonor’s the centuries old vampire falling in love with a young Clancy who can’t figure out if she wants her or not. At the same time, Clancy’s still into men, which continues to confuse her. Both heartbreaking and hopeful. What an amazing, heartfelt, erotic story. It kept me salivating from the beginning to the end and left me begging for more. Although usually not my type of book, I figured I would take a chance on it. I am so glad that I did. I will definitely be recommending the book and the authors to everyone I talk to. Please write more books you two…”
Reviewed by: Amanda H.

5/5 at Euro Reviews
http://euroreviews.eu.funpic.de/bookdetails.php?book_id=600

“For aficionados of LGBT, keep your air conditioner turned high and your ice bucket handy! For other readers, this is a sexy little story with interesting characterizations of the vampires and the sorority pledge, and a ton of fascinating New Orleans historical background. The Garden House is a true “don’t-miss”!”
--Annie 

4 Stars at Just Erotic Romance Reviews

“I’ve read plenty of books that have gotten me hot and bothered, but none of them compare to The Garden House. Clancy’s innocence of carnal pleasures is endearing and reading about her time of discovery is highly erotic. When Lea first introduces Clancy to the delights of sex it is quite possibly the most sensual and seductive encounter that I have ever read. While their relationship begins with sex and follows with getting to know one another, I found it quite plausible. Clancy’s innocence paired with Lea’s world-weary attitude compliment each other so well; it lets them form a true partnership. The story is intriguing and keeps you occupied from beginning to end. The author’s do introduce a couple of secondary characters, and although they interact on a limited basis with Clancy and Lea, with a chance that they could be developed into sequels. Ms. Cherish and Ms. Quaid have created an engaging story of discovery, acceptance, and love. I gleefully look forward to any future releases that will be coming from these talented authors.”
--Caye Kimberley
 

4 Cups at Coffee Time Romance & More
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Thegardenhouse.html

“The Garden House is a story filled with erotic love scenes and enigmatic characters. Ms. Cherish and Ms. Quaid have taken a pretty typical tale of vampirism and given it a unique twist to make it their own…On the whole, this story of love between two women was very well written, with steamy sex scenes. The seduction scenes were very erotic, and the growing love between the women was great.”
 -- Danielle, Reviewer

Reviews by Avaron
http://avaron-review.blogspot.com/2006/07/garden-house-by-jacqueline-quaid-mia.html

“The Garden House is a lesbian paranormal. It is also a deliciously wicked vampire tale. Ms. Quaid and Ms. Cherish take all the traditional tales and turn them on their heads in this short, but sexy romp. The century old vampiress and the innocent sorority girl... it's the classic Hammer movie setup, but redone with a delicate touch that brings the setting and the characters to glorious life… The Garden House teases your emotions, keeping you totally engrossed to the final page. In addition to Lea and Clancy, there's a handful of lovely, fully-fleshed secondary characters. Caspaar, Lea's vampire brother, is intriguing enough that I'd love to see his story one day... and the story, though briefly mentioned, of the property's ghost, makes you want to know more about him as well. Above all, The Garden House is a wonderful escape from the everyday…”