The Dragon's Devotion has been out in the world two years today! In The Dragon's Devotion, we have a scholar with a secret (he can change into a dragon!) falling in love with an earl who feels the weight of his responsibility heavily and puts himself i n danger when he becomes involved with an old mystery. Before this book, I'd been teasing about dragons in the earlier Tournai books—nothing too big and nothing you'd have to know to read this book, but I had so much fun hinting while these characters grew in my head. Corentin even made a brief appearance in The Scholar's Heart. Dragons were hardly mentioned in The Merchant's Love and the upcoming The Spymaster's Secret, but I've returned to them in the Tournai book I'm currently writing, which features Bastien's brother Griffen. I've always loved dragons and dragon shifters, so it's a lot of fun to write my own (and I have plans for more about them too!).
Today, to celebrate Bastien and Corentin's anniversary, I think we need a giveaway. For the chance to win a copy of The Dragon's Devotion, tell me why you love dragons and dragon shifters. I'll choose a random winner in a week.
About The Dragon's Devotion
Corentin is a scholar with a secret—his magical Talent allows him to turn into a dragon, and he isn’t alone in that ability. Long ago, dragons were hunted fiercely, until they went into hiding, becoming things of legend. Corentin has traveled the world with one aim—to protect his people and keep their secret safe. Drawn to the principality of Tournai by news of someone close to discovering that secret, he hopes to avert suspicion. His attraction to the too-serious Bastien isn’t convenient for his purpose, but it isn’t something he can ignore either.
Lord Bastien, Earl of Ardesia, inherited his title unexpectedly when his parents were killed in a sailing accident along with the parents of his cousin, Prince Philip. Since then, Bastien has devoted his life to the obligations of his family and estate—so much so, that it has caused tension between him and his siblings. His world is further shaken when he receives an anonymous letter informing him that the tragic boating accident may, in fact, have been murder. Bastien throws himself into investigating whether the allegations are true and finding out who killed his parents.
As Corentin and Bastien become closer, the mystery of Bastien’s parents’ death draws him further into danger. Corentin feels compelled to protect Bastien, but the threat is closer than they know. Now, Corentin must decide whether preserving his secret—and potentially his people’s safety—is more important than saving the man he loves.
Buy The Dragon's Devotion:
NineStar Press
Amazon
Apple
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
Kobo
Lord Bastien, Earl of Ardesia, inherited his title unexpectedly when his parents were killed in a sailing accident along with the parents of his cousin, Prince Philip. Since then, Bastien has devoted his life to the obligations of his family and estate—so much so, that it has caused tension between him and his siblings. His world is further shaken when he receives an anonymous letter informing him that the tragic boating accident may, in fact, have been murder. Bastien throws himself into investigating whether the allegations are true and finding out who killed his parents.
As Corentin and Bastien become closer, the mystery of Bastien’s parents’ death draws him further into danger. Corentin feels compelled to protect Bastien, but the threat is closer than they know. Now, Corentin must decide whether preserving his secret—and potentially his people’s safety—is more important than saving the man he loves.
Buy The Dragon's Devotion:
NineStar Press
Amazon
Apple
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
Kobo
Excerpt
Bastien didn't know what he expected—if he expected anything in particular—when Corentin began to use his Talent to change himself into a dragon. Change himself into a dragon—a phrase Bastien never dreamed he’d have cause to think. What a turn his life had taken.
Silver-purple light obscured Corentin’s form, twirling and twining around him and then growing, larger and larger. Expanding up and out, with Corentin hidden entirely in the center of the shimmering radiance. Bastien took a step back, unsure of what would happen, not wanting to interfere. But the light spread no further, only shifted to a steady glow, and, after a moment, began to fade away until it was gone entirely. Bastien blinked against the sudden darkness, with only the soft light of the lantern to alleviate it after the brilliant light of magic. When his vision adjusted, he gasped.
Where Corentin had stood only a moment ago was a large dragon.
Bastien stared, his gaze traveling over the astonishing creature sitting in front of him. The dragon—Corentin, the dragon was Corentin, and he had to remember that or he might be as terrified as he was awed--Corentin was a magnificent sight. He was enormous and sinuous, with a powerful body and a long neck and wings folded over his back. His body, except for his wings, seemed to be entirely covered in scales that glistened in the light from the lantern. In the near dark, Bastien couldn’t tell what color the scales were, and he very much wanted to know. Because Corentin was beautiful, and Bastien wanted to see all of him, to remember this sight forever. This first time he saw Corentin as a dragon.
He looked up, meeting Corentin’s eyes, and opened his mouth to ask about the color of his scales, which was probably a ridiculous question both for its subject and for the fact that Bastien didn’t know if Corentin could talk as a dragon. Could dragons talk? In the stories, they mostly roared and breathed fire, but the stories obviously weren’t correct. Except that dragons did exist.
And he was rambling even in his thoughts.
He nearly laughed at himself, but then he realized how wary Corentin looked. He wouldn’t have thought a dragon, so large and fierce, could look wary, but somehow
Corentin did. Corentin must be worried about his reaction. Could he not see how in awe Bastien was, how beautiful Bastien thought he was? How honored he felt to be trusted with this secret?
Bastien ached to reassure Corentin, to show him he wasn’t afraid. He was as drawn to Corentin the dragon as to Corentin the man. His fingers itched to reach out and touch the dragon’s scales. Bastien took a step forward and raised a hand. He froze and met Corentin’s eyes again. They were focused on him, the light of the lantern reflected in their surface, but Bastien couldn’t tell if they were the same brilliant violet as Corentin’s were as a man. He hoped they were; he suddenly realized how much he loved the color.
“May I?” he asked hesitantly.
Corentin nodded his large head. “Yes, if you like.”
Bastien’s mouth fell open just a bit when Corentin spoke. His voice was even deeper, a rumble that was almost a purr. Slowly, Bastien smiled and laid his hand against Corentin’s side. The scales were hard and silky smooth, and warm. Somehow he hadn’t expected them to be so warm. But there was nothing about Corentin that was ever cold. Bastien found himself stroking Corentin’s side, enjoying the feel of the scales under his hand. Corentin made a sound of pure pleasure and seemed to relax into the soft caresses.
“You are amazing like this.” Bastien let the words out on a breath of air and felt his cheeks flame.
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