Monday, March 29, 2010

A Delicious Dilemma

posted by Nancy

Lisa Shearin returns to the Lair to share her heroine's current dilemma with us. Those of you who've read Raine Benares' adventures know Raine is involved with two hunky guys, goblin duke Tam and paladin mage Mychael. Those of you who haven't yet made their acquaintance are in for a new treat.

We're going to do something a little different today, but I'll let Lisa explain. Welcome, Lisa! Tell us what you have planned.

My fourth Raine Benares adventure--Bewitched & Betrayed--will hit bookstore shelves on Tuesday, April 27. Here’s a teaser from the book’s back cover: “My name is Raine Benares. I’m a seeker. I find lost things and missing people – usually alive. Finding the specters of six evil sorcerers who escaped the Saghred, a soul-stealing stone of unlimited power, was easy. Stopping them before they unleash Hell of earth just may be the death of me.”

Once again, Raine is up to her pointy elven ears in trouble of the worst kind. But our girl also finds her way into trouble of the steamy kind with Mychael Eiliesor, the elven paladin and commander of the Conclave Guardians, as well as Tamnais Nathrach, goblin duke and former chief mage to the goblin queen.

To give you a taste of Raine’s romantic quandary, I’ve brought along two snippets from Bewitched & Betrayed with Raine and the two the men in her life.
And naturally, I wouldn’t come to visit the Banditas without prizes.

Read the snippets below and make your choice.Who should Raine choose and why (or heck, which guy would you choose and why)? Post the answer in a comment on today’s post and you’ll be entered to win. Two commenters will be selected at random to each receive a Raine Benares Prize Pack: a copy of Bewitched & Betrayed with additional book goodies (postcards and bookmarks from all four of my books, plus a fridge magnet from Bewitched & Betrayed) – all signed and personalized.

So read the snippets and make your choice!


Bewitched & Betrayed snippet featuring Raine and Tam

A Fencing Lesson


Tam was waiting for me. He was wearing sleek, dark fencing clothes with his black hair pulled back in a long goblin battle braid. His strong hands were bare, and a pair of steel-mesh dueling goggles dangled from his long fingers.

Like most goblins, Tam was tall and leanly muscled, and as I’d experienced on more than one occasion, Tam was also lightning quick. His pale gray skin set off what was a goblin’s most distinctive feature—a pair of fangs that weren’t for decorative use only. A goblin wouldn’t hesitate to use them if a fight turned dirty. Tam wouldn’t hesitate to use them if I got within nibbling range.

Tam’s black eyes gleamed in the club’s dim lighting, lighting he wasn’t going to turn up for our lesson. Sarad Nukpana’s goblin eyes were at their best in this kind of light. Either I learned to adapt or I learned to be dead.

Goblin swords were both stabbing and slashing weapons. Goblins used two blades as naturally as breathing, like extensions of their arms. They were taught from an early age. Elf children played with building blocks; goblins learned to spin blades.
Tam stood facing me, his hands by his side, his blades angled toward the floor. He looked relaxed. I knew better. When Tam had swords in his hands, relaxed meant ready.

In our lessons, Tam always made the first move.

Change is good. Dirty is better.

I sauntered toward him like I was just getting into position to go on guard. Then I lunged, my blades dropped to block his, and my heel came down hard on his instep. Tam hissed and I pivoted sharply to the right, intending to pommel strike his ribs and dart the hell out of range.

Darting didn’t happen. Neither did the pommel strike.

Tam’s leather-clad arms pinned my arms—and swords—to my sides. His blades were up and crossed entirely too close to my face for any kind of comfort.

So much for darting and striking.

“Well, shit,” I said mildly. “That could have worked better.”

“My foot thinks it worked quite well.” I heard the pained grimace in his voice. “Nicely done.” Leather creaked as his arms tightened around me, and his voice lowered to a teasing purr. “The rest of me agrees. This is more than pleasant. Now how do you propose to get away from me?”

“What?”

Vegard was here, so I knew Tam wouldn’t actually try anything, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t play with me like a mouse.

Sarad Nukpana would do the same thing.

Tam was right. He couldn’t let me go.

“You chose the game, darling. I didn’t.” His lips were near the tip of my ear. “Escape from me, and feel free to do whatever you have to.”

Whew! Okay, that's Raine and Tam. Next . . .


Bewitched & Betrayed snippet featuring Raine and Mychael

Plotting & Planning

“What about the guards?” I asked. “If everyone’s supposed to believe we’re in the citadel and then Markus’s men see us, guess what? Cover blown.”

“We won’t be seeing the guards and they won’t see us,” Mychael replied.

“Then what—”

“If you can’t control a situation, you have to know every detail, don’t you?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

Mychael’s eyes twinkled from under the brim of his hat. “I’ll bet you don’t like surprises for your birthday, either.”

“No, I don’t. And what the hell does that have to do with anything?”

He leaned in close with a conspiratorial whisper. “Not all surprises are bad.”

Mychael took my face in his hands and those blue eyes gazed down into mine. There was no question reflected there, no uncertainty, and he sure as hell wasn’t asking my permission. Those eyes told me what he wanted.

He kissed me.

His lips didn’t demand, they simply took. With delicious slowness. His fingers of one hand ran lightly up the curve of my ear, lingering for a breath-catching caress at the tip before sliding down to my throat, leaving a trail of tingle-inducing heat in their wake. By the time his hand slipped around the back of my neck and pressed me to him, my hands were on him, sliding up to his chest and around his neck. My hands didn’t ask my permission, either. Traitorous hands.
Mychael’s kiss turned into a tantalizing nibble, gently pulling my bottom lip between his teeth, sucking, nibbling, teasing.

I opened my eyes and was met with twin pools of deep ocean blue, gleaming with mischief as he released my lips and planted light kisses on my nose and forehead. His lips lingered there, the warmth of his breath and body doing a fine job of banishing the night cold—or at least giving me something better to think about. His lips had released mine, but his arms were wrapped firmly around my waist and didn’t seem to be in a rush to let me go.

“What was that for?” I found myself short of breath.

“Hopefully, a pleasant surprise.”

I looked up at him, a slow smile spreading across my face. “Eh, I’ve had worse.”

Mychael grinned and his fingers found that ticklish place on my ribs and I squealed before I could stop myself. His lips instantly covered my mouth, muffling the sound. He took his sweet time muffling.

“See, not all surprises are bad,” his lips murmured against mine. “And some are more enjoyable than you’ll admit.”

“Was that a distraction to keep me from stabbing Markus?”

“That depends. Did it work?”

“As a distraction, it was first-rate.”

“My lips humbly thank you.”

“As a deterrent . . . sorry, no dice.”

Mychael pressed his lips together. I actually think he was trying not to laugh—at me. I narrowed my eyes and glared at him.

“That sounds like a challenge to me,” he said. “I’ll have to make every effort to do better next time.”

Again, whew!


Okay, everyone, hit the comment link and let us know which of these two smokin' guys you'd choose if you were Raine or which one you'd choose for you--and why. Remember, Lisa is giving away the Raine Benares prize packs described above.

For more about Lisa and her books, visit her website.

For those who want to catch up with Raine from the beginning, I've inserted at right the cover (with link) of her first adventure, Magic Lost, Trouble Found.








134 comments:

limecello said...

:)

limecello said...

Hi Lisa - thanks for visiting with us again! As for which guy to choose O_o that's like picking between a rock and a hard place! Only, like... good things. So... deciding between creme brulee or fantastic gelato!
Both! :P (Though I guess that's harder to pull off).
:) I'm staying with my non answer though :D

mariska said...

Hum...A good kisser, blue eyes, and has lots of surprises...i think i'm gonna choose Mychael :)

happy knowing you Lisa ! A new for me Author !

Helen said...

Well done lime have fun with him

Hi Lisa and Nancy

Great blurbs and I would choose Mychael for Raine (and for me LOL) I love the way his name is spelt and I love the thought of a mage.

Congrats on the new release Lisa

Have Fun
Helen

Gillian Layne said...

Oh, yum!!

Choices are over-rated (and I'm a libra and can't decide anything, anyway.) Keep them both! :)

Lisa, your covers and titles are excellent.

Kirsten said...

Hi Lisa,

I really enjoyed the excerpts. It's a difficult choice but she can have Tam. Cause I want Mychael. Why? He's obviously a great kisser and well what more is there to say, that appeals to me.

Lisa Shearin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lisa Shearin said...

Ooops, I meant LADIES. It's still early here on the East Coast US; apparently I can't spell until 9:00. ; )

Lisa Shearin said...

(Sigh & LOL) Apparently I deleted my first comment. I have coffee now; everything's under control.

What I said in my first comment (where I misspelled "ladies") was: Thank you, ladies! I'm thrilled to be back and I can't wait to see which of my guys gets the most votes. ; )

Unknown said...

ohhhh, I would love to see her with Mychael. As in permantently..... *nods* I like Tam, but I like Mychael better :)


thanks for the snippets, I devoured them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VernaVenisa said...

Hmmmm, this is a tough one. If I had to choose... Mychael for Raine and Tam for me ;]. Those blurbs are some of my favorites~

Britt said...

While I love Tam as a character, I'm just too much of a "goody good" to go for the bad boy. I'm rooting for Mychael.
Either way, though, I can't wait to see how you manage to write your way out of this tangle, Lisa!

Britt said...

Assuming, of course, that it's up to you... Sneaky characters probably have their own ideas...
:D

CrystalGB said...

Hi Lisa. Your books sound good. I would choose Mychael. :)

solara said...

I'd go with Mychael, whether it was me or Raine.

Amazing books, amazing characters. You have actually inspired me to try and return to writing creatively.

Thanks

Lisa Shearin said...

That's great, Renee!

Wow, Mychael's scoring a lot of hits. Though it sounds like a lot of you are picking Mychael for Raine so you can have Tam to yourselves. ; )

Cybercliper said...

Hi Lisa - yowza - black hair, black eyes, a set of blades AND a pair of fangs, an attitude that lets you know you're in for a wild ride - I'd so go for Tam!!! ((le sigh))

Hellie Sinclair said...

Weeellll, normally I'd avoid all Mychael (no matter how they spell their names) and go for the bad boy goblin guy. (He's got a Severus Snape sort of appeal.)

However...

Mychael's eyes twinkled and then he kissed her all alpha and bantered a bit, so I'm sure I'd be a bit more charmed by Mychael than Tam. And I prefer to be charmed.

I'm not sure I'd kick either of them away. I can see why she's having troubles. *LOL* Great excerpts!!

Anonymous said...

Mychael!
Not that I don't like Tam as well (he's a great kisser too, dangerous, hot, fun, and he seems to be more and more reliable), but goblin guy is not who I picture with Raine.

Petra said...

Aaaww POOH!! Why do we have to choose? I love them both! - Ok, so I am not that big on kissing even though you have a way with making it sound very yummy. I am more of a "hands on" kind of girl, so I would vote for the bad boy Goblin with the quick hands! Tham gets my vote. - But, please, can we keep them both?

mest said...

Mychael for Raine, then Tam can have his own book or series that they appear in!

Stephanie said...

It's so hard to actually chose a guy for Raine (& myself) because Mychael & Tam are both amazingly hot in their own ways. Tam is the cliche bad boy and Mychael is the knight in shining armor.
For Raine.. I'd have to say Mychael. I'd keep Tam for myself ;x

Nancy said...

LImecello, congrats on the rooster!

I see you didn't exactly pick. :-) It's tough.

Nancy said...

Mariska, I actually would vote for Mychael as well. But I'd generally choose the badge over the bad boy in most circumstances.

I think you'll like these books. I enjoy them a lot.

Christie Kelley said...

Hi Lisa, welcome to the lair. Great snippets and great men!

Hmm, there was just something about those blue eyes that caught me. I'm going to have to go with Mychael.

Nancy said...

Hi, Helen--I have a weakness for mages, too. I have to say, though, that Tam is the most attractive goblin I've ever encountered.

Nancy said...

Gillian, I like your new picture! Yep, choosing is hard. Raine is having an understandably difficult time with it.

These are great titles and covers, as you say, and the books are fantastic, too.

Nancy said...

Hi, Kirsten--You wrote: It's a difficult choice but she can have Tam. Cause I want Mychael.

A practical solution! *g*

Nancy said...

Hi, Lisa--Once upon a time, I was not a coffee person. Now I'm into the caffeine to kick-start the morning. My brain gears up faster. Which might not be good. . . .

Nancy said...

Hi, Bea--You sound like a woman who has read the books. Or is your comment just based on the excerpts? I think Tam is way cool, a whole new kind of goblin, but I, too, am a Mychael fan.

Lisa Shearin said...

Good morning, Nancy! Thank you so much for inviting me. : D

Nancy said...

VernaVenisa wrote: If I had to choose... Mychael for Raine and Tam for me ;]

Another practical choice! *g*

Nancy said...

Britt, it's an intriguing tangle, isn't it? If you've read the last book, you know just how much of a tangle it has become--but I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't gotten there yet.

Nancy said...

Hi, Crystal GB--thanks for stopping by!

Nancy said...

Rene, good luck with your return to writing!

Nancy said...

Cybercliper, a Tam fan! He really is a hottie.

Nancy said...

MsHellion, I'm not one for bad boys, but I also see why Raine is having trouble. Mychael is one of my favorite guy names, but I don't think that influences me. Much.

Nancy said...

Calcamanin, I've also noticed that Tam's becoming more and more reliable. In fact, all the characters are evolving, which is one thing I like about this series.

Nancy said...

Petra, I love them both, too. The kissing does come across as very yummy here, doesn't it?

My grandmother's name was Petra.

Nancy said...

Mest, a series for Tam, huh? It'll be interesting to see what Lisa says about that. :-)

Nancy said...

Hi, Karyn. They really are both fabulous guys. Although I lean toward Mychael, Tam really has grown on me.

Nancy said...

Hi, Stephanie J--another practical choice, one for you and the other for Raine. :-)

Nancy said...

Hi, Christie--They really are greating leading men, but I also pick Mychael.

Nancy said...

Good morning, Lisa! Sorry I got hung up today and am late arriving. I'm glad you could be with us. Aren't you currently on deadline?

Suzane in VT said...

Tam may be irresistible and Mychael a rock of constancy, but my vote still goes to Vegard. A vigilant, strong presence guarding Raine's back in the shadows, he also has enough wit and irreverence to match even Raine's snarkiest. Don't count him out of the running.

Landra said...

Tis a hard choice. I am always a fan of the bad boy and Tam certainly knows his way around weapons and obviously leather. Though the fangs are little bit of a turn off. I don't particularly want to be fighting off bad guys already injured from last nights romp! :)

Mychael on the other hand, good kisser, life saver, and knows how to keep a woman warm on a cold night. But I would venture to say that he is more sweet in the bedroom and I like it a little rough.

Awww, forget fangs! Give me the bad boy and I wouldn't mind getting frisky with swords before deed.

Congrats on the book Lisa! As for Raine, I think she should stick with Mychael. Leave the bad boys to me.

jo robertson said...

Hi, Lisa, welcome back to the Lair! It's good to have you visit and bring such delicious characters as Tam and Mychael. Oh, what a delightful dilemma to be in!

I guess I'd choose Tam, no wait! Mychael, no Tam!

Seriously, though, Tam's the guy for me. I like the tall, muscled leanness of him and am tantalized by those wicked fangs!

lw23things said...

Like many of the other commenters, I pick Mychael! It seems to me that if Raine picks Tam, she'll have a lot of fun, but she'll be responsible for keeping him on the right path for the rest of their lives. (He's got good intentions, but so many temptations and such a past history waiting to trip him up.)

Whereas, if Raine picks Mychael, he'll always be strong for her and balance her quick-silver impulsiveness with his steady and reliable nature. He lets her have fun but he's always got her back. And then there's that special something the two of them have going on at the end of Book 3...

Tam's got sex appeal in spades, but there's more to a lifelong commitment than that, and he's too prone to wanting everything his way. And Mychael has a different kind of sex appeal - oooh, those blue eyes! - as well as the rest of his sterling qualities.

works4me said...

Mychael all the way. Pun intended. :) He is powerful but doesn't abuse it. He sounds gorgeous and I am partial to good boys with a hint of naughty in them as opposed to bad boys that are a lot of fun but can't really be trusted.

Kendall said...

I would totally pick Mychael! For Raine and myself! Oh my gosh that man is sexy! She did a bang up job with that character! I wouldn't kick him out of bed if someone begged me to! From the first book when Raine dream walked into his bedroom and he was naked I loved him and wished I was raine! I want her with mychael! Blue eyes nice body FABULOUS personality.. what else do you need!! Mychael all the way!!

AM Woods: alisonmillerwoods.com said...

I have always been on Team 'Don't make Raine choose'.
I love the bad-boy thing with Tam, and he has worked really hard to pull himself out of a very ugly place.
Mychael has always shown more restraint with Raine despite the growing attractions and willing to go beyond the 'call of duty' to help her.
However, if a choice must be made I would have to go with Mychael. There was a snippet on Lisa's blog about Mychael in a highwayman's outfit. *grin* That filled my 'bad-boy' need and made him the perfect fit.

Bookie said...

Geez this is so hard. I love love LOVE the bad boy in books but Mychael seems like such a sweet guy who fits better with Raine.

Lisa you've made this so hard! :-)

Nancy said...

Ah, Suzane--Putting a dark horse candidate in the race? Vegard is a great character, and he has managed to survive so many of Raine's various scrapes!

Petra said...

Hey there, Nancy with a grandmother that has a cool name like Petra, nice to make your aquaintance.
I suppose that I feel privileged that I have read Lisa's first novels in the series and although the excerpts here are great material my decision is based on the developing story. Yes, Raine is an elf chick and probably should be paired up with a hot elf guardian, but Tam has come such a long way, I think he should carry away the prize! Oh my, Raine would be sincerely ticked off if she read this. I do not believe she would agree to being a prize in this a contest.

Nancy said...

Landra, it's a hard choice, isn't it? But I see you've taken the practical approach some others have adopted, chosen the one you want and given Raine the other. *g*

Nancy said...

Hi, Jo--Another Tam fan, huh? He really is a hottie!

Nancy said...

lw23things--interesting character analysis! You make some good points. It's an intriguing journey, isn't it?

Nancy said...

works4me, I'm partial to the good guys, too, I have to admit, though I think Tam has more appeal than many reformed bad boys.

Nancy said...

Hi, SassyText--Mychael really is a dream guy, isn't he?

Spav said...

I would pick Mychael. I seem to like good boys better than bad boys. :)

Nancy said...

AM Woods--Tam really does deserve a lot of credit for reforming himself, doesn't he?

Mychael in a highwayman outfit? I'll have to go track that down!

Nancy said...

Bookie, Lisa has made it hard, hasn't she? If she hadn't, I don't think the romantic arc would be so intriguing.

Nancy said...

Petra, LOL! I don't think Raine would much like being a prize, either! As you say, Tam should get a lot of credit for remaking himself, and not without cost.

Nancy said...

Hi, Spav--I tend to go more for the good guys, too. :-)

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Welcome back, Lisa! So glad to have you and BIG THANX to Nancy for luring you back to the Lair. ;-)

Like VernaV and Stephanie J. I vote Mychael of Raine and Tam for ME! But if it works out the other way round, I won't complain. Aunty is always accommodating...

Now where are those cabana boys with the mimosas?!?! Oh, I see... half of them are dressed in leather and the other half as highwaymen. GOOD SHOW! Bring on the cyber-bubbly!

AC

Nancy said...

AC, the cabana boys are always frisker when you're around. I wonder what's up with that? *g*

Your practical approach--pick the one you want and give Raine the other--seems to have lots of fans today!

catslady said...

Oh I pick Tam for Raine and for me :) I've always loved the bad boy (it works in fantasy much better than real life) lol. For some reason the pics didn't work for me today so I'll try back again!

Lisa Shearin said...

(waves) Hi Nancy!

Yep, I'm on deadline with Raine's 5th adventure -- Con & Conjure. It's due to my editor on June 1, but I'd like to turn it in early.

Then I'll be diving right into Raine & Company's 6th action-packed story -- very appropriately named All Spell Breaks Loose. ; )

starlightbh8 said...

I'm rooting for Mychael! I love Tam and the sizzling chemistry he has with Raine, but Mychael seems to be a better match for Raine.

Nancy said...

Catslady, I agree--bad boys work out much better in fiction than in real life! *g*

Nancy said...

Hi, Lisa--good luck with the ms.!

Nancy said...

starlightbh8--I think Mychael fans are slightly ahead still. Tam's been getting more votes as the day's gone by.

Hellie Sinclair said...

You mean that alpha kiss Mychael put on Raine isn't typical behavior? He's more RESTRAINED?

I change my vote. I want Tam. I'll teach him to banter and make his eyes twinkle.

Unknown said...

Lol, damn choices. Both would be awesome! But if I was Raine I would sooooo pick Tam! Well Tam is my choice for me too!

Although it would be funnier and more interesting if she ended up with both! XD

Nancy said...

Ms.Hellion, vote changing is allowed. However, though Mychael is more disciplined, per his job, when he takes over, he does take over. *g*

Nancy said...

Wrayth--you sound as though you've read the books. It'll be interesting to see, speaking of "both," where the situation in Book 3 ends up going. :-)

Jo said...

I seriously don't see how Raine is - or I am for that matter - supposed to choose! Mychael is sexy in his own way, good, strong, reliable, and just all round awesome. Tam is sexy as hell, flirty, gorgeous, dangerous, and just too... wow. I vote that bigamy becomes legal in Raine's world, so she can have both.

I suppose if Raine was sensible, she'd go for Mychael, but when is any woman going to be thinking logically when faced with two hot guys who want her? In some ways, I'm glad I'm not Raine!

Susan Sey said...

Hi, Lisa--

Hmmmm, Tam or Mychael? That's a wicked dilemma. I think...just based on the leather and the swords, mind you...I'm going to pick Tam. I like a dark hero. :-)

Can't wait to pick up my very own copy!

emmad said...

I would choose Mychael.

Just have preferred him slightly through the first three books. Think because he doesn't come across as the bad boy lol. Though the blue eyes do help :)

Van Pham said...

This is a pretty hard choice! I would like Raine to end up with Tam, because he's mysterious and seems like he too honestly cares for her. Also he's like a bad guy/ good guy and i like that. :)

Nancy said...

Jo wrote: I vote that bigamy becomes legal in Raine's world, so she can have both.

LOL! That would solve the problem, wouldn't it? Though I don't read either of the guys as being good with the idea of sharing. *g*

Nancy said...

Hi, Susan--Tam has many, many levels of darkness. If you like a dark hero, you'll like him.

How many weeks to Money, Honey?

Nancy said...

Hi, Emmad--I'm married to a guy with blue eyes, even though mine are brown, so I do have a weakness for blue-eyed guys. And for the good guys.

Nancy said...

Hi, Van Pham--It really is a hard choice. The light/shadow bit of Tam does have a lot of appeal.

Nancy said...

Hey, Cassondra--I, too, have had to change my view of goblins after reading these books.

Yep, smokin' . . .

Furry said...

Hey Lisa and Nancy,

Thanks for the great competition. I think Raine should pick Tam because he showed his interest in her long before she'd even heard of the Saghred. I have to say that I would definitely pick Mychael though for myself, lol. He's just so yummy.

Thanks,
Jen

Lisa Shearin said...

To add a bit of fuel to the fire --Raine does decide in Bewitched & Betrayed, and that scene is hot. However, our other guy is most definitely not left out in the cold. ; )

I think B&B is the best book I've written so far, especially in terms of intensity. As I've said over on my blog, the last half of the book is a hold-your-breath rollercoaster ride.

Nancy said...

Hi, Jen--Good point about Tam's longstanding interest. Also about Mychael's general yumminess. *g*

Nancy said...

Lisa, an actual choice? Whoa, now I'm really nervous about reading the book!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Lime! You're an addict!

Lisa and Nancy, what a fun post. And I couldn't possibly choose. Poor Raine - well, not that poor, she's not going to end up with a dud in either case, is she?

Zubinina said...

I Am, and have always been, firmly on Team Mychael. I just can't get into that whole Tam-smarminess. I find him far too lusty and 'hop in my bed Raine', it seems to me he only wants her for the sex. After that, I don't think he'd stick around. Raine would probably catch him cheating three months into the relationship. Nope, nope. Tam is most certainly out in the dohouse. I would totally kick him out of bed for eating crackers!

Nancy said...

Hey, Anna--No dud there, definitely. *g*

Nancy said...

Hi, Zubinina--I'm with you in Mychael's corner. But I think I'd have to have a word with him about the whole crackers in bed thing. *g*

Calley said...

This is such a hard choice. Personally, I would pick Mychael. I love the good guy who will stay true to the death and protect me. Raine will pick Tam. As much as she likes Mychael, he would dirve her nuts with wanting to protect her and keep out of the action, which never works out for him. Tam, on the other hand, is leading the way to adventure or not very far behind. He will offer the kind of adventure Raine likes.

Nancy said...

Hi, Calley--Interesting analysis. Now I'm on pins and needles to see if which way Raine goes. :-)

Jagna18 said...

Mychael anyday. B/C while they both tie off on sheer attractiveness, come the end of the day you need someone responsible who will take care of you for the rest of your life. And Lisa, Tam was a repeat! :( The Mychael I'm glad you expanded on though.

Nancy said...

Jagna18, I also tend to like the responsible ones, though there's certainly an attractive aura to the bad boy. *g*

Margaret said...

Lisa,
Your snippets are wonderful as always. I am so looking forward to reading the book. We're under a month now Yeah!

Anyway I choose Mychael. I'm a bit biased, because I have always been in Mychael's camp and this snippet just added to that. That kiss just sounded wonderful and I am a sucker for blue eyes. My Michael has the loveliest blue eyes, and your Mychael reminds me of them.
-Margaret

Unknown said...

Great post! I think I would choose Mychael because of the blue eyes!

Petra said...

Lisa - "To add a bit of fuel to the fire --Raine does decide in Bewitched & Betrayed, and that scene is hot. However, our other guy is most definitely not left out in the cold. ; )"

Nooooo!! lol, can I please have a copy of the book like yesterday now??!! That is terribly unfair to make me wait almost a full month now.. I am so hoping it is Tam. He truly deserves her love. He is kind of like her high-school sweetheart, if I may make that comparison.

Unknown said...

Mychael, for both me AND Raine, because he's "coated in yum."

Nancy said...

Margaret, I'm looking forward to this book, too. Though now I'm nervous as to which Raine will choose.

Nancy said...

Hi, Virginia--I like Mychael's eyes, too. :-)

Nancy said...

Hi, Petra--I know what you mean! Now that I know there's a Big Deal for the relationship in this book, I'm even more antsy than I was about it!

Nancy said...

Nina--"coated in yum" I love it!

Lisa Shearin said...

Whew, I'm back. We have some construction going on in the house and our Internet was down for a while.

As to the major relationship development in Bewitched & Betrayed, I think everyone -- Team Mychael, Team Tam, and yes, even Team Vegard -- will be happy with the outcome.

Nancy said...

Lisa, living with construction can be very tough. Glad your internet is back!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Welcome back to the lair, Lisa! Thanks for having her back, Nancy!

Y'all might not believe this, but I LOVE the bad boy, be it in the movies, rock and roll or the Harley guy riding past my car on the way to work...yep, give me Tam!

Suzan Isik said...

Wow, I'm totally going to have to go with Tam...for ME. While I wouldn't kick Mychael out of bed, I think he's better suited to Raine. Not to mention I want Tam. Now. Can we invent a machine to bring the fictional to life? Or would that be more steampunk? :P

Nancy said...

Hey, Suz--another vote for the bad boy! I could definitely see Tam on a motorcycle if they had them in this world.

Nancy said...

Hi, Susan--That sounds like a cool machine! I think it's steampunk if it's Victorian. I'm not sure of the exact breakdown. Isn't that an interesting new subgenre, though? It was huge at DragonCon last year and will probably be even bigger this year.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Nancy, Jane Graves wrote a Harlequin Silouette, Tall, Dark and Texan and the meeting between the heroine and the hero takes place in a dark alley in the bad part of Dallas in the rain late at night. He rides up on this Harley, leather duster, sh*tkicker boots and steps off the bike. He's huge... SIGH

Nancy said...

Suz, now I'm wondering what the h/h were doing in an alley in the bad part of town in the freakin' rain!
An interesting beginning, fer shur!

Patti J. Kurtz said...

Wow, 115 comments! Lisa's a popular gal.

As for choosing-- Tam is darkly daring, but I'd go for Mychael any day. He's got that great sense of humor and he's a smoking kisser, and of course, those blue eyes... impossible to resist.

So, Mychael-- but Tam is a close second.

Patti

Nancy said...

Hi, Patti--Another vote for Mychael but with kudos to Tam. They really are both great guys.

Elyse said...

I have been rooting for Mychael since the first book and I am firmly choosing him for Raine. I feel like he is courting her and I like that.

Van Pham said...

she going to pick in B&B?!!! Omg, can't wait till it comes out....so excited!!

Nancy said...

Elyse, you and me both!

Nancy said...

Van Pham, I'm on edge about it, too.

Unknown said...

I normally have a weakness for bad guys that are actually good. So you would think Tam was my man...but there is something about Mychael - I think the fact that he is a good guy willing to do bad things (i.e. joining Raine and Tam in an ill-advised soul triangle) for a good cause, that made me totally fall for him. Team Mychael!

Nancy said...

Samantha, I think you might be the first one to point out that Mychael is a good guy willing to do bad things to protect Raine. :-)

Van Pham said...

i totally agree with you Nancy! it's very appealing to see Mychael,the good doing bad things to help out Raine and Tam :)

Nancy said...

Van Pham, I can't take credit--Samantha was the one who pointed that out. :-)

Donna MacMeans said...

Hey sorry I'm so late to the blog - been taxing it, you know. Just wanted to say that this book looks great. Love the first person perspective and I'm always a sucker for a good paranormal. I'll be watching for it.

Van Pham said...

@ Samantha: very good reason to love Mychael! Love it when a good guy goes and does bad things to help his friends ;)

Unknown said...

Lisa said:

As to the major relationship development in Bewitched & Betrayed, I think everyone -- Team Mychael, Team Tam, and yes, even Team Vegard -- will be happy with the outcome.

Now THAT is one heck of a teaser! Gotta wonder how that can happen.

*sigh* Off to the bookstore to get this series, since I have to read things in order. The TBR pile grows taller by the day. ;0)

Cassondra said...

Nancy, thanks so much for having Lisa visit with us again. This was a fantastic blog post!

Laurie G said...

After reading the two excerpts... I pick Mychael for Raine!
I did enjoy reading about your book series and both excerpts!

johnslake at usa dot com

Lisa Shearin said...

Wow! Thank you so much for all of the comments. Bewitched & Betrayed will be out and available on Tuesday, April 27. Not much longer to wait! : )

Simone said...

I'm on team Tam all the way. Mychael's scene was very firey but I like Tam because he's always playful and sexy. Mychael's always sexy but not always playful. I can't wait fro B&B!

Petra said...

LISA SAID:
Wow! Thank you so much for all of the comments. Bewitched & Betrayed will be out and available on Tuesday, April 27. Not much longer to wait! : )


Easy for you to say! lol, you already know what will happen and how. Its a monthlong nailbiter for me :P

Unknown said...

Mychael mostly b/c I think she would make his life more interesting and Tam doesn't seem to need any help in that area...

Allison said...

Raine should choose Mychael...they are more suited for one another. He's her blazing white knight. Love him!

Unknown said...

I want her to pick TAM all the way but i think im out numbered by Mychael supporters. TAM she has to pick TAM