Marked by Love
A Zodiac Shifters Novella
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Can an alpha male earn a second chance at love?
Rogue Panthera shifter Aramond encounters a female from his past, one who etched an unstoppable ache deep in his soul. As she opens old wounds, Aramond must overcome his fears and set aside both their pasts if he is to win her heart. Danae runs a safe house, offering sanctuary to Panthera warriors in need.When Aramond, the sexy loner who’d captured her heart long ago resurfaces in her life, it will take all her will-power not to give in to the burning desire he ignites in her soul. Don’t miss this unique, sexy, second chance paranormal romance!
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Here's a little teaser for you...
“Aramond, please, remove your coat…and your shirt, so I can tend to your injuries.” Her words were tight, strained.
He did as she asked and slid the coat from his shoulders.
Her gaze flicked from his face to his chest as he gripped the edge of his T-shirt between his hands.
Primal and raw, his cat wanted to preen for her, and he forced himself to maintain his composure. With a quick tug, he ripped the material over his head. His skin screamed in protest, pain flickering over the open wounds, but it was worth it to see the look of appreciation in her eyes.
The shirt slipped to the floor. She motioned for him to sit.
He wrapped his fingers around the back of a chair and yanked. The feet scraped across the wood, echoing around the room. With a quick snap of his wrist, he flipped the chair around and straddled the seat, placing his arms along the chair’s back.
A quick intake of breath.
He peered over his shoulder.
Her brow furrowed with a worried crease. A rawness coated the back of his throat. If only she would care for him, but he was as unworthy of her now and he was then.
She took clipped strides, rushing to place her assortment of tools on the table. The tray clanked against the wood. She stood so close he could reach out and touch her.
His fingers twitched again, and he curled them into a fist.
“These are much worse than I imagined. How are you…” She pursed her lips, and he had the sudden urge to kiss them, feel the plump flesh, warm and inviting against his.
His gaze flicked to the mark on her throat. Faded, the twin scars were barely visible. He couldn’t stop the words as they tumbled from his mouth. “What happened to Dradon?”
She stiffened and her fingers tracked to the spot. “He’s dead.” She didn’t elaborate, but grabbed several cotton balls and a plastic bottle filled with a white liquid.
“That much I can discern on my own. How did he die—” He inhaled.
Gently, she pressed the wet cotton ball against his back. The astringent stung, burning along the wounds.
“The medicine will work quickly. Along with your Lemurian blood, you’ll be fine.” Her fingers, deft and nimble, worked their magic, stroking the cotton over his skin in long strokes. Despite the pain, her touch burned like fire, lighting him up on a whole different level. His inner cat purred, and he couldn’t stop the rumble in his chest.
She stilled, her hand on the small of his back. Before he could think about his actions, he flipped around in the chair, pulling her on top of him, her legs straddling his. She squealed, and her hands landed on his chest.
The plastic bottle crashed against the floor, the fluid spilling from the spout.
He wrapped one arm around her waist. With his free hand, he brushed a few stray strands of hair away from her ear and toyed with the studs along her lobe. “Time away from you seems like an eternity, but I remember your touch like it was yesterday.”
Reviews:
5 Stars - "Top Pick" by Merissa at The Romance Reviews:
MARKED BY LOVE is part of the Zodiac Shifters and also the World of Lemuria. We met Aramond in Aramie and Demir's story when we found out that he is Aramie's father, but was kicked out by her mother before he even knew she was pregnant. In this novella we learn more about his past, and exactly what happened from both sides, with Danae and Aramond in the past.
Now, I don't usually give out 5-stars for a novella. Usually, even if the story is excellent, I still end up wanting more. With MARKED BY LOVE though, I didn't get that feeling. Perhaps it is because I love the World of Lemuria and felt like I was already immersed in their world when I started reading this, I don't know. All I do know is that when I finished this novella, it felt complete. I wasn't left wanting in any way, and was left instead with a feeling of satisfaction. Danae and Aramond's story is very well told, drawing you in and making you want them to be happy.
Being exceptionally written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow that I noticed, this is a wonderful addition to both series. Absolutely recommended by me. - See more at: The Romance Reviews
5 Stars - Marie at Marie's Tempting Reads:
Marked By Love happens to be the first book I have read by Rosalie Redd. She happens to be a "new to me" author and I all I have to say is...WHY HAVEN'T I READ HER BOOKS BEFORE! Even though Marked By Love is a novella in the Zodiac Shifters series, I am immensely impressed and DEVOURED this novella in such an AMAZINGLY short amount of time because I got completely lost in the story!
This particular paranormal romance was beyond satisfying and sexy, magical, AMAZING, and an absolute well told story with such fantastic characters and a seriously fantastic plot! Danae and Aramond are wonderful characters and as a couple..THEY SIZZLED on the pages. I enjoyed the action, the passion, the lip-biting romance. Even the enemies and the descriptions of everything in between was intriguing. I could get a clear picture of the places, the pantera, the Gossum...everything and I was downright in AWE of it. It was no wonder I lost track of time and just got sucked in. I am HOOKED on Miss Redd's writing now and want to get my hands on all her previous books because she KNOWS how to weave a hell of a great story!
Marked By Love gets a SINFULLY AMAZING FIVE SHOOTING STARS! Once you pick this up, you will see why I am mooning over it and will DEMAND more books. An absolute stunner! Marie's Tempting Reads
5 stars - Debbie at Archaeolibrarian:
This is book 10 in the Zodiac Shifters series. I have not read ANY of the others, but I really want to go back and read them now! I have read the Warriors of Lemuria series, and these books tie in with those. And I loved those. But short!! So short, I wanted more, I know I always want more, but it took me less than an hour to read this one, and I needed my Lemuria fix, and I was left wanting.
I loved how Aramond and Danae's past draws them back together. How Aramond's daughter, Aramie, and Demir, Alpha to his kind play a part here. LOVE that Aramie is still putting Demir in his place! I liked Danae, and her strength, from what happened before when she was forced mated in front of her father. But I was left wanting to know what happened after that, but before that male was killed along with her father. I was left a little "tell me, tell me" shouting at the kindle!
I loved that, some 600 years later, Aramond's love for Danae had not diminished any, indeed, it had grown stronger but he didn't realize till faced with the possibility she would reject him. I love this world and the beings that inhabit it, and I really want those other books! See more at: Archaeolibrarian
5 Stars - Wanda Adams - Leather & Lace Reviews:
I was blown away by just how PAWESOME every little aspect of it is!! It's a fairly quick read, but don't let that fool you! There is plenty of story, lots of action & romance and even a couple of fights too! With the vivid, lush descriptions, I truly felt like I could see, hear & feel everything just like the characters do! Rosalie has this way of telling her story that just brings it to life around you! See more at: Leather & Lace Reviews
5 Stars - Tammy at Book Nook Nuts:
Aramond has always lived the solo life. He prefers to keep himself in battle against the Gossum. He won't join the pride as it's run by his daughter's mate. But he won't just stand on the sidelines. What is going to happen now with Danae in the picture? His heart was hardened once, but maybe he doesn't know the whole story? Fantastic story and I would recommend it if you love shifters stories with strong alpha males and even more powerful females. See more at: Book Nook Nuts
5 Stars - Sara at Nerd Girl:
Even though this wasn't a very long book, more a novella or short really, Rosalie Redd was able to make the heroine Denae so real and well-rounded, she was a real person with real conflicts. It's hard to get really good character development in short books but Rosalie Redd really did an amazing job with Denae and her love Aramond. I loved how loyal Aramond was, still wanting her after so long. I hope to read more by Rosalie Redd, she made me fall in love with Danae and Aramond! Nerd Girl
3.5 Stars - Carol Conley at InD'Tale Magazine:
Danae is finally free from her abusive husband, but the centuries of emotional scars are hard to banish when her first love unexpectedly reenters her life. Aramond is a rogue Panthera shifter. In all his long years he’s never fit in anywhere. While he yearns for the woman he couldn’t have he travels extensively, constantly hunting down their enemy, the Gossum. It’s during one such hunt that he discovers Danae and the safe house she runs for warriors. Centuries of rejection mark Aramond with doubt and centuries of abuse leave Danae wary. Will they have the courage to fight past the old pains and start fresh?
Wow! Does Ms. Redd know how to tug on heartstrings or what? Watching Danae and Aramond dance around each other is at times painful but the shifting POV (complete with inner monologue) allows one moments of hope. These two want to believe, need to believe, that they are meant for each other—if they can only break away from the past. Unfortunately, the brevity of the story hinders character and world development, leaving one with an impression that things are a tad out of focus. Returning readers may not have these same issues, but new readers will flounder a bit in the dark before gaining traction. However, the emotions spilling out across the page offset these issues. This story could be read as a standalone, but it may be better suited for those who have been with the Zodiac Shifters from the beginning. All in all, this is one satisfying read! In'Dtale Magazine July 2017 Issue