Pardon the Mess, Writer in Progress by Jane Kindred

It’s November, which means scores of manic authors trying to write 50,000-word novels in 30 days. For some, ain’t no thang. For writers like me, it’s damn near impossible. But I have done it once, with The Prince of Tricks.

Although my current WIP was already at 10,000 words, I decided to take advantage of NaNoWriMo to try to kick my butt into gear because my deadline is looming. As I leap headlong into my latest book in the Sisters in Sin series, Kindling the Darkness, I’ve also been finishing up the revisions for Book 4, Seducing the Dark Prince.

Since a meaty blog post is beyond me at the moment, and Lucien, the dark prince, is still fresh in my mind, I thought I’d introduce you to him.

Excerpt from Seducing the Dark Prince

Like the ethereal substance his last name evoked, Lucien Smok was breathtaking—literally. The moment Theia saw him across the temple reception hall, the air rushed from her lungs as though it had been sucked into a vacuum. Pale blue eyes like pieces of ice locked on hers from beneath long lashes, dark brows in an ivory face lifted in amusement above them as if he was well aware of the effect he was having on her.

She’d seen him before somewhere. In a dream or a dark premonition. Beneath the reception hall’s Baroque quadratura-painted ceiling—invoking the blessing of the gods of Olympus—he reminded her of a painting by Waterhouse, Narcissus winking just for a moment at the viewer before returning to his reflection.

But beautiful or not, this wasn’t some breathless lust at first sight. She really couldn’t breathe.

Theia clutched at her throat and tried to make a sound, but nothing came out. Her lungs were locked in a spasm, convulsively trying to take in air against some obstruction.

Her dark-haired Narcissus crossed the reception hall in two swift strides and embraced her from behind, arms wrapped around her waist and hands clasped tight beneath her breasts, a gesture of intimacy. Vertigo swam over her, making her feel as though she were floating within herself, a lighter-than-air balloon encased in a human frame, bobbing against its edges.

He hugged her forcefully, jolting her against him, almost off the ground—once, twice, thrice.

Another spasm of her diaphragm forced what remained of the air in her lungs through her windpipe and dislodged the champagne grape she’d swallowed wrong. Such a small thing to cause so much trouble.

Air rushed in so quickly that she choked on it, gasping and coughing until tears ran down her cheeks.

“All right now?” The soft voice at her ear brought her fully back to herself. His hold around her hadn’t loosened and was decidedly more intimate than it had been when he’d been performing the Heimlich on her.

Theia realized she’d relaxed into his embrace, her arms sliding around his, and she let go with a jolt and bolted from his grasp. Though the moment had seemed epic and prolonged, none of the other guests were paying any attention.

His smile was one-sided—a slight leftward lift that combined amusement, smugness and a hint of offense. “You’re welcome.”

About Seducing the Dark Prince

He’s the man of her dreams…too bad they’re all nightmares

Lucien Smok is the heir to the Smok fortune—ostensibly made in biotechnology but secretly amassed by providing “paranormal cleanup” services since the 15th century…for a price: Lucien must collect a soul from every client. Hating the family business, Lucien secretly hunts down the unnatural beings the family has allowed to get away with murder. He’s never spared anyone with a demonic connection. That is, until he meets Theia Dawn, a clairvoyant whose power comes from demon blood.

After finding out that Lucien’s family was instrumental in the downfall of her distant ancestor who was burned at the stake, Theia takes a job at Smok Biotech to find out more about his family and what they’re really up to. She tries to ignore her growing attraction for Lucien and the suspicion that she’s seen him somewhere before. Her dreams have warned her about falling for a dark prince, and she fears Lucien is the one. But when Theia learns about Lucien’s secret rebellion against his family, she’s drawn deeper under his spell.

Lucien tries to resist the fate foretold by the Smok family legend, but he finds he can’t resist Theia. But will she save him from his fate or end up being the catalyst for the transformation that will send him straight to hell?