From New York Times Bestselling author Elisabeth Naughton, comes SURRENDER, a new novella in her House of Sin Series, brought to you by 1,001 Dark Nights! Be sure to grab your copy today!
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Elisabeth Naughton comes a new story in her House of Sin series…
The leaders of my House want her dead.
The men I’ve secretly aligned myself with want her punished for screwing up their coup.
I’ve been sent by both to deal with her, but one look at the feisty redhead and I’ve got plans of my own.
Before I carry out anyone else’s orders, she’s going to give me what I want. And only when I’m satisfied will I decide if she lives or dies.
Depending, of course, on just how easily she surrenders…
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“That’s not a text file.”
I glanced down only to realize the file had finished loading while I’d been trying to get my brain to work. “No, it’s not.”
“It’s a video file?” Her confused green eyes glanced up at me. “Of what?”
“A meeting. Between a high-ranking member of the Entente and Interpol.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh sh*t. Someone turned on the Entente? That’s not good. If the House leaders find out, he’ll be executed.”
No kidding. I leaned back against the desk but still didn’t start the video.
Her eyes grew wary. “What else is on there?”
I didn’t want to tell her but couldn’t hold back. Not now. “I’m pretty sure it’s the evidence that was being handed over to the Interpol agent. It’s graphic.”
Her face paled. “Turn it on.”
“I don’t think you should watch it.”
“I’m a licensed medical doctor. I can handle graphic. Turn it on.”
I scratched the back of my head. “Felicity—”
“Marc,” she tossed back.
I grimaced.
“Oh. I get it. Marc isn’t your real name, is it?”
I hated that hint of disappointment in her voice. I wasn’t sure why, but it gutted me. In a way I didn’t expect. “No, but it’s close.”
“How close?”
“My real name’s Marco.”
“And your last name?”
When I didn’t answer, she nodded, lips tight all over again. “You’re not gonna tell me. Fine. Whatever. Turn on the video.”
“I really don’t think—”
“I don’t care what you think. I’m going to watch this video one way or another, and if I have to steal your gun to do so, I will. I’ve got tricks up my sleeve that don’t include knives, so save us both the trouble of a knock-down, drag-out fight I’m going to win anyway, and just turn the damn thing on.”
I stared at her irritated eyes and that cute little mouth tossing out threats she could never follow through on. But instead of being annoyed or amused, I was impressed. The woman was outgunned and she knew it, but she was still fighting, still putting me in my place, still making me crazy for her in ways that scrambled my brain.
“Fine. Okay.” I pushed away from the desk. “Just know I tried to stop you.”
“Yeah, you’re a big ol’ knight in shining armor, aren’t you?”
As I moved away, she hit the play button. And after only twenty seconds she gasped, “Oh shit.”
Something in my heart went out to her as I stood behind her, watching that awful video all over again. “Now you understand why I have to destroy the damn thing.”
This is actually a prequel to the House of Sin series. Great addition and is fine to read in any order. I did enjoy it after the conclusion of the first 3 books in the series since I already had some understanding about the world building. It is full of intrigue and action and some insta-lust/love with Marco and Felicity. They are the perfect couple in this messed up world. Great hearts and genuinely good people.
Short story but actually gives another insight into the workings of the 5 Houses. Looking forward to more books in this series going forward.
*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review.
Elisabeth Naughton is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. From Elisabeth: “I was never one of those people who knew they wanted to be an author at the age of six. I didn’t have imaginary friends. I didn’t write stories in my journal or entertain my relatives by firelight after Thanksgiving dinner. For the most part, I was just a normal, everyday kid. I liked to read, but I wasn’t exceptional at it. And when my teachers complimented me on my writing abilities, I brushed them off. I did, however, always have a penchant for the unique and absurd. And as my mother told me all throughout my childhood, I should have been an actress—I was a drama queen before my time.
“Years ago, my husband bought me Scarlett: The Sequel to Gone With The Wind. If you ever saw the book, you know it’s a long one. I sat and read that thing from cover to cover, and dreamed of one day being a writer. But I didn’t actually try my hand at writing until years later when I quit my teaching job to stay home with my kids. And my husband? After that week of reading where I neglected him and everything else until I finished Scarlett, he vowed never to buy me another book again. Little did he know I’d one day end up sitting at a keyboard all day drafting my own stories.
“My writing journey has not been easy. I didn’t just sit down one day, decide I was going to write a book and voila! sell my very first attempt. As most authors will probably agree, the path to publication is filled with hours of work, pulling all-nighters I thought I’d given up in college, sacrifices, rejections, but a love I discovered along the way I just can’t live without. Instead of a big, thick book to read by lamplight (I do read much smaller ones when I get the chance), I’ve traded in my reading obsession for a laptop. And I’ve never been happier.
“I’m one of the lucky ones. I have a wonderful family and fabulous husband who put up with my writing—and obsessive personality—even when life is chaotic. More than once my kids have been late to swimming or baseball because I needed just five more minutes to finish a scene. Their support and encouragement mean the world to me. I also have amazing friends and a support network I couldn’t survive without. So to all of you out there who have encouraged me along the way, sent me emails and fan letters, phone calls and congratulations, I just want to say, thank you. You make this whole writing gig that much more enjoyable. I truly wouldn’t be here without you.”
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