The Eternal Gift by Candy Crum

Title: The Eternal Gift
Series: The Eternal Series Vol. 1
Author: Candy Crum
Genre: NA Paranormal Romance
Audience:  17+
Formats: Kindle/Paperback
Publisher: Candy Crum
Cover By: Megan Parker with EmCat Designs
Editor: Nathan Squiers with Literary Dark Editing
Pages: 224
ISBN-10: 061546050X
ISBN-13: 978-0615460505
ASIN: B00522J7HS
Date Published: April 11^th, 2014
 









 

 

A young girl (Kailah) discovers that she is from a lost and forgotten powerful Immortal blood line after she meets a strange new physician at work. She begins to have visions and see spirits and has trouble controlling bad things from happening when she is angry. Along the way she discovers the terrible truth about who she is and the incredible power that is locked away deep inside her. Her Immortal ancestors want to use her to destroy the vampire race. Vampires want to use her power to destroy her Immortal ancestors. But hiding in the shadows are those who have been watching her since she was born. They want to help Kailah discover who she is and help her learn to use her abilities. They simply want for her to make the right decision before it's too late. Unfortunately for them time is not on their side and the Rogue Vampires have plans for Kailah no one could have imagined.

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CHAPTER ONE (first half)

The night was cool and thick as it sheathed me in total darkness. The satin shorts and camisole that I’d gone to bed in were now damp from the moisture hanging heavily in the air. Holding my hands in front of my body, I blindly wandered around in blackness as I tried to find some kind of clue that would give me a better picture. My bare feet told me that I was standing on soft ground, the tall grass tickling my calves as I moved. It was possible that I was in a large pasture, though the clean, crisp scent of the air let me know that no large animals were near.
Thunder cracked in the distance and the ominous, coal-black clouds had even chased the moon and stars into hiding, not even the faintest glow giving away their location. It took a moment, but my mind was finally beginning to recognize this place. This was a dream world, one that I’d seen before. With every passing night, with every passing dream, I was able to travel further and further into this illusion as I tried to discover its meaning. I’d had recurring dreams before, but there was something different, disturbing about this one that seemed to speak to me. There was something that I was supposed to learn here and I needed to find it.
The wind began to pick up and I looked to the north, the same direction that I looked to every night. Lightning cascaded across the sky, illuminating the massive, empty pasture in which I stood. The momentary flash brought something to my attention that I’d never seen in the dream before. Two figures stood off in the distance, several yards between them, facing off. Even with great distance between us, I could feel the tension rolling off of them. That must be the dark, heavy feeling in the air that I’d felt: anger, hatred.
Thunder rolled again as the lightning danced across the sky. Using the display to light my path, I ran toward the figures ahead of me. As I approached, a bolt of raw, electric energy reached down from the sky and ignited the immediate area in flames. The swift turn of events stopped me short, nearly throwing me to the ground. The flames spread into a perfect circle as it surrounded both figures, blocking any further approach by me. Sharp chills cut through me from head to toe as I realized that one of them was fully controlling the blaze.
Now that I was closer, I could tell that the figures were women. One woman, maybe an inch or two over five feet tall, stood around fifty feet away, and to my right. Her long, jet-black hair reached just below her hips and whipped around in the increasing wind. As I studied her, I began to see a deep-red, transparent cloud, like an aura surrounding her. She was strong, very strong, and I could feel her overwhelming power from here.
Looking to my left, her opponent was roughly the same height; only her hair was frosty white and hung to her knees. This woman was much different. She was surrounded by an aura cloud as well, though hers was dark blue. Something about her called to me and it took everything I had not to trudge barefooted through the flames to reach her.
Rain began to fall and quickly soaked everything around us, though it was still unable to extinguish the fire. Movement brought me to attention as the white haired woman lifted her arms. The earth began to quake beneath me as it broke free all around her. She looked like a dancer as she maneuvered her body, forcing the element into submission under her power. The packed earth sailed through the air towards the dark haired woman, but she was quick to react.
In a flash, she completely disappeared from my sight, managing to dodge the attack. My eyes moved quickly as I focused to find her. My body locked up as my vision was suddenly clouded with the mysterious dark haired woman as she appeared before me, seemingly out of nowhere. Her dark, emerald green eyes and dilated coal-black pupils stared into mine, glinting in the firelight. Her raven hair seemed alive as it brushed my skin and sent tingles running through my body. Her flawless, olive-toned skin nearly glowed as she stood there, concern in her expression.
“Kailah.” As her soft, sweet voice spoke my name, I inhaled sharply. Though her mouth barely moved as she spoke my name, her perfect, white teeth showed just enough for me to make out four tiny, yet still elongated, razor sharp fangs. My heart fluttered rapidly as I wondered if this woman was the creature that she appeared to be, and if so, how did she know me and what did she want with me?
“Y-yes?” I stammered.
“This is not a dream, Kailah. It’s a warning.” She leaned in closer. “Run,” she whispered.
“Wait, what?” I asked, chills once again stabbing me like thousands of needles running from the roots of my hair to the bare, wet soles of my feet.
“Run!”
As soon as I turned to run, the dark thunder cracked overhead and the lightning began touching the ground all around me, trying to hold me where I stood. I heard a loud growl sound out from behind me, but decided not to look back. The earth began to shake again and my bare feet slid on the wet grass, the soft ground cushioning me as I fell hard on my right hip.
“Hello Kailah.” The new voice sent a shiver down my spine as I looked into the icy blue eyes of the white-haired woman.
Though her hair would have suggested otherwise, she looked no older than me: around twenty. Her skin was also olive toned and absolutely flawless, just like the other woman. Though, normally, one would look to the light as salvation and the darkness as hell, I didn’t think that was the case in this situation. Her crystalline blue eyes had death in them and I found myself backing away from her, toward the raven-haired beauty.
She laughed and the sound enveloped me like frigid water. “Kailah, you would choose the Vampire over your own grandmother?”
Before I could digest the words that she had unleashed on me, her attention shifted and the blue aura cloud surrounding her exploded into a barrier. Instinctively, my eyes closed and I threw my hand out as a large throwing knife bounced off the cloudy shield and headed for me.
“It is you!” she said with wonder.
My eyes snapped open and surrounding my hand was the same blue energy that surrounded the white-haired woman, only mine had a throwing knife buried in it. I couldn’t stop the scream that bubbled up out of my throat as the energy dissipated and the knife fell in my lap. What the hell was going on?
Her attention shifted again and with soft, graceful movements, a lightning bolt responded as it split from the sky and reached for her outstretched hand. She caught the energy easily before throwing it at her opponent. Another loud growl sounded out only a moment before something slammed hard into the barrier. That something, I realized, was the woman she had referred to as the Vampire.
Dark red energy swelled around the supposed Vampire as she pushed against the barrier of the opposing woman. “Kailah! She can find you in your dreams! Go, now!” As soon as the order left the raven-haired beauty’s lips, energy exploded from her body as the white-haired woman was thrown several feet away. “This dream is a figment of your own mind but, make no mistake, this is a premonition. You are the key to ending this war and if she finds you, it will doom all humans to a fate worse than death. Leave this realm now and prepare your mind. Your life is about to change.”
 
 

Candy Crum lives in Indiana and is the Author of “The Eternal Series” and other short stories. She published her first novel, The Eternal Gift, in May of 2011 and has been publishing ever since. Candy is an avid lover of the paranormal genre, stemming from years of reading the Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice when she was a teenager. Later, she developed a deep love of the Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead and the House of Night Series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast, furthering her love of the genre and pushing her to really push to finish and publish her novel.
Since then, Candy has released three other books in The Eternal Series and will release another later in 2014. Now, Candy is trying her hand at more contemporary pieces of work, like that of Lean on Me and other books she will release in 2014.
Some of Candy’s interests include the usual reading and writing, music (of most types), movies (action and comedy or any combination of the two), cartoons (she loves to say that her children watch cartoons because she does), and drawing. She loves talking with her fans and loves reading the reviews that her fans are kind enough to leave for her. Always feel free to find Candy on Facebook and send her a message!
 
 

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Three Day Release Blitz Schedule - The Eternal Gift: The Eternal Series Vol. 1 by Candy Crum - April 11, 12 and 13, 2014.

April 11

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Our New Generation for Reading - http://jessica13bridgers.blogspot.com/?zx=5ffc9f761ece34c6

Booky Ramblings of a Neurotic Mom -

Wanting Reed by Antoinette Candela

“Love is giving someone the power to destroy you, but trusting them not to.”

How do you live with yourself when you are the reason you lost the one thing that meant the most to you.

Timing is everything and for Reed, he can never seem to catch a break. When Reed returns to Boston to redeem himself he finds that Elle has already moved on, building a new life, a new beginning. He needs her to know that he meant every word before he left, that he never meant to leave her. Will he ever get that chance to tell her?

How do you love again when the one person who made you feel like you were his whole world left you with a broken heart? Hoping that life and new friends could keep her memories and feelings for Reed at bay, Elle chases life and all that it has to offer until she is confronted with heartbreak again.

Is time and space enough to get past losing your once in a lifetime or will Elle be always Wanting Reed?

 

    

"Best view ever.” I spin around in the direction of his smooth voice and immediately soak him in. He’s leaning against the doorjamb with one leg crossed over the other and holding his arms behind his back, looking as impeccable as ever. His shaggy brown hair is just the right length, resting at the nape of his neck, just enough for me to pull.  He's wearing a pair of deep blue warm-up pants that hang loosely on his narrow hips and a matching blue jacket unzipped at the neck with a tight, white T-shirt peeking underneath.  Reed has become more toned and defined with all the training he's been doing for NFL tryouts. I am definitely reaping the benefits of that right now. A smirk crosses his face as his piercing blue eyes scan every inch of my scantily clad body.  I know all too well what's on his mind.  His sensual eyes remain on me as he strolls toward me and pulls out a box from behind his back.

“For you." He winks, kissing me hungrily on the lips. He smells freshly showered and spicy and tastes like minty like his toothpaste.

I squint my eyes at him, taking the plain white box with a big red bow and ribbon from his hands.  After agreeing for him to pick out my Halloween costume, he's been like a little boy at a candy store.  I catch the smirk on his lips and the glimmer in his eye when I hold it in front of me.  

"What’s wrong?" He asks with a laugh.

"I'm just worried about what’s in this box."

“Don't be. Trust me.  You’ll love it as much as I do."

“Well, isn’t that reassuring?" I grin, poking him in his chest.

“No need to worry. You're going to look delicious."  The corners of his mouth turn up wickedly. "You're with me and only me."

"Oh, aren't we being a little possessive?"

“Maybe a little.” He looks down at me and plays with strands of my hair. "Speaking of a little, I need a lot. Right now,” he says, grabbing me by the waist. “Trick or Treat?” He winks.

“That all depends on what's in this mysterious white box,” I reply with a quirked eyebrow as I set the box down on the dresser. Closing the space between us, he groans in satisfaction when I rub my body against his.

“Don't worry about what's in there.  I need something sweet,” he growls, running his lips down my neck as he gently backs me up toward the bed.

"First, I get to choose what you’re going to be for Halloween." I give him a beguiling smile as I eye him up and down, imagining him in a snug-fitting gray and blue uniform. "Cop."

"Cop?" he replies, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I’ve always had a thing for men in uniform,” I whimper, placing my palms flat on his chest and sliding them down to the waist of his pants. "I have this fantasy of you frisking me and cuffing me to the bed."

“Oh fuck I'm loving this fantasy of yours," he moans. Grabbing my ass, he tightly presses me against his heat. "I can definitely make that come true for you.”

"What the charge, Officer Reed?"

"Concealed weapon and indecent exposure,” he growls into my ear as he lifts me and throws me onto the bed.  I glance at the clock and up at him as he slips off his clothes and crawls over me.  "Or should I say decent exposure?" he rasps as he deftly unclasps my bra, palming one breast while he puts his soft lips on the other.  

“Oh... baby. Do you think we have enough time?” I gasp, trying to finish my thought, but it’s futile.

"Don't worry about Tommy and Juju. They’re adults.  I’m not rushing anything right now. I want to practice, get into character. I'm going to be one bad cop, baby," he says with a grin playing across his lips.

"Are you going to book me?" I murmur innocently as his tongue skims over my lips.  

"I want to fuck you instead.  Is that all right with you?" He grins as he spreads my legs with his body, cradling himself between my thighs.

Staring into his eyes makes me want to fulfill his every desire. I will not deny him.

"Yes.” I pant. “Yes.”  My hands instinctively fist in his hair and I pull.  

"I think they call that assaulting a police officer. He says in a gravelly voice. "You can do some hard time for that."

"Hard, huh?"  I bite his lower lip, grinding my hips against his erection. "Throw the book at me, officer."

"I am doll,” he says through a smile, as he lowers his mouth around my aching nipples. He sucks and bites on one and then the other. I close my eyes, devoured by a sea of pleasure that only he can give me. "You like how that feels?”

“Yes, baby." My gasp. "Please... Reed…if you don't put your cock inside me right now, I'm going to die."

“I need to taste you first."

The mere sound of his words make me heady and causes my body to go into a frenzy. Oh, god. His declaration unleashes a torrent of need in me. My body can't wait any longer.  My next words come out in a breathy whisper.

"Whatever you want. My body is your temple."

"Good."  He smiles salaciously, trailing his hand down the length of my body. "I fucking want you so damn bad."

He blazes kisses down my body and then his wet, hot mouth devours my clit.  He circles his tongue around my folds while his fingers move in and out of me. "Fuck, you're so wet." he moans in ecstasy.  I place my hands on his head, guiding his mouth over me.  His indulgence  pushes me to the edge.  Lifting his mouth off me, he plunges his fingers deep inside me and rubs my nub with his thumb while he kisses my stomach. He moves back down, replacing his fingers with his mouth.  I can barely speak as his tongue fiercely laps over my clit again and again, increasing the friction with every stroke. There is no other feeling like it, and I scream in elation. I feel the vibration of his mouth as he groans against me while I come.  After a few minutes, he kisses his way back up to my mouth as I fist his hair in my hands and tug.

"Baby, please, I want you inside me. I want more."

He smiles and continues kissing me and ignoring my pleas. His hard cock rubs against my stomach, clearly exhibiting how much he needs me.  I need him. I lower my hand and start to stroke him, but he pulls my hands away and holds them above my head. There is nothing I can do as his cock twitches against me. I love feeling completely vulnerable with Reed.

"Believe me, baby, I'm going to give you all of me," he moans, sliding his cock across my sensitive skin.  My heart beats feverishly in my chest when I feel him enter me. My hips impulsively rock back and forth against the heat of him.  He moves up and down, allowing me to feel every inch of him thrusting deeper inside me.  

He takes one of his hands and moves my head to the side, deftly pulling my hair to kiss me and sighing into my mouth. "You feel so fucking good." His voice is filled with lust as he keeps his precise, focused rhythm, plunging inside me as I tighten around him. I mewl when he pounds deeper and harder into me, digging my nails into his shoulders as I rock my hips against him forcefully. "Does it feel good, doll?  I want to hear you say it, baby. Tell me,” he whispers into my ear. “Tell me you want me to make you come again."

"Make me come," I moan. “Please, Reed."  Every muscle in my body instantly tightens as I stare into his eyes.  My heart is pounding, and I fist his hair in my hands as he works me so good.  Pressing my legs against him as hard as I can, the orgasm rips through my body recklessly, consuming every bit of me like only he could allow.  He pants hard and continues to thrust and pound until moments later I feel him release his warmth inside me.  A groan escapes his mouth as he presses his powerful body on top of mine. He finds my lips and gently collapses next to me where we lie quietly for a couple of minutes; the only sound is our labored breathing.

"Can we try something new next time?" I finally break the silence, pushing the hair away from his eyes and pulling him closer to me so that I can reach up and kiss him again.

“Sure," he replies, kissing my shoulder.  “Whatever you want."  I close my eyes as he caresses me in all the right places.  I never realized how much my body yearns and craves his touch until tonight.

“Cuffs," I say, opening my eyes.  The guarded, dark look in his eyes sends a shiver through me. It thrills and frightens me at the same time.  I want it that way. The pleasure and pain.  

“Oh...shit. I like the sound of that,” he growls. "I'm going to use you, worship you and love you. Please, let me make you mine,” he whispers into my ear. “You trust me, baby?"

"I trust you." For some reason with everything we've been through, trusting him comes so naturally.

               

Antoinette Candela was born and raised in Upstate New York and is an avid New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys fan. She moved to Boston in her twenties and attended Northeastern University to study Business Management. As a child, she enjoyed reading and writing and penned her first story at the age of thirteen. She has always had a vivid imagination and finally decided to put her thoughts and musings down on paper.

Breaking Elle and Wanting Reed are her first self-published works with many more to come.

A few other interesting facts about Antoinette include: she is of Italian decent, has three brothers, was a tomboy growing up, plays the clarinet and dabbles with the piano. When she's not planted in front of her computer writing, she can be found at the gym, running her kids around Boston, or at the beach soaking up the rays and enjoying a good book.

    

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