Michelle is one of my friends at Crescent Moon Press, and her debut book, OF A DARKER NATURE, just released on June 1st. Take a look!

Cover for Of A Darker Nature by Michelle Clay

Here’s the Blurb:

With just one touch, Emily Cross can read the memories of the deceased. Working at a funeral home might not be the logical choice, but for Emily, it is a natural one. When she and her boss are attacked, the creatures she once thought were only folklore become all too real. Just as she’s about to be drained of life, the cadaver on the next table rises to fight them off. Feeling a connection to the man who saved her life, she makes it her mission to find him. As she delves deeper, she discovers a dark underworld full of vampires, magic and shape shifters.

Marcus Dane doesn’t know how he ended up in a mortuary. As an Enforcer for the Mistress of the City, he has been following leads regarding a powerful witch who wants to exterminate his blood-clan. His fear that the witch has recruited some of his fellow Enforcers is confirmed and now it looks as though the witch will make her threats real. He counts himself lucky to escape the mortician, because someone in the mortuary business disposes of vampires who are unfortunate enough to cross his table.

When it all comes down to it, Emily now has a vampire she’s romantically entangled with, a very angry Mistress who doesn’t like other people playing with her toys, and an incredibly powerful witch who realizes killing Emily is the gateway to what she wants. By the end, Emily will have to figure out who she can trust, who she has to align with even if she doesn’t trust them, and just who has the darkest nature of all.

Excerpt:

Marcus turned his gaze up to her, eyes dark pools of midnight. The points of his fangs dimpled the tender flesh and blood welled just below the surface. Panic took over and she shoved him backward. She scooted off the counter, pulling the shirt back over her shoulders. “Things are moving way too fast. I shouldn’t have let you go that far.”

He watched her with scary, dark eyes.

“Why don’t I run to town and get you some more blood?”

He grinned, fangs in full view. “I’m more interested in yours.”

She shrieked then darted past him. A piece of glass crunched beneath her heel and sent her stumbling.

Marcus gripped her shoulders, drew her against him and pinned her against the refrigerator. He didn’t seem to notice or care that she pushed against his chest in an effort to escape.

His mouth lingered just inches from her neck. The tips of his teeth grazed her throat and his breath tickled across her skin. Fangs pinched the delicate area, forcing a low moan from her.

“Please, Marcus.” She struggled to be heard over the roaring fear in her head. “Don’t do this.”

“Why must you torment me?” His lips tickled her skin.

Emily swallowed hard, afraid to move. Marcus’s desire still pressed against her and her own swirled low in her belly. His fingers deftly unbuttoned her shorts. She was tempted to throw caution to the wind and let him ravage her. But she had no assurances that he wouldn’t bleed her dry.

His hands were at her hips, pushing the denim lower. Next, his fingers hooked her panties. She shuddered against his cool skin and held her breath. He hadn’t backed away and his mouth was still at her throat.

“Marcus?” She was afraid to move or do more than whisper. This was unfamiliar territory and she didn’t know what might set him off. Sex she could handle, but the fangs at her throat were terrifying.

He surprised her by drawing back. Doubt surfaced behind his darkened eyes, but he didn’t take his gaze from her. In a roughened voice he said, “Walk away, don’t run.”

~~~

Cool, huh? Find Michelle here…