Black Ties and Lullabyes (35 page)

Authors: Jane Graves

Now, I won’t give out al the details of what happens when Ty is sent by Arsinöe herself to find a human woman with the ability to root out the source of a curse that threatens to take her entire dynasty down. I wil say that Lily Quinn is a lot more than Ty bargained for, carrying secrets that have the potential to change the entire world of night. And I’m happy to tel you that it real y tugged at my heartstrings to write the story of a man who has been kicked around for so long that he is afraid to want what his heart so desperately needs. But beyond that, al you real y need to know is that DARK AWAKENING has al of my favorite ingredients: a tortured bad boy with a heart of gold, a heroine strong enough to take him on, and cats.

What? I like cats. Especial y when they turn into gorgeous immortals.

Ty and Lily’s story is the first in my DARK

DYNASTIES series, about the hotbed of intrigue and desire that is the realm of the twenty-first century vampire. If you’re up for a ride into the darkness, not to mention brooding bad boys who aren’t afraid to flash a little fang, then stick with me. I’ve got a silver-eyed hero you might like to meet….

Enjoy!

www.kendraleighcastle.com

*Musician/Activist

Contents

Front Cover Image

Welcome

Dedication

A Preview of
Heartstrings and Diamond Rings
Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31
The Dish

Also by Jane Graves

Believe in Happily Ever After in Tal Tales and Wedding Veils

ALSO BY JANE GRAVES

Hot Wheels and High Heels

Tall Tales and Wedding Veils

Believe in Happily Ever After in

TALL TALES AND WEDDING VEILS

“I can’t recommend
Tall Tales
highly enough… funny and touching with wonderful characters and great love scenes.”

—AllAboutRomance.com

“Opposites do attract in this fast-paced, diverting romantic comedy with more than its share of lively fun.”

—
Library Journal

“A fresh throwback contemporary romance between two likable characters.”

—
Midwest Book Review

“4½ Stars! A breath of pure romance, this book is a real charmer. You wil laugh, cringe, and cheer… I sure did.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“This romance novel is cute and fun.
Tall Tales and
Wedding Veils
pul s the romantic’s heartstrings.”

—JandysBooks.com

“A blast right from the start. If you like your romances fil ed with humor, heart, and a healthy dose of sexual heat, don’t miss
Tall Tales and Wedding Veils
.”

—RomRevToday.com

“You can’t help but root for these two mismatched people and hope they discover what a great couple they could be.”

—FreshFiction.com

“A romantic comedy romp, this book has fun, endearing characters… Graves writes fun, sassy, and sharp characters that may be opposites, but definitely attract!”

—
Parkersburg News and Sentinel

Buckle Up for Sexy Fun with

HOT WHEELS AND HIGH HEELS

“A delightful, funny read with a unique twist as a former trophy wife discovers herself, and true love, in the most unexpected place. A total winner!”

—SUSAN MALLERY,
New York Times
bestselling
author

“Jane Graves is a pro at blending romance and comedy…
Hot Wheels and High Heels
is a delightful story packed with heated romantic tension, colorful characters, and a fast-paced story line that keeps the reader hooked.”

—RoundtableReviews.com

“Sassy and smart!”

—SUSAN ANDERSEN,
New York Times
bestselling
author

“Absolutely hilarious! Jane Graves has done an outstanding job with this book.”

—RomanceReaderatHeart.com

“An interesting and fun novel with plenty of fascinating characters, this story starts fast and doesn’t lose momentum.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“
Hot Wheels and High Heels
draws you in, then blasts off! Fasten your seat belt for a fun, rol icking ride!”

—STEPHANIE BOND, author of the Body Movers
series

“[Jane] Graves writes with charming wit. Her characters make you smile and the situations her heroine, Darcy, faces wil make you howl with laughter… an entertaining and delightful read.”

—ArmchairInterviews.com

“Funny as can be and I had a blast reading it… it’s on my short list of best romances for 2007… a delight in any season.”

—AllAboutRomance.com

“This book is… a woman’s self-discovery while she learns what’s real y important in the world. The author does a fantastic job at her characterization of Darcy…

hilarious… The last page of this book was turned with a true sense of contentment.”

—ARomanceReview.com

“Fans wil enjoy the antics of the high-heeled Darcy as she sasses her way into the heart of stark loner John who, though he knows she is not his style, loves her spunk; so wil readers.”

—
Midwest Book Review

Copyright

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Excerpt

from
Heartstrings and Diamond Rings
copyright © 2011 by Jane Graves

Al rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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First eBook Edition: July 2011

ISBN: 978-0-446-58265-0

Table of Contents