Marie Booth Character Interview
Estelle has low self-esteem when it comes to her very curvy body. But when she’s seduced, bitten and turned by the sexiest, most desirable vampire in the small town of Shortfalls, her self confidence gets a boost as her erogenous zones roar to life, becoming her favorite highway to heaven. Could un-life get any better? Seducing gorgeous Estelle had been a highlight of Nathaniel's mostly humdrum vampiric existence, despite the fact he'd lost control and bitten her. Twice. Now she's at the door, complaining of physical changes that can only mean one thing. He is now her maker and responsible for her training, a situation that might be just the thing to add some spice to their lives. Unfortunately, Maurice, the love of his life, is not as enthusiastic. When the newborn female vampire intrudes on his perfect life with Nathan, Maurice is not amused. Nathan was careless and now they'll both have to live with the consequences. Yes, the female’s body is easy to arouse and enjoy, but routines are falling by the wayside, and Nathan seems smitten for some reason. Time to take back control. The fangs are coming out and so are the cuffs. But when danger strikes their nest in the form of a rival gang, Estelle, Nathaniel, and Maurice learn they’re bound together by more than duty, sex, and blood.
This book contains adult sexual situations including menage, adult language, light BDSM and three very silly vampires.
Excerpt:
We’d just settled in, when a tall, good looking man strolled over. “Welcome to the Biteable Bride. I am Maurice, the owner.” His voice was nice to listen to, soft and kinda sexy, and he had a tiny bit of a French accent. My family and I greeted him. “And who is our bride?”
I held up a shaky hand and smiled. “Hi. I’m Estelle. The bride.”
An even taller man ambled over to join us, graceful and confident. “This is Nathaniel. He will be helping you tonight, Estelle.” Maurice placed a hand on the man’s broad shoulder, and they smiled at each other.
My eyes widened in shock. A man? I swallowed what little spit I had in my mouth, then spoke up. “I…I might be more comfortable with a woman assisting me, if you have one available.”
“I am terribly sorry, mademoiselle, but our female bridal assistants only work during daylight hours. As you see, even Genevieve has left for the day.” In unison the three of us glanced at the empty reception desk. He patted Nathaniel’s shoulder. “Nathaniel will take good care of you. Trust him. He knows exactly what you need.”
Thick dark hair, intense blue eyes glinting with mischief and a mouth curled up in an expression to match. He’d be dressing and undressing me. I stared at his hands. Large hands. He was waiting, his gaze trailing over my body.
I lifted my chin. “I’m game.”
A trio of customers enter the shop just as I am thinking about closing up. “Welcome to Ink & Magick. I’m your friendly neighborhood witch. What kind of spell can I get for you today?”
“Well, hi there, Miss. I’m Estelle. Maurice, Nathaniel, and I heard about your special shop from one of our neighbors.”
The friendly female looks me over while the two males ignore us, too busy studying the potions, herb infusions, and spell charms on my shelves. “You really a witch?” she asks. I nod. “I didn’t know witches were a thing. I thought vampires were, ya know, it as far as spooky folk.
“You three are vampires?” Of course, I know this, but it is always best to keep my observations private.
“Yep. These two have been vamps…” She glances at the blonde male, who frowns in her direction. “…vampires for over two hundred years. Since all the way back during the French Revolution. It’s only been a few months for me. I’m still in training.”
The males slide up beside her, their movements extraordinarily graceful, each one extending his hand to me in turn. “I am Maurice, mademoiselle.” Six feet, dark blonde hair, dark blue eyes, Intense gaze, French accent. Definitely the one in charge.
“Call me Nate. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Six feet three, light blue eyes, wavy dark hair, deep husky voice, killer smile. The charmer.
I file away the information as my mind sorts through protective spells. Like in every species, there are good and bad. As always, I hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
The two beautiful males seem to take up most of the room in the shop. I swallow hard to moisten my throat enough to speak. “Forgive me, but I avoid physical contact. Simply a safety precaution.” I take a step back. They smile. No sign of fangs. Yet.
Estelle frowns and moves closer, leaning toward me to whisper. “They can be a tad intense sometimes, but don’t pay them no mind. They wouldn’t hurt a fly unless it bit em.”
Estelle is the peacemaker. The anchor. The trio make perfect sense.
“It is true, mademoiselle. We are not here to do you harm.” Maurice bows slightly in an old-fashioned sign of respect. Very much a gentleman.
“How did you meet?”
Essie grasps Nate’s arm and pulls him closer to the counter. “Nate here was my bridal assistant at The Biteable Bride in Shortfalls.”
“A wedding planner?”
“No. He helped me pick out wedding gowns. Got me in and…out of them. Mostly out.” She giggles. The gazes the three exchange tell a more explicit story. “He kinda bit me accidentally, but it all worked out well in the end.” Nate bends to kiss her gently on the mouth.
“That decision is yet to be made.” Maurice’s tone is curt, but it’s obvious he’s only teasing. It’s impossible not to see the affection between them.
“You’re getting crochety in your advancing years.” Essie kisses Maurice on the cheek, and I can’t help but smile.
He pulls her close. “We’ve been somewhat lax in your training. Time to step it up.” Maurice’s hand trails down to Essie’s generous derriere.
I look away, heat rushing to my cheeks. “Was there something I can help you with?”
Estelle moves closer to the counter. “Do you have a spell or charm or something to combat sun sensitivity? See, I need to be at work during daylight hours, organizing things.”
“Will you be outside for extended periods?”
“No, I’m just running in and out of the car when it’s parked in front of the restaurant. We don’t have an underground garage at that location.”
“I believe I can help you, but the effects are temporary. You’ll have to activate the charm before each exposure.”
“That’s fine.”
Nate takes her hand. “If you insist on this, I’ll be accompanying you.”
“I don’t need—”
“We will take turns.” Maurice says in that officious tone he uses. “I will oversee the kitchen prep. It is good to keep the staff on its toes.”
“You’re the chef?”
“Oui.”
“But Maury—” Estelle tugs on his sleeve.
“No arguing.”
“You’ll need three charms, one for each of you, and a special blend of tea.”
“That will be fine. Thank you.” Maurice reaches into his suit jacket and removes his wallet.
In no time at all the transaction is finished. The trio promise to tell their friends and blood donors about my shop, then stroll into the night, hand in hand. I quickly close up, looking forward to a quiet dinner and a strong mug of tea. A vision of Maurice in his chef jacket pops into my head. Perhaps I’ll add a touch of French brandy.
A musical theatre geek and a single mom of two, Marie has spent many joy-filled hours designing complicated worlds, then creating characters who must learn how to survive in them. *Evil laugh* She also writes spicy contemporary and has just released Stroke, an erotic romance set in the world of fine art. Dying for a Bite is her first menage, but it won't be her last.