Welcome to the world of the Templar knights with a twist!
CENTURIES AGO,Templar knights defied the archangels and unearthed the copper scroll, revealing the gates to hell. Cursed for their forbidden act, they forever roam the earth protecting mankind from evil. But darkness stalks them, and battles they fight bring them ever-closer to eternal damnation. One promise remains to give them salvation – the return of the seraphs.
Embittered by his purpose, Merrick du Loire must honor an ancient pact and bring peace to his cousin’s soul. When he stumbles upon history professor Anne MacPherson, he discovers she possesses a sacred artifact that marks her as a seraph. Duty demands he set aside his personal quest and locate the knight she’s fated to heal. As he struggles with conflicting oaths, Anne arouses buried hope and sparks forbidden desire that challenges everything he’s sworn to uphold.
Anne has six weeks to complete her thesis on the Knights Templar. When Merrick takes her to the Templar stronghold, he presents her with all she needs—and awakens a soul-deep ache, he alone can soothe. Yet loving Merrick comes with a price. If she admits she’s destined for him, her gift of foresight predicts his death.
Name: Anne MacPherson
Profession: Professor of History, Benedictine College
Age: 32
Height: 5’2”
Weight: 105lbs
Hi, Anne. I tell you, it’s been a chore to try and get in touch with you. I think those knights have you cloistered.
Anne: (laughing) In a way, yes. The temple is secure enough, but there are concerns about the grounds, and I can’t seem to convince Merrick that he doesn’t need to be at my side every hour of the day.
So tell us, what was it like meeting these Templar knights and entering their world? With your background were you fascinated?
Anne: Of course! My fascination got me in a lot of trouble early on. But I mean really, what could Merrick expect – I’ve spent my entire life studying the Templar and trying to prove why the Church forced the Order apart.
You mention trouble, is there anything you care to share?
Anne: Let’s just say that while the men are knights, not all of them are chivalrous. Even Merrick is firmly rooted in the 12th century – in belief and action. There’s a few I wouldn’t want to run into alone, even now.
Let me get this straight then, all the stories we’ve heard about knights in shining armor throwing cloaks on the ground for women to walk over puddles – not so much?
Anne: No, absolutely not. That’s fiction. The real world of knights and chivalry is harsh and brutal. They fight. They are warriors. Sure, they have their tender moments – Merrick hates to let his show – but they live by oaths. If someone interferes with those oaths, blood is apt to spill.
You interfered with oaths, didn’t you?
Anne: (her voice quiets and her smile fades) I interfered with several. Several more Merrick believed I interfered with.
And that became problematic, right?
Anne nods.
Is there anything you’d like to say about those problems, or how they were resolved?
Anne: No, not really. They’re better experienced first-hand.
So we should read IMMORTAL HOPE then?
Anne: Absolutely. There’s danger surrounding all of us, evil plots that threaten mankind. With our limited time, there’s no way I could sum it all up in a few sentences.
All right then. One last question – Merrick.
Anne’s eyes twinkle with mischief. “What about Merrick?”
Is he everything we expect?
Anne: I think he’ll surprise you. I know he did me. Most pleasantly.
Okay, on that note, we’ll let you get back to Temple business. Thanks again, Anne, for taking the time to talk with us today.
Anne: Of course. The next time you’re around, holler. I’ll see if I can convince the big guy to let me out of his sight.
On that note then, let’s take a peek into Anne and Merrick’s life. Here’s a glimpse of them in IMMORTAL HOPE, the first book in The Curse of the Templars.
EXCERPT:
He took a deep fortifying breath at Anne’s door. A small portion of his soul demanded he let himself inside and take the liberties he would have enjoyed had she wandered into his life nine hundred years ago. Whilst he shared the residence with many others, the simple fact remained, she resided in his house. Once he had dreamed of such a circumstance. Now the fantasy only created a bitter taste in his mouth.
Resigning himself to reality, he knocked twice upon her door.
She answered as he lifted his hand for the third, concurrent rap. Briefly, she stared, bewildered. Then, her gaze fell to his armload of supplies, and her porcelain features lit with such delight a fist clamped around Merrick’s heart.
“My things,” she murmured as he moved past her. “Oh, Merrick, you brought my radio.”
The whimsical quality of her voice, the gratitude that turned her words into music, swelled his chest. Damnation. She had turned him as soft as butter. This trial of loyalty would surely be the death of him.
He set the bags down, unwilling to look at her for fear she would see how deeply she affected him. “I brought what I thought you might desire. Should you find something missing, we shall discuss it in the morn.”
“Oh. You’re leaving again?”
His back to her, he closed his eyes. The touch of disappointment that fringed her question disturbed the accursed hollowness in his gut. “Aye.”
Before he could fully shrug off the thick straps digging into his shoulder, her hand settled against the small of his back. “I’d hoped you might stay with me for a while,” she murmured.
Her fingertips slid up his back, warming his skin. As he righted himself, she ducked under his elbow and looped her arms around his neck. Stepping in close, Anne pressed her body to his.
Everything inside Merrick coiled tight. Her warmth, the feel of her breath upon his neck, the perfume in her hair, she overwhelmed him in a heartbeat. He battled with the urge to slide his arms around her waist and draw her even closer. The longing to capture her mouth and drink from her honeyed lips assailed his senses with the force of a battering ram. Like a strangled man desperate for one gulp of fresh air, he disentangled himself from her embrace and took a step away.
He knew only one way to combat the fierce desire she awakened. “I must fight tonight.”
~Claire
Check out the book trailer for Immortal Hope: The Curse of the Templars below.
