Passionate Plume Finalists

Ellora's Cave authors are well represented among RWA Passionate Ink chapter's annual Passionate Plume contest for published authors. First round is judged by readers, writers, reviewers, booksellers and librarians. Congratulations and good luck to all!

Contemporary

Katie Reus - Running From the Past

When Miami socialite Emma Garcia witnesses a horrific crime, she goes on the run. In desperation, she answers an ad for a chef on a remote horse farm in the middle of nowhere, Florida. It seems like the perfect plan until she figures out what to do with her secrets. The only thing she doesn’t count on is being attracted to the rugged cowboy who owns the place. Whenever he comes around the only thing she can focus on is his seductive voice and sinful body.

Futuristic/Fantasy/Science Fiction

Dee Brice - His Virtual Assassin

What do a sexy Jovian inventor, a beautiful Venusian healer and an ambitious Marsian ambassador have in common? They all want the inventor's "veracity detector". Connor will do anything to ensure his machine is used for its intended purpose — to detect the truth. Ambassador Pushin wants Connor to modify the machine so he can use it for his own schemes. Kendra, the healer, wants to prevent another interplanetary war—even if she has to betray her healer's oath and kill the Marsian to succeed.

Mari Freeman - Birthright

A seemingly random attack by mysterious creatures in long cloaks forces Mary Hughes to face the shock of her life—she isn’t human. Well…not just human. With witch and demon blood running through her veins, she is Keena, Priestess of the Wild. As her magic emerges, Keena is thrust into the world of the Kith, a world that includes a gnome stylist, a cat guardian and a kitchen imp for a best friend. Oh and then there’s her destiny—an ancient battle of birthright with an evil half-twin she didn’t even know she had.

Denise Rossetti - Strongman

A hard-bitten mercenary who's had a gutful of mud and blood and death, Fortitude McLaren joins the Ten Nations Fair as a roustabout. Tough, cold and competent, he's shocked and angered by his hunger for Griff, a circus acrobat. Brought up in the bigoted society of the Straight Church, Fort regards manlove with casual contempt. Not for him. Never for him.

Historical

Samantha Kane - Retreat From Love

Frederick Thorne, Duke of Ashland, has been in love with Brett Haversham for years. If the only way to have him is to give him what he wants Freddy will share him, in bed and out, with the woman Brett loves. The woman who was Freddy’s first love.

Novella

Samantha Kane - A Lady In Waiting

Sylvie, Marchioness of Bartlebyrne, has been a widow for much of her adult life. The new vicar in the village is twenty-six, handsome and, his family hopes, a reformed rake. Sylvie falls under the young man's spell at first sight, but is ashamed by her desires — she's so much older than him, how can she be having all these naughty thoughts about what she wants him to do to her, and where, and how often.

Natasha Moore - Sunrise (in Jewels of the Nile II)

Caroline has been meeting Alan at sunset for months. The hot sex they’ve been enjoying started out mindless and anonymous, just the way she wanted it. Little by little, they’ve gotten to know and care for each other. Caroline fears the changes in their relationship she can’t seem to prevent.

Paranormal/Time Travel

Jennifer North - Party Vamps

Caro Connery has worked hard the last five years to make her party-planning company a success in both mortal and immortal business worlds. Now she’s secured the Stoked account, a feat that could catapult her small company into the big leagues. But the major account comes with a major catch—she must share it with her half-vamp bloodmate, Alexander King. Amidst a scorching reunion with her ex, threats from a vicious vampiress, dealing with her over-sexed satyr partner and a wedding client from hell, Caro must decide if she can trust the new and improved Alex. She decides a test is in order—and she’s got just the thing.