Desperate Betrayal by Hildie McQueen

Cynden Fraser (Cyn) is a member of a group of immortal warriors, the Protectors, assigned to protect humans in Atlanta, Georgia, the epicenter of a major uprising in demon activity. When Cyn is approached by a beautiful woman in a dirty alley, he is intrigued by the fact that she can see him for what he is, a terrifying demon slayer, and still dares to approach him.


Emma Blake, a half-demon, has to convince Cyn to help rescue her sister from powerful demons. Terrified that the Protector will kill her if he realizes what she is, she still goes against every instinct and approaches Cyn for help. Despite knowing she is leading them both into territory so wrought with treachery, neither of them may survive.


Can Cyn and Emma overcome betrayal, the ancient rules that prevent Protectors from taking a wife, unless she is his one true mate? And if they do, will it even matter?



Excerpt

Chapter one


Shadows.


Emma Blake always felt at home in the shadows. It was where she lived, always concealing the truth from those around her.


Now as she hid in the door of the abandoned building, she couldn’t help but compare the current situation to her life. The dampness of the brick wall behind her seeped through to her skin, as she pushed further into the dark to avoid being noticed. The putrid smell of trash and urine barely registered, as she was mesmerized by the scene unfolding before her.


The scene invoked images of the endless battle forces of dark and light had been waging since the dawn of time.


Although beautiful to behold, the warrior who fought before her wasn’t exactly an angel, but he was as close to one as she would ever get. In desperate need of his help, she took a big chance sticking around; because once he caught her there were only two possibilities for her.


He’d either help her or he would kill her.


The air blew chilly on this damp, drizzly day in Atlanta, a city that for some unknown reason, in the last few years, had become a hotbed for demons. With such an influx of demons, human assaults were on the rise.


Emma continued to watch from the shelter of the doorway, as the Protector fought his aggressors. Ten huge low-level demons armed with medieval-type swords.


She tensed but didn’t flinch as a demon’s severed arm flew past her and hit the ground next to her foot with a sickening thud.


Emma had no doubt as to whom the victor would be in the end. The fluidity of the Protector’s movements and the speed of the fight enthralled her. Her gaze locked on his biceps. Muscles bulged on his right arm, as he swung his sword in a way that seemed almost effortless. Impressive, for the weapon he wielded had to weigh at least twenty pounds.


He dodged a blow and struck out with his sword to slash through one demon’s chest. A dagger flew from his left hand and found it’s target in another’s heart.



Hildie McQueen is a whirlwind who refuses to wear anything but jeans and heels.
She grew up on the San Diego/Mexico border, joined the military at seventeen and never returned. After living in Germany, Texas and Hawaii, she finally settled in the beautiful southern town of Augusta, Georgia.

Biracial, half Mexican and half African-American, Hildie’s native language is Spanish, but English is her favorite way of communicating now.

Her mission in life is to make as many people as possible to feel normal. It’s an easy thing to do, for others to feel normal around her, because she’s anything but.

To find out more about Hildie McQueen and her books, click on the links below.

Author website
Twitter
Goodreads
Facebook   


Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Published: 9/07/2011
Buy links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble
Rating: Entrée








The Protectors - Immortal males sworn to protect humanity and the innocent from demons and their ilk. Thoroughly trained in demon warfare Protectors can be recognized by their reflective eyes, intimidating auras, retractable fangs, and their devastatingly sexy appearance. Approach with caution and birth control.

As one of the Protectors assigned to Atlanta, Cynden Fraser is kept busy with the alarming increase of demon activity in the city. When Cyn encounters Emma watching him fight demons in a darkened alley, he is suspicious and attracted at the same time. He knows she’s not quite human but he can’t get a good read from her. He hears her story of her sister being held hostage by demons with no intent to get involved but when she informs him of a Protector being held there as well, the situation becomes much more urgent. Emma is keeping a secret from Cyn though, she and her sister are half demon and the only way to get her sister back is to hand over Cyn.


Hildie McQueen made the bold statement that she intends to run with the big dogs when she released this book. Outstanding! Whenever I review a new author it’s a crap shoot, sometimes it’s snake eyes, most of the time you wind up breaking even but once or twice a year you hit it big. Hildie McQueen just broke the house.  If this world she’s created with her Protectors and demons don’t beat it all then I’m just one of the biggest idiots alive because I freaking LOVED it!!! The story was tight and fast paced, the characters were extremely well developed and multi-dimensional, and the romance was steamy, sensual and very well balanced. How many times have I ranted because a character did something stupid or sleazy and got off without paying enough for it? At least a thousand, right. It’s one of my biggest gripes. Not in this book, justice is served and I enjoyed every bite. It’s all about BALANCE. And each element in this book was perfectly weighed and measured. The drama, the humor, the treachery and the heartache all expertly combined into a literary feast that I just couldn’t walk away from. I know I’m gushing but just take a look at Cyn, he’s blonde (OMG), he’s big, he has fangs and he’s an effing Scot who has adopted and raised a half demon boy. Good lord, he’s just perfect! And he has…. a BROTHER!!  Get this book and get it now. It is just too good to miss.