ArgyleEmpire: 2015

Friday, August 21, 2015

The Shadow Teaser! by Sylvain Reynard 8/21/2015

Raven watched as William efficiently disrobed, neatly folding every article of black clothing (with the exception of underwear, which he never wore), and placing it on the vanity.

She brushed imaginary lint from her dress as he stood in front of her, naked.

He was under six feet in height, his body lean and strong. Raven took a moment to appreciate the definition of his muscled chest and abdomen, and the strong cast to his thighs. Not even a statue carved by the most talented sculptor could create a being with so much perfection.

His face put her in mind of an angel with intense, gray eyes that now looked at her expectantly.

She hid her face. “You said you loved me.”

“I did. What’s more, I meant it.”

“Love is a peculiar thing. I’ve seen it. I’ve even cheered for it. But I never believed it was for me.”

“Why shouldn’t a beautiful, fierce young woman hope for love?”

“Because, as you put it, human beings are shallow.”

“Love is deep.” His rich voice echoed in the bathroom.

“Love is having the power to destroy another person.”

William stepped closer. “Are you afraid of being destroyed?”

“Destroyed, consumed, betrayed.” She fidgeted with the neckline of her gown.

William placed his hand over hers, stilling it. “Love creates; it doesn’t destroy.”

His lips found the place where her neck met her shoulder. He kissed her leisurely, tracing the path of her bared collarbone with his mouth.

His fingers brushed her zipper. “Let me.”

He undid her dress, dropping it to the marble tiles.

Her bra followed. She was as naked as he.

His eyes roved her body appraisingly. His pale fingers caressed her cheek, her mouth, and her neck. His strong hands cupped her breasts, her abdomen, and her hips.

His gray eyes met hers.

“The power you describe is the power you have here.” He touched her forehead before moving his hand to cover her heart. “And here. It’s the power you have over me. Power I haven’t yielded to another since I was human.”

He brought his lips to her ear. “Your fears are shared.”

With a slow kiss on her neck, he led her into the shower, standing behind her underneath a tropical rainfall showerhead.

Raven closed her eyes and lifted her face, like a flower following the sun. The warm water soaked her hair and streamed down the generous curves of her body.

“I’ve never showered with another person. What happens next?” William rested his hands on her shoulders.

She wiped the water from her face.

“Whatever you want. Just don’t let me fall.”

William’s gaze dropped to her right leg, which she was favoring.

“Is the pain terrible?”

“It’s worse after I’ve been lying down. Sometimes I topple over.”

William spread his arm around her waist, drawing her back to his chest. “Then I must be sure to catch you.”

She kissed him, reaching up to run her fingers through his wet hair as the water poured down their shoulders.

Her motions were fraught with an eagerness born of love and affection and the relief of remembering she hadn’t lost him.

He was hers.

Even now, naked, with a myriad of flaws few men overlooked, he embraced her. He embraced her imperfections.

He loved her.

His cool hands scorched her skin, splaying fingers wide over her abdomen and bringing her backside into contact with what rose between his hips.

She gave him her weight and he held firm, nipping and licking at her lips before enticing her to enter his mouth.

He entertained the intrusion for a moment or two then, with a growl, he spun her around, pressing their chests together.

Raven looked up into blazing gray eyes.

“Are you certain?”

She nodded.

“I need the words, Raven. I need to know you want this.”

“I want you.”

He took her mouth, his tongue alternately penetrating and retreating in a sensual rhythm.

She tilted her head, welcoming him, as the water continued to rain down.

Hands roamed over slick skin as their lower bodies came into alignment. She touched his neck, his shoulders, his biceps, holding them tightly in an effort to remain upright.

William was not a tame lover.

In his arms, she sensed his control, his desire, and the war that waged between the two. But he’d never harmed her and had always focused his attention on giving pleasure before taking it. Usually more than once.

“You’re a dream,” she sighed. “A dream of love I never thought I’d have.”

His eyes burned into hers.

Without warning, he lifted her, tugging her thighs around his hips.

He lowered his mouth to her breasts, tasting and teasing before sucking droplets of water from her eager flesh.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling him eager between her legs.

He lifted her higher, hands beneath her backside, making sure he was correctly aligned.

“Breathe,” he commanded, his eyes boring in to hers.

Here was the vampyre, proud and powerful, teetering on the edge of control. He bared his teeth as if on instinct and his chest rumbled.

“Just don’t break me,” she whispered, pushing a lock of blond hair from his forehead.

William’s expression grew even more fierce.

“I won’t break you. Whatever harm I bring to you I vow to heal.”

He swallowed her reply with his kiss. Then with a single thrust, he entered her.

His kisses were as fierce as his movements as he pushed inside and withdrew, over and over. His grip on her backside tightened as he lifted and moved her in concert with his own motion.

Raven clung to him, her hand trailing to his lower back so she could urge him deeper.

Not that he needed the encouragement.

Her breasts brushed against his chest, the friction teasing and arousing.

She ignored the warm spray of the water, the scent of soap and William, and the nagging discomfort in her leg and ankle. Her focus was on feeling as he brought her swiftly to the brink of orgasm.

Before she could signal how close she was, she climaxed, her hand clutching his neck as she threw her head back.

William continued his pace until she’d finished, his mouth dropping to her breasts, drawing one of them into his mouth.

When she opened her eyes, she found him staring at her hungrily.

“I have only begun,” he rasped. “Breathe.”

WOW!!!! We're breathing pretty heavy in anticipation! SR, we are looking forward even more to 2016!

SR's website: www.sylvainreynard.com

SR on twitter: @sylvainreynard

SR's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSylvainReynard

The Shadow is available for pre-order at Barnes and Nobel and on Amazon and will be released on February 2, 2016!:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-shadow-sylvain-reynard/1121863842?ean=9781101616673

http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Florentine-Sylvain-Reynard/dp/0425266508/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

The Shadow isn't up on itunes yet but here is the link for The Raven: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-raven/id888019240?mt=11

And if you have not read The Prince Novella yet that introduced us to The Underworld and bridged The Gabriel Series and The Florentine Series you can find it here: itunes The Prince
Amazon The Prince

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Welcome to #TeamTerry!

One week ago, Argyle Empire and many others within our online community were devastated to learn that Terry Aisenstein (aka @TerryTheNurse), had lost her long battle with cancer.

When word began to spread of Terry’s death, our social media timelines filled with expressions of love for our dear friend. It was clear that many were saddened. It was also clear that many wanted to do something to celebrate Terry’s memory.

With that in mind, we decided to plan a fundraiser in her honor. Like the rest of us, Terry was an avid reader and so Argyle Empire began reaching out to authors within the community, requesting donations to help us launch our #TeamTerry campaign. Simply put, the response was tremendous!

Shortly before her passing, Terry expressed hope that donations could be made to

Fox Chase Cancer Center, where she had received treatment for her illness.

Additionally, some have stated their intentions to contribute to Covenant House, a charity Terry was a strong supporter of.

Having chosen these two organizations to benefit from this effort, we are overwhelmed and excited to announce that we have 9 fantastic giveaway packages to offer to participating donors.

In total, there are more than 40 items on offer from a talented and generous group of your favorite authors. All we ask of you is the following …

Donate a minimum of $10.00 to either Fox Chase Cancer Center or Covenant House in Memory of Terry Aisenstein, (if at all possible, please consider splitting your gift between both charities). Afterwards, email a copy of your receipt to us at argyleempire@gmail.com and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway will go live on June 8^th and remain open until June 19^th. It is open internationally.

While we grieve for the loss of a valuable Argyle Empire contributor and beloved friend, we take comfort in our ability to help others in celebration of her.

Please donate to two very worthy causes and join us as a proud member of #TeamTerry.

With Our Deepest Appreciation,

Cran, Cuppy, Iris and Mango

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

THE SHADOW, The Florentine Series book #2 coming...

February 2, 2016!

We are so EXCITED!!!!!!!

Goodreads

Barnes and Nobel

Indibound

Amazon.com

Bookdepository

New York Times bestselling author Sylvain Reynard presents the hotly

anticipated, intoxicating follow-up to The Raven...

Raven Wood’s vampyre prince has returned, pledging his love and promising

justice for every wrong done to her. In the wake of their reunion, Raven is faced

with a terrible decision—allow the Prince to wreak vengeance against the

demons of her past, or persuade him to stay his hand. But there is far more at

stake than Raven’s heart...

A shadow has fallen over the city of Florence. Ispettor Batelli will not rest until he

uncovers Raven’s connection to the theft of the priceless art from the Uffizi

Gallery. And while the Prince hunts a traitor who sabotages him at every turn, he

finds himself the target of the vampyres’ mortal enemy.

As he wages a war on two fronts, he will need to keep his love for Raven secret,
or risk exposing his greatest weakness...

We also want to dedicate this post to a fellow muse and freind who passed away early this morning. Terry, you will be missed!

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Happy Raventine's Day

Mango here! Happy Raventine's Day to everyone in the Empire! All the Argyle Mods wish you much love and happiness, today and always.

Our favorite author and fox, Sylvain Reynard, has a new book out. After treating us to so much of what the streets of beautiful Florence have to offer, SR now takes us to the dark side of the city, where shadowy figures of another world rule the night.

Have you read "The Raven" yet?

Raven Wood spends her days at Florence's Uffizi gallery restoring Renaissance art. But an innocent walk home after an evening with friends changes her life forever. When she intervenes in the senseless beating of a homeless man, his attackers turn on her, dragging her into an alley. Raven is only semiconscious when their assault is interrupted by a cacophony of growls followed by her attackers' screams. Mercifully, she blacks out, but not before catching a glimpse of a shadowy figure who whispers to her . . .

Cassita vulneratus.

When Raven awakes, she is inexplicably changed. Upon returning to the Uffizi, no one recognizes her. More disturbingly, she discovers that she's been absent an entire week. With no recollection of her disappearance, Raven learns that her absence coincides with one of the largest robberies in Uffizi history--the theft of a set of priceless Botticelli illustrations. When the police identify her as their prime suspect, Raven is desperate to clear her name. She seeks out one of Florence's wealthiest and most elusive men in an attempt to uncover the truth. Their encounter leads Raven to a dark underworld whose inhabitants kill to keep their secrets . . .

By the time I finished reading this book, I was having

(Note the raven tearing apart that Mango. Couldn't have said it better myself.)

This is the first book in SR's new Florentine series. We can't wait to see what's next!

Tell us your thoughts on the book: here, on Twitter, or on Facebook!

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Excerpt from "The Prince" by Sylvain Reynard on sale 1/20/15

Happy 2015 everyone! The Prince and The Raven are coming to us SOON!!!

Here are some teasers:

And here is an Excerpt from THE PRINCE by Sylvain Reynard on sale 1/20/15

In the distance, the Prince could hear voices and muffled sounds.

He approached silently, almost floating across the floor.

Desperate groans and the rustling of fabric filled his ears, along with the twin sounds of rapidly beating hearts. He could smell their scents, the aromas heightened due to their sexual arousal.

He growled in reaction.

The corridor was shrouded in darkness but the Prince could see that the professor had his wife up against a window between two statues, her legs wrapped around his waist.

Her voice was breathy as she spoke, but the Prince tuned out her words, moving closer so he could catch a glimpse of her lovely face.

At the sight of it, flushed with passion, his old heart quickened and he felt the stirrings of arousal.

It was not his custom to observe rather than participate. But on this occasion, he decided to make an exception. Careful to remain in the darkness, he moved to the wall opposite the couple.

The woman squirmed in her lover’s arms, her high heels catching on his tuxedo jacket. Her fingers flew to his neck, undoing his bow tie and tossing it carelessly to the floor.

She unbuttoned his shirt, and her mouth moved to his chest, as murmurs of pleasure escaped his lips.

The Prince felt more than desire as he watched the woman’s eager movements. He caught a glimpse of her exquisite mouth and the toss of her long hair that would no doubt feel like silk between his fingers.

She lifted her head to smile at the man who held her close and he could see love in her eyes.