Greetings everyone! Welcome to the last day of the Paranormal Romance Blog Tour 2016. Today, I have a sneak peek on the sequel to the Beware of Warlocks series. This new series, called Beware of Vampires, will involve the mortal friend of Catherine, Cassandra. The whole gang of folks are still hanging out in Vegas, and everyone is pairing up, even Jeff’s sister has Elvis. But Cassandra is the lone wolf. Until she meets, Rick.

Before the sneak peek, here is a listing of discounts from the authors. Thank you for stopping by this whole week. The giveaway will be open until Oct. 31. So, people stopping by during the weekend can still enjoy all the information and enter. Have a happy and safe Halloween! -Marilyn

DISCOUNTS ON BOOKS FROM THE AUTHORS:

 

1) Marilyn Vix’s Audiobook for the Beware of Warlocks Box Set

Available on Audible.com

The following excerpt is from Beware of Vampires #1: Never Date A Vampire

©Marilyn Vix, 2016

Copyright under Marilyn Vix, 2016. All rights reserved.

Catherine pulled into the Stratosphere’s valet parking. Even the valets were impressed with the car as they drove up. Jeff got out, and opened the doors so Elvis and his sister could get out. Catherine opened her door for me.
I took a moment to look up at the amazing amount of lights twinkling above my head. There is one thing to be said for Vegas, it is never dull. Besides the fact it has more lights blinging itself up than anywhere else in the world. I followed all of them into the casino entrance. The bling, bling of slot machines greeted us as we walked into the Stratosphere. I looked around at people standing by slots. We kept along the path through the casino and people sitting at tables came into view. The tables seemed enticing. I hadn’t even tried my luck at anything yet. Maybe I’d have to give it a go later.
Catherine led the group through the casino and onward toward the mall. I piped up. “Are we going shopping?”

“No. This is the way up to the best place to celebrate. We’re going to the Top of the World.”

I nodded. I trusted her after all. Elvis was walking next to me. Her turned and said, “You been in the Stratosphere yet?”

“No. I haven’t seen much of the city yet. I was staying mostly in my hotel room unless Rich took me out.”

“That’s a crime.” Elvis shook the hand of Jeff’s sister. “After this, I know a few local places I’d like to show you.”

“Do you have a name?”

“Not while in costume, babe. Just call me Elvis.” He caught people looking our direction. “It destroys the illusion I worked so hard to create.”
We got in line to go up to the top of the Stratosphere. After being frisked for security, we crowded into an elevator and got whisked to the top. Walking out, Catherine led us around to the bar that was on the viewing platform. “Drinks are on me,” she announced when we got to the bar. I smiled to the gorgeous bartender that winked back at me.

His blonde hair and defined chest drew my eye that I almost didn’t notice when he asked, “What do you want?”

“I have a tall order for you. But I think you can only give me a margarita.”

“Sure thing.” He tapped the bar and moved over to the ice bin to fill up the blender. I turned with my back to the bar to take in the view. Out before me was a view of the Strip. Small minions of society trolled along like ants below me. At my feet was all of Vegas. I knew that this was the start of something. I may be alone, but I had my dignity, and the chance to start over. It was enough.

“Here you go.” I felt the cold of a glass. The bartender bumped my elbow with my drink to get my attention. “Thanks.” I took the straw in my mouth and watched his eyes linger on me as I sucked. I licked my lips after for emphasis.

He leaned on the bar towards me. “You seem to be the one in your bunch alone.”

“Yes. It’s just me now. I just broke up with someone.” I left out the fact that it was my best friend’s ex-husband. “It’s why I need the drink.”

“This is the best town to find someone else. Even if it’s just on the rebound. Have faith in Vegas.” He moved away, and I was left with my thoughts. Maybe he was right. This was the town to get lucky in.

Filled with new hope, I sipped my margarita and tried to listen to the conversation between my friends. But my mind couldn’t focus on what they were saying. Most of it was what they were going to do together in town. I thought came to me. I wanted to try my luck downstairs after all. “Hey guys, I’m going to go to the casino and see what damage I could do at the tables.”

Catherine looked away from her conversation with Jeff. “Try blackjack. It’s the best way to beat the odds in Vegas. Have you played before?”

I nodded. “My uncle showed me the basics when I was 13. I’m guessing the game hasn’t changed that much since I learned it. He worked as a security guard in Reno. He also taught me progressive betting.”

“That sounds about right. You want me to go downstairs and keep you company?” Catherine moved a little towards me.

“No. I think I want to try my luck on my own.”

“Okay. We’ll be here when you’re done. If not here, try the restaurant on the next floor up.”
I nodded and got up. With margarita in hand, I braved my way to the elevator to face the blackjack tables. I wandered through the mall back to the casino, and headed to the tables. Scouting for an open seat, I checked out the minimums at the tables. I wanted a $5 minimum to make progressive betting work for me. As you win a hand, you increase by $5 until reaching a $25 bet, and then you go back down to $5. It was a way to win at blackjack, but you had to be patient in your play. I usually would double my money in a 1-2 hour period. Like I said, patience.

I located a table with an open seat near the front of the deal order. That’s another thing I was looking for. If you were too far down the table, someone could take your card. So, I sat between a man absorbed in the cards, and a lady decked out in her Vegas finest. You needed sunglasses to look at her with all the sparkle and flash she was wearing all over her tank top, sequined hat, and belted shorts.

I put $100 bucks on the table, and the dealer welcomed me with a smile. He didn’t make a real connection. I didn’t expect more than a nod, because too much attention would look like trouble to the pit boss. But he seemed attentive at least. I didn’t believe in true luck. It was all about the cards in the end. And it would get my mind off of being the only one not paired up.

I got into the game, deciding between the face cards and lower cards whether to hit or hold. After an hour of play, I was fairly ahead, had one free rum and coke after my finished margarita, and was getting in the playing zone when the man next to me got up and another took his place.

At first, I didn’t really look over. I was concentrating. Then, I heard his voice. It was accented, but I couldn’t place him. He sounded not from the U.S. When I took a side glance, I had to swallow. He was gorgeous. In fact, he was so good looking, I was wondering if he was going to distract me from my game. Her green eyes danced with sparkle when he looked sideways at me.

I nodded back. This should be fun. A little eye candy was going to be a welcome neighbor.

He hit his card, and got 20. I got 16 and held. The dealer went around the table until everyone was done with their hand or busted. When the dealer went to hit his cards, he got 19. I slumped when he took my bet.

“You know, you could have taken one more card and at least pushed on that hand.” His r’s rolled off his tongue. It had a vibrating feel to it. My body reacted to his voice, feeling a pulse to his tone.

I swallowed again. “Well, I was taught to hold on 16.” Okay. He was definitely distracting.

“Who taught you?” He placed his bet down. $100. Wow. I was a small time player, not placing big bets. $100 wasn’t probably the biggest bet in Vegas, but it was big for me.

“My uncle.”

He looked at me. His smile melted my insides. “Let’s see how well he taught you.”

I placed my bet, taking it back down to $5 since I’d lost.

He looked over my chips. His eyebrow went up. “Playing cautious, I see.”

“Yup.”

“You come to Vegas often?”
“Not nearly as much as I’d like. This is really the first time I’ve been here.”

“You sure don’t seem like it is. Are you trying to play coy?”

“Really. Honest. My uncle taught me, and he’s from Reno. I’ve been there a couple of times.”

“Oh, I see.” He flipped his hand for another card. He got an Ace of Clubs to go with his Queen of Hearts. The table cheered. His smile lit his face again, and my stomach turned to jello.

I turned to him with a wink. “Now, if I could just get one of those.”

“You never know. Could be your lucky night.”

I hope you enjoyed the excerpt from Never Date a Vampire: Beware of Vampires #1.

Remember, you have until Oct. 31 to enter the giveaway. The winners will be notified by email and will be posted on the blog next week.

Paranormal Romance Blog Tour 2016 Giveaway Link

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/20834f9e14/

Have a fabulous and safe Halloween! -Marilyn