National Bestselling author Claire Ashgrove grew up writing. Hobby quickly turned into passion, and when she discovered the world of romance as a teen, poems and short stories gave way to full length novels with sexy heroes and heroines waiting to be swept off their feet. She wrote her first romance novel at seventeen.
While that manuscript gathered dust-bunnies beneath the bed, she went on to establish herself as a contemporary, historical, and paranormal author. Her writing, however, skirted a fine line between hot and steamy, and motivated by authors she admired, she pushed her boundaries and made the leap into erotica, using the darker side of human nature and on-the-edge suspense to drive grittier, sexier, stories.
Keep up with Claire online at her website, Facebook, as Twitter, and on GoodReads as Tori, Claire and Sophia.
Immortal Sacrifice
THE CURSE OF THE TEMPLARS Book #4
Isabelle lost her heart to Caradoc in a whirlwind affair abroad, only to be abandoned in the middle of the night. When she encounters Caradoc in Sicily three years later, her buried anger fuels desire that won’t be denied. Yet a dark shadow threatens their reunion. Azazel has discovered her greatest weakness, and her dreams promise unspeakable horrors if she fails to procure the sacred necklace.
As danger stalks her, Isabelle reveals an unbelievable secret. To save them both, Caradoc must accept her truths, even if it means turning from everything he’s sworn to uphold.
Claire Ashgrove's THE CURSE OF THE TEMPLARS series quickly became one of my favorites after I discovered it some time back. What's not to love... real history molded to fit a paranormal shell (yet with fabulous attention to detail where the history IS accurate), all melded with romance and set off by some mystery and intrigue. Fabulous!
When this book (which is actually the 5th story of the series) came out, I was upset that I couldn't start it immediately. I made time for it though, and boy am I glad that I did!
You don't get as much backstory with Immortal Sacrifice, so I highly suggest reading the books in order before jumping into this one to get its full awesome effect. For the sake of my review, I will give you some nonspoilery history to set things up...
Back when Caradoc was still mortal, he was a lord in Asterleigh. After taking his vows to become a knight - chastity, poverty, etc - he found that he was missing it too much, and that it wasn't helping his battle against the darkness that was destined to overtake him. In an effort to get closure on that part of his life and concentrate on his mission, he traveled to Europe to say goodbye to what was left of his beloved homeland and met Isabelle, a mob boss's daughter and antiquities dealer. They had a whirlwind affair in a quaint English cottage and both fell in love. Unfortunately, Caradoc knew that he could only be with the woman who was destined to be his, his Seraph, so to avoid any further heartache, he left. Without so much as a goodbye.
Fast forward 3 1/2 years into the future where Immortal Sacrifice begins... As the Templars continue their quest to obtain all of the holy relics that the dark lord Azazel could use to overthrow the Almighty, Caradoc and Isabelle run into each other once again at an antiquities auction in Sicily where The Tears of Christ, which are hidden in an exquisite flawless diamond necklace, are up for grabs, along with an urn and some other things that are made from the Cross. Both Caradoc and Isabelle are there to bid on the necklace and fireworks ensue. There's unresolved history, unfulfilled love and desire, need, determination, stubborness and more, and to make matters more interesting...secrets galore (I would love to tell you more, but I don't do spoilers. Sorry!).
Suffice it to say that the book was very well-written with a fast moving plot, side stories that will eventually segue into other Templars' tales (yes!!), and enough romance and action to keep all the different sides of us book addicts and paranormal junkies happy!
If you're looking for a fun, fresh and unique paranormal romance, this is an amazing book for it! However, again, I do suggest reading the series in order: Immortal Hope, Immortal Surrender, Immortal Protector ( a novella), Immortal Trust and Immortal Sacrifice.
Immortal Sacrifice
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