When I First Saw Red
by Kasia Bacon
Blurb
Universal Link
Excerpt
A raucous ripple of laughter rang out from the wooden gallery above us, where the more pricey whores kept lodging and conducted their business. Following the source of the commotion, I looked up.Two men and a woman had just come out of a room on the mezzanine floor. Judging by the way the joke had them all in stitches, it must’ve been top-notch.The highborn couple, dressed in layers of greys and silvers as the latest fashion dictated, stood in contrast with the shirtless and barefoot whore. He sported only a pair of low-slung, undone breeches, offering the world a generous glimpse of his hips and groin.I couldn’t make out their words, but I recognised that the merry gathering held a conversation in Common Elven. It didn’t surprise me. For one, it had been the language of the nobles and courtiers since the Emperor had taken the throne thirty-odd years before.Secondly, the whore was a half-breed Elf.A closer glance at him and my mouth went dry.My shaft hardened as I drank in the sight of him— his lean figure, luminous skin and angular eyes. The pointy tips of his ears poked through a cascade of red hair. Not copper, ginger or auburn. Not mahogany. But blood red. Intricate tattoos on the sides of his face announced his Incubus heritage. Obsolete Imperial law still called for the marking of Tii-Matâshi, even though their Magic had declined through the centuries, shrinking their power to a fraction of that possessed by their demonic forefathers.The redhead’s companions waved their farewells and made for the stairs. He leant over the railing in a nonchalant pose, his sculptured arms folded on top of the barrier. There was a note of arrogance in the way he examined the crowd below and shamelessly displayed his ethereal beauty.It took a moment, but eventually his gaze fell upon me. At first, he seemed to stare through me. Then he measured me up, blatant and hostile somehow, as though ascertaining my worth, leering at me in a downright insolent manner.I couldn’t look away, turned-on and irate at the same time. Insane as it might have been, I felt the physical touch of fingers running over my body. The sensation set my flesh on fire.Perhaps the stories told about the Tii-Matâshi held a grain of truth.Next thing I knew, his mouth set into a condescending smirk. He averted his eyes and pivoted on his heel. Before he disappeared, I observed his lush hair swish to the side and cover his shoulders and back like a fiery silk cloak.The slam of his door felt very much like a slap to my face. I flinched.
Carra's Review
Kasia Bacon has just shown that not only can she completely dominate with short story and novella length fantasy romance, but she can also deliver a full length version that just as amazing as well. Ever since I first picked up The Mutt a few years ago, I have been continually impressed at her ability to pack so much story into a shorter format, so I was thrilled to find out that When I First Saw Red was going to be a full short novel. That it is one with soulmates makes it all the better!
Lázhien and Red are definitely opposites in size, personality, and attitude. You know from the moment they spot each other that Red’s dismissive reaction even as their obvious attraction sizzles between them will lead to a bumpy ride. I love that the story is told from both Lázhien’s and Red’s points of view, and that we can see how conflicted Red is from that insight.
Red did frustrate me a bit with his determination not to give in to the connection that is so evidently growing between them. That is something that frustrates me in any genre, and when it’s a character who you can see really wants what fate is bestowing upon them I just want to plead with them to let it happen. I felt that even more so here, since not only can you see it would make him happy, but it would content the demon inside him as well.
I loved this longer glimpse into a new couple based in The Order Universe here in When I First Saw Red, and thoroughly enjoyed this 5-star read. And as if that’s not enough, there was even a glimpse into the author’s next book in this universe to get me excited for more of my favorite couple ;-) If you are a fantasy romance fan and haven’t started reading this author’s works, you’re missing out on some of the best writing in the genre. This particular book can be read as a standalone (but you know I’m going to recommend checking out her other ones first!), and is meant for readers 18+…because Lázhien and Red definitely get hot and steamy!
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About the Author
A linguist and an avid reader with a particular fondness for fantasy and paranormal genres, KASIA BACON lives in London with her husband. When not tearing her hair out over a translating project, she writes stories about the shenanigans of emotionally constipated assassins and sexy Elves. Otherwise, she can be found shaking her loins at a Zumba class, binging on anime or admiring throwing knives on Pinterest. A lover of MMA and Muay Thai, she also enjoys nature and the great outdoors. She dreams of becoming independently wealthy, leaving the city and moving into her wooden mini-manor—located in the heart of stunning forests resembling those of the Elven Country depicted in her tales.
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