Day 7 of the 12 Days of Christmas

Zrinka Jelic lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband and two children. A member of the Romance Writers of America and its chapter Fantasy Futuristic & Paranormal, as well as Savvy Authors, she writes contemporary fiction—which leans toward the paranormal—and adds a pinch of history. Her characters come from all walks of life, and although she prefers red, romance comes in many colors. Given Jelic’s love for her native Croatia and the Adriatic Sea, her characters usually find themselves dealing with a fair amount of sunshine, but that’s about the only break they get. "Alas," Jelic says, with a grin. "Some rain must fall in everyone’s life."

Bonded By Crimson

 

 

 

 

Love isn’t in the cards for her…

After her short failed marriage, Kate tries to rebuild her life and takes a position as a nanny to three small boys. She quickly grows to love them, but their father, terrifies her, while igniting a passion she didn’t know she possessed. Disturbed by his distant manner with his sons, Kate struggles to make him more involved in the boys’ daily lives. Her efforts are mysteriously supported by an entity that cannot really exist. Or can she? And if she does exist, is she really trying to help Kate, or just take over her body?

 

But when he deals the hand, all bets are off…

Six years after his beloved wife passed away, Matthias is still trying to become the father she wanted him to be. Not an easy task for a three-centuries-old immortal. His search for the ultimate nanny ends when Kate Rokov stumbles to his home and into his arms. The immediate attraction he feels for her seems like a betrayal of his dead wife, a love he’s harboured for over three hundred years. But when Kate is stalked by a deadly stranger, life he clung to in the past begins to crumble and break down. Can Matthias learn to trust and to love again in time to save his family from disaster, or will his stubborn pride destroy everything worth living for?

 

EXCERPT

 

He claimed to be immortal, but that was ridiculous...wasn’t it?

Kate’s heart hammered. The experience seemed so real. A low moan escaped her and she bit her lip. Soon warmth surged through her, causing her body to go limp. Her legs gave way underneath her, but Matthias—or whoever this man claimed to be now—wrapped his arm around her waist. His sweet, musky scent clung to her. Ecstasy filled her and she felt as if she hovered in the air. If he intended to kill her like this, she could imagine no better way to die. A voice echoed through her mind, speaking of undying love in centuries old Croatian.

“Wake up,” he whispered close to her ear, his strong arms still locked around her.

“I don’t want to.” Her head wobbled, exuberant with sheer happiness, a kind she had never experienced before.

“You must.” He stroked her hair with tender fingers. “Wake up now.”

“No. I want to stay like this. Forever.” She focused on his handsome face staring at her through her haze.

His smooth cheek brushed against hers. “Me too, but you must wake.”

The fog lifted and his image appeared, clearly now. She blinked once. Twice. What had happened? She pushed away from him and flattened her back against the wall.

“You, you—”

“You,” he said, pointing at her, “asked for proof.”

I had many wonderful reviews on this novel, but this is where you can read my absolute favorite review of “Bonded by Crimson”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KUDOS FOR BONDED BY CRIMSON
 

Bonded By Crimson was such a heart-warming that was masterfully written.

Matthias Zrin is an immortal but he can’t remember how he got that way or what he even is. He had been married to Emina for hundreds of years. After Emina dies in childbirth with triplets. Matthias goes down hill and doesn’t want anything to do with the kids. I could tell his pain and I could completely understand how it would feel to lose the love of your life after being with them for so long.

Kate Rokov needs a job and so she decides to be a nanny for Matthias. When she gets to his house she feels like she’s been there before. She also thinks that a ghostly presents is following her. Kate is hiding some pain to and you really don’t know what it’s about. Kate starts showing the kids the love that they’ve been missing for the past six years. I can see Kate’s loving nature and tell that the children are helping with her pain.

I can’t describe how much this story touched me. I just started reading and it just pulled me in and I got lost in the story. I couldn’t wait to see what Matthias was and see how he got that way. I enjoyed watching how Kate worked her magic and brought out the best in everyone. She made Matthias start living again and he started spending time with his son’s and he started getting to know them. Each one was so different and they took up for each other.

As I read I found out that it wasn’t a book that was about romance. It had adventure and I got to visit new places. It had suspense. You wanted to know why Emina’s ghost was still around and if the man that was trying to get rid of Kate would ever be caught or would he kill her. You wanted to know the mystery around Matthias. What was he and how did he get to be an immortal.

The author did a wonderful job on the plot and it was exciting from beginning to end. I stayed on the edge of my seat just wanting to know what would happen next. I could feel the pain, love and happiness throughout the whole book. Things happened that I never saw coming. It made me yearn for a love that would last for hundreds of years. It was a book about second chances and taking the leap of faith. You just had to keep on loving through the good and bad.

I hated seeing the ending of the book. I really enjoyed the ending and was happy about it. It brought a warm feeling to my heart and I will remember this book and come back to read it again. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It brought happiness to my life and I hope that it brings happiness to yours. - Storm Goddess Book Reviews

 

 

Treasured Chest

 

 

 

 

 

The last thing Captain Sirena expected to find on a desolate island was...him!

When Carmen Ventura takes up her post as commander of the Strega, she becomes the new Captain Sirena, the legendary pirate most people think is just a myth created to scare children. Her first quest is to search for the “treasured chest” hidden by her predecessor. But before she can even begin the hunt, she runs into Marko Lucin, captain of the Levant and Carmen’s most insane adventure yet.

 

How can the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen be a bloody pirate?

Never one to pass up an adventure, especially where pretty women are concerned, Marko finds his ultimate challenge in Carmen. Not only does he fall for her courage, spunk, and intelligence, but the lady pirate can also help him get what he wants—the famous treasure everyone whispers about. His only problem—how long can he play the charming captain before she discovers his true intentions?

 

EXCERPT

 

She was ready to walk away and leave him stranded...but the man had a treasure map. What if it was real?

Sirena’s mind raced. Even with different colors hoisted, after the last night’s raid, she ran the risk that the Strega’s sails would be detected as soon as they appeared on the horizon. Her ship could not approach the city’s defensive walls. Not until all the rumors settled and no survivors would recognize them. On the other hand, she couldn’t pass through the Pila Gates as a lone woman. Last time she had spoken to her brother, he had said he’d be docking in Ragusa’s harbor on the second Sunday of August. Still two days away, but she should pay him a visit. Maybe he’d been home and had news.

“I possess a map.” The man’s voice snapped her out of her planning.

She lowered her sword, and her glance, to his feet and flicked a crab into the sea. “Charts are of no interest to me.”

“Ah.” He stroked his chin, leaving sooty fingerprints on his blond beard. “But this is not an ordinary map.” His grin exposed a row of white teeth, a rarity. “It leads to a treasure.”

“Treasure means different things to different people.” Something familiar reflected in his eyes. She stepped back. Now, where had she seen him before?

“True,” he said, “but I believe this map is real.” The same sparkle flashed in his eyes, reaffirming that flicker of recognition, but she still couldn’t place the sense of familiarity.

“What makes you so sure?”

“I’ve had it all my life.” He shrugged and gave a shy smile. “Call me a captain, but I’ve never been able to make any sense of the damn thing.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KUDOS FOR TREASURED CHEST

 

Treasured Chest is captivating and action packed. The scenes were so vivid I felt the ship’s deck rolling beneath me while shouting commands to the crew and dreaming of being thoroughly kissed by Captain Marko. Treasured Chest is an exciting story, a shelf-keeper. – JJ Keller, best-selling author of Trade Agreement

 

I liked the character development and the plot, and it is obvious that Jelic did her homework as the shipping terms, etc., appear to be very authentic. I didn’t once come across something and said, wait a minute this is supposed to be historical—as sometimes happens with historical romances. Treasured Chest is fun and entertaining and the plot has some nice twists and turns. – Taylor, reviewer

 

I found Treasured Chest to be a strong second novel for Zrinka Jelic. While I enjoyed her first book, I think Jelic’s writing is much stronger in this second book. The character development is excellent, the dialogue convincing, and the plot intriguing. – Regan, reviewer

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