Behind The Throne

fromRed Rose

• Author: Maggie Berkley
• Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
• Year: 2010
• Setting: Modern day Washington / the Mor'Sin'Dar Court
• Amazon Listing: Behind the Throne

Book Description

Alone, pregnant and cranky, Morgan Crowe finds herself surrounded by enemies and with no one to trust when luck finds her on the doorstep of a friend long forgotten. Taken in by the daughter of a powerful King who would rather see her dead, Morgan relies on her instincts for survival and hopes she could live through the next few months in order to give birth, and then she would be up to her normal strength and skill.

As her rotten luck would have it an enemy has found itself in her safe haven and has taken revenge, by taking her only surviving friend and causing her to come face to face with her past. Court intrigue and danger rears its ugly head as the grip on her tightens, causing her to reach out for help and learn that to trust may not be as bad as she thought. Especially when that trust comes in the form a young Werewolf met once on a rainy night that seems so long ago.

But attractions are not that simple are they? Especially when an old rival shows up and the heat between them flares. But Morgan has no time for macho games, especially when her friend’s life is in her grasp.

Excerpt

Opening her eyes with a start, Morgan Crowe leaned forward in the leather seat of her Mustang, breathing hard. She swallowed several times, trying to push the nightmare back and situate herself in the reality of the now. Once her heart beat slowed and her breathing calmed she rubbed her face with her hands then brushed her fingers through the front of her thick dark hair. Putting the car in park, she turned off the motor and leaned her head back against the headrest, closing her tired eyes.

It had been three and half months since she left Portland and her past. Three and a half long months since she had any contact with anyone she knew. Cracking her eyes open, she turned her dark head, gazing at the large gray brick house with creeping ivy along the walls before taking a moment to rub the heavy mound of her belly. The twins within were ready to come. They pushed against her back kicking her bladder every chance they had but now, thankfully, they were quiet.

Letting out a weary sigh, Morgan reached for the door handle and opened the door. After sliding out, she closed it behind her then headed up the walk, moving to the large oak door. The lights inside were on, revealing shadowy figures behind curtained windows. Raising her hand, she grasped the bronze knocker, rapped sharply three times then stood back, hoping she wasn’t making a mistake. Danu, she felt nervous, not a feeling she enjoyed.

The door opened to reveal a tall handsome man with long rich brown hair, braided back to fall to his waist, surrounding a darkly tanned face with deep liquidity brown eyes. He looked the dark haired woman up and down with a practiced eye, noting her heavy pregnancy and frowned.

“Ye might want tae go tae the hospital.” His voice was rich and Morgan recognized the lilting Irish accent right away.

Steeling herself for rejection and her eventual rise in temper, she raised a delicate eyebrow at him. “I’m here to see Vivienne. Is she here?”

The man continued to look at her then after a long stretch of silence, finally deemed to answer. “Aye, but she’s nae available right now. Ye can come back later.” He started to close the door when Morgan stuck out a hand, stopping the door from closing and pushed it back open as she stepped forward.

“I’d prefer to wait, thank you.” She stared him down until he stepped aside, making room for her to enter.

As she passed by, the scent of roses, light musk and jasmine reached his nose. He reached out a hand, grasping her shoulder and turned her to face him. Morgan’s eyes grew cold as she stared up at him, squaring her jaw as she mentally prepared herself for a fight. His dark brows gathered as he searched her face then not finding what he was looking for, released her.

“Who are ye?” He asked.

“A friend. I met Vivienne years ago and she asked me to visit. I’ve decided now was that time.” Morgan held his dark gaze with her own jade green ones, daring him to challenge her answer.

“Ye seem familiar. Have we met before?” He questioned her further, his frown deepening as his eyes narrowed, for echoes of a memory skimmed through his mind, teasing him but not allowing him to place her face. His stomach knotted as the small hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He opened his mouth to protest when she cut him off.

“I really need to sit.” Morgan smiled sweetly, revealing even white teeth as she patted her belly to emphasize the point. “We can talk about it then.” Shit, she silently groused. Just what I need, prissy Sin’dar’rin Court Sidhe. She wasn’t looking forward to this.

Dismissing any further conversation with the brown man, Morgan turned to the left, where she thought the living room would be and stopped dead in her tracks. Sittings in various areas around the room, reclining in chairs, were two more Sidhe males. She closed her eyes for a brief second, cursing to herself then opened them to study the men around her.

A long, lanky one sat spread legged in a wingback chair, with dark wrap around sunglasses covering his eyes and long midnight black hair that draped over his shoulders to reach the hardwood floor. To the left of him a giant of a man, who was built like a mountain, sat cross armed on the couch, his jewel colored eyes watching her from his scarred face. Coarse steel grey hair was pulled back tightly and the expression on his face screamed asshole. Spying the newcomer, he leaned forward, his pale eyes narrowing.

“Why are ye here, assassin?” His voice cut through the silence, grating and rough with a touch of steel, his tone enough to stiffen Morgan’s spine. “I’m a sportin’ man. I’ll give ye three seconds tae run then I’m hunting ye.”

Related Titles

• Enter the Night: Book One of the Morgan Crowe trilogy

Reviews

• "In Behind the Throne, you will find everything from a love flame coming back, new alliance being made to protect the ones you love, kidnapping, vengeance and so much more that you must read this book to better understand the life of Morgan." ~Monica, Happily Ever After Reviews 5 Stars
• "Sometimes sequels don’t live up to the wait but I can honestly say Maggie Berkley did not disappoint with Behind the Throne. Ms. Berkley has continued to build the characters who inhabit her world and make them stronger. Even as things become more and more tangled, you have to follow Morgan on her journey. I have a feeling there’s a big surprise in store for not only Morgan but the reader as well. Behind the Throne is not to be missed. I can’t wait to see how Ms. Berkley ties up all the loose ends in book three." ~Samhaim Queen, Dark Diva Reviews 5 Stars and a recommened read
• "The sequel to Enter the Night by Maggie Berkley is just as action packed and sexy as the first but taken to a whole different level. Anxiously, anticipating the conclusion to this trilogy!" ~ Sarah Dizon, Night Owl Reviews, 4.5 Stars and a Top Pick
• "In the second book of the Morgan Crowe Trilogy, Maggie Berkley reveals more mysteries from Morgan’s past. She uncovers secret allies who work behind the throne to help keep Morgan safe, and vicious enemies who will stop at nothing to see her dead. Khelvan and Morgan are forced to re-evaluate their opinions of each other so they can work together to save a Vivienne. Morgan’s children are born into a violent world. They have their own parts to play in Morgan’s story. Can Morgan rescue Vivienne, the one person who went out of her way to help her, or will her association with Morgan cost Vivienne her life?" ~Candy, Sensual Reads.Com Rated 4 Stars