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Friday, February 18, 2011

Christina Phillips: Ancient Historical Romance = Hot, Sexy Warriors

Thank you, Lee, for having me at Tote Bags ‘n Blogs today to help celebrate the release of Captive, book 2 in my ancient historical romance series, Forbidden, from Berkley Heat.

Set during the first century AD, during the early years of the Roman occupation of Britain, my Forbidden series has sexy warrior heroes and magical Druid heroines. But why did I choose a setting (ancient Wales) and time period in history that could potentially be difficult to place in the market?

Did I mention the hot sexy warriors already? :)

Well, apart from the hot sexy warrior who marched into my head one night and refused to leave until I’d told his story (thank you, Maximus!) I was fascinated by the whole mysterious culture of the Druids. These people had populated the lands for centuries, were educated and respected—and the Roman Emperor, Claudius, wanted them wiped off the face of the earth.

While there’s plenty of written and archeological evidence when it comes to the Romans, there’s not so much when it comes to the Druids. Unfortunately for us, they didn’t entrust their studies to writing and passed on their knowledge through oral traditions. The contemporary written accounts we do have of them are invariably from the Roman viewpoint—the victors—so there’s likely to be some prejudice going on there!

And so my imagination had free reign. In the world of Forbidden the Druids worship the goddess culture, live in an equilateral society and magic is an integral aspect of their daily lives.

Between a warrior and a princess comes an erotic passion as all-consuming as the hatred between their warring worlds…

In Forbidden, book 1 in the series, Maximus, a proud Roman centurion, discovers Carys spying on his bathing ritual and is instantly captivated. Who is this woman, and why hasn’t she been seen in any of the villages the Legion has vanquished?

Maximus has been charged by his Emperor to eliminate all Druids. And Carys, a Druid princess and acolyte of Cerridwen, Goddess of Wisdom, has sworn to rid her land of the barbarous invaders. Yet despite everything that conspires against them they are irresistibly drawn to each other.

Trained in sensuality, a Druid priestess finds herself falling for the wrong man—the warrior who’s taken her prisoner…

Captive begins six months after Forbidden ends. Morwyn, Carys’s best friend, is suffering from a crisis of faith and while she’s traveling to join the rebels is captured by a tough Gaul mercenary.

The hero, Bren, is haunted by his violent past and far from being Morwyn’s bitterest enemy as she imagines, has been undercover in the Roman Legions for the last three years. The problem is he can’t tell Morwyn the truth, because the truth could get them both killed.

I’d love to give away a copy of either Forbidden or Captive to one lucky commenter—open internationally wherever The Book Depository delivers. Just leave a comment on this post or answer this question – why are alpha warrior heroes so hot?

Romantic Times BOOK Review: "Phillips’ second in the Forbidden series is just as hot as its predecessor. Readers will be held Captive by the magic between Druid priestess Morwyn and Bren."

Forbidden:
Excerpt: Over 18s Only, please! http://www.christinaphillips.com/Forbidden%20Chapter%20One.htm

Captive:
Excerpt: Over 18s Only, please! http://www.christinaphillips.com/Captive%20Excerpt.htm

My Website: http://www.christinaphillips.com/

31 comments:

Camille said...

well in my case I like being dominated (in not so much of an s&m kind of way lol maybe a little but that's not what I mean!)


midnite dot fantasy at gmail dot com

Christina Phillips said...

Hi Camille! I know what you mean :-)There are some very hot alpha warriors who have that touch of dominance. Yum!!

Nas said...

Alpha heros are hot because they get things done! And in a very direct way.

Christina Phillips said...

Hi Nas! Yes that's another thing I love about the alpha warrior, he's not a procrastinator (unlike me!!!)

CrystalGB said...

Hi Christina. Your books sound great. Alpha warriors are so sexy to me because they are strong, confident men who are good protectors. You know they've got your back when times are tough.

Lil said...

The strength and protection of an alpha warrior are huge draws. And when it is paired with exposure of the gentle, tender, vunlerable side that a man in loves shows, it is irresistable.

Unknown said...

Alpha warriors are hot because they are true leaders who take control and make things happen.

jenalang@live.com

Michele L. said...

Oh yes! Macho, masculine, muscular Alpha heroes! To me I picture ripped abs and muscles, strong confidence, with a touch of compassion for the damsel in distress. Sexy but passionate!

traveler said...

Their ability to take control of any situation and maintain their composure.

Elena Gray said...

Their hot because they usually have rock hard abs, they're always in control (well when it doesn't pertain to the heroine) and they protect those weaker than them.

Estella said...

They are sexy because they are strong, protective and get things done.

Linda Henderson said...

I like the alpha heroes because they are the take charge kind of guys and you can depend on them to take care of whatever the problem is. Alpha heroes are my favorite.

seriousreader at live dot com

Christina Phillips said...

Thanks, Crystal! That's what I love about the Alpha warrior as well, his ability to protect (with a large sword, no less!!)

Christina Phillips said...

Hi Lil, there's nothing sexier than a tough Alpha warrior whose heroine is the only one to discover his tender side *happy sigh*

Christina Phillips said...

Hi Jena! Got to love a hero who knows how to get things done!!

Christina Phillips said...

Hi Michele, yes please!!! Sexy but passionate is a perfect description :-)

Christina Phillips said...

Hi traveler, yes definitely, their ability to remain calm under pressure is a huge sexy tick!!

Christina Phillips said...

Hi Cindy, I do love the rock hard abs as well :-) and I love a hero who protects those weaker than himself.

Christina Phillips said...

Hi Estella, I completely agree!!

Christina Phillips said...

Hi Linda, Alpha warriors are one of my favorite kind of heroes too!

Pam P said...

I'm also fascinated with Druids. Alphas - they jump right in and take care of things, decisive,strong and protective.

Christina Phillips said...

Hi Pam! I've always been fascinated by the Druids, I loved discovering their world through the eyes of my heroines :-)

desere_steenberg said...

Great post and the book sounds amazing ! Alpha males are hot because they are strong , supportive, a true hero till the end and just plain sexy !

All the best and thank you for the stunning contest !

Desere

Christina Phillips said...

Hi desere, thanks! I couldn't agree more - just plain sexy - Yum!!

desere_steenberg said...

Your so right !!

Dina said...

just looking at them and you know they can handle anything.

Pat Cochran said...

I've not read any of your books
as yet. Thinking of the Romans
in Britain,the Druids in Britain,
and Stonehenge in Britain, could
there be a connection involving
one or all? Just asking!

Pat Cochran

Christina Phillips said...

LOL, desere!

Christina Phillips said...

Hi Dina, I love a hero who can handle anything (especially his heroine, lol!)

Christina Phillips said...

Hi Pat, I'm fascinated by Stonehenge and the legends and myths surrounding it and the Druids. I'm not sure we'll ever know the truth of it all but I love delving into the distant past and unearthing strange and amazing bits of information!

Christina Phillips said...

Thank you to everyone who stopped by over the weekend to join in the fun! I've picked out a winner from the hat...

CrystalGB!

Crystal, please contact me at ChristinapPh @ gmail dot com (no spaces) with your details and to let me know whether you'd like a copy of FORBIDDEN or CAPTIVE.

Thanks again Lee for having me!!