Cursed
The Vitruvian Man, book 1
Paranormal romance (sensual)
Blurb
....a cold and lonely existence....
Bruno diCesare lives in the shadows.
Alone and hidden from the world, his only joy comes but once a year---at
Carnevale. For ten days, he can blend in with the colorful, masked masses
without revealing his true nature. But this time, he is faced with fiery
temptation.
Carnevale allows Melina Weaver to be
someone else--someone sexy, daring, enticing, someone who lives on the edge.
It's a far cry from her real life, with long and boring hours spent in a
sterile lab. When her fire dancing arouses the curiosity of a dark and
compelling stranger, she might have more excitement--and danger--than she ever
imagined.
Can Bruno escape his cursed
existence? Can he protect her, and can she trust him to save them both?
Ten days. The difference between
bliss or desolation, redemption or remaining forever Cursed.
Available at
Decadent Publishing:
http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=767&osCsid=55spbi1c1g6m9c5lo8rdo7jd17
Coffee Time Romance: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookStore/pubs_product_book_info/decadent-publishing-c-93/cursed-p-9911
All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-cursed-1169369-140.html
Reviews
Night Owl Reviews - 5 stars, Top Pick
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Reviews/Angibabi4-reviews-Cursed-by-Cate-Masters
This was an exciting look into a new series, a new world really. This could end up being an amazing and very intriguing series. One that I recommend for everyone to get and watch for.
Reviewing Vixens: 4- Excellent read -
highly recommended
I really enjoyed this book. A lot like Phantom of the Opera, yet not. I
had to read this in one setting! Such great characters and what a plot! I highly recommended this book.
Staci AKA Patches - 5 STARS
Staci AKA Patches - 5 STARS
I read a lot of romance and erotic romance and I have never read a
story like this one. As he has been the cursed the hero has a problem that
would be insurmountable except that Ms. Masters has written a flawless story
that takes the impossible and makes it possible. Her imagery is so vivid you're
going to feel like you're there!
Amazon Reader review - 5 stars
This book was awesome. It was short but packed a lot in the story. I liked how the author tied the science and technology in to this story instead of just magic or the dark arts. I look forward to the next book.
The Jeep Diva - 5 stars
Cursed was a shockingly beautiful
love story! Filled with curses, lies, love, and magic!
Bruno was cursed by none other than
Leonardo Di Vinci, he liked to play with black magic and Bruno is the result of
that! Chimera shares Bruno's body! Once a year he can be with the rest of the
world. This year he meets Melani a brilliant scientist who has gone to The
carnival to take a break from her research. When they meet its love at first
touch! Will Melani love hi as ,much as he loves her?
It was a fabulously written story! I'm looking forward to the next book.
Indy Book Fairy - FOUR CHIMERA FAIRIES
http://paranormalbookfairy.blogspot.com/2013/09/cursed-spotlightreview.html
Cate
Masters does an extraordinary job of creating the scenery of Carnevale and the
sumptousness of the life that Bruno lives in his lair.
Cate Masters series starter Cursed is a unique
blend of historical facts and paranormal elements that nicely combine in an
action-packed romantic story that lays the groundwork for what promises to be a
memorable series. Though this story wraps up nicely it still leaves
plenty of questions unanswered that will have readers clamoring for more.
Words of Wisdom from the Scarf
Princess - 4 stars
The chemistry between the main characters is steamy, and Bruno lets out just enough of his animal side to make their lovemaking dangerously hot.
Bitten by Books - 3.5 tombstones
It is the first book from this author that I’ve read and I like her
style.
Confessions of a Romaholic - 3
Casting Call
Excerpt
Light danced in his dark eyes. “I must admit, your fire dancing
fascinated me. What made you choose such a dangerous skill to master?”
“The thrill of the challenge, I suppose.” It balanced the rest of her
mundane life, to a degree. Mastering each new level gave her a sense of
achievement, where work couldn’t.
Something flashed through his dark eyes. “Mistakes must be very
painful.”
“I practiced a long time before I worked up the nerve to actually light
the wands. I found the fire great incentive to focus, however.” God, her grin
must be goofy, the way he stared. Such gorgeous eyes, such a deep brown they
almost appeared black. He probably had rugged features, if his large hands
provided any indication. Too bad he wore gloves, another barrier between them.
“Yes,” he said, “I imagine so.”
“What about you? What other magic do you know?” Oh please, can you get
any more ridiculous? It sounded like a line from a bad chick flick.
The crinkle around his eyes was the only evidence of his smile, but
enough to charm her.
“Lifetimes of studying the dark arts have provided me with many tricks.”
“Lifetimes?” she blurted.
He stiffened in her arms. “Pardon?”
She watched him carefully. “You said ‘lifetimes’. Plural.” And what the
hell did he mean by ‘dark arts’?
Rigidity masked the grace of his movements. “I’m sure you’re mistaken.”
He stared over her head as they whirled to the song’s rhythm.
Mistaken my ass. How very strange. More strange that the
question upset him. He’d clammed up, and his muscles were so tense, she
expected him to bolt. Better to drop it. For now. “Must have been a slip of the
tongue.”
“Yes.” Relief sounded in his tone, though guarded.
This man had something to hide. How intriguing.
Excerpt 2
Melina should have stayed in her room. Finding him had seemed like such
incredible luck. Now she wondered whether luck had turned against her.
That sound—almost an animal sound—had that come from him? Had she imagined
it? Strange things went on during Carnevale, her online friends had said, some
so inexplicable no science could explain them. She’d laughed when they warned
her she might get in over her head.
The sheer strength of his muscles, the raw power beneath his clothes,
thrilled her. His pace conveyed the same urgency.
Pressed to his side, nerves jangling, her foot slipped on the stone
step.
In one fluid motion, he scooped her into his arms and continued hurrying
along. “Are you all right?”
“Unless embarrassment leaves a mortal wound. I’m normally not so
clumsy.” She settled against his broad chest. Such incredible stamina. An image
pierced her mind: his muscular, naked torso above her, his hips rocking against
hers. His presence overwhelmed her, and she was acutely aware of every motion,
every breath.
At the bottom of the stone stairs, he set her on her feet but maintained
his firm hold. “Dampness has a habit of lingering here. You’d best allow me to
assist you.”
“Please.” She fitted herself against him, acutely aware of the way his
body moved against hers.
“In these calle of San Samuele,” he said, “Giacomo Casanova spent his
youth.”
“Calle?” She should have brushed up on her Italian.
He dipped his head closer. “Narrow alleyways.”
“Narrow and dark. I wonder how many trysts Casanova had in these
alleys?” And Casanova had nothing on Bruno. Women probably flocked around him
constantly. Acid flashed through her at the thought.
“Too many to recount.” He paused, then added, “If one believes the
writings in his diary. His mentor, the poet Giorgio Baffe, lived just down
there.”
“Mentor?” She didn’t recall Casanova writing poetry. Did Bruno as well?
Or was he not romantic that way?
“Of a sort. The man who introduced Casanova to worldly pleasures.”
The way the last two words rolled off his tongue, so enticing. She
glanced at the dark steps that led to deeper shadows beside the canal.
She surprised herself by steering him down there, tugging him to an
abrupt halt. “Do such mentors still exist?”
He whirled her against a wall. “Why? Would you be interested?”
She let her hands wander across the contours of his chest. “You did
offer to introduce me to the delights of Venice.”
The same growl as earlier rumbled in his throat, unmistakable this time.
“You do like to play with fire, don’t you?”
And he knew how to ignite one.