Kate Hill

Kate Hill is a vegetarian New Englander with a taste for spicy romance. She has had over ninety novels and novellas in various subgenres of romance published. When she's not working on her books, Kate enjoys reading and working out.

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Northman's Passion

Erik Ice Tooth is used to getting what he wants. Undefeated in battle, no man is his match and no woman resists him, until he meets Bera, daughter of his King.

Disgusted by the hulking brute who asks for her hand in marriage, Bera adamantly refuses him, but Erik is determined to have his way. He abducts Bera, vowing to prove to her that theirs is a match made by the gods. He has many lusty tricks in store for the unsuspecting Bera. Will she be able to resist this sexy warrior?

Excerpt:

His wet, golden-tanned skin glistened and his chiseled muscles rippled as he washed. Moisture gleamed in his curling chest hair that tapered to a slender trail down the center of his sleek belly. It flared out to a wider thatch that disappeared beneath the water along with the lower half of his body. Bera felt heat rise in her face, not because of his naked state, but because she wished the water wasn't quite so deep.

It took her a moment to realize this water-slicked brother of Thor was actually Erik.

"I thought you didn't like him?" Helga whispered, a knowing grin on her thin lips.

"I told you why I felt that way," Bera replied, irritated not only at the old woman's teasing but at her own desire. The last thing she wanted was to give Erik the satisfaction of admiring him like a lovesick maiden. Unfortunately that's exactly what she'd done.

Even now he wore a smug grin. His teeth gleamed against his dark beard that was neatly groomed, complete with two long, slender braids amidst the loose, dark hair.

"I see you got my clothes," he said.

Curling her lip, Bera threw them on the muddy ground at the edge of the creek.

"Wash them like I ordered, woman," he told her.

Bera's stomach clenched with fury and something even more disturbing.

He continued, "I can stand no more of the stench. Next time I'll travel with a change of trousers so I'll be prepared when my cousin knocks me into a dung heap."

Bera wasn't sure why this revelation pleased her so much, yet she was relieved to know he wasn't as dirty as she'd thought him to be. If something could be done about his arrogance, the brute might actually appeal to her.

That was a lie. Even when she'd thought him filthy, something about him had stirred her passions.

"You should bring a change of tunic as well," Bera said, lifting her chin.

He moved closer and her heartbeat quickened. Her gaze lowered, but he paused, the water still concealing the part of him she longed to see.

"I did, but the other tunic was torn when I was moving trunks in the cargo hold," he told her.

"I'll leave you to your business," Helga said quietly and headed back up the path to the longhouse.

"No!" Bera spun toward her. "Don't go."

"Go!" Erik commanded and Helga continued on her way.

Bera started to follow her, but Erik said, "Bera, you stay. My clothes are still dirty."

She glared at him over her shoulder. "Then wash them yourself."

Turning her back to him, she strode up the path. She only managed a few steps before he pulled her against his big, wet body. She gave a shout of surprise. For a man his size, he moved with speed as well as stealth. "I'm surprised a daughter of the King is so disobedient." Erik spoke in her ear. The huskiness of his voice and the tickle of his beard sent little thrills of delight down her spine. "You have much to learn, Bera, and I'm going to enjoy teaching you."

"I can learn nothing from you except how to stink like a dung heap. Let me go!" She struggled, but he tightened his arms around her.

"I like you where you are, beautiful wench." His lips teased her earlobe and Bera resisted the urge to close her eyes. No man had ever touched her like this.

In spite of herself, she liked the feel of his body against hers. There didn't seem to be a soft part of him. He was all muscle, long limbs and damp flesh.

Praise for Handsome Bastard:

This Roman period entry will definitely appeal to lovers of this series, or to vampire fans in general, as she presents a distinctly different type of vampire in Cyprian Augustus, one who is incredibly powerful, but ethical.
~ Annie, The Romance Studio

5 Angels!
Handsome Bastard was a fast-paced and easy to read book that captivated me with its lush descriptions and sticky plot.
~ Michelle, Fallen Angel Reviews

This is a good story for vampire addicts who enjoy deeply emotional and erotic love stories.
~ Patrice Storie, Just Erotic Romance Reviews

The intriguing mind games keeps the reader guessing as to who will be the winner in this wonderful tale.
~ Cherokee, Coffee Time Romance

Cyprian is everything you've come to expect in vampires, sensual, seductive and fascinating.
~ Angel, Romance Junkies

For a great erotic filled tale of love and vampires, then Handsome Bastard by Kate Hill is the perfect read!
~ Talia Ricci, Joyfully Reviewed