The Secrets of Shadows by Tabetha Waite

Davien Elswood, the Duke of Blackburn, isn’t an ordinary man. Twenty years ago he was cursed with the powers of an aswang, and now he’s forced to fight the beast within. But is it only metaphorical, or in truth? He is a member of the Order of the Friars of St. Francis, a cult where men of high standing perform any number of rituals. Because of these scandalous proceedings, they must protect the truth at all costs—even if it means sacrificing one of their own. Cosette du Bouir is a poor, French orphan who spends her nights toiling as a seamstress in London while calling a dilapidated workhouse home. The only key to her past is a plain, silver locket with the cryptic inscription—To Mine … Be Mine. One fateful evening she meets the duke. He’s fearsome and intimidating, and she prays that she never sees him again. However, this encounter sparks the return of her mysterious blackouts, where a phantom voice calls out to her. Thrown together in the midst of magic and secrets, their paths intersect amid desire and chaos, until it all comes to a dramatic end. But who will be crowned the victor of this miserable fate?

Give us the one to two sentence tagline for your book.

A man cursed. The woman who holds the key to his fate.

What is your favorite scene/moment in your book?

When it’s revealed that one of his abilities is that he can fly!

How do you use magic in your book?

The hero was cursed and so he has to come up with a spell.

Would your hero enjoy pumpkin spice lattes, candy corn, or apple bobbing?

Not at all. Blood is more to his tastes.

What costume would your heroine wear to a halloween party?

A mysterious sorceress!

What scene did you adore writing in this book?

This entire book literally poured out of me. It was such fun to write. I liked the end with the big confrontation! But I won’t spoil that.

Is this book a spooky/scary PNR, or a cozy/snuggling with a monster PNR?

It’s a definite Beauty and the Beast trope with erotic elements. Very dark and sultry!

What is your favorite monster to write?

My hero was cursed as an aswang from Filipino culture, and it was definitely interesting!

If you had to pick, would you rather have fangs, claws, or wings?

Wings!

Halloween’s coming. Do you do anything special to celebrate?

I ALWAYS dress up!

“You’re welcome to read anything in my library.”

Cosette started at the deep sound of the duke’s voice, the book falling to the floor with a dull thud. “But, alas, it cannot leave this house.”

Before Cosette had time to recover, Blackburn appeared beside her. He was dressed more casually this morning, but he still appeared every bit a gentleman of his station in a pair of black trousers and shining boots. He had eschewed a jacket, his black cambric shirt covered by a dark burgundy vest.

He wasn’t wearing a cravat.

Instantly, her gaze dipped to the smooth skin on display at the base of his throat. If she closed her eyes, she might be able to smell his cologne. She started to sway forward just as he bent down and picked up Calmet’s novel. She blinked several times to gain her bearings, as he lifted a casual brow at the title.

“Do you have an interest in the paranormal, Miss du Bouir?” He said sardonically, as he handed the book to her. His dark eyes glimmered with an almost unholy light as he regarded her, before it was swiftly banked.

Instead of answering, she posed a question of her own. “Don’t you believe that there is something out there beyond our understanding?”

Again, his eyes swirled with an inner tempest, like a storm upon the sea. “If you’re asking if I believe in fairy tales, then no, I do not.” He moved past her, the air behind him charged with electricity.

Cosette put the book back in its place. Even though the duke wasn’t looking in her direction, she had the feeling that he was aware of her every movement.

Tabetha Waite began her writing journey at a young age. At nine years old, she was crafting stories of all kinds on an old Underwood typewriter. She started reading romance in high school and immediately fell in love with the genre. She gained her first publishing contract with Etopia Press and released her debut novel in July of 2016 – “Why the Earl is After the Girl,” the first book in her Ways of Love historical romance series. Since then, she has become a hybrid author, published with both Soul Mate and Radish Fiction, as well as transitioning into Indie publishing. She has won several awards for her books.
She is a small town, Missouri girl who continues to make her home in the Midwest with her husband and two wonderful daughters. When she’s not writing novels filled with adventure and heart, she is either reading, or searching the local antique mall or flea market for the latest interesting find. You can find her on most any social media site, and she encourages fans of her work to join her mailing list for updates.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bookbub | Website | Goodreads