Ruby: Uncut and on the Loose
The Veil 1

Professional Reviews

5 STARS: "Have you ever read a book so crazy good that you had to re-read it immediately just so that the story wouldn't end? I know for me this has happened only a handful of times, so whenever I stumble upon a book that intense, I know how valuable it is. Prepare yourself to be addicted to RUBY: UNCUT AND ON THE LOOSE. Ruby Fontenot is a self-proclaimed cajun hermit who with her English bulldog Briggs is more than content to stay away from people and live alone. She is not your average girl. Being over 6 feet tall tends to make you an outcast in society. The male species has always made her nervous with their constant remarks and attempts in getting her into their bed. So keeping to herself has always been a necessity, especially after her father passed away. Ruby convinces herself that she is happier this way, that no one can hurt her if she is alone. Then we have Lucian Ravenswaay, a vampire who has spent decades searching for the elusive Lineage Chieftain. His loyalty to his family and The Council keeps him focused on his job as the Oculum-se, "the eye". Someone has killed off all of the other Chieftains, a powerful group who are crucial in keeping the balance between good and evil. To keep the evil Eturi group and their leader Malachi Cromwell from taking over the world, Lucian must find the last remaining Chieftain and ensure his safety. Nothing and no one will stand in the way of his mission. Not even if he stumbles upon his life mate, a rare occurrence that only happens once and is desired most by every immortal being. Everything changes when Ruby stumbles upon Julius Blue, the last Lineage Chieftain, hiding in her shed. Talk about your normal day getting seriously off course. Being attacked by a tiny geezer dressed in a loincloth was not how she pictured her end. But then, just when she was sure she was a goner, that old pygmy man had the nerve to transfer his powers into her and die in her arms. Now Ruby finds herself in a strange position -- she just became "Ruby Fontenot-Blue, the last Lineage Chieftain of the Elkfire line." This is just dandy because now, not only does she have powers she can't figure out, she just happens to be wanted by everyone in a supernatural world she had no idea even existed. Being hunted by seriously weird creatures is not her idea of fun. Overcome by the overwhelming urge to flee, Ruby must decide quickly who she can trust and who is out to capture her. Danica Avet has written this story in a way that the reader becomes suspicious of every character Ruby encounters. I was so positive when I started the book that I knew who was responsible for killing off the Chieftains, but later on, it became clear that not every shadow hiding in the dark is evil. I really enjoyed reading when Lucian discovers that the old man he was supposed to find turned out to be Ruby, the unsocial Cajun girl. It was hilarious to read the instant change in Lucian as he went from a tough intimidating vampire to a blubbering idiot. You don't encounter many male characters turning into putty the instant they set eyes on a female. The sexual tension between Ruby and Lucian instantly slaps you in the face. The harder both of these characters try to ignore what is happening to them, the stronger those strings get pulled. I am not sure if their stubborness is good or bad. Honestly if they would just go with the flow and accept their connection sooner instead of fighting it, it would've saved me from looking like I completely lost my sanity. But of course, it was that refusal of accepting fate that made these characters so unforgettable. Throughout all the turmoil and chaos of good and evil, the heart of the story is about Lucian and Ruby finding out who they really are. Can Lucian put Ruby first in his life? Does Ruby have to choose between her independence and love? I became glued to every page, desperate to find out these answers. Danica Avet has done a superb job in not only creating characters that you fall in love with, but through this story she helps you discover what life is truly all about — finding love, discovering where you belong, growing and learning from your past. I couldn't get enough of RUBY: UNCUT AND ON THE LOOSE. I absolutely LOVED it. I can honestly say that it is one of the best stories I have read in a long time. Danica Avet showed us how creative she is by building up an exciting supernatural world filled with every imaginable character. This story will have you immediately going back and re-reading it again. I definitely recommend this book to anyone and hope you enjoy it as much as I did." -- Mia, The Romance Reviews

Excerpt

STORY EXCERPT

“Stop right now, you ass,” she hissed with a good solid punch to his stomach that made him catch his breath. “Who in the hell do you think you are?”

“Your name,” he demanded when he caught his breath, dragging her into the garage. He was about to go insane. Since the moment he’d seen her, he’d needed to know her name, needed to feel her against him, needed her to understand she was going to be his.

Stopping on the other side of the door, he shut it, pulling her against him, and purred in instant relief. Just feeling her curves against his body was a balm to his soul. She fit him perfectly, her heels putting her face almost on level with his.

“Your name,” he demanded again, softer this time, breathing in her scent. She attempted to push him away, but vampire strength was still more powerful than a Chieftain’s strength any day. He set his tongue against the curl of the tattoo that had teased him in the other room.

She gasped. “Ruby! My name’s Ruby Fontenot-Blue, Ruby Blue of the Elkfire Line,” she whispered, her eyes falling closed, her neck turned to the side.

Ruby. It suited her, Lucian decided, and set his teeth to her delicate skin, not biting, but teasing. Her body tensed, her nipples hardened and pushed into his chest through the thin material of her dress and his T-shirt. He responded by growling in approval and slipping a large thigh between hers. He wanted her and he wanted her now.

“Lucian,” a voice said from far away. He ignored it. It wasn’t as important as imprinting his scent and touch upon this female. Instinct told him he needed to leave his mark on her now or she’d try to rebuff him later. Even if he couldn’t have her forever, nothing said he couldn’t have her for a little while. “Lucian, you have to let her go. The others are getting restless thinking you’re mauling her,” Kali said as she moved closer.

Ruby stiffened as the sensual haze he’d managed to cocoon her in began to unravel. She wedged her arms between them to give herself some distance. “You’re Lucian Ravenswaay,” she said hoarsely. “You’re the Oculum-se.”

Lucian nodded, his eyes heavy with desire as he studied her face up close. The symbols of her new lineage fit her bone structure as if they’d been tailor-made for her. Her lips were puffy from desire. Her tongue swept out and left a slight sheen on them. He growled.

“You were the one sent to capture me for Council?” she asked him, fear in her eyes.

For a moment, Lucian had no idea what she was talking about and then he remembered. The Councilors had decreed the only way to preserve the existence of the Lineage Chieftain was to lock away the last one. At the time, Lucian had just shrugged and done as he was told. But since this wasn’t so far from the plot he’d had concerning imprisoning Ruby on his estate, Lucian could see now how it had merit. He could keep her safe at his place and enjoy her body as long as he desired.

“I did not vote on that issue, Ruby,” he assured her, his thumb caressing her cheekbone. He was pleased by the approving light in her eyes. “I will insist upon keeping you on my estate instead. For your safety,” he added quickly when she looked upset.

* * * *

Ruby found the power to push Lucian away. She might’ve allowed him a few liberties because he was a sexy bastard, but no one was locking her up whether it was for her safety or not.

“I don’t think so, bubba,” she said with more authority than she felt. She straightened her dress and tried to ignore her hormones, which were urging her to crawl all over him. Those urges were against her nature, which made her trust them even less.

Damn, he was hot. He was wearing a black V-neck cashmere T-shirt that caressed every inch of his impressive torso, stretching with everything it had to cover him. The black cargos he was wearing did something for his backside that should’ve been illegal. For being dressed down, he still managed to look elegant. His hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail and a few strands had fallen to frame either side of his face.

It took all of her considerable will not to fan herself right then and there. Instead, she crossed her arms over her chest because the girls were still excited to see him and his eyes were glued on them, which made it very hard to have a serious conversation.

“I’m not going to be locked up anywhere. I have several perfectly safe homes left to me by my predecessor. I’ll stay at one of them,” she said firmly.

He smiled at her, his eyes soft and kind. He was surely about to piss her off. “Not even Julius stayed at any of his homes because they weren’t secure. You’re much better off on my estate, Ruby,” he said gently, stepping up and touching her hair, then tracing his callused hand over the tattoo on her face. “You will want for nothing with me,” he assured her, his eyelids heavy with sexual need and, oh boy, was her body responding.

If Kali hadn’t been watching, Ruby was afraid she might’ve lost her spine and caved in. Warmth pulsed from the mark on her shoulder. She had to choose wisely, she reminded herself. The weight of more than just her love life sat on her shoulders.

“No,” Ruby said firmly, turning her face away from his hand.

She saw the flare of anger in his green eyes. Oh, boy. She’d seen this guy in action, and he was a complete beast. In her heart, she knew he wouldn’t hurt her, but she also didn’t think he would let her just leave either.

ADULT EXCERPT

Unable to help himself with her so close, he swirled his tongue around the delicate shell of her ear, feeling her shiver slightly in his arms. Maneuvering her onto her back, he trailed his lips over her cheek until he found her lips, already parted and moist for his kiss.

The howling in his soul briefly abated as he fed on her mouth, his tongue thrusting and tasting the sweet depths. He growled, pulling her into him as he devoured her. It seemed like years since he’d tasted her, and he was suddenly starving.

She moaned softly, pushing her hands into his hair, pulling the strands down around them to form a curtain. Her touch sent a shockwave through his body, and he suddenly needed her more than he’d ever needed anything or anyone else.

Ruby never protested once as clothes were ripped, shredded, and torn away from their bodies. She just eagerly helped. Her hands were greedy and hot as they roamed over his naked skin, sending him in a frenzy of lust.

* * * *

She couldn’t get enough of him, Ruby thought desperately. Her body was on fire, her folds already saturated with arousal. Fueling her lust was her earlier victory and the skills she’d learned earlier in the day came to mind.

With a wicked smile, she flipped Lucian on his back, straddling his waist. He looked startled until he saw the flame in her eyes.

“I am going to rock your world, vampire,” Ruby whispered boldly, leaning down to press a hot, open mouthed kiss on his sexy mouth.

Their tongues dueled with no clear winner. They were both moaning in hunger by the time Ruby tore her mouth away to trail her tongue down his jaw to his throat. The bite she’d placed there so long ago was still visible, and she pressed her teeth into it lightly.

Lucian’s hips arched off the bed and his hands tangled in her hair, holding her to him. She could feel his pulse beneath her mouth, and it was so arousing she nearly sank her teeth in fully.

“God, baby,” he moaned, his hands stroking down her back to rock her against his stomach, his arousal pressing against her buttocks. “I need you so much.”

His words caused her womb to clench with lust. He leaned up, his mouth latching onto one beaded nipple, ripping a cry from her throat. She rocked against his stomach, her wetness saturating his skin.

“You’re so hot,” he whispered around her flesh, his tongue working her nipple expertly. One of his hands slid over her hip, pulling her harder into the taut muscles of his stomach. “I want you to ride me, mate,” he demanded harshly.

Nearly mindless with need, Ruby could only obey, sliding her hips further down his body until his cock was poised at the entrance of her swelling flesh. Some voice in the back of her mind told her she was playing with fire and he would demand even more from her, but her body overrode all logic.

With a cry, she impaled herself on his massive cock, her inner walls stretching to accommodate him. Once he was fully embedded in her flesh, she let out a sigh of relief. It felt right to have him as a part of her.

His hands roamed up her torso to cradle her breasts, his thumbs flicking over her taut nipples and sending a blast of sensation to her womb. She threw her head back, gasping as the reflexive clenching of her womb caused his cock to jerk inside her.

“Move, Ruby. Ride me,” he urged her, his voice a growling bass. He emphasized his words by pinching both nipples.

Ruby moaned loudly and began to rock her hips on him, his cock gently retreating and filling her to the brim over and over again. She panted, sweat gathering on her skin as Lucian stroked his hands over her, murmuring approvingly.

When one hand slipped down to where they were joined and gently plucked at her swollen clit, she cried out and began moving faster. Soon, Lucian was as lost as she, thrusting his hips up at her when she lowered her own, driving himself deeper into her body.

“Baby, ah, baby, come for me,” he rasped huskily, his fingers playing her like a piano. He thrust harder, making Ruby clutch at his shoulders to hold herself in place.

He turned his head and grabbed her wrist with his free hand, bringing her vein to his mouth. When his fangs pierced her skin and began drawing on her, Ruby bucked, a scream working its way past her tight throat as she came.

The frantic bucking of her hips and strong clenching of her inner muscles brought Lucian’s climax, which he poured into her welcoming body just as her blood rushed eagerly down his throat.