*Contains spoilers for Blood Shadows and Blood Roses*

Last week I announced I’d finished writing Blood Torn. I thought I was being nice keeping you up to date. But, as happened with both the build up to Blood Shadows and Blood Roses, I was inundated with accusations of being a tease. Me? Tease? And there was me thinking you wouldn’t want me giving away too much too soon. It seems I was wrong.

But, if you are one of those who don’t want to know anything until the book lands in your lap, look away… now!

WHOSE STORY IS IT?

Blood Torn is about Jask Tao, leader of the lycans, and Phia McKay, Leila’s (Blood Roses) sister. A lycan with control issues and a human with a serious attitude problem – yep, my latest romantic coupling imploded from the outset. Banter, power struggles, flirting, insults, arguments – it’s never been a dull moment with Jask and Phia. You can see some images of my best-fit vision for the lively pair here on one of my Pinterest boards.

Jask

If you’ve read Blood Shadows, you’ll remember Caitlin Parish being taken to Jask after she escaped from Kane. He’s the no-nonsense, uncompromising head of the only lycan pack in Blackthorn – which also happens to be a minority third species compared to the vampires in that particular locale.

Jask was left reeling at the end of Blood Shadows after Kane Malloy went back on their agreement to kill the agents responsible for setting up his pack. He confronted Caitlin in one of the final scenes, warning that he’d finish the job if Kane didn’t.

You don’t see anything of Jask in Blood Roses until the final chapter when he’s led to a somewhat feisty, belligerent and bolshie human strapped to the subterranean level of some old ruins. A human he quickly works out is a serryn.

Phia

Phia, aka Sophia (Sophie to her loved ones) McKay, has been missing in Blackthorn for ten months. Although both Alisha and Leila refer to her in Blood Roses, and her links to The Alliance are mentioned, you don’t get to meet her until the last chapter of the book.

When Leila fell for Caleb in Blood Roses and consummated that love, her serrynity jumped to the next sibling in line. When you first met Sophia, she had already worked out what she is.

The Alliance, the vigilante group Phia works for, aims to bring down the underground third species ringleaders in Blackthorn. It was The Alliance who were responsible for trying to kill Jake Dehain at the beginning of Blood Roses. Suspicious their existence has been uncovered, let alone suspecting both her sisters are in Blackthorn, the last thing Sophia needs is to be sidetracked by Jask.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE STORY

• No surprise here, but yes, it’s dark. Jask and Phia’s relationship isn’t as dark as Caleb and Leila’s (let’s be honest, I think they win the monopoly on that one, him being the prophesied leader and all that), but the situations they find themselves in certainly are. Again, definitely not a story for the faint-hearted.

• You’ll get insight into the lycans. You’ll be heading into the lycan compound and seeing what goes on behind the closed doors of this clandestine community. You’ll learn more about how they got there, what’s different about Blackthorn lycans (I do like my twists on mythology as you know), let alone gain insight into their mindset. You’ll also find out more about Jask’s view on the whole TSCD scandal of Blood Shadows.

• You’ll find out more about serryns. Leila’s reticence to fulfil her destiny meant she never flourished in her serrynity. Phia isn’t quite so reluctant! Expect to see a serryn in action.

• You’ll see loads more of Blackthorn. Unlike the insular nature of the first two Blackthorn books, Blood Torn necessitates being out and about a LOT more. I’ve also delved much more deeply into Blackthorn culture as a result.

• You’ll learn more about some of the other residents. Yep, it’s not all vampires and lycans in Blackthorn. There’s another group that lurk in the shadows – and you sure wouldn’t want to meet any of these in a dark alley (book 4 anyone?).

• Expect power struggles and twists. Blackthorn wouldn’t be Blackthorn without a few power struggles here and there, so expect more of these – as well as some undercurrents building in the background. Neither would it be Blackthorn without a few twists along the way.

• Some characters are back! I’m not going to spoil it by telling you who, but do expect one of two very familiar faces to become embroiled in the storyline. For better or for worse, paths are beginning to cross.

So, am I officially no longer a tease?

Oh, and if any of these latest revelations have left you a little anxious, fear not – I have a Blackthorn Survival Guide on the way. 🙂