Marketing for Romance Writers Magazine December, 2019 Volume # 2, Issue # 12 | Page 7

LLOYD MEEKER (Cont.) BLOOD ROYAL BLURB EXCERPT Struggling artist Eva Milaras is in the midst of buying groceries when a bomb blast tears the store apart. A handsome man with mysterious powers saves her life and stuffs her into a limo without a steering wheel—while treating her like royalty. Caught in a deadly web of magic and murder, Eva faces an aristocratic destiny she didn‟t know about and doesn't want. Now in a strange world she has to survive the deadly schemes of her new-found relatives as they maneuver for advantage in a murderous royal court. Talak has loved Eva long before he saved her life, but that love is doomed. She must marry a man from a royal bloodline, and Talak is duty-bound to protect her until she marries—regardless of his torn heart. Together they battle intrigue and betrayal, only to discover they must choose between letting go of each other...or certain death for treason. A choice Eva refuses to make. “Are you talking to me?” She backed away and tilted her head at the apples. “I‟m afraid I‟ve picked through these already. Good luck finding more decent ones.” “Forgive my abruptness,” the man said, reaching to- ward her, “but you must leave this place with me immedi- ately. You are in gravest danger. Please—we must leave this instant to avoid disaster.” Suspicion chilled the spark of interest she‟d felt. “Look, I came here just for apples.” She slid one hand into her purse, locating her pepper spray. “Leave me alone, please, or I‟ll call store security.” She hoped this guy didn‟t know that Howard—the entire security staff of Budget Foods currently on duty— was in his seventies and would never be able to stand up to someone like this man, who carried himself with the smooth precision of a dancer or a martial artist. But at least Howard had a radio. The man dipped his head and upper body in an odd, twisting bow. “Milady,” he said, his voice tight and urgent. “Please, I beg you. Your life is in real danger. You must trust me in this. I will explain later, but first we must flee.” **** USA Today Review by Becky Condit: “Blood Royal is a thrilling book with twists and turns that the reader may not see coming. Mr. Meeker has cleverly built a world that has specific rules and populated it with well- drawn characters who interact in good and evil ways. I could not put this book down and read it almost non- stop because it was so thrilling.” 7