on Feb 28th, 2012 
NIGHT GAMES, Book Two in my ‘Night’ series, is out today! Here’s a peek:
Over time, the Magickals have learned to live in the company of humans and keep their extraordinary abilities a secret. But despite their vigilance, one lurks among them who will stop at nothing to obtain his dark desire. . .
A cop with the Seattle P.D., Selina Grayson is committed to both her job and her privacy. Few know that she’s a centuries’ old elf with a tragic past that continues to haunt her. Yet her body still craves the exquisite ecstasy of sex that is her birthright—and a night of complete sensual abandon is just what she needs. . .
A Special Agent with the FBI Magickal Crimes Unit, Jack Laramie is one of the few Normals who know Magickals exist. He’s wary of their power, but one touch from Selina ignites a fire within his blood. Hot with desire, he’s ready to succumb to her erotic spell. But working a serial killer case together isn’t quite as pleasurable—especially when the killer has a taste for humans like Jack. Now one wrong move could put out their heat for eternity. . .
* * * * *
EXCERPT:
“You look hot, baby.”
A low wolf-whistle pierced the air, and Selina turned away from the window she stood at, her eyebrow arching high. The sight of a woman in a long, shimmery wedding gown and a leer on her face made her snort. Chloe Standish of the wealthy, influential Standish witch family was not your average bride. Chloe’s best friend, Tess Jones, chortled as she walked out of the bathroom to join them in the big bedroom.
When Selina spoke, her tone was wry. “Thanks, you’re going to make Merek jealous.”
If anyone besides Merek had asked her to be in a wedding, she’d have laughed in his face. But the big warlock used to be her partner in the Seattle Police Department’s Magickal Task Force. The years together meant she’d developed an unfortunate weak spot for the man. Which meant she was not only attending his wedding to a high-society bride, but she was in the wedding party. And wearing a damn dress. She hadn’t worn one in at least a decade, and this thing was tight enough to count as a second skin. She had no idea how women wore shit like this on a daily basis, especially considering the high heels were killing her toes.
Uncomfortable was something of an understatement for the day. Her boss, her boss’s boss, and his boss were all at the wedding. Along with every important Magickal law enforcement officer in the city, state, and country, the mayor and several senators and congressmen who happened to be Magickals as well as elected officials. And they’d all be watching her shimmy up the aisle because the way she had to move in this get-up couldn’t be called a regular walk.
Good thing they’d never tapped her to go undercover as a hooker in a prostitution bust. She’d never have pulled it off. Then again, coy flirting had never been her forte. Either a man wanted her or he didn’t. And she wanted him back or she didn’t. End of story. No need to beat around the bush with stupid little mind games. Modern courtship was for the birds. Most of her lovers in the last few years were older Magickals like her, who’d been around the block a dozen times and didn’t want to mess about with all this love and dating crap.
Even then, it had been many months since she’d bothered with sex. Too busy with work, but she’d gone through longer dry spells before, so she didn’t worry about it. If she wanted some play, she could get it. Her hormones decided to give a sharp wail at that moment, telling her that they damn well wanted some play, even if the rest of her was wrapped up in police work.
The bride shrugged, her grin widening. “Merek knows I don’t bat for the other team. But, since he’s a guy and that’s how they are, I wouldn’t put it past him to want to watch us together.”
Selina rolled her eyes, but didn’t deny that the other woman was probably right. Men. It didn’t matter their species–Normal or Magickal–they were all the same. “That is both disturbing and typical, all at that same time.”
Turning toward a floor-length mirror, Chloe checked her make-up one last time and straightened the little pillbox hat and short veil she wore. After her parents died, the witch had lived in her Aunt Millie’s mansion in Upper Queen Anne. Selina was pretty sure the old woman had been around in the 1800s when the palatial Victorian style home had been built. Mildred Standish was a mover and shaker in the Magickal community, representing the Witch Coven on the All-Magickal Council. Everyone knew her name and her fearsome reputation.
It felt more than a little odd to be standing in the woman’s house, but everything about this day was designed to throw Selina off-kilter, so she ignored it and went to help Tess straighten the back of Chloe’s dress.
Tess’s long red hair fell forward to cover her face when she bent down. “I’m just glad Merek didn’t add me to that little fantasy.”
“Oh, he so would. Three hot chicks going at it for his entertainment? Or maybe just the two of you, since he’s probably too possessive to share me.” Chloe’s hazel eyes sparkled as her reflection met Selina’s gaze. “Men. Can’t live with them, illegal to kill them.”
“Mostly illegal.” Selina winked.
“Yeah, damn. There’s that whole having a badge thing.”
She arched an eyebrow. “It has its trade-offs for the lousy hours and bad coffee.”
And in case you haven’t already read Book One, EMBRACE THE NIGHT:
They’re the Magickal ones…vampires, werewolves, witches, and fae who dwell among humans, united by extraordinary talents and unbridled sexual powers…
Chloe Standish went looking for a one-night stand to erase the memories of her cheating ex–and found the hottest sex of her life. A witch and biochemist working on a cure for werewolves, Chloe knows all about magic, yet Merek Kingston evoked a spellbinding lust beyond anything she’d ever felt. But now her ex-boyfriend and research partner is dead, his part of the formula in terrorists’ hands…and the detective in charge is Merek, the same man who’s haunted her dreams ever since the frenzied night together.
Chloe is the one person whose future Merek can’t predict…the only woman who could make him break every rule just to posses her again. Nothing will stop him from protecting her, and an explosive passion too primal, too perfect to forget…
* * * * *
EXCERPT:
This is an unedited excerpt, it may differ slightly from the final version.
“Mmmph.” Something heavy landed on Chloe’s stomach, jerking her out of the erotic dream, the erotic memory. Her heart thundered, sweat slid down her face, and her lungs heaved in a desperate bid for air. Icy fear and hot lust warred for dominance inside her as the fantasy gave way to reality. She shuddered, her fingers balling in soft cotton sheets. Her familiar’s eyes glowed in the low lighting of the lamp she’d left on, a freakish little alien head peering down at her. Ophelia blinked, her whiskers twitching. Chloe groaned, shoved the Siamese cat off her belly, and flopped over to bury her face in the pillow. “Gods.”
How many times was she going to have that dream? How often did she have to relive that wild night? It had happened two months ago, and hardly a night had passed that she hadn’t had the dream.
Maybe she just needed to get laid. Get that night out of her system. She moaned into her pillow, squeezing her thighs together as a lingering throb of desire went through her. That was how she’d ended up having that night in the first place, by telling herself she needed to get laid, to get her cheating ex out of her system.
That had gone so well for her.
She’d gone out to Sanguine, her favorite Magickals-only private club, scoped out every species of hotty the Magickal community had to offer–elves, Fae, vampires, werewolves, warlocks–mentally debated the sexual gifts each species could bring to the table–bedroom, whatever–and then she’d seen him. After that, there’d been no contest. Chemistry was a bitch like that. She would know–she was a biochemist.
Sighing, she rolled over, kicked the sheet off of her, and forked her hands through her sweaty hair. Her body still burned, her sex aching with a need to be filled with more than just her vibrator. “Damn it.”
Dwelling on her lack of a love life since her one-night stand wouldn’t help her. And thinking about Damien-Raines-the scum-sucking-vampire who’d left her for a she-vamp he’d knocked up, which was where her shame spiral had started, wouldn’t help her disposition at all. However, the fact that his ferret familiar was probably still hexed into an ugly lampshade made her lips quirk. Vampires sucked at casting spells. Damien had just sucked, period. Too bad it had taken her so long to figure that out.
She heaved herself out of bed and played soccer with Ophelia’s sinuous body as she tried to twine herself around Chloe’s legs while she walked. Tripping, she hit the swinging door to the kitchen and almost face-planted into the floor. “Damn it, Ophelia.”
The cat sniffed, leaped up onto the counter, and flicked a delicate paw at her food bowl in an unmistakable feline demand. Chloe rolled her eyes and grumbled all the way to the cabinet that contained the outrageously expensive cat cuisine her familiar liked. Dumping the contents into the food dish, Chloe went about retrieving her own sustenance while the cat dug in.
Thirty seconds later, she had a steaming mug of coffee cradled between her palms. The first sip made her moan. “Ahhh.”
Bless the Normal human who’d invented the automatic coffeemaker. Magic did some awesome things, but sometimes Normal technology trumped all. She leaned against her counter and gazed out her kitchen window at the morning mist shrouding her Queen Anne Hill neighborhood, drifting out into downtown Seattle. The city lights were a pretty haze that streaked the skyline. Sunbeams began to pierce the fog, so she knew it would be a rare sunny day in the Emerald City. Yesterday had been wicked hot, too, but Chloe loved the brightness. She’d have to remember to go for a walk during lunch today.
Bon Jovi’s “Bad Medicine” blared from her cell phone, jolting her from her reverie, and she jogged into her living room to grab it from the charger. Her best friend, Tess’s, name popped up on the caller ID. Grinning, Chloe punched the button to answer. “Dr. Jones, I presume. What are you doing up at the ass crack of dawn this morning?”
“Still haven’t slept from last night.” A huge yawn fuzzed the phone line. “We’re short-staffed so I pulled a double. Budget cuts.”
“Ouch.”
“Tell me about it.” Tess worked as a pathologist for the FBI. The Normal side of the FBI. She was one of the most Normal humans Chloe had ever met. “I haven’t put in hours this awful since my residency.”
Along with werewolf Jaya Nemov, they’d become friends in med school, which was the only reason Chloe and Jaya had gotten close to anyone outside the Magickal community. Most Magickals didn’t bother because it was just too hard to keep people in their lives they had to constantly lie to about who and what they were.
Chloe knew she should probably ease out of her relationship with Tess, but when Jaya died during a full moon Change, it emphasized to Chloe that a good friend was hard to come by, magic or no magic. Tess might never know the truth behind Jaya’s death, but she’d still shared the loss of someone they all loved. So, Chloe kept her friend and did what she had to do to keep her secrets.
Then again, a part of her had always wondered if the reason she held on to Tess was because her long-dead mother had been a Normal. She grinned, and it wasn’t nice. Her family was almost as horrified that she had befriended a Normal as they had been when her father had married one and bred a halfling.
Another yawn sounded through the phone, recapturing Chloe’s attention. Her grin softened and she cradled the phone closer to her ear. “So, you’re calling because . . . you want to get together for dinner tonight and tell me more about the suckfest of budget cuts?”
Tess chuckled. “You’re a mind reader.”
“Sure. That’s totally a plausible explanation, Doctor.” Chloe inserted as much drawling derision into her voice as possible, and Tess laughed. Telepathy wasn’t one of Chloe’s magical skills, so it wasn’t an outright lie, it just wasn’t the whole truth. This time. A familiar twist of guilt knotted her insides, but she pushed it aside. Tess was Normal, Chloe was Magickal; there was nothing she could do about the need to prevaricate. “How about you meet me here around seven?”
“Perfect. See ya. I’m hitting the hay now.” The call was punctuated with one final yawn from Tess before both women disconnected.
Chloe went to drop the phone in her purse and saw she’d missed a call about an hour before. There was a voicemail message waiting for her. She hadn’t heard the phone ring, but then, why would her subconscious want her to wake up from a steamy episode of her regularly scheduled Merek-dream?
She shoved a hand through her disheveled hair and pushed the reminder of her one-night warlock out of her mind. Flipping her cell over to speakerphone, she accessed her voicemail while she wandered into her bedroom to dress for work.
A deep, silken male voice emerged from her phone. “Chloe, it’s Damien.”
Chills crept down Chloe’s spine and a hollow feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. The last person she expected to get a call from was Damien. Hell, the last person she wanted a phone call from was Damien. Shaking off that inane thought, Chloe zipped up her skirt and shoved her feet into a pair of ballet flats. While she walked into the bathroom to brush her teeth and hair, she hit the buttons to replay the message she hadn’t really listened to.
“Chloe, it’s Damien.” A muffled thump sounded in the background of the call, but Damien hurried on. “I’m sorry to bother you at home. Don’t erase this . . . I need to talk to you about work. It’s . . . It’s important to the project. Call me back. Please.” The call ended abruptly, as if someone had stabbed the End button with more force than necessary.
The please gave her pause. Damien never said please. Then again, he also never said I’m sorry. He was a vampire. They were, by definition, coldblooded. They also tended to have superiority complexes and thought everyone, from other Magickal species to Normals, were so far beneath them they didn’t even register on their radar. Sure, most of them would stoop to having a fling with a non-vampire, maybe one or two non-vampire friends, just for variety, but anything else was out of the question. They didn’t mix.
Luckily, Chloe hadn’t wanted more than that from Damien, but she had expected fidelity while they were together. Apparently, that had been beneath him, too. She sighed, disconnected the call, and slid her cell into her pocket.
The worst part about dating someone you worked with was when it ended badly. She’d learned that lesson the hard way. They were both team leads in pharmaceutical R&D for Desmodus Industries, but since those teams were working on the same project, they did see each other, but not that often. Thank the Gods.
Shoving her arms into a jacket, she picked up her handbag and headed for the side door that lead to her detached garage. If the bloodsucker wanted to talk to her about work, he could do it when she got there.
She wasn’t calling him back.
* * * * *
CONTEST! It wouldn’t be book release day at Smutketeers without a contest! Up for grabs is a signed copy of book one, EMBRACE THE NIGHT, as well as this awesomely pretty necklace inspired by the silver and copper talisman Selina wears (a very important piece in her book, too. Read NIGHT GAMES to find out why).
You can buy NIGHT GAMES now on Amazon, Amazon.ca, B&N, BAM, Powell’s, Chapters or IndieBound!
AND THE WINNER IS…WyNtEr ApPlE! Thanks to everyone who entered!
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Firsrt that necklace is gorgeous! Second loved both excerpts the books both sound great! I haven’t read a good paranormal in a while and these would fit the bill easily.
Lisa B
by Lisa B February 28th, 2012 at 4:18 amBooks and jewelry – two of my favorite things! Both books sound great, I’ve been a fan ever since I read Demon’s Caress. Congrats on the upcoming release!
by Liz February 28th, 2012 at 4:38 am[...] Here are the detail for Night Games, and I’m having a CONTEST to celebrate over on Smutketeers. Check it out. [...]
by Crystal Jordan » Blog Archive » Night Games is out! February 28th, 2012 at 4:51 amI love the excerpts. Congratulation on the release.
by Carla C February 28th, 2012 at 6:30 amYAY! Happy Release Day, Sexypants!
by RG Alexander February 28th, 2012 at 7:57 amCongrats on the new release!
by Amy S. February 28th, 2012 at 8:10 amBeautiful necklace and sexy excerpts! Two of my favorite things!
Happy release day!
by Sue Sattler February 28th, 2012 at 8:13 amI love reading these excerpts. It’s addicting. Makes you want to get the book ASAP in any format. Thanks for the contest. Looking forward to seeing more books and of course excerpts
by Jennifer Crump February 28th, 2012 at 8:33 amYay, I’m so stoked about release day!
by Crystal Jordan February 28th, 2012 at 8:48 amCongrats on your new release and thanks for sharing the excerpts
reginamayross@gmail.com
by Regina Ross February 28th, 2012 at 8:57 amHappy release day, Crystal!!! Can’t wait to read both of these–I think I have book on the TBR, but haven’t gotten to it yet :(
And can you please tell us where you got that gorgeous necklace–if I’m not the lucky winner, I’d still love to be wearing that! :)
by Fedora February 28th, 2012 at 9:01 am@Fedora, it’s a handmade item I got from this artist on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/KittyStoykovich
by Crystal Jordan February 28th, 2012 at 9:05 amHappy Release Day. Sounds great. I love the excepts.
by CrystalGB February 28th, 2012 at 9:15 amCongrats on the release!!!
I have not read EMBRACE THE NIGHT yet so I would love to win this. And being autographed makes it even better! The necklace is gorgeous too!
by June M. February 28th, 2012 at 9:15 amCongrats again!!!
Best wishes on the release!!!
by Betty Hamilton February 28th, 2012 at 9:15 amHappy release day, Crystal. I am intrigued by this series. I would love to see how it all started. Thanks so much for the lovely giveaway. Congrats and good luck with Night Games!
by StacieD February 28th, 2012 at 9:17 amCongrats on the release. Thanks for the excerpts, want to read more!
by JeanP February 28th, 2012 at 9:45 amHappy Release Day Crystal!! I love the excerpts and am so happy to have book 2 ;)
by Dawn February 28th, 2012 at 10:09 amCongratulations on your release. I hope you celebrate in grand style.
I have read NIGHT GAMES, yet; so I’m looking forward in starting this series.
by Tracey D February 28th, 2012 at 10:15 ampretty necklace and i so want a man with a tummy like that
by WyNtEr ApPlE February 28th, 2012 at 11:19 amHi Crystal :)
Congrats on the release of Night Games.
I just finished reading Night Games, WOW!
I LOVE it 8D
A whole new series of paranormals that just grab you & don’t let go. Please tell me that Damien is going to have his story told, Pretty please??
The necklace/talisman is awesome!
Mindy :)
by Mina Gerhart February 28th, 2012 at 12:04 pmBirdsooong@aol.com
Book sounds great and neck las is beautiful. Great new release!
by Shelley Bagby February 28th, 2012 at 12:17 pm@Mina- Damien died in the first book, but I think you mean Luca, who is the main vampire in the FBI Magical Crimes Unit. I have a proposal for Luca’s story sitting on my editor’s desk now, so cross fingers he loves it and lets me write it!
by Crystal Jordan February 28th, 2012 at 12:18 pmThe books both look interesting and I love the necklace! I just read my first Crystal Jordan book and I have to say I am going to be hooked! I sure do love you Smutketeers! Have a great day!
Ursula
by Ursula A February 28th, 2012 at 1:12 pmCongrats on the release! I loved the first book and the second one sounds great. Loved the excerpt and the necklace is beautiful! Thanks for the giveaway and congrats again!
by Brandi S. February 28th, 2012 at 1:29 pmOMG…how did I not know this??? Loved the first book, on my way to check out new one.
gigi
by gigi s February 28th, 2012 at 4:15 pmHappy Release Day :)
by elaing8 February 28th, 2012 at 5:05 pmGreat excerpts.
I have not read this series as yet. Would love to win!!
by DebraG February 28th, 2012 at 5:16 pmCongrats on release day!! This book sounds awesome!
by Susan R February 28th, 2012 at 6:47 pmLoved both excerpts! Got to get these as soon as I can. The necklace is beautiful, too. Congrats on the release.
by Nancy Gilliland February 28th, 2012 at 6:55 pmwow the necklace is beautiful and your book sounds awesome of course. Can’t wait to read it. Congrats.
by Sherry February 28th, 2012 at 7:30 pmI am really looking forward to reading this book. I love the necklace. Thanks for the giveaway.
by Jen B February 28th, 2012 at 8:04 pmCongrats on new release! Great excerpts & would love to read. Thanks for chance at giveaway
by Phuong February 28th, 2012 at 8:22 pmHappy release day! The series sounds awesome so I’ll definitely have to check it out sometime. I’m only entering the contest if it’s open internationally. Thanks!
by JessS February 28th, 2012 at 9:22 pmCongrats on your release! Night Games sounds awesome! I love the sound of it! Im gonna have to grab a copy! Cant wait to read more! :) Thanks for sharing! Wishing you all the best!
by Shadow February 28th, 2012 at 9:30 pm[...] Below are the fun deets about the book, plus I’m having a CONTEST to celebrate over on Smutketeers. Check it out! [...]
by Aphrodisia Authors :: Blog » Blog Archive » Night Games is out in the world! February 28th, 2012 at 10:42 pmGreat excerpts! Thanks for sharing and good luck with the new release.
by ELF February 29th, 2012 at 1:02 amCongrats on your new release! Sound like a great series! Definitely adding to my wish list.
by JoAnna B February 29th, 2012 at 4:17 amCongrats on the new release. I loved the excerpts and the necklace is gorgeous.
by Liz Cranage February 29th, 2012 at 6:43 amCongratulations on the new book Crystal!
I was lucky enough to win Embrace the Night in November and it is almost at the top of my TBR list. (Work is seriously interfering with my reading time!)
Night Games sounds seriously awesome! I’ve added that to my To Buy list. The necklace is gorgeous too.
by Katherine February 29th, 2012 at 7:46 amMiss Kate,
by jamie spence February 29th, 2012 at 8:20 amI love your books and I cant wait for more to come. Your worlds you create just rock!
Miss crystal lol sorry typing at work and on a cell phone that likes to auto correct my names lol
by jamie spence February 29th, 2012 at 8:25 amCongratulations on the new release, Crystal!! That’s a hot cover!
by Taryn Lisa March 1st, 2012 at 12:30 pmI kinda want that necklace for myself. And the book. :)
by eden bradley March 1st, 2012 at 12:48 pm@Crystal–thank you! She has some truly lovely stuff!
by Fedora March 1st, 2012 at 10:25 pm@Eden–hee! You and me both :)
I’m a little late, but congrats on the new release! I totally added both of these books to my TBB/TBR list!!
by Ashley A March 2nd, 2012 at 12:59 amGreat give away!
by Rebecca B. March 2nd, 2012 at 10:44 amCongrats on the new release! Great excerpts. Thanks for the giveaway.
by Cheryl Lynne March 4th, 2012 at 11:34 pmGreat excerpts,thanks for giveaway.great way to read new authors for me.
by Lin March 5th, 2012 at 8:43 amAND THE WINNER IS…WyNtEr ApPlE!
Thanks to everyone who entered!
by Crystal Jordan March 5th, 2012 at 8:44 amthan you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by WyNtEr ApPlE March 5th, 2012 at 11:16 am