The Immaculate by Kate Hill

A victim searching for answers meets a vampire fighting demons of his own.

Scarred in mind and body after a brutal attack, Mara travels to Spain in pursuit of an explanation for flashbacks that hint at supernatural evil. There she meets Adam, a gorgeous vampire fighting demons of his own. Bound by mutual attraction and suffering, it seems they can heal each other, until their romantic relationship turns potentially deadly for one of them.

Note: The Immaculate was previously published. This re-edited version contains additional scenes. The Immaculate contains scenes with sex and violence. The story refers to past rape, past child abuse, and a past suicide attempt.

Author Interview

Hey, Kate. Welcome to my blog! I am excited to learn more about that new book. Please, tell us about the Immaculate.

Thank you for having me as a guest, Ella! The Immaculate is part of my Ancient Blood series. The first book in the series, the Darkness Therein, was originally published back in 2000. After the first publisher, it was picked up by another, and I wrote several more Ancient Blood stories for them. Several years back, the rights were returned to me and I’ve been slowly working on re-editing and re-releasing the books. These indie published versions of the books are closest to my personal vision for the stories, and I’m so happy to have the chance to release them again with fresh edits and some additional scenes. That’s the background on Ancient Blood and the Immaculate, but about the book itself.

The Immaculate focuses on Mara, a woman who suffered a brutal attack and suspects her attacker was beyond human. While researching the paranormal in an attempt to find answers, she meets Adam who is an Immaculate vampire, meaning he was not created by bite, but born of two vampire parents. Adam is believed to be the vampire in a prophecy that states an Immaculate will be the one to destroy an evil vampire called the First Father. Adam has also suffered throughout his life, and he and Mara have an instant connection, but their love might prove deadly to one of them.

Do you remember how you got the initial idea for the book? Would you share that moment with us?

Yes, I got the idea for Adam and his brother Matthew after writing the Darkness Therein. A secondary character from that story, Brett, was responsible for arranging an important magical ritual at the end of the book, and Adam, though not seen in the story at the time, was critical to that ritual behind the scenes. Mara was also a secondary character in the Darkness Therein, and I wanted to follow her journey after the attack she suffered in that story. For her, there were many questions that I couldn’t leave unanswered.

Are you working on another book right now? Will it be in the same series?

Currently, I’m working on re-editing God of the Grim, the next book in the Ancient Blood series. It focuses on Adam’s twin brother, Matthew, and his wife, Dulcie. I’m also working on edits for a brand new historical romance called Warrior’s Grace. It’s the second book in the Barnes Family series. As for new writing, my current work in progress is a short paranormal fantasy romance called Robin, named after the hero.

As a romance writer, I suppose you read romance yourself. What genres do you love?

I love paranormal romance, in particular vampires, historical romance, science fiction romance, fantasy romance, military romance, and most subgenres of romance in general.

Do you read outside of romance, too?

Yes, I enjoy reading horror, poetry, and books about Viking history.

You self-publish. Why did you decide to take that route?

In the past I’ve happily worked with some small press and electronic publishers. I’m so grateful for those opportunities, the people I’ve met, and everything I’ve learned. Right now, though, I have stories I want to write that don’t always fit what works for publishers or what sells well in general, and that’s okay with me. My main goal is to tell the stories I love and if others enjoy them, too, then even better!

Thank you for having me as a guest!

Excerpt from the Immaculate

Mara’s eyes opened partway. Caressing his cheek, she asked, “Is something wrong?”

The urge to bite her was almost uncontrollable. Whenever he was with her, kissing and loving her, restraining his natural desire became more difficult.

“We should go.” Before I lose control of myself here and now. “I’ll tell Brett and Mercedes we’ll see them tomorrow.”

“Are you sure you’re all right?”

Adam drew a deep breath. His fangs receded. “Fine.”

They approached the house, but Adam stopped abruptly. He lifted his chin and inhaled deeply. His entire body tensed. He knew that smell…

Mara stared at him. “Adam?”

“He’s here.”

Grasping her hand protectively, he strode inside.

His gaze riveted to the tall, thickly-muscled man in a steel-gray suit. The newcomer stood with his back to the door while he chatted with Lucia, Brett, and Baron Stein.

The man glanced over his shoulder, his dark eyes shimmering with a combination of amusement and challenge. The neatly-trimmed goatee accenting his angular face lent him an air of wickedness.

Lucia clung to the man’s arm. “Adam, I want you to meet a friend of mine. This is Vincent. Vincent, meet Adam.”

“We’ve met.” Adam glared.

Vincent raised an eyebrow.

“You were at a masquerade last night,” Adam continued.

A smile flickered across Vincent’s voluptuous mouth. “So were you.”

“I was just passing through.”

“I’d just like to take this moment to say you have a very bad attitude.”

Adam’s teeth flashed. “It gets worse, Vincent.”

“Adam.” Mara placed a hand on his biceps. Glancing at her, he noted her worried expression. Though he didn’t want to frighten her, backing down from Vincent would be a terrible mistake.

Vincent’s penetrating gaze turned to Mara. “So, Adam, you take your pets with you.”

“I don’t keep pets.”