A Little Bit of History of Given and Stolen

When Lisa and I met seven or eight years ago (Has it only been seven or eight years Lisa? Somehow it seems much longer!) I tell people all the time that Lisa is the little sister I never had (and probably never wanted), though she actually acts like the big sister. It’s amazing that we met online and only met in person a few years ago. We had written both Given and Stolen before we were ever in the same room together! I love the way the internet makes such things possible!

Historicals were always my first love and I knew I wanted to write some, but i also love paranormals and saw no reason not to put them together. I wanted shape shifters and other beasties that are black and actually help, you know, black people. There are no slaves or magical Negroes in any of our books. In these books you see free black folk going in to rescue enslaved Africans and at least one cheetah shapeshifter ripping the throat out of slave catchers. And we’re not even going to talk about the antics of one pissed off bear and a crafty owl!

We loved these stories so much (and don’t worry, Matthew’s story and the raid on Harper’s Ferry, is coming) that we based our urban fantasy series, beginning with Rumors of Wars in the same magical system. I also love resistance movements, and to me the Underground Railroad was the most amazingly successful resistance movement in the history of mankind. All these passionate people working together to overthrow a system of terrorism and tyranny. Totally amazing and yeah, more than just a little bit sexy.

When we got the rights back to these books and my husband started working on the covers, I told him we wanted something amazing. Something that would literally take your breath away. And as always he came through spectacularly. Here are the blurbs for both stories, and as always, y’all better have some.

Given

As a member of Eshu, those who can shift into any animal at will, Jacob Adams is used to knowing and getting what he wants. And when he meets Mary Katherine Day as they work together on the Underground Railroad, he not only knows that she’s going to be his wife, but he expects her to accept her fate willingly. A businesswoman of independent means, Mary Katherine has no interest in marrying, which to her mind is bondage only slightly less vile than the slavery she works so hard to help others escape. Jacob embarks on a campaign to lure her into his bed by awakening her virginal body to the delights to be found there. Though she struggles against her sensual nature, Mary Katherine eventually succumbs to the irresistible lure. Initially she’s convinced that they can maintain their sexual relationship without marriage, but it quickly becomes apparent that their passion is too intense to hide in such a small town and she is risking a horrible scandal that could destroy her life. Shortly after they’re married they are forced to confront ancient enemies and a secret that could ultimately destroy their relationship.

Stolen

Despite the forces allied against her Grace Adams is determined to become a conductor on the Underground Railroad and also a doctor. She is Eshu, able to shift into any animal form at will, and she knows this ability will help her in her difficult missions. Then one tragic mistake alters the trajectory of her ambition. Grace has not only to demonstrate her ability as a conductor, but also to resist the sensual allure of her passion for Dr. Parker Quinn.

Parker is a stationmaster on the Railroad and resistant to the notion of a woman, especially his woman, engaging in such a dangerous undertaking. But her passion only makes him more determined to have Grace for his own, despite the scandal and the laws against miscegenation.

Although Grace loves him, she doesn’t want to marry. She knows the domineering Dr. Quinn will be even more restrictive than her father, but he won’t be deterred. It will take all of their passion and determination to survive social scorn and legal challenges while they make both their goals come true.