The Chemistry of Evil - A Dept 57 book

The bad boy of Arthur's court returns!

eBook ISBN · 978-1-59632-845-7
Publisher · Loose-Id Publishing
Genre ·Paranormal Romance
Length · Full Length Novel

Sophie Adams is engaged, but the second she sees sexy Evan Howell, she wants him. When her fiancé dumps her, Evan is there to catch her. And show her a passion she’d never dreamed of before, drawn from his dark experiments into sexual magick, a magick that has driven more than one man insane. Enthralled by the new world Evan introduces her to, Sophie wants more.

Evil follows them across the Atlantic. From Arthurian Cornwall to New York, Mordred, cursed son of King Arthur, stretches his evil influence to encompass Sophie, Evan and everyone they love. Evan has already lost his sister to Mordred and his supporters—he refuses to lose Sophie, too.

Evan, ex-convict hacker turned CIA computer genius for Department 57, explores the dark side of life. It will take all his skill to save Sophie from the danger threatening to take her over, body and soul. All his skill—in the bedroom as well as out of it.

Together, the three will embark upon a dance of danger, at the end of which there will be only two. . .or one. . .or none

Note - This book is a heavily rewritten version of a previously published novel.

Cover Art by April Martinez

Excerpt
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You must be 18 or older to read the following excerpt.

Sophie hadn’t realized the true meaning of the phrase “burning eyes.” She did now. Hardly had she got to her feet when she found herself swept up into his arms. Holding her close Evan moved rapidly across the large living space in the direction of the staircase. She kept her gaze on his face, and saw the hunger there, reflecting the hunger she knew lay deep in her own eyes.
He laid her on the bed, and Sophie had a fleeting thought that it was as well no one had moved it, for he didn’t take his attention from her for a moment. Only then did he follow her down and take her in a deep kiss that robbed her of all reason. He propped himself on his elbows and stared down at her. “You want this? Really? Because, Sophie, if you stay in this bed tonight, you’re never going back to the other one unless it’s with me.”
“Oh yes,” she said.
“This morning you were stressed, and I was desperate. I knew I’d have to give you the choice next time. I couldn’t take it for granted. I’ve wanted you since I first saw you, baby. A fairy covered in dirt, fresh from uncovering secrets hidden for centuries. I wanted to take you into the shower and wash every beautiful inch of you and then take you to bed to keep you warm. Now I know you better, I want a lot more than that.”
She saw the question in his eyes and knew it was reflected in her own. “I want this, Evan.”
He kissed her and caressed her body, long sweeps of his hands from her hips to her underarms and back again, cupping his hands to fill them with the curves of her bottom. She reciprocated, touching his back, feeling his muscles move and flex under her hands. She tugged at his shirt, pulling it free of his pants, and heard his chuckle. “In a hurry, are we?” he teased, lifting himself on one elbow.
She replied with a smile. “You might say that.”
“Well, we’re here until Cristos tells us otherwise. We might as well make the most of it.” He glanced at her, and she smiled to show him she knew he wasn’t serious. He ran his hand along the buttons of her shirt, undoing them as he went.
She busied herself with his shirt. “Do you always do what Cristos tells you?”
“No.” His voice lowered to a dark purr. “But I don’t buck his authority just for the hell of it. The decision made sense.”
He had undone her shirt. She sat up so he could take it off her. She leaned forward and slipped his shirt down his arms so she could touch his chest. It was strong, with well-defined muscle, hot to her touch and lightly furred. “You feel good.” His indrawn gasp told her he enjoyed her caresses.
“So do you.” He opened her shirt and put his hands on her. She responded with shivering recognition. He felt right, his touch a welcome thing.
Sophie flinched with the extra sensitivity, as though her experiences that night had opened something new inside her. She needed this intimacy, with this man, as she had needed no one quite that way before.
She smiled up at him when he reached around to unclip her bra and kept her eyes on his face, watching his reaction. Her response seemed new. The intent was new; the need was new. This morning they had succumbed to pure desire. Tonight it meant so much more. Desire was still there, but both knew this meant more than that.
When she undid the button on his trousers, he gave her a grin more redolent of a cheeky boy than a haunted man and stood for a moment to slip off the remainder of his clothes and kick them on to the floor. Sophie would have done the same, but he stopped her with a hand flat on her stomach. “Let me.”
He undressed her with agonizing slowness, lingering on every inch of skin he exposed, sometimes dropping soft kisses on her skin, sometimes caressing with his hand or just looking. Sophie lay open to him.
“You are beautiful,” he breathed. “Truly beautiful.”
Sophie gave a short, skeptical laugh. “Archie thought I was too thin. He kept trying to build me up, said I needed the stamina for all that fieldwork.”
“I don’t do fieldwork,” Evan reminded her. “And I love your delicate body.” He touched her chin, turned her so she looked at him. “You should believe me, not anybody else.” He bent to give her a kiss that made her arch up to him, hold him close. It was wonderful to be cherished, to be caressed with such single-minded passion. He wanted her -- Sophie. She couldn’t doubt that any longer.
With a few tiny kisses, he slid out of her arms, and down her body, kissing and caressing. He lingered at her breasts, taking each nipple into his mouth in turn to curl his tongue around the tips and lick until she stirred restlessly under his hands.
With a sound of appreciation, like a man enjoying a delicious morsel, he continued down her body.
Sophie wanted to do the same for him. She wanted to caress him, kiss him, and learn him, but he had claimed that privilege and was giving her so much pleasure she didn’t want him to stop. “Evan!”
His mouth touched the curls at the top of her legs and moved on, down to her thighs. Sophie couldn’t stop her groan of disappointment. He looked up, his breath heating her leg. “What is it? Did you want something else, maybe?” His grin told her he knew precisely what she wanted.
Sophie couldn’t ask. Some men didn’t like performing oral sex and she wanted this to be perfect. “It doesn’t matter. This is lovely.”
“Oh, it matters. What you want, I want. Please, Sophie, tell me.”
“I want --” Sophie took a breath. “I want you to kiss me -- there.”
“Here?” He eased her legs apart and touched her just inside the lips of her sex.
“Yes.” Sophie wet her lips that had suddenly gone dry. “Lick my pussy, Evan.”
He sank down and buried his head between her thighs.
At the first touch of his tongue, Sophie’s body jerked up in response. Fire jolted through her body, but his hands held her thighs firmly, and she couldn’t have escaped him even if she’d wanted to.
She didn’t want to. He caressed her, bathed her in warmth and wetness, and then drew her clit into his mouth, flicking his tongue over the tip, making her feel every nerve, every tiny millimeter of skin.
“Oh God! Oh, Evan!”

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Reviews

A delirious combination of black magick, sexual magick, and shades of Arthurian legend combine to make this story one of page-turning suspense. Sophie is unwittingly pulled in when the toot of a whistle mysteriously unearthed at an archeological dig calls forth the previously imprisoned spirit of Mordred.
The reader is taken on a whirlwind adventure between the U.S. and England in Dept. 57’s attempt to bring the evil that has been unleashed under permanent control. On top of the suspense is the hot whirlwind courtship between Evan and Sophie that develops when her former fiancé turns into someone she no longer recognizes.
Be sure and grab this one for a spine-tingling and thrilling hot ride!
Samantha Ann for Night Owl Reviews. Top Pick!

I always look forward to a Department 57 book and once again, Ms. Connolly did not disappoint.  Evan and Sophie take us from polite strangers to passionate lovers and while that would be enough to keep you turning the pages, then you have to throw in Arthur’s Cornwall and contemporary New York.   I also loved that I learned much more about the mysterious Cristos, the director of New York’s Department 57.  For a wonderful paranormal story, you can’t go wrong with Chemistry of Evil. 
If the characters or the plot sound familiar to you, this was previously released from another publisher.  However, this version has been re-edited and revised and is worth repurchasing.
Jo for Joyfully Reviewed

Ms. Connolly has continued her series with this incredible story that entwines the paranormal in a contemporary plot. The past sometimes rears its ugly head forcing people to take on situations that most people would never believe. The people of Department 57 are one such group of people that take the unusual and solve cases that others would never understand. The character Cristos, the head of the department, is shrouded in mystery, one that I would enjoy unraveling. The love affair between Sophie and Evan is both poignant and very erotic. The scenes with Mordred take a dark twist as Evan and Sophie fight to piece together the mystery while trying to stay alive. The story is fast paced, ensnaring the reader from the very start. I look forward to reading other stories in the Department 57 series.
Teresa for Fallen Angel Reviews 5 angels

Lynne Connolly is a brilliant writer, who gives so much to her characters, bringing them to life in a very positive way. I was very impressed by the way she laid out the plot involving the murders, and the connections of the past with the future. As I kept reading, the ending became clearer to me and it was not what I expected. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Goddess Minx for Literary Nymphs Reviews

Note: These reviews are for an older version of "The Chemistry of Evil"

Five Angels and a Recommended Read

Lynne Connolly delivers an enthralling story with elements of Arthurian pagan English ritual and magick. Erotic moments are plentiful and quite explicit; these scenes are used to extend and intensify the attachment of the main characters. As always, the author's writing style is faultless and readers will be captivated, as if they were onlookers, right from the opening chapters.
Many unexpected plot twists and surprises make this story fast-paced and hard to put down. In the midst of the turmoil, a tender and deserving romance has begun between two unlikely partners. The unusual combination of mythology, murder, and an erotic modern day romance make Chemistry of Evil a definite keeper. I have thoroughly enjoyed Lynne Connolly's first contemporary book and highly recommend it.
Reviewed by: Naomi for Fallen Angels Reviews

The suspenseful element in CHEMISTRY OF EVIL is chilling and spooky. Those readers who like twists on Arthurian tales with an erotic edge, will love CHEMISTRY OF EVIL. Sofie Adams and Evan Howell are thrown into situations that force them to trust, and yet they are able to take time to build a deep long-lasting relationship that is based on something besides lust. This tale will steam up a cold night in a heart warming, chilling, and thrilling way. It's a keeper, and I hope to read more books by Lynne Connolly.
D.S. Shadows for Romance Reviews Today

Lynne Connolly's Chemistry of Evil is a fantastic story where evil once again comes to life searching for the ultimate power and destroying anyone who stands in the way.
Lynne Connolly delivers a thrilling fast-paced and intriguing read. CHEMISTRY OF EVIL was filled with many twists and turns that left you quickly turning the page to see what happened next. The romantic link between Evan and Sophie was quickly developed and deeply emotional. Ms. Connolly held steadfast to the element of surprise that captured my attention in each and every chapter. The mythologic details are flawlessly woven into this exhilarating story of good versus evil with a paranormal twist making it a highly recommended read. This was my first book from Ms. Connolly and it certainly will not be my last.
Lori, Ecataromance Reviews 4-1/2 stars for ecataromance.com

Who hasn't heard of the tale of Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, hasn't read about Mordred and all the other characters?
This story takes these old enemies to the present day, involves the CIA and FBI and also includes witchcraft and telepathy of the finest.
The book is intensely erotic; the descriptions of Evan and Sofie's feelings for each other and their sexual playfulness are just yummy.
I especially liked the way Lynne Connolly gave such detail and depth not only her main characters but also to her minor characters.
Tanja, Cupid's Library Reviews

Sex magic, supernatural powers and magic whistles that call forth lost souls are some of the ingredients of this suspenseful tale. There are many things to enjoy here, reminding me of how much I tend to enjoy split genre books. Romance, some steamy sex, fantasy and detective make great partners in this admirably paced novel. It is a rare thing for me to complain that a book is too short (almost unknown in fact) but there seemed to be so much packed in here that demanded more space. Evan's mother's relationship with the mysterious Cristos, the work of his department and more of Evan's own powers and how they are applied to detective work all demand to be told about in future books. Let's hope that this is the first in a new series.
Reviewed by Rachel A Hyde, MyShelf.com

The Chemistry of Evil has all of the elements I look for in a paranormal suspense novel plus a lot more! From page one there is a sense of mystery and danger, which grows throughout the story sweeping you along for the ride. I look forward to more great tales from both the series and this author. Well done!
Reviewed By Johnna for Novelspot

The Chemistry of Evil is a wonderful story that takes characters from Camelot and matches them with modern day personalities. The evil will make your spine tingle and have you yelling at the characters to be careful. Sofie is a strong woman that knows that she doesn’t want to settle for Archie, but acknowledges the growing passion between her and Evan. Evan comes across a little withdrawn, but won’t back down when he knows what he wants. I loved these two together! Chemistry of Evil is fast paced, will keep you on the edge of your seat and have you falling in love.
Klarissa for Joyfully Reviewed

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