Crispin's Rose -- Robin Brown

<p>Crispin Aleron was an ordinary mortal man until the night he was attacked and left for dead. A stranger appeared from nowhere, making an offer he couldn't refuse. Offers such as this cannot be without consequences, but Crispin had no time to think it over.</p><p></p><p>Now, centuries later, the consequences are becoming clearer. Spending all these years repaying his debt, doing as the otherworldly Council of Seven demands, he is now dealing with their punishment for breaking their cardinal rule: absolutely no intimacy with mortal beings. Locked away in an asylum inside a monastery where his powers are supposed to be useless, he thinks only of Rose. After a long battle with brain fever, he wakes one morning, realizing some of his supernatural powers have been restored. It is time to break free of the Council of Seven's control and rejoin the love of his life before they make good their promise to destroy her.</p><p></p><p>Rose VanZandt has not seen or heard from Crispin in six months. Her besties, Rochelle and Laura, have different opinions of how to handle Rose's grief. Rochelle is sympathetic and mothers her, while Laura bashes Crispin in an effort to belittle their relationship. But it would seem the universe has something in store for them as well. The ex-boyfriend, Derrick, is of no help, badgering her to take him back and threatening any man who comes too close. Rose fears he has become irrational and dangerous.</p><p></p><p>Returning home from work, Rose and Rochell