To Love and Trust Again by Anna James

Hi Everyone,

Happy Monday! I’m Anna James, author or contemporary romancve novels.

I invite you to come with me and get lost in a world filled with passion, romance, and heartfelt emotion.

Today I’d like to tell you about my new release, To Love and Trust Again.

Three years ago Molly Quin walked out of Dan Berringer’s apartment and told him that she wanted nothing to do with him ever again. Now, after accepting a position with Bennett Engineering, she will have to see Dan every day. Fate could be so cruel! Seeing him again so unexpectedly, she discovered to her chagrin, brought back feelings she thought she’d dealt with a long time ago. 

Dan Berringer made a mistake. He’d hurt Molly badly. He wants her back now and will stop at nothing to win her including letting Max McDermott get in his way.

Max McDermott wants Molly Quin. She’s smart, funny and sexy as hell, but he is reluctant to pursue her. He knows Molly is attracted to him but what about her relationship with Dan Berringer? And is he willing to become involved with someone he works with again?

Follow Molly on her journey as she deals with hurts from the past and her feelings in the present and learns how to love and trust again.

To Love and Trust Again is now available from Melange Books.

Stop by and visit me on my website.
I’d love to hear from you.

You can also visit me on Facebook

Many thanks to Shannon for having me here today and thanks to everyone who stopped by!

Happy Reading,

Anna

An interview with Juliet Chastain

Please join me in welcoming Juliet Chastain as she shares with us a little about her writing and her latest book release, The Captain and the Courtesan.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.
Website

The Captain and the Courtesan available at:
Amazon
All Romance eBooks
Bookstrand
1 Place for Romance
Breathlesspress.com

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?

Back in sixth grade, inspired by a wall calendar with photographs of kittens (one of my most treasured possessions at the time) I wrote a sad story about a couple of kittens. This tragic tale made me cry and got me an “A” from my teacher.

Along the way, I switched focus, so to speak, and became a photographer. But here I am, after fifteen years shooting fashion, writing again. This time my stories have lots of steamy romance and happy endings. No kittens no sad tears.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?
The Captain and the Courtesan is my first published book.

4) What or who has influenced your writing?
I adore Jane Austin, especially Pride and Prejudice. Growing up I loved Charlotte Bronte and Louisa May Alcott. I think their spunky heroines who are overcome by love had a strong influence on what I want to write.

5) Where do you get your ideas?
Wish I knew. A little snippet of something pops into my brain, and sometimes I take that and start writing and more ideas come that eventually make a story. Sometimes no more ideas come and I get really cranky and go do something else.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)
Computer non-co-operation (the truth is, I don't really know how to use it)


7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?
I have several things in the works. One is a full-length mystery with a photographer heroine. Another is a sprawling family saga—the family members are witches. Right now I'm concentrating on a few more short erotic romances that are almost ready for submission.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?
I'm a pantser but trying to become more organized!

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

I have only one book out now, and a couple more soon to be released. So far, I must admit that I am pretty fond of them all.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?
I think I do that a little, but I mix it up with other people's characteristics.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?
For romance stories, the hunky, powerful hero is a given. I tend to like him to be gentle, sensitive and kind as well. The heroine should be someone I like—smart, spirited, and nice.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.

The Captain and the Courtesan.

BLURB:
Against his conscience, Captain Edward Howland buys a night with the enchanting and mysterious masked courtesan, Lady Amelia Kentley, and their evening together becomes far more than either expected.

As her first night as a courtesan approaches, the mysterious masked noblewoman is the talk of London. Impoverished Lady Amelia Kentley, wearing a mask to hide her identity, is resigned to her fate, working in a brothel to support her child and herself. When she meets the kindly and passionate sea Captain Edward Howland, she is shocked at the powerful attraction she feels for him. She hopes that he will be her first paying lover. Dare she dream of more, of running away from her degrading situation with him?

Edward disdains paid-for sex, but he is so enchanted with the masked Lady Amelia that he cannot resist the chance to claim a night's pleasure with her before he sets sail in the morning. They share hours of overwhelming passion, and a deep affection develops between them. By daybreak, Edward is determined to find a way to rescue her from her fate as a courtesan, but can he do so without besmirching his honor?

Amazon
All Romance eBooks
Bookstrand
1 Place for Romance
Breathlesspress.com

13) What do you have in the works?

In February Cry of the Wolf , a short story, in which a hunk of a man who is also a wolf, keeps his passionate love a secret, certain that the woman he adores could never love a man who was also a wolf.

Gypsy Lover will be released in April. Dragged off to London kicking and screaming, to become a proper young lady, Lucy-Anne Spencer rebels. She doesn't want the suitable husband she is supposed to find but longs instead for the Gypsy lad and the freedom she once loved.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?
This is hard. Only do it if you love it.

Book Title: The Captain and the Courtesan

Genre: Regency erotic romance
Publisher: Breathless Press
Purchase:
Amazon
All Romance eBooks
Bookstrand
1 Place for Romance
Breathlesspress.com

Format: all e-book formats

BLURB:

Against his conscience, Captain Edward Howland buys a night with the enchanting and mysterious masked courtesan, Lady Amelia Kentley, and their evening together becomes far more than either expected.

As her first night as a courtesan approaches, the mysterious masked noblewoman is the talk of London. Impoverished Lady Amelia Kentley, wearing a mask to hide her identity, is resigned to her fate—working in a brothel to support her child and herself. When she meets the kindly and passionate Captain Edward Howland, she is shocked at the powerful attraction she feels for him. She hopes that he will be her first paying lover. Dare she dream of more, of running away from her degrading situation with him?

Edward disdains paid-for sex, but he is so enchanted with the masked Lady Amelia that he cannot resist the chance to claim a night's pleasure with her before he sets sail in the morning. They share hours of overwhelming passion, and a deep affection develops between them. By daybreak, Edward is determined to find a way to rescue her from her fate as a courtesan, but he finds there is no honorable way to so.

EXCERPT: Adult

Before she entered the parlor in which the gentlemen waited to bid for her favors, Amelia took a glass of spirits, for she could not stop trembling. She had struggled to accept her fate, but she was resigned no longer. Since last night, when she had kissed the new captain, she had been filled with an unreasonable hope, which she could not suppress. She warned her heart that a navy man would be unlikely to have the means to outbid Madame's wealthy aristocratic clientele. And even if tonight were spent in his arms-she seemed unable to keep herself from longing for that outcome with all her heart and soul-in the morning he would sail and be gone from her life. Then she would be available to any man who could pay whatever Madame charged for her. 



And yet she hoped. She hoped for one night with the new captain. And, in spite of herself, she dreamed of more. 



She entered the parlor on Madame's arm. Against the dark green walls the huge lewd paintings in their heavy gold frames appeared to flicker in the light of the gas lamps as did the gentlemen seated on the damask upholstered sofas and on the fine Chippendale chairs. 
Madame led her to a small dais and helped her to step onto it. Amelia wore a pale green dress, cut shockingly low and of fine, almost transparent muslin. She wore no petticoat or stays beneath it but only a thin shift and a string of fine pearls around her neck. 





She counted eleven men. Her heart sank. The captain was not among them.

She took tight hold of Madame's arm for a moment as she tried to gather her courage. She was glad of the mask, for she felt the blood drain from her face. 



She had known she must not hope, but all the same she had anyway. He had awakened her heart and her body and she did not regret it, but now her life as a harlot would be all the more difficult for her. She looked out at the men and could only dread what lay ahead. If it had not been for her child, she would have wished herself dead. 



Each a man had a glass of spirits or wine in his hand, and each carried at least five hundred guineas in his waistcoat, more than five times the amount a working man made in a year. She recognized a few of them, including an elderly man she had met socially in the past before she had been thrown onto the street. She could not help but be shocked to see him here, for she had always thought him the soul of propriety. Several others had sat with her, as had the captain, in this house and had a drink.





The door opened and two more men entered. One wore the navy coat of a seaman and her heart leapt. It was he, the newly made captain. 



She almost laughed out loud in joy. And then she wanted to laugh at the irony. Until recently, she was a completely respectable woman, the granddaughter of a viscount and the widow of a baronet. Now she prayed that a man whose name she did not know, and with whom she had spent a mere half hour, would buy the right to bed her in a brothel. 


Lily by Xavier Axelson

Title: Lily

Publisher: Silver Publishing

Purchase

Genre: Contemporary, Family & Relationships, Gay, Paranormal/Alternate World, Romance, Shape-Shifter, Werewolves

Length: 93 pages

Book Trailer
 
Blurb:

When Pryor's daughter Lily is taken by a wolf, Pryor is convinced she has turned into the creature he sees lurking in his woods. He swears she promises to return to him. But is it his despair and desperation making him see things or is there something more lurking in the shadows of the forest? When he meets Ned, a silversmith who helps him with a plan to bring his daughter back into his life, he begins to live again. But can his newfound love help ease the horror that may be waiting? What if the ultimate horror isn’t when Lily was taken but it’s when Lily returns and he realizes his nightmare has only just begun...

Excerpt:
LILY

I am Lily's father, my name is Pryor. It was a year ago last Father's Day when she was taken from me. I still believe being Lily's father is the most important thing in this world.

Unfortunately, my daughter dwells in another world.

* * * * *

I glanced at the necklace. Ned's pressed close to me, but the necklace I hoped would bring Lily back to me felt closer. Ned was soft in his sleep; not the bull of a man he was when he's awake. I loved him soft and I loved him hard. It was his hardness that grounded me, that brought me in from the darkness. The necklace caught the light of the fading moon and I wondered where Lily was tonight.

The old clock on the nightstand hummed quietly; its vintage florescent glow a pale mockery of the necklace that lay beside it and yet I heard the clock, it won in that department. Time always does.

Ned moved against me, I could feel his arms pull me close, felt the bulge of his muscles, his arms thick and powerful. He had never loved a man before me. I had only loved Lily. Once she changed, I had little left to love; in fact, I was certain love had disappeared from my life all together.

The clock still hummed, never quiet; it's old and made noise as if time itself wanted us all to know that it was passing and with each minute Lily fell farther and farther into the darkness. The tears came then and at the same time Ned's cock pushed more firmly against my back. He grumbled, pulled me even tighter so that I could truly feel his penis--not hard, not entirely soft--on the edge of wanting. A tear fell and I gasped a little. Seeing the necklace; hearing the clock, feeling Ned's cock, his muscles, I fell away into him and closed my eyes.

"Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I was," I replied softly.

"No you weren't," his voice was sleepy; distant and yet he knew things, he knew I was awake, thinking about my lost daughter.

"It's Father's Day," I answered, skipping over my lie. "Do you think she will come?" I felt him nod and nodded in return against my pillow. Another tear fell.

"Come closer," he whispered.

"How much closer could I get?"

"Closer," he said again, a growl, a grunt; there was the bull I knew.

His lips brushed on my neck, a hand on my thigh stroking, touching, pulling a sigh from my mouth. I wiped a hand across my face.

"I never get sick of touching you," he whispered wetly, his tongue tracing my ear.

Smiling, I turned in his big arms and I could feel my thoughts ease. Ned had that way about him. 'Magic arms' I called him because he had this way of holding me that made me feel completely safe and for one man to be able to do that for another was amazing.

I kissed him and was happy to discover his breath was not bad but sweet, the trace of his toothpaste before bed still there and I smiled even as I kissed him. Ned sighed gently, his cock fully hard now, urgent, pressing. I reached down and stroked him through his boxers; he was already wet. I tried to pull my tongue from his mouth but he only pulled me closer, deeper; at one point I was almost certain one of us was going to stop breathing.

He finally relented but only because I jokingly squeezed his balls a little too tightly.

"Fuck, you make me nuts," he grumbled, we both laughed at his joke.

His hand reached for my cock; I slept naked so there was no flimsy cotton between his rough hands and my skin.

"You like that?"

I nodded, I did like it, I'd thought I wouldn't ever be able to like sex again, or any intimacy after Lily disappeared.

His hands were rough but I relished his edges; he touched me as if he knew me and, after a year, I guess he kind of did.

"You want me to suck it?" His voice was hoarse with his question; there was still a shy embarrassment behind it, as if he couldn't really believe he was going to suck cock.

"What do you think?"

My response excited him. I could see it in his eyes, even in the dark; the fading moon told me just enough.

When you had a daughter like mine, you learned a lot from the moon.

****

Where to find Xavier Axelson:
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An Interview with Raven McAllan

Please join me in welcoming Raven McAllan today as she shares with us a little about her writing, what's newly published, and what she'd do with her super powers if she had them.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.
Website 
Blog


Books available at Breathless Press:
Wallflowers Don't Wilt
Purchase from:
Publisher
Amazon
Bookstrand
All Romance Ebooks

To Please A Lady
Purchase from:
Publisher
Amazon
Bookstrand
All Romance Ebooks

Book Available at Noble Romance:
Taken Identity

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?
Seriously, just over a year. In reality as long as I've been able to write. I got back into writing after being invited to tea with author Robyn Donald when I was on holiday in New Zealand. Then in late 2010 I entered a competition to write romance. My offering was terrible, but I met my amazing crit group through that.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?
Wallflowers Don't Wilt. Well I like it as it is. Of course there's loads I'd write differently now, but would it still be the same book?

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?
My Crit group Up and Coming Writers. They helped me expand how and what I write.

5) Where do you get your ideas?
I have no idea. They just come to me. I have been known to get out of bed because I had a thought for a story.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)
Nothing, I switch off and write. I surface to find the cat sitting on my shoulder demanding food, my mobile telling me I have three missed calls and a realization the joint in the oven is now the size of a chop. A charred chop.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?
I like romance, of some description. So far I've written regency erotica, regency menage, contemporary romantic mystery and a contemporary cougar novel. I can't stand sci-fi or horror. I am trying my first go at an adult paranormal.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?
I'd love to be a plotter. I try to be a plotter. Indeed when I start anything I think I am a plotter. Wrong, very wrong. My characters take over. They might let me stick to my outline, If I'm very good to them.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?
I love them all, but I have a soft spot for The Price To Pay, due out from Breathless Press on February 24^th. I think because I had to extend myself to write it.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?
Re my personality traits? I hope not, the poor characters if I did.  Likes and dislikes, not that I know off. I'm too fussy!

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

You have to see redemption there. You might not like them, but you need to know they can be redeemed. They have to be believable, have some flaws and not take themselves too seriously.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.

I have Two.
Taken Identity, available from Noble Romance. 

Blurb:

Gray Reynard was looking for his wife. What he found was a woman who took his breath away and kick-started his libido.

Jules was godsmacked to see the gorgeous hunk on her doorstep looking for Julia Frayne. That's her name, but she'd remember marrying him. And she hadn't.

And To Please a Lady. Available from Breathless Press. 

Blurb:

When your lovers are lovers themselves, and want you to help them make
the perfect triangle, what do you say? Persuade me of course.

Unconventional, and happy, Hermione is in the enviable position of having not one, but two lovers to attend to her every need. That her lovers are lovers themselves, only adds to the equation.  Berry and Ran feel it’s time to make all their various twosomes, into one splendid threesome. Now all they have to do is persuade Hermione!

Being men, they are too impatient to wait for her answer. Being a woman, she isn’t going to be pushed, shoved or coerced into saying anything until she is good and ready. Patience is a virtue, and one her men needed to get.

13) What do you have in the works?
Well February 24^th The Price To Pay as I mentioned. March 9^th Almost Entente Cordiale (regency) then (Sorry you might want to have a rest) 2 M/M in an antho. One full length M/M. one hot story in another antho, and a couple I'm waiting to hear about. I think that’s them all. I'm also in the middle of writing a series of YA with a different hat on.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?
Write as you can, not as you think you should. And ENJOY it.

JUST FOR FUN:
1) What is the sexiest or most erotic thing someone has said to you?
I'll wait for you. (he did)

2) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?
Leopard... er because.

3) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?
Scary, because I'd be all over the place sorting world crap out.

4) If you could be an immortal, what would you want to be? Why?  
Too complicated, being a human is hard enough.

5) If you could change three things in the world, what would they be? Why?
Get rid of poverty, dictatorship and anti social weather! Because they all suck.

6) What would be a perfect date for you?
Somewhere warm, with DH and champagne. Or a good book and champagne lol

7) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?
I'm lucky, I've been to a  good few places now. We're doing our gap year in two week stints! But to see more of Australia and the far east, I guess. Because I'm nosy! Seriously If I got told no more travelling I've so many memories to pull out and drool over!

8) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?
Don't think so unless you count chocolate? And that's not an obsession it’s a necessity.

9) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?
Sadly no, too old for all that. I'd have to pull my tummy in and smile a lot.

Book Title: To Please A Lady
Genre: Renency Erotica
Publisher: Breathless Press
Format: ebook
Excerpt: ADULT

She caught sight of her image in the mirror. Rosy nipples showed through the material, their darkened surrounds providing a guide to their presence. Lower, the shadow of dark curls hid her pussy, or was it that they showed the way to where it waited, impatient to feel the hard, usually impatient cocks that it welcomed? Oh the joy of having no pretense, being able to be honest and open about her enjoyment of the act of lovemaking, these last months had been so satisfying; those to come promised to be even more so. Tying the lowest set of ribbons, barely inches below those curls, Hermione could not control her compunction to sooth the throbbing concealed within. Her hand slipped beneath the ribbons, and touched. She closed her eyes to feel with her senses. Ah that first swirl through her curls and then, the sheer pleasure of touching her now wet lips, finding her fingers coated with the evidence of her desire. The intensity of her feelings shot through her like lightening and she gasped. Not from her arousal, however.

Dark velvet covered her eyes.

As she caught her breath, soft hands feathered across her nape as the covering was fastened. Then her hair was pushed to one side, and she experienced the press of lips, kissing where the ribbons from the knot of velvet brushed her back.

"My Love, you started without me? For shame. How shall I punish you?"

Her breath quickened. Her punishment had started! Knowing what those elegant hands were capable of, and unable to see how they explored and excited her to ever more passion, was punishment enough. As her tormentor well knew.

"You were late My Lord, the play started on time, alas without your attendance."

A soft laugh greeted her remark. "Ah Mione-mine. I would be lost without you in my life. Shall I begin act two?"

Oh if it so pleases you, and three, four and five. However, never would she allow her eagerness to show.

You can also find Raven McAllan:

BlogThe Nuthouse Scribblers

An interview with Jamieson Wolf

Please join me in welcoming Jamieson Wolf as he shares with us a little about his writing technique, as well as a wonderfully enticing look at chapter one of his latest release: Reaping Shadows

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.
You can find me at my website

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. The first story that I can remember writing was back when I was eight years old about a camel who wanted a sweater as he found winter cold.

I have always been driven to tell stories. I got into it for escape purposes and the stories I told were always far more interesting than the life I was living.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?
My first published book was The Ghost Mirror, a young adult novel available from eTreasures Publishing. Looking back, I’d like to have written a longer book, but other than that, I wouldn’t change a thing.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?
Stephen King has always been a big influence in my writing. Anne Rice, Carol Shields, Margaret Atwood too. I hope to one day write as well as they can!

5) Where do you get your ideas?
Anywhere and everywhere. It can be a bit of conversation I hear, a dream, a memory from long ago. Or I just get an idea and decide to go with it.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)
If I don’t have music on, I have trouble just letting myself go. I also have to turn off my internet connection as I surf on the web when I should be writing.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?
I’m most comfortable with m/m romance but have recently begun writing dark horror, which is what I actually started out writing within, but got sidetracked along the way.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?
I’m usually a seat of the pants kind of writer. I find plotting can be too constricting. I love to see where the story is going to go on its own and let it grow organically as I write.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?
Oh, gosh, I have to pick a favorite? I would have to say Reaping Shadows and The Fruit Machine (both from Breathless Press). As The Fruit Machine isn’t out yet, I’ll talk about Reaping Shadows. Why is it my favourite? Well, because the entire book was so unexpected for me. It went well beyond the short I had envisioned for it and became (I hope) the first in a trilogy.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?
There is usually a character within each of my novels who is my stand in. I always figure that if I’m not IN the story, I can’t write it. Does that make sense? In Reaping Shadows, for instance, Kale is my mouthpiece. I try not to let my likes, dislikes, etc, influence the character. Instead, I deal with my own issues of self confidence and, for a time, the fact that I had a broken heart that needed mending.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?
One who is flawed. If they are perfect, there is nothing they have to go through to help them grow into a better person.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.
My latest release is Reaping Shadows from Breathless Press! I’m so thrilled with this books release. (Blurb and purchase info are below).

13) What do you have in the works?
Sometimes too much, I think. I’m working on Knight and Daye Book Two: Blood Magic for Cobblestone Press and a horror novel titled 69B. I’m also working on an app for a collection of short stories I put together.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?
Just keep writing, keep trying. It’s a difficult task, writing. It IS work, but the rewards are oh so wonderful. Ignore the naysayers and, if it’s your dream to write, realize that dream. Never give up on yourself.

JUST FOR FUN:
1) What is the sexiest or most erotic thing someone has said to you?
The first one I can’t tell you. The second, that I was too intelligent for my age.

2) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?
I would be a wolf, and not just for the obvious reasons. They run alone, but do find a mate from time to time. They are solitary yet comforted by companionship. And may in fact be smart enough to read. LOL

3) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?
I’d love to fly. I wouldn’t wear tights or anything, but it would save me a fortune not having to buy bus passes.

4) If you could be an immortal, what would you want to be? Why?
I’d be a vampire. They still look alive and well and just need a drink from time to time.

5) If you could change three things in the world, what would they be? Why?
Ignorance, greed and stupidity. LOL

6) What would be a perfect date for you?
Friday the 13^th.

No, seriously, a quiet evening with a bottle of wine, a pizza, a good book, my iPad and my sex boyfriend. And not necessarily in that order. LOL

7) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?
I’d love to go to Egypt. I’ve studied Egyptology for years and would love to see the Pyramids’.

8) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?
Books, coffee and candy. And more books. Oh, and Harry Potter. LOL

9) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?
Love Meryl Streep, just because he’s fabulous. And Johnny Depp.

EXCERPT: Reaping Shadows
Genre: Romance, m/m
Publisher: Breathless Press
Purchase
Format: eBook
BLURB:

Death has always been a lonely business.

Darion Muerte knows this first hand. Darion is a Reaper, one of those who gather the souls of the dead so that they can move on. He has been a Reaper for centuries. Accompanied only by his Shadow, a being that scouts for the dead, Darion has not been touched by another for over a thousand years.

That all changes when Darion meets Kale. Though mortals are not supposed to be able to see Reapers and their Shadows, Kale can see both of them. And his dark blue eyes see right into Darion.

Answering the call of passion that sets fire to his skin, Darion gives in to his needs and lets himself experience one night of passion. That is all he can take. And then Darion must make the ultimate sacrifice.

Darion must take Kale’s soul.

Chapter One

He moved like the light. His Shadow moved behind him of its own accord, stretching itself along walls and peeking into windows. It did love to play and it had been in a frisky mood all night

He knew how it felt. He gave his Shadow a sharp, impatient tug and it fell into line behind him, slinking along the brickwork that formed the walls on either side of him, the alleyway dark and narrow. He made his way towards a pool of light from a street lamp.

“We don’t have time for that now.” Darion Muerte didn’t have time for anything anymore. That was the problem. Darion sighed again. “I gotta get a new job.” He whispered. Tugging on his Shadow, Darion whistled. Well trained, the Shadow was at attention immediately.

Darion motioned with his hand and let out another soft whistle. Whereas the first one had said wait for instructions, this new whistle said only one thing: Seek and find.

Darion hoped that tonight’s search would be a short one. He was dead on his feet; that was pretty bad, considering who he was. He looked at his watch and wondered if it was too early for a cigarette break.

While his Shadow slinked along the walls, sensing the heat of those inside the buildings, Darion walked further into the pool of light and took out a pack of cigarettes. He really should quit, he thought. But it wouldn’t make any difference now.

He snapped his fingers and a tongue of flame danced on the ball of his thumb. Darion watched it for a moment, a lick of fire that danced blue then red. Putting his cigarette to the tip of the flame, Darion took a drag and let the smoke out slowly. Closing his eyes, he took another drag and let out a long breath.

Fuck, I’m tired, He thought. “I need a fucking vacation.” He said out loud. “I’d even settle for a night off.”

His skin tensed when he heard the Shadow’s call. It was loud and high pitched. To mortal’s, it would sound like the screech of cats in heat. To him, it was a signal. His Shadow had found a Soul.

Walking with quick steps out of the light, letting the darkness claim him, Darion flicked his cigarette to the pavement where it landed with a shatter of sparks. He didn’t pay attention to where he was going; his feet would lead him to his Shadow. All he had to do was let them.

He had been doing this job for a long time and Darion was tired. He had seen so much death and thought of the last time he had known passion. It had been a long time ago. Death did not deserve passion, only penance.

Darion sighed when the Shadow screeched again, its call shrill and bell like at the same time. Darion quickened his pace and found himself entering a better area of his district, but not by much.

But he had put himself here, asked for this section of town. It was his district now, no matter what he did.

The Shadow screeched again and Darion knew that this time, the call was different. Running now, Darion ran towards his Shadow. He could see it slinking under the window, apparently quivering in fear.

Darion looked at the man that stood in the window and understood the Shadow’s distress immediately. Whereas normal mortal’s could not see Darion or his Shadow, the young man was looking at the Shadow with a curious glance.

And then the man shifted his gaze and looked straight at Darion. Darion’s blood froze. He could feel fear sliding through his body, something he hadn’t experienced in many centuries.

His Shadow looked at the mortal not as if it were about to die; but as if it were something else all together.

An Interview with Honoria Ravena

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Honoria Ravena as she shares with us a little about her writing, who she has a crush with, and gives us a tantillizing snippet of her latest release, The Devil's Trap.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1)  Links to website and list of books with purchase links.
Website

Books:
Biohazard
Strapless
Fear of Darkness
The Devil’s Trap

2)  How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?
I’ve been writing for about ten or eleven years. I started writing when I was like eleven. I have dyslexia, so that was about the time I started to actually enjoy reading. And I’d always think “You know, this would make a good story” or “That’s not the way I would have ended that book.” Then I fell in love with this book by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes called Shattered Mirror. I was obsessed with her writing for a while and so I actually bothered to read her bio, and I found out she was published at thirteen. I figured I could do that. I didn’t manage it, but writing stuck.

3) What was your first published book?
Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it? My first books came out back to back. The absolute first one was Fear of Darkness. It’s since been completely rewritten for its re-release with Breathless Press, so I got to change all the things I didn’t like about it when it was first published. Biohazard came out the day after it, and I’d change a lot about that book. It’s a short story, but it wasn’t meant to be. It was a product of me cramming a big idea into a small word count. It’s still a good story. My friend Megan’s favorite actually. But there are so many places where I would expand. And when my contract is up on it, I might ask to pull it to do a rewrite. Think my publisher would go for that?

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, the woman I mentioned above had a huge impact. Laurell K. Hamilton was a big influence on me too, and gave me my love of kick ass heroines. And if there’s anything Sherrilyn Kenyon and J.R. Ward should teach, it’s how to make memorable, amazing heroes.

5) Where do you get your ideas?
Mostly books, and TV. History is a big one for me too. Sometimes something a person says can just set my brain off and send me scrambling for paper.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)
OMG. It’s a long list. My attention span is as short as a hummingbird’s on crack. I lack self-discipline like you can’t imagine, which is another reason why I admire J.R. Ward. The internet has to be my biggest problem. I can’t get off of it, and I can find all manner of random things to distract myself with.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?
I’m most comfortable in paranormal romance. That’s WHAT I write. I’d like to branch out and do sci-fi and fantasy romance. I really like romance, and would like to stay in the genre. I have a few straight horror ideas, but I just don’t know if they would hold my interest.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?
When I get an idea, it usually comes fully formed as the first half of a book. So I write down what I have, and it does become a sort of outline, but I didn’t brainstorm to get there. Now the second half of my books are the tough parts where brainstorming is needed, so usually there’s more outlining there, rather than random notes of stuff. Honestly I’d like to try doing more formal outlining than just jumping in there, but it takes so long, and my brain will go so fast with scenes for a new book. I’ll hit the mid-way point, and go “Well, it’s too late to outline now…”

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?
I love my book The Devil’s Trap. The hero is yummy bad boyness. He’s an ancient vampire, so he can be a real pain in the butt. He’s one of those characters that was so loud in my head that I had to write his book. And the heroine is the perfect match for him.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?
I incorporate some of my likes and dislikes. My music and TV choices. And of course, almost all my characters will have a sense of humor, because that’s what I find appealing in people.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?
I like bad boy hero’s and tough heroines. Bad boy hero’s because they’re just yummy. And kick ass heroines because they’re kind of opposite of who I am. I’m very shy, and quiet, and I just like to live vicariously through someone who isn’t.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.
The Devil's Trap. See blurb and excerpt below.

13) What do you have in the works?
I’m rewriting Laden’s story now. He’s a werewolf from The Devil’s Trap, and then after comes Alaric’s book, who is also a character in The Devil’s Trap. I’d also like to start work on my sci-fi series, just because it might be nice to start something new and take a break from my paranormals.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?
Research the publishers you’re submitting to CAREFULLY. My first publisher was not on the up and up, and I paid for it. And I was lucky to get away from them, because they didn’t give rights back to all the writers that wanted to leave. So never skimp on the research, even if you think they can be trusted, make sure.

And another thing is get feedback on you’re writing. Join a critique group. Submit to contests. It’s important! I was the Acquisitions Manager at Breathless Press for quite a while, and so many things get rejected because of mistakes that would have been pointed out in your critique group.

JUST FOR FUN:

1) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?
I LOVE travel, and I’ll make it simple and say I want to go everywhere. I love studying history and other cultures. At the moment I really want to go to Scotland. Been reading too many books with Scottish hero’s lately.

2) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?
Oh yeah. I love belly dance. I love to watch it, do it, and buy the accessories. I’m mostly a tribal fusion dancer, and a great admirer of Rachel Brice. I’m also a beauty product junky. Mostly makeup, but some skincare and hair care products. I’m actually going to school for skincare and makeup application right now. I will hopefully be a licensed Esthetician by the end of 2012

3) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?
Ian Somerhalder from The Vampire Diaries. He’s so hot, and then you read things he’s written and he’s smart, and started a foundation for the environment, stopping animal cruelty and educating young people on these issues. SO he’s hot, and a positive influence on people.

EXCERPT from The Devil's Trap:

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Breathless Press
Purchase

Format: e-book

BLURB:

Regan is the best vampire hunter money can buy. But when she's paid to kill one of the most powerful vampires in existence, she doesn't realize she's in way over her head. Things go terribly wrong, and there is no escape...

Zarek is so powerful, he scares other vampires. One little hunter should be no challenge. However, Regan is different, and as soon as he sees her, he will do anything to keep her. But she's a stubborn woman who refuses to let someone else control her.

When a powerful enemy comes to town, she's forced to trust Zarek with her life. Who is the larger threat? The man out to destroy humankind? Or the vampire determined to own her heart?

Excerpt: Adult

I reached the wooden bar and slid onto a sleek black stool with a groan of relief. In front of me, a shirtless vampire buffed the countertop, muscles flexing with each circle he made. Now this was a guy you actually dreamed about seeing naked. He was built like a god. Every muscle toned to perfection. He had probably been a big, chiseled guy before, and vampire blood washed away any flaws he might have had as a mortal. His raven-black hair gleamed in the lights. He was the perfect thing to bring in young women for a bite on the neck.

I sighed in pure feminine pleasure. Just because he was a vampire didn't mean I couldn't appreciate the view. But, a black aura and raw vampiric strength bled from him. He would have been jump-his-bones hot if his power didn't creep over my skin like spiders. I suppressed a shudder. No matter how enticing their form, vampires always made my skin crawl.

His gaze met mine, and I drew in a breath. He had the most gorgeous violet eyes. They were filled with an ancient intelligence. His lips curled into an amused grin, as if he knew I was ogling his body.

I frowned. It annoyed me that he read me so easily. I shook my head. I needed to remember the real reason I was here. I was here to kill Zarek, not drool over some gorgeous vampire. I was in a den of evil creatures, and he was one of them. Now really wasn't the time to do any lusting.

The smile widened and he raised his voice over the music. "What can I get you?"

He had a subtle accent I couldn't identify, and the deep, growling bass made my toes curl. It soothed my nerves in spite of what he was and caused another kind of excitement to bubble in my stomach. God, this was not the right guy to get that good down-low tickle for. Focus, Regan!

I cleared my throat and leaned closer to him. "I'd like to see the owner."

The smirk turned wicked and suggestive. "I'm Zarek. I'm the owner." He scanned my body, eyes finally resting on my throat. The scrutiny made me flush and wish I could hide my neck. Unfortunately, my black tank top and ultra-short shorts didn't leave much to cover up with. People who went into vampire clubs usually favored bare skin and a gothic appearance, so I'd been forced to blend.

Had he fed tonight? Vampires were twice as dangerous when they were hungry. The better question was, had he killed tonight? For some strange reason, I found myself hoping he hadn't. I tried to shake the ridiculous feeling. Even if he hadn't killed tonight, he had in the past. And even if he'd stopped, like Alaric and his brothers, it didn't change what he was, or the fact that someone wanted him dead.

He licked his lips before meeting my gaze again, leading me to believe that he hadn't fed. Great, I wouldn't leave this place without giving a little blood to him, even if I ended up killing him. If a vampire wanted blood, he'd find a way to take it.

"Again, how can I help you?"

I barely kept my curse of frustration to myself. I'd hoped to meet with him in private. Fighting to the death in the middle of his bar was a bad idea.

***

Read the first two chapters of The Devil’s Trap here