Halloween Excerpts - 3/3 - Know Thine Enemy -- Adult Rated

Happy Halloween, everyone! I'm leaving you with an extremely naughty final excerpt from Know Thine Enemy.


Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Warnings: Dubious consent, graphic violence, language, explicit sexual content, hints of child abuse, kidnapping
Length: Novel (75k+)
ISBN: 978-1-60592-548-6


All excerpts come with a warning of bad language. My characters have potty mouths.
No fucking idea where they get that.

DISCLAIMER: THIS EXCERPT CONTAINS ADULT THEMES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO EXPLICIT SEXUAL INTERACTIONS, REFERENCES TO KIDNAP AND DUBIOUS CONSENT.



Excerpt 3

When she opened her eyes there was a mattress in the room.

Izzie wasn't sure how much of the night she'd actually slept. Strange dreams had followed her around every bend, and when she wasn't plagued by the unknown phantoms of her psyche, she twisted and jerked awake only to remember where she was and why she was here. There was no escape—not from the ghostly sight of Harrison in her head nor the unsettling reality to which she woke. The mattress was at least an improvement, though she had no doubt today's tests would up yesterday's ante. Her insides twisted but her mind remained focused. More tests meant more interludes with Ryker. It meant being not alone, and right now she hated alone.

Briggs entered the room a few minutes after she stirred, a plate of toast in one hand and a glass of milk in the other. He flashed her a wide smile. "Good morning, Subject Beta. Did you sleep well?"

Izzie pulled the blanket they'd given her over her shoulders, flinching when her stomach growled. She didn't want him to know how hungry she was, or how little last night's soup had sustained her. Whatever he gave her was tainted and she'd only take what she needed in order to survive. Anything else was a luxury.

"I suggest you eat up," Briggs said, placing her breakfast on the table. "The next test commences in an hour."

Izzie waited until he was gone before leaping to her feet. She knew eating fast wouldn't make matters better, but damn, she was hungry and nothing could stop her from cramming the bread down her throat. She paused only to breathe, then downed the glass of milk in a single gulp.

There was a fat steak with her name on it once she was free. And a huge side order of fries and a vanilla shake.

When she was done picking at crumbs, Izzie turned and retreated to the mattress. Her tired muscles sighed in relief against the cushioning. Hopefully Briggs would let her keep this into the night. There seemed little point in making the human test subject as uncomfortable as possible, but with her lack of clothes and nothing but the floor on which to sleep, he had succeeded in ensuring every nook in her body whined with movement. Sleeping on a mattress would be a godsend.

Time moved neither fast nor slowly, though when her thoughts turned to Ryker her heart skipped a little. Izzie sat under the false security of her blanket until the buzzing outside her room again climbed to a crescendo. She waited for someone to strap her to the table as they had previously, but no one came. Lights flickered inside the observation panel and muffled voices sounded on the other side of the door. She heard Briggs talking steadily, and her skin grew hot once she realized he had to be addressing Ryker.

Then the door opened and her vampire was ushered inside.

He looked much like he had the day before. His dark hair was ruffled, his complexion pale, his chest missing a shirt and his eyes gobbling her up as though they'd been separated much longer than a night. His expression seemed loaded but he didn't say a word. Rather, he studied her with such intent it left her shaking with anticipation.

Izzie pursed her lips but didn't say anything. Somehow, at once, she felt more naked with her coverlet than she had yesterday.

"Good morning," came over the intercom. Izzie turned her attention to the observation panel, where Briggs sat with his two assistants. "This marks day two of our trial study. You will note Subject Beta is not tied up today; after yesterday's performance, we didn't think the restraints were necessary. Please do not abuse this privilege or we will be forced to rescind it."

"How thoughtful," Ryker mused, not looking away from her face.

"061, please approach Subject Beta and prepare her the way you did yesterday."

The vampire tossed an angry glare to the observation panel. "Do I get her permission today?"

"You may ask it, but you will do as ordered regardless."

He snorted. "Figured as much."

"Please," Izzie said softly, startled by the sound of her voice but choosing not to question it.

Ryker went to such lengths to avoid hurting her, be it by word or action, and he had to know by now she couldn't do this with anyone else. Especially after yesterday—after seeing his face and witnessing his torment in doing what they asked, knowing it wasn't what she wanted but having little choice in the matter. Whatever bond they'd forged would outlast these walls, and she wouldn't risk it. Not now. He was the only ally she had.

Ryker shot her a cautious, uncertain glance. "What?"

"If it's not you it'll be someone else," she said. "They've told you that."

"Yes," Briggs agreed cheerfully. "We have."

Izzie nodded, swallowing hard. "Don't leave me alone in here. Please, Ryker."

"I don't want to hurt you," he replied, his voice hoarse.

"You won't." She released a trembling breath and cast off her blanket, laying back on the mattress and lifting her hips in offering. "Please."

"Please?"

She nodded again, her heart thundering. "It has to be you."

Ryker took a hesitant step forward, then another. A few seconds passed before the mattress dipped under his weight; he sat perched between her open legs, his wide eyes roaming her naked body with interest he couldn't counterfeit. He raised a hand and placed it on her belly, right above the scar Harrison had given her, tenderly stroking her skin with his thumb. For the first time in her life, Izzie felt more than aware of her skin's imperfection, and wondered if he viewed the mark as ugly as she did.

The thought dissolved, however, against the stirring arousal he encouraged with his gentle caresses. "This okay?" he asked.

Izzie licked her lips. "Yes."

"Touch her intimately," Briggs prompted.

Ryker huffed. "Fucking perverts."

She gave him an awkward grin and shrugged. "Our fault for being so pretty, I guess."

"Yeah, we were asking for it." He scooted closer, his fingers dancing up her abdomen until he had a breast resting against his palm.

His touch shouldn't feel good but it did—fuck, it felt amazing. He was tender where she would have expected something else—anything else—from a creature with fangs. There was nothing harsh in the way he cradled her flesh, the pad of his thumb brushing her nipple so subtly she would have thought it accidental had she not been watching his face. He looked hungry—starved—and his eyes were on her.

Her self-awareness vanished without warning. Lying naked, legs spread, a vampire exploring her body as a small group of voyeuristic scientists jotted down their reactions, and she didn't feel anything but need. Need for Ryker and his touch. Need for the soothing calm he provided in a world gone mad. His presence was enough to lessen the harshness of silence, to make her feel like she wasn't trapped in hell, rather just a bad dream.

He made her feel less alone. He reminded her she wasn't forgotten, even if he had no way to help aside from doing what he was told.

"Good," Briggs encouraged. "But we need more. We want her prepared for intercourse."

Ryker rolled his eyes. "Of course you do. She's a human female, you moron. How the fuck do you presume I prepare her?"

"However it is you would."

"Figure we do it much the same way you pulsers do." Ryker glanced fleetingly to her pussy, his eyebrows arching and one of his fingers pressing experimentally against her vaginal lips.

Izzie worried a lip between her teeth. She hadn't realized how wet she was, and the shame wrought by that sudden awareness was damn near crushing.

God, was she actually enjoying this? Beyond the need for contact and the thrill of having him near, did she actual derive pleasure from being studied?

Izzie's stomach twisted unpleasantly. No, that couldn't be it. Not unless she was so fucked up in the head that perversion was the only kind of normal she'd ever get.

"Shit," she murmured, blinking hard and looking away.

"You all right?" Ryker asked softly.

"No."

His hand fell away. "No? Did I—"

"No! No, please . . . ."

"Tell me what to do, darling."

How could she? She had no idea what she wanted. Nothing seemed certain anymore.

"Subject 061, please touch Subject Beta," Briggs commanded.

Ryker swore, parting her slick folds with his finger. His eyes remained on her face, and though she knew he looked for a sign—any sign—to stop, she couldn't help but flush under his scrutiny. Shit, she was perverse. Wanting more, needing more, needing to feel him inside. Would they ask him to fuck her today? It was coming, she knew it was coming. If not today certainly within the next few visits. They'd want to watch her bounce on his cock, completing her humiliation. The thought alone was enough to drive her mad.

And make her feel hot in ways she'd never anticipated.

Halloween Excerpts - 2/3 - Know Thine Enemy

Moving along with excerpt #2 from Know Thine Enemy. Just a note, all of today's excerpts will be made available on my website.


Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Warnings: Dubious consent, graphic violence, language, explicit sexual content, hints of child abuse, kidnapping
Length: Novel (75k+)
ISBN: 978-1-60592-548-6


All excerpts come with a warning of bad language. My characters have potty mouths.
No fucking idea where they get that.



Excerpt 2


Ryker had certainly entertained human relationships over the years, but he knew enough not to get attached. Nothing ever changed where the lesser race was concerned. They lied, cheated, ate, fucked, squandered, professed, bought, sold, and whittled themselves into miserable sacks of skin before night finally came. True, he'd met one or two humans over the years that he had missed once their time arrived, but even if those humans made up for the rest, death was a part of the process, the cycle, and he knew better than to mourn what he could not change.

Izzie Bennett, mystifying as she was, meant nothing to him. Nothing. She was a face Connor had wanted explained. Therefore, Ryker had tracked her, watched her, and made her something relatable so his friend knew The Wall's patrons were not at risk. The fact that she had disappeared last night after running scared was no one's concern, least of all his. Humans spooked easy, even the tough ones. Throwing Izzie off her game was bound to manipulate her comfort zone. She had reacted instinctively, and her instincts led to danger.

Easy peasy. Ryker's hands were clean. He didn't care.

And fucking yet.

None of this made a lick of sense. Not the alley, not Izzie, and certainly not his interest in her. So she was different—there was bound to be a slightly more evolved human one of these days. The fact remained she was a child in a monster's world, and though her attitude might be right, her actions would get her killed one day. The girl simply had no idea what was out there. What lay beyond the world of fanged fiends. What truly made the night so precarious.

Yet she was different. For all she'd seen, all she'd tasted, Izzie remained truly unaffected. She killed when the situation demanded it, but not a moment sooner. And she did it without gaining a thing.

That separated her from the others. Unlike any hunter Ryker had ever seen, unlike any human contact he'd ever known, any mortal association he'd ever entertained . . . Izzie acted on behalf of herself, and no one else. She wasn't like the groupies—those women who either knew about vampires or desperately wanted to know about vampires. The women off which Ryker routinely fed, as their blood was rarely missed and the ladies got a killer high off his fang. Similarly, Izzie wasn't anything like the woman to whom Ryker had once been engaged—the woman who had given his chest the first of many stab wounds. Maggie hadn't taken kindly to Ryker's new body or disposition, nor had she been eager to join him, as was his intention.

The women he met were either addicted to the rush he gave or determined to end his life. Izzie was the first person to embody neither quality.

That was why he'd come out here, Ryker told himself. He didn't need to find her because he cared what happened to her; he needed to find her because she was too damn intriguing to just let die.

Whatever she'd encountered after leaving The Wall was not a friend, nor a coincidence. He'd lived too long, seen too much, to believe in chance. Any trouble she'd found was his fault. He should have sensed someone on his trail. He should have been more careful.

Immortality didn't excuse clumsiness or arrogance, and through one or the other he'd led some predator right to her.

"Damn," Ryker murmured, his hands sliding into his pockets. "Where are you?"

Footsteps bounced off pavement and carried through the alleyways, stirring him from his reverie and directing his gaze toward the area where Izzie had left her vampires the night he'd made his presence known. Her scent filled his lungs and, as though answering a prayer, she appeared. Her midnight hair was wrapped in a sloppy ponytail, her skin was flushed, and she had a bag slung over her shoulder. She skidded to a stop, apparently as taken aback to see him as he was to see her.

Ryker blinked. "Well," he said. "Guess that answers that question."

"What are you doing here?" she demanded.

She was visibly flustered, and the knowledge gave him comfort. As confused as her debut into his life had left him, it was reassuring that she hadn't escaped unscathed.

"Thought a midnight stroll sounded fun," he replied with a shrug.

"You're a few hours early."

"Yeah, well, it's always midnight somewhere." He smirked, the pressure in his chest alleviated, but not as much as he would have liked. The notion anyone, especially a human female, could have any power over him was disconcerting, and the quicker he shook the sensation the better. "Your turn," he said, gaze dropping to her duffle bag. "Something send you running scared?"

"Why?"

"Looks like you're all packed."

"I'm leaving town, and you might wanna think of doing the same."

His brows perked. "Oh yeah? Any reason why?"

"Look, I don't have time to explain. I just—"

"If you're scampering, why is it that you're here and not with Butch?"

"Because that's the way it is. What are you doing out here?"

Ryker spread his arms. "Already told you. Midnight stroll."

"Connor said you were looking for me."

Dammit. He didn't want her knowing that. He didn't want her knowing anything. Connor had a bit of a problem with the truth, as in he liked telling it too much. It would have been an admirable quality were it not so damn annoying.

Ryker sighed and shrugged, doing his best not to look bothered or tense. "And if I am?" he asked. "You're the one that bolted like a bat outta hell last night."

"And, what? You decided twenty-four hours later you'd give a damn?"

"Oh, is that what this is about? You wanted me to come after you? Sorry, sweets, you don't really seem like the damsel type."

Izzie's eyes hardened. "I'm not."

"Then why ask at all?"

"Because I—ahh, fuck it, it doesn't matter." She scowled, bouncing her duffle bag. "You're not safe."

"Well, yeah. I'm a vampire."

"I mean you're not safe here. They're after you."

Ryker frowned. All right, so that wasn't exactly what he'd expected. "After me?"

"Some guy named Prentiss and the two hussies he works with."

That name . . . . He did his best not to react, but the pounding in his head deafened.

"Look," she continued, "I don't know much. They say they're with something called C.R.O.S.S., but I forget what that stands for. Anyw—"

"Community Representatives of Subhuman Species," Ryker supplied, his jaw and his stomach clenching. "Goddammit."

"You know them?"

"You could say we're acquainted."

"Yeah, well, they seem to mean business."

"Always do."

She stared at him for a long beat, her expression melting from frenzied to confused. "All right, there's that. I guess. I just wanted to tell you."

"That I'm in danger."

"Yeah."

He smiled tightly. "Didn't know you cared."

"Don't expect a Christmas card or anything. They wanted something and I didn't give it to them." Izzie bounced the duffle bag again. "Not in the habit of lending a hand to bloodsuckers."

"And here you are, delivering a message to yours truly."

She snickered. "Don't read too much into it. You're just the creep that pissed me off the least, so it seemed a professional courtesy."

"And it would be, if I were in the profession." Ryker frowned and took a step forward, his gaze roaming the length of her body. Clearly, he only had half the story, if that. Something lurked in her gaze—something she kept close to her chest, and likely wouldn't share even with the help of a few stiff drinks. Whatever it was had shattered the small world in which she encased herself. She wasn't here with her friend and she wasn't here to hunt. She was here for him.

Something bolted through his body, leaving him burned and rattled.

Who are you, little girl?



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Halloween Excerpts - 1/3 - Know Thine Enemy

Hey gang,

To celebrate Halloween, one of my favorite holidays, I have decided to release three new excerpts of Know Thine Enemy, my erotic paranormal romance which released a week ago today. These will be posted periodically throughout the day. Hope you enjoy!


Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Warnings: Dubious consent, graphic violence, language, explicit sexual content, hints of child abuse, kidnapping
Length: Novel (75k+)
ISBN: 978-1-60592-548-6


All excerpts come with a warning of bad language. My characters have potty mouths.
No fucking idea where they get that.



Excerpt 1


Something rustled in her peripheral vision, casting whatever she'd been about to say aside. Her attention wrapped itself around the man now approaching her table, and everything around her stopped. Him.

The vampire—her vampire—from last night’s patrol was right the hell there, taking long, confident strides toward her booth with a cool grin stretching his sinful lips. And before she could blink it happened again—the strange paralysis from the night before. The same foreign tingle itched through her veins and spread across her skin like a virus. She felt hot and self-aware in ways she never had been before. The sensation was strange and confusing, and she didn't like it. If she could find her strength, she'd kick his teeth in and make a beeline for the door.

Only she couldn't find the strength; she couldn't find anything. She just sat and stared, soaking in all the details she thought she'd catalogued the night before—things shadows and weak streetlights couldn't do justice. She'd remembered his cheekbones, high and prominent, accentuating his strong jaw. His skin was moon-pale, and under the light his features had an aura of being too-perfect. That perfection was a common trait among vamps, one she'd recognized but never truly comprehended until now.

Then her wandering gaze clashed with his, which shone a bright sea-blue—a splotch of color on an otherwise white canvas. His hair was short and jet black, and he wore a Matrix-style leather duster that billowed behind him with every lengthy step. He looked pristine, even in a dirty place. Cool, collected, encompassed with a familiar sense of old-world power. Had she seen him immediately, as she should have, Connor and his plate of instant heart attack would have been the least of her worries.

"Don't mind the lady, Conn," the vampire purred. He spoke with a cool, refined timbre, his lips pulling tighter on his smirk. Though he addressed the barkeep, his eyes never left her face. "No sense letting good spirits go to waste."

Connor's giant head jerked at the new voice. Then his shoulders dropped. "Evenin', Ryker."

Izzie's shoulders slumped. Well, fuck.

The vampire inclined his head politely. "Evening," he replied. He stared at Izzie a second longer before his long fingers slipped through the mug's handle. "You don't want this?"

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"Getting free drinks, so it seems." He nodded to the glass. "You sure you don't want this?"

"Bite me."

Ryker chuckled. "Dangerous words. Guess that you won't mind if I help myself."

"Knock your socks off."

He raised the glass in a toast before tossing back a healthy gulp. "Personally, I don't think you know what you're missing, but all's the more for the rest of us." He consumed the beer at a speed that seemed downright unnatural, then shoved the empty glass against Connor's chest. "I'll have another. And bring the lady an iced tea."

"The lady can order for herself," she said pointedly.

Ryker grinned, helping himself to the vacant seat across from her. "I'm sure she can."

"And I'm not staying."

She would have sounded at least partly convincing had she could budge an inch. The most she could hope was he wouldn't notice the lack of conviction behind her words.

"Shame," he said, plucking a cheese-drenched fry off her plate. "All this goes to waste."

"I didn't know you people ate real food."

He shrugged. "What you don't know about us people could sink the Titanic. Weren't you leaving, anyway?"

Izzie stared at him for a long beat before shaking her head. "What the hell is this?"

"Dinner?"

"Last night—"

"I followed you."

"Yeah," she replied shortly. "I caught that part."

"Didn't tonight, though. Got the answer I needed."

"Ah huh." She eyed Connor, who had made his way back behind the bar and kept shooting them furtive glances. "Your friend, I take it?"

"You sniffed around his bar. It's bad for business."

"Bad for business?"

Ryker held out his hands like scales weighed against each other. "Demon hunter in a demon bar. You do the math."

A long breath rolled off her shoulders, any lingering thought of an early night abandoning her completely. "So you knew," she said. "What I was."

"Sorry to break it to you, but you're not exactly inconspicuous." He waved at her. "Connor had it figured the first night you popped in."

"Did he?"

"Rang me up almost immediately. Said he either had a demon hunter or a groupie looking for a rush on his hands, and since you hide in corners and don't talk to anyone . . . ."

"Groupies are more upfront."

"Exactly."

Izzie licked her lips. "Funny," she said. "All this time, I've operated under the assumption that I'm only visible when I wanna be."

"Most hunters are like that."

"Not Zack."

Ryker domed a brow. "Zack? This the fella you travel with?"

A rush of panic tore through her before she fell slack. If the vampire knew where she retreated at the end of the night, finding out about Wright and Berlie wasn't much of a stretch. She doubted he was a problem since he hadn't done much beyond lurk and annoy her. Still, sitting with the enemy, let alone disclosing information, was definitely on Wright's You-Will-Be-Killed-For lists. While they differed on many ideological points, she owed him her life and wouldn't disrespect her debt by over-sharing with someone she barely knew.

Someone Wright would kill on sight.

As though sensing her discomfort, Ryker flashed a grin. "Don't worry. It's not him I'm interested in."

"Great. My lucky day."

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Noble Romance Release Party! Games, Fun, and Prizes! Win A Kindle!

Join me at The Noble Romance Publishing Release Party Celebration! I'll be giving away up to $25 in Noble Romance Gift Cards, releasing excerpts, and every participant today gets entered into a drawing for a Kindle! The festivities are all day, with a host of fabulous authors giving away their own loot. So drop in! Read! Win!

NOW AVAILABLE: Know Thine Enemy

Today marks the release of Know Thine Enemy, a novel-length erotic paranormal romance on which I have labored at least two years, probably longer. There were times when I didn't know if it'd see the light of day, and other times when I didn't know if it should. At this end, though, having worked on it tirelessly the past couple weeks, rereading it from start to finish, I can honestly say I am extremely proud of the book. For all that went into it from my crit partners, particularly Sarah Ballance, and my editor, Ruby Green, I am eternally grateful.

He’s a vampire with a story. She’s a woman with a past.

The second Ryker spots the girl with midnight hair, he knows there’s more to her than meets the eye. She boasts the title of vampire hunter, but something’s off, something’s missing, and that something pulls him close…until backing off isn’t an option.

For years, Izzie has lived for the night, outrunning ghosts from home that seem to find her wherever she lands. Alongside her friend and mentor, who rescued her when she was at her lowest, she destroys creatures she once thought couldn’t exist. But Izzie doesn’t have what she needs to be her best, and doesn’t know if she ever will...or if the life she has is the one she wants.

When a shadow from Ryker’s former life surfaces to collect a forgotten debt, vampire and hunter are thrust together in a strange world of eroticism and servitude. They must trust each other if they mean to escape, but when trust turns into something more, the real enemy becomes harder and harder to pick out.

Content warnings:
Dark Themes
Dubious Consent
References to child abuse
Language
Violence

I am also participating in Elizabeth Morgan's Spook-aLicious. Pop on by for an excerpt, a giveaway, and my guest-post regarding why I love vampires so darn much.

SINFULLY SCANDALOUS: Cover Art, Blurb, First 2 Chapters + Info about the Know Thine Enemy giveaway!

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

It’s an order that Luxi, Sin of Lust, never saw coming. When you work for Lucifer, though, you tend to lay off the questions. She isn’t comforted when she discovers her assignment is to intern for a preacher-turned-politician, especially when her directive goes no further. As Luxi prepares for a long ride to nowhere, she can’t help but wonder if something else is at play…or what the King of Hell has up his sleeve.

Grayson Bailey’s run for state senate is going nowhere fast. The poll numbers are depressing, his campaign advisor is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and someone out there has a bullet with his name on it. Yet when temptation herself struts through the door with a sassy smirk and an attitude to match, Grayson finds it very hard to remember which obligations are at the top.

The closer Grayson gets to Luxi, the stranger his life becomes. With Election Day—and a psycho with a gun—just around the corner, he can’t afford any detours. And while Luxi never puts her heart on the line, there’s something about this man that tests her resolve…though it might end up costing her more than she can afford.

Chapter One
Chapter Two

Coming soon from Liquid Silver Books!

Also, join me on Monday as I guest blog at Elizabeth Morgan's Spoolalicious, talk about my love of vampires, provide new excerpts from my latest release, Know Thine Enemy, and giveaway a free e-copy! It's going to be a lot of fun, so don't miss it!

Know Thine Enemy - Cover Art

Fiona Jayde has done it again! The premiere of the Know Thine Enemy cover!

The book will be made available October 24. As I've mentioned before, I've worked for over two years on this book, so I am more than a little nervous regarding its release...but I am extraordinarily pleased with the way it's been pieced together, and even though it's a bit different than my other work, hopefully readers will enjoy it.

He’s a vampire with a story. She’s a woman with a past.

The second Ryker spots the girl with midnight hair, he knows there’s more to her than meets the eye. She boasts the title of vampire hunter, but something’s off, something’s missing, and that something pulls him close…until backing off isn’t an option.

For years, Izzie has lived for the night, outrunning ghosts from home that seem to find her wherever she lands. Alongside her friend and mentor, who rescued her when she was at her lowest, she destroys creatures she once thought couldn’t exist. But Izzie doesn’t have what she needs to be her best, and doesn’t know if she ever will...or if the life she has is the one she wants.

When a shadow from Ryker’s former life surfaces to collect a forgotten debt, vampire and hunter are thrust together in a strange world of eroticism and servitude. They must trust each other if they mean to escape, but when trust turns into something more, the real enemy becomes harder and harder to pick out.

Upcoming release! + Spook-a-licious Halloween Party! Excerpts, interviews, posts, and giveaways!

Join us for Spook-a-licious, running from October 24-31. I'll be posting on October 24 with a blog entry about the allure of vampires, and an excerpt and giveaway for my release, Know Thine Enemy, coming 10/24/2011 from Noble Romance!

Cover art will be made available soon! For now, here's the blurb.

He’s a vampire with a story. She’s a woman with a past.

The second Ryker spots the girl with midnight hair, he knows there’s more to her than meets the eye. She boasts the title of vampire hunter, but something’s off, something’s missing, and that something pulls him close…until backing off isn’t an option.

For years, Izzie has lived for the night, outrunning ghosts from home that seem to find her wherever she lands. Alongside her friend and mentor, who rescued her when she was at her lowest, she destroys creatures she once thought couldn’t exist. But Izzie doesn’t have what she needs to be her best, and doesn’t know if she ever will...or if the life she has is the one she wants.

When a shadow from Ryker’s former life surfaces to collect a forgotten debt, vampire and hunter are thrust together in a strange world of eroticism and servitude. They must trust each other if they mean to escape, but when trust turns into something more, the real enemy becomes harder and harder to pick out.

Excerpt


It wasn’t like he would run now. Not when Izzie waited for him down the hall.

Ryker drew in a steady breath. Behind him was the small, mousy assistant Dr. Briggs had introduced as Judy, her hand steadying a stake at his back, prepared to paralyze should he attempt to run. The other assistant stayed to the right, a gun in hand—one that allegedly injected another prototype on vamp poison from which they hadn’t yet worked all the kinks. Ryker tried not to focus on the distractions, rather keeping his eyes on the back of Dr. Briggs’ head while entertaining fantasies involving the sound of snapping bone.

He’d feel better once he saw Izzie. Once he figured out how the hell to right the wrong that was getting her mixed up in his fucking family drama. Getting a feel for their new digs was essential to placing his future getaway plan in motion; once he knew exactly where she was, he could begin formulating an appropriate escape route.

The stretch of hallway betrayed little he didn’t already know. Every now and then, a human in a lab-coat would stroll by, seemingly unbothered by the sight of someone being led by threat of death. There were a few medical stands, offices, and signs directing personnel to certain wings. His particular entourage took three turns before coming to a halt. The door on the left read Subject Beta on the sliding name placement; another door sat directly ahead, and the hall continued to the right. Dr. Briggs unlocked the door to Beta by means of a clearance key, and ushered Ryker inside alone.

The vampire stopped short of the doorway, his heart leaping into his throat.

“Oh my God,” he murmured.

She lay nude, splayed across a metal table, her legs bound and spread, her arms stretched above her head, and a gag around her mouth. A gnarly scar patched the skin around her belly, though it looked aged enough to attest to an old battle-wound rather than a crime at the hands of their human captors. Tied as she was, the cold tremors seizing her body could not be contained. Her head lifted at the sound, and when their gazes clashed, the fear he saw nearly tore him to shreds.

Ryker could do little but stare. His head pounded and his chest ached.

Holy fuck.

“All right,” came across an intercom. “Shall we begin?”

Hitting a wall

I can't write when I'm stressed. This is a pattern I've noticed over the past year or so...whenever something comes up, my anxiety disorder kicks in, and even if I refrain from my typical obsessive routine, it's hard for me to focus on my writing projects when I know a larger project looms.

The past month and a half or so, I've been hit with larger projects. Toward the end of August, I received a lengthy manuscript that needed some TLC. The author has the first round of edits, and I'm not sure when to expect her to fire them back. Then the move happened within a week (and even though we're moved and unpacked and settled, I keep having nightmares about it). Now I'm waiting for my editor to send me back edits for one of my upcoming releases, which has my anxiety spiked as well.

This, too, shall pass. I know it will. September was an incredibly busy month and we're barreling toward the holiday season, so it's no wonder everything's a little wonky. I also find I've been completely exhausted the last few days. I have accomplished a little writing, and while I know exactly what I need to have happen, a boulder sits between me and the characters; to get them to do something, I have to move the boulder first. The cursor's no help, either. It just sits there mocking me.

This isn't writer's block. I think it's writer's fatigue. And though not being able to write sucks, I know from experience it won't last. Once I wake up, I'll be back with a vengeance. I just hope it's soon...I have a NanoWriMo project I want to tackle.

You wanna know who’s awesome? Lori Green. She’s amazingly awesome. Not only is she an author of touching, funny, well-written, not to mention HOT fiction, she’s an all-around cool gal. Someone I’d like to hang with should we serendipitously discover we’re neighbors (OMG, that would kick ass!)

I’ve been a fan of Lori’s since reading the sinfully hot 666 Angel Lane. I admit, I approached the book with trepidation, as I was in the process of completing Lost Wages of Sin, which while similar in theme is completely different in content and theology. I usually shy from reading books that sound too much like something I am writing or have in the works, but I couldn’t help myself, and I am so glad I didn’t try.

Sugar B’s Back In Town -> Another one of her works, and admittedly, a little less up my alley. Yet for as much as I adored 666 Angel Lane, I knew I couldn’t resist more of Lori’s wit, not to mention her artistry with words. I’m so glad I read this book. More than 666 Angel Lane, Sugar B’s Back In Town is real and gritty, emotional yet not over the top. I loved Sugar’s aunts, Red and Lil, loved the themes of redemption, starting over, healing, all while encased with warm humor and steamy romance between the title character and the tender, somewhat mysterious (to me, anyway) Jerusalem Cannon.

I just bought Lori’s most recent release (Hot, Hexed and Bothered) and can’t wait to dive into it. Bottom-line: if you want to read well-written, hot, funny, touching books with memorable characters, Lori Green’s the gal for you. And if you don't like these things in a book...well, then I don't care to know what you read.