This Girl's World

Anyone ready for Sin?

2012-01-17T09:17:00.000-06:00

Sinfully Scandalous is NOW AVAILABLE at Liquid Silver Books, Amazon, ARe, and (I'm sure) elsewhere. As I've said on Facebook and Twitter and probably anywhere I'm allowed to speak -- I am nervous about this one. Lost Wages of Sin was mostly well-received, though I know from a few comments on Goodreads the theological relationship (particularly between Lucifer and Big J) touched a few buttons. This one goes even farther -- though not because I aim to offend, rather because that's how the characters told me to write it.

Having said that, I am proud of the book and hope some of the fans of the first will be willing to give the second installment a try. There's a lot of snark, a lot more interaction with Lucifer, an introduction to the other Sin siblings, and a visit from Dante and Ava.

In related news, I received and signed a contract for a new erotic paranormal romantic comedy titled A Friend In Need, which is set within the Sinners and Saints universe but not dependent on any ongoing storyline. Really, this is my way to see how I can play with that universe (since I am in love with it as a writer) after I have exhausted the main plot. My NaNo project was just such an experiment, and it worked for everyone who's read it thus far. So sometime in 2012, interested readers will have a chance to evaluate/judge my success or failure in that regard. Here's the tentative blurb:

As far as birthdays go, university librarian Clarice St. Clair hasn’t had a string of successful celebrations, and her twenty-fifth doesn’t look to be any different. It’s not enough that the sexy subject of her schoolgirl crush walked in on her with her pantyhose around her ankles, but now her mother has dropped possibly the largest bomb in the history of large metaphoric bombs.

Happy birthday. You’re about the become a succubus.

Professor Weston Ryans has known Clarice since her days as one of his students. Though now they are nothing more than friendly colleagues, he clearly recalls her enthusiasm, her wit, and the litany of sinful things he wanted to do with her after hours. After catching her with her nylons around her ankles, he decides to smooth things over, but ends up hearing his favorite former student is the bargaining piece in a demon contract. And Weston knows something about demon contracts—he lost his father to one.

Suddenly everything is thrown into question. Clarice is about to change, but she doesn’t believe it. Weston is determined to help, but he doesn’t know how, and the clock is ticking. Yet when the transformation starts, Clarice finds herself hungry for one thing…and Weston is happy to cater to her needs.

In the meantime, to celebrate the release of Sinfully Scandalous, Sinners and Saints #2, I'm at Kacey Hammell's blog, giving away Sinners and Saints #1, Lost Wages of Sin. Contest runs until Friday!

Sinfully Scandalous Release Date & More

2011-12-28T09:12:00.000-06:00

Mark your calendars for January 16, as that's when Sinfully Scandalous will be released!

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.

If you can't wait until Jan 16, there is a free read from this universe in the Just One Bite Volume 5. A memoir as written by Lucifer, reflecting on his first encounter with his now ex-wife, Lilith.

In the interim, I've been editing up a storm, though I recently did take a break in discovering a new guilty pleasure...that is, Star Wars Old Republic. Did I mention that I'm a nerd?

Still waiting for word on my erotic contemporary romance, though I'm in it for the long haul. I do think it's best to try and forget the fact I sent it anywhere at all when waiting on a response, otherwise I'll drive myself -- and my crit partners -- crazy. I managed to prep my NaNo project for submission (tentatively titled "A Friend in Need"). And for the moment, I am structuring my 2012 writing goals. I want to have Book 3 of the Sinners and Saints series complete by, oh say, August of 2012. I'm also working on revamping Possession -- which I hope to have done by the end of January.

I'm also exceptionally pleased that Know Thine Enemy has received glowing reviews. Honestly, I didn't expect the book to get much attention -- not because I have such little faith in it (it's actually the work of which I am, at the present, the proudest), but because it is vastly different in tone to everything else I have available. The characters are darker, damaged, there's dubious consent and things that are trigger-worthy. But the reception thus far has been amazing. And while I certainly don't expect the trend to continue, this alone is worth the world to me. It has received a 5-Star Review at Rage, Sex, and Teddy Bears, a "You Gotta Read" rating at You Gotta Read Reviews, a 5-Star Review at Scorching Book Reviews, and a 4 Star Review at Maldivian Book Reviewer's Realm. So thank you to the readers and reviewers.

Back to ~~defeating Jedi~~ writing soon!

Going, going, gone

2011-12-07T13:31:00.001-06:00

Possession was my second release with Loose Id, published just under two years ago when I was still incredibly wet behind the years. For a number of reasons, I have decided not to renew my contract, which expires in January 2012. There's more I want to do with it, revisions I want to make, scenes I want to add...and I'm toying with turning the hero, Kade, into a werewolf. As for when this newly imagined novella formerly known as Possession will debut, I can't tell you, though I do hope it'll be sometime next year rather than later. Whatever time I don't spend editing during the next couple months will be split between work on Sinners and Saints Book 3 and working on ways to revise, re-imagine, and expand upon Possession.

Until January, Possession remains on sale for those who want to grab it before it's gone.

I had planned on doing this for a while, so it's not entirely out of left field...though it's only been recently I've considered changing Kade from a vampire to something else. A lot has happened in the last two years I did not anticipate, and certain things about me as an author have changed as a result. I want to see what layers I can add, if any. I also want to hear from Kade, as the current narrative doesn't allow for that. I hope existing fans of that story can understand my motives, even if you don't agree.

Hope everyone is having a good month!

Holiday Giveaway!

2011-12-01T10:33:00.000-06:00

Enter to win plenty of prizes from myself and
amazing, sweet, and uber!talented Kacey Hammell.

Prizes include:
Author goodies (via snail mail) from Kacey
plus these ebooks...
Know Thine Enemy
Firsts
Lost Wages of Sin (S&S Book 1)
Last Man Standing
Sinful (Follow the Music Book 1)

Enter to win by sending an email to kaceyhammell@gmail.com
with Christmas Contest in the subject line.

ONE Winner will receive all 5 ebooks & goodies.
(using Random.org)

Cheesy Thanksgiving Post -- List of things for which I am thankful

2011-11-21T14:17:00.001-06:00

In the spirit of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I decided to post a list of things I am thankful for -- because apparently, I am this corny. Sorry. The holiday season has a tendency to make me a little sentimental.

Note: these are in no particular order. Just as they come to me.

1) My readers. You make this job fun. Thank you.
2) My crit partners. Not only for their support in writing, but in life in general. I know I can call JA Saare if I need to vent or send something goofy to Sarah Ballance or talk about edits with Kacey Hammell or grumble with Madelyn Ford about anything in particular. They're more than crit partners; they're friends. Thank you.
3) My wonderful Aaron, who provides nothing but love, support, encouragement, and praise.
4) Nikki London for being my BFF of 10+ years, my sister, my employer, and my #1 fan. There is so much I couldn't have accomplished without you.
5) Skyla Dawn Cameron, and she knows why.
6) Positive reviews, for making my bad days better and my good days amazing.
7) Negative reviews, for keeping me grounded.
8) The good health of all my loved ones.
9) My editors.
10) The people I have met and continue to meet who make me endlessly grateful to be a part of this community.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who observe it.

SPOTLIGHT + GIVEAWAY: Kacey Hammell's SINFUL is now available!

2011-11-18T19:48:00.002-06:00

SINFUL
first in the Follow the Music Trilogy
is now available at Amazon Kindle & aRe

Blurb

For years, Mikayla Gallan has dreamed of providing a better life for her younger brother, Matthew, and herself. Coming from a family of musicians, Mikayla and Matthew have dreams of someday making it big. But Mikayla's first priority is always ensuring Matthew's future. When Houdini Records comes knocking on her door, offering her everything she's ever wanted, Mikayla's scared to grab onto their offer.

Sinclair "Sin" Devlin, part-owner of Houdini Records has loved and lost and has no intentions of ever going down that path again. He's determined to put his company back on the map and is willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen. Meeting Mikayla Gallan, hearing her sultry and passionate voice on stage, Sin believes he has found the only woman that could save the company. He's even more shocked to realize that perhaps she's also the only woman to save him from himself.

Excerpt

Excerpt:
Copyright(c) Kacey Hammell, 2011

Mikayla hung up her skirt on the clipped hanger, making a mental note to take it home after her meeting with Desmond Ritchie and his brother-in-law so that it could be dry-cleaned.
Anxious to get out front, her hands were shaking and her steps clumsy, as she hurriedly put her things away and rechecked her makeup one last time.

Standing straight, Mikayla looked herself over in the mirror. Normally after work she’d dress in an old, comfortable pair of jeans, sweatshirt and running shoes, but tonight that wasn’t an option.

For her meeting she decided to keep her black halter-top on that she’d worn onstage, and instead of her normal worn jeans, she dressed in pleated black dress slacks that were comfortable, yet professional. On her feet she still wore her heels with straps at the ankles. Though her slacks covered the straps, they were her favourite pair and she felt sexy in them.
Nothing like a pair of ‘fuck me’ shoes to give a girl a boost.

Around her bare shoulders she wore a sheer silk, red shawl that added colour to her outfit and she just couldn’t resist the colour at all. Mikayla felt that red was a ‘power’ colour, exuded confidence in the person wearing it and brought out her blue eyes.

At least that was her opinion and tonight she needed all the confidence she could get. If Desmond Ritchie was for real, then hers and Matthew’s lives could change forever.

Taking a deep breath and resisting the urge to giggle in her excitement, something a woman of thirty just didn’t do, she grabbed her small black purse from the dressing table, spun on her heel and headed to the door.

Throwing open the door, Mikayla didn’t see anything but a large black blur coming at her then she felt herself falling. Her purse fell from her hand as she reached out to grab whatever she could to stay upright.

Landing on her back on the floor, the fluffy grey carpeting at her back cushioning the fall, Mikayla sucked in a breath.

Old Spice and an inebriating masculine scent filled her nostrils and she opened her eyes. Looking into the deepest pair of brown eyes she’d ever seen, she was surprised to realize that a large man was lying on top of her.

A hell of a sexy guy to be exact. Wavy, chestnut brown hair, deep brown eyes and lush, full lips were all she could see. Never in her life had she seen such a god-like, beyond gorgeous Adonis this up close and personal. In many ways, this man reminded her of the actor, Matthew McConaughey, but with darker hair.

Small differences didn’t matter, McConaughey was her favourite actor, the man of many of her dreams and fantasies as she pleasured herself in her own room in the dark. Any man that could come close to Matthew McConaughey in looks and what she believed he’d feel like in her arms, was okay with her.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Gallan. The door opened so quickly, I didn’t have time to…”

Hearing his deep baritone voice, Mikayla’s body felt things it hadn’t felt in years. Desire, pulsating need and wetness between her legs all registered in her passion-filled thoughts as she stared into his brown eyes.

Licking her lips, swallowing to wet her parched throat, hoping to vocalize some outrage or to at least say something, Mikayla watched his eyes darken and stare at her mouth. Heat pooling even hotter in her belly and between her legs, she couldn’t remember where she was or whatever the hell she was about to say.

This man on top of her, her arms around him, Mikayla was certain that all was right with the world. The building around them could have fallen down and she wouldn’t have cared. Within his arms she felt she was where she needed to be.

“Ms. Gallan? Are you all right?” McConaughey look-alike asked, his eyes still watching her lips.
Wetting her lips again, she asked in a still-parched voice, “Who are you?”

“Sin. My name’s Sin.”

Oh my god.

Mikayla couldn’t have asked for a hotter fire to fan the flames but she felt like the temperature had just risen another one hundred degrees. Just his name, said in that deep voice, did things to her that should be illegal.

“Yes, sin you most certainly are.” Mikayla barely had time to register that she’d spoken aloud when he groaned and lowered his head.

His lips met hers in an explosive, wet kiss that would have knocked her on her ass had she not been lying down. Those lush and full lips captured hers and their tongues met.

He tasted of all man and a faint hint of peppermint. His hands held her head in place as if she’d move it at any second and she felt the softness of his palms resting on her cheeks.

Lost in the arousing and powerful sensations of their kiss, Mikayla’s hands roamed his back, feeling his corded muscles, making her shiver. Groaning into his mouth, she opened hers wider, taking more of his taste and his tongue into her mouth, hoping she didn’t have to stop kissing him any time soon.

Available for Purchase at:
Amazon
aRe
Smashwords
Bookstrand

I am giving away a copy of Kacey Hammell's SINFUL! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment to this post with your name and email address. Winner will be chosen virtue of an online randomizer on Wednesday, November 23 at 1pm CST. Please feel free to spread the word!

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

2011-10-31T20:00:00.001-05:00

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

2011-10-31T14:08:00.000-05:00

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

2011-10-31T10:16:00.001-05:00

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!

2011-10-29T09:45:00.000-05:00

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

2011-10-24T10:34:00.000-05:00

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!

2011-10-21T10:56:00.001-05:00

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

2011-10-14T19:51:00.001-05:00

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!

2011-10-12T12:18:00.004-05:00

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

2011-10-07T08:47:00.000-05:00

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.

2011-10-03T11:04:00.002-05:00

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.

Busy busy busy

2011-09-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

Since April, my husband and I have been casually looking for a new place to live. Our apartment is sizable, but the neighbors are crackheads and the landlord is an asshole. Since our lease renewed in August automatically, we went month-to-month and began the search…which came to an end just over a week ago. We found a duplex for just $25 more in rent per month on a quiet street not too far from the apartment. Over the course of last week, we signed a lease, paid the deposit and prorated rent, boxed up all our stuff, and moved. My anxiety levels spiked a bit and I had a rough few days, but considering the place was discovered and the move was initiated in a matter of one week, we did a heck of a good job getting it complete.

This obviously means I’ve accomplished nothing in terms of writing. There are still boxes to unpack, but I finally feel like I can work on fiction rather than worry about the next stage, and the timing couldn’t be better. Know Thine Enemy debuts in less than a month from Noble Romance Publishing. I have edits on Sinfully Scandalous to look forward to, and Original Sin, a Sinners and Saints story featuring Lucifer, is a contender in ARe’s Just One Bite contest (voting to begin October 1). Also, Forbidden Fruit has been a #1 Best Seller at Noble Romance Publishing for two straight weeks now. All this to say, it’s not the best time to be away from the Interwebs, so I’ll try not to take a lengthy sabbatical. I like staying busy.

I like having projects.

On my to-read list is Aline Hunter’s latest release. As her CP, I have read Omega Mine, but it’s been a while. I do remember the story is amazing, so make sure you have it on your to-read list, as well.

That’s all from me for the time being. Easing back into my routine. It hasn’t been all that long, but with as busy as the past two weeks have been, it feels frantic.

Just One Bite Finalist! Read the stories today, vote on October 1!

2011-09-22T08:22:00.001-05:00

Voting at All Romance E-Books' Just One Bite Contest commences on October 1, 2011. In the meantime, you can read the entries by the 32 Finalists. Including Original Sin, a Sinners and Saints Lucifer-centric short. See how it began for our favorite devil! And don't forget to vote on October 1!

Original Sin

A Sinners and Saints Story

“You smell fantastic,” she purred, thrusting her pelvis against mine. I was naked; clothing had not yet become a necessity. We were on the ground, Lilith in my lap, her fingers searching, seeking, feeling me all over. Then her teeth pierced the skin at my neck, biting down hard enough for me to experience my very first shard of pain. Blood I hadn’t known I owned poured freely from the wound, and she drank it like the elixir of life itself.

Granted, it was that for her. When human blood mingled with whatever the hell I was, it changed the human into something else entirely. The transformation was damn near instantaneous. Gone was the desperate abandon in her eyes and the war-torn state of her flesh. Her hair spun wildly out of her head, ribbons of black waterfalling over her shoulders and down her back. The skin clinging to bone grew soft and fat, plumping her out nicely. My hands cradled her breasts the second I remembered how to work them, and her red, healthy mouth crashed upon mine in a hungry first kiss.

#1 Best Seller

2011-09-19T16:58:00.000-05:00

For the time being, at least, Forbidden Fruit, my naughty, kinky short with Noble Romance, is the #1 best seller! And my other short with Noble, Dark Solace, made the top 10!

This is the first time I've been able to call myself a best-selling author. It feels pretty kickin'.

In the meantime, I'm in the process of packing up my earthly belongings to move them about a mile north. I might be scarce on the interwebs for about a week.

Winner!

2011-09-14T06:26:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Sonya Clark! Check your inbox, 'cause you have a helping of Forbidden Fruit!

Thank you to all who participated in the giveaway!

Forbidden Fruit release! + Giveaway

2011-09-12T12:46:00.000-05:00

Apparently, I got my release date confused with someone else's. Forbidden Fruit is NOW AVAILABLE from Noble Romance!

CLICK ME! CLICK ME! CLICK ME!

Blurb:

Ashlynn Sweeney has been in love with Reese for ten years, which would be no problem were he not her stepbrother. Being near him is unbearable, but Ashlynn likes to think she plays it cool, and his living on campus definitely makes life easier.

When Reese comes home for spring break, Ashlynn does her best to avoid him. Yet temptation’s hard to resist, and discovering the object of her affections masturbating to pornography is about as tempting as it gets. Though she flees before they can lock eyes, Reese isn’t about to let Ashlynn off that easily. Instead, he suggests they watch the rest together.

Ashlynn’s low on options. She can either face the forbidden with her head held high or brace herself for uncomfortable family gatherings. Either way, her life’s about to change...she just doesn’t know how much.

Excerpt

First official day of spring break. Ostensibly, nothing had changed in the house, but the air felt different. Alive. Electric. Ashlynn likened it to the sensation she experienced before giving an interview, or facing a class full of students during oral presentation week.

Granted, the world seemed different whenever Reese was around. Her stepbrother normally left within five seconds of walking through the front door, but he'd come home from the dorms on Friday and spent the night. If that weren't enough, he'd then shocked the crap out of her by staying through the weekend. Usually, he hit the road with his friends for excitement, alcohol, and scantily clad women. But for whatever reason, he hadn't followed his usual script.

Reese--even his name tasted delicious--was home.

Home, rather than anywhere else. Home, where Ashlynn, two years his junior, still lived with her mom and Reese's dad. Where she spent most of her free time trying to keep her thoughts as far from Reese as possible. Right now, sharing a roof with him again for however long, she couldn't shake the fantasies so easily.

Perhaps he would stay throughout the entire break. Here. Alone with her.

How should she feel if he decided to stay? She loved having him home almost as much as she dreaded it. People said girls matured faster than boys did, but Ashlynn didn't think that meant crushing hard at age nine, from the moment she laid eyes on him. Childhood crushes were supposed to have an expiration date; they weren't supposed to grow into an unhealthy obsession of catastrophic proportions.

His absence had made the past two years more tolerable. Although she missed him, Ashlynn had an easier time focusing on her own college preparations and social life with Reese away at school. She could pretend to show mild interest whenever someone asked her out, which happened often. Ashlynn Sweeney had been blessed with classic girl-next door looks--strawberry-blonde hair, a curvy hourglass figure, dimples and a winning smileóand she appeared invisible to no one except the one person whose attention she most craved.

But that craving was wrong. Reese had been her brother for over a decade now, and lusting after someone the law declared "family" violated all kinds of social norms.

Still, she missed him when he was gone, even if she had no idea what to do with herself when he came home. For the last few days, she'd wandered around in a stupor, trying to come up with something dazzling to say to him, and feeling lame whenever he asked her a question and she had to struggle for a coherent thought.

Today, the folks had vacated the premises; Ashlynn and Reese were alone.

Well, Ashlynn wandered the house alone. Feeling lame. Reese remained in his bedroom. Avoiding her. Being cool Mr. College and likely chatting up some skanky sorority bitch.

Ashlynn sighed, pausing in her trek down the hallway to cast a forlorn glance at Reese's bedroom door. Not a morning guy, he'd stay in there until at least three o'clock. She'd better find something to do. Something beyond wishing Reese would look at her and see anything but his annoying brat sister.

And God, she hated the word "sister." She and Reese shared zero strands of DNA. Their parents had married one another: end of story. Granted, Ashlynn hadn't minded. She'd loved Reese immediately, just for the wrong reasons. Reasons that would never cross Reese's mind.

Ashlynn turned to continue downstairs, but something caught her ear. She paused once more. A voice? A nearly indiscernible sound, so soft she thought she'd imagined it. The sound came again.

A very womanly moan.

"Oh, you gotta be kidding me," she muttered, turning on her heel. If Reese had brought a date into the house right under her nose . . . .

Though, she reminded herself, Reese had every right to his personal life. He couldn't know his stepsister secretly pined after him. His high school parade of girlfriends had all seen his room at one point or another. Ashlynn had endured more than one tearfully sleepless night, imagining him with other girls. Really, her stepbrother had every right to bring someone over. Hell, Ashlynn could bring home someone, too. They were both legally adults, after all. The time for sneaking around had officially passed.

On closer inspection, though, Ashlynn noted a definite absence of real-life girly sighs coming from Reese's room. The womanly sound she'd heard came from the television, which shouldn't surprise her. Reese was a healthy, red-blooded male and she knew he had a penchant for jerking it whenever the mood took him. When they had actively shared a roof, she had lurked outside his bedroom during his private time. Listening in was a sick fetish, she knew, but nothing got her hotter than hearing his faint whimper and moan, her mind conjuring images of what her eyes couldn't see.

Apparently, old habits die hard.

"I'm sick," Ashlynn murmured, wandering toward her stepbrother's door. "I need help, because I'm sick."

As she drifted closer, the sounds on the television became more prominent, and the cheesy music and the heavy moans left little room for mystery.

Porn. She'd never watched porn, but she had enough street knowledge to know what it sounded like. Plus, and more to the point, her eavesdropping had long ago revealed Reese loved porn, although she'd never caught him actually watching any. Perhaps he kept the sound muted to spare the folks' sensibilities. He had not muted it today.

He also hadn't closed the door all the way.

Just walk away. Turn around and walk away.

But she couldn't walk away.

In addition to this, I am doing a giveaway that will end tomorrow night at midnight. To enter the giveaway, just respond to this post with your name and email address. Good ole fashioned drawing. How's that sound?

Coming Sept 16

2011-09-08T11:46:00.002-05:00

Forbidden Fruit, my erotic contemporary romance, is slated for release next week. I received the cover art today.

Blurb:

Ashlynn Sweeney has been in love with Reese for ten years, which would be no problem were he not her stepbrother. Being near him is unbearable, but Ashlynn likes to think she plays it cool, and his living on campus definitely makes life easier.

When Reese comes home for spring break, Ashlynn does her best to avoid him. Yet temptation’s hard to resist, and discovering the object of her affections masturbating to pornography is about as tempting as it gets. Though she flees before they can lock eyes, Reese isn’t about to let Ashlynn off that easily. Instead, he suggests they watch the rest together.

Ashlynn’s low on options. She can either face the forbidden with her head held high or brace herself for uncomfortable family gatherings. Either way, her life’s about to change...she just doesn’t know how much.

Excerpt

Ashlynn turned to continue downstairs, but something caught her ear. She paused once more. The sound was nearly indiscernible, so soft she thought she’d imagined it until it came again.

A very womanly moan.

"Oh, you gotta be kidding me," she muttered, turning on her heel. If Reese had brought a date into the house right under her nose . . . .

Though, she reminded herself, Reese had every right to his personal life. It wasn't as though he knew his stepsister secretly pined after him. In high school, Reese had entertained a parade of girlfriends, all of whom had seen his room at one point or another. Ashlynn hadn't subjected herself to much emotional torment then, but she had endured more than one tearfully sleepless night imagining him with other girls. On the surface, her stepbrother had every right to bring over a girlfriend. Hell, Ashlynn could bring home someone, too. They were both legally adults, after all. The time for sneaking around had officially passed.

On closer inspection, though, Ashlynn noted a definite absence of real-life girly sighs coming from Reese's room. The womanly sound she'd heard came from the television, which shouldn't surprise her. Reese was a healthy, red-blooded male and she knew he had a penchant for jerking it whenever the mood took him. Considering he’d recently turned twenty-one, the mood likely struck quite often. When they had actively shared a roof, she had lurked outside his bedroom during his private time. Listening in was a sick fetish, she knew, but nothing got her hotter than hearing his voice whimper and moan as her mind filled in the blanks of what her eyes couldn't see.

Apparently, old habits die hard.

"I'm sick," Ashlynn murmured, wandering toward her stepbrother's door. "I need help because I'm sick."

As she drifted closer, the sounds on the television became more prominent, and the cheesy music and the heavy moans left little room for mystery.

Porn. She'd never watched porn, but she had enough street knowledge to know what it sounded like. Plus, and more to the point, Reese was a confessed porn aficionado, though she'd never caught him in the act. Perhaps he watched it muted whenever the folks were around. If that was the case, he had not muted it today.

And for whatever reason, he also hadn’t closed the door all the way.

Just walk away. Turn around and walk away.

But she couldn't just walk away.

Also, I received word today that Original Sin has been selected as a finalist for the ARe Just One Bite contest! The story will be made available on October 1st as a FREE READ, and best of all, readers will be able to vote for their favorite among the 32 finalists.

This short is a Lucifer-centered backstory to the Sinners and Saints series. It's around 3k in length. The second book in the series, Sinfully Scandalous, is slated for release soon from LSB. Book One, Lost Wages of Sin, is currently available here.

Once the story is made available, I'll post a link to it and to the other 31 finalists.

Know Thine Enemy: A new paranormal romance coming this fall

2011-08-26T15:37:00.001-05:00

I've spoken a bit regarding a book I've been working on since 2009. Well, I'm very pleased and overly excited to announce Know Thine Enemy has been accepted and contracted by Noble Romance Publishing, and will be released sometime this autumn.

Fair warning: this book is darker than some of my other work, and contains elements of dubious consent.

Below is the tentative 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 pushes 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.

I'll post updates as I receive them. In the meantime, I'm through the freaking roof.

Fish do the darndest things

2011-08-22T10:03:00.002-05:00

I write Lucifer in the Sinners and Saints series to be witty, amusing, puntastic, but not to be taken lightly. When he gets serious, you better watch yourself.

I bought two Betta fish a few months back. One lives at home (Dexter) and the other lives at work (Lucifer). Fish!Lucifer is not like Written!Lucifer at all...except the crafty part.

For the past two weeks, this is what has greeted me on Monday morning:

Written!Lucifer finds this hilarious. I think he wants a pet Betta, too.

It's official!

2011-08-14T17:54:00.001-05:00

I have signed a contract with Liquid Silver Books for the second installment in the Sinners and Saints series, Luxi's book, Sinfully Scandalous. Here is the tentative blurb:

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.

As I said, tentative blurb. It might well change between now and release day.

In the meantime, I've written a short Lucifer-centric piece for the Just One Bite competition at ARe. If it is not selected as a finalist, it will be made available on my website and this blog as a free-read.

I have a release date on Forbidden Fruit, the Naughty Nibble at Noble (say that five times fast!). Sept. 12. And here's the tentative blurb on that one:

Ashlynn Sweeney has been in love with Reese for ten years, which would be no problem were he not her stepbrother. Being near him is unbearable, but Ashlynn likes to think she plays it cool, and his living on campus definitely makes life easier.

When Reese comes home for spring break, Ashlynn does her best to avoid him. Yet temptation’s hard to resist, and discovering the object of her affections masturbating to pornography is about as tempting as it gets. Though she flees before they can lock eyes, Reese isn’t about to let Ashlynn off that easily. Instead, he suggests they watch the rest together.

Ashlynn’s low on options. She can either face the forbidden with her head held high or brace herself for uncomfortable family gatherings. Either way, her life’s about to change...she just doesn’t know how much.

And in regards to Lost Wages of Sin, if you loved Dante, you might want to check out the interview he gave at the Perfect Man Event. He seems to think he has this one in the bag, mainly because he's an egotistical ass. Men!

You can also enter for a chance to win LWoS by visiting the above link! Oh, and read a brand new review here!

Check back for release updates!

New contract! Writing updates, and so forth.

2011-08-05T09:55:00.001-05:00

I have signed a contract with Noble Romance Publishing for a Naughty Nibble entitled Forbidden Fruit. It's a tiny bit more taboo than my other fiction...well, depending on your definition of taboo. Sexual tension between step-siblings. Short, sweet, and sizzling just to whet your appetite.

In the meantime, I've been working on both Book 3 of the Sinners and Saints series (even if I don't yet know the fate of Book 2) and a short erotic contemporary. I've written so much paranormal over the past year, so the break back into a non-fantastical land is nice. Also, since it's aimed at just 20k, I feel like I'm getting a lot done.

Book 3 of S&S is coming along nicely. It's my first time writing from the POV of a male Sin, and I gotta say, he's rude, mean, snarky, and I think I love him. I am such a bad boy magnet.

Really, I'm just trying to follow my own advice as imparted over at Romancing the Muses. I rode a high after finishing two novel-length WIPs back-to-back, and now that they're complete and being considered for publication, the temptation is to ease into a small lull and take a break from writing. I don't want to do that; since writing LWoS last fall, I've been on a hot streak. Of course, there are days when it doesn't come easily or at all. In fact, I took a few weeks in May off from writing altogether, but when I got back to it I really got back, and determined not to let myself off the hook so easily. Once you stop it's hard to get going again, thus knowing this, I'm determined to get something written every day, even if it's just 500 words.

If all I can get done is some writing over my lunch period, that's fine. I just want to keep the momentum going.

Book II in the Sinners and Saints Series is complete!

2011-07-22T14:14:00.000-05:00

Sinfully Scandalous

Erotic Paranormal Romance

This one boasts 15k more than Lost Wages of Sin, but I am very satisfied with it. Look for updates over the coming days regarding CP edits, my edits, and the fun fun fun submission process. :)

Another one bites the dust!

2011-07-17T19:10:00.000-05:00

Know Thine Enemy

Erotic Paranormal Romance

It's done! The book I've been working on since 2009 is FINALLY complete! Now it's in the hands of my trusty crit partners. I'm not really sure what's going to happen from here; we'll see. I'm just ecstatic it's complete.

Irreverent v. Offensive

2011-07-12T11:03:00.000-05:00

As I get closer to wrapping up the second book in the Sinners and Saints series, I find myself becoming more and more apprehensive about how people of certain faith might respond to some of my less conventional theology. I don’t parade it around as fact, the way Dan Brown might, but I also don’t handle the material with kiddy gloves. In all honesty, I suspect if God exists he has a sense of humor (Exhibit A), and while I don’t go out of my way to offend anyone, I am highly aware as I’m writing that some of the content might be construed as sacrilegious.

According to the dictionary, the word irreverent is synonymous with profane. Other synonyms might include rude and disrespectful. Yet its counterpart, reverent, carries with it the implication of being worshipful, of placing overt emotional or spiritual significance in an object or concept. The difference being this: in my stories, all characters are created equal. They are all imperfect, regardless of cultural relevance or consideration, and all likewise have redeeming qualities. I am interested in unorthodox theology, and many of the things I have considered in my own religious journey are included in the Sinners and Saints series…but not because I believe them, rather because I think there are questions/issues/problems that haven’t been addressed, or even truly acknowledged. I don’t write with a mind to push the envelope, rather to take themes prevalent in the world around me and include them in my work. I don’t see my Lucifer or Big J as anything but characters in a book.

To be offended by something, one must go out of one’s way to make it personal. Thankfully, I haven’t received any “you’re going to Hell!” emails as a result of the first book, but I think that might change as the series progresses. And if people choose to believe that, fine. If faith is so fragile to be threatened by a piece of fiction, what does that say for faith?

There are things I could do to intentionally make the Sinners and Saints series offensive, and those things I won’t touch. There will be none of Exhibit B or Exhibit C or even Exhibit D. Not because I think any of these things are offensive, but there is a degree of pushing things too far, and honestly, the series doesn’t call for that.

I know I’m far from the first author to touch upon theological issues in fiction, romantic fiction, or even erotic romantic fiction. This territory, however, is new to me; as the granddaughter of a Church of Christ minister and an inhabitant of the Bible Belt—not to mention a professed nonbeliever—I have to wonder what will come next, and what might possibly be deemed as too much. In the end, though, everything runs the risk of offending someone, no matter the subject matter.

I suppose the point of this post is this: I am aware that the material is sensitive to many, and while my goal is not to offend, people might become offended because of things they read into the text, not things I write. I can’t help that. I intend to be faithful to myself and true to the characters I’ve established. Beyond that, it’s out of my hands.

And I'm spent

2011-06-12T17:06:00.001-05:00

Two weekends ago, I was in Natchez, MS - my favorite of all favorite places, not to mention the setting for Lost Wages of Sin. I had a blast, and loved spending time with my mother. The only thing that could make it better was my first convention, which I attended last weekend. I got to meet J.A. Saare, Madelyn Ford, Angela Sneed, Kimberly Adkins, Bells, and a slew of amazing authors and readers alike. I didn't take many pictures -- why, I don't know. I was just overwhelmed with the awesomeness of being there. I hope to -- nay, I will -- do better next year.

So that was two weekend trips in a row. But three's company, so this last Friday, Nikki London stole me away for a brief mini-break to Las Vegas, where we both fulfilled a dream of seeing one of the last members of the greatest band ever to play music perform live for two and a half glorious hours. That's right, I got to see Paul McCartney.

And the Beatles are the best band ever. No hyperbole involved. This is fact. Do not argue.

Needless to say, the experience surpassed any expectation I had. For a man one year shy of his seventies, he had the energy of an Olympic athlete. That, and you haven't experienced "Live or Let Die" until you've seen it live with an accompanying fire show. I sang myself hoarse and I believe my ears are still ringing, but damn, what a night.

Now, my feet are back on solid ground, and I don't plan on leaving again for a while. I do have some ideas forming -- editing and reading to do, on top of all else -- but the truly amazing thing is I have the next two books in the Sinners and Saints series planned. Yes, I had to push Invi's book back for her brother, but I know I have some readers eager to hear from the male Sins, at least a few people won't mind the schedule shift. This is what my lineup looks like at the moment.

Currently writing

Know Thine Enemy
Sinfully Scandalous (Sinners and Saints #2)

Up next

Blackout (short contemporary erotic)
Flip Side of Sin (Sinners and Saints #3)
Untitled project, urban fantasy

To come

Sins of the Father (Sinners and Saints #4)
Shades of Gray

I have a very busy few months ahead of me. My goal is to have Know Thine Enemy and Sinfully Scandalous done by the end of the summer, and Blackout done this fall. This is all very much attainable, especially since both my active WIPs are nearing the end. I just need to get cracking.

In the meantime, I was greeted with a wonderful homecoming gift: a 4 Star Review for Lost Wages of Sin at RT Reviews. LWoS has also received good press at Nocturne Romance Reads, ParaNormalRomance, Paranormal Haven, and Coffee Time Romance.

What's in a name?

2011-06-08T14:47:00.001-05:00

Over the last day or so, I've been toying with the idea of writing under a different name.

For starters, the story-lines wouldn't be necessarily erotic, though there'd be romance ('cause I'm a sucker romance) and sex, most likely, but nothing explicit or too graphic. Just something a little lighter and outside my immediate target audience. I suppose the only reason why a different name would be necessary is so readers won't buy something for the heat, and be disgruntled when they don't get what they expect. Likewise, one of my author buds wrote some killer-smokin' stuff under the same name she wrote her urban fantasy, and was accused of writing pornography by those readers who don't like it hot.

Then again, I've been writing explicit sex scenes so long, it might just come naturally (hahaha, pun).

So I ask you: if an author's planning on toning down the heat for a WIP, would it make it easier for readers to differentiate the stuff from The Stuff by using a different name?

Just to be clear: I wouldn't separate my material in terms of blog or website. Everything I release will be mentioned here, or somewhere you guys can find me.

Recovering

2011-06-06T20:03:00.001-05:00

I had a fantastic weekend at the Lori Foster event; meeting my homegals J.A. Saare and Madelyn Ford. I also got to chill with Bells, who is an utter delight, and made at least four new friends: B and K (I don't know if they'd want their names posted on a blog like this, but you know who you are, ladies), and Angela Steed and Kimberly Adkins, all of whom put the rock in rocktastic.

I am very sleepy. And I have a busy weekend ahead of me. Paul McCartney concert. And, oh yeah, Vegas shennanigans. Wahoo!

Bring it on. Only not right now. I need sleep.

And yes, though I am only twenty-six years old, I have the body of a ninety-three year old woman.

LWoS Tour

2011-06-02T11:27:00.004-05:00

Natchez, MS is -- hands down -- my favorite place to escape. It's a wonderful oasis of calm, where whatever concerns involving my real life take a breather, and I can just relax. Likewise, it is the one destination that, without fail, fuels my muse like nothing else. Even before I first vacationed in Natchez, I was inspired by the architecture of its many antebellum homes to the point I set a story there at age 11. My mother, whose obsession with Natchez exceeds my own, had a collection of coffee-table books detailing the majesty and history of old houses in the South. Lost Wages of Sin is the first of several books that will feature Natchez as either a setting or reference it in some way. I can't help it; I just love it there.

My most recent venture took place this last weekend. Therefore, I have decided to post pictures of the various homes and locations that served as the backdrop of some scenes in Lost Wages of Sin. Some of these pictures are a few years old, as places such as Under the Hill and "Whytecliffe" were inaccessible due to recent flooding.

Thanks for indulging me. :)

I'll start with the Natchez Cemetery, which is hauntingly beautiful. I haven't yet been able to capture it in full grandeur in photos, sadly.

The three goons strolling drunkenly down Cemetery Road were no different. The second they set their sights on her, her wish was granted. “Well, well, boys,” said the first demon, a lecherous grin stretching across his deformed lips. “What’ve we got here?”
Had there ever been a time when that line was fresh?
The second demon cast her a look that she, quite frankly, didn’t want to analyze. “Wanna dance, little girl?”
Her lips twitched. She’d complain to others, but in truth, she loved this part. The bigger they were and all that. Ava looked human, smelled human and sounded human. Only a handful of earthbound demons knew otherwise. Even those demons didn’t know as much as they thought they did. Lucifer didn’t want word getting out he had her kind in his arsenal.

Next, to Longbourne.

Ava turned down a wooded path, crossing her arms. The air felt thicker here, almost electric. Something was close. One of her demon admirers, a brother or sister, or Lucifer himself, she didn’t know. Sleep remained a distant yearning. She wouldn’t get any rest with so much in the air.
The path broke into a fork. A sign on the left announcing what lay ahead was one of the tour houses, this one called Longbourne. It stood as one of the many monuments to the Civil War left behind and relegated to history buffs and field trips, so the current generation could experience what became of their ancestors and speculate how people in America had lived prior to TiVo. Every step she took made her skin tingle.

Now, to Avonlea where Dante and Ava met with Pixley, the curator. I have several pictures, including one I pulled off the Internet showing how this home looked before it burned. The modern shots were taken by yours truly.

Her feet hit the gravel drive before she saw the worn sign warding off trespassers. The home sat about a hundred yards off the closest thing Natchez had to an expressway, though Ava didn’t remember the streets being this busy the night before. She kept grabbing Dante’s shoulder and shoving him off the curb and into the weedy grass. A motorist wouldn’t injure him, true, but she still didn’t want to have to explain why a trip to the ER wasn’t necessary, or have someone in a panic over their lack of insurance.Like most demons, Ava’s eyes adjusted rapidly to darkness. She saw just as well at night as she did during the day, perhaps better given the situation. Still nothing could prevent the same creepy feeling she’d endured walking up Longbourne’s drive from hijacking her senses. It didn’t matter that tonight’s situation was completely different to
last night’s, wherein her feeling seemed justified. Longbourne sat a mile or so off the beaten track in the midst of a dense thicket of trees. This home, called Avonlea according to the worn historic monument post, felt much closer to civilization. Yet the sense of cold panic had her insides gripped, steadfastly refusing relief.
It also bore notable cosmetic differences. Ava hadn’t had much chance to admire any of the antebellum homes for which Natchez was famous, but she definitely had felt a more regal presence the night before. Perhaps that was due to Longbourne’s odd architecture—it looked like something one might find in India rather than the Old South. Avonlea, as far as she could tell, held a much more traditional façade, or had before fire had raped away its dignity. It was a great, two-story piece of history, rotted with burnt wood and crumbled plaster. A lamppost entwined with strings of ivy guarded what had once been a grand circle drive, while scorched columns held up a slanted veranda. It was a solid silhouette, cold, unfeeling, abandoned, and the solitude moved her beyond reproach.
“What is it with you and old houses?” Dante asked, glancing over his shoulder. The road was barely visible through the weeds, but the headlights of oncoming traffic kept the path from complete darkness.
Ava shrugged, barely able to explain it herself. “It’s not that old. Just a couple hundred years or so.”
“Old by today’s standards.”
She snickered. “Anything prior to 1976 is considered old by today’s standards.”
Dante favored her with a quick grin. “I got it. You just like the ambiance.”
“I like the privacy,” Ava replied. “This is a small town, and if summoning an angel is
anything like summoning a demon, we’re gonna want to be as far from attracting attention as possible.

Onward to Natchez Under the Hill. I couldn't take many photos due to the flooding at the river.

In the mid-nineteenth century, the area called Under the Hill represented the very worst sort of place for a woman to show her head—at least the sort of woman with a reputation to protect. What now stood as a small strip of land along the river landing had once been a large sub-community that entertained thieves, knife fights and the world’s oldest profession. So sordid was the reputation of the Hill not even police would venture along its seedy path. Now in the era of tourism and family friendly entertainment, the Hill had been reduced to a string of restaurants, gift shops and a casino showboat. One walkway ended and another began just as quickly, leaving little room between establishments. It still wasn’t the safest place to venture after night fell, but Natchez had far darker corners.
It was here Dante had parked the mustard-colored Oldsmobile he’d lifted off a drug trafficker in New Orleans. He usually wasn’t one for petty larceny, but the second he’d learned Ava’s location, he’d abandoned everything for the need to rush to her side. And until the marvelously horribly-timed visit from her sisters, he’d forgotten he had a car on hand, at all.
He was fucking glad he had it now. Ava had descended into a state of desperate panic. Such to the point even now she managed to pull ahead of him in her small, anxious strides. They hurried along in silence, passing restaurants and laughing couples and people who had no idea Hell was literally upon them.

Finally, to the Ruins of Whytecliffe. These were taken a few years ago; due to the flooding, we weren't able to go out there on this trip. The drawing of the home was done by someone's memory, and stands in a display case beside the ruins to give tourists an idea of what the home once looked like.

Undoubtedly, the remains had once been grand, though age had worn them to nothing more than another tourist attraction. Yet unlike the antebellum homes in Natchez, the Ruins of Whytecliff stood at least thirty miles down Highway 60 and off two other country roads. It was the sort of thing one had to be looking for in order to find, though even in the dead of night with her human eyes, Ava saw.
Whytecliff had been palatial before falling to time. The pillars stood straggled between each other, marking where a house once stood. Large, gothic columns scarred by flame and aged with unkind winds and rain blocked off a small piece of grass.
It was large and beautiful, and it might be the last ground upon which she stood.
Yes, this certainly was the place to convene. Far enough from civilization to avoid attention while maintaining an ethereal, almost royal presence. Ava shivered as Dante helped her over the small fence marking the stopping point for tourists. The area hummed with energy almost to the point of suffocation, but she didn’t see anyone.
“Maybe the party ended early,” Dante murmured.
“Don’t think so.”
Ava turned around, her steps stumbling backward. Then her gaze scaled up the columns, and she saw them. Situated upon each pillar stood a member of her family—all of them—with Lucifer in the center.

I really hope someone enjoys looking at these. In the meantime, thanks for humoring me.

Book reviews: The good, the bad, and the ugly

2011-05-25T16:49:00.002-05:00

Hi all,

I wanted to say something real quick, as it was advised against me to respond to negative reviews.

I won't deny negative reviews are painful, but I am always, always, always grateful to receive feedback from a reader. If they bought the book, they have a right to their opinion, and to express that opinion however they wish. I won't ever think ill of someone for not liking my work.

So readers and reviewers - ALL readers and reviewers - thank you for taking the time read my stories. To those of you who enjoy it, my gratitude. To those of you who don't, my appreciation. I know you made a choice to purchase the book, and while I'm sorry it wasn't to your liking, I am eternally grateful to the time and money you invested in my work.

Thank you all for reading.

- Rosalie

Monday, Monday

2011-05-23T10:27:00.002-05:00

A devastating tornado swept Joplin, Missouri away last night. Joplin is about an hour away from where I live, and the common destination of many people in my family, as it sits near the state border where casinos are legal (Missouri is anti-gambling). At least 89 people have been confirmed dead. Please keep the victims and their families in your thoughts.

In other, happier news, I submitted for publication a short 5k story over the weekend; it's very sexual, and deals with a relationship between step-siblings. Just a fair warning to anyone who might think "ick!" - I actually don't consider this as taboo as others might; I didn't grow up with step-siblings. Still, from experience, I know it is a touchy subject for some. My CPs assured me I handled the matter delicately, though, so hopefully you guys will still respect me in the morning.

I have four days to go until my month o' vacations commences. Right now, I just want the storms to go away.

I survived the Rapture and all I got was this lousy blog post.

2011-05-21T18:52:00.000-05:00

For anyone who doesn’t know, today was supposed to be the end of the world…according to a very small group of people following the teachings of a man named Harold Camping. I first became acquainted with the word “rapture” in college, as the Church of Christ beliefs (with which I grew up) never said anything about Christ’s followers floating to Heaven. I never read the “Left Behind” series – though I have read something by LaHaye regarding the role of women in marriage, and that pissed me off so much I literally chucked it across the room.

Many Christians believe in the Rapture, but Camping’s predictions weren’t embraced by the Christian community. Yes, there were believers…the same way some self-proclaimed Mormons embrace polygamy, and the way others think we were planted here by aliens. Most people have no qualms belittling a religion to which they don’t subscribe, and even more can find humor in the failings of their own beliefs.

It’s come to my attention that poking fun at the Rapture that Wasn’t might be a bad showing of an author, and on a purely observational level, I suppose I can understand why. The problem, though, is no matter what you do or say, whatever opinion you have on anything, be it religion, politics, what’s for dinner, someone is always, always, always going to disagree with you. Heck, if you’re on Twitter talking about how much you love steak and how you can’t understand anyone who would give up meat, you run the risk of offending a vegan. Supports of PETA don’t even want you owning animals, so don’t talk about Fluffy. Those paranormal authors who write about witches could be, in fact, upsetting the Wiccan community. We just don’t know.

This is the Internet, and nothing – nothing – is sacred. I don’t care who you are.

Does that mean you should go out of your way to knowingly offend someone? Of course not. If I ever have or ever do offend someone, I really want to know so I can apologize. I want to be able to say, “I was wrong” or “I don’t agree with you, but I sincerely apologize if anything I said upset you in any way. It was not my intention.” I don’t want my Christian readers to feel they can’t say anything to me because I am an atheist. Trust me, I don’t bite.

I was honestly very concerned when Lost Wages of Sin debuted. I don’t believe it’s sacrilegious, but I don’t adhere to any of the philosophies therein. My grandparents, however, would likely be more hurt at the religious content than the sexual content (which they would likewise oppose). I have a healthy respect for Christianity, and indeed all religions…but they just aren’t sacred to me, and they’re not sacred to a lot of people. And if something amuses me, like the Rapture that Wasn’t, I will tweet. Someone might be offended. If that’s the case, talk to me directly. I will apologize. Probably at least twenty times.

What strikes me about this situation is the idea of what is appropriate versus what is not. Have any of you been on Twitter recently? The things discussed on a day-to-day basis could make a sailor blush. I find it amusing that we can discuss sex, graphically, and brush it off with “I write erotic romance” without taking into account those who might be offended. Yes, I write erotic romance, and discussing sex doesn’t bother me, but I also don’t want to become a poster child for those dissenters that Judy Mays faced regarding her career. We can also discuss Authors Behaving Badly – going viral and exploding over negative reviews and how Author X has ruined her career. We can discuss Greek Mythology, make fun of Tom Cruise, laugh at Mel Gibson, and we don’t care what they or similar subscribers to those beliefs think, but when it comes to This Important Thing, making jokes isn’t allowed?

Sorry. I’m calling bullshit.

Understand: I never, ever, ever, ever, ever want to offend anyone. I don’t say things to get a rise out of people, and I tend to shy from confrontation because this life is precious and I want to spend it doing other things, not arguing about something about which there will never be a change of mind. If I do offend someone, please know it wasn’t by design, and please contact me so I can apologize. I hate knowing I have hurt someone, and will likely feel bad about it long after you’ve moved onto other things. On the same note, though, I won’t apologize for being who I am. I am opinionated and outspoken, and I occasionally open my mouth and insert my foot. It happens. I’m not the first, and I won’t be the last…but I won’t get offended by someone doing or saying something that doesn’t coincide with what I think is ethical. Unless, you know, a crime of some sort is involved.

For the record: I, Rosalie Stanton, survived the Rapture.

Writing for yourself

2011-05-20T08:55:00.002-05:00

I have this WIP I've been working on for almost two years, perhaps longer. It started right around the time Firsts was accepted for publication from Loose Id and has been referenced in numerous interviews in response to the questions "What can readers expect from you?" / "What are you currently working on?"

I wrote the first 12k or so before hitting my writer's block, and I tell you, it sucked. As any author knows, writing when your creativity is tapped is like trying to milk a bull. It just ain't happening, folks. Sorry, thanks for playing, please claim your consolation prize. It's also no surprise that last year, during my writing drought, I was going through one of the longest bouts of OCD-inspired depression I'd experienced in some years. I was also at a job I loathed and in a constant state of panic about losing that job due to my OCD.

Yeah, not fun.

A lot of things changed last year at the same time. I began CBT as in an effort to battle OCD (which was amazing -- as much as I knew about OCD then, I know 10x that amount now, which makes dealing with spikes so much easier). I also manned up and quit the job I had needlessly worried over (honestly, I actually hear some of the customers I once helped stopped going there because I was gone. Suck on that, bitches), and got a job where I didn't have to stress much, if at all, over anything.

Is it any surprise I began writing again?

Funny as it is, when I began writing Lost Wages of Sin, it was less out of inspiration and more out of wanting something out there while I continued work on that other WIP. Of course, I quickly became enamored with the world (true fact -- LWoS reminded me how much FUN writing can be. I hadn't enjoyed working on anything as much as that story in a painfully long time). I never intended LWoS to spawn into a series, but spawn it did, and I'm enjoying every minute.

If you're wondering, the original WIP in question is nearing completion (though will likely exceed the word count goal) and will hopefully be out this fall.

Here's the punchline, though...I don't think my readers will like it.

I really don't.

Well, except Sarah Ballance and Nikki London, who are reading it as I write. It's dark and creepy and very sexual, and while I am damn proud of the story, it just doesn't seem like something my readers will enjoy. At least, those readers who expect comedy with my writing (according to some, I'm good at that).

So why am I writing it? Because I wanna, dammit. Because the thought entered my head and refused to leave, and those are the stories I want to tell. I doubt I'll want to see the reviews of this book (should it even be accepted anywhere), but that's okay. It's something I did for me. And hey, maybe I'm being pessimistic or whatever, but I also refuse to shutdown a project I love because bloggers might not like it. Someone out there will. If don't write what I want to write, why the heck am I doing this to begin with?

Hopefully I'm wrong. I mean, every author wants their stories to be universally adored, and I'm not exactly someone who views the glass as half-full to begin with. So, hey, stranger things have happened. I've read books much, much, much darker that sold well and were critically acclaimed. It could happen.

And if it doesn't, oh well. You live and you learn, and then you get luvs.

I am not dead yet; I can dance and I can sing. I am not dead yet; I can do the Highland Fling

2011-05-17T14:22:00.001-05:00

Well, my doctor was very patient and understanding (especially when I told him I was spiking), but suffice to say, I am not dying. He did say I have reactive hypoglycemia, which essentially means on occasion if I haven't had enough fiber, I'll start getting shaky after eating. Nothing to write home about.

Aaron suggested I start making a list.

Times I thought I was dying: 15 (conservative number, truthfully. I didn't keep count when I was little)
Times I died: 0

Might be a good idea. Take that, Louise.

In other news, I have closed three of the four giveaways, and the winners have been notified. If you're still interested in winning Lost Wages of Sin, you have a chance! The giveaway at Scorching Book Reviews is still open.

I'm in the process of editing a manuscript (and it's one I really like, which is excellent), and I wrote a few hundred words on Know Thine Enemy yesterday. One of my CPs has read the bulk of what I have on Sinfully Scandalous (Sinners and Saints #2) and has said she thinks it's better than Wages, which makes me nervous and happy and then nervous. Yikes.

Also - I am taking 10 print copies of Lost Wages of Sin with me to the Lori Foster retreat here in a couple weeks. I'll be selling them for $8, which is a little less (now that I've done the math) than I had to pay to get them printed. Anyone who plans on going and would like a copy can email me or leave a comment here, and I'll be sure to put one aside.

Think that's it for the moment. Oh, except Lost Wages of Sin is finally available on Kindle! Did I already mention that? Oh, bother, I'm doing it again.

When "Did I leave the oven on?" causes a nervous breakdown

2011-05-16T12:00:00.002-05:00

We all have small fears and concerns that dominate our minds in one way or another through each day. Will I make it to the bank on time? Did I call in my prescription? Do I have enough gas to make it home? Am I coming down with something?

I have what you would call normal days and abnormal days, and the normal far outweigh the abnormal. As I have disclosed in other posts, I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, and have been dealing with it for nearly twenty years. About a year ago, I began a new form of treatment for my OCD which dealt with direct confrontation of my obsessive thoughts. At the time, my obsessive thoughts revolved around various scenarios in which I would do something completely out of character. True, I still have these thoughts on a periodic basis, but I know how to handle them now.

Essentially, because I think it doesn’t mean it’s true. Because I worry about it doesn’t mean it will happen. I can pour a glass of water and place it on a desk, and think at it as hard as I can. Will it topple by my willing it to topple? Odds are, no. I can’t think things into existence.

My therapist has told me numerous times my OCD is a sign of my brilliance (as if there was any doubt *g*). It is true that OCD manifests most typically in people of high intelligence whose brain functions quicker than others (I’m not saying mine does, but it’s a nice thought. LOL). The list of people reported to have had OCD keeps me in good company. Charles Darwin, Howard Hughes, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Albert Einstein, to name a few. There are a good number of current celebrities, like Howie Mandel, who have done a lot for OCD awareness by coming out with their stories.

Most people associate OCD with handwashing, nitpickiness, germaphobia, and so on. Yes, this is an accurate representation of OCD, but I haven’t had these sorts of fears or compulsions since I was eleven. That is, until recently.

It’s not uncommon for OCD to take a different method of attack. For sufferers, OCD exists almost entirely separate from the self—like an annoying acquaintance who won’t leave you alone. I’ve named mine Louise, because it’s easier to attribute the OCD thoughts (i.e, not mine) to someone else rather than claim them for myself. I’m not the only one who’s done this. Recently, I read a self-pubbed book called “It’ll Be Okay” by Shannon Shy, only to discover his coping mechanisms were remarkably similar to the ones I’ve conjured. He attributed his obsessive thoughts to a non-entity separate from himself. I likewise discovered we hail from the same state, and actually went to the same college, but that’s beside the point. OCD operates like a brilliant super villain. Once you have its strategy figured and defeated, it comes back at you at your weaker spots, targeting vulnerable areas you mastered once but have forgotten to defend.

For me, my vulnerable area revolves around contamination fears. As I’ve said, I haven’t experienced contamination fears in a long time, and no matter how bad it gets from this point out, I refuse to give into the most obvious physical compulsions. The trouble is, while I know I’m all right, I can’t get it out of my head that something might be wrong. And here’s the kicker: if I look up a disease, like cancer, and examine the symptoms, my body will begin to mimic the symptoms—or rather, my brain will interpret a particular behavior as a sign of something deadly. In the end, I know it’s just OCD, but how do you convince yourself of that? How can you be certain? Maybe it is just OCD, but what if it’s not?

With me, I’m 99.5% certain on an intellectual level that everything I’ve experienced recently is just a symptom of the disease I already have telling me I have something else. It helps to try and educate people about OCD, as well, because as I explain to my blog readers or a friend or a complete stranger the behavior of my condition, the more clearly I can understand what I’m going through. Even in writing this, I have reminded myself of the evil tricks my mind can play on me. Does that mean my symptoms have subsided? In intensity, yes, but they will be back.

As it is, I have an appointment with my physician tomorrow. Hopefully by this time tomorrow, I’ll be set back straight.

Where does the time go?

2011-05-14T22:55:00.001-05:00

My four interviews are live, as are the giveaway contests. Readers have three chances to win an e-copy of Lost Wages of Sin, and one chance to win a print copy. Thanks to Sarah Ballance, Ju Dimello, Nikki, and Marq for the opportunity to essentially hijack their blogs for a few days.

If you haven't entered one of the giveaways and would like the opportunity, now's your chance.

Ju Dimello
Loves to Read For Fun
Sarah Ballance
Scorching Book Reviews

There are also two new reviews out for Lost Wages of Sin! 3.75 Bells from Hanging With Bells, and 5 Martinis from Book Martini Reviews!

I recently finished another chapter of Sinfully Scandalous. Luxi decided to make life difficult by doing something I hadn't planned. Yet I'm beginning to think she's a genius, because her carelessness has, I believe, made the future chapters a lot more plausible in terms of motivation. So, loathe as I am to admit it, kudos to Luxi. Maybe she does know what she's doing. Let's hope. She couldn't possibly get me in more trouble, could she?

All right, ya'll. It's 10:30 on a Saturday night and I'm ready for bed. When did I become an old lady? :(

Not happy

2011-05-13T12:00:00.001-05:00

Well, all but two of the participants who commented on the interview giveaway posted on Ju Dimello's blog have been erased in Blogger's little hissy fit. So to all who entered the giveaway: should you stumble upon this post, please leave a comment so I know to include you in the drawing. Even if the comments are restored, I want to make sure everyone has a fair shot in being counted.

Thanks.

Yours disgruntled,
Rosalie

Another interview & giveaway!

2011-05-12T09:43:00.000-05:00

How much of me can you take? Let's find out!

My interview at Loves to Read For Fun

Also, I am taking 10 paperback copies of Lost Wages of Sin with me to the Lori Foster Reader & Author Get Together, and will be selling them for $8 (which is what I paid for them, so I'm not charging more than I put into it). If you're attending and would like me to save you a copy, please let me know and I will do so. You can leave a comment here or email me at rosalie.stanton@gmail.com. If I end up getting more than 10 requests, I'll order more for this event.

Lost Wages of Sin - New interviews, reviews, and giveaways

2011-05-11T08:22:00.003-05:00

I am going on three different trips over three consecutive weekends. My mother and I are heading out to either Natchez (setting of LWoS) or Eureka Springs Memorial Day weekend. Our destination depends on the road conditions -- the recent Ark-like rainfall has made any concrete plans a little hard to piece together.

The weekend after our mother-daughter holiday is Lori Foster's Readers and Authors Get Together, which I am attending alongside two of the awesomest people who ever awesomed, J.A. Saare and Madelyn Ford. This is my first convention, so I'm both extremely nervous and excited.

Weekend after that, Nikki London is taking me to Vegas to see Paul McCartney in concert.

So yeah. Busy month ahead.

This week is full of promotions. I'm doing four book giveaways, and have likewise been interviewed at each site. This will be the last giveaways for LWoS for the foreseeable future, though I might do some Amazon giftcard giveaways once everything settles down from the trips. Also, if there's interest, I'll post snippets of the first chapter of Sinfully Scandalous, Book 2 in the Sinners and Saints series -- the full chapter being available in the print version of Lost Wages of Sin.

If you'd like to be entered into the first drawing for Lost Wages of Sin, check out my interview at Ju Dimello's blog, and comment with your email address for a chance to win!

I've also received some excellent reviews for Lost Wages of Sin over the past few weeks, each of which has me bouncing off whatever surface is readily available.

"Rosalie Stanton definitely delivered in this book with engaging and funny characters plus a storyline that zipped along, making me wonder where the time had gone when I was finished. This book for me, was a fresh new take on a paranormal world and some quick and neat world-building that left space for plenty more tales.
- Sayuri of Parajunkee's View (4/5)

"I just loved this book. It was witty, raunchy, intelligent and quick. The two main characters, Ava and Dante have a centuries long friendship that evolves into some of the best sex scenes ever. If not for the chemistry created by Ms. Stanton between Ava and Dante, I don't think the words would have resonated quite so much.
- Wendy of The Romance Studio (5/5)

"Lost Wages of Sin hits all the marks: it’s about love at its core, a hero you’ll be thinking about for quite some time, great mythology and just enough sexy action to get your attention
- Chelsea of Vampire's Book Club (4.5/5)

"What grabbed me most about this novel is of course Dante whose utter devotion and love for Ava shines through each and every single one of his actions. Though when compared to Ava in strength and physical abilities Dante falls short, nevertheless he never hesitates to put himself on the line for the love of his life and each and every single time he confesses his love for Ava to hear nothing of that nature in return just made me bleed for him a little. Let me not forget the banter between Dante and Ava that serves to be as much of a turn on as the actual scenes of intense hotness that Rosalie has down to a pat, the scene in the alley being my favorite!"
- Maldivianbookreviewer of Maldivian Book Reviewer's Realm (4/5)

"Lost Wages of Sin is a light and funny paranormal romance with memorable characters and hot, steamy sex (tongue loving FTW!). I am definitely looking forward to reading more from this author."
- Marq at Loves to Read For Fun (4/5)

"I loved Lost Wages of Sin. It's a fast paced story that will pull you in immediately. Dante is DEFINITELY worthy of his new hashtag. So please, pick up this book. Read it! Share it! Tweet it! Go forth and share the #DanteTongueLove. I promise you won't regret it."
- Dren at Dren's B-Spot (5/5)

I'll post more reviews as they come, but these have me indefinitely situated on Cloud Nine. Thanks again to all who have taken the time to read and review the book! And remember, you have four chances to win a copy of Lost Wages of Sin this week, starting with my interview at Ju Dimello's blog! Go, comment, win!

J.A. Saare, how I love thee, let me count the ways...

2011-05-04T09:54:00.004-05:00

Author: J.A. Saare
Publisher: Mundania Press
Genre: Urban Fantasy
ISBN for Trade pbk: 9781594267130
ISBN for ebook: 9781594267123
Release date: 5/3/11
Author's website: http://www.jasaare.com/
Enter coupon code: RHIANNONSLAW10 for 10% off.

I can’t believe I forgot to mention this! I’m such a bad friend (and crit partner).

You guys remember my home-girl, J.A. Saare, right? The author that chilled us, thrilled us, and fulfilled us with her amazing book Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between? The book has been given a makeover and is, as of yesterday, officially available to the public at its new home, Mundania Press. Aside from the amazing story, readers can now anticipate a new author forward, the vignettes she’s penned, and the first two chapters of The Renfield Syndrome, the exciting next installment in the Rhiannon’s Law series.

I won’t lie: J.A. Saare is a close, dear friend of mine, so there is an obvious conflict of interest. We first met after she sent me an email regarding her love of my debut novella, Firsts, and her obsessive love of Thorn. I was extraordinarily moved by her kindness, not to mention taking the time to contact a novice author who was sitting in the corner twiddling her thumbs. Thanks to Jaime, I have become more of a social butterfly and forged new relationships online. She’s one of a kind.

That’s all well and good as a person, but I will say this: I read Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between before we became more than acquaintances. She’d been kind to me and if an author’s kind, it makes me that much more likely to purchase their book. I bought Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between and just…well, devoured it. Between the dialogue, descriptions, vivid-world building, and dynamite plot and action sequences, I fell in love. Not to mention, there’s Rhiannon. Rhiannon’s kickass persona, sense of humor, don’t-fuck-with-me-attitude rendered me thoroughly absorbed. I also love the way Rhiannon feels like a person rather than a character; I see her, tough as nails, and understand how much of it is a defense mechanism, how much is ingrained, and where the two overlap. And of course, Disco, the vampire who made readers swoon and gasp and plead for more. There are also a number of side-characters—Goose, Paine, and so on—who contribute more than I think I even realized.

If you’re at all familiar with this book, you’re likewise familiar with the ending—or have at least heard tale. The second book in the series has been complete for a while now, and it is—if at all possible—better than the first.

J.A. Saare is one of those authors that inspires me to write. She’s been a friend for a long time, but one of my favorite authors even longer. But don’t take my word for it. Go. Buy. Read. You won’t regret it.

Want more? J.A. Saare recently sat down with Bells and discussed her work and the upcoming books in the series. Click here!

Coming soon! Who's excited as I am?

One nation, indivisible

2011-05-02T08:58:00.002-05:00

I won’t get political on my blog often; only when the occasion calls for it. I believe this is one such occasion.

My brother's birthday is on September 8th, and in 2001, when I was sixteen, my mother decided to celebrate by taking the family to Disney World. I honestly can't remember all we did the 8th-10th. I know I rode Space Mountain, that we went to the castle, and rode around in Epcot. I know we had fun.

We were supposed to fly out on September 11, after spending the last day in the Animal Kingdom. While dining in the Rainforest Café, our server stopped by the table and told us planes had crashed into the White House and the Empire State Building. We finished breakfast, unsure whether or not to believe him, and left feeling what he said was impossible, and likely a very unfunny joke.

Once outside, my mother whipped out her cell phone and called my grandparents. They confirmed planes had struck the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon, and America was under attack. We panicked. We were supposed to fly out that day. We immediately rushed back to the hotel, and since it was so early and only a handful of the guests knew what had happened, we were extremely fortunate in securing the last rental car via the receptionist at the hotel.

The taxi ride to the airport was excruciating. We sat dumbfounded for a little over an hour, listening to coverage of something we couldn't comprehend. When we got to the airport, it was on the television, but we couldn't stop to watch. We were getting out of town, out of Florida, and back home as soon as possible.

We drove forever. On the radio, we heard that Disney World had been closed, as officials feared it might be a terror-target. We listened to coverage for hours. I remember feeling numb, detached, on the verge of tears every second, quite sure that life would never be the same. Obviously, as we live in Missouri, we couldn't drive straight home. I think we stopped in Alabama. Then, for the first time, after listening to the ghastly details all day, we saw what radio correspondents were talking about.

To this day, I have never been able to accurately describe how strange that was. Hours upon hours of listening to people describe something one can’t grasp, and then seeing it clear as day. I know the Ground Zero footage was surreal for the global community, but I’ve always mentally likened it to being told extraterrestrials have landed, and then seeing a spacecraft firsthand. Something completely out of this world, beyond understanding or any semblance of reality.

I don't really remember the second day of driving as well as I do the first, only that I was tired and wanted to get home. I wanted to phone my friend, Matt, as his cynical little-bothers-me view on the world was exactly what I needed to feel normal. He didn't disappoint, and while I felt anything but normal, it was good to hear his voice. The next day at school, I talked with my friend Nikki London, who explained how she and those at school had learned what had happened. Had I been home, I would have learned alongside Nikki in orchestra class. A student who normally skipped orchestra came in and told the class planes had hit the Towers. The instructor had assumed the student was joking as a means of explaining his tardiness, and they went on with class. Finally, the instructor caved after the kid wouldn't relent, and when they saw it was true, class halted. I'm guessing everything halted. I can't imagine being at school and hearing that news.

Granted, up until it happened, I couldn't imagine being in Disney World, either.

Everyone remembers the days that followed. The sense of patriotism and courage, and the determination to strike back at the entity that had torn us apart. Even though I wasn’t one of Bush’s fans—being all of sixteen at the time—I remember feeling, for the first time, fully behind my president. I remember feeling proud when I saw him at Ground Zero, and I remember the dead certainty with which I reflected the enemy’s demise.

After a while, the enemy had a name. Osama bin Laden.

Nothing happened the way we thought. The patriotism that united us in the days following 9/11 was short-lived, and 9/11 itself became a political tool, something about which I am still bitter. After a while, I, like so many, consigned myself to the reality that bin Laden had more friends than we did, and “smoking him out” was a task easier said than done.

Last night, nearly ten years after my first and only trip to Disney World, a good friend sent me a late night text message. “Osama bin Laden is dead, body in US custody.” My initial response was shock, and I expect that sentiment carries across the world. Aaron and I hurried downstairs to watch the presidential address, and even after a sleepless night, understanding what happened seems miles away.

Nikki London and I drive to work together every morning. She summed it up for me. Our generation was shaped by 9/11. It was our moment of reckoning. We were in high school when the Towers went down, and our adolescence and maturation into adulthood was molded and influenced by living in a post-9/11 world. A part of me remains conflicted over the rest, which yearns to celebrate a man’s death. The pundits last night toted this as Obama’s crowning achievement. I don’t know why, but it seems odd to regard the president’s largest achievement as getting a man killed. It also feels strange feeling glad a man is dead, but I won’t apologize.

Whatever else, last night marked a milestone in a war that defined my upbringing and reminded me, despite my country’s flaws (and they are aplenty), how proud I am to be an American.

The war on terror is far from over. I doubt it will ever be over. Still, the part of me that remains that timid sixteen year old feels at peace, and I hope the sentiment lasts a long, long time.

News, interviews, and reviews

2011-04-19T11:58:00.002-05:00

Sonya Clark recently interviewed me regarding my latest release, Lost Wages of Sin, as well as my affinity for bad boys with hearts of gold. Get the whole scoop here.

I've also been reviewed by Scorching Books! 4.5/5 Stars! Just a snippet of the review:

I loved the characters; from the romantic interests to the sisters they were all likeable, yet flawed characters that kept my interest and made me want more (I cannot wait to meet the male Sin’s). I enjoyed the twists and turns that kept me guessing and the thought of Lucifer being a surrogate father was quite fun (although he sounds hot!). The sex scenes were SMOKING...[...] the majority the writing was fabulous. A series I will be continuing so I recommend you pick it up too.

Read more of this review here!

These last couple weeks have been hectic but awesome. I can't wait to see what happens next.

NOW AVAILABLE: CHARITY RECEIVED BY MADELYN FORD

2011-04-19T08:29:00.000-05:00

NOW AVAILABLE FROM LOOSE-ID: THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF MADELYN FORD'S "THE WATCHERS" SERIES

After one night of passion, werewolf Charity Darinn flees the arms of her lover. For months she's believed her mate had fallen in battle at the hands of a demon, only to discover he is not only alive, but also belongs to another. Yet, she vows to cherish the child they have created. On her own.

But her mate has other ideas. The vow taken as a Grigori warrior to protect all of mankind only seems more pivotal when it involves the female who completes his soul. With psychotic werewolves on the loose and the traitor who just happened to have been his best friend targeting all the Grigori, he will desperately search for the mate who slipped from his bed in the middle of the night. And he won't rest until she is back where she belongs, safe in his arms.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Violence.

2011-04-13T14:23:00.000-05:00

SALE! NOW THROUGH APRIL 30!

To celebrate the debut of LOST WAGES OF SIN, I have marked the paperback off by 15%. To sweeten the pot, Lulu is willing to knock off another 25% when you use the promo-code APRILREAD

Lost Wages of Sin: Now Available!!!!!!

2011-04-11T18:28:00.005-05:00

All right, everyone! It’s here! It’s finally here!

Today Lost Wages of Sin is officially available from Liquid Silver Books!

I’m really psyched beyond belief at the interest generated, particularly since this idea magnified into something I couldn’t have predicted when I first began writing it. It was such an exciting, fun book to write, and regardless of what happens from here (whether it does or doesn’t do well), I am immensely proud of it. Hopefully it will find an audience, because I am a good ways through the second book and this thing just keeps gaining momentum.

LOST WAGES OF SIN - Release date, new excerpt, trailer, and giveaway!

2011-04-01T08:34:00.002-05:00

I'm over at Sarah Ballance's blog today, talking about my upcoming release on April 11, 2011.

I'm also giving away a copy of LWoS! All you have to do is comment!

So pop on by, check it out, and say hello!

Lost Wages of Sin - Erotic Paranormal Romance - Book Trailer

2011-03-29T18:27:00.001-05:00

Made by the incredible Kendra Atchley

On writing, or something like it

2011-03-26T22:11:00.000-05:00

I definitely prefer the writing overload than a dry spell, but it's getting a little ridiculous. I'm pretty far into both my active WIPs -- the second book in the Sinners and Saints series, as well as my paranormal erotic romance. One of my currently stalled WIPs has started screaming at me for attention.

I'm at a good point in both my active WIPs. They might actually be finished and sent out at the same time. Plus with Lost Wages of Sin coming out soon, 2011 is starting off pretty well.

I want the Heaven with dogs.

2011-03-16T08:26:00.003-05:00

This was a stunt, but a funny one at that. For your daily laugh:

Reminder:

If you donate to Convoy of Hope to help Japan recover from the earthquakes and tsunamis (or, hell, for any reason), send me your receipt and receive free books. For details, click here.

HELP JAPAN: Donate and Get Free Books!

2011-03-14T13:58:00.001-05:00

Between now and SATURDAY, MARCH 26 at 12pm CDT, I am running a small charity drive.

How will this work? Very simple. Go to https://donate.convoyofhope.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=419 and make a donation to help those suffering the aftermath of Japan’s earthquakes and tsunamis.

Donate $5 and…

Receive a free e-copy of Firsts and Moving Target OR Receive a free e-copy of Possession and Dark Solace

Donate $10 and…

Receive a free e-copy of Firsts, Moving Target, and Possession OR Receive a free e-copy of Possession, Dark Solace and Firsts.

Donate $15 and…

Receive a free e-copy of Ripples Through Time, Possession, Firsts, and Moving Target

Donate $20 and…

Receive a free e-copy of Ripples Through Time, Possession, Firsts, Moving Target, and Dark Solace

Donate $25 and…

Receive a free e-copy of Ripples Through Time, Possession, Firsts, Moving Target, Dark Solace and, once it’s available and/or I have an ARC, a copy of Lost Wages of Sin

All you have to do is donate AND send me the donation proof/receipt. Email those to rosalie.stanton@gmail.com. If you donate $5 or $10, be sure to include what novellas you would like me to send.

Thank you.

- Rosalie

Read my lips: All New Smut!

2011-03-07T09:10:00.002-06:00

I'm running on a platform of vampires, shifters, and all the smexing you could want! If I win, I promise you sexy bloodsuckers, smooth-talking demons, and one dashingly elegant devil.

The Romance Reviews has Dark Solace up for Best Erotic Paranormal/Fantasy Romance in 2010. If you'd like to vote, you can do so by clicking the image above or the link below. You'll need to scroll down a bit to see the Best Erotic Paranormal/Fantasy Romance in 2010.

Vote!

(And JA Saare's Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between while you're at it! It's nominated in the Best Paranormal Romance category!)

Now available!

2011-03-01T14:21:00.001-06:00

Your very own LOST WAGES OF SIN bookmark!

And if you order right now, you'll receive an envelope WITH YOUR NAME ON IT! Absolutely free of charge. This two-of-a-kind deal won't last forever. Contact rosalie.stanton@gmail.com right now to qualify for the low-low price of $0.00.

I can haz cover?

2011-02-25T15:07:00.000-06:00

Look at what Amanda Kelsey made for LOST WAGES OF SIN! I tell you, I can't WAIT for the release!

Lost Wages of Sin - Excerpt

2011-02-24T09:04:00.001-06:00

I've now sent back the second round of revisions for Lost Wages of Sin and approved the cover, which will be made public shortly. In celebration, I thought I might post another short excerpt.

I'm going to have some bookmarks made shortly. If anyone's interested, drop me a line at rosalie.stanton@gmail.com and I'll send one to you - absolutely free! I'll start with an order of 50, so it will be a first-come-first-serve thing. :)

Lost Wages of Sin - Excerpt

In a blink she was in front of him, her body between his and the demon she called Mammon. “Shut up,” she snapped.

Then she captured his cheeks between her hands and brought his mouth crashing down upon her own. And all thought of the collection box or the demon in the black robes vanished. Dante moaned, his demon receding, all fight abandoning him as his body seized what it wanted above all else. Ava was against him. Ava’s lips molded to his. Ava. Everything around him ceased to exist. The ground vanished, the house faded, and Mammon merged into nothing. Reality blinked away, and there was nothing but the pure, unadulterated truth of Ava. The way her lips spoke against him, brushing his with softness Dante had never before touched. Not with anyone. Not this--this tenderness, this gentleness. Her mouth moved with girlish curiosity, consuming him with her richness. Her taste. Her good.

The kiss hadn't been planned--she was far too tense to have acted on anything but impulse. For what cause, he knew not, but he was there to catch her when her body relaxed. When her lips parted with a pleasured sigh, his eager tongue dove into her wet, wonderful mouth. Exploring, searching, drawing in as much of her taste as possible. Committing her to memory; there was little chance he'd get to savor her again. But she was here--against him, kissing him with enthusiasm. Holding his chin to anchor him into her mouth with small, hungry murmurs scratching her throat. There was no way to tell if she was aware of herself for the way she leaned into him, her hips swaying against his, rubbing herself against the iron hardness at his crotch, but he was too far gone to care. All that mattered was that she did.

“Fuck,” he panted. “Ava…”

A pause. He worried his voice had broken the spell around him, but only for an instant. She was kissing him again before he could miss her warmth, blinking away coherent thought. All he knew was her heat. Her liquid fire. The scent of her arousal attacked him without warning, teasing his tastebuds, flooding his nostrils and confirming what he already knew. He was lost. Dante was completely lost in Ava. For whatever reason, he was hers.

“Ava…” Her name rolled between them on a groan as he sucked at her lower lip. “Want … fuck … want you so much…” Then she was gone, and the loss was crushing. Dante's eyes flew open.

“You with me?” she demanded, breathless and flustered. That much was satisfying. Good to know her feathers weren't beyond ruffling.

Not that he paid much attention to anything but her moist pink lips, swollen by his ardor. That couldn't be it. She couldn't deny him her kisses. She couldn't give him so much without giving him anything at all--no, he'd taste her again. He needed to taste her again. However, he wasn't able to put as much into words. All that came out was a definitively ineloquent, “Huh?”

Ava nodded shakily. “Okay, you're with me.”

NEW Lost Wages of Sin - Excerpt

2011-02-18T09:10:00.004-06:00

From Sinners and Saints Book I: Lost Wages of Sin

Gravel crunched beneath her feet. Bugs chirped and the wind made love to newly budding leaves. Above her, clouds rolled against the ominously darkened sky.

“I am absolutely out of my mind.”

“Are you?”

Ava whirled around. He was there. Of course he was there. There was no way their paths wouldn’t cross again. For this, she was seemingly destined. Wherever she went in Natchez, Dante would be with her. No matter how she tried to shake him he wouldn’t let go.

“That’s a hoot,” Dante continued with a grin, taking slow, intentional steps forward. “’Cause just a second ago, you were of sound mind.”

“Fuck me.”

“With pleasure.”

She chose to ignore that. “What are you doing here?”

It was a redundant question. They both knew perfectly well what he was doing here, thus it came to no surprise when he ignored her question.

“Now, I’m a man who knows my crazies,” he drawled instead.

“I’ll say.”

“And while I’ll give you points for effort, I gotta say you lack the essentials.” Dante’s grin broadened as he shrugged, hands diving into his pockets. “Ava, gotta admit, never pegged you one for breaking and entering.”

“Breaking and entering?”

“That’s what you’re doing, right?” he said. “Isn’t this one of those touristy places?”

The accusation--or the hint of one--left her feeling bitter and foolish. To the layman, her actions would seem crazy. To anyone who knew her, though, it was preemptive. Therefore, she wiggled self-consciously and said, “I felt something.”

He grinned. “I’ll say.”

“Dante...”

“Figures you, err, dwarf types to follow your tinglies in the dead of night.” He rocked slightly on his heels. “What are we doing?”

“I am...none of your business,” Ava retorted, crossing her arms and cocking her head. “What are you doing here?”

Dante shrugged. “What’s it look like?”

“Wasting my time?”

“I’m helping.”

“Helping?”

He nodded as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. “I got nothing better to do.”

Ava just stared at him for a second. “No.”

“No what?”

“No to this. No to you helping. No to everything.”

Dante pouted. “Why not?” he whined. “You got no one else, do you?”

“There are plenty of demons I could call on if I wanted.”

Okay, so that was a lie, but it was the only one she had.

“But none others that are yours. I’m here for a reason, you know.” Dante’s head tilted as he studied her. “You need me.”

Ava reeled. “No.”

“There’s the makings of a good argument.”

“Dante--”

“What’ve you got to lose?” he demanded.

“Not much. I’d prefer to hold onto what I have left.”

Dante glowered. “Fine then. Have it your way. Just figured you wouldn’t mind a bit of company, seeing as you’re chatting yourself up to keep from going crazy. I’ll be on my way, then.” He waved and began to backtrack down the path. “Cheers.”

It was the most pathetic bluff she’d ever heard, yet as Dante’s familiar form began to fade into shadow, part of her succumbed to panic. She really didn’t want to be alone; another thing that seemed good on paper yet failed miserably in reality. Thus before she could reconsider, she heard herself call after him.

His answering grin was the one of a canary-stuffed cat. “Miss me already?”

Ava sighed and wagged a finger at him. “Don’t make me regret this.”

Dante just shrugged, not bothering to hide his satisfaction as he took his place at her side. “Not much chance of that, is there?”

No, there really wasn’t.

Yet as they started up the path, side-by-side, Ava couldn’t bring herself to mind.

Coming soon!

2011-02-15T18:54:00.002-06:00

Since LSB only requests electronic rights, I'm having LOST WAGES OF SIN put into print by Lulu. This isn't the final version; I won't have it available for distribution until I get my edits complete, but I did have a copy sent to me to make sure everything looks right. Aside from a few cosmetic things, I'm pretty psyched!

It's coming soon! Hurrah! I can't wait!

Cover made by me! Text done by the awesome JA Saare.

Lost Wages of Sin - Excerpt

2011-02-07T11:32:00.002-06:00

From Sinners and Saints Book I: Lost Wages of Sin

A hot flash of anger raced down Ava’s spine. This was so like him. Show up, distract her, and ruin the one solace the night had given her. Glad as she might be to see a familiar face, her frustration needed a channel, and he’d just stolen the only one in sight. “Dante!”

He tossed her a cocky grin. “Snooze you lose, darling,” Dante said, seizing Demon Two by the head and giving it a good snap. It crumbled to his feet without a fight.

“Son of a bitch.”

He rocked proudly on his heels. “You’re welcome.”

“What the hell, Dante?”

“Looks to me like I just saved your life.”

Ava gestured furiously. “Saved my life?”

“Glad we agree.”

“Those were my demons.”

He shrugged. “Weren’t killing them fast enough.”

“That was on purpose.”

“Likely story. You can admit it, now. It’s just us.”

“Admit it?”

“Yeah. That they were too much for you to handle.”

Ava snorted, flexing her fist. Times like this it was difficult to keep from showing the overconfident pest just how much power she wielded...but then again, she was in enough trouble already without running the risk of exposure.

“I’ll give you something to handle.”

“That a promise?”

“You don’t wanna find out.”

“You’re a spoilsport.” Dante shook his head. “I just helped your ungrateful ass, putting myself...” He paused and slapped a hand across his heart, his eyes wide with false sincerity. “...at great personal risk.”

“Too bad they didn’t wipe the floor with you. Your ego’s due for a downgrade.”

He scowled. “Is it too much to hope for a thank you?”

“I didn't ask you to do anything!”

“Fair enough. I suppose next time I'll just let them have their way with you.”

There was no end in sight, and Ava had neither the patience nor the inclination to talk herself in circles. Thus, rather than taking a further dive down a verbal labyrinth, she grounded herself with a long sigh. The pressure on her chest didn’t alleviate, but it would with time. Ending an argument without bloodshed was something knowing Dante had forced her to learn.

Perhaps she liked him so much because they fought so well.

“Okay,” she conceded. “Okay. What are you doing here?”

“What?”

“I don't want to fight.”

“Since when?”

“Since now. What are you doing here?”

“It’s my concern,” he replied indignantly. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m on the lamb.”

Dante nodded tightly. “That’s what I heard. What’d you do this time?”

Fell in love with an angel. Got the holy treatment.

Ava’s face flamed, her skin growing itchy. It’d be a cold day in hell before she gave Dante that bit of blackmail fodder--and she happened to know the last cold day had occurred in 1908, when the Cubs won the world series. “None of your business.”

His brows perked mischievously. “Nothing to do with a certain angel?”

A long, tired groan rumbled through her throat, her head swinging downward. “Fuck,” she muttered. “How’d you hear?”

“Demon falling for a celestial one? Not much chance of keeping that in.”

“Of course not.”

“There’s a story there.” Dante took an eager step forward. “Come on. Talk to daddy.”

“Not a chance.”

He bounced impatiently. “What do you have to lose?”

“Except my dignity?”

“You’re in Mississippi and word on the wire is there’s a hefty price on your head. Plus, the last man you had between your legs couldn’t find a clit if the salvation of mankind depended on it.”

“Fair point.” She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “Wanna grab a beer?”

“Thought you’d never ask.”

From Lost Wages of Sin: Dante and Ava, First Impressions

2011-02-03T20:31:00.003-06:00

Title: First Impressions
Timeline: Centuries before Lost Wages of Sin
Characters: Dante and Ava
Length: 523 words
Note: I know the dialogue in this snippet is an anachronism to the time. Forgive me. I just can't unhear them like this.

~~~~~~

There were three things Dante knew with absolute certainty. Blood tasted best off a fresh kill, never tell anyone where you slept, and he was going to die.

Right now.

Granted, he hadn’t known the last part very long, but rather the last ten minutes. How it had happened, he didn’t now. One moment, he and a group of local vamps feasted on the blood of a sadist, and the next he was on the ground, a holy man waving the business end of a torch in his face. He could be wrong, but Dante was certain everyone would calm down if one of the bastards currently whipping iron spikes into his flesh would stop long enough for someone to explain. Vampires weren’t careless creatures, at least not the ones who wanted to live more than a century or two. Death came to those who deserved it, and no one deserved it more than a defiler of the innocent.

It was a rather large step for Dante, who rarely gave a fig about anyone’s head save his own. The man who had met death by his fangs tonight had merely been at the right place at the wrong time, with the wrong sort of blood on his hands. Child’s blood. A girl, by the scent. A girl whose death had come only after her body had suffered horrors beyond the wickedest imagination.

Dante hadn’t been the only vampire present, but he had been the first to notice the man. And he had been the first to lunge. The others had merely followed suit.

And then they’d been ambushed by men of God.

Anger, fear, and doubt polluted the climate, ensuring no one felt safe in their skin. Perhaps these righteous lads currently intent on beating him to death didn’t know the difference between monsters. Either way, Dante was sure he was about to die. Silent screams stilled in his throat, his hands burning from holy water and his skin weeping blood. It would come soon. The vampire at his left had disappeared, burned to a rapid crisp after the torch’s flames dug into his chest. It would soon be over, and then—

And then nothing. Nothing at all. The thunderous cries around him silenced without warning, and the blows to his body came to a halt.

He didn’t want to open his eyes, but somewhere he found the courage.

At first he thought himself dead, for standing above him was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Ribbons of dark red hair fell over her shoulders, playing against soft, smooth skin and drawing his attention to the rather large sword in her grasp. She wore black, but he swore she was an angel, and the fire in her ember eyes stirred something in his chest he hadn’t known existed.

And then she opened her lips and spoke.

“If you plan on staring at me all night, you’re better off diving onto one of those torches.” She indicated the fallen flame at his side. “Or is this your first holy war?”

“My God,” Dante panted, drinking her in. “I think I’m in love.”

Sinners and Saints Book I, Lost Wages of Sin. Coming soon from Liquid Silver.

So, what are you doing in June?

2011-01-30T16:55:00.001-06:00

'Cause I'm going to a bitchin' party!

Along with JA Saare and Madelyn Ford, I'll be attending the Lori Foster Reader and Author Get Together! This will be my first convention of any sort, and seriously, time could not move fast enough. By then, I'm hoping Lost Wages of Sin will be available. In the meantime, I will post some excerpts and interludes. Check back soon!

Today, I'm visiting Scarlett Parrish's blog and discussing OCD. If you get a chance, drop on by.

Lost Wages of Sin - Excerpt

2011-01-20T14:44:00.001-06:00

As promised, I come bearing an excerpt from Lost Wages of Sin. It's short and sweet, but hopefully gives you an idea of the tone and a decent grasp of the characters. I'm already 10k into the next installment of this series, and I do plan on writing a few Dante/Ava snippets detailing their relationship up to the opening of this story.

Hope you enjoy!

From Sinners and Saints Book I: Lost Wages of Sin

Dante had always seemed a bit too perfect when it came to the male form, but then again, Ava knew half a million demons who would disagree with her. She supposed it was a matter of personal taste. Her sister had an insatiable appetite for…well, men, women, and what-have-you, but Luxi was most prone to men built like football players. Ava was just the opposite; her poison was a man who wouldn’t tower over her and likewise not make her feel too butch at the same time. Dante fit the bill. He was only a few inches taller than she and had a body built for debauchery, complete with strong arms and a marble-carved chest. Tonight, he was wrapped in a snug pair of jeans and a form-fitting navy tee, which made his pale skin seem paler. His hair was coal black and his eyes sparkled blue. Ava had always loved his eyes.

Not that she’d ever tell him any of that.

“Look,” she said at last, biting her thoughts back with a healthy helping of anger. Dante might be a friend—a fucking gorgeous friend at that—but she wasn’t in the mood to trade barbs or entertain his cocky ass. Not at the moment, at least. “Are you just gonna small-talk me to death or did you just want a good seat?”

Demon One stopped in defeat and held up his cloven hands. “Hey, are we keeping you from something? 'Cause we could totally reschedule the...you know, killing you.”

“Whoa! Do you two, like, know each other?” Demon Two asked, blinking dumbly.

Dante snickered and ignored them. “You sure do attract the thick ones.”

“You're one to talk,” Ava spat.

“Look, vamp,” Demon One said in defeat. “You gonna help or not? We are kinda busy here.”

“Right,” Dante replied. “Three on one and not a single one of you has managed to slow her down.” He rolled his eyes. “Wannabes.”

It was very obviously the wrong time to crack a grin, but for whatever reason, she couldn't help herself.

“Vamps are so fucking useless,” Demon One snarled.

Demon Three, the only one in the group not versed in English, gurgled something sounding like an agreement.

Ava met Dante’s eyes. “Hear that? You’re useless.”

“Figures. Mom always told me I wouldn’t amount to anything.” Dante sighed heavily and hopped off the mausoleum. “Want a hand?”

She shook her head, landing a hard punch against Demon Two’s puss-oozing eye before elbowing Demon Three. “I got it.”

“You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

Dante huffed. “Right,” he said. “Every party needs a pooper.”

“That’s why you invited me.”

“You play with them too much,” he complained, stepping forward. “Let me show you how it’s done.”

Then he was everywhere. A blur of motion against a dark silhouette, moving with superhuman speed. Demon One collapsed before she could blink, gurgling and holding his sliced throat, a glossy look of surprise forever trapped on his face. Next went Demon Three, howling in his native tongue as his guts toppled out his split torso.

A hot flash of anger raced down Ava’s spine. This was so like him. Show up, distract her, and ruin the one solace the night had given her. Glad as she might be to see a familiar face, her frustration needed a channel, and he’d just stolen the only one in sight. “Dante!”

He tossed her a cocky grin. “Snooze you lose, darling.”

Love it? Hate it? Either way, I'd love to know!

I'm a nominated author!

2011-01-20T10:28:00.001-06:00

I learned yesterday that Ripples Through Time was nominated at LR Cafe's Best of 2010. I was also nominated in the best paranormal author category! I won't win - up against JR Ward and Sherrilyn Kenyon - but this has made the start of the year absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much to whoever nominated me.

I'll be back later today with an excerpt from my upcoming release, Lost Wages of Sin.

I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it!

2011-01-18T16:39:00.000-06:00

My erotic paranormal romance, Lost Wages of Sin, has been offered a contract through Liquid Silver Books, and I tell you, I'm this close to dancing in the streets. I've wanted to be with LSB for a long time now, especially considering their 100% author satisfaction (as reported by veinglory) and being recommended by Pred & Editors. I couldn't hope for a better home for the first of my Sinners and Saints series.

Here is the working blurb:

Sin's work is never done...

Ava should know. For nearly two thousand years, she’s worked for Lucifer himself, infecting the heart of man with greed wherever she goes. She wasn't prepared to fall in love, certainly not with an angel. And she definitely wasn't ready to experience her first broken heart after her angel breaks things off in the form of a Dear Jane letter.

Now Ava has a problem. Lucifer believes she might have shared some of Hell’s secrets with her former lover, and her siblings face the possibility of being out of a job due to her indiscretion. Ava flees to the American South, hoping to slip off the radar and is met by a longtime friend, a vampire named Dante. Granted, Ava doesn’t know Dante has been in love with her for centuries, and doesn’t understand why he won’t leave her alone no matter what comes after her.

With Hell on her trail, Ava’s running short on friends. Meanwhile, she can’t ignore the suggestive gazes Dante keeps sending her way. Something tells her it doesn’t take Hell to get things hot…

Since LSB no longer offers a print feature for their books, I am free to pursue POD options for those who might want Lost Wages of Sin in hard-copy form. Anyone in the blogosphere have any suggestions on companies or outlets I might research for this option?

Over the coming months as I work toward preparing the manuscript for publication, I plan on writing a few 500-750 word snippets featuring scenes from Dante and Ava's past. Check back for some free writing snippets!

Baby, it's cold outside!

2011-01-12T09:19:00.003-06:00

The wind-chill is something like -12. Needless to say, we’re freezing our nips off. It does make for slower traffic where I work, however, and more time to pretend like I’m actually contributing around here. The fact the boss is out of town helps as well; his daughter, my BFF of 10 years, and I pretty much checkout when he’s not here.

I wrote around 5k on a WIP that quickly lost steam, but I haven’t given up on it. At the moment, I’m applying focus on two WIPs: the same paranormal romance I’ve been talking about for over a year (progress, baby!) and the second installment in a new series. I’m still making a decision on LWoS. As I said in my last update, I really, really, really love the pub that offered to contract it and the other one is fantastic as well. I’m taking advice on all sides and should (hopefully) know something certain in about a week.

In the meantime, I’m working edits for the press for which I line edit. And on that topic, I blogged at Romancing the Muses about writing do’s-and-don’ts.

I also have an introduction to make. The BFF I mentioned earlier is (at last) dipping her toes into the writing pool. She’s established a blog and plans to write under the name Nikki London. She’s been a dear friend of mine since high school, the closest thing to a sister I’ve ever had. With a degree in politics and government and a resume full of volunteerism for local and national candidates, you’ll likely notice a common theme in her works, and she writes her topics with knowledge and experience. Her writing is genuine and funny, and I can’t wait to see her take the literary world by storm. If you get a chance, drop by and say hello. You’ll be glad you did.

Reviews, updates, fiction, and publication.

2011-01-09T16:36:00.000-06:00

So, I've been buried in edits. This doesn't look to change anytime soon, but I'm doing my best to get some writing done. On a the extreme plus side, LWoS was offered a contract from one of my dream pubs. It's still being considered by one of the other pubs (they wanted an additional two weeks) so I don't know its fate yet. I will know soon; by Jan 20th, I should have an answer.

In other news, I've received several fantastic reviews for Dark Solace. Check out my Goodreads page; I also got a Romance Reviews Top Pick review. For such a short story, I'm very excited about the reception. If you haven't yet, check it out! It's only $1.50.

I'll hopefully have another update on LWoS this week. Wish me luck!

Drop in!

2010-12-23T13:10:00.002-06:00

I'm over at friend and fellow author Tara Lain's blog today. Drop in and say hello!

The winter months can be difficult insofar as maintaining a consistent writing schedule; my own has been all over the place this week. I'm now toying with dropping one of my WIPs into the "stalled" bin. My muse, fickle as ever, seems to want to focus on two projects now rather than three. It might be more manageable, so I'm not going to argue.

I'll see you all again after the holidays. Have an awesome weekend!

Now available: Dark Solace

2010-12-20T06:17:00.001-06:00

Just in time for the holidays! A short paranormal erotic from Noble Romance Publishing!

Three hundred years can change many things, but love is not among them.

Forbidden to claim the woman he loves as his mate, Gabriel established a yearly meet with Jael to satisfy their hunger for one another. Time has not weathered their need, or made the pain of every other day more bearable. Christmas Eve together might not be much, but pretending for one night that they can belong together is the only way either knows how to survive.

Except this Christmas, Gabriel can't go on pretending. Living for one night is no way to live, and he is determined that he and Jael will see the new day together. The only question is, after all this time, is she prepared for the consequences of saying yes?

Interested? Intrigued? Desperate for more? Click here!!!

Dark Solace - Adult Excerpt

2010-12-18T19:21:00.000-06:00

Three hundred years can change many things, but love is not among them.

Forbidden to claim the woman he loves as his mate, Gabriel established a yearly meet with Jael to satisfy their hunger for one another. Time has not weathered their need, or made the pain of every other day more bearable. Christmas Eve together might not be much, but pretending for one night that they can belong together is the only way either knows how to survive.

Except this Christmas, Gabriel can't go on pretending. Living for one night is no way to live, and he is determined that he and Jael will see the new day together. The only question is, after all this time, is she prepared for the consequences of saying yes?

Release Date: December 20, 2010

Excerpt

Tonight was going to be different. He felt it.

Hell, he'd known it the second he stepped into the pub. Seeing her under the soft glow of lights much too cheap to capture her glory. The woman he loved. The woman he lived to see for just a few hours. Every second apart from her constructed another level in his personal hell. He felt cheap for being so easily defined, for being strung along for so many years for the promise of the one woman he could never have; but love knew no reasoning. No boundaries. The rules of the Order didn't apply, and love certainly didn't listen to them.

Time had not healed him. Time had only made his feelings grow almost unbearable. And being so close to her now . . . something was going to change. Something tonight was going to change.

They were at the door now. Her apartment. Her bedroom. Her refuge. The place where he was welcomed once every year to forget his loneliness in the sanctuary of her body. Her body flush against his. His cock so hard he was sure the flimsy zipper on his slacks would pop. Had it been anyone else, he would have been surprised at the depth of his reaction. But it wasn't anyone else; it was her. Jael. His golden goddess. She could smite him with a look if she wanted. So much power in her small, capable hands. It unnerved him to think himself so easily rattled.

There had been no such thing as love in his life before he met her. Before he found her three hundred years ago and was forced to let her go. Forced to forfeit their promised eternity because she could no longer be human. It had been no fault of hers. No fault of anyone's, really, though he would have loved to lay blame on someone's shoulders. Illness was a culprit without a body, and hers had nearly killed her. He'd had no choice if he wanted to keep her in this world, regardless of the consequences. His act of saving her, turning her into a nightwalker, had taken away the only woman to whom he could see himself mated for the rest of time.

A bittersweet pang struck his heart at that. He thought of it sometimes still. Of losing himself and claiming her, to hell with the rest. He longed for the taste of her blood, the feel of her fangs, the promise of her arms. The thought alone was enough to inspire anyone to tears. Anyone who knew the agony of what he felt. Of having everything he had ever wanted right beneath his fingertips and forcing himself to let her go. Every year, he let her go all over again. Every year, he relived that horrible night when she had died in his arms. And every year, he fought the temptation to claim her. To make her his forever.

Of course, any sort of ceremony was impossible, and he felt like a fool for even entertaining the notion. Still, the thought of spending eternity with her was too rich to cast aside, even if such aspirations only filled him with sorrow. He was still so terrified of scaring her off with the intensity of his regard. He felt if she ever knew just how much he loved her, there would be no more of this. No more tempting fate, no more tempting desire, no more challenging the decree of the Order to have their night together. No more sharing this stolen holiday with her. No more tasting each other for hours and pretending it was enough for a year. No more pretending his heart didn't break when he left her before the sun rose and returned to his cold, empty existence.

No more of her guiding him into their bedroom and closing the door behind them.

"Jael . . . ."

Her hands were already busy at her top, revealing the satin of her black bra to his hungry eyes. The cream of her skin against the contrast of the material was surprising in its effect. Gabriel liked fancy lingerie and scantily clad women as well as the next hormone-infused male, but he had never truly envisioned himself being so turned on by something that simple. Logically, he knew Jael wore bras. Hell, he had snapped her out of practically every style the past generations had fed to impressionable women, always eager to feel the weight of her breasts in his hands. He had never known her to wear black. Never known her to go out of her way to look so delectable in her undergarments. She had a rather adorable fixation on her assumption that her panties and other unmentionables were, as she called them, plain and boring. She assumed this despite the fact that seeing her so bare fogged his eyes with lust to the point that she could be wearing a doormat and he wouldn't notice.

His thoughts must have run away with him, for when he blinked, Jael was wearing nothing but that black bra and a pair of matching panties. And he was still fully clothed, unable to do anything but gawk at how gorgeous she was.

Jael shifted uncomfortably. "I . . . I wanted to try something new . . . for us tonight."

"You're beautiful."

Her blush enchanted him. She was his seductress, his only temptation, and she somehow didn't know it. "I was hoping you'd like."

Gabriel released a deep breath, fighting his desire to growl something primitive and throw her on the bed. Instead, his eyes glazed over, and he stepped toward her predatorily, a lump forming in his throat. "Beautiful," he murmured again, fingers entertaining themselves at her left strap. Then his mouth couldn't stand the torment of being parted from her flesh, and his lips descended once more upon her neck, tasting her sweet skin as his arms curled under her shoulders and pulled her against him. "You're killing me."

Winners!!

2010-12-15T12:58:00.000-06:00

I'm using the names under which these were entered on Twitter, GR, my blog, or the LJ where I cross-posted.

WINNER OF "RIPPLES THROUGH TIME" PAPERBACK!

Amy

Karahelen

Congratulations! Please email me (rosalie.stanton@gmail.com) with your snail mail addy and I'll have your books on the way ASAP.

WINNER OF "FIRSTS" ECOPY!

Scarlett2U
tjb_waldring
wrigglerosie

Drop me a line (rosalie.stanton@gmail.com) and I'll send your e-copies your way.

Congrats to the winners, and thanks to all who participated! Have a wonderful holiday season!

Contest Closed!

2010-12-15T12:03:00.001-06:00

The Deck the Halls Contest is officially closed! I'll announce the winners this afternoon!

Thanks to all the participants!

New release!

2010-12-14T19:45:00.000-06:00

Monday, December 20, Noble Romance Publishing is releasing my short story, Dark Solace, on their Naughty Nibble Line.

I received my cover today. Isn't it gorgeous??!!?!

ONE DAY LEFT!

2010-12-14T08:55:00.000-06:00

Winners of the DECK THE HALLS GIVEAWAY will be announced tomorrow. You have until TOMORROW, 12PM CST to enter. Just click this link for instructions on how to throw your name into the gauntlet.

This has been my first massive giveaway, and between three blogs and Twitter entries, I'd say fairly successful. Good luck to all who have entered!!!

New reviews!

2010-12-06T16:42:00.000-06:00

I received two new wonderful reviews this weekend; one for Firsts and the other for Moving Target.

"The feelings that swept through me as I read this short novella. I found myself laughing out loud at the conversations and witty banter that takes place between Thorn and Savannah and the one conversation that took place between Savannah and her girl best friend Allison. I found myself holding in my breathe as Savannah and Thorn coursed through previously unchartered waters in their relationship, how Thorn takes care of Savannah in all the little ways during their journey of discovery which made me fall for him just that much harder."

More here!

"Mmm.. you guys guessed right! Of course Wolf tops the list of my likes for this short novella. I felt my heart literally go aflutter when Wolf came up beside Anna asking her to dance, while promising with his eyes of things that he wants to do to her that just made my knees go weak. The club scene was definitely something! *wicked grin*

2- Anna. I liked her because she doesn’t wait around fussing and bemoaning about the fact that an assassin who has been hired to kill her is the one who ultimately rides to her rescue when the shit hits the fan. I loved Anna because in spite of everything she still saw the gentleness that resides in Wolf that yearns to show itself, and because she opened up herself to let Wolf in, giving him a chance to embrace the light to escape all the darkness in his life.."

More here!

This definitely made my weekend a good one, and gave me enough motivation to get my 2k written last night. ;)

I feel so productive recently. I must have forgotten something.

REMINDER: DECK THE HALLS GIVEAWAY!

2010-12-06T11:00:00.000-06:00

REMINDER:

Two participants will have the chance to win a signed trade-paperback copy of Ripples Through Time. Three runner-ups will win a free e-copy of Firsts. December 15, 2010 at 12:00PM CST is the deadline for entries.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

New Link Section

2010-12-03T09:53:00.001-06:00

As followers of my blog are most likely aware, I am an Obsessive Compulsive. I'm very open about this, as it's nothing I can help. I just try to get the word out because I know the "popular" or "mediaized" versions of OCD are typically what people consider the actual condition to entail. That's not so, and some of the darker thoughts can terrify those who don't know what they are.

My own OCD story is linked in one of the tabs in my blog. I am now linking a wonderful new blog I discovered earlier this week devoted to de-stigmafying OCD and reaching out to fellow sufferers. I will add blogs and links as I come across them.

Exposing OCD

Writing Is (a) Pain. (Not really, but it can be)

2010-12-03T09:28:00.002-06:00

I can't have it both ways. And quite frankly, I prefer it when my muse wants me to work for it.

Those who frequent my blog are likely aware that a few months ago, I suffered through a bout of writer's block. It was difficult, but I have recovered. And this is what's happened: rather than no ideas and no energy, I have three lengthy WIPs I'd like to work on and WAY too much energy. Know Thine Enemy is the same story I've been planning/outlining since last year, but I took a break to write Lost Wages of Sin, which is complete and with one pub for consideration. I didn't know when I began writing it that LWoS would turn into a series, or that I'd want to start working on that series immediately after completion of the first installment. I also wasn't planning on getting struck with yet another lengthy WIP out of the clear blue sky.

I know there are some writers out there who can work on multiple projects with no trouble at all. In a chat the other day, someone revealed they had almost 30 WIPs with at least 10k written on each. And I think I have problems.

I can't do that. I've never been apt at juggling WIPs. Yet with three stories I want to write, all at once, I have decided to challenge myself.

My previous attempts to juggle WIPs revolved around writing a chapter per story at a time before turning to my next project. I'm scrapping that. With the wonky unreliability of my schedule, writing a single chapter of something might take me as long as a week. Therefore, I am instead implementing a "by word-count" course of action. Yesterday, I managed to get over two thousand words written, one thousand each on two of my WIPs. That's my new goal. Two thousand words a day. Whether it's 2k on one story or divided up some other way is up to my muse. But in order to work on each story, I need to focus on the word count rather than the chapters. I might leave it in mid-chapter, and that's fine. My aunt, young adult and nonfiction author, says it's a good idea to quit in mid-scene, that way you have a place to start without staring at the screen. This doesn't always work, but I'm willing to give it a shot.

So here are my active WIPs, marked by current word-count and goal:

Know Thine Enemy
Erotic Paranormal Romance

Sinfully Scandalous
Erotic Paranormal Romance

Quintessence of Dust
Erotic Paranormal Romance

And here is my "will finish it one day" WIP, marked by current word-count and goal:

Blackout
Erotic Contemporary Romance

Yes, the one with the lowest WC goal is the one currently on the back-burner. I can't help what I want to work on, and right now, while I love the idea behind Blackout, that ain't it.

My mind is a dangerous place.

Wish me luck, everyone!

Deck the Halls Reminder!

2010-12-02T09:11:00.000-06:00

We're narrowing down on the deadline to enter in the Deck the Halls Giveaway! Visit the contest for information on entries.

I have announced the contest on three different blogs and have around 20 entries. Five prizes available!

Hope everyone's December has kicked off with a shower of holly and mistletoe!

Deck The Halls Giveaway!

2010-11-18T08:12:00.001-06:00

Deck the Halls Giveaway

Okay, so it’s no secret I love the holidays. This time of year definitely rivals all the others in terms of my affections, and to celebrate appropriately, I am announcing a massive giveaway! Between now and December 15, 2010 at 12:00PM CST, two participants will have the chance to win a signed trade-paperback copy of Ripples Through Time. Three runner-ups will win a free e-copy of Firsts.

To enter:

1) Follow my blog and comment on this post with your name

OR

2) Follow me on Twitter (and let me know you want to be entered in the contest).

AND IF YOU LIKE…

3) Do both! It is NOT necessary to be eligible, but it’ll get you a second entry.

If you already follow me on Twitter, I have no intention of leaving you out. Just RT one of my contest reminders, and it’ll give you a second entry. That being said, only two entries possible. I’ll love you if you RT my contest reminders more than once, but it won’t increase your chances.

Due to the fact that I am quite poor, I am restricting the Ripples Through Time paperback recipients to US only. However, anyone in any region is eligible to win a free e-copy of Firsts.!

So spread the word! Tis the season!

Insert Working Title Here

2010-11-12T11:11:00.006-06:00

My good friend and colleague Madelyn Ford has posted two wonderful pieces on pre-editing. They can be found here and here.

A little over a week has passed since submitting Lost Wages of Sin (Book #1 in the Hellfire Series) to Samhain. I hate this part, which is no surprise since I'm no good at it. I've already bemoaned the fact to my crit partners and friends, but patience is definitely not my virtue. In the meantime, I have started working again on "Blackout" and hope to have it complete - or at least somewhere near complete - by the end of the year. I'm doing my best not to start work on the second Hellfire book until I receive word on the fate of the first. In the meantime, I have two active WIPs and a handful of other ideas to keep me occupied.

Likewise, I believe I’ll start writing short Dante/Ava stories once the fate of Lost Wages of Sin has been decided. Hopefully, readers will fall in love with them as I did.

I've also decided to compile a list of my current favorite books and their authors.

------------

Recommended Reading

Book: Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between
Author: JA Saare
Buy Link: http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781770650145
Author's Website: http://www.jasaare.com/
Reason: The author’s voice and wit, her characters, and the OMG! ness of the end. Ms. Saare creates such vivid worlds and fills them with real people. She is likewise not afraid to push boundaries and comfort zones. There aren’t enough words for how much I love this book.
My full review here.

Book: Lucifer’s Daughter
Author: Eve Langlais
Buy Link: http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com/books/lucifersdaughter.htm
Author's Website: http://www.evelanglais.com/
Reason: Creativity, characters, and voice. Also, Satan’s parenting skills are hi-larious. This book definitely works as a standalone, but from the way it left off, I’m anticipating another…highly anticipating. I’ve also put this author on my TBR list, and from the looks of things, I have a lot of catching up to do.
My full review here.

Book: Coercion
Author: Lux Zakari
Buy Link: http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_12&products_id=315
Author's Website: http://luxzakari.com/
Reason: This novel is an emotional rollercoaster with an ending that I began praying for halfway through. The unexpected happy ending. Ms. Zakari killed me over and over again, and though there were definite assholes and general people you didn’t like in the story, no one came across as two-dimensional. I could fully sympathize with every character.
My full review here.

Book: 666 Angel Lane
Author: Lori Green
Buy Link: http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_31&products_id=300
Author's Website: http://twooldfartstalkingromance.blogspot.com/
Reason: This book made me laugh and cry, not to mention kept me on the edge of my seat. How can you turn a reality-TV program into a battle between life-and-death, good-and-evil, heaven-and-hell? Read and see. You will not regret it.

Book: Down in Flames
Author: Sarah Ballance
Buy Link: https://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=136
Author's Website: http://www.sarahballance.com/index.html
Reason: Just the WOW factor. Brand new author with an emotionally rich story and vivid characters. She’s gotten her second contract, and it’s not hard to see why.

------------

The Top of My Constantly-Growing TBR List

Book: My Avenging Angel
Author: Madelyn Ford
Buy Link: http://www.samhainpublishing.com/romance/my-avenging-angel
Author's Website: www.madelynford.com/

Book: Betrayal: The Awakening
Author: Angela Steed
Buy Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/betrayal-the-awakening
Author's Website: http://www.angelasteed.com/

Book: Surrender to Sanctuary
Author: Leah St. James
Buy Link: http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=surrender+to+sanctuary
Author's Website: http://www.leahstjames.com/

Book: Damaged Cowboys
Author: Stacey Espino
Buy Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/damaged-cowboys
Author's Website: www.staceyespino.com/

------------

What is everyone else reading? Any recommendations?

Status report

2010-11-01T08:57:00.000-05:00

Well, I had a very good weekend, but it wasn't particularly restful. My best friend of 10 years and I ventured to Washington DC for Jon Stewart's March To Restore Sanity. The actual rally was too packed to watch, but I got to hear Ozzy play a bit of "Crazy Train" and listen to good parts of Stewart and Colbert's talks and banter. Whatever I missed will be covered by TiVo.

In the meantime, my friend and crit-partner, Jaime Saare, finished reading "Lost Wages of Sin," and I've both completed and edited my synopsis. I plan now to reread at least the first five chapters, but otherwise start preparing for submission. I've also begun plotting the next book in this series. I just can't help myself.

Today is my blogger day at Romancing the Muses. My topic: Stealing The Show: Writing People v. Writing Characters. Hope to see you there!

Another one bites the dust...

2010-10-21T19:28:00.002-05:00

Lost Wages of Sin

Erotic Paranormal Romance

This is now complete! I've sent it to my CPs and will begin piecing together blurbs and synopses to send off.

Definitely the first in a series, that will be at least eight books long. I'm so freaking stoked.

I'll blog updates on what becomes of it now.

Small victories

2010-10-20T15:57:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm over the 50k mark. I have still a chapter and an epilogue to write. At the very least, I made my word-count goal. I'm hoping I'll have that complete by tonight, but tomorrow is a tad more realistic.

I haven't given any thought to blurbs or synopses in months. Granted, I'm not going to send it anywhere until my crit partners have looked at it. I'm also going to let my husband read it, which is a huge step for me. While he knows the nature of my writing, I've never been brave enough to let him read it. He keeps asking about it, though, because he knows how excited I get toward the end of a project and he seems interested about the premise.

Anyway, right now I'm aiming for Samhain, though I think I'll submit to Liquid Silver and Ellora's Cave (this just for kicks...it has plenty of descriptive sex, but not enough to get in-house, I think).

More later.

2010-10-17T19:56:00.000-05:00

I haven't finished a WIP in a while, but I'm now within 3k of my 50k goal on Lost Wages of Sin. I have roughly a chapter and a half left to complete before I send it off to my CP's and start seriously thinking about where to submit it.

Lost Wages of Sin

I'm so excited!

Vampires and Demons and Shifters, Oh My!

2010-10-13T11:31:00.002-05:00

A part of me likes to believe I was into the whole "vampire" thing long before it became popular. A friend of mine sent me the first three books of the Sookie Stackhouse series before anyone had heard the term “True Blood,” and I devoured them before patiently waiting for the next one’s release. I had never really been one to purchase romance novels before then, and actually hadn’t imagined legitimate, royalty-paying publications printing the sort of raw, explicit, sexy material I enjoy reading. I first encountered erotica through the art of fan-fiction, and naively believed the realm of explicit fiction solely reserved for the Internet. It makes sense now, of course, years and many, many, many books later that the phrase “sex sells” applies to all media. Of course, I knew about romance novels, but I hadn’t thought the sexual encounters would be anything more than clever allusions to the act itself. And while this has been the case with a handful of authors, this misconception was at the blame of my own obliviousness until I started reading.

I’ve been a huge vampire buff for about ten years now, therefore I began devouring every vampire romance I could get my hands on. After Sookie Stackhouse, it was Lynsay Sands, Christine Feehan, Amanda Ashley, and Sherrilyn Kenyon. I’d spend hours in a bookstore, buying more novels than I could read. Even today, I have a healthy collection of books I haven’t cracked open. I tell myself I’ll get there eventually, but the stack keeps growing by the year. Point being, I loved a good paranormal. I’d read werewolves and demons on occasion, but vampires were my poison. It was actually around the time Twilight took the world by storm that my interest in the paranormal at last began to wane.

I’m not talking in terms of writing. I’ve written paranormal romance for so long that writing anything else seems strange and unpredictable to me. My world might change from project to project, but some staples remain the same. Yet over the past year, my reading library has expanded from strictly paranormal to mostly contemporary, with perhaps a paranormal title thrown in there out of habit. I likewise have entertained more contemporary ideas (one I’m very excited about) and even more I will likely never get around to writing. Still, when it comes to the sort of stories that motivate me in terms of creativity, it has monsters…more than likely vampires.

My current project is no exception. The main world-focus contains angels and demons, which is something I’ve never touched, but my hero is a vampire. This world will likely be expanded in further series, as I’ve fallen in love with the premise and have enough side-characters that their story, including Lucifer’s, will need to be told down the line. I plan to include shifters and other paranormal aspects the more it grows, but vampires have always been my first paranormal love, and paranormal heroes have always been my writing preference. There’s just something about a larger-than-life hero that gets my engine going.

Still, while my creativity seems to be led by the paranormal, I keep selecting contemporary romances for my bookshelf. I’ve published two to date, and have another in the works, and I do feel a sort of accomplishment upon drafting a new non-paranormal. I hope to expand my personal writings in that direction, as well.

At any rate, I definitely won’t be short for ideas anytime soon.

Writing report, contests, et al

2010-10-10T19:32:00.000-05:00

First of all, my short story, Falling, has survived the first round of voting at ARe. If you get a chance, please drop by to cast your vote in round 2.

Secondly, I'm getting very close to completing one of my WIPs. I'm pretty excited about this one, as it's unlike anything I've ever written before and likely the first in a series. I've never written a series, or really aspired to write a series, thus I'm excited and nervous all at once. I hope to have it sent to my CP within a couple weeks and then will begin the submission process. Right now, I have my sights set on Samhain, though I'm really attracted to Noble Romance, as well. I want a place where paranormal romances perform well.

This story, tentatively titled "Lost Wages of Sin," is the story of Ava and Dante, and, as I said, likely the first in a series. It involves angels, demons, Heaven, Hell, vampires, rituals, and will eventually involve werewolves and other mystical creatures. I obviously have an affinity for vamps, but I've never broached anything like this in my paranormal writing. I'll post more updates as the story wraps to a close, as well as blog on its reception once I submit it.

It's been a crazy few days on the home front. Hope everyone's had a good weekend.

VOTING HAS COMMENCED!

2010-10-01T09:35:00.002-05:00

My short story, Falling, is a finalist at ARe! Voting for your favorite stories commences October 1, 2010. Please swing by and cast your vote!

Exciting news!

2010-09-30T15:22:00.002-05:00

About a month ago, I submitted a short story to All Romance Ebooks' Just One Bite Contest; today, I received word that my submission has been selected as one of the 32 finalists! Voting commences tomorrow. I appreciate your support!

I'll post an update tomorrow with an active link. Please, spread the word!!

Mostly curious...

2010-09-27T11:22:00.001-05:00

Regarding this project, I wrote another 1200 words last night. I'll update my progress bar this evening.

Reviews, writing progress, etc.

2010-09-22T18:17:00.002-05:00

I have had a longer than long day, but this made it all better: HEA Reviews - Yadkny's review of Possession.

Seriously, thank you.

My personal book reviews are on a slight hiatus. I'm working on one of my paranormal WIPs and, according to my own progress bar, I'm 1/5 of the way through. Being that I began really working on this last week, I'm pretty psyched.

11079 / 50000

Look for more updates soon!

Halloween Giveaway

2010-09-20T12:58:00.000-05:00

I'm giving away a copy of Ripples Through Time and Possession in my good friend J.A. Saare's Halloween contest. Check out her blog and author's group for details.

I'm thinking about opening a Yahoo! Author's Group. I don't know if I have enough people who would actually join, but hey...I suppose I could post excerpts and details and whatnot pertaining to my new WIPs.

What say you? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

New features, interviews, etc.

2010-09-20T10:38:00.001-05:00

I've added a few pages to my blog, as well as updated my website.

I have Character interviews available with the protagonists from all my published works. I also recently sat down with one of my favorite authors and - let's face it - people, Lux Zakari. She asked about my current and former works, and my early years in writing. Check it out!

If you visit my blog often, you'll see there are new pages featuring a brief bio, a list of my publications to date, some information pertaining to OCD, and a progress report on the WIP's on which I'm currently focused.

Hope everyone's week is going smoothly thus far.

Facebook throughout the ages

2010-09-16T10:57:00.000-05:00

I received this in an email and decided it'd be cruel to keep to myself.

MELODEE AARON PROMOTION

2010-09-07T08:29:00.000-05:00

X-POSTED AT MELODEE AARON'S YAHOO! GROUP

MELODEE AARON
ROSALIE'S SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day—at least those who celebrate it. Today, I’m posting three new excerpts from my debut publication, Firsts, as well as character interviews with the two leads, Thorn and Savannah. Both interviews take place before the events of the novella to give new readers the chance to get to know them before purchasing. For those of you who have already read Firsts, hopefully you’ll enjoy a quick glimpse into the people they were before Savannah asked Thorn for the favor that would change both their lives forever.

Reminder: I am running a contest for a free copy of one of my works—winner’s choice. All you have to do is respond to ANY of my posts with your email address and a lyric from your favorite Beatles song. Contest ends Saturday!

Have a great Tuesday, everyone. Here’s the first of three NEW EXCERPTS from Firsts.

Title: Firsts
Author: Rosalie Stanton
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella
Publisher: LOOSE ID
Editor: G.G. Royale
Buy Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Firsts.aspx

Blurb:
Savannah is looking at entering college as a virgin. After getting her heart shattered by one of the high school’s notorious playboys, she turns to her best friend, Thorn, and implores him to help her solve the tiny problem of her virginity.

What she doesn’t know is Thorn has been in love with her since the second he laid eyes on her, and asking him to touch what he can’t have is nothing less than torture. After succumbing to her advances, Thorn makes it his mission to convey everything he hasn’t been able to put into words into touch, hoping Savannah will feel in his hands and mouth what she has never seen in his eyes.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable.

Her eyes softened at that, a gentle sigh rolling off her shoulders. “You won't lose me, Wesley.”

“You say that now. If we do this—”

“If we do this?” she asked, her voice hitting a note. “You've gone from 'no way, no how' to if we do this.”

Thorn winced inwardly.

“Sex changes things,” he repeated lamely. “And I don't want things to change.”
Not like this.

“Did things change with you and Paige?” Savannah countered.

“Well, no.” He frowned. “I couldn't stand her before, and I couldn't stand her after. It didn't—”

“Then I don't see—”

“We were dating. There's a difference.”

“And you couldn't stand her—”

“Right,” Thorn said shortly. “And I love you. Didn't fucking matter if Paige never spoke to me again, did it? But if this blows up in my face, I couldn't stand it.”
He stood staring at her, chest heaving, a dull ring piercing his skull. He was distantly aware that he'd said something he shouldn't have, but it didn't matter in that moment. Knowing Savannah, she wouldn't hear the sentiment behind it; she wouldn't pick up on the sincerity, the desperation, the truth in his words. Savannah couldn't fathom him in any other fashion but as her gal pal, only with one rather large exception. In her world, confessions of love didn't mean what they meant in his.

True to form, she smiled again. “I love you too, Wes,” she said in that totally platonic girl way. Thorn's spirits died. He exhaled a deep breath, hid his misery under a quick grin, and tried not to whimper when she continued. “That's why it has to be you. Nothing will change, I promise. It'll just be… We do this, and it'll be fine. We'll just…have done it and go on with our lives. It'll be fine.”

WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING…

“It’s also about growing up, individually and as friends, and falling in love. I really liked Savannah’s best girl friend Allison; she was the voice of reason for her rather impetuous and hard-headed friend. Thorn, well he was just killer ~ sexy and madly in love with his best friend, but he was also quite wise and willing to take the risk of opening Savannah’s eyes to the truth of their relationship.
What follows is a rather stunning story that turned all my expectations completely on their head. An emotionally rich story that also contains laughter, tears and, overall, a story that enchants.
Will I be looking for more books by Rosalie Stanton? You betcha!”
- Kathy K, Reviews at E-Book Addict

The sex scenes are funny at times and sizzling hot at others. We all remember what it was like the first time–awkward, uncomfortable, and exciting–and Ms. Stanton has wisely chosen to sprinkle a bit of humor here and there to keep things real. I chuckled, gasped, squirmed and, when I finally finished the story, sat there thinking about it for a good hour afterward. Good stories leave an impression after, but great ones linger. This one is still lingering.
- Fern, Whipped Cream Erotic Romance Reviews

I loved this story. It was sweet and funny at times but also tense and awkward. Thorn’s seduction was sensual and expert[ …]and made my girly parts tingle. I enjoy an instant attraction story, but this was special because of all they’d shared through their lives and their excitement of what was to come. Highly recommended.
- Chris, Night Owl Romance Reviews

Interested? Follow this link!

Melodee Aaron: Author Spotlight

2010-09-06T07:56:00.000-05:00

And this week is officially underway! My interview is up at Melodee Aaron's website. Be sure to drop in!

Also, I'm going to post several book promotions, excerpts, and character interviews throughout the week at her group. I'm also running a contest for a free e-copy of one of my works - winner's choice! Just leave a comment to any one of my posts this week with your email address as well as a lyric from your favorite Beatles song to enter! Winner will be announced at my chat this Saturday, which runs from 4-6pm CDT. Hope to see you there!

This is going to be a fun week.

Author Spotlight

2010-09-05T20:07:00.000-05:00

Just a heads up: I will be in the hot-seat this week at Melodee Aaron's group. I'm going to post excerpts, character interviews, open myself up for questions, host a chat, and conclude with a book giveaway. It should be a fun week!

Want to participate in the giveaway? It's easy! Just respond to one of my posts with your email address and a lyric from a Beatles song. Any old lyric will do. Just make sure to put it in quotation marks.

I'll do a drawing for those who participate and the winner will select which book he/she would like.

Contest starts tomorrow!

Funny video

2010-09-01T15:30:00.000-05:00

I normally won't post YouTube vids here, but this one, IMO, deserves a mention. Then again, I love corny humor.

Review: Witching Hours [The Preacher's Daughters 2] by Sheri Gilmore

2010-08-26T08:34:00.004-05:00

Turning her back on the society she grew up in, Starr Chappel has to fight everyday to live the life she's chosen for herself, running a Pagan supply store in a small, southern town full of prejudice toward her religion, and gossip concerning the murder of her mother. A murder, she's sure, still needs to be solved in a discreet, investigatory manner.

But, the local preacher isn't helping her keep a low-profile. With his suave southern charm and warm as molasses brown eyes, he is fast melting her heart and resolve to keep all preachers at arms length. There's the vague impression that they've met before, but with his sexy looks and sizzling bedside manner, she's certain she would have remembered him!

Reverend James Edwin Mason III has never met a more enticing woman than Bay St. Louis's local witch, Starr Chappel. With her fiery, red hair, flashing green eyes, and luscious curves, she could be Lucifer, himself, come to tempt a less honorable man to his fate. But, Mason soon learns he's been less than honorable in more than one of his past lives in regard to the delectable Starr Chappel. Can he convince her of his sincerity this time around?

This book contains substantial explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Domination/submission, voyeurism.

Click here to purchase

Rosalie's Review: 3.5/5

Truthfully, the stories to which I seem most commonly drawn are those involving forbidden attraction, often between mortal enemies. While The Preacher's Daughters: Witching Hours doesn’t contain anything so dramatic, it is a novel detailing the importance of life, love, acceptance, tolerance, and what it truly means to embrace one’s spirituality. These were all themes I didn’t expect to encounter upon adding this book to my shopping cart.

The Preacher's Daughters: Witching Hours tells the story of Starr Chappell and Reverend James Edwin Mason III. Starr is a practicing witch who often finds herself at odds with the town locals due to her religious beliefs. Mason is the town’s new preacher, though he hasn’t yet been fully accepted. As a man of God, he is expected to take a wife, and despite his spiritual reservations, the only woman in whom he’s interested is a pagan who seemingly wants nothing from him than a roll in the sack. Starr is not without cause for her prejudice against men of the cloth; her father was a minister, a skirt-chasing one at that, and drove her mother to an affair with her sister’s boyfriend. Starr has had more than enough of the preacher-type, but she can’t deny the way she reacts whenever Mason is around.

Unfortunately, Mason and Starr have more on their plates than they could have imagined. They were lovers once before: she, the wife of a colonial minister, and he, a philandering witch whose sexual appetite was not satisfied with just one woman.

This was a very good erotic romance wrapped in a morality play. It’s definitely worth a read.

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