Katie Reus

Destined Mate up for Reader's Choice

2012-01-28T23:31:00.003-05:00

I just found out that Destined Mate is up for Readers Choice Favorite book of January at Grave Tells! If you'd like to vote, click here!

New Excerpt of #alphainstinct at Cynthia Eden's Blog

2012-01-27T09:28:00.003-05:00

The fabulous Cynthia Eden is hosting me at her blog today! I'm sharing my first excerpt of Alpha Instinct! It's not even up on my website yet. So if you want a chance to check it out and possibly win a copy of it, click here.

Hope everyone has a great weekend :)

Michelle's Book Blog #giveaway #alphainstinct

2012-01-26T14:06:00.003-05:00

Today I'm guest blogging at Michelle's Book Blog! I'm chatting about haunted places and my favorite haunted tour! Stop by to learn more about me, Alpha Instinct and to possibly win a copy of Alpha Instinct (2 copies up for grabs, US & Canada eligible).

The Tour Continues at The Qwillery #alphainstinct #giveaway

2012-01-25T11:41:00.003-05:00

The blog tour for Alpha Instinct continues! Today I'm at The Qwillery! Sally has interviewed me about all things Alpha Instinct so if you'd like to learn more, please stop by!

Is there a giveaway? Why yes there is! US only for this one but if you haven't checked out my seven weeks of contests (I'm on number 4) there are chances for all you international folks to win a copy too! In fact, one of my winners is from Hungary and I just sent out her prizes :) Complete details on how to enter here (please don't just leave a comment in the blog asking me to enter you, check out the entry rules first).

Hope everyone is having a fantastic Wednesday!

Blogging with Book Lovers Inc. #giveaway

2012-01-24T13:39:00.002-05:00

Day 2 of my Alpha Instinct blog tour and I'm at Book Lover's Inc! Lea interviewed me and we're chatting about all sorts of stuff. Plus there's a giveaway (maybe 2)! Hope to see you there :)

Start of Official Blog Tour #alphainstinct

2012-01-23T04:34:00.006-05:00

Today is the official start of my blog tour for Alpha Instinct! From today until March 2 I'll be guest blogging all over the place. My first stop is Rage, Sex & Teddy Bears. Yes, you read that right and I love the name of her blog. It always makes me smile! In just two weeks (+ one day) Alpha Instinct will be releasing so the countdown is on! Hope to see you at some of my blog stops!

Week 4 of Giveaways #ereader #alphainstinct

2012-01-22T11:09:00.004-05:00

I can't believe it's already week four of giveaways! So far the response has been amazing so thank you to everyone who is participating! Melissa B was the week 1 winner, Stella ExLibris was the winner for week 2 and the week 3 winner will be drawn later this week.

This week you have a chance to win a print copy of Alpha Instinct, a digital copy of His Secret Past and a copy of Eternal Hunger by Laura Wright. It's the first book in her Mark of the Vampire series (her 3rd book in the series is releasing 2/7/12) so if you haven't read this series, now is the time to catch up! She has also graciously offered a Mark of the Vampire swag bag!

So if you haven't entered, you still have time! For complete details, click here. And don't forget, all US entries are also eligible to win a Kindle and five books from my back list (+ Alpha Instinct).

Good luck to everyone who enters!

Cover Goodness! #harlequin #nocturne

2012-01-20T12:55:00.004-05:00

Just got my cover for Protector's Mate from my editor. It's due out in April from Harlequin Nocturne Cravings and I totally LOVE it! I don't have an official blurb yet to share, but if you read Destined Mate, this story features the second-in-command from that story and a woman not yet introduced.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! This totally made my Friday :)

Everybody Needs a Little Romance #giveaway

2012-01-17T07:20:00.002-05:00

Today I'm guest blogging at Everybody Needs a Little Romance. I'm chatting about my love of romantic suspense and giving away a copy of His Secret Past. Stop by and say hi!

Week 3 of Giveaways continue #giveaway #ereader

2012-01-16T10:19:00.004-05:00

Week 3 of giveaways continue!! This week up for grabs is either a $15 Amazon gift card OR a print copy of Alpha Instinct (since I have my author copies they will be going out before release day which is 2/7/2012!) and a digital copy of His Secret Past. Full contest details can be found here. (Don't forget: all US entries are automatically entered for the grand prize of an Amazon Kindle).

I still need to draw the week 2 winner. I currently have company at my house so I will draw the week 2 winner tomorrow and post the name on my blog later this week.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Happy Friday + a Giveaway #alphainstinct

2012-01-13T09:25:00.002-05:00

Happy Friday! Today I'm guest blogging at What Book is That. Since I'm going to Authors After Dark 2012 (in New Orleans!!) this is part of the AAD spotlights that bloggers are doing! Feel free to stop by and say hi. I'm also giving away a copy of Alpha Instinct and His Secret Past :)

I won't be online much today because Kaylea Cross and I will be doing geeky touristy stuff like visiting the Jefferson Davis home! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

So pretty!

2012-01-11T17:09:00.004-05:00

Just got this in the mail today from my editor and wanted to show it off! Holding it my hands is pretty cool. I'll probably even sleep with it on my nightstand. Yes, I am a geek and not afraid to admit it!

Fab author Kaylea Cross is arriving on my doorstep tomorrow (well, technically I'm picking her up from the airport) and I know she's going to try to steal it! Must find a better hiding place before she gets here ;)

Week 2 of Giveaways Continue #giveaway #kindle

2012-01-08T09:35:00.004-05:00

Today is the start of a new week and the second week of contests. I'm floored by the amount of entries I've had so far and will soon be posting the winner from week one. But first I wanted to get the info for this week up. The prizes are: Ghirardelli Milk & Truffle Squares OR a copy of Alpha Instinct, a digital copy of His Secret Past, and a digital copy of Burning Touch by Wynter Daniels. For complete details on how to enter, please visit the contests page of my website. And don't forget, all US entries are also eligible to win the grand prize of a Kindle.

And in case you didn't see this the first time I posted it, there are 20 copies of Alpha Instinct up for grabs at Goodreads (US only). The giveaway is open until January 20, 2012.

Guest Blogging with Rebecca Zanetti #giveway #alphainstinct

2012-01-06T09:55:00.002-05:00

Happy Friday!! So glad the weekend is here! Not that I'll actually be relaxing much, this weekend is all about cleaning and work, but I'm looking forward to getting to do all that without any interruptions. That's right, I'm going to have a husband and baby free zone. The grandparents are taking the little man (and soooo excited about it) and the hubby will be hunting on Saturday so a day to myself! :)

Today I'm guest blogging with Rebecca Zanetti, talking about choices and how they can affect our lives. I'm also giving away a copy of His Secret Past & Alpha Instinct. Stop by if you get a chance!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

His Secret Past Release Day #giveaway

2012-01-02T09:00:00.003-05:00

His Secret Past is out today! I love this story so much so I'm very excited about its release. It's a 64,000 word romantic suspense available from Carina Press, Amazon, Barnes & Nobl e and all major online retailers.

If you'd like a chance to win a copy today, I'm blogging at Novel Thoughts Blog and giving away a copy.

You'll also have many chances to win a copy over the next 7 weeks. If you haven't seen my 7 week contest announcement, check out 2 blog posts below this one. Or click here for full details on how you could win a Kindle.

There are some other releases I'm also excited about this week. Callie Croix's Touch Me is out from Carina Press today and oh my, it is very hot! (Yes, I got to read this one early). Eternal Blood by Laura Wright comes out tomorrow (a novella in her Mark of the Vampire series) and you just know it promises to be fantastic. And, Hot Secrets, a novella featuring Jack and Caroline from Lisa Marie Rice's Dangerous Lover (one of my all time favorite books!) will also be out tomorrow. My Kindle is about to get some new downloads :)

Any releases you're looking forward to this week?

Danger in Paradise 99 Cents at Amazon #kindle

2011-12-30T10:37:00.003-05:00

I just found out some Friday goodness and wanted to share! Danger in Paradise has been marked down to 99 cents on Amazon. I don't know how long it will last or what brought on the price slash but it's a sweet deal! Check it out here.

Danger in Paradise blurb:

Twenty three years ago, security expert Luke Romanov's childhood playmate disappeared without a trace, leaving behind grieving parents and an identical twin sister. He's never stopped blaming himself. When he finds himself working side by side with a woman identical to his friend, he'll stop at nothing to discover her true identity, even if it means betraying her.

What few memories photographer Hope Jennings has of her past aren't pretty. The monsters from her nightmares make it impossible to completely erase her violent history, but she's living her life one day at a time. When a wealthy family hires her for a month down in the Caribbean, she expects to work hard, get the job done, and go home. While there, she finds unexpected passion in the arms of the sexy and dangerous Luke. Unfortunately for her heart, he presents a danger to the safe life she's built for herself. When someone targets her to die, she doesn't know who to trust.

Please note that Danger in Paradise was originally published under the title Finding Hope, but has been revised and lengthened, including the addition of an epilogue. Category length novel.

"Ms. Reus has penned characters that are well written and believable. Her plot and storyline has just the right amounts of romance, suspense, and sexual tension, blended together to give readers a bone chilling ride through the pages..." - Night Owl Reviews

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

7 Weeks of Prizes #kindlegiveaway

2011-12-26T12:03:00.007-05:00

Starting January 1 - February 18, 2012 (that's less than a week away!) I'm going to be giving away fun prizes each week. Each entry will also be included for the Grand Prize drawing of a new Kindle (US only for the Kindle). Here is the list of weekly prizes:

Week 1 (1/1-1/7): $15 Amazon Gift Card or a copy of Alpha Instinct (as soon as I get my author copies), a digital copy of His Secret Past, & a digital copy of Touch Me by Callie Croix (her latest release!). Week 1 winner announced by January 15, 2012.

Week 2 (1/8-1/14): Ghirardelli Milk & Truffle Squares or a copy of Alpha Instinct & a digital copy of His Secret Past. Week 2 winner announced by January 22, 2012

Week 3 (1/15-1/21): $15 Amazon gift card or a copy of Alpha Instinct & a digital copy of His Secret Past. Week 3 winner announced by January 29, 2012

Week 4 (1/22-1/28): A copy of Eternal Hunger by Laura Wright + a Mark of the Vampire swag bag. This is the first book in her Mark of the Vampire series. The 3rd book releases 2/7/2012 so if you haven’t started this series here’s your chance. I’ll also be giving away a copy of Alpha Instinct and His Secret Past. Week 4 winner announced by February 5, 2012.

Week 5 (1/29-2/4): A copy of Alpha Instinct & a digital copy of His Secret Past. Week 5 winner announced by February 12, 2012

Week 6 (2/5-2/11): $15 Amazon gift card or a copy of Angel of Darkness by Cynthia Eden, a copy of Alpha Instinct and a digital copy of His Secret Past. Week 6 winner announced by February 19, 2012

Week 7 (2/12-2/18): Amazon’s newest Kindle (the one without the annoying splash ads, US only eligible), a print copy of Alpha Instinct and digital copies of five of my books to download to your new Kindle (Books include: Destined Mate, Killer Secrets, Dangerous Secrets, Deadly Obsession and His Secret Past). Week 7 winner announced by March 3, 2012.

To enter, please visit my website contest page here. Complete list of entry instructions (please remember to fill out the form letting me know you're entering!) and official rules are listed there. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

His Secret Past #giveaway

2011-12-22T10:03:00.004-05:00

Today I'm giving away a copy of His Secret Past, which is releasing in a couple weeks from Carina Press (1/2/12)! How to enter? Just leave a comment on my facebook wall answering my simple question (posted 12/22/11).

His Secret Past has received an early 4 star review from Janina at Synchronized Reading ... "Overall, this book was definitely a page turner, filled with action, and filled with romance. Three of my favorite things I look for in a book. I recommend this to people over the age of 18 that like these three things about a book!" To read the entire review, click here.

This week my mom is in town so I'm taking advantage of all her help! She's been helping out with the baby (snuggling him practically 24/7), cleaning and cooking and it's been the best Christmas present ever :) Still can't believe it's almost Christmas! If you celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. And if you celebrate Hanukkah or any other holiday I hope it's a safe, fun time filled with family.

Giveaway on Goodreads #AlphaInstinct #Giveaway

2011-12-17T10:50:00.002-05:00

My publisher has graciously offered 20 copies of Alpha Instinct up for grabs on Goodreads. How to enter? It's simple! Just click here for full details! You must be a member of Goodreads to enter. Contest will be open until January 20, 2012.

His Secret Past available on #NetGalley

2011-12-15T13:44:00.003-05:00

I still can't believe it's already December! This year has been a whirlwind of craziness! It's two and a half weeks until the new year which means His Secret Past will soon be available from Carina Press. I'm completely in love with this story for reasons I will soon be blogging about.

Right now it's available early on NetGalley for reviewers so if you're a reviewer and meet the criteria Carina requires, please request a copy here.

Here's the official blurb:

Six years ago, Alexis Baptiste’s world was turned upside down when Hunter Cassidy disappeared without a trace, leaving her alone and pregnant. She’s finally moving on with her life when he resurfaces, just in time to rescue her from a would-be assassin. Forced to join him on the run to protect herself and her young son, Alexis is now in even more danger: danger of falling for Hunter all over again.

Betrayed by rogue CIA agents after infiltrating an infamous drug cartel, former DEA agent Hunter Cassidy has spent years trying to clear his name. He’s not proud of the things he’s done, and knows he doesn’t deserve a future with Alexis, or the son he never knew he had, but he’s determined to protect them from the men who ruined his life. Convincing Alexis to trust him—and denying his feelings for her—is going to be the hardest mission he’s ever faced.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic week so far! I'm totally counting down the days until Christmas :)

Darker Temptations Tuesday #Giveaway #Kindle

2011-12-13T11:42:00.002-05:00

Today is my day to blog at Darker Temptations and I'm chatting about Holiday Goodness! Stop by and share the hardest and easiest people you shop for during the holiday season. Remember, me and the rest of the authors at Darker Temptations are giving away a Kindle and a ton of ebooks to go with it this December. The contest is still open and will remain so until December 19, 2011.

Snippet Sunday

2011-12-11T10:10:00.003-05:00

Every Sunday from now until Alpha Instinct releases (2/7/2012!) I'm going to be posting snippets on my facebook page. I'll also be having weekly contests on my FB page, but I'll post more info about that later this week. :)

So, if you're interested in reading more from Alpha Instinct, feel free to 'like' my facebook page and check out my current posts!

Casey Crow's Debut!

2011-12-06T16:56:00.002-05:00

Casey Crow's book Cant Fake This debuts today so she's celebrating the 12 days of Christmas with 12 awesome guest authors at her blog party! Stop by for a chance to win fab prizes, including something from me! I don't have my author copies yet, but I'm doing my first giveaway of Alpha Instinct. It'll be mailed out to the winner next year (which is soooo soon)! Some authors I know for sure who are blogging are Cynthia Eden and Catherine Mann, who are two of my personal faves. Hope to see you there!

Win a Kindle!

2011-12-04T10:29:00.001-05:00

Want to win a Kindle and over a dozen books to go with it? Here's your chance! The authors from the Darker Temptations blog (where I blog every other Tuesday!) are offering a Kindle giveaway. How do you enter? It's easy peasy! All you do is leave a comment on any post from now until December 19th at Darker Temptations. (US & Canada eligible only). Click here for more details and full contest rules. And feel free to share!

Cynthia Eden's Angel of Darkness Release Party

2011-11-29T10:33:00.003-05:00

Today Cynthia Eden's Angel of Darkness is finally here! To celebrate she's having a blog party, hosting a different author each HOUR at her blog so you have a ton of chances to win fun prizes. I'll be a guest at 11 am so I hope to see you there! Please note that the giveaways will all remain open until noon (Central time) on 11/30/11.

Also, another author I adore is blogging at the Darker Temptations blog today. Casey Crow's debut will be releasing next month and today she's chatting about why she loves the South at Darker Temptations!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Happy Almost Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T13:01:00.002-05:00

I can't believe tomorrow is Thanksgiving! That means this year is almost over which seems crazy. I have a lot to be thankful for this year, specifically my new sweet baby! He's four and a half months old and in the teething stage so that's been a fun, new challenge. ;) Since we're headed to the in-laws tomorrow I'm going to be a baking fool tonight. Sugar cookies, pumpkin spice cookies, lemon bars...yum! I'm also bringing a veggie tray. Gotta balance out all that sugar somehow ;)

If you want to tell me what you're thankful for, head on over to my facebook page (you have to 'like' me first) and leave a comment on the third link down. You should see where I'm giving away a copy of one of my books and all you have to do is tell me what you're thankful for!

And, another fabulous author Laura Wright (author of Mark of the Vampire series w/ Signet) is doing a double giveaway with Larissa Ione. For details, check out Laura's facebook page here! Wednesday is just full of fun goodness :)

Hope everyone has a happy, safe Thanksgiving tomorrow!

Guest Blogging @ 1000 + Books to Read

2011-11-15T15:03:00.002-05:00

Today I'm guest blogging at 1000 + Books to read! I'm talking about guilty pleasures and giving away a copy of Destined Mate, my recent paranormal novella release from Harlequin Nocturne Cravings. You have 15 days to enter! Click here for the blog post.

Thank You Veterans

2011-11-11T13:29:00.004-05:00

On this Veteran's Day I hope everyone takes a moment to remember all the men and women who have given up so much for this country and all those who are currently serving. People who put on those uniforms, regardless of branch, deserve the respect of everyone. As a (former) military wife I know how much military families sacrifice and I'm thankful every day to be married to such a wonderful, brave veteran.

I'd also like to wish Canadians a Happy Remembrance Day which I believe is basically the same thing. (Kaylea Cross, correct me if I'm wrong!) I love our neighbors to the north!

Happy Birthday Marine Corps

2011-11-10T14:07:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps! It doesn't matter that my husband isn't in the Marines anymore, every year I make sure I wish him a happy birthday. :)

On November 10, 1775, the Continental Marines was founded, thus starting what would one day become what we know as the US Marine Corps. So, to the few and the proud, thank you for all your service and everything you do for your country!

Bookin' It Reviews

2011-11-09T12:09:00.004-05:00

Bookin' It Reviews! That's where I am today! The lovely Talina has been kind enough to have me as a guest and I'm talking about world building and Destined Mate, my recent paranormal release from Harlequin Nocturne. If you like vampires and shifters and haven't read it yet, stop by here for a chance to win a copy.

Cover Love!

2011-11-04T05:00:00.003-04:00

So, I finally have a cover for His Secret Past, my upcoming release from Carina Press (it was also a finalist in WISRWA's Fab Five contest in 2010). This story holds a very special place in my heart for reasons which I'll talk about in the new year (when it releases). I also have an official blurb for it!

Six years ago, Alexis Baptiste’s world was turned upside down when Hunter Cassidy disappeared without a trace, leaving her alone and pregnant. She’s finally moving on with her life when he resurfaces, just in time to rescue her from a would-be assassin. Forced to join him on the run to protect herself and her young son, Alexis is now in even more danger: danger of falling for Hunter all over again.

It will release January 2, 2012 and it is 64,000 words in length (and super high in emotion!). Have a great weekend everyone! I'll be working hard on a deadline.

I dig cemeteries!

2011-11-03T14:32:00.003-04:00

Today I'm at Grave Tells blog talking about cemeteries and giving away a copy of Destined Mate. Please stop by if you get a chance!

Destined Mate was also just reviewed by Tracy from Tracy's Place and given 4 stars. If you want to check out the full review, click here.

And the winner is...

2011-10-31T22:52:00.003-04:00

The winner of a digital copy of Caridad Pineiro's THE LOST (from this previous blog post) is Angela Campbell, thanks to random.org. You've won a copy for either a Nook or Kindle. If I don't hear from you in the next couple days I'll be contacting you! Thanks everyone who stopped by.

Hope everyone had a great Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T05:00:00.004-04:00

Thank you everyone who stopped by for my Monster Mash-Up party, both authors and commenters alike! I hope you discovered some new authors and found some interesting reads this October. (You still have a chance to win books in the two posts directly before this one)

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays of the year. Any excuse to get dressed up, party, and perhaps partake in a few drinks… totally cool with me. Halloween wasn’t always such a fun holiday however. Halloween, or Hallow E’en, as it’s called in Ireland stems from the Catholic Church’s ‘All Hollows Day’ or ‘All Saints Day’ (which is a celebration of the Saints). However, before Christianity was introduced to Ireland, Halloween as we know it dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. November 1^st was the end of summer and their harvest, and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on October 31, the line between the world of the living and dead blurred. The Celts needed their harvests to survive so out of respect, they built huge bonfires and sacrificed animals. In addition, they dressed up in various ghoulish costumes in the hopes of disguising their human form to spirits roaming the earth.

Here are some fun facts about this holiday!

1. The next full moon on Halloween will be October 31, 2020 so get ready!

2. A pumpkin is a fruit.

3. Orange and black are associated with Halloween because orange is associated with the Fall Harvest and black with death

4. Bobbing for apples is thought to have been derived from the Roman harvest festival that honors the goddess Pamona.

5. Halloween was brought to America by European immigrants.

6. Black cats are connected with Halloween because they are thought to help witches.

7. In Mexico, they celebrate Dias de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on November 2^nd.

8. Are you afraid of Halloween? You might have Samhainophobia.

9. Orange isn’t the only color of pumpkins. They also come in blue, white, and green!

10. Harry Houdini died on Halloween in 1926 at the age of 52 from peritonitis.

Stay safe this Halloween!

A Little Cornish Magic

2011-10-30T05:00:00.001-04:00

“Cornwall clings to a few of its mysteries yet, and Kerrow clings more tightly than most. Here we find ourselves caught between Wesley and the old religion’s White Lady.”

So the Witch of Kerrow Gwenyth Killigrew explains to a skeptical Rafe Fleming in my latest regency-paranormal DANGEROUS MAGIC.

And she’s right.

Like Ireland, Wales, Brittany, and the highlands of Scotland, Cornwall held tight to its Celtic roots. It’s a landscape rife with mystery and magic. Birthplace of King Arthur. Home to ill-fated lovers Tristan and Isolde. Final resting place of the lost kingdom of Lyonesse. A place where legends spring thick as heath from the rocky cliffs and lonely moors.

In DANGEROUS MAGIC, the mystical aspect of Cornwall became embodied in a single character—Gwenyth Killigrew. A midwife by trade, she possesses the otherworldly gift of Sight. The power to see into the heart of a person and occasionally to glimpse the very future. Through her, I could indulge my infatuation with Celtic mythology and folklore, bringing in the horned god Cernunnos, Beltane bonfires. Heck, I even threw in a glimpse of Annwn, the land of the dead.

And I barely scratched the surface.

I never got to the piskies—mischievous, red-capped old men no bigger than an inch. Or the ugly, baby-stealing spriggans who could raise a terrifying whirlwind and guarded the treasures said to be buried beneath the county’s numerous burial mounds and dolmens. And not a single reference to the Knockers—gnome-like creatures inhabiting the mines of Cornwall.

But like all good faeries, they haunted me. Buzzing round the back of my brain waiting for their chance to make a little mischief.

They finally got their chance when I began writing my books about the Other, men and women bearing the blood and powers of the magical Fey. This is a world where faery and mortal are interconnected and where the striking landscape and the traditional legends blend to become a world both recognizable and extraordinary. There are Keun Marow, deadly creatures based loosely on the fearsome Wild Hunt. There are the beautiful powerful Fey who reside within their Summer Kingdom but whose visits to the mortal realm invariably signal big trouble. There are selkies and uirisc (a bit like piskies and yet not) a magical sword, and King Arthur himself even makes a cameo appearance.

Will Cornwall’s curious blend of familiar present with mystical past continue to inspire future books? Let’s just say my current project holds a few new paranormal surprises and they live in the remote corners of southwest England where anything can happen and in my books, usually does!

No tricks but some nice treats on offer today!! Leave me a comment and be entered to win your choice of my Carina e-book DANGEROUS MAGIC or a hard copy of the first book in my Heirs of Kilronan trilogy from Pocket, EARL OF DARKNESS. Either way, you get a little Halloween magic and a lot of great paranormal romance!

A writer of historical-paranormal romance, Alix Rickloff creates a compelling world of magic and enchantment set during the British Regency period. Her books have been described as “sexy and intense”, “exciting and spellbinding” and “a universe you won’t ever wish to leave”. You can visit her at www.AlixRickloff.com, www.facebook.com/pages/Alix-Rickloff/101434889914147 or www.blameitonthemuse.com.

Cry Wolf

2011-10-29T05:00:00.002-04:00

Okay, it’s confession time. I pretty much got hooked on monsters in the third grade, when we were taken to the school library — sometime around Halloween, if I remember correctly — and given a choice. Three teachers held up books on three subjects: Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and UFOs. I chose to be in the Loch Ness Monster group, and to this day, I have a fascination with Nessie that probably isn’t healthy to admit. Even though I’ve grown older and more skeptical of things that go bump in the night, is there still a part of me that believes an unknown creature is swimming around that Scottish lake? You betcha! Well, I suppose it’s more appropriate to say, “I want to believe.” Like Fox Mulder, I even have a poster that says so. There’s something ridiculously fun about letting your imagination run wild with such romantic ideas, isn’t there?

When it came to writing my debut novel, “Cry Wolf,” it was a no brainer that I’d return to my childhood fascination of monsters, mysteries and urban legends. My hero and heroine needed a fun mystery to solve, and the moment I decided to set my story around Halloween, I knew I had the perfect subject for a subplot. Years ago, when I heard there were actual, modern-day “werewolf sightings” across the United States – kind of like the Nessie sightings – my writer’s imagination kicked into overdrive. I started churning out “what if?” ideas faster than a speeding (silver) bullet. Suddenly my hero and heroine, Sean and Andrea, had a story to investigate while they battled an animal attraction of their own.

I don’t discriminate. I’m a huge fan of all monsters these days — as long as they stay confined to my Kindle or television, of course. I always look forward to October because it means the classic Universal horror monsters — Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man and so on — will be visiting with me for a while. This October, I’m also looking forward to the many books and e-books that will introduce me to new shifters, vampires, witches and other ghoulish characters I’m sure I’ll come to love and revisit. Katie Rues’ “Destined Mate” and Alex Rickloff’s “Dangerous Magic” are just a couple of stories on my to-read list. Hopefully some of you will also give “Cry Wolf” a try when it releases Oct. 31.

What about you? What’s your favorite monster? Even better, what monstrous books or movies would you recommend for this time of the year? Let us know in the comment section, and you could win a free copy of “Cry Wolf” along with a $10 gift card from Amazon.

Angela Campbell is the author of “Cry Wolf,” available Oct. 31, 2011, from Carina Press. To learn more about her or her story, visit www.angelacampbellonline.com.

Under the Moon

2011-10-28T05:00:00.001-04:00

The true origin of our ancestry has been lost to time and secrecy. Very little is known about how we originated, but it is believed we are descended from the lines of powerful humans who spawned the tales of the Greek, Roman, and Norse gods. Only females are currently born with power; despite multiple theories about why this is, no one knows for sure. Again, our heritage is stuff of legend rather than true history. What is important is how we use our abilities.—The Society for Goddess Education and Defense booklet, “From Isis to Freya”

An author's favorite game is "what if?" What if goddesses had been real? What if, millenia later, their descendants still had abilities? What would they use them for? How would they organize?

And who would make them targets?

My Goddesses Rising series explores all of this and more. My paranormal interests tend to lean toward humans with amazing abilities, and they are (almost never) the monsters of the story. The true monster in Under the Moon is just a man. But a man who won't be content until he's drained as many goddesses as possible of their power.

One of the fun things about writing a trilogy about supernaturally powerful people is thinking up things they can do with that power. My heroine uses hers to help whomever she can, whether it's healing injuries or improving local farmers' crops or retrieving lost items. Her birth mother does a kind of non-invasive plastic surgery, from fixing uneven earlobes to eliminating scars and birthmarks. Another goddess can infuse items with certain properties. She usually creates novelties, like stones that never stop glowing, but her abilities get twisted when a bullet is infused with a hallucinogenic that almost kills the book's hero.

So here's your challenge! Think up some out-there abilities you'd love to have! Get as far outside the box as you can!

Under the Moon, Book 1 in the Goddesses Rising trilogy
Their power gives them strength…and makes them targets.

Quinn Caldwell is the epitome of a modern goddess. Her power source is the moon, her abilities restricted only by physical resources and lunar phase. She runs a consulting business and her father’s bar, serves on the board of the ancient Society for Goddess Education and Defense, and yearns for Nick Jarrett, professional goddess protector and the soul mate she can never have.

But someone has developed the rare and difficult ability to drain a goddess of her powers, and Quinn is a target. With the world thinking Nick has gone rogue (whatever that means) and that Quinn is influenced by “family ties” she didn’t know she had, keeping themselves safe while working to find the enemy proves harder each day.

But not as hard as denying their hearts…

~~~~~~~~
Natalie J. Damschroder's latest and upcoming releases:

Behind the Scenes October 31, 2011
Carina Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible coming soon.

Under the Moon November 1, 2011
Entangled Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Fight or Flight Out now!
Carina Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

You can learn more about Natalie and her books at her website, eHarlequin, Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook. She blogs with four other ~~obsessed~~ passionate Supernatural fans at Supernatural Sisters, with a number of fantastic romance authors at Everybody Needs a Little Romance, and just to hear herself talk at Indulge Yourself.

When are you going to write anything normal?

2011-10-27T05:00:00.003-04:00

Please welcome guest author Tracey Kitts!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked this. Everyone from my mother to people I used to go to school with have asked me before. The conversation usually goes something like this.

“So, your latest book is about werewolves (or vampires)?”

“That’s right.” I proceed to tell them about my latest book.

“Um. So, when are you going to write something normal? Cause I don’t read anything weird.”

The last time someone asked me this question they were about to purchase a copy of Terminator. I replied, “Right. Because sending your father back in time to get your mom pregnant is totally normal.”

Many people (particularly in small towns like mine) seem to be under the false impression that just because the characters are not completely human that you can’t relate to their stories. That’s not true at all. We all have things to overcome in our relationships and within ourselves. It may not be as serious as an aversion to sunlight or a severe need to wax on the full moon, but everyone has problems.

The difference is our problems aren’t solved between the pages of a good book. That’s what’s so great about fiction. I strive to make my characters and their situations REAL. That doesn’t mean it could really happen. It means that what they are feeling is real. The emotion is what brings reality to my stories.

Besides, being a vampire or a werewolf could be a metaphor for almost anything. It’s about looking beyond the surface to see who they really are. The man behind the beast is a very attractive concept to me. I’ve seen some great looking men who were monsters underneath. I write stories about the exact opposite.

Beauty and the Beast is a classic story that somehow comes through in each and every paranormal romance I’ve ever read or written. It all comes down to can you see what’s beneath rather than what everyone else sees? Isn’t that what love is all about?

You don’t love someone because you don’t see their flaws. You love them because you see the flaws … and the flaws don’t matter. They are simply a part of the person you love.

So what if he has a hairy back once a month or grows fangs from time to time? Back to the original question: When am I going to write anything normal? According to my dear friend Skyla, I already do.

You can find out more about Tracey and her books at www.traceyhkitts.com

Her latest release is Raven’s Destiny, an erotic short with Ellora’s Cave.

Why do you love monsters?

2011-10-26T05:00:00.003-04:00

Please welcome guest author, Caridad Pineiro!

He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster.

Friedrich Nietzsche

When I ask myself why I like writing about creatures of the night and other otherworldly beings that some would consider monsters, it always comes back to the same thing for me: That it’s interesting seeing how the humans deal with them.

Will the villagers react in anger and chase after the beast with pitchforks or burn down the old mill with the monster within?

Will compassion slip into the mix and allow the humans to see past the pointy teeth and hair to the heart beating beneath the surface?

Or as Nietzsche so clearly saw, will the humans become scarier than the monsters themselves?

I love juxtaposing those variables in the stories I write and oftentimes, it’s the humans that either start off scarier than the monsters or end up being way more frightening.

I think that’s why we love stories revolving around monsters – because they make us face our fears and force us to understand more about ourselves. When faced with something that has our hearts pounding and palms sweating, will we be like that mindless mob and react without thinking or will we embrace all that is good within us? Will we even go a step further and come to love the beast with the heart of gold beneath the furry face and monstrous paws? (And yes, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is one of my fave monster movies).

Why do you love monsters? Take a moment to share your thoughts on why they appeal to us so strongly!

Thank you for having me with you today, Katie! I appreciate it.

And thank you Caridad for blogging with me today! Caridad is an incredibly talented and giving author so thank you for stopping by! And in case you don’t know, her book The Lost just released and it looks fantastic! I’d like to offer a digital copy to one commenter for their Nook or Kindle. Please leave your email address with your comment so I have a place to send your gift. And please note you will need either a Barnes & Noble or Amazon account for me to send your gift! Contest open until October 31, 2011 9 AM central time.

Cold Alaskan Nights and Hot Wolf Shifters!

2011-10-25T05:00:00.005-04:00

Please welcome guest author Paige Tyler!

When I first read that Whiskey Creek Press Torrid was coming out with a new line of books called the Men of Alaska Series, I totally knew I had to write a book for it. I mean, what's more exciting than a hot, hunky, outdoorsy hero, right?!

I played around with a lot of different storylines, but I kept coming back to the idea of werewolves. Not only did wolves seem to fit well into the Alaskan theme, but I've got a serious thing for shifters! So, I decided to go for it. I thought it would be more fun for the heroine to be a complete skeptic, so I made her a reluctant reporter for a paranormal magazine. I figured that would lead to lots of amusing interaction with the hunky hero, who just happens to be a werewolf, of course! After I did a little bit of research on Fairbanks, I was ready to go, and one I started, the story seemed to write itself.

The first book in the series is called ANIMAL ATTRACTION and I'm excited to say it was an EPIC Award Finalist! Originally, ANIMAL ATTRACTION was going to be a stand-alone book. As it turns out, though, Hunter, the hero in ANIMAL ATTRACTION, has a twin brother. I didn't think that much about it at the time, but when my editor read it, she said, "Hey, it would be cool to do a story about the twin brother!"

That got me thinking - which can be a little dangerous, I know! After ANIMAL ATTRACTION came out, I heard from so many readers who said the same thing - we want a book about Hunter's twin brother, Luke!

I was like, "I can totally do that!"

The sequel, ANIMAL INSTINCT, also takes place in Alaska, but it's set in Anchorage instead of Fairbanks. And this time, instead of focusing on the heroine falling for a guy she doesn't know is a werewolf, I wanted to concentrate on what it would be like for a person, in this case the heroine in the story, to be bitten by a werewolf, then follow her through the process of turning into one for the first time with the help of the man she loves.

I'm thrilled to say that ANIMAL INSTINCT is as wildly popular at the first book in the series. In fact, it was a #1 Bestseller at Torrid!

I'm currently working on an idea for a couple more books in the series, one focusing on a hot cop and the other featuring an all grown-up chracter everyone fell in love with in ANIMAL INSTINCT. I'm really excited about them!

ANIMAL ATTRACTION

Not only are werewolves real, they're damn hunky, too!

Frustrated when none of the real newspapers will hire her as a reporter, Eliza Bradley takes the only job she can get – at a paranormal magazine. Her first assignment takes her to Fairbanks , Alaska to investigate the possibility that a werewolf has killed two local hikers.

She forgets about the story, however, when she meets Hunter McCall, a local college professor and an expert on wolves. The man is an absolute hunk, and she finds herself spending more time in his bed than worrying about werewolves. That is, until Eliza finds out that Hunter isn’t just an animal in the sack, he’s an animal out of it, too - of the werewolf variety! Talk about a complicated relationship!

But Eliza can’t dwell on Hunter’s little shapeshifting issues.There’s another werewolf out there with a taste for human blood, and she and Hunter are the only ones who can stop him.

Read an Excerpt!

Watch the Trailer!

Buy it in eBook or Print!

Buy it on Amazon Kindle!

ANIMAL INSTINCT

Every girl wants guy who's an animal in bed!

Artist Heidi Gibson is spending the summer up in Anchorage doing some painting when she gets attacked by a crazed wolf. She is rescued by golden-eyed wildlife biologist Luke McCall, who calmly informs she has been bitten by a werewolf and will turn into one during the next full moon. Thinking he’s obviously out of his mind, she can’t get away from him fast enough.

When strange things start happening to her, however, she begins to think the ruggedly handsome biologist could be right. Not knowing what else to do, she goes to Luke and is stunned to discover that he knows so much about werewolves because he’s one himself.

As Luke teaches her what she needs to know about being a werewolf, Heidi finds herself falling hard for the Alaskan hunk. But while they’re intent on each other, the werewolf that attacked her comes back into the picture, and he’s not exactly happy that another of his kind is trying to take the woman he believes is his rightful mate. Can Luke and Heidi's attraction overpower the jealousy of the rogue werewolf?

Read an Excerpt!

Watch the Trailer!

Buy it in eBook!

Buy it on Amazon Kindle!

Happy Reading!

*hugs*

Paige

http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com

http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com

Character Love!

2011-10-24T05:05:00.004-04:00

Please welcome paranormal author Ashlyn Chase! And please check out the post directly below this one. In addition to guest blogging today she also gave us the scoop on a sweet deal in paranormal books coming soon.

Somebody once asked me which of my characters I’d most like to trade places with. In the Vampire Next Door the answer is…none of them!

Sly is a vampire whose maker Vorigan Malvant is after him. Morgaine is Sly’s honey who Vorigan kidnaps as bait to lure Sly. Roz and Konrad moved to a private school in Newton, run by werewolves. Merry is pregnant and Jason’s father had another heart attack, taking him away to Minnesota in the dead of winter. Gwyneth is fighting with Morgaine and Nathan is well…Nathan.

Everyone’s favorite character seems to be Chad, the ghost. I love him too, and the idea of being the proverbial fly on the proverbial wall has its appeal, but to be so limited by the lack of a corporeal form would be frustrating. No wonder he’s snarky!

Sly and Morgaine have been friends for years and already know each other’s paranormal secrets, so that bit is out of the way. Morgaine didn’t have to freak out over Sly’s vampirism the way Merry and Roz did when they discovered the men they loved were shapeshifters.

But no two characters were more flawed than Morgaine and Sly when they first considered (and almost rejected) the idea of a relationship. Sly was still grieving the loss of his wife, killed by vampire Vorigan who turned him twenty-six years earlier. Morgaine suffered from phobias as crippling as Sly’s sun sensitivity and blood lust. Both were doing the best they could with what life had dealt them, but each experienced a void.

So take one vampire who can’t go out in the sun, plus one witch with Agoraphobia who can’t go out at all, and by the way, she had Nyctophobia too and was deathly afraid of the dark…and how do you get them together?

It’s waaaay more complex than I can relate in a blog article. Let me just say with a little help from friends and apparitions, they manage to overcome their roadblocks to happiness. I’m happy to say Morgaine doesn’t wind up playing “the damsel in distress” and Sly doesn’t remain damaged and brooding.

In fact, I’m rather proud of the way I tied up each character’s story with some stellar inner growth that leads to a happy ending. And this doesn’t just apply to Sly and Morgaine. I made sure all the residents found happiness.

Now, let me give you a short excerpt of a conversation between Morgaine the witch and Chad the ghost to entice you further.

“Morgaine, why don’t you just tell her how you feel?” Chad, the ghost, said.

Morgaine snorted, continued labeling her dried herbs, and tried to ignore the apparition that was making too much sense. “Oh, get a grave.”

“Seriously. I know Gwyneth pretty well, considering we’re roommates. She’ll understand if you just give her a chance.”

“You forget I lived with her for a long time before you did. She has to be the belle of every ball. You even called her that, remember?”

“So, what? Are you just going to step back and let her take over?”

“Look, I already got a makeover. What else are you telling me to do? Change my personality?”

“I think you’re being oversensitive.”

“About what?” Morgaine realized she had snapped at him, but he should mind his own damn business. Sure, he was probably bored out of his mind, but he could find other ways to amuse himself besides butting into her private life… like insulting people who couldn’t hear him or listening in on the phone-sex line like he used to do.

“About your more extroverted cousin getting the attention you crave but refuse to risk rejection for.”

She grabbed her mortar and pestle and another handful of herbs. “Oh, great,” she muttered. “Now our spook thinks he has a degree in psychology.” She took out some of her aggression and ground the sage forcefully. It didn’t need to be turned into powder as if she wanted to cook with it. Courser herbs would do quite nicely for a spell, and she didn’t plan to cook a turkey for another month.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t think of a way to win the heart of a man with her cute, vivacious cousin around—unless she broke the Witches’ Rede and resorted to manipulation. The rules made it quite clear that forcing the feelings and behavior of others would backfire on a witch big time. And would a night of false passion be worth it?

“I know what you’re thinking.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Oh, yeah? I’ll bet you believe all men think with their little heads and you’re not attractive enough to turn on a certain vampire.”

The air rushed out of Morgaine’s emotional balloon, and she sagged against the counter. “Okay, I guess you do know what I’m thinking.”

“So, what are you gonna do about it?”

“What can I do? I can’t turn my cousin into an ugly hag. I can’t make Sly fall madly in love with me. Well, I could do those things, but that would be cheating.”

“At the risk of sounding clichéd, all you need to do is be yourself.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Vampires, Werewolves, and Witches, Oh My!

2011-10-24T05:00:00.004-04:00

Thanks to Ashlyn Chase, who is blogging with me today, for sharing this! Some really great books are on special for a limited time! Paranormal Romance for $0.99! (10/28/2011 – 11/03/2011)

Title: Strange Neighbors
Digital List Price: $6.99

Print ISBN: 9781402236617
PDF ISBN: 9781402236648
EPUB ISBN: 9781402254277

The first in a series of funny, light, and sexy paranormal romances.

In addition to Strange Neighbors, all the following paranormal romances will be going on sale for $0.99 soon! (10/28/2011 – 11/03/2011)

Title: Wicked by Any Other Name by Linda Wisdom

Digital List Price: $6.99

Print ISBN: 9781402217739
PDF ISBN: 9781402223600
EPUB ISBN: 9781402227240

· 3rd book in the fun, funny paranormal romance series by bestselling author (13 million books sold)

Title: Kiss at Your Own Risk by Stephanie Rowe

Digital List Price: $6.99

Print ISBN: 9781402241956
PDF ISBN: 9781402241987
EPUB ISBN: 9781402261459

· The first in a thrilling new paranormal series by bestselling author Stephanie Rowe

Title: The Wolf Next Door by Lydia Dare

Digital List Price: $6.99

Print ISBN: 9781402236969
PDF ISBN: 9781402237058
EPUB ISBN: 97814022536

· Third in the back-to-back release of a fresh and original paranormal romance trilogy.

Title: Merely Magic by Patricia Rice

Digital List Price: $6.99

Print ISBN: 9781402251931
PDF ISBN: 9781402263248
EPUB ISBN: 9781402263255

· First in a classic bestselling series, Merely Magic is a Romantic Times all-time favorite romance

Title: Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spear

Digital List Price: $7.99

Print ISBN: 9781402211577
PDF ISBN: 9781402215520
EPUB ISBN: 9781402233852

· A sizzling paranormal romance based on extensive research on how wolves live and behave in the wild

Title: Emma and the Vampires by Wayne Josephson

Digital List Price: $14.99

Category: Fiction

Print ISBN: 9781402241345
PDF ISBN: 9781402241383
EPUB ISBN: 9781402256202

· What better place than pale England to hide a secret society of gentlemen vampires?

Title: The Wild Sight by Loucinda McGary

Digital List Price: $6.99

Print ISBN: 9781402213946
PDF ISBN: 9781402220906
EPUB ISBN: 9781402236778

· Sensual romantic suspense with a paranormal element, set in Ireland featuring a hero with psychic powers and the beautiful young woman who claims to be his half-sister.

Serendipity

2011-10-23T05:00:00.003-04:00

Serendipity: The gift of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for.

I love words, and today serendipitous is my favorite. When the opportunity to guest blog with Katie Reus came up, the word sprang to mind. It is serendipitous because my debut novel, HEART OF THE DRUID LAIRD, begins on Samhain (Sow-in), which is a mere week away.

…Only on Samhain, halfway between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice, was Diarmad allowed to breach the veil between the worlds to search for Mairéad’s return…

This is my favorite time of year and always has been. An otherworldly feel laces the crisp air of autumn as the days shorten. Samhain is Gaelic for "summer's end," and it marked the end of the lighter half of the year, and the beginning of the darker half—the end of the harvest and the beginning of a time for reflection. Samhain marks the Celtic New Year. Pagans believe that the veil separating our world from the realms of the dead, the gods, and faeries was at its thinnest during this time of year. They took steps to protect themselves from the wandering spirits and fae who walked among them on the last night of summer, October 31st.

Hearth fires throughout the village were put out, so that spirits would find the villagers' homes inhospitable and cold. People wore masks and costumes to confound any evil spirits or faeries who might be looking for them, and large turnips were hollowed out and carried with a burning candle inside to light the way. Bonfires were lit, and the people walked between them as a purification ritual. At dawn, on the first day of the new year, villagers would take a burning ember from the ceremonial bonfires, using it to relight their own hearths as a symbol of community and unity.

One of the oddest traditions I came across in my research was the one where the male head of the household would pee outside the threshold into the house to ward off the evil spirits. Not sure why urine would discourage a faerie, or a ghostie, but what do I know?

Here is the blurb from HEART OF THE DRUID LAIRD.

Cursed with immortality, Dermot MacKay craves death. To lift the faerie curse placed upon him and his men over 1,600 years ago, he must return the soul of his reincarnated wife to the exact place and time of her murder. But her soul is currently residing in the very modern Sidney St. George—and first he has to convince her to accompany him to Scotland.

Sidney doesn't believe Dermot's wild claims of immortality and rebirth, yet she cannot deny that she is drawn to the sexy Scot. Nor can she explain the sense of déjà vu his touch elicits. Desperate for answers, she agrees to go with him—only to learn too late that to help the man she loves is to lose him forever…

Thanks so much for inviting me here today, Katie, and thanks to everyone who stops by. I’ll check in throughout the day to chat.

Top 10 Reasons Paranormal Heroes Would Suck in Real Life

2011-10-22T05:00:00.003-04:00

Please welcome guest author (and my friend!) KC Burn!

First off, thanks to Katie for including me in her Monster Mash-Up. I’m in the company of so many great authors! I’m KC Burn and I love paranormal romance, both reading and writing it. But, I’m also fully aware that if all those fantastic men of paranormal romance were real and dateable, they’d be a… well… nightmare.

10. A Demon would likely be a *demon* in the sack, but he’d lie ALL the time and it’s guaranteed your mom will hate him. He’d make a good fuck-buddy but a crappy boyfriend.

9. Angels - I’m allergic to feathers. Need I say more?

8. At first, a Genie seems like the ideal man: confined to a small living space, only around when you want him, grants your every wish. But if he’s not aggressively subservient then he’s wildly pissed off about his enforced subservience. Either option sounds like a recipe for couples counseling.

7. I can think of a lot of reasons why a fully functional android might be… uh… useful. *wink* But I bet we’d have a worldwide masculine revolt if someone invented a walking, talking, made-to-order vibrator who could (and would) pick up his own socks and wash the dishes.

6. Then there’s the Fae. Seelie, Unseelie… it’s a political quagmire!

5. Aliens - You do realize any *real* alien we came across would be some nasty, tentacled, slimy mess that needs to eat rotten eggs and cat poop. Valuable for cat box cleaning time, but the odds of wanting to kiss it? A trillion to one (and that’s being generous). Mom wouldn’t be a fan of this one either -- all kinds of awkward at Christmas dinner.

4. Dragon shifters are probably one of the coolest shifter options out there. Highly useful for lighting candles for romantic dinners, and they might even let you borrow some awesome jewelry from their hoard. But then there’s the scorch marks and the sprinkler systems and the sirens… Seriously, just pick up one of the firemen and forget the dragon.

3. Werewolves may be a warm, fuzzy furnace on a cold, winter night, but that’s a lot of fur. I have enough trouble vacuuming up after one cat. And if his need to get furry and howl at the moon coincides with my PMS? That’s a horror story, not a paranormal romance.

2. Zombie romance may be hot right now, but bits falling off in bed is not. Getting crumbs in bed is one thing, but leaving important bits behind is unacceptable.

1. Fangs are fine, but if the guy’s a vampire and his heart doesn’t beat, there’s no blood flow to a very important part of the anatomy… Prepare to be unsatisfied. A lot. Also, blood stains are a bitch to wash out.

Honestly, paranormal romance makes for fabulous fiction. It lets me ignore all those pesky non-romantic details that would make any paranormal paramour complete hell to live with.

My most recent release was Trompe L’oeil, available from Loose Id (http://bit.ly/ofM7rw). I’ve included a short blurb below, but simply put, one hero is trapped in a cursed painting, which wouldn’t be any easier to deal with in real life than the above list of paranormal romance heroes. My cursed painting was fun to write about all the same, and there’s two hot guys for the price of one!

Blurb:

When Maxwell, a Depression-era artist, spurns the attentions of his sponsor, he ends up cursed to live out eternity in a painting. The man who cursed him delighted in playing the exhibitionist for Maxwell, and by the time the old man dies, Maxwell longs for his life and body back but he’s pretty sure he never wants to watch anyone have sex ever again. Until he discovers who his new owner is.

Tyler isn’t sure what to do with a life-sized painting of a nude man, but it was a gift from his sister to ease the pain of a disastrous break up and subsequent coming out. The gorgeous subject of the painting disappeared without a trace decades ago, rumored to have been killed by the painting’s previous owner in a jealous rage.

Becoming more and more fascinated by the man in his painting, Tyler uses his resources as a history professor to solve the mystery of Maxwell’s disappearance. He finds himself spending more time in his bedroom, talking to the painting, researching, and aching to know the man in person. Meanwhile, Maxwell falls under Tyler’s sweet spell, even though the thickness of canvas might be an insurmountable barrier to cross.

Made for Love

2011-10-21T05:00:00.001-04:00

Appearances can be deceiving, especially in paranormal romance. What if people believed you were not human? Not to be trusted, and brought only to the earth plane for the pleasure of a master. How trustworthy would you be if, in all honesty, all you wanted to do was go home?

Demon, succubus—otherworld creatures brought to earth by magic, for lust or for power. If you mess up the spell that summons them to earth your life, your soul is in danger of being devoured. Get it right and you can trade sex for power. But is a succubus part of hell? Is it really a winged, horned red skinned devil straight from the pits? Not in my books.

Syn, once a high priestess of a temple in another reality is pulled to earth to feed the power requirements of an evil politician. There she is holy. Here she is demon.

The first part of this story is part of a new anthology, DEMON LOVERS, to release in December, 2011. I’m so excited! It’s the story of how Syn comes to earth and how she is set free.

Here’s the blurb for CALLING SYN:

Every job has its risks—but not many run the hazard where failure means being devoured body and soul. It’s Julien Black’s job to raise demons—he gets paid to summon them to meet with his underground employers. It’s not up to him what happens next, it’s not his deal.

But Julien’s never raised a succubus and he has no idea of the power the wily females have at hand. When the demon he’s called names herself as Syn, Priestess of the Temple of Lust, Julien knows he’s in trouble. He’s been sabotaged and Syn is about to escape. Julien must find a way to soothe her desires and save his soul, but staying in control isn’t easy when you’re with a succubus named Syn.

Part two, and a much longer book will be released separately n December and tells the story of Syn’s partnership with Julien Black, the magician that brought her to earth. Here’s a bit about CLAIMING SYN:

Magician Julien Black is tasked by the Miami magical council with bringing the demon priestess Syn under control—to capture her and send her back to her own plane of existence. It’s his responsibility since he brought her to earth in the first place. Having sex with the succubus was never part of the plan. Neither was falling in love.

Syn is out for revenge on mayoral candidate David Contreau. He tortured her and stole her power so that he could use it to control thousands of naïve voters. He’s dabbling in a black magic that could risk them all. Only through her sensual encounters with Julien can Syn reclaim the strength she needs to foil Contreau’s plans and return to her home on her own power.

But sex and control are issues that can never be separated, especially when Julien is forced to reveal his motives and risk what they are building together…

Hope you liked a glimpse into my new series. Comment and leave a contact email and I will be giving away a .PDF copy of the DEMON LOVERS anthology when it releases in December!

Lilly

Alien Revealed – Book One of The Confederacy Treaty – June 2010

The Naked Truth – Book Two of The Confederacy Treaty – June 2011

Undercover Alliance – Book Three of The Confederacy Treaty – June 2012

For more information about Lilly Cain, and for excerpts of her stories please visit www.lillycain.com. You can also follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LillyCain or on Facebook at www.facebook.ca/Lilly_Cain

Paranormal Romance vs. Religion

2011-10-20T05:00:00.001-04:00

Once upon a time, parents told children tales of the boogie man and other things that go bump in the night for a very specific reason. To keep them in bed where they belonged. It may seem cruel, but think about it—there was no electricity, so no night-lights. There were wild animals and open fires about. Staircases didn’t usually have hand rails. It was a safety thing. Also kept them out of mom & dad’s bed, which was quite possibly in the same room. Explained away that grunting and bumping, too. :)

What boogie man tales did for the children, religion did for the grown-ups. Thinking about running around after dark? Watch out, the vampires might get you. Those shellfish that are making everyone sick? If GOD says they’re unclean, maybe the masses will stop eating them. In parts of Africa it is believed that evil spirits lurk in the corners of the house—so houses are built in circles. Of course, it also conserves the scarce wood supply, as a circle gives you the maximum area/perimeter ratio. In Thailand you build a high threshold to keep out the evil spirits that crawl along the floor. Also works on snakes. Handy, huh?

I’m not saying that religion deliberately hoodwinks the populace for its own arbitrary or nefarious reasons. Though it might surprise you, I’m not dissing religion at all. But in a pre-literate society, religion was one largely self-enforcing way for the educated minority to communicate messages to the masses, and to have them stick. A lot of the paranormal legends we’re familiar with today may have started off in just such a manner, along with the fact that every culture has a mythology, and as cultures moved and mingled, the legends spread, grew, evolved. Trolls mean one thing to one culture, something else entirely to another. Brownies, leprechauns, elves, pixies, faeries—the stories and differences are largely regional, but with a great deal of overlap. Some of these creatures featured in the teaching of pre-Christian beliefs, just as the djinn feature in Middle Eastern theology and demons in many of the Asian philosophies.

Now, if you want to know how I think these religious origins should relate to modern paranormal romance, you might be in for a shock.

I don’t.

Not one little, teeny, weeny bit.

I write FICTION. Stories. Faery tales for grownups if you will. They have nothing whatsoever to do with reality—especially politics or religion. I try very hard not to mention religion at all, though now and again the context of a story forces it in. When it does, I try to be as vague as possible, and most importantly, not to offend any particular sect. Why? Because I don’t want to get into a religious debate. That’s simply not what my romantic fiction is about. If your beliefs have a problem with the existence of a werewolf, or a living gargoyle, or a half-dragon cop, that’s fine. I don’t believe in singing purple dinosaurs either, but I let my kids watch Barney, even though he bugged the daylights out of me. Because even when they were two, they got the concept that THIS IS NOT REAL. If however, you have a problem reading about magical creatures, you should probably not read my work. And that’s okay, too. I can recommend some wonderful authors who do bring their faith into their fiction—everything from Wiccan to Jewish to Catholic to Baptist to Buddhist. But in my stuff? Pure, unadulterated fantasy. Just kick back, forget reality for a while and have some fun.

I do think the paranormal world and romance are a natural mixing ground, and one I love exploring. When we’re talking fantasy, why not add the elements of magic, extended lifespans, and so on, meaning the Happily-Ever-After can really be EVER after. In other cases, adding paranormal heroes and heroines can up the conflict level, making it harder for our lovers to get and stay together. That’s certainly the case in my new book out tomorrow from Ellora’s Cave, All Hallow’s Evie. Evangeline Bonnell is a ghost, whose time is up on Halloween, meaning she and Sam Holiday have a mere 10 days together. Figuring out how to give these two an HEA was a real challenge. :)

I’m giving away a free copy of Sam and Evie’s story to one random commenter below, so if you’re in the mood, tell me what you think about paranormal romance, or how you celebrate this time of year. I’ll leave this contest open until the 28^th, so everyone who wants to has a chance to enter. If you want to know more about my books or this one in particular, click on the links below.

Have a wonderful Halloween, or Samhain, or if you celebrate neither, then just a have a marvelous autumn.

* * * * *

All Hallow’s Evie

Out Oct. 21, from Ellora’s Cave

http://bit.ly/oMY31P

Holiday Hearts, Book Five.

* * * * *

Cindy Spencer Pape Links:

Website: http://www.cindyspencerpape.com

Blog: http://cindyspencerpape.blogspot.com/

Newsletter group: http://yhoo.it/ni7PHo

Twitter: http://twitter.com/CindySPape

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/gjbLLC