Cynthia Eden's Blog, page 77
August 25, 2012
Movies with Bite (and a Gift Card!)
As we continue our giveaway fun here at the blog, I thought I’d turn the topic to movies…or, rather, werewolf movies.
I’m a big fan of the movie Cursed. It has everything that I look for in a werewolf movie…sexy hero (or, um bad guy), chills, thrills, scares a plenty…and humor. I love me some good humor. 
But there are other werewolf movies that I enjoy, like:
Red Riding Hood (loved her cape!!!)
All of Underworld movies (Michael was a fun hero)
The classic Wolf Man (what can I say? I love old movies!)
And, while I haven’t seen Ginger Snaps, I’ve heard that lots of people love the movie–so I will have to check it out.
What’s your favorite werewolf movie? Share! I’ll pick one random commenter to win a $20 gift card to Barnes & Noble. (The contest will stay open until noon–Central time–on Monday.) Good luck!!!
August 24, 2012
If I Were You (Giveaway!)
We’re continuing the giveaway fun here at my blog. and, today, I wanted to spotlight a new release by Lisa Renee Jones.
Blurb:
How it began….
One day I was a high school teacher on summer break, leading a relatively uneventful but happy life. Or so I told myself. Later, I’d question that, as I would question pretty much everything I knew about me, my relationships, and my desires. It all began when my neighbor thrust a key to a storage unit at me. She’d bought it to make extra money after watching some storage auction show. Now she was on her way to the airport to elope with a man she barely knew, and she needed me to clear out the unit before the lease expires.
Soon, I was standing inside a small room that held the intimate details of another woman’s life, feeling uncomfortable , as if I was invading her privacy. Why had she let these items so neatly packed, possessions that she clearly cared about deeply, be lost at an auction? Driven to find out by some unnamed force, I began to dig, to discover this woman’s life, and yes, read her journals—-dark, erotic journals that I had no business reading. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I read on obsessively, living out fantasies through her words that I’d never dare experience on my own, compelled by the three men in her life, none of whom had names. I read onward until the last terrifying dark entry left me certain that something had happened to this woman. I had to find her and be sure she was okay.
Before long, I was taking her job for the summer at the art gallery, living her life, and she was nowhere to be found. I was becoming someone I didn’t know. I was becoming her…
The dark, passion it becomes…
Now, I am working at a prestigious gallery, where I have always dreamed of being, and I’ve been delivered to the doorstep of several men, all of which I envision as one I’ve read about in the journal. But there is one man that will call to me, that will awaken me in ways I never believed possible. That man is the ruggedly sexy artist, Chris Merit, who wants to paint me. He is rich and famous, and dark in ways I shouldn’t find intriguing, but I do. I so do. I don’t understand why his dark side appeals to me, but the attraction between us is rich with velvety promises of satisfaction. Chris is dark, and so are his desires, but I cannot turn away. He is damaged beneath his confident good looks and need for control, and in some way, I feel he needs me. I need him.
All I know for certain is that he knows me like I don’t even know me, and he says I know him. Still, I keep asking myself — do I know him? Did he know her, the journal writer, and where is she? And why doesn’t it seem to matter anymore? There is just him and me, and the burn for more.
***
Lisa describes IF I WERE YOU as a combination of Fifty Shades and Basic Instinct. I cannot wait to read this book. Actually, I have it on my Kindle now, and I’m planning to get busy with some reading time this weekend. Would you like to read the book, too? Because I’m going to giveaway 4 digital copies (format of your choice) to blog commenters. To enter the giveaway, just answer this question…if you had the chance, do you think you’d ever want to live someone else’s life? I’ll run the contest until midnight (Central time) and be back to post the winners in the morning.
And, to tease you with a little of IF I WERE YOU, here’s an excerpt:
Rounding the corner, I enter the hallway, and Chris is suddenly there in the narrow passage with me, pressing me against the wall, his powerful thighs framing mine.
My hand goes instinctively to his t-shirt-clad chest. I am immediately aware of the intimacy of the touch, of my body’s reaction to the man who has betrayed me. “Don’t shove me against another wall and try to intimidate me, Chris.”
“I’m not trying to intimidate you. I was protecting you, Sara.” His hands move to my waist, scorching me, and my reaction to the sizzling touch is instant. I cover his hands with mine, trying to control what he does next, but it doesn’t help. Now, my hands are on his hands and his hands are on my body.
“Call it what you want,” I ground out, “but you had no right to do what you did.”
“He had to know he couldn’t manipulate your dream. Money, and my many resources at your disposal, does that.”
His words knock my anger and my breath away, and confusion consumes me. His actions and his words conflict at every turn. “Why would you help me? You said I don’t belong in this world.”
“Because I won’t watch him gobble you up and destroy you.”
I remember his words, and understand now that he wanted me out of this gallery, not this profession. “Because he’s a dark, messed up, arrogant asshole who will play with my mind and use me until there is nothing else left of me I recognize.”
“That’s right.”
“And yet you say you’re worse.”
He stiffens and cuts his gaze, seeming to struggle before fixing me in a turbulent stare. “I am, Sara, which is why you should run as far away from me as you can. And I should step back and let you.”
“Then why aren’t you?” I whisper.
His eyes hold mine, and what I see there, the depth of his desire, overwhelms me. He flattens his palm on my belly and I tremble beneath the touch, and he has to feel it too. “Because,” his voice low, seductive, his hand traveling up the center of my body, “I can’t stop thinking about you, and everything I want to do to you, everywhere I want to touch you.”
His hand presses to the swell between my breasts, and my nipples ache with a wish he would touch them. His boldness ignites something sultry and dark inside me, a side of me that defies the good-girl school teacher who is appalled I haven’t stopped this. I want him. I want him here and now, and any way I can have him.
And when his gaze lowers to my mouth and lingers, I know he is thinking about kissing me and I have never wanted to be kissed so badly in my life.
“Do you taste as good as I think you do?” he asks, but he doesn’t wait for my reply.
Suddenly, his fingers have tunneled into my hair and he’s dragging my mouth to his. I am all soft submission, yielding to the moment, to the man. I melt into him, welcome the hardness of his body pressed to mine. And when his tongue presses past my lips, a long, wicked caress, I taste his hunger, his need. There is possessiveness to his kiss, to his hand on my back, molding me closer. I am lost in the ache that has become my need for this man, this stranger I cannot resist. He says he’s protecting me; he says he’s dangerous. I am conflicted, and sure I should be angry with him, but I am completely incapable and unable of processing why.
Remotely, I register voices sounding somewhere nearby, and some tiny part of my mind is aware we could be caught, but I am too lost to care. I do not want to stop kissing him and I am panting when Chris tears his mouth from mine and presses his lips to my ear. He gently strokes my hair, his breath warm on my neck. “Go the bathroom baby, before someone sees us.”
The endearment does funny things to my chest.
He turns me to the door, his hands on my waist, his body framing me from behind, and I can feel him hot and hard against my backside. It is all I can do not to lean into him. He kisses my neck. “I don’t mind who knows what we are doing but I don’t want you embarrassed.”
The voices grow louder, high heels clicking on the tiled floor. Reality blasts through me and I dart for the bathroom door without looking back at Chris.
***
Lisa is also running a special contest in conjunction with the release of IF I WERE YOU…here are the details (via Lisa Renee Jones)…
Chance to win $200 starting the 24th!
If you haven’t heard yet to celebrate the release of IF I WERE YOU I’ve partnered with Tokii the first ever self-help relationship management platform, specifically designed to deepen and strengthen all types of relationships—to create an interactive game based on my sexy novel. The game will allow couples to discover each other’s innermost desires and fantasies in a fun new way! Lisa will also be giving away a $200 Amazon gift card via THE GAME at the Tokii website.
August 23, 2012
Counting Down Until the Release…
I’m back with more giveaway fun as we countdown to the August 28th release of HOWL FOR IT!
Today’s prize? A Kindle. This lovely one described right here.
To win the prize, you’ll have to comment on this post. I’ll let this contest run until noon on Saturday (so everyone who wants to do so will have a chance to enter–and that’s noon Central time).
The story of Little Red Riding Hood was the inspiration for “Wed or Dead” (my contribution to the HOWL FOR IT anthology). I’ve always had a thing for the big, bad wolf. Poor guy. To me, he got a bum deal in that tale. So I wanted to change things up for him…and for Little Red. I figured she deserved a harder edge, so I decided she needed to be a hunter in my take on the story. And my big, bad wolf? Of course, he had to be a werewolf.
But what happens when a hunter falls for that big, bad wolf? Well, she’ll find herself either wed or dead.
Now tell me…what do you think about the Little Red Riding Hood story? Did you love hearing the tale as a kid? Did you imagine a different ending for any of the characters?
And, in case you’re curious…here’s an excerpt from “Wed or Dead” to get you in the werewolf mood:
***
Kayla glanced at the knife. Was she really supposed to just shove it into his heart? Then walk away while he bled out?
You know what he is. Don’t be fooled. Gage’s kind was so good at deceit. She had to remember that. He’d been born to lie. To deceive.
She’d met others like him before. So many over the years. More than most people realized.
Her own family had been attacked by someone like Gage. A man, hiding a beast inside. One dark night, he’d killed her mother and father. Left her brother in a pool of blood, struggling to breathe. Attacked her.
Monsters lived and breathed in this world. Most folks didn’t know that truth. They thought the world was all happy and shiny and full of birthday parties, play dates, and football games.
She knew better. Monsters are real. And her handsome husband, with his slow smile and strong hands…he was a monster.
Kayla took a step forward. One foot in front of the other. The mantra was the same one she’d used when she walked down the aisle. Only no minister waited for her this time.
The robe she wore rustled around her feet as she took another slow step. Another.
And she felt something wet on her cheek. Kayla stopped. What the hell? Her left hand lifted and swiped across her face. Was she crying? She never cried. She hadn’t, not since they’d put her parents in the ground.
“Come back to bed,” Gage said, his voice rumbling out and making her jump. He faced the window, not her as he added, “I miss you.”
He wouldn’t miss her for long.
Kayla took a deep breath and forced herself to keep walking. A few more steps, and her legs brushed against the edge of the bed. “Th-there’s something you should know about me…” His back was still to her. Why did he have to make such an easy target?
This should be better for you. You don’t have to look him in the eyes when you attack.
But stabbing a man in the back had never been her style.
Liar. The insidious whisper came from deep within. Her secret shame.
Her hand clenched around the knife’s handle. Gage was supposed to be dangerous. Lethal. The strongest paranormal bad-ass to claim Vegas in years.
Because he was a paranormal. The supernaturals were real and breathing…and many were hiding in the shadows of Sin City.
He was the perfect target right then. Tousled hair. Sated male. Defenseless. It would be so easy. Just lift the knife. Drive the blade into his flesh.
“Oh, I think I already know all the secrets you have, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice a low and sexy rumble.
Kayla shook her head. Damn tears. “No, you don’t—”
In a flash, he rolled toward her. He leapt up and came at her with claws ripping from his fingers.
Not defenseless.
Claws…because Gage Riley wasn’t human.
Shifter.
His blue eyes shined at her with the light of the beast and he put those too-sharp and too-long claws of his right at her throat.
The move actually seemed only fair, considering that she had her knife pressed over his heart.
“Hello, hunter,” Gage whispered.
***
I’ll be back tomorrow with more giveaways!!
August 22, 2012
Wed or Dead? Time to HOWL FOR IT!
In less than a week (on August 28th!), my anthology with the awesome Shelly Laurenston will release! HOWL FOR IT will be in the wild! So, from now until that date, I’ll be posting giveaways here on the blog (and doing some on Twitter and Facebook). And, on the actual release date (again, we’re looking at August 28th! Woot!), I’ll be posting giveaways throughout the day then. I did an informal survey a while back, and I asked readers if they would prefer for me to have one big release day party or if they would prefer for me to split the giveaways up more over time. The responses I got were in favor of both options…so I decided to do both this time. I’ll still have a release day party, but I’ll also offer giveaways as we lead up to the release, too.
For today’s giveaway? I’ve got a $20 Amazon.com gift certificate up for grabs. Want to win? Then you’re gonna have to talk werewolves with me.
The hero of my story (WED OR DEAD) is a werewolf. I have to confess…I just love werewolves. Or rather, I love the idea of them. (If I met a real werewolf, I would–of course–freak out.) But…in fiction, werewolves are powerful. They’re savage. They have a wild sensuality. And they’re incredibly loyal and protective. They’re a combination of men and beasts. Primal instincts and human intellect. A great combination. And I love werewolves for all of these reasons. Now, sure, the change from man to beast may not be the sexiest thing ever, but it’s the man inside the beast that gets me.
What gets you? What do you like (or not like) about werewolves? Tell me, and you’ll be entered in my giveaway. I will leave this giveaway open until noon (Central time) tomorrow. Then I will randomly pick the winner.
And, in case you haven’t read the blurb yet for HOWL FOR IT, here it is…
WED OR DEAD – by Cynthia Eden
Gage Ryder knew his human bride had a wild side. But spending their honeymoon night on the run from hunters out to finish him and his pack is sure not the kind of fun he was looking forward to. No problem–Gage will do whatever it takes to lay bare Kayla’s secrets and find the truth. If he can keep from being captured by his own seductive game.
LIKE A WOLF WITH A BONE – by Shelly Laurenston
Quiet little Darla Lewis couldn’t be happier when the most-feared member of the South’s rowdiest pack kidnaps her. A girl gets real tired of being overprotected by her own shifter family, and there’s nothing like an oh-so-big bad wolf to start a pack feud, unleash her instincts–and have her surrender however and whenever she wants…
Update: I’m giving away a copy of HOWL FOR IT over at the Brava Blog.
August 16, 2012
Zoe Winters and Kimberly Kinrade have a giveaway…
Giving up the blog today for some guest posting fun...Zoe Winters asked if she could take over my blog today, and I was happy to have her come by and visit. She’s running a cool contest–hope you can check it out! Take it away, Zoe!
Summer is heating up, and we’re making it even hotter with a sizzling summer promotion you won’t want to miss.
Win a Kindle Fire and six signed paperback books from authors Zoe Winters and Kimberly Kinrade, and get ready to enjoy some sexy hot reads while having fun in the sun.
From August 5-18th, Winters and Kinrade are giving away two sets of each of their paranormal romance series (all signed) to two lucky winners. The Grand Prize winner will also receive a Gift Certificate for Amazon.com to cover the cost of a Kindle Fire (but we won’t tell if you just want to buy $200 worth of books instead!)
Join us in celebrating the launch of the newest in Zoe Winters’s Preternatural Series, Life Cycle (how much do we love love love Tamara and Cain? So freaking much!) which now includes one novella compilation and three novels. If hot & steamy paranormal romance is your thing, then you’ll fall in love with all the hunks in this series, whether they be demons, vampires, werewolves or mages… they’re all so deliciously bad they’re good!
Life Cycle is book 4 in the Preternaturals series. However, new readers can read this installment first with no problems. Most of the books work as stand alones, and each book focuses on a different couple. The main theme of the Preternaturals is: “Everybody is the hero of their own story.” Some characters start out villains and become heroes. Some are heroes and turn into villains. Some are heroes to some characters and villains to others.
The series world has multiple dimensions, heaven, hell (which is earth), demon dimensions, and others. Magic, reincarnation, witches, vampires, demons, werecreatures of all sorts (called therians), gods, and angels all play an important role in the Pretverse.
It’s a world where blood is magic, authority is questioned, and soul mates always find each other, no matter how many incarnations it takes.
The Preternaturals contains a blend of snarky humor and angst that fans of the series have come to expect and enjoy.
As an extra bonus for this exciting launch, get signed copies of Kimberly Kinrade’s award winning Forbidden Series—a YA paranormal romance/thriller.
“…a thrilling, dark and deeply romantic read that had me sitting on the edge of my seat and eagerly awaiting the next installment.” – Refracted Light Young Adult Book Reviews
While light on sex (it is Young Adult after all) it’s packed full of romance and a fast-paced thrilling adventure. Think X-Men meets Dollhouse if Professor X has been an evil human trafficking geneticist.
Paranormal teens with unimaginable powers. An evil organization with deep secrets. When Sam, a girl who reads minds, meets a boy who controls minds, she discovers her future isn’t what she thought.
Together they must escape and free the others… or risk losing everything–and everyone–they love.
Learn more about Zoe Winters’s Preternatural Series here:
http://zoewintersbooks.com/books/
Book 1: Blood Lust
Book 2: Save My Soul
Book 3: The Catalyst
Book 4: Life Cycle
And more about Kimberly Kinrade’s Forbidden Series here:
http://kimberlykinrade.com/books/forbidden-series/
Book 1: Forbidden Mind
Book 2: Forbidden Fire
Book 3: Forbidden Life (coming Oct. 2, 2012)
About Zoe Winters
Zoe Winters writes quirky and sometimes dark paranormal romance. Her favorite colors are rainbow and clear.
To receive updates on new releases from the author, send an email to: zoewintersbooks AT gmail DOT com with “Subscribe” in the subject line. Newsletters go out only when there is an actual new release or a big contest. Your inbox will not be cluttered, newsletters won’t go out more frequently than once a month, and you may unsubscribe at any time.
You can visit the author at: http://www.zoewintersbooks.com
Be sure also to visit http://www.theriantype.com for some fun supplemental material.
About Kimberly Kinrade
Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. She writes all things paranormal and fantasy, including award-winning young adult and children’s books.
Visit her at http://KimberlyKInrade.com
Also visit http://IPIAcademy.com to participate in a fun fan-based site with swag and info on all things paranormal. You even get to be a secret agent!
About the Giveaway…
August 13, 2012
AAD–Bag O Swag
To share my AAD love, I’m giving away a bag full of swag that I picked up in New Orleans. Want to win? Just leave me a comment. Can be any kind of comment at all. Ask me a question. Tell me how your day is going. Anything. See–easy. I’ll leave the contest open until noon Central time on 8/14. Then I’ll pick a random commenter to win.
And here’s the swag…
Authors After Dark
I had a wonderful time at the recent AUTHORS AFTER DARK event in New Orleans. I want to thank Stella Price and all of her fabulous staff members for organizing such a fun event. I know a ton of work goes into creating a con like AAD, and I am very grateful for all that Stella and her staff accomplished. Thank you!!!
While at AAD, I met so many wonderful people–readers, bloggers, writers. Strangers on the street. Everyone was nice and excited and just happy to be talking about books. The atmosphere seemed so incredibly charged with great energy–loved it!
I was also thrilled to receive a Bookie Award for Werewolf Novel of The Year (NEVER CRY WOLF) during the conference. Thank you so much to everyone who voted for NEVER CRY WOLF! I was honored to be nominated in that category and–seriously–beyond thrilled when I heard my name called. So thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
And to share some AAD love, I am going to come back in a little while and post a giveaway here on the blog. I’ll be giving away all the great AAD swag that I picked up at the con (and some awesome books). So, please check back soon in you want to enter the giveaway.
Hope everyone is having a fantastic Monday!!!
August 7, 2012
New Release–BLEED FOR ME
Hi, everyone! I’m just about to begin my AUTHORS AFTER DARK trip (and can’t wait to meet those of you attending the conference), but I wanted to make a quick announcement–I’ve got a new release! BLEED FOR ME (ebook only) is available now.
The Greek gods are alive and well. But, unfortunately for the gods, the humans have all but forgotten their glorious existence…and this fact really pisses off the all-powerful, immortal beings.
Apollo, the Greek god of the sun, takes one look at the mysterious Terese Lafitte and knows that he wants her. Even in this modern century, a god takes what he wants. But Terese isn’t a mortal, not any longer. As a newly turned vampire, her attraction to Apollo is downright lethal because desire arouses not just her body, but also her bloodlust.
But Apollo likes a woman with bite, and now that he’s found Terese, he’s not about to let the little vampiress out of his sight or out of his bed. When Terese’s psychotic vampire ex begins to stalk them, Apollo knows that he will have to use all of his strength to keep her safe. Lucky for Terese, Apollo has more power than she could ever have imagined.
When you trifle with the sun god, you will get burned.
***
BLEED FOR ME is available for .99. The e-novella contains 20,000 words, and it’s a sexy romance (a bit sexier than my BOUND books). I sure hope that readers enjoy my take on the Greek gods. If readers like this world, then I definitely hope to write longer stories for other gods.
And…for a quick word about AUTHORS AFTER DARK…if you are going to the con, I hope we get the chance to chat! I am looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. The conference looks fantastic! I’ll be participating in several panels (one on Fallen Angels, one on Shifters, one on Romantic Suspense, and one on Writing Multiple POVs). I’ll also be hosting an Ice Scream Party with Katie Reus, Virna DePaul, and Manda Collins.
On Saturday (from 2 PM until 4 PM), there will be a booksigning event at AUTHORS AFTER DARK–the booksigning is open to the public. So if you are in the New Orleans area, come by!
Venue:
300 Bourbon Street New Orleans, LA 70130
When I come back, I am going to giveaway my AUTHORS AFTER DARK goodie bag (with books), so even if you can’t attend the conference, you still might win the goodies! (And, with the release of HOWL FOR IT approaching, trust me–more giveaways are coming to this blog).
Enjoy your week!!!
August 3, 2012
Countdown Time!!!
HOWL FOR IT releases in less than a month! And the lovely folks at Kensington gave me this fabulous countdown widget so I could see the moments slide past…I do love to look forward to a release!
Get the Count down Creator Pro widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox! Not seeing a widget? (More info)
But now I’m wondering…what kind of party should I have for the release? One of my all-day parties with new giveaways each hour? Or should I spread out the fun and offer a week of giveaways (a few giveaways each day?)
August 1, 2012
The Summer’s Hottest Heroes!!!
I’m thrilled to say that my hero, Keenan, from ANGEL OF DARKNESS is in the running to be named the Summer’s Hottest Hero over at All Romance EBooks!! (Trust me, Keenan is super excited by this news, too.)
If you’d like to vote for the heroes, head over to the Summer’s Hottest Hero Contest. You do need to have an account at All Romance Ebooks in order to vote. The heroes are paired off against each other, and one hero from each pairing will advance to the next round.
Good luck to all the heroes!!!
