Katie Reus's Blog, page 36

Why Djinns?

Please welcome fellow Nocturne Cravings author Mina Khan! Her upcoming release sounds amazing and she's got a fantastic post today!

Why Djinns? What are they? And how do you even pronounce the word?

Hi all! Thank you Katie for inviting me! I have the pleasure of bringing the djinn (pronounced "gin" like the liquor-Ha!) to Katie's Monster Mash Up party! :)

Rukh O'Shay, the hero in my novella THE DJINN'S DILEMMA (coming Nov. 1 –heh, couldn't resist), is a half djinn-half human assassin. Writing him came as easy as breathing since I grew up on my grandmother's spine-tingling stories of djinns and ghosts. However, the djinns of my Bangladeshi childhood are not quite like Hollywood version of genies.

So what is my idea of a djinn?

"Djinn," can also be spelled genie or jinn and basically refer to same thing. They are super-natural creatures made from "smokeless flames" with deep roots in Arabic mythology that preceded Islamic culture and spread far into Asia and Africa.

Djinns don't always live in lamps, bottles or rings (at least not by choice). The word "djinn" derives from a Arabic root word meaning "hidden" and they live in a parallel hidden dimension. Even though they live separate from humans, their lives are eerily similar. Djinn's can be good or bad, they can fall in love and seek vengeance, they can build cities and have children. They have their own language. According to stories, djinns feel emotions more deeply than humans.

They also live longer than humans and h[image error]ave supernatural powers, like shape-shifting, traveling through dimensions and solid walls, possessing humans, controlling the elements and granting wishes.

In other words, you don't want to get on their wrong side.

My sexy assassin Rukh, who embodies all the dangerous and mysterious aspects of the djinn, falls hard and deep in love with his target, Jasmine White a Texas journalist. He pulls out every djinn power and trick he has in a race against time and mysterious bad guys to keep her alive.

What are some of Rukh's tricks? He controls air and melts into shadows (he pops into the shower with the heroine –a delicious scene), he can read people's minds (except Jasmine's and there's a cool reason why) and he is a mind-blowing kisser!

So what type of childhood stories did you grow up on? Everyone who leaves a comment, will get a cool postcard! So make sure you leave a way for me to get hold of you (twitter or email). Thanks for visiting with me :)

Mina Khan Bio: Mina Khan is a Texas-based writer and food enthusiast. She daydreams of hunky paranormal heroes, magic, mayhem and mischief and writes them down as stories. Between stories, she teaches [image error]culinary classes and writes for her local newspaper. Other than that, she's raising a family of two children, two cats, two dogs and a husband.

THE DJINN'S DILEMMA will be available Nov. 1 from Harlequin Nocturne's Cravings line. You can find her on facebook www.facebook.com/Mina.Khan.Author, her website http://minakhan.blogspot.com/ or on twitter @SpiceBites

Embrace Your Inner Monster

Shifters, vampires, witches, fae, angels, I love reading about all supernatural creatures! I also really love alpha males and if you've read my stuff, you already know that. Males in paranormals are usually more in touch with their animal side and that makes them so much sexier on every level. It also makes writing them a lot more fun. A man who is unapologetic in being who he is and doesn't mind tapping into his primal side, especially for his woman, is soooo sexy.

The same goes for females. I love writing about a woman who isn't afraid to go toe to toe with her man. That doesn't mean she needs to be able to wield a weapon and kick ass (though the heroine in my current release does that very well), just that she has no problem standing up for herself and those she loves. But if she is a supernatural creature, I love it when she embraces her inner 'monster' whether she's a vampire or shifter or whatever.

In DESTINED MATE, my recent release, my hero is a shifter and when his beast comes out to fight, watch out! The same goes for my heroine. She's got teeth and isn't afraid to use them.

Destined Mate:

Almost a century ago, Angela Lavigne and Alpha werewolf Knox had a shared passion neither could control. Then Angela was turned into a vampire and disappeared.

The last thing Knox expects is for Angela to show up on his doorstep on a rescue mission, as sexy and irresistible as ever. And he can sense how much she still wants him, too. She's gone against both their species' rules and trespassed on his land. By law he can keep her as long as he wants—and Knox doesn't intend to let her go ever again.

As their desire explodes once again, Knox is more sure than ever that he must claim her forever. But as vampire and werewolf, they are natural born enemies. Can she truly be his destined mate?

One commenter will be entered to win a digital copy of DESTINED MATE and two paperback Harlequin Nocturnes. I'll announce the winner in the comments section of the blog by Wednesday, October 12th but please leave your email address so I have a way to contact you.

Thank you for stopping by today!

Tempted by Adele Dubois

Please welcome multi-published guest author Adele Dubois!

CONTEST ALERT!—CONTEST ALERT!

We don't often get the chance in life to do things over. So when I had the opportunity to revise and expand a previously published novella for which I'd regained the rights, I jumped right in. Even though the book won a contest place and got outstanding reviews during its first printing, five additional years of author experience provided a fresh perspective to the story. I gave the book a hot new title and cover and set to work. I hope readers enjoy my shiny new paranormal erotic romance TEMPTED.

Would you be jealous if your significant other fantasized about sex with other partners? Why or why not? All opinions welcome. The reader who offers the reply I like best will win a free copy of my e-book DESERT WILD.

TEMPTED by Adele Dubois

Summary:

Is sexual fantasy cheating? If so, Emily's got a problem. Though she's never been unfaithful to her husband in reality, she's found a new hobby with 3D Mental Image Projection. In the privacy of her home, she indulges her secret desires on interactive TV. What else is a lonely woman of a certain age to do?

When Emily wins a weekend getaway to mystical Isle de Paradises, she swears she won't stray. But temptation lures her at every turn. Desirable men want her and beautiful women pursue her. When Paradises' youth-restoring powers crumble her resistance, Emily is faced with an irrevocable choice. Her decision will forever alter her life and the fate of her marriage.

Excerpt:

"The champagne is invigorating, no?"

"It's wonderful. Smooth as satin." The champagne tasted ice cold on her tongue. Her nostrils flared as she swallowed. Goosebumps formed along the length of her arms. Her breasts began to ache.

"Specialty of the House. From your hosts at The Traveler Channel. It's called Olympus Elixir."

"Nectar of the gods. I get it." Emily smiled. She raised her glass. "Is this liquid science or magic?" She was only half-kidding. The elixir clearly had restorative properties. She hadn't felt this good in years.

The host smiled down at her. "Science and magic are often seen as the same, no?"

Emily nodded. "So true."

Two glasses of anything was usually her limit, but she could make an exception for this. A surge of energy roared through her bloodstream. The pulse on her neck quickened. The host glanced down at her again through half-open lids. The tip of his tongue touched the center of his delectable bottom lip and disappeared.

Emily swallowed more elixir and tried to keep her own tongue from hanging out like a hound dog. What was she doing flirting with this… baby? She was a married woman with a fine man at home.

I'm only looking, a voice whispered inside her head. No harm done.

Her conscience apparently needed a swift kick in the ass.

She took another taste of champagne. Her nipples positively throbbed. The vee between her legs pulsed in steady rhythms. Her hormones must be running rampant again. Emily sighed. Why fight it? Why not have teensy bits of fun? She'd worked all her life, raised her children and been a loyal wife for a quarter century. What was the harm of just… looking? Men did that and more every day without a second thought.

She turned to the window where the view was safe and drained the last of her drink. The clouds were bone white against the powder blue sky. There was nothing for her to do except relax and enjoy the scenery. No laundry. No food shopping. No errands to run. Just this delightful, indulgent flight and whatever awaited on Isle de Paradises.

*****

Buy The Book on Kindle!

Buy The Book on Nook!

Monsters On My Mind

October is finally here and it's going to be an awesome month of fun and prizes here at my blog!

Please welcome fabulous guest author Cynthia Eden for the kickoff of Monster Mash-Up! She writes about the kind of 'monsters' I'd never kick out of bed and I'm thrilled to have her here! If you haven't read her stuff, you're totally missing out! She writes some sexy sexy heroes! So, without further ado, here she is!

Hi, everyone! A big thanks to Katie for inviting me over for some Monster Mash fun!

Oh, monsters, how I do love them. Long before I ever wrote a paranormal romance with my own monster hero, I was already addicted to vampires, shifters, and all those delicious guys that go bump in the night.

Does anyone remember the old Dark Shadows show? I sighed over the vampire lead, Barnabas Collins (I've heard Johnny Depp may play that character in a re-make—oh, I hope that rumor is true!). I hunted monsters with Mulder on The X-Files. I believed the truth was out there, and I couldn't wait to find it. And when Buffy realized that she loved a bit of monster in man, I was right there, agreeing with her. After all, a man with the right touch of monster is pretty awesome.

And now? Well, now I'm chasing all kinds of monsters with the Winchester brothers (oh, Supernatural, how I love you). With all these monster shows, is it any wonder that I've got monsters on my mind?

Halloween puts me even more in the monster spirit. It makes me want to watch all my favorite monster shows, again and again (like more Dean Winchester is a bad thing), and it makes me want to read paranormal romances so I can get my fix on supernatural heroes. Just because a guy is a monster, well, that doesn't mean he can't save the day.

Monsters can make most excellent heroes.

I've enjoyed creating some monster heroes in my own stories. Guys who skirt that fine line between good and evil. Guys who can get vicious in a fight. Guys who may just transform into a beast if the need arises.

For my next paranormal release, I focused on a supernatural being that I hadn't explored before. I wanted someone dark. Some dangerous. Someone…like a Fallen Angel. ANGEL OF DARKNESS will introduce readers to my Fallen heroes. Angels who can kill with a touch and seduce with a look. Temptation has never been more fun. (It's temptation, monster style!)

Want to win an early copy of ANGEL OF DARKNESS? Then tell me about a monster that you love. It can be a character from a book, from a TV show—anything. Share! One commenter will be randomly picked to win the prize.

Thanks for checking out my post!

Cynthia Eden

www.cynthiaeden.com

ANGEL OF DARKNESS—Available 11/29/11 from Kensington Brava

When an angel falls, all hell breaks loose…

Monster Mash-Up Starts Tomorrow!

I hope you're ready for an awesome month of guest bloggers and fun giveaways! Tomorrow my Monster Mash-Up party starts with the fabulous Cynthia Eden and will be quickly followed up by Adele Dubois and Mina Khan (who has a hot new release coming out from Harlequin Nocturne Cravings soon).

October is one of my favorite months (how fun is it to dress up in funky costumes?) so I hope you'll join me for some monster fun!

Guest Blogging @ Cynthia Eden's Place

Well, my release day flew by me and I didn't forget exactly, I was just swamped this weekend. Gearing up for Halloween, my sister's visit this upcoming weekend and the start of my Monster Mash-Up blog party in a few days, (not to mention edits and writing) and I was a busy bee the past couple days.

Today the lovely Cynthia Eden, my soon-to-be ghost hunting buddy (details will follow!) is hosting me at her blog. So, if you want a chance to win a copy of Destined Mate, my recent release from Harlequin Nocturne Cravings, and want to learn about how I fell into writing in the paranormal genre, head on over there.

Guest Blogging with Casey Crow

Today I'm guest blogging with romance author Casey Crow and giving away a copy of my upcoming release from Harlequin Nocturne Cravings, Destined Mate. To learn more about it, check out her blog here!

Monster Mash-Up

I know it's not quite October but I'm totally gearing up for a month of awesomeness! Not only is it the month that has Halloween, this year I'm having a Monster Mash-Up party from October 6th through the 31st. So, mark your calendars and get ready for a bunch of fabulous guest authors and fun giveaways all month. More details to follow!

Have a great weekend!

Defend Yourself - Part 1

Starting this month I'm blogging with a group of paranormal authors at Darker Temptations blog. Today I'm talking about defending yourself. At my last RWA local chapter meeting we had an instructor who specializes in personal safety for women talk and her topic was self-defense. Today I've posted part one of a two part blog so if you're interested, check it out here.

Cover Hotness!

Just got my official cover for DESTINED MATE, scheduled to release from Harlequin Nocturne Cravings on October 1, 2011. I absolutely love it!

Thanks to my upcoming release I'll be having a fun blog party with a ton of guest authors during the month of October so check back later this week for more details.