Elise Hepner's Blog, page 6
May 1, 2014
A Look Into Worldbuilding
Ever wonder how I crafted my World Bible for The Furies Series? How I kept different eye color's straight for demon made's and demon born's? How I didn't throw a fit every time I had to think about where exactly the Underworld elevator system had stops?
Go to Barbara Huffert's blog and see the magic! Like Skittles, but without a rainbow.
Go to Barbara Huffert's blog and see the magic! Like Skittles, but without a rainbow.
April 30, 2014
Furious Temptation is Out in The Wild
Today Furious Temptation, my sequel to Furious Lust, is available from all third party retailers including Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and All Romance Ebooks. If you sign up for my newsletter in the next hour by 3 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), you'll get a sneak peek of the first two chapters of my new release as well as a chance to win a copy of Furious Temptation. I only send out newsletters about 6 or 7 times a year and I'll never spam you, only give you neat glimpses into my life and chances to win fun things like magnets, pens, free books, etc.
I will also be having an exclusive sale of the first book in the series soon, so watch out for that madness. In the mean time, you can read Furious Lust's review from SSLY, where Pamela gave the book 4 out of 5 hearts!
Here's where you sign up for my newsletter for the sneak peek: http://eepurl.com/pW8Sj
For millennia Megaera, a Fury, has functioned as Hades right hand by passing judgment on demons who break the sacred laws. Stalwart in her moral compass, but harboring a curse triggered by rage, she walks a thin line between perfection and destruction. But when she digs into a case uncovering a string of demon rapes, she incites a war with Mount Olympus that could ripple chaos throughout the ages.
Omen Cole was demon made during the Civil War after repeated torture at the hands of his enemies. Sentenced to an eternity as watchdog over his emotionally frail, once human ex-wife, he’s haunted that he couldn’t save her from a brutal assault.
Now it’s happened again. And Megaera needs his testimony. Omen will sell his body—and anything else—to avenge his fragile ex-wife. If that means an alliance with Megaera, he’ll make it the most memorable of their eternity.
I will also be having an exclusive sale of the first book in the series soon, so watch out for that madness. In the mean time, you can read Furious Lust's review from SSLY, where Pamela gave the book 4 out of 5 hearts!
Here's where you sign up for my newsletter for the sneak peek: http://eepurl.com/pW8Sj
For millennia Megaera, a Fury, has functioned as Hades right hand by passing judgment on demons who break the sacred laws. Stalwart in her moral compass, but harboring a curse triggered by rage, she walks a thin line between perfection and destruction. But when she digs into a case uncovering a string of demon rapes, she incites a war with Mount Olympus that could ripple chaos throughout the ages.
Omen Cole was demon made during the Civil War after repeated torture at the hands of his enemies. Sentenced to an eternity as watchdog over his emotionally frail, once human ex-wife, he’s haunted that he couldn’t save her from a brutal assault.
Now it’s happened again. And Megaera needs his testimony. Omen will sell his body—and anything else—to avenge his fragile ex-wife. If that means an alliance with Megaera, he’ll make it the most memorable of their eternity.
April 28, 2014
A Little Lookie-loo With Layna
Where am I today? Ooo, where's my Carmen Sandiego jacket? I'm over at Layna Pimentel's blog where I did an exclusive interview with one of the main character's of Furious Temptation. Find out key facts like: slippers or socks, where would they go if they could go anywhere, etc? It's a tell all for those wanting to know what makes Omen or Meg tick, tick, tick...
April 26, 2014
A little Q and A...Wait, is that like T and A?
Today I'm over at Zak Jane Keir's house where he's given me a lovely interview. Go read up the facts, boom!
April 25, 2014
Drama With A Capital D
Alexandra Christian was nice enough to allow me to take over her blog today and I'm talking about bringing the drama to my new release, Furious Temptation, the second book in my The Furies Series about bad ass demon sisters who have it all, but find themselves conflicted when a little romance becomes a part of their realities. Go check it out!
April 24, 2014
Hip, Hip, Hooray!
Vicki Lacey gave me her blog for a little play session and I allowed my character's to take the floor for another slap-bang, bang up interview. Hope you enjoy!
April 21, 2014
New Release Nerves
My second book in The Furies Series comes out today, Furious Temptation, you can snatch a copy over at Secret Cravings Publishing or you can wait until next Monday when it will be out on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles as well as other third parties. Either way, my book is out in the world. The book that nearly didn't get completed because it took me so long to figure out where the plot was going so I could feel confident following it. I'm both proud and kind of wanting to hide in case no one likes the second book...so, I'll be over in the corner, blowing a noise maker and hiding under a blanket at the same time.
Blurb:
For millennia Megaera, a Fury, has functioned as Hades right hand by passing judgment on demons who break the sacred laws. Stalwart in her moral compass, but harboring a curse triggered by rage, she walks a thin line between perfection and destruction. But when she digs into a case uncovering a string of demon rapes, she incites a war with Mount Olympus that could ripple chaos throughout the ages.
Omen Cole was demon made during the Civil War after repeated torture at the hands of his enemies. Sentenced to an eternity as watchdog over his emotionally frail, once human ex-wife, he’s haunted that he couldn’t save her from a brutal assault.
Now it’s happened again. And Megaera needs his testimony. Omen will sell his body—and anything else—to avenge his fragile ex-wife. If that means an alliance with Megaera, he’ll make it the most memorable of their eternity.
Excerpt:
“Give me a chance, you won’t regret it. You want out of this situation as much as we do. It would be more than worth your trouble, I would guarantee that for you.” His fingers skipped across my collarbone until my fingers shook at my sides and I shoved them onto the edge of the bookcase behind me. I held onto the antique wood and pain twisted up my wrists. But he didn’t move back. His lips remained poised against my ear, our hair mingled, and his fingers danced on the only expanse of naked flesh on my body.“What are you talking about?”“Don’t you know by now?”I couldn’t see his eyes, but judging from his tone they were twinkling and bright with mischief. All the anger he’d been carrying, every stubborn action had been wiped away and replaced with misleading flirtation. And as much as I wanted to doubt him—he was good. Embarrassingly so. Omen’s every attention spanned into a gapping chasm of sex I’d all but put under lock and key. And then I swallowed that key. Yet his teasing voice, small bursts of air from his conversation, still licked across my skin in invisible caresses down my neck.“Why don’t you tell me.”If he was truly insinuating what I thought he was whispering in my ear under lock and key as my prisoner I wanted him to say the words. Because I couldn’t imagine he was desperate enough to make the proposition outright. While my fingers scrambled, I navigated the murkiness of my thoughts. If only he’d draw away. As if he meant to break me down bodily before making me take leave of my senses. With the knowledge of his manipulation came the tendrils of my anger that I’d been tamping down all day, trying to bank the embers. Suppression was a nasty business.As sexy as he wanted this little meeting to be, I had a lovely secret weapon tucked in my pocketless skirt suit. My rage had never been my friend before, but if she would keep me from making a reckless mistake, right this second she was my BFF. Omen shifted as if he knew something between us had changed. Surely the atmosphere between us crackled with a different energy, one far more deadly than the reason I had wanted my hands wound around his neck.“I’ll do anything you want, be anyone you want, if you give me this chance. Taking you into my bed would be far from a hardship. In fact, I’ll go farther. I can’t stop thinking about you beneath me. How well I’d love to treat your repressed little body so that my name echoes in your mind because you’ve been crying it out for so many hours. I’ll make this risk in the investigation merely a bump to get my attention, for as long as you’ll have me. And for both our sakes, I hope you keep me for a while. I don’t get bored easily.”As his lies slid across my neck I did the first thing that came to mind. While he was lost in his seductive ploy, I lunged, wrapped my hand around his throat, and threw us both back onto the bed so I was straddling him, pinning both his hands above his head. For a beat I couldn’t recall whether or not my move was intentionally sexual or not—but here we were—and judging by his obnoxious smirk he had a fine idea.But I only needed one hand to pin down his wrists, so I shifted in a blink and clasped my other hand around his throat, erasing his cocky expression, as if I’d drained the light from the room. His neutral expression held all the calculation of someone very, very careful. And though I’m sure he wished to, he didn’t move a muscle beneath me. Well, expect for the betrayal of his cock, which hardened between my thighs as my skirt rode up higher on my outer thighs and I tried my best to act as if I wasn’t enjoying our little moment together. I’d lose my high ground if I let the smallest moan slip. No matter how hard it was to ignore his pleasant pressure between my legs as his hard cock rubbed against my pussy. I tried to remind myself I held all the cards when his gaze locked with mine. Neither of us spoke a word, waiting for my answer to his ludicrous proposition. He couldn’t be serious. Not when his charm and good looks got him in with my secretary as much as any other woman he’d seduced in his lifetime. I was one of many, of that I was certain. Even if he did look at me as if I was something special. And I’m sure he would have fought my silent accusations—if I’d given him room to speak.“Even if for a second I didn’t see past your charade, Omen, I wouldn’t entertain the thought because it very clearly breaks several codes of ethics. But thanks, for the offer. I really, really appreciate it.”With a look of smug wickedness I put emphasis into my words with every slow tilt of my hips against him as I held him immobile against his bed. His eyes flashed. Whether with anger or arousal I couldn’t care. Instead I slowly untangled us, tugged my skirt, and smoothed it with my hands. Omen lay on the bed as if I hadn’t gotten off of him. When he rubbed his neck with a few low noises in the back of his throat, I didn’t hold an ounce of guilt for my actions. Even if I still sensed him flush against my pussy.“You still haven’t rejected my prior offer. Does that mean it’s off the table even without the incentive?”“No. If it means making my job any easier I’ll allow you to see Claudette and follow your plan, but if it doesn’t work expect me to be beyond displeased. And you won’t enjoy me when I’m angry.”“Oh, I don’t know. I think I can find many different ways to enjoy you.”He half sat, leaning on his hands on the bed so I got a peek at his bare chest through the straining buttons of his button down which was rolled up at the sleeves. I crossed my arms and raised my eyebrows. I wasn’t so gullible to fall for his act. No man had wooed me before now and none would unless a group orgy was involved. Granted, what Omen was offering was very one on one—but he only offered his body as a substitute for manipulation. By taking him to my bed I’d be belaying a weakness in my character.And I had many flaws, but weakness wasn’t one of them.I silently reminded myself of that as Omen straightened up entirely before wincing at the tent of his pants. I wish I could have felt sorry for him, but my mind was otherwise occupied with our more pressing problem. His erection would go away eventually and I would continue dodging his roguish comments so long as the investigation lasted. If he didn’t get sentenced for Claudette’s crime then the possibility of entertaining him in a less formal capacity in my bedroom slunk around in the back of my mind—but the likelihood of that was slim.As if Omen read my mind he smiled but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “How do we proceed?”
Buy Link
Blurb:
For millennia Megaera, a Fury, has functioned as Hades right hand by passing judgment on demons who break the sacred laws. Stalwart in her moral compass, but harboring a curse triggered by rage, she walks a thin line between perfection and destruction. But when she digs into a case uncovering a string of demon rapes, she incites a war with Mount Olympus that could ripple chaos throughout the ages.
Omen Cole was demon made during the Civil War after repeated torture at the hands of his enemies. Sentenced to an eternity as watchdog over his emotionally frail, once human ex-wife, he’s haunted that he couldn’t save her from a brutal assault.
Now it’s happened again. And Megaera needs his testimony. Omen will sell his body—and anything else—to avenge his fragile ex-wife. If that means an alliance with Megaera, he’ll make it the most memorable of their eternity.
Excerpt:
“Give me a chance, you won’t regret it. You want out of this situation as much as we do. It would be more than worth your trouble, I would guarantee that for you.” His fingers skipped across my collarbone until my fingers shook at my sides and I shoved them onto the edge of the bookcase behind me. I held onto the antique wood and pain twisted up my wrists. But he didn’t move back. His lips remained poised against my ear, our hair mingled, and his fingers danced on the only expanse of naked flesh on my body.“What are you talking about?”“Don’t you know by now?”I couldn’t see his eyes, but judging from his tone they were twinkling and bright with mischief. All the anger he’d been carrying, every stubborn action had been wiped away and replaced with misleading flirtation. And as much as I wanted to doubt him—he was good. Embarrassingly so. Omen’s every attention spanned into a gapping chasm of sex I’d all but put under lock and key. And then I swallowed that key. Yet his teasing voice, small bursts of air from his conversation, still licked across my skin in invisible caresses down my neck.“Why don’t you tell me.”If he was truly insinuating what I thought he was whispering in my ear under lock and key as my prisoner I wanted him to say the words. Because I couldn’t imagine he was desperate enough to make the proposition outright. While my fingers scrambled, I navigated the murkiness of my thoughts. If only he’d draw away. As if he meant to break me down bodily before making me take leave of my senses. With the knowledge of his manipulation came the tendrils of my anger that I’d been tamping down all day, trying to bank the embers. Suppression was a nasty business.As sexy as he wanted this little meeting to be, I had a lovely secret weapon tucked in my pocketless skirt suit. My rage had never been my friend before, but if she would keep me from making a reckless mistake, right this second she was my BFF. Omen shifted as if he knew something between us had changed. Surely the atmosphere between us crackled with a different energy, one far more deadly than the reason I had wanted my hands wound around his neck.“I’ll do anything you want, be anyone you want, if you give me this chance. Taking you into my bed would be far from a hardship. In fact, I’ll go farther. I can’t stop thinking about you beneath me. How well I’d love to treat your repressed little body so that my name echoes in your mind because you’ve been crying it out for so many hours. I’ll make this risk in the investigation merely a bump to get my attention, for as long as you’ll have me. And for both our sakes, I hope you keep me for a while. I don’t get bored easily.”As his lies slid across my neck I did the first thing that came to mind. While he was lost in his seductive ploy, I lunged, wrapped my hand around his throat, and threw us both back onto the bed so I was straddling him, pinning both his hands above his head. For a beat I couldn’t recall whether or not my move was intentionally sexual or not—but here we were—and judging by his obnoxious smirk he had a fine idea.But I only needed one hand to pin down his wrists, so I shifted in a blink and clasped my other hand around his throat, erasing his cocky expression, as if I’d drained the light from the room. His neutral expression held all the calculation of someone very, very careful. And though I’m sure he wished to, he didn’t move a muscle beneath me. Well, expect for the betrayal of his cock, which hardened between my thighs as my skirt rode up higher on my outer thighs and I tried my best to act as if I wasn’t enjoying our little moment together. I’d lose my high ground if I let the smallest moan slip. No matter how hard it was to ignore his pleasant pressure between my legs as his hard cock rubbed against my pussy. I tried to remind myself I held all the cards when his gaze locked with mine. Neither of us spoke a word, waiting for my answer to his ludicrous proposition. He couldn’t be serious. Not when his charm and good looks got him in with my secretary as much as any other woman he’d seduced in his lifetime. I was one of many, of that I was certain. Even if he did look at me as if I was something special. And I’m sure he would have fought my silent accusations—if I’d given him room to speak.“Even if for a second I didn’t see past your charade, Omen, I wouldn’t entertain the thought because it very clearly breaks several codes of ethics. But thanks, for the offer. I really, really appreciate it.”With a look of smug wickedness I put emphasis into my words with every slow tilt of my hips against him as I held him immobile against his bed. His eyes flashed. Whether with anger or arousal I couldn’t care. Instead I slowly untangled us, tugged my skirt, and smoothed it with my hands. Omen lay on the bed as if I hadn’t gotten off of him. When he rubbed his neck with a few low noises in the back of his throat, I didn’t hold an ounce of guilt for my actions. Even if I still sensed him flush against my pussy.“You still haven’t rejected my prior offer. Does that mean it’s off the table even without the incentive?”“No. If it means making my job any easier I’ll allow you to see Claudette and follow your plan, but if it doesn’t work expect me to be beyond displeased. And you won’t enjoy me when I’m angry.”“Oh, I don’t know. I think I can find many different ways to enjoy you.”He half sat, leaning on his hands on the bed so I got a peek at his bare chest through the straining buttons of his button down which was rolled up at the sleeves. I crossed my arms and raised my eyebrows. I wasn’t so gullible to fall for his act. No man had wooed me before now and none would unless a group orgy was involved. Granted, what Omen was offering was very one on one—but he only offered his body as a substitute for manipulation. By taking him to my bed I’d be belaying a weakness in my character.And I had many flaws, but weakness wasn’t one of them.I silently reminded myself of that as Omen straightened up entirely before wincing at the tent of his pants. I wish I could have felt sorry for him, but my mind was otherwise occupied with our more pressing problem. His erection would go away eventually and I would continue dodging his roguish comments so long as the investigation lasted. If he didn’t get sentenced for Claudette’s crime then the possibility of entertaining him in a less formal capacity in my bedroom slunk around in the back of my mind—but the likelihood of that was slim.As if Omen read my mind he smiled but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “How do we proceed?”
Buy Link
April 10, 2014
Winner, Winner,...Book...Dinner?
So, with the help of my kitty assistant Ember, I've picked a name of the winner of my four book giveaway from my backlist. I wrote everyone's name on a piece of paper, scattered them on the carpet, and waited for Ember to pounce on them. It was a epic fun method and I think I'll be employing it again.
And the winner is...Melissa Crisp! Thank you everyone for having fun at my blog and I hope to see you around here again soon. Melissa, I will email you soon with more information.
In the meantime, I've got a book to write, edits on Furious Temptation to finish, and some clothing to shop for so I look all spiffy at RT in New Orleans this year. Am I going to see any of you there?
And the winner is...Melissa Crisp! Thank you everyone for having fun at my blog and I hope to see you around here again soon. Melissa, I will email you soon with more information.
In the meantime, I've got a book to write, edits on Furious Temptation to finish, and some clothing to shop for so I look all spiffy at RT in New Orleans this year. Am I going to see any of you there?
April 2, 2014
Spring Fling Blog Hop: To Bunnies and Ryan Gosling
This is going to be strange, but I have vacation brain right now because while I'm composing this blogpost--and while you're reading it--I'm currently vacationing in Niagara Falls. So it's spring, supposedly, but really I'm too busy dealing with weird weather that can't make up it's mind one day to the next. So in honor of kind of spring and happy weather, here are my Top 5 favorite spring animals. Please comment with your favorite spring animal...or any animal...to enter to receive a 4 book prize pack from my backlist, winner's choice.
1. Bunnies
2. Otters
3. Ducks
4. Baby Deer
5. Butterflies
And as a bonus, shirtless Ryan Gosling...because warmer weather means half-nakedness...
a Rafflecopter giveaway
March 15, 2014
Working From Home: Or, The Struggle
So there's this thing right now, this thing where I get bombarded with ideas in the middle of writing 2 or 3 works in progress--and there's no way to stop it. I get dragged along on six different paths while I'm trying to focus on something entirely different. It's hard to avoid. Especially when I work from home, see the same scenery every day, and fall into a writing slump. I'm in one of those right now. 30k into two big books that have awesome potential, one planned NA, and one unplanned romantic suspense pouring out of me. And then all the writing comes to a grinding halt.
There are days where being my own boss is not a hat I relish wearing and when I get tangled up in plot strings it's a struggle to break myself out when I could just read, watch TV, or twiddle my thumbs on social networking. So many distractions, which I seem to snatch up as I try to find the balance between being a workaholic and living life outside of the computer screen. I often run the gambit between working my ass off and burnt out as hell--I'm currently in the burnt phase of my process--but there's no time! It's like I have two settings, stressed out of my mind, working way too hard, and procrastination. There's no happy medium.
I'm releasing Furious Temptation soon and to prep for doing that while trying to get my mojo back I'm going on a forced media black out this week. Nothing but books, my laptop, and no internet. No social networking, no TV, only me and my books and my writing. I'm hoping the forced seclusion will throw me back on the path of passion. Back to basics.
If you need me, I'll be back next Monday after plowing through Kresley Cole's Shadow's Claim, Stephen King's On Writing (again), and trying to write my little heart out. Wish me luck! Hopefully, I'll be almost done with a book and I'll have another free read for you!
There are days where being my own boss is not a hat I relish wearing and when I get tangled up in plot strings it's a struggle to break myself out when I could just read, watch TV, or twiddle my thumbs on social networking. So many distractions, which I seem to snatch up as I try to find the balance between being a workaholic and living life outside of the computer screen. I often run the gambit between working my ass off and burnt out as hell--I'm currently in the burnt phase of my process--but there's no time! It's like I have two settings, stressed out of my mind, working way too hard, and procrastination. There's no happy medium.
I'm releasing Furious Temptation soon and to prep for doing that while trying to get my mojo back I'm going on a forced media black out this week. Nothing but books, my laptop, and no internet. No social networking, no TV, only me and my books and my writing. I'm hoping the forced seclusion will throw me back on the path of passion. Back to basics.
If you need me, I'll be back next Monday after plowing through Kresley Cole's Shadow's Claim, Stephen King's On Writing (again), and trying to write my little heart out. Wish me luck! Hopefully, I'll be almost done with a book and I'll have another free read for you!
