Robyn Bachar's Blog, page 10

Author Thursday: Interview with Jordan Ashton

Today's guest is Jordan Ashton and she's talking about To Mate A Wolf. As part of her tour she's giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an ebook copy of books 1-5 in the Shifters of the Claiming Kind series!

1. What flavor is your writing?

What flavor is it? I guess it’s hot, tangy and spicy. I like to add a lot of suspense to the steamy romance part of my stories. But there is also a lot of warmth and emotional tug as well for my heroes. They have big hearts.

2. If this book was made into a movie, who would you cast to play the characters?

Oh, I’ve definitely never thought about this question. Truthfully, I honestly don’t know. Hmm, perhaps a beardless Chris Hemsworth for Chandler Brooks because he is blond and so tall, plus his deep voice oozes sexiness, love, and strength. He’d have to use an alluring southern drawl though instead of his charming Australian accent. And as for whom I’d pick to play Evan Michaels, I guess I’d choose Charlie Cox. I love him as Matt Murdock in the new Daredevil series. I think he’d play a good Evan. Plus he has dreamy brown eyes just like Evan has in the story.
3. What is your favorite scene in To Mate a Wolf?

The best scene in the story is when Chandler opens up to Evan in the barn. He shows him his softer, more vulnerable side. A part of himself he’s shown no one. Readers get to see that he did have hopes and dreams before his parents died and he was forced to put them aside to become a rancher and focus on taking care of his younger brothers who were relying on him.

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

I’m juggling reading two books at once. A paranormal romance and a mystery thriller. Jason from Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series and The Forgotten the second book in David Baldacci’s John Puller series.

Both are so good, real page turners. :)

5. What are you working on now?

I just finished writing the second book in my erotic paranormal romance Mates of Nethermore. It’s tentatively called A Demon to Love. And I’ve just started the outline on the seventh book of Shifters of the Claiming Kind. This series is going to branch out to other characters, but the wolf shifter Brooks brothers are still a big part of the storyline.

Think Fast Questions

Coffee or tea?

It used to be tea. Now it’s coffee. It’s the only thing that wakes me up and gets my blood and muse pumping.

Cats or dogs?

Both. They are cute, adorable and huggable in their own ways. Cats are loners and so quiet. While dogs are rambunctious and love so much attention.

But I can never have either. I’m extremely allergic to both cats and dogs unfortunately. :)

Series or standalone?

Most definitely series. To read and write. It heightens and defines the suspense, the story, and the characters.

Winter or summer?

Actually I prefer the spring. Winter is too cold and summer too warm. Flowers blooming in springtime are breath taking and so invigorating. :).

Print or e-book?

e-Book. They are practical and better than books, mainly because it’s so convenient to borrow them from libraries nowadays, or to buy them online. Plus the E ink on electronic readers is easier to read than black ink on printed paper.

You can find out more about Jordan at these links:
Website: https://authorjordanashton.wordpress.com/Blog: http://authorjordanashton.blogspot.ca/Bookstrand: www.bookstrand.com/jordan-ashtonTwitter: @Author_J_AshtonFacebook a Rafflecopter giveaway
Evan Michaels has just become the mob’s number one target. They want him dead before he can tell the police what he knows. When the Brooks brothers, five kind and brave wolf shifters, offer their aid and protection on their cattle ranch, Evan jumps at the offer.

Chandler Brooks opened his home to Evan Michaels, a cute half-lynx who was in dire need of his and his brothers’ protection. But he never imagined he’d open his heart, too. All this time he thought an eternal mate didn’t exist, until Evan came into his life. He tries to win the frightened and cocooned half-lynx’s heart and make him his life mate. But a past lover returns, determined to ruin any chance Chandler has at love and happiness.

Can Chandler make Evan trust him and open his eyes to the everlasting love that exists between them, while protecting him from a hidden and deadly danger lurking nearby that’s ready to strike?

To Mate a Wolf is available at Bookstrand, Kobo, Amazon, Amazon UK, and Barnes and Noble.
Please enjoy this excerpt from To Mate A Wolf:

When they got to the range, Chandler removed his hat and rested it on a wooden post, then waltzed up to a magnificent black horse. Patting its black mane, he said, “This here is Wanda. She is a thoroughbred. I bought her from our neighbor Sal Winfred. He owns several racehorses. She’s too old to race competitively anymore, but she’s perfect for us.”

He turned to get the burgundy leather saddle resting in the corner of the stall and hauled it over her, securing the straps on both sides.

Jumpy and fearful, Evan stammered, “D–do you have a super slow pony I can ride instead?”

Chandler laughed, his pearly white teeth sparkled in the beaming afternoon sunlight. “Wanda is the slowest and tamest we have, I’m afraid.”

Evan’s armpits began to perspire with his apprehension, and he really regretted wearing this light blue T-shirt which turned dark blue when it got wet. Soon he’d be a sweating slob. And if he lost his grip on Wanda and landed on his ass or his face in front of his dreamboat hunk, well, there went any chance of making a good impression.

“All right. I–I guess I have no choice but to ride her,” he stuttered.

“I’ll be riding with you, if that reassures you.” He gave him a slanted, flirty smirk.

Panic and excitement twirled around Evan like a tornado, making him anxious and super uneasy. He hoped he didn’t forget to put on deodorant after coming out of the shower, because with all the sweating he was doing, he’d start smelling like the horse they’d be riding pretty soon.

“Unless you prefer to go solo…” Chandler tilted his head to the right.

Evan shook his head. “No, believe me, the last thing I want to do is ride Wanda solo. I’m scared I’ll hurt her or she won’t like me and hurl me off.”

Chandler held out the stirrup, grinning. “No, she would never do that to you. She likes you a lot. You’re a super likable guy, you know.”

Evan blushed as he put his foot into the stirrup and hoisted himself onto Wanda. Her wide girth had his tense inner leg muscles stretching.

Once he was settled, he absorbed Chandler’s words. You’re a super likable guy. Was that a good thing or a bad? Was he likable as in he could be a good friend? Or was he likable as in a boyfriend-boyfriend relationship? He hoped Chandler meant the latter. After Chandler positioned himself behind him on the horse, he wrapped his arms around Evan to reach for the reins. Evan lost his breath when Chandler’s nose tickled the back of his neck through his stretching movements. His heart raced fast. He could feel its pulse in his throat.

“Sorry about that,” Chandler apologized.

“It’s okay.” Evan squeaked and coughed, trying to clear the nervousness from his throat.

Chandler’s cologne smelled sweet, alluring, and very familiar. Was it Drakkar Noir he wore? Before he could ask him if it was, Chandler squeezed Wanda’s sides, and she began to gallop slowly.

Evan gasped.

“You okay?” Chandler’s warm breath caressed and tickled Evan’s ear and cheek.

“Yeah,” he mumbled, trying to get a grip on his raging hormones and stop his churning stomach.

Wanda continued to gallop at a steady pace. Soon Evan’s drumming heartbeat settled to its natural pace as his fear began to subside. He stared out at the vast grasslands. It was breathtaking. He’d only witnessed this type of view in movies or still life photos, but never in real life.

As if reading his mind, Chandler said, “It’s thirty acres. My parents started this ranch some thirty-one years ago. They had just moved to Oklahoma when someone told them that this place was being sold through an auction. The previous owner had passed away. He had no kids or wife, or any other family who could inherit it, so it went to the state upon his death.

“They got it at an amazing price. My brothers and I have always lived here. It’s the only home we’ve ever known.”

Evan sighed slowly, still admiring the land. “And it’s beautiful.”

Chandler nodded, gazing around as well. “Yes, it is.”

After a moment’s silence, Evan turned to stare into his eyes. He said, “Felix told me your parents died when you were only twenty-one and you had to look after your four younger brothers all by yourself.”

Chandler stared back in silence. He wasn’t smiling nor frowning, and he seemed to simply be thinking. Evan wondered if he was remembering the past and how it must have been hard for him to have so much responsibility put on his shoulders at such a young age.

“Yeah, I did. I also had to take care of the ranch. It was really difficult at first, especially with Bane, my hardheaded brother. It isn’t easy for two alpha wolf shifters to get along. And at that time he was a rebel, to say the least. But we all found a way to get along and work together.”

Staring deeply into Chandler’s eyes, Evan said in a soft, low voice, “You’re remarkable.”

Chandler chortled. “Thanks. No one has ever called me that before.” His laugh turned to a soft smile. “And so are you.”

Blushing once again, Evan lowered his gaze. “No, I’m not. I was never like you. I wasn’t a responsible person or caring of others. I was the opposite. I let my brother and my mom down.”

Chandler gently touched his chin, lifting it so Evan’s eyes would meet his. “You were young, and didn’t know any better. But now you do and have changed. So stop putting yourself down and be proud of who you’ve become. Evan Michaels, you are one remarkable, handsome, amazing guy.”

He leaned in, joining his warm lips to Evan’s. Electricity traveled through their contact, taking Evan’s breath away.

Jordan Ashton is a writer and wife whose passion for reading romance novels led her to writing them, too. She believes love can conquer all and that it makes the world go round, not money. Her heroes, heroines, and the worlds she creates bring this belief to life. She is and will always be a true romantic at heart.

Book Blast: Vegas Miracle by Liz Crowe

As you know I enjoy reading a good, spicy menage, and today I'm part of the Book Blast Tour for Liz Crowe's Vegas Miracle.

Liz will award a randomly drawn winner a six-month Kindle Unlimited subscription. Remember to follow the tour and comment at other stops--more comments = more chances of winning!
Ryan and Grace Sullivan have all the outward indications of a happy life: money, success, an undeniable physical attraction that quickly evolved from whirlwind relationship to marriage. But lately, Ryan's become moody and distant. As their relationship starts to crumble, Ryan discovers something about himself he can't admit just as Grace realizes the young man she encounters at an invitation only party, Henri Christophe, a celebrity chef with the most successful restaurant in Las Vegas, is her husband's lover. But Henri holds a secret himself. He wants to be more to both of them.

As they attempt to make their unconventional arrangement work, Ryan's deep-seated fear of relationship failure continues to thwart everyone's happiness. When he finally walks away instead of confronting the emotional connection the trio shares, he returns to find their lives flipped inside out. A sought after hotel and resort consultant, Ryan has yet to meet a problem he couldn't solve. But when it comes to his own heart, he may be too late.

Vegas Miracle is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and iTunes.

Please enjoy this excerpt from Vegas Miracle:

When Henri bent down to kiss her lips and let his tongue caress her a moment before he raised himself up and off her, she felt more wrong than she ever had, but somehow right a the same time. Pulling the blanket back up to cover her sated body she stretched again and flipped over.

When her eyes met Ryan’s across the room she yelped. Her husband sat directly across from the massage table, a drink in one hand, the other arm stretched over the back of the couch. His eyes shone with the sort of light that made her want to weep.

"How long have you been sitting there," she demanded.

"Long enough, baby." He drained his glass, set it on the table and made his way over to her. "Long enough."

She sighed as he knelt down, pulled her up and kissed her hard and deep. His bourbon-tasting lips were delicious.

"Did you like your Vegas surprise," he asked as he pulled her to sitting and wrapped his arms around her. But he pressed his mouth to hers before she could answer.

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Amazon best-selling author, mom of three, Realtor, beer blogger, brewery marketing expert, and soccer fan, Liz Crowe is a Kentucky native and graduate of the University of Louisville currently living in Ann Arbor. She has decades of experience in sales and fund raising, plus an eight-year stint as a three-continent, ex-pat trailing spouse.

Her early forays into the publishing world led to a groundbreaking fiction hybrid, “Romance. Worth the Risk,” which has gained thousands of fans and followers interested less in the “HEA” and more in the “WHA” (“What Happens After?”).

With stories set in the not-so-common worlds of breweries, on the soccer pitch, in successful real estate offices and at times in exotic locales like Istanbul, Turkey, her books are unique and told with a fresh voice. The Liz Crowe backlist has something for any reader seeking complex storylines with humor and complete casts of characters that will delight, frustrate and linger in the imagination long after the book is finished.

Don’t ever ask her for anything “like a Budweiser” or risk bodily injury.

You can find out more about Liz at these links:
Website: http://www.lizcrowe.com/Beer, Books, and More Blog: http://www.brewingpasssion.com/Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/lizcroweauthorFacebook Chat Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/lizcrowefansTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/beerwencha2Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Liz-Crowe/e/B00573TC7MGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4350864.Liz_CroweBeer Blog: http://www.a2beerwench.com/Sign up for Liz Newz: http://eepurl.com/JRue5

Author Thursday: Interview with Juliette Cross

Today's guest is fellow Samhain author Juliette Cross, and she's talking about the second book in her The Vessel trilogy, Sealed in Sin. Enjoy!

1. What flavor is your writing?

Rocky Road, for sure.

2. If this book was made into a movie, who would you cast to play the characters?

Oooo, I always love this kind of question. I’d say Henry Cavill for Jude and Lily Collins as Moira.

3. What is your favorite scene in SEALED IN SIN?

Wow, that’s a tough one without revealing spoilers. Let me just say the scenes at “the cottage.” :-)
4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

I’m currently reading COOKING UP LOVE by Gemma Brocato and loving it.

5. What are you working on now?

I’m writing HUNTING THE WITCH, book two in the Vale of Stars series. This one follows a team of Morgons (dragon hybrids) on a covert mission into a frozen wasteland. Lots of danger and mystery…and sexy love.

You can find out more about Juliette at these links:
WebsiteFacebook Twitter Pinterest Goodreads Newsletter Sometimes sin looks an awful lot like heaven.

One demon prince may be festering in the bowels of the soul eater Cocytus, but Genevieve’s troubles are far from over. Prince Bamal, demon lord of New York City, still wants her. But this time, he wants her alive, to control her inherent power as a Vessel of Light.

With Jude Delacroix off searching for the prophecy, Thomas—a guardian angel with sea-green eyes and an aura of winter woods—steps into the gap, offering her the power to protect herself.

Yet she hesitates, for the transfer of that power comes through a kiss. While Gen’s love for Jude is true, Thomas stirs a desire where there should be none. Thomas also knows Jude’s darkest secret and plans to use it, if necessary, to win Gen for his own.

While her Vessel power grows and more demon spawn creep from every dark corner of the world, one thing is certain—the Great War between the angels and demons is quickly approaching. And Gen is in a race against time to awaken her full power before the storm breaks.

Warning: Contains a demon hunter with dark secrets, a sexy angel with ulterior motives, and demonic creatures running amok.

Sealed in Sin is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Samhain.
Please enjoy this excerpt from Sealed in Sin:

“Hiiii, Juuude.” Mindy actually cooed his name as she crossed into the living room right before the man himself waltzed into my kitchen.

“Hello, Mindy.” As always, he sounded dark and rough, which did strange things to my insides.

Apparently, Dave let him in. Not that a door could or would stop Jude Delacroix from going wherever he damn well pleased. Still, it was nice when he pretended to be human, knocking and stuff, rather than appearing out of nowhere and scaring the bejeezus out of me. He had to put on the whole I’m-normal-and-walk-through-doors routine at my apartment when Mindy was home.

The moment he entered the room, all my senses rose to full alert. The man packed enough heat and power in his aura to melt a girl into jelly. A mere glance from his dark eyes or slight touch from rough hands, and I was lost.

I focused on flipping the pancakes on the stove, still trying to figure out how to tell him about our trip to the House of Hades, the near-miss with Gorham, and the brief and strange meeting with my guardian angel. Kat preferred asking forgiveness rather than permission, or just omitting the admission of any sins altogether. But I had trouble lying, though I seemed to do it often as of late. I especially had trouble lying to Jude.

“Want some brinner?” I asked, plopping another dollop of butter in the pan.

“Brinner? What might that be?” He leaned with his back against the counter next to the stove, splaying one huge hand on the countertop, watching me pour the batter into the pan. How did this man make watching me cook a sexy thing?

“You’ve never heard of brinner?” I glanced at the door to make sure Mindy was out of earshot. “For someone who’s been alive nearly two thousand years, you don’t know a whole lot.”

He slid a finger down my forearm. I nearly dropped the spatula. He leaned closer, his chest brushing my shoulder, voice dropping several decibels. “Educate me.” And just like that, my heart slammed into my rib cage, my thoughts scattering to the wind. I stared at him, knowing my eyes were no longer hungry for pancakes. He pressed warm lips, a feather-soft kiss, to the slope between my neck and shoulder. “Genevieve?” Another press of lips higher up my neck, melting me into goo.

“Hm?” Eyes closed, I welcomed a third kiss just under my jaw.

“Your brinner is burning.”

“Oh, dammit!”

I snapped open my eyes, grabbed the smoking pan and thrust it under the water faucet in the sink. A hissing crackle spit up more smoke.

“There goes brinner.”

“You’ve made more than enough already.”

He motioned to the ten-high stack with a smirk. I couldn’t even think about eating now. Not after that kiss. And not with this guilt weighing me down.

Something registered in his gaze. He reached out his hand.

“Come here.”

From his expression, I wasn’t sure if he planned to give me a hug or a spanking. I wouldn’t mind either. Taking his hand, I let him pull me into his arms.

Juliette calls lush, moss-laden Louisiana home where the landscape curls into her imagination, creating mystical settings for her stories. She has a B.A. in creative writing from Louisiana State University, a M.Ed. in gifted education, and was privileged to study under the award-winning author Ernest J. Gaines in grad school. Her love of mythology, legends, and art serve as constant inspiration for her works. From the moment she read JANE EYRE as a teenager, she fell in love with the Gothic romance--brooding characters, mysterious settings, persevering heroines, and dark, sexy heroes. Even then, she not only longed to read more novels set in Gothic worlds, she wanted to create her own.

Author Thursday: Interview with Debra St. John

My guest today is Debra St. John, and she's talking about One Great Night. This sounds like a winner if your catnip is the friends-to-lovers trope, and I completely agree with Debra's "Who says science can't be sexy?!" statement. Because it is!

Enjoy!

1. What flavor is your writing?

My writing is definitely spicy. I don’t shy away from intimate details in my love scenes, but I do stop quite short of erotica. I write fully-consummated love scenes – my full-length novels always have more than one – but don’t get too explicit and graphic with my details. I tend to lean toward the sensual side of things. That said, my books also have a coziness to them. Most are set in small towns and have a ‘country’ flavor. Lots of boots, jeans, cowboy hats, and pick-up trucks for my heroes.

2. If this book was made into a movie, who would you cast to play the characters?

Jason, my hero, would be played by Ryan Kwanten. (He played Jason Stackhouse in HBO’s “True Blood”.) For Chloe, I’d have to get my time machine out (to go back to about the mid-point in the sitcom) and have Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe from FRIENDS) play her. In fact, when I was filling out the Cover Information Sheet for this book, I used those two actors as reference for the cover artist, and she nailed it!
3. What is your favorite scene in One Great Night?

Yikes, that’s a tough one. I can only pick one? I really enjoyed writing this book, so a lot of scenes are my favorites. Hmn?...I guess if I really had to choose only one, I'd have to go with the scene where Chloe and Jason are in his classroom (He's a high school science teacher.) and he's demonstrating in a very hands-on, intimate way how her responses to him, and his to her, are all scientifically based in chemistry, physiology, biology, etc. I'm a total book/school nerd who loves school and learning, so this was a fun scene to write. Who says science can't be sexy?!

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

Right now I’m in the middle of a reread (Yes, I’m one of those people.) of the Twilight series. I have the latest book (Full Throttle) in Julie Ann Walker’s Black Knights series saved to be my first read of summer in a month or so. It came out a while ago, but I like saving those for ‘special’ reads, because once I start, I know I won't be able to put it down!

5. What are you working on now?

Right now I’m waiting on the pre-galley of Christmas at The Corral, the first in a set of holiday spin-off stories set at the bar where my three-book Corral series takes place. I have a few more holiday stories I’d like to add to the collection. I also have the idea for another (unrelated) series in my head, but I’m currently working on a story tentatively titled “The Cowboy and the Princess”. The idea for this one came to me out of the blue one day, and I couldn’t help but sit down and start to write. I’m about three chapters in so far. It was one of those things where I had to follow my muse, which surprised the heck out of me with the idea for this story.

You can find out more about Debra at these links:
Website: www.debrastjohnromance.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/debra.s.john.1Blogs: http://heroineswithhearts.blogspot.com, http://bookbeatbabes.blogspot.com She's ready, he's not; it's a battle of the sexes with a twist.

At twenty-seven, Chloe Harris has never had a night of really great sex. Before she turns thirty she wants to check that particular item off of her bucket list. She's known Jason her whole life. More importantly, she trusts him. Who better to help her with her plan?

Call him a bit old-fashioned, but Jason Williams has never had a one-night stand. And he's not about to start with his best friend's baby sister. To save Chloe from herself, he'll pretend to go along with her crazy scheme. But what happens when the charade becomes all too real? For his libido and his heart.

One Great Night is available at The Wild Rose Press, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Debra St. John has been reading and writing romance since high school. She always dreamed about publishing a romance novel some day. Her dream came true when she started writing sultry contemporary romance with sexy heroes and spunky heroines for The Wild Rose Press. Although she's a country gal at heart, she lives in a suburb of Chicago with her husband, who is her real life hero.

She is the author of The Corral Series, which includes her debut release, This Time for Always, a Champagne Rose and Rosebud bestseller at The Wild Rose Press. This Can't Be Love and This Feels Like Home complete the series.

Her holiday stories are A Christmas to Remember, An Unexpected Blessing (Thanksgiving), and The Vampire and the Vixen for Halloween. One Great Night, Family Secrets, and Wild Wedding Weekend round out her bookshelf.

Book Tour Tuesday: Interview with Sophie H. Morgan

My guest today is fellow Samhain author Sophie H. Morgan, and she's talking about her new release Ashes. And now I'm all distracted thinking about Chris Hemsworth with sexy black hair. Is it hot in here? ;-)

Sophie is giving away three phoenix wine charms at the end of her tour, so make sure you enter for your chance to win!

1. What flavor is your writing?

PB&J. Some sweet, some crunch, some nutty bits. And you know when you finish you’ll feel good =)

2. If this book was made into a movie, who would you cast to play the characters?

This is such a hard question – your characters are so clear in your mind that nobody can compare! Ana, she’s such a force of life, it would have to be somebody who’s good at action with a vulnerability that comes across through their eyes, like Kate Beckinsale in the Underworld films or Jennifer Garner from the Alias series.

As for Cade, he needs a real he-man to play him, someone with a beast. Chris Hemsworth if he dyed his hair black would be perfect. Gorgeous, can play arrogance well (Thor, anyone?), sexy enough to sizzle. Yeah…. *drools*
3. What is your favorite scene in Ashes?

I love so many scenes between Ana and Cade. Every one – I hope – sparks with banter or chemistry (or both!) but the plot is so intertwined in every scene, it’s hard to pick one without giving spoilers away.

So instead I’ll pick a scene between Ana and her fellow gang-member/brother-in-blood, Trick. These two, despite their personality clashes, have bonded thicker than superglue and it makes for some funny, touching scenes. There’s one near the beginning when Ana has managed to escape her first meeting with Cade, but has to go to Trick for help getting out of handcuffs. The scene goes from high humour to frustrated accusations to tell-alls. It always makes me smile.

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

I tend to read all over the romance genre. At the moment I’m making my way through Gaelen Foley’s Knight Miscellany historical series (again). Sexy, funny, emotionally gut-wrenching at times, and curiously addictive.

On my TBR are dozens, but the top two are Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh, who is an incredible writer, and Revenant by Larissa Ione, who I only discovered last November but who I think is brilliant at humour and passion and men you’d lock in your house given half the chance!

5. What are you working on now?

I’ve set myself a challenge this year of writing two books – I’m one of those that usually writes and edits one book per year. I finished (and sold!) Sapphy’s story, WHISPERS, (the second in the Divided Kingdom series), in February, so I aim to finish the third book in the DK series this year, as well as the first book in a new sexy, dark paranormal series, too.

Think Fast Questions

Coffee or tea?

It would be unpatriotic of me as a British woman to say anything other than a nice cup of tea!

Cats or dogs?

Dogs all the way. Who can resist unconditional love?

Series or standalone?

Series for me. If I’ve spent time getting emotionally attached, I want to see EVERYONE end up with a soul mate =)

Winter or summer?

You’ll probably think it’s mad, and maybe it’s the British in me again, but I love when it’s just turning into winter, and you snuggle up in your warm house, hot mug of chocolate, good book in your hands…ahh.

Print or e-book?

I’m in two minds about this question. While I appreciate the ease of e-books, there’s nothing like holding a book in your hands. When I got Ashes in print I couldn’t stop touching it. For me, that’s when I knew I was published.

Sophie is giving away three beaded phoenix wine charms at the end of the tour! So pretty!

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Secrets can burn.

Reared from birth to rule the Phoenix territory, Ana fled her future and her past when her parents were murdered. Now she secretly leads a rebellion to stop the human ruler, Edward, from experimenting on supernaturals.

When she finds herself cornered by an assassin, she knows just what to do: Roast him and toast him. Then recognition sends blue-tipped flames licking through her veins. It’s Cade, the royal bodyguard who once rejected her youthful confession of love.

When Cade regains consciousness from the force of Ana’s punch, he’s still reeling from shock—and fury. He’d loved the princess, and for ten years he thought her dead. Though his inner jackal growls with desire for her, she is the key to completing his mission for Edward—hunt down the rebel known as Liberty.

Ana can’t believe Cade doesn’t know the truth about Edward. If she can convince him of it, his blade could turn the tide of the rebellion. But first they must get beyond their past, or the whole kingdom could go up in smoke.

Warning: Contains incendiary sex between a phoenix princess with a secret identity, and a jackal shifter who can take a lot of heat. Boys from the “hood”, a king jacked up on enhanced DNA, and killer heels. Anybody got a match?

Ashes is available at Samhain, Amazon, and Amazon UK.
Please enjoy this excerpt from Ashes:

A smile played over his lips, a knowing one. “You were mine, once.”

When his thumb brushed her cheekbone, dipping down to rub her bottom lip, it was all she could do not to purr. For whatever reasons, this man could get beneath her barriers. He could make her lose control.

But he made her remember the past, something that threatened the foundation of the life she’d built for herself.

The door swinging into darkness. Cold, oozing puddles that cling stickily to bare feet. A young voice, wavering as she called out for her parents. Her locket a dull gold, mottled with red where it lay.

With effort, Ana jerked her chin away from his touch. “Get your hands off me, Cade.” With a thin smile, she added, “Only the vampire has those rights.”

That flash of anger. For some reason, the man in front still viewed her as partly his—the jackal, maybe, claiming her. Except jackals were solitary animals.

A growl rumbled through his chest. Keeping eye contact, he stood. When he leaned forward, she flinched, unable to help herself. Whether she was afraid of being touched or tortured, she didn’t know.

His arms flexed with muscle as he worked at something about her head. Something clunked, and the chains fell away from her with a heavy jangle. They lay on the bedspread, innocent and coiled like a false snake.

Grasping she was free, Ana slid from the bed. “Son of a bitch,” she spat, putting out a hand to help steady her. “Iron?”

She lunged at him, confused when her body refused to cooperate. Her biker boots hit the floor as she landed, tottering, two feet away from her intended target.

Focusing inward, she registered how cold her embers were. They barely glittered, a few halfhearted sparks at her prompting. A breath hissed from her.

Phoenixes radiated at around one hundred and twenty degrees; she’d wager she was operating on about human temperature. The lack of heat in the room and lack of food and water equaled her core running on empty. Even as she thought it, the sparks began to disintegrate, sucking inward to preserve the embers at her core.

Determined, she fought through the weakness, charging Cade.

He allowed himself to be thrust backward. “You’re too cold,” he commented. “Hungry. You can’t hurt me.”

“You wanna bet?”

Her knee jerked upward, narrowly blocked by Cade’s hand.

“Don’t even try it.” He pushed her away, making her stagger from weak knees. “You’ll be on your back quicker than an eager whore. Then again,” he continued, the jackal’s obvious pleasure at the verbal sparring spinning through his wicked smile, “maybe you’d enjoy that.”

With a vengeful shriek, Ana went for him. She jabbed with her fists, using her elbows when that didn’t work. He avoided all her blows, laughing with a gut-deep amusement.

When she used her scissor-kick, she saw her mistake too late as he caught her legs and flipped her to the dirty gray carpet. He was on top of her before she could curse, lazy amusement swirling like phoenix smoke.

His arms caged her as an old dimple flashed. “What did I say?”

His weight suddenly pressed down on her abdomen slashes. A wince tugged at her face before she could stop it, a hiss pouring from between her teeth.

His face changed immediately. “Fires above, Alana, you should have said something.”

“I thought you’d hurt me if it was necessary.” She shoved him off her. He let her, a hunter tracking her as she stumbled away. She dropped into the chair he’d claimed earlier, unwilling to admit her jelly limbs. “You’re all mouth.”

A slow smile spread over his face while his eyes altered to a dark velvet. Damn. She’d always been a sucker for the shadow-drenched eyes.

He stalked nearer, the jackal’s satisfied rumble curling out of his mouth as strong hands came down over hers on the chair’s arms.

She couldn’t dislodge him. Curses spilled from her as panic, not for her life but for something more prized, surged up her throat. “Don’t you come near me, Cade Lorin.”

“All mouth?” he repeated, his voice that dark drawl he’d once whispered her name with. “I’ll show you all mouth.”

Sophie H. Morgan is a paranormal romance author with a love for hot guys, sassy heroines and HEAs that seem impossible. Currently residing in England, Sophie divides her time between her two crazy spaniels and plotting how best to drive her characters into each other’s arms. Ashes is her first book.

Author Thursday: Interview with Jennifer Stevenson

Today's guest is Jennifer Stevenson, and I'm in love with the name of the series she's talking about today--SLACKER DEMON. So awesome. Really it all sounds fabulous (and she totally had me at Common as a sex demon).

Enjoy! :-)

1. What flavor is your writing?

I’ve been told that my writing is a spicy gingersnap cookie outside with sweet creamy filling inside.

2. If this book was made into a movie, who would you cast to play the characters?

It’s Raining Angels and Demons is book two in the SLACKER DEMONS series. For Mutmumtazarek (Mutt) the fallen demon, I’d pick Henry Cavill for his dark sulkiness. For Jioffriel (Jeff) the fallen angel, it would have to be a young Alex Pettyfer, because he’s so blonde and perfect. Mella should be played by Amanda Seyfried. Keek would be played by Lizzy Caplan or Emma Stone. And for supporting cast: Axl Rose as Baz the big-daddy sex demon, Shahid Kapoor as Kamadeva the Hindu love god, and Compton rapper Common as Veek, the sex demon with a vodou priestess mother and a French aristocrat father.
3. What is your favorite scene in It’s Raining Angels and Demons?

Oh good grief, how can I choose?

The one I like to read the most often is the scene where Baz has sent Mutt to practice his sex demon technique with Mella. But Mutt totally flunks. He was a demon of war when he worked for the Regional Office (Hell). As he puts it, “Over four centuries of war I’d seen plenty of soldiers mating, of course. What still baffled me was why women would ever agree to it. Which they seldom did, from my observations.”

So when Mella says, “Do something sex-demony,” he screws up big time. She has hysterics and banishes him from her presence, and he flies back to the sex demon lair, feeling like a miserable failure. The sex demons there make fun of him.

Then Jeff the angel returns from his maiden flight as a sex demon, utterly dejected because he failed miserably. His report: he had sex with Keek for two and a half hours, and then she yelled, “I can’t, I can’t, enough, stop, no more!” Jeff is beside himself with despair. How the sex demons work with Jeff, and what they say to Mutt later, makes me laugh and laugh and laugh—and I wrote it!

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

Right now I’m rereading Rex Stout’s Might As Well Be Dead. Up next will be Jennifer Crusie’s Fast Women, then Carl Hiaasen’s Bad Monkey. Only the Hiaasen is new to me. I admit I reread a lot. My excuse is that I’m studying the masters, trying to figure out how they do what they do so well. But the truth is, I regard these books as old, old friends, and I love spending time with them.

5. What are you working on now?

I’m working on three books now. (I know, shoot me, please.)

The book that’s farthest along is the final book in the SLACKER DEMONS series. It’s called Walking On Sunshine, and it’s about Veek, the fourth sex demon in the Lair, and Baz, the fifth, and how they find love and a new future working outside the Regional Office. It’s aaaalmost done. But I’m a perfectionist and I’m still beavering away at it. Walking On Sunshine will be out in mid-June this summer.

The second book is about halfway through the first draft. That’s the third book in the series that comes after Slacker Demons. That series is called COED DEMON SLUTS. All I know is, these books will mention Shoes in their titles. I’m keeping the rest under my hat for now. I will be launching at least three books in that series all at once, sometime late in 2016.

The third book I’m working on is The Hinky Nickel, final volume in my HINKY CHICAGO series. This wraps up all the threads I’ve left hanging for five books so far, decides the love triangle between Jewel, Randy, and Clay once and for all, resolves all the magical curses that have been liberally sprinkled throughout the series, probably has roller derby in it, like the last two volumes. Oh, and I may decide to destroy the world. All science fiction and fantasy writers love to destroy the world. Although usually it’s the SF writers who destroy it and leave it broken, and the fantasy writers who save it at the last possible minute.

You can find out more about Jennifer at these links:
Website: http://jenniferstevenson.comTwitter: @jenstevensonFacebook MAN DROUGHT ENDS!

Angels and demons fall into the arms of love-deprived women in a sleepy Chicago neighborhood. Only two women get cheated, when one angel and one demon escape and find refuge with a team of renegade sex demons. But they're not safe yet! Those two women are hunting them.

Keek’s self-esteem problems have led to a certain lifestyle with men. Angel Jioffriel is innocent in every way until he stumbles into Keek’s arms. Then he gets judgmental about her lifestyle.

Mella is pickier than Keek. When she meets demon Mutmumtazarek, for the first time she sees past a guy’s flaws—the six inch claws, the bat wings, and other demonic attributes—to the frightened beast inside.

Can the sex demons teach Jeff and Mutt enough to satisfy the women they love?

It’s Raining Angels and Demons is available from Amazon.

Please enjoy this excerpt from It's Raining Angels and Demons:

Mutmumtazarek
I should have known it was too good to be true as soon as they gave me sealed orders.

At first I was optimistic. Here I sat in the belly of one of our biggest black ops helicopters with forty-nine of my fellow demons, stripped naked to our bat wings and our fanny packs, ready to make our entry into the field at nineteen hundred hours.

We were hovering over a sleepy little neighborhood in Chicago, a place I’d only seen on television.

But we weren’t moving.

Because not content with launching an all-out assault, the Regional Office was coordinating, if you can imagine that, the assault with a similar vehicle from the Home Office. Two immense, cumbersome bureaucracies, so old and sloppy they’re like zombies with dead parts dropping off all over, coordinating.

Trying to picture fifty naked angels in one of their gooney-bird airships, my mind boggled.

Still, I was chuffed to be back in the field. After manning a desk for centuries, I tingled in places I’d forgotten I had.

I flexed my wings and tested my talons. Yup. Not too rusty.

We hovered.

As I sat there, wearing nothing but a fanny pack containing the essentials—credit card, toothbrush, condoms full of holes, and my orders—I realized that something had gone wrong.

What was holding things up?

I could hear explosions below us, reaching almost as high as our helo. Surely no earthly weapons could have an effect on us?

The team captain yelled.

Guys ahead of me began bailing out of the open bay. Flashes of brilliant-colored light went off intermittently. I smelled sulfur, though that could have been me. They were jumping down into the colors.

By the lingering afterglow of one long red blast, I furtively pulled out my orders. This was strictly against procedure, but I was a field operative for only four centuries. I’d been a desk clerk a lot longer.

I didn’t trust the Regional Office not to fuck something up.

I peered at the orders sheet.

Boy, was I surprised. At the name of our lone target most of all. Fifty ops from each office, a joint task force, the whole unfathomably complex and bureaucratic rigmarole, to get one guy?

Oh well. Mine not to reason why. Mine but to make somebody else die.

The line in front of me dwindled rapidly.

Geronimo.

Or something like that.

As I bailed out, I saw the red, bat-winged figures of my teammates below me. They weren’t descending in tight, vulture-like, controlled spirals.

They were falling like rocks.

Occasionally a wing would catch the air and a guy would slow, twirling insanely like a maple seed.

Then—bam!—I could hear them hitting rooftops, the cars, the street.

Holy Moses.

So, again contrary to orders, I veered sharply as I exited the helo, gliding westward away from the landing zone. Now I saw my opposite numbers exiting their gooney bird, and they too were falling like rocks, like albatrosses winged and flailing.

Those colored sparks were mostly gone, although I could now see a huge blaze of multicolored fire below, arranged in an ominous-looking circle. Rooftop, I guessed. And then foom, just as I was congratulating myself on escaping whatever got the rest of the task force, another shell went off from that rooftop.

I descended through a cloud of green sparks.

I smelled sulfurous cinders in the air as I skimmed over the landing zone. It was those almost-extinguished, darkened sparks that had got my teammates, I was willing to bet.

Shit, and I was headed right down into the stuff.

I soared down in a tight spiral through sparks that stung and numbed me.

Unbelievable. Had those ground-bound land mammals finally figured out how to fight back against heaven and hell?

Unthinkable.

Unless it wasn’t them at all, but this one guy we were after.

That made sense. He’d always been a smart one.

My wings had gone numb. I felt myself beginning to spin out of control.

I saw a wall and a vast area of darkness beyond it.

Another tremendous green flower erupted in the sky above me. I was temporarily blinded.

When my eyes cleared, I saw I was very close to hitting that wall. I had just enough time to realize this, stick out a wing to divert, and see the last of the angels skimming below me.

He hit the top of the wall and flipped over it like a Chinese acrobat, hitting my thigh a glancing blow with his wing.

The two of us tumbled over the wall.

We fell twenty feet into a pond.

Mella
Keek and I were putting ourselves to sleep by complaining about men when we heard a commotion in the street. She peeked out first. Something banged like cars smacking together. “Oh my god!” she yelped.

I came to the window. “What is it? I’m in my nightshirt.”

“This guy just fell off a building and hit that car. Oh my god, there goes another one!”

I looked out. A guy was indeed lying on his back on the hood of a parked car. It seemed he had landed on a sheet, something white anyway. A woman came running out of the apartment building across the street and flung herself on him. That was weird.

“Should we dial 911?” I said. Then I noticed the other guy. He’d landed on the sidewalk, where he lay in a puddle of blood. No—was he lying on a big red cloth? And some woman was bending over him, kissing him. “Super weird.”

“Hey, fireworks!” Keek said, pointing.

As I looked, a huge blast of green sparkles erupted in the sky and then faded. Something white whizzed past our window, swooped, and went up. I gaped. It was a man, a naked man, and he had huge white feathery wings.

A moment later, a naked man with huge red bat wings followed him.

They skimmed over the cemetery wall and disappeared into the darkness.

“I’m going out there,” Keek announced, grabbing her keys and jamming her feet into her shoes.

“Wait!” I yelled. “You don’t know what’s happening!”

“Yes, I do,” she said. “Take your mouth guard out. You’re scary enough with your hair down your back as it is.”

“Wait, what’s happening?” I shrieked down the stairs after her. “You’re in your pajamas!”

Her voice floated up to me. “It’s raining men!”

Jennifer Stevenson finds new uses for old sex demons. She feeds crows, speed skates, eats bacon, and pretends she’s fixing up her house. She lives in Chicago with her stagehand husband and two cats.

Author Thursday: Interview with Cynthia Ripley Miller

Today's guest is Cynthia Ripley Miller, and she's talking about her upcoming release On the Edge of Sunrise. I'm very intrigued--it's set in a time period that doesn't get a lot of attention in historical romance but has so much potential for awesome. Plus, as you'll see from the interview, any story that stars Chris Hemsworth and Michelle Trachtenberg in my head is definitely worth reading. ;)

Enjoy!

1. What flavor is your writing?

The combination of a chocolate energy bar with a pinch of cayenne might best describe my novel’s flavor. My story is fast-paced with more dialogue than narrative (although there is enough narrative for imagery and internal dialogue). I like action and conflict to keep the story fresh and some red-hot spice to make the plot tantalizing.

2. If this book were made into a movie, who would you cast to play the characters?

I’d cast Chris Hemsworth (Thor) or Matt Barr (Sleepy Hollow) to play my barbarian hero, Garic. The Italian actress, Catarina Murino (Casino Royale) I think really exemplifies my heroine, Arria, a Roman senator’s daughter. If I had to choose an American actress, I might cast Michelle Trachtenberg (All My Children).
3. What is your favorite scene in On the Edge of Sunrise?

My favorite scene involves my heroine, Arria, being accompanied to Cambria, a Roman fort town, by the hero, Garic, a Frank warrior noble who has just saved her from a renegade group of barbarians. As they enter the city gates, they come upon a slave auction. Arria sees that in order to help save a mother and her child from slavery, she must buy them. Garic, encourages her and offers his help. The attraction between Arria and Garic has grown throughout the journey, and they share some tender moments. But just as they express their love, the commander of the Roman fort, Arria’s betrothed, interrupts them.

4. What are you reading now, or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

I just finished, The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan and Helen Hollick’s The Sea Witch, book one in her series about the pirate, Jesamiah Acorne. I’m currently reading, The Queen’s Knight: The Lionheart Chronicles by J.L. Gorman, and on my TBR pile is Angelopolis by Danielle Trussoni and Roma by Steven Saylor.

5. What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on book two in my Long-Hair Saga series, a romantic historical with elements of mystery and suspense.

You can find out more about Cynthia at these links:
Website: www.cynthiaripleymiller.comTwitter: @cripleymillerFacebook: Cynthia Ripley Miller When love commands, destiny must obey. Against an epic background and torn between duty and passion, Arria Felix, a Roman senator’s daughter, must choose between Rome’s decadent world and her forbidden love—Garic, a Frank barbarian noble.

The year is AD 450. The Roman Empire wanes as the Medieval Age awakens. Attila the Hun and his horde conquer their way across Europe into Gaul. Caught between Rome’s tottering empire and Attila’s threat are the Frankish tribes and their ‘Long-Hair’ chiefs, northern pagans in a Roman Christian world, and a people history will call the Merovingians.

A young widow, Arria longs for a purpose and a challenge. She is as well versed in politics and diplomacy as any man … but with special skills of her own.

The Emperor Valentinian, determined to gain allies to help stop the Huns, sends a remarkable envoy, a woman, to the Assembly of Warriors in Gaul. Arria will persuade the Franks to stand with Rome against Attila.

When barbarian raiders abduct Arria, the Frank blue-eyed warrior, Garic, rescues her. Alarmed by the instant and passionate attraction she feels, Arria is torn between duty and desire. Her arranged betrothal to the ambitious tribune, Drusus, her secret enlistment by Valentinian as a courier to Attila the Hun, and a mysterious riddle—threaten their love and propel them into adventure, intrigue, and Attila’s camp. Rebels in a falling empire, Arria and Garic must find the strength to defy tradition and possess the love prophesied as their destiny.

Enjoy this excerpt from On the Edge of Sunrise:

The sun was above the horizon. The thick sounds of groaning men filled the camp. Some retched over sprawled and unconscious bodies; others limped back to their tents.

Garic alone knew where Arria rested and this excited him. He knelt by her side and listened to her soft breathing. He gazed at her for a moment, then bent and kissed her. Arria stirred beneath his touch and her eyelids fluttered. Her right arm glided gently upwards and rested on his neck. Arria’s lips responded with a fervor Garic never expected, nor could he resist. “Don’t let go,” he said huskily. “I want to hold you.” His lips brushed Arria’s ear as he spoke, making her powerfully aware of his accented speech. His words and touch moved her, and she began to cry.

“Why do you weep, woman? No harm will come to you—while I am with you.”

“I was afraid, but anger came over me when I saw Samuel attacked. I couldn’t let him be hurt … or die. Is he alive?”

“I’ve sent Vodamir to find him. You are as Vodamir says, a woman warrior, a Valkyrie who will fight beside her man.” Garic could barely control himself. He was exhausted, but lying beside her made him feel stronger. He knew they must return, but he couldn’t pull himself away. Her arm around his neck, Arria blushed as he gazed into her eyes.

Garic continued. “Pray to your Christian God there are no deaths. Drusus will be as difficult in this matter as Luthgar.”

Arria sighed. She brushed her fingers across one gold armlet, then across the soft blond stubble covering his jaw.

“Was I dreaming or did you kiss me?” she asked.

Garic caressed the corner of her smile with his thumb and smiled back. “Was I dreaming or did you kiss me? Or perhaps we both kissed, my lady,” Garic moved closer, his lips inches from hers. “But dream or kiss, it was our destiny.”

“Then kiss me again, so I am sure,” she whispered in his ear.

Garic’s ardent kiss found its haven, a place where pain washes away. Arria’s fingers tangled themselves in his hair and he kissed her deeper. The spark between them was fierce; he knew he loved her. He wanted her by his side and in his bed. “Arria, do you want me?” he asked, his voice husky with desire. His fingers stroked her temple and he searched her eyes. “Tell me,” he repeated softly, brushing his lips over hers, then kissing her again, hungry and urgent. “Mellitula, I must know.”

“Why do you call me “little honey?” she asked softly.

“My heart names you,” he replied and kissed her again. “Our path is dangerous, so I must hear it from your lips. Do you want me?”

Intent on her answer, Garic failed to notice the approaching footsteps.

On the Edge of Sunrise is available for pre-order at Amazon.

Cynthia Ripley Miller is a first generation Italian-American writer with a love for history, languages and books. She has lived, worked, and travelled in Europe, Africa, North America and the Caribbean. As a girl, she often wondered what it would be like to journey through time (she still does), yet knew, it could only be through the imagination and words of writers and their stories. Today, she writes to bring the past to life.

Cynthia holds a master’s degree and has taught history and teaches English. Her short fiction has appeared in the anthology Summer Tapestry, at Orchard Press Mysteries.com and The Scriptor. She has reviewed for UNRV Roman History, and writes a blog, Historical Happenings and Oddities: A Distant Focus.

Cynthia has four children and lives with her husband, twin cats, Romulus and Remus, and Jessie, a German Shepherd, in a suburb of Chicago. On the Edge of Sunrise is the first in the Long-Hair Sagas; a series set in late ancient Rome and France and published by Knox Robinson Publishing.

Author Thursday: Interview with A. Catherine Noon

The awesome A. Catherine Noon is back today to discuss her upcoming release, Emerald Keep. Enjoy! :)


1. What flavor is your writing?

Flavor, huh? Curry. ~grin~ Honestly, that’s a tough question, because it depends on the stories. The Persis Chronicles are sweet and tender, whereas the Chicagoland Shifters series is kinky and more hard core. The Sealed series is somewhere in the middle, depending on the book.

I’m excited about our newest release, which is Emerald Keep; it’s out on April 8th – so just a couple weeks away. It’s very tender, with a bit of mystery and a dash of sexy. We write M/M romance, but this series is all about the relationships and is science fantasy.
2. If this book was made into a movie, who would you cast to play the characters?

Picking an actor for Emerald Keeper Teeka would be tough, because we “cast” him as a particular model and we only have one image of him. For Quill, I’d have to pick a younger Joel Wyman.

3. What is your favorite scene in Emerald Keep?

That would have to be Trufflemania, which is fairly late in the book so I don’t want to give away the surprise. But the truffles play a pivotal role in the story.

What’s a truffle, you say?

Well, that’s easy! It’s a cross between an aardvark and a cocker spaniel. They have soft, fluffy reddish brown fur and make great pets, though they don’t like being underground so if you live in a cave city full time, it might not be the pet for you.

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

I’m reading, and thoroughly enjoying, Deena Metzger’s book, Writing For Your Life. If you are looking for a good how-to writing book, I’d add this one to your basket. She’s got a unique approach and I’ve actually started writing poetry again after a decade-long dry spell. Check her out. You’ll be glad you did.

5. What are you working on now?

We’re working on Book 3 of the Persis Chronicles, Sapphire Dream, which will follow Sapphire Keeper Cheula as he finds a home among the tents of Persis.

You can find out more at these links:
BlogFacebookTwitterWebsiteGoodreadsAmazon a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Thursday: Interview with Catherine Butzen

I have a life-long love of ancient Egyptian history, and I'm thrilled to have Catherine Butzen here today to talk about her new book The God Collector. (Any book that uses shabti in its blurb is relevant to my interests.) ;-) I can't wait to read it!

1. What flavor is your writing?

I like the buffet approach—mostly paranormal, but with large helpings of action-adventure, romance, and a few other things to add spice. My newest book, The God Collector, is equal parts paranormal and mystery, with a hefty dose of romance. I'm a big fan of “Earn your happy ending,” so whatever the genre, the characters get put through a lot.

2. If this book was made into a movie, who would you cast to play the characters?

That's a tough one! I don't know exactly who I'd want for the hero, Seth. For Theo, the heroine, the closest I can come is Amber Benson from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She can play the perfect mix of strength and vulnerability with a little touch of sharp humor lurking in the back. And we already know she makes a great blonde!
3. What is your favorite scene in The God Collector?

I can't say too much without giving a lot away, but the book centers around a museum and its Egyptian collection, and there's one particular scene where pieces of that collection come to life in a less-than-friendly way. I loved writing that scene. After spending so much time on the research, finally setting my creations loose on the book's world was incredibly fun. Sometimes you just have to wind your monsters up and let them go nuts.

4. What are you reading now or what books do you have in your TBR pile?

I just finished two series—Courtney Milan's Brothers Sinister and L.A. Meyer's Bloody Jack. Next on my list is Anonymous Rex, by Eric Garcia. I was sold on that one the minute I heard the words “dinosaur private detective.”

5. What are you working on now?

I have multiple projects in various stages of completion. There's a sequel planned for The God Collector, which I've given the working title Exquisite Corpse because I love awful jokes and double meanings. Then there's another urban fantasy novel in a similar vein, revolving around a murder mystery in an old theater and a set of cursed cards. Finally I have the third book in my SSR series from Stark House—those are darker and more horror-centric, and this one lets me play with a setting close to my heart: behind the scenes at a renaissance fair. I find that if I have multiple projects going, I can avoid getting burned out by switching between them.

You can find out more about Catherine at these links:
Website: https://catherinebutzen.wordpress.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.butzen Their love is ancient history if they can’t catch the thief out to kill them.

Theodora Speer loves her job at the Columbian Exposition Museum designing murals, but a sense of movement—in her art and in her life—eludes her. She meets the museum’s enigmatic donor Seth Adler while working on a new exhibit: a strange cache of shabtis, or clay funerary figurines, accompanying a prize mummy, and something sparks.

Seth Adler’s interest in the Egyptian artifacts and in Theo goes deeper than patronage, but he can’t tell her that. A series of robberies has everyone on edge and when the Columbian is hit, Theo and Seth are implicated. Someone thinks there was more to the ancient Egyptian funeral rites than meets the eye and wants the mummy and his grave goods.

Seth and Theo are forced on the run, and it may be too much movement for strict realist Theo to keep up with. But the man—and the mummy—are more than she realized. And if she can’t reconcile the past and the present, she and Seth may have no future.

Warning: A hero with an affinity for grave dust and an artist who’d like to do more than nail his unique skin tone to the wall. Contains an off-label use for paint thinner you WON’T want to try at home. Try to keep up!

The God Collector is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Samhain Publishing.

Catherine Butzen is a native of Chicago, IL who grew up haunting libraries and museums. She graduated from Coe College in 2010 and now makes her home in Cedar Rapids, IA, where she divides her time between work and writing stories about magical things going terribly wrong. Her second novel, The God Collector, is available from Samhain.

Bite Me Release Day!

BITE ME is out today in print and ebook! I'm celebrating with a month-long book tour (the tour schedule is listed here), and I'm sharing a few excerpts with the Samhain Cafe list today. There are excerpts, interviews and guest posts available during the tour, along with opportunities to enter the giveaway.

I'm sharing an exclusive excerpt here today, but first, feast your eyes on the gorgeous cover!
Consumed by the need to feed...

After an out-of-control spell triggers the zombie apocalypse, Lizzy Addams is left in the ruins of Chicago with only the slightly unhinged commentary—and endless erotic appetites—of her inner demon for company. Her blood supply dwindling, she is forced to find survivors to feed from, or die trying.

Officer Angela Kinney was on duty when hungry corpses overwhelmed the city. The survivors look to her for leadership, but nothing prepared her for a beautiful monster who offers safety in exchange for blood.

Sean MacMillan never expected to see Lizzy again after she rejected his attempts to lure her back to the vampire fold. But with his flock threatened by the horde and his murderous vampire brother, Lizzy is the only one he can trust to keep them safe.

The veil of secrecy shrouding the supernatural world torn apart, humanity’s only hope is to forge an alliance with vampires, werewolves, and things that go bump in the night. Though accepting their aid could be a devil’s bargain that puts humans at the bottom of the food chain.

Warning: Contains vampire orgies, angsty demon sex, a frisky lesbian werewolf, light kink, and enough sex toys to start a store.

Bite Me is available at Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Kobo - iTunes - Samhain Publishing - All Romance eBooks.

Excerpt: Truth or Dare with the Undead

“Still don’t trust us?” she asked, feigning hurt.

I shrugged. “Can’t trust the living. They always turn on you. One moment it’s all ‘oh,you’re pretty cool for a vampire, Lizzy’ and then bam! Out come the wooden stakes. Happens every time.”

“Pretty cynical.”

“Paranoia is just another word for longevity,” I quoted. “Besides, that priest is just waiting for an opportunity to end me.”

“He doesn’t know you like I do.” Angie grinned, and something fluttered through my chest. She had a gorgeous smile.

I cleared my throat. “I’m not real good at dealing with normal people. I talk more to the dogs than I do to the staff. Or at least I did, before.”

“I think you’re doing a great job.”

“Careful. Flattery will get you everywhere.”

“Will it?” Angie’s smile turned wicked, and I laughed. “Want to play truth or dare?”

“What are you, twelve years old?”

“Come on. It’s quiet and we’re getting nowhere. It’ll be fun,” she said. “Besides, we can’t play strip poker without a deck of cards.”

She had a point, so I nodded. “Okay.”

“Good. I’ll go with truth first.”

Great, now I had to think of a question. Elizabeth wanted to know what color her panties were—an intriguing topic, but I opted for something safer. “Why’d you become a cop?”

“Police officer. Cop is offensive,” she corrected.

“Please. I don’t ask to be called living impaired.”

Angie chuckled. “My dad was CPD. His dad too. He would’ve been happier to have had a son to follow in their footsteps, but it was just me and my sister. I joined the Army out of high school and did a tour in Afghanistan, but after that I came back here. Guess I never really wanted to be anything else but this.”

“Do you like it?”

“That’s two questions,” she pointed out. “Truth or dare?”

“Dare,” my demon volunteered. I coughed at the slip, and Angie tilted her head as she pondered for a moment.

“Kiss me,” she said.

“What, now you want to play spin the bottle?”

“I’m curious. Just a kiss, not a bite. I’m not sure I’m ready for that again.”

“Again, or ever?” My voice had dropped to a sultry purr, and I was simultaneously amused by Angie’s startled expression and irritated at Elizabeth for being chatty.

“That’s a question,” Angie countered. “For the record, I don’t have an addiction problem and I think you’re cute.”

I blushed. “All right. Kissing will have to wait for later, because we’re on the clock. Truth or dare?”

“Truth.”

This time I chose a more interesting but still pretty standard question. “What is the strangest and/or most exciting place you’ve ever had sex?”

“With a vampire in a penthouse?” she replied.

“Yes, please.” I laughed as I cut Elizabeth off from voicing that opinion. “A real answer.”

“I may have made out with a former girlfriend in the back of a squad car. Off duty.”

“Were handcuffs involved?” I asked, quirking a brow.

“Possibly.”

“Nice. Mistress Elizabeth would approve.”


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Goodreads Book Giveaway Bite Me by Robyn Bachar Giveaway ends March 31, 2015.
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