Rebecca Zanetti's Blog, page 19

Please Welcome Guest Blogger Bonnie Paulson to the blog!

Hi everyone!  Happy Holiday Season!  Today (if the world didn’t end), I asked my good friend, Bonnie Paulson, to talk about zombies.  Enjoy! 

The Mayans Didn’t Get You… My Zombies Will…

Who isn’t talking about some kind of apocalypse these days? Like a delicious rumor making its rounds on the gossip mill. The incomplete Mayan calendar foretold today is the day for the end of the world *cue doom music*.

Welp! You’re reading this post which means they’re wrong, right? Unless it has posted to an empty world at which this is a huge waste of time… or the perfect opportunity to get some confessions off my chest – but I digress.

Oooh! Or maybe the zombie virus has been successfully created and the exponential contraction will culminate at midnight tonight. That might work. Especially if the zombies make it quick and painless (yeah, right).

What are your plans for the last day on earth? I wish I could say I had ah-mazing plans, but I’m the one who worked on the eve of Y2K while the rest of the world partied and stressed. I’ll probably hang with my kids and work on Christmas projects like fudge and cookies.

Now there’s an event worth thinking about. Christmas. How will you spend it? I hope with family and friends. Because the apocalypse will come or not, but Christmas is next week and you don’t want to waste the chance to make terrific memories – even if they have nothing to do with running from zombies or trying to carve out a new calendar.

And an aside, for those of you who have been lucky enough to meet Rebecca Zanetti, you know what I know – how sweet she is and how generous. We had a family situation a few weeks ago and she sent me flowers. So the apocalypse can come and go, but I’ve got me some lilies and roses to carry me through with the kids and apparently soon I’ll have fudge… Lemon fudge.

*light bulb* I never share my recipes, but since the world has ended, it’s not technically sharing, is it? Okay, here is my recipe for lemon fudge and it takes less than 10 minutes and needs 5 ingredients. Easy. Ready?

Lemon Cake Batter Fudge

1 cup lemon cake mix (box – NOT with pudding in the mix – will never set)
1 cup powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
¼ milk
½ stick butter (1/2 cup)
White chocolate chips

Directions: Mix dry ingredients. Add milk and butter DO NOT MIX. Put in microwave for 2 minutes. Pull out and immediately stir until the consistency is like that of cake batter. Put in greased bread pan, smooth. Top with white chocolate chips and put in fridge. After it’s set, cut up and EAT.

Now that’s how to end the world… with Lemon Fudge. Add a good book and the world might wait for you.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

BIO: Bonnie R. Paulson mixes her science and medical background with reality and possibilities to make even myths seem likely and give every romance the genetic strength to survive. Bonnie has discovered a dark and twisty turn in her writing that she hopes you enjoy as much as she has enjoyed uncovering it. Dirt biking with her family in the Northwest keeps her sane.

Links:

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/bonpaulson
Twitter: @bonnierpaulson
Www.bonnierpaulson.com
Goodreads: Bonnie R. Paulson

LINKS to FIND Bonnie’s Books on AMAZON

LINKS to FIND Bonnie’s Books on Barnes and Noble

Filed under: Guest Blogger Tagged: Bonnie Paulson, Bonnie R. Paulson, Breathe Again, Dead Again, Falling Apart, Lemon Cake Batter Fudge, Mostly Dead, recipes, zombies

PROVOKED releases TODAY!

I’m thrilled to announce that PROVOKED releases today.  This is Book 5 in the Dark Protector series, and it features Kane Kayrs, the dominant, scientific brother as the hero.  The heroine is Amber Freebird, a fun, spirited, vegan who likes to go her own way.  The two clash…yet somehow work together with humor and spice.  I hope you enjoy!

Filed under: DARK PROTECTORS Tagged: Dark Protectors, demon fighters, Kayrs, Kensington, paranormal, paranormal romances, Provoked, romance, vampires

Bewitching the Alpha Male Blog Hop

Hello everyone!  I’m taking part in two blog hops this weekend – how fun is that?  There’s nothing I like more than an Alpha male–well, except an Alpha male with a dark, brooding past.  Wounded heroes are the best! 

Provoked releases on November 1st and is up for a pre-order sale right now.  So I thought I’d show you a glimpse into Kane Kayrs, a dominant, brilliant, Alpha.  Here’s a quick blurb:

Kane grabbed the brandy glasses. Handing Amber one, he retook his seat in the chair. “Drink.”

“Stop being bossy.”

“Sorry.” Slowly, he took a sip, gaze watchful over the rim.

She drank a healthy gulp. How was she supposed to act normal with a sexy vampire studying her? “Stop staring.”

“No.” He licked a drop from his lip.

She fought a groan. The brandy warmed down her throat to her abdomen. Wind whistled outside, lending an intimacy to the fire-lit area inside. Her eyes half-closed in reaction. Tingles set up in her knees—most likely from the mind war she’d just fought. But the confusion came from her reaction to the vampire. “You shouldn’t have kissed me last night.”

“I know,” he agreed softly.

“Why did you?”

“You’re beautiful, sexy, and I want you.”  His voice was calm and self-assured.

No game-playing with that man.

She fought to keep her face calm. He said want in present tense. Her body reacted instantly. “That’s surprising. I figured you’d go for some robotic scientist type.”

“Apparently not.”

As people, they couldn’t be more different. He was overeducated. She . . . not so much. “I’m a pacifist.”

He gestured for her to finish her drink. “Let’s talk about that.”

She downed the rest of the brandy, a delicious heat sliding through her body. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

He tipped back his head and drank his brandy, the movement both masculine and sexy. Setting the sifter on the side table, he leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “I’ve been thinking.”

“That’s a new one.” She snorted.

Vampires had sexy grins. Who knew?

Kane’s grin widened. “So, I have a solution for our dilemma. You’re a pacifist who shouldn’t fight. I am a closet empath who needs to find my brother.”

The guy probably didn’t confess that fact to many people. She smiled, more warmth coming from his trust than from the alcohol. “What’s a closet empath?”

“Somebody who has fought for years to squash down the ability to read emotions from other people.” He sighed, stretching his neck. “Though, I can also attack with feelings sometimes. The ability can distract an enemy at the right moment, although I’d rather just use my brain.”

“There’s nothing wrong with feeling things, Kane.”

He shrugged. “Not the point.”

“What is the point?” Besides that fact that she was in an intimate setting alone for an entire night with the sexiest man she’d ever met in real life.

“The point is that there is a very simple answer to our dilemma.” His eyes darkened and his strong jaw set. “Mate me.”

So, here are the links if you’d like to pre-order Provoked and be one of the first to download it:

     

Also, here are the links to get back on the blog hops – make sure you hit the one you’ve been on!  (Feel free to hop on board the other one when you’re finished.  There are tons of great prizes in both.  They’re both scheduled to actually start the 19th)  Speaking of prices, in addition to the ones being given from me on the hops, I’m also giving away signed copies of Fated, Claimed, and Hunted to ONE randomly chosen commenter from my blog here.  So drop me a comment.  Do you have any plans for halloween?

 

Filed under: Blog Hop Tagged: alpha males, Dark Protectors, Kayrs, Kensington, paranormal, Provoked, vampires

Love’s A Beach Blog Hop-and a Glimpse of Provoked

Hi all!  Welcome to the very exciting Love’s a Beach Blog Hop.  I’m in the midst of copy edits for Provoked, which is Kane’s story that will be released on November 1st.  For a short time, it looks like the book is at a hugely discounted price…and since I’m never in the loop about these things, I truly don’t know how long my publisher will keep it there.  So, how about a quick glimpse at a scene in Provoked?  And I’m giving away a signed copy of my back list to a commenter on my blog here, as well as a copy on the main page of the blog hop.  Here’s the excerpt:

Kane peered down at her. “Amber?”

“Yes?”

“If you’re going to attack with whatever’s in your right hand, could you hurry it up? We need to get going.”

She started, her gaze slashing up to him. “How did you know?”

He shrugged. “What kind of a knife do you have?”

Her cheeks pinkened, and she drew her hand forward. “I have a pen.”

A blue ballpoint pen. He blinked twice, his gaze on the harmless tool.

Maybe it was the ridiculousness of the pen. Maybe it was the woman’s courage in planning to use it on him. Or maybe it was the sheepish half-smile she gave.

Either way, his heart rolled over.

Warmth flushed through him, so hot, so fast, his ears rang. His mind blanked. For the first time in centuries, his brain shut off. The woman was crazy. Stepping in, he grasped her chin, tilting her head back.

Her eyes widened, and then her gaze lowered to his lips. A soft sound of surprise emerged with her breath.

He dove in, allowing the animal within to awaken. For the first time in three centuries, there was no thought. All instinct ruled as his mouth took hers…no finesse, no calculation, just pure, raw need. He shoved her against the truck, his other hand clutching her hip as he went deeper.

Honeysuckle exploded along his taste buds as his tongue swept inside her mouth. Not gentle, not persuasive, just taking. Claiming.

And it wasn’t enough. Not even close to enough.

Pressing into her, body to body, heat to heat, something clicked. Beyond his brain, beyond his body…somewhere deeper.

Finally, he found home.

To purchase Provoked:

 

So, did you have a nice summer?  Was it summer where you live?  Any fun plans for fall?  To jump back on the hop, click on the picture below:

Filed under: Blog Hop Tagged: beach, Blog Hop, demons, eKensington, Kayrs, Kensington, Kensington Brava, paranormal, paranormal romance, Provoked, Sensual Romance, Sexy Romance, shifters, Summer, vampires

Consumed Releases in time for the Red, White, and Blue Blog Hop

So, there’s quite a bit going on today.  First, CONSUMED is out in the wild!  Yes, Katie and Jordan’s story was released today and can be downloaded right now!

Second, I’m part of the Red, White, and Blue Blog hop – how cool is the blog hop button they created?  It’s down below…meow!

Also – I’m over at the Tea and Book Reviews blog today…giving away stuff.  Drop on by!

So to combine everything going on today, I thought I’d celebrate with a quick excerpt of Consumed:

The air thickened, and Jordan rose to full height, a human male standing in the rain.  Nude and enraged. 

Katie shivered.  His eyes glowed in his angular face, revealing the animal present even in human form.  His nose was straight, his cheekbones high and symmetrical, purebred lion embedded in every feature.  While his chest had always been broad, cut definition enhanced more powerful muscles than she remembered.  His narrow waist tapered to…

God.  She would not look lower.

Jordan’s gaze started at her tennis shoes and traveled up her bare legs to the clinging T-shirt.  Fury lined every strong contour in his face.

Awareness slammed desire out of the way.  She took a step back. Okay, running through alleys wearing only a T-shirt might have been a bad idea.  Very bad.  Intuition yelled at her to flee.  No way in hell could she outrun him.  Aiming the gun would be a serious mistake.  She knew it…yet  her hand trembled as she raised the weapon.

His chin lowered.  A stalking predator, he strode forward with measured steps, water sluicing off his hard body. 

Retreat was her only option.  A loose stone tripped her, and she dodged to the side, her back flush to a building.  Thank God the weapon hadn’t gone off.  A second later he trapped her, his abs square against the barrel of the gun, his gaze primal.

Something inside her hissed.  Deep down, beyond humanity, at her very core…a lioness stretched.

The breath caught in her throat.  She stilled.  Searching down deep.  Searching for the animal she used to be.  The animal that had been silenced ten years ago by the virus.  A tingling wandered through her veins, igniting her blood.  An animal sense that she’d missed so very much.  The slumbering cougar awakening in reaction to a male.

And the male was pissed.

[image error] To purchase Consumed:

Barnes and Noble          Amazon            Books A Million
Powells               Book Depository            ITunes
Kobo                      Sony E-Reader            Diesel ebooks
All Romance eBooks                 Google Play

To celebrate today, I’d like to give away a signed copy of Fated, Claimed, or Hunted to a commenter here.  You can comment on anything or just say hi.  Or answer this question:  What are your plans for this weekend?

To jump back to the list for the blog hop and all the many prizes:  http://closeencounterswiththenightkind.blogspot.com/

And make sure you enter to win the Kindle Fires:  http://queentuttsworldofescapism.com/

Filed under: Blog Hop, DARK PROTECTORS Tagged: Alpha Male, book release, Consumed, eKensington, feline shifter, giveaway, Kensington, lion shifter

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day to all my readers in the USA!  May our troops come home safely, and may the entire world know peace and freedom someday…

Filed under: Random thoughts

It’s Release Day for Erin Kellison’s Fire Kissed!

Hi all!  I wanted to give a quick shout out for Erin Kellison’s FIRE KISSED, which is finally out today!  I’ve been waiting for this release and can’t wait to read. 

Fae Fire

It is Kaye Brand’s power to wield. But outcast from her kind, she’s been selling herself to the highest bidder – money for her survival in exchange for a magic glimpse into the flames of the future.               

Angel Ice

One of the angelic Order, Jack Bastian has no use for alike Kaye, as provocative and unexpected as her blazing beauty. Yet he has no choice but to hire her to uncover the secrets of his sworn enemy and her former fiance, Ferrol Grey.               

Magekind

War is inevitable between the defenders of the Order and the mage Houses who threaten to engulf the world in Shadow. For Jack, mage-born Kaye is off limits, no matter how hot the impossible attraction between them. But in the coming darkness, beset by danger and desire, everything is about to change…

To find out more about FIRE KISSED, go to:  http://erinkellison.com/books/firekissed.html 

Filed under: On Writing Tagged: Erin Kellison, Fire Kissed, Mage, paranormal romance, release day, romance, Shadow Bound

Izzy’s Insights – Interview with Characters Conn and Moira

My name is Izzy and I interview book characters.  Many people say I’m a character, myself.  *Snort*.  That’s nice of them.  I’m hoping Rebecca lets me interview a bunch of her characters–I can’t wait to be in the same room with all of those hot vampires.  MEOW.

So, I’ve been wanted to meet Moira Dunne ever since I read Hunted and the scene where she threw a plasma ball at Connlan Kayrs, the most dangerous fighter alive.  Sure Moira’s a witch…but Conn’s a freakin vampire!  So, when Moira and Conn agreed to meet with me for an interview, I was ecstatic.  We met at a dive of a pizza joint on the other side of town.  They drove up on pretty awesome street bikes–looking like the power couple they are.  Here’s the transcript of the interview, with a couple of my thoughts thrown in:

ME:  Thank you so much for meeting me here!  I know how busy you are with both of you needing to fight for your people right now.  How goes the war?

CONN:  We’re winning.

At this point, Moira tossed red curls over her shoulder and snorted, rolling her eyes at the vampire.  I doubted many people rolled their eyes at the guy.  He’s well over six feet tall, packed hard, and with green eyes that probably make women swoon.  Women much weaker than me, of course.  I may have drooled…but I did not swoon.

Moira:  Well, we’re working on it.  The Kurjans are stepping up their game a little bit, and I’m afraid the demons are about to make a move against us.

CONN:  There’s no need to be afraid.  The demons are having some problems of their own…we’ll find the allies we need.

Moira:  I didn’t mean ‘afraid’ of the demons…I could blow several up in a moment.  I just meant it as an expression.  Stop being a dork.

CONN:  I didn’t think you meant ‘afraid’ like you feared the demons. I was trying to be reassuring and positive.  You’re the dork.

Okay.  You really haven’t lived until you’ve seen one of the toughest guys alive use the word ‘dork.’  And the grin that accompanied the insult was just charming beyond words.  Even pretty Moira blushed as Conn yanked one of her curls.

ME:  So, how’s it going marriage-wise?  I mean, with the witches and vampires and the war?

CONN:  Good.

MOIRA:  I think maybe more info is required…dork.  We, ah, are doing…just fine.

CONN:  Yeah.  That was a lot of info.

MOIRA:  Well, okay.  The witches are hanging in there – but if you’ve read Hunted, you know we have some issues right now.  And I put my younger sister, Brenna, on the Council, and she’s working hard, but something’s going on with her.  I’m not sure what.  But as soon as we get things settled with the vampires, I’m going to go figure it out.

You know, I’ve always wondered about Brenna.  She seems like a sweetheart, but she’d have to be rather tough to live the life she’s living.

ME:  So what about Brenna?  Is there a mate in her future?

CONN:  Well, according to Dage, who’s psychic, there’s a mate in her future.  But Dage won’t say who.  And whenever he talks about it, his eyes flash blue through the silver, and that’s always a bad sign.  So we don’t ask.

MOIRA:  Dage has always been really fond of Brenna, so if there’s a difficult path for her, he’d be worried.  But I also trust him to tell me when it’s time for me to get involved.

CONN:  Yeah, right.  I know you.  You’re getting involved the first second you get the chance.

MOIRA:  Yeah, I am.

ME:  So, it seems like a lot of the Realm leaders are finding mates.  How goes it with Katie and Jordan?  Are those two ever going to get together?

CONN:  Sure.  Fate is fate…

MOIRA:  I’d like to be so confident.  But, well, their path is a tough one…much tougher than most people know right now.  You’ll know more after reading chapter 1 of CONSUMED…oh yeah.  If they can figure it out…wozza.  What a life.

Which reminds me.  I think I read somewhere that if Consumed gets 100 ‘likes’ on Amazon, the first chapter of Consumed will be put up on Rebecca’s FB page.  Hmmm.  I need to head to Amazon after this interview.  Speaking of which, this is the longest time I’ve managed to keep interviewees in the chairs.

ME:  I have high hopes for Katie and Jordan…always have.  What about Kane?  I’ve heard a rumor that he’s maybe found a mate.

MOIRA:  Well, there’s a possible mate.  It’s my understanding the woman is very powerful…but doesn’t know it?  And she’s some sort of Vegan.

CONN:  I’m not giving up meat.

MOIRA:  Nobody asked you to give up meat.  Geez.

ME:  So, Moira.  I was wondering.  Obviously you’ve read Hunted.  What’s your favorite line from the book?

MOIRA:  That’s a great question!  Well, I don’t want to give anything away here…but things were looking bad and I was fading fast…here’s the line:

With a flash of speed and the shattering of glass, Connlan Kayrs leapt through the window.

MOIRA:  I know that doesn’t give you a lot of insight…but it pretty much represents Conn.  He’d sacrifice anything for the people he loves.

Okay, I melted a little.  I mean, who wouldn’t?  They’re such an awesome pair, and the affection and love is there.  As well as an edge…these two have enemies and they know it.

ME:  Okay, that is really sweet.  What about you, Conn?  Have a favorite line?

CONN:  What book?

Oh yeah.  I’d forgotten the vampires either didn’t know about the books, or they just didn’t want to talk about it.  These guys aren’t exactly the type to share their lives with the world.

Just as I was about to sigh…Jase Kayrs walked in.  Man, if you haven’t seen Jase, you’re missing out.  The youngest Kayrs brother is sexy as sin.  Wide shoulders, charming grin, danger glints from his eyes.  Yeah, I might have a crush.  But, then he told Conn that something was up and they had to go…something with the demons and a mission…and just like that, quick goodbyes were made. 

Although I’m no psychic, I suddenly had an odd thought.  I wondered who Jase’s mate would be?!?

Filed under: Character blog/interview, DARK PROTECTORS, HUNTED, Izzy's Interviews Tagged: Brenna, Character Interview, Conn Kayrs, Dark Protectors, demons, Fated, HUNTED, Izzy's Interviews, Jase, Moira Dunne, Sarah, witches

Grave Tells – Reader’s Choice Awards

Hi all!  It looks like Hunted is up for a Reader’s Choice award, and I’m up for a favorite author award over at Grave Tells.  Voting ends May 30th at midnight.  I’m neck and neck with a couple of my friends.    If you get the chance, CLICK HERE TO VOTE.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  Here in the states we celebrated Memorial Weekend.  I celebrated, wrote a bit, and watched some movies.  ‘One for the Money’ and “This Means War’ kept me more than entertained! 

Finally…later this week we’ll have a character interview with Moira Dunne  – the witch from Hunted.  And…chapter 1 from Consumed should be posted soon on my FB page – so keep an eye out!

Filed under: HUNTED Tagged: Grave Tells, HUNTED, Reader's Choice Awards

CONSUMED cover reveal

Hi all!  Well, I hit 2000 likes on my FaceBook page yesterday, and had to celebrate!  We celebrated by revealing the cover for CONSUMED (Book 4 of the Dark Protectors) about a month earlier than planned. 

Consumed is Katie and Jordan’s story–those western cougars are wild and fun!  I believe the release date is July and hope to have a confirmation of that very soon. 

For now, enjoy the cover.  It’s a bit different than the other covers–Kensington is shaking things up a little bit!

Filed under: DARK PROTECTORS Tagged: Book 4, Consumed, Cover Reveal, Dark Protectors, Katie and Jordan, Kensington, lion shifters, shifters