Laura Kaye's Blog, page 73

Author Rachel Firasek on Why She Writes Paranormal Romance

Welcome fellow Entangled author Rachel Firasek!

See below for Rachel's giveaway!

Now, take it away, Rachel...
Why I Write Paranormal Romance
I remember reading romance novels in high school, tucking them in the seams of my chemistry book in the hopes that everyone would think I was studying and not losing myself in the throes of someone else's passion. The novels back then were riddled with Pirates, Indians, and hard bodied Sheriffs. Yes, I was snatching my mother's historicals and plundering the pages, feeding my young mind fantasy and romance.
I wrote my first short story in high school. It was a historical-fantasy set in the times of Rapunzel and unicorns. My hero was a dashing knight that fought the evil army for the hand of his fair maiden. The fire-breathing dragon then ate said hero. My teacher said she wasn't quite sure how I thought this was a romance. I told her that romances could be tragedies-Romeo and Juliet. She laughed and gave me an A.
Years passed and I didn't write. I grew a family and worked on my career. In 2008, my husband took a position as a civilian contractor in Kuwait. It was hard but we survived. In the meantime, I was still reading, but I had progressed from the western historical of the late 80's and 90's to contemporaries. This wasn't quite the genre for me at this time. I needed to escape from reality and contemporaries were too close to home. 
So, I found Lyndsay Sands. Her vampire series was light, funny and so different from anything that I'd ever read. She made me laugh and brought me out of the depressing mood of missing my hubby. This style let me forget how stressful my days were and allowed me to laugh when my husband wasn't there to make me smile.
I devoured her series, then moved on to Laurell K. Hamilton, such a different kind of read and not necessarily a romance, although there are some romantic elements in the series. Her book spoke to me in ways that I can't explain, but I'll try. They were dark and twisted. The bad guy wasn't always bad and the good guy didn't always get the girl. This was just what I needed to pull me away from that place in my heart that wanted to scream at my husband, "What are we doing this for?" 
It gave me an outlet for the pain. I loved them. So, I began writing.
In my opinion, this is why so many readers love the paranormal/sci-fi/fantasy genre. We can escape our realities, however bad they are at the time, and lose ourself in a completely made up world with its own set of rules.
Those stories gave me hope that someone would like my twisted sense of humor and ideas. I write dark Urban Fantasies with hardcore heroines that just want to find the light, kind of like me--or at least the woman I strive to be.
Paranormal opened up a world of make believe to readers across the world. It's a huge genre now, and from the industry news, it's not going anywhere. I'm glad, because neither am I.
What is it about the paranormal world that draws you in?

Giveaway!One commenter who leaves their email address in their comment will win their choice of one of the three ebooks in Rachel's series. Open to international. Winner to be chosen by random.org. Contest runs through midnight EST Monday 2/27! Good luck!

And Rachel's newest:

Sadie's days fighting off greedy claim jumpers ended in 1856 when Osiris snatched her from her filthy room and placed her with a trio of phoenixes. After 150 years living a respectable life saving souls, she's tired of playing by the god's rules. It's time the master of manipulation learned her creed: live hard, play for keeps, and never let the enemy see you suffer.  Osiris never imagined the true queen he's spent two millennia searching for would be a half-pint redhead with a mouth that makes him blush. She needs a gentle hand to breach her defenses, but living with her and keeping his natural arrogance at a simmer proves a challenge worthy of any champion.
While Osiris teaches her the wisdom needed to rule a world with fairness, the irritating god only intensifies Sadie's belief in her creed, reinforcing the walls that keep her from happiness. If Osiris can't win her hardened heart, Sadie's ascension might threaten the world he's struggled to create.

Thanks for reading!
Laura & Rachel

Guest Author Aubrie Dionne on Matchmaking #SciFi

I'm very excited to welcome fellow Entangled authorAubrie Dionneto the blog today to celebrate her new release!

See below for a giveaway, too!

Take it away, Aubrie... 

Matchmaker, Matchmaker Make Me A Match…
Anyone familiar with Fiddler on the Roof knows what I'm talking about…couples being matched up. This is exactly what they do on the colony ships in my New Dawn series, and for good reason. Generations must live on the ship, and with such a closed environment and harsh deep space conditions, the survival of humanity lies on producing the strongest, hardiest future generation. Desperate times calls for desperate measures.

In Tundra 37, the main character, Gemme Reiner, is the matchmaker. She loves her cushy job with a nice view of deep space and a comfy chair to swivel around in. Yes, she has thousands of matches to supervise, but the computer does most of the work, and all she has to do is hit the approve or disapprove buttons. It's very simple up until the day her match flashes on the screen. He's the gorgeous lieutenant that everyone wants for themselves. Not only will she look like she'd contrived the pairing, she just might lose her job. And she can't even think about his hands touching hers, or how he'd make her feel. Out of the question. 

After Gemme presses the delete button on her match, a comet shower pummels the ship, destroying the pairing system forever. Her job as the matchmaker is over, and she must join an exploratory team, led by the handsome lieutenant, to find minerals able to power what's left of the ship. Only, she finds much more than minerals in the vast tundra. The truth to why the computer has entwined their destinies unfolds in an ancient alien device buried deep in the snow. 

What would you do if you were matched to the hottest man on the ship? Would it be a blessing or a curse? Would you press accept or delete?

Thanks for hosting me today, Laura!
Aubrie Dionne
Romantic Science Fiction and Fantasy
Get Swept Away to Other Worlds...
http://www.authoraubrie.com
http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com
A New Dawn Novel - Book Two

Gemme is a hi-tech matchmaker who pairs the next generation of Lifers aboard the Expedition, a deep space transport vessel destined for Paradise 18. When the identity of her lifemate pops up on her screen, she's shocked that he's the achingly gorgeous and highly sought after Lieutenant Miles Brentwood—a man oblivious to her existence. Believing everyone will think she contrived the match, she erases it from the computer's memory.

Just as comets pummel the ship and destroy the pairing system forever.

With the Expedition disabled, the colonists must crash land on the barren ice world of Tundra 37 where Gemme is reassigned to an exploratory mission, led by Lieutenant Brentwood. Only in the frozen tundra does she understand the shape of his heart and why the computer has entwined their destinies.

Prequel to A New Dawn - Book Three

After watching his love leave on a colony ship, James Wilfred must save those left behind from a planetary apocalypse. Their salvation lies in an unfinished ship tucked away in a secret government base, and only James can break in and pilot him and his people to freedom on a nearby space station.

Skye O'Connor's boyfriend never returns after his gang attempts an assassination of the Governor, and the State Building is destroyed. Worse, crazed moonshiners addicted to the chemical Morpheus have stormed the city, and she must find a safe place for her and her boyfriend's daughter. When a heroic man saves her, Skye asks to accompany him on his quest to find the last colony ship left on Earth.

As the city falls around them, James and Skye must work together to build a new future, all the while rediscovering their ability to love, before the apocalypse claims them both.

GIVEAWAY!One commenter who leaves their email will win an ebook of A Hero Rising! Open to international, winner to be chosen by random.org, contest will run through midnight EST on Friday 2/24! Good luck!

Thanks for reading!
Laura & Aubrie

Welcome Guest Author Caridad Pineiro! #Nocturne #Mummy #Curse

I'm going to try to avoid getting all fangirly *grins*, and just say...

I'm very excited to welcome fellow Harlequin Nocturne author Caridad Pineiro to the blog today to share her new dark paranormal erotic romance...
Take it away, Caridad...
My favorite stories have always been ones about redemption and the power of love.   The hero in NOCTURNAL WHISPERS, Lord Alec, is definitely a man in need of redemption. He's been cursed for centuries since he stole a mummy's child to help pay off some gambling bets.  Lord Alec was the spare heir and because of that, a little ignored and a little wild. It's what made him a bit callous in his regard for others.
Until he's cursed, and his brother dies, and Lord Alec finds himself shouldering immense burdens alone.
He's incredibly lonely, but worse, he can't find love until he makes up for the wrong that he's done by returning the mummy child to its mother.  But to do that, he may have to betray the woman with whom he is falling in love.
Here's a little teaser for NOCTURNAL WHISPERS and an excerpt for you!

For over a century, Lord Alec Wright has been condemned to wander the Earth searching for a mummy he stole from an Egyptian tomb. Cursed to see all his loved ones die, he also must endure the spirit that tortures him with unrelenting arousal every night until he atones for his crime.
After years of searching, Alec has finally found what he seeks—but museum curator Kate Morton stands his way. The mummy's spirit is affecting her as well, driving her wild with desire. It is the perfect opportunity for Alec to seduce Kate and obtain the artifact. But in his quest to end his torment, will Alec wind up losing his heart?

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NOCTURNAL WHISPERS, Chapter 1:
She came to him as she always did, her exotic kohl-lined eyes dark as midnight, her full lips stained blood red as she taunted him. "You know what I want."
Lord Alec Wright trembled with both fear and pleasure, well aware of his visitor's desire. He tried to speak, but she covered his mouth with her cool, smooth hand, silencing him. The sweet, spicy perfume of myrrh, which had been rubbed into her skin when she'd been entombed centuries earlier, nearly overwhelmed him.
"No more empty promises," she said, a sad smile slipping onto her lips, her eyes fathomless. She ran her free hand across the smooth lines of Alec's chest, rousing the desire she used as punishment for his crimes.
Alec steeled himself against her touch, fighting the arousal she stirred so easily with her luscious beauty. Death had forever sealed her exquisiteness, and, with his selfishness, he had condemned them to be bound together until he fulfilled her one and only wish.
She snaked her hand downward until she reached the head of his erection. Encircling his engorged length with her palm, she stroked up and down, dragging a moan from him.
"Such strength." She bent her head to kiss the side of his face, still covering his mouth with one hand while tempting him with the other. Her power kept him pinned to the mattress as she wrought her torture.
Alec murmured a protest and fought against the desire threatening to consume him, but she only laughed and tenderly bit the side of his neck before working her way down his body. Soon her lips were poised just above the head of his cock. The bittersweet smile turned wicked as she licked the tip of his foreskin and dragged a moan of pleasure from him. "You cannot resist, even though you know what will follow."
No, he couldn't resist her. He had never been able to resist the allure of his darkest needs. As the "spare heir," he'd found his parents had cared little for what he did. No matter what, their attention had always been on his older brother. Alec's failure to earn their approval had led him to try ever more outrageous activities to snare their notice, even if his behavior resulted in disapproval. That self-destructive bent was what had brought him to this: a life of pleasure-pain spent searching for a way to satisfy a mummy's desire.
She took him into her mouth then and moved on him, working him with her tongue and lips. Her full, generous breasts rubbed along his thighs, creating even greater need.
He wanted to touch and taste, to feel their lushness in his mouth, but he was caught in the web of her power and could not move, could not truly enjoy her. Because the passion with which she dominated him was her punishment for his misdeeds.
She aroused him even more, drawing out his need until he was shaking beneath her.
With a satisfied laugh, she left him poised on the edge and faced him, determination in eyes black as midnight.
"You know what I want."
She finally released him from her dominion so that he could whisper a sibilant, "Yes."
Before his eyes, her skin lost its creamy olive hue and became pale as alabaster. A heartbeat later her striking features eroded as her skin became dust as dry as the Sahara. An unseen wind rose up, blowing away her features until she was a faceless entity above him.
She opened what was left of her mouth and keened with centuries-old pain. The sound ricocheted inside his skull, bringing distress so powerful that it pulled him from the nightmare.
Alec bolted up in bed, breathing heavily. His body was hard and aching from the desire she had awakened—a brutal desire he was cursed to endure, alone, until he fulfilled her one and only yearning: to reunite with her child.
In his head came her keening cry once more, reminding him of the loss she had suffered not once, but twice. First when her toddler had died of a fever, and then again when Alec had taken the child's preserved body from beside the woman's mummified remains.
Gritting his teeth against the agony of her wail, Alec rose from the bed and shuffled over to a table, his erection almost painful. He drew in a shaky breath, willing his desire to subside as her presence faded, leaving him with some semblance of peace.
Only when he found her child, the mummy he had traded for money to pay off some gambling debts, would he finally have true tranquility and an end to his lonely existence.
At the Formica-and-metal kitchen table that was nearly an antiquity itself, he shuffled various papers and notes. He preferred staying in older, out-of-the-way locations to avoid the paparazzi who were forever trying to hunt him down. This little walk-up had been the perfect place to conduct his investigations, he thought, reviewing his papers yet again and arriving at the same conclusion that he had weeks earlier, when he had begun his trek to New York City.
Her child was here, likely stored away in the New York Center for Antiquities' basement like many other dusty pieces of history. Much like the mummy's remains were now in a British museum, visible to one and all who wished to view the collection of ancient treasures spirited away from Egypt's sands.
So close, he thought, planning how he would get his hands on the tiny bundled child so he could return it to its mother.
Leaning a hand on the tabletop, Alec shifted more papers and unearthed the recent article he had printed from the internet. He stared at the picture of the lovely, dark-haired curator who had just come on board at the museum.
Dr. Kate Morton. Fresh-faced and full of a zeal that radiated even in the posed photograph.
No doubt one of her tasks as a new hire would be to familiarize herself with the museum's collections and review the inventory in storage.
A perfect opportunity for him to use his skills to seduce the young curator and convince her to give him what the mummy desired.
Maybe then Alec would finally be free of the mummy's curse. Maybe then he'd secure an end to a solitary life that had grown too tiresome to endure. Caridad Piñeiro® is a multi-published and award-winning author whose love of the written word developed when her fifth grade teacher assigned a project – to write a book that would be placed in a class lending library. She has been hooked on writing ever since. From the start, Caridad's novels have received acclaim and have helped redefine the landscape of modern romance novels. She has won numerous awards for her several dozen books and been featured on television programs and in newspaper articles. When not writing, Caridad teaches workshops on various topics related to writing and heads a writing group. Caridad is also an attorney, wife and mother.| Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | MySpace | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page |
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING MY GUEST, CARIDAD! Everyone, leave Caridad some comment love! What was your favorite part of the excerpt?

GIVEAWAY!
Comment with your email and you could win 1) a tote bag with swag or 2) an ARC of Caridad's May release THE CLAIMED! U.S. only! Contest ends midnight EST on 2/23! Good luck!

Thanks for reading,Laura & Caridad 

Great Numbers for #HeartsinDarkness: 10,000, 10, and 1!

What the heck are those numbers about? Well, as I celebrate the 10-month anniversary of the release of Hearts in Darkness, I'm only too happy to tell you!
10,000is the super exciting number of copies of Hearts in Darkness that has now sold!
10is the number of months in which those 10,000 books sold!
1is the ranking of the Hearts in Darkness cover in the HBARWA JABBIC Cover Contest, where it won First Place in the Readers' Choice Sexiest Cover of 2011!(I must give a HUGE nod to cover artist Tricia Pickyme Schmitt! And a thanks to all the readers who voted!)

Makenna James thinks her day can't get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out.

Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he's terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he's trapped in his own worst nightmare.

To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

One reader's view of Caden...
And for all of this I must extend to each of you a huge thank you! You guys have been the bestest readers an author could have, and I can't say enough to express my gratitude!
Thanks for reading,Laura

#SixSunday #46 - A #Vampire's Kiss to Die For...

Happy Sunday everyone! And thanks for stopping by for another round of six sentences, once again from my new dark paranormal romance, In the Service of the King:

She wanted what was about to happen and her body ached for things she didn't even have the words to name, but if he gave her the chance to get nervous, to overthink it, she might.
He didn't give her the time.
He grasped her shoulders and pulled her against him, his mouth finding hers as if they'd never left off earlier. As her lips and tongue responded, he wrapped his arms around her. One large hand cradled her head while the other smoothed down over her back and settled just above her rear. The strength of his embrace pressed their bodies together, and he was hard and thick and long between them.

Don't forget to check out the Other Sixers' posts and follow the #sixsunday hashtag on twitter! Thanks for reading and, hopefully, commenting too!
Laura

CONGRATS to 3 New Release Blog Tour AND BlogHop W*I*N*N*E*R*S!!!

Winners winners everywhere!
I'm very excited to announce the following winners from several recent giveaways! *Drum roll, please!*

The Grand Prize winner of my In the Service of the King New Release Blog Tour is Jennifer Bielman from her comment at Dark Faerie Tales
The winner of my Vampires for Valentines Blog Hop vampire gift set is... Carrie James   The winner of my With Love Valentines Blog Hop $10 amazon gift card is...Heather Fulcher
Congratulations everyone! And thank you for all the follows, friendings, comments and general support over the past several weeks!

Thanks for reading,
Laura

Super Exciting Release Date & Distribution Information!

If you're here for the Vampires for Valentines Blog Hop, please click here!

So, I have some bad news and I have some really, really good news. Which would you like first? Oh, heck, let's just get that pesky bad news out of the way, shall we?

The Bad:--The releases of books 2, 3, 4 in my Hearts of the Anemoi series have been further delayed. Here's when they're now releasing:

West of Want: July 2012
South of Surrender: December 2012
East of Ecstasy: April 2013

The Good:--The reason they're being released later is because my publisher's new distributor has piqued Barnes and Nobles' interest in the series, and they will appear on shelves near you beginning this summer, AND they'll be in mass market format and cost ($7.99 for print).

-- West of Want and South of Surrender are now up on Amazon for pre-order (though they still have the wrong release dates, so don't get excited when you see that! LOL)

--I have also received the release date for Book 2 in my Vampire Warrior Kings series, now officially called Seduced by the Vampire King , and that book will be available on June 1, 2012!

--I am also pleased to share that Harlequin Nocturne has given me the green light for TWO MORE in the VWK series! More on that to come...

So, I'm SO SO SORRY to make you wait a few more months for the Anemoi series, and I can assure you that it's killing me too! LOL But these are going to be my first books available in stores, and I'm about bursting at the seams over the idea of that!

Thanks for reading!
Laura

#SixSunday #45 - This #vampire has some groveling to do...

If you're here for the With Love OR Vampires for Valentine Hops, Click Here!!

Happy Sunday everyone! And happy nearly Valentine's Day! This week, six from my new In the Service of the King. Kael and Shayla are still trying to find their way...

"Shayla, look at me."
 As much as she'd been waiting for his voice, it still startled her. His use of her name. His tender, regretful tone.
 She knew she must obey, but was afraid if she did, she'd lose control of her emotions—and she wasn't sure whether hurt or anger would win out. Neither was appropriate to show, and both were likely to result in tears.

Please be sure to check out the Other Sixers' posts and follow the #sixsunday hashtag on Twitter! If you'd like to win a copy of ITSOTK, follow along on my new release blog tour, which wraps up this week. 
Thank you for reading and, hopefully, commenting, too!Laura

With Love & #Vampires for Valentines GiveawayHops!

I'm participating in not one but TWO Valentine's Hops, just for you! I figured 1) Two is better than one, 2) It's Valentine's Day, so I'd share even more love, and 3) It's a great way to end two weeks of celebrations for my latest dark vampire romance, IN THE SERVICE OF THE KING. 
So, here's what you can win from one or both giveaways AND how to enter:
GIVEAWAY #1 ~ VAMPIRES FOR VALENTINES GIVEAWAY:  RULES FOR THIS HOP: 1) The Vampire Prizes Pack is only open to U.S. due to shipping costs2) You must complete the form below3) You must like me on Facebook to enter to win4) You may complete the optional entries5) Hop ends at midnight EST on February 16 6) Winner will be chosen by random.org and will be posted on February 177) ***Visit the other hosts in the Vampires for Valentines Hop by clicking here!

GIVEAWAY #2 ~ WITH LOVE VALENTINES BLOG HOP GIVEAWAY:
$10 Amazon Gift Card
RULES FOR THIS HOP: 1) The Amazon Gift Card is open to international2) You must complete the form below3) You must follow me on Twitter to enter to win4) You may complete the optional entries5) Hop officially ends on 2/14, however, I'll accept entries on this through midnight EST 2/16 6) Winner will be chosen by random.org and will be posted on February 177) ***Visit the other hosts in the With Love Valentines Hop by clicking here!

Now, I'd love to know: EITHER, which fictional vampire is your favorite AND/OR what your plans are for Valentines?

Thanks for reading, entering, and hopping!Laura
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Awesome Jessica Subject #SciFiRomance Book Feature & $20Giveaway

I'm very pleased to welcome guest author and fellow Decadent Publishing sisterJessica Subjectto the blog today!
Jessica is celebrating a new release with an awesome book feature and exciting giveaway! Read on...

Caught in a tangle of lies, Calla Jacobs must sort through the truth to discover where she truly belongs. A biologist for Planet Core, she finds herself ensnared in a web of deceit. Sent to Airondelle, she must work with a team to prepare the newly discovered planet for colonists from Earth. But the mission does not go as she expected. Her former lover, Erik Edwards, shuns her, sending Calla into the arms of Melina Holloway, their commander, for the attention she craves and more. A confrontation among the trio leaves her with a broken heart, and fleeing from the two people she trusted most.
Attempting to break free from the lies that bind her, she discovers Planet Core has deceived everyone. And when she returns to Earth, Calla learns just how far Planet Core's control reaches.

Excerpt Melina stood up. "Well, I guess we're done for tonight."Instead of packing up the Jeeps and heading back to camp, they lingered, staring at each other in the moonlight. Calla didn't want to move. She fixated on her commander's mouth. What would it feel like?Before she realized what was happening, Melina pressed her lips to Calla's. Holloway's hand met the small of her back, drawing her in closer. Calla sensed the woman's hunger, but pulled away, surprised by her commander's actions and still ashamed of her body's rush of desire."Holloway, this isn't allowed. You of all people should know that."Melina strolled around behind her, keeping her hands on Calla's shoulders, and kneaded the knots across her back. "No one needs to know. It's just the two of us out here."Calla moaned as her commander's thumbs dug deep, releasing her stress from the mission and Erik's attitude. The massage was the precise touch she needed. "That feels so good."Melina swept Calla's hair from her shoulders and kissed her neck, turning the massage into something sensual. "I have much more planned for you.""Holloway, I've never ….""Been with a woman?" Melina spun her around. Tilting her head, she gazed into her eyes, brushing a thumb across her lips. "There's a first time for everything."

Available from Decadent Publishing and other ebook retailers:Buy Links here: http://www.markofthestars.com/wp/?page_id=7889

Giveaway!![image error]As part of the Never Gonna Let You Go blog tour, Jessica is giving away a $20 gift certificate to either Amazon or ARe. Simply leave a comment with your email address for your chance to WIN! Be sure to follow the tour and comment: the more you comment, the better your chances of winning! See tour dates here!

About Jessica: Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from anyone who has enjoyed her stories.Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Google
Thanks for reading, and be sure to leave Jessica some comment love!
Laura