Laura Kaye's Blog, page 81

Romance Girls Gone Goblin #Halloween Hop & Vampirific #Giveaway!

Happy Halloween!And welcome to the Romance Girls Gone Goblin Halloween Hop!
To celebrate THE holiday for lovers of all things paranormal, I've got an awesome giveaway for you!
One lucky commenter will win this greatVampirific Bag of Chocolate and Fanged Fun! Contest rules:Minimum entry is name, email, US/International, blog commentAdditional entry opportunities are available & optional - see below formIf the winner is international, she will NOT receive the heavier items in the bag (4 large chocolates & the notebook)--another lighter item will be added to compensateWinner will be selected by random.org & announced on 11/1
Before you enter, here's even more Halloween fun,My Top Creeptastic Movies:
I couldn't begin to rank them, and I know all the classics aren't here, but these are some that particularly make my skin crawl or have me hiding behind a pillow! The Amityville Horror (based on true story)The Mothman Prophecies (based on true story)Paranormal ActivitySignsThe Omen1408 Nightmare on Elm StreetSawDeliveranceSalem's Lot [image error] The ShiningAlienPoltergeistThe ExorcistScreamThe RiteBram Stoker's DraculaInterview with a VampireI Am Legend

Okay, which scary movies are your favorite? Let me know in your comments!

If you're looking for some good paranormal reads this Halloween, I offer you two of my books to consider:
A heart can break, even one that no longer beats.

I stalk my new neighbors, a single mother and her child, drawn by the irresistible scent of their joy and love. I crave their blood, starved for some healing respite from my ancient grief. Now to lure them into my grasp.

But they surprise me. Little Olivia accepts me without fear or reservation--talking, smiling, offering innocent affection that tugs at my long-lost humanity. Her mother, Samantha, seeks me out when she should stay away, offering sweet friendship, and calling to the forgotten man within me. They lure me instead.

Ah, Dio, Lucien, run and spare them while you can...
FOREVER FREED IS THE NJRW GOLDEN LEAF BEST PARANORMAL OF 2011!FOREVER FREED IS A NJRW GOLDEN LEAF FINALIST FOR BEST 1ST BOOK OF 2011! BUY FOREVER FREED ON AMAZON
~~*~~*~~
Her tears called a powerful snow god to life, but only her love can grant the humanity he craves...

Desperate to escape agonizing memories of Christmas past, twenty-nine-year-old widow Megan Snow builds a snow family outside the mountain cabin she once shared with her husband, realizing too late that she's recreated the very thing she'll never have.

Called to life by Megan's tears, snow god Owen Winters appears unconscious on her doorstep in the midst of a raging blizzard. As she nurses him to health, Owen finds unexpected solace in her company and unimagined pleasure in the warmth of her body, and vows to win her heart for a chance at humanity.

Megan is drawn to Owen's mismatched eyes, otherworldly masculinity, and enthusiasm for the littlest things. But this Christmas miracle comes with an expiration--before the snow melts and the temperature rises, Megan must let go of her widow's grief and learn to trust love again, or she'll lose Owen forever.
BUY NORTH OF NEED ON AMAZON | RELEASES 11/1! | KINDLE VERSION WILL BECOME AVAILABLE THIS WEEKEND!
NOW, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, ENTER HERE:<p><p>Loading...</p></p>

Welcome Guest Author Caridad Pineiro! + #Giveaway!

Welcome, Caridad!  Please share a little about yourself, your genres, any other pen names you use.
First, thank you so much for having me here!  I'm Caridad Pineiro and I write paranormal romance and romantic suspense.  I also used to write contemporary romances as Caridad Scordato and will be releasing some of the backlist titles soon!  I love to write, travel and cook.  I'm also a mom, wife and attorney.
Oh, congrats on both! So, please tell us a little about your latest or upcoming release.
My latest release is THE LOST, the first book in the new SIN HUNTERS paranormal romance series.  The Hunters are a race of people who can gather energy and do all kinds of things with that power, like shapeshift and race across the ions in the cosmos.
That sounds so unique and cool! Which character is your favorite and why?
My favorite character in the story is Bobbie Carrera.  Bobbie is a Marine who is back from the war in Iraq and is suffering both physical and emotional wounds.  Despite that, Bobbie is strong and determined to rebuild her life.  When necessary, Bobbie is even ready to go to battle again although that is the last thing she really wants.
I love that you made the Marine a woman! *grins* As the author, what surprised you about this story?
What surprised me was how important the concept of faith became in the story.  Bobbie and Adam, as well as Adam's parents, all have to rely on faith of various kinds in order to survive and find happiness.  I think that came about as a result of the location for the story, Ocean Grove, New Jersey, which is known as God's Little Square Mile.  I often feel the power of faith there and that really influenced the story.
How interesting! Will there be any sequels or other books in the same series?
THE CLAIMED will be out in May 2012 and I've already laid out books three and four in the series.  THE CLAIMED is a Romeo and Juliet kind of story as Shadow and Light Hunters will find love and have to battle their own people to find peace and happiness.
I love series! That's really exciting! What was the hardest thing for you about writing this story?
The hardest thing was portraying Bobbie accurately.  I wanted to show both the emotional and physical wounds from which she suffered and how she was trying to overcome them.  I wanted to show how hard it was and the strength necessary for her to do that.  I didn't want it to be unrealistic because it was important for me to honor our military men, women and families and the sacrifices they make.
That's really a great ambition! Congrats on that! What are you working on right now?
Right now I am working on editing a contemporary romance revolving around a fictional baseball team.  I'm also writing some erotic paranormal romances for Nocturne Cravings.  They've been lots of fun.  Finally, I am also busy promoting my Christmas release, A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS anthology.
So much going on for you! And all of it great! By the way, I absolutely loved the UK digital edition of your cover for A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS! What happened to the first book you ever wrote?
The first book I ever wrote is still sitting tucked on a shelf.  One day I will revisit it.
We'll await that! *grins* Is there a theme or message that runs through your work?
The one theme I have in all of my books is to portray women as strong and in control of their lives.  I want to encourage women to be able to stand up for themselves and to reach for their dreams.
Great message! What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?
That I am basically shy.  It's taken me a very long time to be able to be out there with people.
Introverts unite! LOL Which romance book or series (or other genre, if you don't write romance) do you wish you had written?
The IN DEATH series by J.D. Robb.
Of all the characters you've ever written, who is your favorite and why?
My all time favorite is Diana Reyes from THE CALLING Vampire novel series.
Okay, now, Caridad. These are just for fun: Milk chocolate or dark chocolate?   Milk chocolate.
Salty or sweet?   Definitely sweet.
Bed or kitchen table?   Bed.
Beach or mountains?   Beach for sure!
Give or receive?   Give.
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Book Blurb:
Adam Bruno is no ordinary millionaire. The heir to an ancient race possessing a dark, powerful magic, he can shapeshift and create energy. His gifts make him a living weapon and have forced him to live in seclusion. But now an inhuman force hunts down Adam-just when he finds someone who makes him feel more human than he ever imagined possible . . .
Home from combat in Iraq, Bobbie Carerra wants only peace, yet soon joins Adam in a terrifying battle against paranormal enemies who hide in plain sight. She's drawn to his strength of mind and body; he's attracted to her courage and intoxicating energy. Their scorching passion can either transport them to the heights of ecstasy or-if Adam's powers rage out of control-destroy them. But when an invisible brotherhood tightens its nets and someone Adam trusts betrays him, only a heartrending decision can save them.

Thanks for being coming on the blog! Where can we find you on the web?
| Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | MySpace | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page |
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING MY GUEST, CARIDAD!
Thank you so much for having me with you!
[image error] Okay, everyone, thanks for reading! Now, leave Caridad some comment love to enter to win...
[image error] Giveaway!Caridad is giving away a Lost t-shirt and ebook copy of Rookie of the Year. 1 winner for each. T-shirt open to US Shipping; ebook to International. Must leave e-mail address in comments to qualify. Enter through 12 midnight EST Friday 10/28!
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.

Welcome Guest Author Marie Treanor!

I'm very pleased to welcome  Marie Treanor to the blog today!
Welcome, Marie!  Please share a little about yourself, your genres, any other pen names you use.
Thank you! I'm thrilled to be here today!
About me, then: I'm Marie Treanor. I live in Scotland, by the sea, I've been happily married for twenty years and I have three kids aged 16, 14 and 8. I write mainly sensual paranormal romance, but love dipping my toe into other genres, (often in the same book!) including fantasy, humour, futuristic, time-travel, steampunk, historical… you name it J.
In the last seven years, I've published over twenty books, ranging from short stories to full-length novels, for both ebook and print publishers. The Awakened by Blood books with NAL Signet Eclipse, are my first "New York" publications
[image error] Wow! You're truly an inspiration for me! Okay, tell us a little about your latest or upcoming release.
My latest release is BLOOD ETERNAL - which I'm very excited about! – the final book in my AWAKENED BY BLOOD vampire romance/urban fantasy trilogy. The series is all about a thousands of years old vampire accidentally awakened by academic researcher Elizabeth Silk. Saloman, the powerful and very sexy vampire in question, then embarks on a double quest of revenge and world domination – and Elizabeth unites with vampire hunters to prevent him. Their paths are complicated however by mutual attraction - and the fact that each really needs to kill the other!
BLOOD ETERNAL sees Saloman fighting a vampire revolt that could consume not only the vampire world but humanity too, but he doesn't let that interfere with his machinations to rule the world! Elizabeth, struggling against doomed love, prophesy, illness, and the temptations of immortality, begins to find her role as mediator between suspicious humanity and the dangerous vampire world.
Man, I dig vampires! My TBR pile is groaning, and I love it! So, which character is your favorite and why?
It has to be Saloman, my enigmatic vampire hero. He's just so overwhelming and complicated. And having existed for millennia, he would have to be! He's sexy and ruthless and sees things completely differently from a human. To him, there's nothing wrong in taking another life in pursuit of what he sees as a greater good, even if that good is only his own comfort. In the first book, BLOOD ON SILK, he was perfectly happy to give Elizabeth a little joy by making love to her, and then killing her in the morning for the strength of her blood! But we do gradually come to understand his alien morality, and the value he places on all existence. His emotions are as deep and as strong as the rest of him, but he hides them as a matter of course for self-preservation. And his feelings for Elizabeth are opening him to a vulnerability he can't afford.
He sounds naughty and delicious! As the author, what surprised you about this story?
The way the ending came together. I had a lot of plot-lines to bring together, and as Elizabeth and Saloman resolved their personal and relationship issues, I realized it wasn't going to end quite as I'd originally planned! However, as things moved on, and the characters took me in the directions they needed to go, it all became magically clear J
I love when a story takes over like that! Will there be any sequels or other books in the same series?
Well, there are the first two books, BLOOD ON SILK and BLOOD SIN. But it was always planned as a trilogy. On the other hand, I have lived with these characters quite intensely for a long time now, and I can't stop their stories moving forward in my head J. So I suppose it's up to my publisher whether or not I ever write them.
A completed series, guys! That's reading gold! What was the hardest thing for you about writing this story?
Letting go!
Aw! What are you working on right now?
A sort of ghost story set in post-apocalyptic world, with an unlikely but intense romance…
Yum-my! What happened to the first book you ever wrote?
It was published! (If you don't count the ones I scribbled by hand as a teenager :)). It was a novella-length romance about a librarian and the ghost of an ancient Scottish king, called GHOST UNLAID. I was lucky to have it accepted by the first e-publisher I sent it too. Unfortunately that publisher since went bankrupt, but I'm happy to see GHOST UNLAID is still out there, re-issued by The Wild Rose Press.
Yay! Can I tell you I squeed to learn we have something in common (first books both out from TWRP!)?! What do you find easiest and hardest to write?
The hardest part for me is the opening of a story, beginning it in just the right place, and getting the characters and their interaction just right. The first few chapters always take me more than twice as long as the middle or the end! The easiest, I suppose, is developing their relationship from that first all-important encounter.
*nods* Yes! Have you incorporated actual events or people from your own life into your books?
I have used historical events (for example the murder of King Lulach of Scotland in GHOST UNLAID); and elements of the people I know do creep into my characters. However, my characters are usually composites of several different people, with a dollop of imagination thrown in!
Of all the characters you've ever written, who is your favorite and why?
My favourite tends to be the one I'm working on or thinking most about at the time, so right now it has to be Saloman – he's just so sexy and alien (see above!). But apart from him I do still have soft-spots for the sexy Magician in my first ever futuristic story (MAGIC MAN), for the wicked sorcerer Drago in GOTHIC DRAGON, and the troubled Giancarlo in THE DEVIL AND VIA
Oh, I see! You're a hero gal like me! *winks* Okay, now, just for fun:
Milk chocolate or dark chocolate? Both!
Salty or sweet? Sweet
Bed or kitchen table? Has to be bed – our kitchen's too small for a table, which is probably a blessing!
Beach or mountains? Both!
Give or receive? Both! (Is this cheating? – Yes! But we like you so we'll allow it! *winks* )

BLOOD ETERNAL: an AWAKENED BY BLOOD Novel (3).
Secrets don't disappear after seduction...
Elizabeth Silk is struggling to reconcile her passion for the vampire overlord Saloman and her allegiance to the vampire hunters. When a shocking vampire revolt calls Saloman away from her, she refuses to follow him.
To make matters worse, Saloman's beloved cousin Luk has been found and awakened by one of his greatest enemies. Frenzied with bloodlust, Luk embarks on a killing spree and prepares to expose Saloman's biggest vulnerability: Elizabeth.
But under Saloman's regime, vampires have become less concerned with secrecy, no longer willing to hide their power. Rumors are swirling about attacks on humans. After Saloman joins forces with the vampire hunters to consolidate his power, Elizabeth begins to understand her role in the inevitable collision of the two worlds. She could bring resolution between vampires and humans—if she can manage to stay alive long enough to play both sides….

Where can we find you on the web, Marie?
Website | Blog | Facebook | MySpace | Amazon 
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING MY GUEST, MARIE!
It's been a pleasure! Thanks for your interesting questions :) [image error] Excerpt from Blood Eternal:
Set up: An Ancient vampire, believed to be Saloman's newly awakened cousin Luk, has gone on the rampage in the Turkish hills. Elizabeth Silk is helping the hunters to track Luk and his allies…
Luk began to run, and as his limbs stretched out, he remembered their strength and what they could do. A surge of excitement urged him to speed up, to run around the entire world and never stop. But her scent was close and sweet, and as he leapt down the final fifty feet to land right in front of her, he grew dizzy.
Startled, the woman fell back, her dark hazel eyes huge in her beautiful face. Hair the color of a long-forgotten sunrise whipped against her soft cheeks in the breeze. Blood pumped through her delicate veins. The sound and smell of it drove him to new hunger, but this was one human he'd never kill.
"Tsigana," he whispered.
The name held Elizabeth frozen. She'd had an instant's warning from the Ancient detector, which suddenly, after indicating his slow plod away from her, went nuts, the readings obviously failing to keep up with the speed of the vampire who leapt out in front of her a bare instant after she'd known he would.
She'd had time to press her buzzer, at the same moment it had gone off in warning. The others knew. So she backed off, giving them time to get here, holding the stake poised for the vampire's attack that didn't come. He stood unmoving, staring at her.
The ordinary vampire detector in her pocket was still and silent. So the Ancient was alone. She prepared to attack, targeting the spot in his chest that she needed, but before she could fly at him, he said, "Tsigana."
If he'd said her own name, if he'd called her Jane or Esmeralda or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, she wouldn't have hesitated in the slightest. But he said Tsigana, as if he'd seen straight to her one weakness, a jealousy that amounted almost to fear of the long-dead human woman who had once held Saloman's heart.
Her fingers curled convulsively on the stake, altering its aim by accident, and she had to readjust it. The Ancient who was Saloman's cousin, his onetime friend and his betrayer, one of Tsigana's three vampire lovers, continued to stare at her. She had the impression that if he breathed he'd have been panting, but weirdly, she sensed no threat from him. He lifted his arms slowly, reaching out to her with intense, weirdly unfocused longing. Understanding slammed into her like a blow.
"I'm not Tsigana," she said between her teeth. "I'm Elizabeth, the Awakener." And she flew at him, aware her aim was true. She summoned every ounce of strength, every ounce of power she believed in. Because she didn't know how long the hunters would take to get here, she had to try to do it alone, as she'd once tried to kill Saloman alone. She still believed she could have slain him, using her power as his Awakener, but she'd never found out for sure, because her heart, not her body, had prevented it. There was no such prevention here; Luk was the cause of most of the unbearable pain  that had haunted Saloman for centuries. He was as good as dead, and she couldn't even regret her lack of compassion.
But he didn't wait for her. He leapt back so fast she didn't even see him move. Her stake sliced through air, almost overbalancing her.
"Not Tsigana," Luk repeated. He sniffed the air.
"Tsigana is dead." Again she leapt, this time before she finished speaking, but again he evaded her. A howl rent the air, like a dog or a wolf in agony. It had to be coming from Luk, as his distant figure leapt back up the hillside at impossible speed, the bloodcurdling wail fading with him into the night. Not because he'd stopped crying, but because he was too far away to be heard.
"Shit," Elizabeth whispered. With shaking hand she retrieved the Ancient detector from her pocket. The pointer indicated the hill up which Luk had vanished, the display counting madly as the distance increased. Then it went dead. Elizabeth delved for her phone, just as the needle swung rapidly several degrees to the west, and the display galloped forward.
Oh, hell, he's doubling back. He's gotten over Tsigana and now I'm dinner.

Marie Treanor lives in Scotland with her eccentric husband and three much-too-smart children. Having grown bored with city life, she resides these days in a picturesque village by the sea where she is lucky enough to enjoy herself avoiding housework and writing sensual stories of paranormal romance and fantasy.
Marie Treanor has published more than twenty ebooks with small presses, (Samhain Publishing, Ellora's Cave, Changeling Press and The Wild Rose Press), including a former Kindle bestseller, Killing Joe. Blood on Silk: an Awakened by Blood novel, was her New York debut with NAL.
In the Awakened by Blood series, Marie is delighted to be able to bring together her long-standing loves of vampire stories and Gothic romance.

Thanks for reading everyone! Please leave Marie some comment love!Laura & Marie

Announcing the North of Need Book Launch Blog Tour! #Giveaways every stop! Begins 10/25!

[image error] I'm so excited to announce my book launch blog tour for my November 1 release, NORTH OF NEED. This book is the first in a four-book series called the Hearts of the Anemoi, which features wind gods the Greeks associated with the seasons.

Click here to read the blurb and the first three chapters.Click here to see the uber cool home page for the Anemoi series.

This book tour will feature giveaways at every stop: print books, ebooks, romance trading cards, snowglobes, and even Swarovski crystal jewelry! Plus I'm sure to come up with some other awesomeness I can't even think of right now! *winks* So you're not going to want to miss it!
Here's the tour:
[image error] 10/25 - Book Savvy Babe
10/26 - Hanging with Bells
10/27 - Love Romance Passion
10/28 - Bad Ass Book Reviews
10/31 - Romancing the Book
11/1 - Parajunkee's View
11/2 - Love to Read for Fun; Savvy Authors (Surviving NaNoWriMo!)
11/3 - Paperback Dolls
11/4 - Romance Around the Corner
11/5 - Babbling About Books
11/6 - Fresh Fiction
11/7 - All Things Books
11/8 - Among the Muses
11/9 - A Bookworm's Haven; FF&P Blog
11/10 - Urban Girl Reader
11/11 - Fang-Tastic Books
11/12 - Book Wenches
11/14 - Book Chick City
11/15 - Lush Book Reviews
11/16 - The Qwillery
11/17 - Books & Things
11/18 - Stella Ex Libris
11/19 - Missy Reads Reviews
11/20 - Reader Girls
 And more appearances in December for the holidays! I hope you'll follow along, comment, and win! Thanks for reading,Laura

Announcing the Hearts in Darkness Birthday Bash Winners!

First, a ginormous THANK YOU for the wonderful turn-out for my Hearts in Darkness Dark Chocolate Book Birthday Bash! I was truly overwhelmed and overjoyed at how many of you came out to celebrate with me and share your love for this book!
Second, I'm SO THRILLED to announce the grand prize winners for the event:The bag of Dark Chocolate Decadence goes to...Kristina ParmenterThe $10 amazon GC goes to...Dawn Hagan
Third, the doorprize winners during the event included:

1. 2:14a.m. - LISA KESSLER'S ACROSS THE VEIL goes to: Erin loveeria@gmail.com
2. 6:24a.m. - SHARON BUCHBINDER'S KISS OF THE SILVER WOLF goes to: Stephanie/PurdueLiz
3. 10:06a.m. - ELIZA KNIGHT'S A LADY'S CHARADE goes to Anne
areeths at new dot rr dot com; ELIZA KNIGHT'S A PIRATE'S BOUNTY goes to: Natalie Damschroder; ELIZA KNIGHT'S TAKE IT OFF, WARRIOR goes to: Lolarific
4. 10:55a.m. - SARAH GRIMM'S AFTER MIDNIGHT goes to Denise Z
5. 12:39a.m. - STEPHANIE DRAVEN'S A KNIFE'S EDGE goes to Steph from fangswandsandfairydust.com
6. 1:28p.m. - SHARON BUCHBINDER'S DESIRE & DECEPTION goes to June M.
7. 3:02p.m. - CHERYL KAYE TARDIF'S LANCELOT'S LADY goes to 1) Katsrus 2) Marq 3) alainala AT hotmail DOT ca
8. 4:35p.m. - CHRISTI BARTH'S CRUISING TOWARD LOVE goes to Rhianna
9. 6:49p.m. - TAMARA HOFF WINS A $5 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO THE WILD ROSE PRESS
10. 11:09p.m. - SARA BROOKES' RAGGED EDGE goes to Daniela dany7578 at hotmail dot com
11. 11:30p.m. - AJ NUEST'S JEZEBEL'S WISH goes to TinaBuriedUnderBooks
12. 12:00a.m. - $5 GIFT CERTIFICATES TO THE WILD ROSE PRESS WILL GO TO... 1) SWEETMARIE83; 2) JULIE (COMMENT 40); 3) PATTI P
Fourth, I MUST give a huge shoutout to the following authors who donated books for prizes. Please check out their websites and books and show them some love! They are great authors to know and read [Links above are amazon buy links; links below are authors' websites]!
Christi Barth
[image error] Sara Brookes
[image error] Sharon Buchbinder 
Stephanie Draven
Sarah Grimm
Lisa Kessler
Eliza Knight









[image error]
AJ Nuest
Cheryl Kaye Tardif









Thanks so much for reading and for participating in my birthday bash!Laura

Six Sentence Sunday #32 - #NorthofNeed! #EntangledBooks!

Welcome everyone, and Happy Sunday! It's just over a week 'til the release of my contemporary fantasy romance, NORTH OF NEED - Book 1 in the Hearts of the Anemoi series. This week, our snow god Owen makes a revelation...

Her tears called to him. Down deep, on some fundamental level of his psyche.
Just as he stepped toward her, images and words flooded his consciousness. The panel of gods, the pleading man. He sucked in a breath.
All at once, he remembered his purpose, he remembered himself.

Click here to read the blurb and the first three chapters.Click here to see the uber cool home page for the Anemoi series.

Thanks to everyone who reads each week, and I love your comments too! Click here to read the Other Sixers' Posts and follow the #sixsunday hashtag on Twitter!
Thanks for reading,Laura

Welcome Guest Author Jennifer Harlow! + #Giveaway!

I'm very pleased to welcome guest authorJennifer Harlowto the blog today!
Take it away, Jennifer... (and don't miss the giveaway, below!)
The Soundtrack to Our Lives (Or a Book)
I don't do silence. I can't. I grew up surrounded by chaos instrumented by three demons by the names of Ryan, Liam, and Trevor, my three younger brothers. These were not, and still aren't, studious, well behaved darlings who liked nothing better than to sit down with a good book or play with her dolls like their angel big sister. No, these boys had enough energy and testosterone to supply an entire Starbucks and bodybuilding gym with some still left over to attempt to "kill" or "wrestle" their sister and each other. Screams, whining, and loud bangs on the television were staples of my youth. So when I moved out on my own, I soon discovered I needed the noise. There is always a television or radio on, even as I fall asleep. This is true when I'm writing as well. I can write pretty much anywhere (if you have a strong desire to stalk me, see the acknowledgments page of my book Mind Over Monsters to see where I write), but the one thing that helps get my creative juices flowing the most is music. The right song can make or break my scene, even inspiring me on some occasions. 
As I was writing Monsters, I found that certain songs really helped pump up the visuals and mood. They helped me get to a place where I needed to get inside my head to convey what was going on in my imagination and translate that to the page. Music just adds so much more to the experience. So I started compiling playlists for the books. Like the book, the soundtrack has a narrative flow in line with the book. You don't have to like all the songs, I have eclectic taste, but at the very least if you sample them, you'll get a feel for the book. So here it is:

MIND OVER MONSTERS: THE SOUNDTRACK
Magic to Do - Ben Vereen from the musical PippinEdge of the Ocean - IvyCold - Annie LennoxIf It Wasn't For Bad - Elton John & Leon RussellShadows of the Night - Pat BenatarFour Minutes - Madonna fet. Justin TimberlakeTainted Love - Soft CellSay It Right - Nelly FurtadoFields of Gold - StingOrdinary World - Duran DuranSavin' Me - NickelbackPrecious - Depeche ModeHome - Depeche Mode***Please download legally. All songs are available on iTunes.

BLURB: Very few people know the truth about Beatrice Alexander. She's no ordinary schoolteacher with a fondness for classic movies. Beatrice can move objects with her mind, an embarrassing and dangerous skill that she's never learned to master — or embrace. After nearly killing her brother by accident, she joins F.R.E.A.K.S. The Federal Response to Extra-Sensory and Kindred Supernaturals is a top-secret offshoot of the FBI that "neutralizes" ghouls, trolls, and other monsters threatening humanity.
Beatrice has no desire to become Buffy the vampire slayer. But F.R.E.A.K.S. offers training to control her power. Also, she doesn't feel like such a freak next to the other supernatural members, including a cute former detective who's a werewolf and an unbearable vampire determined to seduce Beatrice. Despite a natural instinct to flee from hideous, bloodthirsty zombies, Beatrice must prove herself on her first mission to find a cunning necromancer.

EXCERPT: Oliver is oblivious to my plight. He's busy with the veritable wall of walking dead surrounding us. The moment he knocks one into a tree or tombstone another seems to take its place in the line like a zombie Pez dispenser. Two of them, one a man and the other unidentifiable, grab Oliver but he pushes them away. Another grabs my arm and tries to bite, but I kick it away. My martial arts trainer would be so proud. His buddy behind me grabs the other arm and chomps down on it. I scream. The gun in the other hand reaches her forehead and a second later, her head is nothing but puzzle pieces.
Enough of this.
Something I've never felt seizes control. My body turns warm then hot in an instant, like someone's switched on my boiler. My breath becomes ragged and then stops. The breeze stops moving and everything but the dozen soldiers surrounding us turn black. There are no screams, no moans, no Oliver. The air moves toward me, inside me, through every pore of my body. What feels like two hands squeeze either side of my brain, but it doesn't hurt for once. I don't know what's happening to me…but I like it. I close my eyes and feel the blood trickle out of my nose. I release. Power explodes out of me like a fiery gust of wind in a hurricane. It knocks me on my back. Several daggers plunge into my brain. I cry out, clutching my head. Oh God, it hurts! Just stop it! Hands grab my shoulders.
"Trixie!" a familiar voice shouts. I know that voice…who… "Open your eyes!" I do. It's blurry at first, but I blink until I see Oliver kneeling beside me. God, he's good looking when he's worried.
"My dear, can you speak?"
"Huh…"
"Never mind. Can you walk?"
"Um…" Without letting me finish he hoists me up by the arms, my injured one throbbing. When I'm up the sight before me draws a gasp. Oh…my…lord. There's nothing left but the kind of destruction I see on TV after a tornado. Trees lie on their sides, tangled roots above ground. Every headstone within forty feet around rests on its side, a few older ones are now nothing but pebbles and dust. The zombie horde is literally nothing but pieces. Twitching legs, arms, jaws still trying to make their way toward us litter the grass. Every piece bigger than a foot still tries to continue on their mission, but I doubt any of them is a threat to us anymore. A few fresher corpses remain intact but shuffle far in the distance.
"Did I…"
"Remind me never to anger you," Oliver says, serious as death. I've scared a vampire. Holy heck. And we take off running.
Jennifer Harlow is the author of the paranormal mystery Mind Over Monsters, the first in the F.R.E.A.K.S Squad series. You can read her blog "Tales From the Darkside" at her website www.jenniferharlowbooks.com. Also friend her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter at jenharlowbooks.

COMPLETE THIS FORM TO ENTER TO WIN!<p><p>Loading...</p></p>

Forever Freed is the NJRW Golden Leaf Best Paranormal of 2011!

Guys! I am beyond thrilled to announce that...
FOREVER FREED WON BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE OF 2011 IN THE NJRW GOLDEN LEAF CONTEST! Huge thank you to Stephanie Draven who single-handedly held me together through the reading of the excerpt so I could manage to walk up to the stage and accept my award! Seriously, guys, I was so stunned I didn't think I'd be able to make the walk! And, all of this goodness on top of the fact that, when I woke up this morning, HEARTS IN DARKNESS had hit its best ever amazon sales rank: #939! AND, it hit not one but TWO amazon bestseller lists:#83 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Fiction > Genre Fiction > Romance > Contemporary#88 in Books > Romance > Contemporary
I just had to share all this great news, and thank YOU for helping to make it possible! And, hey, don't forget! My Dark Chocolate Book Birthday Bash goes through midnight EST on Sunday, 10/23 - scroll down to my 10/20 post for the entry form!
Thanks for reading!Laura

Cross Your Fingers for Me & #ForeverFreed!

Happy Friday guys! There's so much goodness going on right now! 
First, if you haven't already entered my Hearts in Darkness Dark Chocolate Book Birthday Bash, scroll down to the previous blog post and do so!
Second, I'm off to New Jersey today for the New Jersey Romance Writers Put Your Hearts in a Book Conference! I love these getaway weekends, and am looking forward to learning, spending time with friends, and putting names and faces together for folks I've met online! 
Third, my vampire romance FOREVER FREED is a finalist in two categories (Best First Book, Best Paranormal Romance) in NJRW's Golden Leaf contest for Published Authors, and the awards ceremony is tonight. I am beyond nervous, guys, seriously! While of course I'd love this book to win at least one of the awards, I am absolutely thrilled it finaled. Given NJ's proximity to New York, there are a lot of agents at this conference, and the book will be listed on NJRW's website for the whole year--those are both prizes in themselves. Still, fingers crossed for me??? Thanks!
Fourth, it's also Forever Freed's book birthday - 5 months yesterday! So hard to believe!
Well, I guess that's about it--and it's more than enough! Now, I'm off on my big conference adventure, and I hope you have a great weekend!
Thanks for reading,Laura

It's Here! My Hearts in Darkness Dark Chocolate Book Birthday Bash & #Giveaway!

Welcome one and all to my HEARTS IN DARKNESS Dark Chocolate Book Birthday Bash! 
Hearts in Darkness is officially six months old (my, how fast they grow!!!) and it's so hard to believe! We're celebrating all things dark and delicious today with totally awesome giveaways! Here's what you can win:
HUGE TOTE OF DECADENT AND DELICIOUS DARK CHOCOLATE! Minimum $30 value. U.S. entrants only.$10 Amazon gift certificate (international)Door prizes to be drawn throughout the day on 10/20 (copies of my ebooks, trading cards, friends' books, $5 gift certificates, etc.) Coffee, hot chocolate, mug, dark chocolate, & more!
Awesome, right? Totally!
Just complete the form below - minimum entry is just your name, email address and whether you're U.S. or international. Other lines on the form are optional, but represent additional entries if you complete. Contest open until midnight EST on Sunday 10/23!

If you've read HEARTS IN DARKNESS, I'd love it if you would share a favorite line or moment from the book in your comment!
Thanks so much for celebrating with me!Laura

Door Prizes Given Away So Far to Commenters:
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Some HEARTS IN DARKNESS facts:#1 bestselling romance ebook at Fictionwise.com for past six months!Finalist for 2012 Best Novella in the EPIC eBook Awards! Hit the Top 100 Kindle Bestselling Contemporary Romance List on Amazon!Is currently on THREE Kindle Top-Rated Lists on Amazon!Has 64 reviews on Amazon - 50 5-stars!427 Goodreads ratings with an average of 4.07 stars!

Okay, guys, let the winning begin! Click "Read More" to enter or enter here: