Vallory Vance's Blog, page 11

Chatting with Ayden Stone

“My name is Ayden Stone I am 32, the founder and M.D, or as our American cousins might say C.E.O. of ASMI. I have the good fortune to be featured in the first part of The Story of Us Trilogy written by Sydney Jamesson.

In ‘TouchStone for play,’ Elizabeth Parker narrates the story of our love affair; how it began and the sometimes turbulent nature of our love. She includes everything, omits nothing. Reveals a little too much at times … {smiles}

Beth and I met purely by accident some might say but, personally, I think it had more to do with the alignment of stars and planets. It was a fateful and fortuitous meeting. I was giving a speech to her pupils about careers in media and she was the meet and greet person. There was just something about her that touched a nerve. She had the bluest eyes, the colour of a summer sky; she seemed to be concealing her beauty behind unflattering clothes and glasses but I could see the beauty within. She had an aura {laughs} I know that sounds melodramatic but it’s the only way I can describe it.  It radiated from her like a halo. She had this adorable habit of biting her thumb nail when she was nervous. I made her nervous. She made me sweat.

When I left her it was with the feeling I couldn’t let her go; let her slip through my fingers like liquid gold. I sent her flowers and the poem Desire by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, hoping she would be moved by the sentiment; moved enough to meet me at the Apollo Theatre for a production of Romeo & Juliet two nights later.

She did.

From that moment on our fate was sealed. I saw how, in such a short time, she had blossomed. Gone were those prim & proper clothes, gone the unkempt hair, gone the glasses. She was beauty personified, inside and out.  At that very moment, I knew I would do or say anything to win her heart.

I did.

We spent an unforgettable night together. I made concessions for her inexperience and she conquered my arrogance with no more than a smile. She has many talents, some I’d rather not go into now. But … her biggest talent is her capacity for compassion; she is as intuitive as she is beautiful and as smart as hell. She keeps me on my toes. {laughs}

I’m not the easiest guy to be around, I know that. And there are aspects of my past I’m none too proud of but … for all that I’m so ready to share my life with Beth. I thought I had everything yet, I realise now I was unsatisfied. I’d had been looking for something, for someone. For her.

I thank my lucky stars she waited. She’ll tell you she was waiting to be found … if it was by me, remains to be seen.

She loves her music and it’s become a massive part of our relationship; often, when I can’t find the words, someone has put them to music and I go with that. Beth’s eclectic taste in music has become the soundtrack to her life. Now we’re creating our own. It’s The Story of Us in music and it’s a beautiful thing.

I don’t consider myself anyone’s hero … I’m a hard working guy who been around the block a couple of times but only now is learning to love. I’ll fuck up! But it won’t be for lack of trying, it will be because I don’t know any better. {smiles}

You’ll have to read ‘TouchStone for play’ to find out how I do …

Be good!

Ayden Stone

The Story of Us Trilogy begins …

Twenty seven year old English teacher Elizabeth Parker is waiting to be found. Like the secrets of her past, her beauty is hidden, concealed behind modest clothes and a gentle nature. Into her secluded world enter two powerful men.

Handsome playboy, Ayden Stone is flawless and as skilled in the bedroom as he is in the boardroom. He has a taste for rare and beautiful things and he wants to taste her: he’ll do anything to make it happen.

Uninitiated in the art of seduction, Beth embarks upon a voyage of sexual awakening, allowing Ayden to steer her towards deep and dangerous waters, unaware of their fateful connection.    

From a distance former boxer, Dan Rizler, bides his time but never loses sight of the object of his desire: precious Miss Parker. His tormented soul reaches out to her with merciless hands. He must have her.

This is a modern fairy tale full of romantic moments, music and monstrous encounters. Elizabeth Parker is about to be found, but will she be bound by her destiny or by her demon …

Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17877200-touchstone-for-play

So who’s Sydney Jamesson?

Seldom does a writer appear out of the mist, fully formed and equipped to introduce the world to their ‘perfect’ prose. More often than not it has taken years and, in the case of Sydney Jamesson, decades; to come to the point where she can say: “I’m ready. This is it, I’m done!”

Now is that time.

She has always scribbled things down; in her home is one enormous waste paper basket full of discarded phrases, opening lines and pieces of dialogue that have hit her like lightening in the middle of the night or whilst parked up at a set of traffic lights.

She has worked in Insurance, Fashion and in advertising as a Copywriter and Commercial Journalist and loved every minute of it. For the past 15 years she has been and English Teacher. But … for as long as she can remember she has lived with The Story of Us in her head.

The fact Elizabeth Parker is an English teacher should come as no surprise: novelists write, initially, about what they know … Yet, she confesses, Elizabeth is not her but rather that young, sensitive and naïve woman we all were or still are.

So that’s her, furiously typing away until the early hours, creating an epic tale that covers an 18 month period, taking three novels to unveil the intricacies of a 21st century fairy tale.

TouchStone for play is just the beginning …

Find Sydney online:
Website: http://sydneyjamesson.com/
Twitter:
@SydneyJamesson
@TouchStoneFans
@AydenStone

Boyfriend Tag with a Sexy Shifter – Myka

Hi and thanks Vallory for allowing me to tell you about my guys. These fella’s are my heroes and they are a little different. You see they shift into predators of an animal nature. I put out the call to see who would respond – sometimes getting them to commit to something takes a while. But I finally heard from Myka. Honestly, I probably should have asked their women I would have gotten a better response. Myka responded , most likely, answered because it’s his job. As Ambassador of Volkshire, he sometimes handles public relations. Thinking about it, I probably could have talked to Colin too. He can sometimes guilt his boys into doing something they don’t feel like.  *Shaking my head* Naw, he probably would have sent Myka too.

I’ve hand my hands full with the Blaidd’s for a while. *Big smile*

Myka agreed to have a sit down with me at the local coffee shop in Volkshire. Now if you’ve never been there I gotta tell you it’s very quaint with the rough walls of exposed stone and mortar. The chairs are over stuffed and the table clusters are small. There is also a lead through to the local diner which looks like a blast from the past. In there the bench seats of the booths are covered in shiny red pleather and a juke box sits in the corner next to a few outdated arcade games. The ambiance might not be all there but the coffee tastes like it was hand delivered from the Goddess herself and I dare you to find a place that can serve a better hamburger.

Sorry I digress.

Getting back to Myka, when he walked through the door I briefly wondered if he noticed how the women sitting at the counter watched him. I can admit he is sexy in that arrogant, Wall Street wheeler dealer meets biker kinda way. I mean the man can wear a mean suit that looks like he just stepped off the pages of GQ but the way he carries himself makes you wonder if he’s packing a gun under that suit jacket. Of course he wouldn’t need a weapon given his natural ability. He is a wolf among men after all.

Anywho, he passed those women without a glance, raised a few fingers in the baristas direction before glancing at the man, who gave a brief nod. Myka continued in my direction and I was caught in the hazel eyes of a known predator.  His smile was fleeting as he sat down across from me. I took in the angular lines of his face. One thought kept crossing my mind. How could someone so freaking gorgeous be so damn deadly.

Myka glanced at his watch and gazed at me impatiently. “I can give you twenty minutes. I’m meeting Tee for lunch.”

I was certain my eyebrows climbed my forehead. “Oh – okay then we better get started, speaking of Tee and everyone else. I have to know how is Scar and Kuma?

He leaned back as the server placed a small cup of espresso on the table before him.  “Pains in my ass but that nothing new. So what would you like to talk about?”

“Tee, how is she?”

A genuine smile softened his face. “She’s good. Great actually. For  a while after she was hurt during that skirmish with Roman and his squad I was a little worried but she’s teaching self-defense classes to the kids over the summer  with Nix until  Jamison comes to his senses or I beat some sense into him.” Myka shrugged. “Whichever comes first.”

I chuckled. “Jamison still trying to send her on another mission?”

“I think he has his hands full in Betaille at the moment since we haven’t heard from him. But yeah he was being an idiot before he left. I still don’t understand how Tee can be so loyal to the asshole.”

“Well. That who I’m here to talk to you about.”

Myka narrowed his eyes. “Jamison?” He took a sip from his cup. “I got nothing to say. Pick another subject.”

I exhaled. “No. I want to talk about you and Tee. I’m here to interview you about your soul mate.”

“Oh then ask away. What would you like to know?” He leaned back in his chair and folded his hands in his lap. “I could talk about my woman for as long as you want to listen and then some.”

Me:  How did you know Tee was the one?

Myka: Her scent. I couldn’t escape the coconut with a hint of lime smell. It was everywhere.”

Me:  Surely it wasn’t that simple?

Myka: That’s the problem with you humans, you over complicate things. Of course it was that easy.  I knew she was the one and no matter what, no one was going to stand in my way of claiming her.

Me: So let’s see how well you know her?

Myka: Shoot. *He shrugged*

Me: What’s her favorite music?

Myka: House. I don’t understand how since it sounds like unrelated tones and dings to me but she likes it and I love her so I deal.

Me: When did you meet her family?

Myka: Just recently, on assignment to Betaille. I almost killed one of her cousins and her mother threatened to murder me but all in all I’d say we worked out some issues.

*Shaking my head* Me:  What is one unique talent she has?

Myka: She can tie a cherry stem in a knot with her tongue.  *He offered up a devilish grin*Tee uses that knowledge well.

Me: You bake a cake for her birthday. What kind of cake is it?

Myka: I don’t bake. Next question.

Me: Okay – What could she spend hours doing?

Myka: Killing. I think that’s why we get along so well. *He glanced at his watch* You have ten minutes

Me: What’s one food she doesn’t like?

Myka: Are you kidding? She’s a snake. She’ll eat everything whole and raw if she shifts.

*Sigh* Me: Last question. Who wears the pants in the relationship?

Myka: We both do. Hers are usually leather though and I prefer a nice wool blend. Time’s up.

He rose from his seat and looked down at me. “You should have known better than to ask me that. Seriously, there is nothing I wouldn’t do to make Tee happy. She is my world so you might want to add an addendum to this little interview – given everything that is going on with the burgeoning war and all – I will obliterate any man or shifter that ever tries to take her from me again.” Myka reached into his inside breast pocket, pulled out a few bills, dropped them on the table and walked away.

About the Author:

Kassanna is a strong believer in love at first sight and happily ever afters. After meeting her husband in November and marrying him three months later in February the two have survived  and mostly enjoyed every adventure life has thrown their way. Ten years, two children, a couple of dogs and a wild turkey that came out the woods and somehow adopted them – later- the adventure continues.

Writing has always been her passion but fate sometimes has other roads that  must first be taken .  Navigating the road less traveled was not only unexpected but in the end extremely rewarding. Her books are mainly contemporary romance but she has delved into the paranormal and plans on expanding into other areas as the ideas come to her.  Right now she is enjoying life and seeing her work come into fruition make it that much more pleasurable especially when her books make others smile. Kassanna wouldn’t have it any other way. She can always be found at her website http://flavorfullove.com/ or her blog http://kassalot.wordpress.com/

Fangs Blurb:

Tee Cottons is the sentinel sent from another clan to help protect the humans of the Volkshire pack. As a guardian, she knows what to do. She’s done it a thousand times before only she never had to deal with a potential mate hovering in the shadows…talk about distractions.

Myka Blaidd is comfortable keeping to the pack’s fringes as Ambassador for Volkshire. Considered the most reasonable of the three brothers, he is efficient in handling volatile situations, and then he meets Tee. Her scent evokes powerful feelings he must deny. With war looming, he has to keep a level head–until Tee is threatened. Now he will show everyone just how deadly he can be because for her he is willing to lose everything.

Buy Links:

Sugar and Spice Press: http://www.sugarnspicepress.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=213
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fangs-ebook/dp/B00DYITVR8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377484875&sr=1-1&keywords=Kassanna
All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-fangs-1244078-340.html

 

 

 

Boyfriend Tag with Kevin Miller

I actually bounced out of bed this morning, readers. And I don’t bounce. It takes too much effort and it’s bad for your knees.

This morning though, I am driving to Fort Worth to interview Kevin Miller. He is one of my favorite book boyfriends (of my own creation).

After giving up full-time life on his family’s ranch, he opened his own company and renovates historical buildings across the country. He’s still a cowboy on the weekends, though. I think that is what draws me and his fiancée, Amber Grayson, to him the most.

So I pull up to the modest brick home in Fort Worth all giddy.

Amber, who is always elegant, greets me at the door wearing a pair of black flared legged pants and a dark grey shimmery blouse. Suddenly I’m dumpy in my carefully chosen outfit. But I’m still doing the happy dance in my head.

I get to be alone with Kevin, I sing internally.

“I’m so sorry. Kev hurt his leg on a job site yesterday so he’s not dressed.”

I’m even happier. “That’s fine. How long was he onsite?”

“Three weeks. Well, nineteen days.” (Guess she’s counting)

Amber leads me through the foyer into a dark wood paneled living room and there he is.

Kevin Miller, dark hair curling at his ears, a sparkle in his light brown eyes, and a wide grin over his broad sun-tanned face. I plop down into a chair facing the sofa where his leg is propped up on pillows.

(He’s dressed – cargo shorts and a Green Day T-shirt is dressed in my book.)

“Can I get you something to drink, Vallory?” Amber asks.

I’m forcing up an answer.

Y’all the way in which Kevin is eyeing this woman is bordering on being a bit much.

“I’d like something, Sweetpea. A glass of water, please.”

“Ahh…Vallory?” Amber focuses only on me and I know why. The temperature just rose a zillion degrees. Kevin has that Texas twang that is sexy as all hell.

“Water.” I fumble with my recording equipment while Amber retreats into the kitchen. “Thank you so much for agreeing to talk with me. Did you read any of the previous works? Did you know I spoke with your sister-in-law? And uhm…how do you like the new house?” The damn wires tangle because I’m nervous and trying not to think about whether or not this is the sofa near which the smiling man before me first asked Amber if he could spank her.

“Ms. Vance, how many questions are there?” Kevin leans his head back into the sofa’s arm getting a full view of his wife-to-be bending over to place two glasses of water on the coffee table.

“Just a few.”

“Good, because I have a physical therapy session soon.” He laughs, gliding his hand down Amber’s leg.

“Kevin!” Amber scrambles out of the room. Even though she is dark skinned, I can see the blush in her cheeks. We both know Kevin Miller ain’t talking about rehabilitation exercises.

“Kevin, I thought we’d play the popular ‘boyfriend tag’ with you today and ask some questions about your relationship with Amber Grayson.”

“Shoot.”

“She’s sitting in front of the TV what is on the screen?”

“Amber doesn’t watch a lot of TV. Occasionally, she’ll watch a travel show.”

“You’re out to eat what kind of dressing does she get on her salad?”

“None, this girl is seriously into healthy eating. I tell her good food is part of enjoying life.”

“What size shoe does she wear?”

“I’m not answering that. Are you trying to get me in trouble?”

“Whats her favorite music?”

“Amber likes old school jazz and R&B. I’ll tell you what she hates – hard rock. That’s my favorite.”

“What’s her eye color?”

“She has the most amazing eyes. They are warm and dark and…soothing. I don’t think that’s a color, is it?”

Oh, I think it is.

“What is something you do that she wishes you wouldn’t do?”

“Smoke cigars.”

“What’s her heritage? Where’s she from?”

“Amber is African –American, born in Guam. The majority of her family is in Virginia though her parents live in California. She’s lived everywhere.”

“What is one unique talent she has?”

“I’m not answering that one either, Ms. Vance.”

“What was your thought when you saw Amber for the first time?”

“Hahhh…I’m pleading the fifth on that one as well. Let’s just say, I was attracted to her and wanted to get to know her better. When I did…well, this upcoming wedding was meant to be.”

Awww, now I feel bad. Evil writer! He’s so cute and so in love.

Amber Grayson, a conservative executive, found true love with fiancé, Kevin Miller. He infused her life with a sense of adventure and challenged her thoughts about appropriate bedroom behavior. After such a steamy affair, Amber was expecting nothing less during their engagement.

Even with the rushed timetable for the wedding combined with the stress of merging their households and finances, Amber is excited to begin a family with the man of her dreams. However, the beginning of forever is more difficult than either of them thought.

Locked in a battle of wills, Amber and Kevin find their commitment to each other and their future tested. Is this the beginning of their lives together or the end?

Available from: Amira Press

Don’t forget to check out the video on YouTube: forever

Hero Worship Week 2013

Last year, I started Hero Worship Week on the Vallory V blog for all those yummy book boyfriends and I’m continuing the tradition. I hope you’ll join me and the rest of the authors!

09/08/2013 – Vallory Vance
09/09/2013 – Kassanna
09/10/2013 – Sydney Jamesson
09/11/2013 – Our Real Life Heroine: Corinthia
09/12/2013 – Alexandra Anthony
09/13/2013 – Laurel Cremant
09/14/2013 – A Little Lagniappe

 

Spotlight on Spanish Flames by Patricia Bates

Can an ex-con and a Spanish noblewoman find love?

Ex-convict, Adam Butler, is a man hardened by betrayal and violence. When he lands in Spain, his only intention is to find a paying job so he can buy his way further west, far away from the memories of his past.

Wealthy and beautiful Evangelina Ortega yearns for the ability to marry for love even as her father is forcing her to wed a man she’s never met. When she arrives at her betrothed’s estate, she meets Adam Butler, a man with secrets and a checkered past.

Can the Spanish lady and the ex-con find happiness or will their love be destroyed by her father’s determination to regain the family honor?

Note: This book was previously published under the title In the Hands of a Stranger, but it has been substantially revised.

Excerpt: 

Adam glanced behind him at the sound of hooves on stone and watched the elegant carriage roll to a halt in front of the main house. Black, trimmed with gold, the exterior of the coach gleamed in the rapidly sinking sun. The doors were covered in intricately gilded patterns of silver and gold, and pale curtains fluttered in the breeze.

The team that pulled it matched the rig—six midnight black horses pranced in their harness as the doorman climbed down and set a step by the door to allow the passengers to disembark. Adam watched as the door opened and a young man of maybe thirteen hopped out, followed by a young woman a couple of years older. She was dressed in gray traveling garb, and her long, full skirts dusted the ground as she walked. Around her head white lace crested and fluttered with each movement of her head.

Adam felt his breath catch when a dark-haired beauty stepped out of the carriage. The long, intricate lace veil she wore covered her elaborately styled hair but did little to hide the ebony strands. Rounded with delicate cheekbones, and a high upturned nose, her face was flawless, beautiful—unlike any other woman’s he’d ever seen. Her olive complexion was so different from the aboriginal women his father had employed.

He shivered as her eyes lifted away from her older companion and met his. With the force of a kangaroo kick, attraction slammed into him. He inhaled, frozen, unable or unwilling to break eye contact. Her eyes widened a degree, and he saw her plump lips part in a soundless gasp before she ducked her head, a wave of pink staining her cheeks.

He glanced away as he walked toward the team. He wasn’t the son of an affluent man here; there was no room for anything between them, not now. As Adam strode forward to hold the horses, he caught the look of disparagement, the lack of emotion in the depths of the older gentleman’s eyes. Adam stared at the wealthy, distinguished man for a moment then began to unhitch the wheeler.

“You will do well,” the man said, venom lacing his words, “to keep your distance. A criado has no place near royalty.” The well-dressed gentleman stared down at him, condescension in his eyes.

Adam lifted his head to glare at the self-important man. “Señor, welcome to Los Santiago Hacienda.”

Buy Link:  Beachwalk Press

About the Author ~ Patricia Bates:

Reading has been such a large part of my life. I cut my literary teeth on such authors as Louis L’Amour, Nora Roberts and Janet Dailey. For me it wasn’t such a jump from reading the wonderful tales these authors spun to imagining my own.

Soon I was writing poetry, short stories and by junior high I’d written my first full length romance novel. Since then I’ve taken my love of history and my passion for writing and combined them into what I hope will continue to prove a successful career.

With six books contracted, four of which are currently available in print. All are available in electronic format with the last two ebooks due for a release in May and the other in the summer. I’m currently working on three projects, an erotic paranormal romance featuring a witch who loves Christmas, another Ancient Ireland novel, rich in the history of the Irish Celtic peoples, and plotting out a Cowboy Series tentatively titled “The James Gang”.

Of course I’ve got a lot more on the go. I’m developing and growing my editing company with some amazing authors, working on polishing my concepts and plans for upcoming books within the paranormal genres, and keeping up on my writing and being a full time mom, working outside of the house…it’s amazing what one can manage in a 16 hour day.

Author Links:  Site     Twitter    Facebook

Hump Day Hook – September 4, 2013

It’s time for the Hump Day Hook! A group of authors sharing a small bit of their WIPs or already released works. Click the icon to discover your next great read!

This week I’m sharing from The Beginning of Forever, a contemporary romance to be released on September 6, 2013 by Amira Press. Where does this scene begin? The hero discovers the truth behind his heroine’s infertility treatments.

Though it only seemed like a few seconds from the time her eyes closed on a room faintly lit with sunshine, her lids were opening again to a view of Kevin’s firm backside. Dim light from a lone streetlamp streamed through the opened blinds into their bedroom, highlighting the deep contours of his back as he slid a pair of boxers over his trim hips. Thoughts of their morning swirled around her in the wisps of steam curling from his body which scented the air with sandalwood and mint. Would her night end like her morning began?

No, because he was quiet. During arguments about working or anything else Kevin never raised his voice. He was just…quiet. “I want to talk about that treatment.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. The cycle is over and…”

“You weren’t honest with me. That wasn’t the preferred method.”

“It’s the most effective.” She shifted up to sitting position, forcing her eyes to meet his.

“I trusted you to tell me the truth. And you didn’t. So what I read was…debilitating side effects for a forty percent chance at impregnation. And we’re not gonna do that, Amber.”

“This is the best way. I wasn’t completely honest but I thought we wanted a baby.” Her voice pitched louder in sharp contrast to his.

“Don’t turn this into an argument about a hypothetical child.”

“Hypothetical?” She flipped the comforter off her legs and stood up to face him. “Kev…”

“Amber…you’re not gonna die for this.”

“It’s not killing me. I’m fine!” She shouted. “If you don’t want to push over a fucking wastebasket or bring me a glass of water then don’t.”

 “Do you think your tirades are going to scare me? Cause you’re sadly mistaken, Sweetpea.”

She peered directly into his narrowed gaze, daring him to speak. To continue with his rant.

And he did.

Sympathy for the Devil Tour with Shyla Colt

Second Chances by Shyla Colt

Who doesn’t love a second chance? As we get older we grow, learn from our past mistakes, and occasionally regret that one bad choice we wish we could go back and make right. Sometimes apologizing isn’t possible for more reasons than pride. Perhaps there are circumstances too big to overcome or situations to shaky to go back over a second time. Layla was forced to make a decision every woman would consider her worst nightmare, saving her unborn child or her husband. It was a no brainer, but the cost was catastrophic.

Alone and loathed she came to earth, forged a life, and did her best to forget the demon she’d fallen from heaven to be with. Strong, determined, and creative she carved a place out for herself at Purgatory. The only bar that practices neutrality and welcomes all who mean no harm. For a time it worked, until the new life she’d painstakingly built crumbled. Half demon, half angel, her child, Hevenleigh is the key to opening the gates of hell, and Lucifer, better known as Lucien these days, wants out in the worst way. With the cat out of the bag father and daughter meet for the first time and she finds herself in the hot seat.

Heavenleigh is stunned to find out Daddy Dearest is no other than Lucifer. If her mother can keep this under lock and key for sixty years, what else is she hiding in her closet? Reeling from the reveal her lift continues to spiral out of control when Lucifer, or Lucien as he likes to be called, comes top side for a visit at Purgatory. 

Once the Queen of hell Layla left Lucien’s to protect the unborn baby growing inside her. Forced to feign the ultimate betrayal, she turned his love to hate. Now makes an offer he can not refuse, her life in exchange for Hevenleigh’s freedom. ‘ 

Lucien spent years searching for a way to open gates. Finding out the ruin of his only child is the key is a slap in the face. He has a chance at a second family who won’t betray him. It’s an offer her can’t refuse. Layla handing over her freedom is a bonus he plans to exploit. She made him the laughing stock of the underworld, and the time for payback is finally at hand.

EXCERPT: 

She held her hand up to the door and held her breath. It clicked open stunning her. He hadn’t changed the wards in all this time? She stepped inside and the doors slammed behind her. The lights went up and she found him seated in black, leather chair.

“I’ve waited almost a century for this moment. To watch you come back and beg me for something. The way I did when you left me, do you remember that Night?”

“Yes,” she whispered. The foyer that used to welcome him home seemed cold. There was no fire in the hearth behind him and the couches were black leather.

“I figure you want something. If I say no, you’ll be humiliated because you made the trip for nothing. If I say yes, it’ll come with a horrific set of clauses. So I win, or I win.” The maniacal laughter that spilled from his perfectly shaped lips sent an icy stab of fear through her bones. This was the side of him that scared her, though it’d never been directed toward her until now. “So tell me what brings you down here to … slum.” He splayed his elegant fingers over the arms of the couch and leaned back, observing her.

“Our daughter.”

“Oh… she’s our daughter now? Funny how that changed as soon as I caught wind of it.”

“She’s always been your daughter, Lucifer, that was the problem.” She was pinned to the door, lifted off her feet and held by her throat before she could think to react. Damn, I forgot how fast he is. He didn’t harm her, or exert pressure, but his point came across loud and clear.

“You’d better watch how you talk to me now Night. You’re no longer in my favor, wife or not.”

“I meant it literally.” She licked her lips. “It was why I left, her duality…this place would’ve eaten her alive. Between the pull to be dark and the call of the light, she wouldn’t have stood a chance. She needed a neutral place to learn control, how to balance, and thrive.”

He lowered his hand and she slid down, grateful when her feet kissed the ground. “Go on.”

“Even on the surface she ran into issues growing up, starting fires, fits of rage, and at times a pension for some very dark behavior. You were just starting to rebuild your army .I couldn’t allow her to be just another soldier.”

“After two eons together you didn’t trust me enough to tell me?” His words twisted the knife into her gut. Shame weighed heavily on her.

“Not at that time… war was all you saw.” She shook her head.

“It was my right to know. And why cheat?” Despite his aloof façade his voice held a hint of hurt.

“I had to make you believe it. You always saw through me like glass. I needed to …” She shook her head.

He narrowed his eyes leaned forward to peer deep into her brown eyes. His red gaze burned her. “That was a lie too wasn’t it?”

“Y-yes.” Her lower lip trembled. Relief slammed into her like a seven ton. Finally after all this time he knew the truth.

He tsked. “What am I to do with you? You knew when we joined our souls our bound could never truly be broken. Marriage to the king of hell is eternal, it was in the contract. Now you return to tell me your mass exodus was in the best interest of my child.” He frowned. “It does nothing to quell my anger. I am not appeased. Did you think your revelation would soften me in some way?”

“No.” Ashamed she kept her gaze trained on the ground. A part of her had hoped. Too many romantic comedies had her thinking she had a snowballs chance in hell of a happily ever after. “I came to make a deal.”

“What would you have that I can’t take?” His sneer felt like an open hand smack to the face. Her heart stuttered. All the years she’d been pinning he’d grown his hate. It was an impossible situation of her own making. She wanted to open up, tell him how difficult the years had been. That she’d never stopped loving him. Instead she buried her head in the sand like an ostrich and prayed for the best.

“Me.” Guess I really am a coward.

“Are you really that self centered?” He scoffed.

“My freedom in exchange for the prophecy, we both know if you managed to convince Heavenleigh to open that gate, all the powers in heaven will be after her. She’ll never be safe. The life she has now will be in ruins. The only place she’ll have to go is here, and over time…you know exactly what will happen to her.”

“We’d be out. Protection wouldn’t be an issue.” He scoffed.

“She’s a child of the light too. What do you think being enclosed in darkness indefinitely would do? Some of these people are here for a very good reason. Unleashing them would be like swallowing the sun. Is your need to prove a point worth that?” She held her breath. Have I gone too far?

“Details.” His voice was nonchalant but his eyes were anything but. His mind moved a mile a minute, always ten steps ahead.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“Hmmm.” He gave her a heated once over. “You probably will be. I need more details to truly consider your offer. What does… having you really mean?”

Squeezing her eyes shut she balled her hands into fists. I knew we’d come to this, eventually. She licked her dry lips, peeled her eyelids open and met his cool stare. “What do you think it means?”

“No games! You came here and propositioned me. So, you’d better come correct.”

“It means… I’m your puppet. Is that what you wanted to hear?” Just when I thought I couldn’t sink any lower he shows me I’m wrong. Typical for him in general, but it wasn’t a talent she’d ever expected to be on the receiving end of.

“No.”

She balked. This is the only thing I have to barter. Is this a ploy to make me beg?

“I want to hear you say you’re my slave.” A lustful leer twisted his face into something ugly.

“Are you starting now?” The bravado she placed in her tone conflicted with the desolate forest of her soul.

“I want to sample the good before I…” he grinned. “Purchase them.”

“I’m your slave.” Uttering the words snapped the thin reed of hope she’d held for them into.

“Yes, you are.” He nodded.

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Book One: Key’s to Heaven

Born to a fallen angel and a demon, Heavenleigh Spirit has never truly fit in. Shunned, tested, and ridiculed, she’s hardened her heart, building a wall around her none are allowed to scale. Carving a life for herself running the neutral bar, Purgatory, she caters to all things winged , clawed, and other. Provided they play nice. When she breaks her middle of the road stance to rescue a newly fallen angel she gets more than she bargained for. 

The amnesic angel awakes in the bed of the only woman he’s ever lusted after with nothing more than the knowledge he was sent to protect her. Struggling to remember who he is, and why she’s in danger, he fully embraces the passion between them that blazes hotter than hell fire. When the truth about his mission comes out he must fight to convince her the love they share is real, and he’s not going anywhere.

In an ironic twist of fate the woman cast aside for a birthright she never asked for holds the keys to the worlds ruin or salvation.

Buy Links:   Amazon   All Romance eBooks

About the Author:

Told once ‘You have to be an author, then you’re craziness becomes eccentrics’, Shyla Colt has always been in love with the written word and possessed a desire to write. Named after Super Girl in the comics, she often mistakes her mortality for super hero status. So, she holds many hats, Mother, Marine Wife, and writer are her top three. Writing allows her to explore new venues, face her demons, and touch others. A huge practitioner of paying it forward, and putting in what you want to get out, she hopes to inspire, enlighten, move, and entertain you with her work. Mixing humor, drama, and strong women, often with a paranormal element, she continues to soldier ahead in the writing field. One of her favorite things is talking to fans. If you’d like to learn more or just drop a line, please check her out at www.shylacolt.com.

Author Links:     Site       Blog         Facebook       Twitter 

Real Life Characters – My Writing Confession

My computer crashed and I’m not writing this weekend. Knowing this, I had planned a weekend of deep cleaning of the house. But a co-worker got me thinking about writing yesterday and I haven’t been able to stop.

We were talking about her upcoming trip to New Orleans and I was recommending hotels.

The thought of standing on a balcony of one of my recommendations with my former mentor flashed in my mind. She was a phenomenal sales woman – dressed to kill, beautiful, smart and possessed with a take no prisoners attitude.

So here’s my confession – my mentor became the basis for Darcey St. Claire of Deja Vu. Looking at the two women side by side would leave you scratching your head. On the surface, they are nothing alike – different races and different world views. But they both have the drive to succeed and they both overcame something pretty bad to get their happily ever after.

While I’m in confessing mode, Amber of In the Moment is also based on a real life person. She is a former manager of mine.

Everyone jumped to attention when this woman came into the room and nobody wanted to be called into her office! She was always elegantly dressed, not a hair out of place but you didn’t normally think pretty when you looked at her just – “Please don’t fire me.”

Then one night, I was attending a going away party for a friend and was seated at the same table with my manager and her husband. My mouth hung open for most of the night. First of all the picture on her desk didn’t do this man justice, he was gorgeous. And he couldn’t keep his hands off of this woman. She squirmed and giggled throughout the night.

She became real to me that night.

When we returned to work on Monday, I wasn’t as nervous around her as I’d once been. She was just doing her job – one that an African-American woman had never held for our hotel chain. And I knew that when she got home, the heels and the suit came off and she snuggled up next to her man.

So y’all I’m not as creative as most. Be careful around me or you just may end up as the heroine of a sensual romance!

 

Sunday Spotlight – Seeking Philbert Woodbead

Thank you to Anya Wylde for sharing her latest work…

In the latter part of March of the year seventeen hundred and something a  large schooner rested on calm blue waters off the coast of England.

It was mid-afternoon; the water was unruffled and crystal clear, while the sky above had sent its grey clouds to London.

The sun beamed down on the deck where gentlemen with missing toes, feet, teeth or hands lay draped around the schooner attempting to snooze away the day.

Now, this schooner was no ordinary schooner (as you might have guessed from the hint above referring to missing limbs and such) but a piratical schooner, and the gentlemen were not really gentlemen but looters, marauders and plunderers.

Yes, sir, they were murderous, unscrupulous adventurers and stinking water rats.

They were all pirates. Each one of them were pirates. The whole blasted lot of them were pirates. In fact, they couldn’t be more piratical if they tried. And they tried. Oh, how they tried to be more devilish than the devil himself.

And one of them came close to being the devilishest … if that is a word. If it is not, then it should be because it perfectly described the tall, muscular, grey eyed man with his long silver streaked black hair and cruel mouth. This man was so wicked that the mere reference to him caused the afternoon light to dim, the wind to blow more urgently, the men to wake mid snooze, the tea to jump out of the cup … Where were we?

Ah, yes, the captain of the ship, the head pirate, the Black bloody  Rover, whose name was enough to frighten the children of the world into behaving, was the owner of this piratical schooner called The Desperate Lark and the leader of these dim muscled men.

He stormed now onto the middle of the deck sending the seagulls screaming into the air. His appearance caused the men to scatter while his frown had them cowering in the bilge. While they cowered, the Black Rover grabbed the cuff of a one legged man, his most trusted aide, and in low, clipped cultured tones asked, “Who stole it, Tim?”

“George Rodrick Irvin, the future Earl of Devon currently holding the courtesy title of Viscount Elmer,” squeaked Tim. “The one we call Lord Wicked.”

“Kill him.” The Black Rover was a man of few words.

Tim bowed in response.

“And kidnap the cooks,” the Black Rover continued.

Tim dared to frown, “Cooks?”

The Black Rover glowered. “And the chefs. I want every single person who can cook to be kidnapped and tortured until we get it back.”

“Torture?” Tim asked uncomfortably. “Can’t we simply kill them and be done with it? I don’t like torturing. It is a messy job, and I don’t like it when they cry and they all cry.”

The Black Rover smiled harshly. He leaned closer to Tim and whispered in his half bitten ear two words, “Pigeon feathers.”

“Arr.” Tim’s sparsely lashed eyes widened in admiration. He shook his head at his captain’s intelligence. The most learned man, Tim thought proudly, was right here.

Pigeon feathers … The Black Rover was a blooming genius.

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Epilogue to "Stop Author Abuse!"

Reblogged from The BookChick:

I'm going to say one other thing about the Lauren Howard issue and then I'm putting it to bed and moving on to other things.

I noticed that one of my GR 'friends' and her friends, vis a vis her comments on Howard's book she marked as read, were on the one-star bandwagon. They posted comments and screenshots by Lauren's friends from a verbal battle that occurred on Twitter.

Read more… 348 more words