Karen Swart's Blog, page 84
January 22, 2014
Lotus Petals Blog Tour: Crazy Beautiful Reviews are hosting our stop today.
Author Interview with Leigh LaValle, author of The Nottinghamshire Series.
Today on the blog we have author Leigh LaValle, author of today’s series blast The Nottinghamshire Series. We would like to thank Leigh for stopping by and answering some questions. So sit back and relax.
Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
I have always enjoyed writing, but I have flirted with different career ideas… Environmental Policy, Family Counseling, Yoga and Massage… but writing was first and last J
When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?
Probably in college when I first started printing things out for others to read and critique. And when I was published in our school literary journal.
How long did it take to get your first book published?
4 years
Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?
Right now I am home with my young kids. But, most recently, I had a business as a yoga teacher and a massage therapist. I enjoy working for myself, as you can see ;-) I hope to bring some yoga philosophies into my stories one day.
What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?
THE ROGUE RETURNS is a regency road adventure through the peaks of England and features a silver-tongued rogue, a London-bred lady, a pair of robbers, a stray kitten, and a buried treasure.
Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?
I previously published with Samhain, but I am now self-publishing.
How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
One or two years, depending what is going on in my life (like having babies ;-)).
What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
I have a partial for another regency historical that I am excited to continue work on. It is titled BEAUTY AND THE THIEF. I also have an ambitious idea for a contemporary series that I would like to explore.
What genre would you place your books into?
Historical. Technically, my time period is ‘late Regency’ but only us history buffs really care about that.
What made you decide to write that genre of book?
I have always loved historical romance- all the rules make breaking them more fun.
Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?
I really enjoyed writing the hero in THE ROGUE RETURNS. Roane is a bad boy with a troubled past. He’s a bit of a wounded hero type as well. AND he is fun and charming. It was easy to fall in love with him.
How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?
I’ve been writing ever since I was a little girl. I remember writing a story about a babysitter when I was 8 or so. I still have the little spiral bound notebook with the misspelled words in pencil.
Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I can’t listen to music or work in coffee shops. I need silence. I work from my home. If it is too busy here, or I just need to get away, I go to the library. But I don’t really have any big routines.
Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
Not all…but close.
Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
Book first.
How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
I use lists of old aristocratic families and geographical locations.
Are character names and place names decided after their creation? Or do you pick a character/place name and then invent them?
Characters first, names second.
Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
I would say half and half. I am a plotter, or I try to be, but once I start writing my books take a shape of their own, including the characters.
Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")
I’d like to think so. I try to write toward a deeper message. In THE ROGUE RETURNS, the hero and heroine both judge each other form the start, only to discover how wrong they were.
Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?
Lately I like using my ereader. It’s just more comfortable in my hand. But I do love paperbacks as well. Ebooks can blend together after a while.
What is your favorite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
Favorite book- of all time? That is hard… If I could only take one book to a desert island it would be ‘Where I’m Calling From’ by Raymond Carver. The stories have so much beauty and depth. Yes, I’ve read it many, many times.
If you would like to find out more about Leigh and her work check out today’s series blast.
Series Blast and Giveaway: Nottinghamshire Series by Leigh LaValle
THE RUNAWAY COUNTESS
Nottinghamshire Series, #1
Her heart longs for justice, but her body clamors for sin.
Once the darling of high society, Mazie Chetwyn knows firsthand how quickly the rich and powerful turn their backs on the less fortunate. Orphaned, penniless and determined to defy their ruthless whims, she joins forces with a local highwayman who steals from the rich to give to the poor.
Then the pawn broker snitches, and Mazie is captured by the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire. A man who is far too handsome, far too observant…and surely as corrupt as his father once was.
Sensible, rule-driven Trent Carthwick, twelfth Earl of Radford, is certain the threat of the gallows will prompt the villagers’ belovedAngel of Kindness to reveal the highwayman’s identity. But his bewitching captive volunteers nothing—except a sultry, bewildering kiss.
And so the games begin. Trent feints, Mazie parries. He threatens, she pretends nonchalance. He cajoles, she rebuffs. Thwarted at every turn, Trent probes deep into her one vulnerability—her past. There he finds the leverage he needs and a searing truth that challenges all he believes about right and wrong.
AVAILABLE AT:
iTUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-runaway-countess/id494364216?mt=11
ARe: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-therunawaycountess-740839-160.html
SAM HAIN: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/runaway-countess-p-6667.html
THE MISBEHAVING MARQUESS
Nottinghamshire Series, #2 (a novella)
Having awaited the return of her husband for half a decade, Catherine Raybourne, the Marchioness of Foster, has no intention of reconciling with her misbehaving marquess. But when he insists he needs an heir-immediately-she must confront her own lingering desires. Can she protect her heart while attempting to win his once again
AVAILABLE AT:
iTUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-misbehaving-marquess/id577745096?mt=11
THE ROGUE RETURNS
Nottinghamshire Series, #3
THE ONLY THING LESS TRUSTWORTHY THAN A ROGUE...
Lady Helen Gladstone has siblings to protect and creditors at her door. There's only one way to stave off disaster—to find the fabled fortune that her deceased brother buried years ago. Her experience with her lying father and gambling brother has left her able to spot a scoundrel at ten paces. Unfortunately, the scoundrel she encounters is a lot closer than that...and he's planning to make off with her treasure.
…IS A LADY WITH NOTHING TO LOSE
After years of exile, Roane Grantham is eager to begin a new life without the law on his heels. First, he needs gold—his gold, buried one drunken night long ago. But he doesn't count on a petite, bold-as-brass blonde laying claim to his hoard.
Forming an uneasy alliance, Helen and Roane adventure through the high peaks of England, battling treasure hunters, violent storms, and dangerous terrain. But can they escape the growing passion that lays claim to their hearts?
Buy links: not available until Jan 13, 2014.
Leigh LaValle lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family. When she is not writing, mommying, or reading, she is rarely seen cleaning, and more often found hiking or, when she is really lucky, in the white powder of the ski slopes. She is also a devoted yoga practitioner and instructor.
Author Contact:
website: www.LeighLaValle.com
email: leigh@leighlavalle.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/leigh_lavalle
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Leigh-LaValle-Author/145899828812251
goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5432973.Leigh_LaValle
mailchimp signup: http://eepurl.com/viRZ1
January 21, 2014
Lotus Petals Blog Tour - Cu's Ebook Giveaways are todays blog stop.
Book Blitz and Giveaway: A Mate’s Bite by Milly Taiden
![Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00068]](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6ei9uegMld8/Ut2GOOB9ReI/AAAAAAAAFAI/Lvzei4nGXZE/s1600-h/MT_A-Mates-Bite600x9004.jpg)
A Mate’s Bite
by
Milly Taiden
Blurb
Mission: Don’t fall in love
After an explosive night of passion during a scenting ceremony, Karla Alves is sure she was just a one night stand for the man she'd been crushing on for years. She teased him and pleased him, and Nate hasn't been around since. Her fear of becoming clingy kept her from risking her heart and asking for more than a few hours of skin sin.
Mission: Crack her walls
She. Is. His. Nathan Wolfe marked Karla. His mate. Deeply involved in pack politics, Nate has had to stay away. When his sister warns that Karla needs him more than he thinks, he'll discover a bundle of secrets only his wolf can sniff out. But getting the woman he cares about to let down her guard may prove to be his undoing.
Mission: Embrace the bite
With Karla's wayward sister wreaking havoc and friends needing more of his time than ever, Nate will have to rearrange his priorities if he ever hopes to earn Karla's trust. But will time with her be enough? Only true love and a wolf's promise can hold together a relationship created with a bite, a scenting, and a hope for tomorrow.
Buy Links
Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/Kzxcuo
Amazon.UK - http://amzn.to/1d4KZnC
B&N -http://bit.ly/1gpjOnx
ARe -http://bit.ly/1gVzpvP
Excerpt
Karla Alves listened to her friends’ hushed arguing—back and forth—over using the word “over.” She wanted to step in and tell them all to forget about the stupid word and remember the scenting ritual. After all, that was the whole reason they were using the stinking radio devices in the first place. The entire conversation was ridiculous, and she wished there was a mute button she could press. She peered into the woods and tugged on the ear piece.
“We are wearing frigging black spandex for you. I draw the line at painting lines on my face and hauling army gear. I am not going to end each thing I say with over,” Jordan threw in.
Thank you, Jordan. If Karla hadn’t agreed to help video the ceremony so Jordan could write a book for their friend Ellie, the only wolf shifter in the group, she’d never have thought to show up and peep into the ancient ritual.
Karla glanced down at the ceremony area. The Sexy Four—Ellie’s fine and fabulous brothers whom they all secretly loved to crush over—had just spoken to their parents before they separated and moved into the woods. Nerves and something like excitement sizzled in Karla’s blood. Great. She must be nuts if she thought being out there with the very real possibility of getting caught was exciting.
Emma barked out another radio command. That did it. She yanked the earpiece out. She was getting a migraine listening to all the orders from her friend. She loved Emma, really, she did. But she couldn’t handle any of her drill sergeant commands tonight.
Karla pushed another curl behind her ear while she ground her teeth. Her clothes were uncomfortable, and she kept stomping her feet in restlessness as if she was waiting for something big to happen.
The last time she’d felt this way, her brother Kelvin said she’d get into trouble. Sure enough, later that night, she’d had a fender-bender with a cop. Kelvin told her to stop ignoring her instincts and listen to what they said. Right now, they told her to get the heck out of there because she was in over her head. But did she listen? Oh, hell no. The excitement of seeing wolves in a mating ritual was just too enticing. Who in their right mind could turn the offer down? Obviously, this wasn’t something humans should be privy to, so her group of friends were to hide and stay quiet the entire night.
Karla had been tempted to point out all that was wrong with their plan, but she’d held back.
1. She hadn’t appreciated the black clothing request. She was hot. The damn yoga pants were from last year. They were a size too small and cut off her tummy, giving her a muffin top. She tugged at the front of the black tank and blew air into her boobs. It was hot.
2. They hadn’t eaten first. Now she was sweaty and hungry.
3. She has a perfectly good home that she could be in. Far away from trees, dirt, and creepy noises in the dark. Oh how’d she’d love to be wearing her stars and moons pajama pants in her too cold house.
Crouched down, she glanced at the ceremony area. Her thoughts turned back to the Sexy Four, and particularly Nate—the man no one else had ever measured up to. Nate, with his muscular body and tribal tattoos over his arms and chest. He had enough that she could spend a full day drawing each line of them with her fingers. Nate, with his pierced ears and all the making of a bad, bad boy she should really stay away from. But she couldn’t.
She remembered the first time she’d met him at Ellie’s house. The way he’d smiled. She was never the same again. Christ. That was almost seven years back. He’d come to her rescue multiple times. She’d blown a tire once, and he’d shown up out of nowhere to fix it before she had a chance to call a tow truck. And she would never forget the time they’d gone to the masquerade ball Ellie had for one of her birthdays. That had been the very first night Karla had worn a girly dress and done her best to look pretty. Or as pretty as she could get away with. The gold medieval gown she’d borrowed from her drama class had allowed her to look the part of a beautiful princess. Nate had worn a pirate outfit. The one with his chest all bare. At the time, his hair had been longer, shaggy and tempting her to run her fingers through. The tight pants and almost wild features had played havoc with her thinking ability.
When she’d seen him, all she could think of was touching his half-naked chest, running her nails down the washboard abs, and biting a nipple that continued to peek from the white shirt. One look. That’s all it took for some kind of magic to happen. Her heart beat fast and her palms moistened with perspiration. She’d rushed away to grab a much-needed breath of fresh air. He’d followed her outside and kissed her. A single kiss under the moonlight, and she’d become infatuated with him for the rest of her college years. The memory of his firm warm lips over hers rushed blood to her head. Her lips tingled with the reminder of how much he’d turned her on.
Her infatuation with him wasn’t healthy, and it bordered on pathetic. Tired of feeling like a failure in the relationship department, tired of waiting on a man who might never be, she needed to start dating. She wanted a family of her own. She wanted a man who would be there long term. She wanted more.
Hi! I'm Milly (AKA April Angel) I love to write sexy stories. They're usually either paranormal or contemporary with a large dose of heat. My paranormal stories can be anything from wolf-shifters (my favorites) to witches, demons and anything in between. My contemporaries are usually anything from soldiers to corporate romances.
I was born the prettiest part of the Caribbean known as the Dominican Republic. Currently, I live in New York City with my hubby, the bossy kiddo and our little dog "Needy Speedy". Don't ask.
When I'm not working some really long hours at the day job, or hanging out in the awful life-sucking invention known as Facebook, messaging my bestie in the UK or shopping with my sis Julie, then I can be found watching scary movies. Buuut when I'm not doing that, I'm usually writing because the voices won't shut up.
I am addicted to shoe shopping, chocolate (but who isn't, right?) and Dunkin' Donuts coffee.
Come on over and visit me! I love to meet new readers!
Like my books? Want to stay on top of all things Milly? Sign up for my newsletter http://mad.ly/signups/87477/join
There’s a monthly $50 GC Giveaway to all the emails signed up to get the latest news on my releases.
Find out more about Milly Taiden here:
Email: millytaidenauthor@gmail.com
Website: http://www.millytaiden.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/millytaidenpage
Facebook Friend Page: http://www.facebook.com/milly.taiden
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/millytaiden
January 20, 2014
Lotus Petals Blog Tour–Bound 4 Escape is our blog stop today
Book Blast and Giveaway: The Witch Who Cried Wolf by Sarah Makela
The Witch Who Cried Wolf
(Cry Wolf #1)
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Kissa Press LLC
Date of Publication: December 2, 2013
Be careful what you wish for…
A potion gone wrong: Mia Brooks is a reluctant witch, with powers that she tries to hold in check. But when her magic gets mixed up, supernatural forces are unleashed and suddenly she’s being pursued by werewolves—that she didn’t even realize existed…
Hidden emotions: Ethan Parker, Mia’s brother’s best friend, is home from deployment for the holidays. Mia’s not only hiding from werewolves, she’s trying to keep her feelings for Ethan secret; it would be a disaster if he knew she’s been nursing a long-time crush…
The power of love: Things take a terrifying turn when Mia and Ethan are attacked by a werewolf. Ethan is amazed when Mia reveals her paranormal prowess as she tries to shield them from danger. But can she really protect them from the darkness that lurks? And how can he tell her that, for ages, he’s been denying what he really wants? Mia...
AVAILABLE AT:
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GZ9CSHS
B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-witch-who-cried-wolf-sarah-makela/1117527750?ean=2940148931034
Kobo - http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-witch-who-cried-wolf
Excerpt:
Jessa’s New Age shop—Eternally Magick—was empty. Usually, Jessa was around. But, right now, she wasn’t. I leaned against the front counter, resting my forehead against the cool glass. Athames, crystals, jewelry and really cute dragon statues were locked in the case beneath my fingertips. While I enjoyed hanging out at the shop and seeing what new potions were available, I wished Jessa had given me some kind of clue as to why she wanted me here. But she was my best friend and mentor; the reason had to be important, if for nothing else to spend much needed time together.
I glanced over my shoulder at the wall of ingredients lining the shelves, ripe for the picking. It had been a while since I’d made a new potion. Maybe if I could stock up on a few things...
“Not what you’re here for,” I whispered to myself. The urge to see what she had nearly drove me away from the counter, but I held myself in check.
Making potions was one of my hobbies. I loved the creativity and excitement that went into building something from nothing, and the brief connection with my power.
Tapping my fingers on the counter, I stared at the curtained-off backroom. Worry crept into my chest. Why wasn’t Jessa here? She never stood me up. This wasn’t like her.
“Jessa?” Usually she came right out when the bells on the door chimed. Biting my lower lip, I considered going into the back. Someone could steal things without her keeping an eye on the store.
“Coming,” Jessa called. The black-haired and blue-eyed beauty swept into the front of the store like a hurricane of flowing skirts. She always looked like she’d just come from a Renaissance faire.
I loved the way she dressed, but I knew that style would never be my thing. My parents would think I’d flipped my lid, and my older brother.... Shudder. Nolan would laugh at me, probably joking with his best friend—and my crush since forever—Ethan Parker.
“Where have you been? I was getting concerned.” Stepping around the counter, I wrapped my arms around her and she embraced me in a hug smelling of lavender and honey.
“Just in the back. I had to wrap up a call and I guess I didn’t hear you come in.” Jessa smiled, but something was up. She appeared a bit too eager to pretend everything was fine.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?” I placed my hand on her shoulder, trying to be comforting.
The door chimed, and we turned in unison toward the shop’s new arrival.
I blinked in surprise.
The man towered in the doorway, over six feet of pure muscle. If his shirt were a little tighter, I probably would’ve been able to see six-pack abs through it. What was he doing here?
He strode in as if he owned the place. There could be no doubt: ladies would drop their panties at his command. If I didn’t have a boyfriend.... Stop it, Mia!
“I’m looking for the owner,” the man said, his deep voice as smooth and sinful as his looks. Yet beneath his delicious exterior, something about him put me on edge. The hint of arrogance in his eyes and the sharp flare of power as he walked in the room were instant triggers. This guy wasn’t a mere mortal. He was something else, but I couldn’t put my finger on what. Aside from Jessa, I’d never met anyone else with this level of power.
Maybe I needed to get out more.
Jessa cleared her throat, as captivated by him as I was by the sound of it. “I’m the owner.” Her voice hit all the sultry tones and she swayed her shoulders. “Can I help you?” I wished I could pull her aside and tell her my feelings, but that would look way too awkward.
“We spoke over the phone. I’m interested in the potion.” He leaned his hip against the counter, standing only a couple feet away. Too close for comfort.
Since Jessa had business to take care of, I sidestepped toward the wall of ingredients, but Jessa grabbed my wrist, keeping me beside her. I cast her a dirty look, but she didn’t pay me any attention, focusing her gaze instead on Mr. Way-Too-Sexy.
“Right, I don’t have any of that in right now, but this woman makes some of the best healing salves I’ve seen.” Jessa nudged me forward, nearly throwing me into Mr. Sexy’s arms.
Glancing up his body to his eyes from so close strained my neck. My five-foot-six frame probably looked tiny beside him. An overwhelming sense of lust and intimidation washed over me.
“Hi.” I fought against a shiver.
Sarah Mäkelä loves her fiction dark, magical, and passionate. She is a paranormal romance author, but she’s written all over the romance spectrum with cyberpunk, sci-fi, fantasy, urban fantasy...even a sweet contemporary romance!
A life-long paranormal fan, she still sleeps with a night-light. In her spare time, she reads sexy books, watches scary movies (and Ghost Adventures), and plays computer games with her husband. When she gets the chance, she loves traveling the world too.
http://www.twitter.com/sarahmakela
January 18, 2014
New Release!! Lotus Petals by Brantwijn Serrah
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Book Info- Title: Lotus Petals
Author : Brantwijn Serrah
Genre: Paranormal/Historical/Erotic Romance
Audience: Adult
Formats: E-book
Publisher: Breathless Press
Cover By: Victoria Miller
Editor: Jayne Wolf
Pages: 235 pages
Date of Publishing:
Jan 17, 2014
Blurb-
Aijyn, human slave to a ruthless vampire Lord, would never dare do anything to incur his wrath. Then, she fell in love... with his bride.
Book Links - Breathless Press / Goodreads / Amazon / ARE / Bookstrand
Excerpt -
Three vampires rested in the room occupied by the captain of the daimyo’s hunting party—all three of them awoke instantly when the little human oiran threw back the screen, shouting at them in furious Japanese. Without waiting for them to move, she strode boldly across the little space to come eye-to-eye with the captain himself as he struggled to come to his feet. At first they were so stunned by the mortal’s appearance none of the three knew what to do: Kazuo, the captain, finally registered her shrill accusations.
"You would poison the daimyo’s honored guest?" she shouted at him. "You would drug her with octopus venom and then humiliate her?"
Coming to his senses—they were slower in the daytime, vampires—Kazuo brought his hands down on her shoulders and lifted her off her feet. The sudden movement reminded her she had stepped into a tiger’s den—she stiffened in his grasp and sucked in a fearful breath.
"Since when does the human come into my rooms uninvited?" he snarled. Fear shook her—she fully expected he would hurt her, and rightfully so—but she did not give off.
"Rhiannon Donovan has drunk the venom of the blue-ring octopus," she said, her voice quavering but still strong. "Your huntsmen use it to paralyze and kill—one of them drugged the human she hunted, and she swallowed it with his blood!"
"You dare charge my men with such a disgraceful act? And for a gaijin slut?"
"What’s going on here?"
Kazuo looked up; his two servants followed his glance. In the doorway stood Nagisa, tall and elegant, wrapped in the gauzy silk of her azure sleeper’s yukata—she, too, must have been roused by the sound of Aijyn’s screams. Her cold eyes regarded each of them carefully.
"Aijyn," she said, the curiosity in her tone edged with danger. "What do you mean by disturbing the captain during his daytime rest?"
Kazuo shot a dangerous and warning glare at the human oiran, but Aijyn ignored it, desperate with fear.
"Nagisa-sama, the Councilwoman’s noble emissary was betrayed last night during the hunt," she said quickly; she’d never imagined one day it might be Nagisa, of all people, to save her from the fangs of an angry vampire.
"Rhiannon drank the blood of a human poisoned with octopus venom, and now she lies in her rooms injured and sick. They took her hair, Nagisa-sama! They’ve shorn her like a...like a rag boy!"
Nagisa’s poisonous eyes narrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line like the blade of a knife.
"Kazuo," she said, the word like a stone dropping into an empty well. "Put Aijyn down."
Kazuo stared, incredulous, at the graceful tayu. When he did not immediately comply, Nagisa strode into the room and grabbed him by the throat.
"Why, Kazuo-san," she growled sweetly. "I had no idea you had already become so bored with immortality. Seventy-three years, if I recall, and already you wish for our master to release your soulless carcass into oblivion."
Amazingly, Kazuo slowly backed down, quietly letting Aijyn go while his eyes remained furiously on Nagisa. His servants watched with silent awe as Nagisa continued, never breaking her hold on the captain’s neck.
"Aijyn-chan, you are surely aware you will suffer greatly, should this accusation prove false," the tayu said.
"I am quite sure of it, Nagisa-sama," Aijyn replied, bowing low. "I have heard the captain and his hunting party speak of the blow-darts they use to sting their human prey with the toxin. Kazuo-san has said the poison stings kin-born vampires as well; I am quite sure Rhiannon has swallowed it, and what reduced her to helplessness while her clothes were torn and her hair cut off."
"Please return to the rooms of our guest. Attend to her carefully—be sure these men did not force themselves on her body, as well. I will deal with Kazuo, and send word to the daimyo of this dishonorable conduct."
Aijyn felt cold all through her, and a dizzy giddiness swept through her mind. She had not even considered what she did—storming into one of the vampire’s nests!—and now she felt weak in the stomach. How had she even survived it?
Nagisa’s words echoed in her head: make sure the men had not forced themselves on Rhiannon’s body. How could she not have considered it or checked for signs of it, to see if Rhiannon had also been raped by these monsters?
"Aijyn-chan," Nagisa said again. Shaken from her daze, she nodded. Then she slipped quickly out of the room and found herself running, again, for Rhiannon.
Book Trailer:
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![clip_image014[6]_thumb](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZERIk6qUvnI/UtmG6OJXhyI/AAAAAAAAE8k/b-8nh4bdR_0/s1600-h/clip_image014%25255B6%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg)
Sometime in early 2009, Brantwijn Serrah ran across an erotic novel in her local Barnes and Noble, and fell in love with the gorgeous geisha pictured on the cover. Sad to say, the book didn't live up to expectations. After one too many iterations of the phrase "his most honorable penis", Brantwijn decided to write her own story instead. The idea for Lotus Petals, the tale of a geisha seduced into the world of vampires, was born.
When she isn't visiting the worlds of immortals, demons, dragons and goblins, Brantwijn fills her time with artistic endeavors: sketching, painting, customizing My Little Ponies and sewing plushies for friends. She can't handle coffee unless there's enough cream and sugar to make it a milkshake, but try and sweeten her tea and she will never forgive you. She moonlights as a futon for four lazy cats, loves tabletop role-play games, and can spend hours watching Futurama, Claymore or Buffy the Vampire Slayer while she writes or draws.
In addition to Lotus Petals, Brantwijn has had several stories published in anthologies by Breathless Press, including the 2013 Crimson Anthology and 2014 Ravaged Anthology. She's also had a short story published in the Cleiss Press Big Book of Orgasm, and hopes to have several more tales to tell as time goes on. She has author pages on GoodReads and Amazon and loves to see reader comments on her work. Her short stories occasionally pop up at Foreplay and Fangs, her blog at http://brantwijn.blogspot.com.
Author Links - Amazon / Facebook / Twitter / Blog / Goodreads
January 17, 2014
Character Interview with Daniel Ashborne, from The Dragon’s Heart by Eden Ashe
Hi guys, today on the blog we have the delicious Daniel Ashborne, from The Dragon’s Heart by Eden Ashe. So sit back and relax and let’s find out more about this dreamy guy.
Character Name: Daniel Ashborne
Character Bio:
The Dragon King. At several millennia old, Daniel’s only goal in life is to keep his people safe. When Shelby Kincade becomes the only dream he’s ever had, he has to make the decision to fight for the woman he doesn’t know how to live without, or let her go to keep her, himself, and his people safe.
Describe yourself what is your worst and vest quality?
Daniel snorts out a humorless laugh: My worst quality is probably my tendency to sound like a bastard every time I open my mouth. I don’t mean to be a jerk, but I’m the king. I say what I’m thinking because I don’t have time to worry about prettying up my words to spare feelings. And best quality? Ah, okay. I’m not sure I have a ‘best’ quality, but Shelby assures me it’s my ability to love. I have to admit I never thought about it before, but Shelby opened something in me, a willingness to open my heart and admit I became king because there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for the people in my life.
What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you?
That’s a tough one. I generally don’t care what people thing, except for Shelby, but I guess if I have to answer, it’s that I don’t mean to sound like an ass all the time. I’m still working on softening the words in my head before I allow them to come out of my mouth.
What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?
:He winces a little: Don’t tell Shelby, but I’ve been taking cooking lessons. She’s been teaching herself and she’s not bad, but she loves to eat and it’s one of those things I want to be able to do for her.
What are you most afraid of?
Failing. Failing my people, my dragons, failing Shelby. I am king not only because I am the strongest, but because there is nothing—nothing—I wouldn’t do to protect my clan.
What do you want more than anything?
A family. I want kids. But until this war is over, it needs my absolute focus. Shelby’s already been used against me once, and I’ve barely recovered from that. I’m not adding children to the list of people that make me vulnerable.
What is your relationship status?
He grins, his silver eyes lighting up: Mated until the end of time, and currently engaged.
How would you describe your sense of fashion?
He half-snorts, half-winces: Dark Henley’s and jeans. Shelby says my wardrobe reminds her of a storm cloud.
How much of a rebel are you?
Is it considered being a rebel when you’re the king and can do whatever you want, whenever you want to do it?
What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?
Somehow convincing Shelby I’m worth taking a chance on.
What is your idea of happiness?
Crawling into bed every night next to the love of my life. The way she sleeps half on top of me, as if to make sure I don’t disappear on her.
What is your current state of mind?
Edgy. The war between dragons and hunters is ramping up, and I need to assure my people are ready. I want peace, and I refuse to lose anymore dragons to a war that no longer makes sense.
What is your most treasured possession?
My arsenal. It keeps those I love safe.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Apparently I growl a lot.
What is it that you, most dislike?
War. Or maybe eggs.
Which living person do you, most despise?
Alicia Kincade, Shelby’s step-sister.
What is your greatest regret?
The eleven months I lost believing Shelby had hired someone to kill me.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
His ability to protect those physically weaker than him.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Strength and courage, the ability to fight however they need to when the world is collapsing around them. It’s not always a physical fight, sometimes it’s just standing up again and refusing to be beaten down.
Who is your favorite hero in fiction?
Eomer from The Lord of the Rings. Even when he was banished, he still fought for his king and country.
Which living person do you most admire?
Patrick Stewart. His work to stop abuse is the stuff of legends.
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
My inability to speak sometimes. It would cause a lot less fights if I could just say what I’m thinking.
What is your motto?
From the Harry Potter movies: It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.
If you would like to know more about Daniel and his world check out today’s book blitz.
Book Blitz: The Dragon’s Heart - Dragon Lore Series Book One by Eden Ashe
The Dragon’s Heart
Dragon Lore Series
Book One
Eden Ashe
Genre: urban fantasy romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc
Date of Publication: January 6, 2014
ISBN: 1493740148
ASIN:
Number of pages: 198
Word Count: 76000
Cover Artist: Renee Rocco
Book Description:
“We’re dragons. We don’t do the mushy friend thing.” - Daniel
The dragon-shifter king will do anything to keep his mate alive…even if it means war.
After millennia as king of the dragon-shifters, Daniel Ashborne wants a little peace and quiet, especially from the beautiful Hollywood starlet who haunts his memories. His escape tactics end abruptly when he is called to the ER to save the one woman he wants to forget, but who now bears his mark.
Shelby Kincade’s life and movie career were nearly destroyed when Daniel vanished a year ago. Now he’s back, claiming they have been accidentally mated. Getting over him once was hard enough, but she must choose either the life of her dreams or the man she can’t live without. With peace finally on the horizon between the dragon-shifters and the Hunters, an assassination attempt on the dragon king and his mate shatters everything. Tensions rebuild as Daniel and his loyal team of shifters try to discover who put out the hit. Enemy and ally lines are crossed, but in the end--after the battle ash has settled--no one could have foreseen who has plotted for their own gain.
CONTENT WARNING: Graphic fight scenes, lots of great sex, and hot, hot, hot dragon men. A Lyrical Press Urban Fantasy Romance
Excerpt:
A furious Daniel towered over her.
Realizing she was in an ambulance, she scooted back on the stretcher, pulling the sheet tighter around herself. Something was very, very off. There was no pain or range of motion issue with her shoulder. There was just a blackness where the last hour should have been. Whatever was wrong with her, it ran core deep, and had everything to do with the man treating her as if she’d caused all the wrongs in his world.
She let out a pathetic snort. He had vanished on her, leaving her to face the last year alone. The media wasn’t forgiving at the best of times, and they’d had a field day--field year--with America’s Good Girl falling from grace. A dead body, and the disappearance of the man accused of the crime, was too good of a story for the media not to run around the clock for a month straight.
It didn’t make any sense why he hated her. For as much hell as he’d caused her in the last eleven months, professionally and personally, nothing had prepared her for the blast of emotions that rocked her at seeing him standing close to her again. She had no idea what to do with the realization she’d missed him. As soon as she figured out what the hell was going on, she needed deep psychological help.
“So.” She was careful to keep her left arm tucked against her stomach as she tried in vain to put more distance between them. It still didn’t hurt, but the thought of ripping the rapidly healing wound open made her queasy. She’d never been a big fan of blood. Her teeth tugged at her bottom lip as she tried not to worry about how much space he took up, even while sitting on the bench. He was huge. “You’re alive.” When he leaned forward, bringing them closer together, she tried to keep her face impassive. Her gaze dropped to the huge forearms he braced against tree trunk-sized thighs, before she snapped her attention back to his face. He was a lunatic who looked to be on the verge of major violence. She wasn’t so confused she didn’t understand the combination was a powder keg with a lit fuse. “I wasn’t sure. The police said you were gone before the ambulance ever got to the hospital.”
“Disappointed, princess?”
She almost snorted at him. She’d spent the last year hoping he was still alive, and trying not to let the uncertainty drive her out of her mind. “I didn’t get myself shot on purpose, you know. So whatever you’re mad at me about, it’s not my fault. I didn’t ask them to call you.”
“Right.” He dragged his gaze from the mark over her heart back to her face. Though she was sure she was imagining it, she could have sworn his eyes lingered on her mouth. “Just like the Hunter showing up in your bedroom was just a weird twist of fate?”
“A hunter?” She asked, certain she was missing a huge part of the conversation. “Daniel, my house was in the most exclusive part of Los Angeles. There isn’t anywhere to hunt.”
“Ryuu.”
She remembered that word from their first date. He’d told her it was an ancient dragon curse because his sister didn’t like him using cuss words. Funny. She’d thought it was sweet at the time. Now she was sure it just made him bat-shit crazy.
Convinced dragons have gotten a bad rep throughout time, and more than a little addicted to fairy tales and romance novels, Eden Ashe has decided to re-write history. In her version, the dragons are ancient warriors in tarnished armor, who not only deserve the girl in the end, but will fight forever for her.
