K.N. Lee's Blog, page 44

Excerpt (Dark Prophet)

An exclusive excerpt from the best selling novel, Dark Prophet  by, K.N. Lee  Dark ProphetBook Two of The Chronicles of Koa Series K.N. Lee
Koa entered her cottage and was welcomed by an eerie quiet. She only had a few hours before she needed to meet Halston at the Gate, and after a night with Lindley, she wanted to check on her former pet, Ian, and hoped to see her mother as well. Jax returned to the church the night before after Koa’s abrupt departure. She wondered just how awkward things would be when she returned. It almost didn’t matter. Halston was safe. That’s all that mattered. Now, seeing if Ian and her mother were doing all right would ease her mind further. The drapes were still closed and everything was still. All she heard was the ticking of the grandfather clock at the end of the corridor right off the stairwell landing. She stepped inside and her heels clicked along the stone floor. Home. She had missed it. Still, it would never replace her father’s manor, where she had spent most of her life. Koa had lived in many different places: South Korea, America, England, and the Netherworld, but she missed France the most. Her memories there were all of good times. Koa felt a shudder run up her spine as she thought back to her time in the Netherworld. There was no doubt that the Netherworld was the worst of all the places that she’d lived. She didn’t blame Halston for erasing her memories of that time. But now, they were all back, and she could not escape them. Koa smelled something. A familiar scent. Her eyes scanned the room. A terrible sense of fear and trouble filled her. Someone had been there, someone she never wanted to see again. And then. Koa remembered where she had smelled that scent before and was taken back to memories she wished she could forget. There were hundreds of bedrooms; each with its own private bathroom. Dozens of kitchens. Nine dining halls. Seven grand ballrooms. Five libraries; one for each wing, and another massive one for the guests. The Netherworld was Koa’s prison, the Lyrinian palace her cell, and yet, she found a way to make it bearable. As she sat on the steps watching the hordes of creatures pass her by, Evina played with her hair. Koa sighed as the vampire princess finished the long braid she made with Koa’s black hair. “Done.” Koa pulled the braid over her shoulder and looked at it. She’d never had her hair braided before. She smiled at her friend. “Thank you,” Koa said. Evina shrugged. “No problem. You almost look like a Netherworlder now.” Evina traced something on Koa’s face. Her blue eyes narrowed as she examined Koa. Koa chewed her lip, feeling odd under Evina’s gaze. She couldn’t help it. There was just something in the Netherworld vampire’s eyes that made her feel exposed and uncomfortable. Even her father’s eyes made her feel like hiding sometimes. She thought of Jax. Her lips curled into a smile. Whenever he looked at her, she would blush, but Koa never turned away. She hid a grin from Evina. She looked forward to sneaking away with him again. It was all she had to look forward to. Evina nodded. “Yes, I can see it now.” She kept tracing shapes onto Koa’s face. “You just need a few tattoos, right across your cheekbones.” Koa made a face. “Never.” Evina tilted her head. “Come on. Give it a shot. It will look amazing.” Koa shook her head as she looked at all of the tattoos that Evina had on her neck and at the corners of her eyes. They may have looked intriguing and beautiful on the vampire princess but Koa was certain that she’d look like a clown with tattoos on her face. She turned up her nose. “Like I said… never.” Evina pushed her shoulder and shrugged. “Suit yourself, but the people will never accept you unless you start to act and look like us.” “That’s fine with me.” Evina grinned. “Oh come on. We should start making sketches. I know just the artist.” Koa sighed and watched Evina pull a silver pen out of her purse and clicked it twice. The sound of tiny bells ringing made a few of her lady’s maids and escorts glance over from their stations with vague interest, but once they saw what Evina was doing, they returned to looking ahead with expressionless faces. Light collected around the tip of the pen and stretched outwards until hundreds of little blue dots seeped into the air. The dots combined and slowly transformed into identifiable shapes. Evina frowned at the pen, shook it so vigorously that her black curls bounced around her face, and clicked it again. “This dammed thing needs to be looked at. It’s awfully slow,” she complained under her breath. “Jax’s pen never does this.” Koa’s mouth parted in wonder as the image of a pale male face floated across the air. His brows were too big and bushy for his skinny face, but they furrowed as he looked back at her. It was as if the ghostly artist could actually see her. She twisted her mouth. No. It’s not possible, she thought. Apparently anything was possible in the Netherworld. Koa’s cheeks paled as the artist drew strange characters onto a piece of parchment. Her face started to appear on that very parchment, with an intricate tattoo around her left eye. Such an anomaly intrigued Koa. The image was outlined in silver and clung to the air like a ghost. It couldn’t be real, and yet he seemed to see her, or knew her face well enough to draw it. Koa rubbed her face. She didn’t want to admit that the tattoo actually looked interesting. Instead, she frowned at Evina. “I’m never getting a stupid tattoo on my face.” She gasped as the image floated through the air and hovered before her face. The artist seemed to sneer at her but disappeared the moment Evina clicked her pen and tucked in back into her silver side purse. With the interesting images gone, Koa went back to ignoring her lady’s maid, just as she had been doing all day. “Come on, Koa. You can only reject your role as Netherworld royalty for so long. You’ll have to get on eventually.” Evina didn’t seem to notice that Koa was intentionally ignoring her. “Perhaps something red. As I recall, it looked quite nice on you—your wedding dress.” Koa cringed; she wanted to forget her wedding day. Evina spread her arms out towards the passing creatures. “Right now you look human.” She gave Koa a sidelong glance. “And that’s the last thing you want to look like in the midst of creatures that would love to take a bite out of you.” Koa gulped and looked down the narrow staircase at the crowded citadel. She was thankful that the tall gates at the bottom of the staircase separated her from the vampires, War-Breeders, Syths and Scayors. She’d been in the Netherworld for four years, and the citizens still frightened her. “Come on,” Evina coaxed. “Just one tattoo. Father will be pleased. Your sixteenth birthday approaches and...” Koa felt a chill. She shot Evina a look that made Evina purse her lips and look away. Koa couldn’t hide the hurt in her eyes. “Don’t say it.” Evina covered Koa’s hand with her own. She spoke softly. “Forgive me. I nearly forgot.” Koa stared at her, trying not to let the tears fall from her eyes. Evina lowered her head. Her voice came out cracked. “I truly am sorry, Koa. I look at you like the little sister I never had. Sometimes I pretend that you are just that, and not my father’s third wife.” As if on cue, Lera, second wife to King Greggan stepped between them. The skirt of her red gown brushed across Koa’s face. Koa pursed her lips and glared up at the vampire queen. “Watch where you’re going,” Koa warned. Lera grinned, showing off her fangs. She knelt down to Koa’s face. Grabbing her by her chin. Koa tensed. She wanted to push that woman down the stairs. The smell of rosemary was strong. Lera seemed to bathe in it each day, for it followed her and lingered even when she left a room. “Or what, little bug?” Her voice came out like a purr. Her violet eyes were full of hate despite her smug grin. Koa didn’t know what to say. What could she do? Lera laughed lightly then. Koa was afraid of her. She’d seen Lera do things that she couldn’t explain. Netherworld vampires have odd powers. Evina, Jax, Greggan, Lera, and Lysett all had a certain skill for which they were known in the kingdom, and Koa still wasn’t used to living amongst a bunch of beings that would be considered superheroes—or super villains—back in the human world. Lera’s violet eyes bore into Koa’s. Koa pulled her head back and held her breath, afraid of what the vampire might do. She’d seen Lera chain a servant to the floor once, and had her guests strike the poor young vampire girl with fire whips. “You walk around here like you’re better than us.” Lera sneered at her. “But you are not. You are a bug beneath my boot, and I will squish the life out of you if you get in my way. I am King Greggan’s favorite, and I will remain that way. Do you understand?” Koa couldn’t help herself. Even though she was afraid, she sucked her teeth and made a face at Lera. “You think I want him?” Lera tightened her grip on Koa’s chin and Koa snatched her face away, flailing the back of her hand at Lera’s face, except Lera caught the blow with one hand and Koa’s throat in the other. She squeezed. The squad of Syths stepped forward. Evina was on her feet, with one hand on Lera’s shoulder. Lera hissed in Koa’s face. Koa struggled to breathe. The Syths bowed. “With respect, Queen Lera. We have orders to not let anyone harm the Queen Koa, not even you. Forgive us.” Lera ignored them, but somehow Evina’s hand on her shoulder made her pause. “You’d better listen and take your hands off of her,” Evina ordered. Koa was so surprised by the authority in the princess’ voice, even she shot a look at her, despite being unable to breathe. Lera looked from Evina’s tattooed hand back to Koa’s face. “Remember my words, little bug. Either way, he will kill you.” Her voice lowered to an almost inaudible whisper. “But if, for some reason, he doesn’t, I will.” Lera released Koa, shrugged Evina’s hand off her shoulder, and pulled a black disc from her belt. She opened her disc. Like a fan, the electronic device opened and hovered before her. She hopped onto it and with one last glare, flew away. The smell of rosemary wafted into Koa’s nostrils and as she was brought back to the present, she knew: Lera was not dead. She had been there. In her home. 
Available on Amazon: U.S.U.K.

Sweet Love- a poem by K.N. Lee

Sweet Love K.N. Lee
Sweet loveOf my heart and soulPurging pastsAnd encouraging goalsHold me rightOn cold days And rainy nights Sweep me gentlyAcross puddles of tearsAnd give me courageWhen those sneaky fearsThreaten me day inAnd day outKiss me Smother me with delicious Adoration Stroke my cheekAnd whisper yourUndying infatuation 

Discover Team Koa! **Dark Prophet Book Blast**

Not all vampires are created equal...

Koa is a half-blood vampire with not only the ability to fly, but survive in the sun's light. She will do anything to protect her
mother, and break her curse. The demon, Bund, wants more than her mother's life. He wants something from Koa, a power that she doesn't even know she has, and will rip through as many humans as he can to get her to surrender.

Agent Koa Ryeo-won, and her boss, Halston, formed a crew of supernatural agents to stop Bund. But is a prophet, a temptress, a War-Breeder, a half-blood with an enchanted sword, and a few angels
enough to stop what Bund has planned?

In the midst of a war between the humans of the mortal world, and the creatures of the Netherworld, Koa discovers the truth of her past, and finds herself torn between two men, and in the center of everything. Faced with all of her returned memories, Koa also finds herself more powerful than ever. Being a half-blood is hard enough, but what exactly is Koa's other half. The truth can save...or destroy everything.

Will the Netherworld Division stand behind Koa once they learn her secret?

**Bonus Material**
Chapter 1 of K.N. Lee's young adult fantasy, Academia of the Beast! 

 Now available as stunning paperbacks!

“Overall, this was a wonderfully entertaining read that left me well satisfied and eager for the next book int he series. ” R. Coker| 2 reviewers made a similar statement
“The plot progression was good, but what really kept the pages turning was the fantastic characters. ” eli| 1 reviewer made a similar statement  "I finished this book in just 2 days, and that's quite an accomplishment for myself. " C. Benda

Broken Glass- a poem by K.N. Lee

Broken Glass K.N. Lee
 Little pieces of broken glassAnd unsung songsI clutch the glassBlood drips With the sting of untold wrongsHe loves me He hates me tooBut I love him moreThan I love youA heart rippedLips partLies snippedThe secrets bleedThe guilt feedsA desperate attemptTo forget my greed I love himI love you tooHow can I choose? When it is certainThat I will lose... 

 

Sample of the Amazon Best Seller, Dark Prophet (Book Two of The Chronicles of Koa Series)

Dark Prophet
Book Two ofThe Chronicles of Koa Series
K.N. Lee©All rights reserved.
Part One



Netherworld Memories


Chapter 1Koa frowned down at her body. A red dress. Koa hated red, but she did not have a choice. Like the blood that Koa had spilled the night before when she had been cut with a glowing dagger, the dress was dark and rich. Ceremonies such as this were normal in the Netherworld. The wound on her white wrist healed before her eyes. Within minutes, the ceremony was complete, the tests were run, and it was confirmed that she was indeed the daughter of Alsand Vangelis, the vampire king of Elyan.Only hours ago, Koa was awakened by a team of violet-eyed women tugging at her limbs. They washed her in scalding hot water, scrubbed her raw with oils, and slathered creams onto her snow-white skin. They straightened her thick black hair and painted her face with colors that Koa only thought older women were allowed to wear. Then, she had been dressed.In a gaudy red wedding gown… at the age of twelve.Koa wanted to run from the black temple that she and her father had slept in. On the side of a mountain, the temple faced the back of the dark kingdom that was meant to be her prison for an eternity. She wanted to break free from the parade of attendants sent to accompany her and fly home. The human world seemed so far away.No one understood just how much she did not want to do this. This wasn’t to be a human wedding, but a Netherworld wedding… a vampire wedding.Koa scrunched up her nose as she looked down at the billowing gown, littered with sparkling crystals and black taffeta. She looked like a gothic spin on a Disney princess. Vampire Barbie, she thought to herself.Even at such a young age, Koa knew she did not fit the role of such a character. She was not a doll or a character from the books she read. She closed her eyes and tried to calm her nerves.Like boiling acid, anxious feelings churned within her stomach, making her feel like she might faint, or worse… vomit at any moment. How embarrassing that would be, Koa thought as she chewed her lip. She grimaced. Her lips tasted horrible, like tar. She’d almost forgotten that she was covered in makeup like a clown. Her small hands shook and she wanted to cry. It took all of her strength to keep the tears from escaping and causing an even bigger scene. With hot cheeks she held her breath, and prayed for an escape.Koa was afraid of this dark place, where neither the sun nor moon existed. The entire population was composed of millions of creatures that would have given normal girls nightmares. “Nephilim” is what her father called them. The spawn of fallen angels. King Alsand was a nephilim. Koa was as well.She was glad that her father was by her side. He never let go of her hand. With her free hand, Koa tugged at the high collar of her gown. She groaned. The black lace made the skin on her throat itch.Koa looked up at her father. She was small, and her father always looked like such a giant to her. King Alsand walked regally by her side. He commanded such attention. With his head held high, his face depicted an air of authority. Together, they walked at the head of the procession through the wide streets of Lyrinia, while the citizens watched in uneasy silence.Netherworld vamps, War-Breeders, Jems, Syths, and even ghouls came out of their hiding spots to catch a glimpse of the mysterious half-blood princess.Koa tried not to stare back at the horrific creatures all around. The sound of metal and robotic buzzing noises caught her attention as a quad of Scayors entered the crowd. Everyone stepped aside to let them through to the front. Like metallic giants, slim, and sleek, the Scayors patrolled the event like silent police. Their eyes cast a dim green glow over what they scanned.She shuddered when their gaze lingered on her. She feared that they were reading her thoughts and knew that she was afraid of them. That was one thing that Koa hated, the admission of fear. Even the monk-like Syths scared her. They were big, pale, creatures with bald heads and faces covered in tattoos.Lightning broke out and everyone looked up to the sky. Koa clutched her father’s arm and paused. He smiled down at her. “Don’t worry, Koa. It’s not a real sky, my love. That is simply the ground of another Netherworld level. I believe they are having a battle up there.”Koa’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the dismal black sky. Lightning struck again, but it wasn’t the kind of lighting that she was used to. It was green and took the shape of various symbols as it faded into the dark. To think that they were only on one of the many levels of the Netherworld, and that entire civilizations and kingdoms were going about their business with little to no care about what an important day this was for Lyrinia was too much for young Koa to grasp. When she looked back down, she saw that everyone had returned their attention to her. Vampire women and men stared at her. They were the only creatures that she wasn’t fearful of. Father had various vampires over at the manor from time to time, but none of them looked as picturesque as these Netherworld vamps.Painted faces stared at her. The vampire women were the most beautiful women that Koa had ever seen, and yet none compared to her mother’s simple and natural beauty. These women were like painted dolls who she imagined tipping over and watching crack into pieces of porcelain.Koa noticed how they seemed to be separated into groups. The red lipsticks on the left and the black lipsticks on the right. Koa didn’t know if it was simply a fashion trend or something more, but all of the women wore the most elaborate gowns and jeweled arrangements on their perfectly sculptured hairdos.They watched her, unblinking, unsmiling. She could see the judgment in their eyes.“Father,” Koa breathed. She looked away from their violet eyes and clutched her father’s arm.King Alsand looked down at her. His green eyes were serious today. “What is it, darling?”Koa looked ahead at the sparkling golden palace before them. The golden plates along the palaces walls shimmered and reflected all of the light from the Disc Moon, the artificial moon of the Netherworld. Her voice was caught in her throat. Something felt odd and yet she felt drawn to the palace. It stood out like a candle in the dark and pulled her in, as if by magic, like a moth to a porch light.Koa’s face paled. This was the place that would be her new home. King Greggan’s teenage son, Prince Jax, would be her new husband.Koa stopped. The guards that were leading them looked back and seemed ready to seize her and force her forward.King Alsand leaned down to her ear. “What’s wrong?”“I want to go home.”Her father patted her hand and when one of the Syth guards stepped forward, he whipped out the Lyrinian sword with lightning speed. Everyone drew in a breath and stepped back as they beheld its power. The ring of steel rang throughout the air. It pulsed, audibly, and visibly as the red glow made the air heat and crackle. Even Koa held her breath as her eyes shot to the Lyrinian blade.King Alsand’s raptor-like glare burned into the guards, warning them to keep their distance. He didn’t have to say a word. The red glow of the black blade was enough to make the large brutish creatures rethink their actions.King Alsand waited a moment longer, making sure that they knew how serious he was. Koa had only trained with that sword once. The power was too great for her now, but one day it would be hers.She flinched when her father’s glare landed on her. “Koa, this is your home.”Koa shook her head, but avoided his eyes. She looked around. The air was stale, not like the fresh, fragrant air of France. The sky was dark, lit only by the Disc Moon that cast different colors across the land whenever the hour changed.She missed the moon of Earth. She missed the sun, the trees, and the flowers. The Netherworld felt like a nightmare from which she would never awaken. No matter what color the day was in the Netherworld, it was always too dark for her. Koa’s father didn’t understand her love for daylight, for he had never seen real daylight.The sun’s rays would kill him just as surely as it would kill any vampire, Netherworld or New World. Koa was the only exception and she wished that he would at least try to understand.“You are half Netherworld vamp, Koa,” her father gave her hand a squeeze. “This is where you belong, amongst your people.”“I am also half human.”King Alsand looked down at her and pursed his lips. His eyes hid something from her. Koa tried to soften her voice and sound as sweet as possible. “Bring mother here, and maybe I won’t feel so homesick,” Koa reasoned, her green eyes hopeful.King Alsand shook his head, but his features softened for her. “My darling girl. You will see that this is the place for you. You belong here with your people. The treaty has already been signed.” He leaned closer to her ear and whispered. “Your mother cannot come here Koa. She is safe in the mortal world. If we do not fulfill our side of the treaty, she will be in danger. Now, is that what you want?”Her lips trembled. She shook her head quickly. Just the thought of someone harming her mother made her feel sick. She didn’t know what she would do if she lost that sweet, loving, woman.She looked into her father’s eyes. “Do you understand what I am telling you?”Koa nodded. She understood, but she still didn’t agree with what was happening.Alsand smiled and stroked her pale white cheek. “But I don’t want to do this,” Koa whispered.Alsand’s smile faded, but his eyes didn’t turn cold on her as she expected. He knelt down to her level and cupped her cheek.“I know, my dear girl, but sometimes we have to do things that we don’t want to… to protect those that we love.”“May I?” Faun asked of Alsand.Alsand nodded and Faun gathered her white skirts in one hand and scampered over to fix Koa’s long black hair. Koa didn’t take her eyes from her father’s. She hoped that he would see how miserable she was. Koa ignored Faun as she examined her face with violet eyes. She was adamant about making sure that Koa’s part was perfectly straight and that her hair fell in long ringlets. “Smile,” she said.Koa twisted her mouth. “I don’t want to.”Faun put her hands on her hips. She scrunched up the space between her thin brows as she narrowed her eyes at Koa. “Just do it. It’s only for a second.”Koa rolled her eyes and faked a quick smile.“That wasn’t so hard, now was it?” Snickering, she gathered her skirts in her hand. “You have red lipstick on your teeth,” she said and returned to her place in the procession behind Koa and her father.Frustrated, Koa rubbed her teeth with her finger. She knew just how ridiculous she looked. Black liner, red lips, and rosy cheeks. Alsand locked arms with Koa. He leaned close and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He lowered his voice into a whisper. “Remember, never mention that you can walk in the sun. Never.”Koa swallowed and squeezed her eyes shut. “I know, father. You don’t have to keep reminding me.”“Good,” he stood back to his full height. His eyes widened and he leaned down again. “Or that you can fly.”Koa nodded, her head down. “Yes, I know.”He pinched her cheek. “Good. Shall we continue, darling?”“I don’t know, father.” Koa couldn’t bring herself to look at her father again. “Is there anything else that you want to remind me not to say or do?” Her eyes were burning from the tears that threatened to gush forth. Alsand noticed and simply shook his head. He patted her hand.She hung her head. Once again, they were walking down the black stone walkway that led to the gate and stone doors of the Lyrinian palace.Koa’s heart pattered against her ribcage. She felt like she might have an anxiety attack. So many eyes staring. So much anticipation in the air.Those golden gates that she’d been staring at for the past hour, as they walked through the entire kingdom, were held open for them and heavily guarded.When Koa stepped through the gates and entered a massive courtyard of stone. Their path was lit for them. On either side of the carpet were artificial trees of stone and black clay. They weren’t real, but they were beautiful. Art.Even Koa could appreciate the mastery. She examined the sculptures as she followed her escort through the courtyard and to the stone doors that led into the palace. Once inside, light seemed to fill every dark space. Chandeliers, torches, candles, mirrors reflecting the light, and light discs were positioned all over the wide corridor.It was then that Koa contemplated flying away. She’d thought of it often. It would be her last chance. She took a peek over her shoulder. She could still see the door. She’d just promised her father that she would keep her abilities a secret. She wasn’t sure why such things were so important. She could simply lift herself into the air, and head for the Gate, but visions of her mother being harmed kept her firmly planted to the purple carpeted floor.Koa felt numb, like she was walking to her prison cell.Each corridor led to another corridor of a different theme. From one of light and mirrors they stepped through grand archers to a corridor of dim candles and artificial flowers in vases painted with paint that seemed to have a light of its own. There was a corridor with walls filled with paintings and soft music played by a small creature that resembled the one at the Gate. Tunes was what her father called him, but all Koa remembered was how creepy he was. Koa watched it buzz around with short black wings as it blew eerie melodies out of its flute. She tapped her chin and furrowed her brows as she tried to remember what kind of creature it was.“An imp!” Koa shouted triumphantly. She covered her mouth with her hand and looked around in horror. She hadn’t meant to say that aloud. Everyone glanced at her with disapproval, but the imp continued playing its flute until they went into the next corridor.Koa was relieved to find that the maze of corridors had finally ended, and that they were finally in the main ballroom where the prince and the royal family awaited them.She stepped into the room, from carpet to shiny granite floors and a flood of light and decorations overwhelmed her senses. She didn’t want to admit how beautiful it was, but her eyes widened at the spectacle. Hundreds of chairs draped with gold silk lined either side of the alleyway that led to the dais where the thrones stood. Her heart thumped. She felt something she hadn’t expected. Koa’s face flooded with blood as her eyes met those of the prince.No one else mattered. Nothing else existed as Koa’s eyes cut through the crowd and down to the set of five thrones as Koa and her father stopped before the platform.“Princess Evina, 1st Queen Katya, 2nd Queen Lera, your highness, King Greggan, and Prince Jax, behold King Alsand of Elyan and Princess Koa.”Koa heard the introductions but something odd was happening. She stared at Prince Jax with her mouth agape.He was the most attractive person she had ever seen in her life: piercing dark blue eyes, dark blood-red hair, and a perfectly sculpted chin and nose. Koa felt her face flush as he looked her up and down. Then, he did something that made her grin, despite her previous fears and doubts.Prince Jax winked at her.


Chapter 2Koa’s grin widened. A weight was lifted from her shoulders and she feel light as air, free as a butterfly.Excitement flooded her small body. She held her head a little higher and practically beamed. Everyone in attendance could read her expression. Whispers swept through the room as the guests watched the exchange of looks between Koa and Prince Jax. Jax sat at the edge of his seat, his youthful face bright with surprise. Koa wondered if he’d been imagining her as an ugly troll. She never even considered the prince actually being attractive.Maybe this isn’t so bad, she thought as she admired Prince Jax’s perfect face. She’d never seen anyone that looked like him, and from the citizens of Lyrinia that she’d encountered so far, Jax probably never saw anyone like her. Growing up in Korea, Koa was kept from others, but everyone had the same dark eyes and black hair.Koa saw something familiar in Jax’s dark blue eyes. She saw mischief, even as he sat beside his father who looked like an evil statue. Koa liked that look. She shared the same craving for mischief. Mischief meant fun was in store. She took her hand from her father’s and found herself drawn to the prince. She wanted to speak with him, to share stories, and play games. He’s cute, she thought as she smoothed her dress. Koa never thought she’d be married at the age of twelve, but she suddenly wasn’t so opposed to it. I’m a princess, she thought. He is a prince. Isn’t it every girl’s dream to have a fairy tale wedding?Koa didn’t try to hide her admiration and her father smiled down at her. “I told you that everything would be all right,” he whispered.King Greggan stood. The entire room quieted. Koa’s smile faded. She looked at the man’s face and felt instant warnings flood her mind.He was pale like his son, and shared the same shade of blood-red hair, yet his was long and in a single braid while Jax’s was short and messy. King Greggan had a long red beard as well, that he stroked as he looked down at them, as if in thought. Koa couldn’t help thinking that he looked like one of those Vikings that her tutor had taught her about. All he needed was a helmet with horns.There was something different in the king’s eyes and Koa identified it immediately. She swallowed. Evil. There wasn’t another word to describe what she saw.Koa saw it, and she hoped that her father did as well. She did not trust that Netherworld vamp.While everyone bowed, Koa and King Alsand were allowed to simply nod their head to the king.King Greggan clasped his hands before him and looked at the Lyrinian sword.“Come to bind our kingdoms and return the sword your ancestors stole?”King Alsand looked up at King Greggan and tilted his head. Koa noticed that this was a heated topic, but her father, being the diplomat that he was, would play this like a game.“Stole?” King Alsand repeated, feigning ignorance.King Greggan did not reply, but his dark gaze held a deep hatred for her father that didn’t need words. That look made Koa uncomfortable. She’d never seen such hatred before.King Alsand grabbed the hilt of the Lyrinian sword and withdrew it. King Greggan flinched, but it was such a tiny action that most wouldn’t have caught it. Koa did.Her father ran his finger along the black blade. “I do believe it is my family name engraved into the sword’s metal dear friend. The angels passed it on to my line. You may forget your history,” he tilted his head. “I don’t blame you… history can be terribly boring at times. But,” he raised a finger, “the House of Vangelis once sat on the throne of Lyrinia.”King Alsand looked at Greggan with innocent eyes, but Koa could see the fury silently building behind them. Her eyes went to the Lyrinian blade. It started to glow.“That is, before the House of Tulach started that little squabble that led to the great divide and forced my family into the Eastern Dominance.”King Greggan’s mouth twitched. “Little squabble,” he said and nodded his head. He stroked his beard as he regarded her father with silent hate.“That’s right,” King Alsand replied. “As I am King Alsand Vangelis, and you are King Greggan Tulach, we should remember our history, lest we repeat it.” He slid the sword back into its scabbard. “And my family will keep what is rightfully ours.”“Rightfully ours? You sound like such a human.”King Alsand shrugged. “So be it.”King Greggan’s gaze went from the sword to young Koa. His eyes lingered on her pale face and she felt herself grow self-conscious. She struggled to keep a straight face and not look away.She would not show fear. She would not let the vamp king see that she wanted nothing more than to hide behind her father like a little girl. Instead, she held her head high, just how she’d been taught.Never show fear, her father would say. Never.King Greggan nodded then. Koa wasn’t sure why. Maybe he was agreeing with what her father had just said. Perhaps he was admiring her. She feared that both options were false.“Yes. I believe you’re right.” His eyes lifted to her father’s and he mocked an innocent look of his own. His bushy red brows rose. “So, you wouldn’t mind if I marry your daughter, rather than give her to my son, would you?”Koa’s jaw dropped. Her stomach sank. Even Prince Jax was visibly surprised by his father’s words. The only person who wasn’t surprised was King Alsand.To Koa’s horror, he nodded. She yelped. “No!” She covered her mouth with her hand as her plea seemed to loudly echo throughout the ballroom.Her father put out a hand to silence her. He looked up at King Greggan.“If that is your wish, my daughter, Princess Koa of Elyan in the Eastern Dominance will be glad to be your bride. As it states in the treaty—that the angels comprised, mind you—the first born female of the House of Vangelis will be offered to the House of Tulach for peacekeeping. So, the male counterpart is of little concern.”Koa felt her face go red with fury. She shook her head. She bit her lip as she looked into his eyes. Her eyes stung from tears and she risked whispering to him, “Please, father.”King Greggan showed his first smirk then. “Are you sure, dear friend? I’d hate to have to break the treaty ‘that the angels comprised’ due to a misunderstanding and start the war up again.”Koa was nudged forward. She resisted her father’s nudge. She didn’t want to go. Such an unjustice did not sit well with her. She could have screamed but she knew what would happen if she didn’t go willingly. Many people would die. She whimpered and stood before the vamp king.“Let the wedding begin.” King Alsand said and Koa knew that her entire world would end. It was official.Childhood was over.“Just one second, friend,” Greggan sneered. His eyes were twinkling with malice. “Don’t you want to check with the angels first? We have our very own referee here. Let’s ask him, if this is agreeable to the treaty.”
Koa dared to hope. She’d never seen a real angel, and her interest was thoroughly sparked. Perhaps the angels could save her from this horrible fate. Everyone went silent, and the entire room turned to look towards the back of the room. Koa followed their gazes. There, in the back, stood two men. One was as tall as a giant and muscular. He didn’t wear a shirt, only an iron breastplate that covered his right shoulder and chest, dark pants under armor, and iron gauntlets on each wrist. Scars covered nearly every inch of his bronze colored body. Koa had never seen anyone with so many weapons. An axe, a dagger, shiny weapons she couldn’t identify, and a spear. He looked like a warrior god, but it was the man beside him that held her attention. The man with the bright blonde hair was tall, but not as tall as the other. He wasn’t as flashy either. Only a silver gun peeked from a holster at his side. He was quiet and reserved, but Koa sensed that he was calculating, and perhaps the most powerful being there.And she was right.King Greggan’s voice boomed. “What do you say, Master Halston?” Master Halston gave a single nod. Everyone waited in silent anticipation. “I’ll allow it.”Koa almost didn’t hear the words that came from his mouth, for their eyes locked and she suddenly doubted everything she thought she knew. It was as if he spoke to her with that one look. He urged her to be brave, to trust, to be patient. Koa had never seen that man before in her life, but somehow she felt inclined to obey. But at twelve, she couldn’t help but resist. And she did. She turned to run, and before she could get even two feet, her body was held immobile by silver bands. Tears stung her eyes as she looked at her father. His face was paler than she’d ever seen it. His eyes were glossy with tears of his own. But what hurt her more than anything was that he did nothing to stop it. He raised a hand, but withdrew it, and stood by in silence.Koa’s face heated. “You liar,” she growled at her father. “I hate you.”


Chapter 3Now, at twenty-one, Koa remembered the day her life had changed with stunning clarity. Childhood was no longer a blur. The pain returned with full force. When Koa had broken him out of the prison in the Ivory Tower, Jax had returned her memories to her, and now she would have to deal with what she’d always wanted.The truth.Her vision of the dark world before her was blurred by hot tears. The truth truly did hurt. Halston had warned her for years. He’d told her that she was better off not knowing what had happened to her during her time in the Netherworld. Koa shuddered at the memories of what Greggan had done to her back then.Koa wanted to rip herself free and fly after Halston. The look on his face when they’d parted made her ill. She needed to be certain that he would survive. Even though she had her Jax back, she knew that she would not be able to handle the death of the angel that doomed her, and yet became her best friend.Jax’s grip on her waist tightened as they approached the first cavern that led out of Lyrinia. The deafening howls of the Wraith made Koa squeeze her eyes shut and cover her ears with her hands.“I want to go back!” Koa shouted and tugged her body from Jax’s grasp. Jax wouldn’t let her go. He held on and wrapped his other arm around her. “Koa, listen. You cannot go back. This is our only chance to make it out.”“He’s right,” Evina, his sister, shouted over the howls. “Let Halston do his job. He can handle it.”Koa wiped her cheeks of tears and turned to face the first set of caverns. “Shadows,” she breathed. Memories of the Shadows reaching out to her with their cold hands pulsed in her mind. Halston was not there to protect her from them with the power of his angelic glow this time.Jax gave her a tender squeeze and whispered into her ear. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Koa.”His warm breath made her shiver, and she glanced up at him. His face was so close that they could kiss. If she wasn’t fearful for her life, she might have kissed him, just out of the passion she felt from having his body pressed to her. His eyes met hers, twinkling in the dim light of the Netherworld’s Disc Moon.With a wry smile, he looked ahead. He gave a nod to the entrance of the first cavern. “Don’t worry. We will make it.”The howls of the Wraith were cut off the second they flew into the cavern. The cold seeped through her skin and into her bones. Koa shivered. She wrapped her arms around Jax’s neck and buried her face into his shoulder. Black, with a dimly lit path below, the cavern reminded her of an eerie forest at night. The smooth black stone that covered the floor was littered with perfectly spaced discs of yellow light.A flying beetle the size of her fist buzzed before her face. It examined her. Koa smacked it away and cringed when it let out a loud bellow of pain that sounded like an old man. She watched it dart away and wiped its blood onto her jeans.Jax kissed her forehead. He spoke softly. “We’ll make it. I promise.”Koa nodded but bit her lip to keep from sobbing. Halston. The look in his blue eyes as they parted wouldn’t leave the forefront of her mind. The Ivory Tower could not be the end of him. She needed him.Koa looked over at Evina. She rode her disc with mastery, as if surfing along the air. Her red hair flew behind her, and she stood with perfect balance with her arms crossed under her large bosom.“Watch out!” Koa screeched when she saw a glowing arrow cut through the dark.Evina veered out of the way just in time. Koa’s eyes widened when she looked ahead and saw that there was a squad of guards from the city. Battle-worn soldiers hovered in the air in battle formation. No Scayors or Syths, just vampires that had vowed allegiance to King Greggan.Jax held her close. “You have any more of those vials from the Alchemist?”Koa swallowed. Her throat was dry. She shook her head. “No,” she whispered. She tensed as she watched the soldiers.A woman used her disc to fly ahead of the formation. Koa paled. “Second wife,” she breathed. Queen Lera, Greggan’s second wife, held her daggers in her hands. “What do you two think you’re doing?” She spoke to Evina and Jax. “Traitors to your own kingdom!” She was not their mother. With her black hair and gray eyes, she was covered in the tattoos of Netherworld dialect with the only ink that could permanently stain a vampire’s flesh.No, this vampire woman was not the motherly sort. With her hair pulled into a bun at the top of her head, and wrapped in chains of vampire fangs that she had pulled out from her victims, she was a warrior who lived for battle.“Just get out of the way, Lera.” Jax was calm. He took his arm from around Koa and she stepped off the disc to fly by his side. He took out his daggers, clinked them together, and ignited a red glow that caused the air to sizzle. “I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if I have to.”Evina snorted a laugh. She pulled her large curved sword from its place along her back and pointed it at Lera. “Oh no, no. Unlike my brother, I would love to make you bleed,” she hissed. She waved Lera on. “Just come a little closer.”Lera grinned, but her eyes were not filled with joy, but hate. She clinked her dagger’s hilts together and they glowed red as well. She held them ready at her sides. Her eyes went from Evina and back to Jax. “The king doesn’t want you dead, but I have been given clearance to stop you at all costs. Do not expect me to show mercy.”Koa glanced at Jax and Evina. Neither seemed surprised that their father would have them killed, just to rule in the human world. Koa didn’t like how this was going. She drew her Lyrinian sword and waited. She counted a dozen soldiers, took stock of what weapons they carried, and prepared for an inevitable battle. Her stomach bubbled with anticipation. The heat and power of the sword coursed up her arm and filled her veins. She felt strong. The sword gave her courage. She wanted their blood to cover the blade. The sword begged her, like an impatient child. Gimme! Gimme! Koa imagined it saying to her. It did have a mind of its own, and when drawn, it had an unquenchable thirst for blood.Lera’s dark gaze landed on Koa. Her grin faded and her lips curled into a snarl.“You,” she growled. Lera’s face seemed to grow dark as she glared at Koa.Koa flinched at the look of evil in that woman’s eyes. Her mouth couldn’t form the words that she wanted to say. She wanted to say something snarky like Evina, but her history with the vampire queen was a traumatic one. Instead she looked down at the blade and to Jax.Jax sensed the tension and moved to put an arm out. Koa looked confused as he pushed her behind him.Koa raised a brow as Lera licked her daggers. The sharp blade slit her tongue and she let the blood increase their power. “Out of my way, Jax. The half-blood and I have unfinished business.”Koa’s heart quickened as Lera flew forward. Lera was so quick that Koa barely saw her form cut through the dark. Koa simply reacted. And Koa… was quicker.Koa didn’t mean to do it. It was purely instinctual, but she gripped her sword’s hilt with both hands and ducked beneath Jax’s outstretched arm. She sliced across the air and through both of Lera’s legs with all of the strength within her body. Bone was sawed through and blood sprayed into the air.The smell of burning flesh wafted into Koa’s nostrils, and the sound of Lera’s scream thundered in her ears. The Lyrinian sword’s blade glowed brighter, redder. Hungrier. Koa looked up. There were still at least a dozen more bodies to let it feast upon.Gimme! Gimme!Koa ground her teeth as she flew past and looked back at the screaming vampire.All was silent as the soldiers, Jax, and Evina, watched Lera fall down to the black ground.Jax’s eyes slowly rose to meet hers. His jaw still hung in surprise.Koa cleared her throat and nodded to the soldiers. “Well, are we killing them and escaping or not?” Drunk off of adrenaline and the intoxicating power of the Lyrinian sword, Koa dove into the frenzy of battle. She never looked back, but she heard Evina’s battle cry and the clashing of steel against steel behind her. Koa was never a tidy fighter. She was more of a wild animal, uncaring about how she killed a foe, only that they died as quickly and effectively as possible. And so, her sword was used as merely an extension of her arm. With wide movements, she flung her arm in a circle and sliced through one soldier’s belly. She grabbed the next closest soldier by the back of his head with her free hand and kneed him in the face, shattering his jaw. He fell from his disc and went crashing to the ground. Koa grinned almost evilly. How dare they try to fight her in her element? No other vampire could fly, and their discs were not as reliable as her body.She grunted as a dagger stabbed her in the side. Eyes wide with rage, she caught a female vamp’s arm and twisted it out of its socket. The soldier cried out. Then, Koa grabbed her by her long hair and flew with great speed higher into the black sky. The soldier’s flying disc hovered in the same spot below. She grabbed Koa by the jaw and shouted at her in a language that she only understood vaguely. Netherworld dialect was burned somewhere in the dark recesses of her mind that she’d tried to forget, but she understood one word.“Mercy.”Like a cruel executioner, Koa sliced through her neck with her sword. She held the vamp’s head by her hair and watched her body fall lifeless below. Then, in Netherworld dialect she spoke to her severed head, bringing its empty eyes close to her face.“No mercy.”Then, alone above the carnage of what Jax and Evina did to the remaining soldiers, she tossed the head far off like a ball. Hot tears burned her eyes again. Images of what she’d suffered threatened to drive her mad. She tried to push them back into the box of unwanted memories, but they refused to go back. Koa growled and covered her eyes. How many times had she cried for mercy and King Greggan ignored her?She shivered, cold and exhausted. She wrapped her arms around herself and spoke to the quiet that followed as Jax and Evina looked up at her, done with the battle.“Halston,” she whispered between sobs. Her dagger wound throbbed, but not as much as her head. It threatened to make her black out, but for some reason Koa knew that she could not let herself go. She feared what would happen if she let herself go into that dark place. Sleep was not an option. Not until she and the others were free from the horror of the Netherworld. Not until she knew her loved ones were safe. “Oh, Halston. Please hurry.”

Available on Amazon.com!

The Resort **Book Blast & Author Feature**

Life on the Messenger River is never slow and meandering…Allison Bell is a charming twenty-eight year old late bloomer with a propensity to fall into trouble with alarming regularity. Lucky for her, it’s hard to find real trouble when one lives in a town where the winter population hovers around five hundred residents.That is, until The Resort, an exclusive, high-end retreat for people who make more money per minute than Allison makes in a month, is built right next to her tiny hometown. Carter James is the highly successful, highly sexy owner of the security firm that protects both The Resort and its patrons. Carter is a man of few words and little patience, and it takes almost no time for Allison to stretch that patience to the breaking point. When Allison befriends Bree Jefferson, a wealthy socialite staying at The Resort who happens to be the target of an assassin, Carter finds himself forced to protect both women, while fighting his attraction to the oddly endearing Allison. Allison isn’t a fan of dodging bullets or running from assassination attempts, even if each one lands her in Carter’s strong arms, snuggled next to his too-tempting body. How is a girl to resist? Why would a girl want to?
Author Bio:Meet Tami Lund!
Tami Lund spent her younger years living in Mid-Michigan, before moving to northwest  Louisiana as a teen, where she stayed, blissfully winter-free for eleven years.She graduated from Centenary College of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, which is not unlike a Liberal Arts degree -  well-rounded but with no real focus.When she was twenty-five, she met her own knight in shining armor, transplanting him from Michigan to live with her in Louisiana… which lasted  just long enough for him to discover a bone-deep hatred of all things summer. Less than two years later, they packed up shop and relocated back to Michigan, causing Tami to discover a long-suppressed and much surprising love of winter. They have been in Michigan ever since, vacationing in various beautiful places that eventually helped to create the backdrop for The Resort series.Tami has been writing, well, forever, so it seems. In reality, she has
notebooks of “novels” she wrote while in junior high school and high school, but  then she took a fairly long break from writing when she discovered partying, while attending college. That pastime carried her through until she was married, which naturally led to birthing a couple of babies, and it wasn’t until she was  laid off from her “real” job in 2009 that she finally put pen to, er, fingers to keyboard again and let those bottled up creative juices flow.Tami continues to write with every spare moment she has. She has self-published six ebooks, all of which can be purchased through her website, www.tamilund.com. The final book in The Resort series is scheduled to be released in May, 2014.

Purchase The Resort Today!5.0 out of 5 stars Diamond in the rough May 30, 2013 By Lost romantic Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase Engaging characters and realistic plot scenarios. This series is shaping up to be a guilty pleasure in the making. I found the characters very believable and the plot realistic. The writing kept me glued to the pages till the very end.   Available on:
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An Interview with author, Khalid Muhammad!

Introducing author, Khalid Muhammad!
Where are you from?
That’s an interesting answer… I was born in Pakistan, moved to the United States when I was 2 (with my parents), moved back to Pakistan about 16 years ago, when I was 27. So I am from both countries, having lived in the US for about 27 years and Pakistan for 19.


What inspired you to write your first book? What genre is it?
I first got the idea for the book about 6 years ago. I tried many different flavors of how the story should come together in terms of flow and structure, but it never really worked for me until I switched gears and let more of myself into the writing. I am extremely pro-Army and pro-Pakistan – it will always be home to me.
Agency Rules – Never an Easy Day at the Office takes you behind the headlines into the events that created today’s Pakistan. It is a tough look at a nation in conflict from the eyes of a young man, Kamal Khan, who is looking for his own identity and place in society. Kamal is raised in privilege, but leaves it all behind as a man to serve his nation. Once in that environment, finds himself embroiled in a complex narrative that shifts with the fiery speeches of their anointed political and religious leaders.
There are a number of motivations behind my story. First, and probably the most important motivation, was to share the Pakistan that I know with the world. The narrative that has become commonplace about my country is that it is a failed state with many players in the power corridor, but that is not all that Pakistan is. My Pakistan is a country that struggles with inept governments more interested in themselves rather than the people who elected them. It is a country whose people are extremely talented and patriotic but unable to take advantage of any opportunities because the country is run like a fiefdom rather than a nation. It is a country in search of its identity, much like Kamal, that is trapped amidst power plays from internal and external forces.
The backdrop of terrorism does make telling the story easier, but to paint the mosaic of the complexities I had to move backwards to the 1990s so that the reader could understand what happened to create the image of the country as it is today. It’s also a little bit of what I wish had happened rather than what really has happened. In my story, as in real life in fact, the people of Pakistan are the underdog against so many powerful forces, it’s a miracle we still exist. That we do is testament to our resilience as a nation, no matter what you read in the international press.
I hope that, as a reader, you will experience that Pakistan that I fell in love with when I moved home from the United States after 25 years. You will feel your heart wrench with Kamal’s when he is stationed in Karachi, Peshawar and buried deep inside the terrorist camps. And, hopefully, you will cheer him on, because he is the Pakistani that you don’t see in the media – smart, driven and motivated to do good for his family, fellow citizens and country.

Do you write full-time or part-time? How do you balance your writing life with your family/work life?
It’s like a 2nd job for me. I work during the day running a marketing and brand management company and at night, I write for hours and hours.
The balance is difficult when I am writing, because I never know when an idea is going to take shape and I will need to write it down somewhere so I don’t forget it. I find myself turning on the digital recorder on my iPhone over and over throughout the day, adding thoughts and sentences that I don’t want to forget before I sit down to write. Once the process is done and the book is complete, then I go back to family and reading for fun and knowledge.
How did you come up with the title?
When you talk about intelligence agencies around the world, they are either referred to as “the service” or “the agency,” with the exception of the CIA, who like the moniker “the company.”
Agency Rules, the series title, came from that thought process. I wanted a title that would automatically identify the book series in reader’s minds, but not be so spy or espionage related that it would turn off readers from other genres. The Never an Easy Day at the Office came about half way through writing the book. I was storyboarding the next few chapters and the more I looked at how the progression was mapped, the more I saw the difficulties and struggles for my main character.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I hope that, as a reader, you will experience that Pakistan that I fell in love with when I moved home from the United States after 25 years. You will feel your heart wrench with Kamal’s when he is stationed in Karachi, Peshawar and buried deep inside the terrorist camps. And, hopefully, you will cheer him on, because he is the Pakistani that you don’t see in the media – smart, driven and motivated to do good for his family, fellow citizens and country.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

When I tried to write my first novel years back, I found myself creating situations and scenarios that I couldn’t identify with. The story was disconnected for me as the author, so there was no way that the reader would be able to connect with it. With this novel, I stayed true to what I know, have experienced, seen or heard first hand. I tried to capture the emotions and dreams of the people in different social classes. I hope that I have been able to do all of that with my writing.




What books have most influenced your life most?
The greatest influencers on my life have been Charles Dickens and John Steinbeck. I can still pick up any of the books written by these two writers and find something new, something that impacts me differently.
My favorites are Fredrick Forsyth, Tom Clancy, Helen MacInnes, Alistair McLean and John le Carre. These are the bricks that laid the foundations of today’s modern spy thriller and they teach authors from their books and writing.
I do have to be honest and admit that I watched a lot, and I mean a lot, of spy movies and TV shows. It helps to understand how a story plays out on screen to know the level of realism and environment that has to be brought to a story on paper. When you don’t have the visual to count on, the author has to paint the picture in the reader’s mind. I hope that I have been able to achieve that with my debut novel.
What book are you reading now?
Right now, I am wrapped up in research for the second installment of Agency Rules. I have 4 or 5 books on my bedside table right now. Jason Burke’s The 9/11 Wars, Imperial Hubris, Terry McDermott’s Perfect Soldiers and Steve Coll’s Ghost Wars. For pleasure, I am reading Tom Clancy’s final novel, Command Authority.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
I have really liked Tom Rob Smith’s books, Child 44, The Secret Speech and Agent 6. I’ve also been reading Matthew Reilly’s Scarecrow series. There are just too many great books out to try to keep up with them all.
What are your current projects?
Next? We’ll we had the global launch for Agency Rules – Never an Easy Day at the Office on the 16th of January. That’s when Amazon will get the e-book. Paperbacks will be available in bookstores and on Amazon in February from what I understand. I’ll probably spend a few months supporting and promoting the book.
At the same time, I have already started to craft the characters for the 2ndinstallment of Agency Rules. I know the story line but I need to create the characters and scenes that will play out on the pages of the next book. You can keep up with Agency Rules and Kamal Khan on the website at http://agencyrules.com.
I also write for a few marketing blogs that cater specifically to authors and book marketing. Being a marketer by profession, I have learned how to translate the commercial aspects of marketing, brand building and buzz generation into the publishing world and hopefully, gotten it right.
As I said, I am doing the background research for the second installment of Agency Rules, which will take up the better part of the next 6-8 months. I have started to jot notes and bullet points, but I won’t start writing until I have a clear picture on where the story goes from here.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Not a thing. I am extremely happy with the story and the characters. It’s a wonderful read!
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Agency Rules – Never an Easy Day at the Office.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Getting the realism. It’s very easy to create a story and fill in details from your imagination. With Agency Rules, I have taken the history of a country as a canvas and painted my own story on top of it. As I said previously, I worked very hard to get the voice right with what people are saying, thinking and feeling both inside and outside Pakistan. I don’t want people to come away from the book thinking that it was a nice story but it just wasn’t believable. Everything that you read on the pages of Agency Rules has actually happened in Pakistan in the 1990s, minus one thing, which I won’t reveal.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Not writing 200,000 words. I had so much that I wanted to put in the story, but I sat with my wife on the storyboards and outlines and she really helped me to weed out the things that would not add value to the story. Some things were pushed to the next book, some things may appear on my author website as general writing between books. There was just so much that I initially thought of including.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
Oh my God, yes. Having done it myself now, I have a different appreciation of what goes into writing a book. It’s not easy. Taking a taunting blank sheet of paper and filling it with an engaging story is a challenge for anyone, doing it over and over for almost 200 pages… it’s a different respect for the craft.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
So my advice to aspiring authors is simple - Never give up. There are so many reasons that you may stop writing, there are hundreds of people that will demotivate you when you are writing, but you have to take them with a grain of salt. You can’t achieve something when you are worried about what the naysayers think.


Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Well, other than the genre and being a book about Pakistan and terrorism, Agency Rules – Never an Easy Day at the Office is a fast-paced, action packed story that will keep you guessing all the way to the end. I hope that, as a reader, you will experience that Pakistan that I fell in love with when I moved home from the United States after 25 years. You will feel your heart wrench with Kamal’s when he is stationed in Karachi, Peshawar and buried deep inside the terrorist camps. And, hopefully, you will cheer him on, because he is the Pakistani that you don’t see in the media – smart, driven and motivated to do good for his family, fellow citizens and country.
Do you have an agent or publisher? How did you go about finding one?
No. I am talking to some different people now about representation, but I was not interested in the traditional route to publishing with my debut novel. I wanted to make sure that I got to tell the story that I wanted to tell.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Right here in Pakistan. This will always be home for me, with all the troubles and challenges, but I don’t want to be one of those Pakistanis that run away from their home country and complain about what’s wrong with it. I’ll stay here and be part of the solution, not another voice in the world condemning my country.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
I have had a great deal of bad luck and bad people in my life that have done some serious damage to me in the past. It took me a long time to put that behind me and repair myself so that I could move forward to live the life that I knew I could have. If I could have one super power, I would want to be able to heal people’s scars, because everyone has the potential of being superb and no one, and I mean no one, should be allowed to stop them from achieving that.
Microbio:
Born in Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley, educated and raised in the United States, Khalid returned to Pakistan almost 17 years ago and fell in love with his country. His debut novel, Agency Rules - Never an Easy Day at the Office, is a journey behind the headlines about Pakistan, the world's most dangerous place, to deliver an intense story that will challenge the reader to question what they have been told.

Author Website – http://agencyrules.comFacebook – http://facebook.com/AgencyRulesPKTwitter – http://twitter.com/AgencyRulesPKGoodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20587018-agency-rules---never-an-easy-day-at-the-officeAmazon – http://getbook.at/amazon-ar

Dark Prophet **Book Release**

Book DescriptionPublication Date: March 4, 2014 What would you do if a demon threatened your mother's life? If you're like Koa, you'd sharpen your enchanted sword and go after him.

Koa is a half-blood vampire that will do anything to protect her mother, and break her curse. The demon, Bund, wants more than her mother's life. He wants something from Koa, a power that she doesn't even know she has, and will rip through as many humans as he can to get her to surrender.

Agent Koa Reyo-won, and her boss, Halston, formed a crew of supernatural agents to stop Bund. But is a prophet, a temptress, a War-Breeder, a half-blood, and an angel enough to stop what Bund has planned?


In the midst of a war, Koa discovers the truth of her past, and finds herself torn, and in the center of everything. Will the Netherworld Division stand behind Koa once they learn her secret? Which life will Koa choose to follow for her future....her past or her present? 

Author Interview: Lillian Roberts!

How fun! I'm incredibly excited to introduce author, Lilian Roberts to you all. 
Where are you from? I was born in Athens Greece What inspired you to write your first book? What genre is it? I started to write when I was very young. It was more like role-playing. I wrote stories and pretended that I was one of the characters. In my wildest dreams I never thought that one day I will become and actual author and see my books in print. It is the most extraordinary feeling in the world. I was fascinated with the possibility of human immortality. As an engineer I always wondered about the probability of longevity. What if? That is a big question that still keeps the scientist looking for answers. I am not going to see that possibility in my lifetime so I decided to make it happen in my books. The genre is Paranormal / romance Do you write full-time or part-time? How do you balance your writing life with your family/work life? I do not write full-full time. I have a very dementing day job in a global corporation that keeps me hopping from 7:00AM to 5:00 or 6:00PM, and sometimes later. So I just stay up late so I can work on my books. It is a passion like none other. 
How did you come up with the title? Arielle is one of my most favorite female names. The rest were developed based on the plot of the manuscript
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? I think that when you go with your passion and your vision, you are eventually going to achieve that which will make you happy. When your heart steers you toward your dream, don’t procrastinate, run toward it with every ounce of strength in your body and mind. Arielle accepted Sebastian for who he was, because her heart told her that he was the only man that would make her complete.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life? A little bit of both
What books have most influenced your life most? 1) Henry James: I found very interesting the use of point of view of his story character. By doing that he was able to explore the heroine’s consciousness and perception. That is something I try to use in my books. 2) Sherrilyn Kenyon: I have read her Dark-Hunter vampire series. I loved the fact that she created soulless guardians to protect humans from those who wish to destroy mankind. 3) Emily Bronte: Her amazing novel “Wuthering Heights” left me mesmerized. Heathcliff’s orphaned status, his undying love for Catherine, his ambiguous position in society, the physical and mental cruelty he endured, and finally his revenge, are a stunning mixture of emotions that the author interweaved masterfully throughout the story. What book are you reading now? I am reading for the second time “Rebecca” by Daphne Du Maurier. This is an incredible story of a young innocent clumsy girl who falls in love with the very wealthy and complex Mr de Winter. I was intrigued by the secrets, the obscurity, the suspense and the romance that were hiding behind the walls of Manderley. What a rollercoaster of emotions? I couldn’t believe how I was being affected by her deep emotions of desperation, depression and fear. I loved the book but several times I had to put it down and walk away. I don’t think I have ever done that with any other book. Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Michael Crichton
What are your current projects? I am working on completing the 8th book in the series “Immortal Rapture” That will complete this saga.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? Not a single word. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? My life is very busy. Trying to find the quiet moments I need to work on my manuscript is the most challenging part in writing.
What was the hardest part of writing your book? Trying to keep names, dates and places correct through out 8 books.  Coming up with unique scenarios of revenge for my villain immortals. And keeping the story interesting and finding a great cliff-hanger for each book. Ensuring the reader is interested and eager to purchase the next book. Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? I don’t underestimate the readers. I try to write an interesting story and produce a book that will keep people engaged. I want to make my readers a fan and to give them a book that will keep them coming back for more. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? Thank you. It is the most rewarding and surreal experience to receive your wonderful feedback after reading my book. To the future readers, thank you for loving books and making my book your choice.
Do you have an agent or publisher? How did you go about finding one? I had actually self-published my first four books in the Immortal Rapture series. My publicist was promoting them well, and each of the books made it onto Amazon bestseller lists. We were getting great reviews, and she happened to mention this to someone at her publishing house “Booktrope”. The director looked at my work and loved the idea of the series and forwarded the information about the synopses and sales figures to the Chief of Marketing. She bought my first book, Arielle Immortal Awakening and loved it. Next thing I knew, she was calling me to talk about the series as a whole, and soon after I had a contract. My first book is being re-published by Booktrope on February the 10th. They will be releasing one book each month until the whole series is published. If you could live anywhere, where would it be? On a remote Island J If you could have any super power, what would it be? Immortality
Author Bio: Lilian RobertsI am an engineer, a wife, a mother and an avid reader. I turned my love of reading into a passion for writing, and have published the first four volumes in the Immortal Rapture Series. Arielle Immortal Awakening (Volume I), which was released in November 2012, Arielle Immortal Seduction (Volume II), released in January of 2013, Arielle Immortal Passion (Volume III), released April 2013, and Arielle: Immortal Quickening (Volume IV), released July 8th 2013. I was to release Arielle Immortal Journey(Volume V) in December of 2013 but Booktrope has picked the series and will start re-releasing them February the 10th of this year. I have completed seven of the eight book series and working on completing book 8 next month. All four novels have appeared on Amazon’s top 100 list three times and held their place for 4 weeks.  


ARIELLE IMMORTAL AWAKENING  is the first book in the series: A mortal soul… From the time college co-ed Arielle Lloyd had been young, she had been able to hear the thoughts and feel the pain of certain others, and those she comes to think of as her special group. One friend’s dabbling with spells and magic showed her the power of love that can endure beyond the grave. But another friend’s terrifying encounter with a warlock left Arielle wary of those who claim otherworldly powers. On holiday in the south of France, a chance encounter could change her mind. Or could cost her life. An Immortal man… Sebastian Gaulle is the wealthy, handsome owner of an international company. He is also an Immortal. For five centuries he has sought the one soul who can fulfill his dreams of everlasting love. Then he meets Arielle, whose heart calls out to him like no other. A timeless love… Sebastian has made his choice clear. But jealous Immortals from his past threaten retaliation. They have vowed to destroy any woman who becomes involved with him. In spite of the powerful protection amulet Sebastian gives Arielle, death stalks their newfound love. Their love may be eternal, but they may be running out of time.



ARIELLE IMMORTAL SEDUCTION IS THE SECOND BOOK IN THE SERIES A time of waiting… Arielle Lloyd has found the love of her life, but his business as the owner of an international company calls him away. She longs for Sebastian, but stays busy with school, and finds comfort in spending time with her best friends, Gabby and Eva. It is during Sebastian’s absence that a stranger enters Arielle’s life at the university and threatens to shatter her joy with a vicious assault. A time of renewal… The return of Sebastian Gaulle, Arielle’s Immortal love, brings a return of joy. Her terrifying experience has her rethinking her vow of remaining chaste until marriage. Arielle already knows Sebastian is the one man she will love for eternity. Sebastian has longed for Arielle, like no other. He has carried a ring in his pocket for her almost from the first moment they met. He’s only waiting for the right moment to pledge his eternal love for her. A time of danger… But Sebastian’s past still threatens their future. A trio of jealous Immortal women has vowed Sebastian will belong to no other woman for centuries to come. Arielle, Sebastian, and their friends must join together to fight off the Immortals bent on utter destruction, if they are ever to find their eternal happiness.


ARIELLE IMMORTAL PASSION IS THE THIRD BOOK IN THE SERIES An interlude in paradise… St. Jean De Luz, in the south of France, is the gorgeous setting of one of Sebastian Gaulle’s family estates. It is to this lush place that the Immortal takes his love, Arielle Brown, and her friends, to relax and spend their holiday exploring the surroundings and learning about his family’s history. A snake in the garden… There is no safety in this paradise, however, as Sebastian’s past continues to haunt him. The Immortal, Annabel, still lusts for vengeance on Sebastian and seeks to destroy his new love. While exploring, Arielle’s life is endangered when she discovers dangerous hidden strangers occupying the house. Evil that will not die… Trapped, threatened, and nearing her last breath, Arielle must call on the powerful magic of her friend, Eva, for help. Sebastian must rally his Immortal friends and family to protect his love and expel the evil before his paradise is forever lost.




ARIELLE IMMORTAL QUICKENING IS THE FOUTH BOOK PUBLISHED IN THE SERIES A fatal night….College co-ed Arielle Lloyd is on vacation with her immortal love, Sebastian Gaulle, when they receive word of a dreadful accident. Her dear friend Gabrielle hovers near death. But it’s much worse for her beloved friends, Eva and Ian. In spite of Eva’s magical abilities, their lives have been cut tragically short.An immortal choice…Troy Vasser’s only love is Gabrielle, but on the night of the accident, his deepest concern is for their dying friends. While the life force within Ian and Eva flickered dangerously low, Troy had to make a hard choice. He could either let them die or lose their humanity and live as immortals. So he did the only thing he could: he gave them immortality. Now it is up to Arielle to break the news to Eva before the transformation is complete. A quest for vengeance…Danger continues to stalk Arielle’s life. Unknown to her, her new professor is an immortal, and he is furious when he discovers that Arielle is wearing an amulet, that should be owned by immortals only. Sebastian’s nemesis, Annabel, has also not given on up on her quest to destroy Arielle. What Annabel doesn’t realize is that Arielle’s circle of friends has drastically changed. There are two newly minted immortals that adore her and have vowed to protect her.
Contact Information for Lilian Roberts:


Website: www.lilianroberts.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/lilian3roberts Blog: http://lilianroberts.blogspot.com E- mail: lilian3roberts@gmail.com

Sophomore **Book Blast & Author Feature**

Author Bio:
Marguerite is a military child, mother of two from Chicago, IL transplanted in Phoenix, AZ. With a turbulent childhood and early adulthood, Marguerite gracefully rose above hard situations and through this series Marguerite takes you on her tricky self love journey to the woman she has become today.











Book Description:

If you could go back and say anything to yourself, what would you say and at what age would you try and correct things"?
Sophomore from the Reflecting to Myself Saga is the first installation in the series and Marguerite's big debut. What began as a self-reflecting question during a long period of soul searching, this story slowly blossomed into a young adult/mature audience gem. She's currently working on her 2nd installation ​Junior .























Buy on Kindle: www.amazon.com/dp/B00ILIU8TQ

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