N.J. Walters's Blog, page 111
November 5, 2017
Guy Fawkes NIght
Today is Guy Fawkes Night, aka bonfire night. If you're having a bonfire, please be safe. It's a strange holiday. It goes back to November 5, 1605 when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while placing explosives beneath the House of Lords in London. It had all kinds of political and religious implications at the time. I remember it as the night of the community bonfire when I was a kid.
Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...
Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...
November 3, 2017
Mini Apple Crisp and Vampires
I'm sharing a recipe for an easy apple crisp for one over at DELILAH DEVLIN'S BLOG!I'm also giving you a glimpse at the latest Dalakis Passion vampire book--ETERNAL BROTHERS.
GO TO BLOG POST
November 2, 2017
November Newsletter is out!
The November issue of AWAKENING DESIRES—the Newsletter of Romance Author N.J. Walters—is now available.
Check out all the latest news.
As always, some lucky newsletter subscriber wins a prize. All you have to do to be eligible to win is go to Awakening Desires Newsletter and join. While you’re there, you can check out back issues of the newsletter.
October 29, 2017
Movie Monday--Halloween Edition
While the ending is not as good as I wished it was, I still enjoy the twist on the classic tale by Washington Irving.
October 26, 2017
Weekend Book Club--Delta Redemption by Elle Boon
This week I read DELTA REDEMPTION, the sixth book in the SEAL Team Phantom series. Elle Boon just keeps on getting better. Murder, betrayal, action, intrigue, spicy sex, and heartfelt emotions. This book has it all. *This book can be read as a standalone story*
Jase had his life mapped out in front of him. He was the leader of SEAL Team Phantom and planned to continue moving up in the ranks, until he met his mentor’s daughter. Falling for Brooke Frazee wasn’t on his agenda, but from the moment he saw the Admiral’s daughter, all bets were off.
Brooke’s life wasn’t always easy, but she dreamed of someday finding her happily ever after. She never planned on falling for a military man like her father, until she unexpectedly meets Jase Tyler at her door. The thought of being with him both terrified and excited her.
Jase knew Brooke was the woman for him. After declaring their love for each other they were forced to part ways, for reasons Brooke will never understand. Jase is left with his heart in shreds as he’s shipped off on a mission, unsure of his return. Will war make him forget everything he’s leaving behind or will his mission leave him branded as a traitor?
Brooke was shattered when Jase left, but she was forced to move on with her life even though her dreams had changed. She’s not prepared when the man from her past walks back through the door, or for the secrets they uncover while on the run from danger.
Jase, no longer a member of Phantom Team, but not knowing who else he can trust to protect what he holds dear, calls on his former SEAL Team. As they reunite as a unit and work together, they find out that nothing is what it seems. If Jase and Brooke live through the coming days, will their love be able to endure when the dust settles?
Is It True?
Is It True?
I'm answering some fun questions about life and my latest release over at the ROMANCE LIVES FOREVER BLOG. Be sure to stop by and check it out.
GO TO INTERVIEW
October 24, 2017
An Interview with a Vampire
This interview with Damek was published several years ago, but since the book was recently released, and it is Halloween month, I decided to share it once again. Enjoy!
Interview with a Vampire
By N.J. Walters
I sit quietly and stare out over the cavernous space, which is empty other than the two people working behind the long bar dominating one side of the room. With the music silent and the overhead lights on, it looks more like a warehouse than one of the most popular nightclubs in Chicago—Inhibitions. I’m thrilled that the owner of the club has agreed to see me. Just because Damek and I know one another doesn’t mean my welcome here is assured. He likes to keep to himself. Always has. The surge of power hits me and jerks my head around. Dressed, as always, in a designer suit tailored to his lithe build, Damek strides toward me. His black, shoulder-length hair is smooth as silk and gleams in the light. The firm set of his lips bothers me and I wonder if he’ll even talk to me.
NJW: Thanks for seeing me.
He slides into the seat across from me and studies me with his dark, hypnotic eyes. I glance away.
DAMEK: You said you wished to interview me.
NJW: I’d like to ask you a few questions, to allow readers to get a better insight into you and the way you think.
DAMEK: Is that wise?
He raises one eyebrow and leans back nonchalantly against the back of the leather bench seat. Not for one second do I believe he’s relaxed. Beneath his suit, his muscles are coiled and ready to attack at a moment’s notice. I swallow hard.
NJW: I think so.
He inclines his head in a gracious nod, but I can sense his irritation. I’ve always been able to sense his moods.
DAMEK: Ask away.
I want to start with the question most asked by readers, but I hesitate, not sure how he’ll react. Still, I did promise to do this interview. I take a deep breath and plunge onward.
NJW: You’re good friends with Craig Lawton. A lot of readers wonder why you didn’t end up with him.
A deep chill fills the air around me at the first mention of Craig’s name and I wonder if I’ve gone too far. I know how protective he feels about that particular human. He frowns and then a slow smile momentarily crosses his lips, giving me the briefest glimpse of sharp, pearly fangs.
DAMEK: I’ve always found humans fascinating. After all, I used to be one. But it is hard to watch friends die out one by one as the centuries pass and it became easier to allow no one close. Craig is different, his mind agile, his loyalty unsurpassed. As for ending up with him…I am attracted to his mind, not his body. I much prefer females when it comes to sex.
Okay, so I navigated that particular minefield without having it explode. I decide it’s best to move on to the next question.
NJW: You’re a vampire, a species that usually keeps to itself. But you’re also friends with the Striker brothers and the Haven werewolf pack. How did you become friends with them?
Damek tilts his head to one side and studies me.
DAMEK: Such an inquisitive mind.
I shrug, unable to deny his claim.
NJW: If I weren’t, your story would never have been told.
DAMEK: True enough. The story is personal and not one I’m willing to get into, but let’s just say that times have changed in the past century. With the rise of technology, the paranormal bounty hunters have been able to mobilize better, which is not a good thing for either species. Joshua and Isaiah Striker passed along some information to me back in the nineteen nineties that was instrumental to my avoiding a pack of rabid vampire hunters. I owed them.
NJW: But it’s more than that.
DAMEK: It is. I find I like the damn troublesome werewolves. Plus, there is no denying their impeccable taste in women.
One corner of his mouth turns up in a smile and I can feel how much he likes the werewolves…and the women.
NJW: Yet, the wolves haven’t always extended trust to you.
I know I’ve hit a sore spot when his smile fades and his eyes tinge with red. I swallow hard and try to slow the racing of my heart.
DAMEK: Tread carefully.
NJW: Sorry, but it’s true. And it’s unfair.
I’m indignant on his behalf. Damek’s done nothing but protect and help the wolves, and when he needed their absolute trust, he didn’t get it, at least not from everyone. The red fades from his eyes and they warm slightly. I know that he’s read my thoughts and I feel my face heating under his regard.
DAMEK: Thank you.
NJW: You’re welcome.
I don’t want to push my luck and decide it’s time to wrap up this interview.
NJW: One final question. Your life has changed a lot in recent days. Are you planning on staying in Chicago or are you going to relocate anytime soon?
DAMEK: Much has changed, but I like this city. I enjoy the people who live here and have no plans to leave in the near future.
I note he doesn’t mention the Haven pack or Craig Lawton specifically. Nor does he mention Sonia Agostino, but I can see by the warning in his dark gaze that she is totally off limits for discussion. That’s okay by me. I want readers to delve into his book and discover that particular story for themselves.
NJW: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me.
DAMEK: My pleasure.
He rises, inclines his head in a courtly gesture and leaves me seated at the table. He stops at the bar momentarily before heading to his office.
My interview with Damek is done and I release a slow breath. As much as I love him, he’s not an easy man to be around. Not surprising considering he’s a one-thousand-year-old vampire. There is so much he could tell me about the history of the world. He’s lived it. But he keeps his thoughts to himself, self contained and powerful, a necessity that’s kept him alive as long as it has.
I look up as I sense someone approaching the table. One of the bartenders places a glass of red wine on the table in front of me. “Compliments of the boss,” she tells me before walking away. I pick up the glass and sip. The wine is fruity and full-bodied, with just a touch of something I can’t quite place…
NOTE: If you want to find out more, check out Damek’s Redemption by N.J. Walters, now available from Entangled Publishing.
LINK: https://entangledpublishing.com/damek-s-redemption.html
Interview with a Vampire By N.J. Walters
I sit quietly and stare out over the cavernous space, which is empty other than the two people working behind the long bar dominating one side of the room. With the music silent and the overhead lights on, it looks more like a warehouse than one of the most popular nightclubs in Chicago—Inhibitions. I’m thrilled that the owner of the club has agreed to see me. Just because Damek and I know one another doesn’t mean my welcome here is assured. He likes to keep to himself. Always has. The surge of power hits me and jerks my head around. Dressed, as always, in a designer suit tailored to his lithe build, Damek strides toward me. His black, shoulder-length hair is smooth as silk and gleams in the light. The firm set of his lips bothers me and I wonder if he’ll even talk to me.
NJW: Thanks for seeing me.
He slides into the seat across from me and studies me with his dark, hypnotic eyes. I glance away.
DAMEK: You said you wished to interview me.
NJW: I’d like to ask you a few questions, to allow readers to get a better insight into you and the way you think.
DAMEK: Is that wise?
He raises one eyebrow and leans back nonchalantly against the back of the leather bench seat. Not for one second do I believe he’s relaxed. Beneath his suit, his muscles are coiled and ready to attack at a moment’s notice. I swallow hard.
NJW: I think so.
He inclines his head in a gracious nod, but I can sense his irritation. I’ve always been able to sense his moods.
DAMEK: Ask away.
I want to start with the question most asked by readers, but I hesitate, not sure how he’ll react. Still, I did promise to do this interview. I take a deep breath and plunge onward.
NJW: You’re good friends with Craig Lawton. A lot of readers wonder why you didn’t end up with him.
A deep chill fills the air around me at the first mention of Craig’s name and I wonder if I’ve gone too far. I know how protective he feels about that particular human. He frowns and then a slow smile momentarily crosses his lips, giving me the briefest glimpse of sharp, pearly fangs.
DAMEK: I’ve always found humans fascinating. After all, I used to be one. But it is hard to watch friends die out one by one as the centuries pass and it became easier to allow no one close. Craig is different, his mind agile, his loyalty unsurpassed. As for ending up with him…I am attracted to his mind, not his body. I much prefer females when it comes to sex.
Okay, so I navigated that particular minefield without having it explode. I decide it’s best to move on to the next question.
NJW: You’re a vampire, a species that usually keeps to itself. But you’re also friends with the Striker brothers and the Haven werewolf pack. How did you become friends with them?
Damek tilts his head to one side and studies me.
DAMEK: Such an inquisitive mind.
I shrug, unable to deny his claim.
NJW: If I weren’t, your story would never have been told.
DAMEK: True enough. The story is personal and not one I’m willing to get into, but let’s just say that times have changed in the past century. With the rise of technology, the paranormal bounty hunters have been able to mobilize better, which is not a good thing for either species. Joshua and Isaiah Striker passed along some information to me back in the nineteen nineties that was instrumental to my avoiding a pack of rabid vampire hunters. I owed them.
NJW: But it’s more than that.
DAMEK: It is. I find I like the damn troublesome werewolves. Plus, there is no denying their impeccable taste in women.
One corner of his mouth turns up in a smile and I can feel how much he likes the werewolves…and the women.
NJW: Yet, the wolves haven’t always extended trust to you.
I know I’ve hit a sore spot when his smile fades and his eyes tinge with red. I swallow hard and try to slow the racing of my heart.
DAMEK: Tread carefully.
NJW: Sorry, but it’s true. And it’s unfair.
I’m indignant on his behalf. Damek’s done nothing but protect and help the wolves, and when he needed their absolute trust, he didn’t get it, at least not from everyone. The red fades from his eyes and they warm slightly. I know that he’s read my thoughts and I feel my face heating under his regard.
DAMEK: Thank you.
NJW: You’re welcome.
I don’t want to push my luck and decide it’s time to wrap up this interview.
NJW: One final question. Your life has changed a lot in recent days. Are you planning on staying in Chicago or are you going to relocate anytime soon?
DAMEK: Much has changed, but I like this city. I enjoy the people who live here and have no plans to leave in the near future.
I note he doesn’t mention the Haven pack or Craig Lawton specifically. Nor does he mention Sonia Agostino, but I can see by the warning in his dark gaze that she is totally off limits for discussion. That’s okay by me. I want readers to delve into his book and discover that particular story for themselves.
NJW: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me.
DAMEK: My pleasure.
He rises, inclines his head in a courtly gesture and leaves me seated at the table. He stops at the bar momentarily before heading to his office.
My interview with Damek is done and I release a slow breath. As much as I love him, he’s not an easy man to be around. Not surprising considering he’s a one-thousand-year-old vampire. There is so much he could tell me about the history of the world. He’s lived it. But he keeps his thoughts to himself, self contained and powerful, a necessity that’s kept him alive as long as it has.
I look up as I sense someone approaching the table. One of the bartenders places a glass of red wine on the table in front of me. “Compliments of the boss,” she tells me before walking away. I pick up the glass and sip. The wine is fruity and full-bodied, with just a touch of something I can’t quite place…
NOTE: If you want to find out more, check out Damek’s Redemption by N.J. Walters, now available from Entangled Publishing.
LINK: https://entangledpublishing.com/damek-s-redemption.html
October 22, 2017
Movie Monday--Halloween Edition
Hard to believe Lost Boys is 30 years old. Still one of my favorites to watch every year. Great sound track too!
October 21, 2017
Eternal Brothers--Book Spotlight
Eternal Brothers, book 4 of the Dalakis Passion vampire series, is the DAWN'S READING NOOKBOOK SPOTLIGHT today. Be sure to stop by and check it out.
5 Favorite Halloween Movies
Halloween is almost here and that means one thing--scary movies. Okay, not really scary. I don't do scary. Want to know 5 of my favorite Halloween movies?
Drop on over to the Decadent Diva's Blog to find out.
CLICK TO GO TO DECADENT DIVAS
