Mandy M. Roth's Blog, page 88
March 25, 2012
Denise A. Agnew, Interview by Michelle M. Pillow
Denise A. Agnew, Interview
By Michelle M. Pillow
Denise A. Agnew, fiction author of over thirty titles, loves to write about a diverse range of subjects, from paranormal to time travel, romantic comedy to romantic suspense, contemporary to historical. She attributes the fact that she has lived in Colorado, Hawaii, Arizona and the United Kingdom to giving her a lifetime of ideas. Her newest idea, an erotic paranormal romance/suspense novella, Meltdown, released in ebook this November from Liquid Silver Books.
* * * * *
Q: In your book, Meltdown, you delve into the world of psychic abilities. What inspired you to write about this?
Denise:Some of my books, but not all of them, have a grain of psychic truth in them. I'd heard of more than one person who can predict earthquakes because something physical happens to them. In my story, the heroine works in Earth Sciences and seismology, so she's grounded in science. She has headaches that come a couple of minutes before a quake hits. I wanted to explore the conflict that would create. Her colleagues probably wouldn't believe her. She doesn't have enough time to really warn anyone about a quake. She knows it's going to happen but she's helpless. How does she react? How would the hero, who is a firefighter, react to this?
Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?
Denise:Humans want to explore mysteries or they want answers to strange things they've experienced or read about. Mystery is a part of life.
Q: What are your favorite paranormal shows, movies and books?
Denise:Fringe, old X-Files, old Millennium episodes, loved Journeyman. Movies include The Shining, The Exorcist, and so many others. As for books, there are way too many to list.
Q: Do you believe in the supernatural? Or are you a skeptic?
Denise:I believe in the supernatural. I've had things happen to me and other people I know. I have one foot in the practical world and one in the supernatural. I balance healthy skepticism with that belief.
Q: Have you ever had a paranormal experience?
Denise:My most vivid experience was on New Year's Eve back in the 90's. We were in Edinburgh, Scotland and took a tour of the South Bridge vaults. I'm not claustrophobic but in one room I was instantly terrified. I was sweating, heart going two hundred, and I wanted out of there. I kept my anxiety to myself. When we left the relief was instant. I was compelled to research the experience and discovered that many other people had the same freak out in the same room. To this day I wonder what happened. When I toured other underground/basement type areas in Britain while I lived there, I never felt that way again.
Q: What does the future hold for your paranormal writing?
Denise:I'm writing a werewolf trilogy as well as a historical series that has heavy-duty paranormal elements. While I love to write about a variety of things, the paranormal is always going to be there, lurking in the background, ready to jump out. Maybe, if I do my job, I'll scare the beejeebers out of the reader. It's what I do.
Thanks for joining us, Denise!
You can learn more about Denise and her books at her website, www.deniseagnew.com or at her publisher, www.liquidsilverbooks.com.
Interviewer Michelle M. Pillow is an award winning author of over sixty published books. She writes in many romance fiction genres and can be found at www.michellepillow.com.
March 24, 2012
Freaks come out at Night (bad boys of the night)
Snippet from Gypsy Nights by Mandy M Roth
Gitana divided the mint rhizomes out carefully on the countertop. She glanced at the parent plant and bent down to take in a deep breath. The scent of peppermint never got old. She concentrated on cutting the runners into the sizes needed to replant them. She was just about to make another snip when the bell dinged, signaling a customer was in the shop. Dusting her hands off, she exhaled and gave them a quick swipe across her smock before reaching up to adjust her falling hair.
Hours had been dedicated to trying to unlock the secrets of keeping her unruly hair up, but after twenty-nine years it was still a mystery. It was hard to fight the gift Mother Nature had given her—hair that seemed to grow faster than a weed. She shrugged and gave up.
Oh well, you can't flaunt what you don't have.
Leaving the greenhouse, she headed into her tiny herb shop. It provided her with enough income to pay her bills and she enjoyed it. "Be right with you," she called out, hurrying to hang her smock on a hook and adjust her hair—again.
"Take your time," a deep male voice replied, rolling over her, through her, before finally settling in the apex of her thighs. Never before had a man's voice caused such a reaction in her. It caught her by surprise to say the least.
Gitana glanced up and drew in a deep breath. Every now and then she'd get a health-conscious hot guy who wanted to jump on the homeopathic bandwagon, but never had she had a man as stunning as this one walk in before. The tall stranger stood smiling at her just inside the doorway. His onyx hair hung in loose curls over his shoulders and blended in with his black leather jacket.
He slid a pair of leather gloves off his pale hands. His long fingers seemed to caress the shell they'd been enclosed in. Whoever he was, he'd managed to turn the simple task of removing a glove into an erotic moment. She'd never wished to be a pair of Italian gloves before in her life, but now she did. The thought of having his long fingers sheathed inside her was almost too much. Her pussy practically ached at the imagery.
"Umm, hello? Is there anything I can do to you—I mean, for you? Can I help you?" Gitana rolled her eyes, slightly embarrassed by her slip of the tongue. A slow, devilish smile crept onto his handsome face and she reddened.
Great, blush a little more, why don't you?
He took a step toward her. "Oui, I was told you were the woman to see if I wanted to start my own herb garden." His voice was laced with a heavy French accent that seemed very fitting to him. There was a certain aristocratic edge about him, as if he descended from a long line of powerful, influential men.
She gave him a sideways glance. He didn't seem like the gardening type. No, he seemed more like the millionaire, international-playboy type. Jet-setting and yachts came to mind when looking at him—not herb gardens. But if he really wanted one, she'd help.
"Sure, what size garden do you have in mind…?" She didn't have a name to address him by, so she let her question just fade away.
"Je m'appelle," he said, stopping and shaking his head slightly. "Pardon, I did not mean to be rude. My name is Sebastian Rolle. I purchased the house across the way." He pointed out toward the woods. "I am thinking of having several gardens put in."
Yep, just as she thought, he wasn't the gardening type. He probably already had a crew of twenty men waiting for him to tell them where to dig. "You can have your landscaper call me. I'd be happy to help him out with what he needs."
His brow furrowed. "Je ne comprends pas—I do not understand. I have no landscaper. I will be handling all of this on my own."
She let out a tiny laugh and covered her mouth, hoping he wouldn't notice. Much to her dismay, he did. "Do you find that amusing, Madame…?"
"Gitana," she corrected, walking out from behind her counter and extending her hand to him. "Sorry, no, I don't find it funny. It's just that you don't strike me as the type who'd want to get dirty."
"Getting dirty is one of my many specialties." He slid his cool hand over hers and cupped it gently. For having had gloves on, Sebastian's hands were like ice. She knew just the place to warm them but refrained from commenting. Already it was difficult not to let on what effect he was having on her. Acting a fool over men who visited her shop wasn't something she was prone to, yet Sebastian seemed to bring that out in her.
Her gaze remained glued on him, memorizing his pale skin, the ridges in his body and the way his ink-black hair looked against his shirt collar. The man was delicious and out of her league. He'd make for something good to think about later, when she ran her fingers over her clit, trying to bring pleasure back into her absentee sex life. It would be easy to picture him above her as his hard body rode her. Her nipples ached for his touch, to know what it would be like to truly have those hands skimming her body, those fingers dipping into her tight cunt. Goddess, she wanted him in ways she'd not remembered wanting another man. Even just thinking of him in such a manner embarrassed her. She wasn't a woman to fantasize about men she didn't know. Okay, any man for that matter. Mostly, she just did what needed to be done in order to give herself an orgasm and then was done with it. No muss. No fuss.
It took her a moment to focus, her thoughts still running wild with a vision of the newcomer sliding his fingers into her before making room to dip his cock in. Pulling away slowly, she noticed she'd left dirt on his hand. She waited for him to try to find a place on his designer shirt to wipe it but he just glanced down and smiled.
"Looks like I am well on my way to being an avid gardener," he offered, his lips curving up just enough to show only the faintest hint of pearly white teeth. Men weren't supposed to come like him. No. They weren't supposed to be walking temptation.
Not only had he been built that way, he was, apparently, her new neighbor. "You bought the old McGregor estate?"
Sebastian nodded. "Oui, it needs quite a bit of work but what can I say? I fell in love with it." He brushed his hair back and exposed the most striking pair of celestial blue eyes she'd ever seen. Long, thick lashes that had been kissed by midnight framed them, holding her attention. He winked at her and made her jump. A nervous laugh escaped her. "Would you mind if I use your restroom? They will not have my water on for some time yet. I attempted to find other accommodations for the night, however, it seems this quaint little town has none."
"Sure, umm, you'll have to use the one in my house. The one here in the shop has been acting up for weeks now. I've been meaning to call someone. With spring just around the corner, I've been too busy." Gitana led him into her home, thinking it odd the way he hesitated before passing the threshold, waiting for her to invite him in. He came and she showed him to the restroom, leaving and giving him privacy as she headed to the kitchen.
It was strange having a man in her home again. Since her divorce, men frequented her shop, but none had been in her home. And no man had caught her attention the way Sebastian had. The urge to head toward the bathroom door was great but she resisted, concentrating instead on preparing hot water for tea for her guest.
When he emerged, he nearly scared the daylights out of her because of how quiet his entrance had been. She'd never heard a peep. One second she was alone in the kitchen and the next, Sebastian was there.
Her fingers danced over her collarbone as her heart beat madly in her chest. "Some tea?"
"Merci," he responded, taking a seat at the table. He seemed too big for it, which was surprising since it wasn't exactly small. Then again, Sebastian Rolle was a large man. Everything about him demanded attention.
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March 21, 2012
MwM Author Spotlight: Cynthia D'Alba
Marketing with Mandy Author Spotlight: Cynthia D'Alba
Q: Tell us a little about your experience with Samhain Publishing
A: Texas Two Step my debut book. I feel so fortunate to be with Samhain Publishing. Solid reputation in the industry, wonderful comments from their authors. My editor is Heidi Moore. She has been a dream to work with. Smart. Clever. Supportive. Could not have asked for better. And my cover? OMG! What a dream cover by Scott Carpenter. My experience has been what I wish for every new author.
Q: What tips/tricks do you use for marketing or promoting your own titles?
A: I wish I had a fountain of promotional tricks that I knew worked. I've put a lot of time getting ready for my debut blog tour; although I'm told they rarely sell books. I'm trying something I hope stimulates interest in the tour and the book. I have quite a few friends who donated books for my tour (so I could give them away since I don't have a backlist), jewelry to give away, gift certificates, etc. Also, I'm writing a prequel to Texas Two Step that will be blogged in segments as I go through the tour. I'm hoping the prequel will made people want to read more about my couple.
Q: What is one thing you'd want to tell a newer author, just coming into the game?
A: Make sure you really want to do this! If so, grow rhino hide as this business can be tough. Contest judges, critique partners, book reviewers, reader reviews. Not everybody will love your characters as much as you do. And write what you love to read!
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
A: It's book one of a proposed trilogy – Texas Montgomery Mavericks
Book 1 is Texas Two Step, which comes out on Feb. 28, 2012.
Here's the book blurb: After six years and too much self-recrimination, rancher Mitch Landry is ready to admit he was wrong. He'd loved Olivia Montgomery but commitment wasn't high on his list back then. That was his first mistake. He's just divorced his second, and he's set to do whatever it takes to convince Olivia to give him another try.
Through hard work, determination and more than a few tears, Olivia survived the break-up with Mitch. She's rebuilt her life around her business and the son she loves more than life itself. She's not proud of the mistakes she's made—particularly the secrets she's kept—but when life hands you manure, you use it to make something better of yourself…lest you get stuck in it.
At a hot, muggy Dallas wedding, they reconnect. Olivia's first instinct is to play it cool, but after one devastating kiss things flare out of control, real fast. Maybe a quick roll in the hay will get him out of her system once and for all. Funny thing about hay though, once it's tangled in your hair, getting it out risks revealing things that were never meant to see the light of day.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your current WIP's?
A: Working on Book Two of Texas Montgomery Mavericks. The working title is Texas Tango Tangle. (Kind of a tongue twister, isn't it!)
Here is the quick blurb: Travis Montgomery thinks Caroline Graham's idea to stage a fake wedding to appease her dying grandmother is nuts. But Caroline holds the deed to a piece of land Travis has coveted for years. The only way to get his hands on the land is to go along with this crazy plan. After all, Caroline will only be in town another six months and she's promised to quick claim the land to him when she leaves.
Neither of them is expecting to be attracted to the other. Caroline doesn't want to put down roots and Travis doesn't want another wife. Unfortunately, an obscure state law throws their perfect plan out the window. Can they confess their love before it's too late?
Q: How did you get into writing?
A: I retired in 2003. I read over 1000 romances that year. My husband said he was tired of watching me read. He suggested I try my hand at writing. I thought, why not! How hard could it be? Yes, I can hear all the authors reading this laughing! SO FREAKING hard. So much tougher than I ever dreamed.
Q: How do balance family and writing?
A: I have no children so I don't have to balance that aspect of family. I am lucky to have a husband who fully supports me in my writing. And my dogs? I boot them into the backyard when they become too pesky. But don't feel too sorry for them. We have a huge fenced yard and live on a lake. They have it good.
LINKS:
March 20, 2012
MwM Spotlight on Reviewers: Limecello
Marketing with Mandy Spotlight on Reviewers: Limecello
Q: Please take a minute to tell us a little about yourself.
A: Well, on my profile(s) it says "Reader, Reviewer, Lawyer, Foodie, Blogger, and Discusser of all things random." and that really does sum me up. Well, other than the ranting. I feel like I'm a crazy angry bitchy ranter a lot. I think it's something of a divide though. There are those people who think I'm really nice. There are those who I think if they could get away with stabbing me in the back – literally – would. Or possibly even the front. You know, win some, lose some.
At the least (or most?) though – I will say that what you see is what you get. How I am online on twitter, my blog, emails and so forth, is how I am in real life. No dissembling, no bullshit. I do, however, know how to be civil and observe social niceties. Oh, and I swear, I'm actually not a blithering idiot. I would say "I just come across that way sometimes" but… that rather negates my previous statement, doesn't it. Dammit. (You did see that "random" part of the bio, yes?)
Q: Where can your reviews be found (what sites)?
A: Reviews. About that. And me being a reviewer. I actually asked Mandy and was like "um, what if I'm more a blogger?" But she was all awesome and said "you're legit! I consider bloggers to be the same as journal reviewers" But it (me asking) was more like… what if I just spout shit and don't actually post reviews all that often, but I figured I wouldn't bother Mandy any more than I had. So maybe I snuck in here and I'm cheating the system. GO ME!
Anyway since um… '07? I was a reviewer/blogger at TGTBTU. I'm not in the "roll" now but I think if you search for me my tags are still there? (Not my icon though *sniffles*) Anyway we parted ways in 2010. I'm also a blogger at Heroes and Heartbreakers, and then I have my own blog, which nobody knows what to call/refers to it as Limecello. Personally I think of it as "A Little Bit Tart, A Little Bit Sweet" but what do I know.
ETA: Since I first wrote out these answers back in January… my blog has changed! I now post a review a week! Progress! (And I'm still looking for reviewers to join in…)
Q: What prompted you to get into reviewing books?
A: Actually, I won something at TGTBTU O_o gosh maybe in early 07? 06? And then Sybil was all "would you like to do a guest review?" And at the time I was all like "zomg! Reviews! Fun!" I was also young and stupid. I posted something like 175? Something? reviews my first calendar year there. Never again. (So for all of you getting excited, sorry. You can leave now if you want – but hey – I try to make up for it by featuring authors at my blog.) And readers. Because I think readers don't actually get enough love in this community. Anyway. That's another discussion for another day.
The point is – I was going to do a single guest review. And possibly see how that went. But then Sybil was all "Hey! Where are all your reviews? Give them to me! I want reviews!" And well, if you've ever interacted with Sybil, you know she's crazy. And scary. (She threatened to kill me countless of times within like the first month of my talking to her.) It wasn't a benevolent dictatorship. But I loved her and feared her. [image error] So anyway, that's how I got started.
Q: How has the experience been to date?
A: Uhhhh well, considering I personally didn't do reviews for about a year … am I allowed to say it's self explanatory? I just don't know that anyone cares about my reviews. And that's totally cool. No really. Honest. I like having reviews, and asking other people to do them, because I know – and it seems – people care about them. Well, that an this EPIC reading slump. It was killer.
But! I'm starting reviews again. I now have some lovely, intelligent people who post guest reviews at my blog, and am looking for more people. (I think it's just people are sick of hearing what I have to say, you know? ;P)
Also, it's just… well, I find reviewing can sometimes take the fun out of reading. You have to worry about remembering it all, and doing it in a timely manner. And then even though you say you don't care what others think there's are a lot of potentially dangerous pitfalls.
I never really got into review dust ups, thankfully, although I did have one slight kerfluffle. But it's just… bleh. I think what really also killed it was the demand for them making it like work – HARD thankless unpaid work.
And then I'm totally not someone who only posts positive reviews. In fact general consensus is that I'm a rather tough grader.
So yeah. For those people who review regularly? Give them a candy bar. Or maybe I just need to get out of my head. I very much enjoy reading whatever the hell I like, whenever I like.
And I might post a "formal review" on it, or I might just discuss it lightly. Or talk about a group of books. Does that count as a review? To me personally, the latter? Not so much. But I still talk about books and what I thought. That part I like.
Of course, if I read a book and have a strong reaction to it – positive or negative, I do still write about it if I'm at all possible.
I'm as I said also actually looking for reviewers to join the blog. (Those innocent, clueless little lambs… kidding!) But if someone is going to be reviewing at ALBTALBS I want thoughtful, insightful reviews. Not just a book blurb and a sentence. So at least I've got the substance thing going on…
Q: If you could change one thing about reviewing, what would it be?
A: The drama. Dear God and the "rules" and the "this is how it should be" and… ugh. I mean – just look around the web for the January 2012 dust ups. That's… yeah. Do not want. See why I generally want to avoid this stuff?
I'm extremely gifted at annoying and offending people all on my own without even posting reviews. It'd be like… using a blowtorch as a fireplace poker. >.> Not that that's speaking from personal experience.
Q: If an author would like to submit their book to you for review, how should they go about doing it?
A: Very, very nicely. Possibly with a box of chocolates. Or a bottle of wine. [image error] Actually, there's a contact form on my blog anyone is welcome to use. I may or may not respond, and that's the way this sort of thing goes.
If the message asks for some sort of response, I generally do, but I get a number of WTF message with nothing but book information. No review request, nothing of substance/nothing that tells me what the hell I'm supposed to do with it. Those I ignore. … Or email to friends to mock.
I'm kidding. Maybe. No really. O_o
So yeah. Now that I've scared everyone away, I'd love for you to visit me at my blog and sign up for a guest spot!
LINKS:
My posts at Heroes & Heartbreakers
Twitter – where I talk a lot about anything and everything
March 18, 2012
Weight Loss: Sunday Check In
WW Sunday check in: -1lb for week! Total in 10 days on WW -2lbs, -.5″ arm, -.5″ waist, -1″ bust, +1″ thigh, no change hips. I had 40 activity pts for the week. 33 were remaining. So, again -2lbs since starting WW 10 days ago. Dear body, I have nothing to spare in the bust area. Please stop taking from there and donating to my thighs. Okay, thanks, bye.
March 17, 2012
We Got the Beat (party/club scene)
Snippet from Daughter of Darkness by Mandy M. Roth
We arrived at The Raven almost an hour later. Traffic was terrible, but the ride over was worse. I had assumed that when Pallo said we'd take his car, it would be a car. I was wrong. We ended up riding in the back of a long black limo. The three of us sat there, staring at each other, afraid to say a word. The only time the silence was broken was when the window came down between the driver and us. He wanted to let Pallo know that an important call had come in for him.
The ride took forever. I had never been so happy to get out of a car in my life. The Raven was a huge warehouse that had been converted into a dance club that catered to the supernatural element. I had never actually been there, but I'd heard plenty about it. Apparently everyone else in the city had, too. There was a line that stretched down the block and around the corner. I stood there with my mouth open. Most of the people in line appeared to be in their mid-twenties. Some looked like circus freaks. One man had his hair sprayed green and it stood at least three feet off his head. Around his neck was a dog collar and a chain ran from it to his nose. Yes, he had a chain hooked to his nose. He nodded at me when I looked in his direction. I nodded back.
Ken stepped out of the limo and came to stand behind me. He bent down and whispered to me, "I'll be seeing most of these people in the courtroom soon."
I knew he made a joke, but I didn't particularly like the fact that there was truth behind what he said.
Pallo had walked ahead of us to the main door. He talked to a large man guarding the entrance. He motioned for us to come over. I looked at Ken and he shrugged.
"Looks like the dead have good connections," he said.
"Shut up."
We walked to meet Pallo. He took my arm when I got next to him, and I didn't fight it. The man standing at the door was at least three hundred pounds. I wouldn't have been surprised if he stood seven feet tall. His skin was rich, dark, beautiful. He was mammoth. He wore a black tee shirt that had a picture of a raven on it, and a pair of blue jeans that barely contained his stomach. I noticed that he wore sunglasses. It was almost pitch black out—the glasses were overkill.
"Master Pallo, your table is ready," he said. His voice rocked my body from the bass in it.
"Thank you, Makonnen," Pallo said as he walked through the open doors.
"Thanks." I smiled at him when we went past. I thought he smiled back, but I wasn't sure.
Ken followed close behind us. The place was awesome. Strobe lights flashed all around us. Blue, red, and yellow light beams swirled before my eyes. They seemed to correspond to the music, which pumped through the sound system so loudly it shook my body. A long, black bar ran along the left side. Shirtless men wearing leather pants were busy pouring people drinks. Every barstool was occupied, and the open spaces for the waitresses were crowded with people, too.
One girl pushed to get through the mob. She had a round tray in her hand. She was average height and weight, but had an enormous pair of breasts. They were a little hard to miss, since all she had on them was two tiny pasties with tassels on the ends. She wore a pair of boy-cut silver shorts that let the corner of her butt hang out, and a pair of matching silver go-go boots. Pink frizzy hair puffed out from her head in all directions. Pallo pulled on my arm, and we continued onward.
In the center of the old warehouse was a dance floor. The thing was at least three times the size of my apartment, and looked like it needed to be bigger. People were herded together, bumping and grinding to the music. A large DJ booth was set up directly behind the dance floor. A cage stood on either side of it. Girls in leather string bikinis were dancing in each cage, rubbing themselves against the bars. I shook my head and kept walking.
We reached the back of the club and Pallo guided me into the booth in the far, back right corner. It was L-shaped, and looked like it could seat at least ten people comfortably. I didn't realize until I sat that the tables weren't actually black, they were dark glowing and green, like the booth seat. I found myself sitting between Ken and Pallo. They still hadn't spoken a word to each other since we left my apartment, and I was pretty tired of them acting like babies. Before I could say anything, the waitress with the frizzy pink hair came to our table.
"Pallo." She said his name like she wanted to have sex with it. I stared at him and wondered if he was a regular here. The guy had his own table, for crying out loud.
"Good evening, Angela," Pallo said to her.
Ken looked like he would burst if he didn't say something snide, so I kicked him under the table.
Angela leaned forward and her breasts rubbed on the table next to Pallo. I got a good look at her and was shocked. She had long, fake pink eyelashes on both her top and bottom eyelids. She had big silver eyes. I wasn't sure if they were contacts or her real eye color. From the way she acted around Pallo, I bet he knew.
I tried my best to ignore her, but she was having none of that.
"Pallo, you haven't introduced me to your friends," she said, tracing a finger around her lips as she spoke.
Pallo took a deep breath in, then spoke. "This is my Gwyneth, and her friend Ken." I noticed the emphasis he put on the word 'my'.
Ken quirked an eyebrow. "His Gwyneth?"
I rolled my eyes. Angela took this opportunity to lean in closer to Pallo. One of her tassels touched his face. Her little scene made me nauseous.
"Gee, Pallo, I hate to interrupt the two of you, but do you think we could eat now?" I let my annoyance show.
"No, really, its fine. I kind of like the show," Ken said. I kicked his leg again and he let out a grunt.
"Yes, by all means." Pallo looked at me to order. It took Angela a minute to give up the menu, but she finally did. I decided on a cheeseburger, fries and a soda, and Ken ordered a salad and a glass of water. He was always watching what he ate. When we were engaged he had gotten all preachy on me about my bad food choices. He would go on and on about clogged arteries and high blood pressure.
"Why didn't you get anything?" I asked, looking at Pallo.
He smiled. "My Gwyneth, some things I cannot explain without looking like a monster."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot." The fact that the man survived off human blood had totally left my mind. I reached out to touch his arm.
His other hand came and rested on mine. "It is good to know you can see past some things."
"Couldn't we just order you a raw steak or something? We could all sit around and watch you suck it dry," Ken said. I wanted to crawl under the table. He did everything in his power to be the biggest jerk possible.
To my surprise, Pallo seemed amused with him. He smiled and tipped his head. The annoying waitress headed back in our direction, carrying a tray of drinks. She bent over, laid her body on the table, and gave Ken his water. She just about dropped my soda in my lap. I caught it before it toppled off the table. Then she turned and handed Pallo a large wine goblet. It was full to the brim with the thickest red wine I'd ever seen.
"I brought a little something special for you too, my love," Angela said, handing him his drink.
Pallo actually looked uncomfortable. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and took the drink from her hands. She made sure to let her fingers slide over his a little too long. She turned and walked slowly away, sashaying the entire way.
Ken leaned over me and looked at Pallo. "When the hell did they start serving blood in here?"
"When they received their liquor license, the state considered their 'special' circumstance and included that, as well," Pallo shot back at him.
"Well, I'm going to have to look into that." He acted like a child who just had to have the last word.
After the day I'd been having, I thought I should have ordered a rum and Coke, but I wasn't sure I could hold my liquor tonight. Angela finally came with our food and more drinks. I hadn't had a full meal in days and was starved. Ken and Pallo both sat and watched me eat.
"What?" I asked, suddenly feeling very self-conscious.
"That stuff's going to kill you," Ken said, his voice loud.
"I doubt that I will go by way of cheeseburger, but concern duly noted," I said, finishing up the last few bites of my meal.
Pallo gave me an odd look. "Do you always eat like this?"
I turned as I wiped the corners of my mouth with my napkin. "I eat when I'm hungry, and I eat what I want. Why?"
"I was just wondering where you put it all. There is nothing to you."
I smiled, and heard Ken cough.
Angela kept popping in with refills for us all. During one of her little passes, she conveniently dropped a napkin into Pallo's lap and reached down to pick it up. Her hand rubbed against his pants between his legs. She had enough nerve to cup her hand around him on the way up. I had had enough of their little petting show. I stood up.
"Move, Ken, I'm going to go dance."
Ken looked at me for a minute, then slid out of the booth. I walked out and felt a little light headed. I put my hand on Ken's for support.
"Hey, you better sit down," he said, and eased me back around him.
"I'm fine, just stood up too fast."
"Gwyneth, wait, I will join you," Pallo said.
Angela practically threw herself on him. His face was buried in her big fake chest. Ken sprayed water out of his nose laughing.
I searched for the snippiest voice I could muster and said, "Well, Pallo, you look a little busy. No, really, don't bother to get up."
That's me, always to the point and forever the sweetheart.
As I walked away, I could feel Angela glaring at me. I didn't care. I pushed my way to the center of the dance floor. It had taken me almost five minutes due to the crowd. I knew Ken wouldn't come out and join me—he couldn't dance. I figured that Pallo was still busy getting felt up by little Miss Pink, so I went it alone.
I moved with the music. It was techno, and I wasn't used to dancing to it, but I managed to get by. Closing my eyes, I let the rhythm dictate how I moved my hips and body. I let myself become one with the music.
Sharon asked me to teach her to dance when we were younger. Whenever we went out to clubs, she would pull me off the floor when I really got into it. She said that I pulled the men out of the woodwork.
After a few minutes, I was lost in music. My mind raced. The music beat so fast I began feeling disoriented. I thought of Pallo's body. I wanted it next to mine. I was actually jealous of the pink frizz getting all of his attention. I wanted him to myself—she could find her own vampire. I called to him in my mind.
Cool hands slid onto my waist from behind. He had come out after all. I'd secretly hoped that he would. He moved his large hands around me so that the front of his body rubbed the back of mine. We moved together with the music. The rhythm got faster and faster and his hips rocked with mine.
His large hands slid up and under my shirt. I shifted my arms and he moved his hands around to my stomach and slid upwards. Reaching around, I grabbed a handful of leather pants and pulled him tighter against my body. I could feel something long and hard hiding in those pants, rubbing against my lower back. Funny, I didn't remember Pallo wearing leather. It didn't matter what he had on, I wanted him. As the music got faster so did we.
My breathing sounded more like panting now, and my face grew hot. He slid his hands up and around my neck. Pulling my hair aside, he kissed me with his cool lips. I felt the tiniest bit of pressure and his teeth sink into my skin. There was no pain. He was so gentle.
When I opened my eyes, I tried to focus. Men and women were dancing all around me. They hung on each other. Some were going at each other's mouths with fury. Tongues were caressing tongues. I thought I saw a man sliding himself into the back of a woman, fucking her not more than four feet from us, but my head was cloudy. I couldn't be sure.
Lips ran over my neck again. I moaned, pulled at the back of his pants. I wanted Pallo now. I wanted our bodies to become one. I needed to have him. My head felt light, airy and my heart beat wildly as he unzipped the back of my skirt, and slid his hand down it. The dance floor was so crowded I was sure that no one would notice the two of us.
"Pallo," I whispered, softly.
He said nothing. He only moved his body with mine. He let his hands continue to feel around and explore my body. My eyes opened and closed as I kept my back pushed tightly against the front of his body. His rigid cock dug into my lower back and wondered what it would feel like to have it in me. He groaned in my ear. My thighs tightened with an anticipated orgasm. My God, the guy was going to bring me by just dancing with me. He was a rare find indeed.
"Pallo," I whispered again, lightheaded. He gripped me tighter, kissing my neck. I looked sleepily ahead of me. The sea of dancing bodies had parted, and I saw Pallo coming for me.
"Pallo?" I tried to keep my head up. He pulled something behind him. I steadied myself and looked harder. A man clung tight to Pallo as he walked, bear-hugging him, trying to keep him from coming to me.
I turned around quickly, and the room spun. I managed to catch a glimpse of a pair of dark, almost black eyes and straight, long, silky black hair. I staggered in an attempt to be free, but the man held me tight to him.
"Grazie, bella mia." I heard the sweet words as I drifted in and out.
"Pallo!" I wasn't sure if I yelled aloud or just in my head. My eyes opened to a room full of ravenous vampires crouched around us, fangs flaring, snarling in my direction. I screamed and tried to lift my head to find Pallo, but it suddenly seemed too heavy.
"They are my children, and this is my establishment. They will not harm you, bella," the man said, his accent thick—thicker than Pallo's. I'd heard that voice before, in the farmhouse, after I'd awoken.
"Who are you?" My eyes closed briefly. When I opened them, some of the circling vampires were being tossed into the air. The dull sensation of a powerful energy came towards me. Pallo's energy hit me with such a force that I felt sick to my stomach. I pushed a thought out to him. I didn't ask for his help, I asked for his forgiveness.
Be still now, Pallo said softly in my head. I let my body go limp in the man's arms.
"It is pointless. She is mine!" The man holding me shouted out into the room. "Oh, Pallo, you should've known I would sense her presence once she was near you."
A gunshot went off. People screamed and ran in all directions. Pallo stood a few feet from me now. I couldn't get my body to move. I wanted to raise my head and look at him. I wanted to reach out my hand to him, but I couldn't.
"Giovanni!" Pallo's voice boomed. "Give her to me."
"Ah, it has been awhile," the man holding me said. He slid his hand over my throat and let it come to a rest.
"Do not come any closer, Pallo. I would hate to have to put a mark on such a beautiful face," he said, caressing my neck and chin slowly. "She is just as beautiful the second time around, wouldn't you agree?"
Pallo took a step towards us and Giovanni squeezed my chin. I raised my face up enough to look at his. He was amazing. He looked like he had just walked off the cover of GQ. His jaw was not too wide and not too narrow. His lips were a pale cherry color. He wore a dark, short sleeved mesh top that showed off his upper body. He was not as muscular as Pallo, but he was toned.
Giovanni met my gaze. Fear gripped me and I began to sweat. I wanted to get away from him. I knew he was evil, but his eyes, they called to me, pulled me.
He didn't want to hurt me. I sensed the struggle within him. I could feel how much he cared for me, and his desperation not to let me go. He glanced down at me, and I begged him to stop with my eyes, tears running down my cheeks.
Two more gunshots rang out. The remainder of the crowd opened wide, and I could see Ken pointing his gun at the ceiling. He held his right arm close to his body.
Pallo moved closer to me. Fingers squeezed my throat, and I moaned in pain. Giovanni bent and kissed my lips before letting go. "I shall see you soon, bella mia," he said, and threw me high into the air.
My body was limp and I couldn't get it to respond to my commands. I tumbled down, and prepared to crash into the floor. Two strong arms caught me and pulled me close. I smelled vanilla and Hugo Boss and knew it was Pallo. I concentrated on his face and pushed my thoughts into his head. I wanted him to know that I was sorry, that I thought it was him, and that I knew that was no excuse for my behavior. I wanted him to know so much. I pushed it all at him as he carried me past the remaining vampires.
I heard Angela's voice next to me. "Now you are back where you belong."
Pallo growled at her and she backed away, smiling at me. I knew she had something to do with this. I also knew I wanted her dead.
Ken came beside me. He clutched his arm to his body. Blood soaked the front of his shirt.
Pallo and Ken loaded me into the back of the limo. Pallo sat and lifted my head onto his lap. Ken sat on the seat facing us, still holding his arm. I wanted to ask if he was okay, but I couldn't seem to speak.
"She wants to know if you are all right," Pallo said, watching Ken and stroking the hair from my face.
Ken's eyes widened. "She hasn't said a word. Look at her, she's practically catatonic."
I knew Pallo had read my mind, and for once I was okay with it. He said nothing, but continued to pull my hair back from my face, away from my neck. He gasped.
Ken looked up. "Shit, he bit her. We need to get her to the hospital."
"No!" Pallo interjected. "No, she will not be safe at a hospital."
"I'll get her police protection. She needs to go. Look at her, something's wrong with her."
"The police cannot protect her from Giovanni and his people. He will come for her, and when he does humans will learn firsthand that vampires and demons exist among them. And I think we both know that there is not a cleanup crew in the world big enough to hide a massive supernatural strike." Pallo continued to run his fingers through my hair.
"Then we'll take her somewhere far away from here. Somewhere this Giovanni prick can't find her." Ken leaned towards me and I thought I saw tears in his big brown eyes.
"He has put his teeth into her skin during passion. He can find her anywhere. He will be able to pull her to him. She will not be able to stop herself."
"Bullshit! I can't accept that," Ken said.
"It took her many years to break his hold on her. I do not know if she is strong enough to do it twice."
Ken looked at Pallo. "What the hell are you talking about? Gwen doesn't know that guy."
"Yes, she does. Her mind may not remember him, but her body does." There was a bitter sound to Pallo's voice.
"In English, please."
"Do you love her?"
Ken sat there and looked at him. The thought of Ken loving anyone was so funny. He glanced at Pallo and answered him. "Yes, I love her."
"I will do my best to protect her from him, but you will have to trust my judgment. Do you understand?"
"Do you go out of your way to not make sense?" Ken asked. "When you told me to get Gwen, how did you know something was wrong?"
"When I realized that our drinks contained something a little extra special," Pallo said.
"How'd you know?"
He chuckled, lightly. "Angela looked attractive to me," Pallo said. "I have known her for over a hundred years and in that time she has never once appealed to me."
"I don't think they could have sneaked anything into my water." Ken leaned back against the seat, taking this all in.
"Do you normally go about the city shooting yourself in the arm?" Pallo asked, voice barely above a whisper.
I couldn't believe what I'd heard. Ken shot himself in the arm? Impossible. The man went to the shooting range twice a week and was an expert marksman as far I knew. He lived and breathed guns.
"No. No, I don't." Ken sighed. "You're right. When will hers wear off?"
"I do not know."
A cool breeze tickled the tiny hairs on the back of my neck.
"You may rest now. I will come soon." Giovanni's voice filled my head. Tonight marks a new beginning for us, bella.
Pallo slipped his arm around me tightly and I passed out.
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March 11, 2012
Author Dee Tenorio, Interview by Michelle M. Pillow
Author Dee Tenorio, Interview
By Michelle M. Pillow, www.MichellePillow.com
Dee Tenorio has a few reality issues. After much therapy for the problem—if one can call being awakened in the night by visions of hot able-bodied men a problem—she has proved incurable. It turns out she enjoys tormenting herself by writing sizzling, steamy romances of various genres spanning paranormal mystery dramas, contemporaries and romantic comedies.
Her newest Paranormal Romantic Suspense series, "The Resurrection," delves into the world of wolf shifters. "Tempting The Enemy" (Book 1) and "Deceiving The Protector" (Book 2) are currently in stores.
* * * * *
Q: What inspired you to write your newest release, Deceiving The Protector?
Dee:Is it too simple to say I'm a "Dog Person"…well, not THAT way, lol. I've been reading about shifters for a while, always assuming it was something I couldn't really do, but really admired. Then one day, I got an idea about a shifter running for her life, because as strong as she was, there was something even more powerful, something inevitable, after her. Once I got started, there was no stopping the story, which takes a great amount of its world from history. Mankind has never been kind to what it doesn't understand and shifters would fall into that category very easily. I haven't looked back since. [image error]
Q: When world building, did you base your story off of known myths throughout history?
Dee:Not a myth, actually, but history, yes. The Resurrection series is actually stories of survival, about genocide gone unchecked and how far people will go to stay alive. I'm a Native American and I was brought up learning about the eradication of my culture and the systematic way it was achieved. Then, my Mother worked in a Jewish Temple, which was one of the greatest places to learn about a culture so completely different than anything I've ever known. I'd always been into history, but learning about the Holocaust from survivors and their children…well, that definitely stayed with me and I wanted to imbue my characters with the strength I saw in true survivors.
Q: What myths or legends inspired you?
Dee:LOL, well, not directly, but it's always been one of my favorites, Hades & Persephone—dark, powerful hero, heroine standing up to him. There's a LOT of that in this book. [image error]
Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?
Dee:I think most people wish they were stronger, able to do something extraordinary. It doesn't get more extraordinary than turning into a dangerous predator at will. Plus, the heroes tend to be written with a lot of…well, stamina, lol.
Q: What are your favorite paranormal shows, movies and books?
Dee:Hmmm, that's a tough one. I love Shelly Laurenston's shifters—OMG, SOOOO much!—, Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series (Can I have a SnowDancer of my very own, pleaaaaase?) and Sherilyn Kenyon's shifters are right up there with Lora Leigh's Breed series for favorite guilty pleasures.
Q: Do you believe in the supernatural? Or are you a skeptic?
Dee:Absolutely I do. I've seen and heard too much not to, but I make it a point to respect things I don't fully understand and most importantly don't want in my house, lol.
Q: Have you ever had a paranormal experience?
Dee:It's more a questions of when DIDN'T we have any. Basically, growing up, we found ourselves in a number of somewhat haunted houses. My family tends to have a certain sensitivity to that kind of thing. Personally, though, it's the "knowing" thing for me. Knowing that things are coming, good or bad, can be somewhat difficult. I can't actively use it, but it has come in handy at the strangest times. The bad thing is knowing something painful or life changing, like losing a family member, is going to happen soon, but having no ability to change the outcome.
Q: What kind of paranormal creatures do you wish you could meet?
Dee:The friendly kind, lol.
Q: If given the chance, would you become a shifter?
Dee:I WANT to say yes, but I don't know that I would. Shifters would have to be very careful in our world. I talk in my sleep. [image error] (Discretion is not my middle name.)
Q: How would you react if you came face to face with a shifter?
Dee:Lots of OMG-ing and then, probably, "Can I pet you?"
Q: What does the future hold for the Resurrection Series?
Dee:Hopefully, several more books. That's the plan anyway. I really want to explore the world, show the other groups that make up the different parts of it. I'm working on Book 3, which is about The Sibile, a group of psychic mercenaries that live a bit like the Amish, in small communities around the world. The males are essentially slaves and though the women are powerful, they aren't that much freer. Really excited about where the story is headed. I'm planning a free read on my site for the spring and at least another two novels after that. That's my hope anyway. [image error]
Q: Have you ever been to a psychic and/or a past life regression? What did they predict for you?
Dee:Nope, I haven't. Well, unless you count my Mom, who took one look at my future husband when he was thirteen and declared he was staying in the family, with a pointed look at me. Mom's good that way. She also calls scores for football scores, but never bets on them. She has morals. Unless you're playing Yahtzee. Then she'll slaughter you by calling the dice.
Q: Have you ever been abducted by aliens?
Dee:I'm guessing my family doesn't count, lol. Nope. My feet have always been planted firmly on the ground. (I don't air travel well, they probably figured that out and moved on.)
Q: Do you plan to continue writing paranormal stories when the Resurrection Series ends?
Dee: Most definitely. [image error] The dark overtones very much fit my writing style and I love being able to interject it with humor and sensuality. Now that I'm here, I think I've finally found a writing home. [image error]
Thank you for joining us, Dee!
To read more about Dee's books, please visit her on the web: www.deetenorio.com Interview by Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com
Weight Loss: Sun check in
So, I started WW on Thurs and selected Sundays as my weigh in days. So, three full days on program. 1lb down! Yay! 39 more to go! Here is a pic of this morning's breakfast choice. Two hard boiled eggs, watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes and a plum.
March 10, 2012
Tell it to the Hand (character sass)
Snippet from Loup Garou by Mandy M. Roth
"So, wanna tell me about your relationship with Jay?"
Putting my hands in my front pockets, I walked along next to him and shrugged. "There's nothing really to tell. He's a close friend."
"That's all?" he asked, tipping his head just enough that the sun caught the highlights in his hair, making them look almost purple.
Puzzled, I stared at him. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you come to me for help with something I don't even do anymore? Or was I mistaken? Did you come to ask me non-stop questions about my personal life?"
"I'm sorry. I was under the impression that we were bonding."
I snickered and rolled my eyes. "That would mean that you've shared things about yourself too. You've shared nothing. Who are you currently fucking?"
He came to a grinding halt. "Excuse me?"
"Oh, I could have sworn you were trying to find out if I was sleeping with Jay so I thought turnabout was fair play."
His brows drew together as he cleared his throat. "I've been in and out of situations with women that can't possibly qualify as a relationship. Currently, I'm not seeing anyone—yet," he added, locking gazes with me. "I'm pushing thirty-one, have been into music since I was kid. My closest friends are my band mates. Growing up, I had the biggest crush on this girl who had such a lust for life it was infectious. That's about it for me." He pointed at me. "Your turn."
"I'm not sleeping with Jay. Technically, I am if you count him staying over but he only does that on rare occasions and he's normally in the guest room. But as far as actual intercourse goes, we've not been using one another for sex for quite some time now." His eyes widened. I was on a roll so I went with it. "I have had a relationship that certainly counts as one. Any other males who have entered my life have been 'just browsing' without the option to buy. There, now we've bonded." I winked.
For a second he looked so serious, so deep in thought that I found myself instinctively going to him. I put my hand out to him. "Xavs, how much do you really want to bond?"
"You have no idea."
"Want to see my grown up version of dolls, or kind of see them, anyways?"
He laced his hand in mine and heat flared between us. "Yes, Linds. I'd like that very much."
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March 9, 2012
Weight Loss: Breakfast
I thought I'd blogged this journey and share it with you so when I make bad choices you all can see that too. Here is a quick pic of my breakfast this morning. 6pts for me from my daily allowed. I have a lunch date today w a friend and am very nervous about that. Its not a chain restaurant so I'll have to figure out my choices/points on my own. This really helps that some of my favorite things to eat are fresh veggies and fruit. Hoping that will make this successful for me. We shall see. I also plan to sneak in walking the dog today and most likely 20-30 mins of house cleaning. Its not much but its something and that is key.
