Eternity….with Tmonique Stephens
Roman Nicolis…Looks like a hero to me, right?
This morning I’m welcoming the lovely Tmonique Stephens to the blog. I believe Tmonique and I crossed paths on the Creativity Cauldron discussion list, and while I haven’t read Eternity – it won’t be released until 8/15 – her main character sure makes it look appealing.
Right?
So let me get out of the way so she can tell you about how she came up with such an intriguing…storyline… Oh, and keep reading, because she’s also included a fun little interview with Mr. Nicolis.
Why did I choose to write about the Egyptian Gods?
About five years ago, I decided I wanted to write a series. I’ve always loved paranormal romances, vampires, werewolves, the fey, shape shifters, novels about other worlds inhabited with different species. Naturally, I gravitated to what I enjoyed reading, but I was tired of the usual books populating the genre. I considered writing about the Greek Gods, but I had recently started reading a popular series about the Greeks and I felt I had no new ideas to offer.
Then I thought of the Egyptian Gods. Ancient Egypt is one of the most well documented cultures. Although the Egyptian Gods have a wealth of history and folklore, there aren’t many fiction books about them. Their story still remains untold.
Eternity is a story of reincarnation and redemption. Roman Nicolis, a mercenary falls in love with the Elyssian, the wrong woman. He seduces her, taking her virginity and cursing them both. For two thousand years, Roman wanders the earth searching for the only woman he can love. Time and again, Roman finds her, only to lose her horribly. Now, in present day New York City, they meet again. And this is his last chance to get things right. 
To learn more about Tmonique or to find Eternity when it’s available, you can check out her website or go to Soulmate Publishing.
Interview with Roman Nicolis
After weeks of begging for an interview, Roman Nicolis agreed to meet at a restaurant one block away from his Park Avenue townhouse. I was calm, cool and collected until Roman walked in. 6’7” and muscular with wavy dark hair and intense blue eyes, I swallowed the drool forming and nearly fanned myself. I had to stay focused. I wasn’t here to drool over the man. I had questions that needed to be answered.
His hand swallowed mine when he shook it. He sat opposite me and ordered a scotch neat.
“Would you like something Ms. Stephens?” he asked while the waitress waited.
Yes, but a fruity drink wouldn’t steady my nerves. “Water, please.” As the waitress walked away Roman’s full attention landed on me. “I don’t have much time so let’s get this over with.”
Thanks for the prodding. I whipped the tape recorder from my purse. We already agreed I could record the interview so I didn’t expect him to balk. He scowled, but said nothing. I pressed record and began.
“Hi this is Tmonique Stephens, I’m here interviewing Roman Nicolis, CEO of Nicolis Security. Formerly, one of the most eligible bachelors in New York City who has finally agreed to sit down and talk to me.
“Sir, you’ve been missing from your company and the city for two months. Why the disappearing act?”
Roman Nicolis. “I’ve been on an extended vacation.”
TMS: “To where. There’s no record of you leaving the country.”
RN: “Are you stalking me, Ms. Stephens?” (a smile tweaked the corner of his mouth)
TMS: “Yes, I am. Mr. Nicolis, there has been some speculation on how you’ve made most of your personal fortune. Some say your company is just a cover for illegal activity overseas. Care to comment?”
Roman Nicolis: “I don’t comment on speculation.”
TMS: “So you’re not issuing a denial?”
RN: “There’s nothing to deny or confirm.”
TMS: “O.K.” (shuffles through some papers) “How’s the wedding preparations coming along with your lovely fiancée, Bianca Maylor?”
RN: (his face becomes shuttered) “I’m no longer engaged.”
TMS: “Really, the wedding was three months away. Is it because of houseguest, Miss Stella Walker that you’re no longer engaged?”
RN: “My personal life isn’t up for discussion.”
(The waitress returns with his scotch and my water. He downs his in a single gulp while I try not to choke on mine. His lips are compressed into a thin angry line)
TMS: “Okay, next question. You have a very interesting family. Can you tell us more about them?
RN: “There is not much to tell. I have 6 brothers. Thane, E.J., Avery, Tyrone, Brayden and Quin. Oh, and Hector, my butler.”
TMS: “Yes, but they’re not really your brothers. Not biologically.”
RN: “Blood couldn’t make us any closer. Many are descendants of my sister Aria. They were orphaned and adopted by me.”
TMS: “Wait, descendants of you sister? Just how old are you?”
RN: (His smile turned and wasn’t warm or welcoming)
TMS: “You look surprisingly youthful for someone who adopted several young boys who are now adult men. What’s your secret?”
RN: “Plenty of water and eight hours of sleep”
TMS: “Who lets a single man adopt young boys?”
RN: “Are you saying I did something illegal?”
TMS: “Did you?”
RN: (He gives a cool chuckle) “No. Next question?”
TMS: “Alright. Is it true there has been a Nicolis in every war since The Revolution?”
RN: “. . . Possibly.”
TMS: “More than possibly. I’ve done some research and dating back to the 1777 there’s documentation of one a Roman Marius Nicolis. And in each subsequent war I’ve found variations of that name until The Vietnam war. You come from a long line of military men.”
RN: “Is that an insult or a compliment, Mrs. Stephens?”
TMS: “Definitely a compliment. I also discovered some pictures of those men. They all have a striking resemblance to you. Any comment.”
RN: “Strong genes.”
TMS: “Speaking of genes, is there anything you’d like to say about your twin?”
RN: “My twin is dead. There’s nothing more to say. Next question.”
His anger surprised me. Flustered, I shuffled my papers trying to get the interview on track.
TMS: “Now that you’re single again the ladies will hang me if I don’t ask you some questions, so here goes. Blonde, brunette or red head?”
RN: “Brunette.”
TMS: “Miss Maylor is blonde while Miss Walker is brunette. Interesting. Petite or statuesque?
RN: “Both.”
TMS: “Athletic or curvaceous?”
RN: (sighs) “This is ridiculous.”
TMS: “I must placate my female reader, please.”
RN: (leans closer) “You want to know what type of woman I’m attracted to? I’ll tell you without the silly questions. I want a woman with a mind of her own. One who knows what she wants and won’t stop until she gets it. One who isn’t afraid of life and living. A woman who will love me as much as I love her.
Whoa! I can’t take my eyes off him. His intensity is intoxicating. A drug I would gladly get addicted too. I grab my water and slowly drain the glass. After a deep breath I was ready to continue.
TMS: “Have you already met the next Mrs. Roman Nicolis?”
A wry smile flashed across his face, but his eyes were forlorn.
RN: “I have time for a final question, Ms. Stephens.”
TMS: “What is your biggest regret, Mr. Nicolis?”
RN: “This interview.”
TMS: “Come on. Give me one.”
RN: “. . . I have many regrets. None I care to share with your rapacious readers.”
TMS: “Why did you agree?”
RN: “Lack of good judgment.” (He stood) “Your time is up Ms. Stephens.”
TMS: “One last question. If there was one thing you could change, what would it be?”
RN: (He pauses. For a brief moment his gaze becomes distant, almost wistful. Then his features became guarded) “I’d change nothing. I would live my life as I have, on my own terms with no regrets. (He leaves)
0
Rated 4 for Spicy with some language.
Blurb
Roman Nicolis
Cursed for 2000 years, Roman Nicolis has tracked his lovers’ soul through each reincarnation only to lose her horribly every time. Reclaiming their love is their only salvation. He’s been her friend, her father, her neighbor, but never again her lover … until now.
STELLA WALKER
A late night walk home throws Stella into the path of a killer. The last thing she remembers are the deep blue eyes of the man trying to kill her—and the first things she sees after a seven day coma are the same blue eyes in the handsome face of the man hired to protect her. Is he truly the owner of a security firm assigned to protect her or the man who wants to finish her off? Is it fear she feels when Roman touches her or the memory of something sweeter? She will have to push past her fears and reclaim a love that has lasted two millennia.
Past secrets haunt them. An angry demon stalks them.
Roman will do anything to recover what they had. Though Stella’s ruined childhood has made her closed her heart and body to any man, he must get past the walls around her to gain her love and trust for it will take their union to defeat an unexpected enemy sent from the Egyptian Gods. A man Romans respects, and Stella trusts.
TWO HEARTS.ONE SOUL FOR ALL Eternity.
Coming August 15th from Soulmate Publishing
Tmonique’s Biography
In high school, Tmonique Stephens wrote her first novel about a reporter and a hockey player after the U.S. hockey team won gold in the 1980 Olympics. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing from City College of New York where she won an English Department Award for her play Tea with Salt in 1987. She took a break to graduate from college, get married, have a daughter, but she never gave up on her dream.
She loves paranormal and fantasy romances and will read anything about fairies, demons, or angels. She also enjoys Stephen King and Dean Koontz. The first romance she remembers reading was a Harlequin about a sheikh and his forbidden love for an American woman way back in middle school. That’s before loves scene were included. Tmonique loves writing flawed characters who reflect the emotional baggage we all carry. She writes complicated stories for complicated people. Hopefully, you will enjoy her efforts.
Tmonique Stephens was born in St. Thomas USVI, but she grew up in The Bronx, New York one mile from Yankee Stadium. She loves the SyFy and History channels, and Asian cuisine. But her heart and stomach longs for anything from the Caribbean. Have any Caribbean recipes out there? Please share! Her mother died before she had a chance to teach Caribbean cooking secrets.
Currently, Tmonique is working on an Egyptian God series. Why the Egyptian Gods, you ask? She challenges that with, “Why not?” All the other gods have been extensively covered, except the Egyptians. Undiscovered territory has always appealed to her.
Expect her first book, Eternity, out this August from Soulmate publishing. You can find her on her fan page Author Tmonique Stephens and Like her. Also stop by http://www.tmoniquestephens.com for more information on future projects.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Author-Tmonique-Stephens/334686337991
https://twitter.com/Tmoniquebooks
Eternity Book trailer on YouTube.
EXCERPT:
“You’re asking me to sleep with you?” Roman said.
“I’m offering to share the futon with you,” Stella corrected.
Standing next to the futon, he whispered, “Why?”
She jumped, her hand stretched out in front of her, searching for him. “Damn, how can you move that fast? I didn’t hear you.”
“Answer the question. Why?”
“I … can’t let you sleep on the floor.” She scooted over and waited for him.
He should resist. The many reasons why ticked by, but the futon creaked as he lay beside her and stilled. Everything he wanted rested inches away.
“Can you see me?”
“No,” he lied, watching her bite her lip. Slowly, she relaxed, believing the darkness covered her. He sucked in a sharp breath when her hand brushed his bare chest.
“Sorry,” but a smile tweaked her lips.
“No boyfriends,” she told McCabe. It was too ridiculous to be true. But … could she be a virgin?
“Roman,” she breathed his name and lust raced down his spine, igniting every nerve ending and wiping his brain clean of every thought, but one. He caught the belt of her robe and followed it up to the knot. A finger slipped in and loosened it.
“Yes.” His breath fanned her face. She tilted her chin up at the perfect angle for his lips to cover hers.
“I’ve never had a man in my home before.”
His finger stopped. What the hell am I doing? She drugged him with her words, frailty and covered body. He had to get out of her bed, her apartment, maybe the city, let one of his men protect her.
She touched him again, ran her palm over his stubbled jaw, then traced a finger over his eyebrows and down the bridge of his nose. She played with the shell of his ear until his chest rumbled with suppressed laughter. Then her fingers found his lips and the laughter stopped.
