Wow. A three week contest. Am I crazy? A little. But you stuck with me. I’d like to give a special shout out to the most dedicated posters
Sandie
Jean P
Cathy M
Pam S
and Tamsyn
I heart you all! In fact, there was a 3 way tie. So I had to pull a few names from a hat to find the winners. So without further ado…..
Sandie! You win first prize of a journal, a piece of quartz, a gift certificate for Badger Teas, a signed print copy of Regina in the Sun (or Lux if you want to wait until June) and your choice of one of my ebooks (email me with your mailing info at r.g.alexander@hotmail.com)
Second prize is Cathy M! You can have 2 ebooks of your choice (email me and let me know which ones)
Barring some unforseen excitement, this will be, officially, the last post of the contest. Yay! Those who stuck with me day after day, you rock. I hope you continue to come by in the coming weeks, since I think this is going to be an exciting summer
On April 27th I’ll announce the winner (after I’ve gone through the posts since memory lane announcement-on TNG, Smutketeers and here-and count the comments ) Oh and don’t forget, even if you haven’t commented on all the posts yet, you still have a few days before I choose the winners.
So what shall I do for this last contest post? Well, it just so happens I have these friends….They BOTH have books coming out April 28th, and already available for preorder. They are both incredibly talented, hot, erotic romance writers. If you haven’t already, check these two out. You won’t be sorry.
ON THE PROWL by Crystal Jordan
Meet the Cruz brothers. They look human—except for the golden sheen their eyes take when they’re aroused beyond control…and the way their claws come out when it’s time to play rough. They’re Panthers, ancient shapeshifters, and their survival depends on mating to bring out their wild sides…
Undeniable
When Antonio, the strong, sexy new leader of the Panther pride, meets luscious Solana in a dark alleyway, their passion lights up the night. But she’s an outcast, an impossible mate—and her touch makes him lose all control…
Irresistible
Ex-model and businesswoman Andrea doesn’t need anyone—until she meets Miguel, who tempts her mind with daring games and teases her body with dark, forbidden pleasure she can’t resist…
Indescribable
Wild twins Ricardo and Diego do everything together—and their women appreciate the teamwork. Until shy Isabel takes refuge in their pride, and both want to claim her. Of course, sometimes two mates are better than one…
Ruby Scott is a beautiful, quiet event planner who leads an oh-so-respectable life. Yet the things that go on in her secret fantasies are anything but. She has every intention of keeping her hidden desires under wraps-until she meets a gorgeous, hard-muscled man ten years her junior. Mark St. Crow is a gifted, up-and-coming musician who collects erotic art and loves to “play” women as much as his piano. After one night of uninhibited passion, Ruby realizes there’s no turning back. But as she surrenders to her deepest needs and lets Mark control every forbidden thrill, her passion for him builds. Can the wild, intoxicating nights they share lead to a love that will last forever?
I didn’t have flying monkeys…I had Gliders
No Tin Man. Instead I had sexual pleasure droids *blush*
My Wizard wouldn’t stay hidden if you paid him, and the Scarecrow?
Well, I can’t tell you everything.
This was pure lighthearted fun. I wrote these two while convalescing from an illness I had earlier this year. Trapped on my couch, the kinky world of Kansas popped into my mind. In particular that scene with Kansas and the Wizard…mmm…
Not in Kansas Gliders and Wizards and Sex Droids… Oh My!
Kansas Frayne has everything he needs. Except a life—and love. A freak storm changes all that when it hurls him into the darkness. He wakes up to find he’s been thrust into a world of promiscuous and directionally challenged beings, sensually sentient water and servants created solely to fulfill any imaginable fantasy.
The sexuality he’s long denied is tested to its limits, especially when a darkly erotic wizard issues the ultimate challenge. If Kansas wants to go home, he must fulfill one task. Resist the allure of the unbearably beautiful king.
Sounds easy enough.
Until he gets a look at the golden monarch. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and Kansas quickly realizes this is a challenge he is doomed to fail. Yet he has to try.
Before he loses his heart.
Warning: Gratuitous and barely veiled references to a classic fairytale. Graphic Male/Male scenes. Androgynous pleasure droids. I’d say we’re not in Kansas anymore, but, well…
What Happens When a Wicked Wizard Woos a Wary Witch?
Sequel to Not in Kansas.
Dorothy knows her new neighbor is too wicked to be trusted. As a natural witch, she recognizes the Wizard for what he truly is. As a woman, she recognizes him as a threat to her sanity.
Z has tried everything. Pursued her in dreams, bribed her cat, enticed her with peep shows meant to whet her appetite and drive her crazy. And still she resists. What’s a Wizard to do? He came to Earth to have an adventure, not lose his heart to the one witch whose guard he can’t get past.
When he finally gets his hands on her, the power between them is undeniable. But Dorothy’s family secret could make him sorry she surrendered.
Warning: Voyeurism, lurid dreams, raunchy dirty wizard sex in public places.
I’d never written a novella, but there was a themed series about gemstones and jewels at Ellora’s Cave. My husband and I were watching a kind of hysterical reality show…people were competing to prove they have super qualities to get into a comic book. My man Cookie loves the sci fi hehe
So I had this idea pop into my head. What if…? Wouldn’t it be funny if…? And then I was at the computer. Who Wants to Date a Superhero? Was probably the fastest, most impulsive story I’ve written to date. And I have to admit, one of the most fun.
Come on-wouldn’t you laugh if one of the first superheroes that sprang to your mind was named Rock Hammer? But he wasn’t the hero…no, that was Theta Wave. Love that guy.
And Gaia City was a world I really enjoyed writing. So, though I was nervous about its reaction, I put it out there. And people really seemed to like it! So much that I wrote the sequel a few months later, Who Needs Another Superhero? (and yes, that one is about Rock Hammer lol)
I just got the news from on high that they are putting both books together in print THIS summer under the title Who Loves a Superhero? I’m excited.
Here are some blurbs
Gaia City. A place where technology is advanced, superheroes commonplace and the masses are addicted to Who Wants to Date a Superhero?, a show that lets women compete for the chance to win a date with one of Gaia’s Guardians.
Cassie Tidwell never thought she’d be humiliating herself on live vid for dinner with a man in spandex. But the secret she’s keeping will have her jumping through hoops for a chance to have this season’s hunky bachelor, Theta Wave, all to herself.
Will her choice ensure that Graham, the man she’s lusted after for months, never wants to see her again?
When her friend gives her an amethyst anklet engraved with strange symbols, telling her it has the ability to shield her thoughts from the probing powers of Theta Wave, she’s dubious. But she needs all the luck she can get if she’s to fight for one man’s help…and another’s heart.
Return to Gaia City. Where there are way too many superheroes for Dayna’s peace of mind. Growing up as the unofficial mascot for Gaia’s Guardians hasn’t been easy. So maybe she overcompensates. Takes risks she shouldn’t.
Stone Matthews was an introvert until the day he wandered into the burial chamber of an ancient and powerful ruler and became…Rock Hammer. Now he’s an invincible chick magnet, but he still has no idea how to deal with women. Especially Dayna. The tasty reporter has always pushed his buttons and turned him on, but she’s unattainable.
With Triad still missing, Theta Wave on his honeymoon and the lair in disarray, there is no one around but Stone to save the day when Dayna goes chasing after The Pearl of Isis and a story that could be the death of her. And when he gets his hands on her, all bets are off.
Twilight Guardian comes out in May. Here was another surprise. Kit is one of the Sariel guard.
When I wrote Regina those big creepy guys freaked me out. What were they? Strange vampire experiments? Hybrids? What?
Well, I found out. And it took the world of the Goddess in an unexpected direction. Totally fascinating for the mythologically obsessed part of me though.
This book also introduces a human woman into the world for the first time. At least, she seems human. Luckily, she’s been dreaming about these supernaturals her whole life, so she isn’t as thrown as you or I might be, but still…its a lot for a girl to take in.
Not even the Goddess can save him…but maybe love can.
Twilight Guardian Children of the Goddess, Book 3
A Sariel guard, Kit has spent centuries fulfilling his people’s oath to protect the Trueblood Clan. Not Vampire, not Were, and certainly not human, Kit is something altogether…different. And when he is called back home to honor his obligations one last time, he can do none other than obey.
Jesse experiences life behind the lens of a camera. The only time she truly lives is in her dreams. For years she’s imagined a world filled with werewolves, vampires, magic. And him. When she realizes that not only is her dream world real, but the giant of her fantasies is in danger, she’ll have to jump in with both feet, and trust her heart. In Kit’s arms, she learns love is as infinite as time.
But so is a bitter god’s thirst for vengeance.
After a thousand years of duty, Jesse’s love is a gift from the Goddess. But for Kit, it might have come too late…
Warning: Spanking, exhibitionism, giants being kinky…just good wholesome fun.
As for the other characters. Jasyn and Hannah have been driving me crazy, well, mostly Jasyn, in the last few books. Unfortunately, its looking like Hannah may have to wait a little bit longer for her happy ending.
Another unexpected twist has turned up on the horizon, and that twist has Liz, the tough founder of the Deva Clan, in its sights.
The terrible past will come to light. The Great War between the Shadow Wolves and the Truebloods, Zander’s father and the head of the Abbadon Clan, Elizabeth’s husband Malcolm, and a secret that lay forgotten…waiting…
Have I got your attention? Well, stay tuned, I think that one will be coming out later this year.
Lux was a pain in the ass. I love him, but there it is. I kept having to write him out of scenes all throughout Regina’s book. He was a ham and he wanted to be the star. I finally had to promise him his own story to get him to back off. ( Yes, I argue with fictional characters. I’m not the only one, so that makes me feel better lol)
And his mates. I was completely surprised by the two Weres that took him on. But I love this book. It was my first bisexual menage. And I have to admit that Lux and Arygon are two sexy supernaturals.
Lux in Shadow
Lux in Shadow
Children of the Goddess, Book 2 Because of his own carelessness, Lux Sariel lost his lover at the hands of the shaman Gray Wolf, and put his Trueblood family in grave danger. Now he’s been sent on a mission to find and protect his mortal enemy’s sister. His companion is Arygon, a sexy Alpha who won’t take no for an answer.
When the two men find Sylvain, a sheltered and innocent beauty with power beyond imagining, passions ignite—and suddenly none of them are certain of the future.
No one but the Goddess.
She has a plan that will change everything for Her children, Were and Vampire alike. A challenge that will fulfill the promise of what this unusual threesome have found together…or destroy them all.
Warning: This title contains Vampire and Were nookie, Were and Vampire nookie, Were/Vamp/Were nookie, hot nekkid man nookie….oh, hell—lots of nookie.
EXCERPT
“Mine!”
Sylvain gasped at the snarled words coming from the wild thing that leapt from the shadows. The stranger who’d been about to kiss her was flung against the wall, his feet dangling off the floor, hands futilely plucking at the curved claw cutting off his air.
“Never. Touch. Her. Again.”
It was Lux. She looked over to where she’d seen him last and saw the woman, still in the throws of passion. She seemed unaware that he had disappeared, too busy kissing the man beneath her as she rode her way to completion. Had she misunderstood? Had Lux just been feeding?
“S’il vous plait, oh God, please!” The gasping man was turning purple from lack of oxygen. The terror in his eyes reflected in the crowd frozen around them. His cry for help drew her attention and she pushed past the mass of bodies closing in around them to get to him.
“Lux. Lux, you have to stop now. You’re killing him.” Her hand on his arm seemed to bring him back enough that he loosened his grip. The man slid down the wall, his feet touching the ground as he gulped breath after grateful breath.
“He kissed you. Touched you. He has no right to look at what is mine.” It was wrong of her to feel relief, joy at his possessive words and yet, she thrilled at his display.
Lux turned her way, his expression feral as he slid his arm roughly around her waist, dragging her up until she was straining on the tips of her toes, her nipples grazing his chest.
He took her mouth with near violent intent. She knew what he was feeling. He was marking her, claiming her. His lips and teeth and tongue were wiping away the memory of the other kiss, all evidence of it from existence.
Her body blazed with liquid fire. Yes. This was why she had come.
She could feel the heated gazes on them, knew they could scent her need thick in the air. She didn’t care. She wanted him now. Wanted to open her mouth against his neck and mark him, tie him to her. The feelings welling inside her were so new, so primitive that she cried out with their force.
His head jerked up at the sound and he looked around at their audience. Several of them had moved closer, their eyes on his woman as if mesmerized. Something was definitely not right. They should be running in terror, not sidling closer as if awaiting their turn.
He felt his lips curl back in a snarl, but he released the man he still held in his grip. Denial screamed through his veins. He wanted to kill the son of a bitch. Drink him dry, rip his throat out.
The dark thoughts brought him back to his senses enough that he realized he had to get her out of here, before one of these leather clad humans decided to brave his wrath.
They would not live long enough to change their minds.
He kept his arm around her as he half carried, half dragged her to the door.
“My shirt—”
“Don’t say a word.”
They were out of the bar and at the edge of the woods before anyone realized they were gone. She had no idea Vampires could move so fast.
Lux pressed her against the nearest tree, the rough bark scraping against her back only exciting her more. His lip curled upward, the light sifting through the trees glinting off his menacing fangs.
She wasn’t afraid. She struggled against him, not to escape. She wanted to be closer, to taste him again. Needed her mate.
“Where is Arygon? Why did he bring you here? Was there an attack?” His voice was harsh with need but he held her away from him. Those blue eyes were shuttered, closed off—his lips set in a grim line.
It hit her like a stake to her heart. He wasn’t planning on finishing where that kiss in the bar left off. He didn’t understand why she was here. Didn’t care.
Unfamiliar rage consumed her. She was tired of being the helpless, hopelessly scorned female. He reacted as a lover, as if she were his possession when another touched her, but he wasn’t willing to claim her as his own.
He abandoned her, left her in pained arousal with another unmated male and an unconscious chaperone. These were the actions of a mate?
“Let me go.”
He studied her in silence. She didn’t cower, glaring directly into his eyes until he released her and took one cautious step back. In an instant she was headed back toward the safety of the tunnels.
“Arygon is with Mysha where I left them. I’m sorry.” Her voice cracked. “It was a mistake to come to you.”
He watched her storm angrily through the brush, no attempt at stealth evident in her stride.
He knew something was wrong. That he had done or said something—again to hurt her. But he couldn’t focus. A dark demon he hadn’t even been aware of lived inside him. It was awake. And it was pissed.
His gaze lingered on her bare spine, those cream soft shoulders that looked like they would shatter in his grip. He knew he should have covered her. He had the ability to manipulate matter, clothe her.
He didn’t want to. The sight of her, bare to the waist for his eyes alone was too satisfying to the demon.
Arygon had done this. Sent her alone into the night.
Lux thought about what could have happened to her, what almost happened before he’d been aware of her presence. Did that stupid pup not understand the danger stalking her?
How could he when you never told him? But logic wouldn’t stop this blood rage. Sylvain was his to protect. And Dydarren had put her in danger.
They caught sight of the entrance to their hideaway. Arygon was there, pacing restlessly back and forth. He stilled, sniffing the air before turning in their direction, a smile of welcome freezing on his lips.
He took in the shivering, half naked Sylvain. She met his gaze in silence, angrily wiping the wetness from her cheeks before moving to walk past him without a word.
Arygon turned toward Lux, one eyebrow raised in disbelief. “Welcome back. I see that hard head of yours is still lodged firmly up your ass.”
The demon in Lux attacked. A veil of red covered his eyes as he dove for Arygon. No magick. No elemental manipulation. The feel of flesh meeting bone was far too satisfying.
His head snapped back with the full force of Arygon’s fist. Good. There would be no holding back.
“You’ve been asking for this for months.” The Were caught him in the gut and Lux doubled over with a grunt of pain, his back to his opponent. When he stepped closer, Lux swung his leg high, catching Arygon in the chest.
“Yeah? Well you’ve been asking for it too. Only I’m not interested.” His fist swung hard but Arygon was faster, blocking the punch and throwing one of his own.
“Your lips say no but your—oomph!”
They wrestled for supremacy, too evenly matched to win, too stubborn to give up. The Were spun low, sweeping his legs out from under him.
Lux hit the ground rolling, knocking Arygon flat on his back beside him. He straddled the angry blond, pinning his arms to the damp grass with his knees. “How could you let her leave the protection of the tunnels? Why did you let her come into town when you know she’s in danger? She could have died out there alone. I trusted you to keep her safe.”
Arygon roared in anger, his head ramming upward, aimed straight for Lux. It was an unexpected move.
The reverberation in Lux’s skull distracted him long enough to lose his grip. He was flipped over on his back, their positions switched before Lux could take a pained breath.
“You are a fine one to talk about trust, Sariel.” The hands on his wrists tightened, Arygon turning his face up to the sky as if praying for patience.
“I would have told you, but when you weren’t exploring one of the far tunnels to escape conversation, you were out on another blood run. Are you so self involved that you didn’t stop to wonder why her scent had changed, grown stronger? Didn’t you, Great Healer, notice how agitated she had become? How pale?”
He hadn’t. Her scent had called to him since the moment he’d first seen her. Every moment in her company it became more addicting. That was why he had stayed away. Everything about her beckoned him. And he couldn’t afford to give in.
Arygon leaned down until his lips were a breath away. Lux was startled to feel a stirring of desire. He shouldn’t have been surprised. Five seconds ago all he’d wanted to do was kill the arrogant ass for putting Sylvain in danger. Now he was using all his restraint not to lift his head and taste the tempting mouth above him.
What in the name of the Mother was wrong with him?
“I’ll make this simple for you. Female Weres enter their heat when they find their mate. Until the mating is complete, the intensity of that heat increases. If mating is denied, they can become ill.” Arygon speared Lux with his gaze.
What was he saying? Sylvain had found her mate? His eyes narrowed. “You—”
The Were rolled off him with a bitter chuckle. “I give up. If you can’t stop thinking about yourself—your guilt and your pain long enough to figure it out then you just don’t deserve her. Or me.”
Arygon strode into the tunnels, leaving Lux on the damp ground to think about his words. Alone
Most of you know the story. I was playing an online game with other authors at The Romance Divas forum, a game about Werewolves and Vampires. I was bitten so I had to create a character. Since my initials were R.G. (R is short for Rachel btw, a little bit of about me trivia) I decided my vampire’s name would be Reggie.
I created a rough story. She was a gypsy, she missed the sun etc. the beautiful Divas (Devas) came along and changed her world, changed everything.
I even found a picture and a song that fit her character.
From the art of Victoria Frances
And the musical stylings of, oddly enough, Ben Harper (dont have his official video-but this is a good sound) She\'s Only Happy In The Sun
I looked and that picture and listened to that song, over and over. I was entranced. It wouldn’t leave my head. And then, as I’ve mentioned before, I dreamt about her. Regina. She was running. Afraid, but not really for herself.
She was resigned to her own death, but desperate to get somewhere first. And then I saw her dancing to the song. I woke up and knew I’d dreamt the first chapter of Regina in the Sun. I knew that even though I’d sworn never to write a vampire novel, mainly because there are a few authors who have already reached the pinnacle of that kind of world building, that Regina wouldn’t leave me alone until I wrote her story.
That’s how the Children of the Goddess series began.
There’s only one place left to run—into forbidden arms.
Children of the Goddess, Book 1
When she arrives at Ye Olde Haven Pub, the sanctuary for Trueblood Vampires, Regina is wounded and desperate. Her only thought is to save the Deva Clan, her family, from the dangerous Loups De L’Ombre, the Shadow Wolves. She knows she will not exactly be welcomed with open arms. She is, after all, an Unborn, the lowest caste of Vampire.
As a natural born from the purest line, Zander Sariel knows the rules are sacrosanct—a Trueblood mates with his own kind. But one taste of the young Unborn is all Zander needs to know that rules were made to be broken.
With enemies at every turn, Zander risks everything to save Regina from the monster that hunts her, his own kind’s ignorance and—if he must—her lack of faith in her own unique abilities.
Only together do they have a chance to defeat the shadow that haunts their future, and save their entire race from extinction.
Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, voyeurism of an m/m/f ménage…a plethora of vampire nookie.
EXCERPT
She walked towards the dance floor, a bit delirious from exhaustion and heedless of the surprised murmurs, and began to sway to the poignant melody.
In her mind’s eye she was young again, free of pain as her grandmother taught her how to story-dance. That’s what she’d always called it. Daj Mia believed that every dance should tell a story.
Reggie’s body instinctively followed the movements she’d learned so long ago, before she knew that a world beyond her human family’s tents existed. Before she knew that all the monsters and magick in her Daj’s fireside stories were real.
Her hands rose above her head. Wrists and hips rolled smoothly as she twirled to the slow, sad ballad.
The song told of a girl who didn’t seem to fit in the world. Lost in darkness and pain, the only freedom—only happiness she knew—was in the sun.
The irony of the lyrics weren’t lost on Reggie. She was a Vampire, after all. And yet, it was nothing but the truth. The last true memories she had of love and laughter were brilliant with the light of day.
As the words wove around her, she could almost believe she was dancing in the sun, could feel it on her face. Centuries of darkness were erased in a heartbeat. Lost in the magic of the song, she could feel the dew-filled grass beneath her thinly covered feet instead of the hard wood of the pub floor. It was her family’s laughing eyes, shining with support and approval, gazing at her as she swayed instead of the cold judgment of the strangers who watched her every move.
The waif-like creature danced as if she were in another world. He realized she didn’t comprehend the effect she was having on her paralyzed audience. Several of his clientele stood, their intentions clear. They planned to remove the unwanted element from their midst, but something about the solitary dancer froze them in their tracks. A sadness they all recognized, a yearning some of them had never known and a sexuality that held them captive.
He couldn’t tear his gaze away as her belly rolled and she arched her back, the movements beyond graceful, unknowingly sensual. Her hips jutted sharply left and right, body undulating like water.
The air left his lungs, desire racing through his limbs, weighing them down. Her waist-length blue-black tresses swept the floor as her neck rolled forward. She reached up once more, her face glowing with some inner light as she embraced a vision only she could see.
She was mesmerizing.
The beauty fell to her knees, back lowering until it touched the floor as the final words to the song echoed through the silent room.
It was then that he noticed her haggard appearance. The torn clothing, the scrapes covering her arms and the extreme pallor of her skin made his gut clench.
A tear fell unchecked down her cheek. He tensed as if to go to her, but his brother rushed past him to her side. Lux picked the girl up as if she were light as a feather and whispered softly in her ear. He joined them in time to hear the low, sultry voice tremble in response.
“Elizab-eth said… Sanctu—” She passed out before she could finish the sentence.
Lux looked up at him in surprise before holding the girl protectively closer.
“Sanctuary, Zander. She’s asking for sanctuary.”
The murmurs had picked up around them. He and his brother looked over the crowd, sensing the growing agitation. Those who had stood before seemed to have shaken themselves out of their hypnotic stupor, stepping forward as if to protest. Zander moved closer to his brother and the unconscious girl in his arms. “It’s the law. Sanctuary has been requested and cannot be refused.”
Half the crowd nodded, intimidated by the large proprietor and still moved by the scene they’d just witnessed. The rest of them Zander ignored. Directing Lux towards his rooms and instructing the remaining employees to keep alert, he quickly followed the pair upstairs.
His curiosity, his protective instincts, and something he wasn’t quite ready to name were all in overdrive as he thought of the beautiful, mysterious stranger in his brother’s arms. Who was she? And why did he have the feeling his life would never be the same?
“Who is she?”
Zander Sariel looked down at Lux. His younger brother sighed and ran his hands through his shoulder-length burgundy hair. “From what she said and the traces I’m sensing, I assume she’s one of Elizabeth’s. A member of the Deva Clan.”
Zander felt his face twisting in a tired grimace as he realized what Lux was saying. Not just any Unborn, his little sleeping beauty belonged to Liz, the widow of one of his dearest friends, and a long-time pain in his ass.
How many Truebloods had complained over the years about her growing clan of “dangerous” Unborns?
That his people were a little pompous and paranoid was the understatement of the millennium. He didn’t share their opinions, but since taking his father’s place as glorified diplomat and Mediator a few hundred years before, he had to listen with objectivity. Regardless of his own beliefs.
Zander knew Elizabeth well. Lux had helped her sire and husband, Malcolm, keep her hidden during their marriage. Zander had even helped his younger brother get her out of harm’s way with enough funds to last her several lifetimes after the tragedy of his old friend’s untimely death. He’d owed that to Malcolm.
But he couldn’t ignore how Liz and her rash acts of vengeance and regular creation of new Unborns had affected the balance of his community. And now one of her “children” was lying on his bed, obviously wounded and publicly asking for help.
“I’ll take full responsibility for her.” He heard Lux state quietly as he looked down at the fragile creature.
She seemed so helpless, ethereal as a dream. Exactly the type the softhearted Lux had always felt compelled to protect. He placed a strong hand on Lux’s shoulder, drawing his brother’s gaze.
“She’s mine.” He was startled by the sound of his own voice. “I mean—my responsibility. She asked for sanctuary. It’s mine to give.”
I’m over at the Smutketeers blog today into Monday-talking about my book covers and an amazing artist-Anne Cain. All you contest entrants, come on over!
Another day of the contest and I’m talking about my Temptation Unveiled series at Ellora’s Cave.
A few tidbits about the world
Meru is the only one that can read The Book of Veils, a book of prophecy created by her ancestor, created to help save the world from a terrible fate.
Myrddin/Merlin has the hots for Meru Tanner’s Aunt Lily.
Old gods are actually Archons who decided they were too disruptive a force in our world, and went back to theirs. Actually-Sheridan, Meru’s cousin the hard nosed cop, probably explained it better than I ever could.
“To translate for our studio audience,” sarcasm laced Sheridan’s every word,
“egotistical aliens from the ‘we’re better than you’ dimension came to Earth to lord it
over us humans. When they decided it was too much trouble, they left, locking the door
behind them. This ticked off the bad, even more egotistical aliens, who had been hoping
to play god vs. slave indefinitely.” She leaned back, enjoying her moment.
“Now the alien-gone-good and his band of merry supermen play hero by
protecting the weak, vulnerable humans from the various dark lords and their evil
minions, who, regardless of the aforementioned locked door, still manage to sneak in
and stir it up occasionally.”
Meru rolled her eyes. Lily choked on a small piece of grapefruit, unable to stem the
tears of laughter that welled in her eyes at her daughter’s diatribe. Myrddin gently
patted her back, fighting his own grin.
This morning’s kitchen meeting with her old friend had been confusing, but utterly
amazing. Myrddin had lost her a little as he’d tried to explain the dimensional physics
behind the portals and the space in which the Archons lived. Meru secretly thanked
Sheridan for the clarification, blunt as it was.
“Sounds like a bad B movie, doesn’t it?” Sheridan glared at Myrddin’s hand, now
caressing her mother’s shoulders. “Do you really expect us to believe this nonsense,
Professor?”
“While a bit melodramatic and rather insulting, you managed to hit most of the
salient facts in your usual straightforward way,” Myrddin granted her.
The band of merry supermen she’s talking about are the Fianna
Damon Arkadios, one of the original Lycans from Zeus’ curse
Hawk and Val Jarlson-those Viking twins I told you about yesterday
Finn-a warrior and noble of the Tuatha
Raj-a studious, and rather attractive, dragon from Shambhala
and then there is Nyc, the guy everyone fell in love with.
The Fianna protect the North Portal, the doorway to and from the Archon’s world. They all owe Myrddin in one way or another, and to honor that debt, they protect the unknowing humans from the Dark, minions of the “bad, even more egotistical aliens”
If you caught that I said North Portal and it made you wonder, you are right-there is more than one.
Anyway, Finn’s story is the next in the series. Poor guy, he’s known who he’s wanted from the beginning, but she is one tough nut to crack. And after what happened to her with the Horde during Hawk’s adventure, he may never break through her shell.
And Raj? Well, Raj is about to find that he cannot afford to stay on the sidelines just studying life. He needs to live it. He needs to accept his destiny.
And above all, the Fianna and their significant others need to stop whats coming. An Archon who is doing everything in his power to free himself from his prison, and destroy humanity.
I’m taking the weekend off. Whatever you celebrate, enjoy it
Come back on Monday-where I’m talking about my Children of the Goddess series at Samhain Publishing.
What to say about my twins? My hunky, kinky, Viking twins? Sigh….Oh, sorry, was I drooling?
I didn’t necessarily plan Hawk. When this blond hunka chunka appeared in my group of Fianna hotties, I didn’t know he was, shall we say, conflicted? Didn’t know about the curse, didn’t know about the tattoo or why it was there.
I mentioned I was a pantser right?
And Linnea? Well, I was daydreaming one day, and I had an image of a real Viking at a present day Renaissance Festival. In the middle of the rowdy scene walked a woman who, though at first glance a plain brown wren-had the ability to tame a hawk. At least, my Hawk.
We can’t forget Val. Remember that internal conflict I mentioned? I guess the best way to give you some insight into the two of them is to show you how they became what they are. Of course for that, we have to go back to the late 700′s AD
And tomorrow I’m going to talk about whats coming next in the series, as well as a little bit about the world.
So without further ado-here’s the blurb and excerpt for Piercing the Veil
(and this is one of my favorite covers, so I have to make it big. Piercing the Veil By R.G. Alexander
Book 2 in the Temptation Unveiled series.
Twins Hawk and Val are Fianna warriors under the vengeful curse of a scorned goddess. Following the prophecy in the Book of Veils, they search for the one who can help them retrieve the Claíomh Solais before their enemies get the chance. Their quest leads them to Linnea. One touch and there can be no doubt that they have found their match. But will she accept them once she knows the truth?
Linnea is no one special. So why is she on the run from evil faeries and her egotistical ex? Why is she suddenly spending time in the company of dragons, druids and one kinky Viking with a split personality? All she knows is she has to keep her family safe, and her heart safe from another betrayal.
EXCERPT
“Great Father. Wise Sage of the Gods. The crime here today against your worshippers is mine and mine alone. I ask for no mercy. But as a warrior of honor, I beg you not to include my brother or this innocent female in your punishment. They have not wronged you in any way.”
Odin opened his mouth to speak, but Freyja’s screeching drowned him out.
“I have been wronged. I have. All three of these humans have wronged me. Insulted and threatened—your warriors killed for daring to protect me from that savage experiment you created. That berserker. I deserve to dole out the punishment. I alone decide their fate.”
Odin sighed as he stroked Sleipner’s mane, calming the agitated beast. Then he nodded in resignation to the raging woman below. “So be it.”
Freyja’s tantrum ended as quickly as it had begun, a taunting expression spreading across her face as she fingered her amulet.
Strolling up to a stone-still Haukr, she reached up on tiptoe to whisper in his ear. “I should have you hung from the World Tree by your cock from now to Ragnarök for leaving me so completely unsatisfied.”
Freyja leaned back and smiled into his closed expression before glancing at the mangled bodies around them. “But I believe you have suffered more with the knowledge of what the animal in you is capable of.”
Haukr flinched, teeth grinding as she touched her cloak, plucking a single feather from the garment and lightly tickling his arm.
She traced the ragged scar of the failed tattoo with a low chuckle. “Oh yes. As proud as you are, you have never enjoyed knowing the berserker could control you. Wondering who you would harm, were your brother not present to call you back. He’s the only one that can, isn’t he?”
Turning the feather in a swift move, she stabbed Haukr’s arm with the sharp quill, directly into the faded indigo of the youthful design.
Haukr grimaced as a fiery pain shot up his arm. He looked down, his eyes widening in shock when a vibrant unnatural pattern began to form on his skin.
It took the form of a hawk, wings spread in angry attack, talons outstretched. For a moment, it seemed the wings of the drawing spread out of his skin, reaching for freedom. The agonizing blaze spread through his body, bringing him to his knees.
Then he heard Freyja’s curse. “You are The Hawk. The berserker in its truest form. No longer will you need to worry about control. You’ll rely on your predator’s instincts alone.”
Thrilling at the rush of power, Freyja turned to Valr, who quickly pushed Brígh behind his back. “And how noble you suddenly seem, my peaceful, joking warrior. You’ve never had to care about what others thought, never had to prove yourself. Not with Haukr by your side. You could stand to be more like him. At least he knows when to keep his mouth shut. At least he knows that a man should not find his pleasure until—”
She took a deep breath, lowering her voice as she continued to approach him. “More like him.” She repeated softly. “How noble are you, twin of the mighty Haukr? Are you just a trained falcon, to do your master’s bidding? Or are you brave enough to give your brother a chance at life?”
She smirked as Valr looked at his twin, now rolling in obvious gut-wrenching pain on the ground. A shimmer of mist seemed to surround him, a shimmer that was even now remolding his form into a model of the one she had stabbed into his arm.
Val turned to look directly into her eyes and said without hesitation. “My life for his.”
Freyja laughed in delight at the young warrior. “Oh it won’t be that easy. There you go again, trying to get out of your responsibility with a quick death.”
She twirled the bloody feather in her hand, caressing the same spot on his arm, tracing a mark that wasn’t there. “Not your life for his, Falcon. Your life with his. Joined forever, bound to roam until eternity come with two strong minds in one body.”
She continued to speak while stabbing the quill into his flesh. “Know the pain he has carried with his gift. Know his innermost thoughts and desires, as he will know yours. He can live, but only with you. Never alone. Never separated.”
“Who knows?” She chuckled as he crumpled to the ground and crawled toward his struggling twin. “Maybe together you will finally be a decent man.”
Dropping the quill, she reached for the dagger hidden in the belt of her dress and approached the girl. “Nothing so dramatic for you, I’m afraid.”
Brigh trembled, but refused to look away.
“Any last words?”
She looked toward the fallen men, her expression one of deep sorrow and longing. Then she scanned the green of the hills once more, searching for something. Or someone.
“Danu, Mother of us all, True Queen.” Her voice rang through the cool, clear air. She turned her eyes once more to the two Vikings. “Help them!”
Freyja curled her lip in disdain. “Your plea is so touching. Would that they had been as faithful in their love as you are.”
She secretly gloated as Brígh paled at the reminder of their recent infidelity. Her dagger slid true, straight into the girl’s aching heart. There was no remorse, only satisfaction when the young human slumped to the ground.
Freyja turned to enjoy Odin’s reaction to her creative punishment, nearly falling as the earth beneath her feet began to roll like ocean waves. She turned in the direction Odin was gazing and saw a small white fawn staring directly at them from the edge of the clearing.
The harmless animal lifted one dainty hoof, touching the ground lightly. Once more, the earth rolled and Freyja gasped as she stepped over the fallen men, reaching for Sleipnir’s bridle to hold her steady. Who was this? How could something so small have such a power over the earth?
Odin tilted his head, listening to the wind. He nodded toward the fawn before sliding from his mount and approaching the mist-shrouded twins. Freyja released her hold on Sleipnir, attempting to intercept him, but he grabbed her by the shoulders and moved her out of the way.
“You have had your female’s revenge. Trapped and condemned two warriors in a curse I cannot unravel, all because they dared to want another. Be satisfied with that.”
Standing over the two bodies already merging, he sighed. “Stronger forces than you know protect you, sons of the Jarl. Be worthy of their gifts. I cannot stop what has already begun, but there is a way…a chance to right this wrong.”
His voice rose and he held up his hand, his golden ring engraved with Elvin script glittering in the light. “For having true hearts that could not be swayed as easily as your bodies, you were punished. An innocent love that was given freely was taken away for vanity’s sake alone.”
Odin ignored Freyja’s indignant gasp. Chanting low, he wove his own magick into Freyja’s spell. When he was done, he lifted the irate female in his arms, sliding smoothly onto Sleipnir’s back.
He glanced back at the white fawn, whose head dipped in acknowledgment before turning to disappear into the woods. “It is only a chance.”
As he opened the portal that would take them home, he prayed it would be enough.
Gaia City. A place where technology is advanced, superheroes commonplace and the masses are addicted to Who Wants to Date a Superhero?, a show that lets women compete for the chance to win a date with one of Gaia’s Guardians.
Return to Gaia City. Where there are way too many superheroes for Dayna’s peace of mind. Growing up as the unofficial mascot for Gaia’s Guardians hasn’t been easy. So maybe she overcompensates. Takes risks she shouldn’t.
