UPDATE: Congratulations to Brinda B for winning the copy of FATED. I’ll send it right out!
My debut book releases this month. 
Well, technically FATED releases on March 1st, but it will be available on February 22nd. My magnificent editor, Megan Records, sent me some promo copies…and I’d love to give one away today.
Here’s the back cover blurb:
MARRY ME
Cara Paulsen does not give up easily. A scientist and a single mother, she’s used to doing whatever it takes to protect her daughter. But “Whatever it takes” has never before included a shotgun wedding to a dangerous stranger with an attitude problem…
OR ELSE
Sure, the mysterious Talen says that he’s there to protect Cara and her daughter. He also says that he’s a three-hundred-year-old vampire. Of course, the way he touches her, Cara might actually believe he’s had that long to practice…
The interaction between these two very stubborn people makes for some steamy situations. Here’s an excerpt of FATED:
Slowly, Talen pushed to his feet and strolled across the conference room.
Cara took a step back, her breath hitching.
Smiling, he leaned against the closed door.
She’d need to go through him to get out. God, he was huge. Even if she had known how to fight, she doubted she’d stand a chance when faced with such size and obvious strength. A feminine fear and a flutter she refused to identify whispered through her, and her spine straightened with a sharp snap.
“I won’t hurt you.” His voice lowered, deepening to a tone that increased her flutter. He relaxed his stance against the door, his muscled arms crossing. “I won’t let anyone harm either of you. Ever.”
Okay. Fine. He was too big for her to fight, but she did have a brain. “Listen, Talen,” she kept her voice soft, soothing. “It’s great your dating pool just opened up and all, but I’m not looking for—”
A dimple winked in his cheek, stopping her words. She fought to keep her tone mild. “Am I amusing you?” Her chin lifted.
“Yes.”
“Why?” She could even feel his amusement in the air, damn it.
“Your people. I’ve never understood why you ignore fate. She has her own plans.”
“Fate?” He was throwing destiny at her? Come on.
He nodded. “Fate.”
“Wow. That’s poetic, Talen.” Sarcasm replaced the softness. “But there’s no way fate is involved here.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Prove it.”
“Okay.” He lifted his right hand, palm out. A crest, an intricate one, spread across his calloused skin. Thick and black, a webbing of arcs together formed a knot with what might be an elaborate ‘K’ in the middle.
“A tattoo?” She quirked an eyebrow, wondered if he had other tats on that magnificent body.
“No. A brand of sorts. It appeared earlier after I took your arm.”
“A brand?” She snorted. “Bullshit.”
Talen shrugged. “It’s true, Cara. The Mark usually doesn’t appear until the mating act, but there are exceptions.” Golden eyes pinned her. “Our bond must be strong.”
“No.”
Talen lifted a shoulder.
Her mind rebelled at the physical evidence before her eyes. “I said, no. I choose to ignore your fate.” How could the mark have appeared? Conviction sat easily upon his face and her stomach rolled at the question of how far he’d go to follow his fate.
“That is your choice,” he agreed.
“Damn straight.” She searched his face for a trick, determination tightening her own jaw. A raised eyebrow met her glare. “But you don’t know anything about me. I could be married.”
“You’re not.”
“How do you know?”
He shrugged. “My brother Dage shot your file to my smart phone.”
Smart phone? Vampires used smart phones? Come on. “Where were you?” Damn her curiosity.
“In a meeting with my other brother, Conn.”
Geez. Sounded like a family oriented creature of the night. Or day. Or whatever. She tried another tack. “Besides, I have a date tonight.”
She wasn’t sure what her goal was, but she didn’t reach it. A genuine smile played across his lips, and he uncrossed his arms. “You’re not going to make it.”
I’d love to give away a copy of FATED to one commenter. I’ll draw a name in a few days. So, do you believe in fate?
Megan sent me the cover for CLAIMED yesterday. Waiting for a new cover is a lot like staring at that unopened present…you want to rip open the wrapping so badly, but what if it’s slipper socks? Or a skillet when you wanted a laptop? 
But I thought I kept my cool. Until Megan said, “Ah, do you need to sit down? I had a lady faint once…” (I still have this crazy thought that she pictures me in the middle of nowhere surrounded by loud noises and barking, crazy dogs. She needs to visit the Pacific Northwest sometime to see how beautiful and peaceful it actually is here.) 
1) Hi Maeve! Congratulations on being a Writing with the Stars Finalist. Why don’t you tell us a bit about your story?
