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Archive for Fated

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Random.org  chose Kyle Code as the winner.  Congrats!

Hi all!  Happy Friday!  First, I’d like to remind everyone that Hunted releases this month on April 24th.  Hunted is the third book in the Dark Protector series and features Connlan Kayrs, the ultimate vampire soldier, and Moira Dunne, a wicked-hot witch from Ireland.  The two mated a century ago (after a wild, crazy night), and Conn gave Moira one hundred years to train as a witch and learn her powers.  Time is up, and Conn heads across the ocean to bring his witch home.  She, ah, doesn’t quite fall in line.

I’ve been working hard writing the fifth book in the Dark Protector Series.  This book features Kane Kayrs, the smartest and most logical vampire on the planet, and his possible mate, a free-spirited eco-friendly human woman who has no idea the power she holds to fight demons.  She’s a pacifist, for goodness sakes.  :)

During the last month, I’ve spent time writing in several airports and different cities across the USA.  First, twenty of us gals ventured to Las Vegas to celebrate our friend’s 40th birthday.  Now, you take twenty moms and give them a weekend away from work, baseketball games, and laundry?  Yes.  We spent time at a hospital, time at several pools that weren’t with our hotel, and time in those underground rooms where a casino takes a troublemaker.  I truly don’t know how many times I said, “I’m not licensed to practice law in Nevada.  Behave.”  A few of us also gambled…and we attended the Thunder Down Under show.  Very interesting.

After Nevada, I headed across the country to New Orleans.  I absolutely love that city.  The FF&P conference was held there, and I gave a workshop about craft blunders.  I also went on a ghost/vampire tour of the city that was beyond cool.  And creepy.  I had so many ideas spinning through my head for stories afterwards!  But I did get a chance to write while soaking up the energy of the city.  In fact, there are a couple scenes in Hunted set in New Orleans!  What’s funny is that I turned that book in a year ago.

Then my entire family (husband and kids, parents, sisters and their families) headed for Maui for spring break.  There were fifteen of us, and we had a ball.  I wrote at the pool, I wrote at the beach, and I tried very unsuccessfully to write on a boat while whale watching.  Don’t write on a boat while whale watching if you have the slightest inclination to get sea sick.  Watch the whales.  I quickly set the computer aside and watched whales, feeling just fine by the end of the trip.  Isn’t the picture nice?

So, now I’m gearing up to promote Hunted.

To celebrate the release of Hunted on April 24th of this month, how about we do a giveaway of either Fated or Claimed (the first two books in the series)?  Just leave a comment for a chance to win – I’ll leave the contest open through the weekend.  Have you been on any fun vacations lately?  If not, where would you like to go?

Win an ARC, Happy Valentine’s Month!

Friday, February 3rd, 2012
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UPDATE:  Congrats to Bon for winning the ARC!

Hello all!  This is my first Brava post for 2012.  Not because I accidentally missed my January spot (which, let’s face it, was entirely possible), but because some stupid hacker took our site down for a couple weeks in January.  How, I have no clue.  I could no more hack an internet site than beat Dwayne Johnson (a.k.a. The Rock) in an arm wrestling contest.

I have to ask…why don’t these internet gurus use their genius for good rather than…annoyance.  Notice I didn’t say evil.  They’re not evil.  They’re just dumb@$#%s.  (I’m pretty sure I can’t swear on the Brava blog).

Anyway, I digress.   HAPPY NEW YEAR!  And since it’s now February, Happy Valentine’s Month!

I’m gearing up to promote both Tempted and Hunted.  Tempted is an e-novella from the Dark Protector series featuring Max, a tough Russian bodyguard, and Sarah, an ex-teacher who just escaped from a mental institution.  Really, it could happen to any of us.  Please note that you don’t need an e-reader to get Tempted.  You can use “Kindle for PC,” which is a free program from Amazon – you just read on your computer.  I use it all the time.  (I also have a new Kindle Fire I’m loving!)  Tempted will be released on March 27th.

Hunted is book three in the series and features Connlan Kayrs, the ultimate soldier, and Moira Dunne, a tough witch from Ireland.  The two accidentally mated a hundred years ago, and Conn gave Moira time to train as a witch.  Time is up.  Hunted will be released on April 24th.

Both books are available for pre-order now.  Hint.  Hint.

So, I’d like to give away an ARC of Hunted to a commenter here on the Brava blog.  The contest is open internationally and will close late Sunday night.  (Today is Friday here).  Feel free to just say hi, or answer a question.  Could you hack an internet site?  Have you ever been hacked?  Why do you want a Hunted ARC?  Do you think you could beat the Rock in an arm wrestling contest?

Claimed + Snow + Hot Army Guys = A GIVEAWAY!

Friday, November 4th, 2011
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UPDATE:  Random.org went to work and the winners are:  Michelle Harlan and Lynn A. Reynolds.  Congrats!

CLAIMED has officially been released and is out in the wild.  I can’t tell you how much I’ve appreciated the emails sent to me about Dage and Emma’s story—as well as the nice reviews put up on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.  To celebrate, I’d like to give away two books today—either Fated or Claimed—winner’s choice.  (So there will be two winners, and they each get to choose one book.)

Halloween has past, and I’ve been removing some decorations and putting up pumpkins.  Well, and I’ve been waiting for snow.  It was to have arrived last night, and it’s late.  The vampires in the Dark Protector series are warm blooded, so the snow doesn’t bother them much.  It doesn’t bother me much either.  I’m a firm believer in warm boots and hot chocolate—as well as reading indoors.

But, I have learned a very tough lesson in that I can’t read on the treadmill.  Not that a good book doesn’t occupy my mind.  But my feet are dangerous on their own. 

They need to be watched.

The truly frightening part of what I’m going to tell you is that it’s happened before.  I have fallen off a treadmill many times.  Yeah, I’m a klutz.  So I knew better.  When my sister had free passes to a gym in town and asked me to go with her, I should’ve said no.  I knew even as the words “sure, sounds fun,” fell out of my mouth, that I should say no.

But I didn’t say no.

I went to the gym, fully determined to run for at least thirty minutes as I’m trying REALLY hard to get back into shape.  So I jumped on the treadmill, stuck my earphones around my ears, and blasted cardio music.  Then I made the ultimate mistake.  I opened the book I’ve been dying to read.

All was well for about twenty minutes.  Then…my left shoe caught on the side edge.  I wobbled.  My toe turned inward.  I bent at the waist.  I reached for the wonderful book, and my hands slipped on the book rest.

I windmilled.

Then, like so many times before, I went kalunck, thunk, wack.  If you’ve never had a burn mark on your butt from falling on a still running treadmill, well then, consider yourself lucky.  The only, and I mean only, saving grace of this situation was that my sister jumped into action and yanked the safety cord of the treadmill.  Keep in mind that she was laughing so hard tears literally dropped onto my knee.

Also, just so you fully appreciate the story, I should add that there was a group of on-leave, very hot, army guys pumping iron to the side.  And yeah, they saw the whole thing.  One even winked.  WINKED!

So, as I sit here on my still smarting hiney, I hope I’ve brought a smile to your snowy day.  (Or sunny day, depending on where you are.)  Please leave a comment for a chance to win a book.  Have you ever fallen off a treadmill?  Or, do you have any fun winter plans?  Or even better, what do you imagine a hot-blooded vampire could do with a snow day?   :)

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UPDATE:  Random.org choose the winners this time around.  The ARC of Claimed goes to:  Heather Leonard.  The two signed copies of Fated go to:  Jeff Salter and Donna Bezio.  Congrats all!  I’ll be sending you an email asking where to mail these.

If you didn’t win…there’s another giveaway going on all week over at Good Choice Reading.  Click for the link:)

Hi all!  I’m working on revisions for Hunted, which is book 3 of the Dark Protectors.  Megan sent me ARCs of Claimed (book 2), and I would love to give one away here on the Brava blog today.   An ARC is an ‘advanced reader copy’ sent out to reviewers months before the book is released.  You know, I’d also like to give away two signed copies of Fated (book 1).  So, leave a comment below for a chance to win.  I’ll draw three names next Monday.

Here’s the blurb for Claimed: 

While geneticist Emma Paulsen appreciates vampire king Dage Kayrs rescuing her from the creepy Kurjan leader who wanted to mate with her, she wouldn’t have needed rescuing had the vampires not gone to war. And while she’s willing to spend one night fulfilling her fantasies with Dage, no way does she plan to stick around.

Whether the king happened to brand her flesh or not.

That is until her pregnant sister, Cara, contracts a Kurjan virus that will not only destroy the baby but strip Cara’s chromosomal pairs until she’s possibly less than human. A virus that can only be defeated by science and magic combined.  And the only way to save her sister is to suspend her disbelief and trust in Dage’s power and passion…

So, I’m curious what readers think about a continuing series.  Personally, I love staying in the same world with the same characters…it’s kind of like checking in with old friends.  Here are a couple of questions if you’d like to comment today.  The contest is open world-wide.  Answer one, answer all…or just say hi.  :)   Do you like a series?  Have you ever seen an ARC?  What do you have planned for the rest of the summer?

It’s a bullet point themed day…

Friday, June 3rd, 2011
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Hi All! This is a bit late today because life has been crazy lately. So we’re doing bullet points today instead of a nicely themed blog entry. Really. Go with it.

• First…did you see that Brava is having another WRITING WITH THE STARS contest?!? I was the mentor of Maeve Greyson, the winner last year. We had so much fun waiting for the results each month. Okay. Maybe it wasn’t fun waiting…maybe we were on pins and needles. But when the results came in and she was still in the contest each time, we truly enjoyed the moment. Then when we found out she won…awesome! Her book is excellent and you’re going to love it.

• I’ve finished and turned in HUNTED to Megan—which is book 3 in the Dark Protector Series. HUNTED features Connlan Kayrs, the ultimate soldier, and Moira Dunne, a powerful witch. Witchcraft is the manipulation of subatomic particles, or quantum physics, if you will. These two people mated accidently one night a century ago (yeah, it was a heck of a night) and Conn is ready to give their relationship a chance. Moira is a bit busy trying to catch someone harming witches.

• Did you see that Cynthia Eden’s NEVER CRY WOLF received a starred review in Publisher’s Weekly? I’ve been trying to get my hands on an early copy of the book…but so far no luck. The book releases in July. I know she’ll be giving away promo copies on the internet the next few weeks…so I’m stalking Cynthia. You should, too.

• I should be receiving ARC’s of CLAIMED in the next couple months or so and will be doing giveaways…so keep an eye out. This is book 2 in the Dark Protectors, featuring Dage and Emma, and will be released this coming November.

On my blog today, Interviewer Izzy tries to interview Talen and Cara from FATED. Drop on over and say hi.

• I leave on the 24th of this month for New York City to attend the RWA National Conference. My sisters and I are going in a few days early to play in NY. If anyone has any suggestions of what we should do/see, please let me know! I’ll by signing copies of FATED at the literacy signing on Wednesday, June 29th;—I’m usually at one end of the room, having Z as a last name. Please drop by and say ‘hi’ if you’re in NY!

CLAIMED has a Cover!

Friday, March 18th, 2011
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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? 

I’m so happy to say that… I LOVE the cover!   It’s steamy, sexy and oh man, I would pick up the book and read the back.  So if I’d pick it up, hopefully a lot of readers will as well.  Claimed will be released in print on October 25, 2011 and e-format on November 1, 2011.

This is Book 2 in the Dark Protector Series and it features Dage, the King of the Realm, and Emma, a fiesty scientist.  You know, now that I think about it, Emma isn’t just fiesty.  She’s brilliant.  More than smart enough to figure out the most powerful vampire in existence and then turn him on his ear.  In fact, she’s insightful, which is even more dangerous to the king than her intelligence.

Don’t get me wrong.  Dage is tough–a true Alpha.  He’s a soldier and a diplomat…who has been waiting centuries to meet his mate.  I have an excerpt of CLAIMED on my website if you’d like a peek.  I hope you enjoy it!

FATED has Launched!

Friday, March 4th, 2011
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So, FATED was released on February 22nd. My first book. And yes, I did hurry down to our local bookstore and take pictures. We had a wonderful launching party at a very cool specialty wine and food store…I signed books for three solid hours.

A big thank you goes out to everyone who made it to the party. I think that the venue was really nice. A winemaker came and gave out samples…and sold about eight cases for the night. People hung out and visited, making the evening relaxed and a lot of fun. This was my first book signing, so I don’t know if this is normal, but people bought two or three books each…to send to family and friends. I learned a lot of new ways to spell names!

I also wanted to send a big ‘thank you’ to my friends and supporters on the internet…I really appreciate all the blog comments and best wishes throughout the last year. In addition, I wanted to thank my awesome editor, Megan Records, and her pals at Kensington for not only buying my book, but for being just wonderful through the whole process.

As a debut author, you just don’t know what to expect–and you hear some horror stories from the internet. But my experience couldn’t have been better. I wouldn’t change one thing. Cheers. :)

Win a signed copy of FATED!

Friday, February 4th, 2011
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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?

The Dark Protectors

Friday, January 7th, 2011
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So, Kensington will release FATED in exactly 46 days on February 22nd.  Yes, I’m counting down.  I’ll write about the launching party and release fun in my February blog.  I’ve spent most of my Brava blogging time talking about writing and introducing myself, so today I thought I’d talk about The Dark Protectors. 

Book one is FATED and is about Talen Kayrs, a vampire prince and strategic leader of the Realm, and Cara Paulsen, an empath and plant physiologist.  They meet and mate rather quickly…and Talen’s idea of a wedding night is more like a sexual taming.  Of course, then the bad guys let loose a virus to attack vampire mates…

CLAIMED is book two in the series, and it features Dage Kayrs, the King of the Realm, and Cara’s sister, Emma Paulsen, a brilliant geneticist.  Dage is quite possibly the most powerful Being in existence, yet human Emma is more than a match for him.  Stubborn and smart, she understands the king better than he understands himself.

HUNTED is book three in the series, where Conn Kayrs ventures to Ireland to reclaim his mate, Moira, who’s a hundred year old witch.  Talk about two fighters with incredible power.  Throw in a series of villains after the two, and they either need to work together or just let the world blow up.  It’s a toss up for awhile.  :)

So, those are the first three books in the Dark Protector Series.  I’m hoping that I’ll have a giveaway next month…until then, everyone have a very Happy New Year.  I thought about doing a blog about resolutions, but wasn’t sure what to say.  One of my resolutions is to get healthy and in shape!  Yeah, it’s a cliché, but I am still determined this year.  What is one of your resolutions?

A Year After The Call…

Friday, December 3rd, 2010
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So, I was wracking my brain on what to write for my blog entry today, and it occurred to me that my one year anniversary is coming up from getting “The Call.”  It was a snowy December Wednesday when the wonderful Megan Records called with a three book offer from Kensington.  I had just walked in the door and was so surprised I dropped the groceries.  The tomatoes splatted on the floor.  I shoved the dogs outside so they wouldn’t eat the tomatoes.  The dogs promptly went crazy, barking at our neighbor who was shoveling off his roof.

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.)  :)

So I sat, my mind spinning.  It’s been an amazing year.  I went from uncontracted and unagented to having a three book contract, a wonderful agent and a terrific editor.  I sent my page proofs back to New York about a month ago, so it took 10-11 months from the offer until my writing/editing job was finished with the first book.  Of course, now there’s PR, which I’m enjoying quite a bit.  FATED will be released on February 22, 2011.

I wasn’t sure about submitting a book about vampires, since there seems to be a few out there.  But FATED is a bit different in that vampires are born, not made, they like the sun and are being threatened by a biological weapon in the form of a virus.  Science plays a key part and genetics, quantum physics and string theory come into play.  (Just a little bit).  There’s love, romance and a whole lot of steam.  In fact, my first review ever was just posted, and it’s a doozie. 

So, where do you want to be in a year?