Monday, February 21, 2011

Cyber Launch Party for Dark Hearts of Charm City

Hello fellow authors and readers. Today, DeNita is throwing me a cyber Launch Party for the release of Dark Hearts of Charm City! Stop on by today, leave us a comment, and ask any questions you'd like pertaining to this book and the first, The Beast Within and I'll explain what I can about the third and final installment of these books. Oh, and also, the prize is an autographed tote with the Dark Hearts book cover which I will b e sending out around the beginning of March for the lucky winner.



Blurb:

After claiming Diana, Julian realizes the deadly mistake he's made. Once Diana rejects him, he's forced to work with her best friend, Charlene in order to save her life. But is it too late? Does he have a chance to redeem himself and save the love it took him centuries to acquire?

After experiencing betrayal at the hands of Julian, Diana succumbs to the one thing she finds most desirable. Unfortunately, her dark path leads her down a long and dangerous road when she meets up with the rogue elder, Michael Vitello.

Although she rejected Julian, she discovers her love for him grows stronger with each passing moment. She's still in denial when her hasty decisions thrust her in harm's way, and she discovers, albeit a little too late, how much she truly loves Julian.





Available at Sugar and Spice Press 

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Dark Hearts of Charm City ~ Book Two Now Available

Happy Saturday folks! Dark hearts is now available at


Dark Hearts of Charm City is the sequel to The Beast Within. For those of you who are familiar with Book One, The Beast Within, you know of Julian's betrayal. Book Three is the conclusion and takes place in Los Angeles, CA. I've completed the first chapter and hope to have this story submitted by March or April.
The Beast Within


Excerpt:

After claiming Diana, Julian realizes the deadly mistake he’s made. Once Diana rejects him, he’s forced to work with her best friend, Charlene in order to save her life. But is it too late? Does he have a chance to redeem himself and save the love it took him centuries to acquire? 

After experiencing betrayal at the hands of Julian, Diana succumbs to the one thing she finds most desirable. Unfortunately, her dark path leads her down a long and dangerous road when she meets up with the rogue elder, Michael Vitello. 
Although she rejected Julian, she discovers her love for him grows stronger with each passing moment. She’s still in denial when her hasty decisions thrust her in harm's way, and she discovers, albeit a little too late, how much she truly loves Julian  

Blurb:
        The almost deadly rays of anger emanating from Diana’s eyes nearly crushed Julian’s soul. Her tongue was equally sharp, and every word that fell from her lips dripped with deadly venom. Never in his existence had he believed words spoken by a woman would cut him so deep. But, as it was, Diana was no ordinary woman. She was his woman. He watched with intensity as she paced the floor, like a caged animal. Her restless beast raged beneath her human façade, eyes aglow, casting him promises of a final death. 
“Damn you! Damn you to Hell! If I had the strength to destroy you right now, I would do so, without a thought!”
“You need to save your energy,” Julian commanded, as he watched her wrinkle her face in anger. His beast crouched dangerously close to the surface, eager to tame the female beast inside his mate. True, he had betrayed her. Maybe he deserved every bit of her anger for what he had done to her. No, hatred. . . The emotion hung heavy in the air around them. Even so, he’d had his reasons, black as they may have been.
  “Damn you to Hell!” In her fit of anger, she effortlessly hurled the nightstand at Julian, barely missing him.
     The blood-curdling, banshee-like cry rang loud in his ears. “What will I do now? I swear I’m going to kill you when my strength returns.” Diana paced the floor, halting momentarily to glower at him. ”You’ve pulled me into the fiery pits of Hell, right along with you!
Self-flagellation set in Julian’s soul like a cold front, and guilt accompanied it. He should have not weakened when he’d claimed her. Everything his sire taught him, he’d ignored.
    His beast continued to stir. “You thirst. You must take my blood.” He knelt next to her on the floor and bit into his wrist. She looked up at him, eyes black as the night sky. Slowly they began to glow as she accepted his vein. With greed, she ingested his elixir until he forced her to stop. 
     “Enough!”
     “No, it can never be enough.”  
   Julian rose, pacing the floor, mentally scanning the area. The foul presence of the rogues lingered. He clenched his fists and hissed, sending the mental warning on wind currents. He reveled in the feeling of the rogues tensing in their dark place of slumber, but the Ancient threat never backed down. It still lurked, even in the bright rays of the sun. He bared his fangs as the Ancient sent a mental challenge.
Now Available at  Sugar and Spice Press 



Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Of Wolf's Blood ~ Coming Soon



I'm happy to share an excerpt and blurb from my second menage, Of Wolf's Blood. I'm still working on edits for this story, and I can't wait until it is released. I don't have an exact date, but I'm thinking some time in March, maybe April.
 OF WOLF'S BLOOD
 BOOK ONE OF THE VAMPIRE DOMINATION SERIES


Blurb:
 In an effort to escape her sister's sadistic lust for power and her clan's dark family curse,  Simone retreats into the world of the vampire for survival purposes.
 While dwelling within the coven, she meets her vampire mates Sax and Lucius. Eventually, coven law requires them to turn her vampire. There's just one little problem. Her mates are unaware of Simone's true nature.
 How will Simone survive the vampires discovering her identity--especially when others of her kind have been enemy to Steeleheart Coven for centuries. Furthermore, can she escape her sister's clutches and avoid embracing the dark destiny of her clan?
 Unedited Excerpt:
Simone ducked just in time to dodge her sister’s blow to the jaw. Seeing an opening, she delivered a powerful punch to Selena’s midsection, knocking the woman against a large tree, almost splitting it in half.

“You cannot escape you’re destiny Simone. I won’t allow it!” Selena rose and huffed in a fit of anger as her breath formed billowy puffs in the crisp night air. “How can you deny us? You’re nothing more than a traitor!”

“I’m not like you—or the others,” Simone bit out. She watched as her twin sister’s chest heaved uncontrollably. Selena’s body shook in pure anger, and the evil vibrations emanating from her was almost too much for Simone’s psyche to endure. She  pitied her sister. The black aura surrounding her was proof of her allegiance with darkness. She could barely stand to be in the midst of her clan because of their greed and insatiable lust for power, therefore, she always knew when a clan member was near. The tingling sensation up and down her spine was a warning.
Every member had to face the inevitable—forced to choose between good and evil in their twenty first year. Those, the pure hearts who were strong enough to withstand the temptation were killed by clan members who willingly turned their lives over to the dark side. This last feat was to prove worthy of darkness, by taking a pure life. Along with this choice also came the horrific physical transformation.
“Let me go, Selena! This isn’t what I want! Why can’t you see that, or are you too far gone? By the gods, I’m your sister!” Simone shook her head. “I wish to coexist outside the clan. I want a normal life, not one such as this!”

A horrific smile curved Selena’s lips. “Think about it! No more hiding in the shadows, secretly living among the humans! We are free to show our true nature! The vampires dominate the humans, why can’t we?” Selena’s eyes darkened. “Together, we can wipe out the top covens, and I’ll show you power you’ve never known!”

She paused before speaking. “You have my answer. I will speak no more of this madness.” Simone resumed her fighting stance. “We’ll fight to the death.” She felt the wind shift as loneliness and anger permeated the atmosphere. Selena threw her head back and screamed in the night, in a fit of rage.

Mother and father clung to the same weakness as you.” A black mask of evil erupted over Selena’s face and she smiled grotesquely. “That’s why I had to put them both down!”

A large knot formed in the back of Simone’s throat, and pain drilled into her chest at learning the truth after many years. “

You!” Rage coursed through the young woman like a locomotive. “You killed them!”

“Oh Simone,” her sister clucked. “They did not want to live in this world. I set them free darling. Don’t worry though. I ripped their throats out without much difficulty.” Her sister smirked. “They were sleeping. I don’t think they felt a thing.”

“Bitch!” The overwhelming grief dulling her instincts, Simone released a blood-curdling scream while charging her sister. Although seeing red at the moment, deep down she knew Selena had done this to her purposely, knocking her off balance in an effort to make her endure these feelings of despair in hopes she’d choose darkness.

She was snatched back into reality as her sister gripped her around the neck, flinging her into the air, and slamming her into the frozen earth. The urge to surrender defeat bubbled within Simone as Selena placed a boot-clad foot against her windpipe. Perhaps this would be the last night of her life.


Selena looked down at her pitifully. “You’re so pathetic, but rest assured, I won’t kill you on this night. Know this though. In one year’s time I will come after you with all that I have if you do not join forces with me and our clan. You must come willingly!” With a smirk, she pressed the sole of her foot harder against Simone’s windpipe, causing her to thrash. She released the boot with a cruel laugh. “By the gods, I could kill you so easily!” Selena removed her foot with a smile. “I’m sorry. Is there something you wish to say?”

Simone sat up choking as her sister slowly backed up towards the forest. “You can’t dominate what will cease to exist,” she coughed out bitterly as a plan quickly formed in her head. She winced at Selena’s harsh push against her psyche, but quickly threw up a shield so her thoughts could not be deciphered. “Stay the hell out of my head Selena!”

Simone rose. “Only death will separate us, you twisted fuck!” she said bitterly.

“Yes, one of us must die. As it stands, you are no match for me, not until you embrace darkness. I was taking it easy on you babe. I could have shifted into Hrothega form.” Selena reminded her harshly before disappearing into the forest. 

Selena’s threat wasn’t to be taken lightly. Currently, she had two choices. Embrace the dark path that plagued their clan, or seek help from her old friend, Veruca the sorceress. As it was, she had no allies, and most pure hearts were either killed or purposely slipped under the radar of their dark clan. She’d do the same.

Coming soon to Amira Press




 

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Author Delilah Hunt in The Spotlight

CK: Hello folks! Today, please welcome author Delilah Hunt! She says she's a newbie writer, but I don't bloody believe it! Where did you submit your first story?

DH: I submitted the Vampire’s Pet to a couple of different publishers but got nothing but rejections until the wonderful folks at Changeling Press decided to take a chance on a newbie.


Blurb:

For centuries the vampire Mikhail has hunted the Loup Garou, werewolf shifters. Ever present by his side, his faithful she-wolf Kassia, an unassuming pet... until the day he stumbles upon her secret.


A Loup Garou trapped inside her she-wolf body, Kassia suddenly finds herself in human form, complete with the trappings of being a werewolf in heat. Will Mikhail, the powerful leader, cast her aside or keep her to fullfill their each and every desire?

* * *

Excerpt:

She lay on the stone floor, writhing in agony, her entire body burning in flames, the scorching heat centering in her lower belly. Unsure what to do, Kassia rocked back and forth, trying desperately to make the unfamiliar ache go away.


Sadly, her problem did not end there. She now had to deal with the human body that she had long since relinquished all hope of ever regaining. Ironically enough, this had to happen when she had finally begun to feel at ease by the vampire Mikhail's side. Luckily, the first time the transformation had occurred, it had been around midday. She had awoken to an unusually cold feeling even though she had fallen asleep on the thick blanket Mikhail had provided for her in front of the sizzling fireplace.

Intending to check on him, a daily ritual of hers, Kassia proceeded to rise up on her hind legs, but found it was difficult. Something felt different. She'd looked down, expecting to see the ebony fur she'd grown accustomed to, finding nothing but smooth, mahogany skin in its place. Her heart jolted with excitement and joy. And then the fear had settled in.

Maintaining her position on the floor, she'd craned her neck to gaze up at the sleeping male on the imposing fourteenth century four-poster bed. "Mikhail," she'd said, her voice ragged, cracking from years of disuse. Her vocal cords had produced a repertoire of barks, whimpers and yelps.

Naturally, he hadn't heard or answered her call while he slumbered. She'd lain back on the blanket, worrying. What would become of her when he found out? Worse, what if Rowan found out about her, that his suspicions of her being more than a mere wolf had been correct all along? The vampire would more than likely rip her apart at the first chance he got. But what would Mikhail do?

"The Loup Garou have always been a mistake, unfit to live among the creatures of this planet," she'd overheard him saying in deep conversation with a visiting vampire. She was a Loup Garou, and therefore she was included in Mikhail's plan of extinction. It was that memory that had prompted her to find a way to hide her true nature from him.

So far it had been easy. Each day while Mikhail slept and in the afternoons when he was preoccupied, she would sneak away to the hidden part of the castle she'd discovered by trailing after him. Inside this damp neglected room she would practice the seamless transformation from wolf to human until it became second nature to her. Shifting.

And so she had, making sure to return to her wolf form before Mikhail became suspicious of her hours away. Today had been different, however. All day long she had been aware of Mikhail, his scent, his voice, his powerful presence. Walking by his side earlier today, she'd wagged her tail insistently, wanting him to acknowledge her female presence. That had been impossible and confusing.

She'd fallen behind him, unnoticed, seeking refuge in this cold dark room, switching to her human form. Within minutes, she'd known something was wrong. Her skin became warmer than usual; a delicious itch crept between her thighs, the kind that no amount of squeezing her legs together could alleviate. There was no way she could return to Mikhail like this, no way she could shift back into her wolf form with these sensations coursing through her blood.

Curled up and naked on the floor, she gazed in distress at the door being pushed open. Kassia froze, held trapped by the piercing cobalt-blue eyes, her eyes wide with disbelief and shock. It all became too much. Scrambling to her feet, she wobbled over to him, her balance unsteady. "Mikhail." She locked her arms around his muscular frame.

He held her at arm's length, his eyes studying, searching. "Wolf?"

Kassia nodded, her coarse raven curls bouncing. "Kassia. Not Wolf." She had waited years to say those words.

"What is the meaning of this?" He backed away from her, his fangs receding into his gums.

She wrapped her arms around her middle and lifted her chin. "I would have told you. I swear it." She would have... eventually.

His eyelids lowered dangerously, matching his carefully meted out words. "You mean that my brother was correct. That you are one of them?"


CK: Mikhail is so damn sexy! * sigh * Vampire’s Pet! I read this book and I loved it! Can't see why anyone would reject it. The excerpt totally grabbed me! Please tell us how you came up with the idea for this intriguing story! Oh, and I need to say, looks like those publishers will regret not taking a chance on you. Just look at you now. You've made the top 10 over at All Romance Ebooks with Tempting Mr. Parker. I'm sure Vampire's Pet will follow. That's right, shout it from the rooftops!!! 

DH: To be honest, most of my stories really just pop into my head from out of nowhere. No back story to it at all. Once I have the idea, I just let the characters take over and see what develops.


CK: What are your future goals?

DH: To write many more erotic I/R stories. I would like to focus more on contemporaries however as that is where my heart lies. Hopefully one day I will be able to write for a bigger publisher such as Harlequin in their Blaze line.

CK: Not hopefully, I know for a fact you will achieve that goal of writing for the big dogs of publishing. Now, what are your hobbies?

DH: Reading, which is basically the obvious answer for a writer. I also enjoy baking and taking long walks. I love to plot while walking because it’s so relaxing.

CK: How do you unwind?

DH: With a cup of hot chocolate. I wouldn’t say I get to unwind because I have a four year old and two year old son who are with me 24/7. I just try to make the best of it, even if they nap for only ten minutes.

CK: Do you mold your characters strictly from imagination or from those you cross paths with in every day life?

DH: I would say strictly from imagination. I try to stay focused on the characters and give them their own voice outside of the people I know.

CK: Do you allow your muse to take total control, or do you create an outline before writing?

DH: Totally allow the muse to take control. I always start my stories with just a basic idea and let the muse do her work from there on out.

CK: What methods of research do you utilize? I know, I know! The internet is available, but do you scour the library as well? LOL

DH: Nope. I use google and yahoo search engines. That’s it.

CK: Inquiring minds what to know, where can you be found on the internet?

DH: I am a complete Facebook addict every signing up a few months ago. I also love to visit Absolute Write water cooler and Romantic times forum. When I’m not there I’m updating my blog. http://delilahhunt.wordpress.com/

CK: What advice would you like to pass on to aspiring authors?

DH: Do not ever give up. I know it’s easier said than done, but not once did I ever think I would become published. For me it felt like the odds were the same as winning the lottery and yet here I am a published author. So, please be patient and just keep writing and perfecting your craft. It will happen sooner or later.

CK: Oh so true! Delilah, thank you so much for sharing. Here's to all your successes! Hey folks, be sure to check out Delilah's newest release, Hell's Angel over at Changeling Press.


Click on book to purchase

Excerpt:

Thrown out of Heaven for a crime he didn't commit, Callum, a fallen angel turned demon, wants revenge. When an angelic beauty falls to the floors of Hell, the captain of Lucifer's army is torn between his need for vengeance and his lust for the bronze-skinned angel.


Forgoing her life in the heavens, Amara descends into the underworld in search of the demon who has captivated her thoughts. Instead of the warm welcome she anticipated, Amara finds herself a prisoner willing to risk it all for the love of a hardened demon.

 
Blurb:
 
Amara dipped her finger inside the crystalline bowl. A vivid display of copper and orange vapors swirled above the purified water. She pulled her finger back, her eyes widening in horror and curiosity at the forbidden underworld. Hell. Her wings fluttered and a mysterious tide of emotions welled inside her chest. Oh, but how she would love to be permitted to deliver a missive to the fiery underworld. She was a messenger angel, and so far the only messages she had been instructed to deliver were those from the Keepers of the Gate to the Guardian Angels, informing them when a new soul was due to arrive at Heaven's entrance.


Amara stifled a gasp when the vapors began to move, shifting into images. Her eyes skimmed the depiction, looking past the harried and tortured souls she could see twisting in their own agony. A demon turned the corner, stepping over one of the souls with his long legs. Her gaze settled and softened on him. Callum, the fierce captain of Lucifer's army. While Lucifer sat upon his throne ruling over the Underworld, it was Callum's duty to maintain order and prevent the countless number of souls from escaping their eternal damnation.

She leaned closer to the bowl and peered downward, memorizing every single detail about him. He wore black armor with spiked metal spaulders above his shoulders. The same armor protected his legs, and metallic boots wrapped his calves. His horns, thick and massive, curled off to the sides of his blond head.

If her best friend Reina knew she'd been sneaking peeks inside the forbidden realm, the eldest of the messenger angels would deny all access to her quarters. Amara's excuses of merely wishing to spend time with Reina would no longer cut it. Glancing backward, Amara checked to make sure the telltale sign of a portal was not being opened, signaling Reina's return. No traces of silver threads looping in the air. Good.

She returned her focus to Callum, knowing this was the closest she would ever get to the demon. What a sorry sight she made. A two hundred-year-old angel who had never traveled beyond the boundaries of the Pearly Gates captivated by the captain of the army that had once attempted to conquer Heaven.

"You're still here? I thought for sure you would have returned to your garden."

Flushing with guilt, Amara jumped away from the bowl and snapped her head to the side. Specks of silver shimmered around the auburn-haired angel. "I'm sorry, Reina. I lost track of the time." She raised her head, centering her eyes on the large bookshelf in the corner of the room. "Your books are all so fascinating."

Reina arched her eyebrow. "Only the books, Amara? Have you been using the vessel?"

"No!" Amara closed her eyes and struggled to breathe. Her tongue became heavy, and her nostrils flared, attempting to take in air. "I stole one glance." She wheezed. Her breathing returned to normal and the weight on her tongue lifted. "I was curious, Reina. Forgive me."

A shadow fell over Reina's face. "You didn't have to lie. We both know the painful consequences of doing so. I've known all along that you've been sneaking glances into Hell. Is it the demon Callum who has piqued your curiosity?"

She lowered her head a notch. "It is. I can't stop thinking about him, and I don't know how to control this feeling. Some days it's as if these emotions threaten to consume me. I wish to touch him, Reina. To look into his eyes and know that he can see into mine."

"It's called desire." Reina lounged on her green velvet chaise. "It will pass, and if it doesn't you will learn to live with it. There is nothing to be done about this feeling, Amara. The demons and every other being are free to act upon their desires. We are forbidden. Worse, to act upon such desires with a Hell-bound demon is an abomination. Take your mind from him. Callum would taint you in ways you're much too innocent to comprehend."

Amara nodded, thankful Reina had not admonished her by threatening to take the matter to the elders. "I'll try not to dwell on him. I know it is an impossible situation. An angel -- a mere messenger one, at that -- would be of no use to Lucifer's warrior. I'll take your advice."

Reina's face brightened and she patted Amara's shoulder. "You'll be saved a ton of heartache in the end."

Spreading her wings, Amara waved goodbye to her friend. She flew over the misty clouds that surrounded the realm. Soaring through the marble pillars separating her garden from that of the other angels, Amara allowed the reckless thoughts of Callum to float through her mind. Five months had passed since she'd first set sight on the mysterious demon. She'd seen him by accident after taking a look inside Reina's mysterious bowl. For days she'd spent every free minute scouring the ancient texts and tomes, seeking information about the demon. The only thing she'd found was a hand-drawn portrait of him in his heavenly glory, his large white wings outlined with silver. She knew he no longer possessed those angelic features; instead he had black wings curved upward at the tip, sharp as barbed wire.

Her knowledge of him and his time in the heavens was limited. The one thing she knew for sure was that he was one of the first angels created by the Decider of Chaos. He'd been an archangel, the highest order of angels in the heavens, revered for the single-minded focus on vanquishing all that stood in the way of the righteous path of the Decider.

"Amara!"

She pivoted toward the voice of her friend Sierra, frowning at the anxious look on the angel's face. "What's wrong?"

"Can you deliver a message for me to the Realm of the Fae?"

She nodded, thrilled at the chance of seeing outside Heaven. "Did you bring a portal with you?"

Sierra reached into her pouch, withdrawing a woven envelope. "Here." She handed the silver threads to Amara. "And do hurry, Amara. I was supposed to have delivered this in the morning."

Amara waved off the angel and then flicked the threads into the air. Her heart skipped a beat. The Realm of Fae was situated directly above the Hell dimension. She shook her head, pushing away the traitorous thoughts meandering through her mind. Deliver the message and return.

Stepping through the portal, Amara silently spoke the name of her destination. She arrived there immediately, delivering the envelope into the hands of a waiting faerie. She returned inside the gaping portal, and in a split-second decision, Amara whispered the one word, the only word forbidden in her travels. Hell.

The portal seemed to come to life, quaking all around her. She was lifted into the air and spun upside down, tumbling into an abyss. It was as if someone had snapped her wings in two and thrown her from the heavens. Her stomach plummeted, and a thick wave of fear rose inside her throat. Fire blazed around her and the pungent stench of sulfur invaded her nostrils. Amara kept falling until she landed with a hard thud on her side, her face hitting the soot-covered ground.

Groaning in pain, Amara tried to sit up, but found there was no need to. A rough hand dragged her off the dirt. "Inform the captain of our visitor."

CK:  Definitely getting this one too.

Stylish Blogger Award

Totally Awesome! That's all I can say to my fellow author pal J. Hali Steele. Lady, you ROCK! Thank you for presenting me with this reward. I've now accepted and will create a "stylish" blog post. First of all folks, I need you to venture on over to the fabulous J. Hali's website http://sovereignkind.blogspot.com/ so you can learn 7 things about her.



Hey there. I see you're back...

Now, would you like to learn 7 things about me?

1. Altogether now I own three businesses, writing included.

2. I love cookies n cream ice cream with melted peanut butter and chocolate syrup.

3. Favorite song is "Helena" by My Chemical Romance.

4. Fav video is "Helena" by My Chemical Romance. Love the choreography and emotion Gerard Way puts into all his music.

5. Gotten to the point in my life where I don't sugar coat anything. I'm very blunt and don't hide my feelings from anyone.

6. Once my children are grown and have lives of their own, I plan to move to one of the following places: San Diego California, Melbourne Australia, or somewhere over in Europe. LOL Can't make my mind up where at, as there are so many fab places in Europe. he he he

7. When I retire it will be from my own businesses and not from a corporation....

Well, that's me in a nutshell. Now I'm off to present this award to several other awesome authors!!

Ciao