Friday, April 9, 2010

It's Furday...

err...Friday!

I haven't done furry creatures for a long time. So I went hunting around the web yesterday for some baby fur balls. Boy, I love looking at little animals! They're cute, cuddly and carefree. At least those who haven't come up against the real world yet.

This thought was on my mind because I'm close to finishing the next book in the Extra Cream series. Zader's Menagerie is a little different in that it is about the Kind species, but this time--I'm bringing out the big dogs. Yes, there are wolves infected with the vampyre curse. Talk about howling at the moon! I think the title gives away the fact that it's a menage. It's been tricky mating a mountain lion with a wolf who is the pack alpha's mate! Hey, that's the fun of creating new worlds.

Here's an unofficial blurb:
Zader Montana is Sovereign Kind. A cougar infected with vampyre blood, he refuses to embrace his undead half but it’s that part of him who prowls the night looking for the she-wolf he desires. His problem--she’s mated to the alpha of the pack sharing his mountaintop.

Skye wants a taste of the cat who trails her every night. Will her mate, Leaf, let her have a bite? They’re infected with the vampyre curse too but the wolves aren’t finicky. Skye’s willing to be shared by both leaders--as long as she gets what she wants!

Zader’s Menagerie: This cat will learn to howl at the moon--and like it!

Stay tuned for more information.

In the meantime, aren't these little critters beautiful?

Don't mess with a Tasmanian Devil's babies!
Yes, I 'm a Meerkat Manor fan.
                                                                                                                        This is one determined Snow Fox.



Don't worry, Momma cougar will reach him!


A baby Tapir

Meet Lord Greystoke who appeared in With Extra Cream as 'Big Guy'. This is my baby.









Until next time: Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out.-© J. Hali Steele

Thursday, April 8, 2010

I'll read it if you tell me to

Oh god I have to blog tomorrow…

This has been a very good week for me, reading wise. You see, Lora Leigh’s book Lion’s Heat came out and Juliana Stone released His Darkest Hunger. It’s been hard to write because all I want to do is lose myself in their stories.

So, I forgot to Blog. So forgive me if I’m a little crazed.

But here is my blog for today and it’s not a copout, I really want to know.

Whose books are you anticipating coming out? You can’t wait to read them?

I’ve just told you about how much I loved Lora Leigh’s book (JONAS and it was so worth the wait) and how much I just fell in love with Juliana Stone’s work. She’s a brand new author and so talented.

How about you guys out there? Tell me, tell me. I read all the time. I’ll read it if you tell me to!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

A contest within a contest

Today is your lucky day--well hopefully!

I'm having a contest. It's more like a contest within a contest, actually. You see, I have a few book releases happening this summer and I'm searching for a really cool contest idea to promote them all.

I'll call it the Summer of Fangs, Fur and Bad Boys with Fast Toys.

You'll find out a little more later with the first release in May. And no, I'm not gonna say any more about it until then.

So, here's what I'd like to ask you. What do you want to see in a contest? Free book, swag bag filled with stuff, edible prizes? Do you want to blog hop, look answers up on websites? What will make a contest fun for you?

Now here's where today's contest comes in. I'll pick the best idea from the comments and you'll get to pick one of my 2009 backlist of e-books.

So, wrack your brain and give me your best shot. You may just win!

Monday, April 5, 2010

The unusual suspect a.c.Mason. Sweet tooth and all.

Thank you Paranormal Romantics for having me over for visit. I don’t often leave the evil mastermind lair and mingle. Please call me Mason. I'm happy to be joining all of you.

Why the unusual suspect? One I didn’t want to take from the movies and two I’m not very romantic. Though when I tell fellow writers who’ve read my work about my lack of romance they usually start to list of the all the romantic stuff in my writing. Don’t get me wrong I’d love to write romance but when I write that isn’t what comes out of my brain. lol.I do write romantic and erotic element. Parts of the story involve a romance and hot love scenes.

My stories usually involve a oh so hot man and a woman. She’s probably not someone you want to annoy or be on the other side a battle with. My writing voice is described as a unique mélange of complex characters, well-crafted suspense, and mesmerizing visceral erotica. My stories are the place where darkness meets human desire and fairytales endings are not promised but earned. Oh and I really like leaving the reader hanging. Don't let that get out. lol.

I’m mischievous and blunt which makes for a spicy mix. At least that's what I tell my friends. I do have a book out called Aequitas I Betrayal and just finished the sequel Aequitas II Punishment. What took so long? I was writing another book at the same time CHOCOLATE DAMSEL a historical and really it wasn't that long.

What are Aequitas?
The Aequitas, part angel and demon, have kept the balance between the forces of good and evil-until now.

Yes, there is a oh so hot man. His name is Etienne Grant but I’d watch out for him. There are others but you’ll have to read the book to meet them.

When I was asked to come over and visit Rebecca gave me some ideas about what to write about. One of the topics was writing. My favorite activity in the world aside from eating ice cream. I love ice cream. Maybe I should write about eating ice cream. Ice cream with pie. Butter tars or sugar pie go nicely with vanilla ice cream. Mint chocolate is another good choice to cool down with. All those candy bar flavors are heavenly.

I’m getting a little pit in my tummy. Aren’t you?? I know just the thing….sh sh don’t tell anyone I skipped out to get myself a heaping bowl of delicious icy confection. I do hope they have me back. I have a sweet tooth.

Mason
a.c.Mason
Darkness ♀♂ Desires http://www.acmason.com/
Monday and Thursday blog contributor and author interviewer: http://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com/

Going to the Dark Side

Happy Manic Monday! Grab a cup of virtual coffee and pull up a comfy chair. There’s some Easter chocolate on the table. Please have some or I’ll eat it all. What out though, some of those foil covered eggs are dark chocolate.


You gotta watch out for the dark ones. They look harmless and tasty yet once you taste some it’s hard to stop. Next thing you know you’re writing becomes darker and you’ve penned ‘the end’ to a piece of work from a dark side of your soul.


All from chocolate? No, I guess not but where did it come from?

The things I’ve put my heroine through. Heck, the things I put myself through since I’m there every step of the way with her. This is the darkest thing I’ve ever written and it makes me wonder who I am. My outer shell isn’t something that corresponds to this type of story. I’m a soccer mom. What shadows lie within? Well, wait until the PTA gets their hands on this book. LOL


I know most paranormals have a touch of murky gloom but when is it too much? I love suspense and when a writer sends chills down my back. I can’t read horror anymore since I’m alone at night sometimes, left with my imagination is more than enough. Sometimes following a character to the pits of personal hell and accompanying them on their journey to salvation just hits the spot. Maybe they remind me how good I really have it.


How dark do like your stories?

Friday, April 2, 2010

Welcome Charisma Knight

It’s Friday and you know me--J. Hali. Today, I’m doing something I haven’t done for a while—an interview with an author who brought along a friend. You never know how these things will turn out but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to talk with Charisma Knight, who happens to have a release today, Just An Average Vampire, at Amira Press.
Hi, Charisma, I’d like to welcome you to Paranormal Romantics and thank you for taking the time to talk to me. I know how busy release day can be.

CK: Thank you for inviting me, it’s good to be here.

Can you tell us a little about who you have with you? I’m trying really hard not to stare.

CK: This is Cecil McKagan, vampire and mate of Trina Jones. Cecil lives in the Edison, New Jersey area with Trina. Isn’t he hot?

Uhh, yeah. He’s gorgeous, all six feet of him. And I do have a thing for long, black hair! Shoot, wonder if he can read my mind?

Cecil: Well, Ms. Steele, I never suspected I would find love again. Love can be quite painful, and after my wife and child were murdered, I swore I would never allow myself to feel that emotion again. I wished for death after that startling discovery. I was 'sired' by Nydia, she-demon from hell, and now that I’ve discovered love once more, Nydia has threatened to destroy what Trina and I have. So…I must take matters into my own hands.

Please, call me Joann. OK, that was intense. I’ll be keeping my eyes on him! Charisma, can you tell us a little about yourself?

CK: I reside in the Maryland area with my two daughters and truly enjoy writing, especially for the paranormal erotic genre. I possess a love for vampires and anything that goes bump in the night. Writing makes me happy.

How long have you been writing, and is it something you’ve always wanted to do?

CK: I started freelance writing for virtual assistant clients in July 2007, so this July will be three years. It wasn’t until March 2009 that I decided to write erotica.

Things have been moving pretty fast for you then. I know you have other books out, can you tell us a little about your favorite character? Is there one you prefer or like better than the others? Not sure I like the look in Cecil’s eyes…

CK: My favorite character is Cecil McKagan from my new release, Just an Average Vampire. Cecil was a knight who fought in the Crusades for King Richard. Upon his return, he was ‘sired’ by Nydia, a blood-thirsty, yet beautiful vampire. In the story, he exists in modern times and is a dear friend to Trina Jones. Actually, he wants to be more than just a friend. Cecil worries he’ll emotionally damage Trina since she came from an abusive relationship. As a vampire, he’s afraid he may hurt her physically if he can’t control his bloodlust. He’s the epitome of a woman’s white knight in shining armor. He has nothing but unconditional love for Trina and he gives her strength and encouragement. That is a trait I find sexy in a man.

That’s good news because it was a little tense in here earlier. Who inspires your writing most?

Cecil: I’m your inspiration, correct? I don’t mean to be blunt, however, you have a knack for loving alpha males.

Did he just wink? Maybe he’s not as bad as I thought. Cecil, I can see you’re inspiring but I meant other writers who inspire Charisma.

CK: True, Cecil, you are the epitome of a loving man, every woman’s dream because of the unconditional love you provide Trina. Now you know it’s not within your nature to be cocky, Cecil. What’s wrong with you? Have you been hitting the pubs with your buddy, Izzy, again? Please, don’t be so full of yourself. It does not suit you.

Cecil: My bad, C. Please, forgive me.

Umm, it sounds like Trina’s a lucky girl, Cecil. Dang, he’s breathtaking when he smiles!

CK: No worries. Many authors have inspired me. Joann, you are one of them. I need to say, you have been a great inspiration to me as a new author. In my time with Eirelander Publishing, I have really seen you grow and put out some pretty awesome titles. You are one of my favorite authors.

Thanks very much, Charisma! That’s always really great to hear, and Eirelander was a true help in improving my skills as a writer. When you’re not writing, what are some of your favorite things to do? Do you ever hang out with your characters?

CK: Reading! I love to read in my spare time. I have actually been making time for my reading. There is so much talent, and sometimes not enough time to cover all that talent, but I try. I have two beautiful daughters and of course I must goof off with them. I’m like a big kid myself, so I can be found watching movies with them, going shopping, visiting Chuck E Cheese’s. The weather has broken, so we won’t let any grass grow beneath our feet! I also love to go shopping! My characters do hang out with me in my head, especially the ones in my WIPs. They visit with me and jam to my favorite music. I find they enjoy heavy metal. ; )

I’m with you on the shopping! Sounds like the girls keep you busy. Are there any genres you’d like to try writing in?

CK: Yes, I have a ménage on the back burner. The cowboy scene is looking rather inviting! I have a few werewolf shifter stories in the making too.

Tell us a bit about what you’re working on without giving away too much.

CK: I’ve been adding to a few of my WIPs. The titles are Gunnarr The Ancient, The Ache, Under a Native Moon, and Forbidden.

Great titles, sounds like we’re going to be hearing a lot from you. Of the books you have out now, which has your favorite cover, and tell us a little about the artist?

CK: I’m quite taken with the cover of Daywalker, I truly love the colors, not to mention the hottie with the long hair, Lord Daegan.

I read Daywalker, and I have to say, the story was HOT! Let’s show the cover:

CK: Anastasia Rabiyah created the cover for Just An Average VampireDaywalker, and a few of my other titles. Both cover artists are talented women.


Rae Lori created my cover for Soul Seduction.
You’re right, they’ve both done good work. Do you have any advice for new writers?

CK: Definitely! If you truly want to pursue writing, read up on the industry. Never give up and strive to write a little each day. With each story, your craft becomes stronger. Also, don’t be afraid to approach your favorite authors. Talk to them. Fellow authors will give you much inspiration. Another important fact: Look out for each other. Authors give one another support. That is very important.

Charisma, I like that advice, and it’s so true. How can readers get in touch with you, and where can they find your books?

CK: Readers can find me at: http://www.amirapress.com/ and they can read more and contact me at http://www.charismaknight.blogspot.com/ or http://www.charismaknight.webs.com/

Here’s a Blurb for Charisma’s newest release, Just An Average Vampire:

After discovering the courage to divorce her abusive husband, Trina Jones rises from her ashes like the legendary Phoenix. Strong-willed and determined, she rebuilds her independence. After her divorce, a string of bad luck sets her back tremendously. Faced with eviction and repossession, Trina becomes frustrated. To make matters worse, she is laid off from her job.

Vampire Cecil McKagan graciously accepts Trina into his home once he discovers her hardship. The bond between them ultimately strengthens, and the pair become lovers. However, past negativities threaten to tear the couple apart...

Readers love to find out new things about their favorite authors, before you leave, can you tell us one thing about you that no one knows?

CK: I love to create silk flower arrangements. At one point in time, that was going to be my business. It’s very time consuming, and I rarely make them anymore.

Just for fun, I found out some other things about Charisma:

What’s your favorite vacation spot? Ocean City, Maryland and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I love them both!!

If you could own any car you wanted what would it be? Lexus

If you could do it all over again, is there anything you’d change about your life? Yes, I wouldn’t have married at the age of nineteen.

What’s your favorite food? Seafood and Italian

Where would you like to live if you had a choice? San Diego California!

What’s your favorite color? Black!

Who’s your favorite actor/TV show? Hugh Jackman, quite the hottie!/True Blood! Geez, I like Stephen Moyer too!

Charisma, and Cecil, thanks for stopping by and sharing with the readers. Keep us posted on your new works and congratulations on your newest release.

CK: Joann, it was my pleasure and an honor. Thank you for having us!

Hey, everyone stop by next Friday. I’ll see what new things I can dig up. In the meantime:
Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out.-© J. Hali Steele

Thursday, April 1, 2010

The Flight Down

Hi everyone, its Rebecca here. As some of you know--and if you don't you will soon know if you read this--I am on vacation with my family. We left the rather cold, rainy north for warmer climate (although my parents and grandparents think it is chilly, but that is just because they have not been where we have and don't know that this is extremely pleasant!)

What you may not know is the degree to which I hate flying. And before you tell me that I'll just get used to it you should know that I fly a lot and have flown a lot since I was a very small child. I've flown overseas, I've flown over the country, for a while there I was flying every month back and forth from where we were living while my then fiance was in school to where we would be moving to right after his graduation.

I have never, ever, ever gotten used to it.

Except once....

A few years ago, my husband and I took a vacation by ourselves, meaning without our then two children (now there are three.) We took a week by ourselves on Martha's Vineyard, which is an island off the coast of Massachusetts. To get there, we ended up going on this private airline that flies during the summer solely back and forth from various destinations to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

Approaching this plane, I was very very nervous.

It was small. In fact, you and and the fourteen other passengers (if its full) are sitting with the pilots. We took off and the most surprising thing happened to me-- I LOVED IT. Sitting with the pilots, seeing what they witness from the cockpit, watching the coastline on the perfect clear morning as we travelled to our destination, I finally "got it." That was why people love to fly. The whole world was spread out in front of them. Later, on the return trip, we would come out of a cloud with Manhattan at night spread out in front of us. That, and granted I love NYC, was almost a spiritual experience for me. The lights seemed to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time....It was incredible.

How does this relate to my writing? Well, I guess for me it always reminds me not to take the hard or scary for granted, sometimes life's most gifted moments come when you expect something to be really horrible. As I struggled to edit a monumental full length book where my editor-gasp-wanted massive rewrites, I never could have known that at the end I would read the book and feel that it was so good I couldn't wait to read it again.

I try to remind myself of this when I'm writing. Just because it scares me doesn't mean that I shouldn't be doing it.

This is not to say that I have enjoyed flying since my trip to MV. No, in fact, every time the planes bounces in the air I hate it. I grip the seat and hope that I'm not making my kids afraid of flying. Because I don't want them to be. Some day I want them to see NYC when they fly out of a cloud with the lights spread out like angels in the nighttime sky welcoming them home.

RR

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Change is in the wind.

Today, I want to talk briefly about changes in our life. Usually, when something unexpected—good or bad—happens to us, we usually react with knee jerk swiftness.

Nothing wrong with it. It’s just how the human race does things.

It seems a butt load of change intercepted my life in the past week. People come and go. Words are said we can’t retrieve. Books are accepted and rejected. Pounds are lost and gained. Confidence is shot to hell and carefully rebuilt again.

It’s all change and guess what? It’s inevitable and it’s not always a bad thing.

Change occurs for a couple of reasons. First, it stops destructive patterns or behaviors, kinda like warning signals at train tracks. And second, it allows us to see a new, very different path to trod, one that could quite possibly bring us to a different, better place. Change can make us stronger, give us a handful of new options.

As I type this, the fate of my husband’s job is in flux. Changes in congress have shaken up the company he works for. Now, we wait to see if he’ll be one of the lucky ones.

Another fat steaming pile of change.

Am I happy about it? Not by a long shot. Can I do anything about it? Nope.

So I wait and continue to plug away at my book, which I should finish by the end of next week if all goes well. This is the only thing I can control right now.

At one time in our history, they discovered the world was actually round instead of flat. Imagine the look of shock and horror and delight on the faces of those people.

That was a big change and it altered the course of human history.

The discovery that Pluto is not a planet? Not so much.

But it’s all change. And we didn’t—and won’t—die from it. Life goes on. I just wish I knew how. I'm choosing to hope that April will be better...

While you ponder, let me share a snippet of an excerpt from the Be Mused Anthology. This will release tomorrow from Desert Breeze Publishing. Please look for my short story entitled Not Amused, which is where the excerpt is from. I hope you’ll check it out because this was one of my all time favorite stories to write.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Vivian Vandergarten crossed her legs at the ankles and popped her cherry-flavored lollipop in her mouth.

"Knock it off, Viv. You know why we're here."

"I know why I'm here. You have no place on the same plane of existence as I do." Vivian frowned at Dirk.

He stood just at her elbow, all six-feet of him, lean and toned to perfection. Too bad Regency England-era clothing hid that yummy body. "If you insist on bothering me, you might as well sit. I'm getting a crick in my neck looking up at you." She ignored the snug fit of his fawn-colored breeches or the exquisite way the crushed velvet jacket of bottle green enhanced the broad set of his shoulders. She'd seen it all before -- and then some.

Wouldn't mind seeing it again, but he'd need to jump through a few hoops first.

"Hate to disappoint you, babe. I'm here for the same reason." Dirk pulled a white
Adirondack chair near hers and sat heavily on it. "Tell me again why we're stuck in period costumes?" His blond curls danced on his head in the slight clover-scented breeze.

"I guess you didn't get the memo?" When he shook his head, Vivian sighed and shoved the urge to run her fingers through that hair into the back of her mind. "The boss decided we'd inspire our mortals better if we dressed in period pieces. Thus, the get-ups." She sucked on the sweet treat, but kept her eyes focused on the scene below. "Today just happens to be Regency themed."

"Great." He adjusted the fit of his dark sunglasses, very much out of place with his costume. "For what it's worth, you look great."

"Can it." Her cheeks heated. She looked at him once more. "You had your chance with me and you blew it." Vivian squirmed under his gaze, hating the low-cut bodice of the pale lavender gown she wore. She just knew he stared at her boobs. The thought didn't bother her, merely made her insides threaten to melt. "So, what's the deal with your charge?"

"His name's Jack. Writes action-adventure novels. You know the grittier stuff guys like to read, although I'm sure he's got quite a following of women." A grimace twisted Dirk's chiseled face. "Except now he says he's got writer's block. Personally, I think he's distracted and coming to this conference won't help." He looked over the tops of the sunglasses at her. "And yours?"

Vivian shrugged. "Angelica is whining about being uninspired." She rolled her eyes. "If she'd turn off the in-home shopping channels, maybe she'd have enough brain cells left to finish her book. Personally, she's ticking me off."

"Oh, I love it when you're irritated." He waggled his eyebrows in exaggerated silent movie villain style. "It's a tiny jog over to amorous from irritation."

"Save it for Oprah." Vivian moved her tongue over the surface of the lollipop and grinned when his green eyes darkened. "I'm mad because she works for me. Every moment away from her writing means I don't get to move on to bigger and better things."

"Like what? You're a muse, same as the rest of us. This is as good as it gets."

"No, Dirk, it's not." Vivian scrambled out of her chair with some difficult as her filmy skirts tangled about her legs. She teetered, but recovered by the time Dirk stood. "Do you know how hard it is to watch countless mortals fall in love time after time while I spend my free time dancing around that same issue with you?"

"I thought you liked the game we play?" He lifted a hand to her hair and encouraged one of her auburn tresses to curl about his finger. "You seem to enjoy the flight and pursuit."

"Remember the rule." She skipped out of his reach. "While on work time, muses cannot touch each other in anyway, otherwise--"

Dirk sighed and dropped his hand. "Otherwise, we risk banishment from the immortal realm. Right." He rubbed his fingers over a day's worth of stubble on his chin. "What is it you search for?"

"The same as Angelica wants."

Buy link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-73/Be-Mused--dsh--%3Ci%3EAn/Detail.bok

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

The first time I fell in love with a paranormal romance

Hi, I'm Teirney, and I'm so happy to be here with you filling in for Rebecca. Sorry I'm a little late in getting this up, but my infant and I take sleep where we can get it. Today we slept until nine thirty. So, now that I'm here, I debated about what to write about. I thought maybe a post on secondary characters might be fun, but as I woke up this morning to a beautiful day in Georgia, I realized I wanted to know when was the first time you fell in love with paranomal romance.

I know I fell in love with a paranormal romance story at the age of five or so. Yes, five. I wasn't allowed to read what is paranormal romance today, and probably wouldn't understand the concept at that age anyhow, but as a five year old, I did get to see my first paranormal love story.

Yes, I said saw my first paranormal romance and it came from the most unlikely of sources. Disney. I'm talking about Beauty and the Beast. In it's basic elements, Belle and the Beast are hero and heroine of their very own paranormal romance. In what other genre could you have talking objects, a witch, a beast and spells? As I think about it today, I still love Beauty and the Beast. It's probably still my all time favorite paranormal romance love story. I'm sure when Disney set out to make the movie, they never thought about it the way I did, but to me, this is the perfect category for such a movie.

Anyhow, as I grew, my love for paranormal romance grew and expanded. I picked up my first Christine Feehan novel at the tender age of 17, and am still reading her and a variety of other paranormal romance stories, including the wonderful ladies of this blog. But I'll never forget the awe and wonder of seeing that movie for the first time. The heroine conquers the spell and reveals the true prince beneath the beast. And how? Love. That's all it takes to create a good story, whether or not paranormal elements are present. But for Disney and me, the talking candle stick and clock just made the movie all the better.

So, how about it? When did you fall in love with a paranormal romance story and what was it?

Thanks for letting me share! It was wonderful to be here.

Monday, March 29, 2010

I've Got Nothing

Morning everyone.

Got a late start today. Apparently I'm suppose to blog everywhere this week. I missed the memo. Still not sure how I booked myself like this. Thank goodness my blackberry buzzes two minutes before something is due. LOL

So I'm brain dead today.

No amount of coffee will kick start this baby. I suppose to go to a meeting and work on a project for my day job this afternoon but I all I can think about is crawling into bed and watching Sponge Bob all day with my kids.

Why am I in this state? My muse kicked my ass this weekend. She would stop babbling in my ear. Blah, blah, blah, bordello this and blah, blah, blah, slavery that... Give me a break, it's four in the morning. I awoke to the first line of the book ready to be placed on paper. 'Every breath became precious.' 

Hey muse, I was trying to sleep! Heck she even drew me pictures. So, my plot bunny book grows and my free time shrinks. It amazes me how she's taken over my life. Two years ago I never had this problem. LOL