In the Author Spotlight & Contest

Beth Cornelison

Contest: I'll sponsor a contest good for a book from my back list (meaning any other than UNDER FIRE or TALL DARK DEFENDER) with the winner pick from those that post a comment during the week. Make sure to leave your email address so I can contact you. I'll draw the winner on Wednesday June 17th.

AL: Hi Beth! Thanks for being in the “Author Spotlight” this week.

Beth: Thanks! I’m glad to be here!

AL: So, tell us what’s happening with you.

Beth: Oh, just the usual insanity that goes along with summer vacations, having a teenaged son and multiple pets at home and deadlines to meet! LOL. Who knew teaching your kid to drive could be so…scary!?

AL: What current or upcoming releases do you have for us to sink our teeth into?

Beth: Well, first is my romantic suspense from Samhain called UNDER FIRE. This one is a thrill ride featuring smokejumpers, kidnappings, terrorist plots, chemical bombs…you name it. I loved writing that book! It is non-stop action—my favorite kind of scene to write!

Then new this month is my current release from Silhouette Romantic Suspense about an ex-cop investigating a gambling ring and money laundering. When one of the waitresses is unwittingly caught up in the danger of his investigation, he vows to protect her at all costs… so of course the title is TALL DARK DEFENDER.

AL: Dark, heroic defenders, oh my... J What got you hooked on weaving such dramatic-action packed tales?

Beth: I write the kind of stories I love to read. I’ve always been a fan of intrigue, action and suspense (in my books—hate it in my personal life!) My favorite authors from way back are Karen Robards, Sandra Brown, Suzanne Brockmann, Linda Howard… all masters of suspense and drama.

AL: What do you like best about writing? What is your least favorite thing?

Beth: I love working from home…in my pajamas! I love the freedom of setting my own schedule, being my own boss, not having to report to an office. The downside is I have infinitely more distractions at home…the laundry that needs to be washed, the bills to be paid, the teenaged son who can’t wait until I finish a scene to ask his all-important questions…”When’s dinner, Mom?”

AL: Who are some of your favorite authors?

Beth: Well, I’ve already mentioned Karen Robards, Sandra Brown, Suzanne Brockmann, Linda Howard. More recently I’ve added Harlan Coben to that list. I love Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Susan Wiggs too. Oh, and Diana Duncan, and Loreth Anne White, and CJ Lyons, and… how long do you have? There are so many!

AL: Now it’s time to get personal! J Sometimes people envision an author’s life as being really glamorous. I like to set them straight, so tell us what’s the most unglamorous thing you’ve done in the past week?

Beth: LOL! Just one? Let’s see…scoop the litter box? Clean up cat barf from the carpet? Fix the stopped up toilet? Scrub the stuck on goo from the frying pan when dinner burned? There are so many! I’m the queen of unglamor!

AL: Do you have a favorite sport, &/or team that you follow?

Beth: Actually yes! I’m a bit of a sports buff…more than most women I know. I love college football and our family is eclectic in the teams we root for. The U. of Missouri is a sentimental favorite for me since I grew up in Columbia. My hubby roots for Alabama and Georgia Tech. Our hometown team is the University of Louisiana Monroe. Professionally, I like the Atlanta Braves for baseball (family and my roots post childhood are all in Georgia). The New Orleans Saints for Pro Football (and the Falcons). And our local high school football team has gone to state almost every year we’ve lived in Louisiana… And now my son attends the high school so I pull hard for the West Monroe Rebels in any sport! I could go on but I’d probably bore you! LOL

AL: You’re the heroine of your book, why do you fall in love with the hero?

Beth: Ah, what’s not to like? In TALL DARK DEFENDER, Jonah is kind and protective, thoughtful and good with the heroine’s kids. He’s rough around the edges but has a sexy lure that can’t be beat.

In UNDER FIRE, Jackson is brilliant and determined. A loving father and also handsome as sin. He’s deep and thoughtful and intriguing.

Now in real life I love a good sense of humor too. I’ve written heroes in the past with more humor than these two, but that’s not to say they don’t appreciate humor when their lives aren’t on the line!

AL: When you have time just for you (if only) what do you do?

Beth: Read, of course… and watch movies, lay around on the sofa and enjoy the company of my husband. I jog some out of necessity…I love ice cream a lot! I love traveling with my family to the beach, the mountains, wherever! I love to eat at new restaurants too. (Again the need to jog later…)

AL: Please share a favorite quote(s) with us.

Beth: On my website, I have this one: Go confidently in the direction of your dreams; live the life you’ve imagined. - Thoreau

My son has this on his bulletin board: “ It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. -Theodore Roosevelt

AL: Thanks so much for sharing with joining us this week, Beth.

Beth: You’re most welcome and thanks for the opportunity to share a bit about myself and my books!

AL: If you’d like to find out more about Beth please visit:

http://www.bethcornelison.com/

FEATURED TITLE:

Blurb:

When Jackson McKay and his daughter are kidnapped, their captors demand his research files on a devastating chemical weapon—or they'll kill his little girl. Jackson searches desperately for a way to save his daughter and also protect his country from the terrorists. No risk is too great. His daring escape sets in motion a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Arriving at the scene of a wildfire, smokejumper Lauren Michaels and her crew are caught in the crosshairs of Jackson's nightmare. Lauren is the only one who can lead Jackson off the burning mountain and to the police. In order to prevent a national crisis and save a child's life, they embark on a treacherous journey—one step ahead of a sniper!

But more than their lives are at risk, because an unexpected heat flares between them that may cost them their hearts...

Excerpt:

Lauren Michaels careened toward the earth at ninety miles an hour. Freefalling. Spinning. Below her, the landscape twirled and tilted in a disorienting brown and green blur. She had no more than twenty seconds to live if she screwed up now.

Jump thousand.

Adrenaline buzzed through her veins. Acid bit her gut.

Despite the strap squeezing her chest, she dragged in a lungful of thin, smoke-tinged air. Think. Stay focused.

Look thousand.

Waves of heat rolled up to greet her from the conflagration below. Thirty-foot flames reached skyward from the head of the fire like wicked, writhing hands waiting to snatch her from the air. The whip of wind streaming past roared in her ears.

The eighty-five pounds of dead weight strapped to her body pulled her toward the flaming trees. She forced training to the forefront.

Reach thousand.

Lauren grabbed the green ring near her left shoulder with her right hand.

Wait thousand.

Anticipation danced along every synapse.

Pull!

With a firm yank, she drew her arm across her chest and flung it outward. A hard jerk at her shoulders snapped her upright. Lauren squeezed her eyes shut. Prayed.

Looking up, she watched the billow of white and orange splay overhead. Thank God.

The team was fanatical about checking chutes, but the off chance existed…

She craned her head until she spotted Boomer, her jump partner, drifting along to her left. Below them, she located the first stick of jumpers. Riley’s and Birdman’s rectangular canopies drifted smoothly toward earth. As Lauren sailed down, she scanned the ground for the tiny clearing that was her target.

“Over there! Top of that ridge!” Boomer shouted in the loud, deep voice that was the source of his nickname.

Lauren gave him a thumbs up. Jump spot in sight.

God, she loved her job!

Suddenly her view of the burning forest began turning dizzily. Something was wrong.

Lauren tugged on her left toggle to correct her spin. Once stabilized, she cocked her head back to check her chute again.

Dread slammed her stomach. A suspension cord had wrapped around the corner of her canopy and hung up. A tension knot.

“Damn it!” She grabbed the suspension line with both hands and jerked hard, working to free it. No luck. Another tug.

She started spiraling again and had to release the tangled line in order to pull her toggle. But she continued twirling, losing precious seconds.

“Mike! Cut away!” Boomer shouted.

Still whirling like a human fire devil as the earth rushed toward her, Lauren gave up her toggles and yanked again on the hung line. “Come on, you sorry sonofa—!”

“Mike!” She heard an uncharacteristic note of panic in Boomer’s voice.

Lauren knew she had to be close to five hundred feet. The point of no return. Cut away or face death. Below five hundred feet, the reserve chute wouldn’t have time to deploy for a safe landing speed. Not to mention how far she’d, no doubt, drifted off course.

One more hard tug. Nothing.

With the dense and unforgiving treetops getting closer by the second, she had no choice. She jerked the cutaway clutch. Again the tug of a canopy filling jerked her harness, this time from her chest.

“Shit, woman! You ’bout gave me a heart attack!” Boomer yelled.

“Piece of cake!”

Boomer laughed. “You’re a wild woman, Mike!”

She allowed herself a quick cleansing breath then started her checks. Canopy. Airspace. Toggles.

The jump spot was too far to the left now, and the treetops too close to clear. Damn. So much for her perfect record.

As she dropped into the forest, sharp branches jabbed at her and snagged her canopy. A veil of dark green pine boughs obscured her view. She heard the snap and tear as her canopy settled in the branches of a black spruce, suspending her forty feet in the air. She groaned. Boomer was sure to give her hell about this.

Her two-way radio sputtered, and from the plane, their spotter called. “Jump 49, Michaels. You okay?”

She fumbled for her radio and put it to her lips. “I’m in a frigging tree, but I’m okay. I’ll let you know when I’m on the ground.”

“How’s the view from up there, Mike?” Boomer said over the radio.

“Bite me, Boom,” she radioed back.

Even without the radio, she could hear Boomer’s answering hoot of laughter. She grinned and shook her head as she secured her radio and assessed her situation.

Checking her risers, she discovered her plight wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Without wasting any more time, she started working through the letdown procedure. Rope in leg pocket. Feed through D-rings. Tie off to tight riser.

She paused to make sure she had no lines or straps around her neck then released her cutaway clutch and rappelled to the forest floor.

“Jump 49, Michaels,” the spotter called over the radio. The rumble of the Twin Otter aircraft filtered through the transmission.

She dug her radio out again. “Go ahead.”

“We’re low on fuel and need to head back. You down yet?”

“Roger that. I’m on the ground. Go on home.”

“Jump 49, Fire Boss,” the spotter said, addressing Birdman.

“Go ahead,” Birdman’s melodic voice answered.

As she listened to the radio exchange between the jumpship and Birdman, Lauren shed her harness and helmet, leaving them in a heap to collect when she returned for her chute.

“We’ve just dropped your cargo. If everybody’s accounted for, we’re outta here. How on that?”
“Roger that. Fire Boss clear.”

Lauren was working to free herself from her jumpsuit when Birdman called her over the radio. “Whenever you’re through playing monkey in the trees, Mike, we could use you over here.”

Lauren rolled her eyes. “Don’t get your boxers in a knot. I’m coming.”

“I want you helping Boomer start a scratch line up the right flank.”

“Roger that.” After shucking out of her jumpsuit, she clipped her radio to her hip, gathered her personal gear bag and plodded through the brush toward the jump spot.

They only had a small fire to catch, but from what she could see from the air before she started spinning, the head was already heating up and getting ready to run. They’d have to work fast to contain it by nightfall.

When a loud crack splintered the air, Lauren stopped in her tracks. Another pop followed. And another. Her initial thought was that boiling sap had caused a few trees to explode. But the pitch was wrong. The sound too close.

“What the hell?” Boomer shouted from a distance.

After a brief pause, another crack echoed through the woods.

And Boomer screamed. In pain. A hoarse, anguished sound that knotted Lauren’s stomach.

“Boomer! What happened?” Her own voice didn’t carry as well as her partner’s, but visions of all forms of disaster added volume to her cry. Smokejumping was inherently rife with danger. The most lethal threat was the unexpected, untrained-for, fluke happening.

“Lauren, look out!” Boomer called over the radio. “They’re shooting at us!”

Shooting? Who?

“Riley! Oh God, no! Jump 49, mayday! Are you there? Mayday! There’s a sniper out here!” Boomer’s horrified cry wrenched inside Lauren.

She dug in her personal gear, or PG, bag and wrapped her fingers around the .357 Magnum the Bureau of Land Management allowed jumpers to carry in case of bear attack. She’d never imagined one day she’d use the weapon to defend against a human assailant.

Heart thumping, she flicked the safety off and headed toward the jump spot. She stayed in the thickest brush and behind fat tree trunks whenever possible. As she inched forward, hiding from the shooter, she scoped the terrain before moving to the next spot that provided cover.

Jitters scrambled through her. Her fingers trembled around the gun, and she prayed she didn’t have to use it. A ninety-foot wall of fire she could handle. This game of cat and mouse with an unseen sniper spooked the hell out of her.

Finally she spotted a yellow jumpsuit at the edge of the narrow clearing that had been their jump spot. From her distance, she thought it looked like Boomer. Lying on the grass. Unmoving. Her pulse leaped.

She checked for signs of the shooter once more. Seeing no one, she gauged the distance to her fallen friend. Prepared to dash across the clearing…

A hand snaked from behind and clapped over her mouth. She spun, met the hard brown glare of a stranger.

A muffled scream rattled in her throat.

Remember: Beth is sponsoring a contest good for a book from her back list (meaning any other than UNDER FIRE or TALL DARK DEFENDER) with the winner pick from those that post a comment during the week. Make sure to leave your email address so she can contact you. She'll draw the winner on Wednesday June 17th. Thanks everyone! :-D

BAIT AND SWITCH
Now Available in "PRINT"



Hi all Bait and Switch is now avaliable in "print".
For those who'd like to order it please visit:
http://www.lindenbayromance.com/product-baitandswitch-7294-149.html
or
http://mybookstoreandmore.com/shop/product.da/p-bait-and-switch

Please see below for Chapter One of Bait and Swtich.
Thanks all!

Blurb:

One workaholic. One gigolo. One week in Sin City. You do the math…

Frisky Business, Book 1

Anna Jackson’s ex-boyfriend may have stolen her promotion, but she’s not mad. Not anymore. She’s getting even—by beating him at his own game. So what if she has to give up all her free time and any semblance of a personal life? With a partnership in a law firm as prestigious as Beckam, Beckam and Leland on the line, she’s willing to pay the price.

Las Vegas escort Devon McGuire is charming, sexy, and damn good at pleasing women. He’d better be, it’s what he gets paid for. Always up for a challenge, he’s looking forward to his newest job. Who wouldn’t enjoy a week as the companion of a smart, sultry, high-powered attorney—no strings attached?

Devon’s used to pushing boundaries, but there’s something about Anna that makes him want to turn up the steam. And when she learns to let go and unexpectedly opens to him, he finds himself falling right in.

Whoa, hold it. Love was never part of the plan… Product Warnings

This book contains a sizzling, drop-dead gorgeous, sex-on-a-stick gigolo who wants to make women’s fantasies come true, and a woman who won’t cooperate and let him do his job.


Chapter One

If the plane lurched one more time Anna was going to run up to the cabin and be sick all over the pilot just to teach him a lesson. Granted, the pilot couldn’t control turbulence, but she needed to blame somebody. She clutched the paperwork in front of her as the plane took yet another sudden drop. Grimacing, Anna righted the documents in her lap.

Beside her, her legal assistant’s grin was mischievous. “We’re flying over the Vegas strip. Want to lean over and take a look at it as we fly in?”

Anna shook her head. “No, I’m fine. Thank you.”

“It’s a pretty awesome sight.” The woman leaned closer placing her chin her hand and gazed down. “I love Vegas. It’s true what they say, you know? What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”
Half listening, Anna highlighted a sentence. “Uh huh.”

“Oh yeah, Anna…I banged the whole league of Thunder from Down Under dancers in one night, then went on to find other men to have my way with for the rest of the weekend. It was some of the best sex I’ve ever had.”

Dropping her highlighter, Anna stared in horror at Janie O’Donnell. The woman was grinning from ear to ear, her green eyes flashing with humor. “What did you say?”

Janie laughed. “I’m kidding. I just wanted to get your attention.”

“You shouldn’t say stuff like that. It’s not funny. Someone might hear and take you seriously.”
Anna peeked behind them, hoping their colleagues hadn’t heard, but the laughs and thumbs-ups said differently. Blowing an exasperated sigh at the small group of women, Anna went back to her paperwork as the plane continued to make its descent.

As the plane touched the ground, everyone was forcefully propelled forward. Anna caught herself before her face met the seat in front of her, then reached down and grabbed the briefcase by her feet to put her work away.

The pilot chuckled as he came on over the speaker, “Well, now everyone’s awake.” The passengers all laughed except Anna, who waited impatiently for the plane to reach the terminal.
Once there, Anna worked on exiting without elbowing anybody though she wanted to for the sheer pleasure of it. At the baggage claim area, she pounced on her luggage before departing the airport with her troop.

The limo driver, holding a Beckam, Beckam and Leland sign greeted them kindly and loaded their bags in the trunk.

Anna climbed into the back of the limo, caught up in the week to come. She immediately started going over the agenda for the week again with Janie. The younger woman laughed and patted her shoulder. “I’ve got everything taken care of. Don’t worry. The week will go off with flying colors.”

Anna wanted to make partner. It was her goal. Thomas Leland had swept it out from under her, and she refused to let anything like that happen again. He had used her, dumped her, and stolen her promotion.

The women around her laughed, coaxing her to join them as they entertained themselves with drinks from the limo’s mini bar, but Anna refused. She clutched the strap of her purse in her hands and stared out the window, not really seeing anything. She was on a mission. This week she would prove that she was the best and she would let nothing stand in her way.

* * *

Janie held up her glass. “To a week’s vacation on BBL, with only a little bit of work to ruin it.”
All the ladies lifted their glasses in salute, except for Anna; she only lifted her glass half-heartedly.

Janie sipped on her margarita and batted her green eyes at Anna, her bright red hair slipping from its chignon at the back of her head. Mindy Fletcher, another attorney reached across the table and laid her hand over Anna’s.

“Snap out of it. You’ve got to lighten up. I don’t remember you ever being like this before Leland pulled his nasty stunt. You’ve been wound so tight this last year, like a hurricane ready to unleash itself on the world.”

Though Anna didn’t appreciate being referred to as a natural disaster, she shrugged and pushed her drink aside, studying the other women at the table. They’d all been friends for the past few years, with the exception of Mindy whom she’d known since their first year at college. They hadn’t been parted since.

Anna cocked her head as Mindy continued to rant. It was what Mindy did best, though it never used to be that way. Somewhere during their junior year, Mindy had changed from a soft spoken, sweet young woman, who’d been willing to bend over backwards for anyone to an overbearing, bossy, control freak, but Anna loved her despite all that. Mindy still bent over backwards to help a friend, that fact had never changed. Anna supposed it was Mindy’s way of trying to make it in the world, not to be judged because she was of the female population. She was obsessed with being a career woman and refused to rely on any man to succeed.

Sighing, Anna cut in when Mindy finally took a breath. “You know why I’m so dedicated to my work. I need to make partner. It’s not just a goal now; it’s a mission.”

“I thought you wanted to help people. Remember? The reason you wanted to be a lawyer was to ‘Help those who’ve been wronged.’ Not to be partner.”

Anna grabbed her purse and laid money on the table to pay for her meal and drinks. “Plans change.”

Nichole Schafer, another attorney in their firm, chimed in. “Thomas is a dick. Everyone knows it. He’ll get his someday, Anna, but you don’t have to kill yourself in the meantime.”

Anna stared at her, a slight smile touching her lips, watching as Nichole’s pale green eyes darkened in indignation. “I’m hardly killing myself.”

“I need to get in on this,” Holly Monroe, Mindy and Nichole’s legal assistant, stated. “You don’t go out. You don’t do anything fun. You work all day into the late hours of the night. You’re acting like a crusty old woman.”

Anna balked. “I. Am. Not. Old.” She almost yelled it across the table. The others began laughing. Anna was fuming now. “I’m pushing thirty, yes, but that hardly qualifies me as old.”

Janie was trying unsuccessfully to hide her riotous laughter. “She didn’t say you were old, counselor, she simply said you’re acting like it.”

Anna stood up with such force, she almost knocked her chair backward, but Holly caught it.
“Whoa, slow down there, little buckaroo.”

Anna’s face flamed, knowing the slow drawl coming from Holly’s lips was an attempt to tease Anna for the Tennessee accent that always managed to creep up when she was upset.

She clutched her purse in her hands and glared at all of them. “You snots.” She shoved her chair against the table and stormed off, their laughter ringing in her ears.


“Okay, now that she’s gone—good idea by the way, Mindy, my love,” Janie said mischievously, giving the woman her props with a “pound,” knuckle to knuckle.

Mindy blew a breath on her nails then rubbed them against her shirt as if polishing them. “I knew that would set her off. Leave it to me to get her panties in a bunch.”

They all shared another laugh then their heads came together as they spoke in low voices.
“So what’s the plan?” Holly asked, her finger twirling a long, blonde lock of hair. She gazed back and forth among them.

“We need something good. Something that will knock her socks off and bring her back to the same happy woman we all knew once before,” Nichole commented.

“If we have time, maybe we can plan Thomas’s demise while we’re at it,” Janie teased.
“Done,” Mindy stated. “Holly, pencil Thomas’s demise between lunch and drinks on Thursday.”
Nichole brought them back to the important matter at hand. “Come on, ladies, think. What can we do for Anna?”

“Shopping spree?”

They all shot down Holly’s idea. “That’s good for you, but not for ‘practical Anna’,” Mindy said, mimicking Anna’s no-nonsense tone.

“A day at the spa,” Nichole threw out. They all shook their heads. “What about bungee jumping?”

“I don’t know,” Janie said. “Something about the thought of Anna possibly going splat doesn’t sound appealing. I’d be a nervous wreck for her.”

“How about we take her to a strip show,” Mindy blurted out. “I know I wouldn’t mind seeing a bunch of hot looking guys up on stage shaking their money makers.” She licked her lips for emphasis.

Janie’s eyes widened, a grin spreading ear to ear. She clapped her hands in delight and yelled for another round of drinks. “Oh, Mindy, bless you, I have it. It’s perfect. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it earlier.”

“Strippers?” Mindy arched a brow.

Janie shook her head. “No, but close.”

They all huddled closer, their heads almost bumping together.

“What?” Nichole exclaimed.

“Spill it,” Mindy demanded.

Janie brought her hands together in front of her, her expression smug as their drinks were wedged in front of them by the server. She lowered her voice, conspiracy in every syllable. “A pros-ti-tute.”

“Anna’s not gay.”

Janie smacked Holly on the hand. “Stop playing dumb. You know what I mean. A male prostitute. A gigolo. A man so gorgeous, so well put together, so charming and determined that he will sweep her off her feet for a full seven days of fun whether she likes it or not.”

They were all silent, looking at one another. Then they started cheering at once and lifted their drinks, uncaring of the other patrons.

Mindy made the toast. “Let’s do this, ladies. We’ll find Anna a gorgeous love machine, and she will thank us later.”

Their glasses all clinked together, their laughter filling the bar. Mindy slapped her hand on the table and held up her credit card with the other. “I hope he takes platinum.”

* * *

Mindy, Nichole, Holly, and Janie sat at the back of one of the Caesars Palace bars. They waited and watched for their guest to arrive.

“How did you find this guy?” Janie asked.

Mindy sighed. “I called Angelica Montero.”

“What? Your client who runs the escort service?”

“Yeah. So?”

“So? Are you kidding me? You asked a client who is up on charges for her business to help you find a gigolo?”

Mindy looked bored. “Janie, she’s innocent until proven guilty. Besides, she knows everything about and everyone in this business. And she’s a good friend. She helped me out at a time in my life when I really needed someone. I’d defend her even if it cost me my license to practice. What are you complaining about anyway? This was your idea.”

Janie shook her head while Holly and Nichole chuckled, though all three women eyed Mindy curiously. None of them asked about Mindy’s relationship with New York’s most notorious madam, they knew it would get them nowhere fast.

Nichole chimed in. “Don’t start acting like Anna, Janie. It’s fine.”

Janie sighed. She rubbed her hands over her face. “I hope I don’t lose my job over this.”

Holly wrapped her arm around Janie’s shoulders. “Anna loves you too much. She’d never fire you.”

Smiling, Janie took a sip of her drink. Her gaze moved to the entrance, and choked on her drink. Holly started hitting her back, but Janie waved her off. “Whoa. Ladies, I believe this is our man.”
They all turned and stared. “Oh, he’s hot,” Nichole announced to no one in particular.
Mindy waved her hand, and the man made his way toward them. “Okay, ladies, be cool. I’ll handle this.”

Nichole blew and exasperated sigh. “Don’t be so dramatic, Mindy.”

“Ladies.” The man’s deep voice surrounded them, drew them in. “Devon McGuire.” He shook their hands as they introduced themselves, each trying not to gape. After being invited to have a seat, he sat opposite them in the large corner booth, his long frame filling the space. Delicious, naughty thoughts filled their minds. “What can I do for you?”

“Well,” Mindy began, “I’ve been told that you’re one of the best in this town, professional and a gentleman. We have a friend who’s in need of some serious help.”

He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. “I’m sorry, but as I told you over the phone I’m not taking on any new clients at this time.”

“Then why did you bother coming here at all?” Mindy demanded.

Devon shrugged. “Your friend, Ms. Montero, threatened to rake me over the coals if I didn’t at least come down and hear you ladies out.”

Mindy smirked.

“You have to take her,” Holly blurted out. “She’s sweet, but she’s just kind of…lost right now.”
Nichole nodded, setting her drink aside. “And it’s just for one week. She wouldn’t be a regular.”
“She really is great, but she’s just been burned and really needs someone to show her—”

Mindy snapped her fingers to draw everyone’s attention to her, and then focused on Devon. “Look, like Nichole said, it’s just for one week. Anna needs a fling. Otherwise, I’m afraid she might implode, she’s wound so tight.”

Devon smiled at that comment, but glanced at Janie. “I was hoping to have a week free before my regulars pick up again. I could recommend another gentleman instead.”

Janie cleared her throat. “Look, you don’t know us from the next showgirl, and we don’t know you, but you come highly recommended. I know you don’t care—why should you, you don’t know her—but if you could just give her a chance. She really needs something, you know?” She paused as if waiting for his reply, but when he only continued to watch her, Janie went on. “She really needs this, needs you, as ridiculous as it probably sounds. Her heart’s been broken, and her dreams are uprooted for the time being. We only want to help her get back to the fun, and loving woman we all adore. She won’t be your clingy, whiny type, we promise.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment, but his eyes were thoughtful. Finally he pulled out his calendar. “I might be able to fit you in. When do you need me?”

“Right now,” Mindy stated firmly.

He flipped through the pages till he came to July. He slid the pencil out and looked back at them. “How long?”

“Tomorrow through Saturday.”

“What’s her name again?”

“Anna.”

He entered her name and made an arrow through the rest of the week. “Can you tell me what she looks like so when I meet her I’ll know her?”


Holly held up her hand and grabbed her purse from under the table. “I have a picture.”
“What are you doing with a picture of Anna?”

Holly dropped her purse on the table and glanced at Nichole. “I have a group picture of all of us that I keep. I’m sentimental, so cut me some slack.”

Holly handed the picture to the man. “That’s her, except she has short hair now.”

His eyes flicked over the picture before he handed the photo back to Holly. “Thank you.” He glanced at Mindy. “What exactly am I to provide for Anna?”

Mindy crossed her arms and stared at him, before finally responding. “Anything she wants.”
“Fine, my fee for the week is seven thousand dollars, and that does not include other expenses such as meals, shows, clubbing.”

Mindy nodded. “Fine. I was told you’d be about that much, but you need to keep receipts for all your expenses and I’ll reimburse you.”

Devon smiled as if he found her amusing. “No, you’ll pay up front and I’ll keep receipts and return any cash left over.”

Mindy glared at him, but nodded her head in agreement, then grabbed her own purse and pulled out a fat envelope filled with travelers’ checks that she’d advanced on her card.

He took the envelope, counted the checks, making sure each was signed before stuffing it inside the pocket of his blazer. Grinning, he leaned back and appeared to be making himself comfortable. “Now, where do I meet your friend?”

In the Author Spotlight and Contest

Sylvia Shults

Contest: Two of the heroines in Timeless Embrace get to meet men from other eras. (They also get down and dirty with these guys, which is fun all around.) Tell me, in about 150 words, whom you’d like to meet from history. Doesn’t have to be a “historical” personage, just someone you’d find interesting. And if you want to get freaky with whomever, tell me that too! The winner will get a free copy of Timeless Embrace, to further their historical fantasies, plus whatever other goodies I feel like tossing into the mailing envelope. Oh, and put your email address so I can contact you for your snail mail info.

AL: Hi Sylvia! Thanks for being in the “Author Spotlight” this week.

Sylvia: Thanks so much for inviting me!

AL: So, tell us what’s happening with you.

Sylvia: Oh my. It’s spring – well, summer, practically, since spring went by so fast – so when I’m not writing, I’m out in the Great Outdoors. I love wild-food foraging, and I try to familiarize myself with several new plants each year. This year I discovered cleavers, milkweed, and black locust, and I’m going to try to work with mallow, too. Cleavers, I’ve found, is a massive pain in the butt. It’s got alllll these itty-bitty spines on it that make it clingy and stickery. I’d rather pick stinging nettles for half an hour than cleavers for five minutes. And milkweed shoots, I’ve found out, are utterly delicious. They’ve got a very mild green flavor, milder than green beans. Oh man, they’re tasty! And black locust blossoms have a scent that’s downright seductive. The season for the blooms is about over, but for the past two weeks, I’ve been really enjoying the ride to work. The route between my house and work is practically lined with black locust trees, and on a motorcycle, you can really just get knocked out by that intoxicating fragrance. I really have had to fight to keep from just closing my eyes and getting lost in sweetness – unfortunately, that’s a bad idea on a bike.

AL: What current or upcoming releases do you have for us to read?

Sylvia: I’d like to tell people about my romance trilogy, Timeless Embrace. It’s a collection of three novellas that all center around the three ancient cultures -- Egypt, Greece, and Rome. When I first had the idea for the Egypt story (“What You Wish For”), I was absolutely convinced that it was going to turn out to be a horror story. After all, it’s about an Egyptian mummy that comes to life. Horror, right? Well…actually, it turned itself into a romance – a fun, funny, light-hearted little romance. And then the next two stories kind of followed from there. I’ve had such fun writing these three stories, and I hope my readers enjoy them just as much.

AL: Are you a writer only, or do you do other activities outside of writing?

Sylvia: Ann, I have got so much going on besides writing…I love to garden. I think I’d wither up and blow away if I didn’t have a garden to play around in. I bake my own bread, and I love futzing around in the kitchen. I make wines and cordials, and when I have time (hah!), I like making cheese. I mentioned the wild-food foraging – I like learning about edible and medicinal plants. I just recently started soaking some herbs in oil to make healing ointments. I’ve got plantain and dandelion oils working, which will get melted with beeswax to make lovely healthy skin salves. I do canning, I make jams and syrups, I make bath salts and bath bombs and lotions, I’m a voracious reader…a while ago, I came across a quote by one of my favorite writers, James Lileks. In his blog he said something about how he doesn’t fear death, because he’s reasonably sure he’ll be doing something else at the time. That is SO me.

AL: You not only like to dabble in writing romance, but horror as well? Is it difficult writing two completely different genres, or does it help keep all ideas fresh?

Sylvia: Honestly, I love the freedom that working in two genres gives me. I’ve always been a fan of horror fiction, so that’s what I started out writing. Then when I started writing romance, of course I began reading more romance too. I don’t do straight romance (either reading or writing) – it’s got to have a twist, like supernatural romance, and it helps if it’s funny, because life’s funny.

As for working in both genres, I guess I’m very lucky to be as disciplined as I am. With all I’ve got going on in my life, I do NOT have time for writer’s block. So when I sit down to work on a horror project, that’s what I do, my mind is focused on a horror story. Same with the romance. A couple of summers ago, I had the exhilarating experience of working on two novellas, one horror, one romance, each with a deadline. I wanted to finish both of these projects. I HAD to finish both of them. And I had a grand time doing it!

AL: What do you hope for your writing career in the next few years? Any goals that you have yet to obtain that you have set for yourself?

Sylvia: YES. I’ve got a list going, of projects that are going to be popping up in the next year or so. Right now I’m working on a romance novella about Greek mythology – that’s the first project. Also, a publisher in Iowa contacted me last year about doing a book for a series of ghost stories. So, I’m currently working on Ghosts of the Illinois River. I’m having an absolute BLAST, you have no idea. I’ve been a sucker for ghost stories ever since I was a little kid, and doing the research for this book just lets me wallow in ghosts! I actually got to go to several of the sites I’m writing about, and I have had a couple of encounters with Norman, the ghost at the Peoria Player’s Theater. He’s a real character; I just love him. Then I’m also planning another romance novel about witches…the list just goes on.

There is one goal that’s coming up pretty soon…I’ve got a horror novel coming out in October, called Borrowed Flesh. It’s about the Catholic Church, demonic doppelgangers, and a kidnapped little girl. Right now I’m collecting blurbs from fellow authors (and they’re all really grooving on the book, so I’m very happy). I’ve asked one of my idols, Tamara Thorne, to do a blurb, because it would just make my YEAR to know that she read one of my books and liked it enough to write a blurb for it. So yeah, that’s my immediate goal – to get a blurb from her.

AL: Now let’s get personal! J Summer is upon us! What is your favorite part about the season?

Sylvia: Heat! I love love love being outside in the summer. On days off, I just live in shorts. And I like at least the illusion of things slowing down, of summer vacation, even though I’m still working full-time.

AL: If you had to go live on an island for six months, which three things would you HAVE to take with you?

Sylvia: My husband. I couldn’t live without him for six months. A BIG stack of books. And fruit dip, like my grandmother-in-law used to make. I’m assuming there’s going to be fruit on this island, right? Right? (And I’d have to smuggle my dog Eureka in too, because I’m over three things. But I’m just nuts for this dog. I couldn’t leave her for six months either.)

AL: It’s raining cats and dogs in your house. Have you always been a pet lover?

Sylvia: Always. I was horse-crazy as a little girl, learned to ride when I was three. I’ve never had the pleasure of actually owning a horse, but I love them. Cats are okay, especially when you get two or three of them together. They’ve got such personalities! But I am a complete fool when it comes to dogs. I have cats, but I am such a dog person. My two dogs are my girls, my babies. Kirby is the smart one. She’s sort of the house dog. Eureka is not very bright, but she’s so sweet. She’s definitely Mommy’s Girl. I’ve had other pets over the years, bunnies, pet rats, even a miniature short-tailed opossum, but I will always have dogs.

AL: If you were a world ruler and you were given a choice of 3 laws to enact, what would they be?

Sylvia: 1) Take care of yourselves, as much as you can. If you can exercise, great. If you can’t, just get outside and sit in the fresh air once in a while. Don’t just sit in front of the tube. And try to eat healthy.
2) There’s a test you have to take before you can drive a car or ride a motorcycle. There should also be a test you take before having children. I’m just sayin’.
3) And for heaven’s sake, be nice to each other!

AL: Please share a favorite quote(s) with us.

Sylvia: Ooh, I’ve got a couple of good ones.

“Writing for him who knows it is better than all other professions. It pleases more than bread and beer, more than clothing and ointment. It is worth more than an inheritance in Egypt, than a tomb in the west.” – from The Instructions of Dua-Khety, Egypt, Middle Kingdom (2055 – 1650 BC)

“Genius flames and dies, but amiable competence can live forever.” – James Lileks

AL: Thanks so much for sharing with joining us this week, Sylvia.

Sylvia: It was absolutely my pleasure, Ann, thank you.

AL: If you’d like to find out more about Sylvia, please visit:

http://www.sylviashults.com/

FEATURED TITLE:

Blurb:

Romance is timeless, love is eternal. Come experience love through the eyes of three ancient cultures in this trilogy of novellas from the imagination of Sylvia Shults. Let yourself be lost in a Timeless Embrace.

What You Wish For: Egyptian prince Ankh-Kheperu had been dead for centuries, until museum curator Emily Chase coaxes him back to life with the help of text from Ancient Egypt’s The Book of The Dead. What kind of girl could say no to being seduced by a dark, handsome, exotic Egyptian prince?

Love 101: Someone is stealing ancient Greek artifacts. When sexy detective Tony Saals signs up for professer Becca Hellenga’s art history class, he thinks that he’ll learn something that will help him catch his man. But Becca is about to catch a man of her own!
Through a Glass Brightly: When American Angela Woods moves to Europe to pursue a job as a English teacher, she never expected to find herself caught in a ménage a trois with two attentive Italians, both dedicated to pleasuring her to utter writhing fulfillment. The problem? One of them is a ghost!

Excerpt:

Ankh-Kheperu had moved closer to me as I was shooing Brenda out the door, and now he was close enough for me to smell him. There was some indescribably spicy scent coming from him. Since he hadn’t showered yet, I could only assume that it was the smell of the unguents the embalming priests had poured over him as they had prepared his body for burial. The thought should have given me the screaming clownies, but I found to my surprise that I was okay with it. Quite possibly, the archaeologist in me was simply intrigued by the scent of ancient ointments.
“I agree,” Ankh-kheperu murmured. He brushed a stray lock of hair from my forehead.

“Agree? Agree with what?” I had completely forgotten what I’d just said. His nearness, his scent, his sheer maleness was driving every coherent thought from my mind.

“There is no need for me to put any clothes on.” He took my hand and turned it over, kissing the tender inside of my wrist. “However, there is every need to get you out of the clothes you’re wearing.”

Hoo boy. All of a sudden I was finding it very hard to breathe properly. My breath was coming in shallow little gasps as he nibbled his way up my hand. Ever so gently, he took my index finger into his mouth, first laving it with his tongue, then grazing it with tiny little nips of his teeth. A whimper escaped my closed lips. Oh, he felt sooo good!

Now there’s something you have to understand about me, if you haven’t figured it out already. I am so not into one night stands. I’ve dated, sure, but I have never brought a guy home from a bar somewhere (or from a museum, for that matter) and made wild, crazy, passionate love to him all night long, pausing only long enough for some hot quasi-sexual snacking on the kitchen floor in front of the fridge. Unfortunately, that has never been my style.

But there was something about Ankh-Kheperu that drew me to him. I mentioned before that I had felt a connection with him that went far beyond the merely sexual. In fact, there was nothing remotely sexual about it – he was still a mummy at that point, for crying out loud.

When I had made that recording, he had been on my mind. When I gave tours to groups of giggling, wide eyed schoolchildren, I saw him in his case. When I wrote up my yearly reports on the status of the Egyptian exhibit, he was in my thoughts. Ever since I had started working in that museum in high school years ago, Ankh-Kheperu had been a part of my life. Heck, for all I knew, we had been lovers in ancient Egypt in a previous life together. Don’t laugh too hard. It’s happened before. I don’t doubt that for a moment.

One thing was for absolute sure. It had been my voice on the recording, saying his name over and over through the hours for months, even years on end, saying his name with respect and maybe even with a little bit of love, that had brought this man back to life. That had to count for something.

Maybe we were destined to be together.

And the Winners Are...

And the winners from last weeks contest are:

Eternal Embrace & $10 gift card from Barnes & Noble: CAFFEY

Eternal Embrace: KAT HALL

Thank you everyone for stopping by and leaving your comments. Please be on the look out for Eternal Embrace's release next Tuesday, the 9th.

Ann

Final Day

Eternal Embrace

CONTEST: This is the final day of excerpt posting in celebration of Eternal Embrace's upcoming release June 9th. Please stop by each day to read a new excerpt and make sure to leave at least one post one day this week. Along with your post please leave your email address so you can be entered for a chance to win. I'll be drawing 2 winners.

That's right...I said 2 winners!

Each winner will get a free download of Eternal Embrace and 1 of those winners will get an added bonus of a $10 Barnes & Noble gift card.

Also, if you'd like to read chapter one of Eternal Embrace and get in on other contests, updates, free reads, etc. please sign up for my newsletter by sending me an email at AnnLory@gmail.com. I'll draw the winners this Saturday.

EXCERPT:

As soon as the sun disappeared from the sky, Dimitri rose from the bed. He frowned as he mentally surveyed everything in the house. The cat. Muttering an oath, Dimitri stalked across the chamber to the bathroom, cursing the entire way that Cassie had brought her pet to his home.

After bathing, Dimitri dressed in snug black pants and a long-sleeved, open-collar, black silk shirt. When he stepped into his study, he answered the growl that greeted him with one of his own. There, in his favorite chair, sat Patches, staring at him with defiant green eyes.

“You are in my chair, cat.” But Patches stretched leisurely, lay down on the soft cushion, peering at him as if daring him to move her. Despite his words, Dimitri tried to gently push the cat from the chair, but she wouldn’t budge. They glared at each other, neither one backing down. Dimitri intended to win, however. “My house, my rules, cat.”

Patches yawned, and began to lick her paws, clearly determined to ignore him.

“What’s going on?” Cassie entered, a quizzical look on her face. Both Patches and Dimitri faced her guiltily.

Dimitri quickly forgot about the nuisance in his chair, his full attention on her. She was dressed in a familiar red satin teddy.

Cassie looked at Patches. “I hope it’s okay that I brought her with me. I didn’t want to leave her behind.”

Still distracted by her outfit, Dimitri shook his head to clear his thoughts before glancing back at the cat. “Oh, yes, that’s fine.”

Cassie snapped her fingers. “Patches, go upstairs.” The cat twitched her whiskers, stood, then jumped from the chair. It seemed to Dimitri that the animal gave him a little smug feline smile as it flipped its tail stalking from the room.

Cassie handed Dimitri a glass of wine. “I’m sorry.”

Setting the glass aside, Dimitri pulled her body against his. “I’m sure Patches and I will come to a happy compromise in the near future, but there are more important things than that. You are breathtaking.” His gaze roamed over her satin-clad body; he was sure his eyes must glow with his appreciation.

Cassie’s smile was seductive as her hands traveled over his chest, then slowly began to undo each button of his shirt. Dimitri groaned as her fingers skimmed lightly over his skin, teasing him as she bared his flesh. He grabbed her wrists and held them together between them.

His voice was husky when he spoke. “You are playing with fire.” As he said the words, a blaze roared to life in the hearth. Cassie touched her lips to his chest, her tongue grazing his nipples. She looked up at him with vibrant purple eyes. “Good,” she whispered. “I want us to burn.”

Day 3

Eternal Embrace

CONTEST: This is day two of excerpt posting in celebration of Eternal Embrace's upcoming release June 9th. Please stop by each day to read a new excerpt and make sure to leave at least one post one day this week. Along with your post please leave your email address so you can be entered for a chance to win. I'll be drawing 2 winners.

That's right...I said 2 winners!

Each winner will get a free download of Eternal Embrace and 1 of those winners will get an added bonus of a $10 Barnes & Noble gift card.

Also, if you'd like to read chapter one of Eternal Embrace and get in on other contests, updates, free reads, etc. please sign up for my newsletter by sending me an email at AnnLory@gmail.com. I'll draw the winners this Saturday.

EXCERPT:

Everything seemed to slow as her gaze fell on a dark figure in the corner, her eyes widening with recognition. Her heart pounded a wild frenzy in her chest, and heat seemed to suffuse her skin. He was here. His black stare seemed to devour her, to caress her with its intensity. Warmth seeped into her body, and she returned his look, taking all of him in. Seeing him made her realize that despite everything she’d missed him unbearably.

Dimitri, what are you doing here?

I came to see you, Cassandra.

He seemed to savor each syllable of her name, and she shivered at the sound of his voice in her head. She wanted to forget everything and run into his arms, let him kiss all her hurts away, but she didn’t. He was still a vampire. One of the undead. And she remained angry with him for what he had done to her.

She looked at him; the pain in his eyes seemed all-consuming.

I could never hurt you, Cassandra.

“But you did.” Her words were softly spoken, hanging in the air between them. He bowed his head, and slipped back into the shadows and disappeared into the crowded room. She wanted to call him back but didn’t. Why had he come? Why did she feel she would never be able to move on?

God help her. Though she knew what he was, she still loved him. The room became too hot and closed in. She rushed toward the door and raced outside, letting the chilly air enfold her. She rubbed her hands over her bare arms and watched the mist her breath formed.

Was she fighting a losing battle to try and stay away from him, when every part of her being needed him so desperately? Had she made a mistake in sending him away from her? She knew deep down that he would never truly hurt her, that he cared deeply for her as she did him, but the shock of the previous events occurring all at once had been too much. Learning that he had drunk from her, then forced her to forget had made her feel angry and betrayed, so she’d reacted from fear. Now she was absolutely miserable without him.

There was a sound behind her. She turned to see who had joined her, shrieking when a big burly man with curly blond hair grabbed her roughly, a blade in his hand. Another man just as big but with a tattoo of a spider on his cheek also appeared carrying a knife. Before she could gather her wits, Dimitri materialized from nowhere. He grabbed the man holding her, who released her in his surprise, and threw him across the yard. The other man charged him, yelling as he hit Dimitri, and both men went tumbling to the ground.

Amazingly, the first man seemed unfazed by the fact that he had just been thrown with force and came after Cassie again. The metal in his hand glinted menacingly under the moonlight and the bulb from the building’s entrance.

Dimitri tossed Spider Tattoo off him and sprang to his feet, rushing toward her. “Go back inside. Hide, but do not leave.”

Cassie shook her head, “No I won’t leave you.”

At that moment, Blondie came at them, swinging the blade. Dimitri shoved her away and took the blow in his side, even as he threw an upper cut at his opponent, sending the man flying again. Spider Tattoo attacked once more, but Dimitri was able to get his hands around the man’s neck. Cassie heard bones crunching beneath his fingers, and she cringed as the man slumped, his face contorted.

She cried out as Blondie tried to ambush Dimitri from behind. Cassie watched in horror as the man’s blade nicked Dimitri in the corner of his eye. When she saw his skin bleed and burn, she knew the blades were silver. Desperate to help, she quickly glanced around and broke a large branch off a nearby tree before approaching both men.

Dimitri yelled at her, his accent thick. “Stay back!”

Cassie screamed as the assailant brought the knife down and sank it into Dimitri’s right shoulder, then pulled it out to plunge it into Dimitri’s chest. But Dimitri grabbed the man’s hand and flipped him onto his back, straddling the man. He pushed the blade into Blondie’s heart. Blondie convulsed and shook on the ground, before he went still.

Dimitri rose shakily to his feet, not meeting her terrified gaze, before he fell forward.
Cassie cried out and rushed to him, dropping to her knees at his side, terrified and at the same time concerned for his injuries.

“We have to get out of here.” He whispered, still not looking at her.

Cassie gently stroked his jaw, trying to bring his face around, but he jerked away from her touch. “Why won’t you look at me?”

“I am a monster, Cassandra.” There was such anguish in his voice that her heart broke all over again.

“Look at me, Dimitri.” He did not move, and she gripped his arm, noticing for the first time that his nails were long like talons and appeared razor sharp. “Please.”

Taking a deep breath, he did as she asked. His eyes glowed an eerie red like hell’s own fury, and he curled his lips back, baring his fangs. He looked ferocious, but to her amazement, and no doubt his, she was not afraid. Cassie cupped his face tenderly and ran her fingers along his jaw, over his eyes and lips and through his hair, calming and soothing him. “Dimitri, just breathe.”

Day 2

Eternal Embrace

CONTEST: This is day two of excerpt posting in celebration of Eternal Embrace's upcoming release June 9th. Please stop by each day to read a new excerpt and make sure to leave at least one post one day this week. Along with your post please leave your email address so you can be entered for a chance to win. I'll be drawing 2 winners.

That's right...I said 2 winners!

Each winner will get a free download of Eternal Embrace and 1 of those winners will get an added bonus of a $10 Barnes & Noble gift card.

Also, if you'd like to read chapter one of Eternal Embrace and get in on other contests, updates, free reads, etc. please sign up for my newsletter by sending me an email at AnnLory@gmail.com. I'll draw the winners this Saturday.

EXCERPT:

He turned on the power to the stereo, selected a CD and placed it in the player, but didn’t turn the music on. Instead, he came back to her, slipping a small remote into his vest pocket. “Do you know any of the dances from the period in which you are dressed, Cassandra?”

“I’m afraid I don’t.”

His gaze was intense, burning into hers. “Will you allow me to teach you?”

Her response was a breathless whisper, as his arm circled her waist pulling her to him. “Yes.” He was solid and large, pressing intimately against her soft curves before he quickly spun her away, positioning himself for the dance.

“Stand, like so.” He showed her, one arm raised above his head and the other feigned holding a skirt. “Not all dances are simple waltzes. Some were performed in groups, others were of couples playing each move off one another. The anticipation of the touch was sometimes the most exciting of all.” His gaze held hers.

She imitated him, grabbing her skirt loosely in her free hand.

“Now, step to the right, then in toward me, and as you do so, bring your raised hand down along the side of my face, barely touching my cheek. I will do the same to you.”

He continued to talk her through the steps, counting as they practiced, sometimes humming out a low tune that was pleasant as they went through the motions. He was a patient teacher and praised all her efforts. When she had mastered the steps, he looked at her, a half smile on his handsome face.

“Are you ready?” She nodded, and he removed the remote from his pocket, hit a button returning it to his vest. Motioning to her they both took their starting positions. The music that came on startled her. It was of mandolins, violins, flutes and drums, all playing a sensual tune.
She moved in toward him, bringing her hand down, fingertips gently grazing his cheek, while his cool fingers caressed her face. His touch seemed to sear her skin, and she lifted her gaze dreamily to meet his.

His eyes were intense, his black stare devouring her as he stepped around, bringing her into his embrace, gliding with her around the floor. His hand swept down her arm and caught her hand, and stepped away. Both their hands were high above their heads, their fingers linked as they swayed in and away from each other.

Their fingers lingering, Cassie and Dimitri both turned and met face-to-face. Their breaths mingled as their lips came mere inches apart. He brought their hands down between them, his gaze never leaving hers.

The music grew louder, the drums pounding an erotic rhythm. As the dance went on, Dimitri and Cassie’s steps became quicker, and though his touches were slight, the flow of his fingers stoked desire, making her burn. Breasts aching, and slick need pulsed between her legs. She needed him.

His hands glided down her side, barely brushing her breasts, causing her nipples to tighten almost painfully. She moaned.

***

Dimitri seized her in his arms, unable to stand the torture any longer. Ignoring the music that continued to play, he pulled her against him, his fingers trailing down the column of her neck. Her breaths were deep and heavy, causing her breasts to heave against his chest. He had to fight the sudden urge to groan.

His hand moved into her hair, releasing it from its clasp. The chestnut tresses cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Little blue flowers stood out in her hair and fell even as he ran his fingers through her silken strands. Catching a flower on a shiny lock, he brought it to his nose before moving his mouth toward her throat. She arched her head back, whimpering as his tongue burned down the slender curve of her neck.

Her heart beat a wild rhythm in his head, matching the tempo of the drum pounding through the ballroom. His lips found the pulse beating at the base of her throat and the pleasing scent of her blood called to him, humming through her veins. He knew it would taste as delightful as its aroma. His fangs descended as they grazed against her ivory flesh.

His cock was hard as granite and he painfully needed release. It has been so long since he’d felt a woman beneath him, the sensation of velvet heat as he drove into her. Cassandra tantalized him to the edge of his self-control. He wanted to take her in every way possible.

She moaned again, her fingers fisting his hair. She pushed herself into him, begging him with wordless sounds to continue his sweet torment, and he couldn’t resist any longer. He brought her to the floor, her skirts billowing around them. “I need you, Cassandra,” he breathed, shielding his incisors from her view.

She answered by arching her hips against his. “Take me. I want you desperately.”

He shoved her sleeves and bodice down her shoulders to her elbows, sucking in a sharp breath at the sight of her breasts. Lily white with pink tips and unbelievably perfect. He groaned and leaned down, capturing an erect nipple in his mouth.

Her soft cries fueled him; he needed to feel more of her, to taste her all over.

Dimitri brought his free hand down her leg, and slowly inched up her skirt, his fingers sliding over the silk of her hose until they brushed a lacy top. He grunted, pulling away to look at the top of a thigh-high stocking.

If it were possible, his cock strained even harder against his pants. He stroked his hand back up her thigh and his finger prodded the lace of her panties. Cassandra sighed, her head shifting, exposing her throat to him. He lowered himself over her, pushing her further into the floor and caressed her throat with his lips and tongue. Below, he slipped his fingers around silk and met pure satin flesh. She writhed beneath him as he teased and caressed her, pushing fingers into her heat. She was tight and hot; he knew she’d feel glorious around him when he was finally inside her.

The sensation of her, the scent of her arousal was too much. His lips settled over her pulse, licking, nipping until he sank his teeth into her tender flesh. Feeling her slight body jerk in his embrace, he heard her slight whimper, and her surrendering sigh of pleasure as he slowly drank of her. She tasted delicious, beyond anything he had ever experienced in life and in death. She was sweeter than honey, more intoxicating than the finest wine. He lost himself in her essence, taking in all of her memories, dreams, hurts, fears…everything that she was.

***

Cassie ran her hands through his hair, urging him on. His fingers felt wonderful as he moved them within her, gliding in and out, his thumb massaging the swollen flesh. She cried out as his mouth covered her breast one more time, suckling, nipping, then lavishing her throat with his wet kisses. She groaned and twitched at the sudden flash of white heat at her neck. Everything seemed to fall away and all she could focus on was ecstasy.

She came instantly, clinging to him, weeping as he brought her to another orgasm. She tried to pull away, but he held her tight. She might go mad at the pure delight ripping through her body until she became dizzy. She blinked rapidly, trying to focus. Everything was fuzzy around her.

Something was wrong. She tried to say his name, but couldn’t form the words. She tried to shove him from her, but her limbs felt heavy. Lethargy settled over her and Cassie found she wanted to let it carry her away into his welcoming embrace. Blackness closed in around her, starting at the edges of her vision and closing in, so that all she could see was darkness.

Two Weeks Until

Eternal Embrace

Coming June 9th

CONTEST: I'll be posting excerpts for the rest of the week in celebration of Eternal Embrace's upcoming release on June 9th. Please stop by each day to read a new excerpt and make sure to leave at least one post one day this week. Along with your post please leave your email address so you can be entered for a chance to win. I'll be drawing 2 winners.

That's right...I said 2 winners!

Each winner will get a free download of Eternal Embrace and 1 of those winners will get an added bonus of a $10 Barnes & Noble gift card.

Also, if you'd like to read chapter one of Eternal Embrace and get in on other contests, updates, free reads, etc. please sign up for my newsletter by sending me an email at AnnLory@gmail.com.

Excerpt Day 1:

Time went slowly, each hour inching by, days turning to weeks without any sign of Dimitri. Cassie thought about him all the time and had made the decision to not go into the museum this morning, but to come directly to Dimitri’s house. She was anxious to complete her work so she could leave and never return to this place. If she could just get away from here, then she would be able to forget all about him.

Cassie looked up from her work in the study and saw Dimitri watching her. His black gaze seemed filled with such tenderness and yearning that she wanted to run to him, but she knew she must be imagining things because he had kept away all this time.

“Good evening, Cassandra.” He stepped into the room, filling it with his strong presence.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, suddenly nervous and resenting that fact immensely.

He arched one dark eyebrow. “I live here.” The amused smile made him look even more handsome and her heart ached.

“Sorry, guess that was a silly question.” She looked down at the papers on the desk. “Well, I was about ready to call it a night.” Quickly putting her items away, she stood and grabbed her things. “Have a good night.” Moving past him, she strode briskly down the hall and down the main staircase. “Cassandra, wait. Please.” She heard and felt him follow quickly on her heels. Stopping, she whirled around, willing herself not to show any emotion.

“Cassandra, I…” He laid his hands on her shoulders, frowning as if he were trying to find the right words, before he finally spoke again. “Please, will you take a walk with me?”

“If this is because you feel you owe me any explanations, don’t worry about it.”

“I only wish to speak with you. Please, come with me.”

She wanted to yell at him, but found herself nodding instead. He took her belongings and set them aside. Tucking her hand under his arm, he lead her outside and around to the back of the house. They came to the cliffs and steps that led to the beach below.

The night was clear and cool. Fall was finally here, and the stars twinkled like a thousand diamonds in the sky. As she and Dimitri moved along the shore, the surf from the ocean waves rushed up to meet them causing her to shiver.

“Are you cold?” His voice was low.

“A little.”

Slipping from his jacket, he placed it around her shoulders. The material enveloped her small frame, his heat radiated from it, seeping into her body. His scent filled her senses, making her almost dizzy with the emotions it evoked. Desire. Need. Lust.

He grasped her hand again as they continued their walk. “I’m sorry for the way I behaved the last time I saw you and for not being here the last several weeks.”

“What did I do?”

He spun around, grabbing her by the shoulders. “No. You did nothing. It was I in the wrong. Forgive me, but I’m not used to being around people. I have always been a very solitary man.”

She could see the pain in his eyes. “You may be used to being alone, but I don’t think you like it.”

Cassie pulled at his arm and brought him down to the sand. She sank to her knees beside him and did what she had wanted to do from the moment she first saw him. She opened her arms in invitation.

He went into her embrace and she held him for a long time. Her hands ran through his long, dark hair, over his wide shoulders. She placed a light kiss against his jaw, and whispered softly to him.

“You don’t have to be alone.” He looked down at her and struggled for balance as she fell into the black depths of his eyes.

His lips were mere inches from hers, his voice a husky whisper. “Cassandra…I’m not like other men. I’m not used to this…this intimacy.”

She shook her head, not understanding, her heart clenching in sudden dread. “You’re not…gay, are you?”

He actually laughed, the mood lifting slightly. “No, there is no fear of that. I’ve been straight for a very long time.”

Relived, Cassie smiled up at him. “I won’t leave you alone, Dimitri, I’ll be here for as long as you need me.”

The smile slipped from his lips and his breath was a mere sigh against her lips. His eyes darkened further if possible, desire flaring to new life there. “I will always need you.”

Then he kissed her, holding her tightly as if he would never let her go. His mouth was cool and searching, robbing her of her senses, and his touch a gentle caress that made her heart ache. She knew she belonged with him, that he was the man she had been waiting for her entire life. This big strong man who cradled her against him like she was a delicate flower, his hands gently stroking the column of her neck and the curve of her cheekbones.

***Remember: Please stop by each day to read a new excerpt and make sure to leave at least one post one day this week. Along with your post please leave your email address so you can be entered for a chance to win.

Wednesday's Witty Words on Thursday

Having money is rather like being a blonde.
It is more fun but not vital.

- Mary Quant

In the Author Spotlight & Contest

Belinda McBride

CONTEST: For those who leave a post, please make sure to add your email; I’ll contribute a free download of any book from my backlist to a randomly drawn comment.

AL: Hi Belinda! Thanks for being in the “Author Spotlight” this week.

Belinda: Hi Ann, and thanks so much for having me!

AL: So, tell us what’s happening with you.

Belinda: Well, I’ve been returning to the dog show ring with my Siberian Husky Levi. He just had a nice weekend of wins, so that’s really cool. Also, it’s fire season again in Northern California, so we’re starting to get fire ready.

AL: Space, fantasy, sci-fi oh my! What do you have currently for us to dig our teeth into?

Belinda: My current release is Belle Starr, at Loose Id. It’s a space opera, described as a “futuristic paranormal with a Wild West kick.”

AL: You write in several genres. Which one is nearest and dearest to your heart? Why?

Belinda: Definitely fantasy. I love the freedom to construct my own reality, and my own rules. That’s where my love of reading and writing started, so I enjoy returning to that genre as often as possible.

AL: What do you feel is the most important thing that a first-time author should know?

Belinda: Know your craft. An editor will not take you seriously if you don’t put together a well written story. Also, don’t let criticism hurt you, but be brave enough to learn from it.

AL: Do you put any of your personality, or that of your loved ones into your characters?

Belinda: I don’t know how a writer can avoid that. Maybe I’m not Belle Oakley, but I’d certainly like to be like her. There is one character in particular, Rose Lee from Little Dragon…my late mentor Mo inspired her character.

AL: Fun stuff! What is the strangest source of writing inspiration you’ve ever had?

Belinda: Ahem. Well, it was actually something that happened that inspired Belle Starr in the first place. I’d decided not to do werewolf stories because there are so many excellent authors out there doing it. Well. One night, two of my Siberians broke out of their respective enclosures and got busy under my bedroom window. I was too late to prevent the tie, but still I sat out in the rain and mud making sure they finished the experience safely. During that hour or so, I watched the behavior of the other dogs, and how they worked in a protective unit around the breeding couple. In particular, the male (who was my alpha) was protected by a younger male. That inspired the pack structure in Belle Starr. About that time, I realized that I have so much experience around primitive dogs and wolf hybrids, that I really should try shifters on for size.

AL: Your Empress of the Space Station, describe your perfect man.

Belinda: Ah…do I have to limit it to one? I mean…I’m the Empress, right? Let’s see, I’ll order up the obligatory tall dark and handsome alpha male, but there’s got to be a raffish rogue to give him some humor. And a sweet young thing just to get the pot boiling…

AL: Best movie you’ve seen recently?

Belinda: Milk. I was in high school when Harvey Milk was assassinated, and it’s one of those memories that really developed some of my world views. They did an excellent job with that film.

AL: Star Trek, or Star Wars?

Belinda: I first saw Star Wars in an early morning matinee in Hollywood. It blew my socks off! So I’m a classic Star Wars fan.

AL: Please share a favorite quote(s) with us.

Belinda: Mo often said, “Time wounds all heels.” She was right, even when I happen to be the heel in question. And from Gandhi: An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.”

AL: Thanks so much for sharing with joining us this week, Belinda.

Belinda: Thanks very much, Ann!

AL: If you'd like to find out more about Belinda and her other works please visit:

www.belindamcbride.com

Featured Title:

BLURB:

Marshal Annabelle “Cowgirl” Oakley is the best law enforcement officer in Interstellar Coalition Enforcement. With her wolf Tucker at her side, Belle is clearly the best man for the job. Unfortunately, the job comes with hazards, and one of those hazards comes in the shape of tall, mysterious Armand.

Armand de le Croix is a werewolf with amnesia. He has no idea how he came to be living in Coalition space, he doesn’t know where his people are, or why his inky black hair is now snowy white. He just knows that the tall, dangerous redhead is all that he wants, and he means to have her. When they meet, it’s magic. When they part, its mayhem.

EXCERPT: (Warning NC17 - Sexual Situation)

“Do you have rooms?” She almost didn’t recognize her own voice; it was that husky and sexed up.

The bartender’s eyes raked over her body, and then shifted up to the next level of the bar. “By the hour and by the day.”

She nodded, noting that his eyes were on her lips. A spike of arousal shot through her cunt. She normally didn’t think of her body that way, but she was like a bitch in heat and was pared down to her most primal. Part of her wanted to pit the men against each other, winner take all.

Better yet, first come, first served. Line ’em up, Lucky.

Belle paid for three nights and pocketed the key. Her long coat swishing around her ankles, she rose from the bar and headed for the doorway to the stairs, taking her beer along for the ride. Belle turned, leaning in the doorway, surveying her choices. From across the room, she could smell sour sweat on the big dark man. He’d have to shower first, and she wasn’t in the mood to wait. Her glance fell on the blond. They made eye contact, and he straightened, setting down his cards. And then he picked them up again, returning to his game. He pointedly ignored her.

What the fuck?

She was so distracted that she missed the movement in the dark hall to her back. An amateur’s mistake.

Without warning, a hard body pressed up against hers, a pair of hands circling around to cup her breasts. Warm breath feathered her hair, sending shivers up and down her sensitive flesh. His fragrance was wild and heady, and his cock was hot and hard when he pressed it against her bottom. A Were, fully aroused. Her heart dropped. Her pussy cheered. Her beer slipped from her hand. He caught it, lifting it to take a long drink.

“Slumming, bébé?” His voice was gravelly, harsh. His head dipped down to her neck, and he took a deep breath. “Ah…you’ve been exposed to Matruscan ladies… Their scent has brought your own ripe time. Poor little bébé.”

What was his accent? Belle carried a southern American accent courtesy of her family. His was not French, not southern. Cajun? It was a dead culture, but that’s what it sounded like.

“You looking for a male to slake your needs?” He was fully against her body now, his hips still pressed against her bottom, moving in rhythm with his hands as he kneaded her breasts through the leather.

She should kill him right now. Spin and plant her knife… God…she could feel the heat of his body through the leather coat! Her eyes fluttered, and lust shot through her system, making her dizzy and weakening her knees.

“I come with you to your room now -- forget those ones. They’re boys, can’t take care of a woman like you.” His hands were under the coat, wandering, exploring. She could smell him; he was clean male, his own pheromones calling to hers. Her eyes dropped closed, and her lips parted. Without letting her turn to face him, the stranger walked her backward to the staircase, one step at a time.

He was taller than she, and stronger. The knowledge gave her goose bumps, triggering a primal, thrilling fear. Few men, if any, were stronger than Belle. It was just her genetic code. It was what made her good at what she did.

He swung around behind her, following her up the stairs. She still hadn’t seen his face, but his scent was melting her body. She felt her arousal slip from her channel, smearing between her thighs. He stopped her on the stairs and pushed aside the skirt of the coat, pressing his cheek into her buttocks.

“Oh, bébé, you smell so sweet, and it’s for me, isn’t it?” His hands were up the short skirt, fingers trailing through her moisture. He dropped the skirt of her coat, allowing her to move forward again. A few more steps and they reached the landing. Her hand trembled as she inserted the old-fashioned keycard into the door.

He followed her in, placing a hand over hers as she reached to switch on a light. He paused and scented the air. She should have known she’d draw a Were; even on a good day, they seemed to find her. Normally, she’d avoid them, but he was exactly what she needed.

The Were turned her to face him, and she studied him in the filtered light of the room. He was well made, handsome, and strong featured. But the Were generally were an attractive species. What surprised her was his age. His face was youthful, but not young, and his hair was silvery white, cropped close to his head, lying in artistic disarray. She wondered how long it took in front of a mirror to create that look. His eyes were vivid, arctic blue. And he was tall.

Gigantic. In bare feet, Belle measured six feet three, minimum. Add the stiletto heels she wore, and she towered over most men. She liked it that way, generally preferring men of lesser height. Belle was honest with herself; she was a little more on the Alpha side than not. But this man was looking down into her eyes. His shoulders were not bulky, but much wider than hers. His hard, hot cock rested against her lower belly, where he gently rocked against her, firing up her instincts.

Without a word, he lowered his head to kiss her, hands coming up to the back of her skull, one wandering to her face, stroking her chin. Her lips parted eagerly, and he stroked his tongue inside of her warm mouth, exploring her teeth, coming back out to lick her upper lip, nipping before kissing it gently. She watched his face, seeing the lids drop blissfully over his eyes as he nuzzled into her hair, trailing warm kisses down her throat, up to her ear.

He found that sweet spot on the back of her neck that made her legs buckle when he stepped around behind her and slipped her coat to the floor. The dress came next, and she dropped her head back to his chest as first his hands and then his lips explored her arms, her waist, the valley between her breasts.

Without warning, he grasped her arms tightly, raising them over her head, and he bit, bearing down hard into the soft skin of her ribcage. She jerked, moaned, and sighed as he gently licked the spot.

“I’m sorry, bébé. The wolf wants domination. You are very powerful; we want your surrender.”
Wolf. She’d hoped he’d be wolf, although she wasn’t sure why. He was at her neck again, whispering words she didn’t understand that raised goose bumps on her skin. His hands came up, cupping her breasts, circling the nipples into full erection until she cried out with the sensation, her body jerking away.

“You will stand still while I touch, bébé.” The warning came as a stern but gentle whisper. His head dropped to her neck again, and he pushed her head forward, placing his teeth threateningly over the nape of her neck. He bore down, and the pain was exquisite, bringing a moan to her lips. He suddenly dropped to his knees and bit again, this time on her buttock, causing her to cry out. But she didn’t move.

He stood, towering over her, controlling her. His big, rough hand skimmed over her bottom, then around to her belly, pulling her against his groin, grinding his cock between her buttocks.

“I smell another man on you, chère. Did he make you feel good? Did he make you feel like this?” His voice sounded like gravel wrapped in velvet. It frightened her. Thrilled her. Took her breath away.

She shook her head, unable to speak.

“Do you want to feel me against you? My skin against yours?”

She nodded.

“I didn’t hear you.” He pulled her tighter against his body.

“I want to feel you. Please.”

Who was that? Surely that wasn’t her voice, husky and moaning, pleading.

He pressed his mouth against her shoulder. “Turn around, bébé. Take off my shirt.” She swiveled in his arms, slightly unsteady on the heels. He wore a high-necked shirt, skintight. She could see every muscle, every curve and valley beneath the jet-black fabric. The sleeves stopped at the midpoint of his muscular biceps. Belle tugged the shirt from his denims and slipped it over his head. She gasped. His broad, muscular torso was the stuff that dreams were made of. Wet dreams, anyway. A wide scar skated over his ribcage. Another rested low on his belly, near his hip. She wanted to taste it. She wanted to rub her face against it, losing herself in his scent.

“Take off my boots and pants.”

She knelt, and he helped with the boots, toeing them loose. She stood again to unbutton the tight, black jeans. When she lowered them down his lean hips, his cock sprang loose, hard and ready.
Belle didn’t think of herself as a connoisseur of male sex organs, but his was beyond nice. It was beautiful. The head was long and flared gracefully, and his erect cock curved upward to his stomach. It was not quite human. It wasn’t straight, it curved, and the thought of what it would do inside of her…

While there was little hair on his body, the nest around his penis was thick and dark, an unusual contrast to the silver hair on his head. Once he stepped out of his jeans, she moved close, letting her fingers trail over his cock, down to his heavy balls. She was wet. She was ready. She was more than ready…but before they got down to business…

CONTEST: Remember, for those who leave a post, please make sure to add your email; I’ll contribute a free download of any book from my backlist to a randomly drawn comment.

Wednesday's Witty Words on Thursday

A woman's rule of thumb:
If it has tires or testicles,
you're going to have trouble with it.

- Women's rest room, Dick's Last Resort, Dallas, TX

In the Author Spotlight & Contest

Sheri Lewis Wohl

CONTEST: The Villainess Goody Bag Giveaway. I love the question about what kind of villain I would like to be, and I’d love to hear what everyone else is thinking too. Leave a comment with your thoughts on what kind of villain you would be and on Sunday, May 10th, I’ll do a random drawing (I always make the hubby draw the name). The winner will receive a goody bag with candy, candles and other assorted fun stuff.

AL: Hi Sheri! Thanks for being in the “Author Spotlight” this week.

Sheri: Thanks for having me here this week. I’m looking forward to the week and hoping that sunshine might finally grace us here in NE Washington State. It was a long, cold and snowy winter, and so far has been a very cool spring. We’re ready for the sunshine.

AL: So, tell us what’s happening with you.

Sheri: Well, I’m gearing up for the summer and the RWA nationals in D.C. I’m presenting my workshop, Evil 101, and am really looking forward to the trip. Washington D.C. is one of my favorite places in this country and I’m always excited to make the cross-country trip. I’m also hoping for some warm weather so I can get my garden planted. I’m not much of a yard or flower person, but I do love the vegetable garden. I take care of the garden and hubby takes care of the lawn. Not a bad deal when you consider the garden is only 10x6 and the yard is an acre and a half of grass!

AL: What do you have for us to read?

Sheri: I’ve brought you a bit of NECURATUL, the first book in the NECURATUL trilogy. You’ll meet Catherine “Cat” Lohr, a Canadian psychic and evil hunter who is a member of the ancient order of Anima Mundi. Along with her shape shifter lover and Spokane Indian, Adam Bell, they follow the trail of the original Blood Countess, Elizabeth Bathory, who has returned and is hell-bent on creating havoc. There’s danger as well as passion and romance all rolled up in contemporary setting.

AL: You have a shelf of paranormals. What got you hooked on this genre?

Sheri: I always tell people it was actually a movie that got me good and hooked. I remember clearly the day I sat all alone in front of the television watching the original version of The House on Haunted Hill. Scared the crap out of me and from that day on, I could never get enough of ghosts, vampires, werewolves, or anything else that goes bump in the night.

AL: It looks like you’ve done your share of workshops at different conventions. What is the most common question asked? What is one of the more original questions you’ve gotten in your evil session 101?

Sheri: No matter the topic of the workshop, there are actually two common questions I get: “where do you get your ideas for the stories?” and “how do you work in federal finance all day and then switch over and write paranormals by night?” Some of the most original questions come near the end of my Evil 101 workshop when I speak of encountering evil face-to-face or as I title that section, Evil in the Face of a Friend.

AL: Who are some of your favorite authors?

Sheri: I read pretty much everything but for a few of my favorites, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Kay Hooper, Iris Johansen, James Patterson, Edgar Allan Poe, and my all-time favorite, Daphne Du Maurier.

AL: What do you like best about writing? What is your least favorite thing?

Sheri: The creative process in developing the story fascinates me and it’s fun to see where the story is going. You think you know when you start and often the story has a different idea. What drives me nuts is the rewriting. I’m okay with the first couple of rounds of revisions but by the time I get to three or four, I’m grinding my teeth.

AL: Now for some of the really fun stuff. If you had to write yourself as a villain, what kind of villain would you be? What would you be named?

Sheri: Since I did my Masters Thesis on a vampire story (an 1872 lesbian vampire story no less), I think I’d almost have to be a vampire. My name would be: Aella, which means “whirlwind” in Greek.

AL: You are told you have to meet one paranormal creature, no safeguards, what do you choose? What do you bring with you?

Sheri: Because I’m a big dog person, I’d choose a shape-shifter who takes the form of a wolf. I’d just bring me – after all, he’ll know a dog person when he sees her, right?

AL: Who do you want to keep you warm at night; something cold and dead, or warm and furry? Beware…they’re both gorgeous, but they’ve been known to bite.

Sheri: Oh that’s hard…If you could get me a vampire who looks something like Nick St. John in Moonlight—sign me up. On the other hand, if you’ve read my book NECURATUL, I’d definitely be amenable to shape shifter Adam Bell. Perhaps a threesome??

AL: If there’s one place in the world you could go that wouldn’t break the pocket book, where would it be and why?

Sheri: I’ve got my heart set on Romania. I know that sounds strange but given that I’ve been fascinated with vampires for so long and given my choice in graduate education, it’s got to be the homeland of the historical Vlad Dracula.

AL: With Spring upon us, what’s some of your favorite things about the season?

Sheri: The sunshine is the best and also, I’ve got a beautiful 1940 Ford pickup that I just wait for the nice weather so that I can take it out.

AL: Please share a favorite quote(s) with us.

Sheri: I don’t know who said but I’ve had it taped to my desk for years: Courage does not always roar. Sometimes it is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.”

AL: Thanks so much for sharing with joining us this week, Sheri. If you'd like to find out more about Sheri and other current and upcoming reads please visit:

http://www.sherilewiswohl.com/
http://www.sherilewiswohl.wordpress.com/

FEATURED TITLE:

Blurb:

As they said in the movies: the bitch is back! When the sixteenth century, blood bathing psychopath, Elizabeth Bathory, makes her triumphant return to the 21st century, it is a trio of hunters from the ancient order of Anima Mundi who must stop her. For the leader, Martin Ludlum, the clock is ticking and this hunt will be his last. For his two powerful protégées, Catherine “Cat” Lohr and Adam Bell, it is the most dangerous. A single misstep and unrestrained evil will be let loose on an ill-prepared world.

For Cat and Adam the danger lies not only in the evil that is Elizabeth Bathory but also in the growing love that must be resolved between them. Spunky and outspoken, Cat is a Canadian psychic with phenomenal powers and the last thing she needs is to be in love with the shape-shifting Spokane Indian. Adam has none of her qualms and knows what he wants and how to get it. After an awkward interlude during a previous hunt in Romania, Cat is embarrassed to face Adam again but love and lust push her towards her destiny.

Bathory has other ideas not the least of which is picking up and carrying on in her bloody deeds. She is beautiful and cunning. And, she is looking for the man who had imprisoned her yet again fifty years earlier: Martin Ludlum. In the unlikely setting of Spokane, Washington, the hunters follow the bodies, searching for a woman with the black soul that refuses to die.

Excerpt:

“Okay, I’ll buy the part about not taking sex with another member lightly but mate for life? That’s a bit of stretch, Adam. Besides, do you think maybe I can have a say in that?”

His comeback was as simple as it was firm. “Alphas pick their mates.”

“Okay, okay, okay,” she muttered, both annoyed and flattered all at the same time. “Maybe that’s true in your werewolf, shape shifter, tribal, pack thing or whatever it is, but I’m just your basic Canadian psychic, eh, and it’s a little more complicated than that in my world.”

“I don’t think so.”

Her hours of practiced speeches had all been chock full of logic and so far nothing had gone even close to how she’d imagined. In fact, things were beginning to border on crazy. Granted, Adam was a guy who didn’t waste words and he was holding true to form tonight. This whole mate for life thing he was throwing her way was taking things too far, regardless of how her body was reacting, traitor that it was. It was close to impossible to be logical and practical when she was fighting the urge to rip off all her clothes. Even so, she had to give it the old college try. There was much at stake here that involved many more than her and wolf boy.

“I think I’ve got some say in this,” she tried again, hoping she sounded more confident than she felt.

He smiled that annoying smile that damn him, lit her on fire and said, “I think you did.”

“Oh, hell,” she muttered giving up. “Damn you, Adam.”

Remeber to leave you "villian" post for the contest in order for a chance to win. :-D