Hello to all. I hoped you survived Thanksgiving and of course, Black Friday :) I did two turkey dinners in one day...oy, but I gave the shopping a miss. Large crowds of hungry shoppers terrify me :) And I'm in love with online shopping. That way I can cruise around to a dozen or so sights and pick out what I want.
For those of you who were asking about Tane's story...it should be hitting the shelves in December 2010!
Blessings to all,
Alex
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A Tiny Taste of Tane :)
CHAPTER ONE
Laylah was tired.
She was tired of the dark, cramped tunnels that she’d been running through for the past two days. She was tired of being chased by an enemy she couldn’t see. She was tired of her stomach cramping with hunger and her limbs screaming in protest at her relentless pace.
Reaching a small cavern, she came to an abrupt halt, shoving her fingers through the short, spiky strands of her brilliant red hair, her black eyes searching the shadows for her pursuer.
Not that she expected to actually catch sight of the frigid pain in her ass.
Vampires not only possessed supernatural speed and strength, but they could shroud themselves in shadows, making them impossible to sense, even to most demons. It was only because she had the power of jinn blood running through her veins that she could detect the relentless leech following her mad dash through the tunnels.
What she didn’t know was…
Why.
She shivered, her mouth dry. Christ. She’d thought she was being so clever when she’d initially allowed the vamp to catch her scent. She’d hoped to lure him, along with the other intruders, away from Caine’s private lair.
Not that she gave a damn about the cur, but she had hidden her most precious treasure at his estate, and she could not afford to allow any creature with the superior senses of a vampire, or even a full-blooded Were, near her secret. She’d thought the demons would give chase for a few hours and then grow tired of the game, hopefully returning to Hannibal or even St. Louis.
But her hasty plan had fallen apart right from the start.
The Were had continued on his path to Caine’s lair, and the vampire had refused to give up, no matter how far or fast she had run.
Now she was too weak to call upon her teleporting powers, and too far from Caine to call for his help.
“Oh, screw it,” she muttered, planting her hands on her hips and tilting her chin in unspoken defiance. “I know you’re following me, vampire. Why don’t you just show yourself?”
A warning chill thickened the air, prickling painfully over her skin.
“You think you can give me orders, half-breed?” A dark, sinfully beautiful voice filled the cavern.
Laylah’s heart missed a beat. Even with her demon blood she wasn’t immune to the ruthless sensuality that was as much a part of a vampire as his lethal fangs.
“What I think is that I’m done running,” she gritted. “So either kill me or go chase someone else.”
“Ah. Then you’re confident you’ve managed to lead me far enough away?”
“Away?” Laylah stiffened, licking her suddenly dry lips. He couldn’t know. No one knew. “Away from what?”
“That is what I’m wondering,” the dark voice drawled. “It must be of great importance.”
Laylah forced herself to suck in a deep breath, refusing to panic. The stupid vamp was simply trying to press her buttons. Everyone knew that they loved to toy with their prey.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
“Hmmm. Have you ever watched a quail?”
She felt unseen fingers brushed her nape, the cold touch ironically sending a bolt of heat straight to the pit of her stomach. She whirled around, not surprised that the predator had disappeared.
“The bird?” she rasped, belatedly wishing she was wearing more than a pair of cutoff jeans and a muscle shirt. Having so much skin exposed was making her feel oddly vulnerable.
Not that clothing would halt a determined vampire.
It wouldn’t matter if she were wearing a suit of armor.
“When a predator approaches the nest, the mother quail will feign a broken wing and dash away to lure the danger from her chicks,” her tormentor murmured, his voice seeming to speak directly into her ear.
She instinctively stumbled backward, her mouth dry with a sudden fear.
“The only quail I care about are baked and served on a bed of rice.”
“What are you trying to protect?” There was a deliberate pause. “Or is it who?”
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
“Is it a lover? A sibling? A child?” His soft chuckle grazed her cheek as the sharp leap of her pulse gave her away. “Ah, that is it. Your child?”
Laylah bunched her hands into fists of frustration. He was getting too close. She had to distract the bastard.
“I thought vampires were known for their courage,” she deliberately taunted, willing to risk a battle she couldn’t win if it would keep her secrets. “Are you such a coward you have to hide in the shadows?”
The chill thickened, the danger a tangible force in the air. Then, the shadows directly before her stirred, and the vampire slowly became visible.
Laylah reeled, feeling as if she’d just been punched in the gut.
All vampires were beautiful. And sexy.
Wickedly, indecently sexy.
But this one…
Reminding herself to breathe, Laylah allowed her gaze to skim over the elegant features that revealed his Polynesian ancestors, lingering on the slanted eyes that were a brilliant shade of honey and the inky black hair that had been shaved on the sides, leaving the top to form a Mohawk that fell past his broad shoulders.
Her gaze lowered, that vicious awareness only intensifying.
The aggravating creature was wearing nothing more than a pair of khaki shorts, leaving his body on full, wondrous display. Her fingers actually twitched with the desire to inspect the smooth muscles of his chest. Or down the flat plane of his stomach.
No doubt aware of her helpless response to his sensual beauty, the demon stepped far too close, his fingers casually stroking along the curve of her neck.
“Have you never been told the dangers of provoking a vampire?” he murmured.
Laylah was tired.
She was tired of the dark, cramped tunnels that she’d been running through for the past two days. She was tired of being chased by an enemy she couldn’t see. She was tired of her stomach cramping with hunger and her limbs screaming in protest at her relentless pace.
Reaching a small cavern, she came to an abrupt halt, shoving her fingers through the short, spiky strands of her brilliant red hair, her black eyes searching the shadows for her pursuer.
Not that she expected to actually catch sight of the frigid pain in her ass.
Vampires not only possessed supernatural speed and strength, but they could shroud themselves in shadows, making them impossible to sense, even to most demons. It was only because she had the power of jinn blood running through her veins that she could detect the relentless leech following her mad dash through the tunnels.
What she didn’t know was…
Why.
She shivered, her mouth dry. Christ. She’d thought she was being so clever when she’d initially allowed the vamp to catch her scent. She’d hoped to lure him, along with the other intruders, away from Caine’s private lair.
Not that she gave a damn about the cur, but she had hidden her most precious treasure at his estate, and she could not afford to allow any creature with the superior senses of a vampire, or even a full-blooded Were, near her secret. She’d thought the demons would give chase for a few hours and then grow tired of the game, hopefully returning to Hannibal or even St. Louis.
But her hasty plan had fallen apart right from the start.
The Were had continued on his path to Caine’s lair, and the vampire had refused to give up, no matter how far or fast she had run.
Now she was too weak to call upon her teleporting powers, and too far from Caine to call for his help.
“Oh, screw it,” she muttered, planting her hands on her hips and tilting her chin in unspoken defiance. “I know you’re following me, vampire. Why don’t you just show yourself?”
A warning chill thickened the air, prickling painfully over her skin.
“You think you can give me orders, half-breed?” A dark, sinfully beautiful voice filled the cavern.
Laylah’s heart missed a beat. Even with her demon blood she wasn’t immune to the ruthless sensuality that was as much a part of a vampire as his lethal fangs.
“What I think is that I’m done running,” she gritted. “So either kill me or go chase someone else.”
“Ah. Then you’re confident you’ve managed to lead me far enough away?”
“Away?” Laylah stiffened, licking her suddenly dry lips. He couldn’t know. No one knew. “Away from what?”
“That is what I’m wondering,” the dark voice drawled. “It must be of great importance.”
Laylah forced herself to suck in a deep breath, refusing to panic. The stupid vamp was simply trying to press her buttons. Everyone knew that they loved to toy with their prey.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
“Hmmm. Have you ever watched a quail?”
She felt unseen fingers brushed her nape, the cold touch ironically sending a bolt of heat straight to the pit of her stomach. She whirled around, not surprised that the predator had disappeared.
“The bird?” she rasped, belatedly wishing she was wearing more than a pair of cutoff jeans and a muscle shirt. Having so much skin exposed was making her feel oddly vulnerable.
Not that clothing would halt a determined vampire.
It wouldn’t matter if she were wearing a suit of armor.
“When a predator approaches the nest, the mother quail will feign a broken wing and dash away to lure the danger from her chicks,” her tormentor murmured, his voice seeming to speak directly into her ear.
She instinctively stumbled backward, her mouth dry with a sudden fear.
“The only quail I care about are baked and served on a bed of rice.”
“What are you trying to protect?” There was a deliberate pause. “Or is it who?”
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
“Is it a lover? A sibling? A child?” His soft chuckle grazed her cheek as the sharp leap of her pulse gave her away. “Ah, that is it. Your child?”
Laylah bunched her hands into fists of frustration. He was getting too close. She had to distract the bastard.
“I thought vampires were known for their courage,” she deliberately taunted, willing to risk a battle she couldn’t win if it would keep her secrets. “Are you such a coward you have to hide in the shadows?”
The chill thickened, the danger a tangible force in the air. Then, the shadows directly before her stirred, and the vampire slowly became visible.
Laylah reeled, feeling as if she’d just been punched in the gut.
All vampires were beautiful. And sexy.
Wickedly, indecently sexy.
But this one…
Reminding herself to breathe, Laylah allowed her gaze to skim over the elegant features that revealed his Polynesian ancestors, lingering on the slanted eyes that were a brilliant shade of honey and the inky black hair that had been shaved on the sides, leaving the top to form a Mohawk that fell past his broad shoulders.
Her gaze lowered, that vicious awareness only intensifying.
The aggravating creature was wearing nothing more than a pair of khaki shorts, leaving his body on full, wondrous display. Her fingers actually twitched with the desire to inspect the smooth muscles of his chest. Or down the flat plane of his stomach.
No doubt aware of her helpless response to his sensual beauty, the demon stepped far too close, his fingers casually stroking along the curve of her neck.
“Have you never been told the dangers of provoking a vampire?” he murmured.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Can you believe it
Holy guacamole, I can't believe that it's nearly Thanksgiving. The weather has been so crappy that I've been holed up in my troll hole and somehow the time just slipped away! I absolutely love the holiday season, but I am soooooo not ready :)
I was also astonished when a box arrived on my doorstep and I found ARCs for Beyond the Darkness! I've been so busy with promo for Darkness Unleashed I wasn't expecting them. Once the holiday season is over I'll start some contests to win an ARC.
Oh, and if you have a minute, I'm blogging over at Authors After Dark.
Hope all is well,
Alex
I was also astonished when a box arrived on my doorstep and I found ARCs for Beyond the Darkness! I've been so busy with promo for Darkness Unleashed I wasn't expecting them. Once the holiday season is over I'll start some contests to win an ARC.
Oh, and if you have a minute, I'm blogging over at Authors After Dark.
Hope all is well,
Alex
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
November Reads
So what's in your TBR pile? I have Nalini Singh's newest waiting to be read along with Kresley Cole's and Gena Showalter's anthology...now if I could just find some time! Tell me what else I can't miss...
Alex
Alex
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
HAPPY NEWS!!!
I can't even believe I'm announcing this, but...
Darkness Unleashed is set to debut on both the NY Times and USA Today bestseller lists!!!!!!!!!
Needless to say I'm floating on air and I owe it all to you. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. It's your reading and telling your friends about the books and urging them to give the Guardians a try that have taken the books from obscurity to....well, the the NY Times!
A very giddy,
Alex
Darkness Unleashed is set to debut on both the NY Times and USA Today bestseller lists!!!!!!!!!
Needless to say I'm floating on air and I owe it all to you. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. It's your reading and telling your friends about the books and urging them to give the Guardians a try that have taken the books from obscurity to....well, the the NY Times!
A very giddy,
Alex
New Contests
I'm out and about on the web this week :) If you have a chance stop by and say hi! There are prizes to be won!!!
Today I'm at:
http://sapphireromance.blogspot.com/
Tomorrow:
www.RomConInc.com
See ya there!
Alex
Today I'm at:
http://sapphireromance.blogspot.com/
Tomorrow:
www.RomConInc.com
See ya there!
Alex
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Back
I'm back and I have to say I had a fabulous time!!! Check out my news page for pictures. A huge thanks to everyone who came out, and especially Cindy, Debra, Amy, Lisa (and Lisa's mom :) who drove to come and see me! It's was such a pleasure to be able to talk with my readers. And Amy, I have my beautiful Levet next to my computer :) I also want to thank Daniel for inviting me to Border's. It was so much fun. And of course, I can't forget my poor family who get hauled to all my signings :) Don, Lori, Aaron and Carol...big smooches. Hopefully I'll get out and about to visit other bookstores!
Have a wonderful week,
Alex
Have a wonderful week,
Alex
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Book signing
Don't forgot I'll be at the Borders store in DeKalb, IL on Saturday (Nov. 7th) starting at 5:00. There's going to be live music and best of all, I'm bringing candy...oh yeah, I'm willing to bribe people :) I would love to meet you if you have some time to stop by!!!!!!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Release Date and Huge Thanks!!
Today is the official release date for Darkness Unleashed...yeah! And because none of this would be possible without all of you I am sending out cyber champagne and offering a toast:
To the very best readers and friends I could ever hope for. You really, trully are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alex
To the very best readers and friends I could ever hope for. You really, trully are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alex
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Bad Karma
I really, really need to change my karma...sigh. Last night the GH live was terrible...just a repeat of old shows, bleck, and then this morning I fell down the stairs. I'm okay, but I'm black and blue from head to toe and so sore I can barely move. Good grief, I'm scared to get out of bed. I do have a new interview today at:
http://www.tigriseden.com/index.htm
Stop by if you have a minute or two.
Until later,
a very weary Alex
http://www.tigriseden.com/index.htm
Stop by if you have a minute or two.
Until later,
a very weary Alex
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
