Changing a MS -- Crimson Moon

I've gotten a few comments/emails about the revised edition of Crimson Moon and how I'm changing the manuscript. Let me start by saying this: The story will remain the same. However, the book does have issues and I want to strengthen the material if at all possible. How? It's a combination of cutting, revising, and re-writing. If you're curious, I've included two snippets below. You can see what I'm up to and what you can expect.

**I've intentionally chosen the scene I based this story from. I had a vision in my head while driving one day and came home and started writing.**

Old Version:

“Get behind me.”

Caleb’s voice was the most welcome thing my ears had ever heard. I did as instructed, slowly stepping backward. I didn’t break eye contact with the two creatures snarling and snapping, too horrified to look away.

Caleb’s large silhouette appeared in the corner of my left eye. He came around, closing the distance and providing a barrier from the two werewolves ready to shred me apart if presented the opportunity. They snarled louder, growls becoming vicious and angry, matching their non-human lupine faces.

One launched forward, throwing a punch which Caleb deflected harmlessly. The other attempted to deliver a blow as well, aiming for the midsection. Caleb maneuvered effortlessly out of the way, keeping his body in place, continuing to separate them from me. They persisted, making small passes, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

They chose to move together, the one on the left striking out while the one to the right tackled Caleb into the sand. They began to hit him violently, fists flying.

I glanced around in panic, searching for anything I could use. The ladder caught my attention.

If I could be fast enough, and pull a piece free, I could use it as a weapon.

I started forward, unsure of what to do but unable to bear standing by to watch the carnage.

A firm hand gripped my shoulder, startling me.

“Don’t do that darlin’,” Billy whispered. “A man’s got to have his pride.”

I watched helplessly as Caleb attempted to deflect the blows that rained down on his shoulders and back. I averted my head and closed my eyes, fighting back sickness.

I didn’t want to see Caleb’s blood staining the walls and sand.

Energy surged through the pit, brushing painfully across my skin, nearly knocking me over. I gasped and stumbled, remaining on my feet by Billy’s hand locked onto my shoulder. A deep growl rent the air and the force in the room intensified and shifted. The hair on my arms stood on end as the crowd above erupted into absolute chaos.

I opened my eyes and glanced up.

The rail was completely full now, bodies surging against the railing to watch. Men and women stared down, snarling and cheering, their words mangled and distorted.

The blonde girl who knocked me over was still there. Her eyes—like all the others—glowed strangely and shifted color. Her lips quavered as she chanted along with everyone else.

I glanced back down, searching for the source of the growl.

Caleb was no longer on the ground. His body contorted under his black t-shirt, the muscles in his arms expanding as his body grew and doubled in size. I gasped at the incomprehensible thing I was witnessing and Billy patted my shoulder in understanding.

“It’s all right. He’s a big boy, and they done pissed him off.”

Caleb punched the one on his right, sending him reeling through the air, his body making solid contact with the bloodied wall. A nasty crunch vibrated in my ears and he crumpled unmoving to the sand.

Caleb moved swiftly, rushing the other werewolf and grasping him by the throat. He forced him back, pushing his body against the blood stained wall.

The sound in the room increased, voices mingling together. People yelled out frantically, tones garbled and thick.

The werewolf kicked feebly as he used his arms, attempting to deliver blows to get free. Caleb deflected each with his free hand, until the movements became sluggish and uncoordinated, before coming to a stop all together.

Caleb stepped back, releasing his hold and opening his fingers. The man crumbled to the ground, legs dropping from underneath as he slumped. The crowd erupted in cheers as the energy eased from of the pit.

I sighed in relief. My skin wasn’t tingling painfully under the jacket any longer.

“See, no harm done,” Billy offered comfortingly, removing his steadying hand.

I watched Caleb’s back. His arms slowly receded, muscles returning to normal. His frame shifted and his bones cracked into place. I envisioned him closing his eyes, taking deep and measured breaths as he fought that struggle within. He lifted his arms, raking hands through his thick hair. He turned around, brushing the sand free from his shirt and keeping his eyes downcast as he approached.

He was embarrassed. For some reason, having me witness this upset him.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

Emotion strained my voice and I smiled at him, crossing the space between us. He lifted his chin, gazing at me, shimmering ice blue staring back. It was different than the indigo I’d grown used to, but lovely nonetheless.

He waited until I was inches away and he reached for me, lightly touching my arm.

His voice was thick and hoarse. “We should make this look legitimate.”

He didn’t give me the opportunity to consider his words as he bent down, wrapping his arm around my waist and lifting me against his chest. His head bent as his mouth found my own.

If I thought Caleb smelled delicious, he tasted even better. His lips were full and soft as they brushed against mine, and my reserve melted away.

I lifted my arms around his shoulders, hands entwining in silken hair. I lost myself in the strange and irresistible pull that existed between us. I had only kissed one other person in my life, and the experience didn’t even compare.

Everything but Caleb fell away in that moment.

It was just him and I, our bodies impossibly close together.

“That a girl.” Billy’s voice barely registered in my ears. “I’d say he earned it.”

New Version:

“Get behind me.”

Caleb’s voice was the most welcome thing I had ever heard. I did as instructed, slowly stepping backward. I didn’t break eye contact with the two creatures snarling at me, too horrified to look away. Caleb’s large silhouette appeared in the corner of my eye. He came around, providing a barrier from the two werewolves ready to shred me to pieces if given an opportunity. They snarled louder, growls becoming vicious, matching their lupine faces.

One threw a punch which Caleb deflected harmlessly. The other attempted to deliver a blow as well, aiming for Caleb’s midsection. Caleb stepped effortlessly out of the way but kept his body in place, separating them from me. They persisted, making small passes, waiting for an opportunity to strike. The one on the left lashed out and the one to the right tackled Caleb to the sand. They started to hit him brutally, fists flying.

I glanced around in panic, searching for anything I could use. The ladder caught my attention. If I could pull a piece free, I could use it as a weapon. I started forward, unsure of what to do but unable to stand by and watch the carnage.

A firm hand gripped my shoulder, startling me.

“Don’t do that darlin’,” Billy said softly. “A man’s got to have his pride.”

I watched helplessly as Caleb attempted to deflect the blows that rained down on his shoulders and back. I averted my head and closed my eyes, fighting back sickness.

I didn’t want to see Caleb’s blood staining the walls and sand.

Energy surged through the pit, brushing painfully across my skin, nearly knocking me over. I gasped and stumbled, remaining on my feet with Billy’s help. A deep growl rent the air. The pandemonium in the room intensified and shifted. The hair on my arms stood on end as the crowd erupted in absolute chaos.

I opened my eyes and glanced up.

The rail was completely full now, people surging against the railing. Men and women stared down, snarling and cheering, their words distorted. The blonde girl who’d knocked me over was still there. Her eyes—like all the others—glowed strangely and shifted color. Her lips quivered as she chanted along with everyone else. I lowered my gaze and searched for the source of the growl that drowned out the noises in the room.

Oh my God.

Caleb. The noise was coming from Caleb.

And he was no longer on the ground.

His body contorted under his black T-shirt, the muscles in his arms bulging as his body doubled in size. I gasped at the incomprehensible thing I was witnessing and Billy patted my shoulder.

“It’s all right. He’s a big boy, and they done pissed him off.”

Caleb punched the one on his right in the chest, sending the man reeling through the air. His body made solid contact with the bloodied wall. A nasty snap vibrated in my ears and he crumbled unmoving to the sand.

Caleb moved swiftly, rushing the other werewolf and grasping him by the throat. He forced the man back, pushing his body against the blood stained wall. The sound in the room increased, voices mingling together. People yelled out, eager for blood. The werewolf kicked feebly as he used his arms, attempting to deliver blows to get free. Caleb deflected each with his free hand, until the man’s movements became sluggish. Before long the werewolf’s arms fell to his sides and he slumped.

Caleb stepped back, releasing his hold. The man sank to the ground, legs folding as he hit the sand. The crowd erupted in cheers, and the strange energy I felt eased from of the pit. I sighed in relief, my skin no longer tingling under the jacket.

“See, no harm done,” Billy said and let me go.

I watched Caleb’s back. The muscles in his arms slowly receded and returned to normal. His frame shifted and his bones cracked into place. I envisioned him closing his eyes, taking deep and measured breaths as he fought for control. He lifted his arms and raked his hands through his hair. When he turned around, he brushed sand from his shirt and walked toward me and Billy, keeping his eyes lowered.

He’s embarrassed.

For some reason having me witness this upset him.

“Thank you,” I whispered, emotion straining my voice.

Caleb lifted his head and gazed at me with shimmering ice blue eyes. The color was different than the indigo I’d grown used to, but lovely nonetheless. He waited until I was inches away before he reached out and touched my arm.

“We should make this look legitimate.”

He didn’t give me the opportunity to consider his words as he bent down, wrapping his arm around my waist and lifting me against his chest. His head bent and his mouth descended.

If I thought Caleb smelled delicious, he tasted even better. His lips were full and soft as they pressed against mine, and my reserve melted away. I looped my arms around his neck, my hands gliding into his silken hair. I lost myself in the strange and irresistible pull that existed between us. I had only kissed one other person in my life, and the experience didn’t even compare.

Everything but Caleb fell away in that moment.

It was just the two of us, our bodies impossibly close together.

“That a girl.” Billy’s voice barely registered, seeming far away. “I’d say he earned it.”

***

I hope you enjoy the new version. I'm busting my arse to get the manuscript in order. Please forgive any typos you might find. This is version zero. After I wrap this up the book will be off to my CPs and Betas and then I'll give the MS another go.

Future Works & What's at Stake

**As a forward -- I didn't want to post this. The numerous requests/emails about The Ripple Effect and Edge of Darkness prompted the post. Thank you in advance.**

When I started writing in 2008, it was for ME. I'd spoken with my husband when I got pregnant with our first child and the decision we made was simple: I'd stay home with our children until they started school. Afterward I'd finish my degree and get my ass to work. Not a hard concept. I had no idea I'd venture into publishing, or I'd try to make a career out of it.

The truth is this: Indie authors (not self-published, which is an entirely different topic) don't get an advance. We don't make money prior to any books selling. We sign a contract with a publisher, edit the book and pray to God that we make money when the book releases. It's a game of cat and mouse, with luck playing a huge part. Will we make decent money? Will our books tank? It's anyone's guess.

In my case I promoted the hell outta Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between. As a result (and with a bit of Lady Luck) I built a name for myself. It wasn't easy. I spent months working on promo and writing the second book in the series nearly killed me. Despite fluctuating sales, I continued on and wrote The Ripple Effect.

Which brings me to this post.

Many have asked about the fourth book in the series: Edge of Darkness. I have a decent idea where things are going and I've started plotting out the story (which, as a pantser, is hard). Otherwise I haven't written a word of the manuscript. Why?

Sales.

As hard as it is to confess, the Rhiannon's Law series is my most heavily pirated work (and most abundantly shared). For the most part, readers seem to enjoy the books -- so long as they're free. At first I accepted this, knowing I needed to make as much cash (no matter how small) as I could. Then I started writing under Aline Hunter and discovered a whole new world existed, one in which people would purchase my work and appreciate me far more.

Is this to say my erotic romance readers are preferable to my urban fantasy ones? Not at all. It's simply to state that I have four children to take care for and this is business. I have to do what is in the best interest of my family. If that means writing erotic romance, I'll write erotic romance. Urban fantasy, no matter how much I love it, will take the back burner. As it is I try to write one Rhiannon's book per year (the books drain me) but depending on the release of The Ripple Effect and sales, that could change.

Unlike New York authors, small press ones don't get money up front. Our income is totally reliant on each and every book sold. It's important for people to realize what is at stake here. Do I want to nag? No, of course not. However, the abundance of those who've contacted me asking for ARCs  have to understand where I'm coming from (and the ARCs for The Ripple Effect are limited -- it's a decision I made with my publisher). If you don't buy my books, I won't be able to keep writing them. It's not rocket science; it's simple math.

Now, with that said, I do hope you enjoy the third book. I'm looking forward to writing the fourth. Unfortunately this year is swamped with the books that do support my family. I wish I could write to make everyone happy. I wish I could write and share my stories for free. The truth is I gave up that right when I had children. They deserve more and, as their mother, I will give them more. It's my duty as a parent to look out for them. Just like those who enjoy reading, I have to make living. Thus is the stuff of life.

It's back to work for me. I have several projects lined up this year and time is short. I hope you're all doing well and enjoying the Spring.

As a side: To those of you patiently waiting to buy The Ripple Effect when it releases -- my sincerest thanks, really, for all of you who do support me. You are the reason I can continue writing, and I can't thank you enough. I hope the book is worth the wait. Hopefully I can continue writing the series. I truly hope so. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Enemy Mine Blurb & Update

I have good news to share. Early this morning (at three o'clock to be precise) I finished Enemy Mine, book two in the Alpha and Omega shifters series. I told my editor I'd be turning the book in shortly, so I'll be sure to share news as I receive it. In case you missed the update, I also finished The Ripple Effect in January (Rhiannon's Law book three). I'm waiting for info on release dates, etc. When I receive any new information I'll share that as well.

If you're curious about Enemy Mine, I've included the blurb below (subject to change at publisher's request). I'm not sure what story I'll be writing next, but I'm hoping to stay on track and finish up the projects I'm committed to. I'm also working on a few ideas for additional stories. There just aren't enough hours in the day.

I hope you're all doing well! I'll be back with another blog post as soon as I have anything to pass along.

Enemy Mine Blurb:

Divided by blood. Destined by fate. 

Tormented by his turbulent past, Emory Veznor is a shifter living on the edge. For years he struggled with his Alpha nature. Nothing went according to plan, leaving him a lone wolf without a place to call home -- until he met the one woman capable of soothing the savage beast. Mary is a mate that he never imagined he would have. Sweet, kind and impossibly beautiful, she is everything he’s ever wanted in a female. Unfortunately she is also something else, something dangerous -- a Shepherd, the very hunters bred to destroy his kind. 

When Emory finds Mary and brings her to New York, he discovers earning her trust is the least of his concerns. Her relatives have followed, and they want Mary back in their ranks. If Emory won’t hand her over, they’ll do everything in their power to take her from the pack -- dead or alive.

The Ripple Effect: Done

As of today, The Ripple Effect is done. It's true I still have to write the epilogue, but as you know my endings only wrap things up and prepare readers for the next book. What can I say about The Ripple Effect? Well, for one, it nearly killed me. I thought The Renfield Syndrome was bad...WRONG.

I've always been a pantser, meaning I allow the characters to dictate what happens when I write. I have a general idea of where things are going, but I never quite "know" what will take place. I didn't see several things coming in this book, including something that totally blindsided me. I kept wanting to go back and rewrite the scene, to change what happens. Yet in the end, as much as it sucked, I felt what I wrote made sense. It's weird, but sometimes I think my mind knows all along where a story is going to go but doesn't show me the light until it's ready.

I know some fans will hate me, but I hope they can understand that authors don't always have it easy. Just because a character belongs to us, it doesn't mean what happens to them is something we necessarily want. It's just what happens when you allow the story to take over, to breathe on its own. As a consequence, Edge of Darkness (book four in the series) has changed. I'm going to take a breather from Rhiannon for a while to wrap up projects for Ellora's Cave (including Enemy Mine, for those who have asked). I'll return to her later this year.

Thank you again for all your support, for being so wonderful, and for supporting my work. I truly hope you enjoy the third book. If you like things dark and unexpected, The Ripple Effect should be up your alley. *fingers crossed*

P.S. The Ripple Effect will release this summer. I do not have a precise release date but when I receive one I'll pass it along.

Holy Contracts Batman!!

The picture above pretty much summarizes how I feel. A couple of days ago I received a congratulatory email from the Editor-In-Chief at Ellora's Cave for hitting the romance best sellers list on Kindle (Omega Mine made it to #86). Due to this, my schedule went from "maybe" to "slammed."

I almost fell out of my chair.

New contracts mean I'll be absent for the next few months. I've worked on my calendar and the times are tight. I've got five books planned next year (yes, this includes Edge of Darkness -- The Ripple Effect should be completed this month or the beginning of January). That's a LOT of words. Too many to think about. So I'm going to take it one book at a time and cross my fingers.

Thank you so much for the continued support, word of mouth about my books, emails to keep me going, and for simply being so damn awesome. I'll be on Twitter here and there (you can find me if you hit the Twitter button on the right of the blog), but otherwise I'll be slow to respond to emails and the like. Please bear with me as I bust my arse and try to create books that will -- hopefully -- entertain you.

Until next time, happy holidays! I hope Santa brings you tons of presents.

Update and Turkey Day Well Wishes

It's so hard to believe Thanksgiving is here. It seems (literally) like yesterday I was bemoaning a brand new 2011. Now it's almost 2012.

Jeezus.

Anyhow, I wanted to stop by and wish you all a happy holiday full of food, fun, and laughs. I enjoy this time of year very much, even if I complain about it. After tomorrow a local station will start playing nothing but Christmas music, and I'll gleefully drive the family nutso by listening to it ALL DAY, EVERYDAY, until Christmas has come and gone.

Who says there is no joy in torture? *grin*

On the work front...I'm sad to say I've not had much progress on Enemy Mine. I'd started on the project only to be sidelined with things for my children. This time of year is very hectic and I didn't anticipate just how busy I'd be. Fortunately I have this weekend and the last week in November to attempt to get to the 50k mark. If I can do this I should complete the story in December. As for The Ripple Effect -- I've been editing and revising. Once that's done I can write the rest and wrap up the book. My goal is to complete the MS by the end of Dec/Jan.

Now, because I love you, I wanted to share an image I discovered on Facebook. Hopefully it will give you the same giggle it did me. I'll return soon with another update and perhaps a contest.

A Final Update Before Going Dark

So the time has finally come. One more day and I'm turning off my social networks. I am having the lovely Dina James by on Monday but other than that I'm outta here. If I get a release date or other news, I'll pass it along. Otherwise I'm updating my websites, getting things in order, and preparing for the long month ahead. With that being said, I did want to let everyone know a little something about my plans before I unplug.

First: I am not "officially" taking part in NANO (National Novel Writing Month). I'm not signing up on the Nanowrimo site, I'm not adding friends, and I'm not keeping track of the progress of others. Last year was the same. I place too much pressure on myself as it is. If I start worrying my word count is less than this or that person, I'll drive myself insane. Therefore I use NANO as a reason to get my arse in gear and push myself to get 'er done. My goal is to write 5k words per day (or 25k per week -- I'll be working weekends if I don't reach my daily goals to make sure this happens) and wrap up Enemy Mine (Alpha and Omega Shifters, Book Two) and the full length follow-up to my Ellora's Cave Quickie, No Strings.  If I reach this goal prior to the end of November, I'll be focusing all of my attention on The Ripple Effect.

I know, I know! I can hear the emails now:

Why aren't you writing The Ripple Effect first? Are you off in the head? Don't you know people wanted the third book yesterday? We have to know what happens to Rhiannon, Disco, and Paine! What's the hold up?

Well...truthfully...I'm the hold up.

Wait, don't go! I can explain.

Writing The Renfield Syndrome wasn't fun -- AT ALL. Cleaning toilets in public restrooms probably would have been more pleasant. I worked myself up over that book, in ways that most people wouldn't and couldn't possibly understand.

I lost sleep.

I drove my husband and crit partners nuts.

I agonized over the same things over and over again.

I wrote, erased, wrote, erased....and ended up in the same spot I started.

Despite sitting in front of the PC for hours I COULD NOT WRITE that fucking book. I saw everything. I KNEW what was going to happen. But I couldn't get it out. It was constipation of the brain, as if the the central command center was in working order but the plumbing beneath was clogged. You know, it felt kind of like this...

It wasn't writer's block; it was self-doubt. I couldn't do what I once loved, because I was no longer writing for me -- I was writing for everyone else. This does not for a happy writer make.

While I'm thrilled readers enjoy the Rhiannon's Law series, I really need to unwind a bit, let the next book settle in my head, and then I'll return to it. I've already started the process of revising, which must be done completely before I can start wrapping up the book. Due to this I will resume work on The Ripple Effect in December. I realize now that I've been neglecting my writing by revising the manuscript like crazy in an effort to make the third book "even better" than the first two. I can't keep doing that. There is a reason there was such an enormous length of time between the release of Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between and The Renfield Syndrome. If I want a Summer release for The Ripple Effect, I've gotta shake those inner demons.

The button below sums up everything nicely, I think. I've even printed it out and posted it on my cork board -- for clarity and all that.

So fear not, awesome people. I will return. And when I do I hope to have completed manuscripts in my possession. I've got a lot of stories to share and they won't write themselves. The Ripple Effect is on that list, and it is a priority. I just want to prepare myself for the dark places I'm about to take my favorite character. Despite what you might think, Rhiannon has been through a walk in the park. Something bigger, badder, and more dangerous than anything she's ever faced is about to hit town. Too bad the dumbass I'm talking about doesn't know our girl.

It's going to be bitchin'.

I'll see you on Monday when Dina visits. I hope you all have a happy and safe Halloween with your loved ones.

Peace Out!

No Strings Coming Soon & Other Things

You're probably wondering where I've been? *grin* The answer is all over the place. I've been attending school functions for my kiddos, gearing up for projects (I'll get to that in a second), and trying to get my calendar in order for next year (it never hurts to think ahead). Fortunately everything seems to be going as planned, so I'm hoping my good luck (aside from a horrible case of the flu that sidelined me for a couple of days) holds.

For those of you who are interested, No Strings releases at Ellora's Cave on Wednesday (October 26th). It's only $1.49 which isn't bad for a short story. The best part is I'm plotting the full-length book for the characters and plan to have it done next year. So if you decide to give the story a go, there will be more in the future -- promise.

Here's the blurb:

Diane and Zeke have one tragic thing in common—they’ve both lost their spouses. Despite years of group therapy, neither has been able to move on with their life. So when Zeke suggests a one-night, no-strings fling, Diane decides she has nothing to lose. It will take a passionate evening to reawaken desires, fantasies and sexual pleasures they’ve long forgotten. And before the sun rises, they’ll discover letting go isn’t as bad as it seems.

Onto other things...

I'm waiting for edits on Make Me Shiver but hope to get to work on the manuscript soon. The second book in the series is another I intend to work on and have out next year. In fact, it's probably a good time for me to discuss NANO while we're on the subject.

During the month of November I'm not going to be online much (if at all). I plan to use NANO to complete Enemy Mine (sequel to Omega Mine) and hopefully finish up (or at least put a dent in) The Ripple Effect. Because of this I will be slow to respond to emails and the like. If you send me an email, message on Twitter or Facebook, and I don't respond that's why. I realize now that there are numerous projects I have to write and I've fallen behind. If I want to meet my deadlines, I have to get my arse in gear.

For those who have asked about Crimson Sunrise -- the edits are done. I'm simply waiting for a release date. When I receive the information I'll pass it along. Also, I will have a guest on November 1st -- the lovely Dina James -- who is promoting her new release All Wounds. Aside from that, I'm going into the cave. I'll probably pop online once a week for a progress report but assume that no news is good news.

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying October. It's hard to believe Halloween is almost here! I'll be back with a release day post on Wednesday. Until then, enjoy your weekend!

The Renfield Syndrome, Almost Here

It's hard to believe that The Renfield Syndrome will be releasing in a little over a month. So many of you have wanted to get your hands on the book, and I hope the wait is worth it. I was fortunate enough to have Carolyn Crane (author of the fantastic Dissillusionists Trilogy) give The Renfield Syndrome a read and write a author blurb for the book (thank you, Carolyn) so things are finally winding down. Not too much longer now...

I'm currently doing a read through before my editor gives the manuscript one more go. It's impossible to describe how terrifying it is to share it with all of you. The Renfield Syndrome takes the series in an entirely different direction. It was a situation that made writing it all the worse. Ultimately, I stuck to my guns. What will happen as a result? I'm not sure. The hope is you'll be interested enough in what transpires to pick up The Ripple Effect which will release (I'm currently writing the novel) in 2012. And, guess what? The first chapter of The Ripple Effect will be included in the book, so you'll get an idea of where things are headed. Sound good? I hope so!

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started writing this series. In the beginning it was all fun and excitement. Now it's nerves, dread, and anxiety. I will promise you this -- regardless of what happens I will keep writing. It's not as easy as it once was, but it is something I enjoy. Thanks for giving me a reason to keep pounding away at the keyboard. Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between continues doing well, so I hope The Renfield Syndrome will widen the readership and will encourage new book addicts to give it a try.

With that, I'm off. I've got to get this final proofing done. For those who are curious I am attending Authors After Dark in Philly in August. If you're attending I'll have new copies of Dead,Undead, or Somewhere in Between for sale (at a substantial discount) as well as book plates to sign for The Renfield Syndrome in the event you plan to purchase a copy and want one.

Thanks again for your awesomeness!

Interview with Joey W. Hill & Contest!!!!

Today I'm positively thrilled to have one of my favorite authors on the blog. After reading one of her books, I purchased her entire backlist. Trust me, she's that good. I contacted Joey to tell her about a contest I wanted to have and she was kind enough to answer a few questions to go along with the giveaway. So please, welcome her to the blog, say hello, and keep reading to find out how you can win the first six books in her Vampire Queen series! **Which she has offered to send signed book plates for, so the winner can have them personalized!**

Hi Joey!  Thank you so much for visiting. As a longtime fan, I think everyone who loves vampires has to read the Vampire Queen series, which is why I’m eager to spread the word.

Jaime, I’m all for that! Honestly, I love writing about vampires, so I would have written the books even if they never saw the light of day outside my nightstand drawer. Though of course I’m glad they have reached a bit wider audience than that (wink). Thank you for spreading the love for the series.

Q: Let’s start with writing. Can you tell us a bit about your process? Do you have a word count you have to meet each day?

You may be sorry you asked this question. JJ The Vampire Queen books work out to anywhere from 150k-175k (that’s due to my story development, not a publisher mandate – they’d probably prefer closer to 100k – lol), so I take the mathematical approach. If I have four months, I break it down to five writing days a week, first draft plus three full edit rounds. I give the first draft about ½ of that time, and divide the three edit rounds between the rest of the time, with each subsequent round getting a smaller slice of time, under the assumption the book is needing less tweaking with each round. So I just divide the word count up among those time slices to know how much I need to accomplish each day... Zzzzz…okay, I hear that person snoring in the back! Yeah, it’s not hugely exciting in theory, but the creative process itself, seeing the book come together over each round, getting drawn into the characters and seeing them take unexpected turns, evolving into more than I first envisioned – that is exciting.

Long and short, it’s a balance between knowing how much progress I have to make to meet the publisher’s deadline and trying not to let that practical schedule stifle the creative flow. An author’s job is a curious mix of those two things – you have to deliver the work, like any job, but it also requires a creative spark that doesn’t always come on command, so you learn little tricks to keep that spark fanned and alive amid all the nose-to-the-grindstone stuff. I’m a firm believer in the “keep writing until it loosens up” method, rather than waiting for that creative spark to go from a sputter to a steady burn. That seems to work for me.

And of course, no talk about process is complete without mentioning the days where the writing takes a backseat to the unexpected family and domestic issues. For instance, I just realized my car registration is three months overdue (grimace), so valuable writing time will be sacrificed tomorrow to the inspection and other tweaks the car needs to pass. Of course, I’m doing the copy edit round on Bound by the Vampire Queen, so I have that loaded on my e-reader to review while waiting for the car – I try to make the most of every scrap of time I have to stay as close to “on schedule” as possible with current first drafts, edit rounds, copy edits/final galleys from the publisher, etc.

As you can probably tell, once you’re writing on contract deadlines, those deadlines establish the parameters of your process – you basically set aside the time you need to get it done, and scramble to stay on schedule with all the other demands on your time (grin).

Q: Most authors have a place the muse strikes (for me it’s when I’m driving). When do your best ideas come to you?

When I’m working on the last edit round for the current WIP, I turn my mind to brainstorming for the next one. Like you, that works best for me in the car, specifically on road trips. I take my recorder along, and just start ruminating. Anything that comes into my head, I put down on the recorder. It could be story progression, specific bits of dialogue, narration, etc. Then I load those snippets into MS Notes, organize them into a rough outline, and I’m good to go. Once I start that brainstorming process, it seems to heighten my senses, such that I’m more likely to notice things around me that will feed the story. For example, there was a storm the other night, and the way the wind was swirling across the ground, picking up items and drawing my gaze to follow their path made me think about the opening scene to the next Arcane Shot series book. Raina, my heroine, is going to wake in the middle of the night, go out on her tower balcony porch to watch a storm building. She’ll feel the currents of danger and magic in the air, know something is about to happen, to change…and then all hell breaks loose, with our hero, Mikhael, right in the middle of it!

Q: You had to divide Vampire Mistress and Vampire Trinity into two books. When it comes to editing and revisions, what is your approach?  

I curse profusely and wonder why my publisher won’t let me publish 1000-page books. LOL That’s Step One of the process. Every time one of these two-part books happens, it starts out as one book that grows far beyond the publisher’s word count limit. Often there’s not a really good breaking point, so a new opening has to be reworked and backstory has to be loaded into it. The backstory part gives me migraines, because I don’t want to put in too much and bore the reader who’s read the previous book, or put in too little and leave the new reader clueless. I’d almost prefer to do it the 1950s movie way – have this lovely webcam with a man in a suit and a neat white handkerchief, who explains in a radio-quality voice: “Here’s what’s happened so far….now, on to the rest of the story.”

However, until the publisher is willing to try out my retro idea, I basically figure out where to break the book in half, tear up the first half of the new Book Two, send a prayer up to the literary gods that I haven’t zapped a key fact that needed to be in the second book, and check in with my editor to see if she thinks the new opening will work. If she says “No”, I beat my head against the wall to give the sheetrock a nice marbleized look, and work on it some more. All while getting perilously behind on the next contracted work.

Yet another reason being insane and a writer go hand-in-hand, as you well know! (laughter) The trade-off is getting to spend time with wonderful characters and having the chance to be pulled into their journey, which is worth every aggravating moment.

Q: The authors I speak to love to read. Can you share a few of your favorite books?

I read mostly on vacation now, because it’s the only time 1) I can somewhat turn off the internal editor and 2) find time to read for my own pleasure. I need to prioritize it more, consider it more a requirement than an indulgence, because it’s actually pretty vital to keeping writing style fresh. At least that’s what I tell myself, every time I go by my book shelf or e-reader and look at the 40 some books there that I haven’t had a chance to read yet. Lover Mine, by JR Ward, is one I’ve been itching to read for some time! However, in terms of old and not-so-old favorites, these are the ones I consider absolutely awe inspiring craft work and wonderful must-read stories – Lover Awakened (Zsadist’s story) by JR Ward, Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series (first three particularly), Audrey Niffenegger’s Time Traveler’s Wife, Laura Kinsale’s For My Lady’s Heart (actually, pretty much everything she did in the 80s-90s was awesome), The Black Lyon by Jude Devereaux, Ashes in the Wind by Kathleen Woodiwiss, Once in a Blue Moon by Penelope Williamson. The JD Robb In Death series is my candy – love to just hop on the ride with Eve and Roarke and see where we go. Denise Rossetti’s Phoenix Rising series with Ellora’s Cave, Daniel’s Surrender by Violet Summers, Bound Odyssey by Michelle Polaris, Roarke’s Prisoner by Angela Knight and Exit to Eden by Anne Rice are some of my favorite erotic work to date. I’m sure I’ve left out some important ones, but that’s a snapshot of my reading taste.

Q: Last but not least: Can you tell us a bit about the Vampire Queen series and its conception? 

I love the idea of the vampire as a romantic dominant hero/heroine, versus the horror movie version. Years ago, when I watched Fright Night with Chris Sarandon, I was mesmerized by the scene where he “took over” and danced with Charlie’s girlfriend. It kind of annoyed me when he turned out to be this horrid, monstrous beast. Likewise, I was intrigued by Laurell K. Hamilton’s portrayal of Richard as Jean Claude’s blood apple in the early book of the Anita series. As an erotic romance author who integrates BDSM in most of my work, I felt the vampire-servant relationship possessed huge potential. A bound, eternal Dominant/submissive relationship, where the vampire considers himself/herself a superior being, yet is dependent emotionally and physically on the servant in some vital ways? Wow – that’s a power exchange relationship that could stretch way beyond the usual limits, due to the paranormal setting.

When I started off the series with Lyssa, a thousand-year-old vampire queen, and Jacob, the former vampire hunter and alpha male who has been trained to serve her, it was a continuation of my interest in the “palace guard” form of male submissive. He submits to her sexually, but there’s a strong, protective element to him that won’t be subjugated in the slightest. Jacob wasn’t a natural submissive, but he was a male with an overwhelming code of chivalry and service to his chosen lady. Of course I had to explore both sides of that coin, so Beloved Vampire, another book in the series, has a male vampire, Mason – one of your favorites, Jaime! – who has to protect a female servant from his world who has killed her vampire master. Then of course, the latest two books, Vampire Mistress and Vampire Trinity, feature a ménage, with two vampires, a male and female, who become involved with Gideon, a hardcore vampire hunter who happens to be Jacob’s brother. So the series has so many possibilities and pairings (or triplings – grin). 

Like the newest one you’ve mentioned/discussed – Vampire Instinct. Mal is my first “made” vampire hero (all the other have been older, “born” vampires), who was a Cherokee born right before the Trail of Tears. Since the heroine, Elisa, is an Irish maid, and the story takes place in the 1950s, it has a different tone than the other books. I think the different perspectives help keep the stories fresh and interesting, and of course I hope the readers agree!

Thank you so much for stopping by, Joey! I’ve already devoured Vampire Instinct (Malachi is to die for -- no pun intended), and I’m eagerly awaiting Bound by a Vampire Queen. The months can’t go by fast enough. By the way… Give Lord Mason my love, will you? *grin* I hope you decide to give him and Jessica another story (when I saw you mention this on your site I was ecstatic)!

Jaime, I’m glad you enjoyed VI, and thanks for having me here. Yes, there’s definitely enough material to write another book about Mason and Jessica down the line, so I’ll look forward to sharing that with you sometime in the future! And I’ll pass your message to Lord Mason if I can manage to get it out without stammering – he’s pretty overwhelming, even to me (wink). Best wishes to you and everyone!

Now, for the contest. Check out the image below...

Those are the first six books in the Vampire Queen series that I owned prior to getting signed copies from Joey (LOVE). Interested in owning them? All you have to do is be a follower of the blog and leave a comment with a valid email address (the contest is international). No email means I'll move to the next commenter in line. Like before, I'll use random generator to choose a winner. I'll announce the lucky duck on Friday when Vampire Instinct, the newest in the series, releases. The book isn't included in the contest because I'd love you to show Joey your support by purchasing the latest installment. I had the good fortune of reading the book and it is AMAZING. So do yourself a favor, don't miss out!

Joey has been kind enough to offer to drop by and answer any questions, so feel free to leave a comment to enter and chat with her if you'd like. She doesn't bite -- much. *smile*

New Contracts & An Amazing Contest

As I mentioned a while back, my story Omega Mine as contracted at Ellora's Cave. Now I have more contract news! I've recently been contracted for an Ellora's Cave Exotika Quickie. No Strings is a sizzling hot contemporary short with emotion. I wasn't sure I could pull it off, so I hope you enjoy it. You can read more about the story by clicking HERE. I've also gotten a release date for Dark Hunger on a Killing Moon (September 13th), a release date for The Renfield Syndrome (August 23rd), and I'm wrapping up edits on Crimson Sunrise and Omega Mine so I should have release dates for those stories soon.

I've received a few emails about The Ripple Effect. I had planned to finish up the book by the end of June. Now it's looking like it might be August. With the children home for the summer, it's difficult to find time to write. Compounding this issue is my father is sick again. His other foot is now infected due to diabetes and he's having a difficult time moving around. I'm very concerned for him, so I'm not in the proper head space to write at the moment. Hopefully things will resolve and I can get back to my usual routine.

Now for the contest I mentioned...

I spoke to my absolute favorite author Joey W. Hill. I wanted to do a contest giving away all of her Vampire Queen books with the exception of her new release on July 15th, Vampire Instinct. Why? Because I want you to go out and buy the new book! Her writing is amazing and any BDSM/Vampire fan should read them. On Monday, she'll be stopping by to answer a few questions. On that day I'll have all the contest details (the contest will run through Friday -- her release day). So if you're interested in owning the first six books, be sure to swing by.

With that, I'm off. It's been an extremely draining day. I hope tomorrow is a bit better.

Practice = Improvement

Today I received a review for one of my stories. It was a fair review, although the reader didn't like my work, because the reviewer noted something that is (without a doubt) true.

My writing wasn't polished.

When I started writing (yes, I've said this before) it was entirely for me. I didn't want a publishing contract. I didn't want anyone else to read what I wrote. I had four young children, and I needed an escape from life. Writing gave me that. When I wrote my first book, I had no idea what I was doing. But it didn't matter. The book was my way to escape, to create my own heroine, hero, and characters. I loved the hell out of writing. I could do whatever I wanted to, in whatever fashion I pleased. To this day, I have nothing but fond memories of Crimson Moon and of the journey I took when creating it, because it inspired me to keep writing, to create more stories, and to learn as I went.

I talk to a lot of aspiring authors and the one thing I can tell you is that in most circumstances, your first book should never be published. That isn't to say Crimson Moon is a turd of a story, but rather, it is what it is -- the only thing I'd ever written. I didn't know about pacing, about unnecessary details, about improper word choice. I only knew that I wrote things as I saw them in my head. After all, those little details didn't matter. The book was for me. So when my mother-in-law read the book (books at that point) and pushed me to seek publication, I hesitated. Then, when she pointed out I had nothing to lose, I figured why not.

In retrospect, I should have kept a few things for myself versus trying my hand at being an author. I've learned a hell of a lot in three years, and you'll see those changes in my writing style in Crimson Sunrise. It's the same characters, but the voice is different. It's what happens when you practice, learn, and (hopefully) improve. The same can be said of The Renfield Syndrome. The first thing my crit partners and beta readers told me was it was a better story because the writing was stronger.

That is a good thing.

However, all good comes with bad, and the bad is that I had to learn. All authors do. I spoke with Madelyn Ford today about the craft and the way we evolve as we go. For example -- grammar. I know many people harp on this (and it is important) but for most of us, even those who have college degrees, we took literature classes, not those which focused on the grammatical aspects of writing. Truth be told, I didn't learn about the various rules of grammar, the house styles at publishers, or how important it is to have a book without unneeded dialogue tags, simultaneous actions, etc, until I was published.  I'll be the first to tell ya that I had no idea that blonde was for a woman and blond was for a man. I'd always assumed it was simply "blond." I also didn't know about passive voice, show versus tell, and other important things a solid editor will teach you. Believe me when I say there is a LOT to learn. You just need the proper guidance.

So why am I writing this blog? I suppose it's a way to tell those who want to be published that it's okay not to publish your first book. I've heard it said numerous times that an author is still trying to get their first book published because they love it and they know it's good. The thing is, your book probably is good and something people will enjoy. However, just as some might love it, others may not for the reasons listed above. Remember that it's okay to move to another project and try again. If and when you receive a contract, you'll learn, and you'll become a better author for it.

All of my editors are different. Some are strict about keeping character sheets with references of names and places. Others adhere to guidelines about dialogue tags, present participle phrases, and passive voice. Each one has their own way of doing things, but I'm grateful to each one, because the information they've shared is invaluable. It makes it easier for me to convey what I want to without being wordy, too informative, or slowing the progress of the book. It also means it's changed my voice, the way I create things, and the way I approach my books. In my opinion, my editors continue making me a better, stronger author. That is why I place so much importance on them, and why I trust them with my work when I sign a contract. Yes, they make mistakes. We all do. However, chances are they'll teach you something you didn't know and allow you to reference it in the next manuscript you pen.

I can tell you that I'm one of those authors who love to read, therefore I always root for new authors. In fact, a majority of my reading list is complied of new authors at the presses I'm with, or those I meet networking. Most probably won't tell you when they get a lukewarm review and point out that the reviewer is probably right, but I will. Why? Because none of us start out perfect. Hell, I don't want to be. Perfection means there is no room to improve, and I always want to be better.

I hope you are all enjoying your holiday weekend. Things are a bit chaotic here, with summer coming and Lori Foster's this week. I can't wait to visit those who are coming to the Reader and Author Gathering. Chatting with all of you is the icing on the cake for someone like me. As much as I love writing and my characters, they can't beat actual people. So I hope I see you there.

An Excellent Day!!

In case you don't know, I'm an enormous fan of author Joey W. Hill. Last year, I was able to meet her at Lori Foster's Annual Reader and Author Get Together. She was such an amazing lady, kind and sweet, and took my nervousness in stride. I couldn't stop babbling, and she went out of her way to keep me calm, sign my books, and even talk to me about a few of her characters. The impression she made remained with me, so this afternoon was truly mind blowing since I was the high bidder of her prize pack on Operation Auction and was able to have a phone conversation with her.

When I talk about professionalism in the business, SHE is who I aspire to be like.  Not only is she successful, but she's extremely patient, informative, and generous.  I had so many questions and she was only too willing to answer them all. I had a notepad in front of me and jotted everything she said down. I kept telling myself to enjoy every minute (yes, I kept looking at the clock and thinking, "I'm talking to freaking Joey W. Hill!). When the call was over, I thanked her over and over again and told her when we meet again I'm buying her lunch (if you see this, Joey, don't even try to argue over the tab!).

I suppose the reason I'm writing this is that I've started to realize that writing is about more than sitting in front of your screen, creating characters and stories.  It's also about the interaction with readers. I'm such an enormous fan of Joey, but she treated me just like she would anyone else. There was no conceit, or arrogance. It was just two women talking books, writing, and marketing, and it was one of the best hours I've had in a very long time.

So yeah, I'm a total fangirl who had a fantastic day. Even better? Soon I'll have an ARC of Vampire Instinct.  I can't wait to read it. The Vampire Queen series is one of my absolute favorites. If you haven't read them and you love erotic romance, be sure to check them out. If you like mermaids and angels, there is also the Daughters of Arianne series, which is equally fantastic. Hell, all of her stuff is AWESOME -- trust me!

I hope you all had a great weekend. I'm currently in my cave, working on The Renfield Syndrome. I've decided to add a bit here and there before I send it to my editor to start the revisions/editing process.  I want the book to be everything everyone hopes for. My goal is to make someone as happy as Joey makes me. ;-)

Eternity and a Day up for Book Of The Month

Eternity and a Day is up for book of the month at HEA reviews. Would any of you possibly consider swinging by to cast a vote in my direction?

http://hea-reviews.blogspot.com/2010/08/august-best-book-and-cover-of-month.html

On a sad note, we got some bad news in the family yesterday and I'd appreciate any well-wishes sent in the direction of my sister.  She's having a really rough time, so any positive thoughts would be welcome.  It's been a hard last few months for my family.  First Dad, then my Mom, and now my sister.  I hope the string of bad luck passes soon.

On the work front:  I finally wrapped up the queries and synopsis for Omega Mine and have sent the book into cyberspace.  Now the waiting game begins. Since there is nothing worse than that, I'm diving back into work. I have edits on Crimson Sunrise, writing to do on The Renfield Syndrome, and a TON of reviews to complete.  Once those projects are finished, I'll begin focusing on other works (Dark Hunger on a Killing Moon, The Company of Wolves, and a few contemporary romances I've had waiting for a turn at the PC).

Happy Hump Day! I've added some eye candy below for your visual enjoyment.

New Hungry For Your Love Cover

Well here it is, the cover for the upcoming St. Martin's Press release of Hungry For Your Love.  My short story I Heart Brains is included in this anthology and I'm very excited as this will be the first book I'm featured in that will hit the bookshelves. It's being timed for release near Halloween (September 28th), with pre-orders available on Amazon.com and Books-A-Million.

As for the writing front, I continue working on Omega Mine but am hopeful that there is an end in sight.  After that it's onto The Renfield Syndrome, The Company of Wolves, and Dark Hunger on a Killing Moon.  So many stories, so little time at the PC.

Crimson Moon releases in two days.  I'm still in shock to be honest. I hope everyone enjoys reading the story as much as I did writing it.

OH! And by the way...

When I fiddled with my blog, I accidentally deleted my favorite blog links on the sidebar so I can't see when you all post! I'm going to try and fix that today if the children allow.  That's why I've not visited.  I'm sorry!

Alright, I'm off to kid wrangle.  Have a happy hump day!

Bed Rest

Writing Status - Edits

Mood - Blah

Playing on ipod - Nada

It's official -- I'm on bed rest today.  Yesterday was my first "day" of returning to life as usual and I blew it by doing too much.   When the hubs found out I wasn't feeling so hot last night, he was none too happy.

I'm visiting Taste of Kiwi, sharing a writer's tip.  Click HERE to go on over and say hello.  I suppose I'll be in my bed in the meantime, working on edits and reading.  My eye was getting better but the nasty crud along the top came off, so it burns really badly.  That means long stretches of staring at just about anything hurts.  At least the shingles are in the healing phase now and will gone soon.

Hope all of you have a fantastic weekend, without mother nature interrupting with storms and chaos.  We're under tornado warnings here in 'Bama, which is nothing new.  The south seems to be a breeding ground for Twisters and unstable weather. 

Visit Me Tomorrow! and Contest

Before I forget, I'll be visiting the amazing author Shelley Munro tomorrow. She's been doing this incredible (and informative) "Author Tips" month and invited me to partake.  Of course I said yes (are you kidding? I'm answering the question along with so many of my peers!) and I hope that someone will reap encouragement from what I've contributed.

So be sure to stop by Taste of Kiwi and say hello!

Back to work.  I'm so deep into edits I can't see straight, I have reviews up the hoo-ha (almost done reading two of the books, so yay me!), and I'm on a writing streak and don't want to lose the muse.  With my wild and crazy two and five-year old running in dizzying circles around me, I'm not sure where to start.

The life of a stay at home mom and writer -- you can't beat it!

P.S. I've decided to do a contest.  When I hit 100 followers, I will be placing all of their names into a hat and drawing one to win a signed copy of Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between.  So if you're not a follower, please click the box to the right and voila! 

The contest is open to international followers.  When I draw a name, I will blog the result and announce it via Twitter.  If you don't have a public ID, please be sure to check back and contact me via a comment so I can get your prize to you.  If it's not claimed within forty-eight hours, another name will be drawn and so on.

Omega Mine

Writing Status - See Above
Mood - Nervous
Playing on itunes - nada

As you are aware, I'm currently penning Omega Mine. It's a dark paranormal romance and is the first in a series. I really wanted to write something unique in the genre and I hope this fits the bill.

If you're curious, I've put an excerpt below. Have a wonderful weekend!

Omega Mine Excerpt:

“We have to go, Pinkie. Get out and get dressed.”

When she didn’t argue, he found himself grateful for their bond for the first time. Human nature survived by questioning. Animalistic tendencies, on the other hand, took action and pondered later.

Sliding into the robe, she moved past him and hurried into the bedroom. She chose a black set of matching bra and panties and slid them on as he monitored the hall. All of the beasts under his skin answered the call, ready and willing to come forth to protect what they claimed as theirs. It was ironic that the one shifter who held the most power amongst their kind placed Ava in the most danger.

When Shepherds came to town, they started out small before going for the throat. And there was no better way to cut the oxygen supply than to extinguish the omega of the city.

Damn it. Why in the hell were they here? New York was a town the zealots rarely ventured to, a location that bred and endorsed violence, sex, and misery. Religion had no purpose in a city where gay pride, hedonism, and vulgarity were a given.

Ava stepped into her closet, tugged on a cord, and quickly chose a thin, bright blue v-neck sweater. She tugged it over her head and yanked a pair of jeans off an adjoining hanger. Her motions were frantic, her limbs trembling as her fingers jittered on the zipper.

Cursing, Diskant attempted to relax and calm the fuck down. His mate was teetering on the brink of something she didn’t fully understand and had no control over. Already, she felt the instinct to mate, to bring him into her body over and over again until he cemented their union. She would crave him incessantly, needing his touch, his presence. Adding to that by increasing her flight or flight instincts via their connection wasn’t helping.

“Grab the things you might need,” he instructed softly, attempting to remain focused and on alert. “I’m not sure how many days we’ll be gone.”

“Days?” She went still and studied him.

“I don’t have time to explain.” When she started to argue he allowed the importance of what was taking place to slip past, ensuring that at the very least, she was able to perceive the threat. “Please, Ava.”

Her face paled and she gave a jerky nod. She settled the hem of the sweater over her jeans and walked to the back of the closet. The compact duffel she collected was large in comparison to her, not as tall but nearly as wide.

At his questioning look, she explained, “I planned to make a trip to the cabin to unwind.”

“Do you have everything you need?”

“Yes.” She beside a neatly stacked shoe rack and grabbed a pair.

“Good, we need to go.”

No more arguments or hesitation. The instincts were growing, her bond with him guiding her reactions and responses. He didn’t have the luxury to reflect on the wrongness of their mating occurring like this, before there was a trust established that wasn’t the result of unavoidable changes taking place inside her mind, body, and soul.

He followed her from the closet and waited as she sat at the end of the bed to put her on her socks and shoes. His senses were sharp now, the shifter in him prepared to change in a hurry if necessary. Directly behind the urge to shift and protect was an undeniable amount of lust, and try as he might, it refused to abate. As natural was it was, the timing was all wrong. He hoped like hell that she’d be receptive to his advances once inside the safe house full of shifters. Sex to them wasn’t anything new, just another of life’s miraculous--and enjoyable--blessings. For her, there was certain to be a period of adjustment.

“I’m ready.”

She stood, retrieved the duffel, and moved closer to him. When he looked down at her, he saw the desire etched in her features. Her eyes were cloudy, her lips were slightly parted, and her cheeks were flushed. Their gazes caught and her breathing increased, her succulent nipples going hard beneath her bra and shirt, informing him she was more than game for another round of anything he wanted to offer her.

Fuck, if the Shepherds didn’t piss him off. He had finally found his mate, the only female who would ever sate him entirely, and he was being forced to leave her bereft and needy.

“Soon, baby,” he vowed and took the duffel from her.

Her eyes widened and she looked away. It was embarrassment, he realized. While natural to his kind, the yearning and need to couple often was foreign to her.

“It’s going to be all right, Ava mine.” Placing a hand at the small of her back, he gave her a gentle nudge. “Trust me.”

After collecting her purse and keys, they locked up and started the trek down the stairs. He kept her directly in front of him, his eyes alert, nose sharp. The blare of televisions in various apartments merged, along with multiple conversations and, in the distance, the sounds of an ecstatic couple nearing sexual bliss. He tamped down his own need as the image of Pinkie on the counter assailed him, mentally cursing his cock as it slowly rose to life. His mate wasn’t the only one that wanted to cement their union. Ever since he’d gotten a taste of the minx between the sheets, he’d been behaving like a teenager that had only recently discovered the new joystick between his legs that could be manipulated by a flick of the wrist and a firm grip.

The distraction was the reason he didn’t immediately scent the dangerous fragrance of incense the moment he opened the glass door to the building. One moment, he and Ava were alone. The next, Shepherds surrounded them, five of them total. Their weapons gleamed bright in the streetlights as they lifted them into the air, the long, polished steel barrels displaying the etched bible reference, “John 10:9.”

I am the door. By me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved.

There was only reason the men in brown dusters and matching Stetsons didn’t fire -- their guns were already out, armed and at the ready -- and it had nothing to do with bringing unnecessary attention. They didn’t want to hit any of the random passersby who froze in alarm and watched silently.

“You know why we’re here,” the largest one addressed Diskant and leveled his obsidian firearm; his arm, hand, and trigger finger nice and steady. “Where is he?”