Guest Blog and Giveaway with Kat Duarte

Vampires: Good Guys or Bad Guys?
by Kat Duarte

Happy Holidays, everyone. It’s great to be here as a guest at Fangtastic Books where there are so many like-minded readers and authors. I’ve been looking forward to getting your feedback on one of my favorite topics: vampires.

I’ve often wondered what it is about vampires that makes them so appealing to our imaginations. Danger, elegance, eternal life. Vampires represent such a mixed bag of hopes and fears. I’m sure that whether we view them more as a threat or as tragic, romantic figures depends on our exposure to literature, films, and television.

For example, my first impression of vampires was comprised of the curious yin yang of Bela Lugosi’s Count Dracula in the old 1931 film (seen on “Creature Features” at a very young age) and Al Lewis’s portrayal of Grandpa on The Munsters. That contrast really left me wondering what to think about vampires! As an adult, the strongest influences that shaped my perspective were Anne Rice’s Interview With The Vampire and Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer series. Rice’s Louis and Lestat have stayed in my imagination as much as Whedon’s Angel and Spike. (I’ve got to say that Lestat and Spike tickle my fancy the most, though.)

In my writing, I still go back and forth on my views about vamps. In Rise of the Wolf, my first book for Eternal Press, the werewolves are the good guys and the vampires are the bad guys, but of course that didn’t stop me from writing the vampire as sexy and desirable. Take the scene where my heroine Hilary first sees the vampire who’s on her trail.

Excerpt from Rise of the Wolf:

...she nonetheless noted his wavy black shoulder length hair and the ample pecs playing peek-a-boo beneath his unbuttoned white silk shirt that glowed and glistened—both the shirt and his pecs—in the bright moonlight. He also sported some mighty tight black trousers and an impeccably tailored black coat that reached past his well-muscled thighs to end mid-calf. The quality of his clothes shouted serious money although his fashion sense was just as seriously stuck somewhere in the 1800s...

...She couldn’t seem to stop staring at him. After all, he had such dark, deep glowing red eyes. What? Wait a minute.

But why should you wait? Your skin in the moonlight looks as soft and radiant as pearl. Do you not yearn to be caressed?

She would have sworn his lips didn’t move. His voice was so gentle, warm, sensuous, intimate as though he were inside her thoughts, her soul.

Then somehow, without moving, he had covered the space between them and stood next to her, pressed against her, leaning over her. His soft hair tickled her cheek. His breath whispered across her lips as he parted them with a flick of his hot tongue. The kiss was light, soft, then firmer and deeper, the deft movement filling her with the promise of such delights to come that her knees actually began to give way. He caught her, one of his arms bracing her at the deepest curve of her back, the other wrapped so that he cradled her neck in the palm of his hand....

...His chest muscles were sculpted white marble in the moonlight, like some statue from the ancient world, but he was warm to her eager touch. His muscles rippled as she snaked her nails under white silk and up his back. She grasped his shoulders, desperate to make them fit together as one.


I’m currently working on a sequel, tentatively titled “April’s Moon” where, once again the Vamps and Lycanths will duke it out. Vampires are still the bad guys, but I couldn’t stop myself from writing the full gamut of vamps from a super-evil vampire clan leader to a newly-made vampire who is definitely not cut out for the full-evil lifestyle.

So, my question to all of you Fangtastic fans out there is this:

What type of vampire do you prefer, dark and dangerous? sensitive and romantic? Or some unique combination from your own dreams?

Email a short description of your version of the perfect vamp to me at katsreaders@gmail.com by midnight December 8, 2010.

One lucky entrant will win a matted copy of the limited print “The Autumn Danse” from photographer Lilly Prinn, shown below. (Note: watermark of title and name are for copyright protection only and do not appear on print.)

Follow Kat on:

Eternal Press

http://www.katduarte.com/

Cafe Lotti blog

facebook

twitter

myspace

My books:

Rise of the Wolf

Angel Gets Her Wings Goldie and the Three Bares

BLURB for Rise of the Wolf:

City girl Hilary Samuels had no idea that Murphy’s Law was about to kick into high gear on the first night of the Hunters Moon. One flat tire on a country road and a skid into a cornfield later, she finds herself in a face-off with an evil but seductive vampire. Add to that one huge werewolf who leap in to save the day.

Anyone else would scurry back to the more conventional hazards of life in Chicago, but Hilary moved to the city’s far distant suburb of McKenna with an agenda. If she makes a success of the new Café Lotti, it will mean a promotion to manager for the next new Lotti in the heart of the city. But just how do you build your customer base when stalked by the undead? Not to mention that the hot, hunky head of your company turns out to be the werewolf who charged to your rescue?

When C.E.O. Nathan Sutton admits he’s her shape-shifting protector, Hilary suspects there’s something else he’s not telling her. Will the secret he reveals have the power to bond them together forever or will it rip her life apart?

Witchy Winter Books by Gianna Bruno

Thanks so much for having me today. I’ve been busy getting ready for release day, and it’s almost here. The Journey comes out with Eternal Press on December 7, and I can’t wait!

It’s an erotic (and I mean five flames) paranormal novella with historic elements and I just love the way it all came together. Topped off by a gorgeous cover designed by Amanda Kelsey, I couldn’t be more pleased.

Can you tell us a little about your current titles and where can they be purchased?

The Journey is my second title with Eternal Press. Last January, they published my novellette Hot Chocolate Kiss.

Here are the blurbs for each, and I think readers can see for themselves.

The Journey is slow, sumptuous, much more a traditional fantasy with lots of spells, action,
and adventure. And ménage.

As the North prepares to battle the South, a witch, a sailor and escaped slaves discover the journey is not about a destination, but rather overcoming the obstacles along the way.

They don't hang witches in Salem anymore, but Milena's punishment is being shunned. When her lover Thomas' ship is lost at sea, she fears he perished with the rest of the crew leaving her alone in a town bracing for a war over slavery, but still rife with an older form of prejudice.

Milena travels into the Forest and Sea Otherworlds to search for him, paying the fairies for her passage with bodily pleasures. Circe, the evil mermaid holding Thomas hostage, demands even more. She faces off against Circe in her underwater lair, endures the wrath of a colony of escaped slaves, and learns the terrible truth of what led to the shipwreck that left Thomas as its only survivor.

On the long journey, Milena learns to use her powers in ways she never imagined and discovers surprising truths about her own past. Left questioning everything she has ever believed, she must make the choice whether to return home with Thomas or stay in the Otherworlds forever.

Hot Chocolate Kiss is a fast-paced, sexy read that guys love for the sports—on and off the slopes. It’s a great stocking stuffer or Valentine’s Day gift.

Extreme weather, three witches, two skiers fighting their own demons…and each other. Who wins?

Keela Branford’s passion for extreme winter sports, fueled by anger at a cheating soon to be ex-husband, drives her to brave sub-zero wind chills and break a lot of rules--including the one to never ski alone. There are just some battles that have to be fought despite the risks.
Keela doesn't think much of Rick Marston, a ski lift attendant who is brazen enough to question Keela's judgment. And she thinks even less of his invitation for a drink when she comes down from the summit. She's sworn off controlling jocks like her ex, and is determined to exorcise the demon of self-doubt inside her. Will Keela win the battle against The Witches waiting for her on the ski slopes? And will the heat between Keela and the man who gets in the middle rout them for good?

I’d like to invite everyone to my release day chat at http://eternalpress.biz . My time slot is , but if that isn’t convenient, they can join in the loop chat on the Eternal Press Readers’s Group or Fever Loop (for erotic fiction). I’ll be popping in and out all day and there will be plenty of opportunities to win goodies from me and the other release day authors.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EternalPressReaders/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EternalPressFEVER/?yguid=411744824

The 25% discount codes for all Eternal Press titles purchased through their website applies to The Journey and Hot Chocolate Kiss. If readers would like a personalized gift note, or prefer signed, print copies they can contact me through my website http://giannabruno.com . I’m running a special holiday package deal on print books, including a box of chocolates. Pricing will vary according to shipping costs.

The 25% discount code for downloads of all Eternal Press titles is given out every release day, so be sure to visit the EP chatroom http://www.eternalpress.biz or my blog on December 7.

My titles are also available in all electronic formats from Fictionwise, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

What are you working on now?

I’m writing a contemporary erotic collection entitled At Home with Peter and Sandra. It’s a humorous look at a couple in the suburbs trying to re-invent their relationship. Snarky, five flames, and I’m having a blast writing it.

I’m also planning a Sexy Seasons series, featuring Rick and Keela from Hot Chocolate Kiss. Winter is covered, but I’ve got spring, fall and summer adventures planned for them including an enchanted forest hike, a trip to Salem for Samhain, and supernatural surfing in the summer.

Do you have a specific writing style?

Yes and no. I’ve long thought of myself as a magical realist and most of my stories are just this side of reality. Hot Chocolate Kiss and At Home with Peter and Sandra have a chick-lit feel with clipped, snarky prose. The Journey, which has more elements of high fantasy, conforms to the conventions of that genre with lush language and symbolism. It’s very different than anything I’ve ever written before.


Where can readers find you on the web?

Folks can keep in touch with me in lots of ways, depending upon their preference for level of contact:

They can take their pick, depending upon preference for level of contact.

I have a blog on Blogger, http://giannabruno.blogspot.com/

And I’m on Twitter and Facebook if folks want periodic news and updates. I can put readers on an email list, or they can join my group. I’m really serious about not spamming or jamming people’s inboxes. Just the facts, ma’am.

My Facebook Fan Page is at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gianna-Bruno/153839997984159#!/pages/Gianna-Bruno/153839997984159?v=wall

Readers can follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/Gianna_Bruno

My website has all my contact information, forums, links to reviews, purchase information for all electronic formats and print copies of my books.

http://giannabruno.com/


Here’s a little preview of The Journey:

Villagers swarmed around the dappled gray stallion to obstruct her passage. They buzzed like flies on dung. Since the day Milena stumbled dazed and disoriented out of the Swampscott forest, and Hecabe's lair, they'd branded her a sorceress. Thomas found her huddled near the docks, knowing little of the world and nothing of her origins, surviving only by an innate ability to forage and perform simple magic. He transformed her from an illiterate, illegitimate enigma with his love and attention, teaching her numbers, letters and the ways of the civilized.

If not for the laws on the books, and the protection Thomas provided, Milena would have been hanged. Being shunned was the extent of her punishment. And for that she owed him her loyalty and fidelity. Perhaps the winds of war blowing since Lincoln's election and the Southerners' secession now occupied the Northerners' attention, but Milena knew prejudice to be a blinder as effective as those used on skittish work horses.

"Go back into the woods where you belong, witch." A woman reached up and tugged Milena's ebony plaits. "Immodesty in dress and action. No cap covering your hair, devil worship at the full moon."

Greystone reared. The crowd fled the horse's shrill whinny and pawing hooves.

The woman spat on the ground. "Good riddance, demoness. Ride your ghost mount back whence you came."

Milena clutched the horse's middle with her legs, regained her balance and continued on to the docks. The gray, sticky aura of the sea's wrath shrouded everything in Milena's sight. Whitecaps frothed on the bay. Plumes of sea spray surged through the planks with each swell the agitated waters. A steady wind dispersed black clouds over the town.

Hateful eyes glared from a safe distance. She tethered Greystone and walked into the shipping company office. Her footsteps echoed in the room. The workers fell silent.

She approached the purser's desk. He surveyed her from the neckline of her sackcloth dress down to the battered boots on her feet. "What business have you here, witch?"

"To inquire after Thomas Harper." Milena ignored her heart pounding and stared directly into his eyes. He would not intimidate her.

"And of what interest is he to you?" A smirk spread over his face.

The vision of Thomas headed into the forest on the day he left flashed through her mind. Milena's voice quavered despite her effort. "He's my husband."

Unmoved, the brute spoke with the venom of a poisonous snake. "His ship was last seen leaving Cay West on two months ago. The ship went down, but no one knows where." His crooked smile indicated perverse delight in delivering the news.

Despair surged through Milena's body like lightning. Her heart trembled with grief, the empty pit in her soul ached. Why had the spirits not spoken the truth? She would not show any vulnerability, she would not react, she would not give them the pleasure of seeing her cry.

Hot Chocolate Kiss

Extreme weather, three witches, two skiers fighting their own demons...and each other. Who wins?

This fast paced, sexy read is a great stocking stuffer or Valentine's Day Gift. Guys will love this one for the sports--on and off the slopes.

The Journey

As the North prepares to battle the South a witch, a sailor and escaped slaves discover the journey is not about a destination.
Release day 12/7/10

Holiday gift packages available

PDF download Print/Kindle Fictionwise

Win a PDF of Malevolent Dead by Heather Kuehl

Curiosity got the better of me, as it always does.

This time, it got me when I was writing Malevolent Dead. I knew from the start of Fade to Black that Sarah looked like Damian’s dead wife Phaedra, but didn’t plan to do anything with it.

Damian would always care for Sarah because she looked like Phaedra, but that was going to be it. Until I got curious. I wanted to know exactly how Damian felt, and I wanted to know if Sarah could ever feel the same way. I was dying to write about the feeling of Damian’s hands on Sarah, the feel of his fangs as they brushed across her skin. I knew that I didn’t want a vampire/werewolf love triangle (wasn’t there enough of that going around these days?); I just wanted one night to find out how gentle Damian’s touch could be.

However there was a complication in the form of Jared. Sarah was head-over-heels in love with him and she couldn’t be with the vampire while her werewolf boyfriend was around.

It’s amazing what lengths I will go to sate my curiosity. To say anything more would spoil everything.


Excerpt from Malevolent Dead, Chapter One (before final edits).

When my phone vibrated at 2 am, I knew it wasn’t good.

As I rolled over to answer it, my mind ran through the list of people who could be calling me. Donavan? Nah. He was on his second honeymoon with his wife, Monique. They vacationed in the middle of the Caribbean. Jared? That thought immediately banished as I had to reach over his sleeping body to get to my phone as it crawled across the bedside table. That left only one person.

“What do you want, Damian?” I muttered as I snapped my phone open.

“Good morning to you too,” Damian said, his ancient accent sliding across my skin and slithering down my spine.

I crawled out of bed, doing my best not to wake Jared. Like I even could. He slept so heavily I doubted that Armageddon could wake him. I slipped into the bathroom and shut the door.

“Why are you calling me?” I asked as I flipped on the bathroom light. Damian rarely used the phone. When I did get a call, usually Dez relayed Damian’s orders. This was different and when it came to the born vampire on the other end of my phone, different was bad.

“I need you to come to the club. We have a visitor that would like to meet you.”
Several things made my spidey-sense tingle. One, I lived in one of the guestrooms at Damian’s club, Malevolent Dead. Damian made it sound like I lived somewhere else. Whoever was there, the born vampire didn’t want them to know I lived with them. Two, who in the hell would make Damian that nervous?

“Are you in trouble?” I asked. I heard Damian grunt.

“Immediate, no. Given some time, yes.”

Peachy.

“I’ll be right there.” I glanced at my pajamas in the mirror. “I have to change first. I don’t think ‘Hello Kitty’ will make a good first impression.”

Damian laughed. Even over the phone I could feel his laughter travel over my skin, making me shudder. I flipped my phone closed, disconnecting the call.

Grabbing my clothes from yesterday out of the hamper and my Walther P22 from the dresser, I quickly changed and combed out my black hair. My blonde roots were starting to show. I had to either dye it again, or do something to make it look good while I grew it out. I liked myself better with black hair, but it represented a part of me that I’d rather forget.

Six months ago I tried to kill Jared because I discovered he was the Were that changed me. No, not tried. Did. I threw the silver knife and delivered a mortal wound that only Damian could fix. I despised myself for letting my hatred go as far as to hurt the man I loved. I felt guilty whenever I saw the scar over his heart.

Jared still slept when I left the bedroom and headed toward a little known emergency exit. I cautiously exited the club, relieved to find no bad guys around. The only person outside was Nyesha, an ebony-skinned witch that sold her sweet grass baskets near the entrance of Malevolent Dead.

“Sarah, is everything okay?” She knew damn well I lived here and could easily exit the club from the front door.

I shrugged. “Don’t know yet. We’ll see.”

“And you’ll tell me, right?”

That woman just loved her gossip. “If it’s mine to tell.”

She nodded, her head dropping back down to the basket in her lap. With patrons coming in and out of Malevolent Dead until the early morning, Nyesha made a killing on our corner. The chilly Charleston air sent shivers up my spine, and I wished that I had thought about throwing on a jacket. I walked around the corner to the main door of the club.

From the outside, Malevolent Dead didn’t look like much. There wasn’t even a sign out front, just tinted windows and a heavy bass pounding from the inside. Humans who came here to dance slowly left as I walked through the coffin encased foyer and upstairs. I heard them grumbling about it closing early. I didn’t blame them. Most nights, Malevolent Dead stayed open until 5am.

I crossed the dance floor and opened the door marked, “Employees Only.” Everyone in the room looked up as I entered.

Damian leaned against the wall, his arms crossed over his bare chest. He wore a pair of dark-washed jeans tucked into black leather boots. A Celtic knot necklace hung around his neck. When his eyes caught sight of me, he smiled and held out a hand.

“Phaedra, my love. Look who’s come to visit us.”

Phaedra?

I was careful not to let my confusion show as I took his hand. He guided me into his arms. I looked up into his plum colored eyes, waiting for some kind of explanation.

He said nothing. Instead Damian turned me to face his guests. A man sat on the couch across from us, backed by five Necrovamps. Icky, disgusting Necrovamps. They were the product of a vampire transformation gone wrong. Their bodies slowly rotted, exposing muscle and bone. Gore leaked from them, creating a kind of snail trail on the ground behind them. The worst part of all were their fangs. Super long, the Necrovamps couldn’t even close their mouths because of them. They were mindless killers and took orders from only one type of creature.

A necromancer.

“Marcellus, you remember my wife.”

The man in the chair nodded. “Of course. How could I forget such beauty? But as I heard it, she died.”

Damian laughed. “Does she look dead to you?”

Marcellus shook his head. “Not at all. How is it that she’s still alive?”

“I changed her.”

Marcellus laughed. “I can hear her heart beat, old friend. I’d say she’s human, but she reeks of Were.”

I huffed. There was something important about Marcellus thinking that Damian’s wife still lived. I decided to just go with it and hoped to God that Damian explained it to me later. “Shows what little you know, Marcellus.” I turned to Damian. “How much longer will you be, baby? I’m ready to go home and the bed is so cold without you.”

I stood on tiptoe to place a light kiss on his lips. Damian smiled as he rubbed noses with me, his hand sliding down to cup my ass.

“Not much, my pet. Marcellus was just about to tell me the reason for his visit.”

Marcellus grinned. “I know you killed the Skyner twins, Damian. Only a fool would believe the lies floating around. Only a fool would believe that two Weres from that dreadful corporation did the deed. You know that it’s against our laws to kill another vampire. I’m here for that reason.”

Our laws? I took a deep breath through my nose and finally picked up the scent I hadn’t noticed earlier; vampire. Marcellus wasn’t only a necromancer, but he was a vampire to boot. This didn’t bode well.

Damien’s voice turned to ice. “Excuse me?”

Marcellus stood and slowly walked over to us. “Since you murdered the twins, I’ve been sent here to be the new lord of Charleston. Your position is forfeit.” He drew a sword out of a sheath on his back. “As is your life.”

Damian laughed. I felt his power flowing out, wrapping itself around Marcellus. Damian’s hand cupping my ass moved up and unholstered my Walther P22. He held the gun up, aiming at Marcellus’s face. The gun wasn’t loaded with wooden rounds, but the shot would still hurt Marcellus. It would slow him down enough for Damian to get the upper hand.

“You are no longer welcome here, old friend. Leave and take your rotting scum with you.”

Marcellus hissed as he backed away. I narrowed my eyes as they left, realizing something important. Marcellus had no intention of killing Damian today. He wanted to draw it out. After all, it wasn’t every day that a vampire was allowed to kill one of their own.

Damian sagged against the wall once they left, dropping my gun onto the polished marble floor. “Dammit,” he growled as he raked a hand through his ebony hair.

I sat in the chair Marcellus had just vacated, waiting for Damian to collect himself. “What the hell?” I asked when he finally did. I didn’t need to go further than that. Damian could read my mind like a book. He knew everything I felt curious about. Damian shook his head.

“Not here. I don’t trust it.” He stood up and walked over to a large black door that led away from the club. I stood and followed him, hoping he wasn’t going to keep me in the dark about all of this. I mean, he was the one that dragged me into this.

“I’m not,” Damian said. “We’re going to my study to speak about this.”
Damian’s study was a small room with a bookcase and desk tucked in the corner. A large decorative curtain hung on the wall, and I assumed it covered a window.

The moment we entered Damian’s study I tore into him. “What’s going on? I thought you were safe? Why is Marcellus after you? How can he be both a necromancer and a vampire? And who the hell is Phaedra? And why did he think I was her?”

Damian sighed. “I hope this will answer your last question.” Damian walked over to the far left wall and pulled the decorative curtain aside.






Grab your copy of Promises to Keep and Fade to Black today, available from Eternal Press and Amazon.com.

Get your copy of Malevolent Dead from Eternal Press on September 7th.


Heather Kuehl is the author of Promises to Keep and The Sarah Vargas Series as well as numerous short stories and poems. Visit Heather online at http://www.heatherkuehl.com/, http://www.heatherkuehl.blogspot.com/ or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

Contest Time!

Want to win a pdf of Malevolent Dead?

Just leave a comment on this psot with email address

One lucky person will win

Contest Closes Tuesday at Midnight EST

Win a Free Download of My New Release Insatiable

To celebrate today's ebook release of Insatiable I am offering one winner a free download.

This is a super hot erotica novella, five flames so 18 and older only please, it is quite graphic.

It isn't a Christmas story but it does have slight paranormal elements so hope you enjoy.

The print version of Insatiable will be available through Amazon.com later this month.

Blurb:

An unusual woman in need of sexual adventure finally frees herself from small town life and finds more than she bargained for in the big city.

Scarlett has an extraordinary appetite for sex; a completely insatiable need.

Unfortunately, she grew up in a small town where women like her were frowned upon and treated badly—and her sexual escapades did not go unnoticed. So when Scarlett decides to pack up and move, the last thing she expects is to find in her new city is Marcello, the most beautiful and erotic man she has ever laid eyes on and who seems to have an equal appetite for the pleasures of the flesh.

Despite only ever needing sex in the past, Scarlett soon finds that Marcello leaves her wanting more. But can love and her unquenchable thirst for sex exist together? Can he accept her for who and what she really is and find a way to let their passions sizzle for more than just a weekend?

Excerpt

There were several women and only one man in the room. The man was so gorgeous I stopped dead just to stare at him. I had never seen a man that was so beautiful, yet so masculine. He was naked, muscles rippling over his bronze flesh. His raven hair looked like dark silk in the candlelight. His square jaw was softened by full lips and his green eyes sparkled with unnatural brilliance. He was so hard he could have been carved from stone. He turned to look at me and his sensual lips formed the most inviting smile.

“Come join us,” he said. His voice was deep and sensual with a slight Italian accent. I was drawn to him. More than just desire coursed through me as I neared him. His eyes seemed to reach right into my soul and look around. I sat next to him on the pillows that covered the floor. I wanted to touch him, for him to touch me. Something stronger but similar to electricity was coursing between us. I wondered if he could feel it, or was it just me. I had never felt such an intense attraction to anyone before in my life.

“This must be your first time. I’ve never seen you before.” He looked at me with those dazzling green eyes. I swear his eyes caressed me. I could feel them all over my body as if he were touching me. Perhaps it was just wishful thinking.

“Yes, this is my first time at the club,” I replied. My voice was a little hoarse and I was dumbstruck by his sheer beauty and the intense sexuality that he exuded.

“Do you like it?” He asked.“Oh, yes. I like it very much.”

To win a free pdf download of Insatiable

please leave a comment on this post

with your email contact info.

BTW I'll be chatting live tonight at Eternal Press

http://www.eternalpress.ca/LiveAuthorChats.html

from 10-11 PM EST

Drop by and chat with me live

and have a chance at winning

an exclusive chatters only prize pack

containing some nice Fang-tastic Books swag

Insatiable by Roxanne Rhoads

Blurb:

A unusual woman in need of sexual adventure finally frees herself from small town life and finds more than she bargained for in the big city.

Scarlett has an extraordinary appetite for sex; a completely insatiable need.

Unfortunately, she grew up in a small town where women like her were frowned upon and treated badly—and her sexual escapades did not go unnoticed. So when Scarlett decides to pack up and move, the last thing she expects is to find in her new city is Marcello, the most beautiful and erotic man she has ever laid eyes on and who seems to have an equal appetite for the pleasures of the flesh.

Despite only ever needing sex in the past, Scarlett soon finds that Marcello leaves her wanting more. But can love and her unquenchable thirst for sex exist together? Can he accept her for who and what she really is and find a way to let their passions sizzle for more than just a weekend?

This is a super hot erotica novella, five flames, with lots and lots of sex.

Purchase it on December 7 at Eternal Press.

Read an excerpt here.

Reupload Book Video

Due to a spelling error in my book video I had to delete the first upload, edit it then reupload so now the Eternal Desire book video is freshly edited and ready to be viewed...again.

Torrid Teasers Volume 59 Delayed, New Title for Eternal Passion and Other News

So today is the day my newest release Torrid Teasers Volume 59 was supposed to be released but so far the Whiskey Creek site does not have it up yet. It is listed as going on sale today but the site has not been updated with the June 15th releases.

But it is summer, people are on vacation and who knows- keeping busy. The site will be updated eventually I am sure.

I'll post a link to Torrid Teasers Volume 59 as soon as the site has it up for sale.

Other news, my October novella release through Eternal Press was originally titled Eternal Passion. Due to similar wording for other October releases the title is now Eternal Desire.

Eternal Desire will be out in October, ebook available at EternalPress.ca and print copies available at Amazon.com.

And some good news I just found that Kimberly Frost will be joining us September 1 to celebrate the release of BARELY BEWITCHED the second book in her series, a follow up to the fang-tastically fabulous WOULD-BE WITCH. She'll be guest blogging with us and there will be a chance to win a free copy of BARELY BEWITCHED.

I know September 1st is such a long time away but I am just excited to receive some good news on a Monday plus I really am looking forward to BARELY BEWITCHED. WOULD-BE WITCH was a really, really great paranormal book.

A Review of Traveling Light by Diana Rubino

Traveling Light
by Diana Rubino
May 2009,
Eternal Press
$6.95
77,800 words
time travel romance
ebook
3.5 fangs
.5

Leigh hits her head and passes out in the bed of Richard III, on display in the historic cottage she's restoring. When she awakes, she finds herself in fifteenth-century England, wed to the mysterious Lord Guy Blackamour. All she remembers of Lord Blackamour from history is that he supposedly drowned his wife (Leigh at the moment!) and was later executed for treason. Will Leigh be able to escape back to her own time before it's too late? Will she suffer the same fate as Guy's wife? Or will history prove wrong about Lord Blackamour?

Although time travel and historical romances aren't my favorites, the political intrigue and complex misunderstandings drew me into this story and kept me enthralled. I enjoyed Leigh and Guy's slowly unfolding relationship as they navigated kidnappings, betrayal, and battle to discover what was really important to each of them in the end.

Sadly, there is one rather significant plot inconsistency involving who placed a critical note into a goblet's stem that jarred me out of the story. "But wait, I thought... did that, not..." *clicks back button and checks* Whoops.

Reviewed by Chris.

Guest Author Diana Rubino

Welcome Diana Rubino today, author of the new book A Bloody Good Cruise

A Bloody Good Cruise is a humorous story about how romance author Mona Rossi and her on and off again main squeeze, Fausto Silvius, a full blooded vampire, narrowly escape a lunatic fringe group of vampire hunters they call the Vampire Ball Busters.

It's set on The Romanza, a cruise ship on a Mediterranean voyage. Its premise is: facing your fears leads to acceptance and may lead to truth, inner peace, and the ultimate everlasting love. What sets it apart is that it's the only chick lit romance set on a cruise ship that I'm aware exists so far.I love cruising and vampires, so I thought I'd combine the two for a unique twist. Mona's being a romance writer added another fun ingredient to the mix.

My vampires aren't 'traditional' in that they sleep in coffins, have fangs, or hate garlic (they're all Italian!) They originated in Ancient Rome from a gene that mutated. I wanted to give a biological reason for why they'd evolved as vampires.

But the main theme is about tolerance; at the end, Fausto 'comes out' as a vampire on international TV, and asks the world that they accept him and his kind, don't hate them because they're different, and makes a plea for the whole human race to get along (because deep down, vamps really are 'human').

So, aside from having a lot of fun on this cruise, I hope readers will see that these guys and gals are just like us, and being 'turned' isn't all so bad!

The book is on sale in paperback at http://www.amazon.com/, and from my publisher Eternal Press, http://www.eternalpress.ca/.

Thanks for dropping by Diana. Oh, and look for me doing an interview at Diana's site on June 18th.

Eternal Press New Release Reviews

Here are some reviews on the newest paranormal releases from Eternal Press. And just so you know all Eternal Press books are now available in print on Amazon.com.

These reviews are by one of our ebook reviewers, Chris.


Giving Up the Ghosts: Ghostly Menage, Part 2 by Alysha Ellis
Eternal Press, May 2009
$4.50
(27,000 words)
paranromal erotica
ebook
1.5 fangs

Adam, Chad, and Benedict are ghosts whose only purpose is to make (human) Kelsie happy. (This seems primarily to involve frequent sexcapades.) But suddenly Kelsie's beloved ghosts begin to fade away - will she be able to find help in time to save them?

Ellis provides the back story within the first few pages, so you don't necessarily have to read Ghostly Menage, Part 1 to figure out what's going on in Giving Up the Ghosts. Since I haven't read the first story, I can't tell you if it would have helped me feel more connected to Kelsie and her guys. Because I never felt engaged by the characters or the story, so the explicit sexing wasn't very compelling.

With some polishing to smooth out the choppy feel, I think this would've been a much more involving and enjoyable read.


The Ghost Amethyst by Sherry King
Eternal Press
May 2009
$3.95
11,300 words
paranormal erotica
ebook
3 fangs

English professor Tom's wife Elaine died in a car accident and came back as a vengeful, hungry ghost who can control Tom's words and actions if he falls asleep. On forced leave from his teaching job due to his increasingly erratic behavior, Tom's former student Violet fights to save the life of the teacher she's always had a crush on.

When this story begins, it's told from Elaine's point of view as an angry ghost who needs Tom's blood and secretions to survive. The harsh beginning (Elaine is really, really evil) almost scared me away, but I'm glad I persisted. My only real complaint was the choppiness in switching between the three points of view (Elaine, Tom, Violet) in the story.


Whispers in the Dark by Marisa Quinn
Eternal Press
May 2009
$2.50
6000 words
paranormal romance
ebook
3 fangs

The Greek god Eros knows his soulmate Psyche has been born and longs to be with her. However, his mother Aphrodite seeks to destroy Psyche because she doesn't want her son to leave her alone. This sweet retelling of the myth of Eros and Psyche provides additional insight into Aphrodite's own psyche as she has to decide between loneliness and losing Eros.

~Reviews by Chris.

Guest Blogger Author Rhonda Parrish

Today we have guest blogger Rhonda Parrish, author of Sister Margaret a short story from Eternal Press and the editor of Nite Blade Magazine.

Welcome Rhonda. -

I love vampires. You must too or else you wouldn't be reading this blog, would you? And like me, you are probably very picky about what kind of vampires you like. Everyone has specific parts of the vampire mythology they love, or love to hate. Recently we've all see the outpouring of love for vampires that sparkle, and the equal amount of criticism for the very same thing. You can't please everyone in regard to anything, but perhaps especially when it comes to vampires.

I didn't even want to try.

I wanted to write a vampire story, but without dwelling too much on the vampires themselves. I wanted the vampire(s) to be just another character, no more or less important than any of the others. That was part of the inspiration for my new story, released today from Eternal Press – Sister Margaret.

Sister Margaret is about a vampire hunter and a half-incubus swordsman who are hired by a priestess to take care of a vampiric pimp. In this story, Xaphan, the vampire pimp, doesn't get a whole lot of page time, but I believe the dark presence of the vampire can be felt throughout the story just the same. Sometimes you don't need to see the vampire to know they are around. That's the case with Sister Margaret.

Allow me to share a short excerpt.

~*~

Not one to waste time with niceties, Bayne kicked down the door and went to work. I’d seen him wield his sword before, plenty of times; each one better than the last, but nothing had prepared me for this.

Xaphan had a lot of minions—a lot. They swarmed on Bayne like flies on shit, a living wave of fists and feet, all determined to bring him down. None of them reached him. His face, contorted by battle fury, looked every bit like a demon, all trace of humanity erased. He moved the sword as though it were an extension of himself, each movement calculated to destroy as many of his foes as possible. Within minutes, the roar of battle subsided to the whimpering of wounded, and Bayne’s once white hair was stained pink with blood. An occasional cut ripped through his shirt; one or two even managed to draw blood. But in less than ten minutes, he’d reduced the vampire’s army to a pile of mangled corpses and unidentified gore.

I entered as he replaced his sword in the scabbard strapped across his back, careful to watch my step lest I slip on the blood and goo and find myself covered in things I’d rather not contemplate. From a far corner, buried in shadows that mortal eyes couldn’t hope to penetrate, the distinct sound of feminine sobs could be heard. The leech had hostages after all. Good thing I’d decided against the fireball.

“You get the girls,” I said. “I’ll take care of the vampire and meet you back outside.”

Bayne nodded and delivered a sharp kick to the nose of one of his opponents who lay moaning in the sea of gore. The man’s face imploded, shattering beneath the force of Bayne’s boot, and then Bayne headed wordlessly toward the sound of the hostages.

I winced inwardly at the brutality of his action and then shrugged it off. In war, shit happens; he couldn’t be the best sword for hire in the land if he were squeamish about killing. Nor could he afford to turn his back on an enemy who still drew breath, injured or not.

I watched his back disappear into the darkness and thought about calling out to warn him to watch for traps, but then I thought better of it. Bayne was no fool; he knew what he was doing. I could trust him to get the girls out of the house safely. Now it was up to me to find the vampire and kill him.

~*~

I am giving away a copy of the ebook to a random commenter to this post – it could be you. If you're not sure what to say I'd love to hear what you think about my excerpt or you could tell me this – do you love or hate sparkly vampires?

Rhonda Parrish
Writer à http://www.rhondaparrish.com/
Editor à http://www.niteblade.com/

Thanks for joining us, Rhonda.

Any commentors who would like to win a copy of Sister Margaret please make sure you leave contact info.

Welcome Guest Author Kristin Battestella

Today we have a special guest blogger, Kristin Battestella author of The Vampire Family.



Good Day Pale Friends, to our special visit at FangTastic!



The Vampire Family began life as a simple vampire story passed among friends in high school way back when. Since its 2008 ebook release from Eternal Press, The Vampire Family has grown in popularity due to hype from online stalwarts such as Paranormal Romance, Coffee Time Romance, Fallen Angel Reviews, and Night Owl Romance among others. This month, the undead buzz exploded for our paperback release, currently available on Amazon. In addition to virtual appearances, I've visited the Philadelphia Book Festival and the Collingswood Book festival in support of The Vampire Family.


Blending horror, dark fantasy, and paranormal romance; the trials and tribulants of The Vampire Family are tough to pigeon hole. There's plenty of historical action, contemporary horror, ill fated romance, and dastardly vampire covens to span the novel's journey from 12th century Britain to the 21st century and beyond.

Here's a Blurb:

Sadistic? Check. Domination? Check. Happiness? Not for all. Antonio Welshire accepts the mysterious Mestiphles' offer for vampiric power, but fails to consider that not all in his family desires evil.

Daughter Victoria revels in the debauchery, but eldest daughter Samantha loathes the darkness. Enemies are in no short supply when the family turns to darkness.

Charismatic rebel Gaston turns up to rival for Antonio's power; the vampire lover Jean can destroy them once and for all, and henchwoman Lilith seeks to supplant Antonio as Mestiphles' favorite. Who will be declared the victor?

And in the end, though they've survived coven wars and persecutions since the 12th century, can The Vampire Family survive each other?

Killing his abusive parents isn't enough for Antonio Welshire. Rape and death follow him through his youth in the 12th Century-until a stranger named Mestiphles give Antonio unimaginable vampire powers. Fearful yet captivated by his allure, Antonio's adopted sisters Ann and Elizabeth share this gift with him and their children-Victoria, James, Samantha, and Stephen. Antonio is a cruel ruler , and after his defeat of the young rebel Gaston, Antonio struggles with Lilith-another magical pet also created by Mestiphles.

Antonio's vampire family grows over the centuries, each vampire loving and losing vampire fledglings over time. Wars, persecutions come and go, but the family's troubles always stem from within. Elizabeth may be his wife, but Ann supplants her as Antonio's mistress. By the 20th century, Elizabeth has found love again-unfortunately her fledgling Jean share's Samantha's disdain for the vampire life. Will The Vampire Family self destruct before the 21st Century?

And now a quick excerpt:

“Catherine?” Antonio’s shadowy figure stood at her door. The tiny flame shortened in a clump of wax as the maid looked up.

“Yes, sir?” She set down her quill. “You sound different, sir. Are you ill?”

“Yes.” He stepped toward her. “I need your help.” The dim light shined in his face. He couldn’t see. His eyes felt bloodshot, and his hands seemed pale as the candle flickered. He put his hands on Catherine’s arms. She felt warm to his cold touch. Sharp teeth cut the inside of his lips. Antonio’s voice trembled. His hands shook. “I need your help.”

“Of course, sir.” She put her arms on his, but Antonio shook and felt the muscles of his forearm clench. “What can I do? Here, sit down.”

His arms came around her waist. Antonio heard her blood rush and saw her face flush. He put his head down on her chest. She trembled, but held Antonio’s head.

“Such overwhelming!” He spoke more to himself than Catherine. His words and hot breath were muffled against her. “Now I know what Mestiphles meant. I know what to do. I need to do it. I have to have it!”

“I’ll get some water.” Catherine was about to get up, but Antonio clenched his hands tighter around her.

“No,” he said hoarsely. His nails dug into her sides, and she winced. Antonio relaxed his grip, and she allowed his hands to roam. He unlaced her dressing gown. His hands stopped shaking, and bewitched, Catherine gave him total control. He pulled the loosened gown off her shoulders and swept Catherine to her feet in one swift motion. Yes, he knew she was captivated and paralyzed. He could be so frightening, yet masculine and desirable. Antonio put his head to her neck and bit the pumping jugular.

She flinched, but her blood flowed into Antonio’s mouth. The short life drain was ecstatic, but soon grew empty. Her life was now in him. Antonio let Catherine’s limp body fall to the bed. He had her, and now he wanted more.


Do you want more of The Vampire Family?

Download an ebook copy at Eternal Press or purchase a print copy at Amazon

You can read more excerpts, reviews, and interviews at any of the following locations:

http://jsnouff.com/kristin

http://vampfam.blogspot.com/

http://kristin724.livejournal.com/

http://myspace.com/kristinbattestella

http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/kristinbattestella


Feel free to friend us or subscribe to our feeds or join The Kristin Battestella Yahoo group for spooky fun, quizzes, and contests. For a little bit of nonfiction and horror critiques from Yours Truly, check out my review blog I Think, Therefore I Review. There I rant about horror books, movies, television, and music-in addition to more quizzes and fanlistings to keep things interesting! http://ithinkthereforeireview.blogspot.com/

Up next writing wise is a horror short story I've been going back and forth on called The Haberdasher. Samples of this and other short stories are available on the Yahoo Group. I've also done some editing work on my pal Leigh Wood's sf erotica On The Way To New Isosceles.

I've done several interviews recently talking about these and The Vampire Family, most notably with Raine Delight

http://leighwood.blogspot.com/


http://authorrainedelight.com/2009/03/author-blog-spotlight-is-on-kristin-battestella/

Previously I've had virtual sit downs with FAR, Night Owl, Red Roses for Authors, and Love and Romance Cafe.

Here's where you can catch me and The Vampire Family next:


3/21 Talking Two Lips Loop


3/24 Brenda Williamson Yahoo Group


3/27 The Haunt Yahoo Loop


4/1 Romance Junkies Live Chat


Now for a Contest!

I love chatting with readers, so I try and keep as many virtual appearances as possible to visit with good ole vampire loving folks! In addition, my Yahoo Group has become notorious for our waking holiday contests and giveaways.


Nothing too scary for today, merely a free ebook copy of The Vampire Family for the first reader to comment.


Bless you all and bless Fangtastic Books!


Kristin