I’m thrilled to announce that PROVOKED releases today.  This is Book 5 in the Dark Protector series, and it features Kane Kayrs, the dominant, scientific brother as the hero.  The heroine is Amber Freebird, a fun, spirited, vegan who likes to go her own way.  The two clash…yet somehow work together with humor and spice.  I hope you enjoy!

CONGRATS TO THE WINNERS!  Molly won from this blog – I’ve sent your book to you.  🙂

Hello everyone!  I’m taking part in two blog hops this weekend – how fun is that?  There’s nothing I like more than an Alpha male–well, except an Alpha male with a dark, brooding past.  Wounded heroes are the best! 

Provoked releases on November 1st and is up for a pre-order sale right now.  So I thought I’d show you a glimpse into Kane Kayrs, a dominant, brilliant, Alpha.  Here’s a quick blurb:

Kane grabbed the brandy glasses. Handing Amber one, he retook his seat in the chair. “Drink.”

“Stop being bossy.”

“Sorry.” Slowly, he took a sip, gaze watchful over the rim.

She drank a healthy gulp. How was she supposed to act normal with a sexy vampire studying her? “Stop staring.”

“No.” He licked a drop from his lip.

She fought a groan. The brandy warmed down her throat to her abdomen. Wind whistled outside, lending an intimacy to the fire-lit area inside. Her eyes half-closed in reaction. Tingles set up in her knees—most likely from the mind war she’d just fought. But the confusion came from her reaction to the vampire. “You shouldn’t have kissed me last night.”

“I know,” he agreed softly.

“Why did you?”

“You’re beautiful, sexy, and I want you.”  His voice was calm and self-assured.

No game-playing with that man.

She fought to keep her face calm. He said want in present tense. Her body reacted instantly. “That’s surprising. I figured you’d go for some robotic scientist type.”

“Apparently not.”

As people, they couldn’t be more different. He was overeducated. She . . . not so much. “I’m a pacifist.”

He gestured for her to finish her drink. “Let’s talk about that.”

She downed the rest of the brandy, a delicious heat sliding through her body. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

He tipped back his head and drank his brandy, the movement both masculine and sexy. Setting the sifter on the side table, he leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “I’ve been thinking.”

“That’s a new one.” She snorted.

Vampires had sexy grins. Who knew?

Kane’s grin widened. “So, I have a solution for our dilemma. You’re a pacifist who shouldn’t fight. I am a closet empath who needs to find my brother.”

The guy probably didn’t confess that fact to many people. She smiled, more warmth coming from his trust than from the alcohol. “What’s a closet empath?”

“Somebody who has fought for years to squash down the ability to read emotions from other people.” He sighed, stretching his neck. “Though, I can also attack with feelings sometimes. The ability can distract an enemy at the right moment, although I’d rather just use my brain.”

“There’s nothing wrong with feeling things, Kane.”

He shrugged. “Not the point.”

“What is the point?” Besides that fact that she was in an intimate setting alone for an entire night with the sexiest man she’d ever met in real life.

“The point is that there is a very simple answer to our dilemma.” His eyes darkened and his strong jaw set. “Mate me.”

So, here are the links if you’d like to pre-order Provoked and be one of the first to download it:

Also, here are the links to get back on the blog hops – make sure you hit the one you’ve been on!  (Feel free to hop on board the other one when you’re finished.  There are tons of great prizes in both.  They’re both scheduled to actually start the 19th)  Speaking of prices, in addition to the ones being given from me on the hops, I’m also giving away signed copies of Fated, Claimed, and Hunted to ONE randomly chosen commenter from my blog here.  So drop me a comment.  Do you have any plans for halloween?

Hi all!  Welcome to the very exciting Love’s a Beach Blog Hop.  I’m in the midst of copy edits for Provoked, which is Kane’s story that will be released on November 1st.  For a short time, it looks like the book is at a hugely discounted price…and since I’m never in the loop about these things, I truly don’t know how long my publisher will keep it there.  So, how about a quick glimpse at a scene in Provoked?  And I’m giving away a signed copy of my back list to a commenter on my blog here, as well as a copy on the main page of the blog hop.  Here’s the excerpt:

Kane peered down at her. “Amber?”

“Yes?”

“If you’re going to attack with whatever’s in your right hand, could you hurry it up? We need to get going.”

She started, her gaze slashing up to him. “How did you know?”

He shrugged. “What kind of a knife do you have?”

Her cheeks pinkened, and she drew her hand forward. “I have a pen.”

A blue ballpoint pen. He blinked twice, his gaze on the harmless tool.

Maybe it was the ridiculousness of the pen. Maybe it was the woman’s courage in planning to use it on him. Or maybe it was the sheepish half-smile she gave.

Either way, his heart rolled over.

Warmth flushed through him, so hot, so fast, his ears rang. His mind blanked. For the first time in centuries, his brain shut off. The woman was crazy. Stepping in, he grasped her chin, tilting her head back.

Her eyes widened, and then her gaze lowered to his lips. A soft sound of surprise emerged with her breath.

He dove in, allowing the animal within to awaken. For the first time in three centuries, there was no thought. All instinct ruled as his mouth took hers…no finesse, no calculation, just pure, raw need. He shoved her against the truck, his other hand clutching her hip as he went deeper.

Honeysuckle exploded along his taste buds as his tongue swept inside her mouth. Not gentle, not persuasive, just taking. Claiming.

And it wasn’t enough. Not even close to enough.

Pressing into her, body to body, heat to heat, something clicked. Beyond his brain, beyond his body…somewhere deeper.

Finally, he found home.

To purchase Provoked:

So, did you have a nice summer?  Was it summer where you live?  Any fun plans for fall?  To jump back on the hop, click on the picture below:

(The free read is now over…but Tempted is still discounted for a short time).

Hi all!  Today is release day for Hunted!  YAY!  And Tempted is still a free download from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ITunes, etc., so get yours while you can!  Even if you don’t have an e-reader, get the free “Kindle for PC” program from Amazon–I use mine all the time.  So, readers have sent in a couple questions that I thought I’d answer about Hunted:

1)  How do you think the average reader will relate to Moira, who’s a witch?  Well, I relate to her, and I’m not a witch.  🙂  Basically, Moira is in a situation that we all find ourselves in at some point (or at many points) in that several different paths are spreading out before her, and she needs to choose one.  Her people expect her to lead, her mate expects her to join him, and she wants to be an enforcer.  The cool thing about Moira is that she has the ability to find a way to do all three.

2)  Is Conn as over the top Alpha as the rest of the vampires?  Yes.  🙂  But Conn has a surprisingly sweet side that I think made for some cool scenes.  And as the ultimate soldier, he really doesn’t need to throw his weight around.  He’s smart, and he’s a good guy, and most importantly, he’s in love with Moira.

3)  What’s your favorite line from the book?  Well, it’s out of context here, and I can’t give you context or it’ll ruin some surprises.  But my favorite line is:  With a flash of speed and the shattering of glass, Connlan Kayrs leaped through the window.

4)  What’s your favorite short blurb?  This is a tough one, but I’ve always liked the following:

Conn tugged Moira to straddle him.  His lids half closed.  “No,” he murmured very softly.  “I want all of you, Moira.”  A deep breath lifted her to settle back in place.  “For now, your neck would be enjoyable.”  Twin fangs dropped low.

A guttural growl escaped him and she shivered.  Fighting the urge to clear her throat, fighting the need to run, she gingerly set her hands on either side of his wide shoulders and leaned down.  He threaded his free hand through her hair, tightening his hold and turning her head to the side.

Something natural, something feminine in her sighed, relaxing.  He had her.  And deep down, where certainty lived, she knew he wasn’t letting go.

Okay – I’m off to get ready for the book launching party today.  If you’re in the Cd’A area, stop by Gourmet Way between 5:00 and 7:00 tonight to say hi!

PURCHASE HUNTED

Happy Friday!  I’m so glad the weekend is here – well, almost.  I’ve been working hard on Consumed page proofs as well as finishing up book 5 (Kane’s story)…and suddenly, April is upon us.  Guess what happens this month? 

Yep.  Hunted releases.  So, to celebrate Hunted’s release and update everyone on where the heck I’ve been the last month, I’m giving away a copy of either Fated or Claimed over on the Brava blog today.  Now, you have to leave a comment on the Brava blog for a chance to win.  The contest is open world-wide, and I’ll leave it open all weekend.

So…head over there and say hi.  Thanks!  🙂