When I wrote the first book in The Kandesky Vampire Chronicles, SNAP: The World Unfolds, five years ago I had thoughts the Chronicles would be a trilogy.
Why a trilogy? I don’t know. Trilogies seem to be a popular, finite number, like Twilight. After the second book, SNAP: New Talent, I knew I fallen under the spell of the Kandeskys and had to tell the stories of how they came to be. So the third and fourth books, Plague: A Love Story and Danube: A Tale of Murder are novellas centered on two of the main vampires, Baron Stefan Kandesky and Jean-Louis.
I’d left the protagonist and Jean-Louis’ love interest, Maxie, in a nasty cliffhanger in book two so I had to get her out and safe. After that…it just grew.
I didn’t set out to write a series about vampires. I was a mystery writer and had seven books plotted out in the Amy Hobbes Newspaper Mysteries.
But those Kandesky men! They really got into my blood! I was hooked on them, as were my fans. As I was writing the second, then the third, of the mysteries, I’d get notes on facebook, “When’s the next Kandesky book coming out?” And, in truth, I love living in the world of the Kandeskys. Oceans of money, European living and travel, jewels and designer clothes, surrounded by celebrities. It’s heady stuff and was becoming an addiction.
Amy Hobbes, my small-town newspaper editor is interesting, smart and clever. She has a sexy love interest in San Francisco, Phillipe, a Quebecois, but so far she’s travelled to Monterey…not Paris.
In February, I published the ninth book of The Kandesky Vampire Chronicles, SNAP: I, Vampire.
Nine! Is that the end of the series? I don’t think so. Another of the Kandesky men, Nik, is moving in, has charmed the pants off Maxie’s assistant, Jazz, and asked her to marry him. It means not only marriage but being turned into a vampire. Can Jazz do it? I don’t know yet, she hasn’t told me, but book ten is looming.
I don’t know how many books will ultimately be in The Kandesky Vampires Chronicles. The combination of sex, money and danger is a lure that I can’t ignore, my readers and fans will have to say “Enough, already”. Hope they don’t say that for a while!
About the Author
Michele Drier was born in Santa Cruz and is a fifth generation Californian. She’s lived and worked all over the state, calling both Southern and Northern California home. During her career in journalism—as a reporter and editor at daily newspapers—she won awards for producing investigative series.
Her Amy Hobbes Newspaper Mysteries are Edited for Death, (called “Riveting and much recommended” by the Midwest Book Review), Labeled for Death and Delta for Death.
Her paranormal romance series, SNAP: The Kandesky Vampire Chronicles, has received “must read” reviews from the Paranormal Romance Guild and was the best paranormal vampire series of 2014. The series is SNAP: The World Unfolds, SNAP: New Talent, Plague: A Love Story, Danube: A Tale of Murder, SNAP: Love for Blood, SNAP: Happily Ever After?, SNAP: White Nights, SNAP: All That Jazz, SNAP: I, Vampire .
My mornings always start with me opening this blog. Sometimes, I have some author’s interesting content to post. Love those days. I don’t have to do the thinking. If I have a new book out—again, a no–brainer—I talk about the new book. Then there are mornings like this one…
I was supposed to be writing today. My daughter was going to take all the kids to Little Rock (one of them has an appointment), then treat them with a trip to the comic book store. But last night, one of the girls threw up in her hands and the other had a 101-degree fever. So Nina is babysitting. And I’m due across the street in about twenty minutes, so this blog has to be quick! No time to leisurely drink my coffee waiting for inspiration to hit.
So, I glance around my desk—my very cluttered desk—hoping something will jump out at me. And something just did.
I bought this little brainstorming tool years ago at some writers’ conference. I’ve never opened the package! It sits in a corner, kind of buried next to notebooks, and I only notice it when I dust (which isn’t often enough!).
This is perfect really. “Story Cubes” is (that looks wrong, but I promise it’s not) a brainstorming game. You roll the dice, and whatever pictures appear face up are the ones you have to use to riff off a story.
Here’s the roll…
Do any of these symbols tell you anything? You can pick some or use all of them. Tell me a story, or just a glimmer of an idea, for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!
Alpha Heat: 21 Tantalizing Contemporary & Paranormal Romance Short Story Prequels from the Alpha Fever Boxed Set of USA Today, Amazon, International, and Award Winning Bestselling Authors, we bring you 21 steamy short stories to get your temperature rising as we introduce some of our characters.
Don’t miss out on our boxed set of 22 full-length novellas coming to you on March 19th!
22 Sizzling Contemporary and Paranormal Romance Stories
Alpha Feveris filled with a scintillating, spicy blend of ***BRAND NEW*** contemporary and paranormal romance stories written by 24 NY Times, USA Today, and Amazon best selling Authors wrapped up in one amazing boxed set!
The Authors
Elianne Adams – Erzabet Bishop – Muffy Wilson – Rozlyn Sparks –Jacintha Topaz – Elvira Bathory – Tara Crescent – Crystal Dawn – Tricia Owens – D. F. Krieger – A.C. Nixon – Isis Pierce – Abi Aiken – Dawn White – Kiki Howell – Gina Kincade – Bethany Shaw – Danielle Gavan – Abby Hayes – Paige Matthews – Tierney O’Malley – Jacqueline Sweet – Angelica Dawson – Tanith Davenport
“Hedging Her Bets”
From
Alpha Fever
by Erzabet Bishop
“One chance is all it takes.”
Alpha Fever: Hedging Her Bets
Natalie raised her chin to take in the two smoking hot men standing in front of her. Jonathan still held her hand, his eyes locked on hers. His bad boy biker visage with the black tee and tattoos made her heart skip a beat. His chestnut hair and chiseled good looks were swoon-worthy, and she wondered what it would be like to explore him. With her tongue. Her stomach swirled with butterflies and her pussy clenched. Why had it suddenly gotten so hot in here? It felt fine a moment ago. Her hedgie prickled and began to rub the underside of her skin.
Was it wrong to want to throw him to the floor and mount him right there?
Probably.
But she could at least enjoy the mental picture.
Bow chicka bow bow.
Her hedgie vibrated and she gave a long sigh. How she’d like to climb his tree and perch for a while. Jonathan sucked in his breath as if he could read her thoughts. His eyes glowed with the evidence of his beast and she flushed as the realization hit her. He could probably scent her arousal. Bears were good like that. At least, that was the rule in all the erotic romances she’d ever read. And so, for that matter, were cats. Both of these men were shifters.
Alpha Heat: Cat’s Got Her Tongue
“Do you want to try being the spanker or the spankee the first time?”
“What?” She was so startled by the question, she almost lost her grip on the paddle.
“Lucas here needs a proper swat or two for getting us in the newspaper, don’t you boy?” Jonathan pulled him close and slapped him on the ass before drawing him in for a scorching kiss that left her panties soaked just watching.
“Can she?” Lucas turned his golden eyes to her. “I would love that.” “Oh…that would be different. But then it’s my turn, okay? To be the spankee, I mean.” Natalie giggled and wrapped her fingers around the handle. She gave it a swing and the air whistled through the holes.
Erzabet Bishop is an award winning author who loves to write naughty stories. She is the author of Lipstick, Dinner Date, Crave, The Science of Lust, Arcane Imaginarium: Spirit Board, Holidays in Hell, Mallory’s Mark (upcoming 2016),The Devil’s Due (upcoming 2016), Charity Benshaw’s Enchanted Paddle Emporium (upcoming 2016), Sigil Fire, Glitter Lust (upcoming 2016), Written on Skin, Club Beam, Pomegranate, A Red Dress for Christmas, The Black Magic Café, Fantasies in Red, Sweet Seductions: The Erzabet Bishop Collection, Holiday Cruise, Fetish Fair, Temptation Resorts: Jess, Temptation Resorts: Marnie, Taming the Beast, The Erotic Pagans Series: Beltane Fires, Samhain Shadows and Yuletide Temptation along with being a contributor to many anthologies. Erzabet has been a finalist in the GCLS awards for 2014 and 2015. She lives in Texas with her husband, furry children and can often be found lurking in local bookstores. She loves to bake, make naughty crochet projects and watch monster movies. When she isn’t writing, she loves to review music and books.
When I was growing up, vampires weren’t pretty, sparkly-in-the-sun beings. They were dark and evil creatures steeped in European mythology. They were inspired by the Strigoi, Vlad the Impaler and Bram Stoker’s Dracula among others.
The vampires I knew of fed on the blood of hapless victims and slept in coffins. They were walking corpses that preyed on the living intent on death and destruction. Interesting for sure. Lovable? Nope.
I’m picky about what appeals to me when it comes to bloodsuckers. Some of my favorites in modern fiction include Louis and Claudia (Interview with a Vampire), Xan Marcelles (Crooked Fang) and Eli (Let the Right One In). These vampires all represent beautifully that essential struggle in balancing the monster they’ve become with what’s left of their humanity. They’re likable despite what they are. They invoke emotion and feeling which is essential to any good character but is especially effective with vampire characterization where you’re taking something that is inherently bad and making it into something people can relate to and even see a little of themselves in.
My vampires don’t shine like diamonds when exposed to daylight and, in fact, will burn up like a sparkler on the Fourth of July. They fight, love and fuck like humans but are always battling the monster that lurks just below the surface. Sometimes they win that fight and sometimes they don’t.
Some say vampires have had their day and are out of fashion. I call bullshit. In my opinion, vampires will always be relevant in fiction. As an author, you have creative license to build your world however you like. It’s up to you to lay down your lore and make it believable and engaging. At the end of the day, or night, vampires can be written any number of ways as long as their journey is a real one.
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, subscribe to my newsletter here http://eepurl.com/bPAbOLand thentell me who your favorite vampire is! I’ll pick a random winner from the comments on March 27, 2016.
If you like vampires, check out my new release Love Voodoo.
After a chance tarot card reading in a New Orleans voodoo shop, vampire Luca is intrigued by Collette, an alluring woman with an uncanny intuition. Getting intimately involved with a human is the last thing Luca has in mind, but Collette wins his trust and their friendship grows into something deeper. When Luca’s clan learns that he has asked Collette to perform a spell to bind his psychotic sire, a deadly chain of events unravels that will change their lives.
Alyssa Breck is an award winning author of horror/urban fantasy, paranormal romance and erotic fiction. She grew up reading Stephen King and V.C. Andrews. The Shining changed her life and sparked a love of all things scary, spooky and spine-chilling. Add some romance to that and she found her niche weaving paranormal and erotic romance stories. Alyssa hangs her hat in the South with her family of humans and fur-babies.
Until Marvin Gaye sang about sexual healing, going to the doctor was anything but sexy. But taking off clothes, examining, touching, and even saving a life are right up the alley of love and steamy romance. Raise your hand if you ever “played doctor”.
I took a workshop in medical editing last spring, and it inspired me to write. Cali, the heroine of Cali’s Hurricane, told me she wanted to do more than cook. When the man she hates gets injured, she’s torn between turning her back on him and using her healing skills to save him. When it’s time for a sponge bath, she’ll have to get uncomfortably close.
Despite the racial tensions brewing in Oyster Harbor in the 1930s, three interracial couples have found love. When a hurricane blows through, will hate finally be washed away or will it grow back stronger than ever?
Jonathan Carter, filled with hate from a childhood incident, cares only about keeping the Klan strong on the island. Cali Waters, still grieving for her husband who died from a Klan attack, longs to use her healing gift instead of being the Carter family cook. When a hurricane threatens the hospital Jon started to build, an injury puts his life in her hands and a chance to heal more than his flesh.
Jonathan’s sister, Mary, is tired of the sheltered existence she’s lived since being raped. When Jimmy Clark, a black oyster shucker, rescues her during the hurricane, she heals from his gentle love. But if her brother finds out, both relationships will be put to a test fiercer than any storm.
She frowned and halted her movement. “Whatever for?”
“Cali, if you’d stop questioning everything, I wouldn’t have to give you so many orders.”
She left the cloth balled up on his belly. The sound of the lock clicking into place made him hard. When she returned to his side, she rinsed the cloth and stroked it down his legs. The sight of her skin—brown with a touch of gold—looked so perfect next to his. Made him look more alive. He was always too damn pale, especially now because of his injury.
“Ahem. You forgot an important spot.”
She glared at his jutting organ. “You can clean that yourself.”
“Not as well as you can.” He grasped her wrist and covered it with her palm. “Heal me, Cali.”
The pressure of her supple fingers through the thin cloth was gone too soon.
“Your chest needs healing. That other part of you seems healthy enough.”
“Everything is connected.” He commanded her with his eyes. “Besides, I know you want to.”
Her bottom lip quivered. “You’re nothing but evil, Jonathan Carter.”
His breath caught when she finally stroked the cloth down his length.
“Get rid of the rag,” he said. “I need to feel your healing touch.”
But she looked down and froze.
“And for God’s sake, don’t think about your late husband. You’re a vibrant, young woman in need of pleasure. Besides, he’s not here.”
“His spirit is always around me,” she whispered.
“No, it isn’t. We locked the door.” He rotated his hips under her hand even though it made his chest hurt like hell. “We deserve a little pleasure after that miserable night.”
“It was rough,” she agreed. “But you confuse me.”
“The feeling is mutual.” He sighed. “Are you going to wash me or not?”
Her slender shoulders rose and fell with a shrug. “I suppose a bath isn’t so evil.”
His head thrashed against the pillow as she cleaned him with a few swift strokes. Since she insisted on using the washcloth, he plucked it away. A spasm gripped his chest from the feel of her bare palm against his swollen flesh.
“Cali,” he gasped. “A little more.”
Wet and soapy, her hand skated across him. Closing his eyes, he imagined he was inside her instead. Someday, he would be. Strong, virile, and pinning her to the bed. Driving into her hard, over and over until she shattered.
A flash of blinding pleasure ripped through his balls before he could warn her.
“Oh!” she exclaimed when his seed coated her fingers. “The more I clean you, the dirtier you get.”
Coming Soon
Hidden Moon – Hot Moon Rising series – Decadent Publishing
I have a new fantasy out this month in the Fantasies A-Z Series!
Aslan’s Desire is the third short story in a serial release all featuring Aslan and Zeke. A married couple looking for more and finding it in the arms of each other. There will be nine stories total, with one being released every month or so. For one lucky poster I’ll be giving away an e-book copy to give you a taste of this kinky and delicious couple!
A fantasy so important it has plagued Aslan for her entire married life. It’s the simplest thing she’s never had the courage to ask for…until now.
Fantasies. Some are elaborate, taking months to research and plan. Others are so basic they somehow become unattainable.
Marrying Zeke was one of the happiest days of Aslan’s life. She felt beautiful in her white dress and crystal heels. Then something perfect happened on the way to the honeymoon.
In the limo, her husband tore off her dress to get to her. He was undeterred, animalistic in his need to possess her.
That need is what she has fantasized about ever since but never again received. Not the same way. To be taken, simply because he couldn’t wait another moment to have her. But what if has always stopped her from asking for it again. What if she’s not his flavor anymore? What if she’s not as sexy to him anymore? What if…
Now it’s her turn to ask for a fantasy. What she craves is a simple request away, but only if she’s brave enough to share one of her biggest desires along with her biggest fear.
Giveaway
How do you enter?? Super easy!! Just comment below about a fantasy you haven’t been able to fulfill yet! Anything works. Sex on a private beach in Milan….a massage by three gorgeous Latin men who only understand the English words more and lick….or even a hot air balloon ride that gives new meaning to the phrase mile high club!! And don’t forget to put your email address in the comment so I can get a hold of you if you win!!
Hope you love Aslan’s fantasy and there’s more where that came from!!
Decadently Yours,
Jennifer Kacey
About the Author
Jennifer Kacey is a writer, mother, and business owner living with her miniman in Texas. She sings in the shower, plays piano in her dreams, and has to have a different color of nail polish every week. The best advice she’s ever been given? Find the real you and never settle for anything less.
My latest book, Cowboy Resurrection, is about a bullfighter and a city-slicker businesswoman who join forces to produce a rodeo in their tiny hometown. In between the bickering and the banter, these sexy opposites fall for each other…right into bed.
Cowboy Resurrection is set in rural California. Today I’m chatting with fellow author Genevieve Turner about what makes California—and California cowboys—so special.
I hope you enjoy our conversation. We’re also sponsoring a giveaway. Instructions are posted below.
***
MH: We both write romance set in California. Why did you choose the Golden State as a setting for your work?
GT: A common piece of writing advice is to write what you know, and I’ve lived in California my entire life (my family’s been here since the late 1700s), so when it came to choosing a setting for my books, I never really considered any other option. I don’t think I could ever live anywhere else—I love it here too much. It also makes it easy, research wise, since I can just step outside to get ideas for descriptions and settings.
MH: California is home for me, too. I was born here, but in my twenties, I got the chance to travel and even live abroad. Being away gave me fresh perspective and a lot of appreciation for my home state. That appreciation lasted long after I moved back. In my stories, setting is a character—the beach, the inner city, the high desert, or the mountains.
GT: People also don’t realize that California has a huge agricultural and ranching industry, so it’s fun to write about places that someone familiar with only LA or San Francisco might not know exist.
MH: Exactly. As a child, I spent time on a grape farm near Delano. All of my cowboy stories are set in this region, the southern part of the Central Valley.
GT: The great thing about California cowboys is that while they’re still rough around the edges (like a cowboy should be), they’re also sophisticated. A California cowboy will work all day getting dirty on the ranch, but once he’s home and showered, he’s totally happy to go out for sushi. Or wine tasting. (Especially if he lives near one of our many wine countries!)
MH: Nothing like a cowboy who knows his chardonnay.
GT: And while he’ll be a total gentleman when he’s taking you to all these fancy spots, he’ll still be a total cowboy when he gets you home. That’s the California cowboy difference.
MH: I agree—that’s the heart of it. Are you working on any California cowboys at the moment?
GT: Right now I’m finishing up Her Cowboy Rival, the next book in my Cowboy of Her Own Series. Ana has never much liked the charming and arrogant Luke, no matter how he makes her heart race. And since she stole away his best employee, Luke hasn’t liked Ana much either, no matter how she makes his head spin. When they’re forced to collaborate on a charity event, they’ll have to decide: Are they the worst of enemies? Or could they be the best of lovers?
MH: That sounds so juicy!
GT: It’s been so much fun writing this one, since it involves an obstacle race, lots of long runs together on lonely back roads (perfect for kissing), and two people who think they hate each other, but are secretly so hot for each other!
MH: My next project, Cowboy Player, is out in June. It’s the third book in my Cowboy Cocktail series. Rancher Clark MacKinnon is a prankster and a flirt who never takes anything too seriously…until his childhood crush Melody Santos moves back to town and gets a job helping him sell his family’s grass-fed beef. Sparks fly between them. Melody has trust issues following a horrendous breakup, and Clark is a player who’s never been in a serious relationship. Together, they’re a hot, sexy mess!
***
ABOUT THE BOOKS
Rescued By Her Firefighter
Trapped together in the wilderness, a straight-laced scientist and an easy-going fireman will discover opposites don’t just attract—they ignite…
Genevieve Turner writes romance fresh from the Golden State. In a previous life, she was a scientist studying the genetics of behavior, but now she’s a stay at home mom studying the intersection of nature and nurture in her own kids. (So far, nature is winning!) She lives in beautiful Southern California, where she manages her family and homestead in an indolent manner. For more information, please visit www.genturner.com.
Mia Hopkins writes lush romances starring fun, sexy characters who love to get down and dirty. She’s a sucker for working class heroes, brainy heroines and wisecracking best friends. When she’s not lost in a story, Mia spends her time cooking, gardening, traveling, volunteering and looking for her keys. She lives in the heart of Los Angeles with her roguish husband and two waggish dogs. For more information, please visit www.miahopkinsauthor.com.
GIVEAWAY
Answer this question in the comments below:
Where would your cowboy take you on date night?
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.
One randomly chosen winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card, one ebook copy of Rescued By Her Firefighter, and one ebook copy of Cowboy Resurrection. Contest closes Sunday, March 20, 2016, at midnight PT. Good luck!
![mdSNAP_I_Vampire_eBook [974457]](https://i0.wp.com/www.delilahdevlin.com/wp-content/uploads/mdSNAP_I_Vampire_eBook-974457.jpg?resize=375%2C600&ssl=1)
Michele Drier was born in Santa Cruz and is a fifth generation Californian. She’s lived and worked all over the state, calling both Southern and Northern California home. During her career in journalism—as a reporter and editor at daily newspapers—she won awards for producing investigative series.
Jennifer Kacey is a writer, mother, and business owner living with her miniman in Texas. She sings in the shower, plays piano in her dreams, and has to have a different color of nail polish every week. The best advice she’s ever been given? Find the real you and never settle for anything less.
