When people ask what kind of romance I write, I get a little nervous. And when I tell them I write paranormal romance, they always get that look on their face. You know, like I said I sacrifice kittens under the moonlight or something. I then proceed to explain what paranormal romance is all about. I know the next question that will follow. Why do you write paranormal romance?

There are a lot of reasons. I love reading it. I love how I can be transported to a different world where my imagination runs free. I also love how my paranormal characters feel so deeply and will go through hell (sometimes literally) for the one they love. Humans aren’t like. But more importantly, I love how my characters are given these super human strengths and powers that make them on a level playing field for all things evil. The world we live in isn’t always fair, but in my world of paranormal, I can even the odds and the hero always comes out on top in a very big and dramatic way. Plus I like kick-ass heroes/heroines. 🙂

Why do you like paranormal romances?

This time of year has always been my favorite, so it is no wonder that I set a story during the Halloween season, especially since that story is called The Passion of Sleepy Hollow.

The hero, Braden Van Brunt, is the headless horseman, or rather plays that part for the annual Washington Irving Festival in October in present day Sleepy Hollow New York. However, the heroine is Katrina Van Tassel, the 1790’s innkeeper of the Sleepy Hollow Inn. One of the external issues for this couple is that the 18^th century village of Sleepy Hollow where the festival takes place, only appears one weekend a year.

Of course once Braeden has met Katrina, he wants to spend more time with her, but the village disappears. So he does what any self-respecting hero would do who wants to find his heroine, he investigates her but nothing works, including private detectives. His only option is to return to the festival a year later, but that makes it difficult to build a relationship.

Lucky for them, having mutually satisfying sex keeps the village in present day for another day. Talk about pressure! It works fine for this new couple, at least until they get into a fight. Then it becomes a matter of whether they will ever see each other again or not (see excerpt)

The is story’s plot gave me an idea. I have started the annual Venetian Mask Giveaway. Every year around this time, I give away hand-decorated masks made in Italy like this one. For a chance to win this beautiful mask, be sure to enter the rafflcopter below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Always, Lexi

Passion of Sleepy Hollow

Recluse Braeden Van Brunt is not happy to be the Headless Horseman…until he meets Katrina Van Tassel, owner of the Sleepy Hollow Inn, whose allure bewitches him from the front desk into the bedroom. When he discovers Kat and the village of Sleepy Hollow are cursed to exist in the present day for only one weekend a year, he realizes the sacrifice he must make if he wants to keep her.

Katrina Van Tassel lives between slivers of time. She thought she was through grieving her betrothed’s death, but her dreams flare to life when his mirror image arrives, requesting a room. Drawn to Braeden, she is taken to more erotic heights of intimacy than she ever imagined, but she can’t be sure if her heart is with him or the love from her past.

Knowing he has to conquer both time and ghosts to keep the only woman he’s ever loved, Braeden must put the past to rest. But the dead may not rest in Sleepy Hollow.

Excerpt from Passion of Sleepy Hollow

He didn’t look at her, but kept them moving. “I had an enlightening conversation with Jurgen.”

“Jurgen? What did he say?”

“He said you were planning to marry Brom. He said Brom disappeared the very day of your wedding. He said you’re with me because you’re still in love with Brom and think I’m him.”

Her gasp gave him a small amount of satisfaction, but then she tried to pull away. “Braeden, I think I can tell the difference between my dead betrothed and you.”

He stopped and looked at her. “Can you? Then why didn’t you tell me you were engaged to Brom?”

He started to pull her toward the inn again before she could form a word. He had one goal in mind to confirm everything.

“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to think what you’re thinking, especially when I hadn’t decided what my feelings were yet.”

They were at the back door of the inn, and he let her go. “And what exactly are your feelings, Katrina Van Tassel, fiancée of Brom Van Brunt?”

Kat put her hands on her hips, her eyes flashing. “And what are your feelings, Braden? I have yet to hear how you feel about me.”

“How I feel about you right now is that you betrayed me. You led me on. Let me think you enjoyed my company when all the while you were pretending I was your ex-lover!” He yanked open the door and stomped inside, making a beeline for her bedroom.

“Braeden!”

He ignored her and entered her room. Reaching her armoire in three strides, he threw both doors open, hard. One cracked.

“Braeden, what are you doing?”

The scent of brownies flooded his senses and he paused for a moment. Her scent. The woman he had thought he—the woman who couldn’t see beyond a ghost. With anger spurring him on, he pulled clothes out and threw them to the floor.

“Braeden!” Kat grabbed at his arm and he shook her off, but even in his anger he was careful not to hurt her. With her it was instinct.

He growled, “Don’t touch me.” He continued to pull material and clothes, cloaks, shawls, even blankets out of the armoire.

There it was. White material with delicate embroidery along the neckline and shoulders that declared it a wedding dress. He pulled it from its home and held it before her.

Her eyes grew round.

“Were you hoping to wear this again?” His fingers dug into the material. “Perhaps you wanted to wear it for me so we could recreate your long-lost love story?”

Kat stepped back and shook her head. “No. I kept it as a memory, nothing more. It was all I had left of the happiest time of my life…until I met you.”

He stepped toward her. “You mean until you met the man who could be Brom for you. I thought you were different. I thought you liked me for me.” He gave a hopeless chuckle. “You were different. You liked me for the ghost I could be.”

Emotions played across her face like a movie, so when her brows furrowed and her hands found her hips again, he had fair warning.

PASSION OF SLEEPY HOLLOW Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Ellora’s Cave
All Romance eBooks

For more information about Lexi Post:
website: http://www.lexipostbooks.com/
Blog: http://www.happilyeverafterthoughts.com/
twitter:   https://twitter.com/LexiPost
Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/lexipostbooks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6915542.Lexi_Post
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lexi-Post/e/B00EBLAFLI/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1392417984&sr=1-2-ent

Every writer I know has their own store of favorite quotes or words of wisdom. Here’s one of mine.

“For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been!’”

I first encountered those words in an illustrated anthology of verse whose title I can no longer remember. Books seem to sprout like mushrooms anywhere my family congregates, and by the time I was ten my parents were doing regular annual culls of the collection, so the book itself is probably long gone. But one phrase from that one book stuck in my mind, and it’s been rattling around there ever since.

John Greenleaf Whittier knew what he was talking about when he wrote it, of course, but it started me wondering. I write dark stories sometimes, but I like happy endings, and I prefer not to contemplate the saddest anything. So if “it might have been” are the saddest words, what are the happiest? What’s the best possible thing you could write or say?

In my opinion, the answer is simple. “What if?”

“What if” is the basis of all stories. Urban fantasy loves it: what if magic was real? What if the dead could walk? Romance takes it in a different direction (what if these two people met? What if there was something keeping them apart? Holy &%$#, what if a Highlander traveled in time?) but it’s still the same question. And history too—what if Anne Boleyn hadn’t been executed? What if Spartacus had won? To ask yourself “what if?” is to imagine a world beyond the one that you currently inhabit. It’s the place where storytelling begins. And with stories, there’s nothing you can’t do.

I recently took my first tentative steps into the world of romance fiction because I had a “what if” or two to answer. What if an ancient Egyptian knew his mummy was in a museum case? What if magic and art were the same thing? What if you really could live four thousand years, and what would it do to you? I had a lot of fun answering those questions, and I learned a lot too. I picked up information and read books that I would never have touched if I hadn’t started asking that question. And if I’ve done my job correctly, maybe people will pick up a nugget or two of information from my work as well.

“I love you” is a good phrase. One of the best. But for my money, “what if?” are the two most beautiful words in the English language. They’re always the start of something extraordinary.

Catherine Butzen is the author of Thief of Midnight (http://starkhousepress.com/butzen.php) and, coming in 2015 from Samhain, The God Collector. She lives and works in Cedar Rapids, IA, and can be found online at A Murder of Prose (catherinebutzen.wordpress.com).

Thanks to Delilah for hosting me today and Hello to all the readers out there!

Belize Nights is my new, erotic contemporary romance (novelette) set on the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize. Yes, I’ve been there. No, it’s not a retelling of my vacation. It’s fiction. (Just in case you were wondering. :-)) However, one of the scenes is not total fiction. There is a scene where the heroine snorkels with sharks. I did that! Still can’t believe I did that. Talk about scary! For legal purposes, I’d put the “Don’t try this at home, kids” warning on it, but secretly, I’d tell you to totally do it if you have the chance.

Giveaway!

What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done? Tell me in the comments
and I’ll select one person to win a copy of one of my backlist books.

Belize Nights

Belize Nights
Evernight Publishing
Erotic Contemporary Romance
Novelette 13,000 words

Belize Nights Blurb

Lana’s traveling to her dream vacation in Ambergris Caye, Belize expecting sun, sand, clear water and relaxation. When she assaults a stranger with her carry-on bag at the airport, she’s overwhelmed by her all-consuming attraction to him.

Dean can’t get the clumsy brunette from the airport out of his mind. The way her chocolate eyes had devoured him left him yearning for more, so when he runs into her on the island, he makes the most of the opportunity.

When a dizzying heat engulfs them both, they realize Lana’s short vacation isn’t enough time to tame their burning desires.

Belize Nights Quickie Excerpt

His expression instantly turned seductive. An electric current buzzed between them, sizzling the air, making her flush. She gulped her beer hoping the cool liquid would ease the flame burning her insides.

“Ya know,” Dean leaned toward her, his eyes boring into hers, “the real reason I hesitated when you asked me in?”

Her throat constricted at the heat in his eyes. “Not because of my klutziness?”

He slowly shook his head. “It was because I didn’t know if I could resist the urge I’ve had since you fell into my lap on the plane.”

He looked so serious, voice so low and husky. Her stomach quivered. “What urge?” she asked, breathless.

“To kiss your pretty lips.”

Oh god, she wanted him. Irresponsible or not, she wanted him baaad. She’d wanted his mouth on her since first laying eyes on him. “Then don’t resist.” Her bold words surprised her, but she wouldn’t take them back. Couldn’t take them back. If he didn’t kiss her soon, she swore she’d die.

Author Bio

Jocelyn was born in Iowa and currently resides in hot-as-hell Texas. She shares her home with her very own 6’4″ alpha male and varying numbers of spoiled cats and dogs. Teaching one of her dogs to file his nails is one of her all-time favorite accomplishments.

She thinks dragonflies are awesome, spiders are creepy and it’s rumored that she sleeps with a machete by her bed in case zombies attack in the middle of the night. Jocelyn loves to paint, loves to read, and loves to write sizzling erotic romance about yummy demons that would make your momma blush.

Here’s where you can find Jocelyn on the web
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Blog  * Goodreads

Here’s where you can buy Belize Nights
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-belizenights-1635557-149.html
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00NXFPEI2
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/belize-nights-jocelyn-dex/1120426957?ean=2940046203714
Evernight: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/belize-nights-by-jocelyn-dex/

I’m not one to offer advice unless it’s solicited but I find in the writing world, one of the most common questions I get asked in interviews is what advice I can give aspiring writers on their journey to and through publication. I thought I’d compile a list of top five pieces of advice I’ve collected over the years of my journey and share them with you.

5. If you’re going to give up, give up –make room for the rest of us.

Harsh advice, I know, but it was given to me early on in my writing career when I was whining to an author about the difficulty of rejection. I was maybe expecting a pat on the back and a little tlc, but what I got was a reality check. There are thousands of writers out there who would gladly trade places with you. If you leave the game, someone else will step up. So you have to make the decision, how badly do you want this?

4. Everyone’s path is different.

Vastly different. So you should try to avoid comparing yourself to other writers (even those super successful after one book writers) and you should also go with your gut in a lot of cases.  Lots of people “know” what you need to do but only you “know” what you want to do. If your goal is to get an agent, go for it, stick at it, no matter what others say. If your goal is to go indi, same thing, commit to it and do it. But don’t look at someone else and think that things are going to go the same way for you. They rarely do.

3. Treat this like a job or a business even when it’s not.

Give yourself deadlines and word count quotas and don’t let yourself  make excuses to put something off. Always have something in play whether it be working on a new project, editing, submitting, whatever it is, keep the ball rolling and hold yourself accountable. If you’re serious about pursuing publication then you must be disciplined in your approach.

2. Always ask, even if you think the answer will be no.

A lot of trading happens in the writing world as well as a lot of paying it forward. In the writing community, there are many people who are more than willing to help you. Whenever an opportunity presents itself you should always ask…for help, for a favor, whatever it is. Of course no one owes you anything and you shouldn’t approach a request as a demand but if you don’t ask (even those things that seem too far out of your reach) then the answer is always a big no.

1. Don’t throw stones.

I see this happening a lot. We as writers are not infallible. Our manuscripts are not flawless (even after they’ve been professionally edited). We are always learning…or we should be. If you get the urge to publically call out another author about their writing, editing, or anything related to their work in a negative way…DON’T.  Be humble, be gratuitous, and don’t give anyone a reason to return a negative favor.

My newest release from Samhain is Wolf Slayer, book 2 in The Order of the Wolf series.

I have a contest running for you to win an e-copy prize pack of Cursed (book 1) and Wolf Slayer! All you have to do is enter the rafflecopter: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buy Links

Samhain: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/wolf-slayer-p-73650.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Slayer-The-Order-ebook/dp/B00K8R50A0

BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wolf-slayer-angela-addams/1119471579?ean=9781619222328

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/it-ca/books/Wolf-Slayer/pkD4WyvqaE-uZgu1mZ0rcA?MixID=pkD4WyvqaE-uZgu1mZ0rcA&PageNumber=1

Bio

Every day is Halloween for author Angela Addams. Enthralled by the paranormal at an early age, Angela spends most of her time thinking up new story ideas that involve supernatural creatures in everyday situations. She believes that the written word is an amazing tool for crafting the most erotic of scenarios.

She is an avid tattoo collector, a total book hoarder and loves anything covered in chocolate…except for bugs.

She lives in Ontario, Canada in an old, creaky house, with her husband and children.

Website: www.angelaaddams.com
Twitter: @angelaaddams
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author.Angela.Addams
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4801196.Angela_Addams

She would have made his next breath his last, if he hadn’t stolen hers.

Order of the Wolf, Book 2

Aubrey Devlin thought she had a destiny—to become a Huntress, be mated to a Hunter, and spend her life in everlasting, werewolf ass-kicking bliss. But after years of honing her wolf-slaying skills, it’s her twin sister who’s chosen for the coveted honor.

Swallowing her disappointment, she takes a job as head of security for the band Riot. Staying professional is tough when it comes to the band’s sex-god bassist, an alpha bad-boy to the extreme. She will keep her mind on her work—as soon as she figures out how to stop drooling over the man.

Jaylon isn’t good with women—especially those with the ability to kill him—yet he knows without a doubt Aubrey is his mate. Now if only he can get the stubborn woman to fall for him.

One argument too many, and instead of clawing each other’s eyes out, they wind up clawing each other’s clothes off. It’s then that Jaylon realizes the truth: Aubrey is a true Huntress. He’d better find a way to claim his mate before a Hunter claims her first…

Product Warnings

Sexually explicit (like ripping-clothes-off, sex-in-public-places explicit) language. Rock-star bad-ass with long hair and a wicked bite. A take-no-crap huntress who bites back. You are encouraged to lick, suck, and devour your way through this tasty treat in one sitting—just be aware you might be hungry for more.

It’s hard to think winter when fall is so slow to come in central California. We’re still having hot days and the air conditioner going. I’m doing little things to make it feel more like fall is supposed to feel, like buying one of those cinnamon scented brooms the stores put out prominently at the front of the store so you have to buy one to make your house smell like that. and it works, almost overwhelmingly so! It makes me want soup, but it’s still too hot.

The Wedding Date takes place in winter at a ski lodge. It took a lot of imagination to remember freezing my toes off running to the car in dressy shoes when I lived in Missouri. Winter here, for me, means wearing clogs instead of flip-flops, and usually without socks. When I started knitting socks one year, my daughter asked why, when I don’t wear them? It’s all about pretending…pretending I have a glamorous life with trips to a ski lodge, and a body a roomful of men might desire.

That’s why I write, right?

A free weekend at a ski lodge, and all she has to do is attend a wedding and reception on the arm of her sexy coworker? Heck, yeah! Bree is all over it. She’s been crushing on him for some time, but even if he’s not interested in anything long term, she’ll get a long weekend in the snow.

Ash doesn’t mind attending his college buddy’s wedding at a ski lodge, except for the fact Greg’s sister is Ash’s ex-wife. All the things she’d said were wrong with him are still true, but the only one that bothers him is his inability to maintain a relationship. At least with Bree at his side, he can hold his head up around his friends. Too bad she’d never go for a guy like him…

You can find His Wedding Date on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NFTZMN8 or look for Ari at http://arithatcher.com, https://www.facebook.com/arithatcher, https://twitter.com/AriThatcher.

My latest book is a slightly futuristic erotic romance called Programmed To Protect, which revolves around very human police agent Leith Wyatt who falls in love with a Beautiful Doll sex robot named Ginger on a planet called Tau Cetus.

Wyatt and Ginger truly love each other, each in their own way. And together, they manage to save their world from the threat of annihilation.

Ironically, last week my hubby and I were watching a DVD of the movie Her with Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson. Have you seen it? It’s a powerful story of how humans can project exactly what they need onto another person, or, in this case, a high-tech operating system named Samantha (voiced by Johansson). Joaquin Phoenix was amazing in his very emotional portrayal of a lonely writer who falls in love with an OS.

And recently I read a news report about emotional robots going on sale in Japan next year. A walking, talking robot named Pepper from a company called Softbank has been designed for companionship, and is supposedly capable of reading human emotions. Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son says the aim is to develop “affectionate robots that can make people smile.”

So this seems to be a trend.

But… Can artificial intelligence really offer the kind of companionship that humans crave? The closeness, the intellectual stimulation, the emotional support? It’s definitely what I portray in Programmed To Protect. Ginger was exactly what Wyatt wanted, and Wyatt was exactly what Ginger needed.  Still, my book is a work of fiction.

Could an actual human being be happy with a machine?

I think I was so affected by the movie Her because I could easily see operating systems that are customized to an individual’s needs becoming highly addictive. I mean, just look at how smart phones have already become indispensable to us!

And who wouldn’t desire a cyber best friend or virtual lover who is always there at the touch of a button? No complicated relationships, no messy emotions, just the perfect companion, always available when you want them.

Scary to think that human interactions could someday be considered too much work.

What do you think? Can artificial intelligence really offer valuable human companionship? I’d like to hear your opinions. And I’ll pick one commenter to win an e-book copy of my story Programmed To Protect.

In the meantime, here’s a short excerpt…

“Are you really not familiar with Beautiful Doll sexbots?” programmed Titus Veraine asked.

Leith Wyatt hesitated. “Of course I know about them. Everyone does. Or, rather, did, since they’re no longer being manufactured. But I never saw one in person.”

Veraine shook his head. “Damned shame. All the Dolls have been re-commissioned.” He paused, then winked. “Except for a select few.”

Wyatt’s eyebrow went up. “What do you mean ‘a select few’?”

Veraine gave Wyatt a sly smile, and jerked his head for Wyatt to follow him. The two men walked over to what looked like a small utility closet. Gripping the handle of the door, Veraine slowly eased it open.

Wyatt’s mouth literally dropped open at what he saw there. A naked female, eyes closed, obviously a Beautiful Doll. The sexbot had gorgeous red hair that flowed down to caress her creamy white shoulders. Double-D breasts that tempted him to reach out and fill his hands with their lush fullness. Curvy hips that would cradle a man while he sank himself deep inside her. Hell, even her lips were full and pouty, an unspoken invitation if ever Wyatt saw one. The robot screamed sex; he could feel himself responding just at the mere sight of her.

Veraine’s sly smile widened. “This is Ginger. She was Beautiful Dolls’ most popular model.”

Wyatt blinked. Ginger was the most popular model? He could certainly believe it.

“She’s in her hibernation mode right now.” Veraine glanced at the Doll. “Ginger? Say hello to Leith Wyatt.”

The Beautiful Doll slowly opened her eyes, and Wyatt’s jaw dropped even further. The sexbot’s eyes were a deep, emerald green, and had an almost starburst quality to them. They were beautiful.

“Hello, Leith Wyatt,” she purred.

Good God. The sexbot’s voice was a verbal caress, smooth as silk. Those two simple words were an erotic come-on in themselves. Wyatt felt himself get even harder. He threw Veraine a glance, unable to hide his look of amazement.

Veraine laughed, then shrugged. “Hey, I’m working day and night programming soldiers for the High Council. I deserve a little…stress relief.” He glanced down at his watch, then back up at Wyatt. “Listen… I, um, I’m going to go out onto the floor for a few minutes. Yeah. I’ll be back in ten minutes.” He tilted his head toward Ginger, then lowered his voice. “Beautiful Dolls are history, my friend. If you were ever curious about them, you should…indulge…that curiosity while I’m gone. It could be the only chance you’ll ever have.”

Wyatt stared at Veraine, speechless. Was the man actually suggesting that Wyatt have sex with the Doll while Veraine was out on the factory floor?

Veraine gave him that sly smile again. “Ten minutes. I’ll close the door on my way out to give you privacy.” He threw a glance at the sexbot. “Ginger? Why don’t you demonstrate your special brand of fellatio for agent Wyatt while I’m gone?”

“Yes, Titus.”

With that, the programmer turned and left the lab, pulling the door firmly closed behind him.

What the hell—

Trying to rein in his frantic thoughts, Wyatt anxiously turned back to the Doll. Ginger was smiling at him, a sweet smile, exposing perfect white teeth. Damn, she was beautiful, the most beautiful woman he’d ever –

Stop it! She’s not a woman, she’s a machine!

Ginger reached out a hand to grab onto his belt, and then sank gracefully to her knees in front of him.

“Wait…wait!” Wyatt’s panicked words sounded desperate even to his own ears. But what exactly was he desperate for?

Was he desperate to stop her, or desperate to know exactly what she was capable of?

No. This was insane. He couldn’t possibly let her perform fellatio on him, not even her own ‘special brand’ of fellatio, whatever the hell that was, despite the fact he was hard as a rock and very willing to find out.

‘Beautiful Dolls are history. You may never have this chance again.’

Damn Veraine for putting that thought into his head. The sexual skills of a Beautiful Doll were legendary, but Wyatt had often wondered whether the legend was actual truth or just a good marketing ploy.

This was his chance to find out.

“No, no, I can’t.” He had a job to do here. One that certainly did not include a detour for oral sex.

Ginger looked up at him, her perfect smile fading. “If you refuse, Titus Veraine will be angry with me.”

Wyatt paused. Veraine had given her an order, and she was programmed to please.

Before he could figure out the best way to deal with this outrageous situation, Ginger’s grip on his belt tightened, holding him in place, while her other hand slowly but determinedly eased down the zipper of his blue dress pants.

Dear God. The robot Doll had the strength of twenty men. He couldn’t stop her even if he  tried.

‘So don’t try,’ that wicked voice in his head argued.

Wyatt’s body shuddered in surrender, and his eyes rolled back into his head as the Doll’s mouth closed around him.

I hope you enjoyed that excerpt from Programmed To Protect!

Many thanks to Delilah for letting me blog today.  Remember to comment on my question: can artificial intelligence offer real human companionship?  I’ll pick a winner at random to win an e-copy of Programmed To Protect.

And if you’d like to know more about me, check out www.jennaives.com or connect with me on Twitter @JennaIvesAuthor or on Facebook http://on.fb.me/1gxFlZn!

Thanks,

Jenna