ISBN: 1-59998-867-4 Length: Novella Price: 3.50 Publication Date: January 22, 2008 Cover art by Natalie Winters
No matter how many light years you run, the past is never far behind.
Tired of a life on the run, Kiwi has put down roots on a science vessel. She finds more than she bargained for in the form of cocksure, overachieving, too-sexy-for-his-own-good Dr. Conell Ballou. His arrogance is infuriating—which, strangely, makes her want him more.
Since the tiny spitfire of a mechanic boarded his vessel, Conell hasn’t been able to focus on much of anything except her. Kiwi’s mere presence pulses through every synthetic and humanoid part of his body. And, unknown to both Kiwi and Conell, her past is entwined with his.
But a deranged captain of the Vanos, the alien race from which they’re defending mankind, is still hunting for Kiwi. Against all the odds, Conell and Kiwi have a second chance at happiness—if the enemy doesn’t find them first.
Warning: Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, kick ass, strong-willed heroine, partially rebuilt sexy alpha males with bionics, who are bigger, stronger, faster and a hell of a lot harder to deal with.
Q: Tell us a little about your experience with Grand Central Publishing (formerly Warner Forever) and Harlequin Blaze.
A: I sold my first book to Warner Forever in early 2005 and have just finished my fourth book with Grand Central (the new name for Warner Forever). My books for Grand Central are single title sexy, sassy contemporaries that often involve characters that span over two books, as a primary character in one book and secondary in another. I really like to let my readers see what’s happened to the characters since they last read about them. In 2006, I sold a sexy paranormal trilogy to Harlequin Blaze. Those hit the shelves this year. The story is about six cousins who are mediums for ghosts, and I’m thrilled that the next trilogy (the other three cousins’ stories) will hit the shelves in 2008.
Q: What tips/tricks do you use for marketing or promoting your own titles?
A: My biggest promotion tool is offering contests. I always have a contest going on my website and usually give away a nice vacation package. Right now at www.kelleystjohn.com, I’m giving away a Louisiana plantation vacation to celebrate my Harlequin series, The Sexth Sense, which is set at a Louisiana plantation. I’m also giving away a $500 Spa Getaway package at www.TheGuyCheats.com and www.TheGirlLies.com, the sites that are featured in my next Grand Central release, TO CATCH A CHEAT.
Q: What is one thing you’d want to tell a newer author, just coming into the game?
A: For promotion, find something that makes you stand out, something that is unique for you and become “known” for that promotional avenue. For example, offer unique contests, or provide something unique and innovative on your website. On my site, I started a segment before I was published that is called “The Call.” This features first sale stories for authors. I’d noticed that writers and readers seem to really enjoy learning how their favorite authors first sold a book, so I started accumulating interviews of authors. I have over 175 stories now, and find that visitors to that portion of my site often spend 2-3 hours reading the first sale stories.
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
A: TO CATCH A CHEAT is about Marissa Kincaid, a woman who has developed a pattern for dating men who are “terminally unfaithful.” She decides to break this pattern by starting a website that will oust cheaters — www.TheGuyCheats.com — which seems like a great idea, until one supposed cheater strikes back, claiming she lied and starting his own site to prove it. Oh, and he just happens to be the sexiest male she’s ever encountered, and he also happens to only want one thing…Marissa Kincaid.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your current WIP’s?
A: Right now, I’m writing the second Blaze trilogy for The Sexth Sense series. These are more sexy paranormals about six Louisiana cousins who are mediums helping ghosts cross over to the other side. These are scheduled for release in May, July and September 2008.
Q: What types of research do you do for your books?
A: I travel…a lot. For The Sexth Sense series, I traveled to New Orleans several times, particularly the plantations on River Road, where the story is set. For TO CATCH A CHEAT and GOOD GIRLS DON’T, I traveled to Atlanta, and for REAL WOMEN DON’T WEAR SIZE 2, I traveled to Tampa for the Gasparilla Festival. I think it’s important to spend time in the locations for your novels, because then you get the details necessary to authenticate your work. Plus…I love to travel!
Q: Why do you like writing romance/erotica?
A: I like writing romance because I enjoy letting my readers know the minute they pick up the book that they aren’t going to be disappointed at the end. A romance by definition means the ending will be emotionally satisfying. That’s a promise that I can happily deliver to my readers by writing romance.
Sara Reinke is a member of the new virtual authors group, Dark Muse Society. You can visit her and fellow authors in the virtual world, here.
What attracted you to writing books with paranormal elements?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn toward genres with other-worldly elements, be it fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal, etc. For example, when I was very young, maybe second grade, I wrote a series of stories in spiral-bound notebooks about a trio of unicorns who were sent on different adventures at the behest of the Greek goddess Athena. Read more…
Posted by Michelle M. Pillow on Jan 15, 2008 in Raven Radio
Paranormal authors Mandy M Roth and Michelle M Pillow talk books, industry, paranormal, and take reader calls. Guest Melissa Alvarez will join us this Wed on Raven Radio. An author and a psychic, Melissa has generously offered to do FREE! readings. Read more…
I’m often asked where I came up with the idea to have Pallo (vampire) own and operate Necro Magik & Supernatural Theme Park in the Darkness (Daughter of Darkness) Series. Since I just finished DOD3 Bella Mia and sent it off to my proofers, I thought it would be fun to explore some of the behind the scenes of the series. Today I’ll focus on Pallo and Necro Magik World.
For this behind the story peek, I need to start about five years ago, before I’d ever entertained the idea of writing a book. I was at Cedar Point Amusement Park with my family. It’s an amusement park that we’ve frequented on many, many (I actually met my husband while working there the summer before I left for college) occasions over the years. It was nearing Halloween and the park had started what they call Halloween Weekends. It’s where they open the park only on the weekends and totally re-theme the park with a paranormal vibe. Employees are dressed in costume, some as vampires, some as ghouls, some as werewolves. The list goes on. The entire park transformation was something I found very fun and interesting.
As we were walking through, feeling the eerie vibe that the normally family fun friendly park seemed to suddenly radiate, I got to thinking about some of the legends surrounding the park—hauntings and so forth. We kept walking, I kept thinking. The next thing I know, I’m sort off in la-la land thinking about how easy it would be for a paranormal to hide in the open this way. I mean, what better way to hide than right out where all can see. It’s the Victor Victoria mentality — a woman pretending to be a man, pretending to be a woman. A vampire — pretending to be a human, pretending to be a vampire.
This idea ate at me, leaving me wondering about it while doing dishes, or when I was driving (I know, yell at me later). When the moment finally came that I sat down in front of a blank screen, I didn’t start with the paranormal theme park scenes. I started with another and it flowed into this idea. From there, it blossomed into one of the main locations of the Daughter of Darkness series. I researched various mythologies of demons, beasts, spirits from varying cultures and began inventing rides or attractions that would fit the theme of this park I’d created in my mind. The Boobrie Carousel in the center of the midway was the first such ride to come into play. Here is a small selection from Daughter of Darkness–
In the center of the midway there was a large carousel. In the place of wooden horses were carved Boobries. These were giant water birds that were on the verge of extinction. They looked like a strange cross between a dragon and a bird. Huge talons sprung forth from the carved wood. Scales covered the creature’s legs. The breasts of the Boobries were covered in feathers. Thick necks pointed the way to a bird-like head. A shiny glass red eye stared out at me from each one. The carousel was full of children laughing as they went up and down. The children held tight to the pole, perched on the backs of the black creatures. Each one had been carved with such love and patience that it looked almost lifelike. Boobries had been numerous across the lands at one time, but now their numbers had dwindled to the low twenties. People had feared them when they stopped being satisfied with snatching farm animals and started snatching the farmers instead. Who could blame them? It had been a nightmare to keep out of the news. The tabloids had picked up the story. It made the front page twice, then some pop star’s newest love interest sold more issues, so they quit running it.~ From Daughter of Darkness by Mandy M Roth
Other attractions at Necro’s Magik World surged forth from here and it’s been endless fun. I’m always thinking of something else I want to incorporate. And this has been the behind the story of how Pallo came to own and operate a supernatural theme park.
(Here is someone’s recordings of what its like to walk through a section of Cedar Point’s Fright Zone–a strip of mid-way that is so foggy and dark that you really can’t see your hand before your face)
Posted by Mandy M. Roth on Jan 9, 2008 in Raven Radio
Join authors Michelle M Pillow and Mandy M Roth on Raven Radio as we talk with multi-published and award-winning NY author Caridad Piñeiro. Caridad will be joining us to take your calls, talk books, vamps, kitty shifters and sexy, sassy chicas!
Listener dial-in number during LIVE shows
(646) 595-3998 (New York number, long distance charges apply)
There is also a LIVE chat during the shows. Follow the link below and look for Click to Chat buttons! You can type your questions or comments in there during the chat and we’ll ask/answer them on air!
*PRIZES-If you win a prize in a contest or theme day (etc) from Mandy's blog or from any of its affiliates and do not claim it within 30 days, its void.
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