Dear Readers Letter

This comes from the Dear Readers letter I posted on the Penguin Paranormal page for this month. Just in case you don't get over there, I thought you might like to see it.

Dear Readers,

What if your life had been built around a foundation of lies? How would you feel to discover family – those closest to you – had withheld the truth for years?

What would you do?

How would you react?

These questions, and others, torment Arek Barial, the warrior-hero of ALLEGIANCE SWORN, as he tries to work out who he is in a world shattered by deceit and treachery.

In VENGEANCE BORN (Light Blade #1) Arek was betrayed by his grandfather. He discovered that Davyn was the leader of a conspiracy designed to distort and obscure events of human/demon history. Arek also learned he had a half-blood sister he never knew existed yet tried to kill. The secrets unearthed brought into question everything he had been taught to believe as true, including his hatred for all things demon.

In ALLIANCE FORGED (Light Blade #2) Arek struggled to accept and deal with his hatred of half-bloods. As a Light Blade warrior who’d built his life around honor and loyalty his conscience is shadowed by his grandfather’s actions.

In ALLEGIANCE SWORN (Light Blade #3), Arek’s captured by demons and forced to confront his greatest fear – being a blood-slave – but Imhara Kaal, the demon who claims him, isn’t who or what she appears to be.

Betrayal and secrets have shaped her life. Defying demon convention, she declares they honor the Old Ways – that her Clan doesn’t enslave humans and they accept the half-blood Na’Chi.

Yet waking up chained to her bed only reinforces Arek’s impression that she’s just like his grandfather – a liar and someone who twists the situation to further her own agenda. He is, however, unable to deny they share one common goal – to see Savyr, the demon king, dead.

With the survival of all three races hanging in the balance, his allegiance, integrity and honor are tested as he decides whether to discard everything he’s ever been taught by his grandfather about the Na’Reish, or believe and trust in Imhara.

I hope you enjoy the continuing story of my Light Blade warriors and the challenges they face as they find love…

…and as Arek discovers Imhara is the enemy he can’t resist…

You can read an excerpt of ALLEGIANCE SWORN here.


Best wishes,
Kylie

ALLEGIANCE SWORN - Release Day!

Happy Release Day, ALLEGIANCE SWORN!

ALLEGIANCE SWORN 

(Book #3 of the Light Blade series)
 

There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not purebred is virtually powerless. Until a demon leader seeks to unify the races…
With the alliance of the humans and the half-blood Na’Chi forged, the demon Na’Reish prepare for war by seizing human blood-slaves. Captured during a rescue mission-gone-wrong, Light Blade warrior Arek Barial finds himself claimed by a Na’Reishi female who offers him an unexpected choice.
Raised in the elite ranks of a society she abhors, Imhara Kaal lives a dangerous double life as a Na’Reish Clan-leader and an advocate for a caste-free life that honors the Old Ways. Openly rebelling against the Na’Reish would mean her death, unless she can find an emissary willing to present her petition to the human Blade Council.
But Arek isn’t about to blindly follow a demon—despite the intense attraction growing between them. And while hatred for the Na’Reish is all he has ever known, Arek must learn to trust Imhara, or risk the destruction of all three races…

Keep an eye out for giveaways on my blog tour.
 
You can find the buy links on my BOOKS website page!

Allegiance Sworn Countdown...

Arek and his grandfather meet again...

“Come here.” The request was gruff and Davyn’s eyes glistened in the ambient light. He reached his arms through, large hands gesturing him forward, almost as if he were asking for a hug.
Surely the old man hadn’t mellowed with age or perhaps his premature death and resurrection had made him rethink his attitude? Whatever the case, Arek joined him at the bars.
Hoping.
Once he was within grasping distance, his wrist was seized and the shirt of his sleeve tugged up.
“Mother of Light!” Davyn hissed and released him as if he’d been burned. “The rumors are true! You are a blood-slave.”

ALLEGIANCE SWORN (Ch.43)

Allegiance Sworn Countdown...

A little bit of action...

A Kaal Clan warcry split the air. A swift glance showed Barrca and another of her Na’Hord engaged in battle with the lead Vorc-rider. Her gait faltered.
“Keep going!” Arek grasped her arm.
“They’ll be overrun!” she gasped.
Steel on steel rang out.
Thunder rumbled so hard the ground seemed to shift beneath her foot. Then as small rocks and pebbles danced on the ground in front of her, she realised it had.
Another swift glance and a mass of rock, slate grey, almost black from the rain and sleet, rolled down the mountain side, gathering speed and debris – bushes, shrubs, other boulders – with terrifying intensity. The sound of them smashing together grew to a deafening roar.

ALLEGIANCE SWORN (Ch.38)

Allegiance Sworn Blog Tour

I'm tripping all over cyberspace visiting various blogs over the next few weeks promoting and having fun celebrating the release of ALLEGIANCE SWORN.

Here's the blog-tour schedule:

April 2nd - My Book Chatter & (ARRA release day post)
April 3rd - Kylie Scott's blog
April 5th - Romance Bandits
April 8th - The Qwillery
April 9th - All Things Urban Fantasy
April 12th - Riverina Romantics
April 17th - Sassy Book Lovers
April 20th - My Bookish Ways
April 22nd - We Fancy Books
April 24th - Dark Faerie Tale "Fantastic Fables"
April 26th - The Reading Cafe
April 29th - Writerspace Blog


May 1st - Bitten By Books
May 9th - DSDU Magic Thursday
May 12th - ARRA Guest Blog
May 19th - My Tote Bag
May 29th - Get Lost In a Story


You'll learn more about the book, the characters and there will be loads of giveaways.

I'd love it if you could join me!

Allegiance Sworn Countdown...

Imhara observes Arek...

He’d left his hair unbound and, with his head bowed, the blond-streaked locks obscured his face from view. If it hadn’t been for the gentle rise and fall of his chest, Arek could have passed as a mastercrafter’s statue placed on display for any viewer’s pleasure.
Every muscle, every limb, every ridged angle and curved line displayed stone carved perfection. More than worthy of admiration, although – and here, her mouth twisted wryly – she doubted any artist would approve of the carnal nature of her appreciation.

ALLEGIANCE SWORN (Ch.27)

Allegiance Sworn Countdown...

Cue the music (Darth Vader Theme)...we finally meet Na'Rei Savyr, demon King...

But the Second was nowhere as intimidating as the Na’Reishi striding behind him. Savyr Gannec was huge, just over seven feet tall, towering over many of the Na’Hord gathered around them. The latent power in his wide shoulders and thick, bulging biceps couldn’t be concealed by the long sleeved shirt or loose-laced vest. There was little evidence of him entering his fifth decade. He carried himself with the ease and confidence of a warrior half his age.
Hair the color of obsidian had been pulled back into a tight cue, the severe style emphasizing the strong lines and natural markings running down the sides of his face. Dark brows framed a predatory gaze that missed nothing.

ALLEGIANCE SWORN (Ch.23)

Allegiance Sworn Countdown...

Arek is faced with a decision...

How could he trust Imhara when he’d doubted her every action and then his own?
Mother of Light, it’d taken him nearly six months to adjust to living with the Na’Chi in their village near Sacred Lake. Now he had less than a week to reconcile with the past. What he wouldn’t give to be able to talk to Kalan or Kymora about this, seek his friends’ advice, their guidance.
He didn’t like the idea of uncertainty paralysing him.
Nor was hoping for the best an option.
Yet indecision knotted in his gut like a nest of tunnel vipers.

ALLEGIANCE SWORN (Ch.15)

Allegiance Sworn Countdown...

Here in this snippet you get to meet Imhara Kaal, the Na'Reish leader of the Kaal Clan...

Imhara squeezed the iron railing, knuckles turning white. His refusal sat like a rock in her gut. Heavy. Unmovable. To lose this warrior would end her ancestors’ legacy and condemn her Clan to death.
She couldn’t let either happen.
Her heart beat harder. There was one way to stop him escaping. A temporary measure until he understood. But the deceit involved sickened her. He would hate her more.
Yet what choice did she have? 

ALLEGIANCE SWORN (Ch.6)

WORLD-BUILDING: The Characters of the Light Blade world

A cast of thousands - well, yes, that happens when you write a series. LOL

Characters keep popping up and demand an appearance in a story, sometimes they come out of nowhere. There's been at least one in every book in the Light Blade series.

Today, I'd like to go back and revisit the main characters and influential secondary characters who've impacted the series so far. And, you're lucky, I'm going to introduce you to a couple of new ones who appear in ALLEGIANCE SWORN (#3)!

Let's start with...

Annika (from Vengeance Born)

• Annika Gannec - the much maligned, half-blood Na'Chi who has the Gift of healing. Her demon father raped her mother to hatch his plan of vengeance against Davyn, a Light Blade warrior who killed his son nearly 30 years ago. She's Davyn's granddaughter and Arek's half-sister.

Kalan (from Vengeance Born)

• Kalan Tayn - the Light Blade warrior & leader of the human Blade Council. He was rescued by Annika from her father's dungeon. This action set in motion a series of startling events and revelations that shook the demon and human worlds. Kalan and Arek have been best friends since childhood and they went through Light Blade training together. Kalan overcame his prejudice and joined with Annika, who is now his wife.

Varian (from Alliance Forged)

•  Varian - is the leader of a small group of half-blood Na'Chi who were raised by a human slave called Hesia in Gannec Fortress, the same place Annika grew up in, although their presence was kept a secret from her all her life. Varian led his people into human territory, following Annika and Kalan after they escaped from her father's fortress. He asked Kymora for sanctuary at Sacred Lake then, with her help, established an alliance with the Blade Council. He and Arek became friends and helped the Light Blade warrior start his journey to accepting the Na'Chi and their shared demon-human history.

Kymora (from Alliance Forged)

• Kymora Tayn - Kalan's sister who served as the Temple Elect, the leader of the humans religious order. Blinded by an illness at a young age, she learned to compensate using her Gift of reading the auras of those around her. Devoted to serving their deity she was the catalyst for integrating the half-blood Na'Chi into the human world and instrumental in helping them form an alliance with the Blade Council. She gave up her position as Temple Elect to continue helping the Na'Chi. She and Varian found love by the end of Book #2.

• Arek Barial - Kalan's Second and chilhood best friend to both Kalan and Kymora. Arek never knew his parents and was raised by Davyn, his embittered grandfather. When he was three years old, his mother was kidnapped and raped by the demon king Savyr (although he never found this out until much later in life) and this led to his father taking his own life. Hating all thing demon, and encouraged by Davyn, Arek excelled in his career as a Light Blade warrior. During a patrol, he ended up wounded and captured by Na'Reish slavers. His journey to meet Imhara Kaal begins in Allegiance Sworn (Bk#3).

Arek & Imhara (from Allegiance Sworn)

• Imhara Kaal - full-blooded demon and leader of the Kaal Clan. She assumed leadership of her Clan shortly after her family were murdered, spoiling Savyr's plans to claim her territory and people. Tired of living a doule-life of a demon leader and an advocate of the Old Ways - accepting half-bloods and not enslaving humans - she hatches a plan to approach the human Blade Council and petition a truce in return for helping them defend their border against Savyr and the other Clans. She rescues Arek from the slavers who captured him and begins the task of convincing him her cause needs his help.

• Na'Rei Savyr Gannec - the demon king and Annika's father. He believes compassion is for fools and that to get anywhere in life you have take what you want. He's determined to see all humans either dead or enslaved to the Na'Reish. In the first two books of the series he is preparing to go to war with the humans.

• Davyn Barial - once a Light Blade warrior and Blade Councillor. He is Arek and Annika's grandfather, although he won't acknowledge his relationship with Annika as he lost his only daughter to Na'Rei Savyr. He's a man of many secrets, some which were revealed in Vengeance Born. He almost succeeded in killing Annika and his fanatical followers kidnapped Kymora in an attempt to destroy the human and Na'Chi alliance. Had he succeeded in his plans, the unrest and division he caused would have thrown the human race into civil war and the alliance would never have eventuated.

• Rassan Kaal - is a three-quarter blood Na'Chi and Imhara Kaal's Second-in-Command. Unswervingly loyal, Rassan is Imhara's closest friend and moral compass. Instead of playing a less prominent role to avoid detection (remember full-blooded demons despised half-bloods and would kill them to keep the bloodline pure), he ignored the risk to his life to accompany Imhara to the annual Enclave in Gannec territory and participated in the Clan Games, and earned himself the title of Clan Champion.

Rissa appeared in VB & AF.

• Rissa - the young human child Annika befriended in Vengeance Born. She is Gifted with the remarkable skill of being able to sense and heal pain on an emotional as well as physical level.

Master Healer Candra

• Candra - Master Healer and councilor on the Blade Council. She overseas the Healers Guild and is a prominent supporter of Kalan. She calls a spade a spade, tending to be quite outspoken in Council meetings and isn't afraid to share her opinion publicly.

Zaune appears in all 3 books

• Zaune - one of the half-blood Na'Chi who fled demon territory to seek sanctuary at Sacred Lake. An exceptional scout, he uses his Gift as a blood-tracker to help Varian and Kalan find Kymora after she's kidnapped by Light Blade rebels. Like Varian though, he is struggling to control the darker impulses of his Na'Reish side.

 I hope you've enjoyed this recap and sneak peak at some new secondary characters.

Allegiance Sworn countdown...

Today we begin the week long countdown to April 2nd - the USA/Canadian release day for ALLEGIANCE SWORN.

A teaser for those keen to read a little about the story...

Icy disbelief raked down Arek’s spine. If the warrior had sensed his Gift, why wasn’t he tearing his throat out? What game was the Na’Reish playing at?
“I’m prepared to die for my people,” he panted. “Death by your hand or the boat-master’s makes no matter, demon!”
His hair was released.
“It’s not your death I seek, Light Blade.” Rope secured his wrists once again. “My Clan needs you to live.”

ALLEGIANCE SWORN (Ch.2)

WORLD-BUILDING: Na'Reish territory (maps)

One of the things I really enjoy when creating a fantasy series is the world-building.

With the Light Blade series I roughed out a map of their world and then, thanks to John Wrench, a friend who's skilled with IT graphics programs, he transformed my etchings into what you see below.

This is the map that appears in ALLEGIANCE SWORN.

 

Compass Rose from the map

What do you think of maps for fantasy worlds? Do you prefer a visual aid? Something that adds value as the story unfold? Or do you prefer to leave it to the imagination?

CAST OF CHARACTERS: Imhara - the Na'Reish demon leader

As an introduction to the characters from ALLEGIANCE SWORN, today I'd like you to meet Imhara, the heroine.

Name: Imhara Kaal

Race: Na'Reish demon (Na'Reishi highborn & Na, leader of her Clan)

Age: 28

Background: Imhara belongs to the Clan Kaal, one of twelve Na'Reish Clans. Her ancestors have remained true to the Old Ways - honoring the Lady as their deity and embracing a lifestyle where humans, Na'Chi and Na'Reish live together in peace.

Since the Great War over 400 years ago, her Clan has led an double life, interacting with the other Clans when necessary, portraying the use of a caste system and slavery as a part of everyday life, yet discouraging and restricting access into their territory to keep their secret safe.

Imhara (& Arek)

Their territory is geographically isolated by a mountain range and they control Skadda Pass, a well known slave-route used by Na'Reish patrols and raiders, to sneak into the southern provinces of human territory.

Imhara monitors the pass and all traffic, taking advantage of her rank as Na to demand tribute from those who use it, and rescue humans captured for the auction block.

As the only survivor of an assassination attempt on her entire family five years ago in a raid designed to seize control of her Clan and Skadda Pass, she took her father's place as Na during a Clan Enclave, foiling Na'Rei Savyr's attempt to claim her family's territory as his own.

Over the years she's survived numerous attempts on her life and made many enemies among the other Clans. Seeking vengeance, and in an effort to ensure her Clan's survival, Imhara intends to kill Savyr and approach the Blade Council for a truce. But to aid her in this attempt she needs to find an advocate, someone who will speak for her and convince them that the Kaal Clan are not a threat.

Skills: Imhara was taught by her parents the importance of responsibility and leadership from a young age, even though her older brother was groomed to take on the role as Clan Na.

Her father also insisted she train and learn weapon skills and strategy with her brother and his Na'Hord. She was able to utilise these skills after her family was murdered.

To avoid any further assassination attempts Imhara honed her fighting skills - an usual move by a female Na'Reishi society.

Imhara has also learned the art of deception and lives a double life within a culture that despises the Lady and her tenets. She's an advocate of the Old Ways, while her alter-ego, Na Kaal, has developed the reputation of being a tough, ruthless leader who enjoys taking human male slaves to her bed (a proclivity frowned upon by most of Na'Reish society).

Interesting facts:

• Imhara and Rassan (her Second-in-Command) became close friends during her teens. They met when her father insisted she learn fighting skills with his Na'Hord. Rassan was one of the young trainees.
• Imhara prefers the comfort of wearing breeches & a shirt to dresses, flaunting Na'Reish convention.
• Her favorite drink is k'sa, a hot, creamy, strong nutty flavored beverage popular among the Na'Reish.
• Imhara and her mother made the matching quilts that adorn her bed and chair in her room.
• As part of her persona as Na Kaal, Imhara has chains and shackles attached to the corner posts of her bed to foster the perception that she takes unwilling, human lovers.

CAST OF CHARACTERS: Arek - the demon hating warrior

As an introduction to the characters from ALLEGIANCE SWORN, today I'd like you to meet Arek, the hero.

Name: Arek Barial

Race: human

Age: 29

Background: Arek's parents were Light Blade warriors.

His mother was captured and raped by Na'Rei Savyr when he was 3 years old. She gave birth to Annika Gannec, his younger half-blood sister (who's story is portrayed in VENGEANCE BORN).

Chris Hemsworth - my inspiration for Arek.

His father committed suicide on learning of his mother's capture.

Arek was brought up by Davyn, his maternal grandfather. Thanks to Davyn's embittered influence, he grew up hating everything demon and made it his mission in life to kill as many of them as possible.

He held the position of Kalan's Second-in-Command until it was presumed he was killed in a rescue mission-gone-wrong (in ALLIANCE FORGED - Varian, the Na'Chi leader took his place at Kalan's request to help forge the alliance between the humans and Na'Chi).

Arek was actually captured by a Na'Hord raiders and transported into Na'Reish territory to be sold as a slave.

Skills: Arek is a Light Blade warrior - one of the best. His Gift from the Lady, the power to kill with kinetic energy, is so strong he's able to direct it through any weapon or via touch.

In human society, Light Blades are highly respected for their skills and dedication to upholding the Lady's tenets. They are the protectors of all.

Interesting facts:

• Kalan is Arek's best friend. They met as children and trained as Light Blade warriors together. He considers both Kalan and Kymora the brother and sister he never had.
• Growing up he used to escape the pressure of living up to his parents' reputation as Light Blade warriors taking off into the city with Kalan - to play with the children there, or, as he grew older, to visit the Night Markets.
• He cherished the time he spent with his paternal grandparents on their farm outside Sacred Lake. Helping them with the daily grind of chores was something he thoroughly enjoyed as he was able to leave his studies and training as a Light Blade warrior behind. It also gave him time away from Davyn and his never-ending lectures on his obligation to avenge his parents' deaths.

Arek (& Imhara) - not a bad match for Chris, eh?

• Arek froze the first time he faced the Na'Reish in battle. If it hadn't been for Commander Yevni's intervention he would have died on the battlefield.
• He was the first to discover the information that the Na'Reish and humans used to coexist peacefully together, and those with Gifts from the Lady were actually of mixed blood (ie.Na'Chi).
• Arek is highly respected as a Light Blade warrior and leader, yet quite openly admits he'll never make a good Councilor given his outspoken attitude and lack of patience with the political arena. He's insulted almost every member of the Blade Council at one time or another, and been ejected a number of times from meetings because of his lack of diplomacy.

GUEST AUTHOR: Erica Hayes

How does this grab you?

Paranormal urban fantasy romance apocalypse. With zombies.

Sound like fun? I thought so too. 

You're in for a real treat today! Please welcome a good friend of mine, a fellow Aussie author and Berkley babe, Erica Hayes...

Thanks to Kylie for welcoming me to her blog! Seriously, never mind the guest blog, I'd come here just to look at her scrumptious cover art… I so want to be that lady on the front of ALLEGIANCE SWORN. She's totally bad-ass…

Anyway. Moving on… Greetings, world! I'm Erica Hayes, and I'm a paranormal romance author. Or maybe an urban fantasy author. What's in a genre, anyway? It's all in the same section of the bookstore, right?

But as a reader, I know there's nothing more disappointing – not to mention annoying – than when a book turns out to be different to what you expected. Even if the book is great, it can really ruin my enjoyment. I've had many a quiet rant on the subject. Why did they put that cover on it? I say, or That back cover copy is nothing to do with the story!

Some authors strike it lucky. Our good Kylie's books, for instance, are clearly fantasy romance, just from the covers alone. No deception there! We expect magic spells, other worlds, mystical mayhem—and she delivers.

So, in the interests of reader sanity (and public safety!) I wish to make the following announcement: this is my new book, REVELATION – and what you see is pretty much what you get.

Hot dude on the cover equals romance. Flaming sword equals paranormal. City lights in the background equals urban with lashings of dark. And the back cover copy pretty much nails it.

REVELATION
(Bk#1 The Seven Signs series)

A fallen angel with a mission and a medical examiner who’s lost her faith are fighting for their souls in a glittering, near-future Manhattan…

Blind faith is for fools. That’s what Dr. Morgan Sterling believes. And she’s going to prove it by curing the zombie plague ravaging her city’s slums. She’s certain it’s not a sign of the End of Days, but a nasty disease—until an angel appears in her morgue in a flash of glory.
Luniel is not just a fallen angel. He’s a powerful warrior sworn to fight evil in hopes of a chance at redemption. He’s after the demon princes who are stealing the seven vials of holy wrath which, when perverted, will unleash eternal hell on earth.
To stop the plague, Luniel needs Morgan’s help, and her faith. But Morgan believes science is their salvation. If the zombie plague is a demonic curse—and if Luniel is true—he’ll have to prove it. Even if he loses his heart to true love or his soul to Hell…

So go right ahead and expect a hot romance! Sexy, tormented fallen angel warrior meets… well, he meets the perfect woman for him. She just doesn't know it yet.

But the world of the Seven Signs is bigger than just Lune and Morgan. You'll meet other angels – Luniel's conniving archangel, Michael, for one, and some of Lune's Tainted buddies. You'll also meet the chilly Demon King, Azaroth, and a crafty pain demon called Zuul. If you're familiar with my Shadowfae books, you'll know I am putty – putty, I say! – in the paws of a sexy, scheming secondary character. Especially a villain!

So yeah. REVELATION is a dark paranormal urban fantasy romance apocalypse. With zombies. Just so you know.

P.S. You can read the first chapter at my website.
And do come chat with me on Facebook.

SERIES: The Paranormal DownUnder - Christina Ashcroft

In Australia, 2012 is the National Year of Reading. What better way to celebrate this than by finding a new-to-you author or revisiting a favorite one?

This series of blog posts, entitled The Paranormal DownUnder, aims to do just that!

Any of my regular readers know I'm passionate about introducing 'local' talent (aka authors from Australia & New Zealand). This time around I'm keen to feature those who write in this genre.

So, be prepared for a swag of authors & some blatant promotion of their books as they share their thoughts on the paranormal genre and why they find it so compelling.

Please welcome my next guest...Christina Ashcroft. 

Christina Ashcroft is an ex-pat Brit who now lives in Western Australia with her high school sweetheart, their three children, an eccentric Maltese-cross and three regal cats. She can’t remember a time when she didn’t write, and always managed to include an element of fantasy or the paranormal in her English essay homework. Luckily her English teachers didn’t mind, despite the fact these stories generally finished with the hero, heroine (or both) coming to a sticky end. Thankfully by the time she hit fourteen she discovered romance novels and the wonder of a Happily Ever After. She now writes about hot archangels and the women who capture their hearts for Penguin/Berkley Heat and her books always have a happily-ever-after.

Christina is a member of the Romance Writers of Australia, Romance Writers of America, the Dark Side Down Under group blog and the Historical Hearts blog. She is a contest judge for RWAm, RWAus and RWNZ. She was a member of the inaugural Professional Development for Authors team and has been part of the editorial team for the Romance Writers of Australia’s monthly newsletter, Hearts Talk.

What compels you to write in the paranormal genre?
I've always written stories that had a touch of the paranormal. Even when I was at school there was always an element of the strange in my English homework. Not that I ever thought it was strange, because in my mind it's all perfectly normal!!

It makes much more sense to me that there are otherworldly creatures among us, as well as among the stars, than the idea we're totally alone in the universe. Just because we can't see it doesn't mean it doesn't exist! And so writing about gods and goddesses, angels, demons and vampires feels very logical and sane to me :-)

Is there something you'd like to write but have yet to attempt?
Not that I can think of off the top of my head. I've written about all the fantastical beings that fascinate me, even if all those books haven't been published yet. I do have a couple of time travel romances I'd love to sell one day.

Who are auto-buys for you in this genre? What makes their books so appealing to you?
So many books and so little time! I don't even know where to start. I'm so behind in my reading, my tbr piles (both physical and digital) threaten to tumble at any second.

One series I've been looking forward to reading for ages is Joss Ware's The Envy Chronicles. I hope to emerge from my cave for long enough to devour the whole series in one go!

Archangel of Mercy (December 2012) ~ writing as Christina Ashcroft

Between an angel and a desperate woman comes salvation - and a raw passion that challenges them at every turn... 

When Aurora Robinson attempts to open a rift between dimensions to embrace her true heritage, an arrogant Archangel is the only one who can save her from the jaws of hell. And while she owes Gabriel her life, she’s determined not to fall at his feet-despite the desire she feels whenever they’re together.

After his wings were brutally destroyed millennia ago, Gabriel has no compassion for humans like those who ruined him and betrayed the ones he loved. But when he inexplicably finds himself defying ancient protocols to rescue a woman from a fate worse than death, he is shocked by the searing attraction he feels for a mortal.

As the ancient forces that seek to punish Aurora for her actions close in, Gabriel offers the tempting woman protection at his private sanctuary. But as they both succumb to their desires, they discover an even deeper connection-one that threatens to consume them. 

Writing as Christina Phillips 

Forbidden (out now)
Between a warrior and a princess comes an erotic passion as all-consuming as the hatred between their warring worlds...

Captive (out now)
Trained in sensuality, a Druid priestess finds herself falling for the wrong man - the warrior who's taken her prisoner... 

Book 3 (release date tba)
A Druid priestess is captured and enslaved to a Roman tribune who must decide whether his loyalty lies with his heritage or the woman he suspects may be Rome's deadliest enemy. 

Highland Warrior Series (tba)
An exciting new series with sexy Highland Warriors and Pictish Princesses.

Touch of the Demon (novella - out now)
A bad ass dark angel hero. A reluctant assassin heroine. When their destinies collide raw lust escalates into a firestorm of sizzling passion.
Amazon   Nook

ALLEGIANCE SWORN - Bk#3 in the Light Blade series

Well, here it is...the cover and blurb for ALLEGIANCE SWORN, Book #3 in the Light Blade series.

I LOVE IT!

The hero and heroine are finally revealed! :-)

There are so many subtle details that tie in with Arek & Imhara's story as well as the series - Gene Mollica is a wizard!

ALLEGIANCE SWORN

(A Novel of the Light Blade)

There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not purebred is virtually powerless. Until a demon leader seeks to unify the races…
With the alliance of the humans and the half-blood Na’Chi forged, the demon Na’Reish prepare for war by seizing human blood-slaves. Captured during a rescue mission-gone-wrong, Light Blade warrior Arek Barial finds himself claimed by a Na’Reishi female who offers him an unexpected choice.
Raised in the elite ranks of a society she abhors, Imhara Kaal lives a dangerous double life as a Na’Reish Clan-leader and an advocate for a caste-free life that honors the Old Ways. Openly rebelling against the Na’Reish would mean her death, unless she can find an emissary willing to present her petition to the human Blade council.
But Arek isn’t about to blindly follow a demon—despite the intense attraction growing between them. And while hatred for the Na’Reish is all he has ever known, Arek must learn to trust Imhara, or risk the destruction of all three races…

ALLEGIANCE SWORN will be released on April 2nd, 2013 with Berkley Sensation.

Berkley Jove Author Chat!

On Thursday, July 12 at 9:00 PM - USA ET, folks!!! -  I'll be one of several authors in the Berkley Writerspace Reader's Chat Room. This is my first time participating in this sort of event, so it's going to be a new experience.

If I worked out the time conversion properly, for anyone in -
* New Zealand this equates to Friday, July 13, at 1pm
* QLD, VIC, NSW TAS, Australia - Friday, July 13, at 11.00am
* SA & NT, Australia - Friday, July 13, at 9.30am
* WA, Australia - Friday, July 13, at 9.00am.

The Berkley authors participating are:
Ilona Andrews - MAGIC DREAMS
Stacey Ballis - OFF THE MENU
Maya Banks - ECHOES AT DAWN
Shayla Black - HOT IN HANDCUFFS
Laura Brodie - ALL THE TRUTH
Meljean Brook - HEART OF STEEL
Pamela Clare - DEFIANT
Catherine Coulter - SPLIT SECOND
Sylvia Day - HOT IN HANDCUFFS
Christine Feehan - SAMURAI GAME
Yasmine Galenorn - NIGHT SEEKER
Kylie Griffin - ALLIANCE FORGED
Virgnia Kantra - CAROLINA HOME
Roni Loren - MELT INTO YOU
Kasey Mackenzie - BLACKHEARTED BETRAYAL
Hanna Martine - LIQUID LIES
Tori St. Claire - LIE TO ME
Jodi Thomas - IN A HEARTBEAT
Sherry Thomas - RAVISHING THE HEIRESS
Shiloh Walker - HOT IN HANDCUFFS
Wendy Wax - OCEAN BEACH

If you need to work out your own timezone conversion, try this link.

Would love to see you there!

ALLIANCE FORGED - Release Day!

Happy Release Day, ALLIANCE FORGED!!!

ALLIANCE FORGED
(Book #2 of the Light Blade series)

There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not purebred is virtually powerless. Until a blind priestess lays claim to a half-breed warrior, body and soul…

Hunted and marked for death by Na’Reish demons for their half-blood heritage, the
Na’Chi are searching for a new home—something an alliance offered by the human leader could provide. With both races divided by prejudice, when Light Blade rebels brutally attack the Na’Chi, the alliance seems doomed to fail.

Varian, leader of the Na’Chi, a hybrid race of gifted warriors, is cursed with the darker impulses of his demon heritage. Controlling the part of himself that craves the high of the battle is a struggle he’s afraid he’ll lose—until he meets Kymora Tayn, a priestess driven to serve her deity. While he’s unwilling to trust anyone outside his people, he finds himself drawn to Kymora’s strength and passionate nature, and discovers she has the power to calm the darkness inside him.

When the Na’Reish raid human territory for blood-slaves and kickstart a war, the key to the survival of both races—Na’Chi and human— is an alliance. However, when Kymora is kidnapped, pitting human against human, Varian realizes he must embrace his darker half, not only to save the alliance…but also the woman he loves.

You can find the buy links on my BOOKS website page!

And there's no rest for the wicked - I'm split three ways today.

You'll find the ALLIANCE FORGED blog tour continuing at these places:

• ARRA blog - Release Day feature
• Tynga's Reviews
• The Reading Cafe

I hope to see you around somewhere!

ALLIANCE FORGED countdown...

I wonder what's happening here...

Kymora smiled and placed her hand over his. A simple gesture but one that tugged something loose inside him.
She stroked his knuckles, caressing each one with her fingers as if she were memorizing every crease and indent. While her touch wasn’t sexual in nature, there was a sensual element to her actions. One his nerves were beginning to fire and come alive with. A look at her face assured him she wasn’t doing it deliberately.
He wished she would.

ALLIANCE FORGED (Ch.32)