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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

DARK SIDE DOWNUNDER: Cheryse Durrant

This month I'd like to introduce readers to some paranormal romance authors from Australia & New Zealand.

These authors are part of a blog group I'm affiliated with, called the Dark Side DownUnder. The site is aimed at showcasing all things speculative fiction - articles, authors, books, spotlights on... and contests/giveaways. You can find out more about DSDU here.

Today I have Cheryse Durrant visiting the blog.

Cheryse, while growing up, did you have an interest in the paranormal?
I remember brewing up witchy and fae games as a child and penning magical fairy tales. I LOVED fantasy. Remember the Ron Perlman/Linda Hamilton Beauty & the Beast of the late 1980s? Delicious. I also used to scour my high school library for my specific tastes, but I read a book a night so I ran out of titles after a short time (it was a small bush school).

What drew you to write in the paranormal romance genre?
I’d loved romance ever since I snuck into my sister’s bedroom and read my first Penny Jordan when I was eleven. True love, combined with magical elements (or any spec fic wonders), brings me joy. I feel like a child in a candy store.

Paranormal concepts also add tension to your plotlines. There’s nothing more memorable than a love story set against the edge and fear of an apocalypse or other evil infiltrations. It also increases the stakes – what’s worth fighting and dying for.

In your books, what sorts of characters or themes do you like to write about?
Strong women who face impossible goals. They also tend to struggle with a disease or handicap (or what they perceive as a weakness) that eventually becomes key to their happiness or goal success.

In THE BLOOD SHE BETRAYED, my kick-butt heroine Shahkara hates her half-demon self, but it’s her talons, healing abilities and super strength that enables her to save her world and people.

Even when I started writing paranormal romance at 14, my heroines were always flawed, but that ‘weakness’ ultimately became their ‘power’, once they overcame their fears and insecurities. Stories do parallel real life. After all, the greatest demon or challenge that most of us will ever face is ourselves. 

THE BLOOD SHE BETRAYED (Book 1 in the Heart Hunters)
To save her kingdom, she must betray her blood...
Thrust into the technology-driven Earthlands via magical mists, Shahkara is forced to rely on Max McCalden to help find the ancient Elnara death lantern, her homeworld’s last chance of survival against the heart-devouring Taloners.
Max has his own problems – a manipulative billionaire father, a murdered brother – but nothing prepares him for this fugitive warrior’s razor-sharp talons and magical abilities.
Shahkara’s half-Taloner blood demands what she knows she can’t have – a human heart. She longs for love, but as deadly enemies attack at every turn, will her lust for Max destroy them both? Or will she find the strength to free both worlds from a threat more horrific than the demons that share her blood?


Fav. paranormal TV series: Does Dr Who count? I know it’s sci fi but… Okay, then, it’s a toss-up between Buffy and Once Upon a Time.
Which paranormal romance author would you just love to meet in person?  LJ Smith, I know she’s a Young Adult author, but she tops my list. I fell in love with The Vampire Diaries years ago and, during the past couple of years, she’s been incredibly supportive of my writing, even publicly endorsing The Blood She Betrayed. I’d love to have coffee with her, but she lives overseas 
Most intriguing paranormal creature: Illyria from the Angel TV series. She was a goddess in charge of her own destiny! I also loved her confusion at being woken into a new realm of time.
Fav. paranormal movie: Practical Magic
Keeper paranormal romance series/books: The Light Blade series by Kylie Griffin…of course!
Which would you prefer - transporter, TARDIS or immortality: That’s a no-brainer: TARDIS!


Dead fingers curled around an ancient crypt and a love of Celtic mythology were the two inspirations behind Cheryse Durrant's The Blood She Betrayed, the first novel in her young adult/new adult Heart Hunters series.
Durrant was born within days of Tolkien’s death and grew up on an Australian cattle farm where she chatted to scrub faeries and an imaginary superhero. She wrote her first story on her aunt's bedroom wall but it did not attract the literary acclaim she deserved.
She worked as a journalist for 15 years before trading her soul for fiction. The coffee/chocolate/strawberry addict now lives on the central Queensland coast where she teaches writing through Creative Dragons and is an avid WriteFest fan.



You can find out more about Cheryse on her website, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads or WattPad.

Monday, October 28, 2013

RELEASE DAY for Breathless!

HAPPY RELEASE DAY to Dakota Harrison!

Her second contemporary romance, BREATHLESS, is out today with Samhain!

She ran half a world away to escape from her past…and found the one man who can heal her heart.
It’s been three years since a seemingly insignificant decision destroyed Emma’s life. Western Colorado is a long way for an Australian girl to run from the suffocating guilt she feels, but it isn’t far enough.
So she’s made herself a promise: No men, no responsibility. Ever again. That was before her pipes burst, and the crusty old plumber she was expecting turns out to be six-foot-two of brooding hard body with a killer smile—which he rarely aims in her direction.
Gabe doesn’t like it. Even through a layer of plaster dust, Emma’s beauty shines through and grabs him hard. Her laugh wraps around his lungs until he forgets how to breathe. But he’s still looking for pieces of the broken heart another woman’s betrayal left in its wake.
Pretty women are trouble, end of story.
Too bad no one told his determinedly matchmaking sister. Her efforts could crash and burn, for all he cares. He’s not interested. Not now, now ever. Now if he could only convince his body.




Tuesday, October 22, 2013

DARK SIDE DOWNUNDER: Peta Crake

This month I'd like to introduce readers to some paranormal romance authors from Australia & New Zealand.

These authors are part of a blog group I'm affiliated with, called the Dark Side DownUnder. The site is aimed at showcasing all things speculative fiction - articles, authors, books, spotlights on... and contests/giveaways. You can find out more about DSDU here.

My good friend, Peta Crake is the Dark Sider in the hot seat today!

Growing up, did you have an interest in the paranormal, Peta?
Most definitely.

I loved hearing my grandparents and parents talk about encounters with ghosts (doorknobs turning when there was no one there, a figure standing at the end of the bed) and all those television shows looking at weirdness like the Loch Ness Monster or the Bermuda Triangle.

Although I read most genres, well anything I could get my hands on really, I was always drawn to fairy tales, mythology and fantasy. I can't count the number of times I read "The Folk of the Faraway Tree" by Enid Blyton.

As for television, after Sesame Street and Playschool, one of the earliest shows I can remember watching is Dr Who. Then there was also Blake's Seven, Catweezle, Logan's Run, Greatest American Hero, Tomorrow People and the original Battlestar Galactica (I know some of them are more sci-fi but they all drag your imagination into "what if?" territory).

What drew you to write in the paranormal romance genre?
Twilight! Yep, you read it correctly, the home of sparkly vampires and hot young werewolves.
I had never come across paranormal romance until I watched Twilight which lead to the discovery of the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris.

 I then had a reading binge of epic proportions wherein I devoured every paranormal romance and urban fantasy book I could get my hands on...nothing was safe. I think the library and local bookshop quaked in fear when I approached at the prospect of running out of stock.

It suddenly twigged that this was what I was supposed to write. I put my fantasy novel to the side (it was my learner book and will probably never see the light of day) and started on what became my debut novel, Harbinger. At the same time I also wrote my next book, REVELRY, which was out last month (August 2013).

In your books, what sorts of characters or themes do you like to write about?
A lot of my heroines (all of them if my critique group are to be believed) have severe commitment issues. They are strong, independent and will soldier on in adversity until they can go no further. I would call them "low maintenance" and they tend not to be looking for a partner hence the men who do walk into their lives have to work extra hard to earn their love.

The common theme in my writing so far is belonging. Accepting who and what you are and finding a home with those who love you for who you are - faults and all.

Fav. paranormal TV series: Haven or if we are talking fantasy as well, Game of Thrones.
Which paranormal romance author would you just love to meet in person? Sherrilyn Kenyon or the husband and wife team known as Illona Andrews.
Most intriguing paranormal creature: Can I say the heroine of the story I am currently writing? She is a bakeneko (Japanese mythological creature, a spirit cat)?
Fav. paranormal movie: Underworld
Keeper paranormal romance series/books: Too many for my bookcases. Anything by Keri Arthur, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Illona Andrews, Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs....
Which would you prefer - transporter, TARDIS or immortality: TARDIS of course. Transporters are limited in their usage and immortality is just plain depressing. 


HARBINGER 
As a messenger for the all-powerful and sometimes frightening gods, suburban Aussie girl Ophelia Lind is used to being at their beck and call. When gorgeous demigod Aden moves into her neighbourhood and starts taking advantage of her services, she believes life could not get any worse.
She's about to be proven very wrong.
Without warning an odious creature - evil incarnate - begins to stalk her. Ophelia is accustomed to adventures and scrapes but this is different. Even Aden, finds it difficult to protect her. Suddenly Ophelia is in a battle for survival and begins to question everything - her upbringing, her identity and her true feelings for the alluring and entirely frustrating Aden.



Peta Crake grew up in a small town on the south coast of Western Australia, where the idea of fairies and monsters residing in the thick forests was perfectly believable.
After spending nearly a decade living in Japan and revelling in its culture, she turned her hand to writing.
Now living back in Australia with a husband, two kids, a cuddle-addicted cat, and a thoroughly confused dog, she writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance full of strong sassy heroines, surprising heroes and disturbed side-kicks.



Peta's latest release: 

REVELRY
Fate brought her to Ridgewood, fate or really bad luck...
Revelry Bell is tired. Tired of running, tired of being alone and tired of jumping at shadows. All she wants is to settle somewhere safe and quiet, but doubts that will ever be possible, not while her pack and its sadistic leader are still hunting her. With her cash supply dwindling and a stomach so empty it echoes, she jumps at the offer of a job and accommodation in the small town of Ridgewood.
It would be perfect, except for the high number of shifters in town and the presence of Connor Blythe. The man is everything she is trying to avoid - a wolf shifter like her.
When she stumbles across some corpses on Connor's land, Revelry needs to decide if she should follow her instincts and trust the man everyone else has deemed guilty, even if it means losing her precious freedom or her life.


You can find out more about Peta on her website, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.


Saturday, October 19, 2013

Saturday Seven! (Colonist's Wife)

It's Saturday Seven!

Kylie Scott writes great post-apocalyptic romance, hot NA romance and now science fiction romance. COLONIST'S WIFE is a mail order bride in space story with a twist.

As part of a witness protection program, Louise leaves earth to enter an arranged marriage to miner on Jupiter, only to find her original husband died in a mining accident and has been replaced by another.

Their initial meeting is less than stellar but over time each learn more about each other. Louise finally realises there's a quiet depth to Adam, one haunted an tormented by something in his past. Adam learns that there's more to Louise than her princess-like appearance.

The following scene is one of the major turning points in their romantic relationship.
The hint of dark stubble dragged at her fingertips and he held himself perfectly still. Apart from the muscle jumping in his jaw. "What are you waiting for, Adam?"
"For you to make the first move."
"I came in here."
"The second one then."
Well. Actions spoke louder than words.
Louise slid her hand around the back of his neck and sealed their mouths together. Done. She was kissing her husband.And he made a sound in the back of his throat that shot straight to her best bits, squeezing her insides tight in a delicious rush.
Oh yeah.
You can read another excerpt here.

It’s 2088, and having testified in a gangland murder trial, nowhere on Earth is safe for Louise. Witness Protection has organized a new identity and a marriage contract for her on the mining colony of Esther, one of the moons circling Jupiter. The man who meets her there is not the groom she expected.
Adam Elliot is neither sweet nor sincere, and he looks like he was hosed off a barroom floor. But soon a memorial service reveals Adam’s soft underbelly. Throw some stellar sex into the mix and the two decide that maybe marriage to each other might not be so bad after all.
But an assassin is already at work. A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues on the planet’s frozen surface. Louise is determined to live long enough to draw the maniac away from the husband she just might have fallen for.



Wednesday, October 16, 2013

ALLIANCE FORGED Christmas Giveaway!

With Christmas just around the corner, I have the perfect gift for you or a friend!

Here's your chance to win a signed copy of ALLIANCE FORGED (#2 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.

The Rafflecopter giveaway will run until midnight November 29th, 2013.

So what are you waiting for? Get entering & good luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaways Galore!

Christmas is coming, only a few weeks away now.

With this in mind, have you started your Christmas shopping? Nahh, me either! LOL

But I aim to help you out here. I have several giveaways to ... well, give away. Gifts for you or someone you know who would appreciate them.

I have 3 signed copies of VENGEANCE BORN and 1 signed copy of ALLEGIANCE SWORN up for grabs over at Goodreads. And I have some goodies - like Light Blade t-shirts, coffee mugs and swag - in my newsletter for subscribers.

All of these giveaways are open internationally - I'll post them anywhere in the world.

Goodreads Giveaway
Goodreads Giveaway

So, what are you waiting for - click the Goodreads links or keep your eyes peeled on your email inbox for the newsletter to see how you can go about entering that giveaway (or go sign up for my newsletter here) - and good luck!



Tuesday, October 15, 2013

DARK SIDE DOWNUNDER: Shona Husk

This month I'd like to introduce readers to some paranormal romance authors from Australia & New Zealand.

These authors are part of a blog group I'm affiliated with, called the Dark Side DownUnder. The site is aimed at showcasing all things speculative fiction - articles, authors, books, spotlights on... and contests/giveaways. You can find out more about DSDU here.

Today, I have Shona Husk visiting!

Growing up, did you have an interest in the paranormal, Shona?
I had an interest in all things ‘other’ as a child. I read about the occult, time travel, witches, dragons, monsters—basically anything I could get my hands on. When I read fiction it was fantasy. I just wanted the world to be more exciting and interesting than it was.

What drew you to write in the paranormal romance genre?
In paranormal romance I can add that otherness to our world and draw characters into adventures they never thought possible. Being kidnapped by a goblin, marrying a fairy King, falling for a ghost or finding a genie are all possible.

In your books, what sorts of characters or themes do you like to write about?
I tend to writer darker stories with wounded heroes. There’s also usually a need for acceptance and belonging. Even non-humans need love and to be accepted for who they are.

Fav. paranormal TV series: Supernatural
Which paranormal romance author would you just love to meet in person? Ann Aguirre
Most intriguing paranormal creature: Ohhh, that’s a hard one. Fairies, because they love intrigue and are often misrepresented as cute little flutterbys instead of the old, powerful beings that people used to fear. Of course that could change when I start a new series and find something else that captures my interest :)
Fav. paranormal movie: Devil’s Advocate
Keeper paranormal romance series/books: Dark Age Dawning series by Ellen Connor
Which would you prefer - transporter, TARDIS or immortality: TARDIS

 THE OUTCAST PRINCE
Caspian Mort can feel the history in anything he touches, a gift he inherited from his father, the Crown Prince of Annwyn. Devastated over his ex-wife's infidelity, Caspian has withdrawn from human contact except when working as an antiques dealer.
While assessing the contents of the historic Callaway House he encounters the beautiful Lydia Callaway and senses that her home is haunted by a banished fairy. But what does the dangerous exile want? Unbeknownst to Lydia, she's the owner of the last remaining portal to Annwyn—a mirror hidden somewhere in the house. To keep Lydia safe, Caspian will have to divulge the secrets of his heritage, and risk losing his heart again.


"Brilliantly unique, beautifully sensual, The Outcast Prince had me spellbound from the first page!" - Larissa Ione, New York Times bestselling author


Three time ARRA finalist Shona Husk lives in Western Australia at the edge of the Indian Ocean. Blessed with a lively imagination she spent most of her childhood making up stories. As an adult she discovered romance novels and hasn’t looked back. Drawing on history and myth, she weaves new worlds and writes heroes who aren’t afraid to get hurt while falling in love.

With stories ranging from sensual to scorching, she is published with Carina Press, Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing and Sourcebooks. You can find out more at www.shonahusk.com or follow her on Twitter, Facebook or subscribe to her newsletter.


Tuesday, October 8, 2013

DARK SIDE DOWNUNDER: Rowena May O'Sullivan

This month I'd like to introduce readers to some paranormal romance authors from Australia & New Zealand.

These authors are part of a blog group I'm affiliated with, called the Dark Side DownUnder. The site is aimed at showcasing all things speculative fiction - articles, authors, books, spotlights on... and contests/giveaways. You can find out more about DSDU here.

To kick off this series, please welcome Rowena May O'Sullivan to my blog!

Rowena, what is it about the paranormal romance genre that intrigues you the most?
I believe that if the imagination can create something then surely, it exists.  My father read a lot about extra-terrestial visitations and practiced hypnotism in my younger years and this definitely had an influence, but it wasn’t until I took a book out of the library in my early 20’s that I became hooked on reading paranormal books (I don’t think it was called that).  It’s also freeing to write about worlds where the only boundaries are those you create yourself.

What challenges did you face publishing in this genre?
The biggest challenge, apart from actually writing those books, which is not easy – it can be like drawing blood from a stone – is getting a publisher, editor or agent to actually read your work.  They receive thousands of manuscripts from writers the world over and you need to be able to stand out or present the best manuscript you can in order to be read.

A good way, and this worked for me, is to enter competitions.  If you final, you’ll end up on an editor or agent’s desk.  Finalling also gives you confidence. You begin to think, “someone actually liked it enough to mark it high enough to final.”  That in itself provides validation for all those lonely hours sitting at the desk lost in your own world as you piece your story together.

Which authors have inspired you in your own writing? Or which ones do you enjoy reading?
I was inspired very early on. The first book I ever received as a gift was Heidi.  It was the very first full book I ever read.  Then came The Famous Five and that’s when I started trying to write my own adventures when I was approximately eight, nine, ten.

I began to pester my parents for a typewriter and I actually saved for one and bought a very decrepit one when I was twelve.  I loved that typewriter and kept writing little stories, mostly children’s stories (I don’t know where they are now) until that typewriter died.  The kernel was born there, but it wasn’t until my son was about seven that I really put pen to paper and wrote a couple of short romances that finalled in Women’s Day competitions and I discovered Romance Writers of New Zealand around the same time.

I attended a meeting and “hey presto” I found a niche where I felt I belonged.  There are so many authors that inspire me that it’s difficult to name anyone as every book I’ve ever read has influenced me in some way.

When you get a chance to relax, what do you like to do?
I often go to see my son, daughter-in-law and wee grandson, who has just turned one, as he learns to swim. Family is the most important thing in my world. Family, friends and reading a really good book!  Heaven!

Five Minutes with Rowena
Rowena's Thoughts on life: I do a lot of staring out the window. I love to read, to disappear into other worlds. I wander off mid-thought often! I think life should be more like a musical. Quiet, introspective and yet strangely noisy and annoying. I’m prone to break out into song, even at work. My workmates are ecstatic I only know the first lines of songs.
Fav.must-read author/s: There are too many to mention! Suffice to say I’ll read just about anything.
On my bookshelves at home I have: Jill Barnett, Janet Evanovich, Rachel Gibson, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Kristan Higgins, Nalini Singh, Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, Kylie Short and Liann Hearn plus so many more!
For relaxation you like to: Zone out with a good book or watch television. I love stories! Sleeping on the couch seems to be a favourite as well!
Fav.colour: That amazing colour blue the sky goes at sunset.
Dream holiday destination: Greek Islands – I went there when I was 21 and fell in love.  I’m still waiting to return. Sigh.
Hunkiest Actor: Joe Manganiello who plays Alcide in True Blood!

About your book:
Title – THE JADE DRAGON
Release Date – 20 May 2013
Publisher – Crimson Romance
Hero -   Gregori Rousseau
Heroine -  Alanna Greenwood
Setting – Raven’s Creek and Cabasson (South of France)

THE JADE DRAGON
Ensorcelled in a jade dragon, Warlock Gregori has a secret that could destroy his future with the one woman who could save him from turning rogue.
Charged with guarding the jade dragon, Alanna is shocked when Gregori shatters not only the stone imprisoning him, but also the invisible barriers she has placed around herself to hide a secret far greater than his.
A secret that could destroy not only her close relationship with her sisters, but also her life as a witch and most of all, any hope of a future with Gregori.


A short excerpt taken from Chapter Four - Gregori has just broken free of the Jade Dragon and Alanna doesn’t know what to do with him.
She spread out a sheet on the cobblestones and rolled him, with a lot of shoving and pulling and pushing, onto it. Then she gathered the ends of the material at one end between her fists and dragged him across the courtyard, kicking shards of jade out of the way with her slippers. Even with the sheet protecting his body, he was sure to have grazes over his behind and legs.
“It’s just as well I lug stone around for a living,” Alanna huffed as she lugged Gregori towards the Gallery. Even more so now that she couldn’t use her powers to levitate an object at will. “You’re a dead weight!” she grunted, finally making it to the French doors. “I don’t know what you did,” she sputtered as she pulled with all her might, taking small backward steps through the Gallery, avoiding precious work by both her sisters and other artists, towards the office. “But I’m not taking any chances. Witches’ Oath be damned! Once you’re out of the cold and I’ve got your privates covered—and they’re the best bits I’ve ever seen—I’m going to get hold of Rosa, Beth, Goran, whoever, and spill the beans big time.”
She could do with some magic right now. She’d conjure up a replica dragon, perch it outside and fix those damned courtyard walls. Those without magic wouldn’t have a clue. Only Rosa, Beth, Aden, and Goran would notice the difference. At least she needed a way to make Gregori invisible while she came up with a plan.
She tugged steadily towards the small office tucked away out of sight where the sisters could rest, make a drink and take care of administrative matters. The daybed had come in handy on many an occasion. Lugging him upstairs was not an option. She had visions of losing hold and of him tumbling down the stairs, head over ass, to lie in a broken heap at the bottom.
“No. Not a good picture,” she mumbled as she heaved a final time into the office. She studied the daybed and then Gregori. “Not going to happen either,” she mumbled and let the sheet drop and Gregori’s head connected with a loud thud on the floor.
Alanna cringed and gnashed her teeth. “Witches’ Warts with knobs on!”
***
Gregori heard muttering. Disgruntled muttering.
“Damn stupid warlock! What the hell did you have to go and do that for?”
“Damn” and “stupid” in the same sentence didn’t sit well in his foggy head. He ought to protest he was neither. He attempted to open his eyes, but they refused to obey. He willed his arm to move. It resisted. He tried to speak. Nothing. Unfortunately, his ears were working. The grunting and swearing continued. If he could talk, he would have been far more explicit in his choice of words, especially the moment his head connected with something hard and unresisting.
“How the hell am I going to explain you to my sisters?”
He likely had a concussion as well as the odd paralysis that prevented him from moving or responding.
“Sorry,” Alanna said. He knew her voice. Her scent.
He would have laughed if he could have. Her apology was belated and only half-hearted. Don’t ever apologize. Never reveal your weaknesses.
A mere bump on the head was the least of his concerns. His physical body wasn’t working, and—he checked momentarily—neither was his magic. Clearly, his mind was intact. He could hear and feel everything that was happening. Not unlike his imprisonment in the dragon. The cynic in him was both amused and irritated. It was fitting, he supposed, that his final prison should take the form of a small, lethal dragon of Marylebone.
 
-->
Rowena May O’Sullivan is a writer of paranormal romance and romantic comedy. My first memory of wanting to become a writer was as a child after reading my very first full-length book, Heidi. From there came the Famous Five series. After that it was a wonderful journey as I made my way through all the books on the library shelves, all the while thinking, I’d love to be able write books. At night I would lie in bed with the lights off making up stories and telling them to my sister before drifting off to sleep. Eventually I discovered romance. I love romantic comedy and paranormal romance. I love a great relationship story. I love magic and humor. I love anything quirky. So it only seemed natural to pen these types of books.

One night I dreamed the first book in my paranormal Greenwood Witches series, which eventually became The Silver Rose. From there, The Jade Dragon, Alanna and Gregori’s story was born. I hope you enjoy reading their story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I’m currently working on Book 3 in my Greenwood Witches trilogy, Beth and Goran’s story.

To learn more about me or subscribe to my newsletter, visit www.rowenamayosullivan.com

I can also be found at:


Saturday, October 5, 2013

Saturday Seven! (Caged Warrior)

It's Saturday Seven!

The cover of CAGED WARRIOR sold me on Lindsey Piper's debut paranormal romance even before I turned it over to read the back cover blurb.

My first thought was "Spartacus in modern times!" - hoo-rah!

And, in some ways, that turned out to be the case. CAGED WARRIOR is the start of a new, sexy, gritty paranormal romance series that doesn't pull any punches (no pun intended).

Leto is a cage warrior, tasked to win glory and fame for his Master. He's tasked to train Audrey, a cast out member of a Dragon Clan (she was exiled for marrying a human).

Initially, he's sees her as a means to an end (he's fighting to save his Clan) - winning three matches together earns him the reward he's fought for all of his life - so he's determined to get her to use and master her powers, which she denies having, and he'll do anything to ensure their success.
"I can't help how I was raised."
"Bullshit, as you say." Leto leaned against the mesh steel. "You were cast out, I assume. I can't imagine he was worth it."
She stood. Slowly at first. Knees unsteady. She lifted her chin. That killer instinct had returned. Leto breathed in and relished the sight.
"He was worth everything I endured, everything I ever will. And you've never felt its like."
Anger lifted in Leto's chest. Almost pain. Almost shame. Because she was right.
Blink. Kick to the lower back. Scream.
This time she didn't fall. She whirled on the balls of her feet. The blaze of her silvery eyes caught with his. An uncanny glow stopped him cold.
CAGED WARRIOR (Bk #1 The Dragon Kings)
Ten years ago, Audrey MacLaren chose to marry her human lover, making her an exile from the Dragon Kings, an ancient race of demons once worshiped as earthly gods. Audrey and her husband managed to conceive, and their son is the first natural-born Dragon King in a generation–which makes him irresistible to the sadistic scientist whose mafia-funded technology allows demon procreation. In the year since her husband was murdered, Audrey and her little boy have endured hideous experiments.
Shackled with a collar and bound for life, Leto Garnis is a Cage warrior. Only through combat can Dragon Kings earn the privilege of conceiving children. Leto uses his superhuman speed and reflexes to secure the right for his two sisters to start families. After torture reveals Audrey’s astonishing pyrokenesis, she is sent to fight in the Cages. If she survives a year, she will be reunited with her son. Leto is charged with her training. Initially, he has no sympathy for her plight. But if natural conception is possible, what has he been fighting for? As enemies, sparring partners, lovers, and eventual allies, Leto and Audrey learn that in a violent underground world, love is the only prize worth winning.
Read another excerpt here.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

CONFERENCE: RWAustralia (part 3)

For the last few years at our annual conference, the Romance Writers of Australia have held a joint book signing event with the Australian Romance Readers Association. This year was no different.

ARRA volunteers and the UWA Co-op Bookshop were outstanding in their roles as organisers/ushers and conference bookstore.

At the ARRA Book Signing

A huge 160 romance readers turned out for the Saturday evening event! Hats of to all the WA'ers who took the time to come and take part - you are awesome!

Angela Verdenius



Eden Summers - erotic romance author
YA author - Kaz Delaney



Michelle Diener - historical romance author
Juanita Kees - Escape author













Also attending the event were 65 Australian romance authors as well as 9 international romance authors - Julia Quinn, Nina Bruhns, Caitlin Crews, Maisey Yates, Susan Stephens, Nicole Flockton, Carole Mortimer and Jackie Ashenden, as well as well-known blogger Sarah Wendell from Smart Bitches, Trashy Books.

YA author - Ebony McKenna
Shambles put in an appearance, too!

 A swag of Dark Side DownUnder authors made an appearance!

Eleni Konstantine
Jenny Schwartz













Shona Husk

S.E.Gilchrist

Denise Rossetti - one of my fav authors!
It was wonderful to meet so many readers and I everyone went home with a swag of great books and fun memories/photos!

Maggie Gilbert - YA rural romance author
The effervescent Paula Roe
 
Romantic suspense  RITA finalist - Bronwyn Parry
During the conference our guest editors and agents held a couple of awesome panels where they spoke about their company and role and listened to some cold reads then explained what appealed to them about the work or what could have been improved to grab their attention more.

Agents & editors pitching to authors

Survivor Island - cold reads at conference

To finish off, I'd like to showcase the awesome Awards night setting put on by the Esplanade staff and RWA conference committee - desserts & coffee - the tables were gorgeous (my photos don't do it justice).

An ethereal, underwater atmosphere!

The scrumptious desserts on offer at the Awards dinner!

Next year, the Romance Writers of Australia conference will be in Sydney (at the Novotel, Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush).

The theme - "Romance Rocks!"

And didn't the ballroom fill with gasps and cheers when two of our guest speakers were announced - thriller writer and writing craft author, James Scott Bell, along with award-winning, best-selling romantic adventure author, Cherry Adair.

You can check out more details about the conference here.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

CONFERENCE: RWAustralia (Part 2)

As promised, here are some highlights from the Romance Writers of Australia/Harlequin Cocktail Party where the theme was "Nautical or Nice" - high seas, lows seas or along the coast everyone who attended made the effort to dress up in some way to fit the theme.

Pirates galore!

The only Viking brave enough to show!

Ahoy, matey!
Fair maidens, Devil from the Deep (book title) & more pirates!

The lone palm tree of the night

A touch of pirate

A mermaid (aka Anne Gracie)

My favourite of the night (outside the life-sized cutout of Captain Jack Sparrow?) - Anne Gracie's shoes!!!

My roomie - Imelda with Jack!*

Anne Gracie's awesome shoes!

Next post - the RWA/ARRA Book Signing and a couple of conference highlights!



* Photo sourced from Wine, Women & Wordplay (Imelda's blog)