BRENDA NOVAK'S ANNUAL ONLINE AUCTION FOR DIABETES RESEARCH

A swag of authors, prizes and giveaways, there are so many to choose from - it's all happening! Let your friends know & check it out here.

But more specifically, for those who love paranormal romance (and a lone rock star):

Aussie Romance Writer's Set: 6 Books Signed Books From 6 Aussie Authors
This is your chance to get your hands on 6 books and some swag from some of Australia's best paranormal romance writers (we're all ARRA Awards finalists or winners)!

VENGEANCE BORN - Kylie Griffin
FORGED BY DESIRE (ARC) - Bec McMaster
REVELATION - Erica Hayes
SHADOW KIN - M.J.Scott
LICK - Kylie Scott
OUTCAST PRINCE - Shona Husk

There's something for every discerning reader - warriors galore, avenging demons, steampunk vampires & weres, fallen angels, a wraith assassin, an uber-sexy rock star and mysterious fae! You can find samples of each book at individual author websites.

The good news - this auction is open internationally!

Good luck, good reading, and thank you for supporting this wonderful cause!

DARK SIDE DOWNUNDER: Erica Hayes

The Dark Side DownUnder series continues this month. I invited you to get to know some paranormal romance authors from Australia & New Zealand, maybe find a couple of new-to-you-authors & reads!

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, Erica Hayes is the Dark Sider in the hot seat today!

Erica Hayes is an Aussie author of dark fantasy and paranormal romance, currently living in England, where at least the beer and the hospitality, if not the weather, is warm.

She was a law student, an air force officer, an editorial assistant and a musician. Her books feature tough, smart heroines and colourful heroes with dark secrets.


Growing up, did you have an interest in the paranormal, Erica?
I used to scare myself stupid with books from the library about vampires and monsters and being buried alive, bwahaha...It was all ‘horror’ back in those days, not a romantic vampire among them.

Tom Baker - 4th Dr Who

There wasn’t much TV in our house, but I used to watch Doctor Who (the Tom Baker and Peter Davidson versions!) when I got home from school.

(Kylie's comment: For those unfamiliar with the awesomely popular British TV series, you can find out more about it here.)

Erica, what drew you to write in the paranormal romance genre?
I like monsters. And sex and violence. So paranormal romance is perfect! I dunno, I can’t seem to come up with a plot that doesn’t feature some kind of made-up element, whether it be magical or sci-fi.

In your books, what sorts of characters or themes do you like to write about?
Oh, the ‘core story’ question, ooga booga :) Mine, apparently, is ‘the darkness within’. Always something to do with people who lead a double life somehow. Everyone has two faces.

No one is what they seem, or who they pretend to be, or even who they’d like to be. They have a dark side that pulls them in conflicting directions, and because it’s paranormal, usually that dark side comes to life!

My heroine Jade in SHADOWFAE is possessed by  a demon fragment called ‘rapture’. The hero in SHADOWGLASS has a split personality. The heroine in DRAGONFLY, Carrie, is a deep cover agent pretending to be someone else, who’s pretending to be yet another someone.

Fav. paranormal TV series: probably Supernatural. I give everything that comes on a go! I even watched The Vampire Diaries for a while (seriously? How many times can we have the same plot?) and I got through season 3 of True Blood before it jumped the shark for me.

But I always seem to return to Supernatural... and the answer is Sam. In case you were wondering.

Which paranormal romance author would you just love to meet in person? They tend to hang out at conferences, so it isn’t that hard...  Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein? She’s not likely to turn up at the next RWA. Not exactly a HEA in that one, but still...

Most intriguing paranormal creature: I like my vampires, yes I do. And I’ve had great fun with angels in my Seven Signs series. I’ve also done djinni, fairies, shapeshifters, demons, zombies, superheroes...

Not much of a fan of werewolves, to be honest, but for me the most intriguing paranormal creature is one who leads that double life I was talking about – one thing by day, and another by night.

Fav. paranormal movie: The Mummy.

Keeper paranormal romance series/books: I’ve got lots. I don’t give away many books! And there are so many good ones. Some that I’m currently enjoying include Linda Poitevin’s Sins of the Angels, and the Hearts and Thrones series by Amy Raby.


Which would you prefer - transporter, TARDIS or immortality: Well, if you had a TARDIS, a transporter would be redundant.

Immortality... Well, you’ve heard the stories. Too much fine print.

So I guess I’d opt for the TARDIS. Does it come with the Doctor?

Peter Davidson - 5th Dr Who

You can find out more about Erica on her website, or you can follow her on Twitter, or Facebook.


Check out Erica's latest release & her other books:

DEMON CHAINED
(released 18th September, 2013)

Bk#5 The Shadowfae Chronicles

Jewel is a djinni of the lamp, an enchanted slave, bound to her owner by dark magical cravings she can't resist. She burns for freedom, and when her lamp is stolen—by Tam, a hot and dirty bad-boy thief—she vows to be rid of her new master at any cost. Even as she plots Tam's demise, the lamp's dark fascination makes her long to claim him as her own.
But the last thing Tam wants is a spellbound djinni who can't say 'no'. Cursed by a demon to suffer living death, he's tormented by undead longing for pain, pleasure, any sensation he can get. To have this exquisite, besotted Jewel at his bidding is pure torture… because Tam refuses to succumb to her magical allure.
Not when he knows she can't truly be attracted to an ever-dying freak. And not when he’s already on a mission from his cruel demon master: capture and deliver one djinni...

The Shadowfae Chronicles (dark urban fantasy romance)

(Bk#1)

(Bk#2)

(Bk#3)

(Bk#4)

(novella)

(short story)

The Seven Signs series (dark apocalyptic paranormal romance)

(Bk#1)

(Bk#2

Hunter’s Blood (a short vampire romance)
 

Dragonfly (a romantic sci-fi adventure)

SATURDAY SEVEN (My Lady Quicksilver)

It's Saturday Seven!

Bec McMaster might be one of my writing buddies (and so you can probably assume I'm just a tad bias) but she writes intricate, gritty, engrossing steampunk romances. MY LADY QUICKSILVER (Bk#3 London Steampunk series) is no exception.

Bec takes us away from the streets of Whitechapel and Blade's band of fighters and rogues, and we get to see more of the Nighthawks (the law enforcement of the Echelon, if you like) and the humanist movement (those fighting against the Echelon).

Rosalind applies to be Lynch's secretary. The Nighthawk Captain doesn't realise it but Rosalind is Mercury, the humanist fugitive he's been obsessed with hunting down and capturing. She's desperate to find her younger brother and working for Lynch could possibly give her access to information she needs.

In this scene Lynch discovers Rosalind in his study, the one room he always locks, and she has to think fast on her feet...

"Tell me...did you find anything of interest?"
"Interest?"
"When you were rifling through my things?"
For a moment she thought he'd caught her out. Then she realized there were faint creases at the corners of his grey eyes and just a hint of a smile edging his harsh lips. Her heart started beating again, thundering in her veins.
And she liked the feeling.
"There were many things of interest," Rosalind said, circling the desk behind him. His head turned to the side then stopped, and she knew he was tracking her by sound now. His thick dark hair was cut brutally short, barely edging against the stiff starched cut of his collar. Rosalind eyed the broad span of his shoulders. "You're an interesting man."
"Yet you're afraid of me," he murmured.

In the mist-shrouded streets of a steam-fuelled London, a clockwork army is on the rise, vampire blue bloods rule the streets, and war is brewing…

“I WILL COME FOR YOU…”
He will find her no matter what. As a blue-blooded captain of the Nighthawk Guard, his senses are keener than most. Some think he’s indestructible. But once he finds the elusive Mercury, what will he do with her?
It’s his duty to turn her in—she’s a notorious spy and traitor. But after one stolen moment, he can’t forget the feel of her in his arms, the taste of her, or the sharp sting of betrayal as she slipped off into the night. Little does Mercury know, no one hunts better than the Nighthawk. And his greatest revenge will be to leave her begging for his touch…



Other books in this series:

Book #1

Book #1.5

Book #2

GUEST AUTHOR: Maggie Mundy

Today I have Maggie Mundy, a fellow RWAustralia author - please make her feel welcome as she shares a post about her latest release, HIDDEN MORTALITY (now out with Soul Mate Publishing, October 2013).

Take it away, Rowena.

Maggie Mundy lives in Adelaide, Australia and is a member of Romance Writers of Australia, and the local chapter SARA (South Australian Romance Authors). She recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and English at Flinders University.

She had a short story published in the RWA Topaz Anthology Little Gems in 2010 called Sea and Vines. Over the past year she has had stories on line with Alfie dog in the UK and Antipodean SF in Australia. She has also performed for many years in corporate entertainment for which she wrote her own sketches which probably explains why her head is so full of characters.

She loves writing romance but thinks falling in love can be scary, especially in her stories where creatures of the night really exist.

As an introduction to a character from HIDDEN MORTALITY, today I'd like you to meet Seth the hero.



Name: Seth Scanlon.



Race: human.

Characteristics: At six foot five with a muscle-bound body and a shaved head one of the character in the novel describes him like Vin Diesel on a bad day. Of course they don’t know the demons he cares about his past.

Age: 35 for more than 200 years so far. When I stared to write this novel I always saw Seth as a combination of Kelly Slater and Vin Diesel. I have to admit I find them both yummy.

 

Background: Seth was born in the early 1800 in a small town called Trowbridge just outside of Bath where he trained with his father to be a blacksmith. He hated his father who was a drunk and beat his mother. She was found drowned in a local river and it was considered suicide. He swore he would never become like his father but he didn’t completely succeed.

His first true love Rosie was married when he met her. He was honourable and left her alone. When her husband died Seth was already in an unhappy marriage and starting to drink. His wife died in childbirth and Rosie was murdered. His life was spiralling out of control
.

Rosie was killed in a ritual that was said to provide immortality to the killers. She had witch blood and granted the gift of immortality to Seth as well. She asks him to protect her descendants and find the killers.

Two hundred and more years have passed and Seth still searches and watches over Rosie’s descendants. Recently his need to find Rosie’s killer has changed because he has fallen in love with her descendant Cara.

Interesting facts: Seth can only kill the other immortal who murdered Rosie with a dagger he fixed. He does not know the whereabouts of the dagger. When he kills the murderer he will die himself. That was fine with him until he met Cara.  Below you can see the cover for Hidden Mortality that will be out with Soul Mate Publishing in November. I actually like the fact that Seth’s face is not completely shown as it gives the reader the ability to fill in the rest of the details.

A witch is murdered in 1850 in a ritual that will grant longevity to four men. What they are not aware of is that she has bestowed the same power to another called Seth to avenge her death.
Cara lives in present day Bristol, and is a descendant of the witch. Having been unlucky in love she fills her days with food with her Irish themed catering business. Her nights are another matter; they are full of erotic dreams of a mysterious lover, or nightmares with mutilated bodies. So this wasn’t the best time for her Nana to tell her she is coming into her power.

DARK SIDE DOWNUNDER: Christina Phillips

The Dark Side DownUnder series continues! I invited you to get to know some paranormal romance authors from Australia & New Zealand, maybe find a couple of new-to-you-authors & reads!

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, Christina Phillips is the Dark Sider in the hot seat today!

Christina loves writing dark tales of tough, sexy warriors who are brought to their knees by their heroines. A mystical touch of fantasy or paranormal usually weaves its way through her stories, although strangely enough this wasn’t her intention when she first starting writing her historical romances. But when ancient gods and goddesses get involved, it’s best just to go with the flow.

She is published by Ellora’s Cave and Berkley Heat and has dipped her toe in the indie pub waters. She is a member of the Romance Writers of Australia, Romance Writers of America, the DarkSide Down Under Group Blog and Historical Hearts Group Blog. She helped establish the inaugural Professional Development for Authors program and has been a member of the editorial team for the RWA’s monthly newsletter, Hearts Talk.

Christina is an ex-pat Brit who now lives in sunny Western Australia with her family. She is also owned by three gorgeous cats who are convinced the universe revolves around their needs. They are not wrong.

Christina, growing up, did you have an interest in the paranormal?
Looking back, I’ve always been obsessed by the paranormal although at the time it all seemed perfectly normal to me. Why wouldn’t there be a magical land in the back of a wardrobe? Of course toys came to life as soon as you went to sleep at night. I still remember as clearly as anything hiding behind the sofa watching Doctor Who on Saturday evenings (but it never occurred to me – or my parents, apparently! – to stop watching the show!) 

What drew you to write in the paranormal romance genre?
I’ve always enjoyed writing about the weird and strange. Even my English essay homework involved time travel to ancient Rome and epic space journeys.

When I first started writing with the aim of publication I tried writing category romance, but even then an errant guardian angel appeared and my second heroine was a powerful medium in denial.

In your books, what sorts of characters or themes do you like to write about?
I write a lot of historical romances and one of the obvious constraints that arises is the fact that in the past women have been severely repressed (I realise that, unfortunately, inequality still exists in many forms).

I think this is why I gravitated towards the dark and misty times of the Druids, just before they were decimated by the Romans. Because we know so little about the Druids I was able to unearth a culture where female Druids were as powerful and respected as their male counterparts. Their pantheon of gods, unlike the Romans, wasn’t patriarchal or created to subdue women… at least not originally…

In the same way my Highland Warrior Chronicles, set during the ninth century in the Highlands, have the mysterious Picts. Again we know so little about the Pictish people who lived in the Highlands before the Scots, yet the few things we do know about them paint an intriguing picture.

And so I once again went back to the Goddess culture where women had been on equal footing with men. But this is a time of great change and upheaval in universal beliefs, and woven through the ancient myths and legends a new God arises. It makes for fascinating conflicts between the Scots warriors and their Pictish princesses.

Another theme that I appear to like, although I must admit I didn’t even realise it until recently, is the enemies to lovers trope. I’m not sure why, but when I looked back at my books that theme runs through them all!

QUIZ
Fav. paranormal TV series: It’s been ages since I’ve sat down and watched a TV series. And when I tried to think of one we’ve bought on DVD all I come up with are sci fi ones instead!  I love Star Trek TNG and Voyager, Stargate and of course, (are you ready for this revelation?) Battlestar Galactica! 

Which paranormal romance author would you just love to meet in person? I consider myself hugely fortunate to have actually met in person several of my favourite paranormal authors – present company included! On a side note my eldest daughter is still green with envy that I’ve met (and spoken with! And hugged!) Nalini Singh.

Most intriguing paranormal creature: Ever since I was a child I’ve found mermaids fascinating. I’m talking about the beautiful maidens with long flowing hair… and a tail. As I got older the tail kind of freaked me out, but despite the many questions I have as to their romantic rituals, mermaids still intrigue me.

Fav. paranormal movie: I do love Enchanted, it’s such a delightful feel good movie and always makes me smile when we watch it (which is frequently!!) Also love Terminator, Alien and Déjà Vu with Denzel Washington– not sure they all qualify as paranormal movies though!

Keeper paranormal romance series/books: Psy/Changeling by Nalini Singh.

Which would you prefer - transporter, TARDIS or immortality: Much as I would love to travel in the TARDIS (hello, David Tennant!) my super technology of choice would be a transporter. With so many friends and relatives scattered across the country and the globe it would be completely awesome to be able to visit them with just a quick snap of the fingers! 

Christina, thanks for visiting today!

Driven by the knowledge he failed to protect his king and embittered at losing the woman he loves, Celtic warrior Gawain despises the lust he feels for the beautiful Roman patrician, Antonia. She is everything he’s never wanted in a woman, yet she ignites his passion like no other. Despite the danger of discovery he embarks on an illicit liaison with her, determined to uncover the reason for the infinite sorrow that haunts her eyes.
Newly arrived in Britannia from Rome, Antonia is inexplicably drawn to the cold, tough Celt whose touch stirs a desire she long thought died at the hands of her brutal former husband. With Gawain she learns the pleasure of sex and his unexpected tenderness thaws her frozen heart. But she hides a deadly secret that could be her undoing, and knows her growing feelings for him can lead nowhere. Yet when a shadow from her past threatens her future Antonia is torn between the Empire of her birth and betraying Gawain, the man she’s grown to love.
Inside Scoop: This medieval romance dabbles a wee bit in the paranormal.

A Romantica® historical erotic romance from Ellora's Cave

 

--> Ellora’s Cave      Amazon      Amazon UK      ARe      Kobo 

When tough Scots warrior Connor Mackenzie rides into the barbaric lands of the Picts on a mission for his king, he never expects to be captivated by a beautiful Pictish widow. Drawn under her spell, yet unaware of her true identity, he risks everything for one passionate night in her arms.
Aila, princess of Pictland, swore long ago she would do anything within her power to help defeat the Vikings who invaded her land and murdered her husband. But after meeting Connor, her frozen heart thaws and once again she imagines a future filled with love and passion.

When Connor delivers the message from his king, Aila becomes a pawn in a deadly game of politics. Her heart belongs to Connor, but she must marry the prince of Dal Riada – Connor’s half-brother. But the fates have other plans for the star-crossed lovers as they fight their enemies and themselves to find true love.

A Romantica® historical erotic romance from Ellora's Cave

Ellora's Cave    Amazon     ARe     Nook     Amazon UK     Kobo 

Christina's Backlist:

Stand-alones 

Bloodlust Denied
Touch of the Demon
Foretaste of Forever 

The Forbidden Series
Forbidden
Captive
Betrayed
Tainted 

Forged in Blood, United in Passion, The Highland Warrior Chronicles (Coming Soon)
Her Savage Scot

Her Vengeful Scot

Her Defiant Scot 

Writing as Christina Ashcroft 

Archangel of Mercy

You can find Christina at the following places:

Website    Facebook    Twitter     Goodreads    Blog   

DARK SIDE DOWNUNDER: S.E.Gilchrist

The Dark Side DownUnder series continues! I invited you to get to know some paranormal romance authors from Australia & New Zealand, maybe find a couple of new-to-you-authors & reads!

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, S.E.Gilchrist is the Dark Sider in the hot seat!

SE can't remember a time when she didn't have a book in her hand. Now she writes stories where her favorite words are ...'what if' and 'where'?

Her writing features stories in the romance genres of futuristic/sci-fi, fantasy, ancient history and post-apocalyptic. She has now added contemporary rural romance to this list. The heat level of her stories varies from scorching to sweet and everything in between.

SE is published by Momentum Moonlight and Escape Publishing and is an indie author.

Growing up, did you have an interest in the paranormal?
I've been an addict from a very young age ie devoured books on different countries' legends and mythology. Lost in Space and Dr Who were watched almost religiously.

What drew you to write in the paranormal romance genre?
Speaking from a sci-fi aspect, I love to invent worlds with different rules, cultures and politics. Places and people limited only by a person's imagination - who could resist?

In your books, what sorts of characters or themes do you like to write about?
My characters aren't superheroes. I like to draw them from every day life with normal hang ups, baggage and BIG problems which they have to deal with or overcome over the course of the story.

QUIZ
Fav. paranormal TV series: Stargate. No, Firefly. Wait! The Walking Dead...you get my drift.
Which paranormal romance author would you just love to meet in person? Karen Marie Moning
Most intriguing paranormal creature: A draptile.
Fav. paranormal movie: Wow, so many.... Serenity.
Keeper paranormal romance series/books: Ms Moning's Highlander Series & JD Robb's In Death series.
Which would you prefer - transporter, TARDIS or immortality: A TARDIS.

You can find out more about SE at her website, or follow her on Twitter or Facebook or you find her at the Hunter Romance Writers' blog.

AWAKENING THE WARRIORS
Set in the world of the bestselling title Legend Beyond the Stars, an erotic novella about two warriors who have lost the ability to desire, and the human woman who is about to wake them up.

 
Fran must have been crazy to leave her ordinary, safe life and volunteer as a colonist to terra-form a new earth. Now she is trapped in a prison cell on an alien planet a zillion miles from home and bound for a hideous death in notorious research chambers.

 She has one chance of escape: awaken the long dormant sexual urges of the Darkon Warriors shackled in the next cell.

It’s a desperate job, but someone has to do it.

DANCE IN THE OUTBACK
Years ago Melanie Black was rescued from a burning house by her best mate, a fellow foster child. When he begs for help to save his marriage, she can’t refuse and soon finds herself on a cattle station supervising his children.
There isn’t a mall in sight. It’s hot and swarms with flies – none more persistent than Dirk Tanner who apparently wants her and his brother-in-law out of his sister’s life for good.
Before too long, Melanie finds herself falling in love with both him and the red expanse of the Outback. But to achieve her childhood dream of love and belonging, she has to face her worst nightmare.

BOUND BY LIES
After trudging in the footsteps of the Fomorian army, Aileen longs to have a home of her own, far from the horrors of war. She will do anything to achieve her goal. Even lie to the kin of her newly deceased husband. But lies are nothing, compared with drugging a pixie king and stealing his memory … and his seed. Now Ioducus will teach her a lesson she won’t forget; and discovers, that here may be the one woman who can free him from his curse.

S.E.Gilchrist's backlist:

DARKON WARRIORS SERIES:
   Legend Beyond the Stars
   The Portal
   Awakening the Warriors
   Star Pirate’s Justice (coming February 2014)

EROTIC HISTORICAL/FANTASY SERIES:
    Bound by Love
    Bound by Lies

POST APOCALPYTIC / EROTIC:
    Paying the Forfeit   
    Storm of Fire (coming November 2013)

CONTEMPORARY RURAL
    Dance in the Outback: available approx. 31 Oct.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.

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 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.

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.

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.

 
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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

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