Rosalie Lario

Hope you are all having as wonderful a long weekend as I am.

Happy Memorial Day!!

Happy Friday, folks! Today I’m over at Shelley Munro’s blog, Taste of Kiwi, talking about writing the paranormal series arc. Do you like stories with continuing series arcs? Please stop in and let me know!!

http://www.shelleymunro.com/blog/

Hey everyone, I’m over at Parajunkee’s View talking about fallen angels. They’re not all biblical creatures cast down from Heaven. Come see how I’ve twisted the myth.

Stop on by and leave a comment for a chance to win For Love of an Angel!

http://www.parajunkee.com/

Hi everyone. Just wanted to give you some Wednesday hotness to drool over. Here’s a sneak peek at the cover for Angel’s Desire, Book 2 in the Fallen Warriors Series (scheduled to release next month). Isn’t it yummy?

Hey folks, today I’m over at the lovely Julia Rachel Barrett’s site talking about the season finale of Supernatural. I’m also giving away a copy of For Love of an Angel to one random commenter, so please stop by!!: http://juliarachelbarrett.net/

Also, if you have a chance please stop in and say hi at Succession of Jerks, where I’m being interviewed about writing, angels and the self-publishing revolution: http://successionofjerks.blogspot.com/2011/05/author-interview-rosalie-lario.html

Thank you!!!

Happy Friday everyone! Today I have the fabulous, amazing Laura Kaye at the site. She’s been making serious waves with her 2 recent releases, and today I’m going to pick her brain:

ME: Your first novel, Hearts in Darkness, released just last month, and in that short period of time has garnered ten 5-star reviews and won Sizzling Read of the Month at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews and Book of the Week at Long and Short Romance Reviews. Huge congrats! You’ve obviously got one smoking story! Now tell us a bit about it!

LAURA: Thank you! I’m totally thrilled at the response to this story! Hearts in Darkness is about two strangers that find acceptance and dare to find love while trapped in a pitch-black elevator for four hours. At heart, the story is about what you can find when you go beyond appearances. Makenna and Caden probably wouldn’t have given each other a chance if they’d passed on the street, but the dark frees them to take a chance. The Shakespeare quote I placed at the front of the story sums it up nicely: Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.

ME: Who is your hero and what is he like?

LAURA: Caden Grayson is a good guy hiding behind a rough, anti-social façade—this is why the dark is so freeing to him; he can just be the good guy. The survivor of a tragic childhood accident, Caden’s experience leads him to work in a field where he can help others, while at the same time he closes himself off personally to prevent getting hurt again. Caden is a bit socially awkward, a bit emotionally immature—both the product of cutting himself off from others, except for a small circle of long-time friends. But he’s also funny, with a quick, dry wit. He’s kind and polite. And he’s sexy as all hell. Here’s Makenna’s first impression of him:

She couldn’t stop trembling, her body unexpectedly flooded with adrenaline as she drank Caden in through her final sense.

He was…Oh my God!…so damn rugged and…masculine…and just…darkly beautiful.

The enticing angle of his jaw combined with full lips and high cheekbones and a strong brow framing intense brown eyes with impossibly long, full eyelashes. His shaved dark brown hair came to a widow’s peak in the center of his forehead. Two small silver loops embraced the left side of his bottom lip. The piercing on his right eyebrow was black metal and shaped like a barbell.

He had a face that, with a certain set of his jaw and eyes, could easily appear harsh, intimidating. But she knew he was neither.

ME: Tell us a little bit about your heroine.

LAURA: Makenna has always been a woman in a man’s world. She grew up in a house of only men—her father and three brothers, and works in a profession of all men. And it’s led her to think of herself as “just one of the guys.” She muses that it was “her college roommates [who first] introduced her to girly things like dresses and skirts and lingerie and makeup.” And she’s never minded that. Except, once she realizes that the man she’s sharing the elevator with, the one who’s proving himself so very appealing, the one she knows through conversation and touch is anything but physically plain, she begins to worry she won’t be enough for him. But she’s more than she thinks she is—and I think this is often true of women, we sometimes tend to undervalue ourselves. She’s funny and very smart and super compassionate, the very thing that allows Caden to take a chance and step outside himself.

ME: What do you think your readers will like most about your story?

LAURA: Well, the premise of the pitch-black elevator is pretty cool, I have to say. It’s not often you read a story where you get almost no setting description, because the characters can’t see anything! And that means that the dialogue and emotional reaction have to carry everything, and I think it works! But, let’s face it, the thing they’ll like the best is Caden Grayson, who you want to hug ‘til he feels better and kiss ‘til neither of you can breathe!

ME: Do you plan on writing other books in this series?

LAURA: No, probably not, although readers should stay tuned for the Hearts in Darkness free read that will soon be appearing on The Wild Rose Press site!

ME: Okay, I personally know you’ve got a lot of exciting things coming up. Do tell what’s next for you!

LAURA: Well, the biggest thing coming up next is actually happening TODAY! It’s RELEASE DAY for my debut paranormal romance, FOREVER FREED! Forever Freed is actually the first romantic fiction I wrote and sold, though Hearts in Darkness released first. Set in Detroit, it’s the story of a vampire who falls in love with a woman he planned to kill and her young daughter, then struggles against his bloodlust, his ancient guilt, a lie by omission, and an old vampire rival who threaten everything he holds dear. So that’s very exciting! And, even more exciting is the fact that Forever Freed is just releasing and already has three 5-star reviews!!! (*woo-hoo; go Laura!*)

Also coming soon is the contemporary erotic romance I sold to Decadent Publishing. Just Gotta Say is a ménage a quatres featuring a young woman and her three guy best friends. Ahem. That will release later this summer. And, finally, I’ve very excited about the four-book series I sold to Entangled Publishing based on the Anemoi, directional wind gods the Greeks also associated with the seasons. The first in the series, North of Need, releases in early November of this year.

Find Laura on the interwebz:

Website: http://www.LauraKayeAuthor.com

Blog: http://laurakayeauthor.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/laurakayeauthor

Twitter: @laurakayeauthor

Publisher Website: http://thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=800

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3703867

Blurb:

Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind;
and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.
~William Shakespeare

Makenna James thinks her day can’t get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out.

Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he’s terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he’s trapped in his own worst nightmare.

To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

Excerpt:

She moaned in relief when she could wrap her arms fully around his neck and hold him to her. He kept her trapped against the counter, but she reveled in the tight press because it allowed her to torment his obvious arousal with her thrusting hips and writhing abdomen.

His hands blazed a teasing trail from her breasts to the sides of her stomach to her hips, and back again. She squirmed under his touch and needed more of it. Needed it on her skin.

She withdrew her arms and found the hem of her shirt. He pulled his body off hers just enough to allow them to work together to remove it. She dropped it to the floor, relieved to feel his big hands exploring her skin with such enthusiasm.

Caden’s eyes raked over what she’d revealed to him. Makenna blushed at the intensity of his observation. “Aw, Red, you’re so very pretty.”

Makenna’s heart exploded at the affirmation his words provided. Whatever insecurity about her ordinariness she might’ve still harbored in the back of her mind disappeared completely at his exclamation.

He dropped his head to her chest and licked and nibbled and kissed all along the lacy edge of her bra. As he flicked at her covered nipple with his rigid tongue, his arms reached around behind her. Her bra fell loose into their arms and soon it joined her shirt somewhere on the floor.

Makenna’s moan was loud and needy when he cupped her breasts and alternated sucking on one nipple, then the other. Her hands flew to his head. She held him to her as she arched her back to offer him better access. His mouth was driving her insane. She’d never had someone lavish such attention to her breasts, and she’d certainly never felt so weak and wanton from it. She snaked one hand down his back and fisted his black shirt between his shoulder blades. “Off,” she demanded as she tugged at it.

He reached down, his lips still greedily devouring a nipple, and wrenched his shirt off, only dropping his mouth from her when he absolutely had to.

“Oh God,” she murmured appreciatively as her eyes surveyed his broad chest.

There was so much more to him than she’d seen in the elevator.

Oh, and here’s a Special Offer!: 5th Anniversary discount from http://thewildrosepress.com through May 31!  25% off all titles – use code 18b632d0b0 including Hearts in Darkness & Forever Freed!

We’ve got two questions for you today, folks! First, share your combined number of piercings and tattoos (come on; don’t be shy)! Second, what do you think about the idea that women tend to undervalue themselves (their appearances, strength, how interesting they are, etc.)?

Thanks for visiting, reading, and commenting!!! While you’re here, take a minute to follow Rosalie and look into her new release! (*Thanks for the pimping, Laura. *)

Morning everyone! Today I’m over at Laura Kaye’s site talking about that magical first meet, the moment where a romance hero and heroine first come face-to-face. It’s one of my favorite parts of a novel.  

Please stop in and let me know what your favorite first meet is, whether from a book, television show or movie!

http://laurakayeauthor.blogspot.com/

Happy Monday everyone! First off, I have to share a freaking awesome review I got on Bitten by Paranormal Romance. The reviewer, Kris, gave For Love of an Angel a perfect 5! Here’s what she said:

I loved this story. It moved quickly, and I was excited to see what was going to happen next. I loved the premise of fallen angels trying to save the world. I thought the idea that the humans were just being used for their labor and were assigned to jobs and homes was interesting. I loved the hero, Michael. He was strong, courageous, very honorable and based on the cover, smoking hot! I also really liked Eva and enjoyed watching her try to make up her mind about what to do. I thought her actions, thoughts, and decisions were pretty realistic making the story that much more enjoyable. Great dialogue, perfect amount of time dedicated to details, and great teaser introductions to the other angels. I loved the world she built and can’t wait to read all of the stories in the series!

Squee!  

Today I’m over at Succession of Jerks talking about dystopian fiction. If you’re  fan, please join me and let me know what about the subject calls to you.

Happy Friday, everyone! Today I have a special guest, Pamela Turner, talking about the ripple effect and how action affects character. (Don’t you just love her cover?) Without further ado:

When Xariel fatally stabs Karla Black then brings her back to life, he irrevocably changes her destiny. He also sets into motion a chain of events that affects not only Karla but himself, the other angels of death, and Karla’s friends. It is this ripple effect that shapes the plot of my urban fantasy/paranormal short novel Death Sword.

However, Xariel is not acting of his own volition. He’s ordered by his superior, Metatron, to find Karla and bring her back. The angel of death obeys with the intention of handing Karla off to Metatron and resuming his regular duties.

Metatron has different ideas. He suggests Xariel train Karla as an angel of death. Not only that, but Metatron wants Karla to work with Xariel under Samael, one of Metatron’s seconds-in-command. For Xariel, this order is met with trepidation. He knows Samael despises humans, women in particular. But Metatron is adamant. He assures Xariel Samael will obey orders.

Samael, chief of satans and angel of death, agrees to take Karla on as one of his employees. But he sees her as a threat. Not only does she stand between him and his cursed ex-lover, Xariel, she also upsets his plans for usurping Azrael’s position.

As a result, Samael decides Karla not only needs to lose her powers, she needs to die. But first he plans to defeat her resolve by attacking her friends.

For Karla and Xariel, defeating Samael is paramount. But the chief of satans is a formidable opponent. Armed with a poisoned rapier, Samael can easily kill both humans and angels. Even worse, if he slaughters too many people, he becomes an unstoppable berserker.

Ultimately, Karla must decide if she will accept her role as an angel of death. Because her actions, or lack thereof, will determine not only the outcome of her fate but that of those around her.

Here’s a blurb for Death Sword:

The only thing more dangerous than an angel of death is one obsessed with vengeance.

Karla Black has always known she’s different from other people. She learns just how different after she’s fatally stabbed and brought back to life as a half-human angel of death.

With newfound power comes a newfound boss.

Samael despises her. He considers Karla impure and resents her relationship with her partner Xariel…who also happens to be Samael’s ex-lover. When he takes that hatred to a higher level, Karla vows vengeance – a task easier said than done.

With the loss of their angelic powers, Karla and Xariel face a dilemma – how will they defeat an unstoppable Samael, whose poisoned rapier can kill human and angel alike?

If Karla doesn’t awaken to her true identity, both heaven and earth are in danger of annihilation.

Excerpt:

Karla lay on the sofa, her heart racing, driven by adrenaline-induced fear. Another scare and she’d go into cardiac arrest.

Samael loomed over her, hands on either side of her head. “Human filth,” he whispered, “the sooner I’m rid of you, the better.” A dagger appeared in his hand. The intricate markings differed from the ones on Xariel’s knife. She’d no doubt Samael meant to kill her. Too bad she hadn’t told Xariel she loved him.

He pushed the tip against her throat. “Should I kill you now?” The chief of satans smiled at her, a cruel grin which didn’t reach his eyes. “I’d love to, but I want Xariel to watch.” He cocked a brow at her distressed expression. “Oh? Didn’t I tell you? He saw his darling Delilah die. I’m sure he’d be very disappointed if he couldn’t see your final moments.”

Karla swallowed. “What now?” She prayed for a swift death. Samael pressed down on the dagger. The tip sliced through skin, piercing her windpipe, the sharp pain excruciating. A strangled gasp burbled in her throat. Shock laid a merciful hand on her head. She closed her eyes, letting darkness wash over her.

A heavy weight pressed down on her body. Lungs burning, she struggled for air. Minutes passed. Nothing happened. No tunnel, no white light. Curious, Karla opened her eyes, tried to sit up.

She couldn’t move.

Death Sword is published by Lyrical Press and is available for the Kindle or Nook.

You can reach the author at: pamturner97@gmail.com

Website Links:

http://pamelaturner.net (website)

Haunted Dreams, Dark Destinies (blog)

Twitter

Facebook Author Page

Today is an exciting day for me: the official release of my paranormal romance, For Love of an Angel! This is the self-publishing project I’ve been talking about for the last few months. Now that the book is live and on sale, I can talk about some of the self-publishing lessons I’ve learned:

• Writing and Editing are Just the Beginning

When you self-publish a book, writing it and getting it professionally edited are just the start of what you have to do. After that you have to make sure you format the book so it is readable. An obvious hint: read the Smashwords guide for formatting and carefully adhere to it. It’s damn long, and it might be tempting to skip a step, but if you do you’ll regret it.

• Convert Your Files Before Uploading

If you are uploading to Amazon and BN.com yourself, convert the file format before uploading it. This one isn’t so obvious. The sites will let you upload a word document, but if you do it that way the formatting is off. So what I did was save my word document into .html format, then use Mobipocket Creator (for the .mobi or .prc file, i.e. Kindle) and Calibre/Sigil (for the .epub file, i.e. Nook). These are free programs, and my document came out so much cleaner that way than when I tried to upload my word document.

• Give Yourself Time / Have Patience

The whole process of uploading took me several days. Realize you won’t be able to do it all within 10 minutes. Patience is key here.

Here’s a little bit about For Love of an Angel:

In a world where angels rule over humans, twelve outcasts dare to defy expectation, warring with their angel brethren to prevent the extinction of humankind.

They are The Fallen…

Michael is one of twelve angels who have been outcast due to their determination to protect humans. In order to preserve his immortality and strength, he must find a mate with angel blood. Eva Smyth has never believed the propaganda spouted by the Consortium—the elite system of guards put into place once angels took over reign of Earth—but she never expected to learn the angels plan to eradicate all of humankind, or that she herself is part angel. Joining Michael means living a life on the run, at war against the angels and hunted by the Consortium. Eva must decide whether to risk it all…for love of an angel.

For Love of an Angel is available for purchase from Amazon, BN.com and Smashwords at the low price of $1.99.