Weekend Writing Warriors

http://www.wewriwa.com

I’m putting up the  whole first draft of chapter one of my current WIP, Slit Mouth, piece by piece. Links to the earlier paragraphs are at the bottom of the post.

I also have a question for those who have read the whole piece so far. My partner has been reading the story and has said that the first bit comes off as though the author is racist. So I’m asking if you get that impression or if it’s obvious that I’m trying to create an unlikable character?

In an effort to get a grip, Dave excused himself and went straight into his tiny kitchen to get drinks. Jesus, he was losing his shit. He stared at his trembling hands. Sarah’s betrayal had really done a number on him, hadn’t it. In his darkest moments he thought he might have bought it on himself. He’d been a pretty shit husband in those last few years, but there was no excuse for what she’d done. He may have been lazy and not around for her and the kids, preferring work and the club over family life, but he’d never cheated. Not once, though god knew he’d been tempted. Never as badly as now, with that little Japanese sweet thing out in his living room. Why was he freaked out? His stomach quivered with unease and his scalp prickled.

Part 1    Part 2    Part 3    Part 4    Part 5    Part 6

Weekend Warriors.

http://www.wewriwa.com/

This is the opening lines from one of my WIP’s, book 3 in the Dominion series. Books one and two have been published by Evernight Publishing. Buy links are in the side bar. 🙂

Matthias clamped his lips down in the ragged end of his hand rolled cigarette and sucked back a lungful of aromatic smoke. The nicotine did shit all to relax his tight muscles. He shifted uncomfortably and cricked his neck from side to side, trying to stretch the tension out of his body.

Cold metal of the fire escape cut a frigid pattern under his butt and the backs of his thighs, even through the heavy canvas of his uniform black fatigues. He leaned forward and laid his forehead on the wet railing and sighed. The city spread below him, glistening under street lamps and a steady drizzle of rain.

Jesus, when was he going to get over this shit? Any other male would have been thrilled to be in his boots tonight.

Welcome DONINA LYNN

Today I have the wonderful Donina Lynne dropping by for a latte. Join us for a cuppa and help celebrate Donina’s new paranormal release, Curse Of The Beast.

Take it away Donina,

CURSE OF THE BEAST by DONINA LYNN

He wants revenge. She wants to save him from what he’s determined to become.

Thank you having me here today! I’m so excited to be sharing my first paranormal romance with you!

Curse Of The Beast is a story about how life can throw so much in your direction that you’re ready to wave the white flag and surrender. Grayson, our shapeshifting hero, has not only reached that point, he’s been pushed over it when his father is murdered. Grayson is alone, angry, tired of struggling and is more than ready to give up everything. That is, until, he meets the one person that can show him there is still something worth fighting for—love.

I hope you enjoy the story and make sure you take a moment to head on over and like my new Facebook author page HERE. Everyone that does is automatically entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card. Winner to be announced on Halloween! Good Luck! 

BLURB:

All of his life, Grayson Blackpaw lived by the rules of the half-breeds. He heeded the warnings and fought to keep the animal within under control, only to have his father murdered by the very thing his kind could never harm. Even if it means cursing himself to spend the rest of his days as a beast, Grayson was going to find the human responsible and make them pay—with their life.

Shapeshifters exist. Summer Jenkins wouldn’t have believed it herself, if she hadn’t watched a cougar change into a man before her very eyes. It doesn’t hurt when the man is as delectable as Grayson, either. Utterly droolworthy, Grayson sends her pulse racing and her heart falling…fast. But when Grayson admits that he’s willing to give up everything for the sake of revenge, will love be enough or can nothing stop the curse of the beast?

EXCERPT:

Summer inched over on the couch until her knees brushed against his, and she placed her hand on his thigh. It was a simple gesture of reassurance but the heat of her hand seeped through the denim, branding his skin and shooting higher. Desire flooded his veins and Summer’s breathing hitched when she felt it course through him. “He wasn’t the only one to touch me in some way, Grayson.”

Beginning to slowly make her way up his inner leg, Grayson grabbed her wrist before she closed what little distance there was left. If she made it to her destination, he wouldn’t be able to stop himself. He was already growing rigid in mere anticipation of her touching his length. If she actually made contact, he would lose what little restraint he held on to.

“Summer. I would like nothing more than to pull that dress up, plunge deep inside and take you over and over again, letting you know exactly how much I want you. But, we can’t. I won’t take the chance of hurting you.”

“You’re not going to hurt me. Worrying that you will is enough for me to know that you won’t.”

“You can’t know that because even I don’t. Summer, you need to understand there’s a chance I will do exactly that.” Grayson shook his head and took a breath. He wasn’t sure he could explain the constant battle of wills that had been waging inside of him for as long as he could remember, or how he’d been losing, but he needed to try. It wasn’t him just being overly cautious, there was a real danger. If he lost what little hold he had on the cougar while he was with her, he didn’t know what would or could happen. Grayson didn’t even want to think of the possibilities. “The lure of our animal halves is strong. The more we give in to them, the stronger they become. The stronger they become, the more we give in to them. Without something to stop the progression, the animal and its instincts become the predominant half and slowly overpower the human’s ability to remain in control.”

“So the worst that can happen is you shift into the cougar. I can handle…”

Grayson shook his head to cut her off. That damn stubbornness of hers was more than a little frustrating. “No Summer, you can’t. The worst that can happen is not the cougar. It’s the beast.”

BUY LINKS:

Evernight | Amazon.com | All Romance eBooks | Bookstrand

FIND DONINA ON THE WEB:

Website | Facebook profile | Facebook page | Twitter | Goodreads

Roll out the Red Carpet ~ Evernight Celebrates Four Years of Publishing! #BDayBashBlogHop

Join authors, bloggers and reviewers as we take a RED CARPET tour featuring Evernight’s smart and sexy books. Slip on your virtual stilettos and walk the red carpet of award winning titles, spectacular reviews and paparazzi style interviews.

Be sure to visit every stop on the tour where you can enter for a chance to win great prizes, including a new eReader, gift certificates, swag, books and much more! 

Don’t forget to visit the Evernight Publishing website where all eBooks are 50% off through October 13th!

My spotlight shines on debut novel, Lunacy and the Vampire.

Lunacy was published just over two years ago and fulfilled my dream of becoming a published author.

Every legend you ever heard is true. Every monster exists. The safe suburban life you lead is a lie. Your myths and nightmares are the truth. From the shadows and hidden places we watch you, stalk you, feed on you…

Luna Sea Rakshasa inhabits The Dominion, a realm of immortals hidden within the world of humans. She is a Beanne Sidhe huntress, a killer of dark and dangerous things, but she harbors a secret that has been tearing her apart for nearly a thousand years. On the cusp of finally facing the demon vampire who sired her, the last thing she needs is an obsessed vampire who stirs things she would rather not feel.

Aveon Ap Conwy was human before he was found, dying on a battlefield, and turned into a vampire. For a century he has been tormented by the personal war to keep his humanity. Nothing has been stronger until the night he meets Luna. She arouses his deepest hungers, but Aveon knows he must resist his urge to take her…because if he tastes on drop of her blood, they will both be lost.

Thrown together in an unwelcome alliance and fighting the heat that simmers between them, they travel to the mythical domain of Luna’s demon sire. As their worlds merge Luna and Aveon become bound by something stronger than lust. Can Luna lay aside centuries of prejudice and open her heart to the only man who can stand beside her in the battle with the vampire king.

Excerpt 

She slammed the doors and checked the lock before heading round to the drivers door. It was then that she saw him, sauntering across the lot.

Shit! Too late.

As usual, he looked sexy as hell, even in his dust coated clothes and with a sheen of sweat covering his face. That taunting smiled curled his full lips and his blue eyes flickered warmly, with relief? Luna pulled back her lips, baring her small fangs and growled at him. He raised his chin and smirked. The Fae woman glanced between her and Aveon and, obviously deciding this was a meeting she didn’t need to witness, hurried away.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Luna snapped.

“I’ve come to take you home,” he replied. His eyes were steely and he had a look of fixed determination on his face. Much good that it would do him.

“You might as well leave then,” she said. “Because that ain’t going to happen.”

“Why not? What are you doing here Luna?” he asked.

“I could ask you the same thing,” she said, avoiding the question.

“Rhome sent me,” he said. “They want you back.” He shrugged and took a few steps toward her. “So do I,” he added quietly. A little thrill of heat stirred in Luna’s belly. Her traitorous body responded to the warmth in his voice even as her mind rejected it.

“Like I said, not happening.” She kept her voice as cold as she wished her body was.“There’s nothing you can say or do that would make me leave.”

“We’ll see about that,” he growled, lunging forward. He was blindingly fast, but she was faster. Before he could reach her, she was in the driver’s seat of the Land Rover, with the doors locked and the key in the ignition. When the motor stuttered into life he roared and punched the door. The metal folded with a bang, but it was reinforced steel so it didn’t buckle enough to break the lock.

“Luna, open the fucking door,” he growled.

“I’m not that stupid,” she said. Throwing the truck into reverse, she plowed away from him, kicking up a shower of dust from under the spinning wheels. She slammed on the brakes and wrenched the truck into first, but she didn’t release the clutch. At that moment the first rays of the sun filled the sky. Luna’s heart leaped into her throat. He was completely exposed and totally vulnerable.

“Get out of the bloody sun,” she whispered. He didn’t move. He stood in the middle of the lot, with his eyes throwing a challenge at her. The shadow he was under was growing smaller by the second as the sun crept higher and higher. The light inched towards him, but he still didn’t move. Luna clutched the steering wheel so hard that it started to bend under her sweating palms.

“Freaking, stubborn, bloody leech,” she growled. She glared angrily at him and he glared back. The sun rose higher. When the light was an inch from touching him, Luna surrendered. Heaving a frustrated sigh, she swung the door open.

“Get in,” she growled. The smile of triumph that lit his face was infuriating. He darted to the truck, flinching when the sunlight hit his exposed skin. With a lurch, he leaped in and threw himself into the sleeping space, drawing the heavy curtains behind himself. Luna slammed the door and sped from the lot, growling and muttering.

“Should’ve let you burn,” she said.

“Knew you wouldn’t,” he replied from behind the closed curtains.

What they are saying about Lunacy

As far as debut novels go, this is by far one of the best.

All and all, Lunacy and the Vampire is a great read, though kind slow moving at first, it has a truly action packed ending. Fans of Krestley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series’, with definitely enjoy taking a crack at this. I for one am looking forward to reading more books from the realm of the Dominion.

Rating : 4 stars

Nocturne Romance Reads Reviews

This book was so good, I can’t tell which part I liked best.It had action and romance and sex and everything one can expect from a good paranormal book, including some great world building and a strong-headed heroine who is a “beanne sidhe huntress” very deadly and set to kill vampires in order to protect humanity.

The only thing that doesn’t make this book justice is the cover, but as we all know one shouldn’t judge by it. This one is a keeper, can’t wait for Dominion #2.

Rating: 5 stars

Denyse Cohen – Author.

Lunacy and the Vampire is filled with characters that evolve from the beginning of the story until the end. A true example of the other side of a coin, from hate to love and the fine line between may not stem the tide. I love the storyline and Luna’s pain is apparent with every word. The final battle and ending will take the reader’s breath away.

Rating: 4 stars

Coffee Time Romance & More

Highly Recommended Read! Don’t miss out!

The author took a complex concept, and did a great job of painting an intriguing world around

it. It’s not your everyday vampire story, which now days, is a good thing. I loved the idea of the quickening for bringing forth the beating of long silent hearts. There’s something hauntingly poetic

about that, but don’t get me wrong, the characters in the book are warriors, bad-ass for

sure.

All in all, the book was thought provoking, steamy, gritty, action-packed, and well done. I hope to be reading more from this talented author

Rating: 5 stars

The Talent Cave Reviews

I. Loved. It.

I really hope that we get to see more books in this world with these characters. These are not your childhood fairies. There are gruesome, dark, evil fae. And the good fae are ass kicking, name taking soldiers for the cause. The vampires are not sweet and sparkly. They are vicious, brutal warriors. This book is not for the faint of heart. If you are looking for a romantic vampire/fairy story, move it along. If you want a gritty, down and dirty, action filled story of destiny and love that defies all odds, then THIS is the book you need to read.

Rating:5 stars

Love books, book reviews.

Buy a copy of Lunacy here: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/lunacy-and-the-vampire-by-evie-jayne/

Answer my question in the comment section for a chance to win (be sure to include your email address):

* Your choice of an Amazon Kindle Fire HD or Kobo Arc 7
* $100 Amazon GC
* $50 Evernight GC
* My blog prize: E-book copies of Lunacy and the Vampire and the 2nd book in the series, Scar Tissue.

My question: Use your imagination, what could cause Luna to soften towards a species she hates to the very core?

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Come on Over

Come over for a cuppa and a read at Lyana’s Place.
http://iyanajenna.com/spotlight-evie-jayne/

Friday Foreplay.

I’m not that good at keeping things steady and my life seems to be a bit of a ride the waves experience. Ebbs and lulls, swells and silences abound. So I came up with the idea of doing a Friday posting of a snippet of my writing. This is a new thing to try to get me blogging a bit more regularly.  Lets see if it works.

Today I’m going to give you a few sentences from my current WIP. This story is as yet un-named, though the series is called Kith and Kin and is an urban fantasy.

Penny slammed her down, throwing his weight onto her. Her knees hit the boards with a resounding crack and pain stabbed up through her thighs.

“If you want to survive this night, stay fucking still and keep your mouth shut,” he said.

“Who is he?” she said.

Penny’s eyes narrowed and his fingers dug even more painfully into her skin.

“Someone higher up the food chain than you and no one you need to worry about right now.”

“He’s someone,” she said.

Penny shook her. “You’re not fucking listening to me. You have no idea how much danger you’re in.”

“It’s pretty obvious,” she snapped, glaring up at him. Anger crawled around her gut like a rabid dog. Her spine prickled, the animal clawing to get out and savage the big bastards throat.

New Release

It’s out!

The safe suburban life you lead is a lie. Your myths and nightmares are the truth. From the shadows and hidden places we watch you, stalk you, feed on you…

Caden James is a rare subspecies of vampire. That’s bad enough, but it’s only going to get worse. The 2nd maturation is almost upon him, when he will fall into the Dark Dominion. Unless he can find the female fated to save his soul. Sounds simple, find her and stop his descent into horror.

Except with Parry O’Morrigan, nothing is simple.

Parry’s past has scarred her physically and psychologically, leaving her with a bone deep fear of vampires. Until she crosses the path of a fanged warrior who sets her blood on fire.

Thrown together, the pair track the creator of a new breed of zombie. As the hunt heats up, so does the passion between them. Can Parry overcome her past? Even if she can, Cade’s fate may yet destroy the only female he’s ever cared about.

Excerpt:

Lust and aggression shifted under his skin. He needed to get her under him, to mark her and make her his. Her near death at the hands of the revenant had stripped away much of the control. Bloodlust roiled through him.

He fought to keep from baring his throbbing fangs at her. He had to be sane about this. His nature could not be the leader in this confrontation.

“You’re hurt,” he said and forced himself to take a step back from her, and then another. All he wanted was to close the gap between them. Her chin jerked in acknowledgment, but she lifted one black brow in a blasé arch.

He shifted forward, unable to stop himself, the pull towards her magnetic. Her blade rose, pointed straight at his throat. He was fully aware that with a flick of that fine boned wrist could part his head from his neck. The thought made him smile. Wild sidhe, dangerous female.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said.

Memories of her body pushed hard against his in that alley three weeks ago flickered in his mind. The feeling of her small muscular back against his chest, her ass pressed into the ache between his thighs. He growled low in his chest.

“You sure?” she said.

With infinite care he lowered his own sword. When the bloodstained tip scraped on the ground he released the handle. It clattered on the gravel with a metallic ring. Sometimes actions were better than words.

“What else?” she said. He shuffled his left foot forward and let her see the hilt of the dagger in his boot sheath.

“Get rid of it.”

He bent slowly, feeling her gaze follow his movement. After tossing the blade at her feet he stood up.

“What else?” she repeated.

He had to smile, even though he knew it exposed his fangs to her. Not like she wasn’t fully aware of what he was anyway. Of course she knew he wouldn’t be lightly armed. Hell, her sisters had taught the Abstainer soldiers.

He pulled his coat back from his shoulders, exposing the harnesses that were strapped to his chest, hips and thigh. He unsheathed blade after blade and tossed them at her feet like a deadly offering. Apt, his bloodstained hands were all he had to give her. No gentleness, no reverence or refinement. Those things weren’t in him.

He was a curse, murder on two legs, death with a vampiric heartbeat. He didn’t deserve her, but he would have her anyway. He needed her to save what little was left of his soul.

As he laid the last blade at her feet she nodded, but one of her twin swords stayed pointed in his direction. Cade fought the urge to knock it away and cross the ground between them. Not the right time for that. He’d fucked it up the first time he’d met her, manhandling her body as if he had the right. Then losing it on the revenant tonight. Could he have done anything to make it any clearer what he was?

“I remember you, Abstainer,” she said.

His lips curled. Good, that was good.

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/scar-tissue-by-evie-jayne/

Weekend Warriors #7

http://www.wewriwa.com/

I haven’t done this for a couple of weeks. Life has been a bit frantic with children, dogs, goats and horses. Sometimes I think it’s odd that such a country girl writes such urban stories. Don’t ask me why. Maybe it’s because I can’t imagine my world of monsters staying hidden in less populated areas.

Anyway this one is once again from my WIP.

Something fluttered in Parry stomach. A warning? “How come?”

“His kind, they need to find their Ves’ tacha. She’s like this fated mate or something. Meant to save him from the final fall.” Quinn’s voice was conversational, light and easy as if she wasn’t saying something so frightening. As if her words weren’t making a cold sweat break out over Parry’s skin and her throat close tight in a fisted knot. This wasn’t happening. No way, no how. Abso-fucken-lutely not.

Weekend Warriors 6

http://www.wewriwa.com/

My sixth 8 sentence installment, well nine in this case, but I’m counting the dialogue as one because this snippet needs the last sentence. So, this is from my WIP, very early in the budding relationship between my two main characters. Hope you enjoy.

Just when she was thinking he might be…safe…he reached forward and dipped his finger in the blood and lifted it to his mouth. Her gut rolled when his tongue darted out and he tasted it. His jaw clenched and a subtle shudder ran through his body. Her panic was almost instantaneous and it was all she could do not to take a step away from him. Hell she wanted to run as fast and as far as she could. She forced herself to stand still, to not react to the fear hammering through her body.

“It’s human,” he said.

“Oh.” What was she supposed to say? Thanks for the info, dude, but could have lived without the visuals?

E-Book Give away-Lunacy and the Vampire.

Thanks to the wonderful April over at Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviews you can now win a copy of Lunacy and the Vampire.

Here’s the link so you can enter. Good luck and if you win, enjoy!

http://literalhottiesnaughtybookreviews.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/spotlight-giveaway-lunacy-and-vampire.html