Writing Strong #PNR Heroines

I'm over at Jennifer James' blog today talking about strong heroines in my Sons series. I love writing a strong woman, but often my idea of strong is a bit different from other people's. I don't need the female lead to be constantly arguing and giving the hero a hard time. I know some like that, but those heroines irritate me. To me, strength can be far more subtle and is often very effective if it isn't constantly in the hero's face.

Stop over and check out what I mean, but remember to enter the Paranormal Fall Fling before you go. We're into the third week, so there's a new weekly prize:  a signed paperback copy of Blood Avenged. And the grand prize giveaway will be chosen at the end of the month, so there's time to get your points in. Remember that each day you post on FB or tweet, you can get extra points, so don't miss out!

Have a great one!

Meet The Stars of Blood Spirit

I'm over at an old friend's today with an interview with both Terek and Ilona. The Enchanted Book is a gorgeous blog, so stop over and find out a little more about the stars of Blood Spirit. And remember to enter the Paranormal Fall Fling too!  Even after you leave a comment and do all the Rafflecopter choices, you can come back each day and get more for posting on FB and tweeting about the giveaway. Those points can really add up!

Today is the last practice SAT for my son before he takes the test on Saturday, so I'll be busy with that for a while and then it's polishing up the Vasilije and Sasa short I'm almost ready to release.

Happy Thursday!

Visiting A Good Friend And Inspiration

Hi all! The Paranormal Fall Fling continues today at Shah Wharton's blog. I'm there talking about the newest Sons book, Blood Spirit, and giving an excerpt of the stars of that book, Terek and Ilona. Stop by and say hi!

And if you haven't entered the Paranormal Fall Fling Giveaway, don't leave my blog until you've done that. This week's prize is the Blood & Dreams Ebook Box Set, not available anywhere but through this giveaway. It contains Vampire Dreams Revamped, Blood Avenged, and Blood Betrayed. One lucky winner will be chosen on Monday night, October 1, so be sure to enter for that and the grand prizes that will be awarded at the end of the Fling. All the details can be found HERE, so don't miss out!

Finally, I saw the image in the link below the other day and wanted to share it for readers who are already looking forward to Blood Prophecy, Book 4 of the Sons of Navarus series and Ramiel's book. I've been hard at work on that, and when I saw this I can only say it's been perfect inspiration for Ramiel and his heroine. Warning: Although it's not graphic, it is sensual and does depict a sexual act. And it's just a brief image, but it replays so you can catch it again. ;) 

Inspiration for Blood Prophecy

Happy Thursday!

Blood Spirit Is Here! #newrelease #paranormalromance

What a great Paranormal Romance Friday it is! A few days early but here nonetheless, the third book in the Sons of Navarus series, Blood Spirit, is available at Amazon now. And soon it will be coming to Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and the other outlets.

Blood Spirit continues the story of the Sons' quest to decipher the Prophecy of Idolas and stop the Archons from taking over the vampire world. Readers will find this book gives a lot more about the prophecy, along with a great deal more about the Archons, and for the first time, they will get to meet a magistrate--a very important magistrate who I promise will figure prominently in the series' story.

But the book is an erotic paranormal romance, and in that way, it's smokin' hot. Terek is sensual and seductive, a vampire sire whose very being oozes sex appeal. And his heroine is sexy and stubborn, just the kind of woman a man who has everything needs. And their scenes together burn up the pages!

Here's a little taste:

Ilona sighed. "Terek, I don't seem to be like any of your other vampires."

She was right.

"I have thousands of vampires, Ilona. You've just seen the ones who live here."

"Are they all women?"

Shaking his head, he laughed. "No. Not all of them. Does that matter?"

He saw it did matter by the way her bottom lip quivered ever so slightly. "Ilona, what's wrong?"

She closed her eyes and turned away so he couldn't see her face. "I've never been like this. I don't know what's wrong with me. I barely know you and my head tells me I have every reason to hate you. I know this. But I'm consumed by jealousy at the thought of you with these women and thousands I haven't even met."

Terek stared silently at her, unsure of what to say. It was perfectly natural she would be attracted to him. Vampires were sensual beings, and the pull of a sire to a vampire was common. Everything she was experiencing was exactly as it should be.

Before he could tell her this, she turned toward him. "I don't want to feel this way toward someone who doesn't feel anything for me."

The shame in her voice bothered him. Why did she think he felt nothing for her?

"I care about you as I care for all my vampires."

That wasn't exactly the truth. In fact, he cared much more for her after only such a short time.

"Chattel. Or worse, as a plaything. Somehow you've made me care for you, and I'm simply the latest addition to your collection."

"Ilona, you're not a plaything or part of a collection. I didn't choose to sire you. You were dying because of another vampire's choice and begged me to save you."

"Even worse then. I'm a mistake you're saddled with."

Terek winced at the pain of her words. Mistake. She believed she was unwanted and unloved. She had no idea the effect she had on him and how much he struggled against the growing feelings for her inside him.

He let his desire control him and leaned toward her, taking her in his arms. A need to feel her mouth yielding to his overtook him, and he kissed her hard, needing her to understand how much he wanted her.

But she didn't yield. Instead, she met his desire with her own, snaking her tongue past his lips to tease the tip of his tongue. Such a common act he'd experienced countless times before with women now excited him more than he could believe, and his cock sprang to life, pressing hard against his hipbone.

She tasted like some exotic fruit Jasmine seldom found at the market—a treat he rarely got to enjoy but relished so much more when he could. She clung to him by the neck as she pressed her body to his, leaving him in no doubt as to what she wanted.

He wanted it too.

"Ilona..." He stopped, unsure what he'd wanted to say as she slid her hand down the front of his pants.

Looking at him, her eyes wide, she said, "No, don't say anything. I need this. I don't want to think about who you are with the others. Even if you have to pretend, then pretend. Just let me have something about being a vampire that brings me happiness."

Her hand felt like silk as she slid it up and down his stiff cock, grazing the tip just enough to make his hips come up off the bed. His mind was nowhere else but right there with her.

Groaning his desire for more, he tugged a fistful of hair, pulling her head so she looked into his eyes. "No pretending."

Readers will notice immediately that this book has a different tone from Saint's. Blood Spirit is set in Spain and Morocco, with some time spent in Vasilije's monastery home in Romania, but the overall feeling is far more relaxed than that of Saint's story, Blood Betrayed. What gives it such a different tone, though, is the character. Unlike Saint, whose very being is wrapped up in struggle, Terek has wanted for nothing for centuries. That's what happens when many consider you almost a god. But even a god wants something...

If you've read Vasilije and Saint's story, you'll know what I mean when I say Terek is an entirely different hero. The Sons series builds on itself, so if you haven't read the first two books, Blood Spirit isn't the one to begin with. Start with Blood Avenged and get to know that wonderful vampire Vasilije and then move on to Blood Betrayed and fall in love with Saint before you read Blood Spirit.

And remember, for a small taste of Terek, pick up Vampire Dreams Revamped for free at Kobo, Smashwords, and All Romance eBooks. He has a small cameo, but it's a delicious scene. ;)

Happy Friday everyone!

One Week Until Blood Spirit!

Happy Monday everyone! I'm counting down the days until the release of the third book in the Sons of Navarus series, Blood Spirit. Time seems to have flown with this book. It seems like just yesterday I began writing Terek and Ilona's story and now it's time for it to meet the world.

Blood Spirit is a continuation of the Sons series, so the non-romantic story continues from Blood Betrayed. Marc Verrater, that vicious Archon, is back, along with some new villainous friends (one of whom will be a very important player as the series progresses). The romance is all Terek and Ilona, but because Terek has so many vampires, readers will get to meet some new characters from his household.

Advance readers have raved about the sensuality but also the emotion that's a big part of the story. I love the way this story came out. Terek was one of those characters whose passion propelled me to write his story, and his heroine Ilona felt like a great match for him from the moment she showed up.

Here's a taste of them in one of their first moments together. (I love when a man has to step up to a challenge!)

As if she were drawn to him, Ilona felt like her body had a mind of its own as she rolled over to face him. He seemed to have some strange power over her as even her eyes refused to close, forcing her to meet his stare.

"Carlie tells me you're unhappy," he said in a low, smooth voice that instantly soothed her.

"I can't be like her. I don't want to be a vampire."

Terek moved around the bed to stand next to her. Again, her body seemed drawn to him and she turned to look up at him. Green eyes stared down into hers, eyes gentle and at the same time piercing.

"I'm sorry, Ilona, but you don't have a choice. What you can choose to be is happy."

"You took my life, my family, my everything, and now you say it's my choice to be happy? Where was my choice when you made me this?"

Ilona felt torn between what her mind told her to say and the craving she felt to be near him. Both seemed to fight for control of her very being.

Terek knelt at the bedside and took her hands in his. "Ilona, I want nothing more than your happiness, but you must want to be happy."

His touch relaxed her, and she looked up to see his eyes, now so gentle and kind, looking back with an innocence that surprised her. As she gazed into them, she heard him speak softly to her, but his words made no sense even as they calmed her heart.

© 2012 Gabrielle Bisset

Cover Love: Blood Spirit's Print Cover

Good Wednesday to everyone! It's a beautiful day in the Northeast, but I'm thinking safe thoughts for all those in Isaac's path. The crazy ABC weatherman who was standing in the 80 mile an hour winds said it would be a few more hours and then the coast should be clear. Stay safe friends! I hope that wonderful city of New Orleans and the entire Gulf Coast make it through with as little damage as possible. What a terrific part of the country!

Today I have Blood Spirit's print cover to reveal. Talina did another fantastic job capturing Terek and the very seductive vibe that sexy vampire gives off. Just like all he's ever believed in, Terek has the ability to entice.

The proof has been ordered, and it will be here in a few days. Then it's just a matter of checking it to see there are no errors before the book's release date of September 17. It's coming up quick. :)

Here's a taste of Terek and Ilona's story to get you in the mood:




Have a great day!

#Paranormalromance Friday #amediting

I'm smack dab in the middle of edits for Blood Spirit and I'm enjoying what may be one of the last times I get to spend with Terek and Ilona before the rest of the world gets to meet them. I don't know if other authors feel this way, but there's something special about those last days with my book before it releases. Each book is a different creature, and Blood Spirit has been a very thoughtful one for me.

I'm almost done with the book trailer too, but until then, here's one of the songs that were in my mind while I wrote Blood Spirit. I love this song's vibe. :) Enjoy and have a great weekend!

#Paranormalromance Friday

Another Friday here, and it's a hot one where I live. How is everyone else fairing in the heat?  I've got the air conditioners blasting and still it doesn't feel cool enough! But I love the heat so much more than the cold, so I'll take this any day.

I had intended on being able to say Blood Spirit was basically complete today, but the day job got in the way yesterday.  I was teaching a class for the past few weeks and it was time to grade. That means emailing people to ask where their online quizzes are...blah, blah, blah....yeah, sometimes it feels more like high school than college.

So I'm sitting at Chapter 19 in Blood Spirit, which is almost at the end. I've enjoyed writing this book so much. When I first began thinking of a vampire who had been a monk in the Middle Ages and was now one of the most prolific vampires in his world, I loved the idea. It had such a disparity to it. Gradually, Terek formed into a very passionate character. As he's grown on the pages, he's become the type of man who gives his heart and soul to everything he does, whether it's being a monk, a vampire, a sire, or a warrior.

The contrast with the first two heroes in the series is striking. Vasilije is and always will be a hedonist. That he loves Sasa doesn't change that, and neither does the civil war with the Archons. Saint is a man who carries the past with him wherever he goes. It's what has made him into the man everyone knows as Saint. Terek is a character who has been many things. He's almost like a god to many in his world because of how many females he's sired. They live in his homes and to outsiders, they make up what seems to be his harem. But he's more than just a man who loves women.

Terek is a man whose actions are borne out of love for many things. Love for his family, love for the Church when he was a monk, love for the vampire race, and love for Ilona, the woman who may finally be the one who can claim this incredible man.

And Ilona has been a great character to spend time with too. She's a human turned by Terek who struggles with seeing past the women to the man he truly is. It's only because she sees him working to break down her barriers that she begins to let him in. To her, he isn't the legend he is to other vampires. He's just Terek, the man who's given her a new life she isn't sure she wants.

So I'll be working to finish their story by next weekend, hopefully. I have edits for Vampire Dreams Revamped coming up, but I'm very happy to report that Madame Editor found very few things I need to really change. She's a huge Vasilije fan and I'm also happy to report that she says this new novella makes him even sexier. I loved hearing that!

And last, but not least, I received an email from an author I adore this morning.  I'd emailed her to ask her if she'd be willing to guest on my blog.  She said yes, so I'm going to have an interview with her in the not-so-distant future. She's such a fascinating author! She doesn't know it, but she's one of the authors who inspired me take a chance on my writing after years of keeping it to myself. Now a year later, she's coming on my blog and letting me ask her questions. Isn't life great? 

Have a wonderful weekend, and keep cool!

Another #WIP Wednesday

Welcome to the first #WIP Wednesday of June!  I'm still recuperating from a marathon writing session in Blood Spirit over the weekend.  Almost 10K in two days and my fingers still hurt.  I know many people who write on computers would find that number almost paltry, but since I hand write my books first, that's a haul for me. 

I'm about two-thirds of the way finished with Blood Spirit, so it's looking very good for an early fall release (September) instead of the November release I was originally planning.  Terek has been very kind to me these past weeks, and I even got the blurb finished.  Take a look:

I am everything you seek. I am vampire.

Blessed with the gift of telepathy, Terek always knows what a woman wants. His gift has afforded him nightly sensual pleasures and exotic treats for centuries, but beneath the surface he yearns for much more.

Ilona can give him what his soul craves, but only if he trusts his heart. One fateful choice made out of desire puts all he cares for in danger. With a civil war and the threat of Archon hunters at every turn, this Son may lose everything if he can't find the balance between heart and mind.

For those of you who read Blood Avenged and Blood Betrayed, you know to expect a different feel to each Son's book. Vasilije was pure hedonism (with a little good guy mixed in). Saint was brooding, dark, and sexy. Blood Spirit has a very different vibe to it because Terek is very different from the first two Sons. He's mystical and sensual, but with a distance, unlike Vasilije. However, Terek and Vasilije are close friends and respect one another. That comes in handy since I give Vasilije and Sasa some difficulties in Blood Spirit.

But Blood Spirit is Terek and Ilona's story, so since my street team leader Nicole was left wanting more after I released the blurb the other night, here's an excerpt from Blood Spirit:

"I'm sorry. I'm not sure I'll ever be the vampire you hope for, but I don't want to die, Terek. I was wrong."

"Do you still feel the hunger or pain?"

Cautiously, she inhaled and then exhaled. "My ribs feel much better. How did you do that?"

Terek smiled, happy to know his blood had begun to heal her. "I'm your sire. My blood is what made you vampire, so my blood can heal you better than any other in the world."

"And the hunger? Is that the same?"

Bringing his wrist to his mouth, he slid his tongue over the holes and closed them. "For now, my blood is what you need to connect you to our world."

"So someday I won't need your blood to do that?"

Terek felt a tiny stab at his heart. "Do you wish to be free of me so quickly?"

Shaking her head, Ilona frowned. "No. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I was just curious."

"My blood will always be what you crave most, but no, you won't always need it as you do now."

Ilona was silent, but he could tell she had something on her mind. Once again, he attempted to read her thoughts, but heard nothing.

To find out, he'd have to do things the old-fashioned way. He'd have to ask.

"What's wrong, Ilona?"

She slid up and pressed her back against the pillows. He saw by her expression that she was concerned about something but didn't expect the question she next asked.

"Do you love all these women?"

"Yes. In my own way, I love every one of them."

A look of confusion replaced the look of concern. "Do you sleep with all of them?"

"Yes, I have."

Swinging her legs past him, she stood from the bed and looked down at him. "I have no desire to be part of a harem."

"You will if I say you will." Harem? This was his house, not a harem, he thought defensively.

"No, I won't. I don't know what the rules of being a vampire are, but unless all sires are like you, I'm guessing I don't have to be one of your concubines."

Terek stared at her in amazement. "Concubines?"

"I'm thinking you've never met a woman like me, but that doesn't matter. I don't know how long you've been a vampire, but this isn't the Stone Ages."

Any romantic notions he'd had just minutes earlier were dashed by her staring down at him with her hands on her hips and her impudent mouth firmly set. Oh, he'd met someone like her before, long ago.

Terek stood and looked down into her stubborn eyes. God, she so reminded him of that one soul in the world who'd possessed him heart, mind, and body all those centuries ago. "I see you have a typical Spanish temper. Well, don't worry. I'm patient."

As she walked off in a huff, he smiled. Yes, he'd known another Spanish beauty like her. If he didn't watch out, he'd end up just as he had with that one.

© 2012 Gabrielle Bisset

#WIP Wednesday

It's Wednesday again, and that means a little from my current WIP.  I've been going full tilt with Blood Spirit in the hopes of having an early fall (read: early September) release instead of a late fall release. Terek and Ilona have been very helpful in this, and for that, I'm very thankful.  Chapter 10 is complete, and as I finish Chapter 11 today or tomorrow, I'm making plans to take the story to Morocco. 

Moving the story from Spain to Morocco adds another delicious, exotic flavor that is very much representative of Terek.  Although he's Spanish, he's experienced the world outside Spain for many years.  Morocco is just one place he's spent a good bit of time that's left an impression on him.

So to get in the Moroccan spirit, here are some pics of that beautiful land and Terek. Enjoy!

Morocco, just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Spain