Interview Cecelia Mecca Author of The Vampire’s Temptation
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Cecelia and The Vampire’s Temptation. I love vampire tales, don’t you? Psst… Make sure you read all the way to the end and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.
What inspired this particular story?
As a historical romance author, I never intended to write a contemporary paranormal romance. But since my historicals are set on the medieval border of England and Scotland, I work up one day with a tagline in my head—a love triangle seven hundred years in the making. The idea was originally an English and Scottish vampire, enemies while human who are still feuding centuries later, but this time over a woman. I’ve since abandoned the love triangle aspect, but the other elements stuck!
Do you see yourself in your characters?
All of them, yes. Each heroine as a little piece of me, kind of like horcruxes spread throughout both series. Some are innocuous, like Alessandra’s love of chai in The Vampire’s Temptation. Other times I give them some of my own quirks and faults such as forgetting names or being too much of a perfectionist.
What do you want your readers to take away from your books?
I want readers to fall in love with the hero, despite his faults. I want them to wish they could jump into the book and become the heroine’s best friend. More than anything, I want the reader to be so invested in the characters that they feel every emotion the characters do and care about what happens to them.
Tell us a litte about The Vampire’s Temptation, Bloodwite Book One
Even cursed blood can fall prey to love’s bite.
Excerpt:Lawrence was here.
Taking a sip of a gin and tonic, Kenton stared out into the distance from the second-floor balcony of his new home. A train’s whistle broke the blessed silence, though “silence” wasn’t truly silent for him, and hadn’t been for some time. In still moments, he could hear shop owners in town putting out their trash and preparing to close for the evening.
Even so, the view was relaxing—the line of trees across from him was broken by only one discernible building, the courthouse that stood guard on Main Street. The downtown area of Stone Haven was lined with brightly colored Victorian homes and townhouses. He’d considered purchasing one of the latter, only to dismiss the idea.
Too confining.
Now, it would seem, the decision had been a good one. If his senses were accurate, and they always were, his temporary lodgings were located just next door to his nemesis. Purchasing the mansion had attracted attention, but no matter. He would be long gone as soon as the deed was done.
He sat, making a mental note to request that his maidservant purchase cushions. Apparently the previous owner had not found wrought iron as uncomfortable as he did.
Kenton took another sip of his drink as darkness fell. The maid he’d hired from the previous staff—the mansion had been a bed and breakfast when he purchased it—appeared around the balcony to his right. She’d not spoken yet, but Kenton could hear her breathing.
“Send him up,” he said without turning toward her. “But from the outside entrance,” he added. “He may not go inside. Ever.”
Whether the woman was startled by his knowledge of her presence—because he already knew a guest waited below—or because of the vehemence of his request, Kenton wasn’t sure. Nor did it matter. What did matter was the man who even now made his way up the winding outside staircase.
As Lawrence entered the room connected to the balcony, it struck Kenton that he’d made a critical error. He should have killed the girl—woman, more precisely—before Lawrence had arrived. Now his purpose in Stone Haven would be more difficult to fulfill.
“Beautiful, isn’t she?” Lawrence asked, walking around to stand just next to him. He didn’t need to ask who. The man wasn’t talking about his elderly maid.
“I’d offer you a drink, but regrettably, you’re not staying.”
“How long have you known about her?” Lawrence Derrickson had the sole honor of being the only person to almost make him lose his temper in over seven hundred years, and it would seem he still had the ability to get a rise out of him.
“Longer than you, apparently.”
He knew the barb would hit its mark, and it did.
“Yet you haven’t killed her?” “Regrettably not.”
“Why?”
Knowing it would anger Lawrence, Kenton took a slow sip of his drink and looked down at the town below them.
“A quaint little place. Didn’t expect as much, although I must admit, the only other time I’ve been to Pennsylvania, when—”
“I don’t give a shit when you were here last or what you think of the town that you plan to terrorize, Kenton.”
“Terrorize? A bit harsh, don’t you think?”
He didn’t give Lawrence a chance to answer. “Nice of you to move so close to me, though I wouldn’t have expected you to splurge on such a luxury.”
Two mansions sitting side by side in a town of this size. The irony wasn’t lost on him. “I won’t let you kill her,” Lawrence insisted.
He laughed, not to taunt the other man, but it did have that added benefit. “I will enjoy watching you attempt to stop me.”
“She may not pose a threat. Will you for once listen to reason?”
Kenton shot to his feet in an instant, so close to Lawrence he could stun him into silence if he so chose. Centuries of fighting this very same man had taught him not to attempt to kill the Scot. It couldn’t be done. But he certainly enjoyed trying.
“She is a Cheld,” Kenton said.
For Lawrence, that wasn’t enough. For him, it always would be. “She is,” the Scot agreed. “But you don’t know—”
He rolled his eyes, annoyed by the tedious predictability of the argument. “Nor do I care.” Lawrence narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists, telegraphing his intentions as clearly as if he’d punched him. “Are you alone?”
He could lie, but Lawrence would learn the truth soon enough—that his siblings were far away from this quaint little Pennsylvania town. Their kind could sense one another, an ability Kenton had more than most, so he did not need to ask the same question about Lawrence’s kin.
Clan Karyn consisted only of one man, for now. Odd, since Lawrence usually traveled with at least one member of his precious clan, although a four-person family could hardly be called a clan, truth be told.
Nothing like the hundred men Lawrence once led.
“I am,” he said. “And so it seems we will have a bit of fun here in”—he waved his arms around him—“Stone Haven.”
Lawrence ground his teeth. “Fun? If you call the murder of an innocent woman—”
“Innocent?” Kenton lifted his chin. “She is a Cheld,” he repeated. “And for that, she cannot be allowed to live.” He lifted his glass. “A toast to our little secret. And to Alessandra Fiore’s last days on earth, poor thing.”
He downed the remainder of his drink in one gulp, then set the empty glass on the table. Droplets of red remained. Mary was none the wiser about the real contents of his favorite bottle of sloe gin. Stepping around Lawrence, he gripped the railing of the balcony and looked down below. “Have fun attempting to save her,” he said over his shoulder.
Just as Lawrence turned to walk away, muttering a curse under his breath, Kenton added, “I hope you have better luck than you did in Caltabellotta.”
He wasn’t surprised when Lawrence pushed him from the balcony. Indeed, he allowed it. And laughed the whole way down to the ground despite the risk of discovery.
Taunting him had been worth it.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Cecelia Mecca, Paranormal Romance, The Vampire's Temptation, Vampire by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
A Warlock’s Secrets – From the Beginning
Happy Sunday! Today we are talking about A WARLOCK’S SECRETS, the second book in A Demon’s Witch Series. A DEMON’S WITCH SERIES is nominated in the category ROMANCE-PARANORMAL-FANTASY-DEMONS & DEVILS & ANGELS – SERIES by the Paranormal Romance Guild’s Reviewers Best of 2018! Squeal!! If you are inclined to vote for A DEMON’S WITCH SERIES, here is the link – https://www.paranormalromanceguild.com/2018-prg-reviewers-choice-award-nominees/ I would appreciate you vote!
A Warlock’s Secrets wasn’t a planned part of A Witch’s Series. It came to fruition after several readers and a couple of reviewers asked or assumed Tristian’s story was next in the Demon’s Witch Series.
In truth, I’d never considered writing Tristian’s story. He was the Demon Overlords enforcer/assassin, for heaven’s sake. The hardest part of writing this book was wrapping my head around who Tristian really was and what he wanted out of life. He challenged me at every turn of the story. After delving into who he really is and what he wants, come to find out, he has a strong moral compass. He basically is the paranormal police for the Western Hemisphere. Enforcement is necessary to keep a balance between mortals and creatures which he learned young due to the death of his parents and having to raise his little sister. When love comes his way he is fiercely protective and everything Hannah is looking for in a forever relationship. A Warlock’s Secrets, second book in the Demon’s Witch Series. Join in the adventure and grab your copy today! Available worldwide at Amazon,Kobo, Barnes& Noble, itunes, Walmart.com and The Wild Rose Press. If you’re in the United Kingdom, Amazon UK, or Australia, Amazon.AU. or Canada Amazon CA.
Often I’ve been asked why I write paranormal romance. Since I was old enough to read, I loved being swept away into a fantasy. Whether is was a trip to Mars, pretending I could wield magic with the characters in a book, or chasing a unicorn across the backyard only to find myself face to face with a vampire, my imagination ran wild with the written word. As I got older, if I didn’t like a part of the book or the way a story ended, I’d rewrite it. Oh what adventures Trixie Beldon and Nancy Drew had under my rewritten sections. LOL
Now I hope to encourage readers to leave your ordinary world behind for a few hours… be swept away into a magical romantic fantasy with a touch of mystery and suspense. It’s good for the soul and stress relieving to suspend reality for a while, whether you are reading or writing novels. <grin>
Click on the cover to read more or purchase!
A Little about A WARLOCK’S SECRETS – Years ago, a sacred ceremony at the Dragon’s Moon Coven turned deadly. Son of the high priestess, Tristian Shandie’s life changed forever. With a price on his head and revenge in his heart, he has no choice but to follow in his father’s footsteps to a profession shrouded in secrets. Now his skills as an enforcer for the Demon Overlord are second to none. But dangerous secrets he harbors are a liability he can no longer afford.
A chance meeting with a woman he finds irresistible flips Tristian’s world upside down. Hannah is a cyber security specialist with secrets of her own. Bad boys never appealed to her until Tristian, who changes everything. In his darkest hours, she is dragged into his magical world.
If they survive, is she strong enough to heal his heart and tame the warlock? Or will their secrets destroy them?
A peek between the pages of A WARLOCK’S SECRETS:
And her body was never found… She shook her head to dislodge the voice from her mind and followed Tristian to the trail. He took hold of her hand and intertwined their fingers as they walked the rocky coastline until the trail wound through the brush and trees down to the beach. Waves crashed against the shoreline, and wind gusts brought the ocean spray raining down on them. The sun hung low in the sky as she pulled her jacket tight around her.
The man was a puzzle. One minute he’s gruff and unresponsive, the next patient, attentive, and talkative. It’s like he’s at war with himself. Damn he’s intriguing and—sexy as hell. She liked the air of mystery surrounding him. If she was honest with herself, the hint of danger that lurked around him was a turn on too. Ma and Da would not approve. She snickered.
“What’s so funny?” Tristian stopped in mid-stride and stared at her.
“Oh, nothing. Just that my attraction to bad boys is alive and well. My parents…”
He quirked an eyebrow. “Boys? I don’t think so. Your parents?”
“Wouldn’t approve of you.” She snickered again. “And I used the term boys loosely, meaning males.” Her gaze slithered over him from top to bottom. “Believe me, I’m well aware you’re not a boy.”
“I’m certainly glad you noticed.” He paused for a couple beats. “Your parents—does it matter?” he asked sliding a seductive glance in her direction.
I love to meet new readers and chat with them or other authors. So please check out my social media links below. Talk with you soon!
Website: https://www.tenastetler.com
Authors’ Secret’s Blog – https://www.tenastetler.com/category/authors-secrets-blog/
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Thank you for joining me for a little peek into A WARLOCK’S SECRETS and my inspiration to write it. See you next week for my inspiration for A VAMPIRE’S UNLIKELY ALLIANCE, voted Best Paranormal Romance of 2017′ by Preditor’s & Editor’s Readers Choice Awards!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Warlock's Secrets, magic, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Tena Stetler, Vampire, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
A DEMON’S WITCH, The Book that Started It All!
Good morning! Beginning today, Friday, and thereafter for the next few Sundays, I will be showcasing my published books beginning with my debut novel published in 2015, A DEMON’S WITCH, (e-book is on sale for 99 cents – limited time) through the last one, A MAGIC REDEMPTION, released Dec. 2019. Then maybe a sneak peek into the first book to be published in 2019! What inspired A DEMON’S WITCH you ask and what made it different from most paranormal romance you read?
A Demon’s Witch, was born in a hair salon from a song. I was talking with my hairdresser, Jen, one Saturday about the things she sees and hears in her line of work and my imagination took off. She laughed as I bounced ideas off her. I remembered a 1960’s era song about a hairdresser named Bruce. A little more brainstorming with Jen and my hubby then A Demon’s Witch was born. After that the what if’s began.
What if the hairdresser is really a ruggedly handsome demon overlord. Now tell me if that isn’t different. LOL
What if a powerful witch breezed into his salon and the attraction was undeniable?
What if the witch’s brother just happens to be the demons overlord’s hired enforcer? Will they survive discovery and make a life together?
What if the salon is multi-species catering to mortals and paranormal creatures alike is located in Washington DC? Flaming manicure bowls, Fried hairdryers, a magic portal in the basement make it a bit different.
Adds a new dimension to our concept of DC, doesn’t it? Or maybe you just thought DC was full of demon’s and creatures that go bump in the night to begin with. LOL
Click on the cover to read more or purchase.
What’s A Demon’s Witch about: Well…I’ll tell you.
It’s about family, blood or otherwise. Its about doing the right thing for maybe the wrong reasons. Keeping secrets is not always the best action, especially when preternatural powers are involved. A Demon’s Witch takes you into the realm of magic & paranormal, with surprising & suspenseful twists & turns.
What did the 5-star reviews have to say about A Demon’s Witch?
“I thoroughly enjoyed this sexy paranormal story with excellent world building and well developed characters. The author has created a clever setting by making the headquarters of the demon a trendy hair salon in Washington DC. It makes for some entertaining situations. Enter a feisty witch who knocks the demon off his feet and turns his carefully ordered world upside down.” L. Williams – 5 Stars
“This debut novel by Tena Stetler is phenomenal! She created a unique paranormal world filled with witches, wizards, demons, fairies, and a few other surprises. Absolutely loved the chemistry between Bruce and Angelique! I was swooning the moment Bruce entered the scene. ”
‘A Demon’s Witch spicy romance has it all intrigue, humor, thrills, danger and a splash of magic to keep you on the edge of your seat.”
A peek between the pages of A Demon’s Witch!
A feeling of dark foreboding, like storm clouds forming on the horizon before a violent storm, washed over Bruce as he maneuvered the SUV into the parking lot behind The Krystal Unicorn.
Tristian was already there and it wasn’t to give his report. Bruce could feel the fury in Tristian’s magic signature hanging in the air. A silver tipped arrow penetrated the windshield, split the arm securing the rearview mirror, and stuck in the headrest a quarter inch from Bruce’s neck. Blue liquid oozed from the tip and a stream of red mist escaped from the other end of the arrow.
“Hold your breath and don’t open the door or windows. The influx of fresh air will spread the poison.” He hissed though his teeth not daring to take a breath.
Air pressure inside the vehicle changed, Angie’s head felt like it was going to explode. Bruce. She whispered into his mind, a benefit of being mated.
I know, just a few seconds more, I’ve got it handled. His deep smooth voice floated reassuringly in her mind, as he reached over caressing her shoulder.
The pressure eased and the red mist sucked in on itself disappearing along with the oozing liquid. He pulled the arrow from the headrest, fingering the hole in the upholstery.
Through gritted teeth, Bruce growled. “His first mistake was that he missed me. His second deadly mistake was he risked your life. That is unforgivable.” Those two things also told Bruce that Tristian wasn’t thinking clearly, fury was coloring his judgment. That gave Bruce an edge, though the attack caught him off guard. He hadn’t expected Tristian’s attack to put his sister at risk.
The console between them lowered to seat level. He hoped to add fuel to the fury burning inside Tristian. Bruce put his arm around Angie’s waist and pulled her against him, his lips pressed against hers then gently covered her mouth as his tongue traced the soft fullness of her lips. He drew back, touched his lips to hers again trailing them down to the pulsing hollow of her neck and whispered, “You’re going into the shop now, Willow is waiting just on the other side of the door. Please stay there, you’ll be able to remain in my mind just don’t interfere. I need your presence there as a calming one. Willow can help you.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I know. There wasn’t time to explain how everything works and I’m not exactly sure myself. Only that I can feel you in my mind and I assume you can feel me in yours.”
“Yes, it’s a weird sensation,” Angie said a tremor in her voice.
“We’ll learn together to use it to our benefit, now is as good a time as any to practice.”
She snorted, “Sure, our lives are on the line. No big deal.” She threw up her hands.
“That’s the spirit.” He grinned raising his head and cupping her trembling chin in his steady hand, not taking his eyes off hers. “Believe me when I tell you, I won’t kill your brother. Although he is making it damn difficult. Nor do I believe he will kill me. Though that is his intention, right now. So put those thoughts out of your mind, they won’t help either of us.”
Available at:
Amazon.com, Amazon UK Amazon AU Amazon CA Kobo, The Wild Rose Press. Walmart.com and Barnes & Noble.
I love to meet new readers and chat with them or other authors. So please check out my social media links below. Talk with you soon!
Website: https://www.tenastetler.com
Authors’ Secret’s Blog – https://www.tenastetler.com/category/authors-secrets-blog/
My Say What Blog – https://www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author
Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/TenaStetler
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14187532.Tena_Stetler
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Tena Stetler, Vampire, Washington, Washington DC, Witches by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
Discussion with Nancy Gideon Author of Prince Of Dreams
Give a spooktacular welcome to Nancy Gideon author of Prince of Dreams. Today she’s graciously agreed to talk about Vampires verses Werewolves in honor of upcoming All Hallows! Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cauldron. Take your choice of a bat wing Chocolate Chip or Pumpkin, or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Nancy Gideon and her Prince of Dreams as well as her take on Vampires and Werewolves. Pssst…Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter at the bottom of the post.
A peek between the pages of Prince of Dreams . . .
An unnatural being from a family of shapeshifters.
Even now Ophelia didn’t know whether to laugh or weep at the absurdity of it. Things like that didn’t exist. Except she knew they did, just outside the peripheral, where worlds of fact and fiction met and mingled and blurred. She’d felt their presence in the shadows of reality all her life. She met them in her dreams and visions.
Kip Terriot gave them gorgeous face and form, but underneath, he was that creature with red eyes and sharp teeth. Her big, bad wolf, who’d protected her from a robber and defended her from abuse, who’d rescued her sister from the attack she still refused to acknowledge. Who loved his family and would do anything for them?
Who she loved too much to let go but couldn’t give what he needed because she wasn’t his kind.
Which was the greater fear, what he was or that she’d fail him?
“What are we going to do, Phe? I don’t want to lose this.” He brought her knuckles to his lips for a kiss.
“I don’t want to lose you. But I already have, haven’t I? You’re a million miles away right now and almost out of reach.”
“I’m right here.” His argument brought her to him, her knees stepping over his lap to straddle him, arms circling his shoulders, face nestling against the curve of his throat where she rode his hard swallow. He held tight, trying to believe they could make this moment last, this glorious, fiery, tender moment that offered so much and promised so little.
“You are my prince,” she whispered, breath moist and soft against his neck. “My Prince of Cups. You rode into my life bringing romance, shaking my world to its foundation that first night I met you. It was in the cards.”
“Fate,” he murmured, smile in his voice. “No escaping it.” His fingers threaded through her hair, pulling back gently to tip up her face, offering sweetly parted lips and glistening eyes.
He’d planned a sweet kiss but the taste of urgency and need in the sweep of her tongue ruined that noble ambition. They feasted upon one another for long, desperate minutes until she rocked back, thumb swiping the dampness from his mouth.
“Go, be who you need to be for them. Then come back and be who I need you to be.
About the Author:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/109994-nancy-gideon-by-moonlight
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Prince of Dreams!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged House of Terriot-book four, magic, Nancy Gideon, Paranormal, Prince of Dreams, Shapeshifters, Vampire by Tena Stetler with 4 comments.
