Deidre Blogging at Penguin Putnam: Day Two

Deidre's second post is up at the Penguin Putnam blog! Today, she's talking about what Ajax should get his lady love, Shay Angel, for Christmas. There'll be no sweaters or slippers for Shay. Think more luxurious, expensive and definitely more romantic. Enough to make us all VERY jealous and wishing we had our own Spartan boyfriend this Christmas. Click here to visit the Penguin blog!

What do you give a Spartan for Christmas?

Deidre recently wrote a fantastic post for RED FIRE on the Penguin Putnam blog. She's dishing about Ajax's likes and dislikes (in case you were wondering what to get your favorite Spartan warrior for Christmas this year) and giving us a peek at what life might be like for the Ajax now that he' s reunited with his fated love, Shay Angel. She'll be guest blogging for 3 days, so make sure to keep checking back for more great posts! Click here for the Penguin Blog.

Ajax is running out of time! Help him by entering the Not-So-Flat Ajax Contest today!

Have you invited Ajax, the immortal Spartan hero of RED FIRE, to your home yet? Why not!?! You're standing in the way of true love!

Deidre is giving away a Nintendo Wii© and seven American Express gift cards to the winners of the Not-So-Flat Ajax Contest, which ends December 31st, 2008. All you have to do is help Ajax as he travels the country searching for his prophesied love Shay Angel. To enter download a picture of the warrior at www.DeidreKnight.com, snap a photo representing the time you spent together while he was traveling through your town and upload the photo to Deidre's website. It's as easy as pie.

What better way to start of the New Year than with an awesome Wii© game console or a few extra AMEX bucks in your pocket? And you get to have a hunky Spartan in your very own living room.Can't beat that!

Email any questions to ajaxcontest@deidreknight.com. For examples of contest entries, click here to visit Deidre's message board.

Writerly Wisdom: Deidre Knight Guest Blogs on Varkat

Today, Deidre Knight is the driver's seat on Lucienne Diver's blog, Varkat, for "Paranormal Romance Week." She shares more than a few pearls of wisdom on the realities of writing a novel in "This Crazy Little Thing Called (Writing) Love." Swing by and check her out!

Enter Varkat Here

Author Tour: Dark Magic by Cheyenne McCray

DARK MAGIC
by Cheyenne McCray

St. Martin's Paperbacks | November 2008

THE WAR BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL
Jake Macgregor has his hands full. As San Francisco’s Captain of the Paranormal Special Forces unit, he and his team are facing a powerful enemy that threatens to bring down the city. With the weight of the world already resting on his broad shoulders, the last thing Jake has time for is romance. So why—after a long, hard day’s fight against evil—are his nights filled with dreams of Cassia?

IS ABOUT TO GET A WHOLE LOT HOTTER…
Cassia is a D’Anu witch whose birthright ensures power and honor beyond imagination. It also forbids the one thing Cassia wants the most: the love of mortal Jake Macgregor. When she intervenes in a skirmish to save his life, the consequences are inescapable—even though the magic they make together is too luscious, and potent, to resist…

Click Here for an Excerpt

ABOUT CHEYENNE McCRAY
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cheyenne McCray has a passion for writing urban fantasy, paranormal, and suspense novels. Among other accolades, Chey has won the prestigious Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for “Best Steamy Romance of the Year.”

Chey penned her first poem in kindergarten, and has been writing ever since she can remember. She always knew one day she would write novels, hoping her readers would get lost in the worlds she created, as she did in her favorites.

Now, she gets to write full time and loves what she does. For St. Martin's Press, she writes the bestselling "Magic" series. She also writes suspense novels, including the upcoming “Lexi Steele” series, starting in February 2009 with The First Sin. In June 2009 Demons Not Included blasts off a new urban fantasy series.

Chey has three sons, three dogs, a messy house, and she will do anything to get out of cleaning, which may be why she writes so much.

REVIEWS for Dark Magic

4 ½ Star TOP PICK! “McCray does a stellar job layering the danger, passion and betrayal. Awesome!” -- Romantic Times BOOKreviews.

5 Stars “What an absolutely stunning conclusion Cheyenne McCray has penned for her ‘Magic’ series. “Dark Magic” is everything I would have wished for and couldn’t have imagined!” -- Goodreads

"[McCray]…delivers in a spectacular way.” -- Night Owl Romance

Website: http://www.cheyennemccray.com

Author Tour: The Darkest Touch by Jaci Burton

THE DARKEST TOUCH by Jaci Burton

Dell Publishing | October 2008

He’s a hunter, a savior, a seducer. And she just can’t get enough…

Ryder. The man was just as sexy as she remembered him: Tall, lean and dangerous, a demon hunter with the body of a god… But archaeologist Angelique Deveraux has little time for lust. She’s been hiding a gleaming black diamond, a prize everyone wants—including Ryder—and now she’s running for her life. Hot on her trail is Ryder, a legendary demon hunter she desires but can’t quite trust, a man with an insatiable need for danger and a few dark secrets of his own… As sparks ignite between the rogue hunter and his latest prey, Angie’s world is rocked again when her twin sister vanishes, stolen away by the same dark forces stalking Angie and the black diamond. With Ryder offering protection— and more —suddenly a woman who’s never trusted anyone is falling for a man who isn’t afraid of anything…except losing his heart. Now, as an all-out demon war erupts and Angie’s family secrets unravel, Ryder’s demon-hunt and Angie’s quest to save her sister are about to collide. And when they do, it’ll send these two wary hearts on the wildest adventure of their lives—and maybe even save humankind in the process…

CLICK HERE FOR AN EXCERPT

ABOUT JACI BURTON
Jaci Burton was born and raised in Missouri but now lives on an acre-and-a-half in Oklahoma with her husband Charlie and five unruly dogs. Jaci loves to write about passionate relationships with sometimes stormy outcomes but always a happily ever after.

REVIEWS
"Gifted Burton adds more dark thrills and sexy danger to her well-paced story as these protagonists must fight to choose their destiny." ~Romantic Times Bookreviews
"THE DARKEST TOUCH is a brilliant addition to this saga that cannot be missed by fans of erotic paranormal romance!" ~Wild on Books

Website: http://www.jaciburton.com

Deidre Chatting Live at Coffeetime Romance Tonight, October 28th @ 9pm!

Don't miss out on the chance to ask Deidre about her latest release, RED FIRE , and also the upcoming sequel in the GODS OF MIDNIGHT series, RED KISS! This mega chat-fest has an ALL-STAR LINEUP including: Gena Showalter, Nalini Singh, Jennifer St. Giles, JC Wilder, Judith Gilbert, Cathy Clamp, CT Adams, Lori Handeland, Jade Lee and Dara Joy.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 28th @ 9pm ET

WHERE: Click here to visit Coffeetime Romance!

Exclusive: Deleted Scenes from Red Fire!

Find out how RED FIRE's prologue was originally written! This bonus material is exclusively available on Deidre Knight's message board. There are also some great discussions, amazing contests, book giveaways and spoilers aplenty for you to check out.

Click here to read the original RED FIRE prologue from Ajax's point of view!

Guest Blogger: Dani Harper

When a great black dog predicts your death, there’s only one thing to do.

Take it home and feed it.

A Leap of Knowing is my latest story and one of my favorites. It’s a new spin on the Welsh legend of the gwyllgi (also called a grim or a barghest), and has given me an opportunity to explore the land of my grandmother, at least via research. And to feel a just little closer to the tiny woman who played such an enormous role in my young life. Gramma crossed the ocean as a young bride-to-be. She never spoke of the country she left behind, or said much about magic, curses, and big otherworldly canines. When I was little, however, she cautioned me not to offend The Fair Folk and to mind that I didn’t bother them when I was in her garden picking gooseberries. Try as I might, I never caught a glimpse of the faeries, but that didn’t sway my belief a bit. In the Welsh language, the faery race is called the Tylwyth Teg. At night, it was customary to leave milk and bread on the back stoop for them, as a gesture of respect – and with a fervent hope that these immortal pranksters wouldn’t play tricks on the family. There was often bread on Gramma’s back lawn. I always assumed it was for the birds, but now I’m not so sure!

The story: Morgan thought she’d outgrown faery tales. Yet the successful veterinarian is hard-pressed to find a scientific explanation for the giant black dog that’s following her, or for the powerful – and naked – man who’s steaming up her dreams. Rhys is a proud warrior forced to serve the Fair Ones by heralding the death of mortals. When he meets Morgan Edwards, he’s tempted to change her fate. But only by accepting his incredible story can she change his. Can Morgan learn to see with her heart in time to save the man who has claimed it?

I hope you enjoy reading the story as much as I loved writing it. And this Halloween, while watching out for the usual ghosts and goblins, perhaps you’ll feel compelled to heed a new admonition:

Beware the Tylwyth Teg!

Dani Harper
www.romancingthewolf.com

Dani Harper is a newspaper editor turned romance writer. She adores the paranormal and it’s no surprise that her first novel, Heart of the Winter Wolf, featured werewolves. Her newest story, A Leap of Knowing, features another type of changeling. Here’s the buy link – http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/aleapofknowing.htm Check out her website for excerpts and other info.

Cloud Nine

It's the a couple of days after the release of RED FIRE, and I am still floating on cloud nine! This book has gotten a tremendous response, and I am so thankful for the good reviews coming in! Below I've included a few snippets from some of the reviewers. But most of all I love to hear what my readers think! Can't wait to hear from you!

"Knight provides an intriguing new twist to both Greek mythology and legendary Spartan warriors with this searing new series, as she sets up an alternate world that begs to be explored." ─ Jill M. Smith, Romantic Times, 4 Stars: HOT

“Here is a story as rich and as vibrant as any myth, and for those who are interested in the paranormal, Red Fire is a real feast for the hungry and a no holds barred winner.”— RomanceAtHeart.com

“…the entire story is pure genius – original, enticing and thoroughly entertaining. Red Fire has earned a place on my keeper shelf – and I can’t wait to see where this series goes next!” – Lynda, Simply Romance Reviews

Take the Day Off! It’s Red Fire Release Day!

Today is a national holiday! Well, I’m proclaiming it is, anyway. RED FIRE RELEASE DAY! After countless hours of research, rewrites and late nights that turned into early mornings later…I am proud to share this first book in the GODS OF MIDNIGHT series! No rest for the weary though, I’ve got to get right back in the swing of things and polish off Book 2, RED KISS. However, just for today I am going to take some time to kick back, relax and enjoy myself.

I really hope you all love this series as much as I do, and I look forward to getting feedback from my readers! Click here to visit my website and find out more about RED FIRE and the amazing Not-So-Flat Ajax contest I’m running to kick-off the GODS OF MIDNIGHT series!

My Author Talk Video!!

The Author Talk video for RED FIRE is here! I had so much fun making this with my friends Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe. Everyone did a brilliant job, and we are just waiting for those Oscar nods to start rolling in. *crickets* Ha! Well Oscar might not come calling, but I promise you will be ROFL after watching this! All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up. ;)

Blogosphere Tour: Veiled Truth

VEILED TRUTH
by Vivi Anna
Silhouette Nocturne - October 1, 2008

Five years ago, virginal Lyra Magice had fled powerful dhampir Theron LeNoir's advances. But now an ancient text the dhampir possesses holds the key to solving murders that have plagued Necropolis. When another body is found and evidence points to the Mistress of the city, duty dictates that Lyra work with Theron—a man she regards as haughty, arrogant and immoral—to translate the symbols left at the crime scenes. But with their forced alliance comes darkly sensual dreams that leave her feeling wanton and achy….

Unwilling to reveal his dark past, the dhampir soon discovers that Lyra—a witch of great power—is to be the sacrificial virgin in a demonic scheme to open a portal to hell itself. Salvation will come only if Theron can win Lyra's trust—and her heart.

ABOUT VIVI ANNA
Canadian author, Vivi Anna likes to burn up the pages with her unique brand of fantasy fiction. Whether it's in the Amazon jungle, an apocalyptic future, or the otherworld city of Necropolis, Vivi always writes fast paced action-adventure with strong independent women that can kick some butt, and dark delicious heroes to kill for. She writes for Silhouette Nocturne, Kensington Aphrodisia, Avon Red, and epublishers - Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing, Loose Id and Whispers Publishing. Also, she’s an active member of RWA, serving as President of her chapter in Calgary.

REVIEWS
RT TOP PICK - “A police detective in Necropolis, witch Lyra Magice works with Theron LeNoir, half-witch/half-vampire, to foil a demon’s plot to take power within the city. Not to be overshadowed by the supernatural storyline of Veiled Truth (41/2), the relationship between Lyra and Theron is full of chemistry. Vivi Anna’s writing is wonderfully descriptive, and the plot is riveting. This book will definitely hold readers’ attention."

"Veiled Truth is a captivating, impossible to put down, story filled with mystery, intrigue, and passion that I totally adored.” – Lyonene, Joyfully Reviewed, RECOMMENDED READ TOP PICK

"Another highly enjoyable urban fantasy romance from Vivi Anna! This series is consistently fun and fabulous—in a dark, crime-solving kind of way, of course.” – Kay, Romance Reader at Heart

CLICK HERE FOR AN EXCERPT

Website: http://www.vivianna.net

RED FIRE CONTEST!

If ever you’ve wished to have a sexy Spartan warrior at your beck and call, then Deidre Knight's Not-So-Flat Ajax contest (so named as a tribute to his, ahem, considerable assets) is your dream come true!

Ajax Petrakos, immortal Spartan warrior and hero of Deidre’s first Gods of Midnight novel, RED FIRE (Signet Eclipse, October 2008), has searched endlessly for Shayanna Angel, his soul-mate who was promised to him by the Oracle at Delphi 2,500 years ago. Ajax would do anything to locate this minx of a mortal, but he’s nearly lost faith that he will ever find her. Recently, rumors and rumblings are afoot that Shayanna has been spotted in modern-day U.S.A.

This is where you come in - your opportunity to assist a noble Spartan who has spent an eternity protecting you and all of humankind. Your mission is to take Ajax to a locale in your city (an historical site, a restaurant, the lake, your home), snap a photo of you and Ajax (keep it clean, ladies!), fill out the entry form on www.DeidreKnight.com, upload the photo and voilà - you’re entered to win a Nintendo© Wii or another great prize! Act quickly, because the first 100 entrants to upload their photos will receive a copy of RED FIRE.

Visit www.DeidreKnight.com for more details!

HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE

by Nalini Singh

September 2008 - Berkley
With her darkly seductive Psy/Changeling world, Nalini Singh has created "a sensual, dangerous adventure not to be missed" (New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh). Now, as the deadly Psy Council tightens its grip, a rebel Psy scientist finds herself at the mercy of a changeling who has sworn vengeance against her kind...

Separated from her son and forced to create a neural implant that will mean the effective enslavement of her psychically gifted race, Ashaya Aleine is the perfect Psy--cool, calm, emotionless...at least on the surface. Inside, she's fighting a desperate battle to save her son and escape the vicious cold of the PsyNet. Yet when escape comes, it leads not to safety, but to the lethal danger of a sniper's embrace.

DarkRiver sniper Dorian Christensen lost his sister to a Psy killer. Though he lacks the changeling ability to shift into animal form, his leopard lives within. And that leopard's rage at the brutal loss is a clawing darkness that hungers for vengeance. Falling for a Psy has never been on Dorian's agenda. But charged with protecting Ashaya and her son, he discovers that passion has a way of changing the rules...

READ THE EXCERPT HERE

BONUS EXCERPT

ABOUT NALINI SINGH
Nalini Singh has traveled as far afield as the deserts of China and the temples of Japan, but it is the journey of the imagination that fascinates her the most. She’s beyond delighted to be able to follow her dream as a writer.

Check out her website for excerpts, travel photos, and behind-the-scenes info on the Psy/Changeling series, as well as details of her new series,
which kicks off with ANGELS’ BLOOD next March.


REVIEWS
"One of the greatest pleasures of these books is their ability to deliver both an intensely personal love story as well as a riveting societal drama. Singh is on the fast track to becoming a genre giant!” ~ Romantic Times (4.5 Stars, Top Pick!)

"Hostage to Pleasure is a powerful story of two very different people finding love where they least expect it...Fans of this series will be happy with the world that Singh continues to build. I know I can’t wait to see what happens next."
~ Casee for Book Binge

"Perhaps this is the most exciting and complex yet of the books in this series. Ashaya's dilemma is certainly among the most poignant and Dorian as her damaged hero is irresistible.”
~ Huntress Reviews

“HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE pulls you in, grabs your attention, and ensures you are going to be reading every last word of this story. Brava, Ms. Singh!
Compelling paranormal romance at its finest!”
~ Sarah for Romance Junkies

Website: http://www.nalinisingh.com

Razor Girl by Marianne Mancusi

RAZOR GIRL
by Marianne Mancusi

August 2008 - Dorchester Publishing Co.

Molly Anderson is not your average twenty-one-year-old. It’s been six years since she and her family escaped into a bunker, led by her conspiracy theorist father and his foreknowledge of a plot to bring about the apocalypse. But her father’s precautions didn’t stop there. Molly is now built to survive.

Yes, Ian Anderson’s favorite book gave him ideas on how to “improve” his daughter. Molly is faster, stronger, and her ocular implants and razor-tipped nails set her apart. Apart, when—venturing alone out of the bunker and into a plague ravaged, monster-ridden wilderness—what Molly needs most is togetherness. Chase Griffin, a friend from her past, is her best bet. But while he and others have miraculously survived, the kind boy has become a tormented man. Together, these remnants of humanity must struggle toward trusting each other and journey to the one place Molly’s father believed all civilization would be reborn: the Magic Kingdom, where everyone knows it’s a small world after all.

ABOUT MARIANNE MANCUSI

When it comes to writing, award winning author Marianne Mancusi likes to play the field. From time travel comedies to kick butt speculative fiction romances to a Buffy’esque vampire series for teens, she’s published eleven books in three years, in a myriad of genres and styles.

In addition to writing, Marianne is a multiple Emmy award winning television producer, currently working for the nationally syndicated women’s lifestyle show Better TV. A Boston native and graduate of Boston University ’s College of Communications , she currently lives on Manhattan ’s Upper West Side . (But has NOT become a Yankees fan!) In her spare time, Marianne enjoys clubbing, cosplay, cheesy horror movies (especially those featuring zombies!), her dog Molly, and videogames.

REVIEWS

“Opens with danger and will grab your interest immediately. Stellar!”
--Huntress Reviews

“An increasingly intense, suspenseful edge-of-the-seat thrilling ride…stunning, cutting edge romance.”
--Merrimon Book Reviews

"Non-stop thrill ride from page one! Marianne Mancusi spins an eerily marvelous

tale in her book RAZOR GIRL."
--Simply Romance Reviews

"Mancusi doesn¹t hesitate to take chances and innovate!"
--Romantic Times

"Marianne Mancusi has returned with an edgy all-new tale, Razor Girl, filled with fast-paced action and a heroine strong enough to mold her own destiny."
--SF Scope

Website: http://www.mariannemancusi.com

Bestselling Author Marjorie M. Liu Chatting Tonight!

Bestselling author Marjorie M. Liu will be chatting with TKA tonight, August 21st at 9:00pm ET. Marjorie's recently released books include THE IRON HUNT and THE WILD ROAD, which is part of the popular DIRK & STEELE SERIES. Other books by Marjorie include: TIGER EYE, SHADOW TOUCH, THE RED HEART OF JADE and X-MEN: DARK MIRROR.

TO CHAT:
1. Visit the TKA CHAT ROOM
2. Enter a screen name
3. Login

Look forward to seeing everyone there!

Read an Excerpt of RED FIRE!

I barely got back from my A-M-A-Z-I-N-G trip to Savannah, Georgia, the setting of my upcoming release RED FIRE, and now I'm in the midst of the RWA conference in San Francisco. It has been a fantastic summer so far, and I can't wait to share stories and photos from my trips with all of you!

It is uber busy here, but I had to take some time out and let you all know some major, big news -- an excerpt of RED FIRE, the first book in the GODS OF MIDNIGHT (GOM) series, is available on my website DeidreKnight.com! I've been dying to share this with you. I know this excerpt will surely whet your appetite for more GOM!

Check it out here: EXCERPT FOR RED FIRE.

Don't forget to come back, and let me know what you think!

You're Invited: Lunchbox Chat with a TKA Agent

Don't miss an exclusive LUNCHBOX CHAT ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25TH at 12:00PM EDT with an agent from The Knight Agency. Everything will be up for discussion, from current trends in publishing to hot new releases.

WHO: TKA AGENT

WHAT: CHATTING LIVE!

WHEN: 12pm EDT, Wednesday, June 25th, 2008

WHERE: TKA CHAT ROOM

TO CHAT: Follow this link, TKA CHAT ROOM, enter a screen name and simply select “log in.”

Susan Grant - MOONSTRUCK

MOONSTRUCK

by Susan Grant

June 2008 - HQN Books

PEACE IS FOR LITTLE GIRLS.

And Coalition starship admiral Brit Bandar is one tough woman. A mere intergalactic treaty could never get her to trust the Drakken Horde. There was too much bad blood between the Coalition and the Horde and, for intensely personal reasons, Brit wasn’t sure that she was through spilling it! But now a peaceful accord has made Finn Rorkken, a notorious Drakken rogue, second-in command on her starship – and through some grand cosmic irony – front and center in her thoughts…and her heart.

WARLEADER. PIRATE.

Either title sat easily on Finn’s battle-hardened shoulders. Though second-in-command to “Stone-Heart” Bandar? That would take some getting used to. Peace required as much sacrifice as war, so he’d comply even if his reaction to the gorgeous admiral fell decidedly outside protocol. But would he end up kissing or killing her if the galaxy’s tentative truce turned into all out war?

CLICK HERE FOR AN EXCERPT.

ABOUT SUSAN GRANT

RITA award winner and NY Times best-selling author Susan Grant loves writing about what she knows: flying, adventure, and the often unpredictable interaction between the sexes! When she’s not writing romances set in far-flung locales, Susan pilots 747 jumbo jets to China, Australia, Europe, and many other exotic overseas destinations where she finds plenty of material for her novels.

REVIEWS

4.5 stars! The quick pace and compelling characterization make this space adventure riveting! --reviewed by Jill Smith, RT Magazine

[A gripping storyline, fascinating characters and great writing. Susan Grant has an immense talent for writing this special brand of romance. --Tanzey Cutter, Fresh Fiction."[A] can’t-put-down read that draws you in from the first page and doesn’t let go until the tension-filled final chapters!" -- Linnea Sinclair, RITA award winning author of THE DOWN HOME ZOMBIE BLUES

"This tale packs a punch! Fans of the Honor Harrington series (by David
Weber) will thoroughly enjoy Brit and Finn's story. I could not help but give a spontaneous high-five when I finished this gem." -- Detra Fitch, Huntress Reviews

"This book kicked serious butt. Susan Grant can write more like this and I'll be ready to devour them at a moment's notice!" -- Kathy Boswell, The Best Reviews

Website: http://www.susangrant.com

http://www.the-borderlands.com