Thursday, March 29, 2012

Thursday Thoughts

I have an updated blog tour schedule to share on Tuesday.

In other news, I am sooooooo close to finishing the second book in the Chosen series. I think I am stalling because I don't want it to be over. I love the characters so much. Of course, there's always the possibility of a third book. However, I love the moment they are in now.

Here's an excerpt from it (be kind, it's unedited and still a work in progress):

Set up: Caroline runs into her mother (Elise) at a wedding, while being escorted by Luke Stone.


“Caroline, darling! You look positively gorgeous. It’s a terrible shame that Prince Sloane isn’t here to see it, yes?”
            At the last part, Elise cut her eyes in Luke’s direction. It was obvious she was sizing him up, from the tip of his shoe to every single dark blonde hair on his head.
            “Yes, Mother. Sloane very much wanted to be here, but as you know, that isn’t possible right now. His leading the armies is vital to the success of the war. And surely, you want Bernehart and Scollfyld to be the victors?”
            Obviously ignoring Caroline, Elise turned fully to Luke and said,
            “And you, Lord Stone, must be quite disappointed that your parents couldn’t make the journey.”
            This was a definite burr. Elise, as did every other Scollfyldian, knew that the Duke and Duchess James Stone wouldn’t make an appearance at the wedding out of shame of their son having an affair with the princess of Bernehart. These were the cold truths of the difference between countries, and between Others and mortals. No one in Bernehart, especially Others, had even blinked at Luke becoming Sloane’s Second. In fact, most had awarded him nearly the same level of courtesy and respect they would have been expected to give the Prince himself.
            Luke took the jab with grace by merely saying, “Yes, I had wished to see them, but I am sure there will be other times. Why don’t we get into place for the ceremony?”
            Taking Caroline’s elbow, he led them away from her mother and towards the front of the group.
            “God’s thumb. Pardon me, Princess, but I forgot what a wench your mother can be.” He muttered as they took their places.
            Caroline sighed. “No need to apologize, Luke. She has a tendency to be simply awful. Only, I suppose it’s worse with you because of, well, you know.”
            “Oh,” whispered Luke conspiratorially, “I certainly do. She found me kissing you in my parent’s garden the summer after you started wearing your hair down and has never, ever forgiven me. Sometimes I can still hear her screeching in my nightmares.”
            Smirking, Caroline leaned into his shoulder and said, “Nor will she ever forgive you. We Haley women can hold a grudge.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Tuesday Titters

Hello all,

I've decided to make regular blog days Tuesday and Thursday, with occasional author spotlights or interviews on other days. Tuesdays will be devoted to any updates or upcoming news, so here we go.

The Vampire's Bride releases on April 26th. I will be doing a blog tour around that time, and here are the current dates:

April 24th- Marie Medina
April 25th- Alexandra O'Hurley
April 26th (release day)- Doris O'Connor
April 27th- Allison Grey
April 28th- Raven McAllan
April 30th-Siobhan Muir
May 1st- Alyssa Fox
May 4th- Kastil Eavenshade

I'd like to think all of my fellow authors for being so kind as to have me on their blogs, and I look forward to it! I will also be interviewing some of them regarding their upcoming releases.

As it gets closer to my release date, I will be posting a contest for a giveaway of copies of The Vampire's Bride, so keep an eye out for that.

Ciao,
Bella

Thursday, March 22, 2012

The Vampire's Bride with excerpt

Release date: April 26th
The Vampire’s Bride, takes place in the fictional country of Scollfyld during the 18th century. A decades old prophecy deems that the countries of Scollfyld and Bernehart will be united by the marriage of the Crown Prince Sloane Vaughan (of the royal vampire family of Bernehart) and the Chosen. The Chosen is a virginal girl of noble blood from Scollfyld who was born in the year 1761. The Prophecy states that the Chosen will stand by the Prince as he unites countries and leads an empire, but stipulates that if the marriage does not happen, then the rival vampire clan of the Scarclyfs will reign. Lady Caroline Haley is selected as the Chosen, but she struggles with this. Will she accept Sloane as her husband? And will she be strong enough to withstand the danger that being the Chosen puts her in?

 I was thrilled to finish my edits and receive a release date. And I realized that I finally had to stop procrastinating on making this blog active. What better way to kick off my first REAL blog post than to post an excerpt of my upcoming book?

If you like it feel free to share, comment, or message me.

"“Lady Caroline, what ever would your father say if he saw you running? Aren’t ladies supposed to be docile and quiet?” Luke Stone called to her, raising his arms into a laughing shrug. He looked so handsome and strong, standing in the speckled sunlight beneath the canopy of leaves. The light shone off his dark blonde hair, and complemented his skin, tanned from hunting and other manly pursuits. She sped up again, and ran straight into his arms with such force that it nearly knocked the two of them to the ground. He wrapped his arms around her small waist and lifted her up to his face. His sky blue eyes smiled into hers, and he pressed his mouth against her lips hungrily.
            Softly, he set her back on the ground, and Caroline ran her hands up his neck and into his wavy hair. Gripping it, she pulled him harder into her and he slowly guided them first to their knees, and then to the ground. Caroline felt her head sink into a soft pile of leaves and didn’t care that her hair would be mussed. She just wanted the feel of Luke’s lips on hers, and she would do anything to have more time with him.
            “Mmm,” she moaned into his mouth, “I have missed you so.”
            Luke rolled his body on top of hers without breaking their lip lock, and brushed his hands deep into the tresses of her hair.
            “I have missed you as well, my lady. I loathe when my duties tear me away from you.”
            She felt his body stiffening, and knew he must be thinking the same thing: that tonight’s events could possibly pull them apart permanently. Shaking her head, she decided to focus on the moment. As they continued to kiss, she lazily traced her hands down his back, and then up under his white linen shirt. Caroline loved the feel of his warm flesh on her, and she gently ran her nails across him until she felt gooseflesh rise. Luke released a low groan and began kissing his way down her face and to her neck. Softly, he licked the skin of her collarbone, and planted a trail of tiny kisses towards her chest. His lips moved over the soft, swelling skin where her breasts met her bodice. With one finger, he gently tugged the fabric down."