Indie Romance Convention Spotlight with Author Leigh Savage

Angel of Death
The task at hand?  Save the elder vampires from the plague of "the endless sleep."  As a hired assassin, Mika Shadow knows not to let emotions get in the way.  Given her skills and gifts, she's known as the Chosen One amongst her people.  During her mission to steal the formula for anti-aging, and the elixir of life for the vampires, Mika finds herself facing the kidnappers who shattered her world as a young girl and abducted her from her mother.  Her past comes roaring back to life!  As she is dealing with those demons, Mika also finds herself falling for her target.  She only has four strict rules for selecting a mission or dismissing it.  The fourth and final on - No emotions allowed - falls flat the minute she meets Domonic.

Shadows of My Past
Visions of death, sorrow, and anguish are common for Desi while working with the St. Louisville Police Department as a consultant in tracking down kidnappers and murders.  However, a single touch from Barcuilai and her visions were of another time and place.  Why then was the man in her visions standing right in front of her in the present?  Desi wasn't sure how to handle these visions of sorrow that she saw whenn she touched Barcuilai.  They troubled her in a way that made her feel as if her very soul was being torn apart.  She wanted to flee; just as much as she wanted to erase the pain from his golden eyes.  Together Barcuilai and Desi could not deny the connection they felt for one another.  Will Barcuilai find love once more only to lost it again when Desi becomes the target of the very serial killer she's helping the police track down or will Desi just become another shadow of his past?

If you want to see more about Leigh or follow what she's up to, then check her out on the web:

Leigh's blog:  http://leighsavage.blogspot.com/

Indie Romance Convention Spotlight with Author Toni Aleo

Taking Shots: Assassins #1
In Toni Aleo's exhilarating debut, the first in a series featuring the hockey hunks of the Nashville Assassins, a reformed bad boy helps a charming, willful woman face off against the demons of her past.

No matter how hard she tries, Eleanor Fisher never thinks she's good enough, from her job to her weight to her love life.  After enduring years of abuse at the hands of an ex-boyfriend, Elli has been drifting through life in a daze.  Until, that is, she meets Shea Adler on a promotional shoot for the NHL's Nashville Assassins.  Before Elli knows what's happening, the gorgeous Shea breaks the ice and shatters her world.

A brilliant athlete inside the rink, Shea Adler is tired of the life he's living outside of it: the girls, the money, the drinking.  But everything changes when he meets Elli.  After laying eyes on this feisty, witty, beautiful woman, he feels like he's just taken the hardest hit of his life.  No matter how skeptical she is, Shea knows they are meant to be together - if only he can convince Elli to put her insecurities aside throw her insecurities out the window before she misses out on a shot a love.

Trying to Score: Assassins #2
In a captivating novel of second chances and healing hearts, the newest member of the Nashville Assassins pulls a power play to  make things right with the one that got away.

Fallon Parker's dream has always been to turn her family's wine company into a runaway success and eventually start a cellar of her own.  Since graduating from college, she has worked relentlessly to make that dream a reality, especially after taking a chance on love - and losing.  By the time Fallon becomes an official sponsor of the Nashville Assassins, she feels like all her hard word is finally paying off.  And then the man who broke her heart skates back into her life.

On the ice, Lucas Brooks is the NHL's leading scorer - at least when he's not in the box.  Off the ice, he's a mess, with all his anger and misery bottled up inside.  He threw away the most important person in his life and has regretted it ever since.  But when Lucas returns to Nashville in a trade, he's determined to convince Fallon that he's a changed man.  The attraction is still there.  The tension is electrifying.  But the odds are stacked against them - especially after Lucas finds out that Fallon has been keeping a devastating secret.

Empty Net: Assassins #3

Definition of an Empty Net:  When a team pulls the goalie for an extra attacker, desperately seeking a goal.

Audrey Parker was in a horrible place.
She hated hr job, her sister was getting married and moving out, but worst of all, she was in love with a total jerk.  No matter what she did, every guy she met hurt her.  All she wanted was her happily ever after.  Her Prince Charming.  Her Lucas Brooks!  She didn't know how to change her life but she knew she needed to.
Feeling like she was about to hit rock bottom, Audrey wakes up next to Tate Odder.

Tat Odder had lost everything.
After being brought up from the Assassin's farm team, the Florida Rays to the Nashville Assassins, Tate hopes he'll forget everything he has lost.  He doesn't.  Each day gets harder to  live in a place he doesn't know.  Even being the first rookie goalie to shut out an opposing team three times during the Lord Stanley Cup Finals, he still felt empty.  With the loss of his parents and sister still heavy on his heart, Tate isn't sure how to live like everything is okay.

But when he wakes up beside Audrey Parker, things start to change.  She turns his life upside down with her kooky sense of humor and her bright clothing.  She is intelligent and beautiful, and for once, he doesn't feel empty.
Will Audrey be the person to fill the holes in Tate's heart, making him whole again?
Or will another player ruin everything, leaving him feeling forever like an empty net?

If you want to see more about Toni or follow what she's up to, then check her out on the web:

Toni's website:  http://tonialeo.com/

Indie Romance Convention Author Spotlight and Interview with Candice Stauffer

Please welcome author Candice Stauffer!

I live in Zeeland, Michigan, where half the year is winter and the other, much shorter half, is summer. It’s a wonderful place to live as long as you own a four-wheel drive vehicle and happen to get a kick out of measuring the snowfall in feet rather than inches.

I write paranormal romance because I love to explore and manipulate the limitless possibilities of the genre. To be completely honest, I’m also very fond of taking a totally hot, powerful, immortal hero and using a strong, confident, beautiful heroine to turn his world upside down and make him fight like hell for a victory that seems impossible to achieve. Some might call it torture. I call it entertainment and character building. Regardless, it’s great fun!

I have a strong aversion for helpless heroines. Though she’s afraid, a heroine must always be willing to fight like hell—and, yes, even if the fighting is against the hero. I’m not sure why, but I tend to really enjoy it when the heroine fights against the hero. Putting a hero through the wringer builds personality, right?

Who or what is your writing muse?

That’s easy. The Phantom of the Opera. Everyone knows he should’ve got the girl. What the hell was Christine thinking when she ran off with a dim-witted jerk willing to use her as bait on stage? Hello! Wake up, Christine! The phantom wouldn’t have put your life on the line to string up Mr. Stupid Stinky Sissy in his magical lasso. Sorry for the rant. I could go on and on. It’s a subject I’m very passionate about. Why? I’m not really sure. It could possibly have something to do with the fact that Gerard Butler played the role of the phantom.  J      

What is your fave environment or conditions to write?

Alone. I get too distracted too easily when people are around. I suffer from an extremely short attention span.

Who or what do you enjoy reading?

I read any paranormal romance as long as the hero is a tall, dark and sexy chest beating alpha. He needs be ready, able and willing to use his scrumptious masculine attributes to tantalize and please me. Oops. I mean the heroine. I would never entertain fantasies about the hero tantalizing or pleasing me. Okay. That’s a big fat lie. I do it all the time. Who doesn’t?

What are you working on now?

I’ve two series I’m currently working on. In my Breath of Darkness series demon/dragon shifters are the main characters and vampires and werewolves are secondary characters. In my Decadent series vampires and werewolves are the main characters and demon/dragon shifters are secondary characters.

Fun Q's

Fave band?  I don’t have a favorite band. I don’t even have a favorite type of music. What I listen to depends on my mood. ‘Am I torturing a hero, plotting to kill someone or working on a hot and naughty sex scene?’

Dog or cats? I’m a dog person. I love cats, but I’m severely allergic to them.

Denim or Leather? Denim and leather. A girl can’t have one without the other.

Heels or flip flops? Heels. I’ve a nice collection of them, but since I live in Michigan ‘The Land of Everlasting Snow’ I end up having to wear big bulky snow boots most of the time.

Wine or beer? Neither. It takes whiskey to make this girl frisky. And rum. I like rum. And tequila. Tequila is good.

Mountains or ocean? The mountains. I don’t like sharks. As a child I was deeply traumatized by images of Jaws stalking and killing people in the ocean. Yes. I know Bigfoot is also big and scary, but he’s a solitary creature. I’ve done the math. I figure my chances of going for a stroll in the mountains and being eaten by Bigfoot are much less likely than going for a swim in the ocean and being eaten by Jaws. Why? Jaws is quite obsessive when it comes to hunting people down for dinner. Besides taunting us with occasional footprints in the mud, Bigfoot tends to keeps his distance from humans to prevent us from gaining solid proof of his existence. I figure it’s either that or he’s secretly filming a reality show about humans attempting to prove he’s real. I can almost imagine him sitting back in the bushes and having a good laugh. And hey, Bigfoot, if you’re reading this I would like to offer a suggestion: Just once, for a little dramatic boom, sneak up behind one of the hunters and poke him or her in the ribs.   

Boxers, briefs or commando for your hero? Commando! Life sure does have a way of being incredibly disheartening for us heathen savages. I would love to force him to run around and slay evil forces of darkness in his Birthday suite 24/7 to better entertain me with his big and yummy muscular contours. But I don’t. Once in a while, as seldom as possible, I dress him. Why? It’s my attempt to be a little well-mannered. I’ve been told in a civilized society making him constantly run around in the buff for my pleasure would be impolite.  J    

Will Caylee's salvation come from the solitude of the cold, dark grave or from the sinful delights of surrendering her body and soul to the seduction of a wickedly sexy, dark and dangerous, powerful immortal?

From the beginning of time, Haden's kind has fought to stop the deadliest forces of darkness from destroying mankind. He has never feared defeat until now. He would sacrifice anything, even his life, to protect Caylee. But despite possessing the dragon's fierce nature and power, there's little hope he'll save her from a lust-crazed vampire that a rogue demon is aiding. Instead of completing the ancient ritual that'll give his eternal breath to her and bind their souls together for eternity, will Haden be forced to kill Caylee to prevent her from suffering a never-ending thirst for blood?

Cover Reveal: In the Light of the Moon by A.L. Kessler

Title: In the Light of the Moon
Author: A.L. Kessler
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: June 11, 2013

Stripped of all control, shifter Kassity has no choice but to be a killer for Lucius.  Obeying the vampire from the shadows was simply her way of life, until Jax comes to town and brings trouble with him.  When her panther half recognizes Jax as her fated mate, Kassity must deal with betrayal, secrets and Lucius in order to be with him.

With a war going on between all supernatural creatures Jaxon must figure out whose side he is on.  What started as a simple job turned into a complicated game of hearts when he meets Kassity, the woman he thought he was rescuing, but not everything is as it seems in Lucius' territory.

A.L. Kessler is one of the attending authors at this year's Indie Romance Convention.

Excerpt from In the Light of the Moon:

"Kassity, look -"

She didn't know what came over her, but she spun, grabbed a handful of his shirt, shoved him against the car and kissed him.  Probing with her tongue she coaxed him to part his lips.  When he did their tongues danced together and he tangled his hands in her hair, holding her head to his.  A moan escaped her mouth as she pressed her body up against him.  Feeling him grow hard between them made her panther start craving him.  "Thank you."

Jax blinked at her when she pulled back.  "Um, of course, anytime?"  He gave a soft laugh and brushed a hand down her cheek.  "I'm sorry that your panther reacted that way, but I'm glad I was there to stop it."

"What were you doing there after closing?"  She nuzzled his head, and then pulled back when she realized what she was doing.

He gave her a chaste kiss and she pushed to make it more.  Leaning into him she ran her tongue over his bottom lip; he pulled back to speak.  "I needed to talk to Derrik."  When he captured her lips he tugged on the bottom one and groaned into her mouth as her hands snaked around his waist.  "Kass, not here."

"Only place Lucius doesn't watch."  She whispered against his neck and then nipped at his ear.  Feeling the shiver slither down his body, she did it again.

His hands skimmed the curves of her, settling on her hips.  "Damn that stupid little blood sucker."  He whispered as he kissed down her neck.  Nuzzling the crook of her neck, he wiggled his hands under her shirt.

She gasped at the bare skin contact.  "Even my panther likes you."

"Cause mine can calm yours, we talked about this."  He flipped so he pressed her up against the car.  "I love feeling you against me."  He whispered in her ear, tugging her hair just a little.

She gave another small gasp and leaned in to kiss him, but he avoided her peck.  He kissed behind her ear, sending shivers up her spine.  Pulling her well-loved black shirt over her head in a quick motion, he continued his assault of warm kisses down to the swell of her breasts.  Kass leaned her head back and moaned.  Heat followed his lips with every soft touch he gave her.  His hands smoothed over her waist, to her ribs until he cupped her breasts.  His thumbs brushed against her nipples through the thin purple lace of her bra.  Her breath caught as a heat rose in her, a different heat than her beast caused.  Her eyes met his, but a figure moved behind him, coming out of the door of the club.

"C'mon you two, not in my parking lot!"  Derrik waved a hand at them.

Kass flushed as she pushed Jax away and bent down to swoop up her shirt.  "So not cool."

"You enjoyed it and you know it."  Jax kissed her cheek and moved to his own car.  "I'll see you laer."

Kass closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the freezing car.  The cold helped clear her mind, but fire ran through her again when she thought about what just happened.

"Fuck."

If you want to learn more about A. L. Kessler or follow what she's up to, check her out on the web:

Author Website: http://www.amylkessler.com/

Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/A_L_Kessler

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alkesslerauthor

Indie Romance Convention Spotlight with Author Lily Graison

Tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to become a writer.
I've been writing since 2002 and had my first book published by Linden Bay romance in 2005.  A short story followed a year later with another ePublisher but the lack of control with the final outcome of the books led me to self publish in 2007.  Around that same time, the company I worked for closed their doors due to the economic downturn and I saw it as a blessing in disguise.  I'd been toying with the idea of writing full time but was nervous about taking that final step to make it happen.  With the decision made for me, I converted my daughter's old bedroom into a home office and I haven't regretted it a day.

What type of romance to you write and why?
I can write anything, any genre, and run with it until I'm blue in the face.  When I started writing, I leaned more toward paranormal romances, vampires and werewolves to be exact, but when I first published, it was contemporary romance that caught the attention of publishers.  I eventually dove back into the world of the paranormal but found my true calling in the historical western genre.  I'm having a blast with all those Alpha Cowboy heroes.  There's just something about rugged, hard working men who will do whatever it takes to protect their lady-loves that I can't get enough of.  The story plots keep piling up.  I just hope I have enough time to write them all.

What are you working on right now?
I'm editing a full length novel, His Brother's Wife, the 5th book in my Willow Creek historical western romance series.  The heroine, Grace Kingston, is a mail-order-bride who agrees to marry a man sight unseen.  She realizes her mistake when she travels across the country to find she's promised herself to a fourteen year old boy.  Stranded for the winter, Grace sets out to find a new husband and sets her eye on the older brother of her intended.  Rafe Samuels is unmarried but he's also surly and pig-headed but he makes her pulse race with a single glance.  Burned twice by love, Rafe refuses to help Grace out of her situation regardless of how much he wants her.  Grace has to get past his hardened exterior and show him how to love again before her reputation is in tatters.  But getting Rafe Samuels to admit he needs her will be the hardest thing Grace has ever had to do.

Who would you pick if you could have "Breakfast With the Author"?
Oh, that's easy.  It would be Linda Lael Miller.  I've read nearly every book she's written and something about her stories draw me in like no author can.  Her characters are so real, so full of life.  I'd love to pick her brain a bit and see what makes her tick.

Just for fun - which do you prefer:
Cats or dogs?
Cats
Wake up early or stay up late?
Wake Early
Blonds or brunettes?
Brunettes
Hot weather or cold?
Hot

If you want to see more about Lily or follow what she's up to, then check her out on the web:

Lily's website:  http://lilygraison.com/website/

Lily's blog:  http://lilygraison.blogspot.com/

Indie Romance Convention Spotlight with Author Annabel Joseph

Tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to become a writer.

I'd probably describe myself as part rebel-soccer-mom and part degenerate-sex-pervert.  It's weird for me because I live in a conservative part of the country.  It creates some awkward moments at the bus stop, but that's okay.  As for my inspiration to become a writer, it started because I couldn't find the kind of erotica that I wanted to read.  I wanted the hot sex, and sometimes even questionable sex, but I wanted emotion and romance wrapped up with it, too.  I wanted quality stories that were really, really smutty.  That's what I like to read and write.

What type of romance do you write and why?

I write BDSM romance.  Mostly contemporary, but occasionally I dabble into historical stuff.  I write longer novels rather than shorts because I love to develop complex stories, and my BDSM skews to the realistic side.  I also always write male doms and female subs.  I guess because I'm a female sub and that's what's most erotic to me and most natural to write.

What are you working on right now?

I'm working on a BDSM series set in the world of a London ballet company.  The first book is called Waking Kiss, and it's a super emotional, super intense story about two very damaged people healing on other from traumatic experiences in their past.  I writing Waking Kiss, I created a secondary character, a hotheaded male dancer, and loved him so much I decided to make him the subject of the second book, Fever Dream.  I hope to have both books out by fall of 2013.

Who would you pick if you could have "Breakfast With the Author"?

That's a tough one, because I love so many authors, but I'd have to say Laura Kinsale.  I'm a huge historical romance reader and to me her books exist on a tier of their won.  Her characters are more complex, her storylines more surprising and emotional than any other author I've read.  That's not an easy feat in the romance genre where there are so many expectation and rules.  I really admire her and I'd love to have breakfast with her and pick her brain.

Just for fun - which do you prefer:

Cats or dogs?

We have little cat-sized dogs  lol.  Because I like the size of cats, but I don't like litter boxes.

Wake up early or stay up late?

I am a super night-owl.  Mornings aren't for me.  No.

Blonds or brunettes?

Redheads!!

Hot weather or cold?

Oh man, you ask the tough questions.  I guess I'll go with cold.  If you're cold you can always snuggle and warm up, but when you're hot, there's really no way to get away from it.  Plus I hate to sweat.

If you want to see more about Annabel or follow what she's up to (I know I'll be watching for Waking Kiss), then check her out on the web any of the following ways:

Annabel's website: http://annabeljoseph.wordpress.com/books/

Annabel's twitter:  https://twitter.com/annabeljoseph

Annabel's facebook:  https://facebook.com/annabeljosephnovels

Annabel's instagram:  http://web.stagram.com/n/annabeljoseph/

Annabel's latest release:

Disciplining the Duchess