Month: August 2013

Character Author Interview Blog Hop

ajhawthorn12 Comments

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Thanks for coming by my stop on the blog hop. You’re just in time to join me at the club, Hellfire. It’s owner, Diane invited me to stop by for a drink.

“Hey, Diane! It’s great to see you. The bar’s looking good.”

“Thanks, Amy, Alice and Brick are a kick-ass team. How are you doing?” I watch as she pours five drinks in about ten seconds flat. It’s never failed to amaze me how bartenders are able to juggle so many tasks at once. I couldn’t handle the drive-thru when I worked at a fast food restaurant as a teen.

“I’m busy, but good. I just finished my third book. I’m getting ready to submit it soon. How have you been, seriously? I know things got pretty dicey recently.” Guilt hits me as I see the sparkling green Light in her eyes dim. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned that.”

“You’re fine. And not talking about it won’t erase what happened. I’m tired and worried about the missing women. I still haven’t found them all. Azrael’s helping me whenever he can.” The Light sparks into full intensity when she mentions his name.

“How is Azrael?”

A bright smile lit her features. “He’s great. He’s keeping a busy schedule, but if anyone can handle it, he can. He just realized he’s going to be an ‘uncle’. He’s started hovering over Lauren, doting on her. It’s cute to watch.”

“Azrael? Cute and doting. Oh boy. Those are two words I never expected to hear anyone use to describe him.” Tall, dark and dangerous? Yes. Deadly? Yes. Sexy as hell? Yes. But he was taken and only a woman as strong as Diane could be his equal.

“How are the kids?” A friendly smile lit her face as she wiped down the bar, pulled out a tray and poured more drinks.

“Bratty and wonderful as always.  I’m trying to teach one of them to drive while the other is driving me batty. They’re a pain in my ass and my heart and soul all tied up into one package.”

“And your writing? How’s that coming. I know it means a lot to you.” It’s difficult not to squirm while being pierced with such an intense focus.

“Good, I think. I hope, at least. I’m working hard at it, squeezing it in whenever I can. My family has realized it’s real to me and they’ve been very supportive.”

“And the Hellspital, as you call it. How are they treating you?” She tipped her chin and glowered as if she dared my co-workers to give me a hard time.

“It could be better, but it could always be worse. I butt head with the doctors from time to time, but the people in my department are good to me. We take care of each other. We have to, especially on nightshift.”

“If you have trouble, let us know. We’ll take care of it.” The green Light of her eyes darkened in color, but somehow brightened in intensity. No one messed with a friend of Diane’s.

“I will and thanks. I gotta go. Will you tell Azrael, and the crew I said hi? I miss working with them.”

“I will. You never know, you may bump into them when you work with Cyril on his story. That’s coming soon, right?”

“Yes, he’s going to meet with me next week. I’m looking forward to it.”

“I’ll let you go, now, but remember. You’re one of ours now, if you need anything, you ask. No arguments.” She leaned over the bar and pulled me into a tight hug. Warmth, ease and energy flowed through me.

“Will do.”

I have one swag pack and three bookmarks to giveaway. Just leave a comment of any kind here, on my site to be entered to win my prizes 🙂  Open to anyone, anywhere. I’ll announce winners Saturday. Use the rafflecopter link below to be entered into the grand prize, a 50$ gift card!

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http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2afb425/

And you can click here or on the blog hop image at the top of the page to return to Kasey Dean’s homepage with the listed authors 🙂 My code word is x-ray

For more info on Diane, Hellfire, tall, dark and sexy grim reapers and my newest release, Azrael’s Light you can go here

 

Update 8/31/13 The winner of the swag pack is Michelle Bowman. And for the bookmarks? I’ll be emailing everyone else who entered. Everybody gets one! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Azrael’s Light Tease

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Azrael’s Light is now up at Amazon, as well as Bookstrand. Since my family is away for a few more hours and I’m well rested and in a great mood, I thought maybe I should share some yumminess. Here’s a little tease from Azrael’s Light. What do you think?

“So, Lilith’s sister, tell me your name.” Dark and heady, his command urged her to obey. His voice lowered a notch in both volume and pitch, sending ripples of hunger through her.

How long had it been since she’d felt desire for something more than a piece of chocolate cake? Should she tell him her name? It probably didn’t matter at this point, but something held her back. His dark, heated stare bore right through her, making her feel as if he could see her every secret and desire. Who knew what kind of dark magic Azrael was capable of? If keeping her name to herself was the only secret she’d been allowed, she would hold it close. She looked up at him, through his burgundy irises, and into the depths of his pupils. She stayed silent, refusing his demand. Expecting to see frustration or anger over being ignored, she was surprised to see what looked like amusement. The dim light in his eyes brightened, and one corner of his gorgeous mouth quirked up. Was he laughing at her?

He stepped in once more and took a lock of her hair in his hand. Briefly he rubbed it between his fingers as if savoring the texture and then tucked it behind her ear, grazing the outer shell with a lingering sweep as he pulled his hand away. “You really are a stubborn little thing, aren’t you? Beware, sweetness. That fight only makes you all the more tempting to someone like me. When your resistance finally falls, the victory is so much sweeter.” His eyes pinning her in place and his voice compelling her to follow his lead became a lethal one-two punch, disarming her.

Any intelligence and self-control she had flew right out the window. He was an incubus, luring her in with seductive words and dark promises. Her knees redoubled their efforts to stay upright. She didn’t have time for this, and no way, no how could she make sexy eyes with a Soul Runner. What was she thinking? Every sane thought she had evaporated, and that was the problem. She couldn’t let him get under her skin or her clothes.

“Look, Azrael, you can put away the smolder. You’re wasting it on me. While your story makes sense, I can’t accept anything at face value. I have to put Alia’s safety first. I will always put her first. So until I know for certain what’s going on, you won’t get any help from me. Sorry.”

“That’s a shame. I think working together could benefit us both. Maybe in more ways than one.
“Nope. Not happening. So, I’ll see you later, big guy.” He really needed to leave. Now. It was as if he knew her resolve weakened with each word he spoke in that low, sexy timbre of his. She wouldn’t be surprised to find out he used it intentionally. Using the last of her will, she stomped her bare foot and pointed at the door. If she acted immature, it couldn’t be helped. She would do whatever it took to get him out of her home and on his way. She needed time alone with her thoughts and needed to contact Alia. She hoped she appeared soon. She needed answers almost as badly as she needed to know her niece was all right. Azrael tipped his head down as if letting her know she’d won this round, and then he was gone.