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Thanksgiving wackiness and wishes

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Wow, has the time flown by this year! I feel like I’ve said that about a hundred times recently, but no doubt it’s true. I blinked and then Thanksgiving appeared and smacked me up side the head.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Thanksgiving. Turkey day, as my dad calls it, is one of my very favorite holidays. Okay, I like them all, and each for a different reason, but for Thanksgiving I think the reason is tradition. And that’s kind of odd this year because there’s not a lot of tradition happening this time around.

I’m working both Thursday and Friday night in the real world and I’m okay with that. My husband’s family is having dinner on Friday and mine on Saturday. My husband doesn’t want turkey and all the fixings, he wants nachos and my son happily agrees with him. And I figure that’s okay because I’ll gorge on all sorts of to-die-for yummies at my parents house. I’d rather make sure my family is happy and well fed than spend all day cooking a meal they aren’t all that excited about.

But the one thing that is a must, no matter what day we have our Thanksgiving dinner is that we will all be together. For us it doesn’t matter if we have dinner on Monday, Thursday or sometime next month, as long as we can all be there together. And we’re just as happy eating nachos as we are turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie.

So to cap off this long-winded ramble, I hope that you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving and are able to spend time with the ones you love. It doesn’t matter if it’s your family, friends, coworkers, pets, neighbors or if you just give your waitress/waiter a big smile and a friendly minute, have a very Happy Thanksgiving, from my wacky family to yours.

Why Can’t Halloween be Everyday?

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Halloween is one of my very favorite holidays. Who doesn’t love silly and creepy costumes and buckets of candy? Each year as a child I put countless hours of thought into choosing my costume. I could be anything or anybody and it was a important decision to make. I was a Barbie one year, a witch, a punk rocker, a cowgirl and a dancer, just to name the ones that come to mind.

This may be my daughter’s last year as a trick-or-treater. Next year she’ll be in middle school and my son left those fun, candy grabbing nights behind long ago. It’s bittersweet watching my youngest decide what she wants to be, knowing that it may be my last night trick-or-treating with one of my kids.

But, it’s made me think. Why do we only have one day a year were we can be what we want? Maybe it’s because my son and I are having college discussions or because I’m feeling burnt out at the day job. Whatever the reason, growing up and career choices are on my mind.

It’s become my hope, my dream that my children will find a career that makes them happy. Life is too short to spend countless hours in a job that you don’t like and maybe that adds to the enjoyment of Halloween and getting to dress-up as whatever you want to be. No, we can’t all be grim reapers, pirates and zombies when we grow up, but I believe it’s worth the effort and the fight to find what you love.

This year my daughter’s going dressed a tiger. Again, for the third time. Because that’s what she loves. And why not? All too soon, it will be time for her to make choices that shape her adult life. What will you be going as for Halloween?

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Why I write Smut.

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I know it’s not a new topic and I know others who have written about it have surely stated their opinions more eloquently than I can, but at the moment, it’s a topic that’s nagging me like a sore thumb.

I can’t help it. Really.  Writing is a part of who I am. I cannot turn my imagination off. It’s a part of me that is always there and it’s looking for an opportunity to break free and go wild. I truly can’t turn it off.

But I can focus it. I can often choose which topic to feed it and then to an extent guide the stories I’m given. It surprises me all the time and stories never go exactly the way I expect them to, but those surprises are part of the fun.

You know what? If I choose to focus my imagination, then, damn it all, I’m going to pick something I enjoy. And you guessed it. I like “smut”.

But it’s so much more than Smut. No question, I’m guilty of throwing that word around. A lot. I’m guilty of using it as a preemptive strike against criticism I assume is coming when someone asks, “What do you write?”

“Smut.” And they smile and change the subject or maybe I have to answer a couple of quick questions about publishing or whatever, but soon enough the subject is changed. Easy peasy. This routine is getting old. And frustrating.

I write romance and yes, I write erotic romance because I can choose what to focus my imagination on. What better subject to focus on could there be than people falling in love and finding their Happily Ever After? And yes, I’m not ashamed to admit that I write erotic romance. I enjoy writing stories where people explore their selves and each other through both emotional and physical intimacy. I enjoy it so much, that I’m not going to quit writing or make apologies for it. Ever.

I don’t care if I sell one book, a thousand or millions.

Character Author Interview Blog Hop

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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.

Unearth. It’s a place, not a verb.

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Countless millennia ago it was unknowingly created by humans with the spark of Light that lives within each one of us. When enough Light is focused on one vision it can become a reality. Many a god and realm was born this way.

To keep the countless myriad of realms and immortals separate, they are housed in the world of Unearth, a world that parallels Earth. Each individual realm in Unearth has borders keeping it separate from the others.

Very few are able to travel unheeded to any and all realms. One such breed of immortal is the Demon Runner. Demon Runners are sparingly appointed by the elder gods. In order to make such an appointment, the elder god must give the Demon Runner a small fraction of his or her own power or Light. Though their assigned duties vary, Demon Runners act as an immortal cleanup crew, rounding up and dragging home any stray immortals that have escaped to Earth. Whether they’ve come to Earth to wreak havoc or quietly hide in the shadows makes no difference. They will be found, returned to and sentenced in their home realm.

Now, a Soul Runner, the only Soul Runner, is a character you may be familiar with. Think Grim Reaper. Death. He answers only to the Sisters of Fate. Working nearly nonstop, he’s responsible for collecting every soul that’s departed from its mortal shell at the time of death.

Overworked and exhausted, he’s over eighty years past due for his vacation. Not only is Azrael exhausted, he is burdened with the heavy weight of guilt. For the first time ever he’s been gifted with an apprentice to lighten his load. Only something goes terribly wrong and the apprentice ends up in the very abyss, they deliver only the darkest of souls to. Then to make matters worse, Lilith drops a bomb on his vacation capable of destroying both Earth and Unearth.

How can a lone woman named Diane and something as basic as love conquer Unearth’s madness?

Release week fun-Updated with winner

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Two of my favorite events are happening this week, The 4th of July and the release of Azrael’s Light at Siren Bookstrand. What better way to celebrate is there than joining with friends to talk books and to giveaway goodies?

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I’ve joined up with others in the Perverts Playtime Blog Hop. On July 8th I’ll announce the winner of my prize pack, a signed Romantic Times bag. Not only have I signed it, but so has Heather Rainier, Hennessee Andrews, Corrine Davies, Peyton Elizabeth, and the wonderful Cara Covington. I took a few moments at RT to visit with them and you couldn’t find a nicer group of ladies. I have included a handmade bookmark, swag from Sophie Oak, Kalypso Masters, and a signed Insider’s Guide to Heather Rainier’s Divine Creek Ranch series.  The contest is open to all entrants, anywhere. All you have to do is leave a comment between now and July 7th.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Karen H. has been chosen as the winner! I’ll be contacting her through email.

 

Again, thank you so much to everyone who stopped by during the busy holiday week.