Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Book Tour: "In Love's Own Time" by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy


Title:  In Love's Own Time
Author:  Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy
Publisher:  Rebel Ink Press
Length:  71,000 Words
Sub-Genres:  Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal, Time-Travel

AVAILABLE AT:


BLURB:

There may be no place like home and nothing like love…..when history teacher Lillian Dorsey inherits a three story Edwardian brick mansion from the grandfather who banished her pregnant mother decades before, it’s a no brainer.  She’ll visit the place, see it and sell it.  Instead Lillian’s captivated by the beautiful home and intrigued by the ghost of the original owner, Howard Speakman.  Soon she’s flirting with the charming, witty gentleman who’s been dead for more than a century and before long, they admit it’s a mutual attraction.  Still, when she’s alive and he’s dead, any shot at being together seems impossible.
But where there’s a will, there’s a way….one afternoon while pretending to visit the past the impossible becomes a brief reality.  If they visited 1904 before, Lillian knows they can do it again and if so, she can prevent Howard’s untimely death.  With a combination of love, powerful hope, and stubborn will, Lillian bends time to her will and returns to the summer of 1904.  But Howard’s death looms ahead and if she’s to find a happy ending, she must save him from his original death.

VIDEO TRAILER:


Here’s a little taste from the day they inadvertently return to 1904 and realize just what may be possible:
“Lillian.” Howard sounded hoarse, his voice cracking with emotion although she wasn’t sure which one, fear, elation, or sorrow.  “This is 1904.”
“How could it be?” Even as she protested, she knew it was true.  The old house was new.  The smell of fresh paint mingled with the Dutch cake aroma and as she’d noticed earlier, the book covers were bright.  Howard’s sheet music pages never yellowed but sparkled unblemished white.  It was true and if it was 1904, then Howard was alive.  He wasn’t a ghost.  
Lillian reached for him, stretched out her hand to touch him, and closed her fingers over his arm.  Through the wool of his sleeve, his skin was warm, so alive, and tears formed in her eyes.  Her right hand stroked the curve of his cheek and she clasped his hand with the other.   He twined his fingers through hers, tight as if he might never let go, and pulled her right hand to his lips, brushing her skin with a faint, soft kiss.
“Oh, Howard.”  Her voice broke.  “Howard, you’re real.”
She could touch him now and she could smell him, a rich masculine aroma of soap and leather, and the outdoors.  Before, he’d been a ghost, not tangible, not touchable but for now, he was both and she reveled in him with every sense.  She touched his hair with trembling fingers and rubbed her cheek against his suit jacket.  When she lifted her face, his eyes blazed with emotion and she knew before he bent down they’d kiss.
In her dream, the kiss’d been sweet but in reality, it was sweeter.  His lips heated hers, melted, and moved against her mouth until she couldn’t breathe.  She put her arms around his neck and he held her, one hand flat against her back.   Until now, he’d been unattainable, almost fantasy, but now he was a man, a man who held her in his arms, and she wanted him.  Desire burned like a wavering candle flame but without warning, Howard released her.
“Lillian, I forgot myself.  You must forgive me.”
Her lips, bruised from his mouth, stretched into a smile. “I’ll never forgive you if you don’t kiss me again, Howard.”
“I shouldn’t.” His voice sounded muffled. “But I’ll, sweet Lillian, though I shouldn’t.  However, for the moment I’m alive. Carpe diem!”


“Damn!” The aggravation would kill her if the suspense didn’t.  Love relationships were hard enough with a flesh and blood partner but Howard’s disappearing act was beyond difficult.   There must be some way, she thought, to cross the boundaries of time so she and Howard could be together and Lillian resolved to figure out how.
Although she would rather bawl with frustration, she took action.  The local library was the only place which might have the materials she sought so she Googled Einstein’s theories on one of the public computers.  What she read led to her read about Goedal, the other Princeton scientist she mentioned to Howard and to others, everyone from Stephen Hawking to Igor D. Novikov.  A search of simply “time travel” linked to Washington Irving’s legend of Rip Van Winkle, King Arthur’s daughter Gwenth, to Carroll’s Alice, and even to Sleeping Beauty.  The mish-mash of information was confusing but as she sorted through it, reading and considering it all, a sense of excitement crept over her.  Repeatedly from very diverse sources, she read time travel might be possible, not from crackpots or harebrained pseudo scientists but from people at the top of their field.
No one explained how it worked but most acknowledged the possibility.   As she surfed the World Wide Web, she jotted down books to read and movies to watch.  Dean Koontz wrote a novel about time travel called Lightning and a woman named Diana Gabaldon penned an entire series of novels based on time travel.  Movies like Kate and Leopold and Somewhere in Time, the last based on a novel by Richard Matheson, intrigued her.
Lost in research, Lillian didn’t realize how long she’d been there until the librarian tapped her shoulder.
“I’m sorry but we close in fifteen minutes.”
Head aching with fatigue, mind whirling with information, she gathered up her copious notes and walked out to the parking lot.  Her car was alone beneath the vapor lights and although she was weary, Lillian was too restless to go home.  Instead, she drove across town and up the business highway to where Howard’s farm once existed.
The neat orchards she hoped to find were gone and instead a housing subdivision sprawled over the fertile ground, the foundation of Howard’s fortune.  Most of the ranch style homes dated to the late 1950’s or early 1960’s but on the far edges, newer homes ringed the original neighborhood.  The railroad track she recalled from her dream and the hills with a few gnarled old apple and peach trees were all remaining of the former fruit farm.  The idea brought sadness and Lillian knew Howard’d feel the same. As her headlights swept through the subdivision, she searched for any other signs of Speakman’s Farm but found none so she retreated to Seven Oaks.
In the humid summer night, her fatigue felt like a heavy blanket and Lillian was almost too tired to drag herself up the stairs.  As she wandered through the dark downstairs rooms, she called his name but Howard didn’t answer.  Missing him was an ache and so weary, emotions drained, she lay down across the bed, too tired to even undress and fell asleep.
Shadows of the tree branches made lacy silhouettes across the ceiling of the bedroom when she woke, moving shadows dancing with the wind.  Although she’d no clue what time of day it might be, Lillian felt too somnolent to rise so she lay, tangled in the bedspread and tried to sort her myriad emotions.  Joy at Howard’s declaration of love dimmed when she considered the difficulties of their unique relationship and a strange prickling delight came as she remembered visiting 1904.  As the wind rushed through the trees like whispers, she struggled to make sense of time travel, to figure out a way to make it possible on a permanent basis.
Details, theories, and thoughts warred until she sat up, limbs protesting the motion after too many hours of deep sleep, with a revelation.   They didn’t need the books, she wouldn’t have to know the properties of relativity after all, and there was no set format certain to succeed. It didn’t matter because she’d done it.  If they managed once to travel to the past without trying, they could and would by design.
“Elementary, my dear Watson,” Lillian murmured, stretching as she swung her legs to the floor.  “It’s simple, really.”
With one ear cocked for any sound to indicate Howard’s return, Lillian bathed and dressed, brushing her teeth to rid her mouth of an unpleasant film coating both teeth and gums.  She picked up her watch from the dresser and nodded.   It was just now noon; she’d not slept away as much of the day as she’d guessed, a good thing since she needed to handle many details.  Singing, she floated with elation downstairs to make coffee and a list.   Time travel was possible and she’d do it or die.  Either way, she’d end up Howard.
By the time, he appeared, dapper in a blue and white checked Madras shirt worn over dark brown trousers held up with suspenders striped the same colors as the shirt, she’d scribbled half a notebook full of things to do or buy or look up.  Intent on the next item, she didn’t realize he was with her until she felt his spirit caress, light as a breath, across the back of her neck.
“What are you plotting, my dear heart?” He asked, sitting down across the kitchen table.
“We can do it, Howard.” She put down her pen to reach out for his hand and then remembered she couldn’t hold it. “Time travel, I mean.  All we have to do is believe it and live it.  If we could do it when we were just pretending, we can do it.  Everything has to be just right and I’ve so many things to get and things to do but we can.  Isn’t it wonderful?”


Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy is a full-time romance author.  A native of the old historic city of St. Joseph, Missouri, one time home to both Jesse James and the Pony Express, she now lives and writes in the beautiful Missouri Ozark region.  Her romance novels include Wolfe’s Lady (December 2010 Evernight Publishing), Love Tattoo, (March 2011, Evernight), Love Scars (June 2011, Evernight), Love Never Fails (May 2011, Rebel Ink Press), Kinfolk (July 2011, Champagne Books), The Marriage Cure (Astraea Press, July 2011), Love Scars, July 2011 (Evernight Publishing). Love Tattoo, Love Scars, and Love Knots, Love Shadows are the first four books of the six book Love Covenant series. Other novels include Witness Protection Program (Rebel Ink Press, A Time To Love (Champagne Books. Sing We Now of Christmas (Rebel Ink Press, December 2011).  2012  is already kicking off with more novel releases including A Patient Heart, Miss Good Samaritan, Guy’s Angel, In Love’s Own Time, Heart of the Ozarks)  In The Shadow of War, and a novella, Long Live The King (Champagne Books).  Her work also appears in more than twenty anthologies and she has multiple short story/non-fiction credits.
She is a member of RWA, Missouri Writers Guild, EPIC, and the Ozarks Writers League.
Her work also appears in multiple anthologies. She earned a BA degree in both English and History from Missouri Southern State University as well as an AA Degree in Journalism from Crowder College.  She worked in broadcast media for a decade and also has a background in education.  Her weekly column “Hindsight” appears each week in the Neosho Daily News.
She is married to Roy W. Murphy and the couple has three children, Emily, Megan, and Patrick Murphy.
If Lee Ann – or Lee as many of her writing friends know her – isn’t writing, she’s reading or spending time outdoors.
In Neosho, Missouri, the small town she now calls home, she serves on the local library board, is active in the annual Relay For Life fight against cancer, has worked with the local Arts Council, and is active in her parish.

 I know you get asked this question over and over but can you tell us a little about yourself? Maybe something juicy. ;)


Hmm...I’m a tail end Baby Boomer (yes, I’m that old) raised like a 1930’s kid by my grandparents in my formative years, was introduced to hippie culture and Janis Joplin by my would-be hippie mother, a child of the late 70’s who still loves classic rock and roll, vintage cars, good whiskey and better vodka.  I won’t turn up my nose at Moscato wine.   I’m married, three kids, live in a small town, do community service stuff like serve on the library board, and I adore men friends.


When did you first start writing? Are you a full time author or do you do it on the side?

I started writing as soon as I could wrap my hands around a pencil! And I am fortunate enough to now be a full-time author (and believe me, it is FULL time, about 18 hours a day)

 
Do you have a author that has really inspired you?

There are so many it would be difficult to name just one.

How long does it normally take you to write an average book or your last book?

Writing a novel for me takes anywhere from two to six months, depending on the length and the amount of research involved.  I write faster now that I am a full-time author.

What do you think makes a story great?
A great story grabs the reader by the hand, hangs on tight, and engages emotion.

Can you describe your book "In Love’s Own Time" in one sentence?

It’s a contemporary, historical time travel novel where the heroine falls in love with a ghost.

Tell us a littke about your new series book.

My one series is the Love Covenant series with Evernight Publishing.  Book four, “Love Shadows” recently debuted in the ongoing saga of my two hundred plus year old vampire Will Brennan and beloved Texas gal singer, Cara.

Have you done lots of research for your book or did the story just come to you?

I did the initial research for “In Love’s Own Time” to find out the history of the subdivision where my home is located.  When I moved here five years ago I researched and learned the entire subdivision was part of a fruit farm with orchards, strawberry fields, and more around 1900.  It also was tied to my favourite historical home in the community.  My imagination started spinning and the story just emerged from there.

The portions of the book in 1904 and 1905 did require some research to make sure what my characters wore, ate, said, and did were accurate.

What are you currently working on?

My current WIP is set in 1933 Oklahoma and involves a desperate farmer who turns to pulling a few bank robberies to support his family (widowed mother and four younger siblings) and his fiancée, a local school teacher.

Can you tell us about some of your prior achievements?

When I wrote radio ad copy, some of my ads won awards.  “In Love’s Own Time” is my twelfth novel and I have four more coming out the first half of 2012 with Rebel Ink Press.

Is there anything that I didn't cover that you would like to talk about or say to your
potential readers?

I’m a member of RWA, Missouri Writers Guild, Ozark Writers League, and EPIC.

Just for fun:
Hardback or Paperback?  I like things hard.
Dog ears or Bookmarks?  Bookmarks
YA novels or Adult novels?  Adult
Library or Bookstore?  I’m on the local library board so I should say library
Reading glasses or No glasses?  No glasses
Snack while reading or No snacks?  No snack unless it’s chocolate
Beach or Mountain?  Mountain
Vampire or Werewolf?  Vampire
Hot or Flirty? Flirty
Movie 1st or Book 1st? Always book first
Contemporary or Historical?  Historical
Page-Turner or Tear Jerker? Tear jerker

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Guest Post & Giveaway: "Spititus" by Dana Burnett

Please lets welcome Dana Michelle Burnett to the Romance Book Junkies for a guest post and giveaway.
Thanks so much for having me here today!  I’m celebrating the success of my paranormal romance, Spiritus, the first book in my series of the same name while I’m working on getting the next book in the series, Haunted, finished.  When I write, I create the same sort of stories that I love to read.  The idea of an everlasting, although tragic, love has always been a favorite of mine.
It was the idea of an everlasting love that I wanted to bring to Spiritus in the romance between Alastor and Becca.  The fact that Alastor was dead, didn’t really pose that much of a problem.  I wanted theirs to be a love that even death could not stand in the way of.
In Alastor’s mind, Becca is his dead wife reincarnated the wife that murdered him over a century ago.  It’s that love that has him trapped as a spirit, and it’s that same love that binds him to her.
I think in some way, it’s that same sort of invincible, no way to control it, emotion that we all want to be swept up in and swallowed up by.  Still, one of the qualities of a beautiful romance is that touch of tragedy that makes your heart ache.  In this case, how can a romance between a human and a ghost ever work?  Does he love her enough to forgive her for his murder so long ago?

What makes a beautiful romance for you?
 Rules:
1. Giveaway is for a ebook copy if Spiritus.
2. Giveaway is international.
3. Fill out the rafflecopter below.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Review: "Samson's Lovely Mortal" by Tina Folsom

"Samson's Lovely Mortal"
Author: Tina Folsom
Series: Scanguards Vampires #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 270
ISBN: 9781453725771
Author's Website: http://www.tinawritesromance.com
Source: Author in exchange for a honest review.
Published: August 14th 2010 by Createspace


Goodreads Blurb:
Vampire bachelor Samson can't get it up anymore. Not even his shrink can help him. That changes when the lovely mortal auditor Delilah tumbles into his arms after a seemingly random attack. Suddenly there's nothing wrong with his hydraulics - that is, as long as Delilah is the woman in his arms.

His scruples about taking Delilah to bed vanish when his shrink suggests it's the only way to cure his problem. Thinking all he needs is one night with her, Samson indulges in a night of pleasure and passion.

However, another attack on Delilah and a dead body later, and Samson has his hands full: not only with trying to hide the fact he's a vampire, but also with finding out what secrets Delilah harbors for somebody to want her harm.

My Review: 
This was my first book by Tina and I have to say I'm an instant fan. Samson's Lovely Mortal is a story about a woman, Delilah, who grows from a weak, lonely person to this strong, brave individual all while falling desperately in love with a vampire. Samson on the other had is a very strong character from the beginning he's a bachelor and owner of Scanguards bodyguard service which is run mostly by vampires and did I mention how insanely rich he is. Well his money plays a role in the romantic development of the story but I'll let you read about that yourself. The romantic development is very intense and strong from the very beginning there is hardly any getting to know each other in the beginning and the sex is hot and heavy but it all adds up in the end which I thought was spectacular. Tina did a wonderful job on this book and I look forward to reading some of her other books. I would recommend this book to paranormal romance fans and the only warning I have is there is some violence towards the end. Tina keep up the good work! 
  


Overall Rating:

Sex Rating:

Friday, February 24, 2012

Guest post & Giveaway: "The Choice" by Lorhainne Eckhart

Lets give a warm welcome to a new author Lorhainne Eckhart. She has a book to share with us today that sounds really interesting so lets check it out.

THE CHOICE
Walk the Right Road Series, Book One (Walk the Right Road is a series of romantic suspense novels, with a supernatural slant based in the Pacific Northwest and a small secluded Island in the San Juan Islands.)

The Choice is a full length romantic suspense novel with a supernatural slant set in the Pacific Northwest and New Orleans. A young woman gets a second chance to come out of the darkness she isn’t even aware she’s sunk into since her grandmother died and she met a man she thinks is her Mr. Right. Fate intervenes, literally knocking her out, forcing her to lose her memory in front of a DEA agent who’ll be instrumental in helping her get her life back.
 
With the help of her Wiccan teacher, a spirit guide connected with her new love interest, a blind woman who’s into “that voodoo stuff”, a ghost and her new friends, she struggles to rid herself of the generations-old evil, now incarnate, draining her of her light. At the same time she attempts to stop a major player in the marijuana drug trade and keep her new love interest from, once again, being set up to take the fall. 


 
Before her granny died, Marcie Hollis had been spiritually attuned to Mother Earth and the spirits around her, honing her gift. Then she meets Dan McKenzie, a man she believes to be the knight in shining armor she’s been searching for all her life. However, Dan is not who he appears to be. He lures Marcie into his dark world of lies, greed and drugs. But fate intervenes during Marcie's illicit trip for Dan to New Orleans, when she's robbed and accosted in the crowded airport. When she gets knocked down, her head slams on the concrete floor, and she loses her memory, all right in the path of DEA agent, Sam Carre.

Arriving in a crowded airport in New Orleans with his reputation and loyalty in question after being set up as the leak in a six month DEA investigation, Sam has come home. Even though Sam is tired, disillusioned and haunted by a past that gives him no peace, he stops to help an attractive stranger when she falls in front of him. In an act of chivalry, he takes her to his home until the police can identify her. When questions arise about Marcie and what she’s involved in, the answers lead back to Sam’s investigation in the Pacific Northwest.

When her illusive memory returns, this complex case pushes them both to explain the unexplainable, brings them face to face with a generations-old evil now incarnate again and leaves Sam with a haunting question. Was Marcie set up or is this a game she’s playing? Sam is forced to make a choice: walk away from the attraction connecting them or risk losing everything.

1. This giveaway is of a ebook and therefore is International.
2. You must fill out the Raffelcopter to enter. 
3. Giveaway ends 3/2. 

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Book Spotlight: The Forsaken Series by Elise Whyles & Ciara Lake




 
Among us walk immortal beings – cursed to hide within the shadows they live along side us as they have for centuries. Using, feeding, living off the mortals so reviled for their weakness – yet there are some who will be awakened and immortality will be given.
Now, an ancient evil stirs – rising to threaten not only the Immortal Realms but the mortal world. A cursed vampire General stirs, plotting his revenge on those who have forsaken him…but he’s forgotten about the innocent, who like him have been punished.

There are those who are Forsaken.

It could be anyone among us…

Series Website 
Elise Whyles Facebook    
Ciara Lake Facebook

 The first book, Forsaken Heart by Elise Whyles is set to release in April 2012. 
 The second book Curse of a Dargon’s Claim  by Ciara Lake will release shortly after.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Interview & Giveaway: Felicity Heaton

I am extremely excited to have one of my favorite authors on my blog today for a interview and giveaway. And she is Felicity Heaton *squeee* one of the most talented people I know, especially when it comes to vampire romance. Anyways, enough of my babbling lets get to the interview. 

I know you get asked this question over and over but can you tell us a little about yourself? Maybe something juicy. ;)

I can never really think of anything juicy. I think it’s all out there already on the internet. Lol. As a writer, I can say that I’m known for really pulling readers’ heartstrings, writing action that just blows them away, love scenes that get them hot under the collar but can melt hearts at the same time, and description that has you pulled right into the world you’re reading about so it plays out like a movie in your mind. I am passionate about the stories that I write and the worlds I create, and I think that really shows in my books. I’m also very passionate about providing top quality reads and meeting my readers. I’m very open, honest, and don’t hold anything back, and I think readers have come to appreciate that about me... when I’m not teasing them with snippets of my upcoming releases!


When did you first start writing? Are you a full time author or do you do it on the side?

I started writing in 2003, with fanfiction, and then moved into original fiction in 2005. I turned indie in 2006, and have been indie ever since. I was always working full-time alongside being an author until 2011. I’ve been a full-time author for a year now.


Do you have an author that has really inspired you?

No, not really. At least, not in the sense that I read them and went – I really want to write now. I’ve read a lot of books. I used to read loads as a kid and into my teens. I think reading in general inspired me to try my hand at writing. I’ve always had a really active imagination so dreaming up worlds in my head to escape the boredom of school translated into dreaming up worlds to write down on paper.


How long does it normally take you to write an average book?

I can write the first draft of a novel, say 100000 words, in around 12-15 days if you include time to plan the novel too and write the outline. I tend to edit my books twice, and then proof twice too. I think in total, I probably spend shy of 200 hours in total on a 100000 word novel.


What do you think makes a story great?

Emotion, setting, action, danger and a good twist here and there. I like to have those moments where you go – oh, wow, didn’t see that one coming – and times when you just melt for the characters because their feelings are just burning on the page for you to read.


Can you describe your book "Heart of Darkness" in one sentence?

That’s a difficult one. I think it’s so hard to condense Heart of Darkness into one line as it’s such a complex story. How about... A vampire prince bent on revenge and on the brink of succumbing to the terrible darkness in his heart meets a beautiful vampire guard who becomes his only hope for salvation.


How do you manage to come up with all these great vampire stories that are all so different?

I think you’ll have to ask the muse. He provides and I just write them down. I love to play with vampires and their worlds, and sometimes sit around thinking about what I can do with them next and how I can make them different, and it just sort of comes to me.


Have you done lots of research for your books or do the stories just come to you?

I don’t tend to have to do too much research. I write about cities that I’ve visited for the most part so I’m familiar with them and their layout, weather, architectural style, nuances, and such. Vampires are born of my imagination so no research needed there. I do research social structures sometimes, as I tend to use that sort of thing in my worlds. Or I’ll research specific cars, etc.


What are you currently working on?

I’m editing Seduce at the moment, the third book in my Vampire Erotic Theatre series, and also writing Her Demonic Angel, the fifth book in my Her Angel series, and I’ll also be proofing Masquerade, the tenth book in my Vampires Realm series soon.


Is there anything that I didn't cover that you would like to talk about or say to your potential readers?

Just that if you like your vampires dark, very sexy, and very dangerous... or you like wicked angels, then why not give me a try? Excerpts of all of my books are available at my website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk

Just for fun:
Hardback or Paperback?  Paperback or Ebook
Dog ears or Bookmarks?  
I’m terrible for bending the corners, but I try to use bookmarks these days.
YA novels or Adult novels?  
Adult. I can’t do YA. It just doesn’t have the grit and sexiness I love.
Library or Bookstore?  
Bookstore.
Reading glasses or No glasses?  
I’m short sighted, so I actually read better without my glasses.
Snack while reading or No snacks?
No snacks. Maybe tea. I’m addicted after all.
Beach or Mountain?
 Mountain
Vampire or Werewolf?  
Vampire, but I love our furry fiends too.
Hot or Flirty?
Hot
Movie 1st or Book 1st?
Book first if it’s something I really care about.
Contemporary or Historical?
Contemporary
Page-Turner or Tear Jerker?
Page turner, but I do like the odd teary moment.
 I am going to be giving away one of the first books in Felicity's most popular series Vampire's Realm.
 Rules:
1. This is going to be a Kindle ebook copy of the book.
2. The giveaway is International 
3. You must be 18 years and older to enter.
4. Fill out the Rafflecopter below.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Guest Post & Giveaway: "Trust In Me" by Skye Warren


Today we have Skye Warren stopping here on her book tour for her new book "Trust In Me". Lets welcome  Skye to Romance Book Junkies.

Anti-Heroes and the Heroines Who Love And Fear Them

by Skye Warren

Thanks for having me! I’m here to talk about my dark erotica release, Trust In Me, and my everlasting love of anti-heroes. An anti-hero is defined as a hero who acts contrarily to a traditional hero. Or as I like to say: he’s really a villain but he gets to end up the heroine *grins*
In traditional romance, we’re talking about Anne Stuart heroes (also sometimes referred to as gamma heroes) and in erotica context, that means Kitty Thomas’s heroes or Annabel Joseph’s darker Doms.
Why are these anti-heroes so damn appealing? Well, for one thing, they are tough and driven. They don’t take crap from anyone…even the heroine, sometimes. They often do follow their own code of honor, it just doesn’t necessarily match everyone else’s. But I think it’s something more elemental than that. A man who takes what he wants, damn the rules? Well…it’s plain sexy.
It has happened before (more than once) where I have started writing a character as a straight up villain. They are just evil. Of course, I still want to round them out and make them a fully fleshed out character, versus a cardboard cut-out. But I have no intention of redeeming them. And then, as I’m writing them, I actually fall for them.
That’s going to impact how I write him. It’s going to affect how the other characters react to him. So writing anti-heroes is inevitable for me, because I write characters who perform dark, violent and immoral acts…and then I redeem them.
It takes a special kind of heroine to wind up with an anti-hero. On the one hand, she has to bend, a lot. A heroine can’t run the show with a guy like this. And on the other hand, she needs to have a backbone stronger than steel. Our anti-hero is used to getting his way, and using whatever means at his disposal, whether that by intimidation or underhanded doings, in order to get it, so she needs to be almost fearless.

Here’s a short excerpt scene from Trust In Me where our heroine, Mia, is confronted by Tyler. Mia is in danger, under the control of a crime lord. Tyler claims to want her, to want to protect her, but she can’t trust him yet.
“How much to get you to leave?” he asked. “Permanently. Go far away.”
It was my turn to suck in a breath. His disgust of me went deeper than I’d thought. Pain rattled around in my chest like a pin ball before finally dropping down into the pit of my stomach. Men had hated me before him, but at least they’d wanted me, even if it was only for sex and the occasional punching bag. Despite the erection poking my stomach, he didn’t want me. He wanted to get rid of me.
Who was I kidding? I couldn’t blame him. If I could get rid of me, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I stared at the pulse that beat in the hollow of his throat, so steady.
I had no fight left, no hope. “Carlos would find me. He’d kill me.”
He must have recognized that I didn’t pose a threat, because he let me go. But he didn’t back up. He stood, broad chest to heaving breasts, breath to breath.
“I’d protect you,” he said.
My laugh rang out like the rattle of an empty tin cup. “You and what army?”
“Not the army,” he said evenly.
My eyes snapped to his. And the final chink fell, like a deadbolt locking into place. Witness protection…the holy grail that had been dangled in front of my by another man just recently. That man had been with the FBI, and I realized that Tyler was one of them, undercover. Of course. A laugh burbled to the surface. Inappropriate, this entire situation was inappropriate. “You’re faking it, aren’t you? You’re the fucking cops.”
He frowned and glanced around, adorably peeved.
I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it myself. The golden boy of the neighborhood, the soldier, Mr. Perfect. He could never have been a bad guy, the lighting was all wrong.


Skye Warren is giving away a copy of Trust in Me to a commenter from each stop in the blog tour. In addition, every comment along the way enters you in the drawing for a $20 Amazon gift certificate. 
Do you have a favorite anti-hero? What do you think is so darn appealing about those very bad boys? How bad is too bad?

TRUST IN ME by Skye Warren
Can love be found between a whore and a knight in tarnished armor?
Mia longs for the daily torture to end, but one last task keeps her holding on. In a betrayal of the crime lord who pulled her from the gutter, she’ll free the shipment of human cargo, and if she’s lucky, die in the process. The alternative is unfathomable, even to a woman well-versed in erotic torture. But luck abandons her yet again when she meets the security expert in charge of the shipment and finds herself face to face with her childhood crush. The man she once begged for help. The man who failed her.
Tyler Martinez is an undercover FBI agent with one chance to right the wrongs of his past. Thrust deep into the seedy world of human trafficking, he must put aside his guilt over abandoning Mia all those years ago in order to save her now.
Someone’s pulling the strings in this sadistic play on trust, but Tyler and Mia may not live long enough to see the curtain fall. Trust in Me is a story of erotic pain and incipient romance, spiraling ever faster toward betrayal or redemption.


WARNING:
This book contains explicit scenes of dubious consent, graphic violence and sex. It also depicts abuse and captivity situations. Not appropriate for anyone uncomfortable with these situations or anyone under the age of eighteen. This is a work of fiction.
 
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