I'm really excited because today I have Tiffany Allee on my blog doing a guest post about Incubus and she's also going to be giving away a copy of her book "Banshee Charmer". So lets all welcome Tiffany to the Romance Book Junkies.
The Incubus
Incubi were thought to be demonic spirits who would attack
or coerce women in the night. In the Middle Ages, they were actually recognized
legally and blamed for unwanted pregnancies and as the cause for deformed
babies. The incubus went by many names, but was always heavily associated with
sex and even rape.
Seriously creepy stuff.
In the Banshee Charmer world, incubi are a species of
otherworlder—or nonhuman—that are thought to be extinct. They were charming
creatures who exuded a sexual vibe and who, like they're succubi cousins, were
able to pull energy from their bed partners. This sharing of energy comes with
a cost though, an incubus who did this with someone also gained a piece of that
person and vice versa. The more energy shared, the closer the lovers got. It's
the price they had to pay for power.
The main character in Banshee Charmer is a half-banshee
detective named Mac. She's not so sure incubi are extinct. In fact, she
believes that she's pursing an incubus serial killer. Here's a scene where Mac
discusses her theory with Aidan, who is an investigative counterpart from the
Otherworlder Enforcement Agency (OWEA), a policing force similar to the FBI.
“Fine. We’ll work together on this one.
But that doesn’t make us friends, and it doesn’t mean I trust you as far as I
can throw you.” I leaned across the table and gave him my best cop face. “And
no funny business.”
His grin turned into a full-on smile,
revealing a set of sparkling white, perfect teeth. “Oh, I can keep my hands to
myself if you can.”
I snapped my mouth shut when I realized
I was gaping at him while he disappeared into the kitchen with his coffee cup.
When he reappeared in the dining room, I’d managed to put my blank face back
on.
When you’re without a good comeback,
ignore, ignore, ignore. “So we’re looking for an incubus. Possibly a succubus
impersonating one, but I think that’s less likely.”
“Incubi have been extinct for over one
hundred years.”
“I’m aware of that. But, it’s the only
explanation that works. Not only does it fit, it fits like a freaking puzzle
piece.”
“Except for the fact that not only are
they extinct, they’ve also never been known for killing their food.”
“Killers come in all shapes and sizes,
Aidan. There’s nothing about incubi that I’ve ever heard of that prevents them
from killing. Our sensitive confirmed at least one of our victims was drained
of her psychic energy. The method fits, the sex fits, the fact they all died
without a struggle fits. It all fits.”
“And you don’t think it’s more likely
to be a succubus because?” he asked, his voice annoyingly calm and reasonable.
“Call it a gut instinct. Call it
experience. Call it statistics. How many sex crime–related female serial
killers have we seen in the last few decades?”
Obviously, I've twisted the original legend of the incubus
(as well as those of other creatures) to fit my world. But I did try to keep
the original flavor of the incubus legend alive.
What types of creatures do you like to see in paranormal
romance?
Banshee Charmer Synopsis:
“When she’s sent to a crime scene and finds her second dead woman in as
many weeks, half-banshee detective Kiera “Mac” McLoughlin is convinced a
serial killer is on the loose. Incubi are extinct, her boss insists. But
what else can kill a woman in the throes of pleasure? When her partner is
murdered after using witchcraft to locate the killer and Mac is thrown off
the case, her frustration turns to desperation.
Certain the killer is an incubus, Mac works behind her department’s back
to chase down slim, sometimes perilous leads. While the killer eludes her,
she does discover handsome Aidan Byrne, an investigative counterpart from
the enigmatic Otherworlder Enforcement Agency. Mac typically runs her
investigations fast and hard, but with Aidan at her side, she’s running
this one “hot” as well. But Aidan knows more than he’s letting
on—something that could shatter their blazing romance and add Mac to the
killer’s growing body count...”
Available at Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/banshee-charmer-tiffany-allee/1108122582?ean=2940013712102&itm=1&usri=banshee+charmer
Available at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Banshee-Charmer-Otherworlder-Enforcement-ebook/dp/B0070J7IEK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327460507&sr=1-1
About the Author:
Tiffany Allee currently lives in Phoenix, AZ, by way of Chicago and Denver, and is happily married to a secret romantic. She spends her days working in Corporate America while daydreaming about sexy heroes, ass-kicking heroines, and interesting ways to kill people (for her books, of course). Her nights are reserved for writing and bothering her husband and cats (according to them). Her passions include reading, chocolate, travel, wine, and family.
Tiffany's Website: http://tiffanyallee.com/
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/authortiffanyallee
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/TiffanyAllee
“When she’s sent to a crime scene and finds her second dead woman in as
many weeks, half-banshee detective Kiera “Mac” McLoughlin is convinced a
serial killer is on the loose. Incubi are extinct, her boss insists. But
what else can kill a woman in the throes of pleasure? When her partner is
murdered after using witchcraft to locate the killer and Mac is thrown off
the case, her frustration turns to desperation.
Certain the killer is an incubus, Mac works behind her department’s back
to chase down slim, sometimes perilous leads. While the killer eludes her,
she does discover handsome Aidan Byrne, an investigative counterpart from
the enigmatic Otherworlder Enforcement Agency. Mac typically runs her
investigations fast and hard, but with Aidan at her side, she’s running
this one “hot” as well. But Aidan knows more than he’s letting
on—something that could shatter their blazing romance and add Mac to the
killer’s growing body count...”
Available at Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/banshee-charmer-tiffany-allee/1108122582?ean=2940013712102&itm=1&usri=banshee+charmer
Available at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Banshee-Charmer-Otherworlder-Enforcement-ebook/dp/B0070J7IEK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327460507&sr=1-1
About the Author:
Tiffany Allee currently lives in Phoenix, AZ, by way of Chicago and Denver, and is happily married to a secret romantic. She spends her days working in Corporate America while daydreaming about sexy heroes, ass-kicking heroines, and interesting ways to kill people (for her books, of course). Her nights are reserved for writing and bothering her husband and cats (according to them). Her passions include reading, chocolate, travel, wine, and family.
Tiffany's Website: http://tiffanyallee.com/
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/authortiffanyallee
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/TiffanyAllee
Entangled Publishing is giving away one ebook copy of "Banshee Charmer". All you have to do to enter is leave a comment answering Tiffany's question: "What types of creatures do you like to see in paranormal
romance?". Don't forget to leave your email address too so that I can contact you if you win. Good Luck!