#WriteWed Inspiration for the Sin Hunters Series

AlphaImmortalsWow! I can’t believe that it’s been five years since the first release in the SIN HUNTER series and now I’ve re-released both SINS OF THE FLESH and STRONGER THAN SIN.

Not to mention that THE LOST will be part of the fabulous ALPHA IMMORTALS box set which will be available in early October.

So what inspired the series? For starters, my love of science. I was, and still am, a science nerd. I love watching all those shows on the Discovery Channel and reading about what’s happening, especially with genetics. It’s what led me to use genetic engineering gone wrong as the basis for the first two books.

My love of history combined with my love of science inspired the next two books, THE LOST and THE CLAIMED.

As a kid I avidly read all kinds of history books, especially ones dealing with the history of the Americas. It’s how I got the idea to incorporate Mayan practices and the Quechan language to create the otherwordly Hunters like Adam and Christopher.

What’s going to inspire the next one, THE SHATTERED? Yes, I do plan on writing another one. So many of you have been writing to ask about what happens to Sammie and Ryan and they will get their story. Plus, you’ll get to see more of the Carrera clan and find out how they are all doing.

Back to what will inspire it: I don’t know. It’ll definitely be a meld of the first two in the series with the last two. Genetic engineering meets Hunters with special powers. I’ve just got to figure out how who is going to be the ultimate villain and what they want with the Carreras and the Hunters!

#WriteWed What to do next? & #HumpDay #ManWars

STRONGER THAN SIN Romantic SuspenseI have a dilemma. I just got the rights back to SINS OF THE FLESH and STRONGER THAN SIN.

For those of you who read the books, you may recall that these were more romantic suspense with paranormal elements than paranormal with romantic suspense.

Because they didn’t really fit into the paranormal genre, my editors asked me to ramp up that part of the story line and the Sin Hunters were born in THE LOST and THE CLAIMED.

Now here’s my dilemma: I was plotting out the next book in the series – THE SHATTERED. It was really leaning toward paranormal sci fi with the introduction of Hunters from an alternate universe.

Now that I have these rights back, I’ve been toying with the idea of directing the books and the Hunters back toward being more romantic suspense. My idea was to have humans discovering more about the Hunters and somehow posing a threat to the existence of the Hunter clans. I’d also still have to deal with Christopher’s psycho father, but that could be handled as part of the romantic suspense.

So what do you think? Alternate universe and heavy on the paranormal elements or romantic suspense with lighter paranormal elements.

This is your chance to decide how the series will continue and I’d love to have your thoughts on it!

While you’re pondering my dilemma, how about some #ManWars to help you past #Humpday. For those of you who don’t use Facebook, just leave a comment here for a chance to win the print copy of IMMORTAL TEMPTATION.

Thursday 13 – My Bucket List

I was very moved yesterday with news about baby Avery and her parents’ very inspiring Bucket List. Avery was born with SMA – Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Avery passed away a few days ago. She was only 5 months old, but in that time, her parents made sure she lived, something that we fail to do at times.

For more on Avery’s story and to contribute to finding a cure for SMA, you can click here.

So today’s Thursday 13 is a list of things I’d love to do before it’s time to move on and here they are:

1. See that my daughter has her happily-ever-after in love, business and life in general.
2. Visit Macchu Picchu.
3. Take a cross-country road trip through the U.S.
4. Visit Chichen Itza.
5. Go to a shooting range and fire a gun.
6. Drive really fast on a race track.
7. Own an incredible inn on the shore and teach writing to guests.
8. Swim with dolphins.
9. See the Mets win another World Series.
10. Make the NY Times list again.
11. Visit every ball park in the U.S.
12. Regain my optimism.
13. Help others in need.

It’s a doable list I think and I’m hoping there are some on there that may happen soon, like #1. In fact, my daughter gets her MBA in just a few weeks, so I’m really happy about that. Which I guess means I’m on my way to #12.

But there is one that I am totally doing right now – #13 – and you can help me with that! You see, I am donating a portion of the royalties from THE CLAIMED to HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS. Please take a moment to visit the SOS ALOHA Blog and share this information with others!

Another way you can help is to tweet/share the following:

Help our #military with THE CLAIMED & @CaridadPineiro PLZ RT http://awe.sm/5nMDK

Tweet every day and each entry will increase your chances of winning the SIN HUNTER SHORE SPECIAL CONTEST.

Thanks so much for helping me with my bucket list! Share what’s on your bucket list with us today!

#ManCandyMonday Jeffrey Dean Morgan & a Guest Blog & #giveaway

Every time I see the ads for MAGIC CITY and Jeffrey Dean Morgan walks out in that cream-colored dinner jacket and shades, my heart goes pitter patter! LOL! He is ALL sexy beast in that 1950s attire.

Yes, I know many of you have loved him since SUPERNATURAL, but there is just something about him now. WOW!

If you’ve had a chance to watch MAGIC CITY, I’d love to hear what you think about it. If you haven’t you can click here to watch the first three episodes online!

I hope you enjoyed today’s Man Candy Monday and I also hope you’ll drop by and visit my guest blogs at Literal Addiction and Book Monster Reviews where I am chatting about THE CLAIMED which releases TOMORROW! OMG! I can’t believe the release day is finally here! There is also a little giveaway going on at the sites, so please drop by.

Photo Credit: Ian Smith from London, England

#ManCandyMonday David Giuntoli from GRIMM

It’s MAN CANDY MONDAY and today’s tasty treat is David Giuntoli from GRIMM. But first, take a moment to visit with me at Laura Kaye’s blog! I have a little giveaway for you guys – 1) a tote bag with swag or 2) an ARC of my May release THE CLAIMED! U.S. only! Contest ends midnight EST on 2/23! Good luck!

And now for out Man Candy. If you haven’t watched GRIMM, you are missing an awesome show and a really handsome actor, David Giuntoli. Dark hair and blue eyes, my favorite combo. Thumb print cleft in his chin. Every time I see him I think that he would make a perfect Superman!

Here is a little tour of the set with David for you to enjoy. If you can’t see the video below, you can click here to watch!

Fun Friday!

For some fun, visit with me at Among the Muses as part of THE LOST blog tour.

For a more serious discussion, drop by My Book Addiction and More as I discuss the importance of taking care of yourself and how cancer touches your life as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Also have something to share with you – NEW COVERS! Squeeeee.

I was asked to do some erotic paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne Cravings, something new for me. I mean, I write sexy, but this was REALLY sexy and yet still filled with romance and a Happily-Ever-After. Three of the novellas are done and will be out in December 2011, February and April 2012. I’ve just accepted an offer for another three beyond that which will be out in late 2012 and 2013.

The first erotic paranormal romance novella is titled AMAZON AWAKENING and here’s a little teaser for it as well as the cover!

Rey Peralta has been sent to persuade Paola Lopes to return to Brazil and take up her place as Priestess of the Guardians, protectors of the sacred realm hidden deep in the Amazon rainforest. He knows Paola is the one they need to ensure their survival—but he doesn’ t expect the instant blast of desire that sparks between them. Her beauty and power call to him, enticing him to merge with her physically and spiritually; a desire that only increases when they give in to their passion and make love. Can he convince Paola to accept her destiny and stay with her people—and by his side?

AMAZON AWAKENING

Next up is the cover for THE CLAIMED, the second book in the SIN HUNTERS series. Here’s a little blurb for it:

Victoria Johnson loves her life. She’s her own boss in a quaint beachside town, and has great friends who keep her grounded. If only they knew who she really is: an heiress to an ancient race who possesses astonishing superhuman powers. It’s Victoria’s duty to restore her clan of Light Hunters to their former glory by choosing the perfect mate. In Christopher Sombrosa, she just may have found him. Strong, smart, and successful, Christopher exudes a powerful energy. Their connection is sensual, irresistible-and forbidden.

A member of the Shadow Hunter clan, Christopher has defied his own father to lead his people away from affliction and violence. Yet he cannot ignore his duty to carry on his ancient bloodline. Stunningly beautiful and brimming with an erotic life force, Victoria is everything Christopher ever hoped for in a mate . . . but as a Light Hunter, she’s his mortal enemy. Together, they could unite their warring tribes. But murderous factions on both sides don’t want peace-and they’ll stop at nothing to keep light and darkness apart forever . . .

THE CLAIMED Paranormal Romance

Thank you for dropping by and have a great weekend!

Discover THE LOST Energies: Seeking Your Balance

Yesterday we started talking about the energies within us which most of us just don’t tap for a variety of reasons. Probably one of the first reasons is stress. We are always on the go, hung up on things in the past or worrying about things that might happen in the future. We are sometimes so worried about the past and the future that we forget about the most important thing: the NOW.

So today’s talk is about seeking balance in order to restore some of THE LOST energies within us. It’s about stopping to smell the roses.

Just one thing before you start: Make sure that you check with a physician before engaging in any form of activity or exercise and make sure that you undertake this balancing activity in a safe environment.

The first step involves a concept known as “Earthing”.

Go outside (somewhere safe) and take off your shoes and socks. Grass, earth, sand or the ocean are perfect places, but standing on concrete will work as well. Wood, not so much since it’s such a poor conductor. You can walk around or just stand there, but the important thing is to allow your naked feet to keep contact with the Earth. Those who practice Earthing believe it will help transfer natural electrical energies that have been lost back to your body.

Take it a step further. Stand there, legs slightly apart. Try to clear your mind of all thoughts about the past and future and just think of the NOW. The cold, crinkly feel of the grass beneath your feet. The slight damp. The grittiness of sand sifting between your toes. The screech of a seagull. The NOW.

Then take a slow deep breath while raising your hands above your head gently. This is not a stretch, just a simple raise your hands on the deep inhale. Then drop your hands and bend at the waist (until comfortable) while you exhale. Do this by bending toward your right leg, then the middle, then the left leg, then the middle, etc. Inhale/Raise, Exhale/Lower. Slowly and without pushing your physical boundaries. Not too long since this isn’t about endurance or exercise, it’s about finding balance.

If you can’t do the arm raise/bend, just do the deep breathing, slow and simple for a minute or two.

I actually do this bending/inhaling exercise during long stretches of writing. Why may you ask? Well first of all, sitting too long is never good.

Second, this Sympathetic Breathing exercise taps into your Autonomic Nervous System which in stressful lives is sometimes stuck in a “fight or flight” response to the detriment of the “rest and digest” portion of the system. Sympathetic breathing exercises help restore the balance to your ANS.

So on this Fun Friday, see if you can do these exercises and if you feel more peaceful, more in the NOW and more energized. If you do, you’ve taken the first step toward find THE LOST energies within you (or maybe join the ranks of the SIN HUNTERS by finding your natural affinity!).