Wicked Wednesday – Blake from DESIRE CALLS and FURY CALLS

Sexy BLAKE from THE CALLING Vampire NovelsBefore we get to today’s Wicked Wednesday with Blake, one of my all time favorite characters, I’d like to say CONGRATS to the lucky winners of the Lisa Jackson Blog: RachaelfromNJ and Barbara Elness. I’ll be e-mailing you later today for your postal addresses so I can send the goodies.

I’ve also started reaching out to the lucky winners of an autographed copy of HOLIDAY WITH A VAMPIRE! I should be able to contact all the winners by the end of the week.

Now to today’s Wicked Wednesday! It’s amazing for me to think that we first met Blake in 2005 in TEMPTATION CALLS. I knew back then that he had to return as a hero and of course, eventually settle things with Meghan, the young coed who he turned. Of course, Blake’s route to hero has been circuitous, which makes him even more fascinating. And along that route, he met up with Stacia, the vampire elder who has also become one of my all time favorites because of how deliciously dark and tortured she is!

Oh my . . . Let me not spill too many beans, but you’ll see Stacia next year in ARDOR CALLS which is also doing something fun — taking THE CALLING Vampire novels to Miami!

Back to Blake — FURY CALLS will tell the tale of his efforts to woo Meghan, but for today, I’m giving you a taste of Blake and Stacia’s little interlude from DESIRE CALLS, which is still available as a free e-novella at eharlequin. Just click here for the complete novella.


Okay, so Stacia had basically dissed him. That still didn’t change the fact that she was absolutely stunning. A goddess.

Considering she was an elder, maybe that wasn’t so far from the truth; in the vampire world, the elders were like gods.

From the corner of his eye, Blake took in all of her. The black leather she wore looked as if it were painted on the womanly curves of her body. Her nearly black hair was a shock of dark against the ivory of her skin. Sleek and cropped close to her skull, her hair exposed the perfect shells of her ears, pierced with an assortment of golden earrings.

As she twirled around the rather large Goth, laughing and playing her sexual games, the golden ring at her brow winked enticingly as did the ring through her navel.

She was something to behold, he realized, although nothing like Meghan, who was like the light of the sun to Stacia’s dark night. Fun to Stacia’s fear since, despite his earlier denial, on some level he was afraid of her.

Stacia could take his life with a flick of her finger. He would be foolish not to respect her and yet…

There was something different about her tonight. Something almost…human. He tuned out the young woman next to him and kept an eye on Stacia. Not that she needed protection.

The young man with her might be a mountain of muscle but he was mortal. Blake knew that much from the lack of power that came from the Goth. He was no match for Stacia, even if she was such a little thing.

He liked his women petite, Blake realized, recalling Meghan. Stacia was of similar height, but much more womanly with all those delectable curves.

Not that he was interested, Blake thought. He had enough problems with women in his life, and without a backward glance, abandoned his dance companion.

Unlike Stacia, who seemed to have few problems finding a man, he thought as he stalked back to the bar, wondering why Stacia’s intense dance with the Goth was bothering him so.

Maybe because Stacia’s idea of a dance was…

He gulped, fighting the thrum of power she was releasing as she played with the Goth. He wasn’t the only one feeling it, he realized as a surge of awakening told him that the other vampires in the club were also experiencing it. Tapping into the spill of her elder power like chum for vampires.

Only the price to be paid for fully experiencing a kiss of that power could be lethal if the elder was so inclined.

Tonight Stacia seemed intent on satisfying other needs, Blake thought, sipping his wine as he watched her sway against the young man. Run her hands up his arms and over his exaggerated muscles.

He glanced down at his own arms. Lean and mean, he had nothing to be ashamed of, he thought, and returned his attention to the antics of Stacia and the Goth.

The young man was clearly smitten, unaware that beneath the body he was so eagerly moving his hands all over was destructive power. Strength beyond that of anyone else in the room. Lust and desire that would ensnare you in its grasp, but then drain you dry if you gave into it.

Blake sucked in a shaky breath, feeling the pull of her even across the distance of the club. Feeling himself harden and rise from the spillover of her ardor.

But he was not alone. As Stacia faced the bar, their gazes connected and he realized that she sensed his awakening passion. Passion stronger than that of the puny mortal with her.

While facing him, she raised her hand up to caress the Goth’s face.

Blake felt the sweep of her hand as if against his own cheek. So soft. Cold.

She shifted her hips back and forth, and he had to grip the edge of the bar as that movement transferred itself to him and his erection strained painfully against the tight fabric of his jeans.

All the time, Stacia kept her gaze locked with his, clearly conscious of her effect on him. Increasing her caresses and movements until he was nearly undone and she finally broke free from the Goth, done with his weak mortality.

She began to head his way, well aware that the pleasure of Blake’s body and blood would surpass that of any puny mortal.

And Lord help him, he was ready to give in to her despite knowing it would be a mistake. A major mistake.

Stacia could never love anyone.

But love was highly overrated anyway, wasn’t it? Blake thought as he rose from the stool and walked toward her.

The Goth clearly didn’t like being left behind wanting. He grabbed hold of Stacia’s arm, spun her around so he could voice his displeasure.

With the barest movement of her arm, Stacia broke free from the young man and raised her hand. The Goth dropped to his knees, his face reflecting disbelief at his seeming inability to control his own body.

Blake approached and, despite his better judgment, laid his hand over Stacia’s. Barely half a foot taller than she, it took little for him to bend down and whisper in her ear, “Let the young fool go, luv.”

Stacia shot him a look, but beneath his hand, the hum of power surging outward warmed his palm. The young man was swaying and beginning to turn blue, but Blake couldn’t tell just what Stacia was doing to him until she broadcast the vision she had in her mind.

He saw it then, compliments of Stacia’s power. She was encircling the Goth’s heart, slowly crushing the life from it. If she didn’t release her hold on him, the foolish boy would soon be dead.

“If you finish this—”

“When I finish this,” she corrected, and almost as if for the fun of it, gave the young man a shake.

“Let him go. You’ve proven your point,” he urged, and surprisingly she did as he asked.

“Thank you,” Blake said, but Stacia shook her head at his words.

“Don’t thank me, Blake. If you don’t know by now, I expect payment for that request,” she said, and was about to walk away when the Goth’s friends surrounded them.

As two of them helped their friend back to the booth, another two blocked their way. Their stances were fight ready, their looks surly.

Blake raised his hand. “You don’t want to do this,” he suggested in a low tone.

“That’s right. You don’t want to do this. At least, not here,” Foley, the owner of the bar, said as he approached the group.

The two young men looked at Foley, and one of them nodded and said, “Let’s take it outside.”

Blake was about to protest that there was no need, only Stacia and the two men were already stalking away to a back exit to the alley.

Shit, he thought, following them. He hated being a hero.


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Tuesday Tips – Test Your Psychic Abilities

My friend, Irene Peterson, is kind of an expert on psychic things. You can read more about her and her studies of the paranormal, by clicking here to visit the British Institute of Paranormal Studies also known as BIPS.

Now, before we pull your leg too much, BIPS is Irene’s creation and can be found in one of her Works In Progress – KISS MY ECTOPLASM. But be sure to check out her latest novel, KISSES TO GO.

As for Irene’s psychic abilities? Well, why don’t you try Irene’s tips for testing your psychic abilities.

Are you a sender or receiver or both?

  • According to the kindly folk at BIPS, the British Institute for Paranormal Studies, telepathy is the ability to project one’s thoughts or receive thoughts from another individual, even at great distances.

Do you possess telepathic abilities?
Do you “hear” things other people are saying when they haven’t said a word? Better yet, do you think you need to call your friend in California and when you do, she says, “I need to talk to you, I’m so upset”?

  • Oh, telepathy is not “hearing in your mind” your mother’s rant about not ever spending time with her or your significant other’s groans over watching yet another movie on Lifetime, but getting actual words or pictures in your mind.

Here’s a simple method of detecting telepathy…be it sender or receiver, and also a nifty game to play at parties when everyone is sober.

  • You will need seven small index cards, plain, unmarked on the back side, with no tears, marks, or folds to distinguish any card whatsoever.

    On the back of one card only, lightly draw a small X.

    Then, the person who is going to try to “send” should place the cards blank side down on a flat surface, being careful to remember the position of the card with the X, but telling no one. The person who is to be the “sender” must give absolutely no indication, facial or otherwise, while the experiment is going on. (Might as well just point to the card if you’re going to grunt or squint or do something dramatic when you attempt to send.)

    The “receiver” is then to slowly run one hand over the backs of the cards, approximately an inch above the surface.

    When the “receiver’s” hand is above the X card, the “sender” should think something like “this is it” or “here” or just think of a weight pressing down on the “receiver’s” hand.

    There are times when an especially sensitive “receiver” will actually feel his/her hand bounce down on top of the X card, as if a weight had pressed upon it.

    Concentration is key to “sending”. The sender can’t be distracted by lots of noise or onlookers and the receiver should sincerely be intent on picking up telepathic messages.

    A really good team will have a strong sender and an equally strong receiver. But, alas, not everyone is sensitive. Not everyone can send or receive anything. It’s a gift, like being good in art or a good singer, and equally as hard to develop if the gift isn’t there.

    It may be latent, however, so trying this method can’t hurt.

And remember, with gifts like these, it is often necessary to learn how to turn them off when the time comes, but that’s another lesson. Good luck!

Well, good luck and thanks to Irene for this info!

Guilty Pleasures Monday – Laird Hamilton

On what is traditionally considered the last day of summer, the only Guilty Pleasures Monday choice that seemed right was the ultimate Boy of Summer — Laird Hamilton. Hamilton is known was one of the greatest big wave surfers if not one of the best all around surfers ever.

If you get a chance, check out the movies RIDING GIANTS and STEP INTO LIQUID.

I actually used Laird Hamilton as the inspiration for “surfer dude” NYPD Detective Peter Daly who appeared in TEMPTATION CALLS as well as a number of other novels in THE CALLING vampire series.

So, enjoy this last day of summer and a this little video tribute to Laird Hamilton.

Fun Friday – How Many of Me?

This cool little site comes to me courtesy of my good friend Irene Peterson.

Have you ever wondered how many other people share your name? You can visit http://www.howmanyofme.com to find out!

I discovered there’s only ONE of me – Caridad Pineiro. Hmm. People always said I was “unique”. Do you think that’s what they meant?

Also interesting that there are only 9150 people with Caridad as a first name, making it quite “unique” and also quite feminine since 99.9% of the people with that name are female. Most famous person with my last name — Joel Pineiro, the baseball pitcher. He’s currently playing for the St. Louis Cardinals. Wonder if we’re related somehow?

What about you? Are you unique?

HowManyOfMe.com
Logo There are
1
or fewer people with my name in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

Thoughtful Thursday – A BIG Thanks and a Fun Night

A BIG BIG thanks to Lisa Jackson for providing us with an amazing excerpt and dropping by to visit. Also a BIG BIG thanks to everyone who came to visit and left a comment on the blogs. I’ll be answering all your comments over the weekend, picking the two lucky winners and also, the winners of the copies of HOLIDAY WITH A VAMPIRE.

For those of you who left the answer — SOLDIER’S SECRET CHILD — Yep, that’s the name of my upcoming December release from Silhouette Romantic Suspense. As you may know, SOLDIER’S SECRET CHILD is part of the COLTONS: FAMILY FIRST Series from Silhouette Romantic Suspense. Check out all the books in the series by this wonderful group of authors!

COLTON’S SECRET SERVICE – by Marie Ferrarella Sept 08
RANCHER’S REDEMPTION – by Beth Cornelison Oct 08
SHERIFF’S AMNESIAC BRIDE – by Linda Conrad Nov 08
A SOLDIER’S SECRET CHILD – by Caridad Pineiro Dec 08
BABY’S WATCH – by Justine Davis Jan 08
A HERO OF HER OWN – by Carla Cassidy Feb 08

Clip art courtesy of Office Clip ArtAs for a Fun Night — yesterday was my daughter’s b’day and I drove down to Philly and she and I had a girl’s night at the ballpark. I had my friends Linda and Lena with me and my daughter had two of her friends. The Mets were playing the Phillies — always a good rivalry. Our group was a mix of Philly and Mets fan and one lone Yankees fan.

The weather was amazing and so was the company. We had a great time and for my daughter and me, it was even better since the Mets won after losing the night before. That puts them back in first place, but it really is a pennant race this year with the Mets and Phillies both shooting for the division title.

Let’s hope the Mets don’t repeat last year’s historic collapse. Ugh. That was heart-breaking which is why I guess you really need to be a fan to love the Mets. Like they said in 1969 – YA GOTTA BELIEVE.

The highlight of last night’s game for us was two solo blasts by Carlos Delgado which we were able to watch clear the fence since we were sitting up along the third base line (so we could be sure to watch David Wright!).

If you didn’t watch the game, you can click here to see Delgado’s second solo blast which I think tied up the game:
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200808273378683

Topsy Turvy Tuesday and Wicked Wednesday – Special Guest Blogger Lisa Jackson!

LEFT TO DIE August 2008 from Lisa JacksonTODAY’S THE DAY, Tuesday the 26th and not Wednesday, the 26th hence why it’s a Topsy Turvy Tuesday and Wicked Wednesday combined! Since I got the dates wrong, we will be taking comments and having the contest for these next two days so more time for you to win!

Please give a big WELCOME to Lisa Jackson who is providing us with an excerpt from her latest LEFT TO DIE. I’ll be picking TWO-Two-two lucky winners to receive a copy of LEFT TO DIE, Lisa Jackson T-Shirt and notepad from everyone who leaves a comment on the blog before midnight EST on Wednesday, August 27th. The two lucky winners will also receive a box of books and a CALLING vampire novel t-shirt.

Plus — if you’re one of the first 25 who leaves the name of my next release (hint — it’s in December) as part of their blog comment, you will also get an autographed copy of HOLIDAY WITH A VAMPIRE. I will contact you for a postal address if you’re one of the 25 lucky HOLIDAY winners.

Without further ado . . . here’s your free excerpt from Lisa Jackson! Please note this is for Mature Audiences only.

Naked, I stand at the window.
Alone.
Waiting.
While sand slips oh, so slowly through the hour glass.
The coming night was near, shadows playing darkly. A hollow wind, keening and savage, cuts through the canyons with the promise of death upon its breath. I hear its plaintive cry from deep in the cabin.
It wants me, I thought. It wants her.
It’s as hungry as I am.
Good!
Feeling the ache, the low, insistent pulse, I peer through the window panes glazed in ice, frosted with blowing snow.
Naked branches of the lonely trees rattle and dance, like skeletal arms raised in supplication to the heavens.
As if God were interested.
I feel the urge to step outside, the tug of the cold tempting me to languish in the caress of frigid gusts upon my bare skin.
But it is too soon.
I’m not going to let myself fall victim to that easy enticement. The timing just isn’t right. Not yet.
I have to be patient.
Because she is coming.
Unfailingly and without any inkling as to her fate, she is drawing near. I feel it.
And everything has to be perfect.
“Come on,” I whisper quietly and feel that sensual twitch deep inside at the thought of her: lightly tanned skin, some freckles, wide hazel eyes and untamed hair a deep brown that shines red in the fire-light. “Come the fuck on.”
The knowledge that she will soon appear causes my blood to race, my mind to fire with images of what is to come. I can almost taste her, feel the texture of her skin as she quivers at my touch. In my mind’s eye I watch her pupils dilate until her eyes are nearly black with fear and a dark, unwelcome desire.
Oh, she will want me.
She will beg for more of me.
And I’ll give her what she wants: what she fears.
Her last conscious thoughts will be of me.
But not yet . . . I have to hold back.
Tamping down those vibrant, exhilarating fantasies, I decide to savor them later. When the timing is right.
With one last glance at the window, I walk to the table near the fire, sit in the smooth wooden chair and feel the varnish against my bare skin. When my body is unfettered by clothes my mind is sharper. Clearer.
I study my maps carefully. Using a magnifying glass, charting my course. The worn, marked pages are spread upon the plank table near the kerosene lantern glowing softly. Scattered upon the scarred planks are the astrological charts, birth certificates and recent clippings of the deaths that no one will ever trace to me. In the articles those beautiful releases of souls are described as brutal slayings, the work of a psychopath.
Reporters, like the police, are idiots.
I can’t help but smile at all their wasted efforts.
The authorities are morons.
Cretins.
Fools who are so easily toyed with.
Burning wood crackled in the grate, anxious flames devouring the mossy chunks of oak and pine, the scent of wood smoke heavy in my nostrils as I reread the stories about the “victims”, tales that have been carefully construed by the stupid cops to ensure that no details they want to keep from the public have slipped into the articles. They have worked diligently to make certain a few clues as to what really happened up on the ridge won’t be available to the general populace for fear a nutcase will claim to be the killer.
Then, the short-staffed Sheriff’s Department will have to sort it all out and spend valuable hours dealing with the fraud. Officers will have to expose him or her to be just some whack job trying to get his or her fifteen minutes of fame or infamy. The department will lose a lot of time uncovering the false murderer, a lunatic pretender who in no way can understand the divinity nor the complexity of the painstakingly executed sacrifices.
Sorry, imbeciles.
You’ll have to find some other killer to emulate.
“Killer.” The word tastes bitter. As did “criminal” or “psycho”. Because what I do isn’t a crime, not just a “killing”, not some psychotic whim, but a necessity . . . a calling. However those who are unenlightened will never understand. What I’ve done, what I will do again, is misunderstood.
So be it.
A window rattles against a gust of wind and I feel a sudden chill slithering down my spine. Glancing up from my work to the icy panes, I see fluttering flakes of snow in the steely day beyond.
Feeling the storm seeping through the cracks in the walls, the cold air kissing my skin, I envision her again.
Beautiful bitch.
Soon you will be mine.
God and the Fates are on my side.
I lick my lips as a thrill steals through my bloodstream. Turning back to the table, I see her picture. In black and white, the surroundings out of focus, her features clear and crisp.
In the glossy photograph, she appears happy, though, of course, her smile is a frail facade. She looks almost flirtatious.
A lie.
As I stare deeply into her eyes, I detect a shadow, a small frisson of darkness that betrays her fear.
In that fragile moment when the camera captures her, she senses that her life is far from what it seems.
And yet she can’t possibly comprehend the truth. Little does she know what is about to happen; that her fate
has already been sealed, that she will soon join the others . . .
Carefully I read the charts once more. The stars are in the right position, the groundwork has been done and December with its cold, stinging kiss will soon be here.
As will she.
She will arrive before the turn of the calendar’s page.
Closing my eyes I imagine our meeting.
Her chilled flesh will press against mine. Her skin will have the salty taste of fear, her cheeks even more so with the tracks of tears.
A frisson of expectation sizzles through my blood.
I glance down at the photograph again.
So clear.
So sharp.
So ready.
“Soon,” I whisper, not saying her name aloud, not wanting to hear it echo through the rafters. “Very soon.”
My groin tightens in expectancy.
Winter and Death are about to meet.

Guilty Pleasures Monday – Sylvester Stallone

I remember the first ROCKY movie and how so many of us were madly in love with Sylvester Stallone. There was something so earthy, endearing and sexy about him. And all those muscles!! Definitely an Italian Stallion.

The first ROCKY movie was the stuff of which legends are made in the movie industry. It was shot on a very low budget and with an untried star who also happened to have written the movie. The film became a sleeper box office hit, was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won 3, including Best Movie and Best Director, but not Best Actor or Screenplay for Sylvester Stallone.

ROCKY spawned a number of sequels, some which arguably jumped the shark. But, I did get a chance to see the latest sequel, ROCKY BALBOA, and it was wonderful. Had a lot of the heart of the first movie and if you get a chance, watch it!

And if you haven’t seen the original or it’s been awhile, make sure to to do so. It’s a film classic and yes, Stallone is rather amazing looking before he gets all beat up.

As an aside, next time you’re in Philadelphia, join the hundreds who’ve dogged up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum and have yourself a ROCKY moment! Have I done it? Well, maybe . . . LOL!