Category: Paranormals

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Caridad Pineiro shares news, articles, teasers and more from the paranormal romances.

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Wicked Wednesday – Guest Blogger Amie Stuart

I’ve got a very Wicked Wednesdary for you courtesy of my friend and fellow author, Amie Stuart. Amie’s latest release, NAILED, is now available from the Aphrodisia Erotic Romance line.

Leave a comment on the blog to win a special prize! Without further ado, here’s Amie!

First off, thanks so much to Caridad for inviting me to come and play on Wicked Wednesday!!!

NAILED was quite an adventure to write, in more ways than one. I came up with a ballsy woman on the run and a reluctant hero who just happened to be the black sheep of his family because he didn’t follow in his father’s footsteps and become…a hitman, added a psycho-cat, a few outrageous neighbors and mixed well.

One of my favorite types of sex scenes to write is Turning-Point Sex…that scene that comes just after your hero or heroine has learned their life is never going to be the same again, as is the case with my heroine Bonnie below. She’s just talked to her estranged sister, who thought she was dead and….well anything else would be spoilers!

(FYI: Clyde is the psycho-cat and Bonnie has a love/hate relationship with him that any cat lover can appreciate).

Late Night

As resident fix-it girl for an apartment complex in a tiny Texas town, Bonnie James makes enough money to pay the bills and have a little fun on the side. She likes checking out the other tenants and sometimes indulges in her own sexual fantasies by watching them late at night. It’s exciting, it’s erotic, and it always leaves her ready and willing for more…

Turn On

When you’re a bounty hunter, late night stake-outs are part of the job. So Wynn Collier should be concentrating on his own business, not watching a Peeping Tom with the sweetest body west of the Mississippi. But he’s a hot-blooded male on a hot Texas night and he can’t resist the chance to investigate every one of her delectable curves…

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Talking to Lisa had been harder than I expected and all I wanted was to get away from Wynn, to be alone, to feel a little normal again, even though deep down inside I knew my life hadn’t been normal for a very long time. After he dropped me off, I headed up to my own apartment and sank into the couch, forcing an unhappy Clyde on my lap.

He scowled up at me, blinking those ugly yellow eyes, then turned to lick his shoulder. Don’t ask me how I knew it was a scowl. I just knew.

Eventually he worked his way free, sprawled on the carpet and proceeded to clean his privates.

“Eww.” I lurched to my feet and stepped outside. Sleep would be a long time coming and a walk was in order. At least that might make me feel slightly normal.

Downstairs, Tara was splashing around in the pool with her latest hoochie-boy. They changed as often as she changed her nail color, which was often. “Hey Bonnie, wanna join us?”

I wandered over to the security fence and leaned against it. Her “friend” was cute. I had to give it to her, Tara had good taste in men. “What happened to What’s-His-Name?”

“I got a new What’s-His-Name!”

And apparently lost her bikini top again. With a shake of my head at the sight of her B-cups, I turned away, ready to go for my walk when Wynn appeared at the top of the stairs. I slowly circled the pool and met him at the bottom.

“If you want to be alone, just say so.”

“I’m good.” I considered kicking him for being so damned understanding. Instead, I stuffed my hands in my pockets and headed for the walkway between the apartments.

“So, who we watching tonight?”

I shushed him, then silently dragged him down the walkway to the parking lot. “Darcy’s husband is home,” I whispered.

“So that guy you were watching her with?”

“Brad, the town mechanic.”

“Has he ever changed your oil?”

“Jealous?” I laughed.

“No way.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close. There was something comforting and familiar in it, something I hadn’t had in a long time.

“Will I ever have a normal life again?” I asked as we walked.

“Sure you will. Soon as this is all over, you can relocate someplace nice like Brazil—”

“Fuck you!” I said, shoving my elbow in his side. “I don’t speak Portuguese.”

“Ouch! I thought they spoke Spanish.”

“That’s what you get for thinking. It’s Portuguese, baby.”

“Who we peeping on tonight?”

“Nobody! Now keep your voice down.”

“Why do you spy on people?”

“Euh!” With a curl of my lips I looked him up and down. “Why are you a thug?”

“Kaylee and Tan had another fight.”

What?! Was he trying to tempt me with gossip or something? “I know. It’s a really small complex in case you didn’t notice.”

“You could slip him a note and tell him who she’s cheating with.”

“That’s mean. And Tan’s a nice guy, so no way—“ I shook a finger in his direction, “—and don’t you either! When’s your furniture going to get here?”

“Mom said tomorrow.”

“So your mom really did send you your stuff?”

“Some of it. Obviously, I’m not really planning on staying here any amount of time.”

“Aw now. Cielo’s not so bad when you get used to it.”

“Not exactly my idea of a good time either. I’ve got a house in Dallas already, but I’m not there much. Work keeps me on the road a lot. I promise not to trash the place but I guess I can kiss my deposit good-bye.” He grinned at me, his teeth gleaming in the moonlight.

My belly did a funny little flip-flop thing brought on from more than an overindulgence in ice cream. Let’s not get carried away though, Wynn was the closest thing I’d had to a real friend in three years, and he got paid to beat people up—or whatever. Not exactly Nobel Peace Prize material. But I was feeling, off-kilter to say the least.

Sue me for feeling vulnerable. I was tired mentally, physically, emotionally. After everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours, after three years of living a lie.

At least with Wynn I knew where I stood. At least with Wynn there was no pretense. I turned to stand in front of him and let my hands glide up the length of his chest to circle his neck.

His head dipped ever so slightly, then he whispered, “This is a very bad idea.”

“I know.”

He gently pushed my hair away from my face, tucking it behind my ears. “You sure?”

A nod would just have to do. Thanks to the lump in my throat, I couldn’t speak. I buried my face in the softness of his shirt, inhaling the woodsy scent of his cologne, his warmth and maybe even a bit of his strength, and gave in.

He silently led me to his apartment, and slowly undressed me. It was the first time since losing all that weight I felt shy around a man, afraid to speak, out of my element. Afraid if I spoke, the reality of what we were doing would be too much.

We stretched out on the air mattress both of us laughing softly at the silliness of it, then we were touching each other, communicating silently. Kissing softly. Wynn’s tongue gently exploring my mouth, teasing me, warming me, his fingers between my thighs, gently stroking me . . .

LOL! Yes, I’m a tease for leaving you there, but be sure to visit Amie’s website at www.amiestuart.com to read some more of NAILED.

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From my friend Beth W. – Help Save Moonlight

If you enjoy the show Moonlight, you should know that CBS has cancelled the show! Fans like me are totally bummed! BUT, there is a chance that another network could pick it up, particularly with fan support. So if you love this show as much as I do, please contact the TV networks listed below. To make it easy, I%u2019ve even written a letter, listed below%u2014it%u2019s available for your use. I%u2019d recommend changing it up a LITTLE bit so all the emails don%u2019t look exactly the same. And also add your real name, age, gender, city & state to the end because TV execs LOVE demographic info!!!

Now GO and E-MAIL!!!!!! Thanks!

CW
paul.mcguire@cwtv.com
feedback@cwtv.com
john.maatta@cwtv.com CW’s Chief Operating Officer.

Here’s the link to the message board at the CW. People should register and make a post requesting that the CW pick up Moonlight.
http://lounge.cwtv.com/showthread.php?p … ost5159922

SCI FI CHANNEL
feedback@scifi.com

USA Network
http://www.usanetwork.com/feedback

Call the NBC switchboard at 212-664-4444, and ask to leave a message on the USA Network Viewer Hotline. Then call back and ask to leave a message on the Sci-Fi Channel Viewer Hotline.

HERE IS THE LETTER YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION TO USE:

I am writing to ask that you consider adding an excellent show, Moonlight, formerly of the CBS Friday night lineup, to your programming schedule. Here are several great reasons to do so:

1. Although it was scheduled for Fridays at 9 pm, a traditionally “dead” day/time slot, Moonlight has consistently won its demographic and helped CBS win Friday nights.

2. Moonlight retained its audience despite the writers’ strike hiatus, achieving almost identical ratings as soon as it returned to the air with new episodes.

3. Moonlight’s viewers have proved to be extremely loyal, so your network could count on these viewers to follow Moonlight directly to your station, which would make it one of your highest rated shows, immediately.

4. Moonlight offers something for everyone: drama, action, romance, horror/scifi, mystery, etc. This means that with a decent day/time slot and a little promotion, your audience for the show could grow substantially.

5. Moonlight’s fanbase has consistently helped add to the show’s publicity–winning the show a People’s choice award and putting Alex O’Loughlin’s face and body into TV Guide’s sexiest stars issue. Moonlight fans have also helped the show get heaps of online promotion.

6. Moonlight’s cast is totally hot, giving the show serious sex appeal for the younger audience. If the show were to have a better time slot instead of being on Friday nights, when young people are traditionally out on the town, this audience could grow.

7. The show’s lead actor, Alex O’Loughlin is talented, handsome and hunky. He is truly a rising star and women love him! Some of the supporting actors are pretty easy on the eye, too. The hunk factor alone could convince additional viewers to tune in, even if they wouldn’t ordinarily choose the vampire genre.

8. The show has already been developed, cast, promoted, etc. It’s yours for the taking. (or the negotiating.)

I could go on forever, but I think that’s enough of an argument for now.

Please pick up this truly exceptional and engaging program. You will win our loyal fandom forever!

Thanks for the info, Beth! Good luck with saving the program.

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Thoughtful Thursday – Cliffhangers, Character Assassinations and Continuity

Photo Courtesy of Microsoft Clip ArtAs you may have realized by now, I am a TV junkie and so today’s Thoughtful Thursday is about some happenings in my favorite shows and the cliffhangers and character assassinations that effect the continuity of those shows.

For starters —

STOP IF YOU WATCH NCIS, BONES OR CRIMINAL MINDS and haven’t seen the season finales. THERE WILL BE SPOILERS in this post!!

Okay, you’ve been warned . . .

I’m watching the two part NCIS and never saw it coming. A good thing I guess, except . . . Did we ever have a clue before the show the other night that Jenny Shepard was dying from some kind of wasting disease? Did I sleep through that (my family will likely say YES!) Truly character assassination and I will miss Lauren Holly because romantic optimist that I am, I kept on hoping her and Gibbs would reunite.

But if that wasn’t enough (especially after they killed off the other female agent a few years back just when it was getting good with DiNozzo), they end the show by transferring out all of the major characters. HUH?? They pulled a HOUSE?

I didn’t much care for it in HOUSE when we lost most of the regular cast that we had grown to know. I’m not sure how NCIS will start off the next season, but it would sure be damned disappointing if we didn’t have Ziva, Dinozzo and McGee back as regulars because without them, the show is losing continuity much like HOUSE lost continuity. To be honest, HOUSE used to be a do not miss and now, I have a backload of DVR’d episodes to watch since I lost interest with some of these new characters.

In CRIMINAL MINDS, the show ends with each of the characters getting into the similar black Suburban SUVs and then fade to a shot of one of them blowing up! So who is dead? Who knows? Will it be the newly pregnant and about to be happy one, the dour one, the quirky one . . . You get it (Sorry, but I tend to forget their names on this show. Maybe not a good thing).

I wonder why the writers feel they need to do these shake-ups? Do they assume the fans don’t want continuity? Do they think the show needs some new blood?

One of the things I admired most about Buffy was how in general, the characters grew with each show and season. We learned more and more about their strengths and weaknesses. What led them to where they are and how they will take that knowledge and move forward with it — in their careers and their lives.

With new characters we don’t get that. We lose all continuity and all the time we’ve invested in these characters (not much different from books and series in print).

BONES at least has seemed to strike a better note with its season finale. We lost a favorite and yet that loss will certainly prompt the other characters to reconsider not only what they knew about him, but about themselves. Already Hodgins is questioning how his actions may have led a friend astray. Bones is wondering what she gave Zak and maybe will wonder how much she gives of herself to others (I hope). The relationship with Bones and Seeley has certainly progressed, making all of us romantic optimists salivate at what will come next season.

Now that’s what I call a good cliffhanger!

Women, Words and Wisdom Blog Tour!
Don’t forget to join me tomorrow, May 23, for my contribution to the Women, Words and Wisdom blog and the related contest.

Leave a message on tomorrow’s blog to win a prize of a complete collection of the SOUTH BEACH CHICAS books as well as a HOLIDAY WITH A VAMPIRE color t-shirt! Here’s the line up for the tour and I hope you enjoy hearing words of wisdom from these amazing women.

And don’t forget to check out all the other stops on the tour for their stories and prizes!

May 19 – Mary Castillo (http://www.marycastillo.blogspot.com/)
May 20 – Barbara Ferrer (http://www.fashionista-35.livejournal.com/)
May 21 – Lara Rios (http://www.lararios.blogspot.com/)
May 22 – Mayra Calvani (http://www.thedarkphantom.wordpress.com)
May 23 – Caridad Pineiro (https://www.caridad.com/blog)
May 24 – Jamie Martinez (http://www.jamiemartinezwood.blogspot.com/)
May 25 – Berta Platas (http://www.bertaplatas.blogspot.com/)
May 26 – Tracy Montoya (www.tracymontoya.blogspot.com)
May 27 – Kathy Cano-Murillo (http://thecraftychica.blogspot.com)
May 28 – Misa Ramirez (http://chasingheroes.com)

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Wicked Wednesday – Crazy for the Cat!

MOON FEVER Anthology - NY Times and USA TODAY Bestseller - Clilck here for more infoToday’s Wicked Wednesday is a little treat from my NY Times and USA Today Bestseller MOON FEVER, an anthology with the amazing Maggie Shayne, Susan Sizemore and Lori Handeland. I loved creating a mythology based on shapeshifters and setting it in the Amazon. My hope was that you’d not only enjoy seeing a different kind of creature, but that you’d take away some of the concerns about human encroachment and destruction of the Amazon rainforest.

Today’s tidbit comes after the heroine, Jessica, is attacked outside her hut and the hero, Javier, comes to her rescue — not that she needs rescuing!

Also, my friend LA Banks sent a link to some pictures from RT, so click here to check them out!

Warning - Possible Spoilers up ahead!

Jessica took hold of his hand and led him into the hut.

She flipped on a battery-powered lantern she had brought with her and quickly pulled a small first aid kit from her supplies. Placing the kit on the desk to one side of the hut, she removed what she would need to dress the wound.

As she turned, she realized Javier had come to stand close and her elbow brushed across the hard muscles of his midsection, reminding her of all his blatant masculinity.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, but then laid a hand against the taut muscles at his waist to urge him to toward the light so she could examine the nature of the wound.

The knife had caught him across a rib, preventing the blade from biting too deeply, but the long cut would need to be closed somehow. “This may hurt,” she said as she wet a piece of gauze with some antiseptic.

“I think I can handle it,” he replied, but he flinched and his muscles jumped as she applied the gauze to his side. He muttered a curse beneath his breath even though her touch was gentle as she cleansed the area.

She told herself not to appreciate his amazing body as she worked, but it was nearly impossible with so much lean muscle and creamy skin so enticingly close. She hurried as much as she could, using the various butterfly bandages in her kit to close the gaping edges of the wound before taping a piece of gauze over the injury.

Lightly she smoothed the tape around the edges of the gauze, trying to ignore his physical presence. Trying not to see how the reddish rosette patterns played across his skin and the palm bands hugged an impossibly lean waist and thick-muscled chest.

As she shot a glance up at him, she realized that he was as affected as she, no matter their earlier enmity. His breath was ragged, but not with pain.

With desire.

He bent from his greater height until the edge of his jaw brushed the side of her forehead. His breath was warm against the sweat-damp skin there.

She stroked her hand over the gauze covering the wound, but he laid his hand there and stilled the motion.

His hand was hot. His palm deliciously rough and the pull came between her legs again as she imagined him touching her. Her nipples tightened in anticipation and to battle that feeling she asked, “Who was that man who attacked us?”

Javier stroked her hand lightly. Slowly shifted his hand upward to caress her forearm. “One of Armando’s goons.”

Needing to touch him as he caressed her, she picked up her other hand and mimicked his action, laying her hand on the sculpted biceps of his arm. As she stroked the hard moist flesh there, she asked, “Is the timber valuable enough — ”

“To kill for? No. Armando has other reasons for hurting the tribe,” he said, moving his hand upward to cup the top of her arm, where he lightly caressed her skin with the pad of his thumb.

Her gaze locked with his, searching the strange gold-green gaze which revealed nothing but desire.

“What kinds of reasons?” she asked as she shifted her hand to his chest and traced the edge of the palm band encircling it. As she did, she fingered the hard nub of his nipple, dragging a ragged breath from him.

“Isn’t it enough for you to know you need to watch yourself?” Even as he said it, he cradled her breast and tweaked her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, causing a shudder to rip through her body.

“Well?” he challenged as he snaked his hand upward, slipped it beneath the edge of her tank top and drew down both the shirt and her bra to reveal her breast.

“Do you think you’re owed this little look because you came to my rescue?” she asked, but didn’t stop him as he lowered his head to taste the nipple he had exposed. If anything, she held him close, cradling the back of his head with her hand as she said, “Or do you think this is how to say thanks for my tending to you?”

He chuckled against her breast and gave an enticing lick with a cat-rough tongue before pulling away.

“You’re quite different from what I expected,” he said, stepping back to break contact with her as she rearranged her clothing, suddenly embarrassed by the unexpected interlude. It had to be the alcohol and guarana she told herself, denying her attraction to him was based on anything else.

“Why’s that?” she said, crossing her arms before her as if to provide some defense against his still hungry gaze.

“Because you’ve got more balls than most men I’ve met. Regardless, remember to be careful in the jungle tomorrow.”

With that he turned and walked out of the hut, leaving her to ponder just what had gone so wrong that she already had someone after her ass.

As she recalled Javier’s gifted mouth, she amended that thought with a smile.

Make that two people after her ass because she had no doubt that she and Javier would eventually finish what they had started tonight, although part of her was annoyed that he had managed to deflect her questions by arousing her passions.

She had come here in part for answers. To find out about the plant with the healing powers. To learn more about where Victor had died and possibly the why of it.

After today’s run-ins with Armando and his goons, she was wondering if they had anything to do with her friend’s death and vowed to find out.

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Romantic Times Convention Pittsburgh

As promised, here’s some photos from this year’s RT Convention in Pittsburgh! I had a great time with my friends and meeting lots of interesting new people. The panels were great and very exciting. We had standing room only for a number of them! Met lots of booksellers, readers and other authors not to mention the cover models.

If you’re not seeing the file below, try clicking on this link to view the file (FLASH is required)(and it may take a little bit for it to load since there’s lots of photos!): Romantic Times Photos

To advance through the photos, click on one of the blue arrows at the bottom left hand side of the slides.

[kml_flashembed movie=”https://www.caridad.com/wp-content/uploads/rt-convention-2008.swf” height=”400″ width=”500″ /]

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Guilty Pleasure Monday – Adrian Paul . . . again

Adrian and me!Sorry to not have given you a Fun Friday, but I’ve been swamped with both legal and writing work!! Plus, I’m off to RT. Hey Gretchen, there’s that picture of me and Adrian (NOT!)(although I am probably that short compared to him!).

I will try to get a picture for you, but as I mentioned, they are charging for that meal so I’ll have to stalk the corridors, waiting for him. LOL!

On another note, since I am going to RT, look for me to be a roving reporter this week from the trenches of this amazing romance book convention. Hopefully I can provide you some comments from other romance writers, booksellers, readers, the parties, you name it! Also, I’ll be blogging on the RT site on Thursday as well as offering some workshops. I’ll try to get a link for you soon.

Have a great Monday and I’ll keep you posted on my wild times at the convention.

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Guilty Pleasures Monday – Alex Garcia from ARDOR CALLS

Alex Garcia, Miami DEA Agent from ARDOR CALLSSo sorry to be late with today’s Guilty Pleasures Monday, only it was quite a weekend! I was busy finishing up A SOLDIER’S SECRET CHILD which will be out from Silhouette Romantic Suspense very soon and getting to work on the proposal for the next book in THE CALLING series — VENGEANCE CALLS (#11 if we count the two novellas!)

Of course, doing the synopsis for that one got me thinking about the two that preceded it. You may remember that bad boy Blake will be the hero in #9 – FURY CALLS. Blake’s been in a number of books already, but had a sexy time with Stacia in DESIRE CALLS, which is still a free read at eharlequin.com.

Stacia is the heroine in #10 — ARDOR CALLS and as you can guess from her various appearances, it’s going to take quite a man to be able to stand up to her and reach her heart after the nearly two millenia that Stacia has been a vampire. The hero in ARDOR CALLS — Alex Garcia — is someone you’ve seen already in DEATH CALLS. He’s Diana ex-love and a Miami DEA Agent.

Alex is sexy and slightly exotic, much like Stacia. He’s also determined and passionate. So far, the sparks are flying in the draft I’ve done and I hope you’ll think so as well when I get the okay to post an excerpt. In the meantime, here’s my idea of what Alex might look like as he takes a dip in the South Beach waters. FYI — this novel in THE CALLING will be set in Miami and I hope you’ll enjoy the tropical change of pace.

Also, for those of you with the Kindle, Amazon has an amazing price on the entire CALLING Collection — 9.99!

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