Before I get to the projects…if you haven’t checked out Operation Auction to help Fatin, please do. There are some fabulous items listed–ARCs, critiques, design services.  Check out all the items and if you see something that interests you, bid–and your bid will help Fatin. You can read the full story about the Auction at Lauren Dane’s blog.

I realize it’s been a while (too long!) since I checked in with a project update, so I wanted to let everyone know what I am working on.  I am currently writing the third book in my Fallen Angels of Death series–ANGEL IN CHAINS.  The hero of this book needs a whole lot of redemption, and I’m having a great time trying to work with this anti-hero.  I love anti-heroes.  I blame that fact on Vin Diesel and the movie Pitch Black.

I am scheduled to publish four Fallen Angel books with Kensington Brava. The first two books are already written. ANGEL OF DARKNESS, the first book, will be out this December.  The angels in these books aren’t sweet, gentle creatures who are there to guide and protect humans. They’re dangerous, they’re sexy, and they can kill with a touch.  Can you tell that I am *really* enjoying these angels?

In addition to my novel, I am also working on a shorter story that I hope to release as an ebook very soon.  This is a side project that I started because the idea kept nagging at me and just wouldn’t let me go.

BOUND BY BLOOD will contain approximately 20,000 words, and my plan is to release it as a .99 story on Amazon, B&N, Smashwords, etc.  This book is not related to the Other world that is established in my Kensington Brava books. Instead, it’s about what happens when a vampire princess becomes mated to an alpha wolf.  Here’s a blurb for you:

It’s an Immortal War…

Vampires and werewolves have been blood enemies for centuries, but now a new threat is rising…demons are escaping from hell and those demons are intent on wiping out both the vamps and the werewolves.

When you have no one to trust…

In order to stop the demons, pureblood vampire princess Morgan LaBeaux agrees to the treaty offered by werewolf alpha Jace Vaughn. She’ll mate with him, share her blood with him…and in return, the wolves will aid the vampires in this battle.

The enemy of my enemy is my husband…

But Morgan doesn’t realize just how dangerous the wolves can truly be. Jace has been waiting years to claim her. He’s set a trap for his princess, and now that he has her, Jace doesn’t plan to let her go.  He’ll send the demons back to hell, and he’ll keep his vampiress—forever.

Because the blood binds all.

***

I will have a BOUND BY BLOOD page on my website soon (by the end of the day), and I will also be posting excerpts from both NEVER CRY WOLF and BOUND BY BLOOD. So stay tuned!

And how is your week going?  Anyone up to anything exciting?

I am so excited to announce that DEADLY FEAR is a RITA finalist for best romantic suspense!  Thank you so much to the judges! And congratulations to all of the other nominees! I am thrilled to be included as a finalist with so many fabulous authors.

This Saturday, I’ll be presenting my workshop, “Keeping the ‘Normal’ in Your Paranormal Characters” at the Southern Magic RWA Chapter meeting in Birmingham, Alabama.  In this workshop, I outline ways that writers can help readers connect with paranormal characters. Generally, paranormal characters are larger than life. They’ve got super strength, they’re psychic, they’re immortal, they drink blood…(I think you get where I’m going with this!)

But in order for readers to strongly identify with these characters, they still need normal traits.  They need personality quirks, they need flaws, weaknesses. They need to be human–even when they’re not.  There should be something about this character that a reader can connect to in some way.

One of my favorite examples of this “normal” behavior is from a True Blood scene (of course, I am a huge fan!).  Eric has been torturing folks in the basement of his bar, and he comes down to question Lafayette.  And, Eric–big, strong, super tough vampire–is getting his hair colored so he has what looks like aluminum foil on his head during this intense scene. When questioning goes awry (as it does), blood gets everywhere, including on Eric’s new-do.  He’s forced to adjust his new style and we even get to see him out shopping–a totally normal activity for such an intense paranormal character.

Do you have a favorite paranormal character that exhibits normal behavior?  Share! I’ll try to include your examples in my workshop.

My friend and very talented author Kelly L Stone has been hosting a 90 Day Writing Challenge.  To celebrate the success of her event and all of its participants, Kelly has invited some guest bloggers over to chat about the writing life. Today is my day to chat. 🙂  I’m over at her blog, talking about the importance of rewarding yourself–and I’m giving away a Cynthia Eden book (this means any of my books, including an ARC of this summer’s NEVER CRY WOLF).  If you get a chance, come on by!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

I hope you all have a fabulous St. Patrick’s Day! Wear your green. Find a rainbow. Try not to get pinched! 🙂

I found this St. Patrick’s Day toast online and thought I’d share–you know, in case you happen to be toasting today:

Here’s to a long life and a merry one.
A quick death and an easy one
A pretty girl and an honest one
A cold beer – and another one!

***

Though, when I do my toasting later, I’ll change it to:

Here’s to a long life and a merry one.
A quick death and an easy one
A handsome man and an honest one
A cold beer – and another one!

***

After all–I’m always up for toasting to a handsome man. 🙂

If you’ve got a favorite toast or Irish blessing to share, please do!