Dale Mayer–And a Double Giveaway! Back to Blog
Update: The winner of VAMPIRE IN DENIAL is…Hilleary Peterson. The winner of TUESDAY’S CHILD is…Michelle Bledsoe. And thank you very much to everyone who commented!
I first met Dale Mayer when I was assigned to be her mentor in the Brava Writing With the Stars Contest. I was totally impressed by Dale’s talent, and it was no time at all before I was hooked on her work. Dale, thank you for joining the party!! (And Dale is also one of my ENTANGLED anthology buddies!!)
***
A vamp like none other
By Dale Mayer
Thank you, Cynthia for the invitation to be here today. You’re release parties are always so much fun. This one in particular! ENTANGLED is a special project put together by a wonderful group of writers for a terrific cause! I’m so proud to be a part of it! For those of you who haven’t already guessed it, Cynthia’s short story is terrific. No surprise there!
And my story? Well, Sian’s Solution is the love story between Taz and Sian, two minor characters in one of my all time favorite books, Vampire in Denial. As the creator of this world and all these characters, I’d like to think I could take a bow for this book…but in all honesty, Tessa, the heroine of Vampire in Denial, rode in on my muse and charged her way onto my page all her own. Gawky, valiant, and with a do-or-die attitude, she stole my heart right from the beginning. By the end of the first book, she’d made herself a permanent spot in my world. Now, I’m working to finish her series to share her story of love and war, and finding out what you’re really made of when all you love is lost, and all you’d thought lost, becomes found.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
To celebrate this release day, I am giving away one ecopy of Vampire in Denial and one ecopy of Tuesday’s Child – my romantic suspense novel – which was just picked as one of her Top 10 Reads of the Year by Neis at TheRomanceReview.com. To enter the giveaway, just leave me a question or tell me why you love vampires.
Excerpt:
Tessa hunkered down low to the ground, hidden by the long line of poplars edging the property as Cody went in for a closer look. She’d protested being left behind until Cody pulled the mom card on her. That he’d never be able to explain to her mom why he’d let her accompany him. She couldn’t argue with that.
The longer she’d studied the house, the stronger her sense of knowing grew. Jared was here somewhere on the property. Looking around, she realized the easy answer was to check out the sheds and outbuilding first.
Silent, she slipped inside the first outbuilding. Empty. She circled it anyway and looked for stairs, hidden doors, or rooms. Then she moved onto the next building. This one appeared to be a storage unit. Boxes and containers filled every square inch, or so it appeared. She studied the level of dust and the jammed boxes. Everything appeared deserted and forgotten for decades. Empty. She couldn’t sense anything bigger than a mouse.
Back out in the night, the dogs still slept, and Cody had yet to return. What if he couldn’t?
No, Cody had some serious skills, at least according to David he did. It would take a lot for someone to get the drop on him.
“Psst.”
He just didn’t have much class. Turning around, Tessa watched Cody land in front of her. “There’s no sign of anything unusual going on.”
“No, of course not. Why would there be? It’s not like they’re going to advertise that they’ve kidnapped humans.” She studied the huge stone mansion. “The captives are most likely to be downstairs.”
“You’re not going into the house. If you’re determined to take this further, we go back to our parents and let them take it to the council. They will determine the best course of action.”
Tessa stared at him in disbelief. Everything about the night had taken on a surreal appearance. She was here, where Jared was being held, with someone who could actually help her, and he wanted to go for their parents. No knight riding to the rescue here.
Then he’d been raised by the old belief that vampires don’t go against vampires – without just cause. She didn’t think she could come up with enough evidence to prove her case.
“We have to at least see if they are here.”
“No. No way.” He pulled away and turned prepared to leave.
“Please.”
“No, Tessa.” He shook his head, his vampire eyes glowing with terrible heat. “That’s enough. This isn’t a kid’s game. This is vampire business.”
“And who’s going to believe me? No one. I’m not like you. My word doesn’t mean anything to the others. If you don’t see that Jared’s been taken and kept as a captive yourself, you won’t be able to convince them, either.”
He shook his head.
Fine. She’d go in alone. Turning away, she headed to the back of the house. “Go back home. I don’t need you.”
“What the…” He raced behind her. “Tessa, stop. You can’t go inside there. You’re not allowed.”
“And they’re allowed to take humans?” She snorted. “I don’t think so.” The moon slid out from behind the clouds highlighting the lower level of the house. Off to the left, a set of stairs cut down to a narrow wooden door. Probably the cellar. Perfect. She picked up the pace, reaching for the knob in seconds. She bolted though the unlocked door before Cody could drag her back out. Down a narrow hallway, she fled through another door that led to a wide open space. Empty space. Damn it. Could the prisoners have been moved already? How?
“There, are you satisfied now?”
She spun around at the sound of Cody’s voice. “No.” She walked the perimeter of the room. The room curved down and around. This place was huge. At the far end, her nostrils flared. Animal. Death. Fear. Pain.
This area had been used as housing for animals during the cold winter months. Horses, most likely. Ancient farm smells permeated the air. Hay. Manure. Blood.
“What’s the matter?” Cody whispered.
She looked at him. “Can’t you smell it?”
“Smell what?”
“Death. Pain. And an overwhelming fear.”
“I can’t sense any of that. What are you talking about?”
Tessa looked at him strangely. “Not even with your vampire senses?”
He turned and lifted his nose and smelled the air. After a moment, he shook his head and laughed. “You don’t have a clue, do you? There’s nothing there.” He dropped the smile. “The fun’s over. Let’s go home.”
Tessa turned her back on him. Moving closer to the one side, Tessa concentrated harder. There. Jared. Relief washed over her. He was alive. “Jared’s in there.”
“What?”
But Cody was talking to empty space.
***
Tessa darted ahead of him. Half smooth walking, smooth talking vamp and half wholesome innocent human. He shook his head. What happened to David’s kid sister? He’d always been protective of her and Cody had naturally picked that up. She was different from the rest of them. Seth didn’t treat her with the same patience. And her Dad, well, he didn’t know what patience was. If it wasn’t for her mom, her life would have been much different.
On the outside she looked vampire. Hell, she looked hot. He hadn’t believed his eyes when he’d seen her tonight. He knew most of the gorgeous females in their area and she hadn’t been one of them. He’d followed her for that reason initially.
She’d smelled familiar. Then she’d turned and he caught a glimpse of Tessa in that wicked outfit. But she’d given him the rebuff. Confused, he’d withdrawn and kept a close watch. When she’d disappeared out back, he’d followed and couldn’t believe it when he’d seen her in the moonlight. He still wasn’t sure until she’d jumped. Jumped. Vampires did a lot of things, like flew, floated and even raced, but everything they did, they did with grace.
Not her. Awkward, disjointed movements, hard landings and gawky take offs. Little Tessie had somehow morphed into one hot Tessa.
His curiosity and doubt had turned to horror. She’d only ever been allowed at vampire meetings with a chaperone and sure as hell not in that ‘come hither and get laid’ outfit.
Christ, she’d looked good. And vampirish. Good enough to fool everyone there. But if her family found out, well that would be the end of life as she knew it.
***
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I love Vampires because they will love you until the end of time! And they are alway sexy
Hi Khelsey! As we get to create em, we’re always going to make em good!
Cody is VERY sexy. My daughter’s hooked!Lol.
I have been to your web site before and noticed that you write a lot of different types of books. Young adult, romantic suspence, and non fiction. Why did you decide to tackle such different writing genres, and does it ever cause problems for you keeping up in each of the different genres?
Hi Hilleary,
Glad you popped by my website. It’s true I write almost anything but it’s not something that happened overnight. I started as a technical writer and then published nonfiction (an easy step from what I had been doing) while honing my fiction skills. Even then it took 8 years before I wrote Tuesday’s Child. YA’s are a relatively new direction but they fit in with the RS because they are short and fun to write. So I tend to write them inbetween the RS for ‘a break.’ My RS are, shall we say, twisted? And even though my YAs are action packed they are entertaining for me.
No, I haven’t had any trouble keeping up with genres – the only problem is that I want to write more! I have 5 YA series, 3 more to be released and the Psychic Visions series. I’ll stay focused on those for the next six months!
Thanks for stopping by and good luck with the draws!
Well, I’ve been following you a long time, my friend and I’m not surprised by your success. I’m looking for the sequel to VID, when will that be. The only book I don’t have of yours which I mistakenly thought I did, is Tuesdays Child. Maybe I’ll win it! No problem, if I don’t I’ll have it in my library this week.
All the best to all of you with this great project! And Cynthia, this was a marvelously fun party! I’ve located some new books and authors.
Hi Marley!
So glad you could stop by. Doesn’t Cynthia throw a great bash! It’s a great way to check out new authors and their works. Don’t forget to grab a copy of Entangled while you’re at it.
That anthology is powerful! Loads of great stories to keep you happy and of course, look at the cause. I’m so happy to be a part of it!
Thanks for stopping by!
Vampires can be a lot of fun to read. It’s all in the writing. Alpha male vamps are my fav i think. Vampire books are not typical anymore and they have really been broaden into all kinds of cool stuff.
Lisa B
Hi Lisa,
I love how the vampire stories have morphed into their own genre and cross all borders now. They’ve gone from old and typical to ‘wow!’
Alpha males? Oh yeah, gotta love those guys!
I’m not sure what it is I really love about vampires. There’s just something sexy and romantic about them in my opinion. Maybe because most of them are so old, and come from another time, when honor, chivalry and strength of character meant something. If a vampire loves you, I think you would always feel safe and secure.
Hi Betty!
That’s such a cool take on the ancient race. They are so magnificent while being mysterious we can imbue them with all the qualities we writers want to give them. Honor and chivalry and strength are definitely three of those. Of course, I have real down and nasty ones in my book too!
You would have to have nasty ones, too. That just the way of the world, and it gives our good guys something to save us from 🙂
I want to read this!!! 🙂 I know what will be hitting my Kindle soon! Thanks for coming by, Dale!
Lol – anytime! Thanks for having me join your party. You must be a hoot to have in the neighbourhood. Glad you’re in my cyber one!
Glad you like the sound of this book. It’s funny, but my oldest son, 3rd year university is now HOOKED. Is constantly wanting to know when I’m going to finish revising book 2! Him and my daughter gang up on me now 🙂
Can’t wait to get my hands on this one, Dale. Great excerpt.
Hi Liz!
Thanks for stopping by! I REALLY loved writing this book. Such fun characters with all the elements to keep you glued. Now if only I could sit down and write book 3!
I love vampires because they have the whole Dark thing going and in most cases they are a little broken (either by being alone so long or what events they’ve lived through). I also love the fact that (for “older” vamps) they’ve seen so many things, like having a walking talking history book =D
emilytardy@yahoo.com
Hi Emily,
The whole ‘broken’ thing really appeals doesn’t it. We like our characters flawed! Makes them seem more real, and then of course, we want to step in and fix them!
Thanks for stopping by and good luck with the draws!
Can’t wait to read it. I love vampires because they are sexy and almost…forbidden.
Yeah – there it is! That forbidden factor. We do so love what we should have!
Thanks for stopping by and good luck on the draws!
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I love vampires because their love really IS forever and they are just such hot alpha male types! I’ve loved vampires since I was young.
Ashley A
ash_app@hotmail.com
Hi Ashley!
It’s interesting how we all like to pick up their never ending love habits. Writers and readers alike!
That enduring, meant for each other factor is something we all crave.
Great excerpt! Sounds like a terrific book.
I’d forgotten that Cynthia was your sponsor. It seems so long ago, but really wasn’t. A lot has happened since then.
Hi Edie!
It’s almost your turn! I know and it hasn’t been all that long either – but it seems like forever. I was blessed to have Cynthia as a mentor then and even more now to call her a friend!
Already picked up the Anthology. It was well worth it and a great way to try a new author for a good cause.
That’s great! Hope you enjoy reading it!
I love vampires because today’s authors make them handsome and whitty. They can love you forever and have some really awesome abilities. Thank you.
hi Viki,
That’s so true – us writers can make them just how they need to be to fit the story! I love creating those in this series. There’s room here for vampires of all kinds!
Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Dale & Cynthia
Vampires are unpredictable and mysterious. A good story will always keep you guessing and turning the page for more!
Keeping these titles for my wish list, they look great!
Hi Patty,
Glad you like the look of my books. I have to say, that my tag line for my signature is – Turn the page…I dare you!
I love action heavy stories they they have to pair with characters that make smile!
Love reading about Vampires, they are dark, brooding and mysterious with a life that is usually filled with angst. Not to mention they are usually very sexy!
Hi Jean,
Yeah, we do like to make our vampires heavy in the sexy department, don’t we!
Thanks for stopping by!
Vampires are strong but weak at the same time. I’m all for all-powerful characters but the weakness is what makes the characters interesting. Plus, the capability to live forever is intriguing.
Hi there,
Power without sensitivity is not attractive, and we read to fall in love with our characters.
I would adore a chance to live forever! Just think how many stories I could create!
I have to say i have yet to read anything by this particular arthor. But id cynthia recomends this author i have to add the books to my list
Hi Maragaret,
I hope you do give them a try! Maybe you’ll be lucky and win a copy today!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hmmm… well… sexy and good-looking certainly help. 🙂
🙂
Isn’t that the truth! Then there’s that whole powerful alpha male thing…
Thanks for stopping by!
Wow, loved the excerpt!!! I love my vamps because it was vamps that got me hooked back into reading after a 7 year break, vamps and demons and they represent the bad boys I love so much 🙂
Hi J.A.
Glad you loved the excerpt! That’s great that you’re hooked again. And who could resist the array of bad boys out there today!
Thanks for stopping by!
Vampires are my favourite paranormal creatures. They have endured the test of time and I think will keep on fascinating people for many years to come. What appeals to me about vampires is how their lifeforce is so similar to humans (blood) and yet so different. They are the undead but feel emotions and love just like humans.
I forgot to add, I already have Vampire in Denial and am entering for Tuesday’s Child. It sounds like a great romantic suspense.
Hi Na,
Nice to see you here! I hope you enjoyed Vampire in Denial. And I have to tell you Tuesday’s Child has received a great response from readers and reviewers everywhere!
Dale
Vampires are just awesome! Sexy, mysterious, tormented souls, with a few emotional problems coming from living for eternity. =)
Thanks for this awesome giveaway opportunity!
Hi Valerie,
Gotta have those emotional problems in there don’t we. Can you imagine the garbage we humans would pack around if we lived forever (shudder).
Thanks for stopping by and good luck on the draws!
Oh totally, I can’t even imagine living to 100 let alone 500-600 or more, I’d probably just have to walk into the sun at some point LOL!
Thanks again for the opportunity to enter!
first, they were the first paranormal I read about. In addition they are usually so dark, sexy and just overall bad boys that are so much fun to love! There are so many ways you authors can write them to keep things interesting!
thanks!
mmafsmith at gmail dot com
Hi Maria,
You are so right, no two bad boys are the same and no two vampire bad boys are the same either. Keeping them interesting keeps us writing!
Thanks for stopping by and good luck on the draws!
What is not to like about a vampire, hot and dangerous. 🙂
Thanks for the excerpt!
Hi JoAnna,
You’re welcome! Glad you liked it!
Maybe you’ll be a winner on one of the draws today!
I love vampires. I remember watching Dark Shadows from the 1990’s when I was younger. I like the tall dark & handsome & mysterious men. I even love the movies that are funny with vampires. Like the movie Love at first bite & Once bitten with Jim Carrey.
Hi Rachel,
Glad to hear you enjoy vampire books. My other book, Tuesday’s Child is book one of Psychic Visions, if you happen to love psychics too!
I had forgotten Love at first bite! Thanks for the memory. That was a great movie!
I love vampires because. They’re hot and mysterious.
mythic021@gmail.com
Hi Vanessa,
Thanks for stopping by to comment! Vampires are so easy to love, aren’t?
I think vampires are like the ultimate bad-boy, plus add in the element of danger (you could die with them at any time, their long lives and the resulting emtional and mental issues and you’ve got characters who have pretty much limitless depth and potential. Was it very difficult to come up with a way to make “your” vampires different and create your own world for them when there have been so many other vampire stories? I would imagine that to be the hardest thing for any author to do who’s writing in an established sub-genre.
Hi Maria,
I didn’t have to worry with this book, Tessa literally stormed onto the page in such a unique and different story setting that was the last thing I had to consider. Her story will span many books as a war builds – similar to an epic fantasy style.
I think if you have to try and make it different, it would be almost impossible. Sometimes these characters and plots arrive like gifts from the Gods.
Good job, Dale!
Hi Mary!!
How nice to see you. Thanks for dropping by and lending your support!
You don’t have Tuesday’s Child yet, maybe you’ll be lucky and win a copy!
Vamps… I enjoy them for their dark and sexy selves! 😉
Lol, Colleen,
Who doesn’t love that very essence of a vamp!
Thanks for stopping by!
I love the dark & edgy thing vamps have going on. My weakness is definitely the dangerous bad boy type & vamp characters seem to be just that.
Hi Christie,
So glad you stopped by. We’re all in agreement, vamps are definite bad boy types – dark edgy and deadly!
Hi Dale,
I have just been introduced to you thanks to this party. So now I am putting your books on my To Buy List…LOL
I have seen that you write in several genres, is there one you prefer more than another, or is one easier than another?
Hi Michelle!
I’m so glad you found me here! I’m on a lot of list after today, thanks to Cynthia!
I really enjoy writing adult romantic suspense/thrillers because they are so deep and in my case, twisted! But my young adults are sheer fun to write. They are like icecream on a hot day whereas my RS books are like serving up a Thanksgiving dinner – tons of last minute things for a perfect finish and so worth the wait and the effort – but a lot of work!
Loved the excerpt! I love vamps because they are dark and mysterious!
Hi Sherie
Glad you loved the excerpt. It’s always a challenge to pick out a few pages out of hundreds of pages!
Good luck with the draws!
Hi there! Thank you for the awesome giveaway! Ive heard alot of good about your books. I look forward to reading them. 🙂 I love everything about vampires. Each author writes theres differently and each one is unique in its own way. I like to dark, dangerous part of it. Thank you!
shadowluvs2read(at)aol(dot)com
Hi Shadow,
I’m glad you’ve been hearing good stuff about my books 🙂
Maybe you’ll be lucky and win a copy so you can see for yourself! I love dark and dangerous myself!
Vampires have a way of making you feel like the best chocolate cake, the last meal etc. I enjoy vampires for their loyalty, strength and devotion to the one they love for eternity.
Hi Diane,
Thanks for stopping by! I love that – vampires and chocolate cake – hopefully together. happy sigh!
I love vampires because you can never guess what they will do. They are mysterious and passionate.
Sorry – your reply went below!
I love vampires because they are sexy and usually very strong. 🙂
Hi Larena,
You’re part of a major group of vampire lovers here!
Thanks for stopping by!
I love vamps because lets face it they are bad! I love me some bad vamps 🙂
Hi Carlyn,
That bad boy thing is sooooo hot! Seems to be a familiar theme through these comments today!
Thanks for stopping by.
Who doesn’t love vampires? :0 So sexy and good-looking… 🙂
Hi May,
You are so right – it seems the vampire loving group is huge!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Stephanie,
That’s so true about our mysterious vampires! Partly, because as a writer, I DON’T know what they’ll do until they do it. sigh. 🙂
In all the vampire books once they find their mate it is for eternity. It is incredibly romantic especially in a society where it is not always forever. It is romance with a little bit of danger
deslauree3 at aol dot com