Fresh Fiction Blog | Laura Kaye | What do a vampire, a Greek god, and a Special Forces veteran have in common?

Thanks so much to Fresh Fiction for hosting me here today!

So, a Greek god, a vampire, and an Army Special Forces veteran walk into a bar...

Oh, wait. This isn't a joke. And it's not a bar. It's my writing schedule for the next three months! *grins*

After a rush of releases over the past year, I have the biggest gap between book releases I've had so far in my career. And that's a good thing, because I need all the time to write that I can get! So, today, I thought I'd give you a quick introduction to a few of my upcoming books and a juicy excerpt from one! Read on...

SOUTH OF SURRENDER, fantasy romance, Hearts of the Anemoi #3, to release May 28, 2013

Hero: Chrysander Notos, Supreme God of the South Wind and Summer

Heroine: Laney Summerlyn, freelance writer and horse farm owner

Tagline: She's the only one who can see through his golden boy façade to the broken god within...

Why I'm loving writing this book: The plot has challenged me more than anything else I've written. The hero is absolutely delicious on the inside and the out. And the heroine, who is nearly blind, is just fearless and awesome!

Untitled, dark paranormal erotic romance, Vampire Warrior Kings #3, to release summer 2013

Hero: Henrik Magnusson, Warrior King of the Northern Vampires

Heroine: Kara Sorensen, photographer

Tagline: In the Arctic wilds of Northern Norway, a vampire warrior is starving for blood...and companionship...

Why I'm loving writing this book: OMG the setting! Tromso, Norway. Spectacular Northern Lights displays. My hero is a Viking. And he's dying. This book is so dang sexy!

HARD AS IT GETS, contemporary romance, Hard Ink #1, to release November 2013

Hero: Nick Rixey, prior Army SF, currently a part-time process server and some time tattoo artist

Heroine: Becca Merritt, ER nurse

Tagline: Sometimes falling in love is as hard as it gets...

Why I'm loving writing this book: Tattoos + military romance + off-the-charts sexual chemistry + the band-of-brothers-type relationship between all the male characters. I cannot wait to dive further into this series!

Here's a little more from SOUTH OF SURRENDER:

"Let me heal you." Chrysander swallowed, hard.

"Oh, I—"

He pressed in closer, until his chest brushed up against her breasts. "Please, Laney. I want to make this better." He slid his fingers into the sleek length of her damp hair and forced her head back.

The sweet scent of her arousal joined her natural perfume. "I...I—"

Suddenly, Chrys needed her taste on his tongue again. His mouth claimed hers, devouring, searching, taking.

Laney froze, then was right there with him.

Their tongues met, dueled, twirled. He fisted his hand in her hair and guided her, deepening when he wanted, restraining her when he needed.

Her hands slid up his chest toward his neck.

Chrys gasped into the kiss, but fought the reflexive desire to pull away. Instead, he pushed her back one step, then another, until her back encountered the door. He grabbed her arms and pressed them to the surface over her head. The control flooded relief through him and fueled his arousal another notch.

"I want to touch you," she whispered around a kiss.

His brain scrambled for a moment, and then he wedged his body in tighter, the ridge of his erection coming in snug against her belly. She unleashed a strangled moan as Chrys plundered her mouth, relished her sweet taste, bathed in her life-giving heat.

Good gods, her body was absolutely alive with her arousal. She clenched and unclenched her hands, her arm muscles flexing where he restrained her. Her abdomen writhed against his, creating a maddening friction against his shaft. Her thighs shifted and squeezed.

It was only with the barest of restraint that he resisted willing her clothing away, turning her to face the wall, and tugging her hips out so he could bury himself deep.

Lost in the imagery, Chrys didn't notice the change in her movements until she slowly dragged her injured leg up the outside of his. Her wrists pressed against his hold and a yearning moan worked up her throat. "Chrys," she whimpered, her thigh moving higher.

His heart squeezed and his pulse lunged into a sprint. Damnit. He pulled back and stepped away. "I'm sorry," he said, rubbing his lips, regret a rock in his stomach. He could still feel her, taste her. Making sure she was steady on her feet, he dropped his hands from holding hers.

One commenter will receive a $10 gift certificate to the online bookstore of their choice. Open to international. What to comment? Did you have a favorite line from the excerpt? Or a question about one of my upcoming books? Thanks so much for reading! And good luck!

About Laura Kaye:

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura's large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

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Hearts of the Anemoi

North of Need
Hearts of the Anemoi
#1.0
November 2011

West of Want
Hearts of the Anemoi
#2.0
August 2012

South Of Surrender
Hearts of the Anemoi
#3.0
June 2013

Comments

Gosh, all your upcoming books sound FANTASTIC and the excerpt
makes me want to read South of Surender even more (like now,
ha)
(Erica Haglund 1:37am January 9, 2013)

Hi Laura,

I am so excited for your upcoming books. I can't get enough of your books. But Owen will always be my fantasy crush. :)
(C. L. Pardington 1:44am January 9, 2013)

Favorite part: It was only with the barest of restraint that he resisted willing her clothing away, turning her to face the wall, and tugging her hips out so he could bury himself deep.

Only because I love when they act all god-like. Swoon. I'm with C.L. though, Owen holds a special place in my heart. But good gods, I'm dying to find out more about Chrys and this whole not touching him thing. You torturing him? ;)

My only question is why does it feel like the release for these is FOREVER away?? Even though I'm sure it doesn't to you.
(Stephanie Baassler 1:49am January 9, 2013)

Love the titles. "Hard as it Gets" ... that's so hot, can't repeat it without blushing. Have fun. Can't wait. Thanks.
(Dianemarie Collins 1:56am January 9, 2013)

Mmm this line! "He grabbed her arms and pressed them to the
surface over her head. The control flooded relief through
him and fueled his arousal another notch."
It makes me wonder why Chrys needs to restrain her and is
also REALLY yummy.

Speaking of yummy, I'm looking forward to the Hard Ink
series!!
(Sue Brown-Moore 2:13am January 9, 2013)

YAY!! A new warrior kings book is in the works and it already
sounds AMAZING!!! AH! cant wait! Of course the other sneak
peaks are very yummy but that bad side to it is now we have to
wait for them to be released. Will be waiting!! :)
(Samantha Dacier 2:18am January 9, 2013)

Happy New Year and thanks for the giveaway! I think South Of Surrender sounds like an interesting book that I am adding to my TBR list.
(Chelsea Knestrick 2:43am January 9, 2013)

I love the except of SOUTH OF SURRENDER. You really give
these guys a hard time and I love it.
So many books this year - I m a happy reader :). Thank you.
(Victoria Sloboda 3:13am January 9, 2013)

Must confess that this excerpt is the first of your work I have read but wow
seems I've berm missing out.
(Liesl Lane 3:41am January 9, 2013)

I absolutely love ALL your books Laura and I’m anxiously anticipating the next in each series.
The excerpt for South of Surrender just makes me desperate for more!
Thank you for joining us today, and keep on writing.....
(Karen Roma 4:58am January 9, 2013)

I have never read any of your books (sorry), but after reading the excerpt above, I will be going "South" very soon! lol Just wish I didn't have to wait until May. Thanks for the contest.
(Becky Darmogray 7:18am January 9, 2013)

I adore your books and am so looking forward to the releases
this year. My question for you...Do you get any sort of
"say" in the cover designs for your stories? Is it something
that you want to have input in, or do you prefer to leave it
up to the "art dept"? I think you have great covers & can't
wait to see what the first Hard Ink book will look like.
(Michelle Harlan 7:49am January 9, 2013)

Thanks for the opportunity to enter this contest. Your books
sound interesting. Look forward to reading them
(Mary Christian 7:58am January 9, 2013)

I can't wait to read this book. I love all your other books!!
(Bonnie Capuano 8:24am January 9, 2013)

sounds like an interesting assortmet of books :) thanks for the updated & tease
(d Kenney 8:45am January 9, 2013)

Hi Laura, Your new books sound really good. Can't wait to read them. So are you going to put a "Truck Scene" in any others. (LOL)
(Michael Vannoy 9:12am January 9, 2013)

Now I'm wondering what processes you went through in deciding on your god's powers. (You know, in the context of romances any of the possible theistic -potent terms sound really lewd. :D )
(Mary Ann Dimand 9:18am January 9, 2013)

Woot! I'm having a ball reading all your comments, guys! :)

@Stephanie - LOL! The RELEASE DATES feel like forever away,
but the deadlines to my editors feel way, way, way too
close! :O (And of COURSE I'm torturing him!)

@Becky - "going south" - too funny!

@Michelle - getting say in covers varies. Almost all
publishers have some sort of a cover art information sheet
they have you complete that includes information about the
hero and heroine, themes and feel of the book, any important
objects or settings. Some but not all publishers will let
you offer feedback on a mock-up of the cover, while others
will present a cover to you and that's it. I got to have
some say on my Anemoi covers, and I just love them! I can't
wait to see Hard as it Gets too!!!

@Michael - could be! LOL

@Mary Ann - LOL! For the Anemoi, I started with the existing
mythology of the Anemoi, which describes some of their
powers, and then I improvised a bit from there.

Thanks everyone! And good luck!
(Laura Kaye 10:17am January 9, 2013)

Oh my! That was quite an excerpt. I have been waiting for
Chrys's book, and I'm excited to get a taste of it. Hard as
it Gets looks fascinating as well! I can't wait to read all
these lovely books. :-D
(Karin Anderson 11:03am January 9, 2013)

Oh my... what an excerpt... I love Chrys' book and looking forward to it!
(May Pau 11:12am January 9, 2013)

Paranormal romance is my favorite. Can't wait for Vampire Warrior King #3. Thanks for the giveaway.
(Bonnie H 11:12am January 9, 2013)

Looks like a challenging schedule ahead. Thanks for the excerpt. I'd still like to know the rest of the "joke" you opened with, though!
(G S Moch 11:30am January 9, 2013)

Laura I am so excited about all of the new books that will be
coming out! YUMMY!
(Carin Walker 11:39am January 9, 2013)

favorite line was "He pressed in closer, until his chest brushed up against her breasts. "Please, Laney. I want to make this better." - aww I'm lovin Chrys already :) I can't wait for South of Surrender, thanks for sharing that excerpt with us

amieesnow(at)gmail(dot)com
(Amiee Ryan 11:58am January 9, 2013)

I haven't read any of your books yet but this one sounds good,\.
(Sandy Giden 12:00pm January 9, 2013)

I look forward to your new books! Keep on writing. Thanks for the contest opportunity.
(Kathy Martocci 12:06pm January 9, 2013)

Those are great covers, I am wondering what the East title will be! East of Excitement, East of Extreme, East of Ecstasy? Good luck with the books!
(Clare O'Beara 12:13pm January 9, 2013)

You're a new author for me, but not for long, Wow, just wow! at that excerpt :)
(Debbie Porter 1:08pm January 9, 2013)

Nice tidbit that you shared! Love those covers!
(Colleen Conklin 1:13pm January 9, 2013)

Wicked excerpt! ;-)
My favorite line is "Chrys gasped into the kiss, but fought the reflexive desire to pull away."
(Cheryl Castings 1:21pm January 9, 2013)

Hi Laura, loved the synopsis of all of the books. I have to say the one I'm waiting
for the most is "As Hard As it Gets." simply because contemporary romance is my
#1 fave. The question I have is, do you have a hard time writing so many genres
and do they ever get crossed up in your mind while you're writing? Thanks for
the blog post and the contest. Here's to a very successful 2013!
(Val Pearson 1:22pm January 9, 2013)

Can't wait to finally get Chrys front and center! And even more curious about the next HotA series book considering what's happened so far. ;)
(Rhianna Walker 1:33pm January 9, 2013)

I am looking very forward to the dark paranormal erotic romance, Vampire Warrior Kings #3!
(Shelley Pierce 1:50pm January 9, 2013)

I like the excerpt: "I'm sorry," he said, rubbing his lips, regret a rock in his stomach.
(Kathleen Conner 1:58pm January 9, 2013)

SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT NEW BOOK. THANKS FOR THIS CHANCE
(Debbi Shaw 2:33pm January 9, 2013)

Woot! You guys rock! I'm loving your comments! :D

@Val - I really enjoying writing multiple genres. Sometimes
I worry it might be hard slipping out of one and into the
other, but I feel like the changes in pace keep me refreshed
each time I switch between them! They each have their own
challenges and things that make them fun to write, so it's
like the best of all worlds! Thanks for that question!
(Laura Kaye 2:39pm January 9, 2013)

Let me heal you ---
Deep Sigh - who doesn't want that?!
(Carla Carlson 3:11pm January 9, 2013)

Hi Laura Kaye,
I'm looking forward to Hard As It Gets, but I have a while to wait... patience, patience...
I'm a reader of contemporary romances, so I have learned to have patience. Loved the excerpt and look forward to release. Enjoy your writing time as before you know it, the first book will hit release, and away you go...
Thank you,
(Ginger Robertson 4:47pm January 9, 2013)

My fav line was this: "It was only with the barest of restraint that he resisted willing her clothing away, turning her to face the wall, and tugging her hips out so he could bury himself deep." I love the concept that he was able to but did not make her clothing disappear!
(Angie Lilly 4:47pm January 9, 2013)

"His brain scrambled for a moment" was very interesting and original. I can honestly say that I've never heard of that sentence before. My brain does shut down sometimes, too. If I read a lot I think my brain goes numb.
(Michelle Fidler 4:50pm January 9, 2013)

MY FAVORITE LINE FROM THE EXCERPT IS Their tongues met,
dueled, twirled. He fisted his hand in her hair and guided
her, deepening when he wanted, restraining her when he
needed.

THIS BOOK SOUNDS REALLY REALLY INTERESTING I CAN'T WAIT TO
READ IT.
(Shelly Caggiano 5:16pm January 9, 2013)

Their tongues met, dueled, twirled. He fisted his hand in her hair and guided her, deepening when he wanted, restraining her when he needed.

Wow!! I want to read more....
(Carolyn Helms 5:51pm January 9, 2013)

All I can say is "WOW"! I had a horse farm for 30 years. Sadly no gods came around. I can't wait to read South of Surrender and I will surely run out and get the first two in the series. How have I missed these????
(Irene Menge 5:54pm January 9, 2013)

my favority line is: Their tongues met, dueled, twirled.
(Shirley Younger 6:40pm January 9, 2013)

South of Surrender sounds like a book I'd love to read, and the book cover is beautiful. I will also want to read your upcoming books (Hard Ink series, especially). Thanks for all the info with your excerpts and release dates!
(Linda Luinstra 7:05pm January 9, 2013)

I have heard so much about your books, I can't wait to get
one. My favorite line was: "Good gods, her body was absolutely
alive with her arousal." Yummy. If I win I will be getting a
copy of your book from B&N =)
(Lenna Hendershott 7:08pm January 9, 2013)

"Let me heal you--". That is an attention getter!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 7:15pm January 9, 2013)

Pick one line!!
That's like saying, "You can have only one potato chip."
I don't think so. ;-)
(Deb Pelletier 7:38pm January 9, 2013)

I love your Hero series. I hope you come out with another one soon. I can't wait to start Hearts of the Anemoi series. I've been oogling the covers for a while now.
(Kristin Bingham 7:40pm January 9, 2013)

Several lines, Good Gods.... and ...it was with great
restraint...great lines.
(Theresa Norris 7:51pm January 9, 2013)

Your upcoming books sound amazing!! I'm especially interested in seeing how the story in Norway is going to go. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for that one!! As for picking out one line from the excerpt, that's a little hard to do!! I wish I had the whole darn book in front of me, so that I could read it here in one sitting!! That left me breathless!! I hope you have a very Happy and Healthy New Year, and I'll definately be looking for these books!!
(Peggy Roberson 7:58pm January 9, 2013)

Okay, a Greek God ,a Vampire and a special forces Vet...you have my attention. Can't wait to read the book.
(Robin McKay 8:23pm January 9, 2013)

LOL! You guys are the best! Thanks for all the fun comments!!!
(Laura Kaye 9:16pm January 9, 2013)

hmmmm "It was only with the barest of restraint that he
resisted willing her clothing away...." that certainly gives
you an idea about this guy.
(Diane Sallans 9:29pm January 9, 2013)

It seemed a little cruel to the heroine for the excerpt to end
that way. I certainly hope that Chrys makes things up to her
later in the story!
(G. Bisbjerg 9:32pm January 9, 2013)

I have North of Need in my TBR pile. I am really excited to read the series. Thanks for the awesome giveaway. I don't have a question tonight.
(Jennifer Beyer 10:00pm January 9, 2013)

Oh! Another "Laney" in your book! Wonderful! I don't see too many of them around!!!
(Elaine Seymour 10:01pm January 9, 2013)

Books sound very interesting, would love to win. Thanks
(Linda Hall 10:04pm January 9, 2013)

I read North of Need, how do you deceide how the series will progress?
What will the next scenario will be for your characters?
(Ann Sheiring 10:19pm January 9, 2013)

This is my favorite line: He pressed in closer, until his chest brushed up against her breasts. "Please, Laney. I want to make this better." He slid his fingers into the sleek length of her damp hair and forced her head back.

This is going on the ever growing wish list!! Your books sound really great and I look forward to reading them.
(Martha Lawson 10:58pm January 9, 2013)

This statement ""Let me heal you." Chrysander swallowed, hard." could mean two things. Chrysander is either a doctor or a healer of a sexual degree. I love the latter.
(Kai Wong 12:11pm January 10, 2013)

@Elaine - yay! :)

@Ann - For this series, part of what drives it are the
conflicts that exist in the Greek mythology of the Anemoi.
Each individual book is driven by the characters' personal
conflicts and relationships, but then there's also an
overarching series conflict that will play out as the series
progresses. It's interesting to write a series and juggle
all these element! Fun question!

Thanks so much everyone! I really enjoyed being here today!
(Laura Kaye 1:51am January 10, 2013)

I was lost from the very first line in the excerpt:

"Let me heal you." Chrysander swallowed, hard.
(Mary Preston 6:45am January 10, 2013)

I really enjoyed hanging out with you guys! Thanks so much for
all the fun comments!
(Laura Kaye 10:51am January 10, 2013)

your upcoming book sounds amazing cant wait to read it . Love the whole Greek god and vampire all in one :
)
(Danielle McDonald 2:14pm January 11, 2013)

I love that all three of these stories have hard-bodied, Alpha Male heroes who are redeemed or saved by love. I would be happy to soothe any (or all) manly brows in the comfort of my king-sized bed while they offer their own soothing services to my neglected kitty. Please keep writing as fast as you can!
(Dana Wong 7:06pm January 17, 2013)

The books of May are here—fresh, fierce, and full of feels.

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Laura Kaye | What do a vampire, a Greek god, and a Special Forces veteran have in common?

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About Laura Kaye:

Hearts of the Anemoi

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The books of May are here—fresh, fierce, and full of feels.

Authors To Watch

Fresh Fiction BlogGet to Know Your Favorite Authors

Laura Kaye | What do a vampire, a Greek god, and a Special Forces veteran have in common?

AVAILABLE

About Laura Kaye:

Hearts of the Anemoi

Comments

Services

SPECIALS

FOR AUTHORS

We Love

Fresh Fiction Blog
Get to Know Your Favorite Authors