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Coming May 22, 2012: Shades Of Desire, Book 1 in the Special Investigations Group Series

Natalie Jones is the lucky survivor of an elusive killer who preys on young women and then disappears from view. And since her harrowing ordeal, the once gutsy photojournalist has remained isolated in her home, paralyzed by fear and her failing vision.

Special Agent Liam “Mac” McKenzie has scars of his own. But despite his efforts to ignore the attraction that simmers between him and Natalie, he needs her help to catch a predator. Soon, they will forge a tentative alliance—charged with desire. Through a soft-focus lens, Natalie dares to envision a future with Mac beyond the investigation...never guessing that the clues hidden within her photographs are drawing them into an explosive confrontation with a madman.

Free Prequel Novella to Celebrate the release of IT STARTED THAT NIGHT

People who may not be able to memorize data or recall information from their memory on a large scale are said to suffer from amnesia.  Amnesia also comes in many different forms--eleven, actually.  And all forms of amnesia fall in one of two different areas of causation:

1. Neurological or Organic Amnesia, and
2. Functional or Psychogenic Amnesia

After reading the blurb to my upcoming book, It Started That Night, try to guess what heroine, Lily Cantrell, suffers from.

 

Her mother's killer is on death row…...or so Lily thought.

Now the case is being reopened—by Detective John Tyler, the man who broke her teenage heart the night of the murder. Only she can help him find the truth.

For Lily Cantrell, suffering amnesia and hiding a secret, John's investigation unleashes tormenting dreams, grave doubts and conflicting emotions about the crush she never got over. As much as she wants John, how can she forgive the man who treated her so cruelly? Or trust a man who might betray her?

What Lily does know is their reawakening passion is bound to be dangerous…but not nearly as dangerous as the madman bent on killing her

So have you figured it out?

If you guessed Functional Amnesia ... you're right!!

To celebrate today's release of IT STARTED THAT NIGHT, my 2nd HRS novel, I'm offering you a FREE download of the prequel novella, Shattered.  Limited time only, so download it ASAP.  And I hope you enjoy it!! 

Lily Cantrell is an impulsive teenager with a crush on twenty-year-old John Tyler. When she finally decides to tell him how she feels, her well-meaning mother tries to stop her. What happens next breaks Lily’s heart. But will Lily’s tragic past with John be their only future?

Download Shattered

 

 

New Friends and Fave Authors At RT 2012

With two of my fave authors, Larissa Ione and Jeaniene Frost, and my new reader friend, Jacinta!

RT in Chicago!

So great meeting new and old friends at RT!

With Vivien Easton, Kimberly Meyer and Abbie Rhoades

HEA team!!  Lea, Mary and Joyce!!

 

Karin Tabke aka Karin Harlow!

All My Book Covers (17 So Far!!)

HQN Single Title Romantic Suspense

Shades of Desire (June 2012)  Followed by Shades of Temptation (Sept 2012) & Shades of Passion (TBA)

Harlequin Romantic Suspense

It Started That Night (May 2012)

ThePara-Ops Series (Paranormal Romantic Suspense)

    

E-Books only:

   





E-Books only: Red-Hot Cops Series by Ava Meyers (Erotic Romance Novellas)

  

Love Writing: Writing And Getting Your Romance Novel Published (Without LosingYour Perspective, Passion, Or Sanity)

 

 

Chosen By Sin Book Tour Stop #8!

Welcome to stop #8 in my blog tour For Chosen By Sin (Para-Ops #3). (Note: Although this stop was originally scheduled on another blog, we've experienced some technical difficulties, so I'm posting it here until we can get that taken care of! Your comment on either blog will qualify you for the book give away! :))

This tour focuses on my writing and my paranormal series, but also my Twelve Resolutions for 2012, as well as the resolutions of my hero in Chosen By Sin, werebeast Dex Hunt. Those of you who know Dex know he's a bit...difficult, so I'm curious to see what he comes up with. (Psst: Dex doesn't actually know it, but his “resolutions” are more like a Twelve-Step Program designed by me to get him to his HEA).

I'll be giving away a prize to one commenter from this blog stop, but I'm also giving away one grand prize to one blog tour follower. See the giveaway details below! :)

The Para-Ops Series: Five years after the Second Civil War ends, humans and Otherborn—humanlike creatures with superhuman DNA—still struggle for peace. To ensure the continued rights of both, the FBI forms a Para-Ops team with a unique set of skills. (Chosen By Blood (Book 1), Chosen By Fate (Book 2))

So what's Resolution #8 for me? Send Thank You and Birthday Messages Regularly

In the same way that I love my e-reader but will never give up print books, I just don't think sending messages-of-the-heart via email cuts it, at least not all the time. I still do it, however, because the alternative is the messages wouldn't get sent at all. But I really want to be able to let people know, with something they can hold in their hands, that I think of them and appreciate them.

And what's Resolution #8 for Dex Hunt?

Here's a hint from Chosen By Sin.

Dex covered Jes’s body with his and stared into her dark midnight eyes. Electricity crackled between them, causing warmth to infuse his skin. That warmth grew sizzling hot wherever their bodies touched. She whimpered and the sweet feminine sounds soon became a steady chorus, ratcheting up his desire until he felt dangerously poised on the edge of sanity.

Closing his eyes, Dex took a deep breath. It was amazing, this connection he had with her. Proximity was enough to make his head spin with desire but actual contact?

As it had in the States, touching Jes resulted in a feeling of intense relief that immediately skyrocketed into a desperate, mind-blowing need. He’d never needed anything like he seemed to need her. Not sex or food or companionship. Hell, not even revenge.

His eyes popped open and he furiously tossed his head as if he could shake that errant thought out of his mind. Her cool smooth palms stroked his back and thoughts of revenge were swept away. Lust surged through him, concentrating in his groin until he couldn’t help but thrust his hips, notching his thick aching flesh into the cradle of her hot center. The way she strained to get even closer to him took his breath away.

Yes, he thought. Need me. Need. Me.

So Dex is making progress. Thoughts of revenge are starting to take a back seat to his feelings for Jesmina. But Dex is still fighting his feelings for her. Still doubting that those feelings are more important than revenge. Dex's 8^th Resolution? Learn to gracefully accept defeat before fate is forced to smack you over the head to make its point.

NEW TRAILER: 

Want to see the series trailer that Book Candy Studio made for the series trailer?  It's got a great vibe! Watch it here 

Bio: Virna DePaul is a former prosecutor and now national bestselling author of the Para-Ops Novels. She also writes contemporary romantic suspense for Harlequin Romantic Suspense (It Started That Night, May 2012) and HQN (Shades Of Desire, June 2012).

Blurb for Chosen By Sin:

 The longest life isn’t always the happiest one…

For now, werebeast Dex Hunt serves on the Para-Ops team, but his true purpose is to kill the werewolf leader he blames for his mother’s death. Biding his time, Dex keeps his emotional distance from his team members and anyone else he might care for, including a mysterious vampire he met in L.A.

 As a doctor, vampire Jesmina Martin has dedicated her immortal life to healing others. As a scientific researcher, she’s trying to prolong life spans, in particular those of her adoptive dragon-shifter family and the werewolf who saved her as a child. Her greatest hope lies with Dex, a werebeast she believes can gift immortality to others.

 Only Dex knows nothing about his gift or the fact Jesmina wants to harness it. After a passionate night together neither expects to see the other again. Weeks later, they are reunited in France and forced to acknowledge a fragile miracle—a new life struggling to survive. At the same time, they must stop a group of rebel shape-shifters hoping to unleash every demon in hell. But before Dex and Jesmina can save their child or the world, they must relinquish their secrets, face their fears, and open themselves to love.

 Purchase:

 E-version ($4.99)

 Amazon: http://t.co/SE2EAgR

 Barnes and Noble: http://t.co/UW5P73o

 Paperback ($7.99)

 Amazon: http://fb.me/19XPRKYX3

 Giveaway Details:

 Daily Blog Tour Giveaway: Today, Virna is gifting one book from her backlist (prize winner's choice, see backlist here) to one randomly selected commenter who either leaves a comment on this blog, or a question for Virna to answer. Please also include your email addy.

GRAND PRIZE TOUR GIVEAWAY: What was Dex's "resolution" that Virna talked about today? Do you know the answer? Fantastic!! Because...

Virna is also gifting a $100 Amazon gift card to one randomly selected reader who leaves the answer to this question during the blog tour. Go to: http://chosenbysin.com/virtual-tour-grand-prize You can be entered to win the grand prize once each day by simply following the tour from January 9 - 20, and leaving your answer with each day's different resolution!!

Virna is also offering autographed copies of CHOSEN BY SIN for purchase during this blog tour. To purchase an autographed copy, please visit http://chosenbysin.com.

 

Crazy (But?) Fun! The Chosen By Sin Blog Tour Starts Today WIth Its Own Site!

All good business people do it and do it well, but promoting ourselves, no matter who we are or what we do, is often such a difficult thing!  I mean, how weird would it be if I walked around telling people, "I'm a {insert one:] good mom, loyal friend, honorable person, passionate artist, etc).  Of course, I want people to think of me this way, but they never truly will until they see who I am for themselves, flaws and all, and come to the conclusion on their own.

Yet they won't be able to see anything if they have no idea who I am or where I hang out.

But if I call attention to myself, won't I look...a) presumptious; b) arrogant; c) shameless; d) desperate, etc, etc. 

Or will I seem friendly?  Enthusiastic?  Willing to take a chance? 

Sigh.  Who knows.  I can't predict what people will think but I have to take a chance.

Why?

Because although I'm a shy person who finds it hard to talk about myself, let alone my writing and stories, which reflects so much about who I am on the inside...

I have stories to share and readers I want to reach and becoming a writer has opened me to new experiences and new friends, all because I've been wiling to put myself out there. 

So I hope you'll celebrate this new milestone with me! 

I'm excited about this new site at www.chosenbysin.com, which is all about my blog tour that starts today.  Here are my stops but you can also find the links to all these places on the website.   I'm giving away books plus a grand prize of a $100 Amazon GC to a blog tour follower!  :-)

To all those who support me in this crazy but fun journey, thank you!  

(A very special thank you to the person who's put so much time into making this tour a success.  Thank you, Tanya!  You rock!!!)

Chosen By Sin Blog Tour (1/9/2012 – 1/20/2012)

Monday, 9 JanuaryGuest Post: The Qwillery 

http://qwillery.blogspot.com

Tuesday, 10 JanuaryGuest Post: Paranormal Haven 

www.paranormalhaven.com

Wednesday, 11 JanuaryInterview: The Book Reading Gals

www.thebookreadinggals.com

Thursday, 12 JanuaryGuest Post OR Interview: The Jeep Diva

www.thejeepdiva.com

Friday, 13 JanuaryGuest Post: Book Lovers Inc.

http://www.bookloversinc.com

Saturday, 14 JanuaryGuest Post: Under The Covers Book Blog

http://undertheconversbookblog.blogspot.com

Sunday, 15 JanuaryInterview: Books and Kisses

www.booksandkisses.com

Monday, 16 JanuaryGuest Post: Nocturne Reads

www.nocturnereads.com

Tuesday, 17 JanuaryGuest Post: Happily Ever After Reads

http://happilyeverafter-reads.blogspot.com

Wednesday, 18 JanuaryGuest Post: Lush Book Reviews

http://lushbookreviewss.blogspot.com

Thursday, 19 JanuaryGuest Post: Hanging With Bells www.hangingwithbells.com

Friday, 20 JanuaryGuest Post: Ramblings From This Book Chick

http://ramblingsfromthisbookchick.blogspot.com

Cover Love

Here's the cover for my June 2012 series launch with HQN! I love the colors!!

Coming June 2012: Shades Of Desire, Book 1 in the Special Investigations Groups Series (HQN - Now available for pre-order on Amazon.)

What She Can't See Could Kill Her...

Natalie Jones is the lucky survivor of an elusive killer who preys on young women and then disappears from view. And since her harrowing ordeal, the once gutsy photojournalist has remained isolated in her home, paralyzed by fear and her failing vision.

Special Agent Liam “Mac” McKenzie has scars of his own. But despite his efforts to ignore the attraction that simmers between him and Natalie, he needs her help to catch a predator. Soon, they will forge a tentative alliance—charged with desire. Through a soft-focus lens, Natalie dares to envision a future with Mac beyond the investigation...never guessing that the clues hidden within her photographs are drawing them into an explosive confrontation with a madman.

RSVP for Holiday Video Chat with Harlequin Authors Virna DePaul & Tawny Weber 12/7 5 pm PST/8 pm EST

 

Join Harlequin Authors Virna DePaul and special guest Tawny  Weber as they discuss holiday indulgences, including delicious bad boys (both contemporary and paranormal!) and other things that will keep you warm and in reader bliss for those long winter nights ;-)  Lots of giveaways to indulge in, too!

 

DATE: DEC. 7th, 2011
TIME: 5:00PM Pacific / 8:00PM Eastern

 

RSVP for chat here and we'll send you a reminder and link, plus you'll be entered into a special drawing for a door prize, including the latest releases by Tawny (Sex, Lies and Mistletoe) and Virna (Chosen By Sin, Para-Ops #3/e-book)!

 

Name:

Email:

Fave holiday indulgence?:

How to join the chat:

- click widget link below
- enter your name in the guest field
- click enter button to join

http://t.wbx.me/gbu7u

Or just click on "Live" on the actual widget above!

 

Update on Chosen By Sin Plus Teaser & Giveaway

I'm currently working on Chosen by Sin, Dex Hunt's book, Para-Ops #3.

Dex is a werebeast, a werewolf half-breed that is rejected by his own kind for being "less than." Werebeasts are often referred to as "pets" or "whipped dogs" since they are generally weaker than full-blooded werewolves. Dex used to ride with a biker gang of werebeasts, called the Ferals, but broke from the gang after he killed one of its members. We know he was abandoned by his family and sent to live at a school for cast-off werebeasts, that he and the other boys were abused at the school, and that he joined the Para-Ops team for one purpose — to get revenge on his grandfather.

Dex is hard-edged and a loner, but as we see in Chosen by Fate (Para-Ops #2) he is giving and loyal to those he cares about, including Lucy Talbot, the team's mage. Although I'm putting him through the wringer, I can't wait to see this wounded hero get his happy ending.

Teaser from WIP with a question for readers at the end:

Dex grabbed at his chest. 

He hadn’t heard anything, couldn’t see anything resembling a weapon having struck Trosseau, but blood sprayed out of the shape-shifter’s chest and all over him.  As Trosseau went limp, Dex cursed, shoved his knife back into its sheath, grabbed Trosseau by his shirt, and whirled in an attempt to get them under cover.  If he could get behind one of the stone columns at the church entrance…

Within seconds, something hit him in the shoulder, something with the familiar feel of steel sinking into skin, only when he lifted his hand, nothing protruded from his flesh.  Blood coated his hand, a dark, translucent stain.  Dex kept moving until he bypassed the columns.  He shoved the shape-shifter through the front doors of the church then pulled them shut.  Diving to his left, he wrenched off his jacket, sweeping it around him like a matador’s cape.  He cursed as it jumped in several places.

He somersaulted, then took cover behind one of the building’s front columns.  He removed his knife from its sheath again, but cursed.  This wasn’t close, arm-to-arm combat, but a sneak attack by someone or something that could be hiding several yards away.  But who was it?  One of the three shape-shifters from inside? 

Damn.  He needed to get to Trosseau.  Find out what the hell had happened to Trosseau to make him freak out on Dex.  Find out where Trosseau’s informant was hiding and what Trosseau had meant about “bridging.”  But he wasn’t just going to run inside and leave the bastards to think he was running from them.  No chance in hell. 

He scanned the perimeter and still seeing nothing, he lifted his jacket and felt carefully within its folds.  Several small sharp objects clung to the fabric.  He pulled out what looked like small throwing stars, smaller than any he’d ever seen.  But they weren’t made of metal.  Rather, they resembled some kind of natural material.  Almost like the stone façade of the church. Smooth yet rough.  Like the details on the crocodile wrapped around the Archangel’s legs.  Fossils?  Scales?  What the—

“Dex Hunt!”

The shout  came from down the steps, a deep but timorous voice that had Dex’s brows climbing.  Was there anyone in Paris who didn’t know who the hell he was?

“I just saved your ass from that shape-shifter.  The least you can do is come out.  I won’t harm you.”

“What?  You run out of your little throwing stars?” he yelled back.

 “Look for yourself.”

Cautiously, Dex peeked around the column.  A man stood at the bottom of the steps.  The dude was wearing nothing but a kilt. 

“Unless you think I’ll shoot them out from my d***, I assure you, you’re safe.”

Question: I can't decide if this new character, a sexy bad-boy dragon-shifter with the ability to cloak himself with invisibility, manipulate fire, and grow wings and fly, really should just be wearing a kilt.  Of course, he's ripped and bare chested, but is this intriguing/sexy or cheesy.  What do you think? 

If you comment, you'll be entered into a drawing to win a $10 Amazon gift card.  Winner will be drawn midnight on Sunday, November 13.  Thank you and hope you enjoyed the tease!  :)