A Captive Peek

With the upcoming release of Betrayed, book 3 in my Roman/Druid romance series, I thought I'd share some tidbits about the earlier books, Forbidden and Captive. Today I'm posting a piece that was originally published in Romantic Times in February 2011, the month that Captive was released.

The books are set in Britain during the first century AD, when the Romans invaded and were charged with eliminating Druids from the face of the Empire. These fearless warriors, used to tough campaigns, harsh conditions and primitive provinces are brought to their knees by their intriguing heroines. Unfortunately for them, their heroines also happen to be powerful Druids :-) 

Originally I wrote the first book, Forbidden, without any inkling there would be a second. But not only did Morwyn, the best friend of the heroine from book one, demand to have her own happy ending, I also realized the powerful goddesses were not yet satisfied.

That really surprised me. I thought I’d tied things up there but apparently not! While Cerridwen, the Goddess of Wisdom, ensured her continuing legacy in Forbidden, the Morrigan, the Great Goddess, was insistent her side had to be told.

You don’t argue with an angry goddess!

Bren, the warrior hero in Captive, is one of my favorite heroes I’ve written so far. Tortured by brutal events in his past, Bren’s been undercover in the Roman Legions for the last three years. Bound by unbreakable chains of loyalty to his king, he will do anything to eliminate the invaders and ensure freedom for his people. Nothing else matters. Everything is secondary to his single-minded goal.

And then he meets Morwyn.

Morwyn, educated, independent and a warrior in her own right is not only recovering from the realization that the man she once loved brutally betrayed his own people, but has also turned her back on her Druidic heritage. Not content to hide on the sacred Isle of Mon with the rest of her clan, she sets off to join the rebels fighting the Romans, but is ambushed and captured by a tough Gaul mercenary.    

I loved watching the relationship between Bren and Morwyn unfold. As far as Morwyn’s concerned, her captor is nothing but a traitor to their people. She knows she should kill him without a second’s hesitation. Yet there’s something about him that fascinates her—not least the intriguing hint of vulnerability she glimpses beneath that tough warrior exterior.

For years Bren has lived a lie, knowing it’s the only way he can serve his king. But Morwyn turns his convictions inside out and although he knows he should set her free, her fearlessness and sharp retorts somehow soothe his wounded soul. He knows she believes him to be her bitterest enemy and wouldn’t hesitate to cut his throat given half a chance. And yet he can’t tell her the truth, because the truth could get them both killed.

And Bren won’t put this brave, infuriating woman in such danger.

But from the instant they meet a blazing sexual attraction ignites between them. The longer they spend together, the hotter the lust burns. When they finally give in to their overpowering need, both tell themselves it’s only sex. But as they grow to know each other the lust and sex evolves into something much deeper. And much more dangerous if either wants to survive unscathed.

I hope you enjoy reading my Forbidden romances as much as I enjoyed writing them!

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No Sex Please, We're Aliens

It's my turn over at the Romance Writers of the Apocalypse blog and after a great deal of Deep Thought and Ponderings, I decided to share my pet theory as to why I don't think we will ever make first contact with alien species from across the galaxy. What do you think?

True Romance on Captive

Setting:    Britannia 51 AD

Subgenre:   Historical, Erotic Romance with Fantasy Elements

Hero:       Bren, undercover warrior-spy in the Roman Legions

Heroine:    Morwyn, kick-ass Druid priestess

One sentence summary:

 A tortured warrior and rebellious Druid priestess have to overcome their past, put their trust in each other and face their deepest fears if they want to survive the invasion of their lands and the wrath of a spurned goddess. 

Scene you like most and would never cut:

 There’s a scene in the middle of the book where Morwyn witnesses Bren doing something that shakes her to her core. The decision she makes – to stay with him instead of escaping – makes her face how much this man means to her. It’s an equally pivotal moment for Bren as he realizes that Morwyn is prepared to stick by him, no matter how low she believes he’s sunk.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying:

 I can’t imagine Morwyn ever saying something like this: “Yes, dear. Anything you say, dear.”  If she doesn’t agree with something she has no hesitation in letting her views be known :-)

 

What celebrity is your hero like:

 I never really base my hero or heroine on celebrities, but if a movie was to be made of Captive (a girl can dream, right?!) then I’d be very happy if Clive Owen took the role J I think my editor would be very happy with that too! Alternatively, I’m a bit obsessed with Henry Cavill (Sussex in The Tudors) at the moment. He’d have to roughen up a bit, there’s nothing polished about Bren, but he is closer in age to my hero than Clive is. 

What celebrity is your heroine like:

 Oh this is a hard one. When Bren first meets Morwyn she’s under attack and he rescues her (much to her disgust). She is very feminine and brings out his protective streak. But she is also tough and a warrior in her own right, so whoever played her in the movie of Captive (whoops, there I go again!) would have to be able to show these aspects of her character. I’m thinking Jessica Alba, when she was in Dark Angel.

What is your heroine's occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing:

 Morwyn is an acolyte of the great goddess, the Morrigan. Almost fully trained before the invasion of the Romans, Morwyn is a powerful Druid priestess but at the start of Captive has turned her back on her calling.

What is your hero's occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing:

Bren is a tough warrior who, three years ago, took on another man’s identity in order to infiltrate the Roman Legions. He is completely loyal to his king and dedicated to ridding his land of the invaders.

 What you think readers will like best about this book:

 Bren is horribly tortured by the brutal events in his past. Because of this, he’s locked his heart away and constructed an impenetrable shield around his emotions. I think readers will enjoy how both Bren and Morwyn fight their attraction for each other, and watching how Bren’s barriers are demolished by Morwyn. 

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven't yet:

 I had several readers wanting to know what happened to Gawain, a Celt warrior from my debut romance, Forbidden. I wanted to know what happened to him as well. Then I started writing Captive and found out. I was a bit choked!!

This was first published on the Borders True Romance blog in February 2011.

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Captive Historical Tidbits

This interview was first published at Unusual Historicals on 3rd April 2011

When and where is CAPTIVE set?

Set during the first century AD during the early years of the Roman occupation of Britain, my Forbidden series has sexy warrior heroes and magical Druid heroines.

Captive begins six months after Forbidden ends. The heroine, Morwyn, is not only recovering from the realization that the man she once loved brutally betrayed his own people, but has also turned her back on her Druidic heritage. She sets off to join the rebels fighting the Roman invaders but is ambushed and captured by a tough Gaul mercenary. They journey to Camulodunum—present day Colchester in Essex in SE England—which at that time was the Roman capital of Britannia. It was only after the Boudicea revolt in AD 61, when Camulodunum was razed to the ground, that Londinium (present day London) became the capital city.

The hero, Bren, is haunted by his violent past and far from being Morwyn’s bitterest enemy as she imagines, has been undercover in the Roman Legions for the last three years, secretly working for his displaced Briton king, Caratacus. The problem is he can’t tell Morwyn the truth, because the truth could get them both killed. 

Were any events in CAPTIVE based on historical fact?

Caratacus was king of the Catuvellauni tribe at the time the Romans invaded Britain in AD 43, and he became leader of the anti-Roman campaign. After some early defeats in the east he moved west into the mountains of Wales where he and his forces continued to aggravate the invaders by using guerrilla tactics. And I wondered… would he have spies in the Roman Legion? It seemed plausible.

Captive is set during AD 51 and the Annals of Tacitus describe how in that year Caratacus rose up against the Roman invaders in what he hoped would be a decisive battle. I was intrigued as to how he and his rebels managed to evade the Romans for so long and Caratacus and his vision for freedom became a vital thread of the book.

Reviews

Romantic TimesBOOK Review, 4 Stars

Phillips’ second in the Forbidden series is just as hot as its predecessor. Readers will be held Captive by the magic between Druid priestess Morwyn and Bren. 

Bookaholics Romance Book Club, 41/2 Stars 

"Primal and sexy, I love this series.

"Bren('s)... reputation is black and unsavory, but the author gives him a vulnerability and humanity that proves how worthy he actually is. It was fun to read how this sober and serious Bren lightens up under Morwyn’s sensuous attack... When Bren reveals what drives him, I really felt for him. But the best sections are their interactions as they flirt with each other and slowly learn to respect and care for each other...

"Sensual and vibrant, this historical romance is emotional and sexy. I could not put it down and this may be my favorite new time period in historical romance. I can’t wait for the author to write more!"

Sneak Peek ~ Snippet of BETRAYED

1.  

   Here's a snippet from my upcoming EC book, BETRAYED. Nimue is recovering from being shot with an arrow and Tacitus is still under the misguided notion that she is a fragile flower :-)
   
   “I’ve never been so incapacitated.” She sounded distressed, although she still glared at him. “It’s humiliating.”
   
   “It will soon pass.” If her blood had poisoned, she would already be showing the symptoms. “I regret you were shot, as if you were an enemy. It should never have occurred.”
   
   Her glare faded and she looked confused.
   
   “But I am your enemy. I only wonder that you did not strike me down yourself.”
   
   Her fingers peeked from between the folds of his cloak. He covered them with his hand in a blatant gesture of possessiveness. She did not protest.
   
   “I told you.” He didn’t bother hiding his amusement. “I don’t fight women. You posed no threat to me or the Empire. Why would I strike you down?”
   
   “Had our positions been reversed,” she sounded irritated. “I would have had no hesitation in striking you down.”
   
   How enchanting she believed herself capable of felling a warrior. The conversation reminded him of the one they’d shared at the stream, before he’d had no choice but to make her his slave.
   
   “I’d like to see you try.” He knew some Celtic women fought alongside their men-folk but they were built like men themselves. Or so he had heard. Personally, he’d not faced any in battle and for that he was relieved. The thought of killing a woman, even a woman who thought herself as good as a man, horrified him.
   
   “You would not have time to see.” Nimue’s eyes darkened before his gaze. “If I struck, you would be dead before you realized what had happened.”

    

   

    Read Chapter One of Betrayed

   Ellora’s Cave  Publishing

The Process of Cover Art

I always love to know the process of how an idea for a book cover transforms into the finished product.  Here is a guest post I wrote for Cover Stories at the B&N Community Blog when Forbidden first came out.

FORBIDDEN is my debut novel, and not wanting to jinx myself, while writing it I didn’t think much of how the cover might look if it was ever published. However, after signing with my agent in June last year and then selling to Berkley Heat in the September, I knew I could finally indulge my dreams!!

The book is set during the first century AD ~

Between a warrior and a princess comes an erotic passion as all-consuming as the hatred between their warring worlds…

Berkley was completely awesome when it came to designing the cover. My original idea, after my editor asked for input, was for my heroine Carys to be on the cover, standing in a wooded glade beside a tree, with a waterfall in the background. I also wanted her looking toward the forest away from the “camera” so we see her face in profile. Alternatively, I suggested having both Carys and her Roman centurion hero Maximus on the cover in a similar pose. The eerie thing is when I discussed my ideas with my agent before sending them onto my editor, her vision was almost identical to mine – right down to having Maximus in his full Roman regalia!

My editor loved my ideas but suggested it might have to be a bit sexier. So I thought I would end up with a half naked guy on the cover. Now don’t get me wrong – I love half naked heroes on covers! But I had this burning desire for the cover to show exactly what the book was about – and it’s about a Roman centurion, a Druid princess and a lot of the story takes place in the forests of ancient Wales. And yes, the waterfall has great significance!

There were lots of emails flying between my agent, editor and me during the week leading up to Christmas 2009. It was hugely exciting! In the New Year my editor asked for additional input on what clothing Maximus would wear – although she added he might be bare-chested on the cover. So I sent her heaps more info on clothing and weapons.

A couple of days later she got back to me with suggestions for Carys’s gown. It wasn’t how I imagined a typical Druid gown would be – but I could immediately see the image my editor suggested would look completely fabulous on the cover. Because I like to authenticate things as far as possible I looked up the history of linen – and discovered there had been a thriving linen industry in Egypt for thousands of years, and they could produce linen so fine it was like gossamer in texture. Perfect for Carys’s gown!

When the cover dropped into my inbox, I was pretty nervous. But when I opened it up – OMG! I was overwhelmed. I even shed a few tears J. It was everything I’d dreamed of and more. Even the waterfall surpassed what I’d imagined! Within a few minutes I was on IM with my agent – she was as excited as me! Carys is as ethereal as she is in the book and even has bi-colored eyes (they show up beautifully in the enlarged version!) And as for Maximus, I think he is sooo hot. Look at those biceps!! I find the cover incredibly sexy and enticing – and it immediately gives an accurate impression of what’s inside the book. 

“Ms. Phillips skill in creating sexual tension that simmers and explodes from the first meeting between Carys and Maximus is palpable. While their love scenes are filled with erotic passion and grace it doesn’t overpower the story, but rather enhances their developing love adding dimension to their developing personalities and relationship…

“It’s satisfying to find a new author whose debut novel is so impressive with attention to detail giving us a glimpse into the life of these Roman legionaries and Celts, but also wrapping it all up in a fantastical and engrossing story to give us a compelling and spellbinding romance. I’m sure I’ll be re-reading Forbidden many times. I highly recommend Forbidden and for these reasons I recommend a Gold Star Award.” Aggie Tsirikas, Just Erotic Romance Reviews. Full Review can be read here

A Glimpse into the World of my Hot Warriors

With the release of Betrayed in only 20 days, here is a little glimpse into the world that Nimue and Tacitus live in.

This was first published at the Lovin' Me Some Romance blog in October 2010, on the release of Forbidden, book #1 in my fantasy historical romance series.

I’ve always loved history and historical romances, but because I enjoy writing about heroines who are powerful in their own right and don’t need a man in order to conform to their society’s view of propriety, it had never occurred to me to actually write a historical romance until recently.

But when Maximus stormed into my head one night and refused to leave until I discovered why he was searching for his Druid princess, a whole new world of possibilities opened up. The Romans, with their military skill and advanced technology, were literally taking over half the world. While to a certain extent they assimilated the various religious beliefs of those they conquered, when it came to the Druids they wanted nothing less than annihilation.

All we really know about the Druids from contemporary sources comes from the Romans themselves. The Druids held responsibilities for lawmaking, were the keepers of knowledge and wisdom and were known as magicians. They were widely respected as the priests of Celtic society, and the Romans feared the power they wielded over the rebellious tribes that inhabited ancient Wales.

My muse was enthralled :-) Here was an entire segment of people that, despite the power and knowledge they clearly held for many generations, we know almost nothing about. Did they believe in the goddess culture?  What was their societal structure?

Their world unfolded around me. In Forbidden, the Druids do worship the goddess culture and their women are as powerful as their men. My heroine, Carys, is not only a princess by virtue of her birth but also an acolyte of the Goddess of Wisdom, Cerridwen. Carys has never been used to taking orders or believing that a man is her superior, simply because of his gender.

Since the Romans believed the opposite, there is of course that conflict between Carys and Maximus, but because of their personalities and willingness to open their minds to a culture so different from their own, it’s far from insurmountable. The greatest threats come from the Roman Emperor and his desire to wipe out all trace of Druidic culture from the face of the earth, and the High Druid of Carys’s clan who has his own agenda.

Forbidden, and the second book in the series, Captive, both have strong heroines who are struggling against all the odds to preserve their way of life so their beliefs don’t vanish into the mists of time, lost forever to future generations. Forbidden is about ancient goddesses who will do anything to ensure their names linger on in the minds of their children. And most of all, it’s about how love can conquer anything.

“The sexy elements of the book did not overpower the plot or the characterisation, but added to their love story. The real heart of the book is the emotional elements between them, and I really liked how that was played out throughout the book. Although the well written love scenes added a sensual layer of heat and passion, and *fans self*, I will never think of Roman Baths the same way again.”  Has, The Book Pushers. Full Review can be read here.

What Is an Ancient Historical Romance?

With the release date for Betrayed rapidly approaching, I thought it would be good to look back on some of the guest posts I wrote for when the first two books in this series, Forbidden and Captive, first came out. 

I'm also gearing up for my Betrayed blog tour next month, so stay tuned as I have free copies to giveaway!!!

I wrote this post for the Historical Romance Junkies blog in September 2010. It gives a brief overview of the world of my hot warriors and their magical Druid heroines :-)

So what exactly is an ancient historical romance? Well, ancient history is the period known as Classical Antiquity, the beginning of recorded Greek history in about 776 BC. It also roughly coincides with the traditional founding of Rome in 753 BC. Western scholars use the fall of the Roman Empire in AD 476 as the end of ancient European history and the start of the Middle Ages.

Forbidden is set in AD 50 in Cymru (ancient Wales). The Romans invaded Britain in AD 43 and it took them seven years before they invaded the western peninsula, where they faced fierce resistance from the local tribes. But Rome wanted the gold and other precious minerals Cymru had to offer – and Rome wasn’t going to let a primitive province of the Empire get away with rebellion.

My hero, Maximus, is a Roman Centurion, a patrician and loyal to his Emperor and Rome. When he discovers his heroine, Carys, (who’s been spying on his bathing rituals for the last three months!) he’s instantly captivated. Who is this woman and why hasn’t she been seen in any of the villages the Legion has vanquished?

Carys is, in fact, a Druid princess and acolyte of the Goddess of Wisdom, Cerridwen. She and the rest of her clan of Druids escaped into a magical enclave before the Romans invaded, and are waiting for a sign from their gods before they attack their enemy. But despite knowing this Roman would strike her dead if he knew who – what – she is, Carys can’t stop thinking about him.

Claudius, the Roman Emperor at the time, hated Druids with a passion and wanted all trace of them wiped out across his Empire. This couldn’t be better for the purposes of my plot! I now had historical back up for my Romans’ determination to hunt down and eliminate any Druid who had escaped them during the initial invasion.

But why was Claudius so determined to eradicate the Druids?

Unfortunately, while there’s plenty of written and archeological evidence when it comes to the Romans, there’s not so much when it comes to the Druids. Caesar explains this lack of documentary evidence when talking of the Gaulish Druids: “they consider it improper to entrust their studies to writing.” And the contemporary written accounts we do have of them are invariably from the Roman viewpoint – the victors – so there’s likely to be some prejudice going on there!

But here’s what we do know about them. They were widely respected as the priests of Celtic society, held responsibilities for lawmaking, were the keepers of knowledge and wisdom and were known as magicians. They were also, according to the Romans, the rallying force behind the rebellious tribes that inhabited Cymru and the Druidic stronghold on the Isle of Mon (now known as the Isle of Anglesey, off the west coast of Wales).

The Romans saw Druidism as a serious menace against the might of their Empire, and Claudius was convinced that as long as Druids remained in Britannia then rebellion and resistance would continue to flourish among the tribes.

This period of history is so rich with inherent conflict that as a romance writer I find it hard to resist! In Forbidden, Maximus has been charged by his Emperor to eliminate all Druids. And Carys, the woman he falls in love with, is one of Rome’s bitterest enemies. 

 Read Chapter One of Betrayed

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Lion's Share by Shelley Munro

My good friend Shelley Munro is holding a Goodreads contest for her upcoming print release of Lion's Share, book 7 in her fantastic Middlemarch Mates series. Here's the lowdown!


 Lion shifter Leticia Huntingdon has FIV, the feline version of AIDS. For months she's been in remission, treated by Gavin Finley, the Middlemarch feline doctor. Now the disease has returned. Her feelings for Gavin can't go anywhere because of the FIV, so it shouldn't hurt when Gavin turns to Charlie, the new male cop. Gavin can't believe how good sex is with Charlie, can't believe he's found a mate. The loving is amazing and hot, but Gavin can't forget Leticia. He wants her in his life. He wants Charlie too. Confusion and jealousy create torrid undercurrents for the trio. 

Charlie McKenzie falls for Gavin quickly and can't understand why he's attracted to Leticia. A nightmare changes everything, drawing the three together and bringing new possibilities. A mnage a trois. Raw need and passion brings them closer. If only the disease threatening Leticia's life didn't loom on the horizon..

Enter the Goodreads contest to win a print copy of Lion’s Share!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Lion's Share

by Shelley Munro

Giveaway ends in 24 days (March 20, 2013)
1 copy available, 324 people requesting

giveaway details »

Enter to win

BETRAYED Cover Reveal & Release Date!

Pre Order from  Ellora’s Cave  Publishing

It's been all systems go at Ellora's Cave since the weekend! First of all Betrayed,  book #3 in my sexy warriors and magical Druid heroines series has been moved from the Legend line to the Xanadu line, which I'm thrilled about since this will really highlight the fantasy elements of the book.

Secondly, I received two emails from my editor this morning with the new and improved blurb for Betrayed  - and also a release date!

20th March 2013

Woot!

This means I have only a month to get my butt in gear and prepare for launch day. A daunting prospect when you consider it normally takes me about three months to get my head around the fact I actually have a release date coming up!

And here is the blurb:

In 51 A.D., Druid priestess Nimue is injured and enslaved by the hated Roman Legions. Even though she is drawn to her captor, she’s determined to escape and complete her mission for the Briton king and her duty to Arianrhod, the goddess she is bound to.

The tough Roman warrior who captures her is far from the brutal barbarian she expects. His touch inflames her desires and passion burns between them. Though Nimue does not accept her enslavement, her heart surrenders to her enemy. When Arianrhod appears to her in the form of an owl, Nimue knows the union is blessed.

Roman warrior Tacitus is enchanted by the fiery beauty who shows no fear and challenges him at every turn. Though enslaving her goes against his heart, he’s determined to make her his. No woman has ever heated his blood as she does. But when he discovers her true nature as one who actually communes with the gods, his loyalties are torn between his heritage and a woman who could destroy everything he’s ever believed in.

A Romantica® fantasy erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

A Day in the Writing Life of...

Today I'm in the hot seat over at the Romance Writers of Australia's blog in A Day in the Writing Life of... me :-)  Come on over and find out all my dirty little writing secrets!

Spilling Hot Secrets!

Today I'm a guest over at In Shadows with Brynna Curry to help celebrate her Heart of Romance Valentine's celebrations and I spill some secrets about my upcoming books, BETRAYED and TAINTED :-)

Beer - Cold or Warm?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hearts, tiaras and cold beer. That's what I'm talking about today over at The Displaced Nation, a great blog site for ex-pats from everywhere who now live anywhere! As with many good things I first discovered them on Twitter and was delighted to be invited onto their blog. If you want to discover some amazing tidbits about me then hop on over!

(OK the revelations are probably not at all amazing but I would still love to see you over there!!!)

Heartbreaker Blog Hop Winner!

And the winner of a copy of Foretaste of Forever and some gorgeous swag is...

Carla!

 Congratulations!

I will email you shortly!

"Christina Phillips does a magnificent job at creating an eerie, haunting atmosphere. Her use of imagery is nothing short of genius as she paints images that evoke emotions out of the reader. " CK2S Kwips and Kritiques, 4 Stars

Heartbreakers Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Heartbreakers Blog Hop!

There's something addictive about heartbreaker heroes. Maybe he's a little bit arrogant, or maybe he's so charming he just doesn't realise he's left a trail of broken hearts. But either way I just love it when he finally faces the fact that he's fallen hard for the heroine - and she's not sitting at his feet worshipping him :-) Because I sooo enjoy watching these heroes have to do a bit of good old fashioned grovelling in order to win the woman who's captured their heart :-)

Gabe, the hero in my latest release, Archangel of Mercy, is bit of a heartbreaker although his heroine, Aurora, doesn't let him get away with much :-)

 I'm giving away some gorgeous archangel swag and a copy of my erotic paranormal romance
Foretaste of Forever
 to one commenter on my blog.

Between an angel and a desperate woman comes salvation -

and a raw passion that challenges them at every turn... 

Over 18s Only Please!

Destined to fall... destined to love...

When Aurora Robinson attempts to open a rift between dimensions to embrace her true heritage, an arrogant Archangel is the only one who can save her from the jaws of hell. And while she owes Gabriel her life, she’s determined not to fall at his feet-despite the desire she feels whenever they’re together.

After his wings were brutally destroyed millennia ago, Gabriel has no compassion for humans like those who ruined him and betrayed the ones he loved. But when he inexplicably finds himself defying ancient protocols to rescue a woman from a fate worse than death, he is shocked by the searing attraction he feels for a mortal.

As the ancient forces that seek to punish Aurora for her actions close in, Gabriel offers the tempting woman protection at his private sanctuary. But as they both succumb to their desires, they discover an even deeper connection-one that threatens to consume them.

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Read Chapter One of Archangel of Mercy

Don't forget to check out all the other fabulous authors, reviewers and bloggers participating in this Hop! You can find a list of them at Carrie Ann's Heartbreaker Hop

But that's not all....

We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!

Now what are those prizes?

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $100 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: 

A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!

All prizes are international except for the Swag Pack which is US only
 

To be entered into the Grand Prize draw and my own contest on this blog, just let me know one of your fave scenes from a book, movie or real life where it finally hits the hero that he can't live without his heroine :-) *or* since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, what (or who) is your ideal Valentine's date?

Blog Hop Coming Up...

Next fabulous blog hop coming up is...

Are our heroes heartthrobs or heartbreakers? Or are they just the same thing? Yummy right? Valentine's Day is just around the corner for this blog hop and we're gearing up to see what exactly is a heartbreaker. Is the song playing in your head line mine? "Cuz he's a heartbreaker!" We love those sexy men, but what about those times in the story when they aren't perfect. Because come on, we know they aren't perfect. What makes those men heartbreakers? What can those guys do to make it better? Is there a way to grovel? Come on! Tell me about your heartbreaker!!

Almost 300 bloggers have giveaways and posts about those men we love! 

But that's not all....

We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!

Now what are those prizes?

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $100 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!

All prizes international except for the swag pack

Pop back on Friday to join in the fun!

Goddess of the Apocalypse

Today I'm over at the Romance Writers of the Apocalypse and instead of looking forward at possible cataclysmic events I look back to first century Britain. Which, by no coincidence, is the era that my Roman/Druid books are set :-)

And I ask the question: what would ancient gods and goddesses do if they were faced with a vision of apocalyptic devastation?

Cream Puffs & Zombies

I've been interviewed over at a couple of places this week. First of all I'm at The Reading Cafe with the lovely Sandy chatting about cream puffs. And why did it take me all these years to work out that cream puffs are actually profiteroles?!

I'm also over at Love an Apocalypse, the cyber home of the fabulous Kylie Scott. author of the post apoc erotic romances with zombies, Flesh and Skin,If you want to discover what I learned in 2012 then hop on over!

An Update on my Sexy Warriors

With publishing, it seems like forever can go by without very much happening and then all of sudden everything comes at once (rather like buses in England!!!)

I spent most of November and December last year doing revisions on my next Roman/Druid book, Betrayed, for my fabulous editor at Ellora's Cave. I sent that off to her on 18th December and she was very happy with the results, much to my relief.

In the New Year I gave my Regency Vampire novel, Bloodlust Denied, a thorough edit before sending it to my editor, who had requested an updated copy. Then I went back to Tainted (book 4 in my Roman/Druid series) and my gorgeous hero Gawain, and his Roman noblewoman heroine Antonia.

The current status on that book is - I am soooo near the end that I can taste it! I have about two more scenes plus an epilogue to write before I go back to the beginning and revise. The deadline on this book is 28th February so I should be OK.

However! Last night I received an email from my new developmental editor at Ellora's Cave, to let me know she would have the edited manuscript of Betrayed ready to send me on Monday. She also said how much she loved the story! That totally made my night :-)

So hopefully I might soon have a release date for Betrayed, which will be very exciting! It's been almost two years since Captive (book 2) hit the shelves and I am so looking forward to Nimue and Tacitus's story finally seeing the light :-)

Archangel of Mercy is an ARRA Finalist!

I'm thrilled to announce that Archangel of Mercy is a finalist in the 2012 Australian Romance Readers Favourite Paranormal Romance Awards! Thank you to everyone who nominated my book, and congrats to my fellow finalists!

Under the Covers with a Hot Archangel

Only nine more sleeps until Christmas! I can hardly believe it's almost the end of another year. But before the Mayan calendar rolls over (or not as the case may be!) I'm chatting about traditions on the Under the Covers blog. What's your favourite traditional celebration? Pop by and let me know! And don't forget to enter the rafflecopter contest to be in with a chance to win a copy of Archangel of Mercy (US addresses only)

Year End Splash Party

There's a great party happening over at The Romance Reviews this month! And today it's my turn over there!

Just hop on over and answer an easy question and you go into the draw to win a copy of Archangel of Mercy. The contest is open internationally to wherever The Book Depository delivers!