Sunday, March 27, 2011

Katie Salidas Interview and eBook Giveaway



Hey everyone. Most of us don’t like the beginning of the work week, but at least we have one thing to look forward to … #MentionMondays and author interviews. We love doing our author interviews. There’s nothing like exploring the mind of a writer. Today, we are talking with Katie Salidas, author of Karma & Melodies. All of our vamp lovers are going to enjoy this one and if you leave us a comment, you will be entered for a chance to win your own copy of this fantastic paranormal romance. Trust us, you want to win a copy :-) Please remember to LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. We can’t stress that enough and we don’t like using all caps. We have no way to contact you and let you know if you’re the winner, so don’t forget to add it at the end of your comment. Now, let’s get to the interview. 


PYN: What inspired you to start writing?

KS: It was more of a natural inclination to write than inspiration. I’ve always liked to jot things down in notebooks. I’d make up silly stories as a kid or create funny documents like my tongue in cheek “Contract to date.” It was always just part of my persona and as grew up, so did my writing.

PYN: What drew you to the paranormal genre?
KS: I love vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and other things that go bump in the night. I remember as a kid, watching the old Dracula movies and being interested vs. scared. When I was ten, I read my first vampire book and never looked back. There is an escape there, in the supernatural world, it adds a layer to life that makes the mundane not so dull. To imagine other creatures, other beings living amongst us yet still hidden in the shadows was such an interesting concept.

PYN: Have you taken any writing courses or workshops to help with your writng?
KS: I think it’s extremely important to continually work on your craft and learn all you can. Funny you should mention it; I actually, just finished up a class on self-editing and found it to be extremely helpful. There is so much involved in the technical side of writing. I battle with grammar and punctuation on a daily basis, and joke that the comma is the bane of my existence. Even after this last class, I know there is still more to learn, and I will continue seeking out classes and workshops . Someday, I might even figure out where and when to use the comma correctly.

PYN: Do you have a favorite author or genre?
KS: I’ll always have a place in my heart and on my bookshelf for Anne Rice! However, today it’s so hard to pick a favorite. There are so many great authors within the Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy genres.

PYN: How did you come up with the idea for Karama & Melodies?
KS: Karma & Melodies came to me as a snippet of idea and blossomed from there. I see a lot of stories where the man is the vampire and must save the woman. I wanted to turn things around a little. In this story Kendra is the vampire and she is the one trying to protect Marcus.

While coming up with the background for these characters, I was listening to a lot of music and had planned on going to the Coachella music festival. There was a band playing that year that hadn’t played in the States for over 10 years. I ended up missing the concert, but it gave me inspiration. In the beginning, Kendra attends the concert where Marcus is singing and begins the chain of events that connects their lives again after 10 years apart. From there, the story took off.

PYN: Would you say you are a plotter, a panster, or a little of both?
KS: Total pantser. I have a general idea of what I want to happen, but the story dictates its own direction. Plotting things out ahead of time just ends up in wasted paper.

PYN: Do you set writing goals for yourself?
KS: I used to set a daily word count, but I found it aggravating. Some days inspiration strikes and I can write thousands of words (10k is my daily personal best) and then there are other days where 500 words is a battle. In the end, I just settled for a “write every day” approach. It seems to work best.

PYN: Do you have any other projects you are working on?
KS: Right now, I’m revising book 3 in my Immortalis series. I hope to have it out before October. I’m very excited about this one. As the series has progressed I have really come to know these characters and I think readers will enjoy the direction this story is taking. There will be quite a few surprises in this book.

PYN: Where can readers purchase your book?
KS: Karma & Melodies is available at all the major ebook retailers: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Sony, Kobo & Smashwords.

PYN: Can you share an excerpt of your book?

It’s time to come home, darlin’, a voice whispered in Kendra’s mind. She woke from a sound sleep and shot up in bed. Her heart pounded in her ears as she scanned the room, looking for any signs of her old master.
Light crept in from the edges of the curtained windows. Kendra breathed a sigh of relief seeing it. It was daytime, and Hector would be sleeping just as she had been. “It’s just a dream,” she reasoned, and tried to lie back down to sleep.
But sleep wouldn’t come. Between thoughts of Hector and Marcus, her mind was abuzz with activity.
Hours passed in semi-silence. Kendra watched small particles of dust dance in the shafts of light streaming in through the edges of the curtains. Midday light was powerful, more intense; harsher and brighter. She endured the small tingling sting at her skin as she waved her hand in the stream of light.
“What are you doing?” Marcus’s voice startled her.
She turned to find him leaning against the doorframe, with his arms crossed and his head cocked to the side. His tee-shirt clung to his body like a second skin, outlining his pecs and six-pack abs.
“Just passing time.” Kendra sighed serenely, enjoying the view. She couldn’t believe, after all this time, she was here with him. “Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”
“I could ask you the same thing. Aren’t vamps supposed to—”
“What?” she asked with a playful smirk. “Sleep in coffins?”
“Well, maybe just sleep.” Marcus laughed.
“I don’t need as much rest as you think.”
“What are you doing in the light?”
“I like to feel the warmth sometimes.” She passed her hand through the shaft of light again and giggled. “It kind of tingles.”
“So the no sunlight thing is true?”
“For the most part, yeah.” Kendra frowned. “I can handle the dawn, with a bit of help. You know, sunglasses and all that, but midday is completely out of the question.”
“What’s it like?” Marcus looked on her with a questioning gaze, and Kendra found herself entranced, getting lost in the beautiful hazel of his eyes. They were like sparkling gems that shifted color in the light, first blue, then green, with hints of brown and yellow. Sadness crept into to her thoughts. She realized if she stayed with him, and the bond became stronger, he’d want to be turned. She might want him to turn too. If that happened the beautiful hazel would be lost, washed out and faded to the pale bluish gray all vampires shared. 
“Don’t ask me what it’s like.” The playfulness left her voice. “You don’t want to know.”
Marcus took a step into the room. His ankle sagged and he stumbled. In a burst of supernatural speed, Kendra was at his side, steadying him before he hit the ground.
“Careful, you still need to rest.”
“I don’t feel so bad. A little dizzy, that’s all.” Marcus draped his arms around Kendra’s shoulder, allowing her to hold him up. His scent wafted to her nose, that tantalizing earthy masculine scent that was all him. She savored it, inhaling slowly as she helped him to the bed.
“I took a little more than I should have from you last night. You need to lie down and allow your body to recuperate.”
Marcus leaned back into the mattress, propping himself up on his elbows. “I can’t get you out of my head... Why?” He stared up at her, meeting her eyes with a look that begged for answers she couldn’t give him.
Kendra knew what he was feeling, and it went beyond the bond they shared. She’d been in his position before: the need, the want, the willingness to do anything for just one more taste… of blood. That was really all that mattered now. Blood and how to get it again.
“That’s just the bond, the addiction talking.” She sat down next to him and gently stroked his arm. “I’m so sorry, Marcus. What I did to you … It was wrong. I should have never—”
Without warning, his lips crushed hers in a demanding kiss. A rush of excited energy washed through her. She’d dreamed of this moment, never actually thinking it would really happen. His lips were silky, his mouth hungry, and before she knew what was happening, his deliciously warm hands were sneaking their way under the hem of her shirt. Goosebumps erupted across her body. She moaned and he swallowed it, deepening their kiss. He was an exquisite temptation, forbidden fruit, and as much as she knew she shouldn’t, she savored the moment.
She wanted to have him, every inch of him, and she knew he wanted the same from her. The need radiating from him matched her own secret desire. The bond they shared intensified this connection, making it hard for her to think clearly.  
It took all the strength she had to pull away. “No. We have to stop this.”
“No, we don’t,” Marcus said, breathing heavily as if he had just run a marathon. “I don’t know how I can feel it, but I know you want this too.”
“It’s not real.” Her hands trembled as she pushed herself backwards on the bed, away from Marcus. “It’s the bond. You want my blood, not me.” Kendra felt sick. Her stomach churned with regret and sadness. She wanted his affection to be real, but how could it?
Marcus cringed and clutched his stomach as if he was about to be sick. “What’s happening to me?” Marcus groaned and fell backwards on the mattress. He stared blankly up at the ceiling.
“I’ve cursed you with what I’ve done. You see? You can feel everything I feel. It’s the bond at work.”
 “Look, blood bond or not, I know you, Kendra. I remember you from Enigma. You were so beautiful, so sexy. You still are. I wanted you then, but I didn’t take the opportunity. Let’s not waste that chance now.” He rolled towards her. “I want to taste your lips. Your neck, your—” He bit his lip and groaned.
“Go ahead, say it. You want my blood. Vampires are ruled by our instincts,” Kendra said matter-of-factly, repeating the words she had heard Hector say before. “We’re hedonists with a finite limit of control. Wants, needs, desires are all amplified.” She looked down at Marcus. “You see? It’s so easy to give in. To become the beast we’re known to be. I’ve cursed you to this fate. Already you’re acting on your desires. You want my blood.”
“You said I’m not a vampire though, just bonded to you.”
“You’ve tasted my blood. You may not be a vampire, but you’re different now. And no mortal drug will ever come close to the ecstasy you’ve felt. It’s only natural you want more.”
Marcus propped himself up on his elbows. “Then give me more. Share yourself with me. Or don’t you think I could handle it?”
“No. Don’t you see? The bloodlust will consume you.”
What if I have just a little more? What then? Will I become like you?”
“I won’t let that happen.” She fought the urge to reach out to comfort him. She could feel him struggling to hide the desperation he felt. She’d been there before. She knew the pain.
“I want to be with you, to be like you. If that’s the only way, then let’s do it.”
“I wish things could be different. Marcus, I’ve wanted you for so long. I always have, but I can’t. Fate’s decided things for us. I’m a vampire. That’s not the life for you. You deserve better. Look how hard you and the band have worked. Look at all you’ve accomplished. Don’t throw it away because of bloodlust.”
Kendra took a moment to calm herself. Breathing slowly, she quieted her mind.
“It’s not just bloodlust.” Marcus stared deeply into her eyes. “I want you… all of you.”
Kendra let out a stuttered breath. Echoes of her own pleading request to Hector ran through her mind. After her first taste, she couldn’t resist. She’d been willing to say anything necessary to get another taste. And Hector used those words to trap her into this life.
“You don’t know what you’re asking,” she said, looking down at him.
“Then show me what it means to be with you.”
“It would never work between us. How could I ever know it was me you wanted and not just the drug that is my blood?”
Marcus sat up. “I remember you, Kendra.” He let out a deep sigh. “I remember your poetry. I wanted to get to know you back then, but I was so wrapped up in the band I never had time to talk to you. And then … you disappeared.”
Her breath caught in her chest.
“Why didn’t you say that before?”
“I was a little out of it last night,” he said with a smile. “I have something to show you.” He stood up and walked to a small black duffel bag against the wall, unzipped it, and extracted a dirty, tattered notebook.
Kendra recognized it immediately. Beneath the layers of dirt and grime she saw the familiar monogramed K on her old journal.
He handed it to her. “I found this sitting on the table at Enigma. I had hoped to return it to you at the next show. It gave me the perfect excuse to talk to you.” He let out an awkward chuckle. “But you never came back.”
“You’ve held onto this for ten years?” Kendra pulled off the rubber band holding it closed and flipped through the pages. Among her old writings were notes and sketches in the margins.
“Well, at first, yeah, I held it, hoping to see you again, but after a while…” He raked his fingers through his disheveled mop of sandy hair and cleared his throat. “Well, it sort of helped me to come up with our lyrics. Please don’t be mad.”
Kendra sat silent, filled with happiness and pride. The fact that Marcus had held on to her journal, that he actually remembered her and on some level sincerely wanted her was enough to wash away the doubt in her mind about how he felt about her. But genuine affection aside, she still couldn’t condemn him to her way of life.
“Please say something,” Marcus said, kneeling down in front of her.
“I don’t have the words—” Tears choked back her voice.
“We owe a lot of our success to you. Your poetry.”
“I’m glad my writing helped. I’m… honored.”
“But—” Sadness turned the corners of Marcus’s lips. “I can feel there’s a but there. You’re still not convinced. Why am I feeling this?” Frustration edged his voice.
“I’ve already told you. You can feel what I do and vice versa. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be here, to be with you right now, but I just don’t know how we could be together. I’m not human anymore, and I refuse to condemn you to my life.”
“Okay. I won’t ask you to turn me. Just give me the chance to get to know you, now that I have you here. I don’t want to miss that opportunity again.”
Kendra clenched her teeth. She knew she should say no, but she too wanted the chance to see what she had missed all those years ago.
“No promises about the future, but while I’m here, we can get to know each other.”
As if the lights had been turned on, Marcus’s eyes lit up and a wide smile stretched across his face. Through their shared bond, she felt his elation like a warm pulse of energy that matched the beat of her heart.
He jumped up, capturing her mouth, knocking her backwards into the mattress. He landed on top of her but caught himself on his hands before he crushed her. His toned body fit so perfectly between her legs. His hot breath blew across her ear as he spoke. “I’ve wanted you for so long.” Marcus’s words melted her heart. She wanted him too, and hearing the words and feeling their intensity made them all the more meaningful. A small chill, a ripple of excitement, rolled through Kendra’s body. She felt the stiffness of his erection through his jeans, but even without that physical sign, she knew his desire. It was hers too. Their bond was gaining strength by the minute. She tried to fight back the sudden urge to run her hands over his body and pull him even closer. As if Marcus had read her mind, he wrapped his arms around her, rolled over, and pulled her on top of him.
Kendra had a moment of painful clarity that shocked her back into reality. She couldn’t do this. Not now. Maybe not ever. Things were happening too fast. She needed to get a little control. She’d already made too many rash mistakes. She rolled off Marcus and sat up on the mattress. “I want you too. But… let’s take this slow, okay?”

***

We'd like to thank Katie for stopping by and talking with us. She will be on our Blog Talk Radio show today at 3pm PST. Don't miss out on your chance to hear more about her book. Call us if you'd like to talk to Katie or one of us at ParaYourNormal. The number for the show is 619-639-4626. You can listen to the show here.



The Truth About Vampires Winner Announced

Hey everyone. Thanks to all of you who read our interview with Theresa Meyers, author of The Truth About Vampires. We have used www.random.org to select our winner for this book. So, without further ado, we'd would like to say congratulations to Wulfie, you are the lucky winner! We have forwarded your email address to Theresa. She will be in touch with you soon to get your prize to you.


We would like to take this moment to thank all of our new followers for checking us out. Welcome aboard. To those of you who have been retweeting us on Twitter, and for all those who are adding us on Facebook. Thank you so much for all you kindness. You are a great group of people :-)


Our next author interview will be with Katie Salidas. She has a great book called Karma & Melodies. All of our vamp lovers, be sure to check this one out. Katie is giving away a copy of her book to one commenter, so make sure you come back Monday and check out the interview. Until then, we'll see you on the stream ;-)

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Interview with Theresa Meyers, author of The Truth About Vampires

Hi everyone. Have you adjusted to the time change yet? We are, slowly. Makes you wonder if vampires hate this time of year? Less time for them to go hunting :-) #don'tneedgrouchyvamps

With us today is Theresa Meyers, author of The Truth About Vampires. What would happen if the world found out that vampires really existed? If you want to know the answer, you'll have to read the book. She is giving away a printed copy to one lucky commenter. Don't forget to leave your email address in your comment so we can contact you. This contest ends Saturday, March 26th at Midnight PST. Now, let's get to the interview.


PYN: What interested you most about writing?
Since about junior high, I found writing to be a fantastic way to express ideas. At first I thought I was going to be a journalist, then in college I looked for a major that I could use my writing no matter what industry I went into and ended up in public relations. But I’ve always been a story teller. I just get to make up the stuff in my stories now instead of reporting about other people’s stories. And let me tell you truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.

PYN: Who is your favorite author?
Not a fair question because I have so many! I love to read (which is really saying something since it took me until about fifth grade to be able to read well with my dyslexia). Right now I’m enjoying Gail Carriger’s Soulless series, Yasmin Galenorn’s Otherworld series and a new book by James Rollins. I love reading P.C. and Kristin Cast’s House of Night books. I’m a huge fan of historical romance author Julia Quinn (and have all her books on my keeper shelf). I’m also reading Zoe Archer’s Blades of the Rose series.

PYN: How long did it take you to write The Truth About Vampires?
I keep a day by day progress log for my writing so I keep on track with my deadlines. Looking at that it took me 2.5 months to write the story. Usually I try to schedule it so I’m writing 5-7 pages a day and give myself two weeks for editing. I can write 10-15 pages a day if I really push myself, but then my family doesn’t like me too much because mommy gets “grouchy”.

PYN: What intrigues you most about vampires?
I suppose it’s their grasp of immortality. The search for immortality (or at least a life after this one) has been the root of every major religion of the world. It taps into the very basics of who are we and what happens to us after we die. In lots of ways vampires are kind of the ultimate when it comes to looking at the question of immortality because they have fears and needs and passions just like us, but they also have eons to get it right.

PYN: How many times did you query before an agent/publisher picked you up?
Bwahaha. Want to see my rejection file? It’s about six inches thick with single page rejection letters from agents and editors. You know what they say about persistence? Yeah, that. I went through two major agent hunts. Had my first agent from 1996 to 2004 and my current agent since 2007, both times required lots and lots of queries. I found tracking them with an Excel spreadsheet help me know who I’d sent to when, what I’d sent, what their response was and what they requested. Being organized makes all the difference. I also recommend www.querytracker.com

PYN: Have you ever pursued any other artistic venues?
My friends laughingly refer to my other artistic interests as playing Martha. I love to sew (and make all my own steampunk costumes), I enjoy painting and love to dance. I love to listen to music, but I have a really hard time reading it so other than plinking on the piano now and then I don’t play an instrument. I’m just lucky everyone else in my house does!

PYN: Besides writing, what are you passionate about?
Life! Ok, I suppose I should break that down a little more, hum? My family, definitely. I love history and folklore/mythology. I enjoy spending time gardening and growing green things. I’m a bit of a nut about tea and have an entire kitchen cupboard that’s just my tea and tea things. I enjoy costuming and painting, canning my own produce from my garden, watching movies and cooking-particularly baking.

PYN: How many books have you written?
I’ve written about 15 books, but only some of those went on to be published.


PYN: Do you have any other project you’re working on?
LOL. Lots! Right now I’m in the middle of the third book for the Sons of Midnight series, tentatively titled The Half-Breed Vampire (which will be done by May). Then I’ll be working on the second of my Legend Chronicles steampunk trilogy, titled The Slayer (which will be done by mid-July). After that I’ve got a dark fae novella in a new Shadow Sisters series to write before August titled Shadowlander, then I’ll be working on my next story for the Sons of Mindnight series which will be done by Nov. And that’s just this year! Currently I’ve got contracts for three dark fae novels in the Shadow Sisters series, and the final book in the steampunk trilogy secheduled to be written in 2012.


PYN: Where can readers purchase your books?
Anywhere Harlequin books are sold – bookstores, grocery stores, Walmart, online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and eharlequin.com

PYN: Where can readers connect with you on the web?
The best place to find out what I’m working on is my website www.theresameyers.com but readers can usually find me Twittering in the mornings at www.twitter.com/Theresa_Meyers and occasionally on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheresaMeyersAuthor   I also teach a lot of online writing classes (one on writing Steampunk starts today at www.SavvyAuthors.com)

PYN: Can you share a small excerpt of your work? 
“Why don’t you get her a Vampire.” The sexy-as-hell male
voice, with a slight Italian lilt, soaked into Kristin Reed’s skin
and elicited a flutter in her stomach.
She glanced behind her and found herself face to broad
chest. Encased in a crisp white shirt and fitted black jacket,
the plane of muscle led to a deeply tanned throat, firm jaw
and sinfully sculpted lips. She turned her gaze upward and
found herself staring into a set of intense brown eyes, so dark
they looked nearly black, and so deep they seemed soulless. A
jolt, like caffeine from a double shot of espresso, raced down
her spine and made her limbs tingle.
“Don’t look quite so appalled,” he offered in a deep, rich
voice laced with amusement. “I think you’ll enjoy it. No, put
that away, this drink is on the house. Anastasia, please prepare
a Vampire for our guest.”
Kristin returned her wallet to her purse. “Thanks.” Lord, he
had a great mouth. What would it feel like to brush her mouth
against his? To have his mouth crush hers in a soul-stealing
kiss? Whoa, put on the brakes, she warned herself. This guy
is a total stranger. Sexy and great to look at, but still a total
stranger.
He put out his hand, and Kristin suddenly found her fingers
enveloped in the coolness of his. “Dmitri Dionotte, manager
of this establishment.” He brought her hand up to his mouth,
brushing dry lips across her skin. A shiver, part fear, part
fascination, raced down her spine.
Still holding her hand, he lifted his head, his eyes all pupil
as he held her gaze. He was like no one she’d ever met before.
Darker, more imposing in a way that filled up the room, not
just with his size, but also with the power radiating off him
in pulsating waves.
She’d never had her hand kissed in her life and the contact
alone was making her body buzz. “Kristin. Kristin Reed.” Her
pulsed kicked up double time, as if she’d made several trips up
and down the staircase to the newsroom. Kristin swallowed
and pulled herself together, kicking her brain back into gear,
and withdrew her hand from his. She was here to find a lead.
That’s what she should be concentrating on. Not Mr. Tall,
Dark and Delicious.
“Want that Vampire?” The bartender jarringly interrupted
the silent connection shimmering between them.
Eyes still locked with his, Kristin pushed out something
vaguely intelligent, though her brain had shut down and her
body went into lust mode. “What’s in it?”
The mountain-size guy beside her answered, “Chambord,
peach schnapps, red Vampyre Vodka, a splash of 7-Up and
some cranberry juice.” The words were prosaic enough, but
he made them sound like seduction.
The drink sounded harmless enough. The man was anything
but. “Sure, I’ll try it.”
The bartender slid across a hurricane glass filled to the rim
with ruby-red liquid and capped off with a black straw and a
pair of plastic vampire-costume fangs on the rim. Cute, but
a little tacky.
Kristin took out her wallet, pulled out a ten and tucked it
in the tip jar. Good information was hard to come by and the
man at her side was more a distraction than a good source. She
forced her attention away from him and back to the bartender.
“Have you worked here long?”
The bartender popped her gum as she sliced lemons and
limes and dropped them into a container behind the bar.
“Since they opened in October.”
The sharp smell of citrus overwhelmed some of the
mouthwatering cooking scents, which were making Kristin’s
stomach grumble. She’d forgotten lunch again.
She swizzled the straw in her crimson concoction, casting
a glance under her lashes at the hunky guy beside her. “Yeah,
I heard you had the best Halloween costume party in town.”
“We get some real characters in here,” the bartender
confirmed.
As she took a sip of her drink, the fruit flavors burst on
her tongue. A delicious combination of sweet and tangy. She
glanced at the manager and gave him a little smile. “Hey, I
think I like Vampires. Thanks for the suggestion.”
The bartender snorted.
“You say that now,” he said. The smoky quality of his voice
both tempted her and put her on edge at the same time. “But
watch out. They seem harmless, but they’ve got some serious
bite.”
Kristin paused a beat. There was no point in seeming too
eager to talk with him. She took another sip, then looked up
at him. “I’ll try to remember that.”
“Welcome to Sangria.”
He sat down on the stool beside her, his focus on her so
intense it wrapped around her like a warm down jacket.
Comfortable. Heated. Welcoming.
“Interesting decor.” She glanced around, taking another
sip of her drink, acutely conscious of him sitting beside her
and how it was making her light-headed. Maybe it was the
alcohol on an empty stomach, but somehow she doubted it.
“A place for the curious.”
“You mean vampire wannabes.”
His lips stretched into a subtle smile over very white, very
even teeth. His eyes made her feel as if he was reaching inside
her. Searching the deepest corners of her mind, her heart. “Not
exactly.”
His wavy dark hair curled over the edge of his collar and
she resisted the urge to slip a ring of it around her finger.
Maybe that Vampire drink was stronger than she thought.
A wave of dizziness crashed into her and Kristin sucked in a
gulp of air. She smelled the clean scent of starch, the spiciness
of cloves and something darker, rich and sweet like brandy
laced with dark chocolate. It reached out and coiled about
her senses, both arousing her and making her wary of how
relaxed she seemed to be.
“What are you really here for?” The tenor of his voice
stroked her skin, making her shiver and, odder still, making
her desire to tell him everything. Every secret she’d ever kept.
Every thought she meant to be private. “A man?” His eyes
glittered with invitation.
“No, information. I’m just curious.”
“So you’ve heard about the club.”
She nodded, then peered intently into his eyes. “Only a
few stories. But I hear that you cater to people who are a little
more exotic in what interests them.”
“Really, like what?”
A rush of heat washed over her skin. Just how much should
she reveal? Interviewing was a delicate balancing act. Give
too much and you got nothing. Give a little and sometimes
you got a lot more.
She turned and peered at the kaleidoscope of colors in
the bottles that lined the back of the bar and wondered for
a moment what exactly was in them. Some of the red ones
appeared more dense and opaque. Her source had said people
with vampire fantasies, or kids into cutting, were regulars at
the club. Either way, blood was a big deal. It had seemed like
the best place to find a lead to the weird Bloodless Murders,
since the cop shop had been less than helpful. Again.
Perhaps she ought to go for broke. “Is that blood?” She
indicated a bottle of opaque dark red liquid on the shelves
behind the bar.
He didn’t even flinch. “We try to appeal to all our customers.”
Her curiosity spiked. “And is any of that from donors?”
Dmitri stiffened, turning guarded. Bingo. Her pulse sped
up, this time not from attraction but from excitement. If she
could score a lead on the Bloodless Murders, even just enough
to write up one article, it would give her time.
“So you’re interested in the backroom activities we
offer?”
“Perhaps. I’m a little picky about who I’d partner up with.”
He inclined his head. “Naturally.”
“And I’d like to know a little bit more about what you
offer before I decide if I just want to watch or would rather
participate.”
Oh, God. Had she just said that? Smooth, Reed. Real
smooth. She covered her flub by taking a last sip of the drink
and found herself loudly sucking air instead.
“You really do like Vampires.” He motioned for the
bartender to refill her glass.
Kristin held up a hand. “Oh, I don’t need another right
now.” His eyes bored into hers, searching, weighing, but
revealing nothing. Kristin gave what she hoped was a smile
rather than a grimace. “So, about these other activities?”
“Of course.”
He held out his hand. Grasping it, her hand tingled. She slid
off the high bar stool, and quickly released his hand. What
was up with that? Sure, she’d met cute guys before, but her
body was in overdrive and it shocked her. Grabbing her purse,
she slung the strap over her shoulder and tried to cover how
flustered Dmitri Dionotte seemed to make her. He led her to
the row of crimson-draped rooms on the far side of the club.
“These would be our tasting rooms.”
“Tasting what?”
“Our clientele is interested in unusual vintages. Hard to
obtain wine like, say, a 1945 Mouton Rothschild Pauillac that
retails for about nine thousand dollars a bottle, if you can find
it.”
“Oh.” Who had swung by and stamped a giant L on her
forehead? Her reporting career seemed to be shriveling before
her eyes and her tongue was completely uncooperative. For
some insane reason, she’d hoped she would stumble upon a
solid connection to the murders, a lead that could take her
somewhere with the story and save her ass in the process. Her
editor, Rex Hollander, had been very specific—get a frontpage
investigative story or get a pink slip.
Dmitri lifted one of the heavy velvet curtains aside and
gestured her ahead of him. As a last resort she straightened
her shoulders and tried the vapid smile that got her far more
information than direct questioning ever had. Especially from
a guy like this—cool, reserved, with just enough swagger to
think, or rather know, that he was worth a second look.
“It’s pretty,” she said, keeping her voice artificially highpitched,
shaving another ten points off her IQ. She glanced
around the room, pressing as many details as she could into
her memory. Honestly, it was more like some Goth sitting
room tricked out in crimson faux leather on the walls, soft
black leather couches and lounge chairs, chrome-and-glass
tables, with an enormous flat-screen television on one wall.
A tall black lacquered cabinet stood in one corner. “What’s
in there?”
“Supplies. Glassware, napkins, trays.”
“May I see?”
He moved his hand with a flourish. “But of course.”
He didn’t move to open it, so she took it upon herself to do
the honors.
The doors hid a bit more than napkins and glasses.
Hermetically sealed razor blades, tubing, individually wrapped
packets of gauze, tape. She picked up a plastic-encased blade
between her fingers. “And this would be for slicing…”
“Olives.”
“Riiight.” She tapped her finger on the cabinet door.
“They make the best practice,” he added, his lips tipping
up in the corners in a knowing way.
Kristin’s stomach dropped to her shoes. “Come again?”
“If people are interested in blood activities, we have them
first practice on olives, or grapes. Either tends to simulate
the necessary balance between pressure and precision that’s
required.”
“For…” Kristin rolled her hand, wishing she could pull the
words out of his mouth faster.
            “Some people like to drink blood.”
“Annnnd we’re back to the vampire wannabes.”
He stepped closer, making the room seem all of a sudden
way too small and intimate for her taste. “Not all of them.” He
slipped the cabinet door from her fingers and lightly closed it,
the clicking sound echoing through the hollow in her chest.
Kristin could feel her heartbeat fast and thick in her throat.
His lips twitched and his eyes seemed to take on a golden
glow. A trick of the light, Kristin was sure.
“Some are wannabes. Some, my dear Miss Reed, are the
real thing.”

***

We'd like to thank Theresa for taking time out of her busy schedule to talk with us about her book. We will be interviewing her live on Blog Talk Radio, Monday, March 21. Be sure to listen in or call us with any questions you might have.

Next week we're bringing you some more vampire love when we interview Katie Salidas, author of Karma & Melodies. Until then, we'll see you on the stream.