We’d like to thank Lisa Renee Jones for joining us recently, instigating a good discussion about book covers, an important issue in the process of publishing a book and buying one. Thanks for a fun day, Lisa!

And now to our winner, who will receive a goodie bag filled with books, some bath and body works Vampire Blood that Lisa swears you will love and any one of her backlist books she currently has in stock.

Mairee (#4) …. come on down!

Congrats! Send your snail mail address to lighthousetagger (at) gmail (dot) com and we’ll pass it on to Lisa for you.

A hero who thinks he has no gentleness in him. He saves lives with no thought to his own.  No mission is too dangerous. He does what it takes, no matter what. When he meets his heroine, Becca, all those things he knows about himself change – completely. His emotions churn as never before. That is the storm known as Sterling.

Now Sterling has to fight his inner storm on two fronts – his feelings for this woman and everything else. Especially the evil that’s gunning for Becca. More than ever, Sterling is determined to win to keep her safe.

Sterling is one of those heroes who just whirls into your life with word and deed of his own, and you’re as surprised as he is when the changes happen. That just makes him all the more appealing.

Summary:

He may be invincible to everyone else…

Sterling Jeter has remarkable powers and has shown himself to be just about indestructible. But beautiful, brilliant Rebecca Burns knows that even a Super Soldier needs comfort, and so much more…

But she can see that deep down, he’s just a man…

Sterling and Rebecca’s teenage romance was interrupted, but years later the heat between them flares back to life. Even though it endangers everything they’re fighting for, it’s impossible to resist picking up right where they left off…

Now just a teaser for you to meet Sterling.

His cheek brushed hers, whiskers erotically scraping against her skin, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, “If I instinctively know something so simple as how to order your dinner, think what else I might know about you. What we might know about each other. How to tease each other… How to please each other.”

There was an emptiness inside her that shuddered with hope, with a plea that he would drive it away, fill it with something that wasn’t icy and cold.

He pulled back and looked at her, his eyes dark, passionate. Compelling. “No regrets, Becca,” he vowed, and she knew he’d found those words in her head. Words she’d sworn to live by when she’d left that German hospital without a cure. Words she’d spoken in her head in the lab earlier with him there.

She rolled them around inside her and let them take root, rewarded herself with a deep inhalation of Sterling’s addictive, masculine scent. “No regrets,” she said softly.

A slow smile formed on his lips. “I love it when you agree with me,” he teased.

Becca laughed. “You’re crazy.”

“About you,” he said huskily.

She felt a little schoolgirl rush from that. In the past, she would have felt like the geeky bookworm with the quarterback, uncomfortable and out of her league, but not with Sterling. Never before had a man taken her from such dark emotions to laughter. A place she might just find real escape.

She pressed her hands to his face, her lips to his. Absorbing him. Breathing him in like a little piece of life. They lingered that way, heat simmering between them. Expanding… drawing them in closer to one another without ever moving

His tongue flickered against her lips, pressed past her teeth as he slid it against hers for a long, sensual taste. “Your kisses taste like honey,” he murmured. “What does the rest of you taste like?”

She shivered at the erotic comment—the promise he was going to find out. He kissed her again. Crazy-wild, hot-kissed her, and she loved every second of it. Loved his tongue, his lips, and his hands sliding through her hair, over her face.

Becca ran her fingers through his thick, blond hair. She loved his hair—a little wild like him. Hot like him too. With each stroke of his tongue, each touch of his lips, she felt liberated.

Her palms traveled over his chest—warm, hard muscle, her reward. She was extremely, intensely interested in those muscles, like the best science project in the world that had to be studied. She explored his arms, his biceps, how they felt beneath her palms. Inching forward in her chair, she arched into him, for research purposes, of course. To explore how he would feel pressed close to her. Her breasts ached for his touch, her nipples tight and swollen, in need of his mouth. God. Had she really just had that brazen thought? She was a good girl; she always had been.

His hands slid over her breasts, fingers teased the stiff peaks of her nipples. Her hands covered his, silently telling him she wanted more, because she couldn’t ask or demand. Because she was still that “good girl” at heart and couldn’t seem to let it go.

But she didn’t want to be a good girl. If anyone knew the meaning of “life is short,” she did. Becca ran her lips over his jaw, hid her face in his neck, and nibbled as she said, “You know what I want?”

He slid his hands around her waist. “If you say Chinese food, I’m going to object.”

“I’ll give you a choice then,” she said, feeling braver with his jest. “Feed me, or take off your clothes.”

“I’m all for getting naked, if you are,” he quickly agreed.

“You first,” she bargained.

And while the idea of standing in front of him naked, him fully clothed, would make her feel vulnerable, exposed, it apparently had none of those effects on him.

“Okay,” he said, unaffected by the idea as he pushed to his feet and started undressing. And only seconds later, he stood there in all his naked glory, and she sat there, fully clothed.

Writers really have no say in our covers. Readers are always shocked to hear that. Of course, indie publishing is changing that, and I know I feel the pressure of getting it right. I don’t envy the big publishers trying to nail down the PERFECT quality to sell a book. Sigh…Oh, those stroking covers that make us pick up a book!

I’ve tried to figure out what it is that draws me to certain covers, and though I’ve read stats that say naked male chests sell books, I’m not always drawn to those. There is some other quality that draws me. I mean – look at Twilight. There is no hot man on those covers – not the originals – but they spoke to people in some other amazing way.

With a new book out – The Storm that is Sterling – I am, of course, hoping my cover helps draw readers to pick it up from the shelf.  Interestingly, I’ve read that the color RED is a big plus. People are drawn to it. Oddly, almost every cover I had for my first six plus NY releases were red. Even with Nocturne, when other people got different colors – I was red.  Even anthologies I was in ended up with RED covers! It was kind of crazy.

The Storm that is Sterlng is my first blue cover and Damion my first purple. I’ve been writing books for years and finally I have new colors. I’m actually excited about that.

So I’m curious about what you like or dislike about a cover.

What makes you take a look, even if you don’t know the author?

What makes you ignore the book?

And, finally, has online buying changed what you look for at all? I’m shocked at some of the horrible covers on some top selling indie books! What is it that is making the readers find those books and buy them despite the cover? Then  I see striking covers on books that aren’t selling.

I’d love to hear your answers!  Just answer one or more of the questions or add whatever comment you have about covers to enter to win a goodie bag filled with books, some bath and body works Vampire Blood that you will love — so cute! — and any one of my backlist books I have in stock.

Added bonus!!  If you tweet or facebook about Sterling today, I’ll send you a copy of any of my ebooks you like!

Sandy M’s review of The Storm that is Sterling (Zodius, Book 2) by Lisa Renee Jones
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Nov 11

This series is already picking up speed quite nicely, moving along at a good pace to keep things interesting and intriguing. And Sterling. Wow, he’s so complex that he’s nearly very simple to figure out. But just when you think you do have him figured out, as his heroine Becca can attest, he throws you a curve you never see coming.

While I enjoyed the first book in the series, The Legend of Michael, it’s bogged down at times with too much info and not enough dialogue. This book is filled with terrific dialogue, mostly between Sterling and Becca, and has a fresher feel while still jolting you with danger and thrills throughout. This is the Lisa Renee Jones I’ve read before.

Sterling and Becca knew each other in high school. He finally asks her out back then, after a particularly fruitful day of computer hacking, but it’s also his last endeavor at that activity, and the beginning of the end of his date with Becca – he’s caught and given a deal to join the military where he can put his technological skills to better use. Fourteen years later fate throws Becca back into his path to help in the fight against a new drug that is killing those who are coerced into using it.

Having her hopes dashed once again for a cure to her cancer, Becca returns home from Germany only to have her life thrown into more chaos, once by the high school boy who has grown into a remarkably handsome man and then by the evil that forces her addiction to ICE, a derivative of the original alien DNA Sterling and other soldiers were injected with, which subsequently cures her disease but leaves her facing death anyway. She wants to trust Sterling, but that’s difficult with such insidious evil that’s after her, making it look as though Sterling is on their side.

But when these two finally find the trust they need to come together, they work well side by side and they make love beautifully. Sterling believes Becca is his lifebond, but when she doesn’t show the necessary bond markings, he still refuses to let her go. Becca refuses to put Sterling at any more risk, so she keeps secrets from him that would change everything for them, but she’s not willing to take any chances with his life. What I like about all of that is these two talk to each other. Yes, there are secrets, but as their trust and love grow, they become more open with one another and work together, despite Sterling’s alphaness. His gentleness knows no bounds where Becca is concerned.

All of the secondary characters, and then some, from the first book are back for more trouble, either taming it or wreaking it. Ms. Jones does a terrific job with Dorian, Adam’s son, both evil personified, and I can’t wait to see what their end will eventually be, good or bad. The rift between Sterling and Damion is interesting and gives those scenes between them an extra intenseness. In fact, Damion’s story is next up, so it’s nice to get to know him a bit better now.

I’m glad the tone of the series has taken a different course with this book. This is a much faster read and, therefore, more enjoyable. It’s so far a very good series, different from other concepts out there right now. I look forward to finding out what happens.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Adam, the leader of the evil Zodius soldiers has developed a street drug from his newborn’s DNA that is so addictive that he could easily created a worldwide dependency on him as the only source, as withdrawal kills the user. This drug will give Adam the power to rule the entire population if his plan for mass distribution is achieved. Sterling, and a brilliant, cancer stricken scientist, must stop Adam before it’s too late. But can Sterling trust this woman when he discovers this drug might be her only way of surviving cancer?. Is he in bed, and in love, with the enemy?

The Hero: Sterling

He was created, molded, formed from life, love, and misery…

Lethally daring. Ruthlessly passionate. He invites death to his door. Welcomes it with each breath he draws, each step he takes. And thus he is danger. A volatile storm that will sweep across the calm realms of humanity and shake it to the depths of its core. And that storm is…Sterling.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of The Legend of Michael (Zodius, Book 1) by Lisa Renee Jones
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 May 11

I’ve been on the fence concerning this book since the beginning. I’d jump one way and then the other, again and again, with scenes here and there, which all surprised me, because the few Lisa Renee Jones books I’ve read, I’ve not had any vacillation at all. Her hero is to die for. Her heroine gives me the most ups and downs. The plot is interesting, though somewhat convoluted and scenes could be more action packed, and a few secondary characters end up irritating me just a bit.

First the plot. The heroine’s father has his hands on an alien DNA serum from the 1950s and has turned military men into stronger, faster, more indestructible warriors – GTECHS. They were hoodwinked into allowing injections of the life-altering stuff, and now there’s two factions of those soldiers – one, Zodius, that wants to rule the world and one, Renegades, that wants to stop such madness. Oh, and Daddy wants to rule the world too. Since the split, both factions have moved from their original home base, so there are those newly named areas, but even the old ones get new names and both are used just to make things confusing. With the Zodius and Renegades wanting to off each other, there’s also Daddy and his minions running around in the mix trying to off whoever they can in their rush to test and eventually use Red Dart, a new product that will now control those men who are exhibiting overly excessive violent tendencies. So Zodius wants Red Dart too to have total control, while the Renegades want it for safekeeping if needed in the future for any reason. So there’s a lot more bad guys here than good. Of course, there’s a lot more going on that just this, some of which really isn’t necessary.

Michael is the strongest of those who survived the transition, a legend unto himself with his abilities and reputation. Cassandra works for Daddy, but she knows only half-truths of what he’s up to. When the two of them meet, it’s instant attraction and they end up together fast. Much too fast. There’s nothing more between them, no getting-to-know-you stage, and they’re in bed by page 42 or so. Time moves very, very quickly during these first chapters, and I think it could have been slowed down some to give them time to get them where they need to be. But, having said that, I can’t blame Cassandra too much, because Michael is one hot, sexy, sensual, handsome man. Don’t forget dangerous. A lethal combo if there ever was one. He’s a killing machine, and when the factions divide, he has a chance to go undercover with Zodius to try to bring Adam, their leader, down. Things happen fast at this point, and he has no time to let Cassandra know what he’s going to do. His first big mistake. But Michael feels that’s all for the best, because Cassandra deserves better than he can ever give her.

Now, Cassandra does give me fits now and again. She’s a Daddy’s girl; it’s been just the two of them for a long time. So she does believe what her father tells her. She starts out as a fairly strong character, even when Michael leaves her and she has to start over. When he returns she tries to keep him at a distance, but the man has a killer body, lips that won’t leave hers alone, and she’s his lifebond mate. She can demand all she wants for him to stay out of her life, but the pull is just as strong on her as it is him. Eventually she has to admit that Daddy has a god complex, he’s not the man she’s always known, so she’s now working with Michael and Caleb, Adam’s twin and leader of the Renegades, to the end, no matter what. Where Cassandra irritates me is her refusal to let Michael keep her safe. It’s her war too, she says. She has to help, make up for what her father has done. Hello? We’re talking super soldiers here. Beefed-up hard asses to begin with. And now being X2 positive for aggression after injection? Come on, sweetheart. Quit being stupid at times and get a clue!

A couple of little nitpicks: Michael’s hair is described as dark, long, down to his shoulders. A lot. But every time I look at the cover of this book, that’s not the Michael I’ve been introduced to. Not a nitpick the author has control over, but it still bugs me. Jocelyn, Daddy’s cohort in crime, irritates me too, to some extent. She’s in charge of Red Dart, but lets Daddy control her like everyone else he’s got around him. There’s never any explanation as to why she allows this. She’s a strong woman and she’s been through a lot, she should have had more control from the beginning. But I do have to say surprise hit me square between the eyes when it’s revealed who she really is. I didn’t see that coming at all. Of course, you can tell I’m also not happy with Daddy. No name for him in my review. He’s just a power-hungry nobody and expects everyone to do his bidding, again with no explanation, though I guess one really isn’t needed since it is a god thing we’re working with here.

I do like the other Renegade soldiers, just as much as I hate the Zodius soldiers. In that, Ms. Jones does an excellent job writing blood-thirsty, evil men. Adam is one sick puppy, as are his minions, including his mate, Ava. What a pair. The dichotomy of Adam’s and Caleb’s resulting reaction to the transition to GTECH is quite interesting, however, and Ms. Jones draws out that distinction very well. It’s the Renegades’ Sterling who has captured my interest with his seeming death wish attitude. His book is next, due out in a couple of weeks or so, and I’m quite anxious to see what’s in store for him. Lastly, I feel the fight scenes between Zodius and Renegade warriors should have had much more action. They just seem to be over too quickly for all the powers and strength these men wield. And I haven’t even mentioned their special abilities each one eventually realizes some time after initial injection. I do enjoy those and they way they’re used. Very effective. But these battle scenes should be almost epic in scope, as far as I’m concerned.

Even with my nitpicks, this is a good read. It’s interesting and full of hot men fighting for good.

Grade: B-

Summary:

HE IS A LETHAL WEAPON…

One of an army of human soldiers injected with alien DNA, Michael is a legend within this new race, split between good and evil. Untamable, he has walked on the dark side and returned to the light. Feared and misunderstood, he leaves everything behind, including the one woman destined to be his mate.

HE IS HER ENEMY…AND HER DESTINY…

Fate leads Michael back to Cassandra Powell, for she holds the key to defending his comrades. With their loyalties divided between duty and the people they love, only together can Cassandra and Michael overcome insurmountable odds to save humanity from the wrath of a madman.

But no ordinary woman can control a creature such as Michael, and only one thing is clear—the world will never be the same…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Well, as much as I love reading historical westerns as much as y’all – the polite, alpha cowboy on his white horse and the town’s school marm with loads of gumption getting their HEA, but I also love reading contemporary westerns – that same polite, alpha cowboy who’s been raised right by his mama in today’s world and a more world-wise, modern heroine who can now be anything she wants other than a school marm.

I’ve not read huge amounts of contemp westerns, but I have my favorite authors who I go back to time and again, plus others I still have in the TBR mountain and know I’ll enjoy just as much when I finally read them.

1. Lorelei James is the first to come to mind. I have the best time with her Rough Riders and Wild West Boys series. The books center around the McKay and West families, and while they are definitely erotic stories, the way she weaves family with tragedy and fun and emotion with all the lovin’ going on behind closed doors, her books are always at the top of my list. Her cowboys walk and talk like they should too. No ugly western speak on any of her pages. My faves are Cowgirl Up and Ride, Tied Up Tied, and Branded as Trouble — all for three very different reasons. You can see my reviews of these three books and others of Ms. James here.

2. I discovered Catherine Anderson from the ladies at an historical romance chat group I’m in, and with her first book in her Kendrick/Coulter series, Baby Love, she hooked me not only with her storytelling and characters, but the emotion she wrings from with every book. I’m sorry to say I’ve only read a couple of Ms. Anderson’s books so far, but I know when I do pick up another, it’s going to be one terrific ride. My favorite of those few I’ve read to date is Phantom Waltz. Lordamercy, the emotion in that book will set you back a few days.

3. As good as Linda Lael Miller’s historical westerns are, her contemporaries are just as good. I loved her Montana Creeds trilogy released just recently (see my DDS review on the Creeds here) and still have her McKettrick follow-up books to read, which I know I will love as much as the original books.

4. Anna Jeffrey nee Sadie Callahan nee Dixie Cash is a one-woman force when it comes to contemp westerns. I have read her Jeffrey and Callahan books but have yet to sample her Cash stories. The few I have read so far have turned out to be pleasant surprises, especially Lone Star Woman under the Callahan pseudonym (see my review here). I have plenty more Jeffrey books to read and look forward to getting to them.

5. Though I really love her paranormals, Lisa Renee Jonesgave readers a look at another side of her writing with Lone Star Surrender last year. This is her only contemp western, but I’m hoping she’ll write more down the road.  Lisa is one of those authors who knows how to put the sizzle in love scenes whether it’s in the western or paranormal style, so more of her cowboy lovin’ would be a treat.

6. As for contemp western authors whose books I have but have not yet had the pleasure to read, there’s a few that come to mind: Jodi Thomas, Mackenzie McKade, Joan Johnston, Patrice Michelle, and if you’re in need of a guilty pleasure, Diana Palmer.

So. Have you read any of these authors? What’s your take on their books in the modern western world? Who else do you love/hate when it comes to contemporary westerns? I know I’ve not thought of a lot. Hit me with it, pardner!

We’ve chosen our winners from our Duck Chat with Lisa Renee Jones!

But first we want to thank Lisa for spending the day with us here at the Pond. We appreciate your time, Lisa!

So without further adieu or fanfare, using that handy-dandy random number generator, here are the five winners of Lisa’s latest release, Captive of the Beast:

** Maija P (14)
** Pam P (12)
** Jane (8) Melissa (5)
** Lisa Freeman (7)
** Kim H (2) Sheila Gallagher (11)

And the winner of Lisa’s Harlequin Blaze Hard and Fast is Carol Luciano (13)

Congratulations, everyone!!

Send your snail mail address to Lighthousetagger (at) gmail (dot) com and we’ll pass it on to Lisa to get your books on their way to you!

Welcome once again to Duck Chat!

Today Lisa Renee Jones is here to give us the scoop on her latest releases in her Knights of White series and just to have some fun with y’all!  Lisa’s Silhouette Nocturne series started with The Beast Within back in 2007, followed by Beast of Desire and Beast of Darkness in 2008. May 1 saw the release of Captive of the Beast and Demon Seduction, which is a Nocturne Bite. And, of course, Lisa has a wonderful backlist of both print and ebooks published by Pocket, Berkley, Kensington, and Ellora’s Cave to choose for your reading pleasure. Lisa sold her staffing agency when she decided she wanted to follow her dream of becoming an author and she’s not looked back once. She currently lives in New York with her husband, who has had a big impact on her writing.

Be sure to ask Lisa a question or leave a meaningful comment – she’s going to be spending the day with us and she’s giving away five – FIVE! – copies of Captive of the Beast and one copy of Hard and Fast, a contemporary by Blaze.

Now without further adieu, let’s chat with Lisa!

DUCK CHAT: You have two releases in May, both part of your Knights of White series. Let’s talk about the series as a whole first. For our readers who aren’t familiar with the series, can you give us some background on it, where the idea came from and how it’s evolved since you started it?

LISA RENEE JONES: The entire Knights of White series is based upon the Texas Legend of Matamoros Monsters, aka Demons. You can find that legend at Knights of White website. I was taking a trip with my DH to Brownsville – he has a son in Mexico so we drove down to the border to pick him up. To get there we had to drive through King Ranch, which is miles and miles and miles long. This place is a small city. That ranch inspired the ranch that is the Knights’ home in the series. The legend, of course, is the Knights themselves. I’d already had a vague idea for the series but it was based on vampires. There were so many vampire stories out there, so when DH started telling me the story of the Matamoros Beasts/Monsters, I knew that was my series.

King Ranch is an amazing place with guided tours!

The main shift in this series since I began writing it has been in the growth of the heroes – they are gaining new powers and growing stronger. Which is a good thing because the main villain, Adrian, has decided rather than destroying humanity, he wants to take it over.

I won’t have any more Knight stories for quite some time because I’ve been writing the stories for my new Faith Winter pen name. But there will be more Knights!

DC: If you could retire any question and never, ever have it asked again, what would it be? Feel free to answer it.

LRJ: I don’t really have a question I want to retire. Of course, as a writer every time someone hears you are an author, they tell you they have always wanted to write book or they have tried. My DH and I just share a little smile at that. I hate the reaction to romance, though. Many times, men mostly, sneer at that. It’s very frustrating. I had a close male business associate from my corporate days that did this to me. Sometimes I wonder why sex and love are sneered at but murder and bloody brutality are thumbs up to these people.

DC: I’ve heard writers often say their stories take them in surprising directions, or dialogue flows from some unknown place. Is it the same with you? Do your characters surprise you sometimes?

LRJ: All the time. I just wrote a synopsis for my second Grand Central book and it was long and detailed. I believe the beginning will be exactly as planned. About halfway through. though, the characters led me places that impact plot and things shift. I find I go to bed at night and have no idea what is next and wake up knowing exactly where I am going.

DC: Captive of the Beast is the next Nocturne in the series, featuring Rhinehart and his heroine. Has it been difficult coming up with stories as you go along in the series? Tell us about Rhinehart’s story.

You know, amazingly with the Knights, it has not been difficult to come up with storylines. I think the reason for that is they are all ultimately about good vs evil. There is a message of faith in each story. The ideas themselves come easily because they feel like life to me. Life is all about an internal struggle with that concept. What is right and what is wrong? That is what each story ultimately comes down to. Will we be judged to have lived a good life? Forgiven our mistakes? Plotting to make the story interesting but tight enough to fit the Nocturne shorter word count has been a challenge. I absolutely loved writing my first Grand Central and having that extra 25k to work with.

The great thing about Captive is that Wolverine is out this month. I couldn’t believe the storyline when I went to the movie. It is SO like Captive! The similarities are amazing! An island. Mad military leader. Young kids with powers! WOW! Blew me away! Rinehart is my Wolverine in the book. Great movie too! Loved it! I can’t wait for Star Trek.

Yay! An excerpt from Captive of the Beast:

Dr. Laura Johnson had a secret. She was different, able to manipulate objects with her mind, able to read people’s emotions, and sense danger and tragedy before they became reality.

Her parents had always thought that hiding her abilities was for the best. They’d warned her that there were people who would be greedy and power hungry, people who would be enticed to misuse the power behind her secret. And now, fifteen years later, both her parents having passed on, she still remembered their words, understood them, lived the truth they held.

Hiding those abilities had become second nature. In fact, her research exposed her to others like herself, people with similar gifts, and still she remained silent. She knew it was the right choice. Pretending to be no different than everyone else around her was as much a part of each day as brushing her teeth and having morning coffee with her favorite vanilla creamer. Sometimes she even convinced herself it was true, that she was like everyone else.

Staring out the window of the government lab off the Texas coast where she’d been working the past two years, she watched the ocean crash against the rocks of the secluded island facility. It was eight in the morning, and she’d been up well before sunrise, unable to sleep. Every nerve ending in her body was raw, frazzled, and she didn’t know why. Her instincts screamed with warnings, with a promise of danger. With the promise of her secret exposed.

She struggled with why she was feeling such a thing. She had felt unease for a while now, ever since Captain Walch had taken over the island’s operations six months before. The man wasn’t a good person. Not even close. He’d use her patients for the wrong things with a snap of the fingers; in fact, several times now he’d hinted at the power that duplicating their skills could wield. But Walch wasn’t the cause of this uneasiness. Her instincts tingled with a warning like nothing she’d ever experienced before. The word malice leapt into her mind as if part of some warning system that her instincts had set off. And considering her instincts were uniquely accurate, she trusted them.

Behind her, the lab door opened and closed, and Laura turned to find her favorite patient, a firestarter named Kresley, walking toward her. With red hair several shades lighter than Laura’s dark auburn coloring, Kresley drew fast attention whenever she walked into a room. Her striking blue eyes and waiflike figure reminded Laura of a sea nymph from a fairy tale.

Kresley was the only patient Laura had brought with her to the island. Now a woman of twenty, the young girl had become close to Laura’s heart. After Kresley’s parents had turned away from her, treating her as if she were a freak, Laura had taken her into her home.

“What in the world are you doing up so early?” Laura asked, knowing how fitfully Kresley slept most nights.

Kresley smiled. “I had a bad dream last night.”

In her present state of unease, Laura wouldn’t have thought she could laugh, but she did. “Most people don’t smile over a bad dream, you know, but since the alarms in your room didn’t go off, I assume that can mean only one thing.”

“Yep,” Kresley said, nodding. “I had a nightmare and didn’t start a fire. I’m controlling my power even in my sleep.”

“Wonderful!” Laura said. She moved forward and hugged Kresley, pleased she’d called her firestarting ability a power rather than a curse, as she often did. Maybe it was hypocritical, considering how she felt about her own abilities, but Laura had grown up with something that had given her the confidence these kids didn’ t have— parents who loved her, parents who made sure she knew she mattered and, although she had to be secretive about her powers, she was special to them.

While working for the University of Texas, Laura had discovered the genetic marker that created certain people’s gifts, or powers. Once that discovery had been published, she’d been invited to the island to help a group of people with problems similar to Kresley’s— they couldn’t control their powers. And now, two years later, Laura had finally found the missing piece of the puzzle and created a retrovirus correction. Thankfully, it appeared to be working.

Laura had inherited four other patients when she’d come to the island, all kept locked away like animals. They were prisoners because they lacked control over their gifts. She suspected they would all love a little trip off the island.

She was starting to tell Kresley this wish when the door opened, and Captain Walch appeared in the entryway. Tall, with a muscular build and dark hair, Walch wore stiffly pressed, army-green dress pants and a white button-down shirt sturdy enough to display medals. His dark hair was cut short, his cheekbones were high and sharp, his nose long and pointed. As usual, his face was emotionless, even militant. Except for his eyes—they raked over Laura with a lusty inspection.

His gaze narrowed on Kresley and then refocused on Laura. “We need to talk,” he said.

Obviously he wasn’t keen on small talk on Kresley’s behalf. Not that he ever was. “Alone,” he added.

Laura turned to Kresley. “I’ll meet you in the coffee shop in a few minutes.”

Kresley hesitated, protectiveness flashing in her blue eyes. The two of them were close, and Kresley knew how much Laura hated being alone with Walch. “It’s okay,” Laura assured her. “I’ll only be a few minutes.” Kresley nodded and headed for the door, never glancing at Walch again.

Laura crossed her arms in front of her body, wishing for her lab coat—anything to cover her black dress. Not that the simple shell of a dress was anything but conservative, but Walch had a way of making her feel naked.

The door shut behind Kresley before either of them spoke. “You seem edgy, Laura,” Walch commented. “Something on your mind?”

Laura felt more than edgy—she felt defensive for no good reason. “Actually, yes,” she said, forcing herself to seize the opportunity. She knew Walch: he’d make whatever point he had come there to make and then dart away. She needed to be aggressive. “I think it’s time to test the patients’ control. A trip off the island would allow me to see how they respond to real-world stimulations.”

His response came fast—too fast, in fact. “You’re feeling good about your progress, then?”

Why did this feel like a trick question? “It’s moving along well,” she agreed cautiously, “but they still need regular injections to maintain the corrections I’ve made.”

“There won’t be a trip right now. Not anytime soon, for that matter. I have a team of researchers joining you later this week. They’ve shown me enough documentation to convince me they can clone your patients’ gifts in others. As I’ve mentioned on several occasions, the military finds this concept intriguing. More than intriguing—it’s an absolute necessity. This will happen. We expect it to happen.”

She drew in a surprised breath. Visitors? A research team? No wonder she was on edge. “I didn’t sign up for this. That’s not what I’m here for.”

He seemed unaffected by her response, in fact, was prepared for it. “If you want to continue receiving the funding and resources to complete your work, you’ll make this happen.”

“Is that a threat?” she demanded.

“Call it what you want, but we both know this is the next logical step in your work. We need to do this before someone else does. Our men must be the most deadly, the most well equipped.”

“By creating weapons of war,” she said. “I won’t do it. I came to help these people, not to fight wars. That’s your job, not mine.”

“You came here because you wanted our money and resources. You have all the resources you could dream of here and a chance to be a part of changing the world. Fix them while you help us. Think about what the next step in your research can mean to the future. It’s not about creating war—it’s about eliminating it.” His expression turned intense, emotion actually evident for once—emotion laced with hunger and greed. “When one opponent is the strongest, the others don’t fight. They don’t dare. You will be creating peace.”

She stared at him, swallowing hard. He was different from before. Darker. Evil seemed to cling to him, a second skin. She could feel it, primal, potent.

She had to get off this island. She would come back for her patients, but if she didn’t leave they might all be stuck here. Despite her fears, her voice was low but firm. “I’ve overstayed my welcome here. I want to go home.” He took a step toward her. Instinctively, she backed up. Already close to the window, her heels hit the baseboard. Her hands went to her sides, pressing against the ceiling-to-floor glass panels behind her.

“You have a job to do, and I suggest you accept that,” he said. He stood so close to her that the toes of his shoes were almost touching her sandals. “You will welcome your new research team with open arms, and you will eagerly aid their efforts.” He paused, his eyes lowering to her lips, lingering there before lifting. “And you will do so because it’s in the best interests of both you and your patients.”

“What does that mean?” she asked, fear fluttering in her stomach. It was fear for her patients, and fear because there was more going on here than she understood and she wished she knew what.

“It means that you are being monitored, Laura. You always have been. Anything you do that might interfere with our goals will be penalized. If you value the safety of your patients, then I’d stay on task.” He leaned in, his body far too near, his mouth brushing her earlobe. “And remember…I’ll be close.” He eased back and looked into her eyes. “And I’ll be watching.”

For the first time since she was a teen, Laura fought the rise of her powers, fought the desire to use them against this man. No… Beast. The word came to her clearly. He was a power-hungry Beast. Her adrenaline raged, her nerve endings stood on end. With effort she reined in the rush of energy, drew in a discreet, calming breath.

“Fine,” she said. “I’ll do it. I’ll help clone the marker.”

He smiled, evil. “That’s my girl.” His finger ran down her cheek, and she shivered with repulsion. A second later, he stepped away from her, and Laura felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders. “Your new research team will be here Friday morning,” he said. “I trust you’ll be ready for them.”

She glared at him, not agreeing, not daring to disagree. She couldn’t say or do anything until she knew what her next step would be. But as he exited the room, giving her one more lust-filled look over his shoulder, she knew one thing for certain. She had no intention of doing what he demanded. Somehow, some way, she was going to get off this island, and she was taking her patients with her. Their own powers were resources they themselves could put to use for escape if it came down to it. But she’d need to stockpile their medication first and plan carefully.

Then, they were out of here. One way or another, they were getting off this island.

Rinehart stepped onto the sandy beach of his island destination, after a long night on a boat spent, in part, blindfolded. Behind him several military police officers followed, one of them informing him their ride would be there shortly.

Only these soldiers weren’t men. Not anymore. They were Beasts in human disguises. Beasts that reeked of evil. The hardest part of the trip had been not killing them. No. That wasn’t true. The hardest part was thinking about his past, about the time he’d spent in the military and then the FBI. About the night he’d led his men on a mission deep into Mexico, his mind distracted by personal matters, by a woman, to be exact—a matter that should have been left at home. His team had fallen that night, ambushed by Beasts. He’d failed his men and his country. Why Salvador had saved him, converted him to a Knight of White, he didn’t know. Still didn’t. But when he’d finally pulled himself out of the self-hatred that day had created, he’d vowed to both himself and Salvador he would never fail the Knights.

Max, Rock, Des and their newest Knight, Lucan, joined him on the beachfront, reminding him of that vow. He had a damn good team who had worked miracles to get them here today. “My skin is crawling from being so near those bastards,” Des murmured under his breath, touching the arrowhead necklace he wore around his neck as a reminder of his Native American mother. Something he did often in troubled times.

“I hear ya, man,” Rinehart said. “We can’t get this job done fast enough to suit me.”

Rock came up on the other side of Rinehart. Like the rest of them, he wore khakis and a collar shirt. Gone was his standard attire of jeans, T-shirt and cowboy hat. But the more conservative clothing did nothing to contain his impetuous youth. “Remind me why I can’t take their heads right now,” he said.

Rinehart shook his head; that statement spoke worlds about why Rinehart kept Rock attached to his hip. If anyone were going to beat Rock’s ass, it would be him. “You gotta learn some patience, kid,” Max said, joining them, egging on Rock with the kid reference. They all knew he hated it.

DC: Do you ever argue with your characters while you’re writing? Who usually wins?

LRJ: No, but sometimes they seem to know more than me. I’ll hit a spot where they just won’t talk to me and I can’t make word count. I always know I am going the wrong direction and that is the hold up. It’s frustrating, but, once the words come again, I always understand why I was stalled.

DC: What is sure to distract you from sitting down and working/writing?

LRJ: A new DVD of Brothers and Sisters. I am currently obsessed with that show. I love Rob Lowe. I try to stick to only watching while on my exercise bike, but it’s better to think about my story than watch the DVD.

DC: You also have a Nocturne Bite, Demon Seduction, that released the same day as Captive of the Beast. This is also a Knights of White book. Please tell us about Marcus and his story.

LRJ: Marcus is a long lost, dark Knight who was born with magic. Without his mate he is fast turning into a demon. But his magic is needed to destroy a dangerous Sorcerer joining forces with the demon world. Black magic will tempt him, though. One woman will save him.

Blurb for Demon Seduction:

As a human, he was bitten by a demon, his soul stripped. As a demon, he was saved by an Angel, his soul returned to join the elite demon fighters, The Knights of White. Born into the gift of magic, Marcus Alexander is a rare breed of Knight of White, centuries old, the stain of that demon bite like acid eating away the good in his soul, leaving nothing but evil—his only salvation the elusive perfect soul mate. He is deadly to the demon world, able to kill them with far more than a sword, his magic immense, his ability growing stronger—and darker. Fearful of the day he will turn on his fellow Knights, he long ago sought solitude, vowing to destroy as many demons as he could before seeking death to save his soul. Now he is ‘The Destroyer’—alone—evil hunting evil.

Cathy Baker is a member of the Knights of White, a rare human, who like Marcus, is gifted with magic, and enlisted in the fight against the underworld. Bravely, she will face a powerful sorcerer intent on merging his magic with that of the master of the demons. But she is no match for the black magic she is facing and soon finds herself near death, in the care of the legendary ‘Destroyer’. Cathy soon learns that Marcus has a rare grasp and control over black magic, but he is so near the darkness, is susceptible to the black magic the enemy is using against him. Now, Cathy must pull him back into the light, save his soul and her own in the process—before the enemy destroys humanity.

DC: How do you feel your male or female characters have evolved over your career? Do you think you write them differently now than you did when you started?

LRJ: I started out writing straight contemporary with a light voice. I have a Blaze coming out in December – a fun, light story that is back to my roots. I LOVED writing that story and hope to do more like it VERY soon. The story is Santa Baby and my heroine gets into a lot of mishaps despite being a well pulled together career woman. She is funny and down to earth. Her hero is a rich Clooney kind of guy who is swept off his feet quite unexpectedly. No demon lurking beneath his surface. Just a real man who learns to love. I enjoyed the departure from the dark side. I love the chance to switch between genres. It keeps things fresh for me.

DC: Is there a genre you haven’t tackled but would like to try?

LRJ: I write across genres so no, not really. I do have an Urban Fantasy proposal (which is new to me) I am working on with a male lead that will be under a new pen name. I love this idea and can’t wait to get it ready to present. It’s been a time issue more than anything holding me back.

DC: Later this year you have a novella in the Wrapped in Seduction anthology that also features Cathryn Fox and Jodi Lynn Copeland. Can you give us a sneak peek in to your contribution to the book?

LRJ: This was such a fun story/book to write. It’s very Brothers and Sisters in tone. Yes, I’m obsessed with that show! The stories are linked by the family connection as everyone comes home for Christmas and craziness erupts, but there is a sexy romance for each novella as well. VERY SEXY. We also have a family story that starts with novella one, which is mine, and progresses with each novella. This family story impacts each character/story and ties each novella together. I think it’s very unique that way. I love my hero and his brothers in this story and my heroine is a lawyer turned best selling author with writer’s block.

DC: What advice would you give to your younger self?

LRJ: To follow my dreams. I let years go by where I lived 80-hour weeks and high stress was the norm. Success convinced me my dreams were about success not substance.

DC: If you had never become an author, what do you think you would be doing right now?

LRJ: I was a corporate executive. I owned a large staffing agency in three states. I am so much happier now.

DC: What’s your favorite book?

LRJ: Too many to list! I have so many I adore for so many different reasons and I read across genres. Loving the Moning Urban Fantasy series right now.

DC: What else is on the horizon for Lisa Renee Jones?

LRJ: I have a new pen name as Faith Winter for Grand Central – The series is the ‘RENEGADE’ series and the first two books are Sinful Pleasures and Sinful Desires. This is about a group of Super Soldiers created from Area 51 experiments and split between good and evil. The first book is May 2010. I will have a website up soon at faith-winter.com

Lightning Round:

- dark or milk chocolate?  — Anything chocolate does me quite perfectly!
- smooth or chunky peanut butter?  –Chunky on a bagel
- heels or flats?   — I spent so many years in heels running through airports, so give me my flats!
- coffee or tea? — white mocha Starbucks – I’m addicted – I need intervention
- summer or winter?  — Having left Texas for New York, that is a debate I am still trying to work through. I love the beautiful snow but the cold is an adjustment. Still, I hated getting in my car in Texas and needing a towel to touch the steering wheel!
- mountains or beach? — Both! I love them both. And now I live by the beach. I laugh when I go to a store and there are seagulls in the parking lot. It reminds me I am minutes from the beach and need to get out of the house!
- mustard or mayonnaise? — Mustard – mayo is WAY too fattening. I save my calories for chocolate and white mochas. You know, stuff with substance.
- flowers or candy?  –  I can look out my window and see amazing flowers in Long Island—it’s beautiful. So I’ll take the chocolate.
- pockets or purse?   — Purse for sure! I’m very girly. I like purse and pink. I think I like pink because of my conservative work days where black was a staple.
- Pepsi or Coke?   — Green tea but I’d take Coke over Pepsi. I just don’t drink soda.
- ebook or print?  — Print or audio. Loving audio! So great for housework, jogging, driving!

Because we just like these questions:

1. What is your favorite word?   — Love
2. What is your least favorite word?    — Hate
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?   — My family
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?     — The internet distraction
5. What sound or noise do you love?    — Ocean waves
6. What sound or noise do you hate?     — The law people who always show up while I am in deep concentration like NOW!
7. What is your favorite curse word?    — You can’t live in New York without the word FOCK becoming familiar in a laughable way!
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?    — Been there, done that. Stick with where I am now.
9. What profession would you not like to do?    — What I already did – corporate executive
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?   — “Relax PLEASE!”

DC: Thank you, Lisa, for spending the day with us. It was a pleasure!

Sandy M’s review of Lone Star Surrender by Lisa Renee Jones
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Blaze 1 Jan 09

Lisa Renee Jones has become another favorite author of mine over the last year.  I’ve only read a few of her category romances so far, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and devoured each one.

Both the hero and heroine in this book have hardened their hearts against love and marriage, but when they meet it’s instant attraction.  However, Constantine is on a mission to insure he lives through his current assignment.  That doesn’t stop the fierceness of their lust at first touch, however.  He’s the one who walks away, knowing getting caught up in a woman, one who can make his lose control, even one who will have a hand in whether he lives or dies, isn’t something he can afford at the moment.  He’s deep undercover, infiltrating a drug lord’s domain.  A bust is about to go down, so he needs to know if the Deputy District Attorney is clean or not.  Having his hands all over her within minutes of their meeting hadn’t been in his plans.

Nicole is one of the best at her job, putting criminals away for a change.  She still harbors deep regret over the mistake she made in private practice when a case in her past ended in disaster.  With a huge case just days away, she finds herself on the run from the man she’s going to prosecute, accompanied by an FBI agent who stirs something in her that’s been dormant for so long and who is her ticket to getting home alive to put their pursuer behind bars for good.

The chemistry between these two is sizzling.  Even on the run, not knowing if they’ll live or die, the physical attraction between them can’t be denied, even when they still have trust issues to deal with in the light of day. They go through hell together for several weeks, never knowing who trust.  Constantine knows he has to walk away when everything is settled, he’s not the marrying kind, his job won’t allow such happiness.  Nicole has been afraid to love for so long, but she’s willing to give it a chance with him, if he’d only stay.  I enjoyed how they worked together, both during their ordeal and in the end to give their love a chance, even when they’re not sure things will work out for them.

We’re kept in the dark along with Constantine and Nicole as to who the unknown villain is who helps keep the really evil villains a step ahead of their plans.  The action moves along quickly, the love scenes are hot, and emotions swirl out of control.  A terrific combination to keep you glued to the pages until the last word.

Grade: B+

Summary:

He would break every rule she made…

Undercover agent Constantine Vega sacrificed three years of his life building up the case of a sinister drug lord. But only days before the trial threats against his life finds Constantine on the run with tantalizing federal prosecutor, Nicole Ward — a desperate journey promising both sin and sensation…

Nicole has been trying her best to follow the rules…rules that she once broke with disastrous results. But the magnetic and passionate force of Constantine Vega threatens to unleash every tempestuous feeling inside her. With so much at stake, can she trust Constantine with her body — and her life?

Read an excerpt.

Shannon C.’s review of Damned, Delicious and Dangerous by Delilah Devlin, Lisa Renee Jones, and Megan Kerans
Paranormal erotic romance anthology released by Aphrodisia 1 Jun 08

Ahh, paranormal erotic romance. It can be the cheesiest thing ever, or it can be a place to escape into a dark, sensual world for a few hours. Two of the three authors in this anthology were ones I’ve heard praise for, so I was eager to try out their work. Sadly, my favorite piece in the anthology wasn’t one written by either of the authors I was hoping to read. 

The Demon Lord’s Cloak by Delilah Devlin

This is a Beauty and the Beast story. Reading it, I was struck with a sense of deja vu. I’ve read this story before countless times and this rendition didn’t stick out. Both the characters were likeable, but I kept getting distracted by the fact that I never really got a good sense of place from the story and kept noticing continuity slip-ups. I also find it annoyingly implausible that a man who keeps getting virgins sacrificed to him had never encountered anyone as innocent as the heroine. I mean, they can’t all have been whores in disguise. And Voletta seems more like an Italian name than a French one. But, like I said, the story itself is pleasant, and I haven’t written off Ms. Devlin yet.

Grade: C-

Summary:
Bound and naked, Voletta has every reason to fear the mysterious man holding her in his arms. Instead his brooding presence intrigues her, his hard body excites her—and his rough touch arouses her…

You can read an excerpt here

Night Sins by Lisa Renee Jones

This offering has the germs of a really good story. In fact, though it started out fairly weakly, it’s grown on me.

I was at first worried that heroine Kayla would merely be a faux strong woman–feisty and TSTL. But though she does have a couple of bad moments, I really liked how she and Ethan, the hero, worked together to solve their problems. I also liked the ending, which promised that their hurdles weren’t entirely over. And what’s more, I believed that Ethan and Kayla had long been attracted to each other.

Unfortunately, a lot of time is spent setting up this world, time I’m not really all that sure we needed to have taken. There was information about the world that never ever came into play, and could have been left out entirely without the reader having lost anything. This built to a very weak start that only picked up as Ms. Jones settled into her story.

Grade: C+

Summary:
In the battle between good and evil, Kayla Ward knows vampires are strictly off limits. But Ethan’s dark sensuality and seductive allure leave her craving hot, passionate sex…

I couldn’t find an excerpt for this story.

The Devil’s Paradise by Megan Kerans

This was my favorite story in the anthology. I really liked the characters and got a sense of who they were. Both of them are a bit cliched–Justice works as a wedding planner, and she’s raising her brother and is completely selfless. Dashiel is a devil doomed to an eternity of torment managing a hotel that works as a last fling for the damned. But they both work. I loved their banter, and their sex scenes are actually pretty hot. I wasn’t totally engaged in the story, but I definitely think it’s the best in the anthology and shouldn’t be missed.

Grade: B

Summary:
Justice Malloy is looking for the perfect place for a wedding reception. What she finds at The Last Resort Hotel is a man whose raw male power promises carnal pleasure like she’s never felt before.

I couldn’t find an excerpt for this story.

With two stories that were just OK and one story that was pretty good, I’d recommend this anthology to paranormal fans who want something light to read, or fans of the three authors. Casual readers should definitely pick up the Kearns story but could probably give the others a pass.

Overall Grade: C+

Summary:
Men of darkness, men of passion.trapped by temptation and bound by desire. No woman can refuse their erotic invitation for sexual pleasure. “The Demon Lord’s Cloak” by Delilah Devlin Bound and naked, Voletta has every reason to fear the mysterious man holding her in his arms. Instead his brooding presence intrigues her, his hard body excites her-and his rough touch arouses her. “Night Sins” by Lisa Renee Jones In the battle between good and evil, Kayla Ward knows vampires are strictly off limits. But Ethan’s dark sensuality and seductive allure leave her craving hot, passionate sex. “The Devil’s Paradise” by Megan Kerans Justice Malloy is looking for the perfect place for a wedding reception. What she finds at The Last Resort Hotel is a man whose raw male power promises carnal pleasure like she’s never felt before.

Sandy M’s review of Return of the Beast (Knights of White, Book 3) by Lisa Renee Jones
Contemporary Paranormal ebook published by Silhouette Nocturne Bites 1 Jun 08

I’m really enjoying this series. I love the beasts inside these Knights they try to control but that they have to let go to claim their mate. I like the idea of each Knight, no matter how old, has a mate out there, someone to love them despite either who they were or who they are now. I, of course, thoroughly enjoy all the alphaness that goes along with each Knight, as well as his sensitivity that he didn’t know he had when it comes his woman until he meets her. Pure sexy, paranormal entertainment and right up my alley.

Ryder is a young Knight, turned only 25 years before. He’s come to the scene of the crime, so to speak, the place where he was attacked and turned into the beast he is today. It’s not until he meets up with Alexis that he knows why he’s been sent back to his former home. A part of it may be to face his inner demons, but the bigger part is to face the demons causing problems for Alexis and her ranch. The biggest part is Alexis herself. His mate. Something he thought he’d have to wait so much longer for, but now that he’s found her, tasted her, loved her, if she isn’t meant to be part of his life, he’ll at least make sure she’s happy in hers, no matter what he has to do.

Taking care of the ranch since her father’s death, Alexis is not having an easy time of it. In fact, things are pretty bad. Livestock is missing and money is tight. It’s taking everything she’s got not to let the men know there’s anything wrong. Then a miracle walks into her life. Ryder is the one that may be able to help her save the ranch. His knowledge and experience he’s gained from the Jaguar Ranch would go a long way in keeping her afloat, if she can afford it. On top of that, there’s something about the man himself that causes her to keep changing her mind and asking him to stay when she should be telling him to be on his way.

Harlequin’s and Silhouette’s short stories, the Spice Briefs and the Nocturne Bites, are turning out to be great reads. There’s no pussyfooting around with the back-and-forth, on-again/off-again relationship between the hero and heroine and the story moves right along, still introduces us to other characters, and even though we get a love scene or so less than the usual, I think it’s a good trade off to get that main relationship going and on track for the length of the book. Alexis did try very hard to fight her attraction to Ryder and he certainly didn’t fight it because she is his mate and he’s happy to have found her. The demons are vanquished to return another day and Ryder finds that all he has to do is ask to have the life he wants and never though he’d have.

I know some of you will argue it’s too short, not enough time to know the characters or have a good storyline. As long as you have a good storyteller, I believe it can be done. And Ms. Jones proves it beautifully with this Bite.

Grade: A

Summary:

Saved by an immortal after an attack by a Beast, Chris Avern is doomed to carry that beast within himself. It taints his soul with a darkness that can only be purged by finding his chosen mate. Now, as a Knight of White, a demon fighter caught up in an ancient war between good and evil, Chris must battle the soulless Darkland Beasts intent on reaking destruction upon humanity.

Sent to save the hometown he left twenty-five years ago from an onslaught of Beasts, Chris comes to the rescue of ranch owner Alexis Wright. He is drawn to Alexis with a demanding passion that nearly overwhelms him and he recognizes immediately that Alexis must be his chosen mate. But, while he knows Alexis can be his salvation, he is torn by conflict. For to draw her into his world, he must put her life…and her soul…in unimaginable danger.

Other books in this series:

This just in…

Cathryn Fox has recently sold her paranormal series to NAL.

• The series has everything from were-cats, demons, witches, and vamps to lycans.
• The first book, Instinctive, will be a 2009 release
• The second book is still untitled and will be released in 2010
• Also, Primal Instincts, the Spice Brief that Cathryn co-wrote with Lisa Renee Jones will be released in August 2008
• Cathryn’s latest release is Magical Seduction, published April 15.

Consider yourself flashed.

Sandy M’s review of Beast of Desire (The Knights of White, Book 2) by Lisa Renee Jones
Contemporary paranormal romance released by Silhouette Nocturne on 1 Mar 08

Oh, this series is going to be a favorite of mine. I can already tell after reading my first book. Although I didn’t start with the first in the series, The Beast Within, from the tone of Desire and after meeting Des, the hero, and the other Knights of White, I’m going to have book after book of oh-so-tortured heroes. I’m in heaven.

Des has been designated the head of the team to retrieve the Journal of Solomon from its current guardian at its place of rest, the museum where she works. He is immediately blindsided by his reaction to Jessica, something he has felt only once when he was still human and only before he was ultimately betrayed by love. Since that time he has kept the human part of him buried so deep behind his Beast, he is surprised the man can feel anything for a woman.

Finding his mate is not what he envisioned, however. Des is scared to death of hurting Jessica if he makes love to her and his Beast takes over in raging lust. Des doesn’t think he can then control that side of him because he has walked too close to the darkness within him for so long. Even as he gets to know Jessica more, knows she’s his mate, he can’t bring himself to tell her about his past before he was turned, a past he is ashamed of and has told no one about. And he’s angry he’s having to lie to Jessica about why he’s in her life now that he’s met her and realizes what she means to him.

Not knowing why she is reacting so to a virtual stranger, Jessica trusts this man whose emotions flow through her and whose eyes tell her how much he wants her. She has to be careful, though, until the unveiling of the journal that her mother lived and died for. It has been a long time coming, but this gift to the world should give her and her father the closure they need to move on. But the more she learns of Des, the more her trust and her love grows, even despite his determination to stay away from her. Des doesn’t know what’s about to hit him when Jessica makes up her mind to show him they belong together and that he would never hurt her. The ensuing archeological dig and fight against the Darkland Beasts is swift and action packed.

Needless to say I love Des. He may be part Beast, but he’s also a sensitive and honorable man, even as tortured as he is. Jessica is the perfect mate for him, strong and stubborn, and she never gives up on him for one minute. The other Knights are quite interesting, and you get only a smidgen of their entire story — you have to wait for that next book to know more about them! The villains, of which there are plenty, are as evil as can be and they prey not only on Beasts and humans but also on each other.

I also liked the storyline, it kept moving forward at a quick pace and it was just different enough to keep me interested to find out what it was all about. And I have a feeling that as much I love this book, I’m going to love Max’s story, Beast of Darkness due out in July, even more. If Des is tortured, Max is excrutiatingly tortured. July can’t come to soon for me.

Grade: A+

From the back cover:

     Desire can be dangerous…

     As a leader of the Knights of White in the war between Good and Evil, the demon warrior known only as Des walks a fine line between beast and man. Sent into battle now to reclaim the ancient Journal of Solomon containing a list of angelic bloodlines before the Darkland Beasts find it, Des feels an overwhelming connection to its guardian, Jessica Montgomery. Vibrant, alive, seductive…only she has the power to draw out the beast, soothe the man…and endanger them both.

     Des can’t resist her touch, craving it like an addiction. Jessica might be his salvation. Or he might destroy them both…

     Read excerpt 1 and excerpt 2.

Other books in this series – read the whole list here:

The wonderful Lisa Renee Jones shares an EXCLUSIVE (and unedited) excerpt with TGTBTU’s readers. Her new Silhouette Nocturne novel, The Beast Within, releases tomorrow, 1 Nov 07.

Here’s a link to some recommended pre-reading. It will help you understand what is going on in this excerpt.

The Beast Within

End of Chapter Seven and all of Chapter Eight…

Karen paced the bedroom floor, her stomach fluttering with a combination of worry and just plain sickness. She hadn’t slept. Hadn’t eaten. Hadn’t stopped worrying since she’d gotten that telegram from Eva saying Mike was dead.

A rush of nausea came over her and Karen paused, pressing her palm to her forehead. God. She didn’t have time to feel sick but her body wasn’t cooperating. It wanted rest. If only she’d slept on the plane instead of worrying and working on her article.

Why wouldn’t they let her see Eva?

She shouldn’t have come here. She didn’t even know if this healer treating Eva was a real doctor. She had to get her sister to another hospital. Besides, something wasn’t right here. What exactly had she walked into? How could the man from the airport be here?

They were acting like they couldn’t trust her and her sister. She’d seen all those big, burly men. It seemed like she should be the scared one, not them. So what was going on? Why treat them like this? Clearly, her sister was injured. It wasn’t like she was lying.

And what harm could two women, without weapons – which they had searched her for when they locked her in the room – do to a bunch of macho men like these guys?

Her mind went back to the leader. To the man from the airport. Karen couldn’t quite get her mind around his presence. Of course, her body had grasped the concept quite easily. Even tired, he’d drawn a sizzling reaction. A reaction she felt guilty as heck for. The man had her locked in a room, captive for all practical purposes, forbidding her from seeing her sister, and Karen had managed to get all lusty over him. How sick was that?

Karen sank onto the bed. She’d reacted to him at the airport, too. That funny familiarity from her dream niggled inside a bit stronger. Her mind played with some distant image, trying to make it vivid and understandable, trying to grasp it. The clouds were thick and hard to clear. She was just so tired. Maybe rest would make her remember how she knew this man. Because to dream of him, she had to know him.

As her lashes fluttered, Karen told herself to stand back up. To get her blood pumping again. Her body just felt so horrible achy and heavy. Yet, the very thought of falling asleep while terrible things could be happening to her sister brought panic. What if this healer did more damage than good?

She had to stay awake. There wasn’t another option.

Karen balled her fists in the dark brown comforter on top of the mattress. Everything in the room was brown. Brown curtains. Brown blankets. Brown carpet. Brown. Brown. Brown. So incredibly dreary and dark. And so was the future right now. Somehow, Karen realized, she’d taken a bad situation and made it worse. Somehow, once again, she had failed Eva.

Karen looked skyward. “Mom. Dad.” Her chest tightened painfully and she gave into the need to rest, easing back to lay on the mattress. “I don’t know how to fix this.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I have to save my sister…”

A knocked sounded and Karen jerked up to a sitting position. Before she could find her way to her feet, the door flew open. In strode the man who seemed to hold her destiny in his hands. As he had on their prior two meetings, his powerful presence overwhelmed her, his masculine beauty registering even when she wanted to deny its presence.

But as he slammed the door behind him, locking the door and turning to face her, the contempt and anger in his deep, dark eyes were what took her breath away. Whatever brought this man here now, it wasn’t an apology.

From the look in his eye, it appeared he wanted more than a word with her…he wanted blood.

***

Jag entered the bedroom, shutting the door behind him, and locking it. Turning to face the woman he now knew as – Karen…, anger coursing through his veins. How dare she come in here, taunting him with his wife’s name, with her sacred memory?

It was bad enough she’d haunted his dreams. Now she dared to taint the name of his only love.

Unexplainably, as angry as he was, as full of fury, he managed to bite back his imminent explosion. He studied her, this woman, who might well be his enemy disguised as an innocent, exploring her features. Searching for some unnamed something.

What he found was a look of concern and uncertainty so raw, so real, the power of his emotions shifted. Softened. Began to evolve them into something just as powerful, but far more hungry. This woman did things to him he had yet to understand. Perhaps it was magic, certainly black magic if that were the case.

In her eyes, in her expression, he saw the same kind of honestly he sensed in Marisol. The same pureness. Surely, if it were an act, the animal in him would sense as much.

But it was too late to retreat, to rethink his actions. The beast still roared inside, needing an outlet for the anger of only seconds before. The beast he’d always controlled…until this woman. If she was so innocent, so honest, why did she bring it to the surface?

That outlet he sought came without his consent. It pulsed to life in the heat of desire. He watched her movements, the animal inside him purring with life, his body reacting to the vision she made. To the unintentional, yet, oh so, seductive sway of her hips in the snug black jeans.

Her eyes narrowed on his face, and it was clear she searched for his intentions just as he did hers. Slowly, she took several steps backwards, putting distance between them. “How is my sister?”

“Who sent you here?” Jag demanded, ignoring her question, while refusing to let his reactions to this woman drown out his agenda.

“Where’s my sister?” Karen demanded in turn, ignoring his question as he had hers. She crossed her arms in front of her chest. Over the top of those lush, full breasts that fit into his hands like they were made for him. He knew because he’d seen and touched them so many times before. Even knew that her nipples were a perfect rosy pink and that they were so sensitive, he could practically bring her to orgasm just by tasting them.

His eyes dropped, tracing each line of her body through the clingy material of her shirt, confirming she was the woman he knew. Fire burned in his veins, pushing him to claim her as he had so many times before this moment. In the dreams so ripe with reality.

He’d never met a woman who could do this do him. It went beyond reason, this need, this reaction. He couldn’t be near her, or talk to her, without wanting her. “You didn’t answer my question,” he countered, wanting to know how this woman found him. Wanting to know a lot of things, actually. Questions flew through his mind.

She spoke through clenched teeth. “Where is my sister?”

Her fearlessness should have surprised him, but it didn’t. In his dreams, she’d been brazenly direct. He expected nothing less of her in flesh and blood.

“You already know your sister’s with our healer,” he said in a low voice. “But what do you know of me before this night?” That was the real question. One he wasn’t going to find out on his current path.

“I want to see Eva,” Karen declared as if it would make him oblige her wishes.

Jag noted the command in her voice, but he also sensed her fear. “You’ll see her soon,” he replied. Silently he added, once I decide if I can trust you.

“Not soon,” she said, pointing at the ground and taking a step forward. “Now.” Her lips thinned. “I want to see her now. We came here for help, not to be locked up like criminals.”

His nostrils flared with the scent of woman, sultry and sexual and drawing a response from his body. Damn this woman. The one he knew far too well for a stranger. The one he’d lost himself in until he couldn’t see straight. The one who had driven him to complete ecstasy and then, by doing so, delivered him to his darker side. She’d shown him his beast and taken him to the edge of the cliff, one step from the pits of hell.

His cock thickened in demand, screaming for him to take her as he had in those dreams. To rip her clothes off and bury himself deep in the hot, wet recesses of her core. He could feel his heart pounding against his chest in anticipation thrumming through his veins like a flare headed for explosion.

A mere hair from snapping, Jag crossed his arms in front of his chest, mimicking her prior position. Trying to keep from claiming her. Knowing his physical surrender could be exactly what she wanted. Maybe she was a part of some master plan to destroy him. In his dreams, she’d certainly pushed him to the worst of places, using pleasure as her tool.

The thought brought a welcome jolt of reality. “And how do I know you aren’t a criminal?” he asked. “You were trespassing.”

Her eyes went wide. “I came for help and you locked me up. I call that kidnapping.”

The fear and desperation in Karen’s voice rang with sincerity. He wanted to believe she was a victim. He really did. But not once in his dreams had she come off as innocent. Not once. To trust her would be a grave mistake, and too many depended on him being cautious. His men. Their cause against evil, their fight for good. And evil, he’d long ago learned, could easily come off as pure as newly fallen snow.

The name Caron meant – pure – in Italian. He wondered if this woman knew that.

New anger formed at the thought of being manipulated and before Jag could stop himself, he closed the distance between them. He didn’t give Karen time to protest, pulling her into his arms and staring down at her. Instantly, he knew it was a mistake. He’d only meant to rattle her. To grab hold of the situation and make her tell the truth. He just wanted the truth. But everything inside him called to her. He wanted to take her. To taste her. To claim her right here and now.

His own inability to resist her hardened his voice, frustration at his lack of control burning inside him. Even her stiffness in his arms upset him. He was a wreck, and she was to blame.

“How did you even know about this place?” he asked, determined to find answers.

“I…”

“How?” His voice was rough. Harsh. He stepped backwards with her, towards the wall.

Her hands were by her side, her chin tilted up to study his face. As if she gauged his next move from his expression. “I… heard there was a doctor here.”

“From who?”

Another step backwards, his thighs against hers. And damn it, the friction shot through him like rocket fuel. His cock thickened, pressing against his jeans. Reminding him of her power and adding to his frustration and her lack of response.

“From who?” he repeated, his tone more forceful.

“A nurse.” She sounded breathless. “At the hospital.”

Her full bottom lip trembled as if in invitation for his mouth. He wondered if she tasted as sweet as he thought she did. Like honey with a hint of cinnamon. That is how he remembered her. Unique but familiar. So damn familiar. He’d wanted to know at the airport but hadn’t dared taste her fully.

She stared up at him with fury in her eyes as he flattened her against the wall, his knees caging hers. Ah, but there was more. There was lust in the depths of those perfect blue eyes. Knowing she wanted him, knowing that could not be faked, only served to fire his desire. It took every ounce of willpower he had not to grind his hips against hers. Not to palm those lush breasts.

His gaze dropped, and he could see her nipples pebbled against her thin t-shirt. He didn’t have to see them to know they were rosy red and plump. Or to know how she would whimper if he pulled them between his lips and suckled.

Her hands went to his arms as if silently begging him to stop. To look at her again. His gaze lifted, contempt in his voice as he broke the sex laden silence. “You expect me to believe the hospital told you to come?”

She stared up at him, and her deep blue eyes pulled him in, drawing him under her spell. Further into his sensual haze. But as seconds passed, he was amazed at what he saw in Karen’s gaze. Beyond the lust, the exhaustion, the fear for her sister. Not of him.

In her eyes, he again, found that pureness, more subtle than in Marisol’s but there. Or was it? Perhaps he just wanted it to be. Perhaps it was a trick. He couldn’t let himself believe in her. He couldn’t. His dreams had warned him of what she would do to him. Of where she would take him.

“Answer me,” he ordered. “Why would the hospital tell you to come here?”

“The nurse told me. I shouldn’t have listened. I shouldn’t be here. I know that now. It was stupid. I just thought…” Her words trailed off as her gaze dropped to his chest.

She squeezed her eyes shut. “I thought you could help. I… needed help.”

The pure desperation lacing her words reached out to Jag and made him snap. One minute he was absorbing them, the next kissing her. He slid his tongue past her teeth, tasting her like a starving man would food. She was stiff, hands pressing against his chest.

But Jag took with a ruthlessness that allowed no room for resistance. Taking. Taking. Demanding. Her resistance lasted all of a few seconds. Slowly, she eased into the kiss, her arms sliding upward, over his chest and around his neck.

In his lust-laden mind, he justified his actions. She wasn’t an innocent victim. Not at all. This woman had manipulated his dreams for what felt a lifetime, controlling him with some unknown agenda. She’d used sex as a weapon. Sex to consume and devour his very will.

He’d come to her to talk, but to hell with it. She wanted to use sex against him. Well, no more. He’d use it against her. He’d make her need him. Make her beg to have him buried deep in her body. Make her beg. Yes. He liked that. And with each passing moment, she softened more, her body melting into his and she made a soft, whimpering sound. A sound that told of his success. Of his conquest.

Abruptly, a knock sounded on the door. A knock that jolted Jag back to his senses. He pushed away from her, putting distance between them even as the knock sounded again. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, desperate to get the sweetness of her out of his system.

She collapsed against the wall, her chest rising and falling with heaviness. Her expression one of shock. Her lips parted and swollen from his kisses. The taste of her still lingering with him, driving him wild with the need to pull her close again.

“Jag.” It was Des.

“Yeah,” Jag called.

“We got a problem, man.”

“Be right there.”

He stared at Karen, lowering his voice for only her ears. “Why do I know that problem has something to do with you?”

“You’re crazy,” she whispered. “I only wanted help. Just let us go.”

A smile touched his lips, but not one of pleasure or invitation. He didn’t like being played with. She might or might not have started this game, but she was a part of it. And he intended to end it. No matter how good she was at playing the sweet, innocent, good girl, he’d seen another side of her in his dreams. He’d lived the temptation she offered in them. Even felt her press him to seize his dark side.

“Let me go,” she whispered again.

“Not a chance in heaven or hell.”

And without another word, he turned and walked away, knowing she wouldn’t follow. Wouldn’t beg. And she didn’t. She watched him leave in silence, not moving. Proof that he knew this woman. Knew her well. Which meant he couldn’t dismiss what the dreams had told him no matter how much he felt drawn to her. No matter how innocent she looked and even felt in his arms.

She wanted the beast in him. The dreams were proof.

The thought twisted his gut. Deep inside, Jag needed Karen to be innocent. She felt so perfect in his arms and he sensed a connection with her. But then, maybe that was the plan. The dreams, her presence, might well be a part of confusing him.

Still, he went back to one thing. She felt so damn pure and innocent. He saw it in her eyes. Felt it in her touch. But he knew her actions. He’d known she wouldn’t follow him or beg. He could predict how she would respond. His dreams were the only way he could know her. And those dreams spoke of something dark and evil. Of his beast rising to the surface.

A beast he could never let have life. He didn’t dare trust Karen. There was till too much unknown. Not yet, at least.

Maybe not ever.

A random comment in this thread will be picked to win a signed copy of Hard and Fast and The Beast Within for the prize: along with a book light!

The Beast Within is Lisa Renee Jones introduction into her new Silhouette Nocturne series, The Knights of White . It will be followed in March 2008 with Beast of Desire and Beast of Darkness in July 08.

Known only as ‘Jag’, he leads the Knights of White against the soulless Darkland Beasts who took his wife and his life.  Jag is immortal, destined to live with the vengeance he feels in his heart. And the dreams that haunt his soul. Sensual dreams of a woman. Dreams that threaten to unleash the beast within…

Karen Gibson is an innocent mortal, unwittingly thrown into this millenia-old battle, and, unwillingly, under Jag’s protection. She and Jag are about to discover that they have met before – in the dreams they share.

Neither trusts the other. Neither can survive alone. The secret of those erotic dreams may be all that saves them – if Jag can only accept it.  At risk is Karen’s life.  And Jag’s immortal soul…

Knights of White: These demon hunters fight for all that is good…

Lisa Renee was telling me Nocture is going to get somewhat hotter. At least with some of their authors, they have signed on a few old EC authors. You can read a bit of it on her site. And then stick around… will have have an exclusive taste for your later today.

The best description of Alluring Tales can be found on the cover of the book – awaken the fantasy. Most of the stories seem to involve a fantasy of some kind. And as Avon Red is billed as Erotica you won’t find a HEA with marriage and baby here. I would argue this is erotic romance more than erotica, as each story ends with the couple together. And with hope there will be there HEA.

Lover’s Locket by Cathryn Fox
A young woman frustrated with her love life is given an antique locket, when used with a spell it will bring her true love to her. The downside is it also unleashes an evil darkness she must fight in order to keep her HEA.

Lover’s Locket has a great set-up but it was just too big a story for a novella. There is a huge back story here, one I would have like to see more than be told and there wasn’t enough time to fully develop the characters or their motivation. So I was left wondering too many things and couldn’t just enjoy the story. Why did the family keep this painting hanging in their living rooms and not pass down a story about it. Why didn’t he spend time helping her know how to fight the darkness when it came to her instead of having sex with her? And the end was way too pat and nicely tied up. Although it kicks ass the heroine was the one who had to save the day.
Grade C-

Kili’s Ice Man by Delilah Devlin
Kili has had it with smart men. She wants a pretty boy toy with more between his legs than ears. In effort to calm down before her presentation in front of her newest fantasy man, she goes for a lunch time virtual fantasy snack. Unfortunately Gunnar “Ice Man” Rydeman’s hears her ‘all jock and no brains’ speech and next thing you know lunch gets a whole lot spicer.

This was better than I expected because I rarely do the funny stuff and I enjoy Delilah’s ‘darker’ stories. The whole caveman can’t talk thing almost got old but I have to say it was creative as hell. I would have rated this higher but the idea the smart, strong, professional woman couldn’t hold it together when meeting a cute guy, even when he is THE cute guy, set my feminist bells ringing and I never got over it.
Grade C+

Hottest One Night Stand by Lisa Renee Jones
Jessica Montgomery is heading down to Brownsville Texas for a family birthday party. Along the way a storm, car trouble and the old no room in the inn leads to one amazing night with a stranger. Only for as big as Texas is, sometimes it is still a small world and it helps to have connections.

I really liked this story. Part of it is due to the fact it is less fantastic and easier for me to believe and the other is it fits well into a novella. I would have enjoyed the story if it was longer but I didn’t feel there was anything I NEEDED to know. We learn a lot about the characters in small ways and that leaves the reader with a better feeling they will get their HEA. The biggest issue I had was his repeated use of Spanish endearments. Yes I am sure many a man does it but damn it is annoying.
Grade B+

Out of the Shadows by Myla Jackson
TJ Evans has just finished a night at work. He is on a special Houston Police Unit set up to hunt and kill vampires. There is a hurricane coming and his wanna be girlfriend slash neighbor hasn’t spoken to him since the two of them spent the night getting hot and sweaty. And the night only gets better when he learns Cassidy was attacked and he now has a whole new reason to be chasing her.

I liked the fact it was the girl who was fighting her lust for blood and the one being chased instead of the other way around. TJ was a good guy, which is always nice to see in a romance. And hey was set in Texas. But really there isn’t enough story here and I found it flat. When I hit the last word of the story I wasn’t really interested in finding out what was next.
Grade C-

A Familiar Kind of Magic by Sylvia Day
As an unattached Familiar, Victoria is something of an oddity and one the High Council wants to deal with by assigning her a new warlock. Enter Hunter Max Westin, who is sent to tame and collar the kitty. Once he has her on a leash, he decides to keep her. Now the trick is getting her to see it the same way.

The story was good in a Catwomanish sort of way. And there wasn’t a vampire to be found! But I could have so done without the BDSM stuff. Just running on overkill right now with it. But the grade dropped a good grade level or three because it doesn’t end. I hate a cliffhanger and make it one I wasn’t expecting and have no clue when and if the next part is coming, I get way cranky.
Grade D

Quick Silver by Viva Anna
A good messenger is contacted from an unknown to deliver a package to Las Vegas for an ungodly sum of money. Only to find out the ‘package’ was a person, and not just any person but a whore. Now they are on the run and hiding out from one of the most powerful people you can find, well if the year is 2080 and you are in the New States of America.

Typical futurist story or it is until you make the messenger a woman. The whore a man. The powerful person they are running from is the first lady. And… I could go on. The heroine was awesome and completely kicked ass without losing her femininity. She could have weakness without being weak and completely owned her sexuality. So why the low grade you ask? It is a cliffhanger!!! I upped the grade when I read the deal and saw there will be an Alluring Tales II and III. But I am still only ASSUMING that will continue the story. I mean it has to… right? It is one thing to leave the relationship up in the air but even erotica has to close the plot.
Grade C+

Tempting Grace by Sasha White
Grace Walters is just about living her dream life. Her home, job and place in her community mean the world to her because as a former bad girl, runaway, stripper she never thought she would be in the position she is now. Life is nice and stable or at least it would be if it wasn’t for Lucas Martin. An emotional crisis is just the thing to make her crack and take Lucas up on his repeated offers. Only now what does she do when the much younger preachers kid wants more than just one night?

It prolly says all sorts of really bad things about me but I rushed and read this story first. I love the tale of the kid who was going to make nothing of herself coming out on top and it seems I have a Thornbird Complex. Lucas was great. He normal and not made out to be holier than thou. My biggest issue was the story was too damn short.
Grade A

Overall this is a really good anthology with something for everyone, well except historical fans, so make that just about everyone. I think the book would have benefited from the stories being in a different order but who knows. Let me know if you pick it up or if you have read it. I would love to hear what you think.