Greetings!!! I have the
pleasure of bringing you another Author Showcase and this time it's
with the lovely and talented Juliette Cross. Juliette is no stranger to
the bloggity since I've read and reviewed a number of her books but
she's got some exciting things happening on the book front and I wanted
her to share what's coming soon. Please give Juliette a very warm
welcome.
As a professed paranormal addict (who plans
never to recover) I thought it might be interesting to delve into why I
chose paranormal and fantasy romance as a writer over other genres.
Kind of like the Sorting Hat in Harry Potter, I feel quite like it
chose me rather than the other way around. I believe this is true for
all writers, quite frankly.
So,
what is the great appeal about paranormal and fantasy romance? Besides
the inevitable tall, dark, and deadly leading man with supernatural
powers, that is. I could say “escapism” or “entertainment,” but those
are truths that hold for all books. Even nonfiction carries us away
from our own reality into another. Let us dig a layer deeper, shall we?
When I was young, I remember watching the old black and white
version of Jane Eyre with Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles and being
utterly enraptured. I can still clearly hear Orson’s booming voice,
calling out in desperation for his beloved “Jane!” After seeing the
film, I immediately found myself a copy of the book and fell madly in
love with the novel—the Gothic setting of Thornfield, the haunted howls
in the night, the dark and brooding Mr. Rochester, the mystery in the
attic, the steadfast and true character of Jane, and of course the
happily ever after. And while the paranormal elements are fleeting but
essential to the story, it has always been this kind of tale that could
lure me in, capture my heart, and keep it for days, weeks, months
later. So it is no wonder that I often seek to spin stories of a dark
and wounded hero, a tenacious heroine, and a haunting setting that
appeals to my Goth heart.
Yes,
I read contemporaries and romantic thrillers and adventurous
historicals—all of which feed my romantic appetite. I truly adore every
kind of romance. But when it comes down to it, my deep love of stories
with magical possibility and with strong heroines and dark heroes who
find redemption and love by story’s end will always reign when I long
for a book to read…or one to write.
Thank you for having me on the blog today, Deanna. It’s always a
pleasure to be here.
And now for a sneak peek
at Juliette's upcoming book, Dragon in the Blood.
Synopsis
While
all seems quiet in Gladium Province, the Morgon Guard—the global
justice force for the dragon hybrid race—knows their enemy is
rebuilding its forces in the underground.
Valla Moonring, an
assassin for an order of the Morgon Guard, is ordered to lead an
expedition through the Wastelands of Aria, a formidable, icy wilderness
fraught with all manner of dangers, including outlaws, deadly weather,
and big-game predators.
To her great distaste, she’s partnered
with a Nightwing Security operative, Conn Rowanflame, a Morgon with the
aggravating ability to get under her skin. While she takes her mission
seriously, Conn’s confident charm throws her off balance, a dangerous
place to be in conditions like these. Especially when cold nights
require close contact.
Sensual attraction binds them ever
closer, igniting a passion of unexpected force—soulfire. But when the
hunters become the hunted, their bond could prove perilous. Even fatal…
Isn't
this map of Aria stunning? I love maps like these. They remind me of
those high fantasy stories I used to read when I was a young'un.
Excerpt
From Valla's POV ...
And what was with all the scowling over breakfast? We kissed. So what?
Did he think I planned to force him into a relationship or something?
That was a mistake—a delicious, heart-pounding mistake—that wouldn’t be
repeated. No matter what he said about my beast wanting to play with
his. I could resist the smoldering, sex-wielding Conn Rowanflame if I
wanted to.
Conn slowed his descent as treetops
came into view beyond the fading mist, which had thinned to nearly
nothing in the past hour. Whipping open my wings, I landed softly on
the hard ground among a grove of evergolds. Even in this frozen tundra,
the giants famous for their flora of fire-gold leaves, grew in
abundance—tall and thick-branched. I lifted my visor to a brilliant
burst of color contrasted against the brown earth and snow-swept
embankments.
Bowen landed quietly behind me. “How
about some lunch before we set out on foot?” He removed and tucked away
his visor, unpacking his crossbow from its sheath on his back for the
first time on this journey.
“Let’s get into the cover of trees,”
said Conn, moving along the natural path. “And lunch sounds perfect.”
“Benta’s breakfast wasn’t enough for
you?” I asked, meeting his long stride.
“I always have an appetite, sweetheart.”
“While you two continue flirting, I’ll find some small game nearby. Set
up the hotpad over near that big evergold.”
Without a sound, Bowen disappeared into
the trees.
“Flirting?” I scoffed. “I wasn’t
flirting.”
“I was.” Conn grinned.
“Stop it.”
“I haven’t even gotten started yet.”
“You’re infuriating.”
“So you’ve said before.”
“Listen—” I put up both gloved hands to stop his snarky banter for just
one second. “I’m glad we’re finally alone.”
“Me too.” His lopsided grin made my
heart flutter.
Exhaling a frustrated sigh, I stopped under a thick oak with ample
coverage from above and unhooked my chestpack, dropping it to the
ground. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about…about
last night.”
“Mmm. Last night.”
He removed his own pack and gloves, unzipping and pulling out the
small, electronic hotpad. Opening the tripod that kept it off the
ground, he turned it on. Gisa ordered us to use the hotpad instead of
fire when we were in the open to avoid alerting predators or criminals
of our presence.
Conn stood and propped his hands low on
his hips. “Would you like a second round?”
“No…no.” I cleared my throat and shook my head, my ponytail sliding on
the smooth leather of my jacket. “Actually, that should never have
happened. As the senior officer, I shouldn’t have let that happen. But
I—”
“Couldn’t resist,” he finished, a
devilish smile brimming his beautiful face. “It’s okay. It happens a
lot.”
“You’re such an ass.” I rolled my eyes.
“I could’ve resisted.”
“Could you?”
He broke his rigid stance and sauntered closer, a feral glimmer in his
gaze. By instinct, I backed up a step, my wings scraping the rough bark
of the evergold behind me. He moved farther into my personal space.
“What are you doing?” I asked, heart
hammering.
He flattened one hand against the tree
above my head, his finger grazing the arch of my wing. I shivered.
“Are you sure you could resist?”
I cleared my throat. “Of course,” I
said, trying to sound confident, but my voice betrayed me and broke.
“Well…I couldn’t.” He brushed the back of his knuckles along my jaw. I
held still, caught. “Actually, I want to taste you again. Right now.”
Even stone-cold sober, I felt drunk from a single touch, longing to
fall back into his arms and let him show me what his hazel-gold eyes
promised without a word. He leaned close to my ear, warm breath grazing.
“Let me taste you again, Valla.”
I planted my hands on his chest, wishing there weren’t the layers of
thermal suit and leather between my palms and his rock-hard chest. He
nuzzled the shell of my ear with his nose, then his lips.
“Let me.”
His darkened voice pleaded and demanded at the same time, spreading
warmth straight between my legs. What had gotten into me? I pushed him
out of my way and stormed toward a densely wooded area.
“Where are you going?” he laughed.
“Running away?”
“I’ve gotta go to the bathroom,” I
yelled over my shoulder.
“Not by yourself, you’re not.” His
footsteps crunched across the thin blanket of snow and leaves behind me.
I whirled, heat burning up my neck, now
from anger not lust.
“Whoa, there, big boy.” I threw up a hand, halting him several feet
away. “Look. You’re not my keeper. And just because we shared one kiss
doesn’t mean anything. I’m going to relieve myself, by myself. Do you
understand?”
His wings twitched at his back.
Agitated. Whatever.
“And stop scowling at me,” I called back
as I spun and trekked off the path into the brush.
Check out some of these
titles by Juliette too
About the author
Juliette
calls lush, moss-laden Louisiana home where the landscape curls into
her imagination, creating mystical settings for her stories. She has a
B.A. in creative writing from Louisiana State University, a M.Ed. in
gifted education, and was privileged to study under the award-winning
author Ernest J. Gaines in grad school. Her love of mythology, legends,
and art serve as constant inspiration for her works. From the moment
she read JANE EYRE as a teenager, she fell in love with the Gothic
romance--brooding characters, mysterious settings, persevering
heroines, and dark, sexy heroes. Even then, she not only longed to read
more novels set in Gothic worlds, she wanted to create her own.
Author links:
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