Please help me welcome one of my original critique partners. Honoria Ravena is an author as well as the submissions editor for Breathless Press. She has both her first, and her second release coming out this month, so you can just imagine how excited she is. She’s answered a few questions so that you can get to know her, as well as giving us a sneak peek at both of her upcoming releases.

1)Can you tell us a little bit about a favorite memory from your childhood?

I don’t have one memory in particular, but until I was sixteen my father would take me to the mall almost every weekend. We’d get coffee, and look at books and whatever else.

2) Tell us about your writing, where it started and where you’d like to go with it.

I started writing when I was twelve. The first novel I finished is completely un-publishable, and will probably never see the light of day because I’ll never have the patience to rewrite it. In the next few years I’d like to get an agent and a contract with a NY publisher. Eventually I’d like to be able to support myself as a fulltime writer.

3) If you were granted three wishes by a genie, what would they be?

World peace. Lol, my Miss America answer. I’d wish for enough money to travel the world and have a house with a giant library.  I’d wish for good health for everyone I know. And just for fun, I think I’d wish that vampires were real. The romantic, sexy kind, not the pure evil kind.

4) If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

That’s a hard one, because I pretty much want to go everywhere. The places that top the list are England, Egypt, Italy, Greece, and Russia. There are also some places in the Middle East I’d like to go to, but I’ll probably never get to.

5) If you could have dinner tomorrow with anyone you choose, famous or family, who would it be and why?

Past or present? From the past I’d like to have dinner with Assurbanipal. He was an ancient Assyrian king. From the present, probably J.R. Ward. She’s one of the writer’s I love, and from her attitude during her interviews I think we would get along.

6) If you could choose one person to spend one week on a desert island, who would it be and why?

A really hot guy with survival skills. I have no survival skills, and wouldn’t want to die. The hot guy part is just so I won’t get bored.

7) If you had one day to spoil yourself, what would you do?

The last time I spoiled myself was on my birthday. That day I took a bubble bath, laid around reading a book, and/or watching chick flicks. And my mom made me chicken enchiladas and cheesecake pie. The only thing that could have made that day better would have been chocolate.

Do you believe in magic?

That’s a tricky question. I think there are things that science can’t explain. But, since I’m an incredible skeptic, until I see something I consider magic, then I don’t believe. I’d love it if it were, though.

9) Where can we go to find out more about you and your writing?

My website (http://www.honoriaravena.com).

My blog (http://www.honoriaravena.blogspot.com).

My vampires also like the blog at http://www.indarknesswedwell.blogspot.com.

You can find my novella, Fear of Darkness, on the Red Rose Publishing website http://www.redrosepublishing.com

and my short story, Biohazard, at http://www.breathlesspress.com

Fear of Darkness by Honoria Ravena

Vahe Patten is a Watcher in the King’s guard. The vampire king, that is. As a Watcher, Vahe executes vampires who break the only major vampire law: keep the secret. When Dylan Andrew starts leaving his murder victims for the human authorities to find, something must be done. While in Haven, Vahe enters the dreams of a woman plagued with nightmares of her past. When he sees Dylan flirting with her in a bar, he knows she’ll be his next victim.</p>

<p>Natalya Woods just wants to avoid her ex-husband. The small town of Haven, Maine seems perfect until she’s attacked in the street by, literally, the man of her dreams.

Biohazard by Honoria Ravena

Hunted by his people, the shapeshifter, Jayden, sheds his human skin after escaping his execution. 200 years later he’s still on the run. When he’s attacked in the remote woods in Wyoming, the last thing he expects is to be saved by a human woman.

When Maura finds a rough looking group of men hunting a tiger in her forest, she doesn’t hesitate to pull a gun on them and release the animal. What she doesn’t expect is for that frightening cat to change into a gorgeous, surly man with a tortured past.

But when his people threaten her life, will he save her, or leave her to the wolves?

To celebrate Thanksgiving, Selena Illyria is hosting a series of short paranormal stories by various authors, and today it’s me! Megan’s bluff is a paranormal short story that gives you a sneak peak at the couple who’ll star in the next Imperial Were-Panther novella ( Mating Frenzy – releasing February 2010!)

The blog is here:

http://selenaillyria.com/2009/11/paranormal-thanksgiving-week-anne-kane/

Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving!

 Anne

Use the code Star09 to get 5% off your entire order, and to be entered to win your choice of any book from my backlist. The winner will be picked Nov 27^th, and announced at the Changeling Bar and Grille that evening.

Series: Stargazers

Title: Wayward

ISBN (13): 978-1-60521-182-4

Genres:  Futuristic, Paranormal, Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi

Themes: Magic and Mayhem

Release Date:  November 12, 2009

Author: Anne Kane

http://www.annekane.com

Publisher URL  Changeling Press – Erotic Fiction

BUY NOW!

BLURB:

Katarina and Abbie are twin Stargazers, and their mother, fearful of the pirates that run rampant in this part of the galaxy, has been hiding their abilities for years. But when Abbie is kidnapped, Kat boldly offers her services to a very sexy pirate captain in return for his help.

Tore is fascinated by the sexy young Stargazer, but how far is she willing to go to save her sister?

EXCERPT:

He tasted her lips, teasing them apart to slip his tongue in and explore. Kat responded with an unbridled lust, sending heat clawing through him. Her sister might be a virgin, but Kat knew exactly where to touch him, how to use a feather light brush of her fingers to send heat racing through his body. He angled her head to give himself better access, sliding his tongue across the roof of her mouth.

Kat moaned, using her own tongue to follow, running it down the side of his, engaging in an erotic duel as he thrust deeper into the moist sweetness, tasting the honeyed depth. She pressed herself against him, her well-toned curves brushing against him and causing his heartbeat to race.

He pulled back a bit, unsettled by her unfettered passion. He was used to women who calculated how much to give, what to do to elicit the response they wanted from his body. Kat just threw herself at him, all soft curves and feminine need.

“We need to pace ourselves here, Kat. You’ll have me going up in flames.” He whispered the words in her ear while her cloth-covered breasts pressed against his chest, tempting him to explore their lush curves.

“Can’t take the heat?” A thread of wicked amusement wound through her voice, and he chuckled. She liked to control the situation. He could see they’d have to work out who was boss. His gaze drifted to the platform, and a wicked idea slid into his mind. Stargazers platforms were designed to hold the witches strapped spread-eagled while they worked.

He wrapped one arm around her waist, and the other arm beneath her legs, scooping her up into his arms while he nibbled his way from her ear down to the tender hollow of her throat. Despite her well-toned muscles, she felt light as air to his enhanced strength and he cradled her against his chest, enjoying the warmth of her body pressed against him. He nuzzled the loose neck of her collar aside and couldn’t resist running his tongue across the top of one firm breast.

Stepping onto the platform, he put her down, holding her against him so that her ripe young body slid down his, the friction driving his lust higher. He fastened his mouth on hers, distracting her while he lifted her hand and tied it to the loop above her head, repeating the process with the other arm. Crouching down in front of her, he ran his hands down her sides, holding her hips firmly in place while he secured the belt at her waist.

“What are you doing?” Kat frowned as she stared down at him out of passion-clouded eyes. “I’m not going to work yet.”

“No.” He nudged her legs apart to slide her feet into the straps especially formed to hold them. “I am. And when I’m done, you are going to be one very satisfied witch.”

A sexy smile curled her mouth. “I didn’t know you were into bondage. I wonder what else is in that locked-down file of yours.”

She certainly didn’t take long to catch on. He didn’t blame her for checking up on him; she’d be insane to trust him. Insane or desperate.

He stood, testing the straps to make sure she couldn’t move before he cupped the back of her head and took her lips in a quick hard kiss. Letting her go, he stepped back and grinned. “Now we’re going to play my way.” He stripped the top of his uni-suit off. Kat stuck her tongue out at him in a childish gesture of defiance, and he laughed aloud. “You’ve got quite the attitude for a tiny little thing that’s all tied up.”

“Size isn’t everything.” She screwed up her nose in a haughty gesture.

He grasped the waist of the suit and skimmed it down over his hips, letting his engorged shaft spring free. He watched her eyes widen and a slow flicker of heat started deep in his groin.

“Then again.” She licked her lips. “That’s quite impressive.”

Tore kicked the suit off to the side and came to stand in front of her. Circling his shaft with one fist, he casually stroked his hand down the length. “Haven’t had any complaints.”

She shifted in her bonds, flexing her fingers. “I’d hate to be the first.”

“Oh, I’m not worried.” He stepped forward and undid the leather strap holding the bodice of her suit together. “Let’s see what you have hidden under that skimpy little outfit of yours.” The edges of the bodice parted, and a dusky pink nipple peeked out. He unsnapped the shoulder straps and the lacy material fell to the deck. Her breasts were high and firm, just the right size to fit in his hands. He spread his palms over the globes, covering the silky flesh. “You must work out.”

She sucked in a lungful of air when he stroked his thumbs over the nipples, bringing them to taut attention. “In a zero-G chamber. Good workout without the impact stress. The discipline helps me to focus.”

He squeezed gently, watching the mounds come together. “There’s a chamber on the lower deck. We’ll work out together.”

“You like to give orders. Don’t you ever ask?”

“Why? You know you want to.”

“But I like to be asked.”

He smirked, and lowered his head to score his teeth across one nipple, pleased by the whimper of pleasure that slipped out of her lips.

BUY NOW

I entered one of the kissing scenes from Stargazers 4: Wayward in the Night Owl Romance’s Under the Mistletoe – Kissing Scene writing contest. Now I just need to get lots and lots of votes. So, if you have a minute, go take a read and if you like it, maybe you could give it a vote? Pretty Please?

http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/contests/authorcontests.aspx

Thanks!

Series: Stargazers

Title: Wayward

ISBN (13): 978-1-60521-182-4

Genres:  Futuristic, Paranormal, Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi

Themes: Magic and Mayhem

Release Date:  November 13, 2009

Publisher URL  Changeling Press – Erotic Fiction

BLURB:

Katarina and Abbie are twin Stargazers, and their mother, fearful of the pirates that run rampant in this part of the galaxy, has been hiding their abilities for years. But when Abbie is kidnapped, Kat boldly offers her services to a very sexy pirate captain in return for his help.

Tore is fascinated by the sexy young Stargazer, but how far is she willing to go to save her sister?

EXCERPT:

Kat perched atop the bar stool and took small sips of her cocktail, assessing the other drinkers in the popular portside bar. She needed to find a man. The door made a whooshing sound as it slid open, and she turned her head.

The man strode through the doorway like a conquering Viking, and she studied him with interest. Well over six feet tall, his wavy blond hair hung loose to his shoulder blades, held in place by a thick strip of leather around his forehead. His eyes were like chips of ice-blue rock, sharp and hard. He walked with the loose, easy gait of someone who spent more time off planet than on. Thick ropes of muscle covered his arms, with more outlined beneath the tight material of his heavy uni-suit. He slid onto a barstool at the far end of the Last Chance, and the bartender immediately bustled down to take his order. No waiting for someone like him.

When the bartender had served the Viking look-alike his drink, she motioned him over. “Who is he?” She tilted her head toward the newcomer.

A smirk lit his dark features while he gave her a quick once-over. “That’s Tore, captain of the Sun Runner. Usually stops in here when the ship’s in for maintenance. Rumor has it he’s a pirate, but I’m not stupid enough to ask him if it’s true. He generally doesn’t pick up any female companions here, but for a class act like you, he might make an exception. You want an introduction?”

Kat grimaced at his suggestive tone. She did, but not for the reason he had in mind. “No, thank you. I’m perfectly capable of introducing myself.”

The bartender shrugged and drifted over to group of miners playing cards. Kat waited a few seconds, gathering her courage. This Tore fellow looked like he might be just what she needed. Now all she had to do was convince him to help her. She wasn’t sure the credits she’d accumulated would be enough to buy the loyalty of a pirate. She took a deep breath and slid gracefully off her stool.

She almost made it to his side before the huge stranger turned his head. She felt a dart of pure lust lance through her as his gaze swept her from head to toe. Up close, she could see the rows of scars on his arms and face, evenly spaced so you knew they weren’t inflicted in a fight, or by accident. Those kind of marks bespoke deliberate torture. She shuddered. It was the kind of torture the Intergalactic Council liked to call rehabilitation.

“How much?” His deep voice reverberated through every nerve, causing moisture to gather deep inside her pussy.

She knew exactly what he meant. He thought she was one of the whores who frequented the bar looking to pick up new clients. She should be insulted, but the smoldering passion deep in those gorgeous blue eyes made her consider, just for a second, taking up the ancient profession. A man like this would generate so much power. And so much passion. Unfortunately, she didn’t have time right now to slake her thirst for sex.

She let her regret show briefly in the smile she flashed him. “I’m not a whore. I’m looking to hire a ship, one that’s fast and able to fight.” She paused, realizing she should be careful about how much information she divulged. She knew nothing about him or his connections.

He lifted one eyebrow, a spark of interest lighting his eyes. “Really? And what would you need a ship like that for?”

Kat held out her hand. “My name is Katarina. My friends call me Kat, and I have my reasons. Are you available?”

He stood, towering over her, and Kat found herself tilting her head to keep eye contact. A cynical smile hovered on his lips as he reached out and took her hand, holding it just a fraction of a nano-second longer than necessary. She wondered if he knew what he did to her pulse rate.

“Name’s Tore. Perhaps we should get a private booth if we’re going to discuss business.” He glanced over at the bartender who nodded toward the back of the bar.

Kat licked her suddenly dry lips, feeling unexpectedly nervous. Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea. “Certainly.”

Come check out the 48 fabulous contests and prizes at Bitten By Books over this spooky weekend.

I’ve put up a $10 Changeling Gift Certificate, open to readers worldwide. Just think of all the delightful books you could get with that! And just a hint, if you win use the coupon code Treat09 to get 5% off your whole order! So click on the banner above and get your entries in before the contes ends on October 31st!

 Changeling Halloween Special

Check out the Changeling Chat Loop on the 30th and 31st for lots of ghosts, goblins and Halloween mayhem. I’m in charge of the mayhem on Saturday morning from Noon until One pm EST, and I’ll be giving away an e-book from my backlist to one lucky chatter, so come on over and delurk. !

the URL is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChangelingPress/

Hey everyone, I’m so excited! The release date for Wayward has been moved up by almost a month! Instead of December 13th it will now be out in only 3 weeks!

Thats right. The new release date is November 13th! I don’t have the cover art yet, but when I do I’ll post it right here so come back and check it out. I’ll probably run a contest too. Not sure what the prize will be so be sure to check back here for details.

I  found the cutest deck of Halloween cards last week, and just couldn’t resist buying them.  I took the picture beside a coffee mug so you could tell the size.

This is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada, so I’m having a contest to say thank -you to all the readers out there. To enter to win the cards, and some other neat promo items, all you have to do is e-mail me at anne_kane.author@… with CONTEST in the subject line. Easy – peasy! I’ll draw a winner Monday evening, and announce it on the Changeling Yahoo group, as well as e-mailing them. GoodLuck all!

Anne