Thank you, Danielle, for hosting me today and thanks, everyone, for stopping by. To one lucky commenter, I’m giving away a copy of the brand new anthology A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS with a short story I wrote called Enchanted By Blood.
When I was asked to be a part of this anthology and write a holiday-themed story set in my Sweetblood world, I was really excited. Not only do I love this time of the year, but I was up for the challenge of pairing vampires and Christmas, two seemingly opposite elements, wouldn’t you say?
Plus, I love the short format. As an author, you have to get to the point and get there quickly. It’s meat and potatoes, baby, without the appetizers, the salads or the desserts!
Because of this, I knew it would need to be a reunion story of sorts. There wouldn’t be time for a lengthy get-to-know-you. I also wanted to explore a few aspects of the Sweetblood world I hadn’t done yet—the political structure of the Governing Council and the vampiric ability to wipe a human’s mind.
In Enchanted By Blood, Trace Westfalen is poised to take over his father’s seat on the Council, but he won’t be voted in if he’s in a relationship with a human. Party planner Charlotte Grant feels an odd connection to the man who hired her to decorate his home for a big holiday party, but she’s never met him before…or has she?
Here’s an excerpt:
Readjusting the bag of ice on her wrist, she stared out the window at the twinkle lights on the trees lining this city block. She certainly wasn't like her friend Kari who went home with anyone who suited her fancy. She was simply taking up an offer from a good Samaritan and that was all.
She watched, mesmerized as Trace tapped his pointer finger on the steering wheel to some unknown beat. Her heart seemed to synchronize itself to the rhythm. One...two...three...four.
What would it feel like to have that hand sliding over her flesh? Her face heated at the thought. Would they be gentle or commanding? Were his fingers dexterous and skilled, able to find all the right places and know what to do when they got there? She was certain that this man knew his way around a female's body. He was too gorgeous not to have been with many women.
Okay, she seriously had to stop thinking this way. She shifted awkwardly in her seat, trying to eliminate the sudden twinge in her lower belly. It was as if she could feel the beat of her heart there. Calling to him. Needing him.
Char, come on, girl. You're not Kari.
Reaching into her handbag, she pulled out a tube of lip balm and smeared it on her lips.
But it wasn't just his hands that captivated her. His eyes did as well. Inside the restaurant, she'd found herself staring at them, wondering if they were blue or gray. His lashes were long—so long, in fact, that she had to imagine they’d rub against the inside of a pair of sunglasses. With just a rim of color around the edges, his pupils were unusually large, like twin tunnels leading straight to his soul. She could totally get lost in those eyes if she weren't careful, agree to things that she’d normally never consider.
And then, a little later:
Charlotte forced herself to sit back against the leather seats as the limousine slowed and turned onto a long, winding driveway. She'd been in the car for over an hour and was anxious to see the place. Although she strained to see through the tinted windows, she could only make out a few landscape lights marking their way in the darkness.
If she'd had Trace’s number or a way to contact him, she might have considered calling him herself. Thank him for coming to her rescue. But she couldn't. In fact, when she thought about it, she knew very little about him. Not his cell number, his place of business, the city or suburb he lived in. Nothing.
And yet, there was something so familiar about him. Like a well-worn groove in the road, she gravitated to him without really thinking about it.
What do you think? Is love deeper than just your memories? If you suddenly had no memory of your loved ones—your husband, your kids, your parents—would a part of you still be connected to them anyway or would those feelings be gone forever?
Sweetblood story: ENCHANTED BY BLOOD
Characters: Trace and Charlotte
Setting: Seattle
All they want for Christmas is you...
It’s the time of year for twinkling lights on trees and kisses under the mistletoe. Yet the passing of another year means nothing to the stunning immortals who lurk in the shadows of the new-
And they don’t care if you’ve been naughty or nice.
Let four fanged lovers open your eyes to a passion you never dared to imagine. After all, there’s no place like home for the holidays–and these dazzling vampires can’t wait for an invitation.
Places to purchase:
| Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Powell's Books |
**Author Info**
A graduate of Western Washington University with a BA in Business Administration and a former tester/programmer for a Fortune 500 company, Laurie London now writes from her home near Seattle where she lives with her husband and two children.Her debut book, BONDED BY BLOOD, A Sweetblood Novel came out February 2011 and EMBRACED BY BLOOD, the second book in the series, came out July 2011 from HQN. You can also find her novella HIDDEN BY BLOOD, for free on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble right now.
Her writing has won and been a finalist in several prestigious contests including the Beacon, the Emerald City Opener, the Marlene, and the Orange Rose.
She is represented by Emmanuelle Morgen of Judith Ehrlich Literary Management and is a member of Romance Writers of America®, Greater Seattle Area RWA, RWAOnline, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, FF&P (RWA chapter devoted to all things paranormal), and two book clubs – one of which she helps coordinate live online author chats with readers from around the world.
When not writing, she can be found running, reading, or riding and showing her horse. Someday she hopes to qualify for the Quarter Horse World Show – that is, if her horse doesn’t get hurt again.
Places to find Laurie:
**Giveaway**
Laurie London will be giving away a copy of A Vampire For Christmas to one lucky commenter. So make sure to leave a comment answering Laurie's question and fill out the Rafflecopter form.
Just stopping by to **wave,** Laurie! Great question--wouldn't you think there would be a hole in your heart where you know something is missing?
ReplyDeleteAlexis
I think you would still feel somthing. Especially for the love of your kids and family. I know that is no way that I could ever stop loving my kids. I think that there would still be some sort of connection/feelings there that would make you wonder what is that feeling.
ReplyDeleteYou are a new author for me and would love to win and read this book. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
christinebails@yahoo.com
That question sure makes you wonder: If I lost the memory of my kids, I would hope that I would just know something is missing in my life. It makes my heart ache just thinking about it. Wow....
ReplyDeleteI haven't had the chance yet to begin reading the Sweetblood Series, therefore, I am saying 'thank you' for the chance to win this book. Have a good one! :)
sebrina_cassity@yahoo.com
@sebrinac23
*waves back to Alexis* I definitely think you'd have a hole in your heart where that love once lived.
ReplyDeleteChristine, exactly! Our memories create who we are and even if the memory is gone, the part of us surrounding it is still there. I believe there'd still be a connection.
I would hope that there would still be some draw there but based on what I've seen of people w/brain injuries - it's all gone and has to be rebuilt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
I think, or at least hope, that there would be some instinct involved (and that the memory loss wouldn't last long).
ReplyDeletesallans d at yahoo dot com
It's hard to imagine not knowing and feeling a connection to my family, especially my children.
ReplyDeletemce1011 AT aol DOT com
Yes, I think love is deeper than just memories. I think I'd still feel connected to my family if I lost my memory, especially my son. I can't imagine not feeling that connection and I know they would work to help me rebuild my memories.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping I could at least feel something for my children! What a scary thing! Thanks for sharing with us today!
ReplyDeleteevjochum[AT]aol[DOT]com
I believe deep true love leaves an imprint on one's soul. Although you may not remember your love ones, you will still feel the connection in some way.
ReplyDeletekamwh1207(at)att(dot)net
I would think and hope that in the right situation we'd feel some type of pull or feeling. But I don't know. Love has caused stranger things to happen. :) I really am looking forward to reading about Trace and Charlotte. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
I think that you would definitely feel a connection...even if the memories were lost!
ReplyDelete♥ Melissa @ Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
I think you would be connected.
ReplyDeleteYou know, this is a really sad question, because I've seen grandparents die of Alzheimer's? So I would hope yes, the love still would be stronger than ability to remember it. Good luck with the story, Laurie.
ReplyDeleteJulianne
-new follower-
grailmaiden08-at-gmail.com