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Thursday, January 26, 2012

Guest Post with Lara Adrian and Giveaway

Today I am super excited to welcome one of my most favorite authors to the blog Lara Adrian. Lara is the author of the kickass Midnight Breed series. Lara is here to help celebrate the release of her tenth book in the series, Darker After Midnight. Darker After Midnight is a definite must read and you can check out my review for it here. So guys, please give a super warm welcome to the lovely and amazing Lara Adrian.

I love redemption stories. There are few themes more compelling than those involving someone coming back from a position of dishonor or disgrace (deserved or undeserved) to prove himself worthy once again to his family, his friends, and his community.

Sometimes the core of the story is rooted in the character’s fall from grace--how did he lose his status within his world, and was that loss due to his own actions, or the machinations of someone else? Other times, the story’s heart is found in the character’s journey back to his place within his people and his world--will he come back to the same social status he held before? Will he be forced to accept a lesser standing because of his past failings? Or will he return to his place in his community a better person, one with an even greater role to play after he redeems himself?

These are the kinds of questions I thought about almost from the first moment Sterling Chase walked onto the page in KISS OF CRIMSON, Book 2 of my Midnight Breed series. I knew he would be set on a downward path as the series continued, and I knew that path would be long and dark and winding--one that might make him disliked by some readers even as others might love him all the more for his failings and self-destructive behaviors. And now, here we are, at the release of Book 10, DARKER AFTER MIDNIGHT, and (finally!) it’s Chase’s turn in the spotlight.

I probably shouldn’t admit how much fun I’ve had developing (torturing is probably a more accurate word) Sterling Chase for the past seven books. But I love working with complicated characters who are painted in shades of gray, instead of simple black-and-white. And it was both a challenge and a reward to be able to spread that character development over such a broad multi-story canvas--all the better when I knew there would be a happy ending waiting for him after all that torment and angst. I hope my readers enjoy Chase’s redemption story in DARKER AFTER MIDNIGHT!

So, tell me what you like best about redemption stories! Everyone who comments will be entered in a random drawing for a DARKER AFTER MIDNIGHT prize package that includes a signed tote bag, mousepad, koozie, pen, signed bookplate and a set of bookmarks for the whole series. Good luck to all!

And thanks so much to Danielle for inviting me to play at the blog today. =)


In the dark of night, a blood war escalates within the hidden world of the Breed. After existing in secret for many long centuries, maintaining a fragile peace with the humans who walk beside them unaware, a single act of retaliation has put the entire vampire nation at risk of discovery. It falls to the Order--a cadre of Breed warriors pledged to protect their own and humankind alike--to stop Dragos, the power-mad vampire at the center of the conflict, before his push for domination can explode into catastrophe.

At the center of the Order’s quest is Sterling Chase, once a morally rigid enforcer of Breed law, now a warrior fallen from grace, whose biggest battle is the one he wages against his own savage nature. With addiction beckoning him toward eternal darkness, Chase’s path to redemption has never seemed more out of reach--until he finds himself drawn to a beautiful young woman who may be something much more than she seems . . .
Places to Purchase:


As a child, Lara Adrian used to sleep with the covers up around her neck, afraid she might become the midnight prey of deadly vampires. Later on, under the influence of Bram Stoker and Anne Rice, she had to wonder if her fear wasn't actually something else: a secret desire to walk in a darker world, to live a dangerous and sensual dream with a man of seductive, preternatural power. It is that twining of fear and desire that fuels Lara's own fantasies today, and the idea that she explores in her New York Times bestselling Midnight Breed series of vampire romance novels from Bantam Dell Books.

With an ancestry stretching back to the Mayflower and the court of King Henry VIII, Lara Adrian lives with her husband in coastal New England, surrounded by centuries-old graveyards, hip urban comforts, and the endless inspiration of the broody Atlantic Ocean.

Places to find Lara:

**Giveaway**

As Lara stated above, she will be giving away a Darker After Midnight Prize Pack,  to 1 lucky person (International Shipping available). So make sure to leave a comment and fill out the Rafflecopter form and good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

64 comments :

  1. I absolutely loved this story. I think it might be my favorite of the whole series! Oh, give me a tortured man (who badly wants redemption, and chases it, but doesn't think he's worthy) any day over a "perfect" hero! The best part is seeing them come back from the brink and pull that mantle of "self" back on.

    I always felt that Chase's relationship/fascination with Elise was unhealthy and a little icky, but Tavia is PERFECT for him and I love all the story developments!

    Your website shows two empty covers with "coming soon" novels next to them. Does this mean the saga continues? After that ending, it could totally go either way!

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  3. Hey, I've heard so much about Lara and her books from other readers and reviewers! I can't wait to get my hands on DAM! Haha.

    What I like about redemption stories are those yummy tortured heroes who are damn alpha males with their fierce protectiveness on what they consider is theirs. Not only that, they're mysterious as hell too.

    Thanks for this awesome giveaway, and a belated congratulations on the release of DAM!:)

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  4. I love this series and am expecting my copy of this one to arrive in the mail by Saturday :).
    I enjoy redemption stories because I really do like to see the character grow with all the pain and trials he/she goes through. The bigger the downfall the more I like the return. You're right, sometimes I grow to hate the character and then am so happy when I realized I love him.
    Thank you for the wonderful contest.

    vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. i like redemption story because it's very touching story when someone change to be good for the one they loved ;)

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  6. I love redemption stories. One of the reasons is that I have always liked the bad-boy turn hero stories. The guys who you don't like, until you learn more about him and then you realize that you do like/love him. I love when characters grow and learn from the mistakes they have made.

    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

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  7. Hi Lara! Long time fan of yours! I can't wait to read Chase's book. I too like a good redemption story and I really think that he deserves a HEA! Thank you so much for the awesome giveaway. bpatrick64113@sbcglobal.net

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  8. I love redemption stories because the person trying to redeem themselves has a chance to make good. They get to show that they are really not as bad as others thought. They get a second chance.
    This is a new series and author for me, but would love to win and read this book. I love to read and always looking for new authors to check out. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.

    christinebails@yahoo.com

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  9. Feels like I have been waiting forever for Chase's book. I am so excited it's finally here. I like redemption stories and can't wait to see how this one ends. Thank you for the giveaway!

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  10. The book still hasn't reached my house, and I so want to read it! All I see around me in blogland are raving reviews!
    I want to find out what happens to Chase myself!

    Why I like redemption stories, never really thought about it. But I think it is because the character finally sees that fact that his/her behaviour is wrong, and has to stop doing that (an addiction or something like that), and has to earn the trust of family and friends all over again before they are accepted as the ones they once were. They have to work hard for that, and do it themselves, but the most important part is, they have to realize they are doing something wrong/bad/evil.

    Looking forward to seeing you this summer at the Love Letter Convention in Berlin!

    auriansbooks at gmail dot com

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  11. *Appreciate the Giveaway! Helps those like me on Fixed Income/SSI {as Perm Multi Disabled:Wheelchair/Home-Bound} who need & luv to read, attain books can't normally afford!
    *What like about Redemption Stories: Following the journey from whatever flaws, actions or sins committed {real or imagined} by the character, that have molded them into what they've become... Come to realization, that needs to & fights whatever 'demons' (inner or otherwise) required to gain the gift of hard won 'Redemption'!

    )0( Warmest Blessings )0(

    *Paranormal Romance is Magickal*

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  12. I have just started this series and loving it! Thanks for a chance to win! Love redemption stories. Interesting to see how the the heroine or hero can be turned around and get their HEA.

    evjochum[AT]aol[DOT]com

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  13. Can I just say that I have been waiting for Chase's book for a while and I'm so glad it finally came. Also, thanks for the chapter excerpts in your newsletter. They were fantastic and made me more eager to read DARKER AFTER MIDNIGHT.

    Redemption stories are one of my favorites because the hero or heroine is a total basket case and it's interesting to see their journey trying to turn everything around with the help of their significant other. I especially love the character in the series that makes that transformation into a total basket case and then finally gets redeemed in their own book.

    Thanks for the giveaway and congrats on the new release!

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  15. Personally I believe that in one way or another most romace novels are a redemption story. If you think about it most of the characters are flawed badly in the first place and then they meet their one true love (god that sounds cheesey) and though they are still flawed they are able to overcome their flaws in order to be better people. I love redemption storied because the hero or ther heroine think that they can't be loved because of something they did or they don't want to love because of something they've done and they don't want to hurt anyone or think that they don't deserve it. In the end it normally works out. If it doesn't it's a crappy romance novel. Thanks for the giveaway! I'm very excited about Chase's book.

    charmed_sphere_mage69@hotmail.com

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  16. I guess I like redemption stories because the redemption is an inherent storyline in itself: no matter how brilliant the story is anyway, there's nothing that can't be improved by a little bit of grovelling from whichever character needs redeeming - especially if they're not the type to grovel :).

    Great giveaway!

    lasynner@gmail.com

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  17. I like to know that no matter what trauma/horrific experience one goes through, there is light at the end of the tunnel. It helps give optimism to everyone in their lives.

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  18. Redemption stories usually deal with troubled souls & individuals. I love following them on their journey out of the depths.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  19. I love redemption stories because it gives me hope. Hope that someone can change and that they may be a brighter light in the world.
    musicalfrog at comcast dot net

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  20. I am new to this author and series. I've read several reviews of this book and interviews with the author and am anxious to read this book. Thanks for the chance.

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  21. I like reading the backstory and finding out why the character needs to be redeemed in the first place and how the character develops into a better person. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  22. The thing I love the most of the redemption series is the chance to know all the story's of these wonderful man, their flaws, their dreams, how they love.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  23. I love that love is the thing that redeems the people in the stories. I LOVE this series!!! All the heroes in them need to be redeemed and it takes the love of a good woman to do it! Thanks for the giveaway!

    yadkny@hotmail.com

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  24. I love reading the backstory and how the character develops into a better person. I also love Lara's book and her style of writing. Thank you so much for these wonderful books and the giveaway now ;)

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  25. Strong alpha males that love their women over everything else
    audie(at)wickerness(dot)com

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  26. I love redemption stories because one the hero/heroine no matter their strengths and or weaknesses they manage to strengthen themselves together and realize that they can have a happiness too, they don't have to live a painful existance alone wether it be mortals or immortals

    KimmiesKreations@hotmail.com

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  27. Love this series! Poor Chase has had it bad but it is fascinating how you are able to lead them from their self destruction to a place where they start to care about those around them and especially that certain "someone" who seems to be at the heart of it all" It is gratifying when their lives finally work out and they are happy. I have felt so much joy while reading this happen and a few tears as well.

    Keep up the writing!

    fingershankins@yahoo.com

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  29. I love the Breed series! Chase has had a tough time from the very beginning. As an Enforcement Agency officer, the males of the Order didn't like or trust him. He longed for Elise, but couldn't have her. Was forced to kill her son. Then was gave in to blood lust. I look forward to reading his story of redemption! And to his finally finding his happy ever after.

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  30. It's the angst. The torture that the character has to get from A to B, or all the way to M in order to fulfill his or her goal.
    I love reading the ups and downs of the characters in Lara's Midnight Breed series. I'm sure all of us readers love a little bit about Chase, but also hate some of the things he's done at the same time. I'm excited to finally get to dive into this book.
    Thank you for the chance at winning your awesome prize pack Lara. And thank you too Dani... :)
    Sebrina_Cassity at yahoo dot com

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  31. Loved the book, read the e-Book version while awaiting my signed copy.

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  32. Great interview! Thanks for the giveaway! What I love about redemption stories is the fact that even though people make mistakes, they have second chances. It gives hope to others. :)

    trb917@hotmail.com

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  33. I Love this series and oooh I can't wait to read Darker After Midnight. I love stories about redemption. There is so much power in healing when someone can forgive themselves for what torments them internally.

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  34. Thanks for the wonderful post and giveaway! I haven't had a chance to read this series but it sounds fantastic!

    I'd have to say that I like redemption stories b/c of that moment when everyone/or someone important realizes that the hero/heroine has changed. When they can make up/atone for previous bad behavior. But I do cringe at the beginning, b/c often times they have to go through what seems like a gauntlet first.

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  35. The thing I love from the redemption series is no matter their strengths or weaknesses they manage to strengthen themselves together. Where the character grow with all the pain and trials he/she goes through.

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  36. I love that you can actually see the torment in the path to redemption. You see the struggle overcome and it gives you hope. I also believe, especially in Chase, that although the path he went down was not always good, you could still see the goodness in him and knew (hoped) that he was strong enuff to get through and do what was right and in the end find his happiness! Love this series. Thank you so much.

    km91759@aol.com

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  37. I too have been a fan of this series for quite a while now. Makes me sad that I have to wait for the paperback copy due to it being in hardback (on a strict "no buying hardback" rule).

    Happy that this is Chase's book

    Mmmm, redemption stories..

    Raonaid at gmail dot com

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  38. Danger heightens everything. In the real world the dangerous guys is just that: the dangerous guy. Guaranteed nine times out of ten if you go for him you'll end up heart broken or much much worse. In redemption stories, at least of the romance genre, you get to live the fantasy. The tension of dancing on the brink draws you in and keeps you and the end when it all works out is a climatic release. Yeah, I said that. It also give you hope that even the darkest person can see the light. Even if it isn't always true losing hope is the worst thing that could happen especially when the darkness is in yourself.

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  39. I love this series its one of my favs :)

    reginamayross@gmail.com

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  40. I am a huge fan of the series. I am glad chase gets his story he deserves someone who will be god to him. He is a guy who made some wrong decisions in his life but he is a good guy and deserves a happy ending.

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  41. Hi! I like the fact the bad boy finally get to be the good guy.Sweet and simple.

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  42. I LOVED Chase's story! Best of the series, and this is one of my fave series out there! I have been waiting for Chase's story for so long, and the wait was definitely worth it. I admit that I have a big weakness for redemption stories of 'fallen' heroes. I think it's because it shows a vulnerability that is often hidden underneath an exterior of strength and confidence. I think it makes the characters more 'human' by showing that even the strong (physically, mentally, emotionally, morally) have issues, too, and as they are redeemed, it makes us realize that we can be redeemed to. When I see a strong character show so much vulnerability, it really makes me want to cuddle and comfort them.

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  43. I love them because it is always great to see what a Strong man do what needs to be done for the woman he loves!

    Supagurl

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  44. I haven't read Chase's book yet (arrives Monday), but I am excited to see him finally redeem himself. I felt sorry for him in the beginning being in love with Elise and feeling like he lost her twice (even in the beginning - I never thought he belonged with Elise) , then he just became annoying, then I started to really hate him. Lara reallys takes you through all of the emotions. It is always great to see someone hit bottom and come back to live happily ever after.

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  45. We get to read how hard and uncomfortable it is for a hero to redeem himself and become the man we always knew he could be!

    dsadler53 at yahoo dot ca

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  46. I came upon this series by accident and it was a bwutiful thing!! I can't get enough of it.
    Redemption is a funny thing....I fill like everyone even the "bad boys" of the world have good in them and redemtion is always possible!

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  47. Never read Lara's books, but they've been highly recommended and I now own books 1 and 2. I'll need to read them soon, I think.

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  48. Redemption stories are the best. They give us a chance to fall down to the depths of despair with the character, and then join them as they get themselves back up with the help of their friends and family.

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  49. Redemption is usually my fav because I'm always so into the storyline and plot, with the characters when they fall and when they conquer the mission or the problem at hand. They fight and they don't give up even when all they want to do is just to surrender and give up.

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  50. This is an awesome giveaway and thank u for making it international.
    Have to admit, I haven't read any of this series, but I'd love to. I read the review and the story sounds amazing. I don't know much about redemption stories, but it seems the character is very strong. I think I'm gonna like this kind of story.

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  51. Redemption story is one of thrope at romance novel that I love. This thrope kinda hit and miss for me. First, sometimes I hate what the hero do, sometimes I cry for him. Second, sometimes he think he not worthy for his women, why I think, its the woman's right if he's worthy for her or not right?
    But then, this kind of storyline is one of my favorite.

    Thanks for the giveaway

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  52. I like redemption stories because not everyone makes the right choices everytime, and when a character is making bad choices over and over again, you almost want to reach out and lend a hand...I love the fact in this particular case it took a good woman to bring a good man back from a spell of bad choices.

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  53. I like the redemption stories because are more filled with feelings than others. Reading about hero who change his views for the woman he love is soo romantic :)

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  54. I love redemption stories because you can't help but root for the character. You are privy to all their hardships and sympathize w/ them but want them to overcome it and become a better person for it. Victory is much more sweet when it takes hard work to achieve.

    Can't wait to read Chase's story.
    sharocks13@yahoo.com

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  55. I enjoy redemption stories where the hero finally meets someone that has the capability to change their life around. I love this series and I have been waiting for this book for a while now.

    jcalvert719(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  56. really i think the best thing about redemption stories is seeing the characters struggles and the little things they think about while they work on the big stuff. I just finished chases book this morning and really loved it. and luckily lara set it up so there's no way this series can end!!

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  57. I LOVE Chase's story! Redemption stories like his are just exciting and heartfelt to go thru all his struggles "with" him. You hate him, you love him, you hurt for him, then you're happy with him when he's finally happy! Good stuff!

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  58. I love this series!! It is one of my favorites!! I have all of the books.

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  59. I like redemption stories because it takes you through the cleansing. Even though it may not be as extreme as most books, most people have gone through it at least once in their lives!

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  60. I like seeing a character overcoming obstacles and then learning from it. Becoming a better person makes their journey all the more worthwhile.

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  61. I like redemption stories since you see a person going from a bad point in their life to a happy ending.

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  62. There's always a tortured, bad guy that realizes his mistakes. He learns from said mistakes and turns into the hero everyone loves. Can't wait to read this book.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

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  63. I like redemption stories because of the journey. Sure the end when it is all HEA is nice but each step along the way is the draw for me. I really like to see the character have to stand on their own two feet and earn the HEA.
    jepebATverizonDOTnet

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