Hi ever
ybody, welcome back! It's almost Christmas! I hope you're ready.
Today I have a review for Leia Shaw's Destiny Unchained, and I have also been able to interview Leia. So I hope you enjoy today's post!
ME: First off, tell me about yourself, and your writing.
LS: About myself? I live in New England. I have 6 tattoos. I love chocolate. I'm addicted to Diet Pepsi. And when I'm not taking care of my two kids and helping my husband renovate our 1853 house, I'm plotting books in my head.
ME: How long have you been writing? How many published books do you have, and what genres?
LS: I've been writing in some aspect my whole life, but I've only been writing romance books for a year and a half. I have three published full length novels and one novella. Together, they make up my paranormal romance series, Shadows of Destiny.
ME:Do you write in multiple genres or just one? If just one, do you ever consider straying outside your genre?
LS: I've been concentrating on just the one and I still have four more in this series to complete. But right after I swore I would never write contemporary (I love fantasy and paranormal too much), I teamed up with an erotica author to write a contemporary erotica book based on a true story. I'm very excited about this project, due out February 2012, because it's very unique, it's sexy, and it's real life. But other than that, I'm sticking with paranormal.
ME: Are you a plotter or do you write from the seat of your pants?
LS: A little of both. I have a general outline but fill much of it in as I'm writing.
ME: What is a typical writing day like for you?
LS: A writing day? I'd love one of those! Usually, I write while my two year old is napping and then after my kids go to bed. Sometimes I get a few hours on the weekends, or an evening to myself. And when I do, I try unsuccessfully to stay away from twitter and facebook. I am a master at procrastinating.
ME: Who do you love to read? Favorite authors, favorite books?
LS: Kresley Cole is my hero. Favorite series would be Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews. The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning. And no male hero beats Jamie Fraser from the Outlander.
ME: What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?
LS: I'm really not very picky. By next year, I should have my 4th book released and be well on my way to my 5th. Like any writer, fans are what makes it worthwhile. I'd love to hear from more fan.
ME: If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?
LS: Fly. I know it's kinda lame and common but I love heights.
ME: If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?
LS: Dragon, of course.
ME: Tell us a little about your latest release.
LS: Destiny Unchained is about Natalia, a vampire assassin who has some baggage in her past that's caused her to cut off her emotions. Now she's more like a robot than a human being. Cristian is exactly opposite. The alpha of a werewolf pack in Wyoming is warm and passionate, and though he has a tragic past, he's healed from it. He wants the same for Natalia. Together they hunt down a werewolf serial killer. Cristian pushes Natalia out of her comfort zone and begins to melt her icy heart.
ME: What is something that you absolutely can't live without? (Other than family members)
LS: Kindle!
ME: Could you ever co author a book with someone? If so, who would you choose, and what would you write?
LS: Ha ha. See above.
ME: If you could spend a day with anyone from history, dead or alive, who would it be, and what would you do? What would you ask them?
LS: Umm...I'd have to pick Jesus. I think we'd just hang out. He's a cool dude so we'd get ice cream sundaes. I'd have so many questions but if I had to pick one, I guess it would be, "is it all true?"
ME: What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing?
LS: Playing with my kids. Reading. Making videos. Photography. Anything creative.
ME: If you were on the staff to have a book adapted to movie, what would you pick?
LS: I don't know. I'm not a fan of my favorite books being turned into movies. I think Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark would make a great HBO series, like True Blood, but only if they stayed true to the books.
What great answers. It's been fun getting to know you a bit, Leia!
Leia is kind enough to provide an excerpt from Destiny Unchained!
Excerpt: She opened her mouth to call for Cristian. But something that felt like a bus rammed into her, toppling her to the ground. For the second time, the air rushed out of her lungs and she struggled to breathe. The beast was heavy on top of her, but took care not to crush her. His powerful arms thrust hers over head, pinning her to the ground. Even with five-inch-long nails, he was careful not to hurt her. His chest heaved, blood dripped from a bite mark on his neck. With every ragged breath, a snarl escaped his throat and blew the hair from her face. When she struggled, he growled quietly in warning.
His gaze roved her over rapidly. Her eyes, her lips, her neck, down to her breasts, back to her eyes again.
She could have killed him. Probably. Maybe. But she didn’t want to kill him, she wanted to calm him. In an ultimate act of trust, she yielded. Her body sagged underneath him, her pride stinging a bit. And, in the wolf way, she turned her head and bared her throat. Male satisfaction burned in his eyes before he leaned into her neck with his nose and inhaled.
His savage moan tickled her skin. Then his body contorted. It melted on top of hers, fur disappearing, and half its mass. In only seconds, a human took its place. A naked human.
She tried to pull her arms down but he gripped them harder. “Be still, Talia,” he said, his voice husky like gravel. “Don’t move.” His face warmed the crook of her neck. “I could hear your pain from miles away. Do you know what that does to a man?” She couldn’t speak, only lay there under his heaving body. “My Natalia, hurt and afraid.”
She opened her mouth to deny that last part, but he bit her chin.
Lifting his head, he stared down at her. Calmer, more human now, but still on edge. “Don’t argue, Talia, for once. Please. I have to taste you. Do not deny me this.”
It was a command, but his eyes asked for permission. She nodded.
He pressed her wrists into the snow. “Leave them there.” In a flurry of movement she could barely process, he had her stripped from the waist down. Her lips parted and she exhaled a gasp. Bared in the middle of the snowy mountains and she stilled burned for him. His hands, one of each of her thighs, pressed down, holding them open for his gaze. His groan of approval was so animalistic she shivered all over.
She watched him through half-lidded eyes as he leaned down and blew on her clit. Her hips arched off the ground. He threw both her legs over his shoulders and held her off the snow with her ass in his hands. Her arms, obediently placed over her head, and her shoulders were the only thing touching the snow. Then he feasted on her. Nipping and sucking, licking and teasing.
Her gasps turned into cries for mercy. Her squirms turned into flails. But he held her tight and steadily went on, bringing her to the edge then slowing, over and over.
When her clit burned and throbbed and she couldn’t take anymore, she pleaded, “Cristian, please!”
One more long decadent lick then he flipped her to her hands and knees, nudging her thighs apart with his. He entered her too slowly and she pushed back into him. His soft chuckle vibrated through her body. His hand snaked forward and grabbed her breast. As he thrust in and out, he pinched and tortured her nipples, and she moaned in delight. His thrusts grew harder and his hand moved down to her swollen clit.
“Ahhh…yes!” she cried. He teased her clit lightly and her pleasure grew to an intensity she’d never experienced.
“Oh, God, Natalia. You’re perfect,” he panted, driving into her over and over. Just when she was about to climax, he leaned over her and bit into her shoulder, pinning her while he finished inside her. “Mine.”
So did that entice you yet? How about if I give my endorsement! Next up in my review!
Blurb: They call her The Huntress. A vampire with lethal focus, Natalia hunts rogue werewolves and kills them without mercy. She buried her heart centuries ago. Now she lives only for revenge. But when she’s forced to team up with the alpha of the northwest werewolf pack to catch a werewolf serial killer, her carefully controlled world is shattered by the passionate Cristian
Cristian can’t help be intrigued by the icy Natalia. He hasn’t been attracted to a female since his mate died decades ago. But now he vows to break that hard shell she wears and find the warm, nurturing woman inside.
Will Natalia accept Cristian’s claim on her heart even if it means sacrificing a part of who she is?
My Thoughts:
I love a good paranormal story! Only in the past year or so have I really gotten into books about vampires, shifters etc. I'm particular to shifters, especially wolves. Yum! And I enjoyed Destiny Unchained very much. This is the third book in the Shadow Destiny series, and after reading this for review, I want the others!
Who is afraid of the wolf? Certainly not Natalia. She hunts and kills them without remorse. When it comes to Christian, however, she's got her work cut out for her. He's intrigued by this anger fueled vampire and wants to become an ally, perhaps even more. The sexy banter and dialogue between the two sizzle right from the start. The stubborn vampire and alpha male are alike in more ways than Natalia wants to admit, and the tables keep turning on each other, catching them off guard at times.
Filled with fiery passion, jam packed suspense, and the magic we know of as love, Destiny Unchained is sure to please fans of paranormal. This is my first time reading Leia Shaw's work, and what can I say? I'm hooked. It's fast paced, intense, and full of adventure. Oh, and let's not forget an alpha wolf male....what's not to love?
How and were to find Leia:
Twitter: @LeiaShaw
Thanks for stopping by, and thanks to Leia for allowing me to ask my questions, and answering them. I wish you many sales and much success in your career.
Until next time,
Storm Goddess
