Today, because it's my birthday, I have decided to take a break from editing. Because editing is really hard work, far less pleasant than writing something new.
I'll be finishing up the Hyde trilogy soon and am well into the creation of my next series, tentatively titled ‘The Rising'. It is a mixture of Urban Fantasy (UF) and Paranormal Romance (PNR). For those who don't know the official difference, UF isn't required to end each book with a happy ending and usually spends more time on the external plot than the romance plot. This series will cross the two–some characters will have an HEA and others will have to fight harder through multiple books. Just because I hate being predictable. :)
The Rising will have most paranormal critters in it, but the series begins with the story of Shad, a Vampire, and Addison, a woman who grew up believing she was a Seer (a human who can see through the glamour of the Supernaturals). I'm already in love with these two. Their banter cracks me up, though he's far more romantic than I'd imagined him being before I started writing him. The title for Book I is undecided, because my working title is just silly. I call it ‘Trashy'. And I'd like to share an excerpt. Remember, it is still in draft form, so names and anything/everything else may change.
Shad took her hand and began walking back to the Great Hall. Addison tugged against his grip as if she actually believed she could get away from him.
“Once you are identified as mine,” he said, “no one will get close to you. And thus, no one will bother you.”
“I’m not yours.”
He laughed. “You have been mine since the moment I opened my eyes and saw you.”
“Jesus, was that supposed to be romantic? Because it wasn’t,” she grumbled. “You’re supposed to look at someone in the eyes when you say shit like that, not throw it over your shoulder while you're dragging them back into a hellhole.”
He spun around and let her bounce into him. Then he took her by the jaw to keep her still. “I am inexperienced with romance. It has never been necessary.”
She looked panicked, but didn't pull away. “Well, then–”
“You are mine because I will never accept otherwise, and I will remain in your life until you realize its truth.” He kept his voice low, intimate, as he would speak to her in bed, her body under his. “Because—although I have not yet touched you in the way I desire—to even imagine you with another is to shove another stake in my heart. But this time it would land true, or you wouldn’t be there to save me.” They pulled from the same inch of air. With only a tiny movement, he could take her mouth. But he wouldn't take–he would force himself to wait until she did. And then…may the Powers help him, he would give her everything.
“I owe you my life, Addison, and I would give you my life in the only way I know how. By protecting you from anything that threatens you, anything that upsets you, anything you find unpleasant or boring or ugly. By giving you pleasure until you are so sated you beg me to stop. By making your life easier, better, more peaceful or exciting or, yes, even romantic. I will learn your needs just as I will learn your body.” He saw her gaze dance between his eyes and his lips, felt her body shudder, sensed the increased speed of her heart and her breath. “You are mine, Addison. Whether you know it yet or not.”
“Well, okay then…” She swallowed. “That was a lot better.”
