And 2 days/2 prizes to go! Keep posting!

A quick note before we get down to the serious business of “seducing”.

Tomorrow morning, I’ll be hosting the Ellora’s Cave chatter’s loop from 8:00-12:00 CST. I’ll be posting sexy excerpts written by myself and many talented EC authors, running scavenger hunts, and at 11:00 CST, I’ll be hosting a live chat. So, if any of you are interested in joining me, just send me an email.

Back to SEDUCED BY DARKNESS…

How about a level of eroticism you may never have experienced before?
I’ve fed you sexy excerpts the past few days, but I really didn’t even scratch the surface of the sensual delights you will find between the pages of my latest book. Reviewers know it too! Check this out:

From Paranormal Romance Reviews – “…Ms. Devlin’s Dark Realm series is devastatingly erotic and pushes the boundaries in both premise and sexual explicitness. Ms. Devlin pens in an uncharted territory that will leave the readers breathless and hungering for more…”

From Romancer Reader at Heart – “…Lordy, Lordy, but it’s hot in here! I’ve just finished SEDUCED BY DARKNESS by Delilah Devlin, and I tell you, that woman writes hot!…”

From Romantic Times – “…Highly charged sex scenes, including oral, anal, M/F/M, bondage and submission, will raise your temperature…”

And it’s not just the quantity or the variety of sexual encounters in this book that will make it such a satisfying read. You know me, when I lay down the steam between two irresistible characters, the pages fly by, and before you know it, you’ve completed two chapters of sex and you didn’t even notice the length–just the fact you wish it hadn’t ended because you were left emotionally stunned.

This is that kind of story. Is that a good enough reason now?

Thanks for hanging in there! I really appreciate the company. This book means a lot to me, and I’m as nervous as a cat passing a row of rocking chairs about the release. I can’t wait until it’s out and you all get a chance to read it. But in the meantime, I do have more reasons to post (trying to think of another as I’m writing, actually! Really wished I’d been the organized writer and listed them before I started this countdown, but that’s not me!).

Ilona, send me an email at delilahdevlin@hughes.net to arrange delivery of your prizes. ~DD

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
So, back to reasons you should buy this book now?

Don’t you want to be one of the first to read it? Don’t you want to crow to your friends on all your lists about the new book you just read and give them hints about the fun they’ve missed? And since my yahoo group is going to be converted to a “talking” loop shortly, don’t you want to be able to come and talk to the group about what you’ve read and what you hope will come in the series? I can see lots of discussion about a certain flavor “sandwich”, a hairbrush, and a silver bullet…but only those who’ve read it will know what you mean!

Since I’m plotting book 4 in a couple of months, I want to listen in on those conversations because I don’t have a freakin’ clue what I’m going to put in the next book. I’d love y’all to spark an idea or two, so I’m not staring at a blank page!

Okay, it’s a purely selfish reason. I’m more than a little concerned that I haven’t got anything for book 4 other than rather vague thoughts of a dragon, a wolf, and a foursome. I really do need a little more to flesh out a plot, or I’ll be back where I was when I wrote Seduced, saying–OMG! They didn’t just do that! Because Nic and Alex kept giving me heart attacks with their surprises. I want the next book to be completely mapped out–maybe it will actually happen. I keep telling myself every time I start a book that I ought to think my story through, because at some point I do get stuck and have to wiggle out of some tight corners.

So, is that strong enough a reason for you there? If not, I’ll try harder tomorrow! ~DD

Three prizes to be rewarded. One will be given away tomorrow! So be sure to post!

So, still not convinced? How about a heroine with two great big problems–two alpha males circling around her, tempting her out of her self-imposed isolation? Here’s a scene with her new partner, Alex. Poor Chessa’s waited a little too long to feed…

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Alex had surprised her with his cunning and his strength. And especially with his cool-headed reactions. He had experience. Lots of it. She could see why he’d been assigned as her partner.

Not that she was ready to concede she needed a new one. He was still too distracting—too much sexy male stuffed into blue jeans that hugged his ass and his glorious package.

God, she had to get off that one-rail track. Nodding to the bouncer at one of the last bars still open in the Quarter, she jostled roughly past patrons looking for a place to ride out the chaos outside.

The bar was one of her favorite haunts, one she’d used to introduce Natalie to the glories of a casual feeding.

She headed down a narrow corridor at the back to the secret room—the blood bar. She’d worked up a raging thirst. To hell with what her partner thought. He’d see the real her in a minute, and maybe, he’d ask for that transfer before she had to pitch a fit with the brass.

Inside, only acoustic guitars played. The air was stifling hot and stunk of too many bodies standing too close together. It suited her fine. The heat intensified the aroma of the blood. Muted voices and laughter didn’t mask the sound of dozens of beating hearts.

A slightly built man with long dreadlocks brushing the tops of his bony shoulders sat on a stool with his elbows resting on the bar behind him.

Her choice made in an instant, she walked up to him. “Fed anyone tonight?”

His chocolate gaze slid over her, and his eyes widened. “Been waiting for you, babe.”

She gave him a feral, heated look—all the warning she’d give him this wouldn’t be a gentle feeding.

His sex stirred in the front of his loose pants as he stared. “Gonna need a dark corner?” he said, his voice purring.

“Suits me fine,” she bit out.

He canted his head to the corner of his choice and slid off the stool, wending his way through the bodies blending erotically together on the dance floor.

Chessa followed, all her attention on the man leading her into the darkness. She hadn’t had enough of Nicolas’s blood earlier to blunt her appetite. Now, her thirst ruled her, knotting her belly. Dread-man might be just an appetizer. She needed to feast, to fill one hunger to the exclusion of the other that had been steadily growing with every hour spent with Alex.

Dread-man stopped in a corner behind a large silk potted plant. “How do you want me?” he asked, his tongue sliding over his full lips.

“Our clothes stay on,” she growled.

Looking only mildly disappointed—after all the man knew he was going to get a mind-blowing release—he shrugged. “Whatever the lady says.” His gaze cut away, and he nodded to someone behind her. “He going to feed, too? Not that I have any objections.”

She whipped around to find Alex standing behind her, his legs braced apart, his arms crossed over his chest.

His expression was watchful, tense. “Just keeping your back.”

“Get lost,” she snarled.

“Don’t think so. You look ready to explode. Don’t want to have to pull you off your meal.”

“I’ve been doing this before you first sucked a tit.”

Eyes narrowed, he stepped close and leaned down, his lips hovering above hers. “He’ll feed your thirst. Let me feed your lust,” he whispered. “We’re partners, remember?”

Jesus H. Christ! Trembling now with need, Chessa could barely get her mind around what he offered. A thin, mewling moan clawed its way out of her tight throat.

“Shhhh,” he crooned, slipping an arm around her back, pulling her hips flush with his. “You can have this,” he said, caressing her with his thick cock through their clothes. “But you can’t ever bite me, hear?”

Yesterday, I opened my email to find this new review for SEDUCED BY DARKNESS, and I promise you, I was toast for the rest of the day. I was sooooo thrilled!

From Romantic Times BOOKReviews Magazine, reviewer Gail Pruszkowski:

4.5 stars and TOP PICK!

“The electrifying follow-up to Into the Darkness is a breathless read. Devlin’s intricate vampire society is filled with compelling personalities. The chemistry between the characters is explosive, and the horrific villain will give you goosebumps. Highly charged sex scenes, including oral, anal, M/F/M, bondage and submission, will raise your temperature, and the ending will leave you begging for more…”

(4.5, BTW, is their highest award–then add the “Top Pick!”–OMG!)

Today, I’m a little less excited, which means I can settle down to work. I’ve opened up the file for the next chapter of MIK-7: Knight Dreams, and now I have to figure out how to get Quentin out of his current coil. Poor man is in a drug-induced trance with Kamaria taunting him all along the way. Don’t know how it ends just yet. ~DD

Got busy and forgot to post the first winner last night! My first winner is “Laura K.” So, Laura, send an email to delilahdevlin@hughes.net to collect your Amazon.com gift certificate and let me know which of these books you would like to have signed and delivered to you–INTO THE DARKNESS or WILD,WILD WOMEN OF THE WEST.

Back to the “reasons”…

When was the last time you read a vampire book that took you to a truly surprising place with twists that left you saying, “What the f**k?” I mean really, when was the last time you finished the last page and thought, “Damn, that woman’s seriously twisted!”

Well…maybe this book is the one. *wink* ~DD

Be sure to post! I’ll announce the first winner tonight!

Here’s another great reason to buy SEDUCED BY DARKNESS (and I get to take a break and crow a bit about another success!).

I’m award-winning! Along with talented authors Myla Jackson and Layla Chase, I have a CAPA award from The Romance Studio for Best Anthology for 2007!!

Okay, promise to get back to strictly SBD topics tomorrow! But I still can’t stop grinning! Yay me! ~DD

Be sure to post! I’ll be choosing the first winner tomorrow!

Can’t have a strong hero without a heroine to match him, lick for lick! Chessa Tomas had a big role in the first book, and enjoyed a lusty menage with the Natalie and Rene. In SEDUCED BY DARKNESS, Chessa learns to take some risks with her heart where Nic is concerned.

Only she isn’t sparkin’ on the hero in this scene. Enter one more complication. Alexander is a strong, romantic secondary character who’s a bit of a mystery. Here’s our heroine’s first meet with Alex. Rest assured, Alex will have his own story to tell! ~DD

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chessa slammed a palm against the vending machine, jostling it, but not loosening the Coke hung up in the mechanism.

She cursed and gave it another slam, then heard a throat clear behind her.

“Go easy, Cheech. That’s public property.” Police Lieutenant Byron Williams stood behind her wearing a lop-sided grin.

Chessa aimed a killing glare his way, but Byron didn’t scare easily.

His smile widened in his dark face. “Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?”

Chessa let his comment slide, wincing inwardly at how close he’d nailed it. She’d mentored him when he was a rookie cop. She never commented on her private life—something he knew all too well. “Did May and the kids get out okay?”

Byron’s smile dimmed, and he nodded. “They’re staying with her parents in Baton Rouge.”

“That has to be rough. Your house?”

Byron grimaced and shook his head. “Can’t get out there. Word is the whole block’s underwater. Guess I’ll just have to wait and see.” He fed the machine another dollar and his Coke pushed hers down. “Meantime, we gotta keep busy. The streets are gettin’ meaner by the minute, and we’re short-handed.” He bent and pulled out two cans.

Chessa grabbed hers and held it away, popping the top and cursing again when foam spat over her hand. She ignored his chuckle and drank down the soda in several gulps.

His eyebrows rose. “A little thirsty?”

“This’ll do for now.”

“Why don’t you cut through the Quarter and check out the blood bars? Kill two birds. Reba has reports from hotels complainin’ about guests stackin’ up in the rooms. You know what that means.”

Chessa grimaced. Only a vamp on a binge could add a little carnage to the chaos.

Byron held up his Coke and started to turn. The wicked glint in his eyes had her stiffening. “Oh, and just to make your life a little easier, you got a new partner.”

Surprised, since she’d only reported Rene’s desertion that morning, she called after him, “Wait a damn second! Who the hell did you find in the middle of all this shit to take Rene’s place? You know I need a little time to take care of his desk—”

Byron just shook his head. “Came from higher up. Not a thing you can do. Just suck it up, Tomas. Seemed like they knew it was gonna happen.”

Chessa drew in a deep breath, trying to calm the sparks setting off a blaze of red-hot anger. How could the brass drop this on her now? Every cop deserved downtime after losing a partner. “Where is he?” she blurted, barely holding back the list of expletives she’d rather let loose.

Byron winked. “Checkin’ out his new digs. Almost wish I had time to make the introductions.” He chuckled as he left.

“Dammit!” Chessa stalked toward the cubicle she’d shared with Rene for four years. “The bastard had better keep his paws off Rene’s things,” she muttered.

She rounded the corner, drawing up short at the sight of a broad pair of shoulders stretching a dark T-shirt and a round, tight ass nicely displayed in many-times-washed blue jeans. That great ass was bent over a desk drawer. “Those aren’t your things,” she bit out.

Her new partner straightened and glanced over his shoulder, giving her a slow, delicious once-over that left her hot and confused.

How could you meet somebody and be immediately aroused and pissed off at the same time? She’d had handsome before—Nicolas was on par with this one’s rugged good looks. Dark, wavy brown hair worn a little long, wide, muscled shoulders, a taut trim waist and flanks shouldn’t leave her salivating.

Must have been the smile. A slight amused curl of firm lips. Or maybe the steady stare of his gorgeous blue eyes that seemed to note every detail of her appearance, but didn’t ogle or hold a hint of any judgment. His gaze was appreciative, assessing—as though gauging her for game.

She’d worn a T-shirt and leather pants despite the muggy heat outside. She’d been feeling a little Goth—no makeup, but she’d ringed her eyes in black. She felt like a ghoul, planning a hunt—the scarier she looked, the better.

But she hadn’t planned on having to drag a partner around behind her. Even one who ignited every red corpuscle of her being into a sensual frenzy. He’d be a major distraction.

How could she get rid of this guy? She lifted her chin.

She’d let out The Bitch.