Bestselling Author Delilah Devlin
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Sunday Report Card
Sunday, December 12th, 2010

Finally, I can say I finished the rough of the last December 1st deadlined book.

Two weeks late. But what the hell? To say I wasn’t as inspired by this one as the other two would be a gross understatement.

So all you writers out there, when an opportunity to write something for a publisher you have courted for a long time comes, make sure the story is something you love. I just couldn’t love this one, hence all the trouble finishing it. Maybe my emotions were involved because I was seriously exhausted. Maybe I was simply annoyed that I didn’t get as much say in the premise of the story as I would have liked. I now know I can’t write to someone else’s specs. Not, and love it.

Anyway. Those 3000 words were the only ones I wrote all week. This week I have to get my head back in the game. Now, why is that High School Musical song playing in my mind? Ack!

Coffee is heating up. My workspace will be wrestled back into shape. Why is it that I can get so easily distracted with all the clutter that has accumulated over the past couple of months?

Last night I took a sleeping pill and got over eight hours of rest—uninterrupted. Huge accomplishment since I haven’t had that much in over a month. I’ll do the same tonight. I have kid issues coming back Tuesday, but I hope I can set some limits for myself and be a little better organized. Sleep has to make it onto my To Do List.

Christmas is creeping ever closer. I have to get cards out this week—if I’m going to do them at all. I have to get any online buying done. I wish you luck with the countdown as well!

S#$t happens to the Devlins
Saturday, December 11th, 2010

I babysat last night while the red-headed hellion (RDH) found advanture at Walmart.

While standing in the toy aisle looking at Fischer-Price toys for the two-year-old demon child, RDH heard a commotion coming from the front of the store. She cocked an ear toward the noise, but didn’t move. Then two Asian women ran past, hunched over and whispering furiously, “You mus’ run!”

The two women began to move the toys off the shelves as though they would hide in the shelves. She asked what was wrong, but they only shook their heads. “Mus’ hide!”

Then a hispanic woman ran past. “He’s got a gun!”

That’s all the RDH needed to here. “Fuck the shelves, let’s get to the back of the store.”

At this point, more people were rushing past, all passing her because she was in heels. She ran past a cute redneck next to the gun display and grabbed his arm. “Run.”

He looked kind of shocked—deer-in-the-headlights shocked. She ran past him, grabbing his arm to force him down the aisle. Over her shoulder, she shouted, “He’s got a gun!”

RDH caught up with the crowd and got in front of them, heading toward the auto shop area because she knew they had an exit door. She ran behind the counter, started pressing buttons to open the door, but couldn’t find it. At least the area was darkened. She hid under a bench and repeatedly dialed 911, only to be put on hold over and over—WTF? This is Boonieville, Arkansas.

Then three Walmart workers showed up. “What are you guys hiding for? You need to leave, you aren’t supposed to be here.”

Of course, it ended well. Some dude escaped from the county lock-up and the cops caught him in Walmart with a flying tackle. Over in two minutes, but where would have been the fun in that? Which begs the question. Why would someone escaping from jail want to go to Walmart?

RDH says, “Maybe he needed to do his Christmas shopping.”

Yeah, I’m sitting at her table now, drinking coffee, wondering how I would have reacted, if it had been me. Like the guy at the gun counter, she would have been pulling me behind her because I would have wanted a closer look. And because I giggle when I’m nervous, I would have been laughing hysterically. No, guess she would have left my ass behind.

A Sneak Peek
Friday, December 10th, 2010

On January 4, 2011, Ravished by a Viking will release. It’s my first book with Berkley and the start of a new series. In the coming weeks, I’ll be looking for help from those of you who enjoy my books to get the word out. I’ll have a contest with some great prizes that will have a widget for you to proliferate. I’ll be giving peeks into the story to whet your appetites. If sales happen for this book, then I’ll get the chance to write more for Berkley. So whether you see more books from this world really does all depend on you.

If you’ve ever dreamed of fierce warriors, worlds filled with strange wonders and horrors, and love that endures terrible trials, I do believe I have the series for you. Here’s a first peek. And if you’d like to read a longer excerpt, you can go here: Chapter One

You can pre-order a copy here: Buy Link for Ravished!

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

What a Viking wants, a Viking takes.

When his younger brother goes missing, Dagr, Viking warrior and Lord of the Wolfskin Clan, will do whatever it takes to get him back. But nothing could have prepared him for Honora—a feisty, intelligent woman who is nothing like the women of his world—women who are content to serve their men in all things. Drawn to her despite her recalcitrant nature, Dagr is determined to show her who’s boss both in bed and out.

When the two enemies-turned-lovers join forces to find Dagr’s brother they are thrown into a rousing adventure full of danger, intrigue and erotic abandon. Can their passion truly unite them or will their different worlds lead to destruction for them both?

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

The great hall of the Berserkir king’s keep was filled to capacity with the clan’s warriors. Light cast from the iron chandeliers high above the black marble floors gleamed on the muted metal-fiber composite of their armor and the steel nozzles of the laser-spears they held.

Birget stood among the Valkyrja contingent, which formed a half circle around King Sigmund’s throne. As his personal guard, they were the only females allowed inside the hall on this night. True to the traditional nature of the tiny band, they wore hammered metal breastplates over their modern, black uniforms, the gold outer plate embossed with the figure of Freya, their patron goddess, standing in her feline-drawn chariot. Because a truce had been called, their swords remained sheathed, their shields stayed locked inside the armory, and they’d left off their gold, conical helmets.

Word had come that Dagr, clan-lord to the Wolfskins, had been spotted off-shore, his plain, unadorned skiff sailing between the frozen peaks of Hymir’s Sea until he’d skidded onto the rocky beach beneath the fortress walls.
Soldiers had been dispersed to keep watch along the shore to find the rest of his floti, but strangely, none were spotted. He’d come alone.

“Has he gone daft? Or does he believe his own legends?” her sister Ilse asked, clutching her pike.

Dagr, the leader of the Wolfskin clan, struck awe in the hearts of all Berserkirs. His many fierce battles with their army had grown his stature to epic proportions, some even saying that Thor himself had bestowed his blessing on the sword of the great warrior king.

“Quiet, daughters,” Sigmund said. “Whatever brings him here alone cannot bode well for the rest of us.”

“We should capture him,” Birget muttered, unimpressed with the Ulfhednar warrior’s reputation. Dagr was a man like any other—complete with faults. “If he is stupid enough to enter this hall alone,” she groused, “we should enjoy the spectacle.”

Her father shot her a reproving look. “He comes under a flag of truce,” he said for her ears only. “We won’t dishonor our promise to leave him unmolested upon his arrival. We will listen to what he has to say—before we decide whether to detain him.” He gave her a little waggle of his eyebrows.

Birget suppressed a smile and straightened.

The large metal doors at the entrance of the keep creaked open. Bearshirt soldiers marched into the hall, the contingent surrounding the enemy king. When they parted in front of the dais upon which Sigmund’s throne sat, a tall black-haired warrior strode fearlessly from their center.

Birget’s breath caught, her incredulity forgotten. If her future husband was cut from the same cloth, she was doomed.

Dagr, the Black Wolf, stood taller than most of the Beserkir warriors around him. His thickly muscled body radiated strength the way the “pure light” did heat, blaring potent masculinity and power.

His features were harsh and colder than the gray stones cut from Odin’s Mountain peaks to build this fortress. Black brows sheltered deep-set, piercing blue eyes. The sharp-bladed nose, chiseled cheekbones, and square jaw reflected granite will.

Rustling sounded as the warriors inside the hall tensed, and Birget understood their anxiety. Yes, he might stand alone, but who would want to be the first to draw a weapon against such a man? He looked and dressed like a savage, like the legendary warriors from their shared past.

A black wolf’s head sat atop his long dark hair, the eyes of the dead beast seeming to glitter with menace. Bearskin cloaked his massive shoulders. A silver metal breastplate spanned his broad chest. His thick, muscular legs were encased in leather and fur, as were his boots.

His only weapons were the large, double-headed axe that peeked above his head from where it rested between wide shoulders, the famed sword that hung at one side of his hips, and a long, thick-bladed knife sheathed at the other. Primitive weapons, but no one now staring at him doubted he’d be deadly in a fight.

Fury emanated from every inch of his taut frame.

“Lord Dagr,” her father intoned, lowering his chin in a decidedly undeferential manner.

Birget wondered how her father managed to sound so confident when her whole body was strung tighter than a bow.

“My brother,” Dagr ground out in a deep, raspy baritone. “Is he with you?”

Almost free!
Thursday, December 9th, 2010

I don’t have a child underfoot until late this afternoon. And tomorrow, dd has the day off, so no children until Monday! Wheeeeeee! Not that I don’t love them, but, jeez! Now, maybe, I can get some pages done and figure out how to end my short novella. I managed to get through the Big Black Moment, but now I want a fun ending and can’t find it! Mr. Muse is hiding in sheer terror from the the two-year-old.

So head down. Twitter and Facebook off. Phone on vibrate…. You all have dirty minds! 😉

Got any tried and true ways to attack an exploding in-box?

Winners Announcements!

Thanks, everyone, who offered their two cents regarding what they thought should happen next in my serialized free read Bad Moon Rising! The winner of the $25.00 gift certificate from Amazon is…Ashley! So, Ashley, send me an email to let me know where you want that gift certificate sent!

And to all of you who posted a review of Breaking Leather! Many thanks! Every little bit of postive exposure helps. Authors are forever grateful when a reader takes the time to tell us what they enjoyed about something we spent time and heart creating. The winner of the gift certificate is…Rasha! Rasha, dear, send me an email!

A picture says a 1000 words. Prove it!
Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

I’m dragging my butt out of bed late. Need coffeeez, said in my best zombie voice.

I do have a winner from yesterday’s Flashback contest. By random number generator, the winner of the free download is…Crystal GB! Congrats, Crystal! And send me the email address you’d like me to use to send your free read.

And since I’m being lazy this morning, I thought I’d put up a photo prompt and see if you all had any thoughts about what sort of story might be lurking inside all those pixels. This photo was taken on my cruise last year with Sasha White. This was at the docks at St. Thomas, but could be anywhere your imagination takes you.

Reminder: Two Contests continue through tomorrow!
1) Give me ideas for the next chapter of Bad Moon Rising. See details here.
2) If you post a review for Breaking Leather on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or the MBaM sites, and send me the link, you’re entered! Prize: $25.00 Amazon or B&N gift certificate.

Flashback: First Knight
Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

If you post a comment today, you’ll be in the running
for a free download of this book!

Enjoy! I still haven’t quite figured out how Garon will fit with my modern knights, but I’m sure it will come as I write more. Or perhaps, I should have a parallel medieval story running neck and neck with the modern knights’ stories. What do you think?

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

“…Maddie is a unique heroine that readers will love and Garon is an alpha hero that will thrill the readers. First Knight is the perfect erotic paranormal romance to start fires in the bedroom. Ms. Devlin gives the readers what they want and so much more. I loved First Knight and it rocked my world.”
5 Angels, Fallen Angels Reviews

“…Delilah Devlin is a wonderful author and First Knight is a good example of her amazing skill with the written word…All the characters come to life with their vivid descriptions…This is a tale of deep, true love with a little something extra! I enjoyed First Knight and think you will too!”
5 Hearts, The Romance Studio

“…It is both well written and entertaining, making it a complete joy for hard-core romance readers. I would highly recommend this to anyone who love their heroes edgy, and there heroines just as intense.”
Four Stones, Siren Book Reviews

While hiding her true identity, Maddie must seduce the mysterious Lord Garon to cement their marriage contract to ensure she won’t be returned into her lecherous stepfather’s care.

Fresh from Crusade in Palestine, Lord Garon has a secret he must hide, a hunger that must be fed, and a dark and uncertain future. Having shed himself of a fiancée he never met, he’s home to lick his wounds. The only thing he wants is a warm-blooded meal—but the new housekeeper is strangely insistent on giving him much more.

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

Maddie shivered at the creaks and groans the portcullis made as it slowly rose. The rain-laden wind carried the noises and filled the silences in between with a howling that sounded like the hounds from hell had arrived at the castle gate.

Shouts outside the curtain wall had alerted them only minutes before of Lord Garon d’Albermarle’s arrival. With only a bliaut over her sleeping shift, Maddie stood on the first step of the keep, holding a tray with a goblet of wine, ready to offer a proper greeting to her overlord.

“Are you sure this is the way you wish to go about this, M-Maddie?” Egbert asked, fidgeting at her side.

She swallowed against the sudden dryness in her mouth and nodded.

“It be on your head then,” he said, his always-mournful tone as dire as one of Father Ansel’s Sunday sermons. She sent thanks above that the cranky priest was away or her deception wouldn’t last past the introductions.

The clatter of dozens of hooves on the cobbled bridge beyond the gate filled the castle yard with thunder. From the encroaching darkness, the sounds were as ominous as the dark shapes looming on the gatehouse walls. The torches she’d ordered lit sputtered and flared, distorting and elongating shapes so the men riding through the entrance appeared as tall as giants.

Already tired and on edge because she hadn’t slept since a messenger had arrived, warning the castle of his lordship’s arrival days before, Maddie’s fevered imagination painted them darker and larger still.

“Be they devils?” Egbert asked, his narrow shoulders shaking. “No one travels on a night with nary a speck of light in the sky.”

“Hush!” The storm whipping at her clothing and the fatigue from months of worry over this very moment combined to make her hands shake and blackened an already foul mood.

The horsemen entered the bailey and a large figure separated from the contingent who approached the keep. As he drew closer, her fears weren’t eased one whit. The warrior sat atop a huge black destrier, forcing her to raise her gaze quite high to seek his face.
Read the rest of this entry »

The butcher, the baker, the candlestickmaker…
Monday, December 6th, 2010

Can’t you already guess what I’m talking about? Sexy professions! And none of those do it for me, personally.

Short and sweet.

What professions, beyond the obvious (cop, fireman, cowboy),
do you find sexy and why?

Remember, I’m not asking strictly to fill a blog today. You might see your sexiest profession in a book coming soon!

Reminder: Two Contests continue!
1) Give me ideas for the next chapter of Bad Moon Rising. See details here.
2) If you post a review for Breaking Leather on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or the MBaM sites, and send me the link, you’re entered! Prize: $25.00 Amazon or B&N gift certificate.