If you post a comment today and tomorrow, you’ll be in the running
for an autographed copy of this book! I’ll announce a winner on Thursday.

Just to keep the series fresh in your mind, here’s a sexy excerpt from Book 3 of the Dark Realm series. Book 4 arrives in September! On Thursday, I’ll tell you about my encounter with the water moccasin! ~DD

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

“…Ploys, palace intrigues, backstabbing and betrayal, shifting allegiances and true friendship, and above all, abiding love, are what make Delilah Devlin’s dark romances so irresistible. Do not expect a formulaic and predictable story. You can, however, count on a sensual read, hot flashes, sharp humor, unexpected twists, sudden revelations, and one of the best storytellers in her genre…”
5 Cherries, Whipped Cream Reviews

“…Once again Delilah Devlin delivers a juicy tale of betrayal and destiny that will make your toes curl. A great read!”
Fresh Fiction on DARKNESS BURNING

Beware the place where darkness rules and bloodlust is the ultimate aphrodisiac…

An apocalyptic storm has transformed New Orleans into a city of lawless terror—and Mikaela Jones is standing in the center of the nightmare. A beautiful, courageous journalist with a mysterious past, she sees monsters prowling all around her. But the gravest peril of all awaits Mikaela when she is taken captive by a mesmerizing male who is not mortal—a breathtaking creature who arouses the fire in her blood, making her burn for the exquisite erotic ecstasy of total surrender.

For seven centuries Alex Broussard has been waiting for the chance to free himself from the threat of the matriarchal undead society that seeks his destruction. And now, finally, that time is at hand—until the opportunity is ruined by the stunning, innocent, human interloper Alex is compelled to rescue from certain doom. Now they are joined, for good or ill, as they give in to the burning need that neither can resist—risking everything to experience the ultimate sensual release as the darkness rises all around them.

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

Alex had always liked the way Gabriella talked. Like a man. If she’d been a man, they might have been great friends. “Again, I apologize. Tell me, Gabi, are you really so eager to see me dead? Aren’t you the least bit curious about why I’d bother my ass to hang around New Orleans where I’m obviously not welcome?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” she said airily. “The need to rule? The need to control everyone around you…” She slid her finger along the edge of her collar. “We both know how much you enjoy being in control.”

Alex’s eyelids drifted half-closed, eyeing the collar then dropping his gaze to follow the flush of heat ripening her breasts. Her rose-colored nipples darkened, the tips beading.

She snuggled closer, pressing herself against his arm, and he turned his head to let her nuzzle his neck. “Does anyone in your clan know how much you love to be dominated?”

“Of course not. I’m very careful, usually, about whom I allow to cover me. Can’t let any of those alpha males think they can be my master.”

When her teeth nibbled his ear lobe, he shuddered. “Wouldn’t do at all to let a man be on top, hmmm?”

“Like I said, I’m choosy…and discrete. I have my position in my clan to consider.” Her tongue trailed along the edge of his jaw. “Alex…?”

“Yes, love?” He waited, knowing what she’d ask, knowing he couldn’t refuse, but also honest enough to admit he was so damn aroused after their tussle that he needed the explosive release she’d offer.

“Remind me why I couldn’t get enough of you…for old time’s sake?” The amused curve of her lips was at odds with the need reflected in her intense gaze.

“A chase, then?”

Her breath hitched, lifting her chest. Her nipples dimpled. The musk of her honeyed arousal wafted in the air around them. “Loosen the collar?” she asked, in a deepening contralto.

The collar was only for expedience. They both knew he was powerful enough to tame her, even in her lupine form. “Have you learned any new tricks?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.

Her chin dipped, her eyes rounding innocently. “Alex, do you really think I want to kill you here? I’d be stuck here with only your sad carcass to feed me for a day or two.” She leaned closer and nipped his chin. “And we both know I have a ravenous appetite.”
Read the rest of this entry »

Everything’s moving along with the Dark Realm book. I’ve been doing timed writing with anyone willing to hang with me in chat! All I have for you today, is a quick question—another of my burning questions. I love asking them because then I get to learn something about someone else, and you know, we writers are perpetually curious (nosy)! I’ll answer the question in the comments later.

If you could float in a hot air balloon over any city or place in the world, what would you choose to float over?

Ha! You have to read to the bottom to get the information about the contest!

Progress on Dark Realm-4

Well, after taking a little time off to take care of family biz (did I mention the newest member of the Devlin clan?), I’m back at work on the fourth Dark Realm book. Thanks to everyone who’s kept me company in timed writing sessions, and for those of you who’ve been nagging. I really needed a kick in the ass to get going.

I thought I was stuck in the story and dreaded coming back to it, but something amazing happened when I sat down and put my hands on the keys. I didn’t think, didn’t wonder what was going to happen next, just wrote what I “saw”—and it’s not crap! In fact, it’s pretty darn sexy—raw, actually. I likey.

Another plotting bootcamp kicked off this past Monday, and I have a very active, very enthusiastic group of campers! Every day I have to think about story, think about theme and characters—someone else’s, I know—but it seems to help me figure out what’s working in my own WIP. So I’m really glad to be knee-deep in the class.

I should have started yesterday, according to my plan anyway, on plotting a new western contemporary story—something to send to my agent. But I don’t want to force it. I tried that about three weeks ago and had to deep-six the first chapter because it thoroughly reeked. Learned my lesson. Cowboys don’t like to be hurried along. They stride at their own pace.

So, another frenzied week awaits! Don’t miss tomorrow’s sexy Man-day pic. And about that contest: I updated my contest page. Go check it out!

Let’s see…

Saddled, with some revisions, was contracted last week by Samhain, and I have a tentative March date for release. Woohoo!

Still haven’t heard from Ellora’s Cave about when Jane’s Wild Weekend will be released or if Lockdown will be accepted, but they don’t move very fast.

In the meantime, I’m making progress on the next Dark Realm story. And yesterday, I finished a three-chapter proposal for a dark urban fantasy set in Memphis that I hope will excite an editor somewhere. I sent it to my agent for a first look. We’ll see.

So, what’s next? More Dark Realm-4. Lots of nasty sex and violence going on there. And I’m putting together a proposal for a cowboy story I want to pitch at Harlequin Blaze. I didn’t like the start I made on that work, so I’m re-dreaming the opening scene. Sometimes these things take a little time.

In the meantime, Christmas is looming and I only have one gift bought. Might try to do the online thing since I hate leaving my “mole-hole” when I have so much work to do. Send me good vibes for the works I have floating and the ones I hope to complete by the end of the month! *smooches* ~DD

Did you hear me screaming?!

Seduced by Darkness, Book 2 in the Dark Realm series, was nominated for “Best Paranormal/Fantasy/Sci-fi Erotic Romance Novel for 2008!” Winners won’t be announced until the convention in April, but I’m so stoked! The field was huge this year and I’m thrilled to be among the nominees.

If you haven’t already checked out the book, you can read the full first chapter here: Chapter One

Progress for Dark Realm-4

A couple of announcements, first.

I made two sales recently. The first was for a little short story called “The Hired Hand” that I wrote for a lesbian cowboy collection for Cleis coming out next June. Cleis is an erotica imprint, and I love their collections. So I was thrilled to be included even if the payday is less than thrilling. I’m a full-time writer, but I do still like to write stories for the sheer challenge. Okay, so maybe it’s not quite a sale yet. The editor wants the story, but I have to wait to see if the publisher wants it. I’m hoping that just means the approval is a formality.

The second announcement is that a story I submitted last week to Samhain, that today remains untitled because I can’t make up my damned mind, sold! It’s about two cowboys who rescue a woman from a storm and get it on. Huh! Didn’t know I could describe a story is so few words. And tentatively, it’s set to come out in March 2009.

So, after taking the first three days of December to take care of other bizness, I’m back at the main job. Pounding pages. Mostly on the Dark Realm story, but I’m playing with a cowboy story on the side too. Something to do with a bull and a girl’s underwear. Do me a favor and send me some notes of encouragement or some jokes. I know I’ll be ready for both.

Progress on Dark Realm-4

Progress on tentatively titled Snow Bound

I’ve had my head tucked like a turtle’s while I’ve been working this week. I haven’t read my email, have barely answered my phone. My progress listed above isn’t impressive wordcount-wise, but I’ve been doing some revisions.

Yesterday, I shipped off the copyedited manuscript for DARKNESS BURNING, the third book in the Dark Realm series. That cut into writing time too. Also, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to what’s next for me and what sort of proposals I want to get out to publishers. I’m wondering if I need to switch some things up and maybe even jump genres. Not entirely, but just to experiment. Writing isn’t a linear kind of career. You can reinvent yourself again and again.

Is there anything in particular you’d like to see me doing?

And in case you haven’t already seen it, here’s the cover for DARKNESS BURNING.