Welcome back once again to Behind Closed Doors. Today I’m excited to welcome as my guest the author of The Vampire Destiny series, Alexandra Anthony. I had the pleasure of hosting her twice on my sister blog Sassy Vixen Publishing. This time we get to learn a bit more about her as an author and a little spoiler for her soon to be released Illusion (The Vampire Destiny #2). So grab your favorite beverage and join me in finding out a little more about Alexandra and her fabulous vampires. ~Tammy
Do your stories tend to be character driven or plot driven?
I think a little of both. I love my main character Stefan, and even though the story is written through Josie’s eyes, I tend to find myself writing the story to see the different sides of Stefan; his sentimental side, his cocky, arrogant side and his vampire bad-ass side!
Do you listen to music while writing? What kinds of music work best for you? Do different types of music help you for different types of scenes?
Absolutely! If I’m writing a more romantic scene, I tend to lean towards some of Maroon 5 (Never Gonna Leave This Bed, How) or Muse (Unintended). When I’m writing my more erotic, sexy scenes, I’m all about Madonna (Erotica), Fiona Apple (Criminal, Sleep to Dream) and Lenny Kravitz (If you can’t say no) and NIN (Closer).
Who is the heroine and what draws her to the hero?
Josephine (Josie) is my heroine. She is a psychic empath and has just found out that her entire life was a lie. She finds out who her true parents are, what she really is and how this information is going to change her life. Stefan is her fated love; the one person made for her and helps her as she overcomes the obstacles of her new life.
Who is the hero and what draws him to the heroine?
Stefan is my hero. He is a 975 year old vampire that also is psychic and had a vision of Josephine 200 years ago and he has been searching for his fated mate for two centuries. He’s Scandanavian, incredibly handsome and is quick-witted, intelligent and wise. He’s drawn to Josie because of her beauty and the fact he knows they are fated to be together, like two halves of a whole.
Is there a villain? Who is he?
There is a villain. Actually, there are a few characters that are going to cause Stefan and Josie issues, but that’s another story… Without giving away too much of Book 2, it’s someone close to Josie that you normally wouldn’t expect to be the bad guy. He wants her for her abilities and for what she knows, and if he can’t have her, no one can.
Is this book part of a series?
Yes! I’m currently working on Book 2 in The Vampire Destiny Series called ‘Illusion’. It should be out in September 2012.
How many books do you anticipate having in this series?
As long as the ideas keep flowing, I see no limit! I already have 4 loosely plotted out, so the opportunities for Stefan and Josie are limitless!
Thank you once again for joining us today, Alexandra! Now on to what our visitors have been waiting for…the HOT EXCERPT! Oh and let’s not forget about the sneak peek at part two of Stefan and Josephine’s love story.
Adult Excerpt from Fated (The Vampire Destiny #1)
The feel of fingers trailing up my legs, soft and cool stirred me out of my sleep. Stretching, I opened my eyes to see a very naked Stefan stretched out beside me on the bed like a giant lion, his eyes and hands focused on my exposed legs.
I couldn’t resist just staring at him for a moment, noticing all the little things I’d missed last night. His flawless skin was stretched taut across his cheekbones and his nose was slightly crooked. His lower lip was slightly fuller than the top and currently his teeth were biting into it, as if the task at hand required all of his concentration. His golden blond hair had fallen over his forehead, shielding his eyes. My attention focused on the dip between his collarbones and I suddenly had the urge to put my mouth there. Or possibly my tongue.
“Someone is awake.” Stefan’s voice jerked me from my thoughts. He lifted his head and smiled slyly at me. I sleepily smiled back, stretching like a cat.
“Hey. You’re back already,” I murmured, my head still thick with sleep. Running my fingers over the skin on his arm, I lightly scratched him with my fingernails and watched as his eyes flickered from the sensation.
“I could not stay away for long. You have made me an addict and I can only think of you,” He replied, lowering his head to brush his lips against the skin on my legs. “You have on too many clothes.”
My body jolted, going from groggy to wide awake in the matter of seconds. Desire slowly spread over my body and wetness began to flood between my legs. He noticed my arousal and he blurred into action.
He yanked the sheet away from the rest of my body, eying my tank top and boycut shorts with displeasure. He pulled the shorts off of me with one swift tug and his hands moved up my body to slowly roll the tank top over my breasts and head, tossing it across the room. He reclined on his side next to me, his muscles flexing as his fingers drifted around the circle of my breast, sliding down my stomach to the swell of my hips. His head leaned down to pull my nipple into his mouth, rolling his tongue around it until it pebbled tautly. A delightful shiver of wanting ran through me as his mouth moved to the other, repeating the sensual dance.
“What should I do with you? There are so many choices.” Stefan looked me over seductively and a tiny moan escaped from my lips. He spread my legs open wide, his fingers rubbing against my clit and spreading the wetness over my folds.
“I could do this.” Two long fingers disappeared inside of my wet pussy, slowly slipping in and out, his darkened eyes fixed on my face as he watched me writhe from his touch. I let out a sharp gasp as he slowly continued his ministrations, his movements deliberate and determined.
“Oh god. Don’t stop.” I whimpered, clutching his muscular arms with my hands. I heard his ragged sigh of satisfaction from my response. He lowered his mouth to my neck and his lips moved down my throat, his tongue cool and wet against my heated skin.
“Never,” Stefan whispered. My hips frantically rocked against his hand, his fingers stroking and curling inside of me while his thumb rubbed tight circles around my clit. My inner walls clenched around them and I boldly cried out in pleasure, begging for his cock.
Even though he was the one that had mentioned addiction, my need for him was like a drug running through my veins. I didn’t care about anything right now except wanting more of him.
“You never have to beg,” Stefan murmured, his voice deep and raspy. He moved between my thighs and my leg wrapped around him, guiding him to me. With one quick thrust he buried himself inside of me, his hips thrusting slowly as he lowered his body against mine, my aching nipples pressing against the hardness of his chest.
He sucked my lower lip into his mouth, nipped it with his teeth, then closed his mouth hard over mine. My other leg moved to wrap around his hips and a growl rumbled in his chest, hissing as his cock slipped deeper inside of me, our bodies moving together in a frantic rhythm.
He raised his mouth from mine and gazed into my eyes. “Josephine.” His soft lips descended down my neck, his tongue swirling over the pulsing hollow at the base of my throat.
A broken sob escaped my lips as he continued to plunge into me, filling me with full, heavy strokes. He lowered his mouth to my breast, his tongue circling my nipple and his sharp fangs scraping lightly against my skin.
“Fuck, Stefan…bite,” I wailed hoarsely. The speed of his thrusts slowed for a moment as he raised his hooded eyes search mine. “Do it!”
Stefan eyes locked with mine as his lips closed over my right nipple. I cried out when his fangs sank into my breast, the sting painfully exquisite. I exploded into a million pieces around him as he drank from me, my climax triggering his own. He shuddered as he emptied inside of me, his hips thrusting erratically as he rode out his orgasm. I clung to him desperately until he stilled against me and retracted his fangs from my breast.
He fell to my side and pulled me with him so we were facing each other. His lips hovered over mine, his breath cool against my face. I kissed his lips, his chin and down his neck lazily. He hugged me tightly, nudging his head against mine like a cuddly, dangerous cat.
We were lying in a tangled heap of arms and legs on the bed. My hands were absently stroking patterns on his muscular back, smiling as I felt the muscles ripple underneath the movement of my fingers. Closing my eyes, I snuggled against him and marveled at how he felt against my skin, cool and like velvet-covered steel.
His voice was quiet and distant when he finally spoke. “I broke my promise. I said we would not do this again until we talked.”
“Yeah, it was horrible how you took advantage of me like that,” I said sarcastically. ”It’s not like I put up any kind of fight,” I murmured, running my nose against the soft skin of his neck.
Stefan smiled against my temple, then placed a light kiss in its place. I closed my eyes and tightened my arms around him, mentally willing him to stay. I didn’t want whatever we had to end.
“Josephine, I do not want this to end,” Stefan whispered against my face. He pressed light kisses along my cheekbone and sighed with contentment.
Shocked at his similar words, I turned my head to look at him and felt my face soften into a smile when I saw the honesty shining in his eyes. I moved a shaky hand up to stroke his face, the slight stubble scratching the tips of my fingers.
Prologue from Illusion (The Vampire Destiny #2)
I could only stand by helpless as I watched Josephine collapsed against me, her fragile mind overloaded with information. She had learned too much too soon and she was stronger than most humans. Yet even the strongest people had their breaking point. My beloved had found hers today when she found out her long lost father was a vampire. And not just any vampire; he was one of the most powerful vampires in the world.
Carrying her to one of the sofas, I placed her gently against the overstuffed leather. Her reddish-blond hair fanned around her head like a halo, her long eyelashes casting a shadow over her prominent cheekbones. Unable to stop myself, I leaned and pressed my lips against hers.
“Come back to me, vackra. I need you,” I whispered against her unresponsive lips. They were warm and pliable, soft pink and irresistible to me. I would sit by her forever if that is what it would take to get her back. I tried to read her thoughts but they were blocked by a blackness that shrouded her mind, protecting her from the events of the day.
“You love my daughter,” Kian stated simply. He sat down on the arm of the sofa and clasped his hands together in his lap. I had forgotten that we were not alone.
“Yes.”
“I have watched you for centuries as you searched for her. Many would have given up, yet you never faltered. It’s admirable,” he said. His green eyes, so much like Josephine’s, traveled over his daughters face. His eyes shifted to me, a wry smile on his face.
“She is my fated. I had no choice,” I said. Reaching for her small hand, I enveloped it in my much larger grasp. Expecting to feel her squeeze my hand in response, I was again surprised to feel it slack against mine. My eyes swept over her, silently musing that if not for the steady rise and fall of her chest and strum of her heartbeat, she looked like a vampire in rest.
“She is immortal, Stefan. She is also partly human. Eventually she would have stopped aging. Your blood and influence will speed up the process. She will forever be as she is now,” Kian said, reaching to stroke her hair. “I could not ask for a better vampire to protect her, Stefan.”
Drawing an unnecessary breath, I hesitated for a moment. “You said she is immortal. I will not need to change her?” It would be a relief to know I would not have to kill her to be have an eternity with her. It also explained the questions that lingered in my mind and explained why I had the vision of her when humans were a blank to me. Since she was as much vampire as she was human, I could see parts of her future.
“She is still human. She could still die a human death. At some point, you will have to change her. I’m sorry.” Kian stood and rested his hand on my shoulder for a moment. “You have been a faithful servant of the Board and Council for centuries. You will do what you think is right. When she wakes, I want to speak to her. And that is not a request.”
I watched his compact form leave the room, leaving me alone with her. Hours blended together as I sat at her side, willing her back to me. I spoke quietly to her, hoping that the sound of my voice would be enough to bring her back to me.
“Stefan.”
Tensing at Sofia’s voice, I did not turn and acknowledge her entrance into the room. She was an unwelcome annoyance. “Sofia. Now is not the time to annoy me. Find someone else to bother,” I growled in response. She had been a willing bedmate over two centuries ago. I had not touched since my vision of Josephine 200 years ago, yet she never tired of trying to convince me that she was still willing to pick up where we left off.
“Is that any way to greet me, Stefan?” She purred. I could feel her eyes sweeping over my body like eager fingers.
“Explain what you were expecting, Sofia. For me to fuck you? Hardly.” I scoffed and glanced at her over my shoulder. She was beautiful with her long dark hair and black eyes, however her good looks meant nothing to me now. My words angered her and I watched as her eyes darkened with undisguised fury.
“Leave her and come with me. We were so good together. She is nothing but a mere human. She cannot satisfy you as I can. Don’t you remember, Stefan?” Sofia’s voice was a seductive whisper as she crossed the room to stand behind me. “Remember what we had… what we can have again.”
My eyes closed for a moment and I swallowed back the rage that I felt building inside of me as I listened to her mindless chatter. My mind filtered through memories of myself with her, like looking through a catalog. She was simply a willing body to fuck. I longed to rip Sofia apart, limb by limb. To see her suffer at my hands would be satisfying.
“That was 250 years ago, Sofia. You were at best a meaningless fuck,” I replied quietly. My eyes reopened and I reached to brush Josephine’s hair back from her face. My fingers traced the curve of her cheek and brushed against the swell of her full lips. All those years of anonymous bodies and forgettable mouths… they were all insignificant in comparison to her. She was now my salvation and my reason to exist.
“Look at you, Stefan. She’s making you weak.” Her heavily accented voice was filled with disdain. She stepped closer and rested a perfectly manicured hand on my shoulder.
Gripping her hand, I rose to my feet and twisted her arm behind her back and pulled her against my chest. My fangs dropped as I pulled her arm, threatening to dislocate her shoulder. She struggled weakly against me as she tried to free herself from my grasp. Leaning to whisper in her ear, my voice came out like a growl. “Know that I would rather be seen as weak than ever fuck you again, Sofia.” I pushed her away and watched her stumble to her knees. She turned to face me, her fangs bared as she looked up at me.
“I’ll tell your precious Josie that we fucked. How do you think she’ll react to that, Stefan?”
Blurring to her side, I had her by her throat before she could react. She clawed against me as I raised her off the ground with one arm, my hand tightening around her neck. “You will do no such thing, Sofia. One more word from you and I. will. end. you. Are we clear?”
She managed to weakly nod. I continued to tighten my grip, enjoying her escalating fear. It would only take one more squeeze to snap her neck. My hand constricted and I felt the tendons in her neck tense under the increasing pressure.
I can’t wait to read it! It’s scheduled tentatively come out in September, less than two months away. 😉 Find out more about Alexandra and her work at the following links. Happy reading and Blessed be.
AMAZON
SMASHWORDS
The Vampire Destiny Series Book and Author Page on Facebook
Alexandra’s website
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So here we are once again for another day of the Wicked After Dark Halloween Blog Hop. Many of you have taken advantage of the Rafflecopter and accumulated tons of entries in my contest for that naught prize package. Not sure what the prize looks like? Well, click HERE and it will take you back to the first post of the hop where I posted a picture of the items. Go on. I’ll wait for you.
As you recall, there was a lot going on around that time. I had a lot invested in getting Quinn and Jacob together. I guess I just got caught up in all the fun. I didn’t notice how run down I was getting until it was nearly too late. Lucky for me, the rest of the gang all had their blood tested to see if they could donate bone marrow. No one was more surprised than I was who matched.
(Steve’s chest rumbled with soft laughter.) Oh you know me. I’ll have my hands in everything, but I hear that Quinn’s cousin Samantha is not only a veterinarian, but she’s looking to publish her first novel. I just may have to introduce her to my first wife. She’s the acquisitions editor over at Sassy Vixen Publishing. 😉
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