As a child, Valerie
would often get into trouble for peeking at her mother’s favorite TV show, Dark
Shadows. She can still hear her mother saying “It will give you nightmares.”
She was right of course, but that did not stop Valerie from watching. As an
adult, her love of the fanged creatures never waned. She would watch any
vampire movie she could find.
Being a true romantic, Valerie was thrilled when she
discovered the genre of paranormal romance. Her first read was one of Lara
Adrian’s, Midnight Breed Series and from there she was hooked.
Today, Valerie has decided to take her darker, sensual side
and put it to paper. When she is not busy creating a world full of steamy, hot
men and strong, seductive women, she juggles her time between a full-time job,
hubby and her two German shepherd dogs, in Northern IL.
IMMORTAL GUARDIANS: ETERNAL FLAME
A woman he cannot have,
a man who is only a dream.
When guardian Marcus Dagotto, discovers the Gods have gifted
him with a mate, he is pissed. He has no room for love and even less for a
human who has no idea he exists.
Cassandra Jensen, has a shattered heart and has given up on
men. Only one man can set her body on fire, but he is a fantasy that haunts her
sleep.
Two worlds, one desire.
When the two collide, fate will rip them apart and test
their resolve. Will darkness and evil prevail? Or, will love conquer all?
EXCERPT
She glanced at the clock, it was one a.m. But the last thing
she wanted to do was sleep. She set her glass down and moved off the couch.
“I’m not tired.” She reached for his hand and dug for her courage. She had a
feeling he didn’t want to leave. “Kiss me.”
He pulled her close and ran his fingers down her cheek. He
leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. Gently, he nibbled her bottom
lip, coaxing her mouth open with his tongue. She parted her lips, he took full
advantage, pressed his way deeper into her mouth, held the kiss before he broke
away.
She opened her eyes and let out a sigh. “You’re a good
kisser, Marcus.” She leaned into him and pressed her body against his. Wrapping
her arms around his neck, she pulled him to her, and their lips came together.
Her tongue did a deliberate slow dance across his, making him moan. Her core
turned to lava, the heat almost too much to bear.
He pushed her away. “Cassie. I could stand here and kiss you
all night, but I’d better go before I make an ass of myself and you end up
hating me.”
She reached for his hand, knowing what his aim was. “Why do
you think I would end up hating you?” She worried it might be the other way
around. Would he think her a wanton woman? She tried to cap her desire, but the
need to live what happened in her dreams overruled her common sense.
“I will not lie. I believe in the truth, always. I want you.
I want to lie you on the bed and make passionate love to you until neither of
us can move.”
“Then what’s stopping you?” she whispered.
“Love, did I hear you correctly?” Disbelief was written on
his face.
She gazed into his stormy eyes. “I will admit, I’m not the type
who sleeps with a man on the first date.” She looked down at his chest. “Hell,
not even the second or third.” Her eyes moved back up to meet his. “I can’t say
what it is, this connection I feel. I just know I need you.”
He pulled her close, his mouth crushing hers. Their tongues
glided across each other in a play for dominance. Her nipples hardened and
strained against the fabric of her dress. With only the thin layer of material
between them, she felt his cock harden.
She pulled away and gasped for air as she led him to the
darkened bedroom. Her courage wavered for a moment. She’d come this far, there
would be no stopping now. She didn’t want to stop.
“Marcus, I don’t know how to explain it. I trust you, and to
be honest, your touch sets me on fire. I need you, but if this isn’t what you
want, then I’ll understand.” She held her breath and waited for his reaction.
He traced a finger along her cheek. “There’s no way in hell
I’m leaving now, unless of course, you toss me on the street.”
She reached for his shirt, her fingers trembling as she
loosened the first button. He grabbed her wrists. “If at any time you want to
stop, tell me.”
Her head shook and continued with the buttons until they
were completely undone. She pushed the shirt past his shoulders and onto the
floor. Breath escaped her lungs when the moonlight filtered in the windows and
danced across his chest. He was remarkable, better than her dreams.
He removed the clip that held her hair. Her chestnut curls
spilled around her shoulders. He moaned when his fingers ran through the silky
mass. The dress became a second skin, and she was ready to be rid of it, but
before she could make a move, he reached behind her neck and untied the halter.
The dress fell to her waist, exposing her bare breasts. His eyes became drunk
with desire. He tipped his head down and ran his tongue over her nipple,
causing it to pebble. God, she had almost come undone right there.
“You have too many clothes on,” she said, reaching for the
button on his pants.
He moved off her breast, and she cried out from the ache he
left behind. “I could say the same for you, love.” He kicked off his boots
while she dropped her dress to the floor. She was left standing in a red thong
and black heels. There would be no turning back now.
Grabbing the waistband of his pants, she yanked them to the
floor, and his erection sprung free. Her tongue traced her lips, desperate to
savor him. He was much bigger than she had experienced, but that only
heightened her arousal. She dropped to her knees and ran her tongue over the
tip of his shaft. He tasted of salt and seduction. He wrapped a fist in her
hair and groaned. She sucked him in, taking every inch. Drunk by the pleasure
she gave him.
He threw his head back. “Oh gods, Cassie, you feel so good.
Don’t stop.”
As if she could. No, she was a woman possessed, determined
to take him over the edge. At this moment, she wanted nothing more than to make
him scream her name.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Is there a word or phrase you catch yourself overusing?
My husband tells me I swear like a sailor. I use the word
“fuck” often, so needless to say some of my characters are pretty colorful.
How do you know you’ve written a good book?
I have critique partners and beta readers. I count on them to
tell me if something works or not. I would be truly lost without these
wonderful ladies. I can honestly say, they are real ego boosters and if not for
them, I’m not sure I would ever think my work good enough to publish.
How do you keep your characters and stories organized?
I use Microsoft OneNote. I have a page for each character
with their description and a picture. I have pages for general themes and ideas.
I can’t tell you how many times I have to refer back to these pages. *I also
love looking at the sexy men* Oops, did I say that out loud?
Are you a Swooper (write first, edit later,) a Basher
(edit each sentence as you go,) or both?
I swoop. I learned early on that editing as I went took the
steam out of my writing and caused me to lose my muse. I will go back and
read/edit if I get to a point where I’m stuck. This helps me come up with fresh
ideas and I can then go back and pick up where I left off.
What is the one thing you must have to be able to write?
I need quiet, I am easily distracted.
Did you have any bad habits when you began writing? How
did you correct those habits?
Lol, are you kidding? I hate commas, I think they are evil
little creatures that should be banished. I had to learn to stop and take a
breath in my writing. I still find myself rambling from time to time.
What are you currently working on? How is it different
from other books you’ve written?
I’m actually working on book two of Immortal Guardians right
now. However, I did write an erotic paranormal romance that will be published
in November, called Amazon Heat. Though Eternal Flame has sex, it was different
writing something much steamier.
What types of scenes are your favorite to write?
I actually love dialogue. I know many writers hate it, but I
find it fun to flesh out a character and bring them to life using their own
words. I find I can actually get to know them better through their dialogue.
When and where can readers look forward to seeing you
this year?
I don’t have any plans this year, but I hope to be attending
RT Book Lovers convention in New Orleans next May.
Are you always in the driver’s seat? Or do your
characters drag you along for the ride?
I’d like to say I’m in control and would never let my
characters run the show. With that said, they have made me rewrite entire
chapters. They pester me at the worst times and are relentless. Have you ever
dealt with a Dragon-shifter before? *rolls eyes* they are demanding to say the
least.
What is your least favorite part of the writing process?
Edits. I would much rather scrub the toilet with a toothbrush.
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