1. The phrase ‘Forever After’ has exactly 12 letters? I discovered that when I needed a clock in the gentleman’s club in Hard Lust. The numbers 1 through 12 seemed too mundane, so I started thinking of fun phrases I could use that would have meaning to being condemned for eternity. Forever After popped into my head and that’s what the clock shows as the minutes tick endlessly by.
2. There are rules in paranormal stories just like in real life. Learning that was a real shocker for me. I thought since I could create the world my characters played in, and the powers they had, there were no restrictions. Wrong, wrong, wrong. In Hard Lust, my heroes Andros, Racan, and Vespar can heal any of the condemned they want, including Megan, my heroine. However, when it comes to her ill sister Holly, no can do. She’d have to sell her soul to them first. A definite no-no. I learned early on in writing paranormal romance that without some restrictions to those cool powers, there wouldn’t be any conflict. Without that, there wouldn’t be a story.
3. States have different terms for nurses? Until writing Hard Lust, I didn’t realize that. Megan’s sister Holly wants to become a nurse. Maybe an RN or an LVN or an LPN. In some states, rather than being called a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), it’s called a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). I was nearly finished with my book before I thought to check out the term. Since Holly’s in California, the correct one is LVN. Glad I changed it from LPN.
4. You can eat and drink when you’re dead? Admittedly, the contradiction didn’t occur to me until I was well into writing Hard Lust. I swear I had a panic attack when I remembered that everyone in the book was dead (or a demon). So how in the world could they eat or drink – or worse, crave those things? Then I had it. Since this is Hell, the hunger for food and drink never abates. In fact, it gets worse with each passing day (that’s why it’s called Hell). That opened up endless possibilities to bring food and drink (especially chocolate) into the plot.
5. It’s still a man’s world? Yep. Let’s face it, on earth things haven’t changed as much as we women would like. In Hell, it’s worse, which is what makes it hell. Megan is an avowed feminist, which creates delicious conflict between her and the three alpha heroes Racan, Vespar, and Andros. When she sees the disparities as to how females and males are treated in the Second Circle (aka Lust), it makes her blood boil and gives her an idea. That idea leads to humor, smokin’ hot sex, and a climax you won’t believe.
Megan looked at him. “Do you guys ever get men down here?”
He shook his head. Having nothing except female condemned was a feature, not a bug, and a perk he wouldn’t give up without a fight. “Let’s go. Your time’s running out.”
She trotted to keep up with him. “My half hour started already?”
He stopped. “Twenty minutes.” He jabbed his finger at her. “You heard what Racan said. Don’t try to put anything over on us, because you can’t. Got it? Or would you care to try for fifteen minutes? Possibly less?”
Her lower lip trembled. “Why are you being so mean? You’re not that way really. You seem like a nice guy.”
He stepped back and bumped into the wall. “Guy?”
She flicked her wrist. “Demon. Devil. Entity. Whatever.”
“Try fallen angel.”
Her mouth rounded. “Get out. You started up there?” She pointed toward Heaven. “I knew it. You are a good man.”
He wasn’t Attila the Hun or Vlad the Impaler, but he wasn’t as great as she’d said.
“You’ve forgotten how I spanked you?”
Her cheeks got rosy, her face dreamy. “Uh-uh.”
He leaned in. “Are you turned on?”
“What?” She blinked and frowned. “No way.”
Her taut nipples told another tale. “There’s something you should know.” He tapped her chin. “I am not a good man.”
“Demon then. And yeah, you are. Andros told you to discipline me. You didn’t do it on your own.”
He’d been itching for the chance when Andros presented the opportunity. “Don’t be so certain.”
“I am.” She stroked his tat.
His gums tingled.
“What happened in Heaven? How’d you get down here?”
Bethshiba. His, Andros, and Racan’s crime hadn’t been that bad. They’d simply wanted to be heard and considered. Instead, they received the ultimate sentence—banishment.
“The reason isn’t important. This is.” He touched the handbook. “You need to learn everything you can. There isn’t much time.”
She screwed up her mouth. “I thought I was here for eternity.”
“Do you ever stop arguing?”
“I will, I swear. On one condition.”
He held back laughter at her gall. “On one what?”
“Help me, please. Show me the way out of here. At the least, get me an audience with Satan so I can plead my case.”
Poor girl was losing it. “Begging doesn’t work down here. With him or me. We need to go.”
“Not yet.” She pressed closer to stop him from leaving, her nipples poking his pecs, her cunt smack against his groin.
Heat rose between them, unmasked desire sparking in her eyes. His hair stood on end. Her musk and the scent from his leather pants mingled to create one fucking great fragrance. She rocked her hips slowly, sensuously, arousal parting her lips. “I was… Uh, I was… That is, I was…”
He pumped against her, his already massive erection increasing by the second.
She met him thrust for thrust, their gyrations lewd. “Wait.” She kept grinding into him. “I need to say this.”
“Sure.”
They maintained their carnal dance.
“Go on.” He wanted to hear this.
She pulled in a huge breath. “I was taking law classes at night before I got here. I know how to present a case. I’m a great litigator. It’s in my blood. I’ll make Satan see reason. I won’t lose.”
She couldn’t have killed the magic between them faster if she’d tried. He stopped pretend fucking and stepped away. “There’s no winning down here for the condemned.” The moment she opened her plush lips, Satan would vaporize her then bring her back and get his rocks off on torture…the kind she wouldn’t like. “It’s not possible.” He grasped her biceps. “You need to get a grip and accept your fate.”
“Screw that.” She stroked his fingers.
Remarkable heat and delight shot up his arm and landed in his balls and cock, both still ready to boogie, her effect on him more than it should be or what he seemed able to stop.
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteGreat cover! Sounds fun!
ReplyDeleteI know, the cover is to die for, Sue! I adore it. :)
DeleteThanks for hosting me today! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book, thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteIntrigued! I want to know who is trying to kill the magic
ReplyDeletewhen i re stated reading couple years ago
ReplyDeleteHave you been a productive writer during the caronavirus pandemic?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read.
ReplyDeletethanks for this chance
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking time to bring to our attention another great read. I appreciate it and thank you also for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteWho is your favorite literary character?
ReplyDeleteWho is your favorite author still currently writing?
ReplyDeleteDo you have any ideas for a follow up?
ReplyDeleteDo you have any fun plans for the 4th of July?
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting. Hope you enjoyed your 4th!
ReplyDeletei had to pin the top pic beacuse of the look on picc
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