Gena Showalter's Weblog

Today marks the official release of Seduce the Darkness.  I am SO excited about this!  But you know what sucks?  I will be gone from the blog for a few days.  What a time to leave, I know.  But it can't be helped.

Posted by Gena Showalter at 6:47 AM 27 comments    

Labels: Alien Hunter

I know I've posted him before, and I believe I first found him at the Lords of the Underworld message board, but every time I see him, he makes me think of Amun -- whose story I think I will be telling next.  And that's probably who the message board ladies saw him as, too, but I just can't remember.

Posted by Gena Showalter at 5:30 AM 19 comments    

Labels: beefcake

Coming out of deep deadline to tell you that you've got a chance to win a copy of Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland.  Just go here.  You won't want to miss this one.  Look at that gorgeous cover, and look who blurbed this book: Charlaine Harris!  

Posted by Gena Showalter at 5:55 AM 4 comments    

Seduce the Darkness is now shipping from Amazon.  Just go here.  

Posted by Gena Showalter at 5:32 AM 20 comments    

I've written about a typical writing day for me here.

Posted by Gena Showalter at 4:56 AM 12 comments    

Gena needs a little inspiration today, and nothing does it better than her favorite man, Colin!

Posted by Jill Monroe at 2:30 PM 7 comments    

I feel bad for pushing that slice of beekcake heaven down a thread.  He'll have to return soon.  

“Well, well.  Aren’t you a pretty thing?” the man said, offering her a hand.  That voice. . . deep and raspy and just roused from bed, as perfect as his face and body.            
            As people buzzed beside them -- the females staring at him in open-mouthed wonder, the males giving him a wide berth -- Bride tentatively accepted his aid.  His warm fingers curled around her wrist, and he easily hefted her up.
   When she gained her bearings, she realized he’d tugged her forward so that they were only a few inches apart.  He did not release her hand.  Her smaller height placed her gaze right at the steady pulse in his neck, and her mouth once again watered.
            Concentrate.  Bride raised her chin and forced herself to look him in the eye. “You smell like my friend Aleaha Love.  Do you know her?” Wait.  What if she’d changed her name?  He could have been with her and not even known it.
            “I smell like a woman, hmm?”
            At least he didn’t sound insulted.  Merely amused.  “Yes.”
            “Well, you smell like sex.” He leaned down as if he intended to share a secret with her, moonlight caressing him as though it couldn’t help itself.  Maybe it couldn’t. “The dirtiest kind of sex, at that.  Which just happens to be my favorite.”  His thumb traced her palm.
            A shiver slid the length of her spine.  He was flirting with her, and wickedly so.  Though she had no desire to flirt back – really -- she forced herself to say, “Wow. Already we have something in common.”  One thing she knew about men.  They were more likely to help a woman if they thought they’d get something in return.  “That’s my favorite kind, too.”
            That put a surprised sparkle in his amber eyes.  “Isn’t this just my lucky day, then?”  
            “You never answered my question.  Do you know Aleaha Love?”
            “I know many women, but their names escape me right now.  I so want to solve this mystery and become your hero.  Perhaps your friend and I use the same perfume.”
            “She doesn’t wear perfume and I doubt you do, either.”  Even though so much time had passed since Bride had seen Aleaha, she knew her friend would never douse herself in any kind of body spray.  Aleaha had to be as desperate to find Bride as Bride was to find Aleaha.  She couldn’t believe otherwise.  Aleaha was the one person who would never have walked away from her willingly.  They’d become family, relied on each other.
            “Perhaps, then, it’s a coincidence that we smell the same.”
            “Perhaps.”  Her shoulders slumped.  He could very well be a shape-shifter like Aleaha, and all shape-shifters could very well produce the same fragrance.
            “I didn’t expect you to agree.  Darling, coincidences don’t just happen.  We need to put our heads together and think up some kind of explanation for this extraordinary occurrence.  I do my best thinking in bed.  You?”
            She laughed; she just couldn’t help herself.  The man was incorrigible.  “Another thing we have in common.  Thinking in bed.  Alone.”  Letting him assume a little some-some was possible was one thing. Outright agreeing to it was another.
            “Alone.”  He tsked under his tongue.  “Now that’s just silly.”  

Posted by Gena Showalter at 11:40 AM 8 comments    

Labels: excerpt

You're welcome :)  He is hawt!

Posted by Gena Showalter at 6:33 AM 21 comments    

Labels: beefcake

If you want an early copy, Seduce the Darkness is shipping from Barnes and Noble here!

Posted by Gena Showalter at 6:33 AM 22 comments    

For those of you who'd like an early copy of Seduce the Darkness, Barnes and Noble is shipping.  Just go here.  My hope is that you'll read the book, love the book and then tell all your friends about it :)  Word of mouth is so critical.  

Posted by Gena Showalter at 1:56 PM 16 comments    

I'm up to chapter 20 of The Darkest Lie, so Gideon's story is really moving along.  I think there will be 30 chapters, but only because I've never gone over 30.  However, I might just do it this time because I don't yet see the end.  In any way.   I have no idea how to tie up all the threads.  I'm not worried, though.  It'll come to me.    

Posted by Gena Showalter at 4:03 AM 15 comments    

Posted by Gena Showalter at 11:11 AM 19 comments    

And the winners of yesterday’s contest are . . .

 Paula R  (Red Fire or Red Kiss)

 Ducky (Red Fire or Red Kiss)

 NyxinTime (one of my backlist, as long as I have it in stock)

Congrats!  And don’t worry, guys.  We’re hosting another contest today.  Just leave a comment in this thread and you’ll be entered to win a copy of Red Kiss and Red Fire (two lucky winners will be chosen for both books!)  And then, 15 people will be chosen to win a signed bookplate from Deidre! 

 Now, to set the mood, here’s your music for the day.  Georgia On My Mind by Ray Charles.  And, of course, you need a drink.  Today we’re sipping (gulping) the Southern Belle. Here’s the recipe for it:

1 part Schnapps, peach, 2 parts Southern Comfort, Fill with Cola, 1 dash Syrup, cherry

 Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake well and pour into glasses.

 And now, a note from Deidre:  Welcome to our very last day of our KISS and SEDUCE party! Sniff, sniff.  I’m going to miss hanging with you amazing women.  (And amazing men because we had a few of those around here, ahem, didn’t we? Where did those Marines go? Wait, we left them propping up the Acropolis in Athens!  That’s all right because we’re ending our travels with sand and surf out here on beautiful Tybee Island, Georgia!   Spartans live nearby, too, so we haven’t left the Greek men all that far behind.  Of course immortal Spartan warriors and modern day café-hotties aren’t quite the same.

Maybe we’ll find some Spartans! Even if we don’t, you’ve gotta love a good beach bonfire at night! Warm the toes, watch the moon rise over the Atlantic, toast the marshmallows! And let’s toast to Gena, who so deserves it after hosting this fabulous blog party all week! By the way, Gena’s upcoming release SEDUCE THE DARKNESS is going to be wicked amazing! Since, of course, Gena is both wicked and amazing, right?  We’ve seen her in action this week, after all!

Also, for those of you who didn’t win a copy of RED FIRE or RED KISS, I hope you’ll check out my GODS OF MIDNIGHT! These Spartan warriors have passed eternity battling every form of evil, but they’ve never found love…until now. 

But I know what you are really here for.  Sordid details of our past twenty-four hours.  Yep, you think I got another tattoo.  You’re sure Gena knocked over a cruise ship. The truth is, we are being very nice girls, here on Tybee Island. Uh, oh.  I spoke too soon.  Gena just left the light of the bonfire because she swore she heard a demon out in the ocean.  Demons don’t live in the ocean… or do they? Seems I heard something about that in RED KISS. Uh, oh!

Gena, come back! Don’t go in there! Didn’t you see JAWS? You never swim in the ocean at night!

I have more sake! I saved some for you! And a booze sponge!

Whew.  She’s coming back into the light.  Aww, and now she’s giving me a big hug and kiss and saying…what’s that? Time for bed?? Time to go home?

All right, fine.  I’m going to sit by the bonfire by myself.  Sit and wait for the sound of male Greek voices, lifted in battle song.  If I’m lucky, really lucky, I just might hear that.  Maybe you will, too!

(I’ve loved playing here on the blog.  You are all the very best and most encouraging friends! I hope you’ll stop by www.deidreknight.blogspot.com some time and say hello!)

 A note from Gena:  I can’t thank you guys enough for hanging out with us this week.  It’s been a blast.  And do check Deidre out if you haven’t already.  You won’t be sorry!  

Posted by Gena Showalter at 4:20 AM 127 comments    

Welcome to Kiss and Seduce!  The winners of yesterday's contest are . . . 

Delinah (Red Fire)

Caffey (Red Kiss)

Cambria Dillon (Red Fire)

    Mariee (one of my books, your choice, as long as I have it in stock)

    Don’t worry.  There’s another contest today!  Just read on.  First, though, let’s set the mood.  San Tainia Palia by Kiamos Panos.  And let’s not forget today’s drink.  Green Buck.  Here’s how you make it:

2 tsp. Lemon juice

1 ½ oz. Brandy

1 tsp. Ouzo

Ginger Ale

Shake brandy and lemon juice and pour into a Collins glass.  Fill with ginger ale and float Ouzo.

Now, a word from Deidre:  My mind is spinning from all the globetrotting that Gena and I’ve been doing.  Or maybe it’s that my mind is actually spinning from too much Sake in Tokyo yesterday.  By the way, when Gena started begging for a second dragon tattoo, I cut her off, especially because there was a pair of very helpful Marines who volunteered to help.  Something about selecting the portion of her naked body where it would look best.  Welcome to Cougartown!

Except then I remember that Gena is a really good girl, and I used my handy-dandy quick sobriety trick. I gave Gena a big ole slice of bread and told her, “Eat it.  It’s a booze sponge.” Right after that, we had to run, not walk, our way to the plane for our latest destination.  By the way, those two military “helpers” (always happy to serve their country, apparently) chased on our tails.  They kept saying something about Gena and teaching her to shout hoohrah a little louder. 

            So guess where we are today, my friends?? Oh, let me just tell you, the sunlight is perfect, the sky so blue, and the architecture pearly white.  Yes, that would be GREECE!! Athens, to be exact, and we’re climbing (huffing? Puffing) to the very top of the Acropolis! What could be more perfect for celebrating the release of RED KISS, after all, than visiting Greece!!

            Wait! Oh no! What’s that noise? Oh my!! Gena just knocked over a massive crumbling pillar.  And it really is…crumbling! Oh no!! Call those Marines back, Gena might get crushed beneath the Acropolis!

            Whew.  Okay.  They saved her.  Unfortunately…we could not save the Acropolis.  I think it’s a goner.  Well, not quite (examining, shielding eyes from blazing Greek sun).  It appears that only the rear portion has crumbled and fallen.  Gena, on the other hand, is perfectly collected and being carried back down the hill by her military hotties. 

Uh, Gena? Just one word for you, wild woman: hoorah!

            A note from Gena:  I have three words for you, my lovely:  Best.  Time.  Ever.  (even though I destroyed a piece of history)

Today's contest:  Just leave a comment in this thread and you'll be entered to win Red Fire or Red Kiss by Deidre (there will be two lucky winners and you'll get the book of your choice).  There will also be a drawing for one of my backlist.  

Also happening today:  A chat with Gena and Deidre!  Tonight (Thursday, June 11) at 8 central.  It's in the Knight Agency Chatroom.  Visit the chatroom here, enter a username and password, and boom!  But your computer must have Java.  We hope to see you there!!  We'll be giving away prizes then, as well.

Posted by Gena Showalter at 4:26 AM 144 comments    

Welcome back to Kiss and Seduce Party Week.  This is Day Three of our (Wild?  Mild?  You decide!) celebration for Deidre Knight’s newest book, Red Kiss, and my upcoming release, Seduce the Darkness.  The winners of yesterday's contest are:

Shuzluva (Red Fire)

Dookndance (Red Fire)

Mom2cherreys (one of my backlist as long as I have it in stock at my house)

Where are we today, you ask?  Tokyo!  And yes, Deidre and I have been hitting the clubs and the sake.  In fact, this amazing little drink somehow convinced us to get matching dragon tattoos.  (I suggested an alien, she suggested a demon.  Dragon was our compromise.  I think.  If only I could recall the conversation . . . ) 

But I digress.  I hope you brought a tube top, a micro mini and heels because we’re also dancing.  And let me just say, Deidre is sex dream incarnate on the dance floor.  Me?  My Elaine Benis moves are somehow repelling everyone.  But hey.  It’s nothing a little more sake can’t fix.   Oh, and get this.  Later, we’re going on the prowl for US Military hotties.   One word: cougars.   Okay, two words: meow.

To set the mood, here’s Flashback Disco by Denki Groove.  And here’s a drink (avoid the sake unless you want a dragon tattoo)

Tokyo Tea

.5 oz. Gin, .5 oz. Melon liquer, .5 oz. light Rum, 1 oz. sour mix, .5 oz. Triple sec, .5 oz Vodka

Shake and strain into lowball glass.

Now that you’ve got your drink, leave a comment in this thread and you’ll be entered to win a signed book!  One lucky winner will take home Deidre’s sensational new Gods of Midnight novel, Red Kiss.  (and two lucky winners will take home Red Fire)  Here’s a little about Kiss:

Spartan slave River Kassandros can transform into any weapon. After a bloody battle he’s forever a dagger—until a mortal can release him. Drawn to this blade, Emma Lowery draws blood with it and frees River. But even as they fight off intense passions, a sinister power arises to destroy them. To protect humankind, they may have to make the ultimate sacrifice—and lose their chance at love...

Another winner will take home one of my backlist (your choice, as long as I have the book in stock at my house) to prepare for the release of Seduce the Darkness.  Here’s a little about it:   

The war between otherworlders and humans changed Earth beyond recognition. It also saved Bride McKells's life. Before, the gorgeous vampire was a target for every fanatic with a stake and a crucifix. Now, she's free to roam the streets -- and desperate to find others of her kind. One man claims to have the answers she seeks. Devyn, King of the Targons, is a warrior and a womanizer, and he makes no secret of how much he wants Bride -- and how dangerous he could be to her in every way.

Winners will be announced tomorrow.  They’ll be another contest tomorrow (and every day of the work week), as well as a chat on Thursday at 8 pm central, and a big blow out on Friday.  

Posted by Gena Showalter at 4:30 AM 179 comments    

Yesterday’s winners of Red Fire are . . . Molli and Tanya

And the winner of your choice of my backlist (providing I have the title in stock at my house) is . . .The Diva Divine

Congrats!  Just to the contact page of my main website and send me your info. 

Now, a word from Deidre.

Welcome to this week’s KISS & SEDUCE party! I’m Deidre Knight and you’re not visiting my blog! LOL! But I’m pretty sure you’d already figured that out—unless you had too much of yesterday’s rum punch and have spent the past hours sleeping in the sun, dreaming of winning free books from certain faboo romance authors. Hmm…. Who could those writers be?

 In case you did snooze through yesterday’s post, let me welcome you to this week’s tour de farce, a blog party where Gena and I travel the world via cyber airplane and virtual bathing suit.  We’re thrilled that you’re partying with us! And where have we landed today? Istanbul? Paris? Rome? Madrid? Venus or Pluto??

Ha! Gena and I have spent the morning on the French Riviera! And guess what this exotic, gorgeous region of the world is famous for?? It’s topless sunbathing! And, I’m starting to think, home of full-body sunburns, too.  Thinking I shouldn’t have hogged the SPF 50, either, because Gena might just have a little discomfort issue later today.  You know, when we’re hopping from café to café and all that? Certain pale parts of the human anatomy should simply not be exposed to bright, late-morning sunlight. Especially not when certain cabana boys keep trying to refill Gena’s glass.  And refill and refill. 

Gena, girl, more sunscreen!! Is there an SPF 100?? Because you’re looking a tad “in the pink”! Then again, I pulled on my t-shirt after the tenth time those cabana boys tried to pour you another drink.

So in honor of Gena’s spirit of adventure, we’ll call today’s contest “Topless and Free!”

You need only post in the comments section about anything at all in order to participate, but we’d love to hear exactly how far you’d go to win a free book or two from each of us (keep in mind, that's just a suggestion, not a requirement)!  I mean, Gena is beside me, clad only in a bikini bottom.  I, on the other hand… well, I’ll confess that I took my top off FIRST! So there! 

Sunblock, anyone???

A side note from the toasty Gena:  Tomorrow we’ll draw new winners -- and again, all you have to do to be entered is post a comment and that comment can be about anything at all -- and those winners will get signed books!  Your choice of one of my backlist as long as I have it in stock (yes, I am referring to myself as a store) and someone else will win the fabulous Red Fire from Deidre.  

Today’s music is here.  Today’s drink is the Le Fleur Vert (The Green Flower)  Here’s how you make it:

2 ½ Champagne Moet and Chandon Imperial Brut, 2 Basil leaves, 1 ½ G’Vine Floraison Gin, ¾ Simple Syrup, 1/3 Kiwi, and ¼ Line Juice.

Pour the champagne into a special champagne glass.  Muddle the kiwi, basil and syrup then add the lime juice, G’vine, ice, shake and double strain in the glass with the Champagne.

Meanwhile, we're celebrating the upcoming release of my book, Seduce the Darkness, featuring a womanizing hero who is brought to his knees, and Deidre's current release, the amazing Red Kiss.  Spartan warriors -- oh, yeah!

You can check out an excerpt of Red Kiss here.

(Head to my message board for an excerpt of Seduce the Darkness)

Posted by Gena Showalter at 4:32 AM 159 comments    

Welcome to the KISS & SEDUCE party!  We hope you’re enjoying the sun as much as we are.  Deidre and I are lounging by the pool sipping rum punch. (recipe below) Yum.  And entertaining -- Deidre somehow wandered over to the pool and fell in!  I guess you shouldn't drink rum punch before noon... Oh, wait!  She's doing the backstroke.  Great.  Doubt I can blackmail her now. But anyway,  now that we've got that all settled let's get to the fun part :). Everyone (21 and older, that is) make yourself a glass of rum punch. You should drink it while listening to Bob Marley singing "One Love."  Just go here.    

After that, it’s contest time!  Today's prize is a signed copy of RED FIRE by Deidre and a signed copy of one of my books (your choice – if I have what you want in stock) in celebration of Deidre's new release Red Kiss and my upcoming release, Seduce the Darkness.  To be entered, all you have to do is leave a comment in this thread. Winner will chosen in a random drawing and announced tomorrow morning on the blog.  Also check out the info about Deidre’s Gods of Midnight books below . . .

Deidre’s sexy GODS OF MIDNIGHT series features seven immortal Spartans warriors who protect humanity from every form of evil that stalks the night.


About RED FIRE: Ajax Petrakos has spent centuries searching for his prophesied love -- Shay Angel. Once united, the fated couple must fight an ancient Persian Djinn, Elblas, who is determined to destroy their burgeoning passion.

About RED KISS: River Kassandros's special gift is the ability to transform into any weapon. After a recent battle, he becomes trapped in dagger form at the bottom of the ocean. His only hope of freedom is Emma Lowery, a woman whose powerful sensuality penetrates the deep blue abyss – drawing them inexorably together. But a dark force looms in the form of war god Ares, and the couple must decide whether to sacrifice their newly found love to protect humankind from certain destruction.

We haven't forgotten your drinks.  :)  Rum punch:

pineapple juice
rum
Malibu coconut rum
Campari  bitters
orange juice

Mix up varying the ingredients to taste. Balance the Orange and Pineapple, add a little Malibu rum till you can slightly taste the coconut, then enough Campari to redden it and then make up the rest with rum. Fruity delicious going down, but very sneaky… Watch out ;)

And be sure to come back tomorrow for another contest, more prizes, more book info, more traveling, more drinks, more beefcake, and well, more everything!

Posted by Gena Showalter at 6:15 AM 291 comments    

I mistyped yesterday.  I was up to chapter 12 of Gideon's story, and today I tackle chapter 13.  So it's good to be a chapter ahead of what I told you :)  

Posted by Gena Showalter at 6:24 AM 17 comments    

Here we are at BEA.  She is truly one of the most beautiful people I've ever met.   

Posted by Gena Showalter at 5:25 AM 8 comments    

Labels: pictures of gena

Authors PC Cast, Merline Lovelace, Cindy Dees and Lindsay McKenna are giving away a 1000 in prizes here.  And you can check out their video about it here.  Very cool!!

Posted by Gena Showalter at 7:15 AM 7 comments    

I'm home!  I had the best time in New York and at BEA and hated to leave.  Got to see my amazing editors and the fabulous people at Harlequin who work so so hard on my behalf.  I think I ate my weight in food.  The best: The Shake Shack.  I'm craving their burgers constantly now and hate that we don't have a Shack where I live.  My editor and I had to wait in an hour long line for our food but it was worth it.  I'll be returning, that's for sure.

Posted by Gena Showalter at 7:14 AM 7 comments