Alexandra Anthony's Blog

I’m saying goodbye to the world of writing…it’s time for me to just be me…at least for a while. To my friends, fans and readers, I appreciate your love and support and I wish you all love and light.

Alexandra

 

I know quite a few of you are anxiously awaiting the release of Rapture and Revelations, but the little book I put on the back burner just had the heat fired up under it again. I was approached by a West Coast publisher who is interested in one of my new books. Since I don’t want to use one of my series books, I’ve decided that I’m going to hand things over to this publisher and see where things go. I will retain full rights to my copyright, but this has the possibility in getting me premium space in bookstores.

As this book is nearly complete, all of my focus the next two weeks will be on completing Covet the Darkness. I know you are waiting for Nick and Stefan, and I am working on those books as well. Juggling two series and stand alone books can be time consuming to say the least.

I appreciate your support and patience.

Alexandra

 

I complain frequently about Cincinnati. I moan about the weather, the (sometimes) stifling conservative and religious attitude of this riverfront city. It’s a very, very Catholic town, after all. When I first moved here and met new people (and this still happens to this very day), the first question out of their mouth is normally “What parish do you belong to?”. I’m not Catholic nor from Cincinnati, so I’m somewhat of an outsider; an interloper that doesn’t really fit in. I’m Buddhist, consider myself spiritual and I have a lot of tattoos. I don’t fit the “Cincinnati Norm”. Granted, I’ve managed to make some wonderful friends…most of which are also transplants from other cities. It’s strange how we find each other, but I’m thankful we did.

Earlier this week, I was out to dinner across the river. You get the best view of Cincinnati from Newport, and when I snapped this, I was reminded that Cincinnati isn’t all bad. The skyline does make a pretty snapshot at sunset.

It was a nice night, and for those of you familiar with Cincinnati, we chose to walk across the Purple People Bridge. It’s a pedestrian only bridge that connects Newport to Cincinnati. Along the way, I started noticing the locks on the bridge. I know other cities probably have this phenomenon, but the writer in me was pulled to them like a moth to a flame.

 

As I walked along, I ran my fingers over each of these locks. I started making up stories about the people who took the time to inscribe on these locks and put them into place. Most had messages of love, but a few had sobering messages of remembrance and tugged at my heart.

 

This one simply puts it out there with the message attached: “You’ll be in my heart from this day on, now and forever. Always and Always.”

Was this person mourning a lost husband, a wife? A lover? A parent? A child grieving for their parent? My heart ached and my mind raced, but I continued on my walk.

Honestly, I could have spent hours on the bridge with my camera (in fact, I’m going back on a free afternoon to simply photograph the ones I missed). Nightfall was approaching, and I wanted to make it back to my car before it got too late.

But something pulled me to this final lock by chance. There was nothing special about it at first glance, but the message struck a chord inside of me.

 

Again, the inscription hit home. And it is beautiful in its simplicity: “It doesn’t matter where you go in life, it’s who you have beside you.”

How often do we take those beside us for granted? Or for that fact, what we have for granted.?I walked off that bridge with a unexpected lesson in finding answers when I didn’t even ask them.

Peace and love,

Alex

I arrived in Vegas at 11pm on a Thursday night, a bit jet lagged but ready to plunge in Vegas-style:

It was all fun and games. Surely, three shots of Fireball Whisky would be fine.

Oh…I’m so funny sometimes.

Friday morning I was nursing the remnants of my first hangover and jet lag after my trip to Vegas. On the outside I looked like this:

 

Inside, I felt like this:

 

But I carried on. Bravely, I soldiered through the RNC 2014 Casanova Brunch. It was a sacrifice.

(pictured Jimmy Thomas and his brother, Billy Thomas)

I headed out later that night after securing free tickets to Gallagher and eating delicious sushi. I even attempted to sweat out the alcohol at the pool at The Golden Nugget.

But alas, I ended up back at The Ice Bar at The Golden Nugget before heading out on Fremont.

Did I mention this was only Friday?!?

My poor liver was working overtime…but I managed to get it together for the book signing on Saturday morning. I met fans, authors and had a great time.

Saturday night was the event to crown Mr. Casanova 2014. Yet another sacrifice was made as I struggled through the Casanova Dating Game.

P.S. I picked Weston (white tank top). He also won Mr. Casanova 2014

More fun with David Nicoll and the Casanovas (yes, I was actually sober at this point):

I finished off the evening with David Nicoll, Justin and Weston. What fabulous guys!

I had a blast. Thank you to Jimmy Thomas for a fabulous time…even though I still feel like this:

See you in 2015, RNC and Las Vegas.

 

Why yes…I did have just a little bit of fun in Vegas at RNC2014.

Click to see a few pics from the Convention…

RNC2014.

 

Stop by The Golden Nugget on July 12th to meet me (and other fabulous romance authors) during the Book Fair. I’ll be selling and signing books…and giving away swag for 10-2pm!

 

 

Tonight I’m taking over Two Ordinary Girls and Their Books on Facebook from 7-9pm Eastern time. Stop by for a fangtastic time!

Click on the picture below to go straight to their FB page!

Welcome to A Summer for Love Blog Hop! I’m going to share a snippet from Divine: A Collection of Erotic Short Stories…but before I get to that, let me tell you about the prizes available.




GRAND PRIZES
(6) $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Cards


Comment with your name and email to be entered into the Grand Prize drawing. Comments without name and email will not be counted. Commenting on each and every stop will increase your chances of winning.
Winners for the (6) Grand Prizes will be drawn and announced on THE ROMANCE TROUPE blog by June 10th using random.org to determine each winner.

And now…a snippet from Divine, available on Amazon, B&N and Smashwords.
I’m sharing a portion of Book 2, titled Red.

Eve passed suite 206 when she heard a door click open. To her amazement, Malcolm Goldman stood in the open doorway ahead of her. He’d unbuttoned his dress shirt at the collar, leaving more of his neck exposed. He was taller than she’d thought as he leaned against the frame, staring at her intently. He grinned smugly as he stared down at her.

Determination surged through her. He thought he would be the one to seduce her. Oh no. She would have her way with him, Many times, if she were lucky.

She didn’t say a word when she brushed by him and walked into his room, placing her bag on the chair. She walked to the bed and lowered herself to the stark white duvet and rested her weight on her hands behind her.

“So Mr. Goldman, is this casual enough for you?”

He moved to stand in front of her. At least six foot four, he crossed his arms and casually leaned against the chair.

“You still have on too many clothes.”

His voice was slightly accented and a deep baritone. His mouth curled up at the corners and he flicked open the buttons on each of his shirt sleeves.

She cocked an eyebrow and tipped her head back. “Oh?”

His fingers traveled over each button on his dress shirt. Each one opened and revealed more and more of his olive skin. She felt her breath hitch, but she remained impassive.

“I thought we had business to discuss, Mr. Goldman,” Eve said softly. Her eyes continued to watch his every move as he shrugged out of his shirt and draped it over the back of the chair. He resumed his earlier pose with his arms crossed under his lean, muscular chest.

“I’d like to get to know you. Intimately, Genevieve.” Malcolm murmured. He chuckled and unbuckled his belt. “I think it’s better to really know a person before you do business, don’t you?”

Boldly, she stood up and sidled up to him. She met his gaze through his smoky glasses and placed one finger on the side of his cheek. She dragged her fingernail down over his jaw and neck, stepping in closer. “If we do this, we do it my way. Got it?”

Wordlessly, he nodded and stood. “I’m at your disposal. What shall you do with me?”

A rush of power gave her an adrenalin boost. She grinned naughtily and pointed to the bed. “Strip and sit up against the pillows. But do it slowly. I want to watch.”

His brow furrowed and his lips parted. However, he said nothing and stepped around her until he was at the side of the bed. Malcolm removed his belt from his trousers and flicked open the button. He leisurely lowered his zipper and with a quick push, let his pants fall around his feet.

Malcolm Goldman went commando.

Her pulse pounded in her chest as she watched him lower himself to the bed, tucking pillows behind his back. His body was long and lithe, with finely sculpted muscles that made him appear lean and powerful.

Oh, she was going to enjoy the fuck out of him.

She checked her pocket with one hand and pulled out her tube of lipstick. She reapplied it to her lips and slowly approached the bed.

It was her turn to disrobe. She untied her trench coat and slipped it down her arms. She stood in front of him in black lace and thigh high stockings, her lips a shocking red.

He swallowed heavily, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly as his eyes swept over her body. She knew the effect she had on men. Tall and toned, her breasts were high and firm and her ass with round and pert. She’d never had a complaint.

Crawling on the bed beside of him she straddled his lap. She reached to the bedside table and sat her lipstick next to an unopened condom.

He was a cocky, self-assured man. She’d give him that much.

“Mr. Goldman…”

His long finger pressed against her lips. “I think we’re past that. Please, call me Malcolm.”

She nipped at his finger playfully and leaned forward, nuzzling his nose with hers. “Malcolm,” she dragged his name out in a sexy purr. “I’m going to paint you red. Crimson.”

He inhaled sharply, and nodded. “Do you worst.”

That was all the invitation she needed. Her lips met his, pressing the lightest of kisses against his mouth. Before she went any further, she let her tongue flicker out and trace his lips with the very tip.

***

A SUMMER FOR LOVE BLOG HOP
JUNE 4-8

All stops are listed below:



THE ROMANCE TROUPE
Krystal Shannan
Jinni James      
Jennifer Kacey
Ange la Rose
Kathryn Edgar
Jessi Gage
Booked & Loaded         
AJ Wiliams Adding Spice to Life
Tara Lain          
Lady Amber’s Reviews          
Gina Whitney         
Victoria Adams
Lia Davis          
Andrea R. Cooper Author Blog     
Zoe Dawson – No Formulas…No Rules          
Carol A. Strickland     
Author Jessica E. Subject          
Author Paisley Brown          
A Summer Beach Read from…Alaska???          
Jami Gray’s Blog     
Regina Morris          
Kim Headlee          
Liza O’Connor     
Smexy Fab Four          
Kisses, Caresses & Whispers in the Night
Author Dakota Skye          
Romance and More         
Daryl Devore     
Anne Lange-Erotic Romance         
Lynn Lawler          
Eliza Lloyd
April Holthaus          
Rebecca Sherwin          
Angela Christina Archer
KC Cavanaugh / The Cavanaugh Connection          
First Page Last Page
Robyn Neeley
Jencorkill
David JM O’Brien
Dawn Marie Hamilton Writes
Donna’s Dish-Donna Michaels
Natalie-Nicole Bates
A Reader’s Review Blog
Regina Morris
Oh My Growing TBR
Kristin Elyon
Sanda Schwab
Anna Wells
Mary Moriarty
Morgan K Wyatt
Joanne Jaytanie ~ This is not your mother’s romance
Laura Howard
Deb Julienne
Hannelore Moore
Paige Tyler
Angela Yseult
Dani Wade
Celia Breslin
Ella Sheridan
Danielle Duncan
Alexandra Anthony

 

 

 

 

I’m going to share a snippet of the prologue of Revelations. This is where we see a glimpse ahead of things to come for our couple. This book is one of transition, revelations and acceptance…sometimes bitter and difficult to contend with. Both Josephine and Stefan have much to come to terms with in this installment. 

Without further ado, I’ll turn it over to Stefan.

***

Even I could not have predicted this level of destruction. I had witnessed the pure ferocity and wrath of my mate’s shield firsthand; yet even I was speechless as I stood at her side. For the first time in many centuries, I found myself unsure of myself.

We were both silent and unmoving; neither of us able to find the necessary words that were needed to sooth the other. It wasn’t until I felt her tiny hand slip into my own that I released a ragged breath of relief. That single touch not only reassured me that all was not lost; it also began to repair the tattered tethers of our broken bond.

She had purposely cut the connection we shared. Her powers had grown significantly in the months since her immortal change, her shield transforming and changing as quickly as she mastered one aspect of it and discovered a new facet. I worried about her rapid transformation. In this life, she was very young. It made no difference that she was an ancient soul and had experienced much in her other life, both with and without me. In this life, she was mine to protect. Mine to love. Mine to cherish.

Josephine was a frustrating paradox. A vampire with no sire, she was uncontrollable and unpredictable with a hair-trigger temper. And my beloved had been pushed until her patience vanished and her wrath exploded in a violent release that made her show of leveling trees and bursting windows look like mere child’s play.

“I’m sorry.”

Her whispered words were hoarse and hollow without true emotion behind them. With our bond firmly restored, I could feel her internal battle. She longed to feel remorse, yet she couldn’t find it in herself to truly mean what she said.

Lacing her fingers with mine, I chuckled humorlessly. I had not risked looking at her, as much as I longed to. I did not want to see the realization of her actions deaden her emerald eyes and harden her flawless face. I never wanted blood on her hands; I would gladly slaughter an army than have a death, no matter how deserving, on her soul.

“Come now. You are not sorry, vackra. It is acceptable in this situation to not feel guilt. Nor should you.”

Her hand tensed and relaxed. She exhaled and a bitter laugh fell from her lips, echoing throughout the room. “You’re right. I’m only sorry you had to see…this.” It was then my eyes shot to her as she shook her head from side to side, her wild copper hair falling over her eyes. “I tried to shield you, to keep you away. But you tracked me here anyway. My guardian vampire.”

Anger and disappointment coursed through me, battling for control. I struggled to keep both from my voice as I spoke. “I am not only your husband, I am your mate and guardian, as you are mine. Why would you choose to keep me away? I never wanted this for you. Never.”

Josephine turned to face me and she reached to cradle my face with her free hand. Her green eyes were bright with unshed tears as her fingertips danced across my cheek, her touch loving and hesitant. “You still don’t understand, do you? I’ve done enough to you for a hundred lifetimes, Stefan. I sentenced you to a life where you’ve had to do things….horrible things.” Her voice shook with emotion as a pink tear slid down her face. I longed to brush it away, yet I didn’t dare move. I was ensnared in this moment, fixated on her hushed admission. “I didn’t know then what I was doing. I was childish and you were dying. I couldn’t lose you and I couldn’t save you. Solveig…it was the lesser of two evils. At least at the time I thought it was. Now…”

Josephine’s face took on a faraway look and she began speaking again before I could reassure her. “And if I could save you from more souls on your conscience, then I’ll do it. I would do anything for you. I would leave if I had the strength. In fact, I should  to keep you safe after what I’ve done here today.”

Her eyes dropped to the floor briefly before her gaze met mine again, filled with resolve and fire. “But I’m not strong. I’d die without you. So I’ll spend an eternity trying to atone for what I did to you and hope that it’s enough.”

She was correct. If we were separated for any length of time, neither of us would survive. It was not only the bonding that bound us; it was the strength and pure honesty of our love. We were truly the other half to the others soul. We had been empty until we found one another. If she would meet her end, I would follow. I could not exist in a world without her, nor would there be a purpose.

©2014 Revelations Alexandra Anthony

No part may be reproduced without the permission of the author.

Goodbye

It is the end.

it is the beginning.

A destroyer of dreams;

A renewer of hope.

Like closing a book,

the emptiness is palpable;

the fulfillment beautiful.

It is a  journey’s bittersweet completion.

It is never easy to do

It is unavoidable.

Left behind in the wreckage, the void is gaping.

That is the power of a goodbye.