Saturday, May 1, 2010

#Authorpalooza2010 Featuring Fallon Blake


Today is my last day of my Authorpalooza. And of course I can't let this day go out with a bang..

I have two wonderful ladies here today so please leave some much deserve love for my last and final guest for the end of Autorpalooza2010:

Give it up for. . . .


Fallon Blake





How long did it take to make your goal of writing professionally? 
I'd played around with the idea of writing for years, but I didn't sit down and start on an actual project until last year. From first sentence to contract, it took about five months for This Side of Heaven.

Do you have another career/day job besides writing?
My other career? Stay at home mom. Having two small children underfoot can sometimes make it difficult to write, but I wouldn't change it for the world.

Do you have anything new or just coming out that you would like to share with us?
This Side of Heaven was released in February of this year, but I have no new releases on the horizon just yet.

Are you working on anything right now?
I currently have two projects in the works -- Between Heaven and Hell, which is the second book in my demon and angel series, and a BDSM contemporary novella that has been really fun to write.

What else can expect to released from this year?
Both of my current projects are near completion and I hope to have them on submission by June. Cross your fingers for me.

* Keeping my fingers crossed for you. Good luck Fallon! *

What are three things you couldn't live without?
Rock Star energy drinks. I know horrible right? I'm so addicted.
Books. I live and breathe them. I'm the kind of person that would rather read than watch television so if I'm not writing or being mom, my nose is usually stuck in a book.
My husband. He keeps me sane and if it weren't for him, I'd still be dreaming about writing rather than actually doing it.

Can you describe your writing process or do you write a little bit each day?
It's imperative that I write when I have a free moment because I have so little of it. Unfortunately I cannot write with my children around. My netbook seems to be a toddler magnet for some reason. I usually write during nap times and after they go to bed. When my husband isn't out of town working, he takes the kids for long hours on the weekends so that I can write. Having such limited time can be frustrating when I have scenes and dialogue swimming in my brain. I always have a legal pad on hand to jot things down so that I can pick it up later when I do have time. It'll be easier for me when the girls are both in school, and I'd actually thought about putting it off until then, but I'd already put it off for years. Why not now? I don't have the time to crank out books like some authors do. How I wish I could do that! I do what I can though and now that I have a taste for it, it's become an essential part of me. I feel restless if I'm not working on something.

What was the last place you traveled to? Did you have fun?
It's been a long time since I've traveled. Before the children, we used to go to Breckenridge, Colorado in March to ski. I love the mountains and sometimes I dream about living there, especially during the long, hot, endless Florida summer, but I'm a southern girl at heart and I don't think I could live there permanently.

Is there one place you haven't been to but would like to visit?
There are so many. The first that comes to mind is New Orleans. It has such history and it's definitely near the top of my list. I'd love to grab some coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde.


Final question... What is one thing that always relaxes you?
Reading, always. If I'm stressed or just need to escape for a minute, I love that I can pick up a book and transport myself to another place in a matter of moments.


You can find out more about Fallon Blake online at:







This Side of Heaven Cover,
Blurb and Excerpt Provided by Fallon:

Samara Hale has learned to keep everyone at arm's length, with good reason. Abandoned by a father she's never known, she'll do anything to not become her mother and waste her love on a man who will only end up leaving.

A powerful empath, she's grown comfortable hiding behind her self-imposed walls. On the heels of her uncle's death, a stranger shows up claiming to be a Telal, part demon, part angel. She's sure he's out of his mind--unbelievably hot, but still, out of his mind. When she's attacked by demons, he's the only one who can save her. Samara will have to trust him with her life. She's just not sure she can trust him with her heart.

With a forbidden love, an ancient prophecy, and demons on the hunt, Nathaniel knows this would be the worst time to act on his feelings for his mortal charge. But with Samara's life in danger, he must not only come face-to-face with temptation, but with an old rival whose ambitions include claiming Samara for Lucifer himself. Nathaniel will risk it all to save the woman he loves and he can only hope Samara will take a risk of her own.


[Sneak Peak Excerpt]

She would not cry.

Weary, Samara Hale rubbed her hands over her face. She took a deep breath and walked into the room, surveying the contents of Oliver's den. The loss of her uncle seemed more acute here among his things. After running her finger over the spines of his beloved books, she took a seat at his antique cherry desk and wondered where to begin. Despite being surrounded by his stacks of books and papers, she'd never felt so alone.

Oliver Hale was the only father figure she had ever known. Her real father had abandoned her mother before Samara was even born, and she knew next to nothing about him, a bitter reality that had often plagued her throughout her life.

Oliver had been consumed by his work, but he had loved her and never hesitated to dote on her. It had been just the two of them since her mother died fifteen years earlier. A retired mythology professor and also a bit of an eccentric, Oliver had filled her adolescence with tales of angels, demons, and various kinds of mythological creatures.

"Not much for organization, was he?" A deep male voice spoke from behind her.

She spun around so fast, she nearly fell out of her chair. He'd scared her half to death. She tried to slow her breathing as she came face-to-face with quite possibly the most gorgeous man she'd ever laid eyes on.

He was well over six feet tall, with a lean, muscular frame and dark chestnut hair long enough to brush his unshaven jawline. But it was his eyes that did her in. The color of whiskey, they promised wicked things, sinful things. She could just imagine...

Good Lord. She was standing in Oliver's den, just days after his death, drooling over a complete stranger.

"Who the hell are you?" She hadn't intended to sound so harsh, but she was as startled by her train of thought as she was his sudden appearance.

"Didn't mean to scare you. I'm Nathaniel Greyson. I knew the professor." He casually leaned against the bookcase.

As if that clears everything up.

He had a dangerous, otherworldly quality she couldn't put her finger on, despite her skill for reading people. It wasn't something she advertised, but she'd been able to read people's emotions since she was twelve. She often became overwhelmed by what she'd sensed in others, so Oliver had taught her to close herself off.

A little rusty at using her ability after she'd shut it down for so long, she hoped she could keep it under control. She narrowed her eyes, drew in a deep breath, and opened herself up, compelled to get a sense of this mysterious visitor. Lust slammed into her and nearly knocked her on her ass. Everything about him intoxicated her, and she was almost drunk on his presence. The degree of need thrumming through her forced her brain to function on a more primitive level.

His smell was a spicy blend of earth and wild masculinity, and there was something familiar about him. She tried to steady herself. "What do you want?" After the unexpected dose of attraction, it wasn't a big surprise that her voice sounded shaky.

He licked his full bottom lip as his gaze wandered the length of her body. "World peace, a cold beer, a beautiful woman. You know, the usual."

"Are you always this charming, or am I the only one lucky enough to get this special treatment?" she asked, tucking a strand of her shoulder-length hair behind one ear.

"Oh you'd definitely get the special treatment," he said with a grin that was all arrogance.

The room grew warm, and her skin felt as if she'd spent all day in the sun: heated, tingly, and slightly damp with perspiration. Mindless of her actions, she gripped the neckline of her white sundress, fanning herself. She fought to hold his gaze, willing her eyes not to drink in some of his more interesting attributes. Like the curves of his muscular arms folded across his wide chest. And the toned, washboard stomach she suspected was hidden under his fitted black T-shirt. Or the rather large bulge she saw behind the fly of his faded blue jeans. She almost licked her lips before she caught herself.

Snap out of it, Sam!

It had been way too long since she'd been laid.

She did not need this kind of distraction right now, but she couldn't think straight.

Was all this passion coming from him? It had to be. But he'd just met her.

Confused, she returned to the desk chair, aiming to get a handle on the sudden flood of desire surging through her, but she was powerless to stop it. Her clit throbbed, and her panties were undeniably wet. Damn traitorous body.

"I'm a bit busy here, if you didn't notice. Is there something you wanted?" She tried not to sound strained but failed miserably. She'd never reacted to a man like this before. The need to feel him deep inside of her was shocking and a little scary.

Air. Maybe some fresh air was what she needed.

She stood up, closing her eyes for a moment to pull herself together. "I think..." When she risked a glance, she was startled to find him standing right in front of her, yet she hadn't even heard him move. He was close enough to touch, and her fingers itched to skim down the hard planes of his arms.

He leaned in, stopping mere inches from her face. "Are you all right?" His breath was warm against her skin as his eyes searched hers.

"I, um..." She started to speak, and then, in a flash, she pressed her hungry lips to his.

He paused as if she'd surprised him, then cupped her face in his hands and pulled her closer. His tongue invaded her mouth as he devoured her. He returned her hunger with his own, leaving her greedy for more, and she gave herself over to the kiss.

She moaned, pressing her body to his until she ground against the rigid length of his cock. Lust overwhelmed her, drowning out the voice in the back of her brain questioning what she was doing with this man she didn't even know. Any sense she might have had flew straight out of her head as his strong hands grabbed her ass, lifting her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist, reacting without coherent thought. Her dress bunched between them. Only the thin scrap of her panties stood between her and the rough fly of his jeans, and her clit pulsed as he thrust against her.

He sat her on the edge of the cluttered desk. Still consumed by his kiss, she blindly shoved notebooks and papers out of the way. Her lack of concern for what she was doing alarmed her for a moment, but she dismissed it when he palmed her breast.

He caressed her nipple with his thumb, sending little shocks of pleasure straight to her core. She reached down between them and inched her hand under the waistband of his jeans, her small fingers working to wrap around the velvety length of him within the tight confines of the denim. Her thumb rubbed slick precum onto the smooth cockhead in small circles.

Breaking the kiss, she groaned. He whispered against her lips, "My God, woman, what are you trying to do to me?"

Holy shit. What just happened? His mission was simple: protect Samara Hale. Fuck if Uriel wasn't going to have his head on a pike. Which head remained to be seen.

It was forbidden for Telal to form romantic involvements with their mortal charges. The consequences for violating the ancient laws were steep. He knew Uriel expected more of him, but he was part demon, after all.

Samara was still perched on the edge of the desk, her dark brown hair sexy and disheveled. How many times had he longed to touch her, to feel the softness of her sun-kissed skin, to lose himself in her? With the hem of her dress still askew and a thin strap dangling from her slender shoulder, she looked ready, willing...

Damn it all to hell!

He couldn't bring himself to finish it, to plunge his granite-hard cock into her sweet pussy and find his release. Oh God, he wanted to, but Samara deserved better than that. He'd already taken things too far, but really, how could he resist? This was the first time he'd been face-to-face with the woman he'd loved for longer than he cared to remember.

He sighed. It sucked divine ass to be good sometimes.

"Oh my God. I can't believe I just did that." Her face flushed through three different shades of pink, the look of desire gone, replaced by stark embarrassment as she adjusted her dress.

He couldn't help but grin. She was so cute, all flustered and blushing. "You mean kiss me? Yes, you did."

"For a second there, I thought I was dreaming," she muttered, her eyes downcast.

"No, not a dream. Although I think this may spark a few for me." Mindful of his raging hard-on, he adjusted himself as he sat down in the chair she had previously occupied. He propped his feet up on the desk, then leaned back with a smile.

She rushed past him to the other side of the desk. If he'd thought she'd try to read him this soon, he would have at least attempted to control his rabid lust. That must have been a bit of a shock. No wonder she was trying to establish some space between them. Instead of putting her at ease, he'd set her on edge. Well, he was doing a damn good job fucking this up. Way to go, asshole.

She tucked the errant strands behind her ear as she smoothed her hair, avoiding his gaze. "Um, who did you say you were again?"

He could see her collecting herself, almost as if a wall had gone up. Her spine stiffened. The emotion disappeared from her face, and her body language screamed back off. It was unnerving to see her change from passionate to cold in such a short span of time. He held back the desire to plant a kiss on her, laced with enough sin to crack her little facade, and forced himself to focus on the matter at hand.

"Nathaniel. I knew--"

"Oliver. Yeah, I remembered that part. Doesn't really answer my question, though." She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. "Could you stop projecting all of that lust?"

"You weren't asking me to stop earlier." He couldn't resist teasing her.

"Oh knock it off. I can't think straight."

"You can feel what I'm feeling?" He already knew the answer, but he had to tread gently or she would shut him out. He couldn't risk that. Samara needed to trust him.

"Yes," she whispered. "I-I'm not sure what just happened between us. I don't usually go around throwing myself at strange men." She laughed but it sounded forced.

A twinge tightened his chest when she referred to him as a stranger. If she only knew exactly how well he knew her.

Calmly, he stood, then leaned over the desk, reaching for her. He used his fingers to lift her chin so their eyes would meet. "You really aren't aware of the power you hold." She would have no idea how loaded that statement was. It took every ounce of his will to keep himself from kissing her again. "Samara, you're unique. I think what happened between us was brought on by your power."

She looked confused. "What are you talking about?"


[End of Sneak Peak Excerpt]
To enter to win a dowload copy of This Side of Heaven courtesy of Fallon today:

Follow Fallon on twitter @FallonBlake -Tweet a hello and say V sent ya!

Tweet about this giveaway and include #Authorpalooza2010 tag and link of this post.

Be a blog minion..

And answer me this:

Do you believe in angels?




I hope you all enjoy this month long celebration of author interviews and giveaways! Please stop by and leave some more love for the other awesome authors here.

Thank you, and until next time.. Have a great day!

V

3 comments:

Bells said...

Great interview V and Fallon! I still have to read this book! I do believe in angels. I believe they are all around us.

Unknown said...

Another great author I discovered thanks to your Authorpalooza, thank you!!

- I follow Fallon, left her a tweet here: http://twitter.com/Stella_ExLibris/status/13302583829

- tweeted about the interview here: http://twitter.com/Stella_ExLibris/status/13302542295

Yes, I believe in angels, there are so amny small miracles that can't all be due to luck, they must be caused by our guardian angels.

stella.exlibris (at) gmail DOT com

Rosie said...

Wow, sorry to see these fun times come to an end! Thanks for some great interviews and prizes.

Yes, I definitely believe in angels!!

I'm a follower, but not a twitter. :-)