Friday, December 21, 2012

A free Shadowfae story


Behold HELLCURSED, the sexy (and free! did I mention that?) prequel short story to my Shadowfae Chronicles series. Isn't she gorgeous?

Tricked. Cursed. Damned.

Headstrong ex-convent girl Jade has renounced the church that tried to curb her independence. Now, she travels the world, seeking adventure and the pleasures of forbidden ritual.

But she's tricked by a treacherous sorcerer, and forced into a darker kind of slavery. She's a succubus, with a powerful demon lord her master for a thousand years.

At least, that's what he thinks. Jade accepts no man's domination, least of all a demon's. She's determined to thwart her fate. But Jade is yet to discover the true meaning of demon thrall...


You can download her for free!! from Apple, Kobo (.epub) and Smashwords (.mobi, .pdf, .epub).

(You can get her from Amazon, too, if you like. But she's not free, yet. Because, y'know. Amazon are like that. Watch this space. Soon, she'll be available free for Nook, too.)

If you've been hanging with me a while, you'll know this story – it used to be up as a .pdf on my website. Now it's a real ebook, with a pretty new cover! Even if you've already got it, I'd appreciate the downloads. Thanks!

Here's the first little snippet, to whet your appetite. You may remember our heroine, Jade, from SHADOWFAE. Well, here she is on her first night as Kane's slave...

Hellcursed

My new master stared at me, ash drifting from his golden hair. I shivered. Even for a demon lord, Kane was creepy.

He reclined on the sunken lounge, elegant in black silk. No smile on his crimson lips. His black eyes scorched with promise and power. Idle scarlet flame flickered between his fingers, throwing eerie shadows on the marble palace wall, and the air thickened with his delicious scent of thunder. "Will you sit with me?"

"Not a chance." I tugged at my bodice, flushing. My torn blue gown had been to hell and back—literally—and no longer covered me properly. Sultry midnight breeze drifted into Kane's bedroom from the wide stone courtyard, but I didn't feel warm. Silken drapes masked the ceiling. Opium smoke drifted like ghostly dragons between green-tiled columns, stinging my nose like acid.

Kane's soft voice grated like metal. "Sit down, Jade."

I crossed my arms, satin sleeves ragged, and opened my mouth to tell him to go back to hell.

But I didn't.

I couldn't.

My voice jammed in my throat like a cork. The golden hellbangles he'd clamped on my wrists last night buzzed and scorched like angry wasps. Compulsion spread in my veins, dark like lust.

The ashen stink of demon magic clogged my nostrils. My pulse thudded. Heat flushed in my belly, a lover's sly caress, and I burned inside. His will effortlessly overpowered mine. I wanted to sit down. I needed to. If I didn't, I'd scream, or claw my eyes out.

Or die.

My leg muscles dissolved to water, and I crumpled to the green satin divan, magical nausea gnashing in my intestines around a core of hot, undeniable need. As my thighs hit the cushions, pleasure broke within me, tiny but definite, gentle waves of sweet contentment that I'd obeyed him.

And that was my first glimpse of the life I'd made.

Succubus. Soulthief. Hellbitch. Demon's thrall-slut. Those epithets still lay in my future. But my thrall had already begun.

Yesterday, I was a different kind of prisoner, slave to my own foolishness, chained in a rusty dungeon by the sorcerer who'd pretended to love me. But last night, my treacherous captor gambled with Kane, and lost. I was the prize. And now Kane owned me.

At least, that's what Kane thought. We'd see about that . . .


Like I said. Free. Apple, Kobo and Smashwords. And, you can add it to your shelf on Goodreads. Go forth and enjoy!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

For my UK friends...

A special UK-only giveaway on Goodreads!

To celebrate the UK release of REVELATION on 3 January, I'm giving away 3 signed copies for UK readers.

If you like sexy dark paranormal romance? Angels and demons? Zombies? The Apocalypse? Big guys with swords? This book has everything. Honest. Even the most scrumptious man-midriff cover you're ever likely to see. Check it out!



Goodreads Book Giveaway

Revelation by Erica Hayes

Revelation

by Erica Hayes

Giveaway ends January 01, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to win


I'm on Goodreads here, so come by and friend me! I'd love to meet you.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Giveaway part-ay winners...

First of all, the winner of KEIR by Pippa Jay and BIRTHRIGHT by Valerie Parv is...

Virginia Nelson!

Yay! And now the Grand Poobah Prize!! of a $50 bookstore gift card... random number music... thinking... the winner is...

Kelly Ethan!!

Congrats! And big thanks to everyone for playing. It's been fun!

And if you want more sci-fi romance? Consider checking out the Science Fiction Romance Brigade Facebook page and blog.




Thursday, December 13, 2012

Interview with author Pippa Jay

Seeing as I'm giving away her book KEIR (yes! I am! Check the end of this post for the giveaway) I'm pleased to welcome sci-fi author Pippa Jay to my blog today. I've recently discovered Pippa's books, and what can I say, I've really enjoyed them!

(P.S. You can check out Pippa's interview with me here. We authors are friendly like that.)

Welcome, Pippa!


Thanks for having me!

What genre/s do you write in? 

Generally scifi, with or without a dash of romance, but I’ve been known to stray into the nearby realms of fantasy too.

Why do you write? 

Because not writing is simply not an option. I love escaping into other worlds and torturing my characters.

Where can we stalk you?


Upcoming releases? 

I’ve just released a hot science fiction romance short story titled Terms & Conditions Apply, originally written for an anthology that never happened.

“Welcome to Venus Ascendant, a Public Grade space station in the Andromedan Galaxy. With our open-to-all policy, any being in the universe can find their perfect R & R, romantic getaway or dangerous liaison at our purpose built resort. The on-board empathic AI Ganesa ensures that anyone coming to Venus Ascendant will find their heart’s desire, with suites that transform from luxurious boudoirs to sunset-lit beaches to dark BDSM dungeons. So come to Venus Ascendant and find exactly what you’re looking for!”

It was meant to be a romantic getaway for Marie and the love of her life Jaisen; a chance for him to get to know her better after months of her denying him more than a few stolen kisses. Instead, Marie finds herself dumped and alone on Venus Ascendant with no credit for a transmat and the next starship home not due for another hour.

But the all-seeing AI isn’t going to leave anyone aboard the space station with their dreams unfulfilled. Marie's boyfriend might not have made it to the station, but there are others willing and able to take on the role - even if they aren’t entirely human.

Previous releases?
 
The Bones of the Sea, a free scifi short, available at Smashwords.com.
Keir, a science fiction romance available from
Lyrical Press Inc.

What are you working on now?

I’m polishing up a scifi rom short for the SFR Brigade anthology while I’m waiting on edits for a YA scifi novel - Gethyon - due for release in June 2013 with the BURST imprint of Champagne Books. I’ve also got another sfr novella I’m preparing for submission, and a dark space opera and a gritty superhero romance on the go.

Bio
A stay-at-home mum of three who spent twelve years working as an Analytical Chemist in a Metals and Minerals laboratory, Pippa Jay bases her stories on a lifetime addiction to science-fiction books and films. Somewhere along the line a touch of romance crept into her work and refused to leave. In between torturing her various characters, she spends the odd free moments trying to learn guitar, indulging in freestyle street dance and drinking high-caffeine coffee. Although happily settled in historical Colchester in the UK with her husband of 19 years, she continues to roam the rest of the Universe in her head.
 Thanks, Pippa! 


Now, do you want to win one of Pippa's books? Of course you do. Just leave a comment here -- or scroll down to yesterday's giveaway post and comment there -- for a chance to win KEIR by Pippa Jay, and BIRTHRIGHT by Valerie Parv.

Book giveaway ends Wednesday night. Make sure to leave your email address! Remember, you'll also go in the draw for a $50 bookstore gift card at the end of the giveaway part-ay.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Science fiction giveaway part-ay: part the third

The winner of a paperback of GHOST PLANET by Sharon Lynn Fisher is...

Jennifer McAndrews!!

Thanks to everyone for playing... and on to the next round! Don't forget there's a chance at the Grand Poobah Prize!! of a $50 bookstore gift card for everyone who enters.


Today, it's sci-fi romance with a difference.

I can honestly say I've never read anything else like BIRTHRIGHT by Aussie author Valerie Parv. A fantastical tale of futuristic suspense on a tropical island paradise. With aliens, and evil astronauts. You have to try it for yourself!

And I must share the joy of KEIR by Pippa Jay. For the amazing cover, if nothing else. And a sweetly done, poignant romance/adventure between a man who needs sanctuary and a woman on a quest... but for what?

Sounds cool, eh? You can click on the cover pics to find out more about these most excellent books. The authors sure would appreciate your love.

Would you like to win a copy of these two fab e-books? As well as go in the draw for the Grand Poobah Prize!! of a $50 bookstore gift card?

Just leave a comment by Wednesday night (that's tomorrow!), and answer me this: if you were stranded on an alien planet, and you could take one person with you, who would it be?

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Interview and giveaway stuff

Today, I'm riding on the Galaxy Express! Get the lowdown on my new book DRAGONFLY -- Heather Massey has done me a fab interview. Check it out!


Also, don't forget my sci-fi giveaway part-ay: only a few hours left to win GHOST PLANET by Sharon Lynn Fisher! and a chance to win a $50 bookstore gift card -- just comment on Saturday's post here

And, if you're into gift cards: I'm giving away a $20 bookstore card at Dark Faerie Tales. Come and learn how to make your very own Evil Empire. What would you put in your eeeevil! lair? What kind of minions would you enslave?

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Science fiction giveaway part-ay: part two

Welcome, weekend blog readers, to part two of Erica's sci-fi giveaway! I'm celebrating the release of my first ever sci-fi novel, DRAGONFLY. Remember: everyone who participates is in the running for the Grand Poobah Prize!! of a $50 bookstore gift card.

Last time, we had some smokin' hot erotic sci-fi prizes. Today it's the turn of sci-fi romance.

Carrie, my secret agent heroine in DRAGONFLY, has a few problems with romance. She's the kind of girl who always chooses the wrong guy. When she was just a rookie agent, she fell in love with her mentor at the spy agency, a glamorous agent named Malachite. Pity he turned out to be a pathological liar.

Then, she lost her heart to another fellow agent, who got himself murdered by terrorists on her watch. Since then she's been alone... and now she's finally got the chance for revenge against the rebels who murdered her fiance. All she has to do is keep her head...

Boy, do we torture our heroines :) it's a wonder there's any romance left in them! If you like you can download the first few chapters of DRAGONFLY (for free!) on Kindle.



Anyhoo, on with the giveway! And what better sci-fi romance prize than this fab recent release by Sharon Lynn Fisher, GHOST PLANET. Isn't the cover cool and spooky?

I'm only halfway through GHOST PLANET, but I recommend it. It's got a melancholy, soulful kind of futuristic atmosphere, but with plenty of action to keep you busy. And a ghostly, reincarnated, kind of poltergeist heroine. It's hard to describe. You'll have to read it!

Want one? Of course you do. For a chance to win a paperback of GHOST PLANET, just leave a comment and answer this question: if you were a ghost, who would you haunt?

Bonus entry if you follow this blog, via Blogger or Networked Blogs -- just let me know in the comments. Please leave your email addy, too. This giveaway ends Monday night. And don't forget, you'll be in the running for the Grand Poobah Prize!! of a $50 bookstore gift card at the end of the giveaway part-ay next week.

After which, I'll stop yelling 'Grand Poobah!'. I promise.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Sci-fi book giveaway winner #1...

...and the winner of GALACTIC INFERNO and WINTER FUSION is...


emmad!

Here are the covers of the lovely books you've won:

 

Thanks to everyone for playing, and remember: everyone who participates is in the running for the Grand Poobah Prize!!! of a $50 bookstore gift card.

Another round of the Science Fiction Giveaway Part-ay kicks off this afternoon (Thursday) -- hope you can be there!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Science fiction giveaway party: day one

In honour of my first sci-fi book release (did I mention that?) I'm giving away some brilliant SF books on my blog this week. And everyone who enters one of the giveaways will have a chance to win the Grand Poobah Prize!! That is, a $50 bookstore gift card! I'll be giving that away when we're good and finished, so get your entries in!

But before we get to the Grand Poobah Prize!! , let me bask in reader adulation for just one moment :) I came home today to a lovely 4-bird review of DRAGONFLY (that's like 4 stars, only cooler!) from Sheila at Dark Faerie Tales!

Sheila says: "A wonderful start to what appears to be the next big story to hit the sci-fi genre. There is love. There is fighting. There is gambling. There is betrayal and redemption. What more could a reader ask for?"

What more, indeed! You know you want one, right?


To celebrate (yay! someone likes my book!! We authors are pathetic that way) here's a quick excerpt, before we get to the Grand Poobah Prize!! part! Our secret agent heroine, Carrie, is working undercover as a cyber-thief stealing data from a living neuro-computer, and her quarry is about to fall into her trap... or is he...?



“Well, if it isn’t the delectable Lady Curious.”

My heart thudded, and my head whipped around before I could stop it.

Dragonfly slouched against the open hatchway, his hands shoved in his pockets, a sweet little smile turning his lips. He wore a grey silk suit, cufflinks glinting, dark hair tumbling about his shoulders, his tie loose like he’d wandered in from the bar.

Flushing, I turned back and flicked away from the pictures so he wouldn’t see. I should shoot him right now, get his irritating face off my radar. Suited me. Only I wasn’t convinced Nikita would let me live if I defied my orders, and I had to admit Dragonfly’s murky plans intrigued me.

“Go away, I’m working.”

“As it happens, so am I. And on the same thing, judging by that set-up of yours.”

He sauntered up to peer over my shoulder, and I squirmed. Scented soap, whisky, a hint of spice. Damn.

He pulled a golden hyperchip from his pocket and flipped it over his knuckles. “You’re full of surprises, Lady Curious. I’m captivated. Now move over, you’re in the way.”

“Stop calling me that. It’s Lazuli, if you must know.”

“Enchanted, Lazuli. You’re still in the way.”

I split the display contacts, and the projection vanished. I stuffed the slim set away into my thigh pocket, but didn’t step aside. “Be my guest. I’ve got what I came for.”

“By grace of my icebreaker, if I’m not mistaken. Leaving now, are you?”

He leaned past me over the neurospace, running his fingers delicately over the bio-skin, probing for the right receptor for his chip. My own skin shivered warm in sympathy, and inwardly I cursed. This was no time to get distracted.

“Dragonfly, right? The insurrection’s favorite armed robber?” No way was I asking his real name. I didn’t care. Vermin didn’t have names. “Kinda thought you’d be taller.”

He grinned, careless, but color brightened his face in the green light. “You’ve heard of me. I’m flattered.”

“Don’t be. They say it’s the vault you’re after, and that makes you either a genius or an idiot. I know which one I’m betting on.”



Cool, eh? Anyhoo... I believe I mentioned giving away some cool SF romance books?

Here's a couple I've enjoyed lately. Leave me a comment by Wednesday night (that's tomorrow!) for a chance to win an e-copy of GALACTIC INFERNO by Mel Teshco and WINTER FUSION by Anna Hackett! And of course, everyone who comments gets an entry for the Grand Poobah Prize!! of a $50 bookstore gift card.

(Shameless self-promo: You get a bonus entry if you pop over to Amazon right here and 'Like' DRAGONFLY. Just let me know in the comments. Thanks!)



GALACTIC INFERNO from Aussie author Mel Teshco.

After a killer virus, a woman thinks she's the last person left alive on earth... until the aliens arrive. Sexy aliens. With guns. Mel is a top erotic writer and I'd recommend any of her books for an intelligent hot read.






WINTER FUSION by Anna Hackett. This is a brand new release I only downloaded today!

A space trader must seduce a rival negotiator to win a new power source for his planet. The world in this one is pretty cool!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Giveaways!!

Sunday's giveaway winner is...

Maz Kane!!

Congratulations, Maz! You've won a Hot Down Under e-book short story. Let me know which one you want and 'll get it out to you real soon.

Ready for another giveaway? Course you are!

A little Amazon gift card is up for grabs at Romance Writers of the Apocalypse -- who knows? You could even buy your very own copy of DRAGONFLY :D

For a chance to win, come tell me how you'd destroy an evil Galactic Empire! Rebellion, a super-virus, alien invasion... the choices are endless.





Sunday, December 2, 2012

Dragonfly release day!!

My new romantic sci-fi adventure, DRAGONFLY, is live! I'm excited. My first ever sci-fi novel! If you love space opera, secret agents, cool gadgets, adventure, tough heroines and a splash of hot romance, this one's for you. If you're a romance reader, and you like scienc-y beta heroes? I think you'll like this this guy :)

To celebrate, I'll be having a raucous sci-fi romance party on my blog this week. There'll be champagne and canapes and waiters named Sven... well, maybe not... but I'll be giving away some cool books by my fave sf-rom authors. If Sven doesn't show up, that's his loss.

So keep an eye out for some fab giveaways in the next few days -- and check the bottom of this post for today's little bonus prize!

In case you've somehow missed me going on about it for the last few weeks:

And this assignment’s personal: Dragonfly murdered her closest friend, and she’s in no mood to show him mercy. Even getting stuck with the partner from hell—Malachite, her sociopathic ex-lover and the Empire’s most dangerous agent—can’t dampen her relish for the kill.

With Carrie’s expert weapons skills and penchant for cracking codes, insinuating herself into Dragonfly’s confidence should be easy. But is he the ruthless killer she was led to believe? Or has her precious Empire deceived her? With Malachite watching her every move, the slightest flinch in loyalty means death.

Carrie is soon racing to uncover an audacious treachery that will shock the Empire to its core … if she can stay alive for long enough to expose it.


Awesome, huh? Thanks to the folks at Momentum Books/Pan Macmillan for doing such a brilliant job!

You can buy or download free samples from Amazon US, Amazon UK, iBooks or Booki-sh. The iBooks sample is the longest.

There'll also be a PoD version (yay! paperback!) sometime soon. And DRAGONFLY is on Goodreads -- do check it out! Add it to your shelf! Shower it in love and anticipation!


Also, while I'm here: a few new shorts out today from the Hot Down Under series at my publisher, Momentum. If you're looking for some sexy shorts for $0.99 to while away a few minutes, check 'em out (and check out the cool covers -- nice, eh?)



Today's bonus prize? I'm giving away a Kindle copy of any one of these three hot little stories to one lucky commenter. For a chance to win: let's talk sci-fi romance! Do you like sci-fi romance? Why/why not? What's your favourite romantic sci-fi movie/book/tv show? 

I'll finish this giveaway on Sunday night, so jump in quick!