Take 2! Time flies and not always when you're having fun. I lost my mom in Nov.'09 and was diagnose with breast cancer six weeks later. In an effort to bring some joy into my life, my husband agreed that a puppy was what the doctor ordered. In July of '10 we brought Shadow Luna home. She is a blessing. See above photo^

I'm not sure why I'm writing this. I suppose since I let my website go I wanted someplace for folks to be able to come and check out what's been going on. (Yes, I mean you two!) I've written two books since Blood Pool, but haven't found a home for either yet. Life became hectic when I was going to search for a publisher. I'm toying with the idea of another book in the Angelica Kane series, but we'll see...writing can be like a bad relationship and I'm not sure if I'm up for it--or if it's meant to be. For now I'm just trying to find a "new" normal.

Funny-today is the one year anniversary of my surgery that made me cancer free.

I haven't done a teaser this week due to the fact that I have no clue what WIP I want to focus on. There are approximately four to chose from. The weather has been fantastic for writing--all gray and gloomy--yet I cannot get motivated. Probably when the sun comes out I will be flooded with inspiration. Go figure.

In a perfect world, an ass-whooping would be at the expense of your enemy. Nicholas’s lips sponsored tonight’s foray into “Fists Gone Wild”. The beating was courtesy of his pal, Dex.
“I’m warning you, Nick. Knock it off,” Dex uttered.
“Or what? You know what they say about you?”
“I’ll knock your pearly whites down your throat.”
“You and what…”
Dex slammed his fist and connected with Nicholas’s face. Had Nicholas not gotten into the bottle of ambrosia, his reflexes would have been better. If he’d stayed away from the booze, he wouldn’t have made such a stupid crack to his friend.
Nicholas was also too drunk to realize he should’ve stayed down. He had been a glutton for punishment since he was a little boy. A scrapper, his mother called him. Others just called him a masochist.
“You motherfu…”
Another connection between Dex’s fist and Nicholas’s face was made.
“You’re just pissed about Noelle. I had nothing to do with that,” Dex explained.
“Enough!”
Nicholas recognized that voice. It was Skyler.
“Nick. Get the fuck out of here before I kick your ass.”
He tried to grab the bottle of ambrosia, but Skyler was faster and sober. Nicholas mumbled a few obscenities, headed for his new car, and took off to the bar.
As soon as he walked into the club that night, Nicholas realized he should have taken a table in the secluded VIP section. Instead, he sat at the bar. He wasn’t feeling very social. His body ached to either beat the shit out of someone, or have the shit beaten out of him, again. Through his ambrosia haze, he wondered about these feelings. They were happening more frequently, along with a sudden rash, which would sometimes cover his whole body. A new and odd reaction he suffered from. It first happened when the Almighty forbade him to see Noelle. His skin turned lobster red, like humans after a day in the sun.
The Almighty was the queen bitch in charge. She oversaw all of the angels in the particular hierarchy known as the Brotherhood of Light. Her other job description included watching over the humans and fucking with Nicholas. And the best way to get at Nicholas was to take away his rights as Noelle Spencer’s guardian. In addition to making his skin turn red, that decision made his blood boil.

Teaser from Devil's Angel. Scene when female MC meets the angels of the hierarchy. Nicholas is her protector.

When she stepped out of the shower stall, Nicholas was there. He stood lazily resting his hip against the countertop, watching her as she wrapped the towel around her slender body. He wanted to kiss those plump breasts before she tucked them away behind the cotton towel.
This sensation was odd for him; he wanted to make love to her. Before, the act of sex was more to unwind—a release—the feeling he was experiencing now was a…yearning. What a sap I am.

She smiled. His heart melted. “You’re back,” she said.
“Yeah. I had a meeting with my friend, Luc. We need to talk, Noelle.”

He noted her face lost all its color. Apparently, those words struck fear in everyone’s heart, angel and human alike. She nodded, grabbing a robe from the back of the door and swung it around her shoulders. She cinched it at the waist and headed back to the bedroom.

He kept walking. “In here, peanut.”

Lucifer stood as did Michael, Dex and Skyler, in the hotel room.
She stopped in her tracks as she stared at the enormous men in her room. All radiated an aura of power, yet kindness. Every one except the redhead.
Menace oozed from him; he looked like an ancient Celtic warrior. He stood, leaning against the arch between her bedroom and the living room area. Nicholas led her to what appeared to be a normal man. Normal except for the fact he wore a cowboy hat, silk shirt and leather pants.

“Noelle, this is Luc…Lucifer.”
The Devil extended his hand and removed his hat with the other. Noelle simply stared at him, her eyes unblinking. He retracted his hand. “I get that a lot. No biggie.” His irises shone like two obsidian orbs, intense.
Her hands trembled at her sides. “Y-you’re t-the L-Lucifer?” she sputtered. “You’re so…tan.”
He laughed good-naturedly. “What did you expect? Red skin and scales? I can do the whole horns and a pointed tail thing, but it’s cliché and old. Am I right?”
“I-I suppose so. You’ve got a British accent, too?” She thought a moment. “Wait, I remember seeing you at the restaurant, right?”
“Yes. I was there,” Lucifer confirmed.
Nicholas jumped in. “He’s a good guy, love. Let’s make the intros first then I can try to explain.”
She nodded vigorously. “Yes, please do.”
“The mean-looking dude is Michael, the archangel.”
Michael grunted a greeting.
“The white-haired, freaky looking guy is Dex and that’s Skyler.”
“Freaky?” Dex balked.

Noelle took a step back, as if she wanted to put as much distance between herself and…them.
“Freaky, in a good way, bro,” Skyler added, patting his buddy reassuringly on the back.
“Easy for you to say, both your eyes are the same color,” Dex complained.
Nicholas took Noelle by the arm and led her shaking body over to a wing chair. “Relax. They don’t bite…Well, Michael, maybe Luc.” He watched the rest of the color drain from her face. “Kidding. I’m kidding.”

Not exactly. Nicholas knew as good as these angels were the majority were bad boys with wings. Their main priority was protecting humanity.
He gently nudged her down on the cushion. “It’s all right, eh?”
“My sincerest apologies. It’s obvious we’ve frightened you,” Lucifer said with a warm, comforting smile.
Noelle simply nodded.

“I’m sorry to say you’re in for a crash course on the behind the scenes running of the universe,” Michael said.
“Oh, is that all?” she said in a small voice.
Nicholas monitored her reactions. She’d stopped shaking, but she clutched at her robe with white knuckled tension.
“The Hierarchy of the Angelic Realms, or as we’re lovingly referred to, the Brotherhood of Light, is run by, as far as we’ve been told, the Almighty. A female Deity. Her counterpart is the demon Arcane, her brother.”

She held up her hand in a sweeping motion. “You’re telling me the one in charge of you…all… is a female Deity and she has a brother who’s a demon?”
“Exactly,” Michael said.
“You met him at the café last night,” Nicholas explained. “The one who offered you a job.” His voice was flat.
“I thought when you said the Almighty, you meant…ya know. God,” she said to Nicholas.
He patted her back and began rubbing it in a circular motion. “Just listen,” he whispered.

“There’s a lot of chatter going on, but I won’t bore you with it right now,” Michael interjected.
“An angel with a demon brother,” she muttered.
Nicholas stepped up in front of Noelle. “She’s not taking the job. Tell her Mikey. It’s a ploy.”
“Noelle, you’re not taking the job,” Michael answered matter-of-fact.
“She’s not taking the job,” Nicholas repeated.
“I heard you the first time,” Noelle said in a huff.
“Nicholas. Let Noelle hear the rest.” Calm Lucifer spoke, soothing everyones frazzled nerves.

Tuesday Teaser: This is bare bones--unedited--WIP



For the third time this week, I almost lit my little brother on fire and not on purpose. When I get mad, well, fiery things tend to happen. Some people throw temper tantrums, I throw fireballs.
My mother’s a witch. A real --spell-casting, ghost whispering, High Priestess-- witch. She’s famous too. She’s been in the papers and on TV. So, as you can imagine, it’s not easy being her daughter. Especially since I’ve somehow inherited powers far beyond hers and I’m only eighteen-years old. It started about two years ago. Fire is my element and my mom and her coven sister, Ouida, decided it’s time to help me harness this ability. Before I really hurt someone like my brother, Jake.
“I want to you to focus. Concentrate on your power center and raise the energy. Send it to that pile of leaves,” Ouida instructed, pointing to the leaves.
My mom was standing next to me, coaxing me like I was six years old and learning how to ride a bike. I focused on the anger I still had concerning my father. He’d cheated on my mom and they got divorced this past winter. It’s a long story.
“You can do it, Pookie,” my mom whispered.
My stomach churned, the heat emanated from that center and I pushed it out. I had a new respect for women going through menopause. This had to be worse than any hot flash Ouida described.
Smoke rose from last autumn’s pile of dried up maple leaves. Soon, I saw flames leap up and consume the dead leaves.
“Excellent,” Cliff applauded.
“Thanks,” I answered him aloud. Cliff’s handsome ghostly features formed out of the ethers as he gave me a thumbs up.
“Ah, I’m glad to see you’re talkin’ to the spirit,” Ouida said with a wide smile.
I shook off the residual energy and wiped the sweat from my brow. “Yeah, well, he doesn’t understand the word no.”
My mom laughed. I looked over at her. She’d been through so much these past few years. Including going up against this uber-evil murderer, Cliff, who was now dead and helping us work out some karma. Not to mention he’s working out a lot of his own debts.
You’d never know it to look my mom. In love and pregnant with—I believe—the love of her life’s baby. This will be the fifth and final installment of the Kane/Bennette clan. Or so I’m told.
“I think that’s enough training for today,” Ouida added.
“You did great, Amber,” my mom said.
“I’m my mother’s daughter.” I smiled.
I could tell Ouida was concerned for my mother. I watched as she walked over to her and the two walked inside. My mom had a miscarriage a few months back and Ouida and all my mom’s friends were extra cautious with her.
“So you did good, kiddo.”
“It seems to come easier.”
“It will.”
“What is it, Cliff? I can tell you want to talk about something.”
“Nah, it can wait.”
Then he was gone.
I walked toward the water. Our backyard was the Long Island Sound and I sat on a lounge chair. The weather was finally getting warm and before long I’d be performing my first Solstice ritual.
From the darkened corner of my mind, a sound emerged, slowly forming words. They sounded hollow, almost tinny. “I’m here, can you hear me?”
“Cliff? Is that you trying to play one of your semi-scary ghost tricks on me?”
“Please help me.”
I turned and saw there was no one around, not even my little twerp of a brother. I leaned back and closed my eyes. I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew I was in a park setting. I noticed a young man sitting alone on a bench. His hair was the color of ripened wheat and had the most beautiful eyes. They were a pale hazel-green color with flecks of burnished gold. Immediately, I realized this must be a spirit. I walked over to him.
“Hi, my name’s Amber,” I said, introducing myself.
“I know. I tried to get to talk to you before, but your friend wouldn’t let me get through.” His voice sounded intensely masculine, with a husky quality to it. I thought I detected a slight accent.
I watched his expressions as I spoke to him. He seemed lonely, and somehow scared. Maybe he’s newly crossed. “That’s his job, among other things. He’s sort of like the gatekeeper, or a spiritual bouncer. Spirits have to get his okay before they can communicate with me. I’m somewhat new to this.”
“I got that impression. I just wasn’t able to…get through to him the way I would’ve wanted to, but I knew I would be able to talk to you—directly.” His head bowed down as he stared at the ground.
He looked extremely sad as he tried to explain himself.
“You are really beautiful. I—I mean inside and out. You radiate a calm energy. I like being around you,” he shyly admitted. “Not to mention the fact I find it oddly disturbing that I can even see your energy.”
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“I can’t remember,” he said. “Another oddity.”
“How did you die?” I tried to read his energy, but he was scattered and unable to ground his energies.
“I—I don’t know,” he said with a sigh. “Am I dead?”

Okay, so, the Twitter bug hit. I'm Elladonna over on Twitter. It's a lot of fun.
Celebrated my birthday at the end of February, waiting on spring to arrive. Not much going on, waiting to see what happens with the book Devil's Angel. I love it, of course. If you're a fan of J.R.Ward you'd like it.

In the meantime, I'm doing more ghost whispering. I've done a few psychic readings parties. It's a blast. To see the expression on peoples' faces when you tell them something from their relative or friend who's passed on that you couldn't possibly know--priceless. It's nice to be able to offer comfort.

As usual, I've neglected my blog. With the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and kids getting sick, life's kept me busy. Also, I have Blood Pool coming out Feb. 9, '09 and I am querying my heart out on two other books.

Querying is like sending a resume out when you're trying to get an agent. You tell them about your book, writing experience and pray they'll be interested to ask to see more. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't even answer.

I came so close to getting an agent...and I'm still holding out hope. We talked...which is a 'big' thing, but I never received the ms back to make the changes that were requested.

I've written a new book since the above mentioned close call. It's a cross between urban fantasy and paranormal romance, called Angel's Fury. I'm really happy with it. I just hope an agent will love it as much as I do.

Stay warm.

I'm almost done with the edits for Blood Pool, due out in early February of

'09. As I reread the story of Raven and Bo, Lamai vampire and shape shifter, Raven's father still presents a strong character. Tobias Strigoi is one of those--hello, I'm here--characters. So, of course, I followed up with Blood Destiny, Tobias'story. That is a true love story.

The weather here in the northeast is cool, the leaves are changing to brilliant jewel tones of amber, smoky topaz and ruby. The big holiday is fast approaching, Samhain. We'll do our usual bon fire and ritual to remember those who've passed on. Then friends will gather and we'll welcome the trick or treaters while we enjoy good food and wonderful company.

For now, I'm back to my WIP, Last Chance.

Enjoy autumn's bounty!

I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last entry, shame on me. The muses have kept me quite productive and for that I'm grateful. Along with Every Witch Way but Dead, The Upside of Karma is due out this fall and early 2009 Blood Pool will be released.
Blood Pool is a paranormal story in a different vein. Yes, vein as in vamps. And Shape-Shifters, Fae, Wizards and Witches. The fourth novel and my current WIP is a sort of prequel to Blood Pool. There will be more on Blood Pool as the release date gets closer, for now The Upside of Karma continues with the story of Angelica Kane and the Sisters of the Sea coven. It has been great fun writing what I call the 'sexy sorceress stories'. Alas, I may have to say farewell to Angelica. My publisher has decided to focus on romance novels only and Angelica has always had a large dose of mystery.
I know she has many more adventures to experience, and she could find another home with another publishing house. Only time will tell, but for now, I'm kept busy with seductive, brooding vampires. I can deal with that!

I apologize in advance if I’m absent.
I’m back in the zone..working on the third installment of the Sexy Sorceress, Angelica Kane.
With Blood Pool completed, my third novel, I’m now back with Angelica and her romantic romps with her sexy stud.
I guarantee an enchanting journey, full of twists and turns with Every Witch Way but Dead and continues in The Upside of Karma. I hope people enjoy reading Angelica's stories as much as I enjoy writing them.
I will try and keep the blog updated, it all depends on the muses.
BB
Ella