HOOK:
Hell-bent on revenge, Blaze is out to set the world on fire, and Valerie is the only one who can tame him. Will she pull him back from the brink or fall headlong into his dark past?
RELEASING THE DEMONS, a dark paranormal romance and the first novel in The Order of the Senary series.
Published August 19th 2015 by Soul Mate Publishing
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B013GVCC7I (sample chapters here)
RELEASING THE DEMONS
BOOK BLURB:
Blaze Knight has been through hell and back, but the nightmares aren't over yet.
Five years after Blaze was maimed by Cyrus Chimola, a powerful vampire with a penchant for torture, he’s still trying to pick up the pieces of his shattered life. As a genetically engineered mercenary with the ability to bend fire to his will and to see in infrared, Blaze’s mission is to protect what’s left of humanity. When Chimola and his crew return to the Bronx gunning for Blaze’s blood, Blaze is forced to face the demons of his past. Hell-bent on revenge, he seeks the help of Valerie Medeiros, an NYPD detective who manages to steal his heart and save his life in more ways than one.
Motivated by her sister’s gruesome death, Valerie has made it her life’s goal to bury every vampire in the ground where they belong. When she brings in Blaze Knight for suspected murder, she discovers he’s not only innocent, he isn't a man at all—he's a half-vampire hybrid working with a band of brothers for the U.S. military. Valerie has a hard time trusting anything with fangs, yet she quickly falls headlong into Blaze’s life, a life full of darkness and horror she can’t even begin to fathom. The bodies are stacking up, but Valerie can’t seem to let go of this hybrid, a beautiful monster filled with pain, rage, and passion unlike anything she's ever known.
In a world where the line between good and evil is blurred, Blaze and Valerie will find danger at every turn, risking everything they’ve come to know and love, including one another.
OFFICIAL REVIEW QUOTES:
“This is one blazing-hot read that shouldn’t be missed!” – InD’tale Magazine, November 2015
“I was hooked from the first word and I’m still reeling after the last one.” – Nerd Girl Official
“A beautiful love story which blooms out of pain and suffering.” – Travelogue of a Book Addict
“Brilliantly written, forever entertaining, and a world like no other.” – Us Girls and a Book
“This is an action packed paranormal romance not for the faint of heart.” – Paranormal Romance Authors That Rock
“A fast paced gritty story that leaves you breathless.” – Obsessed by Books
EXCERPT:
His body hardened, his heart thudding in his chest. If that wasn’t enough, the stirring low in his belly sure as hell was.
He wanted her. Badly.
And so did the leech inside him.
“Blaze?” She peered at him with concern, taking a step closer.
He snapped out of it, realizing she’d asked him something he completely missed. “Huh?”
“Do you want some coffee? Something to drink? Eat?”
Yeah, you. He swallowed his saliva, straightening. “I should get going.”
“Oh.” She tried to hide her disappointment but she was bad at it. She wants you to stay. “Where are you heading?”
“Probably home for a few hours. Rest up a bit.” And drink about a gallon of blood while thinking of you. “You know.”
Valerie set what he assumed was the bag of coffee on the counter. She took another step toward him as a wave of jasmine swept over him, tugging him in places he shouldn’t be tugged.
He took a reflexive step back. Goddamn it, he was fine. He’d been fine right up until now. What the hell just happened?
Bad idea, Blaze. Bad fucking idea to starve yourself and walk into her apartment at dusk, with that body, and that face, and those eyes, and that smell . . .
“I’ll show myself out.”
She looked entirely confused as he turned away and headed for the door. Christ, he was acting like he’d never been in a woman’s apartment before, and God knew he’d been in many. But he’d never been this hungry around a woman before—at least, not in ordinary circumstances. And he wasn’t famous for his control.
He could feel it, that ugly darkness inside him spreading through his veins, making his lips and toes tingle. The leech opened its jaws and yawned, sucking down what was left of his civility. His gums tightened, squeezing his canines, urging them to grow, to elongate.
To spring free.
“Blaze—”
He needed to get out. Now.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” he ground out, his voice a near growl. “Good night, Val.”
He slammed the door behind him and managed to stagger ten paces down the hall before his limbs stopped working. Sweat dripped down the sides of his face and trickled down his spine. His hands shook and he clenched them into fists. He stood there, chest heaving, heart pounding, fangs pulsing, cock throbbing. He closed his eyes and lifted his face toward the ceiling, trying to wrestle the monster down, trying to beat it back into submission.
But it was already too late.
Through the din in his head, Blaze heard a door click behind him, disengaging from its frame. It creaked open slowly as jasmine slithered through the hallway toward him, rising up and striking at his senses, delivering the final blow. He craned his neck and spotted her.
Valerie’s blond hair fell in a curtain as she peeked out, looking for him. Her eyes widened when she found him, still standing in the corridor, and she quickly retreated.
“Sorry,” she murmured, but before she could close the door, he was already there, his hand propped against it.
She looked at him in pleasant surprise. “Blaze, I—”
He didn’t give her a chance to finish. He seized her mouth with his before he slammed the door behind him and locked it shut.
My Review
Holy hawtness batman!! Ok so let me start by saying how freaking pumped up that vampires are the bad guys. Lol hybrids are cool but the vampers get dead in here. I'm only missing my werewolf to make it a perfect 10! This author has created a very very cool reality of vampires coming out into the world. I will not tell you what Blaze and his brothers are because the suspense and mystery of finding out was definitely a great part of reading this. I will tell you that I'm going to beg the author to gimme one of those brothers... Maybe Dax or Kaj... They are some kind of yummy! And I will say I loved the blooming relationship between Blaze and Val and it was done fantastically as they were both tortured but in different ways. And the plot just kept getting better and better!!
So Blaze and Val are first in opposite teams, until they aren't. They are searching for the same killer but it takes a bit to get there. Blaze is being framed by the killer and Val is investigating it. I loved both of their characters and I loved how they grew together but still had their own separate wants and needs. No instant love though attraction was there. I loved meeting the brothers and I seriously look forward to more books about them in the future! I also loved to hate the bad guys and I liked little sneak peeks into their side of things to shed more light on the happenings. Oh and trust me, the author put extra care into her complex villains and you'll hate them- I did!
I loved the writing- it's flawless,
Kept me on the edge of my seat and had me riveted to the pages! I am in love with the world the author built and I really really can't wait to see what she's going to come up with next for her series!! I am definitely a fan from here on out-and I'll give up something to steal a brother :) lol 5 FIERY PAWS!!!
Author Interview
First, tell me a little about your book and why you wanted to write this particular story…
First, I want to thank you for having me on your blog, Maghon! I’m honored to be here. :D
This entire series has been in my head for a very long time. I used to participate in roleplaying games in high school and college (yep, total geekery) and I frequently created character profiles. My boys for the Order of the Senary popped up in a slightly different manner then, but the overall gist was the same—six genetically engineered half-vampire mercenaries created by the U.S. military to take out vampires in a pseudo-post apocalyptic NYC. Each of these fellas has their own superpower(s) due the dramatic side effects of species hybridization with both physical and mental manifestations. I love stories with some element of romance in them so I had to hook each of these fellas up with a special lady, and my muse pretty much took off with the idea and ran with it.
I wrote RELEASING THE DEMONS in its entirety while in medical school. Many of the traumas the hero in RtD goes through were inspired by my one-month stint rotating through a locked psych ward at a major New York hospital. During that time, I heard so many horrific real-life experiences and I couldn’t shake the need to channel them through my writing. There’s a recurrent theme throughout the series where at least one character, hero or heroine, is suffering and desperately trying to find their own HEA, whether they’re aware of it or not. These are my favorite types of stories to read, so naturally, I love to write them. :)
Telling stories is in my blood. The first “book” I wrote was on a typewriter at ten years old and it was called THE SECRET DOOR. It was about fifteen pages long and starred a haunted house that held a portal to another dimension. Even at ten, I was obsessed with the paranormal, and I haven’t stopped writing since!
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
I draw my writing inspiration from pretty much every aspect of my life and the lives of the people I’ve met. I grew up poor, and like many young adults, I had a rebellious little stint in high school and college, partying a lot and hitting the club scene. There were so many times where I felt like I was teetering on the edge, but I always managed to drag myself back onto the right side of the street. When I met my husband, the straightest arrow in the quiver (ha!), he whipped me into shape. I ended up in medical school, and now residency, which brought its own set of crazy experiences (dissecting a cadaver, coding multiple people, delivering six babies, operating on massive traumas and harvesting organs to name a few). Granted, I don’t write medical suspense (I get enough medicine on a daily basis as it is) but all of these moments somehow end up infiltrating my work in some way, shape or form.
Out of all the characters in your book, who is your favorite to write? There’s always a fan favorite to read about but sometimes it’s the side characters that are the most fun
I gotta admit, I love writing Rome, the eldest brother of the group. He’s just so dark, all-knowing, and mysterious, and he loves his brothers more than anything in the world. I have so much planned for him in the future and I’m just squirming to get it out there!
I also love writing Dax because he finds humor in the darkest of times and he often breaks up the tension between the guys. He’s also sexy as hell, so how could I not? ;)
To be quite honest, I really love writing them all. They’re all so very different and it’s fun changing from one personality to another.
Is your book part of a series, and if so, how many will there be?
I have seven books planned for this series, one for each hybrid, including the “good” vampire, Jon. I wish I could write them all instantly and share them with you, but alas, my husband would like some attention at some point. :P
What are you working on now?
The second book in the series (Jon’s book), BLACK BULLET, is completed and currently undergoing revision. The third book (Dax’s book), BEAUTIFUL LIAR, is half-written. BLACK BULLET is darker than RtD, and it involves Jon experiencing possession, recurrent nightmares, and fighting off the demon inside him, all while trying to save an alcoholic empath on a suicide mission to kill a monster who emotionally and physically ruined her. BEAUTIFUL LIAR takes a more erotic turn and involves Dax ending up literally addicted to the heroine whom he can’t have (at least not without damaging the relationships with those he loves most).
How do you chose when/which characters die in your books?
I wish this didn’t sound so cliché, but it just sorta happens, LOL. Sometimes I plan for characters to die, like the villains in RtD for example, but other times it just hits me and I’m like, “ wow I have to kill this person” because of such and such a reason. Those are usually the most traumatic deaths, but they’re a necessary evil for the hero and/or heroine to end up where they need to be.
Who do you look up to as a writer?
I adore almost every book by Stephen King. No matter what horror or absurdity he comes up with, I completely fall in love with his stories and his characters. He is the master at finding that special thread of connection inside you and plucking it from your bleeding heart.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your book?
Nope, absolutely nothing!
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Being a doctor certainly doesn’t help, LOL. I’m a hardcore weekend (or rather, day off) and vacation warrior and sometimes I’m able to steal short periods of time during the workweek. You just gotta MAKE the time. Carve it out from your busy life and give it the attention it deserves, just like you would with anything else that’s important to you (like hubby, for instance!).
Who designed the cover? And do you help with them?
Fiona Jayde designed my fabulous cover! My publisher (Soul Mate Publishing) asked me to fill out a form describing the characters along with any ideas or thoughts I had for the cover. Fiona did an excellent job of combining my suggestions with her own talent. I’m definitely happy with the result—it gives you that dark, gritty vibe I was aiming for.
If you could be one of your characters, who would you chose?
My characters are usually so damaged that I’d never want to be in their shoes or experience what they went through, LOL. So I wouldn’t choose any!
We all love Supernatural, so which Winchester brother is for you?
Dean Winchester, all the way! I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE him. See? Damaged characters. ;)
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I say this in my acknowledgments, but I just want to thank all of my readers for picking up my book and taking a trip through the crazy, dark world I’ve created. I hope they enjoyed reading Blaze and Valerie’s journey as much as I enjoyed writing it. :)
This or that...
- Coffee addict?
Oh yeah! I drink about 32 oz of coffee a day, for realsies, LOL.
- What’s your favorite alcoholic beverage?
Red wine. My current favorite is CARNIVOR cabernet sauvignon. ;)
- Favorite Food?
Wow, that’s a toughie! I’d have to say French fries. Once I start eating them, I can’t stop, so I have to try my mightiest to stay away from them.
- If you had to chose Coffee or Chocolate? –don’t laugh, I don’t like chocolate so it’s quite easy for me, but a LOT of people NEED both LOL
I love them both, but I definitely love coffee more (I know, sinful, haha).
- Beach or mountains?
Definitely the beach. I find the ocean healing and definitely soothing after a long day.
- Winter or summer?
Fall? LOL, I’d rather have summer over winter, but my favorite season is Fall.
- Vampires or werewolves?
Vampires, of course! But I do love me some werewolves. I just imagine vampires as dark, dangerous and super intelligent. Who doesn’t love that? And who needs sunlight, anyway? ;)
- Cold or hot?
Warm? Haha! Okay I’d rather be cold than hot. It’s easier to warm up than to cool off for sure.
- Favorite color?
Black, hands down (omg, I sound like such a stereotype).
- Night or day?
Night, most definitely (stereotype, haha!). Don’t get me wrong, I love sitting in my sunroom and basking in the daylight every once in awhile, but I definitely feel more alive and energized at night (which doesn’t help with sleep, LOL).
- Moonlight or sunlight?
Moonlight, for the same reasons as night. ;) Also, moonlight doesn’t blind you or cause cancer, haha!
- Bad boy or good guy next door?
In fiction, both for different reasons, depending on my mood. ;) In real life, the good guy next door without a doubt. I have one of those and he’s the best thing that’s ever happened me. :D
Ok, that’s enough! LOL thanks so much for coming visit me, and thanks so much, for doing this with us! I appreciate it and I look forward to the next time!
BIO:
L.D. Rose is a neurotic physician by day, crazed writer by night, and all around wannabe superhero. She writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy, but she’s been known to delve into horror, sci-fi, and medical suspense on occasion. L.D. Rose is a member of the RWA, FF&P, NEC-RWA and CoLoNY. She currently lives in Rhode Island with her studly hubby, her hyperactive boxer, and her two devious cats.
Where to find her:
Website: writerldrose.com
Facebook: facebook.com/writerldrose
Author page: facebook.com/ldroseauthorpage
Twitter: twitter.com/ld_rose
Goodreads: goodreads.com/ldrose
Pinterest: pinterest.com/writerldrose
Tumblr: writerdoc.tumblr.com
