Touring the Sanctuary Fire Department...

It's here! It's here!

Today is release day for Trust in Sanctuary, My contribution to the Sanctuary, Montana collection. I had so much fun writing this book. It's very inspirational writing a story in the middle of a world that has been created by five great minds. It kind of took me back to my RPG days where I first cut my literary teeth. 

I used to write fan fic based on Laurel K Hamilton's Anita Blake books with a bunch of other people on a couple of websites. We didn't use her characters, we created our own, but followed the paranormal "rules" LKH had created in her books. Writing is a very solitary job and I had forgotten how much fun it was to collaborate on a larger story arc while maintaining my own characters and balancing a smaller arc.

http://www.bookstrand.com/trust-in-sanctuary

Trust in Sanctuary is one of my favourite books I've written and it certainly is the longest at a shade under 60K. These characters walked into my brain and started chatting away. It took everything I had to keep my fingers up to them. 

In this book I introduced Matt and Eric Baldwin,  cousins who work at the SFD. They were born within hours of each other and are more like brothers than cousins. They never thought they'd meet a woman in Sanctuary who would fit perfectly between them, until Dr. Jocelyn Richards came to town.

Jocelyn Richards has been hired to find out the truth behind the white hot feud that burns between the McLean and Baldwin families. She finds herself in the middle of a conflict of interest when she is pursued and romanced by two Baldwin men.

Trouble is they don't know the true reason she is in town. What if she finds out information that points at their family is at fault? You can see what a muddle that could put her in.

I don't want to tell any more and spoil the book but the three of them end up in the middle of the feud as it lights up hotter than ever.

It was easy to fall in love with Sanctuary and I have to admit that there are a couple of other men in the fire department that are whispering in my ear and asking for their story to be told. I'm tempted to take a vacation in Sanctuary again one day and visit with them.

What do you think? As a reader, would you want to visit Sanctuary again once this series is over? 

To celebrate today's release I'm giving away $10 in Strandbucks and a single Ebook from my backlist (winner's choice)! Everyone who comments below will have their name put in a draw. I'll pick 1 winner Saturday night after the last Sanctuary book has been released!

Also don't forget to go and visit Sable Hunter's blog for a chance at more prizes!! Click on the BlogHop picture after you comment below.

Good Luck! :)

Welcome Lointii Holender!

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CHERISHED 1: EXILE

Declan Graham is a skeptic. He's a driven man with a logical mindset that leaves no room for the belief in ghosts, spirits, or things that go bump in the dark. Much to his dismay, a loss of employment leads him to move back to his kooky New England hometown, a place filled with people who believe in all things supernatural and where everyone seems to have a secret. On top of it all, his neighbor is the son of a Norse god.

Within twenty-four hours of meeting the demi-god Finn Bryant, Declan’s understanding of the world turns upside down, and he finds himself face-to-face with the superstitions he has tried to escape from over the span of his adult life. Filled with a mysterious and enigmatic hunk, passionate love, and the threat of certain death, the strange town of Cherish will put Declan through a gauntlet of turmoil that leads up to a final realization that may just be enough to unravel his very sanity.

STORY EXCERPT

 “You have to be shitting me. Excuse my language, but that is the biggest lie I have ever heard. I heard the rumors about all the women that want you in town,” Declan sputtered about before his brain could even think to stop those words.

Finn simply laughed in that carefree kind of way and went about fixing his plate. If it was one thing the other had beyond good looks and an obvious sense of humor, it was an appetite. He watched on in awe, yet again at his neighbor, as he piled his plate high. He couldn’t say that he didn’t understand, for the man looked like a sheer powerhouse of physical prowess and well-defined muscle. By the time he sat the brown dish back in front of him, Declan couldn’t even see a single bit of the plate’s visible surface for the sheer amount of food that was on it. He in turn fixed his own serving, but it was one that hardly matched Finn’s in volume.

“It’s the truth. I’m not exactly attracted to women. Cherish doesn’t have a huge populace under the age of forty-five to pick from beyond that,” he said.

“Or the sane,” Declan offered.

They both broke out into earnest laughter.

Finn swallowed and washed down a bite of pork with his wine. Declan picked at his plate sparingly. He was far more entranced in his company than he was in the delicious meal his mother made them. Finn leveled his gaze at him while he speared another stem of asparagus onto his fork.

“I guess you don’t buy into the whole supernatural thing, huh? That was one of the first things I noticed about Cherish. Everyone seems to have their own belief system, and they are as far-branching and diverse as the next. It’s a welcoming kind of community like that, I guess. No one is forced to believe any one thing,” Finn said.

He shrugged his shoulders. “It’s hard enough growing up with the struggle of sexuality, the uncertainty of the future, and the need to fit in. All my life, until I moved to California, I watched as the people around me put their faith blindly in a world that doesn’t exist. Vampires, werewolves, ghosts…it’s all just a bunch of nonsense, like the tooth fairy is for children. It gives us some hope in a life after death, when all we really have is this fleeting moment. Where was a guardian angel when my dad lost the fight to stage-four cancer?”

Finn frowned heavily at him and volleyed him a look that appeared laden with genuine concern.

The rest of their meal went by with idle chatter. Time passed more quickly than he would have liked to admit. They discussed what exactly Finn did for work as a private contractor, the spiritual group his mother ran, and their dreams and aspirations for later in life. Declan was surprised at how easy he was to talk to. For the first time in a long time, he simply let his guard down and let someone in. He wasn’t disappointed either. Finn was as kind as he was a good listener. There was something about the other that made him feel perfectly at ease. While there was definite attraction there, they were able to simply get to know one another through the rest of dinner, which was a nice change of pace.

The hours seemed to pass like minutes in Finn’s company. Declan was able to laugh and joke with him in a way that he hadn’t found ever before. They flirted back and forth, enjoyed some witty banter, and ended up breaking into a new bottle of wine. He wasn’t sure if it was the buzz of the red wine or the elation of having company that actually stimulated him intellectually, but Declan was having a ball. He’d have to remember to thank his mother in the morning for the chance to meet someone as delightful as Finn. He could see what all the other women in Cherish must have spotted in the man—a caring individual that was as attractive on the inside as he was the outside. He felt himself heavily attracted to the man, both physically and emotionally. It startled Declan to recognize such a thing and he withdrew a little. The last thing he wanted to do was to get his heart broken again by a handsome man with a silver tongue.

Declan put away the leftovers, cleared their plates, and poured them another glass of wine. His mother had made them a small cheesecake to share for dessert, which he pulled out and sat upon the counter. He had turned away from Finn to get a knife out of the drawer reserved for cutlery when he felt the heat of another body slide up behind him. Declan felt every muscle in his body tense with the closeness of the man he was so attracted to. There was the pass of lips against the exposed back of his neck, between his messy hairline and the collar of his sweater. It was pure instinct to lean back into the warmth of the hard dominant body behind of him, even if his heartbeat thudded away a million miles an hour in his chest

“I’ve been waiting to do that all night,” Finn murmured heavily before he trailed just the tip of his pink tongue against the back of his neck.

ADULT EXCERPT

Finn’s voice was husky and full of craving when he uttered a single command. “Undress.”

He was in no position to resist such a command, nor did he have the slightest inclination to deny Finn what he wanted. He was sure there was a dazed hunger that showed in his eyes. Declan toed out of his shoes, taking a moment to kick each to the side as he went. He fumbled anxiously with the belt buckle of his pants thanks to his trembling hands. The weight of the demigod’s gaze was heavy upon him, bathing him in the erotic fervor of longing. He breathed in with a shallow gasp. Finn’s desire was an intense pulsation upon his skin. Within moments he stepped out of pants, boxers, and socks. Tentatively, his gaze lifted from the ground to meet his god’s. What would it feel like to have his cock pulsating inside of him? He hoped he would find the answer to that question soon.

“Finn,” he murmured, his voice audibly breathy. “I…I want you…”

Declan could tell there was an instant reaction within the other’s body to those words. Finn growled with primal dominance and yanked down his briefs. His muscles coiled with the need to touch the monstrous phallus exposed to him. From within a downy bed of neatly trimmed blond curls, the thick base of his cock jutted out proudly. It curved slightly upward and visibly pulsed with every hard beat of his heart. Declan sucked an unsure breath in. The only person he had ever been sexually active with was Alex and he hardly held a candle to the easy nine inches pointed right at him.

“Touch me,” Finn commanded, and any sense of insecurity fled from his mind.

With a hesitant lift of his hand and a flush across his cheeks, Declan slowly curled his fingers about the extensive scope of his base. He heard a growl escape him and he was sure the other enjoyed his shy exploration. Declan grew brave with the comfort that he was in a safe and loving environment. He gave a slow flick of his wrist upward and pumped his fist about the almost granite flesh. Again, he touched him, grazing his fingers up along his sensitive underside where his swollen glans lay. Declan clenched his fingers gently in surprise when he felt the favor returned by Finn’s hand. His touch was as soft as velvet and made his tip weep clear gems of preseminal fluid down the underside of his shaft.

He couldn’t stand it anymore. He had to have Finn. He tried to tell himself to go slow and easy, not to rush things. That was thrown out the window as soon as he felt the other throbbing in the palm of his hand. Gently he pulled back from the other male’s grasp and backed up onto the stairs. Without the desire to try and make it to the bedroom, he decided to let Finn have him right there. Sure, the staircase wasn’t the most seductive place, but they would have all night to dabble in true seduction. Right now, there was a pressing urgency to consummate this feeling they shared. Declan lay back on the staircase with his rump on one stair, his back arched upon the same his elbows rested upon.

He spread his thighs and gave Finn a clear view of what he had to offer. The other male growled out again, but this time it was a deeper and more gravel tone. He lacked any sign of hesitation when he stepped forward to kneel on the stair below his ass, in between his thighs. Those strong hands scooped his legs up just beneath the joint of his knees and spread them wide. Declan sensed a blush rise to his cheeks at how exposed he was, but since it was for Finn, he didn’t mind too much.

“Be gentle, will you? You’re bigger than I ever had,” he admitted.

Finn’s brows pinched together and there was a flash of an animalistic expression across his visage. “I’ll be gentle and slow at first… You’re mine now, Declan. I have no intention of letting you know any other cock than mine for the rest of your days,” he purred, words dripping with possessive dominance.

“I’d have it no other way,” he breathlessly whispered.

MORE BOOKS BY LEONTII HOLENDER

A Week in Sanctuary, Montana!

12 Determined Heroes

6 Steamy Love Stories

1 Family Feud That Could Destroy Everything.

 New Collection from Bestselling Authors:

LARA VALENTINE | ALICIA WHITE | MELODY SNOW MONROE

CORINNE DAVIES | JANE JAMISON | ZARA CHASE

Enter for a Chance to Win All 6 Books in the Sanctuary, Montana Series!!

October 21, 2013

SANCTUARY IN SUBMISSION

By Lara Valentine

www.bookstrand.com/sanctuary-in-submission

Six lucky women will find out that when men fight hard, they love even harder.

Aubrey Maxwell has had it with her men, Noah and Riley McLean. They’ve made promise after promise and broken every one.  She has no choice but to lay down the law and hope they toe the line.

Noah and Riley know they’ve screwed up, but they love Aubrey with all their hearts. It’s time to cowboy up and act like men. Old habits die hard, however, and soon they’re back in the dog house begging for forgiveness.

When Aubrey’s threatened by an admirer, keeping her safe becomes paramount. She’s not thrilled they’ve swept in and taken over her life, but they’re not taking no for an answer. Aubrey wants to believe her men will be there when she needs them, but she’s been burned so many times. It’s going to take a miracle to get her to trust them again.

October 22, 2013

FINDING SANCTUARY

By Alicia White

www.bookstrand.com/finding-sanctuary

Sophie Miller has lost hope.

She’s on the run from her violent ex-husband with her thirteen year old daughter, Alice.  They end up heading to Sanctuary, Montana hoping that her ex won’t be able to find them. With money tight and feeling uncertain about the future, Sophie turns to the only person in town she knows and trusts… her cousin. 

Mason and Alex McLean come from a wealthy family.

When Mason spots Sophie and Alice at the grocery store in town his protective instincts surface. There is just something about the sad woman that calls to him. Becoming her hero is easy, Mason does everything is his power to turn her frown into a smile, even offering her a job at his ranch.

Will Sophie be able to let go of the pain from her past? Will she ever be able to trust and love again or will her ex-husband run her out of another town.

October 23, 2013

PLEASURE IN SANCTUARY

By Melody Snow Monroe

www.bookstrand.com/pleasure-in-sanctuary

Six lucky women find out that when men fight hard, they love even harder. 

When veterinarian, Dr. Hailey Hunter, takes a two-week stint in Sanctuary, Montana, she never expects to meet the men of her dreams. Ranch owner, Jackson Baldwin, not only is to die for sexy, he’s a man in control—that is until he finds out his father has cancer and his roommate, Tanner Crenshaw, has a thirteen-year-old son he just learned about.

Tanner is shocked to learn he has a son, but he’s determined to raise him and love him. Because the boy’s mother just died, the eleven-year-old attaches himself to Hailey. While she adores the boy, when her stint is up, she must find a full-time job as she has college loans to pay off. When she’s offered a job in another state, all hell breaks loose in Sanctuary, and she’s torn between earning money and being with the men she loves. 

October 24, 2013

TRUST IN SANCTUARY

By Corinne Davies

www.bookstrand.com/trust-in-sanctuary

 As a forensic genealogist, Jocelyn Richards spends all her time delving into other family’s histories as a way to avoid dealing with her own. She’s quietly hired to find the information needed to put an end to a centuries old feud between the Baldwins and McLeans but never expected to find her future while investigating the past.  

Eric and Matt Baldwin are cousins, who have grown up like brothers. Life in the fire department hasn't been risk free. After an accident that almost claimed Eric’s life, they both moved back to their home town to build a future and train a new generation of firefighters.

Matt grew up with the firm belief in love at first sight. When they meet a woman in town to do research on a book, Eric is tempted to believe it too. But, there are more secrets to Jocelyn Richards then he first believes and when the feud flares to life again she is caught in the middle.  Will the history behind a centuries old feud drive them apart before they can create a future?

October 25, 2013

SPLENDOR IN SANCTUARY

By Jane Jamison

www.bookstrand.com/splendor-in-sanctuary

 Six lucky women find out that when men fight hard, they love even harder.

Tatum Baldwin has loved Josh and Will McLean since high school. But the feud between the Baldwins and the McLeans means they’re off limits. When the McLean men come back into town, Tatum’s ready to make the move and claim them as her own. But what if her family finds out?

Will and Josh McLean are tired of sneaking around to be with Tatum. Yet family and the feud make it hard to go public. Just as they’ve finally convinced Tatum to take the risk, an unexpected discovery throws their world and their families into turmoil.

Will they keep their secret? But secrets have a way of coming out, especially when they’re buried in treasure.

October 26, 2013

SECRETS IN SANCTUARY

By Zara Chase

www.bookstrand.com/secrets-in-sanctuary

Farah McLean is driven from Sanctuary, Montana, by the dispute that has raged for years between her family and the Baldwins, keeping her from the love of her life, Drew Baldwin.

A detective in nearby Billings, she returns home, having been shot in the line of duty, to find Drew is also back in Sanctuary, along with his buddy Isaac Kincaid. When she discovers that Drew left Sanctuary because of his feelings for her, their love for one another can no longer be suppressed.

Drew and Isaac share everything—including Farah—but their relationship can’t go anywhere without destroying their families, unless…with time and determination on her side, Farah uses her detection skills to delve into the origins of the dispute.

Will she be successful, and will the stubborn patriarchs of the two clans accept her findings, even if she is…

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Welcome Valerie Twombly!!

valerietwombly@gmail.com

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As a child, Valerie would often get into trouble for peeking at her mother’s favorite TV show, Dark Shadows. She can still hear her mother saying “It will give you nightmares.” She was right of course, but that did not stop Valerie from watching. As an adult, her love of the fanged creatures never waned. She would watch any vampire movie she could find.

Being a true romantic, Valerie was thrilled when she discovered the genre of paranormal romance. Her first read was one of Lara Adrian’s, Midnight Breed Series and from there she was hooked.

Today, Valerie has decided to take her darker, sensual side and put it to paper. When she is not busy creating a world full of steamy, hot men and strong, seductive women, she juggles her time between a full-time job, hubby and her two German shepherd dogs, in Northern IL.

IMMORTAL GUARDIANS: ETERNAL FLAME

Available from Resplendence Publishing

A woman he cannot have, a man who is only a dream.

When guardian Marcus Dagotto, discovers the Gods have gifted him with a mate, he is pissed. He has no room for love and even less for a human who has no idea he exists.

Cassandra Jensen, has a shattered heart and has given up on men. Only one man can set her body on fire, but he is a fantasy that haunts her sleep.

Two worlds, one desire.

When the two collide, fate will rip them apart and test their resolve. Will darkness and evil prevail? Or, will love conquer all?

EXCERPT

She glanced at the clock, it was one a.m. But the last thing she wanted to do was sleep. She set her glass down and moved off the couch. “I’m not tired.” She reached for his hand and dug for her courage. She had a feeling he didn’t want to leave. “Kiss me.”

He pulled her close and ran his fingers down her cheek. He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. Gently, he nibbled her bottom lip, coaxing her mouth open with his tongue. She parted her lips, he took full advantage, pressed his way deeper into her mouth, held the kiss before he broke away.

She opened her eyes and let out a sigh. “You’re a good kisser, Marcus.” She leaned into him and pressed her body against his. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him to her, and their lips came together. Her tongue did a deliberate slow dance across his, making him moan. Her core turned to lava, the heat almost too much to bear.

He pushed her away. “Cassie. I could stand here and kiss you all night, but I’d better go before I make an ass of myself and you end up hating me.”

She reached for his hand, knowing what his aim was. “Why do you think I would end up hating you?” She worried it might be the other way around. Would he think her a wanton woman? She tried to cap her desire, but the need to live what happened in her dreams overruled her common sense.

“I will not lie. I believe in the truth, always. I want you. I want to lie you on the bed and make passionate love to you until neither of us can move.”

“Then what’s stopping you?” she whispered.

“Love, did I hear you correctly?” Disbelief was written on his face.

She gazed into his stormy eyes. “I will admit, I’m not the type who sleeps with a man on the first date.” She looked down at his chest. “Hell, not even the second or third.” Her eyes moved back up to meet his. “I can’t say what it is, this connection I feel. I just know I need you.”

He pulled her close, his mouth crushing hers. Their tongues glided across each other in a play for dominance. Her nipples hardened and strained against the fabric of her dress. With only the thin layer of material between them, she felt his cock harden.

She pulled away and gasped for air as she led him to the darkened bedroom. Her courage wavered for a moment. She’d come this far, there would be no stopping now. She didn’t want to stop.

“Marcus, I don’t know how to explain it. I trust you, and to be honest, your touch sets me on fire. I need you, but if this isn’t what you want, then I’ll understand.” She held her breath and waited for his reaction.

He traced a finger along her cheek. “There’s no way in hell I’m leaving now, unless of course, you toss me on the street.”

She reached for his shirt, her fingers trembling as she loosened the first button. He grabbed her wrists. “If at any time you want to stop, tell me.”

Her head shook and continued with the buttons until they were completely undone. She pushed the shirt past his shoulders and onto the floor. Breath escaped her lungs when the moonlight filtered in the windows and danced across his chest. He was remarkable, better than her dreams.

He removed the clip that held her hair. Her chestnut curls spilled around her shoulders. He moaned when his fingers ran through the silky mass. The dress became a second skin, and she was ready to be rid of it, but before she could make a move, he reached behind her neck and untied the halter. The dress fell to her waist, exposing her bare breasts. His eyes became drunk with desire. He tipped his head down and ran his tongue over her nipple, causing it to pebble. God, she had almost come undone right there.

“You have too many clothes on,” she said, reaching for the button on his pants.

He moved off her breast, and she cried out from the ache he left behind. “I could say the same for you, love.” He kicked off his boots while she dropped her dress to the floor. She was left standing in a red thong and black heels. There would be no turning back now.

Grabbing the waistband of his pants, she yanked them to the floor, and his erection sprung free. Her tongue traced her lips, desperate to savor him. He was much bigger than she had experienced, but that only heightened her arousal. She dropped to her knees and ran her tongue over the tip of his shaft. He tasted of salt and seduction. He wrapped a fist in her hair and groaned. She sucked him in, taking every inch. Drunk by the pleasure she gave him.

He threw his head back. “Oh gods, Cassie, you feel so good. Don’t stop.”

As if she could. No, she was a woman possessed, determined to take him over the edge. At this moment, she wanted nothing more than to make him scream her name.

BEHIND THE SCENES

1.      Is there a word or phrase you catch yourself overusing?

My husband tells me I swear like a sailor. I use the word “fuck” often, so needless to say some of my characters are pretty colorful.

2.      How do you know you’ve written a good book?

I have critique partners and beta readers. I count on them to tell me if something works or not. I would be truly lost without these wonderful ladies. I can honestly say, they are real ego boosters and if not for them, I’m not sure I would ever think my work good enough to publish.

3.      How do you keep your characters and stories organized?

I use Microsoft OneNote. I have a page for each character with their description and a picture. I have pages for general themes and ideas. I can’t tell you how many times I have to refer back to these pages. *I also love looking at the sexy men* Oops, did I say that out loud?

4.      Are you a Swooper (write first, edit later,) a Basher (edit each sentence as you go,) or both?

I swoop. I learned early on that editing as I went took the steam out of my writing and caused me to lose my muse. I will go back and read/edit if I get to a point where I’m stuck. This helps me come up with fresh ideas and I can then go back and pick up where I left off.

5.      What is the one thing you must have to be able to write?

I need quiet, I am easily distracted.

6.      Did you have any bad habits when you began writing? How did you correct those habits?

Lol, are you kidding? I hate commas, I think they are evil little creatures that should be banished. I had to learn to stop and take a breath in my writing. I still find myself rambling from time to time.

7.      What are you currently working on? How is it different from other books you’ve written?

I’m actually working on book two of Immortal Guardians right now. However, I did write an erotic paranormal romance that will be published in November, called Amazon Heat. Though Eternal Flame has sex, it was different writing something much steamier.

8.      What types of scenes are your favorite to write?

I actually love dialogue. I know many writers hate it, but I find it fun to flesh out a character and bring them to life using their own words. I find I can actually get to know them better through their dialogue.

9.      When and where can readers look forward to seeing you this year?

I don’t have any plans this year, but I hope to be attending RT Book Lovers convention in New Orleans next May.

10.      Are you always in the driver’s seat? Or do your characters drag you along for the ride?

I’d like to say I’m in control and would never let my characters run the show. With that said, they have made me rewrite entire chapters. They pester me at the worst times and are relentless. Have you ever dealt with a Dragon-shifter before? *rolls eyes* they are demanding to say the least.

11.      What is your least favorite part of the writing process?

Edits. I would much rather scrub the toilet with a toothbrush.