It’s great to be here today discussing ALL THAT BLEEDS, the first novel in my Etherlin series. The new series is paranormal romantic suspense and features archangels, human-vampire half-breeds, and descendants of the ancient muses.
Here’s the ALL THAT BLEEDS book blurb to introduce you to the story:
ALL THAT BLEEDS (Etherlin #1) – January 3, 2012
He’s the darkness she can’t resist…
In a glittering community in the Colorado Rockies called the Etherlin, the descendants of the ancient muses live behind a wall that separates them from the world and the dangerous creatures who crave them.
Alissa North is inspiration made flesh, so she should never have met Merrick, a deadly half-vampire enforcer, but when they do meet, the connection is instantaneous, and an illicit flirtation is born. He sends her secret gifts. She writes him secret letters.
The long-distance friendship was never supposed to go any farther. But when she is kidnapped and thrown briefly into his world, everything changes. Now Alissa realizes he’s the only person she can trust, and Merrick finds he’ll do anything to protect her, even risk his life by crossing the wall.
As both worlds close in on them, Alissa knows that getting caught with Merrick could cost her everything she’s ever cared about, but giving him up proves harder than she ever imagined…
In a recent interview, I was asked about the research I did for the novel. While I researched a number of different areas such as Greek mythology and post WW2 American history (for the series’s back story because there’s an event in the 1950s—a vampire “plague”—that changes the course of human history), one of my favorite areas of research involved cocktails.
Merrick, the love interest in ALL THAT BLEEDS is a syndicate enforcer who kills a demon when he meets the book’s heroine, Alissa. Part of Merrick’s backstory is that his first job was as a bartender and when the story opens he’s living in a penthouse apartment in the same building that houses his club, Crimson. I wanted his world to be very stylized and cool. And because he’s smooth, I pictured him mixing Alissa a distinctive drink when she’s with him.
In doing the research, I ended up on the website of a popular men’s magazine. It had a ton of colorful descriptions and historical anecdotes about various cocktails. The drink I had Merrick make Alissa is called a Maiden’s Prayer. The site also hypothesized that Hemingway invented the Scotch Lime, which is what I have Merrick drink.
Here’s an excerpt from that ALL THAT BLEEDS scene:
“Mr. Merrick, I don’t have any real experience getting out of trouble because I don’t normally get into it. May I hire you?” Alissa asked. “I need your advice and expertise.”
The corner of his mouth curved up. “There’s only one kind of work-for-hire that I do.”
She frowned. “I understand.”
“No, I don’t think you do. I said you can’t hire me. I didn’t say I wouldn’t help you.”
She raised her eyebrows. “What would you hope for in return?”
“Longer letters?”
She laughed softly, surprised and charmed. “I don’t believe for a minute that that’s the only thing you hope to gain.”
“I’m going to have a drink. I’ll make you one, too. Then you can tell me what illegal or immoral activities you’ve been involved in.”
“What?” she exclaimed. “Why would you say that?”
“Cato Jacobi came here to get you back, effectively announcing that he’d had you kidnapped. He wouldn’t have done that if he expected repercussions from your side of the wall. What could he know that would make your family and friends refuse to come after you?”
“Nothing . . .” She trailed off, thinking of her father. Even if someone had found out about that, she couldn’t imagine anyone helping a ventala to kidnap her. That was effectively being an accomplice to murder, since most ventala would have bled her to death—as Jacobi almost had. She clenched her teeth. Had she really been betrayed by someone she knew? If so, that person couldn’t be allowed to get away with it. Alissa would have to find out who had done it and why.
Merrick stood at the bar, his back to her. The sound of ice sliding along the walls of a cocktail shaker filled the air. “We don’t have a lot of time.”
“Mr. Merrick, if you give your word, do you honor it?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“I’ve heard that you do . . . keep your word, despite the way you make your living.” She paused, sitting up straighter. “Will you give me your word that you’ll keep what I tell you a secret? And that if you’re not inclined to help me, you won’t prevent me from leaving?”
“I will be inclined to help you, and I will let you leave,” he said, his voice as smooth as the polished steel of the shaker.
He strained a mixture that looked like hazy sunlight into a chilled cocktail glass.
She took a deep breath and exhaled, rubbing her forehead.
This subject makes her weary, Merrick thought.
“I’ve been secretly using my influence to help someone. I’ve lied about it. If anyone from the Etherlin found out what I’ve been doing, I would get into a great deal of trouble.”
He walked over to her and held out the glass. “Who have you been helping?”
She tilted her head, her pale blue eyes widening slightly in an innocent expression that made Merrick both hungry and wary.
As she took the drink, she said, “I’d rather not say.”
For any readers who want free materials and more information about my books, please visit my website at http://frostfiction.com/ (Be sure to sign up for my newsletter if you want to be informed of new releases.)
One of the great things about visiting blogs is being able to do a giveaway to celebrate the release. To be entered for a chance to win a copy of ALL THAT BLEEDS, please visit the comments section and tell me either (a) your favorite cocktail or (b) your favorite night out. Three winners will be chosen.
Thanks so much for reading!
So you read Maidens! We have three (3) copies of All That Bleeds up for grabs, open internationally. All you have to do is:
1. Be a follower of this blog
2. Answer Kimberly’s question in the comments below.
Be sure to leave your email address in the comments so we can contact you!
I enjoyed the excerpt and I’m looking forward to reading All That Bleeds. Love the cover by the way, it’s beautiful.
I’m not much for drinking or nights out, but if I were to drink it would be a wimpy one like a wine cooler. A night out for me is a nice dinner and a movie, or spending the day into the evening at an amusement park.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
I don’t drink but if I did my cocktail drink of choice would either be After Sex or a Caribbean Breeze!!! My favorite night out is one spent dancing into the wee hours of the morning!!!
[email protected]
I LOVE this book cover, my favourite cocktail would be a White Russian or a Jager Bomb…does that count, it’s a shot I guess, whatever it’s good!! Good friends, good drinks and good music make the best night out =D
Tristan @ Reads With Wreckless Abandon
tristan210(at)live(dot)ca
thanks you for this great giveaway, the cover is magical i love it
My favorite cocktail…in fact i don’t drink but i love creating some for special occasion. the one i did for New Year i called it Sweet Kiss is orange juice, red currant ( mixed with one small appel) and a bit of pisang ^^;;
More juice than alcool but my brother is diabetic so it’s better this way
As for a night out….just a movie perhaps once or twice a year^^;; ( i’m a very nice girl)
all the best
gfc follower: miki or isabelle frisch
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m too cheap for cocktails most of the time, but I love mojitos!
rwschwarz11ATgmailDOTcom
This sounds like it might become a “Must read” series. The excerpt definitely left me wanting to read more. Favorite mixed drink…. hmmm, usually I’m a straight shot girl, but if I’m going for a cocktail it would be a tie between a green dragon. It’s made from Absinthe and Midori, very potent but absolutely delicious, or a backwoods daiquiri made with moonshine and muscadines.
I enjoyed the interview. I’m always excited to be introduced to a new author. I don’t drink one, but in my youth, I enjoyed a Long Island Tea. They always knocked me on my butt! Thanks for the giveaway.
srbagby 50 at gmail dot com
Love the excerpt, I’ve not read any of your books yet(hangs head in shame). Will be adding them now.
I am currently addicted to Whipped Vodka. I love it with Sunny D and a splash of sprite and my own concoction I call Guilty Pleasures Hot Chocolate – Hot Chocolate with a shot of Whipped Vodka topped with peppermint marshmallows.
[email protected]
My favorite cocktail is a Jolly Racher flavored drink serves at Lucky Strike, a high scale bowling alley. This giveaway is great and your book sounds fanastic. I’m looking forward to reading it.
My favorite cocktail is Lemon Drop or Kamikaze. My favorite night out is just being able to have a date night with my husband away from the kids. Those nights are very rare.
jcalvert719(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love cosmos!!!!!!!!! I can drink them every day!
I don’t drink cocktails, but I do love Yellow Tail Shiraz wine with a York peppermInt patty. Yum-O. I really enjoyed your Would be witch series. Excited about this new series. Thanks for the giveaway and great post.
I am a GFC follower of this blog. Plus FB and twitter. Lol. Love it.
Oh yeah. My email is. [email protected]
Favorite cocktail is a frozen slushy drink called an Orangatang. Will do serious damage to your ability to talk.
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
Loved the excerpt- definitely adding this to my list. Since I am from Texas, I love Magaritas!
kamwh1207(at)att(dot)net
Love this excerpt, this book sounds right up my alley! I just discovered my new favorite cocktail while on vacation in hawaii! My sisters and I made it up, it’s a Lychee-Tini, lychee vodka, passion fruit & cranberry juice (well shaken) and a sparkling muscato wine topper..sooo good! now i just need to find lychee vodka on the mainland…. Thanks so much for the contest! Book Savvy Babe
Loved the excerpt!
My fav cocktail is a classic. Dirty Martini…..vodka must be Grey Goose or Kettle One…easy on the olive juice…..blue cheese stuffed olives…..or alternating blue cheese stuffed with anchove stuffed olives…..mmmmmmmmm
On a cold winter’s night, however, I can be found sipping Frangelico…..in front of the fire…….reading, of course!
Loved the excerpt!
My fav cocktail is a classic. Dirty Martini…..vodka must be Grey Goose or Kettle One…easy on the olive juice…..blue cheese stuffed olives…..or alternating blue cheese stuffed with anchove stuffed olives…..mmmmmmmmm
On a cold winter’s night, however, I can be found sipping Frangelico…..in front of the fire…….reading, of course!
My favorite drink is a margarita. Always get it when we go out. You can’t go wrong with that one!:-)
cool book covr
i drink….. coco nice dude lol
tnx 4 the giveaway
rogcaprino[at]hotmail[com]
I love margaritas. It’s been so long since I’ve had one….
My favorite night out is dinner with friends at a cute little bring your own wine Greek restaurant near us.
Thanks for the post. The excerpt definitely caught my interest! I rarely drink but when I do its gotta be sweet like a lemon drop or mai tau 🙂
efender1(at)gmail(dot)com
Great interview and can’t wait to read the book! My favorite cocktails are sunset passion colada and whiskey sour.
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Intriguing excerpt.
I love to go out on the boat and fish throughout the night on the ocean. It’s fun, peaceful and quite beautiful with the moon’s rays shinning off the water. While drinking a white Russian or strawberry margarita’s. *heavenly peaceful* Thanks for the giveaway! This sounds like a fantastic read. GFC ~ DeAnna Schultz
sacredmoon1(at)gmail(dot)com
Now that I am old with kids there is not nights out or cocktails. Although I do love to have a peach bellini now and again.
[email protected]
My favorite cocktail is an amaretto sour with Disaronno. But I actually prefer Disaronno on the rocks.
Beautiful cover!
GFC: ML
mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com
I not much of a cocktail girl…give me a beer and pretzels and I’m good.
My favorite night out is a night away from the kids with my hot and handsome husband…so we can play without interuptions.
Cindy
ctrim at wi dot rr dot com
ALL THAT BLEEDS looks amazing. I’m not one for cocktails. My idea of a great night out is simple: movie & dinner at a great restaurant.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I enjoyed the excerpt and look forward to reading the book.
I like movie and dinner nights with just my husband.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
GFC: Sophia Rose
[email protected]
Mmm well I love a good Sex on the Beach for summer and Swedish Berry pretty much anytime ^_^ Also, pina colada mixed with strawberry daiquiri is delish when just chatting at a restuarant or casual bar
faefever25 at hotmail dot com
Enjoyed the excerpt and the interview. My favorite drink is Cosmos. 🙂
This sounds like a great book. Great excerpt.
I am a margarita girl 😀
Thanks for the giveaway
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
I like Mud Slides –yummy
audie(at)wickerness(dot)com
This book sounds great! My favorite drink is a specialty drink at my favorite comedy club called a Purple People Eater, don’t ask me what’s in it but it’s yummy! If i’m not there, I usually stick to the basics Vodka and cranberry.
[email protected]
Great excerpt. Looking forward to reading the book. My favorite drink is a vodka sunrise.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
I love Grey Goose Cosmopolitans-ummm yummy! Your book sounds great and I hope I win, thanks for giving me this opportunity. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com
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I loved this interview, and this book is definitely being added to my TBR pile right now. My favorite cocktail is a Bourbon and Coke or any kind of fruity drink. And for a night out, I love girls nights at my friends house!
allison(dot)westcote(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the great post. I would love a chance to read the book!
I don’t really drink maybe once a year I have a Samuel Adams. That is about it….
Mary
mary_reiss @ hotmail.com
I don’t drink alcohol at all, and if I’m going out, it’s to be a DD, so, for me, it’s either a virgin daiquiri or a Shirley Temple. xD
ladyd2206(at)yahoo(dot)com
Great excerpt, this book sounds like something I would really enjoy reading.
My favorite drink is vodka with either tonic or 7up. I try to keep it simple.
areeths at new dot rr dot com
I love the excerpt, I am definitely signing up for the newsletter and adding this to my TBR.
As for favorite drink… in public I like captain & coke, or White Russians (yumtastic!!!)
and in private at home I happen to be a master slushy adult beverage maker. My favorite mix involved coconut rum, frozen strawberries, and sour mix. It may not sound like it goes well, but it does wonderfully!
Thanks for the opportunity to win, and best of luck with your release!
Liz
Liz@ Fictional Candy
[email protected]
My favorite night out is a simple dinner and a movie. Even better if it’s a scary movie 🙂 A trip to the library is also fun for me. I like low-key, non-crowded areas 🙂
Cambonified {at} yahoo {dot} com
My favorite drink is a Tom Collins.
Thanks for the giveaway!
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
The excerpt looked interesting 🙂 My favorite night out is with a bunch of my friends over good food and wine. We talk, we eat, and we laugh (a lot)!
emailj3nny at gmail dot com
Great post..book sounds really good thanks for the giveaway. I don’t really drink but do enjoy a small glass of wine once in a while.
Great excerpt! My favorite drink is a strawberry daiquiri and my favorite night out is Saturday.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
My favorite drink is Alabama Slammer! LOL Messed me up. I enjoyed reading your excerpt. christina_92 at yahoo.com