My special guest today is author, Mary Hughes.
Bestselling author Mary Hughes is a computer consultant, professional musician, and writer. At various points in her life she has taught Taekwondo, worked in the insurance industry, and studied religion. She is intensely interested in the origins of the universe. She has a wonderful husband (though happily-ever-after takes a lot of hard work) and two great kids. But she thinks that with all the advances in modern medicine, childbirth should be a lot less messy.
Over to Mary…
Life and death is about as tense as you can get. So writing about cops and doctors naturally sizzles. But the adage is “write what you know”. Besides authoring, I’m a musician and computer consultant. What kind of story tension can you get out of programmers?
Well…what if the programmer is working late? Alone. And what if she’s a woman?
What if she’s alone and a man shows up? A tall, powerfully-built, stunning god of a man? What if he’s a vampire?
And what if he instantly rubs her the wrong way?
Add a touch of laptop humor, and we have the following.
“I” is Liese, a small town programmer. Her blood center’s just been invaded by graceful, blond Logan. The excerpt is abridged.
“What did you say your name was?” I asked him.
“I didn’t say.” The man pulled a small leather case from his jeans pocket and tossed a business card on my desk with a careless snap of the wrist.
Gorgeous and talented. This guy would bear watching. Aw, shucks, my libido said. I ignored it. Eyes locked on him, I picked up the card. Dared a glance. Logan Steel, CEO Steel Security.
Smack me in the face with a Toshiba. Steel Security was the firm that installed a multimillion-dollar security system at Andersly-Dogget Distribution, my first job—one week before I was fired.
I threw the card back. It hit the desk and rebounded into the trash, making my cheeks heat. “You can’t be serious! Steel Security is the Ferrari of security firms. They do the biggest names in the world. Why would they be in little Meiers Corners?”
“We are here to install a system.” Steel perched gracefully on my desk again. In his tight black T-shirt and open leather jacket he looked more like a well-muscled fashion model than a CEO. “Here’s the work order, if you don’t believe me. You’re wrong, Ms. Schmetterling. Gorgeous, but wrong.”
Gorgeous? I shot to my feet. “Now I know you’re lying. Fun time’s over. There’s the door.”
CONTEST: To celebrate Biting Me Softly in stores around the US, I’m having a giveaway! Just comment on this post to enter. For a second chance, let me know the city or bookstore where you’ve seen Softly! Through April 20, 2011, adults only please. Winner will receive choice of Biting Me Softly in paperback (if US or Canada) or one of Bite My Fire, Biting Nixie, The Bite of Silence or Biting Me Softly in ebook.
He’s a candy box of sex appeal wrapped with a golden bow. She’s on a diet.
Blood, sex, violence. Blood, okay, but computer geek Liese Schmetterling had enough S&V when her cheating ex fired her. Now security expert—and lip-smacking gorgeous—Logan Steel saunters into her Blood Center, setting fire to her libido. And threatening her job.
Visions of pink slips dancing in her head, Liese tries to push Logan away without touching his jutting pecs…or ridged abs. Or petting the Vesuvius in his jeans. He’s hiding something, but it doesn’t seem to matter when his smiles stun her, his kisses crank her to broiling and his bites rocket her to heaven. Fangy bites which, if she weren’t grounded in science, would make her think ampire-Vay.
Centuries old and tragedy-scarred, Logan’s mission is to fortify the Blood Center’s electronic defenses against his nemesis, the leader of a rogue vampire gang. He’s ready for battle but not for Liese, who slips under his skin, laughs at his awful puns, charges beside him into dark, scary places—and tastes like his true love.
No matter how often Logan declares his love, Liese can’t bring herself to trust him. But when his archenemy comes after her, not trusting him may cost her life…
Warning: contains explicit vampire sex involving absurdly large male equipment (hey, they’re monsters), unbelievable stamina (just how long can he stay underwater in a hot tub?), hide-your-eyes violence and horrendously bad puns. And, just when you think it can’t get any worse, a computer geekette trying to play Mata Hari.
Buy at Samhain Publishing
Check In Stock at Barnes and Noble
Hugs from Hughes!
To learn more about Mary Hughes, please visit www.maryhughesbooks.com.
ROFL! Congrats on being in print with this one, Mary! Love those capable geekettes ;) And I wonder sometimes about that whole less-messy childbirth option :D Actually I’d like the post-birth thing to be a little more predictable–why don’t kids come with manuals? ;p
OMG, kid manuals, YES! Attached to the little hospital bracelet–or maybe downloadable. :grin:
Thanks so much to Shelley for having me here today!
Sounds like such a fun book!
Mary, congrats on your release. Fun blurb and excerpt!
Congrats on all the success with your print and ebooks, Mary! And what better way to combat sexy ancient vampires than with a sharp witty sense of humor. Keep writing girl and I’ll keep reading it. Oh and I did have a Nixie sighting at my local B&N in indianapolis, indiana.
I’m on a diet too, but not from yummy sounding books like this!
This is such a fun series, and that first line is a total kick. “He’s a candy box of sex appeal wrapped with a golden bow. She’s on a diet.”
Congrats on your print release Mary. I’ve read them all except for Biting Nixie, and would love to throw my hat in the ring for a copy.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
Hey, Fedora! Thanks for stopping by and your great comments! ROFL at kid’s manual :lol:
Hi Lydia K! Thanks for your nice comment! Softly’s got action too, and danger and some really hot romance :smile:
Hey Edie! Thanks for the congrats! I see your Dead People (Haunted Hearts) continues to wow on Amazon!
Mrs M! Ooh, thanks for the Nixie sighting :grin: Return Goodreads Kindle Smut sighting at http://t.co/YfVkkre
Catherine Bybee, hi! Love your comment–if it’s not a book tag it should be!
Congrats on the great book…
You’re very welcome, Mary. The first line of your blurb made me chuckle. It definitely grabs me as a reader.
We have an ad here in NZ where the nurse hands the mother her baby and the mother then holds out her hand and asks for the instruction manual. It always cracks me up.
Loved Biting Nixie. Haven’t been to a bookstore in a while. Thanks for the contest.
lisagk at yahoo dot com
Congrats on the release! Sounds really good.
Holy cow, I want to read this book. :smile: Thanks for the giveaway!
jepebATverizonDOTnet
Congrats! Love the excerpt and the warning on “absurdly large male equipment”! :)
Would really love to win this book. Thanks for the chance.
[email protected]
Hey, Cathy M! Thanks for your congrats & great comments! Hat is in!
Hi, Savannah Chase! Thanks for stopping by and the congrats!
Shelley, you have an awesome blog and a terrific sense of humor! Congrats on your amazing super-hot The Bottom Line, in print too!
Hi Lisa! Thanks so much for the love!
Hi Donna S! Thanks for your congrats! I appreciate your visit and nice comments!
Hi Jen B! You wanting to read–awesome! Thanks for your great comments and stopping by!
Hi, Tamsyn! Thanks so much for your congrats and the wonderful comments! I’m glad you stopped by!
Thanks for everybody who commented! I love to hear from you all :smile:
And special thanks again to Shelley Munro for having me here, at Taste of Kiwi!
The giveaway winner (chosen by random number) is–Tamsyn! Tamsyn, congratulations! Please email me at [email protected] to claim your prize!