Welcome to
Paranormal Romance Month! This week I’m thrilled to be featuring author Jaclyn Tracey. Jaclyn will be discussing her latest release,
Eden’s Black Rose. For a chance to win a copy of
Eden’s Black Rose and a $5 gift certificate to
The Wild Rose Press, be sure to leave a comment!
Eden’s Black Rose… Dr. Serina Spencer is a young enchantress with hidden talents that she’d like kept that way. While walking home from her place of employment, she inadvertently wishes for a man to show up on her door stoop, alive, in one bloody piece, betrothed to no one and interested in anyone other than himself for a welcome change.
Serina finds out the hard way it’s not what you wish for, but how, when a young man gets delivered to her door ravaged by a vampire. After years of hiding her powers from the world Serina is faced with a choice, use them or lose the one man that can make her dreams come true.
Lucian St. James is not your typical royal heir to the throne, wanting nothing to do with his heritage until that option is stolen from him. Awakening in a bloody carriage with a gorgeous green-eyed beauty buried within his loins he finds out fast all things are not as they seem. Countless lies have been told, family members murdered, and now Lucian and Serina find themselves in the centre of a macabre plot to knock out all heirs to the throne beginning with him on his honeymoon.
SKY: Welcome. It’s beyond super to have you visit this week, Jaclyn!
JACLYN: Thanks, Sky. I’m so excited to be here. I appreciate the opportunity. It’ll be nice to get to know you better and chat about my new book, which just got released Feb 19th through
The Wild Rose Press. I’ve been following your blog now and you always have interesting topics and people dropping in.
SKY: Hands down,
Eden’s Black Rose looks like the sort of read I won’t be able to set aside once I start. Sizzling hot! Let’s dive inside. Off the top of your head, which character did you enjoy writing about the most and why?
JACLYN: Do I have to pick one? This motley crew still holds my brain hostage and if I single anyone out, well, the others, they tend to get snooty. But between you and I Lucian is my love. He was the first thing I woke up to every morning and who held me captive in my dreams all night. His personality got me. He is strong willed yet sincere and loving and a joker. Pretty much what I would die for in a man. And I must confess I loved him so much I gave him an identical twin to hang out with. Two gorgeous men… ponder that idea for a moment or two. I have. More than once!
When I first began this journey Lucian was going to be my villain. That lasted about a day. He started talking to me and hasn’t shut up yet! I gave him one scene in the book that went against his character and literally, that night I dreamt of him and he threw me down the stairs telling me he would never do what I had written. Ok, so without further ado I got out of bed, turned on my computer and rewrote the scene.
SKY:
Love it. Lucian sounds perfect! I already want to meet him, smiles. Royal heir to the throne, Lucian St. James definitely has me intrigued. What I really want to know is─ what would you say is his sexiest, ‘man of the year’ moment in this story? Think outside the box…give us your gut response.
JACLYN: Lucian is all about making people smile. His sense of humor rules him even when he tries to pull off being serious. There’s one scene where he and Serina are about to consummate their relationship, but company pops in and Lucian is left hanging… literally. He’s not afraid to make fun of himself.
A taste of
Eden’s Black Rose…Lucian’s intention? To ravish every inch of the woman from her thick, auburn hair, to her sparkling eyes, and those full, firm creamy breasts! And her mind. He loved her mind. She was brilliant, caring, compassionate, witty, desirable….
He closed the distance. His hands on her face, he tilted her chin to gaze into her eyes. He ran his fingers through her silken locks, and tugged her head back, exposing the luscious line of her neck. With only the warmth from his lips on her neck, her body stiffened with anticipation. The pulse beneath her skin raced as he kissed her. Had he not been so intrigued with every aspect of making love to this woman, the idea of her pulse should have bothered him. He’d touch on that subject later.
Until it, her scent, and the little thump-thump—thump-thump—thump-thump, ate at him and consumed what was going to be his first erotic moment of his life.
“You know, M’lady being a vampire may not be such an awful fate for you if I actually end up becoming one. I love the reaction I get when I kiss you here.” Lucian kissed her neck. “And here.” He kissed her cheek. “And definitely here.” Lucian covered her breast and lapped at her nipple. He nibbled harder, flicked his tongue around her areola and suckled drawing her ripeness out. “Just think what would happen if I held special powers as you do and nibbled here?” He slid his hand between her thighs and pressed into her mons.
Serina moaned beneath his lips.
“Trust me, Lucian, you are special.” The only thing that took a second or two to register was the fact he’d said something about a vampire. She couldn’t quite recall if he said he was one or if he wanted to be one. At that point, she didn’t care. She really didn’t. If he did turn, she’d find a way to follow him—to the gates of the graves if that’s where they ended up. Serina lapped at his nipples, now firm from her ascension and the tastiest little treat she’d had in her mouth, thus far.
Positive her knees were about to give out from under her, she slid her hands down and held onto his tush. She teased him as she slid her fingers between his cheeks, pinched him, patted him lightly and moved lower. When she grasped his sacs, their squishy texture hardened.
“Everything turns to stone when I touch you.”
“Everything but my heart.” Lucian kissed the tip of her nose then crept back to her collarbone.
With his erection pressed against her stomach, firm, thick and hot little tremors sprinted through her as Lucian’s lips worked their magic. “You’re going to leave one of those little marks on my throat that tells everyone I’ve been up to no-good, Lucian.” She leaned backwards with a little moue.
“No good? And here I thought I was being so very good.” He mimicked her pout. “I like the mark I’ve given you. I think it’ll be one of many. The rest, however, will not be open to public viewing, luv.” He slid his hand between her thighs again, and weaved his fingers through her Cresson of dark curls. A warm moist invitation awaited him. When he ran his index finger and middle finger over her mons and pinched her little nubbin, her teeth clamped down harder than vise grips onto his nipple. “Ooh!” An intense thrill settled in his groin.
He caressed her womanhood, stretched her, searching for that spot deep within her that would assuage the blissful pressure in her. From her body’s reactions and the gentle groans she whimpered, he knew he’d discovered something.
Her muscles tightened and gripped his fingers. Tenderly, he eased two fingers inside her. He didn’t want to hurt her when he entered her, knowing this would be her first time… his too.
Serina didn’t look hurt. Her smile reeked of shameless satisfaction. He continued to slip his fingers in, out, around, and over that one soft little fleshy nub that left her body trembling in his arms. Lucian thrust his tongue into her while his fingers caressed her private lips. Exact opposites on each end of her body.
About to lift her, movement through Serina’s window caught his eye. His dream of their first joining and his erection shattered. “Do not hesitate, and run for cover.”
“Huh? What?” she asked one step away from a trance.
“We’ve company in about ten seconds. Move your dainty little arse unless you want Duncan viewing it.” One moment Lucian had Serina beside him and the next, he stood alone naked in her parlor. “Where are you?” he hollered.
“Upstairs, hurry.” She giggled. “Oh that was close.”
Lucian skulked into her bedroom and plopped down atop her bed. His long face made Serina bite the inside of her cheeks. “What’s the matter, M’lord?”
“You have to ask?” He motioned to his naked body. “All my things are in a heap on your floor. Not to mention, we didn’t…”
“We will when the time is right and not before. Let me cover meself and I’ll go get your knickers.” Serina kissed Lucian softly before she headed out. “I rather fancied that down stairs, M’lord. Thank you.”
“Lucian St. James, at your service! Before I forget, Serina, tonight is the dinner I asked you to attend.”
Sat with his hands strategically cupped across his loins Serina had all she could do to not go to him, remove his cover and finish what they began down stairs.
“You will turn many a head with your beauty and elegance, Serina.”
She choked on laughter. “You too shall turn many a head if I don’t go retrieve your clothing.”
Teasingly, he flashed her a quick peek of the remainder of his withered shaft. “You think?”
“Oh, Lucian!” Serina bent to kiss him one last time because he looked too handsome in only his birthday suit. “After supper tonight, don’t forget you owe me dessert. You are my dessert.” She bit him lightly and walked out of the room.
SKY: Wow! Delicious excerpt! I too love a man with a sense of humor. Is there any better kind? Though I adore the heroes…every hero has his leading lady. Dr. Serina Spencer is a woman with secrets. A woman with powers, Serina has to come out of the rhetorical ‘enchantress’ closet. If we had the chance to meet her outside of the story, what would she share about what she’s endured in
Eden’s Black Rose? Smiles, no worries, we don’t expect you to give away the story!
JACLYN: Serina went from never having sex to never having enough. Her husband’s charms have turned her into a nymph, which she is rather comfortable with. Serina went from being an only child to belonging to a family that loved and accepted her for who she was without consequence. Oh, hold that thought. Allow me correct myself. There were repercussions. When one enters in a family not only do you get your lover but their baggage and honestly who has more skeletons in their closets than the Royals? Skeletons~ the walking dead… Then there’s Serina’s mother. This little hag is not going to be voted soccer mom of the year knowing her daughter called the Sorcerer’s Squad ( a group of nefarious villains hell bent on extinguishing anything they deemed fit) on her. Her black potions may smell like Eden but the everlasting effects taint all Serina loves. Her mom has more secrets than the government does trying to cover up UFO’s and who killed JFK combined. Here’s one scene with Serina and her not-so handy work. Oh, did I mention she is not the best at casting spells? Never quite go off as they should:
“What do think you’re doing?” she shouted.
“I want you...” Lucian fumbled as he attempted to secure her hands.
“’Tis good to want, Lord St. James. It gives purpose to a person. Now let me go,” she yelled. “I’m going to check on Raven.” Serina kicked her way free, stomped out of the room and down the hallway.
“She’s not in there, and I’m not deaf,” he mumbled. “Just a wee inebriated.”
The spare room was found vacant. She tramped back to her bedroom. Hands on her hips, she demanded, “Where is she then?” to a second empty room. “Lucian?” Serina spun around. Before she had time to think, Lucian had her over his shoulder, securing her with his hand pressed hard into her bottom as he headed back for the bed.
“You’re insane if you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking,” she screamed.
“What?” Lucian scratched his nose with his free hand. “I was last night when I walked out and left you. I won’t make that mistake again.”
“No you won’t because I’m walking out on you—just as soon as you put me down.” She punched at his backside.
“Bloody bugs are out.” Lucian tightened his grip on her bottom while she tried to wrangle herself free. “Physics, my wild rose. Pure and simple. I am bigger and stronger than you.” He slapped her little bum.
“Did you ever hear of David and Goliath, you big oaf? Did you just attempt to spank me?” Serina squirmed unsuccessfully.
“I will if you want me to.” Lucian secured her legs and whipped her around to his chest so she lay in his arms.
He gave her a brilliant grin, one she wanted to knock off his face if she could just get free. He proceeded to toss her flat on her back and cover her with his two hundred-forty pounds of dead weight.
“I don’t want to hurt you, Lucian,” she warned. Lucian’s mirth only enraged her more. “I mean it. Let me go.” Serina began to cry. “Please, I don’t want you…” She never got the chance to finish her sentence,
like this, drunk.
Lucian covered her mouth with his hand. “Shush! You don’t mean that.” About to cover her lips with his, Lucian stopped and studied her two heads and four wild, ferocious eyes. “I would never hurt you. I just want to kiss you. Trust me… that’s all that could happen right now. I only want to tell you I am sorry I left you last night. I wanted you to want me for me. Pity was plastered all over your pretty little face.”
Serina pushed at his chest, grunting. “Get off me! I need to find Raven.”
“She’s with Duncan at Molly’s. Whatever you did to her helped. She’s back to her old chipper self and spry as the kitten in your kitchen playing with the mouse. Nor did she try to kill herself. Seems she reached for the soap and the blade fell from the window sill and since she doesn’t get on well with blood she passed out.”
“Please get off me? I can’t breathe.” She lied through clenched teeth.
“Not so fast.” He dipped his head towards her, testing the waters. If she truly didn’t want him, he’d know soon enough, when she clobbered him. “Serina?” From behind sealed eyes, tiny water droplets ran off her cheeks. Drops he’d caused. “I’m going to kiss you, just once, and then I’m pretty certain I’m going to pass out.”
“As you wish, M’lord.” Serina was finished fighting both him and her head. Her heart would win this round. Being stubborn was one thing. Being stupid was not an option. When his lips covered hers all her anger, self-doubt and lack of self-esteem disappeared. He moved her to unchartered territories. She’d never lay beneath a man before, and she found this divine until his tongue dragged across her cheek and left behind a slippery cold trail. Then his head bumped into hers, and she heard him snoring—that fast.
“Oh bloody hell. He’s got me pinned beneath him. This is not happening.” Serina took in slow, deliberate breaths of air. With only her fingertips free to move, she twirled them in an upward motion and envisioned a gentle wind to lift and carry Lucian to the other side of her bed. Short of breath and anxious when nothing happened, she spit out, “Any day now!”
Lucian’s snoring intensified, sounding like tiger purring in her ear.
Swearing and thoroughly upset she tried a second time. “Winds of change, pick up your pace. Place Lucian St. James into outer space.”
Everything happened so fast Serina didn’t have time to react. She blinked and Lucian spun horizontally above her, in a cyclic fashion. First, his head whipped past her, then his feet, then his head again, and he kept going like her victrola at nauseating speed.
Fully awake, he screamed for his life, “M’lady, I beg of you, stop this,” as he grasped at air.
“There’s a slight problem, Lucian,” Serina yelled, “I’ve never done this incantation before. They rarely work as they should. Case and point, of course, being you.” She tried to duck seeing him coming directly towards her.
Lucian latched onto Serina as he circled. Now they were both caught in the windstorm within her bedroom. Lucian’s feet slammed into Serina’s coat-rack. Splintered.
Serina’s nightdress caught her oil lamp and tore it from the dresser. There would be no more flicker from the shattered rubble.
“You have to stop this,” he screamed petrified.
Without giving it another thought Serina spit out, “The eye of the storm, a twist of fate, land us inside my garden gate.”
Inside one second, outside the next, and falling fast towards thousands of thorns and roses.
“Hammock,” Serina bellowed a split second before they ruined her precious flowers. Never mind looking like a pincushion, the flowers came first. Serina had her priorities.
Serina shoved back her hair from her eyes and caught her breath. “Wow! I’ve never done anything quite like this before. What do you think, Lucian?” Serina asked exhilarated. “Lucian?” She tapped his cheek.
Lucian attempted to focus.
“I can explain,” she said. “You’re not hurt, right?”
Lucian stared in disbelief. He did however, find he fancied the position in which they landed. Serina was buried under him for a second time this morning with her legs spread to both sides of him, and her nightdress scrunched beneath her hips.
“Do you want me to tell you what happened?”
“Serina, after the past two days there’s nothing—absolutely nothing you could say that would surprise me. The cat’s out of the bag. I tried with the ignorance card pretending not to notice a few things, like the way Raven miraculously stopped bleeding last night or this feeling I can’t shake that you were—are still inside of me. And the funny thing—I’m quite sober now, thank you. I can’t even blame this on the wine or the whiskey or the scotch I got into last night thinking my sister attempted suicide after we were both attacked by vampires. This little excursion through the air was fun. We’ll have to get a magic carpet the next time though. Duncan told me I should, by all rights, be popping up daisies, yet here I lay! Not that I mind this position.” Serina opened her mouth to speak, but he placed his fingers to her lips. “Just tell me I haven’t lost my mind. We’ll go slow. I’ll swallow one dose of your reality at a time, Dr. Spencer. Fair enough?”
Serina nodded. “Fair enough. Can we go inside and sit down?”
Lucian bumped noses with her. “Just don’t point at me or say anything that rhymes.” He winked, but he was dead serious.
SKY: Another spectacular look inside
Eden’s Black Rose. Very nice! We met the hero, met the heroine. But I want just a wee bit more, sly grin. We writers, by trade, love the art of description. Would you share one, even two paragraphs if necessary, about the primary setting for
Eden’s Black Rose that you found especially gratifying to write?
JACLYN: This story takes place in London in 1896. I found digging up snippets of history rewarding. And for me to say that is something. Never considered myself a history buff…ok, I still don’t but it was fun learning about the fashions and the homes and how they traveled and who had the things we take fore granted daily, such as refrigerators, electric or gas or running water with an inside loo! I went to my aunts home in England a long time ago and her bathroom was outside and her source of heat was a fireplace you had to put coins in every so often to keep the house warm. Her place was built around the time I wrote my book around. Needless to say it left a lasting impression. My sequel to
Eden’s Black Rose has one little scene in it about such things. As any author will tell you, my heart is on every page of this book. I gave Serina my mom’s green eyes and Lucian my husband’s silvery~blue twinklers. Each character in here has a name of a family member of friend I know to personalize them. The date 1896 is my anniversary jumbled from 1986. The title came from 2 places. Eden is what my husband engraved in my wedding band and the black rose is my mother’s china pattern, to which I had tattooed on my back with my cross hidden in the roses. Father Butler, a quirky little priest who you’ll get to know a lot better in the sequel is my father. His mannerisms, his smile, everything. I had to find a way to immortalize him, because I couldn’t lose him.
I wrote one scene that takes place on a train. It’s probably my favorite scene in the book because there’s action going on in every nook and cranny of the caboose. Almost all my characters are jammed into this room and getting tossed around with the same enthusiasm as the WWF wrestlers going at each other. Here, heroes are made and others are lost.
SKY: Time is flying by. I won’t keep you much longer. As I’m sure everyone is curious…what are you up to now? Have you another story you’re currently writing? Another release due out soon?
JACLYN: I have submitted 2 sequels to
Eden’s Black Rose that are both currently being reviewed. I am hopeful to hear some good news soon…
Eden’s Sins picks up literally the same day
Eden’s Black Rose ends. The reason? When I first wrote this both these books were one giant door stop. 1400 pages. Needless to say I never picked up a writer’s guide or researched what publishers wanted before I submitted my work. I have learned everything about this craft the hard way, but then is there any other way?
Eden’s Sins introduces you to my 2nd favorite heroine, Jovan. She is a bold, brassy beauty with some of her own powers. She is Lucian’s identical twin ~ André’s lover. Lucky bitch is all I can say. Sorry. She and Serina butt heads at first until they realize they’re playing for the same team.
The story brings some closure to
Eden’s Black Rose.
Eden’s Charms is flat out my favorite so far This book introduces you to Savanah St. James and Ethan Kitt. The story takes place in my home town, Saratoga Springs and also in New Orleans. Savanah is Andre and Jovan’s daughter. I brought this book to current day since vampires are immortal and witches have longevity as well. They say opposites attract right? What can get more opposite than a Yankee/Sox relationship? Vlad Dracula also gets a little publicity in this book too since Savanah and her uncle Julian stole all his belongings for their museum exhibit. This romance is everlasting. My 4th
Eden’s Enchantment which is about Serina’s daughter Elyza and my 5th book
Eden’s Obsession are on my computer awaiting my Muse to recoup and start writing again. They’re both about 1/3 of the way through their journey.
SKY: It’s been a blast having you! I totally connect with your sense of humor. Thanks so much for sharing, Jaclyn.
JACLYN: Sky, thank you so much for this time and allowing me free reign to babble about my work. You are a gracious host and I appreciate this. When I get my blog a little better organized I’ll have you over for the week as well. I’d also like to thank those of you who have purchased my book. Please let me know your thoughts ~ whatever they are. Promise I’ll get back to you.
I’m easy… to find:
http://www.jaclyntracey.com/http://www.edensblackrose.blogspot.com/I’m also on Face Book ~more I should be, under Jaclyn Tracey Buy Link-
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/edens-black-rose-paperback-p-3896.htmlPurchase E-format:
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/edens-black-rose-p-3880.html?zenid=68821e7c444e244005db6b41c55b506fI have to share this, Jaclyn. You’re hot off the press and have an incredible review already!
5 stars*****
Great Read!! I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a page turner and keeps you wanting more!! It is very exciting and quite spicy in parts. I will definitely suggest this book to my friends.
Jenilee ShearThanks again for popping in everyone. Doesn’t
Eden’s Black Rose sound like a top-shelf read? Don’t forget. You must leave a comment by 12 PM EST February 26th for a chance to win a copy of
Eden’s Black Rose and a $5 gift certificate to
The Wild Rose Press!~Sky
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