* Jacquelyn Frank: Author Override | UTC Reviews
* Skye Warren: Author Override
* Narrator Lorelei King: Interview
* Stephanie Tyler: Interview
* Carolyn Crane: Author Override | UTC Review
* J.T. Geissinger: Interview | UTC Review
* Men and Women of the Military Giveaway Hop
* Keri Arthur: Interview | UTC Reviews

Thursday 1 March 2012

Author Override: Laurie London


Author Override is the place where authors take the reins and take you on a journey into their world. Some may allow you into their private writing dens. Others may take you along with them on research trips or interviews. Whatever the case may be, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride because here you’ll get an in-depth look into an author’s musings.

Maidens, we are thrilled to have the amazing, Laurie London here today. She's written an exclusive teaser especially for UTC for her latest book TEMPTED BY BLOOD. So without further ado, have at it, girl!


Thanks for having me on today to celebrate the launch of TEMPTED BY BLOOD, the third book in the Sweetblood series. I thought it’d be fun to head over to a bar with a few friends. Grab your drink of choice and come join us!

(In case you don’t know Jackson, he’s the playboy charmer hero of TEMPTED BY BLOOD. The events here occur before the book opens…just so you’re clear he’s not a total ass.)

****
Jackson enters Big Daddy’s Pub and looks around. Given that it’s early evening, the place is only half full.

Not normally his kind of hangout—he prefers the Pink Salon with all the beautiful people, not bars like this one that cater to the male, blue-collar crowd right after work—he’s surprised when a human waitress catches his eye. Her black mini and ankle boots make her legs go on forever and her sultry dark hair skims her shoulders. She’s curvy in all the right places and he finds himself wondering if she likes to party.

Maybe coming here tonight isn’t a bust after all.

He drags in a deep breath but can’t get a read on her blood type, instead smelling stale beer, burgers, and old cigarette residue from when the indoor smoking law changed. Not noticing a ring on her finger—he’s made that mistake before and it sure as hell wasn’t going to happen again—he heads in her direction to say hi, to see how late she’s working. He can almost see her nametag. Francesca?

“Hey, over here.” Mitch, his partner, is waiving from a table near the dartboards.

Jackson hesitates. He’s really been trying to appear “normal” to his peers. No one needs to know how hard he’s been working to keep his dark nature under control. He casts one last glance at the woman then heads over to where several of the Guardians from the Seattle field office are sitting.

Since it’s before 9pm, the bar is open to minors, so maybe it’s for the best that the waitress doesn’t have this section. His thoughts and potential actions would not be appropriate with children present.
He glances at Mackenzie holding her squirming son on her lap. Miguel looks like a mini version of his father, Dom, who is cutting the food on his plate into little bites. Alfonso, Dom’s brother, is sitting next to his daughter Zoe and they’re playing some kind of game on his phone.

Funny how these two vampire warriors who probably have a multitude of weapons strapped to their bodies at this very moment can be such devoted, loving fathers.

No, thank you. Settling down is the last thing Jackson wants or needs. In fact, whenever a woman gets too attached to him, he moves on. He grabs a chair next to Mitch, turns it around and sits with his arms folded over the seatback.

“Jacks, what’s up, eh?” Lily tosses a handful of straws on the table that she must’ve gotten from the bar, unwraps one and puts it into her beer.

“Not much. Mitch and I are on duty tonight later. Got a line on some Darkbloods who might be selling Sweet down at the Market around midnight.”

“Bast— I mean, jerks.” Lily says, correcting herself. She’s been trying to watch her language around their daughter, but it’s obviously not working. If it hadn’t been for Alfonso, the girl would probably be speaking like a truck driver by now.

After a dinner of burgers and fries, Mackenzie stands up, holding Miguel. “It’s been fun, but someone I know needs to get to bed.” Dom pushes away from the table, but she puts her hand on his shoulder.  “You stay here with everyone. It’s important that you spend time like this with your Guardians that doesn’t involve killing Darkbloods.”

Jackson takes a long drink from his beer and notices Alfonso and Zoe whispering. All this family togetherness, while white-picket-fence nice, makes him feel…awkward. It’s something he knows he’ll never experience.

“Aunt Mackenzie,” Zoe says, “we’ll take Miguel back if you want to stay.”

Lily nods. “I’m not working tonight, so we planned to head back early anyway.”

Mackenzie looks at Dom who shrugs, then she turns her attention back to their son. “What do you think, mister? Want to hang out with your cousin tonight?”

A big grin cracks the little boy’s face, making his fat cheeks look even fatter.

“I guess that means yes,” Mackenzie says, laughing. “Thanks, it’s been a while since Dom and I have spent time with just adults. It’s not like I know a lot of people willing to babysit for—” she looks around to make sure no one is looking “—vampires,” she mouths.

Alfonso grabs his worn leather bomber jacket, but Lily stops him. “Why don’t you stay too? I can take Zoe and Miguel. It’d be good for you to hang out with the guys and have fun.”

“No offense to the them, but I don’t need them like I need you.” Alfonso kisses her.

“Gross,” Zoe says.

“You don’t like when I kiss your mom?” Alfonso dips Lily dramatically, her blond ponytail almost grazing the ground, and kisses her again.

An uncomfortable sensation knots Jackson’s stomach as he realizes just how out of place he is.
“Hey man,” Mitch says under his breath. “Want to head out of here soon?”

Jackson can always count on his partner to watch his back. “Yeah, all this love and tenderness is a little much.”

“Unless you’d rather stay,” Mitch counters. “Check out the two women over there.” Mitch nods his head toward the bar.

The dark-haired waitress is standing next to another waitress, one with silky long black hair and a mischievous dimple that promises more than a heaping plate of fries.

Jackson smiles back at them and the first one waves. “On second thought, maybe we should stay after all.”

*****
You can find Laurie online at:
www.laurielondonbooks.com
www.facebook.com/laurielondonauthor
www.twitter.com/laurieblondon
and my newest obsession, Pinterest. www.pinterest.com/laurielondon
Laurie London is giving away a signed copy of TEMPTED BY BLOOD. 
This contest is open to everyone.

To enter, please:
1. Be a follower
2. Fill in the form below

31 comments:

miki said...

^^ i really want to discover your books, after following several of your tours i still haven't had the opportunity but i still plan to read it ( a vampire for christmas i finally received it and i will be reading for december)

all the best

jfort357 said...

This series sounds very intriguing!!! I love the covers!! Added it to my TBR list!!! :-) Thanks for the chance to win!!

Joanne said...

Have not read this series yet, but I can't wait to start. I so want to read Jackson's story. Thanks for the giveaway.

e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

erin said...

Thanks for the great post! I haven't read this author yet, but this series sounds fantastic :)

deanna said...

I have read the first 2 books in the series. I can't wait to continue reading!

Dawn said...

RUNNING to add this NEW AUTHOR to my TBR!!!

Rhonda D said...

This sounds like such an awesome read. I love when the hero doesn't want to settle down. And then we get to watch all the ways he fights it until he finally realizes he needs her. :)

Carol L. said...

I'm loving this series so far. Look forward to reading Tempted By Blood. Thanks for the giveaway..
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

Vanessa N. said...

Great giveaway. Love the cover and the book sounds good. Thanks for the chance.

mythic021@gmail.com

Laurie London said...

Thanks, UTC maidens for having me on today! Book release week is always a little crazy, so if I have a glaring typo or spill my drink on one of you, please forgive me.

@Miki, thanks for following me along on the tour. I love seeing familiar faces! I hope you enjoy the Trace and Charlotte in the anthology!

@Jfort @Joanne @Erin @DiDi Thanks for putting the Sweetblood books on your TBR. Hope you enjoy them!

Laurie London said...

@Deanna, so thrilled you enjoyed the first 2 books! Hope you enjoy Jackson as well.

@Rhonda, I love that too! In fact, the worse they are at the start means the harder they fall. Jackson falls pretty hard for Arianna and fights it the whole way.

@Carol, I'm so glad you're enjoying the series!!!

Barbara E. said...

Lovely excerpt and even though I still haven't got started on this series, I mean to very soon.

GingerRing said...

Wow this sounds like a great book!! Can't wait to read it! thanks Jackie

Barbara said...

Oh, Jackson...I REALLY want to get to know him better! I need to get into this series... :) Thx for the giveaway op!

barbbattaglia @ yahoo.com

Sophia Rose said...

I have this series on my wish list. I enjoyed this look into Jackson's thoughts.

Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

Timitra said...

Great excerpt, it has definitely left me wanting more!!!

donnas said...

Awesome excerpt. Cant wait to read the rest.

sienny said...

wow.. that was one hell of a teaser. i wanna read it >__<

Mary Preston said...

The books do look amazing. Thank you for the great excerpt.

Rachel V said...

This series sounds really great. I will be watching it. Thanks for the giveaway.

GzNKz4evr said...

Who doesn't love a good Vampire story? I can't wait to read Jackson's story. Congratulations on the release, Laurie! And thanks so much for the chance to win. :)

Kendra
kendraedens@gmail.com

Filia Oktarina said...

Have not read this series yet, but i am very eager to read it. After following several of your tours i still haven't had the opportunity to have your book, but i still not give up. I love cover to!! Thanks for the giveaway.

Megan@Riverina Romantics said...

Where to start...

Fran, I'm coming down to the city to kick your butt! You always get the men.

Loved the story Laurie! For once Jackson wasn't shoving his face with a sandwich! The family scene was sweet.

Unknown said...

Megan, what can I say ;)

Francesca

Shelly said...

Jackson sounds yummy. Really want to read this series. Enjoyed the family scene. Thank you for the giveaway.

Unknown said...

have not read this series yet, but this books added on my TBR list..
the story sounds interesting and the cover book is yummy ^^

thanks for making it international :D

e:
sunshine_pinkystar(at)yahoo(dot)com

Criss said...

Hi Laurie! I love the teaser and new series are always a good thing specially great vampire ones. Awesome cover!

Shelley B said...

I've already read Tempted by Bloood. It was awesome. I pre-ordered the e book. I want a paperback copy too! Thanks!

traci16 said...

haven't read any of the series, but I have read the reviews and they sound great!!! Thanks for the giveaway!!!
iluvmik16@gmail.com

Anne R said...

Great interview. I have not read any of your books YET..I will, they all sound great.
Thanks.

CYP @ A Bookalicious Story said...

Great interview! I haven't read any of Laurie's books yet, but I'd love to try one!:D