Happy WEST OF WANT Preview & Prizes Event, everyone! Today, April 10, was the original release date for Book 2 in my Hearts of the Anemoi series, West of Want. And then some really cool things happened: my publisher, Entangled Publishing, signed a huge deal with the nation’s biggest book distributor, which means for the first time ever, my books will be shelved in brick-and-mortar bookstores. And then, West of Wantreceived a very nice pre-sales estimate by the booksellers and Barnes and Nobles bought it for all their stores nationwide (and it got bought for airports, too—squee!). The only bad news in this whole scenario was this: the release date got pushed back, by three LONG months! LOL So, I thought I’d celebrate the original release date with a preview of the book and a big contest, and give you a small taste to whet your appetite until the actual release date arrives.
“Laura Kaye’s captivating writing and vibrant world-building will have readers hooked on the gods of the Anemoi. WEST OF WANT is steamy, spellbinding, and a must-read for all romance fantasy fans.”
~Elisabeth Naughton, author of the Eternal Guardians series
Forty sites are celebrating with me today, and there are different posts at those different sites. To see the whole list of participants, click here. Now, without further ado, here’s the book blurb and one of four different never-before-seen excerpts from the book available for you to enjoy:
Betrayal is all he’s ever known, but in her, he’ll find a love strong enough to be trusted…
When Marcella Raines’ twin brother dies, she honors his request to be buried at sea, never expecting the violent storm that swamps her boat. Though she’s gravely injured–and still emotionally damaged from her recent divorce–Ella fights to survive.
Zephyros Martius is the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, but being the strongest Anemoi hasn’t protected him from betrayal and loss. Worse, he’s sure his brother Eurus is behind it. When Zeph’s heartbreak whips up a storm that shipwrecks a human, his guilt forces him to save her.
Ella is drawn to the vulnerability Zeph hides beneath his otherworldly masculinity and ancient blue eyes. And her honesty, empathy, and unique, calming influence leave Zeph wanting…everything. When Eurus threatens Ella, she and Zeph struggle to let go of the past, defend their future, and embrace what they most want–a love that can be trusted.
Restrained power made Zephyros’s hands tremble. At first, he’d wanted to help Ella because he owed it to her. Now, want bloomed into need. When he’d held her soft curves, the strength of her life force soaked into him. Seldom did he have any cause to interact with humans, let alone touch them, but the soft yellow aura that surrounded her body told him this woman was good, pure, true. A rare character, in his experience.
And then she’d said his name. Whispered it, really, but that didn’t keep him from fully enjoying the way her lips wrapped around the sound.
Silently, he summoned the ancient, elemental power, the one that flowed through him, that made him what he was. His palms warmed. Soft white light spilled from between his clasped hands.
Ella’s eyes cut to his glowing hands, went wide. “What? Don’t hurt…” She swallowed thickly. A tear leaked down her temple into her hair.
He met Ella’s barely focused gaze. “Fear not, I promise to hurt you no more.”
Her only answer was a shiver that racked her whole body.
Normally, a healing of this magnitude required sacrifice. It was how the gods worked. Quid pro quo, and all that. But, in this case, Ella’s case, that was hardly appropriate. After all, she wouldn’t need to be healed if he’d kept better control of himself.
Words in his native tongue spilled into the quiet of the room. He parted his hands, held them over her prone form, and let the healing energy cover her. The pale, white glow infused her aura, which absorbed the curative force, distributed small doses of it throughout her body.
So, what d’ya think? Want more Zephyros and Ella? Visit more participating sites to read all the excerpts, meet the characters, see the the West of Want romance trading cards, and enter to win! Thanks for reading! July 10 can’t get here soon enough for me! *grins*
~Laura Kaye
“Using ancient winter mythology as an allegory for grief, Kaye has written a sexy story that packs a powerful emotional punch. NORTH OF NEED is pure winter magic and Kaye’s sparkling talent warms the heart.”
~Stephanie Draven, author of the Mythica series about
multi-award-winning Book 1 in the Anemoi series, North of Need
About Laura Kaye:
Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is a bestselling and award-winning author paranormal and contemporary romance. Hearts in Darknessis the EPIC eBook Award Winner for Best Novella, Forever Freed won the NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best Paranormal of 2011, and North of Need, the first book in the Hearts of the Anemoi series, was named GraveTells’ Best Book of 2011 and won their 5-STAR Gold Heart Award, and won Sizzling Hot Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Books. Laura lives in Marylandwith her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bayevery day.
Seven participants who enter through the Rafflecopter form will win gift cards from winners’ choice of Amazon or B&N valued between $15 and $100! Those prize winners will be announced on West of Want’s release day, July 10, 2012. As a special thank you to those who have pre-ordered the print West of Want through Amazon or B&N, you’ll receive extra entries – just enter your order confirmation number on the appropriate Rafflecopter line. Pre-orders are hugely important for an author because they determine how many books bookstores will actually stock and they count toward an author’s first-week sales which is when most authors have their best chance to hit the big bestseller lists. However, pre-orders/purchases are not required to enter. Commenting is the only required entry. Open to international.
2nd Chance to win Giveaway
One commenter from each participating blog site will win a West of Want bookmark and the romance trading cards for North of Need and West of Want. Simply comment to enter to win and be sure to leave your email address. These prizes will be announced soon after May 10. Open to international.
I love how green and colorful everything gets. A rebirth of everything. I also like the fact that I can take the grandkids out to play without a hundred pounds of clothes on.
I love spring b/c me and the chubby puppies can start taking regular walks again. We are all weenies so in the cold and snow we lose our walking resolve 🙂
I love the flowers, everything turning green, and hearing the birds chirp. I am very excited for this book. Did not know that it was going to be delayed. I am sad. Pre-ordered from B&N along with South of Surrender. Thanks for the fantastic giveaway. christinebails@yahoo.com
I love seeing all types of birds coming to my backyard from Bluejay's to Cardinals I know it's a sign that spring has come. Thanks for the giveaway. neoterragoddess[AT]gmail[DOT]com
My favorite thing about spring is the colors. Everything is so vibrant! The clear, bright sky, with clouds that are almost touchable. The flowers and trees and blooming everything and the smells…so good! Congrats on your book and thank you for the awesome giveaways! shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
I like that it means that summer is that much closer. Looks like an interesting book. I haven't read anything from this author yet but it's never to late to start, right? 🙂
Can't believe I have not heard about this series! Sounds amazing and I am going to pre-order West of Want and get the first in the series North of Need! Thanks for a really interesting and enlightening interview guys!! brandypm(at)optonline(dot)net
The least favorite thing about spring for me is the mud, but I do love the first tulips that pop out of it. The bright colors, so fun to see. And YES I want more Zephyros and Ella!!!
Spring is the time of blooming flowers and light showers and warm sunlight. Here where I am, we cannot tell the difference between spring and summer because its all the same to us! This year however has been especially rainy. Anyway i want to win the book!! It'd be cool reading about a love between a God and a Mortal. Its like a vampire love story just replacing the vampire with a God. Never read that sort of story before.
Thanks for having this cool an awesome giveaway!! tania_kwong(at)msn(dot)com
I like that the trees start to bud, the sun shines more, and the early flowers start to bloom and add color back into the world. The dull and dreary start to go away and gives way to all that is new. luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com
I love Spring! I love everything about it. I love the colors, the smells, the dirt on my hands, the sunshine. The best part is waking up with the sun on my bed becon me outside. I love it. Mel bournmelissa at hotmail dot com
i love that everything is coming to life again. all of the plants and flowers,trees too. but also all of the animals seem to have more life and so do people. i know when i watch the nieces and nephews they always seem to be more aware and full of energy during the spring than at any other time of the year. i follow Books -n- Kisses via email: trvlagnt1t@yahoo.com, facebook/GFC/and Goodreads under tammy ramey,and twitter under wyndwhisper.
I love seeing sun again. I live in Illinois and sometimes our winters are very gray. It is wonderful to see sunshine after so many cloudy days. This sounds sooo good.
Thankyou for the wonderful giveaway and making it International, My favorite thing about Spring is my cherry tree blossoming, it is stunning with pink flowers and white flowers all over, it brightens up the whole garden, as not long after it blooms, all the flowers in the garden come out, I also love that my children's bunnies become super excitable, x x
I love hearing the birds. You just know when they're singing in the early morning, they're happy. And also all the frogs that arrive at our little pond in the backyard for some fun (lol) and seeing all the tadpoles hatching. Can't forget the trees and flowers blooming, although, I truly do hate the pollen. Only b/c I've recently become allergic to it all. Thanks so much for the chance… Sebrina_Cassity at yahoo dot com
I love the warmer weather so that I can wear cute sandles and capris…LOL Also I love the flowers that bloom and seeing all the animals come out. I think my backyard has become a nature preserve.
My favorite thing about Spring is the beautiful weather. I live in Texas, and summers here are pretty unbearable. Spring is when the kids and I get out and go hiking, biking, etc. It's our favorite time of the year because the weather is nice & there are lots of wildflowers to see.
I love how green and colorful everything gets. A rebirth of everything. I also like the fact that I can take the grandkids out to play without a hundred pounds of clothes on.
proudarmymom32(at)yahoo(dot)com
Would love to be a winner. 🙂
erhmsh@hotmail.com
I love the flowers blooming and seeing greenery around. Thanks for the giveaway!
The smell of flowers and being able to sit in the sun and read!
bluesun1218(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love the warm, breezy days that I can spend outside playing with my kids or just lounging in my chair reading a great book.
melissalamb(at)musfiber(dot)com
Ooh, lots of great thoughts about spring! Thanks for all the comments guys, and good luck! And thanks to Kelly for hosting me! 🙂
I love spring b/c me and the chubby puppies can start taking regular walks again. We are all weenies so in the cold and snow we lose our walking resolve 🙂
I love the flowers, everything turning green, and hearing the birds chirp.
I am very excited for this book. Did not know that it was going to be delayed. I am sad. Pre-ordered from B&N along with South of Surrender.
Thanks for the fantastic giveaway.
christinebails@yahoo.com
You are always welcome here Laura. We love having you stop by!!
I love watching all the trees bud,the flowers bloom, and the warm days to sit on the deck and read.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Joanne B
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
I love seeing all types of birds coming to my backyard from Bluejay's to Cardinals I know it's a sign that spring has come.
Thanks for the giveaway.
neoterragoddess[AT]gmail[DOT]com
My favorite thing about spring is the colors. Everything is so vibrant! The clear, bright sky, with clouds that are almost touchable. The flowers and trees and blooming everything and the smells…so good! Congrats on your book and thank you for the awesome giveaways!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
What I love about spring, is the flowers blooming,the snow is gone and we get longer days.
my email
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
everything gets green..we love the weather and outside but hate the bugs…
caden at pineland.net
I like that it means that summer is that much closer. Looks like an interesting book. I haven't read anything from this author yet but it's never to late to start, right? 🙂
Definitely the flowers and the trees taking on their new leaves; peaceful.
Thanks Laura for taking time to do the interview and I can't wait for West of Want!
Thanks also to Kelly for doing the interview and the give-a-way for us fans.
Tammy
failt24@gmail.com
I love the longer days, more sunlight, flowers and warm weather! Thanks for the giveway! lfacchini(at)tampabay(dot)rr(dot)com
I loved North of Need so I am practically salivating for West of Want's release. Thanks for the excerpt and the opportunity to win prizes.
My favorite part of spring is the return of the green grass, budding trees, and flowers in bloom.
Can't believe I have not heard about this series! Sounds amazing and I am going to pre-order West of Want and get the first in the series North of Need! Thanks for a really interesting and enlightening interview guys!!
brandypm(at)optonline(dot)net
The least favorite thing about spring for me is the mud, but I do love the first tulips that pop out of it. The bright colors, so fun to see.
And YES I want more Zephyros and Ella!!!
Spring is the time of blooming flowers and light showers and warm sunlight. Here where I am, we cannot tell the difference between spring and summer because its all the same to us! This year however has been especially rainy. Anyway i want to win the book!! It'd be cool reading about a love between a God and a Mortal. Its like a vampire love story just replacing the vampire with a God. Never read that sort of story before.
Thanks for having this cool an awesome giveaway!!
tania_kwong(at)msn(dot)com
Flowers start blooming, birds start singing and most importantly is I know summer is right around the corner lol.
chamblinh@gmail.com
I like that the trees start to bud, the sun shines more, and the early flowers start to bloom and add color back into the world. The dull and dreary start to go away and gives way to all that is new.
luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com
I love Spring! I love everything about it. I love the colors, the smells, the dirt on my hands, the sunshine. The best part is waking up with the sun on my bed becon me outside. I love it.
Mel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com
Woot! Thank you, Chris! Don't be sad LOL!!!
Definitely right!!! 😀 Thanks for commenting!
I'm really enjoying reading all your comments everyone! Thanks for taking the time to read and share your thoughts with me! 🙂
i love that everything is coming to life again. all of the plants and flowers,trees too. but also all of the animals seem to have more life and so do people. i know when i watch the nieces and nephews they always seem to be more aware and full of energy during the spring than at any other time of the year.
i follow Books -n- Kisses via email: trvlagnt1t@yahoo.com, facebook/GFC/and Goodreads under tammy ramey,and twitter under wyndwhisper.
tammy ramey
trvlagnt1t@yahoo.com
I love my garden in the spring. The daffodils, the tulips and the hyacinths. It is just so pretty in the spring time.
beckerjo at verizon dot net
That the weather is starting to warm up but it isnt hot yet.
I love seeing sun again. I live in Illinois and sometimes our winters are very gray. It is wonderful to see sunshine after so many cloudy days.
This sounds sooo good.
musicalfrog at comcast.net
I love the flowers!
I love the cover.
My favorite thing about spring is the warmer weather.
Jennifer Rote
wildnmild4u at yahoo dot com
Awesome! Thanks Phyllis!
Thank you! Isn't Zeph nice? 😉
Thanks for all the great comments everyone! Good luck!
I like seeing all the flowers growing and starting to peek up from the ground.
Z
SeawitchReviews @yahoo.com
Thankyou for the wonderful giveaway and making it International, My favorite thing about Spring is my cherry tree blossoming, it is stunning with pink flowers and white flowers all over, it brightens up the whole garden, as not long after it blooms, all the flowers in the garden come out, I also love that my children's bunnies become super excitable, x x
julienewberry(at)btinternet(dot)com
I love the flowers blossoming and the birds coming to get things for their nest so cute
all the best
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
I love hearing the birds. You just know when they're singing in the early morning, they're happy. And also all the frogs that arrive at our little pond in the backyard for some fun (lol) and seeing all the tadpoles hatching. Can't forget the trees and flowers blooming, although, I truly do hate the pollen. Only b/c I've recently become allergic to it all.
Thanks so much for the chance…
Sebrina_Cassity at yahoo dot com
So I finally read North of Need…. Now I can't wait to get West of Want!(pre-order make my life so much easier!!!)
I like spring because of the greening of the earth and that it isn't as hot as summer
audie(at)wickerness(dot)com
I love the flowers, and extra sunlight in spring.
vitajex(at)aol(dot)com
I love the warm weather…gotta defrost from winter!
andieleah78@gmail.com
new buds on the trees and seeing grass again.
I love walking at night with the nicer weather in spring! I plant flowers in my garden which is my favorite thing about spring!
Thanks for all the comments everyone! You rock!
i love the warmer weather and the blooming flowers.
mythic021@gmail.com
I love the warmer weather so that I can wear cute sandles and capris…LOL
Also I love the flowers that bloom and seeing all the animals come out. I think my backyard has become a nature preserve.
koonie2888 at yahoo dot com
Watching flower bloom is my favorite.
Kidsue99@yahoo.com
I love all of the flowers that pop up everywhere. So pretty!
iqb99(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
I love the beautiful colors of the flower beds
I love the beautiful colors of the flower beds
My favorite thing about Spring is the beautiful weather. I live in Texas, and summers here are pretty unbearable. Spring is when the kids and I get out and go hiking, biking, etc. It's our favorite time of the year because the weather is nice & there are lots of wildflowers to see.