Wednesday 28 September 2011

Welcome Elisabeth Naughton!

Today, our guest of honour at the party is the very talented paranormal fantasy author Elisabeth Naughton. Welcome, Elisabeth!



Elisabeth Naughton, Author of Tempted

Thanks so much to Marie for inviting me to stop by during her Sci Fi & Fantasy Theme Party! For those who don’t know me, I write a paranormal fantasy series based on Greek mythology. TEMPTED is the third book in my Eternal Guardians series, which just hit store shelves on September 6, 2011. The Eternal Guardians are seven warriors descended from the seven greatest heroes in all of Ancient Greece who protect the mortal realm from threats of the Underworld.

I’ve loved Greek mythology since I was a kid and knew I wanted to write a series related somehow to the ancient mythos. Technically my books are considered romance. There’s a strong romantic element in every book fueling each story, and they do end with a satisfying result to that romantic relationship. But the entire world is deeply rooted in mythology, and I try to stay as true to that as I can. I love taking new twists on ancient stories and linking my modern day characters with their forefathers’ sins of the past. I’ve heard from numerous readers who tell me they aren’t romance fans but love the series. I especially love hearing from men who picked up the books because they were fascinated with the mythology and then fell in love with both the fantasy and characters. Someone earlier in the week mentioned cross-over appeal. The Eternal Guardians have that in spades.



In TEMPTED, readers meet Demetrius & Isadora. When Isadora—the princess of the Argolean realm—goes missing, Demetrius, a descendent of the famed hero Jason, and the other Guardians are sent to find her. Demetrius has no use for Isadora and has made no secret over the fact he doesn’t think she’s qualified to rule when her father eventually passes, but when the rescue goes wrong and he and Isadora are banished to an island inhabited by ancient monsters no one thinks exists anymore, they’re forced to rely on each other to stay alive. Through trials and tribulations neither expects, each comes to discover…the other is not what they thought at all. And even as Demetrius guards a dark and deadly secret that could lead to the end of the world, Isadora grows stronger. Until finally she’s the only one who can save him from a destiny he’s tried to avoid his whole life.

Here’s a short excerpt from TEMPTED:



Isadora’s hands cupped her cheeks. As she stared at Saphira’s lifeless body, she couldn’t help but think of the thousands of times she’d looked at that face and trusted she was her friend. The energy that only moments before had propelled Isadora forward rushed out of her on a wave. She took a step back just as her knees went out from under her.

“I’ve got you.”

Strong arms closed around her. Still reeling, she looked up to find Demetrius holding her tight against him once again.

Demetrius?

Yeah. Demetrius.

She focused on his face to keep the panic at bay. On the bloody and bruised skin streaked with dirt. On the faint lines fanning out from the corners of his eyes, that hard mouth, the slight dimple in his chin. On the strong cheekbones and his intense gaze, which seemed to be looking all the way through her, right into her soul. This was the same Argonaut she’d seen in her dream. The same one she’d cowered from so many times she couldn’t count. Only this time something felt…different.

He pushed her hands away from her face, focused on her burn, and muttered, “Bitches.” Gently he blew on the tender skin, and his breath, cooling against the sting of the burn, heated other places inside her she definitely shouldn’t be aware of right now.

Her body reacted, shifted deeper into his arms. Even though some small place in her mind screamed, What the hell do you think you’re doing?


To celebrate the release of TEMPTED, Sourcebooks is giving away two copies of TEMPTED (US/Canada shipping only). To be entered into the drawings simply tell me the name of your favorite fantasy movie, book, or series.

TEMPTED BY ELISABETH NAUGHTON – IN STORES SEPTEMBER 2011

DEMETRIUS—He’s the hulking, brooding warrior even his fellow Guardians avoid. Too dark. Too damaged. And given his heritage, he knows it’s best to keep everyone at arm’s length.

Isadora is missing. The words pound through his head like a frantic drumbeat. For her own protection, Demetrius did all he could to avoid the fragile princess, his soul mate. And now she’s gone—kidnapped. To get her back, he’ll have to go to the black place in his soul he’s always shunned.

As daemons ravage the human realm and his loyalty to the Guardians is put to the ultimate test, Demetrius realizes that Isadora is stronger than anyone thought.

And finally letting her into his heart may be the only way to save them both.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A former junior high science teacher, Elisabeth Naughton traded in her red pen and test-tube set for a laptop and research books. She now writes sexy romantic adventure and paranormal novels full-time from her home in western Oregon, where she lives with her husband and three children. Her work has been nominated for numerous awards, including the prestigious RITA Awards of Romance Writers of America, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, the Golden Leaf, and the Golden Heart. When not writing, Elisabeth can be found running, hanging out at the ball park, or dreaming up new and exciting adventures. Visit her at www.elisabethnaughton.com to learn more about her and her books. Her next book in the Eternal Guardians series, Enraptured, will be in stores in April 2012.


Today Elisabeth's publisher is kindly giving away two copies of TEMPTED. To enter the draw, comment on Elisabeth's post with the name of your favorite fantasy movie, book, or series. The contest will close at midnight tonight and the winner will be announced tomorrow on this thread.  

17 comments:

  1. I have enjoyed the following:

    The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series by Greg Keyes

    The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

    A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Tracey! One of my sons is really into the George RR Martin books. He's trying to get me to read them too but I haven't found the time yet :).

    Hi Elisabeth - thanks for joining us today! Your books are very intriguing - I can see that they would have a BIG cross-over appeal among the genres. Are you writing more Guardians books after ENRAPTURED? Or have you plans for something different?

    Marie

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree with booklover that The Dresden Files books are great. I also love Patricia Briggs. Pretty much anything she writes. I haven't read George RR Martin yet but I am going to have to add his books to my wish list.
    jepebATverizonDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
  4. I could not just pick one. I love Laurell K Hamilton's Anita Blake series, Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series, True Blood, Supernatural, Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega series, and Jeaniene Frosts' Night Huntress series. I love to read paranormal/fantasy books very much. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
    GFC & blog follower:Chris Bails
    christinebails@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. As all time greats go, what about Lord of the Rings?

    Love True Blood...

    Marie

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi! I really love True Blood too! But my Fav it's The Immortals after Dark series from Kresley Cole ! Grrr Wish I could be Regin ! :) Thanks for the giveaway!

    proserpinecravedfor(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. My favorite fantasy series would have to be the Dragonlance books. I think Raistlin Majere was one of my first crushes.

    Fave fantasy movie is THE NEVERENDING STORY...and LORD OF THE RINGS.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi,

    Looks like more books to add to my TBB list!!! They look yummy.

    Most of my favs have already been mentioned here and I LOVE Terry Pratchett!!!

    Valerie
    in Germany

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have been hooked on fantasy stories since I read Lord of the Rings many years ago. Love reading paranormal and urban fantasy stories and have an extensive list of favorites. Two recent series that I loved are The Dark Elder series by Thea Harrison, and Eileen Wilks Lupi series.

    Cathy m
    caity_mack at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I really like the Guardian's of Light series by Renee Wildes. I have not read your books yet. Adding them to my TRS. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Sue B
    katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm with Chris; how do you pick just one? I am still hooked on Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series. I'm still keeping with both Laurell K Hamilton series, Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan and so many others.
    a dot charol at yahoo dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love Jocelynn Drakes Dark Day's series, Adrian Phoenix Maker Song series and Charlaine Harris Southern Vamp series and Janet Chapman's highlander series

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh, those are all good choices I really liked the first novel of the Maker Song series it was awesome!

    I've always found Greek Mythology very intriguing and that particular part of the book along with the romance makes me love the Eternal Guardians series even though I've only read the first book.

    I don't know if you'd call it fantasy but another series I really got into was The Dragon Kin series by G.A. Aiken!

    I also really like this book by Lisa Beth Darling called The Heart of War this book has quite a bit of Greek Mythology in it so if you like that I highly recommend it!

    (small warning, they're scenes that take place in this book that aren't for the weak minded But if you can make it through these scenes I sure you'll get into the book!)

    kakuchouakisame_19@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. As much as I love the Lord of the Rings books, I could only read them by skipping the songs. Terry Pratchett's Discworld though I love without reservation. I also enjoy Piers Anthony's Xanth novels but mostly the middle ones (the earlier ones were a bit sexist and the last one was a bit depressing).

    ironss [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for all the recommendations! Now I've even MORE books on that TBR :).

    And thanks to Elisabeth for dropping in with her very tempting series!

    I'll be back in a few minutes with Elisabeth's winner...

    Marie

    ReplyDelete
  16. And Elisabeth's winners are...

    JEN B and PROSERPINE!

    Who will each receive a copy of TEMPTED. Congratulations to you both! Please send me your postal addresses: Marie AT MarieTreanor DOT com.

    Marie

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congrats to the winners....yay!!!!

    Valerie
    in Germany.

    ReplyDelete