One week sale!

Under the Harvest Moon is available at Amazon for 99¢

Just for you: A partial scene from Castle de Sânge in my most recent release. Enjoy!

Katia Dobre cried out as the chained cuff enclosed her wrist. She kicked out at Serle. "What are you doing to me?" she screamed.

Serle backed away. "You must be quieter. The prince does not like the women to fight him. If you do not stop this, I will have to drug you again and he will like that even less."

Vasili watched from the shadows across the room. Though Serle spoke in a hushed whisper, he could still hear him. Firelight from the massive hearth centered on one wall flickered over Katia, but excluded the corner where he sat by his bed from any illumination.

He'd left for home immediately after making his choice, going on foot as he moved much, much faster than Serle or any human. He had left the carriage for his man to bring Katia in. He found it easier on himself if he were not there when Serle used the potion to render the woman of his choice unconscious to bring them here. This time, Serle's potion had not worked quite as well. Katia had woken as the first cuff closed around her wrist and quickly came to her feet to fend off the man.

"That will be all, Serle," Vasili said. Katia's pulse leapt in response to his voice, he heard it, and Vasili closed his eyes, breathing in her scent. He had every assurance he had made the right choice in that moment. It was rare he ever needed to chain or bind a woman anymore, but he instinctually knew with Katia it would be everything necessary. He usually found his women quite willing after a few touches.

Katia was different.

She intrigued him.

She would be a challenge.

As Serle left the room, Katia jerked on the chains, rattling them. "I know it is you, Prince Vasili," she called across the chamber. She stopped her futile efforts and glared in his direction. "You are a much worse monster than I first thought!"

Vasili chuckled, raking her body with his dark stare. He fingered his chin as he watched her. Her breasts heaved in her anger. He found it odd that she was angrier with him more than she was afraid. They were always afraid at first, until he showed them he would not harm them.

His intrigue for her stirred his passion and Vasili felt himself begin to swell. As Katia was not afraid of him, perhaps this might allow him to go further with her than he usually did the others.

Vasili gained his feet and was at her back in an instant, his lips on her neck. Katia jumped, gasping.

"How did you do that?" she asked, trying to face him. The chains held her in place, affixed to two walls at the corner of the room.

"I possess certain strengths most men do not, Katia."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

Vasili trailed the top of her bare shoulder with the pad of his thumb up to her ear and back down. She flinched from him, watching him intently. "All in good time," he said low, near her ear.

"Stop that," she said.

He smiled, looking down her back at those pearl buttons that had so bothered him with their presence before. Her blood rushed, her skin a little hotter with his nearness.

"I do not intend to stop." Vasili dipped his head to the crook of her neck and nipped her with his teeth. He drew back sucking in a hissed breath, his fangs protruding at the taste of her. He stayed well behind Katia where she could not see as he fought back his desires, tamping them down into submission.

That was the first thing he had taught himself: To own the beast driving him from within. He might be a monster, but he would never let the beast control him.

He took blood only when he wanted to take it.

It was the only way.

Vasili reached into Katia's hair and removed a single pin. He stepped closer, inhaling her. She intoxicated him.

"Prince Vasili, what do you mean to do to me?" she asked quietly.

He stopped. "Isn't it obvious?"

"You . . ." A pinch of hysteria entered her tone. "You mean to rape me?"

Now it was his turn to scoff at her. Upon reflection, he had not liked being scoffed at earlier. "No," he said flatly, and began to circle around to her front. He stood back just a step, so she might see him clearly. She still met his stare, not cowed in the least.

Vasili reached for her pert chin at lifted it. "By the time I take you, you will be very much compliant."

She arched a brow at him. "So sure of yourself, aren’t you?" She scoffed, jerking from his grip and looking across the room.

Vasili's pleasure fell a notch. "Do not make that sound again," he said.

Her wide stare returned to his and she scoffed once more. "What? That sound?"

His jaw set in a hard line and he tilted her chin up again. "That sound."

"I do not understand why you chose me for this. Why not my sister? She is prettier and she would have fallen into your hands like clay. Tamara would have let you cast her whichever way you wanted." Katia paused. "Not that I would wish this on her. It is just that she is the more preferable when it comes to the attention of gentlemen."

Vasili chuckled. "I assure you, the choices of those men are not based on your beauty. It is your sharp tongue that deters them. You nearly had me fooled, too, but I did not wish to have someone so easy to be had. Not tonight."

She arched a brow again. "Then I am not the first to be brought here?"

Vasili snorted at that. "Certainly not."

She regarded him with fury.

Vasili stepped in again, cupping her cheek. He rubbed his thumb alongside her face. "It is not my wish to break you. I admire your spirit. It is what drew me to you. I wanted to know what exists beneath the façade you wear. You wish to learn? Let me educate you on the passion there is to be had between a man and a woman."

She tried to pull back. "I do not wish to be your whore."

"I will not make you my whore," he said, reaching for her hair.

Her eyes narrowed as she watched him pull another pin from her head, the strand it had held cascading down to dangle over her breast and Vasili casually tossed the pin over his shoulder, his stare traveling down the lock, to her breasts, and back up.

She gaped, staring after the pin, but he tilted her chin with a finger, returning her attention to him. When he was satisfied that her concentration was again on him, Vasili slowly circled her, returning to her back. He kissed her neck tenderly and reached around to fill his hand with her breast. He gave her a squeeze and Katia gasped. In the faintest bit, her neck rolled to the side for him and Vasili chuckled darkly. Her skin fevered under his touch.

As much as Katia might like to deny him, her body betrayed her.

Desire thrummed through her, coursing in her veins.

Katia might not be so hard to tame as he thought. Her blood pulsed hard, and what thrilled him more, it was all from his touch. He would show her pleasure she had never dreamed of before.

Vasili pulled the last pin from her hair and wound his fingers in her tresses, pulling her head back. He sealed his lips over hers then, kissing her hard. "I want you, Katia. I will have you," he said against her lips.

"No," she whispered back.

Vasili dipped under her arm, returning to her front. He stooped to pull a small dagger from his boot, causing Katia to shrink back as much as the chains would allow. He came forward and pulled her into him with one arm and with the knife in his other hand, drew it up her back. The sound of the pearls clanking to the stone floor filled the massive room.

Katia gaped at him in horror, but Vasili smiled down on her triumphantly and made quick work of removing the rest of her bodice.

"You are an animal," she spat.

"You have no idea," he murmured, taking the top of her skirts in hand and ripping them down the middle.

Katia shrieked, looking down on herself in her silk shift. They both knew there was little else beneath. Vasili tossed his dagger behind him where it embedded into the wall with a thunk.

Katia looked over his shoulder at it and then back to him.

"How did you rip through all that material?" Katia looked down at the pile around her feet. So absent was her voice, it was almost as though she had not known she'd spoken.

"I told you, I have strengths other men do not possess."

Her stare returned to him. "What are you?" she asked. Vasili circled her again, kicking the torn clothing out of his path. "I told you I have read our histories. Tell me you are not what I think you are."

           "I am not what you think I am." Vasili drew his fingers around her slender waist. He sucked in a hissed breath at the feel of the curls at the juncture of her legs, beneath the shift. In a burst of need, he rent the sleeve on one side and tasted her skin there, and inhumanly quickly, he did the same at the other side. He was back in front of her before Katia could blink. Vasili pushed the garment down, exposing her breasts and the rest of her body fully. He delighted in seeing her as the shift slunk to the floor around her feet. Her white stockings were tied up with green ribbons matching the gown she had worn.

--------------------------An excerpt from Under the Harvest Moon-Castle de Sânge-------------------------

Buy Here

Looking for something sweet this season?

I made this yesterday and it turned out SO good. Very easy too! It never fails, every holiday I get so wrapped up in trying to make things special that I am usually stuck in the kitchen or otherwise engaged so that I'm not taking part in the fun myself. This Christmas I decided not to stress on anything and if I am going to bake, its going to be simple.


So, if you're like me and looking for simple and delicious recipes, here is one you will love!


Enjoy the season!

-Kerri

Salted Caramel Pretzel Bark




2 sticks of butter

1 cup of light brown sugar

1 reg. bag of pretzels (you'll use about 3/4 of the bag)
12 ounce bag of chocolate chips
Sea salt - ( I use coarse sea salt from a grinder)

Preheat the oven to 400.

Line a large bar pan with parchment paper, cover with pretzels
In a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium-low heat. When it begins to bubble add the brown sugar. Stirring occasionally let the butter/sugar mixture meld together and brown. This should take about 3 minutes. Do NOT let it boil, you will have sticky goo that is no good. When you have a nice, brown caramel pour it over the pretzels, slowly and evenly. You can then use a spatula to spread it out, you have to work quickly and gently. It hardens fast so even pouring is the best method.

Bake the sheet for 5 minutes.

Remove the sheet from the oven and sprinkle the whole bag of chocolate chips evenly over the mixture.

Place back in the oven for about 45 seconds. If you let it sit there too long the chocolate will burn.

Remove from the oven and use a silicone spatula to evenly spread the chocolate over the top.

Sprinkle with sea salt and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour.

Thinking about hot Scots? Consider this one!

Happy Holidays

Hello all,

As Christmas is closing in I hope everyone is enjoying the season and not feeling stressed. I have been swamped, but I look forward to my daughter being out of school for Christmas break soon and my husband will be off for a couple weeks so we can visit family. It will be here before I know it! I also look forward to having the time to get back to doing what I love. I have two book folders waiting on my desk for when I return…Well, the folders are on my desk but the characters are always in my head diligently urging me to get to their stories :)

What are your plans for the holidays?

-Kerri

We have a winner!

Amy Bowens! Thank you again for participating in the hop.

I thought everyone used their imaginations well and I enjoyed all the comments. Thank you all for stopping to share your imaginations with me. I hope everyone enjoyed the Birthday Bash!

Kerri M. Patterson

Six days left to celebrate!

I don't know about you, but I've really enjoyed this hop! And to show how much I appreciate all of you who have taken your time to visit my blog and leave a comment, I am upping the prize to include not only the Amazon gift card, but a $5 Evernight gift card and a digital copy of Under the Harvest Moon!
It's simple to enter and remember I'm not looking for a correct answer :)
-KP

P.s. Winner will be announced on the 15th

Evernight Birthday Blog Hop!

Celebrate like a ROCK STAR because Evernight Publishing is THREE!

In three short years, Evernight has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to readers like you! Evernight is pulling out all the stops and throwing an extreme BIRTHDAY BASH BLOG HOP in your honor!

That’s right! It’s Evernight’s birthday but YOU get the presents…

Prizes include:

Samsung Galaxy Tab

Kindle Paperwhite

Kobo Touch

$100 Evernight and Amazon Gift Certificates

Mega Evernight Swag Pack

Plus, each author on the hop will offer his/her own special prize!

As an author, I’m thrilled to share my stories with you and Evernight helps make my books shine! Here’s one reason why I love Evernight Publishing:

"As Evernight celebrates a 3^rd Birthday, I am celebrating the beginning of a second year with them! Three more contacts have come since last September and I can't say there is any other publisher out there I would rather be with. Evernight is not only a great publisher but a community as well. The support between all the authors signed with Evernight is astounding. They are all goodhearted people always willing to lend a hand or thought when needed. Thank you Evernight and Happy Birthday!"

Under The Harvest Moon coming October 2nd!

An excerpt from Under The Harvest Moon

Her Dark Hunter

     Enid began to shrink back, but the hunter swiftly gained his feet, his large male part still erected and uncovered by the simple cloth hanging low about his hips. Enid was minimally aware as the first hunter sped off into the thick night that the other hunter had flipped the woman over on her hands and knees. She watched him a moment. He took her like an animal, but she tossed her head back panting and crying out with pleasure. The Drochdraci tightened his hands about her throat from behind, pressing in harder, speaking to her in their strange language.

     Enid stumbled away.

     As she began to run, the juncture of her thighs was damp and slick as her legs moved. Her heart pounded. She looked behind her to make sure no Drochdraci followed.

     And then the air left her lungs as she impacted with something hard and fleshy and Enid's knees buckled. She felt herself falling to the ground backwards.

     Upon contact with the ground, she lifted herself up and began to instantly scoot back, making room between herself and whatever it was.

     She stared up in horror at the Drochdraci standing over her.

     His legs braced apart, his hard, muscled body gleamed golden under the harvest moon. Like her, he had been dusted with gold. All he wore was the simple white cloth about his hips, barely long enough to cover him, and a golden mask, which concealed his entire face and resembled a creature with large teeth.

To celebrate with you and Evernight I am offering a $10 Amazon gift card to the participant with the most imaginative answer! To enter, please tell me what you think a Drochdraci might be besides a "hunter."

Enter to win the Grand Prizes using Rafflecopter: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e561a316/

Hop to the next stop here:

http://www.inlinkz.com/wpview.php?id=314265

It’s the perfect time to buy the Evernight titles on your TBR list, as well as new gems you find during the event, because Evernight’s entire backlist is on sale at evernightpublishing.com and allromanceebooks.com through October 7^th!

Teaser excerpts for Under The Harvest Moon!

When I started this blog a few weeks ago I promised myself I would post every Monday...(sigh). Life happens I guess.

This week I wrapped up edits for Under The Harvest Moon so I thought I would share the teaser. This book is a collection of three short stories.

Enjoy!

The Accursed

"This is wrong," she said.

Christian reached beneath her, palming her breast.

It was wrong, but the delicious quiver racing through her body, spiking at her nipples in an erotic ache against his hand said otherwise.

"Yes, it is wrong, but that is what makes it so good. Let me teach you the way of the world outside Salem. Leave here with me, and let me teach you to soar above those who have wronged you." Christian's stare was intense as she craned her neck to see him.

Yes, Rebecca thought. Yes, that was what she wanted. She wet her lips. "Take me, Christian," she said. "Take me and let us be done with this place. I know you will do what is right."

Her quiet faith in him seemed to be his undoing, as though her words released a passion pent up in him and a barely restrained desire to spiral out of him.

"You know if I could, I would have had you in my bed first. I would have had you yesterday before I left your cottage, against the door. I would have rather had you years ago, but you were not ready for me then. It is never easy for a woman the first time. You are sure you want this?"

"Yes," she said.

Christian dipped his mouth to hers and claimed a kiss. The touch of his lips, the glide of his tongue, almost made Rebecca forget where she was. The taste of him invaded her senses.

He pulled back then. "I am going to take you in every way a man can, lest I leave any virtue behind."

Castle de Sânge

Vasili stepped in again, cupping her cheek. He rubbed his thumb alongside her face. "It is not my wish to break you. I admire your spirit. It is what drew me to you. I wanted to know what exists beneath the façade you wear. You wish to learn? Let me educate you on the passion there is to be had between a man and a woman."

She tried to pull back. "I do not wish to be your whore."

"I will not make you my whore," he said, reaching for her hair.

Her eyes narrowed as she watched him pull another pin from her head, the strand it had held cascading down to dangle over her breast and Vasili casually tossed the pin over his shoulder, his stare traveling down the lock, to her breasts, and back up.

She gaped, staring after the pin, but he tilted her chin with a finger, returning her attention to him. When he was satisfied that her concentration was again on him, Vasili slowly circled her, returning to her back. He kissed her neck tenderly and reached around to fill his hand with her breast. He gave her a squeeze and Katia gasped. In the faintest bit, her neck rolled to the side for him and Vasili chuckled darkly. Her skin fevered under his touch.

As much as Katia might like to deny him, her body betrayed her.

Desire thrummed through her, coursing in her veins.

Katia might not be so hard to tame as he thought. Her blood pulsed hard, and what thrilled him more, it was all from his touch. He would show her pleasure she had never dreamed of before.

Vasili pulled the last pin from her hair and wound his fingers in her tresses, pulling her head back. He sealed his lips over hers then, kissing her hard. "I want you, Katia. I will have you," he said against her lips.

"No," she whispered back.

Vasili dipped under her arm, returning to her front. He stooped to pull a small dagger from his boot, causing Katia to shrink back as much as the chains would allow. He came forward and pulled her into him with one arm and with the knife in his other hand, drew it up her back. The sound of the pearls clanking to the stone floor filled the massive room.

Katia gaped at him in horror, but Vasili smiled down on her triumphantly and made quick work of removing the rest of her bodice.

"You are an animal," she spat.

"You have no idea," he murmured, taking the top of her skirts in hand and ripping them down the middle.

Her Dark Hunter

Enid was minimally aware as the first hunter sped off into the thick night that the other hunter had flipped the woman over on her hands and knees. She watched him a moment. He took her like an animal, but she tossed her head back panting and crying out with pleasure. The Drochdraci tightened his hands about her throat from behind, pressing in harder, speaking to her in their strange language.

Enid stumbled away.

As she began to run, the juncture of her thighs was damp and slick as her legs moved. Her heart pounded. She looked behind her to make sure no Drochdraci followed.

And then the air left her lungs as she impacted with something hard and fleshy and Enid's knees buckled. She felt herself falling to the ground backwards.

Upon contact with the ground, she lifted herself up and began to instantly scoot back, making room between herself and whatever it was.

She stared up in horror at the Drochdraci standing over her.

His legs braced apart, his hard, muscled body gleamed golden under the harvest moon. Like her, he had been dusted with gold. All he wore was the simple white cloth about his hips, barely long enough to cover him, and a golden mask, which concealed his entire face and resembled a creature with large teeth.

"No," Enid whispered, slowly inching further back, knowing it would pounce on her at any second and in that moment everything she had dreamed of sharing with Ciarán would be forever tarnished.

It stared down on her intently, poised to strike.

And then, he jerked off his mask.

Busy...Busy...Busy...How do we keep it all in order?

Recently another mom I know told me she had gone to the doctor and when snippily asked for her job title and place of work she told them she was Super Mom and she worked at the nuthouse. They didn't think her candor too funny and demanded a serious answer. The receptionist told her for an accurate exam of her stress level, they needed an accurate answer. She replied, "Well then, to describe my stress level, that is a very accurate answer."

I thought my friend was pretty funny. Being mom sometimes feels that way, at least for me. How about you?

As a busy wife/mom/author sometimes I wonder how I'm going to accomplish everything I need to do to stay on top of everything. Whether it is remembering to put my husband's clothes in the dryer, getting my daughter's backpack ready for school, or jotting down that really good plot I just thought of before I forget it; I'm bound to not get at least one of those done. Unfortunately for my husband, his clothes have been left wet in the washer a few mornings as I finished the last touches on Under the Harvest Moon. And as school just started here, it seems my life only got more hectic.

In the last weeks, I've found that keeping a planner and setting alarms on my phone to remind me when certain things need to be done have come in rather handy. How about you? Whether you are a mom or not, how do you keep your life in order as a busy woman?

Under the Harvest Moon Coming Soon!

I am very pleased to announce that my fourth book, Under the Harvest Moon, will be coming to Evernight Publishing soon! I will announce the date as soon as I can, but until then, here is the blurb:

Witches, hunters, and even a set of fangs; will love conquer or be in vain?

In the village of Salem, Rebecca finds herself in need of a champion when a deacon threatens to have her accused of witchcraft if she does not succumb to his unholy desires. Will Christian cast aside his own plans to save her in the Accursed?

Romanian Prince Vasili Acros holds a dark secret, one he has never failed to keep. That changes when he chooses a woman for his pleasure and she returns light to his life. Vasili must make a choice; live in the shadows or return to life in Castle de Sânge.

In Her Dark Hunter, as the equinox nears, Enid fears of being taken by the Drocdraci hunters for their ritualistic pleasure. Though Ciarán has sworn to keep her safe, when his plans fail, will he save her? Or lose Enid forever?

Beautiful, young, & perfect.Advantages and disadvantages of the modern heroine and how their level of perfection can connect or disconnect readers.

As a modern woman, how do the (sometimes) perfect heroines we read cause us a disconnect to the story? Or in come cases, can a too imperfect character cause just as much of a separation between reader and character?

I am on the side of balance here, but I've asked a few fellow authors to weigh in on this topic. Author Raven McAllan says, "I have to have a character who has real attributes . . . " I agree. It is hard to identify with a heroine whose hair never strays, or if it does, does so beautifully, her make-up never smudges, and her body is divine (though she never seems to work for it). But if not perfect, can a character be too flawed? As a reader, I want a character to live through on the page and I want a good looking heroine to do it through. There has to be a balance. We need a heroine who's not perfect, but with just enough of that not-perfect perfection to attract an audience.

Author R. Brennan says, " . . . one comment I get most often on my novel, Call of the Sea, is that they loved the heroine character because she was flawed enough to be real . . . were really able to see growth by the end of the novel because she didn't start out or end up perfect." And Lynde Lakes says, "We need human heroines with strong emotions and good hearts."

Real, flawed, and human is the general opinion. Kastil Eavenshade says, "It's hard to identify with a character that has no flaws. It kills the realism . . . Sure, books are an escape from the real world but it's hard to dive right in when the character isn't believable . . . "

I have to agree with these ladies. What about you? Or, do you think the imperfect heroine makes us as women less likely to strive for perfection within ourselves?

Hello!

I would like to welcome you to my new blog. I am excited to get this started up and connect with you, readers, about more than books. (Well, of course we will talk about those, too!) But please join me next Monday, August 12th. I will be blogging about being a modern woman and connecting to the characters we read.
-Kerri