By Laura Kaye
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!! And thanks so much to Steph for hosting me here today! I’m very excited to be celebrating my newest release, a dark paranormal romance called In the Service of the King, the first in my new Vampire Warrior Kings series. The story is about a vampire king and his human offering at the feeding ceremony the king loathes but requires to maintain his immortality and humaneness.
One of the things I love about In the Service of the King is the heroine. So, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, here’s my top 10 reasons to fall in love with Shayla McKinnon:
10. She knows what she wants, and she’s not afraid to go after it. Shayla’s imagined this night with the vampire king for several years, and while she’s enough of a realist to know her dreams of winning him aren’t likely, that doesn’t mean she’ll accept defeat easily.
9. She’s damn smart. Finished high school early, college in three years, and as of her 20th birthday (which is the first day of this story), she’s just begun a Masters in Celtic history and culture at Oxford.
8. She’s a real woman. Kael’s first impression of her:
She was not thin, which pleased him. He had once turned away a Proffered for being too thin—he was 250 pounds and nearly feral once blooded, and he’d feared crushing her. Instead, this woman appeared strong, athletic. She was young, to be sure, but also womanly, with curves where women should have curves, with rounded flesh that would fill his exploring hands and strong grip.
7. She’s able to master her fear and nerves in the face of an incredibly powerful and gorgeous male. Kael admires her discipline from the very first moments.
6. She takes initiative. When things don’t go the way either Kael or Shayla expect, she’s often the one to make an effort to put them at ease and give them another chance.
5. She has the courage of a warrior, something Kael can totally respect. At one point, she is accidentally injured, and never once cries or complains. Kael, the battle-hardened vampire warrior, is in awe of her strength.
4. Shayla’s not afraid to stand up to Kael when he’s wrong, to put him in his place, despite his rank, position, size, and power. In this way, she’s very much like Kael’s second-in-command, Liam, one of his few warriors willing to call Kael out when it’s needed. For the king, it’s a complimentary comparison, because Liam is the closest thing he’s ever had to a true brother and he trusts him with his life.
3. She says what she’s thinking, asks for what she wants, and is straight-forward and honest. Shayla doesn’t play games and isn’t afraid to make her needs known in the midst of this incredible supernatural experience she has on the Night of the Proffering.
2. Shayla adores Kael. She loves his looks, his voice, his body, his quirks, and his faults. She gives him what he needs openly and generously, and he adores her for it.
1. When the time comes, Shayla gives herself over to the bloodlust that will bring them together once and for all. She’s magnificent in her desire for him in that moment, and it’s possibly the most erotic non-sex scene I’ve ever written. I can’t wait to hear what you think about it! *grins*
For me, all of these add up to one fierce heroine, and I hope you’ll agree that she’s completely lovable and totally worthy of Kael, Warrior King of the Vampires. [I celebrated 10 reasons to love Kael on February 1 – check out the link to my blog tour below!]
Would you like to know more about Shayla? Post a question for her or her author lady, and we’d both be happy to chat with you! Alternately, what are your plans for Valentine’s Day?
Thanks for reading,
Laura Kaye
GIVEAWAY! FEB. 14 to
11:59PM Feb. 15
To celebrate her new release, Laura is giving away one e-copy of In the Service of the King at each stop on her New Release Tour, 1/30 – 2/15! In addition, all commenters from across the tour will be entered to win a prize bag filled with swag and various vampire items, perfect for the vampire lover!
RULES: TO Enter BOTH giveaways please Leave a Comment.
Leave a comment with Must leave e-mail address & whether you are from the U.S. in comment. Ebook prizes open to international; prize bag to U.S. only. Must be 18 or older or the age of majority where you live.
RULES: TO Enter BOTH giveaways please Leave a Comment.
Leave a comment with Must leave e-mail address & whether you are from the U.S. in comment. Ebook prizes open to international; prize bag to U.S. only. Must be 18 or older or the age of majority where you live.
About In the Service of the King
Book 1 in the Vampire Warrior Kings Series
Harlequin Nocturne Cravings
Kael, Warrior King of the Vampires, loathes the Night of the Proffering. He needs the blood of either his mate or a human virgin to maintain his strength, but hasn't enjoyed the ritual since he lost his mate centuries ago. Kael doesn't want a new companion, yet his resolve is tested when he lays eyes on his new offering, Shayla McKinnon. He is drawn to Shayla's beauty and poise...and the submission she offers. She is eager to give him anything he wishes, including her innocence, to please him. Will Kael give in to their overwhelming desire--even if it means risking Shayla's life?
Kael, Warrior King of the Vampires, loathes the Night of the Proffering. He needs the blood of either his mate or a human virgin to maintain his strength, but hasn't enjoyed the ritual since he lost his mate centuries ago. Kael doesn't want a new companion, yet his resolve is tested when he lays eyes on his new offering, Shayla McKinnon. He is drawn to Shayla's beauty and poise...and the submission she offers. She is eager to give him anything he wishes, including her innocence, to please him. Will Kael give in to their overwhelming desire--even if it means risking Shayla's life?
About Laura Kaye
Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is the bestselling and award-winning author of a half-dozen books. Hearts in Darkness is a finalist for the EPIC eBook Award 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 Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is the bestselling and award-winning author of a half-dozen books. Hearts in Darkness is a finalist for the EPIC eBook Award 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 Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
Hey Laura! Thanks so much for the great guest post. Shayla is a great character and Kael is too! Here's wishing our readers luck in your fab contest. And a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO EVERYONE!!
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