Water Waltz: not your typical angels & demons

This is a part of the Hot Angels and Cool Demons blog tour.

I love the concept of angels and demons. Regardless of any biblical ties, the idea of such beings is fascinating. To me angels and demons are in the same circle as elves and faeries: magical or supernatural beings that some believe to exist without having proof.

Is there a different between a man with wings and an angel? Probably. However, there’s no difference in my mind. In my writing I’ve taken the concept of an angel and removed the link to religion. In Water Waltz, I’ve created my own version of an angel with the ability to conceal his wings within his body.

Demons are usually considered malevolent supernatural beings from hell or the underworld. If angels symbolize the good, then demons are the evil. I’ve used the idea of demons to create my own version of such a creature. In Water Waltz, my demons carry power over elements, and I separated demons and devils—giving the sensual nature to the devils. 

Water Waltz is a tale with a political nature and a romance twisted deeply into the plot. The angel and demon races share a volatile relationship with humans. Devils and faeries are added to the mix but are not touched on too deeply in the first book.

Varun is a demon with control over water working with an organization to protect humans that are brought across the border for illicit purposes. His angel butler—Triste—is his ex-lover whom he still loves. Varun had only accepted Triste’s decision to end their life together to be his servant in hopes his angel would return to him. Varun rescues a human and discovers a plot to stir up war. While Varun races to uncover the one responsible, Triste goes behind his back to do just the same. But Triste reveals a dangerous secret which jeopardizes his life. It’s up to Varun to save him and rekindle their lost romance.

--

Fremont removed his hat and placed it on his knee. The red hair, freed of the confines of fabric, fell into place. Longer locks around Fremont’s face framed his high cheek bones and gave view to temples without horns.

“Why?” he asked.

“Why have I not returned calls?” Varun sought clarity.

Fremont smiled, shifted in his seat, freeing his tail from beneath him. “I don’t really care when I’m ignored by you. I ignore you as well. I want to know why you’re here and why now.”

“Would you believe I’m lonely?”

“No.” Fremont laughed, placing his arm behind Varun on the seat. “I heard about Barish. I assume it was you.”

“Is there anyone who hasn’t heard about Barish?”

“Since the lounge opened this morning, the whispers have all been about him. Some say he was murdered, and others say he choked on his favorite wine.” Fremont’s lips curved into a smirk. “But the odd thing is, no one cares. It’s just another death, and I can’t say most even cared about him.”

Varun nodded slowly, watching as Fremont’s tail snaked across his thigh. He’d allow the intrusion “Are humans still in the brothel?”

“Yes. When there’s a demand, there’s a supply. Sally wished to relieve the two strays she already employed, so she accepted three more. You know she treats them fair.”

“Male?”

“Yes. The desire to seek a female human for sexual gratification doesn’t exist.”

“Which are seen more with the humans?”

“It’s about even.” Fremont scooted closer. “The angels like humans because they’re tough like demons without being demons. The demons like humans because they’re soft like angels without being angels.” He tilted his head before adding, “And devils like everything.”

“Devils are insatiable creatures.” Varun chuckled. “And they have wicked tails.” His hand closed around Fremont’s tail, removing it from his lap. “Mind your manners, Fremont.”

“My tail has an entirely different set of rules to live by.” Fremont winked.

Water Waltz is now available from Dreamspinner Press!!

Don’t forget that each comment is added to a drawing to win a free ebook from each author on the blog tour!

November 14: Jay Di Meo
November 15: Ellis Carrington
November 16: Daniel Christian Juris
November 17: JK Coi
November 18: Kiki Howell
November 19: Michael Mandrake
November 20: Angel Martinez
November 21: Marie Dees
November 22: Sara York
November 23: Barbara Elsborg
November 24: Hayley B. James
November 25: Ryssa Edwards
November 26: Andi Anderson
November 27: Arlene Webb
November 28: Diane Hartsock
November 29: Kiernan Kelly
November 30: Tour Wrap Up: Jay Di Meo, Misty Malone, & Marie Dees

Sales! Glorious Sales!

I have a few coupon codes for Dreamspinner Press to anyone with a desire to buy some romance this weekend!

At the Dreamspinner Press store right now until November 30th, there's a We Are Thankful Sale: 20% off everything on the web site! Great time to grab some books you've been eyeing.

Also, they reached 1500 fans again on the Facebook page after the first page mysteriously disappeared. To say thank you, there's a code on the page for 15% off one order of any size over the next year. Visit the Facebook page for the code.

Happy shopping!!

Strange Dreams

I don't always remember my dreams but I remember a small part of one from last night. I was given my cover for Water Waltz and it was a green sheet with a gold stamp that looked like a 18th century horse carriage. It was very odd and not fitting for the book...but mostly just ugly.

Upon waking, my sleepy mind convinced me that it was true! It took me a few times of hitting the snooze button before I woke up and remembered that I just send in the cover request so there's no way I got a cover back already.

I get home tonight and receive an email to let me know an artist has been assigned to Water Waltz: Paul Richmond. Paul did the cover for my first book, Undercover Sins, so I'm pleased to have him again. I also trust his work will be exactly what I want and no odd green things.

Hot Angels and Cool Demons Blog Tour

Who doesn't love a good story about angels or demons? It's just the right amount of fantasy to make me a happy reader. (or writer) For the next two weeks there's a blog tour for authors of angel and demon stories.

Not only is the topic a fantastic one, but each commenter gets put into a drawing to win one free ebook from each of the authors!

Read the introduction on Jay Di Meo's blog. And the schedule for the tour is below. Have a wonderful time and the best of luck to you!

November 14: Jay Di Meo
November 15: Ellis Carrington
November 16: Daniel Christian Juris
November 17: JK Coi
November 18: Kiki Howell
November 19: Michael Mandrake
November 20: Angel Martinez
November 21: Marie Dees
November 22: Sara York
November 23: Barbara Elsborg
November 24: Hayley B. James
November 25: Ryssa Edwards
November 26: Andi Anderson
November 27: Arlene Webb
November 28: Diane Hartsock
November 29: Kiernan Kelly
November 30: Tour Wrap Up: Jay Di Meo, Misty Malone, & Marie Dees

NaNoWriMo

National Novel Writing Month. I've participated a few times. Only once was I ever serious with it and only once have I "won" and finished 50k words in November. I thought I'd participate this year and use the rest of my WIP as part of the 50k word count, but that won't be happening. I'm far too busy with edits and other correspondence with the publisher to think about my WIP. Too much work makes me curl up and watch anime all day.

Is anyone writing a novel this month for NaNoWriMo? I went to a group meet up for it and wrote a chapter toward my WIP. Great night. I had pumpkin pie too. Mmm.
If you're working on the 50k for November, good luck to you! Chances are if you're doing NaNoWriMo, you aren't wasting time reading a blog.

Locked Out

According to my vehicle, today’s temperature at 8:00 this morning was a chilly 32 degrees Fahrenheit. I have a key chain that separates my car key from the rest of my keys. I got to the new office before my colleague today. I left my jacket in the car since the afternoon will be warm enough to be in just my sweater. I go into the office for the first time using my key and turn off the alarm. I then remember my mobile phone is in the car. I rush out with my car key, grab my phone, and I discover in my ultimate wisdom I’ve locked myself out of the office.

I stood outside to further my show of intelligence until my colleague arrived a few minutes later. I had my car key and could have sat in there, but I didn’t think about that until later. I guess I wanted to punish myself for being a silly duck.

In writing news: I’ve sent the cover and blurb for World on Fire to the publisher. I'm really looking forward to the cover. I also finished the first round of edits early. I focused and worked nonstop until I finished. I doubt I’ll be that fast for the next round...I do love edits.