MUSE MONDAY
How great to have Valerie as my guest today! Read on...
Story
ideas are easy, but expanding them into a full novel is the difficult part.
For my
newest release, Xander, the 3rd Novel my Dark Assassins paranormal
romance series, I had a difficult time coming up with a story that would work
in the world I had already created.
My first
imagining of the story was Xander, my hero, would fall in love with a librarian
that was targeted by a bear shifter and needed his protection. But after that initial story idea, I was
stuck when it came to developing conflict throughout the book after Xander
saved her from the first encounter at the beginning of the story. I even had a different name for the heroine,
Etta. But the concept didn’t work and I
scrapped it.
The second
reiteration was even less memorable.
Etta was still a librarian, but I imagined the story as more of a get to
know you, without an antagonist threatening to kill them, but again, there was
no conflict and no action, which is a miserable failure when you’re talking
about government assassins.
And by
this time, I was starting to freak out a little. I had set a deadline for myself and scheduled
the edits. I had to get it to my editor
by May of 2017 because I planned releasing it at the end of July 2017. And by March of 2017, I had nothing.
Then it
came to me. Xander, although a
government assassin, had a softer side to him.
One where he longed for a mate and thought, for the longest time, that she
had passed him by. And because of his
personality, it was only right to have him and his mate be able to have an
actual family. And that is where the
idea of their son, Silas, came about.
Frost was unique
character. One, her name, her
occupation, and her personality was so different from anyone that I’ve created
before. Also, she was half shifter, half
human, which allowed her to become pregnant.
Most of all, Frost is a ferocious character that will protect anyone who
threatened those she loves.
And Silas
is an exact replica of his father. They
are close and while Silas loves his mother, Frost, he has a special connection
to Xander.
And
because of the turmoil I had while coming up with and dismissing ideas for
Xander, I was able to come up with the perfect idea that fit both the character
and the story.
Blurb
Half-human,
half-shifter.
Xander has secretly yearned for a mate for most of his immortal existence, and yet after three of his friends found exactly what he’s always wanted, he’d come to believe that he’d missed his chance at happiness.
Until he heard her voice.
Frost is a wildlife biologist and tracker and she has been assigned, despite her adamant protests, to lead mercenaries into the mountains of Snowfall, Colorado for the sole purpose of killing immortal shifters. In order to protect those who have no idea the kind of danger they are in, she agrees. As she leads the armed men on a wild chase around the snow-covered pines, she could sense that she was running out of time.
Until she heard his voice.
Xander understands exactly who Frost is the moment he hears her thoughts. With the help of Kane and Gunnar, they eliminate those in her group as they try to keep her safe. But during the fight, she is hurt and all of his protective instincts flare to life. As Xander learns more about her, he realizes that Frost might be the key to the creation of the immortals, both vampire and shifter.
But when she becomes a target from those who want to destroy the Dark Company and Xander’s family, how far will he go to save her?
Xander has secretly yearned for a mate for most of his immortal existence, and yet after three of his friends found exactly what he’s always wanted, he’d come to believe that he’d missed his chance at happiness.
Until he heard her voice.
Frost is a wildlife biologist and tracker and she has been assigned, despite her adamant protests, to lead mercenaries into the mountains of Snowfall, Colorado for the sole purpose of killing immortal shifters. In order to protect those who have no idea the kind of danger they are in, she agrees. As she leads the armed men on a wild chase around the snow-covered pines, she could sense that she was running out of time.
Until she heard his voice.
Xander understands exactly who Frost is the moment he hears her thoughts. With the help of Kane and Gunnar, they eliminate those in her group as they try to keep her safe. But during the fight, she is hurt and all of his protective instincts flare to life. As Xander learns more about her, he realizes that Frost might be the key to the creation of the immortals, both vampire and shifter.
But when she becomes a target from those who want to destroy the Dark Company and Xander’s family, how far will he go to save her?
Excerpt
Can either of you hear the woman’s thoughts?
Woman?
Gunnar sounded confused.
Kane’s reply was quick and clipped. No.
Hello?
Hello?
Xander tried to get her attention. Can you hear me?
He held his breath when he heard her distinct gasp,
knowing that their mind link worked. His
chest filled with dread at the thought that she gave herself away, until he
heard her next words.
“I spotted a grizzly bear in the trees to the
west. Sorry, I startled him and he ran
off.”
For long seconds, the men in the clearing stared at
the woman before they were ordered to keep searching.
Xander stood close enough that he could see her
curves underneath the heavy white parka.
And having the worst timing in the world, Xander felt his body
react. He took a deep, cleansing breath
of sharp mountain air that instantly cooled his overheated body.
Yes, I can hear you. These men, seven in total, are looking for
immortals. They have been contracted by
my boss at U.S. Fish and Wildlife to kill them.
Apparently the immortals are supposed to become animals. Can you help me without hurting
yourself? They are heavily armed.
Xander was taken completely by surprise. She didn’t question their connection but
instead relayed vital information that he would need. He could also start to feel her
emotions. She wasn’t scared, just
determined. He could hear her heart
beating at a fast rate and her breathing strained from either the hike up the
mountain or the tension in the air. He
watched as she subtly shifted her head around as she searched for him, unable
to spot him in the trees.
We can help.
I’m going to communicate with my team and we’ll take out the men. Are you okay with that?
Yes, I know they are paid mercenaries and I’m mad
that they killed a wolf two days ago for no other reason than they wanted to
shoot something.
What’s your name?
Frost.
Frost, I’m Xander.
When I tell you to run, run south.
Okay?
Yes, I understand.
Xander relayed the conversation he had with
Frost. We are going to have to kill
them, there’s no other way around it.
They couldn’t have a threat looming over them, especially if one escaped
and brought in a stronger, more trained group of mercenaries. Although they could easily defeat any group
of fighters, keeping their existence a secret was crucial. The more humans that knew about them, the
bigger the danger it posed.
Author Bio
Valerie
writes paranormal and contemporary M/F and M/M erotic romances. She lives in
Denver, Colorado with her wonderfully supportive husband and their funny and
wise black lab. She's addicted to coffee, crime shows, and reading and writing
character driven romances.
Social Media
Thank you for having me, Brenda!!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome. Great post!
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