(Day 10) Guest Post: Vivian Arend

"The 2007 Nanowrimo challenge in November triggered my addiction with writing. When I discovered ebooks and erotic romance in 2008,  the rush was on. April 2008 I began writing what became my first published work- Wolf Signs released March 2009.
 
I know it’s not supposed to work that way, but it did. I feel very fortunate to have achieved the success I have in such a short time. While I try to improve each succeeding book there are still lessons I need to learn– not the least of which is how to touch type. Even after writing over 600K in two years I still don’t know how.

Becoming a writer has given me friends from around the world, and it lets me continue to use my imagination. Peter Pan had something right–there’s a part of me that never wants to grow up. Playing pretend is too much fun.
 
I enjoy reading and writing both contemporary and paranormal works. Outdoor experiences figure prominently in my work, partly because I’ve traveled with my husband and family extensively –to places with and without running water. I can help build a house, sew enough to repair just about anything, and I know far more than 101 uses for Duct tape.
 
I hope you enjoy my work, and if you have any questions you can reach me via my contact form."

Connect with Vivian:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Goodreads

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While there’s a certain pleasure in writing an out and out A–Alpha character, I’ve found that there’s something very intriguing about discovering the secret strengths of the ‘a’ alpha as well. Because there are times I’ve read a book and the author is so obviously striving to make the hero, or heroine, a tough, powerful force—that capital A kind— I don’t like them anymore.

I mean, think about it. I’m no wimp. I’ve been known to stand up for the rights of people, puppies and the perfect cup of coffee. But there are also times I feel the need to be needed, or cared for, or even pampered. So should the characters in a book.

So here’s a twist for you. In my Forces of Nature series, I have a paranormal world where merfolk exist. They can swim underwater in their human forms, they can shift into dolphins, and most can even change into St. Elmo’s fire. Yeah, I know…that means they ‘sparkle’, but don’t pull out the pitchforks… they can do it at will, not just involuntarily under the sun.

But the best part for me? Dolphins, think about it—who’s going to be the leader? That’s right. Forces of Nature is set in a matriarchal world. And in book 1, Tidal Wave, Alexia has no idea merfolk even existed, let alone that she’s now the head of the whole chabing. What kind of men do you think are best to be her partners? Perhaps not the A-alpha who tries to run roughshod over her and take away control before she understands what’s going on.

“You need me to be able to change,” Michael warned softly, his gaze flicking over his kin. “I doubt you can gain all the chemicals you need from either one of them. Neither is strong enough to help you make the first change. Don’t throw this away, Alexia. We’d be good together, leading the pod as a team.”

Behind her Anthony hissed. She glanced at him, surprised at his response.

“You lead the pod alone, Alexia. Not your partner. They support you. Michael offering to lead together… It’s not possible. It’s not right.” Anthony spat the words with disgust.

The world Alexia is immersed in can be violent and harsh, and yet a place of great beauty. The sea is unforgiving of mistakes, and her people need a strong leader. Alexia has to be that woman, and through the book she comes to understand that more and more. It doesn’t mean she gets all snarky and tough. She is who she is—a soft woman-y woman, with enough strength to do what she needs to do. She digs deep and gets the job done without becoming a bitch.

And her men? Yes, two of them—so maybe that makes up for them not being A- alphas. :wink: They’re not perfect either. Joshua makes assumptions he shouldn’t; Anthony stands back until he’s called to give answers. But inside, what they want is the best for Alexia, and they are determined to do what it takes, determined to be what Alexia needs them to be.

Alexia sighed, a long drawn-out sound that made his heart ache. “That’s not the answer I want. I don’t want to know what you think of me as the new leader of your pod.” She ducked under his arm to slip between him and the sink, sliding her belly against the erection pressed hard into the front of his jeans. Her hands rose along his body to clasp his neck, drawing them closer together. “I want to know what you think of me. Right now I need to know someone still wants Alexia just because I’m me.”

Anthony gave up the fight. He had to kiss her again. Their lips touched and her taste raced through him like a fine wine, going straight to his head and making it spin. Her body snuggled in tighter as she rubbed along his cock and his pulse rose. He lifted her, his wet hands soaking her blouse. Alexia wrapped her legs around him, the heat of her pussy burning him even through the layers of material separating them.

“I want you. Oh Lord, I want you,” he admitted, staring into her big eyes. An expression of delight crossed her face and hope rose within him.

“Then take me. Now.”

In the second book of the series, Whirlpool, there’s another twist. The hero and heroine are both merfolk who have been dancing around their desire for years. Throw a full human into the mix who is attracted to them both, and who’s the A-alpha now? Chelsea’s determined to do what’s right for her family, and refuses to give up on getting together with Braden. He’s probably the most A-alpha of the lot, but even he knows when it’s time to shut up and let her take the lead.

“I’m sorry.” He turned to face her, stroking her cheek with the back of one knuckle.

“Sorry?” Chelsea stretched and her torso brushed his. The fleeting contact made butterfly flutters of pleasure race over her skin. Her brain barely functioned, and she couldn’t figure out what in the world he thought he had to apologize for.

“For getting too rough. I shouldn’t have done that.”

Damn idiot. She grabbed him by one ear and pulled.

“Shit, stop trying to peel me like a banana.”

She glared at him. “What the hell are you talking about, too rough? I loved every minute. If you didn’t notice, I was the one underneath you, having a good time. Earth-shaking orgasms and all that.”

Braden snorted, shaking his head. “You make me crazy, woman.”

“Ditto.”

Chelsea cupped his face in her hands. They stared at each other for half a second before bursting into laughter.

The bottom line is that characters need to be real. Uber-tough, sarcastic heroines and heroines might be fun to read about at times, but frankly? I doubt I’d be a close friend with any of them. I need a little softness, a little mistake-making, a few apologies and a whole lot of laughter from the people I hang out with, even if they are friends in my books.


Vivian Arend writes contemporary and paranormal erotic romance. She’s got a few A-Alphas, some a-alpha and a whole lot of other friends to share with you at Romance, Hot and Wild. www.vivianarend.com

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But wait, today's not just any day ordinary Battle of the Sexies day!

Whirlpool, Forces of Nature Book 2 is out today, and available in ebook from MB&M and other sellers.

http://www.mybookstoreandmore.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=vivian+arend&x=0&y=0

Soft shoulders and dangerous curves…

Braden can’t deny he’s always wanted Chelsea, but getting involved wouldn’t be fair.  She has college and big dreams ahead of her—he has no desire to leave Jaffrey’s Cove. Plus, there’s the fact merfolk women often take more than one lover. Share her? Not in this lifetime.

When Chelsea’s plans for the future fall apart, the only bright spot remaining is Sheriff Braden Marley. She’s been angling for a shot at the gentle giant’s heart—and the rest of him—for a long time. Except he  not only holds her at a maddening arm’s length, he somehow manages to keep other men away, too.

Enter Jamie Powell, a human marine archeologist who’s in town for a cataloging project. His instant chemistry with Chelsea inspires her to try a sexy new tactic: make Braden jealous enough to stop dragging his feet and start leaving his shoes under her bed.
 
The ensuing storm generates a boatload of complications none of them saw coming. A forbidden attraction no amount of merfolk magic can erase. And the danger that their secrets could be exposed to the outside world…

Warning: Seductive shimmering lights, a sexy interlude on the strip club floor, mysterious Spanish lovers, and a trio caught in an eddy of intense sexual attraction. Swim at your own risk.

Interested yet?  Vivian's said she'll give three ebook copies of Tidal Wave, Forces of Nature Book 1.  All you have to do is leave a comment answering the question: Have you read any books that had women as the leaders—were they A-Alpha, or something else. Did it work?

Giveaway Guidelines:

1. Open everywhere!
2. Answer Vivian's question in the comments section.
3. Giveaway ends 9/4.  Be sure to check back after that and see if you've won!  I will not be emailing winners after they are announced on the blog.  Winners will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is picked.

Extra Entries:

• [+1] Tweeting about this giveaway.  Leave a link in the comments.

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