September brings two new additions to the Promise Me Series…though neither takes up where Book #4, Taken for His Own, left off late last spring. Instead, I wanted to take an opportunity to fill in the blanks for readers by giving them some origin stories, and also give new readers a way to jump into the Promise Me Universe without feeling they needed to read a ton of books to catch up.
Immortal Confessions, though labeled Book #5, is an origin tale of the main villainous vampire from the Promise Me Series, Devlin Dalcon. It details all of what happened between Danial, Devlin, and the human woman who began their centuries long feud, Annabelle. A new reader can begin with that book, and go right to Promise Me #1 with no confusion.
Promise Me Anthology #1 collects previously published tales from the Promise Me Universe into one volume along with brand new novella-length stories. Why are these necessary, when we already have a series? Mainly because the Promise Me Series is told for the most part through Sarelle’s eyes, so a reader can’t see events of which she has no knowledge. I wanted to use these stories to give background on several known series characters—and also foreshadowing on several who will shortly make themselves known. Danial, Devlin, Theo and Sarelle are the main characters of the earlier Promise Me books. But characters such as Terian, Heather, Nate, Kyle, Tasha, and the vampire couple David and Krystin have their own part to play in the unfolding of major events in the series.
Promise Me Anthology Playlist
1. Tears and Rain – Tears and Rain, James Blunt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9svxE49Ngs
This song seems like it was written for the suffering half-demon Terian…whose nickname in the series is “Tears.” Like Dorian Grey, he’s immortal, hiding his true nature, trying to find a way to reconcile the life he wants to the life he has. To do that, he does “run far, far away” to try to find meaning and a new purpose…but what he finds instead is a dark warning of a possible future to come.
2. Tears and Rain — Rain, Concrete Blonde
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMHQmx-y25Q
This song represents Terian’s unrequited feelings for Sar
"These kinds of days…I really miss you now…seasons have changed again
I said your name…I wonder where you are…watching the rain
And it makes me remember things I tried to say"
3. With Every Goodbye – Have you Ever Needed Someone so Bad, Def Leppard
Have you ever wanted someone you just couldn’t have
4. Total Eclipse of the Heart – Total Eclipse of the Heart, Bonnie Tyler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBRWGpozuQ8
Sar’s beloved husband Brennan died in a mountain climbing accident after only a year of marriage. She’s trying to get on with her life, but keeps coming back to all that she’s lost, leading her to some risky behavior.
Have you ever wanted someone you just couldn’t have
4. Total Eclipse of the Heart – Total Eclipse of the Heart, Bonnie Tyler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOxhH8N3Bo
I used to love this song, until I actually listened to the lyrics and they freaked me right out, i.e. Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time. Then it occurred to me how perfect this song was for a woman who’d given into her obsession for a hot and sexy vampire…like the handsome Devlin Dalcon.
"Once upon a time, I was falling in love…now I’m only falling apartNothing I can do…a total eclipse of the heart
Once upon a time there was light in my life, now there’s only love in the dark
Nothing I can say…a total eclipse of the heart"
5. Heart’s Bells — What About Now, Chris Daughtry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqTzrUJNtyU
Can we see beyond the scars and make it to the dawn?
Casey and Theo thought they solved their biggest problem when they got their parent’s permission to get engaged. Then an attack by a werecougar changes everything.
6. Heart’s Solace — Whenever There’s a Night you Need Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHxPILBanAQ
"And the magic can come alive.
This song represents Tasha’s unrequieted love for Theo, and all she hopes they’ll be in time...her reason for bespelling him with Heart’s Solace in order to keep him by her side.
Only time will tell who cast the spell of love."
7. Partners — I Won’t Back Down, Tom Petty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvlTJrNJ5lA
Neither the vampire Danial nor the werecougar Theo are men that back down, even when the odds are against them and there is no easy way out.
8. State of Grace – Full of Grace, Sarah McLachlan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dJP_3eAiSU
9. Just Business — All Through the Night, Cyndi Lauper
Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will recognize this as a season finale song (there even pics in the song video of Angel and Buffy). It represents Rodney’s despair over his solitary life as a vampire, and his heart wrenching decision to sacrifice himself in order to save Jackie, a woman he was falling in love with.
"If all of the strength and all of the courage come and lift me from this place
I know I can love you much better than this, full of grace
I know I can love you much better than this
It’s better this way"
This story was extended, to bring in Angelica’s background, and explain to readers what her real connection was to Tony and Thane, and how she became one of Danial’s blood donors.Fun fact: Two stories which are heavily music related, Sonata and Night Music, don’t have a song associated with them!
by Tara Fox Hall
Collected for the first time are previously published stories from the main characters of the Promise Me Universe, along with all new novella-length stories!
With Every Goodbye (Sarelle)
Sarelle McGarran loves her new country life, her pets, and her husband, Brennan. When she loses him to a tragic climbing accident, Sarelle must fight depression, financial hardship, and her family and friends' good intentions to embrace a new destiny all her own.
Heart's Bells (Theo)
College students Theo and Casey are in love, but Theo's father's ambition for his artistic son stands in their way. When Theo's family is attacked by a werecougar on vacation, he alone survives. Now afflicted himself, will Theo dare endanger the one person he loves most, hoping their love will endure his new animal nature?
Total Eclipse of the Heart (Heather, Devlin, Ulysses)*
Heather is a hardworking college student studying to be a nurse. When she meets the vampire Devlin Dalcon, infatuation quickly becomes obsession. Will Heather heed Devlin's warnings, or let herself be destroyed by her dangerous desire?
Night Shift (Jordan, Heather)* and Just Business (Tony, Thane, Danial, Devlin, Nate, David, Jordan, Angelica, Lash)*
When the mortal teen Angelica witnesses careless vampires draining accident victims on the hospital night shift, she runs to her bosses, mobsters Tony and Thane, for protection. While angered at the problem, Devlin also sees possibilities for expansion with Tony and Thane…if he can maneuver everyone into place in time.
Partners (Danial, Devlin, Angelica, Theo)*
this is an extended version
Vampire investigator Danial Racklan finds more than his target when the suffering werecougar Theo crosses his path one evening. For Theo is not only a man with a past as tragic as his own, but also destined to give Danial something he's never had before: a partner he could trust.
State of Grace (Nate)*
Made a vampire by accident, timid Rodney has been reduced to feeding on animals to survive. Befriended by a veterinarian, Jackie, Rodney goes after her the night she attempts to thwart a dogfighting ring alone. But can he kill others of his own kind to save Jackie's life?
Sonata (Devlin, Nate, David)*
When Nate challenges Devlin to seduce a human woman using limited words, the handsome vampire agrees to the bet, figuring to let a musical composition do the work for him. But Mary Ann, the woman in question, has an agenda of her own.
Night Music (David and Krys)*
Grieving Krys Markman has come to lose herself in family memories at Letchworth State Park, and try to figure out her next step. Yet the unearthly beautiful music she hears each night stirs her soul to romance. Can its creator, the attractive vampire David Helm, heal her broken heart?
Tears and Rain (Terian, Kyle)
Terian has come west, seeking his friend and former mentor Colin in an effort to forget his unrequited love for Sar and increase his magical skills. Instead, he finds a harsh lesson in the bonds of family, along with fresh purpose and determination.
Heart's Solace (Theo and Tasha)
When the badly wounded cougar comes to her father's country estate, Russian teen Tasha names him Nazdeha, the word for hope. But as time goes on, Tasha discovers that the animal is instead a werecougar named Theo, whose only thought once recovered is to return to his family. Scared that Theo is doomed to die if he leaves, Tasha bespells Theo with Heart's Solace, a magical love potion given to her by a mysterious cloaked figure.
*These stories link together to tell a wider story
“Make love with me.”
I blinked, then turned over in bed. My husband Brennan was lying next to me. Daylight streamed through the double windows, giving his short light brown hair reddish highlights. Damn, but he always looks sexy in the sun. “What time is it?”
“7:23AM; the perfect time.” His warm blue eyes blinked once, his facial expression teasing.
I stretched, yawning. “Have you been awake long?”
“I don’t usually get up before you do,” he said, chuckling. “I was watching you sleep.”
I snorted. “And you were suddenly inspired to lust?”
“Something like that.”
I slipped my hand beneath the sheet, searching. Brennan straightened suddenly, grunting.
I stroked his hardened flesh. “Tell me you love me.”
Brennan made an attempt to look stern. “I wouldn’t have married you if I didn’t, Sar.”
I let the corners of my mouth curl up just a hint, my hand not stopping its motion. “Come on. Say it—”
“I love you. I’d go to the ends of the earth for you.” He grasped my free hand in his, threading his fingers through mine. “Don’t stop.”
“Sorry,” I said cheerfully, straddling him. “Like you just said, it’s the perfect time for making love.” I brushed my lips over his, then pressed harder. Brennan groaned again, then pulled me close, rolling over onto me. I giggled, then sighed in bliss, feeling his lips kiss their way lower.
God, it was great being married.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Vampire investigator Danial Racklan finds more than his target when the suffering werecougar Theo crosses his path one evening. For Theo is not only a man with a past as tragic as his own, but also destined to give Danial something he's never had before: a partner he could trust.
State of Grace (Nate)*
Made a vampire by accident, timid Rodney has been reduced to feeding on animals to survive. Befriended by a veterinarian, Jackie, Rodney goes after her the night she attempts to thwart a dogfighting ring alone. But can he kill others of his own kind to save Jackie's life?
Sonata (Devlin, Nate, David)*
When Nate challenges Devlin to seduce a human woman using limited words, the handsome vampire agrees to the bet, figuring to let a musical composition do the work for him. But Mary Ann, the woman in question, has an agenda of her own.
Night Music (David and Krys)*
Grieving Krys Markman has come to lose herself in family memories at Letchworth State Park, and try to figure out her next step. Yet the unearthly beautiful music she hears each night stirs her soul to romance. Can its creator, the attractive vampire David Helm, heal her broken heart?
Tears and Rain (Terian, Kyle)
Terian has come west, seeking his friend and former mentor Colin in an effort to forget his unrequited love for Sar and increase his magical skills. Instead, he finds a harsh lesson in the bonds of family, along with fresh purpose and determination.
Heart's Solace (Theo and Tasha)
When the badly wounded cougar comes to her father's country estate, Russian teen Tasha names him Nazdeha, the word for hope. But as time goes on, Tasha discovers that the animal is instead a werecougar named Theo, whose only thought once recovered is to return to his family. Scared that Theo is doomed to die if he leaves, Tasha bespells Theo with Heart's Solace, a magical love potion given to her by a mysterious cloaked figure.
*These stories link together to tell a wider story
Excerpt: from With Every Goodbye
“Make love with me.”
I blinked, then turned over in bed. My husband Brennan was lying next to me. Daylight streamed through the double windows, giving his short light brown hair reddish highlights. Damn, but he always looks sexy in the sun. “What time is it?”
“7:23AM; the perfect time.” His warm blue eyes blinked once, his facial expression teasing.
I stretched, yawning. “Have you been awake long?”
“I don’t usually get up before you do,” he said, chuckling. “I was watching you sleep.”
I snorted. “And you were suddenly inspired to lust?”
“Something like that.”
I slipped my hand beneath the sheet, searching. Brennan straightened suddenly, grunting.
I stroked his hardened flesh. “Tell me you love me.”
Brennan made an attempt to look stern. “I wouldn’t have married you if I didn’t, Sar.”
I let the corners of my mouth curl up just a hint, my hand not stopping its motion. “Come on. Say it—”
“I love you. I’d go to the ends of the earth for you.” He grasped my free hand in his, threading his fingers through mine. “Don’t stop.”
“Sorry,” I said cheerfully, straddling him. “Like you just said, it’s the perfect time for making love.” I brushed my lips over his, then pressed harder. Brennan groaned again, then pulled me close, rolling over onto me. I giggled, then sighed in bliss, feeling his lips kiss their way lower.
God, it was great being married.
Tara Fox Hall’s writing credits include nonfiction, horror, suspense, erotica, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She also coauthored the essay “The Allure of the Serial Killer,” published in Serial Killers - Philosophy for Everyone: Being and Killing (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010). Her first full-length action-adventure novel, Lash, published in April 2012. Her vampire series begins in June 2012, with the 1st novel Promise Me. Tara divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice.
Connect with Tara Fox Hall
GIVEAWAY
Tara is offering a smexy Immortal Confessions Diary! Love the cover of this book :)
the folllow options in the giveaway aren't very easy, or user friendly. Normally you can just click follow if you don't already, instead of having to copy/paste a link into your browser to go to the page and follow from there. So I didn't bother, sorry, but I haven't much time and that just is too time consuming.
ReplyDeleteSorry, all you need to do for the FB option is click, I need to fix the twitter link. I wanted to give the FB and twitter users the same chance for points.
DeleteI'm sorry that it wasn't easier, Lucy. :(
DeleteNO NOT REALLY JUST THE ONE FROM TEILIGHT PARAMORE
ReplyDeleteThanks as always for having me, Sharon Moon pies are awesome, as usual! :)
ReplyDeleteOutcast. Dracula Wedding
ReplyDeleteBELA LAGOSI'S DEAD by Bauhaus
ReplyDelete"Join Me In Death" by HIM
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't
ReplyDeleteOh my favorite vampy song . . . hummmmm - I am going to go with Tainted Love ;) Thank you for sharing the tunes and making me smile!
ReplyDeleteI'd have to go with Bella's Lullaby from Twilight.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the give away.