Thank you all for these great questions! We hope to use many, if not all, of them, so we've decided to award an autographed book to each person who submitted a question!! Congratulations and thanks for taking the time to contribute.
Each person who posted a comment by August 1st (entries are now closed), please send your mailing info to Connor@alyssaday.com by August 17th.
Thanks again!
Connor
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Hello from Alyssa's new assistant - and Prizes!!
Hey all! I'm Connor, Alyssa's new assistant. My job is to de-clutter her life so she can focus on writing books for you, her awesome readers. Right now we are starting a contest to fill up the FAQ page of her website. (Click on the link to see what's already posted.)
If you have any questions you’re dying to know the answers to about her books or series or upcoming projects or life in general, please enter them in the comment section below. Winners whose questions are chosen will each win an autographed copy of Vampire in Atlantis. I know I'll have a great time doing this and other projects, so I hope to hear from all of you soon. This will be open through July 31st.
Thanks!
Connor
If you have any questions you’re dying to know the answers to about her books or series or upcoming projects or life in general, please enter them in the comment section below. Winners whose questions are chosen will each win an autographed copy of Vampire in Atlantis. I know I'll have a great time doing this and other projects, so I hope to hear from all of you soon. This will be open through July 31st.
Thanks!
Connor
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Teaser Tuesday - VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS
Oh, boy, meeting a lost love again can be awkward. All those misunderstandings to clear up. Past history to revisit. Especially after 11,000 years . . .
EXCERPT FROM VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS, in stores now:
Serai woke as Daniel put her down on a pallet in what looked like another room in the same cavern. Same dark stone walls. Same dank stone-and-dirt-cavern smell. A small fire glowed in a corner of the room, giving off a bit of heat and light, but not enough to really help. She was shivering bone deep and felt like she might never be warm again.
Daniel sat on the edge of the narrow bed as he pulled rough blankets around her, but his hands stilled as he realized she was awake and looking at him.
“How are you feeling?”
She lifted one shoulder. “I’ve been better, but I’m alive. I’m free. There’s much to be said for that.”
An awkward silence fell, and she watched him as he looked at the blankets, around the room, anywhere but at her. Maybe he didn’t want to be around her. Maybe he’d forgotten about her long ago, and she was an unwelcome reminder of a painful past. Maybe—
His hands shot up and grabbed her shoulders, and he finally stared directly at her—into her eyes, as if the secrets of the universe hid there for him to find.
“I thought you were dead,” he said, anguish in his rough tone. “How can you be alive, all these millennia later? You’re not a vampire, but you’re still exactly the same as the day Atlantis fell and not a day older. How is that even possible?”
“Have you ever heard the tale of Sleeping Beauty?” she asked wryly.
He just looked at her, silent, and for a moment a hint of the shy boy he’d been surfaced in his eyes. But only for a moment. The hard, deadly man he’d become had no patience for whimsy, she suspected.
“They put me in stasis,” she explained, arranging the blanket around her shoulders and pulling her knees to her chest. “Maidens intended as brides for future kings of Atlantis. Not just me. There were others, many of them woken long ago, but six of us remained. We’ve been asleep since Atlantis dove beneath the seas more than eleven thousand years ago.”
He released her shoulders and stood up, impatient or disbelieving, and she felt the ache of loss as he walked away from her toward the small fire. He tossed a few pieces of the wood stacked nearby onto the flames and considered his handiwork before turning toward her, still crouched beside the fire.
“That’s not possible. What magic could do such a thing? Even Alaric, and the gods know he’s more powerful than any sorcerer or witch I’ve ever met, couldn’t do such a thing.”
The name distracted her. “You know Alaric?”
“I’ve worked on the same side as High Prince Conlan and his warriors several times,” Daniel said. “Poseidon’s high priest often accompanies Conlan and his elite Warriors of Poseidon on missions.”
He crossed the room and motioned to the edge of the bed, as if for permission. She nodded, and he resumed his seat, not touching her this time.
“Your Atlanteans have to fight the big, bad vampires, don’t you know?” he said, mockery in his voice and raised eyebrow.
“I’ve heard about the warriors. The temple attendants gossiped enough,” she said bitterly. “And I’d prefer not to talk about Conlan. Not now, not ever.”
It was his turn to be surprised. “I’ve always found him to be a decent enough guy.”
“He didn’t leave you imprisoned in a crystal cage for hundreds of years after he learned about you. He didn’t plan to wed you, either, and then abandon you to remain in that prison after he found a human woman for whom he was willing to abdicate his throne.” She shook her head. “Trust me when I say I will never take the man’s hand in friendship.”
She finally looked up at Daniel and caught her breath. His eyes glowed a fiery red and his face had gone hard and feral. For the first time since she’d found him again, she thought about what becoming a nightwalker truly meant, and her breath caught in her throat.
“Plan. To. Wed. You?” he gritted out between clenched teeth. “You were betrothed to Conlan? After . . .”
“Jealousy? You dare show me jealousy when you abandoned me to be caged and imprisoned for eleven thousand years?”
“I didn’t know!” he shouted. “I thought you were dead. I woke up and you were gone, and they told me you had died. They took me to deal with the newness of the bloodlust, and by the time I could control it and came back for any scrap of news of you, you and your whole godsdamned continent were gone.”
A flare of something very like hope flamed in her chest, and she tried to speak but the words wouldn’t come. Not until he touched a finger to her cheek and it came back wet did she realize she was crying.
“You thought I was dead? You didn’t abandon me?”
The red flames had vanished from his eyes, and they shone a strange, almost silvery black as he stared at her. “I would never have abandoned you."
For chapter 1 and more, see my website HERE!
EXCERPT FROM VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS, in stores now:
Serai woke as Daniel put her down on a pallet in what looked like another room in the same cavern. Same dark stone walls. Same dank stone-and-dirt-cavern smell. A small fire glowed in a corner of the room, giving off a bit of heat and light, but not enough to really help. She was shivering bone deep and felt like she might never be warm again.
Daniel sat on the edge of the narrow bed as he pulled rough blankets around her, but his hands stilled as he realized she was awake and looking at him.
“How are you feeling?”
She lifted one shoulder. “I’ve been better, but I’m alive. I’m free. There’s much to be said for that.”
An awkward silence fell, and she watched him as he looked at the blankets, around the room, anywhere but at her. Maybe he didn’t want to be around her. Maybe he’d forgotten about her long ago, and she was an unwelcome reminder of a painful past. Maybe—
His hands shot up and grabbed her shoulders, and he finally stared directly at her—into her eyes, as if the secrets of the universe hid there for him to find.
“I thought you were dead,” he said, anguish in his rough tone. “How can you be alive, all these millennia later? You’re not a vampire, but you’re still exactly the same as the day Atlantis fell and not a day older. How is that even possible?”
“Have you ever heard the tale of Sleeping Beauty?” she asked wryly.
He just looked at her, silent, and for a moment a hint of the shy boy he’d been surfaced in his eyes. But only for a moment. The hard, deadly man he’d become had no patience for whimsy, she suspected.
“They put me in stasis,” she explained, arranging the blanket around her shoulders and pulling her knees to her chest. “Maidens intended as brides for future kings of Atlantis. Not just me. There were others, many of them woken long ago, but six of us remained. We’ve been asleep since Atlantis dove beneath the seas more than eleven thousand years ago.”
He released her shoulders and stood up, impatient or disbelieving, and she felt the ache of loss as he walked away from her toward the small fire. He tossed a few pieces of the wood stacked nearby onto the flames and considered his handiwork before turning toward her, still crouched beside the fire.
“That’s not possible. What magic could do such a thing? Even Alaric, and the gods know he’s more powerful than any sorcerer or witch I’ve ever met, couldn’t do such a thing.”
The name distracted her. “You know Alaric?”
“I’ve worked on the same side as High Prince Conlan and his warriors several times,” Daniel said. “Poseidon’s high priest often accompanies Conlan and his elite Warriors of Poseidon on missions.”
He crossed the room and motioned to the edge of the bed, as if for permission. She nodded, and he resumed his seat, not touching her this time.
“Your Atlanteans have to fight the big, bad vampires, don’t you know?” he said, mockery in his voice and raised eyebrow.
“I’ve heard about the warriors. The temple attendants gossiped enough,” she said bitterly. “And I’d prefer not to talk about Conlan. Not now, not ever.”
It was his turn to be surprised. “I’ve always found him to be a decent enough guy.”
“He didn’t leave you imprisoned in a crystal cage for hundreds of years after he learned about you. He didn’t plan to wed you, either, and then abandon you to remain in that prison after he found a human woman for whom he was willing to abdicate his throne.” She shook her head. “Trust me when I say I will never take the man’s hand in friendship.”
She finally looked up at Daniel and caught her breath. His eyes glowed a fiery red and his face had gone hard and feral. For the first time since she’d found him again, she thought about what becoming a nightwalker truly meant, and her breath caught in her throat.
“Plan. To. Wed. You?” he gritted out between clenched teeth. “You were betrothed to Conlan? After . . .”
“Jealousy? You dare show me jealousy when you abandoned me to be caged and imprisoned for eleven thousand years?”
“I didn’t know!” he shouted. “I thought you were dead. I woke up and you were gone, and they told me you had died. They took me to deal with the newness of the bloodlust, and by the time I could control it and came back for any scrap of news of you, you and your whole godsdamned continent were gone.”
A flare of something very like hope flamed in her chest, and she tried to speak but the words wouldn’t come. Not until he touched a finger to her cheek and it came back wet did she realize she was crying.
“You thought I was dead? You didn’t abandon me?”
The red flames had vanished from his eyes, and they shone a strange, almost silvery black as he stared at her. “I would never have abandoned you."
For chapter 1 and more, see my website HERE!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
An author's sincere apology
Well, it happens. Authors mess up. I'm sure you've read books with typos or continuity errors in them (in one chapter the protagonist has black hair, in the next he's a blond). I've caught some typos in my printed books, but never before anything as egregious as this.
I SCREWED UP. I am here, with egg on my face, to apologize: No, Reisen's missing hand did not magically regenerate in the scene with Melody where she says she felt his "two big hands" on her bottom. TWO hands.
ARGH.
Here's how it happened: That scene originally happened with a different character, not Reisen. Reisen had a whole subplot where he was hopelessly infatuated with Serai. But that subplot took away from the book - it was a distraction, and not a good one. As a writer, my firm law is every scene must advance the plot or deepen understanding of character (preferably both) or it gets kicked. So Reisen in love with Serai? Got kicked. But then I noticed that Melody had kind of a thing for Reisen.
Instant attraction.
What could I do? I had to let them play. So the scene I'd deleted, the one in the bank vault with Melody and another character, came back. But this time I played with it and it came back with Reisen, because oh, wow, the chemistry between those two? Smoking hot!!
What I didn't do, obviously not carefully enough? Triple and quadruple check the details. Reisen did NOT magically grow back a hand. (I could have told you some mumbo-jumbo about Atlantean mental powers that made her think he had two hands, but that would be dishonest and cover-my-butt-ishness and I wouldn't do that. You deserve better.)
The simple truth is that I missed it. We all missed it, at every stage of production, but the fault and blame lies squarely with me. Every word in my books is my responsibility and I should have caught that. You can be damn sure I'll do my best to get it fixed in subsequent printings.
I'm sorry. I'm only human, and I missed this one. I hope you can forgive me.
hugs,
Alyssa
I SCREWED UP. I am here, with egg on my face, to apologize: No, Reisen's missing hand did not magically regenerate in the scene with Melody where she says she felt his "two big hands" on her bottom. TWO hands.
ARGH.
Here's how it happened: That scene originally happened with a different character, not Reisen. Reisen had a whole subplot where he was hopelessly infatuated with Serai. But that subplot took away from the book - it was a distraction, and not a good one. As a writer, my firm law is every scene must advance the plot or deepen understanding of character (preferably both) or it gets kicked. So Reisen in love with Serai? Got kicked. But then I noticed that Melody had kind of a thing for Reisen.
Instant attraction.
What could I do? I had to let them play. So the scene I'd deleted, the one in the bank vault with Melody and another character, came back. But this time I played with it and it came back with Reisen, because oh, wow, the chemistry between those two? Smoking hot!!
What I didn't do, obviously not carefully enough? Triple and quadruple check the details. Reisen did NOT magically grow back a hand. (I could have told you some mumbo-jumbo about Atlantean mental powers that made her think he had two hands, but that would be dishonest and cover-my-butt-ishness and I wouldn't do that. You deserve better.)
The simple truth is that I missed it. We all missed it, at every stage of production, but the fault and blame lies squarely with me. Every word in my books is my responsibility and I should have caught that. You can be damn sure I'll do my best to get it fixed in subsequent printings.
I'm sorry. I'm only human, and I missed this one. I hope you can forgive me.
hugs,
Alyssa
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Movie Monday!
We saw X-Men first class this weekend and I kind of loved it. Of course, I love James McAvoy in everything (confession! wow those blue eyes!), but it explained so much about the origins and it made for a fun conversation with the kids afterwards about which super powers we wish we had. How about you? Did you love it? Hate it? Indifferent? Saw something better? 
ALSO we spent yesterday touring Mt. Fuji. Didn't have time to see a fraction of the sights, but what we did see was pretty amazing. I'll post pics later when I'm done writing for the day.
AND thank you SO MUCH for all the wonderful mail about how much you love VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS!!! I appreciate it more than I can tell you!! And if you haven't read it yet, first chapter and buying information is HERE!
hugs,
Alyssa
PS If you won a prize from me (you've already been notified, they are going in the mail tomorrow (post office closed on Mondays here). And if you won a copy of Vampire in Atlantis (you've already been notified), my author copies never arrived, so I purchased new books from Amazon and Book Depository and those are shipping to you right now, so I autographed bookplates and mailed those to you separately. Mail from Japan takes a while, so you may get your bookplates later than the books, but they're coming. And if you're waiting on a bookplate, we found enough copies of my backlist in the Closet of Happiness that we're mailing each of you a signed bookplate for VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS plus a signed copy of one of my backlist! Just because I love you all! :) Thanks for your patience - this mail to/from Japan via military mail processing center is a pain in my backside.
ALSO we spent yesterday touring Mt. Fuji. Didn't have time to see a fraction of the sights, but what we did see was pretty amazing. I'll post pics later when I'm done writing for the day.
AND thank you SO MUCH for all the wonderful mail about how much you love VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS!!! I appreciate it more than I can tell you!! And if you haven't read it yet, first chapter and buying information is HERE!
hugs,
Alyssa
PS If you won a prize from me (you've already been notified, they are going in the mail tomorrow (post office closed on Mondays here). And if you won a copy of Vampire in Atlantis (you've already been notified), my author copies never arrived, so I purchased new books from Amazon and Book Depository and those are shipping to you right now, so I autographed bookplates and mailed those to you separately. Mail from Japan takes a while, so you may get your bookplates later than the books, but they're coming. And if you're waiting on a bookplate, we found enough copies of my backlist in the Closet of Happiness that we're mailing each of you a signed bookplate for VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS plus a signed copy of one of my backlist! Just because I love you all! :) Thanks for your patience - this mail to/from Japan via military mail processing center is a pain in my backside.
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS is here!! In stores now!!
1. The book!
2. The reviews!
3. The excerpts & gorgeous new website!
4. Come see me in New York!
1. VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS is here!! Daniel finds love . . . finally!
Sightings in bookstores abound! Yay!
I had so much fun writing Daniel’s story – this is a love story that waited 11,000 years for the telling. When Daniel first met Serai, Atlantis still rode the surface of the ocean. He was an apprentice blacksmith and she an Atlantean princess – a forbidden love that was shattered when a brutal army bent on conquering the Seven Isles rode into Atlantis. Serai had to make a choice for Daniel: life as a Nightwalker or death.
For the next 11,000 years, both of them regretted her choice. Daniel as a vampire who committed deeds so dark he feared he could never deserve redemption, and Serai as a princess in stasis waiting for some unknown future prince of Atlantis to claim her as his reluctant bride.
But the world has changed and those who seek power have destroyed the power of stasis. Serai escapes just as Daniel chooses to face the sun—and walks into Atlantis. Romance, passion, action, and a dangerous quest spice up the pages of this book – and the reviewers are raving:
2. The reviews!
“Alyssa Day’s Warriors of Poseidon adventures are the stuff that make your heart go pitter-patter. The books are riveting and positively fun to read. Beautifully put together, the pages fly by until you wonder just where they all went.” – Night Owl Romance, TOP PICK 5 STARS!!
“The love scenes were so steamy hot, I needed a cold glass of water! And Daniel, in that alpha male "mine" mode? Oh *swoon* I about melted into a puddle. I even cried at one point. Vampire in Atlantis will grip you, and hold you tight til the end of the book, you won't want it to let you go, and you'll find yourself slowing down so you can savour the story.” – Demon Lovers Books and More
“Undying love is the cornerstone of this chapter of the Warriors of Poseidon series, as unlikely allies hunt for another missing Jewel of Poseidon. The relationships between Day’s cast of characters are layered and enduring and they make this series unforgettable. Day aces another one!” – Romantic Times BookClub 4 ½ stars!!!
3. The excerpts!
First chapter HERE!
Excerpt from chapter 2 here - just scroll down on the blog!
Check out my gorgeous new website HERE!!
4. Come see me in New York!
Tuesday, June 28, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square. I’ll be signing books with more than 500 other romance authors at the "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing, which has become one of the most popular events at RWA's annual conference. Each year we raise thousands of dollars, which are donated to ProLiteracy Worldwide. Since 1990, RWA has donated more than $670,000 to literacy charities.
THANK YOU!!! I hope you love Daniel and Serai as much as I do!!!
Thank you, as always, for reading my books. I appreciate it more than I can ever tell you.
Happy June!!
hugs,
Alyssa
--
2. The reviews!
3. The excerpts & gorgeous new website!
4. Come see me in New York!
1. VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS is here!! Daniel finds love . . . finally!
Sightings in bookstores abound! Yay!
I had so much fun writing Daniel’s story – this is a love story that waited 11,000 years for the telling. When Daniel first met Serai, Atlantis still rode the surface of the ocean. He was an apprentice blacksmith and she an Atlantean princess – a forbidden love that was shattered when a brutal army bent on conquering the Seven Isles rode into Atlantis. Serai had to make a choice for Daniel: life as a Nightwalker or death.
For the next 11,000 years, both of them regretted her choice. Daniel as a vampire who committed deeds so dark he feared he could never deserve redemption, and Serai as a princess in stasis waiting for some unknown future prince of Atlantis to claim her as his reluctant bride.
But the world has changed and those who seek power have destroyed the power of stasis. Serai escapes just as Daniel chooses to face the sun—and walks into Atlantis. Romance, passion, action, and a dangerous quest spice up the pages of this book – and the reviewers are raving:
2. The reviews!
“Alyssa Day’s Warriors of Poseidon adventures are the stuff that make your heart go pitter-patter. The books are riveting and positively fun to read. Beautifully put together, the pages fly by until you wonder just where they all went.” – Night Owl Romance, TOP PICK 5 STARS!!
“The love scenes were so steamy hot, I needed a cold glass of water! And Daniel, in that alpha male "mine" mode? Oh *swoon* I about melted into a puddle. I even cried at one point. Vampire in Atlantis will grip you, and hold you tight til the end of the book, you won't want it to let you go, and you'll find yourself slowing down so you can savour the story.” – Demon Lovers Books and More
“Undying love is the cornerstone of this chapter of the Warriors of Poseidon series, as unlikely allies hunt for another missing Jewel of Poseidon. The relationships between Day’s cast of characters are layered and enduring and they make this series unforgettable. Day aces another one!” – Romantic Times BookClub 4 ½ stars!!!
3. The excerpts!
First chapter HERE!
Excerpt from chapter 2 here - just scroll down on the blog!
Check out my gorgeous new website HERE!!
4. Come see me in New York!
Tuesday, June 28, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square. I’ll be signing books with more than 500 other romance authors at the "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing, which has become one of the most popular events at RWA's annual conference. Each year we raise thousands of dollars, which are donated to ProLiteracy Worldwide. Since 1990, RWA has donated more than $670,000 to literacy charities.
THANK YOU!!! I hope you love Daniel and Serai as much as I do!!!
Thank you, as always, for reading my books. I appreciate it more than I can ever tell you.
Happy June!!
hugs,
Alyssa
--
Monday, June 06, 2011
WINNERS!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
We have winners of my pre-order giveaway -- three, count 'em, THREE winners we've chosen randomly to receive an authentic Japanese Kokeshi doll. Kokeshi dolls are lovely wooden dolls that originated in Northern Japan and are wildly popular with everyone here. We've begun quite a collection to take home!!
But never fear - EVERYONE who entered will receive a personalized autographed bookplate for your own copy of VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS, and some of you will receive even more! I've cleaned out my author copy closet and will be sending autographed copies of my backlist to 22 of you with your bookplate! Yes, because I LOVE LOVE LOVE you for reading my stories and for caring about the world of Atlantis with me.
Drum roll, please! The three winners are:
1. Gloria Bidmead
2. Laura Troth
3. Alana Caldwell
Please give at least 2 weeks for receipt; mail from Japan seems to take forever. Thank you!!
And tomorrow: VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS is finally here!!! I hope you love Daniel and Serai as much as I do.
hugs,
Alyssa
We have winners of my pre-order giveaway -- three, count 'em, THREE winners we've chosen randomly to receive an authentic Japanese Kokeshi doll. Kokeshi dolls are lovely wooden dolls that originated in Northern Japan and are wildly popular with everyone here. We've begun quite a collection to take home!!
But never fear - EVERYONE who entered will receive a personalized autographed bookplate for your own copy of VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS, and some of you will receive even more! I've cleaned out my author copy closet and will be sending autographed copies of my backlist to 22 of you with your bookplate! Yes, because I LOVE LOVE LOVE you for reading my stories and for caring about the world of Atlantis with me.
Drum roll, please! The three winners are:
1. Gloria Bidmead
2. Laura Troth
3. Alana Caldwell
Please give at least 2 weeks for receipt; mail from Japan seems to take forever. Thank you!!
And tomorrow: VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS is finally here!!! I hope you love Daniel and Serai as much as I do.
hugs,
Alyssa
Sunday, May 22, 2011
When the vampire wakes up in Atlantis . . .
Hey! The world didn't end! So VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS will still be out June 7th! Yay! Here's a sneak peek of when Daniel finds Serai again . . . after eleven thousand years:
Excerpt from VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS, June 7, 2011, by Alyssa Day:
For the first time, Daniel took the time to look around at his surroundings and saw the two fallen guards lying unconscious on the ground, but when he looked up to ask her about it, the sight in front of him stunned him to speechlessness for several seconds.
“What?” Serai snapped. “I didn’t kill them, if that’s what you’re thinking, although now that you’re a nightwalker, can’t you hear their heartbeats to confirm my claim?”
He pointed, still unable to form words. At the dome. The freaking glass dome that surrounded them as far as he could see—and the deep, dark blue currents of the ocean beyond it. A dark form swam past, and a single giant eye blinked at him
“Is that . . . is that a whale?” He stared, feeling like his eyes would bug out of his head at any minute as it finally hit him. “Are we . . . are we in Atlantis?”
She rolled her eyes, apparently a timeless gesture. “Where else would we be? Now move.”
She raised her arms and began to sing. Sing. The woman he’d loved and lost eleven thousand years ago—loved all of that time, if he wanted to be honest, although he didn’t—was singing.
In Atlantis.
Or else, and he sighed as he came to the obvious realization: he really was dead. Somehow he’d ended up in the good grace of the gods instead of in the nine hells. He was here with Serai and she was singing and …
… she’d stabbed him. With a spear.
“Nope. Probably not any form of heaven,” he muttered.
A shimmering oval of pure light appeared in front of Serai, and the smile that crossed her face in response blinded Daniel more than the light. She was so beautiful. Every bit as beautiful as he remembered, and more. Her silken dark hair was so black it had blue highlights in it, and longer than he remembered, swinging past her perfect, curving hips. Her eyes matched the ocean waves, just as blue. Just as deep.
And her lips—oh, her lips. He reacted just as strongly to their sensual curve now as he had when he was a young apprentice, showing off a little with his metal-working skills and his muscles for the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
She still was.
The oval grew larger and wider, and he knew what it was. He’d seen Atlanteans use its magic before.
“The portal. You’re singing to the portal? I’ve never seen the warriors sing.”
She cast an amused glance at him. “They are barbarians. The portal only gives fully of its magic to those who understand and appreciate it.”
“Ven did mention how capricious it could be. Dumps them in the middle of the ocean sometimes.”
She laughed and then looked as startled as he felt, before she touched her fingertips to her lips. “I haven’t laughed in so very long,” she whispered, but then she took a deep breath. “Portal, take me where I need to be, I ask and beseech you.”
A wave of golden light shimmered over the silvery surface of the portal’s oval form and Serai smiled. She took a step forward, then hesitated before turning back to Daniel.
“Come with me?”
She held out her hand, and the ocean itself took a deep breath. She held out her hand. To him. He reached for her, and then paused, as a horrible thought struck him.
“To where? It was full daybreak where I came from, and if the sunlight strikes me, I’ll die in flames. I would risk that for you without hesitation, but I would not have you in danger from the fire.”
“We have no time for this. Conlan and his guards will be after me, or these guards will wake up . . .” She broke off mid-sentence and smiled at him, and he realized he would follow her smile into the fires of all nine of the hells, without question. “Trust me?”
He took her hand and they stepped forward into the portal, but as the light surrounded them, she cried out and doubled over. He caught her in his arms and held tight to the beautiful woman, who was his past and his future, as the world fractured around them in a vortex of spinning light, and he prayed to any god who would listen. He couldn’t lose her again.
Never again.
#
Excerpt from VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS, June 7, 2011, by Alyssa Day:
For the first time, Daniel took the time to look around at his surroundings and saw the two fallen guards lying unconscious on the ground, but when he looked up to ask her about it, the sight in front of him stunned him to speechlessness for several seconds.
“What?” Serai snapped. “I didn’t kill them, if that’s what you’re thinking, although now that you’re a nightwalker, can’t you hear their heartbeats to confirm my claim?”
He pointed, still unable to form words. At the dome. The freaking glass dome that surrounded them as far as he could see—and the deep, dark blue currents of the ocean beyond it. A dark form swam past, and a single giant eye blinked at him
“Is that . . . is that a whale?” He stared, feeling like his eyes would bug out of his head at any minute as it finally hit him. “Are we . . . are we in Atlantis?”
She rolled her eyes, apparently a timeless gesture. “Where else would we be? Now move.”
She raised her arms and began to sing. Sing. The woman he’d loved and lost eleven thousand years ago—loved all of that time, if he wanted to be honest, although he didn’t—was singing.
In Atlantis.
Or else, and he sighed as he came to the obvious realization: he really was dead. Somehow he’d ended up in the good grace of the gods instead of in the nine hells. He was here with Serai and she was singing and …
… she’d stabbed him. With a spear.
“Nope. Probably not any form of heaven,” he muttered.
A shimmering oval of pure light appeared in front of Serai, and the smile that crossed her face in response blinded Daniel more than the light. She was so beautiful. Every bit as beautiful as he remembered, and more. Her silken dark hair was so black it had blue highlights in it, and longer than he remembered, swinging past her perfect, curving hips. Her eyes matched the ocean waves, just as blue. Just as deep.
And her lips—oh, her lips. He reacted just as strongly to their sensual curve now as he had when he was a young apprentice, showing off a little with his metal-working skills and his muscles for the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
She still was.
The oval grew larger and wider, and he knew what it was. He’d seen Atlanteans use its magic before.
“The portal. You’re singing to the portal? I’ve never seen the warriors sing.”
She cast an amused glance at him. “They are barbarians. The portal only gives fully of its magic to those who understand and appreciate it.”
“Ven did mention how capricious it could be. Dumps them in the middle of the ocean sometimes.”
She laughed and then looked as startled as he felt, before she touched her fingertips to her lips. “I haven’t laughed in so very long,” she whispered, but then she took a deep breath. “Portal, take me where I need to be, I ask and beseech you.”
A wave of golden light shimmered over the silvery surface of the portal’s oval form and Serai smiled. She took a step forward, then hesitated before turning back to Daniel.
“Come with me?”
She held out her hand, and the ocean itself took a deep breath. She held out her hand. To him. He reached for her, and then paused, as a horrible thought struck him.
“To where? It was full daybreak where I came from, and if the sunlight strikes me, I’ll die in flames. I would risk that for you without hesitation, but I would not have you in danger from the fire.”
“We have no time for this. Conlan and his guards will be after me, or these guards will wake up . . .” She broke off mid-sentence and smiled at him, and he realized he would follow her smile into the fires of all nine of the hells, without question. “Trust me?”
He took her hand and they stepped forward into the portal, but as the light surrounded them, she cried out and doubled over. He caught her in his arms and held tight to the beautiful woman, who was his past and his future, as the world fractured around them in a vortex of spinning light, and he prayed to any god who would listen. He couldn’t lose her again.
Never again.
#
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Taking Back My Space! And a CONTEST!
I have let Twitter and Facebook overtake my online time, and Facebook's decision this week to disallow contests when I was in the middle of a big one really ticked me off. But more than that, it made me realize I need to take back my space, and put content that's important to me up here, instead of where the social media sites can limit my words or change rules on me. (Of course, blogger could do the same thing, I suppose, but let's pretend we're safe here for now!)
SO here we are at only 3 weeks until VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS hits a bookstore or an e-book reader near you!! Woohoo! June 7th! For chapter one and pre-ordering info, go HERE.
Which brings me to the contest. It's a PREORDER extravaganza!! Publishers love pre-orders; they let them know how many books to get out to stores. So if you pre-order VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS (Daniel!! At last!!!), email me a copy of your receipt at mail@alyssaday.com with your name and mailing address and you will be entered to win one of two genuine Japanese Kokeshi dolls, purchased on my travels.
And EVERY SINGLE READER who emails me your preorder receipt will receive a personalized, autographed bookplate for your brand-new book (the stamp's on me!) just for entering.
Enter today! The contest runs through June 1st. Good luck!
hugs,
Alyssa
SO here we are at only 3 weeks until VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS hits a bookstore or an e-book reader near you!! Woohoo! June 7th! For chapter one and pre-ordering info, go HERE.
Which brings me to the contest. It's a PREORDER extravaganza!! Publishers love pre-orders; they let them know how many books to get out to stores. So if you pre-order VAMPIRE IN ATLANTIS (Daniel!! At last!!!), email me a copy of your receipt at mail@alyssaday.com with your name and mailing address and you will be entered to win one of two genuine Japanese Kokeshi dolls, purchased on my travels.
And EVERY SINGLE READER who emails me your preorder receipt will receive a personalized, autographed bookplate for your brand-new book (the stamp's on me!) just for entering.
Enter today! The contest runs through June 1st. Good luck!
hugs,
Alyssa
Friday, February 25, 2011
If only my bookcases would organize themselves like this!!
Like THIS ONE does!
Had a lonely, homesick for the U.S. kind of day. Made blueberry pie & felt better!
Only one tree was blooming this early at the Plum Blossom Festival, but I got a great shot:
Figured out another plot twist for the secret project today, and it's terrific! I'm so excited about this book!!
Happy weekend, everyone!
Had a lonely, homesick for the U.S. kind of day. Made blueberry pie & felt better!
Only one tree was blooming this early at the Plum Blossom Festival, but I got a great shot:
Figured out another plot twist for the secret project today, and it's terrific! I'm so excited about this book!!
Happy weekend, everyone!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
A hair crisis & a plum blossom festival
Yes, I'm feeling *that* shallow today. Hair color update went a little extreme yesterday, so now I'm so blonde I REALLY look like Writer Barbie. This would not bother me so much if I didn't have appointment for haircut this morning and new pictures for website and book cover this afternoon. But it's all good. Hair, in the grand scheme of things, is SO not a big deal.
Am going to try microblogging since the idea of huge updates always makes me procrastinate until I don't blog at all. So, here are a few pictures from our trip to the Asakusa Plum Blossom Festival this weekend:
Very crowded. On the upside, there was much shopping. MUCH shopping. Got Brennan a new throwing star (whee!) and a lovely handmade leather purse for me. Hand-painted silk ties for Navy Guy and ninja gear for Science Boy. Princess came out with many goodies, as she usually manages to do. The upside, even in this kind of crowd, is that I'm at least a head taller than most people so I never have to worry that the kids will get separated and not be able to find me.
Sensoji Temple is one of the most famous in Japan. Dedicated to Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, and I loved that. I understand it's even more beautiful lit up at night so we'll definitely go back. This is the gate to the temple and it's just as amazing.
Evidently I can't put more pics here so I'll add more tomorrow.
Am going to try microblogging since the idea of huge updates always makes me procrastinate until I don't blog at all. So, here are a few pictures from our trip to the Asakusa Plum Blossom Festival this weekend:
Very crowded. On the upside, there was much shopping. MUCH shopping. Got Brennan a new throwing star (whee!) and a lovely handmade leather purse for me. Hand-painted silk ties for Navy Guy and ninja gear for Science Boy. Princess came out with many goodies, as she usually manages to do. The upside, even in this kind of crowd, is that I'm at least a head taller than most people so I never have to worry that the kids will get separated and not be able to find me.
Sensoji Temple is one of the most famous in Japan. Dedicated to Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, and I loved that. I understand it's even more beautiful lit up at night so we'll definitely go back. This is the gate to the temple and it's just as amazing.
Evidently I can't put more pics here so I'll add more tomorrow.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
So you want to role play!
What is RPG? Role-playing fictional characters has been around for a long time. Many fans who love a fictional world want to participate in it in more ways than just by reading the books, and they create online personas based on that world and interact with each other. When Alyssa first became aware of this, she had admittedly mixed feelings, but ultimately she recognized this tradition for the honor it is.
In her words:
Hello, readers! Thank you to everyone who is interested in role-playing (RPG) with my characters and my worlds. At first I thought “Oh, no! They’re putting words in my characters’ mouths!” – because authors, by nature of what we do, are mostly admitted control freaks. But then I realized what an honor it is that you love my worlds enough to spend your own time and hard work to create facebook pages, worlds, etc. However, legal stuff being what it is, my publisher insists that I make you aware of the rules below, and if you are part of any RPG group based on my creation, you agree to this by default. Please read and repost at your world site.
- Alesia Holliday, aka Alyssa Day
[NOTE: A huge thank you to Dianna Love and Sherrilyn Kenyon for direction on how to approach this and for the basis of the agreement.]
Also, my publisher asked that official RPG groups post the following agreement on their sites acknowledging Alesia Holliday/Alyssa Day’s ownership of her worlds and trademarks and copyrights. Please copy and paste at your site. I’m working on an official banner and button you can post that names you an official Alyssa Day RPG site, as well.
PLEASE NOTE: Alyssa does not host, participate in or read any of the RPG groups out there.
RPG RULES AND AGREEMENT:
For your records, here is the agreement you are making in order to participate in any Alyssa Day role-play game (RPG).
Thank you for wanting to participate in an Alyssa Day RPG.
By being added to the Alyssa Day and/or any website, Facebook page, myspace page or any other internet web site, group, loop or other entity that exists currently or in the future involving Alyssa Day’s worlds, you are agreeing to the following:
1) Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day owns the Warriors of Poseidon and all other universes she created and all they/it entail(s), but does not monitor any kind of RPG and/or fanfic, loop, group, etc. As such, she has no control over their actions or comments and cannot be held responsible for any action or inaction those groups or individual members may or may not take. By participating on or in any loop, group, page, site, etc. you acknowledge and agree to hold Alyssa Day, her licensees, sub-licensees and associates innocent and free of any misconduct by those who are active on said loop, group, page, site, etc.
2) The characters, places, names, plot points and any and all other content contained herein are Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day’s copyrighted material and property. She is permitting them to be used by others for nonprofit entertainment purposes only. Portrayals of these characters, places, and all matters contained herein do not necessarily reflect the characters, places, and all matters as portrayed in the works of Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day. Anything portrayed herein should not be taken as fact or indicative of any characteristic of any character, place, or matter that may or may not appear in any past, present or future works of Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day.
3) Furthermore you agree to all the following statements:
A. Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day owns the intellectual property rights, copyright and trademark of the content of this loop/group/website/web page and all of her universes (past, present and future) and all pertaining therein. The content on this loop/group/website/web page is made available to visitors for noncommercial, personal, entertainment or educational purposes only. The content may not be modified in any manner from its original post and the intellectual property notice must be included on every display and copy of the content. No other use is permitted.
B. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as conferring any right under any copyright or trademark of Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day in the content provided on this loop/group/website/web page. All characters and series related terms are copyrighted terms of the series and/or universes of Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day. The display of copyrighted terms, trademarks or trade names on this loop/group/website/web page does not convey or create any license or other rights in these marks or names. Any unauthorized use of these terms, trademarks and/or trade names is strictly prohibited.
C. These sites enable visitors to post comments, characters, places and other content to the site. If you post comments, or other content on any loop/group/website/web page that involves her worlds and/or universes, you grant Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day and her affiliates a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, and fully sub licensable right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, and display such reviews, comments, or other content throughout the world in any media. You also grant Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day and her affiliates and sub licensees the right to use the name that you submit with any comment, or other content, if any, in connection with such comment, or other content. You represent and warrant that you own or otherwise control all of the rights to the comments and other content that you post on any loop/group/website/web page and that use of your reviews, comments, or other content by Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day and her affiliates will not infringe upon or violate the rights of any third party.
D. You understand and accept that this agreement is subject to be changed and fine-tuned from time to time to keep up with the latest trends and advancements. As such. you agree to periodically review and update this text on any and all sites that pertain to Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day’s worlds and/or universes and to abide by any changes and/or additions and/or deletions.
By accepting membership and/or being added as a friend or member on any loop/group/website/web page that pertains to the worlds and/or universes of Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day you agree that you have read, understood and acknowledge the above terms and agree to be legally bound by them.
Copyright notice � and TM 2011 Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day. All rights reserved.
In her words:
Hello, readers! Thank you to everyone who is interested in role-playing (RPG) with my characters and my worlds. At first I thought “Oh, no! They’re putting words in my characters’ mouths!” – because authors, by nature of what we do, are mostly admitted control freaks. But then I realized what an honor it is that you love my worlds enough to spend your own time and hard work to create facebook pages, worlds, etc. However, legal stuff being what it is, my publisher insists that I make you aware of the rules below, and if you are part of any RPG group based on my creation, you agree to this by default. Please read and repost at your world site.
- Alesia Holliday, aka Alyssa Day
[NOTE: A huge thank you to Dianna Love and Sherrilyn Kenyon for direction on how to approach this and for the basis of the agreement.]
Also, my publisher asked that official RPG groups post the following agreement on their sites acknowledging Alesia Holliday/Alyssa Day’s ownership of her worlds and trademarks and copyrights. Please copy and paste at your site. I’m working on an official banner and button you can post that names you an official Alyssa Day RPG site, as well.
PLEASE NOTE: Alyssa does not host, participate in or read any of the RPG groups out there.
RPG RULES AND AGREEMENT:
For your records, here is the agreement you are making in order to participate in any Alyssa Day role-play game (RPG).
Thank you for wanting to participate in an Alyssa Day RPG.
By being added to the Alyssa Day and/or any website, Facebook page, myspace page or any other internet web site, group, loop or other entity that exists currently or in the future involving Alyssa Day’s worlds, you are agreeing to the following:
1) Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day owns the Warriors of Poseidon and all other universes she created and all they/it entail(s), but does not monitor any kind of RPG and/or fanfic, loop, group, etc. As such, she has no control over their actions or comments and cannot be held responsible for any action or inaction those groups or individual members may or may not take. By participating on or in any loop, group, page, site, etc. you acknowledge and agree to hold Alyssa Day, her licensees, sub-licensees and associates innocent and free of any misconduct by those who are active on said loop, group, page, site, etc.
2) The characters, places, names, plot points and any and all other content contained herein are Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day’s copyrighted material and property. She is permitting them to be used by others for nonprofit entertainment purposes only. Portrayals of these characters, places, and all matters contained herein do not necessarily reflect the characters, places, and all matters as portrayed in the works of Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day. Anything portrayed herein should not be taken as fact or indicative of any characteristic of any character, place, or matter that may or may not appear in any past, present or future works of Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day.
3) Furthermore you agree to all the following statements:
A. Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day owns the intellectual property rights, copyright and trademark of the content of this loop/group/website/web page and all of her universes (past, present and future) and all pertaining therein. The content on this loop/group/website/web page is made available to visitors for noncommercial, personal, entertainment or educational purposes only. The content may not be modified in any manner from its original post and the intellectual property notice must be included on every display and copy of the content. No other use is permitted.
B. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as conferring any right under any copyright or trademark of Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day in the content provided on this loop/group/website/web page. All characters and series related terms are copyrighted terms of the series and/or universes of Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day. The display of copyrighted terms, trademarks or trade names on this loop/group/website/web page does not convey or create any license or other rights in these marks or names. Any unauthorized use of these terms, trademarks and/or trade names is strictly prohibited.
C. These sites enable visitors to post comments, characters, places and other content to the site. If you post comments, or other content on any loop/group/website/web page that involves her worlds and/or universes, you grant Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day and her affiliates a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, and fully sub licensable right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, and display such reviews, comments, or other content throughout the world in any media. You also grant Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day and her affiliates and sub licensees the right to use the name that you submit with any comment, or other content, if any, in connection with such comment, or other content. You represent and warrant that you own or otherwise control all of the rights to the comments and other content that you post on any loop/group/website/web page and that use of your reviews, comments, or other content by Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day and her affiliates will not infringe upon or violate the rights of any third party.
D. You understand and accept that this agreement is subject to be changed and fine-tuned from time to time to keep up with the latest trends and advancements. As such. you agree to periodically review and update this text on any and all sites that pertain to Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day’s worlds and/or universes and to abide by any changes and/or additions and/or deletions.
By accepting membership and/or being added as a friend or member on any loop/group/website/web page that pertains to the worlds and/or universes of Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day you agree that you have read, understood and acknowledge the above terms and agree to be legally bound by them.
Copyright notice � and TM 2011 Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day. All rights reserved.
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