Thursday, August 25, 2011

Lisa Kessler Guest Post & Giveaway








THE NIGHT SERIES - Book One by Lisa Kessler




Title: Night Walker
Author: Lisa Kessler
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: August 2011
ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-12-1
Mobi ISBN: Coming soon!
Print ISBN: 978-1-937044-13-8

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/night-walker/

View the book trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OTD8VdDCOc
Books 2, 2 1/2, and 3 coming December 2011, January 2012, and June 2012!
Book Description:

He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her…

Two and a half centuries ago, Calisto Terana lost everything when a zealous priest murdered the woman he loved. Now, desperate for another chance to love her, he wants redemption for the mistake that cost her life.

She's haunted by dreams of her own death…

After catching her fiance with another woman, Kate Bradley returns to San Diego to clear her head. The last thing she needs is romance, but after meeting Calisto she's drawn to him in ways she doesn't understand.

They've waited in the shadows for centuries…

Calisto has no doubt Kate is the reincarnation of his lost love, but the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo has a new watcher with dark ambitions of his own. As old enemies reemerge and a new threat arises, the betrayal that enslaved Calisto to the night might destroy the only woman he's ever loved again.




About the Author:

Lisa Kessler is an avid reader and writer of dark fiction. Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.
Lisa recently signed a 4 book deal with Entangled Publishing to release her Night Series.  The first book, Night Walker, is scheduled to be released August 5th.
When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, performing with the San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego. You can learn more at http://Lisa-Kessler.com

 Lisa lives in southern California with her incredibly fun husband and two amazing kids.
http://lisaslair.com/

http://lisakessler.wordpress.com
http://twitter.com/LdyDisney
http://facebook.com/LisaKesslerWriter





Hi everyone –

Thanks to Vanessa aka The Jeep Diva for the blog spot today!

While I don’t have a Jeep, I do have a habit of naming my cars and instilling a soul into their metal bodies.  My first car was a horrible, ancient, tiny 70’s Mazda sedan.  The engine sounded like it was making the world’s longest raspberry while I drove it and it had a top speed of about 50 miles per hour.  I quickly named it, The Mazdarati…

Over the years, I’ve also owned, the Fox, the midget mobile, my green lemon, and now I drive The Resisty.  It got its name because for whatever reason it targets my daughter, and no matter where she chooses to sit it resists her by either not unlocking her door, or by engaging the child lock on her door so she can’t get out.

The Resisty also has great parking karma.  I can find a parking spot in front of the mall at Christmastime!  Really!

Anyway, in my new novel, Night Walker, Kate has a car with personality too.  Bessie is her vintage Volkswagen Bug convertible.  It’s seen better days, but to Kate, Bessie is more than a car.  She’s a symbol of freedom and a friend through thick and thin.  She’s had the car since she started college and once she got a teaching job, instead of buying a new car, she got Bessie a new engine and started working on restoring her.

I thought I’d share a little excerpt from the book.  This is the moment that Calisto, our over 200 year old immortal Night Walker who hates riding in cars, gets to meet Bessie…

EXCERPT

Calisto raised a brow. The small yellow car was not what he expected.

“Just a sec, I’ve gotta let you in from the driver’s side.” Kate leaned across the steering wheel and unhooked the bungee cord that held the passenger door closed.

He had no love for automobiles. They weren’t from his era and since he had the ability to fly, he didn’t see the purpose in learning to drive a car. That did not mean he hadn’t ridden in many BMWs, Lexus, Jaguars, and Bentleys. He knew the luxury of leather seats and climate control.

This car had neither.

He schooled his features to hide his doubts about the car’s viability when he tugged the door closed. The driver’s door had vice grips where the window crank should be, a bungee cord held the passenger-side door closed, and duct tape covered the small tear in the corner of the convertible top. Even though it was November,
she had the top of her faded VW bug folded down. He envisioned a surfboard hanging out the back like many of the college students who came to La Jolla in search of waves to ride. Kate claimed she didn’t belong in California, but her car most certainly did.

“Sorry. I probably should have warned you about Bessie before you accepted my offer to take you home.”

“Bessie?”

“My car. I’ve had her since college. When I realized I finally could afford another car, I bought her a new engine instead.” She turned the key and smiled at him. “I still haven’t fixed the passenger door. I’ve been searching for a salvaged door off the same model bug. They’re tough to find now and… ” Her cheeks flushed with color. “And now I’m rambling. Sorry, I do that sometimes when I get nervous.”

He rested his hand over hers on the gearshift. “Did I complain about your car?” Kate shook her head slowly and he smiled. “I am grateful for your company, and here is a little-known secret.” He leaned closer to her. “I have never ridden in a convertible before.”

Her eyes sparkled with delight. “You’re in for a treat.”

She put the car in gear and pulled onto the street. Calisto usually despised riding in cars, but Kate’s car, in spite of its battle scars, was far from the metal prison of the luxury vehicles he’d ridden in before.

The night air blew through his hair, caressing his skin, and he closed his eyes, drinking in the sensation. It almost felt like flying. In all his years, the wind had never gusted this way against this skin. Only
his feathers had ever experienced this freedom.

The moonlight shone in the midnight of Kate’s hair, and the wind brushed it back. He memorized every curve and angle of her profile, loving the way she sang with the radio under her breath. Echoes of her native melodies filled his mind and for once it brought peace instead of bitterness and rage.

She still loved to sing.

By the time they reached the interstate, their conversation was comfortable. Within twenty minutes, they left the freeway and the thickening mist threatening to blanket the roads. They wound down the narrow road along the La Jolla cliffs and stopped in front of his house.

Kate whistled at the automatic gates that opened to reveal his winding driveway. He tried to see his home as Kate might. His large, hacienda-style house overlooked the Pacific. On the rare occasions he stood at the arched windows on the second floor, he could see pods of dolphins jumping through the surf in the moonlight.
The stucco walls were a tan shade that complemented the warm sand and ice plant that crept up the cliffs.

Kate flipped the keys to kill the engine and stared. “It’s beautiful.”

“I am glad you like it.” He unhooked the bungee cord to open his door. “Come, I will show you around.”
She seemed to consider his offer for several seconds before nodding once. “All right, but I can’t stay too long. It’s late and I hate driving in the fog.”

He hoped she couldn’t see the joy he felt. He was certain it would only scare her to know the depth of his desire and the intensity of his hopes.

Lost in his thoughts, Calisto led Kate down the limestone walkway to the front door. He wasn’t ready for the night to end. She had recognized his ring, his personal signet from Spain. It bore the flames of the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo, and a dove of peace soared above the fire. There was no other ring like it in the world.

Lifetimes ago, he gave the signet to her, a token of his devotion. She wore it like a pendant on a fine leather strap around her neck, and she treasured the ring as she treasured him. Calisto cleared his throat, struggling to bury the thoughts before they resurrected his emotions.

He wondered if she had any other memories of him. He was tempted to peer into her mind. The weight of her hand pressed against the crook of his arm, and the urge to hold her almost overwhelmed his tenuous grip on his selfcontrol.

He still remembered how perfect she fit into his arms, the way her body molded against his. How would she feel now, changed but still so like her former self? Having her close again was a tremendous temptation.

When he opened the door, he stepped back to allow Kate to enter. “Welcome to my home.”

“Thank you.” When she passed by, he caught the scent of her hair and squeezed his eyes shut.

She smelled like sunshine.

So tell me, do you name your cars?  Do they become part of the family?  Is it just me? LOL
Thanks again to Vanessa for letting me visit today! 

Lisa
I’m very chatty online, so feel free to connect! J



Lisa has been kind enough to offer up 2 autographed Romance Trading Cards with character profiles on them. Giveaway is open to US residents only. Please leave your email address. Must enter before Sunday August 28, 2011. I will email the winner on Monday morning. 



27 comments:

  1. Count me in please.

    frellathon(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. Thanks for the chance to win!!!! Luv trading cards!!! ;-)

    jfort357(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  3. I've always named all my automobiles. My current Jeep (yes, I've had several) is Jesse. The ringtone on my cell phone is even Jesse's Girl.

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  4. (not entering)

    I don't know my car but I do name my ereaders :) I get it! My parents name theirs though!

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  5. I do name my vehicles and I give my current vehicle pep talks and caress her. Sometimes she needs a little pep talk (she getting old but don't tell her that)


    butterflytats82(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  6. Please enter me in contest. I can't wait to read this book. It sounds very good. I would love to have the cards. Tore923@aol.com

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  7. I have previously names my vehicles. My first was whitey (A 1986 White Pontiac Grand AM>, then there was Blue, another Grand Am, but she was Blue. My third was a 1997 Ford Escort, I called it the Lean Green, Flying Machine. She got me through college. My current car a 2003 Honda Civic I call Demona, she has a strong heart and always ready to play.

    Please enter me: metallifan15@gmail.com

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  8. Hey everyone!

    OMG I am loving your car names!!! LOL

    And Vanessa I love that you even have Jesse's Girl as your ringtone! Perfect! :)

    Felicia - I just has my first book signing, and someone had me sign their eReader which they named Spencer!!! LOL So you're not the only one naming eReaders...

    Thanks for commenting everyone! I'm glad you enjoyed the excerpt!

    Lisa :)

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  9. This caught my eye because of one word...Jeep. I've been driving them for a long time. I wanted one when I graduated from college and went to buy my first car, but I listened to a voice of experience and didn't. I shouldn't have listened.

    I've driven a cherokee, have a twelve year old wranger, boys have cherokees. Love them! Alas, no names.

    I do have to add I usually feature a Jeep in my writing. LOL

    Great topic.

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  10. Great post, Lisa and you know how I feel about Night Walker!!!!!

    My CX-7 is Jazz since she's snarky, sassy, sexy and hot like the witch who inhabits my life.

    All my vehicles have been named. I even named my dad's green Olds Kermit.

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  11. Hi Vicki -

    In my werewolf series, my hero own a Jeep and he's named it Chaney after Lon Chaney the wolfman! LOL

    My Mom used to drive a Jeep. She loved that car!

    Thanks for commenting!

    Lisa :)

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  12. I Lisa - I name my cars. My current one is SNO WTE --- and yes, it's white. My last one was Casper... (as in the friendly ghost), also white.

    Bu then I tend to name everything... Come to think of it, I haven't yet
    named the toaster. hehehehe.

    xo
    Linda
    www. lindathomas-sundstrom. com

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  13. Hi Linda! *waving*

    Thanks so much for the cover blurb for Night Walker!!! :)

    I love that your car is Jazz!!! And Kermit is also a great car name!!!

    Thanks for comenting...

    Lisa :)

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  14. Hi Lisa,

    Growing up, my father had this old, beat up station wagon that was rusted and had been new...in the 50's! My mother loathed that car, and actually named it Boner. HA!

    No contest for me, just wanted to share my car memory with everyone.

    --Brooke Moss

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  15. Hi Linda S! *waving*

    Oh I love that your car is Snow White!!! LOL I can't Believe I rode all the way to RT in Snow White and didn't know her name!!! *boggle*

    Very cool... Thanks for commenting Linda! And quick, go name that toaster! LOL

    Lisa :)

    PS - How's the Gargoyle doing?

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  16. Hi Brooke! *waving*

    I love that your Dad had a car named Boner!!!! ROTFL!!!

    Thanks for coming by to share that... My Dad had a rusty station wagon at one point and we fondly called it the "War Wagon"... LOL

    Lisa :)

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  17. I don't drive anymore, but my last car was named Angel. She had a distinct personality. When I talked to her, she ran well, but when I ignored her, she ran rough.
    mom1248(at)att(dot)net

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  18. Hi, Lisa! I love the idea of naming cars as I seem to get attached and own them forever, but what could I possibly name my current gold minivan? Any suggestions? ;)

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  19. Hi Patsy -

    Isn't it funny how moody cars can be? They really do have personalities! LOL

    Thanks for commenting...

    Lisa :)

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  20. Hi Cori -

    Well you could go for the obvious and name her Goldie... Or you could try to match her personality... Is she a party bus? LOL

    Thanks for commenting...

    Lisa :)

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  21. Hi Lisa, you are not alone. My little Toyota was named Rachel and my current Honda is called Sasha. Got the habit from my mom :)

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  22. Hi Isis -

    Oh I love that! :) Did they just look like Rachel and Sasha or was there a story behind their names?

    Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

    Lisa :)

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  23. When I was growing up we had a '47 Oldsmobile named Gertie. She was never "the car"--always Gertie. I have loads of stories about my cars but no name ever stuck after that. M. S. Spencer

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  24. Gertie sounds like an awesome name for a car! :)

    Thanks for commenting...

    Lisa :)

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  25. My grandmother always said it was a necessity to name your car.

    rootml1 AT hotmail DOT com

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  26. Hee! I agree with your grandmother... :)

    So does your car have a name?

    THanks for commenting!

    Lisa :)

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  27. Thanks for having me on your blog Vanessa! :)

    I had a great time!

    Lisa

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