Alpha Men

by Diane Alberts

When writing my latest release, ABSOLUTION, I did my fair amount of research on how Alpha men work. Even so, my editor pointed out lots of things I missed. Alpha men are strong, steady, hard, and—yes—bossy. Joseph couldn’t be more alpha if you dipped him in a pot of testosterone.

Which makes me wonder…what type of hero do readers prefer most? Do you like a hard, cynical, bossy man—much like Joseph? Or do you prefer a softer, charming hero? Do you choose the same type of hero in your books as you do in real life—or do you like your characters touch but your men soft and pliable?

I’ve come to discover that though I write mostly charming, sweet characters—minus my very alpha Joseph—my husband mostly resembles Joseph. Funny, that.

So, as a reader, which do you prefer in books and in real life? Comment below and tell me—you just might win one of my backlist titles!

Here’s a little more information about my newest release, ABSOLUTION. It’s part of Decadent’s Honor Guard Series.

Blurb:

Eva can’t believe Joseph dares to show his face to her after he’d cheated on her with a stripper—in her bed. She’d kicked him out, and has no desire to let him back in, despite his claims of being assigned to protect her from the Cartel. Her life very well may be in danger, but she fears more for the safety of her heart.

Joseph made one foolish mistake a year ago, and has been paying for it ever since. She might not want to allow him into her life again, but he doesn’t care if she despises the very thought of him. His duty is to keep Eva alive, even if it might end up being the death of him. Because he never stopped loving her.

Can they put their painful history aside, and work together against her enemy? Or will the past prove too strong to be forgiven?

Excerpt:

“What’s going on?”

“I’ll tell you everything. But not until I get you inside. Take me to your place.”

She laughed. “Hell, no.” Worried or not, he would get nowhere near her apartment ever again. “I told you when I kicked you out you’d never be welcome inside my house again. Nothing has changed. I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.”

She took a step away, and once again he took her by the elbow. This time, Joseph didn’t stop her but grabbed her and dragged her behind him.

“No, you can’t. And if you won’t take me to your place, I’ll just lead the way. Either way, I’m getting in.” He tugged her toward the red-roofed, stucco building Eva lived in, and she tensed.

“Go to hell!” She struggled against his hold, but he didn’t even pause. She dug her heels into the cement and yanked her arm but failed to free herself from his grip. “I’ll scream.”

He stopped and leaned into her face. “You wouldn’t dare.” Without waiting for her reaction, he continued to escort her toward her building.

She opened her mouth, took a deep breath, and yelled, “Help—”

Eyes wide, Joseph stopped and spun her until she rested against the wall of a nearby building. She had time to yelp before he crushed his lips to hers and thrust his tongue inside her mouth.

She pushed against his shoulders, and he groaned, deepening the kiss. She longed to bite his tongue, to kick him in the balls, but he felt so good. It might have been six weeks since he last kissed her, but her body remembered him well—including all the feelings he brought out within her—and wanted more.

She pulled him closer while he slid his palms down her back and cupped her buttocks, hauling her up tight against his erection. She groaned in unison with Joseph. He tore his mouth away and nibbled on her right ear.

“God, Eva, I’ve missed you so much.”

Nothing he could have said would have sobered her more. Man, but he had some cojones telling her he missed her! He’d cheated on her, not the other way around. She jerked out of his hold and slapped him hard across the face.

Buy Absolution HERE

Diane Alberts lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her husband, four kids, and a bird. She lives in the mountains-but wishes it were the beach. She has been writing since she was in elementary school, but only recently fulfilled her dreams of being published in 2011. Enjoys dyeing yarn and knitting in her “spare” time.


She loves interacting with readers, so feel free to email her!
Email address: diane@dianealberts.com

What is an enforcer?

By Diane Alberts

I’d like to take the opportunity in this blog post to explain what an enforcer is. In my book, the species I created plays a huge part in the plot. Many people have heard of vampires, werewolves, shape shifters, etc. But unless you’ve read Reclaimed, you’ve not heard of enforcers.

Enforcers are at the top of the food chain. They’re the good guys. They can change into any—yes, any—paranormal creature. If they need to fight off a vampire—they transform into that. Werewolf—simple. They can change into anything. Oh, and their immortal, too. The only exception to that is if they shifted into another being, at which point they can be killed like that creature.

Enforcers, though human by nature, tend to not fall in love, since they live forever and can’t change a human into a paranormal creature without damning themselves. Only two women enforcer’s exist…so options are slim for the men. But in my book, there is an exception to this rule…

You’ll have to read it to find out if the enforcer in the story gets their happy ending—no, not that kind. Get your mind out of the gutter.

Check out the blurb and excerpt for Reclaimed below, and comment for a chance to win a copy of Kill Me Tomorrow, my paranormal 1NS book!

BLURB:

After moving to England, Sabrina tumbles into an unknown world when she meets the man of her dreams, literally. As a writer, her overactive imagination makes her believe the impossible, but recovering from shock, she wonders how Isaac could appear in her nightmares—when she’s never met him in real life. Until now.

The staggering events catapult her into a world where ruthless creatures roam freely along unsuspecting humans, and battle lines are clearly drawn.

While embarking on a dangerous and passionate affair, a bitter enemy appears from Isaac’s past that will stop at nothing to remove Sabrina from his arms. Permanently. In order to establish a foreseeable and solid future, she must first deal with tumultuous occurrences. Navigating a shadowy world she never knew existed, Sabrina fights for her newfound love…and her life.

EXCERPT:

A strange stillness sat in the air outside Sabrina’s house. No trees swayed in the breeze, no animals scampered in the forest, as if the world itself had come to a halt.

Uneasiness rolled over her, and she studied Isaac out of the corner of her eye. Surprisingly, he seemed to be as tense as her. He gripped her arm tighter than necessary, and his lips were pressed together as well. She could feel the tension pulsating off his body, and she got taken back into her dreams. For the first time in real life, he made her shiver in apprehension. As if sensing her fear, he shot her a quick grin.

“Well, I had a lovely evening.” He spoke over his shoulder as he practically dragged her to the door. She stumbled in an attempt to keep up with his pace. At the door he pointedly stared at her, causing her to realize he waited for her to open it. She fumbled through the mess she called a purse to find the key. She turned to him and smiled as she studied him through the cover of her eyelashes.

“Would you like to come in for a nightcap? I have wine…or coffee…or tea, or….” She stuttered to a stop, unsure of what to say.

God, she sounded like such an idiot.

Nightcap?

Who the heck said nightcap anymore?

“While I’d love to take you up on that offer, I have something I have to take care of tonight. Could I get a rain check? For say,tomorrow night? We could do a movie and wine? Or is tomorrow too soon in the dating world?”

“No, not too soon at all. I’d love to see you tomorrow.”She tried to hide her disappointment behind a bright smile. “You can call me,and we’ll firm up a time. Good night.”

She turned to go inside and got caught off-guard when he grabbed her elbow and spun her to face him. It happened so quickly she leaned back against the door in confusion; one hand on the doorknob and the other braced against the cool steel of the door. He moved his body closer to hers and placed his hand at her head. His other hand cupped her cheek while his thumb stroked her jaw line. All thought fled as his body pressed against hers, and a small swoosh of air escaped her lips at his touch.

“I didn’t think it even possible for you to grow more beautiful, but you have proven me wrong.” When his lips met hers, she lost all thought, all ability to move. She’d somehow been tied to this spot—this man.

Keep up to date on all things Diane Alberts at: www.dianealberts.com

Facts about Diane Alberts!

I sound like a little girl. No, not a child, child. But a tween. When parents or teachers call my house, they ask for my mom. Really. I then get stuck having to say, I’m $#653@ mom. They, in turn, stammer in embarrassment and shame for a good thirty seconds before getting the heck to the point. It’s a mess for everyone involved.

Coincidentally, I also apparently look like one. My tween, much to her dismay, often gets asked if I’m her sister. She has to then roll her eyes as is appropriate for a tween disillusioned with the world and all its bullcrap before replying, “No, it’s my mom.”

I’m terrified of scary movies. I refuse to watch them anymore. As a teen, I went to see 13 Ghosts in the theater. I didn’t sleep for days. To this date, I still picture that woman in the bathtub covered in blood if I go pee at night. She terrified me more than anything else in that movie. Still kinda does. A lot.

I have four children. They are aged 12, 7, 5, and 3. Two boys and a girl. The drama and wrestling that go on at my house makes for non-stop clattering and crying. It’s like a circus in my house on a daily basis. I can’t even talk on the phone unless I go hide in a bedroom or another lockable room. It’s ridiculous. By the end of the day, I’m usually spent and incredibly cranky. But, I wouldn’t give them up for the world.

When writing, I get really cranky and consumed until I type my last word. Then, I come back into the real world and apologize to all of the people I ignored or pissed off when in my own little world. I think a lot of my friends get mad at me, thinking I’m being a brat, but I really become obsessed when writing. I can’t rest until I’m done. My characters won’t let me.

I also read slush, in addition to writing. I find it neat to be able to see the “other” side of the publishing perspective. I like seeing what makes a manuscript a yes, and what makes it a no. I am intrigued by the whole process.

I starting writing my novel, RECLAIMED, three years ago. It comes out today here at Decadent Publishing! I would never share my first edition of it—it’s that bad. I revised, and revised, and revised, until it was finally able to be read by editors and publishers. Then I revised more until I finally got my YES! It came as I was sitting in a Kindergarten Orientation for my five year old. It took all my control not to dance around the gym in excitement right next to the principal telling us what kind of snacks to send in.

RECLAIMED, a paranormal romance novel, is out today! Read below for a sneak peek and the blurb!

BLURB:

After moving to England, Sabrina tumbles into an unknown world when she meets the man of her dreams, literally. As a writer, her overactive imagination makes her believe the impossible, but recovering from shock, she wonders how Isaac could appear in her nightmares—when she’s never met him in real life. Until now.

The staggering events catapult her into a world where ruthless creatures roam freely along unsuspecting humans, and battle lines are clearly drawn.

While embarking on a dangerous and passionate affair, a bitter enemy appears from Isaac’s past that will stop at nothing to remove Sabrina from his arms. Permanently. In order to establish a foreseeable and solid future, she must first deal with tumultuous occurrences. Navigating a shadowy world she never knew existed, Sabrina fights for her newfound love…and her life.

EXCERPT:

A strange stillness sat in the air outside Sabrina’s house. No trees swayed in the breeze, no animals scampered in the forest, as if the world itself had come to a halt.

Uneasiness rolled over her, and she studied Isaac out of the corner of her eye. Surprisingly, he seemed to be as tense as her. He gripped her arm tighter than necessary, and his lips were pressed together as well. She could feel the tension pulsating off his body, and she got taken back into her dreams. For the first time in real life, he made her shiver in apprehension. As if sensing her fear, he shot her a quick grin.

“Well, I had a lovely evening.” He spoke over his shoulder as he practically dragged her to the door. She stumbled in an attempt to keep up with his pace. At the door he pointedly stared at her, causing her to realize he waited for her to open it. She fumbled through the mess she called a purse to find the key. She turned to him and smiled as she studied him through the cover of her eyelashes.

“Would you like to come in for a nightcap? I have wine…or coffee…or tea, or….” She stuttered to a stop, unsure of what to say.

God, she sounded like such an idiot.

Nightcap?

Who the heck said nightcap anymore?

“While I’d love to take you up on that offer, I have something I have to take care of tonight. Could I get a rain check? For say,tomorrow night? We could do a movie and wine? Or is tomorrow too soon in the dating world?”

“No, not too soon at all. I’d love to see you tomorrow.”She tried to hide her disappointment behind a bright smile. “You can call me,and we’ll firm up a time. Good night.”

She turned to go inside and got caught off-guard when he grabbed her elbow and spun her to face him. It happened so quickly she leaned back against the door in confusion; one hand on the doorknob and the other braced against the cool steel of the door. He moved his body closer to hers and placed his hand at her head. His other hand cupped her cheek while his thumb stroked her jaw line. All thought fled as his body pressed against hers, and a small swoosh of air escaped her lips at his touch.

“I didn’t think it even possible for you to grow more beautiful, but you have proven me wrong.” When his lips met hers, she lost all thought, all ability to move. She’d somehow been tied to this spot—this man.

TRAILER:

Reclaimed by Diane Alberts

Hello! I’m Diane Alberts, and I wanted to stop by on this Wild Wednesday to talk about my upcoming release, Reclaimed, coming out December 23rd. It’s a paranormal romance book, and my first and (so far) only full length novel. To introduce you to it, I decided to ask the two main characters the same question. But first, here’s a blurb to make you familiar with my story:

Blurb:

After moving to England, Sabrina tumbles into an unknown world when she meets the man who has appeared to her in her dreams. After recovering from shock, she wonders how it is possible that Isaac could be in her dreams-before she met him. The shocking answers catapult her into a world where ruthless creatures roam freely along unsuspecting humans, and battle lines are clearly drawn.

While embarking on a dangerous and passionate affair, a bitter enemy appears from Isaac’s past that will stop at nothing to remove her from Isaac’s arms. Permanently. In order to establish a foreseeable and solid future, Sabrina must first deal with a tumultuous past. Navigating a shadowy world she never knew existed; Sabrina fights for her newfound love…and her life.

Interview:

Me: Sabrina, what did you first think when you saw Isaac?

Sabrina: I thought I was going insane. I’d had a dream or two about this amazing man who stole my senses away, and here he was. In the same room as me. I’d never seen him before, except in my dreams, so how could it even be possible? What else could I think, except for how soon I’d be committed into the mental ward? *she gives a light laugh at this point and turns to Isaac with a smile*

Me: And Isaac…what about you?

Isaac: *laughs and hugs Sabrina* I thought life was about to get really interesting. All these years, I’d been hoping to find her. Hoping it could be possible for true love to win. Instead, it turned out I had no idea what I’d felt in the past, and was about to get hit over the head with shock, love, and pain. After all of it is over, though, it turned out to be the best thing to ever, ever happen to me.

Sabrina: Aww. *kisses his cheek*

Well, there you have it! Stay tuned for more interviews and behind the scenes information, leading up to the big release on December 23, 2011! Til then, happy reading!

Kill Me Tomorrow 3-Way

Hello, I’m Diane Alberts, and I’m here to tell you what I’m here for 3-Way Thursday. No—not that kind of 3-way. Get your minds out of the gutter! I’m going to tell you what I’m Thankful, Thoughtful and Thirsty for. And I’m focusing directly on my book Kill Me Tomorrow, a 1Night Stand paranormal book.

I’m Thankful: That Jasmine faltered enough in her attraction to Gavin, and didn’t immediately skewer him through as she should have. Jinns, after all, are supposed to kill demons. Even though he’s only half demon, otherwise known as a demi-sanguine, she still needs to rid the world of him.  But, what should she do about her pesky desire to have her way with him first?

I’m Thoughtful: When I wonder what would have happened if Gavin had given up on Jasmine, and left her alone in the hotel room. What if he’d stormed out, leaving her alone to sulk in her shameful virginal state? How often do we let anger rule us, and act before thinking?

I’m Thirsty: For more of Jasmine and Gavin! What happens after he walks in to the hotel room…and into the arms of his enemy? I know, but do you?

Want to find out? I guess you’ll just have to read it!

Kill Me Tomorrow Factoids...

by Diane Alberts

Five things that no one knows about my characters from Kill Me Tomorrow, a paranormal romance book in the fabulous 1NS series:

Jasmine had dreams about a mysterious man with light blonde hair and purple eyes from the time she was a little girl. In her dreams, he always stood in the shadows, with half his body in the light, and half cloaked in darkness. Even as a child, she understood his struggles to fit into a world he couldn’t quite place. As a woman, she felt an attraction to this man, but also feared him.

Gavin likes to make it seem as if he’s had hundreds of women, but in truth, he always held back in relationships. He feared letting himself go too far. Feared allowing the beast within him to come out at the most inopportune times. Human woman are frail. What is he broke one in the throes of lust? His number, in all reality, doesn’t even reach twenty. And all of them were women he never saw again.

When Jasmine first sees Gavin, she doesn’t realize he’s the man from her dreams, even though she feels an immediate pull toward him she cannot explain. She doesn’t recognize him for years to come, when she has a dream similar to those she’s had her whole life, but suddenly his face is crystal clear. If she had recognized him, would she have pushed him away, in fear of the darkness inside of him?

Gavin’s mother was never in his life, having left his father as soon as she realized the truth of what he was. Gavin’s father always brought home humans at night, and then tossed them away like yesterday’s garbage when he finished slaking his lust on them. Gavin always helped the lost women to a cab, for if he didn’t, they’d be doomed to wander the forest until they dropped from exhaustion. Then, if they were lucky, a wild animal would finish them off as they slept. Otherwise, his father sometimes looked for seconds…

Neither Gavin nor Jasmine knows if they’ll make it through the night without a fight to the death. Maybe, if they’re lucky, they’ll find love instead.

Kill Me Tomorrow, a paranormal 1NS book, comes out today. Here’s an excerpt for your viewing pleasure. Want to win a free copy? Comment below with your email address!

 

   She’d accomplished nothing at all.

   Nothing.

   A weight sank beside her on the bed, and she shrieked. She darted a glance at the door, but it remained locked. Of course it did— portals didn’t hold back demons.

   “Good punch.” He laughed and rubbed his nose. “Some men might hold a grudge—but not me. I heal too fast.”

   Indeed he did. A glance at his face revealed features as gorgeous as ever. This sucked for the self-pity party she’d been trying to throw.

   She preferred him bloody and not so devilishly striking.

   She groaned and dropped her head into her hands. “Why won’t you just leave?” He caressed her arm in a lazy, seductive way, and she shivered. “Stop that.”

   His hand stopped moving, but he didn’t remove it. “Why do I have to stop?” he murmured.  “Why do I have to leave?” He traced an invisible path leading up to her shoulder. From there, he grasped a curl and twirled it between his fingers, as if testing its elasticity. Her scalp tingled at his tender tug, and a jolt of lightning shot straight to her stomach, causing her to bite back a moan.

   “Because….” She lifted her head, and turned to face him.

   His eyes were so blue they were nearly purple, which, combined with his light blond hair, made him a lethal opponent indeed. How could she resist such a gorgeous creature, knowing that it might be her last chance to rid herself of her virginity? Yet, how could she say yes? “Because you are half demon, and I am a jinn. We are adversaries, you and I.”

    “I’m not an evil demi-sanguine,” he assured her calmly. “I don’t rape, kill, or pillage. I’m unremarkably human—plus a few small details. But you are hardly normal yourself,” he drawled with a lazy grin. “And I’d like to make love to you.”

Play a Game with Diane Alberts!

For this Wild Wednesday, I’m going crazy and making YOU blog with me. How am I doing that? Well, I am making you read nine truths and a lie about me and you has to guess which one is the lie! Tomorrow, I’ll come and tell you which one it was. 

I moved across the country without first securing a home on the other side.

I had my daughter when I was seventeen, and never went to college.

 

I saw all five members of the band Barenaked Ladies naked.

I, at one time in my life, had nine piercings on my body.

I once found a tarantula in my daughter’s bedroom.

I have three tattoos.

I am terrified of horror movies ever since seeing 13 Ghosts.

I bungee jumped off a bridge over a raging river.

I used to steal my sister’s money all the time as a kid,

and my parents told her to hide it better.

 I drank wine on a ship with one of the most talented singers to ever grace the earth.

  

Look for Reclaimed and Kill Me Tomorrow,  both from Decadent Publishing.