Summer Loving
“Summer lovin’ had me a blast. Summer lovin’, happened so fast...Summer heat, boy and girl meet, but uh-oh, those summer nights.”
Okay, my new release Forgotten Sea isn’t really based on the musical Grease.
But there’s something about summer at the beach—the crash of the waves, the caress of the sun, the tang of salt and the lure of a hot romance—that definitely provided inspiration for the Children of the Sea series. Who hasn't necked on a blanket on the sand or dreamed of strolling hand in hand along the water's edge?
There are folk tales up and down the British coast about the selkie, shape-shifters who take the form of seals in the ocean and cast off their pelts—get naked—to come ashore as beautiful men and women who have sex with humans. Which is a fabulous fantasy if you are a lonely sailor and a pretty unarguable explanation if you are an unmarried village maiden who can’t possibly name, say, the married butcher as the father of your baby.
It was that juxtaposition, that tension between land and sea, between the contemporary, pragmatic, mortal world we know and the timeless, sensual, magical world of the merfolk, that provided the inspiration for the Children of the Sea. Set off the coast of Maine, these books were inspired by the mystery and magic, the power and passion of the ocean. They’re based on the Celtic legends of the selkie and the finfolk,
immortal creatures of the sea living apart from humankind but able to shape-shift into seductive human form.
The tension is even higher in Forgotten Sea because for the first time the children of air are players in the story. Fallen angel Lara Rho is a Seeker—one called to rescue other lost children of air before they’re hunted down by the demonic children of fire. She thinks she’s found her latest charge in sailor Justin Miller. But Justin is no angel. He’s no ordinary mortal, either. He remembers nothing of his life before the day he was plucked from a shipwreck seven years ago. Lara’s fierce attraction to Justin and her determination to do the right thing pits her against her own kind and puts them one step ahead of the pursuing demons.
As Lara and Justin flee up the coast, they must work together to discover his true identity...before what they don't know kills them both. Their romance is fast and yes, it’s hot. I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Of course, the other wonderful thing about the books is that I not only get to read at the beach. I get to “research” there! What settings—real or imagined—work for you? Where are you going this summer? The sea? The mountains? What books are you taking along?
Looking forward to your comments! I’ll be giving away a copy of Forgotten Sea to somebody.
About the Children of the Sea Series
Sea Witch
Children of the Sea 1(Berkley, July 1, 2008)
Margred is a Selkie—a legendary being of the sea, able to shapeshift into seductive human form. And she has found a human she desires...
Burned out from the big city, Caleb Hunter becomes police chief on the peaceful Maine island of World’s End. Then he meets a woman who’s everything he’s ever dreamed of…
Their passion is undeniable, irresistible—and it may change the fate of humankind.
Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders
Sea Fever
Children of the Sea 2(Berkley, August 5, 2008)
Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders
Sea Lord
Children of the Sea 3
(Berkley, May 5, 2009)
Selkie prince Conn ap Llyr denies his deeply sensual nature to rule over the immortal Children of the Sea. But when the Children of Fire threaten the Selkies' Sanctuary, Conn must obey his haunting visions-and seek a woman thousands of miles away...
She was born on land...
Schoolteacher Lucy Hunter knows nothing about her Selkie heritage or the prophecy that drives Conn to find her. She is content with her life on the quiet Maine island of World's End. That is, until a proud, compelling stranger appears to challenge her assumptions and awaken her desires...
Their love will tear them between two worlds...
To combat Fire, Conn needs Lucy's magic-even if this means stealing her away to Sanctuary. As the demon threat grows, so does their passion, overcoming Lucy's fears and Conn's guarded heart. But soon they face a devastating choice. Will their love be enough to save them? Or will their destinies tear them apart?
Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders
Immortal Sea
Children of the Sea 4
(Berkley, September 7, 2010)
The island of World's End sets the stage for a dramatic reunion between Morgan of the finfolk and a woman he met years ago-a woman with a startling secret.
Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders
Forgotten Sea
Children of the Sea 5(Berkley, June 7, 2011)
Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders
The Children of the Sea Prequels
"Sea Crossing"
Shifter
(Berkley, March 4, 2008)
New York Times bestselling author Angela Knight, USA Today bestselling author Lora Leigh, and national bestselling authors Alyssa Day and Virginia Kantra?
Whether transforming under a blue moon or prowling the streets, the shifters come alive to fulfill the wildest of fantasies in this seductive anthology by four masters of paranormal romance.
Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders
"Shifting Sea"
Burning Up
(Berkley, August 3, 2010)
Angela Knight pairs a vampire warrior and his seductive captor in a battle against demonic predators.
Nalini Singh returns to the world of her Psy-Changeling series as a woman in lethal danger finds an unlikely protector-and lover.
Virginia Kantra continues the haunting tales of the Children of the Sea in her story of a wounded soldier rescued by an enigmatic young woman.
Meljean Brook launches a bold new steampunk series about a woman who strikes a provocative-and terrifying-bargain for freedom.
Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders
About Virginia
For excerpts and more, visit her website.
Virginia's Links
Website
The Giveaway
THE RULES
What: One commenter will win a copy of Forgotten Sea (Children of the Sea 5) from Virginia and, in honor of Virginia's RITA nominations, a copy of Immortal Sea (Children of the Sea 4) and a copy of Burning Up from The Qwillery. So the winning commenter will get 3 books!
How: Leave a comment answering any or all of Virginia's questions:
Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.What settings—real or imagined—work for you? Where are you going this summer? The sea? The mountains? What books are you taking along?
You may receive additional entries by:
1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.
2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.
There are a total of 3 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), and Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.
Please leave links for Facebook and Twitter mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Friday, June 17, 2011. Void where prohibited by law.
*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*
I enjoy out of this world settings, as well as books set in England, Scotland and the US.
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* Sniff, sniff * Sad that Kinicki passed away recently.
ReplyDeleteWhat settings—real or imagined—work for you?
Both to be honest
Where are you going this summer? The sea? The mountains? --> End of July, beginning of August, hubby, kids and I are traveling down to South Carolina to stay with my brother. This includes BEACH TIME. My brother lives about fifteen minutes away from the ocean. My boys have fallen in love with the ocean/beach. Everyday during the winter we got asked "Can we go down to SC to the beach?"
What books are you taking along?
Not sure yet. I'll wait until close to the time before deciding.
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I like books set in big cities or in the England countryside. I don't mind if they are real or imagined as long as it's believable.
ReplyDeleteAs for this summer, I don't have any plans besides to go to the beach a few times.
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ReplyDeleteI went to Florida: I took my CNA book, Die For Me, Abandon, and a ton of other books with me. I love books with futuristic settings, I also love historical settings :)
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edysicecreamlover18@gmail.com +3 :)
I love tropical locations! This summer we are doing a bit of USA touring, include the ocean. I am very excited. For our first trip I will be taking along more books then the second, just playing my selection by ear :)
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robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
Settings that work for me--ones that transport me to somewhere other than where I am, which can mean anything from outer space to New Jersey :) I think it's a delight to "visit" wherever the author takes me through the story.
ReplyDeleteAs for where we're going, we have no trips planned, so I think we're staying put. My husband mentioned possibly visiting some friends in San Diego this summer, so that would be sea! And books? However many I can fit on my e-reader and/or cram into our luggage! Usually a few more than I can reasonably read during the time we're away, but I would HATE to run out of reading!! ;)
f dot chen at comcast dot net
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I love this series though I haven't read all of them yet.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy many different settings, depending on the type of book I'm reading. I love Scotland for historicals, the grittiness of the big cities for UF, gothic-type settings for paranormals.
This summer we'll be going to the Oregon Coast with family. Books? Maybe Game of Thrones book 1 because it's 800+ pages.
Laurie at LaurieLondonBooks dot com
(Hope you don't mind that I'm entering since I was a guest yesterday, but I love these books!)
Ireland! Books, movies, where I want to vacation: Ireland! I love everything about it!
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jwitt33 at live dot com
I like all kinds of settings, including New Orleans, Savannah, Great Britain, Australia, and places that don't exist. They all work for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to visit my sister in Southern California, but probably won't visit the beach or the mountains, more like the desert. I'll take along a selection of books from my TBR pile, not sure what yet.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
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I am going to the Bahamas and I am bringing two must reads
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Oh and I take any kind of setting!
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Tweeted it: smdl620
What settings—real or imagined—work for you? Both if well written. The ones I really get, well, "geeked-out" on are the ones that combine both into one.
ReplyDeleteWhere are you going this summer? The sea? The mountains? Summer - nowhere, we'll probably head somewhere sometime around fall or winter and then it will either be a cruise or possibly Europe.
What books are you taking along? Probably some reads and/or re-reads (favs) loaded on the Kindle.
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What settings—real or imagined—work for you?-- Real or imagined work for me :-) And Scotland. Scotland really works for me. Where are you going this summer? The sea? The mountains?-- Stayin' home! And am happy about the fact :-) What books are you taking along?-- Well, I'm keeping them all ;-)
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I like both the real and imagined worlds of writer's imagination. Both are great fun to explore in the book.
ReplyDeleteIf I go anywhere it would probably be in the mountains. Usually a short trip, so no books, but would be fun if it was longer!
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I love English settings, too - I actually turned in another historical novella for the Tied with a Bow trilogy set in Northern England.
ReplyDeleteVery cool that so many of you are taking your books on your ereaders! I haven't succumbed yet, but I love the idea of not worrying about packing enough books!
@Laurie, are you kidding? As if any writer minds hearing that someone likes her books!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much.
I find I enjoy the gritty inner city settings, traveling / road trips / and the ocean is always great. I generally enjoy really many genres, but have had a difficulty with mermaids - but selkies that I can get into! Hopefully I will be taking some of these books with me to my patio this summer imagining I am in the nice cool highlands with a good cuppa and read. Thank you for sharing today and the wonderful giveaway opportunity.
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Every setting, both real or imagined, work for me :) I love read books with various setting as long they not confused me
ReplyDeleteBecause I live at Tropical country, I never experienced summer, since there's always hot here, all year. But if I can, I would love to go to the sea :)... I will grab any book that I can bring with me :D
Thanks for the giveaway!
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sawamura_foxman AT yahoo DOT com
I think any setting can work for me as long as it seems plausible. To some extent the setting has to match the story. For instance a cowboy in Alaska wouldn't seem right.
ReplyDeleteAs to a summer holiday. Well we are in winter at the moment so I am dreaming of a nice warm sunny beach but that is a long way away.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
+1 for comment
+1 I Follow via GFC
I like both settings-real and imagined- though I do have a tendency to enjoy imagined worlds more. I particularly like imagined worlds set right beside or within the real world.
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I plan on visiting my grandparents on NC
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Some of my favorite literary settings have been England and Ireland. But I read books set anywhere and everywhere. I won't be going anywhere this summer so I'm living vicariously through the characters in my novels. No idea what exactly I'll be reading over the break as I'm just randomly grabbing a novel off my shelves, curling up and giving it a go. :]
ReplyDeletei think imagined settings are great, the most interesting are the settings that include the modern world with a fantasy twist.
ReplyDeletethi summer i am going to europe (poland and italy), and it will include the mountains, seas, and many cities!
i am taking the strange angels series by lili st. crow and the curse workers series by holly black:)
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Denise, there's a fun bit in Immortal Sea about mermaids - I'm pasting it below.
ReplyDelete***
He studied her face. “You are a remarkable woman.”
“And you are...” Impossible. Unthinkable. Unreal. “Remarkable, too.”
She itched to touch him, ached for the reassurance of his solid flesh. His human flesh. She clasped her hands together tightly in her lap. “I thought you’d have a tail,” she blurted.
“I beg your pardon.”
“You said finfolk. Merfolk. And in Copenhagen, at the statue, you said...” She could no longer remember exactly what he’d said at the statue of the Little Mermaid all those years ago. “Anyway, I thought...” She gestured toward his legs, encased in wet black denim.
“Ah. No. One chooses to be one or the other, a man on land or a creature of the sea,” he explained patiently. “To be both at the same time denotes a lack of control."
I enjoy settings by the sea.Living in rural setting far from even a hint of the ocean it is nice to escape.
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dlynnpen(at)aim(dot)com
What settings—real or imagined—work for you? I love just about any setting. I have recently discovered that I don't really like stories set in the "gritty city". Where are you going this summer? The sea? The mountains? I am visiting both the sea and the mountains. What books are you taking along? I own a Kindle so I am taking tons of books. But, in paper I am taking Karen Rose, Jessica Andersen, Cathering Coutler and Jacqueline Carey. Thanks for the awesome giveaway. I think I am a follower but I will go back and check.
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I love all kinds of settings although my favorites are usually real ones like New Orleans or Ireland.
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throuthehaze at gmail dot com
i love different types of settings! im not picky. i like any and all! :) this summer, my family is going to the beach, theres talk of going to michigan adventures, and camping. im not sure exactly what im doing, but it will be nice!
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I like the setting of open sea, the ocean and it;s mysteries. I am not doing much at all this summer, maybe going to the lake beach which I do not like much but i am not near the ocean so what choice do I have? lol . As to what books, well mostly about pirates, i love pirates and any books on them along with ocean, sea , adenture.
ReplyDeletethanks for e-mailing me on this giveaway :)
gabsmack2001 at aol dot com
I can't say that there's any one setting that I just love... although the Scottish Highlands may be pretty darn close. Really, as long as the author creates a believable world, I'm happy.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I'll be staying home most of the summer. BUT, I will be going to Vegas at the end of the summer to celebrate my birthday. I plan on taking my nook, but don't anticipate actually doing any reading. LOL
Jen K.
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got to go to fla for 10 days with my unlce and aunt and cousins, i was very lucky / 1 daughter is still there till the end of july with all her couins
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorite memories were spent the summers I spent at my grandmothers at Padre Island, Texas the wonderful beaches, the people and the friends.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful trip down memory lane. Thanks!
gka444(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the chance win. really appreciate it!
I will take my kindle with me that has TONS of books on it, so i will never run out of anything to read!!
ReplyDeleteGFC Michele Luker
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I love all types of settings as long as they work with the storyline. I'm going to Europe this summer wheee! Not sure what books to bring yet but I know I can only pack a few.
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lilazncutie1215[at]yahoo[dot]com
I like real and imagined though I like it if the imagined feels real, and the real setting has to be either in the US, GB or some places in Europe.
ReplyDeleteSummer has already passed for me - I went to the beach a few times. For the winter I'll be going to bookfairs or snuggling on my couch so not very far. I'll be reading whatever I have that I havn't already read and then some that I have.
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Gabbie-ethela AT hotmail DOT com
Well, both settings work for me. Depends only if I like the characters. XD
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm going for another city for a week, but the rest of the time, I'm going to stay in the lab where I work. XD
I'm taking along half of the books that I've in my TBR pile. Until now, they're 20, so i'm taking along 10, including Anna and the French Kiss, Demon Marked, Human Blend and others XD
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thanks for the giveaway! :D
sweet(dot)sayumi(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)br
What settings work for me? Most settings do,as long as the story grabs my attention right away I'm good with pretty much any setting.
ReplyDeleteThis summer I ma staying home and hopefully reading a lot.Shrink my TBR pile down some.
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What settings work for me?
ReplyDeleteAny setting works for me. It's the story line and characters that keeps me intrigued.
Where are you going this summer?
We do alot of family camping, so we'll be camping at the beach and the country side. We like both, my daughter's like the beach more, LOL.
What books will I be taking along?
Oh my, I have SOOOO many different books and authors that I read...who ever's books are out at the time is what i'll be taking with. ;)
srshmitz(at)comcast(dot)net
Thanks for a chance to win!
Rhonda
Not a follower yet, but will be.:)
A combination of a real and fictional setting works for me. I want to be able to place myself, maybe even hope to visit there someday. With a fictional setting, I can let my imagination run free.
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I do follow your blog through Blogger.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going anywhere this summer except to my yard LOL My hubby and I just put up a pool for my daughters so that's where I'll be chillin!!
gwoman23(AT)gmail(DOT)com
i love all settings i cant pick real or imagined cause both offer alot especially if the writer can take you to that place no matter what. i will actually be going to clearlake. where i sit on the deck listen to the water lap read my book and fish. though i may also do a 2 day trip to monterey and the hotel we stay at is right on the beach so i tend to walk on it the whole time after all its right outside the door. i have a big TBR pile and it keeps getting bigger with my purchases. so to name one book would be a sin but normally i toss my kindle in the bag followed by some christine feehand, lora leigh , jacquelyn frank, but i have alot of new authors too now
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Pretty much any setting will work for me as long as the book grabs my attention and interest within the first few chapters of a book.
ReplyDeleteThis is really a very cool blog, thanks a great deal for this! I've read a great deal about this topic in the past and I agree with you.
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