Saturday, September 3, 2016

Family - What I Really Write About #fiction #writing #meaning

Family

I write in a paranormal setting with vampires and witches and shapeshifters (oh my!), but the heart of my work is family - and all that can mean and entail. It's human nature to bond, so if we don't have blood family, we gather people around us.

Blood is thicker than water, but love is thicker than blood.

In the Strange Allies series, Della has a higher calling, but making sure her mother is taken care of always comes first, and she feels horrible every time she has to lie to her mother about her job. It's been the two of them since she was five years old, so leaving home is painful. Because Della isn't a normal girl, there will be no college graduation ceremony, no wedding to a nice man, and no grandbabies for her mother to spoil, but she'll let her mother hold on to those dreams as long as possible.

In the Children of Ossiria series, Carys starts out fiercely independent. She's able to do anything she wants when she decides to do it, so accepting increased burdens and letting people in is something she struggles with since it brings the risk of loss. Making friends is easy, but falling in love is the last thing she wanted to do for a while. Enter William.

In Outcast, Michael becomes a young father, but he's also a paladin, and the supernatural world is no place for an infant. His daughter it sent to live with her grandparents, but despite still technically in his teens at the start of the book, he's committed to knowing her and making sure she grows up with the best they can do.


How do you keep your family safe in a world of monsters?
Is having a family - blood or otherwise - a blessing or a liability?
What if your children have greater destinies that cannot be avoided?


These and more questions are the issues my characters face in all of my books.

Background: I have no close family. My parents and grandparents are gone. I've never married and never had children. My closest friends all live outside California, so it's me and Scrapper, the cat that sheds enough to make more cats. At 39, I'm okay with a quiet life, but it was a lot harder to deal with in my twenties, so my characters get to explore questions and avenues I never got to do.

Friday, August 26, 2016

Paranormal Heat Wave Event #paranormalsummerheatwave

Paranormal Heat Wave Event - Aug. 26 & 27




http://pnrlovers.com/paranormal-heat-wave/

Grab these books before the price goes up!

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Bad Boys After Dark release day! #shifters #vampires #ghosts #PNR #books

BAD BOYS AFTER DARK


Dark, dangerous, deadly, and full of desire.

Paranormal creatures stalk the night and find their mates in this collection of stories to be read at bedtime and fantasized about in dreams. A power that can’t be resisted. A wild streak that can’t be tamed. A passion that fulfills a woman in ways she never imagined. All these are contained in a volume of tempting FULL-LENGTH NOVELS by eight AWARD WINNING and BESTSELLING romance authors.


Shifters, vampires, ghosts, and more inhabit these night time worlds, existing in the gray realm between good and evil. Whether you like your hero furry, fanged, aggressive or more subtly seductive, this set is for you!








Official site: https://badboysafterdark.com/


$0.99.

Monday, August 1, 2016

MATE release day! #PNR #newrelease #books #vampires

MATE (Children of Ossiria #4)


Mate - Book #4 - August 1, 2016
Apple | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords |

I am Kalana of Ossiria, empress and last of my kind.
I am Carys Taylor, Earth woman.

After the events of GODDESS, Carys sets out to restore Ossiria. Once her orders are being carried out, she returns home to Southern California only to find that weeks have passed instead of days. Convincing William she isn’t possessed doesn’t come easily, but once they’re finally reunited, their relationship solidifies—until a fateful trip to Ossiria.

Caught up in recent insatiable lust, the couple enters into a mating claim on the magical planet, only for Carys to wake up knowing they’ve made an impulsive mistake. Armed with Kalana’s memories, she rescinds her claim on William, putting him in dominance until they’re ready for the consequences of Ossirian magic.

But William has been in a one-sided claim before and it didn’t end well. Will he sabotage their relationship with his vampire tendencies, or are he and Carys destined to become eternal mates? Secrets and surprises will test them like never before.

This story is intended for readers over the age of 18 due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.

Friday, July 1, 2016

OUTCAST on sale now at all retailers! #PNR #urbanfantasy #newrelease #books

Outcast - Children of Ossiria #3




What will you fight for?

Family?

Honor?

The adrenaline rush?

Because you know no other way?

OUTCAST follows the journeys of three paladins doing their best to keep the people they care about alive in a world where monsters are real and there’s a very good reason to be afraid of the dark.

This story is intended for readers over the age of 18 due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.

*Discover how the good guys came together. Origin story for Michael, Catherine, Bethany, Hope, and more. Takes place prior to the events in PROTECTOR.


$4.99. AmazonApple | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Smashwords (50% off in July) |

Children of Ossiria series:

The First Vampires (prequel)
Protector
Goddess
Outcast
Mate (August 1, 2016)


Thursday, June 23, 2016

OUTCAST release day! Children of Ossiria #3 is live!

OUTCAST is on sale now!



Outcast - Book #3 - Smashwords | Apple | Barnes and Noble | Kobo |

What will you fight for?

Family?

Honor?

The adrenaline rush?

Because you know no other way?

OUTCAST follows the journeys of three paladins doing their best to keep the people they care about alive in a world where monsters are real and there’s a very good reason to be afraid of the dark.

This story is intended for readers over the age of 18 due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.

*Discover how the good guys came together. Origin story for Michael, Catherine, Bethany, Hope, and more. Takes place prior to the events in PROTECTOR.

$4.99.

Monday, June 6, 2016

Pre-order OUTCAST - Children of Ossiria #3! #books #newrelease #paladins #vampires


Outcast
- Book #3 - Smashwords | Amazon | Apple | Barnes and Noble | KoboGoodreads

What will you fight for?

Family?

Honor?

The adrenaline rush?

Because you know no other way?

OUTCAST follows the journeys of three paladins doing their best to keep the people they care about alive in a world where monsters are real and there’s a very good reason to be afraid of the dark.

This story is intended for readers over the age of 18 due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.

*Discover how the good guys came together. Origin story for Michael, Catherine, Bethany, Hope, and more. Takes place prior to the events in PROTECTOR.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Scrapper is sick. #cats

My poor kitty

If you've visited my blog or Facebook for a while, you've seen Scrapper pics. If you're new, meet my baby. He needs your help.




This is Scrapper, who turns 13 on May 22nd. He joined our family in July 2003 when he followed me home on my way back from the grocery store as a tiny flea-ridden kitten and never left. His nickname is "the cow" because of the brown patches on his white coat. He's very vocal, quite neurotic, and one of the sweetest animals you'll ever meet. I joke that he's a reincarnated dog. He even learned to sit before receiving a treat.

Recently, suddenly, he lost a lot of weight, and then a week ago (May 5) stopped eating his kibble. We took him to the vet Saturday, and $350 later, he was diagnosed with dehydration, hyperthyroidism, a gallbladder stone, bladder crystals, and a rounded spleen or liver on the x-ray. He also had a few fleas and a tapeworm from the fleas. Vet gave him a hydration shot, flea med, and dewormer, and sent him home while we waited on lab results.

The one upshot is that she said his bones and joints were excellent for his age and he did seem to be healthy before his recent trouble.

Monday, we got the blood and urine test results. Confirmed all the above plus elevated liver enzymes. I asked the vet what we should tackle first, and she said if it was her cat, she'd get an ultrasound to check for a mass. Anyone who has raised and lost pets knows that senior cats with with tumors are not long for this world. We scheduled the ultrasound for Wednesday since that was when the specialist had the next opening.

It's been a struggle to interest him in food, and he vomited on Sunday and Monday nights.

That was yesterday. We dropped him off by nine AM, then came back later for the diagnosis. The good news - no cancer! There is no tumor of any kind.

The bad news - Poor Scrapper has what they call a trifecta of organ inflammation in cats including pancreatitis, plus an inflamed bowel. He's hospitalized at the vet for another 2 or 3 days to receive IV meds and hydration. $350 for the ultrasound. The vet stay and meds will be at least another $700 depending on 2 or 3 days. We've already had to put costs on credit.

We get a copy of the ultrasound specialist's full report and recommendations today (Thursday).

Once he's treated for the immediate badness, he'll go on a special bland diet for his tummy that will also help clear up the gallbladder stone and crystals. After all THAT will be treatment for his thyroid - radioactive iodine to kill the growth throwing his hormones out of whack.

"Radioactive iodine therapy. This is probably the safest and most effective treatment option. Radioactive iodine, given by injection, becomes concentrated in the thyroid gland, where it irradiates and destroys the hyperfunctioning tissue. No anesthesia or surgery is required, and only one treatment is usually needed to achieve a cure. It used to be that radioiodine treatment was performed only in specialized, licensed facilities, but many private treatment facilities are now found throughout the country. Hospitalization may be prolonged; depending on local or state ordinances, cats may need to be kept at the treatment facility for 10 to 14 days until the level of radioactivity in their urine and feces decreases to an acceptable level. Also, radioiodine therapy is costly. The price tag has come down from about $1,200 to between $500 and $800-but this is still prohibitive for many cat owners."
http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/cat-hyperthyroidism?page=2

Obviously, we're attached after 13 years, his human dad especially so since we lost our elder cat Chase in 2012. Scrapper had never bonded with him until then, but now spends time on his lap nearly every night during TV time. It's been a very worrying week for us!

I've set up a GoFundMe page. Neither of us make much money with our jobs, so the help really is needed to not go potentially thousands of dollars in debt to bring Scrapper back to health. Thank you for contributing!

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

GODDESS is out today! #UF #books #vampires #shapeshifters #newrelease

GODDESS release day!

Free of the burden of knowledge about the future, William and Carys start dating, which isn’t without its challenges. Some of Carys’ friends don’t approve of the vampire and Carys is carrying baggage from her previous relationship that rears its head every time she and William get close. Trusting him with her life is easy. Trusting him with her heart is terrifying.

Meanwhile, a new and sinister supernatural threat arrives in Southern California. The Valarakan have been warriors for thousands of years, so our team of heroes will have to be on top of their game to beat them, but discover too late that Carys’ true destiny as Protector is much more life-changing than anyone could've predicted.

Picks up where TRAVELER ended.

This story is intended for readers over the age of 18 due to adult situations.


76,000 words. $4.99. March 1, 2016. Barnes and Noble | Apple | AmazonSmashwords | Kobo | ARe |



You can still win copies of Protector and TravelerEnter here


Wednesday, February 10, 2016

#Giveaway starts today! Enter now to win copies of my #books!

Protector and Traveler giveaway




PROTECTOR:

First in a new series! 

Carys Taylor has her life perfectly under control. Equipped with a nice inheritance, she goes where she wants, when she wants, pursuing anything that interests her. So when her old professor asks her to come on a research trip for his thesis, she's eager to tag along. 

Until that ill-fated trip to the South American jungle changes her into a supernatural being. Now she's sprouting claws and stronger and faster than any human being in existence. The reclusive tribe calls her their Protector - but from what? And why now? Why her? 

Carys is pulled into a world she never knew existed. Is she up to the task?

TRAVELER:

Carys Taylor faced her first mission as Protector and won. Life is back to the new normal, but normal never lasts. 

Especially when your teenage daughter pops up in your apartment. Carys didn't think she could have children, so Anastasia's appearance is a shocking miracle. But while spending a day with the teen is a gift Carys would never trade, knowing the future is dangerous. The wrong life choice could change this young girl's destiny.

Between dodging a bounty hunter, dealing with a persistent vampire determined to make her his girlfriend, and meeting her future child, Carys’ first year as a Protector is full of challenges.  What does a girl have to do to find a little peace?

Traveler picks up where Protector left off in this exciting new fantasy series, Children of Ossiria.

Friday, February 5, 2016

GODDESS cover reveal! #fridayreads #books #urbanfantasy #PNR

GODDESS Cover Reveal

Free of the burden of knowledge about the future, William and Carys start dating, which isn’t without its challenges. Some of Carys’ friends don’t approve of the vampire and Carys is carrying baggage from her previous relationship that rears its head every time she and William get close. Trusting him with her life is easy. Trusting him with her heart is terrifying.

Meanwhile, a new and sinister supernatural threat arrives in Southern California. The Valarakan have been warriors for thousands of years, so our team of heroes will have to be on top of their game to beat them, but discover too late that Carys’ true destiny as Protector is much more life-changing than anyone could've predicted.

Picks up where TRAVELER ended.

This story is intended for readers over the age of 18 due to adult situations.


76,000 words. $4.99. March 1, 2016. Barnes and Noble | Apple | Amazon |



Artwork done by the lovely Sotia Lazu, who does all the Children of Ossiria covers.

If you're a reviewer, ARCs are available here.

Friday, January 22, 2016

GODDESS - Coming March 1, 2016! #new #books

Children of Ossiria #3

Title and blurb reveal for the next book in my series!


GODDESS

Free of the burden of knowledge about the future, William and Carys start dating, which isn’t without its challenges. Some of Carys’ friends don’t approve of the vampire and Carys is carrying baggage from her previous relationship that rears its head every time she and William get close. Trusting him with her life is easy. Trusting him with her heart is terrifying.

Meanwhile, a new and sinister supernatural threat arrives in Southern California. The Valarakan have been warriors for thousands of years, so our team of heroes will have to be on top of their game to beat them, but discover too late that Carys’ true destiny as Protector is much more life-changing than anyone could've predicted.

Picks up where TRAVELER ended.

This story is intended for readers over the age of 18 due to adult situations.


76,000 words. $4.99. March 1, 2016.

Cover reveal coming soon.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

#Free Story! The First Vampires - Children of Ossiria prequel #books #vampires #fridayreads

The First Vampires

Jolana has served the Ossirian god of war as a seer for as long as she can remember. When he chooses her to be his instrument of destruction, she devotes herself to the task—starting with young Isa. 

Isa is a healer and when Jolana comes into his shop, he knows she is trouble but the beautiful Eridae cannot be resisted. Soon, he is drawn into a war between gods that will alter the universe forever.

This story is a prequel for the Children of Ossiria series.

Read for free here. Amazon | Apple | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Wattpad |

Friday, January 1, 2016

PROTECTOR Release Day! #newrelease #books #vampires #urbanfantasy

PROTECTOR Blog Tour



Check out the PROTECTOR release tour! Much thanks to all the hosts for having me.

December 28: Carla Krae

January 1: Sotia Lazu

January 1: Tracey Clark

January 4: Maer Wilson

January 6: N.N. Light


Title – Protector (Children of Ossiria #1)
Author – Vivian Lane
Genre – Urban Fantasy

Book Blurb:

First in a new series!

Carys Taylor has her life perfectly under control. Equipped with a nice inheritance, she goes where she wants, when she wants, pursuing anything that interests her. So when her old professor asks her to come on a research trip for his thesis, she's eager to tag along.

Until that ill-fated trip to the South American jungle changes her into a supernatural being. Now she's sprouting claws and stronger and faster than any human being in existence. The reclusive tribe calls her their Protector - but from what? And why now? Why her?

Carys is pulled into a world she never knew existed. Is she up to the task?

Buy Links - Jan. 1, 2016. Apple | Barnes and Noble | Amazon | Smashwords | Kobo