Anya Bast

We have eight cats (or eight cats have us, actually). They’re indoor except that they have a sizable screened-in porch where they can bask in the sun, lounge and be otherwise lazily catlike. They share the porch with two bunny rabbits. (All the fuzzies are rescues, mmmkay?! We just couldn’t say no to them.)

We live in the country. Lots of critters out here, lots of insects and such. The porch is enclosed, but sometimes critters and insects still make their way inside. It’s just part of living in Boondockia.  You see where I’m going with this, right?
Anyway, last evening as I worked diligently on Witch Blood, I heard Wiggle, (the fattest of our cats, but surprisingly the best hunter. I think he’s very motivated by food in general.), meowing with his mouth full. I know this particular meow. It’s the meow that says, I have something rich and juicy and YOU CAN’T HAVE IT. This is the meow I heard moments before Wiggle once dropped a half dead horsefly in my lap. (I’m the mommy cat and therefore eligible for special “gifts”.) This is also the meow I heard when Wiggle dragged a huge lizard into the living room, dropped it wriggling on the floor and thus incited the Great Lizard Olympics of 2005. I remember it well because the lizard…er, okay, I won’t go there. I need more coffee for that.

I freeze, hand hovering over my laptop keyboard.  Wiggle races past, followed by 7 cats with eager expressions on their faces, (eyes bright, whiskers forward, ears pricked). Just as Wiggle disappears down the hallway, I see a gray tail hanging from between his greedy cat lips.

Me: Oh, shiiiiiiit.

So I race off after the pride, following them into the bedroom just in time to see Wiggle taking his yummilicious prey under the bed. I flip on the light, thus jarring my sleeping husband into full sputtering (pissed off) wakefulness and start babbling about cats and mice.

The chase ensues. Up, down, all around we pursued Wiggle through the house followed by the other 7 cats who desperately want a piece of the squeaky action.  FINALLY, we corner Wiggle and make him give up his treat. And get this…the mouse survived!!

In the dark, my husband and I instituted a quick mousie relocation program, complete with a new identity and a lovely brand new home of cut wood logs for the fireplace. We admonished mousie to stay out of the porch. I hope he heeds our warning, though one would think that having a fifteen minute joy ride in a cat’s mouth would be enough of a deterrent.

Dear Reader,

I’ve been asked many times in recent weeks why I wrote Witch Fire. The answer is simple. I wrote Witch Fire because Jack McAllister wouldn’t be denied. Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but sometimes authors are stalked by characters who demand to have their stories told.

Jack hung around the periphery of my mind for a long time, at first just a wisp of an idea. It wasn’t until I dug a little into his personality–his past, his likes and dislikes–that he began to truly take shape. In the process of discovering Jack, the plot for Witch Fire emerged. I couldn’t turn back once that happened. Jack needed his story told, needed closure…really needed a good woman and, most importantly, needed love.

If I fall a little in love with my characters while I’m writing them, especially with my hero, I think (hope, at least!) I’m doing something right. And I definitely fell a bit in love with Jack McAllister. It is my wish that you will do the same as you read him.

Not that Jack is perfect, far from it. Oh, he’s got his positives, no doubt about that. He’s protective, principled and strong. He’s well read, sensitive and intelligent, even has a sense of humor and a bit of an artistic soul. However, Jack has his flaws too. He’s got control and commitment issues, and he’s definitely carrying some baggage from his childhood. Lastly, he’s got a secret, a bad one.

But who wants a perfect man, anyway? Not Mira Hoskins, that’s for sure.

And Mira Hoskins, well, she might be the worst of Jack’s problems.

I hope you enjoy my first release from Berkley Sensation and the first book in this new series. Witch Fire was a joy to write and I sincerely hope I can pass just a little of that joy on to you.

Mira Hoskins doesn’t know she’s a natural born witch who possesses the rare—and powerful—element of air. She also never expected to find herself tied to a mahogany bed frame, captive to a man who aches to fulfill her every desire and let loose the magick that dwells inside her…

Heat emanates from elemental fire witch Jack McAllister. The Coven, a governing authority of witches, has sent him to protect Mira from a band of warlocks who drain witches of power… and life. Long ago, he saw Mira’s parents murdered by this same dark magick. He’d like to quell his guilt and offer her everything she deserves. But she’s the long-lost cousin of his boss—making seduction off-limits.

With Jack’s strong guidance, Mira is luring forth her inner magick. But his sense of duty is quickly swelling into insatiable hunger. They warned him about the natural attraction between air and fire. Now he risks being consumed by the woman he shouldn’t want—but can’t stay away from …

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Advance reviews for Witch Fire…

Romantic Times BOOK Reviews gives Witch Fire four stars!

“Sizzling suspense and sexy magic are sure to propel this hot new series onto the charts…. Bast is a talent to watch, and her magical world is one to revisit.” – Jill M. Smith

Paranormal Romance Reviews says…

“Enter a magical new world created by Anya Bast; sure to be a fan favorite in the paranormal genre with her Elemental Witches series. Her writing is lyrical, the love scenes explosive, and her characters full bodied and fascinating.

Romance Readers Connection says…

“This is a fabulously written ultimate romance. … Anya Bast tells a really passionate story…. For paranormal fans, the elemental witch series will be a fantastic read.”

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Check out my web site for excerpts and don’t forget to stop by my contest page for new ways to win in June!

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Buy at your local bookstore, or online at…

Penguin

Barnes & Noble

Amazon.com

What a blast! I’m so happy I got to meet some of you, like Melissa, Barb, Andrea, Deb, Pam and so many others. I met some awesome new authors (and bought new books!), and I also sold out of Witch Fire at the booksigning, which  made me very squeeful.

Here are a few photos…

That’s Pam K and I.

Pam with the basket of mine she won in the raffle.

The incomparable J.C. Wilder, the wonderful Lauren Dane and the charming Isabo Kelly (It was the first time I’ve met Isabo. She’s delightful).

The lovely quilt with book covers they raffled off for charity.

I’ll definitely be going back next year!

I’ll be at Lori Foster’s Get Together this weekend and may or may not have internet access. Even if I do have ‘Net access, I probably won’t be blogging. So, I’ll see you guys on Monday! I’ll prolly even have pictures.