Anya Bast

Okay, okay, so this isn’t technically the first kiss scene of Witch Fury. I guess you’ll have to read the book for that one. ;-p This is more of a teaser scene that may (or may not) lead to the first kiss scene. Call the Snippet Saturday police on me. G’wan.

Excerpt from WITCH FURY (June 2, Berkley Sensation) © 2009 Anya Bast

She reached out and traced a long white scar running from his shoulder down over his pectorals. His flesh shivered under her touch and his breath caught almost too softly to hear. She flattened her palm against his warm flesh and savored the steady, strong beat of his heart thrumming under her hand.

“What you’ve done with these scars–you’ve made them magnificent. You’ve transformed them into something your own, art of your own. Taken your wounds and made something beautiful out of them.”

He caught her hand in his so fast it made her gasp. Theo stared down at her. “Don’t push me.” He stood and walked toward the hallway.

“Push you? What are you talking about?” She rose from the couch.

Theo turned and stalked toward her. “You know what I mean. I’m attracted to you and you know it. Don’t push me. This isn’t a game.”

“What?” Honestly, when she traced the scar on his chest the last thing she’d been thinking about was sex. She’d simply been moved by his experience and the marks he’d always wear to remind him. “Theo, I wasn’t trying to push you, but if I overstepped our boundaries. I’m sorry.”

“I can’t be around you without wanting you.” He turned away from her, once again walking toward the hallway. He meant to escape into his bedroom. Run away.

Sarafina followed him. “Theo, wait. We need to talk this through.”

Theo whirled and crowded her against the wall of the hallway.

Her breath left her in a rush of surprise and a spike of fear. She had to quickly remind herself that she trusted Theo and he meant her no harm.

His arms pinned her on either side of her body and his head dipped, his warm breath teasing the fine hair at the edges of her face. “The last thing I want to do with you is talk, Sarafina.”

Her stomach muscles tightened and her breath caught. “I didn’t know you were attracted to me,” she whispered. “You gave me no reason to think so.”

“I’m giving you reason now.” His voice was low and melodic in a raw, masculine way. He spoke right next to her ear, sending shivers through her body.

Her breathing hitched. Yes, yes he was giving her a reason now, ample. So much it was making her head spin.

His hand dropped an inch, toyed with the button of her jeans. “And if I can’t make myself walk away right now, I’ll give you even more reason.”

Want to read more snippets? Here’s a list of all of today’s participating authors. Enjoy!

Lauren Dane
Cynthia Eden
Vivi Anna
Sylvia Day
Moira Rogers
Mandy Roth
Viv Arend
Beth Williamson
Elisabeth Naughton
Michelle Pillow
Jaci Burton
Taige Crenshaw
McKenna Jeffries
Victoria Janssen
Shelli Stevens
Maggie Robinson
Juliana Stone
Sasha White
Maura Anderson
Shelley Munro
Jody Wallace
Eliza Gayle
Kelly Maher

Oh, and, hey, you all, join me at Writerspace tomorrow at 9pm ET for a chat about Witch Fury. I’d love to see you there and I’ll be giving away a prize of some kind.

And my good cover karma rocks on….

Meet Sarafina. Witch Fury is the final book of the Elemental Witches series and it will be out in June, 2009.

Scroll down for the holiday contest. This is the last day to enter. Check back tomorrow morning to find out who won. Also, I’ll have a surprise for all who visit my site tomorrow! A little gift from me to you.

I’ve been in my cave editing Witch Heart and finishing up Witch Fury this week. I have tons of work right now. It’s hard because it’s summer and a mild one at that. I want to be outside. So I’m getting up early and staying up late to work. That way the bulk of the day is mine to do with as I wish.

Today it’s beeeeeautiful, so I’ll probably spend a large of chunk of it outside with my daughter, who just got a new slide. She’s crazy about it. She calls it her Wheeeee! 😉 Tomorrow it’s going to be very hot, so I might take her to the pool. We have a pool in our backyard, but the public pool is graduated in depth, like a beach would be. So much easier for the little ones.

Soon I’ll be starting a novella that will introduce a new series I’ll be starting after the Elemental Witches series is finished. This novella will be included in an anthology to be released in October 2009. The other authors will be Angela Knight, Lora Leigh and Allyson James. Think I’m happy to be included in an anthology with such an absolutely fantastic group of writers? Er….trust me, I made the squee heard ’round the world when my agent called asking me if I wanted to be included. I don’t know the title yet or many of the details, but I’m sure more info will be coming soon.

A couple announcement/housekeeping type things:

I’m planning to draw a winner for my contest (see below) this evening, so if you’re going to enter, get your patoochie down there and do it. I’ll announce the winner tomorrow.

Also, did you know I’m on Facebook? I love Facebook, guys. I’m not so much an ardent fan of Myspace (but, BOY, I get a lot of personal notes from readers through MySpace). I’m not a monster promoter in general, and especially not on Facebook. I just hang and play with some of the applications. I won’t be trying to fling my books at you on there or anything. So, if you want to friend me, go ahead!

Okay, now for a monster promotion. Heh. Way to make a liar out of myself. Look for a really big month-long contest on this blog starting in early September. I’m still working out the details, but it’s going to work something like this — a chance to win free books every single day from some of the authors I love, (you should see my shopping cart on Amazon.com right now as I prepare). There will also be some rocking, HUGE, prizes at the end of the month (think awesome gift certificates) to coincide with the release of The Chosen Sin on October 7th. More details coming soon.

Lastly, check out DaneHart.com! Megan Hart and Lauren Dane have teamed up to blog together. I’m sure the results will be hilarious and entertaining.

Now I’m off to play in the sunshine!

So far I’ve really been enjoying the summer. I hope you have too. The weather has been mild, for the most part, yet warm enough for swimming and running through the sprinkler. This fills my daughter with lots of joy, joy that I get to partake in too. 🙂 My world is just about perfect when she’s laughing. When I’m not hanging with my daughter outside, I’m writing.

At the moment I’m working on Witch Fury, the last of the books in the Elemental Witch series. I’m angling toward the end of the book now, gearing up for the fireworks display that will bring the story of the Coven witches, the warlocks, and the daaeman to an end. It’s a bittersweet thing. I’m excited about my next project, yet it’s always hard to say goodbye to characters that you’ve spent years with. It’s hard to close up a world that’s lived in your mind, one that you’ve created and populated and that exists so vibrantly in your subconscious that you dream about it at night.

My next project is another series, this time one based on pre-Celtic myth. Before the year is out I plan to write a novella set in this new world and get a good start on the first full length novel of the series. Right now I’m reading and researching, taking notes and building my world. I’m reading some Yeats (apparently he believed in faeries. Who knew? Maybe you did, but I didn’t). I’m also finishing up Gods and Fighting Men, by Lady Gregory.

So, I’m closing up one world and opening another.

But before you see that new world, there will be two more Elemental Witch books released. In fact, here is the cover for Witch Heart, the third in the series. Pretty, huh? The cover artist is Tony Mauro. I think I’ll keep it. 😉

With the immense powers of an earth witch, Claire isn’t destined to be a demon’s handmaiden. Yet this has been her fate since she was six, when her warlock mother brought her to Eudae. Now at thirty-one, she’s about to discover her true power—and how far others are willing to go to take it away…

As part of a mission with the Coven, Adam Tyrell rescues Claire from her enslavement—and finds himself immediately taken with the beautiful witch. But this charming playboy soon learns that it’s easier to steal Claire from demons than win her heart, for her life as a servant has ravaged her spirit. But with Adam determined to protect her from the warlocks who want to harness her magick for evil, Claire’s resistance starts to give way—and they find themselves in the heat of danger, surrendering to the lure of their deepest desires…

Witch Heart will be out on January 6, 2009. It’s available for pre-order now on Amazon.com. This year is flying by so fast, it seems like the release date will be here in no time.

It’s been a while since I’ve had a contest over here, so let’s do one. One random poster will get her choice from my backlist. Pick a title from any publisher. One snag is that if you pick something from my EC backlist, it’ll have to be in ebook since I don’t have any extras of those titles in print right now. Comment on anything you want. About how you’re spending your summer, on the weather, on the prettiness of my new cover ;), on worldbuilding, what you’re reading right now. Anything you want, as long as it’s of substance. Blank posts or “I’m posting to enter” posts will be disqualified, (I get those sometime from the sweepstakes people and I call foul on that one).

Have a fabulous day, you all!! I plan to spend mine working on Witch Fury.

For Witch Blood already.

*insert shameless promotion here* Witch releases on March 4th, 2008, but is available for pre-order on Amazon.com and B&N right now.

Witch Blood is a recommended read at Night Owl Romance Reviews.

Tammie says… “Witch Blood is the second in this series, but it can easily standalone. If you read this one first you will automatically want to rush to the store and get the first one, Witch Fire. The characters and world building were phenomenal and any paranormal fan will be guaranteed a Top Pick read. Anya has provided it all in this hot new paranormal series. You get great suspense, vivid characters and a world that just pops off the pages. This book is not too be missed. I’m anxiously awaiting the next book by Anya Bast.”

And Witch Blood recently received five blue ribbons at Romance Junkies (the review has not gone live yet):

Ann says… “WITCH BLOOD is the follow-up to WITCH FIRE and follows Isabelle and Thomas. Isabelle is a real spitfire who is full of anger and energy. As a water witch, she has several unique talents but it is her survival skills that make a difference between life and death. She has a real serious issue with love and trust because the people that should have taken care of her have let her down. With Thomas, she is afraid of taking that next step towards a relationship because she doesn’t think she can stick it through to the end. When things get tough, she has hidden reserves that she is unaware of. It has her rethinking her position on love.

Thomas is fully committed to his people and the Coven. He knows that he must stop the demon before it kills more witches but without knowing its true agenda, the entire Coven is helpless. He is used to being in total control but with Isabelle, he is at a total loss. He can’t make heads or tails of her but knows that the chemistry between them is real. As Thomas, Isabelle and their friends delve deeper into the mystery, they find surprising information and unusual characters that not only shocks them but will certainly ripple into future books. I’ll be curious to see what the future will hold for this Coven and its people.”

While I was away one of the Maverick posse had a new release. Tempted, by Megan Hart, released at the first of the year. I’ve read this book and it’s very powerful. It’s emotionally intense as well as being very sexy. It would be well worth your time and money and check it out. I highly recommend it.

I had everything a woman could want…

But I wasn’t the only one.

Lauren Dane and Megan Hart have sold a co-authored contemporary erotic romance, Taking Care of Business to Black Lace! It’ll release in the UK in October 08 and here in the US two months later.

Big congrats to them!

Currently it is listed on EC’s eBay store. Soon it will be available through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble, ect. I’ll let you know when it’s up. Should be soon.

Blood of the Damned is fourth in the Embraced series. It’s Niccolo’s story. The book won an eCataromance award for best sensual romance in 2006. *g* (plug, plug, …shameless promotion).

The Dominion are making a play for the future of humanity. They have achieved corporeality…with the help of a traitor Embraced.

Jade has been entrusted with the keeping of a Vampir known for his ruthlessness. The Embraced need him in the fight against the Dominion, but even his own friends consider him dangerous. As a Priestess of the Morrigan, Jade can handle most anything, but perhaps not Niccolo Romano.

Jade looks damn good to Niccolo, but she proves resistant to his charms. Soon bedding her becomes a mission, but he takes one step too far in his quest to possess her and soon she possesses his heart.

Jade has secrets she wants to keep, but Niccolo has a way of laying her bare in more ways than one. Every time Niccolo seduces her to his bed—-sometimes gently, sometimes not—-he unravels another piece of her history, bringing up long repressed sexual need and emotion.

Soon Niccolo is fighting two battles—-one against the Dominion and the other for Jade.

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

Whisper of the Blade is now available at Ellora’s Cave!

BLURB:

Emmia feels the emotion of all who surround her. Her Talent is empathy and it’s more curse than blessing. She employs her skill as a justice mercenary, discovering criminals and meting out punishment. Soon she finds herself investigating an enigmatic man named Magnus, at the behest of his friend, Quinn.

In a sexual tangle…

But both Magnus and Quinn are drawn to Emmia, just as they are drawn to each other. All three of them become lost in a weave of scorching and erotic desire coupled with emotional need.

Soon Emmia is balancing the two men like swords to uncover the truth and not be hurt in the bargain…

***Please note this book is a menage a trois romance with male/male elements***

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Excerpt: Whisper of the Blade, by Anya Bast

Copyright © ANYA BAST, 2007

Magnus guided his horse past the thick covering of bushes and trees of the old forest he traveled through. He’d left the main road through the Eastern Mountains some time ago to indulge himself in a solitary ride back to Ravensbridge. He knew the way and, if he ever lost it, he had a compass and a map tucked into the saddlebag of the chestnut brown stallion he rode.

The journey would take longer cross-country, but he had no pressing need to be back at Ravensbridge. Indeed, he did not even have a desire. Rolf, his castellan, could take care of things until he returned. Everyone much preferred him gone these days, anyway. Many of them wanted him dead.

He wouldn’t go easily, though. They’d have to lynch him. Magnus refused to be punished for a crime he never committed.

The evidence was damning. Magnus knew that to every man, woman and child at Ravensbridge it appeared he’d committed murder. It even looked that way to Quinn. Sorrow clenched in his chest and throat when he remembered the look of shock, then doubt in his best friend’s eyes.

Even the person who knew him best in the world thought he’d done it.

Magnus knew that Quinn was even now on his way through these forests to seek the aid of a justice mercenary. That was the primary reason Magnus had gone cross-country. He wanted to get a glimpse of the woman who might stand in judgment of him, the woman likely to be his executioner…if she could manage to kill him, that was. Since he was innocent, he wouldn’t go down without a fight.

A full four weeks had passed since the crime had been committed. Four weeks of hell in which he’d been accused, had protested his innocence and finally laid down the law because he’d felt he’d had no other choice. Unable to exist at Ravensbridge amid the whispers, suspicious glances, and outright fear of him, he’d left to travel to his sister’s keep.

A messenger bird, keyed to his location by someone who had the Talent, had reached him yesterday, letting him know that Quinn could not take the uncertainty of Magnus’ guilt any longer and had gone to employ a justice mercenary.

The woman was well known in the Eastern Mountains and he knew she dwelt in these leaf-laden hills. No one could pass through these woods without her knowing it. As an empath, she could sense the whereabouts of anyone because of the emotions they emitted. She would never sense him, however, because he was also an empath. The rare talent canceled out in two people face-to-face. Well, theoretically, anyway. There were so few empaths in the world, it had rarely, if ever, been put to the test. Mostly likely, he would not be able to feel her emotion, nor her his.

The idea of meeting someone like her was an attractive one…even if she might want to kill him. He’d take the risk.

Further into the forest, he heard the splash of water and a woman’s voice swearing low. Silently as he could, Magnus slipped from his mount, tied him to a tree and stepped carefully through the trees, trying not to break any branches. She wouldn’t be on guard for sounds in the forest. He knew that for certain. No, she’d been open to sensing emotion, not listening for noise, just as he would be in her position.

From his place in the undergrowth, he caught a glimpse of her in a large, still pool of water. She stood with her back to him, lean, lithe body moving as she bathed herself. The sunlight sprinkled her skin through the canopy of trees overhead and caressed her short, curvaceous body. Long, dark hair hung damp down to the small of her back, twisted into a braid that lay like a heavy rope along her spine. A pity her buttocks were concealed under the water. He had the sense they were as luscious and sweetly curved as the rest of her.

She turned a little, revealing the tender swell of a breast topped with a pinkened nipple. Her profile revealed her to be a beauty, but her features were set with an intense expression, almost sorrowful.

But the most wonderful thing was that he didn’t know how she felt. The absence of foreign emotion while he viewed another person felt like a balm to his often-battered soul.

Magnus stared. He’d never expected beauty, not from all the tales he’d been told about this woman. He’d expected her to be strong, mannish, but while it was clear she was muscled, her body well-toned from physical exertions, she appeared small, almost delicate. She seemed barely able to hold a sword, yet she’d gone up against some of the worst scum Molari had to offer and had come away the victor.

Magnus took a step toward her before he remembered himself. To court a conversation with Emmia, the most deadly of justice mercenaries, was to court death.

And he was already doing that.