Dark Mind Blog Tour with Author Ashlynne Laynne

(Click photo to be taken to Blog Tour Host, Dark Minds Book Tours)

Please welcome Author Ashlynne Laynne onto the Road to Hell. Ashlynne is the author of The Progeny and its upcoming sequel Blood Bonds.

Now, it’s time to create a little hell and get to the good stuff by revealing all of Ashlynne’s wicked secrets while on the Road to Hell. LOL  Yeah, you wish! ;-D 

Grab your favorite drink, sink your teeth into something decadent, sit back, relax and enjoy getting to know Ashlynne Laynne…

~~~ 

GRACEN:  Tell me three things about yourself that we cannot find on the internet or in your bio?

ASHLYNNE: I think the readers would be interested to know that I consider myself a Gothic flower child. I’m all for people doing their own thing, as long as it doesn’t hurt themselves or those around them. The diverse mix of people in my life has taught me to be tolerant and accepting of others and their unique qualities and differences. I’m also afraid of clowns and have been since I saw Stephen King’s It when I was a little kid. I think it’s safe to say that Pennywise made quite an impression on me. The readers may not know that my only child has Autism.

GRACEN: What hobbies and interests do you participate in when you’re not writing?

ASHLYNNE: I love cooking and reading. I’m basically a homebody and prefer the quiet and serenity of my home and familiar surroundings.

GRACEN: Do you have any writing quirks or certain things you MUST have or do before beginning the writing process?

ASHLYNNE: The only thing some might consider a quirk is that I usually write the first three or four chapters of a book, skip to write the end and then fill in the middle. It’s easier for me to write if I have a stopping point in mind. Strangely enough, I already know what the last paragraph of my series end will be.

GRACEN: If you were plotting to take over the world, how would you do it?

ASHLYNNE: Hmmm…this is indeed an intriguing question. Being that I’m no Stewie from Family Guy, I don’t go around concocting plans to overtake the universe. I suppose if I were going to plot to take over the world, I might just place some subliminal messages into a few bestselling books and let the insanity spread.

GRACEN: If you could make one statement that the entire planet would hear and remember, what would it be?

ASHLYNNE: Be good to yourself as well as others and remember that whatever you give out, the universe returns to you, three fold.

GRACEN:  What genre do you write and why that genre?

ASHLYNNE: I write erotic paranormal romance with vampires and Wiccans. I’ve always loved horror movies. My late grandmother took me to see Creepshow when I was young. It scared the crap out of me but also spurred my love of the horror genre. Of all the paranormal creatures, I have a soft spot in my heart for vampires. When I began writing The Progeny, two years ago, I knew that Ascher would be different and I wanted him to be. Sometimes I think it may have been better for me to just make him a full-blooded vampire. It’s tough sometimes to blend the two sides of him which often leaves my poor guy conflicted.

GRACEN: For those who are not yet familiar with Ashlynne Laynne, can you please give us some details about the book and/or series?

ASHLYNNE: At its core, The Progeny Series is simply a story about a man and woman who fall in love, and the fact that he’s a half-blood (half-human, half vampire) and she’s a Wiccan human are secondary factors. When we meet Ascher, he’s grumpy. Frankly, who could blame him? He’s engaged to seal to Ursula—a cold and careless vampire who wants nothing more than to get her hands on a bloodstone— and he feels conflicted about his existence.

 All of that changes when he meets Shawnette McCutchin. She’s beautiful, intriguing and possesses some of the most potent blood that he’s ever encountered. A war immediately begins inside Ascher. He craves Shauna’s blood just as much as he craves her body and the closer they get, the harder it is for him to control his urges. After Ascher calls off the sealing to Ursula, the trouble begins. His family’s peaceful period ends when Ursula’s darkling army attacks the Rousseaus.  

This series is about a family of which we’ve never seen before. They share a common mortal and immortal bloodline but loyalty is the thread that holds this clan together. Once you become a part of this family, the others will risk their lives to protect you. We see examples of this throughout the journey.

GRACEN:  Do you have any new stories in the works and can you tell us a bit about it/them?

ASHLYNNE: I’m extremely busy right now. I just re-released The Progeny last month and its sequel Blood Bonds is set to release in the coming weeks. I’m also working on books three and four of the Progeny Series, book one of my upcoming Rocker Series, and an untitled novella WIP.

GRACEN: If you could describe your writing with one word or brief phrase, what would it be? Please delve into the core of your writing to tell us what word or phrase you want readers to take with them when they’ve finished reading your story.

ASHLYNNE: If I had to choose one word, it would be “emotional.” I love writing love scenes for my characters and I’m always focusing on the emotional side of the action—what is he feeling, what is she feeling. My philosophy is you haven’t given a scene everything you have until you leave it feeling like a piece of you is missing.

GRACEN: What, in your opinion, makes your story unique and what makes it stand out from other stories in your genre? Think of this as a pitch to convince readers to pick up your books.

ASHLYNNE: The Progeny series is unique because it focuses on a love between a half-blooded vampire and Wiccan human. I can’t say that I’ve ever seen that before. But more than that, Ascher is unique in his own right. He has the characteristics of two very different beings.

GRACEN: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done in the name of research?

ASHLYNNE: I researched the gestation period of mice for a chapter in The Progeny.

GRACEN: Of all your books, which character did you have the most fun creating and why?

ASHLYNNE: I rather love my villain Ursula. I write her to be hated but the there is a vulnerable side to her. At the end of the day, I truly believe that she just wants to be loved and seems to have the hardest time achieving this simple goal.

GRACEN: If you had the opportunity to meet just one of your characters in real life, who would it be and why?

ASHLYNNE: I’d love to meet Ascher, of course. He is after all the one I dreamed of in the beginning.

GRACEN: Which of your characters would you never want to meet under any circumstance and why?

ASHLYNNE: I’d never want to meet those damned darklings. They’re wicked and bred to kill and destroy...not exactly my idea of friend material. I think they’re better left within the confines of my imagination and book pages.

GRACEN:  If you were interviewing yourself, what is the one question you would ask yourself and please give us the answer to that question?

ASHLYNNE: Have you completely lost your mind for writing about vampires and witches? My answer would be, “Hell yeah!”

GRACEN:  Thanks so much for joining us, Ashlynne!  It’s been a treat getting to know you better! 

I love hearing from readers and they can connect with me in several different places online:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/qlane

Facebook Progeny Series Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Progeny-Series/129418917161599?bookmark_t=page

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Ashlynne-Laynne/118945981513261

Romance Novel Center: http://romancenovelcenter.com/ashlynnelaynne

Author Blog: http://ashlynnelaynne.blogspot.com/

Website: ashlynnelaynne.com

Email: ashlynnelaynne@aol.com

Here are my buy links:

Amazon Kindle:  http://www.amazon.com/Progeny-ebook/dp/B0074535P6/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328127665&sr=1-1

Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Progeny-Ashlynne-Laynne/dp/1470141604/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330639326&sr=1-1

Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Progeny-ebook/dp/B0074535P6/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_t_2

Barnes and Noble Nook:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-progeny-ashlynne-laynne/1108540255?ean=2940014108355&itm=1&usri=the+progeny+by+ashlynne+laynne

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/128489

All Romance E-books: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theprogeny-726383-139.html

Sony e-book: http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/ashlynne-laynne/the-progeny/_/R-400000000000000646821

BLURB:

“No fate other than the one I choose.”

The timeless creed, and tattoo, bore by the Rousseau’s— a vampire clan with the purest bloodline of any vampire family. Out of this clandestine group came one who was different, yet the same: Ascher-a half-bloodling— half- human, half vampire.

Ascher questions the purpose for his existence and which world he truly belongs to: the human world or the vampire world. Two months from sealing to Ursula— a prearranged union to a woman he abhors — he’s at his wit’s end. He knows if he calls off the sealing, the Romanian clan will strike with deadly force, but he cannot see eternity with a cold empty shell of a woman like Ursula.

Just when he thought life was complicated enough, he meets Shauna— a beautiful, bi-racial human Wiccan — and immediately develops an unshakable attraction to her. She makes him feel alive and vital despite his origins and Ascher makes a decision that turns his immortal world upside down.

EXCERPT: (I call this excerpt, ‘Close, but still no dice.’)

Shauna sat at the vanity in Ascher’s room. Brushing her hair seemed pointless and painful—everything reminded her of her sister. The very brush she raked through her head was a gift from Katy. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Katy was in pain. She dreamed of her in the dark, scared, holding on to what was left of her sanity.

“She was going to be Valedictorian.”

“Was? Why are you talking about her like she’s already dead?”

“I’m so afraid that my sister is gone. There’s no way to know what those maniacs have done to her!”

“Shauna, Katy has a support system waiting for her when she gets home. Tristan and I will treat her. With love and support, she’ll heal. I believe in that. She needs you to believe in it, too. ” Ascher reached for her.

She refused to let him hold her, stepping away from the comfort of his embrace. She didn’t want it. “No! I’m tired of this pain,” she blurted out. “I just want it to stop! Everything is just so screwed up right now,” she cried with rage. “I’m poison, bad for everyone who loves me. Stay away from me!”

“Calm down. This isn’t good for you.”

“Good for me? I don’t even know what’s good for me, anymore. So how can you pretend to know?”

Ascher disappeared from her sight, reappearing closer to her, hugging her to him.

She fought against his embrace, sorrow’s river streaming down her face.

“This isn’t your fault, Shauna.”

Her body tensed against his warm touch. “I just want to be numb. Feel nothing for a little while,” she whispered. “Know what I mean?”

“That isn’t you. You face things head on. You’re so strong.”

“I don’t feel very strong.” Her eyes shifted away from his face. “Look at this. You’ve fixed this room to suit me, but this isn’t my home. I don’t have one. My parents hate me so much that my sister has to lie to see me. I can’t go to my apartment because it’s not safe. Gypsy’s dead. Katy might be dead. I don’t belong here and I don’t even know where I belong anymore.” She sobbed, while pounding her fists onto his chest.

“You’re hurting. That’s the thing about having a heart. It breaks and yearns for things.” His eyes caught hers, love pouring from them, stunning her with their sincerity.

“What does your heart yearn for, Ascher?”

He didn’t immediately answer her.

*    *    *    *

Ascher held her even tighter, gripping her with the need to protect her from harm. She brought the warrior out of him, that fierceness he’d witnessed in his brothers but never thought he’d ever possess. His hold now mimicked his desire to shield her, shelter her, but mostly the overwhelming need to possess her, completely. “You’ve never been more wrong, about anything, in your life,” he murmured, his eyes sweeping hers. “This is exactly where you belong, with me and my family—the ones who care about you. I can’t tell you I know how it will all turn out, but I will tell you this. I’ll be there for you as little or as much as you need me to be, if you want to talk about Katy, or anything else. All you have to do is talk, because I’m always listening.”

Ascher pulled her to him with possessive arms, an aching in his lips, hungering for the touch of hers. This was what his heart yearned for. His gaze scorched her, smoldering intention into her.

Shauna froze, her gaze fixed on his pale stare.

He guided her back towards the bed, her feet stepping with his, their hearts beating eerily in sync.

Shauna fell back against the bed, while his arms directed her to the center. She continued staring, her gaze unmoving, her lips an equal participant in the passion playing out between them. Ten seconds was all he needed to undress them, leaving their bodies heated and grinding against one another.

The crimson blazed in front of his vision. He wanted her and was ready to cement their love, to make her his.

Trepidation was a thing of the past. She knew what he was and somehow, she still wanted him. He dropped his head onto the pillow, concealing his blood red gaze.

His voice was rough and husky—he’d never imagined such a sound could come from his lips. “I know you say this is what you want, but are you sure? I want you to be so sure about this. Once I’ve made love to you, I can’t take it back. I want you. I swear to you there is nothing else I want more. I don’t want you, if you’ll regret this tomorrow. I couldn’t live with myself, if you ever regretted this.”

“I’ll never want anyone more. The sky could crash down around me and I wouldn’t care, as long as your arms were the last things I felt before I died.” She tightened her arms around his neck. “I’m not disillusioned about what I’m doing and I can deal with the consequences of my actions. I want you, more than I want to live or breathe.”

He grazed her neck with his tongue, picking up traces of her delectable essence. His lips deluged her soft skin with careful kisses, his finger exploring her with a gentle urgency.

Her opening was tight and only allowed the tip of his finger to enter.

Shauna moaned, her neck craning back, exposing the constant thump of her carotid.

The craving sparked in him, his fangs paining beneath his gums. He wanted another taste of her. No. You can’t bite her again. Get control of yourself.

“Do it,” she moaned.

“What?”

“If it pleases you, then do it.” She brought her neck back to his mouth. “Bite me, Ascher. I want you to.”

“No.”

Shauna smoothed her hands along his stomach, his chest—stopping before they reached his shaft. She seemed unsure.

After his curt reaction to her exploring his body, the night before the blow up, he didn’t blame her. Now, he wanted her to touch him, feel him and discover every part of his anxious body. He grabbed her hand, placing it on his steel stiff shaft. Her soft hand felt good—too good, as it stroked, played with, and explored every inch of him.

The fire in his throat blazed, causing his thirst and desire to ignite. He wouldn’t be able to keep control much longer.

Her lips found his neck, sucking, licking and kissing, while her hands stroked him with a steady, unchallenged rhythm. Her mouth and hands mocked his control, making him vulnerable, his body feverish with yearning.

“Do it,” she whispered, again. “I want you to.”

“Shauna,” he groaned, his face pressing in the pillow. “I shouldn’t---”

“Don’t hold back, you won’t hurt me. Bite me. Come on, Ascher—do it.”

Insane amounts of pleasure coursed his body, bringing countless sensations—fire, thirst and the yearning to be inside her.

Another flick of her tongue across his neck, in just the right spot, was all it took. Fangs sprang from his gums, their intentions obvious. His body reacted with a climax that bubbled up and burst from him, bringing release, but taking his control.

It was too much pleasure for his body to endure. He finally experienced the implausible feeling of a climax given to him by the woman he loved.

It was a first for him.

He searched along her neck with his mouth for the spot, the precise place that the flow was heaviest. He found it and sank his fangs into her. A deep and satisfied moan escaped her lips as her eyes rolled.

Ascher continued to rub, play with, and manipulate her clit with his fingers. The warm, delicious blood, flooding his mouth, quenched his thirst but fueled his hunger for her body. He was drowning, deluged by pleasure, his arms filling with her exquisite figure. This feeling was like none he’d ever experienced. Her body bucked against his fingers but the tightness remained insistent in preserving her virginity. Her breathing was shallow, hurried, the moans deepening in intensity.

This time, it was easier to disengage his fangs.

Pressing against her virgin barrier made him stiffen. She was so wet and his climax did nothing to quell his desire for her. Ascher wanted more and he had so much more to give, as much as she needed. Engaging her in a deeper kiss, he slipped his tongue into her mouth, stroking her tongue with his. It was the first time he’d kissed her this way.

Her response was immediate, as she pulled him closer.

With demanding arms, Ascher lifted her hips up to him, preparing for their first time. Tingles joined the burn coursing inside him. He swept her neck with his mouth, his tongue sliding along her carotid, the sensations relaxing her rigid body.

He froze.

“What’s wrong?” she questioned without opening her eyes. “Why are you stopping? Don’t stop—you can't stop. We’re so close!”

A hurried knock came on his door. The banging threw him into full panic mode.

Ascher's body tensed.

She startled. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure.” He pulled the sheet around her. “Cover yourself.”

The door flew open as Quinn flitted into the room, his face horrified and his eyes reflecting half-red and half-pale blue.

“Ascher, you have to come quick. It’s Tristan. He’s taken a turn for the worse.”

“Dammit!” Rage spewed through his clenched teeth.

Ascher swore and seethed as he grabbed his clothing and flew out of the room with his brother.

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