Welcome to Fiery Friday! Today's guest is Siren-BookStrand author Lexi Dehalo. Lexi stopped by to answer some questions for us and to tell us about her Be-WERE series. Take it away, Lexi!
If
you could spend a day with one of your characters, who would it be and why?
It
would have to be Akira. He’s a hot mess and a lot of fun. Definitely a party
worthy friend who knows how to get into some trouble! Not to mention an
excellent dancer. He’d totally be my first choice for a night out on the town.
Are
you plot or character driven? Please elaborate.
A
little of both, although as of right now the plot has been determining the main
sequence of events for the next two books in the series. The characters just
happen to fall into place. I think for Mating Moon, though it was definitely
driven by Night and Akira. It didn’t matter what plot details were going on in
the background, all that mattered was their time together on paper. That’s what
I liked most about that particular book.
What
is the one thing you must have to be able to write?
Sleep.
If I am sleep deprived you can forget it. My brain shuts off and my muse
refuses to speak to me. It’s horrible because I would rather go without sleep
and get my manuscript done!
What
is one of your biggest pet peeves?
When
I want to write and can’t either because I have to work on something else or my
laptop is in the shop. The latter is the case right now and of course my muse
is all ready to go with this next story. I have the sneaking suspicion that
when I do get my computer back in the next few weeks, my muse will suddenly
stop talking to me. Such is the life of a writer I guess!
How
many books do you currently have published?
Currently
I have one book published, Mating Moon [Be-Were 1]. Forbidden Moon [Be-Were 2]
is scheduled to be released on May 21st and Moon Resonance [Be-Were 3] will be
available August 2013.
What
is the next book you have releasing?
Forbidden
Moon [Be-Were 2] will be released on May 21st.
What
book are you writing right now?
I’m
actually working on a few manuscripts right now. I am almost done with Moon’s
Captive [Be-Were 4] and Draconian Heirs is a ménage piece (MMF) that I am about
finished with as well.
What
is your favorite quote ever?
It’s
a tie between a few so no judgments here!
Marilyn
Manson: “I’m a confession that is waiting to be heard.”
Shinedown:
“Sometimes the curiosity can kill the soul but leave the pain.”
Peter
Pan: “To die would be an awfully big adventure.”
Lexi
DeHalo lived in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina until she
left for college to study Chemistry and Forensic Science. Despite her love for
science, Lexi’s heart has always belonged to the arts. So, after moving to the
big city, she decided to pursue her creativity by writing hot stories about hot
men who love other hot men.
For
more information about Lexi’s latest releases, please visit the links below:
Forbidden Moon [Be-WERE2] is being released on May
25th. Mating Moon [Be-Were 1] is now available for purchase.
Excerpt
for Forbidden Moon:
“How about we up the stakes?” Adam watched as
Sin raised one eyebrow at the suggestion.
“What do you have in mind, pup?” The pet
nickname Sin had given him was said with an endearing inflection and was
growing on Adam.
“For every round won, the winner gets to make a
set of rules or demands that their opponent must abide by until the end of the
game.” Adam couldn’t help but smile to himself at his brilliance. If Sin wasn’t
going to make another move on him, then he would just have to take things into
his own hands and let him know how he felt. He was kind of embarrassed though,
using a game to express his obvious attractions for the other man, but what
choice did he have?
“All right, I’ll bite. Are there any rules to
this game?” Sin had a broad grin on his face, and his eyes sparkled with
mischief.
Adam couldn’t help but feel a bit of excitement
as the other Were caught on to his plan. “There are no limits. As long as each
of us agrees to keep playing, we have to obey the rules made by the winner.”
“Okay, you first,” Sin’s gaze raked over his
body. The heat of the fire they were sitting in front of warmed his bare skin.
They were both shirtless, lounging on the throw rug playing their game of
cards. Adam couldn’t help but notice the way the firelight danced across Sin’s
well-muscled bare chest. His caramel-colored skin seemed to almost glow as each
muscle rippled with every move Sin made. Adam licked his suddenly dry lips and
laid out his hand.
“Straight flush. Beat that!” Adam challenged as
he proudly displayed his cards for Sin to see.
Sin eyed them, but there was no noticeable
change in his facial features. Despite his excellent poker face, Adam knew he’d
already won. A straight flush was a good hand and one not easily beat.
“You play a mean game of poker, pup, but I’m
afraid your good luck has finally run out.” Sin threw down his cards. “Read ’em
and weep.”
Adam blinked a few times as he registered the
hand Sin had been hiding all this time. A royal flush, he couldn’t believe it. He
sighed in defeat. “Well, I guess you won this round.”
“Now for my prize.” Sin’s voice held a hint of
desire and it made Adam wonder if he would take the opportunity Adam was giving
him. Sin leaned in close to Adam, so close Adam could feel his breath against
his skin.
“Y–yes?” Adam’s heart beat loudly as he looked
into Sin’s eyes. He swallowed nervously.
“Strip.” The command was simple, but Adam could
hear the lust in Sin’s tone as he gave the order.
Adam stood on shaky legs and pulled off the
remainder of his clothing until he stood before the Were completely naked. He
wasn’t sure where this was headed. He’d counted on winning, but now the tables
were turned. He silently hoped that Sin would take the hint and realize Adam’s
intentions. If Sin’s asking him to strip was any indication, then Adam would
guess that the message was understood especially given the way he was looking
at him now. Sin’s eyes moved across Adam’s body, admiring every inch of him.
Adam’s heart was beating erratically as he waited for Sin to say something.
Anything.
“Tell me, Were, what kind of other games do you
like to play?” Sin’s voice was low with lust as Adam struggled to find the
confidence to say what he wanted to.
“I–I…” He hesitated as he contemplated baring
his inner most secret desires to the other shifter. He had always fantasized
about surrendering to another man.
“I don’t know. I’ve never really been with
anyone that I trust enough to play any games
with,” Adam said with emphasis. They were definitely no longer talking about
their card game. Somehow, from the time Sin had ordered Adam to strip and this
moment now, the meaning had shifted and Adam’s mouth watered in anticipation of
how far Sin would take him.
Sin stood up. “An honest answer, I can work
with that. How about we forget cards and play a new game, one where I make the
rules and in exchange”—he paused as he circled Adam and ran a finger down his
spine before leaning in and whispering into his ear—“I’ll give you the best sex
of your life.”
Sin wrapped his hand around Adam’s waist,
pulling him close. Adam’s cock jumped at the proposition, already hardening at
the prospect. His breath was coming in sharp gasps as all his fantasies came to
mind. Could Sin be the one to finally fulfill his needs? “So what do you say,
pup? Think you can handle submitting to a lone Alpha wolf?”
[Siren Classic ManLove: Erotic Alternative Paranormal Romance, M/M,
shape-shifters, public exhibition, spanking, sex toys, HEA]
Night Stragorri was born to hunt. As heir to the Stragorri
bloodline, it’s his sole purpose to kill any paranormal that threatens human
life. He is bound by blood to the Hunter code, but he desperately wants a way
out. He didn’t imagine in a million years that one fateful visit to a
shifter-infested nightclub would bring him face-to-face with the man who would
change his destiny.
Akira Landers is a Were-panther with a painful history. Adopted
into a pack of werewolves at an early age, he learned to fear Hunters above all
others. Working at the pack-run nightclub, things are always eventful, but even
he is surprised at the Hunter who enters their domain and more surprised by the
attraction he feels for the other man.
Inexplicably drawn together, sparks ignite, but their pasts seek to
divide them as they struggle to accept their love in a world where Hunters and
Weres are mortal enemies.
Excerpt:
Night held Akira up with
obvious ease. He held him firmly until Akira could get his footing again. They
were face-to-face for the second time tonight.
“Be careful. I wouldn’t want
you getting hurt,” Night whispered before releasing his hold on him. Akira
could feel himself hardening as the Hunter’s penetrating stare bore into his
eyes. He needed a distraction and quick. Luckily Night provided one.
“I guess I just wanted to
know what it was like to be something other than a Hunter…I’ve never really
spoken with anyone other than those I’m hunting. I just wanted to understand more
about your life.” The words were sincere. Akira could tell the Hunter was
searching for some kind of understanding.
“Life’s rough, but I get by.
The full moon runs are something my kind looks forward to. It’s the only time
we can truly let loose and allow our animal form the freedom it yearns for
since it’s become too dangerous to shift any other time of the month.” Thanks
to the Hunters, he wanted to add but refrained. He didn’t want to insult the
man even if it was truth.
“I hate hunting. I’ve always
wondered what it would be like to be free from this life.” Night’s admission
was followed by a tension in his muscles. His eyes narrowed on something in the
distant, and Akira could tell he meant the words he spoke.
“If you hate it so much, why
do you do it?” Akira asked curiously. He moved closer to the Hunter.
“It’s what I’m trained to do.
It’s what I am. I’ve never known any different, and anyone that’s tried to
leave the Hunter way of life has either disappeared altogether or ended up at
the wrong end of a blade. I thought if I left my family home and lived on my
own, I would understand why it is I am a Hunter, but so far all I’ve seen is
the cruelty and anguish we cause.”
The Hunter had a faraway look
on his face as though he’d forgotten where he was and who he was with. Akira
splashed him with some water, snapping him out of his reverie. Night raised an
eyebrow at the Were.
“Well, I don’t know what to
tell you. I’ve never been anyone else,” Akira said with a laugh. The Hunter
sure had strange values. “It doesn’t matter if I know who I am. Everyone else
doesn’t. In fact, no one else cares. You at least get respect simply by
existing. I’m constantly having to prove my worth.” Akira cupped the warm water
in his hands and threw it on the bigger man once again. He sunk down until
nothing but his nose and eyes were visible in the steaming water.
He considered tackling the
other man as he abruptly stood to avoid Akira’s further attacks, but then Night
turned just right and the candlelight caught the brand at his hip. The ring of
Celtic knots surrounding the bold snake curved in the shape of an S was a
symbol Akira knew all too well. The color drained from his face. Bloody
memories brought horror to the surface of his consciousness.
No! Flash. His brother thrashed
against the side of the building as a Stragorri held him by his throat, Akira
pulling at the Hunter’s leg. “Please.”
Akira came back to himself in
an instant, his breath coming out in hard, panting breaths. He paddled
backward, splashing like a flailing duck as he powered away from his enemy. He
fell and then came up, coughing and sputtering as he swallowed the warm,
sulfuric water.
“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck…” he
whispered. He stared at the Hunter, his eyes seeing another of his line
instead. He was caught in the flashback of his past.
Akira was vaguely aware of
the Hunter’s grip on him as he struggled in the water. “Easy, Were.” Night’s
soothing voice did little to calm the horrors flashing before him. “Akira! Talk
to me!”
“Lemme go,” Akira whispered
in a panic-stricken voice. “Please…” He sounded near tears. His animal rose to
the surface as it often did when he was distressed. His fingertips turned into
claws that cut into the Hunter’s chest as he pushed him away. The Hunter’s grip
did not waver.
“Calm down, Akira. It’s me,
Night. I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Stragorri” was all Akira
could muster in reply. His senses sharpened almost painfully, and the Hunter’s
intoxicating scent surrounded him, comforting him with every breath. His
struggles became less severe until the man before him transformed from the
horror in his memories back into the man he’d been attracted to only moments
ago.
“N–night?” Akira asked,
recognition finally entering his eyes. His claws retracted almost instantly
from Night’s flesh. The horror slowly faded as he let the Hunter’s scent
console him.
Night pulled him to his chest
and wrapped his arms around him. “I’m here,” he whispered into Akira’s ear. “If
you want me to be.” Those last words were all the reassurance Akira needed from
the Hunter. It was his choice to be here tonight. It was his choice to be
comforted by this Hunter, and at this moment he wouldn’t trade it for anything
else in the world so long as he never had to relive that horrible night. Night
wasn’t the enemy. He’d never tried to hurt him. He’d only shown him kindness
since their first meeting and now…now he needed to feel him. He needed to know
that this attraction was real despite their differences. It wasn’t Night that
had killed his brother, but it was Night who had brought an end to the
flashback. Something not even his Packmates could do. There was something about
this man that made his animal yearn to claim him.
Akira blinked, his soul numb
as he came out of his post-traumatic moment. He looked up at Night with
tear-filled eyes.
“Are you…Are you going to
kiss me?” he whispered, licking his lips. His beast growled in answer. Yes.
Kiss. Take. Mate. Oh fuck. Akira was instantly hard as the realization dawned
on him. This Hunter was his mate.
Adult Excerpt:
“Did you at least grab my
pants off the ground?” he teased. His beast purred as he stared at his mate. He
didn’t realize that an actual purr made its way out of his throat and filled
the air. His fangs elongated. Man he felt sexy. Night stood there watching him
with those lust-filled green eyes, too focused on his every movement to reply.
Akira’s gait became sultry as
his hips began swinging lightly in an age-old method of attraction. The Hunter
might’ve been oblivious, but the choice of location made Akira’s beast closer
to the surface than usual as his mate’s scent filled his nostrils with every
breath. It was intoxicating. He slinked up to Night until he was within
touching distance.
“So, did you grab those
pants?” he asked again as he resisted the urge to preen for the Hunter. He
licked his lips instead. Kiss me. Kiss me and I’ll forgive you anything.
“Sorry,” Night muttered as he
shook his head no. He looked Akira up and down before setting the empty bottle
on the only table in the small space. The apartment wasn’t much. Other than the
mattress on the floor, the rest of the furniture consisted of a dresser in the
corner and a table with two chairs that looked as though they’d been pulled
from a Dumpster. The one thing that seemed out of place was the stainless steel
mini-fridge sitting on the countertop in the kitchen area.
“But you’re welcome to take a
pair of mine,” Night offered. Akira watched as the Hunter moved toward his
dresser and began shuffling through the drawers until he found what he was
looking for. He held up a pair of ripped blue jeans.
“I’ll give them to you on one
condition though.” Night gazed down at Akira, holding the pants just out of his
reach.
“Does it involve you naked,
me on my knees, and a stiffness in my walk tomorrow that will make me wince
with every step?” Akira fired back. He knew he probably shouldn’t be
encouraging the chemistry between them. There were so many questions left
unanswered, so many obstacles to overcome before they could even contemplate
starting any kind of relationship, but after his run in the forest, he was
feeling wild. He didn’t care that Night was a Hunter now, all that mattered was
he was his mate and Akira had finally found him.
Night appeared to be
seriously considering his proposition. “I’ve tried being a gentleman in the
only way I know how, but it seems pointless since apparently you and I want the
same thing.” Night’s eyes seemed to darken with lust, and the raw look on his
face as he stared into Akira’s eyes sent a shiver through his body.
“On your knees then, Were,”
Night demanded as he removed his clothing in one swift motion, freeing his
already hard cock from the confines of the thin material.
Akira obeyed. He whimpered as
he dropped to his knees so fast that they cracked against the hardwood floor as
he fell. He didn’t even blink as pain assaulted his nerve endings. Night was
still out of reach, so he dropped lower, onto his hands, and crawled to the
Hunter, his eyes never leaving Night’s gaze. His eyes dropped to the Hunter’s
erection for an instant, and he licked his lips.
“Yummy,” he whispered, his
voice gone husky with lust. “Is that for me?”
“Say please.” Night grinned.
“Pleassseee,” Akira
whimpered, gripping Night’s firm thighs and scenting the air. He smelled so
good.
Night entwined his fingers in
Akira’s hair, pulling him closer. “Show me how much you want me, Were,” he
commanded, giving him the permission Akira was seeking.
Akira murmured a whisper of
praise before wrapping his hand around the base of Night’s arousal. He was
thick in his hand, and Akira longed to know how he would feel buried deep
inside him. He licked his lips, his mouth literally watering for a taste. He
looked up into Night’s eyes and took his first long, luxurious lick.
Night growled in response.
“More,” he demanded of Akira. “Show me you need me.” His hands tightened on
Akira’s loose strands of hair almost to the point of pain.
Thank god. Akira leaned
forward to swallow the entire length down his mouth so that it bruised the back
of his throat. He worked the hardened shaft with his tongue, throat, and just
an edge of teeth. His hands massaged the soft sac nestled below the dick that
he was currently licking like a lollipop.
“So good,” he mumbled between
deep, rhythmic pulls of his mouth. “Want you so bad.” He felt like he had some
kind of fever. He was delirious with passion. He’d never felt like this while
touching another male. His beast shimmered beneath the surface of his flesh.
His knew his eyes were glowing a bright purple, lit up with their own internal
light.
Please, he thought deliriously. Please, don’t let this ever stop.
Distantly he felt his Alpha’s voice along the Pack pathway, calling his name.
It didn’t matter though. Nothing mattered. Nothing but Night’s dick in his
mouth and those strong hands anchored in his hair.
