Helloooooo 2011!

Hi everyone –

It’s my first blog of 2011, and although I’m more than ready to leave last year behind me, I’m wandering into 2011 full of a mixture of hope and trepidation.

The voting for the Writing with the Stars contest closes tonight. Thanks so much to everyone who has voted and to those who took the time to leave me a note, or share the link with others. No matter how the contest turns out, my hopes have been buoyed by the amazing encouragement I’ve received from all of you.

I’ve been very nervous this time around. I think being this close to being published but having the decision out of my own hands has been weighing on me. I wish there was a magic pill to make the waiting easier. I’d be happy to have someone tell me to “take two and call me in the morning”! LOL

But until I find that magic pill, I’ll have to settle for focusing on other projects that I have more control over.

In the wise words of Ray Bradbury – You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.

I finished editing Hunter’s Moon and sent off the full manuscript to the publishing house that requested it, so I feel very good about that. I really love how the book turned out! J I posted a couple of excerpts here if you’re curious… http://lisakessler.wordpress.com/the-moon-series/hunters-moon-excerpts/

I also worked on putting together the playlist I’ll use when I write the next book! The working title is: Blood Moon. Because I share my office with my hubby, and my house with two teens and two dogs, a good writing soundtrack is essential for me to close out the distractions.

For each book I try really hard to come up with a soundtrack that inspires me and follows along the theme of the book. I’ve found that it also helps when I go back to work on edits for an older book that being able to play the soundtrack also helps pull me back to the mood for that story.

Each character usually gets a “theme song” too. For Calisto & Kate from Night Walker their theme song was “I Want to Spend my Lifetime Loving You” from the Zorro soundtrack. Every time I hear that song (and also “Who wants to Live Forever” from Queen) I’m right back in the story.

Adam’s theme song from Moonlight was “I Go Crazy” from Paul Davis. It was so weird when I started that book I had a few tracks from movie soundtracks, no songs with words. I just hadn’t found the right song yet. But by the time I got to the 4^th chapter, this old 70’s song popped up in my “You know when I look in your eyes I go crazy…” And it was perfect! Who knew? Fired up the rest of the book, and now when I hear it I can see Adam ready to give up everything because he looked in Lana’s eyes that first night in the café.

Aren’s theme for Hunter’s Moon was easy. He found himself teaming up with an assassin who had shot him in the past, so “She’s Always a Woman” was a perfect fit. I smile just thinking of the lyrics.

Why am I bringing this up?

Because my new goal for 2011 is to write Blood Moon, the next book in the Moon Series. This is Gareth’s book and although most of the playlist is loud and noisy music, the theme song is actually “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan. This is going to be an emotion-packed, gritty book, and I can’t wait to get started!

Tomorrow night I’ll start the journey. I’ll type Chapter One and let Gareth and Talia tell their story… Starting a new book is always my favorite part! I love getting to know the new characters and see where we go together. I don’t work off an outline so it’s a real adventure for me every time. No directions included! LOL

A new playlist, a new year, and a new book…

Bring it on 2011! J

Thanks again for all your support and encouragement!!! Your comments mean so much to me on this LONG journey to publication!

Happy New Year everyone! May it be our best year yet…

Lisa

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This week I’m dusting off an older story that I hope you’ll enjoy… Have a great week!

The Hunt – By Lisa Kessler

She swirled the ice in her glass, making one last scan around the club. She was dressed to kill, literally, but Monday nights were never good for man hunting, no matter how great she looked. That didn’t mean she wasn’t going to try. She always loved a challenge. It kept life interesting. But it was getting late.

Maybe the next club would be better.

The moment her glass made contact with the bar, her prey walked through the door. He was tall, definitely over six feet. His jet black hair just brushed his shoulders. And what amazing shoulders they were. She started to smile.

He would do just fine.

She lifted her drink again, her tongue and teeth toying with the cocktail straw as her eyes tracked his movement into the club. He walked with authority causing the throngs of dancers to move out of his way.

Just her type.

Without taking her eyes off her target, she pulled a twenty dollar bill from her clutch purse and placed it on the bar. He turned and made eye contact. She could almost feel the electricity between them. His jaw tightened, accentuating the rugged angles of his face.

It was all she could do to keep from dragging him out of the club.

But what would be the fun in that? It was the hunt that made her pulse race.

Crossing the finish line was never as heart pounding as the race itself.

She replaced her glass back on the bar, never breaking eye contact with him. Drawing him to her. Hunting would be much easier if she wasn’t so picky or allowed herself to use her ability to read men and mess with their minds, but she lost interest in those games years ago.

Mystery was much more exciting.

He was making his way through the crowd coming directly toward her. As he moved closer, she could see the intensity in his dark eyes. Delicious…

She crossed her legs knowing full well the simple movement shortened her soft leather skirt by a few inches, sliding the single slit up high on the front of her thigh. Her legs were her best feature. She wasn’t afraid to use them.

He stepped up to the bar and stood beside her, his eyes sliding up her body with a slow confidence, drinking in her curves. She waited for his eyes to meet her own and her lips curled into a sultry smile.

The urgent techno beat was pumping around them, but he didn’t attempt to scream over the noise, instead he simply offered his hand. This man had seen too many movies. Did this move really work for him?

She glanced down at his hand, then back to his eyes. He never looked away or started to speak, not even a hint of uncertainty. He had chosen her, and he seemed certain she would accept his offer. Interesting.

Raising a brow, she finally placed her cool fingers across his. He offered a crooked smile, hinting he was pleased, but not at all surprised, that she accepted his silent proposal. He guided her through the crowds of the drunk and desperate with cat-like grace until they finally reached the dance floor. She turned to face him, tilting her chin up slightly with a sparkle in her bedroom eyes. He repaid her efforts with a drop dead gorgeous smile as his hips started to grind to the insistent beat.

She licked her lips. She couldn’t help it.

Moving in closer to him, she worked her hips with his and when his arm slid around the small of her back, she arched into him. He took her invitation, leaning forward as he drew her back up toward him, his lips barely brushing her collarbone, her neck. When she was upright again, their eyes locked and their bodies moved as one.

Club-goers were watching them now. She could feel their eyes, hear bits of conversations, of thoughts. She didn’t care. She was losing herself in the hunger that was burning in his eyes.

Gradually she moved back from him and slowly ran her hands up her body, caressing every curve until her fingers slid up into her long dark hair, lifting it off of her neck. He wanted to touch her. She could see it plainly in his eyes, but strangely, she wanted him to touch her. She wanted to touch him. She wanted him.

He reached for her hand and gave her a tug, spinning her back into his arms. She rested against his chest, moving with him. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but something about her dance partner was different.

He nuzzled into her hair and finally she heard the rich deep timbre of his voice, “Let’s get out of here.”

She nodded and smiled up at him. He entwined his fingers with hers and they maneuvered through the drunks and the dancers until they were outside in the alleyway. He took a deep breath and smiled down at her.

“I’m Dominic by the way.”

“A pleasure Dominic. I’m Rhiannon.”

He lifted her hand to his lips, brushing a soft kiss to her knuckles. She had to smile. She couldn’t help it.

“Rhiannon is a beautiful name.”

“Thank you. I could say the same to you, Dominic.”

He nodded his thanks, placing her hand in the crook of his arm as he started walking toward a parking lot. “Tell me, Rhiannon, do you often leave clubs with strange men? Could be a dangerous habit.”

She laughed. “Should I be afraid?” She looked up at him with a sparkle in her eyes. “Are you dangerous, Dominic?”

For the first time since she laid eyes on him, he looked surprised, but it vanished as soon as it had appeared, and again he wore a mask of calm composure. “I only meant that a beautiful woman such as yourself should be careful.”

Her tongue slid along the edge of her teeth teasing the sharp point. “Oh I am perfectly safe. Maybe you’re the one who should be… careful.”

He raised a brow with a crooked smile that oozed confidence. “Perhaps…”

He looked every bit the wolf in sheep’s clothing. She loved it! She almost wished she weren’t so hungry. This one was worth keeping around… For a while anyway.

They walked through the parking lot before she broke the silence. “So where are we going?”

“I thought we’d walk out to the end of the pier and get to know each other better. It’s a clear night so the stars should be spectacular.”

“Sounds wonderful,” she answered. It also sounded like it would be deserted. Perfect.

Small talk filled their stroll to the pier until she almost forgot she was hunting. How long had it been since she enjoyed someone else’s company?

Too many years to count.

The moonlight sparkled on the water, and the ground vibrated beneath their feet as the waves crashed through the beams of the pier below them. She leaned against the railing and salty scented air filled her lungs. Dominic came up behind her, planting his hands on either side of her waist, his body pressing against her back. He leaned in close, his breath teasing her ear.

“It’s beautiful.”

Rhiannon nodded and looked up at the stars. “Sometimes I forget how beautiful the night can be.”

He nodded. “It’s easy to take it for granted.” He pointed up over her head. “Do you see that light up there to the left of the moon?”

She squinted and searched, but even with her enhanced vision, she couldn’t see anything except twinkling stars. “I don’t think so.”

He pulled away from her for a moment. There was a loud sizzle and pop, and the lights went out. She looked back over her shoulder, her brow furrowing slightly. “What was that?”

He shrugged, settling back in behind her. “I don’t know. Must be a power outage or something.” He pointed into the sky again and she followed his arm up. “There. Do you see it now?”

Finally she saw a faint light in the distance just to the left of the moon. A rare genuine smile crossed her lips.

“I see it.” She turned her head only to find his lips very close to her own. Her breath caught for a moment. “So what is it?”

“Jupiter,” he whispered.

She turned to look up at the sky again. Amazing. She’d walked under countless moonlit nights, and never looked up. Not really. Turning in his arms, she smiled. “I’ve had a wonderful evening, Dominic. Thank you.”

“Is the evening over?”

Very soon. She thought to herself. The waves crashed below them and the wind combed through her hair as she looked up into his dark eyes. The power was out. No lights, no witnesses, no reason to wait.

Why was she hesitating?

His hands slid around her waist, and she brought her arms up circling his neck as she tilted her chin up toward him. His lips were soft and tender as they brushed hers. She breathed him in and moaned as his teeth gently tugged at her lower lip, his tongue tasting her, savoring her. She broke the hypnotic kiss as her incisors lengthened. Trailing kisses along his jaw, she felt her feet leave the pier as Dominic lifted her up into his arms. He nuzzled her neck and she hummed against his skin.

For the first time in centuries she wished she was human again.

His teeth nipped gently at her neck, drawing a breathless gasp from her lips, “Dominic…”

He growled against her skin and she couldn’t hold back any longer. She sank her fangs into his shoulder…

Just as he buried his fangs in her neck.

She opened her mind to his and had to laugh feeling his surprise mingling with her own. ~~Touche.~~

The End….

(For Marvin we had “Take two and call me in the morning”, Ray Bradbury had my pearls of wisdom, and “directions not included” was in there too… J Happy New Year!)