Giveaway & Guest Post with Author Susan Hanniford Crowley & Vampire David Hilliard

It's my very great pleasure to welcome Susan Hanniford Crowley & the sexy Vampire David Hilliard to Wicked Readings today. Susan, and David are here to talk about Paranormals at Halloween. Please join me in welcoming Susan & David.



 Paranormals at Halloween



“Thank you, Tawania, for having us.”


“Ah, Tawania.” Vampire David Hilliard, who has accompanied me, grins showing his fangs and hands Tawania a bouquet of dark red roses, a bottle of champagne, and a box of blood orange chocolates. “They are delicious,” he adds.


I laugh. “You know, David, I’ve always wanted to know how you felt about Halloween. What do the supernaturals of New York do to celebrate or don’t you celebrate?”

“The Nats, as we call ourselves colectively, usually blend in with human customs. There are several parties throughout the city.”


“What do the vampires, in particular, do?”


“It’s different for everyone. I know one vampire that is so grouchy, that he goes into his coffin and doesn’t come out until it’s over. Laura and I throw a costume ball every year. Last year, I dressed as a werewolf, and Laura was Tinkerbell. I loved the skimpy green outfit. She was also very convincing when she floated and threw lightning bolts with her wand.” He laughed. “She melted three plastic wands. It was so funny.”


Tawania and I just look at each other and laugh.


“I can’t picture you as a werewolf,” I add.


“Hoowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwlll.”


He sounds very authentic. “Do you ever have any werewolves at your party? How do they feel about you dressing like them?”


“Oh, the brothers that are florists came as vampires last year and told everyone they were really the Arnhem Knights. It was hilarious? The problem was they can’t fly, unless one throws another across the room.”


I can’t stop laughing. When I finally stop, I ask, “David, why did you bring the champagne?”


“To toast the new print edition of The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais.” He pours out some glasses and hands them to us.


“To love, romance, and mayhem. Long may they reign. To The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais.”


“Where can people get the book?” ask Tawania.


“Right now the only way is at my website, where they will get an autographed copy with a gorgeous matching bookthong. This is for a limited time before my publisher, Tease Publishing LLC, puts it into distribution.”


Website: http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com


“Let’s have an excerpt,” says David.


*Excerpt*


The vampires of New Orleans were assembled in Marchon's mahogany paneled banquet room, the men dashing in an array of tuxedos, top hats and tails, military uniforms, and period regalia. The place fairly glittered from the shifting of wolf-head canes, goldhilt swords, and jewel-encrusted walking sticks. The women of the blood wore flowing gowns of purple taffeta, black lace, dazzling white chiffon, and shimmering blue midnight silk. More than one wore clingy, scarlet dresses. All raised their wine glasses dark with blood, as Laura stood in the rose-filled entryway, the fragrance intoxicating. Candlelight from the sparkling chandeliers danced on the gathering below giving them an unearthly glow.


Laura smiled when she saw David, magnificent in his black tuxedo. She remembered when they first met. She had been lost in his warm dark eyes, that handsome face, framed by curly, chocolate brown hair. His smile invited her.


Then she noticed Marchon standing with him by a podium at the front of the room. A woman handed Laura a bouquet of deep red roses and whispered, "Go ahead, dear. He's waiting."


Laura walked over to David and gazed up into his eyes. He took her hand and kissed it. Not aloud but in her thoughts, she heard his soft baritone voice. I hope you're not angry with my surprise. Will you marry me, Laura?


When she kissed him, the crowd laughed and cheered.


"Ah, cher, you're getting ahead of things." Marchon raised his hands.


They parted. David suddenly pulled her back into a kiss, his lips soft at first and then more demanding. He drank from her mouth, as if it was a chalice filled with nectar. Laura felt a little dizzy when they finally stood holding hands, facing Marchon.


"It is time to begin." The crowd fell quiet.


"Among our kind, marriage is rare though it has occurred when one of the partners is human. We have no formal wedding ritual for the coming together of immortals. If there was one, it was lost. To find that eternal mate is an exquisite gift, so today we create a new rite as we witness the joining of two hearts throughout eternity."


Marchon asked for their right hands and as he did so, he loosely tied them together with a red ribbon.


David smiled. Then he closed his dark brown eyes and inwardly said, I loved you the instant I saw you. You chose me over a mortal life.


"Ah, mes amis, why not share your thoughts with all," said Marchon.


David stood taller. "I love you, Laura. I promise to love, provide, and protect you always. I choose you to be my wife forever."


Laura closed her eyes and thought to David. You saved me from utter despair. You freed me to follow my heart, and my heart led me back to you.


Then she added aloud, "Eternity is but a dance in the moonlight. I wish to dance with you always. I love you, David, and I choose you for my husband."


"Well, the vows have been exchanged. Now for the ring," announced Marchon.


Another vampire stepped forward and held open a small box. David took the platinum band adorned with diamonds and placed it on her finger.


Marchon laughed. "Now, you may kiss the bride."


"No," thundered through the house. The voodoo mambo Brilla stormed in, her black and purple robe covered with silver amulets and chains. The other vampires shrank into the shadows. No one dared stand against her. She marched up to the couple. "This cannot be." She shook her fists, and the room plunged into darkness.


*End Excerpt*


 “What happens next?” asks David.

I giggle. “David, you know what happens?”


He laughs. “I’m going to tell them about the other books in the series now. So my book is out in print and ebook, but the others are all ebooks.

“When Love Survives is about two supernaturals who meet during the World Trade Center disaster and fall in love as they work together as rescue workers. I play a small but pivotal supporting role, but it’s all about Gregor, a shapeshifter, and Regina, who is half elf/half leprechaun and the power of their love.

“A Vampire for Christmas is about vampire and Arnhem Knight Trevor. He gets all tongue-tied when he sees Georgia, the woman of his dreams, but he can only stare at her in a storefront window. She thinks he is a stalker, which makes his job harder, which is to protect her as she is marked for death by demons.

“Vampire in the Basement follows what happens to Gregor and Regina after they leave New York for his family home in Maine. It’s also about his shapeshifter bunny sister Lorraine, who is recently divorced and brokenhearted. When she meets Theo, a vampire and Arnhem Knight, she finds passion again, but she is wary of love. Can Theo mend her broken heart?”


I looked at him. “You did not include Poseidon’s Catch.”


“It’s not about a vampire.”

“No, it’s about an immortal’s search for true love. Poseidon, the randiest god of Olympus, finds the woman of his dreams, but has to convince her to be his before time runs out.”


“Immortal. I like that. From now on why don’t you introduce me as the Immortal David Hilliard.”


I laugh. “Yeah, right. I think it’s a good time for the contest. To one lucky commenter from the US or Canada who goes to my website at http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com/ and finds out what Laura thinks David’s blood tastes like, I will send an autographed copy of The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais with a matching beaded book thong. I can only choose one, so if there is more than one commenter with the right answer, I will randomly pick the winner from those commenters.


“For my worldwide viewers, one lucky commenter that tells me how David would like to be introduced, that person will win their choice of the following pdf ebooks: When Love Survives, A Vampire for Christmas, or The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais.


Good luck, everyone. The contest is void where prohibited by law and the contest deadline is Friday October 15th @ 11:59pm Est.


“Thank you for having us, Tawania.”


“Until we meet again, Tawania,” says David, kissing her hand. He leans toward her.


I nudge him. “Don’t nibble the host.”


He chuckles. “Aw.”


I have to drag him out by the arm.


To find out more about Susan and/or buy books, visit http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com


Her blog: http://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com
Facebook: Susan Hanniford Crowley
Twitter: SHCrowley
http://www.allromanceebooks.com
http://www.teasepublishingllc.com