Crimson
by Tamela Miles
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Delilah McDade has born the brunt of responsibility of her younger brother, Declan's wild lifestyle for years, until the night she learns it's come back to bite both of them in the form of vampire Ash Lockler. Delilah has a prim exterior but she dreams of hot vampires and other nocturnal creatures to give her a break from her life that, while satisfying, is lonely. Ash is tempting but she knows that she could never be a part of his life lived in the shadows. Ash Lockler lives his undead life as part of the seedy underworld with a stone cold heart. That doesn't stop him from helping damsel-in-distress, Delilah, but he's intent on keeping things all business and ending their association as soon as possible. The problem is that he can't seem to get his body - and heart - to agree with his reasoning when he and Delilah are thrown together in a deadly situation that may get her killed and cost him his freedom.
Goodreads * Amazon
Goodreads * Amazon
Ash stood outside of the giant door of Galina’s office, hand poised to knock. At his first rap, there was nothing but silence. He looked down the expansive hallway in both directions and a wave of annoyance filled him. The queen had arranged this meeting and the fact she apparently wasn’t in her office signaled she was playing another one of her games with him. He resigned himself to simply wait her out.
Moments later, the heavy scent of roses filled his nose. He paused and turned around slowly. He knew the smell quite well and wasn’t surprised to see Galina Saburova coming down the hallway.
Ash’s glance took in her waterfall of smooth, straight blonde hair and the blue eyes bright with curiosity and amusement. She wore a simple black dress that fit her slim figure to perfection. As she approached, her perfume overwhelmed him.
“Ash,” she said, nodding. “Good to see you back here to do more of the Crown’s necessary dirty work. I appreciate your promptness.”
His eyes narrowed. “I’m here to do my job, yes.”
“I can never wrap my head around why you don’t just abandon your servitude to my empire and strike out on your own. There are many places where you could run to escape the Vampire Council and myself, of course.” Galina’s smile was small and mischievous.
“Ignore the Vampire Council’s decision? I have many years of servitude left because I dared to kill another vampire. They spared my life and I do your dirty work on the sly.” Ash’s voice was even, devoid of any bitterness.
Galina tilted her head and held his gaze. “Was killing your maker worth it?”
Ash’s lips curved in a half-smile. “I have no regrets every night when I wake up. I assumed we’d meet inside your office?”
The Queen barked an order. The door opened slowly to reveal two heavily armed guards, both vamps. Galina crossed the large, plush room and seated herself behind a large desk. The two guards took their positions on each side of the door they closed.
“Welcome back to my home, Ash,” Galina said smoothly, not a trace of her Russian origins evident in her voice.
Ash nodded as he kept his face carefully blank. “Queen Galina, what do you need me to do?” Ash got right down to business, having no time for meaningless pleasantries. He knew the vampire queen expected nothing different from him. He was an enforcer, nothing more to many on the outside, though the situation was vastly more complicated than that. Concealed with civilized conversation, the two vamps were quietly and privately involved in a power struggle.
“My money is disappearing, which greatly upsets me.” Galina drummed her fingers idly on her desk before continuing. “It’s being siphoned out of two of my clubs, one here in Denver and one in Los Angeles. You will stop it from happening. Permanently.”
Ash knew this would end in final deaths for the two groups of greedy vamps. When he was newly made, the thought of killing anyone was abhorrent to him but he was no longer that man. He killed to ensure his own survival and, in doing so, had made it an art he found satisfaction in. Killing humans was something he did rarely but destroying the vamps who preyed on them didn’t keep him awake when he went to ground to sleep.
Moments later, the heavy scent of roses filled his nose. He paused and turned around slowly. He knew the smell quite well and wasn’t surprised to see Galina Saburova coming down the hallway.
Ash’s glance took in her waterfall of smooth, straight blonde hair and the blue eyes bright with curiosity and amusement. She wore a simple black dress that fit her slim figure to perfection. As she approached, her perfume overwhelmed him.
“Ash,” she said, nodding. “Good to see you back here to do more of the Crown’s necessary dirty work. I appreciate your promptness.”
His eyes narrowed. “I’m here to do my job, yes.”
“I can never wrap my head around why you don’t just abandon your servitude to my empire and strike out on your own. There are many places where you could run to escape the Vampire Council and myself, of course.” Galina’s smile was small and mischievous.
“Ignore the Vampire Council’s decision? I have many years of servitude left because I dared to kill another vampire. They spared my life and I do your dirty work on the sly.” Ash’s voice was even, devoid of any bitterness.
Galina tilted her head and held his gaze. “Was killing your maker worth it?”
Ash’s lips curved in a half-smile. “I have no regrets every night when I wake up. I assumed we’d meet inside your office?”
The Queen barked an order. The door opened slowly to reveal two heavily armed guards, both vamps. Galina crossed the large, plush room and seated herself behind a large desk. The two guards took their positions on each side of the door they closed.
“Welcome back to my home, Ash,” Galina said smoothly, not a trace of her Russian origins evident in her voice.
Ash nodded as he kept his face carefully blank. “Queen Galina, what do you need me to do?” Ash got right down to business, having no time for meaningless pleasantries. He knew the vampire queen expected nothing different from him. He was an enforcer, nothing more to many on the outside, though the situation was vastly more complicated than that. Concealed with civilized conversation, the two vamps were quietly and privately involved in a power struggle.
“My money is disappearing, which greatly upsets me.” Galina drummed her fingers idly on her desk before continuing. “It’s being siphoned out of two of my clubs, one here in Denver and one in Los Angeles. You will stop it from happening. Permanently.”
Ash knew this would end in final deaths for the two groups of greedy vamps. When he was newly made, the thought of killing anyone was abhorrent to him but he was no longer that man. He killed to ensure his own survival and, in doing so, had made it an art he found satisfaction in. Killing humans was something he did rarely but destroying the vamps who preyed on them didn’t keep him awake when he went to ground to sleep.
Tamela Miles is a California State University San Bernardino graduate student with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development and a former flight attendant. She grew up in Altadena, California in that tumultuous time known as the 1980s. She now resides with her family in the Inland Empire, CA. She's a horror/paranormal romance writer mainly because it feels so good having her characters do bad things and, later, pondering what makes them so bad and why they can never seem to change their wicked ways.
She enjoys emails from people who like her work. In fact, she loves emails. She can be contacted at tamelamiles@yahoo.com or her Facebook page, Tamela Miles Books. She also welcomes reader reviews and enjoys the feedback from people who love to read as much as she does.
Facebook * Twitter * Amazon * Goodreads
She enjoys emails from people who like her work. In fact, she loves emails. She can be contacted at tamelamiles@yahoo.com or her Facebook page, Tamela Miles Books. She also welcomes reader reviews and enjoys the feedback from people who love to read as much as she does.
Facebook * Twitter * Amazon * Goodreads
Which of your novels can you imagine being made into a movie?
My Hell On Heels series, featuring demon hunter Elle Connor and fallen angel Patrick Holt, is definitely near and dear to my heart. It leaps off the pages and fires the imagination. I can easily see it being made into a three- movie saga, with a richly diverse cast. I often imagine actor, Zoe Saldana as Elle with someone like Ian Somerhalder as Patrick. There would be intense battle scenes, filled with axes and crossbows. The love scenes would be equally intense, earning my movie a solid R rating.
Another novel of mine that would make a fantastic movie is “Cushion”. Billy and Natalie’s story is so strange that, it too, leaps off the pages. A pop rock star and his troubled therapist is a bizarre coupling, filled with moments of off the charts romance while they’re fighting for their lives. They both gradually transition from loathing each other to loving each other. Billy starts off the story stuck with Natalie as his court appointed therapist to help with his alcohol addiction. She is his “insane bitch” and he’s her Kryptonite. This would be a hella good movie!
As a writer, what spirit animal would you choose as your mascot?
I’m all about the black kitties. A beautiful, sleek black cat with golden, expressive eyes is most definitely my spirit animal.
Who designed your book covers?
My book cover queen designer for my Wild Rose Press books is the always wonderful Debbie Taylor. For “Crimson”, my first book with Satin Romance, my cover designer is the very creative, Caroline Andrus. I can happily say that I’ve never been disappointed with a cover created for me. Each one reflects the mood and tone of that book. I’ve been seriously thinking about getting some training in book cover design so that I could create something beautiful and captivating, like these ladies.
What inspired you to write “Crimson”?
Crimson is actually a novel that took years to write. It began as a short story in my horror/paranormal romance anthology, “Rock Paper Scissors”, that was published in 2015. The characters, Ash and Delilah, had been in my mind for a long time and it was a release to finally get them out of my mind and onto a PC screen. Once I did, the reader fan response was overwhelmingly positive. My readers fell as much in love with Ash and Delilah as I did! I knew, at some point, I absolutely had to give them their own novel.
What is your writing process?
For a long time, I was strictly a pantser. I wrote as I went along creatively. If it flowed, I put it in there. Over time, I’ve developed a process that works best for me. I now come up with a brief, bare bones outline and fill in the details as I write along. I find that my stories flow much better and are easier to edit and revise. I tend to do my outlines with pen and paper and do my actual writing on my PC.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
After a long day of work or working on writing, I love nothing more than to binge watch my favorite shows or movies, dive into a good book, or listen to my massive library of songs. Sometimes, I manage to do all three at once!
My Hell On Heels series, featuring demon hunter Elle Connor and fallen angel Patrick Holt, is definitely near and dear to my heart. It leaps off the pages and fires the imagination. I can easily see it being made into a three- movie saga, with a richly diverse cast. I often imagine actor, Zoe Saldana as Elle with someone like Ian Somerhalder as Patrick. There would be intense battle scenes, filled with axes and crossbows. The love scenes would be equally intense, earning my movie a solid R rating.
Another novel of mine that would make a fantastic movie is “Cushion”. Billy and Natalie’s story is so strange that, it too, leaps off the pages. A pop rock star and his troubled therapist is a bizarre coupling, filled with moments of off the charts romance while they’re fighting for their lives. They both gradually transition from loathing each other to loving each other. Billy starts off the story stuck with Natalie as his court appointed therapist to help with his alcohol addiction. She is his “insane bitch” and he’s her Kryptonite. This would be a hella good movie!
As a writer, what spirit animal would you choose as your mascot?
I’m all about the black kitties. A beautiful, sleek black cat with golden, expressive eyes is most definitely my spirit animal.
Who designed your book covers?
My book cover queen designer for my Wild Rose Press books is the always wonderful Debbie Taylor. For “Crimson”, my first book with Satin Romance, my cover designer is the very creative, Caroline Andrus. I can happily say that I’ve never been disappointed with a cover created for me. Each one reflects the mood and tone of that book. I’ve been seriously thinking about getting some training in book cover design so that I could create something beautiful and captivating, like these ladies.
What inspired you to write “Crimson”?
Crimson is actually a novel that took years to write. It began as a short story in my horror/paranormal romance anthology, “Rock Paper Scissors”, that was published in 2015. The characters, Ash and Delilah, had been in my mind for a long time and it was a release to finally get them out of my mind and onto a PC screen. Once I did, the reader fan response was overwhelmingly positive. My readers fell as much in love with Ash and Delilah as I did! I knew, at some point, I absolutely had to give them their own novel.
What is your writing process?
For a long time, I was strictly a pantser. I wrote as I went along creatively. If it flowed, I put it in there. Over time, I’ve developed a process that works best for me. I now come up with a brief, bare bones outline and fill in the details as I write along. I find that my stories flow much better and are easier to edit and revise. I tend to do my outlines with pen and paper and do my actual writing on my PC.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
After a long day of work or working on writing, I love nothing more than to binge watch my favorite shows or movies, dive into a good book, or listen to my massive library of songs. Sometimes, I manage to do all three at once!
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
Aug 24
kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours
Twisted Book Ramblings
Aug 25
Blog of Author Jacey Holbrand
Aug 26
Laurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews
Aug 27
AC Squared Book Blog
Romance Novel Giveaways
Aug 28
Readeropolis – GUEST POST
Ace Reads
Aug 29
Sweet Southern $avings
A Mama's Corner of the World
Aug 30
Deal Sharing Aunt
2 chicks and a book
Aug 31
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too!
A Pinch of Bookdust
Sep 1
The Book Dragon
Sep 2
united indie book blog
Sep 3
Books,Dreams,Life
Luv Saving Money
Sep 4
Bedazzled By Books
Books a Plenty Book Reviews
Sep 5
Books all things paranormal and romance
Bound 2 Escape
Sep 6
Book Lovers 4Ever
Book-Lover
Sep 7
Bookish Reviews
books are love
Sep 8
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'
Sep 9
book rampage
Sep 10
Inside the Insanity – GUEST POST
Sylv.net
Sep 11
C Exley Books
Kerrific Online
Sep 12
Girl with Pen
Midnight Book Reader
Sep 13
the bookworm lodge
My Chaotic Ramblings
Sep 14
Jazzy Book Reviews
Maiden of the Pages– GUEST POST
Sep 15
Stacking My Book Shelves!
Sep 16
T's Stuff
Sep 17
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
Paranormal Palace of Pleasures
Sep 18
Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer
Scrupulous Dreams
Sep 19
Sapphyria's Book Reviews
SJ's book blog
Sep 20
Triple A
Rabid Readers Book Blog
Sep 21
Books 2 Blog - REVIEW
Reads and Recipes – GUEST POST, REVIEW
Sep 22
book review virignia lee
Sep 23
Writers and Authors
Sep 24
Declarations of a Fangirl
eBook Addicts
Aug 24
kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours
Twisted Book Ramblings
Aug 25
Blog of Author Jacey Holbrand
Aug 26
Laurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews
Aug 27
AC Squared Book Blog
Romance Novel Giveaways
Aug 28
Readeropolis – GUEST POST
Ace Reads
Aug 29
Sweet Southern $avings
A Mama's Corner of the World
Aug 30
Deal Sharing Aunt
2 chicks and a book
Aug 31
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too!
A Pinch of Bookdust
Sep 1
The Book Dragon
Sep 2
united indie book blog
Sep 3
Books,Dreams,Life
Luv Saving Money
Sep 4
Bedazzled By Books
Books a Plenty Book Reviews
Sep 5
Books all things paranormal and romance
Bound 2 Escape
Sep 6
Book Lovers 4Ever
Book-Lover
Sep 7
Bookish Reviews
books are love
Sep 8
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'
Sep 9
book rampage
Sep 10
Inside the Insanity – GUEST POST
Sylv.net
Sep 11
C Exley Books
Kerrific Online
Sep 12
Girl with Pen
Midnight Book Reader
Sep 13
the bookworm lodge
My Chaotic Ramblings
Sep 14
Jazzy Book Reviews
Maiden of the Pages– GUEST POST
Sep 15
Stacking My Book Shelves!
Sep 16
T's Stuff
Sep 17
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
Paranormal Palace of Pleasures
Sep 18
Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer
Scrupulous Dreams
Sep 19
Sapphyria's Book Reviews
SJ's book blog
Sep 20
Triple A
Rabid Readers Book Blog
Sep 21
Books 2 Blog - REVIEW
Reads and Recipes – GUEST POST, REVIEW
Sep 22
book review virignia lee
Sep 23
Writers and Authors
Sep 24
Declarations of a Fangirl
eBook Addicts
