Welcome to Christa Paige

I spend a ton of time driving my kids hither and yon. Thursdays kick my butt ’cause I feel like I spend  hours just driving back and forth to places. I have been listening to the Love Never Dies soundtrack as a way to balance the non-stop One Direction noise my kids are obsessing over.

Have you heard the song Beneath a Moonless Sky? I don’t think I have ever heard a song so precisely written about the intimate act of loving paired to such a melodramatic tune. My kids hate it for the sheer operatic moments. I love it for the one line where Phantom croons, “And, then I TOOK you.”

Yes, please may I have another?

So, after listening to several of the songs my dancer began to protest and I agreed, simply because hearing that shrill vibrato Christine is belting out can become tiresome after a while…unless we are talking Phantom of the Opera and Past the Point of No Return with Gerard Butler. Hello, eye candy in sexy tight pants and black mask.

But, I digress. To appease my youngest, who has a great deal more flexibility when it comes to music, I thumbed through my CD collection. Since traffic wasn’t being kind, I blindly grabbed for a CD. The one I selected is a play list I made a while back for Sevastian and Nathalia, the vampire story I am supposed to be working on right now.
I started envisioning a scene that has been out of reach for a long time. Just as the picture became clear and things started turning into actual musing, everything went blank inside my mind (Phantom are you in there?) Nope! There was just a blank canvas of white. Oh, and this tall, imposing male was standing there with his arms crossed over his massive chest. He was precisely dressed in an expensive suit. His hair was perfectly styled. The harsh glint in his cobalt gray eyes pinned my inner muse in place. I had to slam on the brakes to avoid rear ending the dude in front of me. Because, I wasn’t paying close attention to the road due to the male’s narrowed gaze and hard-assed expression. I knew in an instant who was hijacking my mental thoughts, so, I confronted him.

The Kartal

I said, “What the hell are you doing, Ivan?”

Both his eyebrows went up and his glower could have frozen sunshine.

“I’m not afraid of you, Mister Vampire hard-ass,” I added with a harrumph.

“You should be.” That was all he said but the edge to his words would make a lesser being shiver in dread.

As a side note, I know I should be freaked out, the bastard does bad bad things to people he doesn’t like or who disagree with him.

Instead of cow-towing, I shrugged my shoulders and tried to be charming. “So, what brings you here, into my head, while I am musing dreamy scrumptious Vastian?”

He licked his lips, like he was wondering what I might taste like and how long it would take to sink his razor-sharp fangs into my teenie tiny human neck. Instead, he took two long steps and stood right next to me. Mental-me, had to look up and up some more just to glance into his austere face. His mouth quirked at the corners as he stared at me all cool and aloof.

Someone needs to put him in his place, I think to myself: Like a mate. That thought gets doused with ice cold water and is replaced with annoyance when he grabbed my virtual chin and forced me to look at him more fully. “What?” I managed to squeak out, though my lips make a little moue and the sound is garbled.

“I didn’t like what you did with Traian. I’m not happy with your thoughts for Sevastian either. He’s important in ways you don’t yet know. Mating him will… add complications.”

Since Ivan is a character in my own head, you’d think I would pop off a one-liner and tell him to knock his shit off.

But, since I DON’T know what is going to happen next in the story, I wonder if Ivan might just give me a hint by his protesting.

Right, big breath and ask….”What, you don’t like him going house shopping with Thalia? You have something against them living in Flintridge?”

He remained motionless, deadly calm. The tips of his fangs were barely noticeable but since I was watching him talk, I got a gander. His thumb traveled along my jaw to my cheek while he scrutinized me.

Then, he shook his head. “Nathalia won’t be able to handle the truth.”

WHAT? What truth? Crap. I thought her part of the heart ache was done. What the hell did Vastian do?

“I’m not telling you.” He simply breathed the answer. Damn, I must have spoken that last query out loud.

“Ivan.” I stomped my foot and the car lurched a bit. And, well, hello there little Prius driver. Sorry I scared you and you can lay off the horn now thanks. “Ivan, damn it. You have a strangle hold on my muses. Let them go. You freakin bastard.”

He lifted that long, muscled arm and my heart beat a little faster knowing that he could zap me with his mind bending powers and I could easily end up in Fantasy Land. But, he simply shook his pointed finger in my face and tsked.  Asshole I thought. He’s fuckin with my mind. It must be him keeping me from writing the vamps. SOB needs a kick in the ass.

“Better watch it, Ivan Komar- the Kartal- I can just as easily write your story. Don’t think you want everyone to know where you hid all those bodies…..”

Oh, score. He let go of me.

“Don’t go there with Vastian. He’s important to my cause.” His warning rang loud as a bell toll.

Go where? I pondered again. Come on, throw me a bone. “I am going there Ivan. So, why don’t you just stop playing puppet master and let my muses go free?”

One side of Ivan’s mouth kicked up. “You know I am not the one in charge. That’s Aleksi. But, in this, he and I are on the same page.”

Me, blink…smirk…aha! “Very well then. I will take this up with Aleksi. I’m sure he and I can come to a solution.”

“I wouldn’t count on it.” Ivan pivoted on his heel and strode into the vast white canvas. A few beats passed and he stopped. Peering over his broad shoulder, he pinned me with a heated stare. “You know the scientists would love to get their hands on Nathalia. Her father is searching for her.”

Me…lamblasted. “Huh?” was my stellar reply. But, wait, her father is dead, was my mental rebuttal. HOW do I not know this, aren’t I the author? Sheesh.

“Let that be a warning.” He slashed his hand through the air and on a blink vanished.

And that leaves me with more questions then before. All I could think of was that I could be relieved that Ivan didn’t mention Gunnar at all. If he knew what I was doing with that male and his mate, all hell would break loose inside my head. Ivan is going to be soooo pissed.

Freaking Ivan. Someday, he is so going to get his comeuppance.

Now, back to writing the story!

I am so very thrilled to be a part of the first anniversary celebration at The Romance Reviews.

In just a few weeks, there will be a month long party going on. Many authors have signed up to participate. There are going to be games and prizes. I think it is going to be a lot of fun.

Let's Party!

On love triangles.

A while back, I glutted myself on watching a marathon of back-to-back television episodes. The show isn’t one I would have normally watched and I am quite surprised with my reaction to it. The reason I am so intrigued is because there is such a clear-cut, emotional love triangle going on. I was sucked in from the very first hour because the hero is completely affected by the possibility of losing the love of his life to his nemesis. So, what is this show? It is the BBC adaption of Robin Hood. The triangle is tightly strung between Maid Marian and her duty to marry Guy of Gisborne in order to throw him off of her illegal activities to help Robin. The moment that Guy finagles an engagement from Marian, Robin is standing outside the window listening. When Marian says-yes- Robin’s face is just this picture of agony and defeat. Marian is his woman. His love. And, he can’t stand the idea of another man having her.

I watched this show with a complete affinity for the tortured hero and was totally hooked. At the end of season 1 a tragedy happens. Robin is absolutely gutted and as he kneels over Marian, he tells her he loves her. That’s the stuff of romance novels and it reminded me why I love to write them. But, I digress. Going back to the topic of this post- the love triangle- I started to realize that the Robin-Marian-Guy triangle isn’t the first I fell head-over-heels for. There are several others that call to the sappy romantic within me. I thought I would list a handful of them and see what the common theme is that is so attractive to my romantic muse.

The first that comes to mind is another British hero: King Arthur. What a triangle! I can never choose who I like best. Arthur is a tragic hero full of nobility, skill and good looks. He is powerful and chivalrous. And, he is king. I’d love to “Yes, your majesty,” him simply for a little taste of all that Camelot destiny. But, then, oh my Lancelot. Tortured. Skilled. Oh, so brave. If you watched the Clive Owen version, that sexy knight can wield two swords at the same time. In First Knight, he’d risk his own life for just one kiss of Guinevere. How does a woman choose?

Next is my first love triangle crush. The Phantom of the Opera. However did Miss Christine Daaé end up with Vicompte de Changy? Cause he is hot, rich, and totally in love with her. But, the Phantom….he can croon in my ear whenever he’d like. I can put aside the murdering thing. (Buquet and Piangi deserved it, lol) The fact that Christine makes Eric feel for the first time in his long miserable life just touches my heart and I root for him to win her hand. There is the little forced seduction thing and I for one think it is a little hot to be seduced by a masked man but alas, Raoul has fine horses, a title, estates and in the Gerard Butler movie, is a freaking awesome swordsman. Choices, choices, I think in this instant the Phantom wins my vote.

I feel the need to list a couple honorable mentions. I absolutely adored Kara “Starbuck” Thrace and Lee “Apollo” Adama in the Battlestar Galactica remake. When she ended up married to Anders and Lee married some woman I don’t even want to remember, I was totally peeved. But, that made for a crazy amount of sexual tension neither Kara or Lee managed to get over. Each kiss, every secret moment ended up making me want them back together. Or sweating it out in a hot sex scene. Talk about chemistry, it was totally sparking. I didn’t like the ending. In my mind, they finally hooked up and got their HEA. Also, Jack, Kate and Sawyer from Lost. I never knew who I wanted her to end up with. However, Sawyer was my favorite of the eye candy dudes so, I was gunning for that relationship. When, near the end of the show, Sawyer sees Kate again, the emotion on his face is so strident, utterly stricken, my heart did a little kick. Once again, I was engulfed by my love triangle fascination, this time with Sawyer in the middle of Juliette and Kate. Finally, my sci-fi loving heart has another love triangle to be a shipper over. Stargate Universe has an unusual triangle between oh so soldiery Lt. Scott, pretty aristocratic Chloe and the brainy but sensitive Eli. Now, usually I would go with the soldier. Scott is handsome, devoted, regimental. He can shoot at scary monsters, get his ass kicked and still rescue the fair maiden. But, Eli quotes Star Wars. Eli has a dry sense of humor. Eli makes computers sexy. Too bad the show got the axe. I’d sure like to know which one of those dudes is going to end up with the newly alienized gal.

So, do you have any love triangle recommendations for me? I want to read new stories or watch a show with characters who are seriously conflicted by their circumstances. I especially love it when the hero wants to be with his love but she is kept away by some duty. It tugs at my heart strings to see him so affected by the inability to make her his. And, I adore it when he has to watch her being wooed, touched, kissed or taken away by his rival.

Ah, the love triangle. So, romantic.

Next time, I am going to talk about another trope I adore in romance: Unrequited Love. And first on my list is Mary Margaret and David AKA Snow White and Prince Charming in Once Upon a Time.

Christa

In case you missed the Romance Writers Behaving Badly’s Stuff Your Stocking Blog tour, I am posting the “Is Christa Naughty or Nice?” entry for those of you who would like to enjoy it, as well! Congratulations to Stacey Siferd-the winning commenter.

Am I naughty? Or, am I nice?

This is an interesting question that requires deeper thought and a bit of evidence. An examination of sorts just might give us the answer.

First let me look at the following picture. Go right ahead and look too. You too can take Christa’s simple, two-step Naughty or Nice test.

Now, to determine one’s status as naughty or nice it is good to define what each means.

naughty (ˈnɔːtɪ)
— adj , -tier , -tiest
1. mischievous or disobedient; bad
2. mildly indecent; titillating

nice /naɪs/
— adj,
1. virtuous; respectable; decorous
2. suitable or proper

A few notable quotes might help for a reference point:

Let’s be naughty and save Santa the trip.
Gary Allan

It is nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.
John Templeton

I know that my mind does not have any virtuous, respectable or proper thoughts in it, right now. So, that’s all the evidence I need to diagnose my present state of mind….

I’m NAUGHTY But…
I’m also NICE because I shared those lovely photos with you!

So who is with me in the naughty group?

May you have the naughtiest, nicest Christmas Day!
Christa

Welcome back for another Six Sunday post. I’m still working on Love the Way it Hurts, my kinky pain and pleasure story. Today’s Six comes from Ian and Alexa’s first time together. Ian has just introduced her to the strike of his belt and wants to know if she’s strong enough to continue further instruction.

“What do you feel?” Pushing her past the limit served no purpose. He’d break her spirit and ruin her budding trust in him. He didn’t think she was ready to stop, but he had to make sure she could handle increasing the pain.

“Tell me,” Ian prompted while keeping his impatience under firm control.

“It’s like my body’s on fire, every inch of me is crying out for you to stop, but I need you to give me more.”

 

 Thanks for stopping by today.

Have a great Labor Day!

Christa

Today, I am going to continue with the various places a vampire can take sustenance from on his lover’s body.

So, let’s examine another location where a hungry vamp can feed from and what her body’s physical reaction just might be.

Last time the bite spot was the “Old standby.” To read about that one, click here: At the throat.

Today, we will look at a more covert and concentrated area on the body: The inner thigh.

Starting with the back of the knee and kissing upward will end in a bouquet of suckling delights for any hungry vamp. Licking and sucking there in gentle sweeps brings a rush of fresh blood to warm the spot. As he works his way higher to the middle of her thigh, he can locate a variety of nerve receptors where his mouth titillates while he awaits the rich cells to travel through not one but three large veins. Right at the juncture of her leg and the feminine spot where her secrets reside, is the rushing femoral vein. It’s hidden in a most auspicious position but once accessed, never fails to increase her stimulation at the same time it surely satiates his appetite.

In my upcoming release, Bound By Obsession, the hero Traian finds himself losing his famed control as he kisses his way up Bethany’s thigh. He isn’t allowed to bite her, though. Temptation is surely something he must battle.

Next time, we will look at a bite spot that is rarely shown in vampire stories.

Christa

Here are six sentences from my unedited WIP–a kinky spanking story tentatively titled: Love the Way it Hurts.

Alexandra’s head angled up and big, blue eyes focused on him. A lance of molten heat sizzled between them and his gut twisted impossibly tighter. Those eyes, he wanted to see them wide with wonder, filled with excitement and clouded with tears– tears of pain, tears of pleasure. Ian could imagine them dilated and wild with ecstasy.  Could they get started today? He glanced over at the table; it looked sturdy enough.

Thanks for stopping by.

Christa

My third paranormal romance in the Blood-Vine series is due to release very soon. I wanted to share the cover art, done by the most talented April Martinez, the blurb and an excerpt from Chapter One.

So, without further ado, here is your first taste of Traian Komar in Bound By Obsession.

In his long life, Traian Komar has managed to escape the mating noose. Being bound forever to a female isn’t anything he’s ready for. However, when he runs into Bethany, a woman from his past, every bonding instinct within him surges to life. Bethany’s the one who got away and he’s never forgotten her. Traian’s sudden obsession with her is all-consuming. But, he can’t do a damned thing about it. Dr. Bethany Miles is a mere mortal, and Kan Asma aristocrats are forbidden to mate with humans.

 For several long years, Bethany, a child psychologist, has devoted her life to her work. When a request for an appointment with an adult comes in, she’s ready to refer the case to her colleague … until she notices the patient’s name, Traian Komar. Beset by memories, Bethany agrees to see him. When he shows up, she doesn’t count on the passion he awakens within her.

The moment they’re face-to-face only intensifies the burning lust they’d always resisted. This time, Traian doesn’t hold back. His lack of restraint turns both their lives upside down and uncovers secrets that could jeopardize their growing bond. Because of his refusal to conform to his people’s traditions, Traian risks losing Bethany and any hope they have for love. He must conquer the threat to their mating and find a way to make her his … forever.

And now an excerpt:

Chapter One

Traian’s hunger propelled his long steps and brought him closer to his destination. Beside him, Tray’s brother, Mikhail, matched the quick pace, keeping up with his typical swagger. They rounded the corner and automatically slowed down. The floor-to-ceiling glass windowpanes of the storefront caught their reflections. Tray didn’t need the reminder that they stood out with their tall height and muscular builds. The differences between them were stark. Mikhail was the thick-necked, dark-haired one. Tray looked more lean and fair with shoulder length blond hair. Mikhail reached out to open the door. Tray entered first and came to stand in the back of the busy room. Mikhail followed him a second later.

“It’s a benefit to us that California has such early sunsets in winter,” Traian said as he turned to face Mikhail. Tray had been looking forward to this meal all afternoon. Sundown couldn’t come fast enough.

“True, it’s a fortunate advantage for a hungry vampire.” Mikhail smirked, showing the slightest hint of sharp fang tips.

“We’ve definitely come to the right place. I see plenty of options that’ll hit the spot.” Tray bit down into his lower lip, flashing Mikhail a bemused look.

“That particular one would be enough to satisfy even my cultured palate.” Mikhail lifted his finger and pointed across the space, indicating just what he wanted to dine on.

“Only you, kardes, would indulge in such a pig-out.” With a chuckle, Traian reached over and smacked his brother on the shoulder. “Better watch the calories; you might end up with a bit of pudge around your gut.”

Sniffing derisively, Mikhail quirked an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side. “Well, I already know what you’re pigging out on, and I’d like to warn you against such a mistake. All carb, no protein… Really, brother, how do you intend to keep that girlie shape you’re sporting?”

“By kicking your scrawny ass,” Tray flashed a wicked smile before stepping forward. He cocked his head over his shoulder and muttered jubilantly, “Looks like I’m going first.”

Mikhail only swore in Turkish and shoved his brother before saying, “Well, hurry your bony butt up, I’m starving here.”

Tray shrugged and ignored Mikhail. He turned his full attention frontward and met the bored look of a young, college-aged girl. Mousy features framed by multi-hued hair, in varying lengths, showed off the oval shape of her face. A silver barb, pierced through her upper lip, muted the sweet innocence of her youth, a bit. When she noticed him, her pale gray eyes widened and she moistened her lower lip with the tip of her tongue. Yup, another piercing there, too. Before he’d moved near, she was slouched over and tuned out. One earbud, from her IPod, hung over her shoulder and the other fit in her ear. She straightened and yanked the headphone out. Tray leaned closer, crossing his arms over his chest. He watched her stare flick down, roving across the outlines of his torso, tracking over his rounded biceps.

Clearing his throat, he effectively redirected her attention back to his face. Her dreamy expression deepened and Tray almost rolled his eyes. “Ma’am?” he said, just to seem polite.

“Yes,” she replied rather breathlessly.

A nudge in his ribs made Tray flinch, “Hold your horses, youngling.” He forced into his brother’s thoughts.

“Stop flirting with the human, I’m famished,” Mikhail replied tersely.

Fine, his own stomach growled in protest at his stalling, as well. Tray blinked and pulled back a bit. Time to sate one of his most basic needs: food.

She followed as far as she could but the thick slab of granite separating them prevented her from all out touching him. Tray rocked on his heels and lifted his gaze to fix on the far wall. “I would like two clubs on rye, with all the fixings. Add a side of that famous apple coleslaw, and peach cobbler. Also, two passion fruit iced teas. My brother here wants an egg salad on whole wheat, a large order of fries and the fresh fruit salad. As you can see, he is just as boring as his food choices. No sense of adventure, the poor bastard.”

The cashier dutifully entered each item into the register. When Tray rambled off Mikhail’s order, she focused directly behind Tray. Her smile grew almost flirty and that tongue came out again. This time, it brushed across her teeth while she appraised Tray’s brother.

“Hello there, doll.” Mikhail sidled alongside Tray. Mikhail’s cultured Russian accent deepened as he continued, “Is Tray here giving you a hard time? I could break his face with my fist, be your champion extraordinaire.”

The poor thing was dumbstruck. Her lips parted but nothing came out. Now, Tray indulged his urge and rolled his eyes. “Oh yeah, if he’s Prince Charming, then I must be the Big Bad Wolf.” He fake growled, hiding his fangs behind taut lips.

A quick flash twinkled in her eye at his statement. She tried to smother a laugh but it didn’t work. Tray noticed she diverted herself by plunking at the register keys, totaling their order.

“That’s gonna be twenty-two dollars, sir.”

Tray reviewed the sum and peeked at the menu board. After a quick calculation of each item, he grimaced. It didn’t add up. “I think you might be missing something,” he offered courteously.

She shook her head and stared at Mikhail. “His is on the house.”

Before he could utter a thing, Mikhail slapped Tray’s back and whooped with hilarity.

“Serves you right, big bro, a bit of chivalry goes a long way.” Mikhail swaggered to the dining area where he ass-planted it in a back booth. His big, soldier-like body took up the space of one bench.

Tray paid the total, tossed the change in a glass tip dish, and leaned against the partition. When their order was up, he grabbed the tray with their plates and sauntered over to join his brother. He set the food down with a hard clank and one of Mikhail’s melon slices fell off with a wet plop. Sliding onto the opposite bench, he scowled at Mikhail and said, “Who do you think you are? Cujo?”

Mikhail’s lips twisted in a paltry attempt to keep his amusement at bay.

Tray drummed his fingers on the tabletop, waiting for a reply. He hated having his back to the room. Even with heightened senses, he preferred to see danger coming at him. It gave him time to calculate his responses, to determine what he would do to the person posing the threat. And, it spared him the heebie-jeebies feeling that was presently crawling along his skin, prickling with gooseflesh. Tray hated the infernal sensation and would never again be caught unawares in any situation.

When he’d fled their village in Abkhazia, some twenty-odd years ago, it was only after several horrible weeks of agony and torture. He hadn’t been spared the suffering. Luckily, while he was trapped, his brothers effectively found a way to evacuate the survivors.

Tray had found them nearly a month later. His physical injuries limited his ability to move speedily. Despite his wounds, his mind was his greatest weakness. The atrocities he witnessed in the scientist’s lab scarred his soul in ways he never thought possible.

Lured by the lovely, Sascha, he’d been blinded by his growing hunger and never noticed her duplicity. She was his blood host, his Adak; he required her vein to sate his need, and her body to give him release. It had been a fulfilling relationship for many, many years. Until the bitch had betrayed him.

Before dawn, on the day of the invasion, she’d convinced him to let her tie his hands behind his back in a mock attempt at seduction. What male wasn’t up for a little bondage now and then? Traian shuddered. The memories of being ambushed from behind made his gut roil. Sascha knew his Híbe, the special talent of manipulating nerve endings, was no good to him as long as they restrained him. He was utterly powerless, like that damned Samson who was deceived by his lover Delilah. Tray had fought with every ounce of his strength but he couldn’t battle the drugs pumped into him. The massive elephant tranquilizer had effectively shut him down. He’d been unconscious through the brunt of the incursion.

And when he finally woke up, he was in hell.

“Those bastard quacks,” Mikhail sneered with a low growl. “It’s been almost three damn decades and your head is still scrambled, Bro.”

Tray realized he’d zoned out, totally ignoring Mikhail and the food sitting there waiting for him to dig in. Lifting his chin, he met his brother’s concerned stare. With an indifferent shrug, he picked up the first half of one sandwich. “Next time, I’ll just toss you on your ass so I can sit where I’m comfortable. That way, I can spare you my little traipse through memory-fucking lane.” 

Christa

 As an author of paranormal romance novels featuring vampires, I have the added delight of writing the sexy biting scenes. While I spend most of the prose imagining the sensual effects of those nips and nibbles, I’ve found that there are biological aspects to incorporate, too.

When my hero is starving and in need of a rich blood source, he isn’t going to play around with benign spots on his female’s body. That, would be foreplay. This nourishment thing is dead-serious business and locating the spot he can sip from, while ensuring his lover receives pleasure, is about strategy and tactics.

 So, over the next few days, let’s examine the places a hungry vamp can feed from and what the body’s physical reaction just might be.

 Today’s bite location is: The Old Stand-by:

Let me sip from you.

Why is the throat where a vampire tends to drink?  It is well known that the neck and throat are full of sensitive erogenous zones. The spots run from the tender flesh below the ear all the way to the shoulder. When a vampire spends time kissing up and down the column the arousal begins to flood the bloodstream, whipping through the jugular vein and the carotid artery. As the fangs scrape across this area pushing with more pressure, touch is intensified. Eventually, the harder the bite the more the nerves will respond. It’s a great all around place for quick and easy access to feed from.

Do you have a favorite place for vampire bites?

Christa

For a fun and sexy holiday read, check out my novel Kissin’ Cops 2: Star Spangled Kiss

Detective Tyler Mason always gets what he wants, until he tries to seduce unattainable social worker, Sophie Perez. Suddenly, everything he thought about women is turned upside down. Now, he will do anything to make her his. Sophie resists her attraction to Tyler. She knows he only wants one thing. However, at a Fourth of July barbeque, she is given a glimpse of the man he truly is.