Elias doesn't remember how old he is, or the date he was born. He only remembers two dates. The date he was changed and the date he was cursed. Cursed with a never-ending hunger, which can only be satisfied by the blood of one family. Hers. Sienna is his last chance at redemption. But when dangers from Sienna's past resurfaces, he'll have to choose between breaking the curse and saving Sienna.
Visit Leila Brown's web site
Read an excerpt from Vampire Oracle: Sacrifice
About Leila Brown
I've been an avid reader since the fifth grade. As I aged I read everything I could get my hands on from horror, to mystery and finally stopping in romance.
While in college studying computer programming and electrical engineering, I realized what I wanted to do when I grew up. I wanted to write those stories that entertained me through more nights than I could count. Of course my first attempts were less than remarkable and have been destroyed to protect the innocent. :)
As the years have progressed life kind of took over. I got married, had a son, changed jobs several times. But one thing remained constant -- my desire to write.
Currently, I work a normal 9 to 5 in the IT world. I write during my lunch hour and at home after 9pm when everyone in my house is asleep.
Is it easy?...Yes and No. Coming up with the stories is easy. Getting the words out of my head and onto paper is HARD! But I couldn't live without it!
Backlist:
The Diamond Heartstone
Soundwave's Surrender
A Chance Encounter
Coming soon:
Upcoming books this year --
Mastering Mirage -- Coming in Sept. from Changeling Press
Making Mischief -- Coming in Oct. from Changeling Press
Stealing the Show -- Coming in Nov. from Cobblestone Press
An Interview with Leila Brown
By Holly Hewson for The Romance StudioHH: Leila, thank you for talking with us at TRS. Please tell us about your featured work, Vampire Oracle: Sacrifice. LB: Sacrifice is the story of a woman who has sacrificed all for her country and has come away from the experience less than whole. She finds it hard to trust and impossible to love. And it’s the story of a vampire seduced by pleasure and cursed for his weakness. Each will teach the other how sacrificing what you want the most can heal the pain inside.
HH: This series, released by Cobblestone Press, has been wonderfully received. How did you come to be part of it? LB: I saw the call for submissions and thought that winning from a proposal would be great. So I went ahead and came up with 3 stories. Hunger, Lust, and Tomb. On Aug. 10 while on vacation with you husbands family I got the email. I read it on my cell phone but had to borrow a computer so I could really read it. The publisher liked my idea for the Hunger card but thought it fit the Sacrifice card more. And I must say I agree with her. Sacrifice was the first book I sold but it will be the fifth one released. I have had a crazy year since I first signed that contract.
HH: What made you choose 'Sacrifice'? LB: Wasn’t really a choice. I originally picked the Hunger card for this story. He hungered for one person’s blood. But when you look at the underlying theme. This entire story was about sacrifice.
HH: Your heroine is a woman wounded by too much suffering. Your hero is cursed with an unending thirst for blood - from her family. Where did you get the idea for this incredible tale? LB: I initially thought about what could set this apart from every other vampire story and I came up with the fact that he hungers for blood. But not just any blood. No, only one person’s blood. His backstory and how he became a vampire was used to tie him to the entire Vampire Oracle series. Then I added in the curse because I wanted to show how far he’d come. From being a self centered power drunk vampire with no concern about anyone else to a selfless man searching for redemption.
HH: What do you like best about Elias? LB: His sense of humor.
HH: The vampire genre is immensely popular the last several years. How do you make a vampire story stand out? LB: I tried to make my story a good story. The circumstances surrounding Elias and Sienna are fantastic but their reactions are the same as you or I would react. I tried to make them real so that you could feel their joy and sorrow.
HH: What else can readers look forward to from you? LB: I have Mastering Mirage coming out on Sept. 12th with Changeling Press. It is the sequel to Soundwave’s Surrender. Next up is also with Changeling Press on Oct. 31st. Both will detail what happens when Soundwave’s half-sisters finally find her.
And to finish off the year I have a naughty read coming out from Cobblestone Press. In November look for Stealing the Show. A release in their Wicked line. All I can say is if you like the Thomas Crowne Affair, you will love this book.
HH: What is the biggest challenge for you in being a writer? LB: Finding the time to write. I work a 9-5 job, I am a mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. So finding time to sit by myself and write a hot and steamy book is a real challenge.
HH: Do you feel that being an avid reader makes you a better writer? LB: Definitely, I think you have to read in and outside the romance genre to keep your ideas and writing fresh. Every book I read shapes me as a writer. Some teach me about pacing, others teach me about plot twists and most teach me how to keep a reader hooked. I mean if a book hooks a lady like me, no time for anything, then that book can teach me how to do it to my readers.
HH: What's your favorite way to interact with readers? LB: I love to receive email from readers. You can go on my website www.leilabrown.com and click contact me. There is an inline email form for you to use or you can email me at leilabrown@leilabrown.com.
I also participate in chats, blogs and other special events on the web. If you catch me online then stop by and say hi.
Thanks for having me for a feature interview. I truly enjoyed the questions and hope you readers will enjoy the stories I have out for them to read.
HH: Thank you!
Top
| 
