Author Ambush with Alexandra Ivy

Hello Book Monsters and Literal Addicts! Book Monster Reviews and LITERAL ADDICTION are very pleased to welcome 

Alexandra Ivy back to our sites today.

Alexandra Ivy is the pseudonym of Deborah Raleigh, who is the author of thirty three books and novellas for Kensington Publishing. Writing under the name Alexandra Ivy, Deborah published "When Darkness Comes", the first book of the GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY series in January 2007. She has been an avid reader since she could hold a book in her hands, and has always dreamed of putting her own dreams down on paper.

Let's take a look at Deborah's bio (that was written by her), so we can learn some more about this fantastic author:

"I’m not exactly sure when I fell in love with books.  Probably on my mother’s knee listening to her read Dr. Seuss to me.  I do remember that I was barely old enough to cross the street by myself when I discovered the delights of the local library.  Could anything be more wonderful than spending summer days surrounded by stacks of Nancy Drew mysteries?  Over the years I fell in love with Victoria Holt, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, and J.R.R. Tolkien just to name a few.  I read poetry, essays, biographies, and plays.  In fact, I read anything I could get my hands on." 

"Years later (no, I’m not admitting how many) I’m still an avid reader, and my tastes are still as varied as they were in my youth, which I suppose helps to explain why I enjoy writing regency historicals under the name of Deborah Raleigh, as well as my contemporary paranormals as Alexandra Ivy.   For now that is enough to keep me busy, but who knows what the future might hold!" 

"I do have a few other loves in my life besides reading and writing, the most important being my unbelievably patient husband, David, and my two sons, Chance and Alexander.  Without their constant support and belief in me, I never could have been able to follow my dreams.  They are truly my heroes."

Alexandra is the creator of the incredible GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY series and the recently re-released  IMMORTAL ROGUES series, which was previously published under Deborah Raleigh back in 2003.  Today we are helping promote the release of "My Lord Eternity" which dropped on December 4 and the upcoming release of "My Lord Immortality" which is scheduled to release on December 31, 2012.  In case you are not familiar with this series, we've posted the synopsis below to catch you up to speed….

My Lord Vampire

Book #1 in the Immortal Rogues Series

February 28, 2012
Zebra Publishing

* Please note this is a reprint from the 2003 Historical
Vampire Series written as Deborah Raleigh *

In the first of a mesmerizing trilogy, Alexandra Ivy, author of the Guardians of Eternity series, introduces the Immortal Rogues—three vampires duty-bound to protect their own kind even as they fall prey to mortal desires.

Centuries have passed since Gideon Ravel dwelled among humans. Now he must infiltrate the cream of London society to earn the trust of one woman. Simone, Lady Gilbert, possesses an amulet of unimaginable power, and no concept of the threat that surrounds her. The ton's gossip prepared him for her beauty and wit. But he is blindsided by her barely disguised sensuality and his growing need to possess her. None of the idle aristocrats who vie for Simone's attentions know about her past. To them, she is the sophisticated, worldly widow known as the "Wicked Temptress." The truth would ruin her, and she has never been tempted to reveal it until now. Yet beneath Gideon's bold, black-eyed stare is a hunger that demands satisfaction and complete surrender…and a secret far more dangerous than her own.

My Lord Eternity

Book #2 in the Immortal Rogues Series

December 4, 2012
Zebra Publishing

* Please note this is a reprint from the 2003 Historical
Vampire Series written as Deborah Raleigh *

Alexandra Ivy, author of the Guardians of Eternity series, draws readers deeper into the world of the Immortal Rogues—three vampires entrusted to protect the future of their kind…

To other vampires, mortals are weak, uninteresting creatures. To Lucien Valin, they are infinitely fascinating. Especially Jocelyn Kingly—once the prize of London society, now an outcast. As the vampire assigned to guard her, Lucien is relishing his task. But her beguiling goodness puts her in terrifying danger. Not just from the traitor intent on claiming her mysterious amulet, but from the desire Lucien struggles to keep in check. Youthful infatuation already cost Jocelyn her good name. But even with little to lose, instinct tells her that accepting Lucien as a tenant in her home is a devil’s bargain. As she roams London’s streets at night, helping the most wretched, she feels a dark force drawing near. And Lucien—magnetic, charming, irresistible—may turn out to be her savior, her lover, or the means to change her destiny forever.

My Lord Immortality 

Book #3 in the Immortal Rogues Series 

December 31, 2012

Zebra Publishing 

* Please note this is a reprint from the 2003 Historical

Vampire Series written as Deborah Raleigh *

In this mesmerizing tale from the author of the Guardians of Eternity series, a traitorous vampire is determined to destroy the Veil that has long separated vampires from human blood—and the passions it ignites. Only the Immortal Rogues, three vampires charged to protect their kind, can hope to stop his deadly rampage...

Amelia Hadwell has no time for London's nightlife. Not when her beloved brother’s odd ways have their family threatening to institutionalize him. And not when she is questioning her own sanity after being confronted by a murderous shadow creature—then being saved by a captivating stranger, a man

who belongs to a world she cannot imagine. Reserved and scholarly, Sebastian St. Ives has been content without human desires—until they are reawakened by the delicate, brave Amelia, whom he is meant to protect. For the young woman has no idea she possesses the key to a ravenous vampire’s dark victory. Now Sebastian must shield her from both a killer and his own growing attraction—or bond with her completely, and forever...

They sound great right?  Before you run off to buy them or add them to your TBR list, check out Alexandra's guest post on her tribute to the bad guys….

A tribute to the bad-guy J

It’s easy as a writer to fall in love with our heroes.  Who doesn’t feel a tingle of pleasure when we imagine an elegant, lethally sinful vampire.  Or a raw, barely civilized Were?  But what about the villain?  The hero or the kick-ass heroine needs a worthy adversary, or they end up looking pathetic.  So where do we start with creating a bad-guy who can fill the role?

 First you need to know your villains as well as you know your hero and heroine.  They have to have motive, and backstory.  You want a three dimensional character that evokes an emotional reaction from your reader.  Love, hate, or terror.

Next, they need to be realistic, but not too realistic.  You want the reader to be able to identify with the villain, but this is supposed to a fantasy.  He needs to be bigger, badder, and more terrifying.  A real life thug is annoying, but boring.

Balance the scenes so we get a sense of what’s driving the villain.  You don’t want the villain taking over the book, but we like a sneak-peek into his or her brain to know why they’re doing what they’re doing.

Add a twist.  We don’t want the same bad-guy in every story.  Sure it’s all about good overcoming evil, but the more intriguing the villain the better the story!

The villain can help to reveal something about the hero or heroine.  In some of the very best stories it’s the heroine’s journey to overcome the bad-guy that shows her inner vulnerabilities and allows her to grow as a person.

 And don’t forget that sometimes the best bad-guys can turn out to be the best good-guys in future books!

So let’s give some love to the villain!!  May they bring delicious, wicked temptation to our lives J

To find out more about Alexandra Ivy, you can visit her Website or on Facebook , Twitter and Goodreads.

For a chance to win a book of your choice (from Alexandra Ivy) and some fabulous swag, Just tell Alex who your favorite bad-guy is!

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