Fire Born by Rayanne Haines: Interview & Giveaway

Fire Born

The Guardian Series, Book One

Rayanne Haines

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing

Date of Publication: September 13th, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-68291-511-0

ASIN: B074WFSD7G

Number of pages: 224

Word Count: 70,000.00

Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde

Book Description:

When Alex Taleisin’s immortal DNA kicks in after a fight for her life against something not-quite-human in the YMCA parking lot, her Aunt finally lets her in on the family secret. They’re Immortal – Elementals to be precise. Only, Alex is a little something more, and until they discover what, her life is in danger.

Collum Thronus, Guardian of the Races and savage King of the Dragons has no choice but to protect Alex and find her father’s people. He made a promise and Collum always keeps his promises. Now, he needs to keep his hands of his charge.

Enter an insane grandfather, a shifter with a hidden agenda, and a witch with a shoe addiction and soon Alex is wishing for a quiet house in the hills with the dragon she’s falling for. But a battle is coming and Alex knows the only way to find her answers is to trust her powers and become the warrior she was destined to be.

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/ynTV7nxjUsc

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Excerpt

Alex refused to break eye contact. Something inside clawed at her flesh—reaching for the man in front of her. Her knees buckled as he pressed his face to her neck. She held his shoulders as he lifted her, sat her on the kitchen counter, and stepped between her thighs. The whole time he kept breathing in like he was trying to absorb her. His hands were brands on her skin. One palm stroked her back, the other found its way into her hair.

She pressed her body against his, trying to take on his heat. Her breasts crushed against his chest, and she whimpered in the back of her throat. Things like this didn't happen to her. She usually dated journalists with very un-dragon like qualities or weekend mountain men with annoyingly trendy facial hair. She did not get ravished by drop dead, slam-dunk, gorgeous alpha males, in her aunt’s kitchen.

After this morning’s revelations, she was ready for a bit of sinning. She nipped at his neck. His grip tightened as he growled low and deep. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Alex realized she was ready to have sex with a stranger on her aunt’s kitchen counter, with said aunt in the other room, perhaps even on her way back to this room. Awareness crashed in with a resounding thud.

He stepped back and shoved his hands through his hair in jerky movements before drawing a ragged breath. “I’m sorry. That shouldn't have happened. You’re at a critical point in your transition, and that makes your heat difficult to ignore . . . It will likely get worse as it grows.” His jaw clenched. “I should have been more prepared.”

Alex blinked, her mind jumped from one thought to the next.

“Did your aunt tell you what’s happening?”

“What?” She shook her head. “What the hell? Aunt Quinn!” she yelled, jumping off the counter to back away. Pulling her housecoat tighter around her neck, she snapped, “Are you kidding me? You can't do that. And I’m not sending out heat, asshole!”

He held up his palms in surrender. “I said I'm sorry. We don't have time for this. There are people who will hurt you if they know you’re still alive. I need to get you somewhere safe.”

A panic attack pushed at the edge of her temple. Confused and turned on, she needed a goddamn coffee. She refused to give control of the situation to him. “So, you're some kind of dragon thing? And I'm supposed to go away with you?”

Collum sighed and gritted his teeth. “Yes, something like that. Your enemies will make a move soon. As soon as they find out you live, they'll come after you, and me for my part in it. We hoped your element wouldn’t surface.”

“I'm expected to believe everything Aunt Quinn said was real. Just like that?”

“Yep.” He blew more smoke at her mouth, his gaze intense. “Just like that.”

She stumbled back. “Wait, do you know who my father was?”

“I don’t. But now that you’re transitioning, we need to find out before the elders do. They tend to dislike things more powerful than them. And if I’ve guessed right, you kid, are about to be far more powerful.”

He pulled at a stray thread on her housecoat, right above an old coffee stain. “You need to put some clothes on.” Collum reached for her hand. “We have to go now.”

Alex yanked her hand back. She knew if she let him touch her they'd be on the floor. She didn't know if she trusted him, but she'd learned over time to trust herself. Aunt Quinn hadn't told her enough, but it was enough to know she wanted to find out more. Now she had to figure out why her parents were killed. If sex dragon guy could keep her alive long enough to do that, then she'd go with him. She took a steadying breath. She didn’t usually feel small around men, but this giant dwarfed her. Instead of being frightened, she wished he’d lean down and cover her mouth with his. He grinned like he knew what she was thinking, took her hand in his larger one, and

rested his other on her hip. Alex almost purred with the echo of his heat. She reached to touch the smoke pouring out the strands of his hair. Quinn walked in before she had a chance.

“Honey I have . . . oh.”

Alex wished she could sink into the blue wall paper, but he simply raised his head and

took one step back. He gave his head a slight nod. “Quinn, I presume.”

She responded the same. “Dragon King.”

“You have her things ready to go?”

All business, she handed the bag to him. “Everything is here; passport, extra clothing, all

her necessities.”

“Good. We won't have time to stop. I won't make contact again for a few days, but I

assure you I’ll let nothing happen to her. I promised Kaylen, and I never break a vow.”

Alex interrupted them. “Um, hello. I'm right here you know. How about you both talk to me, instead of over me? Besides, I haven't agreed to go anywhere yet.”

Collum stiffened, and glared at her.

She stomped her foot. “I’m not a child. I’ll make my own decisions, thank you very much.”

He snorted and turned back to Quinn. “Say your goodbyes. I'll be in the car.”

He strolled out of the kitchen like it was any other day of the week—not like her life had been ripped to pieces.

Quinn dropped the bags at her feet and rushed toward her. “I told you he was impatient. You really have no choice, my darling. I swear on my life that we’re telling you the truth. This must happen. You’ll be safe—he can control your fire.”

Quinn handed her a yellow tank top and a pair of sweats. “Now put these on. You can't run for freedom in a Hudson's Bay housecoat. It's undignified.”

“But I haven’t said yes yet. It’s—”

“No, Alex, stop.” Quinn hugged her. “I love you with all my heart. But you have no say in this. You must go now.”

Alex held on to her aunt as tight as she could for a final minute, then stepped away. “I love you too, Quinn.”

Five minutes later they walked out to Collum's vehicle. After a final kiss to her aunt, Alex climbed in the vehicle and looked at her would be savior. “Okay, Dragon Boy. Let's go find out who Daddy is.”

About the Author:

Rayanne Haines is a published poet, romance fiction author, and arts manager.

She writes Paranormal Romance with Kick-Ass Heroines. She believes in magic and legend and all the things we cannot see. Rayanne prefers her alpha males a little gritty and the women who love them, in charge of their own destiny.

Fire Born is the first book of the Guardian Series published by Soul Mate Publishing. Magic Born is available June 2018.

All Author - https://allauthor.com/profile/rhaines/

Website and newsletter sign up - http://www.rayannehaines.com/

Twitter https://twitter.com/inkrayanne

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rayannehaines/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rayanne_haines/

Good reads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36104647-fire-born

Interview 

Please welcome Fire Born author Rayanne Haines to Diane’s Book Blog. 

How long did it take you to write Fire Born?

Fire Born is book one of The Guardian Series. It took me three years to write Fire Born. This is my first novel and I wrote it in between my full-time job as as the director of a literary festival, while writing a poetry novel, and raising my family. But really it took so long because I was learning how to be a better writer while I was writing. I made a lot of mistakes. I wrote five drafts. I would say the final books is almost 80% different than what I started with. Just to give you a sense of my writing now. I wrote book two, Magic Born in seven months and two drafts. I’ll have revisions and edits suggested by my publisher of course but I’ve sent them a much cleaner version than I did with my first book. Magic Born will be out June 2018 or earlier.

If you were stranded on a desert island which of your characters do you want by your side?

This is such a tough question because I love all my characters.

1. Collum. Hello! He’s a dragon so I know I’d be protected no matter what. Also, If I must be deserted with someone It’d be nice to be with someone that gorgeous – lol. Plus – the guy has wings. He could fly us out of there!
2. Alex. I spent so long writing her and I feel like she is a friend at this point. Her personality is tough and loyal. She controls fire so we’d never be cold! I’d want someone like that to have my back in a difficult situation.
3. Mar. I mean C’mon. I totally fell in love with this character. She is hilarious, kind, and a witch! Hungry? She could conjure us up dinner. Cold? With a sweep of her hands we’d be living in a mansion.

If you could be best friends with one of your characters, who would it be?

Alex - Tough as nails. Fierce. Likes good music. Plus, she’s real to me. Someone trying to make it and figure life out. She’s funny too. I think she’d be an awesome friend.

Or Mar – I feel like she’s that crazy girlfriend who’d be up for anything but would also just hang out and watch crappy movies with you all day if you were sick or depressed.

What books have most influenced your life?

So, so many. I grew up reading historical romance by authors like Johanna Lindsay. I’m also very inspired by narrative poetry. I love the sound of words J. Right now, I’m inspired by authors like J.R. Ward, Patricia Briggs and Charlaine Harris.

How do you overcome writer’s block?

I write. I sit at my desk and start writing. Sometimes I’ll go back and forth between prose and poetry. Sometimes what I write will have nothing to do with my current project. The only way to overcome the block is by putting pen to paper. Shit words are still words.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I’m just submitted book two, Magic Born, to my publisher on November 15^th. The book is Mar and Neeren’s story. Here is a very quick excerpt.

  

She must be losing her touch.

Mar opened the make-shift medical office door, only to be swept up into the thunderstorm gaze of Neeren Simine. The Parthen Kings eyes swirled green, black, and yellow. Wicked. Measured. His six-foot four-inch frame exuded cool masculinity. Prowess. Sin. Nonchalance written on every part of his body. He wore tan slacks and a loose white cotton shirt that effortlessly showcased his muscles. His sleeves rolled up above his powerful forearms. His feet were bare. As always.

Show-off.

She'd been on his island for close to two weeks and only managed to ruffle his feathers a couple of times. She usually pissed people off at least twice per conversation, but with this guy? Nothing. It was unnerving not knowing what he felt. Schooled in the art of diplomacy and secrecy, his face betrayed nothing. He was, she thought, opaque. She squinted, hoping to decipher something in his high cheek bones. His square jaw. His thick lower lip.

Neeren grinned at her. His yellow eyes remained aloof. "Do you like what you see?"

She snorted. Refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing he unnerved her. "Dream much?"

"Double entendres this early in the day, Maria?"

Of course, she hadn't meant it that way. Trust him to pick up on subconscious spilling out.

Neeren was half parthen and half water elemental. Parthen were shifters (black panther variation) and dream walkers. A race imbued with the ability to enter others dreams and manipulate them. Once inside a person’s mind, dream became reality. Whatever the parthen wanted to happen—happened. Pain or pleasure. They wielded their gift with exacting precision. Needless to say, most immortals were nervous around them. The jury was out as to whether they were admired or reviled. Depends on who you spoke too.

The elemental race was one of only a few with a natural ability to block parthen from entering their dreams. Because Neeren and his sister Alex were half parthen, they could bypass this natural blocking ability. Those two could do whatever they wanted to any elemental they wanted. Even kill them in their sleep. It's why Alex and Neeren had been hidden their entire lives.

The secret was out now though. To keep peace, they'd both agreed to have their dreamwalking abilities bound against the elemental. Mar was tagged to do the binding.

She leaned her hip against the door and winked at him. "Funny. Bet you think you're pretty clever."

"Hardly. If I was clever, I'd have figured out a way around this." He narrowed his eyes at her. Bared perfect teeth in a sinister grin.

A shiver raced up her spine and slammed into her gut. Goddess he annoyed her. 

She pursed her lips. "It's not going to hurt. I never pegged you for a chicken. Tell me, how many bodyguards are standing guard during this little tet-a-tet?"

"Ah yes, that's it of course. I'm scared." He grinned again. "How perceptive of you."

She hated his grin. How his lower lip curled up slightly. Her jaw clenched. Realizing they were still standing in the doorway, she retreated a step to let him in.

He remained where he was.

"Are you coming in or what?"

"I'd rather not, thank you."

She sighed. "Alex wasn't such a baby about it. Just get in here."

He bowed mockingly. "As you command." 

Giveaway

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