Please welcome @LaynaPimentel with her debut release, A Gift From Fate #fantasy #eroticromance

Please welcome, Layna Pimentel to my blog today. She is not only my critique partner, she is an awesome friend, and this past week has been super exciting for her.

Welcome, Layna! It’s such a pleasure to have you on my blog to celebrate your debut release. Tell us about A Gift From Fate. 

LP: Thank you for having me Jessica. It’s always a blast in coming here. Here’s the blurb from A Gift From Fate:

After colliding with a stunning vision in white, retired Staff Sergeant Brent Daniels offers to drive the beautiful stranger to a hotel for the night, but instead discovers he’s with one very lost creature. He’s bewitched by her sinful curves, her dark and mesmerizing eyes, and the pull at his soul with each minute passing. Nevertheless, he can’t shake the feeling she’s hiding something.

Melpomene, daughter of Zeus, finds her handsome rescuer resembles the man who has continuously haunted her dreams. Before long, she’s in his arms, wanting more. Knowing their days are numbered, desperation leads her to reach out for help by an unlikely ally.

Just how far will these two lovers go, and what will they sacrifice to be together?

Oh, how far will they go? *grins* Describe Melpomene in three words.

LP: Sexy, Ethereal, Passionate.

What traits does Brent posses that makes Melpomene swoon?

LP: He’s hot for one, and his confidence is what makes him a keeper.

My kind of hero! What was your inspiration for this story?

LP: I wanted to write a story about a mythological character that we don’t here often of, and when you have the Muse of Tragedy saying pick me! How could I refuse?

Who is your favorite character from this book? Can you include an excerpt involving this character?

LP: Both my main characters are my favorites, but I’ll certainly indulge everyone with a scene from Melpomene’s point of view:

Atropos, the Fate who severed the Thread of Life, forced her thoughts upon Melpomene. For the love of Zeus, child, why do you trespass into our domain?

A chill enveloped her, compelling her to a halt only a few feet away from the crone.

“Leave her be, sister.”

The same flutter of air from her chamber whirled around the spot she stood frozen. With a flowing white gown and a crown of dark curls held in place by laurels, Clotho embodied motherhood, nurturing when required. Nevertheless, her primary role of determining the length of one’s lifespan remained in the back of Melpomene’s mind.

“You’ve come. You seek. Your dream is a prophecy of what is to come. Do you truly wish to foresee what your future holds, Melpomene?”

Words escaped Melpomene, leaving her unsure of how to proceed. In her peripheral vision, she caught them surrounding her.

“Trapped between both worlds,” Clotho said woefully.

“His time has long since passed,” Atropos chided.

“But your passion will be both a beginning and an end,” Lachesis added.

What on Mt. Olympus are they talking about?

Overwhelmed and uncertain of their meaning, Melpomene attempted to sidestep and couldn’t as the Moirai closed in.

“You have but three days to experience and let go. Be sure to comprehend that the mortal is nothing but a conflict of interest. He has no place in our world, nor you in his. However, there may be an opportunity to leave this life and start another.”

“Wait. Three days to experience what?” she stammered.

All three Fates assumed their positions by Atropos’ spindle of life as Clotho whispered, “This is my gift to you, daughter of Zeus. But heed our warning. Should you speak your name, you can be assured there are those who will hear it on Mt. Olympus. Tis known, no daughter of Zeus should ever consummate with a mortal without his blessing. Tis known, Zeus shows no mercy to those who defy him. God or mortal, if you are discovered, you will be punished severely.”

Great excerpt! How long have you been writing with the hopes of publication?

LP: I’ve been writing seriously since 2009. It’s been a long road, but so worth the wait.

What genres do you write in, and what appeals to you about those genres?

LP: I write paranormal, historical and erotic romances. I’ve always been drawn to the supernatural and I’m very fond of reading sweet and sexy romance novels. So why not write what I know, right?

True! What other titles do you have published? 

LP: I have another paranormal erotic romance slated to come out in April with Secret Cravings Publishing. Hardened Desire focuses on Luc Mercier, who is a gargoyle more than a few centuries old. He falls deeply in love with a mortal, after swearing off love back in 1918.

I loved that story! What are you working on now?

LP: I’m working on the second book in my Pleasure Garden Follies series.

Where do your best ideas come from?

LP: Most of my ideas come from music, and historical documentaries, as odd as it may sound.

Hey, I think ideas can come for anywhere. What is the best piece of advice you would give to aspiring authors?

LP: Never give up. It’s a long road with many bumps. The struggle makes you appreciate the process even more, and you meet wonderful people who help you along the way.

Great advice! Where can my readers find you?

LP: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Google+

Where can my readers find your books?

LP: www.secretcravingspublishing.com

Thank you for dropping by, Layna! I wish you many sales with your new release, and I look forward to more great stories from you.

And here’s another excerpt!

“My name is Melp—Mel Pomene.” She’d nearly given herself away. Zeus, her father, would have heard had she whispered her name. Her father. Heavens, he’d turn the mortal realm upside down if he suspected she was here. And right now, she desired nothing more than to stay a little longer. With any lucky, I’ll return before he notices.

“Well, Mel, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Your last name is rather unusual. I assume you’re not from these parts?”

His question silenced any thoughts drifting through her mind at that moment. A new kind of tension rose within her. She couldn’t disclose her origins or who she was. Guilt settled in her stomach for leaving her sisters behind, but she wasn’t given a choice. The Fates dropped her here, only mentioning an experience for three days…provided Zeus didn’t find out. Only the Gods knew what he’d do if he found her cavorting around without a proper escort.

“Earth to Mel? Are you all right?”

“Yes, I am. I’m just thinking of home, which is Greece. I’ve come to the United States for an adventure, it would seem.”

He chuckled before she’d finished speaking.

“What is so amusing?”

“The mere mention of seeking adventure after getting lost is rather comical, nothing else, sweetheart.” He removed his right hand from the wheel and petted her knee. The warmth of his hand stirred an unfamiliar emotion within. This was the man from her dream. Those hands had touched parts of her body no mortal would have dared, and here she sat, wishing he’d do more than pat her.

She jumped as a smack of thunder echoed through the truck. Rain pounded on the roof, making the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. The sound grated on her nerves, but she was ever so grateful to be in the vehicle with him.

He appeared agitated with each crack of lightning. She noticed his knuckles blanching against the black wheel, so strong was his grip. Melpomene glared out the windshield. Clouds darkened as if night descended upon them, only missing the stars, and trees whipped violently in the wind. Terror gripped her.

“Looks like we’re going to have to pull over, Mel. I can’t see where we’re going, and the roads are slick. Anything can happen out here. We’ll be safer this way.”

Melpomene pursed her lips together. She sensed he meant well. One of her many talents as a goddess was the ability to hear one’s inner thoughts. While she disliked using the ability, tonight it proved beneficial. “How long do you think the storm will last?”

“I’m not sure, sugar.” He yawned and stretched his arms behind him.

Dark circles etched his eyes as he fought a second yawn. Melpomene unbuckled the seatbelt and slid closer to him. The urge to touch him and run her fingers down his face was unprecedented. He blinked with shock but sat there motionless while she stroked his brow. Who’d have thought, underneath that rough exterior, you’d be honorable.

She wanted to wrap herself in his arms, possess his mouth. An urgency to become lost in his affections and attention ruled every cell in her being. “When was the last time you slept, Brent?”

“Yesterday, for two hours.”

She shook her head. “No. I mean, an uninterrupted, dreamless slumber, leaving you refreshed.” Her voice softened to a whisper.

“Not since before my last tour. Give or take fourteen months ago.”

“Brent, you need your rest. One cannot function with only two hours of sleep. Please, close your eyes for a bit. An extra hour or so won’t make a difference.”

A long and shaky yawn escaped his lips, when he whispered groggily, “How does someone as young as you come across so doting and motherly?”

Now there was a thought. He had mistaken her youthful look for an inexperienced young lady—mortal. Brent couldn’t have been more wrong, but they’d sort out the misconception soon enough.

“I can assure you, Brent, I am most certainly not young by any means.”

Before he could argue, she pressed a finger to his lips. “Sleep.”

 Available From:

www.secretcravingspublishing.com 

About the author:

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Layna discovered her love of reading at an early age. When she isn’t devouring salacious romance novels or writing, she enjoys losing herself in researching ancient history and mythology, weaponry, and hiking. She lives in Northern Ontario, with her husband and two daughters.

Layna is a member of the Romance Writers of America, and is a monthly contributor at 69 Shades of Smut. For updates on her upcoming releases, or to leave her a comment, you can find her at:

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