Today’s Guest is EDEN BRADLEY
Jun
19
2012

A huge thank you to my lovely hostess with the mostest, Lauren, for having me here today to talk about my latest release, FALLEN ANGEL!

In most of the books currently out about fallen angels, the angel is literally a fallen angel, and they’re usually the hero. My version goes something more like this:

Mist swirled around his feet, obscuring the hard-packed sand as Declan Byrne took his morning walk down the rugged beach. The sun was just beginning to rise, a faint amber glow casting the first golden rays of the day, barely touching the cresting waves of the Pacific Ocean. He loved it there, loved to come when it was still nearly dark, picking his way over the craggy rocks, the piles of driftwood and seaweed, the empty sound of the thundering ocean soothing him.

Liam, his enormous black mastiff, trotted beside him, his only company. Declan preferred it that way. He reveled in the loneliness, the isolation of this place. It was a big part of why he’d come back here six years earlier. He’d needed the quiet. He’d needed to heal. Maybe he still did.

Abby…

No, don’t think about her now.

Don’t think about her, period.

He turned instead to the sea, watched as Liam chased the edge of the incoming waves, sniffing, backing away as the water surged onto the sand. This was their daily ritual. How Declan got his head on straight before beginning work, before he had to interact with other people, something he’d been lousy at the last few years. He much preferred his dog, the ocean, the rough and lonely Mendocino coastline, to people.

His work as a forest ranger didn’t require much human contact. This particular job included making sure trails were cleared, keeping order in the campgrounds, the occasional lost hiker, and sometimes training new rangers. But mostly, it was just him and the forest, the lone stretches of beach and rugged cliffs that made up the National Park’s coastline. Probably the biggest reason why he’d taken the job. That, and something about his father having worked in this area as a ranger most of his life, up until he’d retired a couple of years ago.

Following in the old man’s footsteps, no matter how he felt about him. But this place was home to him. His gruff father was home to him, even though they’d barely spoken since his mother died.

Don’t think about that, either.

The sun was coming up fast, warming the damp air as he and Liam climbed over the rocks to the next crescent of sand. Declan stopped and looked out to sea, tracking the rising sun, the surge of the gray and green water, and felt that brief moment of peace he sought each day. He breathed in the sharp salt air, filling his lungs. Watched as a lone gull flew in low over the water on silent wings, skimming the surface beyond the waves. Peace here, yes. He didn’t want to stop to consider why he needed it so desperately.

A hard thump behind him; shocking, how loud it was,how it made the ground shake. Declan spun around, his heart hammering while Liam went off, barking like crazy.

A woman lying on the sand before him. He nearly tripped over her in the half-dark, had to dig his heels into the rocky beach to steady himself. The crashing of the cold surf faded into the background as he tried to grasp what he was seeing. Liam had stopped barking and was sniffing her limp body, his huge black head dwarfing her.

He grabbed for the mastiff’s collar. “Liam, off!”

What the hell?

She was naked, bleeding, one leg caught on the rocks, twisted at an impossible angle. His brain shifted into high gear as he bent over her, adrenalin swamping his veins in a hot, speedy current.

Where the hell had she come from? Must have fallen from the cliffs. He looked up, peering through the pale light, his gaze wandering up the ragged cliff side, but he saw nothing, no one.

“Jesus,” he muttered as he pulled out his cell phone and dialed 911.

As the phone rang his gaze roamed her body, trying to assess the damage in the diffused light of the rising sun. Pale, waving blonde hair down to her knees. There were strange symbols painted all over her: her stomach, her thighs, across her bare breasts. They were lush and round, he couldn’t help but notice, then cursed himself. The woman was half dead, for God’s sake. He leaned in closer, trying to find out if she was breathing. He didn’t want to touch her. No, he wanted to touch her. He didn’t dare.

What the fuck is wrong with you?

There. A small, gasping breath rattling in her chest.

Thank God.

An operator finally answered the phone, and he quickly told the man who he was, gave him details, his location.

He hung up to wait for the rescue team, finally dared to reach out and lay his fingertips on her wrist to check her pulse. Bones like a bird, isn’t that what the saying was? She was so delicate…

She was alive, her breath shallow, but she was taking one after another. There was blood everywhere; he could smell it even over the tangy ocean scent in the air, but beneath the mess he could see a lovely, angelic face. Hard to tell how old she was. Late teens? Early twenties? Closer inspection showed him bits of twigs—herbs, maybe?—and small bones woven into her hair. On her upturned palms were pentagrams painted in red.

Who the fuck would have done something like this?

Liam was standing next to him, over the girl, peering into her face as though he were trying to figure it out, too.

He’d never seen anything like it. He never wanted to again.

He fought back the sense of horror that made bile rise, made his throat want to close up.

So much blood…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The angel is a mysterious woman who seemingly falls from the sky, but what-and who-she is takes some time to unravel. All Declan knows is that he is driven to protect her, as much as he is driven by the intense chemistry his body won’t allow him to ignore, no matter how sternly he lectures himself about injured women and the inappropriateness of an erection.

Oh yes, this is a dirty book. Dirty and intense and lushly romantic in a way I didn’t quite expect while I was writing it. But my characters took me there. I fancy myself as the boss, but alas, it’s never true. My characters always run the show, and they know it. And in this case, no one knows it more than the demon Asmodeus. But I can’t say any more about him or I’d spoil the story…

Suffice it to say that this book will probably have some surprises in store for you—it did for me. I hope you enjoy the surprises as much as I did.

And by the way, Asmodeus sends a scorching hot, charcoal-scented kiss to you all. Don’t mind the blue flames…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CONTEST! It’s not a celebration without some prizes! Today I’m offering up 2 prize packages, one each for two lucky winners!

Prize package #1:.E-copies of my books THE SEEKING KISS and BLOODSONG, Books One and Two in my Midnight Playground vampire series.

Prize Package #2: A PDF copy of my BDSM novel PLEASURE’S EDGE, written under my alternate pen name, Eve Berlin, plus an e-copy of WINTER SOLSTICE, Book One in my Celestial Seductions series.

To enter, just comment here and tell me how you feel about angels and demons as heroes. Do you prefer your hero as a demon, with all their wicked intentions? Or do you prefer him to be an angel who’s lost his way? And as a side note, just for fun, do you think you’re more demon or angel yourself? I’ll choose and announce the winners right here in the comments section tomorrow night!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You can buy FALLEN ANGEL now at Amazon B&N Chapters.ca Books-A-Million IndieBound Powell’s Books and other retailers, in print or e-book!

I hope you’ll drop by my websites EdenBradley.com EveBerlin.com or my group blog Smutketeers.com to check out my books and chat with me.

Eden/Eve 🙂

30 comments to “Today’s Guest is EDEN BRADLEY”

  1. IP
    June 19th, 2012 at 7:00 am · Link

    I can’t deny that I would like to be an angel, but I have to admit that I feel utterly tempted by demons! It’s probably that old, old story : “good” girl falls for the bad, bad boy – simply because she thinks he is more fun and perhaps she hopes she can rescue him! Even if it doesn’t work, it’s fun to read about it – and it’s one of the reasons why combining angels and demons is a sure-fire recipe for success 🙂



  2. Aurore
    June 19th, 2012 at 8:18 am · Link

    Great post! I can’t wait to know who Asmodeus is! I love angels and demons. Do I really have to chose between them? I mean, a wicked demon or an angel who’s lost his way, is it even possible to choose?
    I would love to be an angel, a real one that is, just to have beautiful wings! Well, in real life, I’m not really an angel but not a demon either. I prefer reading about them than being one. 😉



  3. Eden Bradley-Eve Berlin
    June 19th, 2012 at 9:11 am · Link

    I do love a bad boy, myself, so I’m with ya! And I’m no angel-or a demon, either, but a mix of both. I think that’s probably true of most of us. 🙂
    Eden



  4. Amanda B
    June 19th, 2012 at 9:22 am · Link

    I like a little bit a mix of both. I know angels are all good, but man what a good time you could have with a demon. Oh all the gray area a girl could have fun in. I can’t wait to read this 🙂



  5. saibra crafferty
    June 19th, 2012 at 10:41 am · Link

    I like a demon who falls with so much passion it terrifies him, much more then an angel.. goody goods just don’t do it for me 😉 so i guess that makes me not an angel myself 😉 .. and this book looks like it is going to be an amazing read 🙂



  6. JLH
    June 19th, 2012 at 10:51 am · Link

    Great book excerpt. I’ve loved every one of your books. I, too, love the bad boys. Can’t resist them and never have been able to. I don’t think I could be classified as either an angel or a demon. I guess I’m a little of both.



  7. Christine Ashworth
    June 19th, 2012 at 11:10 am · Link

    Wow, Eden – what an amazing story! I’m off to buy it…congrats on your release!



  8. Viki S.
    June 19th, 2012 at 12:28 pm · Link

    Congratulations!
    I love both angels and demons as heroes. The bits of bad boy in the demons is fun ;). I try to be an angel but we all know better. Thank you.



  9. SheriV
    June 19th, 2012 at 12:49 pm · Link

    Recently there have been more angel series and I find myself enjoying them though I’ll always have a soft spot for the bad boy demons.:)



  10. Eden Bradley-Eve Berlin
    June 19th, 2012 at 1:28 pm · Link

    Amanda-love your comment about all the gray areas. *G*
    Thanks so much for stopping by, everyone!



  11. Blanche
    June 19th, 2012 at 1:31 pm · Link

    Great excerpt!! Angels or demons, how about a little of both in a hero! A bad boy who has a sweet side to him as well? I like that! As for me, I think I’m more of an angel but if you ask my hubby he would probably tell you differently! 🙂



  12. Kaylyn D
    June 19th, 2012 at 1:55 pm · Link

    I like angel and demon stories. I like demons more. I think it is that bad boy thing. hehe plus they never seem to be as bad as people want them to be.



  13. Melanie J.
    June 19th, 2012 at 2:13 pm · Link

    I love both, but lean more towards demon. There is nothing hotter than a bad boy with a bid of good in him.



  14. Eden Bradley-Eve Berlin
    June 19th, 2012 at 2:41 pm · Link

    The bad boys are taking the votes! I guess we all love a bit of wicked in our men. 🙂



  15. Diane
    June 19th, 2012 at 4:22 pm · Link

    Choosing between fallen angels or those bad boy demons? Oh no, not me, I like them all. 🙂



  16. Melissa P.
    June 19th, 2012 at 4:26 pm · Link

    Congratulations on the book!

    I definitely want to demon and his wicked ways 😉 but with redeeming qualities. I myself would be a mixture of both depending on the person I am with.



  17. Angie
    June 19th, 2012 at 6:14 pm · Link

    So I have to say both even though it might seem like. Cop out. With a demon you get to enjoy them being bad and the fun that comes with them. With an Nigel who lost their way ou get to see someone who is basically good but who my like to walk on the wild side a little too much. Both keep me coming back foe more!

    I like to think of myself as an angel who likes to walk on the other side once in awhile. I really buoyed the snippet here and can’t wait to read more.



  18. Pamiam
    June 19th, 2012 at 6:46 pm · Link

    My hero can be an angel or a demon although I’m sure the demon would be much more fun 😈 . I guess it depends on how angelic the other is…….could be fun bringing out the demon in him.



  19. Eden Bradley-Eve Berlin
    June 19th, 2012 at 7:02 pm · Link

    So…even if it’s an angel you all want to see their devilish side, it seems. My thoughts exactly!



  20. bn100
    June 19th, 2012 at 7:55 pm · Link

    I like angels and demons as heroes, preferably a fallen angel.



  21. becky jean
    June 19th, 2012 at 9:45 pm · Link

    I think demons are more attractive because they usually have to overcome more obstacles to love someone! Thanks for the great contest!



  22. Dee J.
    June 19th, 2012 at 11:09 pm · Link

    Eden,

    Congrats on the new release! This answer is a no-brainer for me.I have to go with the Angels. I’m too chicken to go with the devils. I hate getting into trouble. LOL. (I was always the goody-two shoes so I have to go with the Angel. I guess I’m still a goody-two shoes!)



  23. June M.
    June 19th, 2012 at 11:18 pm · Link

    I love stories about angels & demons. I have to say that I am more partial to the demon hero, they tend to know more naughty ways to keep a girl happy, lol.
    I think we are all generally a mixture of the two. I would probably be more like a angel these days (darn-it, lol)



  24. ELF
    June 20th, 2012 at 1:16 am · Link

    I like angels who have lost their way. I *try* to be more of an angel than a demon but there are some days….



  25. Eden Bradley-Eve Berlin
    June 20th, 2012 at 8:52 am · Link

    LOL, Elf! Me, too. *G*

    Going to announce the winner in a few minutes-just waking up and having my tea-back in a few!



  26. Eden Bradley-Eve Berlin
    June 20th, 2012 at 8:55 am · Link

    Akk-really not awake yet! I’ll announce the winner tonight-it’ll give a few more people a chance to enter. 🙂



  27. Karen
    June 20th, 2012 at 9:21 am · Link

    Hi Eden,
    Any idea when this will be available in epub format? So ready to read this! (Even more ready to read Temptation’s Edge but I promised myself I would. not. whine. about the August release date when it’s ONLY June, for god’s sake! You’re killing me here. 😉 )
    As for angels vs. demons, when you shake their core perceptions of self into little pieces then put ’em back together again, it really doesn’t matter what they were – lol.
    Karen



  28. Eden Bradley-Eve Berlin
    June 20th, 2012 at 6:56 pm · Link

    Karen-I’m not sure-can you tell me which e-reader that’s for? I’m so bad about remembering this stuff!



  29. Eden Bradley-Eve Berlin
    June 20th, 2012 at 7:00 pm · Link

    Time to announce the winner of my two prize packages!
    The Winner of Prize Package #1, which includes E-copies of my books THE SEEKING KISS and BLOODSONG, Books One and Two in my Midnight Playground vampire series is: Aurore!

    The winner of prize package #2, which includes A PDF copy of my BDSM novel PLEASURE’S EDGE, written under my alternate pen name, Eve Berlin, plus an e-copy of WINTER SOLSTICE, Book One in my Celestial Seductions series is: becky jean!

    Congrats Aurore & becky jean! Please email me at: eden_bradley@yahoo.com with ‘Lauren Dane’s blog winner’ in the subject line, and I’ll get your prizes to you ASAP!
    Thanks so much to everyone for coming by! And thanks to Lauren for hosting me!
    Eden/Eve 🙂



  30. Karen
    June 20th, 2012 at 7:06 pm · Link

    Oops! Sorry – I have a Kobo reader. Should mentioned that in my earlier post.