Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa…the holidays are always filled with so much joy and spirit and…food and presents and… well, all those things we have to be grateful for, and also all those things we might need to give up come the new year. (What? I have to give up cookies if I want to fit in that new outfit I got? I’m going to cry.) So today, in the spirit of sharing (our pain), Elisabeth Staab and I are sitting down with some of our favorite characters from our novels and talking about the dreaded New Year’s resolutions. We knew if we didn’t get them together they wouldn’t do it otherwise, so today their pain is your gain (in entertainment). Enjoy!
“I don’t know what we’re doing here,” Roland grumbles, shuffling impatiently back and forth across the rug, creating little piles of wool that kick up around his thick-soled boots as he paces Logan’s living room.
“Roland, will you stop drawing attention to my need to vacuum?” Jessica snaps in exasperation.
Roland glances down, grunts, and sits beside Karissa on the loveseat his knee bouncing a mile a minute.
“Really, Roland.” Karissa firmly places her hand on his knee.
“This is a waste of time,” he says. “I don’t need changing so why do I have to come up with some stupid resolution?”
“You don’t need changing?” Valin laughs from where he leans against the doorjamb, shaking his head. “Whatever, fangs.”
Roland’s eyes narrow. “I am sitting beside my mate tonight. If that’s not evidence that I’m doing something right, then tell me what else is?”
Valin’s face darkens as he turns to Logan who has been sitting quietly beside his mate. “What do you think, pretty boy, this brother is the perfect example of what our brethren should be?”
Logan hesitates, his mouth thinning a bit. “Well, it would be nice if he was a bit more careful about hiding his talents.”
“Hiding my talents?’ Roland erupts. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t worry, Roland, I like your…uh… talents,” Karissa wiggles her brow.
Logan shakes his head, his focus returning to Valin. “What I really need is for all of you to stop pulling stupid stunts that risk exposure.”
“All of us?” Valin lifts his brow.
“I have it from a good source that you exposed your gift to a human last summer.”
Valin shakes his head. “Um, not ringing a bell.”
“Um…” Karissa lifts her hand, catching Valin’s attention. “Outside Haven that first night. The man on the street?”
“You mean the bum?” he asks.
She nods.
“No one would believe him anyway.”
“You could still try,” Logan grumbles.
“I could kick your collective asses too.”
“I know,” Roland puts in. “Maybe you could stop being such an ass while you’re hypothesizing impossible things.”
Valin’s brow puzzles with confusion. “Why?”
“Because it’s damn annoying that’s why,” Roland grumbles.
“Maybe to you.”
“Not just him, remember the time in the car?” Logan says.
Valin blinks.
“Tes,” Logan gestures to the nearby bookshelf, “remind him please.”
Tes Hilaire grabs up a copy of Deliver Me from Darkness, opening it to page 263…
“Crap. We have company,” Logan said from the front seat, punctuating the announcement with another string of curses.
Roland scooted closer to the folded down opening. “Merker? Demons?” Like him, the vamps would have had to take cover during the day. Even Christos would be reduced to hiding in shadow under the bright afternoon sun.
“No. Valin. He’s following us.”
Crap was right. “Windows rolled up, right?”
“I don’t think that—” even as Logan said it a fine dusting of particles sifted through the air vents of the car, settling into the passenger seat. The dark particles solidified until Valin sat there, casually picking something—dried blood?—out from under his fingernails.
Roland couldn’t stop the rumble that rose in his throat. Where this particular Paladin was concerned, he was far from unbiased. They had a history to begin with and that was before Valin had tried to mark his woman. Nope. Roland’s feelings for the bastard weren’t exactly stable.
“What, Logan, did you get a dog?” Valin asked.
“Go away, Valin,” Logan commanded dispassionately.
Valin twisted around in the seat, smiling back at Roland. A false smile. “Hey there, Roland. You look surprisingly good for someone who’s supposed to be dead. Though, maybe a little pinkish. Too much sun?”
“Fuck you.”
Valin chuckled, turning back around in the seat. “Westward on.” He clucked his tongue. “Hmm. You guys were acting like blind mice running round in a maze there for a while. Now you’re not.” He cocked his head, tapping his lips as if in thought.
“Gee, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you must have a way to track her. Like some sort of bond, a blood bond maybe…Did your dog bite her, Logan?”
“Valin…” Logan warned, but Valin ignored him.
“Talk about reaching above one’s station.”
Valin rolls his eyes, snapping the book Tes is holding shut. “Oh, come on. I helped you out that day.”
“But I almost killed you first,” Roland reminded.
Valin scoofs. “As if you could have, besides, the readers love me just the way I am,” he adds the last with a smug smile directed at Logan.
Logan looks towards the ceiling before training his gaze on Tes. “Will you help us out here?”
Tes lifts and drops her shoulders, looking chagrined. “They do love him.”
Logan throws his hands up, turning to Elisabeth Staab. “Do you have these kinds of problems with your people?”
“Well…” Elisabeth looks over at her hero and heroine from Prince of Power as an awkward hush falls over the room…
“What?” Tyra’s eyes go wide.
Anton doesn’t buy it. He tips his head to the side. “Don’t play clueless, Ty. We may not be able to read emotions like you, but even that sofa your ass is planted on can tell you’re avoiding the question.” He clicks his tongue, playfully. It is then that we all see the sparkle in his eye when he looks at his mate. “Shame, Tyra. Shame.”
She puts her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes right back. “I don’t need to resolve anything.”
“Oh really?” Anton laughs, low and husky, slipping an arm around his perturbed, half-vampire warrior. The expression on her face suggests she just might set him on fire. He ignores the look–he’s seen it all before–and holds up a finger like he’s ready to tick off points: “Let go of lingering father issues,” he suggests. “How’s that for a resolution?”
“Excuse me? You must be joking.” She jabs a finger into one firm pec. “You’re the one with daddy issues.”
…Was he suggesting what it sounded like? Tyra wondered at the way his jaw squared. The clench of his fingers and the glint of fire in his steely, narrowed eyes. “You’d really do that? You’d help kill your own father?”
With another step forward, Anton pulled aside the collar of his shirt. He stretched it wide to reveal an angry scar across his collarbone that had only recently healed over. “Tortured and cast out. Remember, Tyra?” His voice was a rough whisper. “My father did this….”
Anton scowls and crosses his arm over his chest. “My father was the greatest evil to walk the earth. I am entitled to ‘daddy issues’.” he says with air quotes. “ A quiet snort. “Besides. My issues saved your life, honey.”
“Of course, darling. But there’s that anger thing, that makes you get all hot and turn red.” Tyra points again, eyebrows raised. Look, you’re doing it now.”
Anton draws a deep breath and his sizzling skin returns to its normal golden bronze. “I suppose I could work on my anger.” He slides one hand along her jaw. And I will. If you promise to work on that nasty little habit of listening in on my emotions without permission…”
…”I’m sorry that I questioned you before.”
He lifted his head. “We’re going to have to set ground rules about you eavesdropping on my feelings.”
Her smile was sleepy. “I wasn’t. I know I didn’t respond the right way before.”
His eyebrows drew together. Something about the expression on her face was slightly guilty.
She rolled her eyes. “Okay, earlier I was, and I could tell that I hurt you, and I’m sorry.” She bit her lips a little…
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Tes Hilaire’s idea of a perfect vacation would include her porch on a sultry summer night, a good glass of rich, red wine, and a book about darkness, passion, torture and love. Her first novel in the Paladin warriors series Deliver Me from Darkness is available now. The next, Deliver Me from Temptation, releases in December. For more, visit TesHilaire.com. |  |
| Elisabeth Staab still lives with her nose in a book and at least one foot in a fantasy world. Her bestselling paranormal romance novel, King of Darkness, is available now. Her second book, Prince of Power, releases in January. Find out more at ElisabethStaab.com | ||
What’s your favorite New Year’s resolution? Tes and Elisabeth are each giving away a copy of Deliver Me from Temptation and Prince of Power. Let us know for your chance to win.
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About the Blogger
I review Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance books with a focus all things werewolf. Based out of Ottawa, Canada
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
Loved it! Now if we could only get Lee & Valin together… that would be fun to watch 🙂
Favorite New Year’s Resolution? I would have to say my resolution to spend more time with my family. I went through a term of severe depression at one time, and lost sight of what truly mattered. I lost myself in books games anything to take me out of my real world. Until I decided that wasn’t fair to my kids or my husband.
So while I still read all the time, now I choose books once a week or month depending on the length and read with my oldest daughter. I choose a new game to play with my middle daughter, and with my youngest we pick a new craft to make together. My husband and I have atleast one night a month just to ourselves. Then we have one night a week for all of us to pick an activity.
I love the changes it made! Honestly I think that is the only New Year’s Resolution I ever kept lol
I never seem to keep my New Year’s resolutions but I think I will just try to be a better person, friend, and mother! I love the books and the authors! Thanks for the chance to win!!
I agree, Michelle! I’m wondering how much blood would be drawn though… 😉 @Michelle
Penni, That’s a great Resolution! In our busy world sometimes it’s so easy to lose sight of what matters most!
Favorite New Year’s resolution? You know, the usual lose weight, exercise more, eat healthy. But I always add one – to simplify my life, to get rid of the junk we’ve amassed, and to clean up one room a month. Wish me luck.
hmm – since i quit smoking – put on some weight –
gouing with lose weight
would LOVE to win & read! PICK ME!
Elizabeth – I think that’s something that all us moms out there can agree on 🙂 thanks so much for stopping in! @Elizabeth H.
Mine is to lose some weight.
Oh my! That’s quite a list… especially the last! I bet you can do it though and when you succeed in cleaning/organizing all your stuff, do you wanna come do mine? 😀 Best of luck! @ahz1
Oh… losing weight especially after having quite another vice is ultra hard. All the best of luck to you!@PM350
Mine is to lose weight.
@Susan
Mine is to lose weight too! Get in better shape. Writers are so sedentary. I would bet that’s the resolution for lots of people. 🙂
@Tore
Fingers crossed for you!
Mine is to lose weight and excercise more. I think I do this one every year. I do real good in the beginning but then go back to my same bad habits of eating junk.
I think we need to make a pact! All the peeps resolving to lose weight need to bug each other daily to get out and get moving 😉 Thanks for sharing! @Chrisbails
I stopped making resolutions in my early 20’s when I realized I’d never keep them ;). Now I just try to life a good honest life. Thank you.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
@Victoria
I like that plan!
I don’t make New Year resolutions. Nothing to break then.
Mary – That sounds like a smart plan 🙂 Maybe I’ll try that this year! LOL! @Mary Preston
I never seem to stick with mine, no matter how hard I try. I usually say that I will eat better and exercise
I am a mom of 4 so resolutions and me do not get along. So this year I will stick with what I know I can actually do. I will try hard not to go crazy when my teens do something that drives me nuts. And I will read more books.
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. But the main thing I always strive for is to be kind.
I don’t make resolutions. I have broken too many. However, this year I am trying to get my books organized. Not enough space left in the house!
@janette
Reading more books is ALWAYS a good resolution!
@sheryl
Maybe this year we should all pick easy ones we KNOW we can stick with. Take more naps, maybe. Get more pedicures. Buy more shoes. I could probably pull one of those off!
Well like a lot of other people I want to lose weight but am not setting that as my resolution this year. This time my bestie and I are making our resolutions a combined effort. We are going to try to get a book club going in our area. This way we will both hopefully have a resolution that doesn’t get broken. =)
@Leni
I absolutely love the idea of striving to be kind. I strive for that myself, and work to teach it to my children.
@Liz S.
Oh, noes. What a daunting task. I wish you luck in your organizing!
I want to try and be more positive in my everyday life.
@Holly
Holly, that sounds great! Everything is better with friends. I wish both of you good luck!
I always knew you were brilliant, Elisabeth! Good suggestions 😀 @Elisabeth Staab
Sandra, I think I could benefit from that one too! It seemed like this month was an avalanche of to-do’s and I had to keep my outlook positive just not to get crushed! Exhausting, I tell you 😉 Thanks for stopping in! @Sandra Dillon
These all sound fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing! Ummm… read more?! 🙂
@Sandra Dillon
I want to do that too, that’s an awesome resolution.
@Michelle
LOL! I agree. Sounds sexy…but dangerous.
Excellent resolution, Erin! I think we’re all on board with that 😀 @erin
To get healthier!
yes! getting and staying healthy is vitally important! Great resolution 🙂 @*yadkny*
My new years resolution is always to lose those extra pounds. So it’s my fav, i guess. lol.
My favourite New Year’s resolution is to help out in my community at least 3 times a year. I love volunteering and helping people out and getting to meet new people, so I made it my resolution to do it every year! 😀
It’s so great to meet you two here virtually! My favorite Resolution is to always pay it forward :). One I make each year. Thank you so much.
My favorite New Year’s resolution is to read more books. It’s a hard one to keep because I’m pretty busy, but oh so fun to try.
To lose weight. Does it count when I lose 5 pounds after putting on 6? :p
My favorite is not giving one, =) the big things in life is decided all around the year, and at New Years, you´re probably (hopefully) slurred enough that no one hears what you´re saying, and you won´t remember it the day after. =)
Thanks for the giveaway & Happy Holidays!
//Linda
I’ve long since stopped bothering with new years resolutions. They only ever lasted about a week! I used to try and give up smoking but then I gave up anyway one summer about 5 years ago 🙂
My favorite New Year’s resolution is probably to read more books, because that’s the only one I can ever find a way to stick with.
Why to read more books of course. I read 245 this year..so i need to up that goal!
Lol, the usual of course..well for most. Stop smoking or cut down at least, get in shape & lose a few pounds!
cguidroz2@cox.net
Lot’s of great resolutions up there! Losing weight, being a better person… but I must say my favorite one is reading more books! I want to join the ranks on that one 😀 Thank you all so much for stopping in and sharing!
would LOVE to win & read! PICK ME!!
looking forward to your world!
PicardsMom at yahoo dot com
I think loosing weight. I try to keep it every year
My favourite resolution for this year is to go to yoga on a regular basis. Fingers crossed!
Happy holidays, all!
I quit smoking last year, so I guess this year it’s time to follow through on the better diet and more exercise!
Happy Holidays & thanks for the amazing giveaway!
elizabeth @ bookattict . com
I dont make official ones as I wont keep them, too much pressure. But I have long running goals the main one is to eat right.