Blood and Guitars Blog Tour: Excerpt & Giveaway

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Blood and Guitars (Book One, Blood and Guitars) 
By Heather Jensen
Genre: Paranormal romance
Format: Paperback (358 pages) and ebook
Publisher: Createspace (August 17, 2011)

Blurb: When Aurora meets Trey, a famous singer and musician, she’s only hoping to get her fill of human blood for the week. The last thing Aurora expects is for Trey to make her feel alive for the first time since she was, well, alive.

It begins with a casual painting lesson at her art studio, The Waking Moon, and quickly turns into a forbidden romance. Aurora is forced to hide her true identity from Trey, while keeping her relationship with the human a secret from other vampires in her Brood. Trey’s band is recording a new album and with Aurora as his muse, Trey is writing songs like never before.

After being hired by their record label to paint the album cover, Aurora has a legitimate reason for spending so much time with Trey and his band mates. Aurora can’t deny the unexpected connection she has with Trey, which is fueled by glimpses into his emotions every time they share a kiss.

Caught between two worlds, Aurora must attend celebrity award shows and vampire rituals, find time to feed, and protect Trey from the dangers of the night, all while preserving her secrets.

Purchase links: Amazon | Smashwords

An excerpt from Blood and Guitars:

The clock on the wall in the loft of The Waking Moon read ten after midnight. I was standing at the easel, a brush in my hand, while Trey worked out a new song on his acoustic guitar. He sat on the floor with his back against the half-wall while his voice echoed around the loft.

“I lie awake 

These sleepless nights can last forever 

I try to take you in. 

“I can’t believe … 

You’re in my arms- and here with me 

I pinch myself again. 

“Cause I know … it’s worth it 

You’re worth- whatever it takes 

To make you stay. 

“And I’ll show … you over and over 

Every day- as long as you’ll stay 

With me….” 

I’d been painting him for half an hour, although of course, he had no idea that’s what I was doing. He just looked so incredible sitting there barefoot in his jeans and t-shirt, cradling his guitar, that I couldn’t help myself. The song was getting to me, too. It was poetic, the way words flowed from him effortlessly. Who knew I was a sucker for musicians? I’d already finished painting Trey, capturing every aspect of him from the carefree spirit in his azure eyes to the fashionably worn holes in his jeans. As I switched to a silver metallic paint to work on the details of Trey’s instrument, I struggled to shake off memories of the night before.

After hours of playing Guitar Hero two nights ago, I’d spent all day yesterday sleeping and had gone hunting after dark. Finding someone to feed from had been the easy part, but when I got close enough to get a good look at his face, I’d been surprised to discover that he had a remarkable resemblance to Trey. It wasn’t as if I’d thought it was Trey at any point. I could definitely tell the difference. But the similarities were shocking. He’d had hair just like Trey’s, and his eyes … they were the same crystal clear blue. Instead of using whatever lie of a story I had in my mind to distract him like I’d planned, I’d found myself staring at him in astonishment until he was asking if I was okay. In the end I’d mumbled something about how he might consider a career as a celebrity impersonator as I walked away.

Not exactly the ending I’d had in mind. I’d gone out for drinks with Mark afterward, trying to forget about the incident. He’d known something was bothering me, but I hadn’t explained myself and he’d been smart enough not to push the issue.

Even if Mark had been clued in to just how much time I’d been spending with Trey, which he wasn’t, I could never have explained what was running through my mind. It wasn’t the lack of feeding that was bothering me. It was the fact that I’d been so repulsed by the idea of feeding from someone who could have been Trey’s double. I’d clearly been in denial about my feelings for Trey. I just hadn’t expected those feelings to manifest in a way that would literally stop me in my tracks and cost me a meal.

The vampire in me could point out with ease all of the logical reasons why I should never see Trey again. He was only human, after all. What did he really have to offer me? The answer to that was simple, if I looked deep enough.

Freedom.

Trey was all of the things I liked to pretend I was, but could never be again. Admittedly I was getting good at going through the motions of being free spirited and adventurous but in my moonlit reality I felt trapped. A spirit like Trey’s was something I’d admired as a human, envied even. I’d tried to live like that myself, never quite managing to do it. Aden had been the free spirited one. I’d loved that about him, too. As an immortal creature, I’d hoped to finally grasp the independence I’d always strived for. I’d made the age-old mistake many of my kind make, assuming that being free from age and free of death would give me freedom in life. I’d since learned that things didn’t exactly work out that way.

The only taste of that freedom I experienced was with Trey. It was as if his innate ability to live so carefree was contagious and rubbed off on me more and more with each second we spent together. It was a powerful feeling, and not one I was ready to give up.

The blood-laced drinks Mark and I consumed had curbed my appetite but only temporarily. I’d gone out tonight and managed to feed from someone who in no way resembled Trey, or anyone else I know for that matter. One thing was certain; I seriously needed to get a grip.

Trey set his guitar down on the ground and gave an exaggerated old man groan as he got to his feet, stretching his limbs. With a few tiny strokes of a brush I finished adding the metallic paint to the likeness of Trey’s guitar on my canvas. I stepped back to admire my work as Trey sauntered over and stood next to me. I watched his face out of the corner of my eye, anxious to see his reaction.

“Wow,” he said in astonishment. “This is incredible. I didn’t realize what you were – that I was the subject.”

“It was your idea,” I responded.

He stared, open-mouthed at the painting. “Yeah, but I had no idea you would come up with something like this. You even used the metallic paints. It’s insane!”

“I’m glad you like it,” I said.

“Like it? I can’t wait to show it to the guys,” he professed. “Do you have any others, you know, from the studio?”

I gestured with a hand to my giant sketchpad. Trey picked it up and flipped through the first few pages, taking a few seconds to admire the random drawings I’d done there, including the sketch I’d done of him and O’Shea playing their guitars in the studio. I might have started to worry that he didn’t like it, but the lopsided grin on his face when he glanced up at me was answer enough.

“Let’s show the rest of the guys tomorrow,” he suggested. “Then if they’re on board we can get Wes to take your sketches to the label.”

“If you say so.”

“Definitely,” he added. “Then, I’ll help you sell this on eBay so it doesn’t waste space in here,” he joked.

“And deprive some loyal, pubescent fan of the joy that would come from winning this through your fan club?” I said incredulously. “I don’t think so.”

He took a step forward and smiled again, that half-smile that was so full of boyish charm and sincerity. With all my inhuman advantages, I was still powerless against it. His calloused fingers gently gripped my hand as he pulled my palm to his chest where I felt every beat of his heart. It was a bold move on Trey’s part in ways he couldn’t even understand. I recognized the gesture as one of openness without needing to search his mind. Even though I was aware of the delicious blood pumping through his veins, my mouth didn’t so much as water. I gazed back at him, his blue eyes blazing, and I had to resist the intense urge not to look away for the ridiculous fear that he’d see right through me. See the wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Then his lips were on mine and I lost myself, overwhelmed by the surge of Trey’s emotions as they flooded through me. I kissed him back wanting to forget my fear of being discovered, of putting him in danger, and focus only on how good it felt being in his arms. After all, relinquishing some control was a sacrifice worth making if it meant I could continue to live in this fantasy with Trey. But the dreaded tingling in my teeth started up again and I reluctantly pulled away. Trey closed his eyes and let out a slow breath, resting his forehead against mine. It was obvious he was trying to be patient with me.

“Trey, I…” I wanted to apologize but what could I say? I’m sorry but I’m afraid my fangs might freak you out. Oh, and by the way, my eyes sort of glow in the dark when I get excited. I hope you’re cool with that?

“It’s okay,” he breathed, resting his hand on mine over his heart. I wondered how long he would put up with me pulling away like this. It was selfish of me and dangerous for us both, but I wasn’t willing to give him up. I didn’t want to lose him, or the effect he had on my spirit. It was time to accept the truth. I was falling in love with Trey.

About the author: Heather Jensen writes paranormal fantasy for teens and adults. She began writing her first book at the age of 16. She is an avid reader and loves anything vampire-related, but likes all kinds of fantasy. When she’s not writing she enjoys traveling, listening to music, going to concerts, playing guitar and spending time with friends and family.

She is addicted to Oreos and White Knight drinks from Perks. Her favorite color is green and the uglier the shade the better.

Heather lives in Southern Utah with her husband and son where she continues to write the Blood And Guitars series.

The second book in the series, Immortals And Melodies has just been released on Kindle.

Author links: Website | Facebook | Bookshop | Twitter | Google+ |  Goodreads

Giveaway:

Heather is giving away an e-book copy of Blood And Guitars to one of our readers who leaves a comment below. Leave your email address to be entered.


This tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours