Help me welcome our guest blogger, Rita Herron. I knew Rita before she joined Georgia Romance Writers. I won’t tell how long ago that was if she doesn’t. The woman is prolific!

Multi-published, award-winning author Rita Herron cut her teeth on mystery books and television shows like Alfred Hitchcock, The Outer Limits and the Twilight Zone. More recently, she’s added Medium, The Ghost Whisperer, and Dead Zone to her list of favorites.




She currently writes paranormal romantic suspense for Grand Central Publishing and category romantic suspense for Harlequin Intrigue.

With her new series THE DEMONBORN, she blends her love of dark, steamy romantic suspense stories with her other love -- the paranormal.

Set in the contemporary world, she explores the age-old battle of good versus evil, and that battle as it rages within each person. And of course, the ultimate question for the romantic – can love conquer all?

ROMANCE or FANTASY?

Both please
Where can we find both?
Between the pages of a romance novel!

Are the stories realistic? Are the men real? Do we expect our husbands/boyfriends/companions to talk, act or even look as hot as the men in our novels?
Not necessarily.
Books, like movies, may be more dramatic than our own lives, because, after all, sometimes our lives are BORING!

We read so we can escape into another world. We want to be swept up in the characters’ lives, problems, friendships, and love lives. These books feed our fantasies, our dreams, our hopes and provide us with entertainment.

They also provide us with the exhilarating fantasy of falling in love over and over again. Of great sex. Of a hero to melt our hearts, give us pleasure, and take us to erotic and exotic places we might never go.

In The Demonborn series, the heroes’ fantasies are steamy and run toward the forbidden.
Quinton Valtrez has dark hungers that he can’t deny. Hunger for the dark side. Hunger for vengeance. Hunger for a woman in his bed.
Hunger for Annabelle Armstrong.

Quinton’s brother Vincent had an insatiable desire for sex. He needed to feed daily to keep his compulsions for violence at bay. And he never slept with a woman more than once.
Until he met the elusive, psychic Clarissa King.
Quinton’s secret fantasies are wicked and naughty – he likes to watch.

What are your fantasies? Are they tame, or are you a tigress inside?
Maybe you hunger for dark chocolate? For spicy food? For adventure?
For the love of a good man? For him simply to hold your hand?
For him to make love to you slow and sweet? For his touch to skate over your body? His hands to tease you with mindless pleasure?
For his lips to trail kisses and tongue lashes along your spine?

Or maybe you want hot wild sex, fast and furious? Maybe you fantasize about his body pounding into yours until you are one in that moment in time. Or do you hunger to please him? To drive him wild with your lips and tongue and hands?

Whatever your fantasy, whether a romantic candlelit dinner in a secluded cabin with snow falling outside, a night of lovemaking on a crowded beach, a secret rendezvous in a foreign city, a mountain climbing expedition, to be tied up and pleasured, to indulge in a three-way, to find a lover who will last forever, you can find it somewhere between the pages of a romance novel!

Would we do all the things we read about in a romance novel? Maybe. Maybe not.
But fantasies are like foreplay and foreplay is fun! Foreplay builds anticipation. Foreplay is romantic.
Just as our fantasies feed our romantic lives, they take us to exotic places, to new experiences. To that heart-pounding place where we sigh and moan and go away feeling happy and euphoric.
I hope you feel that excitement when you read Quinton and Annabelle’s story in Dark Hunger!

What character or book have you read lately that gave you that feeling?

Leave a comment or question for Rita today and be entered in a contest for a copy of Rita’s first book in The Demonborn Series: Insatiable Desire. But don’t stop there! There’s a second contest for today’s readers. Visit Rita at her website www.ritaherron.com and sign up for her newsletter to be entered in a contest to a copy of both books in The Demonborn Series: Insatiable Desire and Dark Hunger. And, by signing up for Rita’s newsletter, you will also be automatically entered in Rita’s regular monthly contests. You can find extras on the Demonborn Series at www.thedemonborn.com. And visit Rita on Facebook, Myspace.com/ritaherron, and Twitter.com/ritaherron !

33 comments

  1. Scarlet Pumpernickel // July 26, 2009 at 11:26 PM  

    Wow! MM, you scored a big one! Welcome to the fuzzies Rita, we tickled pink to have you! What a wonderful chance for us to ask questions. I'll start, what besides length is the difference between a series Intrique and a single title Intrigue?

    Scarlet

  2. Mary Marvella // July 26, 2009 at 11:39 PM  

    Good question Scarlet!

  3. Edie Ramer // July 26, 2009 at 11:47 PM  

    Wow! Rita, even your blogs are hot! I read Loretta Chase's Don't Tempt Me, and her hero gave me that feeling. Her heroes always do!

  4. Eva S // July 27, 2009 at 1:56 AM  

    This series sounds like something for my wish list! I like dark and paranormal...

    The last book that gave me that feeling was the love story in Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh.

  5. Barbara Monajem // July 27, 2009 at 7:37 AM  

    Hi, Rita! Fun to see you here.

    I'm with Edie on Loretta Chase's heroes. Elizabeth Hoyt's heroes are hot, too. And Anna Campbell's... I guess you can tell I've been reading mostly historicals lately. :)

  6. Debbie Kaufman // July 27, 2009 at 8:08 AM  

    Good morning, Rita:

    I enjoyed Insatiable Desire and can't wait to read Dark Hunger.
    You are one of the authors that I pick up a book based on your name alone!

  7. Judith Keim // July 27, 2009 at 8:18 AM  

    HI, Rita! It's so nice to have you here and such fun to see how well you are doing...but in GRW we were always amazed at your talent and ability to write so much!!! Enjoy your success. Your new series looks wonderful!

  8. Jianne Carlo // July 27, 2009 at 8:37 AM  

    Thank you for visiting us Rita. What a wonderful post. I can't wait to read your work.

    Jianne

  9. Tammy Schubert // July 27, 2009 at 8:45 AM  

    Hi Rita! I had no idea you were writing The Demonborn Series. I can't wait to read the books.

  10. Rita Herron // July 27, 2009 at 11:00 AM  

    Hi, everyone,
    Scarlet -- there are a few differences between the series Intrigue and my single title romantic suspense. The stories I write for Intrigue are still dark and emotional but a little tamer than the single titles, both in content, sex, language, and violence.
    In the single titles, often the premise is larger in concept (more high concept), the story is more layered with deeper subplots, more points of view, and I can go much darker.

    RIta

  11. rita Herron // July 27, 2009 at 11:03 AM  

    Waving at Mary - yes, we go way back, but I'll never tell...

    Edie, glad you liked the blog. Of course, we all love hot men!
    Eva, hope you give it a try!
    Barbara, the men in the historicals are sexy. I've been watching the Tudors and wow...

    Ah, Debbie, thanks. I wish I could clone you. And I really liked Quinton in Dark Hunger - he's dark like Vincent but has a wicked sense of humor.

    Rita

  12. rita Herron // July 27, 2009 at 11:07 AM  

    Hi, Judy, thanks. GRW is a great group and so supportive. I hope to see everyone again soon.

    Tammy, Yes, I started this series about two years ago! Originally I was going to do a series featuring a woman who solved crimes because she talked to ghosts (Clarissa in Insatiable Desire) but right before I sent the idea to my agent, I saw MEDIUM advertised. So, I had to change the whole series.
    But I like having a series featuring men and brothers.

    Jianne, I hope you'll enjoy the series. Be prepared for some real alpha guys!

    Rita

  13. Anonymous // July 27, 2009 at 11:39 AM  

    Always love a good paranormal! Looking forward to it!

    Caroline Ziebarth

  14. Donnell Ann Bell // July 27, 2009 at 11:45 AM  

    Rita, congratulations on filling the bookshelves with your passion! You nailed it, sometimes our lives are boring. Paranormal elements and these dangerous fictitious characters appeal to us wannabe thrill seekers who want to read about it, but probably wouldn't want to experience it LOL (kind of like a trapeze artist without a net).

  15. Helen Hardt // July 27, 2009 at 11:56 AM  

    Hi Rita, great blog! Outlander by Diana Gabaldon -- though I read it a while ago, just thinking about it gives me those feelings ;).

  16. Nightingale // July 27, 2009 at 12:09 PM  

    Dark Hunger sounds like something I'd definitely enjoy reading. The darker and sexier the better. Are the hero and his brother demons?

  17. Mary Marvella // July 27, 2009 at 12:16 PM  

    You're doing a great job, Rita! I knew you would.

    Linda, you would love Rita's hero! Welcome, ladies! I knew you'd love what Rita had to say.

    Hint, I have known Rita as long as I have known Linda, but not as long as I have Toni. (grin)

  18. Rita Herron // July 27, 2009 at 12:18 PM  

    Caroline,
    I love paranormal elements but like putting them in the real world versus a total fantasy world. I think it's much scarier to think that demons might actually be among us.

    Donnell,LoL about the thrill seekers. You're right! It's funny that I love watching and reading scary suspense and paranormal but I'm actually not a very adventurous person. My children and husband are much more daring than me, and my husband can't believe I write this spooky stuff when I'm a little phobic and wimpy!

    Helen, I've heard her books are amazing.
    Nightingale, the heroes are part demon, part mortal. They look human and are hot, hot, hot, but have powers. Their father was a descendant of Satan and their mother an Angel of Light, so they have both good and evil inside them, but the pull of evil is strong. Of course, it takes the love of a good woman to tame them...

    Rita

  19. susan // July 27, 2009 at 1:24 PM  

    Hello Rita, I just had to stop in and say helloand tell you how much I am hooked on your books. The list of books I have of yours gets longer all the time..not the list but the books themselves are adding up. I just can't get enough of your writting. Do you think it maybe some sort of an addiction? If so that's fine with me..just keep writting. ha ha susan L.

  20. Rita Herron // July 27, 2009 at 1:37 PM  

    Great to see you here, Susan. And I love that you're an addict! I need a million more of you and maybe I'd hit a list someday!
    Who is your favorite hero out of all the books of mine you've read?

    Just curious.
    Rita

  21. Sandy Elzie // July 27, 2009 at 2:07 PM  

    Rita,

    Great post! I can't wait to read Dark Hunger. Is your newest release alwyas your favorite or do you have a special book that's always nearer and dearer to your heart?

    Sandy

  22. Rita Herron // July 27, 2009 at 2:35 PM  

    Hi, Sandy,
    LOL! Sometimes the newest one is my favorite although most of the time I'm nervous about people's reactions, wondering if I made mistakes (that dragon on the shoulder that won't go away!)
    Actually usually my favorite is the one I haven't written - the idea I'm working on that I'm sure will be better than what I've done!
    That said, I definitely have favorites that I've done and less favorites. I do like this series because of the alpha men, and I also loved putting in lots of folklore. I'm a buff for local myths and legends about different places, and in DARK HUNGER, the hero/heroine go to three of my favorite Southern cities: Savannah, Charleston, & New Orleans. I love all those cities because of the southern charm, history, ghost stories, unique characters, etc.

    Rita

  23. Mary Ricksen // July 27, 2009 at 2:56 PM  

    Thank you for blogging with us today! Your post was right on.
    I won't ask a hard question.
    Just a simple one. Are you happier now than you were before you published?

  24. Beth Trissel // July 27, 2009 at 4:00 PM  

    Thanks for joining us on the Fuzzies. What an honor to have you here. Wow, you are one talented and prolific writer. Fascinating interview.

  25. Rita Herron // July 27, 2009 at 4:57 PM  

    Beth,
    Thanks. I do love writing and have to admit that I'm motivated by money, too - I have three kids, two who are back in college and a daughter who is getting married next year so have a wedding to plan!

    Mary, Now, that is not a simple question at all.
    Am I happier now I'm published? I have to admit that I love being published, that it is somewhat validating to have your work sell, and it's nice to get paid for it. That said, I don't think a writer can hinge her happiness on whether she sells or even how well she sells. With every stage in a writer's career, there are challenges.
    Will I continue to sell? Will the publisher get behind me? Will they like the next book? What will reviewers say?
    Also, the selling writer has deadlines that can interfere with life, and sometimes there are projects I'd like to write but that I don't have time for, or my agent or publisher say they don't fit my branding at this time. There's also the challenge of promotion which is not my strong suite. I just want to sit and write my book!
    I think writing is hard and a writer has to LOVE the process, whether you sell or not.
    For me, I love using my creative energy, I love stories of all kinds, I enjoy meeting other writers and I enjoy getting into other characters' heads. I also love going to work in my pjs. There are also times it's been so frustrating that I would have walked away if I could, but I CAN'T - LOL.

    Rita

  26. Tami Brothers // July 27, 2009 at 6:13 PM  

    Great post, Rita! This book sounds HOT! I already fell for the picture when I clicked over here. Now I can't wait to read the book.

    Tami

  27. Rita Herron // July 27, 2009 at 6:42 PM  

    Hey, Tami,
    Great to see you here! Hope you like Quinton! And that you're prepared for some of my darkest...

    Rita

  28. Linsey Lanier // July 27, 2009 at 7:03 PM  

    Rita,
    Wow, your post IS hot! Yet another side of you that we wouldn't have expected (thinking of Jenna's PAL reports, LOL).

    Your series sounds great. Good luck with it!

    Linsey (Linnea)

  29. Unknown // July 27, 2009 at 7:38 PM  

    Hi, Rita!

    Marky-come-lately here. Have you written under any other names? Or have you found latitude to pursue all your interests, paranormal now in addition to rom suspense, as yourself?

  30. Anonymous // July 28, 2009 at 2:44 PM  
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  32. Dayana // July 29, 2009 at 7:33 AM  

    Ho boy! That books sounds right up my alley, Rita! and I love the hunk on the cover. Beautiful cover art:)

    Thank you so much for joining us today. I, too, write dark paranormal and erotic romance and I'm always willing to learn new ways around getting to the thick of it so to speak. I think we continuously grow in our craft. The more we write the better we get.

    For example: I am inspired of late and began a brand new story. Actually it was a very short story I wanted to expand. Well...I think I may have possible written the hottest love scene in this one yet. Though the proof is in the reader and how they react, LOL Point is, I believe in our business the cliche is true. The more we do it the better we get!

    Thanks again and I will definitely be putting your book on my TBR list.

    Dayana~

  33. Josie // July 29, 2009 at 5:42 PM  

    Hi Rita,
    I am chiming in late to welcome you to the Pink Fuzzies. What a treat for us to host you. Your talent is amazing.