The Family Business posted by Sandra Cox

Today I am pleased to welcome mutlti-published author, Sandra Cox, who will tell us about the characters of her recent released romance novel,

MOON WATCHERS

We all know folks that work in a family business. In our area, two sisters got their degrees in art, couldn’t find a job and decided to open a quilt shop which has become very successful. Many farmers keep their farm in the family for generations. And of course, there are several successful musical groups composed of family members. I’m sure you could add people you know to the family business list.

Cousins Jolene Sayer and Zoe Tempest are also in the family business although theirs is a bit more unusual. Jolene Sayer of Moon Watchers is a werewolf hunter. Her cousin Zoe Tempest of Vampire Island hunts vampires. They are alike in heart, tenacity and toughness. Oh yes, and they both love Pop-Tarts. But there it ends.

While Zoe is one of the best in her field she is a firm believer in dressing for success. No way, would she consider going into a fight with a chipped nail or shoes that didn’t match her outfit. She’s blonde and blue-eyed while her cousin is dark-haired, full lipped and sultry.

And while Jolene could look like a fashion plate if she chose, there’s no way she’s got time or the inclination to waste on fashion and makeup. Worn jeans, a flannel shirt or an old sweater, work just fine for her. Her one weakness: boots. She loves boots—as long as they’re serviceable. But blood runs deeper than fashion.

These two women would fight to the death for each other. The following excerpt tells a bit more about these beautiful young hunters:

Excerpt:
(Zoe has just come to visit her cousin Jolene after hearing she may be in trouble. )

Zoe walked into the living room, the largest room in the cottage. Not that that’s saying much. She glanced around then danced to the window and looked out. “I like your cottage, Jo. Very homey.”
“It’s not exactly what you’re used to.”
“If you mean, it’s not old and moldering and setting on an eerie island. You’re right.”
“You got rid of the eerie piece of it when you cleared out the vamps.”
“True.
“Nice view.” I followed her gaze. The sun sparkled on the snow and weighed down tree limbs. A shiver ran through me as I remembered the Weres jumping at the window. Good thing I’d cleaned the drool off. It would definitely have spoiled the view.
Zoe wandered around the room. I tried to see it through her eyes: a clean but sparse room, its best feature the stone fireplace. A couple of ancient discolored paintings of the forest hung off center on the wall. A faded blue throw rug lay in front of a worn couch, another in front of the fireplace. Ah, home.
“Looks like we’ll be redecorating in our spare time.”
Great. I managed not to roll my eyes.
She stopped at the sofa. Little tufts of stuffing leaked at the seam, but the blue flowered cushions were clean. She eyed it cautiously then collapsed. The cushions sighed and settled around her.
“It’s really quite comfortable,” I defended.
“You bet. I love this place, Jo. It’s so,” she paused as if looking for the right word, “quaint,” she finished triumphantly. “It just needs some sprucing up.”
“So the bad-ass vamp hunter is going to spruce up my cottage?”
Zoe studied me as she slipped off her boots.
I squirmed.
“Not just your cottage, I think.” She tapped her chin with a perfectly manicured fingernail.
“No. No you’re not. We’ve been over this before. I’m not a girlie, girl. I’m a Were hunter. I don’t have time for that kind of nonsense.”
“Weres. Vamps. Whatever.” She shrugged. “It’s no excuse for not looking your best.”
If you didn’t know my cousin Zoe, you wouldn’t take her seriously. She looks more like a ball of fluff than the Kewpie Doll, but I’d seen the girl in action. She could kick some serious vamp ass. My Uncle Julian--okay distant uncle--spoke highly of her. Words of praise don’t exactly drip off his tongue, if you know what I mean. So when he says someone’s good, you can notch it up to the stellar level.
“God, I’ve missed you.” I’m not given to expressing my emotions. The words just slipped out.
“Missed you too, Cuz. Now tell me what’s going on.”

CONTEST:
To celebrate the release of Moon Watchers, I’ll be running a contest from Jan 15 and Feb 2. The winner will be announced Feb 5. To enter just leave a comment at www.downtownya.blogspot.com and mention Moon Watchers and fuzzy slippers.

What do you win?
1-An autographed copy of Moon Watchers
2-A Starbucks gift certificate
3-And a fun necklace that has a protective cross to safeguard against creatures of the night, a blood drop stone to remind shape-shifters you are protected and a star since our winner will be the star of the contest

Moon Watchers can be purchased in paper or e at: http://www.classactbooks.com/
Vampire Island can be purchased in paper or e at: http://www.classactbooks.com/Vampire-Island-by-Sandra-Cox_p_156.html
Vampire Island is also available on Amazon and other e sites.

About Sandra
Multi-published author Sandra Cox writes YA fantasy, historic and paranormal romance and metaphysical nonfiction.

Sandra lives with her husband, a menagerie of pets, and an occasional foster cat in sunny North Carolina. To see the brood click on the cat tab.

Her fifteenth book, MOON WATCHERS, a crossover romance will be released through www.classactbooks.com. Jan 15, 2011.

To visit her YA blog: downtownya.blogspot.com