#ProjectPurseDump - Week 14 - A Demon Hunter's Purse by Juliette Cross (@Juliette__Cross) - #WritersLife

As you all know, I have a weakness for kick-ass gals and their innovative array of weapons. When romance author Juliette Cross gave me the scoop on the purse of a bona fide demon hunter, how could I say no?  Without further ado, here's the final installment of Project Purse Dump for 2015. Our voyeuristic saga continues the second week of January. 

A Demon Hunter's Purse 

by Juliette Cross

Hi, everyone! So, my purse is ultra boring. Nothing but piles of receipts, my wallet, phone, sunglasses, and my reading glasses which I can never seem to find. Instead, my character Genevieve Drake from the Vessel series will share with you what’s in her purse. FYI, Gen is a college co-ed turned demon hunter in New Orleans. Take it away, Gen!

1. Tommy Girl Hand Lotion—My hands get chapped, and a girl’s gotta smell nice, right?
2. Chocolate—Always have some stashed in my purse. Helps me in all kinds of emotional emergencies.
3. A Benchmade Knife—My dad’s first present to me when I moved out of the house into an apartment with my bestie, Mindy. (Check out the closeup! It’s got the cutest butterfly.) And Jude almost cracked a smile when he saw me carrying it. Almost.
4. Mindy’s Ferrari-red Lipstick—Mindy has way more fashion sense than I do and insists I wear it when we go out.
5. Pony Tail Holders—Gotta have ‘em.
6. Celtic Bracelet—I bought this in the French Market because it reminded me of my mother and her artwork. She always loved Celtic scrollwork and interlacing. Jude gets a sort of sad look on his face when I wear it, so I usually just stick it back in my purse.
7. Vincent Van Gogh Sticky Notes—Couldn’t pass these up when I saw them at the NOMA souvenir shop. You always need sticky notes. Why not have some classy ones?
8. Matches—I don’t smoke, but I pick up matches wherever I go. These are from the Cigar Factory on Decatur, Pat O’Brien’s in the Quarter, and Commander’s Palace on Canal from the last time Dad took me.
9. Pens—You always need a pen. Be prepared.
10. Dickinson Pocket Poetry—Though I’ve had to set my English studies aside for more noble pursuits, like hunting demons with Jude, I can’t give up my favorite book of pocket poetry. Emily inspires me. When life gets tough, I always go to these lines, “Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words, and never stops—at all.”

About Juliette Cross

Multi-published author of paranormal and urban fantasy romance with Samhain and Kensington Publishing, Juliette calls lush, moss-laden Louisiana, home where the landscape curls into her imagination, creating mystical settings for her stories. From the moment she read JANE EYRE as a teenager, she fell in love with the Gothic romance--brooding characters, mysterious settings, persevering heroines, and dark, sexy heroes. Even then, she not only longed to read more books set in Gothic worlds, she wanted to create her own. 

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#WriteTip - Always Seek the Truth by Rosanna Leo (@LeoRosanna), spotlighting VICE, her @SamhainPub #Romance

It's always a pleasure to have Rosanna Leo over. I'm getting a (not-so) exclusive peek at her purse in a week or two. Until then, I must content myself with a writing tip and a closer look at Vice, her brand new release from Samhain Publishing. Since I can't wait to read the excerpt, I'll cede the spotlight. 

Always Seek the Truth

by Rosanna Leo

I’d like to thank my wonderful hostess, Tara. I’m so pleased to be here and happy to talk about my favorite thing: writing.

Authors get asked for writing tips a lot and I’m sure many of us have our favorite stock answers. After all, once you explore your own writing and that of other writers, you begin to see what works for you. However, I don’t think any tip has ever helped me more than telling the truth.

Telling the truth? Doesn’t this seem odd for a fiction writer? Yes and no. Sure, our business is basically making up stories, but even the best stories have a grain of truth to them. The characters must feel real. The plots must feel realistic, even if set in alternate worlds. And goals and motivations must make sense.

There is another aspect to telling the truth in fiction. The writer must also be truthful with herself. This is a hard lesson to learn. When I began, I had a vision of what my first book should look like. It was very different from the finished product. We all want to tell a story from our hearts, and should. However, at some point, a writer must confront her manuscript and ask some hard questions. Is there development in the plot and characters? Is there growth? Is there resolution? And, most importantly in my opinion, does the reader really need to know every last detail? We often get caught up in the details. I once read a book in which the author spent several pages detailing the heroine’s choice of curtains. Those curtains might have meant something to the author, but they meant nothing to me, the reader.

They say the truth sets us free. It also helps books get written.

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Warning: Contains a sexy, damaged hero who’d really rather just be having sex, and a no-nonsense redhead who makes him want to roll the dice on love just one more time.

Vice

by Rosanna Leo

He’s much more than a bad habit.

As a Vegas singer and volunteer counselor, Kate Callender has experienced life on both sides of Sin City’s bright lights. The thrill of performing, and gambling’s devastating effect on the addicts’ families.

Liam Doyle is just the kind of man she despises—a handsome, enigmatic businessman with a knack for seducing customers into his casino hotels. Determined to put a lid on his growing influence, she prepares to picket the opening of his newest casino, Vice.

When Liam spots the lone protestor hassling his customers, annoyance wars with instant attraction. And he quickly discovers the leggy redhead not only can’t be bought, she tempts him the way the sound of a roulette wheel lures a gambler.

They are natural enemies, but when a vile attack sparks Liam’s protective instincts, they begin a sexual odyssey that dances on the edge of addiction. Dangerously close to losing control...and losing themselves.

Excerpt

He meandered toward her and forced a smile. “You seem to have had a busy day.”

She whipped around and her eyes widened. He saw her give him a quick once-over. Did she like what she saw? Interesting. There was some perverse satisfaction in that.

“It has been busy.” She narrowed her hazel eyes at him. “Do you work here?”

So, she didn’t recognize him. Good. “Yes, ma’am, I do.” He crossed his arms over his chest and nodded, noting how her gaze dropped to his exposed forearms. Her lips parted. Clearly, working out had its merits. “And word inside is you’ve upset the big boss.”

Her nostrils flared as she dragged her gaze away from his arms. “About time.” She put her sign down and picked up her purse. “Do you know Liam Doyle?”

“I’ve heard one or two things about him.”

She stepped closer and her lips did the most amazing thing, curling into a flirtatious semi-smile. “I don’t suppose you’d be willing to share them with me? The other guy kept on sucking up about him as if he was wearing a wire.” She paused. “You’re not wearing a wire, are you?”

He laughed out loud. He couldn’t help it. This was way too much fun. He sidled close to her, leaned in conspiratorially, and put a hand on her elbow. Her very soft elbow. “I’m not wearing a wire. But are you sure you want to know the truth about Doyle? I don’t know if you can handle it.”

She gawked at him and then at his lips. Her voice came out in a whisper. “Try me.”

He murmured in her ear, taking note of her lilac scent. “Well, I hear at midnight he sprouts black wings and horns. And he’s always searching for innocent maidens to add to his coven.” He bit on his bottom lip, suddenly wishing he was gnawing on hers.

At first, her eyelids did this fluttery thing that made his imported pants spring to life. But then she blinked and began to laugh. “And here I thought I was dealing with a mere businessman. I didn’t realize Doyle was cousins with Lucifer.”

“What’s your name?”

She regarded him from out of the side of her eye, her mouth still bearing the same flirty grin. “What’s yours?”

“Consider me a friend who wants to give you some advice.”

The smile disappeared from her face. “And what would that be?”

“Don’t mess with Liam Doyle. He doesn’t take to it kindly.”

The coquettish shine in her eyes hardened. “Is that a threat?”

“No, sugar. That’s not my style.”

“What exactly do you do here? Are you in security?”

“Never mind that.” He waved his hand. “Look, you’ve had your fun. Why don’t you run along home now?”

She reached for her sign and tucked it under her arm. “I will go where I damn well please. And you can tell your friend Mr. Doyle to expect me tomorrow. Maybe next time he’ll be brave enough to confront me himself.” She turned on her heel and walked down the manicured pathway leading to the taxi bay.

Liam stared at her ass as she walked away. Brave?

Game on, sugar. He’d show her brave.

ABOUT ROSANNA LEO

Rosanna Leo is a multi-published, erotic romance author. Several of her books about Greek gods, selkies and shape shifters have been named Top Picks at Night Owl Romance and The Romance Reviews.

From Toronto, Canada, Rosanna occupies a house in the suburbs with her long-suffering husband, their two hungry sons and a tabby cat named Sweetie. When not writing, she can be found haunting dusty library stacks or planning her next star-crossed love affair.

A library employee by day, she is honored to be a member of the league of naughty librarians who also happen to write romance. Rosanna blogs at www.rosannaleoauthor.wordpress.com

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