2013-02-07

He's a Heartbreaker...

When it comes to heartbreaking-heroes, I've written a few. One of my favorites is Conrad from my Children of Night series. Conrad is a twelve-hundred-year-old vampire. And what makes him a heartbreaker is his inability to completely control the dark, violent out-of-control side of his nature--what he refers to as "the beast".

Conrad can be pompous, arrogant and even self-indulgent at times--in short, he can act like a real jerk. His temper is often unpredictable and he's chased most of his lovers away, at one time or another, but he has a tender side as well. And he'd move heaven and earth for any one of his loved ones. He's also very protective--as seen here, in this snippet from Old Sins, Long Shadows, when he's forced to leave a newly-turned and undefended Damian behind:

 “Sleep, mi amor,” he murmured softly. “And fear nothing. I will stay with you now for as long as I’m able to; and I’ll be there to greet you when you awaken.”
And if anyone dares harm you in between, I will kill themYou have my word on that. I’ll return here with an army and make Sevilla a cursed place and not rest until I have avenged your death by filling the streets with blood and slaughtering every living soul within the city walls.


Luckily, it didn't come to that!

Conrad's a complicated man. As one reviewer put it recently:  "Conrad comes across as a badass, but he's super loyal and has a big heart."

He also grovels quite deliciously. 

Here's an excerpt from the first book in the series, In the Dark, which is set partially in 1968-69. In this scene, Conrad is just waking up after his first night with his new lover, a young hippie known only as "Desert Rose": 




Sunday, October 27, 1968


“Wake up, sleepyhead,” a soft voice murmured in Conrad’s ear, startling him back into consciousness. His eyes shot open, only to be met with an excruciating brightness. Someone must have pulled aside the heavy drapes that hung over his windows. Brutal daylight washed the room, like a flood of daggers. His heart racing, he twisted around, his fangs lowering automatically into position. He had to force his mouth shut when he realized there was no threat to be neutralized, no enemy to be vanquished, when he remembered where he was, and with whom. His bedroom. Desert Rose. Fuck.
Swearing silently, he turned away from the girl and buried his face in the pillows He clenched his teeth, swallowing the bitter venom that filled his mouth, waiting for his pulse to slow and the kill instinct to subside. He only hoped it would be soon, or at least soon enough.
And all the while…“Con-rad,” she chanted in singsong as she walked her fingers up and down his back. “Time to get up. Wakey-wakey.”
No. It could not possibly happen soon enough. “Get away from me,” he snarled in warning.
“Well, someone’s a grumpy bear this morning, isn’t he?” Heedless of the danger she was placing herself in, Desert Rose leaned over his back to press a warm, wet, entirely too sloppy kiss on his cheek. Her hair brushed against his face setting his nerves on fire.
Conrad shrugged his shoulders in an attempt to dislodge her. It didn’t work.
“You really might wanna think about getting up, you know,” the girl said as she began to bounce up and down on the bed.
Deep breaths, Conrad thought, calm down. The scent of her filled his nostrils. Her blood called to him to take it. No. Think about something else. Like her innocence, the tears she’d almost shed for him, the sweet trust in her eyes.
“It’s getting to be almost noon here.”
“Yes.” Conrad sighed. He was almost in control again. “It does that. Same time each day. Now, stop bouncing and shut the curtains.”
“But, how come? Don’t you wanna let the sunshine in?”
His control dissolved. Who did she think she was, anyway—some new front man for The Fifth Dimension? “I said shut the damn curtains. Now!”
“Okay, well, you can stay here and sleep, if you want. I’m gonna go out and enjoy this beautiful day. So I guess I’ll say good-bye now.”
Now she had his attention. She couldn’t be serious? Half turning, he squinted and looked her over. Yes, apparently, she was. She was already dressed, right down to her boots. Her face looked hazy, but he supposed that was just an effect of the light. “Where, exactly, do you think you’re going?” he demanded in what he hoped she’d recognize as an ominous tone. Had he told her she could leave? He didn’t think he had.
His question seemed to surprise her. “Nowhere, really. I’m just, you know, going.” She shrugged. “But, um, I was thinking we could, you know, maybe see each other again sometime?”
“I don’t think so.” He briefly considered forcing her back to sleep. He could do it, of course, but it would be an effort. Besides, it was probably better if she did go. These days, he almost always slept more soundly alone.
“N-no?” The girl’s eyes widened into an expression of forlorn dismay. “B-but, I thought maybe—”
“No,” Conrad growled, annoyed at having to repeat himself. “We will not ‘maybe see each other again sometime’.” What had the girl been thinking? “I will be seeing you again, right here, next weekend. There will be no maybe about it. Is that understood?”
“Oh.” Her cheeks flushed. Half-smiling, she murmured, “Well, gee, I guess I could do that. If I’m not too busy or, you know, if I don’t forget all about you by then.”
Another angry snarl lifted Conrad’s lips. “Do you honestly think it’s a good idea to annoy me like this?” He’d never taken well to being teased—and certainly not in the morning. The morning! He couldn’t even recall the last time anyone had dared wake him at this time of day.
“Okay, okay.” She was smiling wider now. “I’ll see you next weekend. Happy now?”
“No,” he grumbled, closing his eyes again. “But shut the curtains on your way out and I might begin to be.”
“Fine, then. Be that way.” She heaved a long, exasperated sigh as she got off the bed. A moment later blessed darkness reclaimed the room. Conrad relaxed in relief. His conscience, however, was not as easily assuaged. As he heard his bedroom door begin to close, he knew he could not let her leave so soon.
“Wait,” he commanded as he threw back the covers and got out of bed.
“What now?” She paused in the doorway while he shrugged into his dressing gown and crossed to where she stood. He pulled her back into the room and shut the door. Then he pushed her against the wall and kissed her thoroughly, giving her something to remember him by and further cementing his influence over her.
“Now,” he said, eyeing her sternly as his hands caressed the curves of her waist. “No more foolishness. You will tell me exactly what I wish to hear. Where will you be next weekend?”
“I’m coming here,” she answered obediently. “To see you.”
“And you will not forget?”
Her laugh sounded a little forced, a little uncertain but she shook her head and murmured, “No. I won’t forget you. I promise.”
“And if you need anything before then, you’ll call me, yes?”
“I-I…what?”
She looked surprised, which pretty much mirrored his own thoughts on the subject, especially when he found himself elaborating on his instructions. “Before you leave the house today I want you to find Armand. He should be downstairs somewhere. Wake him up, if you have to. Tell him I said he should give you my private phone number. Is that clear?”
“Armand? You mean he lives here too?”
“Yes. Make him write it down, so you don’t forget it. I’d do it myself, but I don’t have anything to write with up here.”
“I don’t get it. Does he, like, work for you, or something? I thought he was your friend?”
“He is,” he answered, not even attempting to explain the complexities of vampire relationships. “He’s my friend who works for me.” And who would likely be extremely surprised at being asked to give out Conrad’s phone number. That number was private for exactly one reason: it was never given to anyone outside of his nest. Why he was choosing to break the rule now, he couldn’t imagine. But, it was his rule, which meant it was his right to break it any time it suited him to do so. Without having to give anyone a reason for it. Not even himself.
“Okay. I’ll call if, if I need to.”
“Good.” After brushing another brief kiss across her lips he opened the door and ushered her into the hall.
He walked her to the top of the stairs then kissed her again, still toying with the idea of holding her captive a little while longer, of feeding from her again before he let her go. Frankly, he could use it. The sudden exposure to so much daylight had left him with a pounding, debilitating headache. He felt like crap. But he’d taken quite enough from her last night. Besides, perhaps leaving a faint edge on his hunger for once would be good for him. It would, at least, be an interesting experience, one that might sharpen the anticipation of seeing her again.
Au revoir, mignonne,” he said as he let her go. She tripped lightly down the stairs and disappeared from his view. A minute later the murmur of voices reached Conrad’s ears. Good girl, he thought approvingly. Half a minute more, and Armand appeared, his face pensive as he climbed the stairs. “Ça va? Conrad asked the younger man as he came to stand beside him on the landing. It goes well?
Oui.” Armand nodded in grudging assent as they leaned on the rail together, side by side, both of them watching through the stained-glass window as Desert Rose made her way down the walkway. “It goes well enough, I suppose. Although I do not think our friend is very happy with me this morning.”
Ah, mon pauvre garçon. Conrad threw an arm around his friend’s shoulders and patted him consolingly. “Is she no longer interested in you then? Pardonnez-moi. My fault, I suppose.”
“Yes.” Armand frowned sullenly. “It certainly is.” He shot Conrad a curious glance. “She said you wanted her to have your number. I take it she’ll be back?”
“Definitely. Next weekend, in fact.”
“Really?” Speculation gleamed in Armand’s eyes. “And yet…she seems not to have realized what we are?”
“No.” Conrad could not help smiling as he thought about it. “Intriguing, is it not? The matter appears, somehow, to have escaped her attention. I’m thinking of keeping things that way for a while.”
“Is that wise?”
“I don’t know. But it’s what I want.”
Armand shrugged. “Tres bien.” He paused for a moment, then murmured hopefully, “She’s pretty, no?”
Conrad sighed. Wrapping his arms around the other man, he pulled him close, his chest to Armand’s back. He leaned into the boy’s shoulder and whispered warningly, “I would hate for you to be unclear about my wishes in this matter, Armand. She’s pretty, yes. She’s also mine. All mine. Elle est la mienne. Comprenez-vous?”
OuiJe comprends.”
“Good.” Conrad kissed him on the cheek. “Make sure everyone else understands that as well, would you, dear?”
Armand nodded, but his voice still sounded a trifle sulky as he muttered, “D’accord.”
Conrad sighed. “Oh. You’re disappointed.” Taking hold of Armand’s shoulders, he turned him so that they were face to face. He gazed at him thoughtfully. He was a beautiful boy, this newest of his children, but still very young in many ways. Young enough to be hurt by a pretty girl’s rejection? Perhaps. Young enough to be angered by another man’s succeeding where he had failed—or not even failed, but rather, been forced to give way? Definitely. It was, after all, only a dozen or so years since Conrad had sired him. He was still very human. “Perhaps I should make it up to you. You’d like that, yes?”
Comprehension flooded Armand’s face with color. He nodded eagerly. “I would. I’d like that a lot.”
Conrad smiled. He did so like to see that look. Almost nothing made him happier than an eager gleam in his lover’s eyes. And he was sure nothing would restore his depleted energy faster, or make him feel more like his usual self again, than the dark kiss of another vampire. “As will I, mon cher,” he murmured as he drew Armand into his embrace. “I will like it very, very much.”

The third book in the series, Now Comes the Night is now available for pre-order and will release later this month. To read more about this series go HERE. And now, back to the blog-hop!!

We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!

Now what are those prizes?

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $100 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!


50 comments:

Amber said...

Thanks for the Giveaway!
alslagle06@live.com

Mary Preston said...

An amazing post thank you.

I love a heartbreaker who falls in love hard.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Swordlily said...


Thanks so much for participation!
swordlily_girl(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

For me the heartbreaker is a bad boy who goes kicking and screaming into love! When he falls he falls hard!

The only heartbreakers I have encountered are literary! And my all time fav is Mr Darcy! Although, I am currently crushing on Zadist from the Black Dagger Brotherhood!

grapeapril75(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Unknown said...

Thanks for the great giveaway!

kesummer69(at)gmail(dot)com

Mimi Smith said...

Great giveaway!

anasmithblue AT gmail DOT com

Catherine Lee said...

I'm not big on heartbreakers in real life. In books, I think we want to see a woman (or a man) get past the heartbreak to their HEA.
catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

HaveBook WillSurvive said...

Love your new cover.
havebookwillsurvive@gmail.com

laurie said...

Thanks for the Giveaway!

parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

Nay Nay said...

To me a heartbreaker is someone who doesn't know how good and special he really is underneath that “Bad Boy” persona. When he falls in love, he falls hard. He is the guy that doesn't realize that his actions have broken your heart....But, when he does realize it, he takes immediate action to correct the misunderstanding and convince you he really does love you and no one else!
My favorite heartbreaker is Smitty from the book "The Beast in Him" by Shelly Laurenston. (One of the Pack/Pride series books) He was just drop dead gorgeous and sexy and he broke Jessie Ann's heart when he wouldn't claim her with "the Smith Mate Maul" If you want to know what the heck I'm talking about.......READ THE BOOK. :) In fact I recommend you read the series.
Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win. <^_^>
reneebennett35 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Delia DeLeest said...

A book set in the 60's, how exciting. I love finding books set in non-traditional time periods.

VampedChik said...

Sounds like a great series! Thanks for sharing!
-Amber
goodblinknpark@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

That was an intriguing excerpt from In The Dark!

Thank you for the giveaway


falses1gns at gmail dot com

Veronika said...

I love reading about heartbreakers! They are usually bad-boys, they’re witty, funny and sexy and the female population is drooling after them lol

verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com

Dovile said...

I prefer heartbreaks in books only.

spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com

Stacey said...

thanks! Can't wait until I get a chance to read this series

staceyprice(AT)gmail.com

Kirsten! said...

Thanks for the giveaway!
aircdrewood at gmail dot com

gamistress66 said...

love the alpha hero who doesn't believe in love (at least not for him), the charmer who knows it, one who tempts & teases without intent to "get serious" but rather just enjoy, so much fun watching them fall, fast & hard :)
gamistress66 (at) aol (dot) com

Anonymous said...

We all want to love a Heartbreaker. Maybe its because of his chiseled good looks, his bad boy attitude, or the mysterious nature of him. Some Heartbreakers are just that, they know what they got and how to use it to get what they want. Then there are those Heartbreakers that don’t even realize that they are doing it. The best part about a Heartbreaker is that there is always a woman that turns their world upside down until they realize it is love. I have read many Romance Novels over the years and have run into many memorable Heartbreakers and my favorites are usually the ones that don’t even know they are Heartbreakers! Some of my personal favorite Heartbreakers are :

Kade Jamenson (Werewolf) from An Alpha’s Path. Kade is a sexy werewolf that will make you burn but a mishap with a potential mate makes him not think he will find love.

Ian MacPhie (Vampire) from All I Want For Christmas is a Vampire. Ian is a heartbreaking Highland Vampire that was frozen in his immortality when he was only 15. With the help of his friend he is given a drug that helps him age to 28 so he could look like a man instead of a child after hundreds of years. He has no idea that he looks of a warrior and the lover.

Lothaire Daciano (Vampire) from Lothaire. Lothaire is definitely a heartbreaker and his cocky attitude proves it! Thinks he’s a gift to women! Its just the sucker punch from a woman he doesn’t realize is his equal that brings him down a notch.

Marius Parker from His Contrary Bride. Marius is every part the gentlemen but doesn’t realize he could also easily be the rogue!

Benjamin Gateway from To Win His Wayward Wife. Benjamin doesn’t realize that he is a heartbreaker because the one woman he loved, he lost….or did he?

Fury North (Human with Canine DNA) from Fury and Valiant North (Human with Feline DNA) from Valiant. Fury and Valiant are strong New Species and gorgeous to boot, but because they are damaged they doesn’t think they can hold onto to the women they love.

Sigimor Cameron from Highland Conqueror. Sigimor is every bit the Highland Laird and warrior but can he hold onto to the beautiful English lady?

Joshua Striker (Werewolf) from Alexandra’s Legacy. Joshua is a scared and battle hard enforcer for his pack and he thinks that he doesn’t have what it takes to make the women melt.

angelheart618@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I haven't read the Children of Night series yet, but that is what I love about doing these blog hops. I get introduced to so many amazing new authors, books, and series that I might never have come across otherwise. Thanks for the fun and I'm adding these to my TBR list. sbereza22(at)gmal(dot)com

Unknown said...

Thank you for being part of the hop and for the excerpts...

j.m.platt83@gmail.com

Liese2 said...

Great excerpt!
Thanks for the chance to win!
sqwalker2@hotmail.com

Kaylyn D said...

Great covers!! Thanks for the giveaway.
kaylyndavis1986@yahoo.com

Mer said...

Thanks for the excerpt! I really like the cover for Now Comes the Night.

dancingcelt at gmail dot com

Melinda said...

Thanks for the giveaway!
mrs.hildebrand AT gmail DOT com

strawberryrose said...

My favorite Heartbreaker is the one that your heart can’t live without. One of my best is Lucas from D B Reynolds book “LUCAS” (Vampire in America series). Strong mind, well put together and tender when he wants to be. And loves horses.

Judy Peterson
strawberryrose@earthlink.net

Liese2 said...

My favorite heartbreaker is Damon from the Vampire Diaries.
Thanks for the chance!
sqwalker2@hotmail.com

strawberryrose said...

My favorite Heartbreaker is the one that your heart can’t live without. One of my best is Lucas from D B Reynolds book “LUCAS” (Vampire in America series). Strong mind, well put together and tender when he wants to be. And loves horses.

Judy Peterson
strawberryrose@earthlink.net

Sue Sattler said...

I'll take one of each, a heartbreaker and a heartthrob, maybe then they would balance each other out!

proudarmymom32(at)yahoo(dot)com

veRONIca said...

Love a good heartbreaker in a novel, but not in real life

xo_veronica16[at]hotmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

thanks for the giveaway!
pepperpenn42 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I may not have much experience in the whole love department, but I have had my heart broken. Being considered a Heartbreaker can come from various actions that you do. I am a newbie when it comes to reading romance books but what I have learned is that it is not bad to have a chiseled body or an amazing personality. If you look at it over all, if you never put your heart out there, you may never have a chance at true love and happiness. I may get broken once in a while but only you are strong enough to pick yourself up and try all over again. One of my favorite Heartbreakers is Taylor Qualls the Earl of Sandlin from the book His Impetuous Debutante. Lady Phoebe kinda reminds me of myself, accident prone and finding trouble in every corner. Taylor doesn’t think he is good enough for Phoebe, so he’s a heartbreaker and doesn’t know it.

ifightforlove36@gmail.com

michedt said...

Thanks for participating in this awesome hop. Have a good one!
Michelle Tucker
michelletucker at baconnation dot net

magic5905 said...

Thanks for the giveaway.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

Carla said...

My favorite part of having a heart breaker is the world class groveling. Todd in Lauren Dane's Laid Bare is my perfect example.
planterofhope at aol dot com

Booklover Sue said...

awesome giveaway

susanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com

Missie1 said...

Really sounds like a good read :D
Happy Valentines Day
Missie Jones
missie25524 (at) netzero (dot) com

doxymom said...

Thanks for the giveaway!

AnnaM.
doxisrcool at aol.com

Sebrina said...

The cool thing about blog hops is I usually find new authors and new reading material, and for that, I say thank you for being a part of this hop. :)
And thank you also for the chance at your giveaway.
Sebrina_Cassity at yahoo dot com

Mins72 said...

Thank you for participating in the hop !! The books look good !! Sethmo1999@yahoo.com

Megan said...

Great post! Thanks for joining the hop!

AmethystDaydreams at zoho dot com

Unknown said...

Thanks.

damafia1113@gmail.com

myboo63 said...

thanks for the hop
myboo63@hotmail.com

Ashley Applebee said...

Thanks for the great giveaway!! So many great prizes!! Happy Valentine's Day!
Ashley A
ash_app(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kary said...

Thank you for the giveaway!
I thinks heart breaker is one who plays the women..until one catches him.... but he has to work for it!
Tigerfly139@Aol.com

myboo63 said...

thanks for the hop
myboo63@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Thanks.

damafia1113@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I like a heartbreaker, as long as they aren't too cruel.

snhoveln (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I like the heartbreakers. They make the make up sex so much sweeter. Thanks for being Heartbreakers Blog Hop.

roya-clan@sbcglobal.net

Emily said...

Thanks for the giveaway!

tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com