How quickly the time has gone. It seems just yesterday I got a call from my agent that the first book had sold. The time between selling and the book coming out seemed to take forever, but now it's flying. The second book is out and I’m struggling to keep up. I have to say I'm so excited to have two books under my belt, and I'm just amazed at the readers. I always heard authors say how great their readers were, and now I understand. It’s just the best feeling to know that your story has touched someone, entertained someone, made them laugh or cry. And we have a lot of great releases this month. Just look at this banner on the side to see what a great selection we have.
My series is about Secret Warriors, Ancient Evil, and Destined Love. Part of a secret society of warriors ordered by Michael the Archangel, these warriors are all that stand between humans and the demons set on destroying the world. These warriors exist all over the world, but this series focuses on the Scottish warriors and their destined mates. The stories are set in the ordinary world, but there are things happening that aren't quite ordinary. Cody and Shay’s story is one of love and betrayal and making peace with the past, and it has a lot of mystery and suspense. For those who read Awaken, some shocking things will be revealed in Embrace.
Here is one of my favorite reviews.
I think if there had been one more exciting element added to this book, it would have just exploded in my hands. This book is just filled with so many plot twist and surprises. I did talk to the characters in the book quite a bit, and made rude exclamations in several parts. I can't imagine trying to write such stubborn, headstrong characters. I am getting more and more involved as the series progresses, especially concerning a certain female warrior who likes to hit on other women's men. Shady, that is. If you haven't started this series yet, you MUST, before you get left behind. If you're already a fan, trust me, this book will slay you. You will not believe the progression. In a word... excellent." - Wendy Mitchell
Here's an excerpt from Embrace:
Cody sighed. Might as well get it over with. He removed the shackles, returned them, and bent over her. “Shay, wake up.”
Her eyes flew open. She planted both hands against his chest and shoved, knocking him on his back, then sprang on top of him. “How dare you handcuff me to a bed?” she yelled, punctuating each word with a shake that rattled his brain. He didn’t fight back. She had to get it out of her system, and he didn’t blame her. He’d be more than pissed if someone shackled him.
She landed a fist into his stomach, and the breath rushed out of him. Okay, enough was enough. He captured her hands and rolled, trapping her under him.
“Get off me, you oaf.”
“I’ll get off when you stop beating the snot out of me.”
She let out a war cry and lunged for his throat, teeth bared. Intrigued, he hesitated a second too long, and she sank her teeth into his neck. A jolt of desire shot straight to his groin. He’d never been one for the rough stuff, but damn! He pulled back before she could do more than leave a bruise. He trapped her legs with his and held her hands above her head, letting his full weight press her into the soft mattress. She still struggled but could move only enough to get him excited.
“I’m sorry, Shay. I had to do it. It was too dangerous to let you go traipsing through the woods. I had to keep you safe.”
“What if he was hiding in one of the other bedrooms and sneaked in here while I was handcuffed to the bed? You left me so I couldn’t even protect myself.”
“Lach heard him out in the woods, but that’s why I locked the door, just in case. If this guy had broken it down to get to you, you would’ve screamed, and I would’ve come running. I was never far from the house.” He’d heard every name she called him.
Her eyes still flashed fire, but her breath was steadier, and she kept glancing at his mouth. He thought that was a good thing. He wondered if she’d calmed enough not to hit him, because he should move. She had to notice the effect all the wiggling around was having on him. He felt her hips push against his, and he groaned. He relaxed his grip and lowered his head, letting his lips touch her chin. He kissed his way to her mouth, and she head butted him in the nose.
While the stars exploded in his head, she shoved him aside and bolted out the door. He jumped up and went after her as she pounded down the stairs. He caught up with her outside. She was swinging her purse like a whip, headed for the car.
“Where are you going?” he demanded.
“Get away from me.”
“You can’t leave.”
“Watch me.” She opened the door. “I’m tired of people hiding things from me. I thought you were going to stop. Now you’re handcuffing me to the bed.”
“I explained it to you.”
“Don’t touch me,” she said, jerking away when he grabbed her arm.
“You’re not leaving.”
Shay straightened her shoulders. “You can’t stop me.”
He grabbed her, tossed her over his shoulder, kicked the car door shut, and stomped up the steps.
“Put me down!” Shay kicked and twisted, cursing at him. He dumped her on her feet inside the door.
She blew her hair out of her face, and as soon as she could see, she threw a punch at his chin. He deflected it and grabbed her arm. “Stop hitting me.”
“How dare you throw me over your shoulder like some kind of caveman,” she spat, trying to wrench her arm free. It didn’t work, so she used her knee.
“Ah, not there.” Cody trapped her knee. “I made the mistake of letting you leave here nine years ago without listening to me. By God, I won’t do it again. You’ll listen if I have to sit on you,” he growled.
She drew back her other arm, and before she could throw the punch, he had her on the floor and was sitting astride her, pinning her wrists to the floor. She bucked and twisted, but he held her down. “We can do this all night if you want, but you’re going to listen to me this time.”
“Listen to more lies? You’re still hiding things from me. Like the fact that you have Nina’s entire house under surveillance. Like the fact that you’ve got a Bat Cave in your basement. Like the fact that you were in Scotland when the stalking started.”
“You think I’m your stalker?” he yelled. “Me! I’m trying to keep you alive. We’re all trying to keep you alive. That’s what the clan’s been doing your whole damned life, trying to keep you alive! And just like always, you’re making it hard as hell. Your father wasn’t a bloody spy, and that thing in your living room wasn’t a man!”
Some of the places Embrace can be purchased:
http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Highland-Warrior-Anita-Clenney/dp/1402251262
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/embrace-the-highland-warrior-anita-clenney/1100076266
http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Embrace-Highland-Warrior/Anita-Clenney/9781402251269
http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/embrace-the-highland-warrior/id468777516?mt=11
http://www.facebook.com/anitaclenneyAUTHOR
http://www.twitter.com/anitaclenney
http://www.mysteriesandmargaritasblogspot.com
http://www.goodreads.com/anitaclenney
http://www.redroom.com/anitaclenney
**GIVEAWAY - 2 copies of Embrace. Leave a comment and email to be entered.**
Isn't that an exciting feeling??? :) Good luck with your second book and with working on your third! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Anita! Scottish warriors, ancient evil and destined love - can't get any better than that!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terry! It really is wonderful, and the readers have just been so amazing. Sometimes it still feels like a dream.
ReplyDeleteTracey, LOL! That about says it all. :) I've honestly had so much fun with the series. The characters start to feel like they're family.
ReplyDeleteDon't you absolutely love fan mail? My favorite was from a fan who said that she now measures all her dates by the cowboys in my books! WOW!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the second release, Anita! Believe me, every one is just as exciting as the first one! Great excerpt, great cover, bestseller written all over it!
Congratulations on the release of Embrace the Highland Warrior. Sounds great. I love Highlanders.
ReplyDeleteCrystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com
Anita, big congratulations and I'm sure I'll love this one too. What's behind door number three? Hnmm?
ReplyDeleteLove the cover, love the excerpt - and what a fantastic review! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI am going into a cover coma ;) smexy. Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the give away
ReplyDeletecongratulation on the release Anita.
ReplyDeleteI love reading Highland story and the cover's book looks so great ;)
eli_y83@yahoo.com
I am so loving these mixed genres. So historical/paranormal - my two favorites in one. I love anything highlander and have always loved paranormal. I enjoyed your excerpt and am already hooked on your hero and heroine!! Great cover too.
ReplyDeleteYour second is out? Wow! Time does fly. Congrats on the release. It sounds great.
ReplyDeleteI loved this one, Anita! you did a good job.
ReplyDeleteNow you have me curious about Sorcha. There have been some sparks flying in this one.
congrats!!
Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE
YAY! For book 2...and Scottish warriors! Yum....
ReplyDeleteannarkie 12 @ Gmail . com
Hearty congrats on the new release! It sounds like Cody is going to have uphill work with his explanations to Shay.
ReplyDeletelittle lamb lst at yahoo dot com
Carolyn, now that's going to be hard for an ordinary cowboy to measure up to. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Crystal. I hope you do love these warriors. They're so much fun!
ReplyDeleteGrace...lots of surprises. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Joanne, and congrats on your wonderful release. Grace, you too.
ReplyDeleteSharon, help is on the way...But don't go into a coma. You won't be able to read Cody's story. It's as good as the cover.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eli. I thought the cover turned out very nice. Those highlanders are good reads.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Catslady. I'm hearing from so many readers how they love the mixed genres. It's fun to write, and I love reading them as well.
ReplyDeleteShana, yes! So I'm not crazy. It seems like it's going so fast.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sia. I can't wait to visit your blog. Sorcha is a interesting character. All the characters are more than meets the eye.
ReplyDeleteBrooklyn, thanks for stopping by. I love this series. If you get a chance to check it out, I hope you like it.
ReplyDeleteLil, Cody is going to have an uphill battle for sure.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous review!!
Thanks, Ashlyn! It's so much fun. I love the series, and the readers.
ReplyDeleteHappy release to you, Anita! Time is flying by and I imagine for a writer it's great seeing each story you write get out there in the world and beautifully packaged at that.
ReplyDeleteCambonified{at}yahoo{dot}com
Na, there is something so thrilling about seeing your book on the shelf. I remember the first time I saw mine in Borders, I was grinning like a monkey.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the release of Embrace the Highland Warrior! I can't wait to read this. Loved the excerpt...*sigh*...love Highlanders!
ReplyDeletejunegirl63(at)gmail(dot)com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWonderful Anita, I can't wait to get it, I absolutely Loved the first one. Met you at Nora's.
ReplyDeleteTjbbanzhoff@yahoo.com
Hi Maria, these are certainly sigh-worthy warriors, and they're just darned fun.
ReplyDeleteHi Aunt Thelma. It's great to see you here. I'm going to be signing with Nora again on Dec 3rd. Maybe I'll see you there!
ReplyDeleteOMG so glad it's finally out!! Can't wait to read about Cody!!
ReplyDeletemnjcarter@charter.net
Anita, Congrats on the release of Embrace The Highlander. I just loved Awaken The Highlander. Scottish romance and gorgeous Highlanders are my #1 favorite read. I so look forward to reading book 2. Wishing you many sales.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Congrats on the release and thanks for sharing the excerpt! Looking forward to reading this!
ReplyDeletechibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
Congratulations on your new release! I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeletejustforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com