Thanks for having me back at Smexy. It’s always a pleasure to be here.
This month, I’m thrilled to have two new releases. WHAT A GODDESS WANTS is the first book in my Forgotten Goddesses series and GRACE IN MOONLIGHT is the fifth book in my Lucani Lovers series.
Both stories are set within the hidden community of Etruscan magical users, featuring werewolves, witches, elves, fairies and an entire pantheon of deities.
The idea of writing about Etruscans came about six years ago, when I decided I wanted to write paranormals, mostly because I loved reading them. I had this idea about cursed witches but since I didn’t want to write about the Celtic tradition, I went searching for something closer to my own heritage. My dad’s family is from Italy and I wanted to tie that into my stories.
So I did some research and discovered the Etruscans, an ancient civilization that predates the Romans. They had their own mythology and magical traditions, some of which continue to be practiced today in Italy as La Vecchia Religione.
Spells, charms and rituals along with folk traditions comprise much of the teachings. It wasn’t that hard for me to adapt those to my needs. Then it was just a matter of creating an entire paranormal community that had survived from ancient times until today without being discovered. No problem.
I wrote that first book about witches but no traditional publisher would buy it and I set it aside. But those Etruscans wouldn’t let me go and I started the first story in what would become the Magical Seduction series. SEDUCED BY MAGIC was erotic, short and so much fun to write that I decided I wanted to play in this world for a while.
Throughout the Magical Seduction and Lucani Lovers series, you’ve met a few of the deities—Selvans, God of the Woods; Nortia, Goddess of Fate; Lucy (Lusna), Goddess of the Moon; and Tivr, God of the Moon.
Then I decided the goddesses need their own stories and the Forgotten Goddess came into being.
In WHAT A GODDESS WANTS, you’ll meet Tessa, the Etruscan Goddess of the Dawn, who finds herself the prey of Charun, God of the Underworld, who wants to consume her powers so he can get the hell out of, well, Hell, known to the Etruscans as Aitás. She needs a warrior to protect her and who better than a legendary Cimmerian. You might have heard of the most famous Cimmerian, Conan, created by Robert E. Howard. Just don’t bring that up to Cal. He’s a little touchy about how much the movies got wrong. In HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS (December 2011) and GODDESS IN THE MIDDLE (June 2012), Lucy and Amity, will find their HEAs.
While the goddesses are fighting off Charun, the lucani continue to fight their own battles. In GRACE IN MOONLIGHT, Grace Bellasario has a very personal fight—she’s battling to get back her children. Grace is 35, she’s survived a horrific relationship and she’s in love for the first time with the totally aggravating Kaisie Giliati. Kaisie’s 44, has a grown daughter and he knows what he wants. And that would be Grace. He’ll do anything he can to make sure she’s safe and happy, including killing the man who stole her children and made her life miserable. Even against the orders of his king.
If you’ve read my stories before, thanks for coming along on the ride. If you haven’t, I hope you’ll find them magical, sexy and engrossing.
Thanks Stephanie!
Today we have two giveaways – Two print copies of What a Goddess Wants (open to US/Canada) and two e-books of Grace in Moonlight (open to everyone).
To enter, just leave a comment stating which book you would prefer to win (there will be four winners). Contest open through July 18th.
Thanks for the giveaway! I would love What a Goddess Wants. It looks so good!
I love the sound of both of these, and that cover for Grace is just…wow! I’d like a shot at winning What a Goddess Wants.
Thanks for the awesome giveaway. I would LOVE to win what a goddess wants thanks again for the oppurtunity to win this!
Would love to win What a Goddess Wants :)
Would love to win Grace in Moonlight.
I would love a copy of Grace in Moonlight! Ms. Julian is one of my favorite authors and I can’t wait to read the next Lucani Lovers book. Thanks!
GRACE IN MOONLIGHT
I would totally love to read it!
Ellie, thanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Jenn, isn’t that cover gorgeous. I really lucked out with the cover gods on this one. And How To Worship A Goddess, the next book in the series, has a cover that’s just as awesome. I’m hoping to get a copy of that soon to show off.
Hi Robin and Laura, thanks so much for stopping.
Aw, Lisa, thank you so much! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my series.
Christina, thank you! Kaisie has such a clear voice in my head. He’s become one of my favorite guys.
I haven’t read one of her books yet, but they sound really interesting and I would love to read Grace in Moonlight :)
Would love to win / read the ebook Grace in Moonlight.
sk_86(at)gmx(dot)de
Also, I’ve been wondering quite some time: If one wins an ebook, Ddoes it get send to the regular email address or (if the person has a Kindle)…to the free Kindle adress? Newbie here!
Thanks for the giveaway.I would love to win What a Goddess Wants
I’d love What a Goddess Wants:)
Thanks for the giveaway!!
mk261274 at gmail dot com
Both books sound lovely but I think Grace in Moonlight would be my choice. I am intrigued by the blurb for this story. Thanks so much for the generous giveaway!
I’d love to win a print copy of What a Goddess Wants. Sounds awesome.
Thanks for the giveaway!
lyssad87(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway! I would love to win What a Goddess Wants. I love books about gods and goddesses.
angeldream3[AT]gmail[DOT]com
Would love to have What A Goddess Wants!
kissinoak at frontier dot com
I would love to immerse myself in the Etruscan world. I would love to win a print copy of WHAT A GODDESS WANTS.
I already have my copy of What a Goddess Wants, so I’d love to win Grace in Moonlight. I’ve been enjoying the Lucani Lovers series, plus I love it when the lead characters are a bit older.
jen at delux dot com
Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I would love to win the book
Sorry! I hit enter after typing and it cut off my comment. Anyway, What the Goddess Wants, is my choice if I win! Fantastic cover! Thanks again!
I would love What a Goddess Wants! The story sounds soo intriguing and I’m dying to read it.
I would love win What a Goddess Wants! Thanks for the contest!
I would love to win What a Goddess Wants! Thanks for the contest!
I want to thank everyone for stopping by. Sorry, life has a way of sidetracking you and I haven’t been able to stop back before now. You have to make a lot of phone calls when your car gets broken into and someone steals your Sirius radio, without which I go into Sirius withdrawal. Seriously.
Oh no..that sucks!
Oh, wow! Both books sound fantastic! Would love to read/win both/either of them! ;-)
I would love to win What a Goddess Wants. Thanks for the giveaway.
I would love a copy of What a Goddess Wants. Thanks for the awesome giveaway.