Print Release: Old Sins, Long Shadows

Tomorrow is the release day for the print version of Old Sins, Long Shadows (Book 2 in the Children of Night series). And because I have very few brain cells left and I'm saving those I still have to waste at RT next week (Next week! How did that happen? No matter, I can't wait. Note to self: buy more Red Velvet Chocolate Tea) I've decided, in lieu of actually writing a post, I'm basically going to borrow Erin's post from when Just Like That was released in print. I have some very good reasons for doing that. According to Erin, at the time this was her favorite book. Maybe it still is, but we'd have to ask her about that.  Either way, ditto with me and Sins. There's just something special about Conrad and Damian's relationship. Also, coincidentally, Just Like That was the second book in the series. Again, ditto.  See what I mean? That post was meant to be stolen by me.

So, on with the theft...

Erin listed several reasons for why this was her favorite book. Let's borrow...er, I mean let's explore what those were:

Erin's reason #1. Her hero, Sam. Here's what she had to say about him:  " I don't know why but Sam was an easy hero to write. He just behaved the whole time- well, at least when he *didn't* I was okay with it! ;)"

Well, Old Sins, Long Shadows has not one but two heroes and they're both very easy too...to write, of course. What else did you think I meant? lol! On the other hand, they never behaved. In fact, I doubt they even know what the word means. But what else would you expect from vampires? Being bad boys kinda works for them. At least I think so.

Erin's reason #2. No cover drama. Uh, yeah. Right with her on that one too. Sins has a gorgeous cover. (see it over there on the right? isn't it purty?) And I think it looks even better in print than it did as a digital cover. When I received my author copies, I may have danced around the room a bit.

Erin's reason #3. No edit drama. Well, I never have edit drama anyway, so...

Erin's reason #4. The guys. Hmm. Yeah, I think I already covered that. Easy, sexy and bad...which is very, very good.

Erin's reason #5. Her heroine, Danika. Yeah...I don't really think this book has a heroine, per se, so I guess I'll just have to let that one slide.

Anyway, I will be giving away a signed copy this week, so leave a comment here and you'll be entered to win. I'll draw a winner on Friday.

And here's an excerpt. One of my favorite scenes with the boys...


“Stop dropping your guard!” Damian scolded with uncharacteristic harshness. He’d coaxed Julie into fencing with him, in hopes a little swordplay would help him expend some of the pent-up frustration he’d been left with following his interview with Conrad. It wasn’t working, however. The girl was proving to be far too timid an opponent for his needs. “Focus, chica. You’re too distracted tonight.”

Julie huffed out an angry breath. “Pot, meet kettle,” she snapped and Damian knew he couldn’t refute the charge.

“Again,” he sighed, annoyed with them both. He was distracted, damn it, but how could he not be? Ever since the morning after the party he’d been waiting for the other shoe to drop. He knew he’d pushed Conrad too hard. It had been madness to taunt him. It was foolish and dangerous…and yet, Conrad had not reacted in any of the ways Damian had come to expect. Quiet, subdued, forgiving, restrained; this was not the vampire Damian knew and loved. Fool that he was, he suspected he might actually prefer a Conrad who shouted and growled and made his feelings plain. At least then you knew where he stood with him.

You mean at least you thought you might tempt him to lay his hands on you in anger, an evil voice inside his head insisted. Since you can’t get him to do so in any other way. 


That was probably true as well, but if so it was of an order of idiocy beyond anything Damian had sunk to in a very long time. And that was definitely not something he wanted to dwell on.

He froze for an instant when the door to the gym opened and the object of his obsession appeared. Fabulous. Just what I need. He and Julie both stared at Conrad in surprise. As far as Damian knew, this was the first time he’d been to the gym since his abduction—a good sign, surely. It was just Damian’s bad luck he’d chosen to show up now.

“Have you come to work out?” he asked, trying hard not to stare. After all, it was hardly the first time he’d seen Conrad dressed so casually. Even though his current outfit—yoga pants and fitted T—left little to the imagination, he’d also seen him in far, far less. He should be inured to the sight. Still, it had been a while.

Conrad shrugged. “It’s a possibility. I haven’t decided yet.” He glanced around vaguely, then took a seat on one of the weight benches. “Go on with what you were doing,” he urged, as he picked up a small barbell.
“Don’t let me disturb you.”

Dios mio. Damian sighed. As if it had ever been possible for him not to be disturbed when Conrad was anywhere in the vicinity. Still, the attempt needed to be made. For the sake of his pride, if nothing else. He nodded to Julie and they began again—only to be interrupted almost immediately.

“Julie, you’re holding back,” Conrad observed, after Damian had scored another easy point off the girl. “Push him a little. C’mon, you can do better than that.”

Damian bit back a growl. The one area where Conrad had mostly treated him as an equal was in the care and training of the twins. It didn’t matter that they were in agreement, in this case, Damian still did not need—or appreciate—Conrad’s sideline coaching.

“Again,” he growled, noting with sympathy how Julie’s jaw had clenched, the flush that colored her cheeks. Of course she would be flustered and embarrassed with both of them harping on her like this. How could she not? He could barely bring himself to offer any additional instruction himself, at this point, lest she feel herself completely browbeaten.

They sparred for several minutes more and all the while Conrad, his own workout forgotten, continued to volunteer advice. It was obvious he had misconstrued Damian’s silence as an invitation to take over the lesson. Finally, Damian could take no more.

“Stop!” he ordered.

Julie’s eyes flashed. She glared at him, clearly exasperated. “What now?”

Damian ignored her and turned instead toward Conrad. “Do you really think you’re that much better at this?”

Conrad appeared momentarily startled. “At what?” he asked cautiously.

“All of it! The fencing, the coaching, the sword fighting.”

“Sword fighting? Is that what you call what you’re doing?” Conrad’s eyes glimmered with amusement.
“Well, as to that, I should hope so, my dear. After all, I do have quite a few years on you. I dare say I could still teach you a few things.”

“Do you? Bueno.” Damian motioned to Julie. “Hand me your foil.”

“What?” Julie’s eyes widened.

“Your foil, chica. Now.”

She handed it over reluctantly. Damian took it and executed a courtly bow. “And now, if il Maestro would be so kind. Perhaps you’d favor us with a small lesson?”

A disbelieving smile curved Conrad’s lips. “Are you saying you wish to fight me?”

“Unless, perhaps, you fear it would be too strenuous for someone of your advanced age?”

Conrad frowned. “No, I believe I can still manage it.” He rose to his feet. “Although it might prove embarrassing for you.”

“I’ll risk it,” Damian replied, promptly hurling the foil at Conrad’s head—tip first—not overly concerned with whether Conrad would catch it, or it would catch him. A moot point anyway, since Conrad easily dodged and spun and caught hold of the hilt as it flew past.

Julie scurried away to sit on one of the benches. Conrad approached, idly swishing his blade through the air. A fell smile curved his lips. “Very well. Now, what am I wagered?”

“Wagered?”

“It is customary, is it not? Or am I mistaken? Did you not just issue me a challenge?”

“I did. But why waste time now on details? Let us just say that the winner may demand from the loser whatever boon he wishes.”

“Rather a useless victory,” Conrad observed coolly. “Is it not? As your sire, I’m already entitled to ask for whatever I want from you.”

“Ah. You’re assuming you’ll win, then?”

Conrad’s answering smile was so engaging Damian might have had serious trouble resisting its attraction if he weren’t so angry. And if Conrad didn’t compound his anger by replying with insufferable confidence, “But, of course.”

“Don’t,” Damian advised, getting quickly into position. “En garde!”

Buy it here on sale!


Old Sins, Long Shadows
Children of Night, Book 2

Published by: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Cover by: Kanaxa
Publication Date: 04-03-2012
Length: 296 Pages

ISBN: 978-1-60928-470-1


Living forever is hard, but loving forever? That’s damn near impossible.

1856, New York City. Moments after Conrad Quintano drives his life-mate away, heartache and guilt descend around his heart like a pall. Convinced that Damian’s hatred is as permanent as the scars Conrad has inflicted on him, Conrad steels himself for an eternity of emotional torture.

Present day, San Francisco. For the sake of vampire twins Marc and Julie Fischer, Conrad and Damian present a united parental front. In reality, their truce is a sham. Conrad, weakened by his recent ordeal, struggles against the urge to bring his mate back to his bed. And Damian misinterprets Conrad’s explosive temper as proof their relationship is irreparably broken.

When an old enemy’s quest to create a dangerous new breed of vampire threatens the twins’ lives—and the precarious state of vampire peace—it’s imperative the estranged lovers put the past behind them. Or the shadows of the past will tear apart everything they hold dear.

Product Warnings:
This book may not be suitable for readers with an aversion to emotionally damaged vampire heroes. Caution is advised if you have experienced prior sensitivity to any of the following: costume parties, fencing lessons, interspecies, inter-generational or intra-gender dating, occasional mild violence, and/or recreational blood-drinking.