L.E. Wilson's Blog

Hey guys! We're only a few weeks away from the release of Jamal and Angel's story!

So, I thought you might like a sneak peek into their story...Please remember, this is an unedited first draft, so forgive me if there are typos.

,And don't forget to preorder and add it to your TBR list!

Chapter One

Jamal

Tonight was the night. Tonight was the night I would leave.

I repeated this to myself over and over as I walked out of The Purple Fang, the male strip club my coven owned on Bourbon Street in The French Quarter of New Orleans. It was also where we performed, and where we fed. And the only place I felt like I didn't belong to anyone but myself.

It hadn’t been my choice to work there. We were forced into the club by the restrictions of the witches. However, taking off my clothes for an audience was my choice. The women I took into the back room were my choice. And the women I took it a step farther with were my choice.

Not anyone else's. MINE.

I pulled up the collar of my jacket as I checked out what was happening outside the club. Things could get a little dicey in this part of the city at night, and it was always good to know what I was about to walk into. Girls who'd traded their bras for beads after too many Hurricanes and now couldn't find their hotel? I was more than happy to help get them there safe and sound. Guys who couldn't handle their alcohol and were chasing each other up and down the street with busted beer bottles? Yeah, nah. Imma be getting the hell out of there quick. Let the cops handle those idiots.

It had started raining sometime in the afternoon, so Bourbon Street was relatively empty. And I was glad for it because I didn't bring the car. At least with no one around I didn't have to pretend to be human. I'd be home before the rain had a chance to soak my clothes. I could pack some stuff, my laptop, and my camera, and be out of there before Killian had a chance to stop me.

Because that's exactly what he would do. He wouldn't be able to help himself, no matter how much I told him I needed to go.

I started home, and then remembered I had told Lizzy I would stop by her shop for her. She'd left her dog's medication there, and rather than have her run out in the cold rain to get it, I told her I would stop on my way home since Killian—her mate—was going to be a while yet. Plus, it would be my way of saying goodbye.

I liked Lizzy, and I liked Wiggles, and not only because she kept Killian off my back most of the time. It was just nice having another woman in the house. It was nice to come home and have the house smell like whatever she'd cooked for dinner. I couldn't eat it, but it was still nice. And she was an easy person to be around. She made it comfortable there. Homey. So, for her, I'd trek an extra few blocks out of my way, and even get my clothes wet.

About half a block from Ancient Magicks, I slowed down, narrowing my eyes. Someone had just come out of Lizzy's store. Their back was to me, and all I could tell was that it was a woman. With a wave of her hand, she locked the door again—or so I assumed—looked up and down the street, and walked away, her hands shoved in her pockets and her bright red hair mostly covered with the hood of her black raincoat.

With my dark skin and clothes, it was easy for me to step into the entrance to a courtyard and not be noticed. But I knew that red hair, bright as a candied apple against her pale, white skin, like Leeloo in The Fifth Element. One of my favorite movies. As I watched her walk away, I let the witch put some distance between us.

Angel, that was her name. Angel Moss. One of the witches from the local coven run by Lizzy's aunt. I'd seen her around here and there over the last few years, but mostly I remembered her from the night we'd all been here to try to find Kenya, my best friend in the coven. Although, that night was something I'd rather try to forget.

When she was a good three blocks away from me, I started to follow her, curious as to what she was doing in the shop this late. I hadn't seen anything in her hands, but that didn't mean anything. She was a witch. She could hide shit easily. A fucking elephant could be strolling alongside her and I would never know it if she didn't want me to.

That kind of shit creeped out some vampires, and I was one hundred and fifty percent one of those bloodsuckers. It was strange, because I grew up with women—and some men—practicing voodoo they'd brought with them from Haiti when they were forced to relocate to this country. But what the witches here practiced was nothing like voodoo. Nah. That shit was a different beast entirely. And it made my skin crawl like roaches were embedded in the muscle beneath it.

Angel stopped suddenly in the middle of the sidewalk, her head turning slightly like she was listening to something. I ducked into a doorway, my own sensitive ears hearing nothing but the rain hitting the pavement and my own soft breathing. I waited for her to turn around and look right at me, but she didn't. After a few heartbeats, she crossed the street and headed toward the Garden District.

A few seconds later, I followed her, knowing I may not find out anything if she crossed into her neighborhood. It was warded by the witches. They would know as soon as I stepped foot over the line, and then there would be more questions than I was ready to answer. She walked two more blocks and turned a corner. Looking around to make sure there were no witnesses, I jogged ahead at vamp speed, slowing down only when I'd reached the street she'd turned on. I waited a heartbeat, and then leaned out around the corner. But she was fucking gone.

I walked around the corner, narrowing my eyes against the rain, but I couldn't find her anywhere. There was no way she'd made it to the next turn that fast. So she'd either gone inside one of these houses, or she'd known I was following her the entire time. "Dammit," I muttered.

"Why are you following me, vampire?"

I whipped around with a curse to find her directly behind me, hands in the pockets of her jacket, head tilted with curiosity.

"Hey, Leeloo."

She didn't bother to correct me, just stood there, waiting for an explanation.

“What are you doing sneaking around Lizzy's shop?" I didn't know the extent of her magic, so I figured being straight up was probably my best option here.

"None of your business." She went to walk around me, and without thinking I grabbed her arm.

A current of energy whipped up my arm, zapping me, and I jerked back, holding my hands in front of me, palms out. Baring my teeth as the hair rises on the back of my neck, I muttered, "Sorry, princess."

"Don't flash your fangs at me, vampire. I'm not afraid of your bite."

My cock twitched in my pants as I wondered if her blood was as spicy as her personality. "Keep your fucking magic in check, Leeloo. I just wanna talk."

"There's nothing for us to discuss," she told me. "I was in the shop. The shop once owned by our coven and still owned by my cousin. It's none of your concern why I was there or what I was doing. End of discussion. Now stop following me."

She turned to leave and I reached out to stop her again before I remembered myself and rushed around her to block her path. She stopped when I appeared in front of her, her face a mask of impatience, but she didn't try to go around me or zap me out of her way. "I'm getting wet," she said in a bored voice.

I knew what she meant, and still my mind immediately went there. A low growl rose in my chest, but I bit it off before she could hear it. My nostrils flared, searching for her scent. With the overpowering humidity of the rain it wasn't more than a wisp on the wind, but it was there. Earthy and full of spice, just as I remembered. It made my mouth water.

"If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise get the hell out of my way."

"Jamal," I told her.

"What?"

"My name is Jamal."

She lifted one dark eyebrow, as if to say, "And?"

"Does Lizzy know you were in her shop?"

"Good gods, vampire, drop it already, will you? You've got nothing on me."

"Then why won't you tell me what you were doing there?"

"What were you doing there?" she asked me.

"What?"

"Turnaround is fair play, right? You tell me what you were doing there and I'll tell you why I was there."

"I was getting Wiggles' medication that Lizzy accidentally left there when she locked up earlier today.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I waited for her reciprocate.

The rain started to come down harder, and she gave the sky a dirty look and then pulled her hood down farther over her face. "It was nice chatting with you, Jamal," she dragged my name out, “but I gotta go." She took a step forward, so close I could feel her body heat through the raincoat she was wearing. I stared down into her hazel eyes, moss green with streaks of golden brown, then dipped down to her ruby red lips, watching as her tongue wet her the bottom one. "If I stay here with you any longer," she purred, "I'm going to be completely drenched." She looked up at me, the corners of her mouth turning up into a feline smile.

I stood there, unable to move, as she walked around me and crossed the border into The Garden District.

To Be Continued...

https://youtu.be/5OBO-Wak8YI

So, I did a thing.

It was research.

My family was lucky enough to be invited to stay in a friend's townhome in Breckenridge, Colorado.

Colorado, you say??

Uh, yes please!

So, we all quarantined and drove out.

I've never been to Colorado, and if you've never been there either I have one piece of advice- GO. It's...stunning. That's the only way I could describe it. I was really impressed by the way they were handling Covid, too. Masks were required EVERYWHERE. Even outside on Main street and on the ski slopes. There were limits for how many people could be in the shops, and all of the restaurants had takeout and/or outdoor seating.

And also, take advantage of the bottles of oxygen they sell everywhere, unless of course, you already live at a high altitude and you're used to it. As you know, I'm a chubby girl, but I do exercise on a regular basis and my lungs are actually in pretty good shape. At least, I thought they were, until I got to 9,000 feet above sea level.

One of the ladies who worked in a store there told me it took her three weeks to acclimate to the higher altitude. Alas, we were only there for two. But seriously, I'd get all out of breath rolling over in bed. LOL

This trip played in perfectly with the fact that I was about to start writing a new shifter book! AND, it's a Christmas novella that needed a location where there was snow.

Now, most of y'all know I live right outside of Austin, TX. Snow is not a normal thing here. HOWEVER, three days after I left for Colorado, we got the worst snow and ice storms here that we've seen in maybe 30 years, and I missed it all. But the worst part about it was my oldest was here at our house alone with our two pets. He lost power for FOUR days in single digit temps, and the roads were so bad we couldn't even get home to help him.

WE ARE NOT BUILT FOR THAT IN TEXAS.

Luckily, he survived, as did our furbabies, and actually looked at the whole thing like an adventure. (I was freaking out, but he did good.)

So, that's when the vacation really started...

First, we went on a sleigh ride! It started really snowing while we were out, too. But luckily, we had lots of blankets.

Our horses names were Chicken and Waffles. Fun fact- Did you know a single draft horse can pull up to 8,000 lbs?? I didn't either until I googled it because I was concerned about these babies.

We went tubing! This was SO much fun. We were at the top of the ski slopes, and it was SO gorgeous. The pictures don't do it justice.

Also, you'll see my youngest sister rocking our Mom's yellow ski suit from the 80s. She got so many compliments. LOL And my little 4 yr-old niece was fearless. (Why, yes. She IS wearing a unicorn hat because why not?)

I've got some video of this on my Instagram: https://Instagram.com/LEWilsonAuthor

Luckily, they didn't make us walk back up.

One of the best parts? Snowmobiling 2 miles up! Yes, we were at 12,000 feet above sea level. It was awesome.

My goggles were totally sliding down here...LOL

Here we're posing in front of Mt. Elbert (14,440 ft above sea level) and Mt. Massive (14,428 ft above sea level), the two highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains.

All in all it was an amazing trip, even if we were somewhat limited in our activities because, you know, Covid. So there was no eating out, no group activities too close to other people etc. but we still had a great time and it was SO good to get out of the house and refill my creative well! I started working on the new Christmas novella while we were there, and I'm totally loving the process again!

The novella won't be out until around the holidays, but I've got lots of other stuff planned for this year!! I hope you enjoyed the pictures!

Much love,

L.E. (and Joe Joe!)

I couldn't wait any longer!

I had planned to release this book over the summer as a little break between the shifters and the vamps, but I just couldn't wait. I'm so excited for you to read Tyler and Ailee's story!

Although he doesn't have any supernatural strength or fangs, Tyler Hale has been one of my favorite heroes to write, y'all. Spending time in his head and in his heart was hard sometimes. He has some issues. And one scene in particular had me breaking down while I was trying to type, but I'm so glad I wrote his story.

And Ailee is the perfect heroine for him. She's also a mature heroine, closer to my age than his. And she has some issues with that...among other things. But she and her bff kept me giggling! Which was good.

I needed the breaks from Tyler's headspace...

Another thing that's different about this book? I released it into KU! And you all KNOW how I feel about KU. But I decided to go that route because it's not my normal genre and it's kind of out there on its own, so I figured "What the hell?" (If you're not a subscriber to KU, you can still get the book the normal way by buying it on Amazon.)

I hope you enjoy reading Tyler and Ailee's story! Please let me know what you think!

Much love,

L.E.

Ever have one of those days where nothing goes as planned and you go to bed exhausted yet wondering what the hell you accomplished all day and questioning every aspect of your life?Well, I'm having one of those YEARS. And that year started in October of 2018 when my husband was laid off from his job. He found a new one, but it took a few months, and didn't come in time to pay for Christmas. Or the mortgage, for that matter. We got by, as people do, but not without running up some debt. And that was just the beginning.Around that same time, my son started having some health issues. After countless doctor appointments and scans and tests, we're still trying to find out what's wrong with him. He's in a lot of pain, and so Mom here (that's me) has been driving him back and forth to all of these things, picking up his meds, making special trips to the grocery store and so on, and so on. He tries to keep a positive attitude, but it's hard. And, you know, there's all the mom feelings. When your kid is suffering, so are you.Along with all of this, I offered to pick up a side job to help pay for the debt caused by mentioned layoff and son's medical bills. I had to do this because the writing gig barely makes enough to pay for itself. Unfortunately, being a full-time author is becoming less and less sustainable. And to be completely honest, there have been quite a few times recently I've thought of giving it up. I've gone back and forth about whether or not I should be open about this with you guys, but I think it's something you, as readers, need to know...I love writing stories for the readers who love them, but due to things like book pirating and the "pay to play" motto sites like Facebook and Amazon are adopting, it's getting harder and harder to pay the bills doing the job I love.And harder and harder to find that mindset I need to be in to write. So, I'm taking a break from all of the noise of social media and going back to what I love to do most. Writing. Just writing. It's the only way I'm going to get my stories out there. Social media, besides being stressful, is a time suck. And it's been taking up way too much of my writing time. On a happier note, we're building a new house! More on this in my next newsletter. But alas, that comes with its own set of time sucks. The planning, the packing, the selling of this house and moving into the new one...I'm tired just thinking about it. LOL And in between ALL of this, I'm helping my mom with my sweet newborn little nephew. She's watching him for a few weeks, and I (because I have nothing else going on in my life) offered to help. LOL Anyway, the reason for all of this blabbering is to tell you I am writing every moment I can find! And Lucian's book WILL be here soon! I promise. :) I'm still going for a mid-May release date, and fingers crossed, that will happen. However, I won't rush a book just to get it out there. If it comes down to it, I'll push the date back again. The next few months are going to be crazy busy for me. Trust me, it'll be worth the wait.

And remember the redhead who walked in at the end of Fire of the Dreki? Yeah, that would be Everly...So, I had no plans to write these two books right at this time, though the characters have been shouting in my head for a couple of years now. This series was planned as a duology, but who knows? Maybe more dragons will show up in the not too distant future.Preorder Your Copy here - Preorder Blood of the MasterDescription:Vampires and dragons are forbidden to mate…Everly Taylor isn't sure what to expect the first time she walks into a local bar run by the supernatural, but Hawke sure isn't it. His intense gaze notices more than it should, and his carefully poised confidence hides a vulnerability she senses more than sees. Though her body reacts to him immediately, his dark presence is daunting. But Everly refuses to let it intimidate her. She needs his help. Parasupe has kidnapped her brother, and she has no idea why, and no one else to turn to.When a local reporter with fiery red hair and fearless gray eyes marches into his vampire bar, Hawke's first instinct is to bite her tempting lower lip. His second instinct is to get her the hell out of there, sooner rather than later. No matter how sweet her scent or beguiling her smile, his job is to protect his coven, and it's a responsibility he does not take lightly. However, he soon finds this particular human isn't so easy to forget. Something about her has flicked a switch inside of him. One that was better off left alone.Everly and Hawke have an instant heat between them that's near impossible to resist. But when he discovers she's a dragon shifter, she becomes more than a distraction. She becomes a threat. And it will take an act of complete sacrifice to convince him she is worth the fight.Happy Reading!L.E.

This weekend I was a signing author at Wanderlust in San Antonio, put on by the very handsome and talentedWander Aquiarand his team. Wander is an AMAZING photographer, and you'll see his photos on the covers of my upcoming series, The Sergones Coven.We stayed at the Menger Hotel in San Antonio, right across the street from The Alamo. And it's HAUNTED, y'all. At least, that's the rumor. I, myself, did not see any apparitions other than my own tired face in the mirror (which was tired because I couldn't sleep because I was waiting to see ghosts).The hotel opened in San Antonio in 1859, "ushering in a new era of sophistication on the Texas frontier", and was later expanded to make room for all of the guests who wanted to stay there. According to the hotel's website, "Exorbitant cattle sales and oil deals were sealed over handshakes and shots of rye at the bar. And it was at this same bar that Theodore Roosevelt recruited his famous Rough Riders cavalry brigade."The haunted section is the original hotel. I didn't stay in this section (probably why we didn't see any ghosts), but I did get some photos of the lobby (KEEP SCROLLING AFTER THESE PICS. I CAN'T SEEM TO GET RID OF THE SPACES..LOL):My PA, Dani, and I actually stayed in the newer section of the hotel (which is probably why I didn't see any ghosts). However, that's where Texas's oldest bar is...And if you happen to be wondering who's going to be on the next book cover for Fire of the Dreki, book 1 of The Sergones Coven... Say hello toJonny James.Some behind the scenes stuff:A HUGE shout out to Wander (muah!) and his team (you guys were awesome) for putting on this event! We had tons of fun enjoying the Riverwalk with y'all, and I'm really looking forward to next year! And thank you SO MUCH to all of the readers who came! I even got to meet one of my Wenches in person for the first time! All in all, it was a wonderful weekend.And that's a wrap.

Fae Hunter, book 3 of The Kincaid Werewolves, is dropping in exactly TWO weeks, y'all. Oh, Keegan. You were only supposed to be a side character in book 2 (Fae Encounter). You were supposed to be the "Asshat" running the Faerie rodeo, and leave it at that. But nooooo. You had to let your feelings for one particular Faerie get in the way. And though you allowed some really fucked up shit to happen, you did what you thought you had to do, and you did it fairly, with a calm maturity that all Alpha werewolves should have. You even let her go when it came down to it.But it wasn't long until you came up with a way to get her back. At least, back to Austin. Now you just have to figure out how to hang on to your flighty little Fae without making her hate you even more. And I had to tell your story because you just wouldn't shut up or be happy until I did. So, here we go....Keegan and Bitsy's story is coming March 30, 2018! If you can't wait, you can pre-order it right now at all of your favorite vendors. Just click on the teaser below!

Not now, honey. I'm reading...Here is a list (or the start of a list) of the books I intend to read in 2018. This is not necessarily the order I'll read them in, as some of them aren't out yet. As the year goes on, I'll mark which ones I've read and add to my list!Have you read any of these yet? Leave a comment! Want to read and discuss? Leave a comment!WHAT I'M READING IN 2018:READ- Sweet Hell on Fire: A memoir of the Prison I Worked In and the Prison I Lived In - by Sara LunsfordShadow Spell - Book Two of The Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy - by Nora RobertsBlood Magick - Book Three of The Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy - by Nora RobertsDesecration - by J.F. PennComing In Hot - by Carmen CookRoad to Ruin - by Callie Hart, Jonny JamesFighting Destiny (The Fae Chronicles Book 1) - by Amelia HutchinsKing - Book One of The King Series - by T.M. FrazierFashionable Fanged: Book Eight, The Hot Damned Series - by Robyn PetermanMalevolent (The Darkness Series Book 1) - by Cassia BrightmoreScorpius Rising - by Rebecca ZanettiA Scot in the Dark (Scandal & Scoundrel book II) - by Sarah MacLeanThe Day of the Duchess (Scandal & Scoundrel book III) - Sarah MacLeanEscape Series Book 1-3: The Escape Trilogy Box Set - by Sydney HolmesThe Highlander’s Sword (The Highlander Series Book 1) - by Amanda ForesterBlood Fury: Black Dagger Legacy - by J.R. WardThe Thief: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood - by J.R. WardThe Dark Calling: The Arcana Chronicles - by Kresley ColeHeart of Gold: A Blessings Novel - by Beverly JenkinsDarling Beast: A Maiden Lane Novel - by Elizabeth HoytDragonmark: A Dark Hunter Novel - by Sherrilyn Kenyondawn study: A New Poison Study Novel- by Maria V. SnyderDangerous Highlander: A Dark Sword Novel - by Donna Grant

I know a lot of you are sad the Deathless Night Series has come to an end. But I have a few new things planned for 2018, and hopefully you'll be as excited about them as I am! This is my tentative schedule. It may change a bit depending on what characters decide to talk to me.January 2018 - A brand new, re-edited version of Blood Hunger (Deathless Night Series #1). This was the very first story I ever wrote and published, with only a proof reader before I released it into the wild, and you can tell. So, I've hired an amazing new editor, and we're giving it a complete overhaul, including a different ending (because I've never been happy with the first one). March 2018 - Look for book 3 of The Kincaid Werewolves - Fae Hunter. Keegan McRae, the alpha from the TX pack, was never supposed to have his own book. But he ran amok in Fae Encounter and he wants Bitsy. It'll be interesting to see if he can manage to win her over after everything he's done to her. (This is for sure. I'm writing the story right now because these characters wouldn't shut up. LOL)July 2018 - A brand new stand alone Contemporary Romance. (At least I think it's going to be Contemporary—and a stand alone. Sometimes characters pop up who demand their own story to be told, (see Keegan McRae), so we'll see!) This is a story of my heart that's been circling around in my head since last fall. Much of it will be based on my own experiences.October 2018 - Book 1 of my brand new trilogy. I've been dying to write the story of these characters for over a year now, but I really wanted to get the Deathless Night Series wrapped up for you first. It's going to be a Paranormal Romance, but a little bit different from the norm. Sometime next year... - I've just started working on something, but I can't tell you, yet. It's going to be a big surprise though!Patreon I'm starting a new Patreon page! If you're not familiar with Patreon, it's basically a way for you to support your favorite creative people with monetary donations (anywhere from $1 or more a month). In return, you will be part of a unique group of supporters (or patrons) who will have access to stuff no one else does. I haven't worked it all out yet, but I'm thinking special swag and books no one else has, shirts, sneak peaks as I'm writing...stuff like that. If you have any good ideas, let me know! Thank you all so much for all of your support, and have a safe and wonderful holiday!