1. It’s really fun to be able to string out and develop minor characters into main characters in another book.

2. It can really be a pain in the ass to try and remember everything you’ve written before so everything matches! (So that character had blue eyes in the first book and had brown eyes in the fourth book… ack!)

3. I love glimpses into characters’ lives that have already been “wrapped up” in previous books. In the fourth Ilyrian book that’s next up we actually see how Brooke and Bethany are getting along in Ilyria. It’s fun!

4. Sometimes series can seem so involved and detailed. Good in its own way, but can make it a challenge to not lose a reader who might not have read the other books in the series. You want them intrigued and interested, but not overwhelmed. A tightrope balancing trick at times.

5. Though it’s fascinating (in my opinion) to see previous characters as they’ve changed since “their” book, they’ve got to be in later books because they add to another’s story, not just because it’s fun to find out more about them after their Happily Ever After.

6. And finally, sometimes the storyline keeps options limited, it is a nice feeling to be able to wrap up loose ends that didn’t really fit into previous stories.

or so it seems. A mountain of paperwork, childhood sickness (that my youngest seems intent to check off one after the other during this, his first year of school), and personal stuff – like when you fall down one flight of stairs, break one teeny little bone in your foot and there’s just all kinds of problems. Sheesh. Anyway, life happens, right? Good stuff too – like picking out an engagement ring – woohoo!

And…yes! Connyn’s story is finally in the works. No timetable yet. Or promises. I might have a lot of work to do on it once my editor reads through it. Or it could be chunked. One never knows. I hope not of course. I think everyone’s going to love seeing Connyn meet his match in his mate!

I loved writing their story. They both are such strong characters. Like steel on flint – and the sparks fly everytime they get together! I’ve already posted their first kiss (well, part of it anyway ), but here’s a little excerpt of Aurora getting to know Connyn better. (Unedited and unofficial)

The man had enough ego to sustain a revival of Sparta. She eyed Connyn over the top of her cheeseburger and wondered just how closely an Ilyrian could be compared to that ancient civilization. Were they all merciless warriors who considered themselves unbeatable and the gods’ gift to all things military?

Connyn’s right eyebrow arched. “Yes?”

“I was wondering about your world?”

“Our world.”

“Right. Exactly my point.”

“You haven’t stated a point my comment could either support or negate. And I have been tutoring you in our traditions, lore and history for the past several hours.”

True. He’d been lecturing her in the car since Lubbock and would have made a great professor. He had the arrogant didacticism down stone cold. She appreciated the information, just not the delivery. However, at this point, she would take what she could get. Aurora put down her cheeseburger. “Are you the norm for Ilyria?”

“Excuse me?”

“The norm. Usual. Are all the men and women like you?”

“Your question is too vague to be answered adequately. What exactly are you referring to?”

Aurora picked up a french fry and waved it around in an exasperated circle. “Just like that. The way you talk—”

“What’s wrong with the way I speak?”

She bit the fry in two. She had his complete, if irritated, attention. “It’s very…royal.”

He sat back against the booth and crossed his arms over his chest. “Of course. I am a Royal. Heir to the Third House of Kilth.”

“I mean you tend to be condescending.”

“I do not.”

Forgetting the other half of the fry she had just stuffed into her mouth, she snorted and nearly choked herself. Connyn started to rise, but she gestured him down and eased her coughing fit with a drink of Diet Coke. When she could breathe again, she nodded her head. “Yes, you do. For example, you assume you’re always right.”

“Being right is not the same as being condescending.”

“No one is always right.”

He simply responded by smugly raising his eyebrows.

“See? Right now. You’re doing it.”

He frowned, but it cleared as quickly as it had come. “Ah.”

“Ah? What the hell is Ah?”

“You are obviously upset because you’ve been wrong about nearly everything since we’ve met and are feeling embarrassed about it. So your typical feminine response is to try to find fault with me.”

Aurora’s jaw dropped.

“Don’t worry,” he continued when she couldn’t force sound past her indignation. “I am well able to handle your emotional variability and occasional irrational outburst.”

“Emotional var—feminine re—embarrassed?!” Slowly she lowered her hands to lie flat on the table and leaned toward him. “Listen here you arrogant son of a—”

He cut her off by standing abruptly. “We can continue this conversation in the car. You are drawing attention to us with the rising tone of your voice.” Before she could say another word, he turned and walked out of the fast food restaurant, leaving her staring at his back, completely furious and completely stunned. Mentally groping for a word beyond supercilious, and asshole, and bastard, and…well hell. The English language didn’t have one that she knew of that did him justice. Perhaps she’d find a new word in Ilyria. 

One of the best things about all the sparks between these two? They always start such a delicious fire!

February is kicking my butt. I could do with Valentine’s Day NOW. Today. Yesterday. What? It’s still two days away? It’s been crazy. Work, kids, colds, weather, a dog that’s turned into a little psychotic chewing tornado and to top it all off, I got a phone call asking if I wanted to coach soccer. (If you knew me, you’d be joining me rolling on the floor laughing…) Anyway, back to the kisses. I thought that for today, I’d post the last kiss I’ve written (I’m still looking for the first kiss I wrote – having to do some hunting on that).

For those who are keeping up with the Ilyrian series, here’s a quick excerpt (unofficial and unfinalized version) of that kiss from Connyn’s story. Hope you enjoy!

By the time he stopped, she had to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact. Propping her hands on her hips, she returned his glare and held her ground. If he wanted a fight, she sure as hell could accommodate him. All she had to do was funnel all this sexual tension he kept stirring up in her and focus it into an angry confrontation. Something she was well able to do. She’d had lots of practice on focusing thanks to the unique abilities passed down through her mother’s bloodline.

Connyn was so close, she could feel the heat from his body. The temptation to lean into it was strong and her thoughts took a quick little side trip imagining running her hands over his broad chest and pressing her breasts against that wall of solid muscle.

For a moment, she thought he was just going to try and stare her down. Braced for some form of assault, she was totally unprepared when he reached up and brushed his fingertips down her cheek. Shocked by his action, she flinched back away from his touch. He frowned and slid his hand around the back of her neck, holding her gently but firmly. The staring contest ended when his gaze roamed over her face and his thumb gently stroked the side of her face.

“Aurora.”

The way he said her name, a deep rumbling like a whispered roar that made her feel both protected and vulnerable at the same time. A very unnerving sensation.

All thought flew out of her mind as Connyn’s mouth settled over hers in a kiss that sent electric heat zinging through her body, riding currents of lust that converged between her legs with a desire so strong she wondered if he hadn’t drugged her at some point. His mouth moved over hers and her knees threatened to give out. In a reflexive attempt to keep upright, her fingers dug into his leather coat. Until now, she hadn’t even realized she’d been hanging on to him.

His hand moved up her back, holding and supporting her as his tongue slowly but lightly traced the line between her closed lips. It was a gentle, sensual caress that sent a full-body shiver through her.

Been writing today! Yay! Progress! Working on Connyn’s story – the next book in the Ilyrian Destiny series. He was introduced in Brooke’s Sanctuary, and if you haven’t met him, let’s just say he isn’t the most laid back and well-liked of the cousins. Not that he cares what they think. He has “issues” with the gods, the Elders and Prophets, his cousins-hell, with just about everybody.

Yay! The third book in the series finally released yesterday! I’m very excited! I just got the cover a couple of days ago and wow! I love it!

Ilyrian Destiny – Myrra’s Choice By Eve Jameson
Part of the Ilyrian Destiny series.

After being attacked and left for dead on the side of a mountain, Myrra Lansyr isn’t worried about waking up naked, being tied to a bed or stranded with a stranger seeking vengeance for his murdered brother. Far more frightening and unacceptable are the deep, unrestrained desires Brett Canon looses within her every time they touch.Again and again he pushes her to her limits and past them — sexually and emotionally — and still demands more. Years before, she chose duty to country over personal feelings, but for the first time in her life, the obligation of her position as Captain of an Ilyrian royal guard is challenged by a longing for more. And Brett will do whatever it takes to keep her safe in his arms and present in his life.

You can find an excerpt here at Ellora’s Cave. I hope you enjoy!

Eve