For years we’ve been doing contests from the Vampire-Huntress.com site, as well as the universal LeslieEsdaileBanks.com site. But now that we’ve added the blog feature to both sites, this seems as good as any place to have a “one-stop-shop” for folks to check in and participate in contests.
Last month we gave away copies of the October romance, “Take Me There,” and the paranormal romantic comedy, “My Big Fat Paranormal Wedding,” plus, the “Love At First Bite” anthology. Previously, we also gave away copies of the hot steamy, “Vegas Bites,” as well as crime thrillers, “Scarface; the Beginning,” and “Shattered Trust” (which is the third book in the Dafina “Trust” series, featuring Laura Caldwell and her man, the sexy James Carter.)
One lucky winner got an advanced copy of “The Wicked,” 
(book 8 in the Vampire Huntress Legends series, also affectionately known as, “the VHL,” by readers)… and that seemed to be the hottest commodity of all.
Therefore, since I’m crazy at work finishing up a brand new werewolf series opener for St. Martin’s Press, and it’s very unlikely that I’m going to get to do another installment of “Between the Books” for the VHL lovers before the New Year, I figured what better way to end the season than with a giveaway that the winner couldn’t get anywhere else?
So, in keeping with that, the way to win this is by posting. We’re trying to build the blog site as you can imagine, and would like to hear your comments, feedback, get your opinion, and welcome your participation… we wanna know what topics you’d like to talk about in the coming year, any questions you have for the author, stuff like that. From those posts, our webmaster is just going to do a random selection from all the feedback we get—cutting it off at some unknown point—a first come first served sort of dealio applies. Then he’ll do a fair “eeenie, meanie, minie mo” sort of thing (totally scientific I assure you, LOL!) and will select the winner. And I promise no matter rain, snow, sleet or hail—or even the flu, I’ll mail your book, personally signed, before December 25th ? How’s that for service!
Big Hug and Happy holidays to all! –Leslie!
Teaser… an excerpt from VHL book 8, The Wicked
La Paz, Mexico…
Total contentment wafted through Carlos as he sat on a kitchen stool in their honeymoon villa, watching Damali bop around the kitchen. He leaned on his elbows on the wide butcher-block center island counter and smiled. She looked so thoroughly happy, and so out of her element buzzing around trying to fix their last private supper that he could only shake his head.
The last of the sun was bringing gold and rose-orange light in with the beach breeze from the decks and open windows, dappling the white rooms and Damali’s beautiful brown skin. This was sanctuary; the Light had provided a few hallowed days of drama cease-fire and obligation, so that he could enjoy his new wife. It was a time that he thought would only happen when Hell froze over. Jesus.
He silently wondered what their life together would be like with children. After the way they’d been at it for four glorious days and nights, the result was eminent. He smiled and briefly closed his eyes, just thinking about it.
Oh, yeah, this was a very personal gift from On-High. He’d be reverent forever. The way Damali flitted from the counter to the refrigerator to the stove almost choked him up the sight of it filled him up so. One day her belly would be heavy and loaded with a life they’d created. One day there would be a tiny little face with big brown eyes, watching them tease each other and laugh… he just wondered if what they’d make would have fangs or wings, or both. He didn’t care, as long as he’d made it with her. God apparently did answer prayers.
Pineapple and papaya that he was supposed to be peeling sat waiting for him to take the skin off it, but try as he might, he couldn’t focus on the fruit while he gazed at her. He was just glad that they were on the same wavelength about not wanting to go out for this last honeymoon meal together. Going back to their waiting Guardian team that was family had definitely lost its appeal, too. Although kidnapping her or stopping time to keep life at bay wasn’t an option, there was something so private and so profoundly peaceful about this time that he’d tuck it away to savor it beyond the grave. He loved her. Period. End of story.
“You don’t have to do this, you know,” he finally said in a pleasant, mellow tone, just loving the way her white tank top fit her, and the way her sheer white sarong hung low on her hips. He watched her unfettered breasts bounce as she moved. He wondered if she had on underwear. There was no visible line of a barrier, and the mystery of it all added to the excitement of watching her work. Did life get any better than this?
“I know,” she said in a cheerful voice, seeming oblivious to his thoughts, then she stopped to kiss the bridge of his nose across the counter dividing them and went back to her disorganized puttering.
“But you’re a vegetarian—you don’t even eat steak.” He laughed and poured them both another glass of merlot as a diversion to give his hands something to do, rather than grabbing her.
“So? I know how to cook one, though.”
Carlos raised an eyebrow. “Uh… you don’t really have to cook it all that much for me… just a flash on both sides, and—”
“Yeah, yeah, I know… leave it running blood.” Damali I sucked her teeth. “I still don’t see how you can go there with beef, but I’m not gonna start.”
They both laughed.
“What can I say?” Carlos ran his tongue over the slight hint of fangs that had begun to crest just from the sound of her voice. “Baby, I don’t want anything green on my plate, and you don’t have to put a bunch of mushrooms and onions and stuff on the steak,” he added in protest when she began making him a side salad. “You do the tabouli and humus, and pita, and rice and beans and all that… just—”
“Carlos,” she fussed. “You’re still mostly human and need to eat a balanced meal. Vegetables are good for you.”
He sighed. “Then go light on the garlic, okay?” His smile widened when she waved her hand at him. “I know all the blood cleansing properties and what the health food digests say, but truth be told, it still gives me wicked heartburn,” he said laughing hard as she frowned. “Not everything came out of the sunlight straight, and if you smother that steak with that marinade you’re concocting, you might as well drag me back to the family house on a livery tonight.” He arched an eyebrow again and gave her a sly smile as he began peeling the fruit she’d shoved toward him. “I had other plans… but, uh, whatever you fix, I’ll eat.”
She set the small bowl of marinade down hard and chuckled. “Flash it, two seconds on each side—no salt, no pepper, no nothing?”
“Au naturel works best for me… you know that.” He glimpsed her from the corner of his eyes, and was rewarded by her brilliant smile.
“Fine.” She moved to the counter and sipped her wine, keeping the butcher block between them, and then turned back to the stove.
As she moved about, all he could envision was the way her white wings would slowly unfold from her shoulders when at the height of making love. Her satiny smooth legs peeked out from the sarong each time she pivoted to get something out of the cabinets or the fridge, and her bare feet sounded like a soft sigh. Thank you, God… she was his wife. He could get used to the institution, for sure.
He burst out laughing as she pulled the steak out of the broiler, lifted it with a fork and a droll expression, then eased it onto a plate—her eyes saying eeeiwe.
“Now do I act like that when I hand you a piece of fruit?” he asked, cutting off a juicy hunk of pineapple and feeding it to her over the counter from where he sat.
“Fruit doesn’t run blood, Carlos.”
“Oh, no? Then what’s this?” he said, leaning in towards her and kissing the juice off her chin, totally ignoring the steak between them. “The fruit is bleeding… just ‘cause it’s sweet and almost clear doesn’t mean it’s not—”
“Oh, man! You are ruining pineapple for me forever!” she squealed, wiping her chin with the back of her hand.
“Then come over here and sit down, and let me make it up to you. Gimme that terrible image… and let me work with it,” he said, his laughter becoming a low rumble in his chest. “Sun’s going down, too… sheeit. I’ll make pineapple your passion again before the night’s over.”
“Eat your dinner,” she argued, playfully escaping his grasp but coming to sit beside him on a blond oak stool. “I went to all this trouble, the least you could do is taste it.”
“All right, all right,” he said resigned, pulling her into his lap. He kissed her slowly and then looked at her. “I do appreciate everything you’ve done for me, baby.” Closing his eyes, he leaned his forehead against hers. “Bless this food and the one who prepared it. Thank you, God.”
They sat that way for a moment, her fingers stroking through his hair, bare legs and bare feet touching, arms about one another in a loose embrace.
“I still can’t believe we’re married,” she whispered as her mouth swept his temple. “You’re my husband.”
“Say it again,” he murmured against her ear with his eyes still closed. “I love to hear you say that.”
“You’re my husband,” she whispered and nipped his ear. “You’re my sexy… wonderful, forever, husband,” she said against his throat, making his embrace tighter as she dotted each word with a kiss. “My… husband,” she said over his lips, and then pulled back. “So eat.”
He smiled and opened his eyes, then took her mouth hard.
“The steak!” she squealed, laughing as he stood up, toppled the stool, and started walking away from the kitchen with her in his arms.
“Oh… the steak?” he said, teasing with her. “Oh, yes, the bloody steak.” He looked at her, making her shake her head and laugh harder. “Decisions, decisions. My wife, or the steak—the steak or my wife? Her now and micro-waved beef later, or the steak now and her reheated later? I don’t know, D… what should I do?”
“In four days and nights, you’ve practically starved me,” she groaned, still giggling. “Just let me get a little bite of something,” she said, laughing harder as he tilted his head to offer her his throat. “I mean something that I can digest, Carlos. Remember food? I’m hungry.”
“Ah… the lady says she needs human nourishment for stamina. Okay,” he paced back to the kitchen and plopped her down on the counter and stood in front of their plates, one hand on her thigh.
She swallowed a smile, the possessive move to keep her where he’d set her down not lost on her at all. With a mischievous grin, he began feeding her sections of pita dipped in hummus and seemed to revel in the way she slowly cut his steak and offered him a bite of it on his fork. This was heaven. She loved when he got that devastated expression in his eyes. But he shook his head no.
“Why not?” She pouted, disappointed that he wouldn’t try the steak and she looked at him hard then at the cut meat, wondering what was wrong with it.
He smiled wider. “Take it off the sliver and feed it to me… use your fingers.”
“Oh,” she said with a grin and then did.
“Now that’s good,” he said in a sensual rumble, pulling the juicy meat from her fingers and sucking her index finger and thumb. “Way better. I think I’m developing an allergy to silver.”
“Stop lying, man,” she said, cutting him another hunk of steak. “Your eyes are glowing silver.”
He knew they had to be, his tattoos were burning up.
“Do tell? I wonder why?” He took another bite of steak from her graceful fingers and chewed it slowly as he brought her plate over to feed her more of her vegetarian selections.
But he almost dropped the plate as she captured his thumb and drew it into her mouth in a pulsing suckle.
“You’re starting to sweat silver, too,” she said with an impish grin.
“Might go solid gold on you tonight if you keep that up,” he said as he kissed between her breasts. “So you better bust a good grub now, ‘cause there’s no telling how long I’ma keep you hostage in the other room.”
“Is that a threat, Mr. Rivera… ‘cause you know I brought my blade.”
“It’s a promise, Mrs. Rivera,” he murmured against her warm shoulder. “Keep messing with me, hear.”
“Well since you’re talking possible all-out war…” she murmured, giving him another piece of steak, and allowing a bit of the juice to drip on her thigh.
He looked at the red splatter on her leg, bent slowly to lick it while still looking up at her. “All out battle—hard down, no negotiating… taking no prisoners tonight.”
“Do tell?” she said, chuckling low and sensually as he came up to claim her mouth, cresting a hint of fang. “But I have to eat my salad, first.” She glimpsed him with a teasing smile, grabbed her salad bowl, and ate very slowly, munching the greens casually. “You’re not allergic to balsamic vinaigrette dressing are you?”
“Right about through here, you could take a bath in it, and it wouldn’t bother me none.” He winked at her as she ate a little faster.
“What just got into you?” she said, smiling through bites. “Like, a minute ago, you were all cool, and then all of a sudden—dang.”
“I was watching you from behind,” he sheepishly admitted, “and then… hey, spontaneous combustion. What can I say?”
She shook her head and kissed him quickly, getting salad dressing on his mouth. “There, at least I feel better knowing you got close to a salad. What am I gonna do with you?”
He pulled back a bit and sipped his wine, smiling, but no longer even interested in the steak. “I have several suggestions about what you can do with me, but the real question is, how are we gonna do this in the family house?” he asked with a smirk, and then took another generous sip of wine.
“Very, very quietly… sneaky… vamp stealth.”
He laughed and gave her a sip of wine from his glass. But it was the strangest thing… the later it got and the more he stared at her, the more the sudden testosterone rush slammed him. Yes he loved her, always wanted her, but damn, he was feeling something way past desire. And whatever was suddenly blasting through his system had an after-kick to it that was no joke. While Damali hummed and made a funny face at him, he could feel something summoning pure molten silver to his surface, and at the same time, his old days on a throne was calling out his libido at knock-his-head-back levels. Maybe she’d spiked his steak with some Queen Council aphrodisiac, because he hadn’t felt like this since she’d ripened the first time while he was all vamp.
“Don’t ignore me by eating steak. You know I’m telling the truth and we can’t be going back to the house hooting and hollering, Carlos—so stop looking at me like that. And it’s gonna be tight while we move the team around from placed to place, so you’d better get all that out of your system, tonight,” she said, laughing at his slight scowl.
“Quiet.”
“Yep, quiet,” she said briefly pressing her fingers to her lips and giggling. “Silent scream.”
“Silent Scream?”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Hmmm…” For a moment, he just stared at her wondering if he could take her to the point where a climax hit her so hard and fast that no sound would exit her throat. Maybe he’d been going about this all wrong, dragging it out? Carlos tilted his head and pressed one finger to his lips, studying her windpipe, then shook it off, making her laugh harder.
Yeah, it was their last honeymoon night and all, but he had to chill. This didn’t make no kinda sense and was quickly about to border on insane, if he tried what was currently running through his head. Mid-flight she’d freak, and where the hell did that come from anyway? No. He took a deep breath, willed his hands not to tremble or quick-snatch her, and forced a smile. Shit.
Carlos kept his expression neutral and his tone light, but he was two seconds from battle bulking on Damali and wasn’t even sure if he could pleasure-infuse the bite, he needed her so badly. If he made love to her in this condition, he knew might actually hurt her, all fun and games aside. No.
“Vamp stealth only, then, huh. Girl, you know I can roll up on you like pure mist,” he said, playing off his discomfort, “but uh, I don’t think after I materialize, you’re gonna be quiet, regardless.”
He’d made her giggle so hard that she set down her salad, losing interest in it. “You talk so much trash, Carlos Rivera.”
“Husband, Carlos Rivera,” he said, correcting her with a brief kiss. “And you love it, ‘cause you know I can back it up.”
“That ain’t no lie,” she said, her smile fading as her gaze went down his body with her hands. His skin was starting to swirl with energy colors beneath the coppery, golden tan the sun had kissed on it. She allowed her finger tips to trace down his stone cut chest over his permanent brand of her fist clutching an Isis blade, and then slowly down his torso, almost willing his nylon black and white Oakland Raiders basketball shorts to disappear. When he obliged the thought and dropped his shorts away in one lithe move, she laughed and shook her head. “You need to stop.”
“I’m supposed to give my wife what she wants, right?” he said, laughing in pain as he took her mouth.
She came out of the kiss serious and breathless. “You’ve always given me what I wanted, Carlos—you.” Her arms wrapped around his neck as her legs wrapped around his waist. Whatever had set him off like this turned her on no end. “That’s all I ever wanted from you… was you.”
This time there was no playfulness in her tone, or his kiss. As he stalked through the villa with her in his arms, she could feel his body changing and bulking to near battle proportions. The transformation was slightly unnerving, but she rationalized the fleeting nervousness away as a last-night-alone-throw-down-jones. However, the way he dropped her in the center of the bed and looked down at her like she was dinner, fangs fully crested, she briefly hesitated. Even his tattoo was different. It had gone silver, then gold, and was now white hot light and smoking. She wouldn’t even look down at the other one. Did she say silent scream? Probable.
He didn’t need to tell her; it was brace herself now or never. Shame on her if she wasn’t ready. Seeing that message blazing in his eyes oddly got her there in a heartbeat, though. For the first time since they’d been together, it was obvious that he was in no frame of mind to take his time with slow torture. Her man had immediate plunder in his sights and had started breathing hard without her touching him. Devastating.
“Baby, you all right?” she asked quietly, staring up at solid silver in his eyes that began to turn gold at the edges of his irises.
He shook his head no, and then immediately blanketed her, not even waiting for her to pull off her clothes.
Question: As you write the story do you go back and edit bits if they don’t fit right with the characters, or do you do all your rewriting after you’ve written the main chunk of the book?
I would love to hear more about your process for writing. Some say they write everyday no matter what. Some say they wait for the mood or muse to strike. What do you do?
This teaser was off the hook!
Hiya,
I am excited about the idea of having this blog because it will give us–the readers–an insight to what is happening with you as you work on your many books. From our conversations in the forums/chat sessions, it is clear that things get so hectic at times, that you are pressed for time to be able to fulfill our drug-like addiction to have constant BTB insights to what is happening with our favorite characters. By the way, I am still waiting on one about JL and Krissy
{No rush, just a gentle reminder 
}
Through the blog, we can have an idea about what you are working on and what to look forward to. Now, from my understanding blogging is to happen frequently, so with that being the case, this is going to be the most efficient way to stay up to date with what to expect from you or the books.
I would love to have this be a way for us–the addicts–I mean readers, to be able to discuss ideas as they pop up from you or even to see if we can try to guess at where the VHL series is headed. I would also enjoy conversations introducing us to the other series–especially the paranormal series. I believe with the paranormal series we get a combo–romance, paranormal abilities, and the aspect of the thriller series. Lastly, I would also like the blog to be a manner to keep us up to date on chat sessions or meet & greet opportunities.
Therefore, let me excitedly welcome you to one of the 21st century’s fantastic creation of technolife–BLOGS!
I love your work and look forward to reading more about the process, the books, and to the future chat sessions.
WOW! Great excerpt! I only wish it was February already.
Congrats on your new blog, I am happy to see it! I think it will be a very good thing. This way us fans can keep up with what’s going on, and stay up to date.
Only suggestion I have is to get the word out! I know there are a ton of people out there that love your books, and would really enjoy reading your blog. I’m gonna tell everybody I know!
Take care, big ((hugz)) and lots of thanks!
No you didn’t!!!………..How am I suppossed to wait to February to read the book!
This book is going to be off the chain! I can’t wait! Reading this has made my day. Thanks for providing me with hours of entertainment. Your writing has me laughing, crying, shouting, shaking my head, and of course…..HOT. I really enjoy reading anything you write. I look forward to reading your blog on the regular. Thanks.
OOOH MY GOD!!! YOU HAVE GOT TO LOVE THIS STORY AND YOU HAVE
GOT TO MS.BANKS. HOW CAN SOMETHING THIS GOOD BE LEGAL.
BOOK NINE IS GOING TO BE EVERYTHING WE WANT AND MORE AND
I FEEL ALL THE SPICE. ILOOK FORWARD TO MORE BLOGS. MORE PLEASE.
THANKS.
Well Mrs B– you have done it again! This teaser certainly will help us VHL-fiends riding a high for a little while. Thank you for your creativity and story-telling abilities.
Since beginning your series two years ago, I have managed to read the entire VHL series and your other romance titles. In the interim (between your VHL books), I have read other paranormal authors and do enjoy some of their works. However, there definitely something to the saying, “there’s nothing like going home”. No matter what else I read, I always especially enjoy reading your stories because they involve characters and realistics conversations that depict “HOME” (our African American folks)!
It’s really amazing that you are able to reach across the different genres and captivate readers with interesting and fresh stories that reflect African American and other cultural backgrounds!
Happy Holidays and keep up the great work.
OMG!!!! This teaser is off the hook. I have already said before that I am going to need some type of therapy because I have developed a serious addiction to your this VHL series. I mean if February doesn’t get here soon, I may develop the shakes.
On another note, I am really excited about this new blog. I think this will be a great way for your fans to really feel like we are apart of your world. Also, is really gives the feel that you are a real down to earth writer who cares about her audience. I’ve been a fan of your writing way before my exposure to the VHL series, and I want to encourage you to keep up the great work.
What a teaser for the next book! I’m looking forward to seeing what Damali,Carlos and the Guardians will be facing next! Its absolutely beautiful to see a sister written in such a positive light,with a Natural beauty,and fearless with her love for her man and her family!
DAMN!!!
For a second, that’s all I could write. I’m practically salivating for the next book in the VHL series. I wonder if L.A. is gonna make this series a grahpic novel too? I didn’t find out about this series until right before The Dammed came out and already I amd a die hard fan. I wonder if what Carlos is feeling in this segment is the power surge from Cain desending the throne? And if so, what’s gonna happen when they finally meet up with each other?!
Again I say….DAMN!!!!
Hi Leslie!! I’m Cathie and new to your books. I had the wonderful joy to read My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding with your story and i’m pulled in!!! I’m working on my wishlist now because I’ve been reading excerpts and all and the list is growing!! I love reading vamps and werewolf and the like of paranormal. So its just great to be visiting here as well!! I’ll too try to visit here weekly or more cuz I just was blown away there reading this excerpt! Thanks.
Wow …thats something there.Thats what I expect their whole marriage to be like .Mali is so in for it.HOTTT!!! Crazy…I cant wait for The Wicked!!
WOW!!! I’m speechless!!! That was so HOT!!! I can’t wait for The Wicked!!!! OMG!!! That book is going to be so excellent!! Thanks so much for the teaser!
Leslie, Leslie, Leslie!!!!
How many times can a sista gonna BOW DOWN!! I mean you reign supreme my sista you know that you do. No DOUBT! That excerpt will keep my until February because I almost forgot about Veags Bites. So I am onto Vegas so that I can hold myself over until then. But tell me what in the HE-ZELL is going on wit dat man??? Battle bulking on a sista and straight actin like he got some vampin days to relive?? I can only imagine what you’ve given us in the next book.. Help me Jesus, Father Pat, Rider.. I got to STAY IN THE LIGHT..
Thanks for thinking of the fans all the time and hittin us in the head with a little somethin somethin’. What would we do without you thinkin bout dat?? Shoot woman we’d be lookin for a hit from somewhere on the street. Now dat we most certainly cannot do. LOL!
Talk to you soon and lookin forward to whatever’s next. You servin up much for us and we aint mad atcha. Much success and blessings to you.
Big HUGS
Sha*
Oh, lord. C & D are never boring. I do love this series Mz. B. Hmmm, I wonder if Carlos’ beginnings are from a little unfinished business he and D are going to handle once and for all.
I think that L.A. Banks should think about making the VHL series into a movie, or possibly a series on one of the cable networks. It would give more people a chance to understand why we’re all so crazy about the VHL series. I also recommend that, if possible, L.A. Banks schedule more tours or booksignings in the Midwest area of the country because, even though I live in St. Louis, MO myself, I know many people and have several friends also that read her books and we’d love to have her in our state, doesn’t have to be this city.
After the VHL series is over, what will L.A. Banks write about? Will she continue with the supernatural vibe she’s got going or will she go off in a new direction? I would love to see more stories about each character from the VHL series, almost like a spinoff.
I absolutely love the VHL series and I cannot wait until after the New Year for the next installment in this series!! VHL series rules. Everyone should read this series because it exemplifies the strength and determination of the African American people. Even though the plot is somewhat different from other African American authors who write about the same topic, L.A. Banks writes in a way that grabs the readers attention, that makes not want to put the book down until they’ve gotten to the last page. But even after the story is done, the reader wants to know more and learn more about the characters’ lives. L.A. Banks has a special gift for writing and I believe that any topic she chooses to write about will draw readers just like the VHL series has done.
I just love reading the VHL series. I’m like everyone else…hooked on them. I can’t wait for The Wicked to come out and I’ve been checking the site daily for some more BTBs. But I guess I’ll just have to wait. Maybe I’ll start getting into your other series and books. I’m sure they’ll be just as great. Anyway get back to us soon on some BTBs or something you know we can’t wait till February. LOL
Candi
I’ve been waiting forever for the new VHL! Thank you for the teaser!
That teaser was so good, although I’m not sure whether reading it was good or bad for me. I can feel the anticipation for the next book building all over again. I can’t wait to see what this next story unfolds, what’s up with Carlos and his internal battle, is Damali pregers, will Cain be avenged…It’s a whirlwind of drama and adventure and my unwavering attention is happily caught in the midst. Thanks for sharing a great imagination.
Mmmm…
Les, sis, I don’t even need to tell you that I was reading and once I got to the end, I just stopped and squealed out “OhMyGod, that’s it?”
Now, I truly know how my readers have been feeling when I cut my stories off…
I meant to let you know that I’m submitting my RWA novel next year. My word count was off, so I’ll have the whole summer to write without having to worry about finals and tests and homework assignments.
I’ve been trying for the longest to find Blind Trust, but my library system doesn’t have it for some reason. So that and Shattered Trust are on my Christmas list, as well as My Big Fat… and Love at 1st Bite.
The Angels and I still pray for you daily, and I’m proud to have met and corresponded with you, my sister. I am so ready for The Wicked, it’s not even funny…
Ms. Banks-
Whew! I am from Illy Philly and have not been there in a while. But I just finished Betrayal of Trust and it took me way back- from the white graduation dresses at GHS to the Amoroso Bread- I was moved! That’s what’s up:)
Thank you for reppin’ philly (I hail from 55th and Delancey) and offering inspiration for an aspiring writer who misses her hometown.
I look forward to jumping into your VHL series and hope to one day meet and chat with you about the art or writing. Take care!
LaTanya Pattillo
Wow, just wow. I was read the excerpt and for a minute I forgot where I was. It really needs to be February already. God has truly blessed you with a talent beyond compare.
Ashe!
Hot hot hot, damn I can’t wait for this book. Where do you get inspiration for these sex scenes? Is it your daily life?lol
Oh God, what a teaser!
I hate reading teasers…because they always end too soon. However, this is my favorite paranormal series and I couldn’t help myself, so I read it! I can hardly wait until the next book comes out.
I love the VHS because it’s no ordinary fictious vampire series. It has a brilliant marriage of love,spirituality & sexuality. It also shows the beauty of love when in precarious sitiuations,and in Carlos Rivera’s situation,that there is no shame in confessing love for his Queen Damali.For a man to go to hell for his woman,that truly states that there is nothing he’d do for her,not just because she’s the Neturu,but because he loves her with everything that he is.
I’ve been following the VHL series ever since I “discovered” at Barabara’s Bookstore. Very great story, and I love how Leslie Banks keeps it so realistic as far as the relationships between men and women. I can not stop reading her books until I am done from front cover to back. And the way she writes her story always has me rooting for the hero and heroine to come out on top. I just love this series!!!
I’ve been following the VHL series ever since I “discovered” this book at Barabara’s Bookstore. Very great story, and I love how Leslie Banks keeps it so realistic as far as the relationships between men and women. I can not stop reading her books until I am done from front cover to back. And the way she writes her story always has me rooting for the hero and heroine to come out on top. I just love this series!!!
Hello Mrs. Banks,
When I grow up I wanna be just like you. I love reading the VHL series, I will be a reader for life. I hate the btb and this teaser though because I want to know what happens next. I can’t wait until the book comes out in February…It is February right?
As far as the blog goes, I think this is a great idea and you’re right its about time you started stepping away from being a techo-phobe. I think an interesting topic would be informing those who are interesting in becoming sci-fi writers just how to do it. A lot of people don’t know where to begin or better yet how to begin. Anyway, it’s just a thought.
Keep me posted and Stay in Touch!
Your reader for life….Toya
Oh my goodness!! Let me start out by saying may I PRETTY PLEASE have an advanced copy of The Wicked!!! I’m hooked on the VHL series on like grandma’s candided yams!! This the most passionate, creative, heart-wrenching, laugh out loud and might make you want to snot cry story line I have ever read.. Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!
Congrats on your new blog. I think it’s a great idea. I loved the teaser you posted. You sure know how to keep us all “hooked”. I love the VHL series. I’m reading the Trust series to keep from going crazy until “The Wicked” is released. I’m also glad you have increased the series to 12 books. I can’t wait to read the rest of the VHL series, because I’m sure you have a wonderous tale to share with us. Have a blessed Holiday Season.
Oooh, sounds just super. Count me in for the contest!
I love the teaser. I can not wait for the new book. I even have my co-workers hook. A few of them went out and bought all the books in the series. For the few that were unsure i gave them the first book as gift and now they are hook too.
I’m glad you have a blog. Congrats. I think good topic would be how do a person get into sci-fi book writing and the commitment needed to be a good writer.
Ps. I just finish reading Vegas Bites and it was so amazing. Will there be anymore werewolf or books of this nature?
awesome reading the bit in the next series. can’t wait till it comes out.
Just an extra comment to you Ms. Banks, and to one of the other blogers. Someone said something about making the series a movie or putting in on cable, and I remembered something being said about that at a book signing in Chicago, in July. Great Idea! I think I’ll get myself in shape to audition for it, cause you just know it’s gonna happen!:) We just have to make sure Hollywood gets it right, of course. (you saw the disaster The Divinci Code turned out to be, and if you read the book, you should have been extremely dissapointed). We don’t want that to happen with this series.
We want people to fully understand the the underlying theory of the series; despite the fact that it’s fictional it does have parallels to the real world. There are blood sucking demons feeding on the fabric of society. A serious intervention is needed. This series, if produced in the right light, could be the catalyst the world needs. Again I say, L.A. Banks, you are a genius!!!
This excerpt has me feigning! There is no way I can wait until February to read this book. I love the suspense you have built up here and I am dying to find up what is up with Carlos. All I can say is, wow. I love the Vampire Huntress Series. Everytime I read one, I am impressed by how you continue to top yourself and keep it fresh. This excerpt and the teaser at the back of Book 7 let me know that Book 8 will be off the chain. What else should I expect. You the bomb, girlfriend! I can’t wait to see what you do with Cain and Lilith. And you know I can’t wait to see how Damali and Carlos continue to grow together! I love this series!
I started reading your books thanks to a friend this last October and I’m happy to say that I’ve read almost all of them. I’ve never been this excited about reading and can not wait until February.
Thank you for bringing excitement back to my life.
Leslie has mad skillz! I’ve been reading from her body of work since 2004. As a writer, I usually disect novels looking for the formula and othe stylistic elements that get one published. Ooops! Forgot to do that from day one of Minion! And even though I’ve had those moments where I say “Man! I wish I had said that.” I’m a reader again, thank you, Leslie. I can’t wait for the next VHL installment.
Damn, I so can not wait until February.
I’m starting to run out of things to read. I’ve already read each and every one of your books about three times (I’m the type of person who can do that) since I was introduced to them in August, and I don’t have something soon I might go a little crazy. But it is nice to have something to look forward to.
Wow!! The Wicked is definitely going to be Wicked!! I already have it on my Valentine’s must have or die list!! The VHL series is already addictive, but now its like the air that I breath. I am literally running out of books to read!! I won Love at First Bite and OH MY GOD!! You put it down so hard in Ride the Night Wind, that I read the entire book in one sitting!!
The Wicked and the rest of the series is going to take our breath away. I only have one question for you!! How does it feel to have thousands of loyal fan counting the days until the Wicked drops!! And if by chance you feel sorry for us can you release it early? Please!!!
I just hope it comes out on the first day of February. No more waiting!
What! Has everyone stopped writing?
aLL i CAN sAY IS WOW! I DON;T KNOW IF I CAN HOLD OUT FOR FEBRUARY AT ALL. I WANT TO KNOW IF I CAN HAVE SOME OF THAT FRUIT AND STEAK THEY WERE EATING? ALL JOKING ASIDE I THINK THIS IS A WONDERFUL IDEA AND I KNOW THAT ALL OF US WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT LESLIE AND THIS BLOG!
OK, I wanted to post before I even read the spoiler. I am just in awe of your writing, I think you are as great as Maya Angelou!! My family knows that when I get your new books in the mail, no matter how long I had to wait for it, I am as Happy as a 3 year old on Christmas Morning! The Guardians are the most sensual, cool, strong characters, and Cain-oh my goodness I was so in love with him -until the end of the Forsaken. I will never think of him the same way when I read the Bible again. I must say, the physical battles are my favorite parts, but I love everthing about the series. You are Awesome I love you.
I commented on another site but I am more than willing to write it more than once.
I have read that you really like watching movies. Have you ever thought of turning one of your books into a movie. You have more than enough followers to go and see it.
Your writing is intrancing. Keep it coming!
I so agree with Christa.
I was watching some vamp show on the sci-fi channel and it discussed me to think they could have put some crappy show together when they could have asked you to make it from your books. I had to turn the channel.
The way that you explain all of the different entities in your books make a lot of sense. I’ve read other books and seen movies where the vampires and such had powers but they never really explain where they come from. In your books you actually explain a lot of these things in way that really makes sense, which some authors seem to have a hard time doing.
First of all, thank you for releasing the new one in February. I have about 4 or 5 different series’ that I am reading and I am dying for a new book. Yours comes out sooner than the rest and for that I am ecstatic. It’s been waaaaay too long since I had a taste of Damali and Carlos. I love your writing style and how you mix it up. You are an excellent author. Thanks to your books I’ve had some very interesting dreams – I like to read awhile before I go to sleep. It’s been good.
Seriously though, thank you so much for sharing your gift with all of us, I truly appreciate the tales you tell.
Are you going to post any more excerpts? I’m sure it would be greatly appreciated by many. Just something to think about.