Interview with urban fantasy author Teresa D'Amario

Today features a short guest-submitted interview with urban fantasy author Teresa D’Amario. She’s currently doing a virtual book tour for her novel Visions of Fire and Ice.

During her tour, Teresa will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky commenter. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit other tour stops and enter there, too. 

Bio:

Born in Atlanta, the daughter of an Army Soldier during the early stages of the Viet Nam war, I spent my childhood traveling from state to state, finally ending up overseas in Germany where I graduated high school six months early.

My writing career however began as a young Airman in the Air Force, writing monthly articles for the weekly base paper. The articles ranged from climatological data to full center fold articles on the destructive forces of hurricanes. As I increased in rank, my writing changed to more technological instruction, including such works as  WSR-88D Doppler Radar Data Interpretation Guide for North Carolina Stations, and Station Operating Procedures.  

But my early writing wasn’t limited only to the technological side. I’ve written multiple dog training and behavior articles for canine websites such as Sonora Canine Freestyle, and also the Ask Blackjack column, a fun training column in the voice of my labrador retriever, then a young pup.

My first book, SheWolf, won 2nd place for Best First book in RWA’s PFF&P Prism awards.

I’m married to a wonderful man named Doug, who is also retired Air Force. We live in North Carolina with our two dogs. 

Please tell us a little bit about Visions of Fire and Ice.

Trapped on a planet not their own, the Petiri spend their lives hiding the natural gifts that set them apart from the world. They live long and unfulfilled lives, unable to find their soul mates on this backward planet known as Earth. That is until the night Ramose comes face to face with Tamara, a woman whose gifts rival his own. Determined to find why this human is in possession of an ancient magical Petiri relic, he arranges a meeting. 

But Tamara, embittered from past events, is wary despite lifelong dreams of Ramose and a sure knowledge he is her soul mate. Before long the couple find themselves ensnared in a battle that has raged for millennia in Egypt’s desert. Set, Egyptian God of Chaos, is determined to take his just due: the throne of Osiris.  

The only way to stop him is for Ramose to put his trust in Tamara, but first must gain the same from her. The ensuing sensual relationship is filled with romance, lust and love. Their relationship is tested by an unnatural evil. Will her powers over fire, combined with his ice be enough to win the day? Or will the ancient gods and goddesses of Egypt destroy more than just their love?

Excerpt:

Tamara stopped with the key halfway in the lock on her door and whirled around. “What did you say?”

“You heard me,” he said.

A twinge of frustrated anger sparked inside her. She didn’t tolerate her younger brother ordering her around, and she surely wasn’t going to tolerate anyone else to either. She raised a finger and pointed it at his chest. “Oh, no, we aren’t even going down this path. Let me stop you right there.” Her finger poked at hard as rock muscles, and his eyes widened, this time in surprise. “I’ve raised three sisters and a brother. Nobody tells me what to do. I make my own decisions, buster. If you think for an instant I’ll let some overgrown child tell me to stay away from the playground bully, you’ve got another thing coming.”

His brow raised, and his oh so heavenly full lips quirked into a smile. “Overgrown child?”

“You know what I mean.” Tamara’s stomach twisted inside. She really hadn’t meant to come on so strong, but, then, she hadn’t expected the sudden humor in his eyes either. That smile did something to her insides, making her muscles quiver like Jell-O.

He softened, leaning toward her, his face so close.

Until now, she’d disregarded how much like her dream man he looked. Well, she’d tried to ignore it. Just like she’d tried not to notice how arousing that small tattoo on his cheek was. But, then, he offered her his crooked half smile, and strange things happened inside her. Damn, he’s sexy.

“Is that how you see me?” He rested one arm on the doorframe, leaning toward her. Despite the casual pose, he reeked of masculine strength. Power rolled over her, pulling her ever closer to his heat, feathering across her body like wings.

The tingle along her skin, so light and so warm, was like magick. Or was it her imagination? But when his breath whispered across her face, his masculine scent drove all inquisitive thoughts from her mind. Her eyes fluttered, though she fought to keep them open.

His scent was hard, edgy, and oh so male. It took all she had to not lean forward and inhale like some drug addict.

Any other time, someone so tall and imposing leaning over her like this would set off all kinds of alarms in her head. Yet, with Ramose, she didn’t feel uncomfortable. Was that because of the dream? If so, she was headed for a big disappointment, because there was no way this man was the same one.

She would not let him kiss her. That was so not happening on her first night in Egypt.

Was it?

He waited, with that crooked half smile, his head cocked to one side.

“What?” she finally asked, realizing she’d forgotten his question.

“Like an overgrown child?” His eyes darkened, and the edge of purple energy flashed along the perimeter of his body.

Tamara’s breath hitched, her lips curving into a smile. She’d bet if he could see her aura, it’d be more than edged with purple. Aw, hell, maybe it was going to happen. What was the harm in a simple kiss? “Aren’t all men overgrown children?”

What was she doing? Her voice didn’t even sound like hers. Instead, it sounded like some come-hither sex goddess or something. She bit her lip, but, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t look away.

He chuckled, his gaze never leaving hers. “I have not been called a child for many, many years, Tamara.” His soft, dark curls brushed her cheek, and he dipped his head, drawing closer.

The sound of his laughter did strange things inside her, and her knees trembled. She leaned back against her door. She really should unlock it, go inside, get on the phone, and yell at Julie. But, right this instant, all she could think about was the powerful man leaning over her, his masculine scent teasing her senses.

Sense.

Yep, she needed to find some because every bit of common sense had scattered about the time he’d leaned against the doorjamb. “Maybe it’s time someone reminded you of who you are.”

He laughed again, the sound low in his throat. He brushed aside a stray hair teasing her cheek. She swallowed hard when he let his hand trail down her shoulder to her arm bracelet. His eyes sparked, and, for an instant, she thought she saw anger flicker in his aura, but it disappeared before she could be sure.

“Tomorrow, then,” he said. He leaned forward, and she thought he would kiss her now. She longed for his lips to touch hers, but he merely whispered in her ear. “Nine in the morning. Be ready.”

He turned and moved down the hall.

Tamara was tempted to watch him until he reached the elevator, but that would be just wrong. What the hell? It’s a vacation. She peered down the hall one more time.

Oooh, bad idea. His trousers clung to his butt, cupping each cheek as delicately as a woman’s hands.

With heat burning in her cheeks, Tamara jerked back to her door, twisted the key, and charged inside, slamming the door between them.

What is the first curse word that comes to mind? How often and why do you use it?

Shit. It’s funny, I don’t curse often, but when I was in the Air Force, that little word got out of control. It came everywhere. All the time. So, I decided to break myself of it. Every time I’d start it, I’d say SHHH and draw that part out until I reminded myself how rude it was, and it would end up as SHHHEEPSKINS. I remember someone said “Why don’t you just say shit, you know you want to.” Well, Cuz it’s rude! Other words are a little less rude than shit is, so now all I say is damn, and hell, because it’s more socially acceptable. But truthfully I rarely curse in public.

How would you spend ten thousand bucks?

I’d use it as a down payment on a Can Am Open Air Vehicle. Couldn’t you get me twenty five thousand instead? Then it could pay the whole cost!

What are 5 things within touching distance?

My phone, the TV remote, my Diet Coke, a Pen, and of course my computer.

Do you have a crush on anyone?

Does hubby count? I used to crush heavy on Patrick Swayze, may he rest in peace.

What is your least favorite word?

To hear in public? F**k. To read? C**t. Mostly because they are both used primarily for shock factor and disrespect. Neither need to be there, in my opinion.

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