Okay, yesterday I about broke my back toting equipment for Lacey and today I’m making public service announcements for Jarvis.  Where’s the justice in that?  

Anyway, to keep Alexis happy, I’m supposed to say that if you’ve emailed her requesting a bookmark, they are all addressed, stamped, and stuffed in envelopes, ready for her to drop off at the post office this morning.  She would’ve told you herself, but she’s picking her agent up at the airport this  morning and plans to be gone much of the day.   Career planning stuff.  I’ll tell you what she should be planning–my book.  But no, right now she’s totally into Hunter’s story.  Yeah, I’m in it, so that’s a good thing.  I guess.  I still don’t end up with the girl.

Sorry about the crabby mood–it was a rough night.  I’ve got a few things to take care of here at the office, then I’m going to stop off at the lab to see how Lonzo’s doing before collapsing in bed for a few z’s.   I’ll try to check in here later.

And before you ask, Lonzo will be fine.  Nothing a zillion stitches and some brain-rattling pain killers won’t help. 

DJ  

Psst.  DJ here–I’m figuring if Devlin checks to see if I’m back and blogging and sees the vamp covers, he’ll figure it’s Alexis and go back to whateve it is that the man does all day.  Far as I can tell, he shuffles stacks of papers, curses at people on the phone, and threatens me.  But, hey, it’s his job description–not mine.

I’m fine.  I owe Cullen a steak dinner for distracting the two big guys yesterday with a thorough workout.   Of course, now they’ve had a good night’s sleep and are back up to speed–plenty of energy to seek their revenge.  I plan to lie low and actually work today.  That will please Devlin.  I left Trahern a Starbucks on his desk with one of those cinnamon rolls he likes.  Not a bad peace offering, if I do say so myself.  

Anyway, about the covers.  Alexis just found out that the American edition of the Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance has the guy on it.  The one with the woman is the UK edition.  She likes both, but wanted everyone to know the cover had changed on this side of the Atlantic. 

Tattooed eyeballs?  Sounds like some kind of hors d’oeuvres on that tv show where the guy travels all over the world eating anything they put in front of him.  <shudder>

thanks for worrying about me–

D.J.

Devlin here.    And let’s start off by pointing out that I am definitely not a happy camper this morning.   As in I’m ready to use D.J.’s bone head to sharpen my favorite sword.  Not that I know where he is right now.

D.J. seems to have found Mount St. Helens an especially nice place to visit this time of year, because he and Lonzo haven’t come back.  Not only that, they’re pretending that their cell phones aren’t picking up any bars.  More likely, those two are cruising some bars and see what they can pick up.  

Now normally, I’m willing to cut the guys some slack when things are quiet, but not in this case.   D.J. is off flying under the radar because he knows both Trahern and I are gunning for him.   Why you ask?   Don’t go all innocent on me.  My b.s. meter works better than anybody’s, and I know D.J. wouldn’t have come up with this idea all  on his own.   So who told him to leave a box of disposable diapers on my desk and another on Trahern’s?   

Not funny.  Not funny at all.   Just thought you’d like to know that your good buddy D.J. is on my list–you know which list I mean, too.  Unfortunately, I can’t kill  him over this because he’d end up in Laurel’s lab, and I don’t want to explain to her why he’s there.   He’ll be doing grunt work for a month, though.  I keep a mental file of jobs just for occassions like this.  I know you can’t see me right now, but you can assume my grin is evil and my laughter wicked over the prospects of payback.   Yep, it’s going to get ugly. 

Hope your week is off to a good start.  D.J.’s won’t be.  

Devlin

Okay.  Something’s been going on this week that Alexis doesn’t want me to know about.  I had to promise her I wouldn’t go back and read the conversations after I posted about the 4th of July.  Fine.  It’s my blog, but if she wants to play games, well, so be it.  Now normally, a rational person (which Alexis tries hard to be, but . . .) would worry about possible retribution, but I can’t bring myself to do that to her.  Not when she’s the one who wields the power over the storyline.   She says I’m being heroic and all manly in Hunter’s book.  Don’t want to mess with that.  Nope.  Not at all.  So I’ll behave. 

But a bookcover hero in pj’s?   What were you guys thinking???   Oh–that.   Can you see me rolling my eyes here?   Allow the guy some dignity.   Remember, when he wore the pj’s he was fighting to save the world.    If I ever get my own cover, will I be hiding behind a computer since that’s what I’m known for??   Well, if I was really tacky, I could say something snarky about showing off my hard drive, but I’ve got more class than that.   (Although you will note, I still managed to sneak it in!)

So, what’s up with everybody?  Any big plans for the weekend?  Lonzo and I are makinga trip out to St. Helens to see how things are going.  It’s a nice drive–as long as the mountain is quiet.  

DJ

As promised, I’m posting the cover for DARKNESS UNKNOWN, Jarvis’s book, here before it goes up anywhere else!   I love all my covers, but this one—-well, you can see for yourselves.   I hope to have bookmarks of it sometime in the next couple of weeks.  I’ll let you know when I get them.  

Enjoy the cover and enjoy your day!

Alexis

Happy Monday!

Hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable 4th of July–especially for those of  you here in the States.  For anyone living in some other great place here on Earth, the 4th is the day the USA celebrates big time the founding of our country.   Although we don’t all celebrate in exactly the same way, there are somethings that are pretty common across the country:  barbeques, picnics, and FIREWORKS!   I’ve never met a Paladin who didn’t love setting off fireworks, the louder and the bigger the better!    And this year was especially fun because Larem, Lusahn, Bavi, and Shiri experienced the event for the first time.

Bavi is old enough to handle the big stuff, under adult supervision–which meant Laurel and Brenna wouldn’t let any of the Paladins help him.  Ordinarily I would have been insulted by the insinuation that I’m not adult, but honestly it was for the best.  He had a great time and ended up with the same number of fingers that he started off with.   We bought Shiri sparklers and those popper things you throw down on the sidewalk.  Her eyes were as big as plates all evening long, especially when the fireworks display out over the Sound started up.

Naturally, we all ate like pigs–ribs, steaks, burgers, potato salad, watermelon–and lots of veggies for the Kalith contingent.  Some of the guys are actually pretty decent cooks, so we all contributed.  Personally, I carve a mean watermelon.   Dev and Trahern took care of the grilling. 

And Delilah snuck in sometime during the evening for a quick snapshot.   I’m posting it here for you all to enjoy–and Alexis sends along her thanks!

DJ. 

PS:   I’ve agreed to interview Ranulf and Rafferty in the upcoming weeks.  Ranulf’s getting back to me to firm up the date, but I’m thinking it will be  July 28th.   Rafferty will show up sometime the week of August 4th.  

Stacy L., congratulations!   The bunnies told me that they wanted you to have an autographed copy of 50 WAYS TO HEX YOUR LOVER.  If you’ll send Alexis an email with your snail mail address (alexismorgan@alexismorgan.com), she’ll forward it to Linda Wisdom.  Linda promised to send your book out ASAP.

Congratulations,

 DJ

We’re welcoming Jazz Tremaine from Linda Wisdom’s wonderful book, 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover, to DJ’s blog today.  He’ll be choosing one lucky winner to receive an autographed copy of the book–so let’s make both Jazz and Linda feel welcome here in our own little corner of the world–and watch your fingers.  The bunny slippers are on the loose!   Alexis

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Well, here I am  walking into another bar—Murphy’s is one of Jazz Tremaine’s favorite hangouts, so we’re scheduled to meet here in a few minutes.   I deliberately arrived early.  I have a thing about finding a seat where I can see the door and have my back to the wall.  Not that I expect any Others to try sneaking up behind me here in Santa Monica, but considering I’m meeting a witch for drinks, it pays to be careful.

I settle into a nice corner table and order a local micro brew to drink.  This is my kind of place—sports on the television and the locals looking like they’re comfortable being here. 

Whoa!  If the gods are smiling on me today, that has to be Jazz who just strolled through the door.  Be still, my heart, she is drop dead gorgeous!   I stand up to draw her attention.  As soon as she sees me, she smiles and heads straight for me.   Hot damn, this is going to be fun.

DJ:  **grinning**  Hi, I’m DJ Clayborne.  You must be Jazz. 
Jazz: *smiles back*  I must be. 

She leans in close and points into her oversized purse.

Jazz: **whispers**  Meet my friends, Fluff and Puff.  I’m not supposed to have them in here, but they wanted to meet you.  Say hi to DJ, guys.
DJ: **reaching toward the bag**  Can I pet them?
Jazz: We don’t use the pet word with them. And they respond better if you have food in your fingers. Plus keep your fingers out of close reach. Their teeth are razor sharp.

DJ, ever the gentleman,  offers the bunny slippers a handful of pretzels and then pulls out Jazz’s chair for her.   After he signals the waitress., an awkward silence settles between them.  Finally, DJ gets up his courage to ask an important question.

DJ:  So Jazz, how do you get around?   Seems like everyone Alexis has me interview can either fly or do some weird dissolving thing to get from one place to another. 
Jazz:  Oh sure, bring up the broom thing! (rolls eyes here) If you’re a witch, you’re supposed to have a broom. Sorry sweetheart, but I tool around in a classic 1956 T-Bird convertible.  Now, Nick—my vampire boyfriend—he gets around in some mysterious fashion, but he hasn’t told me what it is yet
DJ:  **looking a bit crestfallen**  So you’re telling me that you already have a boyfriend, and he’s a vampire?   
Jazz: Yes, he is. He was an Enforcer for the Vampire Protectorate. He’d bring in rogue vampires and basically protect the innocent. A lot like what you Paladins do. Except he’s on an iron rich diet.   
DJ:  So tell me about your story.  What’s it about?  
Jazz: Well, in 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover, Nick comes back into my life because someone’s out there taking vampires’ life forces and he needs my help. Except, he hasn’t been the most considerate of lovers and I’m not ready to welcome him back into my life. Except the killer has a few issues with me, so I end up dragged into it anyway. I also have to eliminate a few curses including one at a sorority house. That I’m sure you would have enjoyed with all the nubile young women running around in next to nothing. My life is pretty busy along with my driving limos for Dweezil, a creature no one wants to deal with plus he’s so cheap he’s beyond squeaking when he walks. And Nick makes sure he’s back in my life again.  
DJ:  And a question for the bunnies.   Do you come in guy sizes, too?  I wear a thirteen. 
Fluff & Puff:  Jazz might call us footwear, but we have our uses. There aren’t any rats in the neighborhood and there might have been a cat, or eight, missing, but we didn’t eat them. We just told them to go far away. Like Cleveland.  
DJ:  Is it true you guys have a reputation for being a bit destructive?  Tell me about one of your adventures.   
Fluff & Puff:  (Hopping up and down) It wasn’t our fault! We were framed! There’s no way we’d eat that squirrel up at Moonstone Lake. They taste bad and you’ve got to get all around that fur.   And even if Krebs claims we ate his valuable shirt with some famous rock star’s name signed on it, well, hellooooo! It was old.

**Fluff eyes the bowl of pretzels on the table and within seconds the bowl was empty and there were even a few tooth marks on the plastic bowl.**
DJ:  So Jazz, besides your furry fiends there and that vamp boyfriend you mentioned, I understand you have a ghost in your life.  I interviewed a ghost once and wonder if yours is anything like she was. 

Jazz: Irma? Oh for Fates sake, that woman needs a life. The only problem is she’s been dead for over 50 years and refuses to get past it. She killed herself in her husband’s new car when she found out he was cheating on her and she cursed herself into the car. Since I couldn’t lift the curse, I got the car as payment, which would be pretty sweet if it wasn’t for her. She smokes, how does a ghost get cigarettes? But she does. And she has something to say about every aspect of my life. She claims she wants out of my car, but she’s sure taking her sweet time doing it.  
DJ: Why not get rid of the car? 
Jazz: I love the car too much. I’ll just keep working on getting rid of her. She’s got to get bored in there sooner or later.  
DJ:  Well, I’ve got an early flight back.  I appreciate  your taking the time to talk to me.  I’m sure some of my friends on my blog will have questions for you and your furry friends there.  

**Unable to resist the cute bunnies, he slowly reaches out to touch them.  Thanks to his Paladin reflexes he manages to jerk his fingers back, still intact.  The bunnies chortle at his reaction.  And DJ being DJ, laughs and walks out of Murphy’s smiling. 

A knock at the door gave Devlin the excuse he was looking for to quit crunching numbers.  

                He leans back in his chair and yells, “Trahern, are you going spend the day banging on my door or are you coming in?”

                His friend pokes his head in.  “Is it safe to enter?  You’ve got your “ALREADY DISTURBED” sign on the door.”

                “Very funny,” Devlin grumbles.  Maybe letting Trahern in wasn’t such a good idea.  “What do you want?”

                “DJ wants to know if you’ve read his blog this morning.” 

                The tall Paladin flops down in one of the chairs facing Dev’s desk and puts his feet up in  the other one.    “Seems our names have been popping up quite a bit this morning.. “

                “Do I want to see this?”  He was already logging on.

                “”Maybe, but that’s not why I’m  here.  I thought this whole blog idea was to keep DJ out of trouble.  Instead, he now has a whole posse of fans ready to leap to his defense.  Although according to this morning’s postings, a few of them have a warm spot in their hearts for you, oh fearless leader.  They like the way you maintain control and are all manly and stuff.” 

                Despite Trahern’s sarcasm, Devlin detected a certain note of approval in his friend’s voice.  He quickly scanned the entries.  Even though DJ was blogging with permission, it still seemed odd to know that someone outside of the Regents’ organization actually knew about the Paladins and cared enough to worry about them.  None of them were used to having that kind of . . . what? . . . warmth, maybe that was the word he was searching for. 

                Still, he was a bit uncomfortable with it because it was so unprecedented in his long life.  “They want me to say hi.”  He looked up at Trahern.  “You, too.”

                “So do it!   Tell them hi from both of us.”

                Devlin does some fast typing.   “How’s this:   Blake and I both say hi and thank you all for your support. “

                Trahern straightened up.  “You never call me Blake.  Neither does Alexis.” 

                “Yeah, but your fans do.  It’s right here in the blog.  I think it’s sweet.  It means they see past your crusty exterior . . .”

                “Right through to my crusty interior?” 

                Trahern didn’t smile often, but a helluva lot more often than he used to. 

                Feeling better than he had all day, Devlin stood up.  “Let’s head for the gym.  I’m in the mood for a good workout. “

                “Sounds good.  Who are you going to use for a victim . . .  oops, I meant sparring partner, this time?”

                Devlin reached for his favorite sword, the one with the black streak from being stuck in the barrier.  “I’ll start with you, but give Barak and Larem a call.  I’ll get Lonzo, DJ, and Cullen.  Hell, why not drag Penn’s worthless ass in, too?   It’s his day off, but I don’t care.  We might as well make a party of it.”

                “Sounds good.”  Trahern stood up and stretched his arms up high over his head.  “You know DJ will probably report  on how this turns out on Monday. “

                Devlin shook his head.  “No, remember he’s heading  off to L.A. to interview that witch and her slippers.   Hey, maybe I’ll win that book Linda Wisdom is giving away.  I think Laurel would enjoy it.”

                “I think Alexis would think that was cheating.”

                “Oh, well, it won’t hurt to ask.”  He logged off the computer.   “Let’s go play.”

                Devlin follows Trahern out the door and locks it behind them.   A fiercely fought session in the gym with his friends and ex-enemies would be just the ticket for a pleasant afternoon.   He had to be careful not to wear himself out completely, though, because Laurel would be waiting for him at home tonight.  Oh, yeah, it was good to have something to look forward to.  Maybe he’d do them both a favor and pick up some carryout on the way home.  

Good morning, everybody! 

 I just wanted to let you know that I’ve posted the back blurb from Jarvis’s book on my website.  I don’t have a jpeg of his cover yet, but I’ll have it posted asap when I do get it.  I’m also very excited about the reviews to date for DARK WARRIOR UNLEASHED.  The release date is now only just over a month away!  

I cannot tell you how much I enjoy you all and your wonderful support of DJ and everyone else in his world.  I’m  hoping you will enjoy my Talions as much.  I’ll make sure Ranulf shows up for an interview before the book comes out.  And lets not forget Rafferty, my vampire.  Neither of them can fly, btw, so DJ should be happy about that.   

Alexis