UNITED SERVICE (Colony series book #2)
by Regina Morris
Blurb
Vampires exist among us. They can be our neighbor, best friend, our child’s teacher …
They alter their aged appearance based upon the amount of blood they
consume. They move to a new area, drink a lot of blood, and appear
young. Slowly they limit their intake of blood and age, right in front
of our unsuspecting eyes. After decades, they fake their death, move,
and do it over and over again.
Most live quiet lives in an effort to blend in.
Some however want power and control.
The Colony is an elite group of vampires sworn to protect the President of the United States from these rogue vampires.
Sterling,
a half-breed vampire, is the weakest
link in the chain for his team, and he knows it.
He has a unique ability to glean information from inanimate objects, and his life is like CSI meets the West Wing, where
key positions are held by vampires. Vampires can alter their age based
on the amount of blood they consume, which should allow Sterling to
blend into human society. However, his ability has painful side effects
that cause him to live a lonely life down in the evidence room at FBI
headquarters. He's a lonely bad-boy looking for love in all the wrong places.
His
current case involves the kidnapping of vampire
children by a religious cult who is trying to save them. Sterling
snatches the opportunity to do some field work by teaming
up with a purebred vampire, Kate, who is the nanny of one of the missing
children. Sterling's world is turned upside down by Kate. She is everything Sterling could hope for in a mate and he wonders if she'd ever consider loving a half-breed.
Kate is beautiful, intelligent, charming and sophisticated. Kate has led a sheltered life and is considered handicapped by
vampire standards. Could she possibly trust Sterling enough to share her dark personal secret with him?
Together, can they save the kidnapped children and find true love for themselves?
Q: Sterling, can you
tell me a little more about the Colony and its role for the US government?
A: There’s not much to tell. We’re a group of dedicated
individuals who protect the President from rogue vampires.
Q: And, you are a vampire?
A: Duh.
Q: Okay, then. How would a vampire attack on the President
be different from a human one?
A: Vampires are stronger, more efficient killers. The biggest
difference would be that the President probably wouldn’t see a vampire coming.
Plus, he’d be drained of blood afterward.
Q: Is the President aware of the existence of vampires?
A: It’s one of the perks of being President. We try to limit
our exposure to humans as much as possible so people won’t know of our
existence. Our existence is on a need-to-know basis. The President, since he’s
a big target, needs to know.
Q: The Colony director – can you tell us more about that
person’s role?
A: He’s the human buffer between us and the presidents. Some
presidents don’t like having us around, but some are more open minded. The role
of this buffer changes with each administration depending upon the President’s
comfort level.
Q: Has any President taken un-kindly to having vampires
around?
A: Don’t even get me started. There have been several who have
been scared shitless because we exist.
Q: Is the current President nervous around vampires?
A: No. He’s a great guy.
Q: I understand you work with your father.
A: Yes.
Q: He’s the leader of the Colony. Can you tell us about him?
A: Not much to tell. He founded the Colony after Abraham
Lincoln died. Most of the time he’s a pretty level-headed vamp. Sometimes
though, he’s a dick.
Q: A ‘dick’?
A: You’d have to know him.
Q: So, let’s go back a minute. You said the Colony was formed
after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Did he know of the existence of
vampires?
A: Yes, but he was fighting a war of equality between the
humans. He couldn’t take on another species, so he kept quiet about it. After
his death, our team was formed.
Q: I know this will be a delicate question to ask, but with
the vampires protecting the president, how was it that JFK was assassinated?
A: That day sucked ass. Damn convertible car.
Q: I’m sure your team did everything it could to protect the
President.
A: Not enough.
Q: Can vampires die? What can kill you?
A: [blink] Do you really expect me to answer that?
Q: Um, not really I guess. Now, your father, he’s a purebred
vampire, right?
A: Yes.
Q: Most of the team are either purebred vampires or turned
humans.
A: [silence]
Q: You’re the only half-breed in the group.
A: So?
Q: Well, does that make you a liability to the team?
A: [snarl]
Q: You do come across as very menacing. Do you want to talk
about your human mother?
A: She’s dead. Just like this damn interview.
UNITED SERVICE One Page Teaser
“Welcome to the Plaza. How may I help you, sir?” the receptionist at the hotel asked.
“I have a reservation.” Sterling handed the woman his picture ID.
Kate clung to his arm and kissed him while they waited for the hotel clerk to
finish pushing the computer buttons and gathering all the check–in papers.
“Mr. Neumann, I’ll need a credit card to keep on file.”
Sterling felt odd. The woman looked down and must have
noticed no ring on his hand. He was checking in as “Mr. and Mrs. Neumann.” He
had never felt this way before. Of course, he respected Kate; he never
respected the other women in his life. Overall it shouldn’t matter what this
hotel clerk thought, but it bothered Sterling all the same. He thought to
compel the woman to see a ring, but dismissed the idea.
Sterling paid cash for everything and didn’t like the use of
credit cards. “I’ll pay in cash.” He eyed the clerk and compelled her to accept
the form of payment.
She gathered up the money, finished the transaction and
handed Sterling the plastic card he would use as a key. “Mr. Neumann, you have
the bridal suite for the night. If you take the elevators on your right hand
side and take it up to the 27th floor, the suite will be on your left.” When he
took the key she added, “Enjoy your stay, Mr. and Mrs. Neumann.”
Once they left the desk, Kate asked, “So your last name is
Neumann?” Her faced blushed. “I guess I should know that.”
“No. My real last name is Metcalf. Neumann is one of my
aliases.”
She raised one eyebrow. “Sounds so secretive, like you’re a
spy.”
Grinning, he said, “I work for three government agencies,
and have three different aliases. It’s not all that exciting. It’s more of a
bother to keep them all straight. Right now I have two people covering for me
while I’m away.”
“Which agencies?”
It was too long of a discussion to have this late at night.
“Secret Service, CIA and FBI,” was all he offered.
Kate’s eyes lit up. “Are you serious? Do you ever work
directly with the President?”
He smiled over to her. He had worked for so many presidents that
he often forgot how special his positions were. “From time to time. But, I’d
rather not talk shop right now.”
“Need-to-know stuff, huh?”
“Exactly.”
It pleased him when she resumed her hold on his arm and they
walked towards the elevators on the right hand side of the lobby. His job was
interesting, but not nearly as exciting as spending the night with Kate.
In her sexy and playful voice she asked, “So, I’m Mrs.
Neumann for tonight?” She smiled a seductive smile at Sterling as he hit the
button for floor 27.
“No, Sweetheart. You’re Mrs. Sterling Metcalf.” He grabbed
her waist, pulled her to him, and kissed her passionately even before the
elevator doors could completely close.
About the author
What inspired you to start writing?
To this day
I'm still not sure what the determining factor was. The idea of being a writer
never occurred to me as a child. I didn't write, I hated reading, and my
scholarly focus was always in computers and math (far away from the literary
classes). My niece kept badgering me to read one of her favorite books and
eventually I gave in. The genre of the book was paranormal romance. I had no
idea such exciting books existed. I went from reading zero books a year to over
one per week. After a few years of this, the idea of writing a book had sprung
into my head. It was a fleeting thought, but fifteen minutes later the entire
world of my book series, The Colony, was in my head. That was just a few years
ago and I have just finished writing my fourth book in the series.
How long have you been writing?
Two and a half
years. Since I stayed away from literary classes all my life, I've joined
writing groups and have taken classes on how to write, how to format books, how
to market your book, etc. I've taken so many classes I feel like I'm back in
college.
What advice would you give to writers
just starting out?
Write what you
love. Be passionate about it, but don't be arrogant. There are plenty of people
in this world who will love your work, and there will be plenty who will not.
Write because you love to write. Publish because you want to share. I would
also advise that you hire a professional editor. I have a content editor and a
line editor. There is a cost, but well worth it.
Do you ever suffer from writer's block?
If so, what do you do about it?
No, I really
don't. However I have noticed that I write my best in the mornings and late at
night. This does free me up to focus on my full-time day job when I'm at work.
What comes first: the plot or the
characters?
Characters. I
meditate in the mornings and scenes will come to me. Sometimes I have to
determine which character will work best for a scene, but the characters are
always first.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Plotter. I
outline all the time. I work on whatever scene I'm most passionate about for
that day. So, sometimes I write the ending of the book before the beginning.
Tell us something about your newest
release that is NOT in the blurb.
The main
character, Raymond, has a half-breed son. These two vampires could not be more
opposite of each other. We have Raymond who has high ideals and a noble quality
about him, and we have Sterling, his son, who is just a notch above a
man-whore. Raymond wants his son to find a wife and settle down. Sterling just
doesn’t see the appeal. It’s not until the second book in the series, United
Service, that you understand Sterling’s point of view. Raymond and Sterling
don’t see eye-to-eye in the first novel, but there are tender father-son
moments in book two where their relationship is patched up.
Are you working on something at
present that you would like to tell us about?
My second
book, United Service (to be released
Sept 2013), features Raymond's son Sterling. Sterling is a half-breed who
doesn't fit into either the human or the vampire world. He's the weakest link
in The Colony group of vampires, and he knows it. He jumps at the chance to do
some field work to find some kidnapped vampire children and teams up with a
nanny of one of the children. He's a bad boy looking for love in all the wrong
places, that is, until he meets Kate. She's a purebred vampire that is making
him rethink true love. Books #3 and #4 of the Colony Series are at my editors
and will be released next year.
What are you reading now?
JR Ward “Lover
at Last.”
What author or authors have most
influenced your writing?
Kerrelyn
Sparks, Lynsay Sands, and JR Ward.
What is your work schedule like when
writing?
I try to write
in the mornings and late at night. Since I have a full-time day job, I spend a
lot of time on the weekends writing.
What did you want to be when you grew
up?
A computer
software engineer. I got my computer science and math degree years ago.
What is your favorite food? Least
favorite? Why?
Dark Chocolate
is by far my favorite. I personally feel that when we do venture out into
space, and do find extraterrestrial life, that “chocolate from Earth” will be a
delicacy that aliens will pay a lot for. Least favorite is liver. I really
don’t think I have to give a reason for that.
What is one thing your readers would
be most surprised to learn about you?
I have a
degree in computer science with a minor in math, I am a trekkie, and I do have
a favorite math formula. People who know me find it hard to believe that I can
write such humorous and passionate romance novels. My two lives seem so
opposite each other.
Is there a writer you idolize? If so,
who?
In my opinion,
JR Ward walks on water.
What would we find under your bed?
Dust bunnies
and probably all the socks I can’t find the pairs to.
If your publisher offered to fly you
anywhere in the world to do research on an
upcoming project, where would you
mostly likely want to go? Why?
I have
traveled extensively, but the one place I’ve never been is Washington DC. My
novels are set at the capital and surrounding areas and I would love to visit,
take notes, visit museums, nerd out, etc.
Do you have a favorite quote or
saying?
Emerson’s “Do
not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a
trail.”
Do you write in multiple genres or
just one? If just one, would you consider straying outside your genre?
I have a
four-part YA time travel mystery series just dying to be put on paper! I’m
looking forward to writing it.
What is something you'd like to accomplish
in your writing career next year?
I have two
books of The Colony series being released this year, and two next year. I might
even get that first time travel book out ... so I think what I would love to
accomplish is laying the ground work so I can quit my day job, come home, and
write for a living.
When was the moment that you knew you
had to be a writer
It was after
the inspiration for The Colony series popped into my head and I had written the
first draft of Eternal Service in
only six weeks. It took a year and a half of writing classes, major editing on
my part, and the hiring of content and line editors to bring it together, but
it was that first six weeks where I had felt so alive that I knew I had to
write.
Every writer dreams of getting “the
call.” What were you doing when yours came? Who got to hear the good news
first?
I never got
“the call.” (I’m assuming you are referring to an agent/publisher calling to
let you know that they want to pick up your book.) I had sent a query letter to
about a half dozen agents and it took up to nine months before I collected all
the rejection letters. It was a terribly slow process, so I decided to create
my own publishing company. I do my own cover art, layout formatting, website
design, and marketing. I hire out the editing.
Who gave you the writing advice that
sticks with you to this day?
Most of what
I’ve learned about writing came from reading books. However, one piece of
advice about reading comes to mind. An English teacher once told me that people
who don’t enjoy reading have not found the genre that will open the doors for
them. I thought she was crazy at first, but just a few years ago I discovered
paranormal romance and she was absolutely right.
Describe the “perfect hero.” What
about the “perfect hero” for you?
A perfect hero
would be someone who does their best, but is flawed. Someone who is noble and
helps those in need.
What are favorite pastimes?
Reading,
photography, watching tv.
What has been your biggest adventure
to date?
Having kids.
Your world changes so much when you become a parent.
What is the one modern convenience you
can't do without?
My toothbrush?
It seems so basic, but I wouldn’t go on a trip without it. I have however left
my tv, computer, microwave, and phone at home when I travel.
Describe the ideal romantic evening
To start, the
kids are at slumber parties and my house is so immaculately clean that my mind
won’t wander to what needs to be cleaned, scrubbed, or sanitized. I’d also toss
in the idea that I’ve had time to fix myself up which would include makeup, my
hair curled and a ‘to die for’ outfit being put on. My husband and I have the
house to ourselves. We order our favorite gourmet pizza (the food I never allow
myself to eat because of the calories) and eat by candlelight while soft music
is playing.
Guest Blog
Vampires. Is there
no greater (or sexier) hero out there? Shape-shifters do catch my eye, but for
me, vampires are the sexiest heroes in paranormal romances. I’ve always
preferred the lighthearted romances compared with the darker stories. Put a
misunderstood, lonely vampire in a novel that doesn’t want romance, or doesn’t
know he wants it, and introduce a love interest that steams up the page? Yep.
That’s a good story!
There are so many vampire novels out there to read. For me, what makes each one
unique is their individual worlds. Some authors have their vampires unable to
be in sunlight, some authors have their vampires dead all day, while others,
like me, prefer vampires around 24/7. It really is up to the author what
vampire lore they want to keep for their stories. Plus, some authors throw in a
twist to make their vampires even more unique. The vampires in my Colony series
novels can alter their age based upon the blood they drink. A lot of blood
daily, they're young. Wean off of the blood, they can be old. This comes in
handy when you live multiple lives as federal agents protecting the presidents
of the United States over the last 150 years.
My novel Eternal Service is the first
book in the Colony Series. This story follows the coven master, Raymond, who is
a lonely individual with great responsibility. He has noble beliefs, but falls
short. He’s a flawed character, and who doesn’t love that? His only friend is
the token human of the group who is the human liaison between the team and the
President. This human is retiring, thus the story introduces the love interest,
Alexandra Brennan, who is the man’s replacement. Raymond secludes himself
from interacting with humans, especially female humans, but he is drawn to
Alexandra. Will his heart or is mission be compromised? Alexandra has a past
that haunts her and she’s un-trusting of men. Will she follow her heart or her
career? Together, can they save the President?
Book #2 of the Colony Series, United
Service, will be available September 8, 2013. It is the story of Raymond’s
half-breed son Sterling. Sterling is a modern-day vampire who clashes with his
father’s antiquated ideals. Being the half-breed of the group, Sterling knows
he’s the team’s weakest link and he hates it. Sterling jumps at an opportunity
to do some field work rescuing kidnapped vampire children and is accompanied by
a nanny of one of the kidnapped children. The nanny, Kate, is a purebred
vampire. Can Sterling put behind his bad-boy ways and woo the lovely Kate? Will
Kate accept the advances of a half-breed? Can they save the children from a
religious cult who wants to kill them?
Book #3 of the Colony Series, Enduring
Service, will be available in 2014. Sulie (Raymond’s sister) has been in
love with the same human man for nearly thirty years, but refuses to allow
herself the joy of true love because her love is unrequited by her human boss,
Dixon. As Dixon’s retirement looms near, and his memory of Sulie and the last
thirty years of his life is about to be erased, does she confront her fear of intimacy
and take a leap of faith before it's too late? Dixon has decided that it’s time
to retire and enjoy what time he has left. When Sulie is kidnapped during a
medical emergency, Dixon realizes that retirement means giving up everything,
and everyone, he’s known for the last three decades. Will he risk his life, and
his heart, to save her?
Book #4 of the Colony Series,
Reliant Service, will be available in
2014. After retiring his first, and only, alias with the Colony, Daniel
Brighton discovers the mandatory sabbatical to be less than exciting. He
chooses to do a favor and act as a security guard for a fading pop-singer, Lori
Austin, whose career is winding down. He travels across Europe with her and
discovers her past to be one of deception and intrigue with a past leading
directly back to the Colony itself. Lori Austin is struggling to keep her
career alive, and is willing to do what is necessary to save it. From bad press
and scandalous stories, she travels across Europe on a relief tour to
revitalize her career. Discovering a hidden family secret, she realizes that
the one man who can save her is the handsome security guard she fought so hard
not to hire.
I’ve read many
vampire romance novels and have discovered five critical elements that exist in
the books that I love and read over and over again. When I began writing my
novels I made sure that all of these elements made it into my books. First, I
made my vampires not want for money. Who wants to read a story of a broke
vampire who lives on the streets? I’d rather have them in a stately mansion
that is exquisitely furnished. Secondly, the vampires are not loners. I wanted
my vampires to work together in a group and have a close bond to one another.
Third, I didn’t want blood to be an issue where they spend half the novel
hunting humans. The Colony receives bagged blood from Uncle Sam. Fourth, I like
when the vampires have a common enemy or goal. Lastly, I enjoy stories where
there is some sort of ruling body governing the vampires. In my Colony series the
Vampire Council arranges marriages, blood deliveries and much more for the
vampires.
Bio
Regina
Morris is the author of the humorous paranormal romances that make up
the Colony series. She loves paranormal romances featuring vampires,
with her personal taste being light-hearted and humorous stories - not
horrific and gory. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and two
children. She gradulated high school in Germany and graduated from the
University of Texas at Austin. Besides writing, she is an amateur
portrait and sports photographer, but discovered that writing is in her
blood, and had to put pen
to paper! She
enjoys monthly meetings with her writing groups and meeting other
writers in the Austin area through the Writers' League of Texas. Please
connect with her on Facebook (@ReginaAnnMorris) and Twitter
(@ReginaMorris).
Regina Morris personal website
www.reginamorris.com
Facebook Fan Page
https://www.facebook.com/ReginaAnnMorris
Twitter
https://www.twitter.com/ReginaMorris
Links:
Eternal Service Trailer:
http://www.reginamorris.com/eternal-service-trailer
United Service Trailer:
http://www.reginamorris.com/united-service-trailer
Lisa Renee Jones is the Erotic Thriller/Suspense author of Paranormal and Contemporary Romances. Lisa has 13 series, including Inside Out (which has been optioned by STARZ, which has 2 hotties-Chris Merrit and Mark Compton. She also has the Walker brothers in Tall, Dark, & Deadly series and Liam in The Secret Life of Amy Bensen. 
