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Monday, April 02, 2012

PAF: Story by Cassi Carver + giveaway!

Paranormal April Fools

Our storyteller today is Cassi Carver, author of the steamy urban fantasy SLAYER'S KISS. She's stopped by to tell us a real-life prank story...that happened to her!

Read on to find out what happened and make sure to stick around for the giveaway because Cassi is offering up five (!!) e-copies of SLAYER'S KISS.

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My April Fool’s Day Hero

Hi, I’m Cassi Carver, author of the recently released spicy urban fantasy, Slayer’s Kiss. I’m so excited to be visiting with you today—even if it is to talk about one of my more awkward high school memories.

Oh…high school. I can’t say I was a big fan of the four longest years of my life, but if you don’t count blond jokes and airhead jibes, at least I wasn’t picked on…much. Not until that one fateful day in early April…a day that usually passes without anything more harmful than a “kick me” note on your back. But this is what happened to me…

It was mile day in my PE class and I’d forgotten my gym clothes, so I sported the jeans and pink hoodie I’d worn to school. Everything was going fine—well, as fine as it could be when my legs were burning and my lungs wheezing as I loped along at a less-than-awe-inspiring pace.

First of all, I should tell you that I was different back then in two ways—I was sweeter and more trusting, and, well…I could still run a mile. So when I passed the weight room and a young gentleman called me over to the window, I went without hesitation. After all, I knew this guy from some class or the other and I was curious what he wanted. The screen-less window of the weight room was covered in iron bars, and when the young man leaned towards me to tell me something, I listened carefully.

“No, come closer,” he said. And I did.

I leaned in to hear this important thing he had to say…when all of the sudden, he grabbed my hoodie strings and pulled them tight. Imagine the hood closing around my face like a tight sack with the opening reduced to the size of a quarter. But that wasn’t the worst thing. He knotted the strings to the iron bars!

With mile runners pounding along behind me and weight-wielding jocks laughing raucously somewhere in front of me, I considered my options. If I would have been wearing a T-shirt underneath, I could have simply wiggled out of the sweater…but the only thing under my hoodie was my old white bra. Freeing myself that way would leave me standing there half naked in front of two dozen sweaty boys.

As the weight room reverberated with the sounds of laughter from all sides, I fumbled unsuccessfully with the knots on the bars and realized that I was truly stuck.

I was mortified. My cheeks were on fire—not that anyone could see them with the fabric pulled tight over my head. But even as I panicked, my pride wouldn’t let me call out for help as I continued to pick at the knots with clumsy fingers. Around me I heard voices, a mix of guffaws and people asking who was stuck to the bars, and all I could think was why would anyone want to do this to me?

And then—perhaps seconds later, but it felt like an 8-day week—I heard the most blessed sound. From somewhere on the other side of the weight room came the booming voice of our resident shot put and discus champion—a big guy nobody wanted to mess with. And unbeknownst to the unlucky punk who’d fastened my head to the bars, he’d targeted that burly track and field champ’s very own girlfriend! Usually a gentle giant, my guy’s voice was low and hard when I heard him coming my way. Three words, “Let her go,” was all it took to have the bully scrambling to untie the knots.

When my portal opened, I looked up through the bars to see my champion staring down at me in all his alpha glory as the other weight room folks quieted and backed away. I was nice back then and quick to forgive, so nobody’s face got pounded that day, but a seed was planted in my heart that grew for years to come. Perhaps that’s why, even to this day, I love to read about alpha males who will defend a heroine at any cost—and heroines who think ahead and come equipped to get themselves out of any scrape.

It may have been an April Fool’s Day joke, but in the end, when that bully was cowering in the face of my defender—the joke was on him.

I’d love to give away FIVE digital copies of my spicy urban fantasy, Slayer’s Kiss! All you have to do is comment. So what do you think? Was it just a harmless bit of April Fool’s fun—or should I have opened a can of UF whoop-ass on that guy?

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Here's the low-down on SLAYER'S KISS:

Cassi Carver Slayer's Kiss Kara Reed is a supernatural failure. But where her magic falls short, her fists get the job done. The criminal element doesn’t stand a chance once she hits San Diego’s dark streets.

When two smoking-hot tenants move in next door, she thinks her love life might finally be heating up. Just being near Gavin and Julian is enough to make her want to offer her body on a platter.

Gavin and Julian know it’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out. They’re fallen angels sent to watch over the king’s daughter, one of the last females of her kind. Trouble is, she doesn’t seem to think she needs watching—unless they’re watching her shimmy out of her clothes.

No matter how tempting her guardians, Kara’s not about to let anything stop her from tracking down a sadistic killer who carves into his victims and leaves them for dead. Even when she realizes her target may be the very scourge of heaven from which her angels swore to protect her…

Stéphanie's thoughts

Read an excerpt

Purchase: Amazon

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giveaway

Cassi is generously offering five (5) e-copies of SLAYER'S KISS to our lucky readers!

To enter the giveaway, fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Open internationally

Ends Sunday, April 15, 2012
(like all of our Paranormal April Fools’ giveaways)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Cassi Carver

Cassi lives in sunny Southern California with two dogs, four kids, and a hubby who gives great massages. She gest to the Gaslamp for research (okay, happy hour) as often as possible. She's never saved the world, but she keeps sexy boots on hand just in case the opportunity arises.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

 

Jenn

Born and raised in the Toronto area, Jenn moved to St. John's, Newfoundland, eight years ago for school. She's still in school (thankfully on another degree!), now trapped in her dissertation. When she's not dissertating, which happens more often than it should, Jenn spends her time reading, watching movies, playing volleyball, travelling, and enjoying the local music scene. Her latest addictions: yoga and Almond Crunch cereal.

44 People left their mark' :

  1. Wow...I want it now! I'll get soon a reader so it will be a fine way to test it! ;)
    Thanks a lot for this giveaway!!

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    1. Thanks, Zendastark! I'm thrilled to hear that you would like to read Slayer's Kiss! Good luck and I hope you enjoy it! :D

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  2. It was pretty harmless, but I'd probably be plotting some revenge, like stealing all the locker room towels or their clothes.

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Anne! Yeah, I was too nice to plot revenge, but the idea appeals to me now. Hmmm... high school reunion maybe? Perhaps I can slip a long strip of toilet paper into the back of his jeans. Heehee. ;)

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  3. I detest bullies and I'm no fan of April fool's day. That guy deserved whatever you could throw his way.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Niko! I enjoyed April Fool's Day when people were silly, like "Your shoe is untied." I tried that one...but didn't have much success. I should have been more creative. ;)

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  4. And I kinda am craving revenge.

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Diana! Yeah, it was a swoon-worthy ending and totally worth it in my opinion. ;) I might have thought differently if no one had come to my rescue...

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  5. It could have been worse, I suppose, but I agree with Niko - bullies deserve whatever they get!

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    1. Hi, Rebe! You're right, it totally could have been worse! I was never truly frightened--just embarrassed! I think the prank back-firing on the bully was perfect. He wasn't hurt or disgraced, but he complied quickly. :)

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  6. I detest bullies. I had a issue with an older boy in school that used to be so mean to me. For one whole year I had to deal with this guy. I do not think what he did was very nice, and would have gotten him back at a later time. I am a very nice person, until you mess with me. I also love alpha males, especially when they stick up for someone that can't protect themselves.
    Thanks for the chance to win.
    christinebails@yahoo.com

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Chris! Bullies make my blood boil! I was never in any danger. In the end, it really was just an April Fool's Day prank, but I know some bullies push kids over the edge. I'm so sorry you had to deal with that growing up! Schools are so much better now at preventing bullying. :)

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  7. Cassi: You remained the lovely lady you are today. With your guy handling the situation, it was to your credit to say no more, other than the referral today. I'm sure your classmates who heard the tale, all respected you for your silence. Not sure what I would have done in the same situation, if "he" hadn't have showed up to save the day. Fate can be cruel,or kind. Glad it ended in your favor. Best, Joy

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Joy, and thank you for the kind words! If I was silent afterward, it was only because I didn't want the other kids to know he'd gotten the best of me! ;)

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  8. I think he needed his butt kicked. Your book sounds great. Love the cover.

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    1. Hi, Crystal! Thank you for commenting and I'm glad Slayer's Kiss sounds like something you might enjoy. It's not for the faint of heart! Kara, the heroine, would never have fallen for the "come closer" trick! ;)

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  9. I think he needed an a**e whipping. Harmless pranks are fine but, that was a little more than a harmless prank (thinking health problems if you'd been asthmatic or something). However I commend you for being a lot more forgiving than I would be.
    ilona

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    1. Hi, Ilona! Yeah, I was forgiving. I wouldn't be that gullible or forgiving now! LOL Maybe that's why UF appeals to meso much . I love strong heroines who don't take crap! :)

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  10. I do think he needed to have something done to him. When I was younger, I would have either had the bf beat the crap out of him or just done it myself. Now, I would want to find a way to get back, embarrass him in front of a large group, preferable girls cause that would probably bother him worse, having a bunch of girls laugh at him.
    June

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, June! Your comment cracked me up! We should have been friends in high school so I could have yelled, "Untie me, or you'll have June to deal with!" ;)

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  11. I've never been bullied but my son was when he was younger; it was heartbreaking to see and as a parent you don't know what to do to help. Talking to teachers, principals and even the busdriver didn't help much. Finally it seemed they gave up and moved on and life became much better for him.

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    1. Oh, Diane, that's the worst! I have kids too, and when your kids are picked on, it makes you want to jump in and kick some bully booty. I'm so glad your son is doing better now!!!

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  12. Hey, everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I'm in a cabin by a lake this week and the internet is almost non-existent. :(
    If I can't comment back--don't worry. You'll still be entered to win a free digital copy of Slayer's Kiss!!! :D

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  13. I definitely think that guy should have had a big can of UF whoop-ass opened on him. He was a jerk and it isn't nice to treat a young woman like that. I think you were way nicer to him than he deserved.

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  14. I'd just let karma do its thing :) I've never liked bullies.

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  15. It was pretty Harmless. Krista

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  16. Im sure it was all in fun. But plotting the revenge can be fun too.

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  17. I think it was just a prank, but you were very nice to forgive him.

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  18. What a jerk!!! I'm glad your hero made him cower... :)

    I've already read SLayer's Kiss... You'll love it! :)

    Lisa

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  19. I don't know how you did it. You should've opened up the biggest can on him. I would love to win a copy of your book.

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  20. I don't know how you did it. You should've opened up the biggest can on him. I would love to win a copy of your book.

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  21. I think it was just a prank!! Let Karma kick his ass :)

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  22. I agree let Karma kick his ass :)

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  23. What an awful predicament! So glad the story had a happy ending - and I love how you told it. Enjoyed the excerpt from the book too!

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  24. You should always open a can of whoop ass on someone who crossed you, harmless prank or not :)

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  25. Karma always comes back around. Thanks for the chance to win a great sounding book. Adding to my list.

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  26. In my school we stuck little paper fishes on each other back. It never went beyond that. Thank you for the chance to win.

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  27. I think that a little whoop ass would be good for the soul **Grin**. The books sounds awesome! Thanks for the fantastic giveaway!

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  28. In high school-whoop ass is always called for...it's survival!

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  29. UF whoop-ass! Definitely!! That guy needed his lesson!
    Or maybe that's because I'm more of a fan of sweet guys under cover who fall in love with the girl they bully when she fights back and act like they hate her when they're actually enjoying it...

    Was that cheesy enough? hehe

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  30. it could've all been in fun, but revenge can be too fun to pass up : )

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  31. I think many people use "jokes" to hurt other people, so I really don't like any kind of "jokes" :(

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  32. What a bully! It could have been his way of flirting (guys can be so dumb) but it sounds mean instead of teasing. Letting you struggle and be embarrassed wasn't harmless fun. That's so awesome that you were rescued but revenge would have been mighty tempting. I enjoyed high school but I wouldn't want to do it again for any amount of money!

    Thanks for the offer! The book sounds so good and I look forward to reading it!

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