Wicked Wednesday: Tianna Xander

Morning Peeps! Three days left and one of the best holidays will be upon us! I can’t wait! We carved our pumpkin on Saturday and my little ghoul is pacing the floor waiting for her chance to go trick or treating! This is also the last week to enter our month long contest, so remember enter often and tomorrow morning I will announce the winner!

Good Luck!

I have one more announcement before we get to our guest and then we can have a bewitching good time!

Melissa will be posting our Wicked Wednesday for me next week and probably the week after. As some of you may know Cheyenne, my little girl, is going in for surgery to correct her hearing loss. She is having her right ear drum reconstructed and the doctor believes she will hear out of that ear for the first time in five years. So cross your fingers! We will still be having a contest next month along with DDR’s Give Thanks Contest! Watch for it!!

With that said, I am happy to have another eXtasy author joining us here at DDR! Her works include; A Stranger in Paradise, Afraid to Dream, Edge of Ecstasy, Gates of Paradise, and now her new tale, The Endowed! Please welcome my guest today Tianna Xander!

Amanda: Good Morning Tianna and welcome to Wicked Wednesday, I’m glad you could join us!

Tianna: Thank you. I’m glad to be here.

Amanda: Let’s have a haunting good time, shall we?

Tianna: Yes, let’s. I think this is the best time of year for writing the spooky, paranormal stories that we all seem to love.

Amanda: So do I!! When did you decided, this is it, I want to be a writer and what was the first book you ever wrote?

Tianna: The very first book was Prophecy, now available at DevineDestinies and other sources. At this time, Prophecy is my only mainstream novel. The sex scenes aren’t nearly as long, nor are they as explicit as my other works. It’s a fantasy\sci-fi romance about an alien king, who kidnaps a Wiccan woman destined to save his world according to an ancient prophecy. The story is set both here on Earth and on his world.

Prophecy wasn’t the first book published, however. The first book I ever had published wasVirgin’s Blood, also available at many sources including my publisher’s website eXtasyBooks.Virgin’s Blood is a one on one, first person vampire romance, about a woman who sees her best friend murdered, fights off incubi and rogue vampires while trying to cope with all of the impossible things happening around her. It is also the first book of The Chosen series.

Amanda: What is one of your favorite books to sit by the fire and read, when you’re not busy of course?

Tianna: Usually, anything by Christine Feehan, Lyndsay Sands or Katie MacAlister.

Amanda: Oooo, all of those authors grace my shelves too! I think I have just about all of their books!! Do you have to have a Happily Ever After or is Happy For Right Now also ok with you?

Tianna: I usually like happily ever after but a happy for now is okay if it’s something like Katie MacAlister’s books. They usually get a happily ever after in the last book of the series. I love those.

Amanda: What do you find is the most rewarding part of what you do?

Tianna: I love it when a reader e-mails me to let me know how much they enjoyed the book they just read. I really love it when they ask if I plan to write another about the same world. When they do that, it makes me feel as though I’ve really done my job well.

Amanda: With all the new FTC(Federal Trade Commission) rules and regulations that are supposed to start here in another month, what do you fear will happen to world of ebook publishers and groups and do you believe they will start to crack down on ebook piracy?

Tianna: I’m not sure much is going to change the way people steal e-books — and it is stealing — unless the authorities begin to crack down on the largest up-loaders and down-loaders on the share sites out there. People need to realize that just because they pay for a membership at a share site, it does not mean that they are legally downloading that content. It is just as illegal as breaking into someone’s house and stealing their electronics and just as abhorrent to me.

I just can’t help but think if they caught a few of the worst and publicly prosecuted them, it may wake people up to the fact that it is a crime and no matter how hard they try to hide, they can and will be tracked down eventually.

What most people don’t understand is that most authors, NY Times bestselling authors excluded of course, make less than minimum wage for each book they write. They think since we are published authors, we all must be rich. They’re wrong. In fact, I still have a fulltime day job.

Amanda: Since we are only 3 days away from Halloween, do you have any special plans for this awesome holiday?

Tianna: Actually, yes. I’m spending it with my sister in Florida. I haven’t been back home for over ten years and I’m excited to see everyone again. After Halloween, which is a big event at her house, and her twenty-fifth anniversary party, she’s invited us on a cruise. I couldn’t turn that down.

Amanda: Finally, which of your characters are naughty and which are wicked?

Tianna: Oh, my… I’d have to say just about all of them are both.

Amanda: Thank you for spending the day with me, I’ve had a blast! I hope you have too.

Tianna: Yes. This was a blast. Thank you so much for having me. I hope you all have a wonderful Samhain\Halloween. Be careful of the swirling mists. You never know what lurks in the darkness…

Amanda: I do believe we know what happen’s if we step into the mist LOL!!!!

Tianna has so graciously given DDR a copy of The Endowed and this reviewer got the chance to read it and do the review. I have included the review in today’s interview, but first sit back and relax as you delve into The Endowed. Be sure to check out Tianna's site too!


Blurb: When teenager Tori Sherridan discovers there are monsters in the world, she is horrified to find she-s attracted to two of them. After spending her life trying to avoid the men, she-s even more shocked when, ten years later, the two in question discover her existence and don-t want to let her out of their sight.

Try living life with no one to care for you. Women can-t love you and won-t even associate with you unless you-re controlling their minds. That-s what happens when you-re not human. Angelo Rigatti and Ricardo Lobianco have lived that way for centuries. Can anyone blame them for being unwilling to release the one woman they can-t control who hasn-t run from them screaming?

Excerpt: "Where are you taking me?" Tori shivered. The shock of what she just witnessed was too much for her mind to bear. It was beginning to shut down and she didn't want to be at his mercy when it did. It didn't matter that he'd saved her from the others. He looked at her as his property. She didn't dare begin to trust him. Not yet.

"To my home." He looked down at her and frowned. He lifted his hand, gently brushing the hair from her face. "You don't look at all well." Cool fingers rested against her forehead.

Her gaze met his as she stared up at him, unable to voice her concerns at first. Tori merely stood and gaped at him for a good minute before she blurted, "What do you expect? I've nearly been eaten, I watched someone else almost get their throat ripped out and now it looks as though I'm back on the menu again." Her teeth began to chatter as she slid closer to shock. A car horn sounded in the distance and she jumped.

Angelo lifted her into his arms and began to walk.

Tori didn't struggle. It wouldn't do her any good anyway. Hell, she'd just seen him lift a man at least a foot off the ground with one hand. He wasn't going to let her go unless he wanted to. She tried to ignore his dark good looks, how his spicy, citrus scent made her heart race and her womb clench.

He leaned his head closer. "Did you know that when we are this close, I can read your mind?"
Tori blinked. That's just great! How many times have I admired his butt since he accosted me at the magazine stand?

Angelo chuckled. "About a dozen times." He nuzzled her ear as he walked.

His breath stirred the hair at her temple and tickled her ear. His lips brushed her cheek, sending a zing of desire coursing through her. Gooseflesh rose on her skin and every erogenous zone she had stood at attention and clamored for more of Angelo's regard.

Tori's nipples hardened, her panties grew wet and she fought the need to turn, wrap her legs around his waist, pull his lips to hers and have her wicked way with him.

"And you have no idea how much it pleases me to find that you find me and my companion attractive. Ricardo will be pleased to hear this as well."

"Oh, God." She put her face in her hands. "Can things get any worse?" Yes, they could. Heat began to pool in her tummy as his breath tickled her ear. Something she didn't realize lived inside her lifted its head, wanting more of Angelo's heated caresses. Why do I feel this way toward them? Why don't I ever feel this way toward a nice, normal, safe man whom I can have children with? Why them and why now?

"Because you are a Sentinel."

She did her best to turn in his arms, needing to look at him. "A what?"

"You are a Sentinel. A direct descendant from an immortal before he was made like me," he explained. "A Sentinel can feel and identify us through a blood bond." He looked thoughtful. "Of course, there are those who become slayers." He shrugged.

"Usually a Sentinel helps protect us or they become one of us if they are given The Gift."

Tori gaped at him. "The Gift? You people call that a gift?" Her mouth dropped open in surprise. She slapped her hand over her mouth and clamped it shut. After making sure something totally stupid wouldn't come flying out, Tori dropped her hand and stared up at him. "Besides, I'm no immortal. I'm sure I would know something like that."

"Of course you aren't. The immortals have all interbred with humans, diluting their blood until they are no more. There are only the Sentinels left."

"And what about this gift thing you're talking about? I think it's a pretty creepy word to call something like vampirism."

He just gave her an indulgent smile. "It is a gift to be allowed to become one of us. We believe we are gifted. All those of The Endowed are gifted." He smiled and winked. "In more ways than one."

"Is that what you think?" Tori realized her mouth was hanging open again and snapped it shut.

She wasn't touching that last statement with a ten-foot long cattle prod. Endowed indeed. At least she was learning something. If Angelo and his friend do plan to kill me, I won't die ignorant.
He sighed. "I'm not going to hurt you." He bent his head, his straight nose brushing the hair near her temple. "We aren't going to hurt you."

Tori shivered at the contact and fisted her hands to keep them in her lap. Her fingers itched to see if his hair was as soft as it looked. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to sink her fingers into his hair and pull his head to hers. Taking a deep breath, she sighed, knowing she would never have the courage to make the first move. A part of her wanted him so much she almost wished that he would read her mind.

"Perhaps I am fated to protect you. Perhaps both Ricardo and I were meant to protect you." He leaned down to take another deep breath. "Have I told you how much I love the way you smell?"
Ignoring his question, she focused on what he said before. "Why do you think you two were meant to protect me?" She looked into those dark fathomless eyes, wondering why he'd paused.

"What if it's me who is supposed to protect you?"

What in the world was she thinking? An hour ago, she didn't want to know he and his kind existed. Now she was contemplating being his bodyguard. Was she going insane?
Angelo shook his head. "I do not think that is the reason the fates brought us together." He looked thoughtful.

"Do you always talk so weird?" Tori gave him a small smile, finally beginning to relax. He spoke so formally sometimes. It was as though he couldn't decide in which century he was. His manner of speech was a mixture of the old and new and that was rather charming. It made her wonder exactly how old he was. The man was very old if the way he spoke was any indication. She believed him when he'd said he wasn't going to hurt her. If he wanted to kill her, he could have done it at any time over the last mile or so he'd carried her. His body stiffened as though she'd just insulted him.

"I am very old, how do you think I should speak?" Still looking at her, he raised his brow. "It's difficult to remember to talk like a human. I have spent my life speaking this way to my people. I rarely associate with your kind other than to feed." He smiled again, showing her his perfect white teeth. "And that rarely needs much interaction."

Tori ignored that sexy look. It was driving her crazy. Besides, he was probably way too old for her. "Why are you telling me this? I could use this information against you."

"Yes, you could. But you won't."

The look he gave her could melt glass. "How do you know that?" She crossed her arms over her chest. "It could happen." She stubbornly raised her chin.

He shook his head. "Victoria, you have known about Ricardo and me for years and the only danger I have been in from you is being ravished." His lips twitched as he obviously fought the urge to grin.

Her cheeks heated and she looked away. "It's not my fault, it's that vampire compulsion thing you have going all of the time."

"But it doesn't work on you," he reminded.

She sighed. Well, so much for that excuse. Tori sat cradled in his arms and let him carry her. What else could she do? Angelo was bigger. Even if he wasn't part of the legion of the damned, he still would have been stronger than she ever aspired to be. Tori marveled that the undead could be so warm. She barely stopped herself from slapping her forehead. Of course! He just fed.

Angelo choked. "Excuse me, Victoria, but I take exception to you including me within the ranks of the legion of the damned."

Tori stuck her nose in the air. "Then quit reading my mind. It's rude." Looking away, she crossed her arms and watched as they passed unfamiliar landmarks while he carried her through remote back alleys. "Exactly where are you taking me?"

Angelo looked down. "It took you long enough to ask. You aren't very observant, are you?"
Tori felt herself blush to her roots. Her face burned hotter than the hell she'd thought spawned his kind. What could she say, I'm sorry, Mr. Vampire, but I was so turned on I didn't notice you were carrying me through a part of town I know almost nothing about?

There was a reason she didn't know much about this part of town. It was where many of them lived, existed, whatever. She'd been here a few times with her mother when she was younger, but after she turned sixteen, she couldn't come back without risking discovery.
Angelo made an abrupt right, walking through a wrought iron gate into the front yard of a huge house. He carried her up the steps onto a wide wraparound porch, which held two rocking chairs and a swing.

She laughed. "You actually own a rocking chair?" She clapped a hand to her mouth to stifle a giggle when she imagined him using one. Well, he was ancient. Angelo barked out a laugh that, if she wasn't mistaken, startled them both.

"I think I should inform you that you are correct in your assumption." He leaned closer, his breath fanning her cheek.

His sensual mouth hovered near her lips as he gave her a scorching look.

"I am ancient." He chuckled. "I'm so old I'm practically dusty."

Their playful banter continues throughout the book peeps! Ms. Xander also gave me a copy of The Endowed and I am honored to be able to review her book, so without further ado, my review of The Endowed.

The Endowed by Tianna Xander
Publisher: eXtasy Books
Genre: Erotic Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Ménage, M/M/F

Review Copy Received from Author


My Review: I am a sucker (hee hee) for a good vampire story, and Tianna Xander has captured my attention. The Endowed is a fast paced adventure from word one! When we first meet Tori, she is tracking two men who, earlier in her life, spurned her. Does it bother her that they’re vampires…no. They call to her and she must follow, but sometimes following leads to trouble, as Tori finds out.

Tori’s ability to accept these two men into her life without question is amazing and I love how Ms. Xander allows the story to be suspenseful, but not full of angst. I would like to see more stories where the main character is like ‘oh, you’re a vampire, cool’ and Ms. Xander does a wonderful job in that area also.

I love how Ms. Xander transports them through time and explains how they have to wait to go into town. There is one thing about time travel that some people forget. If you go back you can’t be seen by yourself, it throws the whole fabric of time off and well, bad things can happen.

I would love to read more about Franco and I would hope this one story would be turned into a series, but I know sometimes it’s not in the cards, so I am content with just a glimpse of this particular character. I have to say though, there is an air of mystery that surrounds him, and yeah, please, give us more of Franco, Ms. Xander!

The only down side to this story, if you could even call it a down side, is it ends so quickly. I wanted to read more about Angelo and Ricardo, I wanted to know more about their lives and what they were like when they were younger. But alas, I know sometimes stories are not meant for a series. I could hope though, right LOL!!!

If you are looking for a Very Good paranormal story then The Endowed by Tianna Xander is the book for you!

Rated 5 Delightful Divas and a Recommended Read by Amanda!



Alrighty Peeps, this is the last week for our October contest. I think you remember what the prizes are, but just in case I will tell you about them again: from Lori Foster you will receive a hat and tee-shirt combo that says I heart books and from Keta Diablo you will receive an ebook gift certificate!

All you have to do is leave a comment or question for Tianna or I, and you are automatically entered! Remember if you bring someone with you, both of you will get two entries for the drawing. Good Luck!

Hopefully I will be back in time next week, but I will keep everyone posted on Chey’s progress!

See you soon and here’s hoping you have wicked daydreams and naughty nights!