20 Questions with...Ella Vines + Giveaway

Welcome Cozies to Day 4 of my special 20 Questions blog event. We're counting down to Valentine's Day today with erotic romance author, Ella Vines!

Ella Vines is the pen name and alter ego of a gothic romance novelist and English professor. When she comes out on full moon evenings and late at night when the muse beckons, Ella enjoys writing erotic romance, eating bits of cheesecake, and basking in warm Texas winters. Ella's upcoming erotic romance, Her Dark Fairy, will be available from Summerhouse Publishing next month...

In October of 1858, a walk through the Mississippi woods behind her home changes Lucia Marks' life forever. When she twists her ankle and blacks out, a gorgeous winged creature comes to her rescue, an alluring being of legend that haunts her days and nights. But what does he want from her, and who is he? More importantly, will he be part of her future?

Earlier this week, our very own Cozy correspondent, Tink, sat down for 20 Questions with Ella Vines. Take it away, Tink!

Tink: Are you the first one on the dance floor or not so much?
Ella: I often am as a former dancer!

Tink: Do you prefer to spend the night at the theatre or at a bike show?
Ella: The theatre.

Tink: Do you give relationship advice or think it’s a bad idea?
Ella: I do give it, but I tend to be the type of person people talk to about their problems.

Tink: Describe the ideal hero – rough and tumble highlander, titled gentleman of the ton, modern-day bad boy, or supernatural anti-hero?
Ella: I have to go with brooding, Gothic hero or Byronic hero. Give me an 18th or 19th century wayward titled hero with a scar and a sneer, and I'm happy.

Tink: Would you rather tell someone you love them or show it?
Ella: I do better with words, so tell. ;)

Tink: Travel to the past or into the future?
Ella: To the past!

Tink: Bubble bath or hot shower?
Ella: Hot shower

Tink: Flats or high heels?
Ella: Flats. I do a lot of walking. As long as I can show off my toe nails, I'm good.

Tink: Flowers or chocolate?
Ella: Orchids or Lindt dark chocolate.

Tink: G-rated or unrated?
Ella: Unrated...

Tink: Alpha or beta?
Ella: Alpha.

Tink: Would you make the first move or wait it out?
Ella: I would and have made the first move. That's how I snagged the love of my life, in fact.

Tink: Favorite love song?
Ella: “Under the Milky Way Tonight” by The Church

Tink: For Valentine’s would you rather go out or stay in?
Ella: Go out

Tink: Karaoke: yes or no?
Ella: yes

Tink: Describe your most romantic moment.
Ella: When I got engaged on Mount Washington in Pittsburgh, the experience was dizzying because of the height and the gorgeous diamond ring.

Tink: Boxers, briefs…or kilts?
Ella: Kilts! I'm married to a guy of Scottish descent after all.

Tink: What is your idea of a dream date?
Ella: Flying to Venice and spending a romantic weekend there talking in the cafes and kissing in the narrow side streets. Italy's language is romance, and I can't think of a better place to be with someone you love.

Tink: Valentine’s Day watch: sappy love story, romantic comedy or forgo all of the above and go with the action flick?
Ella: Gothic romance flick in the tradition of Wuthering Heights

Tink: And, most importantly – do you like your man clean shaven or with a five o’clock shadow?
Ella: Clean shaven because I love his baby face.

Thank you very much, Ella, for answering Tink's intrusive questions! Cozies, Ella loves to hear from readers! Visit her on the web or drop her a line at ellavines@ymail.com. Now for an excerpt from Her Dark Fairy....

“I can't be yours. You are not even human. What are you?” She whispered softly as his wings unfurled fully behind him, white and terrible in their immensity. They glittered like stars on white cashmere.

“You only need to know for now that I love you, and that I have loved before. I have immense love to give, and you are the mortal I have chosen to give it to.”

“The mortal?” Lucia caught his word for her. “What do you mean? This is all wrong. It's against nature! I haven't even been with a mortal man, much less an—an immortal one—if that's what you are.” She thrashed in the bed, trying to scoot away from him, but she was tired and weak from the substance he had obviously drugged her with.

“Shh. Come here.” He touched her hair and pulled her up against him. He sat on the edge of the bed.

Lucia struggled faintly in his arms, mewling her discontent, but soon grew to enjoy the feel of his warm hand smoothing over her hair. Every inch of him felt hard. She had only been this close to one other man—her father, for a brief hug at times. She didn't know where to rest her hands, so she touched his right wing and put her other hand lightly on his side.

It leaped at her touch and he let out a gasp of pleasure.



***GIVEAWAY DETAILS: Good news, readers! Ella has generously offered a giveaway for today! By commenting to this post before midnight EST, Monday; February 7th, you will have a chance to win a copy of Her Dark Fairy! (Chances of winning depend on the number of entries. You must be 18 years or older to enter. One winner will be chosen by the True Random Number Generator at Random.org and announced the morning after contest closing. Please check back in to see if you have won.)