Welcome to the week!

Welcome to what I’m convinced is going to be a fabulous week! I’m Samantha Sommersby and for the next few days, I’ve been invited to blog with Claudine.

It’s bright and early on a lovely Monday morning here in sunny San Diego and my vampire, Byron, has offered to adjust his sleeping schedule so that he can play with us. We’re huddled together in my office with the curtains drawn. Should hubby be jealous? Naw! Byron may be a shameless flirt, but he’s completely devoted to his mate, Violet. I thought I’d start off by introducing myself and Byron – then we can all begin posting and chatting away!

I was first published in 2005 and in January of this year I left what I used to call my “real life” day job in the psychiatric field to pursue writing and working in the publishing industry full-time. I think that my background as a psychotherapist is apparent in my work and allows me to bring a unique perspective to my characters and stories. I’m thoroughly enjoying having the opportunity to spend my days writing and strive to create a hero that will literally sweep you off your feet.

I live with my husband of seventeen years, my fourteen year old son, and my cocker spaniel, Buck. My husband is a social worker who works with abused children. He’s an avid sailor who loves to surf, and you’ll find bits of him in every hero that I’ve ever written. My son is wonderfully sensitive, with a sarcastic sense of humor. He plays the piano, composes his own music, is a competitive fencer, and worships video games.

On the rare occasion when I manage to set aside some “play” time for myself, you’ll most likely find me reading a book, at the movies, or out wine tasting (I collect California Cabernets).

Byron just recently turned 380. He was born in London, lived much of his life on a small island off the coast of Canada, and now lives in southern California. A strange choice for a vampire? Oui. But then, Byron is not just any vampire.

He spent years climbing the social ladder, he’s successful, handsome, independently wealthy, and for over two centuries, he’s held the honored position of Treasurer of his Clan’s most sacred Trust. He’s also been responsible for the financial security of the most elite of the immortals, the Dominie.

In order to ensure his redemption, Byron isolated himself on a small private island, away from all temptation. It was a good plan”¦until the day Violet Deeds was stranded there.

Violet is beautiful, sexy, outspoken, and a human, which made her completely off limits. Byron’s society’s canon forbids relationships between vampires and humans, but that didn’t stop him from taking a little nibble and falling hopelessly in love. Forbidden: The Claim is the beginning of Byron and Violet’s story. Forbidden: The Awakening is the continuation of their story. Because it just couldn’t end there and I couldn’t resist spending more time with my favorite hero the third installment, Forbidden: The Revolution, is nearing completion.

It just goes to show you, sometimes giving in to temptation can be a good thing”¦

www.samanthasommersby.com