Last year, in my early days of blogging there was a cover that captured my attention over and over again and I decided to investigate. That is where the world of Annwyn lured me and I viewed a character sheet that had my panties in a twist. Preview it
here
That is where I read this about Bran:
Character: Bran, King of the Night Sidhe
Shifts into: The Raven
Magic: Destruction
Power: Prognosticate death, can harness all the powers of the elements to form alchemy
Friends: Loose alliances with most all creatures
Foes: The mortal who is prophesized will destroy him
Let me tell ya I didn't know how fast I had to look up the ways to contact the Sidhe and that is where I met the muse of Bran's story, Sophie Renwick. She made it possible for me to get a one on one with Bran and this is what I got out of him...
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excerpt 1, adults only!~
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade (March 2, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451229185
ISBN-13: 978-0451229182
Cover Summary:
Velvet Haven, March 2010 from NAL
Book One of Immortals of Annwyn Series
Hidden from mortals for all eternity, Annwyn, the Otherworld, is home to shapeshifters, wraiths and dragons. But in a nightclub called Velvet Haven, desire brings humans and immortals together…
Built atop the mystic passageway to Annwyn, the gothic nightclub Velvet Haven has seen its share of lost souls—both mortal and immortal. It is here that Bran, the shapeshifter king of the Sidhe, searches for his brother, who is ensnared by a centuries-old curse. When a vision foretells his own death, he knows his time to find Carden is running out.
For help he must turn to Mairi, a mortal woman with an unusual aura. Bran has never liked humans, other than using their sexual pleasure to restore his magic energy. But with Mairi everything is different. Her lush curves and teasing caresses enflame him like no Sidhe has ever done. He has no idea that the woman he’s falling for holds the key to his destruction – or his salvation.
Challenge:
“Bran?” I swallow hard as he looks me straight in the eyes, “will you tip the veil a bit and tell us gals the does and don’ts in how to court a Sidhe?”
Ours is an old world, with customs and orders that seem strange in these modern times. Marriages are arranged in my world, and once married there is no straying. But until then, both males and females are allowed to have lovers. It is up to the male sidhe to prove himself to the female. If the female feels the male worthy, she will become his lover. A male proves himself through his magick, his cunning and strength, and his physical presence.
• Can you describe yourself in 5 words?
Honorable, stubborn, powerful, suspicious, and Mairi wants me to say sexy, and I always bow to my fated’s wishes! :)
• Bran, many women are eager to know; What is Velvet Haven like?
A cesspool of sex, lust, desire and magick. It’s a place of darkness and sin where both immortals and mortals mix. I personally hate the place, but it serves a purpose in my world. For mortals, well, I guess it’s an exclusive club where one can get drunk and have indiscriminate sex.
It’s a necessary evil, I’m afraid. There are many immortals from Annwyn waiting to show some human women a good time. Come by and visit.
• If there is one person from Velvet Haven you want us to meet, who would that be?
I trust few in Annwyn, and no one in Velvet Haven so this is a very difficult question to answer. I was thinking that perhaps I would want you to meet my great nephew, Rhys, who is Daegan’s great grandson. He’s mostly mortal and runs Velvet Haven, but I think I would prefer that you meet Suriel. He’s a dangerous being, and I’d want to warn you to stay the hell away from him. He’s a fallen angel, and his realm is the mortal world. He has the power to compel, and I’d warn you not to go anywhere with the bastard. He and my Mairi are bound, and it bugs the hell out of me sometimes, but it’s the way my Mairi comes to me, so I’ll handle it. Otherwise, I’d terminate that bastard! Warning to all females—and males for that matter. Stay the hell away from Suriel. His motives are shadowy at best.
What is your favorite place in Annwyn?
My sacred grove. It’s a sidhe ‘s place of worship and magic. Mine is in an oak grove where the winds whispers through the leaves. I have a stone altar there with the tools I need to perform my magick. Although, that altar does come in very nicely for other, more earthy delights!
• If you have one, what is your favorite romantic setting?
Well, that altar is one of my favorites. I’m old, you know. I’ve lived for more than three centuries, and going back to the old ways brings me comfort. Annwyn is my favorite place, and in the castle of the Sidhe King there is a huge chamber—it’s my bedchamber, and it has an enormous fireplace, and there’s this soft fur blanket, and Mairi’s skin looks so damn edible in the firelight….
• What do you consider your personal pros and cons? Or should we go to Mairi for the answer to this one?
Oh, I’d love to answer this. He’s a bit thick at times, and he’s jealous. My god, he was totally consumed with it when Suriel was close to me. But he’s a fantastic protector, and he loves for me for who I am. He’s also one hell of a healer, but I’ll let you discover that when you read the book!
And I’m a damn good magician and king, too. Oh, and I’ve been told I look good in my leather pants…right Mairi?
• What do you love about being a Sidhe?
Everything. It’s my identity, who I am. I can’t imagine being anything else.
• What do you consider to be the seven deadly sins?
Our world works very much like yours; we believe in many of the same things. Sins are sins, whether in Annwyn or the mortal world. Pride, you could say, it my sin.
• Do you like to dance and if so, what’s your favorite dance?
Loathe it.
• How and where do you prefer to sleep?
Well, naked with Mairi pressed up against me. I don’t care where it is, just as long as Mairi is with me, and she’s safe.
* Do you read and if so, what is the last book you’ve read?
I really don’t want to answer this….okay, I’ll come clean, just don’t tell Mairi. I found a book she had hidden in her night table drawer. It was most informative. 101 ways to Drive a Man Crazy in Bed. We just completed 101, and she’s a total expert! She drives me crazy with anything she does. I hope she feels the same way about me.
• What do you do if you want to unwind from the day?
A walk through Annwyn, with a stop at the reflecting pool, or my sacred grove. Nature gives me peace, and inner strength. Then it’s home to Mairi.
• What is the one thing in a woman that instantly grabs your attention?
Her aura. It tells me what I need to be wary of. Incidentally, Mairi’s was pure white which means perfect balance.
• Who can wake you up in the middle of the night for…?
Mairi, for any little thing her heart desires. And any perceived threat. I won’t allow anything or anyone to hurt Mairi, or anyone in Annwyn.
• Tell us your 5 favorite things from our human world
The fragility of human life, the sounds of waves crashing against rocks, iPods, convertible sport cars. Food, especially Chinese and buffalo chicken wings and macaroni and cheese. Contrary to human belief (glaring at Mairi here…) I do not eat seeds, bread crumbs, or God above, worms.
Wooing the ladies with a small excerpt:
You can provide a small excerpt that is quickly read and gives a good taste of Bran…or the novel as a whole.
Mairi nestled deeper into his hold.
“Watch the fire, Mairi,” he whispered. Then he closed his eyes and reached out to the flames, harnessing its powers, bending it to his own. She would find this amusing. It was a youngling’s trick, but he sought to please—and surprise her.
Mairi watched the orange flames begin to dance, to meld into shapes, twisting and twining, then separating. They became distinct. People. A man and a woman. The shapes came closer to one another, a spark reaching out like a hand to grasp what looked like the breast of the woman.
She sighed, watching as the shapes became her and Bran.
“What do you want him to do next?” he asked.
She smiled, liking his magic trick. “What does he want to do?”
The shape of the man pressed forward, kissing the woman. She fell back and the man pushed her knees up, parting them.
Mairi’s breath hitched. “You like to do that, don’t you?”
“I love your taste on my tongue, my lips.”
She rolled onto her back, giving him her arms. “I’m starting a new tradition. The queen gets to ask for whatever she wants while she’s lying before the fire, and the king must see that she gets it.”
“What does my queen want?” he asked.
“The king, buried deep inside. All night.”
Bran, we cannot express the pleasure it has been that I could get this one on one with you. Do you want us to go anywhere on the world wide web? Hook us up here:
You can learn more about Annwyn at
sophierenwick.com
Giveaway: Thanks to the generosity of Sophie Renwick there is an additional copy to give away, so there are two chances to win VELVET HAVEN YAY
What do you need to do? Leave a comment and join in the convo :) This giveaway is internationally to anywhere Book Depository Store ships.The winners will be anounced on February the 28th!
And last but not least…do you have a favorite drink the Beefcake crew can make for the ladies?
Nah, alcohol interferes with my powers. But Mairi does have a drink she likes it’s a chocolate monkey
1 oz Crème de Cacao
1 oz Crème de Banane
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
2 teaspoon cocoa powder
I banana as garnish
Blend all with ice, pour into tall glass.
Aidan; I think we can whip this one up *wink*
The last couple of weeks there were a few giveaways active and random.org has picked a few winner. The first to announce is two winners for the copies of Sophie Renwick's VELVET HAVEN. We had an awesome Beefcake night and I want to thank Sophie, Bran and Suriel for dropping by. I had a blast and a chance to dance with a fallen angel *dreamy sigh* 
