He Was Bad…
I’ve always had a thing for bad boys. What can I say? I love a guy with a dark side. So guys like Spike (from Buffy The Vampire Slayer) or Riddick (from Pitch Black) find a quick way to my heart. Considering my affection for these bad men, I suppose it’s not a surprise that I do so enjoy writing about anti-heroes.
When I began my Fallen series for Kensington Brava, I introduced a character named Azrael—Az for short. In my first Fallen book (ANGEL OF DARKNESS), Az definitely played on the dark side. He wasn’t one of those sweet, gentle angels. I’m not sure the guy knows how to be gentle. In fact, Az is one of the darkest characters that I’ve ever written. He’s got flaws—many of them quite lethal—and he doesn’t understand love. Because he was so very wicked in my initial introduction to him, I knew that I’d have a fun time *redeeming* him in his own book.
The challenge? Letting Az keep his edge. Because what good is a bad boy if he’s—well, too good? So as I wrote the story, I tried to show Az’s journey, and I tried to show that, with one wrong turn, with one change in his life, Az could truly be one of the monsters that brings hell to earth.
Because for Az—and for all of us—whether we are good or bad…that depends on the choices we make each day. We’re all walking a fine line, just trying to get by. I’m certainly not 100% good, and, sure, I can have some evil thoughts (say when that lady gabbing on her cell phone cuts me off and almost causes me to wreck while my son is in the back seat of my car). But, it’s the way we handle that little bit of evil inside of us that really matters.
It’s our choice to be good. Our choice to be evil. And our choice to be a bit of both.
In ANGEL IN CHAINS, Az gets to make his choice, too.
I’d love to giveaway a $15 Amazon.com gift certificate to a commenter. Tell me—do you ever have evil thoughts? What pushes your buttons and makes you see red? What tempts you to walk on the dark side? One commenter will be randomly selected to win.
Thanks for checking out my post!
Best,
Cynthia Eden
ANGEL IN CHAINS—Available 11/27/12 from Kensington Brava
Some angels are meant to fall…
*information taken from Author’s website*
Angel In Chains
Book Description | Book Excerpt | Book Reviews
Release Date: November 27, 2012
Publisher: Kensington Brava
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: The Fallen Book 3
ISBN: 0758267630 / 9780758267634
Buy Online
Description
As a fallen Angel of Death, Azrael is cursed to walk the earth alone in search of redemption. One night, as he wanders the streets of New Orleans, he discovers a woman surrounded by panther shifters. No longer able to contain the anger simmering within, Az summons his dark powers and attacks, determined to protect this innocent human from certain death.
Only Jade Pierce is no delicate flower. She’s spent years learning to survive and fight the evil forces sent by her ex-lover who refuses to let her go. But after seeing Az in action, she figures she could use a little supernatural help. And so she plans a course of seduction guaranteed to arouse his interest and his angelic passions…
Love this post – I totally understand the attraction to bad boys!
My evil thoughts usually come out when I'm trying to read and someone keeps interrupting, when people moan about busyness or tiredness and I'm a lot of both and when people 'dis' horses and horse riding (both things I love)!
Hope I win the voucher because I'd probably buy some of the Fallen series – Az sounds like just my kind of dangerous!!!
Pip x
Pip, I'm so glad you like those bad boys, too! Thanks for sharing your "evil thoughts!"
Yes, inconsiderate people. There are more and more every day, it makes me so mad.
Joy, I think you can really see the inconsiderate side of folks during the holidays, too–when folks get into those crazy fights over parking spaces–yikes!
Evil thoughts? Yes, I do on occasion. I used to feel guilty if I had an evil thought about someone or something but as I get older, not so much. This is usually a reaction to someone doing something ugly to someone else. Most of us are brought up to be kind, loving and forgiving. I can't help but wonder if it's the influence of violent movies that seems to "bleed over" into real life thus bringing more violence into the world.
Cruelty in any shape or form is one of the biggest things that pushes my buttons. It can be abuse of women or children, bullying in any kind, or cruelty and neglect of animals. Grrr…it "gets my dander up" and my blood pressure too I'm sure.
Wish we could see people being more loving and kind to others. Other than Christmas, can we adopt a monthly "Nice" day? I'd vote for that!
Best of luck on your upcoming release of "Angels in Chains!"
Connie Fischer
[email protected]
Oh, Connie, you've just hit on one of my button pushers, too! I *HATE* it when I am in a store and I see someone being mean to kids. Just cannot stand it! And I love your monthly nice day idea-I'm all in for that!
I sometimes have evil thoughts. Especially when people are harmed for no good reason and cruelty to sweet animals. This year I have had more than my share of evil thoughts, due to illness that has lasted over 7 months. this tries your patience and your don't have the strength to deal with stupidity.
Oh, no, Anne! I'm so sorry to hear about the illness!!! Sending good thoughts your way! (No evil ones!)
I love Cynthia's writing style. And The Fallen series is an amazing read. I love the bad boy aspect knowing he can be 'tamed' if only in the bedroom. 😉
Congratulations Cynthia on another amazing storyline.
Sandy
[email protected]
Thank you, Sandy! 😉
Wow, can't wait to read this book. I really liked Az in the other books.
I have several stages of buttons, from low tolerance level to high. My lows tolerance button would be someone not using their turn signal or talking on the phone or texting while driving, and yes I still see people doing this even though it's a law not too. And my high tolerance level would be animal cruelty of any kind and child abuse of any kind. I have no time or patience or remorse for ANYONE that does this. I have a great niece, she's a little over 2, that is in the hospital right now that was severely beaten by her foster father and has several broken ribs, bruises everywhere, and brain damage. She has been in for over 2 months and is just now starting physical therapy and has to relearn everything all over again because of the brain damage. She has a long road of healing ahead of her, from the physical to the mental. No child should EVER have to endure this from another human being, especially an adult. It just makes me sick.
So glad you're looking forward to the release! And I love your "stages"–I have those, too!
I am terribly sorry to hear about your great niece. Sending prayers her way–her story just breaks my heart.
Oh, Cynthia, you do write those bad boys so well! 😉
I guess I have evil thoughts sometimes, usually toward people who do something wrong to a family member or friend. What makes me see red is if someones threaten or harms my children.
The temptation to walk on the dark side definitely comes from all of these bad boys that I read about. Love it!!
Congrats on your upcoming release! I already have it on my list!
Tina, when folks threaten our kids, I am completely with you–time to see red!!
And thank you for the lovely compliment about the bad boys.
I can't wait for Az's book! I'm hopeing to see more of Sam in his book too, I want to know what he is up too 🙂 as for things that push my buttons and make me see red… hmm when ever someone is mean to my kids, other things make me mad but messing with my kids is what pushes me over the edge and will make me snap.
And no more walks on the dark side for me my 5 and 1 year old keep me in line these days lol
thanks for being here Cynthia
So glad you're looking forward to Az's book, Savannah! Thank you!! And I am so with you and Tina–I just hate it when anyone is mean to my son!
Other people being mistreated makes me very angry! Especially when the people that are being mistreated are not able to stand up for themselves (kids, etc). That pushes my buttons. I cannot wait to read Angel in Chains! I am very intrigued by Az…
Amy, you've nailed one of my buttons, too!
Tell me—do you ever have evil thoughts? What pushes your buttons and makes you see red? What tempts you to walk on the dark side? One commenter will be randomly selected to win.
Nearly every day? Plus when I am working with my characters I love making things difficult for them! That's fun! Since I am not a violent or devious person I exercise it with made up characters.
What makes me livid is when people push things on me.
LOL, I love making things difficult for characters, too–what's with us? 🙂
Heheh! I have no idea! But I don't wanna change! LOL.
I looooove being devious with characters.
Oh definitely. Especially when some people are mean to my kids….
May, I think this may be the most popular answer–we're fierce when it comes to our little ones!
Other people!! Especially in traffic or when i´m out shopping *grr* i just can get so mad with ignorant people who don´t care for people around them. Maybe it´s me, stressed and frustrated, but somedays are just worse than others.
Can´t wait to read your book, =) sounds great and i´ve already added it to my TBR list.
Thanks for the giveaway & Happy Tuesday!
//Linda
Linda, it's not you–promise! I think we can all get just like that!
Thanks for adding the book to you TBR list!
Two things really get me thinking evil thoughts. First bad people in the world who have no conscience and hurt others especially children. Those get me me wanting to do some very violent things to them so they feel just as helpless as the children they brutalized. The other is when I get interrrupted when I am in the middle of a project and the person doesn't feel bad or waits until I"m done because according to them I wasn't doing anything important.
Ora, I think you're definitely allowed to have evil thoughts in those situations!
thoughtless individuals who are selfish and never give of their time to others who are ill. Congratulations and best wishes.
Ellie, I'd feel evil thoughts for those folks, too!
Cruelty is a big one for me too. Anyone that abuses someone that cant defend themselves. There should be stricter laws for people that abuse children. Maybe lose a hand or get put in a special cell where they get abused everyday. Is that evil for me to think that way? Also animal abusers should be chained up in their yard with no food or water and no protection from weather.
That’s enough of my evil thoughts for today! Love your books:)
LOL, Corinne, I love your line–"That's enough of my evil thoughts for today!"–totally had me smiling. Thank you!
What brings out my evil side is when I see a mistreated animal. Sometimes people can be so cruel to them. I would like to do the same things to them.
I saw a heart-breaking story about an abused animal on my local news recently. Had tears streaking down my cheeks. ;(
I really don't have evil thoughts. But then again I don't consider this evil – that if someone does something horrid the same should be inflicted upon them in my eyes.
As I've stated many times 😉 I love your books and am so looking forward to Az. Thank you so much.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you!! So happy you enjoy them!
I luv ur books cynthia an I think we all have evil thoughts. My big button pusher is when kids are being treated unfairly
So glad you like them, Crystal!
I have to agree with everyone that cruelty to animals and children is the worst button pusher. Coming in a close second would be judgmental people. I swear, if I had a super power, it would be to have the ability to have someone feel another person's pain when they are carelessly judgmental. I would want the perpetrator to feel the helplessness and frustration their words inflict on the people they act superior to."Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can break my heart." Makes me crazy.
While I absolutely love the bad boys, and wow, do you write them well, I also love the bad girls you write. The heroine who is able to take care of her own stuff, who is a bad *edit* in her own right are so much fun to read. Dee comes to mind, as does Jana. Two of my favorite sheroes ever!
Oh, I like that super power!!! And THANK YOU for mentioning Dee and Jana–those are two of my faves!!! I loved writing them. 😉
My evil thoughts are usually with my PMS..lol.seriously don't get in my way then 😉
Enjoyed reading the post.
Usually when i get home from work and find tons of dirty dishes in the sink, just left there, or the coffee table with someone's magazines just sitting on it. I get mad, let out some steam and then we start a new day!
Diane, that drives me crazy! I love my husband, but the man is incapable of washing a single dish.
Oh yes, I have evil thoughts, especially when some crazy driver cuts me off or bypasses a long line of cars to cut in. I see red because I feel like that person is saying that they're more important than me so they don't have to wait in line and that gives me all sorts of bad thoughts of what I'd like to do to them. Luckily, I don't act on them, but I'm sure tempted.
See, Barbara, you need to take all of those negative thoughts–and channel them into romantic suspense books. 😉
The abuse of children and animals always pushes my buttons.
Big button pusher for me, too!
I really don't like slow drivers.
Hi, Nar!! Oh, I try so hard not to be slow…and not to push my accelerator down *too* far…
The abuse of children and animals really pushes my buttons. I picture the offenders receiving the treatment they dealt out.
Child abuse just breaks my heart. ;(
of course I have eeeevil thoughts! I see red when I hear of someone who has hurt a child. I teach special education and have had more than one shaken-baby syndrome child in my class.
Oh, no, Jacki! I am so sorry to hear that–terrible! People should never hurt children that way!
That's quite a dark question. Yeah I get quite annoyed and angry at people, and contemplate doing bad things, and usually that's because people are being stupid, or mean to others.
Thanks for the giveaway!! I do love me some bad boys, and Angel in Chains looks awesome 🙂
jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)Com
So glad you like the look of the book, Jess!
I do. And its usually people that just dont think.
Donnas, it's good to know that I'm not the only one who sometimes feels the evil rage.
LOL, I think I can relate…
Thank you all so much for your comments today! It was a pleasure chatting with everyone!
Abuse of children, animals, and women pushes my buttons.
child abuse pushes all my buttons and I could seriously hurt a child molester.
scrtsbpal at yahoo dot ocm
I'd say rude people