Madelyn Ford Virtual Book Tour: The Appeal of Angels in Romantic Fiction
Today I have the pleasure of welcoming author Madelyn Ford to my blog, as she stops by on her virtual book tour to talk to us about the appeal of angels in romantic fiction. After her guest post, you’ll find a blurb and excerpt of her latest book, MY AVENGING ANGEL, which is now available at Samhain Publishing.
Be sure to leave a comment for Madelyn, as she’s giving away a $15 Amazon Gift Certificate to one lucky commenter who participates in the discussion during her blog tour!
Now without further ado, I’ll turn things over to Madelyn.
—
Angels and Demons. It’s the ultimate struggle of good versus evil that dates all the way back to biblical times. Michael and Lucifer. Brother against brother. And why does this appeal to us so much? Because we want goodness to win, and in romantic fiction, true love to triumph.
Lately, I’ve been reading that angels are the “new vampires” and while I haven’t noticed a surge in angel romances, I can certainly understand the appeal. These beautiful graceful creatures have grasped hold of our imagination because they fight to save mortals from the very evil bent on destroying them, sometimes at the risk of their own lives.
But what truly makes our female hearts patter is with angels comes the notion of soulmates, love at first sight, and happily ever after. The mystical bond that ties two individuals together, with angels, can be soul deep and as readers, we buy into the notion that angels would be able to recognize this connection.
So will angels take over the romance market? I doubt it. But will I continue to have fun writing about them? You can bet on it.
—
MY AVENGING ANGEL
To save her life, he must break a covenant—and lose his heart.
An Angels and Demons story.
It’s Victoria Bloom’s twenty-fifth birthday. But is she out celebrating? Oh, no. She’s in a stuffy old attic with the Three Stooges—a.k.a. her so-called spirit guides. There’s a demon who wants her dead, the same one that killed her mother two decades ago. No worries, say the Stooges. All she has to do is summon an angel. What could go wrong?
Well, plenty when you summon the wrong angel. The next thing Tory knows, she’s got one very bad-ass, pissed-off and sexy Archangel on her hands.
Michael, mighty warrior, leader of an elite team of demon killers, is shaking in his heavenly combat boots. Not because he finds all humans distasteful. But because he’d rather face Lucifer himself than the woman his soul has just recognized as his mate. Binding himself to a mortal, one who will eventually die, is the one path he’s sworn never to follow.
It’s too late now; his fate is sealed. With one touch, she becomes as necessary to him as the air he breathes. He will move heaven and earth to protect her—but against a demon as powerful as Asmodeus, heaven and earth may not be enough…
Warning: This book contains one bad-ass Archangel with a fiery, um, sword, a witch who blows things up, one nasty demon who is trying to kill them both, and ghosts who make interfering their mission. Steamy sex is had, even with the voyeur ghosts—though Tory is still blushing.
EXCERPT:
Asmodeus stared down at the sniveling, postulating human, a sneer lifting the corner of his lips. He’d been ripped from his dimension, brought to this godforsaken plain known as Earth and he wasn’t happy about it. In fact, if it hadn’t been for the protection spell the man had woven into the circle surrounding him, Asmodeus would have killed the weakling for his audacity.
“Why have you summoned me, human?” he demanded, taking a step forward to test the barrier. He was delighted to find a slight weakness in his invisible cage. He could work with that.
“I ask your help, my lord,” came the timid reply.
Folding his arms across his wide chest, Asmodeus watched as the man remained on his knees, head bowed to his chin, and found the action mildly mollifying. He might just hear the human out before he killed him.
“You called me forth to ask my help?”
“Yes.” Brown eyes met his briefly before dropping back to the floor. “There is a woman—”
“I am the Lord of Wrath, king of the vengeance demons, not a damn matchmaker. Release me now, human,” he growled, rethinking his earlier plan. He was going to enjoy taking this creature apart piece by tiny piece.
The man’s head shot up, surprise lining his features. “I don’t want her love, my lord.”
“No? Then what is it you seek?”
Eyes narrowing, a look of intense hatred bleeding into those brown orbs, the man growled, “I want the bitch dead.”
“And if I do this for you? What are you willing to sacrifice?”
“Anything. Everything.”
Asmodeus studied the pitiful being for a moment, then a grin slowly spread across his face. Dead he could do. In fact, he would relish every moment of the act: skin tearing beneath his nails, blood oozing forth and the fragrant cries of pain tickling his ears. But he was getting ahead of himself. First there was payment. And then he had to decide if he would kill the human after reaping his soul or just maim him, leaving him alive to do Asmodeus’s future bidding. Oh, so much pain, so little time.
*
With one tiny hand, she brushed sweat-drenched hair from her eyes while she reached out with the other, fingers trembling slightly, to nudge the prone figure on the bed.
“Mommy,” she whispered. Her gaze fell to the empty bottles littering the bedside table and she knew it was a waste of her time. Mommy always got like this after the bad man left. But she had to try. “Please, Mommy. You need to wake up.” She grew louder as her urgency rose. “The bad man is coming back. We have to hide.”
The soft voice in her ear told Tory she was running out of time. Hands swirled out of the mist in an attempt to herd her away from Mommy but she clutched Mommy’s shirt tightly in her fists. Unexpectedly, pain exploded throughout the side of her head, filling her eyes with tears. Mommy had hit her.
“Go back to bed, you little shit,” Tammy Bishop mumbled, rolling away from her. “Get out of here.”
“But Mommy…”
The voices were frantic now, raising the level of terror coursing through Tory’s small frame. Then she sensed him, the bad man, the one Mommy had said was her daddy. But she’d felt the evil rolling off him and knew Mommy had lied. Tory’s daddy was a prince. Or an angel. Or maybe a princely angel. Just not the bad man.
She let the mist guide her into the hall closet and burrowed under a blanket that had been thrown carelessly on the floor. Surrounding her, the mist obscured the blanket and her presence beneath it only moments before the front door of their little apartment crashed open. She slapped a hand over her mouth to conceal a tiny cry, tears beginning to slowly leak down her cheeks. The voices murmured softly, trying to soothe her, but it wasn’t until heavy footsteps went unheeded past her hiding spot that Tory’s immediate panic receded. And then the screams began.
Clasping her hands tightly before her, Tory began to pray to the angels. She didn’t want to die and even though Mommy sometimes called her a baby, she wasn’t. Tory knew if the bad man found her, he would kill her. And so she prayed until Mommy grew silent and the laughter began. The sound, one Tory knew she would never forget, chilled her to the bone. Her prayers were forgotten as pure terror filled her soul, squashing all that was good, all the hope and love within her, leaving her dejected and heartsick.
It called to her, trying to draw her into its evil web, and the only thing holding her back from answering was the mist. They saved her that night, the spirits drawn to her light, not releasing her from their otherworldly grip until all was silent and the veil of evil had lifted. Only then was Tory able to crawl out of the closet.
“Mommy?” she called as she slowly trudged down the hallway.
Coming to a stop outside Mommy’s bedroom, the hands tried to hold her back, but she slipped right through their grasp. Their protection had weakened them and she had to see…had to know.
What filled her vision stunned her for one split second before high-pitched screams of horror were ripped from her throat. And while she shrieked, tears streaming down her cheeks, trails of her mother’s blood slowly trickled down the walls.
—
How do you feel about angels in romantic fiction? Let Madelyn know for a chance to be entered in the draw for a $15 Amazon gift certificate!
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June 8th, 2010 at 8:30 am
I think having angels in your stories is a novel idea hope you have a great summer
June 8th, 2010 at 8:34 am
I think of “The Preacher’s Wife” – a classic movie remade in the nineties with Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston. I’m not for or against angels as romantic heroes, although it doesn’t really sound like my cup of tea, I can see their popularity having regular resurgences, why not now?
June 8th, 2010 at 8:36 am
I love the blurb and the cover art. Very very sexy. The excerpt really sets up for what sounds like a powerful story. I like reading about angels and am happy to see more books making their way to shelves, both virtual and real. Soungs great!
June 8th, 2010 at 8:37 am
Hi, Madelyn! “My Avenging Angel” sounds like a very imaginative, intriguing fantasy romance! Perhaps it is the magnetic soulfulness of the angel, and the forbidden aspect of a romance which makes angels so very appealing! I believe that everyone needs at least one guardian angel : )
June 8th, 2010 at 8:44 am
Wow, awesome excerpt. Can’t wait to read the whole book.
I hadn’t given much thought to angels as romantic heros to be honest. I’d read a few where the angel was kinda wishy-washy and never bothered to look for more.
You’ve totally changed my mind though. *grin*
June 8th, 2010 at 9:05 am
I too have noticed where more authors are putting angels into their story lines. I have been reading the
alissa lione-not sure of the spelling demon series and she had an angel in the last book too-the angel fell and didn’t get her wings.
June 8th, 2010 at 9:08 am
Hi Miss Madelyn, My Avenging Angel sounds really intriguing and the cover is beautifully done. I just read my first angel romance a few months ago and it was quite good, I don’t know about angels being the “new vampires.” But there definitely intriguing beings not just because of their place in the biblical world.
I think what makes the angels so appealing is the fact that in romance novels they’re not so unobtainable so if we can’t have them in real life? Having them in our novels is the next best thing!
June 8th, 2010 at 9:18 am
Enjoyed the visit. I am always looking for new authors to read. This one sounds very intresting and cleverly done so have added it to my TBR list.
June 8th, 2010 at 9:19 am
It is weird to think of them as the new vampires because growing up angels always seemed “sexless” I mean they had male names but wore dresses lol. Then came the notion of avenging angels that made me see in the warrior mode so I guess they have moved into the hero mode now. After seeing the movie Michael..which I loved that made them more human. I don’t see them as the new vampire but more of another being in the paranormal world which I think can open up some really good ideas for new stories. Your book sounds really intriguing.I love the idea of soul mates and how that could work with an immortal being.
June 8th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Oh my do I love that cover. I saw it at the Lori Foster Retreat in all the promom and emmediatly snached it up.
I love a good angel story. Its still in the realm of paranormal and that is my favorite gener.
congrats on the book and here is to many sales.
Drea
dreabecraft520@aol.com
June 8th, 2010 at 9:36 am
My Avenging Angel sounds great! Enjoyed the excerpt!
June 8th, 2010 at 9:36 am
This sounds like a great story. I’m adding this book to my list of purchases for the summer.
June 8th, 2010 at 10:14 am
Sounds like a great read! I think angels in romances is a nice change.
June 8th, 2010 at 10:31 am
My Avenging Angel sounds fantastic.
I love angels in stories. Good or Bad. There are so few stories with great characterizations of angels in modern times. And even fewer with erotic romances between the leads. Thank you for feeding my hunger for one with My Avenging Angel. I can’t wait to read it.
June 8th, 2010 at 10:50 am
I really enjoy this genre now – it’s fairly new to me. Maybe it started with Dan Brown and then Kate Douglas has a wonderful series out and even Twilight got me really interested. Enjoyed your excerpt and the cover is absolutely fantastic – one of those books I would definitely pick up and showcase on my shelves
June 8th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Cary grant in ‘The Bishop’s Wife’ was my introductuction to angels who certainly weren’t sexless. Angels with spice will always be high on my list!
June 8th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
I never really thought of angel’s as romantic characters until I read Joey W Hill’s, Daughters of Arianne series, and now I am hooked.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
June 8th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
I read a lot of paranormal romance and I have noticed more angels recently. I like the idea of angels, but most of the ones I’ve come across so far haven’t been as interesting to me as other paranormal beings. This may be the book that changes my mind, though!
June 8th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
I would rather have angels than demons! I can’t tell you how many times my goose bumps have been raised when reading about demons, but when the angels are around, I read with a smile on my face.
June 8th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
HI MADDIE I AM THRILLED TO FIND YOU AS I LOVED PARANORMAL.
June 8th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
I would love to see Angels become the next new trend in fiction. I am not a fan of vampire stories but angel stories could open up a whole new interesting area of reading. I think “My Avenging Angel” could be a best seller.
June 8th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
I love the good vs bad in the angel movies so a book about angels it is even better. The angel on the cover is so hot.
horseunicornkey@aol.com
June 8th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
fantastic interview and yes angels do exist, thanks
June 8th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Thanks everyone for the responses. They have been quite interesting to go through.
CarolynO, I love Larissa Ione. Gena Showalter also had an angel in her latest. So they are indeed starting to get thrown in.
Andrea Becraft, Lori’s event seemed to fly right by, didn’t it? Way to fast. I hope you had a good time.
I’m glad everyone has liked the excerpt and I hope if you decide to read the book, you enjoy it as much.
June 8th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
I think angels could be interesting to read about.
June 8th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
I haven’t read too many books/series with angels. I like Nalini Singh’s series and I read Richelle Mead’s succubus series which has angels as secondary characters. Based on these two series, angels as main characters don’t really interest me because they’re cold and don’t interact well with the human characters who I relate to. Even Raphael from Singh’s series is still cold (despite scorching sex).
Even most vampires are more relatable, probably because they were human once.
June 8th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Hi, Madelyn
I’ve read a few books with angels as one of the main characters… usually a hero… but, I didn’t realize some thought of them as the ‘new vampire’. It’ll be interesting to see if more show up, and what will be the different takes each other has. I love books with the notion of soul-mates.. one reason I love werewolf stories *sigh*
I loved the blurb for My Avenging Angel… have already downloaded to my kindle *bg* When does the next book come out in this series?
June 8th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Hi Madeline and Lacey!
I agree, there has been a surge in angels in romantic fiction and the stories I’ve read have been enjoyed very much. In the stories where the antagonist is of the demon variety certainly the quintessential good versus evil comes into play which is always interesting. But then there is the ‘angel’ falling from grace due to a love for a mortal man or woman.
Joey W. Hill has a mermaid/angel series out where she has a demon element but also the hero warrior angels of the stories fall in love with mermaids. Fascinating reads, and your books sounds equally interesting.
Off to check out your book at Samhain.
Thank you for your generous giveaway opportunity.
June 8th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
I think angels in books are awesome. I’ve been wanting to find more books with angels, and yours sounds REALLY good. Gonna go have to check it out now
June 8th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
I am sorry to say I have not read your books before but this one sounds really good and I would love to read it! Please enter me in you contest!
June 8th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Angels are fascinating. I actively seek them out for my reading pleasure. Well done.
June 8th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Hmm, well, I don’t have anything against angels, but of course, it all depends on how they are written in any one particular book.
But I figure that in the paranormal world, we have plenty of vampires, now zombies, had demons/devils for a while, there is always room for something new, and angels are a new aspect of it. 
Lois
June 8th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Archangel’s can be such an interesting avenue to write about – angels, but bad in their own way. I can’t wait to read “My Avenging Angel”.
June 8th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
I like the idea of angels in romance stories!! Yours sound really great..
June 8th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
I like to have angels in the books I read occasionally. I just hope all the authors don’t overdo it. I got tired of all the vampires when everybody was using them.
I hope angels don’t get over used to the point of boredom. The are to good for that.
I Definitely wany to get your angel though. Sounds like it will be a great read.
June 8th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Ali,
I am trying to get the next in the series finished up but so far, my kids are not cooperating with me. I have less than 20K left to go, so I hope to have it turned into my editor soon.
June 8th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
I have only ever read one book that had angels in it and I thought it was good, but this sounds fantastic! The cover is, well, pretty darn good too! I love how it sounds and will definitely have to keep an eye out for more of your work.
Thanks!
June 9th, 2010 at 9:56 am
I hope your kids cooperate with you soon, hehe
June 9th, 2010 at 10:29 am
I want to thank all of you for dropping by, and for giving Madelyn so much food for thought.
I greatly enjoyed reading all your comments.
I’ll announce the winner of Madelyn’s virtual tour contest as soon as she reveals it. Thanks again!
June 9th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
I think angles are growing in romance and I think it’s fabulous. They’re an interesting species to read about and I love discovering the new ways authors introduce them to us readers.
June 10th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
I’ve noticed more angels in stories. I enjoy reading about different paranormal creatures.
ainfinger@comcast.net
June 12th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
I really like the idea of angels in romantic fiction. Angels are just something I’ve always been drawn to.
June 12th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
I adore angels collect them in little statuettes and books. And four times in the last five years without their help they have saved me during a crisis. I hope you haave more angels in future books.
June 14th, 2010 at 12:54 am
I mostly read paranormal romances for young adults, and yes, I have noticed they’re becoming increasingly popular. It’s interesting to see that angels can be bad-ass in their own way
June 16th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
I wasnt sure about them at first. But lately I have been reading more about them and seen them around and in the stories and they are really growing on me. I have read some awesome books with angels as the paranormal characters.
July 5th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
I like some of the angels in the stories I’ve read. It depends on how they’re written. They can be likeable or not.