on Mar 29th, 2011 
I’m both excited and nervous. Fallen is out today – my first book published with Loose Id. My first paranormal fantasy book published, too. And that’s the part that makes me nervous. Yeah, I’ve written a few, dabbled in vamps and shifters and ghosts, oh my, but I call myself a “paranormal light” sort of writer. (I must thank my dearest friend Shelli Stevens for coming up with that one). So I’m stretching my wings with this one (ha ha bad pun. Wings, fallen angel hero…).
I got the idea for this book almost two years ago and started it. Then immediately shoved it out of the way to work on something else. Then something else…then something else…until finally I realized hey, I should work on this sucker. Finish it and see where it takes me. And so I finished it, submitted it to my editor at Loose Id and it sold.
And now I’m nervous as hell that people will think it sucks. There. I said it. Us writers, we ride a roller coaster of highs and lows every day. Will readers like it? Will this book live up to the expectations set by the cover? Because have you seen this cover?
Jordan Sumner is ready to embrace her new life. After nearly dying at the hands of her mother, moving to a new town offers new possibilities. First on her agenda? Get a tattoo. She just doesn’t expect the tattoo artist to be so incredibly sexy or for her to recognize him as the guardian angel who saved her life years ago.
Gabriel Wilder knows the minute he sees Jordan she’s different from any other woman he’s ever met. A fallen angel with no memory of his past, he senses Jordan is linked to him. He’s drawn to her sexually–in every sort of way. They’re meant for each other and no matter how much he fights it, he knows it’s a waste of his time.
An unknown evil is sent from Jordan’s past and is ready to sink its claws into her. Gabe must fight to save what he considers his–Jordan. But is he strong enough to fend off the demon who wants Jordan as his sacrifice, now that he’s fallen…fallen for her?
It’s gorgeous – and designed by Anne Cain (she’s awesome!). Okay, and I sound like a whiner so I’m going to shut up now. Buy Fallen! I think you’ll love it! I certainly enjoyed creating the cast of characters – Gabe is just such a dark, growly sort of hero. And Jordan is sweet and shy but strong when she needs to be. She’s endured a lot, that girl. She deserves her happily ever after…
(You can read an excerpt here)
I’m giving away a copy of Fallen to one lucky commenter. And I’ll give away a bunch of swag (pens, bookmarks, romance trading cards, etc.) to another commenter – so there are TWO winners! Leave a comment below answering this question: Do you like a dark hero? Why?
Contest ends Friday, April 1st. Winner will be announced Saturday here on the blog. Good luck!
Subscribe to Posts 
[...] I’m having a contest over at The Smutketeers blog – go check it [...]
by Fallen’s Out! | In the Middle of Nowhere - Blog of contemporary erotic romance author Karen Erickson March 29th, 2011 at 8:52 amCongrats on the new release, Karen! Yaaaaaaaaaay!
by Crystal Jordan March 29th, 2011 at 9:13 amI love dark heroes. I feel they bring so much more to the story.
by Danielle Gorman March 29th, 2011 at 10:16 amDark Heroes with redeeming qualities are the best….they bring out more out of the heroine who is trying to find what makes them tick the best
by Chele Blades March 29th, 2011 at 10:36 amStunning post thank you for sharing Karen! I love dark hero’s they bring excitement and mystery to a book and makes a book intriguing and so much more gripping ans suspenseful !
They are the characters that you want to know how ,what ,when and where did they end up this way and you just cant stop reading to find out how it all ends !
Take Care
by Desere March 29th, 2011 at 10:44 amDesere
I think this is one of my favorite book covers ever! And fallen angel plus tattoos? *LOVE*!
by Eden Bradley March 29th, 2011 at 11:09 amI love the cover need poster size and framed!! Don’t enter since I think I already won a copy of this from Kris chat (i think lol). I will also probably get tons of swag from you at RT
by Ivelisse March 29th, 2011 at 11:26 amI love dark heros, reminds me of my hubby.
Ive you did win a copy – I need you to email me sweets so I can get it to you!
by Karen Erickson March 29th, 2011 at 11:27 amHi Karen!! *waves* Huge congrats!!! This looks SERIOUSLY yummy
by Bonnie H March 29th, 2011 at 11:39 amOh.Hell.Yes. I love a dark hero – and I think I’ve figured out why, after years of gravitating towards books that feature scrumptious dark heroes, but it’s kind of a funny/tragic reason. Oh well, I married my very own “dark hero” 23 years ago (minus the wings, darn it *snort*) and obviously I have no complaints, considering I just got ANOTHER tattoo featuring his name LOL So I say Keep those dark heroes coming!!! (bwahahaha pardon the pun)
I have a weakness for the dark or tortured hero. I like to see how he overcomes his past and finally lets someone in emotionally. I like that your hero is feeling protective toward the heroine. It sounds like a great story. Congrats on the new release and the awesome cover art!
by StacieDM March 29th, 2011 at 11:40 amGORGEOUS cover! It is very angelicious.
If I don’t winn I think I’ll be adding Fallen to my TBB list. And congrats on the new release!
by Sorcha Mowbray March 29th, 2011 at 12:34 pmCongrats on the release! Looks awesome!
I love a dark hero. It is so much more satisfying when his heroine has to work to get her HEA – more rewarding and meaningful in the end. :)
by Susan R March 29th, 2011 at 12:48 pmNo one is perfect, they add spice to a story!
by erika williamson March 29th, 2011 at 2:00 pmI love a Dark hero; the concept of the Dark Hero makes you ask so many questions. Immediately perks your interest when the “DARK” is added, makes you ask why is he/she DARK, what will it take them to succeed, will they ever be able to redeem themselves, what will be at the finale. All of these questions and you are on chapter 2 of the book. I also think that the authors put the DARK HEROs in the title of the books/works to draw you in like a moth to a flame. It also builds strong emotions when reading, so that if you are hating them in the first few chapters, the journey through the book, pushes, tugs and shake you so extremely that you are destined to love them in the final outcome…..builds EXTREME intensity to the book in most cases…..I LOVE DARK HEROS!!!!!
by Alwana Jostad March 29th, 2011 at 3:40 pmI like dark heros and tats and yummy abs and the cover.
Ok I have to stop now lol 
I can’t wait to read this one!!!! And I get to meet you in less than a week!!!!!!!!!
KittyKelly
by Kelly Thrash March 29th, 2011 at 4:39 pmThat is a fabulous cover! The book sounds great. I’m going to read an excerpt for sure.
by Katherine March 29th, 2011 at 5:21 pmYes, I do enjoy a good angsty hero sometimes. Not all the time – if I’m not in the mood they just make me roll my eyes.
Actually the darker the hero the better! When you have a hero with a not so perfect background there is a better story and pay off if the author can write the hero a happy ending that is believable. Even though I read it as a fantasy it becomes more real to me if the hero is more flawed.
I haven’t heard of this book but I am definitely check it out! The cover is great!!!
by Tina March 29th, 2011 at 5:57 pmI LOVE the dark heroes. They make me want to either get down and dirty with them or to protect them….
by Natasha A. March 29th, 2011 at 6:15 pmI’m looking forward to getting this one!!
Congrats on its release!
I love dark heroes, the darker the better. It just makes the romance and HEA the sweeter.
by Mariee March 29th, 2011 at 6:15 pmLove the dark and tortured hero. Love the premise of your book, can’t wait to read it.
Dana
by Dana March 29th, 2011 at 6:39 pmA dark hero has more depths to plumb. Now he can’t be serial killer or kitten stealing dark but he can have history and dark desires. In fact, they are often the best kind of heroes!
by Jen B March 29th, 2011 at 7:18 pmI so love a dark hero…what girl doesn’t like a bad boy?
by Marcy Fritz March 29th, 2011 at 7:51 pmThey are so tempting, sexy, alpha, and just plain desirable.
Love the Fallen cover art. Very sexy and dark. Congrats!!
Congrats on the new release!!!!!!!!!!! Sounds fantastic :)
by Leagh Christensen March 29th, 2011 at 8:50 pmWoo Hoo ! congrats and Karen I’m sure its an amazing book! Haven’t read anything I haven’t liked from you ;) Like Kelly said ” can’t wait to meet you at RT “
by Dawn March 30th, 2011 at 1:01 amSometimes a dark hero is the best kind because they are unexpected. They can be different than the obvious kind of hero. Sexy too! lol I LOVE your cover and the premise of the story sounds good too. Gotta go read the excerpt soon i have a second. I bet this book does really well. Congrats!
Lisa B
by Lisa B March 30th, 2011 at 3:21 ammodokker at yahoo dot com
Congrats Karen, the book looks awesome
I love dark heroes, they are more interesting and complex with an added hint of danger.
by Jordan H March 30th, 2011 at 9:25 amDark heroes are my favorite :) I love learning about their pasts and how they got to be the way they are. I love watching the progress the hero/heroine makes with reaching out to the dark hero and opening them up – progressing into love. I love how the dark hero is demanding and sexy, yet fiercely protective. :)
Congrats on the release!!
by Mandy March 31st, 2011 at 6:12 ammpyff(at)hotmail(dot)com
I think dark heroes/heroines are more complicated and therefore more interesting to write and read about. :-)
by sondra Bergen March 31st, 2011 at 8:19 amMy, my that is a fantastic cover!
I love a dark hero. I enjoy a story and watching the hero evolve and learning what is underneath all the dark exterior.
Thank you! mmafsmith(at)gmail(dot)com
by Maria S (pronounced Mariah) March 31st, 2011 at 11:51 amI do like a dark hero–it gives him some depth, and makes the happy ending even more thrilling. There’s something about coming from the darkness to the light that’s makes the transformation all the more brilliant :)
by Fedora March 31st, 2011 at 4:50 pmI like a lot of your books, thanks for those! But you should check your links at your home site for this book and Baby don’t loose my number. At the moment they direct to the site where is the print book of Playing with fire..
by Heli April 1st, 2011 at 7:17 amHave a nice day!
Ack, thank you Heli! The links have been fixed.
And I’m loving all the answers! There is nothing better than a dark hero, huh? Sigh…
Winner will be announced here tomorrow!
by Karen Erickson April 1st, 2011 at 7:39 amWell first off let me tell you that you had absolutely nothing to worry about with whether or not people would think this book sucked. Because it was by far one of the best I’ve ever read! I saw a blog about this book, read the exerpt and immediately went to the website and purchased it and finished it this afternoon while at work (hee hee). I love the fact that Gabe was not the perfect white holier than thou angel. I love a dark hero, it leaves so much more to the imagination. This story was the perfect amount of mystery, sexiness, danger and erotic romance! If I could trade places with Jordan in the bedroom I’d do it in a heartbeat!! YUMMY! Very well written and worth every penny!!! I’m hoping there will be more stories and I’ll get to hear about Darla and Ryder loved one. Thanks again!!! :)
by Janie April 27th, 2011 at 1:39 pm