Deidre Knight, Blog Entry 12/19:

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In my recent post here on Penguin's magnificent blog, we talked about sexy Greek Santas and the demon huntresses who love them.  Sounds a bit like a bad E True Hollywood Story, doesn't it?  Actually this week we've been playing Santa ourselves, dreaming up appropriate holiday gifts for the characters in my brand new paranormal romance series, Gods of Midnight, which launched with RED FIRE, and continues in the spring with RED KISS. 

As I finished this book I couldn't help smiling because if there was one character (besides Shay and Ajax!) who fans kept mentioning in their notes and messages, it was Spartan servant River Kassandros.  And I totally understand their interest, begging, concern, pleading to know more.  You see, I left River in a bit of an, uh, desperate situation.  River's a shapeshifter, capable of becoming any weapon that his master Ajax might summon or require in battle.  Only problem with that nifty trick of River's (spoiler alert if you've not read RED FIRE) is that at the end of book one, he was tossed away into a literal river while still in dagger form.  He's been lost to the Spartans ever since. 

If there's ever been a Christmas wish that Santa could make come true, I'd think it would be River's rescue.  Right? So I'm putting that on the top of my gift dreams for this tortured, very sexy hero.  However, Santa might not have the latest model of pontoon sleigh and the elves don't exactly get much free swim time up at the North Pole.  So I'll add a few back up requests, utensils if you will, to help the Spartans-and perhaps someone else, a woman?-rescue the weapon shifter.

First of all, every fisherman knows the power of a good GPS system.  Although typically used to locate schools of fish or whatever else they're seeking, I'm thinking that a GPS locator could possibly help in River's plight.  Especially if in the very capable hands of just the right person-maybe even a beautiful woman who can welcome him back to solid land with the right amount of passion.  This Garmin one from (where else?) the GPS Store even has chart plotting, satellite weather, and my favorite feature: "Fish Eye view - 3D perspective below the water line for displaying bottom contours based on bathymetric charting data." 

Another thought would be a dagger to accompany his own current shape.  A sort of weapon's companion until he can find his way to human form again.  What better than a Wedding Knife, detailed with an image of a man and woman joining hands in matrimony? After all, River needs hope right now, that promise that one day he, too, might find his soul mate just like his master Ajax recently did.  After 2500 years alone, getting stuck beneath the waves and in the form of a dagger must really make a warrior lonely.  So, by gifting River with a Wedding Knife, he'll know that we understand his predicament.  This one is crafted by hand in Italy, and check out the sweet little engraving of the man and woman.  At almost 1500 bucks it's a bit pricey, but trust me, friends, River Kassandros is worth any amount of money. 

But apart from the above, my very favorite gift-apart from Santa returning my beloved River on Christmas Eve-is this stunning leather and silver dagger sheath.  This gift has River's imprint and style all over it!

In the end, however, I want to see River come home to his friends.  Come home, find a way to become human again, and...find true love.  It would be the best gift I could wish for one of my favorite heroes.  Of course, you can read RED KISS in a few more months and see for yourself if any of my holiday dreams come true. 

I hope you have a spectacular season with family, friends and all of your loved ones.  If you want to have some laughs, feel free to swing by my message board and cast your vote for the Gods of Midnight Naughty-or-Nice list.  I'd love to visit with you there or you can visit my website at www.DeidreKnight.com.

Warmest Wishes,

Deidre Knight