Nicole Morgan's Blog, page 52
December 16, 2011
Toni V. Sweeney is here to tell us about her New Releases
This week I've had the joy of having two novels released, one by Class Act Books and one by The Wild Rose Press. Both are futuristic romances, teetering on the edge of science fiction, and one's subject matter caused a bit of controversy and concern for the publisher. I had fun writing both of these stories because they offered such a disparity on the theme of romance.
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Variation , my new novel from The WildRose Press isn't, in spite of its subject matter, an M/M or ménage novel. Instead, it's the story of what happens when a very strict, prudish man is partnered with someone whose life is diametrically opposed to his own.
What happens when the girl of your dreams is also the man from your waking life?
Federation agent Gabriel Marsh finds himself asking just that question when he's teamed with Aleksandr Karanov. Lexei's pretty as a picture and deadly as a cobra; he's also a variant, a mutant who can change sex at will, something which just may come in handy on their new assignment. Marsh, however, has some adjusting to do where his new partner's concerned—both morally and emotionally. His association with Lexei is ambivalent at best, prejudicial at worst, and the way he's beginning to feel about Deirdre, Lexei's female Other Self doesn't even bear thinking about.
Damn it, I'm falling in love with a woman who doesn't exist!
EXCERPT:
The doors opened automatically as he approached them and he went inside. Standing in the lobby, he glanced around. It was stark and modern, done in unrelieved white and chrome, glittering and antiseptic. There was furniture in the lobby and genuine living greenery in ceramic urns making a backdrop to the set-up, but no people around. Vaguely, he was thankful for that. At least no one's seen me going in. From somewhere above him, he could hear music, and without knowing why, decided to follow the sound. He didn't even check for Karanov's name on the tenant register. Would it actually be there? The music led him up two flights of non-escalating stairs to a door in the center of the hallway, a door which, when he tapped the inter-com pad, slowly swung open. Suspecting a trick, he stepped to one side, carefully pulled the Winchester TR-27 out of its shoulder holster and pushed the door completely open.Cautiously, Marsh looked in. What he saw was unexpected but totally enjoyable.A pair of softly rounded buttocks and slender white legs. A young woman, back to the door, doing some type of calisthenics. Bemidjian aerobics, if her gyrations were any indication. She appeared to be wearing nothing more than a towel and Marsh wondered how long it would be before her movements caused the tucked velourcloth rectangle to dislodge and end up on the carpet. He felt a flick of latent lust, wondering if he had enough time to wait and see. There was a headset over her ears and the way she was pausing slightly between each movement told him she was listening to a physical fitness lecture, and that, combined with the loudness of the music, was the reason she hadn't heard his knock.She finished the call and tossed the headset onto the counter of the little kitchenette and spun around. Damp curls bobbing, she was in the middle of a deep stretch making the breasts under the towel rise dangerously, when she saw Marsh standing there, gun in hand. Immediately, she squealed and fell against the counter. Scrambling behind it, she stood with arms crossed over her breasts, which were still pretty well covered as far as he could tell.For just a minute, they stared at each other.She recovered fast. Jerking the headset away from her ears, she tossed it on the counter, then touched a button on the control panel set into it. As the music died away, she said, without a quaver, "You must be Marsh, Lexei's new partner. Come in, shut the door, and put away the hardware. We're friendly here."
DIRECT BUY LINK - VARIATION
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The second novel is For the Love in Adler's Brain, released by Class Act Books. This tale began as a short story and then grew into a novelette. It's also about a threesome that's also not the usual kind.
A man…a woman…her android lover…When Rena Pearson hires Luc Kai'leel to find her boyfriend's brain, he thinks the lady's a little…shall we say…confused? Then he learns that Marcus Adler was an android, an EHR-1, to be exact, and the Federation's best assassin. Adler wanted to quit killing and settle down with Rena. Instead, he's blown to bits, and all that's left is a tiny bit of his memory bank and that surviving chip is communicating with his mourning sweetheart.
The Federation also wants Adler's brain, in order to access the secrets it holds. The android knew too much and they don't dare let that information get away.
So Luc agrees to help, but only because he's a romantic at heart. You see, he's fallen in love with the damsel in distress. Now all he has to do is rescue Adler's brain while he tries to convince the woman he loves that a real man is better than an artificial one.
How can you fight a rival when he exists only in a woman's mind?
EXCERPT:
"Marcus was killed three weeks ago. Someone spot-bombed his car." For just a moment, she looked tearful and, whether she was crazy or not, the sight momentarily tugged at his heart. "They didn't find enough to bury." "We can't assume his brain went the way the rest of his body did?" She ignored his remark. "I think the Federation was behind it." Oh, great! So she has a government-persecution complex on top of everything else. Silently, he wondered if this was a punishment of some kind. Out of all the investigation agencies on the planet, why did she have to choose his to bring her delusions to? "The Federation?" he echoed, thinking just how stupid he sounded. "There were Marshals everywhere immediately afterward. One of them found something in the wreckage. I saw him put it in a small plasticon-baggie."The picture she was painting displayed itself luridly in his mind…twisted remains of what had been an automobile… black uniformed agent holding a soft, bloody object in his hands. "Later, when I asked him about it, he denied having found anything but I know better. It was Marcus' brain. I know it was." A hand brushed at her eyes. "How can you be so sure?" "Marcus told me!" Uh-oh! She's worse off than I thought. Definitely certifiable, positively winged-out. Maybe dangerous? Slowly, Luc's left hand inched toward the red Emergency button in the telephone console on the left side of the desk. One tap and the med-techs at the local psychiatric hospital would be alerted; they and their air-borne ambulance could be here in three minutes, armed with tranquilizer guns and restraining gear. He had a moment's regret at what he was about to do, but the girl definitely needed help. And not from me. "I wouldn't do that!" She saw the movement. His hand stopped, but as he started to deny the action, she placed her own on the little purse resting in her lap. "You might not like what would happen if I give this a squeeze." "What've you got in there?" A bomb? Some type of poisonous gas in a capsule which would break when pressure was applied? He wasn't going to do anything to find out. He placed both hands in the center of the desk, one over the other. "That's better." "Miss Powell, just tell me what's so important about your boyfriend's brain that someone would want to steal it?" "It's a positronic brain, Mr. Kai'Leel." With her hand still on the purse, she relaxed a little, settling herself "What's your boyfriend's last name?" "Adler, after his creator." Turning to the desk unit, he typed in the two words. In a moment, he looked back at her. "There's no Marcus Adler listed, deactivated or otherwise." "There wouldn't be." "No?" She gave him a quiet, triumphant stare. "Have you ever heard of Moondeath, Mr. Kai'Leel?" Of course, he had. Everyone had heard of Moondeath…the Federation's ultimate killer, with a perfect record, the only assassin whose identity was a well-kept secret. No one knew his human name or what he looked like, and because of that, he'd achieved near folk-legend status among the civilian population, as well as making millionaires out of several men who'd bet their every tangible bit of property on his kills. If Marcus Adler was Moondeath, and Moondeath was now defunct... She certainly had his attention now. "Maybe you'd better tell me everything."
DIRECT BUY LINK - FOR THE LOVE IN ADLER'S BRAIN
December 9, 2011
Regan Taylor is joining me today
Today I've invited Regan Taylor to join me and talk about her latest release, Her Eyes from the Awe-struck imprint Mundania Press.
Regan, thank you so much for joining us today. When I first took a look at your book, Her Eyes the cover really captivated me. Her reflection looked so haunted that I literally had to read what the book was about. I must say the blurb didn't disappoint. It's no wonder it was voted 2008 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best Paranormal from a Small Press.
Thank you for having me! It's a pleasure to chat with you.
How did you come up with the premise for your stories?
Mostly they come from life, day to day events. Her Eyes, had a slightly different genesis. I've always been interested in soul mates, reincarnation and past lives. I'm also a firm believer in organ donation. In Her Eyes, those driving interests came together after hearing about the first face transplant that was done in France several years ago. There were so many possibilities I had to write a story.
Once you sit down to write, do you find your stories write themselves? Or do you outline everything ahead of time so you know exactly what comes next?
Pretty much they write themselves. Well, sort of. I tend to dream each new scene and write them down in the morning when I wake up. I believe the stats that we use 10% of our mind – in waking life. I believe we tap into that other 90%, to some degree, in our dreams. If we pay attention, the creative aspects of that part of our mind come out in our dreams and that's where my stories come from.
In your book, Her Eyes you named Frank's dog, Win. It's an unusual name, one you wouldn't expect for a dog or even a person. LOL. I was wondering how you come up with names for your characters.
Win actually came from my friend, Jennifer Cloud. But my characters seem to name themselves. Something just resonates for a particular name. I have, in the past, done an impromptu contest for a character's name, but mostly it just seems to fit.
In the very first chapter of Her Eyes you throw the reader into the emotions Catherine is feeling. Is this typical of all your books? Do you always grab the reader within the first few sentences?
I try. I need to be grabbed in the first few sentences of any book I read so I try to deliver the same.
Do you only write paranormal romance?
No, I also have a historical western series with Awe-struck, my Bride Series and a romantic suspense one with Siren-Bookstrand.
Is there other genre's of writing you haven't delved into, but are dying to sink your teeth into?
No. With time travel (which most of my books are) you can go anywhere, any time past, present or future and draw in elements of any other genre.
Tell us where our readers can find you on the web.
The best place is my website at http://www.regantaylor.com/ on my contacts page.
If I could also take a moment for a personal interest of mine, on my Links page (http://regantaylor.com/Links.htm) I have some information on organ donation. Organ or tissue donation is perhaps the most precious gift we could ever give.
Thank you for sharing that with all of us, Regan. I agree that organ or tissue donation is quite important and something all should consider. And, thanks so much for joining me today. It was a pleasure having you here and I look forward to many more of your books. Keep them coming!
Thank you for having me!
Please take a look at Regan's, Her Eyes below.
What would you do to be with the one you love? Would you die and find a way, any way possible, back to them?
When Frank White married Catherine he took to heart the words "for better or for worse." With Catherine he got the worst of the worse, or did he?
After Catherine attempts to murder Frank while he sleeps, much to her surprise, Frank's dog, Win lashes out at her. When Catherine wakes, something very strange has happened, so strange that even Catherine has no idea what.
PURCHASE LINK
Regan, thank you so much for joining us today. When I first took a look at your book, Her Eyes the cover really captivated me. Her reflection looked so haunted that I literally had to read what the book was about. I must say the blurb didn't disappoint. It's no wonder it was voted 2008 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best Paranormal from a Small Press.
Thank you for having me! It's a pleasure to chat with you.
How did you come up with the premise for your stories?
Mostly they come from life, day to day events. Her Eyes, had a slightly different genesis. I've always been interested in soul mates, reincarnation and past lives. I'm also a firm believer in organ donation. In Her Eyes, those driving interests came together after hearing about the first face transplant that was done in France several years ago. There were so many possibilities I had to write a story.
Once you sit down to write, do you find your stories write themselves? Or do you outline everything ahead of time so you know exactly what comes next?
Pretty much they write themselves. Well, sort of. I tend to dream each new scene and write them down in the morning when I wake up. I believe the stats that we use 10% of our mind – in waking life. I believe we tap into that other 90%, to some degree, in our dreams. If we pay attention, the creative aspects of that part of our mind come out in our dreams and that's where my stories come from.
In your book, Her Eyes you named Frank's dog, Win. It's an unusual name, one you wouldn't expect for a dog or even a person. LOL. I was wondering how you come up with names for your characters.
Win actually came from my friend, Jennifer Cloud. But my characters seem to name themselves. Something just resonates for a particular name. I have, in the past, done an impromptu contest for a character's name, but mostly it just seems to fit.
In the very first chapter of Her Eyes you throw the reader into the emotions Catherine is feeling. Is this typical of all your books? Do you always grab the reader within the first few sentences?
I try. I need to be grabbed in the first few sentences of any book I read so I try to deliver the same.
Do you only write paranormal romance?
No, I also have a historical western series with Awe-struck, my Bride Series and a romantic suspense one with Siren-Bookstrand.
Is there other genre's of writing you haven't delved into, but are dying to sink your teeth into?
No. With time travel (which most of my books are) you can go anywhere, any time past, present or future and draw in elements of any other genre.
Tell us where our readers can find you on the web.
The best place is my website at http://www.regantaylor.com/ on my contacts page.
If I could also take a moment for a personal interest of mine, on my Links page (http://regantaylor.com/Links.htm) I have some information on organ donation. Organ or tissue donation is perhaps the most precious gift we could ever give.
Thank you for sharing that with all of us, Regan. I agree that organ or tissue donation is quite important and something all should consider. And, thanks so much for joining me today. It was a pleasure having you here and I look forward to many more of your books. Keep them coming!
Thank you for having me!
Please take a look at Regan's, Her Eyes below.
What would you do to be with the one you love? Would you die and find a way, any way possible, back to them?When Frank White married Catherine he took to heart the words "for better or for worse." With Catherine he got the worst of the worse, or did he?
After Catherine attempts to murder Frank while he sleeps, much to her surprise, Frank's dog, Win lashes out at her. When Catherine wakes, something very strange has happened, so strange that even Catherine has no idea what.
PURCHASE LINK
October 26, 2011
Bewitching Trick-or-Treat Blog Hop
It's that time of year again... Halloween! That one day a year when we get to dress up and pretend we're someone else. Some of us may dress up as political figures, movie stars, singers or even super heroes. Then there are the ones who love to scare others and find the creepiest of costumes to scare the bejesus out of us. My favorite type of costume though is the sexy and naughty kind. Where the daring few will dress up as naughty nurses, lucious librarians, cute cops, tempting teachers or sexy sirens.
So I thought it would be fun to have a contest which centered on our MOST ____ Halloween costumes. Tell me what your MOST ____ Halloween costume was and what made it the MOST.
Was it the...
* Most scary
* Most sexy
* Most expensive
* Most accessories
* Most daring
* Most _______ (you tell me, the possibilities are limitless)
Leave me a comment below with your answer...I can't wait to read what your MOST is.
I'll be choosing 3 winners on November 1st.
1st Prize - $5 Amazon Gift Card
2nd Prize - $5 Strand Bucks (redeemable at sirenbookstrand.com)
3rd Prize - eBook (winner's choice - 1 book from any of my current releases)
As fun as my contest is, can you believe I'm only one of a HUGE Blog Hop going on with over 100 prizes available? So big, we're talking...multi-author…multi-publisher…multi-prizes...multi-FUN!
So click on the image below to get a listing of all those participating and increaseyour chance of winning some AWESOME PRIZES
HAPPY HOPPING EVERYONE...
September 27, 2011
CONTEST: What's your Yummy Pleasure?
It's been a while since I've had a contest for no reason other than the sheer pleasure of it so that's what this contest is for... YUMMY PLEASUREEveryone has their own likes and dislikes, their own wants and needs, that goes without saying. But then there are cravings. Those things that make you wild and crazy. Things that bring you past the point of all reason and bring out our uninhibited and primal side. Aren't those sides when we're at our best? ~Insert wicked grin here~
I currently have 7 books released. They are, Intimate Persuasions, Sudden Devotion, Love Knows No Boundaries, The Sweet Awakenings (Navy SEAL) Series and my newest release, Beck and Call. In this contest all you have to do is click on the links for my books. Read the book blurb to get a glimpse into the characters. Tell me who your yummy would be.Which one of these characters, male or female would bring you to the point of no return. Which of them would make you at their mercy, willing to do anything and everything they asked?
If any of you naughty little readers and writers wish to add in anything extra, such as what cravings you have, or what you would do if pushed to the point of no return...well...far be it for me to stop you. Post whatever your wicked little minds can conjure up.
Leave me your comments and answers below. I will draw 3 winners on October 1st. The book you reference will be the one you win, unless you indicate another preference in your comment. *All prizes will be awarded in eBook format
Good Luck! And Happy YUMMY PLEASURE Hunting!
September 26, 2011
☆ 4 Stars from Sensual Reads ☆
"A lot of fun, Jenny can be a bit of a pistol when she is trying to push Beck away, but Beck only finds her more irresistible."
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Jenny Jacobsen has catered her life into making the resort she manages succeed, no matter what. Even with a new boss constantly wanting to know every move she makes, she puts the job first and does what needs to be done. When Beck shows up wanting the maintenance job, she has to turn him away saying it has already been filled. Beck is not easily distracted, and finds Jenny in a precarious situation, wet, on the floor, and trying her best to fix a leaky pipe. Beck knows two things, one he can fix anything and two he wants Jenny. A lot of fun, Jenny can be a bit of a pistol when she is trying to push Beck away, but Beck only finds her more irresistible. Some really humorous moments, Jenny seems to be a little accident prone and Beck is always is in the right place at the right time. Great book to put your feet up with.☆☆☆☆
Reviewed by Emily
You can see the entire review HERE
Sensuality Rate: Sizzling
PURCHASE LINK
September 8, 2011
✧ Happy Birthday ✧
Yay! It's my birthday! It's finally here. Time for presents and all sorts of fun! Plus, I've been dating this gorgeous guy from the football team...I've got tickets to see Def Leppard and Motley Crue in concert soon...Homecoming is right around the corner and....ohhhhh....*sigh*...that's right...I am NOT 17 anymore. Hmm...
Don't you love it when life catches up to you and you realize your youth is completely and utterly gone? Yep...me neither. LOL. The thing is, I'm not sure where mine went, or when it left. I mean for all intents and purposes I'm a grown up now. And the fact that, that doesn't scare me tells me that I think I've been one for awhile. Wow. Epiphany's come out of nowhere and just smack you in the face don't they?
So, I'm not 17 anymore, and I have adult responsibilities now just like my parents used to go on about. My days of making sure my black Mustang was clean and shiny before the weekend festivities are gone. They've now been replaced with dreading going to fill up the gas tank. I no longer am having to choose between which party I should go to on Friday night and which boy is cuter. Instead the parties are fewer and fewer as friends old and new are also no longer 17. And boys are no longer of interest, but MEN...well...they are a quite a delight. :)
Now...before all of you start trying to do the math between Def Leppard and Motley Crue's hay day of success and try to figure out how old I am, FORGET IT! I will never tell. Because its not how old I am that matters but how young I feel. So that pesky number means nada, zilch, nothing. In my mind, I am still young at heart. And as long as the young guys at the liquor store keep carding me with a smile and wink I feel confident that my way of thinking isn't so far off. :)
Now...everyone always says, "What do you want for your birthday?" And I'm supposed to come up with an answer that not only is reasonable but doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Really the question is pointless then because I'm a woman and don't we all want it all? LOL. Seriously though, my wishes would be more for others. An end to war would be nice. World peace with no more hurt or wounded, not to mention those that are dying. Or perhaps an end to world suffering. No more hunger or disease. An end to violence. No more murderers, rapists or predators. Wouldn't we all want for so much less if we lived in a world so full of peace?
But since I don't think any of you can make those things happen I figured I'd conjure up a little contest. So here goes...
If you were lucky enough to stumble upon a genie in a bottle who said whatever 3 wishes you wanted he would grant, WHAT would you wish for?
Leave me a comment telling me what your 3 wishes would be. On Monday morning, 9/12/11 I will use my highly sophisticated and scientific method of writing your names down and throwing them all in a hat and drawing 2 names from random. If you want to play but aren't much of a reader, simply put below your comment I needn't throw your name in the hat. :)
1st name drawn will win an eBook copy of Beck and Call, my newest release.
2nd name drawn will win an eBook of your choice from my back list.
Don't you love it when life catches up to you and you realize your youth is completely and utterly gone? Yep...me neither. LOL. The thing is, I'm not sure where mine went, or when it left. I mean for all intents and purposes I'm a grown up now. And the fact that, that doesn't scare me tells me that I think I've been one for awhile. Wow. Epiphany's come out of nowhere and just smack you in the face don't they?
So, I'm not 17 anymore, and I have adult responsibilities now just like my parents used to go on about. My days of making sure my black Mustang was clean and shiny before the weekend festivities are gone. They've now been replaced with dreading going to fill up the gas tank. I no longer am having to choose between which party I should go to on Friday night and which boy is cuter. Instead the parties are fewer and fewer as friends old and new are also no longer 17. And boys are no longer of interest, but MEN...well...they are a quite a delight. :)
Now...before all of you start trying to do the math between Def Leppard and Motley Crue's hay day of success and try to figure out how old I am, FORGET IT! I will never tell. Because its not how old I am that matters but how young I feel. So that pesky number means nada, zilch, nothing. In my mind, I am still young at heart. And as long as the young guys at the liquor store keep carding me with a smile and wink I feel confident that my way of thinking isn't so far off. :)
Now...everyone always says, "What do you want for your birthday?" And I'm supposed to come up with an answer that not only is reasonable but doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Really the question is pointless then because I'm a woman and don't we all want it all? LOL. Seriously though, my wishes would be more for others. An end to war would be nice. World peace with no more hurt or wounded, not to mention those that are dying. Or perhaps an end to world suffering. No more hunger or disease. An end to violence. No more murderers, rapists or predators. Wouldn't we all want for so much less if we lived in a world so full of peace?
But since I don't think any of you can make those things happen I figured I'd conjure up a little contest. So here goes...
If you were lucky enough to stumble upon a genie in a bottle who said whatever 3 wishes you wanted he would grant, WHAT would you wish for?
Leave me a comment telling me what your 3 wishes would be. On Monday morning, 9/12/11 I will use my highly sophisticated and scientific method of writing your names down and throwing them all in a hat and drawing 2 names from random. If you want to play but aren't much of a reader, simply put below your comment I needn't throw your name in the hat. :)
1st name drawn will win an eBook copy of Beck and Call, my newest release.
2nd name drawn will win an eBook of your choice from my back list.
