Sky Purington's Blog, page 59

Win a gift certificate to Amazon or Digi Books!!!

Happy TGIF everyone! Salvator from Heart of Vesuvius is still busy blogging. Join him today at Renee Vincent's, Past the Print blog to hear about some of his favorite moments with heroine, Alexandria. And, because this will most likely be one of his last blog appearances, I'm hosting a contest.

Join us now at Past the Print to learn how you can be entered to win a gift certificate to either Amazon or Digi Books Cafe!

Best Regards,
~Sky

FREE READ up for grabs!!! You don't want to miss this.

LOVE a good free read? I know I do. Skhye Moncrief's Feral Force is up for grabs! 
From her lips to my blog...
"FERAL FORCE, my free read in my Feral series is available now at New Concepts Publishing. All of my titles are ALSO 25% off this month through April 24th. Readers can buy all 3 of my paranormal/futuristic romantica novels in the FERAL series for 25% off when FERAL FEVER is released on Friday!!!" 
Learn more about this series at Skhye's Website. Read 1st chapters & purchase at New Concepts Publishing. 
FERAL FORCE at a glance...

The free-thinking universe's next greatest threat, since the fall of the evil emperor Voldon, has surfaced. A medium from Earth is drawing a dark force to The Order of the Marshals from across the universe. And the only thing capable of protecting the Marshals is a Bondsman, a psychic buffer. She must mate with the extraterrestrial in order to receive his protection. Can a bra-burning gal from the United States stomach her arranged marriage? Or will all sentient life become the conquered broodstock of the FERAL FORCE?
This just in! Skhye Moncrief will be at New Concepts Publishing Chat Loop today giving away a hand-carved bone eagle feather pendant with wolf paw painted on it to a visitor who stops by to chat with her. It's at 8 PM EST or 7PM CST. 
~Sky

Astronomer's Corner. Aurora Watch. 25% Chance of More Geomagnetic Activity in the Next 24!

Due to a schedule mix up, Writer's Mind is minus a featured author this week. No worries! There's still a lot to chat about. 
As I've a little wiggle room I thought first and foremost to take advantage of one of my favorite topics… Astronomy! For those of you who subscribe to my newsletter you're familiar with my Astronomer's Corner. Telescope at the ready, I always enjoy sharing the latest about what's going on 'up there.'
Thanks to Spaceweather.com here's the latest for today!
HORSESHOE ASTEROID DISCOVERED: Astronomers from the Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland have found that recently-discovered asteroid 2010 SO16 has been following Earth around the Sun for more than 250,000 years. Relative to our planet, the asteroid describes a horseshoe-shaped path in space. Strange, but true! 
AURORA WATCH: As April 12th unfolds, Earth is entering a solar wind stream flowing from a coronal hole on the sun. Evidence of the encounter may be found in the skies over Porjus, a village in northern Sweden:
"I went out with my camera after midnight on the 12th," says photographer Bjarki Mikkelsen. "Bright and clear auroras were filling the sky. The display was multicolored with shades of pink, red, blue and green. Amazing April Northernlights!"
NOAA forecasters estimate a 25% chance of more geomagnetic activity during the next 24 hours as the solar wind continues to blow. High-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for auroras.
Love this stuff. Have a few more topics of interest to share this week. Stay tuned!
Be sure to mark your calendars. I welcome UK author, Paula Newcombe to A Writer's Mind next Monday morn!
~Sky

Attention Authors! GREAT way to PROMOTE your Book Covers!

Hope you enjoyed this past week with romance author, Brenda Whiteside. Seriously... how much fun was that?! A huge round of congrat's goes to Carol Burge for winning Brenda's contest. WTG!

If you're here for the first time, I highly recommend that you read the previous post to learn more about the talented Brenda Whiteside.
This Sunday I thought to share someone fabulous with you. Who? Anastasia Cassella. For those of you unfamiliar, Anastasia runs the website called Author's Meeting Place. This site is about promoting authors and of course, giving readers another fantastic glimpse at all the talent out there. Never know who might have written your next favorite story!
Author's Meeting Place has recently started a new Book Cover promotion that I feel authors and readers alike would enjoy. The only catch? You have to have books listed at her site. Super easy! Just complete Author's Meeting Place's easy-to-fill-out form and you're in. Win, win for everyone.
Learn more about the Book Cover Contest NOW! Click HERE.
Wishing everyone a super weekend. Supposed to hit 70 degrees here in New Hampshire tomorrow. *Wide smile* Should I believe the forecasters? This New Englander is a wee bit gun shy!
~Sky

Brenda Whiteside LAYS it on the LINE! Cha-ching. Amazon/Digi Books Cafe Gift Certificate Giveaway!

Welcome! Through April, I'll be interviewing several authors. This is not part of a blog event. Nope. Even better. It's kick-back time. A casual meet and greet of sorts. Never know, you might just find your next favorite author here this month!

Starting May 9th, A Writer's Mind will have a new format for promotion. Please read the previous post to learn more!

This week it's my pleasure to welcome back talented romance author, Brenda Whiteside. When she visited A Writer's Mind last year we focused primarily on Brenda's work. This visit, we'll learn a bit more about the author herself. I truly enjoyed this interview. Brenda has a great attitude and an open, honest way of answering questions.

Also, Brenda would like to run a contest! From her lips to my blog..."Somewhere in this interview is a word that doesn't belong. To win a gift certificate to either Amazon or DigiBooks (your choice), simply find the word, leave a comment on this blog (DO NOT say what the word is) and then email me with the word. brenda@brendawhiteside.com "
SKY: What a super contest idea. Thank you! ! So great to welcome you back to my blog, Brenda.
BRENDA: I'm happy to be back. There's a comfort in returning to the scene of a crime. LOL

SKY: *Grins* Very true! I can't believe it's been nearly a year since your last visit. Tell me, what have you been up to within the 'writing realm' since we last interviewed?

BRENDA: I've been on a learning curve. There's much to learn about self-promotion. If an author isn't careful, she'll forget about writing that next book. That smacked me in the face one day, so I took some time off and finished book two. This was a new venture, a YA. It's yet to be published but I'm working on it.

SKY: So 'hear' you about learning the ropes in regards to promotion. It's an endless journey that can easily eat into our 'writing time.' Very cool that you're kicking out a YA. That takes some serious talent! I see your latest release, Sleeping with the Lights On, is getting some rave reviews. You must be thrilled! Are you working on anything special right now?

BRENDA: I've been very happy with reviewer's responses. I'm working on two things simultaneously. One is a miniature rose for the Yellow Rose line for The Wild Rose Press and the other is the first book in a series which should be considered a romantic mystery, if I do it right.

SKY: I'm sure you will. Best of luck always! Time to learn more about you. Tell us, when did you first know you wanted to be a writer? Was it a moment in time you'll absolutely never forget? How so?

BRENDA: I think I grew into it or it grew on me. I've always enjoyed writing, but I thought I was going to be an artist. Even that goal fell away with the first few years of marriage. I married young, went to Germany for three years and partied hearty! We totally lived in the now and I didn't have much energy left for anything else. I journaled off and on but the writing bug had not bitten. And then in 1993 we moved to Minnesota. There is something about Minnesota that breathes life and imagination into me. I had stories in my head – weird little snips of life stories. I took a couple of writing classes, joined a writers' group and now you have the rest of the story. Oh, but there is a side note here. I hadn't realized it until one day a lady in my writers' group told me there was always a bed somewhere in my short stories. Hmmm…wonder if that's why I ended up in the romance genre.

SKY: Not going to lie… would've loved to have partied with you in Germany! Lots of family from there. And I totally get you being inspired by the state in which you live. Happened to me as well! So glad your imagination found inspiration. That's the key! Now, you found the love of your life in your husband. Do you find that the heroes in your stories strongly resemble him in looks and/or personality?

BRENDA: No. Said with a deadpan face as if why would he? Now I smile. He's a special man, but I've never written him into one of my books. Why not, one might ask? Haven't a clue. I guess I could concede one trait – he's a beta male and my heroes are all beta males. I think to put up with me, my writing, my passions, I couldn't handle an alpha – they just don't tune into the female psyche. So maybe I've used him subliminally. But physically, my heroes have been all different from him and different from each other.

SKY: Wow! Nice answer. Love your honesty. Sounds like you've found the right recipe in a man. One meant to be with you. Absolutely wonderful! So talking story layout, if you could choose any location in the world as a setting for your next story, where would it be and why?

BRENDA: Ah, there's book two of my series – Ireland. I had a fascination for fairies and leprechauns when winner I was a child. A couple of my favorite authors have written stories set in Ireland. And I'm one quarter Irish. I've never been to Ireland, but pictures I've seen have captivated me. I've already told my husband that I have to visit to write the book – strictly business, you know.

SKY: Well, I totally get the draw of Ireland. Huge Celts fan! Irish ancestry as well. Let me know when you're heading over as I've got to gather more info. too. We writers really do pen better after field research. *Mega Wink* As an author, share with us what you feel is the most important element of a novel. In the same token, what are your pet peeves in a novel? Those which you make a point of not including when penning a tale?

BRENDA: Good characterization ranks as number one for me. If I don't like the good guys and like to hate the bad guys, the book is lack-luster. I finished a book last week by a well known author. She's a pretty good story teller, but I never did get involved with her characters. I had trouble finishing the book. A character has to have you sympathizing, identifying, laughing, crying or something – just move me, please. Pet peeves as far as what I wouldn't put in a novel – hmmm – I guess that puts us back at the alpha male. Wouldn't write one. I also have to see some strength in the heroine. I recently read a book where the heroine was quite timid, felt inadequate, insecure and then along comes the hero who I fell in love with. He interacted with her in such a way that we should have seen her growth. At one point I was screaming at her – are you a dimwit or what? Quit your damn whining and realize your potential.

SKY: Oh, I couldn't agree more with nearly everything you said! However, I tend to lean toward Alpha males with strong females. Could be a pre-requisite to paranormal/fantasy tales or I might be too bloody addicted to drama!

Do you find that you tend to like to read books in the same genre that you write? If not, why?

BRENDA: No, I'm all over the place with what I read. I read mostly for entertainment. A good story, good characters pull me in. If someone tells me they've read a good book or I see a good review, the genre doesn't matter.

SKY: Brenda, it was fantastic having you return to share a bit more about yourself. As you know, you're welcome back anytime. I thought in ending this interview you might like to share your absolute favorite excerpt from Sleeping with the Lights On!

BRENDA: Sure. This excerpt is a longer version of the one the publisher uses. I think it says a little more about the book. Thanks for having me, Sky. I've had a great time.

Excerpt...

Carson, have you ever considered dating?" I couldn't get over the six marriages.

"Dating?" He looked at me and smiled. "You mean instead of marrying." He shrugged. "I've been rethinking it…since Melanie, who next to you was the best marriage I've had and even then she didn't compare. You'll always be the best. Special."

He melted me with his choice of words. I couldn't speak. Carson told me I had been one of those really good things about his life. The adage came to mind – you don't know what you have until it's gone.

"Man, this weather is good chili weather." He stretched his arms in appreciation of a nice spring Minnesota night. The phrase rang pure Texan. I guess you can't take Texas out of the Texan no matter how long it's been. "Let's do this again tomorrow night, Sandra."

"I can't. I have plans," I said relieved. Sort of. This evening, supposedly a one-time meeting should be a brief hello. I had a life.

"Your caller?"

"Yes."

"Good."

He actually said good. Why did he find every aspect of my life so pleasing?

"Then lunch?" He reached out and took my hand. "We haven't had nearly enough time to talk. Unless, we extend this night some more."

"I don't think that would be such a good idea." Actually it would be a great idea for all the wrong reasons. "I have to get up so early for work." I needed to call Wesley and put Carson out of my mind. Carson Holiday needed to slip back into my past.

"Then I'll take you to lunch." He nudged me with his shoulder affectionately.

"When do you go back to Vegas?"

He hesitated. "In a day or two."

"You sound rather vague." And still allusive. What could be the big secret about this charity gig he couldn't divulge?

"I have a few more things to find out. I'll be out of here as soon as I get all my questions answered. It's complicated."

"Carson, honestly, how complicated can a gig – "

He stopped walking when we reached the edge of my apartment complex and pulled on my hand so we faced each other. My head said turn and run but my legs wouldn't respond, mushy from wine or Carson and moonlight. I couldn't be sure which.

"Have lunch with me tomorrow, darlin'." He looked at me, not smiling. His hand let go of mine and his fingers gingerly brushed along my forearm while I couldn't break the connection between our eyes. "Another hour of your time with a long lost friend?"

"Yes." My voice went all husky and come-hither. I wanted to kick myself for being so easy.

"Good. What's the address of your office?" He turned and took my hand again, leading me toward the door of the building. I struggled to shake off the moon shadows and to remember where I worked. Once inside the building, I took a scrap of paper from my purse and wrote the address.

"And now I'll walk you to your door and say goodnight," he said tucking the scrap of paper in his pocket. "Unless you want to have me in for a goodnight drink." I didn't answer. If he'd only known my uncertainty about my renewed attraction to him, a little persistence might have made me cave. He took my hand again. "Okay, then – " His mouth gaped. I followed his bewildered look to my apartment door.

TRAMP

We both stared at an ordinary piece of white typing paper, taped to my door, with no other marks or writing other than the one word, and then looked at each other. He gave me one of those arched-eyebrow-quizzical looks, but I couldn't find my voice. We looked back at the paper like maybe we missed part of it. The black block letters couldn't be mistaken for anything other than what they said. And I knew whose artful hand had branded me.

"What have you been up to since we last saw each other, darlin'?"

A bit about SLEEPING WITH THE LIGHTS ON.

After two failed marriages and countless relationships, Sandra Holiday thinks she's met the man to end her years of less than perfect choices; choices that not only derailed her travel-related career plans but also left her single and broke.

Carson Holiday, a Las Vegas country crooner with swoon-inducing good looks, spent his adult life pursuing a recording contract and love, never holding on to either. After eighteen years, he drops back into Sandra's life, reigniting an attraction he can't deny.

When Carson reappears, Sandra must choose again. Only this time, nothing's as it seems. A secret admirer, a redheaded stalker, and an eccentric millionaire throw her on a dangerous path, with Carson her only truth.

As life confronts her with yet another turning point, will her decisions find her eternally sleeping with the lights on – or will she finally discover a way to turn them off?

RT Book Reviews, June 2010: Cheers to Whiteside for writing a heroine who exists outside of conventional romance novels in terms of age and marital status...novel is written with a pleasantly light sense of humor...

Rating: 4 Cups, Coffee Time Romance & More, July 2010

Brenda Whiteside writes with a voice that keeps the reader coming back for more. I recommend Sleeping with the Lights On for the hair-raising suspense as well as the melt your heart romance.

Rating: 4 Stars, Night Owl Romance, July 2010

I could immerse myself in the ambiance she created and the ending was a real surprise!!

Rating: 4 Stars, My Overstuff Bookshelf, September 2010

The suspense was great…The romance was great. A new debut book from a wonderful author who I will be definitely looking out for in the future.

Purchase Sleeping with the Lights On HERE.

Learn more about Brenda's work at her Website. Befriend Brenda on Facebook.

Don't forget about Brenda's contest! Here's a reminder... ..."Somewhere in this interview is a word that doesn't belong. To win a gift certificate to either Amazon or DigiBooks (your choice), simply find the word, leave a comment on this blog (DO NOT say what the word is) and then email me with the word. brenda@brendawhiteside.com"

Contest ends Friday, April 8th, 12 PM, EST.

Meet another fantastic author, perhaps win a prize. Head over to The Write Life now!

~Sky

Calling All AUTHORS! Free Promo Opportunity.

A Writer's Mind is a terrible thing to waste!
On May 9th I'll be opening my blog, A Writer's Mind to promote authors in a whole new way. There will be three different free promotional opportunities every week. Here's the new criteria…
MONDAY COVERS IT
When? Every Monday
Guidelines: Time to promote one of your book covers and the details behind its creation. You wrote the story. Tell us why you chose the design behind its particular cover. Was it a scene from the book? A melting pot of many scenes? Why did you choose the faces shown on the cover? If there aren't faces, why did you choose what you did? Have you won any awards for this cover or are you in any current cover contests?
END OF WEEK CHARACTER BLOWOUT
When? Every Thursday and Friday
Guidelines: Time to crawl inside the minds of your main characters. Staple interview provided by me for your hero and heroine. Your heroine's interview will be posted on Thursday, your hero's on Friday.
TREAT YOURSELF. BOOK TRAILER BREATHER.
When? Every Saturday
Guidelines: Time to share your book trailer! We're in between work weeks so let's have some fun. Share a little bit about your story. Perhaps chat about creating your book trailer. The ups and downs. All goes! Relaxed and chatty tone welcome with this post.
Please keep in mind for all promotional days…
~ Contests are most welcome but not mandatory.
~ You are invited to revisit A Writer's Mind to promote other covers, characters and trailers.
Can you book all of the promotional days in one week? Yes.
Contact me at Sky@SkyPurington.com if you would like to promote at A Writer's Mind. Please put 'Blog Promotions' in the subject line.
Thanks so much!
~Sky

Celts & More. Lynn Crain's, The Haunting of Maggie Grey. Read What Happens Next!

Welcome! Though it's the last week of my Celts and More Blog Event, expect more top-notch author interviews at A Writer's Mind in April.

For those of you swinging in for the first time, this particular event features not only Celtic work written by some of your favorite authors, but focuses on their non-Celtic tales as well. In addition, each author is graciously sharing one of her never-before-read scenes from the main tale being featured. Either it's been deleted from the story or written especially for this blog event!

This week I'm pleased to welcome romance author Lynn Crain. Here's what Lynn had to say about the skit she wrote for this blog event… "I've made it a glimpse after the story because it just won EPIC's eBook Award for Historical Erotic Romance."
Congratulations, Lynn! I love the idea of continuing on for a peek at what happened after the story finished.
A bit about The Haunting of Maggie Grey…
Maggie Grey had wanted to be a doctor all her life. She achieved her dream along with her husband, Justin. Together they planned to build a clinic on his ancestral home on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. But women doctors in the year 1882 didn't have many options and even fewer if they were widowed like she had been recently. Arriving in England to visit Elizabeth Blackwell, founder of the London Medical School for Woman, she is discouraged to find that the only real health care on the remote Isle of Skye will be herself, a few aging doctors as well as veterinary doctors.
But she must build a clinic there to escape her memories and fulfill her late husband's dream. Maggie goes by train and boat to the rather bleak Isle of Skye. The island is almost as barren as she feels and she isn't sure if she can even fit in. Add the fact that her dead husband is haunting her with the request for her to fall in love again and she knows she's losing her mind.

But the people of Skye need her…and she is determined not to let them down...but they are slow to accept a widowed woman doctor. Now if she were married again…that would be a different matter…and her dead husband, Justin, knows just the right man for the job, Conall MacGryman, his childhood friend and cousin, a veterinary for the island. Now all Justin has to do is to convince Maggie to give the man a chance so she can fall in love again…for both their sakes.

Never-before-read excerpt…

"Would you look at that?" Conall MacGryman folded the paper to get a better look.

"What do you have there, husband?" Maggie, his wife, peered over his shoulder as she bounced their son on her hip.

Conall smiled up at her and she remembered every reason in great detail as to why she married him. "It says that the book, The Haunting of Maggie Grey, won the prestigious EPIC eBook Award for Historical Erotic Romance. Imagine that."

She playfully punched him on the shoulder, all the while bouncing their cooing son. "It's a great story. I'm glad it won." She leaned down and kissed him. "It's very true to life and as we know it didn't end there."

He growled and pulled them both down to his lap. "Of course the story didn't end there, lass. It didn't end at the wedding, it didn't end with the birth of our son and as far as I'm concerned, it won't be ending till both of us are in the grave."

She laughed as he kissed her much like he had that very first time, fierce but gentle. Their son, Justin, giggled at his parents antics as he stood on his mother lap, throwing his arms around both of them. "Ma-ma-ma. Pa-pa-pa."

"Did you just hear our son?" Conall beamed with fatherly pride.

Maggie frowned at him. "He's been doing this all week. You've just been too busy to notice."

"Just so you know, wife, I will never be too busy for you." He crushed them both to his chest for a few brief moments before loosening his hold.

"Aye, I know, Conall. You two are the air I breathe." She smiled at them, a tear in her eye. Their story was special and she knew just how much yet, she was glad the rest of the world knew as well.

That was fantastic, Lynn! Thanks so much for sharing!

Click here to read another fabulous excerpt from The Haunting of Maggie Grey.

Purchase The Haunting of Maggie Gray here.

What they're saying…

"With skillful writing, the author created main characters who were likable and whom I became invested in."

~ Stephanotis
Whipped Cream Reviews

Lynn also decided she'd like to promote one of her Works-in-progress which a thought was a super idea. Here's a bit about Where's My Underwear Anyway?

Aeryn Delancie is ready to move away from corporate law and find something new. However, when she runs into her ex-lover, Logan MacKenzie, through a chance encounter she wonders if he could be part of her new life since their horrible breakup fifteen years ago. The barriers between them are immense and fraught with secrets on both sides, forcing them to overcome past wrongs as they forge a future together.

Unedited Excerpt:

"I suppose you've come to collect your property." His predatory stare would make any woman squirm but then again, I wasn't just any woman.

No 'hello, how have you been the last fifteen years' from this man. It was all strictly business. I'm sure this would be only the first change of many I would see. The Logan I knew really couldn't give a rat's ass about business or anything else for that matter. He had been warm, loving, and carefree. His attitude had caused a rift between him and his father, which was something I couldn't understand in the least. My parents died in a car crash when I was half way through graduate school but we were always close. From the moment they were gone, my grandmother Nana, took over for my parents.

"Good…straight to the point. I'm sure your wife loves that quality about you." I nodded my head in agreement. "If I can come in and collect my underwear…"

He cut me off mid-sentence as he opened the door to usher me in. "No wife."

This caused me to stop even with him and look up into his smoldering green eyes. "No wife?" I murmured as my heart beat faster.

"No wife," he whispered back and dipped his head slightly toward mine.

What I wouldn't do to feel those lips on mine. Until I had my property back, I had to maintain focus. Maybe this working vacation would turn out better than I thought. "I – I need to get my underwear back from you."

"No can do." He stepped back, his hand pressed into my back, moving me inside.

I stepped a few feet away, turned and stared at him. "What do you mean 'no can do'?"

The door shut firmly behind him, he leaned back against it. "What do you want it to mean?"

I sighed aloud this time, realizing this would be harder than I thought especially since there was no wife in the picture. Logan had never been a pushover as he was proving once again. "Logan, I'm not here to play games. I want my underwear back."

He stared at me a moment more before he pushed himself away from the door where he leaned, watching me as his eyes meandered up and down my body. "Why don't you follow me and then we can discuss it."

As I followed him through the large penthouse flat, I noticed the artful blend of old and new. The sofa might have been new but the knitted blanket I recognized as one his mother had made. Past and present dotted the walls in the form of pictures and other memorabilia. "It looks like you've done really well for yourself."

"I get by." He continued to walk, not even turning to acknowledge the fact I had actually enquired about something personal.

"Boy, friendly, aren't you?" I muttered under my breath. Suddenly, I found myself pinned against the wall. Not in a bad way mind you but in a sexual, predatory way. My heart felt like it would leap from my chest any moment now. I watched him consume me with his eyes, hot smoldering eyes that spoke of sin and sex and heaven only knew what other delights.

"What do you want me to say, Aeryn?" He leaned into my hair as if breathing in the scent. "Did you expect me to say something like 'hi honey I've missed you these past fifteen years'? Or would you rather I cut right to the chase and take you right here?"

My eyes opened wide and I felt my body drip with desire as my nipples hardened. I wanted this man like no other but I couldn't…no, it wouldn't do to let him know that fact…not one little bit. I hadn't expected the anger and maybe his emotion had something to do with last night. "Ah – actually – ah, I just came for my underwear." I swallowed hard and watched him look at the workings of my throat. I realized it would take little to entice him to place his mouth there.

Slowly, he leveraged himself away from me, making sure I felt every bulge and muscle in his entire body. "Like I said, no can do." He turned to continue down the hall and I followed him into a rather large office with a splendid view of Edinburgh Castle.

"Wow." I could only stare at the castle dominating the scene. "You get to look at that every day?" I glanced at him amazed at the wonder I saw in his eyes. He was just as affected by what stood out the window as I was.

"I do." He indicated a dark leather chair in front of his desk as I returned to the reality of the situation.

I turned away from the window and slowly sat in the chair when my eyes caught something above his desk. I gasped and leaned forward to get a better look. In a beautiful display case were my underwear artfully presented like any other piece I had seen while walking through the penthouse. "Just what do you think you're doing?" I finally managed to grind out through clenched teeth. This wasn't funny one little bit.

Sky here. This sounds like it's going to be a delicious read, Lyn. Thanks again for sharing!

Learn more about Lynn and her work at her Website.

Be sure to pop over to The Write Life to meet another talented author and perhaps win a prize!

Cheers
~Sky

Read a VERY SEXY interview between my Vampires! Win from my Backlist!

Have you heard? My vampires, Alexandria and Salvator have interviewed one another. Let's just say thing got a little heated…in more ways than one! With a special guest appearance from the hero of Darkest Memory, Gabriel, this is one interview you won't soon forget. Check it out at Alisha Paige's Blog. One lucky commenter wins their choice of a download from my backlist!

~Sky

Celts & More. P.L. Parker's, Absolution. What You Never Got To Read!

Welcome to my Celts & More Blog Event! It's hard to believe there are only a few weeks left but I still have some fantastic authors to welcome over.
For those of you joining me for the first time this particular blog event has an added bonus. Each author is either sharing a deleted scene from one of their stories or a skit they wrote especially for this event.
This week it's my pleasure to welcome back fabulously talented author, P.L. Parker. This visit she'll be sharing her titles, Absolution and Into the Savage Dawn.

ABSOLUTION:

For years, travelers in the French Vosges Mountains heard the wailing of a woman echo in the hollows. Her cries went unbidden. No one was brave enough to seek out the source. Over time, the screams lessen, then stop. Eventually, even the memories slipped away, forgotten.
Six centuries later, two over-eager research assistants find and release the young half vampire, Chloe — unaware of events they unwittingly unleash with her.

Far away, other forces are aware of her awakening. Zaccarius, greatest of all the Slayers, is sent by the Council of Nine to seek out Chloe, determine her worth and render justice. Enticed by her purity and innocence, he becomes her protector. However, Jochad, the Dark Master and his army of evil vampires are eager to claim Chloe.

In the battle that ensues, Zaccarius falls beneath Jochad's army. To save her lover, Chloe must make a choice. Ancient and dying, Jochad needs her blood to reanimate. His ultimatum—her blood or Zaccarius' life.

What P.L. Parker had to say about her excerpt..."There is a part of my novel where Zaccarius mourns that he will never see the beauteous one. Here is a scene I might have added to Absolution."

Never-Before-Read Scene from ABSOLUTION…

Why must I be here? Zaccarius scanned the tightly packed mass of overdressed bodies, holding his breath to minimize his reaction to the smell of unwashed and sweating bodies. Bluebloods they liked to call themselves. He grimaced, running a hand under his the color of his doublet. I be here because my father hopes some money-grubbing mama will trap me for her marriage-minded daughter. He edged through the crowd finding an open spot to stand beneath a curving staircase. But at least here fresh air from the open patio circulated. He inhaled, catching the scent of poppies and new mown grass.

The sound of feminine laughter drew his attention. His eyes traveled up the staircase to the walkway above. Maidens too young to be presented lined the banister, wide-eyed with envy as they watched the ball from their virginal perch. Silly young things with no thought but sometime in the future to find the richest beau!

Leisurely, he glanced down the line, blinking several times as he viewed the last. Small and petite, shining black hair fell in a cascade beneath her hips. His mouth grew dry, his heart rate elevated. Beneath arched brows, eyes the color of violets in the spring graced a face so delicate and sensual, he could scarce breathe. Who be this wondrous creature?

As if sensing his perusal, she glanced down. Full lips curved in a winsome smile. The smooth cheeks pinked. Nervous, she chewed her lower lip with straight white teeth. Even so young, a beauty in the making!

'Twould be some years before she be on the marriage market. P'raps I'll return when the time is right!

Sky here. Loved it, P.L.! Thanks for sharing.

What they're saying...

"Once again P.L. Parker has done it. This is an absolutely wonderful story. The characters are wonderful and the story is well written. I loved the dialogue and each one of the characters that grew close to Chloe and help her adjust to her life and what she is. You really get involved with the characters and what they go through and you just can't help but to fall in love with them.

Thanks once again for another great story Ms. Parker. Keep them coming."

Dana J. Simmons
Amazon Review

Purchase ABSOLUTION at Eternal Press and Amazon.

INTO THE SAVAGE DAWN

Sent back 40,000 years to the ends of the last great Ice Age, the time travelers embark on a journey of survival and discovery. The brutal and cannibalistic Cro-Magnons discover the small band and attack. Forced to flee from their high mountain encampment, the tribe heads into the dawn, towards the Pacific Ocean and their dream of ultimately reaching North America. Geena and Micah are left behind to lead the Cros away from the escaping tribe. When he is killed, she finds herself terribly alone. Severely injured and without hope or resources, she nonetheless is determined to survive and find the people. Survival of the fittest - that is the law of primordial Earth.

Purchase SAVAGE DAWN at Willow Moon Publishing and Amazon.

Visit P.L. Parker at her Website and Blog. Parker can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and Good Reads.

Interested in meeting another great author? Perhaps winning a prize? Be sure to pop over to The Write Life now!

Thanks for joining us.

~Sky

Vampire on Vampire Action. Join Me Today!

Happy TGIF! Today I'm kicking back with romance author, Faith V. Smith at her Blog. Pop over to read a few hand selected steamy exchanges between Salvator and Alexandria from my latest release, HEART OF VESUVIUS (Sequel to DARKEST MEMORY).

We look forward to seeing you!

~Sky