Julie Elizabeth Powell's Blog, page 39
May 16, 2017
TOO MANY WOMEN IN THE ROOM by Joanne Guidoccio
TOO MANY WOMEN IN THE ROOM
Gilda Greco Mystery series, book 2
by Joanne Guidoccio
Genre: Cozy Mystery
When Gilda Greco invites her closest friends to a VIP dinner, she plans to share David Korba’s signature dishes and launch their joint venture— Xenia, an innovative Greek restaurant near Sudbury, Ontario. Unknown to Gilda, David has also invited Michael Taylor, a lecherous photographer who has throughout the past three decades managed to annoy all the women in the room. One woman follows Michael to a deserted field for his midnight run and stabs him in the jugular.
Gilda’s life is awash with complications as she wrestles with a certain detective’s commitment issues and growing doubts about her risky investment in Xenia. Frustrated, Gilda launches her own investigation and uncovers decades-old secrets and resentments that have festered until they explode into untimely death. Can Gilda outwit a killer bent on killing again?
Definitely in shape, but she had always taken care of herself, not allowing an extra morsel of food to cross her lips and sticking to a daily exercise regimen. Her face…well, her face showed the passages of time. And tonight, without a stitch of makeup, she appeared older than her years. Forty-five. No, fifty. More than fifty. He struggled with the math and gave up.
Head-to-toe black did nothing for her. Once upon a time he would have volunteered that information, but tonight he hesitated. He couldn’t be sure how she would react, especially after the debacle at dinner. He tried to recall what she had said, but nothing came to mind. Perhaps she had said nothing at all. It would be like her to hide behind her passive-aggressiveness.
He forced a smile. “I didn’t expect to see you.”
No response, just a constant gaze and an expressionless face that was starting to worry him. He tried to look away but couldn’t escape those odd-colored eyes. A muddy green with hints of amber. Had she worn contacts in her younger days?
He cleared his throat. “That was some dinner conversation.” In the end, he hadn’t even sat at the table. The collective venom had driven him away.
They continued running, saying nothing. His heart beat faster and his mouth went dry. His senses were on full alert. There was danger here. And he needed to get away. He could turn around and race toward his car. But what if she followed? This was ridiculous. He was allowing himself to be rattled by a middle-aged woman who meant absolutely nothing to him. A woman he would steer clear of in the future.
He slowed his pace and watched as she did the same. He circled and turned around. She followed. Anger rose in his throat. “What the hell do you want?”
No words. Only a fixed gaze and a flash of silver at her side. The faint smell of onions and garlic assaulted his senses. He wrinkled his nose in disgust, all the while watching her carefully. His eyes traveled around the deserted field. Not a soul. And that was the appeal of running close to the midnight hour.
This is not how he had planned his demise, not by a long shot. Despite the age gap between them, he had hoped to survive his wife and take on a full-time paramour, maybe even two. If only he had known, he would have done things so differently. If only he could go back six hours.
Fascinated, he stood still, unable to move as she approached and raised the knife.
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A Season for Killing Blondes
Hours before the opening of her career counseling practice, Gilda Greco discovers the dead body of golden girl Carrie Ann Godfrey, neatly arranged in the dumpster outside her office. Gilda’s life and budding career are stalled as Detective Carlo Fantin, her former high school crush, conducts the investigation.
When three more dead blondes turn up all brutally strangled and deposited near Gilda’s favorite haunts, she is pegged as a prime suspect for the murders. Frustrated by Carlo’s chilly detective persona and the mean girl antics of Carrie Ann’s meddling relatives, Gilda decides to launch her own investigation. She discovers a gaggle of suspects, among them a yoga instructor in need of anger management training, a lecherous photographer, and fourteen ex-boyfriends.
As the puzzle pieces fall into place, shocking revelations emerge, forcing Gilda to confront the envy and deceit she has long overlooked.
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In 2008, Joanne took advantage of early retirement and decided to launch a second career that would tap into her creative side and utilize her well-honed organizational skills. Slowly, a writing practice emerged. Her articles and book reviews were published in newspapers, magazines, and online. When she tried her hand at fiction, she made reinvention a recurring theme in her novels and short stories. A member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and Romance Writers of America, Joanne writes paranormal romance, cozy mysteries, and inspirational literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.
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THE CHAUFFEUR by A.P. Hallmark
THE CHAUFFEUR
by A.P. Hallmark
Genre: Romance
April Sanders is beautiful and educated. She’s also a chauffeur. Her elite client list is quite extensive, and Jason Rowe is one of them.
From the moment he lays eyes on her, he tries to gain her attention, but unlike the other women he’s encountered, she isn’t impressed. Imagine his surprise when he learns she’s been hired to drive exclusively for the family.
Remaining the dedicated professional, April rejects Jason’s advances. That is until she receives the approval of the family matriarch. Her life will never be the same.
When a business deal goes sour between Jason and a competitive business associate, April gets caught in the crossfire. After a series of suspicious and ominous incidents threaten the Rowes’ inner circle, Jason’s possessive and protective nature knows no bounds where Ms. Sanders is concerned.
The Rowe’s are powerful and have powerful connections. When a member of the family is wounded, there’s no stopping the force behind them.
Just as I’m perusing my schedule for my next customer pickup, Kyle texts and asks me to stop by 2335 Lakeview Drive to meet with him and his mother about the driver position. I couldn’t be more surprised at the coincidence and text back that I’m right out front. He requests that I meet him at the entrance.
I quickly add a bit of lip gloss, lock my car, and just as he said, meets me in the lobby. We silently ride the elevator to the twenty-fifth floor, and when the doors open, he escorts me to a small conference room where a stunning woman is standing, waiting for us.
Kyle stands next to his mother to make the introductions.
“Mother, this is April Sanders She comes highly recommended, and has already been cleared through security. April, this is Grace Rowe.”
“Everyone knows you, Mrs. Rowe. Your charity work is exemplary, and the social events you plan around those charities are well known. It’s an honor to meet you, ma’am.”
I wonder if Emily knows Kyle is her son and then it hits me—Jason Rowe. Could it be?
“My son has been singing your praises, April. I understand that you just met the other evening?” she asks, tilting her head, waiting for my answer.
“Yes, ma’am, that’s correct.”
“I also understand he has outlined the terms of the position?”
“He explained that your current driver is retiring and that you need someone right away. He also said there would be health insurance and an apartment.”
“That pretty much covers it,” she says, scribbling on a piece of paper “Here’s the starting salary. There’s also an annual bonus at Christmas. Is this acceptable to you?”
The number leaves me speechless. She tilts her head again, and I inwardly chuckle at how familiar that action seems to me.
“Yes, ma’am. Quite acceptable, thank you.”
“Can you start tomorrow?”
Surprised that she wants me to start so soon, my brain runs through my current obligations before I answer.
“I’d like to give some notice, but if you need me right away, I’ll do it as soon as I return to my car.”
“Yes, I’m afraid I do need you right away. You see, John will need to show you around before he leaves us, and that doesn’t give you very much time with him, so as soon as possible is vital,” she explains as she looks at Kyle.
“Son, will you go get your brother and sister so that we can introduce them to April?” Kyle nods and hurries to follow her instructions.
While Mrs. Rowe is advising me to contact Human Resources, the door opens, and I hear their voices.
“April, this is my sister, Nicole and this is my brother, Jason. Guys, this is April Sanders. She’ll be our new driver, so be nice to her. Jason, don’t scare her off.”
“April,” he says, gently shaking my hand. “I finally get to see the color of your eyes. They are breathtaking.”
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A.P. Hallmark resides in Reno, Nevada, near her youngest daughter and four grandchildren. A paralegal in real life, she started her love of reading at the young age of fifteen, beginning with her first Harlequin Romance … and Fabio.
Her male characters are strong and possessive, her women are strong and feminine. With two powerful lead characters, her stories are filled with adventure, romance, and sometimes their will to be the last one standing gives her readers a fun ride.
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May 13, 2017
BEHIND THE DOOR by P.C. Zick
BEHIND THE DOOR
Behind the Love series, book 4
by P.C. Zick
Genre: Contemporary Romance
A VOLUPTUOUS WOMAN UNLUCKY IN LOVE. A WOUNDED PSYCHOLOGIST ON A MISSION. AN UNDENIABLE ATTRACTION WITH AN ETHICAL DILEMMA.
Sally Jean Compton is in love. And this time it's with a man who isn't in love with someone else. Dr.Brett Gorman arrives in Victory to help the veterans of Deer River with PTSD symptoms. When tragedy strikes, neither Sally Jean nor Brett are prepared for what happens next.
The shocking aftermath of the terror of PTSD untreated leaves the entire town of Victory reeling. But none are more affected than Sally Jean and Brett who must deal with their own pasts and the trauma left behind. When Sally Jean seeks out the expertise of Dr.Brett, the psychologist of the river folks, they discover an intense attraction that leads them both to learn about themselves.
But before anything happens, Sally Jean must learn she deserves to be loved, and Brett must forgive himself for the death of his friend and his sister, his wife. It's a rocky journey to love.
Behind the Curtain is the fourth novel in the Behind the Love contemporary romance series that features sizzling attractions, dramatic confrontations, and intertwined and complicated lives. Set in the fictional small town of Victory, Florida, friends fight and love and form families of their own choosing.
“GET READY, SALLY JEAN.” Lisa looked directly at one of her bridesmaids and held her wedding bouquet aloft. “This one is for you.”
The other single women who had gathered in the large yard on the banks of the river to catch the bride’s bouquet made way for the tall and buxom Sally Jean Compton. None of the other women felt slighted that Lisa had called out Sally Jean. It was her turn.
Her red bridesmaid’s dress, cut in a deep V, showed off her voluptuous body. She’d kicked off her heels, and now she stood barefoot—toenails painted the same red as her dress peeked out from under the hem. Her blonde hair was drawn up with a red ribbon to one side of her head. Curled tendrils framed the small features of her face.
On her best friend’s wedding day, Sally Jean had reached one of the high points of her life. She never had felt so treasured and accepted by everyone, including the women. The small crowd of folks gathered at the groom’s family home cheered when Sally Jean stepped forward. Lisa let go of the bouquet and threw it over her head. The beribboned vessel flew right into Sally Jean’s waiting hands.
“You’re next, Sally Jean,” the bride declared. The other women standing with Sally Jean cheered, and the men clapped Jimmy on the back. Her date beamed at her, and then blew her a kiss.
Today, it all seemed possible, and the black cloud that had hovered over Sally Jean’s head for her entire life lifted. Love had found its way to her heart, and this time it was real. It made all the difference in the world when the love was returned.
Lisa hugged her. “I better be in your wedding.”
“You better be my matron of honor.” Sally Jean returned the embrace with gratitude. “I’m so grateful we’re still friends after all these years.”
“We’ve been through almost everything together.” Lisa held Sally Jean by the arms. “And we survived.”
“Amazingly, we did.”
“You caught the bouquet!” Jimmy came up behind Sally Jean and put his arms around her waist. He kissed her neck. “Everyone says we’re going to be next.”
“Someone has to ask her very sweetly first.” Lisa touched Jimmy’s face. “Now or never, Jimmy. Better get down on your knee.”
Jimmy looked confused for a second before his eyes widened. He grinned and went down on one knee. The folks standing nearby stomped their feet.
He grabbed Sally Jean’s hand. “Would you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Sally Jean nodded, and he kissed her hand. “I don’t have a ring yet, but I will. Real soon, real soon.”
Tommy, the groom, walked over and handed Jimmy the garter he’d removed from Lisa’s leg earlier. He had yet to toss it out to the single men in the crowd.
“Here you go, Jimmy,” Tommy said. “We all know I would throw it to you, anyway. Use this as a promise for a ring.”
Jimmy grabbed the garter. “It’s even red. Your favorite color, Sally Jean.”
“It’s a conspiracy,” Tommy said. “You didn’t stand a chance, man.”
“It’s a great conspiracy.” Jimmy stood and kissed Sally Jean on the lips. “You’ve made me a very happy man today.”
“You have no idea what you’ve done for me, James Luther.” Sally Jean’s eyes filled with tears. Maybe for once she’d have what she’d always wanted. Love and a family who cared about one another.
BEHIND THE ALTER
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Leah Bryant lives a quiet life helping others. When her future mother-in-law, Geraldine, threatens her causes, she’s left confused by the hypocrisy and befuddled by a stranger who roars into town on a Harley.Dean Davis never wanted to return to his hometown. But when his father dies, he knows he must return and faced his mother, Geraldine, and his ugly past. When Leah discovers the stranger is the brother of her fiancé that she’d been told was dead, she’s drawn to him and furious about the deception. Both are bowled over by an intense attraction to one another. The magnetic pull draws them into a passionate embrace within minutes of meeting.
Leah’s controlled life and Dean’s emotional barriers both shatter and force them to examine their lives. Leah must choose between her safe engagement to Dean’s estranged brother, Jacob, and a dangerously passionate affair with Dean. And Dean must confront the demon from his childhood, his mother. Dean’s fear of loving and Leah’s need for security pull them together, rather than apart.
But none of it will matter if they can’t stop Geraldine, an unhinged woman on a destructive course to abolish everyone who opposes her thirst for power. When Dean and Leah, along with Jacob, threaten her, she goes on a rampage to destroy them all.
Behind the Altar is the first novel in the Behind the Love contemporary romance series that features sizzling attractions, dramatic confrontations, and intertwined and complicated lives. Set in the fictional small town of Victory, Florida, friends fight and love and form families of their own choosing.
BEHIND THE BAR
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Susie Williams yearns for a romantic wedding with her boyfriend of five years. Reggie Barker runs from demands to marry any woman, including Susie. After the wedding of their best friends, Reggie resists Susie’s hints about marrying. He suggests they take a break. An angry and heartbroken Susie kicks him down the road and into the arms of the voluptuous Sally Jean. After Susie is mugged, she discovers Reggie’s gambling debt brought the thugs to Victory to scare him into paying. With her love for Reggie in doubt, she is tempted by a rich publisher and reconsiders her options. Meanwhile, Reggie starts to realize Susie means more to him than the tavern he owns, more than the gambling he’s hidden, and more than any other woman he knows.
But it all might be too late for Susie, who begins to unravel a mystery from a night long ago when Reggie and all the other characters played a pivotal role in her life. And before Reggie can commit to marriage, he must come to terms with a father who abandoned marriage many years earlier Both Reggie and Susie must learn to trust each other before love can ever survive a second chance.
Behind the Bar is the second novel in the Behind the Love contemporary romance series, but it is also a stand-alone romance. Once you read one novel in this series, you’ll want to learn more about the romances that feature sizzling attractions, dramatic confrontations, and intertwined and complicated lives. Set in the fictional small town of Victory, Florida, friends fight and love and form families of their own choosing.
BEHIND THE CURTAIN
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Lisa Williams has discovered a way to achieve her life-long goal of becoming a famous actress by bringing a reality television show to her hometown. Tommy Jackson despises the idea of exploiting the town and hates it even more when his editor assigns him to cover the show for a Tampa newspaper. Lisa and Tommy have known each other all their lives. Tommy even dated her baby sister, Susie back in high school. But he’s not her type, and her values disturb him. Besides, when she returns to town, she comes with her boyfriend, Jet, who will also star in the television show. When Sally Jean makes an appearance on the show, the producer falls in lust with her, and Lisa worries that Sally Jean will be made the star of the show. Tommy is disgusted by Lisa who seems intent on dragging her family and friends through painful memories in her pursuit of stardom.
When Tommy’s mom is diagnosed with cancer, Lisa shows a different side to her character. Sitting with Mrs. Jackson during her final days gives Lisa a perspective on her own life she’s never had before. Tommy and Lisa are drawn to one another through the real-life tragedy unfolding. But first they must deal with an out of control Jet and reality show producer who want to exploit the small town even more as they see the potential of showcasing some of the more famous of Victory’s citizens, such as the fallen football star, the criminal publisher, and a tattoo artist turned farmer. Mrs. Jackson and Lisa’s sister Susie share in the circle of life to bring this dramatic romance to a bittersweet end.
Behind the Curtain is the third novel in the Behind the Love contemporary romance series, but it is also a stand-alone romance. Once you read one novel in this series, you’ll want to learn more about the rest of the romances that feature sizzling attractions, dramatic confrontations, and intertwined and complicated lives. Set in the fictional small town of Victory, Florida, friends fight and love and form families of their own choosing.
Bestselling author P.C. Zick describes herself as a storyteller no matter what she writes. And she writes in a variety of genres, including romance, contemporary fiction, and nonfiction. She's won various awards for her essays, columns, editorials, articles, and fiction.
The three novels in her Florida Fiction Series contain stories of Florida and its people and environment, which she credits as giving her a rich base for her storytelling. "Florida's quirky and abundant wildlife—both human and animal—supply my fiction with tales almost too weird to be believable."
Her contemporary romances in the Behind the Love series are also set in Florida. The novels in her most recent series, Smoky Mountain Romances, are set in in Murphy, North Carolina. She is currently working on a new romance series, Rivals in Love. Join the Crandall family of Chicago as the siblings find love despite their focus on successful careers. All of her books are stand-alone reads, even if they appear in a series.
Her novels contain elements of romance with strong female characters, handsome heroes, and descriptive settings. She believes in living lightly upon this earth with love, laughter, and passion, and through her fiction, she imparts this philosophy in an entertaining manner with an obvious love for her characters, plot, and themes.
You can keep track of P.C. Zick's new releases and special promotions by signing up for her newsletter by clicking here. For more immediate information, sign up for P.C. Zick’s Lovers of Romantic Tales on Facebook by clicking here.
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SNIFTER OF DEATH by Chris Karlsen
SNIFTER OF DEATH
The Bloodstone Series, Book 2
by Chris Karlsen
Genre: Historical Suspense with Romantic elements
The summer of 1889 was proving to be a strange one for Detective Inspector Rudyard Bloodstone and his partner.
They had a sexual pervert loose. The man didn’t actually harm women but threatened them at knife point, fondling them, and ultimately stealing their stockings.
Far more serious were the murders of influential men, which appeared random other than they were all killed by arsenic poison. Never had he and his partner had cases with so little workable evidence.
Also, the rivalry between him and his detective nemesis at London’s other police department was intensifying. That nemesis was the boxing champion of their department and looking to challenge Rudyard, who never trained as a boxer.
Besides Rudyard’s pride being at stake, and the pride of his station, his nemesis also had in his possession a photograph of the woman Rudyard cares very much for. The new lady in Rudyard’s life had captured his heart and he’d fight the devil himself to save her reputation.
“What address do you show for the Cross family?” the Vicar asked. Her mind went completely blank. Finally, she blurted the only one that came to her, which was no doubt wrong. “Park Lane.”
The Vicar smirked. Not smiled. Smirked. That meant it had to be wrong.
“I suggest you start there. In the meantime, I will have my housekeeper escort you out. I don’t know what you’re playing at but I don’t care for mischief. You’ll do your soul a good turn to drop a coin in the poor box on your way to the street.” He rang a small bell on his desk and the housekeeper came. “See this lady out.”
Graciela stood on the top stair of the chapel cursing her luck when a man’s disturbingly familiar laugh interrupted her thoughts. She took a quick step to the left and flattened herself against one of the portico pillars. The horrible laugh rippled over from close by. It sounded like Detective Bloodstone’s from the morning she’d bailed out Addy. He’d said something that sent the shine boy scampering away and had all the detectives snickering, including Bloodstone.
Taking a deep breath, she peered around the edge of the pillar expecting to see the detective. His presence would’ve been the perfect end to this entire St. Jude’s Chapel mission-turned-catastrophe. To her great relief, it came from a carriage driver. She hadn’t noticed a group of them gathered at the corner waiting to be hired. Graciela, you had no reason to be frightened. You’d done nothing wrong. Stop being such a ninny.
She left the church and headed home. Zachary would be getting up from her nap soon. The whole way home she questioned her luck. A dozen people are murdered every day in London.
How hard can it be to kill someone?
It is the time of Jack the Ripper, the widowed Queen Victoria sits on the throne of England. The whole of London is on edge wondering when or where Jack will kill next. The Palace, Parliament, and the press are demanding the police do more to find him.
In another part of London, rough-around-the-edges war hero, Metropolitan Detective Inspector Rudyard Bloodstone has his own serial killer to find. Inter departmental rivalries, politics, and little evidence to go on hamper the investigation at every turn. In a battle of wills, Bloodstone presses forward following his instincts in spite of the obstacles.
Adding to those problems, away from the strains of the investigation, he is engaged in the ups and downs of a new relationship with a lovely hat maker.
Chris Karlsen is a retired police detective. She spent twenty-five years in law enforcement with two different agencies. The daughter of a history professor and a voracious reader, she grew up with a love of hisotry and books.
An internationally published author, Chris has traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Near East, and North Africa satisfying her need to visit the places she read about. Having spent a great deal of time in England and Turkey, she has used her love of both places as settings for her books. "Heroes Live Forever," which is her debut book, is set in England as is the sequel, "Journey in Time," the third is "Knight Blindness." They are part of her Knights in Time series. All three are available as a boxed set on Kindle. She is currently working on the fourth in the "Knights in Time," series. "Golden Chariot," is set in Turkey and the sequel, "Byzantine Gold" is set Turkey, Paris and Cyprus. They are part of her Dangerous Waters series.
Her most recent release is called, "Silk" and is book one of a new series, The Bloodstone Series. It is a suspense set in Victorian London.
Published by Books to Go Now, her novels are available in digital, ebook, and Android App. and in paperback. "Heroes Live Forever" is also in audio format.
A Chicago native, Chris has lived in Paris and Los Angeles and now resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and four rescue dogs. A city girl all her life, living in a small village on a bay was a interesting adjustment. She'd never lived anywhere so quiet at night and traffic wasn't bumper to bumper 24/7.
Some of Chris's favorite authors are: Michael Connolly, John Sandford, Joseph Wambaugh, Stephen Coonts, Bernard Cornwell, Julia Quinn, Julie Anne Long, Deanna Raybourne and Steve Berry.
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May 11, 2017
Romance Between The Pages presents...
Ever wondered about the personalities behind your favorite books? Victoria Danann's new podcast with Riley J. Ford has an incredible lineup of authors booked through the spring. No question is out of bounds. Check it out!
THIS WEEK'S BEST SELLING AUTHOR...
MICHELLE FOX!
USA Today and NY Times bestselling author Michelle Fox lives in the Midwest with her husband, kids, the occasional exchange student and a rambunctious puppy named Comet (who is going to be the death of her someday!). She loves fantasy and romance, which makes writing paranormal romance a natural fit. She also thinks her readers rock and always enjoys hearing from them!
In addition to writing, Michelle is the founder of the Wolf Pack, an active Facebook community for shifter romance fans.
In her spare time, she's been known to shake her bon-bon at Zumba, make spectacular cheesecakes, hoard vintage costume jewelry and eat way too much ice cream (Ben and Jerry's Karamel Sutra for the win!).
Listen on Itunes (Subscribe so you never miss an episode! It’s FREE!)
THE OTHER SIDE OF DUSK by Cherime MacFarlane
THE OTHER SIDE OF DUSK
Eilan Water Trilogy, book 1
by Cherime MacFarlane
Genre: Historical Romance
Ualan’s mother is killed, and he is sold as a slave. The Roman woman who purchases him must get pregnant before the master gets rid of her as he did his first wife. And the male slave she uses cannot appear to be a full grown man, so as not to force the master to acknowledge his lack. Her plan backfires when an old soldier, head of the household guard, takes pity on the boy. He teaches Ualan to fight and when the child is born, helps the slave escape with his son. He is home but...his people aren't sure he is the one who can take his father's place when the time comes. Ualan may not be fit in body and mind. Rumors are flying of the possible retreat of the Romans back behind Hadrian’s Wall. The Picts are ready to revolt against Roman rule and the Scotti may be caught in the middle. To make matters worse, the master is seeking his stolen son.
Twisting to escape, he couldn’t break away from the thongs binding both wrists and feet. Someday he would get free, and when he did, he would kill her. No! Leave me be! Don’t...Unable to block the tide, he was helpless. His head thrashed from side to side as she did those things the woman knew would harden him for her use. Then she would mount him. And he hated her for what she did.
He was sobbing. A huge surge of desire overrode his anger and fear. What she did to his body was wrong.
“Da! ‘Tis me. Wake now.”
Taog climbed into the bed with him and snuggled into Ualan’s embrace. The lad didn’t care how sweat soaked from the nightmare he might be. With a sigh, Ualan hugged the child tight.
“Was it truly horrid?” The childish whisper feathered warm air over the hollow of his throat.
“Nae, Taog. Nae so bad. I couldnae wake. Thank ye for bringing me out of tha bog.”
“Did ye dream of being caught in tha moss, tha old bog?”
No one knew of the content of the dark dreams that sometimes had him screaming in the middle of the night. None would ever know. Ualan intended to shield those he cared about from the truth. That he had become a tool for a Roman bitch to get a child for a man unable to produce a son, was his secret alone.
In the end, he took his revenge. The child she set out to have snuggled in Ualan’s bed in his family's broch. Had Ualan been unable to escape, he would have killed the child before letting the bitch have him. God had been good. Ualan lay beneath the sleeping furs in his home on the far side of the damnable Roman wall, his son in his arms.
He wondered if the bitch was still alive. It was doubtful. Duilius would have flayed the skin from her body for allowing Ualan to escape with his son. Caecilia feared the man. It was one of the reasons she had purchased him in the slave market, to get her with child. Duilius was impotent and refused to believe it. He blamed his young wife.
With help from the Christian slave, the captain of the house guard, Ualan won the war. He stroked the child’s hair and sniffed the aroma the boy wore. Horse and hound, a bit of smoke and the scent of earth told him the lad had spent the day outside. It was comforting. On his side with the child tight to his breast, Ualan would sleep. For now, the horror was gone.
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Although born in New Orleans, I am proud to call myself an Alaskan. I have lived here since 1977. I have seen -40 degrees, hauled water, made bear bacon and I live in a cabin. I have used a fishwheel to catch salmon coming up the Copper River. I was my second husband's chief mechanic's helper and roadie. I have cut firewood on shares. I worked as a cocktail waitress during pipeline days in a small lodge on the Richardson Highway.
My second husband, a Scot from Glasgow, was the love of my life. When I write Scots dialect, I personally experienced hearing it from my in laws. When my husband got on the phone to Scotland, after 5 seconds I could barely understand a word.
We moved to Wasilla to get warm. It barely drops past -25 degrees here in the winter. I became a paralegal and worked for over 26 years for the same firm.
Alaska is my home. I never thought I would love it so much, I never want to leave. The beauty of Alaska is a draw I cannot resist. I love the people and the history. I have been captured by a place I came to under duress. Life does play some interesting tricks on one. My love and I were not apart more than 24 hours for 20 plus years. I never wanted to be anywhere but with him. He was a man to run the river with and was my biggest fan.
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ADAMANTA: Season 1, Episode 3: Excelsior
ADAMANTA
Season 1, Episode 3: Excelsior
by T. Y. Carew & Jess Mountifield
Genre: Science Fiction
Xander's new mission puts his crew into the path of a Beltine hive ship. No one has survived such an encounter before.
But then, no one else has highly skilled Adamanta-equipped fighters on board, either. Even so, choosing to pick a fight with the Beltine is not a clever idea. Will the humans make it out alive once they enter the lion's lair?
Join Xander, Mattie and her friends on this fast-paced adventure to find out.
“Get that door open, now!” Matt launched into action, not waiting for the Beltine to react to her presence. Using four of her swords as deflectors for the laser fire, she charged at the Elite Dairos. Less than a second later, she heard a pulsing alarm start up. There would be no more sneaking aboard this hive.
Two of the Dairos were dead, leaving Matt to fight six more. Thankfully, she'd closed enough of the distance between her and them that they all focused on her, and four of them backed up to try and shelter the other side of the doorway. Laser blasts flew everywhere, bouncing off her swords and the Dairos' shields.
Matt grunted as a shot caught the side of her left arm. As the pain spread, she almost dropped the sword she carried on that side.
“Hurry up, Drew,” she yelled, not daring to take her focus off the Beltine to check his progress. She needed help. Drawing the fire in her direction and standing out in the open reduced her to defense only.
Gun blasts from behind her let Matt know she was finally not alone. Drew had let Xander and Trey onto the hive ship. The two Elite Dairos this side of the door soon lost their lives. Matt advanced on both with her body and her swords, pushing towards the door and pressuring the remaining Dairos to make a mistake.
She was less than ten meters away, still deflecting laser shots and forcing the Dairos back, when a shot from Drew went wide. It struck the panel of buttons, sending electricity crackling across the surface. The door slipped down half a foot and stuck in place before jerking down another few inches.
With all her swords on the other side of the door, Matt knew there was only one response that made sense. She pushed herself into a full sprint and dived through the gap. From her prone position on the floor, she heard the door snap shut.
Leaping up, she brought her swords in close. The remaining Dairos hesitated, whichever Kyraos controlled them evidently not having expected her reckless act. She seized the few seconds it bought her and used her mind to remove another head with the nearest floating sword. Before she could deal with the last three, they opened fire again, forcing her to defend herself.
She rolled to one side, towards the nearest Beltine, and pulled another sword from the sheaths on her back. At the same time as slicing the gun-wielding arm off the Dairos, she managed to deflect a shot back into the chest of another. The third Dairos hesitated again, giving her plenty of time to run her sword through its torso and finish off the Dairos already bleeding out beside her. She found herself hoping the Kyraos in control had felt the pain of each of them dying.
Amazon ✯ Amazon Int'l ✯ Goodreads
A team of humans is willing to face almost insurmountable odds to save the human race from annihilation. But quite how safe from discovery and attack is the planet the research team has been secluded on?
Matt has spent her whole life helping her parents with research that could change the fate of the entire human race. She believes it's time to take it to the next stage and use it in active combat, but is she really ready to join the war and fight for mankind?
Xander has dedicated his whole life to the military, keeping humans throughout the galaxy alive, no matter the risks. He's struggling not to become disillusioned when, time and again, running away is the only option. Can he find the one thing humanity needs to turn the tide, and can he cope with that thing being a person?
Season 1: Episode 2: Shafts of Kudos
The mining shafts on Kudos have been producing increasingly smaller quantities of the mind-controllable Adamanta, but when you're fighting an undefeatable enemy you have to use every advantage you can gain.
Colonel Xander and his crew are there to secure as much of it as possible for the human military force. When an explosion traps three of the crew in the mine, the race is on to save them as well as ascertain whether the small operation is under attack from the formidable Beltine.
The explosion might have been written off as an accident if Marx, the Kudos safety engineer, hadn't found evidence of Xander's own transport pod having been rigged with enough explosive to destroy the whole mine and every breathing being in its vicinity.
Who would want Xander and his crew dead? And what deadly secrets does Marx harbor?
Coming July 15th 2017
Anathema is hailed as humankind's salvation. But is it?
A team of investors insists Anathema is the safest planet for our race. And Dr. Lake's team regularly sends reports from the surface of the planet, highlighting all the ways in which humans would thrive there. Even better, the almost invincible Beltine never go near it.
In the dog house for losing the Excelsior, Xander and his team are sent ahead to prepare the planet for human colonization. With trust at an all time low, they have only themselves to rely on, but is that enough?
What will happen to Xander and his team when even their faith in each other is put to the test?
Episode 5 - Coming September 15th 2017
Episode 6 - Coming November 15th 2017
If you want to make sure you don't miss out, you can sign up for our newsletter here.
T. Y. Carew is the pen name for an entire group of authors. They've come together to write the Adamanta series and other works in the same universe. So far, they consist of Stephen P. Scott, Andrew Bellingham, Ella Medler and Jess Mountifield. They're a quirky bunch of writers, with a variety of genres under their belt and different elements to their styles we'll hope you agree make an interesting blend. One thing they definitely have in common is the love of diving into a book and going on an adventure, be that reading or writing one!
This episode was written by Jess Mountifield.
Jess was born in the quaint village of Woodbridge in the UK, has spent some of her childhood in the States and now resides near the beautiful Roman city of Bath. She lives with her husband, Phil, and her very dapsy cat, Pleaides.During her still relatively short life Jess has displayed an innate curiosity for learning new things and has therefore studied many subjects, from maths and the sciences, to history and drama. Jess now works full time as a writer, incorporating many of the subjects she has an interest in within her plots and characters.
When she's not working she can often be found with friends, enjoying a vast array of films, ice skating or trekking all over the English countryside.
You can find out more about the author and her upcoming projects by following her on twitter or facebook, or at her blog.
Facebook ✯ Website ✯ Twitter ✯ Goodreads ✯ Amazon
***WRITING OPPORTUNITY***
Would you like to write an Episode?
The Adamanta project is all go now. The third episode is out on pre-order, and episodes 4 and 5 are almost ready. We're going for 6 episodes a year, and we have one slot left for this year, and of course, spaces from next year onward.
We have collated an Author Info Pack, which you can look through if you are considering contributing to this ongoing series. Genre: sci-fi. Length of episode: 20k words approx. Stay in the Adamanta world, but write your story. You have a core of ready characters, but can write your own and use as many or few of the original ones as you like. We'll need to keep the series consistent, but other than that you have space to play.
What we're looking for: good story, good writing, adherence to deadlines and a willingness to help promote the whole series.
Ask EllaMedler@papergoldpublishing.com for the link to the Info Pack if you'd like to have a look.
May 6, 2017
FOREVER'S FIGHT by Marissa Dobson
FOREVER'S FIGHT
Forever Creek Shifter, Book 1
by Marissa Dobson
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Fighting for love and family.
Patrick O’Reilly left behind his medical practice when he and his siblings were forced into hiding. Determined to live through the war against their species, they vow to serve their kind. Patrick will risk it all to ensure none of them end up as experiments in a government lab.
Clarissa Greenwood worked all her life to become a scientist and to get the position at Hathaway Medical where she thought she would be able to find cures for diseases. Instead, she is witness to experiments on shifters. Disgusted by the truth, she gathers as much information as she can, and flees. She wants no part of the experiments—even if the cost is her life.
Shifters Underground was created to serve their species, not to help a human who had worked for one of the organizations that was hunting them. A message from a trusted shifter leaves them with no other option but to search for a woman who might be able to help them. A treacherous journey brings two destined mates together. Now Patrick and Clarissa must work together to protect not only each other, but all the shifters who fight for their lives, for love, and for family.
“Exciting action, well-developed characters, and a fast-paced lively writing style makes Forever’s Fight sure to please!” ~ New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Lynn Red
“Beast?” She rose up to rest on her elbows. “You’re going to shift?”
There was a mixture of terror and excitement in her eyes that made him want to tease her, but he resisted the urge. “No. My beast is always within me, even when I’m in human form. There’s no need to shift.”
“What a relief. I’m not sure I’m ready to see your animal yet.” She paused, averting her eyes. “Mind if I ask what your second nature is?”
“Second nature. So proper.” He smirked. “I’m a lion.” He spoke with ease because unlike the rest of the world, he didn’t see the animal side of him as a curse or an experiment gone wrong. To him, it was a blessing, something he was proud of. Though times were tough right now, things would get better. He’d see to it.
“I wasn’t sure how to word this…this…ability.” Seeming nervous, she bit her bottom lip. “I’m not even sure ability is the right word.”
“Shifting is a magical thing, and even though the world thinks I should be ashamed of it, I’m not. My lion is as much a part of me as my internal organs. The human society that we live in just doesn’t accept those who are different, but we’re here just like everyone else, and we want to live in peace.”
“That almost sounded like a public relations statement.”
“I just want you to understand who my siblings and I are. We’re no danger to you or any other human. We’re always in control of our animal, no matter what form we may take. That’s what Hathaway Medical and the rest of the government organizations don’t understand. We shouldn’t be experimented on, nor should any other human.” He hated that he sounded like he was lecturing her, but if he was going to take her back to Forever Creek, she need to understand his kind. He didn’t want any surprises later that would send her running. Once she knew their location, if she got spooked and ran off, she’d be a liability.
“But the government doesn’t classify you as human.” With that statement, she wasn’t able to meet his gaze.
“What about you? Do you think I’m human?” Silence thickened the air until he wasn’t sure she’d answer.
“You look human enough to me.” She reached out and laid her hand on his chest. “You feel human, too. That’s all that matters to me.”
He placed his hand over hers. “This is just one side of me, kind of like a coin. Will you still feel the same way when you see my lion?”
Amazon ✯ Amazon Int'l ✯ Goodreads
Born and raised in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, Marissa Dobson now resides about an hour from Washington, D.C. She’s a lady who likes to keep busy, and is always busy doing something. With two different college degrees, she believes you are never done learning.
Being the first daughter to an avid reader, this gave her the advantage of learning to read at a young age. Since learning to read she has always had her nose in a book. It wasn’t until she was a teenager that she started writing down the stories she came up with.
Marissa is blessed with a wonderful supportive husband, Thomas. He’s her other half and allows her to stay home and pursue her writing. He puts up with all her quirks and listens to her brainstorm in the middle of the night.
Her writing buddy Pup Cameron, a cocker spaniel, is always around to listen to her bounce ideas off him. He might not be able to answer, but he’s helpful in his own ways.
ENCHANTER by Kristy Centeno
ENCHANTER
The Giver of Life Trilogy, book 1
by Kristy Centeno
Genre: YA/NA Paranormal Fantasy
They have a past. But will they have a future?
Leah Parker is resilient and hardworking. She’d always prided herself in maintaining a level head, even under pressure. Everything changes when she begins to see strange apparitions and hear ghostly voices on the morning of her birthday.
In a blink of the eyes, Leah’s life takes a drastic turn that spirals her into the unknown. Something is out to get her, but she’s unsure if she’s losing her mind, or the faces and demands of the dead are real. Unable to find the answers she needs, she has no choice but to rely on ex-best friend, Brandon Morris, for help.
But as she will soon discover, Brandon has his own secrets. Some of which defy logic and only add to the mystery surrounding Leah. And mix feelings between the two complicate matters by getting in the way of what they really want, and what they must do.
Can Brandon lighten the load on her by figuring out what or who wants her dead? Or will their past history get in the way of the storm brewing just beyond Leah’s grasp?
#1
“Are you scared of me? Is that it?” As if to make a point, he covered the distance between us in three short steps, and backed me off into the landing to the stairwell behind me, stopping only when our bodies were a few inches from coming into physical contact. The invigorating scent of his cologne invaded my nostrils, causing my mind to go into total and complete turmoil.
I shut down, unsure how to react. I hadn’t anticipated being cornered in a vulnerable spot where we were shielded from view. Normally, I was a sucker for guys who smelled as good as he did, but this was Brandon Morris. I couldn’t decide whether to lean closer and inhale slowly, or scream and push him away.
“Are you?”
I wanted to deny his accusation, but he could see the truth in my eyes. It was pointless to pretend as if he hadn’t just sent my heart into a race. By then he could see how badly I shook. I could not disguise it fast enough for him not to notice.
“Should I be?” I asked softly, fear forcing my voice to quake.
#2
Fighting the nausea threatening to consume me, I made a mad dash for alleyway’s entrance. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something move. I shrieked and sprinted faster, almost colliding into the thin man who appeared out of nowhere in front of me. I managed to stop in time to crash into him, but as soon as I caught sight of his profile I regretted not plowing right through him.
He looked like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. Tall, long, and lanky, with shoulder-length white hair, unnaturally pale skin, and eyes that gave the impression of missing irises, he was no less horrifying than the black figure I’d seen at the stairwell or the ghostly woman in my bedroom. He was clad from top to bottom in dark clothing, which gave him all the more menacing feel. As he stood, staring at me in a way that communicated I was about to become food, I could have sworn my stomach dropped to my feet. This was no ordinary attacker. He didn’t have rape or mugging in mind, but something much more sinister.
#3
Movement several yards behind him caught my attention and I glanced around his left shoulder to the woods, noting the quick blur of a figure darting from behind one tree to another. Something was off about the way this person rushed by. It sparked a sense of familiarity that horrified me.
“Brandon, I don’t think we’re alone anymore,” I murmured as another flash of white scurried ever closer. It was too dark for me to determine who it was, but I was certain of one thing: we were being watched.
“What…?” The meaning of my words didn’t immediately dawn on him.
“Someone’s out there.”
Brandon spun around abruptly. He scanned the area briefly as he backed into me while sucking in air. His suddenly rigid posture warned me whoever was out there was not friendly.
Without a single word of explanation, Brandon turned to me and took my hand in his, pulling me down the path we’d used to get to the gazebo. He towed me along in a haste, leaving me no room to protest, or figure out what the hell was going on. A weird, high-pitched hissing sound emanated from somewhere behind us. It startled me and I was tempted to glance over my shoulder, but Brandon’s next words stopped me.
“Don’t look, Leah!” His tone was as serious as I’d ever heard it, which freaked me out even more. What was he so scared of?
Kristy Centeno is the author of the Secrets of the Moon saga and Keeper Witches series.
She has always had a passion for books and after years of being an avid reader, she decided to transform her desire to write into a reality and thus, her first novel was born. When she’s not busy taking care of her five children or holding down the fort, she finds time to sit and do what she loves the most: writing.
May 5, 2017
New short story from Maria Savva
http://thewritelaunch.com/2017/05/01/...
Maria has an uncanny knack of understanding people.
Great writing!
