Sarah Mäkelä's Blog, page 14

Naughty New Years Blog Hop

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all started it off naughtily! ;-) If so, let's see if we can keep that vibe going all year.

Hmm... Naughty New Years... My naughty New Years resolution for 2013 is simple. I want to write a lot more sexy werewolves. Yum! I'm not setting myself up for failure with that one. *grin* My non-writing resolution is to read more this year. Yep, you guessed it, I'm looking for sexy werewolves. Know of any?

Skin Deep

Passions sizzle even between a feline and a wolf...

Angelique had no idea her black panther tattoo would force her to abandon the love of her life—Connor O’Reilly—but she’s determined to keep him safe no matter how much it hurts. Her tattoo doubles as her feline familiar: loving, protective, dangerous, and with a life of its own. It’s also her deepest secret and draws enemies who desire its power for themselves.

Connor has no idea why Angelique left him, but he’s determined to win her back. As a werewolf, he has secrets of his own. Now his alpha is ready to force him to pair with an ex-girlfriend he can’t stand unless he can find Angelique and claim her as his mate. But even as their secrets threaten to keep them apart, hidden enemies seek to destroy their chance at love forever.

So, how about you? What are your naughty resolutions for 2013?

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Also, the grand prizes for the hop include a $100 gift card to EdenFantasys and a digital gift basket of 10 erotica books. All comments across the blog tour are entered. For more information on that, click here.

Captivated, My Newest Release

Captivated
Sarah Mäkelä
Genre: Fantasy & Fairytales/ Paranormal
Length: Novella
Page Count: 60
ISBN: 978-1-78184-161-7
Cover Artist: Posh Gosh
Release Date: 12/17

When a mercenary, whose purpose is to dispose of wicked Unseelie fae, meets a dark elf, she’ll question her mission and become captivated…

After her family was killed by a dark elf, mercenary Honora Butler’s purpose is the disposal of wicked faeries, elves, and other Unseelie beings, but she’ll find herself questioning her mission when she meets Brennan, a dark elf who doesn’t conform to what she believed his kind were like.

Brennan O’Niall doesn’t know what it is about Honora that makes him crave her, but he wants to find out. However, when she’s charged with the murder of a friend, he’ll have to discover the truth and decide just how much she means to him.

Excerpt:

Gritting her teeth, Honora Butler sneaked farther into the dark, snowy forest. Danger lurked within the shadows, and she would kill or be killed. Death didn’t intimidate her anymore. She knew it too well.

Everyone she’d loved had been taken from her.

Snow crunched beneath the soles of her knee-high leather boots. When she was young, the Mercenary Guild had taken her in. They’d seen her abilities and her determination. They’d trained her, given her a chance when she’d wanted only to die, and now she did what she bloody well could to make sure the dark beings of the Unseelie Court hurt no one else.

A horrified scream erupted ahead, beckoning her deeper into the forest. It had to have been caused by her prey. Picking up her pace, she pulled a throwing knife from its sheath. Her magic surged into the blade, filling it with power and making the metal white—hot.

The trees broke into a clearing. The cause of the cries stood in the dirt road. A woman cowered on the ground while a short, stocky man dressed in blood red with a matching hat sneered at her. He looked to be having far too good a time.

"I have a husband and kids. Please, don’t hurt me," the woman whimpered. "My master…he’ll—"

The Fear Dearg snorted and crossed his arms in front of him. He stared down his crooked nose at the terrified woman as if pondering what to do first.

Honora doubted the woman was in immediate danger. The Red Man mostly engaged in cruel pranks on those he sought, but that wouldn’t stop her from killing him. Her mission in life was to rid the world of malevolence.

She slid from the trees, taking one quiet step after another. "Na dean maggadh fum," she said. Those words, ‘do not mock me’, were the best chance she had to take him down without a problem.

The Fear Dearg jerked his gaze to Honora. His lips curled back into a snarl at the interruption. "So be it. Now go on. Get out of here. Can’t you see I’m busy?" He stared at her blankly, waiting. "What? You want my favour and prosperity? Wait for your turn."

Just like that, he returned his focus to the woman. He grabbed at her dress.

With a snap of her wrist, Honora sent the throwing knife sailing through the air. A wash of blood arced in a thick spray as the Fear Dearg collapsed, the knife lodged in his head.

Shrieking, the woman scurried backwards from the corpse. Her eyes were wide and horrified at the sight of the dead faerie. "What have you done?" she asked, glancing Honora’s way. Shaking her head, she picked up her large basket with foodstuffs that lay on its side. Most of the food had fallen out, but the woman didn’t bother gathering it. She took the basket, then ran off down the dirt road.

What had that been about?

Honora watched the woman until she disappeared around the curve of the path. She walked over to the dead Red Man then tugged her blade out of his skull. It came away easily, blood dripping off it in great crimson drops. She wiped it clean on his jacket before tucking the knife back in its sheath.

Her stomach rumbled. On the ground was an unsoiled loaf of bread from the woman’s fallen food. She stripped off her bloody gloves and crouched. She brushed off a few leaves then tore a piece from it and lifted it to her lips.

In the distance, she heard a faint noise like that of a large flock of birds beating their wings. That couldn’t be right. Birds weren’t typically active at night there. Yet the sound grew louder.

The sudden realisation of what it was punched her in the gut. She dropped the bread and raced after the woman. Honora needed to find the safety of shelter. She couldn’t be out here when the Sluagh—restless spirits of the dead—flew over. What they did was worse than death. They captured their victims’ souls.

Behind her, the cries became impossibly louder. She didn’t have much time at all. She had yet to spot any homes or places to hide and knew if she were spotted she would be connected with the murder of the Fear Dearg, and hunted. She wouldn’t be safe unless she found somewhere soon.

Chancing a look over her shoulder, she saw a horrible black mass darken the sky. Screams of their victims filled her ears then. They were close. She caught sight of an elegant manor off to the left.

Buy Captivated here:

Amazon
Kobo
All Romance eBooks
Total-e-Bound Publishing

Sarah's Purrrfectly Giftastic Christmas Post + WINNER ANNOUNCED

Are you ready for the holidays? There's only 11 days until Christmas! Eeek!

I am, so I'm participating in the Purrrfectly Giftastic Christmas Blog Hop to help spread some holiday cheer! It'll run from today until December 17th at 11:59 PM. I hope everyone is able to snag some great prizes from the fantastic list of bloggers participating this weekend!

I'm offering up a $10 Amazon gift card as well as an ebook from me. What goodies do I have lurking in there you ask? Good question!

Blurb for Her Christmas Elf (my newest release):

Lost in a forest, Vera finds an elf who gives her a Christmas to remember.

Traveling alone in Finland around Christmas isn't exactly what Vera Hayes had imagined she'd be doing. When her longtime boyfriend dumps her before the trip at the last minute, she decides to go anyways. However, she gets lost in a forest in Lapland and starts to panic until she runs into a magical man who looks suspiciously like an elf without the pointy ears. Pekka, one of Santa's elves, soothes away her worry and helps her find her way back to her cabin, giving her a Christmas Eve to remember.

And the blurb for my book coming out December 17th, Captivated:

When a mercenary whose purpose is to dispose of wicked Unseelie fae meets a Dark Elf, she'll question her mission and become captivated...

After her family was killed by a dark elf, mercenary Honora Butler's purpose is the disposal of wicked faeries, elves, and Unseelie beings, but she’ll find herself questioning her mission when she meets Brennan, a dark elf who doesn’t conform to what she believed his kind were like.

Brennan O’Niall doesn’t know what it is about Honora that makes him crave her, but he wants to find out. However, when she’s charged with the murder of a friend, he’ll have to find out the truth and decide just how much she means to him.

Visit the other Purrrfectly Giftastic Christmas Blog Hop sites here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sarah's Purrrfectly Giftastic Christmas Post + Contest

Are you ready for the holidays? There's only 11 days until Christmas! Eeek!

I am, so I'm participating in the Purrrfectly Giftastic Christmas Blog Hop to help spread some holiday cheer! It'll run from today until December 17th at 11:59 PM. I hope everyone is able to snag some great prizes from the fantastic list of bloggers participating this weekend!

I'm offering up a $10 Amazon gift card as well as an ebook from me. What goodies do I have lurking in there you ask? Good question!

Blurb for Her Christmas Elf (my newest release):

Lost in a forest, Vera finds an elf who gives her a Christmas to remember.

Traveling alone in Finland around Christmas isn't exactly what Vera Hayes had imagined she'd be doing. When her longtime boyfriend dumps her before the trip at the last minute, she decides to go anyways. However, she gets lost in a forest in Lapland and starts to panic until she runs into a magical man who looks suspiciously like an elf without the pointy ears. Pekka, one of Santa's elves, soothes away her worry and helps her find her way back to her cabin, giving her a Christmas Eve to remember.

And the blurb for my book coming out December 17th, Captivated:

When a mercenary whose purpose is to dispose of wicked Unseelie fae meets a Dark Elf, she'll question her mission and become captivated...

After her family was killed by a dark elf, mercenary Honora Butler's purpose is the disposal of wicked faeries, elves, and Unseelie beings, but she’ll find herself questioning her mission when she meets Brennan, a dark elf who doesn’t conform to what she believed his kind were like.

Brennan O’Niall doesn’t know what it is about Honora that makes him crave her, but he wants to find out. However, when she’s charged with the murder of a friend, he’ll have to find out the truth and decide just how much she means to him.

Visit the other Purrrfectly Giftastic Christmas Blog Hop sites here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Author Sean Michael

Hey everyone! Today on the Naughty List Blog Hop, I have Sean Michael with me, author of "Christmas Elves are Ringing" from the Santa's Helpers series at Changeling Press. Visit the previous stop here.

When the call came from Changeling for Santa's Helpers stories, I couldn't resist doing a story about the elves who live up north with the big guy, making toys and what not. Who else is more of a Santa's Helper than them?

Along came Joey, the very best doll maker elf in the entire world.

Only, like with many great artists, he can be a temperamental diva when he wants to be. Lucky for Joey (hell, and for Santa and the rest of the North Pole residents) Bane knows exactly what to do to ring Joey's bells and get him back in the gift creating mood. Given the premise and the characters, this wound up being a fun and kinky romp that I had a great time writing. I hope you enjoy reading it just as much.

Oh, the title? How could I resist the play on Christmas Bells Are Ringing? I couldn't. Especially when the elves in question wear jingle bells that most definitely do get rung!

Christmas Elves are Ringing Blurb:

Joey's the best doll maker at Santa's workshop, but he's fed up with making them and all their accessories. In fact, he's having a tantrum of epic proportions. The big guy sends Joey's lover Bane in to give Joey an attitude adjustment. Can Bane work his magic in time for them to make sure Santa's sleigh is full this year?

Buy link: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1957

Excerpt link: http://www.changelingpress.com/content.php?utype=note&uid=6097

Thanks to Sarah for hosting me on the Naughty List Blog Hop today!

Sean Michael
smut fixes everything
www.seanmichaelwrites.com
http://sean-michael.livejournal.com/
http://twitter.com/seanmichael09
http://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelWrites

Skin Deep is Here!

Hey everyone! Sorry I've been so quiet here on my blog. I've been pretty busy, and today's news is one of the reasons why. I'm very excited to announce that Skin Deep is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and All Romance eBooks! Hooray!

Skin Deep
Sarah Makela
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Word Count: 24,821
Page Count: 112
Price: 3.99
ISBN: 978-1-939194-25-1
Heat Level: 3
Warnings: none
Editor: Rachel Firasek
Cover Artist: Valerie Tibbs
Release Date: 11/9

Angelique had no idea her black panther tattoo would force her to abandon the love of her life—Connor O’Reilly—but she’s determined to keep him safe no matter how much it hurts. Her tattoo doubles as her feline familiar: loving, protective, dangerous, and with a life of its own. It’s also her deepest secret and draws enemies who desire its power for themselves.

Connor has no idea why Angelique left him, but he’s determined to win her back. As a werewolf, he has secrets of his own. Now his alpha is ready to force him to pair with an ex-girlfriend he can’t stand unless he can find Angelique and claim her as his mate. But even as their secrets threaten to keep them apart, hidden enemies seek to destroy their chance at love forever.

Excerpt:

Angelique wrapped her arms around his neck, sinking into the warm sensation that being around Connor stirred inside her. She froze, knowing this might not be what was best for her, but with him being here—so close, and apparently so ready too—she didn’t know if she had it in her to turn him away.

Connor pulled back a little, concern darkening his eyes. “Tell me if you don’t want this.”

She opened her mouth to refuse him, to distance herself, but the words wouldn’t come. What was the problem with giving in? She leaned forward, pushing her fingers into his dark blond hair. Her lips met his, and he groaned.

He gripped her hips, tugging her forward on the counter, pressing her close to him. Close enough to feel his hard cock hiding beneath his suit pants. They’d never gone this far before in their relationship. She hadn’t let him get close because of Kira, but Kira wasn’t a problem right now.

Angelique smiled against his lips and pushed off Connor’s suit jacket, letting it fall to the kitchen floor. He stepped back a little, grabbing for her jacket. She let him unzip it and toss it to the floor next to his. His hands brushed over her torso from just under her breasts, over her stomach, and down to the hem of her undershirt. She sucked in a breath as his warm hands met her skin.

He slowly slid the top up and watched her face. She should stop him, but she didn’t want to. Sharing this with him, regardless of what came after, would be a delicious birthday present.

She lifted her arms, and he slipped the shirt over her head, revealing her bare chest. She’d been at home for the night and hadn’t worn a bra.

His eyes burned with lust, and she noticed a tick in his jaw as if he were struggling to control himself. He didn’t need to think she was made of glass. This wasn’t her first time.

She tugged his shirt out of his pants and worked the buttons from the holes. Underneath the silk was a finely chiseled chest. His workout regime must be relentless.

Connor chuckled, and she glanced up at him, cocking an eyebrow. “What?”

“That look on your face. You’re almost drooling.” He smirked. “I like that.”

“I am not.” Angelique shoved against his chest, but he didn’t budge an inch. His muscular pecs beckoned her. She slid her hands over that hot expanse of skin toward his belt. Her lips pressed against his chest, and she trailed kisses over it.

Connor’s chuckle faded and turned into a groan. He planted his hands on the counter beside her knees, staying there and not moving away from her lips. “I want you, Angel.” His husky voice was a near whisper.

Buy Skin Deep here:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
All Romance Ebooks

Jungle Blaze is now available!

Hey everyone! I'm thrilled to announce that Jungle Blaze, the third book in my Amazon Chronicles series, is now available for purchase!

Here's the blurb, excerpt, and buy links. :-)

Amazon Chronicles 3: Jungle Blaze
by Sarah Mäkelä
Genres: Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Erotic Romance
Length: Novella
Buy now: http://changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1901


Blurb:

Sol has seen others around her find their mates, and she's determined to find her own, except the man who has caught her eye is standoffish and has no intention of getting into a relationship.

Eduardo, the second in command of the werepumas, has no interest in the mating going on around him, but his stern attitude is about to change when he finds what he didn't know he was looking for -- Sol.

Excerpt:


Soft moans filtered into her sleep, and Sol Rios blinked open her eyes. Drowsily, she pushed herself into a sitting position and rubbed her hands over her face. Sleep wasn't her friend anymore. Not since her neighbor, Rubia, had mated with the werepumas' leader.

The quiet sighs of pleasure gained intensity and became more insistent, more demanding. Her hands balled into fists. Dampness and warmth gathered between Sol's legs. She squeezed her thighs together against the cruel sensation.

This was crazy. She had to get away from here. Would it look too suspicious if Sol asked Adara, the Amazon Queen, if she could move her hut? Rubia and Adara were friends. Sol didn't know if there would be a problem, but she would have to come up with a good reason, instead of just complaining about the... noise.

Once dressed, she stepped out into the night.

Darkness blanketed the village, and only a few torches here and there provided light for her to see. She headed toward the center of the village where the Amazons and werepumas held their feasts. Embers glowed hot in the fire pit. She sat beside it, enjoying the heat and the night sounds of the rainforest.

A few guards -- both Amazon and werepuma -- were prowling the catwalks, and one of the Amazons noticed her with a wave. She returned the kind gesture then lowered her gaze to the coals. Toasty warmth caressed her skin. She wrapped her arms around her legs, hugging them to her chest, and then rested her chin on her knees.

Movement drew her attention away from the fire pit, and she caught sight of a tall, lithe figure striding from the village's entrance toward her. Torchlight revealed his face, and she sucked in a breath. The werepumas' second in command. What was his name again...? Argh, she couldn't remember.

She was thankful for the darkness; otherwise, she'd have run.

Her gaze followed him as he walked past without even looking at her. She buried her face in her legs, wishing she had what the others had. More of her people were finding their mates, yet no one paid her any attention. Especially not the man she found most attractive. He didn't even spare her a glance.

At this rate, her womb would become barren before he even made eye contact. She shook her head, shrugging off any pity for herself. Peeking over her shoulder, she saw the pumas' second in command standing in front of Rubia's hut. Even from this distance, she saw tension in his posture. Maybe Rubia and the werepuma leader were still rutting like wild animals.

Sol turned away before he felt her gaze on him. Not like that would matter much. She hadn't seen him look or talk to any of the other women aside from Adara, Rubia, and a few Amazon guards. All occasions were strictly for business. He didn't seem to possess much charm or charisma, just a stern, no nonsense attitude, and yet Sol couldn't help the attraction she felt toward him. What was wrong with her?

Faint footsteps approached her from behind, but maybe he was just leaving the village again. It didn't mean he'd have any reason to talk with her. Right? The sudden encompassing silence unsettled her.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a pair of denim-clad legs. Her gaze slid up those strong legs and over his solid chest until she stared into his dark blue eyes.

Buy now: http://changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1901

Guest Author Jeffe Kennedy

Rogue’s Pawn by Jeffe Kennedy
Covenant of Thorns Series 978-14268-9406-0Carina Press
July 16, 2012
This is no fairy tale… 
Haunted by nightmares of a black dog, sick to death of my mind-numbing career and heart-numbing fiancé, I impulsively walked out of my life—and fell into Faerie. Terrified, fascinated, I discover I possess a power I can’t control: my wishes come true. After an all-too-real attack by the animal from my dreams, I wake to find myself the captive of the seductive and ruthless fae lord Rogue. In return for my rescue, he demands an extravagant price—my firstborn child, which he intends to sire himself…
With no hope of escaping this world, I must learn to harness my magic and build a new life despite the perils—including my own inexplicable and debilitating desire for Rogue. I swear I will never submit to his demands, no matter what erotic torment he subjects me to…  Amazon, Barnes and Noble
About the Author:
Jeffe Kennedy took the crooked road to writing, stopping off at neurobiology, religious studies and environmental consulting before her creative writing began appearing in places like Redbook, Puerto del Sol, Wyoming Wildlife, Under the Sun and Aeon. An erotic novella, Petals and Thorns, came out under her pen name of Jennifer Paris in 2010, heralding yet another branch of her path, into erotica and romantic fantasy fiction. Since then, an erotic short, Feeding the Vampire, and another erotic novella, Sapphire, have hit the shelves. 
Her contemporary fantasy novel, Rogue’s Pawn, book one in A Covenant of Thorns, will be published in July, 2012. Jeffe lives in Santa Fe, with two Maine coon cats, a border collie, plentiful free-range lizards and frequently serves as a guinea pig for an acupuncturist-in-training. Find her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Author.Jeffe.Kennedy) and Twitter (@jeffekennedy) or visit her at her website http://jeffekennedy.com/.

News Bytes - CAPTIVATED is Contracted!

Hey everyone!

I'm really excited to announce another contract! Woohoo! CAPTIVATED, a steamy fantasy romance, will be coming out December 2012 from Total-E-Bound as part of their Oberon's Court winter collection! Yay!

I'm really excited about this story since it's the first time I've really dipped into the fantasy realm. Although, I have to say, I had to do lots of research to make sure my elves and faeries weren't completely off-target. I had a lot of fun writing this story, and I'm looking forward to writing my story for the companion collection Titania's Court for Summer 2012. I already have it outlined.

Here's to give you an idea of what Captivated is about. :-)

Honora Butler is a mercenary whose purpose is the disposal of wicked faeries, elves, and Unseelie beings after her family was killed by a dark elf, but she’ll find herself questioning her mission when she meets Brennan, a dark elf who doesn’t conform to what she believed his kind were like.

Brennan O’Niall doesn’t know what it is about Honora that makes him crave her, but he’s willing to find out. However, when she’s charged with the death of a friend, he’ll have to find out the truth and decide just how much Honora means to him.

Woohoo! Thanks for celebrating with me, again!! :-) This has been a great summer!

Guest Author Nancy Holzner

DARKLANDS
By Nancy Holzner
Book #4 in the Deadtown series

Genre: Urban fantasy
Publisher: Ace
ISBN: 978-1937007706
ASIN: 1937007707
Number of pages: 336
Word Count: Around 110,000

Amazon | B&N | Powells | BookDepository

Blurb/Book Description:

They call it Deadtown: the city’s quarantined section for its inhuman and undead residents. Most humans stay far from its border—but Victory Vaughn, Boston’s only professional demon slayer, isn’t exactly human…

Boston’s demons have been disappearing, and Vicky’s clients are canceling left and right. While fewer demons might seem like a good thing, Vicky suspects foul play. A missing Celtic cauldron from Harvard’s Peabody museum leads her to an unwelcome conclusion: Pryce, her demi-demon cousin and bitter enemy, is trying to regain his full powers.

But Pryce isn’t alone. He’s conjured another, darker villain from Vicky’s past. To stop them from destroying everything she loves, she’ll have to face her own worst fear—in the realm of the dead itself.