Cynthia Eden's Blog, page 74

Deck The Halls…with some dark angels…

ANGEL IN CHAINS releases on 11/27/12–that’s less than two weeks away! So close!!! And, well, with both a book release coming up and the holidays right around the corner, I thought–hey, let’s combine those two cool things and have a big party!

On 11/27/12, I will host an all-day party here at the blog.  Each hour will feature a different author and a different giveaway (and there will be lots of giveaways). Gift cards, books, mysterious bonus prizes that will make your holidays fun.    And each post that is featured will focus on the holidays. Authors will share their favorite holiday recipes, they will talk about their favorite memories, tell you how their characters celebrate the holidays, etc.–it will be your crash course in decking the halls.

I’ll have a widget for the giveaway tomorrow, and I’ll even run a special contest for those who want to help me spread the news about my DECK THE HALLS event.  See, I warned you a few days ago–more giveaways! Please check in tomorrow for full event details.

Enjoy your day!

THE BETTER TO BITE– “Spread the Word” Contest!

My first young adult paranormal romance, THE BETTER TO BITE, is now available (yay!).  It is a 60,000 word novel that is on sale for $2.99 (Amazon Kindle digital release).  When I released HOWL FOR IT a few months back, I hosted a “sharing” contest here on the blog. I asked folks to help me spread the word about that book, and–wow!–the response was amazing! So I thought we would try one of those contests again.   (ANGEL IN CHAINS is releasing on 11/27/12, and I’m planning for more giveaways then, too! November will have lots of prizes.)

So…would you like to help me spread the word about THE BETTER TO BITE?  Here’s how it will work–every time that you spread the word about THE BETTER TO BITE, you will be entered in a contest for the following prizes:

$100 Amazon.com gift card

$50 Amazon.com gift card

$25 Amazon.com gift card

(Are you sensing a gift card trend? I asked readers what they would like to win–and gift cards were the things people listed the most. With the holidays coming, it makes sense to me!)

Now, how do you spread the word? There are lots of ways.  I want to makes things as easy as possible. For the sharing fun, here’s the cover for my book:

 

 

You can share the cover on your blog, on Twitter, on Facebook–even on Pinterest.  Every time you share, that’s counted as an entry (just come back and post in the comments section so I know what you’ve done).  You can chat about the book on Facebook, tweet info about it (even if you aren’t sharing the cover).  Any place/time you spread the word about the book–that’s an entry. Simply tell me how/where you’ve shared in the comments section, and you are entered!

I would very much like to give a huge THANK YOU to all who would like to help me spread the word!!! Your help is appreciated more than I can say!!!

This contest will run until noon (Central time) on Sunday, November 11, 2012. (If you share/post on different days–those do all count as different entries.)  If you have any questions, please ask!  Again–thank you! Thanks to those who want to participate in my Spread The Word event!

Best,

Cynthia

THE BETTER TO BITE–Out Now!

My first young adult paranormal romance–THE BETTER TO BITE–is out! I had such a wonderful time writing this story…it’s my Veronica Mars meets Little Red Riding Hood (with werewolves).  The story contains 60,000 words and is on sale as an Amazon Kindle (digital) release for $2.99.

Don’t go into the woods.

Sixteen-year-old Anna Lambert knows that the woods near her new home aren’t safe. She’s seen the wolves that stalk through that dark forest, but Anna doesn’t scare easily.

Anna is cursed–or gifted, depending on how you look at it–with the ability to find anyone or anything that is lost. So when folks start disappearing in the small town of Haven, Anna’s father, the sheriff, has to use her special skills as they begin to hunt for a killer.

But the killer isn’t exactly human. As Anna is pulled deeper into the secrets of Haven–a town that is truly cursed–she finds herself falling for two, equally mysterious boys. With the danger closing in, one of those boys may just turn out to be her savior. And the other? He could be a very big, very bad…beast.

Beware of beasts…and boys…with bite.

***

You can read an excerpt from THE BETTER TO BITE here.

I will be running one of my “Spread The Word” contests for THE BETTER TO BITE starting tomorrow. Right now, I’m just trying to decide on prizes. What are you in the mood for? Gift certificates? Kindles? Chocolate? Feel free to leave your prize suggestions below, and be sure to come back for the contest tomorrow!

And–a quick note–THE BETTER TO BITE is available as an exclusive release with Amazon. If you don’t have a Kindle and you want to read the book, you can download the Free Kindle for PC App. And, actually, here’s a link to a ton of Free Kindle Reading Apps (that you can use on all sorts of devices).

Thanks so much for coming by today!!

MIAMI, MISTLETOE, AND MURDER (Giveaway!!)

My friend Katie Reus has a new book out–and, I thought, hey, why not share the book love?  So I am going to giveaway 5 digital copies of her new release, MIAMI, MISTLETOE, AND MURDER:

 

Blurb:

Fierce and sexy, former Marine Travis Sanchez has always held himself back from the rest of the world, using his tattoos and piercings as armor. But when the woman he’s wanted for months is threatened, he knows it’s time to strip away the bad boy image and show her just how much he wants to be with her. As one of Red Stone Security’s best contractors, Travis is trained for almost any situation. But nothing prepares him for the most dangerous threat of all: the one to his heart.

Kind-hearted Noel Baskov’s only wish for the holidays is that her Miami coffee shop has a successful Christmas season. But her focus on work is interrupted when the family of the young girl she mentors is threatened, and the man she’s been lusting after for months steps in to handle it. Unfortunately the danger is far from over. Can this sexy and mysterious warrior protect Noel? Or will he be the one to shatter her heart.

Warning: features a heroine determined to fight for those she cares about, a protective hero with a very interesting piercing, and some holiday magic.

***

Want to win? Then just tell me an item that is at the top of your holiday wish list!  I’ll let the contest stay open until noon on 11/5/12, then I will randomly select the 5 winners.  Good luck!

ANGEL IN CHAINS–Giveaway Winners

Thank you all so much for the costume comments on my ANGEL IN CHAINS giveaway! I selected 5 winners and those commenters are:

 

Kara Nix

Irene Jackson

Lisa Uranker

Diana Brown

angel_grace

 

I’ll email the winners now with prize details.  And stay tuned for more contests!

Happy Halloween!! (With a sneak peek at DIE FOR ME…)

May your day be filled with only good tricks and awesome treats!

Since this is the scariest day of the year, I thought it would be the prefect time to share the prologue from my upcoming romantic suspense novel, DIE FOR ME. If you enjoyed my Deadly romantic suspense books (or if you enjoy the suspense elements in my paranormal stories), then I sure hope you will like this book, too! DIE FOR ME will be out on 2/5/13–I can’t wait!

You can read the prologue on my Facebook Fan Page–I try to put up sneak peeks and exclusive info for fans there, so if you aren’t already a fan, please like the page.

Enjoy your Halloween! Have fun with all the little goblins and all the big ones.

Happy Halloween!

 

A Ghost Story…just in time for Halloween (Guest Post and Giveaway)

Today’s guest is the fabulous Mina Khan–a truly kind and funny lady (she always makes me smile) and a fabulous writer. Welcome, Mina!

***

Woot! It’s so great to be here at Cynthia’s blog in October because one of many fun things we bonded over is our crazy-love of Halloween. The more spooky thrills and chills, the more varieties of candy, the better it gets! Not surprising given I write genie romances, with supernatural beings who can melt into shadows and grant the most hidden wishes. So to celebrate, I’m giving away Halloween-themed bookmarks, bags of dark chocolate and signed postcards to two readers who leave comments here.

I also have an unusual ghost story to share. My multicultural short, “DEAD: A Ghost Story,” was released in October. Oh yeah! A chilling ghostly tale is perfect for Halloween, don’t you think? Check out the cover:

 

 

Unlike my other published stories, DEAD is NOT a romance. In it, Nasreen – the Indian-American protagonist grapples with her life and death in West Texas.

DEAD was inspired by the many immigrant wives I met during my time as a business reporter in West Texas. For the most part these women are invisible to the mainstream society for various reasons – language barriers, isolation, and unfamiliarity with their adopted country’s laws and social mores etc. So this story was written to recognize them and to highlight a usually hush-hush part of the immigrant story.

I have readers who love my genie romances, so why not write another one instead of trying on a completely different genre? Because the idea of all the invisible Nasreens in the world sort of haunted me until I’d written the story. In doing so, I discovered a different side of myself, a new voice inside.

If you’d like to check DEAD out, here’s the Amazon link.

 So what’s your favorite Halloween read and why? Share and you could be one of the two lucky, randomly chosen people to win the prizes mentioned above.

 

Oh! My debut story, THE DJINN’S DILEMMA is turning a year of existence in November. Don’t miss my DJINN’S DILEMMA BIRTHDAY BASH with prizes and surprises galore. Several of my author friends (including our wonderful hostess) are joining in the celebrations by giving away their books, and there will be gift certificates, peacock-themed prizes (genies & peacocks go together, right?), art, chocolate and more! The bash starts Nov. 1 and will continue throughout the month.

To make sure you don’t miss the genie-licious giveaways, like my Facebook Author Page.

 

More information about Mina’s books

 

Author Bio:

 

Mina Khan is a Texas-based writer and food enthusiast. She grew up in Bangladesh on stories of djinns (pronounced “gins”), ghosts and monsters.

These childhood fancies now color her fiction. She daydreams of hunky paranormal heroes, magic, mayhem and mischief and writes them down as tales of romance and adventure.

Her first published work, The Djinn’s Dilemma, won the novella category of the 2012 Romance Through The Ages (published) contest.

 

Fifty percent of the proceeds from her second novella, A Tale of Two Djinns, is donated to UNICEF for education. Two Djinns is a Romeo & Juliet tale with genies, feminists and a happy ending.

 

Her newest release, DEAD: A Ghost story, is NOT a romance. It’s a multicultural ghost-story that highlights a little known aspect of the immigrant experience.

 

Other contacts:

 

Goodreads Author Page

 

Blog: http://minakhan.blogspot.com/

 

Twitter: @SpiceBites

ANGEL IN CHAINS–Coming soon!!! (And I’m giving away 5 copies!)

Get the Countdown Creator Pro widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox! Not seeing a widget? (More info)I am in countdown mode. ANGEL IN CHAINS will be releasing on 11/27/12, and I can’t wait! But, I’m actually feeling extra excited today b/c my wonderful publisher sent me some early author copies–so now I can share them with you. I’ve got five copies of ANGEL IN CHAINS that I’d like to giveaway. Want to win? Then, just leave me a comment. And let’s make the comment process very easy. We’re incredibly close to Halloween, so just tell me your favorite Halloween costume. Mine’s Medusa. Give me plastic snakes to twine in my hair, and you’ve got a very happy woman.  (Giveaway note: The giveaway is open internationally, and the giveaway will stay open until 11 PM–Central time–on 10/31/12.)

Also, in case you haven’t read the excerpt from ANGEL IN CHAINS, here’s a peek for you:

***

“They’re probably hunting you now.” He walked away from her and headed toward the window that looked out over the street. “Hunting us,” he added quietly and realized he was anticipating the fight. When had he come to crave the fury? When had the bloodlust grown so within him?

She stood as still as a statue before his door. Her hand was up, hovering above the doorknob, and he could almost feel the fear rolling off her in waves.

But then she took a deep breath, and he saw her small shoulders straighten. She shoved back the heavy tangle of her hair and turned to face him. “How did you get us away from them?”

Az shrugged once more.

She took a step toward him. “You . . . you know what they are, right?”

Amusement flared in him. “I did notice the claws.” Rather hard to miss those.

She blinked, and her eyes narrowed as she studied him. He’d never seen quite that shade of green before. She crept closer, bringing that light scent of strawberries to him. When she stopped, she was less than a foot away from him. It would be so easy to touch her.

Though he knew well just how dangerous a touch could be.

Yet she stood close enough to kiss. But angels weren’t supposed to kiss mortals . . .

You’re not an angel anymore. The whisper came from deep inside of him. The same tempting whisper that he’d been fighting since his fall.

You’re not an angel. Do what you want.

You’re not an angel. Take what you want.

He was discovering that he could want many things.

The top of the woman’s head barely reached his shoulders. She tilted her head and stared up at him. Then her gaze swept down his body.

Az stiffened even before she whispered, “What are you?”

Rather insulting question. “I’m the man who saved your life.” Did she need to know more? He didn’t think so.

Her hand lifted and pressed against her mouth. A small trace of blood still rested near her lips. “There were three of them, and, you’re big and all, but there’s still just one of you.”

She might just be one of the most ungrateful humans he’d ever encountered. Stifling a sigh, Az inclined his head. “You’re welcome.”

She stared in surprise for a moment. Then she laughed. A soft, strangely lyrical sound spilled from her lips, and her wide smile lit up her face.

Not just pretty.

Az tensed as the wave of need hit him. Not lust for blood or death. This time . . . the lust was just for her.

You’re not an angel anymore. Take what you want.

“Yeah,” she said, as her laughter faded but the smile still lingered on her lips, “thanks for saving my ass.” Then she held out her hand to him. “My name’s Jade. Jade Pierce.”

He stared at her hand. She wiggled her fingers at him. Slowly, Az lifted his own hand and caught those wiggling fingers. Soft. “I am Azrael.” He dropped her hand. He hadn’t used the name Azrael in centuries. “Most just call me Az.”

“Well, Az, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Her gaze slid over his body again. “But I’m gonna have to ask, once more, just what are—”

The door crashed in behind her. She didn’t scream this time, but maybe Az just didn’t give her a chance to scream.

Because as the three black panthers—fully shifted panthers—leapt into the room, jumping over the broken door, Az grabbed Jade and threw her toward the couch.

Then he ran right for the snarling beasts.

He should have known better than to let down his guard. Shifters and their damn acute senses. They’d caught his scent, her scent, and followed them right through the Quarter.

“I warned you,” Az snapped and leapt at the nearest panther. He caught the beast’s front paws and shoved the giant cat back. “You should have listened.” There would be no more warnings now. Only death.

***

Katie Reus and Fatal Deception (With giveaway!)

I always enjoy it when guests come by to visit my blog. And today, I’m very happy to have fabulous author (and friend!) Katie Reus here with us.  Thanks for coming by, Katie! And congrats on your release!

Thank you so much to Cynthia for having me here today! As a thank you I’d love to give away a digital copy of my recent release, Fatal Deception, to one commenter.

Romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres to read and to write in. I love the blending of romance and suspense! There’s nothing hotter than reading about two people falling in love while running from dangerous villains. Over the past year I’ve been self publishing a series of romantic suspense stories (Red Stone Security series) and the reader email I’ve received has been amazing. If you’ve read No One to Trust and Danger Next Door then you’ll know that Harrison is the married brother of the heroes in the first two books. A similar theme in many of the emails I’ve received is readers wanting to know why I didn’t write Harrison’s story. I had always intended to write his story as the third book in the series, but I guess the natural assumption was that since he was a married character he wasn’t getting a story. And that’s definitely not the case!

I’ve been married for almost nine years (gah, how is it that long already?!) and for anyone who is married or in a long-term relationship, I’m sure you know how tough things can be sometimes. It’s definitely not rainbows and unicorns all the time because that’s just life. And that’s the reason I wanted to write a story about a couple already married. Even though they’ve already said their ‘I dos’, they have issues to work through just like the couples in the first two books. This book has only been out a couple weeks but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the reader emails telling me they love reading about a married couple so I hope if you check it out that you enjoy it too.

Today I’d like to share a brief excerpt Fatal Deception:

***

Harrison gripped the steering wheel of his truck so tight his knuckles were white. He should be in a great mood, but there was a dark cloud that had been hovering over him the past few weeks. The wall that had been growing between him and his wife was getting higher every day.

Taking the turn a little too sharply into the quiet Coral Gables neighborhood where he lived with his wife, he wasn’t surprised when she didn’t bat an eyelash in the passenger seat.

It took a lot to get Mara riled up, but lately she’d been edgy and distant. At first he’d wondered if it was because they’d gotten married so soon after meeting each other. From engagement to marriage had been less than a year. They hadn’t been able to keep their hands off each other and the sex had been off the charts. Thankfully nothing had changed in that respect, but for the past few weeks she’d been leaving early from the shelter where she volunteered, and was evasive about where she’d been going afterward.

“It was good to see Grant so happy,” Harrison said as he steered into their driveway and waited for the garage door to lift. His brother was in a better mood than Harrison had ever seen him. Over six months ago, Grant had been injured in an explosion that left his face, back and one of his arms scarred. Until getting involved in a relationship with Belle, his new next door neighbor, he’d been close to becoming bitter and reclusive.

Mara nodded tightly, her normally relaxed features holding a hint of unease. “I agree. If anyone deserves happiness, it’s him.”

They’d just come from a barbeque at Grant’s place to meet his girlfriend/soon-to-be-fiancé and her extremely large extended family. They’d had a good time, but Mara continued to pull away from him emotionally and he was about to lose his mind. What had happened to make her withdraw from him?

“Do you think he’ll propose to her?” Mara asked, the question surprising him. Lately whenever they spoke he was the one who initiated conversation.

“Yeah, he showed me the ring.” His brother had been so nervous, but there was no way his girlfriend would say no.

Mara chuckled softly and, for the first time in weeks, it didn’t sound forced. “I wondered why he kept patting his pants pocket all day.”

It would be just like his wife to notice something like that. Not much got past her, a trait he found sexy, but right now he was wired too tight to play nice. As the garage door closed behind them, she started to get out of the truck but he placed a hand on her forearm. Tensing under his touch, she turned to look at him, her normally bright green eyes filled with anxiety. “What’s been going on with us the past month?” he asked softly, though the question sounded like a sonic boom in the quiet enclosure.

She pasted on a bright smile that might have fooled anyone else, but he could see the wariness in her eyes. “What are you talking about?” Placing a hand over his, she squeezed gently.

“You know exactly what.” His voice was a low growl, but she barely seemed to notice. Or if she did, she was ignoring it.

Instead of responding, she turned in her seat and slid one hand up his arm as she started to crawl toward him. He inwardly groaned when he realized what she was doing. The past few weeks anytime he wanted to talk, she literally jumped him. Sex was her way of distracting him. And it normally worked. Not tonight though. Placing his hands on her shoulders he held her away from him. His erection pulsed against his fly, pissed as hell that he’d stopped her.

The hurt in her eyes was real and that tore at him. “Are you stopping me?” Okay, and the hurt in her voice was even worse.

“We can’t use sex to fix everything.” God, was that actually him talking? His hot wife wanted to have sex in his truck. He should have her naked and riding him by now.

 ***

Fatal Deception description:

 

Mara Caldwell is a woman with a dark past. She made a clean break from her old life, never imagining her secrets could come back to haunt her. When an old enemy surfaces and threatens the world she’s created for herself Mara is prepared to give up everything, including the husband she loves if it will keep him safe.

Harrison knew his wife had secrets when he married her, but when he discovers the truth, it’s far worse than he imagined. He’s determined to protect her from a deadly enemy who wants to destroy her, but her lack of faith in him infuriates and wounds him. They must work together to keep her safe, but the man they’re up against seeks to destroy everything they’ve built together. Including their lives.

 

Warnings: This book contains light bondage, hot sex, graphic language and a villain hell bent on revenge.

 

Purchase info: Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble and Kobo Books

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Just leave a comment and be entered to win. Open internationally.

Street Team

I now officially have a Street Team! Would you like to join?

Well, okay, first, you may be wondering…what is a Street Team?  And what do I have to do as part of the team?

If you are interested in helping me spread the word about my books, then the Street Team is for you.  Musicians often use Street Teams a great deal–Street Teams are people who “hit the streets” to promote a group or product, or, in this case–they promote books. For my Street Team, members will be primarily hitting the cyber streets.   In return for Street Team participation, members will receive special prizes, ARCs, and some “bonus” perks.  In addition to my normal giveaways and contests, I’ll have special Street Team only contests that I run for members.   Street Team members can participate as much or as little as they like–it is all up to the individuals.

If this is something that you’re interested in doing, you can join my Street Team here (it’s a special group on Facebook).  Thank you!!!!

And…one final note…if you’d like to read the first chapter of ANGEL IN CHAINS, Kensington has it posted!