Tina Gayle's Blog, page 51

A Blood Good Cruise on the #EggcerptExchange @DianaLRubino

Today Diana Rubino talks about her vampire romance, A Bloody Good Cruise. Welcome, Diana.
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My Italian vampire romance, A BLOODY GOOD CRUISE, is now on sale for Kindle and in paperback. Take a bite out of it below:

A BLOODY GOOD CRUISE is a fun-filled blend of the vampire world and luxury cruises.

Romance writer Mona Rossi's book sales are slipping. She needs new ideas and fast! Her vampire love, Fausto Silvius is a doctor aboard the Romanza, a luxury cruise ship. Holding a "Motion on the Ocean" writer's cruise sounds like a great idea. What better way to combine a career boost with romance? But they soon discover hunters on board who give chase to Fausto and his fellow vampires. While he longs to bring Mona into his world, how can he convince her to join him with fringe lunatics on the hunt? In the prime of her life she's not sticking her neck out for a shot at eternity.

Excerpt:

Mona forced a dose of cheer through her jangly nerves. Vampire hunters wouldn’t have the balls to attack Fausto and his friends on this ship. Security was tight. “Well, you’re here, so does that mean you’ve been going out, and aren’t confined to your house any more?”

Fausto shrugged. “Almost. I couldn’t wallow in self-pity forever. And I knew seeing you would make it worthwhile.”

She smiled and gave him a genuine Italian cheek pinch. “I’ll cheer you up, faccia bella, you can count on that. You must feel safe.” She gestured at the tacky duds. “I mean, relatively speaking.”     \

“Don’t let this scare you, but –” He glanced around over the rims of his shades. Uh-oh. Whenever he said “don’t let this scare you,” it scared her. “I got an ominous message at the doctor's office earlier.”

“What?” She swallowed a lump. “What kind of ominous message?”

He looked away, shaking his head. “Nothing to get alarmed about. The hunters just want me to know they’re here. After the initial jolt wore off, I said, ‘okay, I’m being stalked again.’ But I’m used to it. It doesn’t make me constantly look over my shoulder like in the old days. My family’s murder gave me a reality check. If they want me, they’ll get me. I can’t let it interfere with my work, or what little leisure time I have here. And you shouldn’t either.” He gazed at her adoringly and cupped her cheek. His hand was surprisingly warm. “But you’re still scared. All the blood’s drained out of your face, and not in a good way.”

Available at:

Kindle Version , Paperback

Visit Diana at http://www.dianarubino.com
Blog  http://www.DianaRubinoAuthor.blogspot.com
Twitter @DianaLRubino https://twitter.com/DianaLRubino


Check back for more Eggcerpts to come!

Tina

@GoddessFish A Book Blast of What a Bride Wants @KellyHunterova

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kelly will be awarding a $20 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour. Remember, the more you comment, the better your chances to win.

What a bride wants…

Ella Grace Emerson adores her father, but he keeps trying to marry her off to every eligible rancher in Montana. When he puts an ad in the paper on her behalf – for a docile house-husband – Ella retaliates with one of her own, pinned to the noticeboard of the local saloon. No husband required, housebroken or otherwise. What she wants is the perfect lover.

What a bride needs…

Newcomer Cam Sawyer is perfectly willing to tear up the sheets with Ella and be her partner in chaos. She wants a bad boy and he’s had experience aplenty. But what she really needs is a strong and loving partner, and until Sawyer stops running from his past he can never be that.

Sawyer’s the one Ella wants. But can he be the man she needs?

Now enjoy an excerpt:

Jo snatched for the Copper Mountain Courier at the same time Ella did. Ella got there first and wore Jo’s slender body slamming up against her side a heartbeat later.

“Oh, look,” Jo said helpfully. “A picture of you. And it’s a good one.”

“Color too,” Mardie pointed out. “Only colored ad on the page. Makes it pop.”

“Make it stop,” muttered Ella as Mardie hastened away, trying to disguise her smile.

The heading on the ad was arresting.

DOCILE HOUSE HUSBAND WANTED

They read in silence. Moments later, Jo’s hand crept up to cover her mouth.

“If you laugh—” Ella threatened darkly. At which point her sweet and ever loving childhood companion did a mighty fine impression of someone about to cough up a cow.

It was a full one minute and thirty-seven seconds before Jo could even speak. “I’m not laughing. I was choking.”

“Have you read down further?”

Jo nodded vigorously. “I particularly like the bit about him needing to be able to cook, clean, iron, keep a tidy house, and raise well-mannered, obedient children.”

“And the rest?”

“Well, who wouldn’t want a man who’s committed to due diligence, the greater good, and sparkling silverware?”

Ella drained her drink in one long swallow and signaled for another. “I’m going to kill him.”

Accidentally educated in the sciences, Kelly Hunter didn't think to start writing romances until she was surrounded by the jungles of Malaysia for a year and didn't have anything to read. Eventually she decided that writing romance suited her far better than throwing sterile screw-worm flies out of airplane windows, and changed careers.

Kelly now lives in Australia, surrounded by lush farmland and family, 2 dogs, 3 miniature cows, a miniature pig, a 3-legged cat and a small flock of curious chickens. There are still flies, but their maggots don’t feed on flesh. Bargain.

Kelly is a USA Today bestselling author, a three time Romance Writers of America RITA finalist and loves writing to the short contemporary romance form.

Visit her at www.kellyhunter.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelly.hunter.73307?ref=tn_tnmn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KellyHunterova

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Hunter/e/B0034PYXL0/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1395350607&sr=1-2-ent

Barnes and Noble author page: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/kelly-hunter

Make Me Cry - #Writing Tip from @authortinagayle

For a story to engage its reader, an author needs to evoke an emotional response to his work. Make the reader care what will happen next so they will keep turning the pages.



So how is this done.

First,  decide what emotion you want to express. This may sound easy but emotion can overlap for example frustration can turn to anger. Going through the different phases with the character can help the reader understand more about the scene the author is trying to portray.

Use other devices to give clues as to the emotion - such as facial expressions or other body movements; clenched hands, twirling their hair, rocking back on their feet, wiggling in their seat, etc.

If you're struggling to find the emotion you're looking for find a picture like the one above and see if you can write a short scene to describe how for example this dog might be feeling.

Next after writing the scene out let it sit for a day or two and see if it evokes the emotion in you that you wanted. Or better yet, ask someone else to read the scene and see how they feel after reading the scene.


Hope you find it useful,

Tina

Tina Titillating Teasers - Boyfriend's Brother @MLSky #MFRWorg

MFRW Author ML Skye released Boyfriend's Brother, a Sci-Fi/Futuristic story, on March 1, 2014 with Silver Publishing.

Blurb
Chloe Timmons and Jason McIvey are each at a crossroads.

On what may be her last weekend as 'just a girlfriend', Chloe quells her restlessness by hitting the town and runs into her boyfriend's brother, Jason, a fellow pilot in the area for an air show. A barroom brawl brings them together.

Chloe thinks her boyfriend Marc may propose, and she's not sure she's ready for marriage. Jason McIvey has to decide if he's staying in the military or going civilian. When Chloe and Jason spend the night together, it doesn't make either decision easier.

Warnings:  Explicit Sex  |  Heat Level:  R
BUY LINK Meet The Author
Author Website  |  Author Blog  |   Facebook  |  Twitter

#WritingTip - Writing Organizations

There are a number of very good writing organizations out there.

One of the best things you can do for yourself as a writer is to join one. They offer a wealth of information to new writers and you meet other people who have traveled down the road you are heading down.

I searched for over a year for the right group and join some that were not what I wanted, but in the end I found the group that helped me.

I can not stress enough how much this can help you, but if for some reason it isn't working for you. It's still important to connect with other writers - take class, go to online chat, join yahoo groups. We all need help along the road to success, find people who can make the road easiler.

Here are a few of the organizations out there.


• RWA – Romance Writers of America is one of the largest. It is a national organization with local groups throughout the country. You do not have to be a romance author to join.

• EPIC– Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition – is an online community of writers. They hold a conference once a year and offer a contest for e-book authors.

• Mystery Writers of America – a group of writers joining together to share ideas about writing mystery.

• Horror Writers Association – an organization of horror writers working to help each other become better writers and foster a better understanding of the genre.
Tinawww.tinagayle.net

Love Remains in the #EggcerptExchange Basket

Love Remains Time Travel Romance Featured on Egg-cerpt Exchange

I am participating in Tina Gayle’s Eggcerpt Exchange, a great way for readers to connect with new authors and learn about new books. I’ll be featuring my time travel romance "Love Remains". 



Release date: 15 July 2013


Blurb: Olivia Owen, a busy, single, high-functioning, corporate executive officer, is not afraid to die a spinster for the sake of her career. But in an alternate reality world, bridged by the angel of her Down’s syndrome sister, she meets Tom Medar, a dedicated, Croatian defense attorney who dreams of the right woman, but never has time to find her. Together they foil an adulterous murder plot while discovering there’s room for love and family in their busy lives—but not before they are separated again.When they awaken from their alternate world, will they be able to cross countries to find each other again?by Zrinka Jelic“In Love Remains, Ms. Jelic has once again written a highly imaginative paranormal romance with believable characters who are both flawed and compassionate and a plot that will keep you guessing until the end.” — 
Debbie Christiana, author of Twin Flames and Solstice.“Zrinka Jelic has achieved a high level of success with her time-travel story, Love Remains. Olivia had a difficult job, chopping employees’ heads, and then to travel to another dimension where she had a husband and children was felling. However, as with any Jelic story, the romance is strong and I was happy to travel with Tom and Olivia. At the end of life isn’t that what we seek—the warmth of love?” — jj Keller, Trade Agreement, LASR Best BookParanormal
Sensuality Level: SensualExcerpt: Keys in her hand, she took the two steps to the front door. She had left a few lights on,but the smell of home cooking wafting in the air stood her hair on end. Who the hell was in her house? Heart drumming, she gripped her cell just in case she needed to make a fast call for the police, then she crept through the foyer toward the kitchen. The candlelit table set for two in the dining room indicated whoever was here expected a romantic evening.
His back to her, a man stirred a pot on the stove. His tight butt swayed to an Elvis classic coming from the stereo. Had she made a date prior to her trip but forgot to cancel it? Impossible, she wouldn’t pass up on such a handsome man. Despite her dry mouth, Olivia swallowed. Whatever food the hunk was preparing on the stove smelled delicious. The frills on his apron swirled around him as he turned to her with a smile that would have melted ice caps. Light from the ceiling reflected on his wavy brown hair. “Hi, honey. I was beginning to worry.”  He stepped to her, leaned down and pecked her cheek with an odd familiarity. “Your trip must’ve been exhausting. I’m sorry the flight was overbooked, but at least the airline found you a seat in coach.” 
She wiped her cheek where his kiss still simmered on her skin. Rubbing his palms together, he turned to the stove. “Hope you’re hungry. I made your favorite, ravioli á la moi. I just have to pop garlic bread in, but that won’t take too long. So go get comfortable.” 
Frozen, she stared. His eyebrows furrowed. “I should have picked you up from the airport. Next time, I won’t let you talk me out of it.”
Her legs refused to co-operate. She couldn’t get them to move, but she managed a sharp breath. “Who are you?”
The hunk’s thick eyebrows drew closer and he cast her a puzzled glance. “Are you all right?” She flipped the phone clutched in her hand and dialed. “I’m calling the police.” 
“Olivia?” He straightened. An insecure laugh crossed his lips. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nine-one-one, what is your emergency?” The voice came through the cell. 
Her dry lips scraped her tongue like sandpaper across weather-beaten wood. “There’s an intruder in my home.”
“Ma’am, is the intruder aware of your presence?”
She leveled her gaze with the man’s face and met his warm honey eyes. “Yes.”Pick up a copy for yourKindleNookKoboiPad
Authors links
Visit my blog: http://forromanceloversonly.blogspot.ca/Find me on: Facebook Twitter  Amazon Kobo

Travel Adventure on Tina's Titillating Teaser - Story by @CBMcKee1

I found out today this little story is on sale on amazon.


Not my usual romance, it's a kid adventure story of traveling to a new land. Well, for Travis it is a new land.



I have to say I enjoyed the short story because I've been to Death Valley and enjoyed the area.




If you're taking a trip there or just want to see some pictures of the place this is a nice story for both kids and adults.



Here's an except -


“I like the idea that we are entering a mystical world made of shifting vapors. Think about it, any object we can imagine might appear.” My father joined forces with my mother.


“Great, then monsters and dragons could live in this new land,” I said, knowing there wasn’t anything of the kind, but gosh, I could hope. “We might actually have a real adventure.”


“Yes, there is a battle to be won, but it will take more than muscles and weapons to defeat this enemy.” My mother smiled at me and then looked over at Sam. “Can you guess what it’ll take?”
A miracle, I thought, so we won’t be bored out of our skulls or if I had a hammer I could put Sam with her pig-tails and pink ribbons, out of my misery. That way at least, we wouldn’t fight.
I knew both ideas were unlikely so I didn’t comment.


Mom didn’t like it when I said anything to remind the family of the true reality of the situation. She called it falling out of “the spirit of the adventure.”


My stupid sister responded instead. “A magic wand, that way we can ask the fairies to help us.”
“I don’t think we packed our magic wands. We’ll have to use something else.” Dad said, “Something we have on our person.”


“A brain,” I grumbled, knowing my ignorant sister wouldn’t know the answer. Her head was full of air.
“Right,” my mother beamed. “We have to have our wits about us.”
“But the cotton clouds don’t look like they can hurt us. They look soft and fluffy, like the stuff in the pillows that grandma made us.” Sam bit her lip.
“Yes, but there are other things that might not be so friendly,” my father said. “Don’t you remember what we read off the internet about Death Valley?”
As of March 23, the story will be on sale for 99cents for a few days. It's a great time to check it out.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G043QR4


Hope you enjoy this story and thanks CB for sharing,


Tina

Doing the #EggcerptExchange Can Hurt with "The Bruised Thistle"

“The Bruised Thistle” – part of the Eggcerpt Exchange Fun.
Blurb:
Iseabail MacNaughton, the orphaned daughter of a Scottish laird, is forced to flee her home and seek assistance against her lecherous uncle, who has usurped her family’s land. When she meets Seumas, a strong and valiant mercenary, she cannot help wondering if he could be the one to stand with her against her uncle. But with a price on her head and enemies on all sides, her trust is not something she can afford to give lightly… Seumas MacDonell is a man wounded in body and soul, driven by guilt. When he rescues Iseabail from one of his men, he cannot deny the attraction he feels for her, despite the wound that left him unable to act on it. In the hope of finding redemption for his sins, he agrees to help Iseabail…but will his feelings for her prove to be the ultimate obstacle to his salvation?
Now the Eggcerpt“It was quite an adventure,” Calum chirped. “Then they called after me  ’thief, theif’ and chased me when I took off on Seumas’s horse.”Seumas smiled at Calum. “You did fine, lad.”Calum came to stand beside the man, rubbing the long ears of his pet. ” Did you give her the herbs?”“Nae, I didn’t need them.” Seumas pierced Iseabail with his look. “I was able to get the fever down by other means.”Calum frowned and looked between them. “How?”“I took her to the river.”“Oh.” Calum nodded, satisfied with the answer. “I will go out and find some food for my rabbit, if you think it safe.”“Do not go far, lad. There is plenty near here that vermin can eat.”Iseabail shifted in his arms. “Can you put me down now?”He did not answer, nor did he comply. Instead, he inched his hand up her neck and started working little circles into her skin. She fought the desire to close her eyes. It felt so good.”“Do ye not want to know how I got your fever down?”“You said you brought me to the river.”He held her gaze then pulled her toward him, and she knew he was going to kiss her. His lips were warm, and the lightening surged through her again. He kissed her lightly at first then more urgently. She wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him closer.He straightened abruptly then placed her on her cloak. “Ye should get some sleep.”Seumas pushed past Calum as he was coming back in.“Told you he was mad,” Calum said. Purchase at: http://www.amazon.comFind me at: http://www.ashleyyorkauthor.com@ashley1066york

Tina's Titillating Teaser - Trailing Kaiwulf @KayelleAllen #MFRWauthor

Released a Sci Fi Romance, Trailing Kaiwulf, on February 12, 2014.
 
Find an invisible man in another dimension? All in a day's work at TRAIL.

Yanked back from their first vacation in ages, Jee and Dane get handed a top priority mission. The pay is better than any they've earned before as agents for the Trace, Rescue, and Identification League. With this much money, they might not need jobs. They're the best there is, and the item, person, or secret hasn't been invented that these two can't recover.

But locating this quarry might be a bit past even their considerable skills. After all, how do you find an invisible man in another dimension? And who, exactly, is footing a bill this steep? Certainly not the archaeologist in charge. The military wants to get involved, but they have no monetary stake either. So who -- or what -- is behind the request to trail Kaiwulf?
AMAZON BUY LINKS Want to Know More About the Author? Author Website  |   Author Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

#EggcerptExchange from It Is Time and Other Stories

Eggcerpt Exchange runs this year from March 5th to April 20th. Many talented authors are taking part as well, and you’ll be reading lots of romance excerpts during this time. What a treat!


If you are an author there is still time to join in on the fun email tina9561@yahoo.com

If you want to find out how the Eggcerpt Exchange works, read here.
So, this is my book feature, It Is Time and Other Stories : 15 contemporary M/F tales of love and lust.


Title: It Is Time and Other Stories
Buy links:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00INCJFI0
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00INCJFI0
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/412890
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20924574-it-is-time-and-other-stories
Blurb:
This collection of 15 romantic bite-size stories is a must-have for Anna’s loyal fans and serves as the perfect sampler for new readers. Find out why fans from everywhere are addicted to Anna’s writing.
The collection begins with the tale of a woman who has decided that “It is time” to give her lover a final gift.
From the sweet, vanilla exchanges of love (such as “Love Letter,” “Gratitude” and “Ticket to France”), the electrifying thrill of instant attraction (“Stockings, Pendant, Arousal” and “Unexpected”), paranormal love story (“Lucy Reborn”) to steamy tales that stretch the mind and boundaries (for example, “My Reluctant Dom” and “Four Hot Guys”), these 15 stories promise to tease and gratify.
Note: Explicit sex scenes. Adult material intended for readers aged 18+.
Excerpt from the title story, “It Is Time”:
It is time, I believe.
My heart beats in my throat, and a chilling cold freezes my fingers, but I urge myself to speak my mind. “How many women do you have?”
He regards me calmly.
I gulp, and feel a whirlwind stirring in my stomach, but I look back at him with as much strength as I can muster.
“There are you, Robyn — you already know Robyn, and another girl called Tess.” He articulates slowly and clearly. “Three.”
A dull pain settles in my heart, but I accept it without letting it flare up. “Do they know as well?” I ask.
“Robyn possibly suspected that I had already met you before we had our threesome.” He says. “But no, basically. You are the only one who’ve ever asked.”
I nod.
The question, “Who’s your favorite?” circles in my head, but I know better than to ask that. Instead, I enquire, “You looked so peaceful when I asked you, were you expecting that question?”
“Not exactly.” He brushes a loose strand of hair out of my view as he continues. “But you’re easily the smartest girl I’ve met in my whole life. Whatever query you have, I think it’s best if I answer plainly, instead of trying to lie.”
I take a sip from my lukewarm tea and look around the apartment. The walls are bare; his suitcase is still leaning against the farthest wall, near the window. Except for the drinks on the kitchen counter, our shoes in the doorway and our clothes flung about casually on the floor, the place is empty.
He is in town every month or so, staying for about ten days each time. His business is good, so he can easily afford a spare apartment in the choicest region only for sleep and sex dates. The dingy brown sofa-bed does not bother him; he fucks hard and long on it, then cradles me to sleep.
I had known he was not for keeps, but the way he remembered details from our pillow talk, the meticulous attention he paid my body whenever he enjoyed me, and the sweet nothingness he consistently texted me everyday when he was away gradually built a cage around my heart. I grew attached to him and yearned for him earnestly.
To be fair, there is nothing to blame in him, because he has never deceived. Girls believed what they wanted; he never had to lie. I willingly accepted his sorry excuses whenever I wished to see him; it had always been him setting the time and date, and I showed up each time without fail.
I place the tea on the side, shift my position to face him and drink in his handsome features. His blue-green eyes effortlessly capture my soul; I drown in their watery symmetry. I often wonder if he truly speaks through his eyes, or am I the one convincing myself that I can read loving messages in his gaze. Perhaps I simply recite what my heart craves to hear in my mind when I worship his beauty.
–
Enjoyed the excerpt? Get it now!
Buy links:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00INCJFI0
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00INCJFI0
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/412890
**
Anna’s author links:
Blog http://annabayes.wordpress.com
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/anna.bayes.author
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/annabayes
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/104589609500466060030/posts
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/annabayes
Twitter (@anna_bayes) http://www.twitter.com/anna_bayes