Lily Graison's Blog, page 21

Friday First Kiss #26 :: Into The Land of Shadows by Kristy McCaffrey

 

The moment I crack open a new book, I always rush through the beginning, the budding relationship between the hero and heroine, and anticipate that spontaneous moment when one of them makes their move. The First Kiss. The first turning point in every story.

Every week here on the blog, I’ll be sharing First Kisses from my books and those of other authors.

This weeks Friday First Kiss comes from, Into The Land of Shadows by Kristy McCaffrey.

 

Kate hid in the shadows at the far end of the hallway hoping neither of the men would see her. They opened the door to Harry’s room and went inside. She would have little if no time to escape before they realized she was gone.

Rufus didn’t completely close the door behind him. Kate tiptoed as fast as she could past the room she had just occupied for the last several hours and moved quickly down the stairs, her legs still aching from misuse.

“Where’d she go?” Clive roared as Kate ran out into the street.

She looked right then left. The road was dark, windy, and deserted. The sound of loud thumps on the stairs told her Clive and Rufus were right behind her. She darted around the building and then ran behind another. She hustled toward the end of the street.

“Spread out! We’ll git her!” Clive yelled.

Kate moved around a trading post. Sensing a presence from behind, she jerked her head around and stared. A four-legged creature ran past, disappearing. With a hand on her chest she struggled to calm her breathing. It was just a dog.

She peeked around the building and saw Clive walking down the street carrying his gun. Rufus wasn’t in sight. She needed to find a place to hide but most establishments looked closed. Movement to the left caught her eye. Joe Tohonnie? Maybe she hadn’t dreamt him after all.

The shadow moved across the street and disappeared behind a blacksmith building. Kate ran to the other side of the street, hunching over in an effort to hide herself. Once she made it to the blacksmith she glanced around.

“Joe?” she whispered. “Mister Tohonnie? Is that you?”

No answer but the wind. Kate began backing up toward the rear of the building, dread gripping her stomach. She swallowed hard, feeling uncertain.

Staying close to the structure, her heart wouldn’t stop pounding and her hands were clammy from fear. She swallowed hard again then turned to run but was caught short, letting out an involuntary gasp when the four-legged creature cut her off with a growl. The animal’s yellow eyes glowed by the light of the moon and he watched her with rapt attention, his body poised for attack.

A wolf.

Another low growl emanated from deep in the animal’s throat and Kate fought the urge to flee. The wolf’s head easily came to her chest; he would have no trouble chasing her down and ripping her to pieces. The gash on her face would pale in comparison to what he would do to her.

A sudden commotion from behind startled her. Someone grabbed her. In a frenzy Kate fought back, kicking and straining against the iron grip the man exerted around her waist. His hold loosened and Kate fell to the ground.

She grabbed a loose board, and screamed as she swung it around, hitting the man’s leg. But he didn’t go down. She scooted backward and scrambled to her feet. The man grabbed her this time, facing her. Thinking it was Clive or Rufus, she continued to struggle.

“Katie! Katie! It’s me. It’s Ethan.”

He held her tight against the building. A sob escaped from deep inside her throat, a sudden maelstrom that matched the wind roaring in her ears, and then Ethan’s mouth was on hers. Hot, insistent, devouring. She molded into him, her lips and tongue hungry for the sudden and consuming contact. She pushed her body against his, clinging to his broad shoulders, desperate to be closer still. He didn’t abandon me. His mouth crushed hers and she felt on fire, head to toe.

“Rufus, you find her?” Clive yelled in the distance.

Ethan broke the kiss, and Kate reeled back against the building.

“Let’s go,” he said and grabbed her hand, pulling her behind the blacksmith building.

“Wait.” She tugged his hand to stop him. “There’s a wolf.” Her voice shook—either from the men chasing her, the wolf challenging her, or the man who had just devastated her defenses with one kiss. She could take her pick. She’d had a busy day.

“He’s with me,” Ethan said quietly. “He won’t hurt you.”

The wolf suddenly appeared. “Bart!” Ethan cocked his head. “Come.”

“Get back here,” Clive yelled.

Kate looked over her shoulder and saw him in pursuit. He began shooting. Ethan ducked down and pushed her in front of him.

“Dammit, Clive!” Ethan yelled. “Give it a rest!”

“Bring her back,” Clive said. “We need her!”

“I need her more. Run, Kate.”

Copyright © 2013 K. McCaffrey LLC

 

 

 

Into The Land of Shadows

by Kristy McCaffrey

Ethan Barstow has come to Arizona Territory to search for his younger brother Charley. It’s been five years since a woman came between them and it’s high time they buried the hatchet. He soon learns that his brother has broken more than one heart in town, has mysteriously and abruptly disappeared, and that an indignant fiancée is hot on his trail.

Kate Kinsella pursues Charley Barstow when he skips out of town without a second thought. Not only has he left Agnes McPherson alone and pregnant, but everyone still believes that he and Kate are engaged, a sham from the beginning. An ill-timed encounter with a group of ruffians has her suddenly in the company of Ethan Barstow, Charley’s brother and a man of questionable repute. As they move deeper into the shadows of the Arizona desert, family tensions and past tragedies threaten to destroy a relationship neither of them expects.

BUY THE EBOOK FROM:

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BUY IN PRINT FROM:

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About Kristy McCaffrey

Kristy McCaffrey has been writing since she was very young, but it wasn’t until she was a stay-at-home mom that she considered becoming published. A fascination with science led her to earn two engineering degrees—she did her undergraduate work at Arizona State University and her graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh—but storytelling was always her favorite hobby.

Born and raised in Arizona, and recently returned after a 20-year absence in Pittsburgh, she writes Old West romances to capture the landscapes that were such a big part of her childhood. Her first novel, The Wren, was a CAPA winner for Best New Author Traditional, a Texas Gold finalist, and a HOLT Medallion finalist for Best First Book. The Sparrow was the 2012 Winter Rose Winner in the Published Historical Division.

She lives in the Arizona desert with her husband, where they frequently remove (rescue) rattlesnakes from their property. Her four teenaged children are in varying stages of flying the nest, so her two chocolate labs—Ranger and Lily—are the recipients of her maternal instincts these days.

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The post Friday First Kiss #26 :: Into The Land of Shadows by Kristy McCaffrey appeared first on Romance Author Lily Graison.

Writer Wednesday :: What’s A New Author To Do?

Image by avrdreamer via Flickr

It’s never too late to be who you might have been. – George Eliot, english novelist 1819-1880

Most every author out there has writing advice of some kind, especially those of us who have been at this long enough to make all the ‘newbie’ mistakes but still managed to survive the embarrassment. I’ve been published since 2005, and self-publishing since 2007, so I’ve  pretty much seen everything.

I’m not going to rehash the information you can get anywhere on the web like “butt in chair” or “write what you love” or “write everyday.” Those things are a given. What I’m going to tell you are the things no one ever mentions because they think you’ll do it automatically and I know most “new” writers don’t.

I’m by no means an expert and I’m sure if you ask twenty differnt authors their advice, you’ll get twenty differnt answers so don’t take “my” suggestions as hard-core facts. They’re just my observtions on things I’ve learned over the years so, here is ‘my’ writing advice for the newbie author, and those wishing to be.

1. Whether you’re published, have a book releasing in the near future, or just wish to be published, you need a “home” on the web. It doesn’t have to be a big fancy website with bells and whistles but you need a home base where readers can find you and your books. If you can’t afford to buy a hosting plan, then use one of the free blogging tools like WordPress or Blogger, to name a few. Any of these will work and will allow you to collect all your information and keep it in one place. It will also give you a place to tell readers where to find you and your books. The big trend lately is co-ops and joining in with like-minded authors and I think the concept is great, but you ‘still’ need a place that is yours and yours alone.

2.The first thing you should put on that new “home” you just created is contact information. You would not believe the number of websites/blogs I run across that I can’t find a way to contact the author. Do you know what I do when I can’t? I leave. I don’t have time to chase authors around the internet. If you do nothing else, make sure your email address, your social media links or a contact form readers can use to get in touch with you is easy to find. You never know who is trying to reach you. It may be that once in a lifetime opportunity knocking at your door. You don’t want it to disappear without your knowledge, do you?

3.Create an ‘author specific’ email address. Nothing screams unprofessional more than me having to send you an email to hotbabycakes2013@yahoo.com. Use your name and stay away from the “cutsie” names. The same goes for your website/blog. Use your name in the URL address, not some cute moniker you’ve had since high school. If you want to be taken seriously, you have to ‘look’ like you’re serious and professional.

4. Social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter are great ways for new readers to find you but do them (and you) a favor and make sure there’s a way for them to contact you other than the sites ‘messaging’ system. The ‘about you’ sections on those sites should have your email address on it or a link to your website/blog (or both). Don’t make them work for it. Make it easy to be assessable.

5.Along with those social media sites, make sure you create those with your author name. That’s the name readers will search for when trying to find you. Another ‘cutsie” name won’t bring them to you. Stay consistant, ‘name’ all the accounts associated with your author persona the same. Make it look like you know what you’re doing even if you’re so new the squeak hasn’t worn off yet.

6. Get your information on as many sites as you can. Every author that sells on Amazon has an author page. Use it. Snazzy it up and add your BIO, put those website, blog and social media links there so readers know where they can find you. GoodReads is another place to take advantage of. If your book is there, then you have a page there. Claim it, then spend some time getting your information added. Make sure every site you can add information about you has that information. You never know who may be looking.

7. The easiest way to learn what works (and what doesn’t) is to network with other authors. Friend them on Facebook and Twitter, watch what they do, how they interact with their readers. Become a good listener and observe. Successful authors are successful for a reason. I’m not saying copy everything they do but let them teach you what they know by observing them. What sort of information is on their websites? How is that information displayed? How can you use what you’ve found to your advantage? Take notes, watch as many authors as you can and eventually, all that knowledge will start seeping in and you’ll know what you have to do.

8. Once you get into the swing of things and start seeing results, pay it all back and share what knowledge you have, whether you think its useful or not, with other authors. I’ve never understood the secretive nature of some indie authors. Its as if sharing what they know will benefit someone else more so they hoard the information. There are more than enough readers to go around. Giving Author Sally Jo links to great promo opportunity’s won’t affect your sales. We all want to “make it” in this business and any step forward is progress, so play nice. Treat other authors as if they were your friend, because writers don’t “just” write, they read, and nothing turns a reader off more than an unfriendly author. Don’t be that author.

9. Your readers are one of the most important pieces of your writing business. Without them you can’t survive. If no one is buying your books, then writing twenty of the best books to ever hit the interwebs does you little good. I’ve seen hundreds of articles that say…write, write and write some more but its not “all” about the books. You have to have an audience for them. If your audience is a party of three, then treat those three as if they’re the only three in the world. They’re with you for a reason. Your books. If they love them, they’ll tell others and those three will turn into six, then nine, and so on. Talk to them, let them know you appreciate them. The community you create with your words and actions are one of the most importants aspects of your career. You are the center of your universe. Your books are the vehicle that bring others into your world. Don’t neglect your readers, regardless of how many you  have. Treat them like family and they’ll always have your back.

10. The last and most important piece of information I can give the newbie authors is….don’t take everything so seriously. Don’t get down when it doesn’t work like it does for some and don’t let those instant success stories dash your hopes.

I’ve been at this longer than most. I’m able to write full time and make a decent living at it, but I still don’t have USA Today or NY Times Bestseller stamped onto my books. And I’m okay with that. I LOVE what I do. I love creating stories, jumping into new adventures with every new book and hearing readers enjoy what I do is ‘my’ reward. If my big shiny “You Made It” parade float never shows up, I’ll be okay with that too, because I did things my way. I did the best that I could with that I had and we can’t really ask more than that of ourselves.

Don’t be afraid to try new things. Step out of your comfort zone every once in a while. Just because no one else is doing it doesn’t mean a thing. Being innovative is one of the best ways to stand out in a crowd so leap ahead and dare to be daring. You never know what it’ll be that grabs the attention of the masses. My “advice” is practical, but when starting out, we’re too scatter-brained to think of the obvious so take it one step at a time. You’ll get there. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and never give up your dreams.

Is there anything you want to know that I didn’t cover? Or do you have your own advice and observations to add?

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The post Writer Wednesday :: What’s A New Author To Do? appeared first on Romance Author Lily Graison.

ManCandy Monday #21 :: Black & White

You know I love my themes and grouping the ManCandy together gives the feature purpose and a reason to be. *cough* Or, thats what I tell myself to make the time I spend looking for the right photo to post not seem so wasted. *wink*

This week I thought we’d get a bit artistic and go for the classic Black & White. Nothing highlights a nice set of abs like well placed lighting and the shadows we get in these make the photos much more interesting.

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That last one…*fans self*… I want to thank his mother! *grin* Have a great week, everyone!

The post ManCandy Monday #21 :: Black & White appeared first on Romance Author Lily Graison.

Sunday Sweets #1 :: Oreo Cookie Cake

 

I have a confession to make. I’m addicted to sweets. It doesn’t even have to be chocolate (although it helps). As long as its covered in syrup, sugar or a glaze, I’m all over it!

I’ve found some of the BEST dessert recipes, and have a few that my family has been making for a while, and thought I’d share them with you here on the blog every week so…new weekly feature, alert! Sunday Sweets. Clever, huh?

For week 1, I have this beauty. I have NOT made this yet as I’m ‘supposed’ to be watching what I eat *cough* but its in my ‘will try this despite the 1,000+ calories I’ll consume when eating the whole thing in one sitting, recipe file.

 

Oreo Cookie Cake

Just looking at that thing makes my mouth water!

What you’ll need

1 box of Duncan Hines “Chocolate Fudge” cake

4 – 1 ounce squares semi-sweet baking chocolate

1/4 cup of butter

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 cups of whipping cream

20 Oreo Sandwich Cookies, divided

(Note: The ‘Mint’ or “Peanut Butter” Oreos would probably be to die for on this!)

 

Directions

Mix and bake the cake according to the box instructions and place in two 9-inch cake pans. When the cakes are done, cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks until the cakes are cooled completely.

When the cake is cool to the touch, break 12 of the Oreo cookies into chunks. You can do this by placing them in a zip-lock bag and giving them a good ‘smoosh’ with your hand. Set the cookies aside when you have them crushed.

 

The Filling

Pour your whipping cream into a large bowl and beat until soft peaks form. Set this aside, too.

Mix the cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer set on medium until the ingredients are well blended, then gently stir in the whipped cream and crushed cookies.

 

Now we assemble!

Cut the two cake round in half, horizontally. Place on of the four rounds on a cake plate and spread a bit of the filling on top. Place a second cake round and again, spread the filling on top, repeating until all the cake layers are covered. You’ll end with the filling on top.

 

Garnishing

Melt the chocolate squares and butter in the microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir the chocolate every 30 seconds so the two ingredients melt and combine. Cool mixture for 5 minutes. While the chocolate is cooling, crush the remaining 8 cookies.

Spoon the glaze over the cake, letting it drizzle down the sides, then sprinkle on the cookie pieces before the chocolate sets and refrigerate until ready to serve.

 

Then eat until you’re in a chocolate induced coma.

 

Okay, that last bit wasn’t in the original recipe but it should have been. I’m going to try this soon, maybe for Valentines Day JUST so I have an excuse to eat it and not feel guilty about it because we all know calories don’t count on special occasions and Holidays. *cough*

So who is going to try this? And what do you think of this new weekly feature?

I originally found this recipe over on Facebook, on the page, Amy’s Down Home Cooking. I’m not sure if the recipe is hers or someone elses’ so if its yours, let me know and I’ll credit you.

The post Sunday Sweets #1 :: Oreo Cookie Cake appeared first on Romance Author Lily Graison.

New Free Read: A Touch of Heaven by Lily Graison

I’m always so behind despite my To Do list. It seems as if I get one thing checked off, only to put three more back in its place. Which is why this story has taken me so long to post!

A Touch of Heaven was my FIRST published book. Anyone who reads my stories now will be able to read half a page and ‘tell.’ That baby-writer in me made every ‘writing mistake’ there was to make but despite the minor flaws, the book earned me a Reviewer’s Choice Award from eCata Romance and has always been a reader favorite.

I removed the book from distribution some time ago. I just didn’t feel it was ‘up to par’ with my current work and I didn’t want anyone to pick it up as their ‘try this author out’ book and judge ‘all’ my stories on that one. So I removed it. Along with my ‘second’ published novel, Destined Hearts. (That one will be free soon as well)

Here’s a peek at what A Touch of Heaven is all about…

A Touch of Heaven

by Lily Graison

Contemporaryn Romance

Format: eBook

Length: Novella

1st Edition: Released-2005 by Linden Bay Romance

2nd Edition: Released-2007 by Alinar Publishing

Free Edition: Released-2014 by Lily Graison

Paige Foster planned the perfect get-together for her best friends from high school in honor of their ten-year class reunion but her plans go up in smoke when an impromptu trip to The Pleasure Dome, an elite club that features the hottest male dancers in the country, ends up on their to-do-list. Forced into going, she complains until she meets Simon—the main attraction.

When Simon looks into the audience before his act and sees familiar faces from his past, he has second thoughts about his performance—until he sees Paige and old memories come flooding back. Knowing she won’t recognize him as the shy, awkward boy he used to be, he breaks club rules and pulls her to the stage during his act.

The heat they generate doesn’t dim when the lights go down and what should have been a one-night stand turns out to be something more. Will Paige accept Simon when she finds out who he really is or will the secret be the end of their affair?

This story is more ‘erotic’ than my westerns so if naughty words and detailed sex scenes aren’t your thing, you may want to pass on this one.

If you want to get your naughty on, then head this way to get your Free, A TOUCH OF HEAVEN, eBook Download.

Enjoy!

(NOTE: To give me a a piece of mind, and to deter children from accessing the story, I’ve added an extra step in order to get the download. I’ve password protected the page. By typing the password in, you’re telling me you’re old enough to read adult rated material so parents, don’t give me greif if your teen downloads the story. I did my part. The rest is up to you. Now, the password to access the page is…. Simon.)

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ManCandy Monday #20 : Towel Boy

 

 

It took too much effort to crawl out of the bed this morning. Had these guys been my towel boy, it might not have taken me so long to get motivated!

Have a great week!

The post ManCandy Monday #20 : Towel Boy appeared first on Romance Author Lily Graison.

Free “Wicked Series” Bookmarks

 

 

I’ve been cleaning out my files and folders, and trying to store things on flash drives instead of my computer, and ran across these bookmarks. I don’t even rember when I made them. Of course, those books came out in 2008/2009 so its no wonder. That’s a long time ago! I can’t remember why I walked into the other room most of the time, let alone when I made a graphic. *wink*

 

 

These are made so you can print them yourself. If you’d like your own set of these bookmarks, just click the following link and follow the instructions on the page.   Wicked Bookmarkers

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And the winner is….

Good morning to you! I wanted 2013 to go out with a bang and my Christmas Website Giveaway did just that! There were over 3,300 entries and I have winners for all those prizes I had up for grabs. Check below to see if your name is on the list.

Grand Prize: Kindle Paperwhite (US Only) or $120.00 Amazon (or) Barnes and Noble Gift Card (International) – Christie S.

2 x Signed paperback of THAT FIRST CHRISTMAS – Alex E. and Alexa G.

1 x Signed paperback of WICKED: THE COMPLETE SERIES – Christina R.

1 x $25.00 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card – Alicia J.

1 x $10.00 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card – Dawn B.

1 x $5.00 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card – Shelly H.

If your name is on this list, check your email. I’ll be contacting you soon to let you know how to claim your prize. For those who didn’t win this time, head over to the CONTEST page and enter January’s giveaway. It’s pretty special too, so don’t miss out!

The post And the winner is…. appeared first on Lily Graison - Western, Contemporary and Paranormal Romance.

Peacock Christmas Tree

 

I mentioned on my Facebook page right after Thanksgiving that I was going to change my tree up this year. It’s been a very traditional looking tree for years and I very rarely deviate from my color scheme but this year, I saw something that made my inner child stand up and scream. Peacock Christmas ornaments!!

 

I love peacocks. I’ve been trying to get the Hubby to get me a few for years but they tend to ‘wander’ and we have a few wild dogs about. They wouldn’t last long in our yard. So, when I saw these decorations, I snapped them up and decided to bring the peacocks ‘inside’ the house.

Most of the decorations are very fragile but so far, the grandbabies haven’t messed with them much.

I found peacock feathers at A.C. Moore and have those inside the tree from top to bottom and I even found a peacock there I could use as a tree topper! Isn’t he gorgeous?

And if everything wasn’t already perfect, as I was leaving the craft store, the lady who was making bows hung one as I was walking by. A big fancy thing made from peacock ribbon. It was meant to be!

So, there’s my peacock tree. I’ll have a hard time taking this one down after Christmas. I LOVE looking at it and for once, I don’t mind it taking up so much space.

Click on photo to see a larger verison

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ManCandy Monday #19

I’ve negelcted the ManCandy Monday posts again….so, here’s a triple dose of lounging Hotness to make up for it!

*David Gandy – GUH….Need I say more?

Have a Great Week!

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