Karen Michelle Nutt's Blog, page 71
May 5, 2013
Snippet Sunday: Magic of the Loch (Chapter One #3) #SPeekSunday #8sunday #snippetsunday
Hello Sunday Readers!
I hope you had a fantastic week.
The winner of the Goodreads Giveaway for SOUL TAKER is Mr. Glass! Congratulations!
May 2- May 6: I'm participating with 46 other authors in the Cowboys and Lawmen Blog Hop at KMN Books Blogspot. My post is all about TV shows featuring Cowboys. Do you remember Alias Smith and Jones? The Wild Wild West? And I'm giving away Ebook copies of WANTED AND STORM RIDERS. The Grand Prize is at least a $100.00 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Follow the link to KMN Books here.: http://kmnbooks.blogspot.com/
Now for Snippet Sunday. This is another snippet from Magic of the Loch. Today's snippet is continued from last week: Chapter One #3. Click here to read Chapter One #2. In Chapter One Michaela meets Alan and Hyatt for the first time.
The Wild Rose Press
Kindle
NOOK
Blurb:
Michaela Grant travels to Scotland for a holiday, knowing this vacation is her last. A medical condition threatens her life and any chance of a future—until she meets Alan MacLachlin, a man forced to exist between two worlds.
Alan is the legendary Loch Ness Monster. Once every fifty years he returns to human form in search of his soul mate, the one woman who can break his curse. He believes he has found forever with Michaela, but to claim it he must figure out how to save her life.
Michaela and Alan vow to take what time has to offer, but another threat looms. A sinister shape shifter with a vendetta against Alan is making Loch Ness his personal hunting ground. Now he’s threatening Michaela. Alan must discover who the shifter is and stop him before it’s too late.
******************************************************************************************
Set up for the snippet: Present day, Chapter One. The streets of Drumnadrochit were buzzing with the news of recent sightings of the Loch Ness Monster. Everyone wants to capture his or her own photo of the legendary creature. The woman, Michaela is renting her cottage from, gave her the directions to where she could rent a boat for a day. Michaela is on the pier, heading toward the boat tied off at the end when a German shepherd, that is chasing a cat, comes barreling down the pier. Luckily for Michaela, Alan saves her from a falling into the loch.
Alan and Michaela exchanged some heated words, leaving Michaela thinking she doesn't care for her rescuer. this is in Michaela's POV.
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If she possessed the strength, she’d push him in the loch to cool off his hot temper. Intent on giving him an off-handed retort, her mouth opened only to clamp shut again at the sound of a deep chuckle behind her. Michaela turned her head and glared at the new arrival with the warped sense of humor.
“I’m sorry, for my brother’s behavior,” the man, who stood an inch or two taller than Hot Head next to her, announced with a meaningful glint in his eyes. Michaela became on guard. She found herself far away from the Village Green with two men. One not too pleased for company and the other who looked at her as if she were a yummy treat.
“We arnae goin’ to harm ye," the man said with a chuckle. "Might I remind ye, my brother just saved ye from an unsavory dunkin’.”
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Now Michaela has met Alan and Hyatt. Like always, I would love to know what you thought of the snippet. 
If you’re a writer (regardless of published/unpublished status) come join us and share a snippet of your work in progress, a new release, or an oldie but goodie.
Participating Authors are listed at these sites: Hashtags: #SPeekSunday #8sunday #snippetsunday
http://sneak-peek-sunday.blogspot.com/
Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday
May 4, 2013
Goodreads Winner is…
....Mr. Glass. The print copy of Soul Taker is on its way to you! Enjoy!
Thank you everyone who entered and spread the word about the contest!
May 2, 2013
Cowboys and Lawmen Blog Hop #CowboysLawmen
Cowboys and Lawmen Blog Hop is at KMN Books Blogspot
***My CONTEST at KMN Books: 2 Winners. 2 Books. I’m giving away One Ebook Copy of WANTED and One Ebook copy of STORM RIDERS.
THAT'S NOT ALL
The Grand Prize: $100 Gift Card for Amazon or Barnes and Noble, your choice. The winner will be chosen at random from comments containing email addresses, and will be announced on May 7. This is open to both US and international readers.
Cowboys and Lawman Blog Hop #cowboys #ebooks
Love a man in a cowboy hat? How about an lawman who walks the line between good and darn right wicked? And how about a outlaw who finds that certain woman who makes him want to do good? And finally what makes them so gosh-darn sexy? We invite you to hop along with us and find out.
April 30, 2013
Z is for Zombies
Z is for Zombies
Frankly, there is nothing lovable about zombies. Zombies are dead people! They’re bluish-pale colored and vein-y, and their bodies leak bodily fluids from all their orifices. I can only imagine how they smell—but my gag reflex would most likely work overtime. If this isn’t bad enough, these animated corpses want to consume living flesh! You, your love one, and even your pets are not safe from these guys.
So what’s the hype about these creatures? Why are there so many books, TV shows, and movies about these smelly walking dead?
Maybe it’s because people are fascinated with being scared, and believe me, being devoured by a zombie is a frightening prospect. Or maybe people are drawn to the zombie fad because of the fight to survive the worst scenario possible. Maybe it’s because everyone is waiting to see what disgusting thing the Zombie will do now.
Warm Bodies (Free Desk Top Nexus)
For me, the fascination is how the living survived the zombie apocalypse. The best and worse of each person are revealed. How someone you may have never thought of as a hero or heroine, steps up and becomes one, and of course, he or she wins the guy or girl’s heart---and not literally. lol (Can’t help it, I’m a romantic.) In all the blood and gore, love has to survive. Right?
Now I’ve always thought of Zombies as these hideous being you must run away from, but in the movie, Warm Bodies, the zombie is the leading man. I know my first response was yuck-y! But as I watched the story unfold, I couldn’t help but fall for the zombie and hope he won the girl in the end. I haven’t read any books where the zombie could think and function, so I rather enjoyed this romantic comedy.
How do you like your zombies? Stinking flesh willing to eat your brains, or romantic leading men (who still want to eat your brains) but are redeemable if they meet the right gal?
In my WIP, Smoke and Mirrors, the animated corpses play a huge role in the story, but their agenda isn’t munching on brains. Someone is controlling them and they have a whole other agenda.
This is another story involving Garran, Harrison, and Isabella from SOUL TAKER. When the dead don't stay dead, the trio sent out to find the Jinn responsible for playing puppet master.
I didn't have to survive a Zombie apocalypse, but I did survive the A to Z challenge! This is the final post for this challenge. YIPEE! I made it! Thanks to all those who came by to read the posts, and a special thanks to all that commented! Much appreciated!
Don't forget to hop to the other blogs for their last post of the month.
Participant list: A to Z Challenge
April 29, 2013
Soul Taker Could Use Your Vote!
Soul Taker is up for the Créme de la Cover Contest! If you have the chance, I would sure appreciate your Vote! http://indtale.com/cover-contest
Y is for Yule
Y is for Yule
The Yuletide season is filled with magic and mystery until well after midnight on December 24th. This night is called Matrum Noctem, which translates as the Night of the Great Mother. This spirit of Yule, the presence of mystery, inspires visions of a better world in the hearts and minds of all.
The Druids
The custom of lighting the Yule log represents the birth of a god from the fire of the Mother. The Druids would say a prayer of thanks to the spirit of the tree before they would cut it down.
The tradition of burning a Yule log was to honor the Great Mother Goddess. They would light the log on the eve of the solstice, using the remains of the log from the previous year. For good luck, they would burn it for twelve hours.
Decorating the Tree
The Yule tree could be a Fir or Evergreen, but the Pine was the most popular since it represented Odin. They would not chop down the tree, but use a live tree outdoors. This tradition symbolized Yggdrasil (The Tree of Life). Decorating it with brightly colored ornaments symbolized the sun, moon and stars, while other ornaments would represent the souls of the departed from the previous years.
They would also hang gifts on the Yule tree for the many different Pagan Gods and Goddesses. The Druids would decorate the trees with images that represented their wants and desires for the upcoming year.
Wreaths were made from holly, ivy and evergreens as a reminder that life still prospered despite the harsh winters they endured.
As you can see, yuletide shadows closely with the Christian celebration of Christmas: decorating a tree, hanging wreaths, and celebrating with family and friends.
Fun Facts
Yule logs were once large enough to last all twelve days of Christmas.
In both ancient and modern celebrations, candles are a big part of the Yule time celebration. The candle flame represents the sun, which has faded in the winter.
In Old Nordic stories, Yule was the main feast of the year and lasted for three nights.
My Holiday Short Stories
In my story, Mistletoe, Stakes and Yuletide Cheer, my hero celebrates Yule, and my heroine celebrates Christmas, but that is the least of their problems.
2012 Christmas Collection
My story is: Mistletoe, Stakes and Yuletide Cheer
What’s a hunter to do when she’s fallen for the vampire she’s been sent to stake?
Cassandra Hayes has been dating Tremayne Graystone, the vampire she’s been sent to eliminate. To stake or not to stake is the least of their problems when masked men kidnap them and hold them hostage. They realize all they want for Christmas is a chance to make their relationship work. Kisses under the mistletoe may not make this holiday merry, but they’re willing to give it a shot. Amazon Kindle
In my western adventure, WANTED, the story takes place during the Christmas season. JoBeth, an outlaw, finds the true meaning of love and family while in the custody of Sheriff Jace Kelly.
BLURB: Sheriff Jace Kelly’s wife died giving birth to his remarkable daughter, Emma. She inherited the families’ seer abilities, but being only six-years old, she has the tendency not to know the difference between a vision and just an ordinary dream. So Jace doesn’t put too much faith in Emma’s recent premonition: marriage for him and a new mother for her, all because she wished upon a Christmas star.
When JoBeth Riley arrives in town, Emma is convinced this is the woman she dreamed about: dark hair, green eyes and shamrocks in her pocket. Only there’s one problem, she’s the notorious outlaw, Baby Face Jo.
JoBeth’s stay in the lumber town is meant to keep Shane Maverick, the leader of the outlaw gang from finding her and breaking her out of jail before the authorities have time to devise a plan to capture him.
JoBeth finds the Kellys a strange lot. A little girl, who believes her dreams are tales of the future and the rugged sheriff whose kindness proves a distraction. She’s an outlaw for heaven’s sake, but Jace is bound and determined to steal her heart.
Amazon Kindle
Barnes and Noble Nook
In the SPIRIT OF LOVE, Brynna and Travis find that forgiveness will heal their broken hearts. During this holiday season, it is believed you can be visited by family and friends that have passed on. Also in Celtic spirituality, it is believed that some are blessed with an anam cara. This special bond-- friendship awakens the fullness and mystery of your life. The two are joined in an ancient and eternal union that crosses all barriers of time. When you are blessed with an anam cara, the Irish believe, the two will arrive at that most sacred place: home. The old saying: Home is where your heart is, ring true in this belief.
The Spirit of Love
A tragic accident leaves Brynna and Travis devastated. Instead of turning to each other for comfort, they drift apart. However, they must complete one more assignment—set on an old ship, The Queen Mary, during Yule, one of the most haunted times in the Celtic calendar. It is believed souls of the dead prevail and anam cara—soul friends can visit.
Will Travis and Brynna confront the spirit of love, allowing them a chance to heal and find their way back to each other? Ebook Available for: Kindle Nook
How do you celebrate this magical season?
Here's the list to the other A to Z Challenge participants. Have fun hopping!!
April 28, 2013
Snippet Sunday: Magic of the Loch (Chapter One #2) #SPeekSunday #8sunday #snippetsunday
Hello Sunday Readers!
I hope you had a fantastic week. What have you been up to? Love to know.
This month I'm participating in the A to Z Challenge. It's coming to an end. Monday is Y for Yule and Tuesday is Z for Zombies.
There's a Goodreads Giveaway for SOUL TAKER going on right now. See the sidebar to enter for a chance to win a print copy of this Urban Fantasy! The contest ends May 1st!
Now for Snippet Sunday. This is another snippet from Magic of the Loch. We completed the snippets for "The Legend of the Loch" week. Today's snippet is continued from last week: Chapter One #2. Click here to read Chapter One #1. In Chapter One Michaela meets Alan and Hyatt for the first time.
The Wild Rose Press
Kindle
NOOK
Blurb:
Michaela Grant travels to Scotland for a holiday, knowing this vacation is her last. A medical condition threatens her life and any chance of a future—until she meets Alan MacLachlin, a man forced to exist between two worlds.
Alan is the legendary Loch Ness Monster. Once every fifty years he returns to human form in search of his soul mate, the one woman who can break his curse. He believes he has found forever with Michaela, but to claim it he must figure out how to save her life.
Michaela and Alan vow to take what time has to offer, but another threat looms. A sinister shape shifter with a vendetta against Alan is making Loch Ness his personal hunting ground. Now he’s threatening Michaela. Alan must discover who the shifter is and stop him before it’s too late.
**********************************************************************************************
Set up for the snippet: Present day, Chapter One. The streets of Drumnadrochit were buzzing with the news of recent sightings of the Loch Ness Monster. Everyone wants to capture his or her own photo of the legendary creature. The woman, Michaela is renting her cottage from, gave her the directions to where she could rent a boat for a day. Michaela is on the pier, heading toward the boat tied off at the end when a German shepherd, that is chasing a cat, comes barreling down the pier. Luckily for Michaela, Alan saves her from a falling into the loch. Once Alan knows she hasn't been harmed, he makes known what he thinks about her arriving unexpected. She can't believe how rude he's being.
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Now for the Snippet: (Alan is speaking first...)
"If ye want to schedule a tour, ye need to call ahead of time.”
“I assure you I didn’t mean to trespass. I took the path Mrs. O’Malley told me to—”
“Mrs. O’Malley?” he interrupted.
“Yes, I’m renting out her lovely cottage up—”
“I know where her cottage is, ye doonae need to draw me a map.”
“You don’t have to be so rude about it.”
His blue eyes, like a flickering flame of a gas stovetop sparked with intent to burn.
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Like always, I would love to know what you thought of the snippet.
If you’re a writer (regardless of published/unpublished status) come join us and share a snippet of your work in progress, a new release, or an oldie but goodie.
Participating Authors are listed at these sites: Hashtags: #SPeekSunday #8sunday #snippetsunday
http://sneak-peek-sunday.blogspot.com/
Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday
April 27, 2013
X is for XOXO or better known as Kisses and Hugs
X is for XOXO or better known as Kisses and Hugs
What magic does a kiss hold? Shakespeare believed a kiss is a seal of love.
A kiss can be filled with passion, tantalizing the senses with secrets. In fairy tales, fair maidens are awakened with a kiss, and wedding vows are sealed with a kiss.
Being a romance author, kissing is a part of the story. Whether the hero or heroine is human, vampire or shape shifter, it’s all about passion overriding caution. The kiss should ignite a bone-melting fire that spreads through the blood with promises of dreams of the future.
Kissing is a part of the romance to find the one.
History of using X
Using the letter X meant as a kiss dates back to the Middle Ages. Most people in the middle ages could not read or write. An X was placed on documents, and the person would place a kiss upon it, to display their sworn oath of sincerity.
Adding the O for hugs—May have originated in North America representing arm circling around a person. The phrase “hugs and kisses’ was a common phrase in the early 1900s.
Legends of a Kiss
In Italy, a woman who kisses the armor-clad statue of Gidarello Guidarelli will marry a wonderful man.
In Ireland, people travel from all over the world to kiss the Blarney Stone. It is believed to give good fortune and the gift of eloquence.
In Germany, it is believed if spouses kiss each morning, they will earn thirty percent more money and will live five times longer than those who do not kiss.
Laws against Kissing
Iowa: a man with a mustache may never kiss a woman in public. Another law states: a Kiss may not last longer than five minutes.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa: it is a crime to kiss a stranger.
Hartford, Connecticut: It is illegal for a man to kiss his wife on Sunday.
Pennsylvania: You cannot kiss a person over 18 years old if you are younger than 18 years old.
Boston, Massachusetts: You cannot kiss in front of a church.
Wisconsin: It is illegal to kiss on a train.
In Colorado, it is against the law to kiss a sleeping woman. It was good thing Snow White and Sleeping Beauty didn’t live in Colorado or their princes would have been arrested.
Scientific Studies:
A kiss speaks your mind and the scientists believe it’s all about dopamine, neurotransmitters—the release of pheromones. While kissing, chemicals are believed to trigger the need for closeness, giving the hard-wire impression to a woman if this person is the right mate. Gives a whole new meaning to how shape shifters find their mates.
It is also theorized that there is testosterone in men’s saliva, making females relax, happier—hmm, perhaps enticing the woman to want to be with him. And you thought Vampires had power.
Looks like kissing is a potent love potion for men and women. It’s all in the kiss. So pucker up and enjoy the magic.
In my tale The Curse of Tempest Gate, it was all about the kiss...
Clarity Shaw, a reporter for Unbelievable Finds, seeks answers concerning the curse of Tempest Gate Cemetery. Warnings from the Bed and Breakfast’s receptionist and an old man only make her more curious. Determined to get her story, Clarity ventures into the old cemetery.Even though she is tied to the legends surrounding Tempest Gate through her ancestry, Clarity does not believe in the paranormal. She intends to collect the local versions of the stories, take some photos, and be on her way.
A beautiful sculpture in the cemetery, a stone angel warrior, draws her attention and her admiration. Could this be the Archangel Michael? Then she finds out more than she bargains for when she sits in the devil’s chair on the eve of Halloween. Two entities need her for their own personal reasons, but only one will demand her heart.
E-book available at:
Kindle
Nook
Do you remember your first Kiss? Was it memorable or were you glad when it was over?
Here's the list to the other A to Z Challenge participants. Have fun hopping!!
April 26, 2013
W is for Werewolf
W is for Werewolf
A werewolf is a lycanthrope, which is a human who can shape shift into a wolf form. In mythology it is believed a person can become a werewolf by being bitten by another werewolf. They shift only when the moon is full and they lose all sense of being human, preying on humans and animals alike. Some African tribes still believe in this.
The Irish have a different take on werewolves. The werewolves aren’t man-eating creatures and they could change from wolf to human at will.
They also believed the wolves protected children, guarded wounded men, and have also guided a lost person to safety.
The Giraldus Cambrensis, who lived in 1185, wrote down these Irish legends.
One legend is about the people of Ossory, who had the power to change into wolves whenever they wanted. When an Ossorian became a wolf he would leave his body at home as if he were dead. He would leave strict orders with at trusted friend not to move the body. If someone moved the body and the wolf couldn’t find it, he would remain a wolf for the rest of his life. In his wolf form, he lost all human aspects and would attack sheep and cattle, as any other wolf would do.
Another legend concerning the Ossorian people is that St. Natalia cursed them for their sins. Two Ossorians, a man and a woman would live in the shape of wolves for seven years. After they completed the cycle, they would return home and another couple would take their place.
In Irish folklore the werewolf motif is found throughout history. There are tales about wolf-men tribes that lived in County Tipperary. The ancient kings of Ireland would ask for their help when threatened by war. There are other tales about half-men, half-wolves living in the mountain regions.
It was also believed a wolf talisman would ward off evil.
Though the werewolf legends have survived, the wolves did not. The last wolf spotted in Ireland was in 1786.
In Moon Shifter and in Soul Taker, my werewolves are from the Irish Clan the Mac Tire. They can shift at will. The older werewolves can shift from one reality to the other without having to strip down to their bare bum.
Sydney believes she is a monster, a werewolf. She flees before Grayson can help her adjust, but Grayson must find her. Sydney’s body is still changing and the were-lust will drive her crazy if not sated. He has until the full moon to help her tame the wolf inside and convince her she’s his soul mate. If he fails, he loses her forever.
Sydney still craves Grayson’s touch, but can her heart forgive him for making her one of the Mac Tíre?
Available at Wild Rose Press
No soul is safe…
A vampire from the Grim Sith sept is sucking the souls out of young women from the Boston area, but this sinister crime is far worse than a vampire seeking substance. He’s selling the souls to the highest bidder and it seems business is booming.
A vampire, a werewolf, and a Necromancer are a most unlikely team, but Garran, Harrison, and Isabella plan on putting a kink in the dubbed Soul Taker’s plans. It’s personal now. One of their friends has fallen victim to the Soul Taker’s charms, but to stop him from hurting anyone else, their efforts may involve raising the dead.
E-book Available at: Amazon Kindle
Here's the list to the other A to Z Challenge participants. Have fun hopping!!
