Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 313

Guest Blog Worthy of Song and Story by Neal Chase

Many people are surprised when they hear I write children’s fantasy books. They take one look at me, hear I’m an accountant and an attorney, and immediately assume that I either write boring tax books or some sort of legal thriller. When they learn that I don’t, their jaw drops and the eyes bug out like they just noticed I have two heads. I just nod and smile, after all, I know why I write what I do.

Up until my book was published, I wrote middle grade fantasy because it’s what I like to read. It’s light, funny, and normally has a really good story. Also, it appeals to the kid in me. I don’t know about you, but part of me still has the curiosity of a tween/early teen. That could be why I enjoy being around and coaching ten to fourteen year olds. You didn’t snarf your coffee at the thought I like kids that age, did you? (If you didn’t know, snarfing is when you laugh hard enough to make your drink come out your nose).

When Worthy of Song and Story came out, any questions I had about writing for kids disappeared. The reactions from the kids were amazing and completely unexpected. Parents posted pictures on Facebook with their kids holding my book and smiling. I couldn’t believe it, but they actually looked excited about a book. My book. How often does that happen? Pretty much never. And it got even better. When my son brought a copy to school, other kids wanted to see the cover and read it. To quote him “It was a little annoying, everyone trying to grab it.” 

That is why I write what I do. If one kid discovers a love for reading from one of my books it is all worth it.  






Worthy of Song and StoryStian the Viking SeriesBook  OneNeal Chase
Middle Grade Fantasy
Publisher: Fiery Seas Publishing
Winter 2016
 Book Description:
Twelve year-old Stian’s plans to be The Greatest Viking Ever appear to be over before they even begin. He’s captured by Dahlia—a dark elf and a girl. If that wasn’t bad enough, he discovers he may be the son of Loki, the greatest enemy of the Viking gods and the one foretold to bring about the end of the world.
Knowing he is meant to be extraordinary, Stian decides to discover the truth for himself and free Loki from the clutches of Odin. Only then, will he discover who he is and what he is meant to do.
Stian must out-think, misguide, and defeat Thor’s children. To do this he will need the power of Gram—a sword with magical powers. There is one catch, only one pure of heart with the desire to help others, is worthy of wielding it. If Stian succeeds, he will become the world’s most famous Viking, but if he fails he will fall victim to the gods’ merciless justice.

About the Author:
Neal Chase lives in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife, two children, two dogs, and a bird, which strangely has the same name as his dad. He is a member of SCBWI and the Writers’ League of Texas. When he is not writing and reading, you can find Neal coaching football or adventuring with the help of his PlayStation.
http://ncchase.com/
https://twitter.com/ncchase

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Messenger: Faith Savage Demon Huntress Book Eight by K.A. M’Lady

Messenger – mal’akh in Hebrew.  Whether human or angel, the Bibles lists them as a messenger of God, or the Angel of the Lord.  Haggai 1:13 the prophet is God’s messenger.  In the 1 Samuel 4:17 translation from Hebrew, basar, is “to tell of good news,” Genesis 50:16 reads “message” rather than messenger.

There are but three Angels named in the Bible:  The Archangel Michael, Gabriel and Lucifer/Satan.  It is thought that it was Michael who fought with Lucifer and threw him from Heaven.  In Islam, Michael is known as Mikail; and the Koran says that he sheds tears over the sins of the faithful and these tears become the angels known as the Cherubim.

God’s Hero – Gabriel - God’s special messenger angel.  On multiple occasions Gabriel is said to be given the job of coming to earth to share special events or important announcements to God’s chosen.  But what message does he bring?  And is your message the same as everyone else’s?  

Faith Savage asks these same questions in Book 8, Messenger – Faith Savage Demon Huntress.  As the series concludes, these and so many other answers are sought with a prayer for Heavenly intervention;   for the darkness is far too ominous to face alone.  Will she find her message or messenger in shadows of her past?  How will her story be written?

The Message is a Matter of InterpretationBelief is in the Hands of Faith  
Messenger – Faith Savage Demon Huntress:  Book 8

MessengerFaith Savage Demon Huntress  Book EightK.A. M’Lady
Genre:  Erotic Paranormal, Erotic Horror
Publisher:  Mojocastle Press
Date of Publication: 10-8-2016
ISBN: 9781601802ASIN: B01M58M237
Number of pages:  76Word Count:   26114
Cover Artist:  Vanessa Hawthorne
Book Description:  
The world is in chaos. School shootings, war, terrorism, the list goes on. But what if you could do something about it?
When angelic intervention meets demonic rage, Faith Savage finds herself caught in the middle. Talk about tough decisions.
The Message is a Matter of Interpretation -- Belief is in the Hands of Faith
iBooks     BN     Bookstrand      Amazon      Kobo      ARe

Excerpt:
“And when the third seal is broken,’ Jason continued, preaching to a choir whose interest was now somewhat piqued, “the balancer rides in the night. He is the black horseman – the darkness; the bringer of the ends of time.”
“In for a penny,” I added.
“The end of a pound,” he replied. “I speak of drought, Faith. And you and I both know that drought is everywhere. Its destructive force spreading and its oppressive hands are burrowing a dry, dark stain across the land, hungering for just one believer. But the fields are empty and the livestock barren. This is a world in crisis, Faith. Drought and hunger and famine are everywhere. California, Nevada – barren.”
“Do not delude yourself. The Four Horseman ride, Faith. Death is all around us. Open your eyes and see, Faith Savage. But more importantly, open your heart. The time is at hand. The proof is everywhere; on every media channel, every cyber outlet you can link into. War is on every continent. Famine. Plagues. I ask you, what more proof do you need?”
“Yes, Faith Savage,” came the thick, rumble of my name, uttered as if God had dropped a ball of thunder off a cliff and waited for the shards of lightning to follow its decent into the sea. “What more proof do you need?”
I turned at the sound, dumbstruck once again by the cool, aloof demeanor of this lethal giant in eighties rocker casual. My heart stuttered while I took in the hands stuffed in the front pockets of jeans so faded out there were holes worn in them. Glancing down, I noted the shoes; white leather Capezios. Today’s T-shirt of choice was once again black, a white stallion blazing across a fiery roadway. Its rider was armored, the cross of God on his breast plate, a demon impaled upon a pike, pike raised to the heavens. The script across the bottom of it read, I’ll Take You to Hell. Gabriel, in all his ironies, stood before me and I was struck with the urge to laugh, to cower and to tremble, simultaneously.
His scent engulfed me in the warm, rich rush of cinnamon, wind, earth and haloed man. The sight of all that caged power in six feet six inches of man-angel standing before me with the breeze that ruffled his auburn hair, twisted my gut with dread. Worry, fear and then uncertainty followed quickly as the frenzied course of my thoughts slammed into me all at same time. I blinked and then blinked again. I took a shaky breath and considered the moment. Considered his question. What more proof did I need? The answer? Plenty.
About the Author: 
K. A. M’Lady lives in the ‘burbs of Chicago with her husband and three children. She’s been lost in the world of fiction since she was a small child, and frankly, never wants to be found—at least not any time soon. “Myth and magic builds dreams and inspirations – and in an insane world, it is our dreams that spark the revolution of change. No matter which world is being conquered. Within our dreams – all things are possible.”
http://www.kamlady.net/
http://kamladyotherworld.blogspot.com/
https://www.pinterest.com/KAMLadyauthor
http://www.facebook.com/kamlady
http://www.facebook.com/FaithSavageDemonHuntress
http://www.mojocastle.com


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Release Day Blitz To the Edge by Anna del Mar

Meet Clara Luz from Anna del Mar’s To the EdgeFirst Chapter Reveal 
I’m thrilled to introduce my newest release, To the Edge, to all of you readers of erotic romance who visit this awesome blog. To the Edge is the story of Noah Blake and Clara Luz, a couple who stole my heart and imagination in this second chance love story. In a nutshell: To learn about kink, Clara had to learn the ropes. Yet she never expected to be so compromised she'd need rescuing. And by him. Noah Blake. The first man she'd ever loved. The former navy SEAL who'd broken her heart.
You all may remember that I write stories about strong heroines struggling to find their place in the world and the brave, sexy, kickass heroes who will fight to protect them with all they’ve got. Some of my stories are romantic suspense, like The Asset and The Stranger. Some are erotic romances, like At the Brink. If you liked At the Brink, you will love To the Edge. Honestly? It is the sexiest, kinkiest, erotic romance I’ve written to date. Today, I’m delighted to share the complete first chapter of To the Edge and introduce you to Clara Luz, who is caught in a very compromising position from the get go. 
So, as always, proceed at your own discretion and above all…enjoy.
AdM
*** Chapter One
Clara 
My first attempt at submission went from failure to disaster in a whiff. An odd scent teased my nose and rattled my nerves. A prickle of uneasiness crept up my spine. I craned my neck, trying to figure out where the smell was coming from, but I couldn’t see much beyond the narrow slits of my sequined velvet mask. 
Note to blog: velvet masks may shield, tease and entice, but visibility sucks. 
I heard a small sound, a swish maybe? It came from my right somewhere, from the hallway that led to the powder room. I tried twisting my body around in the cage, but I could barely move. My arms were fastened above my head and my ankles were strapped to the bars near the floor. I sniffed the air again. The smell seemed fainter. Maybe it was my imagination, trying to shock some common sense into me and put an end to today’s little experiment. 
I was alone in the old house. My companion had left twenty minutes ago, to find himself some coffee in town, he’d said. He’d left me cuffed in the cage so that I could reflect on my irreverent conduct. Right. Good luck with that, buddy. The truth was that he probably needed the caffeine boost in order to tackle a handful like me. 
I let out a little groan. Sure, this was crazy, no two ways about it. Reckless my mother would say, risky and not exactly consistent with my usually sane behavior. But honestly? I had suppressed my life for others’ sake long enough. 
But this? A seditious little voice nagged in the back of my mind. I tried to quiet it down, but maybe, just maybe, I’d pushed the edge a little too hard on this one. God, the things I did in the name of freedom. 
The tight leather corset dug into my ribs. My arms ached. My legs were tired and my feet were beginning to cramp in the impossibly high heels. 
Note to blog: kink garb isn’t exactly comfy.
Good God. I was actually going through with this. Me. Clara Luz. Attempting something so far out of my comfort zone, not to mention my family’s much-touted moral rectitude. I slumped in my bonds. Was I really so freaking desperate? 
A week and a half ago, Annette Collins, the legendary editor of RelevantSex.com, had presented me with a unique proposition. Annette had been my advisor in grad school and as such, the only person who knew about my online adventures. From the beginning, she’d followed sextattle.com, the sex and romance blog I published—anonymously, of course. 
It wasn’t as if I was particularly versed or gifted in these oh so very fascinating subjects. On the contrary. My relationship IQ measured pretty low on the success scale. But the blog wasn’t so much an advice column as it was a forum. Discussion questions came in through an unfiltered inbox, I posted them under different categories and people talked about them. I was good at research, so I mostly shared facts and links to helpful resources. I followed the old adage: those who can’t do, teach. Or, in my case, share online. 
Initially, the blog had been an experiment, a grad school project that went unexpectedly viral. But after graduation, the blog transformed into a labor of love, a means to connect with people and the only possible way in which I could pursue my own journey, separate from that of my illustrious mother. These days the blog had a very respectable reach, solid advertising revenues and an expanding market that had caught Annette’s eye. She’d made me an excellent offer to merge my blog with RelevantSex.com. 
The catch? 
Annette wanted a trial run, a main feature to woo the editorial board and test my range, a fresh, raw take on the topic of sex and submission, a personal account of my first exploration of kink to tantalize her readers. 
“It’s a fascinating subject,” she’d said during our meeting at LeMond’s Cafe in Adams Morgan. “Look at the movies. Look at the novels. The public is fascinated by kink, domination and submission. Your readers will be too. An exploration is totally relevant.” 
“Then why don’t you assign someone who’s already on staff at RelevantSex.com?” I didn’t have any wisdom to share on the topic, zero, zip, nada. “Or better yet, why don’t you tackle it?” 
“Because I might be biased on the subject.” She fastened her glimmering green eyes on my face. “Whereas you, my dear, are sure to bring a fresh perspective to our readers.” 
Her naughty smile activated my Spidey senses and ignited my blush. I wasn’t a prude by any means, but kink? Yep, I’d bring a fresh perspective for sure. As to Annette, any lingering questions I may have had about the extent of her personal kink exposure were fully answered when she plunked down a long, comprehensive list of potential interview sources and references on the table. 
Holy crap. I had a mental image of the sober pearl-decked Annette, dressed in black leather, whip in hand, red curls cascading down her back. I forced my mouth to close. 
Annette’s project was intriguing but, given my leadership role at the Luz Foundation and my mother’s high profile, it was also dangerous to me, personally and professionally. I tried to err on the side of caution. “I might not be the right person for this one.” 
“Nonsense.” She reached over the table and, after tucking a strand of my bangs behind my ear, trailed her fingers down my chin. “You are perfect.” 
I had to shake off the shock. Had Annette just made a pass at me? No way. My overactive imagination was busy at work, again. Annette was a consummate professional and she’d been a mentor to me for many years. She was just trying to reassure me, something I needed, because I was torn. My brain twirled like a coin in the air, and I had no clue which one of my faces would come up at landing: dutiful Clara or her surly, rebellious twin? 
“Come on, Clara.” Annette clasped her hands together and grinned. “Say yes. Please?” 
Something about the idea of exploring sex’s kinky underworld had me shivering inside. I was curious and Annette was right. Her readers would eat it up. My readers would like it too. Most importantly, Annette’s proposal offered me an opportunity to reach the one thing I’d spent my entire adult life trying to achieve: freedom. The possibility of doing what I loved on my own terms and the chance to finally cut the ties that bound me to the family trust. 
I couldn’t say no to freedom. I couldn’t say no to Annette or to the sense of excitement growing in me. I took a deep breath and met Annette’s emerald stare. She gave me an encouraging nod. What the heck. I’d been wavering on the edge of this cliff for a while, but on that hot and humid September day, I jumped. 
“I’ll do it.”
Now, almost a week and a half later, as I teetered on the balls of my feet, nearly hanging from the cuffs, the irony wasn’t lost on me. To cut the old ties, I’d had to accept some very real bonds. In my search for freedom, I’d stepped into a cage. 
I let out a nervous giggle. It echoed in the empty house. Some would think I was exaggerating the scope of my predicament. They didn’t know my mother. Senator Margaret Luz had made sure to cut off all my avenues of escape as I grew up. After I finished grad school, nobody in DC would give me a job without her express consent. Instead of working for myself as I’d planned, she’d strong-armed me to work for her charity foundation. 
As her only offspring, I was more of a prop than a person. Beyond birthing me, she’d designed me, selected the best genetic material she could buy from an impressive catalogue of sperm donors in order to create the perfect daughter. Sure, I owed her my existence, but my chances of meeting her high expectations had been zero from the start. 
Of course, she didn’t know about my blog. She’d kill me if she did. She’d kill the blog too, and bury it forever. But Annette had gone where no one else had dared and offered me a unique opportunity. If this worked, it would be well worth the effort. I straightened my back. I wasn’t a Luz for nothing. I’d make it work. 
I tested the cuffs and puffed. Where the hell was Mark Walker? My test Dom for the day was taking his sweet time getting his damn coffee. I gritted my teeth and groaned. Patience had never been my strong suit. Once I made my decision and committed to the venture, I’d considered the risks and, in true Luz fashion, planned and obsessed over every step. 
I wasn’t an idiot, so I’d started by vetting Mark Walker thoroughly. Even though he’d come highly recommended by Annette, I’d commissioned a background investigation from one of Washington’s premier security firms. Yep, that was me, all right, ever the overachiever. Mark passed with flying colors, a model citizen in every way, requirement number one. A little adventure was exciting, but a sadist or a serial killer had no place in my risk assessment matrix. 
To protect myself and my name, I’d also had Mark sign RelevantSex.com’s ironclad confidentiality agreement. Then I’d scheduled a preliminary meeting to make sure we were both on the same page. Our deal was kink 101, a limited intro to the BD part of BDSM, no intercourse or pain. Safety first. 
I’d taken equal care when selecting the location for this meeting. The house where we used to summer when I was young was located smack in the middle of Avalon, an island in the Chesapeake Bay. The property was surrounded by a wildlife refuge on all sides. I’d inherited the Victorian beauty from my grandfather, who’d been senator before my mother. 
This time around, I recognized the smell. Smoke. My heart tripped. Alarm crawled up my spine like a bunch of daddy longlegs. I tugged on the cuffs. They clanged on the bars, but they didn’t give. I craned my neck and, peering through the mask’s narrow slits, caught a glimpse of white wisps trickling from the hallway into the living room. 
Oh my God. Smoke. A fire? No way. The house hadn’t been used in years. Mark and I were the only ones here and we’d done nothing that could possibly start a fire. Right? 
Wrong. 
I had a memory of Mark Walker as he stepped out of the bathroom holding the lit candle he’d used to introduce me to a little wax-on-ass play earlier today. Lit candle. Matches. Wicker wastebasket. 
Holy shit. 
My belly turned to ice. The key. Where the heck had Mark put the cuffs’ key? In his front shirt pocket, I remembered him teasing me with the act. Crap. I tugged on the cuffs. The cage rattled, my wrists smarted and yet the cuffs held. Where on earth was Mark Walker when you needed him? 
I looked around the room, growing more alarmed by the moment. The wrist cuffs wouldn’t budge, but maybe if I freed my feet I could lift my knees and use my weight to bust the chain that connected the cuffs. I kicked off my right shoe, pointed my toes and contorted my foot, choking down gulps of panic. This was going to take some doing. 
A fire. A freaking fire. I railed at a God who amused himself with stuff like this. Keep your head. Use your wits. Don’t panic. It would’ve been the Luz motto, if we’d had one of those. I ignored the terror squeezing my throat and kept working on the ankle strap. Success. My right foot came free. I started to work on the left strap right away. If I could only do the same with my wrists... 
The sound of crackling echoed from the hallway, a low, husky growl. Holy Mary. Maybe I was having a nightmare. I really wanted to pinch myself awake. But there was the small problem of the cuffs. I was not going to die today. 
My left foot came free. Hallelujah. I didn’t waste any time. I flexed my legs, pulled on the cuffs and, curling my knees into my stomach, added my weight. The chain didn’t break. I kept at it, but I needed plan B. I tried screaming for help, but the gag in my mouth muffled my cries and the screech that pierced my ears sounded more like a yowling she-cat. Note to blog: gags are a pain in the ass. 
And who the hell was going to hear me anyway? Avalon’s population amounted to 727 souls who lived mostly on the bay, ten miles down the gravel road. The cabin was surrounded by the Luz wildlife refuge, my grandfather’s doing. I was in so much trouble. 
What would my mother say if they found me out here, burned to a crisp, shackled in a cage? Her embarrassment, not to mention her rage, would probably far exceed her grief. The newspapers. Social media. The scandal. I wiped the image from my mind and concentrated on the cuffs. I wasn’t going to burn, wasn’t willing to die, not yet, not this way. 
A voice caught my attention. A call came from the outside. A call? I squealed back in reply. Within moments, the back doors exploded off the hinges. A man broke through, angled forward like a linebacker, tall and broad-shouldered. His run came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the living room. He took in the scene and quickly assessed the situation like a man who was used to danger. 
The look of competence in his stare restored my hope for a longer life. Thank you, God! I would’ve whooped with elation if I could. His eyes widened with surprise when he registered the cage—and probably my attire—but he didn’t hesitate as he rushed over. 
“Hang on,” he said as he unlatched the cage’s door. “What the hell is going on?” 
I craned my neck to follow his progress, mumbling frantic gibberish through the gag. Something about him was familiar, the wide cheekbones, the straight angle at the jaw, the eyes, black, soulful and deep. My heart jerked to a sudden stop. I did a double take. No way. 
It couldn’t be. I stole another look at him. My elation turned to shock. Was I losing my mind? I rose on my toes, lifted my face to the heels of my hands and managed to knuckle my eyes. Maybe I was delusional. Maybe he was a ghost. Maybe I was suffering from oxygen deprivation, even though the smoke didn’t look nearly that bad. I blinked several times to clear my vision. It couldn’t be, shouldn’t be, and yet, when I looked again, there he was, the same man, the face I remembered so well. 
A rush of blood heated my face. No. Oh, no. Never in my wildest dreams had I expected to find him here, now. Of all the people in the universe, he would’ve been the last I wanted to see me in my current state. How could this be? 
His appearance weakened my knees and demolished my fortitude. My rescuer, the one person who’d heard my cries and who could potentially get me out, was also the same man who’d almost destroyed me once. He might not be able to recognize me yet, but I sure recognized him. The last time I’d seen him was right here, in this house, an hour before he broke my heart. It was him. The first man I ever loved. 

Noah Blake.

To the EdgeA Heroes at the Brink NovelAnna del Mar
Genre: Erotic Romance
Publisher: Carina Press
Date of Publication:  November 14th, 2016
ISBN: 9781459294387
Number of pages: 297 pages approx.Word Count: 104,000
Cover Artist: Carina Press
Book Description:
To learn about kink, she had to learn the ropes. Yet she never expected to be so compromised she'd need rescuing. And by him. The first man she'd ever loved. The former navy SEAL who'd broken her heart.
Clara's gone wild.
Naked. Cuffed. Caged. Is this the sweet senator’s daughter I left behind?
I didn't know it was her when I rushed into that room filled with flames, but I'll never let her go again.
She’s proposed a unique way to thank me. It could bring us both to the edge of ecstasy—or to the point of no return.
Clara wants to submit. To me. Totally. Damn any limits. The very thought of it has brought me back from the dead. 
But a stranger is watching from the shadows. He’s made us his fantasy. And he plays rougher than I do. Where he’s taking us now is somewhere so dark, and so dangerous, that this time it could be inescapable.
Amazon    BN     Kobo    Google Play    Carina Press


About the Author:
Amazon bestselling author Anna del Mar writes hot, smart romances that soothe the soul, challenge the mind, and satisfy the heart. Her stories are about strong heroines struggling to find their place in the world and the brave, sexy, kickass, military heroes who defy their limits to protect the women they love. She’s the author of The Asset, The Stranger, At the Brink and her newest erotic romance, To the Edge. Anna enjoys traveling, hiking, skiing, and the sea. Writing is her addiction, her drug of choice, and what she wants to do all the time. The extraordinary men and women she met during her years as a Navy wife inspire the fabulous heroes and heroines at the center of her stories. When she stays put—which doesn’t happen very often—she lives in Florida with her indulgent husband and two very opinionated cats.
http://www.annadelmar.com
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAnnadelMar/
https://twitter.com/anna_del_mar

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The “Dearg-Dubh” and Other Irish Vampires by Colleen Halverson

When Roxanne asked me to write a guest post for Fangtastic Books, I knew I needed to tell you all about one of my most beloved characters, Malachy Moray. Malachy is a “dearg-dubh,” (pronounced DYE-rig DOO), a vampire-like figure from Irish folklore. The name itself derives from a local Sligo legend, and Bram Stoker used this story for the inspiration behind the fate of Lady Westenra in Dracula and her transformation into a vampire, aka the “Bloofer Lady.”
While I may have borrowed the name from Stoker and the good people of Sligo, my inspiration for Malachy actually comes from a story I heard when I was traveling through the west of Ireland on the Dingle peninsula. The tale is long and rambling (in the absolutely best way), but it involves a priest who was on his way to give the last rites to a dying man. Years later, I would find a version of the story in the book, Meeting the Other Crowd , which is a collection of tales from the legendary Seanachaí, Eddie Lenihan. In the story, the priest meets a mysterious figure on the road playing the violin, and the music was so sweet and beautiful, the priest realized right away it was one of the Good People, or the Fae. The Fae demands the priest ask the dying man, “What will happen to the Good People on the last day of judgment?”
When the priest returns to the Faerie, he says,

            “I got an answer all right, but I don’t know if ‘tis the one you want. It didn’t make much   sense to me.” The Faerie is desperate and begs for an answer.            “Tell me!”  “He said…if one drop o’ blood could be found in their veins on the Day o’ Judgment, they’d [the Good People] see the face o’ God. Does that make any kind of sense to you?”“One drop o’ blood,” says the lad. “Only one drop?”
In a rage, the Faerie throws his fiddle to the ground and takes out a dagger. The priest backs away, terrified out of his mind and fearful that the Fae man is going to attack him.
In the version I heard, he stretched out his arm and without flinching, slashed a great rent into his pale flesh. Nothing but ash poured out. The Faerie then declared:
“For the last five thousand years and more, I and my people are traveling the roads of Ireland, and in all that time we never did harm to man, woman, child, or any living creature, only playing sweet music for all of ‘em in the dark, hurting no one. But from this time on, Father, there’ll be no music.”
From that moment forward, that road the priest had traveled was known as an evil, haunted place. Farmers picked up and moved, shopkeepers closed up, pub owners begged people to take their property off their hands. Travel only returned in the late ‘50s when more of the Irish started driving cars, but as Lenihan states, “You can believe it or not, whatever you like: That road isn’t right.”
My character Malachy is complex, mysterious. His deeper motivations remain an enigma throughout most of CHILDREN OF THE VEIL, but one thing is true. He, like the Good People from Lenihan’s stories, belong to a cursed race of beings. Malachy is seeking out power, but also, somewhere in his pale, immortal body, he is looking for redemption. 





Children of the VeilThe Aisling ChroniclesBook 2Colleen Halverson
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Entangled
Date of Publication: October 26, 2016
ISBN: 9781633757738ASIN:
Number of pages: 400Word Count: 120K
Book Description:
Elizabeth Tanner has one goal: to find her mother in whatever dimension she’s imprisoned. But to do that, she has to face her estranged father, and to do that, she needs a shot of whiskey…or seven. But after an attempt on her life and the return of her lost love, she wakes up with one hell of a hangover and a whole barrage of questions.
Finn O’Connell doesn’t know why the Fianna want him to aid Elizabeth in her search, but he’ll take any excuse to be near her again. Together, they dive headlong into the shadows of her mother’s secrets and find themselves embroiled in a Fae rebellion that will test Finn’s loyalties and their love.
With the Faerie realm verging on chaos, Elizabeth and Finn will embark on a quest that will lead them from the streets of Chicago to London’s seedy Fae underground. But rescuing Elizabeth’s mother means journeying to a place Finn can’t follow, and Elizabeth is forced to make a choice between finding her at last or saving her own soul.
Amazon


Excerpt 1
            My legs buckled and he snatched me into his arms, my head lolling against his chest. I breathed in the smell of leather, fresh folded laundry, and that pure, manly scent of Finn-ness. God, I had missed him.
            “Who…?” I managed to say, the words feeling like caked mud in my mouth.
            He didn’t answer, but slipped me into his car and I sank into the leather seat, darkness eating at the edge of my sight. The purring engine lulled me into a daze, and I must have passed out because the next thing I knew, we were stumbling up the stairs to my apartment.
            “I live here,” I slurred.
            “I know,” Finn mumbled, his muscled arm propping me up. “Where are your keys?”
            Snowflakes collected on the crown of his head, his eyebrows knitting together. The curve of his mouth filled my vision, and my fingers slipped over the soft skin, tracing the delicate cupid bow on his top lip. His face softened, multiple Finns swimming through the muted streetlight.
            “Mmmmm…” I murmured, running my hand against the side of his face, trying to keep from seeing double. “Stay still.”
            He placed a gentle hand over my hand. “Elizabeth, your keys. It’s freezing out here.”
            I brought his palm next to my face, brushing my lips against his callused fingers. Need burned through my body, and I fell against his broad chest, covering his mouth with mine with a moan. For a moment, he kissed me back, his hands pressing firm against my shoulders. The falling snow tickled my neck, sending icy trails down my spine, and I pressed into him seeking his warmth. He made a low sound in his throat.
            “You’re drunk,” he whispered.
            “I don’t care.” I whispered into his ear.
            Finn disentangled himself from my arms, and I slipped on a patch of ice, falling on my ass with a giggle. He leaned over me, patting my jeans in search for my keys. His hands strayed to my waist, tickling my side, and I laughed, grabbing his hands.
            He hovered over me, his hair grazing the firm line of his jaw. “Elizabeth, stop. I mean it. Where are your keys?”
            He rifled in my coat, and something landed on the balcony with a thud. The book of Yeats’ poetry lay in the snow, white powder quickly accumulating on its worn cover. Finn made to grab it, but I snatched it away, wiping it off and sticking it safe back inside my coat. He stared down at me and swallowed hard, the tinkling crystal of falling snow the only sound in the silent street.
            “Elizabeth…” He whispered, his hand brushing away a wet lock of hair plastered to my cheek.
            I shrugged away, rifling in my jeans pocket for my keys and threw them at him. A wave of dizziness washed over me and I curled up on the balcony, willing the snow to blanket over me, desiring nothing but to become the winter so I could sleep for four months and reemerge whole again. Stinging numbness gripped my fingers and toes, and I shivered, burying my head against my arm.
            “Let’s get you inside.” Finn’s arm slipped beneath my shoulders and under my knees.


About the Author:
As a child, Colleen Halverson used to play in the woods imagining worlds and telling stories to herself. Growing up on military bases, she found solace in her local library and later decided to make a living sharing the wonders of literature to poor, unsuspecting college freshmen. After backpacking through Ireland and singing in a traditional Irish music band, she earned a PhD in English with a specialization in Irish literature. When she’s not making up stories or teaching, she can be found hiking the rolling hills of the Driftless area of Wisconsin with her husband and two children. CHILDREN OF THE VEIL is the follow up to her debut urban fantasy novel, THROUGH THE VEIL.
www.colleenhalverson.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/cbhalverson
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Cover Reveal Hard Act by Glover Wright

Hard Act Glover Wright
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Fiery Seas Publishing
Release Date: February 21, 2017
Book Description:
Only the CIA knows the truth, and all it would take for the president’s legacy to be tarnished forever is for one agent involved to turn rogue and reveal everything . . .
In 2011, American Seal Team Six killed Osama bin Laden in an ultra-secret CIA operation hailed as the outgoing US president’s crowning achievement. Pakistan's chief investigator into US Operation Neptune Spear concluded Bin Laden was betrayed by Al Qaeda itself, fooling the CIA and gaining the US president’s bounty on their ailing leader’s head: $25,000,000, which may have given birth to deadly ISIS.
Loner, Agent Ben Markstein, betrayed and primed for retribution by his obsession with the Pakistani beauty at the dark heart of HARD ACT, an unsanctioned covert black operation planned by former US Senator Wendell Strachan to save the president and regain the $25,000,000 held in a Liechtenstein bank account by Saudi Prince Faisal bin Sharif, CEO of a billion-dollar Islamic charity trust and secret terrorist money-launderer.
Markstein learns that Serena Lashari, the beautiful, clever, successful Geneva-based fund-manager is Prince Faisal’s lover and has the account codes. He acts ruthlessly, manipulating Wendell Strachan and the black operation to win Serena and the money for himself.
Against a background of political conspiracy and escalating violence across Europe, culminating in potential catastrophe at a nuclear-armed U.S.A.F air-base in England, Ben Markstein plays HARD ACT’s ruthless game to win – even at the cost of the lives of all who stand in his way.

About the Author:
Glover Wright has a background in entertainment. He was lead-guitarist in the 1960’s for American Rock Legends Jerry Lee Lewis and Gene Vincent on their British tours, recorded as Buddy Britten & the Regents, was with the Beatles in their early Hamburg days and, through his friendship with John Lennon, became composer and producer with The Beatles Apple Music. After the Beatles split, he signed with Mercury records USA, had success as Simon Raverne and toured widely entertaining US troops, an experience he remembers with  pride.
With writing in mind, he broke from music in the 1970’s and spent time with contract soldiers and British SAS units in Oman, resulting in his debut novel The Torch, which was accepted immediately by Putnam USA and published worldwide including many translations. During his extended period in the Middle East he met many figures later to shape world events, including Libya’s Moammar al-Gaddafi and in Beirut’s celebrity-haunt nightclub Le Cave de Roy was invited ­– after being recognized and asked to perform a song on stage – to join the table hosted by a wealthy young Saudi Arab named Osama Bin Laden.
Glover Wright has had eight novels published to date and lives now in Jersey, British Channel Islands. He still performs musically at charity fund-raisers for servicemen and women wounded in action and is proud to do so.
HARD ACT is his most hard-hitting and timely thriller to date. World best-selling writer Jack Higgins describes it as: “The most ingenious thriller I have read this year.”


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Southern Men – The Real Alpha Males - Twelve Spirits of Christmas by Kathryn M. Hearst

I was born and raised in rural Florida—think down-home country, not Metro-Miami. I have a soft spot for honest to goodness Southern men. I don’t know if there’s something in the water, or it’s because these boys were raised by Southern women, but these men walk the line between perfect gentlemen and alpha males. Walk the line, get it? Johnny Cash?
Southern men know how to rock a pair of jeans. Whether they’re old and faded or crisp and new, jeans should fit a man’s backside like a second skin, not sag below the upper swell of the tush. Country boys know how to wear their jeans to show off their bitts, without crushing the jewels. There’s a fine line between a hint of a bulge and the male equivalent to camel toe. Like any alpha male, they wear their confidence like a lazy smile. They have it, there’s no need to prove it.

Southern men aren’t afraid of strong women. In fact, they expect a woman to speak her mind and keep them in line. These boys love it when women can hold their whiskey, look good without makeup, and can bait a hook. Let’s face it, these boys have a wild streak. Only women secure in themselves and their relationships can handle this type of man.

Southern men clean up real good. They know when to put on a jacket and tie. Likewise, they enjoy the softer side of women. I believe they appreciate the way we smell, our soft skin, and gentle touch more because they’ve seen the Tomboy side. Contrasts are sexy. Contrasts in the same person are even sexier.

Chivalry isn’t dead, and good manners are alive and well in the South. Men open doors, pull out chairs, and say “please” and “thank you.” Southern men keep their women safe. They’ll make sure their women walk on the inside of the sidewalk, and keep an eye out for danger. Not that they think women can’t fend for themselves, but because they protect what is theirs.

Southern men know how to take charge in and out of the bedroom. They’ll listen to your opinions, but at the end of the day they will make up their own minds. They’ll let you be on top, but their rough hands will lock on and set the rhythm. These boys work hard, and they play just as hard. “Ladies first” takes on a whole new meaning in the South.

Southern men understand a woman’s need to spend time with her friends. Most will run for the hills rather than crash their women’s time with the girls. They were raised to believe that women are a mystery, and some puzzles shouldn’t be solved. Respect is a two-way street. Don’t complain about their boy’s nights and hunting trips, and they’ll never stray.

Southern men are the alpha males most women crave. They’re not the domineering yet sensitive, cocky yet troubled, billionaire yet born poor, romance novel clichés. They’re strong men who are confident enough in themselves to love strong women. If this is your type of dream man, you’ll enjoy the Tessa Lamar novels, “The Spirit Tree” and “Twelve Spirits of Christmas.” Bryson and Aaron are two distinctly Southern men who love the same woman.


Twelve Spirits of ChristmasTessa Lamar Novels Book TwoKathryn M. Hearst
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Wyndham House
Date of Publication: November 8, 2016
ASIN:  B01MQ09LJU
Number of pages: 315 e-book 354 print
Word Count: 86,000

Cover Artist: Marcela Bolivar
Book Description:
Two amazing men. A serial killer. A Christmas to remember.
Tessa Lamar is dreading her first Christmas without her beloved grandfather. They say the holiday season brings out the best and the worst in people. This year, it’s brought out a serial killer, who chooses his victims based on the carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
As Tessa comes to terms with her life as a Nunnehi, the Cherokee equivalent to fairy, she finds herself in cahoots with a ghost to stop the Christmas Killer before he strikes again. She must wrangle her magic, manage family responsibilities, juggle the men in her life, and discover the person she was meant to be, in order to save…
Seven Swans a SwimmingEight Maids a MilkingNine Ladies DancingTen Lords a LeapingEleven Pipers PipingTwelve Drummers Drumming
Twelve Spirits of Christmas is the second of the Tessa Lamar Novels, Paranormal Romances with a Southern twist. If you like Southern humor, supernatural creatures, and a healthy dose of romance, then you'll love this series. Be sure to check out Kindle Scout winner, The Spirit Tree, to read the beginning of Tessa’s journey.
 Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/Y-hRMPwCTzM

Amazon
EXCERPT 2
Aaron grabbed my arm. “When I left the scene tonight, I planned to go home. I don’t remember driving, but I ended up here.”“That happens to me sometimes. Life on autopilot.” I smiled, trying my best to normalize the situation. I didn’t want to have this conversation without Bryson present.“When you kissed me—”I laughed. “You mean when you kissed me?”“Stop dancing around the question. This is what Bryson meant when he said we were mates, isn’t it?”I nodded. “I think so. This is new to me, too. We should talk to him about it.”“Will you show me?”“Show you what?”“The firebird. I was too stunned to get a look at her, you, it is you, right?”I considered the question. I’d always thought of the spirit animal as a separate entity. “She’s a part of me, but separate. Sometimes it feels like I have two brains running the show, especially when I shift.”“That’s why you need to learn to control it?” He took a step closer.“Yes.” I turned my face to his.“I understand. Since I woke up in the hospital, I’ve want to touch you, but I know I shouldn’t. The other night with you and Bryson was the first time I felt whole in months.” He nuzzled my cheek. “I want to see her.”It occurred to me that none of us knew what parts of Bryson Aaron had gained. Did it work like a brick? A chip off a brick was still brick. Or were the pieces unique like a mosaic? Did Aaron inherit Bryson’s magic? His ability to shift?“We should wait for Bryson. I don’t know what will happen.”“What do you think will happen?” He ran his hands up and down my arms.“For one thing, you could change into a hawk.”He laughed and nuzzled my neck.My knees turned to rubber. Whether Aaron’s need to touch me came from ordinary human desires, or something metaphysical, I needed to distract him. “All right. Let’s go out back, but I refuse to take responsibility if something goes wrong.”“Deal.” He took my hand and half-dragged me out the back door.I chewed the inside of my lip. Showing him the firebird would involve me getting naked. “Turn around.”“No. I want to see the process.” Aaron folded his arms. “Do you morph into it like in the movies?”I shook my head. “You saw the process the other day.”“Like I said, it was fast.”I motioned for him to turn.He threw his hands up and turned around. “Happy?”“Yes.” I stripped down to nothing and focused on the firebird, easy to do considering she’d waited just below the surface since Aaron arrived.Aaron drew a breath.I glanced up and met his eyes. My cheeks heated, but I didn’t look away. My magic rose, and I threw my head back as the firebird burst free. She stretched her wings at her sides and soared into the night sky.

About the Author: 
Kathryn M. Hearst is a southern girl with a love of the dark and strange. She has been a storyteller her entire life, as a child, she took people watching to new heights by creating back stories of complete strangers. Besides writing, she has a passion for shoes, vintage clothing, antique British cars, music, musicians and all things musical (including theater). Kate lives in central Florida with her chocolate lab, Jolene; and two rescue pups, Jagger and Roxanne. She is a self-proclaimed nerd, raising a nerdling.
The Order of the Sinistra Dei is her first series and includes titles, Feast of the Epiphany and Feast of Mercy. Kate's novel, The Spirit Tree, won a publishing contract with Kindle Press through the Kindle Scout contest. Her short stories have been published in various anthologies. 
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https://www.amazon.com/Kathryn-M.-Hearst/e/B017S8Z088
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13847103
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Black Diamond by Susannah Sandlin

Black DiamondWilds of the Bayou SeriesBook TwoSusannah Sandlin
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Date of Publication: October 18, 2016
ISBN: 978-1503940413ASIN: B01F1Z6818
Number of pages: 266Word Count: approx. 80,000
Cover Artist: Michael Rehder
Book Description:
For some people, the untamed beauty of the bayou is a place to hide. For Louisiana wildlife agent Jena Sinclair, it’s a place of refuge—one where she can almost forget the tragedy that scarred both her skin and her soul. But when the remains of yet another fisherman turn up, Jena realizes that Bayou Pointe-aux-Chenes is not safe for her…or anyone else.
The mysterious deaths aren’t her only problem. A dangerous drug known as Black Diamond is circulating through Terrebonne Parish, turning addicts into unpredictable sociopaths. Jena’s investigation leads her to Cole Ryan—a handsome, wary recluse struggling with his own troubled history—who knows more than he’s willing to admit. If they want to stop the killer, Jena and Cole must step out of the shadows of their pasts and learn to help each other…before the evils lurking in the bayou consume them both.
Amazon     BN    Book Depository    Books-a-Million    Indie Bound
Excerpt:
Cole stood inside the door, knowing she’d be there any second. She would knock, probably with a firm rap to remind him who had the authority here, and it wasn’t him. She would expect to come inside, and while he could deny her entrance without a warrant, he wouldn’t. It would raise too much suspicion.His fists clenched and unclenched. Again. Again. The press and release of tension filtered out some of the stiffness from his arms and shoulders. The woman was striking, her wistful expression had resonated with him, and he had wanted to look at her. He’d looked long and hard enough that she’d caught him standing in the doorway like an idiot. Otherwise, he could’ve pretended to be gone and not answered his door. Now, hiding wasn’t an option.The last thing he needed in his life was a woman. Especially a woman with a badge and a gun.Though expected, the sharp knock made his shoulders jerk upward, and his fingers clenched again into fists. Weapons his body provided to protect itself, to protect him, to keep everyone away.“Sir, I know you’re in there. I’m Agent Sinclair of Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries.” Her voice was clear and no-nonsense. He tried to place her accent—she wasn’t from Terrebonne Parish but didn’t have a typical Southern accent either. “I want to talk to you about the gator in front of your neighbor Doris’s house. It’ll only take a minute or two.”Damn. Now that he knew his neighbor’s real name, the Wicked Witch was dead. Now she was Doris.He took a deep breath, turned, and opened the door an inch. Maybe two inches.A hazel eye, heavy on the green, and the bill of a dark-green baseball cap came into view, peering through the crack. A strand of hair that trailed over her forehead from beneath the cap shone like pure molten fire.“You can open it all the way, you know. I don’t bite. I’d like to come inside for a few minutes and talk, or you can come out on the porch. Having a conversation isn’t optional, but where we have it is. For now.”Damn it. Cole had to admit he was stuck and it was his own damned fault for standing in the doorway and watching her for so long. He opened the door wide, dread giving way to curiosity when he finally saw her face up close. She was beautiful but lightly scarred, more on her cheeks than her forehead, so she’d probably been hit by flying glass rather than having her head go through a windshield. Fairly recent too. The spots were still pink, but they were scars and not wounds. Five or six months old, he’d say. Eventually, they’d fade and, with her fair skin, would easily cover with makeup. If she hadn’t been so close—not to mention his fixation on her face—he wouldn’t have noticed them even now.
“Are you going to let me come inside, or are you coming outside, or do I need to make it an official order?”
About the Author:
Suzanne Johnson writing as Susannah Sandlin is the author of the award-winning Penton Vampire Legacy paranormal romance series, including the 2013 Holt Medallion Award-winning Absolution and Omega and Allegiance, which were nominated for the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Award in 2014 and 2015, respectively. She also wrote The Collectors romantic suspense duology, including Lovely, Dark, and Deep, 2015 Holt Medallion winner and 2015 Booksellers Best Award winner. Her new suspense series Wilds of the Bayou started in 2016 with the release of Wild Man’s Curse and continues with Black Diamond. Johnson is the author of the award-winning Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy series. A displaced New Orleanian, she currently lives in Auburn, Alabama. Susannah loves SEC football, fried gator on a stick, all things Cajun, and redneck reality TV. 
Web: http://www.suzannejohnsonauthor.com
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Love in the Fast Lane by Melissa Kate

Love in the Fast LaneMelissa Kate
Contemporary Romance
Fiery Seas Publishing, LLC
November 8, 2016
Book Description:
Racecar driver, Nathan Wolf, is primed to win his first championship. A thriving career and sexy holiday fling have Nathan riding the high life. But the past haunts him and could ruin it all.
After six long years, Brielle Woods has finally put the past behind her. Or so she thought, until she bumps into the hotshot who that turned her world upside down and left her...to raise their son...alone.
Can they overcome baggage from their past and give into the passion that still burns between them? Or will they lose the chance at true happiness and the family they both long for?

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/U_c6W44QtZE


About the Author:
Melissa Kate is a new author who lives in a small town along the coast in sunny South Africa. She writes for the pleasure of living in a new story and all the quirks and crazies that go with each character. A true romantic at heart, she loves the moment of falling in love. Her pet Beagle and maniacal lovebird keep her company while writing and often inspire senseless moments in her stories.
When she’s not furiously typing away on her laptop, Melissa can be found cooking or baking up a storm. Even she has to admit, she’s a pretty awesome chef. She has a small addiction with shoes which she attributes to her petite stature or as she likes to call it “Short girl problems”.
She balances her day job and conjuring up new romantic tales with a local personal blog with arb ramblings about her life in Durban. She’s been writing for years now, any bits that she can and she can't wait to share that with you!
http://www.melissakatebooks.com/
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Vote for Princess Dracula Today!

VOTE NOW!Princess Dracula is up for nomination on Kindle Scout!  
Vote between now and November 15th!Vote for Princess Dracula today!

Princess Dracula
by John Patrick Kennedy

Series Princess Dracula #1

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Paranormal Romance

What if you had power… and no idea how to use it?

Ruxandra was raised in a convent, and taught everything she needed to know to be the perfect nobleman’s wife. But when her father, Vlad Dracula, comes for her on her 18th birthday, securing her marriage is not what he has in mind. What happens instead grants her inhuman power at the cost of unbearable loneliness.

Now, alone and terrified of what she has become, Ruxandra must learn to control her bloodlust…before she destroys herself.

Vote for Princess Dracula today!
About John Patrick Kennedy John Patrick Kennedy has been writing stories ever since he could write. At first, his imagination was his escape from a difficult childhood, where he never seemed to "fit in." Other kids taunted him for being different and John began to create worlds in his stories where he could feel safe and secure; stronger and more confident.

When John grew older, he discovered a taste for wanderlust and adventure. As a young man, he travelled the world with little but what he could carry on his back. He has climbed Denali, hiked the Amazon, and even spent a year in Japan, teaching English and feeding deer in the famous Nara Park. His love of Asian history and philosophy has led him to become a master at Jeet Kune Do and a practicing Taoist.

John now divides his time between two homes, one in New York City, the other in London. He is married with a beautiful little girl who inspires and captivates him. They share their homes with a loyal, loving, German Shepherd. A man of many interests and talents, John has been a world-ranked tennis pro, a ballroom dancer, chef… and of course, he remains, and always will be a writer. All of John's many interests and adventures have inspired his writing. In addition, his imagination is so vivid and dear, it is almost as if he lives part-time within a third home in his mind, an inner world his readers glimpse when they read his novels.

John writes on a Macbook Pro and finds himself hardly able to go a day without creating something, be it an idea in infancy, or one of the many novels he has going at any time. He is prolific and some friends say, even manic in the pursuit and perfection of his craft. He loves to rip wide open his readers' minds, showing them something—a world, a character—they have never read or experienced before.

He also enjoys feedback, and anyone can feel free to contact him via twitter: twitter.com/JohnPatKennedy, or Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorJohnPatrickKennedy.

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Police are People Too

Police are People Too
“You experience the emotions, distractions, frustrations and successes of the characters in every chapter of In the Line of Duty.  I found her heartfelt details to be spot on with a line-of-duty death. Being able to put such a tragic situation into words, is difficult in itself, but she does it with compassion, knowledge, and respect for those in uniform who know what it is like to lose a brother or sister in blue.”-- Carl J. Harper, Training Officer, ERT (SWAT)

Sadly, as humans, we tend to judge that which we don’t understand. And let’s be honest, most of us haven’t stood in the shoes of a police officer. We’ve never faced an armed subject at one o’clock in the morning or had to make life-and-death decisions on a daily basis. We’ve never had to focus in a traumatic situation and make a significant judgment call. We’ve never had to face families and friends who have been left behind and tell them that their loved one won’t be coming home.

In general, people either point fingers at the police or put them up on pedestals. No one is perfect, however, and sometimes that pedestal cracks. Instead of doing either of these things, though, I think it’s most important that we respect our law enforcement officers and accept that they are human, just like the rest of us. They have families and friends. They have feelings. They have hopes and dreams.

In the Line of Duty was inspired by my love of law enforcement, for those who serve and who have served, but I also wanted to write a book that showed the human side of policing. I wanted to paint a vivid picture that shows that police are people and illustrate how the loss of a brother in blue affects them—not only on a professional level but more importantly, on a personal one.

The characters in my book must carry on after a great loss to find the person who killed their fellow officer. Their grief tears apart relationships, changes people’s viewpoints, and has them acknowledging their own mortality, just as it would anyone.

So the next time you see a police officer, remind yourself that police are people, too, and deserve the same compassion and kindness as you or me.
--Carolyn ArnoldAuthor of In the Line of Duty (Detective Madison Knight series)
 Excerpt from In the Line of Duty, Chapter 3:

Troy gripped the sink in the men’s washroom at the Stiles police station with both hands and stared at himself in the mirror. He’d lost men close to him before. The last one was two years ago, and the officer had been killed in a car accident while off duty. He’d left behind two kids and a wife. But Barry…he was different. Life always equaled death, of course. It was a simple equation to accept until it touched close to home. And that’s what Barry’s death was for him--personal.

Losing Barry made it clear just how dangerous this job could be and how fragile life was. One minute here, the next gone. Barry had just been pumping gas, a routine thing, something people did all the time without any thought to their safety. Those on the outside would say that’s the risk he took being in law enforcement. Yes, there was the chance any one of them wouldn’t return home from a shift, but it wasn’t something Troy consciously thought about before heading to work.

In fact, when serving in a SWAT capacity, he’d say it was one of the safest positions within the Stiles PD. SWAT had the toys, and when they showed up to manage a situation, it was often brought under control rather quickly. Even the majority of criminals didn’t want to tango with an AR-15 and armored vehicles. Besides, dwelling on one’s mortality wasn’t healthy. But when something like this happened to one of their own, it spurred on such self-reflection. It could have easily been him in the morgue, or one of his team members. Or Madison…

His insides quivered with rage as his heartbeat slowed with his grief. He squeezed his eyes shut.

“I’ve got Dad’s car tonight,” Barry says. “We’ll take it out on the back roads and see what she’s really capable of.”

“Your dad’s a cop, Barry,” Troy reminds him.

“So? What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” Barry takes a few steps down the hall of their high school but stops and spins when Troy doesn’t follow. “Come on, man. Don’t make me take Lyman.”

Troy came back from his thoughts and opened his eyes to find himself staring at his reflection.

That night had been one of the best ever. Barry had sent the car airborne by racing over the railway tracks on the outskirts of the city. They’d even conned some seniors into getting beer for them and drank it by the tracks later that night.

Barry had made Troy feel alive…

Pain knotted in his chest, the regrets over skipping drinks with Barry last week paired with losing a part of his childhood somehow.

Troy pinched the bridge of his nose as the memories continued to rush over him.

“I just got my acceptance letter.” Barry holds the envelope in his hand. “This college has the hottest chicks… Not that it would matter to you.”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s Lauren and Troy sitting in a tree…” Barry sings.

“Seriously? You’re like a girl sometimes, you know that? A big, emotional girl.”

“Hey!” Barry punches him playfully in the arm.

Madison punched him in the arm sometimes, too…

God, what would he have done if Madison were the one who’d been killed?

You’ve reached the end of the excerpt, but In the Line of Duty is available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover from popular retailers.

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IN THE LINE OF DUTY Detective Madison Knight Seriesby Carolyn Arnold
Published by: Hibbert and Stiles Publishing Inc.Release date: September 29, 2016
ASIN: B01HZVSQPWISBN (e-book): 9 978-1-988353-22-7ISBN (print): 978-1-988353-23-4ISBN (hardcover): 978-1-988353-25-8
Approximately 292 pages
About the Book:
He devoted his life to seeking justice. But would she get any for him?
It was an ordinary day for police officer Barry Weir. It was the end of shift, he was tired, and he just wanted to get home to his wife and kids. But someone had other plans for him, shooting him down and forcing him to make the ultimate sacrifice.
When news of Weir’s murder reaches the department, it leaves Detective Madison Knight and every cop in the Stiles PD itching for revenge. It cuts Madison’s boyfriend, colleague, and Weir’s childhood friend, Troy Matthews, deepest of all, driving him away from everyone he loves just when they need one another the most.
With evidence pointing to a gang-related drive-by, Madison and her team investigate the town’s seedy underbelly in search of justice for their fallen brother. But the deeper they dig, the more convoluted the case becomes. Now they need to figure out if this was a random shooting as part of a gang initiation, a straight-up hate crime, or a targeted kill. But with members of the Stiles PD under attack, they have to do it fast…before more officers pay with their lives.
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Author Website

ABOUT THE DETECTIVE MADISON KNIGHT SERIES
Murder. Investigation. The pursuit of justice. Do you love trying to figure out whodunit? How about investigating alongside police detectives from the crime scene to the forensics lab and everywhere in between? Do you love a strong female lead? Then I invite you to meet Detective Madison Knight as she solves murders with her male partner, utilizing good old-fashioned investigative work aided by modern technology.
This is the perfect book series for fans of Law & Order, CSI, Blue Bloods, Rizzoli and Isles, Women’s Murder Club, and Hawaii Five-O.
Read in any order or follow the series from the beginning: Ties That Bind, Justified, Sacrifice, Found Innocent, Just Cause, Deadly Impulse, In the Line of Duty, Life Sentence (Bonus Prequel).
About the Author:
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international best-selling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series—Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures—and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures.
Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives just west of Toronto with her husband and beagle and is a member of Crime Writers of Canada and Sisters in Crime.
Connect with CAROLYN ARNOLD Online:
Website - http://carolynarnold.net/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Carolyn_Arnold
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolynArnold
And don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter for up-to-date information on release and special offers at http://carolynarnold.net/newsletters
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