Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 326

Release Day Blitz Remedy by Anna Abner

My 4 All-Time Fave Zombies

The stories of risen dead originated in the voodoo religion, but they definitely got more fun when Hollywood took over. From the first zombie monster in 1932’s White Zombie to the decomposing walkers on The Walking Dead, zombies have always been my favorite movie monsters.
#4: Kyle from American Horror Story: Coven (2013-2014)

Kyle and Zoe had an instant attraction, but when he was killed the same night they met, what was a witch to do except piece him back together and raise him from the dead? He had a bumpy readjustment period, but with time Kyle learned to be (mostly) human again.
#3: Sophia from The Walking Dead (Current)

Technically, all my favorite characters on the show are zombies since they have the zombie virus inside them. But of all the turned walkers poor Sophia broke my heart the worst. I really wanted her to be okay and when she re-appeared I cried for her, Carol, and all of them.
#2: Freddie from Return of the Living Dead (1985)


This movie gave me nightmares, and it will always be my favorite horror film. The wiggling dog corpse. The tar monster in the basement. The cemetery literally coming to life. Not only is this movie crazy scary, but I was emotionally invested in Freddie being the good guy who would get a happy ending. Nope. Zombie.
#1: R from Warm Bodies (2013)


If all zombies were as adorable as Nicholas Hoult’s R, horror movies would be very different. First, the book was an amazing story I could not put down, but then the film was even better.
These characters, and countless others, inspired me to write my own zombie YA adventure, Remedy.


RemedyA Red Plague NovellaRed Plague Series 4Anna Abner
Genre: YA Dystopian
Publisher: Mild Red Books
Date of Publication:  July 26, 2016
ASIN: B01FOKFCTO
Number of pages: 175Word Count: 45,000
Book Description:
The red plague has devastated the human race, turning billions of people into zombies with red eyes and an insatiable hunger for human flesh.
Seventeen-year-old Callie Crawford is used to fighting. She was an all-star wrestler in high school, and since 212R destroyed her world, she hasn’t stopped fighting. When her high school boyfriend Levi caught the virus, Callie saved him by keeping him chained in a rural North Carolina barn, waiting for something to change.
Before 212R, Roman Duran was a computer nerd, but since the virus, he’s become a guard in the survivor enclave in Washington, DC. After volunteering for a rescue mission, Roman has been belittled, robbed, and left for dead. He hasn’t saved a single person.
Until he stumbles across Callie. Because she has a zombie on a short leash, and Roman is carrying a syringe full of zombie cure.
Callie and Roman will face soulless survivors and rabid zombies on their journey to save a single infected. Along the way, Callie will have to choose between her past and a whole new future.
Amazon
Excerpt:
Roman Duran ran a step behind Jared and saw the moment the other man faltered on his wounded leg, careening into a chain link fence. Without missing a step, he ducked under Jared’s arm and forced him forward. The pack of infecteds was only two or, at the most, three blocks behind.“Here,” Pollard Datsik, the third member of their trio, hissed, slipping around a block wall and sprinting up a set of exterior stairs to an apartment above a liquor store. Roman dragged Jared behind him.While Roman helped Jared to a sagging sofa, Pollard shut the door with a quiet click and peered through the window, his breath a puff in the silence.“Are they following?” Roman whispered. “Are they swarming the stairs?”Pollard stretched his neck to see further, and then soft-stepped to the next window and stared at the street below.“I’m fine,” Jared murmured unnecessarily. “I tripped. It won’t happen again.” He shoved Roman away. “I just need a couple minutes.”Roman didn’t buy it. The injury in question was a jagged slash above Jared’s knee he’d earned climbing a fence the night before. Though they’d stopped running long enough to wrap it, Jared wasn’t as energetic as he’d been before the wound.Separating from Jared, Roman peered through a broken windowpane, blinking away the exhaustion that had dogged him for the past couple of days. Without enjoyment, he chewed one of their last handfuls of goldfish crackers, the food dry and pasty in his mouth. Water was about to become a serious issue.“I’m so thirsty,” he complained in a whisper. “And dirty.” What he wouldn’t do for a clean, clear stream of fresh water.Roman glanced at his companions, noting their equally stained and stinking uniforms. Maybe volunteering to leave Washington, DC had been a crappy decision all around. Maybe the veep should have sent older, more experienced survivors on her search and rescue mission. Maybe his eighteen years on the earth weren’t enough for this kind of mission.A pack of infecteds had caught their scent in Raleigh and hadn’t let go. Forty-eight hours without sleep or rest. Two days of running, of hiding, of trying to lose the predators. And now, they were out of food and water.“What if we climb on the roof?” Roman whispered. “We could wait them out.”Pollard took the bag of crackers from him and crammed a handful into his mouth.“We’re out of water,” Jared reminded them. “What if they trap us for days? No.” He shook his head at the room’s closed door. “We could end up a lot worse than we are now. I say we keep running.”“Forever?” Pollard scoffed. “There has to be a point where we say we can’t continue like this. A point where we circle around the pack and head home.”Roman wouldn’t call Washington, DC home. But then he’d never called anywhere home. An orphan kicked into the system after his mother abandoned him, none of the dozen foster and group homes he’d lived in had ever been his home. And DC was no different. It was a way station to somewhere else, no matter whether he had an apartment or a job or a purpose. It still wasn’t home.Roman had yet to find his real home.Swallowing dry crackers, Roman double-checked the number of rounds for his M-16. When they’d left the safety of DC’s walls, they each carried forty rounds for their personal firearms. It had sounded like a lot at the time, but he was down to nineteen rounds. The other two men had less.For an entire day, Jared had fired warning shots at their pursuers—a mistake, Roman realized now—but the only result had been bringing even more infecteds into the pack, as nearby stragglers were attracted by the noise.His ears perking up, Roman rushed to the far window and scanned for movement. Was he crazy, or did he hear a car engine?Roman had left DC wanting to help people, both infecteds and survivors. After running into people, one worse than the last, his companions were nearly to the point of abandoning the mission. But Roman hadn’t given up. Even though they hadn’t helped a single person.Between two rooftops, he caught a glimpse of a fast-moving white Range Rover driving in a westerly direction. A part of him wanted to catch up to the driver, but another part of him, a starving and sleep deprived part, wanted the vehicle to pass them by and disappear.The sound of the Range Rover’s engine quieted as it drove out of sight.“Let’s try the distraction method again,” Roman suggested. The last time they’d thrown empty cans near the zombies, they’d been curious enough for Roman and the other two men to escape. “It worked before.”Their rescue mission to Myrtle Beach could still be salvaged once they shook this pack. Unhindered by the starving horde of infecteds, the three men could scavenge for food and water, sleep safely in shifts, and cover ground at an easy pace. This running for their lives, though, couldn’t go on forever. Without water and more substantial food than goldfish crackers, he wasn’t going to survive much longer.“I’ll open fire,” Pollard said, as if Roman hadn’t spoken, “and you two run for the cell tower at the end of the street. I’ll meet you there.”“Good plan,” Jared said, “except you’re a horrible shot. I’ll do the shooting, thanks.” He stood, trying to hide a wince of pain and failing.Pollard clenched his jaw at the insult. “Fine.” He grabbed Roman by the sleeve and dragged him toward the door.“You sure about this?” Roman asked, still thinking his idea would work better than wasting more bullets and hoping to find each other under a tower.“Just run fast,” Pollard said.


About the Author:
Anna Abner lived in a haunted house for three years and grew up talking to imaginary friends. In her professional life, she has been a Realtor, a childcare provider, and a teacher. Now, she writes edge-of-your-seat paranormal romances and blogs from her home in sunny Southern California about ghosts and magic. You can connect with her online at AnnaAbner.com.
www.AnnaAbner.com
www.twitter.com/AnnaAbner
https://www.facebook.com/annaabnerauthor/



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Release Day Blitz Destiny’s Chance by Cara Bristol

Destiny’s ChanceCara Bristol
Genre: erotic paranormal romance
Publisher: Cara Bristol
Date of Publication: July 25, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-9961452-9-9ASIN:
Number of pages: 116Word Count: 31,000
Book Description:
Fate gave her a gift.  Is she brave enough to accept it?
Destiny Grable has loved Chance Everett for as long as she could remember, but he was never interested in her until a tragic act of fate grants her heart’s desire.
Chance is all hers—body, mind, and soul. But once they’re together, she discovers he has a kinky side she never knew about. Is she ready for it? Can she handle it?
And Chance isn’t the only one with a secret. If he discovers what Destiny is hiding, will he still want her?


Amazon
Excerpt: Destiny expelled her breath in a heavy sigh and reached for the phone to try her parents one more time.What the hell? She’d been too wrought by news of Zoe’s death to pay attention to much else, but now she noticed her arm looked…weird. Her wrist seemed thinner, her skin paler, the hair so fine it appeared almost nonexistent. And when had she gotten acrylic nails?Her pulse rate doubled. The arm, the hand, the silver infinity ring on the index finger weren’t hers, but she recognized them. She fixated on the ID bracelet encircling the skinny wrist. RICHARDS, ZOE. And her friend’s date of birth.They got the bodies mixed up. Gave you the wrong wristband.But they couldn’t have switched arms. She flipped her hands over.Destiny ripped back the covers and swore in frustration when the bed rail fought her frantic efforts to lower it. She forced it down, but her hospital gown caught in the metal. She tore it loose and scrambled for the bathroom.Bruised and battered, Zoe stared at her from the mirror over the sink.A nightmare. Wake up! Wake up! “No! No!” Slapping her face, Destiny searched for her plump cheeks, her ski-jump schnoz, and the mocha-brown eyes she considered one of her best features. The image mimicked her movements but presented high cheekbones loved by the camera, a perfect nose, and large blue eyes gone feral.She yanked up her hospital gown. Where were her hips? Her boobs! She stared at her flat chest. She dropped the gown and screamed.


About the Author:
USA Today bestselling author Cara Bristol has published more than twenty-five erotic romance titles, including contemporary, paranormal, and science fiction romance.  No matter what the subgenre, one thing remains constant: her emphasis on character-driven seriously hot erotic stories with sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine. Cara has lived many places in the United States, but currently lives in Missouri with her husband. She has two grown stepkids. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading and traveling.
Website: http://carabristol.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cara.bristol.3
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/9aRJj/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carabristol/

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Cover Reveal Girl of Glass by Megan O'Russell

Girl of GlassMegan O'Russell
Fiery Seas PublishingYoung Adult
December 6, 2016
Book Description:
Two worlds...one glass wall...no turning back.
The human race has been divided. The chosen few live in the safety of the domes, watching through their glass walls as those left on the outside suffer and die. But desperation has brought invention, and new drugs have given the outsiders the strength to roam the poisoned night unafraid – but it comes at a price.​Seventeen-year-old Nola Kent has spent her life in the domes, being trained to protect her little piece of the world that has been chosen to survive. The mission of the domes is to preserve the human race, not to help the sick and starving. But when outsider Kieran Wynne begs for Nola’s help in saving an innocent life, she is drawn into a world of darkness and danger. The suffering on the other side of the glass is beyond anything Nola had imagined, and turning her back on the outside world to return to the safety of the domes may be more than she can stand. Even when her home is threatened by the very people Nola wants to help.

Fiery Seas Publishing

About the Author:
Megan O’Russell is the author of the young adult fantasy series The Tethering, and Nuttycracker Sweet, a Christmas novella. Megan’s short stories can also be found in several anthologies, including Athena’s Daughters 2, featuring women in speculative fiction.
Megan is a professional performer who has spent time on stages across the country and is the lyrist for Second Chances: The Thrift Shop Musical, which received it’s world premiere in 2015. When not on stage or behind a computer, Megan can usually be found playing her ukulele or climbing a mountain with her fantastic husband.
https://meganorussell.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ORussellauthor
https://twitter.com/MeganORussell
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8061709.Megan_O_Russell

Release Day Blitz The Dead of Haggard Hall by Marie Treanor

The Dead of Haggard HallDarke of NightBook OneMarie Treanor
Genre: Gothic/historical/paranormal romance
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Date of Publication: 26th July 2016
ISBN: 978-1619235830ASIN: B01CUOPRZQ
Number of pages: 216 (paperback)Word Count: 71,000
Cover Artist: Kelly Martin
Book Description:
Spirit possession is easy to remedy. Possession of the heart is another matter.
After vicar’s widow and natural medium Barbara Darke loses her respectable teaching position, she reluctantly agrees to become companion to her former pupil Emily, now the bride of young Sir Arthur Haggard.
Once settled at Haggard Hall, Barbara finds her friend is beset by ghostly voices and unexplained deaths. In a maelstrom of dark spirits and wicked emotions, Barbara battles to lay Emily’s ghosts to rest—both hampered and helped by Arthur’s skeptical cousin Patrick, who provokes and attracts her in equal measure.
It would be a mistake to trust a secretive, guilt-ridden man suspected of driving his wife to suicide, if not outright murdering her. And it could well be lethal to give in to her own desires, confused as they often are with the lusts of the dead.
But Arthur and Emily are in genuine physical danger, and suspicion is falling closer and closer to Patrick—the man who haunts Barbara’s sensual dreams. The man who stands to inherit Haggard Hall.
Warning: Contains a medium whose body is open season for spirit possession, and a scandal-ridden journalist who only believes what he can see—and touch.
Amazon     Amazon UK     BN     iBooks     ARe     Samhain
Excerpt:As I skirted the throng, which was broken into several smaller ones, like satellites around my mother, I cautiously opened myself further to their emotions. I felt my gaze tugged once more towards the open doorway to the hall. And there he was, my sceptic, looking right at me.Something jolted inside me. I had been right. Full-on, his face was dramatic. Angular, almost bony, it was dominated by black, straight brows over dark, harsh eyes that concealed layers of turbulence and profound, conflicting emotions; a hard mouth with a sensual curve.Tall, straight, and broad shouldered, his body gave the impression of being only loosely flung together. His dress was respectable and yet hung on him with such carelessness that it somehow suggested the entirely disreputable.His unblinking regard washed over me in waves. Anger; constant anger. Curiosity and annoyance. He didn’t want to be here and yet needed to know what would happen.Contempt, disbelief. And a sudden surge of lust that made me gasp and spin away from him in shock, for my own body flamed in wicked reply.It was hardly the first time I had sensed such feelings directed at myself. It was a normal part of life, usually distant, unthreatening, and easy to ignore. But this man’s emotions ran deep.Deep, damaged, dangerous, just the kind of man we didn’t need here. Just the kind of man I should avoid. My entirely worldly, physical response to him told me that. Even with my back to him, I could feel his eyes burning into me like caressing hands. And I wanted those hands. I needed them—on my breasts, between my thighs, everywhere—with a force that made me tremble. He would be a fierce lover, strong and demanding and exciting… I longed to be excited like that.He wanted me. If I walked over to him now, I’d only need to smile and touch his arm and he’d take me away, to his own rooms, wherever they were, or to some anonymous, discreet hotel where we could spend all night in wild, sensual delights. Forbidden, delicious, without inhibition…Maybe he’d exorcise the demon in me. Maybe I’d ease the demons in him.But it would never happen. I needed my demons safely locked up, and I knew instinctively that this man spelled danger for me.But I’d watch him for my mother’s sake, for I sensed he meant us no good.As I walked back, I glanced to either side. He moved with me, following me, not just with his gaze but with his person, along the length of the wall, like a large, predatory cat. Or a wolf, perhaps. His lust enfolded me, teasing my own. But even over the space between us, interrupted by other guests who blocked my view from time to time, I caught the hint of contempt, the tinge of anger amidst the desire in his dark gaze.Which made my temptation suddenly easy to resist. I halted and lifted one haughty eyebrow, allowing my own disdain for his undeserved judgment to curl my lip. I’d always found my stare and my eyebrow to be an infallible deterrent, but this man didn’t hesitate.His lips curved upward, and as though he took my attention for an invitation, he swerved suddenly in my direction.My breath caught in uncharacteristic panic. A new, fierce tug of sensual yearning told me I couldn’t be anywhere near this man, and yet I wouldn’t run. I refused to be despised when I’d done nothing to deserve it.“Shall we begin?” my mother said, shattering the strange illusory bubble which seemed to have formed over myself and the sceptical stranger. “Those who would like to join in, please sit down at the table. Everyone else, feel free to watch and move around as you wish. All I ask is that you don’t interrupt. Sir, would you mind closing the outer door?”
She looked directly at my sceptical stranger. She might have seen our little byplay, or she might have sensed the same danger I did. On the other hand, he was nearest the door. I wondered if he’d be rude enough to ignore her request.But my sceptic inclined his head. The gesture was somehow more mocking than gracious, but he obediently walked back and closed the door as she asked. Then he leaned one powerful shoulder against it and waited, apparently, to be entertained.
I found my own refuge by the bedroom door for escape purposes, and waited with resignation for the show. God knew there was enough emotion in that room to make it a good one.

About the Author:
Marie Treanor lives in Scotland, in a chaotic house by the sea, together with her eccentric husband, three much too smart children and a small dog who rules them all. Most days, she avoids both housekeeping and evil day jobs by writing stories of paranormal romance and fantasy.
Marie is the award winning author of over forty sexy paranormal romances - Indie, New York and E-published.
Website: http://www.MarieTreanor.com
New Release Mailing List Sign-up:http://www.marietreanor.com/marie-treanor-newsletter
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Treanor-Paranormal-Romance/105866982782360
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarieTreanor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/marietreanor/
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A Hold on Me

Dark Heart Book 1
by Pat Esden
https://amzn.com/1496700058

A Bewitching Monday

Top Ten Websites to Help Authors ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/DFG7302zyNG

Interview, Excerpt and Giveaway: Dragon in the Blood by Juliette Cross ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/EM4I302zzo7

Guest Blog + Giveaway: Jasmine Moon by Celia Breslin ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/uWMG302zzIH

Interview Touched by Abbey MacMunn
http://mileythebookjunkie.blogspot.co...

Interview - Omnipotent Blood by CM Michaels ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/B33s302zzVV

Author Interview & Giveaway - Her Black Wings (The Dark Amulet Series, Book 1) by AJ Norris ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/dskw302zzHq

McKinley Mysteries: Interview & Giveaway ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/S89l302zzQ7

Juliette Cross (Author Interview): Dragon in the Blood Tour ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/AFyQ302zzqu

JB Dutton's Top 10 Mythical Creatures - The Embodied Trilogy Tour ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/Hv83302zyPk

Interview:James A. Hunter (Cold Hearted: A Yancy Lazarus Novel) + giveaway ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/TL2c302zz4W

Sarah's Gift Believing In the Magic by Erica Tucci ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/A4up302zAjx

Excerpt & Giveaway: Dragon in the Blood (Vale of Stars #2) by Juliette Cross ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/WSkC302zzti

Rubicon International Books One and 2 by Ann Gimpel ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/XVG0302zAeg

‪#‎Book‬ ‪#‎Spotlight‬. . .Between the Bleeding Willows. . .‪#‎BookBoost‬ ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/26mR302zyJj

Review: Setting His Sights, by BA Tortuga ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/Hitn302zA4Z

Out of the Frying Pan by Julia Talbot ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/T4lC302zA20

Believing In the Magic by Erica Tucci ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/SinZ302zA07

Out of the Frying Pan: Excerpt & Giveaway ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/jUdO302zzS7

Review: Touched, by Abbey MacMunn ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/QYOy302zANc

Spotlight, Giveaway and Sale The After Effect by Rose Shababy ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/eebW302zAGy

Between the Bleeding Willows D.A. Roach http://ow.ly/g4NU302zyKJ

Spotlight & Giveaway - Shadow of the Coalition by Jamie A. Waters ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/flFT302zAC1

Dial M for Murder Series by Alexis Kennedy ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/EVuH302zzlH

Hart Spotlight - Waking Eden by Rhenna Morgan ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/ripo302zB8W

Dragon in the Blood: Vale of Stars 2 ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/2mj9302zzy6

Touched by Abbey MacMunn - Excerpt ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/DJDi302zAOD

Burning For You Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway! ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/nr7b302zyYr

Spotlight and Giveaway - Branded Trilogy Books 1 and 2 by Kat Flannery ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/T86H302zyVK

The Double Life of Tutweiler Buckhead ‪#‎bewitchingbooktours‬ http://ow.ly/tK9h302zAJt

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Transition by Luke Ahearn - Book Tour and Giveaway
http://silver-dagger-scriptorium.weeb...

Interview - Omnipotent Blood by CM Michaels

Please tell us about your latest release.
Omnipotent Blood is the second of four books in my Urban Fantasy Sisters in Blood series. The supernatural world expands in this installment, with Angels, Demons and witches joining the fray, which made it really enjoyable to write. The book blurb is below:
Having survived the attack inside the Natick Mall, Brooke dreads the thought of spending decades in exile while she waits for the media firestorm from the superhuman brawl to run its course. But soon after fleeing Boston, she discovers the battle caught the eye of forces far more lethal than humans. Captured by the dark Goddess Lilith, Brooke has her soul stripped away, becoming a greater demon tasked with leading Hell’s forces to war.
But not even Lilith could have anticipated the powerful bond Brooke has formed with her family. Or the unlikely alliances they’d forge in an attempt to save her. Her love for Sienna and her sisters prevents her from fully embracing the darkness, but the demon spirit inside her is claiming more control of her mind with each passing day. It’s a race against time, and the whole world is at stake.
Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?
With Brooke being under the influence of very dark forces for a large portion of the book (and not just in a “tranced” robot, can’t control my body sort of way), it made it challenging to write from her very altered and sometimes disturbing point of view while providing readers with enough signs that there is a piece of her deep down that is still fighting to give them hope.  She goes through hell—literally—before ultimately finding her salvation. She wrestles with her sexuality and her faith as well, and is thrust into a leadership position she isn’t at all prepared for, waging a demon-on-demon war (featuring dragons, minotaurs and all kinds of other fantastic creatures) with the fate of mankind at stake. There are so many aspects of her character that are developed in this book. She truly is not the same person by the end.
What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?
here are a lot of them J If I had to pick I’d say it’s when she explores the valleys of hell for the first time atop her sister she’s transformed into a dragon. An excerpt from this scene is below: “Rise, Ruby,” I commanded.Once she’d climbed to her feet, I dissolved her gown and motioned for her to climb up onto the altar. Having been told what was to come next, she placed her hands and feet within easy reach of the iron shackles, allowing me to quickly secure them. Knowing I was about to make my now-paralyzed sister immortal filled me with such happiness I couldn’t resist raising her veil and giving her a loving peck on the cheek. Lilith placed her tri-bladed dagger in the palm of my hand. The black-vial handle had Mary Antoinette Jewel written across its face in the same stylish font and striking crimson lettering as mine had been. I’d never heard her middle name before. While I took a moment to focus on my target, part of me absently wondered why her parents had chosen it. With a quick lunge, I plunged the twisted steel deep into Ruby’s heart. She let out a faint gurgling noise before she stopped breathing and her heart went silent. Thanks to Hanna, the jeweled golden candle holder was already sitting next to the altar, ready and waiting for me. I inserted the ceremonial black candle and whispered the simple incantation I’d memorized from the grimoire I’d been given. The eerie black flame hissed to life, rising high above the candle. The sound of my own voice echoed through the temple as I began to recite the first chant and dance around my sister’s prone body. Just as with Aimie, the demonic candle spoke to my spirit, letting me know when and where to place the wax to help dislodge her soul. My body moved on its own accord as I wove the enchanting spell, calling to Ruby’s spirit like a siren leading a ship toward its watery grave. I was so lost in the ceremony by the time I’d completed the last of the chants Lilith had to shake me just to bring me back to my own body. “Someone’s been practicing,” she said with a beaming smile on her face. “I could not have performed the harvesting ceremony any better myself. Now hand me your sister’s soul so you can call forth her ignis demon spirit.”I eagerly did as she instructed, unsnapping the vial from the center of the three twisted blades still buried to the hilt inside Ruby’s chest. Rather than tucking it away to be filed in the vault as I expected, Lilith raised the small black cylinder to her mouth. Her tongue sharpened to a needle-like point and penetrated the seal before she tossed her head back and began to feed. Watching her consume my sister’s soul was surprisingly difficult for me. I knew she’d be feeding off my own soul soon enough—if she hadn’t already—and as demons we no longer had any use for them, anyway, but there was still a startling sense of finality to it. Slowly the elegant red lettering began to fade, marking the end of her soul’s existence. By the time Lilith finished feeding, her body was glowing so brightly I had to avert my eyes to keep from being blinded. Seeing my sister’s still form lying on the altar made me quit wondering about what our goddess would be able to do with her newfound power, and I was able to focus on completing Ruby’s conversion. I carefully withdrew the dagger from her heart, breathing a huge sigh of relief when it began to beat again. The summoning spell for an ignis demon was far more complex than the spell for a succubus, as it required a greater concentration of the darkness to form such a powerful spirit. After conducting a final practice rehearsal inside my mind, I raised my arms high above my head and began to sing out the lengthy chant. By the time I was halfway through, sentient black smoke-like tendrils began to seep up from the depths below and coalesce around my sister’s body. I continued to sing as they forced their way into her mouth and eyes and between her legs. Fearing I would get distracted, I turned away when her body began to mutate, choosing to watch the dark tendrils rise up from the depths of Hell instead. When the last of the smoke disappeared behind me, a fierce roar bellowed through the temple. I turned to find myself face to face with a seventy-foot-long dragon.Ruby lowered her enormous head so I could rub the scaly red skin between her nostrils. Grayish horns protruded from the top of her skull, but the rest of her countless bony growths—including the spikes that ran the length of her spine down to the tip of her tail—were blood red like her body. Her striking brown eyes were the same color as when she was in her human form, allowing me to see a bit of my sister within the beast. Unfortunately there wasn’t room inside the temple for her to extend her majestic wings. The confined space seemed to be upsetting her.Feeling a little suicidal, I leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her snout. “You are so beautiful, Ruby. Can you understand me?” She nodded, inadvertently knocking me onto my rear. I laughed as I climbed back to my feet. “Easy with the gestures there, sis. I’d say you’re like a bull in a china shop, but you could eat a bull in one gulp.”She let out a little snort that I took for her version of a laugh. When she opened her enormous mouth to reveal her six foot fangs I couldn’t help taking a step back from her. It was like looking down the throat of a lion, only a thousand times scarier. I couldn’t figure out what she was trying to tell me by holding her mouth open until Lilith spoke up. “She wants you to climb inside, my young general. To prove you still trust her.”The are-you-nuts, wide-eyed look I shot back made her and Hanna both laugh. “Look at the bright side. Even if she eats you, I’ll be able to piece your body back together once you come out the other end. No harm done.”“How comforting,” I growled back at her. Being remade from a steaming pile of dragon poop. There’s an image I’d never get out of my head. Still, if my sister wanted to eat me, she could have done it by now. I slowly walked forward, stepping over the two-foot-tall teeth in her lower jaw to climb inside her mouth. When she lifted the base of her forked black tongue toward my butt, I figured she wanted me to sit and eased myself down onto the sandpaper-like skin. She carefully closed her jaws until I was cocooned inside in complete darkness. Suddenly her tongue shot forward. I let out a scream as she knocked my legs out from under me, sending me sprawling onto my back. The sides of her tongue rolled around my body, wrapping me up like a burrito before my sister was on the move. I could hear stone breaking apart as she lunged forward on her powerful lizard-like legs. Soon the ground dropped out from under us. The thunderous flapping of her powerful wings shook her entire body almost like the gallop of a horse. After the initial nausea from my tilt-a-whirl ride, I began to enjoy the feeling of us being airborne and wished I could see where we were going. “Can you fly with your mouth open a bit without dropping me?” I yelled out, hoping she could hear me above the noise. The scorching air I was somehow growing accustomed to came whistling through her teeth as her mouth cracked apart just wide enough for me to peer through. We were flying above a vast ocean of bright orange magma. Off in the distance I began to make out what looked like the ruins of a sprawling coastal city. Giant granite statues of my god and his daughter stood like sentinels on the high cliffs above the port. Skeletons of mile-wide castles and long-abandoned arenas littered the ground we passed above, as did the foundations of thousands of homes. Further inland, the tracks of ground were sectioned off and plowed in neat rows. Farms had once spanned from one horizon to the other. Now all that was left was an endless stretch of charred, lifeless soil. It was like looking at a post-apocalyptic earth. If I didn’t utterly despise our enemies before seeing such indisputable evidence of the genocide they’d committed, I certainly did now. Soon the angels would pay for what they’d done to our homeland. They’d all pay.
Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?
While the bulk of the story occurs on our modern-day earth, Brooke visits both heaven and hell, which in my book are entirely different worlds unlike anything described in the bible with a rich and violent history stretching back countless millennia. As is true in all wars, both sides have committed atrocities as a means to an end, and while the angels are definitely “the good guys”, they are far from innocent. The reader is forced to wrestle with that fact, and will likely find themselves empathizing with Brooke’s altered POV at times.  
With the book being part of a series, are there any character or story arcs, that readers jumping in somewhere other than the first book, need to be aware of? Can these books be read as stand alones?
Omnipotent Blood contains its own unique plot arc and can be read as a stand-alone. Both the central conflict and the primary antagonists are introduced in this installment. I drop in short character and plot point refreshers in the first couple of chapters as well. Obviously readers would benefit from having read Dangerous Waters but they wouldn’t have to in order to enjoy Omnipotent Blood.
Do you find it difficult to write in multiple genres?
I enjoy writing in both the Urban Fantasy and Fantasy genres. I find Urban Fantasy writing to be a little easier. By being rooted in the “real” world, it provides the author and reader with an established foundation to tie the magical / supernatural elements into. If, on the other hand, your world is full of carnivorous jasperia vines, soul stealing mist clouds and all manner of unique creatures, you need to get the reader’s head around these elements in addition to introducing the main plot and your central characters. On the other hand, Fantasy writing provides a blank canvas for the author which is incredibly endearing to me. I hold Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Days of Blood and Starlight) in high regard as a Fantasy Author and have learned a great deal from her writing.
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
My wife and I love hiking and viewing wildlife. We have been to Yellowstone National Park four times. Someday I’d love to retire there. After twenty years of marriage we still go on a date night ever Saturday, which typically consists of catching a movie and eating at one of our favorite restaurants. I am a lifelong New England Patriots fan, back to the early seventies, and played football in both high school and college. I grew up playing sports, hunting and fishing with my three brothers and our dad. And I am an avid reader, of course. I may have to build a new wing onto our house soon if I keep devouring novels at my current pace J
What was the last amazing book you read?
The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicles, Day 1) by Patrick Rothfuss. Patrick is a gifted storyteller, and the book is presented in a really unique way, going back in time to explain how the protagonist became the legend he is while occasionally cutting back to the present time. The style reminded me a bit of The Notebook, although even modern day in this case is in the middle of the series plat arc. At some point in book 3 or so we will catch up with where the narrator is in time then be treated to seeing what happens from that point forward. It’s kind of dystopian fantasy.
Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?
Typically in bed, although if it’s been a long day that can present challenges with trying to stay awake. If I’m being especially bad on a weekend (letting myself read for hours rather than write) the recliner in the man cave is my preferred spot.
What can readers expect next from you?
I am currently working on a fantasy romance called Kerrigan’s Race that features a female Olympic swimmer who is captured and taken to a foreign water world full of mermaids, griffins and countless other creatures. The Greek and Roman pantheons play a huge role in the story, with Neptune and Poseidon ruling over their world. I will also begin working on book three in the Sisters in Blood series soon.


Omnipotent BloodSisters in BloodBook TwoCM Michaels
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Freya’s Bower
Date of Publication: October 6, 2015
ISBN: 978-1617981654ASIN: B015S1FTPG
Number of pages: 294Word Count: 117,529
Cover Artist: LLPix Design

Book Description:
Having survived the attack inside the Natick Mall, Brooke dreads the thought of spending decades in exile while she waits for the media firestorm from the superhuman brawl to run its course. But soon after fleeing Boston, she discovers the battle caught the eye of forces far more lethal than humans. Captured by the dark Goddess Lilith, Brooke has her soul stripped away, becoming a greater demon tasked with leading Hell's forces to war.
But not even Lilith could have anticipated the powerful bond Brooke has formed with her family. Or the unlikely alliances they'd forge in an attempt to save her. Her love for Sienna and her sisters prevents her from fully embracing the darkness, but the demon spirit inside her is claiming more control of her mind with each passing day.
Amazon        Amazon Paperback     BN       BN Paperback
Excerpt:
As she drew closer I got a good look at her face. The tiny hairs on the back of my neck tingled. I’d seen her before—the creepy room service girl at the hotel who’d held my wrist for about five seconds after I’d taken my glass of wine. “Am I supposed to believe that you just happened to show up here? A hundred and fifty miles from the hotel you work at?”She grinned, securing her thick, wavy hair in a ponytail. “Of course not—although I don’t actually work at the hotel.” She made a wide sweeping gesture with her arm toward the wreckage. “Who do you think caused the accident?”This whole encounter was freaking me out. Fuck being discrete. I visualized her flying backward into the snow bank. In an instant the strange connections formed in my mind, physically linking me to all of the cars, people and debris that surrounded me. I didn’t want to hurt her—not yet, anyway—so I only pushed hard enough to send her sailing about fifteen yards into the ditch.She laughed as she climbed to her feet, shaking the snow off her designer outfit. “It’s been a while since I’ve been knocked on my ass. Impressive.”I’d never felt so dumbfounded in my life. Even if this psycho bitch was used to fighting my kind it was unlikely she’d ever crossed paths with another telekinetic. She was acting like I’d crafted a wiener dog out of a balloon at the fair. “What the hell are you?”“I need you to come with me,” she said, making no effort to respond to my question. “And since you seem to be immune to being bound—I’ve been trying ever since you got out of the car—you’re going to have to consume my blood first.”“I’m not going anywhere with you!” Where the hell were Sienna, Raven and Sandy? Ruby’s escalade might be shielding them from seeing the encounter, but even if it did, I wasn’t exactly being quiet. And Ruby was staring right at us.“Your coven sisters can’t see or hear you.” She’d apparently guessed my thoughts by the direction I was looking. “A simple illusion. To them you appear as if you’re still sitting in the passenger seat like you were told.”“How—”“Enough!” Her voice boomed with unnatural power, causing me to take an involuntary step backward. “I have no desire to harm you, child, but you are coming with me. Now.”With all of the abilities that I had been given, I never thought I’d have cause to feel afraid again, but watching her approach me like I was nothing but a petulant child made me shiver. There was no way to fake that type of unwavering and absolute confidence.Still, she couldn’t possibly know I was far stronger and faster than the vampires she was accustomed to. Like every redneck bar brawler, she’d finally messed with the wrong person. I shifted my feet into a more athletic stance and began to study her movements, searching for a weakness to exploit. My muscles tensed in anticipation. “Take another step toward me and I’ll rip your fucking heart out.”She lunged.

About the Author:

C.M Michaels grew up in a small town in northern Michigan as the youngest child of a close-knit family of seven. He met his wife, Teresa, while attending Saginaw Valley State University. Together they’ve provided a loving home for several four-legged “kids”, including Sophie, their eternally young at heart, hopelessly spoiled Spaniel.
He has always enjoyed writing, and still has fond memories of reading his first book, a children’s novella, to local grade schools when he was 14. C.M. is currently working on the third book in the Sisters in Blood series along with a Fantasy romance called Kerrigan’s Race.
An avid reader since discovering Jim Kjelgaard novels in early childhood, his favorite authors include Kelley Armstrong, Peter V. Brett, Richelle Mead, Rachel Caine and Laini Taylor. When he’s not writing, C.M. can be found curled up with a good book, watching movies or hitting the hiking trails with his wife.
C.M. currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky.
Website: http://cmmichaels.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/UFAuthorCMMichaels
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UFAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7234420.C_M_Michaels


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Writing to Inspire - Erica Tucci

I love to write, but of course, you would expect that from an author! I started writing seriously when I was a teenager during the summer months of my 16th year. An 18-year old university student of my mom (who is a college professor) and I spent the summer together at my home while my parents were out of town. She and I filled notebook upon notebook with poems and quotes and stories. God only knows where all those notebooks ended up. But that was my first foray into the writing world.
Little did I know that writing would become a lifelong passion that has carried me through different rites of passages in my life:
●       Moms and Their Young Spirited Boys - having children●       Anything is Possible - true love●       Zesty Womanhood at 40 and Beyond - middle age●       Radiant Survivor- facing life challenges●       And finally Sarah’s Gift - returning to childhood
What all my books have in common is that they all have a message or messages for the appropriate audience, both non-fiction and fiction. I like to write books to inspire others, whether it’s to help a mom dealing with the masculine energy of her young male charges or to help a woman see love, with its many obstacles, as a transformative journey or to help someone survive and thrive after going through a life-altering experience.
As you might surmise, my books are based on my own life experiences. I feel that I, and every other author who writes from the heart, have something to share with others who may be going through similar circumstances and may be seeking some guidance along the way. I may not be a trained psychologist or therapist, but to me, having similar life experiences can be just as effective in helping others break down the barriers that may be keeping them from being all that they can be, no matter what the circumstances.
This is what I strive for myself as an author, and what I strive for in relating my stories to others through the written word. As I say on my Erica Tucci website at www.ericatucci.com/being-a-woman/: “I believe sharing who I am allows other women to feel liberated in sharing who they are and recognizing how closely we connect at the heart. I am you and you are me!”

This can be just as true for all humans. As we all begin to connect more closely in the world, separation and the associated fear gives way to union and love. And isn’t that a better place to be?

Amazon
Believing In the MagicSarah’s GiftBook TwoErica Tucci
Genre: Children’s fiction, paranormal, social issues
Publisher: Publish it Write
Date of Publication: July 18, 2016
Word Count: 12,391
Cover Artist: Nada Serafimovic
Book Description:
Sarah is a fifth grader who has psychic abilities - she can see spirits. At school she meets Leila , a fourth grader and finds out that Leila also has psychic abilities. She uses telekinesis to make things happen, but she uses them to get back at kids in school who taunt her. Knowing how it is to be taunted by her peers, Sarah befriends Leila and helps her learn how to use her powers in a good way. In the end, Leila encounters a situation in which her powers “save the day”.
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/Zs3_pzOhzGY

About the Series:
Sarah’s Gift is a series of chapter books for 7-12 year olds about a young girl with psychic abilities, who uses them to harmlessly deal with different life situations. Standing Up for Yourself is about how Sarah deals with a school bully. Believing In the Magic is about how Sarah helps a girl with telekinetic abilities use them in a good way. There will be a book coming out every two months, with several of them being co-authored by youngsters, the third one being one of them.

 “Standing Up for Yourself is a gift that many parents will welcome. It helps parents encourage a child's gift of second sight perception that is all too often written off as ‘just your imagination’. Through the story telling Ms. Tucci provides support for children for their intuitive and psychic gifts. I've noticed how many more children these days are being acknowledged rather than shamed for their capacities to see, hear, and feel those ordinarily non-visible beings that make their appearance known. Both you and your child will thoroughly enjoy this story!” — Dr. Steven Farmer, author of Animal Spirit Guides, Earth Magic, and the Children's Spirit Animal Cards

"I am raving about the second book Believing in the Magic in the Sarah's Book Series by author Erica Tucci. As soon as I started reading the first few pages I couldn't put the book down. As a young child I remember magical moments in my life. I had great intuition and was always helping and healing friends and the creatures that God created. Sarah's story took me back in time to my childhood. Each of us have magical gifts that can be used for the goodness of life just like Sarah...The mindset of positive thinking and using your gifts for the greater good as Sarah brought out helping her friend Leila, are belief systems we all can learn from. In this story the messages are we are our own magic and believe in the power of thought for the greater good...This is a book to read to your children and discuss with them...It's a story of a compassionate friendship with a binding of acceptance in unconditional love." — Cindy Hively, Intuitive Healing Catalyst for Women



Excerpt: Introduction Believing In the Magic
Sarah lay in bed. She had just started reading The Girl with the Silver Eyes by Willo Davis Roberts. Her digital clock on her nightstand read 8:30. Stifling a yawn, she turned the page to keep reading; she was engrossed in the book and finding out more about Katie.“Just for the fun of it, Katie had shifted the air current then so that the pollen drifted under his nose; when he sneezed, Pastor Grooten had to grab for his sermon pages before they sailed off the lecturn.”Wow! Sarah thought. To be able to move things by just thinking about it. How does Katie do it? But then she thought about what she was able to do. I can talk to ghosts. I wonder if there are others out there who have psychic abilities. I can’t be the only one! Katie was different, like her, just in a different way. Wouldn’t it be nice to meet someone else who was different. There have to be others like her somewhere. Sarah wished she could meet Katie. They could be best friends!She delved into the book, reading passage after passage of Katie’s harmless pranks: making her horrible babysitter tremble at the sight of a floating fork and creating a gust of wind that caused a door to slam into her pesky neighbor’s face.Sarah understood Katie’s predicament. Katie had silver eyes and was odd to people around her. Sarah felt the same way. Most people shied away from her because they thought she was “cursed.”She was so enamored by the book that she read until her eyes became very heavy. She remembered when she was younger how her dad would say “Your eyes are getting heavy; you are getting sleepy, sleepy, sleepy” when he was trying to put her to sleep. How she missed her dad. She knew that he was okay on the other side since her grandmother who had come to her one day told her so. She wondered if he would come to her directly someday. It would be so nice to see him and talk to him, even if he was in spirit and not on the earthly plane anymore.Turning off her bed lamp and laying her book on her nightstand, Sarah snuggled under her duvet and fell fast asleep. She had no problem falling asleep; in fact, she would fall into such a deep sleep, she would have the most vivid dreams. And that night was no different.She was sitting in the back seat of her mom’s car peering out the window. The crow came up to her window and started tapping on it with his beak. He started talking to her telepathically. “Pay attention to the magic in the world,” he chirped. “You can create anything you like through magic. Your thoughts are powerful!”
Sarah woke up the next morning thinking about the dream and how she felt that crow was trying to tell her something, but what? She had to put it out of her mind for now since she had to get ready for school. She would ponder over it when she got home in the afternoon.
About the Author:
Erica Tucci had a full life as a corporate manager of a Fortune 500 company, a healing arts business owner and an author. It all came to a screeching halt in June 2011 when she had a stroke. During her recovery, she gained much wisdom about what’s really important in life. Although she was a Reiki master, massage therapist and life coach as well as a corporate cog, she realized that her passion was her books. Her hope now is that the messages of her books will be an inspiration for others, young and old. Her most recent venture has been her Sarah’s Gift series, chapter books for 7-12 year olds about a young girl with psychic abilities, which speak to the children with special gifts, helping them deal with different life situations. Her other books include Moms and Their Young Spirited Boys (1998), Anything is Possible, a novel based on a true love story (2011), Zesty Womanhood at 40 and Beyond (2011), Radiant Survivor (2013 - Amazon bestseller), and most recently the first book of the Sarah’s Gift series Standing Up for Yourself (2016 - Amazon bestseller). The second book Believing In the Magic will be available for pre-order June 30 and is being released July 18.
For more information, visitwww.ericatucci.com  
www.sarahsgiftseries.com
www.radiantsurvivor.com
www.facebook.com/erica.tucci
www.facebook.com/sarahsgiftseries
www.facebook.com/radiantsurvivor
www.twitter.com/sarahsgiftsries
www.twitter.com/EricaTucciMuse  
www.linkedin.com/in/ericatucci   




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Giveaway and Sale The After Effect by Rose Shababy

I’m very excited about the release of my latest novel, The After Effect. You’ll find people with incredible powers, intrigue, romance, an awesome battle, all the pieces integral to any good superhero story. I love my superheroes, the idea of amazing people with extraordinary abilities.

So, in honor of that great love, I thought I’d share my top ten favorite superheroes from television or movies. 

1. Jessica Jones (Netflix series, 2015) – All I can say is, if you haven’t watched this awesome series on Netflix, you need to get on it right away. Jessica is everything I love in a hero. Tragic and flawed, tough as nails, but deep down she possesses a tenderness of heart that moves me to tears. This series is almost perfect in every way.

2. Professor Xavier from X-Men (movie, 2000) – Okay, so this one is partly because the incomparable Sir Patrick Stewart plays the role of Professor Xavier. Sir Patrick happens to be the great love of my life, although he doesn’t know it… yet. My love of the character started well over twenty years ago with the comics and cartoon series from the 90’s, but came to fruition with this movie. Sir Patrick also played my favorite fictional character, Captain Jean Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation, so this one may be a little biased. Still, he brings a dignity and class to any role he plays, something few actors can accomplish.


3. Rogue from X-Men (animated series, 1992-1997) – Speaking of the animated series, we come to my next favorite character. Despite her clichéd accent, Rogue is a tragic character. Unable to touch another human being but longing for a great love, she is left on the fringe of society and even the X-Men themselves. A beautiful and complicated character, she tugs at my heartstrings every time. 

4. Deadpool (movie, 2016) – I hate to jump on the bandwagon here, especially when it comes to a character I wasn’t super familiar with prior to the movie coming out, but this movie and the character were ridiculously fun to watch. Crass, violent and hilarious, every second of this movie was worth watching, and Deadpool himself was a strangely likable character.


5. Ralph Hinkley from The Greatest American Hero (TV, 1981-1986) – I absolutely loved this guy. If I suddenly gained amazing strength and speed, I’d be just as much a bumbling fool as this guy. He makes me feel like ordinary people can still be awesome heroes.

6. The Tick (TV, 2001) – It pisses me off that this awesome series was only on for one season. Patrick Warburton was the perfect actor to play the titular character. Every second of this superhero parody cracked me up, and with one liners like “gravity is a harsh mistress,” and “don’t be an Adolph Quitler,” or dialogue like “Death. The eternal blink. The capricious dance of Now Ya Stop Movin' Forever. Well contrary to popular belief, death isn't just for dead people. It can happen to anyone. I know, it's news to me too. And it's not just people either, it's all kinds of stuff. Horses, fiddler crabs. Did you know that even a potato... can die?” It’s no wonder each moment The Tick is on the screen is a gem.


7. Wonder Woman (TV, 1975-1979) – Watching this as a young girl, it was the first time I considered that women could be powerful, heroic figures just as much as men. The diminutive Lynda Carter plays the Amazon princess Diana, which shouldn’t have worked but somehow did, kicking ass and taking names. Beautiful and independent, I wanted to grow up to be her. 

8. Nick Knight from Forever Knight (TV, 1992-1996) – This one is a little bit of a stretch, as Nick Knight isn’t technically a superhero, rather an 800 year old vampire working as a homicide detective on the graveyard shift. This Canadian series follows him through the gritty underbelly of Toronto as he tries to redeem himself through his work while attempting to regain his humanity. As far as I’m concerned, he every bit the tragic hero, plus this series possesses a depth and nuance that sucked me in the first time I watched it.

9. Flash Gordon (movie, 1980) – Oh, my goodness, this movie is filled with so much campy goodness, I don’t know where to start. Flash might not be a superhero in possession of awesome powers, but his character was birthed from the age of the great American athlete and scholar, when men were men and the lines between good and evil were clearly delineated. Plus, any movie that can get Freddy Mercury and Queen to write the soundtrack is a win in my book.

10. Marv - Sin City (movie, 2005) – Easily my favorite character from this graphic novel movie, Marv is a great hulking powerhouse of a man. Make that a battering ram. Again, not a true superhero, especially in light of his penchant for breaking necks and tearing out eyeballs, but somehow he still possesses a certain nobility. We see it in his devotion Nancy, which is really just a metaphor for his desire to protect the innocent. How could you not like a guy like that? 

The After EffectRenegade Heroes SeriesBook TwoRose Shababy
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Sci-fi
Publisher: Super Sheroes LLC
Date of Publication: July 19th, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-9904620-3-3ASIN: B01GSMOAE0
Number of pages: 228 approx.Word Count: 72,757
Cover Artist: Regina Wamba
Maximum Ride meets Sin City in the Renegade Heroes series!
Kasey and his friends are fringe heroes. They use their abilities to protect society, until their last battle leaves Kasey almost dead. Disillusioned, they leave the city in search of peace.
But peace is the last thing they’ll find. Ever since Kasey escaped the cold fingers of death, his powers have been running wild. It doesn’t take long for his girlfriend, Blue, and the others to notice.
In the lush forests of northern Idaho they meet a brand new hero whose shocking revelation sheds new light on Kasey’s strange behavior.
And with her revelation comes a terrible solution none of them can accept.
Worse still, Kasey soon comes face to face with the nightmares of his past.
Will the heroes find the strength to face the consequences of their mistakes? Or will Kasey be forced to make the ultimate sacrifice?
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The Blue EffectRenegade HeroesBook OneRose Shababy                       Blue Brennan is jaded and bitter despite her pinup girl looks and quick wit. Night after night, she scours the Seattle club scene looking for someone or something to fill the emptiness inside.
When she meets the mysterious Kasey, her world stops… literally. He claims she has the ability to control time and stuns her even further when he reveals his own gifts.Blue is inexplicably drawn to Kasey and reluctantly enters his world filled with a new breed of humanity. They’re misfits like her, blessed or cursed with powerful abilities, struggling to hide their differences from the rest of society.
Then the group discovers a nameless, faceless sociopath with nightmarish powers; and he’s coming for Blue. She’s left reeling when they discover her gifts are the key to defeating his terrible evil and saving them all.

Now she must race against the clock to harness her own powers and save her new friends. Can she be more than a renegade? Can she be a hero too?


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Excerpt:
After the events of the morning, everyone seemed to need some private time, especially Blue. She went to our room and crawled back into bed, claiming to still be tired from the night before. Esme and Avery retreated outside, while Val and Ash went to town to go bowling with the couple they met the night before. I sat by myself in the living room, remote in hand and flipping mindlessly through channels. With no one in close vicinity, I didn’t have to work to block out random thoughts and impressions. I stretched out on the couch and let myself relax completely, a rarity for me. No walls in my mind, no struggle for control, no confusion as I tried to sort out all the voices. I came across the movie Casablanca as I scrolled through channels, and stopped. Something about the movie spoke to me, reminded me of me and Blue. I wondered if it was the depth of Rick and Ilsa’s love for each other that mirrored mine and Blue’s. Maybe it’s the hopelessness of it, the voice inside me mocked. She has to give him up to do the right thing, and he has to push her to do it. Just as you’ll have to push Blue. There’s nothing you can do to change it. At least she’ll have Avery to comfort her after you’re gone. Once again, the foreign anger inside me growled to life. In defiance I pushed the channel up button on the remote, flipping through channels until I found one playing music videos and a close up of a woman’s face filled the screen.Zelda, I thought as I studied her features. Despite Blue’s denial, I could still see a resemblance between the two of them. Zelda wore heavy makeup so it was hard to tell, and she seemed taller, leaner, and had longer features, but the similarities were there. Her brow wrinkled as she sang, and the sadness in her eyes seemed to seep through the screen.Stuck inside a life of maybeFinding bliss in erratic shiftsI watch you avoiding meSin-free and quietly
Keep your hands cleanKeep your mind freeNever touch meForget to love me
We can be pureso we can be godlyWe can be meekso we can be lonely
Open your eyesFree from the guiseNo longer hypnotizedBreaking out
Searching for a beautiful lifeSomebody else’s lifeCan I start over this life?Breaking out
Something about her singing made me uneasy as I stared at her. The song was a kind of ballad, but still possessed an edge, an undeniable hardness. The mournful expression of earlier now seemed like a persona, fake sorrow. I turned the television off and laid back, closing my eyes, trying to quell the uneasiness. I pushed the song from my mind, thinking about the events of the previous night, as well as this morning. I wondered if Rayne’s solution was truly the only way to fix things, but it was the image of Blue’s tear-stained face that haunted me as I fell asleep. ***Home, I realized. I was home. I looked around the small room as I pulled the nightshirt in my hands over my head. The water closet, the old bed with the rusted frame, the bare wooden floor slats. I looked down at my hands and realized they were those of a child. Suddenly, a gunshot rang out from the other room, and I dropped to the floor behind the bed as angry voices barked orders through the wall.The door burst open and I scurried under the bed as a man dressed in camouflage and carrying a rifle marched in, dragging my sister Zoya by her hair. She screamed and I clamped a hand over my mouth to keep from screaming as well. My father rushed into the room, yelling at the man until another soldier came up from behind and struck him on the back of the head with the butt of his own rifle.Zoya screamed as our father crumpled to the ground, blood gushing from the wound at the back of his head. From under the bed, I watched it pool beneath him before one of the soldier’s dragged him from the room, the blood streaking across the floor in a gruesome smear. The first soldier shut the door behind him. I watched as Zoya twisted herself around the soldier’s leg, biting him hard on the calf. The man backhanded her with a force that knocked her to the floor. She lay still for a moment, facing the bed, until her eyes landed on me. Her voice filled my mind. Do not move, brother. Do not make a sound. The soldier heaved her off the floor and threw her on the bed. The bedsprings flexed above me, and I flattened myself against the wooden slats of the floor to avoid being crushed. The sound of Zoya crying filled my ears, and I squeezed my eyes shut as if I doing so could block out the noise. A wave of nausea hit me and suddenly, I found myself staring up at the soldier as he ripped the clothes off my body. In the same moment, I realized I was also staring down at Zoya as I shredded her clothes with strong, unfamiliar hands.  I felt the screams tearing out of my throat as mad panic overwhelmed my senses, barely able to separate the image of the soldier above me and Zoya below. A second later, the maniacal glee of the soldier ripped through me, and I couldn’t hold back my screams any longer.I screamed until my throat was hoarse, until the screams turned to great heaving sobs. Only then did I hear the voice calling my name.“Kasimir,” the voice soothed. “Shh. Open your eyes, little one.”Peeking through my eyelids, I saw Zoya’s face peering at me under the bed. She reached out a hand. “Come, little one, you are safe.”“But you’re dead,” I breathed as I put my hand in hers and she helped me from under the bed. I looked around in wonder.The walls had fallen away, and the bedroom sat in the middle of a clearing, a lush forest surrounding it on all sides as the sun shone down on us. I looked at our joined hands and realized the hand that held hers belonged to an adult. The childish persona I had adopted in the dream had disappeared. “That’s right,” I said aloud. “This is a dream.”“Are you certain?” Zoya asked with a smile. “Just because you are not awake does not mean you are dreaming. I have been trying to communicate with you for a long time, but it was not until you understood what was happening that I was able to break through.”“If this isn’t a dream, then what is it?”“You are between,” she said.  “Between what?”“Between spaces. Between worlds.” She pointed toward the woods. “Look, there. Do you see it?”I stared in the direction she pointed, and as my eyes adjusted to the darkness of the woods, I began to see a black void deep in the trees. At first I thought it was just the darkness of the woods itself, but after a moment I could see the outline of the void. The edges writhed and seethed as if alive, and the entire void blurred and shimmered like a puddle of oil.“What is it?” I asked.“It is the other side.” She lifted her hand again, this time pointing in the opposite direction. “And there. That is the world you know.” I looked, this time shocked to see a ghost image of me sleeping on the couch projected against the trees.Zoya continued, pointed at the ground beneath us. “This space is the crack between worlds. This is what you created when you died and went back. This is you.”I nodded. “I understand. I just don’t know how to fix it.”Zoya gave me a sad smile. “Yes, you do. Look again,” she said as she pointed back to the void.I looked again, and suddenly I could see long, tentacle-like strands from the void snaking across the clearing, their thin fingers wrapped around me. I cried out and tried to shake them off, but they moved and slid over my skin like oily, black mercury.  “Just as you are attached to the world you know, you are now attached to the other side,” Zoya told me. “As long as you are attached to both worlds, they will continue to merge.”“What will happen if the worlds merge?” I asked. Her smiled disappeared. “Ultimate chaos. Both worlds will be lost.” Her voice took on a tone of urgency. “You must seal the rift before it is too late. If you do not, everything you love will be destroyed.”I thought of Blue and realized that if I had to die, I couldn’t think of a better reason. I looked at Zoya. “How do I fix it?” “You must go back. The pieces of that world you see attached to you will follow you back in, and the rift will seal itself.”“Is there any way I can seal it and stay with Blue?” I asked.Zoya frowned. “As long as you are attached to the other side, you cannot stay with her.”“She won’t let go easily,” I told her. “No,” my sister agreed. “She loves you as deeply as any person has ever loved another. I am glad you found such a love, little one, even if only for a short while.”I stared at her, as if realizing for the first time who I was talking to, and I reached for her hand again. “I wish you could meet her. I miss you, sister.”She pulled me into an embrace. “I have been with you since the rift was opened,” she whispered against my ear. “Fighting to protect you. I will stay with you as long as I can.”I pulled away and looked at her worried face. “What do you mean?”She glanced toward the void. “There are others who are not so benevolent. I fight them as much as I can, but I cannot fight them all. Your mind is too open. The barriers are down, and the others are trying to use you to gain access to the other side. If they overwhelm you, you will be lost forever and the side you know, her world,” she said pointedly, and I knew she meant Blue, “will be lost along with you.”I nodded, tears filling my eyes as I looked at my sister. “Is it terrible, Zoya? The other side?”“No,” she smiled. “Those of the light, stay within the light, and those of the dark, stay within the dark. I existed in place of pure joy. The two sides have begun to merge only since the rift was created. If you repair it, all will be as it was.”  Zoya glanced at the void again, before looking back at me with fearful eyes. “It is time for you to wake up, little one, but before I go, one last warning. The past may be gone, but it is not dead. Very soon you will come face to face with your nightmares.”“What do you mean?” I asked.The void emitted a strange mix of moaning and hissing, and Zoya’s frantic eyes darted to the abyss. “No time,” she whispered. “Wake up!”***I gasped for air as I woke, rolling off the couch in my panic. I hit the floor with a heavy thud. As my breathing calmed, I replayed the dream in my mind. Not a dream, I reminded myself. It may have started out just like my nightmares, but it definitely hadn’t ended like one. I warmed as I thought of Zoya. Ever since I lost my family, I’d tried to put it in the past and forget what happened. I’d told myself to look to the future and focus on becoming the person I wanted to be.Now I realized the past stayed with us no matter how much we tried to ignore it. By trying to ignore it, I had dishonored the memory of my family. I had dishonored Zoya. “I will do better,” I said aloud. “I promise you, Zoya, I will make things right.”


About the Author:
Rose Shababy and her family reside in eastern Washington State. Rose grew up in the Northwest but swears she’s going to move to warmer climates someday. She’s claimed this for over 20 years, however, and has yet to move more than 75 miles away from her mother.
Rose has a deep love of all things Star Trek and yearns to travel the heavens, as well as an intense desire to be bitten by a radioactive spider. Unfortunately she sucks at science and math so she hasn’t been able bring her dreams to life, instead living vicariously through books, comics, television and film. She hopes to someday make a million dollars so she can afford to buy her way to the international space station, but she’d settle for being able to fly around the world and leap tall buildings in a single bound.
Rose also loves to cook and worked for years in a gourmet Italian grocery and deli where she learned to hone her skills. She prepares culinary masterpieces for her family, but fervently wishes the dishes would wash themselves. Especially now that her dishwashers/children are nearly grown and only one still lives at home.
Rose likes to use her free time wisely. For instance, she likes to daydream, will often read for hours until she falls asleep on the couch with an electric blanket and a warm tabby cat curled up on her hip, as well as spending cozy weekend days watching Syfy movies like Sharknado and Mega Piranha with her husband.
If Rose were a cartoon animal, she’d prefer to be a wise old owl or a sleek and sexy jaguar, but in reality she’d probably be a myopic mole with coke-bottle glasses.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rose.shababy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoseShababy
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rose-Shababy/e/B00NJXBZOK/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6063741-rose-shababy
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/roseshababy/

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Out of the Frying Pan by Julia Talbot

Out of the Frying PanFearless 7Julia Talbot
Genre: Gay romance, action adventure
Publisher: All Romance
Date of Publication:  July 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-945193-22-4
Word Count: 20000
Cover Artist: Erin Dameron Hill
Book Description:
Trust comes at a price.
Jenson Parkinson can't believe it when Sloane Marlen shows up at his Colorado mountain fire station. They were lovers years ago, until Sloane broke Jenson's trust, and his heart.
Sloane knows he's not guilty of the misdeeds Jenson believes he committed, but he never figured out how to convince Jenson. Or how to get over him. Can Sloane grab this second chance with both hands and teach Jenson he's worthy of trust... and love?
ARe

Excerpt:
“The training session will start tomorrow morning at nine AM.” Jenson looked at his guys, some of them volunteer, a few career, and gave them the stern eye. “I know we all have jobs to do, but they’re expecting a wildfire season like no other this year thanks to the drought, and the Forestry Service wants all able bodied personnel to be able to dig firelines, offer support to hot shots and smokejumpers, and know how not to die.”
They all murmured, but no one argued. Carroll, Colorado was big enough to have a permanent fire crew only because of the ski areas that surrounded it, the population transient but relatively wealthy. Their very existence in this Rocky Mountain paradise was predicated on the fact that people had expensive homes and vacation rentals which they’d never let burn down. Jenson frickin’ loved his life. He didn’t want to have to move back to Denver or Boulder or someplace.
“They’re sending several scientists who should help map possible fire routing and containment, as well as two of their lead trainers in hot shots and smokejumping. In addition to our regular duties, we’ll be giving full attention and support to the training team so that we can deploy and offer assistance during the wildfire season. Clear?”
His men and women all nodded, and Jenson gave them all a tight smile. “Good deal. Assignments have been posted for the new shifts. See Josh for all the deets.” Jenson left the meeting room, ready to get on with his day as best he could. He had to get the station ready for the influx of personnel he was about to have, not just the trainers but the firefighters from other small towns around the area. He knew it was a coup for the mayor that Carroll was chosen for this big get together of high mucky mucks, but really, all he knew was he was going to be handing out coffee and doughnuts to a bunch of assholes who did a lot of dick measuring and making a mess in his territory.
“You ready for this, Cap?” Carson Diets asked. Carson was a Forestry guy, and he worked closely with the Carroll department to keep their area clear and keep the campers educated.
“No.” He winked, though, trying for light and happy. “If I get through this without losing my shit we’ll all be grateful. It’s good for the guys, though, right? Trading ideas and shit.”
“Yep.” Carson stepped close and lowered his voice. “There are a couple of real big names in the biz coming, Jenson. Just be diplomatic, huh?”
“Don’t make you look bad, is that what you’re saying?” He grimaced. “Come on, man, I got your back. You know that.”
“I do know that.” Carson clapped him on the back. “I also know you have a reputation for ruling this place with an iron fist and being pissy when someone invades your territory.”
“Well, I’ll try to be all sweetness and light. I don’t suppose you have a roster of who’s coming so I can prepare myself?”

“I do.” Carson pulled out his phone. “I’ll email it to you.”
“Great. Thanks.” His head started to throb, his temples tight and his neck freezing up. Lord. He needed more coffee before he could deal with this shit. His phone chimed, an email popping up from Carson when he looked at his notifications. Jenson walked into his office and set up his K-Cup coffee maker for a hazelnut cream latte. That was his one luxury, because he was from Boulder, dammit. He loathed the Folgers sludge the other guys seemed to adore so much.
He sat at his desk and opened the email, a forward of an interdepartmental memo. When he read the list of presenters, Jenson’s eyes widened. Oh, Jesus fuck. No way. He tried to blink away the name he’d just read, but when he opened his eyes it was still there.
Sloane Marlen.
Jenson leaned back in his chair, letting his head thunk against the backrest. He hadn’t seen Sloane since they were probies, and he really never wanted to see the bastard again.

There wasn’t enough coffee on earth to make this shitty day better now. Jenson was never gonna make it through tomorrow.
About the Author:
Julia Talbot lives in the great Southwest, where there is hot and cold running rodeo, cowboys, and everything from meat and potatoes to the best Tex-Mex. A full time author, Julia has been published by Samhain Publishing, Dreamspinner Press, All Romance eBooks and Changeling Press. She believes in stories that leave a mark, and that everyone deserves a happy ending, so she writes about love without limits, where boys love boys, girls love girls, and boys and girls get together to get wild, especially when her crazy paranormal characters are involved. Find Julia at @juliatalbot on Twitter.
For more information on other books by Julia, please visit her official website:
http://www.juliatalbot.com
http://twitter.com/JuliaTalbot
https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbotwriterpage
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