Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 381

Kindle Freebie May 21-23 A Hot and Sinful Summer

A Hot and Sinful Summer

5 Tantalizing Tales of Sizzling Summer Seduction
By Roxanne Rhoads

Five sinfully seductive tales of scorching summer trysts grace the pages of this short story collection.

Something More Than Friends- a clandestine hookup in the front seat of a car is anything but casual as two friends simmer with emotion while hiding their secret affair from the rest of the world.

Sun Worship- The heat brings out carnal urges in Gina, urges she can't control as the hot summer sun beats down upon her bare skin. You won’t believe the naughty things she does to appease her needs...while her neighbor, Joe, secretly watches.

Lawn Service- Serena's loneliness and the relentless summer heat have her aching for something sinful. Her wishes are granted when Rob, a sexy lawn service technician, shows up to get her yard in shape for the annual 4th of July party.

A Hot and Sticky Summer Night- It’s a hot summer night and a young couple are plagued by boredom. They drive around looking for something fun to do. They end up making love in the woods... and it's anything but boring.

Not Another One Night Stand- Rebecca has been watching Damon at the nightclub for weeks. One night she finally works up the courage to approach him...and he goes home with her. Will it be just a one night stand or could it be something more?

Get it at Amazon 

Interview, Spotlight and Giveaway Thomas by V.A. Dold

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre? 
I love Paranormal Romance and devour them like candy. Naturally I write what I enjoy.
What inspired you to write this book? 

I had the first of the series in my head for several years before I wrote it. While I was writing that book the entire series took shape.
Please tell us about your latest release. 
Thomas is Anna’s oldest son and the head of Security for the Shifter king.  You meet Anna as the heroine of book one. He meets Julia at the first annual shifter gathering and there is no going back.
Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions? 
No formula at all, they name themselves and often new characters pop up out of nowhere.
Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another? 
I expected Stefan to be very funny since his brothers needed to give him a lot of payback. His story turned out to be very emotional and difficult to write but the readers seem to love it.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others? 
I always enjoy Etienne when he shows up in a story. J He is so proper and has such dry humor.
Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?
I have a form I fill out as the information comes to me. Since my characters show up in each others books I need to keep track of the info.
What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course? 

Here is the scene where Thomas see’s Julia for the first time. Thomas returned to watching the party. It was dangerous to expose the king and queen to a multitude of possible attackers, no matter the location. And with a known threat existing against the royal family, the danger multiplied exponentially. The last thing he needed was a distraction, especially a female distraction, regardless of how beautiful and interesting she was.Thomas had a well–earned reputation for sensing a threat. Whenever someone with criminal intentions was within a two–block radius of him, a frisson of awareness would make the back of his neck tingle and itch. It made it extremely uncomfortable to live in a city of any size. Even a nasty fight between spouses could set his gift off, but he was getting better at blocking the lower level threats. This useful but sometimes annoying gift was just one of many reasons why he had moved from Denver, Colorado to the bayou.Thomas pulsed the crowd again. Over the years he had honed his gift or was it a curse, he wasn’t sure which, into a precision tool. With a little concentration, he could pinpoint the location of a person emitting a threat with unbelievable accuracy. Rubbing his palm along the back of his neck, he attempted to ease the itch. There was a low–level threat within the crowd, but with the constant flow of bodies, and the almost imperceptible vibration, he couldn’t target the source. The distraction of the fascinating woman wasn’t helping either. When he had described his strange ability to his grandfather, Isaac suggested perhaps he was sending out the equivalent of sonar waves once he sensed the threat thus allowing him to pinpoint it. An interesting concept, and one he’d explore further. But right now, hundreds of possible assassins milled around the estate.Out of frustration, he tested the crowd again to see if the cause of his unease would present itself. His personal distraction instantly raised her head and locked eyes with him. Huh. That’s interesting.No one else noticed the low pulse of energy he emitted, except her. He knew she felt it by her expression. She held him spellbound with her gaze for a long minute. Startled, the breath rushed from his chest. She hadn’t touched him, heck, she was a good fifty yards away, for God’s sake, but he felt her palm on his cheek. With his lungs now completely devoid of air and chest constricted, he struggled to get another breath, the lack of oxygen making him lightheaded. His knees wobbled, and his lungs burned, reminding him to breathe. Worse yet, all the blood had rushed from his brain to lower regions. That was not helping him remain standing, not in the least.He didn’t dare look away in case the sensation of her hand stopped. Or continued. He was uncertain which he wanted. This reaction was completely unexpected and absolutely against his character. With his heart racing, he remained frozen beneath her invisible touch. The Strange thing was, he had no idea what he was waiting for. Thomas puzzled out the situation. She wasn’t a threat, at least not to his family. The worst she could do would be to rat him out about his gift. He felt like she’d bewitched him. And honestly, it annoyed him that she intrigued his curiosity and piqued his interest. He had no desire to have any woman peaking anything. Frowning in thought, he’d never met anyone who could feel the pulse when he emitted it. But now was not the time to examine that odd, new development.He watched the golden-haired beauty continue to wade through the crowd. Try as he might, he couldn’t take his eyes from her. Swallowing hard, he was torn between wanting to drag her away from the crowd and running in the opposite direction. Absently he cupped his jaw. He still felt her touch there, branded to his skin, and he had no idea how she’d managed it. Shaking his head to clear it, he got back to work. There was no room in his life for women. After watching his parents’ relationship, he realized that was not for him. Ever.
What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes? 
Toured Dude ranches in Texas. That was fun!
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? 
They are all stand alone. But that being said, the characters interact in many of the books and reading from book one is best.



Thomas Le Beau SeriesBook 4V.A. Dold
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Date of Publication: April 10th 2015
ISBN-10:0-9905235-0-0ISBN-13:978-0-9905235-0-5ASIN: B00VZ4HRN8
Number of pages:  211Word Count: 63838
Book Description:  
Julia is happy with her place in the shifter community as the owner of the famous shifter bar, The Backwater. But the life she's created for herself isn't enough to satisfy her crazy-ass mother, Lucinda, who shops her and her sister, Krystal, around to the pure blood shifters like pieces of meat. Only a born shifter mate is good enough for her girls.
Thomas James has his hands full as the shifter king's head of security. He certainly wasn’t looking for a girlfriend during the first annual shifter gathering. He had the king and queen to protect, not skirts to chase.
A childhood of emotional and physical abuse by his birth father has left Thomas emotionally unavailable and uninterested in romantic relationships. His father Tim’s cruelty to his mother and brother molded him into an extremely protective person. No one messes with his loved ones without answering to him.
Even though Julia and Thomas are destined to be mates, the obstacles standing between them and their happily-ever-after seem insurmountable.
Lucinda insists Julia stay away from the filthy human.
Tim is trying to kill every one Thomas loves. The mysterious Benevolent Sovereign, who is trying to overthrow the throne, has sent swampers to attack Thomas and destroy Julia’s livelihood.
With family like theirs, who needs enemies? Will Julia and Thomas’s happiness be snuffed out before it has a chance to begin or will they forge through - obstacles be damned.
Available at Amazon

Excerpt:
It had been a busy shift at her bar The Backwater, and she was ready to relax in a bubble bath with a good romance novel.Julia came through the front door of her home to a horrifying sight. Her beloved novels lay shredded and callously thrown in a pile. It must be her entire collection to create a mountain of pages and covers five feet high in her living room. Next to the carnage lay a note on a side table. The room smelled of anger, frustration, and her mother.She was going to have to store her books in a safer place from now on. Huffing out an angry breath, she picked up the note.
You need to get your head out of the clouds and look for a mate. You won’t find him in one of these human books. I’ve had it with your lack of interest in settling down. Pick out a mate, or I will pick one for you.
“Pick one for me? She has completely lost touch with reality.” Every shifter knew you couldn’t just pick any old mate; you had to find the one who held the other half of your soul. It was time for a private talk with her father. He needed to know how crazy she was acting.Sighing, at almost two hundred, she was well past the age by which she hoped to be mated. Every year her mother had marched available men into her quaint little house like she was presenting the latest fashions, or worse, dragged her to them. Not a single one had been her other half. How exactly was she to blame for that?Then she read the last sentence of the note.
You will attend the dance at your Uncle Isaac’s on Saturday. Perhaps this time you will find your mate.
Your Mother
She audibly groaned. She hated being sniffed by every single male who came within five feet of her. It made her feel dirty. The First thing she did after these setups was take a long, hot shower.Julia thought back to the beginning of her ‘shame’, as her mother described it. She had gone to yet another event where she was set out like a prize to be won. When none of the men were a match, her parents informed her they were buying the Gator’s Tooth Bar and Grill, and she would be the full-time bartender. Their hopes were she would stumble upon her mate amongst the patrons and visitors. The first thing Julia had done was rename the bar The Backwater to spite her mother.Has it really been twenty years?“Oh well, I have six days before Isaac’s party; time enough to stock up on new books. And I’m not going to waste another second thinking about the party. Take that, Mother.” At least her uncle’s party actually sounded fun. Her cousins would be there, and she could hang out with them while avoiding her mother.

The Day of the Gathering
Stretching, Julia considered what to do with her free day. The gathering didn’t begin until seven that evening, and since everyone was invited, The Backwater was closed for the day.Grabbing her robe, she slipped on her bunny slippers and made a beeline to the coffee maker. Goddess, she loved her new programmable machine. No more waiting for the coffee to brew for this girl.Steaming cup in hand, she grabbed one of her new romance novels. A friend had recommended it, saying the storyline and names sounded like her cousin, Cade, and his mate, Anna. She’d never read V.A. Dold before, but she hoped it would be as good as her friend said it was.Not two chapters into the book and the last person she wanted to see walked through her door. Her mother. Lucinda took one look at the book and turned an interesting color of purplish red. “Do you always barge into a person’s home without knocking?” Julia asked coolly.“Where did you get that?” “The coffee? From the pot in the kitchen.”“You know very well I’m not talking about the coffee.”“Well, if you’re referring to my NEW book, touch it and die. And if you think I’m kidding, try it.”Lucinda was dumbstruck; Julia had never spoken to her like that before.“Since I have a day of relaxation planned, why don’t you tell me why you’re here so I can get back to it?”“I bought you a dress for the gathering. I was shopping for one for myself and saw this. It’s your favorite color, and I’m sure it will be stunning on you.” Lucinda held it out to Julia a little hesitantly. Interesting. She’d never seen her mother unsure of herself.  I’m going to have to tell her off more often.“I wasn’t planning on wearing a dress, but I’ll try it on later and see what I think of it.”“Wonderful. We’ll pick you up at six thirty.”“No. You won’t. I’m going by myself.”“But you have to ride with the family.”“Why?”“Because that’s the way you travel to these gatherings. You arrive as a family pack.”“Then I guess I’m starting a new tradition because I’m going by myself.”Lucinda narrowed her eyes. She was so mad, Julia checked to see if steam was rising out of her ears. “You wait until I tell your father.”“Go ahead. I’m still going by myself.”Lucinda growled, spun on her heel, and slammed the door on her way out.“Well,” Julia chuckled to herself, “that was pleasant.”


About the Author:
V.A. Dold Amazon best selling author of the Award winning Le Beau Brothers series.
Prior to becoming a full time writer, she was publicist to the authors, owning ARC Author & Reader Conventions. Still is.
Her idea of absolute heaven is a day in the French Quarter with her computer, her coffee mug and the Brothers, of course.
A Midwest native with her heart lost to Louisiana, she has a penchant for titillating tales featuring sexy men and strong women. When she's not writing, she's probably taking in a movie, reading, or traveling.
Connect with V.A.Dold
Visit V.A.'s website www.vadold.com
Like on Faceboook at https://www.facebook.com/vickieann1
Follow on twitter at @VADOLD https://twitter.com/VADOLD
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8061389.V_A_Dold

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mythean Arcana: Paranormal Romance Boxed Set by Linsey Hall

Mythean ArcanaParanormal Romance Boxed SetBooks 1-4Mythean Arcana SeriesLinsey Hall
Genre: Paranormal RomancePublisher: Bonnie Doon Press
Date of Publication:  May 20
ISBN: 978-1-942085-34-8ASIN: B00WDCMARY
Number of pages: 898Word Count: 290,000  3 full length novels, 1 novella
Cover Artist: Damonza
Book Description:
In celebration of the release of Fate Undone, Book 5 of the Mythean Arcana series, the first four volumes are available for a limited time for only $0.99!
"Linsey Hall's brilliantly imaginative Mythean Arcana is THE must-read series of the year for fans of paranormal romance." - Maggie Shayne, NY Times Bestselling Author of TWILIGHT GUARDIANS
Braving Fate
Bookish academic Diana Laughton has been having terrible dreams. Dreams of battle, dreams of blood... dreams so vivid she's living them day and night. When demons invade her quiet life and she flees to Scotland, she wonders if she's going mad. Or if perhaps she's remembering a past life she had no idea existed...
Mythean Guardian Cadan Trinovante loved and betrayed Britain's warrior queen Boudica two millennia ago. Now he's tasked with protecting mortals whose lives affect the fate of humanity. His latest assignment is Boudica herself, reincarnated as a woman with no idea of her past or her fated future.
Thrown together in a shadowy world that exists alongside our own, Diana and Cadan must fight not only the demonic forces that want Diana dead, but a past and a passion that have lasted centuries. Their desire could be deadly. But as evil from the underworld unites against them, their only hope could be each other.
Soulceress
Three hundred years ago, Warren sold his soul in exchange for the safety of his people. He lives immortal and inhuman, a life in the shadows, hiding his secrets. Until now, when he finally has the chance to reclaim his soul after three centuries of suffering…
Esha is a soulceress, an immortal who drains the magical powers of others. Shunned by everyone she meets, she’s a rogue mercenary who hunts evil for a living. The only man she cannot harm is Warren, whose secrets intrigue her and whose body sparks her desire…
Esha is the only person who can help Warren reclaim his soul. But what begins as a simple quest soon becomes a deadly battle, one in which choices will be made and secrets revealed that could tear them apart. As Esha and Warren uncover their passion, they must defeat the evil forces unleashed against them before time runs out…
Rogue Soul
Andrasta, Celtic goddess of victory, has fled the cold, sterile wasteland of Otherworld for the steamy South American jungle. It's only a matter of time before the vengeful gods catch and punish her - unless she can convince the man she betrayed two thousand years ago to help…
Born in Otherworld to the life of a god, Camulos went rogue centuries ago. He's living on the banks of the Amazon, boxing in bare-knuckled fights. The gods believe he's dead--until Ana finds him. Ana, the woman who gave him nothing but trouble, and the woman he could never forget…
Thrown together, Ana and Cam must evade the wrath of the gods and a return to the living death of Otherworld. But as they flee through the jungle - and as their passion ignites - they find themselves at the heart of an ancient secret. One that could kill them both and extinguish their souls forever...
Stolen Fate
Fiona is an Acquirer, an immortal who uses magic to hunt for ancient artifacts. Ever since she failed to live up to her fate and find the Book of Worlds,, she’s been slowly losing her mind as her subconscious keeps trying to accomplish her fated task. When she’s presented with one last chance to find the Book and save her sanity, she’ll stop at nothing to accomplish her goal.
For more than one hundred years, Ian has been locked in a nightmarish prison. An accomplished thief, he was thrown into hell for failing to maintain the secrecy of his magical race. When Fiona presents him with an opportunity for escape, he’ll do anything it takes to ensure that it’s permanent, even if it means betraying the woman he’s grown to care for.
As Fiona and Ian get closer to finding the book, they learn that there’s more at stake than they ever imagined – like the fate of the world.


Available at    Amazon     Kobo     Google Play  iBooks    BN

Chapter One of Rogue Soul, book 3 in the Mythean Arcana series
The Caipora’s Den Edge of the Amazon River, Brazil Present Day
Andrasta, Celtic goddess of victory, swallowed hard, her gaze transfixed by the man in the makeshift boxing ring. Was he that handsome when I tried to kill him? Or that brutal? She honestly couldn’t remember. It had been more than two thousand years since she’d seen him last, and she barely recognized him. Dim spotlights gleamed off sweat-slicked muscles and highlighted the feral brutality with which he pounded his opponent. No gloves protected his big hands, just white fabric wrapped around knuckles. They were spotted with blood. She swallowed hard again, unable to look away. She’d known she would find him here when she’d strolled up to the Caipora’s Den, a little dive bar perched on the edge of the Amazon River. But she hadn’t expected the outdoor boxing ring surrounded by a horde of cheering Mytheans or that her prey would be inside it, pounding his opponent into a sack of broken bones. She’d never before been to the bar, which catered only to the supernatural beings who lived secretly alongside mortals. The building itself was ramshackle, and she had a feeling that it was just as run-down on the inside. The outdoor lot in which she stood was pressed between the building and the river. It housed the boxing ring and nearly a hundred Mytheans, most of whom looked human even though they weren’t. They screamed and cheered as punches landed with fierce smacks.“All right, that’s enough,” hollered the ref, a big ugly brute who stepped forward to end the fight. The man she’d come for stood over his collapsed opponent, his heavily muscled chest heaving. He was declared the winner—no surprise, considering his opponent didn’t look like he’d be getting off the floor anytime soon. She sank back into the crowd when he turned to exit the ring. Though she wanted to watch him, to devour every hard inch with her eyes, she didn’t want him to see her before she could approach him on her terms. Their past was a pit of snakes, so confusing that even she couldn’t figure head from tail though she’d lived through it. She wouldn’t be surprised if he was pissed as hell, considering the arrows she’d sent through his heart the last time she’d seen him. Not that he hadn’t wronged her. He had. He’d started the nightmare that had ended in her stealing his godhood for herself. Worse, they’d cared for each other. Until it had all gone to shit, at least.And now she needed his help.She turned and pushed her way through the crowd, toward the small bar pressed against the outside of the building. She needed to buy herself some time to recover from the sight of him but didn’t want to do it inside the bar where she might lose track of him. Seeing him again made her shaky, even though it had been so many years. She just needed a minute to catch her breath, that was all. She squeezed between two Mytheans of indeterminate species and reached the bar—which was more of a table with some liquor bottles and a cooler, but it would do. “A beer,” she said to the bartender, a beautiful brunette who had the slightly feral face of some kind of shifter. Ana had never been any good at identifying Mytheans since she rarely got away from her own kind.The bartender handed over a sweating glass bottle and hissed, “On the house.” Anaconda Incantada. The sound of her voice gave away what her features did not. She was a snake shifter.And it had better be on the house. There had to be some perks to being a god, since everything else had been a disappointment. Although Ana never tired of Mytheans fearing or bowing to her. Some watched her warily even now, and she appreciated it all the more for not having had it when she’d been mortal. “How often does this happen?” Ana asked the bartender, hiking a thumb at the ring.The shifter shrugged. “Every night.”“Know anything about the fighters?”“Not the loser. But the winner, he’s never lost. Fights pretty often. Seems to like it. Keeps to himself otherwise.”Ana nodded and turned to look for her prey. The beer slid refreshingly down her throat, and she sighed in pleasure at the smooth taste of the infrequently allowed delicacy. Focusing on the taste helped calm her nerves just a bit. She was raising the bottle to her lips a second time when she spotted him standing off to the side of the crowd near the jungle that crept up to the dirt lot. It had been two thousand years since she’d seen him last, when she’d thought she’d killed him and taken his place as a Celtic god. Those years had been kind to him, considering that he was still alive. Almost as kind as the way-too-hot woman draped around him, sucking on his neck while he unwrapped the bloody cloth from his hands. Ana stifled the strange little twinge in her chest. She’d cared for him once, and he for her, but that was so long ago the memories had gone to dust. Or so she told herself. She took one last swig of the beer to chase them away.Now or never. If she wanted a permanent escape from Otherworld, the land of the Celtic gods and what felt like her eternal prison, there’d be no more dawdling, no matter how nervous she was about his reception or willingness to help her. She needed him. Admitting to it scraped something raw inside her. But after two thousand years, she wanted out more than she wanted her pride.Ana sucked in a deep breath and wound her way through the crowd. When a lobisomem got handsy as she passed, an elbow to the gut halted his straying paws, and a glare stopped another. Fancy Brazilian name or not, they were dogs like the rest of their werewolf brothers. Within moments, she’d reached the edge of the crowd and stood before the now-kissing pair. She squashed her nerves as she gazed at the strong profile of the man she’d never been able to forget—whose mouth was glued to the woman’s. He was a bruiser, even from the side, a contrast of hard features and short ginger hair. He looked rougher than she remembered. Bigger, too.“Camulos,” Ana said. She glanced dismissively at the sultry woman now trying to swallow his tongue.“Cam,” he said absentmindedly as he drew his face away from the woman’s to look at Ana. His brows shot up, his gray eyes widening the barest fraction. A scar sliced through one of the brows. “Recognize me?” she asked, absorbing the fact that he no longer went by Camulos.“Andrasta,” he rasped, shock plain on his face.Did she hear his breath catch? Hers certainly did. He looked every inch the god he’d once been—strong and powerful, with broad shoulders and big arms that looked like they’d been cut from steel. A man comfortable with the mantle of worship, even if he no longer carried it.Ana shot a pointed glance at the other woman.  “Luciana,” he said, drawing the woman’s mouth away from where it had suctioned onto his neck. Ana’s eyes zeroed in on the huge hand that cupped the back of Luciana’s neck, then looked back to realize that he’d kept his gaze trained on her own face. “You need to go,” Camulos said to Luciana.Luciana pouted at him, then turned to look at Ana.“A goddess?” Her brows shot high. She no doubt noticed the small glow emitting from Ana’s skin and marked her as one from Otherworld. Her lips twisted in a sneer. “I thought you Celtic gods never left your cold realm.” She’d be right, Ana thought bitterly. Cold and emotionless, that was Otherworld, and she was trapped there except for a few times a year when she could sneak out without the other gods noticing. But that’s what she wanted to change.“Beat it, sister,” she said, trying out some earth slang she’d seen on a TV show. Sneaking a laptop into Otherworld and firing up movies with her magic was one of the few ways she stayed sane.The woman pouted, gave one last longing glance at Camulos, and then moved off into the crowd.Camulos gave her a hard, searching look, his shock now masked. He didn’t make a move to kill her—which was good. Not that she’d let him. But still, it was promising. He might have cared for her once, but after what had happened at the end, she wouldn’t be surprised if that had been pushed out by anger.“Come on. Let’s get a seat inside.” He jerked his chin toward the ramshackle bar.Ana nodded and turned to lead the way. This time, with the huge male of indeterminate species following closely behind her, the crowd parted in waves to let her pass. Camulos was so close on her heels she swore she could feel the heat of him. It made the fine hairs on her arms stand on end. She tried to ignore it. The smell of sweat and stale beer assaulted her nose when she walked into the bar. It was even more crowded than the outside, with dozens of volatile Mytheans partying and fighting in the dark, smoky space lit only by bare, dangling light bulbs. She blinked. Wow. This was so different from Otherworld. Gross, definitely, from the smell to the cleanliness of the occupants. But it was great. It was nothing like Otherworld, and she loved it. There was one small unoccupied table in the corner, but it was far enough from the main crowd to suit her.They hadn’t so much as settled at the table when a beer appeared in front of Camulos, carried by a smiling waitress whose eyes didn’t stray from him. He ignored it and spared her only a curt nod.“How the hell did you find me?” he asked when the waitress slunk away.His rough voice sent a shiver down her spine. That first tingle of attraction hadn’t been a fluke, after all. Damn it. This was what had gotten her in trouble so many years ago. Insane attraction that had blinded her to the danger she’d stepped into.She dragged her mind back to the present. “More importantly, how the hell are you still alive? I thought I killed you.”His big hand clenched on the table. Scars sliced across his knuckles. She tried not to squirm in her seat as his eyes roamed from her face down to the hint of cleavage she knew peeped above the top of her leather breastplate. She always wore it, but then she spent most of her time in temperate Otherworld or Scotland. It was damn hot in the jungle. Finally, his gaze dragged back to hers. The sight hit her straight in the solar plexus. Damn, he looked good, no matter how wary or how harsh his gaze. His short reddish-blond hair glinted in the dim light that struggled to illuminate the seedy bar with its sticky seats. He still looked like a damn god, no matter what he’d turned into.“You didn’t kill me,” he said, one corner of his mouth hiked up. “Then what the hell are you? How are you immortal?” “Why would I tell you that?”So it was going to be this way? A game of chance where neither showed their cards? But it suited her too, since she had no idea how she felt about him. She glared at him as a Jurassic-sized fly buzzed around her head, as annoying as the questions hanging in the air between them. She still didn’t fully understand everything that had happened those many years ago when she’d taken his place as a god by sending an arrow through his heart. Twice. She flinched at the mental image that came with the thought—him dying in the snow, his blood soaking through the knees of her dress.“Aren’t you afraid of me?” he asked.“Nope.” If she was going to be afraid of anyone, it would be him—with his huge body, scowling face, and potentially deadly grudge against her. But she wasn’t. She could take care of herself, damn it. Being afraid was a thing of the past.“Cocky.”“Yep.” She wasn’t the same girl he’d once cared for, however briefly. After they’d gotten caught in the crosshairs of the gods and her whole life had gone to hell, she’d changed. “Anyway, it worked out for the best.” He raised his smudged glass in toast to her. “Really?” Her brows shot up. He truly thought their past—trading places so that she became a god and he went to earth—had worked out for the best?He nodded, but she had a hard time believing him.“Why? You should have loved Otherworld. You’re a god,” she said.“Not anymore.”“Yeah, but you get what I mean,” she said. “Otherworld, the coldness there, shouldn’t have bothered you since you were born a god. The power, the perfection. It was all yours. Without all the downsides.” Like the soul-sucking loneliness of a place with no emotion. No one could care about anyone else. She was a fluke, a god with the ability to feel because she’d once been mortal. But there was nothing to feel there. No joy, no love, no fun. No way to distract herself from the misery of being trapped. All the other gods, they were perfect for it. Automatons in their impeccable world. But not her.“So why would it be better for you on earth?” she asked when he didn’t respond. He had less power here and had to hide from the other gods. And earth was messy and miserable compared to Otherworld. But it was that ability to be miserable, and alternately joyful, which made her want to return. “There’s nothing for you here.”His gray eyes darkened, his expression effectively closing the subject. “That’s my business, not yours. Why the hell are you here?” “I want out.”“Are you kidding? Do you know what will happen to you when the other gods figure out you’ve tried to run?” What was it about his voice that made her want to squirm in her seat? The mixed accent from his long life sounded exotic somehow and a hint of roughness dragged across her skin. She shivered. “I’ve snuck out before.”“For a few hours maybe, and not with the intent to flee.” He nodded smugly and she knew he must see acknowledgment in her eyes. “When they figure out that you’re gone and don’t intend to come back, you’ll end up chained to the most desolate tor in Blackmoor for a thousand years while ravens circle for dinner.”Ana swallowed hard. The knowledge of the great rock formations where lawbreakers were punished was something she’d tried not to focus on when she’d decided to run. Blackmoor was the most desolate place in Otherworld, all scrubby ground punched through with granite tors and howling wind and rain. She had about a day before the other gods figured out she was gone. At that point, she’d be considered a deserter and they’d hunt her down.“I’m aware of the risks.” She tried to make her voice hard. “I want out.”“What the hell do you expect me to do about it?” “You cared for me once.” She didn’t want to play that card—not after how it had ended between them—but she was desperate.Truth flashed in his eyes, then his jaw hardened. “It was a long time ago.”It had been. But seeing him was dredging up emotions she’d forgotten she’d ever had. She tried to force them to the back of her mind and focus on her goal. “I want to know how you became mortal.”“Not mortal.”“Damn it, you know what I mean. I just don’t want to be a god anymore. You stole my life when your obsession with me attracted the attention of the other gods. I want my life back.” “I don’t owe you a thing.” He raised his glass and his strong throat worked as he swallowed, drawing her eyes to it. She couldn’t help but notice the way his worn shirt stretched over his broad chest. She scowled at her own interest. Long ago, that same interest had gotten her into trouble. “Fine. I’ll just have to convince you,” she said.He didn’t respond, just smiled and folded his muscled arms over his chest. She sighed, then tensed when he swung his feet up onto the chair next to her. Her breath caught in her throat. She could almost feel the heat of his thighs close to hers. Her leg tingled, her skin prickling. Something low in her stomach tightened, and it reminded her that this was one of the reasons she wanted to be back on earth. Fates, her nerves were on edge, and he wasn’t helping matters. She’d spent nearly every day of the last two millennia in Otherworld—the dullest, loneliest place in all of creation. As much as she loved the hustle and bustle of the Mytheans and mortals on earth, there was way too much of it in this bar. Her senses were on overdrive, and the air fairly buzzed with emotion from the dozens of volatile Mytheans carousing around her.She swallowed hard and met his eyes. His smile reappeared, as if he knew what was going on inside her head. Inside her body.“I need some air.” She jumped to her feet. “Come on.” As soon as he stood, she spun and headed for the front door of the bar, hoping it would be quieter than the fighting ring out back. She had to cool down or things were going to get out of control.




About the Author:
Linsey Hall is the author of the Mythean Arcana, a sexy paranormal romance series. Before becoming a romance novelist, Linsey was an underwater archaeologist who studied shipwrecks in all kinds of water, from the tropics to muddy rivers (and she has a distinct preference for one over the other). Her books draw upon her love of history, travel, and the paranormal elements that she can't help but include.
Several of her books may or may not feature her cats.
www.linseyhall.com
https://twitter.com/HiLinseyHall
https://www.facebook.com/LinseyHallAuthor
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8588556.Linsey_Hall
http://www.pinterest.com/HiLinseyHall/
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Guest Blog and Giveaway Amaranthine: The Heart of Decompose by Nina R Schluntz

"Amaranthine: The Heart of Decompose", is my current novel. My other novels are out of print. I decided to release a novella that is an abridged version of the four out of print novels. I wanted to give my readers access to the background of the characters but I didn't feel all four novels needed to be re-published.
I published it through Createspace and yes, it’s out on Amazon as both paperback and kindle. I've heard publishers shy away from previously published works, hence why I used this method for my novella. If I have a good experience I may do more novels this way. We'll see.
If you’re wondering why I decided do full releases of the books. Let’s just say I used to go crazy and my original novels were all over 100K. My mom is a speed reader and I wanted my novel to actually take her more than a day to read [laughs].  But now I trim the fluff and keep myself to a tight 80K.

When I made my novella, I ended up turning four books that were all over 100,000 words, into a single novella of 60,000 words. Was it hard? Not at all. I knew what needed to be done and I did it. The only complete people have now is how many characters are in the novella. To which I roll my eyes, I mean, I cut 2/3 of the characters, so anyone who complains needs to try reading the originals! 


Amaranthine: The Heart of DecomposeNina R Schluntz
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror, Romance
Publisher: Rainstorm PressDate of Publication: 19 December 2014
ISBN-10: 1937758532ISBN-13: 978-1937758530
Number of pages: 230 pagesWord Count: 80,580
Cover Artist: Nina Schluntz
Book Description:
Dragons, unicorns, fairies, zombies… and Santa.
At the center of it all stands Dee, a man immortalized in legend as Decompose. An ongoing war between unicorns and dragons has led to the creation of a plague… a deadly infection Dee is the host for. Not quite human, but not a unicorn either, Dee and the plague form a symbiotic relationship, resulting in immortality of the undead kind.
Every ruling Empire has desired control of Decompose. Controlling the infection means control of the people. An intervention of an old rival, Santa, results in Dee going missing. When he resurfaces decades later, Dee has one goal: locate the mythical cure to his plague.
However, complications of the heart force Dee to decide whether he truly wants to find the cure and give up being Decompose.
Book Trailer:  https://youtu.be/93Yoo-LcPZo

Available at Amazon

Excerpt
Jhon.Dee focused on the name, pulling strength from it. Jhon contained the cure. Dee had to live so he could find Jhon. The cure was his way to correct all the wrongs he had done.Dee ripped at the flesh surrounding him and clawed his way to the surface. The guts of the creature spilled out onto the ground, and he fell with them. He coughed, spitting out bodily fluids of the creature that had eaten him.Jhon.Dee rolled onto his side and threw up. The acidic stomach bile had left him temporarily disabled. His hearing returned before his vision and he heard voices near him.“That?” A boyish voice asked. “That’s what you call a great and powerful present?”“Trust me.” Another male voice said. “Throw the net on him and all your wishes will come true.”“What is he, a genie?”“You can treat him like one. He will be able to grant your every wish.” The older voice sounded familiar. Air rushed into Dee’s lungs, and his heart gave a painful beat. “Throw it over him now, before his strength returns.”“Santa,” Dee managed to say. He gritted his newly mended teeth and gave a low growl. What did that man want now?Dee’s vision returned in time for him to see a large, light- weight fishnet fall over his head and shoulders, covering his entire body. There was something claustrophobic about it. The more he struggled, the more of a mess he made of himself and the net.“Stop moving around like that,” the boy said. Every muscle in Dee’s body stiffened. “Straighten the net out and get to your feet.” Dee moved as quickly as his wounded body would allow. His skin continued to burn from the acidic digestive juices still covering his flesh. The child before him didn’t look nearly as young as he’d expected. He was a teenager. And a dorky looking one at that, dressed in dark green pajamas with a cowlick on the back of his head.“Santa, what is this?” Dee asked.“Show me a trick,” the boy said. Dee obediently raised his hand and created a tennis ball sized orb of fire. It hovered in mid- air a few inches from his hand.“He can do whatever you want,” Santa told the boy. “He is yours. No one will miss him. They all think he is dead.”Dee put the fire out and lowered his hand. Fear rose through his healing body as he realized Santa was right. Dee had just crawled his way out of a dragon’s belly. Everyone who knew him thought a giant winged lizard had digested him. Even if someone searched for his remains, they would likely find nothing awry with his missing body.“What is this?” he asked again.“You’re my Christmas present,” the boy said.Santa leaned in close to  Dee. “The boy is clever,  Dee. He caught me in a trap. You wouldn’t want all the children in the universe to miss the joy that Santa brings, would you? Of course, you wouldn’t. Therefore, I bartered with him. I gave him you in exchange for my freedom. You understand, don’t you?”“You gave me to him as a present? I’m not an object to be owned.”“Well, let’s be honest here, Dee. Most of your life has been spent in exactly that manner. At least this time your owner only wants you for your power, not your plague. Consider it a blessing—besides you’ll still have my visit to look forward to every Christmas Eve.”My plague. Dee tried not to cringe at the reminder.“Can you teleport him directly to the shower? He’s disgusting. My mother will throw a fit if he brings all that goop into the house.”“Then you’ll take him?” Santa asked, as though Dee were a puppy for sale at the pet store.“Yeah, he’ll do. Thank you, Santa.”“I should have thought of this years ago,” Santa said.“Santa, please,” Dee said. “I have to find Jhon before Emperor Emanuel does. He’s the only one who can cure the plague.”“I’m sure Jhon will be fine without you, Dee.”


About the Author:
Nina Schluntz is a native to rural Nebraska. In her youth, she often wrote short stories to entertain her friends. Those ideas evolved into the novels she creates today.
Her husband continues to ensure her stories maintain a touch of realism as she delves in the science fiction and fantasy realm. And their kitty, a rescued Abyssinian, is always willing to stay up late to provide inspiration.
Visit her blog; mizner13.wordpress.com for information regarding previous and upcoming publications. She also posts book and movie reviews for a wide variety of genres.
https://www.facebook.com/nschluntz
https://www.facebook.com/amaranthine.mizner
https://twitter.com/Mizner13
http://mizner13.wordpress.com/upcoming-books/
http://ninaschluntz.wordpress.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23779631-amaranthine
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1980193.Nina_Mizner_Schluntz_

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Guest Blog and Giveaway Destiny by Charlene A. Wilson

Thank you for having me guest on Fang-tastic Books today! It’s great to be here. As I pondered what to share with you all, my heroine from the Cornerstone Deep series, Mianna, kept nudging me. “Let me do it, Charlene,” she kept saying. So I finally gave in. I charged her with letting you know some of her favorite things. So may I present Mianna Shilo of The Transformation of Anna, Echoes, and Destiny books…~ * ~Mianna dances around the terrace and onto the lush grounds.  She tilts a handwritten page between her hands as if it is her partner.  Cole smiles and steps behind her, peering over her shoulder.  He wraps his arms around her waist.  “What are you doing?”
She scrunches her shoulders and leans into him.  “It’s beautiful out here and I wanted to be inspired. I rarely get to do guest posts and I’m just so thrilled that Charlene chose me for this one.”
“I see.  So, what have you written so far?”
She reads from the paper.  “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.”
Cole nods.  “Okay.”
“Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.”
He looks to the side.  “Um...”
“Brown paper packages tied up with strings.”  She glances up at him.  “These are a few of my favorite things.”
“Mianna…”
She holds up a finger.  “Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes.  Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes.”  She lifts her arms and turns to face him, setting them on his shoulders. “Silver white winters that melt into springs…”
“I know.  These are a few of your favorite things.”
She blushes and leans her head to the side with a cherubic smile.  “How did you know?”“It’s a song on Cornerstone Summit.  Mianna, my love, you were supposed to write about your favorite things.”
“But these are perfect.  And they are my favorite things.  Or some of them.  And Charlene has been humming this song.”  She begins to sway to the music in her mind.
An adoring smile spreads across Coles face.  As he raises a hand at the woodland and birdsong fills air in a likeness of the old melody. He takes Mianna’s hand and leads her to the belvedere. 
Vincent and James watch as Cole and Mianna enter the ornate gazebo and begin to dance to the song sung by the foul.  Vincent folds his arms and shakes his head.  “Only Cole and Mianna could get away with waltzing to a song from The Sound of Music.  In a blog post.  Without it coming across as cheesy.”

Destiny Cornerstone DeepBook 3Charlene A. Wilson
Genre: Paranormal/light sci-fi/ Fantasy
Publisher: Spectrum Publishing
Date of Publication: May 11, 2015
ISBN 10: 0989984656ISBN 13: 978-0-9899846-5-2ASIN: B00W35XAY8
Number of pages: 200Word Count: 52,886
Cover Artist: Charlene A. Wilson       
Book Description:
Angels, Gods, High Ones… Could anything else find its way into the prophecy caused by their father, Sylis Shilo, the renowned realm traveler? Vincent understands there were things in his father’s work he wasn’t privy to simply because his soul was too young, but how could this be kept a secret from even his brothers? The more he learns, the more he’s glad he hadn’t known.
The sentinels of Cornerstone Deep are in for their most difficult challenge yet. The portal to the Spectrum of the Realms must be sealed, and punishments must be carried out. Will the Gods take all that is dear to Vincent, James, and Cole Shilo?
“Flesh cannot take away that which our souls have united.”

Available at Amazon

Excerpt:
Stars blinked, and Vincent scowled at the firmament. They mocked him—tiny gems as out of his reach as the treasure he sought. With a snarl, he scanned the area around the empty town square, whirled to face Simpson drive, and then jabbed his hand toward the deserted street of the city’s east side. “Orvertre!” The summoning command echoed through the night and then ebbed into the quiet atmosphere with no result.A frog croaked from Center Creek somewhere within the park to his right. The urban green rustled and deep shadows waved as the breeze whispered along the tall border hedges. A cat padded from an alley between the north side commerce onto the sidewalk and then looked his way. The dim streetlight reflected in its eyes, two silver discs that taunted alongside the night sky. With a growl, he punched his frustration into the air. Blue neon flashed from his fist. The bolt highlighted the crimson brick storefronts and plowed into the street with a resounding blast. Asphalt bulleted the commerce, shattering glass behind the barred windows, and pelted the granite griffin perched on top of the corner archway of the entrance to Shilo Park. The cat darted back the way it came.  Vincent snarled. Turning toward the city center, he clenched his jaw and glared around the empty court. How many times have I tried to summon the Mother Earth beads from here already? Every faithful follower of the gods had come to witness the absence of Gryffin. When they left, the park was in shambles. It took three weeks to pick up all the rubble and return the vegetation to its rightful state. He glanced over his shoulder at the stone gargoyle. The god of conformance couldn’t have made a more striking statement with that disappearance act—and the beads couldn’t have been lost at a worst time. Anyone could have stashed them away, thrilled to find such a keep. Vincent ground his teeth together so hard his temples ached. Humidity thickened the early summer night and carried the sulfuric odor from the west side industries. It coated his senses with added irritation. Where was the floral scent of Shilo Park? He needed the sweet comfort it held.Releasing his breath, he whispered a vow he didn’t intend to sustain. “Elaina, you will never touch another magical charm as long as you live.”He glanced at his watch and sighed an anxious breath. I need to get home. How long before his brothers questioned his excursions? How long could he keep the disappearance of the relic a secret?  Furling his cape, he dispersed his elements into a fine mist. He allowed his dark essence to meander as he flew the length of the boulevard, recalling the crowded scene. Pilgrimage buggies, tents, covered wagons; they were only a portion of the massive gathering of faithful that had finally cleared the area.
Irritation rippled his essence. With a growl, he conceded failure and headed over the southern apricot orchards to Shilo Manor.

About the Author:
Charlene A. Wilson is an author of tales that take you to other dimensions. She weaves magic, lasting love, and intrigue to immerse you into the lives of her characters.
She began writing in her early teens when her vivid dreams stayed with her long after she had them. The characters and worlds were so amazing she brought them to life through her books.
Charlene resides in a small community in Arkansas, USA, with her two beautiful daughters, husband, a cuddly Pekingese, and a very chatty cockatiel named Todder.
Author site: http://CharleneAWilson.com
Blog:  http://charleneawilsonblog.blogspot.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Charlene-A-Wilson-Romance-Author/162568770441255
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/AuthorCAWilson
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4550595.Charlene_A_Wilson
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/pub/charlene-a-wilson/15/989/1b8

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"Sometimes the ghosts from your past…are real"- Voices by Clarissa Johal

Welcome to the Release Day Extravaganzafor VOICES by Clarissa Johal

VOICES 
Clarissa Johal 

Genre: Paranormal Psychological Suspense 

Editor: Bobbie Metevier 
Published by Permuted Press 
May 19, 2015 
ISBN: 9781618685698 
ASIN: B00WAH55JW 
Pages: 264

About VOICES:

Sometimes the ghosts from your past…are real.    

Moira Flynn is arrested for attacking a door-to-door solicitor with a knife. She claims a voice told her the man was intent on assaulting her. The trouble is, she was the only one that heard that voice. Moira strikes a plea bargain and is sent to a psychiatric hospital for voluntary treatment. Dr. Richard Cassano is hesitant to treat her as schizophrenic, as she does not show the standard symptoms. 

As their sessions progress, Moira confesses there are two voices—and they aren’t voices in her head, but the voices of ghosts. Are they imaginary? Or are they actual spirits, attached to her for reasons of their own? As Moira’s doctor uncovers more of her past, he begins to realize that her ghosts are real. And one of them is determined to drag Moira into the afterlife with him.


VOICES Pre-Order Links: Amazon  Barnes and Noble   KOBO   Smashwords

Excerpt from VOICES:

Moira choked down a congealed glob of oatmeal. Bland, like all the food here. She picked up her plastic knife and smeared margarine onto a piece of dry toast. Patients were only given plastic utensils. She washed the toast down with a gulp of tepid decaf coffee and sat back, miserable. “I hate this place, I want out.”

“At least your session was cancelled for tomorrow,” Jack said. “One less thing I’ll have to sit through.” 

Dr. Cassano didn’t say why, either, Moira worried. He seemed nervous about cancelling too.

“We’ll get out.”

“Not we, Jack, me. I want out.” She stared mournfully at the food on her tray. “I don’t care what happens to you.”

“That’s not nice,” Isabella said. 

“I don’t care what happens to you, either.”

“You’re mean!” She retreated to the corner of the room to pout.

“Don’t be mean, Moira,” Jack reprimanded. “Isabella’s just a child.”

She let out a sound of frustration. They both knew Jack didn’t care the slightest about Isabella. “I wonder why Dr. Cassano cancelled it.”

“Why do you care?” 

Moira turned away pointedly and undid her braid, hoping to dissuade the headache coming on.

“Don’t ignore me,” Jack said, his voice hardening. “I didn’t like the way he looked at you this morning.” He grabbed her arm.” I don’t like the way you look at him either. I see the way you look at him.”

She shook him off. “You’re paranoid, Jack.”

“You know what I’m talking about, don’t play dumb.” He sat back, his eyes watchful. “Don’t trust him, Moira. Who knows what he’s planning?”

“If you do anything, Jack, I mean anything. They’ll lock the door and throw away the key.” 
She moved away from his presence. “And don’t think they wouldn’t medicate me with a dozen different pills, all guaranteed to make you go away forever.”

“You know pills won’t make me go away, Moira,” Jack bit out. “They might make you sleep, but they won’t make me go away.”

Silence filled the room. Moira picked up her brush and started brushing out her hair.

“It would be his word against yours, if he ever tried anything.”

“Just drop it, Jack,” Moira said.

Jack narrowed his eyes. “He’d medicate you so you’d never remember it, either.”

She shook her head in disgust.

“Maybe you could bust out of here!” Isabella jumped up. “I’ll bet you could open the window with that knife.” She ran over to the window and pushed against it.

“It’s completely sealed, Isabella.” Moira watched her, feeling helpless to the noise from her efforts. “Stop banging on it! You’re going to get me into trouble.”

“You could cut through the walls!"
“Hello? Plastic knife, it can’t cut anything.”  

“It can’t?” Jack asked. “Have you tried?”

She caught his look and quickly turned her attention to Isabella, who was still thumping on the window. “I’m not breaking out of here, Isabella. Do you want me to go to jail?”

“But what if they keep you in here forever?” Isabella asked.

“They’re not going to.” 

“But what if they do?” Isabella jumped up and down. “What if they keep you here until you’re old and grey and all your teeth fall out?”

“It would be awful to be stuck here forever,” Jack said quietly. “Wouldn’t it, Moira? Just awful.”

“They’re not going to keep me here forever!” Moira said. “Isabella, stop it!”

The door opened. “Problem?” the nurse asked.

She glanced over at Jack. A slice of a smile crept across his lips. “No. No problem. Just…thinking aloud.”

“Finish up your breakfast, then,” she said briskly. She shut the door again.

Moira picked up her carton of juice and took a sip.

Jack pushed her hand upwards, sloshing juice into Moira’s face and down her T-shirt. Whoops!” Isabella giggled.

“Asshole,” she muttered. She went into the bathroom with Jack trailing her. Their eyes connected in the mirror.

“Looks like you’ll need another shower,” he murmured.

She pressed her mouth in a straight line and turned her back to him.


About the Author:

Clarissa Johal has worked as a veterinary assistant, zoo-keeper aide and vegetarian chef. Writing has always been her passion. When she’s not listening to the ghosts in her head, she’s dancing or taking photographs of gargoyles. She shares her life with her husband, two daughters and every stray animal that darkens the doorstep. One day, she expects that a wayward troll will wander into her yard, but that hasn’t happened yet.

Find Clarissa Online:
Author Website   Blog    FacebookTwitter    Goodreads   Amazon Author Page   Pinterest


All of the participating blogs for this tour may be found here:

http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/release-day-extravaganza-schedule.html

Interview and Giveaway: Seducing Death by Cassandra Lawson

What is it about the paranormal, in particular vampires, that fascinates you so much?
I enjoy the paranormal simply because it is different, but I can still envision the stories taking place in our own world. My fascination with vampires is probably a bit different than your average person. I feel they are overdone. For that reason, when looking for books to write, or stories to create, I am always searching for a new angle, something original.
What inspired you to write this book?
This is book three in the Moon Virus series, and I have been developing the storylines for my Moon virus survivors for more than a year. In the beginning, I had no intention of writing a story for Ian because he seemed beyond redemption to me. As I moved forward in the series, I got to know him better and I realized that I had to do something for him.
Please tell us about your latest release.
Seducing Death is book 3 in the Moon Virus series, and it’s one I never expected to write. When I wrote the first book, I had a hard time believing Ian was redeemable. Then I developed a soft spot for him, and started thinking of ways he could move forward after the loss of his wife and daughter.
Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions?
Naming characters is always a big challenge for me. I find myself on baby websites, searching for the right name. Some names are easy to come by and don’t really have any particular meaning. Others I spend hours or even days trying to find the perfect name. There are characters who need names to match personality traits, or meanings, and those are the hardest for me.
Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?
Writing Ian as a romantic love interest for anyone was difficult.  I had to create a way to mute his natural tendency toward acting like a complete ass. Ian is a man who has suffered greatly and has a lot of bitterness. He is also very guarded, so I had to find a situation so extreme that he would go against his own instincts and allow someone to get close to him.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
I really enjoy writing about the shifter brothers. They always amuse me, and I am sure they will each have their own stories in this series.
Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?
The Moon Virus series is set in a dystopian society around 100 years in the future. Everything happens in the San Francisco Bay Area, mostly Oakland, Alameda, and Emeryville, but it is a much different world. The series begins with some huge time leaps as the stage is set for this world. In this world, a manmade virus resulted in the creation of two types of vampires, turned and born. To contain the virus, the United States was closed off from the rest of the world. In this time, the born vampires are in charge. Since the story had such strong sci-fi themes, I needed to add something to level it out. This series also has wood nymphs, shapeshifters, and Fae.
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?
All of the books in the series can be read as standalone novels, but there are references to stories in the previous books. There is not as much background into the creation of the born vampires in Seducing Death, as there was in the first two books.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
I have had times when I was not sure where to go next with a story. When that happens, I either work on another book for a little while or I start rewriting the current book. Either way, I find that I’m ready to move forward within a couple of days.
When did you consider yourself a writer?
To be totally honest, I have days where I still don’t consider myself a writer. It seems a little unreal when I think about the fact that people pay to read my books.
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
Mexican food and tea. I know that’s a strange combination.
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
I am a homeschooling mom, which takes up most of my time. I am the main organizer for one of the local homeschool groups, and I love spending time with the families in my group. I also enjoy cooking and reading when I get some spare time.
What can readers expect next from you?

I am currently working on the fifth book in the Psy-Vamp series, and the fourth book in the Moon Virus series.



Seducing DeathMoon VirusBook 3Cassandra Lawson
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Date of Publication: 4/29/2015
ISBN: 978-1508860143ASIN: B00UPPH8OG
Number of pages: 314Word Count: 91,818
Book Description:
In the decade following the brutal murder of his wife and daughter, Ian has existed in a world built on grief and hatred. Just when Ian has finally begun to claw his way through the shadows of his past, a knife to the heart ends it all . . . . or is it the beginning?
After waking up in a strange home, Ian’s only companion is the woman who saved him. Undeniably drawn to her, Ian finds himself wondering if it really is possible to love again.
Trapped in a world where she is little more than a pawn for the Fae, Kyleigh long ago accepted the reality of her existence. She is no one’s savior and no one’s guardian angel; she is death. That is until she breaks all the rules to save a vampire many believe beyond salvation. Ian sparks a passion she never believed possible and reawakens emotions she thought long buried.
While secluded in a realm between life and death, Ian and Kyleigh are free to explore their feelings for each other. When enemies past and present join forces to destroy those Ian loves they are forced to leave the safety of Kyleigh’s realm. Can their fragile bond survive when they are faced with the demons of Ian’s past?
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  This is part of a series, however Seducing Death is a standalone novel, and can be read without the first two books.
Book One, Raven’s Blood, is free on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

Excerpt: Kyleigh stopped listening to their conversation as the cold breeze of the shadows grew nearer. Time was almost up, and she still didn’t have a plan to save Ian’s life. The smart thing to do was to walk away knowing she’d done her best, but she’d watched Ian too long. No, she would not give up when Ian’s soul was so close to redemption.“Maybe we should head back in. I’ll message Connor and see what he thinks,” Ian’s friend said, but it was too late. Both vampires heard the danger approaching. His friend pulled out the handheld crossbow and a knife while Ian drew two knives.“Well, isn’t this a stroke of luck,” called out a human as he emerged from the woods followed by six others.“Are you having some trouble, human?” Ian asked casually. His hands had dropped to his sides, but he still held the knives. This came as no surprise. She’d seen him in action enough to know this vampire rarely let his guard down.“I think you already have,” the human said.Kyleigh saw the inner struggle in both vampires. They obviously suspected the humans were up to no good, but both were too noble to kill them without provocation. That was new for Ian. No longer shrouded in darkness, Ian wouldn’t kill unless he had to.Several other vampires stepped out of the trees, surrounding Ian and his friend. Kyleigh was all too familiar with this type of vampire. These creatures kept her busy many days. Quickly scanning the group, she found that all the innocent souls had been freed. With this newer virus they were sometimes trapped in the undead body, which was a form of torture she wouldn’t wish on the most evil person. She had yet to figure out how that was even possible, or why one of her kind wasn’t summoned to free the poor soul.Ian and his friend reacted immediately. The knives in Ian’s hands found their marks in the hearts of two vampires, and Ian’s friend shot the crossbow at another vampire. Kyleigh watched the battle before her with a sense of helplessness. They were too outnumbered and there was no way to win. Even now, the shadows moved in, hungry for death and sin. Rubbing her arms against the cold breeze that preceded the shadows, she watched in horror as Ian was surrounded.A scream no one would hear escaped her lips when the knife sliced through Ian’s chest. He collapsed to the ground, blood soaking the leaves. Her form wavered in and out with her rage. Despair began to settle around her, but she refused to let it control her. Ian was too close to being saved to lose him now. Whatever it took, the shadows would not claim his soul.“Take the blond alive!” shouted one of the humans, obviously referring to Ian’s friend. “Damaged is fine, but he has to survive with no damage to his face!”Determination flashed in Ian’s eyes, and his soul brightened as he worked hard to conceal his phone while sending a message. Then he buried the phone. Soon the blond vampire was unconscious, and Ian was struggling for life.“Should we finish off the other one?” asked one of the humans. “Looks like he’s still alive.”Kyleigh held her breath, praying to a god who’d long ago abandoned her that they would just leave.The leader laughed. “Looks like he’s in a lot of pain,” he said with a vicious sneer.The urge to use violence against the human who obviously enjoyed the pain of others came as a surprise to Kyleigh. It was a relief when they left the area so she could make her way toward Ian. His weakened state meant she had only seconds to save his life. Her decision made, she emerged from the trees, becoming visible to Ian.Ian’s beautiful green eyes opened and focused on her as she approached him.“Kate.” His voice was barely a whisper.“Don’t worry,” she said in a soft reassuring voice, trying to hide her fear as the shadows closed in around them. “You’re going to be okay, but we need to get you out of here.”Wrapping them in her power, she bound Ian’s soul to his body. Thankfully he picked that moment to lose consciousness, so she didn’t have to explain what was about to happen.


About the Author:
Cassandra Lawson is a paranormal romance author and homeschooling mom from the San Francisco Bay area. She has always had a very active imagination and loves making up stories. When she is not writing she enjoys baking, spending time with her family, listening to music, or curling up with a good book.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cassandralawsonauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Author_C_Lawson
Blog: http://www.cassandralawson.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7103612.Cassandra_Lawson

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Finding Acceptance in His Arms by Thomas Briar

Finding Acceptance in His ArmsThomas Briar
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Date of Publication: 3-26-15
ISBN: 978-1-63105-534-8ASIN: B00UIFDHV6
Number of pages: 146Word Count: 51148
Cover Artist: Dawne Dominique
Book Description:
After discovering that success in life is hollow if she can't also fulfill her most secret sexual desires, twenty-two year old Kara Gibson is desperate to meet a certain man she's heard about that can help her discreetly explore one of her most titillating fantasies.
Thus, upon instigating a sexual relationship with Evan Lars, a young man in his mid-twenties who is as handsome as he is sexually adventurous, Kara falls desperately in love with Evan from the way he easily accepts all of the unnatural things that turn her on and how he steadily proves he has her best interests at heart. But true love always comes with some sort of sacrifice, doesn't it? And so, as their romantic entanglement hurtles toward its inevitable heartbreaking end, Kara becomes determined to stay with Evan despite the harsh realities of life threatening to steal away her happily ever after.
Available at   Amazon    Secret Cravings    BN

Excerpt 2
The bartender poured the drinks and slid them across the bar.
“Thanks,” Evan said. He handed Kara her champagne and then tossed back his shot of whiskey in a single gulp. He didn’t order another. Winking at her, he weaved her through the crowd, offering polite greetings in passing to the various men and women who made eye contact with him. She followed his lead and did the same. They ended up standing directly in front of the stage, several yards away from any of the other guests.
He leaned down to whisper into her ear. “You certainly have poise, girl. You didn’t even flinch when Lance made his grab for you.”
She took a sip of her champagne. “I trusted you to stop him. If you remember, you once said that you wouldn’t ever let anything happen to me in your presence. I took you at your word.”He smiled with admiration filling his eyes. “You look beautiful tonight. And I love the way your figure fills out all the right places in that dress. The color yellow really suits you. Plus, your perfume is intoxicating.”
“Thank you.” Kara smiled up at him, noticing again for perhaps the fiftieth time how great he looked and also smelled tonight. She categorized the latter as clean soap combined with a hint of musk. As afterthought, she added, “You look and smell really nice too.”
He transitioned into holding her free hand. “I’m starting to really like you, do you know that?”
She took a sip of champagne, enjoying the intimacy they shared. “Please remember to tell me that again some other time when we have a bit more privacy.”
“Don’t tempt me,” he warned. “I might surprise you.”
“And don’t you tempt me with a good time.” She giggled. “I’ll climb right on board every time.”
He chuckled. “I’m sure you would.”
“Try me later tonight and I’ll prove it to you.”
A comfortable silence engulfed them as the lighting in the room dimmed. The curtains opened up to reveal the stage. A lithe woman in a form-fitting black latex bodysuit stood in the center of a spotlight. She appeared twentyish and very attractive with short blonde hair and a slim face.
This woman held her arms out as she addressed the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention please? We’ve got a great exhibition in store for you. Her name is Isabella, and she has agreed to queen for us this evening. She revealed to me earlier in private that queening in front of an audience is her number one unfulfilled sexual fantasy.”A few cheers from the audience echoed around the room and the blonde bobbed her head in deference. More cheers followed.
The blonde motioned her hands for silence. “Now, we’ve all been there, haven’t we? We’ve struggled at some point to find the right person or persons to help us achieve our heart’s greatest sexual desire. And so, all of you know as well as I that unfulfilled sexual desires can affect a person much like an untreated illness does. It twists us all up inside and gnaws away at us until we are only a shell of our former selves. The only cure to keep from finally succumbing to despair and then sheer madness is the achievement of said fantasy. 
Thankfully, in this house we can all be as we were meant to be. Beautiful, desirable, and uninhibited! Please put your hands together for Queen Isabella and her loyal subjects!”Amidst the cursory applause, the orator took a deep bow and walked off stage as the truth conveyed in her words seeped into Kara’s heart. She inadvertently glanced up at Evan. She could tell by the approbation displayed in his face that he also identified with the declaration. She squeezed his hand tightly to let him know she now understood why he continually urged her to never give up her strange sexuality under the pressure of other people’s negative opinions. His reasons seemed transparent to her now. He’d always had her best interest at heart.
In this moment of clarity she let herself embrace her great love for him, wholly and completely. She forced her gaze back onto the stage to keep him from discovering her ascension into love.


About the Author
Edgy and provocative in his erotic writings, Thomas Briar strives to exalt the virtues of love and lust in every story he creates. To date, he's garnered eleven publishing contracts with three different publishers and has seven published books in the marketplace.
When he's not writing, he enjoys spending time with his wife, reading, taking long walks, and people watching. Yeah, he's always wondering what makes people do the things they do. He knows it's usually something hidden in plain sight. He just has to figure out what it is, much like the motivations of the characters in his stories.

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May Issue of Bewitching Book Tours Magazine

Check out the free May issue of Bewitching Book Tours Magazine- filled with author interviews, excerpts, author advice and more.


Flip through the pages and discover Interviews with AD A.D. Marrow​, Laila Blake​ and L.C. Spoering​, TW T.w. Kirchner​, MJ M.J. Rose​;  Character Interviews with Desy Smith’s Cast of The Talented; Ghosties, Ghoulies, and Samhain with Ann Gimpel​; What makes Heuer Tick with AB A.b. Funkhauser​; I’ve Got Designs on You with Nelli Rees; Flash Fiction with Kyoko M; Eco Summer Fun with La Mamma Verde Wenona Napolitano​, and you’ll find Roxanne Rhoads​ in the Naughty Nook.


http://issuu.com/bewitchingbooktours/docs/magazine__35

Cover Reveal Fractured Days

Malia returnshome the hero of a war she can't remember. The valley burningunder the Maddion's invasion, the fate of her late husband,the way she resolved the long-time distrustbetween the Taakwa people and the wolfish, wingedJegudun creatures--all of it has been erasedfrom her memory.Malia hopes to resume training as her village’s next clan mother, but when the symbiotic magic that she and the Jeguduns used to repair the valley’s protective barrier starts to consume more and more of her mind, she's faced with the threat of losing herself completely.
A powerfulbeing known as "the changer" might hold the solution to her vanishingmemories. But the Maddion's new leader, Muvumo, also seeks the changer, hoping the being will cure them of  the mysterious illness killing off his people. Meanwhile, Muvumo's bride hopes the changer can bring about a new era, one in which she and the other Maddionwomen no longerneed to hold onto their greatest secret.

Fractured Days will be available in trade paperback and ebook via Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Kobo.com,WorldWeaverPress.com, and other online retailers, and for wholesalethrough Ingram. You can also find Fractured Days on Goodreads.
Publication Date: June 9, 2015  Fantasy ISBN: 978-0692429280



Rebecca Roland is the author of the Shards of History series, The Necromancer's Inheritance series,and The King of Ash and Bones, and Other Stories. Her short fiction has appeared in publications such as Nature, Fantastic Stories of the Imagination, Stupefying Stories, Plasma Frequency, and Every Day Fiction, and she is a graduate of the Odyssey Writing Workshop. 

You can find out more about her and her work at rebeccaroland.net, herblog Spice of Life, or follow her on Twitter @rebecca_roland.