Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 388

Guest Blog and Giveaway: Across the Bridge of Ice by Ruth Fox

When I was growing up, in my part of the world, it was very unusual for girls to like science fiction. None of my friends knew what a Vulcan was, or what was so special about Bilbo Baggin’s Ring. I was unusual because I would pick the thickest book I could find on the library shelf for ‘free reading time’.
Oh, I tried. But then I would go home, sit down with my notebooks, and write about things I wish would happen to me. Adventures through space and parallel worlds. Being chosen to complete some incredible quest. Even being recruited to join a secret government agency that deals with extra-terrestrials – these were the things I dreamed of!
I was a geek, heart and soul.
It was liberating once I accepted this. I finally knew the reason why I was good at weird subjects like Literature, Science, or Art. I could sit by myself, when every other girl in my class was on the oval, sharing a cigarette. I could even go to the library at odd times, like when I wasn’t even supposed to be there! I’m not saying you have to be a glasses-wearing, timid geek like I was. We come in all shapes and sizes, interests, and fandoms.
But it’s incredible how times have changed. With the advent of the internet age, I don’t think it’s quite so socially unacceptable to be a geek girl as it used to be. There are far more pop culture, science fiction and comic conventions these days. LARPing and cosplay is huge and getting huge-er. You can find loads and loads of webcomics, fan forums, and online communities where we, the geek girls, can freely express ourselves.
But I don’t think it’s just this. I think women are finally seeing themselves in the characters in science fiction and fantasy books, TV shows and comics. Men have always been able to identify with the masculine images of Thor, Colonel Jack O’Neil, or Aragorn. But women in these shows and books are also very empowered. Think of Captain Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager. I idolised her – a strong woman, in command of a starship! Think of Galadriel, the guardian of Lothlorien, who is strong enough to resist the lure of the Ring!
With so much out there, this is a great time to be a geek girl. If you’re a woman who creates comics, books or art, I recommend joining with women creators online. You will find a welcoming and supportive bunch of people who are happy to provide feedback, point you in the right direction, or answer questions.

Across the Bridge of IceThe Bridges TrilogyBook TwoRuth Fox
Genre: Fantasy,  YA
Publisher: Hague PublishingDate of Publication: 31 January 2015
ISBN: 9780987265296ASIN: B00Q20I4YQ
Number of pages: 175 pagesWord Count: 55,000
Cover Artist: Ruth Fox
Book Description:
In 'The City of Silver Light', Keira Leichman spent the night lost in a wild snowstorm that struck Cassidy Heights. But what really happened that night? Not even Keira can be sure. What she does know is that she's been having strange dreams since the accident, and now she's stuck with a broken ankle and the possibility of never playing soccer again. That is, until she finds Jake's telescope, and is drawn across the Bridge of Ice to Shar.
Now Keira is marooned in the City of Silver Light with Daniel, Jake’s younger brother, with no way to get home. But that is the least of their worries, for the secrets they discover in Shar are more dangerous than Kiera could ever have imagined. And the fate of both their worlds are in their hands.
Amazon      iTunes     Kobo
Nook    Google Play     HaguePublishing
Excerpt 3 – Chapter 6 (460 words)
  About the Author:
Ruth completed a Bachelor of Arts/Diploma of Arts in Professional Writing and Editing in 2006. Her other published works include “Monster-boy: The Lair of the Grelgoroth”, Book 1 of the Monster-boy Series, and “Sand Dog”, an illustrated picture book for younger readers. Both are available from Amazon.com.
Ruth has been an avid reader her entire life and, inspired by the books that engrossed her as she was growing up, she aims to create stories that can draw readers in and enthral them for days or weeks. She writes every day and lives in Ballarat, Victoria, with her partner, her cat, and an ever-expanding library of books.
Twitter: @_ruthfox_
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RuthFoxAuthorandArtist
Website: http://thewordsandpictures.com/
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Guest Blog: Three Wishes by Debra Dunbar

Right now I’m fascinated by the paranormal.  Okay, I’ll admit I’ve always been fascinated by the paranormal.  When I was five, I was convinced that the neighbor’s flower garden held a gateway to the fairy realms.  I was a changeling, and the elves would come back for me any day.  Oh, and pirates had hidden treasure in the garbage incinerator.
There were other flights of imaginative fantasy– my plans for a three story home inside an oak tree complete with an elevator, killer leeches in the shallows, and creepy killers in the house across the lake. But nothing fueled my childhood stories like elves, vampires, werewolves.
And angels and demons.  It’s an unlikely romance.  Opposites attract.  Ancient enemies find love.  But in Three Wishes, the romance between Asta and Dar is more than just an unusual pairing.  Asta’s been told her whole life that demons are evil, that they’d lost their divinity, fought against the others and fell.  The demons she’s met to date have supported that ingrained prejudice. 
But Dar is different.  He’s funny, impulsive, and along with his amoral propensity for bribery, he’s loyal and capable of deeply connecting with the humans Asta has spent the last 100 year protecting.  He completely turns all her notions of demonic behavior upside down. Which is just what an angel needs.
It’s a match made in heaven.

Three WishesDebra Dunbar
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Anessa Books
Date of Publication: March 7, 2015
ISBN: 978-1505671193ASIN: B00RKE5608
Number of pages: 229Word Count: 79,000
Cover Artist: Phatpuppy Art
Book Description:
Dar helped his foster sister become the ruler of Hel, and helped her free the enslaved humans from the elves. It’s about time he helped himself – to a fun week of mayhem in the Windy City. Collapsing a few buildings and corrupting politicians is an ideal vacation for a demon in Chicago, but Dar didn’t count on a beautiful angel sabotaging his fun and putting him to work.
Asta is an angelic enforcer, scanning for demons in her assigned territory and sending them to an early grave. Unfortunately, the latest trespasser from Hel has diplomatic immunity - but immunity doesn’t mean she can’t coerce him into helping her track and dispatch the powerful demon that’s been cycling in and out of her radar for the last few days.
Demons are the sworn enemies of every angel, but Asta must learn to trust Dar or the dark presence that is growing in Chicago will spread - and this particular enemy has the skills and knowledge to send human civilization back to the dark ages.
She has one week left as an enforcer before she returns to her heavenly home – one week to catch an elusive monster, and one week to safeguard her heart from the demon who is determined to seduce her to sin.
Available at Amazon     iTunes    BN
Excerpt 3She gave him a watery smile.  “And flying?  I’m sure you fly all the time, since you have immunity and don’t need to fear death at the hand of us angels.”Don’t look down, don’t look down.“Uhhh, I don’t fly.”The angel’s eyes widened.  “You don’t fly?  I know you all lost your wings in the Fall, but I thought you could still manifest those leathery bat-type wings.  What do you mean; you don’t fly?”“I . . . we . . . .” Dar made the mistake of looking down and felt himself break out in a sweat, his hands white knuckled as he gripped the rim of the roof.  “Not all demons can manifest wings.  I can’t.  I don’t fly.”Silence fell, and Dar felt her pity.  It grated on him like sandpaper.  “I don’t want to fly.  It’s not my thing.  I’m a rat.  I like it underground in caves and tunnels.  The air isn’t my thing.”As soon as he’d said the words, a lump settled in his throat.  She was an angel with an affinity for air, and he couldn’t fly — wouldn’t fly.  The very thought of it sent chills down his spine.“I’ll fly you.  You need to experience it, even if just this once.  If you don’t like it, that’s fine — you don’t ever have to do it again.”Dar tensed, his hands gripping the ledge of the roof so hard he feared it would crumble in his grasp. A hand touched his shoulder, and he jumped with an involuntary reflex.“Trust me.  I won’t let anything happen to you, I swear.  Trust me.” Her mouth turned up in the most adorable smile ever. “I’ve trusted you these last few days.  It’s your turn.”The demon drew a shaky breath.  It was as good a day to die as any. “Okay.  Just a short flight.”He glanced over and saw the warm approval in her face.  Moonlight and some inner glow lit her like a beacon in the night.  Golden brown.  Everything about her was like a warm loaf of bread right out of the oven.  Maybe he was wrong.  Maybe she’d drop him from a thousand feet up, or drown him in Lake Michigan.  It didn’t matter, because he was lost in the beautiful joy shining from her dark eyes.“I’ll even fly you in your rat form.  How’s that?  Both of us conquering our fears at the same time.”Who says I’m afraid?  It’s what Dar wanted to say, but instead something totally different came out. “Right.  You’ll be more likely to panic and drop me as a rat than as a demon.  I know how you feel about rodents.”The brown eyes widened then Asta threw back her head and laughed.  It was a deep, smoky, musical laugh, and Dar felt his hands loosen on the roof ledge.“I swear on my eternal soul that I will not drop you.”  The angel’s eyes grew soft.  Dar could have sworn he saw something in them that was more than affection.  “I will never let you go, Dar, no matter how red your beady eyes are, or how your whiskery nose twitches, or how much your sharp claws dig into my skin.  I will never let you go.”Dar took a deep breath and stood.  “I can’t promise I won’t puke on you.”Asta rose, huge wings of brown and gold extending full-width from her back.  “Vomit is not included in this excursion.  You puke on my shirt and you’re going for a swim.”


About the Author
After majoring in English with a concentration in Medieval Literature and Folklore studies, Debra promptly sold out to the corporate world, occasionally writing marketing copy and op/ed articles for a local city paper. By day, she designs compensation programs, after dark she stuffs her nose into obscure mythology, and feverishly writes her novels. A DEMON BOUND is her debut novel.
Debra lives on a farm in Maryland with Sweetie, three sons, and a Noah's ark of four legged family members. She drives an old PT Cruiser, couldn't carry a tune if you duct taped it to her back, and enjoys an occasional cosmopolitan (heavy on the vodka). On a good day, she jogs and horseback rides, hopefully managing to keep the horse between herself and the ground. Her only known super power is 'Identify Roadkill'.
http://debradunbar.com
https://www.facebook.com/DebraDunbarauthor
https://twitter.com/debra_dunbar
https://www.goodreads.com/DebraDunbar

Spotlight and Giveaway Desert Moon by Anna Lowe

Desert MoonThe Wolves of Twin Moon RanchBook OneAnna Lowe
Genre: PNR
Publisher: Twin Moon PressDate of Publication: March 4, 2015
ASIN: B00TEEHDPS
Number of pages: 133Word Count: 38,800 (roughly 40k)
Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde
Book Description:
Lana Dixon knows well enough to steer clear of alpha males, but Ty Hawthorne is as impossible to avoid as the sizzling Arizona sun. Her inner wolf just won’t give up on the alpha who’s tall, dark, and more than a little dangerous. One midnight romp under the full moon is enough for Lana to know she’ll risk her life for him — but what about her pride?
Ty puts duty above everything — even the overwhelming instinct that says Lana’s the one. She’s the Juliet to his Romeo: forbidden. And with a pack of poaching rogues closing in, it’s hardly the time to yield to his desires. Or is love just what this lonely alpha needs to set his spirit free?
There’s more than meets the eye on Twin Moon Ranch, home to a pack of shapeshifting wolves willing to battle for life and love.

Available at Amazon

Excerpt
“Hi,” he said. Well, he tried to. His lips moved but the sound didn’t quite make it out. He struggled to remember where he was and why.            Right, he'd come for dessert. He reached for a piece of pie exactly when Lana did. Their hands froze halfway to the platter, both wavering over the key lime pie. The last slice.            “Cody!” He cursed under his breath.            Lana pulled back. “You take it.”            “No, you.”            Her eyes narrowed at him. Crap. He hadn’t meant for it to come out as an order, but she was already gritting her teeth.            “No, you,” she ground out.            “I’m good.” He tried taking the edge off his voice, but he was badly out of practice.            Lana studied him so closely he would swear she could see into his childhood memories. Her nostrils flared, and he saw her catch a breath and hold it. Then she slowly exhaled and turned to the platter, scooping the last piece onto the last plate. She forked it roughly in half and held it between them with icy determination.            “We’ll share,” she growled.            The alpha in him both bristled and admired her pluck. The wolf licked his lips — and not for the pie.            Her eyes flickered, focusing on something in his. He noticed an outer edge of green in her eyes that he’d missed before, like the foam that slid off the crests of waves.            “Trouble today?” she asked, keeping her voice down.            Trouble? So she’d noticed the meeting. “No trouble,” he insisted.            She snorted. “I do that, too.”            “Do what?”            “Pretend.”            Ty blinked. “I don’t pretend.”            “Then what’s the trouble?” She took a bite of pie and licked a smudge of cream off her lips.            A breath caught in his throat, and a word slipped past his lips before he could catch it. “Rogues.”            Her face hardened as some dark memory rocketed through her eyes. “Confirmed report?”            “Not yet, but…”            She nodded, letting him trail off. In an absent movement, her right arm rubbed briefly over her left, where a wicked scar trailed out of her sleeve.            “Trouble?” he murmured, eyes on the scar. For a shifter to scar, it must have been bad.            She yanked the sleeve down. “No trouble.”            I do that, too, he wanted to say. Pretend. His gut warmed with something strangely close to pride. This East Coast wolf wasn’t just sassy; she was tough.            Lana shrugged and brought her fork up to her mouth. “You should see the rogue who gave me that scar. Except he’s dead, along with his pals.” She took a vengeful bite.




About the Author:
Anna Lowe loves putting the "hero" back into heroine and letting location ignite a passionate romance. She likes a heroine who is independent, intelligent, and imperfect — a woman who's doing just fine on her own. But give the heroine a good man (not to mention a chance to overcome her own inhibitions) and she'll never turn down the chance for adventure, nor shy away from danger.
Anna is a middle school teacher who divides her time between coastal Maine and a village in view of the Austrian Alps. She loves dogs, sports, and travel — and letting those inspire her fiction. Once upon a time, she was a long-distance triathlete and soccer player. Nowadays, she finds her balance with yoga, writing, and family time with her husband and young children. On any given weekend, you might find her hiking in the mountains or hunched over her laptop, working on her latest story. Either way, the day will end with a chunk of dark chocolate and a good read.
http://www.annalowebooks.com/author/anna-lowe
http://www.annalowebooks.com/blog
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anna-Lowe-Books/677291092359521

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March 23 InterviewCrazy Four Bookshttp://crazyfourbooks.blogspot.com
March 23 SpotlightAngel’s Guilty Pleasureshttp://angelsguiltypleasures.com
March 24 InterviewDiane’s Book Bloghttp://dianes-book.blogspot.com
March 24 SpotlightLisa’s World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
March 25 InterviewA Writer's Mindwww.skypuringtonwrites.blogspot.com
March 25 SpotlightRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannerhoads.com
March 26 Spotlight and reviewSmokin' Hot Books www.luv2read4me.blogspot.com
March 26 SpotlightInner Goddess     http://www.InnerGoddessForum.com
March 27 ReviewFanatical Paranormal Romanticalhttp://fanaticalparanormalromantical.com/
March 27 ReviewParanormal Romance and Authors That Rockwww.pratr.wordpress.com
March 30 SpotlightFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
March 30 reviewfeed me in bookswww.feedmeinbooks.wordpress.com

Kindle Freebie March 26-30 Paranormal Pleasures:Ten Tales of Supernatural Seduction

Paranormal Pleasures 
Ten Tales of Supernatural Seduction

ISBN: 978-0615470382



Ten tantalizing, erotic tales of vampires, witches and demons grace the pages of this short story collection by Roxanne Rhoads.

Step into the darkness and let these tales tempt and tease to satisfy your paranormal cravings.

Eight of Roxanne Rhoads' previous eBook publications appear in print for the first time, along with two brand new, never before published tales of supernatural love and lust.

A Last Goodbye

New witch Marissa is learning the ropes of being one of The Others. One of her mentors is vampire Deirdre, a tall beauty who really irritates Marissa. Marissa is extremely pissed when she shows up to Dante's Ball and finds Deirdre there with Marissa's recent ex-boyfriend, Jeff. The one she was encouraged to break up with because of his humanity. Deirdre explains her reasons for bringing Jeff and offers to help Marissa say goodbye to him in a way none of them will ever forget

Overkill

Vanessa is tired of her boyfriend Simon’s promiscuous vampire ways and stakes him, repeatedly- not close enough to the heart to kill him but close enough to make it hurt. But now she’s had a change of heart and considers embracing the sexual world of the vampire instead of being jealous of it.

Witch in the Middle

Ariadne is a witch torn between two men, a vampire and a human. Her heart doesn’t want to choose but the men force her to make a decision that could break her heart, unless with the help of the Goddess all three of them can come to a mutually acceptable…and enjoyable agreement.

When It Storms

Devon’s witchy girlfriend becomes insatiable every time a storm rolls around and he’s more than happy to give her exactly what she needs.

Monster Inside

Shannon’s never seen her vampire boyfriend, Logan, vamp out before. Then one night he has to kill to save her life. Can she ever look at him the same way again?

The Questioning Concubine

Elita, a pure blood witch, has come home to find who or what killed her parents and to take her rightful place as the head of the coven. After five years of investigating and exhausting all conventional methods at her disposal, she decides to do the one thing a good witch should never do—summon a demon. The demon is not what she expected. Elita is soon swept up in his power… and her own.

Renata

The residents of the sleepy little town of Flushing, Michigan had no idea a vampire lived among them, seducing and drinking from all the men in town. Renata walked among them, blending in, taking only what she needed. One night, while she was on the prowl for fresh blood at a carnival, a handsome carnie caught her eye. She had no way of knowing he was a vampire hunter and was there for her.

Sea of Blood

Liana made Nerissa a vampire centuries ago in the islands of Greece but she’s never tired of her companion or the way she hunts her prey.

A Halloween to Remember

What says Halloween better than a wild party at an old Victorian mansion complete with its own cemetery? Perhaps meeting the man of your dreams thanks to the magic of Halloween.

Adena can’t believe her eyes when she spots Dimitri in the library- he looks like something straight off the cover of a historical romance novel-the type of guy she’s always dreamed of. Too bad he disappears before she has the chance to introduce herself. When she finally spots him again later that night she decides she’s not letting him get away again. Adena thinks she’s finally found the one. Until she wakes up alone the next morning- in the cemetery.

Halloween magic brought them together but will it be strong enough to keep them together?

Witching You A Merry Christmas

Witch Vicki has been leery of vampires ever since she was attacked five years ago. Daniel's a vampire and he's been secretly in love in with Vicki for two years ever since becoming Vicki's partner in The Guardians a supernatural group of paranormal crime fighters. Daniel loves Christmas and hopes the spirit of the holidays will soften Vicki's hatred of vampires and help her see him in a new light. Will he get his Christmas wish?


Amazon Kindle  Print  Print at Amazon

A Review of Best Women’s Erotica 2015 Edited By Violet Blue

My Review
Apparently thanks to 50 Shades this year's overall theme is BDSM because quite a few stories contained BDSM themes. I'm fine with pushing boundaries and experimentation- a spanking, a blindfold, maybe even a little light bondage...but the degradation and humiliation, the utter disregard for some one's suffering, emotions...some of these stories I couldn't stomach.

The first story, The Ghostwriter, focuses on boardroom BDSM, the powerful businessman who got that way by learning how to play the domination game. I guess this overplayed trope continues to fascinate many, it only made me cringe. The BDSM, not the writing. It was very well written. The degradation and humiliation just isn't my thing. I understand the underlying message, but the method of getting there not so much.

I loved Roxanne (how could I not love a story featuring my name ;-). This modern geek twist on Cyrano de Bergerac contained a lesbian twist. This was a clever and sexy tale.

I think my favorite was The Seven Ravens, even if it was a little repetitive on wording. The overall theme of pushing boundaries, opening up to new experiences and repairing the past was something different. And it had a lovely touch of magic that I very much enjoyed.

There were a few stories I couldn't get through, like Postcards from Paris but there would others I couldn't put down. 

I quite enjoyed the variety of sexuality the stories offered- there is something for everyone- dom, sub, bi, lesbian, vanilla, light BDSM, extreme BDSM, a man that enjoys pegging...yes something for everyone with well written tales full of depth and character packed into short exciting stories written by some of the hottest and most well known names in erotica.

These collections never disappoint. In every edition there's been at least one story that stays with me. 


Best Women’s Erotica 2015
Edited By Violet Blue

$15.95, Trade Paper
240 pages, 5.5” x 8”
ISBN: 978-1-62778-088-9

What Women Want 

Violet Blue proves that there’s no such thing as having seen it all—in Best Women’s Erotica 2015, she presents a volume of smart, seductive stories filled with characters who dive into sexual encounters with supreme satisfaction on their minds. A hacker finds himself in a predicament when he accidentally leaves his webcam on—and his female chat partner won’t let him off the hook. A female ghostwriter indulges a wealthy businessman, and he uses her for far more creative purposes than just writing—even loaning her out to his business associates. A woman becomes determined to find a dirty stranger to feel her up on the subway, and with the help of a clever and resourceful friend, she gets what she wants. From first-time scenarios to revenge sex, and from couples rekindling their spark to long-time partners engaging in game-changing experimentation, Best Women’s Erotica 2015 will introduce you to your new favorite fantasy.


Available at Amazon and Cleis Press

“Varied and fascinating, Violet Blue’s latest anthology enthralls as it arouses.”
—She magazine


VIOLET BLUE is an in-demand sex author and columnist sought after by Dan Savage, Forbes Magazine, Oprah Winfrey, Playboy and everyone in between. An expert in the field of sex and technology, she is an investigative tech reporter at CNET and CBS News.

A Review of Punch Bowls and Pitcher Drinks by Jeanne Kelley and Sarah Tenaglia

My Review

Excellent recipes and ideas for fun party drinks.

My absolute favorite- Vampire Brew! This non-alcholic fun punch is perfect for Halloween or any party that has a spoooky vibe. I hope to make it for my daughter's upcoming Sweet 16 which has a Nightmare before Christmas Theme. I think the punch would be a good fit.

I also love the Peppermint Stick Ice Cream Punch and the Mixed Berry Lemonade- perfect punches with no alcohol. The kids will adore them.

Now for the punches with punch- the alchohol ones, my favorite include the Aztec Chocolate (of course you can ditch the tequila for a winter treat the entire family will enjoy), the Boozy Eggnog, Irish Coffee, and Hubby's fave Tropicoloda Punch.

This book is going on my recipe shelf for keeps.


Punch Bowls and Pitcher Drinks

Stir up delicious fit-for-a-crowd cocktails.

Find inspiration in fresh fruit, smoky spices, and potent spirits, and mix a bowl or pitcher of punch for any occasion or season. Whether it's a drink served in champagne flutes at a holiday party or in Mason jars and paper cups in the backyard, you'll take cocktail hour to a whole new level with every one of these drinks:

• CLASSIC COCKTAILS, such as Pimm’s Punch

• SANGRIAS AND CHAMPAGNE-BASED PUNCHES, such as Meyer Lemon Drop Champagne Punch

• TROPICAL DRINKS, such as Kumquat-Tangerine Smash

• HEIGHT OF SUMMER, such as Watermelon-Tequila Punch

• FIRESIDE COCKTAILS, such as Aztec Chocolate Punch

• NONALCOHOLIC PUNCHES, such as Mixed Berry Lemonade

Available at Amazon

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Current and Upcoming Kindle Freebies

Guest Blog and $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway with Abigail Owen

Geek, And Proud!
I never wanted to admit it at the time, but growing up I was one of the geeks. I was definitely into geeky things. I played the flute in the marching band. Star Wars was my favorite movie (and yes I read all the books). I always had my nose in a book and a pen to paper. An introvert, I was uncomfortable at parties. And I was very much a goody-goody.
My geeky ways didn’t stop in high school. I believe one of my first college roommates even told me I was weird. Now…this girl had never seen Star Wars. I am part of the generation that grew up on those movies, so in my estimation she was the weird one. However, at the time her comment made me feel like the outsider.
Now, blah-blah-blah years later (no I’m not sharing how many), I’ve come to fly my geeky flag with pride. I don’t think any one thing has changed to get me to that point. Part of my pride is that I’m older and don’t give a flying pig what others think anymore. Part is that I’ve realized my enjoyment of something isn’t remotely dependent on someone else understanding that enjoyment. Part is finding that, as you get older, being a geek becomes a good thing and you find other geeks who share similar enjoyment. It’s like we all come out of hiding. Although that might be because my day job is with Intel and my night job is writing. Loads of geeks to be found in both those occupations!
So, for fun, here’s what I geek out about: Star Wars, reading romance, Game of Thrones, reading paranormal romance, The Walking Dead, spreadsheets, House of Cards, checklists/to do lists, The Black List, swing dancing, Supernatural, classic movies (I mean really classic – not 1990), Buffy & Angel, a well-organized space, Pacific Rim, anything involving superheroes, good documentation, writing books, discussing books & movies, reading about and studying history, high tea, Estes Park Colorado, anything Disney, birds of prey, dragons, shifters, vamps, fairies... I could keep going, but that that’s enough to give you a good idea.
See anything you have in common with me? Join me in owning your geekdom! I’d love to hear what you geek out about!


Andromeda’s FallShadowcat NationBook 1Abigail Owen
Genre: paranormal romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Date of Publication: 12/10/14
ISBN: 978-1-62830-661-3ASIN: B00PM6T2YW
Number of pages: 258Word Count: 61,300
Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor
Book Description:
Andromeda Reynolds is being hunted. After witnessing her mother’s violent death at the hands of a pack of wolf shifters, Andie has devoted her life to protecting her community of cougar shifters from a similar fate. But now, a greater threat lies within her own dare, and she must run. If she stays, Kyle Carstairs will force their mating, seeking the added political power their union would provide.
Andie would rather chew off her own foot than end up with Kyle. Though, knowing him, she won’t live long either way. Andie’s only hope of survival is to mate Jaxon Keller, the Alpha of the Keller Dare with which she is seeking asylum. But before she can get to him, Andie must first go through A.J., one of the Alpha’s Protectors.
What Andie doesn’t realize is that A.J. has secrets of his own. All Andie knows is that the incredibly frustrating shifter insists on challenging her story, her skills, her trust… and her heart.
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/VPoOg6WFolo
Series Pinterest Board:https://www.pinterest.com/abbyowen/the-shadowcat-nation-series/
Available at  The Wild Rose Press  
Amazon   BN   Apple   Kobo
Excerpt:
He glanced down at her. “You really are a tiny thing, aren’t you?”Andie scowled. “Don’t let my size fool you. I can pack a wallop when I want to. Even with a broken arm.”A.J. laughed. “I’m sure you can.”Andie stared straight ahead, her mouth thinning. She hated being patronized. Men were so dense sometimes. They never took her seriously until she showed them exactly why they should.Keeping her left arm protected, Andie suddenly dropped. One leg shot out and she spun low to the ground, sweeping A.J.’s feet out from under him. As he landed on his back, she was on top of him, her knee on his windpipe—not crushing, just sending a message.Before she could gloat too much, though, she was flying through the air. Andie tucked into a back flip, landed on her feet, and then spun and launched herself backwards in a one-handed back handspring. A.J. had just gotten on his feet when her legs wrapped around his neck. She used her momentum to drop him back to the floor.Andie rolled and ended up in a crouch close by. A.J. held up his hands in surrender. “All right, wildcat. You’ve proved yourself.”Andie glared at him. “Don’t doubt me. And don’t insult my intelligence by pretending you just lost either,” she said in a severe voice, made harsher, perhaps, by the fact that she’d just realized exactly how incredible his blue eyes were. They were a vibrant color made even more interesting by the black ring that rimmed the irises. And she was more than irritated with herself for having noticed that at all.He levered himself up off the floor. “Fair enough.”The only thing that kept her from proving her point more—because she could tell he’d held back—was the small amount of respect she could see in his eyes. With a brusque nod, she followed him down the hall.

About the Author:
Award-winning paranormal and contemporary romance author, Abigail Owen was born in Greeley, Colorado, and raised in Austin, Texas. She now resides in Northern California with her husband and two adorable children who are the center of her universe.
Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. A fourth generation graduate of Texas A&M University, she attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.
Website/Blog: http://abigailowen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Abigail.Owen.Books
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AOwenBooks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/abbyowen/

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When Cultures Clash: Why I love Writing Historical Fiction - Guest Blog and Giveaway with Jena Baxter

My name is Jena Baxter and my newest novel, The Carriage,  is set in Victorian, London. My first novel, Reflections, began in the Regency Era. I had already written a couple of fantasy in motion stories, but while doing research on Hans Christian Anderson’s Little Matchgirl, I found some interesting things to ponder.
Burial customs were pretty out there. The dying person takes their last breath and the first thing the servant or family does is stop the clock. Then they covered the mirrors and windows so the deceased couldn’t get trapped in them on their way out, and then placed a black wreath on the door so the world would know they were mourning.
I have a vivid imagination so all I could see was some poor soul banging on the back of the mirror yelling, ‘Let me out. I took a wrong turn. This isn’t funny Uncle.’ I know its poor humor but my brain works that way. Don’t even get me started on the hired mourners following the funeral procession to the graveyard. My mind went wild with that one.
I love humor and my favorite emotion is laughter in sadness. Check out the end of Steel Magnolias if you’re not sure what I’m talking about. Sally Field does an awesome job in that movie. Be sure and get out a box of tissues first, but I’m digressing. After letting my mind go wild with the spirit stuck in the mirror, Reflections was born, and while it does have its humorous moments, the setting is very different.
Fast forward to my newest novel, The Carriage. I was planning a trip we never took to New York, and thinking about taking a carriage ride through Central Park. While I don’t know much about the carriages, they have been there an incredibly long time. I saw a historical photo and that was all it took for my mind to flip to the Victorian Era. I was supposed to be working on a YA/NA contemporary romance based in New York.
Alexis came into existence, and I made her face the unfriendly truths of the era. You should see her face when a servant calls Ezra, the Master. Are you laughing yet? Well, she gives him a run for his money because Alexis won’t be calling any man, Master. Ezra is a shipyard owner and a man on the cutting edge of the age. He doesn’t understand Alexis, but she brings laughter and joy to his dark, broken heart.
I’ve often said, I love cultures whether it’s a bygone era, or something I create myself, which is something you’ll see in my next story. But using modern women, and a young man as well in Reflections, shows the contrast by allowing us to see what the culture was like a little closer.
Alexis found she couldn’t battle the era she was trapped in, she had to conform to it because it wasn’t going to conform to her. Brayden in Reflections found the same, even though he never lived in any age but his own.

Culture is steeped in our DNA, and while we can change opinions and emotions over time, it will always be a part of who we are.

The CarriageJena Baxter
Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Jena Baxter Books
Date of Publication: February 16th, 15
ISBN: 978-0-9911677-2-2ASIN: B00TOQNODQ
Number of pages: 214Word Count: 52,313
Cover Artist: Consuelo ParraModel: Amber Ornelas
Book Description:
A teenage girl enters a carriage in Central Park and disembarks in Victorian, England.
Cursed by her sister Brooke, Alexis Powell arrives in the Victorian Era where she meets Ezra, who was recently murdered by an assassin his brother Amos hired. Now a supernatural creature, Ezra sees into Alexis’ mind with a touch and Intrigued by her memories, offers his help only to be rebuffed for his kindness. Alexis runs away, but Ezra is unable to shake off what he saw. He follows her through the streets of London.
Vulnerable after the death of his Father, his brother’s harassment, and Alexis’ many rejections, Ezra decides to stop following her.  Alexis is unable to find work or food. Facing starvation, she steals a tomato and Ezra finds her facing the local magistrate and an angry mob. He pays for her freedom.
Finally accepting the help Ezra offers, Alexis moves into the manor he shares with his brother. Romance blossoms but the bond between Ezra and Amos is worse than Alexis’ relationship with Brooke.
While Ezra and Alexis search for a way to send her home, Amos looks for a way to kill them.
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/-2P1NTDmQww
Available at Amazon
Excerpt: Somehow I was certain I was no longer in New York. The streets were cobblestone, and the buildings wood and brick. A lot of them were broken down, old and shabby. The alleys were filthy and smelled like shit. Exhausted, I looked for a place to hide but didn’t know where to go. When I couldn’t move another muscle, I hid behind a wooden staircase with my back against the wall and fought not to jump at every sound. I hadn’t meant to fall asleep, and didn’t know how long I’d slept, but it looked close to mid-morning when I opened my eyes and looked around. The women walking by were wearing long, full dresses, and big feathered hats. The men’s pants were more form fitting, not the jeans they usually wear. Some of the children running around were barefoot and downright filthy, looking as if they had been rolling in mud or playing with charcoal. I cringed when I saw a boy carrying a rat by the tail. Everything was straight out of a Dickens novel. I wouldn’t have been surprised to see little Dorrit, or Ebenezer Scrooge waltz by any minute now. I rubbed my nose with the palm of my hand. What the hell was I going to do? This obviously wasn’t real, so I must have fallen in with a role playing community of some sort. My mother and father used to play dungeons and dragons. Maybe this was the same thing, but in the extreme. Something slammed into my back. I screamed and turned at the sound of a woman yelling at me. The broom in her hand whooshed down again, just missing my face. “Whoa. Hey, stop!” What was wrong with these people? I couldn’t understand a word she said, so I ran. She chased me, swinging the broom until I left the alley.
I stopped to catch my breath, smoothed my clothes, and approached a woman in a long brown dress with a white bonnet and black boots. She stared at me like I was some sort of freak. Uh ... she was the freak, not me. Maybe the men would be friendlier, but not one of them would stop. Then I saw the man that crashed into me yesterday across the road. He looked a little different, wearing a brown suit, and an odd piece of material similar to a scarf around his neck, with a top hat. He was actually still attractive in the weird clothes. Dodging carts and vendors, I made a bee-line for him. At least he wouldn’t chase me with a broom.
About the Author:
Jena Baxter has always loved history and time travel. She liked to read, and often wrote poetry as a stress inhibitor while growing up. But like other writers, she dreamed of writing a novel. So she enrolled at the UCLA Writer's Extension, to gain the confidence and skill to move forward.
Today Jena has a YA Fantasy novel, as well as a YA Paranormal Romance novel online and in print.
www.jenabaxter.com
http://jenabaxterbooks.blogspot.com/
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/jenabaxterbooks
https://www.facebook.com/jenabaxterbooks
https://twitter.com/@jenabaxterbooks
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8103907.Jena_Baxter
http://www.amazon.com/Jena-Baxter/e/B00M4YF352

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Guest Blog and Giveaway: Shadowed Horizons by Shyla Wolff

character traits - Kyley
Hi. My name is Shyla. I’m the author of Shadowed Horizons and Shadowed Origins in the Anath series. After many years as a nurse, and a prior life in military police, I’ve accumulated much information from different aspects of the topic that became part of my series.
 Through life’s experiences, a recurring situation has plagued my thoughts and sometimes defeated my best efforts to help. Though there are those that would choose to ignore this sometimes self-perpetuating problem, child abuse in not only fairly common but at times, difficult to manage.
Kyley, one of my characters in the Anath series, is a survivor. One thing that helped her is the fact that even though she was a lifelong prisoner up until her escape, her abuse didn’t begin until puberty. Therefore, she had an opportunity to form her baseline personality/character in a less harsh environment than what her teenage years turned out to be.
In our society however, this is not generally the case. 45% of abused children are under the age of five.
Sometimes, all it takes for a child to see and gain insight is one person, someone who is kind, compassionate, caring. This role model may only be in their life for only a short time, but long enough to make a lasting impression.
In my Anath series, daily tutors kept a running dialogue with Kyley about what was normal. Even though she questioned the validity of their lives, she was at least exposed to the idea of what life could be. Through desperation, inspiration, and a twist of fate, she found not only her freedom, but someone to teach her about normal life.
In the Anath series, fiction follows fact. Kyley’s introduction into her new life was tremendously aided by three shepherds. Today, many counselors use animal-assisted therapy to address issues such as grieving and loss, improve expression of feelings, reduce anxiety, improve ability to trust and much more.
In the medical field (as in many others), we are required by law to report suspected child maltreatment. This cannot be emphasized enough. I repeat, suspected abuse, not confirmed abuse.
In the throw-away world we now occupy, I still believe it’s possible to perpetuate humanity’s better qualities. If this sometimes means spotlighting the filth in order to excise and eliminate, so be it.
The next time you’re in a shopping mall, grocery store or your child’s classroom, look around. There’s a child in need of help. He/she won’t ask for it. They will even deny and lie about their bruises. It’s what they’ve been programmed to do. Don’t wait and try to investigate. Most people are not equipped to do so. Report it, anonymously, online, whatever. That’s better than letting a child suffer. Step up, be the adult, help them.
One in ten children will suffer some type of abuse. One in sixteen will suffer sexual abuse. In a society that supposedly treasures their children, I find this reprehensible. Even though most victims aren’t fatalities – their maltreatment has long-reaching affects.
 Not only do we need to better protect our youth, we need to help the survivors break the cycle. Some learn to do so without help. I’m no expert but am ever thankful for their courage and insight. Surely they must have a guardian angel on their shoulder.
Statistics verify that families with substantiated child abuse and who also own pets show that animals were abused in 88 percent of these homes. (DeViney, Dickert, & Lockwood, 1983). Another study showed that in women seeking shelter, 71 percent had pets that their partner threatened, hurt or killed. 32 percent of these mothers reported that their children had hurt or killed their pets (Ascione, 1998). There are as many signals and signs of abuse as there are types.
Today, in many communities, human services, animal services and law enforcement agencies are sharing resources and working together to address this issue.
Animal assisted therapy groups serve in an incredible variety of venues and circumstances including but not limited to hospitals, nursing homes, mental and physical therapy, schools, disaster areas, even some states’ attorney’s offices where children’s depositions are recorded.
Many studies substantiate the beneficial emotional and physical effects of therapy dogs. Few will deny this. However, we must first identify those in need, then see them connected with those that can help.
There is so much information out there on these topics and a lot of agencies volunteering to help. I could write all day and not scratch the surface. However, I think the point is made—help those in need.



Shadowed HorizonsAnath Book 1Shyla Wolff
Genre: paranormal romance
Publisher: Extasy BooksDate of Publication: 12-15-14
ISBN: 978-1-4874-0162-7ASIN:  B00RC7QOIQ
Number of pages: 275Word Count: 72,000
Cover Artist: Latrisha Waters
Book Description:
Love should never be a choice between family and the man who’s claimed your heart.  
A warrior’s life is the only one Kiera’s known since her psychic brethren adopted her from the streets as a child. Though she possesses equal preternatural ability and fighting skills, they will always see her as their youngest and in need of protection.
According to their leader’s psychic vision, her twofold destiny includes saving a computer prodigy’s life and a mate who pulls her from death’s clutches. Carlin, an electronics genius, develops software/hardware which could destroy any government. Without malicious intent, he seeks to prove possibilities beyond his current reality. Bored with the aspects of his social life, he yearns for a family.
When Kiera saves Carlin from the clutches of a psychic terrorist who stalks him for his program and skills, neither is prepared for the immediate connection formed. From the first skirmish, both their lives are caught up in a maelstrom of danger and desire. Kiera struggles to keep Carlin and his work from the terrorist who wants to destroy the U.S. while resisting the extraordinary attraction between them.
Can Carlin convince her they were meant for each other and survive her warrior brethren? 
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Available at Amazon


Excerpt:Carlin strode beside his bodyguard through the dimly lit parking garage fidgeting with his keys. “Adam, this does not make it to my top five favorite places to visit.” A rat skittered across the floor in the shadows, and he imagined it turning a gimlet-eyed stare on its intruders. Filth, gas, and pizza from a nearby restaurant thickened the air, reminiscent of the alley apartment he occupied during college. Small pools of dingy light challenged macabre shadows for dominance—and lost. Clashing of the bleak rays and murky silhouettes added an ominous, prophetic feeling he couldn’t shake. Water stains mingled with the shadows to create fleeting two dimensional monsters. Carlin was not a fan of Rorschach. Crap, I haven’t been spooked like this in years. Adam shrugged. “Sir, as your bodyguard, I admit this isn’t my idea of a secure location either, but it is the closest enclosed parking available to meet with your client. The open street leaves you too vulnerable. As much as you cherish your privacy, I’m surprised you agreed to help at all.”“He’s a college buddy, needed help with a simple, high-tech security task. Seems twenty-first century technology left him in the dust.” “Next time, why don’t you at least suggest meeting during the daytime?” Adam’s narrowed eyes and tilted head as if listening to a far-off sound—usually spelled trouble.“Next time, remind me a proctologist’s exam would be more enjoyable, okay?” Sweat beaded his forehead despite the cool December breeze drifting over the graffiti-covered knee wall.“Yeah, I’m feeling it too. Let’s get the hell out of here.”Carlin’s skidding on a badly patched piece of concrete prompted his bodyguard to scan the area around them. Dirt and crumbles skittered, their audio report echoed off the walls. "Watch your step, sir, we don’t need to broadcast our location." Adam murmured as he reached out to steady him.“You know…” Carlin muttered, “Folks generally think of me as a good analytical and concrete thinker. Perhaps whatever higher power gifted me with intuitive abilities for logistics and computers decided on a mental tariff—common sense.” "My sixth sense says trouble’s GPS has already locked on. Stay close.” The gentle slide of Adam’s gun from its shoulder rig compelled Carlin to suck in the cool night air, searing his lungs. “Sir, instincts are the best survival tool we have. They’re rarely wrong. Better safe than sorry.” Sharp chirps split the silence, Carlin’s cell threw his heart rate into overdrive. Hair on his nape prickled as he fumbled in his pocket. With an all-thumbs equivalent, he extracted the nuisance and hit ignore. Massive pillars supported the five-story concrete structure. Rounding one to his left, his foot stalled mid-step when Adam snatched him sideways. The colossal thug he almost plowed into blended into the shadows. “Jesus!" The man personified hulkish features with abject malice in his gaze. The split-second observation brought Carlin a rush of adrenaline. "You're huge!" Brown hair pulled back in a ponytail swept his shoulder giving the look of a mob enforcer. A bulge of pitted, tanned skin separated a straight line of bushy eyebrows. Dark eyes appeared to hold a terrible knowledge and gave his hard stare a cold calculating look.The brute’s gaze raked Carlin's body head to toe. Chipped yellow teeth appeared as his thin lips pulled back in a wide grin. "Time to meet your maker, prodigy." He mimicked Carlin's sidestep in a lightning-fast move and knocked Adam's gun from his right hand. Its ricocheting underneath a nearby Toyota produced multiple tin-like clinks. Time seemed to fracture. Adam's left arm shoved Carlin to the side. His assailant took wily advantage in that flash of time. He watched his bodyguard go down hard from his attacker's leg sweep.One blink and a dagger appeared in the thug's hand. Its arc and swift speed toward his belly made it little more than a glimmer in the weak light. His neurons couldn't fire fast enough to follow its passage. Two feet stood between Carlin and a trip to his maker, complements of this walking nightmare.    About the Author:
Life teaches us many lessons. One of the most important ones Shyla’s learned is to take the time to enjoy family and friends. Our circumstances change on a daily basis. However small the differences may seem, they add up over time. Through a lifetime of various trials and tribulations, she’s discovered the enjoyment of sharing her stories with those that would relish participating in the journey of extraordinary people through their everyday lives.
http://shylawolff.com/
http://shylawolff.blogspot.com/
www.amazon.com/author/shylawolff   
https://www.facebook.com/shyla.wolff
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/39264448-shyla-wolff
https://twitter.com/wolff_shyla



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