Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 437
May 30, 2014
Release Day Blitz Shunned No More by Christina McKnight
Five books that inspired me to write!
Every writer has that one book or series that influenced and inspired them to write. I’m no different. Books hold a very special place in my heart; they’ve taken me to new worlds, introduced me to new concepts and ideas, and taught me so much about human relationships. Today, I’m going to share five books (and series) that pushed me to tell my story.
5. Little House on the Prairie
Little known fact about me…I couldn’t read until around age eleven. Yep, you read that right, ELEVEN! I still grow faint at the idea of reading aloud to anyone but my daughter. Another fact about me…I learned to read by first mastering braille with the help of my blind tutor, Chris Hansen. From the second I was able to string together words (I know this sounds like such an easy concept to some people) I took off! I read everything I could get my hands on. Up until that point, I enjoyed watching the television show, Little House on the Prairie starring Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert. Imagine my surprise when I found the box set of books at my local bookstore. I was in absolute heaven! I spent the next year reading the series (including Laura Ingalls Wilder’s daughter’s story) and telling my mom how they differed from the TV show.
4. Julia Quinn’s The Duke and I
My next great inspiration was Julia Quinn (and really all Historical Romance writers). Quinn has a way of creating stories that draw a reader in…I become invested in her characters and I truly care about their story. You know you’ve read an amazing romance novel when the happily ever after isn’t enough for you. I found myself wanting to continue on with her characters and find out what happened next in their lives. After reading, The Duke and I, I was excited to learn that the book was part of a longer series in which her characters returned in each book. What? I don’t have to let them go? I was thrilled! If you enjoy Historical Romance, you’ll LOVE Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton’s series.
3. Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed Series
As an adult my taste in books diversified and matured…and so started my love of vampires and anything Paranormal or Urban Fantasy. Lara Adrian’s unique idea for who and what vampires are captured my attention immediately. I fell in love with her take on the genre and the characters she developed. Her series, The Midnight Breed, fulfills my love for returning characters. Maybe I have a problem letting go? With eleven books currently in the series, and more coming each year, I plan on immersing myself in her characters and their world every few months!
2. JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood Series
I was introduced to JR Ward around the same time as Lara Adrian…and HOLY SMOKES can Ward write a compelling book! Her characters are well rounded and believable (as much as anyone can believe in vampiresJ). Do I dream of meeting a male twice the size of the average man? Hell yea! Do I want a male willing to have my name permanently across his back in the old language? Umm, YES! I’d even sign up for the role of a doggen to be close to these men! LOL. Every time I finish reading one of JR Ward’s books I scurry to open my own project and find ways to captivate readers with my characters and plotlines.
1. The Twilight Saga
Say what you will about Stephanie Meyer’s writing ability and skill level, but I respect the hell out of this woman! I’ve read The Twilight Series three times and each time is like the first. I find myself falling in love with Edward, hating Edward for leaving Bella, falling in love with Jacob, and then back in love with Edward. How does Meyer’s capture this type of emotion in her writing? I’m still trying to figure this out (along with thousands of other writers). It was this series that ultimately pulled me back into writing after several years off. The Twilight Series proves that a book does not need to have hardcore sex scenes and gruesome violence to enthrall readers.
Shunned No MoreA Lady ForsakenBook 1Christina McKnightGenre: Historical Romance, Regency
Publisher: La Loma Elite PublishingDate of Publication: May 30, 2014
ISBN: 9780988261723
Number of pages: 300 ApproximateWord Count: 75,000 Approximate
Cover Artist: LFD Designs for Authors
Book Description:
A Lady Shunned by All…
Lady Viola Oberbrook only wanted to forget the ill-fated early morning duel that took the lives of two young, wealthy, promising men of the ton and sent her fleeing for her father’s country estate. Eight years later, she has her life in order: a fulfilling business, a few trusted friends, and no plans to return to London society. What she doesn’t expect is to come face to face with her past.
A Lord Betrayed by One…
Brock Spencer, Earl of Haversham, only wants vengeance. Recently returned from his military service to the King, his plans include repairing his family estate, finding a bride, and destroying the girl responsible for the untimely death of his twin brothers. What he doesn’t anticipate is falling in love with the only woman who should never be part of his future.
An Impossible Match, Destined to Be…
PROLOGUE
Hyde ParkApril 1806
8 years ago…
Viola clutched the handle of her pink parasol to her chest tightly in anticipation of the spectacle to come. Her gaze fixed on the two figures shrouded in the early morning fog of Hyde Park. The men, really only boys, began to count as they paced away from each other. Shiny, pearl-handled pistols positioned in their right hands were at the ready. She clamped her lips tight to suppress the giggle that threatened to escape. Who would have thought that she, Lady Viola Oberbrook, would have two men seeking her hand in marriage...and in the first week of her very first season, no less? That they were the twin sons of Lord Haversham was an even greater coup de grǎcefor her. She’d be the envy of every debutante. The talk of the town. As well she should be! Her father was the Duke of Liperton, after all. If only she’d found a way to get all of London here to witness the duel. She’d done what she could by leaving word with Mrs. Tenchard. The old gossipmonger was sure to spread the word more quickly than Vi could spend her monthly allowance at the milliner’s shop. And Vi prided herself on her ability to spend her father’s money. “Miss Viola, beg’n yer pardon, but it be wise to don ye wool kid gloves,” her lady’s maid, Sarah, whispered beside her. “Shhhh,” Vi hissed in return, raising her hand for Sarah to hold her tongue. She didn’t want to miss a single moment of what was to come. She would remember this for the rest of her existence. The day two men of the haute ton battled in her honor. She sighed. The twins—Cody, with his hair cut longer than the current fashion permitted, and sporting a determined glint in his eye, and Winston, with his smartly trimmed blond hair falling respectfully above his collar—reached the required twenty-pace distance and turned. Their pistols fired in unison. Vi’s heart soared. Her first duel...and certainly not her last, if she had anything to say in the matter. The swift morning breeze pushed the smoke from the scene as both men dropped to the ground, soggy with morning dew. Shouts of urgency rang out in the air. Men rushed in to assist the twins. A cold chill inched up her spine; her breath caught in her lungs. Neither man moved. A sharp inhale of breath sounded next to her, but Vi was hesitant to remove her attention from the scene as the pungent smell of a spent firearm reached her. “Call Doc Durpentire. Post haste!” bellowed Mr. Rodney Swiftenberg. As a distant relative of the Havershams’, Swiftenberg stood as Cody’s second during the duel. Others, vaguely familiar, knelt over both fallen men. The gossip rags would have much to write about this day. Vi could hardly wait to see her name in print. Maybe her father would increase her dowry, seeing as she would be in high demand by the day’s end. “Miss,” Sarah called. “I think it best we be head’n home. Ye Pa is going to be right mad when he finds you snuck out and now these poor men be lying dead at ye very feet.” “Surely you jest. They are simply play acting for dramatics...in my honor, I do suppose.” Viola eyed the two groups of men where they stood, their heads shaking in turn. One took his coat off and laid it gently over Cody’s still body. Vi’s glare snapped to Winston, where another man shook out a horse blanket. The thick, coarse material drifted on the morning breeze and settled on the second body. She studied the scene in front of her. It had the potential to be ever so romantic. A story she would regale her grandchildren with. It was a shame neither twin was the first born and, therefore, unworthy of her hand. But she’d seen no reason to inform them of this minor issue and spoil her fun. They’d find out soon enough. Slowly, the eyes of every person present settled on her. She took a step back at the harshness of their stares. Her chilled hand rose to cover her mouth. She wanted to tell them to avert their eyes; she was the daughter of a Duke. They need show the respect due her. None of these men held a title higher than Baron. How dare they look at her thus? A tall, slender man carrying a large cloth bag rushed to Winston. She assumed this was Doc Durpentire. He would have both men patched up in no time. But with both Cody and Winston taking a bullet, their feud would not be resolved. Viola imagined what the pair would think up next to prove one deserved her hand over the other. Perhaps a curricle race through Mayfair District. She knew she would be able to convince Cody to let her ride along on the adventure. She could practically feel the wind against her face as the carriage took the corners at a high speed, shifting across the seat so that her soft body might come to rest against Cody’s hard one. Imagine what the silly, empty-brained young females would think. They’d envy her further. An unbidden smile played across her lips. The doctor drew the heavy blanket aside and his hands moved over Winston’s body. Then, they stilled. His head dropped forward. He spoke to the men around him, but Vi was too far to hear their conversation. Rodney, hands shoved deep in his pockets, moved in her direction. “Whatever is the matter with them?” she asked when he was close enough to hear. “I think you should go, Lady Viola. This is not a scene any innocent maiden should witness,” Rodney replied. His blond hair was so much like Cody and Winston’s, but his attitude had always struck her as arrogant for a man with no title or wealth to speak of. “Who are you to order me about?” Viola closed her parasol with a swift click and handed it to Sarah, her hands coming to rest on her rounded hips. “It is not the time for this. My cousins...they are both dead.” Rodney paused. “I must alert my uncle to his misfortune.” “You are mistaken.” “I assure you, no mistakes have been made this day.” He abruptly turned, stalking back to the crowd gathering between the fallen men. He must be jesting, Viola thought. She looked between the fallen pair again, their motionless bodies so at odds with the twins she’d come to know in recent days. The heat of exhilaration drained from her as a hand settled at her elbow. Viola felt the calloused fingertips through her thin morning cloak. “We should be going, Miss.” Vi shook Sarah’s imploring touch from her arm and tried to focus her gaze on something—anything—other than the lifeless men on the ground. “Well,” Viola stated. “This was…” Dread clawed at her insides, and her spirit shattered as she stared at the two men lying prone and unmoving before her. “…unexpected.” Her entire life had been leading up to this moment—a life of societal demands and the rigors one had to follow to be accepted. A life that had just stopped, as quickly as those of the two men who now lay dead. Dead. She had murdered these men—the realization came at her all at once, even as her mind rebelled. Cody and Winston, the silly twins who had entertained her so, were no more. Yet, she continued to breathe. With each breath, standing in the chill of early morning in Hyde Park, she felt the obligations of her station, its standards and protocols too powerful for a seventeen-year-old girl to overcome. She glanced around her for help, for someone to tell her what to do, but all focus was on the boys on the ground. Years of being taught how to behave hadn’t prepared her for anything like this. “Miss, what should we do?” “I suppose we should…” She cleared her throat. “I suppose it is time to start over.” She sensed, somehow, that starting over might be impossible. “Start over, Miss?” Her maid’s dark brow pulled low over her eyes.
Viola straightened her already impeccably postured back and forced her prized smile before continuing. “To find another suitor, you silly girl! This time, I intend to set my sights a bit higher.” She spun on her heels, determined not to stumble, to not falter before so many. She started back towards her carriage, moving through the men without meeting anyone’s eye, feeling the weight of their stares as she passed. It didn’t matter. She had the evening’s entertainments to prepare for and an image to uphold—no matter the cost to her soul.
About the Author:Christina McKnight is a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell her own stories. She’s been writing ever since. Currently, she focuses on Historical Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance.
Christina enjoys a quiet life in Northern California with her family, her wine, and lots of coffee. Oh, and her books…don’t forget her books! Most days she can be found writing, reading, or traveling the great state of California.
Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/CMcKnightWriter
blog: www.christinamcknight.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaMcKnightWriter
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May 29, 2014
Serial Killers and their Quirks, or Making Gross Horse Dolls by Danielle DeVor
When I started thinking about writing a YA thriller, I knew I needed something unique about the serial killer I was writing about just so they wouldn’t seem like a copy of someone else’s idea. Serial killers have been done to death, pardon my pun, so I had to use my imagination a bit. That’s when I came up with the idea for the horses.
In Dancing with a Dead Horse, the serial killer targets my main character, Jason Miller, by leaving a horse doll in his locker. These horse dolls are made on wooden forms with skin from bodies stretched over them and hair from the victims used for the mane and tail.
The horse dolls are also fashioned after types of horses. For instance, the first horse has blond hair. Next to it, the killer leaves a note simply saying, “Palamino.”
For Jason, these horses are true harbingers of death. Even scarier is that the killer leaves the dolls for him. So, he never knows if one day he will be a horse or if the killer wants him for some other sinister thing. It was fun creating the mystique around the horses, but mechanically thinking about how one would stretch human skin over a horse form was… interesting to say the least.
Dancing with a Dead HorseDanielle DeVorGenre: YA Thriller
Publisher: Eirelander Publishing
Date of Publication: April 30, 2014
Word Count: 65,104
Cover Artist: Buffi BeCraft
Book Description:
Sometimes lullabies aren’t soothing; they’re deadly.
Sixteen-year-old, Jason Miller, wants three things: to become a professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter, graduate from high school, and avoid his mother’s ballet classes.
When he finds the body of the most popular girl in school, he has a major freak-out session, and then calls 911. But if finding a body wasn’t bad enough, when a horse doll made of human skin and hair is found in his locker, the entire town accuses Jason of the murder.
As the body count rises, so does the hostility. Jason is left with a choice: To run and hide or to clear his name and find out why the killer is targeting him before it’s too late.
Available at Amazon
About the Author:Danielle DeVor spent her early years fantasizing about vampires and watching “Salem’s Lot” way too many times. After living briefly in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she moved back to her hometown to write. When not writing and reading about weird things, you will find her hanging out at the nearest coffee shop, enjoying a mocha frappuccino.
Twitter: @sammyig
Blog: http://danielledevor.wordpress.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/danielledevorauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/DanielleDeVor
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May 19 InterviewThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
May 20 Spotlight3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com
May 21 SpotlightDeal Sharing Aunthttp://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/
May 22 InterviewEclipse Reviewshttp://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com/
May 23 SpotlightLisa’s World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
May 26 Guest blogDarkest Cravingswww.darkestcravings.blogspot.com
May 27 Guest blogRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannerhoads.com
May 28 Character InterviewAuthor Karen Swartauthorkarenswart.blogspot.com
May 29 Guest blogFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
May 30 reviewCorazones Literarios www.corazones-literarios.blogspot.com
June 2 InterviewPembroke Sinclair. pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
Margo Bond Collins Discusses Her Top Five Favorite Vampire Books/Series
Top Five Favorite Vampire Books/Series
I love vampires. There are piles of novels featuring vampires, and I’ve been asked several times why I would want to add to that pile. Part of the answer is simple: I wrote the first draft of Legally Undead almost ten years ago, after Buffy, but before the Twilight series came out—and before there was quite so much vampiric competition. But I decided to go ahead and submit it for publication because in my narrator Elle Dupree’s world, vampires are not sexy. They’re frightening and deadly—and they’re the kinds of vampires I want to read about. Not that I can’t be convinced by a sexy vampire—Damon Salvatore, Spike, Jean-Claude. . . . But the terrifying vampires are the ones that fascinate me. The list below of my top five (recent) vampire books highlights that fascination. (Note that in the case of series, I have listed the first book.)
1. TheColdest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
I loved Black’s short story of the same name and was initially a little disappointed to discover that the novel was not, in fact, a continuation of the same story but rather a new story set in the same world. But that disappointment quickly disappeared as Black’s novel drew me in. The vampires here are horrifying—and being the single (potential) exception to that rule makes the love-interest vampire equally terrifying and attractive, adding up to the kind of vicarious adrenaline rush that draws me to vampire tales in the first place.
2. Sunshine by Robin McKinley
I re-read this book every year or two—I just finished the latest re-reading in November. McKinley does a beautiful job of setting up a world that is almost, but not exactly, like our own. The eponymous protagonist almost seems to ramble sometimes, but the voice is perfectly her own and the things she reveals about herself are beautifully woven back into the plot. Also, the vampires are creepy as all get-out!
3. Quiver by Holly Luhning
Unlike most of the books I read, Quiver is not speculative fiction. It’s a psychological thriller about obsession—specifically, obsession with Elizabeth Bathory, the psychotic sixteenth-century Hungarian countess who bathed in the blood of her (many!) victims in an attempt to make herself younger. Luhning’s depiction of a dissatisfied academic pulled further into a world of horror and intrigue is both compelling and unsettling. So this isn’t really a “vampire” novel in the strictest sense—but it draws on vampire mythology in interesting ways.
4.
GuiltyPleasures (Anita Blake, Book 1) by Laurell K. Hamilton
This was probably the first book I ever heard called a “urban fantasy”—though the term Hamilton used for it was “paranormal mystery.” In the early novels of this series, Anita Blake, is based more on the gritty noir detective than the romance heroine. Though the series shifts toward the erotic later, the early novels are still among my favorite paranormal mysteries/urban fantasies.
5.Skinwalker(Jane Yellowrock, Book 1) by Faith Hunter
This series has landed on my favorite vampires and my favorite shapeshifters lists. I’m a fan of shapeshifter novels in general, and of this series in particular. I like Hunter’s twist on the shapeshifter standards—in these novels, Jane shares her body and her consciousness with a big cat she calls Beast. Watching the two of them negotiating their shared life is almost as much fun as watching them work through whatever mysteries and problems come their way because of Jane’s job as bodyguard to vampires.
_____________________________________________
My own vampire novel is Legally Undead, available May 27 from World Weaver Press
A reluctant vampire hunter, stalking New York City as only a scorned bride can.
Elle Dupree has her life all figured out: first a wedding, then her Ph.D., then swank faculty parties where she’ll serve wine and cheese and introduce people to her husband the lawyer.
But those plans disintegrate when she walks in on a vampire draining the blood from her fiancé Greg. Horrified, she screams and runs--not away from the vampire, but toward it, brandishing a wooden letter opener.
As she slams the improvised stake into the vampire’s heart, a team of black-clad men bursts into the apartment. Turning around to face them, Elle discovers that Greg’s body is gone—and her perfect life falls apart.
_____________________________________________ Legally Undead Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XRDeparqVE_____________________________________________
About the Author
Margo Bond Collins is the author of a number of novels, including Waking Up Dead, Fairy, Texas, and Legally Undead (forthcoming May 27, 2014). She lives in Texas with her husband, their daughter, and several spoiled pets. She teaches college-level English courses online, though writing fiction is her first love. She enjoys reading urban fantasy and paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time daydreaming about vampires, ghosts, zombies, werewolves, and other monsters.
_____________________________________________
Connect with Margo
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/margobondcollins
Email: MargoBondCollins@gmail.com
Website: http://www.MargoBondCollins.net
Blog: http://www.MargoBondCollins.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MargoBondCollin @MargoBondCollin
Google+: https://plus.google.com/116484555448104519902
Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchy
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MargoBondCollins
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mbondcollins/
Be sure to add Legally Undead to your Goodreads bookshelves: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18366353-legally-undead
I love vampires. There are piles of novels featuring vampires, and I’ve been asked several times why I would want to add to that pile. Part of the answer is simple: I wrote the first draft of Legally Undead almost ten years ago, after Buffy, but before the Twilight series came out—and before there was quite so much vampiric competition. But I decided to go ahead and submit it for publication because in my narrator Elle Dupree’s world, vampires are not sexy. They’re frightening and deadly—and they’re the kinds of vampires I want to read about. Not that I can’t be convinced by a sexy vampire—Damon Salvatore, Spike, Jean-Claude. . . . But the terrifying vampires are the ones that fascinate me. The list below of my top five (recent) vampire books highlights that fascination. (Note that in the case of series, I have listed the first book.)
1. TheColdest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black I loved Black’s short story of the same name and was initially a little disappointed to discover that the novel was not, in fact, a continuation of the same story but rather a new story set in the same world. But that disappointment quickly disappeared as Black’s novel drew me in. The vampires here are horrifying—and being the single (potential) exception to that rule makes the love-interest vampire equally terrifying and attractive, adding up to the kind of vicarious adrenaline rush that draws me to vampire tales in the first place.
_cover.jpg)
2. Sunshine by Robin McKinley I re-read this book every year or two—I just finished the latest re-reading in November. McKinley does a beautiful job of setting up a world that is almost, but not exactly, like our own. The eponymous protagonist almost seems to ramble sometimes, but the voice is perfectly her own and the things she reveals about herself are beautifully woven back into the plot. Also, the vampires are creepy as all get-out!
3. Quiver by Holly Luhning Unlike most of the books I read, Quiver is not speculative fiction. It’s a psychological thriller about obsession—specifically, obsession with Elizabeth Bathory, the psychotic sixteenth-century Hungarian countess who bathed in the blood of her (many!) victims in an attempt to make herself younger. Luhning’s depiction of a dissatisfied academic pulled further into a world of horror and intrigue is both compelling and unsettling. So this isn’t really a “vampire” novel in the strictest sense—but it draws on vampire mythology in interesting ways.
4.
GuiltyPleasures (Anita Blake, Book 1) by Laurell K. Hamilton
This was probably the first book I ever heard called a “urban fantasy”—though the term Hamilton used for it was “paranormal mystery.” In the early novels of this series, Anita Blake, is based more on the gritty noir detective than the romance heroine. Though the series shifts toward the erotic later, the early novels are still among my favorite paranormal mysteries/urban fantasies.
5.Skinwalker(Jane Yellowrock, Book 1) by Faith Hunter This series has landed on my favorite vampires and my favorite shapeshifters lists. I’m a fan of shapeshifter novels in general, and of this series in particular. I like Hunter’s twist on the shapeshifter standards—in these novels, Jane shares her body and her consciousness with a big cat she calls Beast. Watching the two of them negotiating their shared life is almost as much fun as watching them work through whatever mysteries and problems come their way because of Jane’s job as bodyguard to vampires.
_____________________________________________
My own vampire novel is Legally Undead, available May 27 from World Weaver PressA reluctant vampire hunter, stalking New York City as only a scorned bride can.
Elle Dupree has her life all figured out: first a wedding, then her Ph.D., then swank faculty parties where she’ll serve wine and cheese and introduce people to her husband the lawyer.
But those plans disintegrate when she walks in on a vampire draining the blood from her fiancé Greg. Horrified, she screams and runs--not away from the vampire, but toward it, brandishing a wooden letter opener.
As she slams the improvised stake into the vampire’s heart, a team of black-clad men bursts into the apartment. Turning around to face them, Elle discovers that Greg’s body is gone—and her perfect life falls apart.
_____________________________________________ Legally Undead Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XRDeparqVE_____________________________________________
About the AuthorMargo Bond Collins is the author of a number of novels, including Waking Up Dead, Fairy, Texas, and Legally Undead (forthcoming May 27, 2014). She lives in Texas with her husband, their daughter, and several spoiled pets. She teaches college-level English courses online, though writing fiction is her first love. She enjoys reading urban fantasy and paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time daydreaming about vampires, ghosts, zombies, werewolves, and other monsters.
_____________________________________________
Connect with Margo
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/margobondcollins
Email: MargoBondCollins@gmail.com
Website: http://www.MargoBondCollins.net
Blog: http://www.MargoBondCollins.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MargoBondCollin @MargoBondCollin
Google+: https://plus.google.com/116484555448104519902
Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchy
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MargoBondCollins
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mbondcollins/
Be sure to add Legally Undead to your Goodreads bookshelves: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18366353-legally-undead
On Sale: Walk on the Wild Side Series by C.J. Ellisson
Vanilla on TopWalk on the Wild SideHeather and TonyBook 1C.J. Ellisson
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Publisher: EntangledDate of Publication: Jan 2013
ISBN: 9781622667987ASIN: B00BFQEFPY
Number of pages: 260Word Count: 65k
Amazon US Amazon Canada
Amazon UK Kobo Apple BN
Book Description:
Discover your inner bad girl, and set her free...
Heather Pierce is done being a wallflower, both personally and professionally. Desperate to live a different life for one night, she attends a speed dating event. Maybe here, anonymous unless she chooses otherwise, she can become someone new. When a man way out of her league sits across from her, Heather gathers her courage and takes charge of what she wants, secretly fearing he won't desire the real person she's desperate to hide.
Top acquisitions officer and international playboy Tony Carmine is about to close the biggest deal of his career. But then he meets Heather at a speed dating event . . . and discovers losing control may be exactly what he needs. Her blossoming sensuality occupies his every thought, consuming him with the need to possess the most intriguing lover he's ever encountered-until he walks into the boardroom and sees Heather on the other side of the negotiating table.
Excerpt Vanilla on Top:
The door creaks open and Tony steps out. You can do this, Heather. Take command. Tell him what you want. Tell him what to do, just like he said he wants. Now or never.
I smirk with a confidence I’m not completely feeling. “Nice of you to join me, Tony.” I relax against the brick and check him over from head to foot, making sure he knows with just my eyes exactly how desirable I find him. You can do this, don’t panic. He won’t laugh at you.
I nod toward the stacked chairs. “Take off your coat.” He slips the expensive garment from his shoulders, pulling the starched fabric of his shirt across his defined chest. I nod my approval and his eyes glint with desire in the dimming light.
He smiles, seemingly eager to play whatever game I’ve got in mind. “Anything else?”
I push down my inner anxiety and grin, in what I hope is a teasing manner. “Your tie.”
His eyebrows shoot up, but he loosens the knot and pulls the material free. The red silk slides over his shirt, and then is tossed carelessly toward his coat.
Holy crap, he’s doing it. He’s listening to me. What now?
“Unbutton the top two buttons of your shirt.” The command springs unbidden to my thoughts.
He complies and reveals the golden skin below his throat, with a few stray chest hairs visible near the neck of his undershirt. He looks so good I’d like to grab his shirt and rip it open, licking the skin as it’s uncovered.
Holy cow, where did that come from? I’m not this aggressive woman I’m pretending to be.
“How’s that?” he asks.
My pulse pounds so loudly in my ears I can only nod, afraid I’ll give too much away if I answer. I clear my throat, reaching for nonchalance. “It’ll do.” My hands slide to my hips and I take the plunge, pouring every ounce of courage I possess into my next actions.
I grab my skirt’s black material and work it slowly up my thighs. Tony’s eyes grow round as he follows my movements.
“Get down on your knees,” I say, forcing out my voice in a firm tone.
Vanilla TwistWalk on the Wild SideHeather and TonyBook 2C.J. EllissonGenre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Publisher: Red Hot PublishingDate of Publication: Feb 2014
ISBN: 9781938601255ASIN: B00ICAUB22
Number of pages: 210Word Count: 55k
Amazon US Amazon UK
Amazon Canada
Amazon India BN
Kobo Apple
Book Description:
Heather thinks she has it all—an interesting lover, a dream job, and a new wardrobe to match her take-charge attitude. But everyone has a past, and when Heather confronts hers at work she’ll be hard-pressed to hold onto her newfound confidence and resolve. Does she trust Tony enough to let him help her or will she tackle the issue on her own?
Still intrigued by the young woman and the multiple layers she presents to the world, Tony begins to change his life, too—for what he hopes is the better. He quit his high-powered career to find peace in a less stressful day-to-day existence. Desire for Heather still invades his every waking moment, and when trouble threatens their sexual explorations he makes the hardest choice of his life. One he may soon regret.
Vanilla Twist Chapter One
“Heather?” A warm hand slides over my hip. Soft, moist lips press against one shoulder. “It’s Monday. You’ve got work today.”
I resist the urge to snuggle under the covers and spend the rest of the day like the weekend—naked and sweaty. Tony’s hips move behind mine, his arousal stroking between the cheeks of my ass. His enthusiasm isn’t making me want to get out of bed, either.
“What time is it?” I struggle to rise to examine the clock.
Tony holds me firmly in place. “A little before six. You’ve got plenty of time.” His fingers dig into my hip, guiding them in a slow motion while he thrusts softly against me. “I don’t need to be in Jersey until later.” He relaxes his grasp, perhaps drawing out his own anticipation. “Excited about starting your new job?”
Unsurprisingly, my new job is the furthest thing from my mind at the moment. “Job?” My voice sounds rough with sleep. “You really want to talk about work?”
His masculine chuckle warms the skin of my back. He curves closer, pressing his upper body firmly along my spine. “You’re right. My bad. I want you focused on what you’re feeling.” Tony places lingering kisses up my neck, nibbling at the skin below my jaw.
My eyes fly open as he sucks where his teeth grazed me. “Hey! Not so hard. I need to look professional.”
Tony releases the suction. “Yes, ma’am.” He kisses me again, ending with a light lick. “Wouldn’t want that.”
I squirm, pressing myself toward his cock. The idea of him wanting to mark me, to let the world know I’m taken, stirs something primal within me. Makes me want to mark him, too. Although working on his apartment doesn’t allow him much exposure to the dating public.
And really, am I that type of girl? I’m close to thirty. I should be past having to mark my man. My man. That has a nice ring to it. Would he like me to brand him with a love bite? Perhaps I could leave one where only he can see it.
That would be sexy as well as fun. I’ll do it. The moment I can think clearly and get a chance.
The hand on my hip curves inward, questing fingers slip between my thighs.
His husky voice whispers in my ear, “I can think of a terrific way to start your day.”
I gasp as he finds my clit, sliding two fingers to rub gently.
“It’ll be a great stress reliever, too. You’ll start your new job well-rested and relaxed.”
Considering the amount of hours I was awake last night and panting under his hard body, I doubt I’ll be too rested. But who the hell cares? I roll onto my back and spread my thighs. This feels too good to ignore.
I stifle a yawn and push my hips up to meet his hand. “What did you have in mind, mister?”
The desire glowing in his light brown eyes leaves me reeling. I can still hardly believe how things worked out last week. Tony, waiting for me in my apartment building’s lobby when I’d thought I’d messed things up for good. Life is getting better and better by the day.
He leans in to kiss me, his morning scruff tickling my chin. Tony’s mouth meets mine and a shudder races down my frame. God, he’s simply delicious. And all mine.
He pulls back and nips my bottom lip. “Would you like hard and fast or slow and leisurely?”
An idea comes to me. I push him onto his back and straddle his hips. “I’ll let you know.” I reach down and clasp his length, guiding him inside me.
Tony wastes no time and thrusts his hips up to meet mine, his hands grabbing both breasts. “That’s it, baby. Ride me. I love it when you take what you want.”
His words excite me further. In past relationships I never considered being sexually aggressive, always content to accept whatever was offered. But this man, he brings out the wanton hussy in me. I want to shock him. I want to leave him guessing. I want him always craving more—of me.
I angle my hips and rub forward and back, grinding my mound on his pelvic bone to get the pressure I crave. Hot palms cup my small breasts, squeezing and kneading a moment before agile fingers seek out my nipples. A sharp twist of the aroused peaks pulls a gasp from me.
“Look at me,” he says. I stare down into his expressive eyes. “I want to see all of you when you come.”
He releases one breast and maneuvers his hand between us, his thumb stroking right where I need it.
“Yesss… That feels so good…” My eyes drift close and he tweaks my nipple hard, drawing my attention back to his gaze.
“Don’t look away. Be in the moment with me.”
His heart shines in his eyes, the emotion deep and strong. The raw edge of his hunger weaves an impassioned spell, encasing us both. This incredible man never fails to surprise me.
“Faster,” I gasp. “I’m close.”
Pressure builds inside as I bump and grind on his engorged flesh. His hips rise up to meet mine, pounding deep inside me. The slap of heated flesh rings loud in the quiet room, the only other sound our panting breaths.
“That’s it…” A long low keening of sound spills from my lips as I falter in my rhythm. Tony increases his pace, pushing me over the edge into oblivion. His grip on my breast becomes rough, merging a tinge of pain with my release.
The electric tingle of orgasm lights inside me, curving my back and bring my face near his. I latch my mouth onto his as he erupts, his shout of pleasure causing his teeth to clank against mine. His hands leave my clit and breast to grab my hips, slamming me down on him while his orgasm wracks his frame.
After a few gasping breaths we settle, his hands gentling and rising to soothe along my spine. His voice sounds mellow and satiated. “What a great way to start the day.”
A sigh escapes me as I nuzzle near his neck. “You said it.”
The enticing aroma of fresh bagels fills my head as I slowly spin to examine my new office space. The company’s former CFO and my boss, Harvey, cleaned out his stuff last week when the board pushed his retirement. The room has been cleaned vigorously by the building’s janitorial staff and now awaits me to make it my own. Wonder and awe swell inside my chest.
This is it, girlfriend. You’ve made it to the top!
When I started at Parkerson right out of college I had no idea, in just shy of seven years, I’d be the youngest member the board has ever accepted to its ranks, andthe only woman, to boot.
A throat clears behind me and I turn to see a huge bouquet of flowers dwarfing the woman who holds their glass vase. “These came for you.” Melissa, one of the receptionists, strides across the room to set the arrangement on a sideboard near my new desk. “They arrived special order—by messenger.” She glances at her wrist. “I don’t think we’ve ever had flowers arrive before eight am.”
Warmth floods my face. There’s only one person I know in my life who’d do something so extravagant. Melissa fusses with the flowers a moment before reaching for the card. Without opening it, she hands the small envelope to me in passing, her eyebrows raised. “As if the simple fact the exotic blooms outshine any rose isn’t enough, your admirer wanted to make sure the arrangement arrived bright and early, too.”
I nod my thanks, too overwhelmed with emotion to speak. I clutch the tiny card to my chest, scurrying to the lush flowers to take a deep breath of their heady fragrance. I fan my heated cheeks with the card and stare at the artfully arranged blossoms. Vibrant yellows, oranges and reds stand out like flames among smaller white flowers with tiny black centers. I have no idea what any of them are called, but I’ll be searching the Internet later when I take a break.
Such luxury could only come from Tony. I make my way to the deep leather seat behind my desk and sit, eager to see what he wrote on the card.
Go get ‘em, tiger!
Wishing you the best in your new position,
Tony
A huge smile spreads across my face. Considering the wake-up I received this morning, I never expected him to send flowers, too.
I picture Tony’s relaxed, boxer-brief clad physique leaning against my counter this morning. His defined abs tightened when he laughed at something silly I said, distracting me yet again. Only this time I over-filled my coffee cup while I was staring. Which of course led to more laughter from my new lover.
A shiver runs through me as I recall our weekend lovemaking. There was no hesitancy between us as we casually traded control and assertiveness with each sexual encounter. In my wildest dreams I never expected a man as successful and handsome as Tony would want me.
I rummage around in my purse, looking for my cell phone, impulsively deciding to call him. After all, work hours haven’t officially started yet.
He answers, a teasing note in his voice. “Hey. Didn’t expect to hear from you so early.”
“I just bet! Your flowers arrived. They’re stunning, thank you.”
“Good. I’m glad you liked them.” He hesitates for a second and my heart hitches in my chest. Does he regret sending them? Have I made too big of a deal over something he considers small? I hate this new relationship crap and not knowing what I should say or do. “So… I opened your bedside drawer a few minutes ago. Looking for a nail file…”
My stuttering heart lurches to a stop. Oh. My. God. Please don’t tell me he’s found the leather cock ring and vibrator I bought online two weeks ago after we met. It was my first attempt to buy something sexy and adventurous and later I felt too awkward to even bring them out. I should have hid the darn things in my closet.
His voice deepens, and my nipples tighten at the exact tone he used in my ear this morning. “Let’s just say I found two un-opened items I’d like to… explore with you.”
A blush heats my face. Of course he found the sex toys. “Really? Er… um… I…”
He laughs, the masculine sound tickling all the way from my ear to my privates. “You did buy them for us, right? I’m not wrong in thinking they’re new since they’re still in the plastic packaging?” I hear the shift of a drawer opening and picture him opening my bedside table once more and handling the risqué purchases. “I’ll try to contain my jealousy if they were for another guy, but I won’t make any guarantees.”
“No! I… er… I did buy them with you in mind. I just…”
“Wasn’t sure when to spring them on me?” There’s a light teasing to his voice. God, I’m so mortified right now I wish I could die.
I channel my inner vixen, willing my sexual confidence of the past weekend to come out. I can do this. I can be the sexy woman who made love to Tony yesterday and screamed his name at the top of my lungs. “Yes, you’re exactly right.” I lower my voice, cognizant I’m at work and can’t do anything about the emotions and sexual cravings this conversation is stirring up. “I bet the black leather will look magnificent around your…”
A meeting reminder pops up on my computer screen, pulling me from my teasing. I have to meet with Oliver and Grant, head of sales, at two this afternoon. What a nice reminder—not—that I’ve got a job to do.
“Yes?” Tony’s eager voice jars me back to the call. “You were saying? Around what?”
I chuckle, sexual awareness of the moment and how he’s reacting to me like a balm to my mortification. “You know where it belongs. I’m looking forward to trying it, too. But I’ve got to go. You’re getting me so wrapped up in thinking about sex I’ll mess up my first day.”
A heavy sigh reaches me. “Wouldn’t want that, would we? Hold those thoughts for tonight. You shouldn’t work too late on your first day. They’ll expect it all the time.”
I lean back in my chair, the softness cushioning my spine. “True. What are you doing today?”
“I’m leaving for Hoboken in a few minutes to work on dry wall, then I’ll be back this way mid-afternoon for a meeting at Apollo. They want help on transitioning deals.”
Apprehension fills me when I think of him quitting his job last week. Will he be happy with this new change in his life?
Admit it. What you’re really worried about is if he will stay happy with you or grow bored.
I shake the self-doubting ruminations from my head. No one can predict the future. It’s best to enjoy what we have in the here and now.
A tentative knock sounds at my door. I glance up to see an attractive woman in conservative clothing. She has long blond highlighted hair pulled back severely in a low ponytail and her clear green eyes look at me hopefully, not much makeup needed to enhance their stunning color. The trim woman appears older than me, perhaps in her mid-to-late thirties.
“I’ve got to go,” I say into my cell. “We’ll talk later?”
“Sure. Dinner tonight to celebrate your first day?”
Warmth heats my cheeks as the woman watches me with patience. “Sounds good. Bye.” I hang up and smile. “Hi,” I say to the new arrival. “Can I help you?”
The woman steps into the room, hand extended. “I’m Tammy. I’ve been assigned to help you until you hire your own assistant.”
I grasp her offered hand and shake. “Nice to meet you.” I release my hold and gesture to an open seat. “Please, tell me a little about yourself.”
She smiles self-consciously and smoothes a non-existent loose hair behind an ear. “Not much to tell, really. I’ve worked at Parkerson for about two years.”
“What department were you in?”
Tammy wrinkles her button nose. “Ad design.”
“Not your favorite, I presume?”
“It wasn’t bad. Not great, either. My degree is in marketing with a minor in business. I’ve worked for banks and pharmaceutical companies… Decided a change was in order a few years ago.” She shrugs. “The art end of advertising isn’t where I’d hoped to specialize.” Her eyes fill with an eager light. “I immediately volunteered when I heard you’d need someone while you settled in.”
“Great. I could sure use a hand today.” I stand and motion toward the expanse of boxes hauled in from my old office. “Want to help me unload and organize? It’s not fun. But we have to start somewhere.”
With a nod and a shared smile, we set to work. She even helps me hang the framed prints I brought from home. Including them in my new office space reminds me of two passions: photography and the way I felt when I took the pictures, and the second, Tony. The man who bought me a new camera to encourage something I love that’s just for me. As far as beginnings go, today could have been much worse.
Tammy leaves for lunch around noon and I grab my phone, eager to see if Tony’s texted me. I made a conscious effort not to check while Tammy and I were unpacking—it was difficult to resist digging my phone out every ten minutes. He’s left two messages since our call this morning.
His first one, Can’t get that cock ring out of my head, came in shortly after nine a.m.
My inner voice chimes in with the obvious, You’ve got it bad, girlfriend.
Yeah—and so what if I do? After the assholes I’ve dated, is it any wonder I’m still in shock over how great Tony is?
I scroll down through my texts to see he tried me again two hours later.
Feel like anything in particular tonight for dinner?
My heart beats faster, the desire to dial his cell feels like a baby bird attempting first flight is trapped in my chest. I take a deep breath to calm down. I don’t want to appear too eager, right? Then again, he has texted me twice without me responding so I should be okay if I call him. Or maybe I should text him. That’s always safer.
I hate all this uncertainty. All these damn games we play in relationships. Don’t look too eager, don’t be too available, don’t say I love you first. Ugh. Does it ever end?
Before I talk myself out of it, I call him.
He picks up on the third ring, his voice out of breath. “Hey. How’s your first day in the new office?”
Tension eases out of me once I hear him, and I relax into what is becoming my favorite-ever office chair. “Not bad. Spent the morning with my temporary assistant unpacking and planning. And I have a meeting with some of the board after lunch.”
“Nice. Did you get assigned a young male intern who hangs on your every word?”
I laugh. “That would’ve been funny. Not to mention awkward. No, the woman’s name is Tammy. She’s an experienced office worker. Has a good head on her shoulders. I like her. What are you up to?”
“Working on the walls in my apartment. It’s a dirty job. Drywall dust is everywhere.” He sounds happy. Not like the tired man who worked a corporate job late into the night a couple weeks ago.
“Are you dropping hints that you’ll need to sleep at my place tonight?” I know he has several empty apartments being renovated, in a pinch he could sleep in any of them, but I like teasing him.
His voice drops to a seductive whisper, “I promise to make it worth your while.”
I squirm in my seat, all too aware of what his heated rasp feels like against my skin. “Oh really?” I tease. “I’m not so sure I believe you.” A quick glance reveals my office door is shut. “How exactly will you do that?”
“Naughty girl. You want me to tell you?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I think I’ll start with a shoulder massage…” His voice drops an octave. “And then when you’re good and relaxed, I’ll roll you over and pin your arms over your head…”
My mouth becomes dry while I picture his scenario. I audibly swallow, eager for him to continue. “Yes…?”
His answering chuckle raises the hairs on my arm. “Well now… you’ll just have to wait and see.”
I’m giddy when we end the call a few minutes later. Giddy as in you’re-acting-like-a-teenager-you-freakin’-idiot. I’m falling for him. Hard. What the hell am I going to do if he doesn’t feel the same way?
Avoiding Mr. RightWalk and the Wild SideBest FriendsBook 1C.J. EllissonGenre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Publisher: Red Hot PublishingDate of Publication: June 2013
ISBN: 9781938601156ASIN: B00D69AJEY
Number of pages: 180Word Count: 45k
Cover Artist: Kim Killion
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Book Description:
In order to take control, you often have to let it go…
Carla Johnson thinks issuing orders to a lover will keep her heart safe and leave her in charge of her own destiny. Afraid for Carla’s future, her best friend Heather implores her to change her self-centered ways, handing her a list of love life mistakes to steer clear of:
1. Casual Sex2. Friends with Benefits3. Avoidance of Intimacy
Carla ignores the list—unwilling to face she might have a commitment problem. Until she invites a co-worker to her place one night. She instantly regrets the hum-drum sexual encounter and discourages the accountant from pursuing her.
Andy Shea refuses to become another lover the feisty blonde dumps. It'll take a patient man with a strong hand to unlock Carla's sexual awareness and win her heart. He’s up for the challenge to convince her he’s the one—and eager to prove this number cruncher won’t make a boring bedmate.
Loving Ms. WrongWalk on the Wild SideBest FriendsBook 2C.J. Ellisson
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Publisher: Red Hot PublishingDate of Publication: May 2014
ISBN: 9781938601309ASIN:
Number of pages: 84Word Count: 21k
Cover Artist: Kim Killion
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Book Description:
Katrina attends a birthday party for her friend Carla. Little does the health food storeowner know that the fateful girls night out will change her life forever.
Marcus, the polished metrosexual who hates to get his hands dirty, stumbles upon the ladies at a local bar. Sparks fly when the two meet, courtesy of a 12-sided sex dice and a night neither one will ever forget.
About the Author:C.J. Ellisson is the USA Today Bestselling author of the New York Times Bestselling book, Vanilla on Top, the bestselling V V Inn series, and several erotica shorts. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband, two children, three dogs, and a fluffy black cat who makes her sneeze.
Unlike most full-time authors, she's also battling severe chronic illness. C.J. works daily to put her Lupus into remission and continues to fight numerous bacterial infections while her immune system slowly attacks her body. She turned to writing when she could no longer work outside the home and claims the escape of penning contemporary fantasy, erotica, and erotic romance has helped save her sanity.
Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/cjellisson Website: http://www.cjellisson.com
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Giveaway- From the Author's of the 10 Timeless Heroes Boxed Set
10 Timeless Heroes Boxed SetTen Book BundleP.L. Parker, Beth Trissel, L.L. Muir, Skhye Moncrief, Sky Purington, Bess McBride, Donna Michaels, Nancy Lee Badger, Caroline Clemmons and Linda LaRoqueGenre: Time Travel Romance
Date of Publication: April 16, 2014
ASIN: B00JR9NAOS
Number of pages: 1550+Word Count: 747,000
Book Description:
Magic and destiny unite lovers across time and space in this epic collection of award-winning, chart topping tales. From sweet to sizzling romances, 10 Timeless Heroes has a little something for everyone.
With over fifteen hundred pages and a retail value of $25.90, you save almost $23 with this special introductory price! Don't wait to stock up. Summer is right around the corner...
Available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble
Fiona by PL Parker: In the past, she found her future.
Somewhere My Lass by Beth Trissel: Neil MacKenzie’s well-ordered life turns to chaos when Mora Campbell shows up claiming he’s her fiancé from 1602 Scotland. Her avowal that she was chased to the future by clan chieftain, Red MacDonald, is utter nonsense, and Neil must convince her she’s just addled from a blow to her head–until the MacDonald himself shows up wanting blood.
Going Back For Romeo by LL Muir: Alone with a Highlander, in his castle, on a cold dark night...Okay, so it wasn’t that cold. Jillian is duped back to 15th Century Scotland to rescue a plaid-clad Romeo and Juliet. The monster in her way, however, is a handsome Highlander who may just be her own Romeo.
Swordsong by Skhye Moncrief: He's arrived to help her create the perfect bride. His ticket home relies on a lonely woman haunted by more than apparitions. If time-travel duty, romance, and a bit of magic don't help them realize their destiny resonates in mysterious fairy SWORDSONG, all known history could change.
Highland Mystic by Sky Purington: Caitriona is not who she seems. Her fate was foreseen long before birth and so important it will impact all future MacLomains. When dreams of Alan Stewart begin, she knows the time has come. But how to convince a Highland laird from another century that he must die for her? Especially when she couldn't bear his death.
My Honorable Highlander by Nancy Lee Badger: Bumbling present day herbalist, Haven MacKay, gets more than she bargains for when her love spell goes awry, is cast back in time, and meets her true love -- Laird Kirkwall Gunn. Kirk’s plans go slightly off course when he falls in love with a woman wandering through the Scottish Highlands. After all, he has pledged to marry another, from an enemy clan, in order to end a century-old feud.
Out of the Blue by Caroline Clemmons: Police Detective Brendan Hunter wants answers. Who shot him and killed his partner? Why? And why does Deirdre Dougherty know details of the event? He can’t let her out of his sight until she confesses to how she learned details no one but he and his late partner knew.
A Train Through Time by Bess McBride: Ellie awakens on a train to Seattle to find herself on a bizarre historical train full of late Victorian era reenactors. When handsome Robert convinces her the date is 1901, Ellie presumes she is in the middle of a very interesting dream—a dream she doesn’t want to awaken from.
Captive Hero by Donna Michaels: Test flying an invisible plane—unreal. Time-shifting to WWII—unbelievable. Capturing a hero—unavoidable. When test pilot Samantha Sheppard accidentally flies back in time and inadvertently saves a WWII pilot, she changes history and makes a crack decision to abduct him back to the present, but convincing him it’s another century proves tough.
Desires of the Heart by Linda LaRoque: At a cottage in the UK, recently divorced Loren Fairchild rebuilds her life. A simple-minded woman appears and triggers an event that hurls Loren 60 years into the past. During WWII, Miles Chapeau’s wife is hurt in an air raid. She now has the mind of a child. One day she disappears. That very night a strange woman appears. Caught in a web of confusion, Loren and Miles struggle with the direction their lives must take.
Learn more about the Authors at:
P.L. Parker- http://www.plparker.com
Beth Trissel- http://bethtrissel.com
L.L. Muir- www.llmuir.weebly.com
Skhye Moncrief- www.skhyemoncrief.com
Sky Purington- www.skypurington.com
Nancy Lee Badger- http://www.nancyleebadger.com
Caroline Clemmons- http://www.carolineclemmons.com
Bess McBride- www.BessMcBride.com
Donna Michaels- www.donnamichaelsauthor.com
Linda LaRoque- www.lindalaroque.com
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May 19Roxanne’s Realmwww.roxannerhoads.com
May 20Deb Sandershttp://DebSanders.com
May 20 Night Owl Reviewshttp://www.nightowlreviews.com
May 21More Romance Pleasemoreromanceplease.blogspot.com
May 22Houston Havens http://houstonhavens.wordpress.com
May 23Mythical Bookshttp://www.mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/
May 26Share My Destinyhttp://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com
May 27Paranormal Romance and Authors That rockwww.pratr.wordpress.com
May 28Book Blisshtttp://lbookbliss.com
May 29Fang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
May 30 Lisa’s World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
June 2Melissa MacKinnonwww.melissamackinnon.wordpress.com
May 28, 2014
Character Interview and Giveaway: Freakquency by Caddell Brown
Character Interview with RICK CHAMBERLAND
Hello Rick or shall I call you Richard?
Rick. Only those close to me call me Richard.
Okay. Well I’d like to thank you for your time—
My time is precious.
Yes, I know it is. You are a very busy man, especially now that your story is out.
Yes, I’m very busy.
I’d like to begin by asking you a few questions.
Yeah, go ahead.
The book about your life—
It’s not a book about my life, but about a moment of my life. There’s a difference.
Where were you at the start of the story?
On a private jet somewhere over the Atlantic.
What did you want, when the story started?
What did I want? The flight attendant. And I had her, too. The “Mile-high Club”, I’m a platinum member.
Who are your parents?
I only have my mom, Rose.
And your father?
Dead.
I’m sorry.
Don’t be. I didn’t know him much. Next question.
What was your education like?
Private tutors. My mother didn’t want me in public school or private school. She wanted me home.
Can you explain what you mean by your mother wanting you home?
Next question.
Do you make friends easily?
I have trust issues with most people, given my status and all. But yeah, I’m a fun guy. I have no problem with making friends, even if only for a night.
Do you have a best friend?
Best friend? No.
Can you get people to do what you want them to? If so, how?
Most times I can. How? Well, who am I? I’m Rick Chamberland, all I have to do is sing.
Do you have scars? Where did they come from?
No scars. I’m perfect.
Perfect. Okay, can you navigate without getting lost? To what degree?
I will admit I’m horrible at directions. I don’t drive much so I don’t have to pay attention to stuff like that. Usually someone else gets me to where I’m going.
Can you bake a cake?
I can have one baked. I don’t cook. I don’t bake. No.
Do you know how to perform basic maintenance on a car?
These are fan questions? Basic maintenance on a car. If there’s a manual I can figure it out. Stuff like that is taken care of for me. I don’t have time to change the oil.
Is there something you do that most other people don’t?
Interesting question.
Interesting, how so?
Not everyone can do what I do on stage, you know, sing, dance, and captivate a crowd.
What is the most formative moment in your past?
When my father died. That moment is fleeting but significant. I knew then that life was about me and my mother and that I would have to take care of her.
And you do take good care of her.
Of course I do. She’s my mother. Next question.
Do you have any phobias?
No.
What are some of your bad habits?
Bad habits? Um, I’m really bad at following through. At times I can be impulsive and at times I can be really indecisive. It just depends on what’s going in my life—you know, and how heavy things are.
You mean heavy as in emotions?
Yeah. I make rash decisions. And then sometimes I make no decisions at all.
Do you have a moral code? To what extent are your actions dictated by this code?
I have a moral code, yeah. There are some things I refuse to do anymore. But I had to learn first. You live and learn—that phrase is oh so, true.
Care to elaborate? Perhaps provide an example?
No. Next question.
Favorite Movie?
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
Favorite Song?
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Favorite Quote?
Uh, let’s see, there was this poem I had to memorize… What was it? Oh yeah, “dust thou art to dust returnest”. It’s just a quote from the poem, but I love it. “A Psalm of Life” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I like the sing-songy vibe it has to it. It could be a song.
Favorite Food?
Beer and Bourbon.
Favorite Color?
White.
Favorite places in the world?
Brazil. I love it there.
Lastly, what are 5 things you want fans to know?
1. I had a best friend when I was eight. A girl. I can’t remember her name. Her family moved away after a time. I should look for her.
2. I’m not a murderer, so any gossip you might read in the newspapers or in the book is just that, gossip. Believe me, not what you read.
3. My latest album is dedicated to my mother because she told me ghost stories at night.
4. When I settle, it will be in Louisiana. I’ve already got a plot of land picked out. Until that happens, I keep touring and traveling.
5. Song Peters is deserving of all the success that comes her way. You read the book, she’s very talented. More people should appreciate her talents.
Isn’t she the woman who you were charged for assaulting?
Assaulting? No comment. I’m speaking of her as a singer, an artist like myself. She’s phenomenal. I won’t say more. Are we done here?
Yes, Mr. Chamberland… It’s been a pleasure.
Later.
Freakquency
Caddell Brown
Genre: Speculative, Supernatural, Horror, Erotica
Publisher: NomaBlack
Date of Publication: 02/14/2014
ASIN: B00I7JJN1I
Number of pages: 187Word Count: 47000
Cover Artist: NomaBlack
Purchase at Amazon
Book Description:
What southern-grown, rock star Rick Chamberland doesn’t know about his family’s dark past comes to light when he returns home to Louisiana at the request of his mother. Rick has spent the last fifteen years of his life dedicated to music, touring the world, completely oblivious to the secrets coded in his legacy.
Meanwhile, Song Peters, a dutiful daughter taking care of a dying mother, dreams of the day she can break free of small town life and pursue her one true passion, singing. Rick meets Song and instantly sparks ignite.
They make beautiful music together and soon find that they share similar upbringings. Rick comes to learn that their families are supernaturally intertwined and that the one denominator (a demon by the name Nova) connected to both families threatens to destroy them all if they do not obey.
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/3GNhCI_vMyE
About the Author: Caddell Brown, born and raised in East Texas, authors a range of speculative fiction. Among her early influences are artist Rene Magritte, film director Andrei Tarkovsky and author Dan Simmons.
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Interview with Victoria Nightshade Cover Model for Paranormal Pleasures II by Roxanne Rhoads
Interview with Victoria NightshadeInterviewed by Roxanne Rhoads
Victoria Nightshade is a local Flint model, actress, burlesque performer and philanthropist.
She graces the cover of my newest release, Paranormal Pleasures II: Ten More Tales of Supernatural Seduction.
Photos By RSII Photography
original photo that the cover was made fromVictoria, you are a very busy woman- pin up contests, burlesque shows, modeling, acting, voice work, organizing the annual Flint Zombie Walk …and you are a mom with a “day job”…how do you possibly find the time and energy to juggle it all?I am busy! I spent a good chunk of my adult life just sitting around, wanting to do things but not knowing how. As soon as I realized it was all up to me I got moving and never looked back. I have to give a lot of props to my husband. Without a supportive mate who really gets it I don’t think I could handle it all. But since he’s an artist himself he truly understands the importance of making time for it all, taking our daughter out for a while so I can get some work done, etc. Beyond that it’s just passion. I love everything I do. I have a desire to keep going. It’s a bit like Pandora’s Box. When I first began all of these projects, almost simultaneously, I never knew how deep they’d go. But once you open that box you have to be ready for whatever comes at you. I’m not about to turn down the things that make me happy in this life. I can’t and won’t live like that.
What came first modeling or acting?
No doubt about it. Acting came first. I stepped onto a stage for the first time when I was 12 playing Glinda in The Wizard of Oz. I’ve never stopped. It’s changed form over the years, of course. I got my start in traditional community theatre, went to school in New York City for musical theatre for a bit and came back and accepted some paid work. But making a living as an actor is tough! I don’t want to discount what men experience, but as a woman? It can be rough. I felt judged by so much more than my ability. I’ve become less and less interested in stage plays and more interested in voice overs, commercial work and non-traditional acting. Modeling is something that started as a support to my burlesque. That’s pretty common. If anything, I would consider myself an amateur model because I don’t make my living at it. It has helped to secure work for me but it isn’t anything I could quite my day job for.
this was my one of my choices for the coverHow did you get started with burlesque?A few years ago I was at the height of struggling with my body image. I was constantly comparing myself to other women, constantly hating everything about me. I didn’t want to live like that anymore. I was also a Mom to a four year old, at that point, and leaving the house nightly to go to rehearsals wasn’t an option for me. I thought burlesque would be interesting because it would allow me to get onstage without committing to a hectic schedule. It would also force me to support other women and be there for them instead of wishing I could look like them. That was what really interested me. I got on Facebook and put out a call seeking friends who wanted to take part. I immediately got a few positive responses and within a few months we had our first show.
Tell us a little more about The Fischer Bodies- any upcoming shows?
The Fischer Bodies is a burlesque troupe that focuses on dance, comedy, satire and sex appeal to engage an audience. Sometimes our statements are political, emotional, dark - but always driven. We’re comprised of male and female dancers who have strong theatrical backgrounds. Between us we have well over 100 years of theatrical know how. That’s intense! Our troupe is all about making a statement - unless we feel like just taking our clothes off. Because that’s okay, too. And that’s our point! Burlesque is variety. That is the dictionary definition.
People think of the burlesque as being something that happened in the 1940’s but in truth burlesque has been going on for thousands of years. There is more than one way to burlesque, to be sexy and desirable and to make a point. And it’s all okay. That’s really what we want you to know. We do have upcoming shows but nothing I can speak of at this time. We have contracts out and some things can’t be revealed until we get the go ahead. Please find us on Facebook by searching for The Fischer Bodies to get all the info!
You are very passionate about the community, what was your inspiration for The Flint Zombie Walk?
About six years ago I was doing some public relations work for Flint City Theatre. I was trying to think of a fun Halloween event we could do to draw attention to our work and remembered an experience I had while living in Chicago. A zombie walk? Seemed terrifying. I didn’t even go because I was that afraid of zombies. But the idea stuck with me. I certainly can’t take credit for that. At the time the theatre was churning out some underground, macabre stuff and I thought a Zombie Walk would fit right it. We decided to find a charity and make a go of it. The first year we have about 6o zombies, the second year we had about 200 and the third year we had about 700. It’s grown and really taken on a life of its own. It is one of the things I am most proud of. Giving back to the community by donating to charities, giving people something fun and safe to do and meeting amazing horror movie celebrities, vendors and entertainers. It’s a win win.
Tell us about this year’s Zombie Walk- who are the celebrity guests and what type of events do you have lined up?
This year all proceeds are going to Little Free Library. We’re going to hire local contractors to establish these mini libraries all over Flint. Education is really the way to a better life and we want to support that idea. Our celebrity guests are Miko Hughes from Pet Cemetery and Leonard Lies and David Crawford who are both from Dawn of the Dead. Right now I’m working on bringing in entertainers but I’m sure The Fischer Bodies will be dancing a modern dance piece (family friendly!) and our magician went over quite well last year so we’ll probably have some more of that. In addition to that we’ll have vendors and a world class raffle.
Thank you, Victoria for sharing with us.
To learn more about Victoria, The Fischer Bodies and The Flint Zombie Walk visit the links below.
https://www.facebook.com/victorianightshadeburlesque
https://www.facebook.com/thefischerbodies
https://www.facebook.com/FlintZombieWalk
http://www.flintzombiewalk.com/home.html
Paranormal Pleasures IITen More Tales of Supernatural SeductionBy Roxanne RhoadsGenre: Paranormal Erotica
Publisher: Bewitching Books
Release Date: May 27, 2014
Award winning author Roxanne Rhoads brings you ten more tales of supernatural seduction featuring demonic desires, wanton witches, voluptuous vampires, and ghosts with grave needs…
Four brand new, never published short stories have been combined with six previously published, freshly edited tales to give you a collection of hot paranormal erotica you can really sink your fangs into.
Scent of a Vampire
Aidan has searched several human lifetimes for his perfect mate. Now that he’s found her, he refuses to let go. He must make Gabrielle see they were destined to be together.
Immortal Flame
An off duty fire fighter encounters a sexy vampire in what he thought was an abandoned house.
The flames that ignite will leave them both scorched…and aching for more.
An Unexpected Evening
Samuel is a centuries-old vampire who prefers to be a recluse. He is always afraid of losing control and becoming the monster he once was. Falling in love with a young witch has pushed his boundaries and pulled him out of his comfort zone.
Katerina always encourages Samuel to be more open, to let loose, and to really "live" instead of only existing in the shadows.
One night, he finally grants her wish . . . in ways she never imagined.
Underneath the Fangs
Samuel is being framed for murder. Katerina knows he is not guilty but she has to convince Samuel that he is not a monster and that he is worthy of her love.
Cemetery Seduction
Abby, a half witch, half vampire whose powers go awry in a club, has to run, afraid that the Others, who are policing all human/magick interaction, might put her in jail. She ends up in a cemetery, jumps behind a bush and lands right on top of a very sexy ghost hunter.
No Place I'd Rather Be
Sonora is torn between a human and a vampire. How can she choose between the man who makes her feel safe and the vampire that makes her blood race? Sonora prays to the Goddess for guidance while harboring secret desires that her broody vampire, Brom, and her brawny human, Avery, can get past their jealousy and be willing to do more than just share the witch in the middle.
Can the Goddess grant Sonora's wish, or will she be stuck making an impossible choice?
Blood, Lust and Shadows
Vampire/succubus hybrid Allana is on the prowl looking for a bloody snack and a sexy energy boost. While strutting her stuff in a dark parking lot she encounters a yummy Latino who makes a lovely meal. She also encounters something else that puts her senses into overdrive.
Complete Circle
Lissette is a vampire who has lived with her succubus girlfriend, Cassandra, for a long time. She swore off relationships with men after being viciously raped by the vampire hunters who killed the love of her life and left her for dead.
Lissette and Cassandra only use men to get what they need, blood for Lissette and sexual energy for Cassandra. They are completely satisfied with their lives- until a mysterious stranger comes along.
For the first time in centuries Lissette wants a man. Why is she so drawn to him? What is he?
Much more than a mere mortal, Gabriel has been searching for Lissette and Cassandra for a very long time. They have what he needs, what no one else can give him.
But will they be willing to share?
A Package Deal
Chloe needs to get out of the city- fast. So she buys an old farmhouse out in the middle of nowhere- with one stipulation. The caretaker gets to stay. She readily agrees thinking it’s an old man that won’t give her any trouble.
Ash is definitely not what she expected.
My Demon Valentine
Elita wants to give her demon boyfriend a Valentine’s Day to remember. Connor was built for giving pleasure but Elita wants to turn the tables on that.
This time the pleasure will be all his.
Available at Amazon BN Smashwords
Cover Models: Victoria Nightshade and Sugar Monroe
Cover Photo By RSII Photography
Book Cover Design by Dawne Dominique
Excerpt from Immortal Flame- Story two inParanormal Pleasures II: Ten More Tales of Supernatural SeductionBy Roxanne Rhoads
The radio squawked on channel five, his station’s private channel, “Firefighter five-fifty-four, are you out there?”“This is Firefighter five-fifty-four.”“Hey, Blake, it’s Cami. Are you back in town? I thought I saw your Toyota drive by a little bit ago.”“Yup, driving down Brown Bridge Road toward home right now.”“Good. Everyone is out on a huge call in Porterdale, the old mill and hotel are on fire.”“Do they need help? I can drop by the station and grab my gear.”“No, I need you to pull into the old Avalon Plantation. A hiker out in the woods claims to have spotted smoke coming from around the mansion or possibly from inside the mansion. No one has lived there in years. You know how people are always seeing weird stuff out there. But it could be squatters or vandals, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Plus you know how we’re supposed to follow up on all calls. I just don’t want to pull anyone off the Porterdale fire unless absolutely necessary.”“No problem, Cami. It’s on my way home. I’ll check it out and call you if I need any help. It’s probably just a bum trying to get warm, it has been cold lately.”“Thanks, Blake. Let me know if you need any assistance.”“Will do,” he replied and set the radio down in the seat next to him.So much for a relaxing homecoming. He’d been out of town for over a week dealing with his family in Florida, but everyone at the station knew he would be home today. Even dispatch. Hard to keep your business quiet in a small southern town. That was okay, he missed running calls. He’d prefer helping others to dealing with his family drama.The call at the mansion was probably nothing anyway. People were always seeing strange things from that old place. This wouldn’t be the first time someone reported seeing smoke, lights, or will o’ the wisp occurrences from the old plantation. Being old and spooky looking had everyone claiming it was haunted. Which used to be good, everyone stayed away.But now with all those damn ghost hunter and paranormal shows on TV, everyone was becoming an amateur ghost hunter. It used to be just old vagabonds that came across the abandoned mansion and decided it looked like a good place to stay. And they never stayed long.In the past, some of the teenagers in town had tried partying there, those from the Goth and Emo sets. They ended up running scared from the place before the night was over.Blake had run a few calls there over the years but had never seen anything out of the ordinary. It was just an old crumbling plantation that hadn’t been cared for in a very long time.A forlorn ‘For Sale’ sign had been in front of the place for decades. Nobody had the money for such costly renovations. Hell, many thought it would be better to take a bulldozer to the place and start fresh, but it was a piece of southern history. Some diehard historian put the plantation on the historical buildings preservation list. So destined for a bulldozer it was not, at least not anytime soon. But unless someone fixed the place up, eventually it would fall down on its own. Blake loved history and wished he had the money to renovate it. He knew exactly what he’d do to it.The private drive leading back to the main plantation house was about a quarter-mile before the road that led to Blake’s house.He turned down the drive and immediately noticed something was different. For one, the old ‘For Sale’ sign was gone, and the old drive that had been full of ruts and potholes for years had a fresh layer of gravel. Wow, maybe someone had finally bought the place and was fixing it up.He pulled in front of the main mansion and couldn’t believe his eyes. The grass had been cut and a large dumpster full of garbage from inside the house sat in the drive. Someone had definitely bought the place.He walked around the front of the building but didn’t see anyone around. No movement and no vehicles. There wasn’t any smoke or flames anywhere either. The front door was locked. He knocked but got no answer. Something urged him to go around back.The hiker called from the woods behind the house, so if there was anything to see it would be back there.Blake walked around the huge old antebellum mansion, feeling like he walked back in time. The house was still in pretty good shape, the Greek revival style with the columns and curvature had held up quite well. In the back there still stood a large barn, a carriage house, and several other ramshackle outbuildings that had probably been slave quarters at one time. They filled the large landscape of the backyard. A few paths had recently been cleared out, but it was mostly overgrown. The fields that had once grown cotton, corn, or other crops were now all wooded.Blake turned around and looked at the back of the mansion. It had been empty for over fifty years. What an impressive place this had once been. As he scanned the old architecture he saw it, smoke was creeping out from one of the second story windows.Shit, he was hoping the call had been nothing. The back door was locked. He didn’t bother with knocking, he just turned around and mule kicked the door…hard. The rusty old hinges broke and the door flew inward. He ran through the place following the scent of smoke. It was faint and not all through the house, that was good. It meant if there was a fire it had not spread. He found the back stairs off the kitchen by the back door, probably the old servant’s stairs, and prayed they were sturdy enough for him to climb without falling through.Cautiously testing a stair with his weight he found them to be sturdy. He should have known…they used to make things to last. He tested another and found it to be solid as well, so he ran up the rest of the steps, following the aroma of smoke.The upstairs hall only had a hint of smoke in it. He followed the trail to a room at the far end, probably a bedroom. Smoke was seeping out from under the door. He touched the door testing it for heat, but it was cool. There must not be a fire, but where was the smoke coming from?He pushed open the door and smoke billowed out sending him into a coughing fit. He couldn’t see anything.“Hello? Is anyone here? Hello?” His deep voice echoed creepily throughout the room.As the smoke drifted out of the room he could see the source, the fireplace. Someone had started a fire but probably had not opened the flue or else the old chimney was all clogged up. He saw a window. As he walked over to it he noticed something that made his heart stop. On the bed lay the prone figure of a woman, her long, dark auburn hair trailed around her and down the side of the bed.
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About the Author:
Story strumpet, tome loving tart, eccentric night owl...these words describe book publicist and erotic romance author Roxanne Rhoads.
When not fulfilling one the many roles being a wife and mother of three require, Roxanne's world revolves around words...reading them, writing them, editing them, and talking about them. In addition to writing her own stories she loves to read, promote and review what others write.
Roxanne is the owner of Bewitching Book Tours and operates Fang-tastic Books, a book blog dedicated to paranormal and urban fantasy books.
When not reading, writing, or promoting Roxanne loves to hang out with her family, craft, garden and search for unique vintage finds.
Visit her online
Author blog www.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
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Roxanne can also be found on Linked In, Goodreads and Google+
May 26, 2014
Channeling Stalingrad: Guest Blog and Giveaway with Isabo Kelly
I can’t claim to be a huge history buff, though I do like historical novels and I invariably end up watching shows about history or movies set in different time periods. I love museums and touring ancient sites. So I like history. I’m just not what you might call an expert on any given topic.
So when I say I was channeling the siege on Stalingrad when I started the Fire and Tears series, take that with a grain of salt. *g*
The truth is, I only know a little bit about the battle of Stalingrad (when the Germans invaded the city during World War II). I know just enough to have a flavor of what life might possibly be like under the strains of an enemy invasion. Add to that the little bits and pieces I’ve picked up about the occupation of France during WWII, and I’ve got a lot of very basic stuff to pull from when I’m world building.
And those little bits and pieces, those half-remembered details without the great heaping background of full scholarly knowledge, actually made writing about a city in the middle of a war much easier. I built the war, the world, the city from my imagination and informed it with those vague memories to bring life to the setting, but I didn’t feel the need to match my warzone to any other. I made up one of my own, and it took on a life of its own.
Writers get ideas from all over the place, which is why I like to read, see and watch all kinds of different things. All of it goes into the memory files and when I need something—even if it’s just a vague feeling or detail—it’s there for me to pull into the fiction. It’s a bit like method acting actually.
So when I started the Fire and Tears series, I was actually using my vague memories of Stalingrad to build my world. But don’t expect to see Stalingrad in the pages of my books. I’m not that good at history.
Probably a good thing I write fantasy romance, huh?
So do you have a topic you like to read about but don’t necessarily feel the need to study it in depth?
The Darkness of GlengowynFire and TearsBook 2Isabo KellyGenre: Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Date of Publication: April 29, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-61922-046-1ASIN: B00HSOHSCY
Number of pages: 151 pagesWord Count: 44,000 wordsCover Artist: Angela Waters
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Book Description:
They’ll risk forever death for one last chance together…
Nuala of Glengowyn hasn’t left her home city in over a century, but not by choice. Her skill as a weapons master has made her a prisoner of her people. Held apart, protected in the extreme—until Sorcerers attack the human city of Sinnale.
Sent to supply her unique magical arrows to help the humans, she is far from free.
The elf king and queen have sent a bodyguard, a fearsome warrior whose reputation has no rival. The only man she has ever wanted. Einar of Glengowyn.
Einar is known as a battle-crazed destroyer, so feared among elves he’s called by a single name: Darkness. And he has only one weakness—Nuala. Their union is forbidden, for melding their magics could destroy Nuala’s gifts. Yet as they journey to the war-torn city, no royal decree is a match for two hundred years of pent-up desire.
But even if they escape the war zone, their lives still hang in the balance. They must confront their sovereigns and prove love makes them stronger—or face their deaths.
Product Warnings: This book contains a deadly elf hero, a heroine who’s his match, a lot of sexy misbehaving, some hard language, racing through the streets, owls, arrows, evil Sorcerers, wicked minions, and a very dangerous elf king and queen.
About the Author:Isabo Kelly is the award-winning author of numerous fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal romances. Her life has taken her from Las Vegas to Hawaii, where she got her BA in Zoology, back to Vegas where she looked after sharks, then on to Germany and Ireland where she got her Ph.D. in Animal Behavior.
Now Isabo focuses on writing. She lives in New York with her Irish husband, two beautiful boys, and funny dog. She works as a full time author and stay-at-home mom.
For more on Isabo and her books, visit her at www.isabokelly.com follow her on Twitter @IsaboKelly, or friend her on Facebook www.facebook.com/IsaboKelly
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/722664.Isabo_Kelly
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May 12 InterviewA Writer's Mindwww.skypuringtonwrites.blogspot.com
May 13 Interview and reviewDark Side of Romancehttp://www.darksideofromance.com/
May 14 SpotlightShare My Destinyhttp://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com
May 14 reviewMore Romance Pleasewww.moreromanceplease.blogspot.com
May 15 Guest blogReading Realityhttp://www.readingreality.net
May 16 InterviewBooks, Books The Magical Fruithttp://booksbooksthemagicalfruit.blogspot.com
May 19 Character InterviewEclipse Reviewshttp://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com/
May 20 Guest blogTynga's Reviews http://www.tyngasreviews.com
May 21 Guest blogParanormal Romance Fans for Lifewww.paranormalromancefanforlife.blogspot.com
May 22 InterviewAuthor Karen Swarthttp://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com/
May 23 InterviewDarkest Cravingshttp://darkestcravings.blogspot.com/
May 23 reviewTBQ'S Book Palacehttp://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspot.com/
May 26 Guest blogFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
May 26 reviewEden Ashewww.edenashe.com
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Spotlight and $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway Léopold’s Wicked Embrace by Kym Grosso
Léopold’s Wicked EmbraceImmortals of New OrleansBook 5Kym GrossoGenre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Independent – MT Carvin Publishing, LLC
Date of Publication: April 5, 2014
ISBN-13: 978-1497312449ISBN-10: 1497312442ASIN: B00JHNAWQS
Number of pages: 412 printWord Count: 100,045
Cover Artist: Cora Graphics
Book Description:
An erotic paranormal romance...
Seductive and lethal vampire, Léopold Devereoux, returns to the Big Easy to find a killer. His search leads him to a beautiful and mysterious woman, who awakens desires and emotions that he’s long fought to keep buried. After centuries of self-imposed solitude, the billionaire philanthropist struggles to restrain his growing thirst for the intriguing, lovely female who’s captured his attention.
Laryssa Theriot, an antiques proprietor in the Vieux Carré, agrees to help the commanding yet debonair stranger, who seeks her assistance. She withholds her secret abilities, afraid to trust the man who threatens to unleash her darkest fantasies. All the while, Léopold consumes her thoughts, testing her limits and bringing her to new levels of ecstasy. As the menacing force that has stalked Laryssa for years finally catches up to her, she submits, putting her life into the hands of the dominant vampire who offers his protection.
Deep in the heart of New Orleans, they embark on a perilous adventure, forced to search for an ancient sacrificial relic that they hope will save their lives. As they face formidable challenges, Léopold and Laryssa surrender to the passionate intimacy that possesses them. After hundreds of years of denying himself love, will Léopold bond to the woman who has begun to crack the impenetrable shell around his heart? As evil draws near, will Laryssa survive the demon that has come to take her soul?
Warning: This book contains several erotic love scenes and is intended for adult readers only.
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BN Smashwords All Romance Books
Excerpt 1
Laryssa had heard the customer behind her, but the damn mirror wire wouldn’t seem to catch right. It kept slipping and she cursed under her breath, hoping she wouldn’t drop it. If she could just hold it up a minute longer, she could get it to hang squarely on the wall. She fingered the hook that she’d just renailed into the wall and then moved her thumb over to the thin metal string. With a final shove upward, she attempted to flick it into place. But as the wire caught, it sliced into her flesh. A sharp sting threw her off balance, and her pumps began to waver. Shit. Not again. “Oh my God!” Laryssa squeaked as she fell backwards, fully expecting to crack her head open on one of the many sharp-edged desks that sat adjacent to where she’d been working. As she felt strong male hands slide up under her ribcage, grazing her breasts, she gasped. She wasn’t sure whether to thank the stranger or call the police, but as she turned her face to try to see him, she immediately recognized her rescuer. “It’s you,” she stammered, clutching his arms. Laryssa giggled nervously, realizing how once again she’d foolishly fallen in front of the sexy vampire. And like last night, he’d caught her. She couldn’t believe how clumsy she’d all of a sudden become. She tried to relax and find her footing, but her heart was beating so fast that she could barely think. What is he doing here in my shop? How did he find me? Like a story book flipping pages, her mind whirled until she remembered what she’d done last night at the club. She’d fought off the asshole who’d grabbed her at the bar. The feel of his hands around her throat had forced her fear into overdrive. The knife had only been a few inches away, but still too far. Desperation had taken over as her power surged, calling the blade to her fingertips. Jamming it into his neck was as instinctive as breathing. Kill or be killed, she’d always choose the former. She’d run into the alley, refusing to discuss it with management. The only one who knew her was Avery and there was no way her friend would have divulged her identity to the vampire. She’d be more likely to turn him into a three horned sheep before she’d squeal. The only way the vampire could have found her would have been if he’d followed her home. A brush to her breast reminded her that she was still being held upright by him, and Laryssa felt her face grow red. Arousal licked over her skin. Cautiously, she rooted her shoes on the floor and turned around, steeling her nerves. “I’m so sorry,” she said.“My pleasure, mademoiselle, but I suggest you avoid heights in the future.”Surreptitiously, she stole a glance at him, which reminded her how incredibly handsome he was. His short dark hair was perfectly coiffed. His white dress shirt hung casually over the waistband of his jeans. Laryssa forced herself to look away, trying not to stare at the masculine features of his face. Straight nose, square jaw and perfectly kissable lips… lips that were smooth talking and way too articulate, teasing her with every word he spoke. Beads of sweat broke out across her forehead. It felt as if someone had turned up the heat, her skin was on fire. She noticed his eyes were no longer on hers and had dropped to her chest. They lingered only a second, and then he met her gaze and smiled. She looked downward and noticed that several buttons had come undone in her fall, revealing the edges of her white lace bra. Could this day get any more embarrassing? Laryssa’s fingers shook as she buttoned her sweater.“I’m so sorry. I just…you just…I just…” Great, first I’m a klutz and now I can’t speak. She bit her lip, paused and then took a deep breath before starting again. “Thank you for catching me.” “Again.” Léopold watched her as she adjusted her clothes, wishing to rip the rest of the pearly buttons from their fragile seams. But he refused to let the beast within take what it wanted. No, he’d find out what the hell she was before showing her his true nature. “Yes, thank you…again.” She smoothed down her skirt, trying to pretend she hadn’t just fallen into his arms and let him feel her up in the process. Business, think business. Her pulse slowed and she willed herself to appear nonchalant.“We met last night, remember?” he pressed. Léopold smiled and ran his hand over the colorful marquetry in rosewood that scrolled through a seventeenth century secretaire. Interesting that she could deliberately control the flow of her blood. It further piqued his concern about her species. What was she?Laryssa’s eyes met his, widening at the confirmation that he knew exactly who she was.“Yes, yes I do. But I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name.” Vampire. Big bad vampire. Laryssa watched intently as he fingered the furniture, trailing his thumb over the symmetrical scenes as if he was caressing a lover. “Lovely.” Léopold flashed his eyes to hers. “What?” Laryssa realized that he was toying with her, purposefully trying to make her nervous.“I said, it’s lovely. The neoclassical architectural structures. The white marble top. Doré bronze mounts.”“Is there something specific I can help you with?”“You get directly to the point?” Léopold had intended to play with her a bit, throw her off her game. Yet his little rabbit wasn’t frozen in the field like he’d anticipated. No, she rebounded nicely, and now stood confidently like a wildcat, poised to attack. “I don’t really have time to waste. So yeah, I’d like to know why you followed me from the club. And I really want to know what you are doing in my shop.” Léopold merely laughed and crossed the room to admire a chair and matching settee. “Circa 1775?”Laryssa walked over and placed her hand on the elegant Louis XVI chair. “Yes. How did you know? It’s a very special piece. It has the mark of Versailles Palace on it.”“Indeed.” Léopold sat in the chair, wrapping his fingers around its arms. “Nothing but the best. Fit for a king.”“And I suspect you’d like being a king.” She put her hands on her hips, waiting for him to respond.“Ah, a king I never was. But I’ve dined with kings, and I can assure you that while they enjoy the extravagances of the rich, they often lose their heads. Easy come, easy go.”“Why are you here?” Laryssa brushed her hair back, attempting to regain her composure. “Are you looking for something specific?”“Oui, pet. But not an antique. While I do enjoy shopping, this is hardly the time.” Léopold lost the smile, allowing his eyes to pierce hers. “So I shall get to the point. What are you?”Laryssa lost her ability to rein in her pulse and her heart began to fiercely pump hot blood through her veins. Her lips tightened, and she clenched her jaw. How dare he ask about her? What the hell did he want from her anyway? Dear God, she had enough issues with the darkness on her tail and now he was asking about her origins.“What do you mean, ‘what am I?’ I’m the owner of this store. Does that answer your question?” Laryssa asked, her voice growing louder. “Who are you?”
“Léopold Devereoux. That’s who I am. I can be your angel or nightmare, depending on the day. So listen up. What. Are. You?” Léopold didn’t make a move. He sat completely still, anticipating her answer.
About the Author:Kym Grosso is the author of the bestselling erotic paranormal romance series, The Immortals of New Orleans. The series currently includes Kade's Dark Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 1), Luca's Magic Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 2), Tristan's Lyceum Wolves (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 3), Logan’s Acadian Wolves (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 4) and Léopold’s Wicked Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 5).
In addition to romance, Kym has written and published several articles about autism, and is passionate about autism advocacy. She also is a contributing essay author in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum.
Kym lives with her husband, two children, dog and cat. Her hobbies include autism advocacy, reading, tennis, zumba, traveling and spending time with her husband and children. New Orleans, with its rich culture, history and unique cuisine, is one of her favorite places to visit. Also, she loves traveling just about anywhere that has a beach or snow-covered mountains. On any given night, when not writing her own books, Kym can be found reading her Kindle, which is filled with hundreds of romances.
Website: www.KymGrosso.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KymGrossoBooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KymGrosso
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5785692.Kym_Grosso
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kymgrosso/
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Guest Blog and Giveaway with ML Guida
I’d like to thank Fang-tastic Blog for hosting me. Dark Promise is the first book in the Underworld and it’s about a dragon demon prince desperate to save his world, desperate enough to kidnap a psychic with the power to restore his people.
I got the idea to write this story after seeing a huge sink hole in South America on the internet and I thought what if something crawled out. In this case, it was a dragon demon from the Underworld.
Below is an excerpt from the first few pages of Dark Promise:
Kill. Kill. Kill.
The command thumped between his temples, urging him to hurt someone, anyone. Dragon fire burned in his chest and he forced the darkness back. It wouldn’t devour him like it had his father.
The Golden Tree’s Song of Tranquility, nearly inaudible now, calmed his raging dragon fire, bringing it back under control, luring it back to sleep. But when would it awake?
Someone clasped his arm. A dark figure stood next to him. The Wraith. He’d never seen her face, only her glowing red eyes staring at him from beneath her hood.
“The Darkness is beginning to take hold of you, young prince,” the Wraith rasped. “Only a few leaves remain on the Golden Tree. You don’t have time to squander.”
“I know,” he snapped. Darkness was consuming his people, strangling the tree. It was her damn fault. She refused to open the portal until the time was right, but accusing the Wraith would end up with his ass in a grave. “On the Eve of the Equinox, during the year of her twenty-first year, the silver haired human, tainted with angel blood, who is mated to the last Lord of the House Wyvern, and has looked upon the Wraith and the Undead unchanged, will breathe upon the Golden Tree and return the Light to the people.” The Wraith tilted her head toward Castle Basilisk, his father’s palace. “By royal decree, your father has ordered any Dragon Demon, who has not yet turned feral be taken to the Chamber to await Gryffin the Torturer. The poor souls imprisoned inside are counting on you to liberate them.”
“No pressure there.” Eric vowed not to become a rabid demon, but each day, the fight became harder. Without the Song of Tranquility, his people had turned feral, fighting each other, tormenting each other, killing each other.
“You must find Cassandra Wright and bring her back here,” the Wraith said.
He kicked a rock, shaving off the weeds near the dying tree. “Cassandra doesn’t know anything about me or the Underworld. If you would have let me visit her, just once, we wouldn’t be in such dire need.”“She wasn’t ready for you yet.”
He shoved his hands into his coat pockets to keep from wringing her neck. “She is now?”
“Of course. The prophecy is already in motion. Her abilities have grown.”
He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. He was sick of hearing about how Cassandra could tolerate the Wraith, but not him. Christ, he might as well be a bloody leper. “Because she can tolerate seeing you?”
“And see the Undead.”
But the Wraith’s orders hadn’t stopped him from visiting Cassandra in her dreams for the past three years. Each time, he seduced her, kissing, licking and tasting her, thrusting in time to her soft whimpers as he thrust deep inside her. He never told her his name, always shrouding himself with mystery, hoping to stoke her desire for him and only him. Now, would be the real test. He wanted to feel her skin, taste her lips, bask in her smile rather than her image. “I won’t fail.”
“You’ll not be able to use any magic up in her world.”
“What?”
“Since it is slowly dying, the Golden Tree’s magic will not run through you up in her world.”
“So, exactly how am I supposed to get her to come with me?” The dragon fire flared, demanding he attack the Wraith, a stupid Neanderthal move, which would end with the Wraith turning him into dragon dust. Not wanting to become like his father, he took a deep breath and concentrated on the Song of the Tranquility until he controlled his anger.
“Woo her, Prince, woo her.” She laughed. She laughed more like the wind whistling through a tree.
“Woo her?” How the hell was he supposed to woo her? He was a Prince for God’s sake. Dragon Demon women fell at his feet, begging him to take them, vying to be the next Princess.
The Wraith stretched out a twisted hand and in her palm, lay a black wallet. “You’ll need this where you are going, Prince. You’ll need to buy clothes and ski attire.”
He opened the wallet. A credit card, a license and stack of hundred dollars bills were tucked neatly inside. He stuffed it into his back pocket. “So, I will not have any magic?”“Some, but it will fade fast. Use it wisely, Prince.”
Poor Eric! He’s got to navigate through a world without magic and convince Cassandra that the man she’s been dreaming about does exist, but he’s not a man, he’s a demon. This is a fast novella and I hope you like it.
You can contact me on my website www.mlguida.com and let me know what you think. If you’re interested in reading more of my stories, I have a newsletter you can sign up for. If you do it this week, I’ll be handing out a free e-book.
Once again, thank you for allowing me to come onto to your blog!
Dark PromiseUnderworldBook OneM.L. GuidaGenre: Contemporary Paranormal
Publisher: KensingtonDate of Publication: March 4, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-61650-537-1ASIN: B00IPQWZWW
Number of pages: 146Word Count: 36000
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Book Description:
Love can unlock the secret to saving two worlds.
As the Golden Aspen Tree withers, darkness consumes the Dragon Demons of the Underworld, turning them feral. Prince Eric Wyvern must keep his darkness at bay and woo the silver-haired human tainted with angel blood whose touch is prophesied to save the Golden Tree and restore light to the Underworld.Cassandra Wright, a gifted psychic, has dreamed of Eric her whole life. When her dream lover joins her on a ski vacation, he plunges her into a nightmare.
Imprisoned in a dying world filled with abuse and torture, she must become the Demon Prince’s mate or remain trapped forever. If she fails to fulfill the prophecy, the darkness will spread to her world. But how can she give herself to this dark and frightening version of the man of her dreams?
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About the Author:M.L. Guida has been in love with the paranormal since she was a little girl. Vampires, demons and witches oh my! She has always been fascinated by these supernatural beings and weaves these creatures into her novels. But the love story is the center of every novel. Strong heroes and heroines are what drive her stories and their ability to overcome conflict and live happily ever after. She lives in beautiful Colorado and many of her stories are based in the mountains.
Besides writing, she enjoys taking her dog for walks and cheering her nephews and nieces on at their games. When on vacation, she’s always up for a good ghost tour and has gone on tours in London, Edinburgh, Rome and Key West. Her favorite being London’s Jack the Ripper tour.
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May 26 Guest blogFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
May 26 SpotlightDeal Sharing Auntwww.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com
May 27 SpotlightCassandra M's Place http://www.cassandramsplace.com
May 27 SpotlightBook Purses & Reviewshttp://www.bookpurses.blogspot.com
May 28 Guest blogMarsha A. Moorehttp://marshaamoore.blogspot.com/
May 29 Interview and reviewDark Side of Romancehttp://www.darksideofromance.com
May 29 SpotlightShare My Destinyhttp://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com
May 29 reviewNicky Peacock Authorhttp://nickypeacockauthor.wordpress.com/
May 30 SpotlightBook Liaison – http://www.bookliaison.net
May 30 reviewMichelle's Paranormal Vault of Bookshttp://concisebookreviewsbymichelle.blogspot.com/
June 2 InterviewPembroke Sinclair. www.pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
June 2 reviewParanormal Romance And Authors That Rockwww.pratr.wordpress.com
