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Excerpt: Symphony of Light and Winter by Renea Mason

Symphony of Light and WinterSymphony of LightBook OneRenea Mason
Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance
ISBN: 978-1-940223-10-0Release Date: 06/21/2013
Word Count: 88,375Page Count: 389
Blurb
One woman. Seven men. All bound by one man’s undying devotion.
Fundraiser Linden Hill has a knack for reading people. She always knows which conversations will put a prospect at ease, which drink will loosen a patron’s lips—or his wallet, and how cleavage will make a donor sweeten the deal. She’s even foreseen her dateless weekends four hundred and sixty-four times in a row.
But ten years after watching life drain from her former mentor’s and first love’s eyes, her skills for divining the predictable are lost. When Cyril returns, he’s still gorgeous, but this time he’s beyond human, far less dead, and pissed. His lack of memory drives him to desperate acts, and his turbulent re-acquaintance with Linden pulls her into his war with a creature hell-bent on his destruction. His group of six supernatural men share a tantalizing secret, but despite the hunger, it’s love that leads her to sacrifice everything to save him…      
Amazon       BN          ARe        Kobo
Etopia Press     Bookstrand

Symphony of Light and Winter - PG Excerpt
“Your eyes are so lovely; please don’t hide them from me. Don’t be afraid. I would never hurt you.”His sincerity must have been contagious because the words slipped through my lips without permission. “I know you’d never hurt me intentionally. It’s the unintentional consequences I fear.”He brought his other hand up to cup my other cheek and, with my face firmly held he said, “Linden, I’m not fool enough to think that the gods don’t intentionally f**k with us.”His use of that word was unexpected. Always a gentleman, but always something more carnal beneath the surface too. The inconsistency seemed natural.“But if that ever happens, I will spend forever trying to atone. Don’t turn away from me.” He stared at me for a moment and when his face started to move toward mine, I thought for sure he would kiss my lips, but instead he placed a lingering kiss to my forehead and pulled me into a hug. If he felt anything for me other than friendship, that was his moment to prove it. I had my answer. I gave a forced smile and pulled away.“Please, play,” he said while trailing his hand over my back.Facing the piano, with my fingers lingering above the keys, I tried not to allow disappointment to lace my words. “How did you know about the song?” My racing heart slowed as I realized the kiss wouldn’t happen.His response was casual. “I have very keen hearing and you start to hum it every time you walk away from me to return home. Where is the song from?”Strange. Maybe I was louder than I thought.“I don’t know where I learned it. I think I made it up, but it’s hard to know for sure.”“It’s beautiful, please...” He motioned to the piano.He stood and I pressed one key to test to see if it was in tune. Pitch-perfect, of course. I should have expected no less. I stretched to measure the distance to the pedals. After my assessment, I began to play. As I pressed the keys, I tried to forget he was even in the room, but that became impossible as he provided subtle hints as to how I should adjust my posture. He pushed back on my shoulders and lifted my elbows with a light touch. The adjustment made a difference, and in time my composition transitioned to something more graceful.He placed his hands on my shoulders as he stood behind me and whispered, “Now relax, the music is in control. Give in to it. Let it take you, command you, while you find freedom in its control.”His finger made small massaging circles on my neck and shoulders, and the more he touched me, the more at ease I became. I played better than I ever had.He ran his hands up and down my forearms, coaxing the notes from my fingers as he whispered in my ear, “That’s it. You are much more relaxed. Music is energy, Linden. With energy, you must first make yourself an attractive conduit. Energy does not like resistance. The less resistant you are, the more it can take hold, become stronger—make you stronger. Allow it to embody you, become one with you, and embrace its possession.” His breath teased as his words sent waves of electricity through me.I added improvisational parts to the song I had never imagined. I played sequences far beyond my skill level without effort. As I neared the end of the song, the magical feeling broke down, and with it went my newfound ability. It was as if I took a drug to make me a better musician and it had begun to wear off, but I knew it wasn’t a drug. It was Cyril.As the last notes breathed their final whisper to the air, I heard him say, “Well done! I bet you even surprised yourself.”“How did you do that?”“I didn’t do anything. I simply taught you to sit up and concentrate. Other than that, it was all you. Music can’t possess the unwilling.”I shot him a suspicious glare. “All right...your turn.” I went to get up.“No, please stay. Let me see...I’ll play something you know. How about Beethoven’s Sonata quasi una fantasia? You may know it as the Moonlight Sonata.”I nodded. He could have played Chopsticks and I would have been happy.He began with the solemn phrasing of the piece. Every languid note held so much emotion. My fingers mindlessly stroked the side of his leg in the slow melodic tempo of the first movement. The mournful timbre accented the sadness I felt knowing that every minute I stayed with him, it was going to be much harder to accept I could never have him.I had only heard the first movement of the piece but as the somber melody transitioned into a more energetic strain, I knew it would be an experience I would never forget.His enthusiastic gestures, the bounce of his hair as he pounded out the rapid notes, all added to the look of determination on his face. The notes were saturated in passion, and violence defined him. I watched him with intense concentration and wondered if he brought that same passion to his kisses, his bed, and his love. It would be a miracle if one person could harness him.When he played the last note, his breathing was heavy and a thin film of perspiration coated the skin of his brow and neck. He looked down at the floor and then slowly into my eyes. That instant, the connection formed again. He reached up and brushed the hair from my face and I did the same to him, draping his thick, dark, sweat-moistened locks behind his ear.“That was magnificent. I’ve never...”His hand reached up to cup my face. His thumb caressed my lower lip as I spoke.“Heard...or seen...anything like you. I mean that.”He smiled and continued to outline my lip.“Linden...” he said with a breathy whisper, “there are so many things I want to show you, teach you. I want you to make me a promise.”I answered without hesitation. “Yes.”“The way you are looking at me right now... Please, always look at me this way. Stare into my eyes and see me for who I am and know that there is nothing more than this. When the world calls things into question, you need not question me because I will always be here for you. The comfort I find in your eyes is new and frightening.”I found it difficult to believe anything frightened this man. He cupped my cheek and with tenderness that mirrored his words, he caressed my face and trailed his hand to rest on my chest just below my neck. I wrapped my hand around his wrist, holding him to me.He leaned in, pinning our arms between us, and breathed, “Promise me.”I closed my eyes, reveling in his closeness, his scent, his heat. “OK.”“Good.”He inhaled. “I will make you a promise in return. I cannot bring you into my world as I would like, so I will not ask you to indulge me further. I should let you go, but I’m sorry, I am far too selfish to break all ties. I do promise to always be your friend, your mentor.”Deep down, hopeful he might love me and see me as a woman, I opened my eyes and managed a smile filled with sadness and disappointment.Protégé was the title bestowed upon me, not girlfriend, lover, or wife. I looked away from him to try to pull back the tears that escaped my eyes.“Already breaking your promise?”I looked up and he brushed my tears away with his thumb.“I’m not immune, Linden. I feel it too. I just need to be stronger than this, for you.” He pulled me into his embrace.His arms were tight around me. He smiled but something sad lingered behind it. “It’s getting late. I should get you home.”



About the Author:
Renea Mason writes steamy romances to help even out the estrogen to testosterone imbalance caused by living in a house full of men.
When she isn’t putting pen to paper crafting sensual stories filled with supernatural lovers, she spends time with her beyond-supportive husband, two wonderful sons and three loving but needy cats.
Her debut novel, Symphony of Light and Winter, finished second for Best New Paranormal Series of 2013 in Paranormal Cravings’ Battle of the Books and received a third place award for Best New Paranormal Romance of 2013 in The Paranormal Romance Guild’s Reviewers Choice Awards.
Renea is a member of Romance Writers of America, The Paranormal Romance Guild and The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal subchapter of the Romance Writers of America.
She is also a founding member of Coffee Talk Writers and the Coffee Talk website–a site designed to support established writers and foster new talent.
http://www.ReneaMason.com
http://www.Facebook.com/ReneaMasonAuthor
http://www.Facebook.com/symphonyoflightandwinter
http://www.Pinterest.com/ReneaMason
http://www.goodreads.com/ReneaMason
http://reneamason.tumblr.com/
https://twitter.com/ReneaMason1
http://www.amazon.com/ReneaMason/e/B00DIMOX2S/

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Please welcome Chris M.Arnone to Fang-tastic Books today....

Please welcome Chris M.Arnone to Fang-tastic Books today.
Chris, let's get started-tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to write in this particular genre?
Chris Arnone, married, dad to four cats, and uber-nerd. Genre is a funny thing. I read all sorts of things and I’m really picky. As for The Lost and Broken Realm, I wrote the story the way it needed to be told, which fell into contemporary or cross-world fantasy.
What inspired you to write this book?
I used to have a job that involved travel all around the US. Sometimes, on long drives, I would see these abandoned silos, farmhouses, or factories on the side of the road. I realized that at one time, those places had been the center of someone’s universe. Someone built them. Someone lived there, built a business there, or at least put in their eight hours a day. Now they sit empty and forgotten. I think there’s a magic in that.
Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?
Zhiyan. He’s a giant, literally, but he’s also this Victorian-style lord. So he’s a massive, imposing figure, but he’s well-educated and well-connected. The difficulty in writing him, however, is that the Victorians were waspish. They never said exactly what they mean. Their insults are veiled and their compliments are backhanded. It was a fun challenge.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
Darkness, as in the physical embodiment of Darkness. That character is eternal, which lends a sense of immense patience and the character is whimsical. It also knows more than anyone else and knows it.
Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?I believe characters are all aspects of the writer’s soul. For me, they often spring forth fully formed, but they also grow and take shape more as I write them, as I get into their skin a bit. That often leads to going back and rewriting their earlier scenes, but it works for me.Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?
The Lost and Broken Realm is mostly set in this parallel universe. It’s where all of the lost and forgotten people, creatures, objects, and places come to rest. The world is full of mismatched objects and mythical creatures that don’t quite match the mythologies. Doors are also quite important, as they link locations that actually exist in our world, but have been lost to time.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
I’ve never had writer’s block, my mind never seems to stop generating ideas for whatever I’m working on or other projects. My issue is more with time. I have a full-time job, two houses to keep up, and adult responsibilities. Finding the time to put words to paper every day is a challenge.
Do you write in different genres?
Well, The Lost and Broken Realm is my first and I’m currently writing its sequel. However, while the first book is cross-world fantasy, the second is definitely urban fantasy. I have stories ideas jotted down that span cyberpunk, dystopic, space opera, and superhero fiction.
When did you consider yourself a writer?
I was actually a freelance writer for the now-defunct Wizard Magazine years back. The first time I saw my name in that magazine, that was it.
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
There are no guilty pleasures. If it brings you pleasure and it’s not at anyone else’s expense, then guilt has no place in it. I suppose some may consider my unabashed love of Gilmore Girls as a strange pleasure for a well-bearded, heterosexual man.
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
Art, theater, music, comic books, video games. I’m pretty outspoken about LGBTQ equality as well.
What was the last amazing book you read?
Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart
Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?
We have a reading nook off our master bedroom at home. A couch, chair, and ottoman all packed into this little space. It’s super comfy and all our cats tend to join us when we’re up there reading.
What can readers expect next from you?
The sequel, baby! Seriously, though. I had actually started writing a superhero fiction book for NaNoWriMo, but once The Lost and Broken Realm actually came out, I felt a tug to finish the story for my readers, so I’m writing the sequel.
Where can readers find you on the web?
Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Goodreads, WattPad, and my website.
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
Excerpt from Chapter 16:The expansive cave was filled with statues. Gabriel was immediately reminded of the terracotta army in China, row after row of warriors guarding the tombs of ancient Chinese emperors, but these weren’t warriors. They weren’t distinctly Chinese, either. They were cyclopean; that was the first thing Gabriel noticed. Rather than two equally distanced eyes, each statue had one large eye right above the nose.Unlike those Chinese statues, these weren’t uniform, either. Different bodies, faces, attire, genders, and ages of Cyclops made up the horde of stone figures. Dread began to creep back up Gabriel’s spine as he saw something they all had in common other than their lack of depth perception: every carved face was locked eternally in an expression of fear. Stout warriors crouched, hiding their faces. Women with horrified looks stood guarding their children. Gabriel wondered what foul mind could have sculpted such horrors over and over again.“What is this?” Gabriel asked in a hush, frightened voice.“I don’t know. I’ve never even heard of this place,” Anansi responded. For the first time since Gabriel had met the manticore, he heard and felt doubt and fear coming from the creature. Zhiyan kept staring at the ground, impassive, as Finkle Prime led him along.“Who is here?” said a voice from the darkness. It sounded like a young woman, with a bright, luscious voice. Something was amiss with it, though Gabriel couldn’t figure out exactly what.“Who is that?” Gabriel asked Anansi.“I asked you first, mortal,” The voice said playfully. Gabriel realized what was wrong. The ‘s’ sounds were extended, like Cobra Commander in G.I. Joe, or like a snake using a human voice. Gabriel couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. It wasn’t in his head. He’d heard enough telepathy to know the difference, but this woman’s voice seemed to bounce and echo around the cave and off the statues that filled it.“Gabriel. My name is Gabriel. Who are you?” He asked, trying to keep his voice steady.“Gabriel. So kind of you to visit. No one comes to visit anymore. Zhiyan, he keeps them from me. Now here he is, marching to his death, how fitting,” She said happily.“Prime, halt,” Gabriel said. The big clockwork man stopped and Gabriel saw Zhiyan with his head still bowed, but his eyes were closed tightly and a small smile crept over his face.“Oh, shit,” Anansi said, suddenly angry. “Zhiyan, if we live through this, I hope the council draws and quarters your giant ass.”“What is it?” Gabriel asked nervously.“Ptolema. Eldest and most vicious of the Gorgon sisters,” Zhiyan finally said, still holding his eyes closed tightly and smiling wryly.“Gorgons? Monsters like Medusa?” Gabriel asked, half in disbelief, half in growing panic. His mind raced. He tried to think of Medusa’s sisters, but the monster didn’t give him time to remember them.“What do you know of my sister? She was no monster. She was a sweet, innocent girl. Raped and then villainized. No, she was no monster,” Ptolema said, her voice smooth as silk.“Don’t look her in the eyes!” Anansi suddenly screamed telepathically. He almost didn’t say it in time. “I am the monster,” She said, her voice dripping with venom. Out of the corner of his eye, Gabriel saw a woman come out of the shadows and into view. One moment later, and he would have looked at her squarely. Instead, he looked several feet to the side of her, taking in her form using his peripheral vision. She was tall as a man, a bit taller than Gabriel from what he could tell, and she wore a ragged red dress that came almost to the ground. Rather than legs, Gabriel saw a mass of writhing snakes skimming along the ground. She tried to dart directly into Gabriel’s view, faster than he expected, but he dropped his eyes fully to the ground. Her arms gleamed a brilliant, shining gold color, and reflected light from Prime’s shoulder lamps all around the cave. Gabriel wondered if her hair was made of venomous snakes like the stories told, but he didn’t chance looking up near her face.“Why do you look away, Gabriel? Why do you not meet my gaze? Am I not beautiful?” Ptolema asked, almost pouting.“No thanks. I’d rather not turn to stone today,” Gabriel said, his voice shaking. He remembered the stories of Medusa, how she turned men to stone with her gaze, and how Perseus destroyed her with a mirrored shield.“There are worse ways to die,” Ptolema said, all the playfulness, seduction, and beauty suddenly gone from her voice. She was deadly serious. And then she was moving. She was fast, so much faster than Gabriel could have imagined. He leapt out of her way, but only just in time. He felt the wind move past him and smelled her, a waft of rotting flesh and dry snakeskin.Gabriel scrabbled along the cave floor to get away from the horrifying woman. Tiny snake heads snapped at the air behind his heels. He looked all around for something, anything to fight with, to hide behind, anything.“Oh, get up, little man. Die on your feet,” Ptolema balked, and then laughed at him, but only briefly. A massive shadow suddenly came over Gabriel, blocking out the light from Prime’s lamps. Fearful of looking up, he looked around and saw a massive paw, like one belonging to a lion that was three times larger than it should have been. A deafening roar filled his ears and Gabriel crawled out from under the creature, seemingly unnoticed. It was almost a giant lion, except it had two equally huge red feathered wings and the tail of a scorpion, its stinger poised to strike some thirty feet up in the air.




The Lost and Broken Realm
Things ForgottenBook 1Chris M. Arnone
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
ISBN: 9780991397907ISBN: 9781311266194
ASIN: B00HEOMU6M
Number of pages: 325 printapprox 299 ebookWord Count: 103,000
Cover Artist: Cassandra Whitney
Smashwords, Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Book Description:
Gabriel Drake had royally fouled up his life. Before his wife died, he was wealthy, respected, and loved. He pissed away the small fortune he and his wife built, drove away his friends, alienated his family, and even took a few precarious steps on the wrong side of the law. He lost his way. The world had forgotten the man he was, and then a head-on collision between his Jeep and a tree changed everything.

Death would have been easier. Instead, he’s woken up in a strange place where all the lost and forgotten things and people of our world go to rest. The laws of physics seem to be driven more by magic than logic. Cats fly and talk into his mind. He’s in a place where real power has been trampled under the foot of a maniacal emperor, and Gabriel alone has the power to free these forgotten people from the emperor’s iron grip. Which will Gabriel save: these lost and broken people, or his own shattered life?

About the Author:
Chris grew up in Independence, MO. He attended college at Truman State University where he pursued his loves of theater, music, and the written word. Now, he makes his home in Kansas City, MO with his wife Christy and their four cats.

Aside from writing feverishly, he is an avid supporter of the Kansas City burlesque, performance, and arts communities. He is an occasional emcee, outspoken supporter of LGBTQ equality, and King of the Nerds. No, you didn't vote for him; that's why he's king, not president.
Website/blog      Twitter       Facebook
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Interview with Marcella Burnard Author of Nightmare Ink

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
I’m a geek. Nerd. Dork. However you want to phrase that. I love to read – usually scifi, fantasy, paranormal, urban fantasy – anything with a twist away from day to day reality. I got into that reading habit as a kid when my day to day reality wasn’t all that kind and had little to recommend it from an entertainment standpoint. I always wanted to believe in magic, anyway. Possible personality defect. When Nightmare Ink popped into my head, I didn’t know what it was. I just obediently wrote it down. Now, I do love Urban Fantasy, but I didn’t set out to write one. It just sort of happened while I was too busy getting the story down.
What is it about the paranormal, in particular vampires, that fascinates you so much?
Heh. I was going to say that Murmur isn’t a vampire – but in a way – he IS. In order for him to live, he has to take the heroine’s life. It was that exchange; she has his life in her hands, he has hers (not to mention her sanity) in his hands. Neither one of them is particularly gentle about it. It made for some lovely conflict.
What inspired you to write this book? I have a scrap of paper with a pair of sentences written on it (the lines came from a dream) “You are a work of art. Don’t make me destroy you.” That simmered away in the back of my head, I think, until the characters presented themselves and a couple of scenes. The rest of the book grew out of that.
Please tell us about your latest release.
Nightmare Ink is the latest release – available April 15, 2014 (Look! Something to do with that tax refund you’ve already spent!) It’s an Urban Fantasy from Intermix, thus it is available in e-format only.
Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions?
Names are a pretty major part of a character for me, so the names have to be right – appropriate to the character before I can progress. I’ve certainly looked for names with specific meanings just to see if something strikes my fancy, but most of the time, I end up looking for sounds. Some characters need names that start with a vowel, others need something harder. Eventually, something whispers a name to me and it’s the right one. I try not to examine that process too closely.
Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?
Murmur was difficult. He comes into the world not trusting anyone or anything. Turns out that’s tough on an author. He didn’t trust me, either. Trying to get motivations and reasoning out of him made me want to slam my head repeatedly in a door.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
Augustus, the heroine’s tripod red heeler. It’s because he’s based on a real dog, Riley, who lived across from me for a couple of years. HUGE personality, way too smart for anyone’s good, and a completely loveable goof. He moved to Norway. I miss him. And his people.
Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?
I’m a character driven writer – this means I have to know a lot about my main characters before I can start a story. I work my way through a set of templates from Break Into Fiction a book and workshop by Mary Buckham and Dianna Love. It gets pretty intense if I dig in far enough. It gives me a clear sense of my character arcs. From there, I can write scenes that challenge the hero and heroine.
What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?
There’s a rescue scene in the latter half of the book that I like very much…but saying anything more than that risks spoilers. I can say the scene is set in one of my favorite places – the Japanese garden at the Washington Park Arboretum. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/parkspaces/japanesegarden.htm
Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book?
For this book, I got to learn way too much about tattooing. It is not an art for the squeamish. It’s pretty hard to freak me out, but even I had to look away when watching someone injecting permanent tattoo dye into a guy’s eyeball to give him blue ‘stars’ in the white of his eye. O_o
What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes?
Caving in Belize – the cave was a Mayan sacrificial site and we were only allowed into the top two levels of the cavern where agricultural sacrifices were made. In lower levels of the cave, there were human remains. Only archeologists were allowed into the lower levels, which was just fine with me. I did not want to walk the same, potentially bloody path as the sacrificial victims whose bones rest down there in the dark.
Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?
Magic works, in Isa’s world. Specifically, someone’s found a way to make tattoos live. If you get Live Ink, you live in symbiosis with your tattoo. The Ink shares your body and your psyche. You heal fast and your life is lengthened. The tattoo also augments some aspect. In Nightmare Ink you see tattoos change people – someone with a fiery temper has that mitigated by the cooling influence of the tattoo he ends up with.
With the book being part of a series, are there any character or story arcs, that readers jumping in somewhere other than the first book, need to be aware of? Can these books be read as stand alones?
I really want books in any series I write to stand alone. That said, the first book (Nightmare Ink) plays a huge part in understanding where Murmur comes from and how he relates to Isa (the heroine) and the other characters. It will be much easier on a reader to get the books in order. Fortunately, Intermix labeled Nightmare Ink as book 1 in The Living Ink Series. Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?
Always – since I’m the only head and body I can use for reference for feeling and experience. :D That said – Isa has an issue with feeling inadequate. It’s one of the issues I deal with. Other than that, though, she’s really dissimilar. She’s patient. I’m – not.  She’s far more fatalistic than I am. She more Zen, maybe. She doesn’t seem to have my neuroses or my food issues. Sigh. Maybe I’m writing my characters as a bit of wish fulfillment.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
Arg. Yes. I handle it with journaling. For me, writer’s block tends to be emotional trash piling up inside. Writing several pages by hand both morning and night clears all of that so I can hear the story again. So far, it’s been really effective. Exercise helps, too.
Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals?
Must. Have. Tea. If there’s no tea, there are no words. I ride my bicycle to a local tea shop every morning where I work for several hours each day. They bring me tea and treats while I rack up word count.
Do you write in different genres?
Yes. I also write science fiction romance
Do you find it difficult to write in multiple genres?
Not so far. The voice for each is pretty distinct. SFR tends to be more action-oriented for me – a little thriller-y, if I’m doing my job. Urban Fantasy is richer. More detailed and a bit more psychological.
When did you consider yourself a writer?
That part hasn’t ever been a problem. I’ve been writing to entertain myself since forever. But thinking I might really be an author? I still struggle with that one. Remember what I said about inadequacy issues? Yeah. Here they are.
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
Watching The Walking Dead. It’s silly. We don’t have a TV because we live on a sailboat. But we got hooked on the show. Every Sunday, my husband and I go hang with friends, potluck supper, and watch the show. I also play World of Warcraft. Still. With these same friends.
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
Sailing, reading, feline rescue, reading tarot (for real and for true).
What was the last amazing book you read?
The Hallowed One by Laura Bickle
Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?
There’s a spot in the cockpit that I love but I usually have to fight a cat for it. It’s prime feline real estate and I usually lose.
What can readers expect next from you?
The sequel to Nightmare Ink. The title hasn’t been solidified yet – but that book is out in November.
Where can readers find you on the web?
http://www.marcellaburnard.com/ Author page on FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marcella-Burnard/312302197270  
Alternatively, if you want cat photos, stupid jokes and geekdom just search on Marcella Burnard and friend me if you want.
Twitter: @marcellaburnard
 Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
“Hey, pretty lady. You look lonely,” a smooth, musical voice said as Isa strode toward her shop door.
She glanced at the striking young man reclining against the back of the bus shelter that stood in front of the kitchen wares store two doors down. In the glare of the streetlights, the young man, dressed in skintight dark Levi’s, a shirt that outlined every defined muscle, and a beat-up leather jacket, raked Isa with a hungry glance.
Had to be one of Patty’s “projects” if he was working her territory.
“A couple of Ria’s gang tagged that shelter this morning,” Isa said, trusting he’d been on the streets long enough to know which gang claimed this part of Ballard Avenue. “Smear it and they’ll tag you.”
He jerked upright, swearing.
She smiled and reached for the door of Nightmare Ink.
“Aw, chica,” he said. “You don’t want to go in there. The owner, she’s a bruja. A witch. People say she’s got a secret room down in the basement. You go in there and part of you dies.”


Nightmare InkMarcella Burnard
Release Date: April 2014
Publisher: Intermix
Genre:Urban Fantasy
ISBN: 91101630228
Book Description:
With the needle of a tattoo gun, Isa Romanchzyk has the power to create and destroy. In her shop Nightmare Ink, Isa helps those in need by binding the powers embedded in their Live Ink—the magical tattoos that can enhance the life of the wearer, or end it.  But binding tattoos has earned Isa the contempt of her fellow artists—including her former lover Daniel.
When a friend comes to the shop with a tattoo on the verge of killing him, Isa can’t turn him away. For the first time in years, she works Live Ink into someone’s skin—something she swore she’d never do again. But breaking her vow soon becomes the least of her problems.
Isa is horrified to discover her friend’s body in the shop, but the real nightmare begins when she’s abducted and inked against her will.  Now, as she seeks retribution from the man who betrayed her, Isa must figure out how to bind her Living Tattoo before it consumes her completely...


About the Author:
Marcella Burnard graduated from Cornish College of the Arts with a degree in acting. She writes science fiction romance for Berkley Sensation.
Her first book, Enemy Within won the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice award for Best Futuristic of 2010. The second book in the series, Enemy Games, released on May 3, 2011.
An erotica novella, Enemy Mine, set in the same world as the novels was released as an e-special edition by Berkley was released in April 2012. Emissary, a sword and sorcery short story released in the two volume Thunder on the Battlefield Anthology in the second half of 2013.
http://www.marcellaburnard.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marcella-Burnard/
https://twitter.com/marcellaburnard
http://www.amazon.com/Marcella-Burnard/e/B003E75420
http://word-whores.blogspot.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3409619.Marcella_Burnard
http://www.marcellaburnard.tumblr.com
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Release Day Blitz A Warlock’s Dance by Marina Myles

A Warlock’s DanceA Cursed Princes NovellaMarina Myles
Genre: Historical/Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Kensington
Date of Publication: May 1, 2014
ISBN: 9781601832856ASIN: B00GYLVWA6
Word Count: 17,000
Amazon      BN     iTunes    eKensington
Book Description:
Encore, Please
Giselle Swenov is a radiant opera star whose beauty is second only to her voice. That is, until a jealous enchantress strips away her talent and looks, transforms her into a mute and haggard old woman, and forces her to leave the man of her dreams at the altar on their wedding day. Now there’s only one person able to reverse the spell: Giselle’s warlock ex-fiancé, Lucian Ivanu.
But three years have passed, and the ever-dashing Lucian seems to have moved on―he’s inherited a vast fortune, forsaken his scandalous powers, and is even set to marry again. Will he recognize his former flame when she shows up at his engagement party and begs for help? Can she recover the powerful magic ring needed to break the curse before it’s too late? Giselle’s plight has a darker twist as she discovers just how far the enchantress’s grasp reaches…
PROLOGUE
Giselle Swenov adjusted her bridal veil with a smile. At the thought of marrying the most wonderful man in the world, her heart beat melodiously—and as Bucharest’s leading operatic protégé, she nearly belted out a glass-shattering note, too.Restraining herself, she cracked open the dressing room door and stare into the chapel. She knew her family members wouldn’t be in attendance, but she scoured the pews for them anyway. From day one, her mother and father had disapproved of her groom. What was they’d said? “Are you mad, Giselle? Lucian Ivanu is socially inferior—and his connection to the Dark Arts means he isn’t right for you.”Giselle’s pulse leapt as she glimpsed Lucian at the altar. Ironically, he looked nothing like a warlock. With flowing white-blond hair, gray eyes that reminded her of storm clouds over the Black Sea, and a knee-buckling grin, he resembled a prince ready to sweep her off her feet.Although Giselle wanted to stare at him all day, she shut the door before he saw her in her bridal gown. She refused to let bad luck seep into their wedding ceremony.“You look beautiful, my dear,” Ileana Zǎpǎda, Bucharest National Opera’s premier patron, called out behind her.“Thank you Doamna Zǎpǎda,” she replied anxiously. At least Ileana was here to help, unlike her mother.“Come,” the elegant woman urged. “Take a final look at yourself as an unmarried woman.”Giselle swiveled around to survey her appearance in the mirror. Cascading golden-brown curls framed her carefully made-up face and a sense of optimism lit her eyes. She had become the bride she’d envisioned as a girl and she could hardly contain her excitement.“You look a stunning.” Ileana Zǎpǎda stepped in beside her and met her gaze in the mirror. “But you are a little pale.”“Nerves, I suppose.” Letting out a self-conscious laugh, Giselle studied Doamna Zǎpǎda. Her refinement spoke of the lofty social standing Giselle’s family wished she would reach. She winced.“Sit with me and have some tea,” the socialite proposed. “Tea studied my nerves before I married my second husband.”Giselle swept her train off the floor and settled into a chair at a small table. While she laid her bridal bouquet in her lap, Ileana poured two steaming cups.“Why are you being so nice to me, Doamna Zǎpǎda?” Giselle asked as she accepted the tea cup.The woman sighed. “It broke my heart to learn that your parents disowned you. Word spreads quickly through the opera house—and because I’m a mother hen to all my celebrated singers, I knew you’d need some moral support on your wedding day.”“You must be a loving mother to your own children,” Giselle said gently.Ileana’s expression turned icy. “I never had children of my own. I have a stepdaughter, but we aren’t particularly close.”“Well, I sincerely appreciate your help.” Giselle smiled. “Clasping  the buttons on the back of my dress would have been impossible on my own.”As she sipped her tea, her entire body warmed instantly and she began to perspire. I must be more nervous than I thought…Ileana went on. “I greatly admire your vocal talent, Giselle. I also admire your extraordinary beauty. Unfortunately, I’m about to sabotage both of those exceptional attributes.”Alarm pierced through Giselle. She tried to protest but before she could speak a word, her throat burned as if she’d ingested hot coals. She clawed at it while Ileana studied her the way a snake zeroes in on its prey. Giselle tried to extend her hand, but her limbs prickled with pain. In an instant, her skin shriveled dramatically and her knuckles became hideously gnarled.“Poor, unknowing  girl.” Ileana stood over her. “I’m an enchantress of the Dark Arts and I slipped an accursed potion into the tea pot when you weren’t looking.”Giselle opened her mouth to scream, but no sound escaped her lips. With great effort, she crawled to the mirror like an invalid and stared at her reflection. My God! I’m a mute, old woman!Heart stuttering, she managed to pull herself to her feet. She flung open the door and entered the chapel. All heads jerked in her direction. When she locked eyes with Lucian, he stared at her in astonishment yet without an ounce of recognition.All hope evaporated from her body as he thundered, “Is that woman wearing my bride’s dress? Somebody find Giselle!”“The hag must be playing a cruel joke!” a guest accused.“Escort her outside,” Lucian roared to an usher.A burly man took Giselle by the arm and dragged her out the front door. Once he disappeared back into the church, another strong arm grabbed her unexpectedly and thrust her inside an awaiting carriage. Giselle quaked with terror as she stared at the enormous man hovering over her.“I work for Ileana.” He grunted. “She commands that you become her servant woman—until she grows tired of you and decides to turn you back into your normal self.”Giselle made another futile attempt to cry out.The henchman crossed his arms and shook his head. “You won’t be talking, singing, or screaming for a very long time, Miss Swenov. That should make for a quiet ride to Dantel House.”

About the Author:
Although Marina Myles lives under the sunny skies of Arizona, she would reside in a historic manor house in foggy England if she had her way. Her love of books began as soon as she read her first fairy tale, and grew by leaps and bounds when she discovered Nancy Drew/Agatha Christie mysteries and rich, historical romances.
Dreaming of becoming a published author, she wrote her first ‘gothic’ story at age eleven. She went on to study creative writing at Southern Methodist University— where she received degrees in Communications and English Literature. During her time in Dallas, she had the unique experience of being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.
Now with her loyal Maltese close by, she relishes the hours she gets to escape into worlds filled with tortured heroes, strong heroines, and their fiery—but not easily attained—love affairs. She’s busy being a wife (to her Italian-born husband) and a mother (to her two beautiful daughters), but she is never too busy to hear from her amazing readers.
Represented by Louise Fury of The Bent Agency
www.marinamyles.com
http://www.marinamyles.blogspot.com/
www.facebook.com/marinamylesauthor
www.twitter.com/#!/marinaauthor
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7104310.Marina_Myles

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Guest Blog and Giveaway with Kate Baray Author of Lost Library

The Writer in the Book
How much is me? How much is observation? And how much is imagination?
The little details are sometimes a reflection of my personal tastes. A character’s favorite color—Lizzie likes purple flowers. A clothing choice—Harry the healer from book 2 wears marvel character t-shirts. Some of these are my favorites or just things I like. I like Marvel characters, so a character who I like, likes them, too J
But the big details, physical appearance, for example, are typically an amalgamation of people I know, people I’ve observed, and imagination. I might use a friend’s hair color, the nail polish I saw online yesterday, and the clothes I saw on a guy walking down the street earlier.
The piece of the book that is most imagination is the personality profile. The bad guys are bad. And the good guys are good. Maybe the bad guys have some redeeming qualities and maybe the good guys are flawed, but it still comes down to a pretty clear delineation. Why is that? I try to make the good guys into characters who I like. Characters with traits I can respect and find worthy of emulation. And a lot of real people are much more complex than that. They can be admirable in some ways while being less so in others.
A lot of writers do a great job of writing the realities and complexities of real people into their characters. I’m still new J And even when I’m not, when I’m an experienced old hand, I’m not sure I’ll want to write characters that are too realistic. Because, for me, I look to books for a glimpse of something better. What could be. Bring too much reality into the book and that spoils the fun a bit. Of course, too little reality and no one can relate ;) But having a shining image of something good, kind, moral, reasonable—insert yourpreferred adjectives—that is something I hope we can always find in books. Especially in romance!
What characteristics do you like best to see in your heroes and heroines? What characteristics do you like best to see in your villains? Let me and Fang-tastic know!


Lost LibraryKate Baray
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Word count: approx. 71kPages: approx. 275
Book Description:
Author Kate Baray begins her new paranormal romance series with Lost Library, a tale of werewolves, magic, adventure and romance. 
John Braxton arrives unannounced on Lizzie’s doorstep. Little does she know that when she invites him to a drink on the porch, Lizzie opens the door to a secret world of werewolves—oops, they don’t like that name!—Lycan, magic, spelled books, and power hungry evildoers. Caught up in one man’s search for power, Lizzie soon begins to uncover surprising secrets about her own past and powers.
And romance with a serious but sexy Lycan? It might just happen…
About the Author:
Kate Baray is a paranormal romance and urban fantasy writer. She lives and writes in Austin, Texas with the help of her spotty dogs and hound. Kate has worked as an attorney, a manager, a tractor sales person, and a dog trainer. All exciting and interesting jobs, but none so much as writing!
www.katebaray.com
www.facebook.com/katebaray
www.twitter.com/KateBarayAuthor

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Guilty Pleasures Guest blog with Renea Mason

Guilty Pleasures
We all have them.  Those little secrets we'd rather no one know about.  But I'm here to put my cards on the table and give you a top 10 list. 
Renea's Top Ten Guilty Pleasures - no particular order
1.  Old X-Files Episodes - I so wanted to be Scully.
2.  Tomato paste straight from the can.
3.  Trader Joe's Espresso Pillows - AKA orgasm in a can
4.  Cute cat pictures - Grumpy cat is a hoot.
5.  Heart songs from the 70's and 80's.  Ann Wilson is an idol.
6.  Old episodes of Forever Knight - Nick Knight - loved his accent!
7.  Anis Nin - A good piece of erotica is timeless.  
8.  The Twilight Saga - Go ahead and hate, I just can't help myself.
9.  McDonald's Coffee - Better than 'The 'Bucks' in my opinion - 1 cream, 2 Splenda, please.
10. Social media - Twitter, Facebook, you name it!
What are your guilty pleasures?


Symphony of Light and WinterSymphony of LightBook OneRenea Mason
Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance
ISBN: 978-1-940223-10-0Release Date: 06/21/2013
Word Count: 88,375Page Count: 389
Blurb
One woman. Seven men. All bound by one man’s undying devotion.
Fundraiser Linden Hill has a knack for reading people. She always knows which conversations will put a prospect at ease, which drink will loosen a patron’s lips—or his wallet, and how cleavage will make a donor sweeten the deal. She’s even foreseen her dateless weekends four hundred and sixty-four times in a row.
But ten years after watching life drain from her former mentor’s and first love’s eyes, her skills for divining the predictable are lost. When Cyril returns, he’s still gorgeous, but this time he’s beyond human, far less dead, and pissed. His lack of memory drives him to desperate acts, and his turbulent re-acquaintance with Linden pulls her into his war with a creature hell-bent on his destruction. His group of six supernatural men share a tantalizing secret, but despite the hunger, it’s love that leads her to sacrifice everything to save him…      
Amazon       BN          ARe        Kobo

Etopia Press     Bookstrand
About the Author:
Renea Mason writes steamy romances to help even out the estrogen to testosterone imbalance caused by living in a house full of men.
When she isn’t putting pen to paper crafting sensual stories filled with supernatural lovers, she spends time with her beyond-supportive husband, two wonderful sons and three loving but needy cats.
Her debut novel, Symphony of Light and Winter, finished second for Best New Paranormal Series of 2013 in Paranormal Cravings’ Battle of the Books and received a third place award for Best New Paranormal Romance of 2013 in The Paranormal Romance Guild’s Reviewers Choice Awards.
Renea is a member of Romance Writers of America, The Paranormal Romance Guild and The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal subchapter of the Romance Writers of America.
She is also a founding member of Coffee Talk Writers and the Coffee Talk website–a site designed to support established writers and foster new talent.
http://www.ReneaMason.com
http://www.Facebook.com/ReneaMasonAuthor
http://www.Facebook.com/symphonyoflightandwinter
http://www.Pinterest.com/ReneaMason
http://www.goodreads.com/ReneaMason
http://reneamason.tumblr.com/
https://twitter.com/ReneaMason1
http://www.amazon.com/ReneaMason/e/B00DIMOX2S/

April 14 guest post Week long feature Kay Dee’s Place  http://www.kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com
April 15 SpotlightDark Side of Romance http://www.darksideofromance.com
April 16 InterviewDarkest Cravings - Adult Bloghttp://darkestcravings.blogspot.com
April 17 SpotlightBehind Closed Doorshttp://bcdromance.blogspot.com
April 18 SpotlightThe Library Mistresshttp://www.librarymistress.com/
April 21 InterviewEclipse Reviewshttp://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com
April 22 InterviewAuthor Karen Swarthttp://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com/
April 23 InterviewPembroke Sinclair.  www.pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
April 24 InterviewThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
April 25 Spotlight and reviewCorazones Literarios www.corazones-literarios.blogspot.com
April 28 Guest blogFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
April 29 InterviewThe Simple Things in Lifehttps://pwrspot.blogspot.com
April 30 InterviewRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
May 1 SpotlightLisa’s World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
May 2 Spotlight/ExcerptFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
May 5 SpotlightBooklover Sue http://bookloversue.blogspot.com/
May 6 reviewParanormal Romance and Authors That Rock www.pratr.wordpress.com
May 7 SpotlightDeal Sharing Aunthttp://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/
May 9 SpotlightShare My Destinyhttp://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com
May 12 Guest blog and reviewThe La La Land of Books. https://saaratis.wordpress.com/
May 12 SpotlightCover Reveals http://CoverReveals.blogspot.com

Guest blog with Yolanda Sfetsos: Sierra Foz Book Four

Hi, everyone! Firstly, I'd like to thank Roxanne for having me over here today. :)  
I’m here to celebrate the release of the penultimate book in my Sierra Fox UF series. It’s called TORN FROM THE SHADOWS and follows the ongoing adventure of a spook catcher who lives in Sydney, Australia. She’s been through a lot of weird and wonderful stuff since the first book in the series, and that’s a hell of a lot of things to remember. 
When I popped in last time I spoke about the importance of starting up a seriesbibleand keeping it up to date with pics, info, timelines, tidbits, and just about anything/everything that I needed to remember for future reference. I’m constantly getting ideas and lose myself in a variety of different worlds with different rules, so detailed notes are essential. 
I’ve got a Sierra Fox Series Biblethat is pretty much bursting because of everything I’ve added. But if I didn’t have all those pictures, weapons, locations, character details, etc. in one place and easily accessible, I would spend half of my writing time searching for keywords in the actual books. As much fun as that can be—I’ve actually done it several times, so I know it is—it can also be a total pain. And very time consuming.
Luckily, I’m also a note-taker. If I don’t write down my ideas and the snippets that randomly hit me upside the head as soon as they do, I run the risk of losing them. Also, when you’re writing a series the last thing you want is to have it riddled with inconsistencies, so I refer to my trusty Bible many, many times during each stage of the writing process. It always gets me out of a jam. 
Besides, now that the last Sierra Fox book has been written and contracted by my publisher, I definitely need all of this world’s information in one place. You know, just in case I decide to write those pesky spin-offs I’ve written notes about? LOL.
Without notes, I would be in a hell of a lot of trouble! And not just in my writing life. I also keep to-do lists for everyday kind of things. What about you? Are you a list-maker or note-taker? Maybe you’re like me and you’re both. ;)
Thanks for reading,Yolanda

All it takes is one goddess-affiliated demon to seal the deal.  

Sierra Fox, Book 4Sierra Fox knows better than to believe the demon-obsessed freakshow has given up on her. She’s settled into a nice routine of living with her sister, enjoying her relationship with a sexy werewolf, and staying on top of work—and always waiting for the other shoe to drop.Predictably, things start falling apart as she’s suddenly swamped with surprise visits and unwanted advances, and someone she despises wants her help. When a spook-catching training session goes horribly wrong, she encounters a man who’s not quite as dead as she’d hoped. Mace is now more than human and still determined to get his hands on her. But not if Sierra accepts the strengthening gifts her grandmother bestowed at her birth. Having the good guys put a price on her head is enough to ruin anyone’s day, but Sierra refuses to give up or give in. Even if it means exercising the last option on earth she wants. But claiming the ultimate power may not be enough to save the man she loves before his werewolf past destroys him.
Warning: Phantasms, pookas, werewolves, and demons, oh yes! And a spook-catching heroine who must choose to take what’s rightfully hers—even if it means walking the shadows with a demon.
TORN FROM THE SHADOWS is now available from Samhain Publishing.

SIERRA FOX SERIES

AUTHOR BIO:

Wife. Mother. Writer. Bibliophile. Dreamer. Animal lover. Intrigued by the supernatural. Horror freak. Zombie enthusiast. Movie & music fan. Slave to her muse.

Yolanda lives in Sydney, Australia with her awesome husband, lovely daughter, and cheeky cat.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads 

Naming Characters Guest blog and Giveaway with Claire Ashgrove

What makes you think of a character’s name?  Does it come from their personality, or vice versa, or just what came to you that morning? Is it a hard thing to do?
Good morning, readers!  Thanks for letting me stop in today to share my Urban Fantasy release, Before the Storm, with you!
One of the things I had the most difficulty with, when starting Before the Storm, was what in the world to name the heroine who had this weird magical gift.  I pondered and pondered, polled critique partners, came up empty every time.  Then, I asked a friend.  She asked for parameters, and Halle came to be.
But that got me thinking – what is in a character’s name?
With almost everything exceptmy contemporary stories, I put a great deal of thought into the key characters names.  In this case, Halle came from Halle’s Comet (pronunciation Hal-Leigh).  There’s a certain mystery about the comet, a certain magical property, and Halle can control the elements to a degree.  Add in the fact that the person who helped with her name knew another person a long time ago, who had pretty much Halle’s attitude (and was named Halle), and it all fit together. 
If you consider my Templar series, the knights all originate in the 10th or 11th century.  Their names are all historical in the sense that:  They are fashioned in historical fashion (surname originating from place of birth / landed title / profession).  The names themselves are appropriate for the era of their birth.  And they all also have meaning that fits the role the particular knight plays.  An example:  Caradoc of Asterleigh.  There’s no surname there.  Instead, he is “of” a place that existed in the era the character would have been born, but has been lost to time now.  Merrick du Loire – Merrick of Loire (The Loire valley in France).
When it comes to contemporary characters I prefer strong names that are “modern”.  Names people can relate to, without being the current trend that would likely date the manuscript.  I like rather simple, alpha (powerful) sounding male names, and female names that hold a bit of softness – if only around the edges.  Callie, Alyssa, Maddie.  And so forth.
Sometimes a name demands a specific ethnicity or regionalism – my Black Opals series depends heavily on that, and in particular, Russian names. I research not only the names I like, but their translated meaning.  It may never appear in the manuscript, but it helps me identify the character.
What about you?  Do you have strong reactions to a name?  Or does the name really not stand out?  If you’re an author, do you put much thought into the name, or just write what comes to you?
Thanks again for letting me drop in!  I hope you’ll take some time to check out Before the Storm.  It’s currently available at an introductory rate of only .99 cents.  No better time than now to give it a try!
Thanks for having me here today.  
To celebrate Before the Storm’s release, I’m sponsoring  a giveaway of a $15.00 Amazon Gift Certificate, randomly chosen from commenters throughout the tour.  
And I have several opportunities over the next two weeks to win free copies and more gift certificates.  
To see complete tour dates, and the other release-week events, check out the BeforeThe Storm Tour Schedule!

Tag Line: She held no faith in magic.  Now, fate is calling her…
Book Description:
Halle Rhoads has a terrifying gift--she can kill with the fury of the storm.  
She should have known that kind of power wouldn't go unnoticed. Thrust into a world full of dark magic with a handsome stranger who claims he can teach her, she struggles to master her abilities and stumbles onto a dangerous truth. She's a windwalker, the chosen vessel of the ancient dragons who once ruled the world. Many will stop at nothing to possess the power in her blood, should they discover her secret.  With necromancers hunting her and Halle's closest allies guarding secrets, mastering her magic becomes a matter of necessity.    But accepting her destiny is altogether different.  For doing so means she must sacrifice everything.  


Amazon US                 Amazon UK                         Amazon CA
Amazon AU                Barnes and Noble                Print Version
EXCERPT  ----------
Rustling in the trees lifted the fine hairs on the back of my neck. I told myself not to listen, that it was probably a deer or some other woodland creature. Probably seeking the same creek I was looking for.
The sounds grew louder. My pulse jumped several beats. Now I could see branches moving with the lumbering footsteps. Footsteps that were too clunky to belong to a graceful deer. Too heavy to belong to a smaller animal like a squirrel.
Please, please don’t let it be one of those things.
Chills broke over my skin, and my heart felt like it might pound right through my ribs. Instinct demanded I run. And yet, I forced myself to move at an even pace, knowing that bolting ahead blindly would only accomplish getting me further lost.
Damn that Kale. If he hadn’t shown up tonight, I wouldn’t be in this dark, creepy place, stumbling around like a drunk in a carnival house.
Scanning the overhead trees again, I muttered beneath my breath. Where in the hell were the radio tower lights? I had to find them, before whatever was following found me.
A brittle, high-pitched screech broke over the snap and crackle of twigs and dried leaves.
Before my brain logically connected the chilling call with an owl, I was already running hell-bent for leather in the opposite direction, back to where I’d left Kale behind. “Kale! Wait!”
He stepped out from behind a tree, right into my path. I dug my heels in to keep from jamming my nose into his chest. But momentum shoved me forward, denying me any small shred of dignity.
Kale caught me by both elbows, bringing me to a stop even as he drew me closer into his body. Enticing spice, blended with something distinctly outdoorsy filled my nose. His body heat warmed my cheek.
Oh wow. How had I failed to notice he smelled so good? I could fall into him…
None of that, Halle. I jerked upright with a slight cough.
But upright wasn’t far enough. The top of my head fell level with his chin, and as I lifted my eyes, his gaze connected with mine. For the span of one prolonged heartbeat, I looked up at a man who outclassed every male I had ever met. He was bigger than me. Stronger in physical strength, magical ability, and maybe even his will. Nothing I had done all night had intimidated him. Yet there was a softness in his expression, a tenderness I couldn’t quite define that seemed both out of place and wholly natural all at once.
Until a slow smirk took up residence on his gorgeous mouth.
About the Author
Building on a background of fantasy game design, a fascination with history, and a lifetime love of books, award-winning author Claire Ashgrove brings to life action-filled, passionate journeys of the heart. Her paranormal series, The Curse of the Templars, marries the history of the Knights Templar with the chilling aspirations of the most unholy--a must-read for speculative fiction fans. She also writes as the National Bestselling Author Tori St. Claire and historical romance author Sophia Garrett.
In her non-writing time, she’s runs Finish The Story, a full-scale editing house co-founded with Bryan Thomas Schmidt.  She lives in Missouri and enjoys cooking, studying ancient civilizations, and spending downtime with her two sons and too-many horses, cats, and dogs.
Keep in Touch via:
Claire Ashgrove Website    Tori St. Claire Website    Sophia Garrett Website
Untamed Spirit Blog     Twitter    Facebook


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OK I have to read this book simply because the main character shares my last name ;-)~Roxanne

Guest Blog and Giveaway: Complication Chronicles of the Uprising Part 2 by K.A. Salidas

Meet Mira
The great cataclysm wiped almost all life from the face of planet Earth, but tiny pockets of survivors crawled from the ashes, with only one thought: survival, at any cost. But not all survivors were human.
In the dark, militant society that rose in the aftermath, vampires, once thought to be mythical, have been assimilated and enslaved. Used for blood sport their lives are allowed to continue only for the entertainment of the masses. Reviled as savages, they are destined to serve out their immortal lives in the arena, as gladiators.
And there is no greater gladiator than Mira: undefeated, uncompromising...and seemingly unbreakable. Short, dark hair, and a wit as sharp as the sword she chooses as her weapon, this vampire is not one to be trifled with. And knowing it, she regularly test her limits with both her own vampire kind and the humans who “claim” to own her.
After thirty years in an underground prison, only let out of her cell to fight and kill her own kind in the public arena for the amusement of the humans… you might say she’s got a few issues to overcome. But, though she’s been mistreated for the entirety of her life as a vampire, she never let her misfortune dampen her spirit. Honing her skills in the arena, she’s one hell of a fighter, and can endure pains that would put lesser vampires on their knees. Rather than break her spirit, she’s used her torment to fortify it.
In Dissension she found more than just physical strength. Forging a bond with a special human, Lucian, and Elite, her sworn enemy, Mira helped to sow the seeds of war and escaped the bonds of her captivity.
Now, in Complication, Mira’s bond with her human companion is tested yet again. Strength is not enough to overcome the odds this time, and Mira will have to learn the true meaning of honor if she hopes to finally find peace.  


ComplicationChronicles of the UprisingPart 2K.A. Salidas
Release Date: April 14, 2014
Book Description:
Narrowly escaping death at the hands of the Magistrate, Mira travels west, toward the coast. With three weakened human fugitives accompanying her, she searches for the mythical land of Sanctuary.
After encountering a pack of wolf shifters, headed by the charismatic—and brazen—Stryker, Mira learns that Sanctuary is real after all.  Caldera Grove: home of the Otherkin. Hidden in the mouth of a dormant volcano, it has protected its residents from humans since the early days following the great cataclysm. For Mira— a vampire— Caldera Grove is a land of peace; an escape from the relentless persecution of the humans who once enslaved her, and an end to the daily struggle and bloodshed of being a gladiator.
For the humans accompanying her, Caldera Grove means death. Humans, greedy and untrustworthy creatures, are destroyed before they can penetrate its borders.
To plead her case for entry into Caldera, Mira must abandon her companions, albeit temporarily, and follow Stryker into the heart of the city. What she finds within Caldera Grove presents her with an unenviable decision between her own desires for freedom and peace, or honor and the human companions who risked it all for her.
Amazon     Amazon UK      BN       Kobo      Smashwords


About the Author:

Endowed with special powers and abilities, beyond those of mortal women,  I can get the munchkin off to gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and swim lessons.  I can put hot food on the table for dinner while assisting with homework, baths, and bedtime… And, I still find time to keep the hubby happy (nudge nudge wink wink). I can do all of this and still have time to write my novels.
Sorry… I can’t even write that with a straight face.
Lies all lies.
Here’s the reality. I’m a sleep-deprived, overworked, mom who just doesn’t know the meaning of the word balance. I try so hard to do it all, (be super mom, wife, & author) and at the end of the day I fall face forward into the couch.
Yes, you read that right, I tend to sleep on the couch. It’s a point of frustration for my hubby and a thing of comedy for my daughter. Imagine waking up to your little child yelling, “Mom slept on the couch again!!!”
Because being supermom (or trying to) means a lot of time devoted to family, writing is often done when said family is peacefully snoozing away. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve fallen asleep with my laptop, on the couch. It just happens. Then, bright and early at 7am either my hubby (on his way to work) or my daughter (getting ready for school) wakes me up.
Writing is my passion. It’s a part of me. More than just a hobby, it’s a compulsion. I have to do it. If I don’t do at least one writing related thing each day I get cranky.
Hopefully, my passion can be your entertainment!
http://www.katiesalidas.com/
https://www.facebook.com/katiesalidas
http://www.amazon.com/Katie-Salidas/e/B003APXXWO
https://twitter.com/QuixoticKatie
http://www.risingsignbooks.net/





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Revelation Pagan Eyes Book Two by Rayna Noire

TEN PLACES I WANT TO VISIT
The great thing about being a writer is that travel is research. Every place I go I gather information. Here’s ten places I’d go if I had the money.
1. New Orleans- I am interested in the haunted aspect as opposed to Mardi Gras.
2. Easter Island- There is something about the large stone heads looking out into the sea that intrigues me.
3. Scotland- The people and the populace are a favorite of writers. 
4. Australia- There is a different vibe there and koala bears. 
5. New Zealand- Can anyone say Lord of the Rings?
6. The Amazon River & Rainforest- I know I couldn’t explore it all, but I’d enjoy a peek at the diversity that exists there. It would be an indulgence for the science teacher in me.
7. Dominican Republic- My dream is to own a B&B on the coast someday. I’m shopping for location.8. Florida Keys- I am beach and paperback book type of gal too.
9. Las Vegas- Actually, I’d like a return trip since it would be a great place to locate a story.
10. Green Turtle Island- this is a tiny island with cottages on stilts, no television, no phones and no air conditioning. I’d like to check out from everything and experience nature. I bet there’s some great snorkeling in the sparkling clear waters too.
I’d be curious to discover where everyone else wants to go.
RevelationPagan EyesBook TwoRayna Noire
Genre: Paranormal YA
Book Description:
Nora’s impending college graduation is a triumph over the dark incident in her past that changed her life and stopped her best friend’s.  Balancing school, work and her demented admirer at the diner is tough.  All she has is six more months, but it similar to walking a tightrope blindfolded.
Life-like dreams pull her into the 19th century world of Clayton.  A man who declares he’s her soul mate.  Even though, she’s decided against romance, the young witch finds herself drawn to the Irish healer, even hearing his voice in her head.
This would make most people question their sanity. Nora needs to find out if Clayton is real and if she’s crossing over into another world in her sleep. If she is, will she end up stuck in the past? Can magick bring them together?


Smashwords   Amazon  Amazon Kindle
Book Trailer http://youtu.be/zWNT-FbyvvA


He presented the bowl to her, along with a spoon. “Eat.”
Nora dug into the stew thick with potatoes, chunks of meat, and gravy. The taste resonated on her tongue with the right blend of spices. Tonya would have appreciated the dish. She closed her eyes and savored the flavor before swallowing.
“I’d count myself a happy man if I put that expression on your face instead of my rabbit stew,” Clayton murmured the words close by, causing her eyelids to pop open.
Nora didn’t know what to say to what was clearly flirtatious remark. Instead, she ate more stew, even though the thought of rabbit made it harder to choke down the meat.
Clayton intertwined his fingers and gazed down at them as he spoke. “I’ve been warned that a person doesn’t force fate’s hand. I’d be agreeing with that, except, if fate didn’t want you to be here, you wouldn’t be.”
His bit of cracked reasoning had her almost choking on a potato. A hearty back slap sent the errant vegetable airborne. Blinking, she looked into Clayton’s concerned face. The firelight did nothing to negate the strong lines of his face or the lively blue eyes. Handsome he might be, but there was also sincerity, a sense of compassion that she often found lacking in twenty-first-century males. “How did you find me?”
His hand stroked his chin. “Well, I tell ya, it was no simple matter. I am growing older every day. I am nigh on to thirty-three.”
Nora pretended to be horrified. “That old?”
Taking her pretense for real, he nodded his head gravely. “Yes, that old, and there’d been no sign of my soul mate, despite my looking. I dreamt you were in America, but unfortunately the time I was unclear on. I left Ireland in search of you.”
Nora stirred her delicious stew, debating if she could eat any more of it knowing it was composed of creatures she was more used to seeing singing and dancing in children’s movies. “That doesn’t answer my question of how you find me.”
He lifted his eyebrows. “I see you haven’t changed much. Still demanding answers. I did some divination magick. Much to my horror, I found we were in two different centuries, both alone. This I found hard to accept. At night when my loneliness was at its peak, I searched for you across time, calling your name. Did you ever have a sense of me?”
“Well, at first I would say no, but lately yes. Your voice is in my head, making me wonder if I am losing my mind. I noticed it because it sounds like you and not my own internal musings. Why is that?”

Nora placed the forgotten bowl on the log. Clayton picked it up and stirred the stew before taking a bite that he obviously relished before finishing the rest in four rapid bites. He went back to the pot to dip up more food.
Noticing her attention on the bowl, he explained, “I have only one bowl. I know I should have bartered for another, but I wasn’t too sure if I could bring you across. Even now you are here only on the strength of my will and need.” He dug his spoon back into his bowl.
The idea that he could just snatch her out of time should have frightened her. Instead, it mesmerized her with possibilities. “Could I just pull Napoleon or Ben Franklin out of time if I chose?”



About the Author:
Rayna Noire is an author and a historian. The desire to uncover the truth behind the original fear of witches led her to the surprising discovery that people believed in magick in some form up to 150 years ago. A world that believed the impossible could happen and often did must have been amazing. With this in mind, Ms. Noire taps into this dimension, shapes it into stories about a Pagan family who really isn’t that different from most people. They do go on the occasional time travel adventures and magick happens.
Twitter  www.twitter.com/raynanoire
Website  www.raynanoire.weebly.com
Facebook  www.facebook.com/AuthorRaynaNoire


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