Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 448

The Weather Child in her Natural Element By Philippa Ballantine

They call it the Windy City. It’s not Chicago, it’s much closer to the Antarctica than you think, and when it blows hard there you feel it right to the bone.
I guess the beginning of Weather Child was an image I saw of Wellington in the 1960s. It was a windy day (hardly unusual) but on this street, they had installed posts about waist high, with rope strung between them. This woman, laden with grocery bags was hanging onto this rope with all of her might, trying desperately to walk up the hill.
It was a perfect depiction of just how powerful those winds from the south can be, and immediately my imagination was going. What if a person could control that? What would it make them? What would it do to them?
As always with authors it is the ‘what ifs’ that are most exciting.
I was also excited to be writing about my homeland. I was born, raised, and lived most of my life in Wellington, New Zealand. It was only three years ago I moved to Virginia for love, but it will forever be part of me. It is the place my husband, and fellow writer, Tee Morris and I will be retiring to.
I wanted to show other people how wonderful, beautiful and yes…sometimes terrifying it can be there.
Wellington is at the bottom of the North Island of New Zealand. It is a harbour town with lots of hills. In fact the only flat land has been reclaimed from the sea, or is in the valley with the Hutt river running through it. They have a saying for Wellington, ‘you can’t beat it on a good day—or even a bad day.’ The weather is changeable, but on a glorious day there is nothing like it. A large number of people work for the government since it is the capital, and they also have given up on umbrellas, since the wind shreds them in an instant. On a good blowing day you will see the remains stuffed into trashcans on every street. It is like the city it most resembles, San Francisco, prone to earthquakes, which the people cope with as best they can.
It is also a very green city. The early settlers of the city laid out a town belt of bushland around the city, that has a convent on it to prevent any sale or development.
I wanted to capture some of that beauty, but also some of the history that Wellingtonians—let alone foreign readers—might not know about. I spent a lot of time pouring over old photographs, which might possibly be my most favourite method of research. I set my heroine, Faith’s father’s pub as a very often photographed popular pub in Wellington. It is long gone, but it had these amazing—and slightly creepy—carved wooden heads all along its roofline. Sometimes as an author you find things in history that you almost couldn’t imagine. I was also able to include the one street that comprised Wellington’s Chinatown, and delved into some of the very real racial tensions in that area.
The area where Faith’s mother lives, is just north of Wellington, and is actually based on the area my grandmother came from. The hills there are pretty close to mountains, but in ‘the backblocks’ as New Zealanders would say, plenty of farmers carved out their lives. I was able to write this bit from experience, after a trip up into the hills. I remember it was quite a drive, at quite an angle. Luckily Faith and her family all ride horses because in a car, even in a four-wheel drive, it was rather treacherous.
Yet, as a writer everything is fodder for the imagination, and I certainly hope those that read Weather Child will enjoy traveling back with me to a New Zealand that is wrapped in history and my own imagination.
Just I hope no one expects to see many magicians there…we like to keep that bit hush hush.
Weather ChildThe Awakened EpochBook OnePhilippa Ballantine

Genre: Historical Fantasy
Publisher: Imagine That! StudiosDate of Publication:  1st March 2014
ISBN: 978-0615953489ASIN:
Word Count: 105,000
Cover Artist: Alex White
Book Description:
Never alone. Never apart.
They are the Awakened, a unique breed of people in a remote corner of the world. Faith is one of these gifted carriers of the Seraphim; and in return of her unconditional love, her Seraphim grants her powers of incredible potential.
But not all carriers embrace their blessing.
Jack loathes being an Awakened. He never asked for it, his Seraphim keeping him alive even in spite of his desire to die. Not even a great war could rid him of this curse.
Now a magician of incredible ability and a walking dead man must find a way to work together to save the Seraphim. Someone covets the power of the Awakened, and will not stop until that power belongs to him.
About the Author:
New Zealand born fantasy writer and podcaster Philippa (Pip) Ballantine is the author of the Books of the Order and the Shifted World series. She is also the co-author with her husband Tee Morris of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences novels. Her awards include an Airship, a Parsec, the Steampunk Chronicle Reader’s Choice, and a Sir Julius Vogel. She currently resides in Manassas, Virginia with her husband, daughter, and a furry clowder of cats.
Twitter: @PhilippaJane
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pjballantine
Website: http://www.pjballantine.com/
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Heart To Heart To Books 
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Cover Reveal Thereafter: Afterlife Book 2 by Terri Bruce

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ThereafterAfterlifeBook 2Terri Bruce
Genre: Contemporary fantasy/paranormal
Publisher: Mictlan Press
Date of Publication: May 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-9913036-2-5 (print) /ISBN: 978-0-9913036-3-2 (ebook)
Number of pages: 318Word Count: 99,000
Cover Artist: Artwork by Shelby Robinson;cover layout by Jennifer Stolzer
Book Description:
When recently-deceased Irene Dunphy decided to “follow the light,” she thought she’d end up in Heaven or Hell and her journey would be over.
Boy, was she wrong.
She soon finds that “the other side” isn’t a final destination but a kind of purgatory where billions of spirits are stuck, with no way to move forward or back. Even worse, deranged phantoms known as “Hungry Ghosts” stalk the dead, intent on destroying them. The only way out is for Irene to forget her life on earth—including the boy who risked everything to help her cross over—which she’s not about to do.
As Irene desperately searches for an alternative, help unexpectedly comes in the unlikeliest of forms: a twelfth-century Spanish knight and a nineteenth-century American cowboy. Even more surprising, one offers a chance for redemption; the other, love. Unfortunately, she won’t be able to have either if she can’t find a way to escape the hellish limbo where they’re all trapped.

About the Author:
Terri Bruce has been making up adventure stories for as long as she can remember. Like Anne Shirley, she prefers to make people cry rather than laugh, but is happy if she can do either. She produces fantasy and adventure stories from a haunted house in New England where she lives with her husband and three cats.
Website/Blog: http://www.terribruce.net
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@_TerriBruce
Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/terribruce




Goodreads Profile: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6450132.Terri_Bruce
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Terri-Bruce-Fan-Page/325830544139030

The S.E.R.A. Files Volume 2 by C.T. Green

 Feb 24 InterviewFantasy Book Addicthttp://www.fantasybookaddict.com/
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The S.E.R.A. FilesVolume 2C.T. Green
Genre: PNR
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Number of pages: Approx. 105Word Count: approx. 30, 400
Cover Artist: Cass Green


Amazon
Book Description:
SATISFYING SIMON
Will satisfaction be guaranteed?
For Serena Roberts, getting to know her new SERA partner is an uphill task. Simon’s distant and ‘by the book’ demeanor is at odds with his playboy past. Serena believes she’ll never find out the real story behind the torture Simon endured at the hands of a demon nor discover a way past the Fae warrior’s ice-cold reserve.
Simon doesn’t mind his reputation for being hard to please, but when he meets Serena he finds there is something he cares about more than keeping his distance from others. As they hunt for a kidnapper can he trust Serena enough to leave them both satisfied?
PROTECTING PENELOPE
Angels and demons don’t mix. Prepare for an apocalypse.
Adar works as a special operative for SERA. He’s a demon who loves the thrill of close calls and blood-pounding action. But no way in hell is he ready to do protection detail for an angel. After all, everyone knows those guys are short tempered and deadly.
Penelope, a messenger angel, is minding her own business when she witnesses a crime. Now she’s under the care of a big, strong SERA agent and she’s determined to go for his heart. When the bad guys catch up with them and Adar is forced to unleash his inner demon, will the angel he’s fallen in love with still want him?
CATCHING FLAME
A fire prince always knows how to light a girl’s fire.
Saskia “Sass” Boots has been watching Flame, and he’s every bit as absorbing as his namesake. But as an agent with SERA, she’s determined to keep her mind on the job and off the fire prince’s smokin’ hot body. A pyromaniac’s on the loose and Flame is SERA’s top suspect.
When Sass announces she’s moving in with him, Flame knows it’s going to be hard to resist the girl of his dreams while chasing a murderer. There’s no way Flame is going to let some creep kill innocent people, but when things become heated, the scorching chemistry between him and Sass might prove a fatal distraction.
TOUCHING TORREN
SERA Agent. Werewolf. Guard Dog. No one said anything about ‘walkies’.After Sophy Bancroft is blinded by a spell, Torren is determined to protect the human from a killer still at large. But for a werewolf, playing at being a guard dog is tough work. He hates deceiving the woman he’s fallen in love with, but until Sophy’s sight returns there’s no other way to ensure her safety.
Sophy’s delighted to regain her vision. When she discovers her beloved canine companion is a seriously gorgeous werewolf will she be able to trust him not to shed on the furniture, and more importantly, save her from the creature determined to end her life?
AFTER OBLIVION
Not even Hell itself is going to keep these lovers apart.
Mia Haviland and Avenian of the Fae mourned the loss of Oblivion, the demon prince who bound the three of them together. Now their lover is back and determined to re-take his place in Mia and Aven’s life.
Oblivion endured two years in Hell, imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic killer who escaped SERA’s justice. Now he wants his beloved Fairy and Fae back by his side and his captor’s head on a platter. Can he destroy his nemesis and convince Aven and Mia that neither Hell nor high water will ever keep him from them again?


About the Author:
Before becoming a writer C.T. Green worked in advertising for ten years. She also completed a Bachelor of Arts with majors in communication and literature. 
C.T. Green now lives in regional Australia with her husband, children and extensive collection of animals - amongst which are the world's bossiest goldfish. 
In between writing, i.e. arguing with her characters and occasionally posting to her blog, she reads, drinks vanilla coffee, kid wrangles, enters writing contests and avoids the goldfish.
http://www.ctgreen-author.com/
http://www.ctgreen-author.com/blog.html
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Opening Lines: An Unholy Alliance by Deb Sanders

Is it possible to love a book from the opening line?
You bet. A good “hook” will make or break a story. That’s not to say every novel topping the NY Times Best Seller list attracted readers in the first paragraph but I think it’s what we all aspire to achieve.
I love my opening line in “An Unholy Alliance” and I hope readers feel the same.
The stench of decaying flesh filled the air like day-old road kill on a hot August night.
It packs a punch. That being said, let’s look at some memorable opening lines from published works.
Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. - Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita

This is the saddest story I have ever heard. - Ford Madox Ford, The Good Soldier

We started dying before the snow, and like the snow, we continued to fall. - Louise Erdrich, Tracks

Ice hung from windowsills with a glitter that rivaled glass, and new snow turned the sooty streets to rivers of milk. – Eloisa James, An Affair Before Christmas
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. - Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.Charles Dickens,  A Tale of Two Cities
And one of my personal favorites:
Summer, that vicious green bitch, flexed her sweaty muscles and flattened Innocence, Mississippi. ­– Nora Roberts, Carnal Innocence
Why not share one of your favorite openers in the comments below?


An Unholy Alliance       Deb Sanders
Genre: Paranormal Thriller with Romantic elements
ASIN: B00I1THOII
Word Count: 40,000
Cover Artist: Deb Sanders                  
Amazon
Book Description:
What would you do if the future of mankind depended on whether you lived or died?
Reyna Blair has learned two things from life – she can tolerate a lot of pain and wounds aren’t always visible. After a stint in the army, she’s ready to drop off the grid and heal. A job as Peace Officer in the small community of Purgatory, Texas sounds like the perfect solution – until the town is rocked by a gruesome murder.
When sexy Texas Ranger, Ty Carter, steps in to help with the investigation, Reyna is both thrilled and annoyed. He’s nice to look at and a definite boost to her sagging ego, but his aggressive ambition might push her right out of a job. To make matters worse, she’s being stalked by a mysterious stranger with a sword that can burst into flames on command.
Reyna’s problems are only beginning. The stranger is an angel of God . . . an Enforcer . . . sent to eliminate a Nephilim woman prophesized as giving birth to the Antichrist. Realizing she’s the target, Reyna must flee or be killed. Along the way, she discovers dark secrets which alter her world forever, challenge her faith, and force a choice between life and death.
*** This story uses a biblical theme but includes scenes with graphic violence and strong language.


About the Author:
I’m an adventurer – more by destiny than design. I’ve explored the back roads and highways of 35 states, resided in eight, and traveled through parts of Mexico, Canada and the Bahamas. My journeys have provided interesting tidbits which I’ve managed to weave into scenes for some of my books. 
When I’m not in front of my computer, you might find me perched atop a rock at the back of a box canyon, crouched low in the middle of a dry creek bed with camera aimed at a majestic Elk, or perhaps hanging onto a skiff after a whale has breached next to me.  At other times, I’ll be Geocaching with grandsons or attempting a new project inspired by something I’ve discovered on Pinterest.
Not all wanderers are lost. Some of us prefer to throw away the map and meander through life on the road less traveled.
I physically reside in North Carolina with my husband, Golden Retriever and two rescue cats. My soul resides in Arizona.
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/debsanders01
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DebSanders01     
Website:    http://debsanders.com
Pinterest:   http://www.pinterest.com/dsandersauthor/

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The Blackthorn Series by Lindsay J. Pryor

The Blackthorn Series by Lindsay J. Pryor
Blackthorn began as a concept over 16 years ago – of the ‘third species’ (vampires, lycans and so on) outing themselves to the human population and what the effect of this would be. I came from the angle that, as a collective, self-preservation and survival is top of the human agenda. Far from being accepted, the third species had to prove they could be trusted. A whispered prophecy of vampires one day taking control only added to human paranoia.
The third species were therefore treated as a threat. A whole new social, political and geographical system was set up globally. Now the third species are trapped in impoverished and overpopulated district cores, ruled by the iron-fist of human control. The truth or fallacy of the prophecy is yet to be confirmed, only that the uprising of a vampire leader could happen at any time.
The questions I was left with were how, and if, the third species will find the equality and regained-freedom they seek, whether there will be an implosion along the way, and just how catastrophic that could be for the third species and humans alike.
I’m a romance writer at heart, so it became inevitable that love stories were going to become integral to the series. Blackthorn is about four couples whose forbidden romances become the catalyst for change – love stories about dangerously dark heroes and the heroines strong enough to stand eye-to-eye with them. Daring to cross boundaries that are there for a reason, these couples’ relationships breach conventions, break the rules and, for better or for worse, manipulate the fated outcome of the world in which they live.
If a small group of individuals truly can make a difference, these couples are the ones to prove it.
Links for Blood Shadows (book 1 in series)http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Shadows-Blackthorn-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00AAMO252
http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781909490000
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/blood-shadows-1
Praise for the Blackthorn series
“I am officially addicted to this series. Why, you ask? Because Lindsay Pryor is my kind of fearless author. She isn’t afraid to “go there”, to create characters and situations that challenge me as a reader.” Janice, reviewer at The Demon Librarian “It pulls no punches, its heroes are on the edge, and its sex scenes are off the charts.” The Demon Librarian“Lindsay J. Pryor…writes paranormal romance mixed with urban fantasy the way I like it – clever world-building, intense characters and no easy options for them to take.” Nocturnal Book Reviews“Not only are Pryor’s characters and fathomlessly dark love stories fabulous, but her continual world building of Blackthorn blows me away.” GraveTells“If you’re looking for a new PNR series that has a dark world and complicated characters, then you’ll want to grab a copy of this.” ~ Fiction Vixen“I cannot say how much I love this author. She is creating a world which sucks you in, which makes you want to know more about Blackthorn and its inhabitants.” ~ I Heart Books
“I absolutely adore the world she’s put into place here. Everything is so well formed with its own history and culture that it really feels like I’m living in Blackthorn whenever I’m reading. I love the story, and I love the characters, and I really love the world they’re living in…five stars aren’t nearly enough to even begin to cover it.”  Marked by Books

Interview with Carmen Stefanescu

Shadows of the Past
Carmen Stefabescu

Publisher: Wild Child Publishing

Genre: paranormal/light romance/light horror.
                      
Amazon

Anne's relationship with her boyfriend Neil has disintegrated. After a two-year separation, they pack for a week vacation in hopes of reconciling. But fate has other plans for them. 

The discovery of a bejeweled cross and ancient human bones opens a door to a new and frightening world--one where the ghost of a medieval nun named Genevieve will not let Anne rest. This new world threatens not only to ruin Anne and Neil's vacation but to end all hopes of reconciliation as Anne feels compelled to help free Genevieve's soul from its torment. 

Can Anne save her relationship and help Genevieve find her eternal rest? 
The twists and turns in this paranormal tale keep the reader guessing up to the end and weave themselves together into a quest to rekindle love. 


Welcome, Carmen. Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
My name is Carmen Stefanescu. I am a teacher of English and German, and lately an author. I was born and live in Romania, the native country of the infamous vampire Count Dracula, but where, for about 50 years of communist dictatorship, just speaking about God, faith, reincarnation or paranormal phenomena could have led someone to great trouble - the psychiatric hospital if not to prison. I survived the grim years of oppression, by escaping in a parallel world, that of the books.             I have dreamed all my life to become a writer, but many of the things I wrote during those years remained just drawer projects. The fall of the Ceausescu’s regime in 1989 and the opening of the country to the world meant a new beginning for me. I started publishing. Poetry at first and now prose, novels.             I am married, my husband is a teacher too; we have two grown-up daughters, a grandson and several cats.
What is it about the paranormal that fascinates you so much?
Well, I've always been fond of reading and watching everything linked to paranormal phenomena: books, documentaries, feature movies, (Ghost with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze being my favorite). I am fascinated by and believe in reincarnation, past lives, ghosts and I think that when our soul leaves the body it's not lost in the Universe. Could it only  be my fear of the eternity of death? I don't know. There must be something more beyond this existence here.So, naturally, I’m fond of paranormal stories. Both reading and writing them. Not  so much vampires, but ghosts, reincarnation, karmic retribution. I believe that our soul is immortal. I do believe in ghosts. I consider them to be wandering spirits who can find no eternal rest, the same as Genevieve couldn't, because they haven’t fulfilled their mission during their existence in flesh and blood on earth.              The mystery genre appeals to me, too, and I’ve just finished  a paranormal novel with elements ofmystery.
What inspired you to write this book?
I came upon a small article in a Romanian newspaper, some years ago, about a haunted mountain in England. The souls of two sinners, a nun and a priest who broke their vows and eloped, can’t find their rest. The tourists visiting that area sometimes hear agonizing moans during the night. That was all. The moment I put down the newspaper I felt that I had to write about them. This is how The Ballad of the Priest and the Nuncame to life, first. Later, I felt it was not enough. I felt Genevieve’s story must be presented in detail. As if the nun herself pleaded with me to tell the world about her fate. And thus I wrote Shadows of the Past.


Please tell us about your latest release.
            "Shadows of the Past"is, according to most reviewers, a truly gripping story about loss and grief, mysteries that go back to Medieval Times and dark powers that push people to commit unspeakable crimes. A story about  boundless love and the power of good magic, a haunting paranormal romance that spans the ages..            Can Anne save her damaged relationship with her fiancée Neil and, at the same time, help Genevieve her eternal rest?            It has reached 18 Amazon 5 star reviews, 17 Amazon 4 star reviews.

Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
I liked writing the whole story, but as you ask this, I think that writing about Genevieve was my favorite part. I have an attraction for tragically evolving characters. I remember waking up in the morning with new ideas buzzing in my mind regarding this heart-rending character.

Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book?
 Two of my characters are Wicca and I did a thorough research regarding Wicca beliefs, traditions, meaning. I learned a lot of interesting, thought provoking things about Wiccan people. An interesting thing anyway, be it fate or not, the submission editor at Wild Child Publishing, the one who accepted my manuscript was a Wiccan. And now, among the friendly ladies who read my novel and even hosted me on a tour is another one. I strongly believe in the freedom of other people's beliefs and as long as they harm no one, I respect them. "An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will" as the Wicca will say.

Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?
Many of my female characters have something from me. They impersonate my feelings, thoughts. Sometimes actions. It depends.
Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals?            I like to have everything handy: paper, pencils, markers, ballpoint pens. And some background, low playing music, either classical or pop.            My first drafts are longhand. Only after I finish the manuscript I transfer everything on my PC. I find it easier to make notes on the back of the sheet of paper regarding characters, inclusions, changes
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
             Drinking endless cups of coffee,  and playing computer games – role play games and strategy games.
What can readers expect next from you?
               I already signed the contract with the same publisher, Wild Child Publishing, USA, for my next novel, a paranormal historical. Dracula’s Mistress;  obvious Dracula as I’m  a native of his country, Romania. However this version goes against the grain. You’ll have to read it to find out more.            A third novel is in the beta readers stage. A paranormal mystery.
Where can readers find you on the web?
            Author, Carmen Stefanescu's  Site:
 http://shadowspastmystery.blogspot.ro/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carmen-Stefanescu-Books/499245716760283
Twitter      @Carmen_Books
http://www.pinterest.com/carmens007/carmens-writing/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6624397.Carmen_Stefanescu
https://plus.google.com/117216040843648957646/posts
http://www.amazon.com/Carmen-Stefanescu/e/B00APVDGAA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
            Gladly!  My pleasure.

                                      * * * *                            Tears welled in Anne's eyes, blurring her vision. She couldn’t explain them, or the sudden sadness seeping into her heart. This should’ve been a moment of happiness or, at least, contentment. She was with Neil again, and the outcome of their trip together should, very likely, bring their reconciliation. Why then did she seem detached from where she stood? Anne shivered. Why the deep feeling of having seen this place, this forest before? And why the eerie sensation of being present here only in the body, while her mind was far away? Away from the forest.  Away from Neil, the man who'd betrayed her trust and her love.            An onrush of sensations unfamiliar to her followed. Dizziness and a malevolent feeling of unreality suffocated her.Anne edged cautiously closer to the rim of the bare cliff. Her foot tapped the edge. It seemed solid. She stared into the darkness of the abyss at her feet. It echoed the shadows in her heart.  An unusual curiosity took hold of her. Should she step ahead? What was down there? Other human bones? Another mystery? The presence of evil, creeping up and enveloping her, became almost palpable. The vines of fog folded around her, dragging her to the depth. Her throat turned dry, and she gasped for air.
Megan's face contorted, the voice no longer pleasant. A hoarse gurgle, spluttering distorted words, "Yes, come... I'm waiting... I've been waiting for you for such a long time..."                        * * * * Thank you for hosting me today! It was a real pleasure. And for your followers and readers a last piece of advice: Get quickly Shadows of the Past and read it! Otherwise, you don't know what you are missing! Ha-ha-ha!

Spotlight Excerpt and Giveaway Perfect Opposite by Zoya Tessi

Perfect OppositeZoya Tessi
Genre: YA/NA contemporary romance
ASIN: B00HNF3ZV6
Number of pages: 260Word Count: 91000
Cover Artist: Deranged Doctor Design
Amazon
Book Description:
Their wishes were simple and modest. Fate had other things in store though, and she can be a real bitch sometimes.
- All he wanted was to get the job done and somehow to endure those long months playing nanny to a spoiled little rich girl. Without strangling her with his bare hands in the process. Well, it is going to be much easier said than done.
- All she wanted was to escape the past and live like any other nineteen-year-old girl. Her plan definitely didn’t include the arrogant, tattooed savage, with his awful mohawk hair and lack of social graces, whose only mission was to stick real close and mess up her life.
But, people aren't always what they seem to be, are they?
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/c9Z-IaHRRhg


Excerpt from Chapter 4
I was pretty far gone after four hits of tequila in just one hour. Paolo was telling some story about a casting for Armani and though I couldn’t make much of it out, I laughed myself silly all the same. Meanwhile, I was distracted by the effort it took to give Alex the cold shoulder. He stayed real quiet but stuck to me like glue all the while. It’s no small thing to ignore a frowning mountain of a man when he casts a constant shadow over you. Not to mention the fact that he was giving off real negative vibes and studying every guy who even passed close to me.
I glanced at him covertly a few times and couldn’t help but wonder what he would have been doing that night if he didn’t have to play nanny to me. Out somewhere else with his girlfriend? Did he even have a girlfriend? If he did, I sure felt sorry for the poor thing, having to put up with him.
The more I thought about it though, the more likely it seemed that his bad side was reserved exclusively for me. He and Beth got along fine. He never snapped at her or acted rude. I’d even seen them chatting in the mornings, shooting the breeze over the papers. So, the problem was me.
Well, I hate you too, dickhead!
I drained another shot glass and leaned in towards him, the scent of his cologne seeming to act like a drug on my already altered state of mind. Closing my eyes, I did my best to imagine him as the male lead in some romantic comedy, but even soaked in alcohol, my brain couldn’t make the leap. With his sharp features, slightly crooked nose and ever present dark scowl, he could only play an arch villain.
Alex couldn’t be described as a classically handsome guy, not according to the guidelines most people measure by. He had something else, a quality that’s often mentioned but never defined well... some mysterious energy, a magnetism to set the better judgment of women off balance. The truth was - he was stunning. In the same way a huge feline predator was stunning.
Every girl who passed us that night took a double take at Alex and then stared at him as if he were a perfect thanksgiving dinner. You could almost sense their mouths watering. I didn’t blame them, to be honest. His body was perfect for a life-drawing workshop, or an anatomy class. Added to this there was the heady mix of don’t-mess-with-me attitude and all those signals that screamed of danger. Then there was a certain distance to Alex, something that put him just out of reach. So there you had it - a cocktail to knock any unsuspecting girl off her feet. Luckily for me, I’d met his kind before and, as the saying goes, it’s ‘once bitten, twice shy’. Which didn’t mean I couldn’t rattle his cage just a little.



About the Author:
A teenager in an adult’s body. A rebel in the guise of an ordinary citizen. A lady with very unladylike language. A dreamer with a rational mind. A woman born into the wrong era, she still believes that chivalry’s a feat to define the perfect man.
Zoya spent years doing volunteering work all across Europe, from cleaning school basements in Northern Russia to excavating Stone Age artifacts in Euskadi (the Basque country) and renovating castles from the middle ages in Southern France. She always dreamed of working with ‘Doctors without borders’ somewhere out in Africa, but ended up doing an ‘ordinary job’.
Her greatest passion is devouring each and every book that comes within her reach.
Goodreads Zoya: www.goodreads/zoyatessi
Goodreads Perfect Opposite: http://tinyurl.com/goodrpo
Facebook Zoya: http://www.facebook.com/zoya.tessi
Facebook Perfect Opposite: http://www.facebook.com/perfect.opposite
Author Blog: http://zoyatessi.wordpress.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZoyaTessi   @zoyatessi
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What makes a hero UNFORGETTABLE? Guest Blog with Renee Vincent

What makes a hero UNFORGETTABLE?
I’d first like to thank Fang_tastic Books for allowing me to visit with them. I’m super excited to meet fellow book lovers from this site and I hope you’ll enjoy my post pertaining to romance. If you like strong, sexy, irresistible, and yes, you guessed it—UNFORGETTABLE HEROES—then you’ve come to the right place today.
So, what makes a hero unforgettable? I’ve come up with five vital traits an unforgettable hero must have. See if you agree with me:
·        An UNFORGETTABLE HERO must be an Alpha Male. We all love a man who's a leader, plays a significant role in our lives, and is never afraid to take chances. He must be assertive, yet able to yield when situations call for a compromise. He needs to be dominant, yet sensitive to our needs. And he must be courageous while always doing what's morally right.·        An UNFORGETTABLE HERO must be a great lover. Let's face it, who wants a man who doesn't know how to knock our socks off with a first kiss, or shake the ground beneath us with his skilled love-making. As women, we long to have intimate encounters that are not awkward or immature. We want a competent man who knows what he's doing in the bedroom, is very eager to please, and is more interested in our satisfaction than his own. Which brings me to my next necessary trait...
·        An UNFORGETTABLE HERO must be selfless. He needs to be able to recognize that not everyone is as physically strong, emotionally stable, or as generally fortunate as he is. He must be willing to give of himself. To sacrifice his time, talent, and/or his own pursuit of happiness for the benefit of others.
·     An UNFORGETTABLE HERO must be able to admit when he's wrong. Traditionally, an Alpha Male believes what he does is always right, else he wouldn't have made that choice to begin with. But given he is only human, he is also prone to mistakes like everyone else. He needs to be able to concede that sometimes he's not above making a wrong decision. On the flip side, he must also be able to forgive those who've done wrong and help them on the path of righteousness.
·     And most importantly, an UNFORGETTABLE HERO must love with all his heart. Now that doesn't mean initially he can't fight or resist love. Sometimes, that's what makes the hero interesting. Perhaps he resists because he doesn't feel his lifestyle can accommodate the presence of a female and her needs. Maybe he and the heroine come from different worlds and have nothing in common. Or simply put, maybe his heart has been broken so many times before, that the thought of falling in love again might damn near kill him. No matter what his excuse is for opposing intimacy and commitment, in the end he can't help but love her with every breath he takes.
Meet our Eight UNFORGETTABLE HEROES
Award-winning and bestselling authors from Turquoise Morning Press share their favorite contemporary romance heroes – all boxed up for you in one sexy and irresistible package!
From a sexy carpenter to magnetic CEO, a rough-and-ready cowboy to a “homeless man,” a classic car buff, a starving artist, a Latin-style dancer, and an FBI agent – each unique hero has his own story to tell, and a heroine who just can’t forget him. Ever.
With an introductory promotional price of only 99¢,how can you resist this unforgettable boxed set, either?
Release date:  January 30, 2014
Publisher: Turquoise Morning PressISBN: 978-1-62237-258-4Format: Ebook onlyAvailable at:  Amazon | B&N | Kobo | All Romance Ebooks | Smashwords | Bookstrand
Promotional Price: $0.99

Retail Price: $4.99 (April, 2014)

Interview-Roxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
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Mila Ramoswww.jademystique.blogspot.com
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 Cover Reveals 
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UNFORGETTABLE HEROESEight Contemporary Romance Novels
Several of Turquoise Morning Press’ award-winning and bestselling authors share their favorite contemporary romance heroes – all boxed up for you in one sexy and irresistible package!
From a sexy carpenter to magnetic CEO, a rough-and-ready cowboy to a “homeless man,” a classic car buff, a starving artist, a Latin-style dancer, and an FBI agent – each unique hero has his own story to tell, and a heroine who just can’t forget him. Ever.
With an introductory promotional price of only 99¢, how can you resist this unforgettable boxed set, either?

Release date:  January 30, 2014
Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press
ISBN: 978-1-62237-258-4
Promotional Price: $0.99
Retail Price: $4.99 (April, 2014)

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | All Romance Ebooks | 

Smashwords | Bookstrand  Itunes

WILL WORK FOR LOVE
by Amie Denman, EPIC Award and Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence finalist.
Hurricane Destiny leaves a trail of destruction across the island of St. Thomas, jeopardizing the wedding of Whitney Oliver’s best friend. When Whitney arrives on the island, she finds a disaster only a sexy carpenter like Chris Maxwell can repair. Despite the sizzle between them, Chris has secrets that threaten his construction business and force him to work for Whitney’s love.
THIS MAGIC MOMENT
by Bobbye Terry, award winning author of contemporary, historical and fantasy romance.
Zack Graham, CEO of Scrumbles Snack Cakes, is energetic, magnetic and forget it—no women for him, except to relieve an occasional sexual itch. He’s a workaholic who refuses to let a woman make a fool out of him again. But what about Crandall Drake, the CEO of Pretzelicious Pretzels? He tells himself all he wants is sex. His heart tells him it wants more.
HER HIRED MAN
by Cat Shaffer, Golden Heart finalist and award-winning journalist.
Hot nights, a double sleeping bag and a stranger for a husband…how much can one city girl take? Lillian Osborne needs a husband for a weekend. Wesley Hatfield needs money to customize his beloved classic car before Detroit’s biggest auto show. The perfect agreement turns out to be anything but when their accommodations turn out not to be what Lillian had expected.
SINS OF THE FATHER
by Janet Eaves, Amazon bestselling author of the Ladies of Legend contemporary romance series.
Just like the Princess in the classic tale Sleeping Beauty, Aurora’s life doesn’t really begin until her heart is awakened by a handsome struggling artist. But with her life in danger, Aurora must hide who she really is. Unbeknownst to her, her struggling artist isn’t who he appears to be either.... Friend, lover, or foe?
HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO
by Jennifer Johnson who writes comedic romances so entertaining even guys read them. Author of the TMP top-selling Rescuing Riley.
Abigail Benton is a bum magnet, according to her dad, so when she becomes attracted to Eli, a homeless man at the community center where she works, she wonders if what her dad says is true. But when Eli saves her life, Abigail decides she is going to return the favor and save his life by turning it around. Trouble is, Eli isn’t on board with her plan.
RAWHIDE AND ROSES
by Maddie James, Amazon bestselling author of contemporary and western romance.
She’s roses, he’s rough-and-ready rawhide. Kim Martin is hardly equipped for a Colorado camping trip, especially when her mountain guide is a rough-edged cowboy who is as untamed as the wilderness. Thad Winchester’s patience for city women is wearing as thin as the seat of his jeans. But there is something about Kim that puts his hard-and-fast don’t-touch rule to the test.
LONG DISTANCE LOVE by Margaret Ethridge, contemporary romance fan favorite and TMP top-selling author of Commitment.
Sometimes the distance between two hearts can be measured in frequent flier miles. Love may be a many splendored thing, but it’s rarely convenient. Can FBI Agent Jack Rudolph and fiercely independent Ellie Nichols find a way to make a long distance relationship work?
SILENT PARTNER
by Renee Vincent, award winning author of historical and contemporary romance.
Grayson Anders is a talented Latin-style dancer and wealthy co-owner of a happening nightclub. Chloe LaRoche is a talented artist, but failing entrepreneur with her once thriving studio now on the brink of foreclosure. When the two indulge in a passionate, out-of-control, one night stand, they awaken the next morning consumed with inspiration. Grayson finds his perfect dance partner while Chloe finally finds her muse. Will her secret destroy both their dreams?
About the Author Renee Vincent:

I'm an author, a dreamer, a horse owner, and a medieval history buff. I'm a fun-loving, mildly eccentric, free-spirited kind of girl with a passion for books. From an early age, I've always had scenes playing out in my head. Whether it was a story with a moral or a tale with a twist, those ideas have never let me sleep until I wrote them out. And considering I have an eclectic ensemble of stories swarming in my brain at any given time, I write under a couple pen names to accommodate the various genre categories.


Renee Vincent
Historical & Contemporary Adult Romance
From the daunting, charismatic Vikings, to the charming, brazen Alpha male heroes of modern day, you'll be whisked away to a world filled with fast-paced adventure, unforgettable romance, and undying love.

Find her online:
http://www.reneevincent.com/
http://www.pasttheprint.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/ReneeVincent
http://www.facebook.com/reneevincentauthor
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3005290.Renee_Vincent
And get EXCLUSIVE access to all Renee’s giveaways by signing up for her author newsletter: http://www.reneevincent.com/p/contact.html

The Celibate Succubus by Barton Paul Levenson

Vampires:  Potential Dating Material, or Blood-Sucking Animated Corpses?
Barton Paul Levenson


Consider how the legend got started.  When there was no cure for tuberculosis, victims of "consumption" became pale, thin, and listless, and would finally die.  With disease and injury rampant in a preindustrial world, deaths might occur in the family.  If a TB victim dreamed of being visited by a recently dead relative, a preindustrial culture might conceivably dig up the corpse to take a look.
An unembalmed corpse a few days after death might look suspiciously ruddy, in the pink of health--because its capillaries were breaking down and leaking into the surrounding tissue.  The leap to thinking Uncle John has been visiting little Nancy at night and sucking her blood isn't a great one, especially if blood is seeping from John's mouth, as it well might be as his lip and mouth tissue decay.  Thus the legend of the vampire.
It became a thorough and complex legend, as documented in Bram Stoker's 1897 epistolary novel, Dracula.  But mark me well--vampires were originally considered bad guys.  Blood-sucking animated corpses, damned, out to damn all their victims.   To be avoided.  Thus a Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox believer in vampires could use the crucifix, holy water, or the host to ward off a vampire.  Folk remedies included garlic, white roses, the hawthorn, and a dog with a white "angel spot" above either or both eyes.  And to kill a vampire, you drive an ash stake through its heart--and it has to be ash, or the vampire can pull it out again--stuff its mouth with garlic, cut off its head, place it face down in its coffin, and dump the coffin into running water.
But vampires, "the strongest of ghouls," are most powerful creatures.  Twenty times as strong as humans; able to transform into a bat, a wolf, or a mist; with a certain degree of telepathic hypnosis which holds a once-bitten victim even at a distance.  Kind of like a superhero--or a super-villain.
Fred Saberhagen's "The Dracula Tapes" (1975), a work of literary criticism disguised as a novel, first presented Dracula as a good guy.  A year later, Anne Rice's "Interview with the Vampire" showed Louis de Plante du Lac as a tortured soul, the novel a view of damnation from the inside.
Why, if you think about it, the vampire is sort of like the biker who's a really bad kid, but has a good heart hidden inside, the kind of guy only your love can save!  The transition to sparkly vampires you might want to marry, and the whole genre of "paranormal romance," follows inevitably sooner or late
So which do I prefer, sexy vampires or dangerous vampires?  Or both?  My first novel, Ella the Vampire, sympathized with its protagonist, but never pretended for a minute that her situation was a good one or that she was happy to be in it.  My forthcoming novel, Dark Gods of Alter Telluria, has another sympathetic vampire--but again, don't think it's fun.  My vampires aren't the completely depraved monsters of Bram Stoker or Stephen King--and, BTW, King's vampires are truly horrifying; check out the wrinkled-apple-like monsters in the Dark Tower series.  But they're not ideal dating material, either.  So I guess I come down somewhere in the middle.
Besides, drinking blood is just icky.  I'm sorry, but it is.  Period.



The Celibate SuccubusBarton Paul Levenson
Genre: YA Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
ISBN-13: 978-1-935460-58-9ISBN-10: 1-935460-58-7ISBN-13: 978-1-935460-59-6ISBN-10: 1-935460-59-5
Cover Artist Cassie Larish
“Team Packer” is a covert Catholic strike team against supernatural evil with a secret weapon in its arsenal: 16-year-old Delilah Vincentio—the world’s only Christian succubus. Trained by demons to despise humanity and lead them into sin, her unprecedented capacity for mercy caused her to renounce her place in Hell—and gain an angelic referral to Team Packer.
Delilah is assigned to infiltrate the Order of the Lightbringer, a Satanic cult that plans to make Pittsburgh a test site for the Apocalypse. After Delilah’s identity is almost discovered, Team Packer sends her to high school to hide out until things cool down.
But while Delilah may be reformed from her beguiling ways, she’s still very much a demon—and she hasn’t learned how to play well with others. In fact, trying to fit in and keep a low profile at high school may prove to be a tougher battle than bringing down the Order of the Lightbringer.
“The demons in Hell are secretly defecting and pushing their infernal realm towards Heaven in a handcart! This story kept me riveted from start to finish—a ride and a half !”—Adele Abbot, author, Postponing Armageddon and Of Machines & Magics
“His name is almost like mine, he’s no relation, and he writes a kind of YA Fantasy all his own. Fast-moving, knowledgeable, historical, spiritual, heroic, Barton Paul Levenson’s Celibate Succubus is good reading at any age.” —Paul Levinson, author, The Plot to Save Socrates and Unburning Alexandria

About the Author:
Barton Paul Levenson’s novels include Max & Me, Year of the Human, Ella the Vampire, I Will and Parole. Mr. Levenson’s short fiction has appeared in Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Fantasy Magazine, ChiZine, Cricket, Cicada, The New York Review of Science Fiction, and many other publications. An original member of the Pittsburgh Worldwright’s writing workshop created by Mary Soon Lee, Barton has published more than 60 short stories, poems, and essays. He is also a two-time winner of the Parsec Short Story Contest.
Levenson holds a degree in physics and writes prolifically about everything  from fictional works to radiative-convective models of planetary atmospheres. He has also learned to speak French, Spanish, Russian, German, New  Testament Greek, and Japanese (though, he confesses, not well enough to converse with native speakers). Mr. Levenson is married to genre poet Elizabeth Penrose and lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he confuses everybody by being both a born-again Christian and a liberal Democrat.
For more information about Barton Paul Levenson, please visit his website:
www.bartonpaullevenson.com
https://www.facebook.com/barton.levenson
https://twitter.com/bpl1960
https://www.facebook.com/barkingrain
https://twitter.com/BarkingRain

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Spotlight Interview on The Worst Dilemma by Muhammed Sokhna

Contact QuestionWhere can your fans find you? 
There is a wide variety of ways my fans can reach me.  The main way they can get in contact with me is through my website, theworstdilemmaseries.com. They can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Goodreads (which all can be found on my website).
Fun QuestionHave you ever Googled yourself? 
Yes I have.  What I find is mostly my author’s information and my books on Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon. But, couldn’t find my book on Kobo. That’s strange???
Future Works QuestionWhat is in the works for you next? 
Currently, I’m working on The Worst Dilemma Part 2. I’m also working on two fantasy novels and a sci-fi novel.
Writing QuestionWhat do you love about writing? 
I love the whole creation process. I love how I can paint a picture for readers with words. Which scenes were the hardest to write? For me, the most challenging part to write is the beginning of a scene. I had trouble working on establishing the scenery of a scene before I actually get to the story.
Inspiration QuestionWhere do you get your inspiration? 
My inspiration comes from my suicide attempt five years ago. Every day, I write to remind myself just how powerful my passion is and how low I was in my past.  I never want to walk through life feeling that low ever again. Writing becomes a remedy for me to get back on my feet. Regardless of what genre I write in, I want my readers to see how hard and passionate I am about the craft of literature.
Reading QuestionWhich genres do you prefer to read? 
Erotica, Self-Help, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy.
About The Author Questions
How would your friends describe you in 20 words or less? 
A kind, humble, and respectable young man with a special aura that can be felt through a smile.
Who is your mentor? Who do you look up too? 
My mentor for me has been a man by the name of Bob Lamp’l. He has been given me the business fundamentals on how to market my book and how I should handle the publishing side of my business. I look up to him along with many other people in my life. But, my 11th and 12th grade literature teachers are the two people I look up to in regards to writing.
What are your guilty pleasures? 
Hmm… I like to sing like I’m a Grammy award winner singer, knowing that I sound like a cat being dragged down the street by a bus.
Watching a romantic comedy movie when my girlfriend is not around.  
Pretend to be a U.S soldier knowing that I have no combat skills.
Pretend I’m Aragon from The Lord of The Rings (don’t judge me).  
About The Book
Tell us about your new release? 
The first part of The Worst Dilemma is a love story that follows four young African American women who are on the constant search for themselves. The story takes place in the booming city of Atlanta, where many people are calling it the new Hollywood, but for these women, it’s a city that is filled with lies and deception that will forever change them in positive and negative ways.
Aside from the city drama, you have four different women who have problems ranging from sexually to unresolved past dilemmas. Even the men in they encounter in their lives will bring them trouble, but they will also bring them pleasure besides sex, but the sex is still orgasmic.
The book was inspired also by how my generation is lacking creation, in my opinion. The world, in my eyes, is like a gargantuan pie. Everyone can have a slice of this pie, but people think there isn’t enough so they fight over a small slice. There is plenty of money, food, and other resources to go around. We just need to create. After all, that is what we were meant to do. 

The Worst DilemmaMuhammed Sokhna
Genre: Erotic Romance/Erotica
Publisher: World Entanglement Publications LLC
ISBN: 9780991202706ASIN B00GRXTYBA
Number of pages: 113Word Count: About 33,000
Cover Artist: Ronnell D Porter
Amazon   Kobo  BN  Smashwords
Book Description:
The spark of all dilemmas is lies and deception

 Just what is love? Is it just a word people use for personal gain? Is it a verb that needs creativity expression in order to understand its full meaning? Or, is it just looking in the mirror?

For Chantrelle Hayfield, love is simplicity. But, she lives in Atlanta, a complex city full of surprises. Like her chiseled, tall, and chocolate next door neighbor, Rasheed Goodmen, who could be a new love interest? But, when her best friend, Ashley Leslie, comes out about her true feelings, will Chantrelle be able to handle the convoluted feelings of others even if that means losing her simplicity?

Chantrelle’s other friends Ariel Samson and Alexis Smith could be able to guide her? But, Ariel needs to learn to be a little selfish and Alexis has to stop scheming to get by. The underworld of Atlanta will test each of these women. Because behind the spark of every dilemma, is lies and deception. Who will be able to see clearly in order to avoid tragedy?

About the Author:
Throughout Mr. Sokhna life, he searched for a purpose. At the age of eighteen, he went through some tough times. His girlfriend left him, his finances were not where they needed to be, his family was struggling to make ends meet, he lost his Hope scholarship, and was desperately trying to find out what was his purpose here on earth. The depression within him started to build and lead to an attempt of suicide.
With the love and support of his family and close friends, he slowly climbed back on his feet, but there was still one remaining problem. He still didn’t know what his purpose was, until he had a vision.
Something within him told him to write down his story. There was resistance, but he followed the hunch. Five thousand words turn into ten thousand. Then ten turned into twenty thousand. Then all of a sudden, twenty thousand words turned into over forty thousand words. He recognized that he found his true passion. It was something that will challenge him. It was something he was yearning for all his life. It was something he could call “his own” and that something was writing.
Mr. Sokhna purpose is to ignite the creativity within people and help them realize that life is much more than what meets the eye. He wants his readers to know that all that we ever done and all we will ever do in this world is just the tip of this iceberg of what could have been done in this life.
The Worst Dilemma Series is one of the three ways he likes to channel his talent to the world. Being able to create erotic content that makes people blush is not only pleasing to him, but it makes him more humble to evolve the craft of literature. Mr.Sokhna will continue to strive to bring more enticing content through The Worst Dilemma Series. A series that will shed light on some of the toughest situations people go through in life. With the added bonus of erotic content.
Website www.theworstdilemmaseries.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MuhammedRSokhna
Twitter: @MuhammedSokhna
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+MuhammedSokhna
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/muhammedsokhna/
Shelfari: http://www.shelfari.com/muhammedsokhna
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/MuhammedSokhna

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