Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 528

Guest Blog and Giveaway: Sins of the Son Blog Tour

The Evolution of a Series
When I first began writing Sins of the Angels, I had no idea I was writing a series. In fact, as far as I knew (me being the writer and all), the book was going to be (1) a standalone novel, and (2) a paranormal romance. Well, with book 2 in the series now sitting on bookstore shelves, we call all see how that turned out, can't we? J
I can't remember the precise moment I knew my standalone novel would have a sequel—or that it wouldn't have a romance's requisite HEA. I do know that Seth Benjamin was to blame for both. From the moment he appeared on Alex's front porch in Sins of the Angels, it took all my writerly might to keep him from hijacking the story—well, that and a promise that if he behaved, I'd let him have his own story. Even then, because I'm more of a pantser than a plotter, I had no idea there would be a third book, let alone a fourth. In fact, it wasn't until I was about halfway through Sins of the Son that I finally stepped far enough back to see the big picture.
And what a picture it was. Bigger than I had ever imagined taking on, intimidating as hell, and utterly exhilarating. It seemed that all the time I'd been following my conscious story-writing process, my subconscious had been weaving intricate webs of back-stories and sub-plots…enough to write not just one more book, but two.
For the first time ever, I began to plot out an actual story arc, fitting the plots of each book—four in total—into a grander, greater scheme of things. Seth's story emerged, melded with that of Aramael and the rest of Heaven, and crossed paths with that of Alex; Aramael's story twisted and turned and became ever more difficult and painful; and Alex's story went from bad to worse to simply impossible. And over-arching them all, the story of the One and Lucifer: a story of love and betrayal and the consequences of bitterness left unsatisfied.
People often ask me if the series might continue beyond what I currently have planned. My answer is this: As far as I know, the story arc will be complete in four books.
But given my track record so far, I've learned to never say never. J

Linda is giving away a print copy of the book, for a US/CAN winner or an eBook for an international winner
To enter leave a comment on this post with your email address
1 winner will be chosen

Dreams Guest Blog by Jenna Kay

Dreams
        What kind of dreams do you have? 
        I'm not talking about the dreams you have for your future or real life.  I'm talking about the dreams you have when you're in a deep slumber—or light slumber—whichever slumber you're in.                  What does your subconscious relay to you in your sleep?                As for me, sometimes I have some pretty awesome dreams, and sometimes I have just plain awful, grueling dreams.  Some of my favorites are visiting with a loved ones that have passed on, and also where I'm a millionaire bathing in a tub full of hundreds (that one usually happens after I eat Chinese food—yeah, not sure why either). 
        If my journey as a writer has taught me anything it's that my dreams are the fuel to my imagination, the spark that brings the supernatural to life.  I have learned that writing down my dreams helps along with my stories.  Whether I wake up at three in the morning or from an afternoon nap, those dreams are written down, some discarded, some valuable to the plot.                  Some of you know that I am the author of the Seer Society Series and The Gracen Chronicles (coming soon!)  The Seer Society is a different take on angels, demons, spiritual warfare, and Biblical Seers...basically good vs. evil with a major supernatural twist.  I can honestly say that some of my characters, scenes, descriptions, etc., have come from my dreams.  Even from my nightmares...hey, everyone has nightmares every now and again, even when you're awake.
        What kinds of dreams do you have?  Are they sweet dreams, or are they in-your-face, wanna scream nightmares? 
        Today I'm going to share with you a dream (or nightmare) that Clarity Miller has in Mark of the Seer.  The Seers in my series can receive dreams from God and from the devil, alerting them of the future and if someone is in danger.  The dream can prepare Clarity for future events, though at the time of this dream she's unsure of how to perceive it.
        I hope you enjoy it!  To understand more of Clarity's life as a Seer please checkout Mark of the Seer, the first book in the Seer Society Series.
Clarity's dream from Chapter Seventeen (Mark of the Seer)By Jenna KayCopyright 2012
Rain hits me hard against my face as I run, dodging tree limbs as I pass.  I was pumping my legs as hard as they would go, and my heart was beating so fast I thought that at any moment it would burst out of my chest.  The ground felt mushy under my bare feet, the sky continuing to unload heavy amounts of water onto the earth.  Trepidation scores through my veins as a deep sadness begins devouring my soul.  Tears fall down my face like waterfalls, and I release a loud sob that echoes throughout the dense woods.            I can hear someone chasing after me, and I know that whoever it is has done something terribly wrong—I can feel it.            Pain.  Sadness.  Guilt.  Confusion.            Whoever is running after me has caused so much destruction, so much misery and chaos, that my whole life, my whole world has completely come undone.        I suddenly come to a clearing, halting my steps before running off into empty air.  A drop-off about thirty feet down greets me, telling me there is no escape from my pursuer.  Looking down I notice a creek, its waters flowing fiercely, the storm succeeding in deepening its depths. I sense someone standing behind me.  Slowly I turn around to face them.  I can't see who it is for the darkness has completely swallowed them, hiding them in a trench of blackness.  All I can see is something shine where a persons hand would be, some kind of object I can't explain.  Since I had stopped running I finally notice that my hands are burning so furiously that I bite down hard on my bottom lip to keep from screaming.            Lightening strikes a nearby tree, and the force is so great that the ground trembles under our feet.  The rain is pouring even harder now, stinging my eyes.  I can barely see in front of me.        "What have you done?"  I scream at the one standing in front of me, the shiny object shaking in their hand.  I know that something horrible has just taken place.  I can feel it, like someone's life force has been dimmed forever.            Then, before I even know what's happening, I'm falling off the ledge and into the rocky creek below.

Mark of the Seer
By Jenna Kay
Blurb

Clarity Miller always thought of her life as semi-normal. She had friends that would do anything for her, a boyfriend madly in love with her, and a roof over her head that she shared with her aunt.

Everything seemed to be falling into place. That is, until the day she met Sam.

When Sam informs her that he's her guardian angel and that she has been given the gifts of a Seer, her life starts spiraling out of control. She wants nothing to do with the spiritual realm.

All she wants is to have a normal life as a teenager, but when a tragedy occurs that causes the whole town of Garlandton to fall to its knees she realizes that she has a very important decision to make.

Should she embrace the life of a Seer?

Only time will tell...

About the Author:

Jenna Kay has always had a vivid imagination and decided at 30 years old that it was time to bring the real supernatural to life. Jenna's heart is to impact the lives of young adults that are going through the hardships of this life with a hope that there is way more out there than just the pains of the world.

Jenna grew up with three older brothers which made her one tough cookie. She was blessed with two loving parents, both that encouraged her to follow her dreams and always made sure that she was in Church.

Jenna graduated from high school in Georgia, where she played varsity basketball. Later, Jenna obtained a cosmetology license from the State of Georgia and practiced cosmetology for 8 years before becoming a full time author.

Jenna currently resides in North Georgia where, when not writing, she spends time with her three young children and her loving husband.

Jenna works to help those who need guidance and love that is far greater than we can provide. There IS hope.

http://www.facebook.com/ClaritybyJennaKay

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenna-Kay/156741071050573

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seer-Society/112358532173215

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4700629.Jenna_Kay

http://seersociety.com/

http://blog.seersociety.com/?ci=22763

Twitter: ClarityJennaKay
Skype: jenna.kay3

Books at Amazon

YouTube Book Trailer http://youtu.be/nH7sFjNu4tI

The Slayer Giveaway and Tour Kick Off

Today we're kicking off the virtual book tour for The Slayer by Theresa Meyers. 


This is book 2 in the Legend Chronicles her sexy steampunk series.









Ready to Get Steamed?I'm very excited to be starting off my tour for THE SLAYER here at Fang-tastic Books! One reason it's such a perfect place is because my heroine this time is a vampire contessa. As the eldest Jackson brother, Winchester thought he'd left the life of a Hunter behind, but when the contessa shows up in Bodie and takes out a team of steam-coach robbers, he comes face to face with his past in ways he never expected. In many ways this book was fun because it flipped the idea of the hero whisking the heroine away. Instead the contessa takes Winn on her airship back to Europe to help recover the missing piece of the Book of Legend that's been stolen from the Imperial Vampire Court. Of course, this wouldn't be a Legend Chronicles story unless there was plenty of steam (both in the relationship and the mechanical marvels), plenty of other Darkin, including Russian Werewolves, and a twist or two, or five, along the way.A lot of people have asked me, do I have to read the first book in the series before THE SLAYER? The answer is that is up to you. This is the first time I've tried writing books that happen concurrently so both the first book of the series, THE HUNTER, and this book are happening at the same time (with some fun cross-over sections between the characters).If you've never read a steampunk romance, but enjoy historicals with spies or paranormal romances, then you'll likely have fun with this story. Steampunk is fairly new to romance, but it's been around a long while in science-fiction and fantasty genres. Basically think Victorian-era fiction with a bit of wild fantasty and fantastic inventions thrown in, all in the name of bringing about world change or the downfall of the establishment and you've about got it right. The big difference for me is the romance (and therefore the reason Cherry Adair gave me the delightful quote: "Meyers puts the steam in steampunk." If anyone would know about steam, it would be Cherry.)So sit back, grab a cup of tea with me and enjoy this whirlwind tour (with prizes!).

April 2 Tour Kickoffwww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
April 3 PromoFlutey Wordshttp://authoraubrie.blogspot.com
April 4 Guest BlogIt's Raining Books – http://www.its-raining-books.blogspot.com
April 8 Guest BlogWords of Wisdom from The Scarf Princesshttp://wowfromthescarfprincess.blogspot.com/
April 10 Review and Promohttp://snarkymamma.blogspot.com
April 12 Guest BlogRavencraft's Romance Realm http://ravencraftrealm.blogspot.com/
April 14 InterviewIllusions of Intimactyhttp://www.MarshaAMoore.blogspot.com
April 17 PromoFor The Love of Readinghttp://niinas-reading-and-reviewing.blogspot.com/
April 18 review and promoBeverly @ The Wormholehttp://wormyhole.blogspot.com
April 19 Review and PromoEveryone Loves a Sinnerwww.zenes-escape.blogspot.com 

April 19 Guest blogblog: stories with bite o,.,o http://ravencorinncarluk.blogspot.com
April 20 Guest PostMother/Gamer/Writerwww.mothergamerwriter.com
April 21 Promo and InterviewJeanzBookReadNReview http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.com/
April 22 Guest BlogParanormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews: http://paranormalromanticsuspensereviews.blogspot.com
April 22 InterviewParanormal Romantic Suspense, http://sjclarke.com/blog-2/
April 23 Guest blog and reviewUrban Girl Reader - http://www.urbangirlreader.com
April 25 Guest Post and reviewRomancing the Bookhttp://www.romancing-the-book.com
April 28 Guest blog and reviewReading Between the Wineshttp://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/
April 29th Guest Blog and reviewReading Lark After Dark - http://readinglarkafterdark.blogspot.com
THE SLAYER
Book Two of the Legend ChroniclesBy Theresa MeyersZebra - Steampunk Romance
April 3, 2012
ISBN-10: 1420121251
ISBN-13: 978-1420121254

Brothers Winchester, Remington and Colt know the legends—they were trained from childhood to destroy demon predators, wielding the latest steam-powered gadgetry. It's a devil of a job. But sometimes your fate chooses you...

CHASING TROUBLE

Winn Jackson isn't interested in hunting nightmares across the Wild West—even if it's the family business. Unlike his rakehell brothers, Winn believes in rules. As sheriff of Bodie, California, he only shoots actual law breakers. That's what he's doing when he rescues the Contessa Drossenburg, Alexandra Porter, a lady with all the elegance of the Old World—grace, beauty and class. And then he sees her fangs.

Alexandra isn't just some bloodsucking damsel in distress, though. She's on a mission to save her people—and she's dead certain that Winn's family legacy is the only way. Luckily, aside from grace and class, she also has a stubborn streak a mile wide. So like it or not, Winn is going to come back with her to the mountains of Transylvania, and while he's at it, change his opinions about vampires, demon-hunting, and who exactly deserves shooting. And if she has her way, he's going to do his darnedest to save the world


Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | IndieBound
ebook: Kindle

About Theresa Meyers:

Raised by a bibliophile who made the dining room into a library, Theresa has always been a lover of books and stories. First a writer for newspapers, then for national magazines, she started her first novel in high school, eventually enrolling in a Writer's Digest course and putting the book under the bed until she joined Romance Writers of America in 1993.

In 2005 she was selected as one of eleven finalists for the American Title II contest, the American Idol of books. She is married to the first man she ever went on a real date with (to their high school prom), who she knew was hero material when he suffered through having to let her parents drive, and her brother sit between them in the backseat of the car. They currently live in a Victorian house on a mini farm in the Pacific Northwest with their two children, three cats, an old chestnut Arabian gelding, an energetic mini-Aussie shepherd puppy, several rabbits, a dozen chickens and an out-of-control herb garden.

You can find her online on Twitter, Facebook, at her Web site or blogging with the other Lolitas of STEAMED!

http://www.theresameyers.com/

http://www.theresameyers.com/blog/


http://twitter.com/Theresa_Meyers


http://www.facebook.com/TheresaMeyersAuthor


http://www.ageofsteam.wordpress.com/

Giveaway Time
Enter to win an Advanced Reader Copy of Theresa Meyers' second book in her Legend Chronicles steampunk romance series, THE SLAYER, along with an autographed cover flat and an antique china cup (cups will vary) accompanied by an assortment of teas and decadent Bliss chocolate.

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Character Interview with Ninna from Runes in Time by Linna Drehmel

I am so excited to be on this very fun blog, I would like to introduce to you a character from my new short story called Runes in time, which I have really come to love: Ninna D'Noir. She lives in a post apocalypse time where humans have either mutated into a vampire or an elf like creature. Ninna is a vampire…I as her creator will interview her she calls me, PHOENIX.

PHOENIX: Ninna welcome to this blog post with me. Please tell all the readers about yourself.
NINNA: What would you like to know? I am a vamp…
PHOENIX: Please tell us about your life. What do you do for a living?
NINNA: Well as a vamp I have to work in the boiler rooms. Only vamps work down there.
PHOENIX: What are the boiler rooms? Why only vamps?
NINNA: In my time the only legal form of power is steam power, most all technology as you would know it has been outlawed for many hundreds of years. The reason only vamps work the boilers is a part of the treaty that was written between the elves and vamps about 100 years post apocalypses. But in my day most of us vamps feel like we are being treated like slaves almost.

PHOENIX: Why is there so much animosity between elves and vamps?
NINNA: This answer goes back many hundreds of years. Before the treaty, there was a power struggle between us, who would control the remaining humans, who would own the boilers and so forth. There were (much like now) more elves than vamps, but us vamps are stronger and live longer than the elves. The elves can procreate faster were we can only have maybe one or two children. However we can turn people into a vamp, we saw our number dwindling and what humans there were left were in bad shape. So a group of humans and a group of vamps came together and the humans wanted to be changed, it solved two problems at once. But the elves didn't like that we had this power and tried to stop us. There was a very grievous battle between us that cost lives. The treaty put an end to battle but not the hatred elves have for vamps. But enough about me, Phoenix please tell everyone about your new book that is out.


PHOENIX: Thank you Ninna! I wrote this great SciFi book under the pen name Linna Drehmel. It is called H.E.A.R.T. Saga: The Children.
This is a seemingly perfect little world where all worship the HEART of the planet, but all is not well with the HEART's children. The copper haired outcast DraDonna has forbidden dreams of change. In order for her to save her world, she must risk everything. So she can uncover the HEART's secret and free them all. This is only the first book in the H.E.A.R.T. Saga.
NINNA: How many books are there in the series?
PHOENIX: I have 5 books planned out. I am about 2/3 done writing book two called The Choice.
NINNA: Sounds great! Who published your book?
PHOENIX: Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly publishing. Here is the link to their web site please check them out. http://www.crushingheartsandblackbutterfly.com/index.html

NINNA: Where can one find your book?

PHOENIX: Amazon.com I will attach that link too. I also have another book on amazon. It's the Dark Light Anthology, also published by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly publishing. It is a collection of 26 great stories. I have 3 stories in it, including a vamp story called The Darkon Prophecy.

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007M6MMMY

NINNA: Where can people find you to chat about your books?

PHOENIX: lots of places and I am very chatty! Here are the links.

Vampire freaks http://vampirefreaks.com/PrincessPhoenix

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Linna-Drehmel-Author-page/336631289696105

Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/LinnaDrehmel

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5225982.Linna_Drehmel

Blog spot http://linnadrehmel.blogspot.com/

NINNA: Wow you are a busy one. Well I best get back to work. Have a great day!

PHOENIX: Thank you Ninna. She is such a sweet girl. Very pretty, in the dark her eyes glow red but in the sun her eyes are a lovely shade of brown. Yeah I know what you are thinking…my vamps do not burn up in the sun nor do they sparkle.

Thank you for having us on your blog.

~Linna Drehmel
SciFi/Fantasy/Goth author with
Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly publishing
H.E.A.R.T. Saga: The Children
The Dark Light anthology
Let your light so shine!

Author Kyani Swanigan Interviews Her Mom About the Journey of Everlife

I know it's customary for a guest blog to be done on the author but I thought it would be fun to change it up and interview my mother. She's been on this journey with me since day 1 and knows just as much about Everlife as I do. I also know it will be very interesting to read a different point of view. So without further ado, here is a chat with my mom Angela!
1: First tell us a bit about yourself
I am a single mom.  I work in the financial services industry.  I've had the pleasure to raise one of the most amazing young ladies I know. 
2: So what were your thoughts when I first told you I was writing a book?
I was a little surprised – but not really.  While you were growing up, you LOVED writing stories.  You've always had a great imagination; even when you were small you could write really good stories.  As you grew up and got into other things you didn't write as much but it was nice to see you get back to something I knew you cared a lot about. 
3: How did you feel when you first read it?
"Where did this come from?"  LOL.  Seriously, I read it and thought "Whoa – this is like a real story".  I was impressed by how well written it was. 
4: Who is your favorite character?
I think Birch is.  He's strong, loyal and protective. 
5: Favorite part?
I liked Rose getting recognition for coming up with the Snow Ball concept.  I didn't want Pilar to win.  She tried to take credit for the idea but it didn't work out.  Yaaaay for Rose!
6: Least favorite part?
I don't know if there were really any parts I didn't like.  I was a little sad that Rose had to be so secretive with her dad which left him to his own devices when trying to understand her.  After the trauma of losing his wife and then Rose's rebellion I hated to think of him going through more drama.  He thought Rose was returning to the "dark side" and there was sooo much more to it.
7: What is the effect that the book had on you?
My experience is probably a little different than most.  You're my kid.  I am certain that I am biased.  I think you wrote a great story and I can't wait to see where it goes.
8: Would you change anything about Everlife?
I wouldn't change anything. 
9: I know you give me advice all the time, but do you have any for other authors?
Be true to yourself.  You are really good at that.  I've especially seen it in your involvement with the anthologies.   You collaborate with the other authors and when it's your turn to tell part of the story, you find a way to infuse your "style" in there. 
10: What can readers expect in book 2?
That's more a question for you than for me.  I am still bracing myself for what's to come.  Although I've read some of what you've written, I don't yet know where you are taking this story.  I've had the opportunity to take a peek further down the story line and one particular excerpt actually brought tears to my eyes.  I can count the times in my life that I've read a book that made me feel that way.  All I know is that book two is building the road towards that teary excerpt that will be in a later book – I'm ready for the ride, I know it will be fun.  Woo Hoo!Everlife
By Kyani Swanigan
Blurb:

How do you live your own life, when it was never truly yours to begin with?

After the untimely death of her mother, 18 year old Rose Blakely spent the past two months of her life in the dark, living recklessly, and bringing everyone around her grief.

Now that the storm has passed, Rose is hoping to find the light, and live a normal life. But when a mysterious new guy named Birch Balman enters the picture, along with a crazed woman hell-bent on killing her, things take a drastic turn for the worst.

Keeping up appearances in front of her friends at Halfmoon Bay High and also her father will serve to be a difficult task for Rose, but it's a small price to pay—when death is now in the equation.


About the Author:

Kyani Swanigan, YA author of the Nyx series. Kyani was always passionate about writing. Even as a child she loved creating characters and writing stories although she considered it more a past time rather than something that she would make a career out of especially through high school, when Kyani aspired to be a stylist and go to FIDM (The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandizing). It wasn't until a year after graduation that the memory of two fictional characters she had thought up six years earlier resurfaced and began buzzing around in her mind. From there a story just had to be written.

Now, one year after completing her first novel, Kyani is still hard at work telling her character's story by finishing the rest of the series. She lives in Tustin, California with her mom and fat Blue Russian cat, Pouncer.


Fanpage:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kyani-Swanigan-author-of-The-Nyx-Series/264675130231389

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/Kyani_Swanigan

Now on Tour Saver's Savior by Yasmina Kohl

March 31 RDB
Reader Girlswww.readergirlsblog.com
Roxanne's Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
Fang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
The Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
TourApril 2 PromoReviews By Mollyhttp://reviewsbymolly.com
April 3 PromoThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
April 4 Guest blogRoxanne's Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com

April 7 Guest BlogWords of Wisdom from The Scarf Princesshttp://wowfromthescarfprincess.blogspot.com/
April 8 Tour Wrap UpFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com

Saver's Savior
By Yasmina Kohl
Release Date March 31st, 2012
Ocean Shores, WA USA

Xavier St. Cloud wants to hate the world, wants to be angry at it. He doesn't want to be part of it anymore. He wants to go on and see the brother's in arms that were killed before his eyes.

Emiko Nara is so afraid of the world she barely interacts in it. She has never stood up for herself ever, even after her family disowned her for something she never had control over.

When Emiko decides to stand up for herself for the first time in her life, it's to a thief with a knife.

Xavier can't help but react on instinct to the cries for help, and when he does he finds something that might just keep him from trying to follow his fallen brothers.

Can the shy little Emiko be brave and save the shattered Marine from his own personal hell?

About The Magical Ways Series

To a casual passerby, Magical Ways is a high-end clothing boutique. To its employees and customers, however, it is a family, a good one.

Okay, yes, dysfunctional, but there is fun in dysfunctional after all.

Five sisters by choice come together and help each other get through the bumps and bruises of life. Along the way they add a brother or two or well, six.

About the Author

Yasmina is from a small town in the middle of...naw you know better. Yasmina is originally from Vancouver, WA and then by way of the Navy and college ended up in Grays Harbor County with her husband and her two kids and now the two black cats. Yes, she has two of the furry beasts.

During the day, she keeps the people happy or tries to anyway. At night, she tries to keep her sanity by escaping aforementioned family to write down what the evil muses have shoved in her brain all day.

She waits for the graduation of her kids (one imminent and one not so imminent) so that the house will become quite.
She listens to an eclectic mix of music when she writes, anything from Shinedown to Nora Jones and a little of The Asteroids Galaxy Tour thrown in for the fun of it.

Her sarcastic sense of humor has and will continue to get her in trouble but hey who cares?

Yasmina has been writing between cries of MOM and YASMINA for ten years and plans to write for many more. Her first published stories were fanfiction for her favorite TV series but the first story she tried her hand at was Cassandra's Heart now available on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Smashwords.com and soon in print.

http://www.yasminakohl.com/

https://twitter.com/#!/yasminakohl

Spotlight on Bandit Creek Books: Always a Lady by Victoria Chatham

This week's spotlighted title is Always a Lady by Victoria Chatham



ALWAYS A LADY

By Victoria Chatham
Lady Serena Buxton follows her husband from England to Bandit Creek, Montana. Randolph is a partner in the Ellis gold mine, but when she arrives, she is horrified to find that Randolph is missing.

Sheriff Wilson seems to be keeping a watchful eye on her. Why? Douglas King, the mine manager, treats her as if she is already a widow. What does he know? The bank manager refuses her request for access to Randolph's account. With no husband and no money, what is a girl to do?

Serena has an unsuspected and quite shocking talent. She can belly dance. With the help of two enterprising local ladies, Serena prepares for a public performance. But when the news leaks out, she finds the only venue she can secure is in the Men's Club owned by King. Like it or not, she has no option but to ask him regardless of what terms he may insist on. Billed as Ayesha, Oriental Dancer Extraordinaire, she prepares for her show which she hopes will make enough money for her to stay in Bandit Creek until Randolph is found.

The whole town, as well as a train full of people from nearby Missoula, turns out for her performance. The Club is packed. But who is in the crowd, watching? Will King insist on exacting his fees? And will Serena be reunited with the husband she loves?

About the Author:


Victoria Chatham is a writer of Regency romance and credits her late husband for giving her a well needed push – make that kick-in-the-pants – to take her writing seriously.

It was his opinion she should write a historical novel but, having disliked history at school because she couldn't remember dates, was an idea she firmly resisted. Her first completed novel was a contemporary romantic suspense, but she never quite felt comfortable with the book. But then a glimmer of an idea grew into a Regency romance, a genre she always felt comfortable with. Her favourite books are those of that doyen of the Regency era, Georgette Heyer, and more recently Mary Balogh, Sabrina Jeffries, Stephanie Laurens and others.

Victoria was born in Bristol, England and grew up in an area well known for its Regency style architecture. She frequently visited both Cheltenham and Bath, the latter famous for its water. She and her cousins, under the eagle eye of their grandmother, learned what many a young Regency lady may have learned. Manners, deportment, elocution and what knife and fork should be used for which course at dinner and which wine is served in which glass – and why. A writer is encouraged to 'write what you know' so many of these early lessons have proved extremely useful in adding small details to her writing.

Already at work on her second Regency novel, Victoria has also written a historical novella for the Bandit Creek book series, and a short story for the April Fool's Bandit Creek Anthology, Fool's Gold to be released on – when else – April 1st, 2012.

Apart from her writing, Victoria is an avid reader. Her love of horses gets her away from her computer to volunteer at Spruce Meadows equestrian centre and Dare2Dream, a horse-rescue ranch. Her constant buddy is her dog, Jay, who allows her to take him for a walk every day. As Jay is now 105 years old in people years, she firmly believes she is the only seeing eye person in existence.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Victoria-Chatham?120985624667624

Twitter: www.twitter.com/VChathamAuthor



CHAPTER 1Bandit Creek, MontanaMarch, 1907
She should have let him know she was on her way to meet him. She could have telegraphed before she left San Francisco, or at any stop on the way between there and Bandit Creek.But then, Lady Serena Buxton reflected, when had she ever done what was expected of her?She sat back against the velvet upholstered railway carriage seat, thankful that she had the compartment to herself. The wheels hummed steadily along the rails but changed to a rattle as the train crossed a trestle bridge spanning the creek below. She peered out of the window. The town itself was an unprepossessing sprawl of buildings along the valley floor beside the creek that gave the town its name.Beyond the town, the jagged peaks of snow covered mountains reached up into a clear blue sky that seemed to go on forever. It was picture-perfect and a moment later she wished it was a picture. Stepping down from the train she gasped with shock as the wind, sweeping down from those snowy slopes, sucked the air out of her lungs. The cold bit into her cheeks like a hungry dog.It made her eyes water. Serena dabbed the resulting tears away with the edge of her sable wrap as she drew it across her face."Dammit, Randolph, why couldn't your gold mine be somewhere warm?" she muttered.She ducked her head and scurried across the bare platform to the stationmaster's office, almost tripping on the doorstep in her hurry to escape the cold.A glowing potbellied stove stood in the center of the room. Wisps of black smoke leaked from the stack that reached up through the roof. Serena ignored the sooty haze and moved into the circle of warmth the stove provided. Her fingers were stiff with cold within her gloves and she peeled them off, held her bare fingers over the stove top until feeling returned to them. Only then did she begin to relax.A quick glance around the room assured her this was all the comfort she was likely to find. Two solid wooden benches were placed on opposite walls beneath weather grimed windows. The window on one side offered a view of the station platform. The other looked out onto a street scored with deep wheel ruts. Sunlight glinted off their ice encrusted edges and Serena blinked in the glare."Can I help you, Ma'am?"Serena looked over her shoulder at the man who emerged from behind the ticket counter. From his clothes and cap she deduced he was the stationmaster and smiled at him."When I have warmed myself a little," she replied, still holding her hands over the stove."You chose a mighty cold day for traveling, if you don't mind me saying so."She heard the curiosity in his voice. "Traveling in mid March was hardly a choice. More of a necessity, if anything." She rubbed her hands together then stamped her feet a little."I've got some coffee going back here, if you'd like some." The man jerked his thumb towards the area behind the counter."That's very kind of you but no, thank you." Serena feared the coffee would be as black as tar, very strong and not at all to her liking. "I would, however, like directions to the Golden Nugget Hotel. Is it far?""It's across the street behind us and down on the end of the next block.""I don't suppose there's any form of transport available to take me there?" Serena held her hands over the stove again.The stationmaster laughed. "You could walk there by the time I get the station hitch harnessed or start the automobile.""Then I shall just have to walk very quickly."The door opened again, letting in an icy blast of air followed by a lanky boy dragging a loaded trolley."And here's my luggage." Serena eyed the piled trunks, hat boxes and valises. "These I would like delivered, if you please.""I'll take care of that right away and, if you have no objection, I'll have young Joe here walk you to the Nugget.""Thank you, Mr...?""Wilberforce, Ma'am. Sam Wilberforce." Sam tipped his cap."Well, Mr. Wilberforce, I thank you again." Serena turned to the boy who twisted his cap nervously in his hands. "And are you sure you don't mind walking me to the hotel, Joe? It is very cold to be outside today."Joe blushed. "I d-don't m-mind at all," he stuttered, overcome with embarrassment at being made the object of her attention. "If you'll c-come w-with me I'll show you the way."***Sam watched the young woman cross the street. Joe stumbled along beside her, trying to keep up. Her long, athletic stride made the dark green skirt of her traveling suit swirl about her legs. No doubt about it, she was a good looking woman. He'd noticed the wisp of dark hair that escaped the confines of her fur hat and her pink cheeks and clear gray eyes certainly brightened his day.When they were out of sight he crossed to the trolley. He ran his hand over the top of a valise and eyed the trunks it was perched on. He'd never seen Louis Vuitton luggage but he knew it was expensive and sure knew the name. Her accent was unmistakably English and everything about her spoke of a quality he normally didn't see passing through his station.Why was she traveling alone and what was she doing in Bandit Creek? He lifted one of the luggage tags.Lady Serena Buxton, Golden Nugget Hotel, Bandit Creek, Montana, he read.He immediately recognized the name and his heart sank. He turned the tag over to make sure there was no mistake.Lady Serena Buxton, Buxton Hall, Stoneton, Gloucestershire, England."Aw, hell," he muttered. "Now there'll be trouble."

Forever Can Be Guest Blog with Madison Daniel

"Forever can be, something to bleed for..." - Ashes Dividehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG8wsO4nUac

Everyone has a muse. Some deny it. Some try to change it. Some don't even realize they have one. AND...some are haunted by it. I am one of those people.
My name is Madison Daniel and I am on a constant quest to find and romance my "muse." What's a muse, some may ask. I think it is different for everyone. For some it's the struggle for wealth. Others, the fulfillment of family. Many, search for the ultimate love. And some, search for an escape. For me? Well, my muse is...music.
I am a new writer who has used music in every possible shape and form. I've played it...I have written it. I have learned from it. I have been seduced by it. These days, I chase it. Romance it even. Music is present while I write. Music is present while you read my words. Everything I write has a song or lyric to go along with it. To color my words in sound. To fill your head with images only you as my reader can see. That is my muse. That is my addiction. When you read one of my stories, it is now...your muse.
Music is eternal. The one true, great equalizer. Nothing is as true as the instant a song hits you. Love it or hate it...the reaction is there. It's built in our design. A song can take you back to a moment in time. Your first dance. Your first kiss. Your first broken heart.
We all have a music inside of us. It carries us through our hectic lives. Many people ignore it though. Some lose themselves in it and get lost in a fantasy world. A balance of the two is the norm for most individuals. I'm writing this post today to express my opinion that music is forever. Music is life. Music is something worth believing in. Music is my words, my soul...my muse.

Ember
By Madison Daniel
~Book One in the Ember Series~
Love never dies...but it can kill.

Ember is the story of Max Valentine, a teenager with secret abilities and many inner demons. His life revolves around music and his love for it. When his father dies he seeks answers with his last living relative, his fathers brother Frank. Frank lives on the island of Maui and eagerly takes Max in as his own. Max soon learns that healing his past will be more difficult then he could have ever believed. Two major complications will tempt and torment him as he tries to make sense of his abilities.

The first temptation comes in the form of a mysterious island girl. Asia Lyn Michaels is rich, spoiled, angry and beautiful. Her path crosses with Max on the beach one afternoon, forever changing both of their lives. Max saves her life and she discovers his secret. From that moment on they are connected, no matter how much they fight it.

The second temptation will test Max's very soul. Samantha Ann Summers is sweet, artistic, smart and confident. She will help Max find his smile again and maybe even heal his past mistakes. She is possibly his soul mate and Max will fight that with every fiber of his being.

Max's temper and indecision with the girls will send in motion events that will cost him dearly. He will test the limits of his powers and the new relationship with his protective uncle. He will gain a powerful love and lose another. Blood will be on his hands, forcing him to run away from what he wants the most...a new start.

About the Author:
Music is LIFE and the written word is our SOUL. Music and writing have been my true ambition since I was a child. I have used music in every form possible; writing it, performing it, healing with it, etc. I call it my "life's soundtrack." I have always written in some form, from comic books to screenplays to short stories and now the new series "Ember." I have spent my writing life inspired by all the music of the universe, 80's movies and eye candy. When not writing I enjoy dreaming out loud, challenging the real world and inspiring the ones I love. I have found a true passion for my stories and characters and am eager to share them with the world. See you on the next book tour...M.D.

Blog:
http://madisondaniel13.blogspot.com/

Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/MadisonDaniel13

Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5098993.Madison_Daniel

Tumblr:
http://maddanauthor.tumblr.com/

Facebook Author:
http://www.facebook.com/Madison.Daniel.Author

Facebook Book Series:
http://www.facebook.com/EmberSeries

Amazon Author:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005DMSAIO

Smashwords:
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/MadisonDaniel




Book trailer http://youtu.be/PWXrW2ub5jM

Interview with Carolina Courtland author of Sweet Savage Blood

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
I grew up reading old classic romance novels like Shanna and Angelique and the King. I got into paranormal romance a few years ago and was inspired to combine the two styles.
What is it about the paranormal, in particular vampires that fascinates you so much?
Vampires make great characters. They can be sensual, elegant, and have enhanced abilities and talents. There's so much more you can do with them: go back in time, have them appear and disappear like smoke. Plus, all their emotions are heightened, which makes for great drama.
What inspired you to write this book?
I wanted to bring the passion from the old bodice-rippers to the teens of today. I noticed most paranormal romances are erotica. They are so explicit they are not suitable for young people. On the other hand, teen paranormal novels don't contain heart-pounding romance. I wanted to merge the paranormal elements, which are popular today, with the traditional romance.
Please tell us about your latest release.
Sweet Savage Blood is about undying love and sacrifice. It's about a man who loved his late wife so much he willingly turned into a vampire so he could wait for her to be reincarnated. The problem is, once she comes back, he finds it isn't easy to reunite with her. He has to overcome serious obstacles. 
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?
I look for unique names. I do search for certain time periods to see if a name might have been used at the time my characters lived. Caden, my main male vampire character's name, is an old Welsh name that means "warrior".
Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?
My heroine, Dominique, was the most challenging, since she is really two characters. (The book has flashbacks in time.)  She is both her original self from the 1800s, and a modern day reincarnation. When I was developing her, I had to allow for the fact that the two Dominique were raised differently, in vastly dissimilar eras. Even though her soul is the same, I couldn't have their reactions and behavior be exactly alike because that wouldn't ring true.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
Caden's vampire cousin, Quentin. I loved writing his snarky, mocking comments.
What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?
My favorite scene is when Quentin's craving for Dominique's best friend, Madison, gets the best of him, and he proclaims his desire for her at the opera. It's a sizzling scene with a surprising twist. (That's in Part II: Revelations)
Did you find anything really interesting while researching this book?
I discovered there was a Federal slave law passed in 1850 that made it a crime to harbor runaway slaves. This created ruthless "slave catchers" who hunted them down. Slaves were forced back to their  "rightful" owners. I was shocked by all of it.
Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?
It's exactly like our world today, except it has paranormal creatures.
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?
Sweet Savage Blood comes in three parts: Reunion, Revelations and Blood Ties. They have to be read in order and can't be read alone.
Do you ever suffer from writer's block? How do you deal with it?
I do suffer from writer's block and there's nothing I can do when that happens. I will look at a blank page and have nothing. Then one day it just hits me and I start writing again.
When did you consider yourself a writer?
When I was a child and started getting good grades for writing creative stories.
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
Eating foods that aren't good for you, like fried chicken, pizza and chocolate sundaes.
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
I rescue animals from shelters and the street. I am an avid animal rights activist and a gourmet cook.
What can readers expect next from you?
I've already started Sweet Savage Blood's sequel:  Blood Fires. Readers will discover who the mysterious woman with the violet eyes is.
Where can readers find you on the web?
At my website: www.sweetsavageblood.comOr my blog: http://sweetsavageblood.wordpress.com/And on Facebook: Carolina Courtland
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
I would love to. This is a scene from Part III: Blood Ties with Caden and Dominique:
". . .With his savage desire overtaking him, his mouth covers hers. His kisses become more forceful, more aggressive. No longer having a will of his own, his lips move from her mouth to her neck. He runs the tip of his tongue up and down the length of her carotid artery, savoring the sensation of pulsing life in it. She quivers in response. A fire ignites in him, blotting out all reason. Every muscle, every vessel, every cell in his body demands he take her, drink from her—now. He lifts up from her neck with his nostrils flaring. His fangs come down, his pupils slit, and he lunges at her beckoning artery. He groans in ecstasy as his lips make contact with her succulent, yielding flesh. He can smell the sweet nectar of her rich blood, hear her blood singing to him, feel her pulse throbbing from his lips through his entire body. Driven insane with bloodlust, his sharp fangs start to pierce her supple skin . . . " Dominique is a typical teen in a boring Texas town, where the most exciting thing is the annual turnip green festival. When the charismatic Caden Hanover enrolls in her high school, her life takes a heart-pounding turn. From the moment she sees Caden, she is irresistibly drawn to him. She has no idea that not only is he a vampire, but that he knows she is the reincarnation of his human wife—the wife he hasn't seen in almost two hundred years. He is determined to reestablish their passionate love. He won't stop until he claims Dominique as his own—and eventually makes her his vampire bride.

5x7 Folded Card

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