Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 530

Spotlight on Bandit Creek Books: Skin Deep by Shanna Gekko

Bewitching Book Tours schedules promotion and review requests for Bandit Creek Books
You can see a complete list of Bandit Creek Books here: http://banditcreekbooks.com/books/

If you would like to schedule an interview with one of the authors or receive a pdf of one of the books for review please contact me at RoxanneRhoads@bewitchingbooktours.com 


Please include your blog name and url, the title of the book you would like to review, and/or name of the author you would like to interview and a couple of suggested dates you have available.

This week's spotlighted title is Skin Deep by Shanna Gekko



Skin Deep
By Shanna Gekko
Book Blurb

Kai knows trouble has found him when a fiery pint-sized female shows up at his door, bringing news of gruesome animal sacrifices in the woods around Bandit Creek. She also brings a teasing scent that draws his attention and sends every protective instinct screaming for him to protect his mate.

Hazel is determined to stop the monster she's been following for miles and she won't let anything distract her from her mission. She teams up with Kai, but vows to keep a firm "no-touch" policy where the handsome Native is concerned. Her resolve doesn't last long as the two are drawn together like lodestones, their every touch igniting a passion neither has faced before.

Only, the trail of ritual sacrifices points to a greater threat than either first realized. They are about to face Kai's enemy ancestor, a yee naaldlooshii—skinwalker—who will stop at nothing to destroy everything around him.

Author Bio:

Shanna Gekko currently juggles writing with herding kids and pets, and a full-time job, among other commitments, and she truly doesn't know how she does it. While she will read practically anything, her writing has strayed to the fantastic since she was in Grade 7. You can read some of her musings at www.talesfromtheashes.blogspot.com



Skin Deep ExcerptBy Shanna Gekko

Interview and Giveaway with Erosa Knowles

What is it about the paranormal, in particular aliens that fascinates you so much?
Paranormal stories allows me to suspend my personal boundaries and fly free. Often times, the heroes represent the ultimate Alpha male. Rugged, tough, strong, sensual and sexy with serious stamina. These men are the embodiment of most female fantasies. Vampires, werewolves, and aliens are those mysterious bad boys your mom warned you about. Typically they have attitudes and flaunt tradition. They have the means to support a woman's wildest dream and the ability to help her create a few more.
What inspired you to write this book?
It's embarrassing. I was locked out of my house and had to wait for help to arrive. Sitting on the porch, I thought about how such a small thing (key) kept me from everything I needed to access. The absence of this item threw my world in a tailspin for over an hour. I couldn't drive my car, enter my home for food or to relieve myself. Maybe it was the sun or the tepid air, but I romanticized the situation, creating the Lawke and Kee series.
Please tell us about your latest release.
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?
Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?
Lorenzo was a secondary character and the challenge was to keep him from overshadowing Khayden. Constantly, I rewrote many of Lorenzo's lines and gave them to Khayden or other characters so he didn't shine as much. As a character, Lorenzo's growth was phenomenal beneath Alayna's gentle tutelage. He deserved space in the story because of the connection with Alayna, but I found it a juggling act to keep his role small and yet strong.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
Alayna was quirky and fun to write. She sang, she danced, she was open to new things, as long as her heart was safely locked away and not required. I enjoyed her tough but fair persona and how she responded to defunct department stores. It would have been hard for me to leave a pair of jeans marked down 70% as well!
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 she sees the defunct department stores and is completely blindsided. I have fond memories of Woolworths, Zayres and Jordan Marsh department stores. All of these stores were in Miami during my youth, and if I were to see them fully functioning again it would make me pause as she did. Her question to Lorenzo, "is this where stores come after they die?" made me laugh so hard I had to put it in the story.
Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book?
Actually, I now know more about the retail industry and corporate take-overs than I will ever use. Stores don't die, they are purchased, retired or renamed. As the case with Zayres, it became Ames, and Jordan Marsh was absorbed by Macys. Woolworth's operate in Germany, and a few other countries, but they are not a part of the original chain. Woolworth's owners had not trademarked their name before these companies began. Also, Woolworth channeled its energies into Footlocker, they own that chain. See?
Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?
Lawkharven is the town that houses Lawkes and their Kees. It is hidden from the world in forests or mountainous areas where the Frejyn plant can grow. Because the Lawkes have been on Earth for two centuries, they have kept the architecture that works for them, consequently you have a hodgepodge of well built homes from different eras. As long as the homes and commerce areas hold up, there is no reason to replace them. They use cobblestoned roads, have no telephones, no electricity, water is pumped from a nearby stream. They are simple and yet complex.
Every Lawkmerian releases energy to the Master Lawke to insure his survival. Theirs is a symbiotic relationship. As the head he provides nourishment to all. Everything he overcomes/experiences, the people do as well.  Lawkmerians communicate telepathically and go for long periods of time separated from other Lawkharvens. They must partake of the Frejyn plant to keep the gelatal membranes beneath the surface of their skin pliable. This allows free transfer of energies between Lawkes and Kee. The Frejyn is the only plant they eat that varies from human diets. The bodily functions are similar.
The higher ranking Lawkes have additional powers and can teleport, create fire, grapple the wind, raise water and turn the earth. The Master Lawke is limited in what he can do until he is unlocked. Until that time, his people provides his energy, remain barren and wilt under the scarcity of the Frejyn plant.
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?
This is the first book of the series. It is my goal to write each subsequent book in a manner that it can stand alone.
Do you ever suffer from writer's block? How do you deal with it?I have writers block, big time at times. Typically, I move away from the computer and read one of my favorite authors. Strange thing about reading other book when you're an author. Both you'll love it and it fires your desire to write better. Or you hate it and it fires you desire to write better.
Do you write in different genres? Yes, I write contemporary as well as paranormal. My favorite genre to read is paranormal. The characters are larger than life and extremely entertaining.
What can readers expect next from you?There will be a sequel to this book in the fall. It's about the son Alayna is carrying now and the problems he is having with his Kee. Where can readers find you on the web?My website is www.erosaknowles.com; Facebook: Erosa Knowles; Twitter:#erosaknowlesWould you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?"What's the name of your town?"She wasn't sure how she knew his tension eased but she did. He relaxed. "Lawkharven.""Lockhaven?""No, you say it as you say the word law. Lawkharven." He enunciated again."Oh, okay. Got it. What's your name?" She stood in the middle of the road, rambling. Which made her wonder which of them had the problem?"I am called Lorenzo. And you are?" He smiled at her and she froze. The man was drop dead gorgeous in a boyish-man kind of way. His eyes sparkled. His teeth gleamed, making her think he'd had some serious dental work. He'd put most of the male models on the covers of magazines to shame. Lorenzo would be a wet dream for a few of her friends, both male and female."Alayna. Call me Alayna." She broke their connection by glancing around, not wanting him to get the wrong impression. He was good-looking, but she wasn't interested. Having a cheating ex-husband break your heart did that to a woman. "Where can I grab a bite to eat?"He touched her shoulder, and she whirled on him. "Don't touch me."He back up a few steps, his eyes wide. "I am most sorry. Forgive me." Between sounding pitiful and his face losing its glow from a moment before, she felt like the biggest jerk.Tempering her voice and hoping the smile on her face appeared sincere, she backtracked. "No, it's okay, you just surprised me." And I don't like people I don't know touching me; bad memories - don't go there. "Which way to eat?"The moment the question left her mouth, the sweetest aromas split the air. She inhaled and felt as though she would levitate following after the smells. "I want some of that." She glanced at him. "Come on, Lorenzo. Let's eat." At the back of her mind, a warning blared at the coincidence of the smells and her comments, but she was so hungry, she pushed it aside to examine later.He waved her forward, remaining a cautious distance. They turned a corner and Alayna stopped so abruptly, Lorenzo bumped into her."I am sorry. I did not realize you had stopped." He tripped over himself trying to apologize.She waved him down and pointed at the large building in the middle of the block. "Is that a Woolworth over there?" Her head whipped from him to the building, back to him again. "I've seen pictures of my grandmother working in that place. But I thought they were extinct." She shook her head, trying to get the words right. "I mean, they went out of business. How can one be here? In the middle of the forest? I mean town. Oh, hell. Now I'm sounding batty."He waved her forward. "It is where you shall eat."As she crossed the street, her eyes widened at the other stores. There was an Eagle Army Navy, a Jordan Marsh department store, and one with a weirder name, Zayre. "What are those?" she asked, pointing to the buildings."They are places we replenish our supplies, a store." He looked at her with a glimmer of doubt in his eyes, as though she were the slow one."I know they're stores. I can see that. What I mean is…" She paused, trying to figure exactly what she wanted to know. "Is this where stores come after they die?" she whispered.

March 16 Guest blogThe Daydreamer's Book Obsessionhttp://hedaydreame3.blogspot.com/
March 17 InterviewFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tastic books.blogspot.com
March 18 Guest BlogThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
March 19 Guest BlogRoxanne's Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
March 20 Guest BlogCocktails and Books http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com
March 20 PromoJade Mystiquewww.jademystique.blogspot.com
March 21 InterviewKay Dee's Bloghttp://www.kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com
March 23 Guest blogLisa's World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
March 26 Guest blogFictional Candyhttp://www.fictionalcandy.com
April 2 Promostories with bite o,.,ohttp://ravencorinncarluk.blogspot.com
April 7 Guest BlogRead 2 Review http://read2review.com
April 8 reviewParanormal Romantic Suspense, http://sjclarke.com/blog-2/
April 8 PromoInk Spots and Roses, www.inkspotsandroses.com
April 10 ReviewBook A Day Spotlight JustViews.net
April 11 InterviewMare's Placewww.marilynwigglesworth.blogspot.com
April 12 Guest PostFiction Fascinationhttp://fictionfascination.blogspot.com/



Lawked Flame
By Erosa Knowles
Blurb

Can a woman who has been betrayed in the worst way by an ex-spouse learn to trust again? Will she open her heart to a man who seems to be too good to be true, meeting every requirement she has ever wanted or needed in a partner?

Alayna would. But it will take time. Time is the one thing Khayden, Master Lawke, doesn't have. His enemies are bent on destroying his people and harming Earth in the process.

The only way to save both is for his Kee, Alayna, to unlock him, freeing his powers and unbeknownst to her, her own. But first she has to believe that there's more to her current lover than she sees. It will take a leap of faith to accept his pursuit and engage her battered heart again. The attacks are speeding up, with an alarming amount of casualties. Despite the fierce attraction, Alayna isn't sure she's strong enough to lay bare her heart again, so soon. Khayden is betting his life that she is strong enough to do that and to handle his flame.


Lawked Flame by Erosa Knowles a paranormal romance.

Lawked Flame Excerpt:

Bat in one hand and a bottle of water in the other, Alayna strode down the middle of the cobblestone road that led to what appeared to be some sort of western town. Not western, she didn't see any saloons, but definitely not modern. There were two-storied clapboard buildings with interesting architectural details flanking the street. Her other brother Tommy was an architect. He would be able to explain all the scrolls and expansive woodwork on the exteriors.

As she studied the buildings she wondered if people lived in this place or if it was the remnants from a Hollywood movie set. Strange, none of the buildings bore signs on the outside. Even though they appeared well maintained—no peeling paint or even a loose board—like the plants and trees they seemed dull.

The sounds she'd heard earlier had ceased the moment the buildings had come into sight. A sense of foreboding rolled over her, and she considered returning to the safety of the truck. She squeezed the handle of the bat securely as she inched forward, her eyes roaming the street and buildings for signs of people.

A bubble of laughter rose up on the wings of hysteria. She was lost in the woods on a cobblestone road in the middle of what looked like a ghost town. If she were looking to develop a fantasy theme park, this would be a perfect spot. None of this made any sense. At twenty-nine years old with a brutal divorce under her belt, she'd lost her whimsical glasses and saw things with a pragmatic eye.

"Mmmay…I…I..h.h.help?" The deep voice stuttered as though unsure he could speak.

"Ahhhh," Alayna yelled as she spun around at his first word, dropping her water bottle as the bat flew forward, striking him on the arm. Totally unaffected by the blow, he glanced at the bat and then at her.

Oh shit. Her heart nearly jumped out her throat. Chest heaving, palm forward, she backed away from the serious-looking man. "Where'd…you…come…from?" she choked out the question. She hadn't heard his approach.

He frowned. "Come… from?" His eyes were cloudy.

Lord help her. He, like their surroundings, seemed dull. "Yes," she drawled. "You were not here a moment ago." She stared at him, taking in his light green long-sleeved canvas drawstring shirt and matching pants. His hair was an odd mixture of blondish-brown.

He blinked repeatedly. "Moment ago?" he asked, his words clearer.

Backing away, she glanced back the way she'd come, wondering if she could make it to the Rover.
"I am sorry if I frightened you."

Alayna jumped as her head whipped around to see the stranger had closed the space between them. "Damn it. Stop that. Stop sneaking up on me. You're going to give me a heart attack." Damn, Speedy Gonzalez.

For a moment she thought back to when she was in her office dealing with one of her staff, they'd enjoyed walking up on her like that. Afterwards, they'd all laughed at her reaction, sometimes it'd been funny. This was not one of those times. Her hand rested on her wildly beating chest as she kept an eye on Speedy. He remained passive, staring at her as though she were the anomaly. "My car broke down in the forest, is there someone here who can get it started? Or what about a phone, do you have a phone?"

He frowned again.

Frustration clouded her mind and unhinged her mouth. "Stop that. You know what a phone is, just let me make a few calls and I'll be on my way." Fear snapped her mouth shut. No one knew where she was, and she was giving this guy attitude. She hoped he had thick skin and would ignore her outburst.

"Car. Automobile, method of transportation, it failed you and now you require assistance. Is that correct?" He offered what could've been considered a smile, if he hadn't appeared to be in pain.

Her estimation that she'd stumbled into some type of mental garrison gained momentum. What if they didn't allow her to leave since she discovered their illegal secret? This young man shouldn't be out on the street without supervision. Mentally, she fast-forwarded every television program and movie she'd ever seen with this type of set-up. It didn't look good for her.

"Yes," she said. Take me to your leader. "Is there anyone here who can help me?" Images of the young man taking her into a castle-like building tickled her imagination, her mind rolled images one after the other of spoofs she'd seen and for a moment she forgot the harsh reality of the situation. No one knew where she was, and a man she didn't know, didn't respond to a hit from a baseball bat.

Moments later, the door opened on the cocoa-colored old Victorian building in front of her, drawing her attention. The mental images screeched to a halt as a large man wearing similar clothes, except they were tan, as the smaller man in front of her, stepped out.

The dude had to be at least six-four and was wide like a linebacker with an angular face and a short neck. He didn't seem happy and remained by the door, staring at her. Instinctively, she tightened her grip on the bat, pushing back the mental replay of how ineffective it'd been against the much smaller man. It'd probably feel like a gnat or fly to this one.

"Who's he?" she asked. She was suddenly more comfortable with the smaller man than the silent giant who simply stared at them.

"He will fix your vehicle as you requested."

"I also asked for a phone." Her eyes slid to him, hoping he'd give in to that request as well.

"There are no telephones here." Although he'd infused sympathy into his voice, his eyes said he wasn't.

Alayna stared at him a moment longer. Had she thought his eyes cloudy? Once again she'd misjudged, they were a light green, like the color of mint tea. In fact, his outfit matched his eyes perfectly. A shiver of unease went through her. Had she stumbled into a testing facility where they cloned people? Or ran experiments or something worse? She opened her mouth to ask, but slammed it shut, dreading the answer. Looking up at the porch, she noticed the big guy had left and was halfway down the road.

Pivoting, she charged after him. "Stop," she yelled. He continued forward. "Stop right now, damn it." Her voice deepened as fear choked her.

He froze, looked over his shoulder and waited.

Panting, she finally caught up with him. Digging into her pocket, she pulled out the keys. They glinted in the weak sunlight.

He looked at them and then at her, a question in his eyes.

"You need the keys to start the Land Rover." She waited until he offered his palm, and dropped the keys into his cupped hand. "Want me to come with you?" She walked next to him and stared back when she noticed he hadn't moved.

"No. You should go back and refresh yourself." The coarseness of his voice made her wonder if he'd used it in a while.

Her stomach growled, reminding her of some needs that required her attention. She'd eaten all of her picnic foodstuff between last night and this morning. Still, she didn't want to leave a complete stranger alone with her brother's vehicle. "No, I'll get something after we get the truck started." She waited for him to join her.

"It may not start. It may need a tow," he said, his words stilted.

"Do you have a tow truck? Or will you call someone from town?"

He frowned. "Call?"

"Never mind. Let's get started." She turned in the direction of the Rover, swinging the bat in tandem with her steps. The way seemed longer and by the time she saw the outline of the truck, she was winded. She pointed as though he'd miss the only vehicle sitting slumberous in the forest. "There it is."

She stopped at the clearing, head bowed, hands on her knees, and breathed heavily. The air seemed heavier, less fragrant. Sniffing, she turned in the direction of Mr. Silent and stopped, embarrassed that he'd caught her smelling him. She'd always had this thing for scents, and many times she'd make decisions based on the way someone or something smelled.

Her face warmed as she turned away. "Sorry."

He grunted as he opened the door and popped the hood.

Alayna peeked around him at the intestines of the truck. "What's the matter with it?" she asked. She was impatient to get the thing running so she could deposit it safely in her brother's garage and think about everything she'd seen.

He grunted again, walked over to the driver's side, reached in and turned the key. Fingers crossed, she prayed for a miracle. Nothing. She heard the car door open and then close. He returned to the front, looked at her and pulled the hood down. She jumped at the sound.

"Any clue why it won't start? I don't think that's ever happened before," she said as he started back in the direction they'd just come from. He didn't respond and he didn't slow down. Tired, deflated, and unable to keep up, she slowed her pace to get her bearings.

Where the hell was she? Should she follow him and try for more assistance? During the short time she'd talked to green eyes she couldn't put her finger on what it was, but something wasn't right. She revised her mentally challenged camp theory. Maybe a commune? Nature lovers compound? That'd explain no phones, wouldn't it? Hell, she had no idea, no one she knew was into that type of thing. Her stomach growled again. Not only was she tired and hungry, she needed a shower.

"Do you require additional assistance?"

Alayna jumped, dropping the bat this time. Her hand flew to her throat. "I asked you not to do that," she snarled, furious with herself for being so skittish. "What are you doing here?" Her eyes widened when she saw the clapboard buildings. Had she walked back that fast without realizing it?

"I was told you were hungry." He waited for her to speak, his light green eyes curious, but other than that she couldn't pick up any hidden agendas.

"I am." She hated admitting she needed something from him or Mr. Silent. She hadn't finished cataloging them and this place. Her rounds of what if's had just begun. "Can you tell me something?" She looked him in the eyes, picking up on a flash of alarm. Her stomach clenched. Something was definitely wrong here.

"Yes."

"What's the name of your town?"

She wasn't sure how she knew his tension eased but she did. He relaxed.

"Lawkharven."

"Lockhaven?"

"No, you say it as you say the word law. Lawkharven." He enunciated again.

"Oh, okay. Got it. What's your name?" She stood in the middle of the road, rambling. Which made her wonder which of them had the problem?

"I am called Lorenzo. And you are?" He smiled at her and she froze. The man was drop dead gorgeous in a boyish-man kind of way. His eyes sparkled. His teeth gleamed, making her think he'd had some serious dental work. He'd put most of the male models on the covers of magazines to shame. Lorenzo would be a wet dream for a few of her friends, both male and female.

"Alayna. Call me Alayna." She broke their connection by glancing around, not wanting him to get the wrong impression. He was good-looking, but she wasn't interested. Having a cheating ex-husband break your heart did that to a woman. "Where can I grab a bite to eat?"

He touched her shoulder, and she whirled on him. "Don't touch me."

He back up a few steps, his eyes wide. "I am most sorry. Forgive me." Between sounding pitiful and his face losing its glow from a moment before, she felt like the biggest jerk.

Tempering her voice and hoping the smile on her face appeared sincere, she backtracked. "No, it's okay, you just surprised me." And I don't like people I don't know touching me; bad memories - don't go there.

"Which way to eat?"

The moment the question left her mouth, the sweetest aromas split the air. She inhaled and felt as though she would levitate following after the smells. "I want some of that." She glanced at him. "Come on, Lorenzo. Let's eat." At the back of her mind, a warning blared at the coincidence of the smells and her comments, but she was so hungry, she pushed it aside to examine later.

He waved her forward, remaining a cautious distance. They turned a corner and Alayna stopped so abruptly, Lorenzo bumped into her.

"I am sorry. I did not realize you had stopped." He tripped over himself trying to apologize.

She waved him down and pointed at the large building in the middle of the block. "Is that a Woolworth over there?" Her head whipped from him to the building, back to him again. "I've seen pictures of my grandmother working in that place. But I thought they were extinct." She shook her head, trying to get the words right. "I mean, they went out of business. How can one be here? In the middle of the forest? I mean town. Oh, hell. Now I'm sounding batty."

He waved her forward. "It is where you shall eat."

As she crossed the street, her eyes widened at the other stores. There was an Eagle Army Navy, a Jordan Marsh department store, and one with a weirder name, Zayre. "What are those?" she asked, pointing to the buildings.

"They are places we replenish our supplies, a store." He looked at her with a glimmer of doubt in his eyes, as though she were the slow one.

"I know they're stores. I can see that. What I mean is…" She paused, trying to figure exactly what she wanted to know. "Is this where stores come after they die?" she whispered.


Erosa Knowles Bio:

Originally from Miami Florida, Ms. Knowles now resides in North Carolina with her husband and teen-aged son. Two older children are married and live in North Carolina as well. An avid reader since college, Ms. Knowles is one of those people who keeps her books as old friends and has re-read all of them at least once. Many have been read more often. Writing stories, creating worlds and characters fuels my imagination is both physically relaxing and mentally invigorating. Although life got in the way and she had to postpone her writing, it is the one career she always craved. As a full time writer, her days are just as full, except now she is doing what she loves. Reading exciting stories from talented authors from various genres and writing the stories that tickle her imagination

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Suspense in Romance Guest Blog and Giveaway with Mal Olson

Romantic suspense. Technically, according to top authorities, for a novel to be truly a Romantic Suspense, the blend of the two genres must be equal. Not to say an author can't write a suspense with elements of romance or that a romance can't have a touch of suspense.

Since Romantic Suspense is where it's at for me, there's good news and there's bad news. Besides juggling the already numerous balls a writer must juggle—plot, setting, narrative, dialogue, goal-motivation-conflict, action-reaction, scene-sequel, voice, character arc, story arc—the list goes on—the romantic suspense author must add to the act, the weaving of two story threads—romance plot and suspense plot. Nora Roberts in her article "Crafting Romantic Suspense" published on www.thewritingcorner.com, says this weaving must be done perfectly, the two plot lines must be dependent on each other, and the construction must be meticulous.

Whew! That's a pretty tall order. Not too much romance, not too much suspense, but as in Goldilocks, the brew must be just right.

On the plus side, the "instant tension" created when an author drops the hero and heroine into a pot of boiling water, allows for a great hook. What better way to pump up a reader's adrenaline than by giving them the promise of romance blossoming on the edge of danger. The other good news is, writers who are passionate about romantic suspense are ravenous readers of the genre. A lot of the "dos and don'ts" become ingrained subconsciously. Instinct helps the writer get it right. In my case, I'm not obsessing over measuring exactly the balance between romance and suspense. It all works out, almost naturally, since I've been steeped for years in the works of Linda Howard, Suzanne Brockmann, Tara Janzen, Cindy Gerard, Elizabeth Lowell, Ann Stuart, Brenda Novak, and many other excellent RS authors.

When an author writes what she loves to read, she's well on the road to writing what others may love to read. It's simple, right? As long as the writer keeps juggling those balls, keeps things moving at a lightning fast pace, and by the end of the story the villain has suffered retribution and the hero and heroine have made some kind of commitment, and if along the way, the reader has been treated to edge of the heart romance and edge of the seat suspense, the author has succeeded in producing a true Romantic Suspense novel—in three words: Shadow of Deceit, my debut novel. (Mal Olson, author of adrenaline kicked romantic suspense)

Follow Mal's tour:

March 6 Guest blog/Tour IntroRoxanne's Realmwww.roxannesreal.blogspot.com
March 7 Character interview and reviewAlways a Booklover http://alwaysabooklover.blogspot.com
March 8 InterviewManga Maniac Café
March 8 PromoJade Mystiquewww.jademystique.blogspot.com 
March 9 Promo and reviewhttp://sjclarke.com/blog-2/
March 10 Spotlight (review later)Read 2 Review http://read2review.com
March 12 Guest blogBookin' It Reviews~ http://www.bookinitreviews.com/
March 15 InterviewTheresa Stillwagon
March 16 Guest BlogFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
March 22 Guest PostLisa's World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
March 26 review and guest posthttp://www.stormgoddessbookreviews.blogspot.com/
March 27 Promo and reviewKeeping Up With The Rheinlander'shttp://mnmrheinlander.com
March 29 Promo and InterviewJeanzBookreadNReview http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.com/
March 30 Guest Blog and reviewCocktails and Books http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com
April 1 Interview and reviewBeverly @ The Wormholehttp://wormyhole.blogspot.com
April 1 Guest Blog, reviewLissette E. Manninghttp://www.simplistik.org/lissetteemanning
April 2 Interview and Giveawayat Kay Dee'shttp://www.kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com





Shadow of Deceit
By Mal Olson
66,835 wordsGenre: romantic suspense

Blurb:

Can an FBI agent obsessed with redemption and a grieving widow desperate to clear her husband's name learn to believe in love again?

Shannon Riedel faces down danger when a gunman breaks into her office claiming her dead husband swindled him. When FBI agent Tony Crazaniak arrives to investigate, sexual heat sizzles. The ex-Delta Force operative's massive presence and dark eyes trigger an attraction the young widow finds unnerving.

When Crazaniak convinces Shannon she needs his protection, they partner to unearth secrets her husband left behind—secrets involving a Tanzanian mine that yields perfect blue diamonds coveted by dealers around the world—secrets connected to a terrorist leader Crazanaik has vowed to take down.

With danger surrounding them, two emotionally wounded souls bond, but can they put their demons to rest and trust in love? Can they survive long enough to find out?

Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MN-ph78gic

THE WILD ROSE PRESS
ebook or paperback
AMAZON
Most online booksellers
Available March 7, 2012

Author bio:

Mal Olson writes adrenaline-kicked romantic suspense. When her consuming passion for writing allows time, she enjoys reading, flower gardening, jamming with friends on the mountain dulcimer, and hiking in a nearby state forest (or in the mountains somewhere). She has three grown children and one granddaughter and resides with her own special hero in southeast Wisconsin where she juggles writing time with her freelance landscape design business.



Visit Mal online: www.malolson.com



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Kicking Off The Shades of Desire Tour with The Big Easy

Certain cities have certain reputations. New York is the city that never sleeps. L.A. is the city of angels. Las Vegas is Sin City. New Orleans… well, New Orleans is a little of everything rolled into one.

Founded in 1718 by the French, the city changed hands multiple times before finally being sold to the Americans in the infamous Louisiana Purchase of 1803. By that time, the city was a nice blend of French, Spanish, Creole, Cajun…basically, you name it, New Orleans had it. Also home to a large slave population, the city's culture was influenced by the varied cultures from Africa and the Caribbean. Needless to say, there was a lot going on in the gumbo pot.

This elaborate mix gave birth to some of the most amazing architecture, food, and music in the world. To this day, if you mention New Orleans, there's a pretty good chance that one of those three topics will be the first thing rhapsodized about. Hurricane Katrina and her after effects might still be touted about, but on the whole, the city of New Orleans has regained her feet and is slowly growing back into the good time place she's known to be.

There aren't a lot of cities where you can enjoy a breakfast filled with dishes such as Eggs Hussarde, New Orleans Turtle Soup and Creole Chocolate Suicide Cake, washing it all down with mimosas, and then step out onto the sidewalk (or banquette, if you're feeling more than a little French) and listen to some lively jazz before strolling down to the river and watch the barges and the West Bank ferry. You're also not likely to find historical buildings such as the New Orleans Opera House sharing street space with a half dozen or so strip clubs. If you move further Uptown, you have college students renting apartments in houses older than their grandparents and doing their grocery shopping in the same corner stores as the grand dame whose great something or another helped found the American portion of the city.

New Orleans may not have the hustle and bustle of New York, or the glitz and glamour of L.A., or the over-the-top seediness and greed of Las Vegas, but she does have her own unique, Southern charm. Even better, she has the kind of open mind so difficult to find when you start heading north and west, making the streets of the French Quarter the perfect spot for a meeting of vampires, witches, voudouns, and other things that go bump in the night.

Come on in, sit a spell—I've got a story for you…

March 16 Tour Launch/IntroFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
March 16 reviewThe Autumn Reviewwww.autumnreview.com
March 17 reviewsDoctors Notes doctorsnotes-shy.blogspot.com
March 17 Promo and reviewSJ Clarke's Blog
March 18 Guest BlogRoxanne's Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
March 20 reviewWTF Are You Reading? http://wtfareyoureading.blogspot.com/
March 24 Spotlight with series reviewCocktails and Books http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com
March 26 Guest blog Grave Tellswww.gravetells.com
March 26 Guest blogJ.D. Brown's Blog http://darkfantasybookclub.blogspot.com
March 27 Reviewwww.workadayreads.com
March 30 Guest blogLouisa Bacio -- Love Knows No Boundshttp://louisabacio.blogspot.com
April 2 Interview and PromoJeanzBookReadNReview http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.com/
April 3 Guest blogFictional Candy
April 4 InterviewThe Speculative Salon: http://speculativesalon.blogspot.com/
April 4 Guest blogFiction Fascinationhttp://fictionfascination.blogspot.com/
April 5 Guest blogMama Knows Books- http://mamaknowsbooks.blogspot.com
April 10 When I'm Not Writing FeatureReviewTynga's Reviews http://www.tyngasreviews.com
April 10 Guest blogRead2Review http://read2review.com

April 11 reviewsSupaGurl Bookshttp://www.supagurlbooks.blogspot.com
April 12 Promo and reviewReader Girlswww.readergirlsblog.com 
April 13 Promo and reviewBeverly @ The Wormholehttp://wormyhole.blogspot.com
Shades of Desire

By L.M. Pruitt
Blurb
All I wanted was a little peace and quiet.

Instead, I've got dead Covenant members and a steady stream of letters from the new guy in town. His beverage of choice? A 2002 Merlot, with a shot or two of powerful virgin blood.

On top of that, I'm breaking in a new police liaison, failing at playing matchmaker, and fighting nausea like it's a full time job. All I wanted was a little peace and quiet.

Instead, I've got dead Covenant members and a steady stream of letters from the new guy in town. His beverage of choice? A 2002 Merlot, with a shot or two of powerful virgin blood.

On top of that, I'm breaking in a new police liaison, failing at playing matchmaker, and fighting nausea like it's a full time job.

Did I forget to mention that I've also got enough girls living at the Crossroads to start my own boarding school?

Peace and quiet? Out the window.

--Jude Magdalyn Henries


Buy Links             Kindle    

Book 1 Shades of Grey for your Kindle, in Paperback
Hole in the Wall a Jude Magdalyn free Kindle short

About the Author:

L.M. Pruitt has been reading and writing for as long as she can remember. A native of Florida with a love of New Orleans, she has the uncanny ability to find humor in most things and would probably kill a plastic plant. She is the author of the Jude Magdalyn Series as well as New Moon Rising, featuring Cari Gravier, and Taken, featuring Frankie Post. She is currently at work on the next book in the Moon Rising series, Harvest Moon Rising, due out April 2012. Ms. Pruitt makes her home in Florida with two cats--one smart, the other not so much.

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/LM-Pruitt/364776895104

Blog: http://www.lmpruitt.blogspot.com

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

The Magic of Following Your Heart Guest Blog by Holly Robinson

The Magic of Following Your Heart
            Many thanks to Roxanne for inviting me to stop by her amazing site—and for all that she does on behalf of authors everywhere! 
            Despite Roxanne's warm invitation to visit here, I have to admit that I'm looking over my shoulder as I write this, waiting for a spirit lover or vampire to emerge from the shadows and take a nip out of my neck.  I can only hope that the paranormal creatures lurking here will generously tolerate me for a bit.  In exchange, I promise that my novel, Sleeping Tigers, delivers some magic!
            I followed my heart to become a writer.  Originally a biology major who intended to become a doctor—you know, the kind of doctor who wears safari gear and cures cancer in African villages—I started writing for fun and found that I couldn't give it up.  My heart led me to weave stories, articles, essays and books—sometimes my own, and sometimes for other people, as a real life ghost writer.  My parents were horrified, certain that I would never be able to support myself, but I soldiered on and eventually managed to earn a good living doing what I love best.  There is magic in following your heart, because doing so leads you to work that feels like play. 
            In writing my new novel, Sleeping Tigers, I tried to infuse some of my heart into each of the characters, knowing that was the only kind of magic that could bring them to life.  Like Jordan, the protagonist, I survived breast cancer—and that experience taught me how to live my life differently, lingering in the glory of each moment.  I also put a lot of my heart into Jordan's misguided brother, Cam, because I have two beloved brothers of my own.  Thankfully, they have made better choices than Cam, but I know that I would go to the ends of the earth if I thought it would save their lives.   
            Writers weave a certain magic when they create a book that casts a spell on you.  But it's up to you, as a reader, to open your heart and let the energy of the words infuse you with new emotions and ideas.  Give yourself permission to sit in a quiet place and disappear into a book, or hold your e-reader in a way that discourages conversation on the subway as you climb mountains in Tibet, fight off vampires, or kiss a man you've been longing to touch ever since you spotted him across a crowded room.
            The coming together of a writer and a reader is a magical dance, a joining of two hearts in a unique connection that, if we're lucky, might be remembered for a lifetime.

March 13 Guest BlogRead 2 Reviewwww.read2review.com
March 15 Reviewoodles of books.http://oodlesofbooks.net
March 15 Guest blogFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
March 16 Guest BlogRoxanne's Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
March 21 InterviewBabs Book Bistro.... Http://www.babsbookbistro.net/blog
March 22 Guest Blog www.thedarkphantom.wordpress.com
March 22 PromoJade Mystiquewww.jademystique.blogspot.com
March 24 PromoThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
March 24 InterviewJeanzBookReadNReview http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.com/
March 27 Guest BlogMama Knows Books http://mamaknowsbooks.blogspot.com
March 29 Guest BlogMelissa's Eclectic Bookshelfhttp://melissaseclecticbookshelf.blogspot.com/


Sleeping Tigers
By Holly Robinson
Jordan O'Malley has everything she ever wanted: a job she loves, a beautiful home, and a dependable boyfriend. When her life unravels after a breast cancer scare, Jordan decides to join her wildest childhood friend in San Francisco and track down her drifter brother, Cam, who harbors secrets of his own.

When Cam suddenly flees the country, Jordan follows, determined to bring him home. Her journey takes her to the farthest reaches of majestic Nepal, where she encounters tests—and truths—about love and family that she never could have imagined.

Funny, heartbreaking, and suspenseful, Sleeping Tigers reminds us all that sometimes it's better to follow your heart instead of a plan.

Get it for the Kindle and in paperback


Biography: Holly Robinson

Holly Robinson is a journalist and comic whose work appears regularly in national venues such as Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle, Huffington Post, Ladies' Home Journal, More, Open Salon and Parents. Her first book, The Gerbil Farmer's Daughter: A Memoir, was published by Harmony Books in May 2009 and was released in paperback in June 2010. It was a Barnes & Noble memoir selection as well as a Target Breakout Book.

Ms. Robinson holds a B.A. in biology from Clark University and an M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She and her husband have five children, two cats, a single gerbil and two very stubborn small dogs. They are currently renovating an antique house north of Boston, and will probably never finish it.

To learn more about Holly Robinson, please visit www.authorhollyrobinson.com

Zombification of the Daylight Savings Time Writer Guest Blog with SM Blooding

Writers are crazy people. I don't know if you knew that previously, but they are. Congratulations. Now you know.

We have this wicked tendency to become "inspired" to write something that's completely different than the book we're supposed to be writing. Sometimes, we decide that we're going to publish two books in quick succession while trying to write a complete novel in that same month. Why? Because we learned through NaNoWriMo that we're a super fast writer and it was EASY to do in November, so why not? Or we decide to write a novel while filling up a can with book ideas, one per day, and then get sidetracked with these neat ideas and wonder why the book we're supposed to be writing isn't…writing…itself. O_o Yeah. We do that.
This is just the writing part of our day. This isn't the work part of our day or the family part of our day or the barfing child part of our day or the…

@_@

We're already pushing ourselves past the point of no return. There's writing and editing and Tweeting and reviewing and BETA'ing and promoting. Good grief! There aren't enough hours in the day!

And then…we get daylight savings time!

WHAT?! You mean to tell me we're going to CHOOSE to take an hour OUT when we already don't have enough hours IN the day?! Voluntarily?

Do the cows care? I mean, really. I know, after coming from a farming background, that daylight savings time came about to help the farmers. But do they really pay attention? When I was a kid spending time at my grandparents, we woke up with the sun. We didn't have an alarm clock. The cows didn't care when we came. The chickens were just as ornery when the clock said 5 or 6 or the 5 that should have been 6.

And when you're sitting there asking yourself about the cows, ask yourself how you're going to get everything done with one hour missing from your already busy day.

But it's not just the one hour. It's the domino effect of all the things you had to get done in that one hour that needs to now be crammed into your other hours…and a WEEK later, you look like a zombie.

@_@

Happy Daylight Savings Day! You're a zombie.


*zombie walk* Braaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnssssssss!



As Night Falls

A Scarred Skies Novel
SM Blooding
Available: March 13, 2012
Format: E-book

Blurb:

Earth 4112:

Raven Dubois refuses to allow himself or his Vampiric Nation to dissolve into myth. He's trying to find a way to save his people from the President's New Order. With sanctuaries disappearing continuously and his people dying in numbers, his only hope lies in the ancient texts of the Watchers.

Raised by the Watchers and by the President, Becca is torn by two mortal enemies. The Watchers have raised her to protect the very people the President is trying to destroy. She holds the key to the ancient texts that Raven so desperately needs. However, can she believe that the man so like a father to her is trying to murder innocent people?

Raven's only hope for turning her already chaotic mind is to use her highly sensual nature and bind her to him using her heart instead of her mind.


[Night Fall] is a novel of political debauchery. The manipulation of society's minds is overwhelming and scary.


What makes the bile rise to my throat is how close to reality Frankie's tale really comes.This story is spectacular. [Night Fall] I gladly recommend it and advise college English professors to add it to their syllabuses.


Just Erotic Romance Reviews


About the Author:

SM Blooding lives in Colorado with her pet rock, Rockie, their new addition, Mr. Bird, who's a real bird. She likes to hike the beautiful Rocky Mountains, and is learning to play the piano and guitar. Currently, she's trying to MURDER them both. Friends call her Frankie.

She's dated vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, weapons smugglers and US Government assassins. Yes. She has stories.

She's also an investigator with a local paranormal investigation group, Colorado Paranormal Rescue!


Find out more about her at:


TwitterFacebook              Website/blog

Visit this link for SM Blooding's giveaway detailshttp://www.smblooding.com/2012/03/11/as-night-falls-launch-giveaway/

Guest Blog and Giveaway with J.A. Kazimer

Never Let Them See You Sweat: Hot Chicks in Leather
By J.A. Kazimer

According to The Wall Street Journal, "On the average, a book store browser spends eight seconds looking at the front cover and 15 seconds looking at the back cover." What does that mean for an author? Well, chances are if you are an urban fantasy or paranormal romance writer, your book cover will feature a chick dressed in black leather, even if your story takes place in the middle of the desert.

Don't get me wrong. Like any girl, I love tight black leather and heels. I often spend my nights dressed in the form fitting stuff and carrying extremely heavy weapons halfway tucked in my pants. What girl doesn't?
Yet I wonder if these dark, sexy covers are doing more harm than good for authors and readers alike. As a reader have you ever hid the cover of the book you were currently enjoying? Ever felt ashamed of a book because of the hot chick in leather on the cover or the muscle bound hunk smeared in oil (baby not olive, I assume)? Or have you ever picked up a book strictly because of the hot chick on the cover? Did the tale live up to the artwork?

Authors complain a lot about their covers, from little things like my main character has red hair and the woman on the cover is a blonde to a publisher actually changing the race of the character on a cover. But what do readers really think about cover art? Do hot chicks in leather sell books?


CURSES! A F***ed-Up FairyTaleDefinitely  not  for baby's bedtime reading, this hilarious and irreverent take on classic fairytales—think  Shrek  for grownups—combines humor, mystery, and characters only a fairy godmother could love…
When Cinderella is run over by a New Never City bus, her not-so-ugly stepsister, Asia,suspects murder. So she hires RJ, a private eye, to investigate. Little does she know RJ is actually a villain on mental health leave from the Villain's Union. Cursed with an inability to say no to damsels in distress, RJ travels to the Kingdom of Maldetto, meets the rest of Cinderella's family—including her fiancé, the flamboyant Prince Charming, Cinderella's crazy stepmother, and a seriously twisted version of Hansel and Gretel—and dodges bullets, explosions, fires, and his own ex-wife to slip his own version of glass handcuffs on the wrists that fit. All while falling for Asia, who has a curse of her own to deal with…Fabulous, frolicsome, and delightfully F***ed-Up, Kazimer's debut is a thoroughly fun read. - Nicole Peeler, author of the True Jane Series.Forget everything you know about Cinderella and her sisters. J.A. Kazimer sets the record straight with wit, humor and a hell of an imagination! - Jeanne C. Stein, National Bestselling Author of The Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles"More than f*cked up. Demented. Hilarious. Kazimer is going to warp a lot of minds and they're going to thank her."  - Mario Acevedo, author of Werewolf SmackdownAmazon.comBarnes & Noble.comBook-a-million.com
j.a. kazimer is a writer living in Denver, CO. With a master's degree in forensic psychology, j.a. has worked as a private investigator, bartender, and at the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics. Books include The Junkie Tales (2010), The Body Dwellers (2011), CURSES! A F***ed-Up Fairy Tale (2012), and Holy Socks & Dirtier Demons (2012). The next book in the F***ed Up Fairy Tale series, FROGGY-STYLE, is forthcoming from Kensington in 2013.

Want to win a print copy of Curses?
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The Vampire Book Realm

For Authors
The Vampire Realm is looking for authors!
Do you write vampire books? How about vampire romance? Or maybe horror is your thing? Whatever the vampire genre- The Vampire Book Realm wants you!

The Vampire Book Realm is a new website designed to help readers who love vampires to find the perfect book. Whether they are looking for fun vampire themed gifts or trying to find a great new vampire book, The Vampire Book Realm is where they'll be searching!
If you're an author who writes about vampires, whether you write romance, horror, or even if your vampires are only secondary characters, The Vampire Book Realm is the perfect place to get the word out about your books!
E-mail vampirebookrealm@yahoo.com to find out more, or visit The Vampire Book Realm Today !

For Readers
Are Vampires are your thing? Does the thought of a vampire lover send chills up your spine? Do you love to read about vampires? 
Having trouble finding enough books about vampires to sate your appetite for vampire books? Then you're in luck! 
There is a new website- The Vampire Book Realm that caters to both the readers and authors of vampire books

The Vampire Book Realm has everything from horror to erotic vampire romance, and everything in between.

Visit The Vampire Book Realm For the love of books…with a little bite.

Interview with Kristy Berridge Author of The Hunted

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
I've always been a creative person, writing short stories as a kid, messing around in the art studio and even going on to study graphic design at university. Not satisfied I decided to head into the world of interior design, mad keen to express myself, but still somehow unsatisfied and unsure of my passion. That was when I turned back to creative writing. With some free time on my hands I sat down and really thought about what would interest me as a possible author. Always being a supernatural nut, staying up late with my father as a kid and watching late night horror films, I thought to myself … I have to do it. Hence my release of The Hunted in 2011 and now the upcoming release of The Damned, not to mention the three other books vying for attention in this series.
What is it about the paranormal, particularly vampires, that fascinates you so much?
What's not to love? Although I do explore angles, demons, werewolves and magical elements within my books, I still always come back to vampires. Let's face it, they're known to be fast, strong, beautiful, and above all else … Immortal. Imagine what you could see and do with forever in front of you.
What inspired you to write this book?
If we're calling inspiration a decision brought about by a moment of boredom and the spark of an idea, then I'll say it was the urge to write something more than what was already available to me in other adventures.
Please tell us about your latest release.
The Hunted follows the story of Elena Manory, a young, self-assured sixteen year old born into the life of vampirism. Raised and supposedly protected by the Institute of Magical Intervention, she soon realizes that not everything is as it seems. There are hidden truths within her own blood to unlock, an alpha werewolf loose in her city, and a vampire named William very much intent on turning her world upside down. The only problem is, there's a cue, and the vampires are proving to be the least of her problems.
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?
The age of the character and their origins depended heavily on their choice of name. Some I plucked out of thin air, but obviously, British vampires would be better suited to names in keeping with their past.
Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?
Writing Elena was pretty easy. She's based loosely on me, so I basically just thought about what I would have said and done as a teenager, but obviously turned the amp up a little in some respects. When I wrote snippets from other characters, particularly male, I did ask my husband a few times if he would say or think in the same direction I was leading my characters. Hopefully I got it right.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
Lucas Manory, Elena's older adopted sibling. I found him to be a hoot, laughing like an idiot at some of the things he would say and do which is ridiculous since I'm the writer, but ironically you start to think of characters as people, and Lucas's personality really took shape for me.
Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?
The characters basically take shape as I start writing. Every now and then I have a flashbulb moment where I think (insert character here) and I simply start to describe who and what I need in this position in order for the story to move forward.
What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?
I'm partial to a scene where Elena and William really start to understand each other as supernatural entities. She's recently uncovered secrets about her past and of course, William being the first vampire she's ever met, she wants to feel accepted … understood, particularly when there's still so much she's yet to understand herself.
I felt cool air race across my skin as he drew in breath. I closed my eyes, waiting for the moment when he ripped out my throat—it was bound to happen any minute now. Several seconds passed before I opened my eyes again. His nose was no longer at my neck. His hands still held me securely in front of him and his body was still pressed against mine, but he was looking straight at me now. His face was completely expressionless and I suddenly felt more scared than I'd ever been in my entire life.
He knows.
His skin was more pale and translucent than it had been before, a transformation that I had not seen take place until my eyes had re-opened. His skin was streaked with faint lines of blue and when I looked closer, I could see that they were pulsing just under the surface. His eyes were completely black, no trace remaining of the magnificent green that I had previously beheld. In fact, there was nothing but darkness, not even the whites of his eyes present. They were like empty pits of obsidian, completely soulless and expressionless.I sucked in a sharp breath, trying to calm my frantic nerves. I was not afraid of the sight in front of me or the transformation from man to beast, and I was not fearful that my life may soon be ended. What I was most fearful of was not being accepted by the one creature that I was supposed to become. I was so afraid that the first vampire I had ever met, that I somehow felt connected to, was about to turn from me with disgust and loathing.
I held my breath and closed my eyes again, waiting for judgement.
'Impossible,' he murmured under his breath, 'absolutely impossible.'
My eyes instantly flicked open at the sound of William's voice. It was soft and confused, but I sensed no disgust or hatred. But the man in front of me was a predator and a killer and I was still nervous. He still held me close, his body hard against my own and unrelenting in its hold. His eyes were undeniably dark and dangerous, and his canines were slightly extended and ready to tear flesh.
'When you kill me,' I said in a voice barely above a whisper, 'please make it quick.'
He blinked. It was the first real sign of animation I had seen in his face in the last few minutes. 'Kill you?' he whispered, releasing my arms and taking a few steps backwards. 
'Why would I kill you?'
Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book?
I didn't really have to do a lot of research for The Hunted as it's based in my own city. However, I did have to do quite a bit of research for The Damned and the following books in the series. I can't really define it as interesting, but rather tedious when I just want to write. But it is a necessity if you don't want to sound like an idiot.
What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes?
Filming my book trailer was interesting. I had to go to the cemetery for a lot of still shots and it's pretty damn scary when you go by yourself.
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 doesn't differ at all except for the fact that these creatures of the supernatural realm exist. Their survival – every species whether magic user, werewolf or vampire depends on the secrecy of their existence. This is something I explore quite vividly as the series progresses, because naturally, a secret cannot be kept forever.
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?
The Hunted series needs to be read from beginning to end. There is a lot of information, action and character interaction. There are plots and sub plots and I fear readers will be easily confused if they don't start fresh, however, all the books have a gentle recap at the beginning - should you be inclined to skip ahead.
Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?
Elena is me about ten years ago. Of course she is also ten times more proactive, brave, sarcastic, and emotionally retarded than I ever was, but the teenage attitude is there.
Do you ever suffer from writer's block? How do you deal with it?
Touch wood I haven't encountered it yet, but I do have days where I'd rather lay on the couch and read someone else's book or settle in for a good movie.
Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals?
For some reason I can't start writing until I know my e-mails are checked, twitter and Facebook updates are checked and I have at least a couple of hours spare.
Do you write in different genres?
No yet, but I think I'd like to branch out and try other things when I write the next book or series. I have a feeling I'll always come back to Supernatural.

When did you consider yourself a writer?
I still don't. I have a full time job, a mortgage to pay and no sense of fame and fortune on the horizon. I love to write, but I can't really define myself as an author until that becomes my entire daily focus.
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
Chocolate and true Blood, preferably both at the same time.
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
I collect chocolate wrappers which I'm told is a little bit weird. I love to travel when I get the chance. I absolutely adore reading and funnily enough, I quite enjoy working out – must be the endorphins.
What was the last amazing book you read?
The last book I read that I enjoyed and would probably read again was Blood Lines by Richelle Mead.
Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?
On the couch, right under the air conditioner.
What can readers expect next from you?
The Damned which will hopefully be released in April may of this year and possibly even the Aligned later in the year or very early next year. Either way – I'm not going anywhere!
Where can readers find you on the web?
Blog: http://kristyberridge.blogspot.com/Web: http://www.kristyberridge.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/KristyBerridgeFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hunted/116951581718393
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
He roared out in pain, the sound erupting from the pit of his stomach soon turning into a mighty howl that spat blood in every direction. His whole body began to quiver in front of me as his skin started to tear open, and thicker tufts of grey matted fur began to poke their way through.
His arms and legs began to grow, the bones shifting within them to allow for the transformation. His fingers and toes pushed through the end of his sneakers, disintegrated them with long black claws. The T-shirt he was wearing began to rip away from his body as he grew larger, the confines of the cotton no longer able to contain his growing form. I could hear and see the bones of his rib cage snapping and contorting painfully in his chest as the beast within released itself from the last of the flesh containing him.
Run, Elena!
This time I listened to the voice. I was not certain it wasn't mine, but I followed the advice anyway. I swallowed hard and ran as fast as I could, ducking my way around him while his head was being warped by the beast inside of him. I had never seen anything like it, but I had no time to stop and observe. I needed to get out of there as fast as I could.

Spotlight on Bandit Creek Books Shafted by Kymber Morgan

Bewitching Book Tours schedules promotion and review requests for Bandit Creek Books
You can see a complete list of Bandit Creek Books here: http://banditcreekbooks.com/books/

If you would like to schedule an interview with one of the authors or receive a pdf of one of the books for review please contact me at RoxanneRhoads@bewitchingbooktours.com 


Please include your blog name and url, the title of the book you would like to review, and/or name of the author you would like to interview and a couple of suggested dates you have available.

This week's spotlighted title is Shafted by Kymber Morgan

Shafted
By Kymber Morgan
Book Blurb:
Is her love real or just a myth?

Returning to her summertime home of Bandit Creek, Callie Jamison discovers there's a lot more involved to her grandmother's legacy than a few cabins and some land, including a curse. The last thing she needs now is to fall in love.

Anteros, dark twin of Eros is responsible for avenging unrequited love, a job that's been a lot harder since his brother succumbed to ambro-fever and has been running amok shooting all the wrong people – including Anteros.

The clock is ticking, not only on his immortality and Callie's free will, but their hearts as well. Soon they'll each have to decide if the overwhelming attraction they feel is the real deal or if they've simply been 'Shafted' and it's all a cruel illusion.

Excerpt from:SHAFTEDA Bandit Creek Paranormal TaleBy Kymber MorganAn obnoxious sound polluted the air, loud enough to make Anteros wince. It took to the count of three to realize the annoyingly repetitive groan was coming from him.That couldn't be good.Had he gotten drunk with Charon again? His brain cells were sluggish coming back online, but didn't miss the cold cramp of muscles and aching bones currently housing him. Shit, he was probably on the crap end of another of his friend's oh-so-hilarious practical jokes.The last one entailed a term of servitude to the Furies before he was able to buy his way out of their lair. Given the nature of his indenture, time with them wasn't all bad, but that wasn't the point. No one wanted to piss off a woman created to rip a man's soul from his still breathing body, let alone three of them, so wiggling his way out of that one had been tricky.Was he on the banks of the Styxx this time? Why else would he be so cold? It wasn't like the Underworld had an air conditioning problem or anything. Or worse, had the bastard dumped him on the shores of Acheron, the River of Woe?A shard of dread lodged in his heart. In either case being a god himself didn't mean there wouldn't be Hades to pay – literally – and Anteros already owed his uncle too much after that last ill fated poker game. Contemplating the consequences made his head spin even worse.A nudge in his ribs interrupted his conjecture, shooting a spike of warning up his spine. It really didn't matter which of the Underworld Rivers he was languishing beside, anything corporeal enough to touch him was bad news. Here, only the damned, stuck without coin for the Ferryman, had substance. To them anything that might pay their way to the other side, especially some other poor sap's soul, was fair game."Hey? Are you…"Knowing surprise was his best shot, Anteros snaked his arm out and grabbed the prodding limb before it could drag him into the river. Charon had been his friend longer than either could remember, but there was no way he'd give a soul back, even Anteros's, if he ever got hold of it.With a hard yank and a yelp from the thing, he pulled his assailant down and flipped his body. Scissoring his long legs he trapped the other and pinned it beneath his superior mass. A wave of corresponding vertigo hit before his besotted brain caught up to the lighting fast movement.Keeping his stomach in check wasn't easy, but he'd be damned if some soul-sucking vagrant was going to drag his ass into in that disgusting water, especially hung over.It took as much determination to open his eyes as it did to beat back the lingering nausea, but he clenched his teeth tighter and forced himself to blink away the blurriness. He needed to see what he was up against before the thing regained its equilibrium.As his vision cleared, shock drove the remaining miasma away. The thing was hideous! Its upper body was bloated and lumpy, and there were stiff mangled strands where its face should be. Though much smaller than him and vaguely human in shape, it had enormous rubbery feet and red blobs instead of hands. Had they been cut off before the thing died?Worse yet, it was making a pitiful noise, as though screaming with its mouth sewn shut. It was actually kind of pathetic. Deciding the thing wasn't such a huge threat after all, Anteros began to lift his weight, planning to simply roll it back into the river where it belonged and be done with it.Before he could get a good hold, the thing jerked violently under him and suddenly every molecule of air in his body evacuated in response to the worst explosion of pain he'd ever experienced in his life. Fireworks shot off, blinding him beneath his puckered eyelids and his breath burst painfully from his insta-paralyzed lungs. His beleaguered stomach filled with acid and his limbs gave out all at once, dropping him to the ground like a stone. Not in all his eons had he felt pain like this. Apparently he wasn't the only one who could use the element of surprise.The bastard had canned him!"What the hell do you think you're doing? Are you crazy? God I thought you were hurt. I just wanted make sure you were okay and you freaking attack me!"With the bells of Hades ringing in his ears, it took a minute for Anteros to realize it wasn't 'Dead Soul Speak' wailing at him, but what sounded suspiciously like the annoying screech of a mortal female.What was a mortal doing here? He must still be drunk. That was it. He'd heard enough Ambrosia could make you think things were real, which must be true because he could swear the apparition fidgeting a few feet away was really there."I'm so sorry. Are you going to be okay? I didn't mean to hurt you, but you caught me off guard when you grabbed me. Scared me, you know?"Anteros braved another glimpse, cracking one eye open; yup, an ugly one to be sure, but a mortal female nonetheless. She hadn't come any closer probably to stay out of range should he retaliate. Smart girl, but he could hear the genuine regret and concern in her voice."Mister? Hey really, are you going to be okay? Should I call for help? A doctor or something?"His tongue might as well have been coated in cement for all the good it did him. "In fin, unky dorky. Kint you till? Jus gim me a sick to gatch my bret.""Excuse me I didn't quite get that."He flopped over onto his back, hoping his lungs would remember what to do with the first full breath of air they'd gotten in what seemed like an eternity, and cleared his throat to try again. "I'm fine, hunky dory. Can't you tell? Just give me a second to catch my…."The last word formed on his lips, but as his eyes focused, he lost track of what he was saying. He was snared by a pair of green eyes fringed in enough frost to stick their edges together, giving them a disturbing mismatched shape. They were peering at him out of a blotchy pink face, complete with a hint of chapped lips, a runny nose and a mess of icicle spiked hair sticking out in every direction like some frozen parody of Medusa.She was beautiful.Huh? Where the Hades had that come from? What in the Nine Hells was wrong with him?As though struck by a God-bolt, his memory came crashing back and with it the truth of how he ended up here.He hadn't been drinking with Charon at all. No, he'd been coming in after a particularly painful fix of another of his brother's careless mistakes…. Suddenly the last piece of the puzzle clicked into place, filling him with an overwhelming sense of dread and anger.The miserable little shit shafted him! HIS OWN BROTHER!He'd barely entered his temple home on Olympus when something behind one of the marble columns had caught his eye. He lived alone, and rarely did any care to visit, so he immediately recognized the movement for the threat it was.He remembered reaching behind his shoulder with one hand and bringing his black titanium bow to bear with the other, but not fast enough. Flickering torchlight caught a golden flash flying straight at – no, through – him. Anger turned to bitterness as the memory played across his mind.As darkness pulled him under, Eros had emerged from the shadows, still holding his own glistening bow, a triumphant grin on his handsome face. Not a moment later their mother had materialized directly behind him, her face void of emotion, but her words had said it all."Perfect shot, my son, you've done well."He'd been shafted all right. The love of Psyche, Eros's wife, had proven too much for his brother, causing his fall to ambro-fever, an irreversible condition many gods developed after an overload of what they personified. The result in Eros's case was him periodically running amok, so drunk on love he couldn't see, let alone shoot straight, willy-nilly nailing any poor sucker who got in his path.It had fallen to Anteros as the God of Requited Love to run damage control by canceling out his brother's diamond-tipped silver arrows with his opposing obsidian-tipped lead ones. Instead of being the final reckoning for those who deliberately preyed on the hearts of others, it became his job to save mortals suddenly in love against their will with people who would never love them in return. Anteros was the only one able to free Eros's shooting-spree victims but it meant absorbing their heartache as his own to do it.And what thanks did he get for spending the last several centuries drawing in and carrying the pain of all those hearts? His beloved brother, the one at fault in the first place, shot him - and on their mother's orders no less! And not with just any arrow either. No, it had to be one of his thrice cursed golden ones. His fate was sealed.Within twenty-four Olympian hours, roughly one week on earth, his heart would be hopelessly lost to the first creature to cross his path. Anteros's eyes were involuntarily drawn back to the lumpy-limbed figure in front of him. He could feel the pull starting already. Hades Balls! He'd imprinted on the hideous creature with the rubbery feet and runny nose. A mortal! A groan escaped his pursed lips. Why a mortal and why'd it have to be so damn ugly?Anteros' heart bashed up against his chest wall and the last of his fog cleared. Zeus's beard, they might as well have condemned him to eternal torture in the lowest levels of Tartarus as this.He was doomed. With the use of a golden arrow, not only was his heart forfeit, his soul would soon be irrevocably tied to hers. When she died, she'd take him with her.Not only had they ruined his life, they'd killed him by robbing him of his immortality!Anteros couldn't decide which was worse, the burning in his heart from the arrow's path, the hole in it from the enormity of his family's betrayal, or the fact he would never know a moment's freedom from the monstrous ice encased mortal currently hoping from one foot to the other screeching like a banshee as she hovered over him."Hey Mister? I'm sorry, really. Oh gosh, what can I do? Can I help you up maybe? Do you need a doctor? Or is there someone else I can call?"The concern in her eyes pulled on his heart strings and, to his horror, other things as well. Stupid arrow was working all right."Who are you? Can you tell me your name?"Uh, tell her his name? Come to think of it, probably not. Hmm, let's see, how did one explain such things to a mortal?Hello, I'm a pissed off god who's been shot with the equivalent of a super love potion slash aphrodisiac by 'Stupid Cupid' and you, you lucky thing, are now the target of my every superhuman desire. Something, by the way, that will build in potency to a point I'll no longer be able to resist and will very likely jump all over you. Which really isn't working for me because the second I do, the arrow's magic will pierce you too - lovely little golden bugger that it is - and you'll fall for me against your will. In turn, my immortality goes up in smoke and I'll die the second you do.Oh and since you asked, my name is Anteros, God of Love Returned, Dread Avenger of Unrequited Love, brother of Eros and son of Aphrodite and Ares. Let's have sex right now. How do you like me so far?Oh, yeah, that should go over real well.

About the Author

Living in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains and having grown up with her own link to mythology through a family legend, Kymber loves nothing better than taking her imagination out for a spin often asking, among other things, what if the myths and legends we grew up on were real.

Come join the fun by visiting her web-site at www.kymbermorgan.com, follow her on twitter @kymbermorgan or check out her author page on Facebook, because you just never know who else may be dropping by.