Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 534

To celebrate Valentine's Day several of the characters fr...

To celebrate Valentine's Day several of the characters from my Bringer and the Bane series have gathered to answer the tough questions about love and relationships.
Please welcome our cast.
Rhys and Ravyn, the main characters of Shield of Fire.
Luc and Jade, the hero and heroine of Kiss of the Betrayer.
Icarus and Sha-hera, Demon Bane, and mortal enemies of the Bringers as well as each other.
This should be interesting.
First question, what was the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for you?
Ravyn: I'd have to say it was when Rhys saved me from Vile, the Demon King. He'd been a jerk that week, so I figured he'd written our relationship off. It was a lovely surprise to wake up and find him hovering over me.
Rhys: (Nods) I was rather amazing—in a romantically heroic way.
Luc: I once had a woman name her breasts after me. The right was Luc and the left was Le Daun. It made love making very interesting. 
Jade: (Clears throat) And narcissistic I'm sure.
Luc: All right then, what was the most romantic thing anyone ever did for you?
Jade: None of your business.
Luc: Come on, give it up.
Jade: You lead off with naming breasts and expect me to share a special memory? Forget it. Can you go to someone else please?
Icarus: I don't understand what you mean by romantic.
Sha-hera: I once had a man tell me he loved me.
Icarus: We're you getting ready to kill him?
Sha-hera: No.
Icarus: Was he enthralled.
Sha-hera: Not even a little.Icarus: Then you're lying.
What would be the perfect Valentine's Day date?
Ravyn: A day of doing nothing but lounging around Alba Haven. No fighting or training. No chores. A lovely dinner with friends followed by an evening in Rhys's arms.
Rhys: I'm good with that.
Luc: I like Ravyn's idea, but I'd add an abundant amount of wine and maybe some dancing girls.
Jade: (Crosses arms and pins Luc with a glare.)
Luc: And an evening spent in Jade's arms?
Jade: Are you asking permission, because after that, my answer is no. You're going to live a sad and lonely life if you don't brush up on your relationship skills.
Icarus: The perfect date would be sucking six or seven souls and then having everybody leave me the bloody hell alone.
Sha-hera: I have to agree with Icarus on this. Several soul suckings, but instead stomping off to be alone, I'd engage in a hearty sparring session with my succubae. I'm always so exhilarated after absorbing souls, especially if they're innocents. I need to work off the excess energy.
What is your favorite gift you've given or received?
Ravyn: Most definitely it was the dagger Rhys gave me. Sure, we were in the heat of battle, but it saved my life.
Rhys: No question, the best gift I ever received was Ravyn's maidenhood.
Ravyn: Best gift I ever gave as well.
Luc: (Reaches to take Jade's hand) Every moment I spend with Jade is a precious gift.
Jade: The fact that he's willing to lie through his teeth to keep the waters calm is the best gift Luc can give me. You might have noticed that we butt heads at times. (Leans in and kisses Luc) But we're trying.
Icarus: The best gift I've ever given myself was when I ripped out Sha-hera's throat and sent her back to the Shadow World. (heavy sigh) That was a great night.
Sha-hera: The best gift I ever received was when the Demon King publically humiliated Icarus, stripping him of all authority, and put me in charge. (heavy sigh) That was a great day.
Thanks to all of you for taking the time to share your Valentine's thoughts. It's been very enlightening.




SHIELD OF FIRE

BRINGER AND THE BANE - Book One - by Boone Brux

Title: Shield of Fire (Bringer and the Bane, #1)
Author: Boone Brux
Genre: Historical Fantasy Romance
Length: Novel
Launch Date: December 2011
ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-17-6
Print ISBN: 978-1-937044-33-6

Protecting humans is the Bringers' duty. Sending demons to the Shadow World is their pleasure.

In one night, Ravyn's life plunges from barely tolerable to deadly. Forced to flee the only home she's known, she stumbles headlong into the clutches of Icarus, a powerful demon intent on stealing her powers. Unfortunately for him, she has no intention of cooperating.

When Rhys realizes the woman he's rescued from the Bane Demon is no mere human, his obligation as a Bringer dictates he protect and train her in the ways of his people. But he's unprepared for the intense desire he feels for the fiery Ravyn. To surrender to his need may mean her death.

As the Demon King's desire for ultimate power escalates, fathers are slated against sons, and foes are made allies. The Bane threat upon them, Rhys and Ravyn must quest to unite the last of the Bringers—and explore a passion too powerful to ignore.

Purchase Link: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/shield-of-fire/
Amazon paperback

Praise for Shield of Fire

"With her debut novel, SHIELD OF FIRE, Boone Brux weaves a story transcending genre and time. Every page seems filled with demons, dragons, shape-shifters, redeemers, and the underlying thread of death-defying love. Using electrifying fights, passion-drenched scenes, and amazing imagery, Boone has brought one hell of a world to absolute life! Wow!"
~ Jackie Ivie, bestselling author of the 'Knight' books

"Dark adventure blended with a captivating romance. Boone Brux has joined my auto-buy list." ~ Tielle St. Clare




About the Author:

Boone has lived in the beautiful state of Alaska for nearly two decades. She spent many of those years in the bush, where the internet and flush toilets were a luxury. Boone's motto? "Have laptop, will travel." It's not uncommon to see her pounding away at her computer during camping trips, fishing expeditions, or in their family plane as they fly over the open tundra.

She's won several awards for her writing and serves as the Alaska Chapter president for Romance Writers of America.

www.boonebrux.com
www.twitter/boonebrux.com
www.facebook.com/boonebrux

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Entangled in Love Valentine Character Interview and Giveaway with Paige Cuccaro

As the author of Hellsbane, I know all there is to know about Eli, as well as a few details he'd like me to forget. But I want you to get to know him the way I do. So he agreed to sit down with me and answer a few questions in honor of the romantic time of year. 

Paige:  Let's start with and introduction. You're Eli, right?

Eli: Elizal, actually. My Emma Jane calls me Eli…as does her…boyfriend, Daniel. Emma Jane seems to enjoy thumbing her nose at formality and any semblance of authority or proper decorum.

Paige: Does that bother you?

Eli: …From Emma Jane? No.

Paige: And from Daniel?

Eli: (no answer given)

Paige: Okay… moving on.  Now, you're not a typical angel, are you?

Eli: No. I am a magister—a seraph who has sacrificed a measure of my purity to aid illorum in their battles against the Fallen and their demon minions.

Paige: And an illorum is…?

Eli: A half-human, half-angel chosen to be a warrior of God.

Paige: And Emma Jane, she's an illorum? And you're her magister—her trainer—teacher—confidant?

Eli: Correct.

Paige: Anything more? *wink-wink-nudge-nudge*

Eli: I don't know what you mean.

Paige: C'mon, Elizal. This interview was set up in honor Valentine's Day. Romance is in the air. The readers want to know…just how close does a magister and his illorum get? From what I understand you spend a lot of time together, facing life and death situations, sharing your most vulnerable moments with each other…that's gotta have some effect on the two of you—bring you closer.

Eli: Emma Jane and I are close—yes. I am her teacher, her guide—nothing more. It is forbidden.

Paige: Ooo…forbidden love? That's the best kind!

Eli: I said nothing about love.

Paige: Oh. So…you don't love her?

Eli: Of course I love her… As I love all illorum.

Paige: But Emma Jane's special, right? I mean, that's what I've heard.

Eli: I don't know what you mean.

Paige: According to my sources the, two of you were called in front of the Council of Seven (Seven archangels acting as a kind of Supreme Court for angelic affairs) because you'd crossed a line with Emma and they were worried your feelings for each other were growing too strong. Is that true?

Eli: I care about, Emma Jane. I will not stand by and watch her needlessly come to harm. Technically, I did nothing that I was not within my role as her magister to do.

Paige: Whoa. Relax. No need to pound the table. You okay?

Eli: I'm fine. My apologies. Continue.

Paige: Okay. No problem. Now, you said, technically. So that means some might say you broke the rules for her?

Eli: I stretched the rules.

Paige: Because you love her?

Eli: Because she required it of me.

Paige: And what if she "required" you to break the rules? What if her life depended on you smashing all the rules to bits? Would you?

Eli: Emma Jane is more than capable of taking care of herself. The question is moot.

Paige: Okay. Well what if something happened that Emma Jane couldn't handle, or was out of her control? What if the Council tried to separate the two of you? What if it meant you'd never see her again?

Eli: This line of questioning is pointless.

Paige: Wait. Where are you going? Don't be so defensive. It's just a simple hypothetical question.

*Note to reader: The angel has stopped at the door, but still hasn't turned back to me. We'll see if he has the guts to answer…

Paige: Would you break the rules for Emma Jane? Would you go against the angels, against the Council of Seven, against God…for her? Is there anything you wouldn't do for Emma Jane , Elizal?
…
…
Eli: No.

Paige: Ha,ha…okay! Grinning ear to ear here. That was somethin' else. Elizal just slammed the door hard enough behind him he almost broke the hinges. At least we got our answer. Turns out angels aren't that much different than the rest of us. Love has a way of sneaking up and smacking us all stupid. Let's hope Elizal can hold onto his convictions. If he gives into the feelings he obviously has for Emma Jane, it could spell disaster for both of them.

If Elizal falls for Emma Jane, he could actually Fall…and become the very thing she was born to hunt.




Title: Hellsbane
Hellsbane, #1
Author: Paige Cuccaro
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: Novel
Release Date: December 2011
ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-64-0
Print ISBN: 978-1-937044-65-7

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/hellsbane/

A HELLSBANE BOOK - Book One - by Paige Cuccaro


Emma Jane Hellsbane just found out she's not human—or, at least, not only human. She's half angel, too, and now Heaven's got a job for her: round up all the Fallen angels and their red-skinned, horned devil-demon minions and boot their butts back into the abyss. Only problem? The demons and their Fallen masters fight back…and they don't fight fair.

Luckily for Emma, she can put a stop to the constant threat of having her head hacked off if she figures out which Fallen angel is her father—and then kill him before he kills her. Of course, in the meantime, she'll have to avoid accidentally seducing her angelic mentor, help an old friend conquer his own Fallen sperm donor, and basically save the world from a cataclysmic divine smack down.

No one said being Heaven's bounty hunter would be easy. But with a name like Hellsbane, Emma Jane was born for the job.


About the Author:

Paige Cuccaro lives in Ohio where she spends her days as a wife, mother, avid reader and obsessed writer. She loves writing everything from laugh-out-loud young adult stories to steamy hot romances with a twist of paranormal. Witches, demons, vampires, werewolves and angels, if they can fall in love, Paige will tell you their story.
Find a few of Paige's published works at Samhain Publishing and Berkley Books. You can also find novels from Paige's risqué side under her pen name, Alison Paige where she's published several erotic romances at Harlequin Spice, Samhain Publishing, and Ellora's Cave Publishing .
http://facebook.com/PaigeCuccaro

http://www.paigecuccaro.com/


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Entangled in Love Valentine Guest Blog and Giveaway with Rachel Firasek

Ari and Grey's First Valentine's
by Rachel Firasek

Turner grabbed Grey's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Man, you have got to settle down. It's Ari. She's going to love all of this." He waved a hand at the candles and flowers centered between two place settings.
Grey wiped a sweaty hand against his black slacks. "Shit, I don't know. Maybe it's too much. She likes it simple."

"She'll like it. Listen, it's my first V-day too. I'm hoping to persuade Ice into saying 'Yes' this time. It'll be a nice change." Turner smirked.

Grey shoved the candles to the right. That didn't look right. He placed them back in the center of the table. "Still giving you the chase?"

"Ha, I'll be lucky if she marries me before I'm fifty. I'm out of here." He stopped halfway to the door. "You sure you're okay?"

At this rate, Turner would miss his own date and spend the night here worrying that Grey would hit the bottle again. "Out. Go take care of that pretty woman before someone else does."

Turner closed the door with a soft click and Grey took a moment to bend at the waist and grip his knees. He dropped his head until his chin rested on his chest and the blood rushed forward, giving him something to focus on beside the runaway thoughts zinging through his brain. Damn, how the hell was he going to get through dinner?

Tonight, he'd ask Ari to move in with him. Tonight, he'd make the first step. Shit. He loved her. This shouldn't be this hard.

And that's how she found him, head between his legs fighting the panic attack. A cool hand cupped his elbow and the other brushed against his forehead. "You okay, mon amore?"

He straightened and bit back a nervous laugh. "Uh, yeah. Hey," Grey wrapped her in his arms and hugged her tight, "I didn't hear you come in."

"I passed Turner in the hall." She glanced at the elaborate table. "Wow, this looks fantastic. You did all this for me?"

He shrugged. Don't make a big deal about it. "You're worth it."

She smiled, and the amber in her eyes reflected the gold flame from the candles. "We going to eat, or stand here and stare at each other? I'm good either way." She grinned at him.

"Ari, let's sit for a minute." He tugged her to the sofa. "I was going to wait until later, but I need to get this done."

The light faded from her eyes. "What?"

Shit, no, this is good. Don't look sad or I'll lose my nerve.

She reached out and grabbed his jaw, tipping his gaze toward her. "What?"

"I want you here."

Her smile spread, reaching up and brightening the room. "I'm here."

He released his held breath. "I want you here—always. Don't go back to Ice's. Stay here with me. Live here with me." Tears slipped down her cheeks. Damn, he hadn't meant to make her cry. "No, baby, don't cry."

She nodded and crawled onto his lap. "I love you." Her forehead pressed against his. "Yes. I want to move in here with you."

Her lips found his and everything finally felt right. She was home. His love. His Valentine.




The Last Beginning
CURSE OF THE PHOENIX - Book 3 By Rachel Firasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: February 2012
ISBN: 978-1-937044-56-5

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/the-last-beginning/

Sadie's days fighting off greedy claim jumpers ended in 1856 when Osiris snatched her from her filthy room and placed her with a trio of phoenixes. After 150 years living a respectable life saving souls, she's tired of playing by the god's rules. It's time the master of manipulation learned her creed: live hard, play for keeps, and never let the enemy see you suffer.

Osiris never imagined the true queen he's spent two millennia searching for would be a half-pint redhead with a mouth that makes him blush. She needs a gentle hand to breach her defenses, but living with her and keeping his natural arrogance at a simmer proves a challenge worthy of any champion.

While Osiris teaches her the wisdom needed to rule a world with fairness, the irritating god only intensifies Sadie's belief in her creed, reinforcing the walls that keep her from happiness. If Osiris can't win her hardened heart, Sadie's ascension might threaten the world he's struggled to create.

CURSE OF THE PHOENIX - Book Two

Title: The Last Awakening
(Curse of the Phoenix, #2)
Author: Rachel Firasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: December 2011
ISBN: 978-1-937044-44-1

Book 3 coming January 2012!

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/the-last-awakening/

Book Description:

For three hundred years, Arabella's life has been one meaningless death after another. In a cruel twist of fate, Osiris–god of the Underworld–gifts the phoenix her mortality and returns her voodoo magic. If she fails to harness her wayward magic and save a man worthy of a second chance, she'll forfeit her power and her soul–forever.

Ex-soldier Greyson Meadows desperately wants to be freed from the nightmares and guilt that haunt him after the tragedy that brought him and Ari together. Confronted by the waif of a woman who forces him to face his worst fears, he resists, fighting the need to keep his personal demons hidden instead of setting them free.
When Ari becomes the target of her own magical blunder, it's not just her life in danger, but now the one of the man she loves.



CURSE OF THE PHOENIX - Book One
Title: The Last Rising
Author: Rachel Firasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: September 2011
ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-28-2
Mobi ISBN: 978-1-937044-29-9

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/the-last-rising/

Book Description:

After paying two millennia's penance to Osiris, world-weary Phoenix Ice has had enough. Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn't how she imagined spending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last. But when she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic plane crash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great…or that she'll end up back in his life for her next assignment.

Now that Turner Alcott has survived the worst, finding a wife and mother for his son matters more than ever before. When the mysterious Ice comes into his life, Turner knows she's the one—but love is the last thing Ice wants. If he wants to win her heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.

About the Author:
Rachel Firasek grew up in the south and despite the gentle pace, she harassed life at full steam. Her curiosity about mythology, human nature, and the chemical imbalance we call love led her to writing. Her stories began with macabre war poems and shifted to enchanted fairytales, before she settled on a blending of the two.
Today you'll find her tucked on a small parcel of land, surrounded by bleating sheep and barking dogs, with her husband and children. She entertains them all with her wacky sense of humor or animated reenactments of bad 80's dance moves.
She's intrigued by anything unexplained and seeks the answers to this crazy thing we call life. You can find her where the heart twists the soul and lights the shadows… or at www.rachelfirasek.com .


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Entangled in Love Valentine Guest Blog and Giveaway with Natalie J Damschroder

Nick and Quinn's First Valentine's Day
by Natalie J. Damschroder

Featuring the main characters from Under the Moon.

Valentine's Day was one of the bar's busiest nights, and since Quinn hadn't decided how to replace Sam as manager, it all fell to her, for the first time in six years, to run the place. Unlike most nights, when transient and local bikers, lonely regulars, and good-time Charlies filled the place, tonight the majority of her patrons were couples.

In the past, that had bothered her, way down deep in that gigantic box of emotion she wouldn't acknowledge. But this year, the guy behind the bar with her was her soulmate, her protector...Nick Jarrett.

She watched him out of the corner of her eye while she pulled a pitcher of the night's special draft—Samuel Adams Brick Red, in honor of the holiday. Nick wore his usual flannel button-down open over a soft, worn T-shirt, the long sleeves rolled up over his strong forearms. He raised one eyebrow as he handed an Irish whiskey across the bar, then laughed at whatever the customer said. Mid-grin, his head turned, gaze tracking in a familiar movement. But instead of scanning the bar for whatever threats might be lurking, his eyes landed squarely on Quinn. The smile changed, and it was the one he reserved just for her.

Quinn sighed. Yep, she sighed, a 38-year-old teenager getting a smile from the guy she'd crushed on for 15 years.

And she didn't care. Because it was about time.

Nick slid between Quinn and the cash register behind her. His hands burned on her waist, and he nuzzled her ear. "Happy Valentine's Day."

Quinn chuckled and squirmed away from the scrape of stubble on her neck. "You said that already. About six times." He'd started as soon as they woke up late this morning. After an hour of...cuddling in the big, soft, comfortable bed he'd insisted they buy when he moved in with her, he'd taken her out for brunch and a very short shopping trip. Neither one of them liked shopping much. They were both the get in, get what they needed, and get out type, which made things a lot easier. The foil hearts and cupids they'd bought hung from the ceiling now.

"I'm making up for lost time." His murmur sent a shiver down her spine. She glanced at the clock over the bar, knowing damned well it wasn't even past ten o'clock. They had hours before they could close down and be alone.

"Come on." Nick moved away, his hand catching hers, fingers threading tightly. The shivers erupted into a cascade of sensation down her body, not just from the promise his touch made, but joy from the freedom they had to do something as simple as hold hands.

She resisted his tug toward the end of the bar. "I have beer to pour."

He pulled harder, wrapping his free arm around her waist when she stepped closer. "Robin will take care of it."

Sure enough, the waitress had already moved in and taken over the order Quinn had been filling. Katie and the rest of the staff maneuvered through the crowd, obviously having everything in complete control. Katie winked at Quinn and aimed her chin at the bar's front door.

Quinn frowned up at Nick. "What's going on?"

"You'll see. Come on." He led her out of the bar and across the parking lot, not to his vintage Charger sitting way off to one side, away from the main parking area, but toward the street and...

...a freaking limo parked near the rutted entrance.

Quinn stopped short. "Nick."

He didn't flash his cocky grin. In the yellowy-orange light from the sodium vapor lamps overhead, he actually looked worried. "What?"

"I'm in jeans and beer-soaked sneakers. I can't get in...that." She motioned lamely.

Nick's expression relaxed. "Don't worry about it. No one will see."

"Where are we going?" But of course he didn't answer.

The back of the limo glowed with hidden lighting, stars dotting the black velvet ceiling. Quinn settled onto the leather seat, wishing she was at least wearing a dress. She accepted the glass of champagne Nick put in her hand, bit the strawberry he fed her, and sipped the liquid that was more expensive than anything she stocked in the bar. When he handed her a bouquet of white and pink roses wrapped in satin ribbon, she burst out laughing.

"Nick, what on earth is going on?" This was so not his thing, and he had to know by now she didn't need it.

He pulled her close and leaned into the corner, sighing. "I know it's corny and cliché. I don't care. I've thought of doing this with you every Valentine's Day since we met."

Quinn's heart melted, and she turned her head into his chest, absorbing his warmth, the steady beat of his heart under her ear, and the deep, rich, familiar scent that used to haunt her. "I love you, Nick Jarrett."

"I love you too." He tilted her chin up and kissed her, a slow kiss full of promise and too much regret. Quinn hated that part, hated that either of them ever let the decisions of the past get in their way. She slid her hand into his hair and deepened the kiss, her bossy nature demanding he feel only the love. He smiled against her mouth.

A few minutes later, when the flowers had fallen to the floor and Quinn had climbed into Nick's lap, determined to give him the full limo experience, the vehicle glided to a stop.

Quinn squinted at the tinted window, but could see only darkness. "Where are we?"

"Someplace hopefully not cliché." Nick shifted her away and reached across the car for a pile of black wool that turned out to be a long, warm coat he wrapped her in.

"This isn't mine," she said, rubbing her cheek against the fluffy lining.

"It is now." Nick opened the door and helped her out. Quinn slid her hands into the coat's pockets while he buttoned it. They were lined with the same fluff. She'd never felt anything so soft.

"I love it. Thank you." She wished she had his present with her, a heavy silver watch that had been his father's and that she'd had repaired. But then she realized where they were, and her heart thumped hard against her ribs. "Nick."

"Shh."

They walked hand in hand across the grass, not needing more than the three-quarter moon to light their way across the cemetery. Quinn didn't need guidance. She knew exactly where to go. She came here four times a year, on her parents' birthdays and the anniversaries of their death. Never on Valentine's Day.

After a few moments of silence punctuated by their breath misting in the cold air around them, Nick cleared his throat.

"I just wanted to thank you," he said to the grave markers at their feet. "For your daughter. She's the best thing that ever happened to me."

Quinn wasn't a crier. But tears stung her eyes, chilling in her lashes as Nick turned to face her and took her hands in his hot, rough ones.

"We started late. It took us longer than it took them to recognize that there are more important things than jobs—"

"Legacies," Quinn corrected. "Callings."

"Obligations." He raised her hands to breathe on them, to keep them warm. "For a long time, I hid behind that job, let it keep me from you because of fear. I don't know if this is appropriate for Valentine's Day." He glanced down at the graves. February 14th wasn't marked on them, but Nick obviously knew its importance nonetheless. "It just felt right to tell you this here." He looked back at her, his eyes glinting in the dark, his love so strong, so powerful, that it filled Quinn until she thought she'd burst from trying to contain it.

"I know," she whispered.

But he continued anyway. "It felt right to tell you on your parents' anniversary, in their presence—so to speak—that I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Cherishing you. Loving you."

"Oh, Nick." She pulled her hands free and threw her arms around him. "Me, too. I love you. So much."

"I love you, too."

Quinn didn't want to get married on Valentine's Day, and Nick hadn't exactly proposed. But there, standing on the crisp, frosted grass next to the grave markers declaring her parents' undying, everlasting love, she and Nick made a silent, heart-searing vow to each other that could never be broken.

Not by anything.

Title: Under the Moon : Goddesses Rising Book 1
Author: Natalie J. Damschroder
Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance
Length: Novel
Ebook Release Date: November 15, 2011
Print Book Release Date: December 6, 2011
ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-54-1
Print ISBN: 978-1-937044-55-8

GODDESSES RISING - Book One - by Natalie J. Damschroder

Their power gives them strength…and makes them targets.

Quinn Caldwell is the epitome of a modern goddess. Her power source is the moon, her abilities restricted only by physical resources and lunar phase. She runs a consulting business and her father's bar, serves on the board of the ancient Society for Goddess Education and Defense, and yearns for Nick Jarrett, professional goddess protector and the soul mate she can never have.

But someone has developed the rare and difficult ability to drain a goddess of her powers, and Quinn is a target. With the world thinking Nick has gone rogue (whatever that means) and that Quinn is influenced by "family ties" she didn't know she had, keeping themselves safe while working to find the enemy proves harder each day.

But not as hard as denying their hearts…

Available at Amazon Paperback, Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble

About the Author:
Natalie J. Damschroder came to writing the hard way—by avoiding it. Though she wrote her first book at age six (My Very Own Reading Book) and received accolades for her academic writing (Ruth Davies Award for Excellence in Writing for a paper on deforestation her senior year in college), she hated doing it. Colonial food and the habits of the European Starling just weren't her thing.
She found her niche—romantic fiction—shortly after college graduation. After an internship with the National Geographic Society, customer service for a phone company just wasn't that exciting. So she began learning how to write the books she'd loved to read all her life. Now she struggles to balance her frenetic writing life with her family, the most supportive husband in the world and two beautiful, intelligent, stubborn, independent daughters (the oldest of whom has become a writer). She somehow also fits in a day job and various volunteer positions in and out of the writing industry.
Learn more about her at her website, www.nataliedamschroder.com, follow her on Twitter @NJDamschroder, or friend her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nataliedamschroder


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The Lure of the Vampire and a Paranormal Pleasures Giveaway

The Lure of the Vampire
There were vampires…and the people who loved them, long before Twilight. It's just now…they are EVERYWHERE.
Why? For the most part- Teenagers.
In the marketing world it is said if you can create a product that teenage girls want then you'll be rich. It's true, teenage girls rule the world. At least when it comes to sales. Vampires are the hottest thing since sliced cheese. But why, why have teenage girls (among others) suddenly fallen so deeply in love with pale (sometimes sparkly) immortal guys with fangs?
The truth is that the love of vampires isn't something new at all, this generation has just found a new breed of sullen bad boys that sparkle while generations before have loved the angsty bad boys (and girls) that had more bite and less glitter-though the angst seems to be a given. Must come with immortality.
The seductive lure of the vampire has been there since the first tale of vampires being more than blood thirsty monsters were spun back in 19th century Europe when sex was taboo and darkness still lingered in a blooming modern world. Stories emerged like Dr. Polidori's "The Vampyre", Sheridan Le Fanu's "Carmilla" and the tale of the most famous vampire of all time, Bram Stoker's "Dracula".
Before these literary vampires hit the scene vampires were considered to be monsters, walking corpses, and blood thirty beasts of myth and lore. These 19th century "modern" tales of darkness, intelligence and seduction introduced the vampire that was cultured, friendly, seductive and above all mysterious and full of desire, full of need. Vampires of 19th century fiction were romanticized; they were the sensual, dark and erotic creatures that that indulged their needs and desires without the constraints and boundaries of humanity such as moral, religious and societal rules and restraints. The sexually repressed Victorian era turned the vampire into the embodiment of dark desires and sensuality that represented all the pent up sexuality of the time. The vampire became something not only terrifying but also highly attractive and alluring.
As a teenager my generation had Lestat and Louis, vampires from the once reigning queen of vampire fiction, Anne Rice. Her books spoke to a lost generation that wanted to be something more than what society would let them be.
I still her adore her Vampire Chronicles but I've moved beyond her vampires that were so compelling, needy and self loathing to vampires that embrace their "otherness" and use their powers without fear or self hatred. And damn they are sexy as hell when they accept who and what they are -for example Bones in Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series- he never apologizes for being himself and that makes him so appealing.
Anne Rice's vampires are still beautiful and enlightening…and they will always have a special place in my heart-like that first love that you grow up and away from but I like my fanged men with a little more bite and a lot more sex.
These days I appreciate vampires that are a little rough, less self loathing and with a lot more sex appeal-real sex appeal and the very real ability to have sex.
There are plenty of vamps in the literary world to suit my tastes and fulfill my fanged needs. Like I said before-they are everywhere. In every flavor imaginable.
To me no other "monster" comes close to being as sexy and erotic as the vampire. While men usually write the vampire into being savage and monstrous, women love to be seduced by the eternal bad boy, the epitome of dangerous sex appeal.
Many of my own works contain vampires, including my short story collection  Paranormal Pleasures Ten Tales of Supernatural Seduction. This collection of ten of short erotic paranormal stories contains tales of vampires, witches and demons- in fact eight of the ten tales feature a vampire.
The sexy bad boys (and girls) of my collection tend to revel more in their fanged glory than try to deny to true nature. Which to me, is a huge turn on.
What about you- what do you love most about vampires?
Leave a comment telling me what draws you to vampires and you'll be entered to win an eBook copy of Paranormal Pleasures: Ten Tales of Supernatural Seduction.
Paranormal Pleasures: Ten Tales of Supernatural Seduction is available in print at Amazon, for the Kindle, Nook, and in many eBook formats at Smashwords and All Romance Ebooks










Title: Paranormal Pleasures Ten Tales of Supernatural Seduction ISBN: 978-0615470382Price: $7.99 print $5.99 ebookPublication Date: April 2011Publisher: Bewitching BooksLevel of Sensuality: sizzling, explicit

Summary:

Ten tantalizing, erotic tales of vampires, witches and demons grace the pages of this short story collection by Roxanne Rhoads.

Step into the darkness and let these tales tempt and tease to satisfy your paranormal cravings.

Eight of Roxanne Rhoads' previous eBook publications appear in print for the first time, along with two brand new, never before published tales of supernatural love and lust.

Bandit Creek Books Spotlight Hard Candy and Penny Candy by Jade Buchanan

In life, one choice can lead you in vastly different directions. Penny Anderson is about to discover this for herself, in Bandit Creek: Penny Candy and Bandit Creek: Hard Candy. Two parallel stories, two very different endings.
Bandit Creek: Hard Candy 
Penny Anderson is sick of the questions that keep running around inside her head. Coming home to Bandit Creek is her opportunity to find out the truth of her mother's death, as well as to discover if the flame still burns brightly for her high school sweetheart. Only, she never reckoned on the unexpected lust for not one, but two men. 
Craig Baxter and Douglas McKenzie have their sights set on Penny and they aren't about to let her go. 
 Warning: contains ménage, male on male action and gratuitous sex involving hard candies and cherry pie filling...
Bandit Creek: Penny Candy
Coming home to Bandit Creek seemed like a good idea to Penny Anderson, especially after things start to rekindle with her old high school sweetheart and candy store owner, Craig Baxter. But, she can't forget the other reason why she's here...To finally discover the truth of her mother's death so many years ago. BIO
Jade's writing is as eclectic as her reading tastes, with over thirty erotic romance tales currently published. She's been known to accept writing challenges from friends and family just to see their reactions and Jade is also a firm believer that love and romance are universal concepts, no matter a person's gender identity or sexual orientation. 
 Originally from Northern Ontario, she's lived in British Columbia and the Sultanate of Oman in the Middle East. Jade currently lives in Calgary, Alberta where she's hard at work on her next story. 
 Jade loves to hear from readers! Send her an email at jade.buchanan@yahoo.com@jadebuchanan http://www.jadebuchananbooks.com
Hard Candy Chapter One



Chapter OneShe'd flown a thousand miles to confront the lies death had revealed. They left a bitter taste in Penny's mouth even as she breathed deeply of the clean northern air coming in through her open car window.She'd missed this. She hadn't even realized that until she'd gotten off the plane in Missoula. Now she was almost home and she'd honestly never thought she'd be saying that again.Bandit Creek hadn't been her home in over a decade.The cold finally got to her and she reluctantly raised the window before turning her attention back to the poorly illuminated mountain road. For a girl used to the bright lights of Houston, it was going to take her a while to get back into the feel of things.It was a good thing Craig was willing to help her out.As if on cue, the tinny sound of a man sing-songing "phone call, phone call." erupted inside the small car.Jumping, Penny laughed at herself. She fished her cell out of her purse. "Hey, Craig.""Are you here, yet?""I'm already in the rental car and about twenty minutes away.""Are you regretting not letting me pick you up?"She could practically taste the mirth in his voice. "I'm fine, but it's so dark I'm close to freaking out here."She breathed deeply, studying the road in front of her carefully. She probably shouldn't be talking on the phone right now, but she wasn't going all that fast. And besides, there was absolutely no one out here."You want me to talk to you for a bit?""My cell phone bill will probably hate me, but yeah, I need the company. There's nothing out here but rocks and trees and water.""Seen any wildlife?"Penny snorted. "Besides the man I saw at the airport?"A sharp crack of laughter burst in her ear, exactly the reaction she'd been hoping for."He was a beast, was he? Did you rip his shirt off?""Craig Baxter!""That's a no?" Craig's voice was filled with mischief."Yes, I mean no, I didn't rip his shirt off.""Why not?"She shook her head. "I'm not answering that question."It was silent for a minute. She was content not to talk. It was comforting just having him on the line. Penny was grateful for the company, so to speak.Craig cleared his throat. "So, just to let you know… Your Aunt Gertie phoned here yesterday. I swear I'm getting caller ID. The old biddy was in fine form."She wanted to slam her head down on the steering wheel. "I'm sorry.""Yeah, you'll be paying me back for that one, Pens.""She's still mad?" She sighed, fed up with her aunt's interference."Mad doesn't even begin to describe it. She's threatening to erase your name from the family bible.""She can choke on that bible for all I care. Both her and my dad lied to me for years. I'm sorry she's upset, but I had a right to know.""I'm not sorry. I told her right on the phone where she could put her precious bible. I don't think she's talking to either one of us now."She sighed gustily. "I'm sorry, Craig. I didn't mean to drag you into this.""Stop that right now," Craig said, firmly. "We stick together, you and me. To the end, you got that?""I got it." It was surprising how much she wanted to rely on Craig. This wasn't even his family causing him drama, but he never complained. Never backed down. She loved him for it.Maybe, just maybe, she could finally figure out whether that love would be enough.She'd once thought Craig was the one for her. Of course, that had been back in high school and a lot had changed since then. She'd moved away and they'd lost touch, but thanks to the modern miracle of social media they'd been talking for the past year almost non-stop. Every time she talked to him it was as if the years had faded and nothing else mattered. Then her dad had died. And then all of this had happened. The first person she'd turned to had been Craig. What did that mean?She lived in Houston, so she wasn't even sure anything could happen. He'd been hinting that she should come for a visit for a while now. She'd finally gotten up the nerve two months ago when she'd read the journal that had changed so much in her life. Craig had always been there for her. Maybe it was time to figure out what that meant for them.Up ahead she saw the familiar turn-off for Bandit Creek. "I'll let you go now. I'm almost there.""See you in a few."She wasn't sure how she felt driving through Bandit Creek. The more things changed, the more they stayed the same apparently. All the old hangouts were still there. She took a drive down Main Street and there was Ma's Kitchen, The Candy Store, and the Powderhorn Saloon. Was that a law office beside the saloon? Wow. She hadn't seen that one coming.Turning around, Penny drove back down Main and onto Walnut to Washington.The school looked exactly the same as always and the nearby football field brought a lump to her throat.So many memories. Tainted, now. Would she be able to look at anything here without wondering what really happened twelve years ago?Driving over the bridge and approaching the edge of town, she squinted at the construction going on beside Craig's place. What was that going to be?She finally pulled into the drive and stopped before a long, stretched-out bungalow.Craig had bought his parent's home when they moved to Missoula a few years back and, judging from the outside, he hadn't changed a thing. It was the same as it had always been, and the feeling of coming home nearly brought tears to her eyes. A rectangular log cabin that faced the road, it had been the site of many late-night movie marathons when she'd been a teenager.She inhaled deeply as she stepped out of the low-slung rental car. The front door banged open, and a man was silhouetted in the opening."Well, as I live and breathe. Pissy pants Penny has finally come home."Penny sent a mock-glare toward Craig. She didn't even have to see his face to know he wore a shit-eating grin. His achingly familiar lope had Craig standing in front of her within seconds. Damn, he looked good.Finally letting loose a chuckle, Penny shook her head. "You're cruising for a bruising.""Geez. What are we? Back in high school?" Craig engulfed her in his arms, holding her close.Penny ducked her head and held him just as tight. "Kindergarten, apparently, if you're going to call me pissy pants.""Hmm. You should probably pull my hair then and go crying to the teacher.""Don't tempt me, Craigory."They finally pulled back and just looked at each other. He had the same short dark hair and meltingly sweet chocolate eyes. That little mole at the corner of his right eyebrow…she wanted to run her tongue over it, see if he shivered in the same lost way he used to when they were younger. He was stunning in just a simple jeans and tee with his feet bare.Penny hesitated for a moment, before deciding to take the bull by the horns, so to speak. She lifted her chin, leaning toward Craig. He accepted her silent invitation, taking her lips in a bruising kiss that spoke of barely leashed restraint.She moaned, tightening her arms and squeezing him closer. With a last, lingering kiss, she drew back and just stared at him.Craig lifted a hand and brushed the backs of his fingers over her left cheek. "Missed you, Penny.""Missed you, too.""Are you here to stay?"Penny shook her head. "Don't ask me that. Not yet."He let out a rueful grin. With a shrug, Craig backed away and rounded the car to grab her suitcase."You know I'm going to just have to ask again." He started for the house, waving her to follow him.He was incorrigible. Always had been. "You haven't changed.""Baby, I've changed in more ways that you can see.""No, you haven't. I've seen your Facebook profile, remember? And we talk on the phone practically every day.""For all you know, I could be a deranged serial killer and just doing a really good job of hiding it."She froze as she entered the house. A shiver traced down her spine, causing her to hug her arms."Shit." He was suddenly in front of her again. "I'm sorry, Penny Candy. I didn't mean to say that.""It's okay. Better that we have it out in the open, right? I mean, you wouldn't be the first person in my life to hide their killer tendencies.""Pens, don't do this." He put her suitcase down.She shook off his hold. "That's why I'm here, isn't it? To find out if my dad really did kill my mom?"

Researching Celtic and Fairy Lore; Guest Blog with Ann Gimpel

Researching Celtic and Fairy Lore

I have several favorite books I use as references, but this would be a pretty dry blog post if all I did was list them. In the interest of getting that part over with, two of my favorites are Celtic Traditions, Druids, Fairies and Wiccan Rituals by Sirona Knight and Women in Celtic Myth by Moyra Caldecott. I also draw from Scottish and Irish ghost stories. I have some really old books. Think the Scottish one was published in 1911 and the Irish in 1913. The language takes some getting used to. English has changed quite a bit over the last hundred years.

The thing about Celtic tradition is it's rooted firmly in the British Iles. Think about Merlin's story or, a couple of centuries later, the Wild Hunt. All people have their mythologies. Greek and Roman are probably the best known. I'll sometimes pull material from them. A few of the stories have always drawn me, like Cassandra, for example. How awful to be bound to speak the truth and have no one believe you—ever.

I also like the Innana myth. Other than the Gilgamesh legend, it's probably one of the very oldest stories known to man. Both Innana and Gilgamesh are Sumerian (think Egypt/Mesopotamia) in origin. The Gilgamesh tale is, essentially, retold in Arthurian times as Parsifal's search for the Holy Grail. Then there's the gamut of Norse myths with Odin and his son Thor in Valhalla. And let's not forget Poseidon and all the Nereids in the sea.

One of the things about depth psychology is that a large part of the training ensures practitioners have a good grounding in mythologies from many nationalities. Marie Louise Von Franz, an accomplished psychoanalyst in her own right who spent her life with Jung (though not romantically), researched archetypes in fairy tales. She wrote several books detailing the outcomes of her research.

Okay, so what's an archetype? There are twelve basic ones: King, Warrior, Magician, Lover, Fool, Orphan, Innocent, Caregiver, Seeker, Destroyer, Creator, Sage. All myths and stories feature one or more archetypal characters engaging in either a quest, a love affair gone bad, death and rebirth, a coming of age tale, developing love, loss in spite of everything, or growth/redemption (usually through pain and trials). There are often several threads in major tales. For example, Innana begins as a quest, moves through loss of everything and ends with redemption. From an archetypal point of view, Innana begins as a Queen, becomes a Seeker, then an Orphan and ends up a Sage. Carol Pearson wrote a great book if you're interested in a primer on archetypes. It's called Awakening the Heroes Within. There's even a fun quiz in the back so you can see which archetypes are active in your own lives.

So, you have twelve "character types" and seven basic storylines. Someone once told me LOTR had all of them. I never bothered to count, but over the course of four books, I'm sure Tolkien could have managed that.

The first thing to do, if you're a plan-ahead sort of writer (I'm not; a touch more on that later.) is to figure out what story you're trying to tell. Then match it up to which archetypes you need to provide sympathetic protagonists and gritty antagonists. Most of this occurs on a subconscious level. I will say to you, though, that the stories that grab you, that stab knives into your soul and make you carry the protag in your thoughts for days, had archetypal characters in sync with the storyline. Not all characters can tell every story.

More on the plan ahead scenario. One of these days, I've promised myself to try the Snowflake method. But I haven't done it yet. When I'm deep in a story, I'm living it with my characters. They come to me in dreams and at other times during the day. Because they tell me the story they want to live, I haven't felt the need yet to do more in the way of pre-planning. Maybe someday I will. I had an experience recently where I resurrected my first novel. I kept the characters, but lopped lots of years off their ages to create a YA contemporary fantasy.

Maybe because I knew those characters so well, having written two novels and about 300,000 words featuring them, the new book fairly flew out my fingertips. Writing usually comes fairly easily to me, but I've never had an experience quite like this one where I turned out an 80,000 word book in five weeks. It held together, too, when I went back through it doing my obligatory search for loose plot threads and other jarring inconsistencies. The only thing I missed was using the wizards' staffs more. So that got added in on the second run through. From an archetypal perspective, my protag is an Orphan. He's forced into a quest (where he becomes a Seeker) and grows up along the way. Yes, I know that's sort of a ho hum sounding tale. Except it's not. You'll just have to read it when it comes out. Remember, with only twelve character types and seven story lines, it's tough to describe something you've written in truly unique verbiage.

I hope this was helpful. Questions about archetypes, fairy tales, Celtic (or other) mythologies are welcome.

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Psyche's Prophecy
Book One of the Transformation SeriesBy Ann Gimpel
What if your psychotherapist could really see into your soul? Picture all those secrets lying hidden, perhaps squirming a bit, just out of view. Would you invite your analyst to take a peek behind that gossamer curtain? Read your aura? Scry your future…?

Classically trained at the Jung Institute in Zurich, Doctor Lara McInnis has a special gift that helps her with her patients. Born with "the sight" she can read auras, while flirting with a somewhat elusive ability to foretell the future. Lara becomes alarmed when several of her patients—and a student or two—tell her about the same cataclysmic dream.

Reaching out to the Institute for answers, Lara's paranormal ability sounds a sharp warning and she runs up hard against a dead end. Her search for assistance leads her to a Sidhe and ancient Celtic rituals blaze their way into her life. Complicating the picture is a deranged patient who's been hell bent on destroying Lara ever since she tried to help his abused wife, a boyfriend with a long-buried secret and a society that's crumbling to dust as shortages of everything from electricity to food escalate.


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Psyche's Search
Book Two of the Transformation Series
Born with the sight, Laura McInnis is ambivalent about her paranormal ability. Oh it's useful enough some of the time with her psychotherapy patients. But mostly it's an embarrassment and an inconvenience—especially when her visions drag her to other worlds. Or into Goblin dens. In spite of escalating violence, incipient food shortages and frequent power blackouts, Lara is still far too attached to the comfortable life she shares with her boyfriend, Trevor, a flight attendant who lost his job when aviation fuel got so expensive—and so scarce—his airline went out of business. Forced to seek assistance to hone her unusual abilities in Psyche's Prophecy, Book I of this series, Lara is still quite the neophyte in terms of either summoning or bending her magic to do much of anything.

Reluctantly roped into channeling her unpredictable psychic talents to help a detective who saved her from a psychopathic killer, Lara soon finds herself stranded in the murky underbelly of a world inhabited by demons. The Sidhe offer hope, but they are so high-handed Lara stubbornly resists their suggestions. Riots, death on all sides, a mysterious accident and one particular demon targeting her, push Lara to make some hard decisions. When all seems lost, the Dreaming, nestled in the heart of Celtic magic, calls out to her.
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Books On Board
About the Author Ann Gimpel

Ann Gimpel is a clinical psychologist, with a Jungian bent. Avocations include mountaineering, skiing, wilderness photography and, of course, writing. A lifelong aficionado of the unusual, she began writing speculative fiction a few years ago. Since then her short fiction has appeared in a number of webzines and anthologies. Two novels, Psyche's Prophecy, and its sequel, Psyche's Search, have been published by Gypsy Shadow Publishing, a small press. A husband, grown children, grandchildren and three wolf hybrids round out her family.

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Character Interview with CeeCee from Prohibited Passion by Alyssa Palmer

CeeCee slides onto the bar stool, her perfume teasing with its scent as you settle in next to her. Of course you have questions... she's a flapper, it's a speakeasy...
You're not sure where to start, and then a question comes to you.
CeeCee, you've made quite an impression. I've never met anyone like you. Do most people react positively when they meet you? How about after they've known you for a while?
                        Most people seem to think I'm a loose woman. They even cross the street to avoid me. Most don't even bother to take the time to get to know me for who I am. But I suppose that's small towns for you. A flapper sticks out like a sore thumb. Only Sheridan, and Ruth, have ever bothered to get close to me.
I can't imagine the difficulty. It must make forming friendships difficult. But surely it's not the worst thing ever, to deal with perceptions of others. What's the worst thing that's happened in your life?
                        My mother died, and I had to take care of myself. I was more than old enough, but it was a shock to be all alone in the world. Sometimes I think I haven't really recovered from it.
Is that why you left Chicago?
                        Not entirely. I didn't want to be around the memories, but it wasn't just my mother. When Sheridan offered, I jumped at the chance.
That's very coy of you. What were the other memories?
                        I can't really say. It's still too painful. And you'll have to excuse me. I see Sheridan beckoning.
You turn back to your whiskey. So much for your charming companion. You'll have to find out more by reading the novella.

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PROHIBITED PASSION by Alyssa Linn Palmer

Ruth wants to escape the boredom of Bandit Creek and the strict expectations of her father, the local pastor. Her life changes the day she meets CeeCee, a world-wise flapper, and an irresistible attraction develops between them. She'll be disowned and shunned if anyone discovers their prohibited passion, but can they keep their growing affection a secret?

CeeCee is drawn to Ruth, but things become complicated when her gangster companion disapproves of their liaison. He's in town to broker a deal with the owner of the local speakeasy, and he's not above using them to further his own plans. Can CeeCee protect Ruth and their budding relationship?

As Ruth gets drawn further into their world, she must decide between her familiar life and a new, dangerous path with the woman she loves.

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About the Author

Alyssa has many passions. Fortunately, none of them are prohibited. When she isn't working, she's writing dark tales inspired by mid-20th-century noir books and films, cooking up a storm in her kitchen, and reading.

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Guest Blog and Slayer's Kiss Giveaway with Cassi Carver

I'm so excited to be visiting Fang-tastic Books today! My debut urban fantasy, Slayer's Kiss, comes out February 14th, so I thought I'd talk about what drew me to the urban fantasy genre.

First of all, you should know that I'm an avid reader and I'll read almost anything. My dad used to read Choose Your Own Adventure books to me when I was little, and when I was old enough to read on my own, my mom loaned me her Dean Koontz horror collection.

By the time I had kids of my own, I went through a regency romance phase that spanned a decade! I loved the gowns and carriages and handsome suitors, but after more than ten years, it got to the point where I literally felt like I'd read it all. I'd get halfway through the book, and as soon as I figured out how the hero and heroine would resolve the central conflict, I'd put the novel down, unable to finish.

And then one auspicious day, I stumbled upon urban fantasy. I was captivated by the strong heroines, capable of providing for and protecting themselves and their loved ones. But the thing that really hooked me was the way the heroine's world expanded in each book, the mysteries deepening instead of being tied up in a pretty package by "the end." Suddenly, I wasn't able to figure out the stories halfway through because the dangling threads stretched well into future books in the series! For me, it was love at first read.

And now, with my reinvigorated love of reading, I read both urban fantasy and all types of romance—UF when I want to be kept on my toes and romance when I want to be reassured that every heroine will eventually get her happily ever after.

When it comes to writing, you can bet I incorporated into Slayer's Kiss some of those same elements that I look for in a good book, like romance, mystery, and, of course, scorching hot sex! And here's some big news that I'm sharing first here on Fang-tastic Books: I just signed the contract on book two of The Shadow Slayers, Shadow Rising, which will be available Fall 2012 from Samhain Publishing!


What about you? What are you currently reading and what draws you to that genre? One commenter will receive a digital copy of Slayer's Kiss! Hope you enjoy it!





Description of Slayer's Kiss

When the past flies in your face, clip its wings.


The Shadow Slayers, Book 1


Kara Reed is a supernatural failure. But where her magic falls short, her fists get the job done. The criminal element doesn't stand a chance once she hits San Diego's dark streets.


When two smoking-hot tenants move in next door, she thinks her love life might finally be heating up. Just being near Gavin and Julian is enough to make her want to offer her body on a platter.


Gavin and Julian know it's only a matter of time before the truth comes out. They're fallen angels sent to watch over the king's daughter, one of the last females of her kind. Trouble is, she doesn't seem to think she needs watching—unless they're watching her shimmy out of her clothes.


No matter how tempting her guardians, Kara's not about to let anything stop her from tracking down a sadistic killer who carves into his victims and leaves them for dead. Even when she realizes her target may be the very scourge of heaven from which her angels swore to protect her…


Warning: Contains a kick-ass heroine with a foul mouth, a kind heart and a raging libido, and two fallen angel warriors who wouldn't have her any other way. Watch out for sex in the clouds, a magical island of hedonism and a love triangle that gives new meaning to the term "hot-wings".

Guest Blog by Nelson V Brasil

Firstly, I want to thank Fang-tastic books for allowing me to Guest Blog.
Since this is the first guest blog I've ever written I thought I'd write about the insurmountable (dramatic right?) stress that comes along with it. What should I write about? Will people actually want to read what I write? Will the host regret giving me the opportunity? Will everyone laugh at my topic? We tend to always lean towards the negative thoughts when it comes to the unknown.
I received the email with all my blog tour stops, and was ecstatic to find that a few were reviews and promo's, then I scrolled down and saw the dreaded, yet excitable guest blog. Immediately I began to mull over topic ideas for my first-ever, coming out extravaganza of a guest blog…
As the days came and gone, I had no clue what to write about. I began to stress a little bit, I mean I call myself a writer, how could I not know what to write about? What the hell is wrong with me right?
Then Saturday morning before my week tour began, I sat outside in my back yard, and it hit me. I'm a fraud, I could not for the life of me come up with any topic that I felt would give Fang-Tasticbooks justice. I scrolled down to read other guest blogs, some wrote about the paranormal, others about secondary characters, I was way out of my element. I could not speak about paranormal or science fiction, I know virtually nothing about secondary characters ( I tend to just write and they develop themselves). Then I thought, maybe other guest blogger's feel the same way as I do. Maybe, they mull over the same stress and anxiety when it comes to writing a guest blog. With that said, I'm going to list a few rules to keeping your sanity before a guest blog.
1.      1)You are a writer, you are creative, and you make up stories for a living, just sit in front of a blank word page, and start writing. Something will come out.
2.     2) The more you stress, the less you'll be able to think of topics. The stress will consume your mind like a zombie consumes corpses…
3.      3)Breathe, and be confident. People will like what you wrote, and if they don't you know what not to write the next time.
4.   4)   Be sure, at the end before you submit your guest blog that you read it over for errors, and have someone else do the same. There is nothing worse then gramatikal errors, or misspelleding words…5.     5)  Allow your personality, humor, and wit, whatever else it is that defines you to come out in your writing. People like to get a sense of who you are on a personal level.
6.     6)  Lastly, just accept whatever outcome your guest blog brings. Be it no comments, and no feedback, or a thunderstorm of praise. Just be big enough to accept it, and take it in stride.
This is what I came up with. Not very creative, not the greatest blog of all time, but something I hope other bloggers and writers could connect with. Especially if they've felt the same way as I did.
For those of you who actually read this whole blog, thank you very much! I appreciate your time, and if you've felt the way I did before writing this, leave me your story in the comments.

Feb 6 PromoSapphyria's Book Reviewshttp://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com
Feb 7 Promo and reviewWrite About http://www.katduncan.net/writeabout
Feb 8 Guest Blogwww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
Feb 9 Guest/Promo/SpotlightThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
Feb 10 Promo and reviewLissette E. Manninghttp://www.simplistik.org/lissetteemanning
Feb 13 Reviewhttp://booksfromthepurplejellybeanchair.blogspot.com
February 13 PromoLisa's World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net




I Don't Remember
By Nelson V Brasil

BLURB

In one night, in one fire, Roger Amarante's life changed forever. He lost everything, and more importantly, everyone he ever loved.

But what he doesn't remember can't hurt him, right?

His seven-year stint at the Faja Rasa Retirement home has left him confused and empty to say the least. He doesn't know why he's there, who he is, or what has happened. He hates the nurses with a passion, and has not uttered a single word in the whole time he's been there. When he meets an over achieving college student with a bit of a chip on his shoulder, his life once again changes forever.

Michael Ponte is searching for the heart he apparently lacks, so that he could achieve his childhood dream of becoming a Fire Fighter. When he crosses path's with a disgruntled, beaten down mess of a man, his heart is tested.

Will they have the strength to conquer what they fear is impossible?

Some hurdles are harder than others to overcome.

I DOn't REMEMBER will elicit a full circle of emotion that will spark hopefulness and hopelessness, and trigger thoughts you didn't even know you had.


About the Author:

I was born Nelson Vieira Brasil in San Jose California on August 12th 1984. Being the first generation in my family born in the United States. I am full-blooded Portuguese, my family hails from the small island of São Jorge, Açores. The Açores islands can be found in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, there are nine islands in all, and they are all a part of Portugal.

I grew up in San Jose constantly surrounded by my many uncles and aunts. To this day, most of my uncles, aunts, and cousins are within a 5-minute drive from my house. We get together during the week for dinner, and sometimes during the weekend for birthday parties, or to just play some cards. I love my family, and would be lost without them.

My parents are at the top of my heroes list. Both come from humble beginnings. Both have menial education, but have flourished to great heights in their lifetime. I would consider my parents to be great successes. They came to this country with little to nothing, and have worked and earned everything they own. They raised two children the right way, instilling values, and morals in them. They taught us the difference from right and wrong, and gave us the trust and confidence to make decisions on our own. They always encourage us to reach for our dreams, and would stop at nothing to support our means to achieving them. If I can become half the success my parents are, I will be happy.

Now that family and all that jazz are out of the way, let me tell you about why I write. I write because it brings me joy. It allows me to openly express my emotions and inspirations. It alleviates my stress, and empowers my confidence. It gives me an outlet to vent frustrations, or to praise successes. It allows me to let it all out, instead of bottling it up inside.

I've been writing poetry and short stories since middle school. In high school, I began thinking that I wanted to write fulltime or at least become an English teacher so that I could be around reading and writing all the time. As I began college, I continued to write, and finally, began writing my first novel. The pride I felt from finishing my first novel is inexplicable. Then tragedy struck, my clumsiness caused me to tip over a glass of water onto the keyboard of my laptop. I lost everything on my hard drive. To say I was devastated is an understatement. I felt like I lost an arm or a leg. But with encouragement from family and friends I set out to write the same novel. Î DOn't REMEMBER, is finally in print. Hopefully it is the first of many more to come.

Aside from writing, I enjoy doing many other things. Some of which include watching movies, reading, playing and watching sports, going to the lake with friends, gambling, and playing music. There many other things I enjoy doing but I won't bore you with the rest.

My goal is to keep writing, even if I don't sell a single book, it doesn't matter to me. All that matters is that I write, and publish my works.

My wish is that my writing brings out an emotion from the reader. Any emotion, happiness, sadness, anger, as long as it brings a rise to someone then I feel as though I have accomplished my goal.