Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 537

Now on Tour Her Man Flint by Jerri Drennen

Hello! I'm Jerri Drennen and I'm a romantic suspense author. I know a lot of writers say they've been penning words to paper all their lives or knew they always wanted to. I can't say that. I didn't even have the thought until my younger daughter was 3. I had 4 children at that time and needed an escape--maybe I should say outlet. Writing gave me that. It helped me cope with the daily struggles of raising children. My first attempt at authoring a book is hidden somewhere, awful, a kind word for the epic 400 page romance. Anyway, when I was working on my third book, I found a critique group that helped teach me the craft of writing and the rest is history. I've written 20-plus stories, some unfinished but everyone having taught me something along the way. I think my husband thought in the beginning this was a passing fancy for me, but over a decade later he knows this is who I am--a romance writer, and he is my biggest supporter! My kids on the other hand tell everyone I write porn.

Jan 24 Tour LaunchFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
Jan 24 PromoThe Wytch's Mirrorhttp://thewytchsmirror.blogspot.com/
Jan 25 Promohttp://jademystique.blogspot.com
Jan 28 SpotlightRead 2 Reviewwww.read2review.com
January 29 Guest PostLisa's World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
Jan 31 Guest PostGetting Naughty Between the Stacks http://gnbstacks.blogspot.com
Feb 1 Guest Blog and reviewCocktails and Books http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com
Feb 2 InterviewMy Need to Readhttp://www.myneedtoread.com
Feb 3 Guest Blog and reviewLissette E. Manninghttp://www.simplistik.org/lissetteemanning
Feb 5 Guest BlogWords of Wisdom from The Scarf Princesshttp://wowfromthescarfprincess.blogspot.com/
Feb 10 Guest Bloghttp://www.kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com
Feb 13 Guest BlogFictional Candy

Feb 15 Interview and reviewPicked by Poison http://pickedbypoison.blogspot.com
Feb 16 ReviewReviews By Molly/reviewsbymolly.com
Feb 17 Interviewhttp://bookbagsandcatnaps.com/
Feb 20 review and promoA Chick Who Readshttp://achickwhoreads.blogspot.com

Her Man Flint
By Jerri Drennen

Blurb

If James Bond and Cleopatra Jones had a daughter, Adriana Kent would kick her ass.

Everything Adriana knows about being a top-notch, undercover agent she's learned from her partner, Flint Morgan, in and out of the sheets. That is, until he's caught between those same bed linens with another woman. Heartbroken, Adriana refuses to forgive him. But when 'the other woman' is found dead in Flint's apartment, she steps up to prove his innocence--he might be a womanizer, but he's no killer.


As Adriana closes in on a suspect, she's kidnapped and sent overseas to a sadistic prince who collects women like priceless pieces of art. Now this tough as nails agent finds herself playing the helpless courtesan to a man hell-bent on breaking her spirit. Flint arrives in the nick of time, dressed as a harem girl, fighting off randy guards and surly camels to rescue Adriana so they can fly back to the states to find a way to exonerate him for murder.
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Author Bio:

Jerri Drennen was raised on a farm in a tiny town in Minnesota where the winters were long and being stuck inside awarded her the opportunity to read and tell stories. Years later, after moving away from family, marrying her husband of twenty-five years and having their four children, she started writing when her youngest was three. Eleven years and many manuscripts later, she has one contemporary romance and three romantic suspense novellas with Samhain Publishing, a category romantic suspense at The Wild Rose Press and two action-adventure romances at Liquid Silver Books. Now, she's trying her hand at self-publishing

Lost by Vivi Anna Bandit Creek Books Spotlight

Today we have a special spotlight on Bandit Creek Books. 
Right now they have a special promotion going on- and you have the chance to win a Kindle Fire or $200 worth of Amazon Gift Cards.

Learn more about  30 days of Secrets 
To celebrate the release of Roxy Boroughs' debut Bandit Creek book, A STRANGER'S KISS, come unlock the mysteries of Bandit Creek
30 days of secrets: Every day a different author will be on the Bandit Creek blog spilling secrets about themselves or about their books.   Every day is a chance to win free books, and have your name tossed in for a draw of a choice of a Kindle Fire or $200 Amazon GC.January 15 – Roxy BoroughsJanuary 16 – Stephanie DravenJanuary 17 – KC KleinJanuary 18 – Lecia CornwallJanuary 19 – Vivi AnnaJanuary 20 – Jason McIntyreJanuary 21 – Christy HayesJanuary 22 – DL SnowJanuary 23 – Ally BlueJanuary 24 – Myla JacksonJanuary 25 – Jade BuchananJanuary 26 – JL LangleyJanuary 27 – Kymber MorganJanuary 28 – Steena HolmesJanuary 29 – Mary MarvellaJanuary 30 – Stephanie GiancolaJanuary 31 – Amy Jo FlemingFebruary 1 – Linda AndrewsFebruary 2 – Jamie Lee ScottFebruary 3 – Lawna MackieFebruary 4 – Michael J. LeeFebruary 5 – Michele HaufFebruary 6 – CJ CarmichaelFebruary 7 – Roxy BoroughsFebruary 8 – Cynthia CookeFebruary 9 – Alyssa Linn PalmerFebruary 10 – Caridad PineiroFebruary 11 – Elle JamesFebruary 12 – Shanna GekkoFebruary 13 – Roni LorenFebruary 14 – Kymber MorganFebruary 15 – Roxy BoroughsTo stay up to date on Bandit Creek releases subscribe to their fun newsletter The Bandit Creek Gazette.
Every week I'll be hosting a spotlight on a different Bandit Creek Book. 
This week's spotlighted Bandit Creek Book is  Lost  by Vivi Anna. 
Amazon Prime Members can currently get the book for free for their Kindle.
LostBy Vivi AnnaBLURB 

Kirsten Morgan can hear the dead. And now they are calling to her, to come home to Bandit Creek. A girl has gone missing, and the law don't have any leads. But the last thing Sheriff Samuel Morgan wants to see is his famous psychic daughter in his office telling him how to do his job. 
At odds for years, Kirsten doesn't know how to talk to her father but she knows she has to push him to a place he doesn't want to go. Because the dead are talking, and she has to answer, or lose her mind forever. 
 *This is a novella 
Amazon 
Lost (Mystery) – By Vivi Anna 
ABOUT  THE AUTHOR: 
Vivi Anna is a mult-published author with over thirteen books in print and ebook. She writes about kick-ass women and the men they kill for. To learn more, go towww.vivianna.net

Excerpt Chapter One
The water rippled, sending whispers to her on its waves. She bent low toward the glistening liquid, listening, straining hard to hear the words the water wanted her to know. There was a truth there, she was certain of it.
On hands and knees, she settled her face just above the lake waters. Maybe if she submersed herself, her face at least, she could hear the whispers clearer. She had to know what the water was trying to tell her. Lives, she was certain, depended on it.
Slowly, she pushed her face into the water, her eyes open, alert, ready for anything. Because she knew there was something in the lake. There always had been.
She waited, her lungs bursting for air. The urge to open her mouth to take in oxygen ripped at her brain.
Finally, another set of ripples came from some movement in the water. As they undulated over her flesh, into her ears, she made out three words.
I.Am.Lost.
Kirsten Morgan jolted straight up from her sleep. Sweat shellacked her tank top to her back.It also dotted her forehead and upper lip. It was always that way after one of her dreams.
Sunlight streamed through the bedroom window. It was early yet. Too early on a normal day to be awake.
She swung her legs over her bed, and sat up, setting her head in her hands. The smell of copper still lingered in her nose. It wasn't the scent of blood but something else.
Her head throbbed something fierce, as if something inside was getting ready to burst open. That probably wasn't too far from the reality of her situation.
She rubbed her face with her hands, and held her head up, blinking to get her bearings. She'd drunk a lot of martinis last night. But she wasn't normally one for hangovers. No, her unease and queasiness came from elsewhere.
Movement behind her on the bed made her flinch. She glanced over her shoulder to see Josh, her man for the month, rolling over to look at her. He traced a finger over her bare back.
"It's barely six. Why are you up?"
"I got to go."
She stood, punctuating her statement, and crossed the room to gather clothes from the dresser. Her clothes from the night before were strewn every which way. A morning chill raised the goose flesh on her arms and legs. She glanced down, realizing she was completely naked. She reached for the silk robe draped over her dressing chair and slid it on.
"Where are you going? I didn't think you had an upcoming appearance. You said you were free for the next few days."
"Yeah, well, that's changed."
Kirsten pulled open drawers and yanked out some underwear, T-shirts, jeans and various other garments. She tossed them onto the bed, then moved to her closet. She slid open the door and grabbed the suitcase buried in the corner. She put that on the bed as well.
Frowning, Josh sat up. "What's the suitcase for?"
"I told you I had to go."
"I thought you meant for the day. Not for a holiday."
She unzipped the suitcase and piled her clothes inside. As well as shoes and boots, and a couple of jackets. "This is not a holiday." She packed hurriedly, the urgency to leave making her jumpy.
"Jesus, Kirsten, what the hell is going on?"
"Look, Josh, you're great and it's been fun, but I'm leaving town for a while. Maybe we can hook up when I get back."
"When will that be?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. A week maybe. Two at the most."
He grabbed her hands before she could shove more clothes into the bag. "Hold up. What the hell is going on? Did I do something wrong?"
"This isn't about you, okay? I have to go somewhere. It's important."
He let her go and sat back. "Is it your work?"
Sighing, Kirsten nodded. "Yeah." It was always her work that drove her from her bed, drove her from other people, from places that she'd temporarily called home. It was her work that sent her traveling around the world, involving herself in other people's tragic lives.
Her head was still killing her and she rubbed at her right temple. If she was going to make it there in one piece, she'd need to take some painkillers before she got on a plane. The air pressure would be too much on an already pressurized brain.
 "Where are you going? Can you tell me that much?"
 She zipped up her suitcase, and set it on the floor. Sweat was trickling down her back. She wasn't sure she was even ready to go. But, she knew without a doubt where the dream was telling her to go. She knew that water, she knew that coppery odor.
 "Bandit Creek, Montana. I'm going home."

Interview with a Princely Vampire And Entanglements Giveaway with PR Mason

INTERVIEW WITH A PRINCELY VAMPIRE.
The audience is led into a darkened room illuminated only by the flickering light of three small candles in holders on a corner table. There are no other furnishings aside from a wooden easel at the room's center. Mounted on the easel is a large, ornately framed mirror. On closer inspection it's clear the room has been painted black and the windows have been obscured by heavy drapes.
Moderator: Hello everyone. We are in store for a rate treat. An interview between KIZZY TAYLOR, fifteen-year-old heroine of the Urban Fantasy novel, ENTANGLEMENTS (by P.R. Mason) and His Royal Highness, the Prince Leopold, monarch of the British Empire of Dorcha.
First of all, Kizzy, can you tell the audience a little about yourself?
Kizzy: I didn't realize this would be about me. I don't want to talk about myself. I'm just here to gather intel from my enemy, Prince Leopold.
Moderator: Just a little background for the audience? Please?
Kizzy: Well......I'm not really fifteen. I'll be sixteen in a few days. I enjoy urban spelunking, which is exploring abandoned buildings and tunnels, with my friends. There's not much else to tell. I'm pretty average except for the fact that my father tried to kill me and I just discovered my blood can open a vortex leading to an evil alternate dimension.
Moderator: How about telling the audience where we are?
Kizzy: This room is a psychomanteum.
Moderator: Psycho—what?
Kizzy: It's a visioning tool. The basis for the psychomanteum dates back thousands of years. Staring into reflective objects such as pools of water or mirrors has been considered a conduit to communicating with spirits or other dimensions since the ancient Greeks.
Moderator: How does it work?
Kizzy: The room is set up so that I can reach a meditative state. Once, I get into the right frame of mind, the prince should appear in the mirror. At first when I started using this thing it was hard to get into the right headspace. But it's been easy lately.
Moderator: Why do we have to use a mirror to talk to the prince?
Kizzy: Duh. Since Prince Leopold is the ruler of an empire in an alternate universe, it's the only way to talk to him. I'm certainly not about to open the portal between our worlds and allow him to come here to be interviewed in person.
Moderator: Who is Prince Leopold?
Kizzy: He's the son of Queen Victoria. He was born with hemophilia, a blood disorder that prevents clotting. In our dimension he died in 1884 as a result of internal bleeding from a trip and fall.
Audience: Awwwww.
Kizzy: Don't feel sorry for the prince. In his alternate world, Queen Victoria employed a warlock to try to save his life. But the cure went wrong and he was turned into a vampire. He became monarch of the Empire of the Dark after killing off his entire family, including his mother. Since then he's been busy creating a vampire aristocracy and gathering all sorts of paranormal creatures into his sphere. Only trouble is, humans are becoming scarce in his world so he'd like to get control of me so I can open up other dimensions for conquering.
Leopold (Laughing as he appears in the mirror): Kizzy, you make me sound so evil.
Kizzy: Hello Highness. I didn't realize you'd already arrived. I'm just telling them a few facts.
Leopold: You'll have these nice people thinking that I'm some kind of villain. While it's true I will do anything and everything to do my duty to my subjects, that clearly makes me the hero, not the villain.
Kizzy: Whatever floats your coffin.
Leopold: I do not understand this idiom.
Kizzy: Never mind. So, what new schemes are you plotting against the human race these days?
Leopold: You do not expect me to reveal my plans so easily do you?
Kizzy: It was worth a try.
Leopold (shaking his head sadly): Am I really so different from you? You want to save your friends and family. I merely want to save my people.
Kizzy: You used my friends as your personal sippy cups. Should I thank you for that?
Leopold: My subjects — vampire, ghoul and the like— require humans as food. Am I to disregard my duty and allow them to starve? To perish in the most horrible of deaths? No I must provide for them. In this world, all free-range humans have been or soon will be rounded up and placed in the feedlot system. But we need an influx of new food sources and the only choice is to go outside this world.
Kizzy: So you admit you're killing people.
Leopold: All human feedlots in my empire are run to the strictest of industry standards for production. Food stock is treated in the most humane way possible.
Kizzy: Yeah. You suck 'em dry and use their bones for toothpicks. Real humane.
Leopold: Would it be better to allow them to be hunted down in the wild? No. It is better this way. Our system ensures that the humans do not feel pain or fear. They are virtually unconscious. In a trance.
Kizzy: Like zombies.
Leopold: No. Zombies are brain-eating fiends. They are rotting flesh. I would not suck on them if—
Kizzy: I get it. There's a difference.
Leopold: Let us not argue, dear Kizzy. We will agree to disagree. But let me say how happy I am to be here today to communicate directly to my fans in your world.
Kizzy: Fans? What fans?
Leopold: Come now, Kizzy. I am a ruler of great power and wealth. If I may be immodest for a moment, I also possess good looks and charisma. I embody a very attractive combination. Of course I have fans in your world.
Kizzy: No, I don't agree.
Leopold: Besides, you Americans love British royalty. I have heard, for example, about your admiration for one of the descendents I would have had but for my transformation. The wedding of Prince William to a girl named Kate was quite a popular event in your world by all accounts.
Kizzy: Yes, but that's different. They are a beautiful young human couple in love and living a romantic fairy tale. You're a...a ...
Leopold: Blood sucking monster?
Kizzy: If the fangs fit.
Leopold: Is that sarcasm?
Kizzy: Oh no. Not a drop.
Leopold: Just because I used a couple of your friends for —what did you call it? — a sippy cup, does not require a fit of ill manners on your part.
Kizzy: Why don't we try a few questions about your likes and dislikes for the throng of "fans" you imagine you have out there? I'll throw a few choices out and you go with your first answer.
Leopold: Ah yes. This is bit like word association. My psychoanalyst has utilized this technique on me to explore my Oedipal issues.
Kizzy: Your psychoanalyst?
Leopold: Yes. Sigmund Freud.
Kizzy: Is Freud a vampire in your dimension?
Leopold: Of course. You may find it hard to believe, but I was quite traumatized by my childhood. I am not ashamed of requiring therapy. Dr. Freud was one of the first humans I turned after my transformation was complete.
Kizzy: My question was legitimate. He could be a ghoul. Those creatures are created by you vampires, right?
Leopold: Yes, but you don't think I'd divulge the innermost workings of my psyche to a mere ghoul do you?
Kizzy: Well he could be a werewolf or—
Leopold (snapping fingers): Me talk to a dog? Please. Now you are just being ridiculous. On to your questions.
Kizzy: Okay. First of all, messy or neat?
Leopold: Neat.
Kizzy: Mozart of Beethoven?
Leopold: Mozart.
Kizzy (mumbling): Figures...he was crazy.
Leopold: What did you say?
Kizzy: Nothing. Chocolate or Vanilla? Oops sorry. You don't eat do you?
Leopold: In fact, I find chocolate quite delicious when added to some pickled brain. It's the perfect combination of savory and sweet that—
Kizzy: Moving on. Dog or cat?
Leopold: They're both tasty.
Kizzy (shaking head): Team Edward or Team Jacob?
Leopold: I have no idea who theses "teams" are. Do they play rugby or football?
Kizzy: Never mind. It's a stupid question. All these are stupid questions. Let's wrap this up.
Leopold: All right, but before I go I'd like to say, thank you, Roxanne for having us on the Fang-tastic Books blog —great name by the way. I hope you didn't consider the animosity of my exchanges with Kizzy discourteous to you or your readers. I really would like to visit you all in person one day.
Kizzy: I bet you would. Interview over. I'm shutting this down.
Leopold: You may run away now, Kizzy Taylor, but be assured you will not be able to run forever. I will find some way to open the portal between our worlds again very soon.
Kizzy (She steps away from the mirror and the prince's image fades to fog): Not if I have anything to do with it.







Entanglements
By P.R. Mason

Blurb:

Teen KIZZY TAYLOR is just hoping for an evening of fun when she joins her friends in a spelunking expedition through an under-city tunnel. But fun turns bizarre when Kizzy accidentally opens a vortex and her stepsister is swept through to an evil alternate dimension. The only way to rescue her stepsister is to reopen the vortex and go in after her. But is her new boyfriend, ROM CALIXO, going to help Kizzy or try to stop her? And if she can get past Rom, will she be able to get back home?

Amazon Paperback
Amazon Kindle
Smashwords
BN

About the Author:
P.R. Mason writes steamy contemporary and paranormal romance under the name Patricia Mason and young adult paranormal romance and urban fantasy as P.R. Mason. She escaped from the snowy Midwest winters of her youth by moving in 2001 to the strange and wonderful city of Savannah, Georgia to pursue her dream of being a novelist. Pat's background is eclectic. She was an Assistant District Attorney and for a number of years was the owner of an antique shop which was home to a number of ghosts. Her home is ruled by two black cats, one of whom was rescued from the most haunted cemetery in the southeast.

Please visit www.prmason.net
You can also follow the author @prmason on Twitter.

Giveaway Time!
Want to win a an ebook copy each of Entanglements and Fated Hearts?
One  lucky reader will win both
Just leave a comment on this post

Guest Blog with Tracey Cooper-Posey

Don't Like Apple?  Switch to DOS and Become a Vampire
I've written a good many vampire novels now.  The fanged ones have featured in over half-a-dozen of my invented universes.  I always like to explain in my fictional universes not just where vampires came from and how they came into being (or at least hint at it in the shorter works), but I also like to explain (or outline) why vampires are vampires:  how their physiologies work, and why they are the way they are.
Of course, I have to figure that out for myself, too, and often, coming up with answers for each new book or series, means I end up supplying myself with some really good source material for conflict, problems or interesting scenes and character building.
It would be fair to say that I've spent a fair amount of time ruminating about how a vampire might form and how his or her physiology might work under all sort of interesting situations.  If you'd like to see an extended version of my warped mind at work, flip over to "Vampires and Body Fluids.  I Was Just Wondering [http://tracycooperposey.com/articles/...]."  -- but make sure you come back here to read the rest of the good stuff!
For me, it's not good enough to simply say vampires exist because they're magic and therefore they just are.  I mean, you can certainly say that.  Magic excuses and creates a whole lot of things in the paranormal world. 
But ultimately, it's just not all that satisfying.  It's like having a get out of jail free card:  The game doesn't feel exciting enough if you know you can escape scott free by producing the card if you get caught.  The stakes are not high enough.  The game isn't real enough.
Television and movies learned and understand this lesson about fiction and reader satisfaction extremely well.  There are always limits to power and consequences when it is used, especially when it isn't used wisely.  I spent an entire other post on this blog tour, talking about the consequences of paranormal powers, so I won't get into that side issue here.
But I will point out that True Blood is a very good example of a vampire world that demonstrates the writers have thought about the constructs and limitations of their vampires' physiologies, and built those limitations into the story and character conflicts.  There's one particularly powerful scene that MM and MMF romance lovers should remember well:  Sam's dream in the first episode of Season 3, when Bill comes to visit.  I won't lay down spoilers here, but if you're curious and don't mind spoilers, you can click through and check out pictures and all the spoilers you want here [http://tracycooperposey.com/pulse-pau...] (but come back!).
I construct histories and physiologies for my vampires, along with powers and talents.  In Blood Knot, for example, because Winter is able to reach inside people's physiologies by touch, she is able to analyse vampires and she figures out they are running what amounts to a different operating system, while their human operating system is in hibernation.  Sort of like Apple and DOS (what we know as Windows, these days)...or should that be BOS (Blood Operating System?).  She is able to switch on one or the other temporarily (and at cost),
In the Beloved Bloody Time series, I went in a different direction altogether.  The series is set in the 23rd century, and for the first time in one of my vampire worlds, vampires are "out" and known to humans.  I thought it would make sense to have figured out by then that vampires are what they are because of a symbiot creature that resides in their blood, feeding on it.  They need blood to feed the symbiot, who in turn maintains and restores their physiologies in exactly the same state the symbiot found it in when it took up residence, once it repaired any ill-health.
This was a bit of a twist on my usual take on vampires for me, because it takes away any "magic" or paranormal slant.  It's a scientific explanation.  Oh, there's still a ton of paranormal stuff going on in the series, including century's worth of time-travelling.  There's also a lot of romance and sexy stuff jammed in there, too. ;)  But the vampires have spent a couple of centuries justifying their existence to humans, so they've scrambled to learn more about themselves, and their knowledge spills out across the pages of the book as they constantly struggle to maintain a legitimate place in the world against a whole swathe of people who would rather vampires had never really existed in the first place, as the excerpt below will show you.
___________________________Bannockburn Binding by Tracy Cooper-Posey
Time is theirs to keep. But it comes with a price.
MMF Urban Fantasy Futuristic Time Travel Romance Serial
In the early 23rd Century, vampires learned how to travel back in time, and created a time-tsunami that threatened life as we know it, until they corrected their mistake.  They created the Chronometric Conservation Agency, which is tasked with preserving history and therefore protecting humanity's future.  The Touring arm of the Agency offers trips back into the real past, with vampire guides, called travellers.


When Natalia (Tally) Marta, vampire and traveller, takes her client to visit the siege of Stirling Castle in 1314, she is caught and held hostage for ransom by Robert MacKenzie, a Bruce clansman.  Rob finds himself drawn to the wilful, stubborn and very different English lady he has captured and the relationship becomes an intimate, highly-charged sexual pairing.  Swiftly, Tally and Rob realize their bond is more than sexual, that the emotions stirring their hearts are true.


Christian Lee Hamilton, vampire, one of the last true southern gentlemen, and Tally's ex-lover, knows the 1314 time marker enough to jump back and help Tally return home. His arrival at Bannockburn adds complications, for Christian finds himself drawn to Rob MacKenzie as much as Tally is.  But neither of them can stay in the past forever.  To do so means certain death.
___An Excerpt From: BANNOCKBURN BINDING
Copyright © TRACY COOPER-POSEY, 2012
All Rights Reserved.
Ursella Shun hated vampires with a carefully hidden distaste and all-encompassing prejudice that humans in bygone centuries had once held for different races and religions. Ursella Shun was the twenty-third century's bigot.
Which was why someone with a sense of ironic humor had appointed her the head of the Historical Defense Bureau, which had oversight jurisdiction of the Chronometric Conservation Agency. It was Ursella's monthly inspection tour of the Agency, and as usual she was making her tour in person.
Nayara sent Lee Hamilton to meet Shun at Halfway Station and escort her the rest of the way to the Agency. Who better to smooth Shun's feathers and put her in a good mood than a genuine Southern gentleman who had been raised within a system of intricate bigotry and racial differentiation?
The fact that he could draw a sword, take Shun's head off and sheath it again before she had time to open her mouth and scream probably wouldn't even occur to Shun. Christian Lee Beauregard Jackson Hamilton knew how to pour on the charm when he needed to.
So Nayara hovered in the receiving lounge, watching the shuttle nudge its way up against the docking clamps with infinite care, and laughed at her own nervousness. The station went through this craziness every month, thanks to Shun insisting on visiting in person.  They should be used to it by now. But every month they turned themselves inside out trying to placate the diminutive Shun.
The bay doors flickered over to green. After a moment or two, the doors opened. Then Tinker, the human pilot, emerged. He gave Nayara the thumbs up, and headed down the passage toward the kitchen and the tiny office he used as his quarters when he arrived at the station. He would grab a quick meal and wait to return Shun to Halfway Station.
Then Ursella Shun and Christian emerged. Christian was bending over the tiny woman, listening respectfully as she spoke. He wore all black as he always did, which made his blonde hair seem even lighter. He glanced up, a single flicker of his green eyes, spotting Nayara. He lifted his hand, silently guiding Shun over toward Nayara as Shun continued to speak.
"Director Shun," Christian said, breaking into Shun's monologue. "See, Ms. Ybarra is waiting for you."Shun frowned, looking up at Nayara. "Nayara," she acknowledged, brushing at the long skirt of her pristine white business dress.
"I trust your journey was comfortable, Director Shun?" Nayara asked. "Christian did procure you the best seat on the beanstalk, I trust?"
Shun's lips thinned. "You know perfectly well I get vertigo in freefall."
Nayara painted a smile on her face. "Of course, you are always more than welcome to take advantage of the shortest route here."
Shun didn't quite shudder. The quickest route to the agency involved direct contact with vampires. Flesh on flesh. Ursella would rather suffer through freefall and twelve hours of travel than have a vampire put their arms around her. But she would never say that aloud. Instead her face grew taut and her eyes neutral. "Of course," she said stiffly. "Is Mr. Desmond in his office?"
"Ryan is waiting for you, yes."
"Would you like me to show you the way, Ursella?" Christian asked.
"Thank you, no," Ursella said shortly. "I know my way from here. Thank you for your company, Mr. Hamilton." She nodded at him, and moved stiffly down the corridor toward the administration section of the station.
Christian blew out a long breath once she was out of hearing range.
Nayara rested a hand on his arm. "Thank you, Christian. What else can I say? I know what she is like, but with you, Ursella does arrive here in a more amenable mood."
"Oh, I don't mind soothing her for you, ma'am," Christian replied, in his soft southern drawl. "Except I know that she'll be in Ryan's office for twenty seconds and he'll have her all riled up once more. That Irish temper of his...." He shook his head.
"It's not just Ryan," Nayara pointed out. "Ursella isn't always a diplomat, either."
Christian gave her one of his slow, knowing smiles. "Ryan is the diplomat, Nayara. Why are you the one pouring all the oil on the waters, hmmm?"
She couldn't help smiling. "Want me to pull rank and tell you where to put your nosy question?"
"If you want me to escort the wonderful Ms. Shun back to Halfway, I wouldn't if I were you." But he wore a smile, too.
"Damn it, Christian, you have no respect for your elders," Nayara replied.
Christian touched his hand to an invisible hat brim. "I find it hard to remember to treat you as anything but a lady when you're so beautiful and sexy, Nayara." He turned, heading for the living quarters. "'tis little wonder Ryan's temper is so unstable," he said over his shoulder. "You really should consider putting him out of his misery, you know."
Nayara eased the lurch of her heart Christian's parting words had caused, and waited for her breathing to steady before she turned in the other direction and headed for Administration. Christian was irreverent, that was all. It didn't mean he was accurate. He had simply been deflecting her gentle admonition back. Yes, that was it. He had been on the defensive.
Her mind and heart settled, Nayara tapped back into her messages and tasks as she walked, picking up the myriad strings of her busy day, deliberately dismissing Christian's barb from her memory altogether.
After all, Christian was no judge. He had his own affaire de coeur troubles.___Erotic MMF romance, time travel, urban fantasy story line, on-going serial storylines.This is the first book in the BELOVED BLOODY TIME series.Futuristic settings:  Australia, near-planetary space.  Historical settings: Medieval Scotland, France.Vampires and other fantasy species.Available at Amazon: Kindle format.  Print format.Available at All Romance eBooks: Adobe Acrobat, Palm DOC/iSolo, Microsoft Reader, Mobipocket (.prc and Mobi), Rocket, ePubPages: 162 in PDF, including front matter. (Short novel-length story)$2.99 in all electronic formats, and at all retailers.$8.97 in print.__________Tracy Cooper-Posey is a national award winning author, with more than 35 romance titles published since 1999. She writes mainly romantic suspense and paranormal romance, with brief forays into other romantic genres here and there. She has been nominated for three CAPA's for best paranormal romance, one CAPA for best historical romance, and the CAPA for Favourite Author, and has won the Emma Darcy Award.

…an author I'll pick up simply because her name is on the cover.
Kristi Ahlers, Amazon.com

…reminded me of why I fell in love with reading in the first place.
M.M. Gwynn, eBookConnections

…touches the heart and makes you feel everything.
Cherokee, Coffee Time Romance

…writes books which deserve a place on keeper shelves everywhere!
Julie Bonello, ECataRomance ReviewsConnect directly with Tracy at her site...Facebook...Twitter...Google+...Amazon...All Romance eBooks... MMF Romance Novels (Tracy's Facebook Group).  Sign up for her newsletter and get two free romances.And check out some of the 100+ articles on her site, too!

Why do we like Sexy Heroes? Guest Blog with Carrie Ann Ryan

Why do we like Sexy Heroes?

Why do we? I mean, not all men are sexy in real life. Let's be honest. But in our books all of them are sexy. Few in our books may not look it, but their inner selves make them sexy anyway. Why do we like them?
Oh yea, because its fantasy. It's make believe. We need it to be different from our real life. I love reading about sexy heroes. The way they prowl or swagger. The way they hold the heroine close or grin at something funny.

I love cracking open a book and finding a new way for the man to be sexy. The way the hair falls in front of his eyes or brushes his shoulder. The way his eyes darken with arousal or the way his fingers gently brush her skin.

Oh – and don't forget his body. Because honestly *sigh* who can? 

A sexy hero makes a reader want to read more.

But remember – a sexy boring hero doesn't make you want to read anything. Their brain and mannerisms resulting in actions that make you guess and love him all the more.

That's why we love sexy heroes. They make you want more and get you reading.



Melanie is a twenty-five year old chemist who has spent all of her adult life slaving at school. With her PhD in hand, she's to start her dream job, but before she does, her friend persuades her to relax and try to live again. A blind date set up through her friends seems like the perfect solution. Melanie can take one night away from the lab and let her inner vixen out on a fixed blind date - a chance to get crazy with a perfect stranger. The gorgeous hunk she's to meet exceeds her wildest dreams – be he is more than what he appears and Melanie's analytical mind goes into overdrive.

Kade, a slightly older werewolf (at over one hundred years), needs a night way from the Pack. Too many responsibilities and one near miss with a potential mate made Kade hide in his work, the only peace he can find. His brother convinces him to meet the sexy woman for a one night of fun. What could it hurt? But when he finds this woman could be his mate, can he convince her to leave her orderly, sane world and be with him and his wolf-half, for life?



About the Author:
Carrie Ann Ryan is a paranormal and contemporary romance author. Her first book, An Alpha's Path, is the first book in her Redwood Pack series. She's also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She love meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens.
Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:
Website and Blog / Facebook Author Page / Facebook FriendTwitter: @CarrieAnnRyan

Guest Blog by Natalie-Nicole Bates

Reading, Reviewing, and WritingBy Natalie-Nicole Bates
For several years before I even formulated an idea for my first book, I was reviewing books. Being a voracious reader since I was a child, reviewing seemed like the natural choice for me.

When I was still in school, my teacher assigned us students to choose three books each semester and write a few paragraphs about them. This was my first taste of book reviewing! While I was reading and reviewing Harold Robbins and Sidney Sheldon, my teacher came to me and said, You really should be reading the classics.

To me, Sheldon and Robbins were the Masters.

Book reviewing is an art that requires a special skill set. Book reviewing sites are professionally run, and most require interested applicants to audition. Book reviewers know how a book is put together, they understand the elements of plot, setting, scene, and point of view. They look for flow, for consistency, and most of all, they know how to remain neutral.

So if a book reviewer understands the mechanics of how a good book is put together, can they become writers themselves? Maybe.

About a year ago, I decided to make the leap into writing. First and foremost, I stopped reviewing contemporary and paranormal romance (the genres I was interested in). I did this by my own choice. I now review mostly mystery and inspirational romance.

I already had my idea for a contemporary romance, and I signed up for an intensive six month course in the art of novel writing. This past summer, I sold my first novel, Change of Address, which is now available at Secret Cravings Publishing. Within a few weeks of my sale, I was offered a contract for my short paranormal, Antique Charming, which is now available at Books To Go Now. Back To You followed, which is upcoming January 30, from Bradley Publishing.

I have made successful leaps from avid reader, to reviewer, to finally, writer. But everyone's journey is individual. Not all reviewers will become writers, not all writers review. When people ask me, how did you know you wanted to review? How did you know you wanted to write? I tell them my truth. For me, it was a burn inside of me that would not let up until I started reviewing, until I started writing. Each reader, reviewer, and writer must follow her own path to personal satisfaction.



Change of Address
Natalie-Nicole Bates
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 18 2012
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
www.natalienicolebates.com


BLURB:

Saved from a traumatic past and successful in her present as a home care nurse, Josselyn Adler's dream of home ownership in the idyllic town of Unity are dashed to pieces when Dr Ben Parnell, a cancer specialist, shows up on her doorstep claiming to be the rightful owner of the house—and Ben has a will to prove it! To Josselyn, the house represents a new start in her life. With a stable home, hopefully a much wanted family wouldn't be far behind.

After a near career-ending allegation is made, Ben has returned home to lick his wounds. But now he must prove Josselyn's claim to be a fake, that she used her position as a live-in nurse to his sick father to ingratiate herself into his good graces. But as he gets to know her, he can tell by her shy, often standoffish behavior, that Josselyn is a woman who has been deeply hurt in her past. Although he is attracted to the dark haired beauty that has invaded his life, he is still suspicious of her true motives and her past involvement with his father.

Warnings: The story is sensual, but has NO graphic sex or violence, and only mild coarse language and adult themes

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/ceaf03ElSqc
www.youtube.com/NatalieNicoleBates

About the Author:

Natalie Nicole-Bates is a book reviewer and author.
Her short paranormal romance, Antique Charming, was published by Books To Go Now Publishing in October 2011 and her contemporary romance, Change of Address, is scheduled to be published by Secret Cravings in January 2012.
Her passions in life include books and hockey along with Victorian and Edwardian era photography. Natalie contributes her uncharacteristic love of hockey to being born in Russia.
She currently resides in the UK where she is working on her next book and adding to her collection of 19th century post-mortem photos.
Visit Natalie online at http://natalienicolebates.blogspot.com/

Let Us Prey Now on Tour

For the next month, I'm a tourist! A Blog Tourist, that is.

I love to travel, but for this tour, I'll be staying home, and at the same time, I'll be in computers all over the world. Maybe world is an exaggeration, but I'm okay with it. I'm thrilled to be sharing a bit about me and my first novel, Let Us Prey, on this blog tour. So welcome to my Jan/Feb 2012 Bewitching Book Tour. Before I get started, I need to thank Roxanne for everything she's done.

Let Us Prey is the first book in the Gotcha Detective Agency series. Mimi Capurro, the owner of Gotcha, gets caught up in a murder when all she was supposed to be doing was protecting a New York Times bestselling author on her book tour. You know how crazy those fans of vampire series authors can be. Throw in her old flame from college, Nick Christianson, who happens to be the homicide detective and you have a bit of sexual tension to break up the stress of the investigation.

Due out in February, Death of a Sales Rep, when Mimi and Nick once again connect over a dead body, but this one is in San Francisco.



About me:

Born and raised in Salinas, CA (where the Gotcha series is set), I moved to Iowa about 16 years ago. I started writing because I needed to escape the real world, and just reading about other worlds wasn't enough anymore.
I've written a non-fiction book called Hiking Iowa for Falcon Publishing, and I was a contributing writer for Crafts Business Magazine for two years before turning to fiction. Along with writing novels, I've written 3 feature screenplays, and I'm also writing for television. I have a great writing partner with whom I'm writing a TV drama.

Jan 16 Tour PartyFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
Jan 19 Promo and InterviewJeanzBookReadNReview http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.com/
Jan 21 Guest BlogFrom Meredith Allardwww.meredithallard.com
Jan 25 PromoFor The Love of Readinghttp://niinas-reading-and-reviewing.blogspot.com/
Feb 1 guest post and reviewMama Knows Books http://mamaknowsbooks.blogspot.com
Feb 2 Promo and reviewFictional Candy http://fictionalcandy.blogspot.com

Feb 4 promo and reviewLissette E. Manninghttp://www.simplistik.org/lissetteemanning
Feb 5 interview (review later)Beverly @ The Wormholehttp://wormyhole.blogspot.com

Feb 6 Guest BlogI Just Wanna Sit Here and Read! www.sithereandread.com
Feb 7 InterviewTheresa Stillwagon bloghttp://tstillwagon.wordpress.com/
Feb 8 Guest Bloghttp://www.kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com
Feb 9 InterviewSarahwww.workadayreads.com
Feb 10 Guest Blog (review)Cocktails and Bookshttp://www.cocktailsandbooks.com
Feb 10 Promo**All the days of (Book Blog)**~
February 11 InterviewLisa's World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
Feb 11 Promo and reviewhttp://booklovershideaway.blogspot.com/?zx=1cfb93fcbb41e840
Feb 13 PromoReader Girls/http://www.readergirlsblog.com
Feb 13 Guest Blog and reviewSapphyria's Book Reviewssaphsbookblog.blogspot.com



Let Us Prey
Book 1, Gotcha Detective Agency Mysteries
By Jamie Lee Scott

Mimi Capurro has been hired to protect New York Times bestselling author, Lauren Silke, who was recently assaulted in the bathroom at a paranormal conference. Though Mimi is hired to act as bodyguard for Lauren's upcoming book tour, plans change when Lauren's assistant is murdered and the slaying is a replica of a scene from Lauren's newest novel. A novel that hit bookstores the same day as the killing.

Now instead of playing bodyguard, Mimi is cracking computer code, and chasing down vampires. These vampires come alive on the streets of Santa Cruz, as part of a live-role-playing game. Mimi must find the connection between the vampires and the author to track down the killer. This would be much easier if Detective Nick Christianson wanted her investigating the case.
Nick, Mimi's old college fling, is the lead homicide investigator.

Though he wants her off the case, he also wants to pump her for information. Nick may have used her in the past, but this time she'll use him to try to catch the murderer first.

Amazon Paperback Amazon Kindle





http://www.jamieleescott.com/

https://twitter.com/#!/jamie_ld
http://www.facebook.com/jamielee.scott2

Chivalry Never Dies Tour for Immortal Hope by Claire Ashgrove

Hopeful Holidays

Well, we've hit the downtime briefly. Christmas is over; New Years has come and gone. We've relaxed with family, toasted with champagne and eaten until we could roll down the hall. The last year has been quite eventful for me. I released a few stories that were extremely special to me (A Broken Christmas), I launched a paranormal short-story series, and I sold some projects that were very important to me.

I spent some wonderful time with my children, and relearned the magic of Santa, as I do each year. It's such a special feeling to see their faces alight with joy when they come bounding into my room – "Mommy! Wake UP! Santa's been here!"

And I find myself wishing, just for a little while, that I could wake up, just once, so glad to see morning. I sincerely despise waking. Though their exuberance makes it worth it one day a year. (Laugh)

Now, January is here, and while the world has officially put New Years back on the shelf until December 31, 2012, I'm just celebrating my turning of the year. This coming year is one of hope for me—hope that I'll please my readers, hope that my new projects will be strong, hope that what I've worked on the hardest will be as rewarding to romance enthusiasts as it was for me to craft.

I spent a lot of time working on IMMORTAL HOPE. A lot more time waiting for it to move from contracted to released. It seems like eons have passed since I penned those words, and yet, I'm still as in love with the series as I was when I typed the first sentence.

And it too, as the name implies, is based on hope.

Unlike my brimming hope, however, Merrick du Loire has lost his. Too many years of fighting the dark minions of Azazel's realm have eradicated his ability to believe the Templar will know anything but damnation. He too has been waiting. Waiting so long on the promise of salvation that he's forgotten the prophecy of salvation. I can relate to that. At one point it felt like his story would never make it to the shelves. But it's here now, and with its coming, I'm once again inspired.

That inspiration has fed way-too-many resolutions! But I think we all get gung-ho at the turning of a year. For a little while we're on top of the world, believing we can do anything. Case in point – I have this crazy notion I will finish all the novels lined up in my "Idea" folder. In another month or so, after that darn Valentine's hype, and after I age another year, reality will kick in. I'll go back to my GANTT chart and start adjusting dates. Just like that promise to cut back on coffee is apt to turn into a promise to consume twice as much.

Only, unlike Merrick, when my hope begins to falter, it won't be because I've been eternally cursed, or that my soul is dying, or that I've fallen in love with a woman who can save a Templar Knight…and doesn't belong to me.

What about all of you? What New Years promises did you make, and which ones are most apt to change along the way?

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com
TWITTER: @ClaireAshgrove.com

Claire will be giving away a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a second $25.00 Amazon.com gift certificate to a second randomly drawn commenter at the end of the tour.
Be sure to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning!
Click the Blog Tour badge for a complete list of blog stops.
Author Bio

Claire Ashgrove has been writing since her early teens and maintained the hobby for twenty years before deciding to leap into the professional world. Her first contemporary novel, Seduction's Stakes, sold to The Wild Rose Press in 2008, where she continues to write steamy, sexy stories for the Champagne and Black Rose lines. Adding to these critically acclaimed contemporaries, Claire's paranormal romance series, The Curse of the Templars, debuts with Tor in January 2012. For those who prefer the more erotic side of romance, she also writes for Berkley Heat under the pen name Tori St. Claire.

Claire lives on a small farm in Missouri with her two toddler sons, fifteen horses, four cats, and five dogs. In her "free" time, she enjoys cooking, winning at rummy, studying ancient civilizations, and spending quiet moments with her family, including the critters. She credits her success to her family's constant support and endless patience.

To learn more about Claire, visit her at:

www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com
Twitter: @ClaireAshgrove


Blurb:
CENTURIES AGO,Templar knights defied the archangels and unearthed the copper scroll, revealing the gates to hell. Cursed for their forbidden act, they forever roam the earth protecting mankind from evil. But darkness stalks them, and battles they fight bring them ever-closer to eternal damnation.
One promise remains to give them salvation – the return of the seraphs.Embittered by his purpose, Merrick du Loire must honor an ancient pact and bring peace to his cousin's soul. When he stumbles upon history professor Anne MacPherson, he discovers she possesses a sacred artifact that marks her as a seraph. Duty demands he set aside his personal quest and locate the knight she's fated to heal.
As he struggles with conflicting oaths, Anne arouses buried hope and sparks forbidden desire that challenges everything he's sworn to uphold. Anne has six weeks to complete her thesis on the Knights Templar. When Merrick takes her to the Templar stronghold, he presents her with all she needs—and awakens a soul-deep ache, he alone can soothe. Yet loving Merrick comes with a price. If she admits she's destined for him, her gift of foresight predicts his death.
Excerpt:

"Merrick, wait," she called softly.
"Nay," he answered on a hard swallow. "Nay, Anne. If I stay another moment, I will have you in that bed." He shoved a hand through his hair and reached for the doorknob.
"But that's where I want you," she whispered.
He nodded once, a sharp dip of his chin. Pulling the door open, he answered, "I know." Another protest, and he would turn right back to her waiting arms, cart her off to that oversized bed. When he finished with her, he would hate himself.
He entered the hall and shut the door.
Determination narrowed his gaze as he descended the stairs. He trained his thoughts to his cousin, focused on the oath he swore to Fulk. The very moment Anne discovered her intended, he vowed to leave. No sacred nail, no protected relic, no other oath would he honor until he fulfilled the promise to his kin. In so doing, he would free himself from this torment and lift his blade in Azazel's name. It was a price he no longer feared to pay.

Character Interview and Giveaway The Curse of Gremdon

Tardon opens the massive wood door and summons me inside. "Sit"
I pause and scan from his calves to his broad shoulders. I know I wrote the man, but geesh, he's even more intimidating than I thought he'd be in person. His arms are as big as both of my thighs put together, and I was a dancer. I force a warm smile, but he only returns a grunt and a nod before motioning me to sit at a table inside his family chamber.

Kendar, Tardon's servant, enters with a tray filled with some fruit and cheese.

I sit and retrieve my pencil and paper from my backpack. Tardon eyes my writing utensil, but I don't give him a chance to investigate. Good thing I didn't try to bring my lap top that would have really freaked him out.
"We must begin. I am uncertain how you traveled here, but it will be too dangerous to leave once night falls upon the castle walls." Tardon takes a swig from his cup.

With a broad smile, Kendar hands a wooden cup to me and backs away. I sip the pale purple beverage and nearly choke, but I manage to clear my throat and continue despite the bitter residue remaining on my tongue.

"Tell us a little about your childhood. Did you always live locked in a castle?"

"No, my family worked the land. We lived free beyond the walls."

Short and clipped. Yep, he's a man of few words but lots of action. "When did you move into the castle? Tell us a little about that night."

Tardon gripped the cup in his right hand and snarled. "Elder's sent Enforcers to move us into the castle. Stated the curse was taking over the land. They warned the amulets would no longer protect us and that we needed to abandon our homes. My father refused at first, but the Enforcer grabbed me and informed my father that the Elder's decreed that any family refusing to leave would sacrifice their eldest son to the evil creatures that approached."

Kendar shuffled forward and poured more drink into Tardon's cup before retreating back to the shadows.

"That's harsh. Okay, so you move into the castle. How was that?"

Tardon shrugged. "The Elders were kind and protected us from the Curse. My parents were given a family chamber where my grandfather, my parents, and I lived."

"How did you go from young boy in the castle to Elite Warrior?" I bite into a piece of fruit in an attempt to extinguish the lingering flavor from the beverage.

"When my parents were Cursed, I was left to live with my Grandfather who took to his bed. At that point, providing food, shelter and care for my grandfather became my burden. That is when I began training as a warrior."

"Who is the best warrior in the Castle?"

Tardon sits straight and pulls his shoulders back. "I am the top ranking Elite Warrior in the castle.

Yeah, I should've known he'd say that. Dumb question. "Okay, who is the next best warrior?"

"There are several warriors that train hard and will have a chance at Elite Warrior status in only a few moons."

"Have you ever lost a fight?"

Tardon stiffens and juts out his chin. "Only once, but I was…distracted."

Kendar snickers but Tardon snarls at him, sending him to cut some bread at the end of the table.

"I'm sure he was a formidable opponent. I mean, you are one huge man." I struggle to keep eye contact, but can't help but steal a glimpse of his bulging biceps.

"The warrior was Arianna. As I said, she distracted me. It will not happen again."

I stifle a chuckle myself. "Is Arianna an Elite Warrior?"

"No. She has been promised the opportunity to test, but I do not believe that the Elders will allow a woman to earn the title of Elite Warrior."

"Will you have to fight her if they do?"

Tardon's eyes grow distant and he scrubs his chin. "No, most Elite Warrior matches are between two warriors that wish to earn their status. If I did have to fight her, she would not stand a chance." His voice dropped to even a deeper octave, lacing his words with sadness.

"I see."

Kendar winks at me and smiles.

The door swings open and a grizzly of a man dressed in black shrouds the torchlight from the hall. There is more to that story, but I'm out of time. The narrowed gaze from the freak of nature Enforcer will not allow another minute.

Since our interview is being cut short, how about a sneak peak at what happens in The Curse of Gremdon.


Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1Fg8B_du8UMagic. Lust. Love. Sacrifice. Intensely gripping from the opening scene, this riveting tale of destiny and desire will have the reader hungering for more, page after page, all the way through the ending. ~ Night Owl Reviews (Top Pick)
Excerpt:Arianna inhaled the damp night air and glanced over the castle tower wall to the center courts. All the inhabitants lay asleep in their chambers below, leaving only her opponent and the Elder to stand as witness to her honor or demise.She slid her palm down her leather skirt to wipe the sweat away and stepped forward, gripping her sword tightly. The Elder's head, shrouded in a black hood, nodded in consent to begin. Instinct propelled Arianna to attack.Blades clanked. Tremors reverberated through Arianna's shaking biceps. She whipped around to counter-attack. Loose strands from her braid distorted her vision of Tardon, her opponent. She swung high while he ducked."Certainly, you can do better." He enunciated each word through a playful snarl.With shoulders the size of an ox, Tardon towered over her by a foot, but she held her ground. His copper eyes bore into her soul and his contemptuous grin ignited a flame at her core. Only her burning desire to win Elite Warrior status drove her forward and allowed her to stay focused on what was important—winning.In one fluid motion, she swept around with her leg extended and knocked him off balance. His shoulder smacked against stone and he rolled onto the ground. Before she struck again, he arched his back and flipped onto his feet, sword at the ready."You would do well to pay attention to your own defense or risk the slice of my blade." Arianna squeezed her weapon so hard her knuckles ached.Swatting his thick brown hair away from his cheekbones, he wielded the blade in his right hand and rotated it in small circles.From high atop the Elder's tower, she watched the thick mist roll in over the castle walls below. Swirls of gray lingered like fingers ready to grab a leg and pull her into the darkness of the outer land. A shiver shot up her spine. Too many souls have been lost to the Curse of Gremdon. Her heart ached at the memory of the last time she held her sister. She swallowed, forcing down the incessant feeling of doom.A sharp pain swept from her side and radiated through her abdomen, taking with it the last ounce of air in her lungs. Gasping, she clutched her side and Tardon withdrew the dark hilt of his sword from her ribs."Distraction means death." He pulled back then bounded toward her.With a well-timed pivot, she diverted another blow. Leaning back on her left leg, bringing her right knee up, she thrust her foot into his gut. He stumbled back, but swiftly regained his footing.Both stood in a ready stance.Both gasped for air.Neither was willing to admit defeat.A rush of wind filled with sweat finally penetrated the barrier in her lungs.Dull pain settled low in her stomach, but she lunged forward, blade aimed straight at Tardon's abdomen to claim her victory. But he parried.A fist smashed against her cheek. Her back slammed against the stone wall. Dust and dirt plumed around her face, taunting her to sneeze. She blinked back tears.The familiar metallic taste of blood invaded her mouth. She swiped her leather gauntlet across her lips, wiping the blood away, never removing her eyes from Tardon.She pushed up onto shaking legs. The Elder standing on the edge of the cobblestone circle raised his arm. His gnarled hand extended from the black cloak, ashen skin matching the surrounding mist.The breath caught in her throat while she waited for his life or death signal. A flick of a pasty white finger summoned her to continue. Icy pain raced through her body as though she'd jumped from a great height on a cold day. The Elders only demanded death once in a thousand moons. Certainly, today would not call for true bloodshed.But things had changed recently, and no one knew what to expect.Tardon's pupils widened, leaving only a thin circle of copper.She shifted and covered her bubbling despair; her emotions threatened to ruin everything. Arianna adjusted her stance in hopes no one would see her desire to run from the fight to avoid killing him, an unforgiveable sin for a warrior.You can't run. Too much is at stake.She fought the facial muscles betraying her cover and coaxed her face into a blank stare. Tardon shuffled around and she followed, keeping her attention on his best assets and greatest weakness: his muscles. They twitched before he moved.Arianna circled him, until the Elder crossed his arms with impatience. A match to claim Elite Warrior status required more than a few bruises and flesh wounds. No more time would be allowed. Tardon's bicep twitched.Arianna pulled a dagger from her belt, maneuvered under his blow, and slashed his upper chest. Blood flowed down his leather vest. She swept his legs out from under him. He fell to his knees and she jumped on his back, knife at his throat, sword aimed at his gut.His Amulet of Protection glowed orange.Her stomach twisted in knots at the thought of harming him, but she had no choice. If the Elders demanded such an offering, she'd have to slice deep and end his life. They remained motionless awaiting the life or death decision. The masculine scent of leather and earthy spices wrapped around her, testing her resolve.The blade shook in her hands, and she steadied it against his skin. The hooded Elder lowered his arms and turned away from the fight. Loud clicks echoed from the doorway then faded with each step as the dark figure descended the Elders' tower.Relief flooded her. After seasons of sacrifice and training, she would receive the Elite Warrior Mark.Arianna released Tardon and the breath she'd been holding. She stumbled down the stairs to the main passageway and collapsed in a nearby alcove. The knife clinked against the gray stone.Tardon sauntered from the tower. He sheathed his sword and marched down the walkway but stopped briefly. Sweat rolled down his hard, striated triceps.Warmth curled through her belly, but no, she could not care for him. One day I might have to kill him.
Jan 9 InterviewKay Dee Royalhttp://www.kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com
Jan 10 Guest BlogFlutey Wordshttp://authoraubrie.blogspot.com
Jan 10 reviewhttp://www.breakingbookshelves.blogspot.com
January 11 guest PostLisa's World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
Jan 12 Guest Blog/Promohttp://jademystique.blogspot.com
Jan 13 reviewwww.jaclynsmusings.com
Jan 13 Guest Blogwww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
Jan 14 Promo GraveTells.com
Jan 17 Interviewhttp://www.MarshaAMoore.blogspot.com
Jan 17 SpotlightDEEP IN THE HEART ROMANCE http://www.deepintheheartromance.com/
Jan 18 PromoBookin' It Reviews http://www.bookinitreviews.com/
January 19 PromoSit Here and Readwww.sithereandread.com 
Jan 20 Promo and reviewKeeping Up With The Rheinlander'shttp://mnmrheinlander.com
Jan 21 review and promoThat Bookish Girlhttp://thatbookishgirl.blogspot.com/
Jan 22 Private I Interviewhttp://intensewhisper.blogspot.com/
Jan 23 review and promoBrewster's Bookshelf,http://blog.aliciawrightbrewster.com

Jan 27 Promo and reviewAislynn @ Stitch Read Cookwww.stitchreadcook.com
Feb 1 interviewSarah Ballance sarahballance.wordpress.com
Feb 1 review and promohttp://abookaliciousstory.blogspot.com
Feb 2 Promo and interview (review)Book Lovers Paradisehttp://bookloversparadise.blogspot.com
Feb 5 reviewFor The Love of Readinghttp://niinas-reading-and-reviewing.blogspot.com/
Feb 6 review and promoReaderGirlswww.readergirlsblog.com
Feb 7 Guest Blog and reviewRead 2 Reviewwww.read2review.com
Feb 13 11pm EST Live RadioOther Worlds of Romancehttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/other_worlds_of_romance

The Curse of Gremdon
By Ciara Knight

Blurb:
In a world where marriage is forbidden, sex is only granted to male warriors, and the outer realm is full of murderous creatures, Arianna fights to protect the life of her only living relative, her brother.
Tardon, an elite warrior, is granted anything he desires by the Elders, but finds little joy in the voluptuous women presented to him. Born for the bloodlust found only in battle, complicated emotions emerge when he discovers his equal in the alluring warrior, Arianna.
Charged by the Elders with saving the castle from attack, Tardon and Arianna risk the curse when they traverse the vast outer realm to retrieve serum from the Tree of Life. If successful, the Elders have promised Tardon the right to marry and Arianna the cure for her brother's death fever. Will their love carry them through or will the discovery of a great deception be their ultimate demise?

About The Author:
Ciara Knight always had a passion for storytelling. At an early age, she wrote several short stories and poems, and in college she started work on her first novel. It wasn't until late 2008 that she returned to her true passion of writing. Over the past few years she has penned five novels and joined several professional writing organizations to better her craft.
When not writing, she enjoys reading all types of fiction. Some great literary influences in her life include Edgar Allen Poe, Shakespeare, Francine Rivers and J K Rowling.
Ciara is happily married and enjoys family time. She has learned to embrace chaos, which is a requirement when raising three boys, and utilizes the insanity to create stories not of this world including, Fantasy, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, and Young Adult Dystopian.
Her first love, besides her family, reading, and writing, is travel. She's backpacked through Europe, visited orphanages in China, and landed in a helicopter on a glacier in Alaska.

Website: www.ciaraknight.com
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/Ciaraknightwrites
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ciaratknight



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Dark Lullaby One Day Blitz Excerpt and Giveaway

Dark Lullaby Excerpt 1
After Gabriel paid the bill, they walked outside.The night had a shimmering, liquid quality to it. A warm summer breeze caressed his face and tousled his hair. He lifted his eyes to the sky. Perfectly clear, the sky looked like a black velvet curtain embedded with Swarovski crystals."I don't have a car," Kamilah said."Mine is that way." He pointed to the end of the street.The breeze played with the soft layers of her short hair. He had a hard time tearing his eyes from her face. Her hazel eyes were so luminous they seemed to possess a life of their own.She held his hand, entwining her fingers with his. Once again, he was startled by the temperature of her skin. So hot.They reached his red Porsche and he opened the door for her.On the way to his apartment, Kamilah asked him many questions about his profession, about his work at the Institute. He found himself talking a lot about himself, not because he enjoyed it but because she seemed insatiable. He loved his profession, he told her. Yet, his present job was routine and he wished for something more challenging. He wanted research. This was his passion, but he needed a doctorate degree. His plan was to work one more year at the Institute, then give himself full time to graduate school. It meant living off scholarships and student loans. In other words: no more expensive Spanish paellas or bottles of Belgian beer. He would be the romantic poor scientist."Where are you from, originally?" she asked."I was born in Puerto Rico, though my parents' family came originally from the south of Spain. I lived in San Juan until my last year of high school. Then I won a scholarship from the University of Arizona, where I earned my Bachelor's degree. Later I moved here to do my Master's at Johns Hopkins, and I have been here ever since." "Do you visit Puerto Rico often?""Not really." He paused. "Actually, I haven't been there since I left the year of my high school graduation.""When did you decide you wanted to become an astrophysicist?""I made the decision when I was in my last year of high school, but I've always been in love with the stars, ever since I was a little boy."How could he explain to her what looking at the stars had meant to him, when, as a terrified and miserable little boy, he had wished for the vast darkness of the sky to swallow him? At the age of seven, gazing at the constellations from the quiet darkness of his room, he had experienced a grand realization. Even lost in the endless void of space, he would be safer there than at home. How to explain to anybody that the sky and stars had been more than a simple escape? They had been his salvation. Only his sister understood.All this rushed through his mind in a second. Kamilah sat very still. But he could feel her gaze gnawing at him. Electricity permeated the air. He resisted looking at her, his eyes on the road."What about your family?" she asked.But at that moment, he made a sharp turn into the curving driveway of his apartment complex."Here we are," he said, giving her a smile. Good timing. He hardly ever talked about his family with friends, much less with strangers. To distract her, Gabriel started giving her general information about the complex, its good location and facilities.Did she really want to look at his telescope? This is what he really wanted to think about as they stepped into the elevator and he pressed for the fifth floor. One minute later, they were inside his apartment.Luckily, he had cleaned up two days ago, so the place wasn't a complete disaster. But it was muggy. He turned on the air conditioning."I love your apartment," she said, looking round her. "It's very warm—the feel of it, I mean."Books, books, books. Floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with books covered one large wall. More shelves on the opposite wall displayed a medium-sized TV and stereo system. The coffee table consisted of a large rectangular slab of glass supported by four pillars of books instead of legs. The burgundy sofa looked worn and battered, but the leather was still beautiful. His apartment consisted of a living room, a kitchen, a bedroom, and a bathroom. Propped against the shelves were several canvases, some unfinished."You paint?" she asked him."When I find the time. Helps combat the stress. But I haven't done it in months." He gestured to the sofa. "Sit down. Do you want something to drink? Are you hungry?"She shook her head."Do you like bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon?""What?""Delicious. My favorite meal. I'm always hungry for them."She smiled. "Bagels and salmon?""Sure. You'll love it."Gabriel went into the kitchen to prepare the food. A few minutes later he came back carrying a food tray, two crystal goblets and a bottle of red Spanish wine. He placed them on the glass coffee table.She readily accepted the wine, murmuring thanks without taking her eyes off him. In spite of her insistent stare, she didn't seem like the aggressive type. On the contrary. She radiated vulnerability, like a lost child in need of protection. The intense glow in her eyes startled him. He could clearly distinguish the little yellow and green specks round the irises.Gabriel sank into the sofa next to her. "You don't look Turkish," he told her, leaning forward to offer her a bagel."I'm from the north-eastern coast of Turkey, almost at the border with what used to be the Soviet Union, on the Black Sea. You can find many blond people over there. Many green and hazel eyes…Mmm…This is good. I've never eaten this before."He looked pleased. "I used to have them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.""How impetuous. Do you love like that, too—all the way?"His face felt flushed. "Kamilah," he scolded gently. "You're embarrassing me." He lifted his goblet of wine in toast. "To the purity and nobility of the soul.""To those special souls out there."They clinked glasses and drank. The wine caressed his throat, felt far too pleasant. With all the drinking he'd had at the tavern, he was more than light-headed by now. He felt hypnotized by the luster of her golden-brown hair, by perfectly unblemished skin."So…Where's your telescope?""In my bedroom."Her eyes abruptly shifted to an ornate silver framed photograph on the side table."My sister," he said.Her eyes darkened as she gazed at it with deep concentration. "She's beautiful," she whispered.Gabriel reached for the picture and showed it to her. "She's my only sister.""What's her name?""Elena. She lives in Belgium.""Belgium…" For a moment there was a dream-like quality to her as she studied his sister's face. "You must miss her a lot, having her so far away. Do you go and visit her sometimes?"He nodded. "Of course. As a matter of fact, I'm planning on going there soon. She's going to have a baby." He stiffened as the image of the empty pram flashed through his mind.There was a silence.Kamilah seemed to be examining his face. Gently she took the picture from him. It was a close-up of Elena's face. Corn silk blond hair, bob-styled, enclosed a pair of mellow brown eyes, a small nose, and a gentle half smile. Her eyes were smiling more than her lips."Does she have other children?""No, this will be the first. She had a baby girl three years ago, but she died a couple of hours after delivery.""How awful…" Kamilah murmured, as if the fact hurt her deeply. "Why is she living in Belgium?""Her husband is working at NATO. They'll be there for one more year, then they'll go back to Boston.""What about your parents?"Gabriel took the picture from Kamilah and placed it back on the side table. Tilting back his head, he downed the rest of his wine. "My parents are dead," he said."Oh. I'm sorry. Maybe we should change the conversation.""No, it's okay. I just…I don't like talking…""You don't like talking about them with a stranger.""I didn't mean it like that," he said gently. But she was right. Some things were better forgotten or ignored. In this case, he couldn't forget. He could only try to pretend that his childhood had never taken place; a sort of willful amnesia, a defense mechanism.He ate the rest of his bagel and poured himself more wine. Kamilah was silently eating her bagel. Without asking, he refilled her goblet. "Well, do you want to see the telescope?" he said, rising to his feet. "Wait here a second."Gabriel walked into the dark bedroom to get the Meade telescope—a portable, computer-controlled Schmidt-Cassegrain, one of his little investments. It stood on its tripod by the window, the lens directed toward the heavens. He hesitated. Should he bring it into the living room or simply tell Kamilah to come here?He felt a strong presence behind him and swung around.Kamilah stood in the doorframe.For an eerie second his surroundings seemed to shift. The dark bedroom, the soft light coming from the living room, Kamilah's dark silhouette at the threshold—all seemed to acquire a surreal quality. Her face was in shadow, a black mask. He was perspiring from the beer, the raki, the wine. He couldn't remember the last time he'd gotten like this. He didn't want to deal with any damned telescope. Instead, he wanted to crush Kamilah against his chest and squeeze all oxygen out of her lungs.He took in all the curves of her shape. The full round breasts, the snug waist, the feminine voluptuousness of her hips, her perfectly shaped legs, her…He stood, paralyzed with shock.Panicked, he fumbled for the night lamp next to him and switched it on.A dim yellow light flooded the room.He stared down at her feet, but everything looked normal now."What's wrong?" Kamilah asked, alarmed.He blinked, swallowing hard, his eyes moving down to her feet, up to her face, down to her feet again."What is it, Gabriel?"His heart had given a skip nearly big enough to kill him. Relieved, he burst out laughing. He sat down at the edge of the bed and laughed some more."Jesus," he muttered. "I'm fine. It's nothing. I just thought I saw—nothing." The semi darkness, the alcohol in his brain had played a trick on his vision.Kamilah studied her own feet, her brows furrowed."There's nothing wrong with you, Kamilah. There it is, the famous telescope," he said, making a dramatic gesture with his hand.The distress on her face faded and a reassured smile curved her lips.She went across the room and stood next to it. Then she touched it and, looking at him and smiling, trailed the length of it with her fingers. If she was in any way aware of the suggestiveness of her deed, he couldn't tell. Her face was the embodiment of virtuousness. But he would never look at a telescope the same way again.The window was closed and the curtains drawn.She leaned over and peered into the eyepiece."Darkness," she whispered."That's the universe, Kamilah. Ninety percent darkness, empty voids. With only billions of tiny clusters of galaxies containing billions of tiny stars. Of course, it might help to uncap the lens," he mocked gently, getting up from the bed and lifting the cover.She giggled. "Oh. Sorry.""And to turn off the lights." As he leaned over to switch off the night lamp, he shot a sideways glance to her feet. Enclosed in beige sandals, the toenails shiny with pink polish, feminine and pretty."Show me Jupiter!" she demanded with childlike enthusiasm."You can't see Jupiter now. It practically rises and sets with the sun. It's stunning during the winter months, though.""Oh…" She seemed disappointed."Kamilah?"Something about his voice must have sounded different, because she suddenly turned to him with a serious expression. Their bodies were very close."How did you overhear our conversation amid all that noise? In the tavern, I mean."For a moment she was silent. "I have telepathic powers," she finally said."I'm serious.""So am I." She smiled, enchanting him again, displaying her sharp, perfect little teeth. "Show me the rings of Saturn," she insisted.In such proximity he could feel her breath, sweet, clean."I'm afraid Saturn is also a winter planet. But don't look so sad. There's much more to see at this time of the year. Mars is quite impressive. The Andromeda Galaxy, the Northern Cross, Vega, as well as several star clusters." He cleared his throat, which had abruptly turned parched. "I'll show you many things, but not from here. The window and balcony are looking to the north. Eastern and southern skies are the best. We'll go to the roof. There we'll have the whole scope. It's quite spectacular.""Now?"He glanced at the digital clock on the night table. "It's almost two thirty.  I guess it is a bit late for exploring the universe?" His voice sounded alien, husky.She remained motionless, her eyes never leaving his."Tomorrow night," he said. "I promise you. On the roof.""The glint in your eye…it's perverse…for such a pure and noble soul." She leaned her head on his chest."You will corrupt me," Gabriel whispered next to her ear, while his hands firmly pulled her to him.She gave a soft gasp, her arms instantly around his neck. "Yes, Gabriel…" she said breathlessly. "But for now you're still the angel."He lost himself in her.Then, for a split second, what he had seen previously struck him like an explosion: the sight of her legs without feet. Oh, her feet had been there all right, attached to her ankles, but they were facing the opposite way.Her feet had been backwards.



Dark Lullaby
By Mayra Calvani

Blurb:

At a trendy Turkish tavern one Friday night, astrophysicist Gabriel Diaz meets a mysterious young woman. Captivated by her beauty as well as her views on good and evil, he spends the next several days with her. Soon, however, he begins to notice a strangeness in her–her skin's abnormally high temperature, her obsession with milk products, her child-like and bizarre behavior as she seems to take pleasure in toying with his conscience.

The young woman, Kamilah, invites him to Rize, Turkey, where she claims her family owns a cottage in the woods. In spite of his heavy workload and the disturbing visions and nightmares about his sister's baby that is due to be born soon, Gabriel agrees to go with her.

But nothing, not even the stunning splendor of the Black Sea, can disguise the horror of her nature. In a place where death dwells and illusion and reality seem as one, Gabriel must now come to terms with his own demons in order to save his sister's unborn child, and ultimately, his own soul…

*Dream Realm Awards Finalist!

What readers are saying…

"Mayra Calvani is a masterful storyteller… Dark Lullaby is complex and compelling…" –Habitual Reader


"Dark Lullaby is an atmospheric paranormal horror that grips you from page one and refuses to let go until you've raced, breathless, to the end." –ePinions


"Dark Lullaby is a page-turner. A horror story from the top shelf! You'll love it." –5 stars from Euro-Reviews


"This is a terrific horror…" –Harriet Klausner


"Dark Lullaby will capture you with its rich descriptions, its exotic location, and the need to uncover the dark secrets hidden within its pages." –Cheryl Malandrinos, The Book Connection


Author bio:

Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults and has authored over a dozen books, some of which have won awards. Her stories, reviews, interviews and articles have appeared on numerous publications such as The Writer, Writer's Journal, Multicultural Review, and Bloomsbury Review, among many others. A reviewer for over a decade, she now offers online reviewing workshops. When she's not writing, reading, editing or reviewing, she enjoys walking her dog, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Visit her website at www.MayraCalvani.com. Join her mailing list and receive the first two lessons of her book reviewing workshop, as well as her free ebook, Reviewers Talk About Their Craft.

Twitter URL: http://twitter.com/mcalvani

Facebook Fan Page URL: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mayra-Calvanis-Fan-Page/162383023775888

Would you like to win one of Mayra's books?
She's giving away an ebook copy of the story collection, The Cat Cellar.
See it herehttp://www.amazon.com/Cat-Cellar-Other-Stories-ebook/dp/B005TGKEOW 
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