Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 541

Press Release: Writing is in Her Blood

Contact: Roxanne Rhoads, Publicist -Entangled Publishing Email: Roxanne@EntangledPublsihing.com
"This book was an awesome read. I was hooked from the moment I started reading… There were quite a few twists and very unexpected turns that lent even more flame to the fire…"~Lissette Manning, Author and Book Blogger
Pennsylvania author Natalie J. Damschroder naturally became an author, it's in her blood. Her mother worked professionally as a writer and editor and now so does Natalie, even Natalie's daughter inherited the writing gene as she too hopes for a career in writing one day.
Natalie's DNA must be giving her an edge because the amazing reviews keep pouring in.
"If you're a fan of urban fantasy, then this is one book I'd recommend you add to your to be read list. I'll definitely be looking out for more from Natalie," says author Lucy FelthouseAnd book blogger Donna Newman gave Under the Moon 5.0 out of 5 stars and titled her review Highly Recommended for the Urban Fantasy Lover- she also recommended it as a great gift for a book lover "If you are looking for an awesome Urban Fantasy to cuddle up on the couch this Xmas season, may I suggest this book."
Title: Under the Moon : Goddesses Rising Book 1Author: Natalie J. DamschroderGenre: Urban Fantasy RomanceLength: NovelEbook Release Date: November 15, 2011Print Book Release Date: December 6, 2011ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-54-1Print ISBN: 978-1-937044-55-8
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
To receive a review copy, arrange an interview, guest blog, or event with the author contactRoxanne RhoadsPublicist, Entangled PublishingRoxanne@entangledpublishing.com
Entangled Publishing is an exclusive, boutique publisher of romantic fiction. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, Entangled's goal is to bridge the gap between traditional and indie publishing, giving both readers and authors the best of both worlds. Visit www.entangledpublishing.com for more information.

Giveaway Vampire's Trill by Lorelei Bell

New friends, new adventures . . . shocking revelations and harrowing experiences make for riveting reading in this second installment of the Sabrina Strong Series.

Lorelei Bell has created another unique and mesmerizing mystery masterwork that tops its prequel Vampire Ascending in drama, fast-paced action, love, passion, heartache, and devastation. New friends, new adventures, shocking revelations, and harrowing experiences make for riveting reading in this second installment of the Sabrina Strong Series.

Sabrina learns more details - through Vasyl's recounting of his human and vampire life— of what her role as a sibyl means and how the past and the future will come together. She finally learns what role Vasyl has played in his search for the next sibyl and why she is so tremendously important.

As Sabrina's partner, Dante, puts himself at risk to help all of mankind, Sabrina learns why newcomer, Bill Gannon, is so interested in her, and she works to protect Bjorn Tremayne from losing it all. Sabrina's past catches up to her, and she discovers that not everyone is, or was, what she thought. New characters, some kind and trustworthy, and some not, contribute to a captivating story line, and Sabrina finds herself on a journey she never thought possible.


Amazon  Smashwords

Excerpt:

I knew I wasn't asleep but in a fog—or rather deep in a vampire's thrall. I recognized that when I opened my eyes as the thrall lifted. The aroma of straw and horses caught in my nose. I realized that I lay in a bed of straw in the second floor of a barn. Most importantly, my Knowing also told me that I wasn't alone. He was here with me.


My movements set in motion the male form across from me. Vasyl slowly turned around. His dark silhouette bisected silver moonlight framed in the open haymow door in the upper section of the barn. His white silk shirt almost glowed against the ebony of his long, wavy hair. The wings were gone, now. Invisible, or whatever it was master vampires could do with them.


Vasyl slowly, sinuously stepped toward me, cutting the distance in half. Unable to avoid my fear — because he had lifted his thrall — I sat up and scooted further back into the pile of straw. As I did, I felt tightness and pain over my right shoulder. I grimaced, trying to stifle a groan, but it gushed out. My mind replayed vague, swirling scenes of being in a car, going way too fast, and someone shooting at me.


Oh. Right. Shot in the back – I had been with Leif. The moments of the car chase and wreck replayed in my mind's eye in a quick flash, stunning me briefly. How had this happened? It was all like a blurry half-remembered dream."Where am I?" Now there's an original question to ask your abductor.


"Where you are safe, Cherie," he answered in a chilly, quiet voice, almost as though he were in a church, or monastery. Still, his voice seemed magnified, although he did not use it to full volume.


"Why did you—" I stopped myself when the blanket fell away, and I realized I was nude from the waist up.


"Hey! What's the idea?" I said, frantically pulling the blanket up to hide behind—as if he hadn't already seen everything he'd wanted to.


"Sabrina, you were shot," he said slightly louder this time, his accent not quite as heavy as I remembered it the last time we'd met. "I had to find the bullet. You were bleeding heavily, and I had to remove the bullet from your shoulder. You've lost a lot of blood," he added.


"Uh—okay..." I fumbled with the horse blanket. It was wool and itched.


"I gave you some of my blood to replace yours that you'd lost. And it helps with the healing. The wound — it was very deep — to the bone. I feared that had I done nothing, you would have died." He made the universal shrug sign, hands out. I couldn't see it, but I imagined his luscious lower lip had pushed out.


"Maybe I was meant to die," I squeezed from my lungs, surprised at my sudden depressed feelings, tears sliding out of my eyes.


"Absoluement non!" he barked so sharply that I jumped. "Sabrina, I am not your enemy. I am your sworn protector. Forever. Tonight you would have died had I not pulled you from that car. You are the sibyl. You must live. The whole world depends upon it."


Heart hammering against my chest, I took him in. "The whole world?" I said and made a little scoff. "Let's stick with maybe a radius of a few miles, okay?"


He remained stoic. I took in his tight-fitting jeans along with the glowing white shirt that hung open and was not of a style men wore today, it was more like something they might have worn in, say, the fifteenth century. He strode bare footed, closing in on me. Vasyl was not one to wear shoes. At the moment, his face was shadowed because he was facing away from the moonlight. It was good that he was, because if I saw his eyes I would have no control over my actions.

"You remember?" he asked. "I did not take the memory from you."


Squinting with concentration, I said, "Someone was shooting at us."

"Yes," he said as he knelt beside me. "They were following you. I tried to stop them. Then, when I realized that the car you were in went out of control, I came to save you."


Giveaway Time


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Vampires for Christmas

Looking for holiday stories with a little bite?


I have exactly what you're looking for.


Vampires for the holidays- come on you know you want a vampire for Christmas.




I had to have this one- simply because it's Jeaniene Frost. How could I say no to Bones for Christmas. I couldn't. I have to read everything she writes- even if it's a grocery list. Ok maybe not but if it's a book, novella or short I'm reading it and this was defiantly worth it.


I haven't read much Lynsay Sands but after reading this, I think I will be reading more.


In Lynsay Sands' "The Gift," Katricia Argeneau knows grey-eyed cop Teddy Brunswick is her life mate. She just needs to convince him they belong together, and being snowbound in a secluded cabin will make this a Christmas neither will forget.


It's "Home for the Holidays" in Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. Cat and Bones may long to wrap presents and set up a tree, but this Christmas, an evil vampire and long-buried family secrets will threaten to take a bite out of their holiday cheer.


I read this one last year and loved it . Heidi Betts really knows how to keep the romance in paranormal romances. Her vampire stories are some of the sweetest, romantic books with bite you can sink your fangs into.


If you are a fan of sweet romances but would love to give paranormal romances a try- start here. Heidi's books won't scare you away with violence or bloodshed. Her characters are normal everyday people that fall in love- some of them just happen to have fangs.




"All I Vant for Christmas" introduces Connor, who loves trimming the Christmas tree, baking gingerbread cookies, and hanging the mistletoe. But his vampire siblings won't help. His friend Angelina sends party planner Jillian to the rescue. But when Jillian, who's mortal, discovers she's decking the halls for a family of vampires, she must decide between running for her life - or putting Connor's mistletoe to good use. 


In "A Vampire in Her Stocking," Vivian becomes heartbroken when she learns that her secret crush, Sean, is terminally ill. Confiding in Angelina, Vivian refuses to turn Sean into a vampire. Deciding to play Santa, Angelina changes Sean and leaves him wrapped in a red bow on Vivian's doorstep. Angelina, the heroine of 


"It's a Wonderful Bite," is happy with her boyfriend Ian, but she's ready for a commitment. After drinking eggnog and watching "It's a Wonderful Life" on Christmas Eve, Angelina falls into a dream where she is mortal and Ian isn't interested in her. Talk about the nightmare before Christmas! But Santa must have checked his list twice because this Christmas Angelina's wishes are coming true...



Here's another great collection of holiday tales filled with fangs from last year.


Sink your teeth into these while sitting in front of your tree.

Prepare for an exhilarating journey across the boundary of death into a shadowy, daring new world. As darkness falls on another year, five fanged rebels are ready to celebrate like never before.
It's a time for bloodlust and stolen kisses, for clandestine bites and forming new bonds beneath the mistletoe. Succumb to the forbidden as these powerful vampires give you a Christmas you'll never forget….

Here's a new one for this year featuring vampire tales from Michelle Hauf, Laurie London, Caridad Pineiro and Alexis Morgan. Dark and delicious tales that'll put you in the holiday spirit and have you searching for more books by these authors- especially if this is your introduction to their dark worlds.




All they want for Christmas is you…


It's the time of year for twinkling lights on trees and kisses under the mistletoe. Yet the passing of another year means nothing to the stunning immortals who lurk in the shadows of the new-fallen snow.


And they don't care if you've been naughty or nice.


Let four fanged lovers open your eyes to a passion you never dared to imagine. After all, there's no place like home for the holidays—and these dazzling vampires can't wait for an invitation.



Kerrelyn Sparks is an author you must read if you love vampire paranormal romances with lots of romance and humor.


Try this series, you'll love it.

Toni Davis's Christmas wish list


1. Springing my best friend from the psych ward.


2. Living somewhere that doesn't have coffins in the basement. Occupied coffins.


3. Finding Mr. Right. Please make him tall, dark, handsome, and alive.


This Christmas isn't so merry for Toni. Her best friend's been locked up in a mental hospital ever since she told the police she was attacked by vampires, and the only way for Toni to get her out is to prove that bloodsuckers really do exist. So she's taken a job as a bodyguard for the Undead, but she gets more than she bargained for, especially when she meets Ian MacPhie, a Scottish rascal looking for Ms. Right.


Although Ian's nearly five centuries old, he looks and acts like a twenty-seven-year-old hunk.


How can a dead man be so damn sexy? Could Mr. Wrong be Mr. Right?




So these are my recommendations for vampire holiday tales? Do you have any? How about other paranormal books featuring Christmas?

Twas the Night Before...Guest Blog and Giveaway with Jesse Kimmel-Freeman

Gather round all you children, you bats and you pups, come learn how monsters celebrate Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the den
Not a creature was stirring, not even a lycan.
The spiders and wolfsbane were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Vladimir soon would be there.

The monsters were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of moonlight danced in their heads.
And Drac in his coffin, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our fangs for a long winter's nap.

When out in the belfry there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the crypt to see what was the matter.
Away up to the graveyard I flew like a flash,
Tore open the mausoleum and ran into the bash.

The moon shining down on the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of daytime to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a count, and eight of his monster friends that he holds dear.

With following darkness, he was quite something to fear,
I knew in a moment it must be St Vladimir.
More rapid than vultures his followers they came,
And he hissed, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now werewolves! now, witches! now, goblins and ghouls!
Come, vampires! Come, trolls! come zombies and demons! My fools!
To the top of the tomb! to the top of the vault!
Now mash away! Mash away! Mash away never to halt!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they danced away without fear or reason to why.
So whirled they did into the night, and witches crackling over their brew,
With Christmas delight, St Vladimir did too.

What does any good monster do on a holiday? It has a good party! To know how the main characters from Bella Notte spend their first Christmas together, pop over and read the FREE short story "A Bella Notte Christmas Story." Perhaps Christmas isn't your thing, you hate, never get what you want, spend it alone, can't find anything open to get your O-positive, spend it this year reading a good book.

Bella Notte is the first book in the Bella Series.

Here's the blurb for it:

Vampires? Check. Werewolves? Check. Death prophecy to hang over your head? Double check. Seventeen year old Emma Hutchinson struggles to find her place in the world she has been born to as she tries to decide whether she should be with Michael, the boy she has been dreaming about since she was three or if she belongs with Dominic, her betrothed.

Have a great holiday season!

A big thank you to Fang-tastic Books and all you readers!

Giveaway Time

Would you like to win an ecopy of Bella Notte

5 copies are being given away

Leave a comment with your email to enter

Guest Blog and Giveaway with Felicity Heaton

It's wonderful to be back here at Fang-tastic Books! Today I'm here as part of the final leg of my Paranormal Pandemonium 2011 Blog Tour which is all about my amazing Winter Warmers book deals and will feature the books in the offer.

My Winter Warmers deals run until January 15th 2012 and there are plenty of fantastic reads to choose from, all priced between $0.99 and $2.99 and in a range of lengths between novella and long novels, and a variety of paranormal romance sub-genres including sinful angels, sexy vampires, seductive werewolves, and even a super-hot demon and sassy witch pairing. What better way to pass a chilly winter or relax in the sunshine if you're down under, than curled up in the arms of some paranormal heroes, letting yourself be swept along in their romance and adventures?

The book I'm going to be sharing an excerpt from today is Her Dark Angel but I'd like to talk a little about the Her Angel series as a whole. Her Dark Angel is the first book in my best selling Her Angel romance series. The other books in order are Her Fallen Angel, Her Warrior Angel and Her Guardian Angel.

The Her Angel series is about a world of angels and demons where the angels are still in the service of a higher power. They're not fallen like you get in a lot of angel romance novels and series, and there is no clear black and white, evil and good in the world that I have created in the books. Each of the stories is sexy and passionate, and packed with action and plenty of emotion too, and some scenes that will have you reaching for the tissues. I love to world build and I haven't held back in this series, and with each book the world is expanding and growing, and we're discovering more about the forces of Heaven and Hell.

Her Dark Angel is a story about a wronged woman, Serenity, who is also a witch, and a rather gorgeous but dark angel, Apollyon, who hears her pain and answers her call, escaping a long spell of guarding the Devil in Hell. Apollyon wants to exact his own personal brand of revenge upon Serenity's ex for the hurt he's caused her. Since he's one of the angels of the Apocalypse and is due to rain destruction down on Earth, he's a pretty wicked man and obliterating the guy seems like a reasonable punishment to him. Serenity convinces him to back down to something a little less end-of-the-world and can't resist the idea of masquerading as lovers to make her ex jealous. Working with Apollyon to gain her revenge, Serenity finds herself falling for the dark angel, and finds an escape from the pain in her heart, but she has her doubts about loving an angel and feels she's about to get her heart broken again. She isn't the only one falling in love though, and Apollyon does his best to convince her that he really is the man for her, that he would never hurt her, and that they can be together.

The next two books in the series are novellas too. Her Fallen Angel is the story of Lukas, following him as he tries to prove his innocence in order to regain his wings and find the person responsible for the hundreds of human deaths that were pinned on him, and convince Annelie, a mortal, that the love he feels for her is very real and he needs her more than anything.

Her Warrior Angel follows Einar, an angel of the division of hunters and one of the best in Heaven, as he tracks down demons on Earth and finds himself working with a beautiful half-demon half-human woman, Taylor, and falling for her regardless of the fact that love between their species is forbidden.

Her Guardian Angel is the first novel in the series and it not only introduces a new angel hero, Marcus, and a new heroine, Amelia, but brings back all of the heroes and heroines from the first three books in the series, introduces the next hero, and reveals a lot more about the world of the series. Marcus is a guardian angel and the most loyal of all the heroes so far. He thinks only of obeying his orders and fulfilling his mission to protect the mortal female Amelia, regardless of the way he feels about mortals. Amelia is a young thirty-something, going from one bad relationship to the next, and when Marcus moves in next door to her and protects her from a rowdy ex-lover in the dead of night, she starts to fall for him, but is convinced that no matter how good Marcus looks, he might be another black knight in disguise. In Her Guardian Angel, we learn more about the previous heroes and heroines in the series, and how their relationships are progressing, and more about Heaven and Hell.

Since today is all about Her Dark Angel, I've chosen one of my favourite scenes to share with you all...

EXCERPT

Apollyon led her down into the dark interior of the basement club and then she moved in front of him when they reached the crowded space at the foot of the stairs. Blue neon lit the black bar, white spotlights casting pale light over the bartenders and the patrons gathered there.

Serenity walked further into the club and Apollyon put his surroundings to memory. The dance floor was small and busy with mortals performing what he could only interpret as clothed sex. Blue strobes and lasers made their movements stuttered and broken. Clusters of tall round black tables surrounded by stools lined the edges of the room. Most of them were full. The music was too loud, a fast and hard beat that made him miss the relative peace of Hell.

Serenity stopped again and he bumped into the back of her. The feel of her warm body against his stirred him as badly as the coffee had done and he backed off a step so she wouldn't notice. She looked over her shoulder at him and motioned with her eyes towards the dance floor.

If she expected him to be able to pick out Edward from a crowd, she was overestimating his abilities.

She took hold of his arm and he felt her fingers against his skin rather than the jacket of his suit. She could reach through his glamour too. He burned where she touched, growing hungry for more, for her to touch other parts of him.

He was starting to see why his fellow warriors had pledged themselves to mortal women.

She tiptoed, her breasts pressing against his arm and his chest, and he lowered his ear to her mouth when he finally clawed back enough sense to realise that she wanted to say something to him.

"The mousy haired man, white shirt, exposing far too much chest," she shouted into his ear and he grimaced. He should have told her that he had sensitive hearing.

He looked for his target, gaze scanning the dancers, and zeroed in when he spotted him. He was showing far too much chest, his white shirt had at least the top three buttons undone, and he was dancing with a slender dark-haired woman in a revealing tight pale dress.

"Is that the female he betrayed you with?" He frowned. The woman was nothing compared with Serenity. His gaze shifted to her and she shook her head.

What sort of womaniser had Serenity been involved with? The thought of her with such a man made him desire to change plans and send the man to Hell after all.

"Do you want a drink?" she shouted over the noise of the music.

Apollyon shook his head. "I do not think alcohol would be wise. I have not tasted it before and I am not sure whether it is still forbidden."

Serenity looked past him to the bar. "Well, I need a drink."

"Then a drink you will have." He released her hand. "I will be just a moment."

He heard her gasp when he disappeared. A woman looked right at him when he appeared in a space next to her, accidently knocking against her, and he smiled his apology. The anger that had been in her dark eyes disappeared in an instant.

"Can I buy you a drink, Handsome?" She fluttered her long lashes at him and smiled.

He had never been in the game but he knew when a woman was flirting. He looked over towards Serenity where she stood by the dance floor, staring over the heads of the crowd at him, the shock still on her face.

"I am here with someone." He sensed the woman's gaze leave him.

She snorted. "Really, you ought to trade up."

Was she insinuating that Serenity wasn't good enough for him and that perhaps she was?

He laughed. He had never heard something so ridiculous. Why would he want to leave Serenity for the woman before him? Serenity was kind, warm, he looked back at her and his smile slowly fell as it began to dawn on him, and beautiful.

She really was beautiful.

And he wanted her.

He hid never wanted a mortal woman before.

But he wanted her.

He flagged down the bartender and compelled him to make the same brightly coloured drink as the flirtatious woman had in front of her. The man made it and slid it across the bar to him. Apollyon took it and left, disappearing and reappearing beside Serenity.

She gasped again and then smiled when he held the drink out to her.

"I am not sure what it is."

"Did your new friend recommend it?" She was still smiling but there was something different about her.

Something darker that came with a strong sense of power.

Jealous?

"She recommended something else and I refused." He offered the drink again and Serenity took it this time, moved the small black straws around and then sucked on them.

Apollyon stared at her mouth, mesmerised as she removed the straws and licked her lips.

"Good?" he said and she nodded.

The power that had radiated from her disappeared and she smiled. He had never dealt with a witch before. Could she curse him? He wasn't sure if his own powers would stand against hers and he didn't want to find out.

The table nearest them became free and he placed his hand against her elbow, guiding her over to it. She slid into the tall black stool and placed her drink down on the round black table. Apollyon sat opposite her, watching her sip her drink and waiting.

The music continued to pound but soon changed to a new song. Some of the dancers left the floor and walked past them towards the bar. Apollyon reached across the table and placed his hand over Serenity's when Edward walked past.

He smiled at Serenity when he felt Edward's gaze light on them and then he moved on. Her eyes widened and then she looked at Apollyon.

"Did he see?" She leaned towards him, affording him a glorious view down her black dress to her breasts.

Was she trying to tempt him?

"He saw." Apollyon looked over his shoulder, tracking Edward's progress across the room.

Edward was shorter than him, and his build was slighter. He seemed plain in the face but it was difficult to tell in such poor light. He must have some good qualities to draw Serenity to him and make her care for him. Right now though, Apollyon couldn't see anything good in him. He saw only a sinner, a man to be punished and made to suffer, just as his mistress desired.

Edward reached the bar and looked back at him.

No, at them. He was looking at them. He would have seen that Serenity was with him and that they were more than just friends.

Serenity sipped her drink again and Apollyon grazed his thumb lightly over the back of her hand, staring at them. She didn't seem to mind him touching her, or was it all part of the act? His blue gaze rose to her face, studying her as she sucked on the two small black straws. Her blonde hair shone blue in the lights. The colour of them washed out her skin and made her make-up even darker.

She looked up from her drink and released the straws. Her smile teased him, curving her dark lips and tempting him to take this charade further just to see how she would react.

"What sort of spells can you cast?" he said over the noise of the music.

She slowly stirred her drink with the straws, staring into his eyes the whole time. Did she have to think that hard about it? Could she cast spells on men that made them her willing slave? If she could, he would swear that she had cast one on him.

"My mother told me only to do magic that benefitted others, and I had until today." She lifted the glass to her lips, pushed the straws aside, and took a long gulp of the drink. She set the empty glass down. "I've done minor curses for people, spells to aid maternity and conception, and love spells of course."

Love spells.

Perhaps she had cast that spell on him.

She had never used magic to benefit herself before today.

He had seen enough of the world to know that she was unusual in that respect. Her warmth, her selflessness and kindness, spoke to his heart, making her more beautiful. She thought only of helping others when most who possessed her powers would use them to profit from other humans. Power was a drug to mortals. He had seen the effect it had on them. Another person with her abilities would have used it to make them rich, important and popular, lured in by the promises of false happiness it gave, addicted to it.

Serenity seemed immune to it, and when she had finally succumbed to using it for herself, it had been to heal the pain in her heart and have vengeance. The hurt her ex-lover had caused her had driven her to use her power.

And Apollyon had heard her call and responded.

Perhaps he was the result of her spell after all. Her magic could have amplified her voice and he could have heard it because his focus had been on her at the time.

"You are never tempted to use them?"

She shook her head and then glanced away. "Perhaps sometimes."

Sometimes.

Her gaze snuck back to him, meeting his, and her cheeks darkened. It would have been impossible to see it if he hadn't been watching for it. She had considered a spell. On who? On Edward or on him? Revenge or love?

Serenity's other hand settled over their joined ones. It was cold from holding the glass but soon warmed on contact with his skin. She turned the hand beneath his, trapping his between hers.

"Do you think we should dance?" There was a nervous edge to her expression and her gaze flickered past him, over his shoulder.

"Is he still watching?" Apollyon could already feel the man's gaze on his back.

She nodded.

"Then we should definitely dance."

She hesitated. "Is it okay to dance... to do any of this?"

How many times was she going to ask him the same question? His answer wasn't going to change. Whatever she wanted, he would do it.

Apollyon took hold of her hand, stood and walked around the table to her. His smile seemed to give her the answer that she was looking for, bringing another dark blush to her cheeks, and she slipped from her stool and followed his lead towards the dance floor.

The music was heavier now, harder, and slower. The people on the dance floor were bordering on clothed sex again and, for a moment, he wondered if it really was a good idea. He wasn't sure where a dance would lead, but the look in Serenity's eyes said that wherever it took them, it wasn't pretend.

He pulled her into his arms, so her hands were against his chest, and stood there with her, looking down into her wide eyes. Her pupils dilated, darkening her irises, full of passion and hunger that he could feel beating in her heart.

Whenever she let go of her nerves and of the fact that he was an angel, she was more confident, sensual in her movements and almost flirtatious in her air around him. He wanted her like that now, and not because it would make Edward jealous to see it.

Apollyon slid his hands down to her waist from her ribs, and over her hips. She felt too good beneath his touch. Her eyelids slipped to half-mast and her palms pressed against his chest, not on his suit but on his armour. Did she like the feel of his hands on her?

He tightened his grip on her hips and drew her against him, starting to move slowly to the heavy beat. Her hands slid up over his breastplate and then over his collarbones towards his neck. He shivered when she lightly swept her fingers across his shoulders, and stepped into him, her body moving against his. Each time they brushed, each step that had them rubbing against each other, drove him a little farther towards the edge of control.

Serenity slipped her hands around the back of his head, twirled the dark hair of his ponytail around her slender fingers, and then settled them against the nape of his neck. He shifted his hands, easing them around her back, until they met in the small of it, feeling the way her hips moved as she danced with him. Her leg slid between his and his between hers, and her eyes half-closed again when he brushed the apex of her thighs. He groaned and moved closer to her, eager to feel the whole of her body against his, his thoughts diving down routes they hadn't traversed in a long time. How good would she look naked? He wanted to explore every supple inch of her with his mouth and hands, wanted to worship her body until she cried his name and collapsed into his arms.

Apollyon stepped back a little, unable to bear the torture and needing a moment to breathe. He was too close to letting go.

Serenity stared into his eyes, hers full of invite, asking him to give in to her. He would do so willingly if he could be sure that this wasn't an act. It was a charade, nothing more than pretend so they would make Edward jealous. That was all it was.

So why did it feel so good to have her in his arms?

She ran her hands down over his biceps, slowly, her gaze following her right hand as it traced the curves of his muscles, and her heart beating faster, as though exploring his body excited her. Her eyes darkened and he could feel the hunger in her, could sense the growing need.

Why did his body burn wherever she touched?

His gaze flickered to her mouth.

And why couldn't he keep his eyes off her cherry red lips and his mind off how good it would feel to dip his head and kiss her?

It had been a long time since he had desired a woman, but he knew it had never felt like this—so strong and irresistible. He loved how she moved against him, her body brushing his, teasing him into submission, sending shiver after shiver over his skin and sending his temperature soaring. He loved the way she looked into his eyes and smiled at him, so full of honest emotions and desire. It didn't feel like an act.

It felt so real and he was sure that she would welcome a kiss from him.

It couldn't be the glamour because it didn't work on her. She had to be attracted to him.

She smiled up at him, her hands resting lightly by his elbows, burning him with her touch. He wanted to feel her hands on his chest but this time without his armour in the way. He needed her to touch him, to feel what she did to him and how hard she made his heart beat.

He moved against her, satisfying himself as much as he could in public and without overstepping the mark. She didn't seem to care. Her eyes slipped shut again when he ran his hands down to her backside and he groaned under his breath at the way the twin peachy globes moved beneath his fingers. He slid his hands lower, until he cupped her bottom, and drew her against him, so her hips were close to his.

He wanted her.

Her wide eyes met his, pupils swallowing her irises, and her lips parted.

He wanted to kiss her.

It couldn't be pretend.

He wanted to wrap her in his arms and his wings and never let her go.

What had she done to him?

What spell had she cast to make him like this?

Her fingertips caressed his arms, working back up to his shoulders, and she traced the line of the leather straps that held his armour in place. She toyed with the buckles, making his body tremble with the thought that he might get his wish and she might remove his breastplate and touch his bare chest.

He wanted that so much.

Her chest rose and fell with her hard breathing, luring his eyes there. Deep hunger bolted through him at the sight of her breasts pressing against her small black dress. He lost track of what they were doing, until they were only holding each other, staring into each other's eyes, both of their hearts racing.

His gaze drifted back to her mouth and he couldn't fight the temptation.

Apollyon lowered his head towards hers, wrapped her in his arms, and tilted his head to kiss her.

She giggled.

He pulled back, frowning. She laughed then and wriggled against him. He groaned when her hip pressed against his aching erection.

She was beautiful when she laughed though. She brushed her shoulder and then down her arm, and he realised that it was his wings. He lifted one and swept the black feathers over her shoulder. She laughed in his arms, genuine and full of happiness.

She seemed to have forgotten her heartache.

They both seemed to have forgotten this was make believe.

I hope you've all enjoyed this introduction to Her Dark Angel, and the Her Angel series. If you'd like to learn more about the book, the series, the offers I have on this holiday season, or myself, then read on...

Her Dark Angel

Felicity Heaton
An angel without a mission, Apollyon lives trapped in Hell guarding the bottomless pit. Surrounded by endless darkness, he longs to fly free on Earth once more but his master hasn't called him in centuries. When the call finally comes, it's to serve a new master, a beautiful woman he has often watched over, a woman who has always captivated him.

Serenity is shocked when a gorgeous black-winged angel shows up in her city of Paris claiming that she called him when she was only casting a simple vengeance spell. He's no other than the angel of death! When Apollyon offers to obey her and help her have revenge on her cheating ex-boyfriend, she can't resist the temptation, but can she resist him? Can an angel as dark as Apollyon ever fall for a mortal woman like her?

Dark, passionate and erotic, Her Dark Angel is a tale of intense desire and deepest forbidden love guaranteed to get your heart racing.

ALL OF THE STORIES IN THE HER ANGEL SERIES STAND ALONE, JOINED BY CHARACTER AND WORLD ONLY, AND DO NOT NEED TO BE READ IN ORDER.

LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER: Only $0.99 (normally $2.99) as part of my Winter Warmers deal - offer ends 15th January 2012. Find out more about the offer and where it is available.

Available in e-book from:
Author's website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Her%20Dark%20Angel
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00408AQ98/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00408AQ98/
Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Her-Dark-Angel/Felicity-Heaton/e/2940011095184/
All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-herdarkangel-607688-140.html
Sony Reader Store: http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/felicity-heaton/her-dark-angel-her-angel-romance-series/_/R-400000000000000277045
Kobo Books: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Her-Dark-Angel-Her-Angel/mix-IpUY_pcZyka--k8L1kLPkQ/page1.html
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/22429
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B00408AQ98/
Amazon Kindle France: http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B00408AQ98/
Apple iBookstore USA: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781452355658
Apple iBookstore UK: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/isbn9781452355658
Apple iBookstore Australia: http://itunes.apple.com/au/book/isbn9781452355658
Apple iBookstore Canada: http://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/isbn9781452355658

Available in paperback from:
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1456489836/
Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1456489836/
Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Her-Angel/Felicity-Heaton/e/9781456489830/

My great Winter Warmer deals are available at Amazon Kindle Stores, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble Nook, Sony Reader Store, Apple iBookstore and Kobo Books, as well as the author's website! See the offer page for availability of individual books.

Find out more about the books and these great offers at: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/paranormal-romance-ebook-offers.php

If you would like to know more about me, or want to get in touch, you can find me at the following places:

My Website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk

My Blog: http://www.indieparanormalromancebooks.com

Facebook Profile: http://www.facebook.com/feheaton

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/felicityheaton

Twitter: http://twitter.com/felicityheaton

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/felicityheaton

Want to win this awesome swag pack?
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Winner Wednesday

Winners from all my boxes of books and goodies giveaways:
At Bewitching Book Tours -
The Bewitching prize winner is:
Jasmyn N
The mini Bewitching prize winner is
Julianne K
Roxanne's Realm erotica box of books winner is
Jennifer (The Book Nympho)
The Fang-tastic Books winners are:
Cowboy Romance
Johanna J
mystery
CHERYL C
sweet romance
Preet @ A Written Rhapsody
Congrats to all my boxes of books and goodies holiday giveaway winners
Ok now onto Fang-tastic winners from guest blogs
Jane Kindred's winner is:
Cherie Reich
The winner of Dead Bolt by Juliet Blackwell is
Sharon

Louisa Bacio's winner is mnjcarter

Michelle Beattie's Another Chance winner is
Julianne
Quinn's Christmas Wish winner is
jfort357

Join Me at the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway at Coffee Beans and Love Scenes

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Schedule (Dec 14-25):
Day 1 - Emlyn Chand (12/14)Day 2 - Dale Mayer (12/15)Day 3 - Molly Daniels/Kenzie Michaels (12/16)Day 4 - Robin Badillo (12/17)Day 5 - Rachel Haimowitz (12/18)Day 6 - Sable Hunter (12/19)Day 7 - Roxanne Rhoads (12/20)Day 8 - Lisa Hughey (12/21)Day 9 - Sarah Balance (12/22)Day 10 - Kay Springsteen (12/23)Day 11 - Gabrielle Bisset (12/24)Day 12 - Decadent Publishing (12/25)

Quinn's Christmas Wish Tour Stop and Giveaway

My Magical Wolves

by Lawna Mackie

Wolves are a great love of mine which is why I my novella QUINN'S CHRISTMAS WISH is so special.

Jazira is the wolf in my Christmas story…a young wolf. The story takes place in the fictional town of Bandit Creek, Montana, and involves the mysterious Lost Lake. A flood swallows Jazira, an eleven-year old girl, in the year 1911. It's this flood that forms Lost Lake and traps souls like Jazira's. Being a child she's spit out and given a chance to live…as a wolf. Quinn, a twelve-year old boy befriends the wolf, and their journey begins.

There probably aren't a lot of people that can say they knew a wolf, but I did. He wasn't a pet. He came to me when he wanted to, and usually not the other way around. I was blogging yesterday at www.rabidreads.com and I shared a personal story about my life as a child on a trap line. That was tough. Here's another tidbit about my life on the trap line.

Scram was the name of the wolf cohabitating with a native Indian living on a trap line outside of the town where I grew up. Although I didn't know him as a pup, I was told he survived when his mom had been shot. Appropriately named, whenever somebody came anywhere near the cabin, he'd be gone like a flash dashing through the trees.

For the most part I stayed outside bundled in my snowsuit because I didn't want to see the horrors taking place in the cabin (that's another trap line story). I stayed in the snow alone, but I wasn't really alone. I always felt Scram's eyes searching me out from behind a far away tree. It took many weeks before he'd finally approach me cautiously.

Time progressed, but before I knew it, my patience paid off. Scram and I were almost inseparable. He could literally fling me off the ground by grabbing my scarf. I cried when I had to leave him and I think he was sad when I left as well. That animal will forever live in my heart just like my first memory of a Christmas tree. I miss him terribly. QUINN'S CHRISTMAS WISH reminds me of each wolf I've had the privilege of spending time with.

I hope you'll take the opportunity to read QUINN'S CHRISTMAS WISH available through Amazon in either paperback or eBook formats http://amzn.to/w3VPrM

It's a perfect Christmas wish.

Dec 9 InterviewMeredith Allard www.meredithallard.com
Dec 10 Guest bloghttp://www.darkangelwritingtools.com/
Dec 11 Guest blog and reviewRabid Readshttp://www.rabidreads.com
Dec 12 Guest BlogFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
Dec 13 Guest BlogNatalie Nicole Bate's Blog
Dec 16 SpotlightRead 2 Reviewwww.read2review.com
Dec 19 Guest BlogBookin' It Reviews http://www.bookinitreviews.com/
Dec 20 Guest blog and reviewJust One More Paragraphhttp://tweezlereads.blogspot.com
Dec 21 review and guest postReviews By Mollyhttp://reviewsbymolly.com
Dec 21 Review and Guest BlogGood Family Readshttp://familyreads.blogspot.com

Dec 22 Guest Blog and reviewBook Lovers Paradisehttp://bookloversparadise.blogspot.com
December 24 Review and Guest PostLisa's World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net



Quinn's Christmas Wish
A Bandit Creek Paranormal
By Lawna Mackie
As far as twelve-year old Quinn is concerned Christmas has lost its magic. Since his father's death life has lost its sparkle. His mom is now a widow struggling to put food on the table. Quinn is no help, and the mysterious illness afflicting him only makes things worse. Even Christmas, complete with decorated trees, ribbons and bows has no meaning…then along comes Jazira.
Jazira doesn't know what happened to her former self, the eleven-year old little girl. She drowned, didn't she, along with half the other folk of Bandit Creek in 1911? Somehow, she's grown four furry legs complimented with a large wolf head and body. Scared and alone, she reaches out to Quinn and a strong bond is formed. Jazira learns Quinn, and his mother, are threatened by a wealthy powerful citizen of Bandit Creek. She is determined to protect her new family, no matter what.
Christmas Eve finds Quinn staring up at the adorned tree and muttering a quiet prayer. Will the Spirits of Christmas grant his wish, or will the evil surrounding Bandit Creek prevail once again?


About Lawna:

I have always believed in fairy tales and when I got tired of the old ones I made up my own. Each story would have a hero and heroine, but they were anything but typical.

I devoured my first romance novel when I was a teenager. I couldn't read them fast enough. Years later I stumbled across my first paranormal romance…an injustice would be done if I tried to explain my joy when I found this genre of romance. My passion was finally in print.

Now, with the help of my bizarre dreams and crazy imagination, I have started to write and intend to share my stories with you. I hope you'll love them as much as I do.

I am truly blessed. My husband and my animals are my inspiration. We live on a small acreage in Didsbury, Alberta, with our most beloved companions, Dozer, Daisy and Mandarin.

Happy reading everyone, I sure would love to hear from you. www.lawnamackie.ca
Quinn's Christmas Wish – December 1, 2011 available through Amazon and Smashwords.
IMPOSSIBLE TO HOLD – December 19, 2011 released through Liquid Silver Books http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com
ENCHANTMENT – January 13, 2012 released through Muse It Up Publishing http://museituppublishing.com

Would you like to win an ebook copy of Quinn's Christmas Wish
Leave a comment on this spot with your email
One person will win

MIchelle Franklin Guest Blog

I am a small woman of moderate consequence who writes many, many epic fantasy books involving giants, romance, and chocolate. I'm a rather boring woman in life, but that only gives me permission to be more interesting on the page. I'm meant to be read and not seen anyway. I am also excessively sarcastic, but never serious, and I do my utmost to be as quiet and polite as possible when being forced to leave the commons. I adore people, but am not fond of the public. Such is an author's burden: to be a hermit and a crone, blessed with all the joys of unquietness.


I have been writing since grade 4. The very first story I wrote was about cat people and it was rather atrocious, but from there I moved on to writing novels. I wrote my first novel in grade 7, which was a historical fantasy about Irish immigrants coming to Ellis Island. It was also quite horrid, but here is where I began to understand the discipline of writing every day. I wrote in class, out of class, at home, while I was supposed to be studying, on my washroom floor, in the attic, etc. Eventually, I won some prestigious old thing for best story and then won four literary awards in my county. I then decided to study creative writing in university only to realize that the best way to learn about writing is to write. I began writing a series called "The Arustan Series", which was all about the Eastern Continent. I wrote about ten books in the series, all of which were never completed due to the endless blockades of classes and three jobs, and published a few fantasy short stories with The.Gloaming Magazine.


Holiday season 2009/2010 the recession hit Canada and I, like many others, was laid off. My editor and friend Mila said to me, "You cannot look for work now anyhow. So, why don't you use this time to write something new?" By then, I hadn't written anything in six months, the longest period I have ever gone without writing. I decided to write short stories about a woman farmer turned commander and a giant. Everything has always been giants with me. Within six months, I had written over 700 stories and five books worth of material. I knew I had something, even though I had little idea what, and I began querying agents and publishers to see what they thought of what I began calling "The Haanta Series". The reviews were generally positive and decided that I was going to have this series published. Six months later, I had rewritten "The Commander and the Den Asaan Rautu", book one in the series, and sent it out for publishing. A few publishers accepted the series, but I went with a small press that was willing to let me have my own editor and artist, and that was willing to publish a book every two months.

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Photo by Nicole of NGP

I write excessively fast, mostly because my mind never rests and partly because I have difficulty sleeping. I compose about six to ten thousand words a a 10-16 hour period. Many ask me how I write so much in a day, and my answer is invariably, "I don't know." It doesn't seem like much until I have finished another two or three books. Writing is the most natural thing in the world to me and is possibly the only thing at which I'm tolerably skilled. Perhaps this is why I write as much as I do, because I cannot do anything else.


Many people ask me about my writing style and for advice. My writing has a more classical feel -or so I'm told- because most of the books I read were published before 1940. I have an abominable time with recent literature, and therefore my style might reflect the style of the authors I enjoy most, like Jane Austen, T.H. White, and David Eddings (I would argue that the Belgariad is a classic). As for advice, I should never wish to give any. Every writer is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. I write books out of order and write at least two to three books at once. This is what does for me, whereas writing in linear format does for other authors very well. I write the books that I would most enjoy reading. There are various obstacles authors must overcome that are part of the process, such as rejection, in my case dyslexia, ridicule, time spent on book promotion, developing schizophrenia, being forced to go outside, but tenacity, the willingness to learn and rewrite, and unshakable passion have done well for me as I hope they might do well for others.

Dec 11 Fang-tastic Books Guest Blogwww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
Dec 12 Guest/PromoRavenCrafts' Realm
Dec 13 PromoRead2Review

Dec 13 Guest Bloghttp://jademystique.blogspot.com
Dec 15 interviewMeredith Allardwww.meredithallard.com
Dec 16 PromoFlutey Wordshttp://authoraubrie.blogspot.com
Dec 17 interview and reviewFor The Love of Readinghttp://niinas-reading-and-reviewing.blogspot.com/
Dec 21 InterviewJeanzBookReadNReview http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.com/
Dec 22 PromoMad Moose Mamahttp://www.madmoosemama.blogspot.com
December 23 PromoLisa's World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net


Khantara
By Michelle Franklin

Blurb:

Khantara tells the story of the Den Asaan Rautu's mother and father.

Khantara is a Haanta conquerer, meant to wage war and rule over the enemy nation of Thellis, but after vanquishing Thellis and occupying a construction of a Haanta outpost, he meets Anelta, a woman enslaved by her own people bearing a brand of servitude on her neck. Khantara contrives to save her from a cruel home and bring her to the refuge his people can provide, but how can he do so successfully when the eyes of Thellis are upon him?


Advance praise from Avery's Book Nook:

"After having read only a few pages of this book, I recalled how exceptional Michelle is not only at her world building, but also her character development- talents which completely draw the reader in, making them impervious to everything going on around them. I don't think it possible for the reader to not fall in love with Khantara and Anelta."

Author Bio:

Michelle Franklin is a woman of moderate consequence who writes many books about giants, romance and chocolate.

Twitter: @MrsDenAsaan

New Cover for Michelle Franklin's The Commander and Den Asaan Rautu

Same lineart, but this time it's coloured by famous Polish digital painter Marcin Oracz.
The colors are much more brilliant.