Catherine Bybee's Blog, page 25

The Allure of the Alpha Bad Boy ~ Guest blog

The Allure of the Alpha Bad Boy
By Theresa MeyersFirst off, let me say congratulations to you Catherine, for your book Wife by Wednesday hitting the lists! And those new covers, my goodness, those are going to fly off the shelves. Love them!

Just from those covers alone I can tell you know the allure of the alpha bad boy. There's just something about them, isn't there? You know you shouldn't. You know it could be dangerous, but they just make all your girl parts sit up and take notice.
Most of the time bad boys are bad news because they tend to take what they want and walk away without a thought leaving a trail of broken hearts behind them. But that's not all bad boys. My heroine, Raina Ravenwing in The Half-Breed Vampire has a particular issue with bad boys. One caused her to nearly walk away from her tribe when she was younger and away at college. She almost never went back to her small town. But Raina has got a responsibility bone the size of the Golden Gate Bridge. No matter how much she'd like to avoid the traditional role her tribe has foisted upon her shoulders as the Wolf Whisperer for her tribe (their connection to the ancestors), she feels bound by both love and duty to take the role on herself and try to modernize it to help bring her people into the modern world. The problem is Slade Donovan.
A vampire with exceptional tracking skills, she's forced to team up with him if she wants to find out the location of the elusive large wolves that are stalking her small community and find a missing teen. But Slade is bad boy from cocky smile to the tips of his big black combat boots. He has no intention of settling down, doesn't care for small towns and adores his motorcycle.
While Raina knows it can't possibly work out, she also can't resist a guy who's tough as nail but protective of those around him. One with a snarky sense of humor, even if it does annoy the hell out of her when he calls her babe instead of Officer Ravenwing. He's temptation with a throbbing, red neon capital T.
Like Raina perhaps why bad boys are so appeal is their devil-may-care no-holds-barred approach to life. They seem to be a prime example of grabbing life a hold of the handle bars and going for one hell of a ride with the wind in your hair. On the other hand, what makes a bad boy even better is one that is so totally focused on you that you feel like the whole world doesn't exist outside of the two of you. Add to that a heart with real feelings, and you've got not just a bad boy, but a keeper.
So my question for you is, what makes a bad boy appealing to you?

OMG... Look at this lovely cover art!

Crystal is gonna kill me, but I have to share. I'm re-releasing Before the Moon rises and Embracing the Wolf as self published work in the next month and these are the wonderful new covers.

Have I told you all that being Indie is the bomb at times?

So, your thoughts? Love 'em... Hate 'em? When you see this do you want more? Do you want to read the blurb?

Well...do ya? LOL

A couple of questions for Shadonna Richards

Welcome to my corner of the blogging world. I love your 'Bride' cover BTW. Shadonna has offered up a free e-copy of her book to one of you. So please leave a comment or two and and email address so I can let you know who wins.
Let's get a little of the formalities out of the way.
Tell us a little about your self and the genre you write. First of all, thanks so much for having me as a guest on your fabulous blog! Secondly congratulations on your wonderful novel "Wife by Wednesday"- I couldn't put the book down…I loved it!!
Thank you.
Now to the question J I enjoy reading and writing about the power of love and the magic of happily ever after so I guess that's the reason why I read and write contemporary romance and romantic comedy!
What do you love about being a writer? I love being able to use my imagination to create new worlds and explore different romantic storylines.
And the most important question ever... Do you roll your toilet paper over the roll or under the roll? Over, for sure!
Tell us about your latest release and were we can find it. An Unexpected Bride is a contemporary romance about Emma Wiggins who doesn't want to hurt her dying grandfather's feelings since he believes he'll never live to see her get married. So she tells him that she is engaged. When he probes who the lucky guy is, the only name that came to mind was that of her secret crush, her hot boss, Evan Fletcher. Of course, to her shock, gramps gets a little stronger and goes ahead to arrange for a bedside wedding at the hospital. Unfortunately, Evan knows nothing about this. So now she's left with confronting her boss with the…um, news of the impending vows!
Hope your readers enjoy the story. I also have a free e-copy to give away to one of your lucky followers.
Have a blessed day,
Shadonna

News and Updates

Yet another crazy week in Catherine's life. First of all I wanted to remind you about a great place to find Indie bestsellers. Check out Indie Reader ~ I'm not just yakking about them cuz I'm on their list...but because they are doing some great things to promote self published authors.

As some of you know, I'm #8 on the E-Book Fiction list on the New York Times Bestseller list this week. Which just rocks my world. And I'm #45 on the USA Today list. I'm not sure why when you look under Romance I don't come up...but oh well.

I'm getting ready for my blog tour for Highland Shifter. There will be giveaways so be sure and keep an eye out for that.

I'm over at Emma Lai's blog today talking a little bit about Highland Shifter, so come on over and wave.

That's all for now...off to write another chapter in Married by Monday. Have a great week everyone.

Spotlight on Sarah Ballance

Riley Beckett's past just came back to haunt her . . . and this time, he's got a gun.

When Gage Lawton finds his brother shot dead on his back porch, every shred of evidence points to one person: Gage's former lover, Riley. He and she didn't part ways on good terms, and he's not planning to rekindle anything now--not when he's got a revolver pointed at her head and a finger on the trigger.

A year after Riley swore she and Gage were over, he returns in a hail of gunfire. One look into those achingly familiar blue eyes and she knows how wrong she was to let him go, but now far more than their heated past stands in the way. A twist of fate puts them in the crosshairs of a killer, leaving Riley with two slim options:  trust her greatest betrayer or face a murderer on her own.


BUY LINKS
Noble Romance / Amazon / Barnes & Noble


EXCERPT:

Something was wrong. Was the dark playing tricks on her? Riley Beckett froze, arm outstretched, hand poised to toss her keys on the table just inside her front door. But she didn't let go. Instead of dropping them in their usual spot, instinct whispered for her to feather pieces of the makeshift weapon between her knuckles. Heart pounding, she pressed the keys in a silent, white-knuckle grip and prayed her concerns were her imagination, that the paranoia of coming home alone to a dark house was getting the better of her.
One, two steps in. Wood planks echoed underfoot. She fought to breathe in air that grew thinner with every tense second.
Three steps.
Then it hit her. The scent.His scent.And with it a flush of memories.The burn of hot grass on her bare skin.Rough hands, a tender touch. Love so sweet she ached for it, her dreams raging, and her body drenched with need.
Their first time.
Her last.
"Gage?" Her voice broke on the single syllable. Riley's grip on the keys tightened, her blood raging hot and cold all at once.
A creak sounded from the corner chair. Her eyes refused to adjust in the darkness, but not even the faint light kept the blond streaks in his russet hair from giving him away. Like rays of sunshine, she used to tease, and her words never failed to draw a scowl across his rugged face.
"Riley."
God help her, her name on his lips sounded as it always had. Coarse. Dangerous.Forbidden. Even before . . . The memory surged, hot and vivid, leaving a metallic taste in her mouth. White heat assaulted her from every corner of the room.
The keys fell to the floor with a clink.
"An eye for an eye, is it?" His voice sounded unpracticed, as if he hadn't spoken in a long while.
She couldn't see his face, but she knew his expression. Flat and humorless.Broken. She remembered the day he stopped smiling. Every part of her wanted to flee, but she stood frozen to the spot.
"What do you mean?" Riley wondered if the words, whispered and weak, had the strength to make it across the room. Hadn't she always known she'd shatter the next time she saw him? Hadn't she dreamed of it anyway?
"You have to ask?" Gage laughed, cold and hollow. "Billy's dead. Hell of a thing to come home to, Riley. My brother blown to bits on my back porch."
"Oh, God." Riley swayed, bile rising in her throat. The room filled with a distant buzzing. She took one unsteady step to the side and stumbled.
When she found his gaze, it was over the business end of a revolver.
He leveled the gun in her direction. Everything else in her world trembled, but his aim held rock steady. Unyielding.
His eyes burned blue and bright. "What I want to know, sweetheart, is why you did it."
He worked his finger over the trigger, and a veil of blackness threatened her last discerning thought.ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah and her husband of over fourteen years live on the mid-Atlantic coast with their six young children, all of whom are perfectly adorable when they're asleep.  She often jokes that she writes to be around people who will listen to her, but her characters aren't much better than her kids.  Fortunately, her husband is quite supportive, having generously offered to help her research "the good parts."  She's never had to ask twice.
Website / Blog / Amazon / Twitter / Facebook

Making the NYT's Bestsellers list video blog

And the winner is...

Winner winner, chicken dinner...

Congrats to Mary Carver, who won a free kindle in my NYT's Picture giveaway. I assigned everyone a number and used random.org to pick one for me and ta da...Mary won.

Because Facebook is crazy about contests I'm announcing this here. Thank you to all the players who posted their picture with the book page of the New York Times that featured Wife by Wednesday on the bestseller list. I'm going to go ahead and give each person who posted a five dollar gift card for Amazon for their efforts. Buying a NYT's out of the state of New York runs about five bucks a copy so I thought I'd pay for your paper for next week.

Thanks again everyone. Your support of Wife by Wednesday has been beyond this authors wildest dreams!

Spotlight on Vera Jane Cook

  

From the Salem Witch trials through the Nineteenth Century and beyond, Annabel Horton is pursued by the devil's disciple, Urban Grandier, the demonic priest from the incident at Loudon. She must take the bodies of those that the devil favors to protect her family. She must uncover the motive behind the illusive Ursula/Louis Bossidan, the scandalous cross-dresser who is pursuing her beautiful granddaughter, and she must learn, being one of God's most powerful witches, how to use her power. But will it be enough to save her husband from Urbain's fiery inferno? Will it be enough to save her children from demons greater than themselves? Read on, you will learn more…..

Website / Facebook / Musa / Amazon  

Excerpt:
When I am not in the form of flesh, I live in the confines of shadow. The psychics of your dimension have said that I can be seen floating between the kiss of dusk and the evening moon. Yes, some of you can actually see me, though you are unaware of what I am. You usually ignore me because I vanish so quickly. I simply blend into the surface of your world and disappear,  into objects, into trees, into the soft fur of a sleeping squirrel, into anything that will have me.
 Before I begin my tale, you must know this: I can also blend into a human body. I can steal your flesh if I choose. But before you judge me, you must understand my loneliness. You have no idea how desperately I desire the physical senses you so cavalierly take for granted. But please, do not fear me. I will not harm the innocent. Hear me out before you cast any stones. There are secrets in my tale worth knowing.
The snap of my neck appears to have granted me immortality as a captured soul, doomed to live over and over again in stolen flesh and blood. Therefore, I take bodies in exchange for my freedom. I want you to understand that if I were to ever choose your flesh, I would mean you no harm. I would simply borrow the luxury of your language and take comfort in the pleasure of your warm, beating heart.
The process of my abduction is painless. You see, the earth holds time. When I consume a body all I do is absorb time. It is quite simple. My soul moves out of one perception and into another. Let me reassure you that though I can take any one of you, I prefer the flesh of those whom the devil favors, and I do not have to go very far to consume the devil's own.

Release Day for Shelley Munro's Cat Burglar in Training

CAT BURGLAR IN TRAINING

By Shelley Munro

Eve Fawkner had no intention of following in her father's footsteps. But when the thugs harassing him to repay his gambling debts threaten her young daughter, Eve is forced to assume the role of London's most notorious cat burglar, The Shadow. The plan is simple: pull off a couple of heists, pay back the goons and go into permanent retirement. But things get messy during her first job when Eve witnesses a murder, stumbles across a clue that sheds some light on her past and, worst of all, falls for a cop.

Inspector Kahu Williams would be the perfect man, if Eve were looking, and if there wasn't the little matter of their career conflict. The man is seriously hot—and hot on the trail of a murderer. A trail that keeps leading him back to Eve…

http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Burglar-in-Training-ebook/dp/B006IIX6C2

Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Shelley-Munro/e/B001JOWGNK/

About the Author:
Shelley lives in New Zealand with her husband.

Typical New Zealanders, Shelley and her husband left home for their big OE soon after they married (translation of New Zealand speak – big overseas experience). A year long adventure lengthened to six years of roaming the world. Enduring memories include being almost sat on by a mountain gorilla in Rwanda, lazing on white sandy beaches in India, whale watching in Alaska, searching for leprechauns in Ireland, and dealing with ghosts in an English pub.


While travel is still a big attraction, these days Shelley is most likely found in front of her computer following another love – that of writing stories of romance and adventure. Other interests include watching rugby and rugby league (strictly for research purposes), and curling up with a good book.


http://www.shelleymunro.com
http://www.shelleymunro.com/blog/

Top 10 reasons we love Highlanders by LL Muir

Please make welcome my hysterical guest, LL Muir. And please...add your reasons why we MUST read and follow these shirtless, kilted men wherever they may go!
First, I just have to say I'm so excited to be on Catherine Bybee's blog I'm not even going to sit down—THE WHOLE TIME I'M HERE.
In honor of what Catherine and I have in common, I thought I might give a list of the ten reasons why Highlander stories float our boats.
#10. Of course Scotland is going to remain mysterious when most universities don't offer courses in their language.
#9. Braveheart. Despite its historical flaws...Braveheart.
#8. It takes a braw lad to wield those enormous swords. We're impressed by strength, not by muscles. *cough* *cough* What?
#7. If we don't buy Highlander books, those poor men will never earn enough to buy a shirt. "Bye, honey! I'm off to donate to the PLSF--Poor Laddie Shirt Fund!"
#6. They don't have the slightest idea what a metro-sexual is.
#5. Those braids at his temples come in handy when climbing his chest.
#4. They fear nothing, not even each other.
#3. Have you ever heard a Scottish brogue? Did you follow him home...and forget where you parked your minivan-full of kids?
#2. It's required. If something purrs, you're compelled to rub it's tummy.
And #1. Because we all know what a Scotsman doesn't wear beneath his kilt. That kind of ever-present danger is like a plate of brownies covered LOOSELY by a piece of foil. And yeah, the danger comes from us.
If you've got a reason better than these, please share it, so we may gather over a plate of brownies and nod our heads. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GOING BACK FOR ROMEO By L.L. Muir Alone, with a Highlander, in his castle, on a cold dark night...

(Okay, so it wasn't that cold.)

Jillian MacKay is being conned by a pair of eighty-year-old witches. They're convinced she's the perfect sucker to test a prophecy and they're willing to bury her alive to prove it. Once she escapes and finds herself in 15th Century Scotland, she believes her return home depends on a heroic deed—she must rescue a plaid-clad Romeo and Juliet before tragedy can strike.  The monster standing in her way, however, is a handsome Highlander who might just be her own Romeo...a Romeo she must leave behind.

Rather than surrender his secrets, Montgomery Ross would prefer to go down in history as the heartless creature who betrayed one sister and buried the other alive.  When he falls in love with the prophesied faery who has come to expose him, he'll have to learn a wee lesson from the star-crossed lovers or suffer the fate to which he once condemned them.
Amazon    B&N

Excerpt  Castle Ross, East Burnshire, Scotland  1494                   Odd.                   The stone closest to Laird Montgomery Ross's foot looked to be the same shape as the hole remaining in the side of his sister's tomb, but he refused to reach for it. "Nay.  I'm not ready to be finished."  Monty whispered his complaint to God, for surely it was God's hand that wrought such an appropriately shaped thing.  Behind him, one of the priests cleared his throat.  Monty knew without looking it had been the fat one who could not cease rubbing his hands together, even while Monty's sister was led inside her would-be grave.  The bastard had been rubbing them for a fair two days, since he'd arrived to try Isobelle as a witch.  No doubt they were itchy for the feel of a woman's neck since Monty had cheated them out of wringing his sister's. He could let the priest live, or he could be silent, but Monty could not manage both. "If you canna seem to clean those hands, Father," he said without turning away from his morbid creation, "I'd be happy to rid you of them before I finish my task here.  I'm sure my sister wouldna mind the wait." A gasp of outrage was followed by silence, although the Great Hall was filled to the corners with his clan.  Those who could not find space inside would soon enough hear of each stone lovingly placed as their laird buried his sister alive within their very hall, upon the stone dais, behind the great Ross Chair.  Hopefully they would remember Isobelle's bravery and not how oft his tears mingled with the mortar. None breathed, none dared rub their hands.  How could he possibly continue?  How could he not? "Nay, I wouldna mind a bit, if you're quick about it, brother mine." Isobelle's voice echoed eerily from the tomb and she smirked at him from within the tiny patch of light the same shape as the odd stone. "In fact, toss the bloody things in here with me and I'll leave them at the gates of hell.  Himself can collect them when he arrives."  Her unholy laughter no doubt had even the dogs wishing they could cross themselves, but it was music to Monty's ears.  The Kirk's men allowed her no blanket, but she'd have the image of revenge to keep her warm.  "Isobelle!" Morna screamed.  Monty's other sister stood off to his right, restrained by her puny Gordon husband.  "'Tis all my fault.  Forgive me." Isobelle's sober face came forward to fill the hole as she searched for Morna, giving Monty one last glimpse of red hair. "Morna, love.  Dinna greet.  The faery will come to make it all right again.  Watch for the faery...and keep away from your husband!" "Silence!" the robed bastard roared.  Isobelle laughed again, backing away from the hole.  After all, what could the man do to her now?  Monty would not ruin her00 trust in the blasted faery, but if the creature ever placed its magic toe on Ross land, it would be dead before it ever took a breath of heathered air. 'Twas time. He looked at the stone. 'Twas meant. "I love you, sister mine."  His words were quiet, for Isobelle alone. "And I you, Monty.  Blow us a kiss." When he raised his crusted fingers to his lips, his palm filled with tears but they washed none of the nightmare away. He blew a kiss that was instantly returned. "I'm stayin' right here, pet.  Ye're no' alone." "Get on, then."  The whimper in her voice was slight.  "I'll have a wee nap if ye'll but douse the light." With a final wink she disappeared. Monty reached for the stone, dipped its edges in muck, and pushed it home, breaking his heart in the doing.  After long moments of stillness, his hands slowly opened and dropped away.  From the corner of his eye, he saw Morna swoon, but someone else would have to catch her—someone without mud or blood on his hands.  Morna wouldn't welcome his comfort anyhow.  She claimed it was her fault, but he knew both sisters blamed him. If he'd have known the outcome, would he have acted differently?  What kind of bastard would not? There was no stopping the twisting of his face, the sob from his chest. He turned his head to the side and bellowed, "Out!" Nearly everyone fled or slithered from the hall, all but The Kirk's henchmen who would stay until they believed his sister dead.  Only then did he hear the muffled sobs of Isobelle.  She sounded as if she were deep in the ground.  His heart shuddered with cold.  Dear God, what had he been thinking?  His plan was madness; she would never last.  Not enough time.  He had to get her out! He reached for the odd stone...and was struck soundly from behind. About LL Muir About the Author:
L.L. Muir lives with Superman in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains. They are raising numerous super-heroes for society, but none will wear tights. Currently, she writes Scottish & Regency historicals and paranormal fiction for both adult and young adult readers. She is represented by Cori Deyoe of Three Seas Literary Agency.

Her hobbies are:
*stalking kilt-wearers at the local Scottish Festival and Highland Games.
*making up stories about those kilt-wearers
*trying to get the men in her life to wear kilts

Before writing full-time, she owned a flower shop called The Scottish Rose. She'd often answer the phone sounding like Mrs. Doubtfire...until a gentleman customer asked to speak with the Scottish woman who owned the place. Website: www.llmuir.weebly.com Blog: www.writersblockbuster.blogspot.com Twitter @LLMuir