Cate Masters's Blog, page 29

Meilin and The Challenger, Futuristic urban fantasy/fairy tale

Meilin and The Challenger

Futuristic urban fantasy/fairy tale
73 pages

April 11, 2014





   
Meilin won’t let a little thing like zombies stand in the way of love or freedom.

Available from: Musa Publishing: 
http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=763&zenid=0b44e942dc7b0474dae29fcdae87745b 




Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Meilin-Challenger-Cate-Masters-ebook/dp/B00JM1HGJ6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397224949&sr=1-1&keywords=meilin+and+the+challenger


Meilin and The Challenger is a fast, fun read that's a futuristic take on one of my favorite Grimm fairy tales, The Twelve Dancing Princesses. If you're not familiar with this particular Grimm story, you can check it out here. But while the original version contained no zombies, I wanted to give it a modern twist.


Blurb
Meilin King has never believed in fairy tales. Happy ever afters might have happened in the old days—before zombies. But this is 2089. When her father promises riches to the one who can rid their city of zombies, Meilin and her sisters rush to develop a solution that won’t bankrupt Dad.
The war overseas left Will MacGregor disillusioned, but fighting zombies at home is a cause he can embrace. Meilin’s another. Tough but sweet, she might make him believe in life again, and maybe even love, if she doesn’t kick his ass first.
When zombies kidnap her family, Meilin must rescue them. But can she and Will save them from the worst fate of all?





Reviews (for previous version)



I love fairy tales and zombies, usually not together, but when I saw The 12 Dancing Zombie Killing Princesses I couldn’t help myself. I’m so glad I didn’t.

The 12 Dancing Zombie Killing Princesses is a short story and I finished it in just a few hours, but boy is there a lot going on. Lots of action, and romance. The zombies in this book aren’t your run of the mill undead, which Will and Meilin figure out quite fast. The plot sucked me in, moving fast and keeping me entertained as well as on the edge of my seat. Each new development pulled me deeper into the story wanting to know what was going to happen and if they would save Meilin’s family.Dark Divas Reviews - 5 Divas and a Recommended Read!


This is a short book about Will, who returns to City from war wants to become a zombie fighter, on his way home he encounters the 12 adopted daughters of the city's mayor who appear to have some plans of their own ...
Of the 12 girls you only properly get to know Zoe and Meilin who are both wonderfully strong characters, very bright and capable and not at all fond of been treated as mere girls much to Will and their fathers discomfort.  Will is quite sweet but is also a hardened soldier and his main motivation is to help his mother. I found it easy to slip into the authors world and also liked the way she humanised the zombies even if they are the bad guys!Julie's Book Reviews - 4 stars



Casting Call - Who did Cate envision in these roles? Find out here.





ExcerptA click sounded beside him. Meilin propped a rifle to her shoulder and sighted her aim toward the advancing zombies. “Let’s annihilate the party crashers, sisters.”
A lopsided smile quirked his lips. “Not all the party crashers, I hope.”
Her stance steady, she glanced over. “I might spare you.”
Oh hell, I’m in love. Gunfire erupted on either side, but he couldn’t tear his focus from her. Amazing, how she braced against the kick of the rifle—her slight frame absorbed it and she fired away. Like you should be doing.
As trained, he lifted the Uzi. Stunned, he could only watch as the girls split the zombies’ heads with one shot apiece, the most efficient kill he’d ever witnessed. The zombies at the front of the charge fell first. Those in the center scattered to either side. Hell, these women didn’t need his help. If only the soldiers in his platoon had been so deadly accurate.
Better at least try to be helpful. He let the bullets fly. Too bad the walking dead couldn’t run; soon they dropped to the forest floor with the others.
The tallest blonde held a strange set of binoculars to her face. “There, two more getting away.”
Hard to sight them in the dark. He swiveled one of the dance floor spotlights in their direction. Momentarily blinded, the walking dead stopped walking. Meilin and the tall blonde aimed, and their shots cracked the zombies’ heads in two.
Meilin tapped his shoulder. “Aim the light to three o’clock. I think I see a few more.”
She stood so close, he grew woozy. Cherry blossoms. He struggled to fight off her intoxicating scent. He did as she asked, but his acute awareness centered on her. Built the way he liked, petite but powerful. She moved with purpose and grace, surety and intense focus in every action. Like the others, she felled the three zombies with one shot each, in exactly the spot needed for the final kill: their heads. Oh yeah, a woman who knew what she wanted and went after it, a force to be reckoned with.
She rested the rifle butt against her hip. “What do you think, Lakshme? More hiding out there?”
The girl with almond eyes shrugged. “Probably.”
Yeah, most likely. Better make sure. “I’ll do a sweep and check.”
The tallest blonde winced. “By yourself?”
Lakshme smirked. “Aren’t we lucky? Superman’s here.”
Meilin’s gaze swept over him. “Oh, I thought he was the Green Hornet.”
The blonde’s lip curled. “Horn dog, more like.”
What the hell was their problem? “Hey, I’m only trying to help.”
“Good thing.” Lakshme’s voice turned breathy. “We’re helpless girls, after all.”
Oh, man. Great first impression. “No, I didn’t—”
Meilin raised her rifle and shot three times in quick succession. “Three more down. Now we need to find out how many we missed.”
A no-nonsense babe. Excellent.
The tall blonde jumped to the ground. “Pull up the truck so we can dump the bodies. Wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise for any latecomers.” She flashed a sardonic smile and headed for the nearest carcass.
One sister disappeared into the brush. An engine roared, and a delivery truck backed into the site, halted, and the doors flew open.
Once they’d loaded the last of the zombie bodies, Will blew out a breath. The tall blonde latched the door closed. How did they all still appear ready freshly showered and ready for a night of dancing? They had this routine down, to the last detail.
“What now?” he asked.
The tall blonde poked a finger into his chest. “Now you forget everything you saw here, and we won’t have to incinerate you with the rest of them.”
Forget? He glanced at Meilin. Not happening. “You might find me useful. And I want to learn more about your operation. It’s impressive. Mr. King’s looking to hire—”
The blonde grabbed his shirt, her grimace eye level with him. “Don’t ever mention him again.”
Not speak of their father? He studied Meilin for a clue.
She wrenched the blonde’s arm. “Back off, Zoe. He’s harmless.”
Zoe shoved Meilin, who stumbled backward and lost her balance.
Landing on her butt, she looked up at Will with sadness. “Sorry.”
His heart lurched. Hopefully, not sorry she met him. “For what?”
A hard thud to the back of his head came in answer. His knees hit the dance floor, and he toppled over.

Release day for Night Magic by Kathleen Ann Gallagher

Happy release day to Kathleen Ann Gallagher! Wishing you many sales for Night Magic. Please help Kathleen celebrate with a comment and you might win a copy too! Blurb
The beautiful but lonely owner of a bath and body shop, Krista Winters is in need of legal counsel. Her past is about to catch up with her.  She was forced to flee from her life as a teacher in New Jersey after being shunned for being a witch. Life is not the same for Jon Bartolo. He’s a dedicated lawyer, living in the town of Conway, New Hampshire. His days are spent helping his clients with their struggles and his nights are spent in agony, lost in a world between life and death. His mother, who died three years ago, lurks in his house, suffering from a curse for eternity, without a resting place. A smoldering fire between Jon and Krista ignites almost immediately, however, he’s sure his secret would frighten a woman away. An afternoon escape brings them closer, but doubts linger between the love-struck couple. How will Jon’s mother find eternal rest so he can move on with his life? Is he bound to a life of hell on earth? Will Krista fit into his world when he learns about her past?  Could she be hiding a bigger secret? Is it possible for them to open their hearts to love? Could a touch of Night Magic b just what this couple needs?

Excerpt Steadying herself, she stood back and stared into his eyes. As Jon moved in again and plunged his tongue deep into her mouth, he lightly brushed his hand across the back of her hair, and she surrendered to his touch. It was as if a long lost lover had reappeared and claimed her heart’s desire. There was no telling what might happen next. Her whole body relaxed as he nuzzled her ear, teasing her with playful nips at her neck. All rules had been broken, but it didn’t matter. His hard shaft rubbed up against her stomach, and she swayed back and forth, unable to break away from temptation. His breathing sped up and his strong arms were tight around her back. She quietly moaned, lost in another world. Every movement brought her one step closer. Am I that lonely? I’m about to have sex with a man I just met. As his hand trailed across her back, her body rocked with his.  Each touch was electrifying, as if he wanted to devour her, and she found herself in a trance-like state. Is this what I’ve been missing? Running her hand across his firm bicep, she felt woozy. The warmth of his body was raising her level of arousal. Here in the middle of his office, she experienced a passion like no other. Everything seemed right. Lust took control of her senses and she let herself go with it. With each kiss he cradled her in his arms, his embrace warm and protective like a warrior of love. How did this happen? Had she found the man she was destined for or was it all a dream?
BIO
Kathleen lives in New Jersey with her husband and their two dogs. She’s a registered nurse who works in an emergency room. Writing has been her passion since she was a young girl. 
Contemporary and paranormal romance are her favorites. She has three adult children and three lovable grandsons. Her favorite romantic getaway is Cape May, New Jersey. You might find Kathleen on a beach down the Jersey Shore, wearing a straw hat, sipping on an iced tea, dreaming up her next romance novel. 
Links Blog http://kathleensplacetoreflect.blogspot.com/?zx=a7245435c3267ac9 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.a.gallagher Website http://www.kathleenanngallagher.net/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Kathleenwrites Google https://plus.google.com/u/0/117606070036565136137/posts
GIVEAWAY
Kathleen is giving away an e-book copy of Night Magic. Make a comment to be entered. A random winner will be selected on April 10.  Don’t forget to leave your email in the comment.

More cover reveal goodness

I'm so lucky to have such wonderful friends! Thanks to everyone who's helping with the cover reveal for Meilin and the Challenger, releasing this Friday from Musa Publishing!

I hope you'll show them some love too, by visiting their very cool blogs:

Pippa Jay

Joya Fields

Kathleen Ann Gallagher

Emma Lai

Terri Riggs

Arlene Webb

You're sure to find plenty to interest you at their blogs.

One week from today!

Musa Publishing will release Meilin and the Challenger, my futuristic fairy tale/urban fantasy with zombies next Friday! I posted less this week because next week will be a busy one. Plus I've been busy with pre-edits for Twice In a Blue Moon, and with an online crit workshop.

Thanks to everyone who's helping with the cover reveal! Today, ARe Cafe's showcasing the cover.

Author Thomas Olbert posted the cover on Other Dimensions. Thanks Thomas!

Lyncee Shillard also is part of the reveal. Thanks so much Lyncee!

I hope you'll visit them and check it out. Here's a teaser. :)

No clickbait for you!

Where the hell did March go? Partly down the tubes via something I've just learned the label for - clickbait.

Oh, you've seen them online. Those irresistible captions, the grabber headlines that hook you into clicking the link to read about something because "you won't believe what happens next" or "you'll never guess what he does."

And oh look! Another BuzzFeed quiz! Because yes, I need to know which character from (fill in the blank show or book or movie) I am, or where I should be living, or what I should be doing with my life (um, not taking these quizzes? but oh, damn, I just clicked so I'll just wait ten minutes for the page to load).

Um, no thanks. I've been disappointed too many times because yes, I did see that coming, and no, it's not the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my whole gosh darned entire life.

I have become clickbait resistant. And now that I'm coming to my senses, I'm not going to waste time on you.

I have my own hooks to craft. But damn, I have to hand it to you. You do know how to hook people!

Do you get sucked in by clickbait? I have some extra repellant if you need some!

In service of the story

I was never so happy for a Friday. Today's the due date for my first round edits on my fantasy novel, Goddess, Awakened. And I. Am. Done!

Two reasons to happy dance!

This week has been intense. Nonstop edits. And now *breath of relief* it's over. I've emailed the document to my editor, hooray!

Once again, I've deleted almost two thousand words to the story, and added another 2k or so. Many little improvements which will ultimately make a better story.

My editor's seen the cover and said it's gorgeous. I can't wait to see it too.

Exciting news!

Kensington has contracted my contemporary novella, Twice in a Blue Moon, for its Lyrical imprint! I'm over the (blue) moon!

So there are three reason to happy dance today.

Again, sorry if I wasn't around much this week. I'll catch up later! Hope you're doing well, and that your characters aren't having difficulties. Or giving you any!

A winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered my giveaway for Cursed at Night Owl Reviews!  The Rafflecopter closed early today, and randomly selected Angie Whitehead as the winner. Congrats Angie! Watch for an email from me. Happy reading!

And happy Friday!

Grab this ebook!

Arlene Webb is a writer you'll want to add to your list of Must Reads. Her imagination is boundless, her writing is unique and her stories will transport you to places you'd never dreamed. How can you resist such a sale?Harey
by Arlene Webb

Gwas can outrun a horse, knows how to hide and steal, but is ignorant of the ways of men. The last thing he expects when he is rescued from a miserable existence by a blue-eyed, blond haired angel is to be promised as a Druidic sacrifice to Eostre. Unfortunately, the only direction Gwas wishes to flee is straight into the arms and knife of his savior, Gareth.

Maura knows Gareth is no angel, but she adores him with a passion that time and loneliness cannot dent. When he rides in carrying an injured lad who fears her on sight, she is drawn to open her heart to the abused orphan as well.

Gareth is caught between his liege lord and brother’s fist, and an emotional dilemma that grows harder and harder to deny with every passing season. If he must defy man and gods in order to embrace his heart’s desires, so be it.
When the clash of old and new religions puts lives in peril, ultimate sacrifice bears witness to enduring love. Winter gives way to spring, and the evolution of a colorful myth spreads across the land.

Excerpt
I am no angel. Gareth’s shoulders slammed into the ground. A heavy body covered him, and the adrenalin jolting through him made him feel like a powerful animal. But I am in heaven. He tugged his arms free, wrapped them around Harey and grasped the back of Harey’s head. And I do not care if adulterous sodomites go to hell. He jerked him upward and took his lips.
No time for tender exploration. He had to show Harey who he belonged to, and it was not some bloodthirsty deity, or the daughter of a mass murderer. What if Aethelfrith, the devil who had ordered one thousand, one hundred and sixty-five men killed so they could not pray against him, had still lived? Harey would have walked into his knife with a smile, a pet hare, and promises of painted eggs.
I will not let this man leave me again. Never. Not ever. He’s mine. Gareth fought back his moan and deepened his kiss. Harey tasted so good, fresh and sweet like Maura, but firm and bony where she was all curvy softness. He intensified the pressure, relishing the feel of the lips he had desired for so long, and Harey yielded. Gareth rammed his tongue in, danced around, and then back out to repeat. He had never held a body to mirror his own like this, captive over him, and the sheer joy of not being gentle saturated him.

Available at:

http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=622 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009BXO4TA https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-harey-944023-146.html


Arlene Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Celebrating strong women

I’ve been remiss. March is Women’s History Month, and there are so many amazing women. Inspiring. So many to remember and celebrate, worthy of teaching our daughters about their accomplishments.

Celebration - and recognition - begins at home. My mom had seven kids, me the youngest. These days, an unimaginable feat (the cost alone is staggering) but when I was growing up, not a huge deal. Other families in our town outnumbered ours by at least twice as many kids.

Mom was a pioneer in her own right, a frustrated artist too dedicated to her family to put herself first. In her youth, she drew some wonderful illustrations, but never did anything with them. Decades before composting was a popular “green” activity, she practiced it. I can still recall the vivid colors in her flower garden.

I didn’t learn until the day of her funeral that she was also a writer. My dad often wrote – sometimes town history, sometimes little essays, but most often for his duties as a deacon in our church. But I had no idea my Mom won an honorable mention for a story she’d submitted to a national contest.

Her love of the piano was unfailing. She took on sheet music like Malagueña, a complicated piece. When she played, it didn’t sound like this. But she played it because she loved it. And she inspired me to teach myself piano. I wish I’d kept at it.I wish, too, that she’d taken more time for herself. Channeled her creativity into the things she loved. Instead, she sewed clothes for us. And for herself, when she wasn’t filling a bag at the second-hand store. She was a whiz at stretching a buck. And she put together fantastic outfits. Her shoe collection rivaled that of Imelda Marcos’.

She may have even made the PBS list of people who define cool. Some of her outfits were downright bohemian for the times.

But she was not one who sought fame. She was a wife and mother, first and foremost. Not a saint, but none of us are.

So many women are deserving of recognition and accolades for all they do, and most do it as a matter of course.

Kudos to you, Mom, for all of your achievements. You were one of the strongest females I knew. My earliest inspiration for my fictional heroines, determined, fierce and a force to reckon with.

And PBS, I take issue with the fact that only 24 women appear on your Top100 list. I read the standards:

“an originality of artistic vision as established through a signature style, which is to say their artistic vision cannot be separate from their personality. Second, that in a given historical moment, they were perceived as a cultural rebel. Third, that they have high profile recognition. Fourth, that they have a recognized cultural legacy.”

Something tells me you didn’t look hard enough to balance out that list. Thank goodness Georgia O’Keefe made the list. Patti Smith and Bonnie Raitt? Excellent. Joan Didion and Lauren Bacall. Wonderful.

But where’s Frida Kahlo?Helen Mirren?Katharine Hepburn?Tina Fey?Maya Angelou?Diane Arbus?Gloria Steinem?
You done our gender wrong. All you had to do was thumb through a copy of Ladies First. Easily enough women to make a separate top 100 list.


If you’re unfamiliar with the book, I highly recommend it. Full of amazing tales of female pioneers and groundbreakers from every walk of life.

Happy Women’s History Month. I hope you celebrate the women who’ve made an impact in your life.

Your chances are excellent

So why not click here to visit Night Owl Reviews and enter to win an ebook of Cursed? It's the first novella in The Vitruvian Man series. A quick read, but it will take you into a world like no other. 

Here's what some reviewers have said about Cursed:


I really enjoyed reading this book for more than just its genre. Cate has done a really great job drawing the reader into her Carnevale world – which is very well described to the point of being real if you got sucked into the pages.
Reviewer Krissy Malott, BTSE Magazine (p. 80) http://issuu.com/btsemag/docs/november2013
Cate Masters series starter Cursed is a unique blend of historical facts and paranormal elements that nicely combine in an action-packed romantic story that lays the groundwork for what promises to be a memorable series.  Though this story wraps up nicely it still leaves plenty of questions unanswered that will have readers clamoring for more.
Ms. Masters has created a story that will entice fans of the paranormal and fantasy genre and I recommend readers give this short story a chance.
Words of Wisdom from the Scarf Princess - 4 stars
http://wowfromthescarfprincess.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-tour-for-cursed-by-cate-masters.html
Cursed was a shockingly beautiful love story! Filled with curses, lies, love, and magic!It was a fabulously written story! I'm looking forward to the next book. 
Indy Book Fairy -  FOUR CHIMERA FAIRIES
http://paranormalbookfairy.blogspot.com/2013/09/cursed-spotlightreview.html

Wow.   Great read, but make sure to do it somewhere where you can think about the implications of what you are reading – so not a good soccer practice read – you need to stay alert for those wayward balls!
4 stars - Snarky Mom - http://www.snarkymomreads.com/?p=730

This was an exciting look into a new series, a new world really. This could end up being an amazing and very intriguing series. One that I recommend for everyone to get and watch for.
Reviewing Vixens: 4- Excellent read - highly recommendedhttp://reviewingvixens.webs.com/apps/blog/show/26320005-cursed-by-cate-masters      
And that's just a few. NOR's leaving the giveaway open till the end of the month, but why wait? 
Go on, enter! And if you'd like to help spread the word, that would be excellent too!

I ain't afraid of no...

... shadow person? Okay, maybe I am. But I won't admit that to the grandboys.

Lately, the oldest grandboy's been talking about ghosts. He doesn't like to go near windows at night. He likes to keep lights on. Being five, he can't really articulate what he sees.

But my adult daughter can. She finally admitted to me, after hearing about the grandboy's fears, that she's seen... something upstairs. Not quite a ghost. Shadows. Sometimes small shadows. Sometimes tall as a man. Only in passing, and not the typical Shadow Man who emanates malevolence and makes you want to pee your pants.

My youngest daughter has talked about ghosts since we moved here seven years ago, but it made no sense to me. (Also, she claimed our old house had ghosts in the basement but none of us ever saw anything.)  Our current house has had three owners - the man who built it, the couple who bought it from him, and us. No one has died in the house.

BUT (you knew that was coming, right?). That's not to say no one has died here. We live close enough to Gettysburg that this land could easily have been the site of a battle.

I've often glimpsed black shapes on the floor in my peripheral vision. Chairman Maiow is black, so I would turn, expecting to see him. Nothing.

A few years ago, something freaky happened to me with our dog Lily. I'd taken the grandboys out to play in the back yard and Lily began barking ferociously and charging at... nothing. Then, in a heartbeat, her barks turned to doggy smiles and she stopped at the edge of the woods, wagging away and dropped her stick as if she wanted someone to throw it. But (cue the spooky music) there was no one there.

I put it out of my head and passed it off as doggy weirdness. But now I'm not so sure.

So, anyone else dealt with harmless shadows? Any tips on how to live in peace with them? I can deal with them so long as they're not evil personified.

And hey, at least it's not a monkey man. The orchards border our back yard, and there have been Civil War-era tales of encounters with them.

And I'd still like to find a ghost in Gettysburg. But it can stay there.