Stephanie Burkhart's Blog, page 69

Book Review Friday - Chameleon's Shadow by Tami Dee

Book Review for: "Chameleon's Shadow"
Written by: Tami Dee
Desert Breeze Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-61252-178-7
Avail as: ebook only

Reviewed by: S. Burkhart

Dee pens an exciting tale filled with adventure, betrayal, greed, and longing with "Chameleon's Shadow." Set in England during the 1620's, Lady Elizabetta Mitchell bears witness to her parents' murder. Will her heart grow cold in the cruel world or will she find a ray of hope with an unlikely benefactor?

The novel opens with young Elizabetta witnessing her parents' murder at the hands of her unscrupulous uncle. She has no choice but to run away and take her chances on the streets. Elizabetta's five-year-old brother, Nicolas, has also run away. Bruised and battered, she searches the shadows of Southwark, finding a moment of comfort in a stranger's strong arms. Soon, though, she's fending for herself and taken to a brothel. A Scottish laird, McClasky, saves her from a terrible fate and teaches her enough skills to get by on the tough streets.

Unfortunately, Elizabetta, now going by "Cricket," picks one pocket too many when she pilfers the Duke of Sussex's purse. She's forced to become his indentured servant where he trains the young woman to be one of England's chameleons. (spies) It's a tough life, but she adapts well. As the danger mounts, dare Elizabetta give her heart to the Duke's son knowing that if her activities are ever discovered, she'll be killed?

Having read several of Dee's previous novels, this one is one of her most endearing! She fashions a tale of taut suspense that heightens as the novel progresses. Dee paints vivid pictures with a good economy of words and brings a rich authenticity to the setting.

The rich characterization is Dee at her finest. Elizabetta has nothing when she loses her parents, but her courage, inner strength, and endurance, which sees her though some tough times. Will, the hero, makes a misstep, but is willing to face his mistakes instead of running away from them.

The novel is sweet for romance readers with Will and Elizabetta sharing a kiss or two. The story wraps the reader in a wonderful cacophony of emotion and won't let go until the last page. "Chameleon's Shadow" will make you believe in the power of love. If you enjoy historical romance filled with suspense and highly charged emotion, I highly recommend this story.

Publisher's Buy Link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing....

Amazon Buy Link:http://amzn.com/B008AP8WIE

California Thursday - A Visit to Solvang, CA

About 2 hours north of where I live is Solvang, CA, a town in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. For those who enjoy California wine, The Santa Ynez Valley is home to several fine wineries including Alexander and Wayne and Blackjack. (seen in the movie "Sideways.")

I love to visit Solvang for several reasons. In fact, these last couple of years, it's been a rare opportunity to have a night with my husband. We usually like to go around my birthday which falls around the first weekend of June.

Solvang is a town that captures Danish ambience with replicated facades, Danish cooking, and old-fashioned charm. For me, personally, its strikes a romantic chord in my heart. My husband and I were married in the Danish city of Nykobig, Denmark in 1991. And while Nykobig and Solvang are miles apart, both have an ambience that endears itself to us.


Since my husband enjoys camping, we usually camp out at the local RV park in nearby city of Buellton. After we set up, we head off to Los Olivos to visit the wine tasting rooms.

One of our favorite rooms is the Alexander and Wayne winery. They do a wonderful job on their reds. The Pinot is my husband's favorite, while I tend to enjoy the Cuvee Five, which is a blend in the French style. This year, I tried their chardonnay and found it enjoyable. I don't care for an "oaky" chardonnay, but this one was light on the oak with nice fruit flavors.

Then it was off to test some olive oil. Usually we arrive when the town is having an Olive & Jazz festival, but we missed it this year. We popped into Olive Hill and sampled the flavors, buying a bottle of the basil and garlic. Think I just found a new novelty gift.


We then headed over to the Hitching Post for a steak dinner. I had the filet mignon. It was a bit pricey, but a nice treat. The steakhouse next to the Hitching Post, AJ Spurs, was also seen in the movie "Sideways."

My husband and I loved that movie. We adore Paul Giamatti, who is a great character actor.

The next morning, we grilled our breakfast, packed up the 4Runner, and hung around Solving. I enjoyed a "Danish waffle" and coffee while Brent had a doubt chocolate delight pastry with his java.

We walked up to the Santa Ynez mission. I usually take a mass at the mission, but I didn't this trip, just opting for a stroll. The rose garden at the mission isn't what you might think of as a traditional garden, since its surrounded by desert rocks and cactus.

The Santa Ynez mission is part of the missions established by Father Junipero Sierra. It has a traditional mission façade. The missions of California helped to settle the state in the late 1700's, early 1800's.


Solvang itself was settled in 1911 by Danish colonists wanting to avoid the mid-western winters. The name means "sunny fields."

On 5 June 1960, Princess Margrethe of Denmark visited the city. She returned in 1976, now Queen of Denmark. In 2011, Solving celebrated its 100 year anniversary. The Queen's husband, Prince Hendrik dedicated Solvang's centennial Plaza on 11 June, which was also his 77th birthday.

Other interesting facts:

Cyclist Lance Armstrong trained for the Tour de France in the area around Solvang since it provides a variety of conditions similar to the French challenges.

There's a vintage motorcycle museum in Solvang with bikes from 1910 on up.

My husband and I found a charming little shop with a Christmas-all-year theme. We also stopped into the Thomas Kinkcaide art gallery. I was surprised to learn Kinkcaide had painted a lot of Disney motifs, but my favorite was a portrait of Venice and St. Mark's Cathedral.

For me, Solvang reminds me of Denmark and my fond memories of Europe. Inspiration can be found everywhere. You go from the wineries, to the Olive tastings, to the mission, to the town itself and ideas just grow. Solvang is low-key, quaint, and charming. It's a nice getaway. Maybe next year I'll get 2 days to explore instead of one. ☺

News from the Publishing World - June 2012

Kobo Vox, price: 179.00

I haven't had a chance to compile my "News from the Publishing World" in a while, but I'm back. Enjoy!

** Ebook Retailer Kobo unveiled its "Kobo Writing Life" at Book Expo America. "Kobo Writing Life" is a self-publishing platform similar to Amazon's. (KDP Select) The new service will use the epub format and offers independent authors 70% of royalties up to $12.99. Over 1,600 writers have signed up to use the service.

Steph's Note: While not as big in the U.S. as Amazon and B&N, I have noticed Kobo is worldwide, reaching readers form Canada to New Zealand. I'm curious how well the program will do with the international markets.

** Rick Riordan who writes the "Percy Jackson" Series is due out with his 3rd Heroes of Olympus book, "The Mark of Athena" on October 2, 2012.

Riordan is also traveling to Europe to research a new series based on Norse lore.

Riordan's "Sea of Monsters," Book 2 in the 1st Percy Jackson Series will be released as a movie March 15, 2013. Logan Lerman will return as Percy.

Steph's Note: I saw the "The Lightning Thief" with my son, Andrew a couple of weeks ago. While it wasn't very accurate in reflecting the novel, my son enjoyed the movie very much. Sean Bean played Zeus, Kevin McKidd was Poseidon and Melina Kankakaredes was Athena.

Riordan says he wrote the stories for his sons and is fortunate to have the level of success he's had.

** Random House reported that six weeks after taking over the publication of "50 Shades of Grey," the series had sold over 10 million copies, print and digital.

** Oprah's Book Club is back! Now called "Oprah's Book Clue 2.0," her pick for June is "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail," by Cheryl Strayed. The story is a memoir of the author's 1,100 mile hike she took after a personal tragedy.

Reference: Information for today's blog was taken from Publisher's Weekly, an online magazine.

Excerpt Monday - The Green Rose

Today's featured "Monday Excerpt" comes from the fantasy romance, The Green Rose. Enjoy!

BLURB FOR THE GREEN ROSE: Fantasy Romance
Eight hundred years ago on the continent of Gaia, war rocked the countries of N'Gasse, Tapin, Daháka, and Ravenrock. The fearsome wyldebeasts of the black east threatened to destroy the known world. King Xeres of Daháka gathered the most powerful magicians of Gaia along with Queen Rhysia of N'Gasse, King Erik of Ravenrock, and Nyla, the High Priestess of Tapin at Komodo Field.

Daháka brought pollen taken from the bees of the Tagrassé Forest. N'Gasse brought sap from the old mahogany trees. Tapin presented dust from falcon eggs. Ravenrock offered a rose. Together, they forged the indestructible green rose, a harbinger of powerful magic.

Using the green rose, the nobles and peoples of Gaia fought the wyldebeasts, led by the dark wizard, Augustin. Once the evil threat was defeated, the Eastern Wall was built along Ravenrock's borders to keep the foul wyldebeasts out of Gaia. Ravenrock was given the responsibility of guarding the 50,000 kilometer granite barrier.

King Xeres feared those who harbored evil in their hearts would seek the green rose. He tasked three witches to guard the flower and sent them into the heart of Tagrassé Forest.

Now, hundreds of years later, the peace of Gaia is once again threatened.

Enjoy this excerpt:

Ivánstan stood behind her, pressing the firm muscles of his chest against her back. He wrapped his arms around her waist and placed both his hands over hers. His warm breath caressed her ear and her body tingled from their contact. Despite her unease, she felt protected in his arms.

"You're tense. It's understandable, but I need you to relax -- to trust me." His voice was low and seductive. Sonia nipped at her lower lip with her teeth. How could she relax when the physical presence of him drove her senses to distraction?

"Clear your mind. Think of your father. Recall a happy memory of him. That's it -- he's smiling at you, pride on his face."

"You can see my memory?" she whispered.

"Aye. We're sharing heat -- magical heat. Now push out. Space doesn't exist. Only your father. Concentrate on his face."

Sonia drew in a breath and brought her father to mind -- the sound of his voice, deep and commanding, his face, rugged and lined, his scent, currants and earthy, his touch, gentle, yet firm. A vision of him appeared in her mind, but it was blurry and dark. Her father's tunic was torn, and he had been stripped of his weapons. The coppery scent of blood lingered over him.

Fear ripped through her and then the vision was gone. She grew limp, but Ivánstan tightened his grip. "He is not dead, but wounded and in a dark place."

"Thank Nyla," she whispered. "Is there more? Can we try again?"

"Not now. Your body is exhausted and needs rest. Tomorrow morning we can try to connect with your mother. The calling should be easier." His lips brushed against her ear, sending a warm pulse of physical awareness through her. Ivánstan was all male. Slowly, she turned around in his arms to gaze into his eyes. They were soft now, the orange reminding her of the sun; his pupils, while still slitted, were narrow.

5 Stars, Scorching Book Reviews
I don't read much romantic fantasy, but this was so well structured and so lovely, I could not put it down.

Stephenia Mcgee, Author "A Legacy of Lies"
Stephanie Burkhart weaves a delightful blend of action, intrigue and adventure into her fantasy romance, The Green Rose.

Regina Andrews, Author of "Destiny's Designs"
"The Green Rose" reaches the reader on an emotional level that rings very true and very sincere.

5 Stars, Amazon Reader, Sherry Chancellor
I've read a lot of Ms. Burkhart's books and this one is right up there at the top of my list. She nails the medieval time period and her characters are well-rounded and their conflicts are really well done.

5 Stars, Tami Dee, Author of "The Mists of Time" Series
Fantasy lovers will devour this story, and for those who have yet to try a fantasy romance; this is a story that will draw you into the realm and have you searching for more.

5 Stars, Joy Cagil, Amazon Reader
Even if you are not a reader of romance, fantasy, and action/adventure stories, Stephanie Burkhart's incredible skill will keep you engaged and deeply interested. Give it a try; I recommend it.

5 Stars, Sue Perkins, Author of "Dragon Flame"
Like fantasy and magic? Then The Green Rose is a must for you.

BLURB:
Book Trailer:


The Green Rose is available as an ebook only.
BUY LINKS:

PUBLISHER'S SITE
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing....

AMAZON KINDLE:
http://amzn.com/B007QUBU2E

BARNES & NOBLE NOOK:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books...

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/produ...

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:

WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBur...

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

YOU TUBE CHANNEL:
http://www.youtube.com/user/botrina?f...

Book Review Friday - The Deathly Portent by Elizabeth Bailey

Just finished reading The Deathly Portent by Elizabeth Bailey - 5 Thumbs Up! Awesome book! Now, I haven't read Georgette Heyer, but I hear that this book by Bailey has Heyer influences so if anyone can recommend a good Heyer book, let me know, I'd like to read one.

Onto the review:

Book Review for: The Deathly Portent
Written by: Elizabeth Bailey
Berkley Prime Crime
ISBN: 978-0-425-24567-5
Avail: in print or ebook


Reviewed by: S. Burkhart

Bailey pens a taut, suspenseful "who-done-it" with The Deathly Portent. Set in the small English town of Witherly, Lord and Lady Fanshawe find themselves stranded when their carriage loses a wheel. Unfortunately for them, the only person in town who can help them with their problem has just been murdered. Can Lady Fan solve the mystery before the murderer strikes again?

Set in the 1800's against a rural English backdrop, the novel opens with the citizens of Witherly chasing Cassie Dale. They call her a witch and blame her for the death of the local blacksmith, Duggleby. Thankfully, the new pastor, Aiden Kinnerton comes to her aid. He's going to need help in solving Duggleby's murder, though. In a stroke of luck – or unfortunate circumstance – Ottila and Francis Fanshawe find themselves stranded when their carriage breaks down. Ottila is a bit of a sleuth and can't help but investigate the circumstances surrounding the blacksmith's death, especially when she discovers the fire which destroyed the smitty was set deliberately to hide the blow on the head that killed him.

Lord and Lady Fanshawes' arrival and investigation stir up the cobwebs in the quiet town. Ottila and Francis met an assorted cast of characters, all who have motives to kill the blacksmith. There's Duggleby's long suffering wife, Mr. Uddington, whose wife had an affair with the victim, and the old bittys, Mrs. Radlett and Miss Beeleigh, who hated the smith for killing Mrs. Radlett's dog. Unfortunately, the prime suspect is Cassie Dale, the young lady the townsfolk call a witch because she has the gift of foresight.

Ottila isn't fooled by the obvious and can scent out a secret like a bloodhound. As she closes in on a potential suspect, there's another murder. When the stakes are erected – literally – can Ottila avoid danger and reveal who the killer is before she's next?

Bailey's writing is lush and vivid, striking to the heart of the setting by enveloping the reader into the story with authentic dialogue and rich narrative. I felt like a serving girl at the Pakefield's establishment, the Blue Pig, watching as Ottila investigated Duggleby's death. The pacing takes its time as it introduces the colorful citizens of Witherly and slowly uncovers the clues behind the murder. What makes the wait entertaining is the rich characterization.

The Fanshawes are a delight! Ottila and Francis compliment each other well. Lady Fan is a force to be reckoned with. She's determined, focused, and courageous – which gets her in trouble when danger arises. Lord Fan gives Ottila the space she needs while offering his steadfast support. The suspects shine against Witherly's landscape from the old bittys, to the serving girls, to the witch, to the crusty old lawmen – they're serious, entertaining and all will worm their way into the reader's heart with their very human faults and honest emotions.

The Deathly Portent is a sequel to The Gilded Shroud, but the story reads well as a stand alone. As the suspense builds, the novel culminates in an exciting ending. If you're a fan of historicals and mysteries, you'll enjoy this story. This is my first Elizabeth Bailey novel, and it won't be my last. "The Deathly Portent" sweeps the reader off to another time and place and leaves them breathless.

Amazon Buy Link: http://amzn.com/B005GSYY3U

Remembering Memorial Day - 2012

I never gave the Army much thought growing up, but when the recruiter approached me as a young 17-year-old in high school, I knew then I wanted to go into the service.

Why?

I had several reasons. I had no future prospects where I was at. I'd learned that the only person I could count on was me. The Army offered a GI Bill and money for college as well as a chance to go all over the world as young woman. The Army would be a stepping stone to building my life as an adult and I took it.

As soon as I saw the tape about military police, I knew I wanted to be an MP. Of course, I was enchanted by the law enforcement aspect of my new MOS (military occupational specialty), but MP's were also responsible for prisoners of war, guarding supply lines, and guarding munitions.

I graduated high school in June 1986. July 7, 1986 I officially enlisted, excited to begin my grand adventure.

The first time I flew in a plane I went from Boston's Logan Airport to Atlanta, GA. Then I took a 15-seater plane to Anniston, Alabama. I found air travel exhilarating, despite the smokers. Shortly afterwards, smoking was banded from flights.


I arrived late at night, shoved into a cattle car, and brought to the 10th MP Battalion at Ft. McClellan, AL. Assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Platoon, it was an all female platoon, but we trained alongside males, earning a majority of their respect and admiration.

My adventures in Basic and AIT (Advanced Individual Training for MP) proved to me it's not enough to be physically strong and possess a hearty endurance, but one had to be mentally tough as well. I learned a soldier, airman, marine, and seaman needed to possess all 3 qualities. Not everyone can be in the military. It's a demanding job involving strength, endurance, and sacrifice.

In December 1986, I was sent to Germany and processed through the Rhein-Main Air Base in Frankfurt. After 3 days I was put on a bus and traveled 4 hours to Münster, Germany. My duty assignment was the 583rd Ordnance Company where I worked side-by-side with Infantry soldiers guarding nuclear munitions. There were highs and lows, laughter and tears. I came of age at the 583rd Ordnance Company and if I learned anything, life was complicated, but true friends always were there for you.


Once of my more humorous anecdotes I can share with you involved a major reassignment of munitions. The whole company was involved. I was a private E-2, (second class) at the time and detailed to work with a sergeant whose job was clerk/typist. I remember he was a nice guy and very pleasant. His name was Cruz. We would escort our item onto a Chinook, fly it down south to Giessen, and ensure the item was in the hands of Giessen's custodians.

Now a Chinook is a helicopter that can't fly on paper, but it is a very practical transportation craft for short to medium distances. However the ride can be very bumpy and loud.

Since I was a "female" every one thought I would throw up on the trip. Obviously they hadn't seen me train in Alabama to know I was made of sturdier stuff. I'll admit I was a little miffed to know the bets were against me, but hey, this was an opportunity to prove my toughness and strength.

Sergeant Cruz and I got in the Chinook and off it went. The flight was just what I expected – bumpy and loud. Sergeant Cruz lost his lunch on several occasions. Me? Not once. After the assignment was over I had the last laugh and it felt good.


Sacrifice.

It seems like such a lofty word, but if you're in the armed services of any nation, you live it every day. In Münster. I sacrificed. The city was in the British Zone of Occupation in West Germany. There were 10,000 British soldiers stationed in the city, only 200 Americans. Out of those 200 Americans maybe 20 were female soldiers, me included. Quite often and especially on field problems, we worked with British soldiers who were very impressed to work side-by-side with an American female soldier. And I was honored to work with them and learn about what it was like for them. I remember I enjoyed how the British soldiers had real field rations (not MREs) and their MOPP suits (NBC suits) were made of velcro, not ties, which was infinitely more practical when you only had 9 minutes to put on the suit. However, most of our immediate support services were given by British resources. Most Americans found that disconcerting.

I gave up my free time to drive soldiers to Bremerhaven, Giessen or Frankfurt for medical appointments at American facilities. I worked 24-hour shifts every 3 to 4th days. I learned the "metal" I'm made of. I learned how tough I am – mentally and physically. I also had a chance to see a part of the world at the end of the cold war that might never had if I didn't join the Army.

Why is Memorial Day important to me?


Memorial Day was a holiday born out of the ashes of the American Civil War. The intent of the holiday was to decorate the honor the graves of those who died in service to the nation. Initially, it was called Decoration Day. Both the south and north developed different customs. World War I brought the American north and south together and expanded the intent of the day to remember, reflect, and honor all who have died in service for their country.

During World War I, Moina Michael conceived an idea to wear red poppies in honor of those who died in service. The idea took off and even now throughout the nation, you'll find various veterans groups offering those red poppies.

In 1967, Decoration Day formally became Memorial Day.

I'm going to spend some quality time with my boys today. I'll show them some pictures of me in the Army and I intend on having a BBQ at the lake. I hope you take a minute or two to remember and honor the sacrifice made by all the men and women in the armed services over the years.


*******




Stephanie Burkhart was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire. She spent 11 years in the military and 7 stationed in Germany. She's now a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD.

Her steampunk romance, Victorian Scoundrel is now on sale at Amazon for 99 cents! It's the 2011 Hope Chest Review Winner for Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Romance.

Here's a link to Amazon. At 99 cents, it's a great "steal" for this Holiday weekend.

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B0058UG9Q6

Romantic Poetry

Elizabeth Barrett Browning
One of the best ways to express our romantic feelings is through poetry, and one of the most romantic poems of all times was written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

In the mid to late 18th Century (1700's) a literary movement known as Romanticism came about. Romanticism favors more natural, emotional, and artistic themes. Indeed, good romantic poetry captures a spontaneous flow of powerful feelings. Romantic poets of the time, Wordsworth, Lord Byron, and Percy Bysshe Shelley captured the dominate romantic theme in much of their poetry: taking natural emotion and turning it into written art.

For me, no poet was as successful as Elizabeth Barrett Browning. She was born in England in 1806 to a wealthy family. At an early age she was reading and writing. Her father encouraged her poetry.

At 15, Elizabeth grew sick from an illness the doctors at the time weren't able to identify. To deal with the pain, she began taking opiates (laudanum and morphine). These medicines were commonly used at the time.

Elizabeth met talented contemporaries including William Wordsworth, Lord Tennyson and Thomas Carlye. In 1837, she grew sick again, this time possibly from tuberculosis. During these years, Elizabeth published her poetry and became very successful. Her published work up to this time, generally did not have a romantic theme, focusing more on social issues of the day.

In 1845 she met Robert Browning. Their courtship was heartbreakingly romantic. When Elizabeth married Robert, her father disinherited her, but by then she had saved up a little of her own money. Elizabeth and Robert went to live in Italy. Their romance inspired her most romantic work: Sonnets from the Portuguese.

My favorite Elizabeth Barrett Browning poem is "How Do I Love Thee?" It embodied the dominant theme of romantic poetry by capturing strong natural emotion and making it art. I thought I'd share it with you today.

How Do I Love Thee
By: Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breath and height
my soul can reach when feeling out of sight.
for the ends of the being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's most quiet need,
by sun and candle light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use.
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose with my lost saints.
I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life;
And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.

I'd love to hear who some of your favorite romantic poets are.

References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabet...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romantic...

The Titanic's story is one of the most romantic and tragi...

The Titanic's story is one of the most romantic and tragic in modern history. April 14th, 2012 was the 100 Anniversary of the Titanic sinking. How many of you broke down and went to see the 1997 in the theatres in IMAX 3D? I confess I did. And it was just as good if not better this time around.

So what was it about the Titanic that has held us captive throughout the years? I thought I'd explore the history of the Titanic.

RMS (Royal Mail Ship) Titanic was built between 1909-1911 by the Harland and Wolff shipyards in Belfast, Ireland. Harland and Wolff were "the" shipbuilders of the day. At the time the ship was constructed, it could hold over 3,000 people. What made the ship special? It had an onboard gymnasium, swimming pool, library, opulent cabins and high class restaurants. The telegraph was one of the most high powered ones of the day.

The Titanic was constructed with a series of watertight containers. These containers were originally designed to go to the "B" desk, but were cut back to the "E" deck. There were 11 decks total on the ship.



The Titanic had 3 engines. It used 600 tons of coal a day. It had an electrical plant and brass propellers. The ship was capable of delivering heated water using pumps to all parts. It could even distil seawater if it had to. With a ship as "high tech" as this (for 1912) no one really thought it would sink.

Of course, with all places, there's a human story behind the events and Titanic is no different. The White Star Line's chairman, J. Bruce Ismay, conceived the Olympic class liners including Titanic. He worked with naval architect Thomas Andrews and many others to design and then build the ship. Ismay wanted to compete on size, not speed. Unfortunately, Ismay made poor design decisions when it came to the ship.

#1 – He ordered the watertight containers lowered to the "E" deck from the "B" deck.

#2 – He substituted #3 Iron rivets instead of steel rivets or #4 iron rivets. #3 iron rivets are of poorer quality and break easily.

#3 – He cut back on the number of lifeboats because the full compliment of lifeboats made the desk look too cluttered.

None of these decisions directly pertain to an iceberg, but they made the Titanic less sturdy and less capable of handling a hit from an iceberg.



Another key event which occurred prior to the Titanic sailing would have major repercussions. Prior to sailing, Titanic was assigned a new captain – Edward J. Smith of the Olympic. He was the most senior captain of the White Star Line. Smith brought Henry Wilde over to be his chief mate. This bumped down the officers assigned to Titanic, Murdoch and Lightoller. Titanic's original 2nd Officer, David Blair was dropped from the maiden voyage.

When David Blair left, he accidently took the keys to the binoculars storage box in the crow's nest.

That's important.

Two lookouts were in the crow's nest on the forward mast and could only their eyes to see icebergs. If they had access to the binoculars they probably could have spotted the iceberg sooner. On a moonless night with little wind, they didn't stand a chance of spotting the iceberg in time to avoid it.



Several prominent people of the time were onboard including John Jacob Aster IV and millionaire Molly Brown, played to perfection by Kathy Bates in the 1997 movie. Also sailing on the boat: J. Bruce Ismay and Thomas Andrews. They were to assess the ship's performance and trouble shoot any problems it might have.

As the Titanic sank, J. Bruce Ismay dressed a woman to secure a place in one of the lifeboats. For the rest of his life he was known as a coward.

The USS Californian was less than two hours away from the Titanic. The ship had been warning Titanic all day of the icebergs. Titanic's wireless operators took the messages, but these warnings didn't pay the bills. To earn money, they had to send out the wireless messages from the people on board.

At approx. 7pm a USS Californian wireless operator overrode Titanic's operator, Jack Phillips. Phillips was sending a personal message. The Californian's message warned Titanic of more icebergs in the area. The override forced a lot of noise into Phillip's ear. Phillips, mad, sent the California's operator a scathing message.

The Californian's message further advised it was stopping for the night because of the icebergs. After this message from the Californian at 7 pm, their radio operator went to bed.

When Titanic hit the iceberg, the Californian crew was ill prepared to help. They saw Titanic's lights flicker and tried to signal Titanic using morse light signals between 1130 pm and 1 am. They weren't answered. Several crew members saw Titanic launch rockets/flares and told the Californian captain, but since the flares were white and didn't identify the company of the ship, he didn't respond.

The Carpathia, a ship from Austria-Hungary responded but arrived at 4 am, 2 hours after the boat sank.

The Titanic's wreck wasn't found until 1985, partially because the wreck wasn't at the last known coordinates. It was located over 13.2 miles away at a depth of 12,000 feet.

In the US, a permanent exhibit at the Luxur, Las Vegas is dedicated to the Titanic. There are also museums in Belfast, Liverpool, and Branson, Missouri. In Halifax, Nova Scotia, many of the bodies from the ship were buried.

Welcome Guest Author Rosanna Leo!

Hello friends of romance! I’m so excited to be here!

My debut novel, For the Love of a God, is released April 23! You can find it at www.liquidsilverbooks.com

If you love a sexy paranormal, full of love-starved Greek gods, then this is for you! My story was inspired by a trip to the local museum where I fell in love with a statue of one of the Greek gods. It was so beautiful, so manly, and I couldn’t help wondering what might happen if Greek gods were real.

I live near Toronto, Canada and am passionate about mythology (although I’m also partial to vamps!) I just love it when the geeky, awkward girl gets the hot guy, and I’ve made it my mission to see this happen in my books as much as possible. Please check out my blog at www.rosannaleo.blogspot.com

STEPH: Welcome, Rosanna! I don't know much about For the Love of a God. What's it about?

ROSANNA: My debut paranormal romance is about a statue conservator called Maia. She's always been a little geeky, a little awkward. Museums are her work and her life, but her true passion is Greek mythology. She's never told anyone but she has always had a crush on Eryx, Greek god of love. Her favorite past time is to tend to his handsome statue and dream of her fantasy man.

Maia's ordered museum world comes to an abrupt halt when a new director arrives, a man known for his slash-and-burn style of administration. Her true amazement begins when she sees her new boss. The mysterious stranger looks just like the Greek god Eryx, or at least like his statue, and like the sensuous image that haunts Maia's dreams.

As her new boss turns her world upside down, Maia is faced with some truths she'd never thought to believe. She is also confronted by a faceless threat. And with a passionate love which makes her question everything.

STEPH: How long did it take to write?

ROSANNA: For the most part, For the Love of a God was written in a few months. The idea had always been in my head, haunting me. I found that when I finally put pen to paper, the ideas just flew out of me. I love the world of the Greek myths, and find an endless supply of inspiration in those archaic tales. And I fell in love with the romance between Maia and Eryx, so everything just seemed to fall into place.

STEPH: Where did you get the inspiration for the story?

ROSANNA: I got the inspiration for this story at the local museum here in Toronto. There, in the Greek artifact gallery, is a beautiful statue of the god Dionysus. He is portrayed as a young man, with a head full of curls and a strong torso. That statue has always taken my breath away. It occurred to me one day that things could get very interesting if the statue could come to life! For my novel, I substituted the god for the fictional Eryx, made him my Greek god of love, and my story was born!

STEPH: Did you have to do a lot of research for the story?

ROSANNA: I did a fair bit of research on the statue conservation process. Luckily, there is info available on the web as well as at the local library (the best resource for any research!) I researched what someone like Maia would be paid, what her work environment would be, and even what sorts of materials she would use on a daily basis.

I would like to say I researched the love scenes, but they were all figments of my over-active imagination! :)

STEPH: How does the cover reflect the story inside?

ROSANNA: The cover, by Amanda Kelsey, made me so happy because it is a perfect reflection of the novel. I love that Maia is the focus, and that Eryx is the dreamy, statue-like figure drifting somewhere over her shoulder. I love that the museum is represented at the bottom, with all the marbled walls and columns. I mention a mist in the story, and Amanda managed to get that in there too. And the stars reflect the mythical aspect. I couldn't be happier with my cover!

STEPH: Eryxis the hero. What are his strengths? Weaknesses?

ROSANNA: Eryx is an ancient god, but one with flaws. On the outside, he is gorgeous and buff, everything you'd expect a Greek god to be. He can be arrogant, sometimes enjoys provoking mortals and thinks he's seen everything. However, when he falls, he falls deeply and does everything in his power to keep Maia safe. Being the Greek god of love, he has many powers. The one he enjoys using most is his exceptional talent for making love!

STEPH: Maia is the heroine. What does she find appealing about the hero?

ROSANNA: At first, Maia is gobsmacked by his incredible appearance. The man is perfect, after all! She loves that they both adore the history and culture of Greece, and that they can talk about it like a couple of geeky grad students. She loves that he makes her feel safe, which becomes an increasingly bothersome concern. Once she realizes exactly who and what he is, she falls for his story too. His history is a tragic one, and it binds Maia to him in empathy and love. And, let's face it, he curls her toes like no one ever has!

STEPH: How long have you been writing? Why did you choose romance?

ROSANNA: I've been writing seriously for about 10 years now. Although I didn't always fancy myself a "romance" author, I always knew my stories would be about love. Since first reading Jane Eyre as a kid, I've been spoiled for anything other than romance! I want to be swept away! To me, there's no feeling like getting caught up in a wonderful, heart-wrenching romance!

STEPH: Are you a plotter or a panster?

ROSANNA: I'm a bit of both. I always have a basic outline, one which I flesh out as I go along. However, I always leave myself leeway to add or take away. I like to be open to fresh ideas, so I could never work from a full outline. Sometimes, the best ideas come to me half way through!

STEPH: Do you have an ebook reader? If so which one and what do you like about it?

ROSANNA: Believe it or not, I don't! Ack! But I hope to get one soon! (hint, hint hubby)

STEPH: Tell us a little about the state/country you live in. What appeals to you about it?

ROSANNA: I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Yes, I love Tim Horton's coffee and have a big crush on Sidney Crosby, even though I'm old enough to be his mom. I love the vibrant suburbs and that the country is never more than a short drive away. I'm very fortunate to be here! But mostly, it's just about the Tim Horton's coffee!



Blurb:
Conservator Maia Douglas is an expert on ancient Greece and its mythology. She would never tell anyone at the museum where she works, but she's always had a secret crush on the mythical Eryx, Greek god of love. There is nothing she loves more than to tend to her favorite statue of him, and her nighttime dreams are filled with luscious images of Eryx making love to her.

One day, the peace at Maia's beloved museum is shattered when a new director arrives. A man who looks exactly like her image of Eryx. As Maia watches, he manages to upset her ordered museum world, at the same time he inflames her with unwanted desire.

Maia does not know that her new boss is actually the god Eryx, disguised as a mortal so he may work in antiquities. Although he is the god of love, he has forsaken his sexual nature because of a curse that has killed any woman he's dared to love. Though he fights it, Eryx is drawn to Maia with a force he's never experienced in a thousand years. But can he convince her of his true identity? And can he protect her from a vengeful goddess who seeks her destruction?

Excerpt:
Toronto, Present Day

Maia Douglas woke with a start. She looked around, disoriented. Then she remembered. She’d only put her head down on her desk for a minute. Her brown eyes bleary, she peered toward the clock on her office wall. Seven o’clock. “Dammit. Naps at work. Bad idea.”

It may have been after hours and the last tourist may have already been long gone, but she knew she was playing a dangerous game. One of these nights, she’d sleep right through and wouldn’t get her work done.

It was her fault for insisting on working late. She could work during the day like a normal person, but she loved the tranquility of the museum at night. Besides, she hadn’t been sleeping well lately anyway. Might as well work through the night.

She rubbed her eyes and gathered her wits. She took a sip of her cold coffee and stared at the wet spot on her blotter where she’d dribbled a little. “Ugh. Real dainty, Douglas.”

She pushed away from her desk. As foggy as she was, she knew it was the perfect time to do her preliminary inspection. She hated doing her work when people were milling about anyway. She gathered up her collapsible stool, a notebook, and her Holly Hobby satchel, the one containing her pencils and various tools of the trade. Thus armed, she stumbled out of her office.

Maia looked around the conservation office. All the other conservators were already gone for the day. No surprise there. She was the only one who kept such ungodly hours.

Taking the stairs up to the fifth floor, she made her way to the new Gallery of Greece. This part of the museum wasn’t open to the public yet, and the entrance was still shrouded by opaque drop cloths. She knew it wouldn’t open officially until it passed muster with the new director.

His Lordship was due any minute, and everyone at the Toronto Museum was nervous. There was a reason for it. Eric Lord’s reputation preceded him. He was from a family of museum experts, although she’d never met him in her travels. She’d read articles by his grandfather--—another Eric Lord--—when she was a student, and had been impressed with his keen insight into the ways of ancient Greece. But the current Eric Lord was known the world over for his slash-and-burn style of museum administration. She’d heard he was a downsizer, a ruthless one. Why, last year he’d eliminated a whole department at one museum in New York for their so-called inefficiencies.

Maia sniffed. “Well, Eric Lord’s not the only museum royalty around here. And no one knows this place like I do.”

Maia’s father, Dr. Jim Douglas, was the famed archaeologist whose work formed the basis of the Toronto Museum’s Greek collection. Maia had basically grown up within its walls. So if Eric Lord was planning a cull in Toronto, he’d be a fool to get rid of her.

Pushing aside the cloths at the entrance, she entered the Gallery of Greece. One of the cleaners was just finishing up in the gallery. She made sure to sashay around the trail from his wet mop. “Hey, Wally. How’s business?”

The older man looked up. “Miss Douglas, what are you still doing here? It’s Saturday night! How come a pretty girl like you doesn’t have a date?”

“Tonight, I have a date with Poseidon’s testicles.”

Wally pulled a face.

“They’re about to fall off,” she explained. “The statue, I mean. Poor guy has some nasty cracks on him. I’ve got to fix him up for the big opening.”

Wally just waved her away with a smile. “I’ll leave the fun stuff to you conservators. I’ll stick to my mopping.”

Maia made her way through the empty gallery, wondering why every word out of her mouth always seemed so awkward. But as she pulled out her collapsible stool and placed it in front of Poseidon and his cracked gonads, she didn’t worry. Staff at the museum had long ago ceased their speculation about Maia’s quirks. After all, she was Jim Douglas’s daughter. She was excellent at her job, which rendered her many quirks negligible.

She knew the collection of Greek antiquities so intimately they could have been siblings to her. Quiet, somber siblings. Certainly there was nothing she valued more. She was an expert conservator, specializing in marble sculpture. After she’d completed her studies, the Toronto Museum administrators had been falling over themselves to offer Maia the job. Sure, there had been enticing job offers from as far away as the Hermitage and the British Museum. But she knew she’d never leave her beloved museum. It was her second home.

It was her life.

Before she began her inspection of Poseidon, she walked over to one of the other sculptures. It was the statue of Eryx, the Greek god of love. She stood before him and sighed, letting her appreciative eyes rake over his nude body. Absorbing the warmth he created in her. Feeding off his beauty.

This was her ritual and had been ever since she was a little girl. Ever since her father discovered the perfect statue in a long-hidden cove in Greece.

She remembered her dad’s excitement after the find. He’d led her through the museum after hours. She could still hear the sound of her Mary Janes clicking on the marble floors. The museum had been shrouded in darkness, but Maia didn’t mind. Even at five years old, she already knew every square inch of the place.

“Come, sweet pea,” Dr. Douglas had said as he walked with her. “I have something new to show you.”

Green lollipop in mouth, she’d scrambled after him. She’d always loved these night-time walks. As a curator, her dad often brought her to the museum at night when the tourists had all gone home. He showed her all the ancient gold jewelry and terracotta pieces and told her wonderful stories full of myth and magic. To the little girl, being with her father was the greatest adventure on earth.

Especially since mother had left them.

“Is it a big statue, Daddy?”

“Life-sized. And in amazing condition. It’s as if he was just waiting in the cave, hoping to be found.” He motioned toward the entrance of the Greek gallery. “And he’s right through there.”

Little Maia had spotted him right away. The sculpture was the new centerpiece of the gallery and had been given a prominent spot. Her jaw had dropped open and her lollipop had tumbled to the floor. Jim had grinned and picked it up, glad his little girl shared his passion.

She’d stared up at the statue of the man. He was so handsome. The way the sculptor had angled his head made it feel as if he were gently smiling down at her. Maia had smiled back, immediately smitten.

Jim walked up to her and placed a hand on her back. He spoke in hushed tones. “He is the god Eryx, son of Aphrodite. He was in love with the mortal priestess of his temple. And she was…?”

“Chloe, silly. I know that,” she’d replied. After countless bedtime stories, she knew all the myths.

“Good girl,” he’d smiled. “And do you remember the story of Eryx and Chloe?”

“The bad goddess Nemesis killed Chloe because she was jealous.”

“And Eryx?”

“He was sad. Forever.” She’d rubbed her little tummy. “Daddy, I’m hungry.”

He’d laughed. “Of course you are. It’s late, sweet pea. Let’s get you some dinner. We’ll come back and see Eryx again.”

Maia’s face had fallen. As much as her belly was rumbling, she didn’t want to go. She liked the statue of the beautiful, smiling god. Even though, all of a sudden, he looked a little sad.

What happened next, Maia had never told her father. Never told anyone.

As she had followed her dad out of the gallery, she’d turned to look at Eryx one more time. Because she was five, and because it had seemed like a fun idea, she’d poked out her green-stained tongue and wagged it at him.

The statue had winked at her.

Now, as an adult, she knew the wink was probably just the overactive imagination of a precocious, little girl. Perhaps the fleeting shadow of one of the pigeons haunting the window ledges of the museum. But it had felt so real at the time. And now, every time she came to work in the gallery, she made a pit stop before the statue of Eryx.

Just in case…

“You’re such a spazz,” she told herself as she pulled her long brown hair into a messy ponytail on top of her head, affixing it with two crisscrossed pencils. “Get to work.”

She turned and seated herself before Poseidon and let out a sigh. With a gentle hand, she cupped the water god’s balls and inspected the extent of the cracks. She’d have to fill them in a little, as well as beginning a general cleaning of the statue. He was starting to show his age.

Soon, between conducting her inspection and making notes, she was lost in her work, oblivious to everything else around her. Once again, she gingerly touched Poseidon’s testes.

“How about inspecting mine?”

Maia jumped when the deep voice whispered in her ear. She snapped her head around, almost wrenching off the statue’s balls in the process. “Who’s there?”

There was no one. Beyond the entrance, Wally was still mopping, but had headphones on now and was mopping to the music on his iPod. He hadn’t heard her cry. The gallery was empty, peopled only by the many statues.

And right in front of her stood the statue of the god Eryx, still bearing the same grin as when she first saw him years ago. The grin which now appeared decidedly randy from her perspective.

“You,” she breathed, feeling her heartbeat regulate after her scare. “If any of you old rocks could find a way to talk, I should have guessed it would be you.” Dismissing the voice as a symptom of overwork and stress over the incoming director, Maia turned back to Poseidon.

Even with her back to Eryx, she felt a warm sensation along her spine. As if she was being watched.

Doing her best to ignore it, Maia continued her work.

Within minutes, she knew it wasn’t working. Her back was burning.

She should have expected it. She felt the same way each time she was in the presence of the Eryx statue. It wasn’t just her love of antiquities making her heart palpitate each time she saw him. Ever since she’d thought he’d winked at her all those years ago, she’d developed a ridiculous crush on the gorgeous statue. In a way, she thought of him as her own.

Of course, he’d always been her favorite of all the Greek gods. She loved the stories about him and couldn’t help falling a little in love with him from an early age.

The statue merely enforced the feeling. She loved the perfection of it. The way his curls fell about his strong face. The clean lines of his muscled abdomen and legs. Even the enticing length of his marble erection, as if the sculptor had wanted him captured in a state of eternal arousal.

He was the sexiest goddamn statue she’d ever seen. Michelangelo’s David was an effeminate pansy by comparison.
She shook her head. It was pathetic, how she mooned over him.

Over it.

She could never tell anyone Eryx was one of the reasons she’d chosen to remain with the Toronto Museum, rather than working for another. Since the first time her father showed her the sculpture, she’d felt oddly connected to it. It had been her inspiration as she planned her education and career. She looked forward to seeing him every day, even took extra shifts whenever she could. Just to keep an eye on him and make sure no other conservators got their mitts on him.

Let administration think she was just a devoted worker. She’d keep her strange infatuation a secret.

Frowning, she turned back to face Eryx. He looked so proud on his pedestal, so vibrant. As if he might simply walk off it. His shoulders were squared, and his face angled down toward the viewer. Although he was made of white marble, Maia had no trouble picturing what he might look like in color. Somehow, she just knew those thick curls would be honey blond. Those flashing eyes would be green and his nude body would be tanned. His generous penis could fill her, stretch her … a velvety pillar of lustful strength.

“Oh, man, I need to get out more.” She ran a hand over her hot forehead. “This place is playing tricks on my mind.”

She heard a deep, manly laugh.

Automatically, her eyes shot back to Eryx’s statue. Why was it the laugh seemed to come from his direction?

“Okay, I’ve had enough. I’m outta here.” She folded up her stool and walked right up to Eryx. “You don’t fool me, buster. I know you winked at me all those years ago. Now you’re talking to me? Maybe I am losing my mind, but if you have something you need to say to me, just get off your perch and say it. Stop messing with me.”

Then, feeling foolish for admonishing a piece of marble, she turned on her heel, and left.

For the Love of a God, available April 23 through Liquid Silver Books at www.liquidsilverbooks.com
Thank-you!

Welcome Guest Author - Kayelle Allen

STEPH: I'd like to welcome author Kayelle Allen to the blog today. I just want to wish a happy birthday since I know it was yesterday. *smile*

Kayelle Allen is an award-winning, multi-published author. Her heroes and heroines include badass immortals, warriors who purr, and agents who find the unfindable--or hide it forever. She is known for unstoppable heroes, uncompromising love, and unforgettable passion.

I don't know much about "At The Mercy of her Pleasure." What's it about?

KAYELLE: At the Mercy is about a gifted, professional thief who's climbing to the top of the Thieves' Guild. He's hired by a female officer in the rebel army. Her parents were recently killed and their belongings confiscated by the imperial armada. What Senth doesn't know is that the simple locket she wants him to steal back from the government contains data for a prototype transport system NarrAy's parents were developing. It's a challenge stealing the item, and there are a few close calls, but he manages to get them in and out of the facility. Just when they think, "Whew! We made it!" they find out the locket is only the first clue to finding the data. He and NarrAy have taken the first step in their adventure, and there is more to come. At the Mercy is full of action, excitement, twists, and overall, humor.

STEPH: What was the inspiration for the story?

KAYELLE: I was looking for an idea in old notes, and came across a scene of two brothers who were thieves. One was watching the alley while the second one stole something. It was just one tiny scene, but it had heart, and showed that these two characters cared about each other. It became the opening scene in the book, but instead of being two thieves, Senth is the thief, and his older brother is... well, I'll let readers discover what Khyff is for themselves. He is an unconventional character.

STEPH: How long did it take you to write?

KAYELLE: About three months. It flowed.

STEPH: Senth is the hero. What are his strengths? Weaknesses?

KAYELLE: Senth is fun-loving, gregarious, and energetic. He's brilliant, and has broken records in the Thieves' Guild for every sort of endeavor. The flip side of all that is he doesn't like rules and regulations. Rules are for the other guys. He will lock himself inside a device and try to break out of it, because breaking in is no longer a challenge. Senth is half human and half Kin, a feline humanoid. He has fangs and catlike eyes, the only evidence from his alien father, and he's accustomed to the prejudice he faces for not being fully one race or the other. He's sure of himself, and that confidence is appealing, but he's sometimes a little too sure of himself for his own good. Senth believes if an item is not nailed down, then it's his. If it is nailed down, then he just has to pry it up, and then it's his. Considering he falls in love with a woman who's a captain in the military and a by-the-book hard ass... well, things get a little dicey.

STEPH: What does NarrAy find attractive about him?

KAYELLE: Senth is everything her parents warned her about. He's rarely serious; he's irreverent, cocky, and a rule-breaker. If they were alive, they'd warn her away from him in a heartbeat. In an impulsive moment, she decides that alone is reason enough to pursue him, and she does. Senth is adorable, he purrs when he's happy, and she loves his long, curly hair. What she expects is a quick fling with a gorgeous young man -- but soon finds out this maverick thief has stolen her heart.




STEPH: What attracts you to writing science fiction/fantasy?

KAYELLE: I've loved scifi since I was a kid. I love the freedom of creating my own world and rules, and not being stuck with specific dates in history that I have to remember. Of course, the flip side is that you have to create your own history. My favorite part of writing is creating new cultures and worlds. I wrote a language for my Kin people (feline based), and have an entire tour on my website of the various planets in the Tarthian Empire, where most of my books take place. http://kayelleallen.com/TTC-Home.html

STEPH: What's your writing space like?

KAYELLE: I'm like a genie in a bottle. My office is a literal closet. When I'm sitting at my desk, I can stick out my elbows and touch the walls. This is a good thing. In summer, it's right by a cooling vent, and in winter, I shut the door. ;) No distractions from people passing through the room, either. I have my back to the world when I'm writing. The walls are covered with posters, book covers, awards, and I have my writing tools all within reach. My little hole in the wall.

STEPH: Are you a plotter or a panster?

KAYELLE: I'm a plotser. ;) I have a detailed plot with lots of details - and my characters (bless them) take me for a ride every now and then and I end up north instead of west, or on planet A instead of B. I don't write the first scene of a book until I know it well enough to write the blurb for it. That said, I tend to be a big-picture person. I see the whole thing at a glance and can't imagine writing and wondering what will happen next. I know where I'm going, and I'm always writing toward an end. I do like to explore along the way, however, and often come up with good twists to add to the plot, that I had no idea I would even consider when I started. So... plotser.

STEPH: Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one? What do you like about it?

KAYELLE: I ordered a Kindle for my birthday (which was yesterday), and I should be able to tell you more about that in a few days. One reason I ordered it was because I've been using the Kindle to PC app for nearly a year, and have lots of books gained on sale or through giveaways. I'm looking forward to carrying it with me, and taking it out to the living room, sitting in bed, or anywhere other than the computer, and having many books to choose.


STEPH: Fun Question: Spring is in the air. Do you have any spring rituals you'd like to share? Go to any festivals? The Beach? Plant a garden?

KAYELLE: I love to see Bradford Pear trees in full blossom. They're huge, white, and are the most picture-perfect trees on the planet. In spring, I go looking for them in various areas around town. I don't feel like it's officially spring until I've seen them. One street near my home has a tree in every yard, all the way down a long drive, with one on each side. On a sunny morning, I look forward to standing there, gazing at these beautiful trees all lined up. And then a few weeks later, when we get a stiff breeze, it's amazing to watch the white blossoms as they float to the ground like snow. Once I've seen the pears bloom, I know summer is on its way.



Find me here:
Homeworld
http://kayelleallen.com

Facebook
http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
http://facebook.com/kayelle.allen

Twitter
http://twitter.com/kayelleallen

Romance Lives Forever Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romance...

Unstoppable Heroes
http://kayelleallen.blogspot.com

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

Reviews
"Multi-dimensional characters, a fast paced storyline, mystery and some simmering sexual tension keep the readers on edge as AT THE MERCY OF HER PLEASURE draws the reader in and never lets go until the very end." Love Romances and More

"Kayelle Allen delivers a well-plotted story, as always, with fascinating twists you don’t see coming." Literary Nymphs

"...a dazzling cast of characters and an action packed plot..." Romance Junkies
"The relationship between Senth and NarrAy is one that will leave you thinking about these characters even after you finish reading this story." Whipped Cream Reviews

Link to trailer
http://youtu.be/E-rlffo7fO0


Excerpt
Antonello Brothers 1: At the Mercy of Her Pleasure (a Tarthian Empire Story)
At the Mercy of Her Pleasure

When NarrAy steals a kiss from Senth, he steals her heart, but how much more are they willing to take -- for each other?

Senth holds a lofty position in the elite Thieves' Guild. Drugged since puberty to suppress his feral half-feline side, nothing suppresses his daredevil, risk-loving human half. His master offers him a deal. Work with a Better, an enhanced woman with addictive, pleasure-laced pheromones, and he'll buy and free Senth's cruelly enslaved older brother. The job? Grab-and-go. The condition? Remain a virgin. The drug he takes ensures it, no matter how tempting the woman or her pheromones. The problem? Nothing goes right. The job outlasts the drug's effect. All Senth wants is one touch, one kiss, one oh-so-tempting lick of her perfect, lush skin. The downside? With his brother's freedom at stake, how can he risk putting himself at the mercy of her pleasure?

Warning: Contains half-feline thief who plays with what he steals, and a by-the-book military heroine whose passion he liberates. Author not liable for items missing once book is open, including hearts.

In the beginning of At the Mercy of Her Pleasure, Senth practices on a particular kind of lock. It's vital he knows how to open, but because he's nervous, he keeps fumbling. His mentor gives him a piece of advice that gets him through the moment. In this scene, he shares the same advice with NarrAy. They are using perjump, a personal portaling system to enter the palace and search for Senth's brother, who's held captive.


NarrAy expected queasiness when her body reassembled inside the palace. Instead it was as if she'd closed her eyes in one place and opened them in another. They stood in a utility room stocked with linens and deactivated housecleaning droids. The swift disorientation of different surroundings startled but didn't hurt.

Senth, on the other hand, dropped to his knees at her side and doubled over.

"Oh no!" She knelt beside him. "Didn't the jumpdrug help? Are you sick?"

He braced one arm across his stomach. "I got punched yesterday." He grimaced. "Been hurting ever since."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because you'd worry like you are now." He was ashen and shaking. Moments ago he'd been fine.

"I have good reason to worry, Senth. My parents knew perjump couldn't be used by an injured person."

He looked up. "Why not?"

"When there was an injury, perjump accelerated the damage." She laid her hands on his shoulders. "They wanted to use it to move casualties off a battlefield or accident victims to a hospital, but in every test, it made the injury worse. You should have told me!"

Senth grunted, still on his knees on the floor.

"We have to get you back on board." She reached for the perjump controls.

He grabbed her hand. "No! Not without my brother."

"Senth, I—"

"No." His grip tightened on her hand. His pale eyes were flinty, hard, determined. "You said there was only enough power for one jump here and back. I'm not leaving without my brother!"

"And just how are you going to work in your condition?"

"I can make it." He clenched his teeth. "Help me up."

"Senth—"

"NarrAy, I need you to trust me. Let me do my job." He rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand. His innocent blue eyes pleaded with her. "Please. Help me save my brother."

"All right." She let him lean on her arm and helped him rise, supporting his weight as best she could. "If we landed where we thought we would, security should be through that door."

She put her left arm around Senth's waist. With his right arm draped over her shoulder, she helped him into the security room.

A wall of lights, switches, and monitors glowed in the eerie dark. How would he ever know where to find his brother with all those indicators?

Grimacing, Senth dug his left hand into a pocket and retrieved his lockpick. With his arm still over her shoulder, he used both hands to set the lockpick's controls and held the unit up in front of the panel of lights. He passed it slowly across each row, then down and back in the other direction.

The pick bleeped, and Senth turned it off and slid it back in his pocket.

"This is the last room locked, so I'm betting that's where she's keeping him."

"And if you're wrong?"

"Then we're about to pay a visit to a total stranger." He moved his arm off her shoulder. "Can you hold me up on the other side instead? I need my right hand for this."

NarrAy slid around and took her place on his left. "What if someone comes in?"

"Guild intel says all the security is automated." He touched part of the panel and then worked so quickly, his fingers blurred. "Done." He motioned to the door. "Let's go get Khyff."

"Are you sure it's safe now?"

He gave her a perturbed smile. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"That was awfully quick. Are you sure it's—"

"NarrAy, never think about the importance of a lock. Just pick it." He jerked his head toward the door. "Come on."

Loose Id: http://tinyurl.com/atthemercy

Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/atthemercy-k

Get an electronic autograph for the Kindle version of this book at Kindlegraph.

Print: http://tinyurl.com/atthemercy-p

Barnes & Noble: http://is.gd/atthemercy_bn

Fictionwise: http://is.gd/atthemercy