Carly Fall's Blog, page 21
May 16, 2012
BW: Mutiny by Jacqueline Gardner
I’m very excited today to be hosting Jacqueline Gardner, and she’s got some goodies for a giveaway! The giveaway one free e-copy of Mutiny & a $10.00 Amazon gift card – the details for entry are below. I’m also reading the book-but not quite done with it- so I will post my review in the near future.
Book Blurb:
Eric’s life aboard a top secret stealth submarine as a member of the government’s M.E.R. program has been about discipline, cunning and survival. As both a soldier and a natural born regenerator, he can heal from any wound, but to stay alive he must accept a vein-burning serum that prevents his DNA from over-mutating. In exchange Eric must follow his Chief Commander’s every order. And never ask questions, no matter the assignment.
When he goes ashore on his first solo mission he runs into a complication he didn’t expect; Mariella, the target’s daughter. She’s about to change everything.
EXCERPT
ERIC
From Chapter 1 – New Blood
The four of us marched down a narrow corridor that led to Commander Z’s quarters. The air was sticky as we stamped past the engine rooms. Anchovy had to resist the urge to cover his ears a few times. His earlobes were probably throbbing. It takes a while to grow accustomed to the sub’s 24/7 noise schedule. Another part of the M.E.R. program’s curriculum was learning to control our heightened senses.
“Have a seat.” A cold voice echoed through the hallway and forced its way into my brain. Z was our Chief Commander. He wasn’t too tall like Frankie and me were, but he more than made up for it in girth. Commander Z’s bulky frame let us know he was in charge.
The four of us sat down on a wooden bench in the Commander’s office. Anchovy looked like he was about to hyperventilate. Brian gave his side a quick pinch and Anchovy straightened his hunched back.
“Welcome aboard the Pugio, son.” Commander Z looked in Anchovy’s direction as he spoke. “You’re an official M.E.R. soldier now. I assume you’ve been briefed on the soldier you are replacing?” The Commander paused and raised an eyebrow. Anchovy gulped. None of us had spoken a word about Davis since he went missing. Not even to Anchovy.
“No sir,” Frankie interjected. The Commander’s eyes shifted towards Frankie.
“Let the boy speak for himself,” he responded firmly. Frankie nodded. “Well?”
“No sir,” Anchovy answered mimicking Frankie.
“Have your teammates even given you a civilian name, boy?” Anchovy hesitated. “Answer me!”
“Uhhh,” Anchovy muttered.
“Louder, soldier!”
“Yes, sir! Anchovy, sir!” Anchovy shouted. A bead of sweat dripped over his brow. I could see a slight smile cross the Commander’s face. He paced around our team letting his heavy boots crash against the ground.
“Bad things happen to those who disobey, soldier. Remember that.” He stepped back and gave all four of us a burning stare. “Your former teammate failed to follow orders – an offense punishable by abandonment. That’s why he was left behind without serum.”
I tried to show no emotion but my head was buzzing with images of Davis. He’d been part of our team for so long. It was like losing a brother. And now that brother was either wandering around somewhere or dead.
“If you choose to follow in his footsteps, there will be consequences. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Commander.” We all recited our replies in unison. The Commander looked pleased and shook his head.
“Good.” Commander Z waved towards the door and sat down at his desk. This was our cue to leave. “Not you, E.” The sound of my letter made my chest tighten. Rarely would the Commander ever address any of us individually. Frankie raised his eyebrows as he and the others passed by me. Commander Z browsed through papers on his desk keeping his head down. “Shut the door.” I closed the door behind Frankie and waited.
The only thing on my mind was Davis. He’d been unusually stand-offish his last couple days aboard the submarine.
“You know why you’re here?” I shook my head and waited for Commander Z to glance up. “You’re here because your continued obedience is about to be rewarded.”
“How?” My voice shook a little. I knew better then to speak out of turn but ever since Davis disappeared, I had a lot of questions. The Commander looked up and chuckled.
“You don’t believe in bogus conspiracy theories like some of the others. Asking pointless questions is a sure way to get your team into trouble. You’ve got your feet firmly on the ground soldier and because of that, I’m going to give you a special assignment.” I nodded in agreement and waited for my orders. I expected my ‘special assignment’ to be toilet duty or dish washing but I was dead wrong.
“You’ve been selected for a solo mission. We’ll be surfacing soon. When we do, you will have only a few hours to complete your task.” I was surprised. There were loads of other soldiers more experienced than me.
“When do I leave sir?” The Commander chuckled again.
“Tonight.”
May 15, 2012
Sinful Sirens Giveaway Hop
Welcome to the Sinful Siren Blog Hop, dedicated to all those naughty girls we love to love. Thank you to Under the Covers and Guilty Pleasures for hosting!
I’m giving away one Ebook copy of Hidden in The Night, and one Ebook copy of Finding My Faith. Click on the pictures for excerpts!
After being brutally attacked, Aiden, member of the Vampire Nation, wakes in a human hospital. He meets the navy blue eyes of his nurse, Holly, who says, “I know what you are, and the sun is going to be up in under an hour. I think I can get us out of here, but I need your help.”
As a female vampire, Holly is a rarity in her race. She has hidden in plain sight from others in the Vampire Nation who want to to imprison her to help forward their devious plan of enslaving humans.
As Holly nurses Aiden back to health, he finds himself having feelings for her that he promised he would never allow again after the death of his mate, Natalie, ten years ago. A death that devastated him and left him heartbroken and angry. Aiden does his best to ignore those feelings he has for Holly, but the sexual tension between them escalates.
When Holly is kidnapped by those she has hid from for so long, Aiden finally realizes Holly is his key to ending his misery and he can’t hide his love for her any longer. But will he be able to find her before she is terribly hurt…or worse?
Growing up in a small Northern Arizona town, Faith Cloudfoot’s life was spent playing in the forests surrounding her house under the protective eyes of her father, and learning about the legends of her Native American heritage. Yearning for more out of her life, she moves to Phoenix, Arizona at the age of twenty-three where she is kidnapped and almost killed.
Rayner has a special ability, one that weighs on him like a curse. He can see spirits trapped in between life and their final resting place. Because he can’t do much to help them, he studiously ignores them. He concentrates, instead, on working with his fellow warriors to right the wrongs caused by the evil criminals from his home planet.
When Rayner sees Faith in her spirit form while investigating a lead in Phoenix, his attraction to her is immediate, yet he follows his own personal code and ignores her cry for attention. When he realizes that she may be a stepping stone to getting him home to his own universe, he engages Faith and begins to use her as a means to an end: going home.
As the attraction grows stronger, Rayner finds himself breaking all sorts of self-set rules, as well as the code of ethics set by him and his fellow warriors. When Faith nears death, Rayner realizes that he must do everything in his power to save her, because if he doesn’t, he may just lose himself.
So pick your poison and enter, and thanks again for stopping by!
May 14, 2012
BBT: Seven Point Eight by Marie Harbon
Today I’m excited to host Marie Harbon, and her book Seven Point Eight.
Genre: Sci fi fantasy
One day FREE event May 15th
Book Description
Seven Point Eight
The most powerful number in the universe
The number that connects everything.
It is time to wake up….
A physicist begins a quest to measure the soul but soon finds himself drawn into the world of the enigmatic Max Richardson, where research is sold to the military at the highest bid. However, he soon discovers another purpose when an extremely talented young psychic enters his life. He devises a project and builds a team to stretch the frontiers of exploration, only to make a reality-shattering discovery…
Written in the style of a TV series, The First Chronicle is the beginning of a 5 part epic which follows the spiritual and emotional journey of five people; their quest to understand the universe and our place within it.
Quantum physics meets spirituality in a tale which begins in the 1940s, unfolds during the 1960s; an era of social and spiritual transformation and reaches its conclusion in the modern age.
It interweaves the human dramas of love, betrayal, bitterness and above all, courage in a world where everyone must face their own dark shadow.
For fans of the paranormal, big sweeping epics, metaphysics, science fiction, Lost, Fringe, contemporary fantasy, alternate realities and new age/spirituality.
It’s also highly suited to Young Adult readers, who like sci-fi along with their paranormal, or those who like a more challenging read.
Content guidance: Suitable for readers aged 15 and over. Sexual scenes are suggestive as opposed to explicit. Some references to psychedelic drugs.
EXCERPT:
Was it the people here or the place itself that was insane? Did its aura drive sane people crazy in insane places?
She reached the reception, where a rather matronly woman recognised her. Despite this, the woman announced herself.
“Hi, it’s Ava Kavanagh, and I’ve come to see Maria Martinez.”
She signed into the visitors’ book, which was then replaced behind the desk where it belonged, and she was escorted to the low security wing. It sat at the end of a long corridor, which was not well-lit but even so, light twisted acrobatically across the walls, as if projected by car headlights. Ava behaved as if the situation were normal; she didn’t want to attract undue attention to her erstwhile grasp of reality.
The route to Maria’s room passed some rather unusual residents and each time, Ava glanced through the window in their door, very inquisitive as to what their story was. The first curiosity was a dark haired man, who was always surrounded by reams of paper and this time, the woman felt a strong desire to enquire about him.
“Is he a writer or something?” she asked.
Her escort was surprised at her interest.
“We call him The Scribbler, as the only way we can manage his behaviour is to give him access to paper and a pen. He writes constantly, but it’s all gibberish, rows and rows of symbols.”
Ava gave him a lingering glance, feeling a sense of sadness regarding his predicament. What a waste of human life.
They passed another character, a blonde haired woman with an intense and seething look on her face. This time, she wasn’t restrained although she crouched on her bed, bearing a menacing expression on her face. When she saw Ava, she snarled.
“What’s wrong with her, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Her escort acquiesced to her questioning again.
“Schizophrenia… she hears voices, which she claims instruct her to do evil. She enjoys inflicting pain on others, so we have to isolate her.”
Ava was touched deeply this time.
“Like Maria’s original diagnosis?”
Her escort tried to smile sympathetically, although she said nothing. Ava made eye contact with the intense character behind the door, which sent a chill down her spine.
“She reminds me of the girl from The Exorcist,” she commented.
They turned the corridor, and there were two more people that Ava felt drawn to; a black man and woman, who resided in the same room. They appeared to be actors in a play of their own making.
“Lost in their own little world, aren’t they?” she said.
“We call them The Time Travellers, as they always insist they’ve travelled to the past and future. Most of the time they’re locked in an imagery scenario, living some other reality. We keep them together, as their behaviour is more manageable if we do so.”
The final curiosity that Ava had to ask about was a man with fair hair, who could often be seen punching at the walls, or shouting for books. He was oblivious to their presence and Ava’s gaze. On this day, he was standing in front of a wall, reaching out to touch it with his fingers.
“What is he doing?” Ava asked.
“He believes he can walk through walls,” her escort explained. “My, we’ve had some bruises over the years. I don’t know what’s worse, his wall or book obsession.”
They passed through some double doors, which required a security code to gain entry into the next corridor. There, they soon found room 104 and Ava paused outside.
“Has there been any change in her condition since I last visited?”
Her escort shook her head, sadly.
“She’s still in a persistent vegetative state, exactly the same as the day she arrived.”
Ava accepted the situation with reluctance.
“She’s the only living relative I know of,” she explained. “I was hoping one day I’d discover where we came from, who our parents are and if our father is still alive. Did you recover the file from the facility she transferred from?”
“I’m sorry, it’s still missing.”
Undeterred, Ava pressed further.
“Does anybody else visit her? They may be able to offer some clues to her history… why she ended up in this condition, when and why she cut her wrists…”
“I can’t disclose that information, it’s confidential I’m afraid.”
Her escort opened the door and Ava entered, determined to present a face of hope to Maria, her sister.
Get it on Amazon
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This book appeals to almost everyone. It may be fictional but it is not beyond the realms of possibility… read this book and you will be asking for answers to questions you may never have thought of before ~ BookStackReviews.com
For a realistic sci-fi novel with just enough drama to keep you turning pages, look no further. This was a mind-opening, very interesting and imaginative read!
~Collette Scott, author of Forever Sunshine
An enthralling read from start to finish… this book has real originality and portrays an intricate journey… an intriguing and mind-bending journey that leaves the reader asking themselves huge life questions.~ BookStackReviews.com
If you like your novels Dan Brown style with lots of geeky science underpinning a thrilling and clever plot, you’ll love this. ~Alison Chester-Lambert, author of The Future In The Stars – The Planets’Message for 2012 And Beyond
Every page is chock-a-block full of quantum theory, wildly idiosyncratic characters, out-of-body experiences, weird occurrences, and loose ends, all of which are tied together with a fanciful yet plausible conception of the grand unifying theory underlying the world around us. Oh yeah, and there’s some sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll thrown in for kicks. ~Jill-Elizabeth.com
Seven Point Eight has to be one of the most fascinating reads I’ve come by in quite a while… It’s always risky to mix several genres and sub-genres but for this book, the execution was flawless… Captivating and intelligently written – definitely could appeal to fans of Star Trek, Star Wars, Dan Brown books, fans of the Jodie Foster film ‘Contact’ and anyone who loves X-Men~ Dream Reads
A clever and intriguing story that blends science and spirituality and calls us to question what we believe in – what is reality… a thought provoking read that those who enjoy fantasy and science fiction are sure to enjoy. It will be a series to keep looking at and I will certainly look out for the second chronicle~ Paradigm Shift Magazine Issue 55
About the Author:
Marie Harbon has worked in both the retail and fitness industry. She has a degree in sport and fitness and taught group exercise for several years before settling into a post
delivering BTEC Sport courses for two years. Since then, she has instructed dance with children and has decided to focus on writing as her main career.
She wrote her first novel length story at the age of twelve and has written on and off subsequently, evolving her style and literary maturity. ‘Seven Point Eight’ began life as a short story in the early nineties and was later developed into a full five part series of books. Work on ‘The Second Chronicle’ has already begun.
Marie has two children and lives with her son and four guitars in the town of Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, which is in England. She divides her time between writing novels and scripts, making things, teaching and being a mum. Her vice is fabric and she creates bags, corsets and clothes in the vintage and retro style.
Website: http://www.marieharbon.com
May 13, 2012
Six Sentence Sunday – 5/13/12
Thanks for stopping by today. Comments are always appreciated! I’ve been gone a few weeks, but I’m glad to be back.
And to all you moms, have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Today I’m going with a WIP, currently titled Chica Bello.
My hero, a Navy SE.A.L. named Landon Walker, has just come off of a long deployment. He’s been up for three days making his way from Afghanistan to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico where he’s checked into his favorite hotel, his room overlooks the ocean. He’s slightly hungover and completely exhausted.
He inhaled deeply, feeling the cleansing begin.
Stepping out onto the balcony, he went to the railing and leaned his elbows on it, closing his eyes. Yes, it was a cleansing coming here. It was a place of incredible beauty, a place where he was able to forget his duties as a Navy S.E.A.L., forget about the missions he had been on, the people who wanted to kill him, and those he had killed. It was a place where he could let go of being a highly trained specialist, and focus on just being a man. He inhaled again and let the mellow relaxation that Cabo San Lucas brought him seep into his bones.
Thanks again for stopping by, and you can check out the other authors HERE
May 10, 2012
“Caressed by Night (Rulers of Darkness, Book 2)” by Amanda J. Greene
Today I am welcoming Amanda J. Greene.
She’s got a smokin‘ vampire book out. Here’s the details:
What it’s About:
Dimitri Arsov, the last remaining pure vampire, was thought to be dead for the past four hundreds years. Now, he is back and has a score to settle with the traitor that had tried to kill him centuries ago. But as he waits for his prey to blindly step into his carefully laid trap, his overwhelming hunger for blood is triggered when he saves a beautiful art historian.
Kerstyn Ingmar’s life was normal and straight up boring until the night she is rescued by the dangerously sexy, powerfully mesmerizing, Dimitri. Unable to resist his diamond blue eyes and intense kisses, she is drawn into his world of darkness and closer to her impending doom.
While their desire consumes them, Dimitri is haunted by images of a bloody and deadly future. As his enemies draw near, he must find a way to save his mate from her destiny before fate destroys them both.
EXCERPT:
“You’ve healed,” she whispered. Her voice was rough and her throat ached from her screams. “Your wounds are gone. That…that is impossible.”
“Not for me,” he grated.
Her eyes narrowed. “What are you?”
He dropped his head. Why now? Why did it have to happen this way? He cursed, damning Fate for the tricks she played. He hadn’t wanted it to happen this way. He wanted them to take their time, to get to know one another before he shared his secret with her. Now he was cornered. He had to tell her or―no. He would not erase her memory; he could not disrespect her that way. He would not take the coward’s way out.
He had to tell her.
His heart clenched. What if she rejected him? What if she hated him? What if he repulsed her? She was his mate, but that was no guarantee that she would understand, that she would stay with him or that she would love him.
“What are you?” she demanded again, her voice shaking.
Her thoughts screamed at him. Vampire. Vampire. Vampire! He forced his gift aside, shoving it back into the darkness of his mind.
“I think you already know,” he said before pulling his shirt closed.
You know you gotta have it, now go and get it!
REVIEWS:
4.5 Stars from Night Owl Reviews – A Night Owl Reviews Top Pick!
http://romance.nightowlreviews.com/no...
5 Howls from Bitten By Paranormal Romance
http://www.bittenbyparanormalromance....
4 Roses from Romancing the Darkside
http://romancingthedarkside.blogspot....
4.5 Stars from PRUF Reads
http://prufreads.blogspot.com/2012/03...
Amanda J. Greene is an erotic paranormal romance author. When she is not writing, she can be found playing the role of a full time university student, who works part time. She lives in Southern California with her very supportive, military husband and their sweet cocker spaniel.
Official Site: http://www.amandajgreene.com
Blog: http://www.amandajgreene.blogspot.com
To find out where she’s at next, go here
May 8, 2012
Dark Lullaby by Mayra Calvini
Today I’m happy to host Mayra Calvani.
First let’s learn a little about her, and then we can find out about her book, Dark Lullaby.
Do your characters talk to you? If so, what do they say?
My characters always talk to me and often want to take my stories in unexpected ways that I never planned. This can have good or bad consequences, depending on the situation.
The mind of an author is never at rest, and although you often hear that writing is a solitary endeavor, at the same time it isn’t—just because of all these characters so often talking in your head. I hardly ever feel alone, hardly ever feel bored. How can I?
At the moment I’m working on a YA paranormal fantasy and this is what my protagonist, Trinity, is often telling me:
No, you’re wrong. That doesn’t make sense.
What if I go this way instead?
You’re such a wimp. Why not punch her on the face instead of insulting her verbally?
And so on and so forth. It can be frustrating at times. But it’s always exciting and always fun.
What was your inspiration for this story?
During my early to mid twenties, I lived in Turkey. It was an incredible experience. Not only did I learn to speak Turkish, but I also made wonderful friends and learned a ton about their customs and folklore.
Many people there believe in the cin (pronounced ‘jiin’). Not the jinn as westerners know it. You know, the genie that comes out of magic lamps. The cin is a much darker creature that could better be compared to the fairy. In Turkish myth, it is a being that lives in the forests. It can be good or evil. It is of spirit form but can shapeshift into an animal or human. Like the western fairy, it is often volatile, mischievous and prone to pranks, some of which can be deadly. It loves milk products.
Want me to get creepier? It has a bizarre taste for live human liver and, when in human form, its feet are set backwards!
Oh, and those little lights that you often see in the woods on warm summer nights, otherwise known as fireflies? They aren’t fireflies. They’re cin.
I was fascinated with the accounts I heard, fascinated enough to write a novel. Thus, Dark Lullaby was born.
How long did it take you to write this book?
About two years, but that’s because I took a long break to work on something else in between. Then the manuscript went though several drafts and revisions. Altogether, I’d say 3-4 years.
What do you think makes a good romantic hero?
A good romantic hero must have flaws but he must also have qualities that are out of the ordinary. In other words, he must be real but be ‘larger than life’ at the same time. In romance novels, he must also love the heroine unconditionally.
Plotter or panster?
I’ve tried both methods. I think both ways have their advantages and disadvantages. There’s no ‘better’ way. It depends on who you are as a writer, how you work and how your creativity unleashes on the page.
I used to be a panster, but the result was often a weak plot and saggy middle. However, I once wrote a book during Nanowrimo in a strictly stream-of-consciousness manner and the result was a well structured book with an intricate plot. So you never know.
Nowadays, I prefer to plot in advance while at the same time leaving room for flexibility. I like to have a solid idea of the premise, plot and characters before I start writing. This process has made the actual writing stage easier for me. While plotting, I may write a short summary or a logline for each chapter. What I like about this method is that I always have a basic idea of what I need to write next, so I hardly ever have the dreadful writer’s block. But, as I said, I usually come up with new ideas while writing, so I keep myself flexible and open to them. And if I must suddenly change the course of the plot, then so be it. A good story should develop organically, and as Alan Watt, author of The 90-Day Novel advises, you must remain curious and not try to solve the problem at the same level of consciousness that created the problem.
If you had to sum up advice to a new writer in two sentences, what would you say?
Never let anyone get in the way of your dream or vision, no matter what they say. Write as often as possible, no less than 3-4 times a week, as this is the best way to improve your craft.
What it’s About:
At a trendy Turkish tavern one Friday night, astrophysicist Gabriel Diaz meets a mysterious young woman. Captivated by her beauty as well as her views on good and evil, he spends the next several days with her. Soon, however, he begins to notice a strangeness in her–her skin’s abnormally high temperature, her obsession with milk products, her child-like and bizarre behavior as she seems to take pleasure in toying with his conscience.
The young woman, Kamilah, invites him to Rize, Turkey, where she claims her family owns a cottage in the woods. In spite of his heavy workload and the disturbing visions and nightmares about his sister’s baby that is due to be born soon, Gabriel agrees to go with her.
But nothing, not even the stunning splendor of the Black Sea, can disguise the horror of her nature. In a place where death dwells and illusion and reality seem as one, Gabriel must now come to terms with his own demons in order to save his sister’s unborn child, and ultimately, his own soul…
*Dream Realm Awards Finalist!
What readers are saying…
“Mayra Calvani is a masterful storyteller… Dark Lullaby is complex and compelling…” –Habitual Reader
“Dark Lullaby is an atmospheric paranormal horror that grips you from page one and refuses to let go until you’ve raced, breathless, to the end.” –ePinions
“Dark Lullaby is a page-turner. A horror story from the top shelf! You’ll love it.” –5 stars from Euro-Reviews
“This is a terrific horror…” –Harriet Klausner
“Dark Lullaby will capture you with its rich descriptions, its exotic location, and the need to uncover the dark secrets hidden within its pages.” –Cheryl Malandrinos, The Book Connection
Where to Get It:
Available on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Lullaby-ebook/dp/B005UI7FOG
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94529
Author bio:
Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults and has authored over a dozen books, some of which have won awards.Her stories, reviews, interviews and 
articles have appeared on numerous publications such as The Writer, Writer’s Journal, Multicultural Review, and Bloomsbury Review, among many others. A reviewer for over a decade, she now offers online reviewing workshops. When she’s not writing, reading, editing or reviewing, she enjoys walking her dog, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Visit her website at www.MayraCalvani.com. Join her mailing list and receive the first two lessons of her book reviewing workshop, as well as her free ebook, Reviewers Talk About Their Craft.
Twitter URL: http://twitter.com/mcalvani
Facebook Fan Page URL: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mayra-Calvanis-Fan-Page/162383023775888
May 7, 2012
Chica Bello – Let’s take a look at my WIP…(work in progress)
I know things have been a little quiet around here this past week, but I promise things are picking up this week where I will be sharing new authors with you and gearing up for another blog hop so you can continue to collect your goodies.
Don’t forget to follow me on tour for Finding My Faith…good giveaways and gift certificates available! You can go here to see the stops.
I rarely do this, but today I thought I would share a little from a new book that I’ve been working on, tentatively titled Chica Bello, which translate into Beautiful Girl. I’m stepping away from the sci-fi/paranormal/fantasy genres for this one, but for those who follow the Six Savior Series, don’t fret. Hudson is next and will be out in July.
I thought I’d share little unedited bit with you, so let me know your thoughts!
Let me introduce you to my inspiration:
What It’s About:
After a long career as a Navy S.E.A.L., Landon “Blackhawk” Walker has finally put in his papers for retirement. He has seen and done enough, and can’t wait to get to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico where three tasks await him: get back into civilian mode, take a boat out to the El Arco Rocks, and win back the heart of the woman he lost because of his career.
Maya Gonzalez has tired of the heartbreak that comes with Landon’s deployments year after year. When he walks back into her life again, despite her reservations she cannot deny her heart. As they lose themselves in each other and the beauty of Cabo their passion is rekindled once again.
One week later, Landon’s phone rings. Both he and Maya know that if this is the phone call for deployment, this may very well be their last goodbye.
A Quick Excerpt
He looked around at the drivers holding signs with names on them, finally finding Walker. The man holding it was short and thin with a headfull of black hair, his white shirt with his company emblem stood out against his brown skin.
“I’m Walker,” he said to the man.
“Mr. Walker, I’m José. I’ll be taking you to your hotel.”
“Lead the way, José.”
Landon followed the man to the van. He climbed in when José opened the door, throwing his duffel bag onto the seat in back and stretching his long legs out the length of the bench he sat on. Leaning his head back against the window, he fought the urge to close his eyes. He had been up for three days straight making his trip from Afghanistan. He had no home to stop at in San Diego where he was stationed, no one waiting for him. He was an only child and his parents had been killed in a plane crash seven years ago. His homecoming would be a non-existent event except for the people who always were at the airport welcoming the troops back. He wasn’t into that. He didn’t feel like being patted on the back by strangers and embraced by sweet old ladies with tears in their eyes.
Instead, had decided to come straight to his favorite place on Earth. He could stay awake for another hour or so, and then he would be in a big, comfortable bed at the hotel and he could sleep like the dead without worrying about anyone shooting him or bombing him.
He rubbed his hand over his tanned face and skull-trimmed brown hair, as if doing so would somehow scrub away his fatigue. He reached over the seat to his duffel bag and found his sunglasses, slipping them over his almost electric blue eyes.
The drive to the airport would be uneventful. Well, uneventful for him. There may be a near miss with another car or a quick lane change, but nothing like what he had been through. There would be no dangers of roadside bombs or ambushes, or some asshole with a missile launcher standing on the side of the road. He could relax. This was always the hardest part for him when he returned from a tour —learning to relax again. He hoped he would be a quick study.
As José sped down the road, Landon looked out the window at the passing landscape. Horrific poverty reared its head every now and then against the beautiful backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. In some ways it wasn’t much different that Afghanistan, except that the backdrop in Afghanistan there was nothing but brown dirt. In between the white sand dunes of the beach, Landon could see the waves breaking, and he couldn’t wait to hear them. He found the rhythmic sounds of the water smashing itself against the sand, backing up and regrouping to do it all again, incredibly relaxing.
He felt the tension in his shoulders begin to fade a bit, and found himself sinking lower into the seat. He thought of all the things he wanted to do while in Cabo—first, he needed to relax and get back into civilian mode. He would find a lounge chair at the hotel by the pool, and he planned to camp out there from sunrise to sunset, catching up on sleep, reading and afternoon margaritas. He was also looking forward to eating something other than food rations from the armed services.
Second, he wanted to take a glass bottom boat out to the magnificent El Arco rock formations and see the beautiful fish that make the area their home. Hopefully he would be able to convince the driver to take him a little farther out to see some whales if they were still around. Being the end of March, it was definitely a hit and miss on that one.
Third, he wanted to see a special woman. He sighed. Unfortunately, that was also a hit and miss.
Let me know how you like the excerpt and do you like the title, Chica Bello?
April 27, 2012
CBLS: “Shifters & Bikers Series -Mate Music” by Rebecca Royce
I’m very happy to be featuring Book 3 of Rebecca Royce’s Shifters Bikers Series titled Mate Music. Rebecca has also been kind enough to offer up an ebook copy for a giveaway!
So first let’s find out about the book, and then you can enter to win because we all love free stuff, right? 
What it’s about:
A mission to find his brother sends Scott Quaid to Gunther’s Bar, but a storm has emptied the place of everyone except a beautiful shifter hot enough to dry his damp leathers.
Nancy Elwood has faced the worst of humans and shifters alike and has no intention of ever letting her guard down again, until a handsome biker sweeps in with the rain.
As background music throbs around them, a different type of vibration urges two strong souls to mate with animalistic passion.
EXCERPT
Holy Shit.
He wanted her.
“You’re going to be a problem. Aren’t you?”
Her accent sounded British, but not upper crust and stuffy. No, the little woman spoke like she’d stepped right out the back alleys of London and had no problem with that whatsoever. Her eyes dared him to argue.
He didn’t intend to. “I’m searching for my brother.”
She gazed right and left. “Doesn’t seem to be here. Sorry.”
Scott rolled his eyes. “Obviously.”
“I’m Nancy Elwood.” She stepped out from behind the bar.
“Nancy.” He didn’t know why he felt the need to repeat her name. Maybe because, for some weird reason, it felt good on his tongue. Like her pussy would. He blinked at the thought. Wow. How long has it been since I’ve gone to bed with a woman? Weeks earlier. Not fabulous either. But not long enough to warrant such juvenile inner dialogue.
“I’m Scott Quaid.”
The bartender walked past him to an old-fashioned jukebox. She studied it for a moment, giving him a glance of her fine ass. After a second, she tuned it to a song he didn’t recognize. Something country-western, but with a club beat. He hadn’t known such music existed. I need to get out more.
She approached until she stood directly below him. With his six feet of height, she stared up from a long way down. After a quick raise of her eyebrow, she grinned.
“You’re tall. Are you big everywhere?”
“Are you small everywhere? I like to explore tiny places.” All right. That seemed pretty fucking random.
She licked her lips and threw her apron on the ground.
His mouth dried again. “I’m trying to find my brother. He’s missing. Hasn’t turned up for work in a week. The last night I spoke to him, he planned on going here.”
“Maybe he took a vacation. I hear it’s good for the soul.”
If you gotta have it right now – and you know you’ve got to have it- you can get it here
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As a teenager, Rebecca Royce would hide in her room to read her favorite romance novels when she was supposed to be doing her homework. She hopes, these days, that her parents think it was well worth it.
Rebecca is the mother of three adorable boys and is fortunate to be married to her best friend. They live in northern New Jersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months.
She’s in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and tries to use all of these elements in her writing. She’s been told she’s a little bloodthirsty so she hopes that when you read her work you’ll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. Rebecca loves to write series because she loves to see characters develop over time and it always makes her happy to see her favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.
In Rebecca Royce’s world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.
Visit Rebecca at http://www.rebeccaroyce.com.
To see where else Rebecca will be, please click here:
April 25, 2012
Something to Live For – Natalie G Owens
Today I’m really happy to be featuring Natalie Owens and her new book, Something to Live For. I was lucky enough to be asked to review the book, so first I’ll tell you about the book and then give you my review…
What it’s About:
Fifteen years ago, one fateful day bound the lives of two perfect strangers…
Melita Saari-Quinn is living the consequences of a traumatizing psychic event that turned her adolescence upside down. Now, disillusioned with her job as a psychotherapist and desiring a change from her lackluster existence, she hopes that something out of her ordinary sphere of existence – something totally uninhibited and spontaneous – will renew her zest for life.
Alex Moncado seems to have it all – good looks, a successful business, and a fun life in “party central” of the Mediterranean: the island of Malta. Except for one day in the year when he can’t help but remember a tragedy that never should have been. One day he’d rather forget, because if he doesn’t, the guilt will consume him.
Can one passionate night together banish the ghosts of the past and give two lost souls a second chance?
Only Fate can tell…
EXCERPT
The solid wood front door was slightly ajar so he didn’t have to use his key. Discarding it on the inlaid wood console table by the entrance, he walked into a welcoming, classic modern sitting room steeped in earth tones. He stepped on an expensive-looking brown and beige Persian rug that covered most of the floor.
Someone had put money into this place. After looking at the outside, one wouldn’t think that such luxury and comfort waited inside. It was a two hundred year old structure, painstakingly renovated with a welcoming, state-of-the-art interior.
The large room flowed into an L-shape that carried beyond a large teak dining table with seating for six.
“You can close the door behind you,” said a lilting voice from the back of the L-shape.
His stomach made a flip like that of a schoolboy’s with a budding first crush. Laughing inwardly at the thought, he clicked the door shut and walked past the chocolate leather couch, around the table, toward the beautiful voice.
He found her sitting on a bar stool at the kitchen counter. A couple of large trays laden with cold meats, cheeses, and assorted appetizers sat untouched in front of her.
She turned toward him and looked straight into his eyes. Her eyebrows drew together.
“You must be starving,” she said.
Upon meeting her gaze, his belly did a bigger flip and he had difficulty swallowing the big lump that lodged in his throat.
God, she was beautiful.
He stared at her. Soft burnished locks flowed richly around her oval face to just below her collarbone. Tall and trim, she wore a simple silk green sheath dress that stopped above the knee and unpretentious flat gold sandals.
An artist’s muse.
The best part of her, though, were her eyes. Fine jade eyes that looked at him, into him, through him. There was something infinitely alluring about that light green gaze. It was unique, and frightening. It was… intense. Would any man be able to keep secrets from this woman?
A deeper frown creased her brow. “Is something wrong?”
His gaze fell to her full lower lip that she was now biting on. “No.”
Boy, was he charming tonight. If he went on this way, she would think him a dunderhead and call off the whole thing.
“I was saying that you must be hungry,” she tried again, while she extended a hand toward him.
“As a matter of fact, I am.” He was at her side in two strides and took her offered hand as he sat on the stool next to her. It was supple and warm against his. He briefly rubbed his thumb above her knuckles and raised her hand to his mouth to drop a light kiss on it.
She laughed, a sweet, musical sound. “Men haven’t done that in centuries.”
“Does it matter?”
“No, but you don’t need to seduce me. We both know why we’re here.”
My Review
4.5 Stars: 15 years ago Alex and Melita both experienced traumatic events on the same day. And this year they want to get away from the pain of those events. Both go to the Moonlight Dating Service to escape that pain through a night a mind bending sex. Their attraction to each other is immediate.
This story had me from page one. I love Natalie’s writing. I really enjoyed the paranormal/supernatural undertones, and the little surprise in the middle caught me off guard, but made it terribly apparent why these two people needed to be together. This is a great short read. My only complaint with the story is it felt a little rushed for me, and I would have liked to see it go longer!
Now go buy it!
April 24, 2012
CBLS – “The Girl’s Guide to Dating Zombies” by Lynn Messina
Today I’m really excited to have 
Lynn Messina here to talk about her book, The Girls’ Guide to Dating Zombies. I know..Zombies…ewww! However, this book looks absolutely hysterical and like a really fun read, and I can’t wait to check it out for myself!
First, let’s talk to Lynn, and then on to the book.
Do your characters talk to you? If so, what do they say?
I’m not sure they talk to me so much as near me. They have long, involved conversations with each other in my head and it’s all I can do to hold on to them long enough to record them accurately. I typically think in dialogue. Paragraphs with description or action are a lot harder for me.
What was your inspiration for this story?
I was on an Internet talk show promoting Little Vampire Women, and we started the inevitable debate of vampires verses zombies. I was emphatically on Team Vampire because zombie have no learning curve so I couldn’t imagine how they could be anything other than mindless, blobby, brain-eating monster things. But as soon as I thought that, I began trying to figure out how to make them more than mindless, blobby, brain-eating monster things. And, well, from there, it was just a matter of coming up with the most outrageous premise possible.
How long did it take you to write this book?
This book took me four months to write and eight months to rewrite. I had a baby in the middle of the revisions, so that’s why it took me a little bit longer than usual = )
If you were one of the five people left after the zombie apocalypse, who would you want the other four to be?
I’m torn between picking practical people with survivalist skills who know how to survive for a decade on an ice floe in Antarctica, leading scientists who could figure out a cure and my friends and family who would make my last days funny and sweet. Ultimately, I imagine a Whedon-esque ragtag team of misfits, so I’m going to go old-school twentieth century and say Buffy, Willow, Xander and Giles.
Which character of this book was the easiest to write?
The premise of the book is that a plague has turned 99.9999 percent of men into zombies, and twenty years later, women, who are unaffected, start to date zombies for companionship. The protagonist, Hattie Cross, has actually written a book called The Girls’ Guide to Dating Zombies and excerpts of her book are included. Writing those chapters, which I consider to be a sort of character, were the easiest to write once I figured out that the tone should be a take on women’s magazines. I work at one, so I knew exactly how to mix it up: quizzes, charts, etc. Writing them was a blast.
Which was the most difficult?
Jake Maddox is one of the .00001 percent who are immune to the zombie plague, so he’s a straight-up regular human male. Figuring out how one of the last men on earth would feel, think and behave in a world populated by billions of women was difficult. I had hard time getting at the core of what his experience would be like.
Plotter or panster?
Total panster. I have no idea what’s going to happen. I usually figure out what the plot is about halfway through and then have to go back to the beginning and write it in.
What the book is about:
Hattie Cross knows what you’re thinking: Zombie sex? Ewwwww. But she also knows that since a virus turned 99.9999 percent of human males into zombies, it’s statistically impossible to meet–let alone date–the remaining 0.00001 percent. So she writes “The Girls’ Guide to Dating Zombies” to help her fellow single women navigate the zombie-relationship waters.
Her practical how-to impresses the CEO of the largest drug company in the world, and before she knows it, Hattie, a reporter for a downmarket tabloid that specializes in conspiracy theories, is sitting down with the woman who single-handedly invented the zombie-behavioral-modification market. Granted access to the inner sanctum of zombaceuticals, she meets an actual, living, breathing M-A-N.
Now Hattie, the consummate professional, is acting like a single girl at the end of the twentieth century: self-conscious, klutzy and unable to form a coherent sentence without babbling. Worst of all, the human male appears to have impaired her ability to think clearly. Because all of a sudden she’s convinced a conspiracy is afoot at the drug company and it seems to go all the way to the top!
EXCERPT:
Introduction
Why Date a Zombie?
IF YOU’VE BOUGHT this book, then you’re either dating a zombie or thinking about dating a zombie. You know that in this postblight world, your chances of getting hijacked by a terrorist, being staked to a bamboo pole in the Heilongjiang Province of Inner Mongolia and having your spleen eaten by a saber-tooth tiger are eight times greater than meeting one of the estimated 344,923 men left on the planet.
You’re a practical young woman who isn’t willing to waste her time on impossible fantasies sold to her by the Hollywood dream machine.
Welcome to the rest of your life.
Naturally, as sensible as you are, part of you can’t help but wonder if dating a zombie is settling. Can’t a woman like you—smart, funny, attractive, kind—do better than an animated clump of rotting flesh that lives only to consume brains?
No, you can’t.
With 99.9999 percent of the male population transformed into zombies, all that are left are animated clumps of rotting flesh that live only to consume brains.
But you don’t have to be a glass-half-empty girl. Your cup runneth over. You just have to be able to see it.
And that’s why you’re reading The Girls’ Guide to Dating Zombies. This book will help you understand and navigate the challenges and rewards of the zombie-dating lifestyle. You’ll learn how to…
Meet zombies. Discover where they hang out and who they hang out with. The best zombie hotspots are just around the corner!
Talk to zombies. Chatting with the reliving is easier than you’ve ever imagined! All you need to know are a few key phrases and you and a zombie can have hours of deep, meaningful conversation.
Dance with zombies. They might not have brains but boy, do they have rhythm. Master the step-drag-step of their beloved merengue and dance the night away with the zombie of your dreams.
Make love with zombies. Physical contact doesn’t have to be icky or gross. With the right accessories and hygiene products, the fetid flesh of a zombie can smell as lovely as a garden rose.
Cohabitate with zombies. Zombieproofing your home has never been so easy! A few simple changes will make your living room a safe environment for any zombie, however oblivious to fire, sharp corners and the precious Ming vase your grandmother left you.
Medicate zombies. Medication is domestication. All a zombie needs to be a productive member of society is the right dosage. The chart in chapter 21 makes it easy for you to figure out which pills your zombie needs and when.
Remember, at the heart of every relationship is companionship, and this is what zombies provide—in spades.
Zombies are steady.
Zombies are reliable.
Zombies are here.
Plus, they love to go shoe shopping (more about that later!).
I’m not saying that zombies are better than men. Perish the thought! But men are gone and now we women have to do what we’ve done since time immemorial: Make the best of what we have.
And it’s a pretty darn good best!
Trust me, I know. I’ve been having satisfying zombie relationships for over six years and with the help of this book, you will too. Turn the page to get started right now.
WHERE TO BUY IT:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lynn Messina grew up on Long Island and studied English at Washington University in St. Louis. She has worked at the Museum of Television & Radio (now the Paley Center for Media), TV Guide, In Style, Rolling Stone, Fitness, ForbesLife, Self, Bloomberg Markets and a host of wonderful magazines that have long since disappeared. She mourns the death of print journalism in New York City, where she lives with her husband and sons. She is author of six novels, including the best-selling Fashionistas, which has been translated into 15 languages.
Website: http://www.lynnmessina.com
