M.L. Guida's Blog, page 12

M.L. Guida’s News: The Romance Reviews Sizzling Summer Reads

Welcome to my blog! Today I have a snippet of A Pirate’s Revenge which will be released in July 2014. For all of you participating in The Romance Reviews Sizzling Summer Reads, you will find out what magical creature William O’Brien turns into:  a) a vampire, b) a kraken, c) a werewolf or d( a dragon? Good luck! If you leave a comment on my blog, I will be giving out a novella.

 

A snippet of A Pirate’s Revenge

A red-hot pain struck William O’Brien’s gut and he gasped. He doubled over and tried to breathe.

“Are you well?” Doc asked, his voice filled with concern.

William panted and tried to speak, but words failed to form as if invisible large hands choked his throat. He managed to blurt out. “No.” He sat on the double bed. A fiery sweat beaded his skin, his clothes plastering against him like molten tar. “I’m so hot.” He inhaled deep breaths in effort to remain calm. “Doc, can you open the window?”

Doc clasped his shoulder. “William, you’re growin’ pale.”

William motioned with his hand. “Please open the damn window.”

Doc unlatched the French window and pushed open the sides. “Feel better?”

“No, I can’t breathe.”

Doc put his hand to William’s forehead. “You’re hotter than a burning coal in hell.”

“I’ve got to take my shirt off. Bloody hell, my pants are melting into my skin.” Sweat dripping into his eyes, William shed his shirt and tossed it on the floor and then wrenched off his boots. He leaned over and put his elbows on his knees, resting his head in his palms.

“William?”

“I’m dying, Doc. I’ve never felt this hot.” He unbuckled his belt and stripped out of his pants. “What’s happening to me?”

“Maybe da curse is different with you.”

“Not what I wanted to hear. Grand, just grand.”

Doc grabbed a pitcher off the dresser and poured water into a cup. “Here, drink, lad.”

William could hardly take a sip, his hands trembled so badly. The tepid water trickled down his throat, but his stomach revolted as if he had swallowed sea water. He spit it out onto the floor and dropped the cup. Spasms gripped his gut. He bent over and moaned, but his moan changed into a screech.

“’Tis da curse, lad. I’m sorry.”

William shook his head. His long hair fell and stuck to his wet face.

Breathe.

He toppled off the bed on his hands and knees. He arched his back and yelled. The pain was excruciating, unbearable. Muscles twisted, bones cracked and moved beneath his skin as if they were stretching, increasing in size, growing. His skin constricted tighter and tighter.

“My God,” Doc whispered. “Your back…”

William’s shoulders bulged. He threw his head back in agony. Something twisted around in the middle of his back as if a sword pierced bone, tissue and organs. What had Lark done to him? “Something…is…inside me, Doc,” William said, his voice strained. Another burst of pain silenced him, then slowly subsided. He hissed. “Stop it. Before—”

Another wave of torture ripped through him and stomped out his thought.

“I don’t know what to do, lad.”

William’s arms gave way, and he fell onto his stomach. The cold wooden floors failed to cool his sweltering body. A memory of swimming with Kane in a freezing lake on his father’s land in Ireland on a summer day popped into his mind. He wished he could throw himself into the icy water now.

Something tore through the flesh of his back. He cried out in anguish, but his screams sounded more like a vulture’s shriek.

Black wings flapped back and forth, and chilly air swirled over his body. He had wings! What kind of vampire was he?

He shuddered. Tears welled in his eyes.

Footsteps thudded down the hall. Someone pounded on the door. “Doc!”

Kane.

The door slammed open. Kane and Hannah burst into the room.

William turned his head, glad his hair prevented him from seeing his beautiful Hannah. He didn’t want her see him like this, to see the disgust and horror in those brown doe eyes. But he couldn’t help sneaking a peak, only to see her edging closer to Kane and a familiar loss gripped him. She had chosen Kane over him.

His face grim, Kane gripped his sword. “Bloody hell.”

Bones crunched, and William’s nose contorted, growing longer and longer and longer. He swept his tongue along a mouth of razor-sharp teeth.

Hannah grabbed Kane’s arm. “Kane, what’s—”

Kane yanked his arm free and stepped in front of her. “Hannah, get back.”

She slipped around him, her face white. “Kane, he’s turning into a…a…a dragon,” she said, her voice tiny.

No, it couldn’t be. But William was powerless to stop it. Fingers elongated and curled under, turning into talons. His legs lengthened and his chest broadened. Before his very eyes, his skin transformed into black and green scales.

Freedom. A strange voice rang in his head, announcing the word like a trumpet. ’Twasn’t his own. Now, he was hearing bloody voices. Who’s voice was it? Zuto’s? Lark’s?

William’s gut grumbled. His mouth watered. He was hungry. Not just mildly hunger. ’Twas a hunger that made him weak as if he had been lost at sea and starving for weeks.

Kane lowered his sword and took a step. “William, I promise I’m not going to hurt you. Can you hear me?”

Hannah pulled on Kane’s arm. “Kane, stay back. He’ll kill you.”

Her lower lip trembled. Doc pulled his blade slowly out of the sheath. Every muscle in William’s body tightened. He wanted to hide and avoid their stares. He read their faces. Monster. How many times had he recoiled from Kane and his men? This time he was the hideous monster. The abomination. The beast.

“He’s my brother.” Kane pulled free of Hannah’s grip.

William would never hurt his brother. But he couldn’t be sure the dragon inside him wouldn’t.

William crashed through the window and glass spattered around him. The slivers of glass plummeted toward the busy street below, pelting carriages, horses, men and women. Terrified people ran for cover, shielding their eyes with their palms.

Wings flattened against his back, he plunged head-first toward the ground. He gnashed his teeth and stretched out his arms over his head, ready to feel pain. Air whirled around him, and his fingertips brushed dirt. Dust clouded his vision, and grime coated his lips. He coughed and gagged.

Wings flapped, and he was soaring into the air. God almighty!

“The devil’s heading for the sky!” cried a man.

Below, people pointed. “’Tis a demon.”

“No, ’tis a dragon. Run for your lives.”

Panic and fear heralded from their voices. An urge to devour fresh raw meat consumed William.

Slay.

The frightened darted across the dusty street into buildings, but some brave fools aimed and fired their weapons. Bullets whipped past him. He roared, and to his surprise, fire burst from his mouth. He swooped down and men scattered. A white horse tethered to a post whinnied as its eyes rolled backwards. It bucked and pulled on the reins.

Ravage.

William released a high pitch cry and people covered their ears. He landed upon the bucking horse, digging his talons into its flesh. Blood squirted onto his body, soaking him. He bit into the horse’s neck and tore out a mound of flesh. Warm juices squished in his mouth and trickled down his throat. The tender meat was more succulent and moist than any roasted beef or Irish mutton he’d ever eaten. Raw muscle melted in his mouth and soothed his aching belly.

Gunfire cracked and fiery pain hit his shoulder. He jerked his head around. Men approached. Some peered from behind wagons. Others pressed against buildings. All had muskets trained on him.

William wanted to tell them to run to hide. The hunger—God ’twas unbearable. Rather than uttering the words, he screeched, and fire burst from his mouth.

“William, no!” Kane yelled from the window above. “Get out of there before they kill you.”

Beneath him, the horse lay dead. Exposed bone and mangled flesh and blood coated the ground. He was knee-deep in gore.

Muskets fired again. A stinging pain stabbed his back, silencing his breath. Agony blinded him, and he wailed, a wounded wolf howl. An arrow punctured his upper back, just above his wing.

Fear and hate reflected in the men’s eyes, and they inched toward him. William shuddered and jumped into the twilight sky. Air soared around him and he was surprised at how easy ’twas to move his new muscles, as if he’d flown for years. His wings were graceful and his body balanced. But after the encounter with the townspeople, weariness seeped inside him, and each time he flapped his wings, the arrow crept deeper into his tight muscles. Pain throbbed in his shoulder, and he flew erratically. He wanted to rest, but not by the town. He couldn’t face the townspeople, the crew, his brother, Hannah.

He needed some place high, a place hard to find, a place to hide his shame. The mountains. He’d lose himself inside a cave. His stomach was full and heavy. How could he have killed that poor terrified beast? He, who had condemned Kane, was now a true monster. A killer. A dragon.

Below, Tortuga’s buildings diminished as he rose high into the sky. He sped over dark meadows, lush trees, waterfalls and rocky cliffs. The wind rushed over him. The dreaded rising moon laughed at him. Long, dark shadows appeared behind trees and boulders.

William aimed for a black hole in one of the highest peaks. He hoped the cave nestled between jagged rocks was empty. He landed on a narrow ledge and waddled inside. He could barely keep his eyes open and wanted to crawl away from the world, away from the angry townspeople, away from the crew, away from Kane and Hannah. Most of all, he wanted to hide from himself. What if this was permanent? What if he was no longer a man but a beast?

Damn Zuto. He’d find him and tear his flesh from his bones.

Curling his bulky body against the cold jagged wall, William rested his head on his forelegs and groaned. The arrow embedded deeper into his flesh. He twisted his head and gnashed at the arrow, but he couldn’t reach it. Every time he took a breath, anguish spread down his back, and the shaft seemed to move deeper into flesh. Maybe he deserved this. Maybe the arrow would kill him. Maybe this would put him out of his misery.

He lumbered deeper into the blackness. Against a wall, he slumped down and curled into a tight ball. Tears wet his cheeks. He was worse than a vampire. He was a dragon.

Happy Father’s Day

I’d like to wish all the fathers out there a Happy Father’s Day. To celebrate Father’s Day, I went to the Elk’s for the father’s day buffet with my parents, and brought my new friend, Sock Monkey.

Dad and Sock Monkey at the Elk’s Father’s Day Buffet

Yesterday, I won Sock Monkey from author Sandra S. Kerns at the Colorado Romance Writers’ meeting. Sandra has a Sock Monkey that she takes everywhere. She writes about her adventures with Sock Monkey on her blog, and I’ve decided to carry on the tradition. So, today Sock Monkey helped celebrate Father’s Day with my dad, who is a good sport and let Sock Monkey sit on his shoulder.

At breakfast, I gave dad a father’s day card that had all these sayings I remember he used to say when I was kid, such as “Do you think money grows on trees?” or “Let me see the remote control.” All the typical dad comments, but there was one that wasn’t on the card that I had to add.

When I was a little girl, my mom used to work at Stretch and Sew, which meant my sister and brother and I were home with dad. This meant chores! One of the chores dad always made my sister and I do was the dishes, but washing and drying the dishes wasn’t enough. We also had to have a clean sink. Yes, dad would inspect the sink. His famous comment was—”Is that a sink you can be proud of?”

To this day, whenever I look at my kitchen or bathroom sink, I hear his voice.

Happy Father’s Day Dad!

What are you doing for Father’s Day?

M.L. Guida’s Sunday Teases: A Pirate’s Revenge

Every Sunday I will be putting out snippets from works in progress, so these works are not final drafts. These will be from my stories or guest authors. Today, I’m sharing a sneak peek of the second book in the Legends of the Soaring Phoenix series, A Pirate’s Revenge. My editor is still slicing away at it, but it should be released this summer.

This is William’s story and its starts where A Pirate’s Curse ends. The demon Zuto curses William and William’s worst fear is to be like his brother and change into a vampire during every full moon. But the demon has different plans for William. And he soon discovers, that there are worse things than being a vampire.

Release Date: Summer 2014

 

Tonight was the full moon. Tonight he’d turn into a vampire. Tonight, for the first time, he’d be force to suck human blood.

William O’Brien rested his head on his arm against the Green Parrot Inn’s window. It had been a month since he, his brother and crew had battled the Fiery Damsel. Kane had granted the crew shore leave at Tortuga while repairs were made, the wounded healed and supplies gathered.

The glowing sun sank lower and lower behind the mountains, changing white clouds to purple, yellow, orange. Blue sky dimmed, turning to a light gray. He’d always loved watching sunsets, the clouds, the soft colors. Until now. His heart pounded hard and with each thump, he knew he was alive, he knew he was human. But with each beat, he’d worried it would be his last. Thanks to the demon Zuto, he’d change into his worst nightmare.

The door opened and William turned around. Doc strolled inside and closed the door behind him. He flashed one of his famous smiles; his white teeth highlighting his black skin. Despite his glowing red eyes, the man still remained jovial. William couldn’t help but smile back.

Doc’s knowledge of medicine never failed to amaze him. He had learned much by way of remedies, sutures, and anatomy, while a plantation slave before escaping his cruel master. “Da Capt’n done sent me to find you lad,” he said.

“Why? So, he can gloat.”

Doc shook his head. “Da capt’n’s worried about you. He’d have been here, but Hannah’s still not fully healed and after one of Palmer’s men was seen in Tortuga, he’s too scared to leave the lass.” He lowered his voice. “He never wanted you to suffer our fate.”

His warm tone reminded William of a father consoling the youngest son abandoned by an older brother. William didn’t argue. Christ, he knew his brother didn’t want him to be cursed. Hell, William didn’t want to be cursed. He waited for his incisors to length and waited for the undeniable thirst. He’d seen how Kane suffered. Soon food would turn to sand in William’s mouth and he wouldn’t be able to swallow anything, not even water. He’d be a roaming corpse, lusting for his next pint of blood. Trying to get his mind off his upcoming gloom, William tilted his head. “Any word on Palmer and his damn witch?”

Doc’s face clouded. “Da devil’s gone in hiding. No doubt da bastard’s stolen another ship. We won’t know who she is until da ship fires on us.”

William placed his palm on the cool window. “Aye, I’m sure of that.” The Soaring Phoenix was anchored in Tortuga’s bay, her sails doused. The crew nailed the last boards to repair the Phoenix’s damaged hull from their recent gory battle with Palmer. Men mopped and scrubbed the wood while others rolled barrels onto the deck filled with water and gun powder. Cook was busy hustling in boxes of vittles. “The repairs are almost done,” William said. “And we’ll hunt Palmer down and finish him once and for all.”

“Capt’n’s says tonight’s our last day for shore leave. Tomorrow we sail out to sea to pursue Palmer, da devil himself.” Doc studied him, the merriment leaving his face replaced with his intense surgeon’s eyes and tight lip mouth. “William, d’ye not feel anythun?”

William sat on the edge of the bed and tapped his foot rapidly on the floor and gripped his trousers. He flitted his tongue over his teeth and felt nothing jagged. Maybe he had escaped his brother’s fate. Mother of mercy, he hoped so. “I feel well. Maybe I’m not cursed.”

“Then why would Lark ask for your forgiveness after he cast da spell?”

“How the hell would I know why a witch would ask for forgiveness? Witches are liars and in a league with demons.”

Doc lowered his gaze. William winced at his harsh tone. He shouldn’t have spoken to Doc that way, but he was drowning in fear, a fear of what he was going to become. Why had Lark asked for forgiveness? The witch’s face had been filled with sorrow when he uttered nogard. Kane suspected it had been an incantation straight from Coaybay. After Lark said it, William twirled around in the air like a tornado. He passed out and remembered no more until he awoke a few days later on board the Phoenix, the battle forgotten. All except that word. It haunted him. Lark’s voice echoed in his mind over and over. What the hell did it mean?

“You should be feelin’ da hunger now,” Doc said. “Your fangs should be gettin’ pointy like this.” He lifted his lip and bared his sharp, elongated, vampire canines.

“I’m not hungry and my teeth are the same. See?” William peeled back his lips and revealed his teeth.

“I don’t understand. This is different than when we were first cursed.”

“I told you, I’m not cursed.” William didn’t know who he was trying to convince more himself or Doc.

Doc raised his eyebrow. “Not bloody likely. Ronan said as long as Lark done wore da yari he was Palmer’s pet slave. So, you think Lark cast da spell an’ you twirled around in da air to fool Palmer?”

Heat washed over William’s cheeks at Doc’s teasing and he wanted to thrash Doc for stating the obvious. Something he didn’t want to believe. Dread nestled in William’s gut. Something evil would happen. He chose to ignore it and hung onto his faith of escaping his brother’s fate.

“Nothing has happened,” William said. “And nothing will happen. You can tell my brother I don’t need a nurse maid.”

Doc put his hands behind his back and cleared his throat.

The sun sank deeper and the sky darkened. “Black magic has cursed us,” William said.

“Not all magic is evil.”

William snorted. A witch didn’t betray the woman Doc loved, either. “Who told you this? A witch?”

“There’s good magic out there, lad.”

“I don’t believe it. Magic is evil. You of all people should know this.” William leaned against the wall. “Look what magic has done to you.”

Doc glanced out the window. “Aye, ’tis not been an easy life,” he said, his voice fading.

William wished he hadn’t sounded so disgusted. Doc deserved better than this life. They all did. Although Kane had taught his men how to drink from humans without killing them, he didn’t want to be like them. They were monsters, bloody parasites, feeding on the living.

A sudden pain throbbed in William’s jaw. He opened his mouth and shut it. He rubbed the side of it. It was swollen. Why the hell was it swollen? His heart beat faster at the realization he was about to shift into a leech.

What do you think William will turn into? If you guess right, I’ll send you an ebook copy of A Pirate’s Curse.

 

M.L. Guida's Villains: Anthony Hopkins

Last night I watched Bruce Willis’ Red 2 and I was surprised that Anthony Hopkins plays in it. He plays the villain, of course, but in this movie, his evilness paled in comparison to his character, Hannibal the Cannibal, in Silence of the Lambs. Hannibal the Cannibal is probably one of my favorite anti-hero’s. Yes, he’s deadly, but in his own sick way, he protects Jodie Foster’s character Clarice Starling. I always imagined at the end of the film when she’s in the dark basement alone with Buffalo Bill that Hannibal would crash through the glass and save her. But of course, Clarice is a strong character and saves herself.

What made Hannibal so delectable was his motivation. He had a genuine reason for doing what he did. He wants his freedom and revenge, but he also wants to help Clarice and vows never to hurt her. Now his nemesis, Dr. Frederick Chilton, wasn’t so lucky. I always wondered did Hannibal eat his liver with some fava beans and a nice bottle of chianti?

Back to the movie Red 2. Hopkins’ character, Bailey, has been locked up by MI 6 for 32 years. We discover at the end his diabolical plot and why Bruce Willis guesses wrong, but his motivation is missing. Yes, he’s mad he’s lost 32 years, but I wanted him to be a deeper character. Grant it, this isn’t the same caliber film as Silence of Lambs, but Anthony Hopkins is such a great actor, I think the producers missed a grand opportunity. There was just too much shooting and predictable killings to make me believe in this character.

Have any of you seen this film? What did you think of Hopkins’ character?

M.L. Guida’s News: Memorial Weekend Sale

On Sale for the Memorial Day Weekend

 

 

Since it’s Memorial Day weekend, I thought I’d put A Pirate’s Curse on sale. It’s also the start of my vacation and I wanted to celebrate. I’ll be off for two months and am looking forward to a restful and productive summer. I plan on releasing the sequel to A Pirate’s Curse, A Pirate’s Revenge, at the end of June and will be writing in Camp NaNo. I’m going to be writing Amadi’s story and it will be released in January 2015.

I hope everyone has a fantastic and safe Memorial Day weekend. But on a somber note, I’d like to think all of the armed forces who fought and died for our country. Please remember our fallen heroes in your hearts.

M.L. Guida’s Villains: Guest Author: J.J. DiBenedetto

Welcome  J.J. DiBenedetto!!    

J.J. DiBenedetto’s Newest Release
Dream Home

 

I’m very excited to have J.J. DiBenedetto stopping by today and talking about villains. The darker, the better….

For a series in which the heroine has to contend with all kinds of life-threatening situations, there really aren’t very many villains in the Dream Series.  At least, not in the traditional terms that most readers would see them.

You’d think that a serial killer would be an obvious villain, but the killer whose dreams Sara keeps visiting in “Dream Student” really isn’t.  Not because he isn’t evil, but simply because we don’t see him in person until the final chapter.  His acts are evil, and Sara’s search for him drives much of the plot of the book – but he’s not “onscreen” and he’s certainly not “interesting” in the way that we often expect villains to be.

Similarly, a murderer stalking the halls of a medical school seems like they’d be a villain, but, again, in “Dream Doctor,” it takes almost the entire book for Sara to figure out who the would-be killer is, and to manage to confront them.  The main antagonist in the book is actually the man who’s the killer’s target: a professor who’s taken a particular dislike to Sara and makes her life miserable at every opportunity.

We do see the two antagonists of the third book of the series, “Dream Child,” all throughout the book, and both the corrupt Congressman and the mobster certainly qualify as villains on at least some level.  But they’re certainly not mustache-twirling evildoers.  What they’re up to is wrong, and very harmful, but they’re also both presented as human beings with depth and (bad, but still) reasons for what they do.

In “Dream Family,” the fourth book of the series, the villains are totally impersonal – they’re the district attorney who has Sara arrested (for a crime that one of her employees actually committed), and the deputies at the jail who abuse and violate her.  But they’re treated as faceless and not-really-human forces.  It doesn’t matter who they are as individuals – it’s the cold, implacable process that’s really the villain here.  The people who actually hurt Sara don’t even all get names, which is very deliberate.  And she doesn’t fight them – she can’t.  Her fight comes after they’ve hurt her, and after she’s released from jail – to try and recover from what was done to her, to figure out how to live with the consequences of it.

The one true villain of the whole series shows up in book 5, “Waking Dream.”  She’s the mysterious “woman in red” who shares Sara’s ability to visit other people’s dreams.  But, right from her first appearance at the start of the book, it’s clear that she’s nothing like Sara.  She’s not using her talent to help people in need; she’s abusing her gift for her own selfish purposes, without regard for who she hurts along the way.  She checks off most of the big villain boxes: she’s a dark mirror to Sara; she and Sara have multiple confrontations, with the stakes going up each time; she threatens everything Sara holds dear, and she forces Sara to make painful, terrible choices.  And, she was a lot of fun to write, too!

There is no villain at all in the sixth book, “Dream Reunion” – the main conflict is between Sara and her own conscience.  Her antagonist is an old college friend who’s been forced to extreme – and dangerous – measures to save his family business, and the only way Sara can see to save him is to interfere in his dreams, which she’s sworn never to do under any circumstances.

And in book seven, “Dream Home” (out today!), the main antagonist is nature itself.  There are human difficulties, too, but they don’t rise to the level of villainy.

So there you have it: seven books, three murders, two attempted murders, a kidnapping, an attempted arson, an attempted insurance fraud, a large-scale environmental crime, a false arrest, with physical abuse and violation…and only one real “villain” to show for all of it!

Thanks J.J.! Your series sounds great. Loaded with bad guys.

M.L. Guida’s News

Finalists in the Readers’ Crown Contest in the paranormal category

 

I’m very excited to announce that A Pirate’s Curse is a finalist in the 2014 Readers’ Crown Contest in the paranormal category. I’m honored since this is a reader’s based contest. Winners will be announced at the RomCon convention but unfortunately, I will not be able to attend this year.

I’d like to congratulate all the finalists! And especially want to thank all the readers and judges.

M.L. Guida: Welcomes Guest Author: J.C. McKenzie

 

I’d like to welcome J.C. McKenzie to my blog. I’m very excited to have you here. Looks like an exciting book! Vampires, my favorite!

J.C. McKenzie

Born and raised on the Haida Gwaii, off the West Coast of Canada, J.C. McKenzie grew up in a pristine wilderness that inspired her to dream. She writes Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.

 

Blurb:

Andrea McNeilly’s job as a government agent is not asking questions, but then a routine assignment turns into a botched assassination of a Master Vampire’s human servant. Answers become a priority. Her search to discover the truth is riddled with obstacles, the largest being an oversized Werewolf who resembles a Norse god. Andy can’t afford the distraction he offers, because if she fails, she faces eternal enslavement.

Wick’s job is to monitor Andy, but he prefers more intimate activities, none of them G-Rated. His choices, however, are often not his own. His ability to help Andy is limited by his bond to the Master Vampire.

Facing many trials and challenges along her path to redemption, Andy learns the value of her freedom might be set too high.

Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvQ79fXVrj0

Excerpt:

A large black wolf trotted into the clearing to confront me. He had a white-tipped snout, white boots and mitts and would have looked cute had he not been the most intimidating Werewolf I’d ever seen. Standing tall and solid, power rolled off of his body. His eyes bore into mine. I sniffed the air. The strong Werewolf scent of rosemary swirled around me, strong and seductive, laced with sugar. A weird fuzzy sensation spread out from my chest. Whoa.

Alpha.

My other form growled low, demanding release, straining against my skin. The energy of the wolves built—layers upon layers of excitement and impatience. The air pulsated with anticipation. They could sense the imminent kill.

Let me out! My other form repeated, throwing her power against my built up walls, howling in defiance.

When the energy of the Werewolves surged, I finally released her. My wolf form flowed out fast, wiping out the feline in little more than a heartbeat. Smaller, weaker and the size of a natural wolf, a Shifter in this form was no match for a Werewolf, especially a dominant one. I had time to meet the eyes of the Alpha for only an instant before the pack leapt forward. My limbs shook. It went against every instinct ingrained within me, but I rolled onto my back—submissive.

Buy Links:

 

Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com.au

Available in print and all other electronic formats on July 16th, 2014

Contact Information:

Website: www.jcmckenzie.ca

Blog: www.jcmckenzie.blogspot.ca

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/j.c.mckenzie.author

Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/JC_McKenzie

Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/jcmckenzie

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/JCMcKenzie

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway" target="_blank">May Giveaway Rafflecopter Code: (May 9-24)

 

 

 

 

M.L. Guida’s Villains: Deep Throat

Deep Throat

Villains abound in stories, news and everyday life. Teachers and administrators are in the paper one day as heroes and the next villains. Remember Deep Throat? The whistler blower who contacted two reporters at the Washington Post that opened the doors to Watergate and only gave his name as Deep Throat.

Well today, it happened in my world. Someone sent an email to the whole school district accusing an administrator as being Attila the Hun, but didn’t sign his or her name.

Our administrator is either loved or hated. Well, today hate won out. This administrator is retiring and an email was sent to the superintendent, school board and student services claiming that the administrator had ravaged our department. Accusations flew regarding retaliations, breaking the union contract, and seeking out personal vendettas.

True? Maybe. Or maybe not.

Yes, this administrator can lash out and make decisions that make me crazy. I’ve experienced worse, believe me. If she doesn’t like someone, she can make their life miserable. What administrator can’t? Does she possess a lot of power? Absolutely. She’s in the administration building.

Mmmmm, this is not the usual path for getting the superintendent’s attention. There’s the union or personnel. Grievances can be filed. This administrator already has dozens filed against her. Don’t you think the superintendent knows this? Well, he does now.

I write about heroes and villains. In my newest work progress, my heroine must face two demons and fight them with magic. She’s can’t do it anonymously. She can’t cast a spell and run, hoping the demons don’t find her. She has to grab her bag and lunge into a battle. Her brother’s life depends on it.

I have had to file grievances before. Was it scary? Absolutely. Did administration have my number? You bet. Was I afraid I’d lose my job and have a date with Madame Guillotine? Oui. But I walked away with something more. I confronted my fears and faced my foes.

I found leaving an anonymous letter doesn’t always get the result you want. Sometimes it gets ignored like at one of my previous employers. The director said that if someone wouldn’t sign it, then it wasn’t valid. And it was about sexual harassment!

Other times without a signature, it’s investigated but considered petty. The credentials are considered weak. But the worst part is if the powers at be decide to hunt you down, it becomes the Spanish Inquisition.

What do you think about sending an accusatory email blasting someone and not signing your name? Would it make a difference if you thought your job was in jeopardy? Ever filed a grievance before? Would love to hear from you.

M.L. Guida's Villains: Guest Author Sandra Kerns

 M.L. Guida’s Haunts

Sandra Kern’s New Book Dream Stalker

I’m so excited to have Sandra Kerns, romantic suspense writer. She is here to talk about her first book and about the series. Welcome!

First, thank you, Mary for inviting us to your exciting new Villain Fridays. Believe me, I have several people who will love visiting with your readers. They are always trolling for new victims, er, I mean friends.

1. Tell us about your book and your character.

Dream Stalker, part of the Colorado Skies Series, came out in February of 2013 and is still enjoying good sales. I believe part of the reason for its success is the villain. Here’s the blurb from the back cover. After you read it, continue reading for the villain’s take on some questions.

 

Janine Chase, a reporter for a small newspaper in Northern Colorado, wakes up terrified. The killer who stalked her dreams when she lived in Philadelphia is back. He killed everyone close to her, almost. He didn’t kill the man she loved, but he did kill the relationship. Her obsession with helping the police catch the killer nearly killed her as well. When she recovered, she moved halfway across the country in hopes of leaving it all behind.

Philadelphia Detective Connor Dawson is dedicated to bringing in his brother’s murderer. The problem is the trail went cold after he arranged a fake obituary for reporter, Janine Chase. The killer had been obsessed with her, and she with him. Connor knew the only way to keep her safe was to make the killer think she was dead. It worked for two years. But recently similar murders have popped up on his radar. The trail leads directly to where Janine relocated. Not a believer in coincidence, Connor fears the killer has found her again. As hard as it will be to see the woman responsible for his brother’s death, he knows it would be worse to know she was dead and he could have stopped it.

 

Eddie grew up in a foundling home. It was not a pleasant place and he had a hard time of it. He believes the people who brought children there should be punished, and the ones who adopted children away only wanted someone to do work. Love never enters his mind except for his twin sister who was adopted before he even knew about her. As he fulfills his mission to punish the people he believes are bad he also searches for the sister he wants to rescue from the terrible people who adopted her away from him.

I doubt Eddie really appreciates my version of his life, so I will let him answer the rest of the questions.

2. What are you most ashamed of?

If I am ashamed of anything it is failing to take care of my poor sister. The fact that I was a baby myself when she was taken from the home is no excuse. I should have found her and protected her sooner.

3. What is your biggest regret?

Regret? Hmm, that would have to be letting Miss Gertrude live. She’s a vile woman and should have seen the extent of my wrath a long time ago.

4.  Who are you most angry at and why?

Detective Connor Dawson. The man took advantage of my sweet sister. He led her down an evil path and abandoned her. Now he thinks he can come back into her life and take her away again after I’ve just reconnected with her? Never!

5. If a miracle happened tomorrow and things could be different, what would your life look?

My father wouldn’t be sick and my mother wouldn’t have died leaving us in his care. We would all still be together as a happy family. My sister would look at me with love in her eyes and look up to me as her protector. But, I don’t think God has any miracles in store for me.

6.  What are your goals and why?

My goals are to find all the people who abandoned their children, their responsibilities and make them pay. Then, I’ll make the people who bought the children pay again, but this time with their lives. They took all the joy from these poor innocents and God has sent me to avenge the children.

You can see, Eddie has a few issues. One of his biggest problems is he is so smart, but was never guided in the right direction. Though he’s not very social, he enjoys sitting and talking to people over a cup of tea. Just don’t turn your back on him. I hope you find Eddie so interesting you want to read his whole story as it is told in Dream Stalker.

You can also check out the video trailer for it on YouTube: Dream Stalker Video Trailer

My next release in the Colorado Skies Series (due out April 29th) is Eenie, Meanie, Minie, No! and that villain could give Eddie a run for his money.

Buy links:

Dream Stalker Kindle

Dream Stalker CreateSpace (paperback version)

Dream Stalker Smashwords

Dream Stalker B&N

Dream Stalker Apple/iTunes Book Store

Dream Stalker AbeBooks

Dream Stalker Tower Books

Wow, Eddie is a creepy killer. I wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley or alone on a Colorado mountain trail. Thanks Sandra for stopping by and sharing your villain. What did you think of Eddie?