Jami Gray's Blog, page 25
December 17, 2013
Under the holiday anthology lights, it’s Debbie Christiana’s turn! THINGS THAT GO BUMP FOR THE HOLIDAYS #anthology #PNR #BOB @DebChristiana
Today’s guest is Debbie Christiana and she braved the slushy mud trails and the icy drips from our surrounding swamp trees to bring us a peek into Spooky Millane’s world, with MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT.
Making Spirits Bright–A Spookie Millane Holiday Short Story
By Debbie Christiana
Their touch is invisible but I know they’re near.
I’m not psychic nor do I see dead people. My visitors are what I affectionately refer to as the nearly departed. Those souls who come to me in the hours before their death for help to finish something they have run out of time to accomplish.
How is part of their life essence able to leave and appear to me while they are still alive? I couldn’t say. I have no formal knowledge of the metaphysical and intend to keep it that way. Blessing or burden, it’s my fate in life and I don’t question why.
Along with any otherworldly guests I may have today, I’m excited to meet with Jocelyn Jordan, a psychic paranormal investigator and filmmaker. When I received her hand-written letter asking for an interview, I was intrigued. In this day of emails a posted letter is odd and she described in detail her visions of my unusual talent. As private as I am about my skill, it’s a lonely existence. I sometimes ache to talk to someone who might understand.
The clock chimes two forty-five. Fifteen minutes until she arrives. I’m a bit perplexed at what to do. I rarely entertain actual people.
The nice thing about the almost dead is their simplicity. They don’t care that I prefer to dress in gothic style, that Halloween is my favorite holiday or if my house is clean. The other side of the coin is they don’t make appointments, often appear at importune times and have issues with personal space.
My humble abode reflects the festive time of the year. A small Christmas tree is lit near the fireplace and the alluring aroma of frankincense and myrrh swirls around the room. My life size Jack Skellington, dressed as Santa Claus, and his love, Sally the ragdoll, are positioned under the mistletoe by the door. Their dog, Zero is at their side, his jack-o-lantern nose glowing bright
In the kitchen I turn the teapot on and place gingerbread cookies on a plate. I take out two of my favorite holiday mugs. One with a black and white picture of Morticia and Gomez Addams decorating their dead Christmas tree, the other with a headshot of Lurch dressed as Santa Claus. I keep Lurch for myself.
I’m ready.
Then I feel the familiar tingle down my spine.
I know you want more, especially since you’ve devoured THINGS THAT GO BUMP FOR THE HOLIDAYS, so here are some very tasty tidbits to add to your reading pile:
SOLSTICE
Time is running out for Armend Zogu. The 250-year-old family curse on his head will claim his life on his 30th birthday, the winter solstice.
Sofia Palmalosi might be just the Strega who can save him. A descendant of a long line of powerful Italian witches, her family’s magic was a gift from the Goddess Diana.
Together Sofia and Armend embark on a journey from New York, to Sicily and the ancient ruins of Diana’s temple, and back to New York, all the while fighting a battle of magic and wits with a psychopath who wants them both dead and the curse intact.
If the curse doesn’t kill Armend, breaking it just might.
Pick up your copy of SOLSTICE from AMAZON or BLACK OPAL BOOKS
TWIN FLAMES
She’d never met him before…or had she?
The last thing forty-year old Natalia Santagario expected was to be sitting on a Manhattan barstool ogling a man she’s never met, but swears she knows.
He didn’t know her at all…or did her?
The mysterious dark-haired woman at the end of the bar stops twenty-eight year old Marc Tremonti in his tracks. His head assures him she’s a stranger, but his heart tells him otherwise.
Together they embark on an adventure that will change their lives forever.
Their attraction instant and enigmatic, they undergo past life regression and discover that, not only have they spent hundreds of lives together as lovers, Natalia holds the secret to Marc’s puzzling birthmark.
But what should have been a joyful reunion is complicated by a kind, albeit confused, almost ex-wife, an unfortunate accident in a taxicab, and a bout of temporary amnesia that threatens to ruin everything. On top of all that, they must contend with a mischievious ghost from their past.
What else could possibly go wrong?
Buy your copy of TWIN FLAMES at AMAZON or at BLACK OPAL BOOKS
Debbie Christiana loves to read and write about mysteries, unusual love stories and things that go bump in the night. She’s been fortunate to publish two novels, Twin Flames, a paranormal romance and the romantic suspense, Solstice, with Black Opal Books. Forever Flames, A Twin Flames Novella will be out in 2014. She also has published two dark fiction short stories in The Ten Tales anthology series. Debbie is a member of RWA, her local RWA chapter and the International Thrillers Writers, Inc. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and three children.
You can find her:
BLOG: www.debbiechristiana.com/blog
Twitter @DebChristiana
Facebook: Debbie Christiana, Author
December 15, 2013
A VERY PARANORMAL HOLIDAYS BLOG HOP Jami’s Stop…#giveaway #VPHBH #KindleFire
VERY PARANORMAL HOLIDAYS BLOG HOP
brought to you by a whole bunch of great authors, including the lovely Tricia Schneider & Kallysten, who organized this Very Paranormal holidays Blog Hop to share their love for paranormal romance, help you discover new authors, win books, prizes… and maybe a brand new Kindle Fire!
December 15th-30th
GRAND PRIZE: KINDLE FIRE
You want a chance at it? Then use this Rafflecopter link and LIKE my Author Page on Facebook.
RAFFLE COPTER LINK
Want another gift? Maybe a $10 Amazon Giftcard?
Yeah? Then leave your favorite paranormal author in the comments (along with your email) and you might be our winner!
In keeping with the paranormal theme for the holidays, I thought I’d share my top five authors and titles (some of which I’ve just discovered).
Christine Warren–who could go wrong with titles like: She’s No Faerie Princess, Walk on the Wild Side, The Demon You Know? Come on, admit it, you want to check it out now, uh?
Eileen Wilks–her novels of the Lupi are just shiver worthy. Start your journey with Mortal Danger and get to meet Lily and Rule…
Suzanne Wright-pick up Feral Sins and get ready for a pulse pounding ride…
C.T. Adams (AKA Cathy Clamp and CT Adams)–this duo put together the tales of the Sazi, and you won’t regret checking it out. I picked up Hunter’s Moon and was hooked…
Anya Bast–pick up Witch Fire and you won’t escape without a few burns…keep going with the Witch series, then add in Cruel Enchantment…
Keep your holiday spirits high and hop along, just click below for the hop list of participating authors/blogs….
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Don’t forget to leave your favorite paranormal author (and your email!) to share and your chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card from Jami!
December 13, 2013
Can you keep a holiday secret w/ @khlemoyne and THINGS THAT GO BUMP FOR THE HOLIDAYS? If so, you could win! #holidays #anthology #giveaway #BOB
((sigh)) Never mind, go ahead and tell everyone one….please!
Jami, thank you for having me on your blog. I’m thrilled to be in the Things That Go Bump For the Holidays anthology with you and so many other wonderful writers.
My contribution in the anthology, Heart Strings, is a follow-on short story with the characters from my first Portals of Destiny book, Return of the Legacy. For those of you who can commiserate with the difficulty of buy gifts and keeping secrets from your loved ones during the holidays, the task takes on a new level of difficulty in a family of gifted empaths and mystics.
Here’s an excerpt from Return of the Legacy to whet your appetite:
A glint of steel flickered in the shadowed dusk.
“What’s your business here?”
Logan shifted his eyes to make out the owner of the deep rasping voice. He slid his hand higher to palm the child’s head and shield her.
The sword was fisted in the hands of one short, but solid, old man, white hair plastered to his head. Fierce eyes challenged Logan’s, urging him to make a wrong move. Logan had no doubt a mistake now would end his life. Practiced calm seeped through him and froze him in place.
“Logan.” Robert moved closer, but a sword blade from a second person motioned him silent. Robert sank to his knees beside Logan, hands raised in submission in an attempt to defuse the aggression and take the brunt of the attention.
The position would make no difference. Robert was as deadly on his knees as he was on his feet. So was Logan if the protection of the fragile child hadn’t come first.
“There’s no need to hurt anybody.” Logan’s voice stayed calm and low. “We’re no threat.”
“That’s not for you to determine,” the older man rasped.
Logan moved his second hand from the anchor of the rock to the sling.
“Hefin, there’s a child.”
The deep, sultry voice drew Logan’s gaze to the woman’s face. His eyes narrowed. He moved back as she reached toward him, but the sword stopped his movement. Slender long fingers touched the sling with a gentle touch. They paused to cover Logan’s hand on the child’s head, and then retreated. Beneath her hood, he saw the outline of full lips and high cheekbones. Recognition struck a blaze through his body in spite of the wet and cold.
“Stay back from them, Briallen. They’re likely Vandals. Or scouts.”
Her hood feel back. Almond shaped eyes widened before her delicate brows drew together in puzzlement. “No, they are not.”
Ignoring the rivulets from rain that streamed down his face and the sword at his neck Logan met her gaze. “The girl is very sick. She needs a dry, warm place and some medical attention.”
Her hand gently pushed aside the blade at Logan’s throat. “Hefin, there is no harm here.”
Want more? I know you do! Check out her Amazon Author Page for all her titles. We’re going to share her Return of the Legacy:
Three magical dimensions…Two mystical bloodlines…One undeniable destiny.
Born a magical empath, Logan MacKenzie has spent his life protecting his family from discovery. Evil has found them anyway. What begins as Logan’s search for answers on Earth becomes a race for survival in the magical dimension of Loci.
The battle to save those he cares about will reveal his true lineage—the bloodline of the Makir, one half of a pair of sentinels chosen to guard the mystical portals between dimensions. The price of his acceptance: a love he never imagined possible and a heartbreaking choice.
Her family attacked, her home destroyed, and now stranded on Loci, Briallen of Tir Thar, descendant of a magical race, has only to summon the power within her to return to her own dimension—or so she had hoped. Unfortunately, her powers aren’t cooperating, and the sorcerer bent on her family’s destruction will stop at nothing to possess her.
Raised without knowledge of the portals, the Makir guardians, or her own destiny, Bri takes a leap of faith in an alliance with Logan. Embracing an uncertain power and accepting his goals as hers offers her the only way home. If they fail, the consequences of allowing the portals to fall to evil are unthinkable—the destruction of every magical dimension throughout space.
Or for those who want a little more pulse pounding excitement, check out her Dragon Rider’s Gift:
[image error]
Three souls. Two hearts. One courageous calling.
Roark of Nedres spent his life absorbing lore, legend, and rumor to claim his dragon beast in order to save his people. Nothing has prepared him for the ultimate bond fate will demand.
Princess Nira Meriel Estar was born with the power of prophecy. Her most recent vision forecasts a dire fate for her people, promises few answers, and will deliver the country of Fyrhall a victorious future or crushing defeat.
Kraz, an ancient dragon of mythical power and knowledge, has eluded capture for a thousand years. However, only a dragon of great wisdom would consider an eternal bond to his warrior rider to save his dragon race.
I bet you want your own copy of Return of the Legacy, or Things that Go Bump for the Holidays, or maybe even, Dragon Rider’s Gift?
Good, because KH is going to share one AMAZON or B&N copy of one of these with one of our lucky commenters. Just tell us, do you like:
variety (Things that Go Bump for the Holidays)
a tale that tugs on your emotional strings (Return of the Legacy)
a fantastical tale of mythical proportions (Dragon Rider’s Gift)?
Indicate your preference: VARIETY, EMOTIONAL, or FANTASTICAL, but don’t forget your email* so we can shower gifts on December 16th !
*we’ll only use your email for gifting, we promise not to send you a plethora of joke emails or newsletters
KH LeMoyne left behind a career as technology specialist and now lives in Maryland with her family and two corgis. Her love of things mystical and magical keeps her writing, with characters who fight for never-ending love against insurmountable odds. Well, that and occasionally she gets to write about elves, dragons, immortals, and shifters. You can find Kate on the web at: www.khlemoyne.com, her blog: www.fantasypoweredbylove.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/khlemoyneauthor
December 11, 2013
Time for Safari Heat’s NAUGHTY-N-NICE BLOG HOP! #giveaway #NNBH #safariheat
![tmp_NEW_021013_wYFTIxITE4VZFwy3[1]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1386808045i/7448302._SX540_.png)
All the rules and how the hop will work it listed on the Safari Heat site. Follow the link below.
http://safariheatbooktoursandauthorservices.blogspot.com
Ahh, tis the holiday season. The madness, the laughter, the spinning heads…wow, okay for someone who writes paranormal that sounds like an everyday thing.
Yet, I have something everyone will enjoy, a list…for those who are Naught and those who are Nice. Just click on the image or link above and stroll through our blog hops. Everyone’s in the giving mood, so don’t forget to leave your comments behind, along with your email. Our Grand Prize winner will receive a fully-loaded KINDLE FIRE HDX 7″ to warm up the cold nights.
Holiday season tends to be hectic around our humble shack. Family far and wide gather around our cypress tree dressed in pretty moss and fireflies. The Prankster Duo will dash to and fro. The Knight, he’ll try cleaning out the chimney and me…well I sit back and revel in the antics of my family and loved ones. Isn’t that what the season is about after all?
Growing up, my parents, in a vain attempt to curb our overwhelming enthusiasm on Christmas Eve, implemented the following tradition:
First, we must have dinner: Make your own pizza (rolling out dough, arguing over toppings, it can help whittle down even the most joyous teenager)
Then, every one of us (and there were 16–yes, SIXTEEN) would open one gift–just one, and it couldn’t be large either.
After that it was time for movies, back in the age of Blockbuster, we’d gather round our VCR (you, youngin’s go look it up) and watch our stack of plastic entertainment.
Then, just when we’d about guaranteed coal being the only treasure in our stockings, my parents would herd us together and as a family, we’d go through the original Christmas Story, each of us taking a turn to read a passage (good thing it’s recorded at least twice in the Good Book).
Only after a rousing round of carols, it was off to bed, to wait for the magic of Christmas morning.
For my Knight, well, it was just him and his Sister of Mercy, so they weren’t quite the wild bunch we were, but their traditions were just as important–tamales, laughter, love, music.
So when it came time to begin a tradition for my Knight and Duo, we cobbled our own together. Tamales abound during the holiday season (love my Mexican food), we share the Christmas story with the Duo, laughter and love with family and friends, then it’s game on…
As the Duo had gained years, they have decided to prove once and for all Santa does not exist (Gasp! I know, right?). So it becomes a battle between them and Santa. Last year was way close, guys…Santa almost got caught on video. Too bad he found that sneaky little camera and recorded his own holiday message. Wonder what will happen this year?
Traditions, its one of the greatest gifts we are either given or make, because it’s those memories that will last much longer than the paper and bows strewn over the disaster area that once was a living room.
Share with me your favorite holiday tradition, sweet, silly or stunning, I want to hear! One lucky commenter will get an e-copy of THINGS THAT GO BUMP FOR THE HOLIDAYS, an awesome collection of paranormal short stories from the talented collective at Black Opal Books, so make sure to include your email.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ONE AND ALL!
To keep hopping follow the link below.
http://safariheatbooktoursandauthorservices.blogspot.com
![tmp_NEW_021013_wYFTIxITE4VZFwy3[1]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1386808045i/7448304.png)
December 10, 2013
Put your hands together for our master of thrill–John R. Beyer…THINGS THAT GO BUMP FOR THE HOLIDAYS spotlight #anthology #BlackOpal #thriller
Our next guess is debut author, John R. Beyer. A storyteller of thrills and chills, his debut novel, HUNTED, flew the coop in May 2013.
His piece, WINGS OF CHANGE, is part of our holiday anthology, THINGS THAT GO BUMP FOR THE HOLIDAYS, and will bring forth your goosebumps.
‘Wings of Change’ – By John R. Beyer
He believed there might be a second chance at a new beginning with the woman he loved. It took a tragic accident to test that belief to its limit and to shed light on the question: What future lies beyond the grave?
John was nice enough to share a small peek into his novel, HUNTED (available now!)…
A killer without remorse, burning with pride, and having the time of his life, Zachary Marshall is unstoppable – until Detective Jonas Peters unexpectedly arrives in the midst of one of Marshall’s heinous crimes. After a bank robber goes from bad to worse and leaves three dead – including a little girl – Marshall finds himself the target of the most intensive manhunt Riverside, California, has ever witnessed.
Detective Peters becomes frustrated and half-crazed as the case falters due to lack of clues and evidence. Ordered to take a vacation from the the department, before he drives all the other detectives crazy with his constant tirades, he heads to his sister’s in Arizona. But an innocent remark to the media changed the entire scenario – and now the hunter has become the hunted.
PROLOGUE
The pock face man sauntered up to the boy who was filling the gas tank on an ’eighty-six, baby blue Ford Mustang.
“Hey, kid, need any help with that?”
With a look of disgust, the baggy-trousered youth ignored the older man, who stood only a few feet away, and kept his eyes on the nozzle he held in his hand.
“Ain’t nice to ignore people, son,” returned the man with a grin in his voice.
“Listen, old man,” started the teenager as he completed draining the last drop of regular unleaded from the hose in his hand. He hated adults who thought they could tell kids how to do things. Didn’t this old fart know he belonged to a gang? One more word from the wino and he would let him have it. “I don’t need—”
“That’s right, boy,” continued the man, now standing dangerously close to the youth. “You just keep your goddamn mouth shut. I’m gonna borrow your car for a little job, and, if you is a good little asshole, I may let you live. Get in and slide over to the passenger’s seat.”
Fear shot through the boy as he stared down the barrel of a large-caliber handgun in the stranger’s hand. He could not move. He could barely breathe, let alone think.
Replacing the fuel hose, the boy gingerly stepped in front of the larger man and entered the vehicle through the driver’s-side door. He thought about jumping out the passenger side, but then he realized this stranger wasn’t fooling around. The boy knew he’d be dead before he got a chance to grab the door handle. He could tell from the look in the man’s eyes. This guy wasn’t sane. Lifeless, cold eyes stared right at him and sent chills down his spine. The boy was scared, truly frightened. This man was one serious badass.
The gunman tossed a large brown duffel bag into the rear seat. He pushed in beside the boy, settled himself behind the wheel, and started the Mustang. Slowly, he drove out of the ARCO gas station.
“I noticed you have one of those No Fear stickers on your rear window.” The man smiled as he turned onto the main roadway. “Is it true?”
“W–what?” the youth stuttered, badly shaken.
“Are you stupid as well as ugly, kid? Don’t you fear nothing?”
“I–I–”
“I bet you peed your pants already.” The man laughed as he turned north onto De Anza Avenue. “You shitheads with those stickers. You go out and skateboard or ride your silly-assed, off-road bikes and think you’re some sort of brave men. You all are nothing but a bunch of weekend weenies. Shit, you’re probably scared of the dark, ain’t you? With your pants hanging below your ass you gotta be some kind of queer or one of those big bad gangstas those niggers are always singing about. Pukin’ sissies!”
He was scared. Out-of-his-mind scared. “Mister, what do you want?”
“Nothing, now,” the driver answered calmly. “I got what I wanted. I got me a car and a young boy.”
“Oh, Jesus.” The youth suddenly felt sick to his stomach and started to reach for the door handle beside him. He stopped as the barrel of the man’s revolver pressed into his left temple.
“That would be real stupid,” the man whispered as he turned into a strip mall parking lot, drove behind the businesses, and slowed the car to a stop. “This is where you get out.”
The young man was suddenly shaking as he realized this nightmare was almost over. “You’re letting me go?”
“What’d ya think I was gonna do? Break your cherry?” The man stopped talking and pointed to a dumpster tucked up into a narrow alleyway behind a small Mom and Pop Liquor store. “Get out and climb into that dumpster. If you stay there until you hear me drive away, you’ll live. If you don’t…well, I guess you won’t.”
The boy didn’t hesitate as he jumped from the car and made it over the side of the dumpster in one tall leap. Quickly, he burrowed down into the trash, trying to put as much distance between him and the carjacker as possible. His heart suddenly skipped a beat as he heard the Mustang’s door open. “Don’t worry, kid. I gotta take a leak.”
There was silence and then the unmistakable sound of approaching footsteps on blacktop.
“Hey, boy! Fear this!”
The youth looked up and saw the barrel of the stranger’s gun pointing directly at his head. It was the last thing he saw.
The man shot the youth twice in the face. “Not bad, boy—very little noise, and it’ll be a while before they find you in the trash.”
The killer looked around, shrugged his muscular shoulders when he realized no one had come to investigate, and walked back to the dead teenager’s car. “No fear.” He chuckled to himself as he pushed the revolver beneath the driver’s seat.
“Fuck him.”
CHAPTER 1
April Phillips glanced right, left, and then right again before she stepped off the southwest corner of Central Avenue and Riverside Drive and into the crosswalk. Her parents always warned her and she always remembered. Hadn’t Sammy Mathews been run over last summer because he had darted into the traffic lanes without even taking a look for oncoming vehicles? April was a smart girl. Everyone told her so and she liked hearing it.
Staying between the two wide yellow lines painted on the asphalt, April walked her bicycle across the busy street. A red truck slowed to a stop and the driver smiled at the twelve-year-old girl in the crosswalk. April wanted to smile or wave back but, again, the advice of her parents sprang to her memory and she didn’t dare.
“Never get involved with strangers,” her mother had told her time and time again.
She always followed that advice. Safely on the other side of the street, April lifted her little pink BMX up onto the sidewalk and started riding west down the cement path toward Riverside Plaza.
April was very excited this morning. She had one hundred and forty-two dollars in the left front pocket of her jeans, which she planned on depositing into the Citibank located near her home on Laura Lane. First, of course, she had to open an account. But she had her parents’ permission and knew they were proud of her. She had done a good job saving that money from the small, around-the-house chores she did every week. She was still too young to do any serious baby-sitting, but in a year or two she would get all the sitting jobs she wanted, and then the savings would really start to grow.
Slowing the BMX as she approached the bank, April took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself. Then she slowly climbed off the brightly-painted bicycle and locked it to a steel rack by the front door. Patting the money safely tucked into her pocket, she pushed open the heavy glass door and walked into the foyer of the bank.
Today was the day. She was going to be an investor.
Want more? I bet you do, and I know where you can get more for your fix…
AMAZON Black Opal Books Barnes & Noble Smashwords
John R. Beyer Ed.D. spent nearly a decade in a Southern California law enforcement agency dividing his time between street patrol and as a member of the elite Special Weapons Assault Team (SWAT). Moving from law enforcement he has spent two decades in public education as classroom teacher and administrator. He is currently the founder and head-writer for J & L Research and Exploration blog and spends any free time traveling nationally and internationally with his spouse, Laureen, for the next ‘big’ blog. Being a native Californian he lives on a small ranch in the High Desert near the rural town of Phelan. His next novel, ‘Soft Target’ will be released in 2014.
December 9, 2013
12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop: Look, a recipe from one who doesn’t cook! #giveaway #12daysofchristmas #recipe
Blog Hop: 12 Days of Christmas
Event Date: December 1st – 12th 2013
Hosted by: As You Wish Reviews & Confessions of the Paranormal
Sponsors: As You Wish Tours & Book Dragon Designs
For those who know me, you will totally understand this recipe and be forever grateful not to be eating charred briskets instead.
As cooking and I don’t get along, I had to get creative in sharing my favorite cookie recipe, so here goes:
Throw on a hoodie and tuck feet into fuzzy slippers, quick before the small humans wake up and realize you forgot to make cookies for Santa.
Sneak into your car/bike/skateboard and go as fast as you can to nearest grocery store
Head straight back to the refrigerated section (don’t stop at Starbucks, you don’t have time)
Grab two bags of Nestle Toll House Ready to Bake cookie dough (yellow, square package, can’t miss it, spells it out clearly)
Take your stash and do self checkout to avoid the pitying glance of those that CAN cook
Drive/skate/pedal back to your humble abode, sneak in.
Try not to wake the neighborhood unearthing the cookie sheets you used last year (for the first time)
Memorize the instructions, then ditch all evidence these soon to be deliciousnesses were not handmade
Follow those directions, then wait for the house to sniff you out
When full mouths and satisfied noises slow down, smile and duck your head while they rave about how good your homemade cookies are…
My donation for our first prize winner is a copy of my SHADOW’S EDGE
Everyone fears what hunts in the shadows—especially the monsters…
It takes a monster to hunt one, and for Raine McCord, forged in the maelstrom of magic and science, she’s the one for the job. In a world where the supernatural live in a shadowy existence with the mundane, a series of disappearances and deaths threatens the secrecy of her kind and indicates someone knows the monsters are alive and kicking. Partnering up with the sexy and tantalizing Gavin Durand proves to be a challenge as dangerous as the prey she hunts.
When the trail points back to the foundation which warped Raine’s magic as a child, her torturous past raises its ugly head. Gavin and Raine sift through a maze of lies, murder and betrayal to discover not only each other, but the emerging threat to them and the entire magical community.
Grand Prize: $150 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
First Prize: One (1) eBook from Every Participating Author
CLICK HERE TO ENTER VIA RAFFLECOPTER or on link below
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fe782e78/
Share your favorite holiday treat as a comment and you could win your e-copy of Black Opal’s Paranormal Holiday Anthology: THINGS THAT GO BUMP FOR THE HOLIDAYS. Don’t forget to leave your email so we can make sure it makes its way to you!
For more Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes & Giveaways – Hop along the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop! Just click the image below!
update link list below
December 4, 2013
I’m Hosting 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop: Look, a recipe from one who doesn’t cook! #giveaway #12daysofchristmas #recipe
Blog Hop: 12 Days of Christmas
Event Date: December 1st – 12th 2013
Hosted by: As You Wish Reviews & Confessions of the Paranormal
Sponsors: As You Wish Tours & Book Dragon Designs
Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop!!!
Everyone has a YUMMY cookie recipe to share and there are some extra little treats scattered around the Hop too, so be sure to visit each of the Authors and Bloggers blogs to make sure you don’t miss out on something SWEET!
Also for an extra special something in your stocking check out the Rafflecopter GRAND PRIZE Giveaway below.
I hope you are on Santa’s Nice List!
For those who know me, you will totally understand this recipe and be forever grateful not to be eating charred briskets instead.
As cooking and I don’t get along, I had to get creative in sharing my favorite cookie recipe, so here goes:
Throw on a hoodie and tuck feet into fuzzy slippers, quick before the small humans wake up and realize you forgot to make cookies for Santa.
Sneak into your car/bike/skateboard and go as fast as you can to nearest grocery store
Head straight back to the refrigerated section (don’t stop at Starbucks, you don’t have time)
Grab two bags of Nestle Toll House Ready to Bake cookie dough (yellow, square package, can’t miss it, spells it out clearly)
Take your stash and do self checkout to avoid the pitying glance of those that CAN cook
Drive/skate/pedal back to your humble abode, sneak in.
Try not to wake the neighborhood unearthing the cookie sheets you used last year (for the first time)
Memorize the instructions, then ditch all evidence these soon to be deliciousnesses were not handmade
Follow those directions, then wait for the house to sniff you out
When full mouths and satisfied noises slow down, smile and duck your head while they rave about how good your homemade cookies are…
Share your favorite holiday treat as a comment below and you could win your e-copy of Black Opal’s Paranormal Holiday Anthology: THINGS THAT GO BUMP FOR THE HOLIDAYS. Don’t forget to leave your email so we can make sure it makes its way to you!
Grand Prize: $150 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
First Prize: One (1) eBook from Every Participating Author
CLICK HERE TO ENTER VIA RAFFLECOPTER or on link below
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fe782e78/
Share your favorite holiday treat as a comment and you could win your e-copy of Black Opal’s Paranormal Holiday Anthology: THINGS THAT GO BUMP FOR THE HOLIDAYS. Don’t forget to leave your email so we can make sure it makes its way to you!
For more Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes & Giveaways – Hop along the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop! Just click the image below!
December 3, 2013
It’s Melissa Groeling’s turn under the spotlight for THINGS THAT GO BUMP FOR THE HOLIDAYS… #holiday #anthology #PNR @stringbean10
And up next is the creative, mad genius, Melissa Groeling. Not only did she contribute to the anthology, but she has a book coming out in FOUR DAYS! Yes, indeed, her thriller LIGHTS OUT is hitting shelves on December 7th..
but before we let you in on what’s hiding in the dark, let’s get a taste of what’s in store for the holidays…
Jami! How are you? Hope you’ve recuperated from a weekend of munching, drinking, munching…and did I mention the munching? I’ve finally managed to pull myself out of my apple-pie coma to share with you the awesomeness that comes with sharing pages with some truly amazing authors from Black Opal Books! It’s a double whammy because not only do I get to partake in the Things That Go Bump for the Holidays anthology but I also get to take up some space right here on Jami Gray’s blog!
My short story in the anthology is called, The Ghost of Christmas Present. It centers on Colin who’s always been good at keeping secrets…until one comes back to haunt him…literally. Here’s a little bit to get the blood flowing:
He moved farther in, away from the comforting safety of daylight. The door slammed shut behind him, throwing him into complete blackness. Swearing under his breath, he backtracked, fumbling for the doorknob. When his fingers touched nothing but empty air, a funny skittering sensation went through his chest. He knew he wasn’t that far away from the entrance—
Something moved behind him. Startled, he turned to find a door opening. It swung outward, stopping about halfway so that it hid the threshold. But it threw a gratifying amount of soft, yellow light across the concrete floor.
Spooky, aren’t we? Colin thought sarcastically.
He waited for someone to appear, to welcome him in. When no one did, he went toward it but stopped, his eyes drawn to the giant puddle of shadows farther down the hallway.
“I assure you, there’s nobody here but us.”
Colin jumped at the voice that came from inside that softly-lit room. It was raspy but weirdly melodic like those sand dunes that sang in Death Valley. It was curious, urging him forward until he was abruptly warned, “State your business.”
He stopped. “Excuse me?”
“State your business.”
“I’d rather not from the hallway.”
“No one comes in here unless their minds are open to the possibility.”
He sneered. “I’m not here for a reading, ma’am. I’m here because my girlfriend comes to see you a few times a week. You may know her—”
“Julia.”
Colin blinked. “I have a gift idea for her and I wanted to ask you—”
“Why would you need my help to propose to her?”
He licked his lips. Lucky guesses, he told himself vehemently. That’s all they are.
“Who said anything about proposing?” he snapped.
There was a small pause. “Bring her by the day after Christmas. Around two. I will help you.”
He clenched his jaw. “Fine.”
“And be prepared. Your life is about to change.”
*Shivers* You have to pick up our collection of Paranormal shorts, you’ll never look at the holidays the same way.
If that little taste makes you crave more, never fear, you can pick up LIGHTS OUT, coming Dec. 7th.
Even when the lights are out, he can still see you…
Paul Holten’s profession doesn’t leave much room for doubt or conscience but he’s reaching his breaking point. The nightmares are getting worse, the jobs are getting harder to finish and the volatile relationship with his boss, Aaron, is falling apart. Now faced with the possibility of an impending death sentence, Paul makes the fatal decision to run. Drawn into one hellish situation after another, he’s forced to confront his dark past—and wonder if perhaps dying isn’t the better option.
Melissa has even more creative tales for your enjoyment. You can pick up her YA thriller, TRAFFIC JAM now!
When you’re caught in traffic, you’ve got nowhere to go…
Val Delton’s life is spiraling and there’s nothing she can do to stop it. Her dad lost his job, her mom works fourteen hour days to pay the bills and yet somehow there are high-end shopping bags and an iPod in her older sister’s room. Naturally, Val becomes suspicious but her sister’s lips are sealed. Then by accident, she uncovers a dark, dangerous secret hidden behind her sister’s bright smiles and cool indifference. Val has no idea how far and how deep the repercussions of her sister’s secret will reach but she’ll do whatever it takes to keep her family safe. Will she succeed before her sister’s secret destroys everyone she loves?
AMAZON GOODREADS BARNES AND NOBLE SMASHWORDS DOYLESTOWN BOOKSHOP
Melissa Groeling graduated from Bloomsburg University with a degree in English. She lives, reads and writes in the Philadelphia region and wherever else life happens to send her. She is a hardcore New York Giants fan and loves chocolate. Traffic Jam is her first young adult novel.
Come find me at Facebook!
Twitter: @stringbean10
Blog: http://melissagroeling.blogspot.com
It’s the Christmas Paws blog hop starring my very own HELLHOUND! #giveaway #BTSemag #XmasPaws
BTS eMag is hosting CHRISTMAS PAWS BLOG HOP December 3rd-10th!
Come dash along with all the great authors to discover what their favorite furry/feathered/scaled friends do for the holidays! Everyone’s sharing gifts so don’t forget to comment along the way!
Just click HERE to continue your holiday journey!
I wasn’t going to pass up a chance to celebrate one of my sons, albeit he’s a bit furry, sometimes stinky (especially after it rains), but as you can see, my Hellhound (AKA Stitch) is the perfect companion for any writer…he loves a good book, soft bed, and spreading holiday cheer. (It was a long day of traipsing through the Swamp after the Prankster Duo this time.)
Want to pick up a $10 Amazon Giftcard for one of the best parts of your family? Just leave a comment sharing who holds that spot in your heart (and don’t forget to include your email) and it could be you!
Happy Holidays to all!
November 28, 2013
THINGS THAT GO BUMP FOR THE HOLIDAYS Welcomes Liv Rancourt to the stage… #holidayreads @livrancourt #anthology #paranormal
Today, our visitor from our soon to be released anthology: Things That Go Bump for the Holidays (coming Dec. 14th), is none other than LIV RANCOURT!
You’ll have to excuse all the squees of delight, as Liv gets settled in. There are so many great authors in this anthology, I think our crowd will be hoarse by the end of our spotlight runs.
Without further ado, I give you–Liv….
Thanks so much for having me as a guest on your blog, Jami! I’m seriously looking forward to December 14th, because I can’t wait to get my hands on Things That Go Bump For The Holidays. Being in an anthology with you and with all the other great Black Opal Books authors is such a thrill! And I know I sound like I finish every sentence with an exclamation point, but for real, I’m excited about this.
My contribution to the anthology, God Rest Ye Merry Vampires , is a bit of a different spin for me. Last spring I did a bunch of research on early 20th century Seattle for a day-job-related project, and it just seemed like the most natural thing in the world to apply some of that research to my fiction. And, because of the way my brain works, vampires had to be involved.
So here’s a snippet from God Rest Ye Merry Vampires , my historical/paranormal holiday tale. I hope you enjoy it, and that you have a very merry holiday season!
Liv
Snowflakes the size of nickel coins melted as soon as they hit the street. Clydie wiped away a bit more of the frost that edged the perimeter of each pane of glass, hoping to find a different view. It must not snow tonight, Christmas Eve. Howard’s train would arrive soon, and she had to get to Seattle’s King Street Station to meet him.
Clydie moved away from the window, her steps small and careful, hindered by her narrow, hobble skirt. Walking any distance required patience, a quality she rarely exercised, but she loved the silken drape of the burgundy velvet as it tapered from her knees to her ankles. Tiny, seed beads edged the cap sleeves and daring neckline, and her hair had been turned into a crown of soft curls held in place by a gold band. She not only had to find a way to get to the train station, she had to do it without ruining her hair and dress. James, her father’s driver, held the key to her success in more ways than one.
The public areas of the house were trimmed with pine garland, candlelight, and a calm anticipation of the event to come. Two years ago, when they moved into their grand new house near Volunteer Park, Mother had declared the décor would reflect modern principles of efficiency and cleanliness. Her comfortably cluttered Christmas decorations, ruby-toned glass ornaments, holly wreaths, and swaths of greenery, undermined those principles. Mother would dim the electric lights when the guests arrived, wrapping everyone in candlelight’s honeyed glow.
Heel, toe, patience, patience. Clydie kept up a whispered chant as she minced through the main rooms, looking for James. Nerves twisted under her breastbone like otters at play, sliding and tangling and popping up where she least expected them.
“My dear, come help,” Mother said from the grand stairway, holding out a taper. Mother looked wonderful, her hair piled high, her cream silk and lace gown a nearly perfect copy of one made by the House of Worth.
Clydie tucked her hands behind her back. “I’m looking for James.”
“Why?”
“The candelabra in the dining room is tilted, and I can’t reach it.” Clydie kept her expression sincere, though she hadn’t seen the dining room since breakfast. Likely the candelabra had been hung with greens, and perhaps some had come loose and knocked it askew.
“Maybe I can help.”
Clydie whirled around, catching her balance on one of the small side tables strewn around the perimeter of the room. Lucas Bail stepped out of the shadows.
“Oh.” She gulped down her surprise, willing her heart beat to slow down. Her father’s handsome assistant made her nervous for more reasons than his uncanny ability to appear out of nowhere. “Of course.”
Lucas wore his hair somewhat longer than the latest fashion, and whenever she saw him she wanted to brush the loosely curled lengths away from his face. His neat beard suggested an earlier time, adding a subtle hint of mystery. Keeping her chant in mind, she forced a calm over her booming heart and led the way into the dining room. Her shortened stride made her hips swing, and under different circumstances she might have enjoyed giving him the opportunity to notice.
The dining room smelled heavily of the pine branches draped over the candelabra. Of course it wasn’t tilted. Clydie kept up the bluff, straightening to her full height and imitating her mother’s imperious tone. “I’m sorry for interrupting your work, Mr. Bail. James must have already attended to it.”
He raised a single eyebrow, the only indication he might not quite believe her story. “Of course.”
Even when she stood tall in her kitten heeled slippers, he towered over her. His eyes unnerved her, tonight more-so than normal. During the day, he wore smoke-colored spectacles, however in candlelight, his eyes were a deep amber brown, and he examined her as if he could peel away her burgundy velvet dress.
“I do apologize. I’ll just go help Mother.” With all the grace she could muster she brushed past him, heading towards the door.
You want more don’t you, greedy boys and girls? Good, because you can pick up some of Liv’s titles now, just to whet your appetite. Check out her page at Amazon then pick up some awesome appetizers.
Come meet Liv:
Liv Rancourt writes paranormal and romance, often at the same time. She lives with her husband, two teenagers, two cats and one wayward puppy. She likes to create stories that have happy endings, and finds it is a good way to balance her other job in the neonatal intensive care unit. Liv can be found on-line at her website (http://www.livrancourt.com), her blog (www.livrancourt.com/blog), on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/liv.rancourt), or on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/LivRancourt).
![[image error]](http://jamigray.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/legacy.jpg){kind=link}
![[image error]](http://jamigray.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/dragon1.jpg){kind=link}