Michele E. Gwynn's Blog, page 26

Treasured Moments Mega Raffle with Crazy Lady Authors!

The Crazy Lady Authors, otherwise known as  R.E. Hargrave (Author), Teri Riggs (Author), Aubree Lane (Author), Samantha Jacobey (Author), Linda Lee Williams (Author), Jayne Hyatt (Author), Jami Brumfield (Author), Cherime MacFarlane (Author), Michele E. Gwynn (Author), Terri Hubbard Carle (Author), Kelly Cozzone (Author), Nikki Lynn Barrett (Author), Holly Barbo (Author), J.B. Yarbrough (Author) are having a blowout event next weekend, (Jan 16th & 17th) to announce their amazing box set of heartwarming, gripping, and hilarious stories of romance and family, Treasured Moments.

Being part of this amazing group of authors is surely a blessing, and an honor. The box set is currently selling like hotcakes for only $0.99! No lie!

Treasured Moments Download Here
The price will go up soon, so grab yours today. After you do that, enter into our MASSIVE RAFFELCOPTER of prizes where you could win a GRAND PRIZE, an Amazon Gift Card valued at $100!!!!

Enter the RaffleCopter Here :  http://is.gd/p1fWIh

Television now focusing more on women's sexuality, and we like it!

I was reading an article about the rise of female-centric sex scenes on television. (Vultur.com) In the article, the author explains how so many new shows are way sexier now because they focus on what women like, what they respond to rather than what men respond to.

Get Yours!I thought it was interesting, and I even agree that once people started getting past their prudish double standards on seeing a woman having and enjoying her cake (so to speak), rather than just seeing men get theirs while the women are just pretty props has made a huge difference. One of the things it made me think about is the reason why romance novels are such a massively lucrative business. Think about it. Porn is geared toward men. It's about what they like. Porn lacks feeling, romance, intimacy (I know. I review more than my fair share of it for Wicked as I write articles for Examiner). It's pretty much strictly visual, lacks foreplay, or mental stimulation of any kind. It's red meat with no side dish...no appetizer...no subtle scent and taste of a full-bodied wine.

Now, if any guy reading this has ever taken a moment to browse a romance novel (also known as erotica, a good smut book, mommy's private time reading) he may have thought it took too long to get to the 'good stuff', but that's exactly the point when it comes to giving women what they want. Women want and need that slow build up. It's why we all read these books, and now, many directors and television script writers are finally getting it! And they're incorporating that into television and movies. Listen, women like sex, too, but women are sexual connoisseurs. We don't need or want a cheap steak. We want filet Mignon...bacon-wrapped and with a side of seasoned, grilled vegetables and maybe some risotto. And before we actually get to that most excellent cut of beef, we want our appetizer...and wine! Oh...and when it's all said and done, bring on the sweet stuff. We don't want 'fast-food sex'. We want the entire culinary experience. Capisce? Now, go read her books (or mine. Just look right). Then, surprise her when she gets home by re-enacting one of the good scenes. You're welcome.

Blind Tasting: Meet Dr. Rebecca Miller

Meet Dr. Rebecca Miller, betrayed by love, yet brave enough to try again… Blind Tasting by Angela Ford. Love is not blind; it just sees what matters. -William Curry-
Dr. Rebecca Miller, M.D. – formerly of Memorial Hospital in New York, relocated to Country Hospital in Vinegrove – a small town in the heart of Washington Wine Country. The last thing on Becca’s mind was ‘love’. After all, she did find her fiance in bed with her best friend.

Crushed by Angela Ford
Becca needed some fresh air, especially after a double shift at Memorial Hospital. Her only thought—crawling in bed beside the man she loved. Becca met Blake in college. Love at first sight. They’d been inseparable since. Blake proposed in Central Park and that’s where they were to be married. Wedding preparations were underway. Even though she’d hired a wedding planner, her best friend from college, Janet, had her mind set on helping create the most magical wedding the park had ever seen. Becca’s life couldn’t be more perfect.

Becca sensed peace when she closed the door to her apartment. The walk home refreshed her drained body. She heard soft music flowing from the direction of the bedroom. Becca knew Blake must be in bed. He always listened to music before he went to sleep. She was in luck, he was still awake. She smiled with seductive thoughts on her mind. Though she promised him to slow down on the double shifts at the hospital, he always forgave her once she removed her clothing. Becca undressed as she moved down the hallway. By the time she entered the bedroom there wouldn’t be an article of clothing left on her body. Slowly she turned the handle to the bedroom door. She gasped at what she saw. “Blake! Janet!”

Not another word came from her mouth as she stood naked in shock of her fiancé and her best friend in her bed. Tears formed in her eyes as her body began to tremble. She turned and ran out of the bedroom. Frantically she picked up her clothes on the floor in the hallway. By the time she’d pulled her sweater over her head and pulled her jeans back on she heard him call out her name. “Becca—wait!”

She turned to look down the hall at the man she thought she knew. The man she thought she loved. So many questions went through her mind. They all started with Why? She wiped her tears with her sleeve. She tried to suck in air between her sobs of pain. Becca packed the remaining clothing in her hands into her bag and grabbed her keys from the table near the door.

Her hand reached for the front door when his hand grabbed her arm. “Please Becca, let me explain” His tone sounded apologetic.

The plea only angered her. “Explain?” Becca pulled away from him. His hold released. She tried to look at him through the pile of tears that blurred her vision. “Explain what, Blake? You were in our bed with my best friend! What possible explanation can you give me?” Her words were shaky. Her heart had been ripped out, stomped on and kicked to the curb. She desperately fought the urge to slap him. He betrayed their love and her trust, but he didn’t deserve her dignity. She slammed the door on her way out. Her once perfect life had been crushed. Becca walked back to the hospital and cried herself to sleep in the doctor’s lounge on a cold hard sofa.

*** 
Becca waited until she knew Blake would have left for the office. He worked on Wall Street, as did Janet. She’d hoped her best friend and her fiancé would get along. She never expected she’d find them that close. The empty apartment only saddened her heart more. A part of her hoped he’d be there waiting. Not that she could ever bring herself to forgive him. She didn’t believe any relationship could survive adultery. Her own parents had been happily married forever. Becca assumed she and Blake would be together forever. He shattered that dream.

She wondered if last night had been the first time or if the two had been sleeping together behind her back. How stupid could I have been? Why didn’t I see this coming? She looked at the picture in her hand of their engagement picture that Janet had personally placed in the New York Times as a gift. Tears streamed down her face and she set the picture face-down. Her heart ached as she looked around their home. Everything they’d shopped together for, the paint on the walls; she remembered the weekend they spent painting the apartment. They’d laughed, joked and ended up with just as much paint on themselves as on the walls.

Her cell phone rang. She reached in her pocket and pulled it out. The display showed Blake’s name. She hit the silence button. It was the fifth time he’d tried that morning, yet to leave a message. Becca hadn’t heard a word from Janet—her so-called best friend. Coward, she whispered, and sank into the leather sofa and cried. After thirty minutes of sobs and self-pity, Becca packed her personal belongings. She left her keys on the table by the front door on top of the picture she had placed face down.

A nurse at the hospital offered her a place to stay while she figured things out. She was already determined to take the first transfer out of New York she could find. There was nothing left in the Big Apple for her. Her parents had retired in Florida. The only other family she had in New York were Blake and Janet. Her self-pity left after she dried her eyes and packed her bags. Stubbornness had always played a part with Becca’s strength and determination. Once focused, nothing could stop her. She’d always been that way. Her mother reminded her often that her stubbornness led to her success. The same trait was about to take her out of New York. Her mother always advised her to take some time to think it through before she made a decision she might regret. Becca didn’t always take her mother’s advice.

Her thoughts were startled by the elevator bell. The doors opened to the lobby of the building she loved. Her heart ached. She knew she’d miss the apartment. She fell in love with it the first day, and the hospital was only a block away. She enjoyed her walk home after a long shift. Lost in thought as she exited the building, she almost hit him with the door. Her eyes locked onto his. For a moment those eyes took her into a world she once knew, once loved. “Blake” She wasn’t sure what to say. The hurt burned deep in her heart.

“Becca, can we talk?” His tone no longer sounded like a plea. Something in his voice, in his eyes told her it wasn’t a one-night-fling. Becca swallowed hard. The last thing she really needed to hear from him was that he loved Janet.

“Why? I don’t believe there’s anything left to say. Your actions spoke loud enough for me”. She asked him politely to move.

“Please Becca. Just one cup of coffee; I owe you an explanation”. His eyes had always calmed her non-stop energy. His voice, soft and gentle, always relaxed her restless mind. Her mind wavered over his offer. Part of her wanted to run and hide. Her mother always taught her to be fair. How can I possibly be fair now?

She shrugged her shoulders, “One cup”. Becca followed him to the little coffee shop next door to their building. It only reminded her of the many mornings they enjoyed a coffee together. Her heart ached. Her mind already convinced their relationship ended. This cup of coffee would be their last, forever.

 Does he have to pick the same booth we always sat in? Becca thought to herself, but took a seat. She wanted to make this quick and painless. She sat quietly. She had nothing to say. She was only there to hear his so-called explanation. Blake waved two fingers to the waitress. They’d been regulars there since they moved next door. The waitresses always brought her French vanilla cappuccino without question.

“I thought you would be at the hospital all night”.

Becca had been quiet until now. She interrupted his lame apology, “And that makes it okay to bring my best friend into our bed?”

Her tone seemed to make him restless in his chair. “I wish I had talked to you before last night is what I meant to say. Janet and I had been celebrating with a client. A few too many drinks only created a stupid mistake of ending back up at our place. I was wrong. We were wrong. I’m sorry Becca. I really am. You practically live at the hospital. You promised you’d give up some extra shifts so we could spend more time together”.

Becca interrupted him again. She leaned into the table and whispered loudly. She didn’t want to make a scene but his excuse was just a little too much to take. “So this is my fault? I forced you and Janet into our bed? Nice explanation, Blake. I hope you’re both happy together. I’ve heard enough.” Becca grabbed her bag and stormed out of the café. She never looked back. I swear I will never trust another man as long as I live.

*** 
Becca heard back from Dr. Withers at Country Hospital in Vinegrove. Her new adventure in the small town in Washington wine country was about to begin.

Blind Tasting by Angela Ford   - Available at Amazon in ebook, paperback & audio.
Dr. Rebecca Miller is devastated over her fiancé's affair...with her best friend. Country charm is the best medicine…along with a good friend and a bottle of wine. In the heart of wine country, four friends spice up their book club and create The Love List. Love is the last thing on Becca's mind until she's matched with Chase Tanner. Chase discovers the love list and believes he was fooled. Can Becca convince him she really does love him? 

Excerpt from Blind Tasting

He sighed. “Back in high school. She dumped me for the quarterback. From there I never wanted to get too close to anyone. It hurt.”

Becca’s heart ached for him. “And that’s where your reputation began?”

“Guess so. But I was young and thought I was in love. Not like you. I can only imagine the hurt you felt.” He moved closer to her. His hand gently touched her face. Any hurt she’d experienced disappeared with his touch. His eyes watched her lips part. “May I kiss, my lady?”

Becca smiled. “I’d like that.” His lips were as soft as she imagined.

The taste of his kiss made her wonder why she waited so long. She wanted to kiss him six months ago at the cafe. His fingers played with her hair and briefly touched the skin on her neck. He deepened the kiss. She followed his lead and moved in closer. She felt his heart beat against hers. Becca opened her eyes when the kiss ended.

He smiled. “Hungry?” Chase made her a plate of chicken and salad, and fed her the first bite. “Hope my lady likes it.”

“You are a very talented man.” Becca took the plate from him.

He grabbed a plate for himself. “I hope that remark includes the kiss.”

“Oh, the food is great too.” Chase laughed.

“Thank you.” 

Blind Tasting - Book Trailer - YouTube   


Angela Ford originates from Nova Scotia…Canada’s Ocean Playground! Her love of the ocean and sunsets are always in her heart and give her inspiration. Her love for words keeps her turning the page. She is never without a book, whether she’s reading or writing. Now residing in Ontario, Angela works in Finance – numbers by day – words by night. Her dedication to volunteer and involvement with cyber safety seminars gave her an Award of Distinction and sparked the idea for her first book Closure – suspense with a dash of romance that hit the best- selling Action/Adventure.

Her next release, Unforgettable Kiss , delivers a romance with a dash of suspense. Forbidden , released in June 2014…Closure’s sequel. September 2014 releases
Blind Tasting of The Love List series. 2014 will end with a Christmas romance, The Christmas Wreath, of the Forever Christmas series. Between two jobs, being a mom with a home, and always young adults and rather interesting stories; she is lucky to have one very patient and understanding man. But it is the furry family members who rule the house – a Puggle, two loveable cats, and two unique Guinea Pigs. Every possible quiet moment she finds, she treasures, and just writes about the moments to come. Angela is an avid reader of romance, a member of the RWA and Mississauga Writers Group. You can follow her at BTGN www.bookstogonow.com or visit her website/blog Romantic Escapes at http://www.angelafordauthor.com to connect with her on her social network sites.

She loves to hear from her readers – they keep her smiling!

Romantic Escapes - Angela Ford - Website/Blog Facebook - Angela Ford Twitter - Angela Ford  Goodreads - Angela Ford   Amazon - Angela Ford   LinkedIn - Angela Ford   Pinterest - Angela Ford Books to Go Now  Book Trailers & Author Support - Check it out! Tanya Watt 

Meet Danny Edwards: Celluloss

Coming to Paperback this week! Can't wait that long? Download your copy of Celluloss today! Click here to get yours!

Celluloss
Harvest Trilogy Book II
by Michele E. Gwynn

Description: In 1962, Sergeant Trent Wilkins looked forward to finishing out his military contract pulling guard duty on the underground bunker built into a field in the small town of Schertz, Texas. Little did he know, he was about to get sucked into a government cover up of the murder of one of their own top research specialists. Fifty-two years later, the secret they tried so hard to bury escaped seeking revenge on those involved. 

Colonel Louis Reed sought to profit from what the Air Force found in that field all those years ago, and it was working. But now, following a massive explosion beneath the Samuel Clemens football field, he and his fellow conspirators find themselves in danger. ‘It’ was out and coming to get them.

Danny Edwards and Jay Hernandez thought high school was hard, but after being gassed by an unknown entity, and seeing shocking blue orbs flying over their hometown, they knew tougher times were ahead. Danny’s grandfather has a secret, and that secret puts him and his best friend, Jay, and the girl he loves in danger. Schertz is under attack, and no one is coming to help them, least of all, the military who’ve surrounded the city cutting off all exits and entries as they advance on the deadly, sulfuric creatures invading the sleepy suburb. 

Time is running out fast. Can three teenagers and one old man save the city of Schertz from extinction? 



Get to know Danny Edwards! (An extra scene not in the book)
Football, Julie Bizby, and screaming rabbits?


Danny Edwards stood in the mall of Samuel Clemens High School looking toward the stairs. It was loud. Kids were roaming around on their lunch break, talking, laughing, listening to music on their iPods. His best friend, Jay Hernandez, was playing a round of pencil wars with Ted Berry. So far, Jay broke every one of Ted’s pencils, but not without casualties. The casualties were painful thumps to Ted’s fingers. Jay was kind of a big boy, and didn’t always know his own strength.

“Aw, come on, Hernandez!” Ted shook his hand trying to work through the pain. “You’re just doing that on purpose.”

Jay, laughing, shook his head. “I swear, man. I swear I’m not. Quit crying, already, and suck it up. What are you, some kind of mama’s boy?”

Danny barely heard them. His eyes were on her – Julie Bizby. He’d known Julie for most of his life off and on, but it was only this past year that they got thrown together in most of their classes. They were seniors now, and for the first time he could recall, he looked forward to coming to school. They had English IV, Calculus, Economics, and Business class together. His whole morning was all about being with Julie. He made a point to sit behind her in every class. From that vantage point, he could lean up and whisper in her ear. He spent hours every night before going to bed thinking of clever things to say to make her laugh. He also liked that he could smell her hair when he did this. It always smelled good, like some kind of flowers. The dark brown strands were glossy, and she usually wore them curled and loose. He wanted to run his fingers through those curls. He hoped to do so, someday.

“Danny. Danny!” A hand waved in front of Danny’s face. “Yoohoo! You home, homey?”

Jay was jumping in front of him and blocking his view. “What?” Danny sounded irritated.

“Dude! What, are hypnotized or something?” Jay put his arm around his best buddy’s shoulders and looked in the direction Danny was gazing. “Seriously, why don’t you just man up, walk over there, and ask her out?”

“I can’t, man. Not yet. I mean, what if she says no?” Danny watched as Julie laughed with her friends. Her smile made his heart do cartwheels. He loved making her smile. It lit up her face making her even prettier than she already was.

“You’re such a wuss! She likes you. I don’t know why you can’t see that?” Jay pointed this out while Ted snickered.

“She’s way too pretty for Edwards, Jay.” Ted leaned in, getting in on making Danny squirm.

“Shut up, Berry!” Danny punched Ted in the arm.

“Ow!” Ted rubbed the spot. “How come Hernandez can call you a wuss, and you do nothing, and I say something and get hit?”

Danny smiled. “Cuz he’s my wingman. You’re not.”

Jay looked over Danny’s head at Ted. “Yeah!”

“You two dating now?”

Danny knew that voice; knew it and hated it. Mark Rivas came up behind them with his two minions, Brad, and John. Danny didn’t know which one was dumber. They were pretty much interchangeable.
Mark was a teammate for the varsity football squad. He was wide receiver to Danny’s quarterbacking. They had to work together on the field, and did so very well, but off the field, they were enemies. This wasn’t by Danny’s choosing. He didn’t care about Mark one way or the other until the kid started giving him a hard time last year. Since then, he and his sidekicks had made a point of making his life miserable every chance they got. The problem was, Mark thought way too much of himself. He bragged a lot, and from where Danny was standing, he didn’t really have much to brag about. His grades barely allowed him to play football, he was mean, and he treated pretty much everyone like crap. But he treated Danny worst of all, and he didn’t know why. He’d never said or done anything to the guy. It all seemed to begin after team tryouts.

Once Coach Davis made out the roster appointing Danny as the quarterback, the snide comments started rolling in. At the end of that day, when they were all in the field house getting cleaned up after practice, Danny found himself the last one inside, or so he thought. As he gathered his gear, Mark came in followed by Brad and John. It was clear by the look on his face he was ready to start trouble.

“So coach picked you to quarterback. What’d you do to get the position, Edwards? You coach’s ‘special’ boy now?” The way he made air quotes when he said ‘special’ told Danny exactly what he meant. He chose to ignore it.

“Leave it, Rivas. You’re just jealous anyway.” Danny held the eye contact, not backing down. He picked up his backpack and laundry bag, and started to walk past them. Mark reached out and held him back by his arm.

“Where do you think you’re going? We’re not finished here yet!” Rivas’s eyes flashed with anger.

“Maybe you’re not, but I am.” Danny looked down at his arm, then raised his eyes, staring hard at Mark. “And get your damn hand off me before I remove it for you!”

“Make me-“  Mark started to reply.

A loud screech echoed through the field house and bounced off the shower walls. All four boys looked around. Suddenly, the ground beneath them shook, and another screech followed.

Mark Rivas stepped back, releasing Danny’s arm. “What the hell was that?” His two goons looked at each other and shrugged, but their eyes were large. The sun was setting fast in the fall sky. Twilight settled over the field house as yet another screech ripped through the air.

“Rabbits.” Danny replied. He began walking to the door.

“What do mean ‘rabbits’? Mark hurried to catch up, fear in his voice.

“That’s the sound rabbits make when they’re being attacked.” Danny stepped outside and made his way to the parking lot. His mom waited for him in her car. When she saw him, she smiled and waved.

“What the heck would be attacking rabbits in the field house?” Rivas now walked along side of Danny as if nothing out of the ordinary hadn’t just occurred, as if he hadn’t just been threatening him. 
His friends fell in step behind them keeping close.

Danny stopped and looked at Mark. “Snakes.” He turned and got in the passenger’s side of his mom’s car.

“What!” Mark Rivas turned white. He looked back at the field house, and then again at Danny. Brad and John took a few more steps out onto the parking lot – away from the snake-infested field house. "Well that doesn't explain the floor shaking."

Danny knew he was right, but damned if he'd let on. He didn't know, either, what caused that to happen. Schertz didn't have earthquakes as far as he knew, and this wasn't the first time he'd felt it. Only last week, it happened when he ran inside to grab his mouth guard before hitting the field. "That?" he said, going for effect. "That's just me getting angry. And you wouldn't want to see me angry, Rivas." Danny closed the car door.

Mary Edwards leaned out her window and waved at Mark. “Hello, Mark! Tell your mother I said hi.”

Mark stuffed his hands in his pockets and smiled. “I will, Mrs. Edwards.” He gave a small wave back, and then tilted his head to his boys indicating it was time to leave.

Ever since that day, Danny had only to mention ‘snakes’ to Rivas and he’d get angry. He didn’t like for anyone to know he feared anything. He could control his two friends, but he couldn’t control Danny, so instead, he made a point of bullying him every chance he got. Somehow, it always fell short of the mark. Still, he continued. Danny found him beyond annoying, then, and now.

“Well, Rivas, Jay’s way better than the threesome you have going on.” He looked over at Brad and John who trailed him as usual.

“Aw, shut up, Edwards.” He looked across the mall at Julie Bizby. It was no secret that Danny liked her. Everyone seemed to know except for Julie. “Hey, maybe I should go and ask Julie out.” He looked at Danny and saw his eyes slit.

“Don’t feed the troll, Danny.” Jay said while looking down on Rivas.

“Yeah, I really should do that. Take her a date. Like, a dark movie theater where I can get her all alone…” Brad and John snickered.

“You’re an ass, Rivas” Ted Berry stood on the other side of Danny.

“Maybe, but I’ll be an ass getting some of Julie’s-“ Mark didn’t get to finish the sentence. Danny reached out and punched him in the mouth.

Mark reeled backwards, then came at Danny. Next thing, they were scuffling and Mark tried to pin Danny down. Danny elbowed Mark in the jaw, then wrapped his arm around his neck and pulled him down, flipping him over and climbing on top where he punched him in the ribs.

“Fight!” Jay screamed. Kids came running, surrounding the boys as they kept beating each other. Mark landed a hit on Danny’s lip, cutting it.

Julie Bizby pushed her way through the crowd. “Danny! Stop it! Stop it! You’re going to get in trouble! Oh, God, Principal Tripper is coming. Get up!”

Just then, the school principal burst through the wall of teenagers and grabbed Danny by the collar. The Vice Principal, Mr. Johnson, grabbed Mark Rivas. Once they were pulled apart, the damage was clear. Rivas had a swelling jaw and what would soon be a black eye to go with his split lip. Danny also had a split lip. Both boys were panting and glaring daggers at each other.

“What’s this all about?” Principal Tripper demanded.

“He started it!” Rivas spat.

“Well? Is that true, Danny?” Principal Tripper asked.

“Aw, come on!” Jay interjected. “He was just defending his girl’s honor. Rivas was talking sh…I mean, saying stuff about..”, he looked at Julie, then at Danny who was shaking his head telling Jay to shut up.

“About who? What, son?” Mr. Johnson prodded.

Jay shook his head. “Nothing. I didn’t say anything.” He didn’t want to embarrass his friend.

Mark Rivas, however, had no such qualms. “Aw, he’s just mad cuz I said I was going to ask Julie out.” Then he grinned when he saw the look of horror on Danny’s face.

Julie gasped. “Me? What are you talking about? Who said I’m your girl?” She looked at Danny.

Danny opened and then closed his mouth. “It’s nothing. I just didn’t like what he was saying about you.” He wouldn’t look at her.

Julie turned to Mark. “And just what were you saying about me?” She leveled a look at him.
Mark had the good grace to look away. “It was nothing, Bizby. I didn’t mean it. This is just between me and Edwards.”

She got up in his face. “Well, when you drag my name into it, it becomes between you and me. If you have something to say, you say it to me. Otherwise, keep your trap shut.” She pointed her finger and poked Mark in the chest to emphasize her next point. “And for the record, I would never date you. You’re mean and petty. You’re always giving Danny a hard time, and I just know you started this right here. You and your two lackeys go out of ya’lls way to pester him. Well, he’s my friend, and if you mess with him just one more time, you’re going to have me to contend with!” She gave one last hard poke, one that he couldn’t move away from while Vice Principal Johnson held him, and then flounced away.

Jay was trying, and failing at smothering a laugh. “Wow, dude. She just owned you!”
“That’s enough out of you, Hernandez,” Mr. Tripper said. He began leading Danny to his office. Mr. Johnson followed with Mark in tow. “I guess we have a pretty good idea what just happened here, but that doesn’t excuse it. We’re going to have to call your parents, and there’s going to be detention. Lots of detention!” 

Haven't read book I in the series yet? Grab your copy here! (ebook and paperback) or download the audiobook here!

Harvest on Sale this Week Only!

Celebrating the New Release of Celluloss, book two in the Harvest Trilogy, book one, Harvest is now on SALE this week only for $0.99!

Hop over to Amazon and download your Kindle copy today. This sale runs through January 3rd. Get hooked on the horror, a story inspired by a true event.

On sale for only $0.99 this week!

Hot Scots in a New Release from Cherime MacFarlane

Celebrate the New Year with  Hot Scot!

The Twisted Laird now available on Amazon.com for PreOrder. Click here to order your copy now, and have it delivered automatically to your Kindle on December 31st.

Edan Campbell MacGrough is the only MacGrough male to return home from Culloden. They must leave their beloved glen. His half-brother sent him home to care for the women and children who are left. Daracha is happy to see her man return, but others are not so fortunate. He must hide behind his infirmity, a thing he detests. How will they survive in Glasgow? Aili Lara, wife of Birk MacGrough has seen Edan's story by paranormal means and is telling the tale to the MacGrough's of 2015.


The Making of a Laird


The mist still floated above the burn. Edan shivered slightly, but not from cold, from fear. He did not want to disappoint his brother. Hamish had gone to so much trouble throughout the years.Shifting slightly onto his weak leg, Edan felt the firm support against his calf of the brace his brother had devised. Would it be enough? At least if he fell on his asail, there was no one to see.Hamish hadn't told Rhona of their plans for this morning. Edan would be spared her gleeful looks when he was not able to perform. The witch would eventually find out something and her wicked mouth would surely taunt him whenever Hamish was not around to quiet her. "Aye, lad." A strong arm came around his shoulder. "Ready? 'Tis time ye learned tae care for yourself and tha rest.""I'm nae sure I can manage it. Tha thing gives way at tha oddest times.""Doesnae tha brace support ye?""Aye. 'Tis ah great help. I'm nae wanting tae make an asail 'o myself here."Hamish hugged him tighter and shook his shoulder slightly. "There's naught here tae see. 'Tis between thee an me until we're sure ye can manage well enough. Let's be about it laddie."Following his brother's example, he dropped the belted plaid away and stood clad only in his shirt. Hamish stood beside him, sword in hand. "First, we'll warm tha blood ah mite. Muscles move easier when warm. Now then, Gideon taught us tae stretch before ah fight. Having ah muscle lock is ah thing that may kill. Ken?""Aye. I ken what ye taught me an I read it in tha book, where he wrote tha things.""Good enough! On with it."They began the stretches and warm up exercises. Holding the heavy sword in both hands, Edan pushed it high over his head and twisted from side to side. The movements were much easier to do with the wooden practice sword and the weight of the claymore threw his balance off. When he wobbled slightly, Hamish's voice steadied him. "Go easy laddie. Slowly now. Don't mind ah wobble or tae, 'tis tha reason we do this."The movements were harder to control, to do smoothly with the additional weight of the sword. Edan could not use his right leg to step forward on and it took all his concentration to keep the lunges under control. But he had been practicing on his own, up the glen, out of sight of the rest of the clan. The boy's diligence was paying off. His right leg was not as weak as it had been and his left was strong. Rhona's nasty mouth, as much as anything else, had driven him to scale the cliffs of the old quarry. Once, he froze on a ledge part way up the farthest cutting, because he had been foolish enough to look down. The girl's scathing dismissal of him as "naught but ah cripple" rang in his head and Edan forced himself to finish the climb. The benefit of climbing was an increase in strength of his upper body and right leg. Edan continued to force his body to do as he wished. Driving himself, he climbed higher and walked farther than others his age. Weapons were another matter. The sling, bow and arrow, or cross bow were weapons he had no problem with. Edan was quite competent with those. He never missed with the sgian. The weight of the claymore, the strength necessary to properly wield it or an axe, those were the things his nightmares were made of. Hand to hand combat was another thing that caused him to wonder, how in the name of God, he would manage in battle. There were times he resented his older brother's insistence on training him. Hamish would be laird when their father was no longer able to carry out that duty. Lame as he was, what earthly reason could Hamish have for insisting he push himself so hard?As they sparred in the coolness of the early morning, his brother quietly called out instructions to the boy. When Hamish finally called a halt in a voice that cracked slightly, Edan laughed. "Yur nae altogether yurself, brother."Hamish collapsed on the ground beside Edan. "Aye. 'Tis nae grown intae all yet. In time, my voice will cease tha giving out on me, as will yur leg. Be sure an see Gara this eve. Let her rub ye down with tha ointment."Hamish dried off the pommel of his claymore with the end of his plaid, then slipped it back into the scabbard. Edan did the same, before pulling a blade of grass from the ground and twisting it about in the fingers of one hand. "I dinnae ken why.""Tha "why" of what, Edan?""Tha reason ye insist that ah cripple learn sword play and hand tae hand combat. Isnae it sufficient for me tae use tha bow an such like?"The hand that landed on his shoulder was not gentle. "Dinnae say that again. If I hear ye referring tae yurself in such ah manner again, I'll have ye out here from morn tae dark. Every day without fail. I'll nae give ye ah moment's peace. As it is, I'm sore tempted tae do so anyway.""But, Hamish...""Nae! Shut yur gub. In time all tha reasons will come clear tae ye. There're tae we might investigate presently. First being, ye're tae nae give up. Ye may need rest, ye may need tae retreat and regroup, 'tis ah given in life. All, every last person in tha glen has ah thing that could be called ah weakness. We must all learn tha manage tha blessed things. Second is, someday ah woman will be wanting ye. I ken yur heart laddie. Ye'll nae be letting one in, if ye cannae care for, or provide for her."Edan looked down, away from his brother's dark eyes. Disconnecting his gaze from Hamish's did not bring relief. He could feel those eyes boring into him. "I'm tae wee tha bother with lasses." The boy plucked another blade of grass up and tossed it to one side. "There's nae lass gontae be bothering with tha likes of me.""Edan, Edan. Laddie, ye're so verra wrong. Have I ever led ye astray?"At the note of hurt in Hamish's voice, Edan looked up at his beloved brother. "Sorry! Forgive me, please. Ye've never told me ought, but truth. "Six years older than Edan, his brother's hand was already hardened, calloused from work and practice with weapons. That hand gently stroked over his brown hair. "How could I nae forgive tha verra best 'o brothers. Trust me, Edan, for there's things brewing an nae ah one of us will be allowed tha escape.""I dinna ken this. What are ye speaking of? Da has said naught of such. Tha MacNabs are nae worse than usual. Tha Campbells are more interested in what's south of us. And..."For just a moment his brother's hand tightened on his head. A sigh escaped Hamish before he spoke again. "I dinna ken tha entirety of tha thing. I only ken what must be done here. Bear with me, laddie. Och, ye did well today. Can ye do as ye're bid? Can ye continue tae try? Will ye continue tae put all intae it? Ye've ah great heart, Edan, if ye put yur all intae this, ye will succeed."Ah great heart? Edan's chest swelled at his brother's words. If Hamish thought so much of him, how could he not try with everything he possessed? On the day he turned eight years of age, Edan Campbell MacGrough swore to accomplish all his brother asked of him, no matter the cost.

Michele's travel wish list: France

Continuing with the theme of adding travel to my new year, one of the countries I'd like to visit it France, particularly the wine country, and also down south in Nice. I like the more out-of-the-way places; the small towns with quaint shops and friendly people.

I freely admit I speak absolutely no French, and that would be a problem. Maybe it would be a good idea to make friends with someone who does speak French. I'd hate to offend anyone by expecting them to speak to English. Plus, I'm game for learning a new language. So, gorgeous French-speaking men apply here! haha

Seriously, I write mysteries that happen in other countries primarily because I'm so captivated by people not like what I'm used to. I like new, interesting, quirky, wonderful people. So I figured I could find a few of those, and maybe some romantic souls in France.

I'm ready to parle vous with you! If you've traveled to France or live in France and have recommendations for good places to visit, please leave a reply below. I'd love to hear from you.

(Did you know you can find my books on Amazon.fr?)

Harvest, Celluloss, Camael's Gift, The Power of Three, Erotic Liaison, A Royal Scandal, The Erotic Diary of Xaviera Snow, Exposed: The Education of Sarah Brown, Murder in the Vale. 

Looking Ahead and Leaving 2014 Behind

Miss SophieWell, another Christmas has come and gone. This year was quite different. Usually, I find myself on my own hanging out with friends as my family (the ones that are here, and generally comprised of my mom and step-dad) would travel off to Louisiana on a Christmas gambling vacation. I know...gambling? Yes, they loved it. The first time I found myself on my own as an adult on Christmas was a strange and lonely feeling. It instilled in me that I was definitely no longer a child, and it was up to me to entertain myself. Never having married, or for some odd reason, been dating on or around Christmas, I would usually feel like the oddball out - and so hanging out with friends on what I considered a family day made me feel weird. I got over it eventually.

This year, however, was a year of far too many losses. In January, I lost my beautiful kitty, Miss Sophie, to old age. In February, my step-dad passed from cancer. In June, a young lady I'd just met (who purchased my lovely oak dinette set) passed away only 5 weeks after we'd gotten to know each other from her long battle with stage 4 breast cancer (she was only 26!), and on December 22, my long-time friend (best friend from childhood) passed away....once  again a victim of cancer. P.S. Cancer, I really hate you! You suck!

So my life turned upside down. My mother, who will be 75 next year found herself on her own. Not used to living alone and taking care of herself, I moved back in with her. I'm so used to being by myself that these past 7 months have been a tough adjustment. It seems that no matter how old you get, your mother will always treat you like a child, even when she's depending on you as an adult. And so, we started a new tradition for Christmas. No turkey, no ham, no stuffing (especially after getting brutally ill on Thanksgiving. Once you've seen your turkey come back up, you never want to eat it again). No, sir. Instead, I decided Italy was the theme, and made a wonderful homemade Christmas lasagna, garlic bread, and salad. We also had a lovely turtle cheesecake for dessert. Between that and movies, it was a nice day. We talked to the family members by phone and Skype. We opened presents. We even had gifts for our five felines (four are mine). You can say it. I won't deny it. I'm the 'crazy cat lady'.

It's technically the day after Christmas, and I, for one, am happy to be through it, and I'm looking forward to finishing what's left of 2014, and putting it behind me. This year, I'd like to travel overseas again. This year, I'd like to not lose one single person or cat. This year, I would like to just write my books, meet new people, and experience new things. But most of all, I'd just like to be happy. So, so long, 2014. Take your Greek tragedies and sod off! I'm welcoming a new chapter in my life, and this time, I'm taking an active role in writing it.

Unhinged Part VI: Murder Served Cold

Unhinged is back! What with the holidays, and family, and all sorts of business like the release of my latest book, Celluloss (Book II in the Harvest Trilogy), and the upcoming release of book II in the Kriminal Erotic Series, The Evolution of Elsa Kreiss (with the publisher as I type), this Storybook Page got a little behind, but never fear, ...Jen is back!

Murder Served Cold! Who ever said crime doesn't pay? Certainly not Jen, but crime does get reckless, and karma will always find those in need of a visit.

Chapter Four Continued


I arrived at work a little late, but no one noticed. No one noticed how shaky I was either as I strode quickly into my office. I sat down with my coffee held tightly in my hands. I was still freaked out by what had just happened. It just couldn’t be. He isn’t alive! I know it. I tried to calm myself in between sips of my favorite brew. Pull yourself together, Jen. You’re not going to let a little hallucination undo all the good you’ve done so far. Now “get a hold of yourself”! You have work to do. The bees settled down to a low, soothing buzz. Download hereI booted my computer and set about checking my inter-office email first. As I scrolled through the lists of bullshit, an instant message popped up on my screen asking if I would accept. It didn’t say who it was which was unusual. Maybe it was about the promotion! I clicked “yes” to accept and nearly shit myself when it opened. “IN MY OFFICE. NOW! JAKE”. What the hell? This must be some kind of old message, but how can it be coming through as an instant message? Maybe someone else was in Jake’s old office. My hands were really shaking now. I looked out the interior glass wall of my office towards Jake’s. I didn’t see any lights on, and no one standing near the office. I got up and grabbed some files that I had been working on and walked as cool as I could manage over to his office. I just wanted to see if his computer was up or maybe someone was sitting in there in the dark or what? I acted as if I were bringing the files back to his filing cabinet. As I walked by, a few co-workers nodded and smiled at me. One looked at me like she saw something to be afraid of. Maybe she should be. Maybe I was losing my freaking mind. I just said good morning to her and kept on going. Once inside, I flipped on the light and closed the door. I looked around briefly, but didn’t see anything out of place. The computer was off. I put the files down and sat at Jake’s desk. It felt kind of weird, but not weird at the same time. I knew then the message had to be some kind of old one that just now went through due to some glitch in the system. That had to be it. There was no other explanation. I leaned my head into my hands and took a deep breath. I was just starting to relax when Nola walked in on me. “Jen? Jefferson wants to see you in his office.” I looked up at her. She smiled down at me as if she had just caught me having a quiet moment of grief instead of a shit attack from hell! I smiled back, got up and said “I’ll be right there”. She winked at me then, and reached out her old, wrinkled hand and patted my shoulder. “I don’t want to get ahead of things, but it’s about the promotion”. I looked at her and gave my best “oh boy” smile. I followed behind her to Jefferson’s office trying to look like I didn’t already know I was about to be handed the job I should have been getting paid for all along. It was difficult. I wanted to do back-flips all the way there. Standing in Jefferson’s office was, of course, Jefferson, Mike Doolittle, Senior Executive of Human Resources and his secretary, Judy. I got the job. I beat out the other two candidates based on my already pre-mentioned knowledge of the position. I was getting quite a raise, better benefits, and Jake’s old office. Creepy, but I could re-decorate it. Who ever said crime didn’t pay? I knew another little celebration was in order for that evening. I wondered who the lucky fella would be? Perhaps I would email Luc down on the third floor and see if he was up for round two!   ***The sonofabitch actually turned me down! I can’t freaking believe it! That ungrateful, third floor, near-virgin had the nerve to tell me he thought I was unbalanced! Well isn’t that perfect? You screw a guy without any strings attached, and he didn’t even have to buy you a fancy dinner, and he thinks you’re unbalanced. That really pisses me off. He is definitely on my shit list now, but tonight I won’t worry about it. Tonight, I’ll find a grateful and fun walking party favor with a penis, and celebrate my promotion. I grabbed my purse and strolled out of my office, locking the door behind me. I made it home in record time to shower, change and head back out the door to Swank. Swank is THE happening night club in these parts right now. I knew I looked good, too. I had on a black leather mini skirt, three inch, strappy heels and a near see-through halter of turquoise blue. I had pulled my long, black hair up on my head to show off my neck and shoulders and dabbed my favorite perfume in all the critical spots. I was ready to get myself into all kinds of wonderful trouble.I arrived at Swank and walked inside. It was full of people. There were young and old alike, and the music was loud and thumping. You could feel the vibrations of the bass and percussion all through your body. Bars lined both the lower and upper floors. The dance floor was on the lower level and it was packed with sweaty, gyrating bodies. The black lights that lit the bar area were offset by the multi-colored lights on the dance floor. People lined the upper deck to look down over the railing at those dancing. I walked over to the bar and squeezed in between two tall college boys and ordered a shot of 101 and a Miller Lite. The two boys on either side looked down at me and smiled in appreciation of my choice. I saluted them both before knocking back my shot and slamming the glass down on the bar. Then I picked up my beer and turned to go out on the dance floor.  The two college cuties looked at each other, shrugged and then came out to join me.We danced for the next hour while slamming down shots and chasing them back with beer. I was feeling high and happy, and the music moved me to do my best dirty dancing while being sandwiched between the two cuties. It was clear they thought they were going to get lucky with me, both of them at the same time, no less. I knew different. Somewhere in my mind, while I took my fourth shot of 101, I felt a little anger and resentment build up at their assumption. It began to piss me off that they would come to the conclusion that I would just drop to my knees and fuck them both! Can’t a girl just dance and drink, and have fun and celebrate her hard earned promotion? Why must it mean she wants to service the entire club in the process? They moved in and college boy number one tried to reach around me and feel my breasts. At the same time, college boy number two thrust his pelvis up into mine to “show me what he’s got for me”! I let them both do what they were doing, but my mind let loose of its moorings and drifted away, and in its place was a cold, empty void that no longer cared. The gentle buzzing grew into a noisy droning. I knew, somewhere way back in the recesses of what was left of my soul, that these two boys picked the wrong woman to mess with this night. Some small part of me felt a little sorry for them. I almost hoped they’d just leave on their own before it was too late. It was already too late an hour ago. With my purse slung over my shoulder (and carrying the 9mm that I never left home without anymore), I took both boys by the hand and led them off the floor and out the door to the back of the club. They followed like little lambs to the unsuspecting slaughter. ‘Oh, why didn’t you just go home to your mama’s’ asked a distant portion of my brain? In the back of the club there were only hedges and a huge trash bin. The hedges were high and probably home to vermin and the common dumping ground for every vomiting idiot who came out unable to hold his liquor. The back door to the club was somewhat hidden by stacks of crates that earlier would have held many liquor bottles. I led the boys over to the backside of the dumpster and asked them if they felt lucky tonight. They grinned like cocksure fools and even stripped down when I asked them to. I promised them a night like no other while stroking their already hard packages over their tightie whities. I backed up, slid my purse down off my shoulder, and opened it up, all while they watched in lustful anticipation. I dropped my purse with the 9mm in my hand, and before they could say “Holy shit!” dropped them both in two badly aimed shots. The silencer still smoked as I blew off the remaining tendrils like Clint Eastwood in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.  I walked over to their bodies and looked down. They looked ridiculous laying there in their underwear, gurgling blood, unable to breathe. I waited for them both to quit gurgling, then I pulled college boy number one over on top of college boy number two, no easy feat for someone as small as myself. I mean, dead weight is just that, dead weight! I figured when they were eventually found, someone would think it was some gay bashing hate crime. I picked up my pursed off the ground, slid the gun inside with the safety on and sort of walked/stumbled away. I was a little drunk, but not too much anymore. I think it may have been the adrenaline chasing the liquor out of my system. I got into my car and drove calmly away. I realized I was halfway home when I suddenly couldn’t recall how I had got to this point. Where had my mind gone? I remembered standing in the back of the club picking my purse up off the ground. I think someone was with me. I’m not sure. My mind tried to replay the events, but it muddled them into some hazy, silent film. There may have been two gay guys, but that is too funny to be true. I remember dancing a lot. I searched through my purse for my favorite lipstick as I drove, trying to clear the cobwebs that seemed to be hanging like streamers in my memory, but couldn’t find it. What did I do with it? Hell, I didn’t know, but I knew I was hungry and headed straight for the nearest McDonald’s drive through.Later that night, by a dumpster behind club Swank, a detective wearing rubber gloves picked up a woman’s lipstick container and dropped it into an evidence bag. 

Read Unhinged from the beginning on the Storybook Page here.

Holiday Flash Giveaway!

***Flash Giveaway***Flash Giveaway***


In honor of the release of Celluloss (book II in the Harvest Trilogy), I'm giving away 5 FREE Audiobook downloads of Harvest (book I) & ONE GIFTED COPY OF CELLULOSS EBOOK (kINDLE) TO ONE LUCKY WINNER! How can you win?

All you have to do is ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER below. Names will be drawn on Christmas Day and winners will be notified the day after Christmas. Easy, right? 



If you love dystopian horror/science fiction, then you'll want to add both Harvest and Celluloss to your Kindle library.



a Rafflecopter giveaway 
 Can't wait that long for book II? Grab your copy of Celluloss here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RB67RIE