Christina Bauer's Blog, page 43
July 30, 2019
Angelbound ZINNIA is here!
Sick of all those dragon books where someone finds their life mate … then gets their memory erased before being dragged off to train as a warrior … only to find said life mate again a decade later when he’s touring with a rock band?
Me, neither!
In all seriousness, this book has been four years in the making and I can’t wait to share it with you…
ZinniaBook 3, Angelbound Offspring
eBook ISBN: 9781945723865
eBook for Apple Books ISBN: 9781946677099
Print ISBN: 9781945723896
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / GooglePlay
As the last dragon shifter, I live alone, hiding in one of Earth’s sacred deserts. My human handlers tell me that I have no parents, no name, and no purpose other than to train for battle and one day become a vessel for the reincarnation of Chimera, the greatest dragon shifter of all. Sadly, Chimera’s rebirth will mean my own death. But my handlers say this sacrifice is a noble fate that will rebuild the dragon shifter world.
I shall die on my seventeenth birthday. That’s five days from now.
Then I hear music thumping across the desert. I take my mortal form, follow the sound, and find humans dancing in what they call a rave. There is a stage and a rock band. One thing quickly becomes clear: Unlike the audience, the musicians are dragon shifters, just like me. And one of them, the guitar player Rhodes, makes my knees turn watery. The lead singer, Kaps, has something strangely familiar about her.
It all adds up to one conclusion: My handlers lied to me. I’m not the last of my kind. Memories reappear. I had parents once. Portia and Tempest. I even had a name. Zinnia. Perhaps I have a reason to live as well. I step past the dancing humans to confront the players.
I will find out the full truth, no matter what.
See It On: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / GooglePlay
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July 28, 2019
My Ultimate Writing Ally
Hello readers,
Last week, I posted about my Ultimate Writing Enemy, so this week I thought I’d follow up with my ultimate ally.
When I first started writing, I thought there were three components to being an author:
Writing
Editing
Reading
Twenty-four books later (ZINNIA launches July 30th) and I have decided that all three are important. Buuuuuuut … they haven’t proven to be the most important for me.
For me, the ultimate writing ally is thinking.
Now, I know that sounds really broad and perhaps a tad useless, so I’ll add some context here. When I first started writing, I’d open up a document and stare. And nothing would get written. Over the years, I’ve learned to wait for the feeling.
And that needs more context, part 2.
When I’ve done enough thinking about a book, I get to a point where I want to write so badly, it almost hurts. I can (and have!) written chapters on the Boston T. On my cell phone. At Whole Foods. You get the idea. That sensation only happens when I’ve thought about a chapter (or chapters) enough that I’m ready to go. More often, then feeling is a pang of readiness and I force the chapters out like so many babies through a birth canal. But if I haven’t set aside time to think, nothing gets born, if you get what I mean.
Here’s how it works. I map some stuff out and then wait a day or two (which is time I usually spend on another book). Then I come back to the outline, edit it a little and think. At some point, I stop needing to think and just itch to write. That’s when I know I’m ready to go.
Full disclaimer 1: When I start writing, it often turns into something else, and I’ve learned to stop fighting that.
Full disclaimer 2: I’d been doing this thinking-thing for a while without having really given it a formal stage in my writing process. That is, until I saw this interview with biographer David McCullough. He talks about the importance of research writing, editing, but also setting aside time to think.
On a personal level, it’s taken me a lot of time and books to get to where I trust myself and my process. It’s different for everyone, but I figured that if I had David McCullough doing the same thing, then it can’t be too wacky.
So there you have it. My ultimate writing ally: setting time aside in my process to just think.
The post My Ultimate Writing Ally appeared first on Monster House Books.
July 21, 2019
My Ultimate Writing Enemy
When it comes to writing, much of my work day consists of a constant battle with my ultimate enemy: the verb ‘is.’
You read that right: ‘is.’
Why? ‘Is’ adds no texture, no insight, no sense of action or movement. A blot on the page. A mean-nothing verb that, IMHO, must be avoided at all costs. In my first book, The Pirate Queen, I used ‘is’ once. Yeah, once. At the time, that concession really pissed me off. I literally spent one full week, nine-to-five writing, focused on one damn paragraph that described a pirate ship getting ready to leave harbor. Goddamn it, I was not writing that sucker with the verb ‘is’ in it, and I didn’t. But later on, yeah, I gave in. Whatev.
Years later, I’ve mellowed somewhat. I no longer take umbrage at every use of is, although I do still play what I like to call the ‘is’ game. As in: Is there any freaking way to write this passage without is? The toughest times come when I have to describe scenes. Oh, how much faster it would be to write that the light bulb is hanging from the ceiling, the door is open, my Princely boyfriend is cute. And sometimes I give in.
But more often, I muck around far too long, searching for find a verb that provides insight into how the narrator feels about their surroundings: the door towers before me, the light bulb dangles from a single lonely cord, and my Princely boyfriend swoops in to give me a kiss. See? Better, am I right? The ‘is’ game is worth it. Although, knowing my obsessive-compulsive nature, the ‘is’ game may no longer be a matter of choice. Which brings me to an important disclaimer:
Beware writers: once you start to square off against ‘is,’ you’ve chosen a lifelong battle. Even now, I’m rewriting this freaking paragraph six times to avoid the dreaded capitulation to mine enemy. But going forward, perhaps I’ll have some company in my ongoing war… [Insert Les Mis style fight song here]
I’m talking about you, dear reader. And possible writer. Join me in my esoteric verb-battle that is ‘is.’ I promise no fancy accolades or benefits. Hell, this war will drive you insane. But, if my personal experience is any indication, at least it will be a better use of your time than Solitaire. [Music swells and I give a kick-ass solo]
The end.
The post My Ultimate Writing Enemy appeared first on Monster House Books.
July 14, 2019
Sample Chapter – ZINNIA
Dear Readers,
I’m super excited to share chapter one of the ZINNIA, the new Angelbound Origins Book 3!!! Plus, there are savings across the series to celebrate the launch of ZINNIA…
MAXON is only $.99: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / Googleplay
PORTIA is 50% off: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / Googleplay
ZINNIA is coming in July: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / GooglePlay
Christina
ZINNIA
Chapter One
Zinnia, Age Eight
I just want to sneak out of naptime and see my friend LT.
That isn’t being bad. Not really.
After all, I’m eight years old—almost nine, really—and grown-ups like me don’t need naps. Plus, the bad dragons haven’t been around for weeks and weeks. And if those Triumverate creepsies do show up? My magic is super powerful. It’ll be even stronger once I figure out how to use it.
The bad dragons should be afraid of me, not the other way around.
Boom.
Twisting under my covers, I check out my bedroom. There are pink curtains, white furniture, and the royal crest of Furonium over the door. My parents rule all dragon shifters, so that crest-thingy hangs all over the palace. My family also stays in human form most of the time. That’s why my sisters, Kaps and Hunter, are now tucked into their bunk beds along the opposite wall. No dragon caves for us, thank you very much.
I squint for a better look at my sisters. Like always, Kaps lays half-way off the top bunk. Her left arm and leg dangle off the mattress. Wisps of brown hair hang over her mouth, blowing in and out with her snores. I shake my head.
Even asleep, my twin is noisy.
Meanwhile, Huntress rests curled up on her side. Her shoulders rise and fall slilently. Huntress never lets out a sound, even when she’s snoozing.
Which settles things.
Both my sisters are totally zonked out.
Time to go.
Walking on tippy-toe, I creep over to my dresser. My red party dress is already laid out on top. I brush my fingers across it. So soft. I slip on the fluffy prettiness, then choose matching patent leather shoes. Turning, I look at myself in the mirror: short white-blonde hair, pale skin, big blue eyes and—like all dragon shifters in Furonium—a long black tail with an arrowhead-shaped end. Everyone says I look like Mum, while Kaps looks like Da.
But what does LT look like?
Tilting my head, I try to imagine my friend. It’s been months since he left. What if I don’t recognize LT any more? I squish my eyes shut extra hard and picture his face. Dark hair? Yes. Green eyes for sure. But mostly what I remember is LT’s music. Acoustic guitar. LT plays and I hum along. That’s the official story, anyway.
Then he left.
My chest feels all tight, like there’s a rope around my heart. I hate thinking about LT departing the dragon realm. Don’t get me wrong. I understand why my friend went to music school on Earth. Guitar isn’t exactly big with dragons. Plus LT’s mum, Sienna, is both human and a famous cello player. So she knew the right school for LT.
Which is why he went away.
That rope-feeling at my heart gets even tighter.
Shaking my head, I force on a smile. There’s no reason to feel sad about LT today. He’s back from school. And my friend loves to play guitar in the afternoon. No doubt about it. Right now, LT is sitting on the bench under his favorite tree, plucking out a tune. All that’s left is for me to see him. My stomach twists like that time I ate raw mosel leaves. Must be getting excited. Staying super quiet, I step across the wood floor and grab the door handle.
Almost there.
All of a sudden, sheets rustle nearby. Kaps flips off her covers, hopping off the top bunk to land perfectly on the floor. She’s wearing explorer khakis, the kind that are packed with hidden pockets. Her black tail sways happily behind her.
“Off for the royal treasury?” asks Kaps. My twin is obsessed with the miles of vaults under our palace. It’s the dragon in her. I could be wearing a bathing suit and she’d ask if I’m off to the treasury.
“Not really,” I say slowly.
A figure appears out of thin air beside Kaps: brown hair, violet eyes and a white-scaled tail. Huntress. I didn’t hear her slip out of bed or anything, but that’s my older sister for you. Glass dragons are masters at turning invisible and sneaking around. Like always, Huntress wears battle leathers.
“You’re off to see LT,” says Huntress. It’s not a question.
“LT?” says Kaps. “Who’s that?”
“Please.” Huntress waves her hand. “We all know LT. He’s been Zin’s best friend since forever.”
“But I’m Zin’s twin,” snaps Kaps. “That makes me her best friend.” She turns to me. “There’s no way you’re off to see some random dragon boy, right?”
I debate about lying, but it’s pointless with my sisters. “I will see LT today. Alone.”
Huntress pins me with her mum-look. It’s the one she uses when I’m about to burn my hand or make one of the servants cry. “You can’t roam around the palace by yourself,” warns Huntress. “That’s dangerous.”
I kick at the floor. Another lecture about safety from Huntress. Sometimes I think my sister is a grown-up trapped in a nine year old’s body.
“There’s nothing to worry about,” adds Kaps. “You give me the same speech when I hit the vaults solo. Nothing ever happens. We’re perfectly safe.”
“See?” I point at my twin. “Even Kaps agrees. The bad dragons are gone.”
Huntress sets her hands on her hips. “The Triumverate stopped trying to break into the palace five weeks ago. One single month. Mark my words. They haven’t given up. You don’t know them like I do.”
And Huntress is right. The Triumverate are renegade dragons loyal to the old Emperor, Chimera. Not sure why they care—grandpa Chimera’s been dead for years and he was a total creep too—but dragons can be weird. Now the Triumverate hates my family and any tribe that follows us (which means they hate most everybody). In fact, it was the Triumverate who sent a dragon mage after Huntress’ village. Back then, my sister was a little kid. She was also the only survivor from the attack. Afterward we adopted Huntress because—as Mum and Da said—anyone that strong was already a royal anyway.
Kaps narrows her eyes. She can always tell when people aren’t saying everything in their hearts. “What’s happened, Huntress?”
A shiver moves across my shoulders. “The bad dragons are gone, right?” I hope.
When Huntress speaks, there’s a wobble in her voice. “Attacks will start up again and soon. Migah has been spotted. She’s heading toward the palace.”
Both Kaps and I set our hands over our mouths. It’s a twin thing that we do when we’re shocked. And this news is huge. Migah is not only a glass dragon; she’s also the very mage who destroyed Huntress’ village.
“Sorry, Huntress,” say Kaps and I in unison. Speaking together is another twin thing.
Kaps raises her hand. “I’ve got it. We can stop Migah’s magic. There are enchanted things that can protect us.”
“Let me guess,” I say. “Those magical thingies are hidden in the treasury.”
“Right. Who’s up for it?” asks Kaps.
I creep closer to the door. “Looking around will take a lot of time. You guys hit the treasury without me.”
“No,” says Huntress in her mum-voice again. “It isn’t safe. The Triumverate want revenge. Uncle Maxon killed Chimera. Now someone in our family must die and make things even.” Huntress makes little quotation marks with her fingers when she says that last part. “The three of us?” She gestures to herself, me and Kaps. “We’re the easiest targets.”
It’s all true, but it sucks. I twist at the skirt of my party dress. “I just want to hear LT play.”
Huntress folds her arms over her chest. “That’s why we’re all going with Zinnia to see LT.”
The way Huntress says all, I don’t like it. “What do you mean?” I ask.
“Mum and Da will be there too,” answers Huntress. “I thought you’d sneak off to see LT, so I invited them along for back up.” Huntress’ mouth arches into this sneaky half-smile. “We all want to hear you sing.”
“I’ll hum.” A chill spreads all over my body. “I only sing for LT.”
Kaps rolls her eyes again. “How hard can it be? La la la. Just sing.”
“It’s …” I begin to explain, but can’t find the words. For me, singing summons my magic. And that’s power I just can’t control yet. If I try to sing with other people round, magic clogs up my throat. All I can do tis hum. Unless it’s just me and LT. Then I can sing just fine,.
“I’ve been waiting forever to find out why you won’t sing for us. It’s…” Kaps winds her hand in a circle, urging me to finish my sentence. “What?”
“None of your beeswax,” I reply. When we were little, I made the mistake of telling Kaps I thought LT was my Rhana. That’s the life mate dragons find when they grow up. For Furor, fidning your Rhana is bigger than getting married. After I blabbed about LT, Kaps teased me for months and months. I can hear the chants now.
Zin and LT sitting in a tree … K-I-S-S-I-N-G!
If I told Kaps about how LT helps my singing and magic, then she’d never shut up. My twin can be mean that way.
Huntress ignores the whole LT situation. Instead, she walks over to block the door. “You can also stay in bed, Zinnia. It is naptime, after all.”
My mouth falls open in shock. “Not fair. Big-girl princesses shouldn’t have to take naps.” I look to Kaps. She has to agree with me on this one.
Kaps goes to stand beside my older sister. “I’m with Huntress,” she declares. “Nap now or show us what’s really going on with this singing-thing and LT.”
I scrunch up my mouth and think things through. It’s true that I can be sneaky like Kaps. And I’m also as good a warrior as Huntress. But I can’t fight both my sisters at once.
“Fine,” I say. “We’ll all go see LT.”
And so the three of us head out. But I take off at a run.
–End Of Sample–
Get MAXON for only $.99: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / Googleplay
PORTIA is 50% off: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / Googleplay
ZINNIA is coming in July: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / GooglePlay
The post Sample Chapter – ZINNIA appeared first on Monster House Books.
July 9, 2019
Extended Edition of MAXON — Only $.99!
Maxon (Angelbound Offspring Book 1)
by Christina Bauer
Prince Maxon may be twenty-two years old now, but he’s still haunted by his boyhood abduction to Hell. To deal with his past, Maxon limits his present-day activities to killing demons and seducing women. No long-term relationships. No combat too dangerous. No problem, right?
Wrong.
Maxon’s life has stalled out. The old thrills aren’t there anymore, either on the battlefield or in the bedroom. While staking out his next fight, Maxon meets what seems like just another girl after a good time. What he gets is a close encounter with Lianna, a lady warrior with ties to the mysterious elemental rulers called the monarkki.
It’s love at first fight.
Trouble is, Lianna’s running from a dark history of her own, and her elemental enemies are closing in. When Lianna gets taken, Maxon realizes that after years of wrong choices and dead ends, the right woman is worth risking it all…
Now includes extended wedding epilogue!!!
Book 1 MAXON FREE: Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / Googleplay / Amazon
Book 2 PORTIA is 50% off: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / Googleplay
Book 3 ZINNIA is coming in July: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / GooglePlay
The post Extended Edition of MAXON — Only $.99! appeared first on Monster House Books.
Extended Edition of MAXON — FREE!
Maxon (Angelbound Offspring Book 1)
by Christina Bauer
Prince Maxon may be twenty-two years old now, but he’s still haunted by his boyhood abduction to Hell. To deal with his past, Maxon limits his present-day activities to killing demons and seducing women. No long-term relationships. No combat too dangerous. No problem, right?
Wrong.
Maxon’s life has stalled out. The old thrills aren’t there anymore, either on the battlefield or in the bedroom. While staking out his next fight, Maxon meets what seems like just another girl after a good time. What he gets is a close encounter with Lianna, a lady warrior with ties to the mysterious elemental rulers called the monarkki.
It’s love at first fight.
Trouble is, Lianna’s running from a dark history of her own, and her elemental enemies are closing in. When Lianna gets taken, Maxon realizes that after years of wrong choices and dead ends, the right woman is worth risking it all…
Now includes extended wedding epilogue!!!
Book 1 MAXON FREE: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / Googleplay
Book 2 PORTIA is 50% off: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / Googleplay
Book 3 ZINNIA is coming in July: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / GooglePlay
The post Extended Edition of MAXON — FREE! appeared first on Monster House Books.
July 8, 2019
Sample Chapter – New MAXON Wedding Epilogue!
Dear Readers,
I’m super excited to share chapter one of the new MAXON extended edition epilogue complete with a wedding scene!!! Plus, MAXON is free right now to celebrate the launch of ZINNIA…
MAXON IS FREE: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / Googleplay
Christina
MAXON Special Edition Epilogue
Chapter One – Lianna
Maxon and I march toward a metal skyscraper. A shiver rolls across my shoulders. Like an oversized knife, the steel building cuts into the countryside—a weapon against nature itself. The promise of a storm hangs in the air; maybe that’s why no one’s around. I shake my head. This place is more than quiet. My elemental sense pops another thought into my mind.
It’s dead.
I hug my elbows. “What do the humans call this land again?”
For the record, I’ve researched this particular building for months. But where it fits on a human map? That gets squishy. Hey, I just transformed into the Monarkki of Water. There’s a lot to track.
“By location, do you mean state, county or city?” asks Maxon. He knows his human territory cold.
I tilt my head, considering. “State.”
“We’re in Pennsylvania.”
I roll the name around in my mind. Pennsylvania. Such a strange word. Then again, this is Earth. Mortals do all sorts of odd stuff. Like macramé. Tap dancing. Or baking potato chips with perfect zigzag patterns. Why? Most of the time, I don’t bother to wonder. This case is different, though. Simply put, I must understand what happens inside this metal building. Leaning back on my heels, I gaze upwards. Twenty stories of burnished steel tower above me. No windows. All shiny metal.
A glass panel stands by the building’s front doors. I soak in the familiar words etched into its surface.
DEX. The Department of Elemental eXplorations.
Nervous energy zings through my body. For months, my naiads—powerful water sprites—have been falling ill. At first, it was only a small group. I healed them easily. But all water connects, and so this plague spread quickly. Through research, magic and some oracle action, I traced the illness to its ground zero.
The DEX building.
In just a few minutes, Maxon and I have an appointment with the humans inside. In other words, this morning marks our first real chance to look around, ask questions, and with any luck, get some answers.
A realization hits me. I grew up in a cabin on the backside of nowhere. I know zero about being a regular human. Smoothing the folds of my skirt suit, I turn to Maxon. “Do I seem like someone who works for the mortal government to you?”
“And a beautiful one at that.” Maxon then straightens his tie. Both of us wear dark suits today. In reality, we’ve only reformed our elemental bodies to appear as if we’re sporting human outfits. Which means that Maxon’s only pretending to fix his tie. Good idea, actually. The movement helps sell the illusion that we’re mortal.
Maxon gestures across his suit. “How about me?”
“You look very…” I pause. What would a human say? My eyes widen as it hits me. “You look quite professional.”
Maxon winks. “Thank you.”
Excitement pours through me. We’re really doing this. Straightening my shoulders, I turn and face the front door. Like the rest of the building, it’s a solid sheet of metal. Gripping the silver handle, I prepare to pull. Thunder rumbles through the air.
I pause.
All of a sudden, the rain clouds whirl more violently. A storm is about to strike. All around, the world darkens. An electric pulse moves through my torso. The gurgle of rushing water fills my mind—it’s a sound that only I can hear. All of which leads to a single thought.
Oh, crap.
No question what’s happening. Another elemental approaches. Since I’m the Monarkki of Water, I know exactly who’s heading this way as well.
I sigh. “Kyo is coming.”
Kyo is my second in command, what we call a majordomo. She manages the day-to-day stuff while I tackle the big problems. Like DEX. She also has the gift of foresight, which helped pinpoint this spot in the first place.
Maxon narrows his eyes. “Should we go inside?”
“No, she’ll just follow.” This has happened before, by the way. Nothing like a flash rainstorm inside a building to freak out the mortals.
Boom!
Another ear-piercing roll of thunder shakes the air. Sheets of rain pour down. Although the storm is heavy, every drop carefully arches away from me and Maxon, leaving us dry. The rough outline of a woman’s face appears in the cascade before us.
“What are you doing here?” asks Kyo. As the rain intensifies, her face becomes more defined. High cheekbones. Bow-shaped mouth. The elaborate, looping hairstyle of a nineteenth century geisha. “You’re holding a major healing tomorrow morning,” continues Kyo. “Six naiads.” She emphasizes the word six. Normally, I heal one naiad and then sleep for hours. Six is a big deal.
“I’ll still heal them.” I gesture toward the building. “But I need to work the problem, Kyo. Whoever’s hurting my elementals must be stopped.”
“You take too many risks,” she snaps. “It’s beyond time you took care of yourself. Six months, Lianna.”
“I know.” Mostly because we have this discussion constantly. Six months marks how long Maxon and I have been engaged. Yet in all that time, we’ve made zero plans for our wedding.
“You’re sweet to worry about our personal stuff,” says Maxon.
“But it’s wasted energy,” I add. “Maxon and I are basically immortal. There’s plenty of time.”
“Namare always said the same thing,” she counters. “I’ll live for eons; my personal life can wait. Namare thought there would be time to find a partner. Start a family. That never happened.”
My throat tightens. I still miss Namare. And yes, Kyo might have a point.
With inhuman speed, Maxon moves to stand between me and Kyo. “You’re upsetting Lianna. It’s time to go.” The way Maxon snarls those last four words, I’m shocked Kyo doesn’t take off in a pouf of rain.
“I’m the Majordomo of Water,” declares Kyo. “I’ll leave, but only if my monarkki demands it.”
“Look, I get that you worry.” On reflex, I fidget with the door handle. Nice carved metal. Odd the things you notice when things are turning uncomfortable. “But Maxon’s right. It’s time to go.”
“For now,” says Kyo slowly. Little by little, her face merges back into the heavy raindrops. For a moment, I can make out the shape of her eyes, then nothing at all. The storm slows. Soon the only sign of rain are rivulets of water on the cement walkway. The sky brightens. No question about it.
Kyo is gone.
I shake my head. “Why did we appoint majordomos again?”
“Because we can’t track all four elements without help.”
Two words stick in my head: for now. “You heard what Kyo said.”
“I did.”
“And you know what that means.”
Maxon nods. “She’s calling in reinforcements.”
In this case, reinforcements means Kyo’s contacting the majordomos for the other elements. Things could get awkward. Our four majordomos like to pester us in shifts; a wedding is their favorite topic. A sly gleam lights up Maxon’s blue eyes. “I could always call in Mother, you know.”
Maxon’s mom is rapidly becoming my favorite person. “That would be something.”
“She’d kick all their elemental asses, easy.”
“Not necessary, but I do like the visual.” I chuckle. “Besides, I get why the majordomos are obsessed with our wedding.” To the elemental world, Maxon and I getting married means stability. Plus, our children are bound to be powerful monarkkis. No one currently rules earth and fire, so that’s a big need. An image appears in my mind: a pair babies made from rock or flame. Instantly, my body stiffens.
Parenthood. What an overwhelming thought.
All of a sudden, this steel building seems to tower even higher. I drop my arm from the door handle. “Maybe we should just go home.”
Maxon moves closer, pausing when our gazes lock. His blue eyes are wide with sympathy. “I get the concern. But you’ve been working non-stop on this for months. Healing naiads. Tracing the problem to DEX.” He nods toward the building. “Your plan is brilliant. Our identities are set. An appointment awaits. This took weeks to set up. Going inside today is the right thing to do.”
“Maybe we should wait until dark and turn elemental.” That means taking our forms as mist and wind. “We can try to sneak in again.”
“We’ve done that a dozen times already. Whoever built this building, they know more about our kind than they should.”
Which is true. Normally, I can go misty and get in anywhere. But no matter what Maxon and I try, we can’t break into DEX. No one knows how to block elementals. It took weeks—and special contacts from Emperor Tempest—to get us false identities and invitations inside.
“I meant what I said.” Raising his hands, Maxon cups my face with his fingertips. “You’re brilliant. This plan is solid.”
Reaching up, I clasp Maxon’s wrists. “But all that talk from Kyo. You know what she really means. We need to get married. Have a family.”
With gentle motions, Maxon runs his thumb across my bottom lip. His touch sends a pleasant shiver through me. “And so we will … when the time is right. Besides, Kyo always brings up the wedding whenever she wants you to stop doing something.”
My eyes widen. “Like when?”
“Like yesterday, when she wanted you to stop researching DEX.”
“It was two in the morning.” Not sure why, but I feel protective of Kyo.
“Then two days go, when she didn’t want you healing anyone new.”
“Only because I’d already cured a naiad that day.”
Maxon sniffs. “And Kyo takes forever to find your sick naiads. Each time you ask her why, she pulls the wedding card. You back down every time.”
I purse my lips, thinking this through. “Damn, you’re right. She’s like the girl who cried wedding.” I narrow my eyes. “What do you think she’s up really to?”
“Nothing bad.” Maxon shrugs. “Mostly, Kyo wants her lovely monarkki to slow down.” Leaning in, he presses a petal-soft kiss across my lips. The touch of his mouth against mine launches a whirl of emotions.
The burn of desire.
Rock-solid determination.
The feather-light pull of hope.
“But what if things go wrong today?” I ask. “We’ve no idea what’s inside this building.”
“That’s part of being us. Surprises happen. We improvise. It all works out in the end.” Maxon’s voice lowers to a rumble. “But the important question is this—what do you want?”
“Multiple things.” Slanting my mouth across his, I deepen our kiss. There really is nothing better than the play of my tongue against Maxon’s. “To be honest, some of those things involve you being naked.”
Maxon gives me the hint of a smile. “How about at this very moment?”
I consider the question. Not sure how Maxon does it, but I always feel better after he showers me with some kisses and chatter. A minute ago, I was ready to fly home. But now? Not so much. When I next speak, there’s no question in my voice.
“Let’s find out who’s poisoning my naiads.”
Maxon’s expression blooms into an all-out grin, complete with dimples. “My beautiful warrior.”
“Right.” A sense of pride heats my chest. Turning toward the door, I grip the handle once more.
We’re going in.
–End Of Sample–
Get MAXON FREE: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / Googleplay
PORTIA is 50% off: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / Googleplay
ZINNIA is coming in July: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / GooglePlay
The post Sample Chapter – New MAXON Wedding Epilogue! appeared first on Monster House Books.
July 7, 2019
3 Signs Your Paranormal Girlfriend Will Dump You
I’ve decided to do my bit to battle this lack-o-forewarning. Therefore, in case any romantic novel characters read my blog, here are three sure-fire signs your paranormal girlfriend will dump your fictional ass.
Here’s the first sign…
I had an unreasonable amount of fun making this image.
Sign #1
When you first meet her, your girlfriend is toting her v-card AND has no idea of her superhuman powers. Le sigh. This is such a bad sign. Her first guy tends to help her through the para-transition, have sex with her for the first time, and then get shoved aside by book three. So sorry, dude. Best to move on right after the first sex scene. Honestly.
Moving on to the next item…
Because any reason to show kissing penguins is a good one.
Sign #2
Your girlfriend has slept with three guys in the last forty pages (you go girl!) not including you. That’s not paranormal, it’s just logic. Your lady friend isn’t settling down anytime soon. Don’t give her your record collection, favorite sweater, or only set of keys to anything.
Which brings us to number three…
:::drumroll:::
I’m pretty sure I worked with this guy back at Cisco. Like, seriously.
Sign #3
You’re a nice boy competing with a bad guy. Maybe you’ve been the stalwart best friend for like six books and haven’t yet gotten a kiss? Get used to disappointment, buddy. Your chances of getting out of the friend zone are nil. Maybe you’ll eventually get a few make-out sessions, but in the end, you’ll be tossed aside for that forbidden slice of nastiness in leather pants. It is what it is. Move on now.
Now for a bonus item…
It’s time to talk bad boys, who are especially irresistible when they have good taste in man bag accessories.
BAD BOY ALERT: Guess what? If you’re a bad boy with a paranormal girlfriend, chances are you’ll get away with a BUTTLOAD of shizz that would never fly in real life. Want to follow your lady friend around everywhere she goes, popping up at inopportune moments? You’ll get adoration instead of a restraining order. Feel like mouthing off all the time? No silent treatment, just lots of love. Important note: Very serious studies show that bad-boy romantic love interests have a 50-50 chance of keeping a girlfriend past book two.
Not that you care, Mr. Badness, but there it is.
The post 3 Signs Your Paranormal Girlfriend Will Dump You appeared first on Monster House Books.
July 3, 2019
FREE on Apple Books
Maxon (Angelbound Offspring Book 1)
by Christina Bauer
Prince Maxon may be twenty-two years old now, but he’s still haunted by his boyhood abduction to Hell. To deal with his past, Maxon limits his present-day activities to killing demons and seducing women. No long-term relationships. No combat too dangerous. No problem, right?
Wrong.
Maxon’s life has stalled out. The old thrills aren’t there anymore, either on the battlefield or in the bedroom. While staking out his next fight, Maxon meets what seems like just another girl after a good time. What he gets is a close encounter with Lianna, a lady warrior with ties to the mysterious elemental rulers called the monarkki.
It’s love at first fight.
Trouble is, Lianna’s running from a dark history of her own, and her elemental enemies are closing in. When Lianna gets taken, Maxon realizes that after years of wrong choices and dead ends, the right woman is worth risking it all…
See It On: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Apple Books / Googleplay
The post FREE on Apple Books appeared first on Monster House Books.
June 28, 2019
BOX SET Coming Soon!
As some of you know, I recently decided to change distributors, which in turn meant creating special editions of my first 7 books. Now it’s 90 days later and I just finished 4 unique epilogue novellas and 15+ appendix articles. Overall it’s 58,000 words of new content. Whew!
I’m super-happy with how things turned out. The extended editions are available today a la carte (due to the distribution issue above). That said, all the new content will soon launch in a single ‘new content only’ box set edition. This was a fan request so my power readers wouldn’t have to re-buy 7 books at $6.99 each. Great idea!
So without further ado, I’m thrilled to announce that the special edition book is now live for preorders at: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Apple Books / Kobo / GooglePlay
BONUS: There will also be an official tour for ALL the special editions in September along with the box set. Keep an eye out for lots of launch goodies and reviews to be announced soon.
Thanks for kicking ass, taking names and reading books!
Seven Special Editions — One eBook Collection!
Enjoy special edition extras across seven novels in the popular ANGELBOUND and BEHOLDER series! This collection delivers more than 58,000 words of all-new content. Only available in ebook form, this collection includes:
– Angelbound – a wedding epilogue with one crazy parade
– Scala – an extended epilogue with Myla, Lincoln, Cissy and Zeke
– Armageddon – an extra appendix of behind-the-scenes goodies
– Maxon – an action-packed wedding epilogue
– Portia – the honeymoon novella you’ve been waiting for!
– Beholder Cursed And Concealed – each now has extra appendix of goodies
Get JUST the new content in this convenient collection (perfect for power readers!) or buy the special edition titles a la carte to enjoy the full novel AND its new extras. Whatever works best for you!
SEE IT ON: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Apple Books / Kobo / GooglePlay 
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