Liv Rancourt's Blog, page 10
August 17, 2015
Cover Reveal: Clouded by M.S. Kaye #YA #InkSpellPublish @MSKosciuszko
Been waiting for this one....a chance to show off the cover for M.S. Kaye's newest release....
Here It Comes....
A Sumerian water and sky god myth collides with a modern high school.
Ayanna is a math nerd, logical and rational, even cold, but Calder makes her feel things she never had before. Somehow, she’s able to accept it when she discovers he’s a reincarnated Sumerian water god. Will she be able to accept the full truth, that the story of Enki and Inanna has been reborn in a modern Ohio high school?
Release Date: 9/12/15Inkspell Publishing
M.S. Kaye has several published books under her black belt. A transplant from Ohio, she resides with her husband Corey in Jacksonville, Florida, where she tries not to melt in the sun. Find suspense and the unusual at www.BooksByMSK.com.
To receive news on upcoming releases, sign up for email updates on her website.
Contact M. S. Kaye at:
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Google+ ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ TSU ~ Pinterest ~ LinkedIn
Trouble Walked In by Michelle Roth #NewRelease @mroth_author @evernightpub
Hi there, everyone! I'm Michelle Roth and I'm here to introduce my latest release, Trouble Walked In [The Forsaken Few 1]. This story started as a submission for the Bad Alpha Anthology but quickly grew out of control with regards to word count. There was no way I was going to be able to tell the story I wanted to in a measly 10,000 words!
Once it was clear that I wasn't going to be able to tell the story I really wanted to tell, I decided the book was more important than the anthology. It became MUCH easier from then on! I decided that rather than just a wolf shifter story that I would make this about something larger. Lorelei, Florida was born.
Each forsaken by their own kind, a small community of shifters from all walks of life have come together to form an unbreakable bond that defies the laws of nature. Both the hunters and the hunted stand side by side to protect themselves from all who would threaten their way of life.
This is Ronan and Moira's story...
The moment Moira Devereaux walks into his bar, Shapeshifter Ronan Kelly knows she's going to be trouble. No matter how tempting she is, he won't risk the safety of his makeshift pack. He has every intention of sending her on her way until he hears her compelling story.When Moira's father, the mayor of Lorelei, tries to force her to wed a man she doesn't know, she runs to one place he won't follow. The local shifter bar. Nothing could have prepared her for the immediate attraction she feels for the owner, Ronan.
In a moment of weakness, Ronan offers her a job and a place to stay despite his misgivings. No one is more shocked than he is when he discovers that she's his mate. Will he be able to convince her that he's worth taking a risk on or will he be forced to let her go?
Amazon - Amazon UK - Amazon CA - Evernight 
Twenty minutes later, his energy restored, he wandered into the kitchen. He grinned when he found Moira making a sandwich. “Hey, gorgeous,” he said, feeling lighter than he had in a very long time. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her neck.“Hungry?” she asked, tilting her head to the side. When he continued to press light kisses against her skin, she set the package of cold cuts down on the counter. Seconds later, she leaned back against him and gave a soft hum of pleasure.“Not for food,” he murmured, nipping at the soft bit of skin just below her earlobe.
Moira pressed her hips back against him and playfully asked, “What are you hungry for then?”
He grabbed her and held her back against him. Then he moved his mouth so that it hovered just above her ear. “You know exactly what I want, cupcake. And you're gonna give it to me.”
“Oh, am I?” she teased, moaning softly when he began to rock his hips against hers. “What if I just wanted to eat this sandwich and go to bed?”
His hands slipped up to cup her breasts through the thin cotton tank top she wore. Stroking her nipples, he waited until she shivered against him. “I'll make you a deal.”
The voice trembled with need when she asked, “What kind of deal?”
“If I reach down into your panties, and I don't find you soaking wet,” he said, his hands trailing down her belly to work at the button of her jean shorts. “Then, by all means, have your sandwich and go to bed.”
“Okay,” she agreed, rocking her hips back against him, her feigned disinterest long gone.
“But if I do find your pussy as soaked as I think I'm gonna,” he continued, “then I own this body for the rest of the night. Sound fair?”
Moira gave a needy whimper in response. “Fair enough.”
“You sure about that, cupcake?” he asked, his own voice rough with need. “I'm not going to go easy on you.”
No longer able to manage the pretense of disinterest, Moira whispered, “I don't want you to.”
“You don't know what you're asking for.” He groaned, his fingers slowly dragging the zipper of her shorts down. At her shuddering breath, he slipped his hand inside her panties and said, “As I suspected. Cupcake, you're not going to sleep any time soon. You better have the sandwich, though. You might need your strength.”
“Fuck the sandwich,” Moira moaned. “Touch me.”
Michelle Roth is a novelist from the Great White North (Toronto, ON). When she’s not disappearing into foreign lands, or making two perfect strangers that she invented fall in love, she’s probably curled up somewhere with a glass of wine and a good book.
In her spare time she is typically hanging out with her awesome boyfriend and their two equally awesome cats. She likes taking road trips to nowhere in particular, cooking elaborate meals then making other people do the dishes, and being nerdy on the internet. Her books are currently available on Amazon, Nook, Kobo, and any other place that sells absolutely filthy romance novels.
Contact Info:
Twitter: @mroth_author
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrothauthor
Website: http://www.michelleroth.net
Newsletter: http://michelleroth.net/mailing-list/
GooglePlus: http://google.com/+MichelleRothAuthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8178847.Michelle_Roth
Amazon Author: http://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Roth/e/B00KQNZOAW
Email: michelle@michelleroth.net
August 11, 2015
Complete With Her #NewRelease @AuthorLynnBurke @evernightpub
Now available - the next installment of Lynn Burke's Risso Family novellas!
Complete with Her
A Risso Family NovellaContemporary Romanceby Lynn BurkeAugust 10, 2015Evernight Publishing
Bastian Risso breaks away from his loud, intrusive family and moves to Charleston, West Virginia. His new neighbor is a seemingly lonely soul, a kindred introvert who might be his perfect match. Her beauty calls to him like a siren, and determined not to be a chicken-shit, he steps out of his comfort zone to make her acquaintance.
Eve Thompson is protective of her privacy. She relishes her solitude as it keeps people from staring at her deformed upper lip or making fun of her speech impediment. Her persistent neighbor, however, proves a temptation too great to resist. His sincere smiles and compliments threaten to crumble the brick wall she hides behind. And his affections evoke feelings she can't control.
Bastian plans to show Eve the beauty of who she is inside and out. But will his efforts break down her barriers or shatter both their fragile hearts?
Purchase Links
Click on the image above for more information about the Risso Family!
Excerpt:
Sprawling out on my borrowed sleeping bag beside the fire, I feasted my eyes on Eve as she moved with ease around our site. No fidgeting. No sidelong glances. “I can see why you love it out here.”
She tucked an escaped lock of hair behind an ear and bent over her task of wiping the blackened pot clean. “While it’s quiet at home, nothing compares to the peaceful outdoors.”
Temptation to tell her I knew of a thing or two that would compare in enjoyment rolled over me, but I refrained. Shadows lengthened across the small campground, and although we had neighbors a stone throw away, their murmuring barely reached my ears. Shrubs and trees blocked us from view, and leaning back, hands behind my head, I decided tonight, come hell or high water, I would hear Eve’s gasps, smother her moans with my lips as my hands explored her body.
Twilight hindered sight through the trees before she finished cleaning up. After hiding herself in the tent for a few minutes, she emerged with pants and clogs replacing her hiking gear. She settled onto the ground beside my knees.
I leaned up on my elbow and propped my head on my hand. “Eve.” I patted the sleeping bag I laid on. “Come up here.”
Her bottom lip sucked between her teeth as she peered at me in the growing darkness. “Why?”
“I want to kiss you.”
A gasp reached my ears, and I wished we’d brought a lantern so I could see her face. She scooted to my side, and I tugged her down to lay beside me.
Baby steps.
Inches separated our bodies, but I didn’t pull her close like I longed to do. Instead, I ran a fingertip down her cheek and neck, her pulse thrumming beneath my feather-light touch. She gazed up at me with widened eyes. Her lips parted and breathing hitched, and I held in my groan. As if my aching cock needed her encouragement.
Enjoying the tension sizzling between us, I leaned down and kissed her, and the second I swept my tongue along the seam of her lips, she moaned and shimmied closer.
Arousal rolled over me, and I clamped my arm around her waist, pressing her breasts and hips tight against me. My groan escaped into her mouth. No way in hell would I get any sleep.
About Lynn Burke
Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of spicy romance stories. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.
Her current work, the Risso Familly Novellas, revolves around four siblings from Boston’s North End.
Find Lynn on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Amazon, and Goodreads.
Complete with Her
A Risso Family NovellaContemporary Romanceby Lynn BurkeAugust 10, 2015Evernight Publishing
Bastian Risso breaks away from his loud, intrusive family and moves to Charleston, West Virginia. His new neighbor is a seemingly lonely soul, a kindred introvert who might be his perfect match. Her beauty calls to him like a siren, and determined not to be a chicken-shit, he steps out of his comfort zone to make her acquaintance.
Eve Thompson is protective of her privacy. She relishes her solitude as it keeps people from staring at her deformed upper lip or making fun of her speech impediment. Her persistent neighbor, however, proves a temptation too great to resist. His sincere smiles and compliments threaten to crumble the brick wall she hides behind. And his affections evoke feelings she can't control.
Bastian plans to show Eve the beauty of who she is inside and out. But will his efforts break down her barriers or shatter both their fragile hearts?
Purchase Links
Click on the image above for more information about the Risso Family!
Excerpt:
Sprawling out on my borrowed sleeping bag beside the fire, I feasted my eyes on Eve as she moved with ease around our site. No fidgeting. No sidelong glances. “I can see why you love it out here.”
She tucked an escaped lock of hair behind an ear and bent over her task of wiping the blackened pot clean. “While it’s quiet at home, nothing compares to the peaceful outdoors.”
Temptation to tell her I knew of a thing or two that would compare in enjoyment rolled over me, but I refrained. Shadows lengthened across the small campground, and although we had neighbors a stone throw away, their murmuring barely reached my ears. Shrubs and trees blocked us from view, and leaning back, hands behind my head, I decided tonight, come hell or high water, I would hear Eve’s gasps, smother her moans with my lips as my hands explored her body.
Twilight hindered sight through the trees before she finished cleaning up. After hiding herself in the tent for a few minutes, she emerged with pants and clogs replacing her hiking gear. She settled onto the ground beside my knees.
I leaned up on my elbow and propped my head on my hand. “Eve.” I patted the sleeping bag I laid on. “Come up here.”
Her bottom lip sucked between her teeth as she peered at me in the growing darkness. “Why?”
“I want to kiss you.”
A gasp reached my ears, and I wished we’d brought a lantern so I could see her face. She scooted to my side, and I tugged her down to lay beside me.
Baby steps.
Inches separated our bodies, but I didn’t pull her close like I longed to do. Instead, I ran a fingertip down her cheek and neck, her pulse thrumming beneath my feather-light touch. She gazed up at me with widened eyes. Her lips parted and breathing hitched, and I held in my groan. As if my aching cock needed her encouragement.
Enjoying the tension sizzling between us, I leaned down and kissed her, and the second I swept my tongue along the seam of her lips, she moaned and shimmied closer.
Arousal rolled over me, and I clamped my arm around her waist, pressing her breasts and hips tight against me. My groan escaped into her mouth. No way in hell would I get any sleep.
About Lynn Burke
Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of spicy romance stories. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.
Her current work, the Risso Familly Novellas, revolves around four siblings from Boston’s North End.
Find Lynn on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Amazon, and Goodreads.
August 7, 2015
Elluding Illusions by Wren Michaels
My friend Wren might win an award for busiest novelist out there - she's back today with her first full-length novel (and her 4th release this year!). I love the way the title of this one rolls off my tongue. It looks like a fun read!
Blurb
Emma Banciu dreams about her novels taking on a life of their own. Thanks to a centuries old Gypsy curse, they tend to do just that. Writing with pen and paper she brings things to life, and hell hath no fury like an antagonist scorned. Now she's on the run from Kyrin, an evil demon warlord who surfaced from one of her first manuscripts. And the only way to get rid of him is to destroy the manuscript.
Enter JG1988, her long-time online friend. He knows nothing of the curse nor the magick Emma possesses. His only wish is to finally meet her in person and take their relationship to the next level. He reveals a surprise of his own when he shows up at Emma's door as international recording artist Jake Griffin.
Destroying the manuscript will not only get rid of Kyrin, but also end her relationship with Jake. But keeping secrets from him may end up doing just that. In order to survive they'll resort to love, lies, and a little Gypsy magick.
Amazon | Amazon UK | All Romance eBooks | Barnes & Noble | Bookstrand |Evernight Publishing | iBooks | Smashwords | Goodreads
Jake lead her into the adjoining room where a baby grand piano sat in the corner.
Turning the piano bench sideways, he sat back and motioned for her to sit in front of him. His arms slid alongside her shoulders as he reached out for the ivory bars, and he tightened his legs against her outer thighs. The heat radiating off him surrounded Emma like a blanket of safety. She snuggled up against his chest as his fingers tickled the keys.
Succumbing to the enchanting melody, her eyes fell closed. His chest pressed against her back, rising and falling as he sang out the verses he wrote just for her, simply titled, Emma's Song. The words took her breath away how he spoke so lovingly of her through song. Each refrain more passion filled than the one before, pouring his heart out with each note. The emotions welling up inside confused her, as she let herself become entranced by his baritone voice. Fear and happiness pooled in her eyes, releasing in tears that slid over her cheeks.
They met for the first time tonight in person yet it felt like they had known each other all their lives. Their electronic relationship manifesting into something real and tangible excited her, but also scared her to death.
The keys stopped dancing, and the room held a silence marred only by the heaving of Jake's breath. Reopening her eyes, Emma turned her head toward him. His fingertips pressed against her jaw line, guiding her head as he leaned in. Their lips met with a cautious tenderness. She swung her body around on the seat, raising her hands to encompass his neck. He pulled her closer, parting her lips as he swept his tongue over hers. An innate ache pulsed through her, taking over her self-control. His very touch tingled every nerve along the way.
She slipped her fingers through the back of his wavy hair, massaging his head in rhythm with their exploratory kisses. His breathing grew heavier, as he cradled her in his arms. A startling mixture of sharp chords rang out through the air as her back landed against the keys.
Soft laughter danced through their kiss as Jake picked her up by the hips off the bench and placed her on top of the baby grand. Her chest heaved in succession with the thumping of her heart. He stared at her with such intent she'd never seen. His intense eyes hypnotized her, holding her gaze.
“I've pictured this a thousand times, but nothing compares to the actual taste of your lips,” he whispered as he laid her back, brushing the chestnut locks of hair from her face. Lush lips caressed her neck, kissing the delicate skin down the plunging neckline of her dress.
Words made no sense. They circulated in her head, jumbled by the emotions coursing through her. Her body ached for him to take her completely as his hands caressed the length of her body, exploring every inch of her, memorizing every curve.
She dreamed about this moment. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. Her head screamed no, she'd only hurt him. But her heart shouted louder as she let her fingers ride up the length of his forearms, pressing against the hard muscle.
“As breathtaking as you look sprawled across my piano, I have a better idea,” he whispered.
Pulling her to him, he slid her off the piano. She wrapped her arms and legs around him as he carried her to the sofa, laying her beneath him. Carefully, he slid the silken dress above her hips, exposing her stomach where he decorated her skin with the warmth of his tongue and lips. A shiver climbed her spine releasing itself in a vocal aching of want and need.
In celebration of ELUDING ILLUSIONS release, I'm going to give away a digital copy of VEXED, my other recently released novel. Click below to get entered!a Rafflecopter giveaway
Vodou stole her life. A gay ghost stole her boots. And the man who stole her heart stole her memories. Kena plans to get it all back.
Ex-cop Kena's life is filled with regret, beer, and Cheetos. That is, until her ghostly roomie sends her dumpster diving, leading her to a sexy stranger named Luc and a fate she'd rather not remember. As Kena's memories resurface, so do her feelings for Luc, the man she's secretly been in love with for the last thousand years. And he needs her for more than a stroll down memory lane.
Vodou spirits, known as Loa, have been trapped in human form, and are trying to make their way back to the spirit world. But Luc's brother is possessed by a vengeance demon conjured at the hands of NOLA's crime syndicate kingpin. Saving him means damning herself to a spirit prison in a loveless, arranged union with the very man she's supposed to rescue. But not helping Luc's brother sentences him to death, leaving New Orleans in the hands of black magick, and losing Luc forever.
Wren Michaels hails from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin where beer and cheese are their own food groups. But a cowboy swept her off her feet, and carried her away below the Mason-Dixon line where she promptly lost all tolerance for snow and cold. They decided they'd make beautiful babies together and they got it right on the first try. Now Wren lives happily ever after in the real world and in the worlds of her making, where she creates book boyfriends for the masses to crave.
Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Page | Website | Tsu |
Blurb
Emma Banciu dreams about her novels taking on a life of their own. Thanks to a centuries old Gypsy curse, they tend to do just that. Writing with pen and paper she brings things to life, and hell hath no fury like an antagonist scorned. Now she's on the run from Kyrin, an evil demon warlord who surfaced from one of her first manuscripts. And the only way to get rid of him is to destroy the manuscript.
Enter JG1988, her long-time online friend. He knows nothing of the curse nor the magick Emma possesses. His only wish is to finally meet her in person and take their relationship to the next level. He reveals a surprise of his own when he shows up at Emma's door as international recording artist Jake Griffin.
Destroying the manuscript will not only get rid of Kyrin, but also end her relationship with Jake. But keeping secrets from him may end up doing just that. In order to survive they'll resort to love, lies, and a little Gypsy magick.
Amazon | Amazon UK | All Romance eBooks | Barnes & Noble | Bookstrand |Evernight Publishing | iBooks | Smashwords | Goodreads
Jake lead her into the adjoining room where a baby grand piano sat in the corner.
Turning the piano bench sideways, he sat back and motioned for her to sit in front of him. His arms slid alongside her shoulders as he reached out for the ivory bars, and he tightened his legs against her outer thighs. The heat radiating off him surrounded Emma like a blanket of safety. She snuggled up against his chest as his fingers tickled the keys.
Succumbing to the enchanting melody, her eyes fell closed. His chest pressed against her back, rising and falling as he sang out the verses he wrote just for her, simply titled, Emma's Song. The words took her breath away how he spoke so lovingly of her through song. Each refrain more passion filled than the one before, pouring his heart out with each note. The emotions welling up inside confused her, as she let herself become entranced by his baritone voice. Fear and happiness pooled in her eyes, releasing in tears that slid over her cheeks.
They met for the first time tonight in person yet it felt like they had known each other all their lives. Their electronic relationship manifesting into something real and tangible excited her, but also scared her to death.
The keys stopped dancing, and the room held a silence marred only by the heaving of Jake's breath. Reopening her eyes, Emma turned her head toward him. His fingertips pressed against her jaw line, guiding her head as he leaned in. Their lips met with a cautious tenderness. She swung her body around on the seat, raising her hands to encompass his neck. He pulled her closer, parting her lips as he swept his tongue over hers. An innate ache pulsed through her, taking over her self-control. His very touch tingled every nerve along the way.
She slipped her fingers through the back of his wavy hair, massaging his head in rhythm with their exploratory kisses. His breathing grew heavier, as he cradled her in his arms. A startling mixture of sharp chords rang out through the air as her back landed against the keys.
Soft laughter danced through their kiss as Jake picked her up by the hips off the bench and placed her on top of the baby grand. Her chest heaved in succession with the thumping of her heart. He stared at her with such intent she'd never seen. His intense eyes hypnotized her, holding her gaze.
“I've pictured this a thousand times, but nothing compares to the actual taste of your lips,” he whispered as he laid her back, brushing the chestnut locks of hair from her face. Lush lips caressed her neck, kissing the delicate skin down the plunging neckline of her dress.
Words made no sense. They circulated in her head, jumbled by the emotions coursing through her. Her body ached for him to take her completely as his hands caressed the length of her body, exploring every inch of her, memorizing every curve.
She dreamed about this moment. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. Her head screamed no, she'd only hurt him. But her heart shouted louder as she let her fingers ride up the length of his forearms, pressing against the hard muscle.
“As breathtaking as you look sprawled across my piano, I have a better idea,” he whispered.
Pulling her to him, he slid her off the piano. She wrapped her arms and legs around him as he carried her to the sofa, laying her beneath him. Carefully, he slid the silken dress above her hips, exposing her stomach where he decorated her skin with the warmth of his tongue and lips. A shiver climbed her spine releasing itself in a vocal aching of want and need.
In celebration of ELUDING ILLUSIONS release, I'm going to give away a digital copy of VEXED, my other recently released novel. Click below to get entered!a Rafflecopter giveaway
Vodou stole her life. A gay ghost stole her boots. And the man who stole her heart stole her memories. Kena plans to get it all back.
Ex-cop Kena's life is filled with regret, beer, and Cheetos. That is, until her ghostly roomie sends her dumpster diving, leading her to a sexy stranger named Luc and a fate she'd rather not remember. As Kena's memories resurface, so do her feelings for Luc, the man she's secretly been in love with for the last thousand years. And he needs her for more than a stroll down memory lane.
Vodou spirits, known as Loa, have been trapped in human form, and are trying to make their way back to the spirit world. But Luc's brother is possessed by a vengeance demon conjured at the hands of NOLA's crime syndicate kingpin. Saving him means damning herself to a spirit prison in a loveless, arranged union with the very man she's supposed to rescue. But not helping Luc's brother sentences him to death, leaving New Orleans in the hands of black magick, and losing Luc forever.
Wren Michaels hails from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin where beer and cheese are their own food groups. But a cowboy swept her off her feet, and carried her away below the Mason-Dixon line where she promptly lost all tolerance for snow and cold. They decided they'd make beautiful babies together and they got it right on the first try. Now Wren lives happily ever after in the real world and in the worlds of her making, where she creates book boyfriends for the masses to crave.
Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Page | Website | Tsu |
August 5, 2015
Alienne Mine by Deborah O'Neill Cordes
This morning it's my great pleasure to have Deborah O'Neill Cordes back for another interview. Deborah's one of my favorite people in writing - heck, one of my favorite people anywhere - and she's here to talk about worldbuilding and ceiling fans and her newest book, Alienne Mine...
Bio:
Deborah O’Neill Cordes is an award-winning screenwriter and novelist of historical and speculative fiction. She is the author of the sci-fi time travel novel, Dragon Dawn, Book One of the Dinosaurian Time Travel Series, and its prequel, Alienne Mine, which blends fields of study she loves in equal measure – Deborah holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology and a master’s degree in history. She is also the co-author of the Morgan O’Neill time travel novels. Deborah resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two West Highland White Terriers, who, alas, are precocious terriers and therefore never white.
You can find Deborah at her website deborahoneillcordes.com or on the Morgan O'Neill website www.morganoneill.com.
Interview
Now, Alienne Mine is a prequel to your sci-fi novel Dragon Dawn. Why a prequel instead of a sequel?
I decided to write a romantic sci-fi prequel which introduces two new characters, human astronaut Edward McAdams and Alienne, a sentient female alien who has watched humanity for decades. The story takes place before the main action of the Dragon Dawn human universe, with the idea that the characters of Alienne Mine will eventually team up with the ones from Dragon Dawn in order to battle against the evil set in motion in the Dragon Dawn dinosaurian universe. And I hope that makes sense to everyone. If not, I encourage you to read Dragon Dawn and Alienne Mine. **wink**
You write historical romances and sci-fi, so I know you’ve got a knack for worldbuilding. What do you like best about writing sci-fi? How does it compare with writing historicals?
First, I'd like to tackle the difference between writing straight historical fiction (such as my as-yet-unpublished Russian historical fiction manuscript) vs. historical time travel romance (the Morgan O'Neill time travel series and my screenplay, Conjurer). For me, the genres are similar in that my historical and time travel fiction both incorporate real historical events and people into the plots, but my time travel uses some form of magic to explain why the protagonists journey through time, i.e. witches, Druid curses, etc. As for the sci-fi, I have the freedom to use my imagination to create worlds in this universe - and in others. I strive to use real and verifiable scientific knowledge as much as possible, so that the stories don't veer into the unbelievable or ridiculous. Creating a suspension of disbelief for the reader is an admirable goal for any author, so I want readers to feel they're experiencing what might have been, whether in my straight historicals or in my time travels.
I’m going to circle back around to the worldbuilding thing. How do you approach creating a new world for a story? Do you have any tips or techniques that are particularly helpful?
The more intensive an author's research, the better the worldbuilding will be. A writer must observe the world - and the universe - all the time. You never know what gem of information or experience will be the basis for a book or scene, or even a little "touch" that resonates through a novel or script. For example, years ago I saw a Hubble photograph of Hoag's Object, a strange ring galaxy with mysterious origins. I held back and did not put information about Hoag's Object in Dragon Dawn, thinking I could use it somewhere else. Lo and behold, it became one of the catalysts for the creation of Alienne Mine! It was a kick to realize something that I'd tucked away in memory over ten years ago influenced key scenes in my prequel. And I got a real fondness for Ghirardelli chocolate while visiting Disney's California Adventure (I've also been to the Ghirardelli factory in San Francisco), hence my inclusion of that wonderful sweet touch in Alienne Mine.
Some writers like the rush of getting a first draft down on e-paper, but others prefer the editing process, to mold and shape what they’ve already written. What’s your favorite part of the writing process?
I think of a scene, write it, and then edit it again and again until I don't want to change it anymore. Sometimes it takes dozens of edits and tweaks to get things "perfect." Maybe that means I like editing better than facing the dreaded blank page.
Dragon Dawn was your first indie publication. Regarding promotion, what was the most important lesson you learned that you can apply to Alienne Mine?
Punt. The publishing world is changing so rapidly, I can't predict what's going to happen next week or next year regarding promotion. And I've gotten really good at reminding myself to relax, because I'm probably going to remain a small fish (or wee dinosaur) in the vast publishing swamp of millions.
How are you coping with this incredibly warm, dry summer? Is your car on automatic pilot to take you to the ocean?
I try to get to Ocean Shores as much as possible (my mom lives there). The temps in OS have been much cooler than inland, and I adore beachcombing in the breezy, salt air. On the home front, my husband installed a big attic fan in our house, which is great at removing the hot air from upstairs, particularly in the evening. I call it my "giant sucking fan," and I do love it. **grin**.
You must have an upcoming project. More hot Romans? Something from the Elizabethan era? Where will your imagination take us next?
I have one more Elizabethan time travel novel to write with my Morgan O'Neill writing partner, Cary Morgan Frates. It's the sequel to The Thornless Rose, titled Ever Crave the Rose. We also have a forthcoming release in Begun by Time, the prequel to The Thornless Rose, which will debut on August 25, 2015 (publisher for all three Elizabethans - Entangled/MacMillan). In late 2016, I hope to finish my sequel to Dragon Dawn, titled Dawn of Time. Then I'll edit my Russian historical, The Sacred Cradle (it's fully written, just awaiting more edits). After all of that, I think I'll collapse under that giant fan!
Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog, Liv! And thanks to your readers for spending some time with me.
Best wishes,
Deborah
Alienne Mine, a Prequel to Dragon Dawn.
Book blurb:
Far from her home world, an alien female clandestinely observes the Earth, but her intense need for a mate overwhelms her desire for secrecy. It is time to pick her Chosen, the one who will share her life. With her keen ultraviolet vision, she’s watched the human astronaut, Edward McAdams, a man with a unique and compelling aura. Is he the one? If so, will he agree to leave Earth and travel with her to the stars? But her plans are threatened when she discovers dangers lurking in the vast reaches of the Milky Way galaxy, menacing aliens who may not only imperil Edward, but everyone else on Earth.
Available from Amazon.
Dragon Dawn, Book One of the Dinosaurian Time Travel Series.
Book blurb:
What if the extinction of the dinosaurs hadn’t occurred? An alien stranded on Mars is determined to find out by sending human astronauts back in time to rewrite Earth’s past. But a female astronaut, through a strange twist of fate, survives the change in the space-time continuum. After finding herself in a dinosaurian body, she must race against time – and the formidable alien – to restore the universe to its rightful course.
Available from Amazon
Buy link for The Thornless Rose.
Buy link for Begun By Time.
Bio:
Deborah O’Neill Cordes is an award-winning screenwriter and novelist of historical and speculative fiction. She is the author of the sci-fi time travel novel, Dragon Dawn, Book One of the Dinosaurian Time Travel Series, and its prequel, Alienne Mine, which blends fields of study she loves in equal measure – Deborah holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology and a master’s degree in history. She is also the co-author of the Morgan O’Neill time travel novels. Deborah resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two West Highland White Terriers, who, alas, are precocious terriers and therefore never white.
You can find Deborah at her website deborahoneillcordes.com or on the Morgan O'Neill website www.morganoneill.com.
InterviewNow, Alienne Mine is a prequel to your sci-fi novel Dragon Dawn. Why a prequel instead of a sequel?
I decided to write a romantic sci-fi prequel which introduces two new characters, human astronaut Edward McAdams and Alienne, a sentient female alien who has watched humanity for decades. The story takes place before the main action of the Dragon Dawn human universe, with the idea that the characters of Alienne Mine will eventually team up with the ones from Dragon Dawn in order to battle against the evil set in motion in the Dragon Dawn dinosaurian universe. And I hope that makes sense to everyone. If not, I encourage you to read Dragon Dawn and Alienne Mine. **wink**
You write historical romances and sci-fi, so I know you’ve got a knack for worldbuilding. What do you like best about writing sci-fi? How does it compare with writing historicals?
First, I'd like to tackle the difference between writing straight historical fiction (such as my as-yet-unpublished Russian historical fiction manuscript) vs. historical time travel romance (the Morgan O'Neill time travel series and my screenplay, Conjurer). For me, the genres are similar in that my historical and time travel fiction both incorporate real historical events and people into the plots, but my time travel uses some form of magic to explain why the protagonists journey through time, i.e. witches, Druid curses, etc. As for the sci-fi, I have the freedom to use my imagination to create worlds in this universe - and in others. I strive to use real and verifiable scientific knowledge as much as possible, so that the stories don't veer into the unbelievable or ridiculous. Creating a suspension of disbelief for the reader is an admirable goal for any author, so I want readers to feel they're experiencing what might have been, whether in my straight historicals or in my time travels.
I’m going to circle back around to the worldbuilding thing. How do you approach creating a new world for a story? Do you have any tips or techniques that are particularly helpful?
The more intensive an author's research, the better the worldbuilding will be. A writer must observe the world - and the universe - all the time. You never know what gem of information or experience will be the basis for a book or scene, or even a little "touch" that resonates through a novel or script. For example, years ago I saw a Hubble photograph of Hoag's Object, a strange ring galaxy with mysterious origins. I held back and did not put information about Hoag's Object in Dragon Dawn, thinking I could use it somewhere else. Lo and behold, it became one of the catalysts for the creation of Alienne Mine! It was a kick to realize something that I'd tucked away in memory over ten years ago influenced key scenes in my prequel. And I got a real fondness for Ghirardelli chocolate while visiting Disney's California Adventure (I've also been to the Ghirardelli factory in San Francisco), hence my inclusion of that wonderful sweet touch in Alienne Mine.
Some writers like the rush of getting a first draft down on e-paper, but others prefer the editing process, to mold and shape what they’ve already written. What’s your favorite part of the writing process?
I think of a scene, write it, and then edit it again and again until I don't want to change it anymore. Sometimes it takes dozens of edits and tweaks to get things "perfect." Maybe that means I like editing better than facing the dreaded blank page.
Dragon Dawn was your first indie publication. Regarding promotion, what was the most important lesson you learned that you can apply to Alienne Mine?
Punt. The publishing world is changing so rapidly, I can't predict what's going to happen next week or next year regarding promotion. And I've gotten really good at reminding myself to relax, because I'm probably going to remain a small fish (or wee dinosaur) in the vast publishing swamp of millions.
How are you coping with this incredibly warm, dry summer? Is your car on automatic pilot to take you to the ocean?
I try to get to Ocean Shores as much as possible (my mom lives there). The temps in OS have been much cooler than inland, and I adore beachcombing in the breezy, salt air. On the home front, my husband installed a big attic fan in our house, which is great at removing the hot air from upstairs, particularly in the evening. I call it my "giant sucking fan," and I do love it. **grin**.
You must have an upcoming project. More hot Romans? Something from the Elizabethan era? Where will your imagination take us next?
I have one more Elizabethan time travel novel to write with my Morgan O'Neill writing partner, Cary Morgan Frates. It's the sequel to The Thornless Rose, titled Ever Crave the Rose. We also have a forthcoming release in Begun by Time, the prequel to The Thornless Rose, which will debut on August 25, 2015 (publisher for all three Elizabethans - Entangled/MacMillan). In late 2016, I hope to finish my sequel to Dragon Dawn, titled Dawn of Time. Then I'll edit my Russian historical, The Sacred Cradle (it's fully written, just awaiting more edits). After all of that, I think I'll collapse under that giant fan!
Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog, Liv! And thanks to your readers for spending some time with me.
Best wishes,
Deborah
Alienne Mine, a Prequel to Dragon Dawn.
Book blurb:
Far from her home world, an alien female clandestinely observes the Earth, but her intense need for a mate overwhelms her desire for secrecy. It is time to pick her Chosen, the one who will share her life. With her keen ultraviolet vision, she’s watched the human astronaut, Edward McAdams, a man with a unique and compelling aura. Is he the one? If so, will he agree to leave Earth and travel with her to the stars? But her plans are threatened when she discovers dangers lurking in the vast reaches of the Milky Way galaxy, menacing aliens who may not only imperil Edward, but everyone else on Earth.
Available from Amazon.
Dragon Dawn, Book One of the Dinosaurian Time Travel Series.
Book blurb:
What if the extinction of the dinosaurs hadn’t occurred? An alien stranded on Mars is determined to find out by sending human astronauts back in time to rewrite Earth’s past. But a female astronaut, through a strange twist of fate, survives the change in the space-time continuum. After finding herself in a dinosaurian body, she must race against time – and the formidable alien – to restore the universe to its rightful course.
Available from Amazon
Buy link for The Thornless Rose.
Buy link for Begun By Time.
July 30, 2015
The Forbidden Man by Elle Wright: Get You In The Mood
I'm so happy for my friend Elle! Her new book looks awesome, and I'm excited to share it with you. To get us all in the mood for the excerpt below, Elle came up with a list of her favorite songs to write love scenes to. Take a look and see if you agree...
And make sure you check out the giveaway down at the bottom of the post!
Top five 'get you in the mood' songs for writing love scenes to
I’m a huge fan of music, all styles: from classical to Hip Hop to R&B to Jazz. I even have some Country favorites. I actually have a specific playlist for love scenes. (LOL) I call it the “Set the Mood” playlist. Here are my top 5 favorites.1. Feeling U, Feeling Me (Interlude) by Alicia Keys2. Are you Ready? by Boney James – One of my favorite saxophonists.3. Say it by Ne-Yo – The first line is “Close the door.” Enough said.4. I Want You by Marvin Gaye – I love Old School music and this is my favorite song by Marvin Gaye. I also adore the version by Kirk Whalum. Both are HOT.5. Inside My Love by Minnie Riperton – One of the most beautiful voices EVER!
THE FORBIDDEN MAN by Elle Wright (July 28, 2015; Forever Mass Market; The Edge of Scandal #1)
BlurbIn Love With the Wrong ManSydney Williams has forgiven her fiancé, Den, more times than she can count. But his latest betrayal just days before their wedding is too big to ignore. Shocking her friends and family, she calls off the engagement. She walks out on Den . . . and into the arms of his brother, Morgan.Known as a player, Morgan Smith has secretly spent years fighting his feelings for Sydney. When Den's latest dirty deed leaves Sydney devastated, Morgan can't stop himself from coming to her rescue. What begins as friendship quickly escalates into all-consuming passion. Despite their intense connection, Sydney would rather deny her desire than come between brothers. But as Morgan is determined to make Sydney his, Den won't give her up without a fight . . .
Buy the book!Amazon B&NiBooks GooglePlay Kobo BAM
Excerpt
“Are you still feeling cold?” he asked, adjusting the heater and finishing off the contents of his flask.
“Actually, I’m feeling pretty hot.” She jumped when he started coughing. “Are you okay?”
He wiped his mouth. “I’m straight.”
“You sure?” Syd studied his face as she smoothed her hand over his back.
“Yeah.” He closed the flask and tucked it back into his pocket. “It’s the liquor.”
“Huh?”
“The bourbon.” He patted his pocket. “It’s making you hot.”
“Somehow I doubt that,” she mumbled.
“What?” he asked, leaning in closer.
I doubt it’s the liquor. “Forget it. I’m cold again.” She burrowed into him.
“You want me to make you hot?” he asked.
Her eyes flashed to his and her lips parted.
“I meant . . .” He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat.
“Uh, I can turn the heat up.”
“No.” She forced a smile and lowered her gaze. “It’s fine.”
When his hand caressed her cheek, her eyes closed of their own volition. Time seemed to stand still. She felt his warm breath on her skin above her lips. “I think—”
She dug her nails into his knee. “Maybe you should call Kent again. See where he is.”
He slid his thumb down the side of her neck.
She exhaled. So this is what Terry McMillan meant when she waited to exhale? “Because this isn’t going anywhere good. You’re acting like you want to kiss me and I know that’s not true,” she joked.
He clenched her hair in his hands and tugged gently.
“How do you know that?”
She searched his eyes. “Do you? I mean—do you want to?”
“I do—and so many other things.”
She let out a nervous giggle. “I think you’re feeling the effects of that gasoline you’re drinking, Morgan.”
His gaze dropped to her mouth as his hand crept up her thigh and rested on her hip. She jumped in surprise when he squeezed. “Actually, I don’t believe I’m drunk enough,” he said. “At this point, I know exactly what I’m doing, which means I’d be held responsible for my actions.”
Syd placed her hands on his stomach and felt his taut muscles tighten in response. “Den would kill you. So would Red.”
Morgan traced her lips with his thumb. “It may be worth it. Let me . . .” Then, his mouth was on hers, drawing a low moan from her mouth. The simple touch of his lips to hers set off a fire in Syd that seemed to burn brighter and hotter with every second.
She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck as he continued to assault her senses with his kisses. He slid his tongue across her bottom lip, demanding entrance, which she happily granted. She gripped a fistful of his hair as he pulled her onto his lap. He rocked into her, introducing her to his rock hard erection. She braced her other hand against the window as she grinded into him. He trailed hot, wet kisses down her throat and cupped her breasts in his hands. As his thumbs traced her nipples, she cried out and he captured her cry with his hot mouth.
Reluctantly, she tried to pull away, but he latched onto her bottom lip with his teeth and sucked. He obviously wasn’t ready for this to end . . . neither was she.
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BioAbout the author:
Born and raised in Southeast Michigan near Ann Arbor, Elle learned the importance of reading from her mother. It was also her mother who, later on in her life, gave Elle her first romance nove: Indigo by Beverly Jenkins. From that moment on, Elle became a fan of Ms. Jenkins for life and a lover of all things romance. An old journal she wrote back in college became her first book (which she still wants to publish one day).
Social Media Links:Website
Goodreads
July 25, 2015
Finding Us by Debra Presley - Release Day Blitz
This is the last in my Week of Guests posts, and I'm so happy to share Debra's new release with you. This book will be available 7/31, but you could preorder it now...
Book Title: Finding Us (A Nucci Securities Novel) Author: Debra Presley Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: July 31, 2015 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
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Pop star Abby Murphy is living every girl’s dream. She has fame, fortune, and a handsome boyfriend, a guitar player named Sean. That changes the night she finds him in the arms of another woman. Hurt and betrayed, Abby ends their relationship. But Sean won't accept the breakup, and she soon learns that he’s had a hidden agenda all along. Overnight, Sean transforms from loving boyfriend to dangerous adversary, and Abby no longer knows who she can trust among her friends and family.
Abby turns to her bodyguard, Danny Nucci, a man who will do everything in his power to keep her safe. But when Abby realizes her feelings for Danny run much deeper than she thought, she refuses to give in to her attraction in order to preserve her new found independence as well as protect Danny from Sean's machinations.
When Abby finally finds the strength to reclaim her life and acknowledge her growing love for Danny, will she be able to let him in? And will Danny be able to overcome his own demons to be the man she needs him to be? Or will she be forced to let him go forever?
©2015 Debra Presley
The sun rose, and the rays seeped through the windows of the hotel suite. The brightness woke Danny before his alarm. He grabbed his phone to check the time a moment before his alarm starting blaring.
“Fuck.” He pressed snooze and stretched lazily. From the corner of his eye, he saw someone in the chair across from him. His body and mind were in action, assessing the threat, before he realized that is was Abby. At some point while he’d slept, she’d moved from the bedroom to the chair. She was wrapped in the blanket from his bed, snoring lightly. Her head was tilted to the side, resting on a small accent pillow, and her feet hung over the edge. She looked utterly adorable, and Danny hesitated to wake her. After last night, she needed the rest, and he had work to do before they were scheduled to be on the bus. He’d let her sleep a while longer.
He decided to deal with Vivien first and dialed her number as he walked into the bedroom.
“Mr. Nucci,” she answered. He wanted to roll his eyes every time she called him “Mr. Nucci.” Everyone in Abby’s entourage was informal except her. Danny tried to avoid dealing with Vivien. She and Abby had a complicated relationship that he tried to stay out of. It wasn’t his business, and as long as it didn’t affect Abby’s safety, he didn’t need to weigh in. Abby had hinted at a troubled home life when she was younger, but she’d never really shared that part of her life with him.
“Vivien, I’m not sure if you’re aware of what happened last night, but—”
“I’m well aware of my daughter’s impulsiveness.”
Danny held his tongue. Vivien hated to hear about problems. She just wanted them to go away.
“I think we need to discuss this situation.”
“What’s there to discuss? Abigail knows what’s expected of her.”
“That’s between you and Abby. I’m here to keep her safe, and last night she was assaulted. That warrants a conversation.”
“I don’t agree, but if you insist, we can meet for a few minutes this morning. I’ll have my assistant call you with a time.” She hung up the phone before Danny could say anything else.
He stared at Abby sleeping in the other room. If he wanted to prep her for their meeting, he needed to wake her now. Danny returned to the living room.
“Abby,” he whispered and sat next to her on the ottoman. He shook her gently. Nothing. She didn’t even stir. He watched her sleep for a moment then leaned over to gently push her champagne-colored hair away from her face. He took in her fair complexion sprinkled lightly with freckles and then abruptly stood. He needed to stop before his thoughts got the better of him. The last thing he needed was for Abby to see how much she affected him.
He worked hard at keeping things professional because he knew all too well what happened when he cared too much for someone. Since Vanessa, Danny hadn’t allowed himself to get close to any woman, and he still wasn’t ready to take that step. Shit, last night he nearly lost it when he saw Sean with Abby. It brought up too many memories that hit too close to home. He failed when it came to Vanessa; he wasn’t going to let anything cloud his judgment this time.
He watched Abby resting soundly, but he couldn’t stop thinking of his fiancé. He blamed himself for her death. And at the time, it nearly destroyed him.
Their tour of duty in Iraq had been tense, and his mind was on other things. He missed the signs that something was wrong, and after she died, nothing anyone said could convince him that he wasn’t responsible. Not only were they engaged, but she was also a fellow soldier who he’d worked with since boot camp. They’d served side-by-side, both sergeants in the Psychological Operations unit, commonly known as Psy-Ops.
“Abby.” He said her name louder but didn’t touch her this time. Abby said something in her sleep, but he had no idea what. Danny chuckled because, really, she was just too adorable.
“Come on sleepyhead; you have to wake up,” he coaxed.
“Go away.” She gathered the blanket closer to her body.
“I can’t. It’s time to get up. Let’s go.” He pulled at the blanket and saw that she was only wearing the T-shirt he gave her last night. He stared. Her legs were smooth and sexy, and there was a hint of her purple lace panties peeking out. Danny threw the blanket over Abby and stood quickly. He worked for Abby. He didn’t need images of her half naked in his brain.
He walked behind the chair. Distance was a must right now. His phone alarm sang “Reveille” and instead of shutting it off, he increased the volume and placed it by Abby’s ear.
She jumped, causing the ottoman to shift forward. Danny laughed at her expression but stopped when she lost her balance and fell to the floor. Like a scene from a sitcom, she landed on her ass, with her legs up in the air. Abby quickly covered herself with the blanket.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Screw you, Nucci.” She looked up at him with narrowed eyes. “Now help me up, asshole.”
Danny helped her stand, mindful of her bruised arm. The blanket fell to the floor, leaving Abby in his old New York Yankees T-shirt. Even though he knew what to expect this time, the sight was too much to ignore. He tried to avert his eyes but failed.
Abby laughed and walked slowly into the bedroom, shaking her sexy ass. “I’m gonna grab a quick shower. Can you get my suitcase or do you have another one of these I could wear?” Abby flipped up the end of Danny’s shirt, giving Danny an eye full.
“I’ll get your clothes.” Danny sighed and looked up at the ceiling. He was clearly off his game.
“Thanks.” Abby winked and laughed even louder. She closed the door and left him standing in the living room with his mouth hanging open. Holy shit. His mind raced with all the things he wanted to do to her, and he was thankful for the reprieve. He grabbed the keycard to Abby’s room and left to go get her things.
Follow The Book Enthusiast - Book Enthusiast Promotions's board Finding Us by Debra Presley on Pinterest.
Debra is a native New Yorker who made her escape to the suburbs. She often returns to her hometown to visit her favorite deli for a bagel with butter, because there’s no better bagel than a New York bagel. When not in search of bagels, Debra spends her time running Book Enthusiast Promotions, an online promotions company that helps indie authors spread the word about their books.
She’s also the owner of The Book Enthusiast blog. She started writing lyrics in her wall-to-wall NKOTB bedroom at the tender age of thirteen while dreaming of the day she’d become Mrs. Jordan Knight. That dream never came to fruition, but she has continued to write. Now she’s working on her first novel.
STREET TEAM
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July 23, 2015
Blog Tour: Man Love Box Set
Today I have a promo for a hot new box set. My Week of Guests has been a whole lot of fun, and now it's time to get your naughty on...
Book Title: Man Love Box Set Authors: C.J. Sneere & Leigh Foxlee Genre: M/M Romance Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Love and passion know no boundaries. The heart wants what the heart wants.
This box set from international bestselling authors C.J. Sneere and Leigh Foxlee brings together the best of their gay erotic romance stories. Tales of protective alpha werewolves and shifters, of mysterious Russian occultists, and star-crossed lovers.
Escape inside the pages of these wild, hot reads and lose yourself!
On sale for only 99 cents, and it's free if you're a Kindle Unlimited member!
C.J. Sneere writes gay erotic romance from his home amidst concrete giants. That's his fancy way of saying he's an urban jungle dweller. He doesn't do Twitter or Facebook. He's too busy doing bears and pretty boys instead. Pay him a visit at: http://wildlawlesswriters.blogspot.ca/p/cjs-titles.html
Leigh Foxlee lives in rural Canada with her husband and a parade of animals. She is a frumpy editor / copy writer type by day, a sexy Jackie Collins writer type by night, or so she likes to think. She has a soft spot for alpha gentlemen who sweep ladies off their feet. Her erotic romance ranges from sweet to hot and spicy. Pay her a visit at: http://wildlawlesswriters.blogspot.ca/p/blog-page.html
Wild & Lawless Writers website | Wild & Lawless Twitter | Wild & Lawless Facebook | Wild & Lawless Google Plus
AMAZON AU
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July 22, 2015
Release Day: Faerie Fate by Margaret Madigan
The next post from my Week of Guests is from my good friend Margaret Madigan. Today is the publication day for her newest, Faerie Fate, and I'm so excited to share it with you!
For readers who love urban fantasy and paranormal romance, I have a #NewRelease treat for you! FAERIE FATE releases July 22, 2015 from Evernight Publishing.
Blurb:
Holly Spencer is a 22-year-old IT major who’s ready to graduate and find her place in the world. What she really wants is a good job and a condo with a view.
But when she’s rescued twice in one day by a mysterious man who claims to be a fae warrior, she’s plunged into a world she grew up believing existed only in fairy tales, and forced to run for her life from warring factions who all want her dead.
Shadow’s on a routine mission when he runs headlong into Holly--the soul mate he’d given up on ever finding. Even though she refuses to believe they’re meant for each other, he fights to protect her from the very thing that brought them together, even when it means making a dangerous deal with Fate to save her life.Holly struggles with being told who she’s supposed to love. Shouldn’t it be her choice?
But as little by little Shadow kindles her passions and wins her trust, Holly realizes that a life with Shadow may very well be just where she belongs.
BOOK LINKS Evernight Publishing | Amazon
EXCERPT
She still had to face the things that caused her fear, and as much as Shadow made her feel safe, she couldn’t quite let go of the responsibility of taking care of herself. She couldn’t in good conscience give him any hope when she had no idea what she faced in the next few days. That kind of trust required more than she was ready to give just yet. Still, resisting the temptation to give in to their attraction was becoming more and more difficult.
“I know you’ll do everything you can to protect my life, and if I survive this mission, we can talk about my heart,” she said, resting her head on his chest.
“You’ll survive,” he said. “I’ve already saved you twice. I’ll do it as many times as I need to.”
“As I recall, the last time it was a team effort,” Holly teased. “If I hadn’t shifted form, you wouldn’t have been able to carry me away.”
She heard his laugh rumble in his chest. “Very true. That just proves what a good team we are.” He pushed her back just a little to look her in the eyes, “And as I recall,” he said, a wicked grin spreading slowly across his lips, “the last time I saved you, you wore nothing but a smile. Is that going to be a habit?”
“You wish. What does that have to do with anything anyway?”
Still holding her close, he traced the line of her dress, down one shoulder, across the valley between her breasts, and back up again, making her shiver.
“Nothing. I was just thinking how impressive it was.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I write romance and science fiction, and I'm published with Entangled Publishing and Evernight Publishing.
Oregon Ducks fan.
Donut and pastry addict.
I like cats.
When I’m not writing you’ll find me in a college classroom teaching English, or working as a literary agent for an amazing agency…and of course, wrangling my family.
AUTHOR LINKS Facebook author fan pageTwitterGoodreadsWebsiteBlog
Keep an eye out for the rest of the posts this week...
For readers who love urban fantasy and paranormal romance, I have a #NewRelease treat for you! FAERIE FATE releases July 22, 2015 from Evernight Publishing.
Blurb:
Holly Spencer is a 22-year-old IT major who’s ready to graduate and find her place in the world. What she really wants is a good job and a condo with a view.
But when she’s rescued twice in one day by a mysterious man who claims to be a fae warrior, she’s plunged into a world she grew up believing existed only in fairy tales, and forced to run for her life from warring factions who all want her dead.
Shadow’s on a routine mission when he runs headlong into Holly--the soul mate he’d given up on ever finding. Even though she refuses to believe they’re meant for each other, he fights to protect her from the very thing that brought them together, even when it means making a dangerous deal with Fate to save her life.Holly struggles with being told who she’s supposed to love. Shouldn’t it be her choice?
But as little by little Shadow kindles her passions and wins her trust, Holly realizes that a life with Shadow may very well be just where she belongs.
BOOK LINKS Evernight Publishing | Amazon
EXCERPT
She still had to face the things that caused her fear, and as much as Shadow made her feel safe, she couldn’t quite let go of the responsibility of taking care of herself. She couldn’t in good conscience give him any hope when she had no idea what she faced in the next few days. That kind of trust required more than she was ready to give just yet. Still, resisting the temptation to give in to their attraction was becoming more and more difficult.
“I know you’ll do everything you can to protect my life, and if I survive this mission, we can talk about my heart,” she said, resting her head on his chest.
“You’ll survive,” he said. “I’ve already saved you twice. I’ll do it as many times as I need to.”
“As I recall, the last time it was a team effort,” Holly teased. “If I hadn’t shifted form, you wouldn’t have been able to carry me away.”
She heard his laugh rumble in his chest. “Very true. That just proves what a good team we are.” He pushed her back just a little to look her in the eyes, “And as I recall,” he said, a wicked grin spreading slowly across his lips, “the last time I saved you, you wore nothing but a smile. Is that going to be a habit?”
“You wish. What does that have to do with anything anyway?”
Still holding her close, he traced the line of her dress, down one shoulder, across the valley between her breasts, and back up again, making her shiver.
“Nothing. I was just thinking how impressive it was.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I write romance and science fiction, and I'm published with Entangled Publishing and Evernight Publishing.
Oregon Ducks fan.
Donut and pastry addict.
I like cats.
When I’m not writing you’ll find me in a college classroom teaching English, or working as a literary agent for an amazing agency…and of course, wrangling my family.
AUTHOR LINKS Facebook author fan pageTwitterGoodreadsWebsiteBlog
Keep an eye out for the rest of the posts this week...
July 21, 2015
Hot Author Feature: Jami Gray
This is the second day of my Week Of Guests, and I'm pleased as could be to introduce you to Jami Gray. I've known Jami since my Black Opal Books days, and it's always amazed me that someone so sweet (and a little bit goofy) could write such hard-edged heroines. But she is and she does. Her book Shadow's Edge is free right now, and if you like urban fantasy, you should definitely check it out.
Here she's sharing her writer's dream...
I have a dream. It includes a beautiful book-lined office where a thin 32-inch screen perches on a beautiful cherry wood desk. An intriguing complex story line graces a pristine whiteboard nestled next to an impeccably kept filing cabinet where character sketches, world building details, and future plots are all in their assigned spots waiting to be used. The only sounds you can hear in this oasis will be whatever music my Muse and I have agreed on that day. No telephones, no cell phones, no other distraction would dare to intrude into this writer’s paradise.
That’s my dream.
Here’s my reality—we turned an extra bedroom into an office and I have to share it. My roommate happens to be my techy geek husband (aka the Knight) who has more electronics than NASA. The book-lined walls are limited to three bookcases on one wall, while the remaining holders of books can be found in my bedroom and the living room, and then, there are the three desks.
One is the lovely banker’s desk I inherited from my Knight’s dad. This is my main perch point. It’s dominated by my big Mac (not the kind you can eat), a beautifully decorated skull, pens, notebooks, Kleenex, my desk calendar, two coasters for drink options, headphones, and my little Mac.
Behind me is the second desk that served as a lab table at a local university in a previous life. The lab table currently holds critiques from my writing partners on my latest WIP, a monitor I can hook my little Mac to, and pens. I’m considering getting rid of it.
Why would a writer need two desks? Because as much as I would love to say otherwise, my writing doesn’t quite keep away the pesky bill collectors or satisfy the healthcare gods, so until recently, I had a job-that-pays-the-bills. That job gave me the ability to telecommute for fifteen years. It also meant I needed two desks. One to remind me of the cubicle world I came from, and the other to hold my two Apples (Big and mini) I use for writing. Yes, I know, another set of two (I have lots of those: 2 kids, 2 dogs, 2 computers, 2 desks, 2 cars). But the Big Mac stays home, while Mini Mac, being so much easier to carry, allows for escape options. Now, this secondary desk is taking up space, but I haven’t wanted to take on the challenge of re-configuring the office. It’s on my to-do list.
The third belongs to the aforementioned techy geek husband. Don’t get me started on what’s on that surface. We’ll be lost in the chaos for days.
The office has next-door neighbors—the Prankster Duo. My two boys are inches away and sometimes even the walls and locked door can’t seem to keep them out. The other day I gathered the men of the household and said, “I am going to write in the office. Pretend I’m not here, okay?” They all agreed and then suddenly suffered from severe memory loss. I sat down, put on the headphones to drown out the battle cries I knew were going to erupt within the next few minutes, opened my latest work in progress, only to jump out of my chair when my youngest came up and hug tackled me.
When they do sweet stuff like that you can’t yell, it’s just not…mom like. I took out one ear bud and raised a brow in question.
“Hey mom, did you know that I just got (insert some gamer speak about armor and weaponry here)?”
“Umm, really? That’s great, sweetpea, but see this,” motion to softly glowing screen in front of me, “I’m writing, remember?”
A quick peck on the check and he’s gone. I try to get back into the groove, only to have the door swish open and our two newest editions, the Fur Minxes, trot in. They want to play. I remind them, this is mommy’s alone time, then proceed to maneuver my chair in such a way as to not run over tails as both girls decide the space at my feet is perfect for a combined 100 pounds of canine to occupy. Back in front of the screen, music playing, I’m back…until the phone rings.
This is my reality. This is why some days I’m reduced to picking up the smaller laptop and driving to the nearest Starbucks and hiding out for hours on end. Otherwise, it’s a never ending round of interruptions.
Most people dream of winning the lottery so they can travel the world. I dream of winning the lottery so I can have my own office.
During the school year, it’s a bit better. The knight is out slaying dragons, the Duo is out raising havoc under someone else’s watch and the Minxes hone their skills for possible cage matches in the backyard. I work on my adult responsibilities of getting my-soon-to-be-job-that-pays-the-bills up and running, then utilize the rare flashes of free time. Writing a paragraph here or there, sketching out the next chapter, or tweaking the last scene. But even so, I still have to make sure I hit a solid word count each day (1250-1500). Lately that word count happens five out of seven days, and I consider that triumph.
It took me years to get over the guilt of bailing on my hubby and kids to carve out time to write, but now I find it’s essential. Not just for my writing but for my sanity. Where others may use such time to read a book, workout, shop, or hang out with friends, I use for my alternate personality—the writer.
So for now, until we score that big pot of lottery gold and I get my dream office, I will hold my dream close and defend my two desks and the Mac duo from the scourge of interruptions, carving words out one inch at a time!
Pick up SHADOW’S EDGE for FREE for a limited time and dive into the shadows of the Kyn…
Jami's Books
THE KYN KRONICLES (Urban Fantasy series w/Black Opal Books)
WRAPPED IN SHADOWS, Kyn Kronicles .5 (Things That Go Bump For The Holidays Anthology)
The magic of the holidays can be hell…
Celebrations abound during the holidays, but this Christmas an engagement celebration goes horrifically wrong. What appears to be a simple murder/suicide hides a vicious surprise. The type of gift Raine and Gavin, elite member of the Kyn, didn’t want humans to unwrap, because revealing the monsters in the shadows isn’t the way to spread holiday cheer.
Amazon - Nook - Smashwords - Black Opal Books
SHADOW’S EDGE, Kyn Kronicles #1
Everyone fears what hunts in the shadows—especially the monsters…
When the supernatural lurks in the shadows of the mundane, hunting monsters requires unique skills, like those of Raine McCord. A series of deaths threatens to reveal the Kyn community and forces her to partner with the sexy Gavin Durand.
As the trail leads to the foundation haunting Raine’s childhood, she and Gavin must unravel lies and betrayals to discover not only each other, but the emerging threat to them and the entire magical community.
Amazon - ARe - iBooks - Smashwords - Black Opal Books - Kobo - Scribd - GooglePlay
SHADOW’S SOUL, Kyn Kronicles #2
Some nightmares are born of love…
A simple assignment turns into a nightmare when Raine McCord follows Cheveyo to the Southwest on a consulting gig. When the most feared beings of the Kyn kidnaps Cheveyo and leaves Raine for dead, her ability to heal her mind and spirit hinges on the one man who can touch her soul, Gavin Durand.
Unraveling the Southwest Kyn’s web of secrets and hidden vendettas will either bring them together or tear them apart forever.
Black Opal Books - Amazon - ARe - Nook - Smashwords - iBooks - Kobo - Scribd - GooglePlay
SHADOW’S MOON, Kyn Kronicles #3
Even wild hearts can be broken…
Tracker, Xander Cade, confronts an enraged Shifter in a crowded human nightclub, fraying the thin secrecy shielding the supernatural community from public scrutiny. Danger stalks the pack and she must protect her alpha and mate, Warrick Vidis, even if he doesn’t want it.If they don’t find a way to trust each other and accept their rare bond they risk losing everything-their pack, their friends and each other.
Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Black Opal Books - Smashwords - ARe - iBooks - Kobo - Scribd - GooglePlay
SHADOW’S CURSE, Kyn Kronicles #4
Death and chaos can devastate even the best-laid plans…
After tragedy strikes the Northwest Kyn, leaving the houses in chaos and the Wraiths hungry for blood, the fallout threatens Natasha Bertoi’s carefully laid plans. When the Council sends Darius Abazi, the one man guaranteed to skew the odds, she faces her toughest opponent yet.
As death stalks the Northwest Kyn, can Natasha trust Darius, a man well versed in subterfuge, to uncover the truth before treachery destroys them all?
Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Black Opal Books - iBooks - Smashwords - Kobo - ARe - Scribd
Coming Fall 2015:
A collection of Kyn shorts, including WRAPPED IN SHADOWS
PSY-IV Teams (Paranormal Romantic Suspense series w/MuseIt Up Publishing)
HUNTED BY THE PAST, PSY-IV Teams #1
Sometimes death is the only way to out run the past…
Changing the past is impossible, a fact ex-marine, Cynthia Arden, understands all too well. Struggling with the aftermath of a botched mission, a panicked phone call brings her home to face a killer’s game. Unfortunately, the distracting Kayden Shaw returns as well, the one man she thought would stand by her, until he chose his job over her.
To survive, will Cyn risk her heart or lose the man she loves and her life?
MuseItUp Publishing - Amazon - Smashwords - Barnes & Noble - Kobo - iBooks - ARe - GooglePlay
Coming Spring 2016:
TOUCHED BY FATE, PSY-IV Teams #2
Trusting him with her secrets is dangerous. Trusting him with her heart could be fatal.
As a specialized consultant for the Department of Defense, Risia Lacoste understands the bargaining chip of a well-kept secret. When her current assignment threatens to unearth her deeply buried skeletons, she’s forced into a high-stakes game of lies and loyalty where even her ability to foresee the future can’t predict the winner.
Darkness lies under the skin of every man, and PSY-IV Team operative and touch empath, Tag Gunderson, has the demons to prove it. Scarred by betrayal and disillusionment, he’s not Risia’s top pick for a partner in the game, but he’s all she’s got.
As the game draws them deeper into a pit of intrigue and their list of enemies grow, will Risia trust Tag with more than her secrets or will his demons destroy them both?
You can find all the buy links for both The Kyn Kronicles and PSY-IV Teams, in all formats at:
http://jamigray.com/kynkronicles/
http://jamigray.com/psyivteams/
BIO:
Jami Gray is the award winning, multi-published author of the Urban Fantasy series, The Kyn Kronicles, and the Paranormal Romantic Suspense series, PSY-IV Teams. She can be soothed with coffee and chocolate. Surrounded by Star Wars obsessed males and two female labs moonlighting as the Fur Minxes, she escapes by playing with the voices in her head.
You can find Jami at:
Black Opal Books: www.BlackOpalBooks.com
Muse It Up Publishing: http://museituppublishing.com
Website: www.JamiGray.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamigray.author
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/JamiGrayUFWriter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamiGrayAuthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/JamiGray
Google+: https://google.com/+JamiGray
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.com/e/B006HU3HJI
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/LvoZn
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jamigrayauthor/
Here's the rest of the week's schedule...check back soon!
