S.C. Mitchell's Blog, page 27
December 17, 2014
The Calum by Xio Axelrod
Today I’m celebrating the launch of Xio Axelrod’s new novella, The Calum:
I picked this up Monday and couldn’t put it down. It’s a very fun read!
Blurb:
Twenty-six is too old to believe in fairytales, but tell that to Lovie’s roommate. Convinced she’ll find a real life version of her ultimate book boyfriend, Calum MacKenzie, Jo drags Lovie to the Scottish Highlands. Lovie’s no cynic *ahem* but she knows The Calum is a myth. A construct. A freaking unicorn! And there are warmer places to spend Christmas vacation.
If Duff had his way, he’d never step foot in Inverness again. Only his best friend’s wedding, and his ailing grandmother, could bring him home. Duff’s plan is keep his head down and stay out of trouble. Hard to do when the groom targets a pretty blond tourist for one last conquest.
When Duff and Lovie meet, stones, sparks and insults fly. He’s instantly attracted to the sexy, sharp-tongued American. She’s just glad to have someone to hang out with, especially the bad boy with a mysterious past. Lovie is determined to learn his secrets, but as they grow closer, Duff is forced to choose between his best friend and his heart.
Link to Follow Tour: http://xioaxelrod.com/?p=1209
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/xioaxelrod
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23718245-the-calum
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Calum-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00R0H1ARS/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-calum-xio-axelrod/1120876186?ean=9781483544670
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-calum/id949645118?mt=11
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-calum
Author Info:
Philadelphia native and global citizen, Xio Axelrod writes love stories, sexy romance and what she likes to call “strange, twisted tales.” Bitten by the literary bug in 2003, she has self-published two volumes of poetry. Her short stories have also appeared in e-magazines such as Oysters and Chocolate. After a five year hiatus from writing, Xio returned with the fiery web serial, Starstruck: a story about finding the right person at the wrong time that became a viral hit. The Calum is book one in a series.
Xio is a vocalist and songwriter by day and lives in Philadelphia with her husband, Mr. X, and their on-again/off-again cat, BB.
Author Links:
Website: http://www.xioaxelrod.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xio.axelrod.3
Twitter: https://twitter.com/XioAxelrod
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7105890.Xio_Axelrod
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+XioAxelrod
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/xioaxelrod/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/xioaxelrod/
Ello: https://ello.co/xioaxelrod
tsū: https://www.tsu.co/XioAxelrod
Excerpt from Chapter One:
Lovie Grant wished like hell that she had paid the five dollars for the airline headphones. But that balloon had popped, and now she was stuck listening – again – to Joana’s latest “brilliant” plan. She hunched her shoulders and buried her face in the in-flight magazine. Anything to avoid one more word about their freaking trip.
“Are you even listening to me?” Her shrill tone bounced off the airplane window and directly into the oh-my-God-let-me-off-this-sky-bus-before-I-kill-her section of Lovie’s brain.
“What is it now, Jo?”
“You’re not paying attention. And you keep sighing like you’ve been left home on prom night.”
“I’m just tired, and I can’t sleep on planes.” And I should be relaxing on a beach instead of chasing after you.
Flip. Flip. Flip.
Page after page taunted her with one photo of crystal blue waters and palm trees after another. There would be no palm trees where they were headed.
Which asshole decided to put that magazine in her seat-back pocket?
“You’re upset.”
How very astute. “It’s a scientific fact that a lack of sleep causes a decrease in the neurotransmitters that regulate mood.” Flip. “Otherwise, I’m fine, Jo. Let it go.”
“I call bull. You’ve already convinced yourself that this is going to suck.” Jo’s bottom lip poked out in her signature pout. With her blonde locks twisted into two braids, and her bright pink Juicy sweatpants, the picture of a bratty twelve-year-old was nearly complete.
Lovie’s best friend, roommate and constant damsel-in-distress had a plan. A good plan, she’d said. A sound plan, if you dared to believe her. Lovie didn’t, but the plan was this:
● Go to Scotland
● Find “The Calum”
● Marry him
Jo had been saving up for this particular trip for three years – ever since Lovie picked up a dog-eared copy of A Laird to Love at a used book store. It was a great read, sure, but why the hell did that one have to fall out of the stack?
Like millions of other women around the globe, Jo had fallen in love with its hero, Calum MacKenzie.
Unlike most of those other women, Jo believed that someone like him was just across the ocean, waiting for her.
“The Calum,” Jo explained to anyone that stopped long enough to listen, was the perfect man. A lover and a fighter, he was a chivalrous, six-foot-four redhead with a six-pack and a penchant for languages. You could find variations of him in the pages of Jo’s vast collection of romance novels.
Campbell. Covington. Cage. Colton.
She had shelves filled with ideal men, but somehow The Calum stood out to her from the rest. Enough to convince Jo that she needed to go to Scotland and find him.
Each year since college, they’d flipped a coin to see who would pick their Christmas vacation destination. This year, Lovie lost. So there they were, thirty-five thousand feet above the Atlantic, on their way from Philadelphia to Brigadoon…er…Inverness.
Lovie couldn’t believe she’d agreed to spend her measly handful of vacation days tailing Jo through the Scottish Highlands. It was going to be cold and damp.
And damp.
And fucking cold.
There was a beach somewhere with her name on it, and that name was getting washed out to sea. Or sat upon by German tourists. Her lungs deflated in a heavy sigh as her dream of endless mojitos drifted away on the clouds below.
“You didn’t have to come with me, you know.”
Yeah right. Lovie laughed. “You get lost in Chinatown. I can’t even imagine you on your own in another country. Of course, I had to come with you.”
“Your confidence is inspiring,” Jo deadpanned. “I am perfectly capable of looking after myself.” She drew her tiny feet up into the seat and hugged her knees to her chest. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Okay, how about a bodyguard?”
Jo snorted. “You’re not much of one.”
Lovie turned, her brow arched. “I’ve got four inches and twenty-five pounds on you. Put on your seatbelt.”
“Yes mom,” Jo said. “I’ve got it all worked out.” She fumbled with her seatbelt. “When I meet The Calum, and I will meet him, I’ll just play it cool and casual. Like I’m not into him at all. Show just enough of the girls to make him pant after me.” Jo smacked the ends together like she was trying to force a size ten foot into a size six shoe. “What’s wrong with this thing?”
“Oh, for the love of…” Lovie reached over and untwisted the contraption, closing it with a snap.
“I had it.”
“Sure.”
“Anyway, as I was saying, I’ll be like a piece of candy that he can’t wait to unwrap.” Throwing her blonde locks over her shoulder, she batted her eyelashes in demonstration.
“So your plan is to lustrate him until he falls in love with you?”
“Good word, lustrate.” Jo grinned. “I’ll have him eating out of my hand. You’ll see.”
December 11, 2014
Thursday Threads
Today on Thursday Threads we feature Wareeze Woodson‘s wonderful historical romance, An Enduring Love:
Blurb:
Born and raised in Latvia, Rebecca Balodis marries Rhys Sudduth, an English diplomat. Shortly thereafter, he is summoned home to attend his father’s death-bed. Rebecca cannot accompany him at the time and becomes trapped in the turmoil plaguing her country. He is informed she died in the upheaval.
Nearly four years later, she escapes and arrives in London with their son in tow. Arriving in the middle of his sister’s ball is very awkward, especially since Rhys plans to announce his betrothal to a young debutante later in the evening.
Trouble, tangled in suspense and danger, follow her from Latvia. Can this pair ever find or even recognize an enduring love? Is it worth keeping?
Bio:
Wareeze Woodson is a native of Texas and still lives in this great state. She married her high school sweetheart, years and years ago and raised four children and has eight grandchildren, and grandchildren are Grand. At the moment, all her children and my grandchildren live within seventy miles of her home, lots of visits. She and her husband still love each other after all these years the stuff romance is made of, Happy Ever After!
An Added Bonus Feature!
Letters discovered in the belongings of the villain. These letters are not revealed in the book but are held in my heart and give insight to the story. A tidbit solely for you. Enjoy.
Wareeze Woodson
The Year of Our Lord 1813
My Dearest Husband,
I write with my heart filled with sorrow. My beloved mother has passed on to join my father in Heaven. I can only be happy for her although sadness weighs me down. I am now acquainted with deep sadness and how you must mourn for your father. Grief makes it hard to write, but you deserve to know why I am delayed in departing this land.
At the moment, I am trapped in Latvia due to the up-rising in my country. I do not know how long it may be before I am allowed to travel to England to join you. There is a guard placed outside my gate to prevent my departure at present, but I will travel to Rica at the first opportunity and board a ship to London. Perhaps all will settle quickly. I can only pray it shall be so.
I cannot wait to be in your arms again, to kiss your dear face and gaze into your eyes once more. With words, you painted a lovely picture of your home in England and of your relatives. The thought of meeting your family holds much pleasure for me, especially since I am now alone.
Take care, My Love. I shall write to let you know as the hour of my departure grows closer. Keep safe and know you have my enduring love.
Yours Always,
Rebecca Sudduth
Another letter confiscated by the villain.
The Year of Our Lord 1814
My Dearest Husband,
I have not received any word from you since you sailed away from Latvia. I hope you are well. I must write quickly in order to send this to you. There is still a guard at my gate.
With your connection in the government, perhaps you can return and help me travel to England. There will be one added person in need of your assistance, our son. If you cannot come at once, please write. I am most anxious to hear from you.
Never forget my enduring love. Anxiously waiting.
Yours Always,
Rebecca Sudduth
December 9, 2014
Romance Weekly ��� Favorite Holiday Song
Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn���t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all���.. About our writing of course! Every week we���ll answer questions and after you���ve enjoyed the blog on this site we���ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride!
If you���re joining me from Victoria Barbour���s blog, or if you are starting your blog hop here, welcome.
This week Xio Axelrod of Romance Writers��� Weekly, wanted to know our favorite holiday songs.
I���ve got a lot of favorites, but this one always warms my heart. Enjoy:
So, what did Veronica Forand pick for her favorite? Click to find out: http://veronicaforand.com
Romance Weekly – Favorite Holiday Song
Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride!
If you’re joining me from Victoria Barbour’s blog, or if you are starting your blog hop here, welcome.
This week Xio Axelrod of Romance Writers’ Weekly, wanted to know our favorite holiday songs.
I’ve got a lot of favorites, but this one always warms my heart. Enjoy:
So, what did Veronica Forand pick for her favorite? Click to find out: http://veronicaforand.com
December 5, 2014
Meet the Blarmlings
On the outer rim of the Milky Way Galaxy, planet ESL-37659 (Blarm) spins its way around twin suns.
The heavily forested planet is home to an indigenous species named (in the galactic common language) Blarmlings.
Blarmlings, for the most part, resemble the Teddy Bears of old Earth, though they have opposable thumbs, dense silver fur, and glowing purple eyes. These adorable little people (Oh, don’t you dare call them animals) also possess the ability to read minds.
When Oolo and Lart, two of the Blarmlings, are taken captive by a galactic research conglomerate, it sets in motion events that will change the galaxy forever, and bring together two star-crossed lovers.
Want the full story. It’s right here:
I have a Web Page
Along with the release of The Blarmling Dilemma, this week I’m rolling out my new web site.
Check it out at: http://scmitchellauthor.com/
December 2, 2014
It’s Live!
The Blarmling Dilemma is now available for sale on Amazon!
You can get it here: http://www.amazon.com/Blarmling-Dilemma-Hearts-Orbit-Book-ebook/dp/B00QHND71S/
November 29, 2014
New release!
Today I am proud to announce that my next novel will be released from Soul Mate Publishing this coming Wednesday (Dec. 3rd)
The Blarmling Dilemma
Hearts in Orbit: Volume 1
Blurb:
“They’re not animals. They’re people!”
Phoebe Callista’s pleas fall on deaf ears and she’s forced to rescue two helpless Blarmlings from certain death. Fleeing across a backwater sector of the galaxy, with Galactic Marshals in hot pursuit, Phoebe falls into the hands of a handsome but determined bounty hunter.
Rigel Antares has captured wanted criminals throughout the galaxy rim, but he’s never come across anything like Phoebe Callista. The gorgeous blonde is playing the innocent, and something deep inside wants to believe her, but Rigel has problems of his own—a ship that’s falling apart and an unscrupulous Galactic Marshal looking for any excuse to send him back to the prison planets of the Theiler System.
An intergalactic circus, vicious space pirates, and a planet full of backtechers cross their paths as two hearts go into orbit to save a pair of adorable Blarmlings.
Hearts in Orbit – Volume 1: The Blarmling Dilemma is a science fiction romance set in the far-flung space traveling future, and sets a new course across the galaxy that leads to love and adventure.
November 28, 2014
My Black Friday Sale!
Today, I’m happy to announce that Soul Mate Publishing has put my novel, Son of Thunder on sale for just 99¢ for the Kindle version.
Get it here: http://www.amazon.com/Son-Thunder-Heavenly-War-Book-ebook/dp/B00BJ64GPY/
Not convinced you want to spend that much? Well here’s a deal you won’t want to miss. I’ve marked down reGenesis: Dark Awakening to FREE! (and it includes the first chapter of Son of Thunder.)Take it for a test drive, kick the tires, the price is right! Get it here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NRBFJXC
(Okay, backing out of salesman mode now…)
November 18, 2014
Romance Weekly – The Manly Art Of Lefse Making (Part 2)
Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride!
Welcome. If you’re joining me from Ronnie Allen’s blog, or if you are starting your blog hop here, welcome.
This week we’re sharing our favorite seasonal dish.
Without a doubt, I look forward every year to our annual lefse making (and eating) event. This year, swords will fly in the kitchen once again, as my niece’s husband, Matt, and I do our traditional manly duty.
I have written before about how lefse, a traditional Norwegian flatbread, is the manliest of foods. See: http://scmitchell.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/the-manly-art-of-lefse-making/
As stated there, it is the one food made with a sword. It’s not hard to imagine those fierce Viking warriors, on their holiday break from conquering and pillaging, shoving the gentle women of their village out of the kitchen (for their own protection). Sword in one hand, potato masher in the other, they march boldly into the yearly kitchen battle.
Ah lefse. I have missed you…
Well, there you have it. Want to know what’s cooking over at Victoria Barbour house? Check out her blog at: http://victoriabarbour.com/blog
Also check out Geek God, a book by Victoria that I really enjoyed:
