Karen Docter's Blog, page 266

Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Alphas Unleashed by Michele Callahan etal

  KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!

ALPHAS UNLEASHED
5 Hot Heroes/4 Authors/4 Worlds
S.E. Smith, Mina Khan, Carolyn Jewel & Michele Callahan

Book Blurbs

A Warrior’s Heart (Marastin Dow Book 1.1) by S.E. Smith

Ben and Aaron Cooper think their luck has ended when the freighter they are on is captured by the Marastin Dow, a terrifying alien species known for their savagery. Instead they discover love with two warriors who capture their hearts. Now, they are in a race to keep the fragile gift they find before it is ripped away from them forever.

Sealed With A Kiss, A Djinn Novella by Mina Khan

Rayez, a smoking hot chef and fire djinn in exile, lands himself in deep trouble (at the bottom of a beer bottle) when he tries to help a mysterious beautiful woman.

Selene is pursued and desperate. She’ll do anything to keep her brother safe—including capture a djinn.

While deception brings them together, dangerous enemies make them unlikely allies. Can one wrong lead to two rights and true love?

Dead Drop, A My Immortals Novella by Carolyn Jewel

Wallace Jackson has so little magic she expects to be kicked out of her group of street witches being trained to use their gifts and work with demons. No one is more shocked than she is when a powerful demon proves her wrong. And then asks a favor of her.

The demon Palla is a warlord’s enforcer, a stone cold killer. Wallace Jackson is a pacifist witch with a dangerous power. He wants nothing to do with humans until he needs Wallace to help him free his former lover from a living death and release her spirit from unimaginable suffering.

Chimera Born: The Beginning  (Book 1 of the Chimera) by Michele Callahan

Aron of Itara, Forbidden Son, has been a prisoner of fate since before he was born. Captured as a child by the evil Triscani, it’s been centuries since he’s felt the sun on his face or the tenderness of a woman’s touch.  Determined to help humanity break the elusive but powerful Itaran Triads’ hold on Earth, Aron escapes with one goal, to find the one man who can help him save humans from an eternal prison. After that, he’ll fight to the death, but he’ll never go back in the cage.

Zoey Williams watched her sister die at the hands of monsters, and no one believed her.  She’s spent the last five years using her journalism skills to track aliens, investigate paranormal activity, and hunt for answers.  But she got too close to the truth, and now it’s not just monsters hunting her, but her own people. Zoey doesn’t believe she needs a guardian, but once Aron finds her he can’t leave her to the vicious hunters that would turn her to ash or to the power-hungry humans who seek to silence her.  In fact, he discovers that he doesn’t want to leave her at all…

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Chimera Born by Michele Callahan

Excerpt

Chapter One

Aron stumbled over the rocky terrain, his life’s blood dripping from a multitude of small cuts and two deep ones. Had he been human, or mortal, he would have been long gone from this world. Instead he ignored the pain and willed his body to take the next step, and the next. The manacles on his wrists and ankles clinked loudly against the rocks that he scrambled over. His blood left a trail that the Hunters would follow all too easily.

A brisk mountain wind cooled the burning pain in the flesh of his bare chest and back. His leg muscles screamed at him, exhausted and shaky, weak after his time in the cage. His enemies weren’t far behind, but he refused to give up, refused to go back under their control. He’d waited centuries sealed inside that tiny metallic room, chained like a dog in a pen, beaten and sold like a slave to the highest bidder, passed from one Triscani Lord to another every couple of decades.  They all kept him locked in that same room, starving and weak.  They all tried to break him. They had all waited like fat spiders with him trapped in their web.

He had feared that they’d be right, that he’d surrender his will to the dark power rising like a tidal wave from within.  He’d feared the moment he would lose himself to the evil of his brethren.

He would not go down without a fight. Those bastard Triscani had starved him like a mythical vampire sealed in a sterile steel coffin.   Surrounded by metal walls and a freezing steel floor, he’d had nothing but the remains of his black Scout uniform to keep him warm in their dark world. The torture was worse, hours upon hours as they’d stretched him on a rack and carved his flesh with their black crystalline blades, demanded information about his brother and sister.   His power.

He’d given them nothing.   They’d taken his freedom, but never broken his will.   Perhaps that was why the Triscani ruling Lords kept him alive.   He’d realized after the first few years that they didn’t want him dead…they wanted him to surrender, to become what they were. They wanted a new king and the hell on both worlds he’d give them if he succumbed to his dark side.

CHIMERA BORN – Part of the ALPHAS UNLEASHED anthology
Coming June 15

About the author, Michele Callahan….

Sci-Fi/Paranormal Romance Author Michele Callahan is a wife, mother, romance and science fiction addict, and founder of RomCon. She suffers from a dangerous case of sci-fi/fantasy fever and never turns down an opportunity to sit through a Star Wars, True Blood, or Matrix marathon. Her favorite things in books; hot heroes, superpowers, freakish things that can’t be explained by modern science, and true love!

 

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Links to Michele’s website, blog, books, etc.

Michele Callahan   http://michelecallahan.com

RomCon   http://romcon.com

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**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Michele will give away a digital ARC of ALPHAS UNLEASHED to three lucky readers: Tell her why you love SciFi Romance on her Monday Interview or Wednesday Book Bench blogs. Don’t miss this chance to read this collection of stories.  Thanks, Michele, for sharing with us!

 

 

My Turn on the My Writing Process Blog Tour!

Welcome to my stop on the My Writing Process Blog Tour!

This is a first for me and when my friend, Linda L. Barton, asked me to participate in this running blog tour, I said, “Sure, why not?” Then I remembered I have three back-to-back conventions on my plate this month – one of which I’m helping to organize – and thought, “Are you insane?” It finally occurred to me that, yes, most writers are insane because we do this to ourselves all the time. Overbooking our time at the expense of our writing is part of the writer’s process…at least, it is for me.

I could probably stop here because I’m currently so overwhelmed that my writing process is actually stunted at the moment, but let’s assume for a moment that I’m a writing as usual. I can still share my “dream” process with you, right?

1. What am I working on?

Writing as K.L. Docter, I’ve just released the first book in my new romantic suspense, Thorne’s Thorns series, Killing Secrets. Police Officer Ross Thorne and his wife, Evelyn, have raised their son, Patrick, with five foster brothers. They became known as Thorne’s Thorns over the years because of their escapades growing up. Now strong, sexy men, each with a career and lives of their own, their trouble comes from the dangers and the women that enter their lives one-by-one. Patrick’s story is the first in the series. Killing Secrets released April 14 and is available on Kindle, Nook, iTunes, Kobo, Smashwords, and in paperback at Amazon.

Here’s a peek at the back cover blurb:

Some secrets are better left dead.

Rachel James’ ex-husband is released from prison determined to reclaim her and her little girl — the child is his key to controlling the James fortune. Frightened, Rachel flees to Denver with the child who hasn’t uttered a word since her daddy went to prison.

Contractor Patrick Thorne wants nothing to do with another of his parents’ charity cases. He failed his own wife so abysmally she took her own life as well as his unborn son’s. After two years, it’s time to concentrate on the bid he’s won and the saboteur trying to destroy his construction firm.

There is no room for trust in either of their hearts. But trust is all that will untangle the secrets that dominate their lives, free a little girl of her silent prison, and save them all from a serial killer who stands too close.

I’m currently writing the next book in the series, Killing Proof, which is Police Officer Ben Zancanelli’s story. Like Patrick, Ben isn’t interested in getting involved with a woman, let alone one with a kid caught up with a street gang. He’s too busy trying to figure out who murdered his partner and getting the killer off the streets. But, he’ll soon learn Cynthia and Peter Chapman are crucial to his investigation…and his life. Killing Proof will be released in Oct/Nov 2014.

I also write contemporary romance with a kick of humor as Karen Docter. My first book, Satin Pleasures, was released February 2012 (Kindle/Nook/AMZN paperback), followed by a Christmas novelette, Catch That Santa (Kindle). I’m currently in the planning stages for another contemporary novel, I Do, I Do… For Now, which I hope to release in time for Christmas.

2. How does my work differ from others in its genre?

This is not an easy question to answer. I write in two different genres. My contemporaries are lighthearted, cute romps with lots of sigh-worthy romance and laugh-out-loud moments. There are a few notable writers who write the lighthearted stories, but I think there aren’t as many as there used to be. Many of my readers have said I write romantic comedies so I guess it fits in that genre, although I don’t believe that I’m all that funny. But, who am I to argue? With so many different sub-genres within the contemporary romance market, I guess I’m different because I write spicy humor.

My romantic suspense is filled with danger, both physical and psychological, as well as sigh-worthy romance and the occasional lighthearted smile. It think, overall, I write more traditional romance. Although my characters make love in all of my books (with the exception of Catch That Santa), I focus my attention more on the sexual tension building between the hero and heroine than the moment they eventually give into their feelings. I spend as much time building the relationship in my suspense book as I do in my contemporaries, which I think sets me apart from a lot of romantic suspense authors. When I’m reading RS, I often notice the relationship takes a back seat to the suspense and I try for a more even balance.

My characters aren’t all in law enforcement, either, so I think it’s easier for me to incorporate more of the romance within the confines of the suspense elements. I blend woman-in-jeopardy stories, with romance and thriller elements. Danger and romance and serial killers, oh, my!

3. Why do I write what I write?

First, I have to write. It’s a huge part of who I am. I live and breathe writing, and can’t imagine doing anything else. If I’m not writing, which sadly can be often with my overwhelming schedule sometimes, I’m always thinking about writing. Story ideas pop into my head all the time. I have over 40 romantic suspense and 15 contemporary romance stories in my To Be Written folder. I can’t write fast enough to get them all out of my head, and I get new ideas all the time, so I jot down just enough to get moving when I’m ready to pick up that story.

It drives me crazy sometimes to have a new idea jump in front of me while I’m trying to get another story moving. I can’t write two books at the same time. I did try – once – but that was a disaster. Think two freight trains, fully loaded with TNT, on the same rail with a crazed conductor cutting the brake lines. Not a pretty sight!

It’s only natural that what I write is a reflection of me, of what I dream about and value. I write romance because I truly believe there’s someone out there for everyone. We may not find that other person in our lifetime, but s/he’s out there. Even before I met and married my husband, I knew he was there. I believe in love at first sight, too, not necessarily that, “Oh, my goodness, I love you, let’s get married this second,” kind of love. But a connection. Somehow you just know, deep down, this person is important. I experienced it with my husband. It was weird, but I “knew” it from our first blind date. Yeah, it was my one and only blind date that I was sort of “tricked” into making. Naturally, I believe in romance. So everything I write has a strong romantic element to it.

I also have a strongly defined sense of justice, which was formed when I was young. I was about ten years old when something happened in our neighborhood that made me personally cognizant of the injustices of the world. My family had gone to the drive-in and were returning home late, when we were stopped outside our neighborhood by the police. They had it all cordoned off and couldn’t allow anyone back into their homes while they dealt with a really bad call.

There had been a domestic dispute, which many of us know is probably the worst kind of police call. In this case, the two police officers who had responded to the dispute had resolved the problem and were leaving when a neighbor, who had been drinking or doing drugs, took objection to their presence and started shooting. He proceeded to kill one of the officers and injured the other one. There was a standoff until he surrendered to police.

I was young but when I learned the circumstances, and that the slain officer left behind a widow with an unborn child, I was appalled. It was so unfair. He was doing his job and paid the ultimate sacrifice for something so stupid. For the first time, I became aware of the injustices in the world around me. I lost my innocence and started seeing the world a different way. For a long time I thought about becoming a police officer, but I eventually decided it wasn’t the career for me. My suspense novels allow me to find justice for my characters, to put away the bad guys. They satisfy my need to help people to find solutions that keep them safe, give them back their lives. Yeah, I know they’re only characters in a book but, to me, they’re real people by the time I’m done writing their stories. It’s gratifying to give them a satisfying ending. I also hope that I give my readers the belief that justice can be found in the world, no matter how bad things get.

4. How does my writing process work?

I used to be a “pantser”, that writer who got up every morning and just wrote whatever popped into her head. I’ve long since given up that writer. She was always getting lost and ended up running into sagging middles and falling into black holes of broken scenes. I eventually learned how to use the “W” plotting technique which, surprisingly, worked very well for this pantser. I won’t get into the technique. Let’s just say I liked it so much I taught a lot of other writers how to use it in online workshops for over 15 years. I still sell the lectures on my website and conduct personal workshops.

Anyway…once I have a story idea, I start brainstorming and plotting. I could spend a week or two, or even months plotting, depending on how quickly I pull together a story that feels cohesive and excites me. Then, I’ll set all of my plotting and notes and characterization sheets aside and start writing. If I had the ideal writing day, it would be morning and I’d be sitting outside on the deck with my laptop. I do my best writing in the morning and love to write outside. But, that’s not typical.

I usually start around eight o’clock checking my 5 personal emails, 3 business emails, and taking care of all of my social media for myself and any other business I’m involved with. I am the RomCon Blog Calendar Diva (nope, didn’t give myself that name and I’m not a diva, shhh, don’t spoil my illusion) and schedule eight genre calendars for RomCon. I’m also RomCon Programs, and organize all of the authors who host events at the convention (RomCon 2014 is June 20-22 in Denver). I also have a personal blog that posts at least three times, and up to five times a week showcasing myself, other authors, and sharing recipes (another great love, cooking). I’m also on Twitter, Facebook (three pages plus a group, Book Bench for Romance Lovers), Pinterest, Goodreads, Google, and Shelfari. I’m sure I’m forgetting something but there’s a reason I have lists for my lists!

I’m still trying to learn to free myself up by early afternoon so I can write. When I do get writing time, I have a routine. I usually have my favorite flavored coffee at my elbow. If I don’t, I’ll get a fresh cup…often iced. I even have “writing coffee”, some special flavors that I only allow myself to have when I’m writing. A great motivator! It’s also a signal to my brain to turn off the logical, detailed “stuff” – I’m both right and left brained – and get into creative mode.

Music also helps with that signal. I do my best writing to music. I have a number of Pandora stations geared for my mood or the mood I’m aiming for in my scenes. I almost always write to romantic flamenco like Benise (my absolute favorite), but I have a stations for piano, guitar, Industrial, New Age, classical, etc. I almost always listen to my “Apocalyptica” station when I’m writing intense or dangerous scenes. Their music is so primal and raw, even though it’s all cello. I like Indie artists like Lindsey Stirling and other instrumental/metallica bands. My music preferences are eclectic and I listen to a lot of different things, but none of it can have lyrics. English lyrics, at least. I love listening to Josh Groban sing in Italian, and Spanish doesn’t impinge into my zone either.

With my coffee and music set, it may take me up to an hour to really get moving on a scene because I edit from earlier in the story (up to a chapter) to recapture my zone and get started again. Once I get started, though, I can really cook…as long as I don’t get interrupted a million times. Another reason I listen to music? When I have my music or my earphones on, my family has learned to leave me alone.

Two days a week, I take myself and my laptop to join my critique partners at one of their offices for Just Write sessions. If I get no other writing done that week, those two days are sacred. Although we can occasionally get sidetracked, we all write for those hours. We even keep beginning and ending word counts for that day. We all live for our Just Write days because we’re all too busy to write as much as we’d like.

And there you have it…my writing process in a nutshell. Okay, maybe it’s more of a watermelon husk. I have been “bending your ear” far longer than I intended. Did I mention the fact that I’m a looonng writer?

Ahem, okay, maybe that’s for another day.

I want to thank Linda L. Barton for inviting me to participate in the My Writing Process Blog Tour. Be sure to check out her blog from June 26. You can find it here: http://lindalbarton.blogspot.com/2014/05/Its-my-turn-on-My-Writing-Process-blog.html?spref=fb

 

 

Now, on to the next stops on your blog tour!

I’m thrilled to introduce you to two authors who play special roles in both my personal and writing life, and who’ve agreed to continue the fun with their own blogs.

JM will have her entry for the My Writing Process Blog Tour on Monday, June 9 at http://jmkline.net/.

JM Kline was born in Colorado, and was raised to love books by her mom, a published author. While she grew up reading many different genres, anything with paranormal or fantasy elements caught her eye most often. She grew up writing fantastic stories about Rindercella and her Prince, talking monkeys, and fairy princesses.

The Shadow Hills Shifters series is a Young Adult Paranormal series about a small town in the Rocky Mountain foothills. Shadow Hills is a small town where a pop quiz could include multiple choice, essays, or a sudden shape-changing battle with your best friend!

When she isn’t writing, JM spends her time with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two rambunctious dogs.

Michele Callahan is an equally creative SciFi/Time Travel/Paranormal Romance writer (she blends all three with a magical hand)…

Michele will have her entry for the My Writing Process Blog Tour on Monday, June 9, at http://www.michelecallahan.com/blog.

Sci-Fi/Paranormal Romance Author Michele Callahan is a wife, mother, romance and science fiction addict, and founder of RomCon. She suffers from a dangerous case of sci-fi/fantasy fever and never turns down an opportunity to sit through a Star Wars, True Blood, or Matrix marathon. Her favorite things in books; hot heroes, superpowers, freakish things that can’t be explained by modern science, and true love!

I want to thank JM and Michele for being good sports and agreeing to share their writing process with you next week. Be sure to check out all three of these fabulous authors. You’ll be glad you did!

**Author Peek** Interview with Michele Callahan

**AUTHOR PEEK** Interview with MICHELE CALLAHAN

INTRODUCING…Michele Callahan.

Hi Karen!

Thanks for having me on the Book Bench this week.  I am very, very  excited to introduce the world to a new sci-fi and paranormal romance anthology that includes USA Today Bestselling author S.E. Smith, Mina Khan, Carolyn Jewel and myself (Michele Callahan).  We’ve got four amazing stories to share with everyone starting JUNE 15.  It’s called ALPHAS UNLEASHED.

How did this anthology to life?

Well, I’ve wanted to rub elbows with these ladies for a while.  I met Mina and Carolyn at RomCon. I’ve never met S.E. Smith, but I LOVE her sci-fi books.  So, I took a chance and asked them!  I did a snoopy dance as each of them said ‘Yes’.  Since then (last October) S.E. hit the USA Today list, Mina won the Readers’ Crown last year, and Carolyn’s My Immortals series is rocking.  I’m very excited. (And S.E. Smith IS coming to RomCon this year, so I’m excited to finally meet her in person!)

How did you ladies come up with this title?  And what does it mean?

Well, we wanted a common theme in the stories, and decided that an escape theme would work perfectly for everyone.  So, in each story (2 paranormal and 2 sci-fi tales) the heroes are prisoners of some sort when the story opens.  They escape, kick ass, and fall in love.  Sounded like fun to me!  When it came time to decide on a title, we literally went through dozens before settling on Alphas Unleashed.  Each hero is a bad-ass alpha male, and they are all unleashed once they escape.

So, what is the name of your story, and what is it about?

My contribution is a Sci-Fi story called CHIMERA BORN.    With my Timewalkers wrapping up this summer (Book 3 and 4 – Blue Abyss and Black Gate – will be out in June, followed by the finale – White Fire in August) I knew it was time to write the books of my heart.  I got the original idea for this story line about 23 years ago and it’s been brewing ever since.  I felt like I had to grow up to write them.  When I was twenty, I wasn’t ready yet.  Too young, not enough life experience.   Not enough suffering.  Honestly, the idea of writing them scared the hell out of me for years.  Now I finally feel like I’m ready.  Bring on the nightmares!

CHIMERA BORN is the story of Aron of Itara.  He’s a forbidden son of the the ruling class  of near-Immortals on his home world.  His mother was targeted for execution just for getting pregnant with him.  She fled to Earth and Aron spent the first 11 years of his life happy and free.  Then the Triscani captured him and killed his mother.  800 years later an encounter with a Timewalker sets him free.  And let’s just say, he’s not really happy with the Triscani, but he’s been a prisoner for centuries.  He needs help navigating our modern world.

Enter Zoey.  Human woman, journalist, and conspiracy theory blogger. She’s thrilled to have an honest-to-God alien to interview, and he’s happy to have a guide in our modern world.  Of course, the Triscani hunters aren’t happy about losing him and the couple are forced to run.  Aron has a desperate plan to save humanity from the evil Triscani and the scheming rulers form his home world, but they’re going to have to stay away from the bad guys long enough for Aron to do what he needs to do.  I would say more, but I don’t want to give it away. J  Falling head-over-heels in love wasn’t part of the plan for either one of them.

Why do you write sci-fi romance?  Why not some other genre?

I’m a science geek.  I love anything in outer space or paranormal (if it has a scientific element that might be used to explain the phenomenon.)  I tried to write a historical western once.  The school teacher heroine ended up with precognitive dreams and the hero, big shocker here, told me he was telekinetic.  I finished the book, re-read it, laughed out loud and put it in a drawer.  I stopped fighting my muse after that.  It’s been modern mixes of sci-fi/paranormal ever since.  And why romance?  Because love makes the world go round.  Love is the glue that holds the world together.  I totally believe that.  Love rocks.

I hope you all enjoy my books!  See you JUNE 15.  ;)

Hugs and happy reading!

Michele Callahan   http://michelecallahan.com
RomCon   http://romcon.com

P.S. Tell me a reason you love sci-fi romance and I’ll send three winners a digital ARC of ALPHAS UNLEASHED.

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Links to Michele’s website, blog, books, etc.

Michele Callahan   http://michelecallahan.com

RomCon   http://romcon.com

 

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BE SURE TO COME BACK to read more about Michele and her story, CHIMERA BORN, one of the five books included in the Alphas Unleashed anthology along with U.S. Today Bestselling Author S.E. Smith, Mina Khan, and Carolyn Jewel, on Wednesday’s Karen’s Killer Book Bench.  Happy Reading!

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**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Michele will give away a digital ARC of ALPHAS UNLEASHED to three lucky readers: Tell her why you love SciFi Romance on her Monday Interview or Wednesday Book Bench blogs. Don’t miss this chance to read this collection of stories.  Thanks, Michele, for sharing with us!

 

Congratulations Week 05-19-14 Giveaway Winner!

 

CONGRATULATIONS WEEK 05-19-14 GIVEAWAY WINNER!

Karen’s Killer Book Bench with CHICKI BROWN!!

Giveaway: Chicki will give away an e-copy of the first book in her series, A WOMAN’S WORTH, to one lucky reader who comments on her Monday Interview or Wednesday Book Bench blogs. Thanks, Chicki, for sharing your story with us!

WINNER!! CYNTHIA LAMB!!

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Jennifer Raygoza

 Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with JENNIFER RAYGOZA!

Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, JENNIFER RAYGOZA, and her favorite recipe for ONE-POT PARMESAN CHICKEN ZITI WITH ARTICHOKES AND SPINACH!

THE GUARDIANS I: FEEL THE FIRE
By JENNIFER RAGOZA

Book Blurb

I thought I had life all figured out. We live. We suffer pain. We die. Death never bothered me much. It is love that scares the hell out of me, because love makes you weak, and in my line of work there is no room for that. My name is Gianna Botticelli. I am the daughter and only female employee of a Los Angeles mafia boss.  Today was supposed to be like any other day, and then Caleb walked into my life.

He is sexy and mysterious and knows things he shouldn’t. I don’t like it at all, but I can’t help the way he makes me feel inside. There is something different about him. What is he? All I know is that after meeting Caleb, things will never be the same as he introduces me into his world, an unknown world where the battle of good versus evil rages on.

Sacrifices will be made, hearts will break and lives will be taken. How far am I willing to take this journey, I keep asking myself? If I have to sacrifice myself to save everyone and everything then the answer is easy. All the way.

THE GUARDIANS II: THE REVELATION
By JENNIFER RAGOZA

Book Blurb

It’s been three years since I have turned, and I am not sure who I am anymore. I don’t even know if I want to be what I have become. Is love enough to keep me alive inside even if I am dead? How can I find peace within myself when everything around me screams war and death? How will things end when one man holds my eternal love and another wants me dead? There is no end as far as I can see. It’s just the beginning because I can feel the darkness approaching. It wants me. It calls for me by name. I will keep on fighting until it arrives. The problem is, if I don’t learn to shut off my emotions I may just become my own worst enemy. Is it all too much, or not enough? These are the things a vampire queen, new mother and woman fighting with her past human morals must ask herself. I have one more important question to answer that could change everything.

IS THIS REALLY WHAT I WANT?

EXCERPT

I looked at him and realized why I felt the way I did around him. I had fallen head-over-heals in love with a vampire; but I could never admit it. This was impractical. Love on these terms? I must be crazy.

“Caleb, this isn’t going to work. I don’t feel the same way for you,” I lied, trying to avoid eye contact with him. In my mind, I thought, I love you, sickly. I love you so much, it’s stupid.

No. Stop and focus, Gianna, I told myself. I expected sadness from him, or for him to be angry, but Caleb smiled and started snickering as he pulled away from me.

“Why the hell are you laughing? I’m serious,” I barked at him.

He was still smiling. “You’re a bad liar. You’re in love with me. No, you’re not a bad liar – you’re a terrible liar,” he said. He turned away from me to open the door.

“Well you’re… you’re still an asshole,” I said, fuming. “And stop reading my mind, jerk.”

About the author, Jennifer Raygoza….

Jennifer Raygoza lives in Corona, California with her husband and children. She developed a love for writing poetry at the young age of twelve. She did not want to become a writer when she was young.

She had dreams of becoming a Marriage Counselor and majored in Psychology when she was older. Although that dream did not work out she still councils relationship advice to friends and family.

In 2013 she published her first book called The Guardians. Originally it was a story written for fun, and out of curiosity was self published.

Little did she know that it would be a hit with vampire lovers. Fans encouraged her to write part two in the series. She was currently working on another project, but pushed it back to write part two in the series to please the fans. The third and final book in The Guardians series is in the works set to come out 9/2014.

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Links to Jennifer’s website, blog, books, etc.

Website- http://jenniferraygoza.webs.com/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/jenniferraygoza12

Amazon page- http://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Raygoza/e/B00C1BJC7I/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1400046665&sr=8-1

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I hope you enjoy the recipe Jennifer is sharing with us today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 145 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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ONE-POT PARMESAN CHICKEN ZITI WITH ARTICHOKES AND SPINACH
(Courtesy of BettyCrocker.com)

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/one-pot-parmesan-chicken-ziti-with-artichokes-and-spinach/4b544c97-673a-454d-8855-5be773d28745

Click on the link to find Jennifer’s favorite recipe at www.bettycrocker.com.

 

 

Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Agent M4: Riordan by Joni Hahn

  KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!

AGENT M4: RIORDAN by JONI HAHN
Book Four ~ The D.I.R.E. Agency

AGENT M4: RIORDAN by JONI HAHN
Book Four ~ The D.I.R.E. Agency

Book Blurb

Agent M4: Riordan St. James

Credentials:

Former D.I.R.E. Enemy Agent
Mongolian Prison Survivor

Enhancement:

Magnetism

Sent to a Mongolian prison against his will, former enemy agent Riordan St. James is suddenly back in civilization. With his hands crushed, and littered with scars, he trusts no one. When he accepts D.I.R.E.’s prosthetic hands to operate a future, super power enhancement, Riordan knows their offer comes with a price – he just isn’t sure he wants to pay.

After an affair with a client turns deadly, psychologist and senator’s daughter Natalie Meeks, doesn’t trust her own judgment. When she’s hired to help Riordan adjust to civilization again, she finds herself in familiar, forbidden territory – battling a fiery attraction to her client.

One heated encounter with the elegant Dr. Meeks convinces Riordan to abide by D.I.R.E.’s bargain. However, when new evidence about his disappearance uncovers shocking secrets, he questions not only his decision, but the people around him – including his sexy-as-hell doctor.

While their lives become more entangled, yet pulled apart, a madman turns up the heat on his plans for Natalie. And the only person she can trust is the one man that doesn’t trust her…

Agent M4: Riordan, Book 4 in award-winning author, Joni Hahn’s D.I.R.E. Agency Series, will be available June 4, 2014 at these major retailers:

Amazon Barnes & Noble ITunes Smashwords

Look for these other books in the series available now:

Book 1 – Agent I1: Tristan
Book 2 – Agent E2: Aidan
Book 3 – Agent T3: d’Artagnan

~~~

Agent M4: Riordan St. James by Joni Hahn

Excerpt

Chapter 1

If men were like ice cream, Riordan St. James would be rocky road.

Tilting her head, Natalie Meeks studied the new D.I.R.E. agent through the one-way glass. He was one major hottie and, like ice cream, the last thing she needed on her hips.

But, a girl could dream.

Golden, sun-streaked hair lay in sweat-soaked tufts against the wide horizon of his shoulders. His pale blue eyes were barricaded and hard, a narrow beard lining his tight jaw. Glistening, tanned skin, mapped with scars, covered a torso of concrete-like muscle, his back a crossroads of whip marks.

Hanging on a pull-up bar several yards from the other agents, Riordan appeared to be a loner, on the opposite side of a bridge from human contact and relationships. His perpetual scowl screamed back off, his tense shoulders poised for attack. All he needed was a do not enter sign stamped on his forehead to make it official.

It must be her lucky day. She had to figure out how to get past the human obstacle course and get inside.

“So, are you ready to meet him, Doctor?”

No, she wasn’t ready to meet Riordan St. James. As a matter of fact, she really wanted to leave. Once upon a time, she’d considered herself qualified to diagnose and treat people with emotional conditions. Now, she didn’t trust her own judgment on what deodorant to use.

“As I told you on the phone, Mitchell, I really don’t feel skilled–“

“Save it.” Mitchell sliced a hand through the air, his brows furrowed. “What happened with Paul Warner was one hundred percent his fault, Natalie. He knew what he was doing.”

That made it even worse. As his psychologist, she should’ve seen it coming. She could’ve prevented it.

Mitchell Jacobs wouldn’t understand that. Paul would’ve been just another casualty in his book. In hers, a possible love turned tragic regret.

Crossing her arms over her middle, she sighed. “He won’t be pleased to meet me.”

Mitchell chuckled with a shake of his head. “No, he won’t. I’ll bet a bottle of Glenfiddich 1937 Scotch he’ll be royally pissed.”

Oh… yay.

Riordan climbed onto a treadmill farther across the room. He pressed a couple of buttons and started to jog.

“So, what do you want from me, Mitchell? A clinical diagnosis?”

“I want you to get him ready for the field. I think he lacks confidence. Right now, he thinks he’s ready – I say, he’s not.”

Natalie frowned as she played with her pearl earring. That meant working with him beyond today. How did she make Mitchell realize her qualifications disqualified her for the job?

Riordan St. James was different from any patient she’d ever counseled. He had a raw, barbaric edge about him, reminding her of a street fighter. He played by his own rules, wore attitude like a badge and defense like a shield.

She worked with the upper echelon of society. People that enjoyed telling her their troubles, people that looked for easy prescription drugs and found her unyielding. Many of her clients worked with her father in the Senate, or lived in upscale San Diego.

Her patients liked her. Listening rather than talking had been a trait from birth, her desire to help others deep and ingrained.

Riordan St. James didn’t strike her as a talker or someone that wanted help.

He pushed himself harder and faster than any other agent in the room. Sweat ran from his brow, the waistband of his shorts soaked through.

“When do you need him?”

“Yesterday.” Mitchell sighed as he turned to face her. “I took a gamble with St. James, Natalie. When he came in, he was in bad shape. Among his injuries, his hands had been broken and crushed. Deformed, for lack of a better word.”

Her gaze shot to the man on the treadmill. Though several feet away, he appeared exceptionally… fit, his hands normal. However, the scars littering his body backed up Mitchell’s story.

“Using a device similar to a 3D printer, we mapped out the previous bone structure of his hands and created replicas made with neodymium, iron and boron.”

Stilling, she held out a hand to halt his speech. “Wait. Are you telling me he has magnetic bones in his hands?”

Mitchell nodded with nonchalance. “Yes, but the attraction is minor at this point.”

Slack-jawed, she could do nothing but stare. Had she just stepped into Frankenstein’s laboratory? “Why? Why not give him normal prosthetics?”

Leaning a shoulder against the wall, Mitchell shoved his hands in his pockets. “Have you heard of Robert Naylor?”

The infamous crime boss. Natalie doubted there were many people that hadn’t heard of him. “Yes.”

“St. James was one of Naylor’s best agents. The man has talents I can use. My plan is to give Riordan the ability to attract and repel objects with his magnetic hands. He has the groundwork now. Once I know I can depend on him, I’ll install the rest of his system.”

Shaking her head, Natalie couldn’t believe what she’d heard. “You’re going to make him some kind of superhero?”

Mitchell gave a lopsided grin. “You could call him that.”

Logic warred with astonishment in her head. “That kind of thing is impossible… isn’t it?”

His arrogant smirk almost seemed patronizing. “I assure you, it’s quite possible. I already have a team of agents with super powers. My son, Tristan, among them.”

Hand to her forehead, Natalie looked away in utter incredulity. What had she gotten herself into? D.I.R.E. made scientific enhancements to human beings. Her father had used D.I.R.E. in the past. Did he know about this?

She pointed at Riordan through the glass. “He agreed to this, this… enhancement?”

Mitchell nodded before glancing at Riordan. “Make no mistake, Natalie. He trusts no one. And, he has good reason for feeling that way, too. St. James knew if he didn’t take my offer of new hands, he’d live handicapped the rest of his life. The magnetic bones were a quick, permanent fix – for him and our team.” His voice lowered. “He needs to trust again. He can trust D.I.R.E.”

The sun-god dropped to the floor and did push-ups. This was just so wrong. Wasn’t it? Messing with the human body? Playing God?

Then again, the idea of following someone going through the process, and tracking his subsequent work, fascinated her. It would take her work to a level she’d never imagined.

You can’t even diagnose normal humans. You want to diagnose superheroes?

“He’s been working his ass off, trying to get back in shape,” Mitchell said. “He’s made remarkable progress. If anything, he’s determined to defeat not only bad guys but his own demons.”

Riordan switched to one-handed push-ups without skipping a beat. He had demons, no question. They stood on the opposite side of that bridge he’d erected. She just wasn’t sure if the bridge was intended to keep them at bay or to rush them head on when he felt ready.

Then again, she had her own demons to slay. Helping Mitchell and Riordan St. James would keep them front and center. What if she failed them both?

Mitchell said, “I need good agents, stat. And, when I get St. James up and running, my gut tells me he’s going to be one bad ass superhero.”

About the author, Joni Hahn….

By day, Joni Hahn keeps her secret decoder ring hidden while she works as a mild-mannered HR manager and accounting generalist. She believes the world can never have too many superheroes, and anxiously waits for the call when one will need help saving the world… or getting into his costume. Joni was born with a hopelessly tender heart and believes there is nothing on earth more exhilarating than falling in love (Other than the rear shot of Chris Evans in The Avengers – that was pretty darn exhilarating). A native Texan, she thinks cowboys are the epitome of masculinity, and that country music is the other soul music.

Joni’s four-book superhero romance series, The D.I.R.E. Agency, is available now. Look for Book 5 in the Series, Agent S5: Jaydan, coming in late 2014, with more agents arriving in 2015.

Book 1 in Joni’s three-book romantic comedy series, The Royal Texans, will be released in early 2015.

~~~~~~~

Links to Joni’s website, blog, books, etc.

Website: http://jonihahn.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jonihahnauthor

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jonihahnauthor

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jonihahnauthor/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00HB81FPS

~~~

**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Joni will give away an e-copy of AGENT M4: RIORDAN (upon release) to one lucky reader who comments on her Monday Interview or Wednesday Book Bench blogs. Don’t miss this chance to read this story.  Thanks, Joni, for sharing your story with us!

**Author Peek** Interview with Joni Hahn

BOOK #4 COVER REVEAL!!
Wednesday’s Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog!!!

**AUTHOR PEEK** Interview with JONI HAHN

INTRODUCING…Joni Hahn.

Before we get started talking about your writing, tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, what you do for a living (if you’re not a full-time writer) what hobbies you have, etc. Whatever you’d like to share to introduce yourself.

I’ve been married to my real-life superhero for… well, not long enough.   We both grew up in San Antonio and as children, even went to the same church. But, we never met until the night we started dating.

I have two grown children that I adore, and I adopted a son-in-law last year whom I love like my own.   I work fulltime in accounting/human resources and enjoy movies, reading, and going to concerts.

1. How did you get started writing?

Many years ago, my sister had a poem published. Shortly thereafter, my brother had a magazine article published. When that happened, it hit me: Hey, back in high school, I went to UIL regional competition in writing and I won a writing award in middle school. Maybe I have some writing talent in my genes.

One day, I received a community education newsletter from my local school district. I signed up for a beginner fiction-writing class. The instructor told me about RWA and I joined shortly thereafter.

That was a very long time ago, when my children were young. I’ve written off and on since, but became serious about publication in the last year or two.

2. What appeals to you about the genre that you write?

I’m a hopeless romantic. I think there is no greater feeling than falling in love.   I want to create that exhilaration for readers through my stories.

3. What is your favorite part of writing?

Fast draft! It doesn’t have to be perfect at this point, just my creativity and imagination spewing out of me. Anything is possible – until my editor gets a hold of it.

4. If you had to give up writing and do something else, what would you do instead?

If I had the money, I’d like to start a huge animal shelter on a farm. I’d hire vets and staff to care for the animals. I’d want to be the biggest adoption center in the country.

BUT, since I don’t have the money for that, I’d probably just read the books that I wished I could write, and watch a lot of movies. I’d keep my same day job.

5. What’s your favorite meal of the day?

Breakfast. But my favorites are very fattening: Cinnamon rolls, French toast, tacos, etc.

6. Which are your favorite characters to write, the female characters or the male characters? The heroes and heroines, or the villains?

My male heroes by far. My stories always revolve around the heroes.

7. Are you an avid reader? When you do read someone else’s writing, what is your favorite genre?

I wish I was an avid reader. I just don’t have the time to be an avid reader. But, when I do, I read romance, of course. Any subgenre goes.

8. Many writers dream of having the ideal location to write. If you could live anywhere in the world or live a particular lifestyle, where would you be answering these questions right now?

A beach house on Trunk Bay, Virgin Islands.   I could write outside on the deck or inside and stare out at the turquoise water.   Sigh…

9. If you were a color, what color would you be and why?

Fuchsia.   I’m very quiet and accommodating most of the time (pink), but wake me up too early or mess with my family and I’m hot.

10. Tell us about your next book & when is it being published?

I plan to release Book 4 in The D.I.R.E. Agency Series in late March or early April. It’s the story of the agency’s next superhero, Riordan St. James, who is briefly introduced in Book 3.

~~~~~~~

Links to Joni’s website, blog, books, etc.

Website: http://jonihahn.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sophiegreysontx

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jonihahnauthor

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jonihahnauthor/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00HB81FPS

~~~~

BE SURE TO COME BACK to read more about Joni and the fourth book in her D.I.R.E. Agency series, AGENT M4: RIORDAN, on Wednesday’s Karen’s Killer Book Bench.  Happy Reading!

~~~

**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Joni will give away an e-copy of AGENT M4: RIORDAN (upon release) to one lucky reader who comments on her Monday Interview or Wednesday Book Bench blogs. Don’t miss this chance to read this story.  Thanks, Joni, for sharing your story with us!

 

Congratulations Week 05-12-14 Giveaway Winners!

 

CONGRATULATIONS WEEK 05-12-14 GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

Karen’s Killer Book Bench with MICHELE CALLAHAN!!

Giveaway: Michele will give away an eBook of DESTINY TRILOGY to two readers who comment on her Monday Interview or Wednesday Book Bench blogs. Thanks, Michele, for sharing your story with us!

WINNERS!! SAMANTHA STEVENS & JAN K!!

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s with MARY SULLIVAN!!

Giveaway: Mary will give away a copy of her May Superromance, ALWAYS EMILY, to someone who answers this question…what is your favorite vegetable? Thanks, Mary, for sharing your story with us!

WINNER!! Mick j B!!

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Jeffrey Cook

 Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with JEFFREY COOK!

Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, JEFFREY COOK, and his favorite recipe for BUTTERSCOTCH OATMEAL COOKIE LAYERS!

DAWN OF STEAM: FIRST LIGHT
By JEFFREY COOK with SARAH SYMONDS

Book Blurb

In 1815, in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, two of England’s wealthiest lords place a high-stakes wager on whether a popular set of books, which claim that the author has traveled to many unknown corners of the globe, are truth or, more likely, wild fiction. Dawn of Steam: First Light is an epistolary novel, told primarily through the eyes of former aide-de-camp Gregory Conan Watts, describing the journeys of the airship Dame Fortuna and its crew through journals and letters to his beloved fiancee.

The first recruit is, necessarily, the airship’s owner: war hero, famed genius, and literal knight in steam-powered armor Sir James Coltrane. Persuading him to lend his talents and refitted airship to the venture requires bringing along his sister, his cousin, and the crew that flew with him during the Napoleonic Wars. Only with their aid can they track down a Scottish rifleman, a pair of shady carnies, and a guide with a strong personal investment in the stories.

When they set out, the wild places of the world, including the far American West, the Australian interior, darkest Africa, and other destinations are thought to be hostile enough. No one expects the trip to involve a legendary storm – or the Year Without a Summer of 1815-1816. The voyage is further complicated by the human element. Some parties are not at all happy with the post-war political map. Most problematic of all, the crew hired by the other side of the wager seem willing to win by any means necessary. Dawn of Steam: First Light follows these adventurers as they open up the world. In the process, their journey helps lay the foundations for an age of enlightenment and technology to come.

DAWN OF STEAM: FIRST LIGHT
By JEFFREY COOK with SARAH SYMONDS

BACK COVER BLURB

January 1815

My Dearest Cordelia,

I have finally secured a means to wealth and renown enough that, when this venture is completed, I might obtain your honored father’s blessing to ask you to be my wife. Two of England’s most esteemed gentlemen have made a wager regarding the contents of the darkest corners of the world. For this, I am to assemble some of the greatest heroes of the recent war. In fact, my first destination will permit me a chance to see Sir James Coltrane’s legendary war machine for myself. If we persuade him, we hope to leave for the American colonies soon in his family’s airship, the Dame Fortuna.

I know that your thoughts and best wishes go with me — and I am certain that this voyage will help to spark your ample imagination and sense of adventure. I will write whenever I have the opportunity.

All my love,

Gregory Conan Watts

EXCERPT

March 22nd, 1815

The skies of Western England

50°47′N 03°21′W

My Dearest Cordelia,

You cannot begin to imagine the views afforded by travel aboard these military dirigibles. While the first day was quite difficult in many ways, that time has passed, and now I am finding myself quite at home aboard this wondrous vehicle. I spend what time I can spare holding tight to the rails outside and admiring the grounds below, though we are now quite near the coast and can see the choppy waters in the distance. Until one has had this amazing perspective, it is hard to imagine the true meaning of “as far as the eye can see,” for there are times the ground below seems to stretch on forever. Entire villages and even towns seem tiny by comparison to the sheer scope of vision offered by being so high above our beloved home.

We were not able to travel particularly close to London, to my regret, in part because we have only so much in the way of supplies, but I can only imagine it would be particularly breathtaking seen from above and out of the crowded paths and shops. Even writing of the experience seems insufficient, for words cannot accurately capture the splendor of the greatest nation on Earth seen from Heaven’s own view of it. Still, I am striving to do it some justice if only to attempt to share this sense of wonder I feel with you, for I can never be certain that this is an experience I shall ever have when this adventure is done.

About the authors, Jeffrey Cook with Sarah Symonds….

Author Jeffrey Cook lives in Maple Valley, Washington, with his wife and three large dogs. He was born in Boulder, Colorado, but has lived all over the United States. He’s contributed to a number of role-playing game books for Deep7 Press out of Seattle, Washington, but Dawn of Steam: First Light is his first novel. When not reading, researching or writing, Jeffrey enjoys role-playing games and watching football.

Co-contributor Sarah Symonds also lives in Washington. Born and raised in Seattle, she left for college and promptly came back. Sarah has been writing for fun since high school and tends towards short-shorts or novels. When not working on her own novels, Sarah enjoys costuming, fiber arts, and making Jeff explain football.

~~~

Links to Jeffrey’s website, blog, books, etc.

Dawn of Steam: First Light Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IOC6HNU

Dawn of Steam: First Light Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/149427650X/

Book Website: www.dawnofsteam.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.cook.54390

FB Dawn of Steam Trilogy Page: https://www.facebook.com/dawnofsteamtrilogy

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffreyCook74

Tumbler: http://dawnofsteam.tumblr.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20939508-dawn-of-steam

~~~~

I hope you enjoy the recipe Jeffrey is sharing with us today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 144 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BUTTERSCOTCH OATMEAL COOKIE LAYERS
(Courtesy of Jeffrey’s editor, Kate Perkins-Armond)

1/2 cup butter, softened at room temperature
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour
1 and 1/4 cup quick-cooking oatmeal
8 oz. Butterscotch chips ( they come in bigger bags, so snack intermittently on the rest!)
3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Lightly grease two baking sheets.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Cream softened butter and both sugars together. Beat in egg and add vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Blend this mixture into the wet mixture. Add chips and nuts. Spread layer of dough over each baking sheet.

Bake for 7-10 minutes, then let cool enough to cut as desired. Store in layers of foil.

 

Karen’s Killer Book Bench: Till You Come Back To Me by Chicki Brown

  KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!

TILL YOU COME BACK TO ME by CHICKI BROWN

Till You Come Back to Me by Chicki Brown

Book Blurb

Driven to make a difference in the lives of the injured and deformed, Atlanta plastic surgeon, Charles Stafford gives up his successful practice to work with a medical organization in Nigeria. Awaiting him at the small village hospital is the beautiful and compassionate nurse, Adanna Okoro, who is everything he has ever wanted in a woman.

Adanna has returned to her homeland after graduation from a London nursing school. Her two desires in life are to help the sick in her nation and to marry a smart, motivated man. Charles enters her life like an answer from heaven, but cultural differences separate them. Adanna must choose between tradition and the man she has come to love.

Coming June 1st to Amazon Kindle.

~~~

Till You Come Back to Me by Chicki Brown

Excerpt

The atmosphere in the restaurant, the delicious meal and the six men who were totally focused on her words almost made her forget that other diners in the room were staring. She knew good and well what they were thinking–that she was hired to entertain a group of foreigners. So many Nigerian girls were forced into prostitution by greedy men who took advantage of their economic desperation. The prettiest and most skillful of them worked the upscale hotels and nightclubs, and Adanna knew the people watching assumed she was one of them. But there was nothing she could do about their presumptions. Besides, she was enjoying herself too much to be concerned.

“Those were some of the best prawns I’ve ever eaten,” Charles said, wiping his enticing mouth with his napkin. “Would you care for dessert?”

The light touch he gave her hand sent a shiver up her spine, and judging by the way his gaze darted to hers, he’d felt it too. “Thank you. I think I will. I’m a card-carrying chocoholic.”

He signaled the waiter and asked for a dessert menu. She ordered the Mississippi Mud Pie while he chose the New York Cheesecake. The others did the same, ordered after dinner drinks, and continued their conversation. Adanna couldn’t recall when she’d had a more pleasant evening, but it was time for her to leave. She didn’t want to leave Femi with the baby for too long.

“I hate to run out on you, but I convinced my flatmate to babysit Chichima tonight so I could join you. It’s getting late. I’d better head home. Thank you for a lovely evening.” She stood and reached for her purse.

Dr. Cervantes rose and so did the rest of the men. “Thank you for educating us, Adanna,” he said.

“Yes, we appreciate your insight,” Dr. Lindstrom added. “I guess we will see you in the morning.”

“You will. Goodnight, gentlemen.” A more powerful shiver shot through her when Charles placed his hand on the small of her back and escorted her to the entrance.

“I’ll walk you to your car. Are you in the lot?”

He smiled when she said, “Yes, I’m the blue Peugeot.”

They walked outside into the warm evening air. “I could really use your advice on where to buy a car. The van and driver are only to be used to go back and forth to the hospital from our apartment. Since I’ll be here for three months at a time, I’ll need a way to get around.” He stopped beside a car. “Is this you?”

Adanna nodded. “I’d be glad to. Maybe we can talk about it at lunch tomorrow.”

He smiled again and closed the space between them. She gazed at her feet to avoid looking directly into his eyes for fear of being hypnotized. “I enjoyed this. Could we do this again soon, just the two of us?” He leaned in and ran a finger across her bottom lip.

She held her breath, stunned by the action and the question. Was he asking her for a date? That’s certainly what it sounded like. Her answer came on the breath she finally exhaled. “Yes, that would be nice.” She unlocked the car door and got in hoping she hadn’t sounded like a breathless ninny.

“Until tomorrow.”

About the author, Chicki Brown….

Shades of Romance Magazine 2011 Author of the Year, Chicki Brown has published nine novels and one novella, all of which have made different Kindle bestseller lists. A voracious reader since she was a child, Chicki grew up in New Jersey reading everything she could get her hands on. Now she concentrates on reading romance, women’s fiction and suspense. When she is not writing or reading, Brown devotes her time to helping aspiring authors.

Mother of two and grandmother of five, Chicki was born and raised in New Jersey and now calls suburban Atlanta, Georgia home.

~~~~~~~

Links to Chicki’s website, blog, books, etc.

Blog: http://sisterscribbler.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/@Chicki663

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chicki.brown

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+ChickiBrown

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/chicki663/

Amazon Central Author Page: http://amzn.to/l2kjXQ

~~~

**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Chicki will give away an e-copy of the first book in her series, A WOMAN’S WORTH, to one lucky reader who comments on her Monday Interview or Wednesday Book Bench blogs. Don’t miss this chance to read this story.  Thanks, Chicki, for sharing your story with us!