Melynda Price's Blog, page 4
February 14, 2013
Haden’s Winner Announced!
Congratulations, Judy, for winning this month’s Amazon gift-card giveaway, courtesy of 5Prince Publishing, in celebration for my upcoming release, Shades of Darkness, Book 2 of the Redemption Series releasing February 28th!
Thank you, everyone, for stopping by and participating. I’m excited to introduce Haden, my dark and twisted Nephilim, in these monthly blog excerpts.
Happy Valentines Day!
Melynda
Still running my 400 “Likes” contest!
We’re getting close to the next 100!
For every 100 “Likes” on my FB author page, I’m giving away a $50 Amazon giftcard!
Click this pic and enter to win!
February 12, 2013
Heartbreaker Blog Hop Winner and Get to Know Haden Amazon Giveaway!
New Release February 28th!
First of all, thank you, Carrie Ann Ryan, for hosting another fabulous hop, and thanks to everyone who participated. It was tons of fun! The winner of my 25$ Amazon gift-card giveaway was chosen through Randomizer.org. Congratulations, Jeannie, for winning!
In conjunction with this blog hop, I’m hosting the 4th and final Get to know Haden $10 Amazon gift-card giveaway!
To celebrate the upcoming release of Shades of Darkness, Book Two of my Redemption Series, 5Prince Publishing is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card!
Haden is the bad boy you’ll love to hate in this series. Just leave a comment below to be entered to win! A winner will be announced Valentines Day~2/14.
My inspiration for Haden…
Olivia picked up her cards, trying to ignore the stranger with the haunting sea green gaze, and asked the dealer for another card.
The stranger leaned closer, peering at her hand, and whispered, “I think you should stay.”
The card landed on the table in front of her and she reached out to grab it, scoffing, “You’re crazy. Nine or less, and I’m golden. No way I’m gonna stay.”
He cocked his brow in basic male arrogance and shrugged. “Suit yourself. You flip that card and you’re going to lose.”
She hesitated, her outstretched hand gripping the edge of the royal blue diamond-printed card.
“Before you flip it and lose this game, I’ll make you a wager.” His whiskey smooth voice drawled with a foreign accent she couldn’t place. “If I’m right and you bust, you let me buy you a drink at the bar.”
She smiled. Oh, this guy was smooth. “That hardly seems like a win for you—buying me a drink.”
“Oh, it’s a win, believe me. Having a drink with a beautiful woman can hardly be counted a loss.”
Thanks again for stopping by, and have a great day!
February 8, 2013
Heartbreaker Blog Hop 2/8-2/11
Hi, everyone, welcome to the Heartbreaker Blog Hop. At this stop, I’m giving away a $25 Amazon gift card. The winner will be announced Feb 12th. Enter to win by reading this excerpt from my paranormal romance, Until Darkness Comes, and following the steps below. Commenting on this blog will enter you to win one of 3 Grand Prizes listed below!
A guardian angel… A forbidden love… Eternal consequences…
Olivia Norton was born with a gift—a gift heaven has sworn to protect, and hell is bound to destroy. Her perfect world is turned upside-down when two handsome strangers, Max and Liam, step into her life. Olivia soon discovers that her ‘Mr. Perfect’ is actually a perfect nightmare.
The rules of engagement have changed and Liam, Olivia’s guardian angel, is forced to cross dimensional borders or risk losing the woman he’s sworn to protect. Suddenly, thrust into a world unlike anything he’s ever known, Liam isn’t prepared to come face to face with the young woman whose life he holds in his hands.
But nothing is as it seems, and secrets abound that will ultimately force him to choose between two impossibilities. Max will stop at nothing to finish what he’s started, and Olivia is soon plunged into a battle between good and evil. Her very life hangs in the balance as two forces fight to win her heart.
Until Darkness Comes Excerpt:
Max stood in the parking lot, straddling his Harley. “Come on,” he called impatiently.
“I’m not running, Max. You could have waited for me.”
Sighing, he climbed off the motorcycle and walked toward Olivia. The charming smile painted on his face reminded her of the Cheshire cat. Gathering her in his arms, he pulled her close. “I’m sorry, Liv.”
A smile touched her lips at his attempt to make amends. Now, that’s more like it.
She couldn’t stay mad. Her resistance softened as he placed small kisses along the side of her neck, his throaty purr making her laugh. Olivia playfully spun from his embrace and ran down the beach. Fine, warm grains of sand spilled into her sandals with each step. She glanced over her shoulder to see if he followed, enjoying her little game. His brow quirked in amusement, his dark eyes locked on her, watching her with the intensity of a lion tracking its prey. A tremble of excitement fluttered in the pit of her stomach.
“Don’t make me chase you, Olivia,” his husky growl carried to her on the briny air.
“Ha, you couldn’t catch me,” she challenged.
As the last word left her mouth, Max dashed after her. Letting out a high-pitched squeal, she jagged to the left, running toward the lapping shore of the Gulf. Just as her sandaled foot touched the cool, frothy water, a pair of muscular arms whisked her high in the air.
She yelped playfully, laughing as he swung her around and kissed her.
“I told you not to make me chase you.” His husky whisper brushed against her lips. “You could never outrun me, Olivia.”
Until Darkness Comes is available in paperback or eBook at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or All Romance.
Shades of Darkness, releases Feb. 28th!
1.) Friend me on facebook
2.) Like my author page and automatically be entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card from my “400 Likes Contest”
3.) Follow me on twitter
4.) “Follow me” on my blog (button located on the right sidebar.)
5.) Friend me on Goodreads.
6.) Leave a comment below, telling me which of these things you’ve done of if you’re already following me. 
Do all five and you have five chances to win! Good Luck!
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We have 3 grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!
1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $100 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!
January 29, 2013
Haden’s Winner Announced!
Congratulations, Kaylyn, for winning this month’s Amazon gift-card giveaway, courtesy of 5Prince Publishing! In celebration for my upcoming release, Shades of Darkness, Book 2 of the Redemption Series on February 28th, I’ll be hosting monthly giveaways. February’s giveaway will be big! So stop by, read excerpts from Shades of Darkness, and enter to win. Follow my blog for upcoming details.
Thank you, everyone, for stopping by. I’m excited to introduce Haden, my dark and twisted Nephilim, in these monthly blog excerpts.
Have a great day!
Melynda
Still running my 400 “Likes” contest!
For every 100 “Likes” on my FB author page, I’m giving away a $50 Amazon giftcard!
Click this pic and enter to win!
January 27, 2013
“I don’t trust you.” Get to know Haden~Part 3. Enter to win an Amazon giftcard!
To celebrate the upcoming release of Shades of Darkness, Book Two of my Redemption Series, 5Prince Publishing is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card!
Haden is the bad boy you’ll love to hate in this series. Every month until Shades of Darkness is released on Feb 28th, I’ll be posting an excerpt from my upcoming release. Just leave a comment below to be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift-card! A winner will be announced 1/29.
My inspiration for Haden…
“Let’s get something clear, Haden. I don’t trust you. For all I know, you’re the one who attacked me last night!”
The amusement drained from his face, and those hateful eyes blazed with barely controlled rage. He took a step closer and grabbed Ashley’s arm in a punishing grip. Bending down, he snarled in her ear. “Listen here, you haughty little shit. If I had attacked you, you’d damn well remember it! And for the record—” he paused, his voice thick with disdain “—you’re not my type.”
Haden released her with a shove, as if having her so close disgusted him. “Here’s a little word of advice you might want to take to heart in the future–don’t piss off your guardian. You nearly got yourself killed last night, and I’m no babysitter. You put yourself on a ledge like that again, and I’m gonna shove you off!”
New Release February 28th!
Free will comes at a cost…
Three years after losing the love of her life, Olivia Norton refuses to continue living in the shadows of what will never be. But how can she marry another, when her guardian angel still holds her heart?
Bound by Universal Law, Liam is forced to choose between his honor and his heart. Returning for Olivia once nearly cost him his salvation, but twice may finally prove to be his undoing. Some sacrifices are worth the risk, while others could bring consequences lasting an immortal lifetime.
The game has changed—new players bring new challenges, and the evil that nearly took Olivia’s life three years ago has returned with a vengeance. A legion has been sent to finish what Max failed to do, and the Dark Court will not rest until the last sighted female has been killed.
Evil has a new face, a new name, and will stop at nothing to possess the key Olivia holds, the power Haden needs to unleash his revenge…
If you haven’t indulged in the forbidden love story between Liam and Olivia, there’s still time!
A guardian angel… A forbidden love… Eternal consequences… Olivia Norton was born with a gift—a gift heaven has sworn to protect, and hell is bound to destroy. Her perfect world is turned upside-down when two handsome strangers, Max and Liam, step into her life. Olivia soon discovers that her ‘Mr. Perfect’ is actually a perfect nightmare.
The rules of engagement have changed and Liam, Olivia’s guardian angel, is forced to cross dimensional borders or risk losing the woman he’s sworn to protect. Suddenly, thrust into a world unlike anything he’s ever known, Liam isn’t prepared to come face to face with the young woman whose life he holds in his hands.
But nothing is as it seems, and secrets abound that will ultimately force him to choose between two impossibilities. Max will stop at nothing to finish what he’s started, and Olivia is soon plunged into a battle between good and evil. Her very life hangs in the balance as two forces fight to win her heart.
January 19, 2013
God Loved My Son Through A Boxelder Bug
I usually don’t post personal stories about myself on my blog. I much prefer the made up ones. They’re more interesting. 
But not today. My grandfather died four days ago, and I would like to share a story about how God loved my son through a Boxelder bug.
“I embarrassed myself at school today,” my eleven year old son announced, before I could greet him with the standard, “Hey, O, how was your day?”
My stomach tightened into that motherly knot as I prepared for what he’d say. “What happened, buddy?”
He looked up at me with red-rimmed eyes and that defiant cock of his head he gets whenever he tries not to cry. “I was in music class today and I saved a Boxelder bug from drowning. I held it during class, and it was climbing around on arm, happy to alive.”
Okay, ick… But then he paused, and I knew the story was going to take a turn for the worse. “Then when happened,” I encouraged.
“Then this girl at school, Makayla, walked past me. She hit my arm and knocked the bug on the floor and began stomping on it. I thought about how I saved a life and then she took it. It made me think of Grandpa and how his life is gone now.” Tears filled his eyes; his voice cracked. ”He’s never coming back. And everyone at school saw me crying. They think I cried over a bug, but it’s not about the bug. It’s about Grandpa.”
We talked about what happened, about Grandpa, and I tried to put my motherly band-aid over his emotional wound the best I could.
The next day we went to grandpa’s funeral. Admittedly, I was still troubled by my son’s story and I could tell he was, too. I guess when we grieve, it comes out in funny ways sometimes.
Before the service started, the pastor had us all gather into the library to share our memories of Grandpa. My son and I were sitting in a chair together, and as the family was talking, I happened to look down and noticed and little Boxelder bug crawling across the floor. My heart warmed, and a still, small voice inside me stirred. It’s okay. Grandpa’s okay… Fighting back my own tears, I whispered, “Hey, O, look over there. See that Boxelder bug?”
He looked up at me and tears filled his eyes. With a sad smile, he said, “I really needed that, Mom.”
After a moment, we went back to reminiscing. Then the thought occurred to me, Oh, man, when we get up to leave this room, someone’s going to step on that bug. It was a big room, and the bug wasn’t moving very fast. Then I’m thinking, Oh, crap, I’m going to have to pick up that bug before we leave. I glanced back down to see how far it’d gotten. The bug was gone. My son and I discretely looked for it, but couldn’t find it anywhere. Several times that day, my son would look up at me and share a private grin. “I really needed that,” he’d whisper.
So did I, honey. So did I…
For some of you reading this story, it may seem like an unimportant coincidence. But you have to understand, finding a Boxelder bug in the middle of January, in Minnesota, rarely happens. It’s even more rare to find two in as many days. That I happened to look down and notice that bug when I did… What are the odds? Sixty seconds later it was gone and not seen again. But most of all, it’s the impression a simple thing leaves on our hearts that tells us when we’ve been touched by God. It’s those subtle things that we can easily overlook or dismiss as coincidence that just might be God saying, “I’m here. I understand. It’s okay…”
January 14, 2013
Has historical YA become an oxymoron?
Reblogged from carrieannebrownian:
I recently read a Goodreads review of Jillian Larkin's Diva that I think nailed the problems I see with a lot of current historical YA. These characters are in their late teens in the 1920s, and their behavior is supposed to be so shocking for teens, like going to speakeasies and premarital cohabiting. But that was kind of normal adult behavior for that set in that era (not to mention premarital cohabiting was a scandal for anyone, outside of a very few Bohemian places like Greenwich Village).
I thought this was a great piece on writing YA today and had to share :)
January 10, 2013
A Heart Broken ~ Sara Barnard
Happy Release Day, Sara!
A Heart Broken
How much grief can a heart bear before being tested to the ultimate limit? The War is over, Charlotte and Sanderson are reunited, and life is good … until the Army comes knocking. They have charged Sanderson with the murder of his former captor, the despicable Lieutenant Lantz who swore to kill him and Jackson. After a make-believe trial, Sanderson is sentenced to “hang by the neck until dead” – unless he can track down and kill the notorious outlaw William Quantrill with the help of SGT Jerry Thomas, who still may be in love with Charlotte. While Sanderson is on his blood mission, Charlotte miscarries the baby he wasn’t even aware existed. In addition to battling her grief over the loss of their unborn baby, Charlotte must also battle a rash of hydrophobia that threatens the countryside –Sanderson included.
Excerpt from A Heart Broken:
“Don’t die till we get to have some fun, girl.” Samuel’s whiskey-ruined voice was hot in Charlotte’s ear. Somewhere behind her, Dean’s maniacal laughter pulsated with cruelty. The Bowie knife grew closer to her face, but with her arms lashed behind her, Charlotte could only watch in helpless terror as the promise of death drew nearer.
“Sanderson!” she screamed, just before the icy blade met the skin of her neck.
“I’m here. I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” Sanderson murmured into her hair. His arm, muscled and tanned, tightened around her middle. His voice was thick with sleep. “Was it that dream again?”
She sat up and traced the knife scar at the base of her neck. The air was crisp in their loft and a rash of goose bumps immediately cropped up on her exposed skin. “It was one of them. The knife one. I always wake up before they kill me, but I swear,” Charlotte shook her head to clear the nightmare from her mind, “it gets scarier every time.”
“They’ll get worse before they get better.” Sanderson propped himself up on an elbow and ran his hand down her thigh before continuing, “Mine are pretty bad right now, too. But when I wake up and look at you, I know I’m home.”
She returned his mischievous smile.
“We’ve been through a lot these past few years. Figure it’ll take our brains a little while to catch up with our bodies. The bad dreams are just our way of getting there, as I see it.” He twined his fingers through hers. “You know how I know that I’m really home?” He tugged her down close.
“How’s that?”
“I can do this.” With his free hand, he cupped the side of her face. That familiar spark blazed to life within her chest before their lips met. She closed her eyes. Softly, his kiss found her cheek, then her lips. Trembling, she let herself be taken over by her husband’s sensual caress.
“Wait, what about Minerva? Won’t she hear us?” Charlotte’s eyes were still closed. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if they’d been right to offer Minerva and baby Jay Jay their extra room. Certainly, having an empty house in moments such as these would be optimal. She pushed the thought away as quickly as it had come. Minerva was her sister-in-law, and she couldn’t imagine everyday life without tiny Jay Jay. After all, she had brought him into the world and only Aunt Charlotte could calm him down deep in those colicky nights.
Sanderson’s breath was warm in her ear, “They went out early this morning.”
Satisfied that they were alone and talk time was over, Charlotte met Sanderson’s kiss with passionate ferocity. His skin, roughened by time spent in Alton Confederate Prison, glided against hers naturally, like water over smooth river pebbles.
Finally, my love is home. I’m complete as long as he is near.
The front door squeaked open, and Minerva’s voice wafted upstairs. “Jay Jay, such a fussy boy today. Come, I’ll feed you in our room.”
Quietly, Sanderson tucked the rose-patterned quilt up over their heads as Charlotte stifled a giggle. “We were alone,” she mouthed.
He kissed the tip of her nose.
Minerva’s door clunked shut, and baby Jay Jay’s threatening whimpers ceased a moment later.
Charlotte flung back the covers. “Maybe we can continue this tonight?”
“As you wish, Mrs. Redding.”
A pounding at the door tore their gazes from each other.
“Who in the world would come calling this early in the morning?” Charlotte wondered aloud.
“I’ll get it,” Sanderson called, pulling on his britches. His voice echoed in their quaint, stone cottage.
“I’m closer,” Minerva answered. “Jay Jay is too tired to sleep.” She clomped across the floor with the infant nestled in the crook of her arm.
Charlotte peered over the edge of the loft. “Good morning, Minerva. Is Jay Jay ready for his Aunt Charlotte?”
“Si, he is.” Minerva smiled and rested her hand on the doorknob. “We picked some carrots this morning. Let’s make a stew tonight.” She hefted the door open.
An unfamiliar voice boomed, “Captain Sanderson Redding!”
Sanderson froze, his shirt only half buttoned. The cold fingers of fear squeezed Charlotte’s stomach until bile rose into her throat.
“Um, ah, um,” Minerva stammered. Jay Jay began to wail again.
Charlotte dashed to the window. “Soldiers! They’re everywhere Sanderson!” She whirled, eyes wide. “Can we make it to the cave underneath Sunshine Rock where I hid from the Yankees?”
He inched to the wall and peeked out the window. Reaching out to Charlotte, he pulled her close. “There’s no way. They’re even in the trees. Every rifle out there is trained on our house, just waiting for me to make a run for it.”
“We know he’s in there, so cough him up before we come in and search the place!”
Sanderson started toward the ladder.
“No! Please, we have to try!” Hysteria was threatening to overwhelm Charlotte to such an extent that she didn’t feel like herself at all. “Please!”
“I have to turn myself in, for all our sakes. We don’t know who pointed them our way, or even why they’re here.” He began to climb down, so Charlotte started after him. She grasped the rungs and rested her head against them. Her stomach lurched and her knees threatened to give way.
Sanderson plucked her from the ladder. She clasped his hand, and they stepped to the door together. Minerva moved behind them, the baby whimpering in her arms. Their eyes met for a moment.
“Captain Sanderson Redding?” An Army officer in blue stepped forward, a scroll in his hands.
“Good morning, gentlemen. How can I help you?” Sanderson’s voice was cool and ever polite, but his grip tightened on her hand. Charlotte tried to count the soldiers, but more kept appearing from the woods.
“Captain Redding, on behalf of the United States of America, I hereby charge you with the murder of Lieutenant Robbinson Lantz.” Sanderson’s eyes widened. “Also got a list of other lesser crimes, but they don’t really matter since you gonna hang for murder anyway.”
Bio for Sara Barnard:
Sara Barnard, author of the historical fiction series, An Everlasting Heart, has been reading children’s books her whole life. First, she read then as a child then she read them to her four beautiful children! Sara has her Bachelor’s degree in history, has had her work included in numerous anthologies, and has written several other books to date. Sara and her family make their home in the historic hills of Oklahoma along with their three dogs, three cats, and eight chickens.
Author Contact Info:
http://www.sarabarnardbooks.com is Sara’s website
sarathreesuns.blogspot.com is where she occasionally blogs about life as a Mommy of four and wife to a Drill Sergeant.
@TheSaraBarnard on Twitter
http://www.facebook.com/sara.barnard6 on Facebook
sarathreesuns@gmail.com
January 7, 2013
When Noonday Ends~New Release
When Noonday Ends
When a new attorney accepts a pro-bono case of an abused woman suspected of attempted murder, he ends up with more than he bargained for. She’s the ex-wife of one of the oldest and wealthiest families in Ashville, and her in-laws will stop at nothing to conceal family secrets—even murder.
Unable to ignore his attraction, he gets closer than he should. But when all evidence points to the woman he’s falling in love with, he will risk everything—his reputation, disbarment, maybe even his life to uncover the truth.
Carmen DeSousa Bio:
Carmen characterizes her stories as modern-day fairytales, as they overflow with romance, mystery, suspense, and of course, tragedy. After all, what would a fairytale be without a tragic event setting the stage? All of her novels are sensual, but not erotic, gripping but not graphic and will make you cry, gasp, laugh, love, and hope.
Her first two novels, She Belongs to Me and Land of the Noonday Sun, have reached bestseller status right alongside Nicholas Sparks, J.D. Robb, and other great authors. Her third novel, Entangled Dreams, just published September 2012.
All of her novels are standalones; however, she does link each of her stories with a little surprise. If you read out of order, you’ll never notice. But if you read in order, it’s fun.
Author Contact Info:
Website
Excerpt from When Noonday Ends
Sitting at the back of the courtroom, Tom’s mind wandered. One person after another approached the judge, claiming their innocence. He hated doing this, but the law firm where he worked required all new attorneys to accept hardship cases. To get your feet wet, they’d said.
Like his father before him, he’d chosen a career as an attorney. And for once in his life, his parents were actually proud of him.
Still, most attorneys spent their days off golfing. He couldn’t stand golf, but he’d give anything to be kayaking right now. Often he thought of changing careers, as his best friend Chad had done. He had thrown away four years of medical school to manage an outdoor store he’d inherited from his parents. Tom had always thought that it had been a stupid decision, but now he wondered. His best friend was married to a beautiful woman, had a son, and could kayak every day if he wanted.
What Tom really wanted was to take a few months off from life and hike the Appalachian Trail. After the year he’d had, he really needed some time away from life—all life. But then, his parents would be disappointed, and he’d really miss his niece, Samantha. His sister had been one of the wildest women he’d ever known. But since she’d had Sam, she’d finally settled down and was trying to be a good mother. Being a single mother wasn’t easy, and Michelle needed him. If only to give her at least one night a week to unwind.
Tom threw his head back and closed his eyes. Just the smell of the courthouse was grading on him today. The oil they’d used on the old wooden floors was giving him a migraine.
“No contest, Your Honor.” A soft country voice roused him from his brooding.
Tom forced his eyes to focus on the woman standing in front of the judge. It couldn’t be. The smooth blond hair, that beautiful country voice. Brandy? He shook his head to clear it. Brandy was dead; he’d shot her more than a year ago.
January 1, 2013
400 “Likes” Contest~ 1st winner announced
We’ve hit 100! Congrats Lisa Walker, on being the first winner of my 400 Likes Contest. For every 100 likes, I’m giving away a $50 Amazon gift-card until I hit 400! http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/MelyndaPrice1
