Lauren Dawes's Blog, page 17

Re-release of Rachel M. Raithby's "Deadwood Hunter" series

 
With the launch of Book 3 - Holocaust on the horizon, Rachel M Raithby  has re-released Book 1 Lexia and Book 2 Whispers Of Darkness with brand new Covers and Interiors.  They are on sale starting today and until the Release Day Blitz for Holocaust.  Today is also the exclusive Reveal of
the 2 Book Trailers for the updated books.

 Lexia



Whispers Of Darkness




 



Drawn into a world she thought impossible, Lexia’s innocent night of partying leaves her dazed, confused and asking questions she’s not sure she wishes to know the answers to.

Attacked by vampires, Lexia’s ability to defend herself triggers events she can't escape. Before long, she struggles to keep up a façade around her friends and family.

Then, there is Lincoln. Finding herself irresistibly drawn to him, Lexia senses he desires something more dangerous than a simple romance. Lincoln has secrets and what she learns changes her life forever. 

A story of love, loss, and, betrayal, Lexia and Lincoln’s lives will never be the same again. Lexia Goodreads#FREE  - Amazon US | UK | AU | CA#FREE  Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks


All Lexia ever wanted was to graduate from high school and leave Deadwood. Now she would give anything to have her quiet life back.  With her Father murdered and her best friend, Alice kidnapped, life is anything but simple.
Despite the odds, Lexia and Lincoln, the panther shifter she has fallen in love with, rescue Alice.  On their journey, Lexia meets the one person she least expected to see again, her mother. Seemingly abandoned as a baby, secrets unravel and Lexia learns who she really is.  

Her Mother created her and she was created for one purpose only... Darkness.
Only one thing is certain, sacrifices will be made and lives will be lost.   Whispers of Darkness GoodreadsBUY LINKS - Amazon  US | UK | AU | CA  
She's been named Lexia, 'man's defender', by the one who raised her and died for her, the man she called her father.She's been named Maura, 'for darkness', by the woman who created her, a mother who sees her as a weapon, and tool for power.
She has battled for her freedom, for the revenge of her father’s death, and then given it all up to save the man she loves.
She's given up her soul, her humanity, and now, there is only one question left. Can she create her own destiny or is she bound to follow the fateset for her before she was born?
Maura?
Lexia?
Only one thing is certain; war is coming. Holocaust GoodreadsPre Order Links - Amazon US | UK | AU | CA  

"Interesting,” Lexia murmured as the pack of wolves surrounded her, each snarling and snapping their teeth, just waiting to rip her to shreds. The dark grey wolf directly in front of her shifted. 
“What about this situation is interesting, hunter?” 
“That a pack of alpha wolves would band together. I presumed you were a normal pack.” She smiled as his face turned to shock. “Yes, I can tell you are all alphas. Just like I’ve known you’ve been living around our base for the past week.” 
“Then why would you walk to your death? Is that what you want, hunter?” 
Lexia feigned a laughed, both bored and amused. She needed to wear her mask here. Bringing shifters into the play could work either in Lexia’s favor or against. “I’m not afraid of death, but I did not come here seeking it. I came to make you a deal.” 
“We do not make deals with hunters,” he growled, his jaw clenching. 
“Yes, I thought you might say that but I think you should listen to what I have to say before we fight. It has been a while since I’ve had a worthwhile opponent, but I really would rather work with you than waste your lives.” 
Lexia suppressed the repulsive shiver threatening to travel down her spine; her words were so like Maura, she felt her stir within. The awakening darkness hoped to take hold again. 
He smiled at her and Lexia sighed. Do I really have to do this? Why can’t things be easy for once? As the wolf behind her crept closer, she kept her eyes focused on the two black wolves at her front. “It really is impressive you’ve banded together to take down the hunters. My mother is quite pissed off with you.” The wolf was a few yards away from her back. “No families to protect, no weaker pack members to be held as threats. Ten strong, top of the pack wolves ready and willing to die for their cause.” 
She moved, whipping around in a blur, her leg curling into the air, kicking out into the wolf’s side. He flew across the ground as the other two leapt. Twisting toward the floor, Lexia missed the first wolf as it sailed over her head and met the third full on. They crashed to the floor, soil flying up into the air. Lexia didn’t try to get away. Instead, she ignored the sharp teeth that ripped her flesh. Wrapping her arms around the wolf, she squeezed, hearing one, two, three ribs crack. The wolf whimpered, his grip on her flesh loosening until he was pinned beneath her, a knife to his throat. 
The urge to release the wolf and run coursed through her. She looked into the wolf’s eyes seeing the monster she’d become, the monster her mother had made. Only the need to see her mother’s demise kept her together. 
“Impressive. You’re strong, but you all still have your humanity. I may not have your mate, child, brother, or friend held at knifepoint, but you still care. You’d all feel something if I sliced my knife into his throat. Someone once told me your humanity was your strength. Maybe it is. If I killed this wolf now, you’d all fight with a strength powered by loss, revenge, and maybe I wouldn’t get out of it. First though, will you listen to me? Just hear me out, and then by all means, try to kill me.” 
Lexia stood up, backing away from the wolf at her feet, palms up and looking at the man who remained in his human form. 
“Who are you?” he asked. 
“I’m Maura, or maybe you’ve heard of me by the name Lexia?” Her choice to use Maura purely so Lincoln wouldn’t find out she was back. She might be Lexia again, but never could she be his Lexia, his Wildcat. By the widening of his eyes and sharp intake of breath, he knew. 
“You’re Lincoln Turner’s mate.” 
“No, I’m not. I’ll never be her again. I am a hunter and I’ll die a hunter. First though, I plan to kill my mother and destroy her plans.” Lexia was surprised by the calm, level tone she upheld. Just the mention of Lincoln’s name caused her insides to lurch. 
“You’d kill your own mother?” he asked surprised. 
“Do not mistake me for someone who cares. I feel nothing for her. I feel nothing.” The lie rolled easily off her tongue. It was days like today, when she so easily slipped on Maura’s mask, that she wondered who she truly was. She wanted with all of her soul to be Lexia, but the name didn’t quite fit anymore. She’d spilt too much blood, and Maura; Maura represented the darkest of her days, a darkness she never wanted to visit again.
“But why would you want the hunters dead in the first place?” 
“My reasons are none of your concern. Will you help me or not?” 
“Why not just kill her yourself?” he asked, standing firm. 
“Oh, don’t worry. I plan to kill her, but she is not the only problem. There is more than one head to this monster and not all are so easily within my reach. It appears some of the humans are behind this program.” 
Lexia wasn’t sure of everyone who needed to be eliminated. All she knew was it would be an impossible task to take on alone. 
“Human?” he whispered, looking horrified. “Yes, shifter, monsters come in all shapes and forms.” 
“How do I know you’re telling me the truth?” 
“You don’t, but I’m hoping one of you is called Adam?”
Lexia silently pleaded with the universe for her hunch to be right. A white wolf fidgeted to her right. “I’m also guessing what brought the ten of you together was your hatred for the hunters. You’ve chosen to fight instead of hiding, which means you’ve either a death wish, or have nothing left to live for, other than revenge, and the grief of those you’ve lost.”
Still the wolves seemed unaffected by her words. Lexia decided to put her cards on the table. Turning, she looked at the white wolf she hoped was the Adam who belonged to the shifter woman locked in her room. “Adam, Sahara is still alive.” 
He shifted, anger and desperation evident on every line on his face. Stepping forward, his body language screamed of aggression. 
“Where is she? How do I know you are telling the truth?” His words were savage, etched with the growl of his wolf. Lexia held her hand toward him. 
“Here. I rubbed my hand through her hair before I left.” The other shifter stepped out, his arm blocking Adam’s path. 
“Adam! She could just be tricking you. You’ve seen how fast she moves. Her knife could be in your chest in seconds.” 
Lexia pulled her sword from its sheath and her knife from the holder on her thigh. Throwing them to the ground, she inhaled deeply, hoping she’d not just made a grave mistake.
“I mean you no harm.” She offered her hand again. Adam walked slowly forward, his grey eyes never leaving hers. Slowly, he took her hand and brought it to his nose. The second he caught the scent of his mate, his whole body relaxed and he clung onto Lexia’s hand breathing deeper. 
“Sahara,” he whispered. Lexia felt the pain in his words as if they were her own. For a second, she imagined it was Lincoln in front of her. For a second, she longed to be with her mate again. 
“She’s alive, Adam, and I’m willing to get her out in exchange for your pack’s help,” she said dully. Her words no longer sounded like Maura’s. Just being around shifters brought her so much pain, so much longing. 
“Anything,” he whispered, releasing her hand. Emotion filled eyes. 
“Now wait, Adam, you can’t decide for us all. She might never follow through, and Sahara could be dead,” the shifter ground out through clenched teeth while the rest of the wolves grew visibly restless. 
“Grey, if there was a chance your mate was alive, you’d have us all walk to our deaths for her,” Adam stated. 
“Just so you know, I don’t have long. Leaving the compound isn’t the easiest of tasks, and Sahara doesn’t have long either. The reason my mother is capturing shifters is because she’s experimenting on them. I broke Sahara out earlier, but her disappearance has been noticed.” They all growled in unison, closing in. 
Lexia held her ground when her every instinct said run. “Kill me now and there is no one to help her. My mother will stop at nothing to get what she wants.” She took a small step toward Grey, grounding out, “Will you help me?” 
“Why not ask your panther to help you?” he spat. Lexia paused, as she silently struggled with an explanation that wouldn’t give too much away. Lincoln would do anything for her but she knew they could never be together again. She’d done too much to deserve that happy ending. 
“I do not want him involved,” she snapped. 
“So you still do care?” Grey stated smugly. 
Yes, so so much. Though Lexia would never admit that. “You are all the same, grasping at any sign of hope, of emotion. If Lincoln were involved, he’d be too busy trying to save me, but I was lost a long time ago. I may not come out of this alive, and I don’t care, but he does. That will jeopardize the mission and he’d end up dead. I joined my mother so he could live. I gave up my life, my humanity for him. It would all be pointless if he died.” 
Grey smiled and Lexia wasn’t sure why; wasn’t sure what secret she’d given away. Do you see through the mask I cling to so precariously? 
“We’ll help you once we’ve received Sahara.” 
“Good. Sahara will arrive after dark today. She’ll be hidden inside a truck on a supply run. Do not show yourself until you are sure it’s her. She will be with a hunter. Harm him and our deal is off. Sahara must be taken far away from here. Lucy Hunter can never know I helped you, not yet anyway.” 
Lexia turned, walking away with an emotion she’d not felt in a long time swirling within her. Hope. 
“Lexia, how will we get the information from you?” 
Looking back as she walked, Lexia called, “I’ll find you.” Her pace quickened, ready to run. “Oh, and, Grey, tell no one of this meeting. Not even Linc.”     
© Rachel M Raithby 2015

© Rachel M Raithby 2015

© Rachel M Raithby 2015 background image painted by Kat Smith

© Rachel M Raithby 2015

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Born and raised in N.E.England before moving to New Zealand in 2008. She now lives in Queensland, Austraila with her Husband, three Children and a Golden Lab. Paranormal Romance Author of The Deadwood Hunter Series and YA Paranormal Author of Winter Wolf. A New Dawn Novel She hopes you love her characters as much as she does :)


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Book Spotlight: "Shadows of Light" by A. Finlay

Some people run away from the past, but Aaliya’s past is running away from her. The friends she could always count on are breaking ties and she can’t fathom why. 
As her summer holiday from work draws to a depressing close, she wakes to find a creature watching her in the night. She attempts to pass it off as a hallucination, only to come face to face with an ethereal being telling her to run.
Aaliya is left questioning the spiritual realm.
Her path crosses with a mysterious guy from work, and she can’t get him out of her mind. But something isn’t right. He’s always around when the dark creatures are watching.
Aaliya soon discovers she is more than human. 
She has abilities. 
As Aaliya uncovers her dark ancestry, she comes face to face with her own demons. She learns that the line between good and evil is sometimes a matter of perspective, and war can be declared from a simple lack of understanding.
Shadows of Light dares to play in the Christian genre without advocating religion. The story and its characters, honour the origins of angel and demon legends with biblical quotes that may just have you wondering if the creatures are real.

Genre: Urban Fantasy Length: 356 pages
What people are saying about "Shadows of Light"
Amazon Review
"Shadows of light is an amazing read. Don't let the religious aspects of the book scare you off. This book will have you hooked and begging for more. I couldn't put it down and cannot wait for the next installment."

GoogleBooks Review

"What a brilliant start to this trilogy! An unexpected delight with twists and turns that keep you on your toes - and most importantly, keep you reading."
Where can I get my copy?  

Amazon | GoogleBooks


About the author    

A. Finlay (Alison Finlay) is an Australian Fiction Author, residing in Melbourne. She began writing the Shadows of Light trilogy in January 2009, when she was 25 years old and by June of the same year she had finished the first manuscript and planned the next two books in the series.Website | Facebook | Twitter

Book Spotlight: "Coercion" by Andrew Ivine

Events in Seattle went to hell. Good people died and Sydney was left with the psychic echo of a monster in her head, a growing influence that feeds upon her own psi affliction to gain a foothold, to try and take her body as his own. His presence, her lover’s death, the growing intolerance of psi in the world, drove her to quit the police force and leave Seattle.

Now Sydney is lost in the world, trying to forget her past and find her place, but the past can’t be left behind so easily. An old enemy is coming for her, new enemies are in front of her, and a meddlesome werewolf is about to pop back into her life.

Petty sheriffs, missing kids, sociopathic Psis, a basement prison, psychotic werewolves and really bad taste in one night stands… what’s a girl to do?

Genre: Urban Fantasy Length: 414 pages
What people are saying about "Coercion"
Amazon Review
"This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites. The first book, Affliction, was a real page turner and I was not disappointed with the sequel ‘Coercion’...It was fantastic, well-written, and kept you wanting to know what happens next. I couldn't stop reading."

Amazon Review

"I literally could not put it down. I liked the character development. The time line of the story was easy to keep up with, even though a back story was being developed along the way. The psi characters and the werewolves were surprising original. All I can say is there better be a sequel."
Where can I get my copy?  

Amazon


About the author    

Hi, my name's Andrew and I currently reside in South Australia where I work full time and write in every available moment that I can carve out for myself. I have always been drawn to the supernatural and the fantastical, they are what invigorate me when I read and what I love to write.

The first novel I wrote featured biblical vampires that had emerged from the Garden of Eden and the angelic wars that raged against them. My first novel and unlikely to ever see the light of day.

Affliction is my first attempt to publish a novel and it emerged from several incoherent concepts that filled my mind. It was an opportunity to explore prejudice and persecution in an urban fantasy setting and I loved every minute I spent writing it. As most authors will agree there is nothing more amazing than plunging head first into a world that exists only in your head and bringing it to life for everyone else.Website | Facebook

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: "Affliction" by Andrew Irvine

It’s the usual story. Girl meets girl. Girl arrests girl. Girl gets caught up in massive underground movement to liberate society from government oppression. Oh and there is the small matter of an albino werewolf wreaking havoc on the city…

In recent years the government has reluctantly acknowledged the existence and rights of werewolves in society. All the while brutally resisting a new ‘disease’ that is sweeping through the world, a sexually transmitted disease that gifts the afflicted with psychic powers.

‘Psi’ has become an underground phenomenon amongst the lonely, disenfranchised and those seeking a connection in their mundane lives. The government has responded with incarceration, ‘rehabilitation’ centres and in the most extreme cases execution of the afflicted.

Detective Sydney Summers went undercover to bust a major ‘Psi’ ring. She fell in love. She arrested her girlfriend and had her sentenced to death for her crimes. Now she is one of the afflicted herself. Sydney is also one of the Officers charged with protecting the public from this affliction. As a series of hate crimes and increasingly violent murders take place in her city Sydney is partnered with the handsome and enigmatic Federal Agent Michael Marsters to stop the killer. A killer Michael seems intimately familiar with, what secret’s is he hiding?

As Sydney’s psi abilities become critical to catching the killer she is faced with a terrible choice: stop the killer and expose herself or have the blood of the innocent on her hands.

Genre: Urban Fantasy Length: 305 pages
What people are saying about "Afflicted"
Amazon Review
"This is definitely not for the faint-hearted; The most dramatic scenes in Affliction are charged with macabre and sensual details that deeply affect the supernatural characters that readers could easily connect with."


Where can I get my copy?  

Amazon

About the author    

Hi, my name's Andrew and I currently reside in South Australia where I work full time and write in every available moment that I can carve out for myself. I have always been drawn to the supernatural and the fantastical, they are what invigorate me when I read and what I love to write.

The first novel I wrote featured biblical vampires that had emerged from the Garden of Eden and the angelic wars that raged against them. My first novel and unlikely to ever see the light of day.

Affliction is my first attempt to publish a novel and it emerged from several incoherent concepts that filled my mind. It was an opportunity to explore prejudice and persecution in an urban fantasy setting and I loved every minute I spent writing it. As most authors will agree there is nothing more amazing than plunging head first into a world that exists only in your head and bringing it to life for everyone else.Website | Facebook



*** Giveaway is open internationally ***
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Spotlight: "Smash" by Susan Child

Can a vampire and a human find love, or will the rules of his society tear them apart?

When Melissa Waters attends the opening of Smash, a newly renovated nightclub, she meets a man who will change her life forever.

David thought his time with Melissa would just be a one-night stand, but he can't get the beautiful redhead off his mind. He wants more. But she's human. David's father, the king of the vampires, will never allow them to pursue a relationship. He will stop at nothing to ensure that his son mates with another vampire. When he abducts Melissa, David is in a race against time to locate her and save her life.

*** "Smash" will be ON SALE for 0.99c the entire month of March ***


Genre: Paranormal Erotica Length: 96 pages
What people are saying about "Smash"
Amazon Review
"This book is well written and the character development is outstanding...The book has drama,suspense,romance and sex"

Amazon Review

" If you love reading about vampires then Smash is not the book to let slip out of your hands. Pick up your copy today! You will not regret it in the least."
Where can I get my copy?  

Amazon


About the author    

When Susan was in high school, she never really liked to read, but when she was a child she did. Go figure. It wasn’t until after she graduated that she caught the reading bug.  Susan had to go to a book store to sell off her text books and a particular book caught her eye. This book stood out from the other second-hand books because it had a pink cover. It was only a couple of dollars, so she thought, “Why not?” But she couldn't quite bring herself to read her bargain book. It had a pink cover!

Then, after it tormented her for three weeks, she finally picked it up and... could not put it down. Susan finished it in two days!

After Google-ing the author and found that she’d written a heap of books for Harlequin Mills & Boon as well as Single Titles. So of course Susan had to buy all her other books! And when she realised that there were other Mills & Boon authors out there, she just had to search out their books, too. And she loved them!

Susan got a ton of inspiration from those books. But the most important thing she realized was that she wanted to write those books, too. She wanted to be a Paranormal author! Because let's face it, who doesn't like things that go bump in the night? 

Website | Facebook

Cover Reveals: The Deadwood Hunter Series by Rachel M. Raithby

With the release for the last of the Trilogy of the series Rachel has revamped the first two books and then ordered 3 new covers for the series.

Drawn into a world she thought impossible, Lexia’s innocent night of partying leaves her dazed, confused and asking questions she’s not sure she wishes to know the answers to. Attacked by vampires, Lexia’s ability to defend herself triggers events she can't escape. Before long, she struggles to keep up a façade around her friends and family. 
Then, there is Lincoln. Finding herself irresistibly drawn to him, Lexia senses he desires something more dangerous than a simple romance. Lincoln has secrets and what she learns changes her life forever.

A story of love, loss, and, betrayal, Lexia and Lincoln’s lives will never be the same again.



Goodreads BUY LINKS - Amazon US | UK | AU | CABarnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks







All Lexia ever wanted was to graduate from high school and leave Deadwood. Now she would give anything to have her quiet life back. Her father was murdered and her best friend, Alice kidnapped. With the help of Lincoln, the Panther Shifter she has fallen in Love with, they rescue Alice. But rescuing her wasn't as easy as first thought and Lexia and Lincoln barely make it out alive.
Lexia met her mother, the mother she thought had left her as a baby. But secrets unravel and Lexia learns who she really is. Her mother created her and she was created for one purpose only...

Darkness.

Follow Lexia as she runs from her mother and the fate she set for her. Can Lexia fight the darkness within her? Can she have the "happily ever after'" she wants? Only one thing is certain: sacrifices will be made and lives will be lost.



Goodreads BUY LINKS - Amazon US | UK | AU | CABarnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks
5





She's been named Lexia, 'man's defender', by the one who raised her and died for her, the man she called her father. She's been named Maura, 'for darkness', by the woman who created her, a mother who sees her as a weapon, and tool for power. She has battled for her freedom, for the revenge of her father’s death, and then given it all up to save the man she loves.

She's given up her soul, her humanity, and now, there is only one question left. Can she create her own destiny or is she bound to follow the fate set for her before she was born?

Maura?

Lexia?

Only one thing is certain; war is coming.


GoodreadsPre Order Links - Amazon US | UK | AU | CA

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"Interesting,” Lexia murmured as the pack of wolves surrounded her, each snarling and snapping their teeth, just waiting to rip her to shreds. The dark grey wolf directly in front of her shifted. 
“What about this situation is interesting, hunter?” 
“That a pack of alpha wolves would band together. I presumed you were a normal pack.” She smiled as his face turned to shock. “Yes, I can tell you are all alphas. Just like I’ve known you’ve been living around our base for the past week.” 
“Then why would you walk to your death? Is that what you want, hunter?” 
Lexia feigned a laughed, both bored and amused. She needed to wear her mask here. Bringing shifters into the play could work either in Lexia’s favor or against. “I’m not afraid of death, but I did not come here seeking it. I came to make you a deal.” 
“We do not make deals with hunters,” he growled, his jaw clenching. 
“Yes, I thought you might say that but I think you should listen to what I have to say before we fight. It has been a while since I’ve had a worthwhile opponent, but I really would rather work with you than waste your lives.” 
Lexia suppressed the repulsive shiver threatening to travel down her spine; her words were so like Maura, she felt her stir within. The awakening darkness hoped to take hold again. 
He smiled at her and Lexia sighed. Do I really have to do this? Why can’t things be easy for once? As the wolf behind her crept closer, she kept her eyes focused on the two black wolves at her front. “It really is impressive you’ve banded together to take down the hunters. My mother is quite pissed off with you.” The wolf was a few yards away from her back. “No families to protect, no weaker pack members to be held as threats. Ten strong, top of the pack wolves ready and willing to die for their cause.” 
She moved, whipping around in a blur, her leg curling into the air, kicking out into the wolf’s side. He flew across the ground as the other two leapt. Twisting toward the floor, Lexia missed the first wolf as it sailed over her head and met the third full on. They crashed to the floor, soil flying up into the air. Lexia didn’t try to get away. Instead, she ignored the sharp teeth that ripped her flesh. Wrapping her arms around the wolf, she squeezed, hearing one, two, three ribs crack. The wolf whimpered, his grip on her flesh loosening until he was pinned beneath her, a knife to his throat. 
The urge to release the wolf and run coursed through her. She looked into the wolf’s eyes seeing the monster she’d become, the monster her mother had made. Only the need to see her mother’s demise kept her together. 
“Impressive. You’re strong, but you all still have your humanity. I may not have your mate, child, brother, or friend held at knifepoint, but you still care. You’d all feel something if I sliced my knife into his throat. Someone once told me your humanity was your strength. Maybe it is. If I killed this wolf now, you’d all fight with a strength powered by loss, revenge, and maybe I wouldn’t get out of it. First though, will you listen to me? Just hear me out, and then by all means, try to kill me.” 
Lexia stood up, backing away from the wolf at her feet, palms up and looking at the man who remained in his human form. 
“Who are you?” he asked. 
“I’m Maura, or maybe you’ve heard of me by the name Lexia?” Her choice to use Maura purely so Lincoln wouldn’t find out she was back. She might be Lexia again, but never could she be his Lexia, his Wildcat. By the widening of his eyes and sharp intake of breath, he knew. 
“You’re Lincoln Turner’s mate.” 
“No, I’m not. I’ll never be her again. I am a hunter and I’ll die a hunter. First though, I plan to kill my mother and destroy her plans.” Lexia was surprised by the calm, level tone she upheld. Just the mention of Lincoln’s name caused her insides to lurch. 
“You’d kill your own mother?” he asked surprised. 
“Do not mistake me for someone who cares. I feel nothing for her. I feel nothing.” The lie rolled easily off her tongue. It was days like today, when she so easily slipped on Maura’s mask, that she wondered who she truly was. She wanted with all of her soul to be Lexia, but the name didn’t quite fit anymore. She’d spilt too much blood, and Maura; Maura represented the darkest of her days, a darkness she never wanted to visit again.
“But why would you want the hunters dead in the first place?” 
“My reasons are none of your concern. Will you help me or not?” 
“Why not just kill her yourself?” he asked, standing firm. 
“Oh, don’t worry. I plan to kill her, but she is not the only problem. There is more than one head to this monster and not all are so easily within my reach. It appears some of the humans are behind this program.” 
Lexia wasn’t sure of everyone who needed to be eliminated. All she knew was it would be an impossible task to take on alone. 
“Human?” he whispered, looking horrified. “Yes, shifter, monsters come in all shapes and forms.” 
“How do I know you’re telling me the truth?” 
“You don’t, but I’m hoping one of you is called Adam?”
Lexia silently pleaded with the universe for her hunch to be right. A white wolf fidgeted to her right. “I’m also guessing what brought the ten of you together was your hatred for the hunters. You’ve chosen to fight instead of hiding, which means you’ve either a death wish, or have nothing left to live for, other than revenge, and the grief of those you’ve lost.”
Still the wolves seemed unaffected by her words. Lexia decided to put her cards on the table. Turning, she looked at the white wolf she hoped was the Adam who belonged to the shifter woman locked in her room. “Adam, Sahara is still alive.” 
He shifted, anger and desperation evident on every line on his face. Stepping forward, his body language screamed of aggression. 
“Where is she? How do I know you are telling the truth?” His words were savage, etched with the growl of his wolf. Lexia held her hand toward him. 
“Here. I rubbed my hand through her hair before I left.” The other shifter stepped out, his arm blocking Adam’s path. 
“Adam! She could just be tricking you. You’ve seen how fast she moves. Her knife could be in your chest in seconds.” 
Lexia pulled her sword from its sheath and her knife from the holder on her thigh. Throwing them to the ground, she inhaled deeply, hoping she’d not just made a grave mistake.
“I mean you no harm.” She offered her hand again. Adam walked slowly forward, his grey eyes never leaving hers. Slowly, he took her hand and brought it to his nose. The second he caught the scent of his mate, his whole body relaxed and he clung onto Lexia’s hand breathing deeper. 
“Sahara,” he whispered. Lexia felt the pain in his words as if they were her own. For a second, she imagined it was Lincoln in front of her. For a second, she longed to be with her mate again. 
“She’s alive, Adam, and I’m willing to get her out in exchange for your pack’s help,” she said dully. Her words no longer sounded like Maura’s. Just being around shifters brought her so much pain, so much longing. 
“Anything,” he whispered, releasing her hand. Emotion filled eyes. 
“Now wait, Adam, you can’t decide for us all. She might never follow through, and Sahara could be dead,” the shifter ground out through clenched teeth while the rest of the wolves grew visibly restless. 
“Grey, if there was a chance your mate was alive, you’d have us all walk to our deaths for her,” Adam stated. 
“Just so you know, I don’t have long. Leaving the compound isn’t the easiest of tasks, and Sahara doesn’t have long either. The reason my mother is capturing shifters is because she’s experimenting on them. I broke Sahara out earlier, but her disappearance has been noticed.” They all growled in unison, closing in. 
Lexia held her ground when her every instinct said run. “Kill me now and there is no one to help her. My mother will stop at nothing to get what she wants.” She took a small step toward Grey, grounding out, “Will you help me?” 
“Why not ask your panther to help you?” he spat. Lexia paused, as she silently struggled with an explanation that wouldn’t give too much away. Lincoln would do anything for her but she knew they could never be together again. She’d done too much to deserve that happy ending. 
“I do not want him involved,” she snapped. 
“So you still do care?” Grey stated smugly. 
Yes, so so much. Though Lexia would never admit that. “You are all the same, grasping at any sign of hope, of emotion. If Lincoln were involved, he’d be too busy trying to save me, but I was lost a long time ago. I may not come out of this alive, and I don’t care, but he does. That will jeopardize the mission and he’d end up dead. I joined my mother so he could live. I gave up my life, my humanity for him. It would all be pointless if he died.” 
Grey smiled and Lexia wasn’t sure why; wasn’t sure what secret she’d given away. Do you see through the mask I cling to so precariously? 
“We’ll help you once we’ve received Sahara.” 
“Good. Sahara will arrive after dark today. She’ll be hidden inside a truck on a supply run. Do not show yourself until you are sure it’s her. She will be with a hunter. Harm him and our deal is off. Sahara must be taken far away from here. Lucy Hunter can never know I helped you, not yet anyway.” 
Lexia turned, walking away with an emotion she’d not felt in a long time swirling within her. Hope. 
“Lexia, how will we get the information from you?” 
Looking back as she walked, Lexia called, “I’ll find you.” Her pace quickened, ready to run. “Oh, and, Grey, tell no one of this meeting. Not even Linc.”     
© Rachel M Raithby 2015

Rachel M Raithby Copyright 2015


  


Born and raised in N.E. England before moving to New Zealand in 2008. She now lives in Queensland, Australia with her Husband, three Children and a Golden Lab. Paranormal Romance Author of The Deadwood Hunter Series and YA Paranormal Author of Winter Wolf. A New Dawn Novel. She hopes you love her characters as much as she does :)

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Facebook - I'm Iogging out permanently

Facebook. It's something people can't seem to live without. When I first joined up in 2005 (seriously 10 years ago??) it was for the simple purpose of staying in touch with friends overseas. Now I'm struggling to see the point of it.
As an author, my news feed is crammed full of blog posts about book reviews that aren't my book and from boasting indie authors about how many great reviews their erotica (yawn) /YA/romance novel has.
Instead of inspiring me, I discovered that it causes me to feel like sh*t. Seriously if you want to feel bad about yourself and your achievements, all you need to do is go onto Facebook for a healthy dose of egotistical bragging from indie authors and general ass kissing of the same authors by book blogs. I'm not lumping all blogs and indie authors in together on this, but for the vast majority, this is true. Case in point...

I had one goal with my writing and that was to get a book traditionally published. I was thrilled when that actually happened with Momemtum - a division of MacMillan for not one of my books, but three!
If a publisher wanted them, they had to be good, right? I know they're good but can anyone else see that? Of course not. My books don't get a look in over the done-to-death clichéd plot lines, cookie-cutter characters (same person, different name) and stilted speech of so called "Amazon Best Sellers".
And don't even get me started on covers and teasers filled with images that need an R rating.
Facebook is less a way to stay in touch with friends than it is one big platform where humility and modesty go to die. You may be wondering where this rant is going. I did too but as I wrote it, I came up with a solution. As much as I'd like to shut down my personal account, I can't. My author page is attached to it and in pretty sure my publisher will kill me for suspending my account.
What I am going to do is delete the app from my phone and delete the bookmark from my PC. I will update my author page with any writing progress or news so my fans (if a have any) can have updates but that's all. I'm going to give my bruised self-esteem time to heal and recover from the toxic platform that is Facebook. 

Author Spotlight: Kimberley Clark

The Species Within: Battles in the Dark (book 1)

Kira, a huntress plagued by dreams of fire and pain has worked tirelessly to rid her city of the scourge that has nearly destroyed it…nostvores, mythlend creatures with dark and vast appetites for blood and sex. She does this not only because they had killed so many people in her life, but also because she has an edge that no other human had…she has their abilities. The problem was, these abilities were killing her and she feared time was no longer on her side.

So the moment she found out that Darius, a nostvore leader was threatening to awaken an indestructible species to help him enslave all humans and mythlends, and that she may be the key to his plan, she knew her only choice was to risk her life with the little time that she had left and join her enemy to find out why, and to make sure his plan failed.

If that wasn’t dangerous enough, the more time she spends with the Vanatre nostvore Emmerich, and the mooran Kuron, who she brings with her for protection, the less she wants to kill them. Instead, she feels an unexplainable attraction towards them both, and she fears surrendering to such desire with either is a deadly game to play, for she would not only be risking her life, but quite possibly her heart.



The Ultimate Killer: Battles in the Dark (book 2)

Brought back to life, Kira awoke to a world where she no longer belonged. She was one of them now…a mythlend, the scourge that she’d lived her entire life hunting. What was worse, she had become the species that she and a number of other mythlends had tried desperately to stop from being awoken…the Hunrati. But they had failed.

By the time Kira had opened her eyes, the Hunrati were already living up to their reputation, torturing, massacring, burning cities to the ground like all indestructible killing machines do when they see themselves as gods; any resistance to their actions were therefore deemed futile within days of their first appearance. Kira wanted to stop them, but she had become their prisoner when she attacked their Queen out of rage for what they had done, and as such, she was rendered incapable of using any of her abilities.

Trapped, alone, and not knowing what had happened to those she cared about, her only way out was to earn their trust. That meant getting close to the volatile and extremely attractive Pheres, and doing everything he instructed, regardless of how depraved it was. But how close was she willing to allow such a dangerous creature when he wasn’t the man she loved? Better yet…how far was she willing to go before she lost her humanity completely? 





Kimberley lives by the idea that everyone should have a bucket list of things they want to accomplish in life, but not only to have a list, but attempt to mark off as many items as possible. One goal that was high on hers was writing a novel and having it published. This idea of writing a novel wasn’t new to her, but an inevitability, as her love of reading books and watching movies inspired her to create her own stories. When the day came that she finally did start to write, she realized that this was going to be something that she wanted to do more than once, emphasized by the fact that her first novel was to be book 1 of a trilogy, and that there are many more stories waiting inside her head ready to be created. Her hope is that not only for people to enjoy hers books, but that people are inspired by them as others have inspired her. Kimberley was born in Sydney, Australia, and currently resides in the Gold Coast hinterland.

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Book Spotlight & Giveaway: "Happily Evan After" by Michelle Irwin

Evan is a reluctant cupid.  

Facing an unknown term of servitude to repay his debt to the world, it is his responsibility to guide couples together. Despite initial hesitancy, he has learned to handle every case with care and he now basks in the afterglow of new-found love and relishes in the energy it provides him. But his end goal is still the promise of paradise in return for his penance. 

It's all going according to plan until he receives an assignment that is inconceivable to him. He has to find a mate for Becca, within whom lives the reincarnated soul of his one true love. Bound by his duty to find her a match, he must resist her charm and suppress his own desires. It is his job and he cannot fail, even if his own paradise now seems lost. 

 For a cupid, falling in love is against the rules.

 Isn't it?

Genre: Paranormal Rom ComLength: 261 pages
What people are saying about "Happily Evan After"
 "What a great story I did not want to put it down! I really enjoyed reading Evan and Becca's story. You could feel there emotional ups and downs as he struggled with his feelings! Must Read light story!!!" ~ Amazon Review 
 "I enjoy reading this book...it was a great read. I like Evan. He's a sweet, loving guy and I can't just like Drew for any reason. He's a good guy in his own way, but sometimes, a woman deserves to be loved for who she is and not trying desperately to change her into what you want her to be.
Interesting story. If you like romantic comedy, you will like this book. I recommend."~Amazon Review
Where can I get my copy?
Amazon

About the Author
  Michelle Irwin has been many things in her life: a hobbit taking a precious item to a fiery mountain; a young child stepping through the back of a wardrobe into another land; the last human stranded not-quite-alone in space three million years in the future; a young girl willing to fight for the love of a vampire; and a time-travelling madman in a box. She achieved all of these feats and many more through her voracious reading habit. Eventually, so much reading had to have an effect and the cast of characters inside her mind took over and spilled out onto the page.

Michelle lives in sunny Queensland in the land down under with her surprisingly patient husband and ever-intriguing daughter, carving out precious moments of writing and reading time around her accounts-based day job. A lover of love and overcoming the odds, she primarily writes paranormal and fantasy romance. 
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Book Spotlight & Giveaway: "Through the Fire (Daughter of Fire #1)" by Michelle Irwin

Through the Fire (Daughter of Fire #1)Evie Meyers’ life is one spent on the run. Every minute of every day, her life is in danger if anyone should suspect the truth about her ancestry. Her father was willing to risk everything to keep the truth hidden, even from her, but the lies he fabricated were exposed when her high school crush, Clay Jacobs, inadvertently stumbled upon her secret. His discovery puts Evie at risk from a secret organization tasked with washing the world clean of nonhumans—and Clay is one of its deadliest soldiers. Forced into a war she doesn’t understand, all because of what she is, Evie is left with no choice but to flee with her father to escape persecution.
When Clay reappears in her life, battle scarred and mysterious, Evie is unprepared and terrified as he forces his way back into her heart. When the battle catches up with her, and a tragic accident tears apart the peace she discovered, she finds herself alone and without the protection of her father, or her lover. Now, she needs to keep her secrets hidden and learn to survive on her own in a world that wants her dead, all while searching for the missing piece of her heart.
I cuGenre:  NA paranormal romanceLength: 224 pages
What people are saying about "Through the Fire"...
 "The pace and writing were well done for a debut novel. The story met the standards of a YA/Paranormal Romance. Evie's heritage is unique, and fae were recast in a non-traditional way." ~ Amazon Review
"A cross between a tragic love story and a young girls quest to survive. For a first book in a novel series Michelle has done an outstanding job of capturing your attention while having you spellbound as you travel to another dimension. An emotional roller coaster having you laugh, smile, cry and become fueled with anger through the journey you take as you read and live through each chapter of the book." ~ Amazon Review
Where can I get my copy?
Amazon |  iTunes | B&N | Kobo |  Inktera | Smashwords

About the Author
  Michelle Irwin has been many things in her life: a hobbit taking a precious item to a fiery mountain; a young child stepping through the back of a wardrobe into another land; the last human stranded not-quite-alone in space three million years in the future; a young girl willing to fight for the love of a vampire; and a time-travelling madman in a box. She achieved all of these feats and many more through her voracious reading habit. Eventually, so much reading had to have an effect and the cast of characters inside her mind took over and spilled out onto the page.

Michelle lives in sunny Queensland in the land down under with her surprisingly patient husband and ever-intriguing daughter, carving out precious moments of writing and reading time around her accounts-based day job. A lover of love and overcoming the odds, she primarily writes paranormal and fantasy romance. 
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