Karen Swart's Blog, page 15

Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: Madison's Song by @ChristineAmsden

 

Madison's Song

Cassie Scot

Spin Off Standalone

Christine Amsden

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Twilight Times Books

Date of Publication: July 15, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-60619-283-2

ASIN:

Number of pages: 272

Word Count: 90,000

Cover Artist: Tamian Wood

Book Description:

Her voice is enchanting; his soul is black…

Madison Carter has been terrified of Scott Lee since the night he saved her from an evil sorcerer – then melted into a man-eating monster before her eyes. The werewolf is a slave to the moon, but Madison’s nightmares are not.

Despite her fears, when Madison’s brother, Clinton, is bitten by a werewolf, she knows there is only one man who can help. A man who frightens her all the more because even in her nightmares, he also thrills her.

Together for the first time since that terrible night, Scott and Madison drive to Clinton’s home only to discover that he’s vanished. Frantic now, Madison must overcome her fears and uncover hidden strengths if she hopes to save him. And she’s not the only one fighting inner demons. Scott’s are literal, and they have him convinced that he will never deserve the woman he loves.

*Stand-alone companion to the Cassie Scot series

Available at Amazon BN

Madison couldn't move. The only muscle in her body capable of stirring at all was her heart, and it felt like it was trying to make up for the rest. No ropes bound her. Nothing visible pressed her back and legs into the coarse beige carpet of her new rental home. Yet even as she writhed and twisted against unseen restraints, she knew she was trapped. Tied to the ground in a way that made her feel like a virgin sacrifice atop an altar.

The man looming over her, chanting spells and arranging crystals, didn't look like a powerful sorcerer. David McClellan had too weak a chin and beady little eyes. Those eyes, brown as mud and just as compassionate, told her without words that they would be the last thing she saw.

She didn't even understand why! Not that it would make a difference if she did. But she wasn't anyone special. She wasn't important. She was just an elementary school music teacher – or would be after she finished a semester of student teaching. This kind of thing didn't happen to her. To her friend, Cassie, scion of a powerful family of sorcerers, maybe. But Madison had no family connections and almost no magic aside from her beautiful, subtly enchanting voice. Why would anyone hurt her for a song?

A tear fell sideways into her sweat-dampened hair, joining countless others and doing exactly as much good. How long had she lain here, helpless? Minutes? Hours? It might only have been seconds. The box of “Card and Board Games” she had been carrying into the house lay on its side a foot or two away, some of its contents now strewn across the bare living room floor. There hadn't been any warning. One second she was on the way to her new bedroom to unpack her tenth or eleventh box, the next instant she was on the floor. Immobile. Helpless. Confused. Terrified.

Oh Lord! Why hast thou forsaken me?

There was magic in the air, growing stronger with each new crystal David arranged into a pattern only he could see. Cold, deadly magic that reinforced her every childhood fear. Her father had told her that magic was from the devil. Was this what he'd meant? Was this her punishment for brushing up against the world of sorcery, no matter how lightly?

David placed one last crystal before ceasing his chant. The silence felt ominous, like a lull before the storm, and when he moved away, out of her sight, a fresh wave of panic seized her. She strained anew at her bindings until the scent of incense filled the air. She had a sudden, vivid memory of Palm Sunday Mass, and of Father Owen making the sign of the cross as he wafted the same scent over his congregation. Father Owen didn't believe magic was evil; he had told her more than once not to listen to her father's “superstitious nonsense.”

The time had come to pull herself together. To think. She wasn't helpless. She had a little magic of her own, even if the thought of using it made her feel sick inside. God had not forsaken her. He had given her a tool if only she could rein in her stampeding heart rate long enough to search her memory for what little knowledge she possessed.

First, she had to find her quiet place. Madison drew in a deep, shuddering breath and started to close her eyes, when a glint of something metallic caught her attention. She stared at the long, lethal dagger in David's hands, an ornate golden hilt largely hidden within his iron fist. His eyes drifted up and down the length of her bound body before settling on her midriff. He lowered the blade.

He was going to cut her. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself against the expected pain. Or worse.

Think, Madison. Focus!

She took one last steadying breath. Then she counted. Breathe in one ... two ... three ... four ... breathe out ... five ... six ... seven ...

Her concentration snapped when cold metal bit into warm flesh. Her eyes popped open, her muscles strained once more against invisible bonds, and she screamed.

Wait, she could scream? She had a voice?

“Silence,” David commanded.

Her throat continued to work, but no sound emerged. She felt like a fish being gutted, choking and spluttering as David returned to the work of cutting into the soft, sensitive flesh of her belly. Yet even as tears refilled her eyes and fear devoured her heart some part of her recognized that her guts remained intact. Whatever David was doing to her with the dagger involved tracing shallow patterns across the surface of her skin.

Fight the pain. Take deep breaths. Ground and center. She was not in the empty living room of a house she had not quite moved into yet, she was at church, singing in the choir. Above her, Jesus hung from a cross, a crown of thorns atop his head, a soft glow surrounding him. She usually found the magic within that glow. She reached for it...

“Stop that!” David slapped her hard across the face.

Once again her eyes flew open. She saw the dagger dripping with blood – her blood. Had her feeble grab for magic actually made a difference? David seemed to have noticed something, but what?

“You're just making this harder on yourself,” David said.

“What do you want?” Madison tried to ask. Her mouth moved, her lips forming the question, but no sound emerged.

She didn't think he would answer; he couldn't even have heard the question, but to her surprise he only hesitated a moment before saying, “Your soul.”

Character Name: Madison Carter

Character Bio: Madison Carter is a twenty three-year-old music teacher with a truly gifted voice. When she sings, people listen. When she sings, people find themselves feeling whatever she feels.

 

Describe yourself: what is your worst and best quality?

The best thing about me is my voice, although sometimes I'm afraid it's the worst thing too. My dad forbade me to sing growing up and when I rebelled, he disowned me. He thinks it's from the devil, the way I influence people's feelings when I sing. I'm not sure. Father Owen doesn't think so, and he's a priest.

Sorry to get off track! Maybe I should have gone with something simpler! Best quality: I'm smart. Worst: I don't have a lot of self-confidence.

What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you?

This is going to sound really corny, I'm almost afraid to say it … but I wish people knew how much love I have in me to give. I'm a little shy, so it's hard for people to get to know me; a lot don't even try and I can't blame them. But I wish they knew that I really want people in my life to love.

What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?

I have a secret fascination with red underwear. I can't believe I just said that!

What are you most afraid of?

Werewolves.

What do you want more than anything?

A family. Children. Because of my voice, a lot of people think I should become a professional singer but I'm honestly happy to be a music teacher. I didn't get a degree in music education so I could have a fallback; it's what I honestly want to do – share the joy of music with the next generation.

What is your relationship status?

Single. Very, very single.

How would you describe your sense of fashion?

Fashion? What's that! I mostly wear dark colors and loose clothing that covers my extra thirty pounds.

How much of a rebel are you?

I'm no rebel! Well, hmm … I did defy my father when I want off to college and studied music instead of math. But look how that turned out. He betrayed me, disowned me, said he was never really my father in the first place and then sold my identity to me “real” (biological) father's enemies for the bargain-basement price of $10,000.

What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?

I'm still working on it … a song that's all my own.

What is your idea of happiness?

Family and friends.

What is your current state of mind?

A little nervous. I haven't heard from my brother Clinton in weeks, and it's not like him to just disappear like that.

What is your most treasured possession?

My baby grand piano.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Well, I tend to chew my nails and bite my lips.

What is it that you most dislike?

The fact that I chew my nails and lips!

Which living person do you most despise?

My dad. Well, I guess I should call him Phillip now.

What is your greatest regret?

I had a miscarriage a year-and-a-half ago. It was right after my fiancé betrayed me. (Long story, I don't want to go into it right now.) Anyway, he never even knew I was pregnant so I guess it wasn't his fault. It was mine. Because when he betrayed me, there was a moment when I wished it gone.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Loyalty

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Loyalty.

Which living person do you most admire?

Cassie. She's my best friend and she's so confident. She always seems to know what to say; she has great comebacks!

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

Just one thing? LOL!

What is your motto?

There's always tomorrow.

 

 

 

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Christine Amsden has been writing fantasy and science fiction for as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and relationships, and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.

At the age of 16, Christine was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease, a condition that affects the retina and causes a loss of central vision. She is now legally blind, but has not let this slow her down or get in the way of her dreams.

In addition to writing, Christine teaches workshops on writing at Savvy Authors. She also does some freelance editing work.

Christine currently lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to her success. They have two beautiful children.

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New Release - Dreams - The Arie Chronicles # 2 by Dani Hart @authordanihart @sparklebooktour

Presented by: Sparkle Book Tours






Dreams - The Arie Chronicles # 2 by Dani Hart  
Audience: Young Adult  - Genre: Fantasy - Format: E-Book & Paperback - Publisher: Anchor Group - ASIN: B00ZM52PQU - Date Published: July 13, 2015  
Being forced into a fantastical world was never in Arie’s life plan, yet she quickly fell in love with the world of enchantment. Her determination was to create a life for her newfound little sister, Amary, that was full of hope, tranquility, and love. While losing her best friends during the transition into her new life wasn’t easy, Arie now understood it to be a necessary sacrifice to ensure the safety of Amary and the natural balance of light and dark.

In this journey riddled with power, discovery, and mystery, there was also the threat of destruction. Was Arie’s love enough to protect those she cared for? Or would the price to save the balance of the two worlds she loved come at too high a price?
 
Amazon / Amazon.CA / Amazon.UK  
  I'm a...
Mom
Firefighter Wife
Sister
Sister-In-Law
Daughter
Aunt
Friend
Multi-genre Writer
Reader
and so many other ordinary things.
I love my life and am so grateful for all of the support. I have the courage to live a dream. Xo
 
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Book Blast, Giveaway & Top Ten: Lost - The Caelian Cycle # 1 by @donnielletyner @sparklebooktour

  Presented by: Sparkle Book Tours




Lost - The Caelian Cycle # 1 by Donnielle Tyner
 
Audience: Young Adult - Genre: SciFi, Paranormal - Format: E-book and Paperback - Publisher: Donnielle Tyner - Cover by: Kari Ayasha of Cover to Cover Designs - Editor: Jessica Nelson of Rare Bird Editing - Pages: 208 - ISBN-10: 069243299X  - ISBN-13: 978-0692432990 - ASIN: B00YFPW3N8 - Date Published: 6/19/2015   During WW1, a meteorite crashed, releasing a mist that changed the DNA of all who were exposed. One hundred years has passed and society is divided between the Norms and the Caelians, whose changed DNA awakened dormant gifts, called Talents.
Sadie is over it!
She’s an orphan, her boyfriend was murdered, and she’s the only Caelian at St. Vincent’s without a Talent. Once she turns 18, there will be no place for her in the world. That is, until a chance encounter with Kian, a Caelian boy who makes her feel uncomfortable and alive at the same time.
Secrets of her past are uncovered and Sadie’s latent, rare Talent is exposed. With great power comes the hunters, hired by an egomaniac who wants to use Sadie’s power to establish Caelian dominance. On the run with Kian and her friends, Sadie will have to decide: hide or fight.
Will Sadie accept her new reality or will she stay lost?
  Amazon / Goodreads / Nook / iBooks / Kobo     I put my phone back in my back pocket. Crossing my arms, I looked up at the stars again. The night was devoid of clouds, unusual for spring. Golden stars glittered across the heavens, winking at me from the endless arch of the void and transporting me to a place of tranquillity. The peace of space poured into my soul.
“What’s a Liam moment?” Kian’s gruff voice whispered. I felt his hot breath caress my ear. His closeness both startled me and sent a shiver down my spine. I straightened my back.
“I thought I told you I wasn’t interested.” I attempted to make my voice sound forceful, but it came out soft. I felt the heat from his body as he stepped closer to me.
“What’s your name?” Kian asked. The gruffness of his voice from earlier had left. This new voice was smooth and flowed like poetry. My heart sped up and I heard the blood pulsing in my ears. I was sure he could hear it. What kind of Talent was he using to cause me to react this way?
“Quit using your Talent on me,” I hissed.
“I’m not. If I was, you’d know it,” he replied with a chuckle.
“Oh.” I didn’t understand what was happening. He placed a hand on my waist and the warmth was searing. I was sure it would leave a mark. My eyes closed and my breath deepened. Tingles flowed from his hand, spreading throughout my body and stirring something in my soul. I released a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding. “Take your hand off me and back away before I break your fingers.”
Kian snickered. “Spunky.”
“Creepy,” I replied.
Kian chuckled again, his hot breath shooting sparks right to my stomach.
“Don’t make me ask again.” I felt his hand tense. His fingers increased their pressure against my waist right before the coldness swept in as he removed his hand. I released the breath I was holding.







(no particular order) I’m good – The Mowglis Cough cough – Everything Everything Don’t wanna fight – Alabama Shakes Flaws – Bastille End of the world – Deap Vally Cool kid – The Eeries Pretty girl – Stockholm Syndrome Under stars – Aurora Golden – Parade of Lights Blindfold – Sleeping Wolf Reflections – Misterwives For you – Wolf Rider Two hearts – The Features Technicolour Beat – Oh Wonder

 

Top Ten Fictional Heroes

1. Ava Delaney (Ava Delaney Series)

2. Violet Fairdale (Creepy Hallow)

3. Chance (Shapeshifter Chronicles)

4. Lizzie Bennett (Pride & Prejudice)

5. Lucy Pevensie (Narnia Series)

6. Blue Sargent (Raven Boys)

7. Cress (Lunar Chronicles)

8. Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird)

9. Harry Potter

10. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)

 

 

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Donnielle Tyner has held down many jobs, but never found satisfaction until she became a freelance writer and stay at home mom. She began writing in junior high when a teacher gave her a book of poetry. Ever since, she found a deep passion for reading and writing. Donnielle is from North Texas and enjoys her chickens, garden, and most of all her children.
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon

July 6 Fictional Rendezvous Book Blog http://fictionalrendezvousbookblog.blogspot.com/ Booky Ramblings of a Neurotic Mom http://bookyramblingsofaneuroticmom.blogspot.co.uk/   July 7 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com 2 Girls & A Book http://2girlsandabook.wordpress.com/   July 8 Archaeolibrarian - I dig good books! http://archaeolibrarianologist.blogspot.de/ Chicas Love To Read http://www.chicalovestoread.blogspot.com   July 9 Bookworm for Kids http://www.bookwormforkids.blogspot.com Hope To Read http://hopetoread.com   July 10 Paperback Princess http://princess-paperback.blogspot.com Literary Musing http://literarymusing.weebly.com/   July 13 Indy Book Fairy http://paranormalbookfairy.blogspot.com/ Jrsbookreviews http://www.jrsbookreviews.wordpress.com   July 14 Hobby Lady http://www.mywriterblog.com/kelly/ Eclipse Reviews http://eclipsereviews.weebly.com   July 15 Bound 2 Escape http://www.bound2escape.com Portals to New Worlds http://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com   July 16 Angels with Attitude Book Reviews http://angelswithattitudebookreviews-joelle.blogspot.com Books Books Books http://www.booksbooksbooksblog.com   July 17 The Avid Reader http://the-avidreader.blogspot.com   July 20 Kimber Leigh Writes http://www.kimberleighwheaton.com   July 21 Melissa M Wolff http://www.melissamwolff.com/search/label/posts   July 22 Writing Pearls http://www.writingpearls.com Write Away Bliss http://writeawaybliss.com   July 23 Books, Authors, Blogs http://therightbook4u.blogspot.com Blue Books and Butterflies http://bluebooksandbutterflies.blogspot.com/

Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: Love Spell by Mia Kerick

 

 

 

Love Spell

Mia Kerick

Genre: YA LGBTQ

Contemporary Romantic Comedy

Publisher: CoolDudes Publishing

Date of Publication: June 1, 2015

ISBN: 978-1511831857

Number of pages: 123

Word Count: 44,300

Cover Artist: Louis C Harris

Book Description:

Strutting his stuff on the catwalk in black patent leather pumps and a snug orange tuxedo as this year’s Miss (ter) Harvest Moon feels so very right to Chance César, and yet he knows it should feel so very wrong.

As far back as he can remember, Chance has been “caught between genders.” (It’s quite a touchy subject; so don’t ask him about it.) However, he does not question his sexual orientation. Chance has no doubt about his gayness—he is very much out of the closet at his rural New Hampshire high school, where the other students avoid the kid they refer to as “girl-boy.”

But at the local Harvest Moon Festival, when Chance, the Pumpkin Pageant Queen, meets Jasper Donahue, the Pumpkin Carving King, sparks fly. So Chance sets out, with the help of his BFF, Emily, to make “Jazz” Donahue his man.

An article in an online women’s magazine, Ten Scientifically Proven Ways to Make a Man Fall in Love with You (and a bonus love spell thrown in for good measure), becomes the basis of their strategy to capture Jazz’s heart.

Quirky, comical, definitely flamboyant, and with an inner core of poignancy, Love Spell celebrates the diversity of a gender-fluid teen.

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/Lx7mVc8846E

Available at Amazon

Not to say that I kept my phone basically right beneath my chin for the next four days, but I kept my phone basically right beneath my chin for the next four days. Yes, I was oh-so-pathetically waiting for his call, which I am aware fully explains the need for the phrase “get a life.” But Jazz hadn’t been at school on the Thursday or Friday after he had called and cancelled our playdate, and now it’s Sunday night, and I still haven’t heard from him. And although I’m frustrated that all of my elaborate plans to make him fall head over heels in love with moi have apparently tanked, I’m also growing genuinely concerned.

That’s when my cell phone, which I placed on my chest before I lay down on my now “love-spell-pink” wrapped mattress, starts singing Express Yourself.

“Yo.” I don’t check the number. It’s Emmy—who else would it be?

“Hi, Chance.” The deep voice is so not Emmy’s.

Yaaassss!!! This is what ninety-nine percent of my insides shout. One percent says quietly, “It’s about frigging time you called, asshole.”

But my voice is calm. “Jasper,” I say blandly. In my opinion, he hasn’t earned the right to be called Jazz any longer.

“Um, sorry, no. It’s Jazz.”

I try not to roll my eyes even though I know he won’t see, but it’s an epic fail. “Whatever.”

“I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch for a couple days. My mom’s been real sick. I was lookin’ after her, gettin’ her to the doctor, goin’ to the pharmacy, bringing JoJo back and forth to school, and stuff.”

Oh.

“Mom caught JoJo’s strep throat and had to go to the ER because she couldn’t even swallow.” He stops talking for a second and then clears his voice. “Alls she could do was spit into a rag whenever she needed to swallow.”

Well, that’s definitely TMI, but I get the fucker-nelly revolting picture. “I’m sorry.”

“Not your fault, dude.”

And then there’s silence.

“Gonna take JoJo to the library after school tomorrow. But first I gotta stop by the cable company and pay up or we’re gonna lose our TV and internet at home. They already warned us like twice.”

“Want me to pick up Yolo at school and take her to the library?” I’m so freaking pissed off at him. Why am I offering to save his ass again?

“That’s cool of you to offer, but there’s a bus she can take to the library from her school. Could ya be waiting for her at the library, in case I get held up?”

“Of course.” I’m a Class A sucker.

“You’re such a cool pal.” Ugh—so not what I’m going for.

“Thanks.”

“I’m not gonna be at lunch tomorrow seein’ as I’ll probably be collecting my makeup work. So, I’ll see ya at the library. ‘Kay?”

I don’t say kkkk cuz it’s not even slightly cool. “Sure. The libes after school, it is.”

“Thank you, bro,” Jazz offers.

One more silence, and then I say, “Later.”

I have research to do.

Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

I was a middle school social studies teacher, as well as some English and reading and other subjects, for years until I had children. I loved the kids- they inspired and motivated me. However, my creative urges were fulfilled by creating vibrant lesson plans. I spent hours and hours on creating lesson plans that would encourage kids to use higher levels of thinking. I had to do plenty of research on uncountable subjects so that I could come up with topics and activities that the students could work with, and eventually come to own.

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

There was no actual day that I said to myself, “Mia, you are now an author”, and it certainly didn’t happen right after I wrote my first few books. But I kept writing books and there comes a time when I couldn’t deny it any longer… with 14 books to my name (I think), I am an author.

How long did it take to get your first book published?

Dreamspinner Press accepted Beggars and Choosers in the eight weeks they allot themselves, and it was published within six months or so. It was an incredibly easy process, as Dreamspinner Press is efficient.

Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?

My other job is stay-at-home mother of four children. I honestly don’t stay at home very much! I have 15, 17, 19, and 21-year-old children. My oldest is a senior at Georgetown University, my second is a dancer at Purchase College Conservatory of Dance. My third is entering her senior year in high school and my youngest is entering sophomore year. Keeping up with the kids, my husband, five cats, and our house keeps me busy!

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?

Love Spell is my most recent release and it is a YA contemporary romantic comedy about a gender fluid high school senior who is struggling with friendship and falling in love.

Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?

I have published with Dreamspinner Press, Harmony Ink Press, and now I’m with CoolDudes Publishing’s YA branch, YoungDudes Publishing. CoolDudes/YoungDudes is a wonderful publishing company that encourages the publication of diverse books. I have also self-published one book, but I prefer the support of working with a publisher.

What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

On September 1st I have a release of a novella from YoungDudes Publishing called A Hard Day’s Night, a contemporary YA LGBTQ fiction that deals with coming out.

What genre would you place your books into?

I write LGBTQ YA and adult contemporary romantic fiction.

Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?

My favorite character often changes, as I truly love and to some extent identify with all my main characters. Right now, Chance César from Love Spell is my favorite because he was so much fun to create. I could allow my mind to go wild as I came up with his character and dialogue. I enjoyed the plentiful research I did to learn another about gender identity confusion to create Chance’s character. I also think he is quite important because he is a gender fluid main character.

How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?

My first novel was published in 2012. I have been being published for just over three years. My inspiration to write was largely that I couldn’t find any more books with main characters who were so totally devoted to the love of their life, the way I like a main character to be in a romance. Another inspiration was Edward Cullen in Twilight by Stephenie Meyers. I couldn’t get enough of how he loved Bella. Sometimes to get exactly what you are looking for you have to create your own and so I did.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

When one of my books first comes out I wait for reviews, and you had better believe that I read every one. Sometimes I get kind of down about a very critical review and I wish that they would all be glowing. However, I do learn from all reviews. Once another book is in the works, though, I become to busy too busy to study each review as carefully, so I check them now and then.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

Usually the book comes first, and then the title. Every once in a while I am certain that I know what a book will be titled and in a sense, the title gives breath to the idea.

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")

I don’t really try to hide my messages. They are there, and they are in no way camouflaged.

Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?

I like to hold a book and read it especially if it is long, so I can know where I am and so I can easily look back to check for a piece of information I missed. But in the interest of space for storage, I appreciate my Kindle.

What is your favorite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?

I love Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and I read it every several years. I just adore the way Mr. Rochester is devoted to Jane.

Your favorite food is?

Cookies- but only homemade. I also like cake but only if it has a great, rich, sweet frosting.

Your favorite singer/group is?

I love Queen. Freddie Mercury is my all-time favorite vocalist.

Your favorite color is?

green

 

 

 

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Intervention ebook and Love Spell Charm made by Bewitching Book Swag

Not Broken Just Bent ebook and Love Spell Charm made by Bewitching Book Swag

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Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—all named after saints—and five nonpedigreed cats—all named after the next best thing to saints, Boston Red Sox players. Her husband of twenty-two years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about that, as it is a sensitive subject.

Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled young people and their relationships, and she believes that physical intimacy has a place in a love story, but not until it is firmly established as a love story. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with romantic tales of tortured heroes (most of whom happened to strongly resemble lead vocalists of 1980s big-hair bands) and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to Dreamspinner Press, Harmony Ink Press, CoolDudes Publishing, and CreateSpace for providing her with alternate places to stash her stories.

Mia is a social liberal and cheers for each and every victory made in the name of human rights, especially marital equality. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.

www.miakerick.com

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/mia.kerick

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6474518.Mia.Kerick

http://www.amazon.com/Mia-Kerick/e/B009KSTG9E/

Cover Reveal–The Hunger by Susan Squires @susansquires

BOOK INFORMATION TITLE – The Hunger SERIES – The Companion Series AUTHOR – Susan Squires GENRE – Regency Paranormal Romance PUBLICATION DATE – June 23, 2015 LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 101,000 PUBLISHER – Independent COVER ARTIST – Rebecca Poole, Dreams2Media BOOK SYNOPSIS Discover a realm where anything is possible. Where peril and passion collide. Where a woman is tempted by a man she wants by can never have; a man she could destroy with just one kiss… AN UNDENIABLE DESIRE The year is 1811, and the vampire Beatrix Lisse has spent six hundred years trying to atone for the sins she committed with her adopted sister and rival, Asharti. She’s grown weary of life, until she meet John Staunton, the Earl of Langley. John is London’s most notorious rogue, but he sees an innocence in Beatrix that she no longer believes exists. But Beatrix can’t bring herself to reveal her true nature to John, even after they surrender to their fierce passion. It’s only after John abandons her that Beatrix learns that he has a secret of his own… LEADS TO LOVE THAT BURNS ETERNAL An undercover spy for England, John’s mission is to find out who is directing Napoleon’s network of spies. If he allows himself to get too close to Beatrix, John knows he’ll put her life in danger. But as John gets closer to completing his mission, he realizes the person he seeks is none other than Beatrix’s centuries-old rival, Asharti. With the world unraveling around them, John and Beatrix unite to fight a nemesis whose fury has no limit—even as their unquenchable passion grows more dangerous by the day… BUY & TBR LINKS AMAZON KINDLE US – AMAZON KINDLE CA – AMAZON KINDLE UK  AMAZON PAPERBACK – SMASHWORDS EXCERPT

Beatrix motioned Langley to a chair. He looked mulish for a moment. Then practicality intervened and he sat stiffly. As he moved, she saw a slight bulge at his shoulder. Ahhh. The bleeding wound she sensed was in his shoulder and it was bandaged. Not a new wound, then. He definitely looked pale now.

“Symington, a glass of brandy for Lord Langley?” But her ever-discerning majordomo already hovered with a salver laid with brandy.

Southey, the pedestrian poet laureate, pushed to the front of the crowd. “I can hardly credit footpads in Hay Hill Street.” Castlereagh and Chumley hung over Langley as well. Beatrix had lost the attention of the room.

She took the opportunity to observe Langley. He gulped the brandy and the color came back into his face. He was deft with their questions, answering but not answering. It was if he wanted them to doubt his story of being set upon by footpads. Once she saw the twinge of pain as he eased his shoulder. He had been set upon in Hay Hill, but his assailants hadn’t made the wound in his shoulder, only opened it, she guessed. Ah, perhaps he wanted his listeners to make up other stories more in keeping with his reputation as the most debauched man in London. What a devious way of achieving it! If he wanted to shock them, why didn’t he tell them about the wound bleeding even now in his shoulder and what adventure had occasioned it? Beatrix’s senses were heightened by the scent of blood. Lord, she would need to feed again tonight at this rate!

She got to her feet almost without realizing, and took the brandy decanter from Symington. The young men parted for her, unconsciously, as people always did. She stood over Langley. He looked up at her. The green eyes were jaded. They had seen much for one of his tender age and were disgusted by it. How old was he? Not yet forty, she wagered. She gestured with the decanter and he held up his glass. She poured, but her gaze kept returning to his face. He had determination. He thought he was implacable. Silly man! Implacable was the onward march of time, the loneliness, the endless repetition of small failures and large ones in people, in the world, in herself. John Staunton, Earl of Langley, was not implacable.

He was ... What was he? All she knew was that Langley was not what he seemed. Intriguing.

AUTHOR BIO Susan Squires is a New York Times bestselling author known for breaking the rules of romance writing. Whatever her time period, or subject, some element of the paranormal always creeps in. Susan’s work has won multiple contests including the Holt Medallion, the Golden Heart and the Book Buyer’s Best Award and reviewer's choice awards from RT BookReviews. Publisher's Weekly named Body Electric one of the most influential mass market books of 2003 and One with the Shadows, the fifth in her vampire Companion Series, a Best book of 2007. Time for Eternity, the first in the DaVinci time travel series, received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly. Susan has a Masters in English literature from UCLA and once toiled as an executive for a Fortune 500 company. Now she lives at the beach in Southern California with her husband, Harry, a writer of supernatural thrillers, and three very active Belgian Sheepdogs, who like to help her write by putting their chins on the keyboarddddddddddddddddddddddd. AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – WEBSITE / BLOG – FACEBOOK TWITTER – GOODREADS – MAILING LIST

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Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: The Fraternity of the Soul Eater by @scottlernerauth

 

 

The Fraternity of the Soul Eater

A Samuel Roberts Thriller

Book 3

Scott A. Lerner

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Thriller

Publisher: Camel Press

Date of Publication: June 15, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-60381-289-4

ASIN: Not yet available

Number of pages: 218

Word Count: 57k words

Cover Artist: Sabrina Sun

Book Description:

It’s been a while since Samuel Roberts was called upon to save mankind, and he’s getting restless. His girlfriend Susan thinks he’s a danger junkie, and he’s worried he has a hero complex. He’s back to his usual small-town lawyerly duties in Champaign-Urbana, handling divorces and helping people beat DUI raps. But then a young fraternity pledge calls. During an initiation ceremony he witnessed the live sacrifice of a young woman, but he had so much alcohol in his system that no one believes him. Except Sam. Lately Egyptian lore has been creeping into his life, his dreams, and his movie preferences, and he’s pretty sure he knows why. Evil is knocking on his door again.

Is the call welcome? Why can’t Sam be satisfied with his comfortable legal practice and gorgeous redheaded girlfriend? Maybe it’s because he knows that, as inadequate as he may feel to the task, he and his friend Bob may be humanity’s only hope against ancient supernatural forces combined with modern genetic engineering. Come hell or high water. Or in this case, the underworld or subterranean pyramids.

The Fraternity of the Soul Eater is the third book in the Samuel Roberts Thriller series, which began with Cocaine Zombies and continued with Ruler of Demons.

Available at Amazon

She was wearing tight black jeans and a low-cut cropped T-shirt that exposed ample cleavage. A golden ankh dangled between her breasts. On one forearm was a tattoo of a bird I assumed to be a lark, and on the other, a tattoo of a hawk. Her bright blue eyes matched her hair. She was striking looking but by no means beautiful. A slight muffin top was made more visible by her short shirt, and she had apparently broken her nose at least once in her life. She smelled like sandalwood and cinnamon.

I would never cheat on Susan, but I had to admit there was something sexy about Lark. I tried to put my prurient thoughts away and deal with the issue at hand. Also, the ankh made me wonder if she was playing for the other side. I was not a big fan of birds, which for me had always been a harbinger of bad luck.

“So what is it that you couldn’t tell me at the courthouse?”

“I’m a graduate student at the University of Illinois and heard from a friend about Chris’s case. I went to the preliminary hearing to get more information.”

“That’s fine—it’s an open courtroom—but I can’t tell you the specifics of his case.”

“I am here to help you, not the other way around.”

“Cool!” I leaned back in my chair, trying to look casual. “Tell me what you know.”

“My sister was at a party at that fraternity three years ago. She has not been seen since. I believe she was killed there. I can’t prove it, but I have been trying to ever since.”

“Did you call the police?”

“No, I called Pizza Hut.” She sighed. “I’m … sorry. This whole thing …. it’s hard to talk about. Yes, I called the police and the FBI. I even hired a private investigator.”

“No luck?”

“None. In fact, they all told me to let it go.”

“I take it from the fact you are here that you didn’t ‘let it go.’ ”

“You take it right. I was attending the University of Iowa. I was close to getting an MFA in fine arts but I transferred to the University of Illinois a year and a half ago. I’ve been investigating the fraternity ever since.” As she spoke Lark moved her arms about in quick gestures, reminding me of the bird she was named for.

“What have you learned?”

“For starters, I believe your client.”

“Why?”

She hesitated, as if pained by what she was going to relate. “Last year I dated a guy named George Hammond. He was a rich kid, kind of a geek, but he was okay. I essentially stalked him until he agreed to go out with me. At first I was only interested because he was pledging the fraternity. I know I was using him, but he was using me too. When he got accepted into the fraternity he told me a few of their secrets.”

“Any chance I could chat with George directly?”

She shook her head, a little violently. “Not unless we hold a séance. I’m sorry. I appreciate you speaking with me, and I don’t mean to be sarcastic. George died in a car accident. Actually, he was murdered, but I can’t prove it.”

“What did he tell you?”

“Every fall the fraternity sacrifices a girl. Their choice is based on her not having much in the way of family or money. They want someone who won’t be missed. The organs are removed as though she is to be mummified. Since there’s no pyramid to bury them in, the bodies are not wrapped or mummified or even kept.”

It was difficult to absorb what she was telling me. “That is nightmarish. What the hell do they do with the bodies?”

She jerked her shoulders up and down in a shaky shrug. “Who knows?”

“Why would they do such a thing?”

She looked mournful now. “George didn’t know. It may have been to test the pledges’ loyalty to the fraternity. He said they would commit the murder at a hidden temple and that the members would have to chant ancient prayers as part of some strange ritual. The leaders of the fraternity told him that the girls’ souls were being fed to the ‘Soul Eater,’ but George didn’t think they were serious.”

“Do you believe what George told you?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

She looked me hard in the eye. “My sister is missing.

 

Character Name: Sam Roberts

Character Bio: I am lawyer in Champaign/Urbana, Illinois. I am in my thirties and according to my mother, fairly attractive. When I am not fighting injustice in the court room I am fighting the forces of darkness.

Describe yourself what is your worst and best quality?

My best quality it that I am willing to die to save the world. My worst quality is I sometimes put my friends at risk.

What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you?

That I have saved the world more than once. It would definitely increase the likelihood of finding a date on a Saturday night.

What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?

Well, if I told you it wouldn’t be a secret anymore.

What are you most afraid of?

I am okay with death. Not thrilled about it, but okay. Torture and mutilation, I would like to avoid.

What do you want more than anything?

That is tough. Peace on Earth? Ten million dollars? Superpowers? How about all of the above.

What is your relationship status?

I have a long time girlfriend named Susan. Yet, I am not sure if our relationship is going to survive The Fraternity of the Soul Eater. You will just have to give it a read to find out.

How would you describe your sense of fashion?

I have to wear a suit and tie to work. Yet, when I am not working, gray sweats and a T-shirt work fine.

How much of a rebel are you?

I don’t ride a Harley and I do have a cause. I have been known for washing my whites and colors together. Does that make me a rebel?

What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?

Stopping an apocalypse looks good on any one’s resume.

What is your idea of happiness?

A hammock on an isolated beach with no evil in sight.

What is your current state of mind?

I am feeling okay.

What is your most treasured possession?

A Jaeger-LeCoultre reverso watch from the 1930s or 1940s I took from the body of Mr. Smart. It is a stolen reminder that evil can be defeated. It is also a cool watch.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I am tenacious. I will fight for what I believe in.

What is it that you, most dislike?

The forces of evil.

Which living person do you, most despise?

That is a tough one I have fought so many awful people and creatures. I could certainly provide a list of politicians but that seems a bit harsh.

What is your greatest regret?

Susan and I are going through some tough times in The Fraternity of the Soul Eater. I regret putting her life on the line because I can’t let evil have its way.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Someone who is strong, smart and does not end up wanting to murder or dismember me.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Someone who is strong, smart and does not end up wanting to murder or dismember me.

Who is your favorite hero in fiction?

Batman is kind of cool. That dark batman, not the one with Robin.

Which living person do you most admire?

Lincoln. We are both lawyers from Illinois and he was a great man. I heard he even fights vampires.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

I would love to be blessed with peace of mind. That said, it would be great to be more muscular, smarter, faster, and better looking. It would be nice but it’s not going to happen.

What is your motto?

Pain is Candy

 

 

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Author and attorney Scott A. Lerner resides in Champaign, Illinois. He obtained his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and went on to obtain his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign. He is currently a sole practitioner in Champaign, Illinois. The majority of his law practice focuses on the fields of criminal law and family law. Lerner’s first novel and the first Samuel Roberts Thriller, Cocaine Zombies, won a bronze medal in the mystery/cozy/noir category of the 2013 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Awards. The second book in the series is Ruler of Demons. The Fraternity of the Soul Eater is book 3. Book 4, The Wiccan Witch of the Midwest, will be released on Halloween, 2015.

You can find Scott online at: www.scottlerner.camelpress.com

www.facebook.com/ScottALernerAuthor

www.goodreads.com/author/show/6479067.Scott_A_Lerner

www.scottlerner.camelpress.com

www.twitter.com/scottlernerauth

Book Blast & Giveaway: Stolen Art by Ruth Silver @writeawaybliss

BOOK INFORMATION TITLE – Stolen Art AUTHOR – Ruth Silver GENRE – Young Adult, Sci-Fi PUBLICATION DATE – April 28, 2015 LENGTH (Pages/# Words) - 51k words PUBLISHER – Lazy Day Publishing COVER ARTIST – Lazy Day Publishing BOOK SYNOPSIS Sixteen-year-old Madeline has been living on the streets, biding her time until she's eighteen. With little to no money, she takes on a heist in hopes of making ends meet. What could possibly go wrong? Everything. Getting caught is just the beginning of Madeline's adventure as she meets Weston and discovers the secret of where she came from. BUY & TBR LINKS AMAZON KINDLE US AMAZON KINDLE CA AMAZON KINDLE UK AMAZON PAPERBACK BARNES & NOBLES NOOK GOODREADS EXCERPT My father heads out the front door and I reach for the remote, turning up the television. My eyes widen in horror and the color in my cheeks vanish when I see a sketch of Madeline flash up on the screen. How is it possible that she is the fugitive? I remember leaving the police station with her, but she hadn’t been in handcuffs. If she was a fugitive, why didn’t anyone stop her? The girl had been sitting in the waiting area, same as me. I assumed one of her parents worked at the station as an officer or a clerk. It’s where I always waited for my father. She wasn’t the first person I’d ever met but no one had ever been a suspect in a homicide! Was I an idiot for letting her get into my car? My stomach sinks. If Dad isn’t pissed at me before, he’s certain to be now. How am I going to explain this to him? "The young woman seen here is believed to be armed and dangerous. If you see her, do not approach her. Contact your local law enforcement immediately." The news anchor changes to another story. I flip through two more channels but the reports have just ended. There’s no additional information I can gather from the news. I shut off the television. It can't be real. I down my eggs in one breath and head up the stairs to my bedroom in a rush. AUTHOR BIO Ruth Silver is the best-selling author of the Aberrant trilogy. With a passion for writing and a love of story-telling, Ruth is actively writing under both her own name and the pen name, Ravyn Rayne. Her interests include traveling, reading, and photography. Her favorite vacation destination is Australia. Ruth currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois. AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – WEBSITE / BLOG – FACEBOOK – TWITTER – GOOGLE+ PINTEREST – TUMBLR – GOODREADS GIVEAWAY Mini Book Necklace a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: Sister Hoods by P.L. Blair

 

 

Sister Hoods

Portals

Book Four

P.L. Blair

Genre: Urban fantasy/detective/light romance

Publisher: Studio See LLC

Date of Publication: October 2013

ASIN: B00GC5BRI6

Number of pages: 292

Cover Artist: Pam See

Mike Roberts photographer

Book Description:

A bank robbery in Rockport, Texas, sends Corpus Christi police detective Kat Morales and her elf partner, Tevis, in pursuit of a band of nymphs and satyrs. The answer to their initial question - why nymphs and satyrs would rob a bank - only leads them into a deeper mystery in an enchanted woodland on the South Texas coast.

And while he and Kat try to save the woods from an evil wizard and a deadly wyvern, Tevis finds himself engaged in a personal struggle with potentially disastrous consequences: He is deeply, irrevocably in love with his partner ...

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/gCn0H3IlNGs

Available at Amazon BN

 

“Excuse me.”

Drawn by the voice, he looked up from his paperwork, toward the source.

And met the hazel eyes of a Vision standing in the doorway to his office.

She was exquisite, maybe five feet tall, midriff-baring top and short-shorts concealing nothing of her petite little figure, the veil over the lower portion of her face revealing hints of full lips beneath a finely sculpted nose.

“Are you James Todd?” the Vision asked.

“Ah ...” He swallowed moisture into his throat. “Uh ... Yes. Yes. I am. President.” He clamped his mouth shut before any other words could spill out. He was babbling.

He never babbled. Never!

“President of this bank.” Her voice held a lilt, a hint of chimes, the soft, sultry sound of a cello.

He nodded. His breath hung in his throat. He knew what he saw: a Nymph. A real, live Nymph. In his bank ...

He'd heard of Nymphs. Never met one. Until now. Until this moment when a Vision stood in the doorway of his office.

She didn't look ... What? How old would she have to be if she'd actually lived in ancient Greece. He thought he remembered that was where Nymphs lived. Greece.

Maybe Rome.

She looked like a kid, what he could see of her … eighteen, nineteen. Maybe 20. Young enough to be his granddaughter.

The feelings she stirred in him could not be called grandfatherly ...

“My sisters and I need money.”

“Certainly.” He pushed to his feet. A thought tried to stir in the back of his mind, something about Nymphs ... some kind of warning the authorities had issued ...

The thought withered and died. “Have – have you t-talked to one of our loan officers?” Todd felt a flicker of embarrassment. He hadn't stammered since high school. But he couldn't seem to get a decent breath. He'd read about Nymphs, of course. Greek mythology. Roman. He'd known they were beautiful. But he'd never realized the full extent of that beauty. Even the partial concealment of the veil couldn't hide her ... her … splendor. Her perfection. Todd's brain searched for words to do justice to her, and came up lacking. Helen of Troy, Venus ...

They could not be compared to the creature that stood in his doorway. “How – how much money do you ... need?”

“All of it.”

Of course. How could he be so dense? “My dear ...” James Todd came from behind his desk. “We're here to help you. Let's just step outside ...” He dared lay a hand on her shoulder, and a scent wafted to his nostrils: Roses ... no. Lilacs. No. Richer than lilacs – a perfume like none he'd ever smelled. For an instant he felt ... just very slightly ... lightheaded.

“Marry me,” he whispered.

She raised those remarkable eyes to meet his. Pools of hazel. “Do you not have a wife?”

“No.” Wait. “Yes.” He shook his head against the fog that seemed to envelope him. Elaine. Of course. He was married to Elaine. But … “But the children are grown. I can get a divorce.”

She smiled behind the veil – he knew she did. He could almost see those full, slightly pouty lips. But she didn't speak, just turned and strode into the bank's lobby. James Todd followed, his gaze taking in every movement of the slender body in front of him, the way her hips swayed gently side-to-side. He swallowed again. Two other small, shapely beings, veiled copies of the one who'd entered his office, stood near the tellers' counter, watching the bank's security guards and two of its loan officers empty cash drawers into large bags. Silk bags! Even from where he stood, Todd recognized the fabric. Silk … green – dark green and shimmering ...

Todd drew a breath, suddenly aware of sweat beading his forehead in spite of the bank's air conditioning. Now he noticed the tellers, all women, standing in a cluster against a far wall. A pack of small creatures surrounded them, creatures that looked like Human males from the waist up, exceptionally hairy goats from the waist down, complete with tails and cloven hooves. They leered at the women, goat tails flicking, their eyes glittering like multicolored gemstones in sunlight, and the women huddled together, trying to look anywhere but at the creatures, yet casting occasional furtive glances at them.

Satyrs. The word slipped into James Todd's memory from that one course in classical mythology he'd taken in college. He felt his mouth open – just a little. He closed it while his mind took in the sight … black and reddish-brown and gray and piebald goat legs, the creatures' human faces sporting beards the same color as the fur on their lower bodies … Satyrs and Nymphs. In his bank! James Todd found himself grinning at the Vision at his side. “I've ... I've n-never met a Nymph before.” He was babbling again. He felt unable to control his tongue. “I ... I ...”

“It's all right.” She slipped one of her delicately formed hands into his, and he felt his insides quiver and puddle into near meltdown. She raised her remarkable hazel eyes to meet his gaze. “We need you to open the vault.” The eyes sparkled with the smile he could just faintly see on her lips.

Oh. Oh! Of course! Open the vault. And whatever else she wanted him to do. Anything she wanted him to do. He wanted her to command him. Ask him to do ... anything. It took all his powers of concentration to mumble, “This way,” as he led her behind the tellers' counter and down the hallway to the vault. Some part of him noticed, in passing, that Miss Finch, the bank's prim and fussy (and very un-Nymphlike) vice president of operations, stood among the tellers, along with the bank's secretaries and a couple of its other female officers. Had they just joined the group? Or had they been there all along? He couldn't remember.

It didn't matter. He felt – it surprised him a little – a sly satisfaction that Miss Finch looked as disconcerted as the other women.

The Nymph's hand squeezed his – not hard. The merest caress of warmth. Her fragrance drifted to his nostrils, different this time, a spicy-sweet tang that reminded him of his cabin by the lake up in the Hill Country. He met the Nymph's gaze, and in a sudden surge of clarity, he realized he would need help. “Mr. Wilford, Mr. Lopez ...” He beckoned to the chief security guard and chief loan officer. “We need your assistance.”

The two men came hurrying, almost tripping over each other, both of them frowning at the way the Nymph's hand nestled in his. Jealous; they were both jealous. Todd could see it in their eyes.

It didn't matter. His was the hand the Nymph clasped. He managed to meet their scowls with calm knowing, as though his heart wasn't fluttering like a captive bird in his chest, as though Visions came through the door of his office every day and took him by the hand. “This young lady and her sisters,” with a slight tilt of his head toward the other two Nymphs, “need our money. After I open the vault, we'll need your help in carrying it out for them.”

The two men nodded, and Lopez smiled at Todd's Nymph, flashing his very white teeth in something close to a leer. It didn't do him any good; the Nymph still held James Todd's hand. Todd smiled at her and led the last few steps to the vault.

The massive, triple-walled steel door opened by means of a keypad, the code known only to Todd and a handful of other trusted employees. Such as Miss Finch, of course – but he doubted she would open the door for the Nymphs. He punched in the access code, then a second code needed to override the vault's timelock, a device that normally prevented the doors from being opened before 10 a.m. The mechanism clicked into place, and he pulled the door open.

The Nymph gasped. That didn't surprise him. Though nowhere near the size of vaults in even some of the smaller banks in Corpus Christi, the vault of the Texas State Bank of Rockport had to be the largest the Nymph had ever seen.

“Where is the money?” She looked – she sounded – anxious, and the hand holding his loosened its grip a little. “Has someone else already been here and taken it all?”

“No!” He tightened his grip on hers. “Not at all!” He couldn't let her think that, couldn't disappoint her.

He couldn't let her leave – as she seemed ready to do. “It's in these drawers.” Still clutching her hand, he stepped around the table and chairs that occupied the center of the room, to the built-in drawers at the rear of the vault, pulled one open, extracted a handful of bills so she could look at them. “See?”

She relaxed, then made a vague motion with her free hand. A bag materialized, clasped in her fingers, another green silk bag like the ones her sisters had been holding outside the vault. This one was about the size of a large pillow case, Todd thought. Dark green like the others, forest green, with a cord that gleamed like gold. Maybe, Todd's thoughts whispered, it was gold. At last, she released his hand so she could clasp the bag with pale, slender fingers, long fingers with perfect little nails, fingers merging into long, pale hands, wrists so small Todd could have easily encircled them with his thumb and forefinger, arms willow-thin and graceful. His hand actually ached from the loss of hers. He wanted her to touch him again, he wanted to touch her ...

“Fill this, please.” She extended the bag toward him.

“Ah ...” He nodded and dropped the bills he'd been holding into the bag, reached into the drawer for more. Wilford and Lopez stepped in to help him.

They emptied every cash drawer in the vault into that single bag, which should have been impossible but wasn't. And when that was done, the Nymph pointed to the rows of safety-deposit boxes. “What are those?”

“Lock boxes.” Todd swallowed against a dryness in his throat that threatened to choke him. If he didn't ... quite ... look at her, he could speak with reasonable coherence. “Some of our patrons store their valuables in them.”

“Money?”

“No.” He shook his head. “Jewelry. Documents that they consider important – wills, trust documents, things like that.”

“Do you want the boxes?” Lopez asked. “The jewelry can be worth a lot of money.”

Damn the man! That was Todd's question to ask. The bank president clinched hands that wanted to turn into fists.

But the Nymph shook her head. “We have no need for jewelry or ...” her barely visible mouth twitched in grimace, “documents.”

Todd couldn't restrain a broad smile at Lopez. No points for you, Mister. His expression became solicitous as he returned his gaze to the Nymph. “Do you need help with that?” he asked, with a motion toward the bag, before Lopez or Wilford could interfere again.

She smiled at him, her eyes absolutely dazzling, and he felt another sudden rush of warmth through his body, a sudden relaxing of the muscles behind his knees.

He managed to stay on his feet, and he reached for the bag. “Let me ...”

He could feel Lopez' and Wilford's eyes boring into him as she relinquished the bag to him. They were jealous, both of them, and he could almost pity them. Two young men, both in their thirties, reasonably good-looking and fit, Lopez with the kind of muscles that came from regular workouts, Wilford less toned but still lean.

And who had trumped them both, and won the Nymph's smile? James Todd, pushing sixty, with thinning hair and a few extra pounds around the middle, that was who! He threw the bag over his shoulder – considering its contents, it felt surprisingly light – no problem for him though still too heavy for a little slip of a thing like the Nymph.

She met his gaze, and gave him another of those smiles that caught his breath in his throat. “Come with me,” she said, and led him out of the vault. Lopez and Wilford trailed after them like a pair of rejected suitors, and Todd could feel their eyes trying to burn holes in his back. In the lobby, the other two Nymphs joined the procession, followed by two more security guards carrying bulging silk bags, and the bank's remaining male employees followed them all. The whole group of them trooped out to the parking lot –

Straight to the most beat-up excuse for a van that James Todd had ever seen. Had they really driven to the bank in this thing? Multiple faded coats of paint and rust covered the vehicle in equal measure; cracks traced across the couple of windows that remained intact, and the whole works sagged on tires worn smoother than a billiard ball. Todd's Nymph opened the van's rear door, and he and the two security guards eased the bags of money inside. Todd winced as the van settled even closer to collapse under the added weight.

“Thank you,” his Nymph said, and he felt another surge of warmth through his system.

Then all three Nymphs scrambled into the vehicle, Todd's Nymph behind the steering wheel. She could barely see over the top of it. He didn't hear the engine start, but he became aware that the van was in motion, gliding across the parking lot. It ran better than he'd expected, whisper-silent. He couldn't even hear the engine. As the vehicle pulled into the street, his Nymph extended a slender arm out the open window on the driver's side and waved goodbye, the motion languidly graceful. Todd waved back, aware of a thickness clogging his throat. The Nymph – his Nymph – was leaving, and some part of him knew he wouldn't see her again. The van merged silently into the traffic on Highway 35, headed north.

From behind him, a whole army of little, bearded goat-men scampered into the highway in pursuit of the Nymphs, accompanied by the squeal of brakes and the blare of car horns among the startled drivers around them.

And James Todd blinked, awash in the cold sensation of just having woke from a nightmare.

Except ...

It had not – had not – been a dream. He no longer could see the van, but he could see the goat-men racing after it. Sweet Jesus, Mary and Joseph, what had he just done?

But he knew, all too clearly. He'd helped a trio of Nymphs rob his own bank, that's what he'd just done. He felt his heart pounding, a surge of lightheadedness ... a heart attack, maybe, or the onset of a stroke ...

No such luck. The robust health James Todd had enjoyed all his life hung on him like a curse. Death wouldn't rescue him from this situation.

Mexico. If he got in his car right now, he could get to Mexico. And then ...

And then what? Keep going south as far as he could. How far? Brazil? Argentina? A chill worked its way down his spine, through his legs, down to his toes, even as fresh sweat popped out on his face. The authorities would be one issue, but he had a feeling they would understand. Everyone knew about Nymphs and the effect they had on men. The sight of an unveiled Nymph stunned a man, blinded him. Killed him!

Todd felt another shiver trace down his spine, sinuous as a snake, and freezing cold. He and the bank's other male employees were lucky to still be alive. The situation would be awkward – Hell, it would be embarrassing to the point of agony. He'd probably lose his job, and even if he didn't, he'd be the butt of jokes for months. Years. He could almost hear the sniggering behind his back, the looks ranging from pity to derision. He'd have to move, try to start over someplace else.

But he could deal with that. He wasn't really worried about the authorities, or even the bank's board of directors. They'd exonerate him. The board wouldn't be happy about it, but fairness would demand it.

Which left his wife. Elaine. She wouldn't understand. He didn't think she would want to understand. James Todd swallowed against a dryness in his throat, forced his knees not to fold under him. Once Elaine found out about this ...

Argentina wouldn't be far enough. The most godawful uncharted jungle in Africa wouldn't be far enough.

He wondered if they had airports in Siberia, and if he could charge the tickets on his Visa card.

Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

I've wanted to be a writer as far back as I can remember – at least since the age of 7. I love words and the ways they come together to express thoughts, communicate, evoke emotions. I'm an incorrigible (and some of my friends will add “terrible”) punster. That said, there have been other careers that have tugged at me through the years. I love paleontology and geology (actually got to participate in a dinosaur dig!), and I'm an amateur historian. On the other hand, “writer” is a career that lets me dabble in a lot of other stuff I love doing!

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

Probably at age 7 when I wrote a little short story and read it aloud to my classmates. That's certainly when I decided “writer” was what I wanted to be when I grew up. I “turned pro” as a writer when I graduated from college, armed with a degree in journalism, and got my first job as a newspaper reporter.

How long did it take to get your first book published?

I got amazingly lucky on that! I was feeding chapters of my first Portals book - “Shadow Path” - to a friend (a co-worker, in fact) to beta read, and … After a few chapters, she told me that she'd always wanted to be a publisher, and she'd like to get started in the business by publishing my book! So things kind of took off from there.

Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?

Well … I have another job other than writing my Portals books – but that job too involves writing. I'm a reporter for a news organization here in Sheridan, Wyoming – sheridan-media-dot-com, for anyone who'd like to check us out. I did try semi-retirement for a while, doing nothing but work on my books, but I discovered I like the adrenalin rush of being out in public, gathering stories. Besides, the people and situations I encounter as a reporter are great for generating ideas.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?

Latest book that's been published is Sister Hoods. Twenty words or less … Bank robbery leads two detectives into a fight for their lives in a magical forest.

Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?

My publisher is Studio See LLC, a small indie publisher in Sheridan.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?

That depends – mostly on the demands of my day-job. But anywhere from five to eight months has been my usual pace.

What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

Right now I'm having too much fun with my Portals books to branch into anything else. Certainly for the near future … Book 5 in the series is finished and in my publisher's hands, and Book 6 is finished and waiting for my publisher to finish reading Book 5. And I just started Book 7.

What genre would you place your books into?

My Portals books are mixed genre – urban fantasy/detective with … recently … a touch of romance.

What made you decide to write that genre of book?

The fantasy element came first. I've been a fan of fantasy – and folklore and mythology – since I was around 9 or 10 years old. But the detective part wasn't too far behind. Probably one of the first books I read in that genre was A Study in Scarlet, which introduced me to Sherlock Holmes who is still my all-time favorite detective. So I grew up on a diet of fantasy and detective novels, and those are still my favorite (though not my only) genres for reading.

Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?

(smile) I do have a favorite – Tevis Mac Leod, the elf male who's one-half of my detective team. As for why … Well, start with the image … I envisioned Tevis as the elf version of Illya Kuryakin, the Russian spy in the old Man From Uncle TV series. Tevis also has some of Kuryakin's mannerisms, with a little bit of Sherlock Holmes in the mix.

How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?

I've been writing since at least the age of 7. As for my inspiration … I'd say my grandfather was a huge influence. I was raised by my maternal grandparents, and starting when I was a toddler, Daddy (my grandfather) would set me on his knees every night and read to me. I grew up loving books, loving words, loving the images they can evoke. And after the book was finished, I would continue with stories that I made up for myself. At heart, I'm a storyteller, and writing is just another way to tell the stories.

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, it in a certain chair?

With a background of working in the news media, I'm most comfortable with a certain amount of controlled chaos. When I'm writing, it's with the TV on for background noise, and of course with three dogs, there's a certain amount of barking and interruptions. When weather permits, I have the windows open, so I get noises from outside … I also don't set a particular time or place to write.

I do get up early in the morning so I can get some writing done before I start my work for Sheridan Media, and I snatch writing time at lunch when I can, and on weekends. Stolen moments. Basically, I grab whatever time presents it to me, wherever I happen to be.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

I do. I love getting reviews! Even the critical ones, if they're genuine criticism and not just rants, can be a learning experience.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

The first six books in the series, the titles have come to me first. Usually they're plays on words. The current WIP, the idea for the plot came to me, and I still don't have a title!

How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?

A combination of factors. Since part of my settings are in the real world, I use names from the real world. My detectives live and work in Corpus Christi, Texas, for example, and I use the names of real streets and other locations. I also draw mostly on beings that actually exist in folklore and myth for my heroes/villains.

Are character names and place names decided after their creation? Or do you pick the character/place name and then invent them?

Again, it's a bit of both.

Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?

I like for my characters to develop as I go along. That feels more natural – organic – to me. It's the way we discover people in real life. The characters, especially the long-term ones such as Kat and Tevis and their friends and allies, reveal themselves to me as we go along.

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")

(chuckle) Nope! I write the kind of fiction that I like to read – pure and total escape. An editor I had for a couple of my books – we no longer work together – found “messages” in my books, and … That may be so. I'm nearly 68 years old, so I figure some of the attitudes I've picked up along the way may have made their way into my writing. But any messages the books might contain are there purely by accident. If you find something you can take away with you, that's great! But all I really want my readers to take away is a feeling that they've been entertained.

Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?

I love reading books no matter what form they're in. Right now, because of cost constraints, all of my books are in digital (eBook) form, but my publisher and I are exploring print-on-demand.

What is your favorite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?

Fiction – Lord of the Rings. I love Tolkien's Middle Earth. And … I've read it so many times that there are entire passages I know by heart.

Non-fiction – The Making of the Atomic Bomb. This is an awesome book that goes beyond merely how and why America made the first atomic bomb. It's a history of quantum physics, the background of World War I as actually a cause of World War II, and the fears that precipitated the creation of the bomb.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favorite/worst book to movie transfer?

I think books can transfer to movies well, but much depends on the director and producer. I think Peter Jackson did a great job of transferring The Lord of the Rings and, more recently, The Hobbit, from book to film. He was faithful to the spirit of the books, though not completely to the books as written.

I think what's lost in translating books to film is some of the subtle nuances of the written word. In movies, you can't read the characters' thoughts, you're totally dependent on dialog and action. In the hands of an unskilled or careless director, that can result in disaster.

Your favorite food is?

Anything chocolate!

Your favorite singer/group is?

Journey, back in the days when Steve Perry was lead singer. I still have all the Journey CDs I can get my hands on. Perry had an awesome vocal range. Plus, I don't think a lot of people knew what a sensitive, caring person he is.

Your favorite color is?

Bright, sun-yellow. Unfortunately, because I have a “winter” skin tone, it's a color I can't wear. I put on a yellow shirt, and I look jaundiced.

Your favorite Author is?

Tolkien. Closely followed by Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels.

 

 

 

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A native of Texas, now living in Sheridan, Wyo., P.L. Blair divides her time between two careers. As P.L., she writes a series (Portals) of urban fantasy/detective books that, recently, including elements of light romance. Published books include Shadow Path, Stormcaller, Deathtalker and Sister Hoods. Her fifth book is now with her publisher, and she is working on Book 6. As Pat Blair, she's a reporter for Sheridan Media, an organization that includes nine radio stations and an online news publication at sheridanmedia.com.

She's also “mom” to three dogs and a cat, all rescues, and is an avid reader, an occasional painter, and loves doing research. A lover of horses, she researches American Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred pedigrees as a hobby. Another hobby is history, and she's been the lead writer last year and again this year for Sheridan Media's “Sheridan Chronicles” history publication.

Web site www.plblairauthor.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/plblair

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/PL-Blair/170370356378877

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/plblair/

Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: Catch My Breath by @LynnMontagano

 

 

Catch My Breath

The Breathless Series

Book 1

Lynn Montagano

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: HarperImpulse

Date of Publication: April 17, 2014

ISBN: 978-0007591749

ASIN: B00IR2J2BQ

Number of pages: 275

Book Description:

Lia Meyers' plan for a relaxing Scottish vacation is short-lived when one uncharacteristic moment of clumsiness lands her in the arms of a dangerously attractive Englishman.

The perfect opportunity for a much needed holiday romance? Wrong! Lia’s still reeling from the mother of all bad breakups, and she really doesn't have the patience for Alastair Holden – despite his effortless charm and sexy British accent.

Arrogant and totally inscrutable, he's exactly the sort of guy she wants to avoid but can't: the man behind the mystery proves just too tempting to resist.

Drawn to him, Lia is forced to battle with her own insecurities, and the closer they become, the more she recognizes her own weaknesses as she peels away his layers with every night they spend together. Discovering the past Alastair is so desperate to conceal, Lia must decide if they can heal one another together or if their deepest fears will tear them apart.

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Books 2 and 3 Also Available: Unravel Me Effortless

 

Alastair Holden

Lia Meyers

Lia Meyers: Thanks for having us on your blog, Karen. I have loads of questions to ask this one over here.

Alastair Holden: Of course you do.

Lia: Hey, I’m a news producer. It’s sorta my thing.

Alastair: Yes, yes. We all know what a curious kitten you are.

Lia: That English charm of yours will only get you so far.

Alastair: *laughs* Fair enough. What do you want to know?

Lia: Are you giving me carte blanche to ask you anything, Holden?

Alastair: *lifting an eyebrow* No, love. We talked about this.

Lia: Okay, okay. Relax. First question. If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?

Alastair: I never have free days.

Lia: Yes you do. Come on.

Alastair: Well, aside from spending it with you, I’d probably play a little rugby then venture off somewhere with my camera and take photos.

Lia: What would you photograph?

Alastair: *grinning* You.

Lia: And if I wasn’t there?

Alastair: Your not being there would defeat the purpose of the mission to enjoy myself.

Lia: *muttering* Damn charm thing.

Alastair: I heard that. *smiles* Let me ask you a question.

Lia: Oh God.

Alastair: *leaning forward* Will you have dinner with me tonight?

Lia: Holden! This isn’t speed dating. Come on. Karen was nice enough to ask us here. I’m sure she doesn’t want to have to sit through your never-ending attempts to seduce me.

Alastair: So that’s a yes?

Lia: You’re impossible.

Alastair: You’ll thank me later during dessert.

Lia: *appearing flustered* Next question. What are you the most proud of about your life?

Alastair: *silence*

Lia: *quietly* There has to be something.

Alastair: *stoically* Nothing comes to mind.

Lia: Well…what about your grandfather’s company? I mean, you’ve done a great job since taking over after he retired. That’s an accomplishment.

Alastair: It’s just a job, Lia.

Lia: But you’re carrying on the family business. I mean, don’t you think your parents would—

Alastair: *deadly calm* Next question.

Lia: Sorry. I didn’t…sorry. Um…

Alastair: *expression softening* It’s okay, love. Yes, I think they’d be proud, if that’s what you were going to ask. At least, I hope they would be.

Lia: *smiles* Two more questions, chief. You’re almost done.

Alastair: *shifting in the chair* Fire away.

Lia: When I came to visit you in England you took me on the London Eye and to Stonehenge. Those were obviously touristy and stuff. Do you have any favorite spots in England that you’d go to while growing up?

Alastair: Favorite spots…*stroking his chin* My aunt and uncle would take me to Brighton in the summertime. It was mostly my aunt’s idea. We’d go to the boardwalk and she’d play in the arcade with me. After I learned to drive and went to university, I would spend most of my free time at the cottage outside of Glasgow. *shrugs* I liked seeing London and Stonehenge and all that through your eyes. It sort of, I don’t know, gave it new life for me.

Lia: What do you think of Orlando, now that you’ve been here a couple times?

Alastair: Aside from the constant heat? *smirks* It’s alright. You’re here so that’s all that matters.

Lia: Last question.

Alastair: I thought that last question was the last one.

Lia: This one is. And it’s silly, so try to dig out the British humor if you can find it.

Alastair: Cheeky.

Lia: *laughs* Okay, here we go. If blondes have more fun, what do redheads have?

Alastair: Are you mocking me because I’m a ginger?

Lia: Never. Answer the question.

Alastair: *sly grin* Well, this redhead has you so I’d say I’m having all the fun, yes?

Lia: Poetic as always, Holden.

Alastair: I think this concludes our little interview, kitten. If our lovely hostess doesn’t mind, I’d like to start our dinner date now. *reaches for Lia’s hand* Though I’m tempted to skip right to dessert.

 

 

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A fresh, new voice in contemporary romance, Lynn is a former TV news writer who decided to take the plunge and write a novel. She's thrilled that her debut series has been published by Harper Impulse. Catch My Breath, Unravel Me and Effortless were released to rave reviews.

Lynn grew up in a small town in Rhode Island before venturing out into the world. She's lived everywhere from Los Angeles to Boston to Orlando. An avid traveler, Lynn's been as far away as Australia and as close as Canada. Her favorite place to visit is London.

The small town girl is back on the east coast after a brief stint in Northern California. Lynn currently resides in Massachusetts, comfortably close to her beloved football team.

Website: www.lynnmontagano.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnMontagano

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LynnMontagano

Instagram: https://instagram.com/lynniemont/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7706026.Lynn_Montagano

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lynn1214/

Google Plus: https://www.google.com/+LynnMontagano

New Release - Shattered - The Russian Guns # 5 by Bethany-Kris @BethanyKris @sparklebooktour

Presented by: Sparkle Book Tours


 
Shattered - The Russian Guns # 5 by Bethany-Kris   Audience: Adult 18+, New Adult - Genre: Contemporary, Suspense, Organized Crime - Format: E-book & Paperback  - Publisher: Bethany-Kris - Cover by: Jay Aheer - Editor: Elle Leigh - Pages: Full length novel – 100k  - ISBN: 978-0-9937797-6-3 - Date Published: July 2nd, 2015  
“Don’t fall in love with me. I ruin beautiful things.”
Love made him this way, but life makes him stay.
Life doesn’t give a redo. There’s no rewind or pause button to take you back or stop time. Once something happens, it happened. The most tragic of those times in his life, the ones he wouldn’t get back and the moments he could never fix, reminded Demyan Avdonin of a bullet meeting glass.
The impact of the bullet doesn't break the glass into pieces, but instead, leaves behind a single hole surrounded by a spider web of cracks. Fragile cracks that, when handled with the utmost care, would splinter into shards of what used to be.
Demyan thought he had been broken beyond repair once, four long years ago.
He was wrong.
She touched the glass, unknowing of the cracks holding him together. These are the broken pieces of a shattered man and the woman who made him live.
Life made him this way, but love makes him stay.



Goodreads / Amazon / iBooks / KOBO / Nook / Google Books / SCRIBD         Something was happening to him, and it was because of her. He was letting it happen because he liked the way she got under his skin, made him think, and forced him to feel. Even if it wasn’t always fucking pretty.
Demyan wasn’t sure how he felt about that other than the fact he didn’t want to think about it at all. Hooking up was one thing, but acting cozy was completely different and not what he should want.
“Demyan—”
“Don’t,” he forced out.
“But—”
Demyan turned on his heel, a hand flying up in the air to stop her from saying another thing. He made a swift beeline for the front door, grabbing his jacket off the back of the couch where he tossed it the night before.
“Demyan!”
At the front door, he tugged on his coat before yanking on his shoes.
“Demyan, please just wait a second,” Claire pleaded. “Please!”
Her cry sliced him straight down to the fucking bone. Like it ached in his heart because he was the one making her hurt. She was just feet away from him. Christ, he could reach out and touch her, soothe her if he wanted, but he couldn’t.
“Don’t do that,” Demyan said sharply, standing straight and trying to force back the rising anxiety and anger.
Claire snapped away from him as if he’d stuck out at her with his hand. “Do what?”
“That.”
“I don’t understand wh—”
Demyan waved at her. “That right there. This can’t be something. We can’t be something. Don’t do that.”
“Demyan, you’re freaking out over nothing.”
No, he wasn’t.
There were tears in her eyes. They weren’t falling, but they were there. She was hurt by his rejection, and he didn’t know how to handle what was going on inside his head and heart. So, it was pretty goddamn simple for Demyan. He needed to stop whatever this was before it went any further. Straight for the kill, like any good monster would do.
“Don’t fall in love with me. I ruin beautiful things.”
Claire flinched. “Why would you say that?”
“You can’t fall in love with someone like me and you certainly can’t afford to believe there’s something here or that you can make me better again. I am broken—unobtainable and unfixable. I don’t need a fucking martyr in my life. I’ve got enough of those as it is.”
“Ouch.”
“Just … don’t.”
“Fall in love with you.”
“Exactly,” Demyan muttered.
“Why would you say that?” she repeated.
Wasn’t it obvious?
“Claire—”
“Why would you tell me not to fall in love with you and then in the next sentence, call me beautiful?”
Because she was.



 
Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother to three very young sons, one cat, and two dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, a snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a spouse calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something ... when she can find the time.   Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon / Pinterest / Newsletter