Karen Swart's Blog, page 23

April 27, 2015

Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: Pyromancist by @CharmainePauls

Pyromancist

Seven Forbidden Arts

Book 1

Charmaine Pauls

Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance

Publisher: Satin Romance,

an imprint of Mélange Books

Date of Publication: 19 March 2015

ISBN: 978-1680460339

ASIN: B00UFW1CDW

Number of pages: 252

Word Count: 101 000

Cover Artist: Caroline Andrus

Book Description:

When you play with fire, you get burned.

At the same time as mysterious fires commence to rage through Clelia d’Ambois’ home village in Brittany, France, she starts sleepwalking. Daughter of a Japanese orphan, Clelia’s heritage is riddled with dark secrets that threaten anyone she loves. In a recurring nightmare she sees Josselin, the haunted man who abandoned their village nine years earlier, come for her, but she doesn’t know why. All she knows is that she has to run. As fast as she can.

Leader of a paranormal crime taskforce, Josselin de Arradon is called back to his hometown with a mission–find and kill the firestarter responsible for Larmor-Baden’s blazing destruction. Sensing that Clelia is the key to solving the crime, Josselin kidnaps her to use her as bait. The battle doesn’t turn out quite as he expected. Nothing could have prepared him for the truth, or the depth of his desire for his prisoner.

This is Book 1 of the Seven Forbidden Arts series, but also reads as a stand-alone.

This book contains adult content with explicit language and consummated love scenes. Suited for an audience of 18+.

Available at Amazon BN Satin Romance Smashwords Lulu

Josselin had only spoken to her once. It was on a summer day after school. She had wandered to the dense forest at the back of the schoolyard because she knew that was where she would find him. She stood behind a tree and watched him–studied him–the movement of his hand as he smoked a forbidden cigarette, the manner in which he pulled his fingers through his dark hair, and the way he laughed loudly into his gang of friends, even if his eyes cried, or blazed.

That day, however, he wasn’t with his friends. He was with a girl. Her name was Thiphaine and she was the most popular girl in school. She was blonde and slim and beautiful with blue eyes and red painted fingernails. Clelia watched from her hiding place as Josselin slowly backed Thiphaine up until her body pressed against the trunk of the witch tree. It was a thuja occidentalis but the townsfolk had baptized it so because of its twisted and crippled branches. The setting was eerie for a romantic adventure, and yet, it suited Josselin. He seemed right at home, while Thiphaine looked around nervously. His hand went to her cheek, his palm huge and dark and rough against the porcelain paleness of Thiphaine’s face, while his other hand slipped under her blouse. His gray eyes looked like melted steel when he lowered his head.

His shoulder-length black hair fell forward when he pressed his lips to Thiphaine’s and he moved his hand from her cheek to brush it back behind his ear. Clelia remembered the deliberate movement of his jaw, the way the muscles dimpled in his cheek, the hand under Thiphaine’s blouse, all the while maintaining his composure while Thiphaine came undone under his caress. The beautiful girl made low moaning sounds. Her knees buckled, but Josselin, without breaking the kiss, grabbed her waist, pulling her so tightly into him that her back arched, keeping her up with his arm while he made her weak with his touch and his tongue.

Watching them ignited both yearning and pain inside of Clelia. The hurt she felt speared her heart. The aching in her soul was suddenly greater than the heat in her pores and on her cheeks, but she couldn’t tear her stare away from the forbidden sight. It was Iwig, a boy from her class, who broke the painful spell when he discovered her behind the tree.

“What have we here?” he said.

His eyes darted to the distance where Josselin and Thiphaine were embracing. He knew what she had been doing. He was a tall, blond boy with a strong build, and Clelia disliked him for his habit of hunting abandoned cats with his pellet gun.

“A peeping tom,” he said, taking a step toward her.

When she tried to back away, he grabbed her long braid and tugged it painfully, causing her to yelp.

“Not so fast, witch.” He grabbed her arm and hauled her so that she stumbled into him. “You like to watch, don’t you?” He grinned. “How about a taste of the real thing?”

She opened her mouth to scream, but he had already brought his down and kissed her so hard that his teeth split her lower lip. In reflex her free hand shot up, aiming for his cheek, and collided with its target. The force of the blow shot Iwig’s head back and froze him in his action, but only for a second, before Clelia saw his arm lift. Not able to free herself from his grip, she cowered instinctively, but instead of his fist coming down on her, another pair of arms grabbed Iwig by his shoulders and flung him to the ground.

When she looked up, she stared into the face of Josselin, and what she saw was frightening. His features were twisted into a terrifying expression, and before she could say anything, Josselin bent down and lifted Iwig by his jacket lapels. Iwig’s legs dangled, flapping like fish on soil, while his arms flayed in the air as if swatting flies. Josselin let go of one side of the jacket, his fist arching and hooking under Iwig’s chin, while at the same time unknotting his other hand from the fabric of the jacket. The impact sent Iwig flying through the air. When he hit the ground, she could hear the loud thump as the air was knocked from his lungs. Josselin moved forward, his arms away from his body, his fingers flexing, his shoulders pushed forward, until he stood wide-legged over the submissive body of Iwig. Iwig lifted his hands in front of his face, mumbling pleas for mercy.

“If you ever touch a girl in that way again, I’ll hang you from a tree under a pack of wild boars and watch them eat you from your feet up to your useless dick, until they rip your stomach open and your insides fall out and you beg me to die,” Josselin said.

He spoke very softly, but the woods had suddenly gone quiet. His voice all but echoed in the absence of the sound of birds and wind. From the corner of her eye, Clelia noticed Thiphaine who stood to the side, hugging herself.

“And if you ever lift your hand to a woman again, I’ll cut off your balls and make you eat them and then I’ll feed you to the boars. Do you understand?”

Iwig tried to scurry away on his elbows, but Josselin stepped on his jacket.

“I asked if you understand.”

“Yes. Yes,” Iwig said. He had started crying.

When Josselin lifted his boot, Iwig scrambled to his feet. He didn’t look at Clelia before he ran down the path in the direction of the school. Only then did Josselin turn to her. She shook from head to toe while Josselin studied her quietly. After a moment he walked to her, took her chin in his hand and tilted her head.

“You’re bleeding,” he said, trailing his thumb over her lower lip.

And then he did something that shocked her wildly. He brought his thumb to his lips, slowly, his gray eyes holding hers prisoner while he slipped his finger into his mouth and licked it clean, tasting her blood.

Clelia couldn’t move. She stood still, unable to speak or blink.

He took a white handkerchief from his coat pocket and wiped it over her mouth before pressing it into her hand.

“He won’t bother you again, but you’d better go home.”

She only nodded. He was much taller than her, so that she had to crane her neck to look up at him. He shifted and then his face was obscured by the shadows with the sun at his back. She remembered wondering if he had forgotten about Thiphaine, who still stood to one side, silently observing, her eyes wide. Clelia looked from Thiphaine to Josselin. When life finally returned to her legs and she started to hurry down the path, he said, “What’s your name, girl?”

She stopped. “Cle … Cle…” Her teeth chattered.

He frowned. “Take a deep breath. You’re in shock.”

She did as he instructed, and found her jaw relax slightly.

“That’s better. Now, tell me again.”

“Clelia.”

His lips twitched. “The witch?”

She flinched. That was what her classmates called her.

He didn’t show any kind of emotion. Only his smile became a little bit more pronounced. “How old are you?”

“Fourteen,” she said through parched lips.

“You’re too young to wander alone in the woods.”

When he said that, his voice became soft and dark again, like when he had spoken to Iwig, and without sparing either of the lovers another glance, Clelia sprinted home and curled into a ball on her bed with his bloody handkerchief in her hand.

Character Name: Clelia d’Ambois

Describe yourself what is your worst and best quality?

My grandfather, Erwan, always says that my best and worst qualities are being giving and soft natured. He thinks that sometimes, I am too kind, to my own detriment. I am an introvert, and prefer the company of the animals I rescue to that of people, but then again, I live in a village of 900 people where everyone knows everything about everyone and because of how my mother appeared in Larmor-Baden–a six-year old girl drifting alone in a boat–the townsfolk are wary of me. They say my mother was a witch because natural disasters occurred when she was around, and I inherited the unlucky nickname. I’ve never made any true friends.

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

I’m not as frail as I look. I may be short and too slender, but I can be strong and courageous when needed.

What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?

That I accidently combusted objects when I was three years old. It hasn’t happened since, but I’m always scared that it will happen again. Especially now that the houses in our village are being burnt down, night after night, and the police can’t determine the cause of the fires. At the same time the fires started, I started sleepwalking. I’m petrified that one day I’ll wake up not in the woods, but somewhere in town, and then everyone will know my secret.

My past is riddled with secrets… who I am, who my mother was, where she came from… I don’t even know her real name. I’m tired of secrets, but the one I’ll protect with all my heart, is my secret love for Josselin de Araddon. In school, he always looked so haunted. I used to sneak around the forest to watch him with his friends, or with other girls. He can never knew how I stalked him. I’ll just die of embarrassment if he ever finds out. And now that he’s back in town, after all these years…

What are you most afraid of?

Of Josselin. As much as I fantasize about him, he scares me. He’s so dark and tortured and frightening tall and broad. And he has these silver, mercurial eyes. At times they are grey, like cold steel. They way they darken when he sometimes looks at me frightens me. Especially now that he’s invaded my nightmares, with the fires and my sleepwalking, I know he’s coming for me. I don’t only see it in my dreams; I can also feel it in my gut. What I don’t know, is why. I only know it’s better to run than to wait for my dream to become reality.

What do you want more than anything?

I want for the fires to stop so that I don’t have to go into hiding. I want for it all to go away so that Erwan doesn’t have to run because of me. I want my animals with me. It nearly killed me to leave them behind when I went running, especially my wolfdogs. And most of all, I want Josselin to want me as much as I want him. I want him to release me from this room where he imprisons me, and at the same time, I want him to chain me and keep me. I want him to be my first, even if he can’t be my forever.

What is your relationship status?

Everyone knows I’ve never even had a boyfriend. Embarrassing, really, if you consider I’m twenty-two. Well, there aren’t that many single men in our small village, and I’ve never travelled beyond the borders of Larmor or the islands. I don’t even have the luxury of claiming a holiday romance.

How would you describe your sense of fashion?

I’ve never really cared much for fashion, not that Erwan or I could afford to splash out on clothes. Erwan is a fisherman and I work at the Carnac tourist office, which means I mostly earn money during the summer seasons, when people flock to Carnac to see the mysterious Celtic standing stones. At home I’m taking care of my small zoo of rescued animals, our cottage, and Erwan’s meals, or I’m out on the boat, so I wear what’s comfortable and practical–mostly shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops, or fishing boots and a rain jacket when the sky pours down, as it often does in Brittany.

How much of a rebel are you?

I’m not much of a rebel. I’ve always tried to walk the straight and narrow. The real rebel is Josselin. He has always defied authority, rules and society to do exactly what he wants to do. Josselin doesn’t fit in any mold. He won’t be conditioned to live a social acceptable life, and maybe that’s why I–with my uneventful, boring life–admire him so.

What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?

The life of every single animal that has been saved has been an achievement.

What is your idea of happiness?

A life with Josselin in it. I’ll take his darkness, and his tainted past, I’ll take anything as long as he decides to stay, even if I know his orders are to kill me. I can’t help him. I’m inexplicably bound to him.

What is your current state of mind?

I’m terrified. Erwan just told me Josselin returned to our village with a woman. (Gosh, that hurts so much.) Her name is Maya and she’s asking questions about my mother. I’m sure now that they suspect me of the fires. Will they now try to kill me? Erwan has already gone into hiding and he’s told me to run. I’m so frightened. I’ve never felt lonelier.

What is your most treasured possession?

Josselin’s handkerchief, with my blood on it. One day, when I was following Josselin after school to spy on him, like I always used to do, he took Tiphaine to the woods and kissed her by the witch tree. It broke my heart, but I couldn’t look away from the forbidden sight. The way his jaw moved as he slanted his lips over hers, his hand under her blouse… it made me ache in a way I didn’t know of believed possible. And then Iwig discovered me where I hid behind a tree. I hated him because he used to hunt cats with his pellet gun. Iwig knew what I was doing. He laughed and accused me of being a peeping tom, which I was, and then he tried to kiss me. He split my lip with his teeth, and I slapped him. He was going to hit me, but before his fist came down on my face, Josselin had grabbed him and hurled him to the ground. The things he threatened Iwig with were terrifying. He spoke softly, but it echoed in the dark forest because everything, even the birds, had gone quiet. Josselin told Iwig if he ever touched a girl without her permission again, or lift a hand to a woman, he’d hang him from a tree under a pack of wild boars and let them eat him from his feet up. Iwig ran away, and I was shaking with the shock of the experience. Josselin then wiped away the blood from my lip with his handkerchief and pressed it into my hand. I ran home and curled into a ball on my bed, the handkerchief under my pillow. I have slept with it there ever since.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I am a fire sign, which means that I am giving. They say fire is the only element not from earth, that gives without the need to take. I don’t know about all of that. I only know that I can’t stand to see any human being or animal suffer. I want to make the world a better place. If I could, I’d take away all the hurt and pain.

What is it that you, most dislike?

Cruelty to others, especially to helpless animals.

Which living person do you, most despise?

Iwig, for his horrible habit of hunting cats with his pellet gun.

What is your greatest regret?

That I never knew my mother, who died giving birth to me. I can’t help but feel responsible for her death.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Compassion. Josselin has so much of it, if he’ll only allow himself to see the good that’s inside of him.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

A caring nature. My grandmother was like that. How I miss her!

Who is your favorite hero in fiction?

Heathcliff, in Wuthering Heights, maybe because his wildness and darkness and all-consuming obsession remind me of Josselin. Yes, I suppose I see Josselin in Heathcliff’s character, only with a lot more tenderness.

Which living person do you most admire?

My grandfather, Erwan. Not only did he adopt my mother when nobody else would come near her, but he loves me for who I am, despite my unnatural ability to combust objects. He taught me the real values of life, and that goodness prevails. He has provided for me and taken care of me for all of his life, always putting my grandmother and me first. I admire him for the solid, good person he is. I hope that one day, I will make him proud.

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

I just want to fit in. I would like to look like everyone else, like the Breton people, so that my physical appearance isn’t a constant reminder to everyone that I don’t belong here.

What is your motto?

Do to others what you want to be done to yourself.

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Charmaine Pauls was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa. She obtained a degree in Communication at the University of Potchestroom, and followed a diverse career path in journalism, public relations, advertising, communications, photography, graphic design, and brand marketing. Her writing has always been an integral part of her professions.

After relocating to France with her French husband, she fulfilled her passion to write creatively full-time. Charmaine has published six novels since 2011, as well as several short stories and articles.

When she is not writing, she likes to travel, read, and rescue cats. Charmaine currently lives in Chile with her husband and children. Their household is a linguistic mélange of Afrikaans, English, French and Spanish.

Read more about Charmaine’s romance novels and psychological short stories

www.charmainepauls.com

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Published on April 27, 2015 01:00

April 23, 2015

Book Blast: Dancing to an Irish Reel by @cfullerton3

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Dancing to an Irish Reel

AUTHOR – Claire Fullerton

GENRE – Literary Fiction

PUBLICATION DATE – March 17, 2015

LENGTH (Pages/# Words) - 222

PUBLISHER – Vinspire Publishing

COVER ARTIST – Leanne for By the Muse Designs

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Twenty five year old Hailey Crossan takes a trip to Ireland during a sabbatical from her job in the LA record business. While there, she’s offered a job too good to turn down, so she stays.

Although Hailey works in Galway, she lives in the countryside of Connemara, a rural area famous for its Irish traditional music. When Hailey meets local musician, Liam Hennessey, a confusing relationship begins, which Hailey thinks is the result of differing cultures, for Liam is married to the music, and so unbalanced at the prospect of love, he won't come closer nor completely go away.

And so begins the dance of attraction that Hailey struggles to decipher. Thankfully, a handful of vibrant local friends come to her aid, and Hailey learns to love a land and its people, both with more charm than she ever imagined.

BUY & TBR LINKS

AMAZON KINDLE US – AMAZON KINDLE CA – AMAZON KINDLE UK – AMAZON PAPERBACK – BARNES & NOBLES NOOK – SMASHWORDS – GOODREADS

EXCERPT

There’s an energy that hangs between strangers even in a crowd. Call it interest, or attraction, or the knowledge of things to come. It is awareness, and I was aware to the exclusion of all activity around me that Liam Hennessey was watching me. He was sitting at the corner of the bar by himself, and because I could feel his gaze upon me like an electrical current, I froze. I did not move an inch because I sensed I didn’t have to, that something would come about with little prompting from me. I don’t know how I knew this, but I was right, it came about within the hour. It began as a series of introductions to people near Liam, and drew itself closer until Liam was introduced to me.

Right before Leigh left, claiming she had to get up early the next day to drive to Cork, Kieran pointed out that the Irish traditional musicians playing in the corner were the father and older brother of the lad sitting at the end of the bar.

“That’s Liam Hennessey at the bar there,” Kieran gestured to my right. “He’s the best box player in Connemara – even in the whole of Ireland, many say. His family is long in Connemara; they’re all players, so. That’s Sean Liam, his da, and his brother Anthony there on the guitar.” Kieran seemed proud to know the facts. He next took my arm and led me straight to Liam.

“I’ve the pleasure of knowing this American here, her name is Hailey,” Kieran announced to Liam.

I had an uneasy feeling. It’s one thing to suspect you’ll cross paths with someone again, and quite another to be fully prepared when it actually happens. For some unknown reason, I kept thinking it was strange to see Liam this far out in the country from Galway, but then again, what did I know? I didn’t know anything about him.

Liam looked at me with large dark eyes and smiled brightly. He was different than I had imagined: he was friendlier, more candid. I assumed because he looked so dark and mysterious, there would be a personality to match. I assumed he would be reserved, aloof, perhaps arrogant in an artistic sort of way. I was paying close attention, and there was none of that about Liam. In seconds, I realized he was a nice guy. I moved a step to my right as an older man approached the bar.

“Would ye give us a hand there,” the man said to Liam, and for the next few minutes, Liam handed pints over his head to a group of men too far from the bar’s edge to grab the glasses themselves. Just then, Kieran said something that set off a chain of events and put the rest of the night in motion.

“Liam, will you watch Hailey for me, I’m off to join the sessiun.” With that, Kieran produced a harmonica from his shirt pocket and walked off to join the musicians in the corner.

I stood at the bar and waited for the next thing to happen. The world seemed to operate in slow motion. All the noise in the room subsided, and the only thing I knew was I was looking directly at Liam Hennessey. I searched his face for imperfections. I had never before seen such beauty in the face of a man. I hoped my thoughts didn’t show on my face. He was so good looking, I wondered why other people in the room weren’t staring at him, then I realized most of Hughes’ patrons knew him and were probably used to the way he looked. I was reticent, unsure of how to speak to Liam, unfamiliar with how provincial he may or may not have been. Words tend to get in the way in moments like this, but they lay in wait just the same.

AUTHOR BIO

Claire Fullerton is the author of “A Portal in Time” and “Dancing to an Irish Reel,” both from Vinspire Publishing. She is an award winning essayist, a contributor to magazines (including “Southern Writers Magazine”) and a five time contributor to the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book series. Claire grew up in Memphis, TN and now divides her time between Malibu and Carmel, CA with her husband, two German shepherds and one black cat. Currently, she is writing her third novel.

AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – WEBSITE / BLOG – FACEBOOK – TWITTER – GOOGLE+ – PINTEREST – TUMBLR – GOODREADS – SHELFARI – ABOUT ME

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Published on April 23, 2015 23:30

Cover Reveal: Show Me How by Anna Brooks @AuthorABrooks

Presented by: Sparkle Book Tours

Show Me How - It’s Kind Of Personal # 2 by Anna Brooks Audience: Adult 18+ - Genre: Contemporary Romance - Format: Ebook and Paperback - Publisher: Anna Brooks - Cover by: Cover to Cover Designs - Editor: Editing 4 Indies - ISBN: 978-1511769945 - Expected Date of Publishing: May 19th 2015 One choice can ruin everything…
When a stop at a shady motel puts Brandon Parker face to face with his best friend, Mary, for the first time in over a decade, he almost didn’t believe it.
He’d never stopped searching for her, but even a career in law enforcement couldn’t help him find a woman who wanted to stay invisible.
When Mary Benson ran away at eighteen, she did it with good reason. A man was in the hospital because of her, and the people she loved were in danger. She had to leave to keep them safe.
Mary's guilt was her consolation. She’d lived with her decisions and accepted the hand dealt to her. But Brandon was about to shuffle the deck in a way she never expected.
One thing was for sure, he thought she’d be happy to see him… and he’d never been more wrong about anything in his life.
Goodreads

Anna has always had a passion for writing, and is thrilled to be able to bring her stories to life. Born in Wisconsin, she’s lived in several Midwestern states. She enjoys reading, writing, and spending time outdoors with her husband and two boys. Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon

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Published on April 23, 2015 23:30

Cover Reveal: Forbidden Love by Tamaria Soana @Tamaria_Soana

Presented by: Sparkle Book Tours

Forbidden Love by Tamaria Soana
Audience: Adult 18+ - Genre: Erotic Romance - Format: Ebook - Publisher: Tamaria Soana - Cover by: Shades of Rose Media - Expected Date of Publishing: Mid June

What happens when you meet your destiny but you both belong to someone else?
Carmelita Heaton married her high school sweetheart. The first few years of marriage were bliss. As her husband climbed the corporate ladder and began to travel for his job, they slowly grew apart.
Before long, their marriage was reduced to seeing each other a few times a month in passing leaving no emotional connection. In the midst of all this, Carm needed to find a new job because the doctor she worked for was retiring. Her life starts to spin out of control when she begins her new job as an RN for an OB/GYN.
Doctor Dylan Gates’ professional life needed to run smoothly since his personal life was falling apart. His wife Lydia suffered a nervous breakdown a few years prior after she lost her twin sister. Doctor Gates threw himself into his work. He’s a man set in his ways, but when his long time nurse moved out of town; he's forced to hire someone new.
Dylan and Carm’s instant attraction leaves them both struggling to do the right thing. How long can they fight to stay away from their destiny?

Tamaria Soana is middle-aged but feels like her life has just begun. She writes contemporary romance stories with a high heat level that always end with a ‘happily ever after’. Growing up, she loved to read and make up new places in her head to escape to. In her late teens she began writing short stories and poetry. It wasn’t until her late thirties before she began to spin a full story.
She’s married and a stay-at-home mom of two beautiful young girls. They reside in Western New York. Cuddling up with a good book under an electric throw is her way to escape the cold Buffalo nights.
Besides writing, she co-owns Shades of Rose Media and produces book trailers. Three of her book trailers have been featured on the USA Today’s Happy Ever After site.
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon / Youtube

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Published on April 23, 2015 23:30

Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: The Talented by Desy Smith

The Talented

Desy Smith

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Romance Fiction

Publisher: Floebe Publishing

Date of Publication: January 30, 2015

ISBN: 9781507799291

ASIN: B00SXOLV80

Number of pages: 197

Word Count: 46,170

Book Description:

At age 17, Carmel founds herself in a mental institution thanks to an ice dagger, and a woman who apparently isn't human. After being rescued and arriving at the H.o.T, House of Talents. A house where no one is entirely human. She learns that she's Talented and has the ability to control Water and Ice.

At the H.o.T, Carmel learns to control her Talent, makes new friends, a few enemies, and begins to fall head over heels for a handsome guy. Who has a few secrets of his own. Carmel begins to realize that many people want her dead because of who she is. However she has no idea why. Can she figure it out or will she die. Look inside to find out.

Available at Amazon and BN

She led me to the other side of the cafeteria where a wall separated us from everyone else. We made our way towards two separate tables. Ricky was sitting at a table by himself, and there were four other people sitting at the other table. I was getting ready to walk in when Flora stopped me.

“You see them four at that table.” She pointed to all of them.

“Yes.”

“That’s Montigo.” She pointed to a guy with skin the color of melted chocolate, and brown eyes. He was tall like Ricky and had black dreads in his hair. “His girlfriend is Tess.” She pointed to a white chick that had red hair, green eyes and freckled skin. “She’s a hot head. That’s Lanisha over there.” She rolled her eyes at her. She pointed to this light skin black chick with crazy brownish green eyes and brown hair. “Last but not least, there’s Simon, who is the nicest of the group, if you ask me.” She pointed to this white guy. He had pretty blue eyes and blond hair.

“What are their talents?” She was about to walk in, but I stopped her.

“Montigo is water, Tess is fire, Lanisha is air, and Simon is earth.” We walked in the room, and Flora greeted everyone at the table before we sat down.

“Why are you guys pointing at people?”

“I was filling her in on whose who.”

“Oh.” Ricky eyed my plate.

“Are you going to eat all that?” Ricky asked me.

“No, if you want something, you can have it.” His hand went directly to the chocolate chip cookies. I stopped him. “Yeah, anything, but those.” Then his hand went for the peach pie. I had to stop him once again. Flora started laughing.

“Let me clarify. You can have anything but the sweets.”

“Looks like someone has a sweet tooth,” Flora said.

“So where’s Devon at?” Flora asked Ricky.

“I don’t know. What do I look like his keeper?”

“Don’t start, I just asked a simple question, that’s it.” They got into an argument. I ate my nachos and realized something was missing. Where was my hot sauce? I looked around and saw it was sitting on the farthest table against the wall with the rest of the condiments.

As I grabbed the bottle, I heard someone whistling. I ignored it until I realized they were whistling at me and not that, ‘Oh you’re fine whistle’, it was that come here, whistle. I turned and saw who it was, Montigo. I rolled my eyes. If he wanted to talk to me, he would have to use his words. All of a sudden, I felt something wet hit me on my but almost like a belt. I jumped and dropped the hot sauce on the floor. I turned around to touch my pants to make sure I didn’t feel anything, and sure enough there was a wet spot there. I looked at Montigo, as he sung a water lasso around his head.

“Keep your hands and other objects to yourself.”

“This is what happens when you ignore me hon, so tell me what are you going to do about it.” I remained quiet. “Nothing, just like I thought.” He threw the water lasso at my arm, and it left a wet whelp there.

“I already told you to stop,” I said.

“Or what?” I noticed Flora and Ricky looking at us now.

“Montigo stop, it’s not funny,” Flora said.

“Mind your business Flora.” She gave him the finger. Montigo looked at me again and once again threw the water lasso. This time I caught it and slowed down my breathing, and it froze. When I let go of it, icicles formed going everywhere in the cafeteria. One almost hit him in his face, but his girlfriend Tess, held up her hand just in time. She created a fire wall melting the ice dagger.

Tess rose up, but Montigo raised his hand, and she sat back down. Instead, he got up.

“Finally your group is complete.” He said eyeing me up and down. “So you think you’re big and bad, just because you can make a few icicles?” He laughed not waiting for me to answer. “I think you need to be taught a lesson.” I noticed everyone’s cups beginning to shake. He raised both of his hands, now had two water lassos. He threw one at me, and I mentally prepared myself to grab it, but at the last second, someone stepped in front of me. I realized it was Devon. The water was melting off his body.

“Still picking on people smaller than you?” Devon said.

“Yeah and you’re still poking your nose in other people’s business.”

“If you stop starting shit, then I wouldn’t have too.”

“What makes you think I started it?”

“Who else would it be?” Montigo stepped closer to Devon.

“Again what does this have to do with you?”

Suddenly a line of fire appeared separating Montigo from Devon. Tess slowly, but gracefully got up.

“That’s enough for tonight boys.” Her voice sounded like she was older than what she appeared to be. “Wouldn’t want Devon killing you over his little equal.”

She looked at me. “Word of advice, next time he speaks to you, just answer him.” I smiled at her.

“The last time I checked, he isn’t anyone of importance, and I’ll speak when I want to. Not a moment sooner than that.” Then I mimicked her. “Word of advice, whistling at someone isn’t the right way to get their attention. I’m not a dog.” She looked at me and twirled her hair around her finger. I bent down to wipe the hot sauce I spilled. I felt something hot on my back, and I turned around to see the fireball coming at me. I rose my hand, slowed my breathing, and it froze, it was now a big ball of ice. It fell on the floor not shattering. I looked at Tess, who was now smirking at me. I noticed Devon looking at us, probably wondering if he needed to intervene. He didn’t, I could handle it on my own.

“I don’t know what’s more pathetic, you trying to attack me when my back is turned or you attacking me and me defending myself, when I just find out today that I had a talent.”

Character Name: Carmel

Character Bio: She’s 5’5 with hazel eyes, shoulder length hair, and very buxom. Her name matches her skin color which is a light Carmel color. She’s 17 years old and her Talent is Water and Ice. Some people think she’s dim-witted but that’s a façade. Her quiet demeanor and passive nature is associated with her Water Talent. However, if you push her buttons, her Ice Talent will show. She will become heartless and uncaring. Carmel’s equal is Devon, and she loves him simply because he loves her for who she is, and accepts her flaws. This includes her obsession for sweets. Carmel loves being at the H.O.T because she finally feels like she has a family, due to the fact she’s never had one because she was a foster child.

Describe yourself what is your worst and vest quality?

I believe I am extremely creative an I tend to be indecisive at times.

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

That I may seem unapproachable but I’m not. I’m extremely goofy, and I love having fun.

What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?

LOL. I hate my blow fish jaws.

What are you most afraid of?

Clowns

What do you want more than anything?

To become a Successful, Well- Known Author and to publish other aspiring authors work under my publishing company Floebe Publishing

What is your relationship status?

Taken Maybe?

How would you describe your sense of fashion?

Affordable, I don’t have to dress in name brands. If something is cute I’ll buy it and wear it regardless if it’s from Wal-Mart, Target, H& K, or Forever 21. I make fashion it doesn’t make me.

How much of a rebel are you?

I am very low on the pole.

What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?

Publishing my first book and starting my publishing company.

What is your idea of happiness?

Achieving my dreams and goals and making them into a reality an constantly staying close to God and seeking his wisdom and finding my EQUAL soul mate.

What is your current state of mind?

I am happy and grateful for my prayers being answered.

What is your most treasured possession?

My love for God and my family.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Goofy and clumsy.

What is it that you, most dislike?

Dislike negative vibes.

Which living person do you, most despise?

I despise no one because we all have our own crosses to bear.

What is your greatest regret?

Dating an individual who wasn’t my Equal during my first two years in college and not relying on my instincts.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Honesty, Determination, Good Looks (wait I don’t believe that’s a quality) my list goes on and on.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Independence

Who is your favorite hero in fiction?

Storm

Which living person do you most admire?

My mother

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

I have a tendency to settle. For example I settle for men when I know I can do so much better. I would like to change this about myself.

What is your motto?

Carpe Diem

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Desy Smith was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She wrote her first book when she was thirteen years old, because she ran out of books to read inside her home. She loves reading books as much as she loves writing her own. Desiree also loves food and sweets, if she’s not reading, she’s probably eating a cupcake or two.

She published her first book The Talented under a publishing company she started Floebe Publishing. Desy writes to provide an escape for anyone who wants to live in a fantasy world, and not worry about the trouble of everyday life. She also writes to inspire. This is Desy’s first novel, and she plans to release the second part of The Talented series during late summer.

The Talented will be a five part series. Currently she is working on another story, which she hopes to release in the fall.

Website: http://desysmith.wix.com/desysmith

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25130702-the-talented

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

Instagram: Author_Desydiva23

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Published on April 23, 2015 01:00

April 20, 2015

Book Blast, Giveaway & Top Ten: Secrets of the Moon Saga by Kristy Centeno @KrissyGirl122

Presented by: Sparkle Book Tours

Secrets of the Moon - Secrets of the Moon Saga # 1 by Kristy Centeno
Audience: Young adult/New Adult - Genre: Paranormal - Format: E-book - Publisher: Inkspell Publishing - Cover by: Najla Qamber - Pages: 418 - ASIN: B00DSGY4I2 - Date Published: July 4, 2013

Teenager Marjorie Emery eluded death. As she struggles to get her life back on track, she believes her efforts are paying off. Yet, when a black dressing, unfriendly, and incredibly handsome hottie walks into her classroom, she’s forced into a tailspin. Marjorie has no idea how much his presence is going to shatter what little tranquility she’s achieved.

Kyran Rousseau’s gloomy nature has a name, one that is potentially fatal under the right circumstances. His family harbors secrets and does everything to protect Kyran. While, he does’t want to ruin Marjorie’s normal life, love has a way of changing his plans.

Falling for Kyran is the least of Marjorie’s worries. With a faceless threat hunting her and a boyfriend who's as dangerous as he is good looking—how can Marjorie and Kyran keep all hell from breaking loose before it’s too late?

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After several numbers, Kyran led me back to our table and offered to bring me a bottle of water. As he walked away, I couldn’t help but stare at his tall form. Kyran was stunning. I never got tired of complimenting him, even if I never actually said it aloud. As he made his way toward the
counter, women turned to ogle him. Women with dates still stopped to stare at him, much to the disapproval of the men standing beside them. For a fleeting moment, I couldn’t help but feel pleased having him as my date. He was quite possibly the most handsome guy in the entire café.
As I continued to wait for Kyran to return, I fanned my face with one hand, trying to cool myself down. It was incredibly hot inside the crowded room and I was beginning to sweat. I’d danced so much I had become tired and my feet started hurting. Oddly enough, Kyran hadn’t so much as broken a sweat.
The band began to play their last song for the night when I felt Kyran lightly touch my arm. I looked up to see him offering me an ice-cold bottle of water. Relieved, I took the bottle and opened it. The water felt good as it traveled down my throat, and I nearly swallowed half the bottle in one gulp. Embarrassed, I glanced over at Kyran. He didn’t appear to notice, since he was watching the band. He sat so close I could feel the warmth emanating from his body.
Wasn’t he hot? He was wearing a jacket and I wasn’t. I was hot and sweaty, but he wasn’t. Not only were Kyran’s mood swings completely unpredictable but so, apparently, were the sudden changes in his body temperature. It all seemed so strange to me, but I kept all comments and questions to myself.
Kyran’s gaze turned from the band back to me and I smiled as he glanced my way. My heart leapt inside my chest when he removed a stray lock of hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear. His hand caressed my cheek, leaving an imprint wherever it touched. I leaned against his hand as it moved up and down my face, drowning in the feel of it. The music was still going, the room was still dark, but none of that mattered as Kyran and I felt like the only two people in the otherwise filled café. When Kyran leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine, I felt a sudden bolt of energy run right through me. It was the most unbelievably pleasant experience I’d ever had by far. His lips sought mine and I returned the caress. My ears became deaf to anything but the loud pounding of my heart.
Kyran’s hand shifted from my cheek to the back of my head, bringing my face closer to his, and therefore having a better angle to kiss me. I didn’t resist; if anything I returned his kiss with as much hunger as he was kissing me. I found myself bunching my fists in his shirt and bringing him down toward me. It was a sweet and passionate kiss, far better than I had imagined. My body buzzed all over and my hands itched to touch and explore him. The kiss ended abruptly when we heard the music die down and many people started to cheer for the amazing band. Embarrassingly, up to that point I hadn’t even bothered to ask what the band’s name was. Self-consciously, we glanced around to see if anyone had noticed our brief lapse, but apparently no one had. Not a single person was paying any attention to us.

Bound to the Moon - Secrets of the Moon Saga # 2
Pages: 107 pages - ASIN: B00TNO3F9W - Date Published: February 14, 2015
For me…
….immortality is a curse….release is an impossibility…and love is the one thing I cannot have.
Forbidden or not, I am determined to save my only ray of hope, regardless of what it’ll cost me.

The moment I met Marjorie I knew she was the one thing I couldn’t have, but that didn’t stop us from bonding. The problem is I’m as much of a threat to her as the alpha hunting her down.

Now that I’m fighting against the clock to save her from an invading pack, I realize the only way to protect her from danger—including myself—is by letting her go. But will my sacrifice be in vain? Can I let her go knowing she’s the only one that can save me?
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I inch closer to her until our shoulders touch, wishing that my proximity will calm her nerves somewhat. I’m in need of closeness between us too and I secretly hope she feels the same way. Our faces come within inches of each other’s and I’m suddenly tempted to move in and kiss her. I know I shouldn’t. Not after showing symptoms of yet another relapse, but I’ve never been able to resist Marjorie.
She has been my one true weakness since day one. I tried to stay away. I tried to fight off the attraction, but that didn’t work out so well. I don’t want to anymore anyway.
In some cases, giving in is so much easier than fighting back.
“Marquis called a few family members and longtime friends. Lone wolves mostly,” I explain, but I’m not even a hundred percent sure I’m making any sense. My eyes have zeroed in on Marjorie’s lips and I think I might just kiss her. I want to. And I know she wants it too.
I can hear the blood rushing through her body. I can see the rapid pulse of the vein in her neck, which indicates a physical response to whatever is going through her head.
“You know…we rarely have these moments alone. We should really take advantage of them when they do present themselves.”
I smile. Her logic is irrefutable and hard to argue with, but she doesn’t know what happened a little while ago. She has no idea how severe this relapse was. Even I don’t know if I’ll take a one eighty turn any second now.
“We’re not really alone.” I should move away, but I don’t because she’s right. We don’t have that many moments to be together without a third party keeping watch. And in the next few days, we may not have any alone moments at all.
With this in mind, I move closer until a space of about an inch keeps our lips from making contact. “Gage is outside in the hall,” I inform her.
Marjorie’s hand releases mine and moves up my arm to my shoulder before moving up to the side of my face where it rests on my cheek. She’s smiling, and her smile is sweet and at the same time, timid.
“I figured that, but he’s not in the room with us.” She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.
I lose all sense of self-control when her smile turns wicked. She wants to be kissed and I aim to oblige.

Full Moon – Secrets of the Moon Saga # 3
Pages: 113 pages - ASIN: B00VGLSTVY - Date Published: April 1, 2015

Hidden lies...hidden demons…hidden battles…All leading to the ultimate sacrifice….
She knows what really brought me here.
She knows the ulterior motives that lead to our friendship.
She doubts what’s in my heart.
What she doesn’t know…all I’m willing to sacrifice in order to ensure eternity for her.
On the brink of putting a face to our enemy, I may have screwed up myself even more. As it turns out, now I’m battling not only an alpha with an uncanny ability to hide where no one can find him, but my own inner demons as well. Physically challenged, my only chance is to rely on two things: my brother and my love for her.
In the end, will Marjorie comprehend the depth of my sacrifice? Or will her pride get in the way of understanding…and her life?

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She stands and takes a hasty step away from the table. “You lied to me.”
“Let me explain.” I stand after her. She looks like she’s about to bolt and I intend to stop her. The last thing I want is to keep her here against her will but I can’t risk her being out there less protected and more vulnerable. “There’s more to it than that.”
“No. There’s not. You lied to me. You all did.” In a fraction of a second, she turns and glowers at Alexis. “How could you? Why didn’t you think I could handle all this? What kind of inept person do you people think I am?”
Alexis scampers to his feet. “Marjorie our motives were purely—”
“Don’t. I suspected from the beginning you were all hiding…I just can’t fathom. I should have kept my distance when I suspected you of lying, but I stupidly thought you didn’t want to hurt me.” Marjorie struggles to hold back tears. “I was wrong all along.”
She retreats without another word, limping out of the
kitchen and to the sunroom. I have no clue where she intends to go since she can’t drive and
her house is at least a ten minute drive from ours, but I am compelled to follow her anyway.
Grabbing her arm, I whirl her around to face me as I pin her to the opposite wall—out of view of my family in the next room.
“Marjorie, you can’t leave.” I inch closer until our lips are a scarcely a couple of inches apart. “We don’t want to hold you against your will, but we are trying to protect you.”
“You can’t keep me here.” Her voice clearly conveys her level of anger.
I don’t want to be in this position but I have no choice. For her own safety, I can’t let her leave. She’s more at risk out there than she is in here.
“I will if I have to.”

Top Ten Heroines

1) Ember in Ember by Jessica Sorensen

2) Jessica McQuade in Blue Moon by Lori Handeland

3) Deznee Cross in Touch by Jus Accardo

4) Kayla in Darkness Falls by Jessica Sorensen

5) Lily Baxter in Day Soldiers by Brandon Hale

6) Haedyn in Haedyn’s Choice by Jennifer L. Oliver

7) Robin McArthur in Robin in the Hood by Diane J. Reed

8) Suzie Sarnio in School of Deaths by Christopher Mannino

9) Emma Wise in Hidden Wings by Cameo Renae

10) Martha in Pleasures Untold by Lisa Sanchez

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Kristy Centeno is an author of paranormal romance, young adult, new adult, horror, and contemporary romance.
She has always had a passion for books and after years of being an avid reader, she decided to transform her desire to write into a reality and thus, her first novel was born. In her journey to create memorable reads, she has delved into several genres, creating fictional characters meant to entice readers and captivate the mind.
She is currently working on finishing off the Keeper Witches series among other projects, which include sequels to her published work. When she’s not busy taking care of her five children or holding down the fort, she finds time to sit and do what she loves the most: writing.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon / Pinterest / Tsu / Google

April 20 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com Shh... Kymberlee's Reading http://kbmillerauthor.blogspot.com/ Portals to New Worlds http://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com April 21 Diane's Book Blog http://dianes-book.blogspot.com Bookworm for Kids http://www.bookwormforkids.blogspot.com 2 Girls & A Book http://2girlsandabook.weebly.com/ Loves All Things Books http://lovesallthingsbooks.blogspot.com/ April 22 Smile Somebody Loves You http://SSLYblog.wordpress.com Fictional Rendezvous Book Blog http://fictionalrendezvousbookblog.blogspot.com/ Eclipse Reviews http://eclipsereviews.weebly.com April 23 Rustys Reading http://www.rustysreading.blogspot.com Deal Sharing Aunt http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com BookHeathens http://www.bookheathens.com April 24 Dalene's Book Reviews http://dalenesbookreviews.blogspot.com/ Iyana Jenna http://iyanajennaauthor.wordpress.com Booky Ramblings of a Neurotic Mom http://bookyramblingsofaneuroticmom.blogspot.co.uk/ Word to Dreams http://wordtodreams.blogspot.com April 27 TTC Books and more http://www.ttcbooksandmore.com The Avid Reader http://the-avidreader.blogspot.com Books Books Books http://www.booksbooksbooksblog.com April 28 Literary Musing http://literarymusing.weebly.com/ Melissa M Wolff http://www.melissamwolff.com/search/label/posts Sweet Treat Reading Reviews http://strreviews.blogspot.com/

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Published on April 20, 2015 00:30

April 19, 2015

Cover Reveal: Deathspell - Deathspell # 1 by Peter W. Dawes @peterdawes

Presented by: Sparkle Book Tours

Deathspell - Deathspell # 1 by Peter W. Dawes Audience: Adult 18+ - Genre: Historical Fantasy - Format: Ebook and Paperback - Publisher: Crimson Melodies Publishing - Cover by: L. Canzoneri - Editor: JR Wesley - Pages: 182 pages - ISBN: 0692426590 - ASIN: B00VJFWA94 - Date Published: April 15, 2015 DEATHSPELL will be the first book in a brand-new series written by USA Today Bestselling Author Peter Dawes.
A boy orphaned by violence grows up in the shadow of his father's murder. His older brother offers him a home, but the life of a farmer is a poor fit for Christian Richardson.
Set in England in the 1400s, the Wars of the Roses litters the country with plenty of jobs for a young mercenary trained in how to wield a sword. Christian grows out of his youth and becomes a capable fighter, one who inherited his father's blade. As a member of the Brotherhood of the Black Rose, he puts coins in his pockets and food in his stomach, but every day he searches for the sigil of the men who took his father's life.
Finally, after years skirting the edges of a group called the Luminaries, he'll make a discovery that will put him in reach of his goal. Vengeance.
The sword was not the only possession his father had given to him, though, and unbeknownst to Christian, the Luminaries have been hunting for Richard's son - the boy who escaped from them nearly a decade ago - just as he has been scouring for signs of them.
An almost successful attempt on his life reveals hidden gifts, and even more secrets that his father had taken to the grave. As Christian reaches the threshold of claiming revenge, he faces the realization that retribution might come at a high price. Will he listen to the pleas of his loved ones, cautioning him away from danger? Or will his pursuit for justice take him down a path from where he can never return?

Crimson Melodies / Amazon / Goodreads

“I can teach you how to use that sword of yours for money. Real money, not these coins people throw at you for show,” he said. When I failed to attend to the plate of food again, he arched a brow back at me, mirroring my expression. “You ever kill a man, lad?”
“No, I can’t say that I have.”
“The thought bother you?”
This time, I couldn’t conceal the reaction his question inspired. My eyes shifted to the far wall, then down to the table, a deep breath filling my lungs before being exhaled. Whatever Roland read of it, I neither knew, nor cared, but in the moments which followed, I saw the demons I used to entertain while working Jeffrey’s farm; the ones who lured me away when I couldn’t ward them off any longer. At the very least, I held them at a distance in using the blade, even for show. Each time I held a sickle or polished my father’s sword while under my brother’s roof, however, I wanted nothing more than to cut into the man who had taken Richard Hardi away from me.
Slowly, my gaze lifted, a look in my eyes even I could feel without seeing it for myself. Roland sobered and I shook my head. “No, sir,” I said. “The thought of killing people doesn’t bother me at all.”

Author Bio: USA Today Bestselling Author. Writer of the Vampire Flynn and Deathspell series of books, published by the micro-press Crimson Melodies. While primarily a novelist, he has also contributed to the story cycle Red Phone Box, and the short story anthology, Nocturnal Embers. Always working on something new, Peter leaves it up to the reader to decide if it's by sunlight or candlelight.

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Published on April 19, 2015 23:30

April 17, 2015

Book Blast & Giveaway : The True Love Novellas by @Renee_McCoy

Presented by: Sparkle Book Tours

Single, Saved, & Searching - The True Love Novellas # 2 by Renée Allen McCoy Audience: General Adult - Genre: Christian Romance - Formats: E-book and Paperback - Publisher: FaytheWorks Publishing - Pages: 178 pages - ISBN: ISBN 13: 978-0983604655 ASIN: B00P6LD6UY - Date Published: December 23, 2014

He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord. ~ Proverbs 18:22
"She’s getting married too?" asks the beautiful, intelligent, and single Elisha Maxwell who just received a wedding invitation from her last single best friend and her younger sister in the same week. As she stacks both invites on her kitchen countertop, she wonders when it will be her turn.
Challenged by a string of disappointing relationships, Elisha’s hope of finding Mr. Right leaves her feeling desperate and confused. Does such a man exist for her? In the wake of the most terrifying experience of her life, she is more determined now than ever to find him.
When she embarks upon a quest to change her single status to married, she finds something much more important along the way. Will she embrace the man of her dreams who seems the least likely of them all or go with someone who appeared to be her perfect match?
Single, Saved, & Searching is the second book in The True Love Novellas series.

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Strong, black, educated, and responsible—those are the characteristics Elisha would love to have in man, to name a few. Blinded to the world’s standard of beauty, he’d be resourceful enough to create his own. Stand as a model of independence, an example of strength, an advocate of loyalty, and a pillar of integrity.
As she stared at her boyfriend through squinted eyes, Elisha wondered if she was asking for too much. Her friend Gina had told her yes while her other friend, Tonia, had emphatically declared no. Caught up somewhere in the middle Elisha wondered, what does my man say? After a dismissive grunt, she knew that he’d say he possessed all of those qualities and then some. But in her eyes, that was far from the truth.
Chauncey McDaniel was strong in the sense that he bench pressed more than her and one of her girlfriend’s weight, but when it came to knowing God’s Word and standing up for Biblical principles, he fell short. He certainly was black, as dark as they came, but not as educated as she would like and certainly not responsible enough to introduce him to her parents. Chauncey’s family was rich and he pretty much had everything handed to him, but the wealth still didn’t comfort Elisha enough to completely abandon her values.
“Why are you so quiet?” Elisha asked, noticing that Chauncey hadn’t spoken three words to her since they got inside of one of his prized possessions, a red convertible Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet. “Did you have too much to drink?”
“If I had too much to drink, would you be on the passenger side? Don’t say stupid things that don’t make sense.” He callously shook his head.
“I don’t even know why I’m with you. All of sudden you’re a drunk. You never drank when we first started dating.” Elisha sucked her teeth. “Leave it up to you to ruin a perfectly good evening.” She cut her eyes away from him and with folded arms sunk down into the soft leather-trimmed heated seating.
Chauncey grunted under his breath and then tightened his lips again. Soon he took the last busy street before the secluded, residential road Elisha lived on. After he parked in front of her garage, the neighbors who lived next door were just pulling out of their driveway. Chauncey casually waved as did Elisha before the neighbors disappeared out of sight. Chauncey then carefully looked at the darkened house across the street that shared the wooded dead end as Elisha’s home.
“Are they out of town again?” he questioned, as they stood at the front of his car.
Elisha glanced back and then remembered, “Oh yeah, I told them that I’d turn the lights on for them tonight.” She reached inside of her handbag and began fidgeting with the keys on her ring, and then started down her driveway.
Chauncey grabbed her by the arm and yanked her back. “That can wait.” The force in his voice was tighter than the grip on her arm. “I told you that we’d talk at home.”
With slightly parted lips, Elisha’s gaze on him drifted down to the hand he held her with.

The Christmas Beau - The True Love Novellas # 1 by Renée Allen McCoy Pages: 152 pages - Publisher: FaytheWorks Publishing, LLC - ASIN: B00AGAZNHE - Publication Date: December 1, 2012

Love suffers long and is kind… 1 Corinthians 13:4
“Why did I even come here for my vacation?” Charity Maxwell questions, initially regretting her trip home to Lewiston Springs for her Christmas vacation … that is until she finds out that an old flame is visiting too. With familiar emotions invading her heart, Charity desperately tries to keep her composure around a man with whom she shares a painful past.
Determined to make right his wrong, Milton Grayson passionately pursues Charity regretful that he lost her once and determined to not let it happen again. As a reminiscent whirlwind romance ensues between them, the pressure builds on a meddling family member who secretly plotted to separate the pair in the past.
Is their love true enough to withstand the evils that broke them apart the first time? Or will Charity’s anticipation of having a Christmas boyfriend suddenly be dashed to pieces?
The Christmas Beau is the first book in The True Love Novellas series that shares the love of God in and out of season.

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“Girl, don’t be no fool,” one of Charity’s longtime friends, Yolanda, said before she crammed an appetizer into her mouth.
Charity sighed as she picked at the cucumbers and tomatoes in her garden salad. She had since called Elisha and apologized for not making it to her book fair. Instead, she decided to go out to lunch with some friends she hadn’t seen in a while. Since talking with Milton this morning, she still had reservations about meeting him later in the evening.
“Don’t listen to her, girl,” another one of her high school friends, Renita, chimed in. “We were just kids back then. That was so long ago. But look at him today. He’s a college graduate, an officer in the military—”
“Decorated officer,” Charity corrected with a smile.
Yolanda rolled her eyes and shook her head as she reached for another boneless buffalo wing.
“Yes exactly, a decorated officer. And he’s come back home to get the woman he loves.” Renita smiled.
Yolanda mimicked a gagging motion with her finger in front of her mouth. “You two are living in la-la land. No man is going to come back for his supposed sweetheart,” she said with curled lips while her two friends looked on, “to start anything serious while he’s traveling the world over.” She sucked her teeth. “Get real.”
“What are you trying to say, Yolanda, that I’m not good enough?”
“Charity,” Yolanda started in a daunting tone, “I have dated plenty of guys in the military and some who work for Fortune 500 companies. And all they want to do is to play little childish games. Did it ever occur to you that maybe when we were kids back then,” she grimaced at Renita, “that all he wanted was a good time? Hence what I said, games.”
“You can’t believe that all guys are like that,” Renita challenged her.
“Hmmm, let’s see ….” Yolanda stared at the friend they referred to as the black Barbie doll with a soulful voice and said, “What happened to Jason?”
Renita abruptly closed her parted lips.
“Yeah, I thought so.” Yolanda smirked and then turned back to Charity. “All I’m saying is to watch yourself. You’ve saved yourself this long, don’t mess up now.”

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Renée Allen McCoy is a loving wife and mother, an author, but most importantly a devoted Christian. Having traveled to many parts of the world, today she, her husband, and their two children make Mississippi home.
Between caring for her family, Renée carves out time in her busy and sometimes unpredictable schedule to maintain a newsletter, Straight Up, a devotional blog, In His Name, and continue her passion for writing books.
To date, she has seven titles to her credit: The Fiery Furnace series (The Kiss of Judas, Confessions, and The Eleventh Hour), Soul Ties: Breaking Up with a Past That’s Killing Your Future (non-fiction), The Christmas Beau (The True Love Novellas, Book 1), In the Presence of My Enemies, and Single, Saved, & Searching (The True Love Novellas, Book 2). Renée has also written for the world renowned pocket devotional, The Upper Room, both in digital and print. She writes with zeal, knowing that faith works together in Christ.
With a heart to tell stories that will not only entertain, Renée hopes to enlighten readers to capture the message and power of God's saving grace. For more information about this charismatic author, please visit her at www.ReneeAllenMcCoy.com.

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Published on April 17, 2015 00:30

April 16, 2015

Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: Retaliation by @ImogenRoseTweet

Retaliation

Bonfire Chronicles

Imogen Rose

Genre: YA/Paranormal/Horror

Publisher: Wild Thorn Publishing

Date of Publication: 03/15/2015

ISBN:

ASIN:

Number of pages: 400

Word Count: 84000

Cover Artist: Consuelo Parra

Book Description:

Ever since Bloody Fall, humans have lived in fear.

Even though the apparently senseless human massacres have ended, President Elizabeth Ryan's administration has been under a cloud of disapproval for failing to bring the terrorists to justice.

She braces herself as a new spate of carnage is unleashed.

Cordelia and Faustine are recruited back into action as the supernatural agencies go on high alert. Has their nemesis re-emerged?

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I kneeled down for a better look. Whatever it was, it was clearly alive, and it shirked away, obviously frightened out of its wits. Could it be one of those pets humans liked to keep around? I transformed back to my human state so the poor little thing wouldn’t have a heart attack. “Here,” I whispered gently. “I’m not going to hurt you. Come on out.”

“Demon?” a little voice whispered. It was clearly something supernatural.

“Yep, you?”

“Troll.”

Troll? I’d never met a timid one before. “What are you doing here?”

“I sorta live here.”

“Can you come out?”

The troll scurried from behind the vent, crawled out of the fireplace, and stood up beside the couch. It couldn’t have been more than eight inches tall. I’d never seen one so small before. It was clearly female, with a pink bow attached to her unkempt blond Afro. She was rather grubby, I guessed from her journey through the fireplace. She wore little green dungarees bedazzled with pink rhinestones. And she had the most enormous green eyes that seemed to glow. “What’s your name?”

“I don’t have one.” Now that she wasn’t whispering, her voice sounded like a bee trying to speak human. “None of the underground trolls do,” she continued. “I guess we’re not important enough.” She lowered her eyelash-devoid eyelids, her lips trembling.

I touched her hand gently with my finger. “What would you like to be called, if you could choose your own name?”

“Anything?”

“Yes, anything at all.”

“Humm. That’s hard. It’s hard to commit to a name. What’s yours?”

“Cordelia.”

“Huh? That’s kind of old-fashioned. Where did that come from?”

Old-fashioned? That troll cheekiness didn’t take long to surface. “Cordelia is a family name; I’m named after my grandmamma. I like it, and wouldn’t want to be called anything else.”

“None of my family have ever had names,” she said, her lower lip trembling again. “Each subterranean troll family has a number, assigned by the Don. Then each family member gets given a letter. I am 4695h.”

“That doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. Tell you what. Pick a name you want me to call you, and if you don’t like it, you can change it as many times as you want until you find one that’s ‘you.’”

“Humm.” She looked confused. “I can’t think of any nice names. Can you pick one for me?”

“Sure. How about…” I tried to think of a simple one, since she was unfamiliar with names. “Lucy?”

She nodded slowly. “I can… maybe… do that… Lucy.”

“Well, Lucy. What are you doing here?”

“Like I said, I live here. When I don’t live at home, that is. Do you want to see the room I sleep in when the demons are not around? It’s the same one that Dorian uses.”

“Sure, in a moment. Which demons are you talking about?”

“Dorian and his soap buddies mostly. And his son, Luke. I like Luke. He’s kinda hot.”

“When was the last time they were here?”

“Dorian was here a couple of hours ago.” She started fidgeting, lowering her eyelids and shifting from leg to leg.

“Do you know where he went?”

She shook her head. Then she pursed her lips.

“What is it?”

She stared at her feet.

“Lucy?”

She smiled. “I like that.”

“Focus, Lucy. Tell me everything. What’s with the odd expression?”

“Well,” she whispered, her voice so low that I had to bend down to hear her, “something bad happened.”

“Like?”

She raised her hands. “I don’t know.”

“Come on, Lucy! How do you know something bad happened, then?”

She suddenly crawled under the couch like a bug, and just as I was about to grab her tiny ankles and haul her out, she slithered back toward me—dragging something heavy.

I couldn’t get a good look at it. “What is that?”

“It’s Dorian’s arm,” she puffed, as I grabbed it, pulling it out—a bloody, shredded demon limb.

Character Name: Rea

Character Bio: Commander of the most sought after Bonfire Academy Delta Force, a highly specialized combat team.

Describe yourself what is your worst and vest quality?

My worst quality is my need for sensible shoes. My best quality is I am a Troll. *preens*

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

I am f……. (oops, this is an interview, I have to behave) sensitive.

What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?

I can be a bit bossy.

What are you most afraid of?

My twin sister, Noella. She is a mean one, but everybody thinks she is this sweet, shy troll. *rolls eyes*

What do you want more than anything?

To be the Commander of the US Navy Seal Team.

What is your relationship status?

Dating Pascal, but open to all suggestions.

How would you describe your sense of fashion?

I have a fashionista twin sister, so I am always in fashion. The one thing she hates but I am NEVER giving up is my combat boots. I rock that look, so she gives in.

How much of a rebel are you?

110%.

What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?

Code Uprising and extracting the Don. And I also did Pascal for a straight 24 hours, but we won’t talk about that.

What is your idea of happiness?

Family, friends, and a good……never mind that last one.

What is your current state of mind?

Satisfied……..in so MANY ways!

What is your most treasured possession?.

My combat boots

What is it that you, most dislike?

TRAITORS! Prof Kunz, I am looking at you.

Which living person do you, most despise?

I lurve everybody!

What is your greatest regret?

We were at a dance, and there was this amazing hunk of a faery in my vision. Someone yelled fight, I jumped into the middle of it and my faery disappeared before I got a chance to say hello.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

A big… never mind

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

I like women to be less attractive than me.

Who is your favorite hero in fiction?

Wonder Woman

Which living person do you most admire?

My mom.

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

Nothing. I am fabulous perfection

What is your motto?

Follow, or get the hell out of my way.

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Globetrotter Imogen Rose was born in Sweden, educated in London (where she received a PhD in immunology), and is now an all-American Jersey girl. She is the author of two bestselling YA series— the Portal Chronicles and the Bonfire Chronicles, both of which have been translated into German, French, Spanish, and Japanese.

In addition to writing, Imogen loves to travel, explore Madison Avenue (she is a self-confessed Hermès addict), watch movies, listen to music, and hang out with her family, friends, and Chihuahua. When she is not writing, she can usually be found sipping a chai latte at an ice rink while watching her daughter slam pucks.

Website: http://www.imogenrose.com/

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Published on April 16, 2015 04:30

Book Blast, Giveaway & Top Ten: The Nines - The Nines # 1 by Dakota Madison & Sierra Avalon @karenmbryson

Presented by: Sparkle Book Tours

The Nines - The Nines # 1 by Dakota Madison & Sierra Avalon Audience: New Adult/ Adult - Genre: Romantic Suspense - Format: eBook - Publisher: Short on Time Books - Cover by: http://coveryourdreams.net/ - Editor: Shirley Pearson - Pages: 202 - ASIN: B00UXJUMQ0 -Date Published: April 13, 2015

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Dakota Madison and Sierra Avalon team up to bring readers a new breed of antiheroes…THE NINES.

Vengeance is mine not the Lord’s. It’s what I breathe for. It’s what I’m still living for. I live for the moment when I will literally have his eye for mine. It’s been two years. Two long and difficult years, but my plan is nearly complete. When I’m not in a hospital having doctors try to repair my ravaged body I spend my time on the computer, doing hacking jobs for large corporations and governments who don’t want to get their hands dirty or be associated with a job if things go sideways. But they don’t have any reason to worry. I’m meticulous, so I’ll never get caught. Just one thing stands in my way: The mysterious young woman without a past who desperately wants to be part of my future. I just need to figure out why…

THE NINES is an ongoing romantic suspense series. Each book can be read as a STAND ALONE NOVEL or as PART OF THE SERIES.

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Vengeance is mine not the Lord’s. It’s what I breathe for. It’s what I’m still living for. I live for the moment when I will literally have his eye for mine. It’s been two years. Two long and difficult years, but my plan is nearly complete. When I’m not in a hospital having doctors try to repair my ravaged body I spend my time on the computer, doing hacking jobs for large corporations and governments who don’t want to get their hands dirty, or be associated with a job if things go sideways. But they don’t have any reason to worry. I’m meticulous, so I’ll never get caught.
I have the one thing that most people don’t.
Time.
After I was burned it was difficult for people to look at me and when they did, it was with pity or disgust, often both.
Even my own mother.
I don’t want anyone’s pity. And I have enough disgust towards myself to last five lifetimes.
So I left everything I’ve ever known and started over on my own.
Now I spend my days and nights in the small home I inherited from my aunt when she died. I would never have chosen to live next door to a large state university. It’s often loud and there are young people everywhere. It’s a constant reminder of everything I lost. I don’t feel young anymore. I feel like an old man trapped in a twenty-year-old body. If wisdom is the gift of tragedy I’d rather be ignorant.
I rarely leave home. It’s amazing what you can have delivered to your door these days. When I do need to go outside, it’s always at night and I always wear a mask. Not like the ones kids wear on Halloween. It’s more like the one that the Phantom of the Opera wore, but my mask is black and was specially designed to cover the burn scars on the left side of my face.
My latest job is for an Eastern European mob family. Modern day computer espionage has given a whole new meaning to the term “mob hit.” There’s no blood, no violence, just five million dollars vanished from several off-shore accounts in the blink of an eye. And I get fifteen percent. Not bad for a few weeks’ work.
Is it wrong to steal from criminals? I call it karmic justice. I don’t take jobs that could hurt innocent people. I only wrong people who have wronged others.
I have the luxury of a hefty bank account and very few needs. I don’t need to work another day my entire life and I wouldn’t want for a thing. But I need to keep my mind occupied. So I take hacking jobs that interest me and I take university classes online.
Having online discussions with my virtual classmates gives me the illusion of having friends and a social life. I realize it’s a poor substitute, but it’s the best I can do given my situation.
I try not to dwell on the past. The person I was, Mr. Popularity, the Class President, the Homecoming King, died the day my body burned like a barbeque on the Fourth of July.
My life now is in the shadows. Living with the fringe dwellers on the edge of humanity. I often feel like a man whose body has died, but his mind hasn’t caught up to that fact yet.
When my computer roars I know I have an incoming message. It’s from one of my contacts in China. I get a lot of work from the Chinese. I don’t speak Chinese and don’t have the patience to learn, so I use an intermediary to broker the deals. He gets fifteen percent of every deal he mediates.
I hear the familiar buzz of SKYPE and when I click on the icon Xiang Yuan appears on the screen. He’s young, probably just a few years older than me, but much better dressed. He always wears five hundred dollar suits and I’ve never seen him wear the same one twice.
“I can get you eight hundred thousand,” he says.
I don’t reply right away. I like to play things cool.
He continues. “With your skills this job won’t take more than one week. Who else will pay close to a million for one week’s work?”
“The Russians immediately come to mind,” I reply.
“And they’ll slit your throat if you don’t deliver on time. We have much more patience than that.”
I give a hearty laugh. “You guys are saints. You’d never slit a hacker’s throat. Maybe I should tell that to Jenks. Oh, wait. I can’t. You killed him.”
“Jenks got sloppy. That’s one concern I never have with you. You’re too meticulous.”
I shake my head. “You’re just saying that because you need me to take the job.”
“You’re the best person for the job,” he corrects.
“I’m the only guy you’ve got left.”
“Nine hundred thousand. But that is the final offer. Do we have a deal?”
I nod. “We have a deal.”
“Good. Let me know when the job is completed.”
“Don’t I always?”
Xiang Yuan doesn’t bother with a reply. He simply disappears from the screen.
I don’t need the money, but it’s an easy job that will probably only take a few days’ work. They’re offering close to a million for it. It’s not something I can refuse.
I rise and take a stretch away from my laptop. Sometimes it starts to feel like an appendage and that’s when I know I need a little time away from it. I step into the kitchen and make a fresh pot of coffee. While it’s brewing I glance out my kitchen window. My aunt liked to garden and the backyard is like a small sanctuary. I like to look at the plants and flowers, but I can’t be bothered with the maintenance. I have a gardener who comes by once a week to trim and weed and do whatever else needs to be done to keep it looking nice. I’ve never actually met the man, but I leave a check in an envelope for him under a mat on the back porch.
From my kitchen window I also have a slightly obstructed view of the small street I live on. The fact that it’s Macedonia Boulevard and my name is Alexander is a coincidence that is not lost on me.
The house is one block removed from one of the major thoroughfares the students frequent, so it’s not as noisy as it could be for being so close to campus. I’m still just a few blocks away from some of the dorms and much of the off-campus housing.
I’m surprised to see a beautiful girl, carrying a backpack, stop right next to my house. I have no idea who she is, or why she’s stopped there, but she looks lost.
Her long, dark hair moves slightly in the breeze and when it finally blows away from her face I can see her magnificent brown eyes and perfect pink lips. If my wishes came true and I was finally dead I know I’d be looking at the face of an angel.
I shouldn’t be standing in front of my window in the daylight staring at her. If she turned at just the right angle she could see me, and that wouldn’t be pretty. It would probably traumatize her. I need to move away from the window, but I can’t. I’m completely mesmerized by her.
When she looks at the street sign then looks up and down the block again there’s little doubt in my mind that she’s lost. I want to tell her that she’s just a block from campus. She hasn’t wandered too far afield. But I can’t leave the house, especially not in the daylight. I know as soon as she took one good look at me she’d probably run away screaming before I even had a chance to utter a word.
As she heaves a large sigh my gaze is immediately drawn to her chest. She’s wearing a pale pink sundress that fits like a glove and accentuates all of the lovely curves of her petite body. For a few moments I think about what it would be like to have my hands on her body. To touch her in the most intimate of ways. To run my fingers along her perfect, unblemished skin.
Then I chide myself for even giving in to those thoughts. There’s no use in imagining what I can never have again. Access to a woman’s body is something I lost forever. No woman would ever consider being with someone as damaged and disfigured as I am.
I considered my life over the day that half of my flesh was burned off of my body. The doctors working on me didn’t think I would live. They called it a miracle that I didn’t die. I call it a life sentence with no chance of parole.
I realized pretty quickly that my life had irrevocably changed. What I didn’t really understand until much later was the impact my injuries would have on the other people in my life.
It wasn’t until my high school girlfriend, Sara, was finally allowed to visit me that reality punched me in the face and knocked my teeth out. Sara and I had been together for over a year when it happened. She would have been burned just like me if she didn’t have a doctor’s appointment that morning and arrived late to school.
Her allergy shots kept her from dying in the blaze, or even worse, surviving it like I did.
She told me that she loved me nearly every day we were together. She was supposed to be my soul mate. We were supposed to spend our lives together.
But when she saw me in the hospital for the first time after the school bombing it was like she didn’t know me. When she looked at me all the love vanished from her beautiful brown eyes. It was like she was looking at a complete stranger.
That was the moment I knew my life as I had known it was over. Sara never came back to visit me and I never saw her again.
I spent my senior year of high school being homeschooled because I was in and out of the hospital so much. I’m smart and was always a good student so I finished all of my work early and started taking college classes in January of what was supposed to be my senior year of high school.
I traded in my high school prom and senior graduation parties for a life of worldwide hacking jobs and built my reputation as one of the best in the field of cyber espionage.
For a brief moment I panic because the girl standing outside my house turns to face me and for a second it’s almost like she can see inside of my house and she’s watching me.
But I know it’s not possible. If she really had caught a glimpse of me she would have already backed away in horror, wouldn’t she?
The girl just looks puzzled. Her head is cocked like she’s trying to figure something out. Then I see her walk towards the front of my house.
I hurry out of the kitchen and into the living room. I move the curtains on the front windows the slightest bit so that I can just make out what she’s doing. She’s standing right outside on the front walk way, staring at my front entrance.
What in the world could she possibly want with me?
Then it occurs to me. Maybe it’s not me she wants at all. Maybe she’s one of my aunt’s former students.
She looks down at a small piece of paper in her hands and then looks back up at the house. It’s almost as if she’s trying to decide whether or not she should walk up to the front door and knock.
I’m not sure what I’ll do if she does decide to knock on the door. It’s broad daylight. I only have deliveries come at night, when it’s difficult to see me, and I always leave the lights off, obscuring their view of me even further.
I hold my breath waiting to see what the girl will do. Just when I think she might make her way up to the door she takes off down the road instead.
I breathe a small sigh of relief that I don’t have to deal with her at the door. But in a small way I also feel a twinge of disappointment.

Top Ten Movies

Sweet Home Alabama

The Breakfast Club

Pretty in Pink

10 Things I Hate About You

She’s All That

Legally Blonde

The Way

Avatar

Titanic

The Wizard of Oz

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USA TODAY Bestselling author Dakota Madison is known for writing New Adult and contemporary romance with a little spice and lots of heart. She likes to explore current social issues in her work. Dakota is a winner of the prestigious RONE Award for Excellence in the Indie and Small Publishing Industry. When she’s not at her computer creating spicy stories Dakota likes to spend time with her husband and their bloodhounds at their home outside Phoenix, Arizona. Dakota also writes under the pen names SAVANNAH YOUNG, SIERRA AVALON and REN MONTERREY.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon - Dakota / Amazon - Sierra