Karen Swart's Blog, page 5

Book Blast & Interview: Affected by Randi Lee @lee_randi @sparklebooktour

    Presented by:    
Title: Affected
Series: The Affected Trilogy
Vol or Book #: Book One
Author: Randi Lee
Audience: New Adult & Adult
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller & Dystopian
Format: paperback & ebook
Publisher: Abuzz Press
Cover by: Todd Engel, Engel Creative Graphic Design
Editor: Randi Lee
Pages: 292
ISBN: 978-1632639462
ASIN: B00WYBWL9G
Date Published: April 1, 2015
 
Eight years ago, there was no World Government. There were no agents, no carts. The fear of a nosebleed did not exist. Then came The Affection—an incurable disease that ran rampant across the planet, killing off roughly 60% of the human population. Two years later—with order in shambles and governments all over the world in ruins—the World Government formed. That’s when the real trouble began. The WG made it its mission to segregate the sick (known as “Affected”) from the rest of the population in an attempt to keep the disease from spreading. Agents were put into place to corral the ill and the God-forsaken carts were introduced.
For the past six years, Ethan has lived a quiet life. He has done his best to remain out of the public eye and, more importantly, off of the agents’ radars. However, when his ex-girlfriend, daughter of the famous scientist who first discovered the disease, is captured by agents and taken to World Government headquarters to be experimented upon, Ethan can no longer pretend the world around him doesn’t exist. On his way to save her, Ethan is thrust into a place of turmoil, espionage and conspiracies. Will he be able to handle the pressures of reality? Will he be able to save her in time?


     
Amazon / Goodreads / Nook / iBooks / KOBO  

The agents lead the chef out of the restaurant. Things do not go back to normal so easily, not the way they did back at the ball game. Awash with the tragedy of the moment, people mourn the loss of the chef in different ways. Some leave, some bow their heads and others lose the battle to tears. The hostess gives a speech about the man the chef is. A round of clapping follows.
“This doesn’t make sense,” Grant says. “The chef was Affected. Doesn’t that mean he was serving Affected food? He could have made us all sick.”
“What’s your point?” I ask.
“My point is that those agents could easily take us all in for fear of contagion. What’s stopping them?”
Cameron’s card comes to mind—the one with the embossed gold lettering and three contact numbers. I sift through my wallet and pull it out.
“Me,” I say, staring at the card. “I’m stopping them.”

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

In my heart, I’ve always known that I wanted to be a writer. It just took me a very long time to muster up the courage to follow that path.

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

When I was in first grade and won an award for my story, “The Cheetah that Went to the People Zoo.”

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

Soup to nuts? Three years. I began the writing process in 2012 and published in 2015.

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

I am also an editor, designer and provide website and technical support. I provide book formatting services for self-publishers, as well. It’s quite fun wearing a diversity of hats—I’m always working on something different!

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

My book is titled, “Affected.” It’s a dystopian suspense thriller about an incurable pandemic and one man’s journey to save the woman he loves.

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

I both self-publish and work with Abuzz Press.

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

That varies, but in general I am on the slower side as far as writers go. I think the quickest I ever wrote a book was in one year.

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

Many different types of books. I love writing in all genres. I’m currently working on another dystopian thriller, a young adult sci-fi/fantasy and a romantic comedy. I’ll always diversify my writing because I get bored easily and need to keep myself entertained more than anyone else.

What genre would you place your books into?

All genres!

What made you decide to write that genre of book?

Affected just, sort of, turned into a dystopian thriller. It was originally supposed to be more of a laid back romantic drama, but the story had a mind of its own and morphed into something more action-packed and suspenseful.

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

My favorite character is Gracie from “Affected.” She’s so fun loving and carefree, even in the middle of the worst possible scenario. She’s always trying to see the brighter side of things, and her actions are always more for the community than for herself.

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

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I can’t say what originally inspired me to start—I’ve just always found it fun.

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

Oh, I hate routines. I can’t follow them. I am always in a different spot, on a different device, using a different pen or eating something different while writing. I find inspiration in “the different.”

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

Honestly? No. I love and appreciate that people would take the time to review me. However, I don’t want good words to go to my head and I don’t want bad words to go to my heart.

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

It depends on what comes first: the title or the story. Sometimes, I’ll think of a title I love and will write a story around the title. Sometimes, it’s the complete opposite, where I write an entire story and worry about how to title it later.

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

I go with what “feels right.” I try not to put too much thought into character names and places because I find that when people do that they sound too forced and convenient. If I am reading a character description and that character sounds like a “Gary,” then Gary becomes his name.

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

I usually create first and label later. Again, I don’t put too much thought into the labels. I just go with what fits.

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

A bit of both. Sometimes I’ll plot out a character and halfway through the story he or she will need to change a bit because he/she isn’t fitting or sitting right.

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..")

Ha, ha, yes—pretty much every line in Affected contains a moral, hidden message, easter egg or symbol of some sort.

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

I like to hold a physical book in my hands. It doesn’t really matter if it’s hardcover or paperback. I just love the feel of a real live book.

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

I have read “The Prince of Tides” by Pat Conroy more times than I can count. I just think it’s beautifully written and Mr. Conroy’s words are so deep, meaningful and thought-filled that every time I re-read it I catch something new that I didn’t notice before. He puts meaning and depth into every line he writes. I appreciate that.

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

I suppose it depends on the book. Anything by Tom Clancy translates into a brilliant movie. Anything by Meliville? Not so much.

Your favorite food is?

White rice. Strange, I know…it practically has no flavor, but I love it!!

Your favorite singer/group is?

N/A…I am hugely eclectic when it comes to music selection. I can’t be tied down to a particular group or style.

Your favorite color is?

Purple…and I wear way too much of it…like Barney, kind of…

Your favorite Author is?

David Sedaris. His writing speaks to me. It’s simple, without frills, but it’s so honest and from the heart and straightforward. I love his words.
 
    Randi Lee is a writer and blogger who lives in New England with her family and much-loved dogs. She studied Communications, Media and Theater Arts and is an avid fan of live theater. Randi often incorporates techniques she’s learned from her studies into her writing. Believing that her areas of study have much in common with and can benefit the writing world, she shares her knowledge on her blog—often providing fellow writers with a different perspective on the craft via tips and advice.
A world traveler, Randi finds great inspiration in the places she visits. Whether it be a different country or the next town over, Randi uses all of her senses to take in each experience and learn something new. She strongly believes that visiting new places and interacting with different cultures strengthens the soul—and the creative muscles.
Randi is always excited to meet new people and exchange ideas. She can be contacted via e-mail at: randi@randileewrites.com.
 
      Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon

Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: Quanta by Lola Dodge @Lola_Dodge @sparklebooktour

    Presented by     Title: Quanta Series: The Shadow Ravens Vol or Book #: 2 Author: Lola Dodge Audience: YA Genre: Sci-Fi Format: E-book and Paperback Publisher:Ink Monster, LLC Cover by: Art by Ana Cruz, Graphics by Paddy Donnelly Editor: Ink Monster, LLC Pages: 250 ISBN: 9780996086479 ASIN: B00NQAD0TE Date Published:10-13-15





 Just because Quanta can see the future doesn’t mean she can change it. She’s spent most of her life imprisoned, feeding her captors information to keep herself alive, but she’s finally reached the endgame and her death creeps closer by the moment.
The son of two senators, Altair Orpheus leads a life of privilege that provides the perfect cover for his side job: working with the rebel Shadow Ravens to undermine the ruling Seligo government. Everything is running like clockwork until he crosses paths with Quanta. As he watches her deftly maneuver through life in a perverse prison, his plastic heart melts. A jailbreak would be suicide, but Tair is willing to sacrifice everything to give her a chance at happiness.
Now Quanta senses a terrifying new future brewing. She and Tair are bound together, but every image of them kissing, snuggling, and acting knee-weakeningly happy is balanced by a much darker possibility. They’ll be picture perfect together, but only until time rips them apart. How can she follow her heart when she’s seen how their love plays out?
 
          Amazon / Goodreads / Nook / iBooks     Altair’s POV

Mother smiled like a cat, full of ambition and smugness. “Someone wants to meet you.” Someone? Suddenly, I knew where this was going. “Mother—” “There are the Astors.” Mother gave a demure wave and started gliding toward a trio standing near an ice sculpture. Her fingers clamped my arm, dragging me along. Father walked on my other side, sandwiching me in place. No way to run without making a scene. Senator Astor and her husband stood waiting with their daughter. A set-up. My free hand bunched into a fist, but I tucked it into my pocket. I couldn’t make a mistake in front of this audience. Mother exchanged greetings, then made a sweeping gesture. “This is my son, Altair. Altair, this is Layla Astor.” Layla’s blonde hair tumbled in artful curls and braids. She wore tasteful neutral makeup that emphasized her full lips and emerald green eyes, but a hint of darker eyeliner smudged like a leftover from some previous night’s debauchery; that was half of what I needed to know to escape the conversation. And I would escape. I had no interest in these shallow romances meant to gain my family position. “It’s so nice to meet you, Altair. I knew your sister at academy.” And that was why Cass had been invited. Some common bond to me to a potential future mate. Good thing Cass had stayed home. She’d hate the situation as much as I did. The girl extended her arm, flashing her Green Helix and I couldn’t avoid the handshake. “Likewise.” Layla’s rough fingertips gave me the last clue I needed. Calluses from playing an instrument. Between that and the eyeliner, I had an excellent guess at how to get rid of her. Rather than sell her out in front of her parents, I offered her an arm. “I was just about to admire the ice sculptures. Would you care to join me?” “I’d love to.” She smiled and placed delicate fingertips on my arm. Our parents grinned conspiratorial smiles as we strolled away. No doubt they’d already picked a wedding date. I waited until we were out of modified earshot to speak. “How upset would your family be if I mentioned that you play in a band?” “Very.” Layla tensed, and her expression and tone shifted from vapid politeness to shrewd consideration. “Not that you should know.” I shrugged. “I won’t say a thing as long as you don’t press an engagement.” “Thank God.” Layla shuddered. “Our mothers schemed this one. I thought you were in on it.” I grinned. I didn’t often stumble onto others faking their way through Helix life, but every so often an ally dropped in my lap. “Should we small talk for a few minutes and then pretend to offend each other?” Layla pressed her lips together, eying me up and down. “If you’re up to it, I have a better suggestion.” “Oh?” I handed her a drink taken from a passing tray. Our parents still watched from across the room. “Let’s meet for coffee. We could draw this out for months.” “A faux courtship?” It had promise, although there were certainly risks. “You’re the first guy they’ve set me up with who’s not a self-centered ass.” Layla’s mischievous smile made her eyes sparkle. “My girlfriend would love you.” Her voice was clear of subterfuge and I found myself smiling back. “Next week? I’m sure our parents already exchanged our contact information.” And faking a relationship would save me getting blindsided at every event. “Call me.” She finger-waved and then headed for a crowd of friends, who proceeded to glance my way, slipping a few quickly smothered cackles. I nodded before heading off to work the crowd. Despite my parents’ efforts, the night was going better than expected.     Lola is a compulsive traveler, baker, and procrastinator. She earned her BA in English from Stonehill College and MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University—and hasn’t stopped moving since. When she’s not on the road, Lola spends her time indoors where the sunlight can’t melt her, writing or bingeing on anime and cherry soda. She can be summoned in a ritual involving curry, Hello Kitty idols, and a solid chocolate pentagram.                 Website/Blog http://www.loladodge.com   http://inkmonster.net/blog FACEBOOK / TWITTER / GOODREADS / AMAZON / PINTEREST / INSTAGRAM
 
 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33870edf5/?widget_template=55db5cb833d1e0cd316e2fb7

 

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

All those old career things from elementary school say either chef or FBI agent. I also almost went to pastry school instead of writing school!

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

Not until I got my MFA and had my first sale. Now I’m writing full-time so I feel more comfortable calling myself that.

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

I had my first sale right after grad school and published a series of superhero romance novellas with Samhain Publishing. My first full-length book is a whole different story. Years and years and years!

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

Just editing. Other than that, I’m writing full time. I live in Thailand, so the cost of living is WAY cheaper than living in America (especially where I’m from in New York!). I spend most of my time working out of cafes in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

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

Quanta is the title and the name of the main character. She’s captive in a lab/prison and can see her death on the way until Altair Orpheus arrives and changes everything.

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

Right now I have books at Inkmonster.

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

It really depends on the book. I’d like to take a year or two for every project, but it’s hard to do that and stay competitive. You really have to be publishing two books a year (if not more) these days.

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

I’ll keep writing fantasy/romancey things. I’m dabbling with a contemporary romance right now, too.

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

I started it seriously in 2009. Before that, I was working as an editorial assistant and my favorite part of the job was interacting with the authors. I realized I was working on the wrong side of the desk, so I went back to school and got my MFA in Writing Popular Fiction.

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

I move around way too much to have a system like that. All I really need is my laptop. I write at cafes, airports, and occasionally shrines (although I definitely got yelled at for that last one). There are things I like to have—like a good table and chair, and quiet—but if I had to have them every time I wanted to write, I’d never get anything done.

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

Sometimes. It’s hard to avoid them, and sometimes I’ll get @ mentioned on a bad one and click before I know what’s happening. Although, I have so much self-loathing about my work, I like to think I hate it more than anyone else ever could (Isn’t that a happy thought?!). I save fan notes and 5-star reviews to get me through when I’m struggling. Not everyone is going to like my books and that’s totally fine! I actually think it looks suspicious when you read reviews for a book and they’re all five stars. Everyone has different tastes and unless you’re paying reviewers, that should show in the rating.

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

Title definitely comes last. I don’t really know what a book is about until I’ve written it. Although lately, I just name them after the heroines…

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

I do character sheets for all the main characters before I start writing, so I have reference photos and a good idea of their background and personality. That usually evolves as the story goes on, but I think it’s important to know that stuff before, otherwise too much time gets wasted figuring it out and rewriting.

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

I like paperbacks, but they’re not practical for my lifestyle. I recently got a Kindle and I like that a lot more than hauling books around in my suitcase.

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

The Giver by Lois Lowry is my favorite book of all time. It’s one of those timeless stories that makes you think something different every time you read it.

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

Ha! I was just going to say I can’t bear to watch the movie for The Giver. My soul cried out when I saw that trailer. I think they can be done well (Harry Potter, Pride and Prejudice stand out to me). I just hate this new two-part movie trend. I refuse to see Mockingjay Part 2 or any other movie that gets split in half so the studio can make more money at the cost of the story. They will not be getting my box office dollars for that nonsense.

Your favorite food is?

I’m a spice fiend. I eat a ton of Thai food (because that’s the logical thing to do when you live in Thailand) and khao soi is my favorite local dish. It’s basically noodles in curry broth with more fried noodles on top. Carb heaven! My favorite roadside place serves it swimming in chili oil.

Your favorite singer/group is?

I’m obsessed with Krizz Kaliko right now. Also listening to a lot of Pentatonix and Red Velvet.

Book Blast & Giveaway: Garnet’s Queen by Chelsea O’Neal @ChelCOneal

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Garnet’s Queen SERIES – Angel Crest Trilogy Book 3 AUTHOR – Chelsea O’Neal GENRE – Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Romance PUBLICATION DATE – September 24, 2015 LENGTH – 146 pages PUBLISHER – Mirador Publishing COVER ARTIST – Cover Design by Melody Simmons

BOOK SYNOPSIS

War has come to the castle in Garnet City. With Daniah’s fate hanging in the balance, the close group of Zoku must come together and overpower the resistance, as well as protect the humans.

Lives will forever be altered. Secrets are revealed. One person must decide whether to continue on the path of destruction or follow the Everlasting, while another learns she can be more than she ever had the opportunity to be.

As the Zoku army fights back against the evil Devlo, they turn to their faith, and rely on strength, hope, and love. But, will this be enough? Can they overcome Daniah’s missing presence, or will this be what evil needs to win, once and for all? The ultimate fight between good and evil will clash in this final chapter of the Angel Crest Trilogy.

BUY & TBR LINKS

AMAZON PAPERBACK BARNES & NOBLE PAPERBACK GOODREADS

EXCERPT “Will you just leave already?” I demand, swiping at my tears and feel the welcomed anger eclipse the pain of hurt. Orion looks at me in surprise for a moment then his eyes darken, determination setting in, there is no other way to describe it. He nods once then climbs over the bed and backs me against the wall, crowding me in. “Now you listen, Tiger, I thought I had made myself abundantly clear, and I don’t wish for you to misunderstand again.” Orion takes a deep breath as I hardly dare to breathe. “I have loved you almost since that first look where you sized me up, your amazing mind deciding whether or not to rabbit. I have loved you almost from the moment you looked at me with those big, beautiful eyes, confused as I called you beautiful.” His finger gently caresses my cheek and jawbone. Feeling slightly light headed from lack of oxygen, I suck in a deep breath, letting it out shakily as I see the emotion he talks of in his eyes. “I have loved you from the moment you cared for Lothar, a male you didn’t know, as sweetly as if he were your lover. You are beautiful, honest, and have the tenderest heart of anyone I know. I want to be around you and with you more than anyone else in my life.” Orion pauses, and after a deep breath, he cups my face in his big hands and breathes, “I love you, Mallory, please believe me.” He wipes the tears that are still falling from my cheeks with his thumbs, looking intently at me as I sputter, “But . . . but there is nothing here for you.” He frowns for a second then seems to understand what I am saying. “That’s why you are hurting.” He pulls me into his arms, holding me close, and it feels like he is putting me back together, one piece at a time. His expression is pained when he pulls back. “There is nothing for me to do here, for the moment, that’s what I meant. I just want you safe, I don’t know how I could live if something happened to you.” Relief so great spreads through me making my body tingle, and I slump a little realizing that what I heard was not at all what he meant, and after the relief comes the familiar love that I have been pushing back. “I love you too, Orion. Though it scares me,” I whisper. Orion tenses then forces my chin up to look at him. “I would never leave you willingly, never. I want all of you, always.” AUTHOR BIO

Chelsea O'Neal lives in her fantasy world where people can fly, vampires could be real, money is never an issue and the romantic meeting of your true love is a normal happening. When not relaxing in Chelsea-ville, she enjoys talking with animals who talk back and taking long walks with her prince charming.

Actually Chelsea lives in the United States in Nebraska, where she was born and raised, with her black lab Daisey, who hasn't spoken actual words to her but she is pretty sure Daisey understands her. She is yet to meet her prince charming, though she is quite sure he is out there. Chelsea enjoys working as a youth librarian. She is an avid reader and writing has always been her passion. Chelsea has written 3 novels and a novella, she is working on her next book now.

AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS

WEBSITE FACEBOOK GOOGLE+ PINTEREST TWITTER GOODREADS AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE SHELFARI

GIVEAWAY PRIZES

2 winners each will get an ebook of Garnet’s Queen

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE!

This Event Was Organized & Hosted By:

Special Thank You To Carly's Book Reviews For The HTML Creation

Kasadya Hellhound Series - Get the entire series for just 99c! #YA #Giveaway

Get the entire series for just 99c!
on sale for a limited time. Amazon



Kasadya Hellhound Awakened
Series: Kasadya #1
Author: Karen Swart
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Audience: YA/NA - 14 years and up
Formats: Paperback and E-book
Publisher: Karen Swart
Cover by: Melody Simmons
Edited by: MAI-Editing-Services , There for you Editing Services & Blue Butterfly Editing
ISBN: 978-1311699121
Date Published: 21 August 2012
Pages: 342 pages


Blurb - In a constant battle between good and evil, evil is dominating the battlefield and leading mankind to its destruction. With our Creator's intervention, a creature destined to conquer and destroy is created. He gives mankind hellhounds to fight back and reclaim freedom.
Join seventeen year old Kasadya Levourne as she fights against evil to protect us. With each step, she faces destruction, and yet she has the talent to give it back tenfold. Stubborn and hard-headed she makes her mark in the Fallen world and starts a battle none can escape. Not even her trainer, the very attractive Chax de Luca, was prepared for her presence.
Will evil prevail? Or will Kas and her Fallen friends succeed in protecting us against it? Hold on to your seats, this is going to be one hell of a ride.
Special Note: The Kasadya Series is read back to back, book 1- 3 ends with a cliff hanger.

Now Free on all platforms! Book Links- Amazon / Goodreads / Smashwords / Barnes and Noble

Excerpt - Prologue
There was a time when heaven was filled with peace and serenity. God, Jesus Christ, and all the Angels lived in harmony; no evil and no sin existed. Until one fateful day...
With all gathered to hear their Sire speak, God rose and addressed his Angels. Before all, he proclaimed His Son, Jesus Christ, was equal to Him. That Christ’s words should be obeyed as if they were His own. Christ would command the heavens, with the same authority as Him. All the Angels bowed down before Christ and accepted their Sire’s proclamation, all except for one…
An Archangel was furious with this proclamation. He was his Sire’s right hand, the deliverer of justice, the commander of many legions. He had served his Sire for centuries, and never failed him. It should be to him that God bestow power, not a Son whom had never even seen battle.
With his heart filled with hatred and jealousy, he gathered all the angels in secret. He told them that their days of sweet liberty were at an end. That God has now placed Christ as their ruler and that they should now obey his wishes. Many angels were angered at such a false statement, but many also agreed with the Archangel. He had led them for many years; why should they now question his leadership?
The faithful Angels fled to God and told Him what was happening, and together they prepared for war. With the sun rising on a new day, God and his Angels stood ready for battle against the Archangel and his followers. The battle only lasted a day, the Archangel and his followers defeated before the sun set for the night.
Seeing the angels on their knees before Him, He gave them one final chance… “Repent and declare your loyalty, and I will forgive you, my children.” He told his beautiful angels, tears falling with each word. This was His family. This was His love. How could they betray Him? Some of the Angels cried their penance, begging Him to forgive them for their deceit. They claimed that the Archangel deceived them, and they followed him into battle, as they have done for centuries.
God took pity on them, but still believed that their deceit must not go unpunished. He had spoken many times about the importance of punishment, that lessons learned must be earned... “I herewith grant you mercy, but as punishment you will be sentenced to an earthly realm. I will take your beauty as payment for my children lost today. In the place of your beauty, I will give you purpose. In mercy, and because I love you still, I give you life in this realm. Let this be known, that I was merciful this day,” God finished.
He placed them in an earthly realm, and called it Exsilium. In this realm they would carry their deceit, and earn their place with him. He took their beauty and replaced them with elements of his earth. Half would be of animal and element, and would resemble punishment. The other, in a humanoid form, and would resemble mercy. He called them his Fallen.
The Archangel, and those whom did not repent, were not that lucky. God looked into the eyes of His once faithful angels and only saw destruction, hatred, jealousy, and heartache. He knew that His beloved ones had died this day, and that others needed to be protected. But how could you destroy one you loved? He placed the Archangel, and his followers, in another earthly realm, but where Exsilium was above the earth, this one was in the center. With one wave of His hand, their beautiful forms were replaced with forms as ugly as their hatred and deceit. Using His word and blood, He sealed this realm from any other.
As He looked into the many eyes of hatred, He spoke his final word... “This realm will be called Hell, and you will be called demons. You, my once faithful Archangel, you will be called the Devil. Your angel name will be erased from the past, present, and future. You will be forgotten,” He proclaimed and left them to their demise.
Many years have passed since that day. God created mankind and cherished his new children. The male and female were his new hope; in them he would find peace again. But the Devil had grown strong through the years, and somehow managed to enter God’s garden. Here, he found the female God created, using her to strike back. He whispered words of deceit in her ears, and watched as God’s new children stepped into sin. With her first bite, a crack appeared in the seal around Hell, and demons escaped to earth.
From that day onward, the Devil and his demons created chaos amongst God’s new children, leading one after the other into sin. God looked upon this and decided to fight for his loved ones. He went to Exsilium and spoke to the Fallen... “You, my children, have proven your loyalty in the years that have passed, and so I came to offer you another chance at Heaven. If you slay the Devil and his demons to protect mankind, I will give you a place in my Heaven once again. With your last breath on this earth, you will join me and your brethren in Heaven,” He finished. The Fallen agreed and God gave them the power to move in and out of Exsilium to battle the demons. The war between Good and Evil began.
But as mankind spread over the earth, sin became their followers. And with each sin, the demons grew stronger and created more demons to torture mankind. The Fallen were now fighting against millions; they needed assistance to ensure victory. God had watched the battle from Heaven and saw that they were failing because of their numbers. He also saw that the demons grew stronger than the Fallen. He intervened and created a new creature. This creature would have features encompassing the best of both worlds. One half was as strong and loyal as the Fallen, while the other was as hard and enduring as a demon. This was His ultimate weapon. This would be His greatest creation. To ensure that these creatures could not be swayed, He placed Heaven’s soul into them. He called them His hellhounds.
The hellhounds delivered justice swiftly, as strong and just as the Fallen. Yet hard and durable like the demons, they conquered the earthly realm and the demons retreated. Not one hellhound could be swayed. All stayed true to their calling. God, knowing that the Devil and many more demons had retreated, gave His hellhounds life, and offered them a place among the Fallen.
Until this day they still watch over mankind, protecting them from evil. Will we be worth it?





Kasadya Hellhound Twisted
Series: Kasadya #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Audience: YA/NA - 14 years and up
Formats: E-book
Publisher: Karen Swart
Edited by: There for you Editing Services & Blue Butterfly Editing
Cover by: Melody Simmons
ISBN: 978-1301357192
Pages: 251 Pages
Date Published: 15 February 2013

Blurb - She fought against all odds and became the warrior she was meant to be … or so she thought. In a world where the rules have changed, can she embrace her destiny and become the hellhound she was meant to be?
Kasadya is back in Exsilium and finds her world a little different. Her half-breed fallen friends join her, and they are ordered to complete their apprentice training in order to obtain the right to be guardians. She must learn that her own fate cannot be denied and that others are set to follow. But most of all, she must learn that to trust is the greatest battle of all.
The tables are turned and Kasadya is put to the test. Will she be able to prevent her own death, or that of a friend? Or will her actions call forth the destruction of Earth and Exsilium?
For a Phoenix to rise, it must first die. —Chax De Luca


Book Links- Amazon / Goodreads / Smashwords / Barnes and Noble





Kasadya Hellhound Born
Series: Kasadya #3
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Audience: YA/NA - 14 years and up
Formats: E-book
Publisher: Karen Swart
Cover by: Melody Simmons
Edited by: MAI-Editing-Services & Blue Butterfly Editing
ISBN: 9781301863594
Pages: 235 pages
Date Published: 15 August 2013

Blurb - In a world filled with evil, the Fallen prepare for the ultimate battle against the demon world!
Kasadya is ordered to unleash her crazed born transformation to complete her divinity. But there is a chance that her born will be uncontrollable, and she will be destroyed. There is just one person that can save her; her charm, her destined mate. Left without a choice, she must surrender, and place her life in his hands.
In a race against time, the Fallen must stand together and fight the evil threatening to invade earth. If her divinity was in reach, victory would be theirs. That is until she starts having visions of the final battle, and her true destiny is revealed. She just found her love and place in the Fallen world; will she be able, and willing, to sacrifice it all?


Book Links- Amazon / Smashwords / Goodreads / Barnes and Noble    

Excerpt - “Kasadya, don't do this to me,” Chax spoke, using Corra.
I stopped completely and looked at him. Reaching for my necklace, I held it.
“I am so sorry, Chax. This is the only way; we can’t win any other way. I know; I have seen the end too many times,” I replied.
His face fell even more and he looked around, searching for a way out.
“I want to thank you... for being there for me. For searching for me when I went missing. For enduring all of my crap. I am sorry I messed up so many times. But not this time; this I promise. But most of all, thank you for loving me.” Even my mental voice broke down on the last part.
Chax started to scream and pound at the invisible wall, while others joined him. I looked at Nanini, shocked that she couldn’t get out.
“Take care of Max for me,” I sent to her.
Tears formed and ran down her cheeks, but she nodded.
“Kas, let us help you!” Lotan yelled. My friends, my family were still trying to save me. Tears ran down my own face now.
“I love all of you. Thank you for always being there for me.” Finally my mental voice began to a sob.
I turned away, afraid that the sight of them would stop me.
“Kasadya! Don’t do this to me. I beg you!” Chax yelled at me.
Demons were closing in around me, but my heart was so broken I just let the tears and heartache spill out of me.
“I am so sorry, Chax. Forgive me.” With that, I stormed forward.
I used my g-force punches to clear the masses out of my way. When that stopped working, I started shifting. Demons grabbed at me and some got in a slice or two. But I wasn't stopping.
I saw Ballen trying to flee from me. He thought I was heading for him. Good. I needed him on the other side when I blew it up. Using my wings for momentum, I sent a massive g-force punch into the horde that remained between me and my target. They flew backwards, clearing the way for me to advance. I swiped at a few too close and took their heads. Blood sprayed all over me. Searching for the hole to make sure I was heading in the right direction, I saw the shoulders and arms of something freaking big, already beginning to breach.
I need to move faster!
I lifted up with my wings. They were tired, but I had no other option. Now I had the flying demons to contend with. We fought and sliced and I sent a few down to earth without a head. At last, I was advancing on the hole. Pain shot through my left wing and I tumbled to the ground, hitting hard. At the last moment I made sure that the front of my body hit the ground and not the back. Demons jumped me all at once. Ballen was yelling at them to stop me. I used everything I had left and flung out with my wings and arms. They went flying and just in front of me was the hole with the devil stuck in it. Ballen was standing at the entrance watching me, his face a mask of shock.
With a deep breath, I reached for the pouch and took hold of the balls. Now armed and ready, I just had a few feet to go. I stormed through the demons, not caring if they sliced me open. I wasn't stopping for a fight anymore. I held the balls to my chest, sealing them from any other impact. Then, finally, I was at the entrance of the hole. With the last of my strength, I leaped into the air and went flying straight for it.
There were many things that go through your mind that moment before you die. I remembered my first step into Exsilium. Meeting Lada and Nanini. Meeting Chax and hating my first day. I remembered our fun at the beach, the Hellhouse and the grub spot. Seeing Lada and Lotan kissing for the first time. Meeting Max and Ryan, and then all of the rest. My heart no longer troubled by Kali or Seth or all the others who had betrayed me. I remembered finding Chax and the Fallen again. Seeing my parents again. So many memories bombarded me at that last moment. I remembered my day and night with Chax, and how it felt to be loved.
“I love you,” I sent a final message to him.
He was still screaming my name, begging for me to stop.
I remembered why I was doing this. For them I gave my heart, my life. Ballen's shocked face was in front of me, right in my path. Just when I reached him, I dropped the balls and slammed into him.




Kasadya Hellhound Defined
Series: Kasadya, #4
Author: Karen Swart
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Audience: YA/NA - 14 years and up
Formats: E-book
Publisher: Karen Swart
Cover by: Melody Simmons
Edited by: Blue Butterfly Editing
ASIN: B00J698M1A
ISBN: 978-1311495075
Pages: 135 pages
Date Published: 21 March. 2014

Blurb - For centuries his only reason for existence was to destroy evil. But when he finally found his mate, that all changed for the deadly Chax De Luca. When the hellhound Kasadya captured his heart, he surrended it to her, thinking he’d finally found what he’d been looking for. Little did he know that his mate would sacrifice herself to save them all.
His fury is legend. His wrath, merciless. His love for his mate, undeniable. He’s going to hell to retrieve his heart, and if that means that he must destroy hell itself, then so be it.
Kasadya awakes to a world in peril, her mate forever changed, and a war filled with evil creatures intending to enter Earth’s realm and destroy all that she holds dear. Can she complete her divinity in time to save her loved ones and mankind? Will she have to choose? Or will all be lost in the final battle?
The final battle is here, and with it, secrets are revealed and worlds are changed forever.


Book Links- Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Smashwords

Get the short story Taming The Fae free on all platforms!

  Giveaway- a Rafflecopter giveaway       About the Author - I am a complete book addict, and really proud of it. My entire world is made of books. From reading to writing to blogging to helping other authors. A day without my world of books would be impossible. I am a mother of three, two boys and a little princess. Happily married for 10 years with my high school sweetheart. I live in South Africa, just on the rims of the Kalahari Desert in a small town with one shop and friendly faces.
Media Links – Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Blog / Amazon

Book Blast & Giveaway: Igniting Ash by M.A. Stacie @MAStacie

BOOK INFORMATION TITLE – Igniting Ash AUTHOR – M.A. Stacie GENRE – New Adult Romance PUBLICATION DATE – 4th August 2015 LENGTH - 312 pages PUBLISHER – Limitless Publishing COVER ARTIST – Redbird Designs BOOK SYNOPSIS After a terrible start in life, Asher Harris picks himself up and manages to carve out a fairly decent future. Content with living alone in his bookshop, he shies away from relationships and keeps trust to a minimum. Emma Carnes hasn’t seen Asher in years, though she’s never forgotten him. Their one interaction as teenagers became pivotal to them both. It gave her a career. It saved his life. Emma saw things about Asher that nobody else did. When she urged him to escape a perilous situation, it turned her toward her purpose in life…and saved Asher. Intrigued by the strong man he’s become, she gently persuades him to open up, but finds his emotional walls hard to climb. She also hopes for his help with a troubled teen, Gabe Dearing, who reminds her very much of Asher himself. Their relationship and ties to Gabe threaten to reveal things someone wants to keep hidden… Someone is watching Emma, trying to figure out what she knows, and she soon senses something isn’t right. When the bookshop is vandalized and Gabe disappears, only to return bloody, broken, and refusing to say what happened, Asher and Emma search for the truth as their passion intensifies. The danger mounts, and Emma and Ash struggle to keep what they’ve fought so hard to gain. But can he save Emma as she saved him so long ago? Or will a dark and violent history repeat itself and destroy them all? BUY & TBR LINKS AMAZON KINDLE US AMAZON KINDLE UK AMAZON PAPERBACK KINDLE UNLIMITED BARNES & NOBLES PAPERBACK GOODREADS EXCERPT “He hurt you.” His fingers flexed on her face. “And you’re hurting me by blaming yourself. Shutting yourself away from me isn’t helping.” Asher touched the bruising around her eye, as well as the cuts that had been stitched near her eyebrow. “You’ll have scars.” “Then we’ll match. Unless that idea disgusts you.” “Why the hell would it disgust me? I have my own. What I mean is, that animal has left his mark on you forever.” “And you should know that scars only show the path we’ve walked. It doesn’t show anyone the journey I’m taking.” Asher fell silent as he appeared the mull over what she’d said. So many questions bubbled inside her, though she couldn’t bring herself to ask them just yet. This tiny moment of calm, with his hands on her was exactly what she’d longed for. “Asher? Why did you stay away?” Dropping his hands, he put some space between them and sat on the coffee table facing her. Only their knees touched. “Since I’ve met you I’ve had issues with emotions.” “I would argue that you’ve had them long before we saw each other again.” Asher nodded and carried on speaking. “I’ve had so few things in my life that mean as much as you do. Other than Ike and my father I’ve never loved anyone, and look what happened to each of those.” He gulped. AUTHOR BIO M. A. Stacie is never without a book or her eReader. A voracious reader, with a love of sexy, yet angst ridden novels, she loves getting lost in new worlds. Her need to write did not grip her until after her second son was born, when her previous rambles became fully fledged stories. She describes herself as one huge contradiction, and though not the most conventional of hobbies, she counts getting new tattoos as one of hers. Along with running, knitting, and listening to loud music. However, she is yet to work out how to do them all at the same time. M. A. Stacie lives in the UK with her husband and three sons. AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE WEBSITE FACEBOOK TWITTER GOODREADS GIVEAWAY PRIZES 2 x Igniting Ash eBooks  a Rafflecopter giveaway This Event Was Organized & Hosted By: Special Thank You To Carly's Book Reviews For The HTML Creation

Book Blast: Tutankhamen Speaks by Cheryl Carpinello @ccarpinello

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Tutankhamen Speaks SERIES – The Quest Books Companion to Sons of the Sphinx AUTHOR – Cheryl Carpinello GENRE – Historical Fiction Ancient Civilizations PUBLICATION DATE –Jan. 2014 LENGTH – 80 pages PUBLISHER – Beyond Today Educator COVER ARTIST – Rita Toews

BOOK SYNOPSIS

2014 EVVY Merit Award for Historical Fiction from CIPA (Colorado Independent Publishers Assoc.)

Long ago the old texts of ancient Egypt alluded to scrolls in which King Tut spoke to the people from beyond the tomb. Many archeologists put this down to an incorrect translation of the ancient Egyptian texts. Others swore to the accuracy of the translation. None of that mattered because the scrolls in question could not be found. Scholars labeled it a hoax, something that never existed. It was ludicrous to imagine someone speaking from the grave. They were wrong on both accounts.

BUY & TBR LINKS

AMAZON KINDLE US AMAZON KINDLE CA AMAZON KINDLE UK AMAZON PAPERBACK BARNES & NOBLES BARNES & NOBLES PAPERBACK SMASHWORDS ITUNES GOODREADS SHELFARI

EXCERPT I looked questioningly at my father. Noticing me, he nodded his head in the direction the creature had gone. Then he did a strange thing. He held out his hand to me. I can’t remember another time that he’d ever exhibited such affection toward me. Usually he reserved that for my half-sisters. Ankhesenpaaten squeezed my arm and gave me a push in Father’s direction. A grin spread across my entire face. I might have even skipped to him. I know my heart was skipping. Placing my tiny hand in his, his strong but delicate fingers wrapped around mine. A smile even touched his lips as he gently tugged on my arm. Hand-in-hand we walked out of the palace and into the pleasant Egyptian winter sunlight in full view of all his subjects, who had also heard the deafening noise and had gathered to view the strange animal. Ankhesenpaaten followed at Father’s heels, not attempting to hide the smile on her face. This day was the day that my father the Pharaoh Akhenaten acknowledged me as his rightful heir to the throne of Egypt. Me, Tutankhaten. However, this is not the main reason I remember this day. AUTHOR BIO

I am a retired high school English teacher. A devourer of books growing up, my profession introduced me to writings and authors from times long past. Through my studies and teaching, I fell in love with the Ancient and Medieval Worlds. Now, I hope to inspire young readers and those Young-at-Heart to read more through my Quest Books set in these worlds.

AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE WEBSITE 1 WEBSITE 2 FACEBOOK BLOG TWITTER GOOGLE+ PINTEREST GOODREADS SHELFARI LINKEDIN PAGE FREADO BUBLISH

This Event Was Organized & Hosted By:

Special Thank You To Carly's Book Reviews For The HTML Creation

Book Blast: Corazon by Suzanne Rock

  BOOK SYNOPSIS When Marissa infiltrates the notorious motorcycle club on the outskirts of town, she is prepared to destroy the shifters who are threatening her family. She isn’t prepared for their leader’s sensual proposition, or to play a dangerous bedroom game. As her heart softens, secrets come to light, and Marissa must choose whether to carry on the family legacy, or follow her heart. BUY LINKS Amazon iTunes Kobo EXCERPT

Marissa had always suspected that kissing Navarro would be intense, but she had no idea just how intense until he had her in his arms. The man was sin on a stick, and with each passing second she was falling more and more under his spell.

When he brushed his tongue against the seam of her lips, it felt like heaven. With a groan, she parted them in invitation. Navarro took advantage, planting his hand along the back of her head to hold her steady as he plundered her mouth. The kiss wasn’t gentle, but Marissa didn’t want gentle. All her life she had dated “gentle” men who her father found respectable. There was something wild and feral in Navarro. It called to a primal place deep inside her soul.

She was the one who was supposed to be seducing him, not the other way around. If she didn’t regain some control over this situation, she would never be able to use this moment to gain the information she needed.

As Navarro lifted her up onto the bar and eased in between her thighs, Marissa attempted to disentangle herself. Somehow, her movements brought her closer to him, not farther away. That wild, testosterone part of him was turning her muscles to water. It had been so long since she had sex, even longer since she had good sex. Something about Navarro told her that one night with him would be extraordinary.

Giving up on her plan to take charge, she inched closer to the edge of the bar and slid her hands around his waist. As his erection pressed up against her inner thigh, she decided that she’d give herself over to the moment just this once. By giving herself over to him, she could gain his trust. Yeah, that’s it. Trust.

As he slid his tongue against hers, weeks of building tension exploded into her mouth. He tasted raw and masculine, a heady, leathery taste that matched his scent. He invaded her senses, pushing through the last shred of her defenses until the world around her faded away. She moaned and tilted her head, deepening the kiss. Within seconds there was only her. Only him. Only hungry mouths and skin touching skin.

“Yes,” she gasped as he tore away from her. He kissed her jaw and neck, creating a hot, tingling sensation along her skin that fueled her desire. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes as he let go of her wrist and ran his large fingers down her back. Sliding her hands up his washboard abs and along his muscular chest, she slipped them under his black, leather jacket and pushed it off his shoulders. He pulled back and shed the jacket on a single, fluid motion. It fell to the ground in a heap around them as he leaned forward and kissed her neck once more.

“Navarro,” she whispered as she tugged his T-shirt from his jeans. After freeing the cotton fabric, she eased her fingers underneath and slid them over his skin. The hard muscle flexed under her fingertips as he inched closer to the edge of the bar. Digging her nails into his skin, she wrapped her legs around his waist and positioned herself until his cock pressed up against her center.

“What is it about you, Marissa?” His breath whispered over her skin, making her shiver. “From the first day we met, I felt the tension between us.”

“Yes,” she whispered as his tongue flicked over the sensitive vein in her neck.

“Ever since then, I’ve been watching you, trying to figure out why you have this affect over me.” He eased his hand up her side and covered her breast. Marissa moaned as he squeezed her sensitive flesh and kneaded the tip between his fingers.

“No other woman has captured my attention like this. Just your scent drives me mad with desire.”

“Navarro, please.” She tugged up on his shirt, eager for him to remove it. She wanted him, had wanted him from the first moment she stepped into Estrella’s. The tension between them that he mentioned was real. As he leaned her back onto the smooth surface of the bar, a sense of urgency rose up deep inside of her core. She shifted her fingers, sliding them around his torso and rubbing them over his rough skin. He growled in response, a throaty, masculine sound that sent a jolt of desire up through her core.

He shifted until his lips were inches away from her ear. “I need to be inside of you, querida.” He flicked his tongue over her lobe. “Before this night is over, I will make you mine. Only mine.”

  AUTHOR BIO A lifetime New Englander, NYT and USA Today Best Selling author Suzanne Rock married her college sweetheart and has been with him for over twenty years. Every summer she drags her husband and two daughters to Maine on a quest for the perfect lobster dinner. Every fall she can be found down in Foxboro, Massachusetts cheering on her favorite football team. In between those trips, she's a chauffeur, a maid, a chef, an event planner, a hairdresser, a wardrobe stylist, a tutor and a sometimes masseuse. To keep her sanity, she often drinks copious amounts of coffee and stares at the blank screen of her laptop, dreaming of great adventures. Sometimes she even writes them down for others to enjoy. For a listing of her books and appearances, please visit her website (http://www.SuzanneRock.com). She also loves to hear from readers! Note: Suzanne also writes mainstream romance under the pen name Ava Conway. To learn about her more sensual works, please visit her website at http://www.AvaConway.com This blitz has been organized & hosted by

Book Blast: Released by Mia Fox @MiaFoxBooks

BOOK INFORMATION TITLE – Released SERIES – Romani Realms AUTHOR – Mia Fox GENRE – paranormal romance / steampunk PUBLICATION DATE – already published LENGTH (Pages/# Words) - 315 PUBLISHER – Evatopia Press COVER ARTIST – Eden Crane   BOOK SYNOPSIS The discovery of an ancient bottle unleashes a Genie - and the wrath of the Demon Gypsies chasing her... When Suzette (“Suki”) is released from her bottle by two teen girls, she is more than a bit surprised that a Genie of her calibre is beholden to two average high school students. After dealing with dignitaries and noblemen, however, she believes this will be a welcome break. Until she discovers the teens’ hidden powers and that one will come to possess the Amulet of Pollox, a necklace that contains the secrets from some of the greatest minds throughout history. Unfortunately, she’s not the only one who notices. The Amulet draws the attention of the two powerful and vengeful Demon Gypsies who have pursued Suki through time and will stop at nothing to snatch the girls and the Amulet. Suddenly, Suki is not just helping the girls navigate high school crushes, she’s safeguarding them from danger unlike anything they’ve ever known. To make matters more complicated, she must also fight her attraction to James - her protector through the ages - whose sudden arrival threatens her resolve and her heart. A time-traveling Genie and her unrequited love... Demon Gypsies with an insatiable quest for power... And the teen girls whose existence threatens them all. This is the world of “Released,” book one of The Romani Realms series by Mia Fox, a Young Adult trilogy featuring elements of paranormal romance and steampunk. BUY & TBR LINKS AMAZON KINDLE US AMAZON KINDLE CA AMAZON KINDLE UK AMAZON PAPERBACK BARNES & NOBLES NOOK SMASHWORDS ITUNES GOODREADS   AUTHOR BIO Mia Fox is a Los Angeles-based novelist who writes across varied genres including Young Adult/New Adult Paranormal Romance, Steampunk, and Chick Lit. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from U.S.C. Before writing full time, she worked as an entertainment publicist, a career she chronicles in her novel, “Alert the Media.” However, she is happy to leave that world behind her, preferring that any drama in her life is only that which she creates for her characters. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, three children, Casey, the Wonder Westie, and Bean, his brother. AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE WEBSITE / BLOG FACEBOOK TWITTER GOOGLE+ PINTEREST TUMBLR GOODREADS BOOKTROPOLOUS SOCIAL This Blitz Has Been Organized & Hosted By

Book Blast & Interview: Dark Secrets: A Paranormal Noir Anthology by various authors @suzanne_johnson @megan_hart @rachelcaine

 

Dark Secrets:

A Paranormal Noir Anthology

Rachel Caine, Cynthia Eden,

Megan Hart, Suzanne Johnson, Jeffe Kennedy, Mina Khan

Genre: Paranormal Noir,

Romance, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Date of Publication: September 29, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-942840-05-3

ASIN: B0147D7JTU

Number of pages: Approx. 350

Word Count: Approx. 150,000

Cover Artist: Robin Ludwig Design

Book Description:

Six award-winning authors bring you this spellbinding collection of stories about dark desires, mysterious worlds, and danger that lurks in the shadows of the night. Where nothing is black and white; where things might not be as they seem; where magic and mayhem rule.

MARION, MISSING by Rachel Caine

Valentine is a detective with two major problems: he's been offered a kidnapping case that will probably get him killed, and his partner won't let him turn it down. He owes her that much … since his partner's a ghost, and he's the one who killed her. A dark, haunting noir mystery of love, hate and loss.

FEMME FATALE by Cynthia Eden

PI Mick Swayne has seen it all—his clients have included liars, thieves, and even killers. He thinks he can handle anything and anyone. Then she walks into his office. Savannah Moreau is beautiful, seductive, and…a vampire? The gorgeous vamp hires Mick to help her track down a killer who is hunting in Chicago, but as Mick slips deeper into Savannah’s paranormal world, he wonders if he can really trust his new client…

DANCE WITH THE DEVIL by Megan Hart

When the devil starts the music, you'd better get ready to dance.

Kathleen Murphy has sold her soul to the devil. Fame, fortune, success...everything she's ever dreamed of is hers, and all she has to do is the devil's bidding. When love comes knocking, the last thing in the world she wants to do is involve Jake in her twisted world, but the devil's started up the jukebox and Kathleen has no choice but to learn the steps.

THE CONSORT by Suzanne Johnson

Faulkner Hearne, the captain of the ruthless Fae Hunters, finds his duty at odds with his heart when he’s ordered to capture the consort of Faerie’s cruel Prince of Summer when she flees across the veil into modern New Orleans. Can Faulk turn Liandra over to a certain death at the hands of the prince, or will he risk a war with Faerie in order to save her? An all-new novella set in the Sentinels of New Orleans multiverse.

HEART’S BLOOD by Jeffe Kennedy, a Twelve Kingdoms novella

A dark fairytale retelling of a princess robbed of rank, husband and even her name.

Nix is nothing. The Princess Natilde—her former waiting woman—attacked her on the journey to wed Prince Cavan, stripping her of everything and taking her place. With no serving skills, Nix becomes a goose girl. Perhaps if Nix keeps her promise never to reveal who she really is, Natilde won’t carry out her vile threats. Prince Cavan entered his arranged marriage determined to have a congenial, if not loving relationship with his future queen—for the sake of both their kingdoms. But, his wife repels him more each day and he finds himself absurdly drawn to the lovely Nix....With broken vows, anguish and dark secrets between them, Cavan and Nix struggle to find the magic to restore what’s gone terribly wrong... if it ever can be.

THE DJINN IN THE MIRROR by Mina Khan, a Djinn World novella

A paranormal Cinderella story with a young witch as the heroine and a wicked, sexy djinn instead of a fairy godmother....Dahlia, the step-daughter of a power hungry wizard, promises to free a djinn trapped in a mirror if he rescues her from impending death. But Ashmael the djinn has his own agenda: to trick & seduce his way to freedom. The only problem is he ends up falling for Dahlia. Can he win his freedom and save the girl?

 

Author Name: Suzanne Johnson

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

I wanted to be an artist until I was a senior in high school, but by the time I got to college I’d switched to journalism. I’ve always written—journals, essays, poetry. I never expected to write novels!

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

I always have, or at least since I was a teenager. Now, considering myself an “author” is another matter. I still struggle with that one sometimes; it seems more….serious.

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

I’ll be the first to admit I was incredibly lucky. It took about two months to find my agent, and then it took her four months to sell my first series. I know, I know. It’s pretty ridiculous and I feel incredibly blessed to have had the right idea in front of the right person at the right time. Pure dumb luck.

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

I do still have a day job since writing income is so erratic and I’m rather fond of paying my mortgage and having health insurance! I’ve worked as a magazine editor in university publishing for a long time, and currently work at Auburn University in Alabama. I went to college at arch-rival the University of Alabama, so I claim to be bilingual.

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

For my novella “The Consort,” part of the DARK SECRETS anthology:

A New Orleans Fae Hunter is torn between heart and duty when ordered to capture an escaped consort.

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

The DARK SECRETS anthology is self-published by the authors, but I write the Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy series for Tor Books, and (writing under the name Susannah Sandlin) the Penton Vampire Legacy and The Collectors series, both for Montlake Romance.

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

For a full-length novel (about 100,000 words), three or four months, although I’ve done it in as little as a month. That’s a killer pace to maintain for very long, though. For a novella, three to six weeks.

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

I have a self-published novella and collection of shorts tied to my urban fantasy series, PIRATESHIP DOWN, coming out in early November. I have a new suspense series with Montlake (as Susannah Sandlin) whose first book, WILD MAN’S BLUFF, comes out next spring. And the fifth book in the Sentinels of New Orleans series, BELLE CHASSE, comes out next fall.

What genre would you place your books into?

The Sentinels of New Orleans series is urban fantasy; the Penton Vampire Legacy series is paranormal romance; and The Collectors series (and the new Wildlife Wardens series) is romantic suspense.

What made you decide to write that genre of book?

I love reading urban fantasy, so that was my go-to genre when I started writing fiction. Because of contract restrictions, I switched to paranormal romance for my second series, then began writing romantic suspense when the paranormal market started to weaken. My books, regardless of genre, always have a lot of action and suspense and humor.

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

LOL. It usually depends on what character I’m writing at the time—I tend to fall in love with my characters. Right now, it’s the undead French pirate Jean Lafitte because I’ve been writing PIRATESHIP DOWN and he is such a fun character to write. I mean, he’s a sexy immortal French pirate, wickedly smart, devious, funny, and did I mention French? What’s not to like?

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

I’ve always just written, but what inspired me to write fiction was being a New Orleanian in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit my city. The Sentinels series was a direct result of my own Katrina experiences. Had Katrina not hit, I don’t know that I would ever have written a novel, and I’d have missed something that’s become a big part of who I am.

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

I have an office on the second floor of my house. I do nothing in there but write and do mixed-media art. Since I work a full-time day job, I generally write from about 7:30 p.m. until midnight on weeknights and then put in from ten to twelve hours on Sunday. If I’m on deadline, I work on Saturday; otherwise, that’s my day off to do household stuff.

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

Noooo. I did the first couple of books, and I finally realized I’m neither as great or as awful as reviewers say. I will usually read the first five or ten reviews of a new book to see if there’s a trend, but after that I try not to. They can get in your head, especially the really mean ones.

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

I usually have the title before I even start the book, but I’m a plotter and that’s part of my process.

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

I’ve used family names, looked up names in baby name books, looked at historical names, and come up with stuff from the top of my head. So it varies. That’s for characters. I tend to use real places. I like the idea that someone can read my Sentinels of New Orleans books, for example, and go to most of the places mentioned in the books.

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

I usually come up with the type of character—a wizard, a tomboy, a singer, an enforcer, an Army Ranger—and then name them. Other than Penton, which is a mashup of three different towns, I use real places.

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

I’m a plotter, so I do that ahead of time. I try to leave things loose enough that characters can surprise me. For example, I’ve had merman Rene Delachaise in four books and just found out that he was agoraphobic. Who knew?

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 know that there are morals to my stories, but I do tend to return to the same themes without realizing it: duty versus heart, the importance of friendships, being true to who you are.

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

I love seeing my books in print, and there are a few authors on my auto-buy list that I buy in print, but I have to admit I’m more likely to read an ebook these days—I can read faster and they’re more convenient.

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

I don’t know that I have one single favorite. Among my favorites: Stephen King’s THE STAND; Susan Howatch’s THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE; the Harry Potter series. And I’ve read all of those more than once.

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

As a general rule I don’t think movies transfer well to movies because the complexity and nuance that makes a novel great is difficult to capture on screen. I think the Lord of the Rings trilogy was done extremely well. I started out liking the Harry Potter films but thought they fell apart toward the end. I have yet to see any film version of THE STAND that was good.

Your favorite food is?

Varies from day to day. Today, it’s pad thai.

Your favorite singer/group is?

Again, it varies. Today, it’s Alexandre Belliard.

Your favorite color is?

Dark teal.

Your favorite Author is?

One? Only one? Yikes. Today, Jim Butcher.

   

Rachel Caine is the New York Times, USA Today, and #1 internationally bestselling author of more than 45 novels that span the categories of horror, suspense, urban fantasy, science fiction, media tie-in, historical, and young adult. She’s also the author of more than 100 short stories.

http://www.rachelcaine.com

Twitter: @rachelcaine

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rachelcainefanpage

Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes dark tales of paranormal romance and romantic suspense. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Cynthia is also a three-time finalist for the prestigious RITA® award. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over fifty novels and novellas.

http://www.cynthiaeden.com

Twitter: @cynthiaeden

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cynthiaedenfanpage

Megan Hart is a USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author who writes in many genres including mainstream fiction, erotic fiction, science fiction, romance, fantasy and horror.

http://www.meganhart.com

Twitter: @megan_hart

Facebook: www.facebook.com/megan.hart

Suzanne Johnson is the author of the award-winning Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy series. Writing as Susannah Sandlin, she is author of the award-winning Penton Legacy paranormal romance series as well as The Collectors romantic suspense series, including Lovely, Dark, and Deep, winner of the 2015 Holt Medallion and the 2015 Booksellers Best Award winner for romantic suspense. Her new Wildlife Wardens romantic suspense series begins in 2016 with Wild Man’s Bluff.

http://www.suzannejohnsonauthor.com

Twitter: @suzanne_johnson

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorSuzanneJohnson

Jeffe Kennedy is an award-winning author whose works include non-fiction, poetry, short fiction, and novels. Her most recent works include a number of fiction series: the fantasy romance novels of A Covenant of Thorns; the contemporary BDSM novellas of the Facets of Passion, an erotic contemporary serial novel, Master of the Opera, the fantasy series The Twelve Kingdoms, and the erotic romance trilogy, Falling Under. The first of the Twelve Kingdoms books, The Mark of the Tala, has been nominated for the RT Book of the Year while the sequel, The Tears of the Rose, has been nominated for best fantasy romance of the year. Jeffe lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with two Maine coon cats, plentiful free-range lizards and a very handsome Doctor of Oriental Medicine.

http://www.jeffekennedy.com

Twitter: @jeffekennedy

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Author.Jeffe.Kennedy

Award-winning author Mina Khan grew up in Bangladesh on stories of djinns, ghosts and monsters. These childhood fancies now color her fiction. She daydreams of hunky paranormal heroes, magic, mayhem and mischief and writes them down as stories. She is the author of the Djinn World Chronicles, including The Djinn’s Dilemma and A Tale of Two Djinns, as well as Wildfire, a paranormal mystery with cowboys and dragons.

http://minakhan.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @SpiceBites

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Mina.Khan.Author

Series Blast, Giveaway & Interview: Warriors of Hir by Willow Danes

 

Captured

Warriors of Hir

Book One

Willow Danes

Genre: Science Fiction Romance/

Paranormal Erotica

Publisher: Here Be Dragons

Date of Publication: August 8, 2014

ISBN: 0692271813

ISBN: 978-0692271810

ASIN: B00MH65BDG

Number of pages: 218

Word Count: 55,000

Cover Artist: Steven James Catizone

Book Description:

Jenna McNally is tending to the heartrending task of clearing out her grandfather’s cabin when she’s knocked off her feet by the impact of a nearby plane crash. She races into the snowy North Carolina woods to help and discovers that this is no plane that’s crashed.

Ra’kur’s people have been brought to the brink of extinction by war. After years spent searching for a compatible mate to bond with, an enemy attack lands him on a backward, primitive planet and right to the very female he has been seeking. And a Hir warrior’s first task in claiming a mate is to capture her . . .

Available at Amazon

The screaming came from overhead, like metal ripping through the sky.

In the next instant Jenna stumbled, falling onto her hands and knees as the cabin itself seemed to be lifted up a bit before being slammed back down in a puff of dust, the books and boxes and Pap’s many doohickeys rattling around her.

She was gasping, her ears still ringing as the cabin settled into quiet again. Shaking, Jenna eased back onto her haunches, her hand going to the little golden bird charm that hung on a chain around her neck.

Earthquake?

Quakes were rare in this part of North Carolina, and besides, she’d felt that tremble, that rumbling, beneath her feet a few times out west and this was nothing like that.

Jenna’s glance darted about the room—the half-packed boxes, the groupings she’d made as she sorted her grandfather’s things into piles of stuff to keep or give away or throw out. Through the cabin’s front window, she caught sight of a far-off spray of snow thrown high into the air and now falling rapidly to the ground.

When she’d fallen, she’d dropped the framed photo of her and Pap standing in front of The Sweet Tooth on opening day. Thankfully it hadn’t broken, but the faded oval rag rug had done little to protect her knees from the fall and her palms felt raw and scraped.

Shakily Jenna placed the picture on the coffee table, put a hand on the worn red and black plaid sofa, and, wincing, got to her feet. Her right knee was likely going to sport a nasty bruise tomorrow but the couple steps across the living room to the window assured her that would be the worst of it. She frowned out at the sunny, snow-covered landscape, her breath fogging up the windowpane.

Plane crash, maybe?

There was a tiny airport not far from here. Recently built and meant for small craft—a few of the new, wealthy residents of Brittle Bridge used it when they didn’t want to go to Six Oaks—it was little more than a runway and a couple hangars.

Jenna scanned the woods, looking for smoke, but even the snow had settled now and the mountain seemed peaceful as ever. It took her a moment to realize that the TV that she’d had on to keep her company while she tended to the heartrending task of packing up Pap’s things had gone dark. A quick look at the blinking red light showed the Wi-Fi was out too.

No satellite, no Internet.

“Great,” she muttered, rubbing her forehead with her fingertips. Thinking she could get by fine with just her cell she’d made the mistake of having the landline cut off last week before she realized her fancy—and expensive—new phone didn’t work inside the cabin. Outside, sure. Go twenty feet or sit in the SUV and the damned thing worked perfectly.

Jenna chewed the inside of her cheek. She hadn’t seen anything except the now-resettled spray of snow but if it were a downed plane then someone could be hurt out there. It got dark around five this time of year so there were a few hours of daylight left at least and she knew these woods better than anyone—excepting her grandfather, of course.

She grabbed her cell off the coffee table and in a few moments had her white down jacket zipped, the hood yanked up, and her gloves on. She was already wearing her sheepskin boots; the cabin floor sometimes felt cold to her even in the summer and now in January it was bitterly so.

Jenna drew in the bracing smell of snow and pine as she stepped onto the porch and shut the front door behind her. She was careful going down the cabin’s front steps; she’d slipped often enough on them over the years to remember to hold the handrail in winter. The soft powdery snow crunched under her boots as she walked and, as expected, three steps past her SUV the cell had reception again.

She scrolled through the numbers to the right one and hit “Dial” as she headed in the direction where she’d seen the snow spray.

“Sheriff’s Department.”

“Sarah Jane? It’s Jenna McNally.”

“Hey there, Jenna, you okay?” Sarah Jane had once been a model, or so Pap had said. Got her heart broke by a famous artist in New York and fled to Brittle Bridge to escape it all.

But then again, he’d made up stories about everyone with Jenna—the mayor was in the witness protection program, her teacher was a secret agent. She’d been labeled a “sensitive child” by the social worker who had handled the transfer of custody to him. Of course to Pap “sensitive” meant “creative” so he’d gone all out in encouraging her in all of it—the arts and music, crafting, baking—anything she wanted to try, and he was proud as punch to let her.

But if Sarah Jane had been a model, it was thirty-five years ago or more now and twenty since she joined the sheriff’s department. “You up at Pap’s still?”

Her grandfather’s name was William James McNally. But it had probably been since before Sarah Jane’s supposed model-artist affair days that he had been called anything other than “Pap” in the vicinity of Brittle Bridge—at least never in the twenty-six years Jenna had known him.

Well, excepting that social worker.

“Yeah, I’ll be here for a couple more days,” Jenna said, already past the clearing around the house and into the forest. “Listen, I think a plane crashed up here on our”—she swallowed hard—“my land.”

“A plane?” Sarah Jane’s voice went from neighborly to official. “Where did it come down?”

“Not sure.” Jenna ducked under a branch as she headed deeper into the woods. “I heard something real loud and then it was like ‘bam,’ something hitting the ground hard. Shook the whole place.”

“Can you see smoke from where you are now?”

“No,” Jenna admitted, trotting along as fast as the snow would allow her. Some of the drifts were deep and she had to mind where she stepped. She wouldn’t be doing anyone any good if she broke her ankle. “I’m heading out to take a look now.”

“But you saw the plane go down?”

“Uh, no.” Sarah Jane’s too-patient tone was starting to make her feel a little embarrassed for calling when she hadn’t actually seen anything. Maybe it was something else: a really big tree falling or a damn meteorite or something.

“Huh,” Sarah Jane said. “Lemme call around and see if anybody’s gone missing. But you call me straight off if you find anything, ’kay?”

“Sure thing.” Jenna ended the call and slipped the phone into her jacket pocket. Whatever crashed couldn’t be far from where she’d seen the snow spray up.

Forced by the lack of schools and friends for his young granddaughter, Pap had kept the house in Asheville, but they’d come to Brittle Bridge at every opportunity. Pap’s heart was here and she’d happily spent the summer days running barefooted in these woods clad in overalls, her chestnut hair in pigtails at first, then tied back in a ponytail as she got older.

Her stride faltered and she steadied herself against a pine, the rough trunk pulling on her knitted glove. Pap’s beloved woods were quiet and bright around her but Jenna suddenly had a strong urge to run back to the cabin.

She set her jaw and pressed on. Pap hadn’t raised her to be a coward and this was her land now. He’d left her five hundred acres and anyone on it without her say-so was trespassing, even if it was about to go up for sale.

Still, she wished she’d thought to grab Pap’s revolver or rifle or even his hunting knife before she’d come racing down here.

I’ll go as far as the creek and if I don’t find anything I’ll head on back.

But all was quiet at the creek too, the crystal clear water moving placidly between the banks—

Jenna stopped short. There was tang to the air, a burned smell that wrinkled her nose. It reminded her a little bit of the inside of a mechanic’s garage, out of place in such pristine woods.

It smelled wrong. Not only that…

There’s no snow here.

There was snow all around, covering the ground, hanging heavy in the tree limbs above, but here there was just a long patch of mud and broken sticks.

The sudden sick feeling of being watched raised the tiny hairs on the back of her neck. With a shock of awareness she realized just how very vulnerable she was out here, alone and unarmed.

Pap hadn’t raised her to be an idiot either. With trembling fingers she pulled her phone out and hit redial to the Sheriff’s office.

In horrified disbelief she watched the screen flash “Connection failed.”

She took a step back and searched the silent, still forest.

All I have to do is make it back up to the house. I can get the gun, get my car keys, call for help, get the hell out of here!

Her quickened breath was visible as she headed uphill back toward the cabin, the drifts and her fear slowing her down. She couldn’t remember if the ammunition was still in the kitchen cabinet or if she’d moved it to—

Something off to her right gave a soft, deep growl . . .

 

 

 

Taken

Warriors of Hir

Book Two

Willow Danes

Genre: Science Fiction Romance /

Paranormal Erotica

Publisher: Here Be Dragons

Date of Publication: February 1, 2015

ISBN-10: 0692377735

ISBN-13: 978-0692377734

ASIN: B00T0VFO8S

Number of pages: 271

Word Count: 69,000

Cover Artist: Steven James Catizone

Book Description:

Hope MacGowan is a city girl but reeling from a break-up on top of a layoff has her determined to have a weekend away in the North Carolina mountains—even if all her friends have bailed at the last minute. Hope’s life is one big train-wreck and getting kidnapped by a tall, blond alien—even a gorgeous one—sure isn’t helping.

R’har crossed the galaxy to seek a mate on this newly discovered world and this delicate red-haired female is everything he’s dreamed of—except happy to find herself mated to him. R’har knows in his heart he’s her true mate, even if he’s not human. But taking her doesn’t mean he can keep her and somehow he has to convince Hope to choose him before time runs out . . .

Available at Amazon

Coldness snaked through Hope’s belly as Keri’s silence dragged on.

“Did you know?” Hope asked again. Her cell pressed hard to her ear, her heart in her throat as she waited for her friend’s answer, she had a sudden urge to open the car window and hurl the damned thing into the road before Keri could reply. “Did you know about Brian and Megan?”

Through the phone she heard Keri sigh and Hope’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, the center diamond of her engagement ring sparkling in the sunlight.

Parked in front of the diner where she was to pick up the rental’s keys, Hope blinked out at Brittle Bridge, North Carolina’s quaint Main Street. Outside her car, people strolled about on their Friday morning errands, enjoying the May sunshine and the sweet mountain air, chatting and laughing.

Inside the car, Hope’s breath had the quick shallow pant of an animal caught in a trap.

“Look,” Keri began, a little impatiently. “It wasn’t my job to tell you. Megan—Brian really—should have.”

“You’re my friend. You went with me to look at venues, at wedding gowns. You bought a bridesmaid’s dress.” Hope’s throat tightened. “Megan bought a maid of honor dress!”

“I didn’t actually buy the dress,” Keri mumbled. “I called the boutique after we left and asked them to cancel my order.”

But that was back in March!

“How long?” Hope asked, her voice high and tight. “How long has it been going on? How long have you known?”

Keri sighed again. “I went to Gable’s with some people from work back in January and I saw Brian and Megan in a booth in the back and they were—It’s probably been going on longer though.”

“January? But—” Hope began, her tone pleading now as if she could argue this away, as if to point out the faulty logic of it would cast a spell and make everything right again. “But we got engaged on Valentine’s Day! He asked me to marry him on Valentine’s Day. If he and Megan were—” Her eyes stung. “He broke our engagement by text, you know. He sent me a text today to tell me that he and Megan were together and how very, very sorry he was. Megan texted to say she’s sorry too—Oh, and since she’s not coming for the weekend she’s not going to pay her third for the rental.”

“Oh, that is shitty,” Keri said.

Shitty as letting me plan a wedding when you knew all along Megan was fucking my fiancé?

But the great burden of red hair was everyone expected you to have a bad temper and a sharp tongue. Hope had spent most of her twenty-seven years showing the world how even-keeled she was, how she could handle anything with a cool head, not raging or weeping even in the face of heartbreak and grief, not letting anyone know how bad she hurt.

Those walls went up when she was eight and were so thick now that nothing—not the death of her parents, not the humiliation of her fiancé screwing her maid of honor—was going to bring them down.

“Yeah, it is,” Hope said instead. “So when were you going to get around to telling me that you aren’t coming for the weekend either?”

“Look, I just thought if you and Megan were alone—maybe the truth would finally come out. Being with the two of you and pretending I didn’t know sucked.”

“Wow.” Hope nodded even though Keri couldn’t see her. Even a determined redhead had her limits. “That must have been really rough on you.”

Keri went silent again.

Hope put her hand over her eyes, blocking out the cheerful spring sunlight. “I lost my job this morning.”

“What?” Keri sounded startled for the first time during their conversation.

“They made the announcement today. They sold the company to the Hindle Group last week and they had one too many graphic designers so they let me go. They made me drive all the way to Asheville to give me the news. My fiancé ends it in a text but my company had to tell me in person.”

“Jesus . . .”

“They gave me three months’ severance. And they shook my hand too. Apparently someone in the D.C. office did me the favor of clearing out my stuff while I was driving to Asheville yesterday so I’m all packed up. They’ll have everything delivered to my apartment by the end of the day.”

“So you’re driving back to D.C. tonight?”

“What for?” Hope asked bleakly. “Brian and Megan are at his place, making the most of the romantic curtained bed I bought. I don’t have work on Monday. No fiancé, no best friend, no job. My apartment lease is up in ten days and now I won’t be moving in with Brian. Maybe I’ll just move up here to the mountains. Take up wood crafting or something.”

“Call me when you get back,” Keri urged. “I’ll take you out and get you drunk. We’ll find you someone new.”

“No. I’m cursed.” Hope shut her eyes. “No one on the planet has worse luck with men than I do.”

Keri was smart enough not to argue that point. “I really am sorry.”

“Yeah, me too,” Hope said and hung up.

She turned off the car and sat there, the cell cradled in her lap. The invitations hadn’t gone out yet so she didn’t need to work through the guest list; with her parents both dead and no siblings there was no one left to call.

No one at all.

 

 

Stolen

Warriors of Hir

Book Three

Willow Danes

Genre: Science Fiction Romance /

Paranormal Erotica

Publisher: Here Be Dragons

Date of Publication: July 28, 2015

ISBN-10: 0692500820

ISBN-13: 978-0692500828

ASIN: B012UW5YKG

Number of pages: 265

Word Count: 68,000

Cover Artist: Steven James Catizone

Book Trailer:

Book Description:

Kidnapped from Earth by an alien warrior when she visits her uncle, Summer Mills is terrified she will never be able to return home. Her alien captors are using human females as breeding stock and her only chance to return to Earth is Ke’lar, the one Hir warrior willing to stand between her and his own kind.

Returning this human female home won’t be easy and Ke’lar knows by this act of defiance he is throwing his own chances at a lifemate away. Both his family’s enemies and his own clan have pledged to reclaim the woman he has stolen, the only woman he will ever love . . .

Available at Amazon

The alien warrior, naked beside her, gave a soft snore, his thickly muscled arm thrown over Summer, keeping her close as he slumbered.

When he had first captured her on Earth, she had only seen beast—his full mouth, his gleaming fangs, his inhuman ridged forehead and heavy brow. Now, lying beside him, his bare tan skin smooth and warm against her own, his eerie glowing amber eyes shut, she knew how very intelligent he was, this wild creature who had brought her to his planet. He, like all the males of his kind—the g’hir—was tall, powerfully built, fast as quicksilver.

Summer wet her lips. She could see the movement of his eyes behind his lids.

Dreaming.

She’d never get a better chance.

Escaping a seven-foot-tall alien warrior who’s claimed you as his mate and taken you halfway across the galaxy is impossible.

But when it’s your only chance in hell of ever seeing home again, you just tell “impossible” to fuck off.

Six days after her abduction, her heart hammering so hard she feared the sound of it would wake the warrior at her side, Summer eased out from under his heavily muscled arm and slid from his bed.

He stirred, reaching for her. She froze, crouching beside the bed, praying his vibrant eyes stayed shut, his face slack with slumber. His long, silky, red-brown hair was spread across the white pillow, his swarthy coloring a stark contrast to her own pale complexion.

When she’d first awoken to find herself captive on his ship he’d looked her over with his unnervingly brilliant alien gaze. He’d taken a lock of her pale blond hair between his large fingers, frowned at her skin, and asked if such pallor in a human meant she was sickly. Trembling before the huge warrior, thinking he’d kill her if he thought her ill, not even understanding how she was processing those growls of his as language—Summer swore she was completely healthy. He’d given a satisfied fanged smile; pleased, she knew now, that she’d be able to produce the robust, healthy offspring he wanted.

The warrior—Ar’ar—gave another soft snore and Summer straightened to standing.

Clad only in a whisper-thin nightgown, the polished tiles cold under her feet, she padded silently through his luxurious quarters. Sweet spring air drifted through the open balcony doors, the fine silk curtains fluttering in the breeze as she passed them.

The balcony of Ar’ar’s rooms—the opulent living quarters of a clanfather’s heir—overlooked his family’s vast holdings, and the three moons of his world—Hir—lit her way. The wind stirred her long hair, momentarily blocking her vision, and impatiently Summer tucked the bright strands behind her ears to keep them out of her eyes.

She had one chance at this.

If they caught her she’d be watched constantly no matter what concessions Ar’ar—her new alien “mate”—made to his female’s pleas. He was confident enough, and proud enough, that he had dismissed the honor guards his father, Mirak, tried to attach to her. Ar’ar gave a huffing, indulgent laugh as he’d waved them off at her request. After all, compared to him, Summer, even at five foot nine, was just a slip of thing.

A weak, harmless, helpless human female . . .

Using the building to help her balance, she climbed up to stand on the balcony’s wall.

Eight stories above the ground of an alien world.

Summer swallowed hard. There was a reason she always insisted on having a room on the first floor of a hotel. Just glancing out the glass-wall window of her high-rise office back home left her woozy.

But there was only one way out into the hallway—and ultimately to Earth—that wouldn’t wake the glowing-eyed fanged warrior snoozing back there. She had to get from these quarters over to the unoccupied rooms beside them. That door she could open without fear of waking him, then get the hell out of this monstrously large building they called a clanhall and run for freedom.

It wasn’t even very far over. Twelve feet, maybe.

All she had to do was get to the next balcony.

Never mind that the only way there was a small decorative outcropping on the side of the building barely as wide as her foot . . .

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

I always wanted to be a writer! At age six I would make little story books (complete with illustrations!) out of construction paper and yarn to hand out.

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

I published Another Man’s Bride under my real name, Ariel MacArran, in July of 2013. At first sales were slow but one day someone I didn’t know, someone who just saw the book on Amazon, read it and loved it! I suddenly realized that to her, this unknown reader, I was on the same level as any other published novelist—even Philippa Gregory and Diana Gabaldon—I finally felt like a real writer!

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

When I first started writing I sent my books out to agents and traditional publishers. I did sell two of my books to a traditional publisher but when I got the contracts they were awful! The agent I had at the time tried but couldn’t get the publisher to negotiate. I made the very difficult decision to decline the offer to publish. When self-publishing took off I thought I didn’t have anything to lose by trying and I absolutely love it!

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

I’m a licensed therapist too but I do much more writing now than seeing patients.

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

Stolen. Summer, claimed by Ar’ar, is desperate to get home. Ke’lar, warrior of a rival clan, is her one hope.

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

I formed a company, Here Be Dragons Publishing, and publish all my books under that imprint. I hope to expand my publishing company to other authors soon.

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

I have been able to write an entire book from start to ready-to-publish in under eight weeks. I prefer to take longer but life doesn’t always let me. :)

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

I’ve got so much going on! The audiobook of Captured just came out and the audiobook of Taken is slotted for release in November then the narrators, Adam McLaughlin and Kathryn LaPlante, head back into the studio to do Stolen. The Tellaran novels and my medieval Historical, Another Man’s Bride, are gearing up for audiobook production too. In the coming months I’ll be releasing The Princess, fourth in the Tellaran series, and Hidden, the next book in the Hir series. I have another Historical in the works and a time-travel I’d love to do.

What genre would you place your books into?

Most are Science Fiction Romance but because the love scenes are of the steamier variety they also show up as Science Fiction or Paranormal Erotica.

What made you decide to write that genre of book?

I just always loved Historical and Science Fiction. I write the kind of books I’d like to read.

Do you have a favorite character from your books?

And why are they your favorite?

I don’t think I could pick a favorite! My guilty secret is I sometimes love writing the villains—like Jasa in The Seer and Mirak in the Hir series—almost as much I enjoy writing the heroes and heroines because they have solid, logical, but misguided, reasons for their actions.

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

I always knew I wanted to be a writer, even when I was really little. My dad died suddenly when I was 20; losing him was very hard and it forced me to think about how precious the time we have is. You have to do what you love, even if it’s hard, even if you’re the only one who believes you can do it and trust me, I got lots of rejection from publishers and agents, so much that I almost quit. But I wanted to be a writer enough that one day I made the commitment to do whatever it took for as long as it took.

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

I actually love to write in bed with my laptop and my coffee next to me. Since I got a puppy, Porthos, I spend a lot of time writing in the living room in a chair and a half with my feet up on an ottoman. The dog is usually asleep (how can a 14 pound spaniel take up 75% of a huge chair??) next to me.

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

Yes, every writer I know does. Sometimes it’s helpful, sometimes it’s brutal, but often it’s what makes all the hard work and late nights worth it because someone loved my book. I swept someone up in my story and there is just nothing better!

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

I do both. For the Historicals I write first and then choose the title—I did two pages of ideas before I chose ‘Another Man’s Bride’! For the Hir series and the Tellaran series I have titles already chosen and write to fit them.

How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books? The hero and heroine’s names just pop into my head, like they were meant to be together. :) The minor characters and place names usually take a bit more work. Because I started with the Tellaran series my editor, Erin McCabe (author of I Shall Be Near to You) and I worked hard to make places, names, etc. for the Hir series very distinct from the ones on Az-kye. Sometimes, especially for the name of a location, I put in a placeholder like ‘the Blank River’ and come back to it later.

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

Place names are usually decided afterwards but a character’s name has to fit with who they are so I usually chose names then the character just falls into place.

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

I’m very lucky that way. Characters just jump into my head to the point that, whatever the situation they’re put in, what they say and do just flows from who they are.

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..")

Yes, there’s always a deeper theme of growth and change in my novels—like Arissa learning to accept and be true to who she is in The Seer, or Isabella, raised in the English court, who knows she will disappoint the woman who raised her, Kat, when she chooses love in the Scottish Highlands over position. In The Consort, Kyndan has to stop hating the Az-kye people who enslaved him to make a life with Alari and Hope has to deal with the fear of how vulnerable loving R’har makes her in Taken.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Willow Danes is the pen name of author Ariel MacArran, creator of the Tellaran Series. She is an Amazon bestselling author, currently at work on book four of the Tellaran Series, The Princess.

www.willowdanes.com

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8433496.Willow_Danes

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Willow-Danes/1452738648390350