Karen Swart's Blog, page 76
March 20, 2014
Book Blast & Giveaway: Blue Balls and Push-Up Bras by @Mandy_Harbin
Blue Balls and Push-Up Bras
Series: Blue Balls, #1
Abstinence makes the heart grow fonder...
Sex would be nice. But after giving birth, Sophie is a little self-conscious about her body, and her husband, Sawyer, hasn’t even tried coming on to her. What’s a girl to do? Don’t blab to your friends, that’s what! Their reaction is a mix of shock and pity, but they unite under one common goal: to get her laid. In one week, she’s going to show Sawyer just what he’s been neglecting. At her reluctance, the girls all agree to break out their push-up bras for a night of showing off their assets in support of her mission.
But Sophie wants it now. The talk with her friends sparks her to be the initiator, but when she tries turning on the charm, Sawyer still doesn’t give up the goods. Now the only big O she’s getting is offended.
So she hatches a little plan of her own...
AVAILABLE NOW:
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Mandy Harbin is the author of several books across multiple romance genres that range from contemporary to paranormal erotic romance. Her books include the award winning Darkest Sin, an erotic romantic suspense and first in the new Darkest series. Mandy also continues to work on her Possession series, which explores BDSM elements with Digital Possession being the series starter, and the ever popular Woods Family series, which began with the best seller Surrounded by Woods.
She lives in a small Arkansas town with her family and can be reached via:
March 19, 2014
Character Interview with Keegan Callaghan from The Lake of Shadows
Today on the blog we have Keegan Callaghan from The Lake of Shadows, today’s book blast. We would like to thank him for stopping by today and sharing with us.
Character Name: Keegan Callaghan
Character Bio:
Keegan was born in Kilkenny (Irish: Cill Chainnigh) in Republic of Ireland. He is a thirty four years old male, but there is a little extra to his ordinary. Except being a human, he is also something crudely known as a werewolf. He can't shape shift, but can sport a set of wickedly looking canines, and claws. His normally blue eyes can change, morphing into silver with sharp emotions, or red-on nights of full moon or with rage.
Neither bodes well.
He lost both of his parents at the tender age of six, brought up to adulthood by his father's brother. But fate wasn't quite done with him, death struck yet again when he was twenty five years old, taking away the woman he considered to be the love of his life. Haunted by the past and torn by the things he can't change, he decides to leave the only place he had known as home, and move across the ocean to a rural town in America, where his mother originated from. There he discovers how little he really knew about his own kind, and will be forced to endure facing the fate for the third time. And third time is a charm as they say...
Describe yourself what is your worst and vest quality?
Let's start with the worst and be over it. I think that would be penchant for violence, which is what my kind has in common. I am sure Jade would say I am stubborn, but she is the one to talk! If it wasn't for my tenaciousness how else would I end up with a woman like her? My best quality is loyalty.
What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you?
I am not as bad cook as Ciarán tells people I am!
What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?
If it stayed under the radar so far, better to keep it that way.
What are you most afraid of?
Before Jade it would be losing all appearances of a civilized male, and turning rogue. After Jade, disappointing my woman or worse, losing her.
What do you want more than anything?
To keep a better leash on my beast and my temper, which is nearly one and the same. To use the chance I've been given at leading an ordinary life. Perhaps it sounds simple, but to someone who had never known anything but death and loss, that's everything.
What is your relationship status?
Taken. Thoroughly and irreversibly taken (wide grin)
How would you describe your sense of fashion?
I believe it's called casual, but I am not big on the subject.
How much of a rebel are you?
All the way! (laughs) Depends what you consider rebellious. My inner beast is a mean, contrary fiend, demanding I paint the world with crimson. I try not to let it have an upper hand. But if someone will push at my boundaries I will give a shove back. Hard.
What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?
Convincing Jade she is the one for me. God, but she put up a good fight. Almost as if she knew how much I love challenges!
What is your idea of happiness?
Leaving past buried behind, and never looking back again. I had served my time. Having those I call my own close, and protect them the way I couldn't save my parents and Riona before.
What is your current state of mind?
Restlessness has been the part of me as long as I breathe. I am not sure it could entirely go away, or that I would know how to live without it, but I... (coughs) we are working on it.
What is your most treasured possession?
Few memories and even less belongings of my parents. That's all I've got left of them.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Color changing eyes. They are the best barometer of what is happening within me.
What is it that you, most dislike?
Duplicity in every shape and form, and that for some people duplicity equals diplomacy.
Which living person do you, most despise?
Keefe Callaghan, my father's brother.
What is your greatest regret?
Not being able to stop death from striking, when it reached for my family, and the young, innocent woman whose only guilt was to love me.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Integrity, confidence
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Having a soft spot for a bad boy
Who is your favorite hero in fiction?
Batman. Why? Because unlike other super heroes he was simply a human who chose to do well.
Which living person do you most admire?
Jade Thorton, the woman I love, for overcoming past tragedies instead of letting them own her.
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
Not so long ago I would have said; everything. Now I have Jade and she wants me to look at myself through her eyes. How a man can say no to that?
What is your motto?
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
If you would like to find out more about Keegan and his world check out the book blast below.
Book Blast & Giveaway: The Lake Of Shadows by @_M_E_Yildirim
The Lake Of Shadows
Chastity Point Series
Book1
M.E. Yildirim
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ASIN: B00GN94XYG
Number of pages: 383
Word Count: 111651
Cover Artist: Gözdem Perrichet
Book Description:
Keegan Callaghan knows the taste of loss. Fate has severely tried him; first by taking away his parents when he was but a child, then destiny didn't spare him the heartache of losing the woman he loved, when she fell victim to vicious killers who were after him.
He is a man, but not human.
At least that's not all there is to him.
There is a savage side to his nature, a werewolf like creature that most would attribute with folklore or a myth. Troubled by his own animalistic tendencies he has a hard time accepting and haunted by vicious memories, he decides to leave his home in Ireland and move to the US, where his mother was from.
But the quiet town of Chastity Point, Connecticut is not what it seems.
Jade Thorton is trying to lead the life she always dreamed of having. She owns a bakery, has friends, and a loyal dog, which seems to be fully satisfying after the traumatic experience of her childhood that casts a long shadow on her whole life.
The last thing she expects is to find herself thrown back into the past by the events taking part in the small town when blood is being spilled in rural Chastity Point.
The fascination she feels for the mysterious man with eyes full of painful secrets could be her chance for happiness, or her final downfall…
Purchase at Amazon Smashwords BN
Chapter 14
He sat on his porch, listening to the sounds that approaching night was bringing up to him. It was like a lullaby, to which he get used to surprisingly fast.
Opened bottle of chilled beer stood on the wooden table, next to his elbow. Condensation was dripping slowly down along the glass in an essence reminiscent of the sand in an hourglass.
He propped his ankles comfortably on the balustrade, letting peace of the moment to seep inside of his skin. A light breeze played with his hair, like a teasing hand of a lover, carrying memories within that were fighting with a present.
Too many memories he tried to resist.
But they were stripping his will away, pulling him under. Taking him back to the times when he had been a mere shadow passing by, living on the outskirts of the real world.
Riona was dead, and with her death all the light went out from his life. One careless incident, and he was spiraling down, down, down …
At first, vengeance was the only thing that kept him going, kept the blood pumping in his veins, kept his heart beating in his chest.
After all was said and done, he was left with memories alone.
Memories that taunted him.
Then even they were too much and started to elude his grieving mind. During the first year he was so close to the edge. He let his animal side come to the fore, trying to bury himself in the most basic survival mode. He became vicious beast walking on two legs, ready to strike at the slightest provocation, or even without.
He didn't care if he would bring death upon the others or himself. No, he prayed for the end, because only in death they could be together again. Then one sober thought slashed brightly through his half mad mind.
He didn't deserve the blessing of the death.
He needed to take in the suffering with every breathe, with every step of his way...
Then all the other women followed. Nameless fucks. That's what they were. He made sure, he has never had a hard time walking away from any woman, after not being able to reach the only one he wanted.
All these years females had come to him easily, and then disappeared even faster. Names and faces turned into blur, not letting one of them become too important to him. It was a simple matter he based his survival on.
They were all blonde and tall, but they were mere shadows of the only female he could never touch again. Didn't deserve from the beginning, but couldn't resist. And she paid dearly for his weakness.
Not any other has ever came close to touching precious memories he carried within. These other females were wrecks, just like him. Castaways left for scavengers to pray.
Incomplete.
Undone.
Trying to lose themselves in one of the most primal acts. In order to dream, to forget, to die, and reborn as someone else. Trying to … feel something, anything. But nothing helped. Not to him.
Never to him.
Grief and rage became like a third entity living under his skin.
Until one day he opened up his eyes, and saw all that he had brought upon himself. He became what he despised the most.
Riona would despise him as well.
Not for failing in protecting her, never that. But for what he allowed her death to turn him into. This bitter, violent shell of the man she used to love, nothing but a husk of his former self, on a sloppy road to hell.
He shook his head like an animal that lived inside of him, shrugging off the trance like state. There was no peace in the evening breeze, soothing lullaby snapped in the midway. Broken sound of it reverberating in his jagged soul.
He leaned against the back of his chair, balancing it precariously on two legs. Precarious balance was a good analogy to his current situation, he thought, and blew out the harsh breath, swearing eloquently.
Jade.
All in him wanted to get back to her, to bury himself in her body, to slip under her skin. All in him tightened in possession at the mere memory of the hungry intensity between them.
He would like nothing more, than to blame it all on his primal, animal part, but deep down he knew human male felt exactly the same way.
He didn't want to feel this way about any woman.
Not after the lesson of the past. He knew dangers hidden in it, remembered gut wrenching emotions. They were nothing more than a weakness, which could lead a man to a downfall.
And now Jade threatened all his memories, deepening his guilt, and self–loathing. Because she was making him break the vows he made a long time ago, forget his own rules he tried to live by. And she didn't even have to try, he thought bitterly.
The smart thing to do would be walking away now, but he was afraid it was already too late for that.
He took Jade, just like he wanted, but it didn't appease his craving. If anything the craving became even sharper, than before. If he had any hopes of moving on after having her, now he could finally stop deluding himself about it.
She was his, and some feral part of him refused to consider any other possibility.
He finally couldn't take standstill of the moment and went inside, closing the solid lid on his memories, and pretending his present doesn't bother him at all...
M.E. Yildirim is a Public Relations specialist from Poland who is confident Satan himself created math and that the world needs more bookworms to balance the evil out. Her mother is the one who had inculcated in her respect and love for written stories and taught her not to judge a book by its cover. She lives with head full of voices which won't be silenced until she lets them out to live and spin their tales on paper. That's right-their tales, since they seem to have a mind and will of their own. Walking through life to the beat of her own drum, she has worked in a PR Agency, small companies, a big consortium and even in the Military. But none of it could ever compare to the adventures of creating and building up her characters and stories. M.E. believes that books are for smoothing out everyone's feathers and reminding people all the things they've already forgotten. She is happily married, oftentimes engaging her husband in her writing, with or without his consent. Tenacious as much as the characters she creates, she loves challenges, letting her own creations to take advantage of that fact.
https://www.facebook.com/meyildirimauthor
March 18, 2014
Book Blast & Giveaway: Witch’s Bounty by @AnnGimpel
Witch’s Bounty
The Witch Chronicles, Book 1
Ann Gimpel
Publisher: Taliesin
ISBN:
Release Date: 3/6/14
Genre: Dark Paranormal Romance
Word count: 63,000 words
A demon-stalking witch teams up with a Sidhe, but their combined power, never mind their love, may be too late to make a difference.
Book Description:
One of only three remaining demon-stalking witches, Colleen is almost the last of her kind. Along with her familiar, a changeling spirit, she was hoping for a few months of quiet, running a small magicians’ supply store in Fairbanks, Alaska. Peace isn’t in the cards, though. Demons are raising hell in Seattle. She’s on her way out the door to help, when a Sidhe shows up and demands she accompany him to northern England to quell a demon uprising there.
Duncan swallowed uneasy feelings when the Sidhe foisted demon containment off onto the witches two hundred years before. He’s annoyed when the Sidhe leader sends him to haul a witch across the Atlantic to bail them out. Until he sees the witch in question. Colleen is unquestionably the most beautiful woman he’s ever laid eyes on. Strong and gutsy, too. When she refuses to come with him, because she’s needed in Seattle, he immediately offers his assistance. Anything to remain in her presence.
Colleen can’t believe how gorgeous the Sidhe is, but she doesn’t have time for such nonsense. She, Jenna, and Roz are the only hedge Earth has against being overrun by Hell’s minions. Even with help from a powerful magic wielder like Duncan, the odds aren’t good and the demons know it. Sensing victory is within their grasp, they close in for the kill.
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/9Dyrl06IANo
…The bells around the shop door clanged a discordant riot of notes. “Crap!” Jenna shot to her feet. “I should have locked the damned door.”
“Back to cat form.” Colleen flicked her fingers at Bubba, who shrank obligingly and slithered out of clothing, which puddled around him. She snatched up his shirt and pants and dropped them back into the canister.
“I say,” a strongly accented male voice called out. “Is anyone here?”
“I’ll take care of the Brit,” Colleen mouthed. “Take Bubba to the basement and practice.”
She got to her feet and stepped past the curtain. “Yes?” She gazed around the dimly lit store for their customer.
A tall, powerfully built man, wearing dark slacks and a dark turtleneck, strode toward her, a woolen greatcoat slung over one arm. His white-blond hair was drawn back into a queue. Arresting facial bones—sculpted cheeks, strong jaw, high forehead—captured her attention and stole her breath. He was quite possibly the most gorgeous man she’d ever laid eyes on. Discerning green eyes zeroed in on her face, caught her gaze, and held it. Magic danced around him in a numinous shroud. Strong magic.
What was he?
And then she knew. Daoine Sidhe. The man had to be Sidhe royalty. No wonder he was so stunning it almost hurt to look at him.
Colleen held her ground. She placed her feet shoulder width apart and crossed her arms over her chest. “What can I help you with?”
“Colleen Kelly?”
Okay, so he knows who I am. Doesn’t mean a thing. He’s Sidhe. Could have plucked my name right out of my head. “That would be me. How can I help you?” she repeated, burying a desire to lick nervously at her lips.
“Time is short. I’ve been hunting you for a while now. Come closer, witch. We need to talk.”
***
Duncan Regis eyed the grim-faced woman standing in front of him. She was quite striking with such stunning bone structure—high cheekbones, square jaw—she could have been a runway model. Her unwavering pale blue eyes held his gaze. Dressed in brown wool slacks, a multicolored sweater, and scuffed leather boots, she had auburn curls that cascaded to waist level. A scattering of freckles coated her upturned nose. Her lips would have been full if they weren’t pursed into a hard line.
He knew he was staring, but couldn’t help himself. Colleen was tall for a woman, close to six feet, with well-defined shoulders, generous breasts, and a slender waist that flared to trim hips. He smelled her apprehension and was pleased she was able to cloak it so well with the defiant angle of her chin and the challenge in her icy stare.
Despite his earlier command, she didn’t move. Annoyance coiled in his gut. He could summon magic and force her, but he wanted—no, make that needed—her cooperation. Compulsion spells had a way of engendering lingering resentments. He smiled, but it felt fake so he gave it up. “I like women with spirit, but I’m used to being obeyed.”
She frowned and tilted her chin another notch. “I’ll just bet you are. I’m not coming one angstrom closer until you tell me why a Sidhe is hunting for me.”
Surprise registered. He tried to mask it, just like he’d attempted to disguise himself in a human glamour. Duncan tamped down a wry grin, wondering if his second ploy had worked any better than his first.
“Not really.” She tapped one booted toe. “I read minds. You’ll have to do a better job warding yours, if you want to keep me out.” Colleen exhaled briskly. “Look. Maybe it would be easier if you just told me why you’re here. I’m sort of busy just now and I don’t have a bunch of time to spar with you.”
“You don’t have any choice.”
“Oh yes I do.” Anger wafted from her in thick clouds. Along with it a spicy, rose scent, tinged with jasmine, tickled his nostrils and did disconcerting things to his nether regions. He resisted an urge to rearrange his suddenly erect cock. Colleen unfolded her arms, extended one, and pointed toward the door. “Out. Now.”
“You’re making a terrible mistake—”
“Maybe so, but this is my turf. If you force me with your magic, you’ll have broken the rules that bind your kind—and the covenant amongst magic-wielders.”
Duncan’s temper kindled, but it didn’t dampen the lust seeping along his nerve endings. Rules be damned. He could flatten this persnickety witch, or better yet, weave a love spell and bind her to him that way. Maybe he should do just that and have done with things. He clasped his hands behind him to quash the temptation to call magic. The movement stretched his trousers across his erection, making it obvious if she chose to look down.
Something dark streaked from the back of the shop and planted itself in front of him, hissing and spitting. Gaia’s tits. A cat. He stared at it. Hmph. Maybe not a cat after all. Duncan reached outward with a tendril of magic. Before it reached the creature, Colleen bent and scooped it into her arms. The not-a-cat wriggled and hissed, but she held fast.
“Leave him alone,” she said through clenched teeth. “He’s mine.”
Duncan narrowed his eyes. “Damn if it isn’t a changeling. How’d he end up with you?”
Her foot tapped the scarred wooden floor again, its beat so regular it could have been a metronome. “I asked you a whole lot of questions.” She took a step backward. “But the only one I want to know the answer to is—”
“What the fuck are you doing?” Jenna wavered into view, having teleported in from somewhere. Her gaze landed on the cat. “Thank Christ! For a minute there I thought the little bastard got away from me.”
“Jenna,” Colleen snapped. “The Sidhe have deigned to call.”
The other woman whipped around and stared at Duncan. He stared back. What was it with these witches? Had they taken some sort of potion to supersize themselves? She made Colleen look positively petite. Jenna sidled closer to Colleen; part of her height came from high heels, but she was still an imposing woman. “What does he want?” she growled.
Duncan cleared his throat. “I’m right here. You can ask me.”
“Fine.” Jenna put her hands on her hips. “What are you doing here?”
“How do you know I want anything?” he countered, trying to buy time to figure out what to do now. He hadn’t counted on two witches, and a changeling.
“Because if you didn’t, Colleen would have shooed you out of here by now. You really do need to leave. We’re busy.”
He snorted. “Yes. Colleen made that abundantly clear.” He looked from one witch to the other. At least his erection was fading a bit. Crowds always had a dampening effect on his libido. Many other Sidhe thrived on group sex, but he’d never appreciated its appeal.
“Either tell us what you want right now,” Colleen moved toward him, cat still in her arms, “or leave. I’m going to count to three—”
“Maeve’s teeth, witch! We’re on the same side.”
“Generally speaking,” Jenna joined Colleen about three feet away from him, “that’s probably true, but the Sidhe have never helped us.”
Colleen quirked a brow. “No, they haven’t.” Her eyes narrowed. “And I have this prescient feeling that Sidhe-boy here is about to ask for a pretty big favor.”
“Sidhe-boy?” The dregs of his lust scattered; he crimped his hands into fists. “Show some respect.”
“You’re not respecting me,” Colleen said. “I’ve asked you to leave—twice. No, make that three times.” The not-a-cat finally twisted free. He skimmed over the distance to Duncan and buried his claws in his leg.
“Why you changeling bastard!” Duncan shook his leg. The thing didn’t even budge. He bent, curled his hands around the furred body, and tugged. The thing bit him. Anger flashed. Magic followed. The changeling howled and fell into a heap on the floor.
“Goddammit!” Colleen shrieked. “He was just trying to protect me. If you’ve killed him…”
“I didn’t. He’s only stunned.” Duncan rubbed his ankle, glanced at the puncture wounds on his hand, and directed healing magic to both places.
Colleen sprang forward and gathered the creature into her arms. Duncan felt her magic quest into its small body. She blew out an audible breath. Cradled against her, shrouded by her long hair, the changeling mewled softly.
Duncan shook his head. He’d hoped to be subtle, accommodating, encouraging, so the witch would at least hear him out with an open mind. The time for that was long past. “All right.” He spread his hands in front of him. The flesh wounds on the one were already nearly closed. “I’m here because we’ve had problems with Irichna demons—”
“Christ on a fucking crutch,” Jenna cut in. “Seems like they’re on everyone’s mind these days. We were just—”
Colleen rounded on her. “Shut up!”
“Oops. Sorry.” Jenna held out her arms for the changeling. “I’ll just take him and—”
“No.” Colleen’s voice was more like a growl. “You’ll stay right here.” She placed the changeling in the other witch’s arms and turned to face Duncan. “I know you’re Sidhe, but who are you?”
“Duncan Regis.” He held out a hand. She ignored it, so he let it drop to his side.
“Regis, Regis,” she mumbled, her eyes narrowed in thought. “Ruling class from somewhere in Scotland.”
He nodded, impressed. “Northern England, at the moment, but the border has moved around a bit over the years. I do lay claim to Scottish roots. I didn’t know witches studied our family lines.”
“Witches don’t, but I did.”
“Any particular reason?” He was almost sorry he’d asked. She had strong feelings about the Sidhe, and he was about to find out why.
The changeling yowled, obviously recovered from his semi-comatose state. Jenna cursed and set him down. “Damn it! He scratched me.”
Duncan thought about saying something cheery, like welcome to the club, but bit back the words.
Colleen rolled her eyes. “He wants to talk. There’ll be no peace until he shifts.” She flicked magic toward the creature winding itself between her booted feet. The air shimmered and a rather large gnome took form.
He rocked toward Duncan with a bow-legged gait that made him look like a drunken sailor; his open mouth displayed squared off teeth. “I’ll tell you why she knows about you.” The changeling drew himself to his full height of about three-and-a-half feet. “She came to the Old Country looking for help during the last demon war. You Sidhe were too high and mighty to get your hands dirty, so she had to settle for me.”
Colleen snickered. “Not exactly the way I might have described it, but close enough. Hey, Bubba! Get some clothes on.”
“Later,” the changeling snapped without looking at her.
“Which of us did you approach?” Duncan made the question casual. Whoever turned Colleen down had broken the covenant binding magic-wielders to come to one another’s aid in times of need. He wondered if she knew.
“Of course I do.” She sneered. “Your thoughts are as transparent as a child’s. Even Bubba here,” she pointed to the changeling, “does a better job masking his feelings when he puts his mind to it.”
“Thanks.” The changeling glowered at her before transferring his attention back to Duncan.
“What kind of name is Bubba?” Duncan linked to the changeling, and was surprised by the complexity of his thoughts. Maybe the witches had been a good influence.
“You didn’t have to just push your way in.” The changeling screwed up his seamed face in disgust, but didn’t draw back. “My true name is Niall Eoghan.”
“Clothes,” Colleen reminded him.
Bubba made a face at her, turned, and walked behind one of the display cases. When he emerged, he wore wide-bottomed green trousers and a black shirt.
“Irish.” Puzzle pieces clicked into place and Duncan transferred his attention back to Colleen. “You never did tell me who you’d asked for help. It appears they not only turned you down, but chased you across the Irish Sea.”
“We left voluntarily,” Jenna said.
Colleen’s lips twisted in distaste. Whatever she remembered apparently didn’t sit well. “We spoke with two Sidhe at Inverlochy Castle outside Inverness. They refused to give us their names, but said they were princes over your people. They heard us out and sent us packing. Gave us twenty-four hours to leave Scottish soil.”
“I was all for staying,” Jenna chimed in. “After all, we had passports.”
“Was it just the two of you?” Duncan asked.
“Roz was with us,” Colleen said.
Understanding washed through him. “Three. You brought three to maximize your power.”
Colleen’s full mouth split into a chilly smile. “We were under attack by the Irichna. Would you have done any less?”
“Probably not. So after we, that is, the Sidhe—”
“We worked fine,” Bubba said flatly. “Unless you’ve decided to renounce your heritage.”
Duncan traded pointed looks with the changeling. “Speaking of magic, you’re stronger than any changeling I’ve ever come across.”
“That’s because you’re used to our feeble Scottish cousins. They were stronger before you stripped their magic and diverted it for your own purposes.”
“Enough.” Colleen snapped her fingers. “Or I’ll change you back into a cat. We don’t need a history lesson just now.” She shook her hair back over her shoulders. The movement strained her sweater tighter across her breasts. Duncan dragged his gaze elsewhere.
“About the Irichna—” he began.
“We can’t help you,” Colleen said flatly.
“Why not? We’d pay you well.”
“It’s not a matter of money, although I’m not sure you could afford us.”
“We have an, um, previous engagement,” Jenna offered.
“Whoever it is, we need you more than they do.” He looked from one witch to the other.
Colleen dropped her gaze and rubbed the bridge of her nose between her thumb and index fingers. When she looked up, the skin around her eyes was pinched with worry. “I’m not sure it’s a matter of who needs whom more.” She speared him with her pale blue gaze. “Do the Sidhe know why the demons are so much more active here of late?”
He debated how much to tell her. Given her ability to burrow inside his head, it was unlikely he’d be able to hide much. If he told her everything, though, it might piss her off. Hell’s bells, it annoyed the crap out of him. “Not exactly.”
Her nostrils flared. “You can do better than that. If you can’t, the door is behind you.” She folded her arms beneath her breasts. “Talk now or leave now. It’s all the same to me.”
Ann Gimpel is a mountaineer at heart. Recently retired from a long career as a psychologist, she remembers many hours at her desk where her body may have been stuck inside four walls, but her soul was planning yet one more trip to the backcountry. Around the turn of the last century (that would be 2000, not 1900!), she managed to finagle moving to the Eastern Sierra, a mecca for those in love with the mountains. It was during long backcountry treks that Ann’s writing evolved. Unlike some who see the backcountry as an excuse to drag friends and relatives along, Ann prefers solitude. Stories always ran around in her head on those journeys, sometimes as a hedge against abject terror when challenging conditions made her fear for her life, sometimes for company. Eventually, she returned from a trip and sat down at the computer. Three months later, a five hundred page novel emerged. Oh, it wasn’t very good, but it was a beginning. And, she learned a lot between writing that novel and its sequel.
Around that time, a friend of hers suggested she try her hand at short stories. It didn’t take long before that first story found its way into print and they’ve been accepted pretty regularly since then. One of Ann’s passions has always been ecology, so her tales often have a green twist.
In addition to writing, Ann enjoys wilderness photography. She lugs pounds of camera equipment in her backpack to distant locales every year. A standing joke is that over ten percent of her pack weight is camera gear which means someone else has to carry the food! That someone is her husband. They’ve shared a life together for a very long time. Children, grandchildren and three wolf hybrids round out their family.
http://www.amazon.com/author/anngimpel
http://www.facebook.com/anngimpel.author
@AnnGimpel (for Twitter)
Author Interview with Patricia D Eddy
Today on the blog we have author Patricia D Eddy for an interview. I would like to thank Patricia for stopping by today and sharing with us.
Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I have this memory of sitting at my parents’ very first computer at the kitchen counter typing out a story. I didn’t even save it, but I wrote it. I did that a lot. Before they had a computer, I used a typewriter. Interestingly, I don’t think I ever wrote out a story longhand, but once I could bang something out on a keyboard of sorts, I couldn’t stop.
When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?
I suppose it was when I was dating my husband. We fell in love three states away from one another and spent most of our courtship on Instant Messenger. We’d work on writing prompts together most night. Write for fifteen minutes and then share. No story, no plot, just writing.
How long did it take to get your first book published?
I started writing it on October of 2012. I published it in June of 2013.
Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?
I do have a full time job. I work for a large technology company.
What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?
By the Fates, Fought is the book that’s just released.
Second in an epic trilogy pitting witch against devil. No one fights alone.
Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?
I self-publish. I wanted the freedom to write what I wanted, when I wanted. I love self-publishing.
How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
That depends. I usually have 3-5 projects going at once, so I don’t work on one thing from start to finish. But on the average, I release 2-4 books per year. In 2013, I released two full length novels and a shorter novel. In 2014, I’m hoping to release four full length novels.
What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
I have an erotic suspense book coming up next. After that it’s the conclusion of the By the Fates series, the second in the In Blood series, and a new series, A Shift in the Water about werewolves and elementals.
What genre would you place your books into?
Most are paranormal romantic suspense, but the erotic suspense has no paranormal aspects to it.
What made you decide to write that genre of book?
I knew that some of what I wanted the characters to experience was going to be difficult for them and I wanted magic to help them along. There’s a lot of healing that has to happen in the By the Fates series. The main character, Ealasaid, goes through a lot of trauma as a young woman and magic helps her heal. Without magic, the healing would not be possible. I also love the challenge of coming up with spells and defining the rules of magic (and in the In Blood series, the science behind vampires).
Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?
My favorite character does tend to vary, but if I had to choose just one, it’s Faolan from By the Fates. He started out as a plot-tool. He needed to be there to show that not all devils were bad. I had plans for him, of course, but I didn’t see him as someone with the layers that the other characters had. But as I got to know him, I realized that in some ways, he has the *most* layers of any of them. In the first book, he was a minor character, but in the second book, he’s got a significant role to play. In the third book, he’s crucial to the plot.
How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?
I’ve been writing all of my life. I remember sitting at my parents’ kitchen counter with the first computer we ever had typing out stories. I’m not sure what really inspired me. I was an only child, which I think encouraged me to entertain myself. My own head was often much more interesting than the world around me.
Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I write at night mostly. I like to have the television on, but it can’t be something I’m too interested in. I watch a lot of Food Network because it’s vaguely interesting and I can zone out and write for ten minutes, twenty, and then come back to the show when I want a distraction. I need those little breaks that TV provides.
Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
Yes. I’ve been fortunate that the reviews have been positive, and I know there will be a day that I a) don’t read all of the reviews and b) have to read a 1 star review. You just can’t please everyone all the time. But right now, I read every single one.
Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
That depends on the book. With By the Fates, I knew it was going to be a trilogy when I was halfway through the first book. I had that title done, and I knew I wanted a similar title for the next two books. Those two books had titles long before I started writing them. But with A Shift in the Water, my werewolf book, I didn’t come up with a title until I was ¾ of the way through writing the book.
How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
I use Scrivener for names. It’s got an awesome name generator. Places are harder. Though with my more modern books, Secrets in Blood, A Shift in the Water, and In His Silks, the places are all real.
Are character names and place names decided after their creation? Or do you pick a character/place name and then invent them?
Again, a little of both. Ealasaid went through several name changes before I settled upon her. But Raven was Raven from the start. Mara and Cade, from the werewolf book had names from the start. Evangeline and Nic were a mix.
Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
My characters always start out a certain way. I tend to start my novels with a single scene in my head. That scene branches out into a plot. It’s rare for a character to be fully developed in my head when I start writing. That’s what editing is for. I let the characters talk to me as I write and tell me who they are. Then I go back to the earlier chapters and tweak them later.
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 write about good versus evil. Good usually wins, though there’s also usually a bit of “sometimes you have to do bad things for a good outcome” slant to things. I like challenging the good guys to think outside the box.
Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?
That’s a hard question. I only read e-books these days. I read on the bus and it’s too hard to carry around multiple paperbacks or hard backs. Also, very few indie authors produce paperbacks. I support indie authors. In fact, they make up probably 80% of what I read. That means e-books. That said, there is nothing like holding a beautifully bound and printed hard cover book in your hand. I *prefer* hard covers, but I read almost all e-books.
What is your favorite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
That’s like asking me to pick a favorite restaurant. My answer is going to depend on the day. I love the Kate Daniels books though. I have read parts of them more than once. Ilona Andrews does a great job of explaining the magic in her books in a way that seems like it could truly exist in the world.
Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favorite/worst book to movie transfer?
It can be done well. That’s not to say that watching the movie is the same as reading the book, but it can be well done. I’d hold up the Harry Potter movies to that standard. I loved the books. I loved the movies. Reading the books enhanced the movies for me, but even without that, the movies are great.
Your favorite food is?
Kale. Yes. Really. I’m on holiday right now in Italy. I’m eating pizza, prosciutto, speck, Parmesan, mozzarella, and more. But right now, I want a big bowl of kale chips. That said, there isn’t much I don’t love.
Your favorite singer/group is?
Great Big Sea
Your favorite color is?
Purple
Your favorite Author is?
Lindsay Buroker
If you would like to know more about Patricia and her books, check out the book blast below.
Book Blast & Giveaway: By The Fates, Fought by @patricia_eddy
Presented by:
Title: By the Fates, Fought
Author: Patricia D. Eddy
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Audience: 18+
Formats: eBook
Publisher: Patricia D. Eddy
Cover By: Ravven
Editor: Clare C. Marshall
Pages: 400 pages estimated.
ASIN: B00IZO66MY
ISBN: 1496104005
Date published: 18 March, 2014
Spring in Gralvein brings Ealasaid peace. Six months to the day Raven found her shackled and tortured in the devil's lair, their public handfasting is the happiest day of her life. But a storm is coming. Devils join King Eideard's Guarda and watch Ealasaid constantly. Faolan's spies report Lobhdain is plotting. What is this mystical artifact he searches for?
When the devils attack and one of their allies disappears, Raven and Ealasaid fear they will never be safe. Can they manage a daring rescue? Or will Ealasaid lose everything she holds dear?
By the Fates, Fought is the second novel in the By the Fates trilogy. It contains several disturbing scenes, including brief descriptions of rape and torture and is meant for mature audiences. It ends on a cliffhanger. By the Fates, Fulfilled will be released in Fall of 2014.
Goodreads / Amazon / Smashwords
Excerpt- The chill surrounded us. Even now, after six months, it shocked me. But Raven’s arms were tight and warm around me. When we emerged, the sun was kissing the horizon. I blinked against the brilliant orange light. We were standing on a small strip of sand next to the sea. Rose petals covered the beach and lanterns were arranged in a large circle, inside of which stood those we considered our family. Ami and Seònaid. Moire and Ian. Marcas and Una. Even Faolan was there. I turned towards Raven with questions in my eyes.
Color flooded his dusky, chiseled cheeks and the gentle breezes ruffled his black hair. He had let it grow these past months and it nearly brushed his shoulders now. “I wanted to do something for you, allera. Something special to mark this day. Our customs say that Ostara, the spring equinox, marks the day that light wins over the darkness. You are my light, Ealasaid.”
“And you are mine,” I managed. The lump in my throat threatened to choke me. “There was no light for me before you. But you have already given me everything. I have no need of anything else.”
Raven smiled. “Perhaps I do. Ami and Seònaid’s handfasting was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. Second only to the moment of our mating when I felt our souls intertwine. I thought we could have our own handfasting. In front of our family. All of them.”
I looked around. Our Love surrounded us, pure and perfect. Ian’s arm was around Moire’s waist. Ami’s hand rested on Seònaid’s bottom and their heads were touching. Una was curled against Marcas. Faolan was the only one standing apart. He looked wistful, but not entirely unhappy.
“This is what you were doing today?” I accused.
“Finding roses this time of year was difficult. Ian and I had to travel to his home in the south. His gardens there are truly impressive. It is a long trip.” Raven grinned.
“I suppose I will have to forgive you then.”
Raven offered me his hand and led me inside the circle. We stood at the center. The couples formed three points of the compass with Faolan taking up the fourth. Moire and Ian spoke first, their voices combining in unison. “We ask the Fates to bless this union with the gifts from the four corners of the world. We represent the gifts of the north a firm foundation on which to build, a hope for a fertile mind and body, and a stable home where you may always return to each other’s arms.”
Marcas and Una spoke next. “We represent the gifts of the south the comfort of a loving home, the heat of the heart’s passion, and light in the darkest of times.”
Seònaid and Ami stepped forward. “We represent the gifts of the west a commitment as deep and a passion as all encompassing as the sea.”
Faolan’s raspy voice completed the ritual. “I give you the gifts of the east the union of the heart, mind, and body, fresh beginnings with the rising of each sun.”
The air around us stirred. I swept my gaze over the deep purple sky to where it touched the expansive sea. The water lapped softly at the sand. I inhaled deeply. The salty air filled my lungs. I had never felt so free so very loved and safe.
Ami stepped forward with a braided piece of silk. “Ealasaid, take Raven’s left hand in yours.” She laid her hand on ours, cool against our warmth. Her eyes met mine. “May I bind your hands?”
I nodded. As she tied a loose knot at our wrists, a sudden memory threatened me, but one look into Raven’s eyes and it vanished.
“Your hands are now joined, in front of your family, as witnessed by the Fates. Hold each other, caress each other, support each other, love each other. Your lives, your hearts, and your souls are joined in this life and the next. By the Fates and by the laws of this land may this be done.” Ami unwound the silk and handed it to Seònaid. “There is only one thing left to do.”
I looked over at her. What else could there be?
Raven dipped his hand into his pocket and brought forth two silver rings, one large and one small. “A symbol. Like our sigils. I had them made for us.”
He took the smaller ring and slid it onto my finger. It was warm. The engravings appeared to come alive for a brief second, glinting in the light of the surrounding lanterns. Raven extended his hand, offering me his ring. I had a sudden flash of memory: Raven offering me a grape the first morning I’d been free. Tears pricked at my eyes. With trembling fingers, I held his ring. My magic pulsed, heating the silver. What is happening? As the ring slid over Raven’s finger, I awakened my sight. Emerald wisps of air were flowing from my hand to his. His aura took on the slightest green tinge. It was almost like a halo around his body. The ring had a stronger aura, one all its own. Was there magic in the metal? I looked down at my hand. My ring had no such aura. When I looked back at his ring, the aura was gone.
“Ealasaid.” He brought me back with the gentle word. “The Fates smiled upon me the day they led me to you. They have blessed me every day since. I have seen you discover your magic, your voice, your strength, and even your very name. Each day with you is a gift-one I treasure.”
I cupped his cheek. “It is I who am blessed. I had nothing. You gave me the strength to discover who I was. It is because of you that I have a family. There is nothing more precious to me than this.”
For several long moments, all was silent. We were locked in a gentle embrace. Raven’s eyes shone with unshed tears. He dipped his head. His lips were soft, warm, and tasted of home. He was my home.
A prize pack containing: $5 Amazon gift card, a By the Fates Bookmark, and a signed paperback copy of By the Fates, Fought a Rafflecopter giveaway
Patricia D. Eddy has been a writer all of her life. She used to sit at her parents' kitchen counter at an Apple IIe typing out short stories. She even wrote a few on their old typewriter. But it wasn't until NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in 2011 that she ever came close to finishing a story she started. Once that dam broke, the flood waters never receded. Patricia sits down to write every evening after dinner and quite often sees midnight come and go before she heads to bed. She doesn't sleep much. But she wouldn't have it any other way.
In her spare (HA!) time she runs, bikes, swims, yogas, pilates-es, reads, and is terribly addicted to Doctor Who and Sherlock. Apparently she has a thing for quirky British men.
Facebook / Twitter / Blog
Tour Schedule - One Week Blog Tour By The Fates, Fought by Patricia D Eddy from March 18 to March 24.
March 18
Karen Swart March 19 Cu's Ebook Giveaways Niecey's Book Addiction Pretty Little Pages Vampy and Racey March 20 Laura's Ramblins And Reviews March 21 Crazy Beautiful Reviews Desert Rose Reviews March 22 Book Hostage March 23 Sweets Books March 24 Eclipse Reviews Darkest Cravings
March 17, 2014
Author Interview with @Elle_Jefferson
Today on the blog we have author Elle Jefferson here to share with us. I would like to thank her for stopping by and sharing. Now enough talk let’s get to it.
Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
No. Up until I was 17 I wanted to be a soap star. Unfortunately, I never figured out how to get over my crippling stage fright.
When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?
I think after I actually finished the first draft of At Death It Begins, and I was like whoa this is a whole book, that I considered myself a writer.
How long did it take to get your first book published?
Since I self-published not long at all.
Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?
I'm blessed because I get to do writing full-time.
What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?
The name of my latest book is In Death's Touch, only 20 words eh? phew, that's tough. Let's see. Can I come back to this?
Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?
self-publish.
How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
My first book, At Death It Begins took 3 years, the follow-up to it In Death's Touch, took about a year and half.
What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
I love paranormal, so although I may write YA, NA or adult they will all have some sort of paranormal twist.
What genre would you place your books into?
Paranormal romance
What made you decide to write that genre of book?
I love vampires
Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?
I think my favorite character is Edwin. He's one of the eldest vampires and time has made him see things clearly, so he never jumps the gun or lets emotions control him. He just sort of goes with the flow.
Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
No, because I don't want the good reviews to give me a big head nor do I want bad reviews to deter me either.
Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
Titles are tricky, I usually have a title picked out when I start writing the book but then about halfway through it changes.
How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
Scrivener has this awesome feature called name generator.
Are character names and place names decided after their creation? Or do you pick a character/place name and then invent them?
When it comes to my characters the most I start out with is their gender. After that I let them jiggle around in my head until their ready to tell me their story.
Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
I have to say I try to start with traits but just like my title choices the characters end up dictating their personality traits.
Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?
paperback always. I love my kindle, but there is something about curling up in your favorite chair with a cup of tea and a book. The beautiful cover. The smell of the papers. That's something you just can't get with an ebook.
What is your favorite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
I'd probably say my favorite book is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I've read it over five times it just has all the elements that make a story great. Conflict, adventure, fear, romance, competition, and dragons.
Do you think books transfer to movies well?
Not usually. There's just a richness in books that just doesn't translate to the big screen.
Your favorite food is?
chocolate
Your favorite singer/group is?
NKTOB
Your favorite color is?
purple
Your favorite Author is?Do I have to pick just one?
It's a toss up between JK Rowling and Dr. Suess.
If you would like to find out more about Elle and her work check out today’s book blast.
Book Blast & Giveaway: At Death It Begins by @Elle_Jefferson
At Death It Begins
ADIB
Book One
Elle Jefferson
Genre: Paranormal romance
ISBN: 9781484877098
ASIN: B00AUNNJCI
Number of pages: 418
Word Count: 98,184
Cover Artist: Krysa Designs
Book Description:
Lendyn Hughes' grandmother has kept a secret from her for over thirty-one years, who Lendyn's parents are. A devastating break-up following her grandmother's death leaves Lendyn alone, confused and determined to find answers. Armed with only a name Lendyn attempts to unfurl the branches of her family tree never guessing it would put her life in danger.
For over two hundred years Englishman Callum Scott lived a life surrounded by beauty. A life free from all those annoying human emotions. That is until the American showed up. Lendyn flipped his world upside down and put him in the worst sort of jeopardy. He's starting to feel things and a murderer can't afford to feel.
Chapter 1
My hand fumbled through the darkness reaching for Devin. I needed to feel him, know he was there. Something troubled me, but I couldn’t put a finger on what.
A morsel of his flesh beneath my fingers would pacify me. Assure me he was still there. I reached further until my fingers collided with the soft, peach under-flesh of his forearm. I ran a hand across his solid form pausing for a moment to trace a figure eight on the mound of muscle encompassing his shoulder. He had a body fit to be relished even in the troubling hour’s lack of sleep brought.
He purred for a moment before stretching an arm and rolling over to his stomach stifling his rhythmic snoring. I tucked the sheets over him and kissed his golden hair. It was a perfect evening; work failed to interrupt our plans which were a rarity. We went for a moonlit walk along Paradise Cove, an exclusive beach, you had to be a member of to stroll along. This meant no paparazzi to hassle us.
They were one of many drawbacks to dating a celebrity, but as I admired the contours of his body, there were benefits too. Though maybe tonight had been too perfect. That was silly thinking. We didn’t spend enough time alone for anything to be too perfect.
An eerie flash of red in my peripheral caught my attention. I sat up noticing for the first time the clock on the nightstand was flashing 11:41 over and over. One of the problems to living in an old hotel like the Beltmore … things tended to fizzle out all the time. Last month it was the air conditioning, before that, the hot water. Maybe Devin was right, and it was time to move out of this hotel and into an apartment. I shrugged, I’d debate that tomorrow.
I patted the nightstand for my cell; it wasn’t there. Then I remembered I dropped it on the dresser earlier this evening when Devin had pinned me there to deliver one of his toe curling kisses. Trying to keep quiet while navigating the dark became impossible when I stubbed my toe on one of Devin’s Sketchers and tripped headfirst into the dresser. My hand flew to my mouth muffling a scream that rushed to my lips. Devin stirred but didn’t wake.
Phew. The last thing I needed was to wake him. He was a bit of a grump and once he was awake, he’d have to leave. Work always came first.
Along the dresser, I felt the smooth outline of my phone. When the screen lit up the time was only 2:08 a.m. still early and plenty of time to crawl back into bed and snuggle up next to Devin. Halfway back to bed and my phone started vibrating. There were fourteen missed calls and one voicemail, all of which, came from one number—Emma. Now, I was a bit worried. It’d been a while since the last time I’d spoken with my best friend Emma.
Emma had this philosophy about calling once and not calling again until you called her back, hence my worry.
I dialed my voicemail, “Wednesday, 12:15 a.m—Lend, its Em call me as soon as you—BEEP.” Em was calling on the other line. Why was I so nervous to answer it?
“Em what’s going on—” I swallowed, “—is everything okay?”
Emma didn’t even get my name out before she broke into sobs. Maybe she and “Mister Perfect” broke up again.
“Hello,” I said a little louder, “you still there?” All I could hear was sniffling, maybe she accidentally pocket dialed me. I debated hanging up and calling her back when a familiar English accent came on the line—Mister Perfect. “Lendyn it’s Zach … I’m afraid I have bad news … there was an accident involving Gigi,” he paused to take a breath as I held mine, “I’m afraid she didn’t make it.”
The room began to spin, and gravity pulled at me. Was I dreaming? This had to be a dream.
Zach’s voice continued, but I didn’t hear anything except a loud buzzing as my legs gave out, and I collapsed to the floor.
Prize pack 1- e-books of Temp by Kelly Collins, Broken by K. Webster, Ignite by Tessa Teevan, The Hart Family box set by Ella Fox, Fade In by Mo Mabie, Blind Obsession by Ella Frank, and A is for Alpha by Laurel Curtis.
Prize pack 2- ebooks of A Window to Love & Reclining Nude in Chicago by Fifi Flowers, Push The Envelope and Hit the Wall by Rochelle Paige, Save Me From Myself by Stacey Mosteller, Annie of London by L.A. Rikand, Goodbye Caution by Jacquelyn Ayres and Infamous Ellen James by NA Alcorn.
Prize Pack 3- A signed paperback of At Death It Begins and a bag of book related swag (i.e. bracelet, pen, bookmark, 5$ GC to Amazon, notepad) Open to US Shipping
Prize Pack 4-A signed paperback of In Death's Touch and a bag of book related swag (i.e. pen, bookmark, 5 GC to Amazon, notepad) Open to US Shipping
Elle Jefferson lives up in northern Arizona with her two beautiful sons, wonderful husband and her German Shepard Dorrie. When she's not reading or writing she's painting or enjoying the great outdoors.
She is currently working on her follow-up to At Death it Begins, In Death's Shadow, and hopes to have it released in early December.
www.ellejefferson.blogspot.com
@Elle_Jefferson
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elle-Jefferson/509752569110446
March 14, 2014
Book Blast, Top Ten & Giveaway: Unspoken by @AuthorAmyRichie
Presented by:
Title: Unspoken
Author: Amy Richie
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
Audience: YA or NA
Formats: eBook
Publisher: Amy Richie
Cover By: M. Gibbs
Editor: C and M Gibbs
Pages: 26K words, 88 pages.
ASIN: B00IBM5IOC
Date Published: 7 February, 2014
Bed B; Room 36; Nine Crosses Ren Collins knows better than most where being different will land a person. A bed in a crazy hospital with only an angry ghost for company. But there are things about Toby that Ren doesn’t know, old secrets that are brought into the light only with the appearance of Tristan. Tristan is different than Toby. Sure, they’re both only real to Ren, but Tristan does something Toby never does. He smiles. Ren soon finds herself trusting this new curly haired ghost-person more than she should. At least, that’s what Toby says. But maybe Toby is the one who can’t be trusted. Where the ghost people are concerned, can any of them be trusted?
Amazon/ Goodreads
YouTube
1 x $5 Amazon Gift Card 1 x Unspoken Craft Pen a Rafflecopter giveaway Display Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5150ee27 
Top Ten Book Crushes
1. Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) Proud and arrogant but oh so crush worthy. Think book crush and he’s the first to come to my mind.
2. Rhett Butler (Gone with the Wind) Maybe I loved him more after I saw him portrayed by Clark Gable, but this is a man I would want next to me in a zombie apocalypse.
3. Dominick Letrell (The Immortal Love Series) I dreamt of him when I was thirteen and he still wrecks havoc with my imagination.
4. Damon Salvatore (The Vampire Diaries) The bad boy of the brothers, I prefer him to Stephan. The book is memorable enough to produce a crush.
5. Frederick Wentworth (Persuasion) My favorite of all Jane Austen’s work. His wounded confidence makes me want to cuddle up next to him and watch the ocean.
6. Dimitri (Vampire Academy) He almost doesn’t make my list because of the whole “I’ve changed into an evil vampire thing” but in the end he turned out awesome!
7. Edward Rochester (Jane Eyre) This is another one of my favs. Although Mr. Rochester is demented and a little on the crazy side, I still adore him.
8. Roger Hamley (Wives and Daughters) The boy next door. Who rides a horse and catches bugs. He’s like a nerd of his time. Sweet, loyal, and smart.
9. John Thornton (North and South) Mr. Thornton is kind of a jerk throughout the entire story but there is something about him that I find extremely attractive.
10. Sirius Black (Harry Potter) Going by the books and not the movie. I always pictured Sirius as a man who is still young at heart but fiercely loyal to those who deserve it. Crush worthy!
Amy Richie has lived in a small town her entire life. She lives with her three kids and their pet rat Jasper. She began writing in high school but never took it seriously until a few years ago. She enjoys writing because it takes her out of her everyday life and gives life to the people in her head.
Amy says: “When I was little I wanted to be a mermaid, then when I was in high school I wanted to be a vampire; now as an adult I’m a writer, which is better because now I get to be both.”
Website / Facebook / Goodreads / Amazon / Smashwords /Twitter 
Tour Schedule - Two Week Blog Tour for Unspoken by Amy Richie March 3 to March 16 March 3 Bound 2 Escape March 4 Book Hostage March 5 Vampy And Racey March 6 Pretty Little Pages March 7 Kims Book Blog Sweet Treat Reading Reviews March 8 Cajun Book Lover March 9 Desert Rose Reviews Nerd Girl Andi's Young Adult Books March 10 JeanzBookReadNReview March 11 MHZ Book Reviews and Giveaways March 12 Crazy Beautiful Reviews Sweets Books March 13 Eclipse Reviews Our New Generation for Reading March 14 Author Karen Swart March 15 Niecey's Book Addiction March 16 Blushing Divas Book Reviews
March 13, 2014
Book Blast & Giveaway: Morning Light by Cora Cade
Morning Light
A Day of Pleasure
Book 1
Cora Cade
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-61921-537-5
ASIN: B00C4U6MJ2
Number of pages: 82
Word Count: 25,000
Cover Artist: Lyn Taylor
Amazon Samhain Barnes and Noble
Book Description:
His toughest battle is ahead—the battle for one woman’s heart.
During Noah Harper’s ten years as an Army Ranger, Tennyson Sharpe’s letters were his lifeline. With each mail call, the bright and vibrant girl of his youth slowly became the woman of his dreams.
Now he’s home—and he’s in hell. The problem? Tenn is his little brother’s best friend. Claiming her risks all kinds of collateral damage.
Tenn is getting nervous. Since Noah came home, they’ve been circling each other, neither willing to risk the status quo. It’s time to kick things up a notch and make a play for the man she’s loved since she was sixteen—before someone else does.
Dressing to impress works better than she could have dreamed. After a scorching interlude leads to a steamy morning wrapped in each other’s arms, reality comes crashing down. Shining a devastating light on Tenn’s deepest fears…and forcing Noah into scramble mode to convince her forever was always on his mind.
Product Warnings
This book contains some serious foreplay in the great outdoors; stand-up sex with a hot, stand-up guy; and a wounded Army Ranger who’s determined to leave no heart behind—especially the one belonging to the girl of his dreams.
Copyright © 2013 Cora Cade
All rights reserved — a Samhain Publishing, Ltd. Publication
Moving down the stairs from the apartment to the pub below, Noah heard the distinct sound of someone cussing up a storm. He quickened his pace to reach the door separating his living space from his workspace and gently opened it.
There, standing on top of his immaculately gleaming mahogany bar, stood Tennyson Sharpe in her bare feet. All five feet two inches of her. She was on her tiptoes, reaching for one of the light fixtures with one hand and a light bulb in the other. The stretch caused her white, fitted tee to slide up her belly and expose a sliver of summer-tanned skin.
She stuck her tongue out at an angle—in concentration, he supposed. As she twisted the used bulb from the fixture, she uttered a soft, “Gotcha.” The final motion to remove the bulb caused her to dip forward on her toes and lifted her jean skirt higher, offering a delectable view of her plain white cotton panties.
Noah instantly hardened at the sight. He’d been in lust with this girl since she was sixteen to his nineteen, and after ten years apart he was finally home. And here she stood, flashing him the sexiest view he’d seen in years. He leaned against the doorframe and watched the scene unfold, never happier to have given her a key a few months back.
As she placed the fresh bulb in the fixture, she stretched again. Her whole body lengthened, straining to reach the fixture. She was all tan limbs and womanly curves. Her body was at enough of an angle that he could see her breasts tight against the fitted tee, but more importantly her cute behind as she placed both palms on the bar to hop down from her perch. As she braced herself she lifted her perky behind and flashed him.
The curve of her sex flashed before him as those white panties intimately hugged her. In a flash, both feet were planted on the floor and she was picking up the used bulb from the bar, then slipping her sandals back on. Time to turn around and head back upstairs before she caught him with a full-on erection and he embarrassed himself.
Noah eased the door shut and sprinted back up the stairs as quietly as he could, hoping to give himself a few moments to calm his erection before she unceremoniously showed up in his apartment for their breakfast plans.
He needed a cold shower before they left or he’d never survive the meal. He was going to have wet dreams about her white panties for weeks to come.
Stripping off his jeans and plain black tee, he dropped his clothes where he stood and snapped the bathroom door shut as his apartment door opened.
“Noah?” Tenn heard the shower start as she closed the door behind her. Well, that was unusual. Noah was nothing if not prompt. Ten years as an Army Ranger kind of beat that into you. She rapped on the bathroom door with a knuckle. “Hey, are you alive in there?”
“I’ll be out in minute. Got a late start to the morning. Give me five.”
She glanced down and saw a pile of clothes. Strange. Noah was also one of the neatest, cleanest people she’d ever known. His place was always immaculate, with nothing out of place. Let alone a pile of clothes tossed by the bathroom.
Now she was starting to sweat. Did he have a girl here? Had she interrupted the morning-after? Shit. That Amber bimbo had been making a play for Noah ever since he’d come home. And if she was in this apartment right now, Tenn was going to die of embarrassment. Right after she beat Noah to death.
They had plans. Even if they weren’t the romantic kind, they were definitely plans. They’d had Sunday breakfast as a standing date since his return from overseas. And he’d never had a woman here.
Who was she kidding? He had every right to get freaky with anyone he wanted. She was just the trusty sidekick, the platonic friend who was always there. Like a lapdog.
Picking up the clothes, she folded them and set them on the back of the couch a few feet away. The apartment was neat as a pin and pretty spacious, as far as it went. It was an open floor plan with only two separate rooms off the main living area, the master bedroom and the bathroom. Everything else was one large, airy space. From this angle she couldn’t see into the bedroom and was half-afraid to know if someone was still in his bed. Warming it for him, so to speak.
Deciding she needed to know, she took a step toward the bedroom after picking back up the stack of clothes she’d set down a moment before. It was a perfect excuse to check out the situation. His dirty clothes needed to be tossed into the hamper. Right.
She was about to fully push open the bedroom door when Noah yelled, “Hey, Tenn. I left my clothes out there. Could you grab them for me?”
And before she could whip around and not look guilty he popped his head out of the bathroom door. As she turned in his direction, she could only see a portion of his upper body, with the rippling muscle and just-now-fading tan from his time in Afghanistan, but it was enough to stop her dead in her tracks. The man was masculine perfection and her panties got a little wet looking at him.
“Oh, did you want these? Um, I was about to put them in your hamper.” Belatedly she whirled around and held up the clothes in question. “I thought they were dirty.”
For a moment he looked like he blushed. Really? “Sorry, I wanted to take a quick shower before we headed out and I tossed them on the floor in my rush.” He reached out a hand and beckoned her forward.
She was going to combust before she reached him. Not only was the man deliciously muscled, he still dripped from his shower. His dark hair, cut in a military-style buzz, glistened in the morning light. Eyes the color of the ocean on a sunny day, clear and crisp-blue, tracked her progress. She cleared the edge of the couch and his gaze skated down the length of her body, snagging on her legs before coming back to her face.
Once within reach of the bathroom door heat crept up her neck and face when she realized Noah stood naked on the other side of the door. His body was positioned so she could only see a naked hip and the curve of a well-defined ass, but it was obvious he hadn’t bothered wrapping a towel around his waist before popping his head out the door.
She dropped his clothes before he could get a grip on them and they fell to the floor with a soft impact. Unbelievably, as she bent to retrieve the clothing, her face flamed even hotter in embarrassment.
Nestled away in a small town in Ohio, Cora Cade spends her days adding steamy books to her library, snuggling with her four rotten dogs, and debating the finer points of life with the dear husband.
When she's not tucked away with a book you can find her tapping away on her laptop. With coffee. And music.
Web: www.coracade.com
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/coracade
