Karen Swart's Blog, page 80

Book Blitz and Giveaway: Embrace the Mystery - The Blood Rose Series, Book 3 by Caris Roane

Embrace the Mystery
The Blood Rose Series, Book 3
Publication Date: November 18, 2013
Print Length: 222 pages
ASIN: B00GRXTZ1E
Mastyr Quinlan pursues the artist, Batya, with only one thing in mind but soon discovers that his desire for her is just the beginning of an earth-shattering affair…
He doesn’t want a woman in his life…
Quinlan must keep Grochaire Realm safe from the enemy at all costs. As ruler of his realm, a woman has no permanent place in his day-to-day existence. But when his lust takes him to Batya’s bedroom, he soon discovers he’s deep into a powerful experience that threatens to blow his life apart. He wants Batya with a feverish desire that makes no sense in his logical, warrior world. But when an ancient fae attacks Batya’s gallery, he launches into protector mode and soon finds himself embroiled -- body, soul, and fangs -- with a woman he’d only meant to bed a couple of times.
She has no desire to get involved with a mastyr vampire…
Batya’s intense desire for Mastyr Quinlan stuns and baffles her. She doesn’t want to be involved with the vampire on any level. His sole focus of ruling Grochaire Realm has kept him from staying with one woman longer than the proud length of his fangs. Besides, she’s built a life for herself in Lebanon, Tennessee as an artist and healer to the realm ex-patriot community. But when the ancient fae attacks Quinlan at her gallery, then attempts to kidnap her assistant, Batya finds herself catapulted into an astonishing adventure. Even so, she works steadily to get back to her free-clinic and her painting, but how can she leave Quinlan behind when he’s commanded her like no other man ever has? 

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Mystery-Blood-Caris-Roane-ebook/dp/B00GRXTZ1E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1384919807&sr=1-1&keywords=Caris+Roane+Embrace+the+Mystery B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/embrace-the-mystery-caris-roane/1117449315?ean=2940149014385

 
  a Rafflecopter giveaway








Caris Roane has published nine paranormal novels and novellas and writing as Valerie King, fifty Regency works. In 2005, Romantic Times gave her a Career Achievement award in Regency Romance. As Caris Roane, she currently writes paranormal romance for St. Martin’s Press and also self-publishes the continuing stories for her Guardians of Ascension series as well as stories set in other worlds.
 



Connect with Caris: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

New Release: Afternoon Delights - @Anchorgrouppub

New Release
Book Info-
Title: Afternoon Delights
Anthology
Authors : Elise Marion, Karen Swart, Emily Fogle, Elizabeth Marx, Elizabeth Kirke, LP Dover, Kimberly Larson, Jenna Pizzi, Morgan Black.
Genre: Romance (from Contemporary Romance to Erotica)
Audience: Adult
Formats: E-book
Publisher: Anchor Group Publishing
Cover By: Sprinkles On Top Studios
Editor: Melissa Ringsted
Pages: 130 pages
ISBN-10:
ISBN-13:
ASIN:
Date Published: Feb 14, 2014





Blurb- Afternoon Delights is just the perfect size for a literary nooner! Seven short stories to tease your senses, from sweet and romantic, to hot and heavy. Get a taste of why these authors are well known for their romance.

Book Links- Goodreads/ Amazon/ Smashwords

  Excerpts- From Sabella - Although I tried to avert my gaze, I couldn't bring myself to look away from his beautiful eyes. They pulled me in from the chaos like a lifeline. In the dark blue sea of endless comfort, I was calm and at peace. The last two days of confusion and the whirlwind of emotions were all settled in his eyes.
From The CEO’s Wife- Blair paused just outside the door to Evan’s office, her heart hammering in her chest. Just on the other side was her husband—her very rich, powerful, sexy husband. When had she become intimidated by him? When had the thought of initiating sex with him become something to worry over as opposed to something fun and sensual? When she realized she might lose him, that’s when. And now, it seemed like everything depended on what she did next. She needed to prove to Evan that she still wanted him, that she would do whatever it took to save their drowning marriage. She swallowed past the ball of nerves lodged in her throat and placed her hand on the knob. His secretary had told her that Evan was alone in there and had no more meetings until after lunch. Now was her window of opportunity. Yesterday, he’d gone into a hotel with another woman. A slip up she was willing to forgive him for just this once. After she rocked his world, of course. Remind him who he chose, she told herself for the millionth time. Don’t let him get away. She turned the knob and squared her shoulders, remembering her practiced seduction as she strode into the room, locking the door behind her. Determination kept her chin high and her expression sultry. Confidence swung her hips as she sauntered across the large office. Evan, who had been having a heated conversation on the phone, dropped the handset. Mouth hanging open, he stood. His eyes were wide as they took in her short, blunt blonde bob, fully made up face, black trench coat, and knee-high leather black boots. The heels clicked across the tiles as she came in front of his desk, pausing to strike a pose; legs spread, one hand on her hip. “Blair?” He smiled. “What have you done to yourself?” Blair caressed the strands of her bob and smiled. “It’s not what I’ve done to me,” she purred, “it’s more about what I’m going to do to you.” Evan’s grin widened as he fumbled for the dropped phone. “Carl? Let me call you back.” Without waiting for a response, he dropped the phone into the cradle and rounded the desk. Blair stopped him before he could grab her with a hand on the middle of his chest. She needed to maintain control of the situation and couldn’t afford to let him touch her just yet. Those hands of his had always driven her wild. She grasped his silk, blue and grey striped tie and yanked, pulling him behind her toward the desk. He followed happily, his hard body brushing up against hers. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I like it,” he murmured as she turned him, pushing him to sit on the edge of his desk. He reached behind him, shoving papers and files out of the way and obediently perching on the large piece of furniture. “I seem to remember you always wanted to have sex in here,” she said as she reached for the belt holding her coat together. When Evan was newly promoted to CEO, he’d wanted to celebrate by taking her in the office, but Blair had refused. She’d been worried that someone would catch them, hear them, think she was trashy for doing it. Now she didn’t give a damn what anyone thought. If Evan wanted sex in his office then he was going to get it. From her. “I take it that’s still a fantasy of yours?” Blair snatched her coat open, revealing the corset, thong, and stockings beneath. They were black and trimmed in red, Evan’s favorite color. His lower lip disappeared between his teeth at the sight, zeroing in on her breasts—which were displayed gloriously in the cups of the corset top. “Hell yes.”
From My Beloved, Marie -I reached down and squeezed the water from the washcloth. “Please don’t, Jacob. I don’t look pretty anymore,” she sobbed. Reaching out, I slowly turned her around, her eyes trying to escape mine. Gently, I washed her arms, and then dipped the cloth in the warm water. “You will always be beautiful to me, my love. Even weak and underfed, you still take my breath away,” I replied softly. “How can you say that? Look at me!” She was angry, and I could understand why. “I am, my love, and I always will. I understand your anger and why you believe you don’t look pretty. But I didn’t marry you because of your looks. I married you because you were the bravest girl I have ever met.” I leaned in and kissed her stomach. “I married you because of those beautiful blue eyes filled with mischief.” I kissed her hip, and smiled as goose bumps broke out under my kiss. “I married you because of your stubborn nature, knowing that you would give me a good fight one day.” She laughed a little, and I kissed her other hip. Slowly, pulling her down on to my lap, I reached for her face and made her look at me. “I married you because you stole my heart the moment you looked at me. Yes, I see your body now as it is, but I also know that with my love and attention, you will be healthy again.” I kissed her on her mouth softly.
From Dinner Break - A More than Magic Series short story I sighed and opened my eyes. “I can’t,” I admitted. “I can’t think about anything other than that stupid rec center.” I tried, and failed again, to dislodge him and get up. “Mm. Not good enough. You know, you’ve been here since eight, right? It’s almost eleven. You’ve been working on that crap for fifteen hours.” “Jesus,” I groaned. “Has it really been that long?” “See why I’m forcing you to relax?” I sighed and leaned forward, until my forehead was resting against his. His skin was almost too cold, but I welcomed the discomfort. It gave me something else to think about. He draped his arms over my shoulders in a loose hug. His fingers ran down my back, rubbing in small circles, until they stopped on a painful knot. I closed my eyes, while he worked at it, and we just sat like that for a few minutes. By the time his skin had warmed up to my temperature, he had worked the knot out and found another. I leaned into his hand, feeling more comfortable and relaxed than I had in days. “You were right. I needed a break,” I whispered. Danio chuckled. “I know.” He moved his hand up my back and pressed his fingers against the taut muscles in my neck. A headache I’d had for hours started to mercifully recede. I opened my eyes and found his dark blue ones looking back at me. They were swirling with a mesmerizing blend of blues; a water elemental trait that I had never expected to be able to decode. But now, every shade and ripple was as clear to me as the flaring reds and flickering orange eyes of a fire elemental. His eyes were splashing with merry, relaxed shades of blue. Yet, I could see a telltale trickle of gray, just ebbing and flowing on the edges of his irises. He was still worried about me. I tilted my head, just a little, leaned forward, and kissed him.
Book Trailer- http://youtu.be/HLgQ_QY_qE0

 
About the Authors - Emily Fogle was born and raised in Southern California. Her dream and ultimate goal was to get her Masters degree in English and become a teacher with enough time to write, as well. However, she soon found out that the best dreams often come true when they aren’t planned. Instead of fulfilling her teaching goal, real life took over and she married the man of her dreams. She now has an amazing 7 year old son and a beautiful baby boy.
She dedicates the majority of her time taking care of her family, volunteering at her son’s school, and being a Cub Scout Den leader. And though she loves every minute of it, the thought of being a writer still tugs at her heart. So, after the busy days are done and everyone is finally sleeping quietly, she squeezes in time for all the other loves in her life: the characters running wild inside her head.
Now, incredibly, her writing dream is also coming true. Her first novel, Dragon Wars, is being published by Anchor Group. Emily feels sincerely blessed to have been given so much in life and can’t wait to start the next chapter.
Media Links- Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter/ Website    

Elise Marion is a lover books and has a special place in her heart for sweet and sensual romance. Writing about love across all walks of life is her passion, as is reaching people through the written word. The Army wife and stay-at-home mother of three spends most of her time taking care of her children. Her second job includes writing stories about characters that people can fall in love with. When the Texas native isn’t caring for her family or writing, you can usually find her with her nose in a book, singing loudly, or cooking up something new in the kitchen.
Contact Elise via email: elisemarionwrites@yahoo.com
Media Links -
Facebook / Twitter / Website
 
 



Karen Swart lives in a small town in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. She shares her live with her husband, two sons and daughter. If she isn't reading she is writing.
Her preferred genres are Paranormal and Urban fantasy. Karen specializes in payroll and HRIS systems analysis and development. At the age of 21 Karen's professional success reached its highest platform, an outstanding achievement at such a young age.
Media Links –
Amazon / Blog / Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter
 
 
 




Elizabeth Kirke wanted to be an author before she even knew what an author was. She used to say that she wanted to be an artist, but that was only because she was too young to write and had to tell stories with pictures instead. She hasn't stopped writing since she learned how. It wasn't long before she dreamed of becoming an author and couldn't be happier now that that dream is a reality.
If she isn't writing...well, let's be honest; if she isn't writing she's probably on Facebook thinking that she should start writing. But, if she isn't writing or on Facebook, she's probably doing something involving books, baking, gardening, or yarn.
Like most slightly-nosy, avid readers, Elizabeth can't resist trying to catch a peek at books she sees people reading when out in public to see if she can figure out what it is. While doing just that one day, she realized that it would probably be the coolest-thing-ever if she caught a complete stranger reading one of her books. That's her new dream.
Media Links-
Facebook / Blog
 
 

USA TODAY Bestselling author, L.P. Dover, is the author of the Forever Fae series, as well as the Second Chances standalone series, and her NA romantic suspense standalone called Love, Lies, and Deception. She lives in the beautiful state of North Carolina with her husband, her two wild girls, and her rambunctious kitten Katrina.
Before she began her career in the literary world, L.P. Dover spent her years going to college and then graduated to cleaning teeth, which she loved doing. At least until the characters in her head called her away. She has never been the same since.
Media Links -
Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon / Pinterest.com / Website / Blog
 
 
Windy City writer Elizabeth Marx brings cosmopolitan flair to her fiction, which is a blend of romance and fast-paced Chicago living with a sprinkle of magical realism. In her past incarnation she was an interior designer—not a decorator—which basically means she has a piece of paper to prove that she knows how to match and measure things and can miraculously make mundane pieces of furniture appear to be masterpieces. Elizabeth says being an interior designer is one part shrink, one part marriage counselor and one part artist, skills eerily similar to those employed in writing.
Elizabeth grew up in Illinois and has also lived in Texas and Florida. If she's not pounding her head against the wall trying to get the words just right, you can find her at a softball field out in the boonies or sitting in the bleachers by a basketball court. Elizabeth resides with her husband, girls, and two cats who've spelled everyone into believing they're really dogs.
Elizabeth has traveled extensively, but still says there's no town like Chi-Town.
Jenna Pizzi is the bestselling author of the NA Destined series, as well as her romantic standalones Sweet Serendipity and Chance Encounters, and her romantic suspense The Long Road Home. She lives in Massachusetts with her children, her lazy old dog, and three cats that adopted her as their pet. When she is not writing, she loves spending time walking the beach, collecting rocks with her children, or exploring the deep dark woods of New England. When the muse calls and there is a heartstring to pull, you’ll find Jenna creating a world that will touch many lives.
Media Links- Website / Facebook / Twitter /Amazon    
Morgan Black is a hair stylist by day and hottie writer by night. She walks her dogs in high heels and never leaves the house without red lipstick. She firmly believes in the power of Zen, and does Yoga freely in her backyard, in her favorite set of pumps.
You can find her steamy writing at authormorganblack.wordpress.com
She also designs eBook covers at Cover Up Designs.
 
 
 
 





Jenna Pizzi is the bestselling author of the NA Destined series, as well as her romantic standalones Sweet Serendipity and Chance Encounters, and her romantic suspense The Long Road Home. She lives in Massachusetts with her children, her lazy old dog, and three cats that adopted her as their pet. When she is not writing, she loves spending time walking the beach, collecting rocks with her children, or exploring the deep dark woods of New England. When the muse calls and there is a heartstring to pull, you’ll find Jenna creating a world that will touch many lives.
Media Links -
Website / Email / Facebook / Twitter
 


 
Kimberly Larson, author of the Contemporary Romance novel,"If I Didn't Have You," lives in Southeast, Michigan, with her two gorgeous children who are four and six. She loves to read, especially Romance and Young Adult novels that have that one encounter or connection between two people that is so strong. It keeps you wanting to read about them so much more and you just can’t help but feel it through the reading
Media Links -
Facebook

Book Blast and Giveaway: Launching Sisters to WitchCamp by @LaunchingSister

Launching Sisters to WitchCamp
LRS
Genre: Middle grade fantasy
Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-77127-482-1
Number of pages: 118
Word Count: 31474
Cover Artist: Charlotte Volnek
MuseItUp Publishing
Book Description:
Sixth-grader J.J. learns there are no easy breaks in life.
When J.J. discovers the opportunity to send his maddening sisters off to WitchCamp, he has fantasies of a delightful summer. However, J.J. and his friend are soon off on a ride they didn't anticipate -- one that lands them in a chilling mess of witch hunts and creature feasts.
With his creative ideas, J.J. utilizes their risky escapades to escape. But making deals with superhuman creatures just lands them in hotter water.
Now it’s up to J.J. to save them all from certain death by being more imaginative and daring than ever before.
The video trailer http://youtu.be/rKedRSdpmrQ 

Book Links-

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Launching-Sisters-WitchCamp-LRS-ebook/dp/B00I4GXHFM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391115855&sr=8-1&keywords=Launching+Sisters+To+WitchCamp Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/launching-sisters-to-witchcamp iTunes(iBook) https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id796074339
 
Excerpt-

“Crack open your piggy bank and we’re out of here.” I propel DaveyBoy to Main Street, and hit the costume store. Diving in to a pile of wigs, I pull out two that will do the job. My wig is shiny black and the hair hangs down to my elbows. DaveyBoy’s is a brown mop of frizz, which extends halfway down his back.
The manicurist looks like she’s ready to call the crazy house when we saunter in to her salon and ask for fake long nails. Money does the trick, though, and soon enough we exit with long nails polished in black.
DaveyBoy clears his throat. “Um, J.J., what exactly are we doing? Are we going to a costume party?”
“Don’t you get it, dude? Our long hair and nails are tickets to the WitchCamp!”
He walks straight into an electric pole.
“Ouch.” I wince.
He rubs his temple and looks at me with puppy dog eyes. “Tell me you’re joking.”
“A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do. But, cheer up, buddy. Think of it as an amazing adventure we can add to our list of summer escapades.”



 
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 




LRS has a master’s degree in psychology. For more than ten years she pretended to be working while she was on the floor enjoying playtime with kids.
She has lived on the eastern and western coasts of the U.S.A, as well as abroad, and currently resides in Canada with her family. Wherever she is, she can’t pass by a toy store without going inside.
When she's not writing, she can usually be found in her kitchen, where she’s either baking (and sampling) cookies or stirring a pot. (Unfortunately, she has yet to find a magical spoon.)

http://www.launchingsisters.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Launching-Sisters-to-Witchcamp/206550682866388 https://twitter.com/LaunchingSister

Book Blast and Giveaway: Becoming His Slave Dominion of Brothers Series: Book 1 Written by Talon p.s.

Dominion of Brothers Series Written by Talon p.s. & Princess S.O. Five Brothers at Arms share a lust for control and bondage; now they are living the BDSM lifestyle openly, and they are the very Masters who can provide satisfaction to the world of Taboo.  Plenty of people love their kink, but when the Dominion of Brothers come to New York, the Lifestyle gets a re-do with not only a boost in stimulation, their fellow Lifestylers also get a guardian. Now, the Brothers will stop at nothing to protect their friends, loved ones, and those who look to them for sexual freedom.

 
  

 

Becoming His Slave
Dominion of Brothers Series: Book 1
Written by Talon p.s.
BDSM & D/s / MF / Erotic Romance / some MM & FF

Katianna Dumas hovers on the edge of passion, caught up inside the exquisite eroticism she crafts as an author. Her erotic novels seduce readers with tales of new and unknown heights of pleasure to which Katianna herself, is inexperienced. That is until one night she couldn't even remember; she confessed a secret desire to Trenton Leos, who's now intent to bring her fantasy to life and lure her into his world of Dominance and Submission where he's not just any Dom, he's the Dominus. The Master of all Doms.
Life with the Dominus promises to surround her with rich, somatic passions, but therein too lies danger, and she's not sure she's strong enough to hang on. Especially when being with Him means submitting her life to Becoming His Slave.

 

SYNOPSIS:
Trenton Leos isn’t just another Master of Doms; he’s referred to as Dominus. The Master of them all. Known internationally for his skill with a cane and for serving up the most delectably trained slaves for the Masters who love to possess them. As Dominus, he has everything he could want out of life except one, his own personal slave. Waiting until he finds the one perfect unicorn for the ultimate surrender— their life to his dominant control.
When a friend introduces him to her newest star writer, he’s certain he’s found his Life Slave. But as he starts to obsess over the nervously petite woman, he soon realizes she can’t surrender a lifetime of control she does not possess. So he must make the first sacrifice— by letting her go.
Katianna Dumas, a writer of erotic romance is no stranger to the allure of eroticism and Trenton Leos is probably the sexiest lure she’s ever fantasized about. There’s just one problem, she doesn’t play his game.
For four years Katianna has known the Dominus as little more than the man who‘d given her the chance to stand on her own for once, as a friend he kept his distance. Close enough to tease the senses, but not enough to tease his bed, though she likes it when he looks her way.
After a mishap at Club Pain, Katianna finds herself in the protective custody of Trenton Leos for the night and everything changes for the two of them. Katianna can’t remember what secret desires she exposed, but now the Dominus is demanding to court her for the ultimate submission— to become his Slave for life.
Life with Trenton promises to surround her with rich, somatic passions, but it also comes with dangers and she’s not sure she’s strong enough to hang on, or bear to be let go if she fails to keep up with his desires that constantly overwhelm her.

Book Links - Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/BECOMING-Revised-Edition-Dominion-Brothers-ebook/dp/B007QG1NHU/ Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/becoming-his-slave-dominion-of-brothers-series-talon-ps/1113845579?ean=2940045061605 Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/becoming-his-slave-dominion-of-brothers-series ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-becominghisslavedominionofbrothersseries-1005822-147.html Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/249861        
a Rafflecopter giveaway    

We Came— We Saw— and then we made it sexy.
And that's pretty much how the Twins came to write Erotic Romances and Dark Fantasies. Both Talon PS and Princess SO have been writing together since they were kids, always challenging and competing with each other, and always each other's biggest supporters. After a life time of gathering experiences and honing their story telling skills, they have finally starting putting them to novel size tales. And so far have seen 8 titles published with three scheduled for next year releases so far, and still another 30 something projects in the works. So have those book moments ready, as Talon always says—
"I'm about to make you wet."  ~The Twins: Talon & Prin

Talon ps & Princess so: Not just Twin Authors, but your next Fantasy

Author page on Facebook Talon ps on Facebook Princess so on Facebook Talon on Goodreads Princess on Goodreads

Author Interview with @Rourkewrites, author of The Gryphon Series

 

Today on the blog we have the fabulous and sassy author Stacey Rourke, author of The Gryphon Series. I would like to thank Stacey for stopping by and sharing with us today. Well enough let’s get on with it…

 

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

I’ve tried on many hats; manicurist, actress, sales manager, none were a good fit. But writing? That’s something that has always been there, a part of me that was just waiting for me to realize my calling. Thankfully, I have.

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

When I hear from parents that their teenagers hated to read before picking up my books, that is when I feel I’m earning that title.

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

One year to write, one year to get feedback and input to polish it up, then the following year it was picked up by Outer Banks Publishing.

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

Ascension, which is book four in my Gryphon Series. It can be best summed up by its tag line, “When you’ve sacrificed everything, what more is there to lose?” Readers that like snarky humor and loads of action will find what they’re looking for here!

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

The first draft takes me 3-6 months. I self-edit after that which takes about the same length of time, but I feel it’s crucial to get the story as tight at my perfectionist nature demands it to be.

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

I have a new series in the works right now. It’s still in the fantasy genre but has slightly older characters, which I honestly think I did just so I have an excuse to allow my characters to swear more. LOL! I am super excited about this series, but I also don’t think we’ve seen the last of some of the Gryphon Series characters. At least a few of them may carry on in separate adventures.

What genre would you place your books into?

If I could make a separate genre for Sarcasm and Ass-kickery that would be perfect!

What made you decide to write that genre of book?

I write the kind of books I like to read, which I think is crucial for an author. If you can’t get engrossed in your story how can you expect your readers to?

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

I love Grams, that zany old lady in her animal print muumuus! I want to be her when I grow up.

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

I have been writing since elementary. No joke. Even then I would write stories with my friends as the main characters and would stand up in front of the class to read them out loud. Now I feel I should write notes of apology to all the kids I subjected to those painful readings.

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

The comfy chair in my bedroom, a steamy beverage and fuzzy socks. Comfort is key so I can get lost in my head! Sometimes music can help, but only if it perfectly fits the scene. Otherwise it can pull me out of the moment.

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

I wish I could say I’m secure in myself enough not to need to, but that’s just a big fat lie. I read them, like an obsessive ex-girlfriend I read them. Honestly, though it can give insight into my readers, which is how I justify it as remotely helpful.

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

With the Gryphon Series the titles revealed themselves to me as I wrote. With my new series I have the title of each book already laid out for obvious reasons I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. So, let’s just wait for the big reveal. ;-)

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..")

With the Gryphon Series there is a hidden message that each of us have a hero within us. No matter who you are in dire situations you can dig dip and be the hero of your own story.

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

I prefer hardcopies because nothing beats that wonderful book smell, but lately I’ve been doing the ebook thing only because of the extreme ease of use and convenience.

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

Some do. The problem comes in when the loyal fans want every detail crammed into a two hour movie. It’s just not possible. But if you go in hoping they touch on the essence of the book the risk of disappointment greatly decreases, at least for me.

Your favorite food is?

Crab legs

Your favorite singer/group is?

Any music that makes me shake my boo-tay

Your favorite color is?

blue

Your favorite Author is?

Too many to name! But I have mad love for my fellow Anchor Group Publishing authors

To find out more about Stacey and The Gryphon Series, check out the Series Blast below.

Series Blast and Giveaway: The Gryphon Series by @Rourkewrites

  Presented by:  
Series Info: Author : Stacey Rourke Genre: YA Paranormal Audience: 13 + Formats: E-book and Print Publisher: Anchor Group Publishing Editor: Melissa Ringsted  
 
Book Info-
Title: The Conduit
Pages: 212
ISBN-10: 0985266368
ISBN-13: 978-0985266363
ASIN: B007H7UMR0
Date Published: November 2011 (rereleased November 13, 2013)
Blurb-
All 18-year-old Celeste Garrett wants is to head off to college and make those fun, yet ill-advised, choices college kids are known for. And maybe to spend some time with the hot cameraman she just met. Instead, because of a pact her ancestors made in the 17th century with a mythical creature, she has to save the world. While normal kids are slamming energy drinks and cramming for exams, Celeste will get her adrenaline rush fighting a fire breathing dragon. She wants to meet friends in the quad to exchange lecture notes, but first she must exchange blows with a shapeshifting demon on the rooftop. Life isn’t always fair for a superhero, but at least she doesn’t have to do it alone. With her brother and sister as sidekicks, they alternate between saving lives and getting on each others’ nerves. Together the trio encounters unspeakable odds, mystical forces and comes face-to-face with an image that will haunt them forever—their grandmother in a leopard print bikini.
Book Links- Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Excerpt-
At certain moments in life reflection is mandatory. I found being squeezed in the scaly claw of a three story dragon to be one of them. As he shook me like an uncooperative toy, my rattled brain wondered how life had led me here. Could I have done anything differently to maybe not die horribly at the hands of Mr. Big-Green-and-Ugly?
But as my constricted lungs burned and ached for even a whisper of a breath, I knew there was no way I could’ve avoided this. No matter where I went. No matter what I did. They would’ve found me. It was inevitable.
A searing pain in my side signaled that my recently mended rib had cracked again. I opened my mouth to scream but could manage no sound. My head wobbled so hard it felt like it might snap off my neck. Black spots danced before my eyes. With them came flashes from a life that wasn’t mine.
With tentative steps the girl walks through the smoldering, charred remains of her tiny village. Her bare feet are burned and blackened, but she doesn’t waver. She lays a delicate hand on the shoulder of the half-eagle/half-lion creature that saved them all. Well…most of them. Some of the blood spilled in this emerald Ireland valley had been fatal.
His rants turned into nothing more than a ringing in my ears. One by one, my senses gave up. They retreated into the dark abyss and waited for me to join them there.
A look of steely determination overcame the girl’s dainty features. “You didn’t let us stand alone, and I will not let you.”
The Gryphon snapped his beak and shook his enormous head. “No. This war will rage on long after your mortal life has ended. I have foreseen it.”
“Then my heirs shall take up the cause as well!” She lifted her soot-covered nightgown enough to allow herself the movement needed to go down on one knee. Her glorious, ivory wings stretched out wide behind her as she pressed her fist over her heart. “It is my pledge to you that the O’Garren family will join you in this crusade. My people will be your warriors until we find victory or death.”
The pain lessened. Peace replaced it. That pledge, made centuries ago, is what led me here. If the break-ins hadn’t happened. If I had stayed in Michigan. I’d still find myself here, losing my grip on whatever tied my spirit to this world. Of course, now I knew that those break-ins were them looking for me. And they followed me to Gainesboro. As the last of my strength and energy drained from my body, the thought of my new home made me smile.
Gainesboro, Tennessee. That’s where it all happened. That’s where I learned the truth. That’s where everything changed. That’s where my destiny found me. And now, it’s where I would die.


 
 
Book Info-
Title: Embrace
Pages: 250
ISBN-10: 0985266341
ISBN-13: 978-0985266349
ASIN: B0080GLL5Y
Date Published: March 2012, rereleased November 13, 2013
Blurb-
RONE Award Winner Best YA Paranormal Work of 2012
Whether she likes it or not, eighteen year old Celeste Garrett has come to terms with being the Chosen One. She knew having a “normal life” would be tricky, between intense training sessions and epic demonic battles, but she didn’t know at what cost it would come. That is, until a dear friend is harmed by the malicious forces hunting her. Now, she’d like nothing more than to retreat into a hermit lifestyle to prevent anyone else from getting hurt. But startling revelations, amazing new abilities, and mortifying moments in front of insanely hot guys won’t allow time for that. Soon, Celeste finds herself surrounded by darkness and wondering who she can trust—if anyone.
Book Links- Amazon / Barnes and Noble
Excerpt-
The next night’s patrol up into the mountains was all kinds of awkward due to how incredibly peeved Gabe still was despite my attempts to make amends. As we walked, he intentionally allowed a branch to snap back at my face. I caught it a split second before it impaled my eyeball. Kendall, with her sweet nature, easily forgave me and we hugged it out. Gabe told me where I could shove my apology. Maybe I had been somewhat out of line with the things I said, but he had been lying to me for months. Therefore, I’d had about all of his nasty attitude I could tolerate.
“Don’t worry about that branch, Gabe,” I snapped. “I got it. Thanks.”
Gabe halted. He kept his broad back to me as he let out a low, menacing growl.
I put my hand on my hip and shined my flashlight at him. “Oh, I don’t even think so! I don’t care how big and bad you think you are, you’re not gonna growl at me.”
His head whipped around. The light from my flashlight reflected off of his yellow cat eyes. That sight wasn’t new to me, yet it still gave me chills.
“Demon,” he rumbled, in a barely human tremor, then fell to the ground in a low crouch. His clawed hands dug into the dirt as his back arched in preparation for his change.
A rush of air behind me and Keni’s wings were deployed. She and I scanned the landscape in front of us with our flashlights. Trees. Light fog. Rocks. The occasional critter, but no demon. Then—not twenty feet in front of us—the brush rustled. A black shadow darted past us.
“Did you see that?” I followed it with the light, but it vanished before I could catch up.
Before either of them could answer, a shrill cackle echoed through the night. The shapeless form flew by in another pass. We spun to follow it but again failed to get a glimpse.
“Where’d it go?” Keni’s feathers tickled my shoulder as she curled her wing protectively around me. “I lost it.”
Pebbles kicked up as the demon skidded to a stop in front of us. Like matching spotlights our flashlight beams captured the creature.
Kendall giggled and put her wings away.
Gabe paused in the early stages of his transformation, stood up, and reverted back to human.
I screamed for all I was worth and dropped my flashlight.
Before us stood a gruesome, two-foot tall hobgoblin with green wart covered skin that hung off its tiny frame. Long, wiry black hair draped down passed the snarling, spitting creature’s itty, bitty shoulders. With beady little eyes, a snout for a nose, and a mouth full of shark-like teeth, this thing was straight out of my worst nightmares.
“Aww, it’s kinda cute!” Kendall gushed and bent down to extended her hand to it like it was a friendly pooch.
Then it charged. Its tiny legs blurred as it sped toward us with snapping jaws. I flew onto Gabe’s shoulders like a cat up a tree. Kendall released her wings just in time to lob the hobgoblin back where it started. That didn’t slow it down. It hopped right back up and ran at us again.
“Get off me!” Gabe ordered, but couldn’t shake my death grip from around his neck.
“NO! Not until you get rid of it!” I screamed. “Turn into a lion and eat it! Or shred it! I don’t care, just make it go away!”
Once again, Kendall hit it like a well-served tennis ball and sent it careening through the air.
“What do you need my help for?” Gabe asked, in what I considered to be an overly mocking tone, as he grappled to pry my arms and legs off of him. “You’re the “Chosen One” and I’m just your sidekick. Seems to me you should be able to handle this all on your own, oh-mighty one.”
“Gabe! Now is not the time to get into this!” I pleaded as I clung to him like a frightened koala bear. “Just kill it!”
“No.” While I couldn’t see his face, I could hear the smirk in his voice. “I think now is the perfect time to talk about this. You need to admit that you need both of us.”
The demon whizzed past Keni. I squealed and squeezed my eyes shut as Gabe casually punted it away from us. “I need you! I need you! Please! Get rid of that thing!”
“Now apologize for calling me your sidekick. That was very offensive.”
“You’re not my sidekick!” I whimpered. “You’re my sentry! Which is mythical, and heroic. Please make that horrible thing go away!”
“And you’ll never take us for granted again, right?”
“Oh, for the love of all that’s good and pure! Yes! I’m an awful person that took you for granted. It’ll never happen again!”
“Good,” Gabe relented. “Now climb down, and I’ll take care of the toddler-sized demon for you.”
Just as I attempted to scale my way down my building-sized brother, the mini-goblin zipped at us again. I screeched, lost my hold, and thudded to the ground. Right into the path of the incoming two-foot terror.
Yelling, “Celeste look out,” was all Gabe and Keni had time to do.
In utter panic, I brought one arm up to shield my face and held the other out to block the attack. With my eyes clamped shut I tensed for the moment when those gruesome teeth would shred me to the bone.
No shredding, biting, or nipping of any sort came. Nothing did.
“Uh, Celeste?” Keni’s tone was a question mark.
“What?” I squeaked my response through a locked jaw, but didn’t dare open my eyes.
“I think you got a new power.”
 
 
Book Info-
Title: Sacrifice
Pages: 222
ISBN-10: 0988633442
ISBN-13: 978-0988633445
ASIN: B00C3ONLP2
Date Published: November 2012, rereleased November 13, 2013
Blurb-
Celeste Garrett has finally found a happy balance in her life as the Chosen One, thanks in large part to a certain hunky Irishman. But if there’s any lesson she should heed since receiving her calling it’s that everything can change in the blink of an eye. Soon a terrible new threat, unlike anything she’s ever encountered, causes her to make a gut-wrenching choice that will strip her of someone she holds dear. As much as she’d like to have a pity party for one, there’s no time for that now because wedding bells are ringing in Gainesboro! In between dress fittings and rehearsal dinners Celeste will have to fend off attacking demons and leering pirates. As if the Dark Army wasn’t scary enough our heroine is faced with the horrifying trauma of attending a bachelorette party with her mom and watching Grams do Jell-o shots. Is a walk down the aisle even possible for a member of the Garrett family when the Dark Army is out to destroy them? More importantly, will the Dark Army Glee Club sing at the reception? Raise your glass to the happy couple, and get ready for a wedding…Conduit-style.
Book Links- Amazon / Barnes and Noble
Excerpt-
“You can, and should, make this decision for him. But you won’t because of your feelings for him.”
“We are not having this conversation again. Besides, this isn’t even you talking. It’s Alaina. When did you become her overly hairy messenger?”
“I’m not her messenger. We’re a couple, and couples should communicate and make their decisions as a team.”
“I see she’s still making you watch The View.”
“Shut up. Some of those women make very good points.”
“Sure they do. Now please keep your voice down. You’re going to blow our cover.” I shifted on the balls of my feet and peeked out the window of the lifeguard shack. Sand blew and churned outside with enough force to leave welts on skin. What civilians thought was nothing more than a nasty storm ravaged the Florida Gulf Coast line. Waves slammed against the shore, each swell larger than the last. But this was no normal tropical storm. Another Titan could be thanked for this onslaught, one that held power over the water.
These situations had been commonplace ever since that night at Grams when Caleb and I had a massive fight over his humanity. Much screaming occurred and no resolution whatsoever was reached. It ended when he claimed I was a, “Stubborn woman that let her emotions override common sense.”
I came back with the rebuttal of, “Yeah? So’s your face.”
Unable to form any kind of rebuttal to that, Caleb threw his hands in the air and stomped off.
Over the next two weeks Gabe, Keni, and I traveled to various spots around the globe to deal with natural disasters caused by Titans. Caleb joined us as soon as he healed enough to fight. Together we stopped a tsunami in Thailand, an earthquake in Oklahoma, a tornado in Texas, and a wildfire in California. Our latest thwarting mission led us to a hurricane in the Sunshine state. It worked in our favor that the local media blamed these freak weather related bouts on climate issues caused by global warming. We saved the world and inadvertently raised awareness. Go us!
Rarely were we allowed the luxury of rest. No sooner would we get one matter under control than another would pop up. I missed sleep, a wonderfully delightful task I sincerely hoped to get reacquainted with soon.
“Blow our cover?” Gabe snorted and yanked off his t-shirt to prepare for his change. “We’re hiding. The Chosen One is hunkered down out of sight like a scared little kid. We should be killing these things. Not subduing them until Bernard comes along and blinks them off to God only knows where.”
I ducked back down and leaned my forehead against the window ledge. A few deep breaths helped me regain control of my rapidly rising blood pressure. To keep Caleb safe we went for the knockout instead of the kill. I hated holding back during battles, but if it kept Caleb alive it was worth it. Bernard agreed to help us by transporting the demons to a plane where they couldn’t harm anyone. Yet everyday a new wave of them came at us with no signs of the onslaught slowing or stopping.
I glanced over my shoulder at Gabe and gave him an easy to read ‘drop it’ look. “I’m respecting Caleb’s wishes. You should tell his sister to give it a try.”
“Actually, his wish was to be human, but you gave him the death stare and clucked at him like a demented hen for even suggesting that.”
“Human isn’t an option, not with the chaos going on right now. And we’re done talking about this.” I glared at my brother and hoped that would be the moment the Gryphon bestowed death-ray laser vision on me.
He held his hands up in surrender. “Hey, I’m just stating the facts. No need to call forth the PMS Queen.”
A fireball blazed into the sky from a shack further down the beach. It saved Gabe from getting a punch to the throat for that remark. “There’s the signal. Time to go.”
Instantly we became all business. The savage roar of the wind muted the sickening snaps and pops of Gabe’s transformation. I shuffled on my hands and knees to the door. It took both hands and a fair amount of super strength to pry it open. What I saw on the other side made my jaw swing open and my bladder control threaten to fail.
“Celeste, look out!” someone screamed. There’s a high likelihood it was me.
I shook my head in an attempt to erase the unbelievable image before me. A shark surfed toward me on top of a wave. Sharks can’t surf, I know that. But—terrifying as it was—this one excelled at it. The wide open mouth of a Great White, if I had to guess, soared my way ready to devour me. My legs forgot how to move and my brain switched into an operating speed the equivalent of a hamster running on an exercise wheel. Fear paralyzed me where I stood.
The black eyes of the gigantic fish rolled back in their sockets as its rows of razor sharp teeth extended out, hungry for my flesh. A mighty roar pierced the air as my lion sentry soared over my head and intercepted the killer fish. He hit it head on and the two rolled across the sand in a frenzied explosion of gnashing teeth and snapping jaws. Only then did I realize the shark sported legs.
So that’s what a Water Titan looks like—pants wetting terrifying.
The two savage beasts clung together. Both sets of bone-crushing teeth snarled and grappled to tear into the other’s flesh. Wet sand clung to them as they blurred together in their violent flurry. A flash of a silver fin. The swipe of a tawny claw. The flip of a long tail fin. Flying chunks of chestnut fur.
Caleb and Kendall ran across the beach. Keni’s wings shielded them from the hammering winds and sea spray. They didn’t need to hurry. None of us could do anything. Getting between the shark and lion would mean a loss of limbs … or a nasty flare up of deadness. I tried to part them with my telepathy, but even mental means couldn’t get between them. I could do nothing but watch—until the unthinkable happened.
The shark flung its head to the side and sunk its teeth deep into Gabe’s hip. Our lion roared in pain. Blood bubbled and poured from his gaping wound. Muscle and tissue ripped from bone and hung off him like limp spaghetti noodles. Bile rose in my throat and I slapped my hand over my mouth. Instinct prompted my feet into action. I rushed to my brother’s aid but quickly found he had no need for me. His lip curled up and he lunged on the shark. The pupils of his feline eyes dilated and blood lust took over. Claws and teeth shredded and devoured the fish’s course skin in a violent fury. Blood sprayed through the air and splattered me from head to toe.
“Gabe! Stop!” If he heard me my warning failed to resonate. Instinct had dragged him to a dark place where only one thought got through—kill or be killed.
The land shark’s blood soaked into the sand and stained Gabe-lion’s muzzle a deep rust color. With one last twitch the massive fish fell to the ground—lifeless. Seconds later nothing remained but black tar.
Only then did Gabe glance up. His eyes blinked back to human. Pain and shock forced his change. “Celeste, I’m sorry. I … I couldn’t stop.”
Blood loss quickly claimed its spoils. Gabe sat down hard in the sand, his skin ghostly pale and covered in blood. His head lolled to the side and his eyes rolled back. In a flap of feathers, Kendall stood by his side, easing him to the ground and pouring healing warmth into him.
Icy prickles ran down my spine. Caleb wasn’t with her.
I spun in a circle and found nothing except empty beach. The storm stilled as if holding its breath.
Caleb was … gone. My breath came short and shallow. The world whipped around me like a crazy carnival ride. I didn’t get to say goodbye. I deserved a split second to try to save him. How dare I be denied that? Lack of oxygen caused black spots to dance before my eyes. The ground rose up to meet me as my knees buckled.
I didn’t even get a chance …
A pair of arms caught me, manifesting out of black smoke. “Lovey! I’m here! I’m right here! It’s okay!”
Grasping his shirt in tight fists, I clung hard to Caleb as my heart struggled to find its rhythm. I buried my face into his chest and desperately breathed in his scent. Despite his proclamation, things were far from okay. The universe just showed me how easily it could steal him from me. Nothing would ever be okay again.
 
 
Book Info-
Title: Ascension
Pages: 318
ISBN-10: 0615922848
ISBN-13: 978-0615922843
ASIN: B00GP3HRQQ
Date Published: November 18, 2013
Blurb-
From bestselling and award winning author Stacey Rourke comes the heart-pounding continuation of the acclaimed Gryphon Series. The turning point of the Gryphon saga is at hand … Battle looms. Three unstoppable forces prepare to clash in a colossal explosion that could wipe Gainesboro off the map. Fate and a sacred calling have landed nineteen year old Celeste Garrett in the middle with nowhere to run. Her trust wavers as she uncovers dark secrets of the Council, powerful enough to test her loyalty and turn her against those she swore to protect. Playing to the longing of her heart, a malevolent enemy uses her weakness against her to form an alliance. With the trumpets of war about to sound, which side will the Conduit choose, and who will be left standing?
Book Links- Amazon / Barnes and Noble
Excerpt- 
Somewhere between asleep and awake he came to me. The mattress shifted under his weight as he settled in beside me.
Warm breath teased against my ear. “I could ne’er leave you, lovey.”
His wandering hands gripped my waist and rolled me to face him. This warbled land governed by sleep couldn’t conjure his whole essence—too much time had passed for that. Instead, it teased me with glimpses of what I’d been missing. Silky hair caressing my cheek. Hot kisses traveling down my neck. Emerald eyes filled with an insatiable hunger. The sensual awakening that jolted through me when his mouth found mine.
“I’m always with you,” Caleb whispered against my lips.
I twined my arms around his neck and pulled him closer, a move that garnered a low groan of appreciation. His hands roamed up my arms and encircled my wrists. In a sudden, shockingly violent move, he forced them down against the mattress and pinned me there.
I gaped in confusion as green eyes blinked to sapphire blue. His seductive stare twisted into visible disgust and hatred. Like ink dumped from a bottle, the black drained from Caleb’s hair. The dripping color leaked away to reveal long, strawberry blond hair, pulled into a ponytail at the nape of his neck. Alec. Not the latest version of him currently possessed by a three-hundred-year-old demon, but the Alec I first met while rolling a tire. The carefree boy I had started to fall for before fate intervened. Yet the look that darkened his gaze was more murderous than welcoming. I thrashed and bucked beneath him but couldn’t seem to summon one iota of strength. His grip on my wrists tightened to the point of pain.
“Is he worth it?” he hissed in my face. “Is he worth the blood on your hands?”
Crimson red blood bubbled up Alec’s throat. It seeped between his teeth and dribbled down his chin. “Will he still want you when he knows what you’ve done and what it cost?”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I cringed further into the mattress as blood rained down. The warm stickiness, with its pungent rusty smell, dripped on my face and soaked my shirt.
I risked a glance up to see Alec’s lips curl in an evil grin. “Now, how ‘bout a kiss?”
He bowed his head and crammed his blood soaked lips to mine. My muffled scream quickly turned into a gurgled gasp for air as I fought not to drown in this crimson hell.
 

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The Gryphon Series is written by Stacey Rourke. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant, drooly dogs. Stacey loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head. She is currently hard at work on the continuations of this series as well as other literary projects. The Gryphon Series is available wherever fine books are sold.
Contact Info: Visit the author at www.staceyrourke.com Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/staceyrourkeauthor Twitter @Rourkewrites Email anchorgrouppublishing@gmail.com

New Release and Giveaway:Temptation in a Bottle - In a Bottle Book 2 by @ShonaHusk

 

Temptation in a Bottle

In a Bottle

Book 2

Shona Husk

Genre: paranormal romance

ISBN: 9780992423902

ASIN:

Word Count: 22000

Cover Artist: Helen Katsinis

iTunes ARe Smashwords BN

Book Description:

His only wish is to be free…

For centuries Gage has existed only to fulfill the most intimate desires of the woman who holds his bottle. Now Gage has a wish of his own—to be a real man and a have a real life even though he knows it’s an impossible dream. This time he plans to take his bottle and break it just to see what will happen.

Paramedic Sasha Watts has seen the damage falling in love does to people and she has no intention of being another of Cupid’s victims. She accidentally frees Gage without knowing what he is. After one kiss he walks away and she never expects to see him again, but the goddess Inanna has other ideas.

As punishment for breaking his bottle she erases Gage’s memory of everything but Sasha. Only Sasha can give him the life he longs for and only Gage can be the man she’s always dreamed of, but first she’ll have to open her heart and he’ll have to finish the job Inanna gave him. If he fails, he’ll cease to exist.

Excerpt -

Sasha glanced away before she became trapped in his beautiful wild eyes. Her heart pounded like she’d received a shot of adrenaline. Either she walked away and went home, regretting not giving him a chance, or she gave him a chance and regretted giving him the opportunity to hurt her. “You’re making this hard. I should be leaving.” The clock was ticking to the start of her shift.

“We’re just getting started.”

He tipped her chin for another kiss. This one was almost chaste, a brush of lips that heated her blood and sent it scorching around her body at speeds that made her dizzy. She reached up for more, but he pulled away.

She caught herself before she begged for more. He was addictive. She glanced around, looking for Logan to save her, but he’d been sidetracked by Evie. Gage still held her. Without thought, her fingers traced along his jaw, his golden stubble rough on her skin. He couldn’t hurt her if she didn’t let him. Sex was easy; lust was good. Love was for idiots who believed in happily-ever-afters.

Yet she wanted more than one night. She wanted to know who he was. Could she find out without her heart getting trampled?

“What do you do, Gage, when you’re not riding mechanical bulls and chatting up girls at a party?”

He blinked as if surprised. “I do most of the running around on the farm.”

Sasha gave him another once-over, taking in his boots, jeans and shirt and the hint of a silver chain around neck. “What type of farm?”

“Cattle.”

“You’re a real cowboy?” Of all the men she could’ve kissed at the party, she’d picked him, as if she’d known there was something different and he didn’t belong.

“Yes, ma’am.”

A little shimmer of attraction ran down her back. But she wasn’t going to let him off that easy. “How come you’re in the city?”

“I had a few things to do. And what do you do when you’re not talking to strange men?”

“Paramedic. I have an early start tomorrow.”

“And you’re brushing me off.” He gave her a rueful smile.

Was she? He’d be gone in a few days. What did it matter what she did with him? Maybe they should complete his dare. Her skin warmed at the thought of getting naked with Gage. It had been a long time since a man had sparked this much interest, and he wouldn’t be hanging around. He had a time limit. Neither of them would have the chance to get too involved. He was her idea of a perfect date, yet she was standing here, gazing into his eyes instead of getting in his jeans. What was stopping her?

“I’m wondering how far you want to take that dare,” she finally said.

His eyes narrowed a fraction. “What do you mean?”

“We could find somewhere quieter…” She held her breath. Was she being too forward?

“Where did you have in mind?” Gage took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

Sasha let out a sigh, while lust danced through her blood. She hadn’t planned on finding anyone tonight, but Gage was making it hard to think. Being alone with him seemed like a really good idea. Lust and excitement mixed with nerves that weren’t usually there. For half a second she didn’t want to be his easy city girl. But that was who she was…but not who she’d be when she moved.

“This music is giving me a headache.” A smile graced his lips.

Was he playing, knowing she’d jump to the wrong conclusion? Well, she could play too. Her mind skipped through the possibilities. The music filled the house and the back yard. She wanted something a little private…but not too private. “I know just the place.” She took Gage’s hand and led him into the house, through the mass of bodies singing into a karaoke game and down the hallway at the front of the house.

She opened the door that led into Evie’s study. The modem blinked at her, but the computer was off. She drew Gage in, and he gave the door a nudge so it almost closed. The sliver of light cast the room in shadows that pulsed with the music, but the edge was gone and they could speak in soft tones.

“Quiet enough?”

“I think so.” He pulled her into his arms. “I can actually hear you.”

“What were you doing before, lip-reading?”

“You do have lovely lips.” He brushed his mouth over hers in a kiss that was a promise of what could happen if she wanted it to go further.

 

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Three time ARRA finalist Shona Husk lives in Western Australia at the edge of the Indian Ocean. Blessed with a lively imagination she spent most of her childhood making up stories. As an adult she discovered romance novels and hasn’t looked back. Drawing on history and myth, she writes about heroes who are armed and dangerous but have a heart of gold—sometimes literally.

With stories ranging from sensual to scorching, she is published with Carina Press, Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing and Sourcebooks.

 

 

You can find out more at www.shonahusk.com

www.twitter.com/ShonaHusk

www.facebook.com/shonahusk

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/lySiD

Book Blitz and Giveaway: Lovely, Dark, and Deep - The Collectors, Book 1 by @SusannahSandlin

 

 

Lovely, Dark, and Deep

The Collectors, Book 1

Susannah Sandlin

Genre: Romantic Thriller

Heat level: moderate; language; violence

Publisher: Montlake Romance

ASIN: B00H27TJ6U

Number of pages: 320

Word Count: 95,000

Get it at Amazon

Book Description:

From award-winning author Susannah Sandlin comes a heart-pounding romantic thriller that pits a quick-witted scientist and a scarred ex–combat diver against a ruthless billionaire treasure hunter with ties to the White House.

When biologist Gillian Campbell makes an offhand comment about a family curse during a TV interview, she has no idea what her words will set in motion. Within days, Gillian finds herself at the mercy of a member of the C7, a secretive international group of power brokers with a dangerous game: competing to find the world’s most elusive treasures, no matter the cost, in money or in lives.

To save her family, Gillian teams up with Shane Burke, a former elite diver who’s lost his way, navigating the brutal “death coast” of the North Atlantic to find what the collector seeks: the legendary Ruby Cross of the Knights Templars, stolen by Gillian’s ancestor and lost at sea four hundred years ago.

Release Info- LOVELY, DARK, AND DEEP is being released in eight multi-chapter weekly episodes through Feb. 18. The current price for the entire eight-episode novel is $1.99 through Feb. 18 and will increase to $3.99 for Kindle afterward. The print and audio editions will be released on May 13, 2014, and will be available at venues other than Amazon.

Excerpt:

He wasn’t sure what woke him, but the first thing Shane Burke saw when he cracked open his eyelids was the bottle of Jack Daniel’s, tipped over and resting on its side. He could’ve sworn he finished it off last night but there was at least an inch of rich amber liquid still resting inside.

Good. Now he didn’t have to wonder what he’d have for breakfast.

The second thing he saw was a great pair of legs. Well, technically, a great pair of ankles above a pair of leather sandals, and then the legs.

Obviously, he was starting his Saturday morning with hallucinations.

Only one good solution for that. He dangled an arm off the side of his bed and almost had his fingers wrapped around the neck of the bottle when one of the leather sandals kicked his buddy Jack Daniel’s under the bed, clipping his hand in the process.

“Ow.” Hallucinations didn’t take his booze and kick him in the knuckles.

Ignoring the throbbing in his hand and the stabs of hangover agony behind his eyeballs, Shane rolled onto his back and squinted at the rest of his non-hallucination.

Shoulder-length hair that fell in a sheen of dark chestnut brown, fair skin, fierce brown eyes, red lips compressed in a tight line, black skirt and white blouse, big briefcase-style purse. Had he picked her up at Harley’s last night? If so, he had to cut back on the sauce.

“Sorry,” he mumbled. “I forgot your name.” Pity, ’cause she was a hot little number, way classier than the regulars at Harley’s. It’s not like he got laid so often that he could afford to forget it when he did.

“We haven’t met.” She propped her hands on her hips and muttered something that sounded like, “And you’re supposed to help me?”

Help her with what? Wait, maybe she was a charter. Had he chartered The Evangeline out to a tour group or fishing party today? Surely he’d remember if there was money coming in.

Color him officially confused. He struggled to a seated position and gave her another look. “What am I supposed to help you with?”

She crossed her arms and raked a ball-shriveling gaze the length of his body. “I came here to offer you a job, but I don’t think you’re up to it.”

He tugged the sheet up in self-defense. “I’m not at my best. Ever consider making an appointment? Not dropping in at the crack of dawn?” He had no idea what time it was but it couldn’t be that late.

“It’s past noon. And I didn’t figure, given your financial situation, that you’d be so picky about what time of day someone offered you money.” She shook her head. “Never mind. This was a mistake.”

She banged her head on the low doorway out of the master cabin, which served her right, the sanctimonious shrew.

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Susannah Sandlin writes paranormal romance and romantic thrillers from Auburn, Alabama, on top of a career in educational publishing that has thus far spanned five states and six universities—including both Alabama and Auburn, which makes her bilingual. She grew up in Winfield, Alabama, but was also a longtime resident of New Orleans, so she has a highly refined sense of the absurd and an ingrained love of SEC football, cheap Mardi Gras trinkets, and fried gator on a stick.

She’s the author of the award-winning Penton Legacy paranormal romance series, a spinoff novel, Storm Force, a standalone novelette, Chenoire, and a new romantic thriller series, The Collectors, beginning this month with Lovely, Dark, and Deep. Writing as Suzanne Johnson, she also is the author of the Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy series. Her Penton novel, Omega, is currently nominated for a 2013 Reviewer’s Choice Award in Paranormal Romance from RT Book Reviews magazine.

Website and blog www.suzannejohnsonauthor.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SusannahSandlin

FB: http://www.facebook.com/SusannahSandlin

Book Blast and Giveaway: The Worst Dilemma by @MuhammedSokhna

 

The Worst Dilemma

Muhammed Sokhna

Genre: Erotic Romance/Erotica

Publisher: World Entanglement Publications LLC

ISBN: 9780991202706

ASIN B00GRXTYBA

Number of pages: 126

Word Count: About 33,000

Cover Artist: Ronnell D Porter

Amazon Kobo BN Smashwords

Book Description:

The spark of all dilemmas is lies and deception

Just what is love? Is it just a word people use for personal gain? Is it a verb that needs creativity expression in order to understand its full meaning? Or, is it just looking in the mirror?

For Chantrelle Hayfield, love is simplicity. But, she lives in Atlanta, a complex city full of surprises. Like her chiseled, tall, and chocolate next door neighbor, Rasheed Goodmen, who could be a new love interest? But, when her best friend, Ashley Leslie, comes out about her true feelings, will Chantrelle be able to handle the convoluted feelings of others even if that means losing her simplicity?

Chantrelle’s other friends Ariel Samson and Alexis Smith could be able to guide her? But, Ariel needs to learn to be a little selfish and Alexis has to stop scheming to get by. The underworld of Atlanta will test each of these women. Because behind the spark of every dilemma, is lies and deception. Who will be able to see clearly in order to avoid tragedy?

 

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Throughout Mr. Sokhna life, he searched for a purpose. At the age of eighteen, he went through some tough times. His girlfriend left him, his finances were not where they needed to be, his family was struggling to make ends meet, he lost his Hope scholarship, and was desperately trying to find out what was his purpose here on earth. The depression within him started to build and lead to an attempt of suicide.

With the love and support of his family and close friends, he slowly climbed back on his feet, but there was still one remaining problem. He still didn’t know what his purpose was, until he had a vision.

Something within him told him to write down his story. There was resistance, but he followed the hunch. Five thousand words turn into ten thousand. Then ten turned into twenty thousand. Then all of a sudden, twenty thousand words turned into over forty thousand words. He recognized that he found his true passion. It was something that will challenge him. It was something he was yearning for all his life. It was something he could call “his own” and that something was writing.

Mr. Sokhna purpose is to ignite the creativity within people and help them realize that life is much more than what meets the eye. He wants his readers to know that all that we ever done and all we will ever do in this world is just the tip of this iceberg of what could have been done in this life.

The Worst Dilemma Series is one of the three ways he likes to channel his talent to the world. Being able to create erotic content that makes people blush is not only pleasing to him, but it makes him more humble to evolve the craft of literature. Mr. Sokhna will continue to strive to bring more enticing content through The Worst Dilemma Series. A series that will shed light on some of the toughest situations people go through in life, with the added bonus of erotic content.

Website www.theworstdilemmaseries.com

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

Twitter: @MuhammedSokhna

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+MuhammedSokhna

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/muhammedsokhna/

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Cover Reveal and Giveaway: The Serpent’s Fate - Vigilati Series Book 3 by @JK_Hogan

 

 

 

The Serpent’s Fate

Vigilati Series

Book 3

J.K. Hogan

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Word Count: 100,000 words

Cover Artist: KHD Graphics

Book Description:

Can a traumatized veteran-turned-mercenary who is tormented by voices in his head be saved by the love of a wayward single mother with demons of her own? Afflicted by PTSD from serving in Afghanistan, and tormented by a childhood trauma, transient veteran Matthieu Rousseau struggles with the choices he's made in his life. Estranged from his family, Matthieu drifts from one mercenary job to the next, until one thing stops him. Fate.

In hiding from her abusive ex-husband, musician Fate Callahan lives in New Orleans with her seven-year-old daughter. She remains in constant fear of being found, and her worst nightmare comes alive when a dark, dangerous stranger tells her he’s been hired to locate and kill her—but wants to save her instead.

Fate and Matthieu find themselves on the run together, fleeing from the hitmen and an unseen evil worse than anything else they’ll face. While just trying to stay alive, they become entangled in the battle between the Vigilati and the Lochrim; an archaic sect of witches and the evil creatures they are bred to fight. Unbeknownst to Fate and Matthieu, they are more deeply connected to the Vigilati than either of them could ever imagine.

They must join family and allies of the Vigilati to help save the human world, possibly saving each other along the way. Matthieu teaches Fate how to trust in love again, while she gives him back the one thing he never thought he deserved—family.

Excerpt:

Fate shot upright in her bed, on instant alert as she looked around the dark room. Something had woken her, she was sure of it. But there was nothing there. Her room, seemingly the whole house, was dead silent, yet she knew she had to have heard something.

While her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she climbed out of bed and put on a thin robe over her tank top and shorts. She crept towards the door to her bedroom, treading lightly while still listening for anything out of the ordinary. Her hand froze on the doorknob as she remembered Matthieu’s whispered plea to keep the door locked.

She’d planned on obeying—but what if their pursuers had made their way into the house? What if they’d taken out Matthieu? Fate wasn’t about to wait in her bedroom for them to come and get her, the perfect gift-wrapped sitting duck.

She had to make a quick decision. Turning the lock, she stepped out into the hall and listened. Finally, she heard it…a pained moan coming from somewhere in the living room. It was barely audible, yet excruciating—as if someone were gasping out their last breath. Matthieu.

Fate hurried into the open living room which was washed in pale moonlight from the large picture windows. She didn’t see anything at first so she started to turn toward Matthieu’s bedroom, when she heard the sound again, much more faint.

It came from the couch. Panicked, she rounded the end of the overstuffed sofa and looked down; sure she was going to find Matthieu bleeding out on the supple leather. He was there, but with no physical injuries that she could see.

His body was completely tense, back bowed off the couch but arms and legs straight, as if they were bound. But his face...his face was screwed into a twisted mask of indescribable pain—jaws clenched, teeth bared, eyes squeezed tightly shut.

She watched as he seemed to struggle against the invisible bonds, and he let out another one of those death-moans. The sound tore at her and she was drawn to it, helpless to do anything but try and stop his pain. Yes, he’d made her promise never to wake him—but maybe she didn’t have to. Maybe she could soothe him, ease his pain, while he still slept. It was worth a shot.

Climbing onto the couch over him, she straddled his hips and stared down at his pain stricken face. “Here goes nothing,” she whispered, and grabbed his thick wrists, one in each of her hands.

She felt her body convulse as she was violently ripped from her own consciousness and thrown, head-first, into Matthieu’s.

I’m in the dream, Fate thought. She was in Matthieu’s nightmare and, more than that, she was Matthieu. For that moment in time, she had his thoughts, his memories. She was inside him.

She found herself strapped down by the arms and legs to a metal table, surrounded by men chattering in a language she’d never heard, but somehow understood—because Matthieu did. Looking down at her body—Matthieu’s body—she saw that it was covered in blood that oozed from dozens of open wounds. They were too shallow to be fatal, but enough to cause immeasurable pain. No wonder he’d cried out.

Finally, the men stopped yelling, and one who seemed to be the ringleader—Patang—approached her. He gestured to one of the other men, who opened the door of the dank, dungeon-esque room. A third man came through tugging a bound soldier, an American, and pushed him to stand in front of them.

Fate felt Matthieu’s stomach constrict and his heart begin to pound. A name flickered through her mind, just a whisper – Striker, one of Matthieu’s team members—a brother in arms. Striker’s captor kicked at the back of his knees, forcing him to kneel in front of the leader, before taking out a wicked looking knife.

“Last chance, Sergeant,” he said in that guttural language. “Who sent you? Who’s pulling your strings?”

Matthieu hesitated, and the man holding Striker pressed the knife closer to his jugular. Fate could hear Matthieu’s thoughts racing as he stared at his friend in what could possibly be his last moments alive. Striker knew that Matthieu wouldn’t give up his unit—in fact, as Matthieu’s eyes connected with the other man’s, Striker stared him down and gave him an almost imperceptible shake of his head.

You were trained for this, Rousseau, he told himself. They couldn’t sacrifice the entire unit, the entire mission, for two men, and they both knew it. Slowly, with his heart clenching in his chest, Matthieu turned his face to the leader and glared, then looked back at Striker.

The leader obviously took it as confirmation that neither soldier was talking. With a stiff nod to his subordinate, Patang stood there, detached, as the man pulled the sharp knife across Striker’s throat and let him drop.

Fate felt Matt’s pain, but also his conviction. He wouldn’t grieve much for Striker, knowing the man had died the way he lived, protecting his country. But he would grieve the rest of his life for Riksa.

She’d had enough. She wanted to be back to herself. I need to be me, she repeated, and concentrated on pulling her thoughts from Matthieu’s. Finally, she felt herself separate, but much to her disappointment, they were still in the dream.

The insurgents had gone and left them alone with Striker’s cooling body. Fate cringed and tried not to look. Instead, she concentrated on Matthieu. She could see him now as she stood beside the torture table. He was strapped down by his arms and legs, covered in blood from the agglomeration of wounds that marred his body.

His face was turned towards her, but his eyes were on Striker. She wasn’t sure if he’d be able to see her anyway—then again, she didn’t really know the rules of invading someone’s dream. It had never happened before.

Matthieu’s body was racked with violent tremors and tears were running down his face, mingling with the blood to create ghastly red streaks from the corners of his eyes. After a few moments of silence, he threw his head back and let out an anguished roar.

Fate had had enough. No one deserved to suffer this much. Heedless of the blood, she stroked his face with a gentle hand. “Matthieu, it’s time to wake up. Let it go, for now.” She was startled when he stopped screaming and grief-stricken eyes locked onto hers.

Fate was slammed back into her own body with the force of a freight train. But it didn’t dislodge her from her perch on Matthieu. Her hands remained wrapped around his wrists. Good thing, too, because he came up swinging.

Well, he would have, but Fate concentrated all of her energy on holding him down. His body raged and bucked beneath her as he tried to dislodge whatever was weighing him down. She just held on as tight as she could.

“Matthieu,” she said in a calm voice that belied her trepidation. She repeated his name over and over until his violent motions stilled and his eyes began to focus. A deep, dark chocolate, his eyes finally rested on her face and widened. While still cautious, Fate let go of his hands but kept her position on top of him.

Matthieu looked disoriented as his eyes bounced around the room, likely trying to get a handle on exactly where—and when—he was.

“Hey. It’s me. You had a bad dream, but you’re here in New Orleans. La Maison de Rousseau, remember?” she asked with a quirk of her lips.

Finally he nodded and threw a heavy arm over his face. She couldn’t see his eyes, but the tears that seeped down his cheeks were clear as a bell. His muscles took up that full body shudder he’d had in the dream, and his big chest began to convulse.

Swallowing down her fear, Fate lifted his arm away from his face and held his head still so that he was forced to meet her eyes. She stroked his scarred cheek—realizing that the injury had to have happened before the torture—and spoke softly to him.

“Matthieu, you have to let it go.”

“How can I?” he said. His voice cracked as his body was shaken with another brutal shudder.

“Tell me,” she answered. Without a thought, she ran her fingers through his hair and found it softer than she would have imagined. He tensed and she was sure he wouldn’t speak, but then he did.

The whole story poured out of him in stuttering gasps and sobs—he told her about the mission, the bomb, the civilians who’d been killed. So that was who Riksa was. He told her about his injuries, to his eyes, ears, and throat—and, yeah, that explained the voice.

He told her about getting captured, and being tortured by Patang and his crew. She was horrified by what they had done to him, but she forced herself to keep calm. Finally, he told her about Striker—SFC Vincent “Striker” Perelli—and how he’d essentially signed the man’s death warrant.

When it was all done, he looked so destroyed, so miserable, that her heart went out to him. She leaned forward and took his face in her hands. “You were doing a job and still, you did everything you could to try and save Riksa. And you did exactly what Striker had wanted—expected—you to do. You have to let this go, and forgive yourself.”

“I don’t think I can.”

“Try,” she said, and leaned over to touch her lips to his.

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J.K. Hogan has been telling stories for as long as she can remember, beginning with writing cast lists and storylines for her toys growing up. When she finally decided to put pen to paper, magic happened. She is greatly inspired by all kinds of music and often creates a “soundtrack” for her stories as she writes them. J.K. is hoping to one day have a little something for everyone, so she’s branched out from m/f paranormal romance and added m/m contemporary romance. Who knows what’s next?

J.K. resides in North Carolina, where she was born and raised. A true southern girl at heart, she in the country with her husband and young son, a cat, and two champion agility dogs. If she isn’t on the agility field, J.K. can often be found chasing waterfalls in the mountains with her husband, or down in front at a blues concert. In addition to writing, she enjoys training and competing in dog sports, spending time with her large southern family, camping, boating and, of course, reading! For more information, please visit www.jkhogan.com.

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