A.R. Von's Blog, page 33

Bent by HB Heinzer Cover Re-reveal

 
Congratulations to H.B. Heinzer for having "Bent" picked up by Montlake PublishingNew Cover   Add to GoodreadsSynopsisIf there’s one thing Julia Wilson has learned in life, it’s that you can’t push your own dreams to the background for anyone. Newly divorced, Julia returns to the hometown she once swore would never see her again. Her plan is simple; enjoy the cheap rent her friend is offering and stay just long enough to develop a plan to make her own dreams come true. It doesn't take long before Julia realizes she’s made a big mistake. Micah Anderson came closer to breaking Julia than anyone else ever had. After promising her forever, he broke her heart the week before she left for college. Now, Julia’s back in town and he’s going to have to tell her the truth about why he left her. It’s not possible to hide a twelve year old child when you live in a town of 5,000 people. Is following her dreams worth it if it means giving up on a second chance with her first love? Is trying to make a relationship work worth it if his past becomes a threat to her safety?
Buy LinksAmazon - Amazon CA - Amazon UK - Barnes & Noble - Kobo ExcerptThe air around them crackled with anticipation as they silently walked to the living room. She sat on the couch and invited him to sit next to her. Micah removed his boots and pulled her from her seat. Once he was lying on the couch, he pulled Julia down to him, and she sank in between him and the back of the couch. They fell asleep in each other’s arms, legs intertwined. Some time later, she felt Micah stir beneath her. Without hesitation, she brushed his jaw with her lips. A low groan fell from Micah’s mouth as she trailed kisses from the edge of his goatee to the tender hollow below his ear. She pulled her head back to take in the serene look on his face as helay with his eyes closed. Micah sighed again, pulling Julia onto his chest as he shifted to his back. The full body contact sentshockwaves straight to Julia’s core. It had been years since such simple movements caused this type of reaction within her. She brushed the hair from Micah’s face and continued to deliverfeatherlight kisses across his forehead, then one to the tip of his nose. Her breath caught when she saw the longing in Micah’s eyes. The moment she brought her lips to his, the passion exploded. He gently bit her lower lip before sliding the tip of his tongue to meet hers. When she didn’t resist, he allowed his tongue to explore more, tenderly sweeping around hers before he felt her gently sucking his tongue deeper into her mouth. Micah’s calloused hands reached under Julia’s shirt, caressing her sides. Her back arched as she felt his thumbs slide over the top of her cotton bra. “You’re going to have to tell me when it’s too much,” Micah groaned through staggered breaths. “I’ve waited so long to touch you again, I won’t be the one to say no.” As he placed gentle kisses at the corners of her mouth, Julia whispered, “I’m not saying no either.” She tugged at the hem of his T-shirt, needing to feel his bare skin against hers. Micah shifted their bodies so he could sit up without breaking their embrace. Before leaning back on the couch, he slid his hands up her back to unclasp her bra. Julia leaned back as he slid the straps from hershoulders, allowing him to take in the sight of her swollen breasts. Micah kissed and nipped his way down Julia’s neck to her chest until he slowly took one taut nipple into his mouth. She moaned as his tongue teased his way around the sensitive tip. In anticipation, her panties were drenched. There would be time for taking it slow later. Right now, she needed him. Julia hurriedly worked on the stud on Micah’s jeans, “Do you still carry one … in your … wallet?” she whispered between deep kisses. Micah nodded in confirmation, and Julia reached under him. Micah sat on the couch with Julia straddled across his lap. “Baby, not here …” She swallowed hard at his words. “I swear, I’ll kill you if you stop now,” Julia warned. She was past the point of no return.  
Meet H.B.With the exception of three years spent in the middle of Nebraska, H.B. Heinzer has called southern Wisconsin home. During that time in Nebraska, she imagined one of her favorite authors living on the far western edge of the county, just south of the highway. At the time, becoming a novelist was a distant dream for her. Now, she is the author living in that location. Ironically, she later found out that same favorite author lives just outside the town HB lived in for the first eighteen years of her life. Now, HB lives in the middle of nowhere but still close enough to the city to not feel isolated. It's the perfect place to let her two kids run and explore their huge yard, teach them about the food chain as they prepare their first-ever garden and debate building a chicken coop. It's one of those dreams that is only possible thanks to the amazing opportunities that have come through writing.  
Social Media LinksGoodreads - Facebook - Amazon - Website  

Wunder in PRINT and a GIVEAWAY to celebrate!

That's right people! A.R. Von's first ever print titled Wunder Volume One. It contains the Wunder prequel through book 2 with the addition of bonus scenes that you'll not find in any of the ebooks :)

 I'm celebrating its release by holding a giveaway. After all there's nothing more fun than winning prizes!!


[image error] Genre: Paranormal Romance/Zombie-lit
Pages: 174
Published: October 1, 2013
Buy Links: ~Amazon ~ Createspace~ (Coming soon to other booksellers)

Blurb:


SPECIAL EXTENDED EDITION *Includes Bonus Material*

Wunder isn’t your average girl in fact—she isn’t even an average human. In a world ravaged by Zombies, she was born amidst the chaos. She may have a normal life now…well as normal as a freak of nature could have. Part zombie while her job is to hunt bloodthirsty creatures to protect the innocent. It’s the dreams that haunt her and they aren’t nightmares. Wunder dreams of a man, a man made just for her. Is he real, can he be the one she‘s yearned for?
Wunder’s life has been far from perfect so far, secretly being part Zombie in a world devastated by the plague of the walking dead. Still, she knew there was something special awaiting her, someone out there who could change everything and she did find him. Pete is everything she dreamed of and more as she discovers passion and fulfillment for the first time in her life.
Pete has his own secrets to tell. His world is a lonely one as he wrestles with the reality of being part zombie. His hatred for the creatures that killed his parents drives him to patrol the streets and wipe them all out. His life would be stark, but for the dreams he’s been having; of a woman, so sensuous, so sexy. These alluring visions have become erotic and consuming. He feels as if he made her up to keep from going crazy. Is this life of hunting the walking dead, all there is? Or is she out there waiting—just for him?
Now—with the reunion; Wunder’s life turns into a journey of discoveries. Secrets from the past come full circle and her world is changed forever. In the coming chaos, can she keep her new found happiness and the man of her dreams?

(18+ only this edition contains the Wunder Prequel though book 2)
Wunder Volume One Excerpt:
Twenty five years ago, the spread of the virus was out of control. My parents were just trying to survive, and keep their unborn child safe. It was a dark time for the world—for my parents. I've heard the stories from some who escaped being infected. I've heard many things about that time in history, when everything went to hell. These people remained normal though, they were average human beings. As for me, I've never known what it was like to be fully human—I was born a quarter zombie.  My parents were what you would call bad- asses, they'd survived the infection and the swarms of biters for a long time, because they did what they had to do. They weren't scared of the blood and the gore—they did what was needed to survive. 
All was going as well as could be expected, considering the chaos happening in the world, with the desperate search for food and drinkable water. Every day was a quest to live, and to keep from being a meal—yourself. One day, my parents were out looking for supplies and were attacked by a hoard of the infected. It was a close call for them, being overpowered by an abundance of vile, blood hungry zombies, who basically ambushed them. My father used a hatchet, combined with a few other weapons, concealed on his body to behead and permanently destroy everything in his path.  Eight months pregnant, my mother carried light weight guns and plenty of ammo on her person. She was taught by her husband to aim and shoot—with no hesitation.  Both of them took down zombie, after nasty zombie while holding their position, back to back to one another.  They didn't see the one slimy fucker on its belly, crawling its way toward their right side. It bit my mother on her ankle. Screaming in pain and terror, she kicked the bastard in the face, while still shooting others down. 
My father swiftly pointed his 9mm at the scum's head, turning its brains to permanent sauce. They both finished off the rest of the obnoxious pests, before running as fast as possible toward the safety of their house. Once back home, my father was a frantic mess. Although, my mother continued to tell him she felt fine, he feared help would be too late. 


[image error]
GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spotlight and giveaway with Brandy Isaacs

[image error]

Blurb Purification: that’s what The Sol Invictus is after. And the cult will destroy anyone who gets in its way. With all the power in the world, Harley thought life would be easier. But the sacrifice she made may prove to be more than she expected. A creature of the dark at one with the light, she has brought balance to this dimension. But balance is a fickle thing, too easily shaken. The Sol is after her power and will stop at nothing to get it. The cult’s malevolent schemes will bring Harley to a pivotal decision that could destroy everything they have been fighting for. Calling on old friends to battle new evils, Harley must stop the Sol even if it costs her more than her own life
Links https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6968765.Brandy_Isaacs
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FFSE8J6/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=01XTHZMG38SRHG7PWXSD&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1630083502&pf_rd_i=507846

http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=brandy+isaacs
Excerpt:
By the time Harley dressed in stretchy jeans and a long, black sweater and boots, Castor had fallen asleep. She left the bedroom quietly, so as to not wake him. The sweater did more than just keep away the chill of the impending fall weather. It also helped her hide the silver machete she strapped to her back that she carried whenever possible. When she couldn’t conceal it beneath a jacket or a shirt she would revert back to using the silver Bowie knife that had yet to fail her. Tonight, though, she was in the mood to carry the machete. Feelings of disorientation left her insecure enough to risk walking the streets of New York City with a machete. She felt the need to kill something—and, preferably, to do it with style.
The cold weight of the machete hanging down her back, secured in a smooth leather sling, comforted Harley as she walked the streets. It may have been a bad idea for her to return to New York—Levi, Castor and even Nya argued against it. Harley had made some powerful enemies in the short time since joining the Praesidio. The Lux were suspicious of her and she had killed—kind of—the Sol Invictus’ best attempt at resurrecting Christ. She was sure there was a pretty big target on her back and going back to her known home base seemed reckless. But, honestly, Harley didn’t care. Let them come, she thought. The sooner I get this over with—the better. She wasn’t one to hide. In fact, she made it a point to take the same path every night. She made no secret of her whereabouts or routines. If Cas or Levi had any suspicions of her actions, they didn’t let on. Surely, he didn’t have any idea or he would try to follow and watch over her. She rolled her eyes to herself. His overprotecting annoyed her sometimes, but she had to admit, it was nice that he cared.
Harley had been walking for several hours and the streets gradually cleared of people. As she neared SoHo a scent traveled to her on the cool breeze. She perked up like a hunting dog, and goose bumps rose across her shoulders. Not even aware of slowing down, Harley stopped walking. Turning she headed west to follow the unexpected smell. With each step the smell grew stronger and her Nocte shifted anxiously. Rounding a corner Harley stopped and turned in a circle again. Finally, she spotted the source of the unsettling scent. A boutique was wedged into the corner opposite where she stood. Barely checking for traffic, she trotted across the street. All of the shops nearby were dark and a couple of restaurants on the next block were open but quiet as they wound down for the night. As she drew closer she was able to see what had caught her attention. Smeared across the bottom of the window displaying mannequins dressed the overly expensive clothes was one word—written in what smelled like Nocte blood. “Harley.”



Bio:
[image error] By day I am an administrative worker for a nonprofit organization, and by night (and most weekends) I am a writer. If I'm not working or writing I am usually, reading watching horror movies of varying qualities and being a cat lady--working on the crazy part.

My goal as a writer is to filter the madness that consumes my brain onto paper (or the screen, rather) for others to (hopefully) enjoy as much as I do.








Author Links: https://www.facebook.com/brandywriteshttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6968765.Brandy_Isaacs


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post with Aspen deLainey

[image error]
Synopsis for Love ‘n LiesGaining weight is a human problem. At least that’s what Leticia always thought. But when this vivacious vampire wakes from her year-long slumber and discovers that her formerly svelte frame has retained a few extra pounds, it becomes apparent that something has gone amiss.
A girl just can't wander around the Calgary Stampede in clothes that don't fit! So she sets about the task of shopping and working out a low-cal diet of humans she can live on. When her friends notice how depressed she is, one of them suggests she adopt a tomcat named Justin to keep her company. Little does she know that she would fall madly in love with her new kitty. The moment she does, the spell cast over Justin is broken and he takes his true form – a long, tall, dark haired man with an insatiable sex drive. Letty is more tempted than she ever thought possible and can't keep her hands off him anymore than he can keep his off of her.
After taking him back to her childhood home, Evermore, to consult with the head wizard Silvius, she soon discovers the Warlock who cast the spell over Justin isn't letting him go so easily.
Throw in a nasty twin sister who'll do anything to get her hands on what Letty has, including Justin's more than hot body, and you end up with Love... 'n Lies!
Purchase Links:Amazon: US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, Brazil, IndiaCreateSpaceSmashwords



Why Do I Write Paranormal RomanceI am a believer. As a child I loved the idea of fairies. I wanted them to exist. I remember sneaking out of my aunt’s house one visit at dawn to try and catch the fairies waking up. My aunt had this gorgeous flower bed, something that my mother didn’t grow.The memory probably remains because I remember leaning over to get a really good look and falling into the cactus she had planted beside the flowers. Took my aunt and mother hours to pull all those little barbs out of my leg.I hunted out toadstool rings because I’d read about fairies using the lovingly maintained green area for their singing and dancing areas. I sought rainbow ends, sure that I’d find a leprechaun. Not for his gold. I wanted wishes granted. Wishes about being invited to a fairy ball.As I grew older I stopped reading about fairy dances and got into the darker paranormal. The vampires and werewolves, the witches and warlocks, the dwarves and trolls, the naiads and dryads, the forest people, both kind and fierce. I loved those stories.And how could all these stories be just imagination. There had to be some truth in them. Some snippet of reality. Guess it didn’t hurt that one of my grandparents was very into the occult. Her superstitions played out for me on every visit — the drinking of all your bubbles to gain a wish, salt over the shoulder for any spill, the silk shrouded playing cards used for special games — she had them all. And I loved her for it.So in a way, writing about the paranormal came naturally. I still want to believe in them. I want there to be another set of people only a few lucky souls get to meet and play with. And I want to be one of them.As I’ve never met one – that I know of – I had to create them. In my own conceptualized image of them of course. People, live and love. Love is a genetic imperative, a perpetuation of the race. So of course my paranormals are going to fall in love. Love causes many strange reactions – look at us humans. Why can’t the paranormal have love affairs that truly go wrong, with paranormal ramifications? Or why can’t they find true love? That lasting evermore feeling of completeness. Maybe they have some heart function, or smell factor that tells them when they’ve meet their other half? It’d be better than our human way of falling in love, failing, divorcing and trying again. Wouldn’t it?So, to me, paranormal romance is a natural extension of my wish for a way of finding true love. A way to explain a heartfelt wish for every woman and man to find their true soul mate, the person they somehow were destined to meet and spend eternity with.
Isn’t that what we all want?


Author Bio: [image error] Aspen lives in the Foothills of Alberta with her husband, two of her four children, a dog, a lovebird and a glaring of semi-feral cats. You will often find her watching the wildlife happily feasting in her vegetable garden in the early morning dawn. Being a lover of nature, and all things natural, she wouldn’t trade her country lifestyle for all the beans on the stalk.
A die-hard believer in fairy tales, Aspen hopes her fairy godmother is the Muse. Lending credence to this notion is one of Aspen’s earliest memories: writing a story for her little brother in crayon on a favored picture book and earning a spanking as her first critical review.  Never deterred, Aspen continued to make up stories, and hone her craft, until finally letting a few escape her clutches in 2010.
Love ‘n Lies is Aspen’s first work in The Evermore Chronicles, the concept for which was developed while she was employed in the seniors’ medical field. Do paranormal beings suffer from medical problems also? What happens to aging Vampires, Wizards, Trolls and the like? The questions begged to be answered... And of course, their stories needed to be told.


Social Media Links:Twitter: @AspendeLainey Blog: http://theevermorechronicles.wordpress.com/

Ednah-Palooza

Ednah-Palooza
Celebrating: Our Love for Ednah Walters
Series: The Guardian Legacy and Runes
Genre: YA Paranormal & YA Paranormal Romance
Presented by: Walking on Bookshelves & As You Wish Tours

Runes (Book 1)
Amazon | B&N
Goodreads
Blurb
Seventeen-year-old Raine Cooper has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s disappearance, her mother’s erratic behavior and the possibility of her boyfriend relocating. The last thing she needs is Torin St. James—a mysterious new neighbor with a wicked smile and uncanny way of reading her.

Raine is drawn to Torin’s dark sexiness against her better judgment, until he saves her life with weird marks and she realizes he is different. But by healing her, Torin changes something inside Raine. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Half the time, she’s not sure whether to fall into his arms or run.

Scared, she sets out to find out what Torin is. But the closer she gets to the truth the more she uncovers something sinister about him. What Torin is goes back to an ancient mythology and Raine is somehow part of it. Not only is she and her friends in danger, she must choose a side, but the wrong choice will cost Raine her life.


Immortals (Book 2) Amazon | B&N
Goodreads


Blurb
Nothing can stop Raine Cooper when she wants something…        [image error]

Raine finally knows that her gorgeous neighbor, Torin St. James, is a legend straight out of Norse mythology, and that her feelings for him are strong. Torin is crazy about Raine too, breaking the one rule he lives by: Never fall for a mortal. The problem is he no longer remembers her, his memories erased by Norns—Norse destiny deities—to punish her for defying them.

So Raine comes up with a plan...

She will make Torin forget his one rule a second time and fall in love with her all over again. But she quickly learns that well-laid plans do not work when dealing with deities and supernatural beings. Desperate, Raine makes choices that could not only tear her and Torin further apart, but lead to the destruction of everything and everyone she loves.
Grimnirs (Book 2.5) Goodreads
Blurb
Straight out of the psyche ward, Cora just wants her life to be normal. She doesn’t want to see souls or the reapers collecting them. The love of her life, the guy she’s loved from a distance for years, has moved away without saying goodbye. So yes, she’s nursing a serious heartbreak. It’s no wonder love is the last thing on her mind when Echo storms into her life.

The chemistry between them is mind-blowing. The connection defies logic. It doesn’t help that Echo is the poster boy for everything she hates in a guy—hot, beautiful, and cocky. A general pain-in-the-butt. Being around him makes her feel more alive than she’s ever felt before. But more important, the souls leave her alone when he is around.

Echo is perfect for her. Echo might even be her soul-mate. There is only one problem. Echo is a freaking soul reaper. A Grimnir. The very beings she wants out of her life. Maybe normal is overrated because Cora wants it all. Answers. Love. A life. You see, once you fall for a Grimnir, your life will never be the same again.

Awakened (Book 1) Amazon
Goodreads
Blurb Awakened is prequel to the Guardian Legacy Series

An exciting world of Angels and Demons complete with magic and romance... Ells Readz Reviews

Most teens turn sixteen and get the license to drive, but Lil Falcon gets the license to kill demons. Orphaned as a child and raised by an eccentric grandfather, Lil is concerned with surviving high school and is unaware that she's a Guardian-a being with super powers charged with killing demons and protecting humanity. When she meets Bran, a mysterious boy with amazing abilities, his psi energy unlocks her latent powers. But Bran has a secret that can ruin their growing relationship, and the truth she discovers may destroy everything she believes in unless she finds the right balance between love and sacrifice.  

Betrayed (Book 2)
Amazon | B&N
Goodreads
Blurb
Lil isn't just an average teenager. She's one of the Nephilim--the descendants of humans and angels--which gives her some serious psi skills and a mission for redemption. Just when Lil thinks she's found a balance between her normal life with human friends and her training to become a Guardian, she's warned that someone close to her will betray her. When the boy she loves starts acting strangely and one of her human friends acquires a supernatural ability, Lil begins to realize that someone is manipulating the people she loves... and won't stop until she's been lured to the dark side.
Hunted (Book 3)
Amazon | B&N
Goodreads
Blurb
Bran and Lil may have escaped an attempt to lure Lil to the dark side,
and recovered the contracts damned people signed with Bran when he was
a soul collector, but someone forgot to tell them that no one switches sides or
cancels contracts without consequences.

Hunted by an unknown but powerful enemy, Lil, Bran and the Guardians must
seek help from unlikely sources to avert total annihilation of the Guardians.
When they finally face their enemy, one of them may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
About the Author
EDNAH WALTERS grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and dreaming of one day writing her own stories. She is a stay-at-home mother of five humans and two American short-hair cats (one of which has ADHD) and a husband. When she is not writing, she’s at the gym doing Zumba or doing things with her family, reading, traveling or online chatting with fans.

Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released by Pill Hill Press in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, will be released April 2013. She’s working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN. Visit her at www.ednahwalters.com

Ednah also writes YA paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series. IMMORTALS is book 2. She is presently working on book 3, GRIMNIRS (Release date TBA). Read more about this series and the world she's created here www.runestheseries.com

Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series. Since then she has published four more books in this series. She's presently working on book six. You can visit her online at or www.ebwalters.com.

AUTHOR LINKS
Facebook
Twitter
Website
Amazon Author
Goodreads
B&N Author
Smashwords
Kobo

BOOK LINKS
Goodreads


[image error]
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Spotlight The Flight of the Griffin by C.M. Gray

[image error]


[image error]
Blurb...The Flight of the Griffin was chosen as one of the 21 'Longlist' finalists in the 2013 London Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition.Living in their old boat ‘The Griffin’ four friends become the unlikely heroes at the end of time when a burglary sets them on the path to finish the ‘Last great Spell’ - a spell to stop the balance of the World tipping into Chaos...
Pursued by magic, demons and ‘The Hawk,’ an evil hunter of men, the boys are in a race against time to find three crystal skulls while all the forces of Chaos try to stop them!

The Sequel to The Flight of the Griffin, is called Chaos Storm and will be published October 2013

Buy links:Amazon US - http://www.amazon.com/The-Flight-Griffin-ebook/dp/B007TKUD7YAmazon UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Flight-Griffin-ebook/dp/B007TKUD7Y


Bio
[image error] Born in Essex, England with a heavy dose of 'travel lust', C.M.Gray has since been lucky enough to live and travel in many countries around the world. In fact he has lived for more years outside of England than he has living there! Working as a carpenter, fruit picker and even a stint in stock brokering, he has called home Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayan Mountains, the clamour of central Hong Kong to a farm in deep rural Burgundy. Forever vowing to return and sink his roots once again in English soil... some day, he hasn't quite made it back yet, but does live a little closer these days; just outside of Barcelona in the middle of the forest with his dogs and two wonderful children.C.M.Gray's writing is mostly fantasy and many of the experiences he has had in Asia, Africa and the middle east come to life in his writing. The Flight of the Griffin, a finalist in The Times/Chicken House literary competition 2013, follows the adventures of a group of young orphans as they battle demons and bandits on a magical quest to stop the world from tipping into Chaos. Shadowland blends fantasy with history as an old story teller takes his audience back to Britain's dark ages and the birth of the Arthurian legend.
twitter - @cgray129Blog - http://flightofthegriffin.blogspot.comFaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/Authorcmgrayemail - cgray129@gmail.com

#WedBriefs Flash Fiction Lady #22 by A.R. Von

Happy Hump Day and welcome to Wednesday Briefs Flash Fiction! As always, I was given various options to inspire this weeks brief. I chose to go with the following word prompts "It had to be you" or use keys in some way and the 3 photos below.


For those of you that have not read the prior week's portions and would like to. Click HERE to access them all.


I hope you enjoy & thank you for reading!


Once the words leave my mouth, both Dezso and I were surrounded by light. It’s no longer directed towards where the men were standing and Dezso’s light is now completely gone. [image error] The light that surrounds us is a vividly sparkling bright blue. The way it surrounds us makes me feel as if we are within the moons core. I see everything as if I’m looking from above.
I remember what the goddess told me about how my power will be at its strongest during the full moon. The moon is not quite full yet, but is almost there. I see it in my mind’s eye. So beautiful and the bluest I’ve ever seen. It’s so real and close I feel as if I could reach out and touch it. On instinct, I reach out for it, but not with my hands. I don’t know how to explain it fully. It’s as if my soul separates from my body, floating freely. My hands grab hold of the iridescent glow and pull it within me, strengthening me, filling me with power beyond imagination.
Coming back within myself, I look to Dezso.
There’s no more light lingering on his fingers or anywhere else within him. His eyes are closed and he is standing but slouching, panting and dripping sweat in small rivers.
I continue to focus my energy around us with the hope it’ll help whatever is going on. Stop whatever—whoever is doing this to my love. I must save him! Where has his light gone? I take a deep breath, place my palm upon Dezso’s chest and one more lingering look at his pain filled face, then close my eyes. Once again, I think about my lessons which are really too few for my liking, but I will make it work. I reflect about the visions of Dezso and I feed the warmth I get from the thoughts through me and into Dezso. I hear him sigh and I open my eyes only to see him smiling and staring down at me.
[image error] The light no longer surrounds us and it is now night time. So much time has passed since our picnic and the chase. I started to build the anticipation for what was to come between us. I feel as if it is all my fault, but I am not the one who attacked or forced evil within another being. Trying to cause harm or kill another. It was Than and Cassiel that brought this upon us. I’m just happy my Dezso is now safe and he has his light back as it should be.
He looks around in panic then settles his gaze on me. He pulls me tight to him, kisses the top of my head, placing his lips there and taking a deep breath. He sighs and rests his chin atop my head and clears his throat. “They are gone. You did it Iria. I’m so very proud of you my sweet. I thought I’d never see you again. You’re all I thought of and I thought I lost you. No matter how much positive I thought, I was pulled deeper into the darkness. It’s as if they were both feeding me negativity, making me believe I already failed you, lost you. All I could see for a while was darkness. Oily, evil and strong. I felt as if I was shackled to the darkness, by the darkness. 
Unable to move or bring forth my light. My light seemed to be gone, it abandoned me. I believe Than and Cassiel stole it, removed it and tried to fill me with their pure evil and hatred…” he pauses to look into my eyes.
I stare back while feeling so much love for him.
[image error] He shook his head sadly and went on, “I was about to give up but I began to feel a warmth starting in my heart and spreading throughout my entire being. It had to be you. I felt your presence—your love wrap around me and pull me back. I saw the liveliest of colors surrounding me in a circular rainbow. You. I know it was. You bring me light. I love you so much my Iria. So much it hurts.” Dezso attacks my lips viciously. Like a starving man. Crushing, bruising passion that ignites my sexual heat close to combustion.
We stay like this for a long time. He’s exploring me, satisfying his need to know I’m really here and truly alright. When he’s at least partially satisfied, he removes his mouth from mine and rests his lips on my forehead.
I feel his pulse beating on my lips resting upon his neck. It’s a frantic beat, almost animalistic. “I love you too Dezso. I thought—I thought I would lose you to them. I did not know what to do. I let my instincts guide me and they brought me power beyond our wildest dreams. I’ve never felt so strong as I did when I saw the blue moon and it let me feed from it. It strengthened my light to a point where it practically burst from me. That is what I provided to you. That’s what brought you back to me. Now can we please go home?”
****
It’s been two days since the attack by Than and Cassiel. Iria and I have been training hard. My uncle has been by our sides more than ever. Offering his help, knowledge and guidance. He now knows of Iria’s secret. He’s sworn the secret to his grave and beyond. He says he knew there was something different…Special about her but didn’t want to pry. We are both truly grateful to have him at our side.
“Iria don’t take it easy on the old man. Take him down!”
She chuckles and ducks a punch from my uncle Dillon. Quickly gaining her feet and swiping his legs from below him. “Eat dirt evil doer!” She jumps up in triumph and laughs at my uncle’s confounded expression.

I can’t help but release a chuckle myself. Iria has come so far in such a short span of time. Tomorrow is the full moon and she’s to meet with Tethy’s and ask if the goddess will help us with our quest to find the key to rid me of my darkness…
Be sure to come back for the next brief!


***All parts of Lady, except for #1 will be removed from the blog within the next few weeks and released (with additional scenes) in ebook as well as print not too long after (I will let you know new title and all other information soon). I'm very excited about this and hope you'll join me for the thrill ride!***

(This story continues to be dedicated to my one and only sister, my Pookie. Her love of unicorns from when we were tots is what inspired me to write it. Love you my sissy!)




Here are other AMAZING Wednesday Briefs for you to visit:
JC WallaceChris T. KatLily Sawyer Shelly SchulzCia NordwellElyzabeth VaLey   Rob ColtonVictoria AdamsRenee StevensTali SpencerJulie Lynn Hayes
Nephylim  

Blog Tour: Carrots: A Shelby Nichols Adventure

Blurb:  Shelby Nichols is an average woman who is married to the only guy she ever fell for. Her life is organized and predictable, revolving around her husband and two children. All that changes the day she stops at the grocery store for some carrots. As the cashier rings up her purchases, a gunman is busy robbing the bank inside the store. When a customer grabs the robber's mask, he is shot and everyone runs for cover. Everyone except Shelby, who finds herself face to face with the killer. The next thing she knows, she's lying on the floor with a bullet wound to her head. Luckily, the bullet only grazes her scalp, and she doesn't suspect any lasting affects until later, when she suddenly 'hears' what people are thinking. With this uncanny ability, her life takes on a whole new dimension. Her kids think she's bossy and too old to understand them, but that's nothing compared to her husband. He says he loves her, but what is it about the redhead at work that he doesn't want her to know? As if that isn't enough, the gunman knows she can identify him, and he's out to silence her forever. In her fight to stay alive, she is saved from certain death by a handsome hit-man with ties to organized crime. This pulls Shelby even deeper into danger, where knowing someone's thoughts can not only hurt her feelings, but get her killed.



Available for purchase at 
      


About the Author
 A long career as a wife and mother while juggling several part-time jobs gave Colleen the ambition to dream of being a published author, where she could put her imagination to good use. Now instead of making up stories to tell her children, she writes books they love to read. Hopefully you will too. She is the author of three romantic fantasy novels, Songbird, Flame of Destiny and The Relic. Her Shelby Nichols Adventures include Carrots, Fast Money, Lie or Die, Secrets That Kill, and Trapped By Revenge coming soon!

            







a Rafflecopter giveaway

Scent of a Mate blog tour & review

[image error]
[image error]
Blurb
Mission: Scent a Mate

Jordan Alvarez knew that a promise to her best friend involved staking out the local wolf pack's scenting ceremony and recording the graphic details, but she was the writer and the only one with the balls to finish the task. No one would know that four human women had sneaked proof of their rituals, or at least, that was the plan until Aric Wolfe showed up. 


Mission: Stake a Claim

Aric Wolfe knew his baby sister was up to something, and expected her best friend, Jordan, to be in on the chaos. He finally had an opportunity to lay claim to a mate that had been under his nose for years. Jordan's scent called to both the man and the animal, and he was done fighting the call of the beast. It was time to mark his mate.


Mission: Survive an Alpha

When a good intention creates a problem for the Wolfe family, Jordan finds herself being stalked by a woman intent on claiming Aric as her own. Battle lines will be drawn, love will be put to the test, and Aric will have to fight Jordan's strong personality to keep her alive. Two alpha hearts seeking control will either find the balance or risk losing their love forever. 
Buy LinksAmazon.com - http://amzn.to/1aXDEHy
Amazon.uk - http://amzn.to/18fu1OS
B&N - http://bit.ly/1gHgdzJ
ARe - http://bit.ly/18G41jvKOBO - http://bit.ly/1eLbpg1





Excerpt
Jordan stood to open the door and her legs tried to fold under her. Shit, how many glasses had she had? She slowly made her way to the front door to let her friends inside.Another round of rings met her at the door.“I’m here, cool your heels.”She jerked the door open and found the three missing amigas.Emma’s gaze roamed her face. “Damn, Jordan, how long have you been drinking?”She licked her lips, tasting the residual wine on them. “Not long. Why do you ask?”Karla tickled her side as she sashayed past her. “You’re all red in the face. You only get flushed like that when we talk sex or you’ve had like a ton of wine. We all know that.”Jordan was probably flushed from all the thoughts of Aric. Damn man made her get all flustered without even being in the vicinity. “Get inside and stop whining or you won’t get any food.”Emma shoved her aside and made a beeline for the kitchen behind Karla and Nicole. “Thank God. I’m starving.”Jordan snorted. Her friends would never change. “Yeah, okay. I didn’t cook this time. Sorry.”Emma turned to her with wide eyes. “You mean you didn’t make the flan or the empanadas?”She shook her head. Her friends loved the chicken and shrimp filled dough. “Sorry. It was my night off.”“Since when? You and Ellie are the cooks. Nicole and Karla are the bakers. And I’m the eater.”Jordan laughed. “We’re all eaters. I don’t see a single skinny person here. Now go. We have take-out in the oven. We’ll eat now that you’re all here.”She followed the others into the dining room. For as long as she could remember the five of them being friends, Ellie had always been the worrywart in the group. Though the others had met the Wolfe’s back in college, she and Ellie had been friends the longest. It worried Jordan to see Ellie so quiet. Somehow, she knew that the scenting ceremony was not as simple for Ellie as she made it sound. While her family may not be putting pressure on her to mate, it was probably not the case with the others in the pack.“Alright! Pizza!” Nicole cheered.“Thank God. I swear I could eat a horse.” Emma rubbed her stomach dramatically.Jordan lifted a brow. “Um, didn’t you already eat horse when you did that stint in China during your semester abroad?”“Hell no. I did take a stab at the fried bugs, but I just couldn’t go past a single bite.” She wrinkled her nose.Nicole grimaced. “Damn woman, I couldn’t even take the one bite. You got bigger balls than me.”“It has been established that Emma has bigger balls than most men.” Jordan ran her fingers through her hair.“Will you all get in here already? You know I can hear you, and I’d like to participate in how big Emma’s balls are,” Ellie yelled.They brought the warm pizza boxes into the living room. Jordan opened a new bottle of wine and maneuvered it with the extra glasses onto the coffee table.“Alright. Now that we are all here, I need to inform you that Ellie has agreed to let us watch the scenting ceremony.”Everyone spoke at the same time.Emma lifted her wineglass. “That’s awesome!”“Finally,” Nicole said between pizza bites.Karla laughed. “Leave it to Jordan to wear the poor woman down.”“Hey, I resent that. I will have you know. I did not wear her down. I may have offered my first born, ninety percent of my paycheck for a year, and a possible front seat to some Broadway show, but that’s it.” Jordan leaned back on her easy chair, the single item in her house she’d bought not caring about how it went with the décor. The fluffy chair was like being snuggled by a giant pair of warm hands. It had an automatic heater and massager. Hell, not that she’d tell her friends, but one of the reasons she’d bought it was because the damn thing started vibrating under her ass at the store. She’d gotten embarrassed and excited at the time. Oh, the possibilities.“So,” Emma, the other bossy one in the group other than Jordan started, “what’s the plan?”
Jordan laughed, holding the glass of wine by her lips. “It’s going to be a long night.”

[image error]

Scent of a mate is a sexy, fun and exciting story that sure keeps the reader on their toes! A recommended read for all fans of the genre looking for some extra spice with their shifters ;)
Jordan enjoys her independence. She's been alone practically all of her life. Never having been thin, she's also always been picked on due to her build and they only one to ever defend herself has been...herself. Dreaming of her best friends brother for years, she knows it'll never go anywhere further than friendship. She's just not his type...

Aric is his packs future alpha. With that in his future and the necessity of having a mate by his side. He's forced to participate in a sort of  mating ritual to help find her. He knows exactly who he wants as his. But it's someone that may not be acceptable by his pack. Will he be able to find a mate that'll please both him and his pack members?

I enjoy Milly's work and as always am looking forward to more. Bring it on Milly!



Overall Rating:


 Sex Rating: 


[image error]
a Rafflecopter giveaway






[image error] Author Bio
Want to know about me? Milly Taiden (aka April Angel) was born in the prettiest part of the Caribbean known as the Dominican Republic. She grew up between New York, Florida and Massachusetts. Currently, she resides in New York City with her husband, bossy young son and their little dog Speedy.She’s addicted to shopping for shoes, chocolate (but who isn’t?) and Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. A bookworm when she can get her hands on a good story, she loves reading romance, thrillers and suspense.
Find out more about Milly Taiden here:
Email: millytaidenauthor@gmail.comWebsite:  http://www.millytaiden.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/millytaidenpageFacebook Friend Page: http://www.facebook.com/milly.taidenTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/millytaiden

~ Look for these titles from Milly Taiden ~
Now AvailableScent of a Mate Sassy Mates Book OneWolf Fever Alpha Project Book OneWolf Protector Federal Paranormal Unit Book OneSharp Change Black Meadows Pack Book OneCaged Heat Black Meadows Pack Book Two“Mate Event” Halloween Heat IIIFate’s WishWynter’s Captive
Coming SoonDangerous Protector Federal Paranormal Unit Book TwoAlpha Fever Alpha Project Book TwoMatch Made in HellCaught by the AlphaUnwanted Protector Federal Paranormal Unit Book ThreeMate Fever Alpha Project Book Three

As April Angel
Stranded TemptationParty CrasherA Hero’s Pride Wounded Soldiers #1A Hero Scarred Wounded Soldiers #2
The Sizzling Encounters SeriesMr. Buff #1Wicked Valentine #2Lucky Break #3
Coming SoonA Hero’s Surrender
A Hero’s Temptation

Guest Post with Steve McHugh

[image error]
Born of Hatred – Blurb

There are some things even a centuries-old sorcerer hesitates to challenge…When Nathan Garret’s friend seeks his help investigating a bloody serial killer, the pattern of horrific crimes leads to a creature of pure malevolence, born of hatred and dark magic. Even with all his powers, Nate fears he may be overmatched. But when evil targets those he cares about and he is confronted by dire threats both old and new, Nate must reveal a secret from his recently remembered past to remind his enemies why they should fear him once more.Born of Hatred, set in modern London with historical flashbacks to America’s Old West, continues the dark urban fantasy of Crimes Against Magic, the acclaimed first book in the gritty and action-packed Hellequin Chronicles.

Links  Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Born-Hatred-Hellequin-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00CX5BYD2/ref=tmm_kin_title_1   Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Born-Hatred-Hellequin-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00CX5BYD2/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kinc_2

[image error]Crimes Against Magic – Blurb
It’s been almost ten years since Nathan Garrett woke on a cold warehouse floor with nothing but a gun, a sword, and no idea of who he was or how he got there. His only clue … a piece of paper with his name on it. Since then, he’s discovered he’s a powerful sorcerer and has used his abilities to work as a thief for hire. But he’s never stopped hunting for his true identity, and those who erased his memory have never stopped hunting for him. When the barrier holding his past captive begins to crumble, Nathan swears to protect a young girl who is key to his enemy’s plans. But with his enemies closing in, and everyone he cares about becoming a target for their wrath, Nathan is forced to choose between the life he’s built for himself and the one buried deep inside him.

Crimes Against Magic is an Urban Fantasy set in modern day London with Historical flashbacks to early fifteenth century France. It's book one of the Hellequin Chronicles, a series about Nathan (Nate) Garrett, a centuries old sorcerer.


Links –   Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Crimes-Against-Hellequin-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00CX5BYCI/ref=tmm_kin_title_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377629998&sr=8-4
Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crimes-Against-Hellequin-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00CX5BYCI/ref=tmm_kin_title_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377630031&sr=8-3


The Day I Clicked Publish.
I’ve been trying to come up with something to give as a guest blog. Writing blogs can be tough, especially when you’re doing a huge number in a short space. But then, inspiration struck.
I published my first ever book, Crimes Against Magic in April 2012. It, and it’s sequel Born of Hatred, went on to do well enough to get me a contract with 47North. So, I’m going to take you back to April 29th 2012, the day before I published.
07:00 – I woke up feeling excited. This was the day I’d dreamed about for years, the day I was going to finally have a published book.
09:00 After sorting out my two daughters with breakfast, getting them dressed and other things that you wouldn’t think would take two people so long, I finally got to my office eager to get things sorted. (I’ve since had another daughter. Now everything takes all the time. Ever.)
10:00  - I’d spent the entire previous day trying to figure out how to format the book in the correct way. All I succeeded in doing was angering myself and generally deciding that whoever had come up with the idea of having to convert a word document into HTML format is in fact an ass. Fortunately, a good friend had told me that I could use Scrivener to do it.
10:30 – And done. I’d used Scrivener to compile the book and a wave of euphoria swept through me.
11:00 – I downloaded the Kindle viewer app and my euphoria changed to something akin to being kicked in the balls. Repeatedly.
11:10 – I have no idea what the problem is. None. The first fifteen chapters work like a dream. But after that there are chapter numbers replaced by words, the first line of chapters are now chapter heads and basically it’s all gone horribly wrong.
11:30 – I recompile the file in the hope that I’d done something wrong and it was a one off. I was not. I did it again. And again. In fact I did it A LOT. Each time changing a few settings to figure out what the hell was going on.
12:00 – I start to curse ancient gods. Mostly, because I don’t want to piss of any that might actually still hold sway over anything, but also because cursing Zeus is just more fun. Nothing changed. But I also wasn’t hit with a thunderbolt, so you get the rough with the smooth.
12:30 – I email my friend to explain what’s happening. Her response of ‘try this’ fills me with the kind of hope a seal must feel with it hops onto an iceberg to escape a pod of Orca’s. Her suggestion doesn’t work. Her follow up of ‘eh’, now makes me feel like that same seal as it jumps back in the ocean only to realise that the orcas have been playing a game of hide and sneak.
13:00 – I e-mail scrivener themselves in the hopeful attempt that they might know what ‘s wrong with my computer.
13:00 – In the mean time I read various forums to try and find a result.
14:00 – I’m no more the wiser, and after reading some of the forum posts, I actively now worry about the human race.
14:00  - I go back to scrivener’s forum, normally a bastion of helpfulness, to find an answer. I type in my problem and fifteen pages of forum flashes up. I get comfortable.
14:30/15:00 (I no longer know, time is relative when reading forums) – On page 12, I find someone with a similar problem. I refuse to allow myself to feel hope, but my heart flutters. Just a little bit.
15:30 – I’ve tried the suggestion and… it works. I jump in the air in a euphoric moment. Or I would do, if I had a larger office. In reality jumping in the air in my office would cause me all kinds of pain, as I’d hit my bike, a wall or the door.
The problem, as it turns out was that Word placed hidden page breaks in my novel. Yay, Word.  Removing them fixed the whole problem (something clarified by the e-mail from scrivener explaining this to me at the moment I figure it out). I curse Microsoft and change a few details in the book before creating an epub file and mobi file that actually works.
16:30 – I upload the book onto Amazon in preparation of the book launch the following day (it takes 12 hours or so to go live) and go find a bottle of scotch.
It was the single most nail-biting day of my life that didn’t include the birth of my children. My wedding day was less stomach churning that realising that my book might not be ready on the day it was meant to be.
But in the end it worked out. The book went live and I had one of the craziest days ever. But that’s a story for another time.






Steve McHugh lives in Southampton on the south coast of England with his wife and three young daughters. When not writing or spending time with his kids, he enjoys watching movies, reading books and comics, and playing video games.He’s the author of action-packed Urban Fantasy series, Hellequin Chronicles. The first 2 books of which, Crimes Against Magic and Born of Hatred, are available now.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellequinchroniclesTwitter: https://twitter.com/StevejMchughWebsite: http://stevejmchugh.wordpress.com/

Two winners receive both  Crimes Against Magic and Born of Hatred
a Rafflecopter giveaway