Kary Rader's Blog, page 10
March 25, 2013
Book Spotlight: Finding Flight by Heather M. Sharpe
Heather M. Sharpe
Can her gift help her find an everlasting love?
Blurb: As an Enforcer for a secret society of shapeshifters, Ledger Arneau is offered a chance to retrieve his wayward brother before The Council puts out a warrant for his arrest. When the trail goes cold, he is willing to try anything to pick it up again, even if it means bringing in an outsider.
Corinne Winters is able to find any missing object, except her own, by concentrating on it. She’s always dreamed of using her skills to help locate missing people. After an embarrassing setback with the local police department, she jumps on the opportunity to use her skills to help Ledger.
Corinne finds a love she didn’t know she was looking for with Ledger, and discovers a new depth to her talent when they are together. When her new love and his brother disappear back into the secret society, Corinne must stretch her talent beyond anything she ever imagined to bring them home. Unaware of the circumstances surrounding Ledger’s disappearance, Corinne races across the country on his trail. When she finally locates the brothers, she witnesses the unbelievable, and flees in terror. In order to claim the love of her life, she must find a way to accept him and his secret.
Excerpt:
“Are you going to stand there all night, or are you going to let me out?” Corinne called while tapping lightly on the glass behind him.
Ledger pushed his worries to the back of his mind and reluctantly straightened from the side of the car. Despite his new worry about Cedric catching up with them, he couldn’t drive any farther tonight. After a few hours of sleep, he’d be refreshed, and they could pick up the trail bright and early in the morning.
He turned to open the door and helped Corinne straighten from the seat. Stretching her arms above her head, Corinne breathed, “Hmm…I think that’s the longest car ride I’ve ever had. What are our room numbers?”
“Two-thirteen. We’re leaving early in the morning again, so what do you need me to carry in for you? The less we take in now, the less we’ll have to bring back out in the morning.” Ledger turned from Corinne and headed toward the trunk without glancing back.
“What do you mean we’re in two-thirteen? You only got one room?”
“Yeah. Don’t worry, there are two beds. We won’t be here for more than a few hours, anyway. As soon as I’ve caught some sleep, we’ll be back on the road again.”
“I’m not sharing a room with you! What if I snore? You’ve been up since who knows when; I’d hate to keep you awake!” Corinne grabbed her phone out of the cup holder and slammed the door.
“You snore? I never would have guessed. Don’t worry, I’ll sleep through it.”
“I don’t snore.”
“Sure.” He snorted. She was so fun to tease.
“I said what if I snore, not that I do snore. Anyway, that’s beside the point. You need to go get another room.” Corinne followed him to the trunk of the car and stood with her hands on her hips.
She was close enough that his keen hearing picked up the elevation in her heart rate, and the blush starting at the base of her throat beckoned him. She did want two rooms, but it appeared that the thought of sharing a room excited her in spite of herself.
“Sorry, princess. One room. I’m going up to get some sleep. You can stay here with the car if you really want to. I’ll be back in about six hours.”
Bio: Heather M. Sharpe lives on 6 acres in Central Kansas with her husband, perfect baby boy, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law. In case the house isn’t full enough, it also includes four noisy dogs, one cat who inspired For the love of a Sphynx, another who torments him, and a lizard. At night, all of them think they need room on the bed (except the lizard, thankfully).
Up until the birth of her son, Heather taught elementary school. Now she chases around her toddler and writes whenever he naps long enough to turn on the laptop. When not writing or chasing the baby, Heather enjoys hanging at the lake, waking up early to tear up the water on the wakeboard or wakesurf board, and making s’mores.
Make sure to check out Heather’s website and Facebook page to keep informed of all her newest projects.
Links: www.heathermsharpe.webstarts.com
March 24, 2013
Meet the Characters Monday
Queen of Jastain, Book One releases April 15, 2013!
Name: Petra
Role: The Best Friend, The Other Guy
How does another character describe him/her:
Abby, the heroine, is quoted as saying, Petra was like…home, easy and comfortable. Looking into his face, she knew she loved him.
Occupation: Landmaster of Domentus Ventium, future Prince and Ambassador of Jastain.
Distinguishing characteristics: blond haired with brown eyes, strong and lean
Personality: Outgoing, Fun loving, loyal and diplomatic, friend to animals as well as people
Favorite Line of dialogue: “I love you, Abby. I can make you happy. I’ll never be the one to break your heart. And I’ll be here waiting, until you decide.”
Queen of Jastain Blurb:
For twenty years, Avant plotted revenge against the dark king, but when a mysterious woman suddenly appears, everything changes. Although his prophetic Gift reveals she’s the Seed of Light chosen to restore the Crown, his overwhelming attraction to the women threatens his long-held plan for revenge and two decades of fidelity.
Abby Randall is inexplicably transported from Dallas to the medieval land of Jastain. There she meets Avant, who claims she’s the foretold champion of his people. While the hot guy has her hormones pumping, his crazy talk of defeating an evil king leaves questions to his sanity. Through his supernatural Gift, Avant transplants his memories into her, but neither are prepared for how their hearts intertwine.
Together they embark on their quest, but when Abby and Avant come face to face with destiny, will they sacrifice what matters most to provide a happily-ever-after for the people of Jastain?
March 21, 2013
Book Spotlight: Death Lies Between Us by Jody A. Kessler
Jody A. Kessler
Saving the life of someone you love should not be the worst thing you have ever done, unless you are an Angel of Death.Disgruntled with his position in the afterlife and conflicted by his feelings toward his new client, Nathaniel Evans forgoes the rules and saves nineteen year old Juliana Crowson from being hopelessly stuck in Forge Creek. This alters Juliana’s destiny and she finds herself in a series of near death accidents.
In the mountains of Colorado, Nathaniel comforts Juliana as she struggles to understand her paranormal abilities while coping with her brother’s drug addiction. When an ill-tempered Native American Shaman teaches her the difference between ghosts and place memories, she decides she wants nothing to do with the supernatural world. Too bad she doesn’t know that Nathaniel is part of it.
Will fate bring these two together, or has Nathaniel made the biggest mistake of his afterlife?
Bio
Jody A. Kessler enjoys writing paranormal novels and is a member of Pikes Peak Writers. She is a yoga instructor, Reiki Master, and a graduate from the Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy. When she took an extended leave from her massage
practice to stay at home with her newborn she returned to her first true passion —writing. She spends most of her time being a mother, writing, and teaching yoga, but also likes going to concerts, hiking, practicing herbal medicine, and reading anything that catches her interest. Jody lives in the mountains of Colorado with her family.
She welcomes visitors to her website www.jodyakessler.com
Buy a copy on Amazon
Or connect with her here: Facebook Goodreads Twitter Pinterest
March 18, 2013
Book Spotlight: Curve My Appetite by Melissa Kendall
Sally Austens’ sexual experience is limited and unsatisfactory at best. Now, as she turns thirty, it looks like the relationship train has missed her stop. When a friend tells her about 1Night Stand and suggests it might just change her life, she’s skeptical but shoots for the stars when asking for her perfect date. Go big or go home, right?
Dean Martorino lives in the public eye. Surrounded on a daily basis by society’s idea of stunning beauty, he longs for a woman with curves he can get lost in. At the suggestion of his long-time friend and manager, Dean shares his secret with Madame Eve hoping she can find him a match to fill his arms and satisfy his desires.
Can Sally accept the beauty Dean sees in her long enough to curve his appetite or will they both go home hungry?
Buy Link: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/
About The Author:
Melissa is a 37 year-old stay at home mum and part-time Software Support Consultant. She lives in Perth Western Australia the most isolated capital city in the world.
She’s always loved to read and write and spent most of her teens scribbling poetry and short stories on any scrap of paper she could get her hands on. Over the years as daily life pressures got in the way she lost the passion for it. After her son was born, she discovered online books and her interest in writing was rekindled. It has been a large part of her life ever since.
She writes a little bit of everything but contemporary erotic romance is her favourite genre. Check out the links below for details on her other works.
Website: http://www.melissakendall.net
Blog: http://mkendallauthor.blogspot.com.au
Twitter: @mkendallauthor
Excerpt:
For the umpteenth time, Dean checked his phone. Still no text. He sighed in frustration. Thirty minutes after they’d agreed to meet, and no sign of his date.
His misgivings about the 1Night Stand concept weren’t eased by the fact she hadn’t arrived yet. He longed for something different, but one-night stands were not his usual idea of fun. He preferred long-term relationships. Jerry, his best friend had assured him Madame Eve’s services were more love matches than sex.
He’d laughed, at first, finding the whole idea ridiculous. He doubted even the mystical Madame Eve could find his perfect woman. Jerry had laughed, too, but then he got serious and asked, “What do you have to lose?”
Dean’s regular fitness regime kept him in shape and looking good for thirty-five. The women he met were stick-thin, self-obsessed, and semi-plastic, typical of the industry he worked in. Most of them were pretty, and though he’d dated a few, they weren’t what he fantasized about. No, in his dreams, the ladies all had natural and much curvier figures.
Big, curvy women had always fascinated him. Because he lived his life in the public eye, he’d been reluctant to go after what he wanted. At his age, though, with his career on the downhill slide, he realized he didn’t care anymore. He’d had his time in the spotlight. He wanted to settle down and have a family. Hence, he’d decided to find someone who loved him, not his public persona. He’d spent too long denying his true identity.
A knock made his heart skip a beat. She’s here. After a quick check in the mirror, he steeled himself and opened the door.
His mouth went dry and all coherent thought fled. Even if he had the words to express how she blew him away, he didn’t think he could find his voice. He ogled the gorgeous, buxom brunette standing in the doorway. His admiration cut short, as her face paled.
“You’re—” She stopped talking mid-sentence, her eyes rolled back into her skull.
Reacting on instinct, he reached out and wrapped his hands around her waist, trying to catch her before she hit the ground. However, instead of stopping her from falling, he was pulled to the carpet, too, both of them crashing in a heap.
Women fainted around him all the time. It no longer freaked him out. It was, however, the first time he’d fallen to the floor with one. Her pulse thumped strongly under his fingers. Relief washed over him; she was okay. The ridiculousness of it all hit him and a deep belly laugh escaped his lips.
Even with the less than successful start to his date, the feel of her in his arms had parts of him standing to attention. His curiosity dictated he find out more. Madame Eve had made an excellent choice. She might have found the perfect woman after all.
March 17, 2013
Meet the Characters Monday
Queen of Jastain, Book One releases April 15, 2013!
Name: Abigail “Abby” Randall
Role: Heroine
How does another character describe him/her:
Avant, the hero, is quoted as saying, Never had Avant doubted the wisdom of the Light, but it was far from his vision to see how this young woman would restore the kingdom. To think this girl, however lovely, could accomplish such a task seemed pure folly.
Occupation: College Student, The Chosen One, The Seed of Light, The prophesied Queen of Jastain.
Distinguishing characteristics: blonde and busty, naturally curly hair, Blue-green hazel eyes
Personality: Outgoing, Fun loving, loyal and a lot snarky
Favorite Line of dialogue: “Do you remember when you first found me? You told me I had a purpose. There was destiny I had to fulfill. Avant, your destiny is as important to this plan as mine, maybe more, but you can’t reach it until you let this vendetta go. Twenty years is long enough. Let it go, so we can finish this and bring peace to our home.”
Queen of Jastain Blurb:
For twenty years, Avant plotted revenge against the dark king, but when a mysterious woman suddenly appears, everything changes. Although his prophetic Gift reveals she’s the Seed of Light chosen to restore the Crown, his overwhelming attraction to the women threatens his long-held plan for revenge and two decades of fidelity.
Abby Randall is inexplicably transported from Dallas to the medieval land of Jastain. There she meets Avant, who claims she’s the foretold champion of his people. While the hot guy has her hormones pumping, his crazy talk of defeating an evil king leaves questions to his sanity. Through his supernatural Gift, Avant transplants his memories into her, but neither are prepared for how their hearts intertwine.
Together they embark on their quest, but when Abby and Avant come face to face with destiny, will they sacrifice what matters most to provide a happily-ever-after for the people of Jastain?
March 15, 2013
No Bad Luck Guest Blog by Shawna Romkey author of Speak of the Devil
Shawna has hidden some Easter eggs in her blog tour. If you find them and decipher the passcode, you can win a signed copy of Speak of the Devil, a swag pack and a $25 Amazon gift card!
To enter, read through her post today. In it, you will find an Easter egg (a letter that stands out.) Find her other blog entries for the tour. (HINT: the list is posted on her website at www.shawnaromkey.com.) You will find Easter eggs in the starred blog posts, too. Once you’ve found the eggs in each post, put them together to find the secret passcode and tweet the code including @sromkey #speakofthedevil (ANOTHER HINT: the letters are in order.) (AND ANOTHER HINT! The passcode will look like this: — — – —- — – —–)
One winner will be chosen from the entries on Easter, March 31! Good luck!
No Bad Luck
I 
told Kary I’d write a blog post about angels and demons, but seeing as how I’ve just written two books on that topic, I wasn’t sure what else to say. Speak of the Devil deals with the existence of angels and their purpose, and I’ve just finished the first draft of the second book in the series, The Devil Made Me Do It, which focuses more on the demon side of things.
Speak of the Devil is about to be released, and while I don’t believe I have a guardian angel, necessarily, I am slightly superstitious and do believe that things happen for a reason.
I started the book when I was teaching marketing at a community college. I’d taught for three years for them and always had stellar performance evaluations and was told that I’d be hired back again the following year, even though I was on term year to year contracts.
The year after I started work on the book, I wasn’t hired back and no explanation was offered to me as to why. I was shocked and sad and unemployed. My youngest had started school, so it was me, home alone all day.
I’d been trying to get published for nearly twenty years, so I said to myself, I’m going to finish my book. I’d joined my local RWA chapter and had started SotD the year before, just writing every now and then on it. I’d wanted to get published my entire adult life, and knew that most writers I knew would kill for the chance to have alone time all day long to write. So I made a deal with myself. I’d write the book that year and submit it to publishers. If I couldn’t it, I’d give up writing and start a new hobby. So I wrote and submitted it. Within a day of submitting, Steph from CMP asked for the full manuscript to read, and two weeks later, on Friday the 13th she offered me a contract. Bad luck?
That year I was also given the opportunity to do some private marketing consulting for a firm that represented indie authors. So while writing I was promoting indie books, learning about publishing and about book promo. The following school year I was asked back to the college to take over for someone who had taken another job. It was only part time, but with working on my next book and working on book promo for myself, I didn’t really want to teach full time again anyway.
I mentioned to my class that I finished the second book in the series recently and one of the students said, “That sucks. What if the first one doesn’t do well and you spent all that time on the second one?”
I just said. “It will do well.” He looked at me confused, so I said it again. “It will.”
My book comes out March 15, the Ides of March. But I refuse to beware. I believe that when seemingly bad things happen, it is within your power to make them positive if you only look for the opportunity in them. There is no bad luck. There is only luck. You make it whatever kind you choose.
BLURB:
What happens when falling in love and falling from grace collide?
After dying in a car accident with her two best friends, Lily miraculously awakens to grief and guilt. She escapes to her dad’s to come to terms with the event and meets some people at her new school who seem all too eager to help her heal. Sliding deeper into sorrow and trying to fight her feelings for two of them, she finds out who…what they really are and that they are falling too.
Can she find the strength to move on from the past, reconcile her feelings for Luc, find a way to stop a divine war with fallen angels, and still pass the eleventh grade?
EXCERPT
Rain fell, not uncommon for late spring in Missouri. “If you don’t like the weather here,” my grandfather would say, “wait five minutes.” Of course, I’d visited distant relatives in Maine once before, and they said the same thing.
Julie fumbled with the wipers while I pulled the sun visor down to check my face in its little rectangular mirror, even though I’d only left my vanity like five minutes ago. The lights on either side lit up the interior of the car. I reached into my tiny party purse to find my lip gloss, which was easy to locate since I’d only packed the essentials in my bag: phone, some cash, and make-up. As I glanced at myself, I saw Mike in the reflection, smiling at me from the back seat. I stuck my tongue out at him, making him laugh, and put on the lip-gloss, fully aware of how flirty I acted.
The windshield wipers couldn’t keep up with the sudden downpour. The pitter-patter turned to thumping. Hail came down in gumball-sized pellets. “Damn.” Julie jerked the steering wheel to keep The Whale off the curb.
“Slow down, Jules.” Mike gripped Julie’s headrest. “We can pull over until it passes.”
“Yeah.” She squinted to see the road before her.
I pressed my lips together to smooth out the gloss. “Damn is right. I didn’t bring a jacket.”
The Whale swerved to the right crunching along the gravel on the side of the road. I braced myself in my seat. Julie leaned up to the steering wheel and peered over it as my grandmother sometimes did when she drove. I squinted because of the stupid light up visor mirror. I slammed it shut, but Julie panicked and over corrected, pulling The Whale to the left and careening over the yellow dotted line in the middle of the street.
“Julie!” Mike shouted.
Time slowed and ticked out in heartbeats.
Ba bum.
Julie cringed, her hands moving up to shield her face. Her head turned away from the highway.
Ba bum.
Mike reached protectively from the back seat.
Ba bum.
The headlights illuminated the rail of the overpass.
Ba bum.
The car hit the rail on the opposite side of the road with a hard thud.
Ba bum.
Crap. We’re going over the bridge.
Ba bum.
The Whale’s nose pointed down toward the water.
Ba bum.
A jolt forward and my forehead slammed into the dashboard.
Ba bum.
The Whale flipped in the air. I’m upside down.
Ba bum.
Pain.
Ba bum.
Did my mom say good-bye when I left?
Ba bum.
Cold water rushed into the car.
Ba bum.
Is this it?
Ba bum.
I can’t breathe. Oh my God, I can’t breathe. I can’t see or breathe!
My heart quickened. It pounded. The Whale leaned on its side under the surface of the water which rushed in fast, and I couldn’t see a damn thing.
Calm, stay calm. Don’t panic. They say when you’re drowning not to panic because you use up your air faster.
Dammit, am I drowning?
I tried to get myself upright and jerked out of my seatbelt. Luckily, it gave way. I fought the latch to open the door facing up, but the pressure of the water from Black Water River held it closed, trapping me inside.
Jesus. I know this river. It’s more of a creek. It can’t be more than fifteen feet across and ten feet deep.
I pushed at the door. Opening my mouth to scream, I swallowed water.
I couldn’t see or hear Julie or Mike. My watch ticked. Or was it my heart beating?
Ba bum. Ba bum. Ba bum.
Darkness.
Silence.
Cold.
Wet.
Defying gravity.
Nothing.
The dreams came. Like a good sleep you don’t want to wake up from. I felt heavy and floaty. I wore this long white gauzy gown and the wind blew my dress and my hair like in some feminine hygiene commercial. I could breathe slowly and deeply. Completely relaxed and at peace, but I was alone.
I floated along in a white space for a while. Drifting. Breathing. Relaxing. Had I gone to a spa? After an immeasurable amount of time, others appeared. They wore white clothing, too, and they floated like me, reaching out. They opened their arms as if to welcome me to them.
I stopped and frowned. I heard no sound, and I didn’t know who these white floaty people were or why they welcomed me. They smiled, genuinely happy, and held their arms out to me. I panicked.
Where’s my mom? My family? Wait, Mike and Julie were just with me, where are they? Are those wings?
I noticed the others floating with me had white feathery wings.
“Lily,” one of them called out.
Holy hell. I’m dead.
Shawna grew up in around farms in the heart of Missouri but went to the University of Kansas, was raised in the US but now lives on the ocean in Nova Scotia with her husband, two sons, two rescue dogs and one overgrown puppy from hell. She’s a non-conformist who follows her heart.
She has her BA in creative writing from the University of Kansas where one of her plays was chosen by her creative writing professor to be produced locally, and two of her short stories were published in a university creative arts handbook. She earned her MA in English from Central Missouri State University where she wrote a novel as her thesis.
She’s taught English at the university and secondary levels for close to twenty years and can’t quite fathom how all of her students have grown up, yet she’s managed to stay the same. She’s a huge geek and fan of Xena, Buffy and all kick ass women, and loves to write stories that have strong female characters.
Links
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shawna-Romkey-Author/137998326331706?ref=hl
http://pinterest.com/shawnarp/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6869437.Shawna_Romkey
March 13, 2013
Book Spotlight: Shotgun Bride by Karen Lopp
BLURB
Orphaned young, Kathleen Barns has struggled to survive only to end up in a New York mill, when an unexpected inheritance gives her a glimpse of freedom. But becoming the landowner of a coveted piece of land with precious water rights in New Mexico Territory threatens to destroy her only chance at love. Forced into a marriage to a man who believes she planned the shotgun wedding to gain control of his ranch, Kathleen flees into the wilderness. Yet it is her unwanted husband that keeps saving her life and threatens to steal her heart.
Mike Baca had finally reached his goal, his fighting days were far behind him now that the war was over, he owned a ranch and he was on his way home to marry the richest girl in the New Mexico Territory. A shotgun in his back had him married to a green-eyed girl who wanted his ranch! Furious with her trickery, Mike made sure she wouldn’t want to keep him. It was only after she had run, with her big-eyed gaze haunting him that he discovered she was innocent, and there was a plot on her life. Now he must race the clock and the wild badlands to try and save his wife – and convince her to stay.
BIO:
Steeped in a rich family history, Karen Lopp has always been drawn to the courageous lives of the women who lived through the hardships of the past and triumphed.
A transplant from Oklahoma where she grew up on a farm just one mile away from where her great-grandparents settled in the land run, Karen now lives in the enchanted land of New Mexico and has a running competition with her dad on who can grow the tallest hollyhocks. Books and tales of ancestors were staples in her life and she fell in love with history. Enthralled with the short stories her grandmother wrote and passed down, she took the plunge (with encouragement from hubby and kids) into the world of writing. And is now hooked. Her inspiration comes from research into her family tree and their interesting lives.
EXCERPT:
Heart pounding in her ears, Kathleen bit her lower lip and strained to sort out what noise woke her. She lay perfectly still as an unnatural silence descended. The hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention.
She softly slipped out of bed, tiptoed to the door, and pressed her ear against the rough wood. Nothing. Placing a hand over her heart, she drew in several deep breaths to slow its rapid pace. She braced a hand on the dresser, poured some water, and splashed the tepid liquid over her hot flesh.
Suddenly gunshots split the peaceful night. Kathleen dropped to the floor and huddled next to the washstand. Her heart slammed against her bones. Wood splintered under the impact of bullets and angry shouts erupted as a brawl intensified.
Somehow in the midst of the boisterous clamor, she heard a soft click and her door swung open then closed in a rapid burst. A ray of moonlight from her window glinted off the barrel of a gun. A dark-garbed man crossed the room in two quiet strides.
Swallowing the scream in her throat, her eyes widened in fear. Six bullets riddled the bed she had so recently vacated, the loud boom mingling with the new eruption of shots in the hall. A tremor ran down her spine, and she held her breath, petrified the killer would notice her white cotton nightgown against the green paisley wallpaper.
CONTACT INFO
March 10, 2013
Meet the Characters Monday
Queen of Jastain, Book One releases April 15, 2013!
Name: Commander Avant, Lord VentiumRole: Hero
How does another character describe him/her:
Abby, the heroine, is quoted as saying, My God, he was gorgeous, but way too…Shakespearian.
Occupation:
Lord Ventium, Ruler of Domentus Ventium in the Freelands of Jastain, Commander of the Armies of the Freelands, future King as prophesied by The Light and wielder of the Sapphire Sword.
Distinguishing characteristics: Tall with broad shoulders, imposing, wavy dark hair, striking blue eyes
Personality: Avant is a philosopher at heart. He loves to study ancient texts and prophecies. His chief joy comes from exploring his world and finding hidden treasures in nature, such as rare plants or geological formations.
Favorite Line of dialogue: “The difference between success and failure is the direction of your will. It is always too soon to admit defeat.”
Queen of Jastain Blurb:
For twenty years, Avant plotted revenge against the dark king, but when a mysterious woman suddenly appears, everything changes. Although his prophetic Gift reveals she’s the Seed of Light chosen to restore the Crown, his overwhelming attraction to the women threatens his long-held plan for revenge and two decades of fidelity.
Abby Randall is inexplicably transported from Dallas to the medieval land of Jastain. There she meets Avant, who claims she’s the foretold champion of his people. While the hot guy has her hormones pumping, his crazy talk of defeating an evil king leaves questions to his sanity. Through his supernatural Gift, Avant transplants his memories into her, but neither are prepared for how their hearts intertwine.
Together they embark on their quest, but when Abby and Avant come face to face with destiny, will they sacrifice what matters most to provide a happily-ever-after for the people of Jastain?
January 18, 2013
Book Spotlight: January Black by Wendy Russo
Sixteen-year-old genius Matty Ducayn has never fit in on The Hill, an ordered place seriously lacking a sense of humor. After his school’s headmaster expels him for a small act of mischief, Matty’s future looks grim until King Hadrian comes to his rescue with a challenge: answer a question for a master’s diploma.
More than a second chance, this means freedom. Masters can choose where they work, a rarity among Regents, and the question is simple.
What was January Black?
It’s a ship. Everyone knows that. Hadrian rejects that answer, though, and Matty becomes compelled by curiosity and pride to solve the puzzle. When his search for an answer turns up long-buried state secrets, Matty’s journey becomes a collision course with a deadly royal decree. He’s been set up to fail, which forces him to choose. Run for his life with the challenge lost…or call the king’s bluff.
January Black Excerpt #1
While walking south on Main Street, Matty and Iris traded shopping bags. She cocked her head sideways while looking at the cover of the book he bought her.
“Black Sheep,” she read aloud thoughtfully. “Alice Glass. Why do I know that name?”
“She wrote the novel that ‘Marker’ is based on,” he replied, referring to a SteerNet serial about to be cancelled in its first season.
“Ugh,” she said, dropping her hand. The book slapped her leg. “That show is horrible.”
“Agreed, but never mind that. ‘Black Sheep’ is by far her best work.”
“I’ll give it a try,” Iris said. “Take a look in yours.”
He pulled the small paperback out his. Peter Oldham was his mother’s favorite historical fiction author. Matty recognized “Drops in August” as soon as the corner of the cover cleared the paper sleeve. He bit his tongue to keep from groaning.
“Oh, God,” she said, likely in reaction to the cringe he failed to hold back. “Maybe this was a bad idea.”
Thinking of his mother, and her repeated suggestions that he read the book, Matty’s initial disappointment dissipated. “No, this is good,” he told Iris.
“That’s not what your face says.” She reached for the book.
“Oh, no!” He shook his head and moved his hand out of her reach. “This will do very nicely.”
“Nicely? For what?” She crossed in front of him and walked backward, reaching for the book as he whipped his hand up and behind his head.
“For a joke on my parents.”
She stopped cold in her tracks. He planted his feet so that he wouldn’t run into her, but his momentum carried him forward anyway. She put her hands forward to stop him from falling, but when he hit them, she lost her footing and stumbled backwards. He lunged forward and caught her in his arms.
When he regained his balance and stopped her fall, she was shocked, breathless, and completely supported in his arms at a sharp angle to the ground. People around them on the sidewalk applauded.
One man who passed them said, “Nice catch, kid!”
Matty stepped back and brought her to her feet. She seemed to be searching his eyes for something.
Finally, she asked, “Are you a brat, Matty?”
“Depends.” He felt as if he would shake apart if he let her go. “Do you like brats?”
As her lips pulled into a smile from ear to ear, she touched her forehead to his collarbone. A few moments later, she looked back up at him and squirmed just slightly. He let her shrug him off, and when her arms were free, she slapped his cheek playfully before skipping south on the sidewalk. All of his internal organs melted into his legs. About ten steps later, she turned around.
“Are you coming?” she yelled.
Matty shook off his daze and ran to catch up with her.
January Black – Kindle : http://www.amazon.com/January-Black-ebook/dp/B00B0I176M/ref=la_B00B0WODCI_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358209826&sr=1-1
January Black – Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16692299-january-black
Biography
Wendy S. Russo got her start writing in the sixth grade. That story involved a talisman with crystals that had to be found and assembled before bad things happened, and dialog that read like classroom roll call. Since then, she’s majored in journalism (for one semester), published poetry, taken a course on short novels, and watched most everything ever filmed by Quentin Tarantino. A Wyoming native transplanted in Baton Rouge, Wendy works for Louisiana State University as an IT analyst. She’s a wife, a mom, a Tiger, a Who Dat, and she falls asleep on her couch at 8:30 on weeknights.
You can find Wendy S. Russo
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January 8, 2013
Character Interview and Contest Give Away: Gambling On A Secret by Sara Walter Ellwood
Please welcome the lovely and talented Sara walter Ellwood and her fun and entertaining hero and heroine, Dylan and Charlotte. Please be sure to comment and leave your name for a chance to win.
So tell us a little bit about yourselves. Who are you? Give your full name and title. Do you have special abilities?
Hello Kary, thank you so much for having me here today. Hope you don’t mind that I brought Dylan along for moral support. I’m not very good at these sorts of things. Never really wanted to be in the limelight.
Oh, you asked me a question. Sorry. I’m Charli—Charlotte—Monroe and I’m the heroine, I guess. Sara keeps calling me a runaway-turned heiress. I suppose that’s right. I grew up in Tulsa, but when my mother was killed in a car accident when I was fifteen, I went to live with my grandfather on his 25,000 acre ranch in western Oklahoma. I was his only heir, and when he died, I inherited his massive fortune. He was CEO of Monroe Farm Equipment. Never heard of them? Now that surprises me. The company is as big as John Deere.
I’m mostly Irish with a bit of German and Native American mixed in there too. At least, I think that’s it. I’m not really sure since I never knew my father. As for special abilities… Umm…No I don’t have any.
*Dylan grins and shakes his head*
What? *Charli narrows her eyes at him*
Oh, nothing, but I’d have to disagree about the last answer. You have a lot of special abilities. Especially the way you wear those short, skimpy robes.
*Charli raises an eyebrow* I don’t think she was asking about those abilities. And we aren’t supposed to be talking about them either. Now hush.
*Dylan shrugs* You’re the one who dragged me along to this.
What are your goals?
I’m attending Colton College to get my degree in social work and psychology. I want to open my ranch to young girls and boys—teenagers—who just can’t stay at home for whatever reason. I want to give them a chance to work through their problems before they feel the only option they have is to run away. I never want another child to live through what I have while I lived on the streets in Las Vegas. *Charli shudders and wraps her arms around her middle. Dylan hugs her shoulders with one arm and pulls her to his side.*
What were your conflicts and obstacles in your story?
*Dylan snorts* Other than the ranch she bought is falling down around her?
*Charli smiles* But you’ll fix it up for me… As soon as you stop drinking. *She sobers* But seriously, my biggest obstacle is my need to hide my past. No one in Colton can ever know the whole story about me or it would ruin everything. My grandfather made sure my past was buried deep when I finally came home.
Yeah, right. *Dylan leans back in his chair.* But I know someone who’d love to know all about that past to use it against you.
Will you stop already? Your uncle is not that kind of man. He’s my friend.
*Dylan scowls* That bastard is not my uncle. He stole my mother’s birthright. And we both know what he wants—you and your ranch.
Next question, please.
What did you think of Dylan Quinn when you first met?
*Charli tilts her head to the side and studies him* He didn’t smile. His gray eyes were dull as weathered boards. He had a lot of ghosts in his past. He showed up twenty minutes late for an interview for the position of my ranch manger, and I really wanted to write him off. But something about him just wouldn’t let me.
But mostly, I just thought that he was too big and ruggedly handsome and that he drank too much. The fact he’d been a Special Forces commander scared the hell out of me. Even though I really didn’t know what that meant until later.
*Dylan grins* Hell, all you wanted to do was fix me.
*She laughs* That too.
What is your greatest strength? Greatest weakness? How have they influenced you and your relationships to date?
Oh, I hate these kinds of questions. I have no idea what my strength is, but I know what my weakness is. I trust the wrong kind of men. Have done it all my life, and it has lead me down some dark and dangerous paths.
*Dylan smiles* Her greatest strength is easily her determination. Charli is a survivor. She had to be.
*Charli blushes*
It’s true. *Dylan softens his gaze and holds her hand.* I think the way her strength affects her relationships is she never gives up. She goes after what she wants. Now if it’s always the right thing or not? Well, that’s where we’ll have to wait and see.
In your story, what moment was the most memorable, the most meaningful to you? Why?
Oh, finally an easy one! The Memorial Day banquet. I’d never seen anything as moving as the Missing Man ceremony. It still gives me chills to think about looking around the room full of former and current soldiers, all of them standing at attention many them with tears in their eyes as they stared at the beautifully set table while Dylan’s cousin narrated the ceremony.
*Dylan shifts in his chair and rubs a hand over his neck.* Remembering the war dead is hard for all of us. I have too many friends who are represented by those empty chairs.
*Charli squeezes his hand* But you finally said goodbye to your men. That’s why it’s so meaningful.
And finally, is there anything you would like to share?
Just the blurb and an excerpt, if that’s okay. Oh, and a warm wish for a great day.
Blurb:
When Charli bets everything on a secret, will she find the deck stacked against her?
Former runaway-turned heiress Charli Monroe is hiding her sordid past and planning a future in Colton, Texas. Attending the local college for a degree in social work, she intends to raise cattle on her newly purchased ranch, which she plans to open as a home for troubled teens. Only a few glitches—the Victorian mansion is crumbling, the barn needs a roof, and her oilman neighbor wants more than friendship. When she meets Dylan Quinn, Charli is willing to take a chance on the town drunk to help her rebuild the rundown ranch.
Dylan has his demons, too. The former Special Forces commander can’t get past his ex-wife’s betrayal and the botched mission that left him with much more than a bad limp. Certain the greedy oilman next door to Charli wants much more than just her heart, Dylan’s even willing to stop drinking in order to protect her.
When things get dangerous and secrets of the past are revealed, is he only looking out for his new employer, or is she the new start he so desperately needs?
CONTENT WARNING: Details abuse of a minor, drug abuse, alcoholism, swearing, spicy sex, murder.
COVER QUOTE:
“Full of intrigue, tangled pasts, and raw emotions, this one is guaranteed to keep you turning pages from start to finish and then wishing for one more chapter!” Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Just a Cowboy and His Baby.
Excerpt:
“Ferguson, what are you doing here?” Dylan barked.
Leon ambled toward them on the stone path. “I’m saving a young maiden from torment. What are you doing here, playing the part of the devil?”
“I’m Miss Monroe’s new manager.” The deadly edge of his voice matched the flintiness of his eyes. “If there’s anyone to save the young maiden from, it’s you.”
“Mr. Quinn, please.” She turned to Leon. “Leon, is there something I can do for you?”
He smiled, showing off perfect white teeth in a face handsome enough to belong to an actor. “I was just passing by on my way home and decided to stop. How are the boys working out?”
Dylan’s stance widened and his hands flexed at his slides. “What boys?”
“Charli and I have entered into a business arrangement.”
She lost the battle with the urge to wrap her arms around herself. As much as she appreciated Leon’s kindness, respected him, and was even a little attracted to him, something about him didn’t sit right with her. He represented her peers in the community. According to Mrs. Pratt, besides the Cartwrights, she and Leon were undoubtedly the wealthiest residents in the county. No one in Colton could learn about her past. It would ruin her, and Leon, no doubt, had the means to dig up the dirt.
“Really?” Dylan stepped closer to her in a protective manner. Whiskey tainted his breath as the warmth of the exhalations tickled her cheek. “What kind of business arrangement?”
She could protect herself. Dylan Quinn wasn’t any safer than Leon Ferguson. Stepping away from him, she forced her arms to her sides. “Mr. Quinn, I can handle this.”
She faced Leon. “I’m amazed by how much the men got done since starting on Monday. The foreman told me last evening they’d be reseeding another fifty acres for hay this morning. And they have the corrals fixed and started on the fencing in the north pasture.”
“Good, good.” He glanced at Dylan. “I’ll be going, unless you need a more reliable exterminator. I couldn’t help but overhear about your snake infestation. I can give you the name of the company that has gotten rid of the snakes in our lakes over on Oak Springs for years.”
Although he presented the perfect solution, she didn’t the like way Leon had looked at Dylan as he said the word exterminator. “No, Mr. Quinn is quite capable of getting rid of the snake.”
“Oh, I’m sure he is.” Leon tipped his hat. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you, Charli.” Dylan’s jaw tightened as his uncle glanced at him. “It’s good to see you up among the living again.”
Leon headed back to his Porsche. With no pretense of lowering his voice, Dylan said, “Now, there’s a snake no one wants in their garden.”
Upon hearing the jibe, Leon’s shoulders jerked in mid-stride.
Rattled by Leon’s attention and the snake fiasco, she turned on Dylan. “You aren’t off the hook. I want those snakes gone.”
“We’ll see.”
“I hate snakes.” She shuddered and put her hands on her hips. “Maybe I should have asked him who the exterminator is.”
You can purchase Gambling On A Secret at the following locations:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Gambling-Secret-Colter-Gamblers-ebook/dp/B00AVLL4XA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1357261386&sr=1-1
Barnes and Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gambling-on-a-secret-sara-walter-ellwood/1114062294?ean=2940016153667
Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/gambling-on-a-secret
Lyrical Press: http://lyricalpress.com/category/series/colton-gamblers/
Giveaway: **PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE GIVEAWAY**
~One poster from every stop will win a Gambling On A Secret ebook
~One commenter from each stop will win a piece of custom jewelry.
(The winners of these two prizes will be announced the day after the tour stop.)
I also have 2 Grand Prizes!
~First Grand Prize is a SWAG PACK, including a signed copy of Carolyn Brown’s Just a Cowboy and His Baby. Also included is a copy of D’Ann Lindun’s Shot Through the Heart, a pen, a notebook, a horse themed mini calendar, a patriotic themed day planner, and more all tucked away in a reusable tote bag at the end of my blog tour.
~Second Grand Prize is a $10 Gift Card to either Amazon or Barnes and Noble. If you follow the tour and comment as often as possible, you increase your chances of winning!
(The winners of the Swag Pack and Gift Card will be announced on March 1, 2013.)
(Swag Pack is only eligible for US residents to win. The jewelry and gift card are eligible to US and Canada residents only. The ebook is eligible to anyone, unless prohibited by law.)
Bio:
Sara Walter Ellwood is an award winning author whose novel Gambling On A Secret was named by bestselling author Carolyn Brown in the Happy Ever After Blog on USA Today as one of her favorite romances of 2012. Although Sara has long ago left the farm for the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her stories. She’s been married to her college sweetheart for nearly 20 years, and they have two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny. She longs to visit the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia.
She also writes paranormal romantic suspense under the pen name Cera duBois.
You can find her at the following:
Website: http://www.sarawalterellwood.com
Blog: http://www.sarawalterellwood.com/blog/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarawalterellwood.ceradubois/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sara_w_ellwood
