Lisa Chalmers's Blog, page 10
October 10, 2013
Guest Blogger: Rose Anderson
Please welcome author Rose Anderson to the blog today to talk about shape shifters. So glad to have her join us.
Thanks for having me today Lisa. October is a perfect month to talk about shape-shifters, and I just happen to have two!
Why do we find them so interesting? For me, I suppose it began when I read Bullfinches Mythology when I was a child. Myths and legends from around the world are filled with shape-shifting men, women, and gods. From Zeus transforming into a swan to seduce Leto, to Merlin teaching a young Arthur how to fly as a hawk, the idea of becoming an animal and using that animal’s attributes (such as flying) captures our imagination.
One such local urban legend captured mine. Eyewitnesses claimed to have seen a wolf walking like a man, and the locations mentioned for these sighting were minutes from my home. It was a story just begging to be written, and voila! The Witchy Wolf and the Wendigo 2-book saga came into being.
Here’s the blurb:
What does an immortal Native American shaman do when the grave he’s sworn to watch over for all eternity disappears under urban development?
His purpose of guarding his wife’s burial mound is gone, Ashkewheteasu seeks to end his immortal existence. In his despair, Ash assumes the form of a wolf and steps in front of a moving car and into the life of Dr. Olivia “Livie” Rosalini. The veterinarian saves the animal’s life, and in the process saves the man within. Livie has no idea the wolfish dog she’s taken into her home and grows to love is a magical being seeking to win her heart as a man.
While Ash is learning a new world filled with new love, friendship, and happiness, an old menace makes plans to steal it all away; just as he had 3000 years before.
<<>>
I had such a fun time researching that story, I decided to look further into the shape-shifting mythos. It took some digging, but I found a modern Scottish family who says they have Selkie blood – and they have been saying this for hundreds of years. How could I not write that? My research also turned up a strange little legend regarding Selkies, saltwater, and tears. I added both elements to my most recent release – Enchanted Skye.
And here’s the blurb:
Alexander MacCodrum belongs to a race of shape-shifting sea creatures living on Scotland’s Isle of Skye. When Jenna MacLeod unknowingly adds seven tears to the salt of the sea, she accidentally unleashes an ancient charm that catches the transformed Selkie unawares. Under this binding spell, Alex must win Jenna’s heart, or the pain of unrequited love will drive him to take his own life. Unfortunately for Alex, Jenna hasn’t come to Skye looking for love and it will take the force of a hurricane to bring them together. But worse, Jenna’s violent ex-boyfriend has found her at last and Carl has made it perfectly clear – if he can’t have her, no one can.
<<>>
I recommend revisiting those myths you read as a child. To see them through adult eyes brings a whole other nuance to the tales. Most are metaphoric and perfect reading for a chilly October night. Both of my shape-shifter novels, and the rest, can be found in ebook and paperback wherever such books are sold. You can also Look Inside and read a sample on Amazon too.
In comments, share your favorites!
Rose Anderson is multi-published award-winning author and dilettante who loves great conversation and learning interesting things to weave into stories. She lives with her family and small menagerie amid oak groves and prairie in the rolling glacial hills of the upper mid-west.
Buy Rose’s books on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Rose-Anderson
Follow my blog
http://calliopeswritingtablet.com/
And links
http://calliopeswritingtablet.com/links-links-more-links/
October 9, 2013
Guest Blogger Daryl Devore
Please welcome author Daryl Devore to the blog today as she spotlights CAPRI’S FATE.
For a chance to win 1 ecopy of Capri’s fate, answer this question in the comments: Which of the four seasons is Daryl Devore’s favourite? (Please don’t forget to include your email in your comments so we can contact you if you win!)
Capri’s Fate
Erotic contemporary fantasy
Blurb
What’s a woman to do when a voice follows her home and makes mad, passionate love to her?
Corporate business woman, Capricious Gray, is dragged to a sex toy convention by her best friend. Once a shocking, mysterious disembodied voice helps her with her purchases, it follows her home. Passion ensues, leaving Capri torn between lust for her fantasy lover and the desperate need for reality in her life.
Thall, son of one of the Fates, harbors the irrepressible need to be with the woman he’s desired from afar for years. In order to make her his, once and for all, he must help Capri get past her fears, including the fear of what he represents – a fantasy.
Can fantasy become a reality for these two lovers?
Check out an excerpt below:
Set up – Capri is flying to a remote island on a private corporate jet with a hot sexy pilot.
“Ms. Gray. We’ve fifth in line for takeoff. No wandering around the aircraft until we’re in flight. Settle back and enjoy the flight.”
She returned to reading her ebook. The roar of the engines enticed her to glance out the window. The forward shift of the jet pushed her back. A few moments later, she heard the landing gear retract into the belly of the plane. At last! We’re on our way. Hotel bed, look out, I’m coming! She picked up her glass and swallowed the last of her wine.
Having finished the book she was reading, Capri tucked her tablet away and stared at the door blocking her view to the cockpit. She picked up her empty glass, walked to the galley, and filled it, then knocked on the cockpit door. “Anybody in there?”
“No.”
She raised her eyebrows and opened the door. “No? No is not the answer the passenger wants to here.”
Captain Hall sat facing the window with his fingers interlocked behind his head. He lowered his arms, turned his head and smiled, then pointed to the empty co-pilot’s seat.
Capri stepped closer. “Is it okay that I’m in here? You know, FAA rules and all.”
“It’s fine.”
She slipped into the seat and cast her gaze over the numerous dials, switches and display screens. “Oh, wow. Probably should be able to think of something more intelligent but…” She shook her head. “Look at all the electronics.”
“Flying 101. This is the throttle.” He gripped his hand around it. “Think of it as the gas pedal.” He placed his hands on the metal object in front of them. “This is the steering wheel of the plane. And see this.” He pointed to a small screen in front of him, blue on the top and brown on the bottom. “When it is level like that, life is good.”
Capri waved her hand at the other devices. “What about all these?”
“Haven’t the foggiest?”
“Pardon?” She laughed. “You are not instilling confidence in your passenger here.”
“Well then, my telling you that I only got to chapter two in Flying for Dummies is probably not a good thing?” His eyes twinkled with delight.
A brilliant flash of light interrupted Capri. “Oh my God, did we just get hit?”
He did a visual scan of the instrument panel. “Don’t think so. But no worries. Planes are designed to take lightning strikes.”
She swallowed two mouthfuls of her wine. “I didn’t think it would be this dangerous up here. Maybe you were right, and we should’ve waited.”
“Well, I tried to tell you that.”
“But? You left a but hanging on that sentence.”
“You were being a bit of a corporate bitch, and since I like my balls where they are, I figured I’d get you to where you wanted to go.”
Capri fingered a switch on the mid console.
“Be careful. You can finger the switches, but if you flick them, you might not get the result you expected.”
She glanced sideways at him.
“It’s best to handle a plane like a beautiful woman. Twist the nobs gently. Move the switches with a gentle flick and when everything is ready, apply a full power thrust.”
***
Buy Links – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/309990
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-capri039sfate-1172391-140.html
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Capris-Fate/book-7uOs7lH6QU66B8y_ji9JWw/page1.html
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-capri039sfate-1172391-140.html
Where to find me
Where to find me – Blog – http://myeroticnotions.blogspot.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/daryl.devore
Facebook Author Page – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Daryl-Devore/280168402052520
Twitter – http://twitter.com/daryldevore
Google+ – Daryl Devore
Wattpad – http://www.wattpad.com/user/DarylDevore
GoodReads Author Page – http://www.goodreads.com/DarylDevore
Amazon Author Page – http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004TJ1354
Bio
Daryl Devore lives in an in old farmhouse in Ontario, Canada, with her husband, two cats, a large salt water aquarium full of fish and some ghosts. Her daughter is grown and has flown the nest. Daryl loves to take long walks up her quiet country road, or snow shoe across the back acres and in the summer, kayak along the St. Lawrence River. She has touched a moon rock, a mammoth and a meteorite. She’s been deep in the ocean in a submarine, flew high over Niagara Falls in a helicopter and used the ladies room in a royal palace. Life’s an adventure and Daryl’s having fun living it.
October 8, 2013
Guest Blogger: Karen McCullough
Welcome author Karen McCullough to the blog today! So glad to have her stopping by the blog today. Check out her excerpts of two releases, UNMASKING and WIZARD below.
Paranormal – It’s More Than Bloodsuckers and Shapeshifters
For most people, the terms “paranormal” and “urban fantasy” have come to mean either vampires or were creatures (or both), propelled by the success of the Twilight series, its gazillions of imitators, J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood, Charlaine Harris’s Sookie Stackhouse, and Laurell Hamiton’s Anita Blake books, along with scores of others. Add a solid dash of zombies and that pretty much defines what a lot of readers think the genre comprises.
But paranormal stories cover a much broader range. Wikipedia defines paranormal as “a general term (coined c. 1915–1920) that designates experiences that lie outside “the range of normal experience or scientific explanation” or that indicates phenomena understood to be outside of science’s current ability to explain or measure. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranormal
This time of year, in particular, remidns us that a lot of stories with nary a shapeshifter, undead or bloodsucker in sight get classified as paranormal. Ghost stories, time travel, wizards, witches, demons and other assorted monster tales are also included in the category.
And paranormal stories have been with us for as long as stories have been told. The Odyssey, with its cyclops, sirens and sorceress, is a paranormal story. Jason and the Argonauts, Beowulf, Gilgamesh, the medieval Arthurian sagas, and hundreds of fairy tales collected by the brothers Grimm and others speak to how deeply the impulse to explore beyond normal everyday life for great tales is embedded in the human psyche.
I’ve done a number of paranormal stories myself, but only one of them involves a vampire, and even it features a vampire who doesn’t want to be one. (A Vampire’s Christmas Carol). But I’ve also written a number of paranormal stories of other sorts, including two fantasy novels (Wizard’s Bridge and Witch’s Journey) available from ImaJinn Books, a paranormal that involves wizards and magic (The Wizard’s Shield) and my latest release a Halloween-themed short ghost story – Unmasking. I’ll also have another paranormal Halloween story debuting in a week or so.
Although I also write straight mysteries and romantic suspense, interspersing them with paranormal stories lets me stretch my imagination into new and strange places. It helps keep my creative juices lively and flowing.
Bio:
Karen McCullough a web designer by profession, and the author of a dozen published novels and novellas in the mystery, romantic suspense, and fantasy genres as well. She has won numerous awards, including an Eppie Award for fantasy, and has also been a four-time Eppie finalist, and a finalist in the Prism, Dream Realm, Rising Star, Lories, Scarlett Letter, and Vixen Awards contests. Her short fiction has appeared in several anthologies and numerous small press publications in the fantasy, science fiction, and romance genres. She has three children, three grandchildren and lives in Greensboro, NC, with her husband of many years.
Website: http://www.kmccullough.com
Blog: http://www.kmccullough/kblog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenMcCullo...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kgmccullough
Blurb for Unmasking:
Trace Handley hates social events of any kind, but she has reluctantly agreed to go to a Halloween party to deliver an important message. Before she can accomplish the mission, though, she has to identify the intended recipient despite costumes, her own shyness, and the dubious assistance of the source of the instruction. The source is a ghost and he wants her to deliver his message to the man accused of his murder.
Short Excerpt:
“Darling, what a clever outfit.”
The speaker, who guarded the entrance to the party area, wore an expansive, red-velvet medieval gown. Her gigantic cone hat wobbled and threatened to topple over as she ran a dubious glance over Trace’s costume, a hooded brown cloak with a mask that left nothing visible of her face but the eyes, outlined in glowing orange.
The woman mustered a smile that probably wasn’t any more forced than the several hundred others she’d already conjured that evening. She studied Trace’s invitation with almost insulting care before she touched Trace’s arm and invited her to join the festivities. “Do come in and enjoy yourself.”
Trace nodded, although enjoyment wasn’t high on her agenda for the evening. She moved to the side of the room where she could scan the other guests. Her ghostly companion perched on a table beside her and crossed his legs.
‘Darling, what a clever outfit,’ the ghost mimicked. “Clever? I’ll bet she hasn’t seen Star Wars even once. Wouldn’t know a Jawa if it bit her on the leg.”
“I wonder what she made of him, then.” Trace nodded toward a tall, well-built man in a Boba Fett suit and helmet. He was talking with an overweight Robin Hood.
“The knight in rusty armor’s got a funny nose?” the ghost suggested, while checking out the room himself. In a ballroom crowded with a couple of hundred people that took a while. “Oh, oh, look over there,” the ghost said. “That Little Red Riding Hood will have every big bad wolf in the place running for cover. Whoa, and check it out: Mr. Mayor and wife as Dorothy and the Tin Man. Watch out for flying monkey business.”
“Enough,” Trace said. The combined aromas of food, drinks and too many different, expensive fragrances rolled over her and made her dizzy. “Just point me toward this guy you want me to find and let’s get this over with.”
“Give me a break,” the ghost pleaded. “I haven’t been out in company for a while. Can’t I enjoy myself a little?”
Buy Unmasking:
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FBYRQOS
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unmas...
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Blurb for The Wizard’s Shield:
A powerful wizard with a physics degree and a checkered past invents a shield to ensure he’ll never again be tortured almost to death.
The wizarding powers-that-be fear the repercussions of such a device and send his former girlfriend, an accomplished wizard herself, to retrieve the device or destroy it.
When the shield is stolen by the magical mafia, Ilene McConnell and Michael Morgan have to set aside their differences and work together to recover it. Michael claims he needs the device as insurance against the kind of injury and injustice he suffered once before. Ilene maintains its potential to upset the delicate balance of power makes it too dangerous and that it needs to be destroyed. But none of that will matter if they can’t retrieve it before a ruthless, powerful wizard learns how to use it for his own ends.
Buy The Wizard’s Shield:
Trade Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/The-Wizards-Shi...
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0060Y5IQ6
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-w...
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/281723
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-...
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eboo...
Guest Blogger: Merissa McCain
Please welcome author Merissa McCain to the blog today as she introduces us to Rafe, the hero in HERO FOR HIRE.
Meet the Hero
Hey. I’m Rafe. Hero for Hire, written by Margaret Madigan and Merissa McCain, is about me and Gwyn and the boys. It’ll be published by Lyrical Press, released on October 1, 2013.
My life before the zombie-apocalypse wasn’t bad. I worked as a stunt man and stunt double in Hollywood. I probably worked on some of your favorite movies. The job satisfied – mostly – my need for adrenaline, which is pretty intense. I’ve always been kind of an adrenaline junky and my hobbies always included extreme sports. The more extreme the better.
The zombie apocalypse has been the ultimate extreme sport, and since the world went to shit, life’s been a lot more challenging – but not always in a fun way.
At first, it sucked. People were dropping dead everywhere and the entire world smelled like a dumpster full of rotten meat. I stayed at my place as long as I could, but without electricity or running water, and with Hollywood becoming zombie-central, I had to take my chances somewhere else.
I was pretty damn lucky to run into Doc, and when we found the mansion it was like the Christmas gift that just kept giving. But we still needed supplies, so we still needed to scavenge. Finding the boys one by one made me feel like we’d made a difference, saving those kids’ lives.
Being a Hero for Hire started out as kind of a joke between me and Doc. I was going stir crazy in the mansion, even with the scavenge runs. We knew there were still people out there, hiding and trying to survive. I figured, maybe I could help them.
What are zombies like, you ask? At first, getting used to them wasn’t so easy. They look like rotting corpses, but it’s obvious they used to be people. It’s easy to get sentimental. But trust me, they’re not. After a few run-ins where they try to eat you, your opinion changes and you don’t have a problem killing them. Maybe they used to be people, but they’re not anymore.
When I first met Gwyn and she insisted they were people and should still be treated like people, I laughed at her. Because seriously? It’s not like you could reason with them. Ask them not to tear you limb from limb and slurp your guts as if you’re their own personal buffet. And when she said she could cure them, I was skeptical. But she’s freakin’ brilliant and tenacious as hell. So I think she’ll do it. It’s just going to take a while to get it done.
So what’s next? Gwyn’s going to cure the world one zombie at a time, and I’ll do whatever I can to help her and protect her. I never, ever thought I’d find someone to love. I mean, before the apocalypse, I dated like it was going out of style, but after? Well, women were pretty thin on the ground. It’s a miracle Gwyn and I met at all, and even more of a miracle that she puts up with me. We all love her, and I don’t ever want to be without her again.
Hero For Hire
One day her prince would come…disguised as a zombie-killer.
Having been disgraced and tossed out by her own scientific community, Gwyn is convinced she can develop a cure for a SuperVirus that has turned the Infected into zombies. By pure luck and determination, she has survived on her own for years, but while out scavenging, a clash with the local zombies leaves her potentially infected. Now, running out of time, she needs help and takes a chance on a hero for hire.
Rafe loves the apocalypse. Since the world went to hell, everything’s come up roses for him. Having procured a mansion in the Hollywood hills, adopted a slew of homeless boys and one cantankerous but useful Doc, Mr. Charming is benefiting from the nasty zombie infestation. His job? Killing the bastards, which he considers fun anyway. Gwyn Snow needs Rafe Charming to help retrieve her research from the Paragon Pharmaceuticals lab, also known as Zombie Central. Believing she can yet save the world, Gwyn makes Rafe question what’s right and what’s worth the fight.
CONTENT WARNING: Prince Charming, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves as you’ve never seen them before. Tales From Beyond the End, #1 A Lyrical Press Fantasy Romance – Once Upon”
You can pick Hero for Hire up here:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1fHVqkg
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/172kQzT
Kobo: http://goo.gl/KJAvgd
Indigo: http://goo.gl/6UkzJs
Itunes: http://goo.gl/KNWW41
About Merissa
I love to read, write, drink strong coffee and eat dark chocolate–not necessarily in that order and sometimes all at once. I live in the deep South, with my very own superhero, and my three minions. Together, we attempt to take over the world.
When not otherwise occupied with planning world domination, I’m a voracious reader and adore happy endings. I write what I love to read, so I write romance and stories with romantic elements to them.
My novella Hero for Hire, written jointly with the fabulous Margaret Bail is due for release on October 1, 2013. It’s a Paranormal Romance featuring a campy post apocalyptic take on the Snow White tale, and is the first in our Tales from Beyond the End series.
Thanks for visiting my Author website.
I love feedback and messages, so please feel free to contact me at www.facebook.com/MerissaMcCain,
twitter.com/MerissaMcCain/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7199113.Merissa_McCain,
http://triberr.com/MerissaMcCain
or via email at merissa.mccain@gmail.com
About Margaret
Hi. I’m Margaret Madigan. Or M.K.D. Bail, depending on what literary genre we’re talking about!
I live in the vast Northern Plains where it’s quiet and mostly empty, and very conducive to letting my imagination run wild. As a result, I have difficulty focusing on just one genre of storytelling. Of course, I love romance, so I write a lot of that, but I also write science fiction, and dabble in other genres just for the fun of it.
When I’m not writing you’ll find me in a college classroom teaching English, or working as a literary agent for an amazing agency…and of course enjoying time with my family.
Thanks for visiting my page. Like Merissa, I’d love to hear from you, so feel free to contact me with comments, requests, feedback, or messages at
http://www.twitter.com/mmadiganauthor/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7242698.Margaret_Madigan
https://www.facebook.com/mmadiganauthor
October 6, 2013
Guest Blogger: Marie Higgins
Welcome author Marie Higgins to the blog today. So glad to have her stopping by to talk about Memorable Stories. She’ll be giving away a PDF copy of WAITING FOR YOU to one lucky commenter.
Memorable Stories
When I first started reading romance, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Judith McNaught, LaVyrle Spencer, and Jude Deveraux were my favorites. Even to this day (20 years later) I can remember every book I read. When I first started writing myself, I wanted to write a memorable story just like my favorite authors. I wanted readers to remember my stories 20 years from now. But as I write, that thought never crosses my mind because all I know is that I’m writing a story that I love. So how do I know if my stories are memorable?
I decided to ask readers what they think makes a story memorable, and I’m going to see with my latest release, a ghost story/time-travel romance, Waiting For You, if I have accomplished what readers are looking for. I’ll leave examples of my story to see if I have reached this goal.
When a beautiful woman claiming to be a ghost from 1912 appears in Nick Marshal’s new office and begs for help in solving her murder, he’s intrigued enough to consider her plea. A scandal that rocked Hollywood almost destroyed his law practice, so taking on a client who insists she’s dead seems a good way to refresh his career. The more history he uncovers, the deeper he falls for the ghost. Abigail Carlisle believes Nick is her heart’s true desire, but how can happily ever after happen when she’s already dead?
One of the repeating answers I received from readers on www.wattpad.com and Facebook was about character development. Readers want to be able to feel everything the main characters are feeling and experiencing what they are going through. In other words…readers want to walk in your character’s shoes and become them.
Abigail rubbed her eyes—still swollen and chapped from crying. Stretching her arms above her head, she hoped to release the kinks in her body. Her headache would disappear soon enough, she was sure.
Blinking her eyes again, she tried to focus on the room, but in the darkness she couldn’t see much except the outline of the window located on her left side. Night had somehow crept upon her while she’d slept, and she had no clue to the time.
From the far corner of the room, the floorboard creaked. She jerked her head in that direction. The beat of her heart pounded out a different rhythm now. Eeriness crawled over her like a swarm of ants, and she rubbed the goose pimples rising on her arms.
“Who is there?” she asked in a strained voice.
Holding her breath, she waited for someone to answer, but the room remained silent. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t the only one in the room.
She trained her ears to listen closer, and after a few seconds, she detected someone else breathing heavily. Just like Abigail.
“Someone is there, I know it. Please tell me what you want.”
The floor creaked again as footsteps came closer. Abigail narrowed her eyes, but only saw the shadowy outline of a person raising their hand, pointing something at her. Before she could think of what to do, a flash of fire pierced the murky darkness. Hot, searing pain erupted into her forehead. Her head snapped back. The burn spread throughout her skull, ripping it apart. Darkness fogged her vision as she collapsed on the desk, her hand dangling at her side. She was cold, so numb. The last thing she recalled was the pungent odor of gunpowder stinging her nose as darkness completely claimed her.
Some readers answered by saying that if a book makes them feel like they are in that time-period, the book is memorable.
The overpowering odors of ink and tobacco assailed Nick’s nostrils, stirring him to awareness. Mumbling voices and the rapid metallic clicking brought him alert, and he struggled to focus on the sounds. His head throbbed with such pressure he was sure his eyeballs would burst from their sockets. What had happened to him? The last thing he remembered was…
Suddenly, the memories assailed him. Abby. The necklace. The woman he loved was gone.
With a groan, Nick grabbed his head and rolled onto his side, curling into a fetal position. He wanted to scream to all who would listen, to ask them to help him find Abby. How could he live without her?
Voices outside the room grew louder as did the heavy footsteps. The ground shook from the person’s steps and sounded as if they stopped near his head.
Nick forced his eyes open, but his vision was unclear. After blinking several times, he could finally recognize his surroundings. His desk looked different. He blinked again. This was not the expensive furniture he’d purchased a few months previously. He glanced across the room to the window. This was not the window he’d been looking out the past several weeks, either.
He scrambled to a sitting position and realized he’d been lying by the door. He held his head to keep it from exploding, and his body ached from the effort. A vintage chair sat behind his desk, with three more in front. The light fixtures, curtains, and the throw rugs were also an outdated style.
Slowly, Nick stood, bracing his hand on the nearest wall until the room stopped spinning. The office door was closed, but through the frosted glass, he could see two people standing just on the other side. Carefully, he made his way across the room and approached the outside window. Parting the curtains he blinked as he looked out onto the street. Turn-of-the-century cars puttered along the road in front of the building. Men in brown suits, with stiff, white collars up to their chins with thick neck-ties, and wearing ridiculous hats on their heads, strolled down the walkway. Large, colorful feathers decorated the women’s hats, matching their long, fitted dresses. Each woman carried a parasol. They looked much like Abby had the day Nick met her.
Another answer said that the reader liked the characters to have a good sense of humor.
Nodding, Nick pulled at his collar again. Was he panicked or just nervous? She wished she could ease his mind in some way. Being afraid of her wasn’t a good thing at this point. She must earn his trust.
He returned his gaze to her mouth. “I think it’s cute the way you suck on your bottom lip. It makes me want to nibble on it, too.”
Her heart leapt to her throat. What a bold—and improper—thing to say! So why did she like it so much? And why did her head fill with images of his lips on hers… “You are talking nonsense, Mr. Marshal.” Her voice quivered. She tapped her fingernail on the desk. The longer he stared at her lips, the faster her finger tapped. She nibbled on her lips again.
“I think I know a way for you to prove you’re not a figment of my imagination,” he said.
She stilled her hand and inhaled slowly. “Indeed? How?”
“By…um…well, you can suck on your lip to make it a raspberry color, so perhaps you could do the same to me?”
Blood rushed to her cheeks and she thought her face would ignite into flames—a feeling she hadn’t experienced since she’d died. Her heartbeat danced an unsteady rhythm, hammering like a runaway train. Yet, the idea wasn’t that far-fetched.
His eyes twinkled as if improper thoughts swam in his head, also. Indeed, he was a rogue of the first order.
“You…you want me to…suck on your lip?”
Nick pushed away from his desk and stood. She rose with him until they were face to face. He pulled the shirt collar away from his neck again, exposing more skin. Oh heavens!
“As much as the thought of kissing you sounds enjoyable,” he said, “I was thinking about something entirely different.” He pointed to his neck and chuckled. “Go for it, honey. Give me a hickey. This ought to be interesting.”
But the overall answer I received was about the plot. Is it intriguing with twists and turns?
“Although I was twenty-five, I hadn’t wed. My uncle said I wasn’t mature enough and that I was a spendthrift. He said my father had spoiled me and because of that I wouldn’t know how to handle his estate. My uncle insisted he was the only person who could help me. He also stated that if I didn’t make him my guardian, he would contest the will and see that I didn’t get anything.”
Nick leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs. “He wouldn’t have been able to do that. I know the law quite well.”
She shook her head. “Times were different back then, Mr. Marshal. If my uncle proved that I was not in the right frame of mind, he would have been able to take my inheritance from me.”
“All right, continue.”
“So I had screamed at him to leave. I promised he wouldn’t get a penny of my father’s wealth. Anyway, on the day of my death, my uncle returned and was more forceful. I could tell he’d been drinking, so I had one of my father’s employees escort my uncle out of the building and take him directly to the police. After they left, I cried until I fell asleep. None of my father’s employees tried to wake me. They left me alone to mourn and to be near my memories, I suppose. When I stirred to awareness, the room was dark. I had no idea what time of the night it was.”
She wrung her hands against her stomach. “Someone was in the room, but it was too dark to see. I asked who was there, but no one answered. I heard the clicking of a pistol. The last thing I remember was the pungent odor of the bullet’s powder as a fierce pain exploded in my head.” Her gloved fingers touched her temple. “After that, I remember standing beside my grave while people cried and threw flowers on my casket. Mr. Marshall, the only way I can pass over and go to heaven is if you help me find my killer.”
I’m really hoping that my story, Waiting For You, is the kind of story that’s memorable. But I can’t tell you this. Read my story, and you be the judge…
Now I want you to tell me…what makes a memorable story for you? Comment with your name and email addy and you’ll be entered to win a PDF copy of my story!
Check out the book trailer – http://youtu.be/wePZT2ywRVc
Buy link for Waiting For You - http://amzn.com/B00EQQMACU
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marie Higgins is a best-selling, multi-published author of sweet romance; from refined bad-boy heroes who make your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. Visit her website / blog to discover more about her – http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com
Find her on Facebook – facebook.com/marie.higgins.7543
And Twitter – @MarieHigginsXOX
October 3, 2013
Guest Blogger: Zrinka Jelic
Welcome author Zrinka Jelic to the blog! So glad to have her stopping by the blog today. Be sure to check out her excerpt of LOVE REMAINS.
The worst thing that can happen to me is when I’m told “oh, just blog about anything you want” There are so many ideas I’d like to explore and my mind becomes a jumbled mess, I can’t see the tree from a forest. So in my attempt to narrow down to one topic I can concentrate on, I end up drawing a total blank. For days I kept thinking “what am I going to blog about”, I was stuck. And this never happened to me before. I think this was the first time I actually experienced a writer’s block. So I googled it. I simply typed in “What to blog about” in Google search and ended up with 100s of thousand’s related searches. After checking out a few on top, I still couldn’t find anything that jumped at me and said “Here’s something you can blog about!” Until I found this blog Fat Mum Slim
Even if you never ran out of ideas to blog about you owe it to yourself to visit this site and check out the list she compiled.
And the idea for blogging that inspired me was #18. An anti-bucket list: the things you hope to never do before you die.
Since I never made a bucket list, I guess it’s only fitting to do anti-bucket list. So let’s say some ten things I hope to never do before I kick the bucket.
1) Experience a crash landing, some people find a thrill in jumping out of airplanes and free falling, but that’s not me. I’m not afraid of heights or flying, but I do release a long breath once that plane is securely on the ground.
2) Dress up in a medieval costume for a Renaissance festival. Don’t get me wrong, I love visiting medieval fairs but getting into one of those period costumes and acting out like I’m from that era, just doesn’t appeal to me. And I see these people at different venues, so I’m thinking this is what they live for.
3) The medieval fairs bring me to another topic I see at these kinds of events. I haven’t seen them in the past, they just kind of became an attraction. And that’s mud shows. Yeah, it’s fun to watch but there’s no way I’d willingly jump into a mud pit just so people cheer me. And some of these guys make living by doing this. Guess it pays.
4) End up on a deserted island. Yes, it sounds attractive to escape the jungle and clutter of everyday, to take 10 books to deserted island and just chillax. But in reality, the story would be much different. After you survive a shipwreck there’d be no bringing your favorite books with you. Well, you know how the things would go…
5) Do public speaking with something stuck between my teeth. That would be so embarrassing.
6) Experience loud flatulence in public, the kind when the hub of voices dies down and everyone turns at you. If you’re sitting you can always blame it on the rickety old chair. Or you can point at the person next to you, bwahaha…
7) My dentures (not that I wear one, but who knows what the future brings) popping out in the middle of me speaking.
8) Go running through the streets of Pamplona in front of the horde of bulls. Here are a few facts for you and you’ll know why: Every year, between 200 and 300 people are injured during the run although most injuries are contusions due to falls and are not serious. Not all the injuries require taking the patients to the hospital: in 2013 50 people were taken by ambulance to Pamplona’s hospital, with this number nearly doubling that of 2012. Goring is much less common but potentially life threatening. In 2013 for example, 6 participants were gored along the festival, in 2012 only 4 runners were injured by the horns of the bulls with exactly the same number of gored people in 2011, 9 in 2010 and 10 in 2009; with one of the latter killed. As most of the runners are male, only 5 women have been gored since 1974. Previously to that date running was vetted for women. Another major risk is runners falling and piling up at the entrance of the bullring, which acts as a funnel as it is much narrower than the previous street. In such cases injuries come both from asphyxia and contusions to those in the pile and from goring if the bulls crush into the pile. This kind of blocking of the entrance has occurred at least ten times in the history of the run, the last occurring in 2013 and the first dating back to 1878, whereas a runner died in one of such pilings in 1977 due to suffocation. After reading this, would you spend your vacation like this?
9) Wear make-up that makes me look like a clown instead of beautiful. Free make-up lessons are available at every cosmetic counter, there’s no need for a woman to walk around looking ridiculous.
10) End up in an E.R. wearing my worst pair of underwear. My mom always said “no matter what, put on a pair of clean undies every day. You never know what the day may bring and, God forbid, you need some medical attention and the embarrassment would kill you faster than the reason you’re in the E. R., wearing your worn out panties in front of a cute doctor.”
And there you have it. I never compiled my bucket list, but now I have an anti-bucket one.
How about you? Do you have a bucket or anti-bucket list? Share some of the things you would like to do before you kick the bucket. Or maybe a thing or two you hope you never do.
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Olivia Owen, a busy, single, high-functioning, corporate executive officer, is not afraid to die a spinster for the sake of her career. But in an alternate reality world, bridged by the angel of her Down’s syndrome sister, she meets Tom Medar, a dedicated, Croatian defense attorney who dreams of the right woman, but never has time to find her. Together they foil an adulterous murder plot while discovering there’s room for love and family in their busy lives—but not before they are separated again.
When they awaken from their alternate world, will they be able to cross countries to find each other again?
I don’t want to toot my own horn, see what others have to say about this book. And that’s why I love it.
“In Love Remains, Ms. Jelic has once again written a highly imaginative paranormal romance with believable characters who are both flawed and compassionate and a plot that will keep you guessing until the end.” — Debbie Christiana, author of Twin Flames and Solstice.
“Zrinka Jelic has achieved a high level of success with her time-travel story, Love Remains. Olivia had a difficult job, chopping employees’ heads, and then to travel to another dimension where she had a husband and children was felling. However, as with any Jelic story, the romance is strong and I was happy to travel with Tom and Olivia. At the end of life isn’t that what we seek—the warmth of love?” — jj Keller, Trade Agreement, LASR Best Book
EXCERPT
Keys in her hand, she took the two steps to the front door. She had left a few lights on,
but the smell of home cooking wafting in the air stood her hair on end. Who the hell was
in her house? Heart drumming, she gripped her cell just in case she needed to make a fast
call for the police, then she crept through the foyer toward the kitchen. The candlelit table
set for two in the dining room indicated whoever was here expected a romantic evening.
His back to her, a man stirred a pot on the stove. His tight butt swayed to an Elvis
classic coming from the stereo. Had she made a date prior to her trip but forgot to cancel
it? Impossible, she wouldn’t pass up on such a handsome man. Despite her dry mouth,
Olivia swallowed. Whatever food the hunk was preparing on the stove smelled delicious.
The frills on his apron swirled around him as he turned to her with a smile that would
have melted ice caps. Light from the ceiling reflected on his wavy brown hair. “Hi,
honey. I was beginning to worry.”
He stepped to her, leaned down and pecked her cheek with an odd familiarity. “Your
trip must’ve been exhausting. I’m sorry the flight was overbooked, but at least the airline
found you a seat in coach.”
She wiped her cheek where his kiss still simmered on her skin. Rubbing his palms
together, he turned to the stove. “Hope you’re hungry. I made your favorite, ravioli á la
moi. I just have to pop garlic bread in, but that won’t take too long. So go get
comfortable.”
Frozen, she stared. His eyebrows furrowed. “I should have picked you up from the
airport. Next time, I won’t let you talk me out of it.”
Her legs refused to co-operate. She couldn’t get them to move, but she managed a
sharp breath. “Who are you?”
Pick up a copy for your
Thanks Zrinka for stopping by!
September 18, 2013
The Great Equinox Fall Release Hop
Welcome to my blog post for The Great Equinox Fall Release Hop!
A big thank you to Victoria Danann and her newest addition Gathering Storm for our huge grand prize:
LISTOPIA One More Chapter’s Top Books of September
The Order of the Black Swan, Book 5.
Release date September 19th, 90k words
GENRE: fantasy romance, scifi romance, paranormal romance
“…a complete rollercoaster ride.”- Hooked on Books
“…sexy, very exciting, a really fun read.” -Vampire Romance Books.com
“…like a many layered dessert.” – A Tale of Two Books.
“…a must read.” – Fangs Wands & Fairy Dust
READING THIS SERIAL SAGA IN ORDER HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Try before you buy. Book 1, My Familiar Stranger, is permafree everywhere.
Legendary Black Swan knight, Sir Engel Storm, is REALLY not himself. B Team reunites to try and preserve his reputation. Jefferson Unit is left defended by a skeleton crew of scoundrels when Ralengclan launch an assassination attempt on Elora Laiken. This book explores two age old questions. Do you believe in destiny? Do you think any part of it is predetermined by fate?
WEBSITE: http://victoriadanann.com/GatheringStorm.html
BLOG: http://victoriadanann.me/the-books/book-5/
GOODREADS:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18336107-gathering-storm
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/vdanann
and a big thank you to the co-sponsors:
Blood Brothers by Susan Arden
Love’s a Witch by Hope Welsh
Underneath It All by Cassandra Carr
From Chemo…with Love by Teresa Jones
Lust Emergency: Uniform Encounters 3 by Morticia Knight
Halo’s Wish by Sharon Kleve
Wunder, Book 2: Reunion
Fractured Legacy by Skye Callahan
Pink Girl by Kate Baum
Speakeasy Dead by Vicky Loebel
Burlesque! Le Cirque d’Amour by Michelle Fox
Vampire’s Fortune, Fortune Teller’s Curse by Kara Ashley Dey
Leap of Faith by Michelle Cary
The Heart of a Hunter by Natalie-Nicole Bates
The Sheikh’s Crowning by Gemma Juliana
A Knight of Passion by Tarah Scott
Wicked Secrets by Eliza Lloyd
Loco, Razer 8 and Ghost by P.T Macais
Alpha by Fierce Dolan
Tunneling For Revenge by Travis K. Sharpe
Fast Balls by Tara Lain
Bedroom Games by Charity Parkerson
Armed and Desired by DC Stone
Consume Me by Paige Matthews
Grand Prize:
PRIZES by RAFFLECOPTER:
(One) Grand Prize: Kindle Fire (U.S.only) plus $100 Amazon Gift Card plus e-copies of all sponsored releases
(Two) First Prizes: $100 Amazon Gift Card plus e-copies of all sponsored releases
(Three) Second Prizes: One e-book from every participating author.
I’m giving away 3 copies of my first release, IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES simply leave a comment below. Additional entries also available through the rafflecopter.
There’s lots of great fall releases headed your way. I’m spotlighting my upcoming fall 2013 release, DARK INTENT with an anticipated release date of November 15.
DARK INTENT
Vengeance demon Arabella Hayes never thought astral
projecting was dangerous, until it puts her at the scene
of a grisly attack in progress. When her silent scream
isn’t so silent, she finds herself stalked by the frightening
entity with glowing red eyes, and an agenda she could
never imagine.
Half demon, demon hunter Ryder McKinnon hides out in
the open – all the better to keep those who hunt him at bay.
But when a beautiful vengeance demon asks for his help
against the mysterious shadow that’s stalking
her Ryder finds himself on the trail of an old
familiar enemy filled with DARK INTENT.
Check out an excerpt from Chapter 1, fresh off the revisions.
Where am I?
The cool dampness permeated Arabella Hayes’ clothing as she stood, confused, taking in the dark alley around her. The putrid reek of forgotten trash in a nearby dumpster wafted toward her, and she turned, trying to get away from the overpowering stench.
Who would summon her here?
No one, came the clear-cut answer in her mind.
Her astral projecting had taken a distinctly different turn. She’d concentrated on going to the next name on her list, but this didn’t look like the home of Max Atwell—unless he’d suddenly taken a strange downturn in lifestyle from the penthouse and Armani suits her client had described in her tear-filled meeting two days before.
No matter. She’d just force her way home, using some of the visualization techniques her mentor had been working on with her, and try again. Covering her nose and mouth with her hand, she opened her mouth to take a deep breath and pictured her apartment in her mind, when the distinct sounds of a scuffle farther away in the darkness made their way towards her. An uneasy chill shuddered its way down her back, a ghostly finger urging her forward, demanding she give in to her curiosity.
Why wasn’t there more light?
Hesitant, she stood there until a decidedly male howl pierced the air and she found herself venturing deeper into the pitch blackness. The walls on either side of her seemed to grow taller as she moved forward, her movements blissfully silent as the grunts and groans that accompanied the fight grew louder with every step.
Two silhouettes became just barely visible in the very back of the alley. She stopped next to a fire escape, its ladder hanging a few feet above the ground. She gripped the cold metal in her fingers, and she winced at the sounds of flesh striking flesh. She closed her eyes and when she opened them she was suddenly standing on the first rickety balcony of the fire escape, peering down into the blackness. The silhouettes took more solid form, enough that she could discern that the smaller man was taking the brunt of the assault. Her jaw dropped in a mix of awe and disbelief, the scream for help frozen in her throat as she watched the larger dark shadow shove the man back down, his grunts and groans fading into a strange, sickening gurgle.
A sliver of pale moonlight caught the glint of a blade as it was raised in the air. Suddenly, her body chose that moment to unlock, her scream piercing the air more sharply than the blade could flesh.
The shadow hesitated.
Arabella stepped back, hoping to sink into the shadows of the fire escape. Then she realized that was foolish. She was nothing more than an astral being at the moment, one who would be invisible to the naked eye.
One, however, who had just screamed, and seemingly—impossibly—been heard.
The shadow below her turned, and metallic red eyes locked on her own.
Arabella’s hands clenched in fear, and for a moment, she swore she saw a hint of pointy, glistening teeth. That thing, that terrible, cloaked being, smirked up at her before turning around and delivering a final blow with his blade, seeming to revel in having an audience. She watched in horror as his victim heaved forward, dropping to his knees.
Zap.
Crackle.
The uncomfortable sizzle of static echoed loudly in her ears. Arabella fought the paralysis that came when her body started to awake before she fully arrived back inside its safe little cocoon.
Calm down, she thought, the frantic, panicky feeling seeping into her astral form. The same feeling would soon be mirrored and intensified by the human body currently sprawled out on the bright red sofa, covered by the old handmade quilt Arabella’s grandmother had made.
Her astral form lay itself on top of her physical body, and she squeezed her eyes shut to prepare, to let herself sink back inside. The instant the connection was complete her eyes flew open, her gaze darting around the room, Arabella half-expecting to find that shadowy figure poised over her, a bloody blade in hand.
Satisfied that she was alone, she lay still for several long moments, breathing heavily. The unfamiliar iciness she’d experienced in the alley seemed to have followed her home, chilling her to the bone. She rested her hand on her chest, the frantic rhythm of her heart beneath her palm making her worry. She needed to calm down, relax, accept that she was safe. But she’d never had an experience like that before.
The metallic stench of blood still hung heavy in the air around her, as if it had someone how attached itself to her. She shuddered. She could still feel the power, heavy and dominant—almost sadistic—in those oppressive red eyes as the being had turned to look up at her.
Her stomach heaved, and she shoved the covers away before she took off running toward the bathroom, trying not to get sick before she made it to her destination. The entire scene replayed graphically in her mind as she emptied the contents of her stomach, her body shaking long after she was done.
Weakness washed over her and she sat on the corner of her claw-footed tub, unable to get to her feet, not trusting herself to remain vertical. She wished she’d thought to grab her phone, but she hadn’t had time. For now she simply sat there, taking deep breaths, trying to get rid of the remnants of what she saw that kept clinging to her.
What if it was real?
The sickening question floated through her mind and she fought back another wave of nausea as the visions of the bloody scene returned. What had that thing been, anyway? Demon? Shape-shifter? She’d been too paralyzed with fear to reach out to identify its energy, and worse, afraid it she did, it would reach back.
What if it was real? What if he’d really seen her?
In astral form, she didn’t appear much different than she did now, simply a little more translucent. She would still be easily recognizable. Oh Lord, she was going to be sick again, she realized, as her empty stomach heaved again at the thought.
She leaned forward, resting her head against her knees as she waited for the sensation to pass. When it finally did a few minutes later, she forced herself to her feet to make the short trek to the counter. She splashed her overheated skin with what seemed like a dozen handfuls of icy water before she started to finally cool off. She finally felt a little more among the living, but still weak, and her reflection in the antique mirror above the sink showed her complexion to be far paler than normal. The tremble in her hands was still noticeable, even as she filled the small plastic cup she kept beside the sink and tooka few sips of cold water to try and calm the nervous energy that wouldn’t go away.
She leaned against the pale granite counter, trying to force herself to think logically and to remember what she’d learned from her astral training—minimal as it may have been. On the astral plane, she was an observer, really, and nothing more. She swallowed the last of the water, not even feeling its cooling effect on her throat as frightening flashes of those red eyes, that blade, and the sounds that poor man made in his last moments kept appearing in her mind’s eye.
It scared her to the core.
The chills she’d had in that alley were still there, deep in her bones, and she felt like huddling on her bed under every blanket she owned, but at the moment, she wanted even more strongly to be somewhere else.
As much as she needed to feel secure in the safety of her own apartment, she needed to get out. After all, the chances of what she saw happening actually being true were nil, right?
Yet that iciness remained in her body. She’d never felt anything like it before.
She needed to be around people and hope for something to erase this uneasiness from her body. There was only one place she could think of to go, and one person she could trust enough to tell.
');
September 16, 2013
Sunset on Summer Blog Hop
BTS eMag and Decadent Publishing along with a host of wonderful authors are sponsoring the Sunset on Summer Fun Blog Hop. Up for grabs are a Nook HD or a Kindle Fire (US only, if the winner is international, then they will receive paypal cash) A link to the rafflecopter entry form should be below (barring any techinical difficulties, sorry still trying to get the link to take)
On my blog stop I’m personally giving away 3 copies of my paranormal romance
What will you miss most about summer? For me, I’m already missing the green leaves on the trees (although they are turning a little slower this year then normal, usually they start going yellow and falling in August) and all the beautiful, bright colored flowers everywhere. I’ve really enjoyed being able to sit out and enjoy the warm weather the last few weeks. Fallwise, at the moment the only few things I can think of are pumpkin doughnuts lol and the return of a few of my favorite television shows, Castle and Person of Interest being my two favorites. What are you looking most forward to about fall?
Check out the rest of the participating blogs on the hop right here
Use the Rafflecopter entry form to enter for the Nook HD or Kindle Fire.
September 12, 2013
Fall Into Romance Blog Hop
Blog Hop Giveaway: 3 copies of my paranormal romance IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES
The hop goes over 9 days with over a hundred great blogs participating, so pace yourselves and enjoy the great reads & prizes up for grabs. 
Trying to pick a favorite romance to talk about is horrible. Not just because my memory is pretty much shot lately, but because there are so many choices on my keeper shelf. I could go ‘old school’ and list Jude Deveraux’s REMEMBRANCE, which is always a favorite. Danielle Steele’s FINE THINGS was one of the first ‘romance’ novels that ever hooked me as a teenager. There’s series I’ve read through over and over again, Nora Roberts’ THREE KEYS comes to mind. And there’s also some great young adult ones I love dearly especially Rachel Caine’s Morganville series.
So decisions, decisions.
Since we’re almost halfway to October (how did that happen???) I decided to go with Jeanine Frost’s NIGHT HUNTRESS series. I’ll admit I haven’t read all the books yet (and uhm, I wasn’t fully aware that there were 7 books already, yikes!), but I love the interaction between heroine Cat Crawford and her hero, Bones. Aside from the fact the names are great, I love the way they play off each other. There’s isn’t an easy relationship, far from it. It’s filled with tension and great banter between them and amazing chemistry. There’s also a great vibrancy to the novels that just pull the reader right in to the story.
And looking at the covers I tracked down for the post, I’m only about halfway through the series AND there’s a spinoff. (But I think I have FIRST DROP OF CRIMSON in my mountain of a TBR pile somewhere).
So, have you read the series? Or know of a great paranormal one to recommend? Since it’s turning to October, I’m definitely in a paranormal mood.
August 14, 2013
Hot Summer Heroes
Hi everyone, welcome to my post on the HOT SUMMER HEROES BLOG HOP. I’m giving away three copies of my debut paranormal romance IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES. It’s an international giveaway, so everyone is welcome to enter by simply leaving a comment.
What makes a hero hot? Not a really tough question is it? Everyone has their own ideas, their own type of hero they fall head over heels for, whether he’s between the pages of a book, on a TV or movie screen or walking by you on the street.
I always wonder if a writer’s criteria for what makes a hero hot is different than a reader’s. For me, if I don’t find him hot, I can’t write him. Doesn’t matter who he looks like, if he’s too cocky or arrogant, I tell my muse ‘next’ and keep going till I find someone I can work with.
Personally, I’m a sucker for a hero with great eyes and arms. If they have that, they’re in.
Before I write a book, I pretty much cast my hero. For my upcoming paranormal release, DARK INTENT, Ryder is pretty much modeled lookswise on Criss Angel (circa 2007). He’s morphed a little in my head over time, but he’s got the right build, the right hair and that cocky, self assured attitude that define’s Ryder. (That comes through the first time he officially meets Arabella and tells her straight out “I don’t do demons.” Well, Arabella is one, so you can imagine how well that meeting goes after that.)
Then I found a picture in a magazine of Jonathan Rhys Meyers with the sword. I’ve only ever seen a handful of episodes of the Tudors, but that pic on it’s own, gave Ryder a bit more life too. Although I may use him as more of a template for the hero in the next book in the series.
What makes a hero hot for you? Is there a certain trait that you fall for every time or is it something you just can’t explain?
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