C.D. Hersh's Blog, page 158
August 11, 2015
Wednesday Special Spotlight Must Love Chainmail Angela Quarles
Shines on
Angela Quarles’
New release
MUST LOVE CHAINMAIL
Book Info
Must Love Chainmail Time Travel Romance Release Date: July 12, 2015
Length: Novel (90,000 words)
Ebook Price: $4.99
ISBN: 978-0-9905400-2-1
Cover artist: Kim Killion
Content advisory: Adult language, explicit sex
Blurb
Trapped in the wrong time, she needs a knight in shining armor, but this damsel in distress might be the real savior.
A damsel in distress…
With a day planner attached to her hip, the last thing Katy Tolson wants is a romance that threatens her well-ordered life. She’s set to marry the safe–but bland–guy, but something’s not quite…right. A careless wish thrusts her through time into medieval Wales and into the arms of…
A knight in somewhat shining armor…
Sir Robert Beucol, half-Norman and half-Welsh, lives with the shame of his father’s treason and vows to reclaim his family’s holdings and thereby his honor. To prove himself to his king, he must be more Norman than a full-blooded Norman. What better way to show loyalty than to fight his mother’s people? He has no desire to be sidetracked by the mysterious wench with pink toenails, peculiar habits, and passion smoldering behind her cool, collected exterior.
A rebellion that challenges both…
The Welsh uprising fits perfectly into Robert’s plans. Katy’s on the other hand? That’s a no. As they embark on a perilous journey through the heart of Wales, each passionate encounter pulls them closer together, but farther from their goals. When everything they value is at stake, can they save each other and their love?
Bio
Angela is a geek girl romance writer. What makes her romances geeky? Whether it’s fan girling over Ada Lovelace by having her as a secondary character in Must Love Breeches, or outright geek references with geek types in her romantic comedy with paranormal elements, Beer and Groping in Las Vegas, or going all Southern steampunk in Steam Me Up, Rawley, she likes to have fun with her romances and hopes her readers do too.
Angela works at an independent bookstore and lives in an historic house in the beautiful and quirky town of Mobile, AL. When she’s not writing, she enjoys the usual stuff like gardening, reading, hanging out, eating, drinking, chasing squirrels out of the walls and creating the occasional knitted scarf. She’s had a varied career, including website programming and directing a small local history museum, and has discovered that writing allows her to explore all her interests.
She has a B.A. in Anthropology and International Studies with a minor in German from Emory University, and a Masters in Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University. She was an exchange student to Finland in high school and studied abroad in Vienna one summer in college.
Author Links
Website: http://bit.ly/VMFK00
Blog: http://bit.ly/WkQbXG
Join my mailing list: http://bit.ly/1sde3Qi
Twitter: http://bit.ly/Se5gQ0
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/VMFT3L
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1qRhgHQ
Book Links
Amazon: http://bit.ly/MLCAmz
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1JhzrtL
Apple: http://apple.co/1I4697c
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/GR_MLC
Shelfari: http://bit.ly/MLCShelfari
LibraryThing: http://bit.ly/1KcKPg1
Must Love Chainmail board on Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1UON5x8
Official Book Page: http://bit.ly/MLCBook
Excerpt from Chapter 3 – Meets the hero
Katy slowly closed her eyes, let the cool ground soak into her hands and butt, let the uncomfortable pebbles make themselves known. She counted to three and opened her eyes.
Intact castle wall? Still there.
A frantic fluttering whipped through her chest and choked her throat. “No, no, no!”
Her whole body shaking, she pushed up on a nearby rock and stood. She tugged on her coat’s zipper and yanked it up to her neck. She gazed at the castle.
No freaking way. Intact castle walls soared skyward, not stumpy, crumbling stone courses pockmarked with bird’s nests and tufts of grass. She whipped around. No deck steps arching over the once-ruined entrance.
She shoved her hand into her coat pocket.
Dread curdled in her stomach.
Shit. No case.
Oh God. The case worked. The case transported her back in time. Just like it had with Isabelle. Sweat bloomed on her skin in the chilly air, overheating her in her winter coat.
But she hadn’t made a wish. Had she? Then her whispered words of a moment ago came back to her: What should I do, Isabelle? I wish I knew why I’m not as happy as I should be.
Shit. Shit. Shit. She spun around and raked her gaze along the hillside. This crazy-ass, zapped-back-in-time thing could all be fixed with a quick wish.
But…she dared not move. Getting turned around and missing it because she was searching in the wrong spot would suck. Big time.
She scrutinized the ravine, keeping her breathing steady. If she didn’t panic, everything would be okay. Just a little blip she could laugh about—to herself—later, and get a spike of adrenaline thinking of her narrow escape. Yep. Mm-hmm. The guy line securing the thin veneer of her control strained and creaked.
Okay. She’d come along that path, and had, oh God, made that wish on the stupid case. Smooth, Katy. Then the queasiness. And a gust of wind. She’d started sliding down the incline and…flung out her stupid-ass hands. With the case probably sailing away.
So, with the right hand doing the flinging… She charged up the hill and inched along its edge, on the lookout for a shiny glint of silver.
An odd, pounding noise sounded behind her, and the ground vibrated slightly. What could…? Oh God, no. She wheeled around, her pulse beating frantically, and yep, the hugest, scariest war horse she’d ever seen galloped straight for her. She assumed it was a war horse, well, because it was so…large, and it had…Jiminy Cricket, it had chainmail on it. And, of course, some guy on its back, with chainmail and some kind of tunic, as well as a clothes-iron-shaped shield and friggin’ sword.
Her muscles tightened, shivered, and she almost—swear to God—peed herself.
She scrambled down the ravine. Find the case. Find the case. And the scary man on horse would be gone. She slipped and landed on her ass, sliding the rest of the way, her hands scraping and stinging on the rocks.
The horse stopped above her, snorting loudly. She scowled over her shoulder—was she about to get skewered? Cuz she’d want to know. Not that she could do much against a muscle-bound, medieval guy bent on running her through with a sword. Or worse. Except find that case. She had maybe twelve feet of distance on him.
He lifted his helmet free with two mail-clad hands, the clang of metal against metal loud, and let it fall to suspend from a chain at his belt. Helmet removal was a good sign, wasn’t it? At least it wasn’t sword removal. The early afternoon sun shone from behind him. She couldn’t see his face.
Gibberish popped from the dark shape. Coupled with his arm pointing away from the castle.
Er, what the hell kind of language was that?
Fear and a bit of oh-shit-what’s-happening slithering through her, she rose and faced him. “What?” Peering right and left with only her eyes, she searched for the stupid case. Her only salvation.
He cocked his head and spouted more nonsense. Slower, sure, but still nonsense. She edged back and continued to search the ground, pebbles clicking against rock as her shoes scattered them downhill.
More gibberish, but it grew closer. She looked up. He’d dismounted and was stomping down the hill.
Oh, hell no.
She sprinted along the ravine, praying she’d see her case but knowing she probably wouldn’t. Blood pounded in her ears, as jarring as her frantic footfalls along the hard ground. She sucked in short gasps of air as his steps drew closer. C’mon, all those gym sessions had to count for something.
A strong arm clamped around her waist, yanked her back against a solid wall of chainmail-covered man, and lifted. She slid down his body until his forearm nudged the underside of her breasts. She instantly stilled, breathing still panicked, because she’d read enough romance novels, and damned if she’d be one of those annoying heroines who got all feisty unprovoked. Pissing off someone who hadn’t yet hurt her would be epically stupid.
He inhaled sharply. Melodic, darkly-rich words vibrated from his chest to fill her ear, his warm breath sending chills across her skin. She could hear the question in them, but not knowing what he so softly demanded, she remained frozen.
She’d need any ally she could get, because yeah, she’d gone and wished herself back in time. All because she’d second-guessed her plans.
He grunted and marched up the hill, easily carrying her against him. At the top, he whistled and…his horse came to him. Of course. Then he draped her in front of a saddle like none she’d ever seen, jumped on, and galloped across the rocky terrain. But not before she saw her case, winking in the sun as they passed.
“Hey— Wait! Shit.”
Oh, crap, this was not comfortable. She clamped her jaw tight, afraid she’d bite her tongue with all the jouncing. Brief flashes of scenery and activity stuttered by. Flash—a white flower between two rocks. Flash—a cluster of colorfully clothed people. Flash—a woman with two children, one on her hip. Flash—a man driving a donkey laden with baskets. And all, all of them, hurrying. Hurrying in the same direction, into the castle. Behind its walls.
That couldn’t be good.
August 10, 2015
Tell Again Tuesday Rules of Writing
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
The Rules of Writing!
by Madelyn Hill
As a writer, I have been told the rules of writing for years. Do this, don’t do that. Agents love this, editors hate that. More rules about keeping point of view to the main characters, don’t use prologues, don’t use epilogues, and Nora Roberts can do whatever she wants!
But in a recent (very unscientific) poll on Facebook, I asked writers and readers if they like prologues and epilogues. The resounding answer was …
For the rest of the blog go to:
http://collettecameron.com/2015/07/the-rules-of-writing/
August 6, 2015
Friday Feature Highland Savior Sarah Hoss
Focuses on
Highland Savior
By
Sarah Hoss
Sarah has agreed to sit in the hot seat today and answer a few questions. Are you ready?
Yes, I am and thanks for inviting me.
Please tell the readers about the book that is being showcased today.
I’m writing about three Macpherson brothers and HIGHLAND SAVIOR is about the second brother, Hamish.
How did you come up with the concept for this book?
I started writing Dreams of the Highlander and once the story was finished, I knew I wanted to continue it and give each brother their own story. I love time travel, so that was installed as well.
What are you working on now?
I am working on book 3, James’s story.
Okay, now for a few harder questions. Do you write in more than one genre? If so, why?
I do. I write Historical paranormal romance and contemporary romance. I had always planned on writing in the first, but the latter came to me by accident. I wrote a novella for a contest and it became published. I continue to write contemporary novellas so I can have something to put out between the novels and so that I would have a broader audience.
Accidents can be good then. What’s the first book, in the genre you write in, that you remember reading?
I remember reading the Grey Eagle series by Janelle Taylor. My older sister lent them to me.
Now let’s try some personal questions. We like to travel. What is the farthest place from your home that you have visited?
Abaco Island, Bahamas
The most fun place?
Disney World in Florida
That’s one of our favorite places as well. How about the most relaxing place?
Winterpark Colorado
The most historic place?
Gettysburgh, Pennsylvania
You came through that fine now let’s try quickies. We’ll give you a category and you give us a one word answer, and yes we know for a writer that is hard, so as close to one word as possible. Ready?
Yes.
Favorite food? Filet mingon and a baked potato
Favorite singer or band? Journey
Favorite season? Tie between fall and winter
Favorite flower? daisy
Favorite color? green
Mug or teacup? mug
See this is really easy. Now name three interesting things most people don’t know about you.
1) I took tap and jazz dance classes from the age of 6-22. I traveled all over the Midwest and down to Florida for competitions and I also participated as an extra in the Pan Am Opening Ceremonies back in the 80’s.
2) I hate cherry flavored drinks
3) I am a “bonus” baby being 13, 12, and 7 years younger than my siblings.
Donald’s mother made him take dancing lessons when he was younger but never to the extent of competition. Let’s get back to some book questions since you write in a mix of several genres.
What are the unusual paranormal elements in your book? Our books have shape shifters with the ability to shift to more than one persona.
I love to read and write about time travel and that is the paranormal element to my books.
Your books also have a historical element. How do you do your historical research? (books, travel, internet, reenactments)
I go to reenactments and a lot of research on the internet.
Plus you write in the time travel genre and there are no reenactments to visit. So, what’s your favorite time travel book or movie?
The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon.
It’s been a pleasure having you here today, Sarah. As you say goodbye, can you leave the readers with an encapsulation of your life’s philosophy? (a quote, a verse, a precept you live by or have tried to instill in your children?)
Those who mind, don’t matter, and those who matter, don’t mind. Dr. Suess.
If you’ve enjoyed finding out about the author take a look at the following for some idea of what her book is like.
Blurb for Highland Savior
Hamish Macpherson is surrounded by turmoil: an arsonist is on the loose, he’s in the middle of a feud with a local clansman, and just as he’s trying to save his sister from a burning cottage, he appears in the middle of a foreign living room three hundred years past his own time.
Gillian Meadows thinks she’s self-sufficient and can handle anything until she witnesses a murder in the alley next to an Olde City tavern. In a desperate run to escape being the next victim, she stumbles into a wiccan store and accepts the help of the shop owner. But one misspoken word of a simple incantation can change everything.
Neither world is safe, but Hamish can better protect Gillian if he returns to his own time. Gillian has no choice but to go with him if she wants to escape the danger closing in. Little do they know that his past could be the biggest threat of all to their future.
Buy Link Highland Savior
AUTHOR BIO:
Sarah Hoss grew up believing she could try anything and if she set her mind to it, she would succeed. Sixteen years of dance lessons, Cheerleading, and school plays proved to her that her parent’s words rang true. Writing was no exception. Reading the Outlander series made her fall in love with time travels and the historical places books could take her. Always a child with a vivid imagination, she realized as an adult, she could put her imagination to good use and began writing. Marrying her very own hero, they live in Indiana in the town where she grew up. They have three beautiful children and one hyper dog. When Sarah isn’t writing, she enjoys gardening, camping, and watching her kids’ play sports.
Where to find Sarah-
Website- http://www.sarahhoss.com/
Blog- http://www.heart-of-romance.blogspot.com/
Twitter- http://www.twitter.com/SarahHoss1
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-Hoss/237219983049037
Thursday Threads The Perfect Duke
Presents
The Perfect Duke
Genre: Historical Romance (Late Georgian Era)
Heat Level: Three out of Five
Blurb
Known as The Marble Duke amongst the Ton, Garret Weston, the Duke of Kendal sets himself apart from his peers. Nothing will hinder his guilt-driven attempt to become a perfect duke. Nothing that is, save the alluring and imaginative betrothed he’d thought dead. His intended believes-of all things-that she is a Vicar’s daughter. The “perfect” duke needs a “perfect” duchess, but how was he to discern her suitability? Employing her as a governess to his niece seemed like an ideal solution. But whose “suitability” is being tested? His betrothed refuses to see he is beyond redemption. And most grievous of all, she stirs his blood, making him forget what’s important.
Cara believes fairy tales really can come true, until she meets the unrelenting and arrogant Duke of Kendal. He looks like a Prince, but acts like a Beast. Why must he challenge her at every turn? Her greatest peril is her attraction to the vulnerable, seductive man behind the title. A match between them would be impossible. But can she show him, without losing her heart that “perfect” is in the eye of the beholder?
Excerpt
“The horse seems to know you.”
“He should. There was a time when I practically lived in the stable. Storm was my favorite.”
“What happened?”
“I became a duke.”
“Oh.”
He straightened and forced his features into a mask of indifference. “So, Rachel loves horses.” He turned to face Cara. “I can appreciate my niece’s fondness, but I can not allow her to frequent the stable.”
“Why not?”
“It is not proper for young ladies of her station.”
“Garret, she’s a child.”
It was the first time she’d used his name, and somehow, Rachel visiting the horses didn’t seem like such a large request. “I will only allow it if she uses the passageway. At least I can keep the knowledge of her visits to a minimum. If you come with her, you will need to use the tunnel as well.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
She blushed and turned away. “I’m afraid.” She said it so quietly, he wasn’t sure he heard her.
“Afraid? Of what?”
“Dark, enclosed places. Even as a child, I fell asleep with a candle burning.” She faced him and gave a small smile. “Perhaps I’m afraid that a beast will gobble me up in the dark.”
“There are no beasts at Belcraven, Miss McClure. I would not allow anyone to hurt you.”
“Anyone?”
“Never.” He started toward her and stopped. Damn, it would be better if he didn’t get close to her. As he left the stable, her whisper followed him.
“Not even you?”
The Perfect Duke buy link:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BT0NGOC
Links for author:
http://www.authordawnireland.wordpress.com/
http://www.twitter.com/AuthorDIreland
http://www.facebook.com/DawnIrelandAuthor
August 4, 2015
Wednesday Special Spotlight Duchess of Mine
Shines on
Duchess of Mine
By
Red L. Jameson
If you like time travel series The Glimpse Time Travel Series could be right in your time zone. While each is a stand alone story having read them from the beginning I (Donald) think gives the reader more of an understanding of what is going on. Each story has its own merits but the first and this one of the series I think are the best but, the others are good as well.
Blurb:
**Book 4 of The Glimpse Time Travel Series, where mythical muses play naughty matchmakers**
Seventeenth century Highlander Michael Cameron should have been prepared for his journey to Philadelphia in 1895. After all, it wasn’t the first time he’d been kidnapped by two mischievous muses, who delighted in taking him by surprise and shuffling him off to far-flung lands and eras. But nothing could have readied him for angelic Gabriella Murray, the Duchess of Northampton. She’s a beautiful, lovely, gorgeous—did he mention just how bonny Gabby is?—duchess, and he’s a lowly Scot. How is he going to solve the missing children case the muses have given him with such a distracting woman?
Becoming friends with a muse, Gabby feels her life has taken a turn for the fantastic, which suits her fine, since being a duchess is gray and depressing. So, when that muse asks her to go on an adventure imitating her idol, Sherlock Holmes, of course she says yes. However, Michael, who is to play her Dr. Watson, is quite possibly the most handsome and intriguing Highlander she’s ever encountered. Lord, Sherlock never had to contend with an overwhelming desire for Watson. How can she concentrate on the case when he’s more fun than she’s ever had before?
As Michael and Gabby hunt through the mean streets of cities such as Chicago and Detroit, they dive deeper into a world of danger and violence. Fighting against their growing attraction to each other, they race against time to find the children, knowing that with every corner they turn, they might be too late.
Excerpt:
“So,” his smile waned, “the point of that long story is there are some men who wouldn’t want ye to be invisible, wouldn’t want ye to not have a say. That’s a double negative sentence, ‘tisn’t it?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It does. I asked Polymnia to tutor me with grammar, and I’m really tryin’ to sound—”
“Absolutely perfect, Michael. You sounded perfect.”
“Nay.”
“Yes.”
“Nay.”
“Highlander—”
“Nay, it didn’t.”
“Oh, shut u—”
“Did ye almost tell me to shut up?”
She covered her mouth with her fingers. “I’m sorry, but I nearly did.”
“Ye more or less told me to shut up.” He frowned, but she noticed his dark hazel eyes twinkling.
“Again, terribly sorry about that.” She folded her hands together. “But I well-nigh did.”
“Was the nigh for my sake, being I’m a thousand years old?”
“Of course it was, you fossil. As I was saying, your sentence was perfect. I loved it. And if you try to correct it, I’ll—”
“You’ll do what?” Now, he held a tiny smile as he leaned closer, domineering over her.
She pushed against his massive chest, but he wouldn’t budge, which—oddly enough—made her laugh. “You must stop this, Michael. I’m giving you fair warning.”
He scooted even closer, towering even more over her. “What are ye goin’ to do, Gabby?” His voice was low and turned into velvet.
She shook her head once. “I’m warning you…”
“Aye. But ye’d better follow through with yer threat.”
She sighed as if annoyed, to which she wasn’t in the least. “Very well then.”
He started to smile even wider, but then she leaned closer. He stilled as she tilted her head just so, her visage even with his neck. He wore a modern shirtfront with a blue cravat that matched his dapper kilt. However, his collar wasn’t too high and revealed a wildly beating vein. His scent enveloped her as she glided her nose against that pumping vein. His breath hitched. Oh, she liked this game. Perhaps loved it a little.
Then she bit him right on that vulnerable mark where her nose had been. She’d masticated hard enough for him to draw away, sucking in a breath.
She batted her eyes and smiled coyly. “I did warn you.”
“Vicious wee thing, aren’t ye?” he whispered, holding his hand over her bite mark. “Why, I have in mind to take ye over my knee and spank ye.”
Where you can find Duchess of Mine:
Amazon — http://amzn.to/1dqiJPT
iBooks — https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/duchess-of-mine/id998617862?mt=11
Barnes & Noble – http://bit.ly/1BU6sJF
Universal link for Duchess of Mine – myBook.to/DuchessofMine
And other retail book sellers
Bio for Red:
As a military historian by day, sometimes Red does feel a bit clandestine when she writes romance at night. No one knows that while she researches heroes of the past and present, she uses everything for her characters in her books. Her secret’s been safe . . . until now.
She lives in Montana with her family and far too many animals but never enough books.
She loves her readers, so please feel free to contact her at http://www.redljameson.com
You can find Red L. Jameson at . . .
Website: http://www.redljameson.com/
Blog: http://immortalhistory.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005536457451
Amazon Author Page: http://goo.gl/Gvd2vq
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/redljameson/
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1Gvpo5O
Twitter: @RedLJameson
August 3, 2015
Tell Again Tuesday How to Make the Most of a Blog Hop
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
How to Make the Most of a Blog Hop #writing #amwriting #writertips #blogging
July 1, 2015 ~ authorangelachristinaarcher
Joining a blog hop is easy, but participating in one is not so much. Certainly, participating in blog hops is just a matter of visiting the blogs on the list and commenting on them, but there are also several other tips you can do take your blog hopping experience to a whole other level.
So how can a participant make a blog hop work for them? And what are the other tips you can use to help boost the incentives of partaking in a hop?
For the rest of the blog go to:
http://longvalleypress.com/2015/07/01/how-to-make-the-most-of-a-blog-hop/
July 30, 2015
Friday Features ANGEL IN THE SHADOWS
Today is
ANGEL IN THE SHADOWS
Never Turn Your Back…
Never Reveal Your Name…
Never surrender Your Heart…
BLURB:Madison Sinclair is a smart-mouthed photographer that enjoys the simple things in life. Recently landing a job at one of Manhattan’s top imaging companies, she works hard to prove herself but often falls short of the mark. Taking pictures of the New York scenery, relaxing at home with a glass of wine, and caring for her stray cat is the highlight of her day. But when her best friend convinces her into covering a charity event thrown by a handsome billionaire, Madison’s life suddenly becomes anything but simple as she finds herself in a constant race for survival. There is nowhere she can turn, no one she can trust.
Seth Reynolds has been in the game a long time. He knows how to get in, get a job done, and get out with no complications and no witnesses. Trained to be cold and heartless, he is committed to follow through with this mission no matter what. Racing against an impossible time table, everything is in place to take out the madman intent on destroying New York City. But when the naïve Madison Sinclair stumbles into his world, all of his carefully laid plans go to hell.
Determined to do what is right at all costs, Seth must choose between the rules he’s lived by his entire life or saving Madison from a fate worse than death. If he follows orders, he will be an unsung hero, saving millions of innocent people. But if he risks his own life for Madison’s, the entire city will be in jeopardy. The choice should be easy. Risk one to save many. That’s the unbreakable code of The Perfect Order. But now, without even trying, Madison has gotten under his skin and inside his heart. With the fate of the city resting in his hands, how he can do the right thing when he no longer knows what that is?
EXCERPT:
Just like Seth, the Porsche was dark, mysterious, and masculine. Things were not improving. She shied away from thinking about that monster in the alleyway, the one that had his hands on her, touching her. She couldn’t think of that now because she would come apart completely. So she focused on Seth instead and used the anger that had been building up for the lost several hours. God, she really needed to get away from him. But she needed to understand what she was up against. And that was nearly impossible since Seth was refusing to tell her anything. The sneaky bastard! She would just have to figure out a way to make him talk.
Making her voice as strong and determined as she could, she looked at him and said, “I have a right to know what is going on.”
He didn’t even look in her direction. “Your rights end when and where I say they do. Don’t push me too far Miss Sinclair. You won’t like the result,” he warned.
This guy was really beginning to piss her off. “Damn you! Tell me what the hell is going on!”
A ghost of a smile crossed his soft lips, drawing her attention to them. He remembered how they felt on hers. She shoved that away before the annoying lust could distract her from her plan of action.
“Damn me? Sorry to ruin your little tirade but I’ve been damned for a very long time. Nothing you can say or do can make it worse,” Seth’s voice was low and quiet, reflective.
She must have imagined the small amount of emotion in his voice. But real or not, it cooled some of her anger, making her wonder again just who the hell this guy was. Definitely not the self-effacing personal assistant she had taken him for just yesterday. But as intriguing as that question may be, she had no intentions to stick around and find out the answer. There was the saying about curiosity killing the cat and as curious as she was, learning that particular bit information was not something she was willing to die for. Maybe if she could open the door and jump out. But he was going so fast. He didn’t slow down much as he took the corners but maybe that small change in speed would make the difference between getting injured and being killed. At this point, she didn’t think she had much to lose by trying. Furtively, she reached over and gripped the door handle, waiting for the next turn.
“Don’t think you can try jumping out when I slow down. You really don’t want to make me angrier than I am now.” Seth’s voice was calm and soft, not betraying any emotion but she had enough sense to be afraid. Releasing the door handle, she crossed her arms over her chest, her hands balled into tight fists. Man, she wanted to just sock him!
Beside her, Seth shrugged indifferently. “Then again, maybe you should jump out. Though it would probably be suicide. I’m not sure how you feel about dying but at least I wouldn’t have to save you again.”
“I never asked you to save me. You did that on your own,” Madison replied heatedly.
“My mistake. Next time, I’ll just let them have you.”
“Next time? Who says there’s going to be a next time?”
Another uncaring shrug of his strong shoulders. “Just call it an educated guess.”
Scowling, she asked, “Why even take the time to save me? You’re just going to kill me.”
“I never said I was going to kill you.”
“No, but you didn’t say you weren’t either.”
“Touché” He turned to her with a small, tight lipped smile.
“Why don’t you just tell me what is going on?”
He sighed, exasperated. “If I tell you anything, you’re as good as dead.”
His threat was ominous but she sensed he was telling her the truth this time. Considering the circumstances, that fact wasn’t exactly encouraging. But maybe his honesty would continue for a while longer.
“I’m probably a dead woman anyway so there’s really no harm in satisfying my curiosity is there? Consider it a last request.” Madison tried to sound brave and add some humor to her situation. As long as she could remain lighthearted, she would be able to keep her wits about her so maybe she could get out of this thing alive.
“I applaud you for your attempt at levity. But believe it or not, this situation is not funny in the least and it’s not my intention to see you dead, Miss Sinclair.”
She twisted in the seat, facing him, one eyebrow raised questioningly. “No? Then just what are your intentions Mr. Reynolds?”
“I really can’t tell you. You’re just going to have to trust me.”
“I don’t think so.”
“You know,” he replied lightly, “if you would have trusted me in the first place, your friend would still be alive.”
A little bit about the author Amy Deason:
Amy learned to read at the tender age of three. Once she started, she never stopped. Growing up, she could always be found snuggled in some quiet corner with her nose stuck in one book after another. Her desire to read soon led to her passion for writing. As a child and teenager, Amy wrote poetry and short stories for her family and friends, delighting them with her vast imagination. From child to adult, she has continued to read everything she can get her hands on. Her love for a good book knows no boundaries and crosses every genre imaginable.
Amy currently lives in NW Arkansas with her wonderful husband, Shaun, and three energetic children. But of course their family would not be complete without their two loveable shih tzus, Tucker and Dylan. Recently, they welcomed a new addition to their household, a rambunctious boxer puppy named Buck, and since then, their lives have never been the same.
When Amy’s not working or writing, or possibly sneaking in a few quiet minutes of quiet reading, she can be found with her family riding bicycles around town, playing sports, watching movies, or taking pictures. (Although she takes so many photographs, the kids try to run and hide every time she breaks out the camera).
Amy would love to hear from you. You can reach her several ways:
Website: http://www.amydeason.wordpress.com/
http://www.amydeason.weebly.com/
She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter(@Ames13011), and Ask.fm(AmesGrace13011) or you can email her at DeasonDozier13011@yahoo.com.
July 28, 2015
Wednesday Special Spotlight Anne B. Cole
Focuses on
Anne B. Cole
Our spotlight today is about Anne B. Cole, author of Souls Entwined and her upcoming fall release of Souls Estranged. Here is a look at her two books.
Souls Entwined
Released on e-book April 30, 2014 from Soul Mate Publishing
Released in paperback January 2015
A Romantic Suspense, Time Travel, YA/NA Novel
Souls Entwined
Blurb
Book One of The Souls Trilogy
A tree crashes upon two strangers. Time stands still. A cursed family heirloom catapults eighteen-year-old Gretta Dobbs back in time with Sam Daggett, who reluctantly agrees to help despite an instant infatuation with her. Their souls entwine within the bodies of young lovers on a Greek island in 1829, where they collect information on the mysteries behind Gretta’s ring all while avoiding revenge-seeking pirates. Can Gretta and Sam find the secrets needed to save her from an afterlife in purgatory? Or will they become trapped in the past, continuing the evil cycle of the ring’s curse?
Souls Estranged Blurb
Book Two of The Souls Trilogy
Back from their adventures in Souls Entwined, Sam Daggett begins a new relationship with Gretta Dobbs, whose memories of their time traveling experience have been erased. Determined to never leave her again, Sam vows to help Gretta, despite the bad luck curse on her heirloom ring. Within hours of their return, tragedy strikes.
As Sam becomes the third victim of the bad luck curse, Gretta’s memories of her time spent in the past begin to return. Unable to remember more than snippets, she realizes that anyone close to her is in grave danger. In order to keep Sam and her family safe, she flees in the middle of the night.
Finding the perfect summer job in the back hills of Virginia, Gretta unknowingly crosses paths with a serial killer. With guidance from their ancestral spirits, Roxana and Katarina, Sam desperately attempts to find Gretta before the curse strikes again.
Souls Estranged Excerpt
Prologue: Sunday
In the dim morning light of the hospital room, Sam Daggett watched the little cat stretch its front paws before zeroing intense green eyes on him.
“Roxana?” He scrutinized the feline for the slightest twitch of recognition.
Nothing.
Doubting Roxana’s spirit remained entwined within the gray and white cat, he moved his focus to Gretta Dobbs. She slept peacefully with her hand nestled in his. Neither of their families had returned to the hospital. Her garnet ring caught his attention and immediately a sense of foreboding crept up his spine.
His heart sped as images of his time traveling, out-of-body adventure with Gretta flashed through his mind. Roxana, Gretta’s long-dead ancestor, enabled their souls to entwine within nineteenth century lovers in order to gather information on the cursed ring. Pride, determination, and fear filled him.
“I’m so sorry we didn’t find all of the answers we needed,” Sam whispered as he lifted her hand to his lips. He watched her eyes and listened for the beep of the heart monitor to quicken. Satisfied she remained in dreamland, he continued. “I know you don’t remember our time together or what we’ve been through.”
He shuddered at the memories. His gaze fell back to the ring. Frustration filled him. The urge to rip it off her hand coursed through him, but he remembered she remained cursed with or without the ring.
Control. I must control my emotions.
He refocused his thoughts on the present and relished in the gratitude of simply being in the same room with her.
A soft sigh escaped her lips and she squeezed his hand before slipping into a deeper slumber.
“With you, nothing is impossible.” Careful not to bump his broken collarbone, Sam leaned closer and continued inches from her ear. “Brave and beautiful. Ready and willing to face pirates, spirits, and the horrors of the purgatories to end the family curse.” His heart hammered in his chest as memories of seeking treasure, falling in love, and losing it all flashed within his mind.
“I love you, Gretta and I’ll do everything in my power to earn your love.”
Tracing his fingers over the back of her hand, he touched the face of the ring’s oval red stone. He remembered every moment of their time together, while Gretta’s memories had been erased. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t prevent his thoughts from wandering. Concern prickled his skin as he remembered their quest to understand the ring’s curses.
The most dangerous one, a curse of bad luck, remained a mystery.
He inhaled and pushed his failures away. “Katarina told me to keep my distance from you because of potential tragedy. Nothing will keep me away and I vow to protect and love you forever.”
Sam felt Gretta’s grip on his hand tighten. He touched her cheek with his free hand. She nuzzled into his palm with a tiny sigh. He closed his eyes, content to be back in his own body and time with her.
Yet, uneasiness crept deep within and the dreadful feeling of impending tragedy grew stronger with every passing minute.
A Bit about Anne B. Cole
Souls Entwined is Anne B. Cole’s debut release, combining sweet romantic suspense, time travel, and paranormal elements in a novel attractive to a wide range of readers.
In addition to writing, Anne teaches preschool and is raising three very active teenagers with her husband of twenty-two years. Her love for making fresh baked goodies, running, hiking, historical fiction, and her three pet cats continue to be her inspiration while editing the sequel, Souls Estranged, scheduled to be released fall 2015. The third book of The Souls Trilogy has been verbally contracted and has a tentative release date of 2016.
Connect With Anne
To follow Anne’s publishing journey and connect with her, check out her website and find her on Twitter and Facebook.
Trailer Website Twitter Facebook
Click on the Buy Link below to see Souls Entwined on Amazon.
July 27, 2015
Tell Again Tuesday Insecure Writers Support Group: Triggers
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
IWSG: Triggers
Welcome to another episode of How the Writer Turns, aka- The Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Once a month, writers from across the globe join forces to shout into the ether our hopes, dreams, and just whatever comes to mind (we’re writers after all ;)).
Join us! http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
Today isn’t really about anything I’m feeling insecure about. I think insecurity is becoming such a regular state of mind I’m beginning to ignore it (folks ask me what my sales are and I just smile, shrug, and say “don’t know!”- it’s keeping me sane ;)).
So today I wanted to talk about triggers. A few weeks ago I posted about where ideas come from. This is sort of an example of how those ideas become a major part of a story (plotters–you may want to . . .
For the rest of the blog go to:
http://faeriesdragonsspaceships.blogspot.com/2015/07/iwsg-triggers.html
July 23, 2015
Friday Feature Awakening Carly Jordynn
Special
Character Interview of Jennifer Burke Kyle McGuire
A main character from
Forest of the Mist: Awakening
By
Carly Jordynn
Today we have the pleasure to interview of one of the main character from Carly Jordynn’s new release. The book is Forest of the Mist: Awakening. This is book two in the Forest of the Mist series and scheduled to come out August 5th from Soul Mate Publishing. We hope you enjoy this glimpse into Awakening through the eyes of Jennifer Burke Kyle McGuire.
You’ve been in a coma for quite awhile now, how did you feel when you first woke up?
Angry. I had been in a semi-conscious state for a while before fully waking. When I did, it was to find Lilith and her ex-boyrfriend, Alex, plotting to keep the little kiss they shared a secret from Connor and me.
Rumor has it you married and had a child while in the coma. Could you explain how that happened?
I won’t give you all the details . . . a girl has to have some secrets. I married David Kyle while in the alternate realm of Paradise Valley. This is a place where coma patients who are near death and alone in reality, find others like themselves. We became a family. David and I fell in love and decided to marry. We didn’t know if either of us would ever wake from our comas so we decided to grab whatever happiness we could. After our marriage, I became pregnant with Davy.
Did you and your husband wake at the same time?
No, sadly David was killed before he woke. We had a fight in the Dark Land, the alternate realm for the “not so nice” people who were in comas. It’s all good though, because David came back as the Host of Paradise Valley.
Will you see him again?
No, David, in his questionable wisdom, decided I should marry somebody else and have that man raise our son as his own.
Is that why you woke up angry?
Heck yes, I woke up angry. The misfit my darling husband expected me to marry was the cheating jerk, Alex McGuire! I listened to him and Lilith discussing this kiss they shared on their way to see me. Did I mention Lilith is engaged to Connor? Did I also mention that Alex is a total stranger to me? Yeah, angry doesn’t begin to cover what I felt.
If Alex was supposed to marry you, and Lilith is supposed to marry Connor, why were they kissing?
I asked Alex that same question when we were alone. Lilith and Alex are still close. They have loved each other in some form or fashion since they were children. They said they needed closure. I know Lilith loves Connor . . . they were married in Paradise Valley too. I was her Matron of Honor for pete’s sake. I hope they have all that nonsense behind them now.
What happened to Davy, your son with your husband, David?
Davy is a piece of work. He is the only person to be conceived and born to parents who were in comas. We discovered he runs on accelerated time, just like Paradise Valley does. One month is reality equals a year in Paradise. Davy can create portals, enter both alternate realms at will, and can read minds when he is near a portal or in the alternates.
Davy came back to reality when Alex was kidnapped through a portal to Paradise Valley. The kicker is Davy should be a toddler, but through all the crazy growth spurts, is about the size and intelligence of a sixteen year old. I missed my son’s childhood.
So tell us, are you going to marry Alex since David wanted you to?
I suppose I will. Davy really likes him. He’s really bent over backwards to help me and my family. Oh, and there is that whole thing about goading him into a heart attack . . . not to mention being chased around by those Agents of PRI. Yeah, that is a scary bunch of dudes.
It sounds like you have had quite the adventure. Are you happy?
Surprisingly, yes. Now that I have gotten to know Alex and accepted the fact that my “baby” is no longer a baby, I am starting to live again. We moved to Ireland to escape the PRI Agents. We have two new friends, Shannon and Keegan. I think we may stay here awhile.
Well, best of luck to you, Jennifer. Is there anything else you would like to add?
*snickers* Make sure you ask Alex about the night at Mrs. Green’s B&B in Dublin. He loves reliving that memorable moment. That’s all I’m going to say about it. *snickers again*
We will have to see if we can get Alex to stop by in the near future and ask that question plus a few more. This Paradise Valley sounds interesting for those of us who haven’t visited. To learn a little more about the book and author keep reading.
Blurb for Awakening
ALEX McGUIRE never dreamed his life would take such a turn. His plan to complete college, become a lawyer, and marry his girlfriend, LILY LAVERY, tanked following his kidnapping to the alternate realm known as Paradise Valley. Now Alex has been ordered by a dead man, DAVID KYLE, to marry his young wife, JENNIFER BURKE KYLE, and raise their infant son, DAVY KYLE, as his own. That would be a great plan if it weren’t for the fact that Jennifer is still in a coma, has never met him, and her son has some strange attributes too.
JENNIFER BURKE KYLE woke from the coma to the realization that she was a widow and the mother of a young son who could read minds, create portals to an alternate realm, and have unforeseen growth spurts when he is in or near Paradise Valley. As if that wasn’t enough, a complete stranger has stated he is to marry her and raise her son as his own. All on the order of her dead husband, David.
DAVY KYLE was tickled pink that Alex McGuire would be his Dad and couldn’t wait for his mother to wake from the coma so the wedding could take place. What Davy didn’t see, was the trouble in the form of PRI, otherwise known as the Percival Research Institute. PRI agents were after his family and it was going to be up to Davy to hide them all until it was safe.
Together, Alex, Jennifer, Davy, and their friends from Paradise Valley, must join together to keep the family safe, destroy PRI, and protect the still comatose COLIN O’BRIEN, the last member of their Paradise Valley family. With the help of student nurse, DEANA COOK, they may just succeed in their plan and find happiness along the way.
Still with us? Here is a little information about the author:
Carly Jordynn is a writer from Northern Kentucky who loves to weave tales of fantasy, paranormal, and romance. When she isn’t writing a book, she writes lyrics for the Christian band, Phil Parks and One Step Closer.
Carly loves to travel. You can find her at various conferences and other author events throughout the year. Her hobbies include: travel, photography, reading, party-planning, dinner with friends, and hanging out with her family.
Carly is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Where to find Carly:
www.facebook.com/carlyjordynn777
www.pinterest.com/CarlyJordynn
http://carlyjordynn.blogspot.com/
