D.E. Haggerty's Blog, page 66
October 4, 2016
#TopTenTuesday ~ Top 10 Villains in Movies Adapted From Books Which I Did Not Read #amreading #movies
Today’s top ten from the wonderful book bloggers over at The Broke and the Bookish is all about villains. There are lots of topics to choose from here: top ten villains I secretly love, top ten villains on television, favorite book villains. You get the idea. I have a hard time picking the top ten of anything. Ten is just too few, don’t you think? So naturally, I came up with a narrower topic idea – Top Ten Villains in Movies Adapted From Books Which I Did Not Read. Specific enough for ya?
10. The White Witch from The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe – Endless Winter with no Christmas? That beyotch!
9. Tom Ripley from The Talented Mr. Ripley – Never, ever trust someone with this much charm. Can you say Ted Bundy?
8. Javert from Les Miserables – He tries to arrest Fantine. That horrible man!
7. The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – I’m pretty sure I learned the word ‘cackle’ from this witch. Keep a bucket of water near by.
6. Cruella de Vil from The Hundred and One Dalmatians – Oh no, not the puppies!!
5. Count Dracula from Dracula – This is before the vampire romance craze when bloodsuckers were still super scary.
4. Norman Bates from Psycho – I stay in hotels alone all the time. But never motels. Oh no, not a motel!
3. Sauron from Lord of the Rings – He doesn’t even take shape and he’s wicked scary.
2. Anne Wilkes from Misery – *Shivers* ’nuff said
1 Hannibal Lector from Red Dragon – You know you’re a bad guy when they have to put a muzzle on you.
Who are your top ten villains in books, movies, comics??
October 2, 2016
One man, one muse, one romance to save the world ~ Tyranny from @GemmaBrocato #Romance #Fantasy #giveaway
To Save the World, He Must Trust Her in the Magic of What If?
The Goddess of Delphi is a new series from Gemma Brocato, and begins with TYRANNY…
Greek Muses must join forces with one non-believing mortal man to prevent the hostile takeover of Olympus and save the world from peril.
“Goddess, she wasn’t the type to just fall into bed on a first date, but if Jax asked, she’d surrender.”
Synopsis:
One man, one muse, one romance to save the world
Immortal librarian Clio has existed for thousands of years. Her purpose—to influence and inspire mortals. Now as one has inspired her, a battle is mounting between the Muses and a god who care little for the plight of man. A hostile takeover is imminent at Olympus Enterprises.
History professor Jax Callahan is battling his own uncertainties. His previous employer’s refusal to heed his warnings results in a tragic loss of life. Blaming himself, he no longer believes he can make a difference.
Tyranny will stop at nothing to appease her father and succeed in taking over Olympus and the world. To save mankind, Clio must reveal herself as a Muse to Jax, the man she’s fallen in love with. Facing the end of humanity as they know it, she must convince him to trust in the magic of what if. Because failure spells doom for everyone.
Releasing October 4, 2016.
Order Tyranny Now on Amazon:
Excerpt for TYRANNY (Goddess of Delphi Book 1)
God knew, he’d worked for years to get the bureaucratic idiots to hear his ideas. He could have circumvented the problem long ago if he’d been able to make the right people listen. The government’s idea of a diplomatic solution only served to edge the world closer to a massive war. “I couldn’t convince anyone to consider the logical alternative, a negotiated settlement where the Bulgarian people are protected. There is no stopping the Five Nations.” The statement alone made his gut churn.
“There has to be.” Clio rose from her seat, moved to her desk, and retrieved a scrap of paper. With graceful movements, she returned to his side. She handed him the document. “You need to read this. It will change your mind.”
Battling the skepticism that had been his hallmark since he’d left GeoPoly, he took the sheet from her hand. It was an e-mail. The chilling message mentioned destruction, war, and an end to mankind. “Who is this Pierus?”
“He’s a demi-god who thought his nine daughters were better than the daughters of Zeus, my sisters and me.” The corners of her mouth lifted slightly. “Zeus is never nice when he’s pissed off. He turned Pierus’s daughters into magpies. Pierus has been seeking to restore them ever since.”
“Whoa! Zeus is your dad? Like, Zeus Zeus? God of Gods, Zeus?” Okay, his world shifted from I can handle her as a Muse to what the fuck have I gotten myself into? He shook his head in denial but then recalled the sight of the bird this morning, and more recently outside Clio’s bedroom window.
“The same. Anyway, Pierus resurfaced recently and challenged us to a contest to return his brats to human form. It’s his version of a hostile takeover of Olympus. He wins, and he gets dominion over all immortals. And his daughters would be unleashed on humanity.” Clio shuddered. “The effect on mortals will be dire. They’ll live up to their names, like Tyranny, Strife, Mayhem. You get the idea.”
“Can he do it?” Aw, shit. That sounded like he was a believer. And maybe, just maybe…
Clio frowned. “He can if we fail at the challenge he’s set for us.”
“Have any of you failed?”
She shrugged. “I’m the first.”
“His message says one Muse, one man. How do you know I’m the man?”
“The magpies keep appearing. You mentioned a run in with a crazy old man and a bird. I believe that was Pierus. The other night in the library when it was storming so badly, I spied the image of Pierus and his skanky daughter in a flash of lightning.” She shook her head again. “Tonight when we walked past the street musician, that was Pierus in disguise.”
The dotted line from his run-in with the bird to Clio’s story just filled in like a solid fucking black dart.
Celebrate the Release with a Giveaway!
Grand Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card
Runner-Ups: 2 Runner-ups will receive one digital backlist title by Gemma Brocato!
Author Bio:
Gemma’s favorite desk accessories for many years were a circular wooden token, better known as a ’round tuit,’ and a slip of paper from a fortune cookie proclaiming her a lover of words; some day she’d write a book. All it took was a transfer to the United Kingdom, the lovely English springtime, and a huge dose of homesickness to write her first novel. Once it was completed and sent off with a kiss, even the rejections addressed to ‘Dear Author’ were gratifying.
After returning to America, she spent a number of years as a copywriter, dedicating her skills to making insurance and the agents who sell them sound sexy. Eventually, her full-time job as a writer interfered with her desire to be a writer full-time and she left the world of financial products behind to pursue a career as a romance author.
Gemma focuses mainly on contemporary and paranormal romance, with an occasional detour into science fiction romance. Her titles are available in digital and print-on-demand at all major retailers.
Find Gemma at: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads
September 30, 2016
Catch a wave with Wolf on Board by Heather Long @HVLong #paranormalromance #giveaway
WOLF ON BOARD by Heather Long
Follow the tour on September 26th – 30th, 2016! Five grand prize winners will receive a WOLF ON BOARD Charm!
Follow the tour!
September 26th
Just Books & Rainne’s Ramblings
September 27th
Loving Books
September 28th
September 29th
September 30th
About WOLF ON BOARD:
Title: WOLF ON BOARD
Author: Heather Long
Series: Wolves of Willow Bend
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Independent
Format: Digital
Synopsis:
Meet Jake Danes of Hudson River, Lone Wolf, avid gamer, extreme sports enthusiast, and surfer. He’s spent the last two years roaming free, exploring the world and escaping the dark place his pack had become after betrayal and murder tore them apart. Sure life has changed at home, but Jake’s having way too much fun to return. Riding the waves in Monterrey, and living out of a van…it’s the prefect life, one he never wants to give up no matter how many calls he’s fielding from his big brother…then he catches her scent.
Mimi Chase wanted one perfect year. One year away from pack politics and her mother’s matchmaking efforts. Ever since her big brother settled into mating with a healer, Mimi’s mom seems to have gone into overtime in throwing her at every eligible male in the pack. Choosing to roam seemed the best option, and California an ideal location to get away from everything pack related. Her plans for art classes, yoga on the beach, maybe a cooking lesson or two while living a hippy dippy lifestyle are all she cares about…until another worlf butts into her every activity – doesn’t he know the rules?
Lone Wolves aren’t supposed to form relationships, so why doesn’t he catch a hint? Worse, why isn’t she working harder to make sure he does?
Find out more at: Amazon | B&N | iBook | All Romance | Kobo
Read an Excerpt from WOLF ON BOARD
Mimi grabbed a blanket and her yoga mat from the back of her Mini Cooper. She loved the tiny little vehicle. No matter how often her brother scoffed at the minute size of the car, she didn’t care. It was perfect for her. Compact, like she was, and capable of great speeds—just like her. Locking it up, she glanced east at the rising sun and smiled. It was a little after six in the morning and she’d already had a bit of a run, a lovely cup of hot tea with lemon and ginger to cleanse her system, and she would enjoy the full sunrise and rolling surf with her yoga.
Pausing, she took a deep breath of the salt flavored air. She loved the way the beach smelled. Warm sand. Cool water. Brine. Fish. Birds. Even the coconut oil favored by some of the sunbathers and honest sweat from those running on the paths—they all combined to soothe her soul. Tucking the rolled blanket and yoga mat beneath her arm, she closed the hatch on the car and pivoted to walk toward the beach.
A hint of wolf on the breeze had her pausing to scan the area. Other than a handful of vehicles in the lot, and a couple of runners jogging farther away, she didn’t see anyone. Still, she tested the scent once more. It was faint, as though diluted by the breeze and time. She tracked it all the way to a dilapidated Volkswagen van. It reminded her of the Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo without the paint job.
The scent of wolf grew stronger. The van had to belong to whomever the wolf was, but the lack of fresh markers told her while his scent lingered, he wasn’t present. Adjusting her grip on the rolled blanket and mat, she circled away from the van and continued toward the beach all the while reminding herself that other Lone Wolves may choose to wander California for the same reason she did. No one claimed the beautiful state…well at least not this far north. The closest pack to her location was Sutter Butte, but she’d never heard any word of them taking an interest in the beaches.
Then again, she didn’t talk to a lot of people about the political geography of packs. If it’s all the same, I’d prefer not to encounter any of them. They have a bad rap and I’m on a journey of serenity, and self-discovery…and totally avoiding Mother’s matchmaking. The little voice at the end sounded way too much like her brother Owen’s, and she giggled. Owen, at least, had been sympathetic to her cause when she’d told him and Mason why she wanted to take the time to study in the Golden State.
Her mother’s habit of making pro and con lists for all of the pack’s current eligible bachelors had been bad enough, but when she’d talked to Gillian about potential mates in Hudson River and began colluding with Claudia Buckley about Delta Crescent, Mimi wanted out.
It was so bad, she’d actually asked Owen to get Gillian pregnant just to distract their mother. The silence on his end of the phone had been priceless, followed by peals of laughter from Gillian. Fortunately, her desperation had communicated itself well enough and he’d endorsed her request. Mason made her promise to return at the end of one year, even if she was enjoying herself, and she would be free to return to her studies after, if that was her desire.
Mason is the bomb. She hopped over the rocks to land on the sand and began to stroll in search of a spot that would speak to her. Not only had her alpha understood her dilemma and sympathized with it, he didn’t chastise her for the need to stretch herself beyond the confines of pack and parental expectation. Mimi’s skills for tracking had earned her high marks growing up, and more than one offer from the Hunters to apprentice. It made sense—both her father and her brother were Hunters. Even her two younger brothers were well on the way toward Hunter apprenticeships. Felicity had zero interest in the Hunter parts of their DNA, she preferred her flowers and cultivation, working closely with Tiffany Huston. Still, Mimi didn’t share her sister’s interest in horticulture or her mother’s desire to educate their young or her father and brothers’ drive to protect the pack.
She was…not sure who I am, which is why I am doing this. The year away from her mother served two purposes; she could take some classes and test her areas of interest from art to acting to writing. She could study yoga and find some serenity. Maybe even figure out who she was, because wasn’t that the whole point of a roam? Most wolves took time to roam the country; some even went around the world.
Murphy had done that and came home with a mate. Mimi grimaced. She loved Murphy, but really, could she have not brought home some gorgeous Italian and mated him with all the requisite gossip? It had Mimi’s mother nudging her to consider a year abroad in…where else? Italy. Shaking her head, she paused on a perfectly smooth area of sand and spread her blanket before unrolling her yoga mat in the center.
Closing her eyes, she took several deep breaths. Inhaling calm, and exhaling the stress. Her mother was in Willow Bend. Mimi was in California. No ridiculous blind dates or not-so-casual meetings with eligible bachelors. Thank God Dylan mated before her mother got it into her head to throw Mimi at every male who came along, she’d actually had a crush on Dylan and he definitely fell into the category of eligible before Chrystal.
Growling, she opened her eyes and glared at the water. She was hardly alone on the beach. Laughter drifted towards her from where the surfers made their way toward deeper water, or where some sat astride their boards waiting for the water to come in. She was supposed to be letting go of her anxiety and not stressing about her mother, mating, or any of a dozen other issues being so far away from the pack could rouse in her.
She’d been in California for three weeks. Three gloriously wonderful, and peaceful weeks. This morning marked a full forty-eight hours since her mother’s last phone call. As loathe, as she was to hurt her feelings, Mimi couldn’t help but be relieved that distance had finally done what she hadn’t been able to manage.
Her mother was quiet.
So hush… Telling herself repeatedly didn’t silence the nagging internal monologue. Mindful of her surroundings, she quieted her growl and concentrated on her breathing. Mountain pose let her stretch her hands toward the sky and raise her face to the breeze. It elongated her spine and let her stretch the muscles from her hamstrings to her deltoids. The wind caressed her face and tousled her hair and batted away the riot of thoughts invading her mind.
From mountain she went to tree pose and rested her right foot against the side of her left knee. Her muscles quivered at first, but gradually she relaxed into the sturdiness. Like the tree she emulated, she let the woes of her mother’s romantic aspirations blow past her. The steadiness bolstered her confidence.
Warrior pose drew away the last curtain and let her mind relax. Her wolf stretched within her, their hearing seeming to sharpen as they noticed the increase of traffic beyond, the crash of water against the shore, and the call of birds overhead. Wolf and woman catalogued the sounds as she pushed her body, identifying any potential threats or lack thereof and remaining mindful.
By the time she drifted into a graceful downward dog, she’d relaxed her breathing and banished her anxiety. Curling her toes, she concentrated on feeling the wholeness of the position, the hinging arch of her hips and the warmth of the sand beneath the mat and blanket.
From triangle pose to seated twists to bridges, she pushed her body to achieve perfect serenity while maintaining her sense of being in the present. The sun warmed her as it continued a steady rise, and she basked in the rays as they heated her skin. When she finally settled into a lotus pose, she let her mind drift, as though flotsam upon the waves before her.
The world withdrew, leaving her alone with the lapping water, humming cars, and screech of seagulls…then water dripped on her. The icy sensation of splashing drops was cold against her skin. Though there had been no call for rain in the forecast, she fought to hold onto her sense of inner peace and deepened her breathing…only to inhale a lungful of coconut and brine mingling with the green scent of dewy sea grass atop the sand dunes with slivers of mint and…
Mimi jerked her eyes open and stared into the blue eyes of the wolf squatting right in front of her. His long, straggly hair clung wetly to his face and shoulders. The wet suit left little of his physique to the imagination, and he canted his head as though trying to figure her out. This close, however, she couldn’t miss a single nuance of his expression or the drops of water sliding off of him to splash wetly against her legs.
How the hell had he approached her so stealthily that she hadn’t sensed or scented him before he dripped on her?
Worse…who was he and what did he want?
“Hey, gorgeous,” he said, as though aware of her racing her thoughts. “What brings a sexy little wolf like you to my stretch of beach?” A slow grin spread his mouth wide, and her stomach did a little flip flop. He was gorgeous and damn if he didn’t know it.
Just what she needed…a hot, sexy wolf who was most assuredly male and made her wolf stand up to take notice. Ignoring her animal’s very natural curiosity, she narrowed her eyes. “I was enjoying a quiet morning. Now go away.”
One thing about having Owen for a brother, she wasn’t helpless, even if she was tiny. Closing her eyes again, she forced her muscles to relax and prayed he’d take the direction well, even as she prepared for the worst.
Other Books in the Wolves of Willow Bend Series:
DESERT WOLF
Cassius, Alpha of Sutter Butte, leads the most ruthless and dangerous pack in the United States. A pack comprised of misfits who didn’t fit in their previous packs, cast offs discarded by their packs and forgotten wolves who rose to create a pack more than a century before it utter defiance of the order of the day. Sometimes pitiless and cruel, he wants more for his people than a yearly bloodbath as they fight for a new place, a better spot in the pecking order. To change his pack, means to change himself and he will find rebellion on all sides, not the least of which is his own defiant heart.
Sovvan Stark, Omega of Delta Crescent, lives a cherished, beloved life in the center of her pack, a delicate and hard won balance. Though she is not the only Omega, she is the most experienced with the tremors of pack upset when power shifts from Alpha to Alpha. When her Alpha approaches her about Sutter Butte’s request, Sovvan considers the matter for several long months. While she might hold within her the key to helping the Sutter Butte Alpha, the undertaking could very well kill her.
Accompanied by a single Hound, Sovvan begins a journey to help Cassius rebuild the foundation of his pack, but first she will have to transform him…
Book 8 available at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks
SNOW WOLF
Ranae is the youngest of the Buckleys, and the only girl amongst three powerful male siblings. Her restlessness and dominant nature has affected every relationship within Willow Bend, not to mention testing the patience of her Alpha. Apprenticeship to the Hunters fed her desire for a purpose. When her Alpha and eldest brother ask her to undertake a mission to the Yukon territory, she’s thrilled at the opportunity for a real chance to be useful. Clashing with the Alpha was the last thing she expected on the dangerous assignment.
The oldest Alpha in the U.S. packs, lives a gray existence. The loss of his mate so many decades before wears away at him, until he doesn’t give a damn about anything. The problems of the other packs are not his, and he prefers to be left to his isolation. The arrival of the Chief Enforcer annoys him, but it is the wolf traveling with him who wakes the predator in Diesel. The scent of mate clings to her, but she rejects his overtures and challenges him on every level.
War may be coming for the Yukon, but Diesel’s battle is very personal…
Book 9 Available at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe
About Heather Long:
National bestselling author, Heather Long, likes long walks in the park, science fiction, superheroes, Marines, and men who aren’t douche bags. Her books are filled with heroes and heroines tangled in romance as hot as Texas summertime. From paranormal historical westerns to contemporary military romance, Heather might switch genres, but one thing is true in all of her stories—her characters drive the books. When she’s not wrangling her menagerie of animals, she devotes her time to family and friends she considers family. She believes if you like your heroes so real you could lick the grit off their chest, and your heroines so likable, you’re sure you’ve been friends with women just like them, you’ll enjoy her worlds as much as she does.
Connect with Heather: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon
September 29, 2016
Promo Blitz! Untouchable by @JessikaKlide #steamyromance
Steamy Romance
Date Published: May 2015
When Army Helicopter pilot Aurelius Moore’s eyes fell on isolated Vegas celebrity, Siri Wright, he was stunned by her beauty and her dance. Filled with an undeniable passion for her that he thought he was incapable of, he is devastated when she vanishes before he can consummate the deal he has made. When he sees her again in his hometown in Alabama, he realizes the extraordinary opportunity that has fallen in his lap. She is on his turf. No rules. No security protecting her. He will have her on his terms. He hunts his prey and controls the game, knowing the game has changed. He wants all of her!
When Siri encounters a military man called Moore, she is caught off guard by her body’s immediate chemical response to this enigmatic and reserved young officer, who is gorgeous beyond what even she is accustomed to. Not being able to restrain her flirtatious side, the confident diva, oozing sex appeal, teases the handsome hunk, unwittingly putting her Rule #1: No Touching in serious danger.
Add in the danger she encounters when she is hoodwinked by TD, aka Touch Down, to attend a cocktail party with him, which turns out to be a cock and tail sex party of swingers, and her Rule #1: No Touching is entirely in jeopardy. She must use ALL her Vegas secrets to escape.
Can she remain UNTOUCHABLE? Will she want to?
Grab a copy!
Other Books in the Siri’s Saga, Sexy Romance Series:
For years, enigmatic and reserved military officer Aurelius Moore has managed to successfully hide who he is from everyone in his life, especially from his military family. They have no idea his Italian family is wealthy. Leading a dual lifestyle has been difficult, but he has managed to keep it a secret by imposing strict behavioral rules upon himself. Being a player, yet never playing, has earned him the nickname, Hard Core, which is a label that is truer than anyone knows. Controlling exactly who knows what about him, he protects his privacy, ensuring that a secret he considers too dark to share with anyone remains that way.
At the request from a Venture Capital partner, he makes a business trip to Vegas to check out a stripper known as Seary. When he sees her dance, lightning strikes his hard core heart, igniting in him a level of lust that is UNDENIABLE and something he thought himself incapable of feeling.
She shatters the rules he has placed upon himself. Risking everything he has so carefully protected, he is determined to make her his. Being a man who knows how to play the game, he sets his sights not only to have her, but to possess and own her.
But she has her own set of rules, her own secrets, and a team in place determined to enforce them, protecting her from men just like him. Will she be the one, the only one, he cannot have?
Grab a copy!
When Vegas Diva Siri Wright fell for Aurelius Moore, a flame of and wild desire burst within her and his commanding and demanding nature made her, his Wild Thang, his Every Thang.
Now, Siri and Aurei are free to explore all the possibilities that a real relationship offers. But a death threat is made, and Aurei whisks her off to Rome where he is in complete control. As he shares his secrets with her, revealing his Italian heritage and the Liotine Dynasty, the two lovers realize the enormity of blending their very different, very complicated lives. But they are determined to make their ‘Us’ work, and their undeniable love begins to be a beautiful thang.
Just when it seems they will have it all, Aurei reveals his darkest secret, and a devastated Siri questions whether or not she can accept what he has done.
Will Siri reject Aurelius, or will their love become UNSTOPPABLE?
Grab a copy!
When Vegas Diva Siri Wright fell for Aurelius Moore, a flame of wild desire burst within her and his commanding and demanding nature made her, his Wild Thang, his Every Thang and undeniable love has burned itself forever into their hearts. They are no longer untouchable, they are unstoppable.
The two lovers appear to have it all – explosive passion, honesty and intimacy with a world of possibilities before them. Then Siri’s picture is blasted all over the Italian news, and Aurei, fearing for her again, takes her to his family villa, The Compound. She should be excited to meet his family, but her gut tells her she is a lamb being led to the slaughter.
Bringing a professional woman like Siri, who is always stereotyped and labeled, into his family fold, forces Aurei to wrestle with the dynamics of family politics and they must fight for their ‘Us’. Amidst all the turmoil, Aurei continues to reveal even more dark and dangerous, but delicious secrets than even Siri, whose life has been built upon secrets could have guessed and they appear to be truly unstoppable. Just when it seems they are finding acceptance, Mia rears and threatens to make everything come UNDONE, forcing Siri to choose. Stay and destroy Aurei’s reputation and shame the Liotine Dynasty, or love Aurei enough to leave him behind?
Courageous is the keyword in this fourth book in Siri’s Saga. Will their bond survive the ultimate test of family and find acceptance, or will their love come UNDONE?
Grab a copy!
About the Author
Jessika Klide burst onto the romance scene in 2014 with her bestselling series, Siri’s Saga. It has steadily risen to the top of Amazon’s erotic romance list and has made her a favorite among fans who enjoy full length novels in a genre typically ridden with short one-handed reads. Her plots and characters are fully developed and deliciously dangerous.
Whether it’s Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines, military men make her swoon. Her alpha male hunks are heroes and they fall for her confident, smart, and oh, so sexy heroines. She believes in modern day fairy tales complete with virgins and soulmates. Where love and lust form perfect unions and the stars do align for true love. She also guarantees more than one happy ending.
She is fun and flirty like the heroines she writes.
“Jessika Klide is my pen name. I’m from LA … Lower Alabama. The Deep South. Since my mind is super slutty, it’s just better to use a pen name. Trust me on this! ;)”
Contact Links
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Promo Page
#bookreview & exclusive #excerpt of Dalir’s Salvation from @NinaCrespo21 #fantasy #romance Enter the #giveaway
About DALIR’S SALVATION
Ari is looking to live a normal life. But after she hits her head, normal is no longer an option. A mysterious, rugged man appears, whom only she can see…each night he fulfills her fantasies and leavers her begging for more. She’s sure he’s a figment of her imagination – until she finds o, to truly be with him, Ari will have to embrace the parts of herself she’s been desperately keeping at bay. Dalir’s been burned by love before, yet he can’t resist Ari’s beauty and charm. And all it takes is one kiss to spark nights of passion. But there’s danger on the horizon that only Dalir and his friends in the band Thane’s Redemption can deal with. And the longer he stays with Ari, the greater the peril to them both. Will the two of them be strong enough to fight for their newfound love – and their lives?
Read an exclusive excerpt from DALIR’S SALVATION:
Ari slipped her keys into the large, beige purse hanging on her shoulder. She released an exasperated exhale. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
The hell she didn’t. She should have realized her limitations and let someone else climb the ladder for what she needed.
“If it makes you feel any better, you’re doing me a favor.” Brooke laid her backpack on the yellow couch. “I have an important paper to work on for my history class. My roommate doesn’t understand the definition of quiet, and I hate studying late at the campus library on weekends. Besides that, Celine would kill me if I didn’t take care of you.” The twenty-two-year-old, college junior smiled as she flipped her brown hair. “I’m staying.”
“So am I.” Dalir stood in front of Ari.
Her jaw tightened as she gave him a withering stare. “In that case, you’re welcome to stay, Brooke. I’ll make up the guest bedroom.”
“No need. Just tell me where to find a pillow and blanket. I can crash out on the couch. Not that I’ll be getting much sleep. I have a lot to do.” Brooke straightened the hem of her white T-shirt over the waist of her skinny jeans. She shooed Ari toward the hallway. “I’ll work on dinner while you get cleaned up.”
“I didn’t make it to the store this week. Just order pizza. The menu is on the side of the fridge.” Ari stalked away. The mid-thigh length of her dress and her high heels emphasized Ari’s toned legs. Her hips swayed with every step.
Awareness flared. Dalir tamped it down. He needed to know what was going on. She had to stop blowing him off.
He phased down the hall and blocked her path into the bedroom. “It won’t work. I know you can hear and see me, Little One. Talk to me.”
Ari maneuvered past him. The chain shoulder strap on her purse jangled when she dropped it on top of the natural wood dresser. She slammed the door. “One. You do not boss me around. Two. I got stuffed into a space the size of a soda can because I talked to you, so as far as I’m concerned, we’re done communicating. And three,” she advanced on him, “call me Little One again and you’ll regret it.
Difficult. Mouthy. She was definitely friends with Lauren and Celine.
“I’m not leaving, Little One, until I get answers.”
She socked him in the stomach.
Caught off guard, Dalir hissed out a short breath. “You think you can take me?”
She glared up at him. “Say it again and find out.” One good junk punch and you’ll drop to your knees.
Her thought stung like a phantom slap to the cheek. He backed her up against the edge of the dresser.
The mirror shook. Perfume bottles rattled.
He planted his palms on either side of her. “I don’t think so.”
She lifted her chin. Too bad he’s such a jerk. Her thoughts grew louder in his mind. Look at all those muscles. I’m going with figment of my imagination over ghost. I hit my head. That makes better sense. Doesn’t it? Is it weird for me to be attracted to a figment of my imagination? Wait. What am I doing fighting with him in the first place? He’s my fantasy. I should be stripping him naked and getting my hands on all that goodness. What should I call him? Yummy should definitely be his middle name.
He caught a view of her conjured up image of him, shirtless, and her yanking down is zipper. Lust snaked through him. “Be careful what you wish for.”
She snickered. “You wish you knew what I wanted.”
Read More Excerpts from Dalir’s Salvation!
Available Now!
Order this title at these online retailers:
Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Google Books
Add it to your TBR today!
**It is advisable to read the books in order to get the most enjoyment from The Song series.**
My review of Dalir’s Salvation
Yeah, so I totally didn’t follow the advice of ‘read the books in order’. It didn’t bother me at all. There was enough background information on how Celine and Lauren got together with their guys that I wasn’t lost, but not so much information that it got repetitive. I am intrigued, however, and have added the books to my never-ending-TBR pile.
I enjoyed the fantasy aspects of this story. Crespo didn’t take us to another world – she took us to another dimension. And an interesting one at that! I can’t help wishing that there was indeed a dimension full of hunky, warriors. Until then, I’ll keep reading the fantasies Crespo creates for us.
I liked Ari. She was a well-rounded character with an interesting, albeit heartbreaking background. I did think she forgave way too easily, although this was explained in the story. Dalir, on the other hand, was a bit stereotypical. Oh, he was totally hot! And the chemistry between the pair sizzled. There’s no denying that. But his character was very typical of romantic suspense stories.
All in all, a fun fantasy read with lots and lots of sexy times. (Some may say too many but I’m not one of those.)
Check out the other books in the The Song series by Nina Crespo!
About THANE’S REDEMPTION:
The one night she’ll want to remember, she’ll be forced to forget. It’s been almost a year since Celine’s fiancé’s death and she’s still struggling to move on. But when she meets Thane, the super hot lead singer of Thane’s Redemption, she finds her desire reawakening, and her heart opening. Soon one kiss leads them straight into a night of heated passion… Thane’s unexpected connection with Celine only leaves him wanting more of her—but his life makes it impossible. For Thane’s Redemption is just a cover for a deeper secret: A former Army Ranger presumed dead, Thane is really a time-traveling, covert operative charged with saving the world from disaster. Each jump through time forces those around him to forget he ever existed—and Celine would be no exception. But can time work in their favor to give them a second chance at love? Or will a choice Thane makes in the future put Celine in mortal danger?…
Book 1 Available at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Google Books | Goodreads | Kobo
About REID’S DELIVERANCE:
Lauren isn’t looking for love when she spends a scintillating night with Reid, the sexy keyboardist of Thane’s Redemption. While their passion may be off the charts, her trust issues–and Reid’s secret life as a time-traveling covert agent–makes any chance for a relationship impossible. When operatives involved in a mysterious project begin dying, Reid defies orders and travels alone into the future to find the cause. But when things go dangerously awry, it takes all of his strength to get himself back to safety–and directly onto Lauren’s doorstep. While neither of them remembers their night of passion, their intense connection leads Lauren to help him. But as Reid’s memories reignite, will he be forced to sacrifice everything to finish his mission–including the woman he loves?
Book 2 Available at: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Google Books | Goodreads
Author Bio:
Nina Crespo lives in Florida where she indulges in her favorite passions—the beach, kickboxing, a good glass of wine, and dancing. Her lifelong addiction to romance began in her teens while on a “borrowing spree” in her older sister’s bedroom where she discovered her first romance novel. Curiosity about people and places, including what’s beyond the stars, fuels her writer’s imagination. Indulge in her sensual contemporary stories and steamy paranormal tales to feed your own addiction for love, romance, and happily ever after. Need Nina?
Follow Nina:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads | FreshFiction |BookBub | Authorsdb
Don’t forget to enter to win prizes!
Grand Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card
Runner-Ups: 2 Runner-Ups Will Receive 1 Digital Copy Each of any Backlist Nina Crespo title.
Pre-order Blitz! Credo (Scars of the wraiths book 3) from @nashodarose #paranormalromance
Book Title: Credo (Scars of the Wraiths, #3)
Author: Nashoda Rose
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: October 24, 2016
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
New York Times & USA Today Best Selling Author Nashoda Rose brings a fresh twist to the paranormal romance world with ‘the Scars’.
An unrequited love.
A tortured past.
An unbreakable bond.
Their love was well-known throughout the immortal world.
The powerful Taldeburu Waleron and his Delara.
But tragedy struck and tore them apart for years. One believing the other was dead.
When fate finally brings them back together again it isn’t kind.
It’s cruel and testing. Sacrificial.
Because love has no remorse for its victims.
It doesn’t give you options.
And it won’t be stopped.
This is Waleron and Delara’s story.
It’s not pretty and it’s not kind.
But it’s theirs.
A band of fierce warriors walk in the shadows of the human world with capabilities derived from the senses: Trackers, Sounders, Healers, Tasters, Visionaries and the rare Reflectors. They are known as the ‘Scars.
Scars of the Wraiths Series (Must be read in order)
Stygian (Scars of the Wraiths, Book 1)
Tyrant (Scars of the Wraiths, Book 2)
Credo (Scars of the Wraiths, Book 3) Oct/2016
Nashoda Rose is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She writes romance with a splash of darkness. When she isn’t writing, she can be found sitting in a field reading or writing with her dog at her side, while her horses graze nearby. She loves interacting with her readers and chatting about her addiction–books.
September 28, 2016
Top Ten Tuesday – Books on my Fall #TBR List #amreading
I’m a day late with this one. Or, considering my time zone, a day and a half late. I have three TBR lists because I’m crazy like that. First are the books I’m reading my for book club.
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
Everybody’s Fool by Richard Russo
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Then, there are the books I’ve agreed to review. I just realized that every single one of these books is in the fantasy genre. It took me some time to get into the whole fantasy thing and now I can’t seem to get out of it. If there is any any better way to escape the world than with a book than it’s with a book set in a fantasy world.
Dalir’s Salvation (The Song) by Nina Crespo
Icarus Rising N.W. Moors
Eden’s Deliverance (Eden, #4) by Rhenna Morgan
Careful What You Ask For (Chattanooga Supernaturals #3) by Candace Blevins
Credo (Scars of the Wraiths #3) by Nashoda Rose
Finally, I have a pile (it’s falling over at this point) of non-fiction books I’m slowly making my way through. This is the top of the list. I’m afraid to touch the pile too much. As you can see, I have a bit of a fascination with Russia and women in positions of power. Girl Power!
Stalin’s Daughter: The Extraordinary and Tumultuous Life of Svetlana Alliluyeva by Rosemary Sullivan
The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra by Helen Rappaport
The Kennedy Women: The Saga of an American Family by Laurence Leamer
The Secretary: A Journey with Hillary Clinton from Beirut to the Heart of American Power by Kim Ghattas
Harriet Beecher Stowe by Joan D. Hedrick
September 26, 2016
Read an excerpt of 23 Minutes Past 1 A.M. by @jackcityguy #historicalfiction
Title: 23 Minutes Past 1 A.M.
Author: Robert J. Dornan
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 550
Genre: Historical Fiction
In the early morning of her sister’s wedding day, Mila Kharmalov stared in stunned silence at the coloured sparks streaming from Reactor Four of the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant. At that very moment, her life and the lives of everyone she knew changed forever.
Years later and on another continent, Adam Byrd was writing biographies for everyday people looking to leave their legacy in book form. When the woman he loved phoned from Kiev offering him the chance to write the story of a lifetime, he jumped at the opportunity not realizing that his voyage would be a bumpy ride through a nations dark underbelly. With the help of his friend’s quirky cousin, Adam is nudged into a fascinating adventure of love, greed, power and psychotic revenge, culminating with a shocking finale.
23 Minutes Past 1 A.M. is a work of fiction based on factual events from Chernobyl and villages throughout Ukraine.
For More Information
23 Minutes Past 1 A.M. is available at Amazon..
Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
Excerpt:
The nurses at the reception desk were told not to stare at the late night visitor. He was a Ukrainian hero and deserved the highest level of respect. He arrived at midnight wearing sunglasses and a hoodie that covered most of his face. He said his name and the three nurses stood to welcome him as if honored by his presence. He was then led to Tania’s room. A wall light was lit above the bed. He didn’t recognize her.
Twenty-seven years had passed since the last time they spoke. Tania was worried that Yuri would miss their wedding. He told her not to worry. She could have had a huge ceremony if he had not been so naïve with Asimov. If he had said no to the Colonels request, Yuri would still be alive. Tania didn’t know this part of the story. She didn’t know the love of her life agreed to dive into the radiated water to protect his best friend.
It was his fault.
Samizdat adored the sisters but the government-owned newspapers wrote horrible articles about them. He plowed their path and never admitted so. Tania disappeared into obscurity, visited only by curious weekend thrill seekers. She has no hair and her skin is yellow.
It was his fault.
Alex pulled a chair next to the bed and touched her hand. She groaned but her eyes remained closed.
“I don’t know where to begin. I’m hoping you don’t open your eyes to see me speak. To watch the hurt in your eyes would be more painful than the burns on my face. I abandoned you Tania. I abandoned you to hide from life…and to hide from you. My memories of the days before the explosion are what allow me to wake each morning. They are my life force and I owe this to you and Yuri. Without the two of you, I would have been a lonely man with few true friends.
And I still abandoned you. “
“I thought you were dead,” Tania whispered.
A startled Alex let go of her hand and almost tumbled off his chair. “I’ve awoken you,” he said between excited breaths.
“If I remember correctly, it’s not the first time. Am I dreaming Alex?”
“No my friend,” he replied. “It’s me next to you.”
Tania rubbed her eyes attempting to see her friend better. “Why are you covering your face?”
Alex tugged on the top of his hoodie and lowered his head. He dared not remove his sunglasses fearing he would startle Tania. A patient on the other side of the room exhaled a long painful groan. This was followed by a seemingly chorused shuffling by the other patients. He closed his eyes. Everywhere he visited, there was suffering. It followed him like a shadow. Tania repeated her question.
“The left side of my face including my eye is scarred from radiation. In situations such as this, I am more comfortable not revealing my deformity. Please don’t ask me to do so.”
“And I look better?” Tania replied with a short snort. “I won’t ask you to do what you don’t want Alex. You were always a stubborn man anyway.” She paused. “I wish you had come see me many years ago but I’m thrilled to have you here.”
“I’ve wanted to sit with you for a long time,” Alex responded.
“Then why didn’t you?” Tania asked between short breaths. “Why do you choose now when my last breath is so near? Alex, we mourned your death. Your mother was heartbroken. I visited her little hut in the Exclusion Zone and it was a memoriam. Photos of you adorned every inch on every wall. Asimov gave her a medal from the Kremlin in your memory that was front and centre above the main room couch. She picked flowers and left them on your gravesite every day. She cried for years and died alone.” Tania inhaled a long breath. “I always wondered why your body was not entombed at Mitino.”
A full cup of water lay on the bed table and Alex handed it to his friend. She raised herself and sat upright. The sole light in the room warmed her bumpy, hairless scalp.
“They told me I saved the Soviet Union,” Alex whispered. “They told me I saved Europe. I was a hero in so many eyes…” His voice trailed for a few seconds and he continued. “I didn’t feel like a hero. The guilt was too heavy to endure. I ruined your life.”
“My life was not yours to ruin. You’re obviously here to say your peace so take a deep breath and tell me what has encumbered you all these years.” Tania stroked his hand with her fingertips. “Don’t fear judgment my old friend, it is not mine to deliver.”
Alex contemplated removing his sunglasses but did not. He had thought of this moment for more than two decades. The conversation took place hundreds of times while he lay in bed struggling to find sleep. He must stay strong.
“Asimov summoned us when someone from Pripyat mentioned Yuri and I were champion swimmers. I didn’t fully understand what the Commander was asking us to do but Yuri did. He didn’t chastise me when I eagerly volunteered. He was more concerned about you.
The suits they gave us were flimsy at best. After opening the sluice gates we tried to swim back as fast as we could but our legs were numb. My face stung like I had fallen on a bee hive. Smiles greeted us at the pond edge and pulled us out of the water. Within seconds I vomited, as did Yuri and Breshevski. I lay on my side and Breshevski was staring wide-eyed at me. I smiled, but he did not acknowledge me. His eyes were shining. I couldn’t understand how he could stare at me and not blink. Two men lifted him and as he was transported outside he yelled that Yuri and I were still in the water and someone had to save us. He was looking right at us. I learned later that his goggles were defective. By the time he reached the hospital his corneas had melted.
Yuri vomited for a second time in less than three minutes. His arms could not hold him and he slumped into his own regurgitation. I was about to stand when two comrades wrapped my arms around their shoulders and dragged me outside. Yuri was not far behind and was eased onto a stretcher while we waited for another ambulance. I wasn’t suffering like Yuri and was strong enough to kneel next to him. I was overcome with emotion when I looked at his bright red face. The skin on his forehead was cracked like a car window. I cried openly, and a photographer snapped a picture. Yuri mumbled that if I continued to cry he would start calling me Alexandra. These were the last words he would ever say to me. I couldn’t stop bawling. Asimov was nearby and put his hand on my shoulder. Paramedics lifted Yuri and placed him in the ambulance that had mercifully arrived. I yelled out his name. I told him I was sorry. I was trembling and frozen in place. I didn’t hear the cheers from the workers in the background. I didn’t hear Asimov whispering in my ear. I could barely move so I sat with my head on bent knees. My best friend may die and it was my fault. Flashing lights blurred my vision. More photographers had gathered to take more photos.
Asimov, with the help of a few men, got me into a jeep and we drove back to the same hotel that Kremlin dignitaries were staying. They gave me a room with a shower that I used until no hot water remained. Aside from the tingling in my face, I was fine. They brought me new clothes. I had dinner with the Colonel and some other man I have long forgotten. They praised my efforts. I asked for updates on Yuri but none were available except that he was being flown to Moscow. I told Asimov that Yuri’s fiancée had to be called. The other man made a note and mentioned that Yuri’s condition and whereabouts would be posted in every newspaper across the Soviet Union. Asimov found his assistant’s comment inappropriate and said he would fly to Moscow himself and I was not to worry.
I did worry. It was all I did for years to come.
I had the strangest dream. It was an evening of sleep I never forgot. I excused myself from dinner early and returned to my room. Within minutes I was sleeping. I remember four white walls, a white floor and a white door. I was yelling for someone to save me but no one came. Every time I reached to open the door it would disappear and reappear on a different wall. A bright light blinded me temporarily, and I realized the door had opened. The same light shone whenever the door opened except once. Yuri walked in through the lights and stood in front of me. He said nothing and shook his head with disapproval before leaving through the wall behind me. You were next Tania, and you did the same as Yuri. Mila followed, as did my mother, Yulia, David and many others. Each paraded by me with contempt in their eyes. The last person to visit was Valeri Markov, a man I knew from the academy. When he entered the room there was no bright light. The door opened and shut. He smiled, tapped me on the shoulder and sat in the far corner. I asked what he was doing and where he thought he was. He said he was sharing a room with me… in hell. I woke up. Firecrackers from May Day celebrations burst in succession. Drunken soldiers and liquidators were singing. My face hurt.
The next morning I told Asimov I would return to my duties. He replied that I was to rest and not to worry about work for the next few days. He handed me two bottles of vodka and a radio. I wanted a newspaper and one was delivered to me along with breakfast and a prostitute. She drank my vodka and ate my breakfast. I read a small blurb about Reactor Four and that all was safe. There was no mention of Yuri or Breshevski. Maybe tomorrow, I thought. The prostitute danced around the room with a bottle of vodka in her hand. She had undressed and wore only her panties. She spent most of the previous evening celebrating May Day with married politburo officials and smelled like liquor and old men. She passed out but not before puking on the curtains.
About the Author
Robert J Dornan is someone who wishes to leave a better world to his children. He realizes that the odds are slim but he will do whatever he can to increase the probability of success. He is always open to discuss new and innovative ideas and hopes someday to see the building of a functional solar city as well as a fair and community-driven compensation system.
Robert’s latest book is the historical fiction, 23 Minutes Past 1 A.M.
For More Information
Visit Robert J. Dorman’s website.
Connect with Robert on Facebook and Twitter.
What I learned this past week #expatlife #MondayBlogs
I’m a HUGE believer (like capital letters worthy) in learning something new everyday. Sometimes you only learn a bit of a seemingly useless trivia (like who first sang One of Us and it wasn’t who you thought it was). On a good day, though, you’ll actually learn stuff you can re-use. Without further ado, the things I learned one day last week:
Trams stop at midnight. Of course, I learned this little tidbit at five minutes past midnight when I was clear across town. Luckily, I discovered the night bus, which leads me to my next point.
Night busses don’t use the standard travel card. The driver looked at me as if I had two heads when I tried to scan my travel card. I’m sure he gets a lot of drunk people staring at the machine in wonder, but I was sober, darn it! (And obviously not happy about it – damn diet!) With a little flirting, he loosened up and I was able to pay him the extortionate fee of € 5 for a bus ride. I was super disappointed in the night bus. It was not a bumpy ride and I didn’t see one wizard sleeping in a floating bed.
Slam poetry can be combined with rock music. The Dutch have a good saying for dealing with this situation: Je moet ervan houden. It basically means you have to like it to enjoy it, but it doesn’t sound bitchy in Dutch. Just in case, bring your aspirin if you decide to try it.
MTV actually plays music after 2 a.m. According to Google (which is NEVER wrong), MTV started airing in 1981, which means I am of the MTV generation. We didn’t have cable growing up and my parents were anti-television for the kids. So I never watched it when I was growing up but everyone assures me that MTV started out by airing video clips. By the time I got to a point in my life where I had a television with cable and more than five minutes to watch it, MTV was all about reality tv. If you’re hankering for some good old-fashioned music videos, it turns out that MTV does play music videos between 2 and 4 a.m. Now you know.
I can write anywhere. Example? Apparently I can compose an entire silly blog article in my head while walking home. The only hiccup was when a man tucking his you-know-what back into his pants nearly ran into me. I’m pretty sure he hadn’t washed his hands either. I quickly scampered out of his way while giving him my most I’m so disappointed in you look.
How about you? What have you learned lately? Feel free to not be serious. I never am.
September 25, 2016
Cover Reveal with awesome #giveaway! The Light of Mytis by @JL_Tomlinson #yafantasy
Today we’re excited to share the cover of Light of Mytis, Ardentia #3 by J.L. Tomlinson! This is a young adult fantasy and releases in December 2016. The first two books, The Empyrean Key and Veil of the Corrupter are only .99 cents for a limited time!
We hope you enjoy the cover and be sure to check out the giveaway at the end of the post!
Synopsis:
Jahna Mornglow, the half-breed heir to a coveted throne, has defeated the disciples of a fallen god.
She has spilled blood to ease the suffering of an uncertain people and has seen the blackened soul of
darkness itself. Still, she fights for the Light that will save them all.
But in a time so dire, when The Empyrean Key is almost whole and the end of her journey sits just
past the horizon, Sky’s revelation will test the foundations of trust and friendship.
Lilac, always cocky and sure, finds her spirit waning; Silkos passionate beliefs no longer comfort him and Arns loyalty and devotion to the crusade is frailer than ever.
As Jahna and the fragile fellowship make for the tundras of the south to seek out the next key fragment, the malevolent tendrils of the Dark Star tighten their grip on Castle Dubraycon.
Princess Mydra is broken and enslaved by the High Mage and with the Vessels imprisoned by their
corrupt leader, Selizardra is powerless to stop Menon or the dark magic that has corrupted her.
The sands of time will continue to run. Nothing can slow The Pinnacle.
The key must for forged; Hartforn must be found and the true heir must claim their birthrite before
all of Ardentia is devoured by shadow.
Is there strength enough within Jahna to complete her task, to mend the bonds of a fractured frienship and stand before the Ardent Messenger and demand what belongs to her?
The Light of Mytis is the mantle of a ruler of worlds and before the end, Jahna will have to ask herself if her shoulders are truly prepared for the weight of destiny.
Goodreads
Author Bio:
J.L. Tomlinson was born and bred in the mystical land of New Zealand.
No, she wasn’t in Lord of the Rings. No, she doesn’t know that guy, Steve. Yes, she has seen a kiwi
and they are both powerful and majestic.
As well as writing, J.L. is an inventor, currently designing a sophisticated robot that will spit out a completed manuscript based on a very vague synopsis. Unfortunately, as she hasn’t even mastered
the TV remote, progress is slow.
The Empyrean Key was her first novel and her unhealthy attachment to the characters has made it easy to continue the series, as well as juggling a dozen other projects.
When not writing or reading, you’ll find her playing video games, watching terrible movies and
eavesdropping on people who argue in malls. Lastly, she doesn’t mind if you call her Jo.
Website: www.jltomlinson.com | Twitter: @JL_Tomlinson | Facebook
Giveaway:
$20 Amazon Gift Voucher (INT)
Ends September 29th
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.
