Margo Bond Collins's Blog, page 99
August 20, 2014
Fairy, Texas ~ New Cover ~ Book Hooks ~ #MFRWhooks #YAFantasy
Welcome to this week’s Book Hooks, hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers. Today, I’m including an excerpt from my YA Fantasy Romance/Mystery, Fairy, Texas. Check out Fairy’s fantastic new cover, read the excerpt, then HOP for more excerpts from other authors!
Laney Harris thinks there might be monsters in Fairy, Texas.
She’s right.
When her mother remarried and moved them to a town where a date meant hanging out at the Sonic, Laney figured that “boring” would have a whole new meaning. A new stepsister who despised her and a high school where she was the only topic of gossip were bad enough. But when she met the school counselor (and his terminal bad breath), she grew suspicious. Especially since he had wings that only she could see. And then there were Josh and Mason, two gorgeous glimmering-eyed classmates whose interest in her might not be for the reasons she hoped. Not to mention that dead guy she nearly tripped over in gym class.
Boring takes on an entirely new dimension in Fairy, Texas.
If she’s going to live here, she’ll have to learn to wing it.
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Excerpt
“It’s a glamour,” Josh said. “It draws norms to us.”
I held myself completely still. “Like pheromones?”
“More like a moth to the flame,” he muttered. He leaned closer, so that we stood less than an inch apart. He bent down and touched his lips to mine.
My eyes fluttered closed and I leaned closer so that we were pressed against each other. His kiss was slow, like his smile, and seeped into me until I could feel myself glowing along with him.
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Buy Fairy, Texas
E-Book:
Amazon (Kindle): http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Texas-Margo-Bond-Collins-ebook/dp/B00I7BTMJ4/
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fairy-texas-margo-bond-collins/1118584512?ean=2940149726844&itm=1&usri=fairy+texas
Paperback:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Texas-Margo-Bond-Collins/dp/1495419800/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fairy-texas-margo-bond-collins/1118584512
Books a Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Fairy-Texas/Margo-Bond-Collins/9781495419805
Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Fairy-Texas-Margo-Bond-Collins/9781495419805
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About the Author
Margo Bond Collins is the author of a number of novels, including Taming the Country Star, Waking Up Dead, Fairy, Texas, and Legally Undead. She lives in Texas with her husband, their daughter, and several spoiled pets. She teaches college-level English courses online, though writing fiction is her first love. She enjoys reading romance, urban fantasy, and paranormal fiction of any genre, and spends most of her free time daydreaming about heroes, monsters, cowboys, and villains, and the strong women who love them—and sometimes fight them.
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Connect with Margo
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/margobondcollins
Email: MargoBondCollins@gmail.com
Website: http://www.MargoBondCollins.net
Blog: http://www.MargoBondCollins.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MargoBondCollin @MargoBondCollin
Google+: https://plus.google.com/116484555448104519902
Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchy
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MargoBondCollins
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mbondcollins/
Be sure to add Fairy, Texas to your Goodreads bookshelves: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19502285-fairy-texas
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HOP to the other participating blogs:
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August 18, 2014
SANGUINARY by Margo Bond Collins, Available for Pre-Order ~ #UrbanFantasy
When Dallas police detective Cami Davis joined the city’s vampire unit, she planned to use the job as a stepping-stone to a better position in the department.
But she didn’t know then what she knows now: there’s a silent war raging between humans and vampires, and the vampires are winning.
So with the help of a disaffected vampire and an ex-cop addict, Cami is going undercover, determined to solve a series of recent murders, discover a way to overthrow the local Sanguinary government, and, in the process, help win the war for the human race.
But can she maintain her own humanity in the process? Or will Cami find herself, along with the rest of the world, pulled under a darkness she cannot oppose?
A Night Shift Novel
Forthcoming Fall 2014
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Excerpt
Reese loosened his hold enough for my circulation to start back up, and the blood rushing to my palm felt like needles dancing across it. I rubbed it with the thumb of my other hand, and Reese’s gaze followed the motion.
“We’re leaving,” he said, his voice harsh.
No. No way in hell was I walking out of here with a pissed-off vampire.
That’s how cops got dead.
Instead, I took a step backwards and pulled myself up onto a barstool. Reese’s upper lip curled, revealing a fang, and I held out my hands placatingly.
“Hear me out,” I said.
I didn’t really know if I could trust him, this cowboy-vampire I had been thrown together with. He was only meant to be an informant, my visits to see him at the Blood House a cover for him to pass information to me.
But that’s not how it was working out.
Garrett had said Reese was on our side, as much as it was possible for any vamp to be. I wasn’t sure he thought of us as anything more than dinner. But he was all I had right now—my partner was too vamp-addled to help me, and Iverson and his crew weren’t rushing in to save me.
The department wouldn’t force me to stick it out, wouldn’t expect me to team up with a vampire for anything more than the most superficial of connections.
I could walk out at any time.
But if I did, it was unlikely we’d find out enough to stop whoever was killing these women.
So that left the option of going in deep.
Almost everyone who went undercover with the vamps came out addicted to their bite. The ones who could still string two sentences together, like Garrett, stayed on the force. It’s not like the Sucker Squad had cops banging on the door to join up.
We worked with what we had.
The press portrayed us as bumbling and stupid—and maybe we were. Sending detectives in against humanity’s worst nightmare? We were like little kids trying to hold back the dark with matches, bound to get our fingers burned, and worse, maybe burn the house down around us if we weren’t careful.
We didn’t really understand what we were doing, or what we were up against.
Going under was dangerous and ugly.
But I was beginning to think it might be necessary.
“I’ll tell you everything,” I said to the vampire snarling at me. “But I’ll need your help.”
Reese’s lip dropped back down, covering the fang.
I was glad—it was easier to contemplate joining forces with him when he wasn’t reminding me that he was one of the monsters.
_____________________________________________
About the Author
Margo Bond Collins is the author of urban fantasy, contemporary romance, and paranormal mysteries. She has published a number of novels, including Taming the Country Star, Legally Undead, Waking Up Dead, and Fairy, Texas. She lives in Texas with her husband, their daughter, and several spoiled pets. Although writing fiction is her first love, she also teaches college-level English courses online. She enjoys reading romance and paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time daydreaming about heroes, monsters, cowboys, and villains, and the strong women who love them—and sometimes fight them.
_____________________________________________
Connect with Margo
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/margobondcollins
Email: MargoBondCollins@gmail.com
Website: http://www.MargoBondCollins.net
Blog: http://www.MargoBondCollins.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MargoBondCollin @MargoBondCollin
Google+: https://plus.google.com/116484555448104519902
Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchy
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MargoBondCollins
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mbondcollins/
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August 17, 2014
Redeeming Lainey
Redeeming Lainey
by Kaitlyn Hoyt
Release Date: 07/18/14
Summary from Goodreads:
When Lainey left the
little farming town in Iowa on her eighteenth birthday, she thought she was
finally free. She didn’t have to live in fear anymore wondering which day was
going to be her last. For those two years, she was able to live in peace. She’d
made a new friend, was going to a school she loved, and was setting the path
for her future career.
That all changed with one phone call from her mother.
With the push of her best friend, Randi, Lainey goes back into the town she
once promised was forever in her rear-view mirror. The dark memories of her
past loom around every corner, and Lainey can’t seem to conquer the demons
inside of her in order to fully move on.
Bryce, on the other hand, had moved on. During middle school and high school,
Lainey was his best friend, and it tore him apart when she left with only a
note. A simple note saying good-bye and have a great life.
Without his best friend around, Bryce’s life quickly spiraled out of control.
He got into drugs, had some trouble with the law, and found himself partying a
little too hard. Sweet Annabeth brought him out of that stage in his life, and
ultimately saved his life.
With Lainey back in town, Bryce is at a loss at what do. She wants nothing to
do with him or the town, but he is the only person who knows her full history
and may be able to help her. Knowing that Lainey’s a flight risk, and with one
wrong move, she’d pack everything up and leave again, Bryce steps out to help
her find the one thing she doesn’t know she needs.
Redemption.
Available from:
Amazon
US * Amazon
UK * Barnes
& Noble * iBooks
* Kobo Books
* Smashwords
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Excerpt
Lainey
“Don’t you want to smile when you look back on this time in your life and remember the ruggedly handsome fellow with the dark clothes, piercings, and random red streak in his hair who always hit on you but insisted he was only a friend?”
Even I can’t help but smile at him. “I guess that would be nice,” I tell him.
“Quit reading into things, ‘lil Lainey.”
“Quit calling me that.”
“Nope. It suits you.”
“We’ve already been through this,” I mumble, though it occurs to me that he just might be more stubborn than I am. Tyler crouches down next to the record player, grabs one of the records from the table, and gets to work putting it together. I watch his hands work, hoping I’ll be able to repeat the process when he’s not here.
“Exactly, so you should know you’re arguing a losing point. I’m going to keep calling you ‘lil Lainey,” Tyler says as he gently drops the needle onto the record. Neither one of us moves, waiting to see if it’ll actually work. It’s been sitting at the bottom of my closet for years, so there’s no telling if it’ll play anything anymore.
The record remains spinning, and after a few seconds we hear something. Tyler grins up at me when the rich orchestrated music starts playing. It still works. When Frank Sinatra’s voice starts singing, Tyler stands and walks over to me, his right hand extended.
“May I have this dance, ‘lil Lainey?”
Book Playlist
About the Author
Currently a student at Ball State University, Kaitlyn Hoyt is pursuing her passion for writing while working towards a Wildlife Biology and Conservation degree. Vegetarian. Proud tree-hugger. Lover of comic book movies. Avid Reader. She has an unhealthy obsession for the soothing music of Josh Groban. She discovered her love for writing during the summer of 2012 and hasn’t stopped writing since!
Author Links:
GIVEAWAY:
Indie Book Fest Giveaway #1: Dark Hope Signed Paperback + Swag!
Hi, all!
This week, I’m taking a short break from my RWA giveaways (though there will be a ton more!) to offer the first of a couple of giveaways from the Indie Book Fest ’14. It was a fabulous event in Orlando, Florida, and I met lots of amazing authors!
I have a great giveaway this week of a signed paperback copy of Dark Hope by H. D. Smith and a pile of signed swag from other authors, as well! This contest will run through the end of August.
As usual, I’m featuring one of my own books, too. Because Dark Hope is an urban fantasy, I’m showcasing my forthcoming urban fantasy, Sanguinary (now available for pre-order). So check out the books below, leave a comment letting me know either what you like best about urban fantasy or about one urban fantasy novel you love (it’ll be an entry on the Rafflecopter!), then enter to win!
Sanguinary (A Night Shift Novel), by Margo Bond Collins
Only fifty years left before vampires rule the world.
When Dallas police detective Cami Davis joined the city’s vampire unit, she planned to use the job as a stepping-stone to a better position in the department.
But she didn’t know then what she knows now: there’s a silent war raging between humans and vampires, and the vampires are winning.
So with the help of a disaffected vampire and an ex-cop addict, Cami is going undercover, determined to solve a series of recent murders, discover a way to overthrow the local Sanguinary government, and, in the process, help win the war for the human race.
But can she maintain her own humanity in the process? Or will Cami find herself, along with the rest of the world, pulled under a darkness she cannot oppose?
_____________________________________________
Excerpt
Reese loosened his hold enough for my circulation to start back up, and the blood rushing to my palm felt like needles dancing across it. I rubbed it with the thumb of my other hand, and Reese’s gaze followed the motion.
“We’re leaving,” he said, his voice harsh.
No. No way in hell was I walking out of here with a pissed-off vampire.
That’s how cops got dead.
Instead, I took a step backwards and pulled myself up onto a barstool. Reese’s upper lip curled, revealing a fang, and I held out my hands placatingly.
“Hear me out,” I said.
I didn’t really know if I could trust him, this cowboy-vampire I had been thrown together with. He was only meant to be an informant, my visits to see him at the Blood House a cover for him to pass information to me.
But that’s not how it was working out.
Garrett had said Reese was on our side, as much as it was possible for any vamp to be. I wasn’t sure he thought of us as anything more than dinner. But he was all I had right now—my partner was too vamp-addled to help me, and Iverson and his crew weren’t rushing in to save me.
The department wouldn’t force me to stick it out, wouldn’t expect me to team up with a vampire for anything more than the most superficial of connections.
I could walk out at any time.
But if I did, it was unlikely we’d find out enough to stop whoever was killing these women.
So that left the option of going in deep.
Almost everyone who went undercover with the vamps came out addicted to their bite. The ones who could still string two sentences together, like Garrett, stayed on the force. It’s not like the Sucker Squad had cops banging on the door to join up.
We worked with what we had.
The press portrayed us as bumbling and stupid—and maybe we were. Sending detectives in against humanity’s worst nightmare? We were like little kids trying to hold back the dark with matches, bound to get our fingers burned, and worse, maybe burn the house down around us if we weren’t careful.
We didn’t really understand what we were doing, or what we were up against.
Going under was dangerous and ugly.
But I was beginning to think it might be necessary.
“I’ll tell you everything,” I said to the vampire snarling at me. “But I’ll need your help.”
Reese’s lip dropped back down, covering the fang.
I was glad—it was easier to contemplate joining forces with him when he wasn’t reminding me that he was one of the monsters.
_____________________________________________
About the Author
Margo Bond Collins is the author of urban fantasy, contemporary romance, and paranormal mysteries. She has published a number of novels, including Taming the Country Star, Legally Undead, Waking Up Dead, and Fairy, Texas. She lives in Texas with her husband, their daughter, and several spoiled pets. Although writing fiction is her first love, she also teaches college-level English courses online. She enjoys reading romance and paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time daydreaming about heroes, monsters, cowboys, and villains, and the strong women who love them—and sometimes fight them.
_____________________________________________
Connect with Margo
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/margobondcollins
Email: MargoBondCollins@gmail.com
Website: http://www.MargoBondCollins.net
Blog: http://www.MargoBondCollins.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MargoBondCollin @MargoBondCollin
Google+: https://plus.google.com/116484555448104519902
Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchy
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MargoBondCollins
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mbondcollins/
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Dark Hope by HD Smith
Please note that the giveaway is of a signed copy of Dark Hope with the original cover:
The book has a lovely new cover, as well:
Dark Hope, by H. D. Smith
Claire, the Devil’s assistant, knows very little about the world she was dropped into five years ago, when she inherited her mother’s unpaid debt to the Demon King. She certainly didn’t expect to be a contender for the Fallen Queen’s throne, a target for the Druid King’s mafia, or a suspect in the murder of Junior, the Devil’s oldest hell spawn.
In a last ditch effort to save her life and get out of her deal with the Devil, she sets out to solve Junior’s murder only to be taken prisoner by the four most dangerous immortal hell spawn alive.
Not to be out done, the Pagan Queen Mab, claims Claire for entering her realm uninvited. She has an old debt to settle with her brother the Devil. Taking Claire from him after losing her years ago is just icing on the cake.
Will Claire win her freedom, and save herself from the Devil? Or be trapped by Mab forever?
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About the Author
HD Smith has been writing as a hobby for over ten years. DARK HOPE is her first full length novel. She has previously self-published two middle grade novellas in ebook format. She is a software developer by day, working for an awesome cruise line in Celebration, FL.
HD grew up in South Carolina, but has called the Sunshine State home since 1997. She has Computer Science degrees from Clemson University (BS) and Florida Institute of Technology (MS). Her other hobbies include painting and screen printing. She enjoys creating t- shirts inspired by the places in her books. For more information, visit HD’s website at http://www.hdsmithauthor.com/.
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Author’s Links
Website: http://www.hdsmithauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hdsmithauthorpage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/floridaHeather
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/24824407-hd-smith
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GIVEAWAY
Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MDc2NDEyMTFiMWVhMDg4MzE4NzZlNDdkNjZhMTgxOjc5/
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Spotlight On: The Monster Within by Kelly Hashway
The moment seventeen-year-old Samantha Thompson crawls out of her grave, her second chance at life begins. She died of cancer with her long-time boyfriend, Ethan, by her side—a completely unfair shot at life. But Ethan found a way to bring her back, like he promised he would. Only Sam came back wrong.
She’s now a monster that drains others’ lives to survive. And after she kills, she’s tortured by visions—glimpses into her victims would-have-been futures had she not killed them. Barely able to live with herself and trying to make things right, Sam ends up a pawn in a vicious game of payback within the local coven of witches.
But when the game reveals what Ethan had to do to save Sam, she must make a choice that will change all their lives forever.
ll Goodreads ll Amazon ll B&N ll 
Kelly Hashway grew up reading R.L. Stein’s Fear Street novels and writing stories of her own, so it was no surprise to her family when she majored in English and later obtained a masters degree in English Secondary Education from East Stroudsburg University. After teaching middle school language arts for seven years, Hashway went back to school and focused specifically on writing. She is now the author of three young adult series, one middle grade series, and several picture books. She also writes contemporary romance under the pen name Ashelyn Drake. When she isn’t writing, Hashway works as a freelance editor for small presses as well as for her own list of clients. In her spare time, she enjoys running, traveling, and volunteering with the PTO. Hashway currently resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, daughter, and two pets.
ll Website ll Blog ll Facebook ll Twitter ll Google+ ll Pintrest ll
document.write(“”);
300×250 Competitions – Banner Rotator
The car stopped, and Ethan’s hand slipped from mine. I turned to him, blinking against the fluorescent lights of the gas station.
“Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to wake you. I just needed to get some gas and a few things from the convenience store. There’s no food at the cottage. I thought I’d grab some crackers and soda. Stuff like that. I’ll even see if they have black licorice for you. I know you love it.”
I nodded and started for my seat belt.
“No. You stay.” Ethan opened his door and stepped outside. I let my hair fall across my shoulders, trying to warm myself against the night air. “I’ll be right back.”
The trunk opened, and a moment later, Ethan opened my door, handing me one of his sweatshirts. “Here, you look cold.”
I smiled. “Thanks.” He knew me so well. I watched him walk inside the store and heard the soft click of the car locking again. He wasn’t taking any chances with me. I knew he’d protect me from anything. He’d already protected me from death. He was my every- thing now. I would never see my family or friends again. I had to start over. The thought terrified me, but at least I had Ethan by my side.
I hugged the sweatshirt to my body. I was too tired to actually put it on, and, this way I could breathe in Ethan’s scent while I kept warm. I inhaled deeply at first, and then my breaths became shallow, which was weird considering how tired I felt. I yawned. Exhaustion overwhelmed me. Apparently it took a lot of energy to return from the dead.
I leaned my head on the window, hoping the cool glass would keep me awake, but my head spun, making me dizzy. My arms and legs tingled with the sensation of pins and needles. I felt like I had a million spiders crawling all over me. I threw the sweatshirt off me and onto the floor. My arms were bare. No spiders. But the feeling didn’t go away. I panicked. The walls of the car were caving in on me. The air around me was tight, strangling me.
I searched the convenience store windows for Ethan, but all I saw was a guy in a cowboy hat, and a woman taking her little boy to the bathroom. Where was Ethan? The lightheadedness was getting worse—more intense. My breathing was labored. In a panic, I reached for the door handle. It took me a moment to remember it was locked, but when I finally got it open, I stumbled out of the car into the fresh air. I gulped oxygen into my lungs, hoping it would make me feel better, but it didn’t.
I was suffocating. Life was draining out of me. I collapsed to my knees, skinning them against the pavement. Wheezing, I crawled forward, trying to reach the convenience store door. Trying to reach Ethan. I needed help. I didn’t know what was happening to me, but it felt like I was dying…again.
Giveaways terms and conditions:
No purchase necessary.
You must be at least 13 years of age or older to enter.
Fandom Monthly Magazine is not responsible if the promotion sponsor does not fulfill their giveaway prize.
Winner(s) will be contacted shortly after the giveaway ends. The winner(s) will then have 4 days most to respond and claim their prize.
Any questions? Feel free to email us.
You may have to wait for the widget to load.
August 16, 2014
Spotlight On: The Monster Within by Kelly Hashway
The moment seventeen-year-old Samantha Thompson crawls out of her grave, her second chance at life begins. She died of cancer with her long-time boyfriend, Ethan, by her side—a completely unfair shot at life. But Ethan found a way to bring her back, like he promised he would. Only Sam came back wrong.
She’s now a monster that drains others’ lives to survive. And after she kills, she’s tortured by visions—glimpses into her victims would-have-been futures had she not killed them. Barely able to live with herself and trying to make things right, Sam ends up a pawn in a vicious game of payback within the local coven of witches.
But when the game reveals what Ethan had to do to save Sam, she must make a choice that will change all their lives forever.
ll Goodreads ll Amazon ll B&N ll
Kelly Hashway grew up reading R.L. Stein’s Fear Street novels and writing stories of her own, so it was no surprise to her family when she majored in English and later obtained a masters degree in English Secondary Education from East Stroudsburg University. After teaching middle school language arts for seven years, Hashway went back to school and focused specifically on writing. She is now the author of three young adult series, one middle grade series, and several picture books. She also writes contemporary romance under the pen name Ashelyn Drake. When she isn’t writing, Hashway works as a freelance editor for small presses as well as for her own list of clients. In her spare time, she enjoys running, traveling, and volunteering with the PTO. Hashway currently resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, daughter, and two pets.
ll Website ll Blog ll Facebook ll Twitter ll Google+ ll Pintrest ll
document.write(“”);
300×250 Competitions – Banner Rotator
The car stopped, and Ethan’s hand slipped from mine. I turned to him, blinking against the fluorescent lights of the gas station.
“Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to wake you. I just needed to get some gas and a few things from the convenience store. There’s no food at the cottage. I thought I’d grab some crackers and soda. Stuff like that. I’ll even see if they have black licorice for you. I know you love it.”
I nodded and started for my seat belt.
“No. You stay.” Ethan opened his door and stepped outside. I let my hair fall across my shoulders, trying to warm myself against the night air. “I’ll be right back.”
The trunk opened, and a moment later, Ethan opened my door, handing me one of his sweatshirts. “Here, you look cold.”
I smiled. “Thanks.” He knew me so well. I watched him walk inside the store and heard the soft click of the car locking again. He wasn’t taking any chances with me. I knew he’d protect me from anything. He’d already protected me from death. He was my every- thing now. I would never see my family or friends again. I had to start over. The thought terrified me, but at least I had Ethan by my side.
I hugged the sweatshirt to my body. I was too tired to actually put it on, and, this way I could breathe in Ethan’s scent while I kept warm. I inhaled deeply at first, and then my breaths became shallow, which was weird considering how tired I felt. I yawned. Exhaustion overwhelmed me. Apparently it took a lot of energy to return from the dead.
I leaned my head on the window, hoping the cool glass would keep me awake, but my head spun, making me dizzy. My arms and legs tingled with the sensation of pins and needles. I felt like I had a million spiders crawling all over me. I threw the sweatshirt off me and onto the floor. My arms were bare. No spiders. But the feeling didn’t go away. I panicked. The walls of the car were caving in on me. The air around me was tight, strangling me.
I searched the convenience store windows for Ethan, but all I saw was a guy in a cowboy hat, and a woman taking her little boy to the bathroom. Where was Ethan? The lightheadedness was getting worse—more intense. My breathing was labored. In a panic, I reached for the door handle. It took me a moment to remember it was locked, but when I finally got it open, I stumbled out of the car into the fresh air. I gulped oxygen into my lungs, hoping it would make me feel better, but it didn’t.
I was suffocating. Life was draining out of me. I collapsed to my knees, skinning them against the pavement. Wheezing, I crawled forward, trying to reach the convenience store door. Trying to reach Ethan. I needed help. I didn’t know what was happening to me, but it felt like I was dying…again.
Giveaways terms and conditions:
No purchase necessary.
You must be at least 13 years of age or older to enter.
Fandom Monthly Magazine is not responsible if the promotion sponsor does not fulfill their giveaway prize.
Winner(s) will be contacted shortly after the giveaway ends. The winner(s) will then have 4 days most to respond and claim their prize.
Any questions? Feel free to email us.
You may have to wait for the widget to load.
August 14, 2014
Cover Reveal: WHO WE WERE by Christy Sloat
Who We Were by Christy Sloat
Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance
Coming September 15th, 2014!
“Who we were had washed away with the summer. Who we are was yet to be seen.”
Summer school at Alcott High was only supposed to gain Sadie Peters extra credit, nothing more. Her goal wasn’t to make friends, or gain the attention of the most popular football player, yet she managed both. Her life was cruising along on course … until that summer.
Could a simple stint in a different school change her identity completely and introduce her to love for the first time? How would that affect her relationship with Lily, her best friend?
Hopefully their friendship was strong enough to make it through the tumultuous summer. Sadie learns that great things come with change, but sometimes memories of the past are hardest to part with.
About the Author
Christy Sloat is a SoCal born girl who resides in New Jersey currently with her husband, two daughters and Sophie her Chihuahua. Christy has embraced the love of reading and writing since her youth and was inspired by her grandmother’s loving support. Christy passes that love of reading, writing, and creativity to her daughters, family, and friends. When you do not find Christy within the pages of a book you can find her being mommy, wife, crafter, and dear friend. She loves adventurous journeys with her friends and can be known to get lost inside a bookstore. Be sure to venture into her Past Lives Series, The Visitor’s Series, and watch for many more exciting things to come.
Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook
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Sign up for the WHO WE WERE Book Highlight!
August 13, 2014
Spotlight On: Black Dog Nights, by Ren Monterrey
Black Dog Nights – Ren Monterrey
New Adult Romance
Date Published: August 8, 2014
My student loans are due and I still haven’t found a job that pays more than minimum wage. So I decide to make an arrangement through The Club. I’ll get what I need…money to pay my loans. And he’ll get what he wants…access to my body…whenever and however he wants it.
ROSE COLLINS is a recent art school graduate with overwhelming student loan debt and no way to pay it.
JAE ROTHKO is a wealthy and renowned artist who doesn’t have the time or patience for a relationship.
Jae joins The Club so he can have one woman when he wants and how he wants with no attachments and no expectations.
He selects Rose to be that woman.
BLACK DOG NIGHTS is a SERIAL NOVEL, which unfolds in THREE PARTS (approximately 80 pages each). EACH PART has a CLIFFHANGER and EACH PART is .99 cents. (That’s $2.97 for ALL THREE PARTS.)
EXCERPT
By the time we get to The Rock Stop, the dance club is already crowded with twenty-somethings who all look eager to hook up with anyone who’s willing.
Two guys, who are already half-drunk, gawk at my breasts as I walk by. I wish there was another feature of my anatomy that garnered as much attention as my mammary glands.
I breathe a sigh of relief when I hit the relative safety of the bar area.
“What do you want to drink?” Cali yells over the loud Top Forty music.
“Would I look too conspicuous just holding a glass of water?”
She purses her lips at me. I tell her she looks like a duck when she does that but it doesn’t stop her.
“I’ll get you a beer. You don’t have to drink it but I don’t want you to embarrass me, or yourself.”
“Yes, Daffy,” I tease.
“I do not have duck lips,” she insists.
“You do when you pucker them like that.”
“I think you’re on crack.”
“Just get the beer.”
She waves in order to get the bartender’s attention but no such luck. He’s busy with a group of girls at the other end of the bar.
“Hey, Babe.” An arm reaches over Cali’s shoulder. “I wasn’t sure I’d see you tonight.”
David nods in my direction. “What’s up?”
He never addresses me by my name even though he’s been hooking up with Cali for over a year and I’ve seen him dozens of times.
David is the kind of guy I always hated in high school. His family has money and he’s never had to work a day in his life for anything. Cars, clothes, expensive vacations, you name it, and his parents have handed it to him on a silver platter. As a result he has a sense of entitlement that knows no bounds.
No doubt that’s why he feels like he can treat Cali any way he pleases and she’ll just keep coming back for more.
He runs his fingers through his short brown hair. I’m not sure whether it’s a nervous habit, or if he thinks that his fingers are like some kind of comb, but he does it all the time.
David is a good-looking guy in a frat-boy kind of way. Cali says he played baseball in high school, and he looks like he probably still plays sports. He’s not huge, but he’s definitely in good shape.
Cali met him at a frat party. Even though she’s never set foot in a college class she’s spent a lot of time at college parties. David likes to brag about the fact that he’s a business major. I don’t see what the big deal is though. I feel like business is a major for people who don’t really know what they want to do with their lives.
Not that I have any room to talk. Apparently I earned a degree for people who don’t really want a job.
Before I know it, Cali and David have disappeared somewhere and I’m alone at the bar.
Great.
I didn’t even want to come here in the first place.
I have a choice. I can leave or I can order a drink. After the day I’ve had a drink is actually starting to sound appealing.
As soon as the DJ starts mixing, nearly everyone moves to the dance floor. The bar area is now pretty empty except for a young woman seated at the far end. She glances up at me when I approach and gives me the faintest of smiles.
She’s an attractive blonde with stunning ocean blue eyes. She’s the definition of a blonde bombshell. She’s got curves that would give Marilyn Monroe a run for her money.
I order a Crantini and the bartender wastes no time filling my order.
“Tough day?” the blonde asks.
I nod.
“Have a seat.” She points at the stool next to her.
“Thanks.”
I climb onto the stool and take a sip of my drink. It’s strong and I cough a little as it goes down.
“Russ likes to make them strong.” She laughs. “Maybe he thinks he’ll get lucky at the end of the night.”
The bartender, who looks like he’s in his mid-thirties, is completely bald and built like a brick house. Definitely someone I would want to have on my side if a fight broke out.
“Are you waiting for someone?” I ask. She looks a little too dressed up for the place we’re in. It’s mostly a denim crowd and she’s in a little black dress and pumps.
“You could say that.”
I nod. A cryptic response, but I get the impression that she’s not going to say much more about who she’s waiting for.
“So what’s your story?” she asks.
I laugh. “Do I look like I have a story?”
“You definitely look like you have a story.”
“You’ve probably heard it a million times before.”
She glances at her watch. I can’t help but notice it’s a gorgeous Rolex. The blonde doesn’t look that much older than me. I doubt she’s even twenty-five. It makes me wonder how she can afford such an expensive watch. When I look at her more closely, I notice she’s also wearing a diamond tennis bracelet and huge diamond stud earrings. Also very expensive.
Maybe she’s like David and has a generous daddy with lots of money.
“I’ve got a few minutes before my friend gets here. Tell me this story I’ve heard a million times before.”
I take another sip of my drink. She’s right. Russ does like to make them strong.
“I recently graduated from art school. I have a fine arts degree but no professional job and no prospects. My student loans are set to go into repayment and I have no way to pay them. I’m barely making ends meet on my salary busting my ass at the local coffee shop. Pathetic, right?”
She shakes her head. “It’s not pathetic, but you’re right, it’s a story I’ve heard a lot. Maybe not a million times. Half a million tops.”
We both laugh. It feels good to laugh about it. At least for one night.
She reaches into her purse, a pricey Coach bag, and pulls out a business card. I expect her to hand it to me but she places it on the bar between us instead.
“I don’t do this very often but I feel bad for you, so I’m making an exception.” She points to the card. “You can pick it up if you want to, after I tell you what it’s about. Or you can leave it on the bar. It’s completely up to you.”
My curiosity is definitely piqued. When I glance down at the card I notice it only has two words: The Club followed by a phone number.
“What’s The Club?”
“It’s a kind of dating service.”
I frown. “Do I look like need a date?”
“No, but you said you need money. This is a special kind of dating service for extremely wealthy men.”
I assume that’s how she got her Rolex and other jewelry, but I don’t want to be rude by asking. “Are you saying it’s kind of like having a sugar daddy?”
She laughs. “That’s kind of an antiquated term but sort of. Most of the men in The Club are older and they have very specific tastes. Most of them want younger women, but more importantly, they want women who will be there whenever and however they want.”
I gulp. Then I whisper. “Are you talking about prostitution?”
She gives me a little smile. “Prostitution implies that you’re with multiple men and they’re paying you for sex. It’s not like that. It’s more like you’re being paid to be one man’s mistress.”
“Are they married?”
She laughs. “Some are. Some aren’t. Does it matter?”
“I think it would to me.”
“Why?”
It’s a good question. I’m not married. He’d be the one doing the cheating.
“Do you mind if I ask how much money you’re talking about?”
“That’s negotiable between you and the man who selects you. It’s called an arrangement. You can negotiate any sort of arrangement you want.”
“Could you give me a ballpark figure?”
“Usually between three and five thousand a month.”
My eyes grow wide at the thought of that kind of money. My salary at the coffee shop, even with overtime and tips, doesn’t come close to that.
“And that doesn’t include all of the perks. A lot of the men like to provide their girlfriends with generous gifts in addition to their arrangement.”
“You said a lot of the guys are older. How old?”
An image of a geriatric using a walker crosses my mind. I’m not sure I’d be able to have sex with someone that old, if he could still even have sex.
“The guy I have an arrangement with is fifty-four.”
That’s ten years older than my dad. I can feel my stomach churn. Am I really considering getting involved with some kind of club and being paid to have sex with a guy who could be older than my father?
The blonde leans in close. “Don’t let his age fool you. He can still perform in bed. And I only have to see him two days a week for a few hours. And my arrangement is non-exclusive. He doesn’t mind if I date other guys.”
“I don’t really date that much,” I confess.
“That’s even better. There are a lot of guys who want exclusive arrangements. Not many girls will commit to that.”
I stare at the business card for a few seconds. Is this something I’m actually considering? I’m just not sure. There’s no doubt that I need the money but I’m not sure about having sex with someone I don’t even know…for money.
“It’s really not that bad,” she insists. “I wasn’t sure at first either but you get used to it. And Alex can be a really sweet guy.”
She makes a point of pushing the business card a little closer to me. “At least meet with Claudia. You can always back out if a guy selects you and you don’t like him.”
I pass my hand over the card and hesitate for a moment. I feel like this is a pivotal moment. Like my whole life could change just by picking up the card.
I take in a deep breath then grab the card from the bar. Now that it’s actually in my hand I feel like calling the phone number is inevitable.
“Tell Claudia that December sent you.”
My eyes widen and I can’t help the look of surprise on my face. “Your name is December?”
She laughs. “It’s my real name too. And I wasn’t even born in December. My birthday is November 28. I was an early arrival. But my parents already picked out the name and they really liked it.”
She holds out a hand for me to shake. “December Reynolds.”
“Rose Collins,” I reply as I shake her hand.
“Claudia just accepted several new members into The Club and she’s looking for a few more girls. I think she’ll really like you. You’re cute and classy.”
I’m not sure whether to take that as a compliment. “Thanks,” I say anyway.
December looks at her watch. “I’ve got to split. I’m supposed see Alex in a few minutes.”
She hops down from her barstool then reaches into her purse, grabs two twenties and throws them on the bar. The drinks here aren’t cheap but they’re not that expensive. “The Crantini is on me. I’m sure I’ll see you around. Give my best to Claudia.”
Before I have a chance to respond, December is hurrying out the door.
About the Author
Ren Monterrey lives in a small town outside Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and their bloodhounds. She writes New Adult and Contemporary romance under a number of different pen names.
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Hot Days and Hotter Nights Blog Hop!
Welcome to the Hot Days and Hotter Nights Blog Hop!
For this entry, I’m featuring my Red-Hot Bliss novella from Entangled, Taming the Country Star, and I’m giving away one of Entangled Publishing’s Brazen e-books–these are hot, hot, hot!
So take a moment to check out Taming the Country Star, leave me a comment telling me your favorite setting for a hot romance novel, enter the Rafflecopter, and then HOP to the rest of the participating blogs!
Taming the Country Star: A Hometown Heroes Novella (Entangled Bliss)
August 12, 2014
Cover Reveal: Sanguinary, by Margo Bond Collins + Paperback ARC Giveaway
Hi, everyone! Welcome to the Sanguinary Cover Reveal, hosted by Fabulosity Reads! Check out the cover below, designed by the incomparable Liliana Sanches. Then enter to win a paperback Advance Reader Copy! Before you go, be sure to tell me why, in your opinion, our culture remains fascinated by vampires (it’s an entry on the Rafflecopter!).
Sanguinary, by Margo Bond Collins
A Night Shift Novel
Forthcoming Fall 2014
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Blurb
Only fifty years left before vampires rule the world.
When Dallas police detective Cami Davis joined the city’s vampire unit, she planned to use the job as a stepping-stone to a better position in the department.
But she didn’t know then what she knows now: there’s a silent war raging between humans and vampires, and the vampires are winning.
So with the help of a disaffected vampire and an ex-cop addict, Cami is going undercover, determined to solve a series of recent murders, discover a way to overthrow the local Sanguinary government, and, in the process, help win the war for the human race.
But can she maintain her own humanity in the process? Or will Cami find herself, along with the rest of the world, pulled under a darkness she cannot oppose?
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Excerpt
Reese loosened his hold enough for my circulation to start back up, and the blood rushing to my palm felt like needles dancing across it. I rubbed it with the thumb of my other hand, and Reese’s gaze followed the motion.
“We’re leaving,” he said, his voice harsh.
No. No way in hell was I walking out of here with a pissed-off vampire.
That’s how cops got dead.
Instead, I took a step backwards and pulled myself up onto a barstool. Reese’s upper lip curled, revealing a fang, and I held out my hands placatingly.
“Hear me out,” I said.
I didn’t really know if I could trust him, this cowboy-vampire I had been thrown together with. He was only meant to be an informant, my visits to see him at the Blood House a cover for him to pass information to me.
But that’s not how it was working out.
Garrett had said Reese was on our side, as much as it was possible for any vamp to be. I wasn’t sure he thought of us as anything more than dinner. But he was all I had right now—my partner was too vamp-addled to help me, and Iverson and his crew weren’t rushing in to save me.
The department wouldn’t force me to stick it out, wouldn’t expect me to team up with a vampire for anything more than the most superficial of connections.
I could walk out at any time.
But if I did, it was unlikely we’d find out enough to stop whoever was killing these women.
So that left the option of going in deep.
Almost everyone who went undercover with the vamps came out addicted to their bite. The ones who could still string two sentences together, like Garrett, stayed on the force. It’s not like the Sucker Squad had cops banging on the door to join up.
We worked with what we had.
The press portrayed us as bumbling and stupid—and maybe we were. Sending detectives in against humanity’s worst nightmare? We were like little kids trying to hold back the dark with matches, bound to get our fingers burned, and worse, maybe burn the house down around us if we weren’t careful.
We didn’t really understand what we were doing, or what we were up against.
Going under was dangerous and ugly.
But I was beginning to think it might be necessary.
“I’ll tell you everything,” I said to the vampire snarling at me. “But I’ll need your help.”
Reese’s lip dropped back down, covering the fang.
I was glad—it was easier to contemplate joining forces with him when he wasn’t reminding me that he was one of the monsters.
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About the Author
Margo Bond Collins is the author of urban fantasy, contemporary romance, and paranormal mysteries. She has published a number of novels, including Taming the Country Star, Legally Undead, Waking Up Dead, and Fairy, Texas. She lives in Texas with her husband, their daughter, and several spoiled pets. Although writing fiction is her first love, she also teaches college-level English courses online. She enjoys reading romance and paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time daydreaming about heroes, monsters, cowboys, and villains, and the strong women who love them—and sometimes fight them.
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Connect with Margo
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/margobondcollins
Email: MargoBondCollins@gmail.com
Website: http://www.MargoBondCollins.net
Blog: http://www.MargoBondCollins.com
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Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchy
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MargoBondCollins
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mbondcollins/
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Margo’s Other Books:
Taming the Country Star: A Hometown Heroes Novella (Entangled Bliss)
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Buy Taming the Country Star
Kindle US: http://www.amazon.com/Taming-Country-Star-Hometown-Entangled-ebook/dp/B00KK4DORC/
Kindle Worldwide: http://bookShow.me/B00KK4DORC
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Buy Legally Undead
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Legally-Undead-Vampirarchy-Margo-Collins-ebook/dp/B00KKV44BK/
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/legally-undead-margo-bond-collins/1119607989?ean=2940149615803
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/legally-undead
Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Legally-Undead-Vampirarchy-Volume-1/dp/0692211497/
Universal Kindle Link: http://bookShow.me/B00KKV44BK
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Buy Fairy, Texas
E-Book:
Amazon (Kindle): http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Texas-Margo-Bond-Collins-ebook/dp/B00I7BTMJ4/
Paperback:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Texas-Margo-Bond-Collins/dp/1495419800/
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Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Fairy-Texas-Margo-Bond-Collins/9781495419805
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Buy Waking Up Dead
Kindle from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Waking-Dead-Margo-Bond-Collins-ebook/dp/B00HKQQRJA/
Nook from B & N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/waking-up-dead-margo-bond-collins/1117526839?ean=2940149726776
Paperback from these booksellers:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Waking-Dead-Margo-Bond-Collins/dp/1493750461/
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Books A Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Waking-Up-Dead/Margo-Bond-Collins/9781493750467?id=5868658257083
Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Waking-Up-Dead-Margo-Bond-Collins/9781493750467
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Buy Beyond the Count
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Count-Eighteenth-Nineteenth-Centuries-ebook/dp/B00KNKOQIY/
Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Count-Eighteenth-Nineteenth-Centuries/dp/0692226621/
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