E.G. Manetti's Blog, page 2

Spotlight Indie Romance: Gaslamp and Ghosts

The second of the Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries, I picked this up on a freebie deal. Not having read the first book in the series, I had no trouble following this story. A trained medium in a fantasy realm that parallels 18th-century Europe, Elinor engages from page one. The mystery is as engrossing as the characters, including an enigmatic duke. This is a slow-burn romance with neither party acknowledging their attraction, but it is palpable.

Thwarting an assassination wasn’t on the menu.

Elinor’s holiday is nearly ruined when a poisoner targets the king, and what’s even more irritating? Tristan Fontaine, the Duke de Archambeau, thinks to solve the case before she can!

Between saving a society lady’s reputation, comforting a girl with a ghostly brother, and conducting a séance for a widow, Elinor has her hands full. All she wants is to enjoy dinners prepared by the best chefs in the land, but Tristan’s mother and sister can’t stop giving bossy advice. It’s enough to spoil the dessert course.

Between dead husbands and noble boors, Elinor snoops through wardrobe closets, determined to put the duke in his place.

Trained as a medium, Ghost Talker Elinor Chalamet uses her talents to solve crimes.

The second of a six-part Gaslamp fantasy ghost mystery series featuring a strong-minded female Sherlock Holmes-like character in a slow burn romance.


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Spotlight Indie Romance: When life hands you a starship

I love finding new-to-me sci-fi authors. It is even better when they can integrate romance while maintaining a tight, gripping story. Natasha is determined and short on trust but not as ruthless as she wishes to be. Isin is as ruthless as he needs to be to survive and more honorable than he thought he could be. Together, they struggle to find a path to freedom without harming each other. Of course, the federal forces are not about to make that easy. The romance is slow-burn and does not derail the pace of the narrative.

When life hands you a starship, take it!
Experience has taught smuggler Natasha Orlov one thing —the universe will kick you when you’re down. Why does nothing ever come easy? Not friends, not jobs, and certainly not money. So when she stumbles onto a starship buried in a sea of sand, she’s not about to let it slip through her fingers. This is her shot at climbing out of the black hole of her past.

Too bad her past is a moving target.

A ghostly mercenary with muscles and brains stakes a claim, blowing her plan to smithereens and forcing her into a battle of wits and wills that tests her courage. And her patience.

Then the Feds start sniffing around.

The clock is ticking, but abandoning ship isn’t an option. Which means trusting the one person guaranteed to stab her in the back. Why does the universe have such a wicked sense of humor?



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Indie Romance Spotlight: Dark vs. Light Magic

It can be difficult to find a fantasy novel or series that is unique and interesting, so I was delighted to discover the Waterspell series. The books adhere sufficiently to fantasy conventions to meet expectations but have enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and turning pages. Central to the success of the story is the tension between Verek (the warlock in book one) and Carin, the point-of-view main character. Although I found Carin underwhelming initially, Verek was a riveting study of a flawed hero. By the 25% mark, I was hooked and immediately went on to the next story.

Although it is a romance, it is a slow burn, with the romance not materializing meaningfully until the second book.

Making a place for yourself in a world where you don’t belong takes courage. So does moving in with a warlock.

Drawn into the schemes of an angry wizard, Carin glimpses the place she once called home. It lies upon a shore that seems unreachable. To learn where she belongs and how to get there, the lost traveler must decipher the words of an alien book, follow the clues in a bewitched poem, conjure a dragon from a pool of magic — and tread carefully around a tortured, emotionally scarred sorcerer who can’t seem to decide whether to love her or kill her.

With elements of eco-fantasy, mystery, a little slow-burning romance, and dark dystopian undercurrents, Waterspell is a cross-genre story with too many layers for a single label. Intricate plot twists and compelling characters weave a tale of redemption and belonging, in a gripping saga that will captivate lovers of immersive storytelling.

The Warlock is Book 1 of the series. The story continues in Books 2-4: The Wysard, The Wisewoman, and The Witch. The saga carries on into a new generation with the linked sequels, The Karenina Chronicles and The Fires of Farsinchia.

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FEBRUARY 99c Sale: The Twelve Systems Trio

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Step into a universe where duty is a double-edged sword honed by passion. Love isn't just a battlefield—it's an entire galaxy.

The Cartel

She would give anything to protect her family… including her mind and body.

Lilian’s bright future was destroyed with a single, devastating stroke—her family name erased, their cartouche melted, and their property forfeited. Destitute and desperate, she is determined to survive and protect what remains of her family—no matter what she must do.

Lucius Mercio is the preeminent warrior of his cartouche, and the cartel it dominates; the Serengeti Group. Ruthless, clever, and ambitious, Lucius’ wealth, influence, and power are exceeded by few within the Twelve Systems. It is not sufficient. Lucius needs Lilian… and he needs her alive.

Lilian has agreed to become Lucius’ apprentice. For three years, he will train her for a position in the cartels. In return, Lilian will yield him absolute control of her mind and body. It is a bargain with the devil and one she hopes she does not regret.

Thrust together, the two will face a future filled with uncertainties. Lucius understands the dangers, but does Lilian?

Bright Star

Her path to redemption depends on one man.

Lilian’s trials have barely begun in a galaxy that is both exhilarating and terrifying. If she is to avoid execution for her father’s crimes and protect what is left of her family, Lilian must embrace her one chance at survival as the apprentice of the powerful warrior Lucius Mercio. As dangerous as he is intriguing, the man she hopes will be her salvation, could be her downfall. To survive, she will need to discover reserves of courage, wit, and determination.

Lucius intends to catapult his cartel to the heights of power and Lilian’s role in his plans is critical to his ambitions. As his rivals increase in number and ferocity, Lucius is torn between his growing fascination with Lilian and the recognition that she may be his weakest link. Lucius will do whatever it takes to protect Lilian from those who would use her… but, who will protect him?

Lilian's growing attraction to Lucius is as unexpected as it is dangerous when secrets she thought well-hidden begin to emerge and threaten to destroy Lucius' slowly developing trust.

Journey deeper into the Twelve Systems as a love that is forbidden, yet unstoppable, draws Lilian and Lucius deeper into a world fraught with danger, intrigue, and a touch of the inexplicable.

Transgressions

Her true power comes from her strength.

Lilian has survived one-third of her trial-by-ordeal through courage, with protection provided to her as Lucius Mercio's apprentice. Life within the Serengeti Cartel is perilous, riddled with malice and intrigue that can threaten the mightiest of warriors. For Lilian, brilliant and despised, only Lucius stands between her and destruction. The intrigue and assault of the past year are nothing compared to the savagery she is about to endure.

Well aware of what his apprentice has endured, Lucius knows their peril is far from over. Lucius is resolved to raise Serengeti to the pinnacle of power in the Twelve Systems while his rivals multiply while a traitor stalks the halls of Serengeti, determined to thwart him by any means.

When an enemy strikes at him through Lilian, Lucius questions his beliefs and expectations about both his apprentice and warrior society. With the fate of Serengeti hanging in the balance, Lilian’s courage and Lucius’ honor will determine if it is survival or destruction.

Spotlight Indie Romance: Steamy Geek Romance

I do not read a lot of straight-up contemporary romance, but when I saw that an author I know through sci-fi romance groups had made a foray into the ever-popular billionaire romance trope, I had to check it out. It turned out to be a fun, steamy Christmas-time read. Both the hero and heroine are socially awkward, which is nice, and the glittery 'sex club' hits all the fantasy buttons.

It’s impossible to fall in love at a sex club, isn’t it? And at Christmas time…

Geeky math genius Carolyn Hardy has lived the truth that Christmas is one of the loneliest times of the year. She has no family, leads a quiet, secluded life, and rarely dates. It doesn't help that she's hopeless around the opposite sex and has no clue how to attract sexy, sophisticated men. But when holiday blues overwhelm her, she finally admits her desire for incredible sex and passionate romance. What she doesn't expect is that her confession will lead her to Fantasy, an exclusive and secret sex club, where she'll meet one sexy man who will change her world.

Billionaire tech entrepreneur Martin Fuller has seen it all, done it all. His public life defines cynicism, and his private life is as debauched as it can get. Yet when Fantasy's edgy sex partners lose their appeal, he begins to worry he'll never feel real passion. It doesn't help that Christmas is here, again, and his family expects him to grow up and start a family. But when the sex club offers him one night with a beautiful, inexperienced woman, he's intrigued. And when he meets Carolyn, he learns what it means to lose your heart. Except, Fantasy has three immutable Fun, commitment-free sex. Anonymous, consensual encounters. And no emotions allowed.

What happens when the fun turns into something more, and they start to fall in love?

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Sneak Peek: MALCON

Malcon is one of my favorite characters from The Twelve Systems Chronicles, and as close as my stories come to having a ‘dark’ hero. A trained assassin, he is ruthless, violent, and implacable. He does not balk at grim deeds but is also unswervingly loyal to the man who saved him from the assassins’ guild. Although the majority of Malcon takes place after the events of The Twelve Systems Chronicles, I could not resist the compulsion to delve into his formative years and how he ended up imprisoned by pirates and eventually rescued by the man who would become the Serengeti spymaster in The Twelve Systems Chronicles.

The following is from the first draft of Malcon. Since my editor has not seen it, all errors are mine.

Pirates. Abandoning pretext, Malcon raced for his cabin. He considered and discarded disappearing into the environmental and mechanical ducts until the pirates left. If they followed recent patterns, they would take the passengers and crew captive, strip the vessel of everything of value, and scuttle it, ensuring no witnesses could hide and survive.

Around him, panicked passengers clamored at the staff for explanations. Bypassing the riser, he vaulted into a servitor’s accessway, taking the stairs two and three at a time. He emerged on his level to the announcement that passengers should remain calm and in their quarters. Reaching his cabin, he staggered through the door as the vessel rocked under impact.

Had the pirates fired on them? No. They were being boarded. As soon as he had the thought, the announcements continued: “Remain calm. Follow instructions, and no one will be harmed.”

That was a lie. The pirates would enslave anyone they could not ransom. Ransacking storage compartments, he slid a coil of wire into the heel of one boot and a small signal disruptor into the other. Could he shift his persona? It might be unwise. The pirates would have access to a manifest and would know Master Terrence was on board, while an unknown persona would raise dangerous questions.

He snatched up his satchel. Better to join the crowd in the observation lounge. He would have time to assess the pirates before they focused on him.

Demon shit. His dagger. A hidden thigh sheath would raise questions. The recycler accepted the sheath without issue but balked at the blade. The strange voice continued to demand obedience. Tucking the blade in his sleeve, Malcon abandoned the cabin. The corridor was empty. The other passengers were far more compliant. Passing the servitor stairs, he tossed the blade down to the next level.

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Indie Romance Spotlight: She Sees Dead People

Even without the psychic element, Drawn to Death is an enjoyable romantic suspense with believable characters, danger, and romantic developments. The fact that the heroine is a psychic artist and the hero is a skeptical cop adds some additional tension as well as some entertaining moments.

Ghosts visit Evelyn in her dreams. The secrets of the dead could get her killed.

The city is ripe with crime, and the freshly dead need help solving their murders. Evelyn is a reluctant medium who channels the dead through her art.

Leo is a skeptical homicide detective who believes in evidence, facts, and witness testimonies—when the information comes from the living, not the dead.

When a ghost feeds Evelyn clues about a string of unsolved murders, she teams up with Leo to track down the serial killer.

The romantic tension sizzles when Evelyn and Leo go undercover as a couple to lure the killer into a trap.

But when Evelyn gets too close to the case, and the handsome detective, her life is in danger when she becomes the latest obsession of the Windy City Stalker.

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Indie Romance Spotlight: Aliens Vampire Dentist

In celebration of my invitation to join Pets In Space 9, Indie Spotlight will feature stories from my fellow authors in the anthology for the next few months. USA Today best-selling author Demelza Carlton is a first-time contributor to Pets in Space but not to sci-fi romance, with over a dozen published books in her three separate Colony series.

When vampire dentist Dr Fang (yes, really) gets invited to go to the Intergalactic Dating Agency’s speed dating event as his friend’s wingman, he can’t refuse. He isn’t looking for love, let alone his fated mate, but one taste of the pretty young human girl Dani, and he’s hooked.


Dani isn’t sure what frightens her more: aliens, vampires or dentists. Only to discover that there are much more dangerous beings in the Colony…and the hot alien vampire dentist might be the exact hero she needs right now. Maybe even forever. . .

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Check out Demelza’s mischievous meowl in her contribution to Pets In Space 9; Daedalus.

A smitten disgraced pilot, a biologist determined to make her fishy dream a reality, and a mischievous meowl are on a course for disaster… and maybe happily ever after.

After embarrassing himself at the end-of-year office party, pilot Daedalus is given two choices: quit and lose his apartment or accept a demotion to office errand boy. Running errands for Eden isn’t so bad… until one of his less-than-legal side projects overruns the ship.

Just as he’s ordered to transport the woman of his dreams and her precious cargo.

Primula was supposed to build the first aquaponics project on Mars, until an explosion at Exodus Station had both her and her fish winging their way across the galaxy to the Colony instead. Now she has a second chance to build her project on Delta… if only she can get her fish there safely.
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Indie Romance Spotlight: Aliens at War

Oops--this should have posted 12/5 but somehow got lost in the holiday rush.

In celebration of my invitation to join Pets In Space 9, Indie Spotlight will feature stories from my fellow authors in the anthology for the next few months. Kenzie Kelly is a first-time contributor to Pets in Space, but not to writing pets. The Ka’atari Warriors Series has sci-fi romance, action, alien warriors, and space pets.

Go to space, they said. It’ll be an adventure, they said. They had no idea.

Cora’s boring job as a lab tech on board the space station Shangris is interrupted when two ships fall out of hyperspace and put Earth smack in the middle of an intergalactic war. She’s not sure which side she should be on, but the built-like-a-brick-house blue warrior who rescues her from the crumbling station could be more evil than Hannibal Lecter and she might not care. Especially if he’s in to eating people. But not in the creepy way.

The Talia’s captain ordered Kiran and his team to search the damaged station for survivors, and kill any Scozid he might find. The squid-like humanoids were known for using more primitive races for barbaric experiments. The Talia was tailing this particular ship when they jumped blindly into an unknown sector of the galaxy. With Ka’atari mates being as rare as a three-headed givuthde, he never dreamed his would be one of the survivors.

Things get even more complicated when another hyperspace jump, an unruly alien pet, and politicians get involved.

Hunka hunka blue alien love, action packed, steamy sci-fi romance fun!

This novella is the first in the Ka’atari Warriors series and has a guaranteed happily ever after and no cliff hangers.

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Check out Kenzie's irrepressible ship's vuhth, Skitter in her contribution to Pets In Space 9; Khanet.

I sought adventure in space. I got more than I bargained for.

I jumped at the chance to leave Earth and my critical family in a spaceship’s rear view as soon as I could join the Denchui Alliance transfer program. On the other side of the universe, I fell for a bad guy and was clutched in his criminal fingers for five long years.

I managed to ditch him and I have the perfect plan to get on the right path. I just have to dodge the notoriously temperamental Skeall warriors while sneaking through their space to deliver perishables to a hungry star system.
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Indie Romance Spotlight: Far Future Romance

In celebration of my invitation to join Pets In Space 9, Indie Spotlight will feature stories from my fellow authors in the anthology for the next few months. Evelyn Lederman—a first-time contributor to Pets in Space—writes Science Fiction, Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. Her Outer Worlds Passion series features a dystopian society in the 30th century with all the action and adventure a space opera fan could desire.

Travel to the 30th Century in this sexy, gritty science fiction romance.

He looked past his genetically engineered bride and became obsessed with her battle-scarred bodyguard.

Militia cadet Sydney Aubrey’s life is turned upside down when she receives new orders. An attraction to a man after a chance encounter threatens her new assignment. Haunted by her past, Sydney fights not to have history repeat itself.

Clay Wilson worked hard to build his outer world operation and travels to Earth to collect his contracted bride. He questions his decision to marry to enhance his status when a totally unacceptable woman invades his life and stirs his body.

When Earth runs out of natural resources, mankind heads to the stars. In the outer worlds and Frontier, there are no laws and women are a commodity.

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Check out Evelyns's genetically enhanced cats in her contribution to Pets In Space 9; The Purrfect Trip.

Captain Cassidy Ryan has the fastest spaceship in the quadrant and three genetically enhanced cats with neurotransmitters that allow them to communicate. When the government reassigns her to an off-the-books mission, she knows her ship and crew are suddenly deemed expendable.

Squadron Commander Branson Goody’s secret mission must succeed or war will surely come. He can’t let his unexpected sizzling attraction to Cassidy distract him, even though the clever woman is everything he’d ever wanted. Cassidy struggles not to develop feelings for a man who will exit her life as quickly as he entered it.

With no one to trust but each other, can they navigate a course to the future together, or will conspiracy and betrayal destroy them when the Cosmic Consortium goes up in flames?
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