C.J. Burright's Blog, page 20

Sneak Peek: Finding Us by Debra Presley

Happy New Year, everyone! I’m super-duper excited to be a part of the lovely Debra Presley’s sneak peek for her up and coming newest, Finding Us. You’ll have to wait until March to read, when the snow is gone and the sun comes out to play a smidge more (at least in Oregon…well, except for the snow). Check it out, and there’s an Amazon gift card giveaway at the end, so don’t miss it.

Book Title: Finding Us (A Nucci Securities Novel)

Author: Debra Presley

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: March 2015

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

COVER REVEAL: January 23, 2015

Pop star Abby Murphy has fame and fortune and handsome boyfriend and guitarist, Sean. That changes the night she finds him in the arms of another woman. But Sean won’t accept the breakup, and she soon finds out he’s working with her mother, who’s also her manager, to keep him in her good graces.

As Sean ratchets up his threats against her, Abby turns to her bodyguard, Danny Nucci, who will do everything in his power to keep her safe.

But when Abby realizes her feelings for Danny run much deeper than she’d like, she pushes him away as much to keep her own independence as to protect him from Sean’s machinations.

When Abby finally finds the strength to confront all that is wrong with her life, she seeks refuge with Danny, but is it too late? Has she pushed him away one too many times for him to trust her now? Or can he put his own demons aside to help repair them both?

Chapter One

© 2015 Debra Presley

The house lights went on and Abby took in the huge crowd. They were screaming for her to sing one more song. Some held up signs that read “I love you, Abby” and others took pictures and recorded the show using their phones, trying to capture the magic of the night.

She had just spent the last two hours tearing down the house with an elaborate show that included dances, pyrotechnics, jugglers, acrobats, and fucking circus animals. She hated all the glitz and glamour but she was just a pawn in a game much bigger than her.

However, she never liked disappointing her fans. She smiled and waved and the volume in the arena increased tenfold.

“You want more?” she asked her audience and the crowd went crazy. She signaled to the drummer and he started the intro to a song that was recently pegged as her next single to be released by her record company, “Beg Me.” Seemed fitting, since that was what the crowd was doing. Dancers launched from the bottom of the stage and Abby picked it up from there, and sang her guts out and danced like it was her last night at a club. As the last note faded, fireworks lit up the stage.

“Thank you, Vegas” she shouted into the mic. “I love you. Good night.”

The crowd cheered and screamed for her. With one last wave, Abby went backstage, but stopped by her guitarist and latched onto him before she gave him a quick kiss and ran off the stage. The crowd continued to scream and shout her name and she could hear it, even as security whisked her to her dressing room.

Once there, Abby sighed. As she suspected, it was completely packed with staff, media and random groupies all vying for attention. She hated this part of a show, and immediately lost the high from the stage. Her one request for her tours was to have a private area so that she could escape for a little bit. Looked like that wasn’t going to be an option, yet again.

She thought of her mother, who always took that request to the extreme, when all Abby needed was four walls, a door, and maybe a humidifier to keep her vocal cords healthy. But no. Her mother insisted on a “pop star life,” so Abby was met at every venue with a private, completely over-the-top dressing suite filled with unnecessary things and usually unnecessary people.

This one had light lavender walls and soft lighting to help “set the mood.” The floors were cappuccino-colored hardwood, and a lavender area rug had been placed in the center of the room. A deep purple sofa with accent pillows stood on the rug, while two slim lined cream-colored side chairs with brown piping had been placed to the right and left of it. A square glass coffee and a sofa table held freshly cut roses in various shades of pink. A humidifier was placed discreetly behind the sofa, because Abby’s mother thought such things were ugly and didn’t match the décor. No matter that it was the only necessary thing in the room for her.

Lavender-scented candles in various sizes had been lit at least one hour prior to an arrival at a performance location and the dressing room also contained high-speed wireless Internet connection. All things Abby didn’t want or need at the moment. But she had stopped trying to change her mother’s mind. Some days, she just wanted to run away, to some place where no one knew who she was.

Abby scanned the room and found the friendly face of her assistant Sophie. She knew once she could make it to Sophie she’d be in the clear from all the bad stuff.

“You killed it tonight.” Sophie gave Abby a quick hug and handed her a bottled water.

“Thanks, where’s the evil one?” Abby asked as she took a quick sip of the cool drink.

“Bailed as usual.” She gave Abby a warm smile, which took a bit of Abby’s annoyance away.

“Thank God. She knows just how to ruin a good night.” She smiled at Sophie but Sophie didn’t look very happy.

“Don’t get too excited. We might’ve dodged one bitch but there’s one waiting for you. Gina’s looking for ‘a few minutes of your time.’ Don’t worry I’ll save you.” She patted Abby on the back.

“Ugh, fuck. What does that lady want from me? She’s a fuckin’ nosy-ass bitch.” She sighed, knowing there’s no way she could get out of talking to her.

“Well she is a gossip columnist. It’s kinda her job to be nosey.” Sophie giggled.

“Not funny. You were my favorite assistant five minutes ago but now you’re just mean,” Abby said as she stuck her tongue out at Sophie.

“What if I promise to rescue your ass after five minutes?” She playfully poked Abby in the arm.

“I’d say you’d quickly become my best assistant in the world again.”

“Here she comes,” Sophie warned.

“Don’t go far,” Abby pleaded.

“I’ll be over here, keeping a close watch, if she gets too personal use our signal.” She scratched her arm and smiled at Abby. “Five minutes and you’ll be able to get some quiet.”

“Yeah right.”

“Abby, sweetie! Wonderful show tonight.” Gina placed her hands on Abby’s arms and gave her an air kiss on either side of her face.

“Gina, lovely to see you,” Abby said with her best fake smile.

“You and Sean looked cozy up on stage. Things going well?” She asked, totally fishing for something and Abby knew it.

“Yes, perfect. Sean’s amazing. I’m very lucky to have him.” Abby gave her best smile.

“Oh, that’s so good to hear because you know the rumors are flying that he was seen in a very compromising position with a young woman with bright red hair. But I’m glad you think things are good.” She smiled at Abby with a wicked little smirk. Abby knew exactly who she was talking about but she also knew they were just friends. Kelly had introduced Abby to Sean. There was no way anything romantic was going on between them.

“Well you can’t believe everything you hear now, can you?” Abby smiled as she scratched her arm.

“I suppose.” Gina answered and gave Abby a ‘yeah right’ look.

“Excuse me ladies,” Sophie interrupted. “Abby, you need to get ready for your meet and greet. Gina, if you’d like to sit down and do a formal interview with Abby just give me a call and I’ll set it up.” She smiled.

“Sorry Gina, gotta go meet my fans.” Abby gave Gina a quick hug and air kiss. Sophie ushered Abby away.

“Thank God that’s over,” Abby said and sighed with relief.

“By the way, that dress is hot on you, girl.” Abby scanned Sophie’s outfit, a black shift dress with a thick white band down the middle and a square-cut neckline. She sported a pair of black sparkly four-inch platform shoes and had pulled her reddish-brown hair back in a bun. “That’s the other reason I hired you. Our fashionista sensibilities.”

“Learned it from you. Now come on. The inner sanctum awaits!”

Abby followed her into the other room of the dressing area and sank down onto a sofa. She closed her eyes, savoring the quiet.

Always a pillar of efficiency, Sophie retrieved her binder from the coffee table and took a seat across from her. She opened it.

“Okay, tonight we have a meet and greet with a bunch of radio station winners. It starts in about an hour and a half. This should give you time to shower and get ready. We also promised you’d stick around to sign autographs and take pictures. I have an outfit set aside. Amy and John stayed behind to help get you ready.”

Abby sighed in resignation. “I thought you were just saying that to Gina to rescue me. Who signed me up for this little get together?” But she already suspected the answer to the question before Sophie responded.

“Your mom.”

“I knew it. I thought we talked about doing shit like this before shows. Is she coming, too?”

“No, she told me she was going back to the hotel.”

“Well, I guess I should be thankful for small favors.” Abby got up off the sofa. “I’ll shower in a bit.” She went back into the crowd still in the common area of her dressing suite. She wanted to talk to Sean. He always helped her with the stressful “make nice” aftermath of a show. She worked her way around the room, smiling and greeting people as appropriate, then saw Sean tucked in a corner talking a bit too closely to a scantily dressed blonde with her tits hanging halfway out of what little dress she had. Not again. His tall frame leaned over the blonde, and he was running his fingers up and down her arm.

Abby stared, shocked, then headed right for them, ignoring people who were trying to get her attention. She approached the couple from behind so Sean couldn’t see her.

“Am I interrupting anything here?” she snapped.

Sean immediately backed away. “Baby, I was just talking to–”

“Brandi,” the woman said, sounding offended.

“Yeah, Brandi.” Sean smiled nervously. “She was telling me about a club we should check out.”

“Oh, really?” Abby used extra sarcasm in her tone. “Too bad we have no time.” She smiled back, extra sweet. A small group of onlookers had inched closer. “Can I talk with you for a moment, baby?” She continued to smile. With a room full of reporters, she had to keep up appearances. She took his hand and pulled him toward her private dressing area.

Once inside, she shut the door. “What the fuck was that? I can’t leave you alone for more than five fucking minutes without you trying to get into some random skank’s pants? Really?” She kept her voice low, but her tone had an effect. He frowned.

“I was just being nice. She came up to me and wanted to talk. What was I supposed to do? Be rude?” He ran his finger along the seam of Abby’s shirt and looked down at her with a smile.

She always had a hard time resisting him, especially his damn blue eyes. She ran her hand through his longish brown unruly hair that was still sweaty from being on stage.

“Mmm. There,” he said. “See? It’s cool, right?”

“Fuck you, Sean. I see that shit again and you can say goodbye to me, this tour and your fucking career.”

Sean stared at her. “I’m sorry.”

“Fine,” she said with a sigh. “I have to get ready.”

He stepped back to let her pass but grabbed her hand. “Where are you going?”

“I have a fucking meet and greet that my dearest mother set up.”

“I was hoping we could spend some time by ourselves tonight.” He looked down into her eyes and brushed her bangs off her forehead. “I mean it. I’m sorry and we really don’t get time to ourselves. I just thought–”

Abby sighed again but this time she let go of some of her anger. “I wish I could get out of it.”

“Um, sorry to break things up here, but you have to start to get ready if you want to be able to get back at a decent time.” Sophie smiled, apologetic, and Abby wondered how much she had seen.

“Wait up for me?” Abby whispered after giving him a quick kiss.

“Absolutely. How long are you gonna be? I’ll have a bath waiting for you.”

“That sounds nice. A couple of hours, I guess.” She looked over at Sophie, who shrugged.

“Give or take,” she guessed. “The sooner you get ready, the sooner you can finish up.”

Abby smiled. “All right. See you later.” She blew Sean a kiss and headed for the bathroom.

***

Abby walked into the elevator and leaned against the wall, completely exhausted from her long day. All she wanted now was the long hot bath she was promised. Sophie, Danny and Ron followed Abby into the elevator.

“That wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been,” Sophie said as she stood next to Abby.

“Danny was lucky enough to get cornered by the little girl’s mother.” Ron chuckled and pressed the buttons for their floors. “Left me to hold back all the squealing teenagers.”

“You could’ve given me some help. She was disgusting.” He shook himself free of the horrible memory.

“She was quite fond of you.” Abby giggled.

“Not one of you threw out a lifeline. I think I’m gonna need to shower for a week before I get her perfume out of my nose. She reeked.”

“Yeah you do smell pretty.” She goaded and they all laughed.

“I’ll remember this. Just wait.” Danny declared as the elevator door opened to Sophie’s floor.

“Night,” Sophie gave Abby a quick peck on the cheek and waved to the boys.

“Night,” Abby said, waiting inside the elevator with Danny holding the door open, while Ron walked Sophie to her door.

“So, what are your plans for the rest of the night? A late night rendezvous with the smelly cougar?” Abby continued teasing Danny as Ron walked back into the elevator.

“Aren’t you just the funny one this evening. Well, baby doll, it’s two-thirty in the morning, so I’m thinking sleep. Why? Did you have something in mind?”

She got lost for a minute in his deep brown eyes. She’d always thought he was cute, but for some reason, tonight she really wanted to touch his dimples and five o’ clock shadow.

“Um, you still with me, Abby?”

She snapped back to the elevator. “Oh, you want me to answer you?” she said with a little touch of sarcasm. She didn’t want him to think she’d been ogling him. “I told you how I feel about your stupid nicknames.” She tried to sound pissed but didn’t pull it off.

Danny tried to hide his laugh, but didn’t succeed.

Abby changed the subject. Much safer that way. “So, what time are we heading out in the morning?”

“Oh, nine hundred hours,” Danny replied.

“Okay Sarg, I’ll be ready.” She looked at Danny and smiled. The elevator dinged and the doors opened onto the semi-private floor, which held only two suites. One of them for Abby and Sean, and the other was for her personal security guards.

“Well, military man, it’s been a pleasure. I’m gonna go pass the hell out before I have to get up. Have a good night. ’Night Ron.” She smiled at them both while they waited for her to enter her suite.

She slipped the keycard in the slot and walked into the foyer. She strolled into the large sunken living room that was semi-dark, the muted lights from the Vegas strip was the only light that guided her. She made it halfway through the living room before she stopped to remove her shoes from her aching feet. Clearly, some sadistic man created high-heeled shoes.

“Sean?” She called out and continued her journey into the bedroom. Abby opened the door and threw her shoes down next to the dresser.

Sean wasn’t in the bedroom, and a twinge of anger gripped her throat. He said he’d be here when she got back. Even if he decided to go out with the band, he was supposed to be here. She turned the light on then dug into her bag for her phone. It wasn’t there. “Fuck,” she muttered as she walked to the phone next to the bed and dialed Sophie’s room.

“Hey, sorry to bother you, but do you have my phone?”

“No, I don’t think so, but let me look. Hold on.”

Abby chewed her lip, thinking about Sean. Where the hell was he? Worse, who was he with? Her stomach started to ache with stress.

“Hey,” Sophie said. “I don’t have it.”

“Fuck. I must’ve left it in my dressing room.” Typical, considering the way her luck had been tonight. “It makes me nervous not to have it. I’ll go back and look.”

“You can’t go alone.”

“It’ll only be twenty minutes. I’ll just run downstairs and ask management to let me check my room.”

“Bad idea to go by yourself. Ask one of the boys to go.”

“They’re probably already in bed. I won’t be long. You know where I am. When I find my phone I’ll call you.”

“I’m still dressed. I’ll go with you. I’ll meet you at the elevator.”

“You sure?” The last thing Abby wanted to do was take advantage of Sophie, who already had to jump through millions of hoops for her mother.

“Yes. Positive. By the time you reach my floor I’ll be there.”

“Okay, thanks.” Abby hung up and slipped on a pair of flats before she left her room. At the elevator, she hesitated. Should she tell security? She stabbed the button but let guilt lead her the few paces to the other suite where she knocked on the door. A ding sounded behind her and she decided to grab the elevator and call her team when she got her phone. She hurried in before the doors closed.

Debra is a native New Yorker who made her escape to the suburbs. She often visits her hometown to enjoy a bagel with butter from her favorite deli, because there’s no better bagel than a New York bagel. When not in search of bagels, Debra spends her time running Book Enthusiast Promotions, an online promotions company that helps indie authors spread the word about their books. She’s also the owner of The Book Enthusiast blog.

She started writing lyrics in her wall-to-wall NKOTB bedroom at the tender age of thirteen while dreaming of the day she’d become Mrs. Jordan Knight. That dream never came to fruition, but she has continued to write. Now she’s working on her first novel.

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Resolutions…?

Almost happy New Year, people! Come on over to Geeks with me. This non-resolution girl is breaking her rules and making a couple for 2015 (scary, I know).

Double the Fun

Double the fun today! I’m at Geeks with a review of Breaking the Nexus by Lindsay Avalon (there’s a giveaway too!), AND…

Book Blitz for Lauren Smith’s His Wicked Seduction – plus another giveaway!

Book Title: His Wicked Seduction

Author: Lauren Smith

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: November 2014

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Horatia Sheridan has been hopelessly in love with Lucien, her brother’s best friend, ever since he rescued her from the broken remains of her parents’ wrecked carriage. His reputation as London’s most notorious rakehell doesn’t frighten her, for under his veneer of cool authority she has glimpsed a man whose wicked desires inspire her own. Lucien, Marquess of Rochester, has deliberately nurtured a reputation for debauchery that makes every matchmaking mother of the ton quake with fear. His one secret: he is torn between soul-ripping lust for Horatia, and the loyalty he owes her brother. That loyalty is put to the test when an old enemy of the League threatens Horatia’s life. With Christmas drawing near, he sweeps her away to his country estate, where he can’t resist granting her one wish—to share his bed and his heart. But sinister forces are lurking, awaiting the perfect moment to exact their revenge by destroying not only whatever happiness Lucien might find in Horatia’s arms, but the lives of those they love.

Warning: This book contains an intelligent lady who is determined to seduce her brother’s friend, a brooding rake whose toy of choice in bed is a little bit of bondage with a piece of red silk, a loyal band of merry rogues and a Christmas love so scorching you’ll need fresh snow to extinguish it.

Check out an excerpt from His Wicked Seduction on Lauren’s website!

 

Lauren Smith is an attorney by day, author by night, who pens adventurous and edgy romance stories by the light of her smart phone flashlight app. She’s a native Oklahoman who lives with her three pets—a feisty chinchilla, sophisticated cat and dapper little schnauzer. She’s won multiple awards in several romance subgenres including being an Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-Finalist and a Semi-Finalist for the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award.

 

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Review – Destiny by Celia Breslin

Happy Wednesday, everyone! I’m over at Geeks today with a review of Destiny, number 2 in the Tranquilli Bloodlines series by the amazing Celia Breslin – hope to see you there!

Beast Coast by J.C. McKenzie

Hey, people! I’m over at Geeks today with the kick-some-patooty Andy McNeilly from Beast Coast by J.C. McKenzie, so I hope you hop on over and join us, not to mention check out my 5++ star review.

Book Blitz – Mending Heartstrings by Aria Glazki

There’s also a swag pack giveaway, so stick around to the end!

Mending Heartstrings by Aria Glazki

Published by: Swoon Romance

Publication date: December 2nd 2014

Genres: Adult, RomanceSynopsis:

Kane’s a country singer who’s tangled with too many deceitful women. He’s learned his lesson: girls are for flirting and fun; emotions are for his music. But after spending a night with an earnest woman unlike any he’s known, he can’t force her out of his mind. So he goes in search of the woman he knows only as “Elle.”

On her last night in Nashville, the staunchly pragmatic Sabella found herself in a situation more suited to a romance novel than reality. Swept away, she ignored her rigidly self-imposed rules, succumbing to the fantasy just this once. But she knows real-world relationships have nothing in common with their fictionalized portrayals. When Kane unexpectedly shows up at her Portland apartment, she must choose between the practical truths she has learned and the desire for a passionate love she has struggled to suppress.

Despite the distance, Kane’s tour schedule, and their meddling friends, both are drawn to the chance for a romance neither quite believes is possible.

Wanna one-click Mending Heartstrings? Right here: Amazon. See how easy that was?

Kane rested his forearms on the bar and bent his head down, exhaling. As always, he’d scanned the audience a few times while he played, trying to read the room’s reactions. Tonight, too many people had been absorbed in their own conversations around the bar’s simple wooden tables. Only one pair of eyes had met his. A striking, unwavering pair of eyes. She’d been standing toward the back, alone. He’d felt her watching him even when he’d closed his eyes.

But she hadn’t been standing there when he’d come back out. Probably just as well.

Cody set down a chilled beer in front of Kane. He tipped it toward the bartender as thanks. A couple drinks, a little bit of flirting, and there’d be no more need to think about his songs tonight.

Turning back toward the room, Kane bumped a girl he hadn’t noticed seated next to him at the bar. “Ah! Sorry ’bout that,” he said with a half-smile, ramping up the charm.

She twisted toward him. “I’ll survive.” The corners of her mouth pulled up, but Kane couldn’t look away from her eyes. Hazel, he realized. Unlike when he’d been on stage, her gaze fell, and she started to turn back to the bar.

“Kane,” he offered, shifting his beer to his left hand and offering up his right. A handshake. Smooth. This really was an off night.

Her eyes flicked down to his hand then laughingly back to his face. Her eyebrows drew up in a small challenge as she placed her hand in his. “Like the sugar, or the stick?”

“With a K …” He leaned back against the bar, resting on one elbow.

“So, not Abel’s brother. Good to know.”

Normally he’d have walked away at a line like that, but it wasn’t like he’d been offering conversational gold. Maybe this would help him shake it off before he made his move on the trio Cody’d pointed out. And then there were those eyes … “Go ahead and joke. I’ve probably heard them all.”

“Don’t tempt me.” Her lips curved softly. Mischief glinted in her eyes.

“And how could I do that?” Kane let himself relax, sliding back into the easy feel of the bar. Unlike his performance, this conversation didn’t really matter.

“I’m sure you have a few tricks up your sleeves.” She picked up the glass of white wine she’d been nursing and took a sip, without dropping her smile or taking her eyes off him.

A local girl would’ve been drinking beer. But then, a local girl would’ve known exactly who he was, which could lead to nothing more than a mildly satisfying romp in the sack. He remembered his own beer and took a swig.

“Worried?” he asked, after she set her glass back down.

That got him a bigger smile. “Please, I can take anything you throw at me.”

“Maybe we should test that theory.” He took another sip of beer. This was getting more and more interesting.

“By all means,” she replied, not missing a beat.

He was used to women flattering him, fawning over him. His Southern charm had rarely failed him, and as a singer, he wasn’t hurting for female attention, especially since country music wannabes thought he’d be a perfect springboard for their careers. But he hadn’t met someone who actually intrigued him in a while. Too long.

He turned to face her, leaving his elbow resting on the bar, and set down his beer. “I didn’t catch your name.”

“Call me Elle,” she answered, tilting her head slightly, a silent question on the change in direction. Her eyelashes didn’t flutter with calculated coyness, and her direct gaze didn’t falter.

Kane straightened, suddenly inspired. “Pleased to meet you, Elle. Excuse me a sec?” He grabbed the bottle he’d just set down and turned away from her. Another swig and he returned to the back room. This was nothing short of crazy, but he picked up his guitar anyway and walked back to the small stage.

Aria Glazki’s writing story started when her seventh-grade English teacher encouraged her to submit a class assignment for publication. That piece was printed, and let’s just say, she was hooked!

Since then, Aria has run a literary magazine, earned her degree in Creative Writing (as well as in French and Russian literatures), and been published in a few collections. Though her first kiss technically came from a bear cub, and no fairytale transformation followed, Aria still believes magic can happen when the right people come together – if they don’t get in their own way, that is.

Other than all things literary, Aria loves spending time with her family, including her two unbearably adorable nieces. She also dabbles in painting, dancing, playing violin, and, given the opportunity, Epicureanism.

Author links: Twitter * Website * Facebook * Goodreads


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My Own Mr. Darcy by Karey White

I’m over at Geeks today with a review of My Own Mr. Darcy by Karey White. Swing on by!

Destiny – Book Two in the Tranquilli Bloodline Series by Celia Breslin

I read Haven, the first in the Tranquilli Bloodline Series by Celia Breslin, too long ago. Made the wait for Destiny a killer, but huzzah! Destiny hit the shelves on November 3, and when Celia asked me to read and review, I had no problem snatching it up. I’ll post the review December 10 when Celia visits Geeks, but lemme tell ya…Destiny is amazeballs. Not that I expected anything less. So take a look, check out the excerpt, and don’t miss out on the bits of advice from Celia and a few of the Destiny gang.

Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance * Publisher: Champagne Books

Date of Publication: November 3, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-77155-164-9 * ASIN: B00O6A77FG

Number of pages: 234 * Word Count: 74K

Cover Artist: Ellie Smith

Book Description:

In HAVEN, San Francisco nightclub owner Carina Tranquilli survives a vicious attack by her vampire family’s longtime archenemies. Several weeks later, as she struggles with PTSD and survivor’s guilt, supervillain Dixon resurfaces and kidnaps two of her best friends. To save them, Carina must comply with the evil bastard’s unusual demands. The kicker? She must tell no one what she is up to.

Meanwhile, she has a new dance club to open for the preternatural community, a fated soul mate acting secretive and distant, and a sexy, new, undead friend who’d love to take Alexander’s place in her heart and bed.

Blackmailed, betrayed, tempted…sometimes destiny has a wicked sense of humor.

Buy Links: AllRomance * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Champagne Books * Google Books * iTunes * Smashwords

Life Lessons Found in Fiction

Hi Everyone!

Thanksgiving is almost here, the time of year to pause and ponder what we’re thankful for. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to write every day. I’ve learned some important lessons from my craft too, and wanted to share.  When my characters heard about my intention, a few of them wanted in on the action, too. I’ve included their thoughts below.  I’d never hear the end of it, if I didn’t! 

Celia (aka Author):

* Give yourself permission to make mistakes.  Consider them learning moments.

* Let yourself make a royal mess of things (as in: rough draft). You can clean it up later (as in: edit).

* Always meet your deadlines.

Muse (aka Artist Brain):

* “Always listen to your muse. I know best, Celia.”

*  “Inspiration is all around us 24/7. Eyes open, Celia. Be present, be mindful. Notice everything.”

Carina Tranquilli (heroine, dance club owner, and Chosen One, Tranquilli Bloodline Series):

::waves from her perch on the baby grand piano in Haven::

* “Work hard, play hard, and give Plan A everything you’ve got. But always have a Plan B in your back pocket.”

Alexander Wallace (hero and musician, Tranquilli Bloodline Series):

::stops playing the piano and shoots us his sexy smile::

* “Dream big. Set goals and work your ass off to achieve them.”

Dixon de Champagne (villain, Tranquilli Bloodline Series):

:: astride his motorcycle, outside Roland’s vampire bar and grill::

* “Remember the past and learn from previous errors, luv. If you bloody well don’t succeed the first time with your plans, try again. And again, and again…”

Thanks for having us over for a visit, C.J.!

Wise words…even from the dastardly Dixon. And it’s always my pleasure to host you, Celia! 

Happy Holidays!

EXCERPT 

My day moved from ordinary to interesting when the deliveryman handed me a box that smelled of blood.

The scent made my mouth water. Pungent iron mixed with, of all things, lavender. My thoughts flew straight to Tessa, my surrogate vampire mother. When she pulled out one of her specialty powers, the one I fondly referred to as vampire valium, this relaxing, floral herb scented the air and reduced friend or foe to a boneless, helpless puddle.

I shut the front door on the retreating back of the deliveryman and wiggled the box. Nothing rattled inside. Not particularly heavy, less than ten pounds.

A peace offering, perhaps? Tessa certainly owed me one.

She’d commanded her minion, my boyfriend Alexander, to star in a two-month classical music tour of Italy, performing nightly for vampire dignitaries and their lucky minions. While I, the good little predestined, vampire apocalypse averting, Chosen One in training, remained behind in San Francisco to learn how to kick naughty vampire ass with my latent and rather unwieldy fire power.

“Hey boys,” I called up to the second floor where my friend Adrian and his lover, my mentor Jonas, took their sweet time descending for breakfast. “Bloody prezzie just arrived. And I do mean that literally.”

Silence answered my shout, followed by the whoosh of water in the master bathroom shower and a husky laugh from Adrian. Given that sexy sound, I could expect a delay. Jonas tended to make their showers last forever.

A jolt of jealousy stabbed my stomach. Wish I could enjoy some fun and sexy time with my guy. I shrugged off the sensation and strode into the kitchen. “Fine. More for me.”

I parked my ass in a chair and slid the box onto the table to study it. No return address or package info. Not that surprising. Vampires tended to aim for stealth and subtlety, to fly under the radar of the general human populace. One of Tessa’s minions probably compelled the delivery dude, or he belonged to the circle of humans already in-the-know.

I ripped off the tape in one pull and peeked inside. No packing peanuts, but rather a nest of lavender branches speckled with droplets of blood, as if the branches themselves bled. Beautiful, aromatic, and so very vampire.

A wine box large enough for two bottles rested in the nest. Cold to the touch, indicating recent refrigeration. I lifted it out, trailing my fingers over the gold latch, the dark, glossy wood, the Celtic knots carved into each end, and finally over the initials on top. My initials, C A T. Short for Carina Agostina Tranquilli.

What a well-crafted and thoughtful gift. I bet the wine inside would be equally well-made.

I flipped the latch and opened the lid. My brows collided. Not wine.

Nine vials of blood about the size of my ring finger rested side by side in black velvet bedding. A stopper sealed with red wax and stamped with my initials secured the blood inside each vessel.

I pulled one from its nest and held it up in the light streaming through the kitchen’s bay window. The liquid glowed a rich, ruby red like a shard in a stained glass window.

“Beautiful.” And odd.

Sure, I was a half vampire and could appreciate a fine bit of blood, but I was still a human female and for me, nothing says, I’m sorry for disrupting your entire life like high-end jewelry or better yet an all-expenses paid trip with my boyfriend somewhere secluded, luxurious, and far away from vampire politics. Hell, I’d settle for the return of my boyfriend to San Francisco.

About the Author:

Celia lives in California with her husband, daughter, and two feisty cats. She writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and has a particular fondness for vampires, werewolves, and the Fae. When not writing, you’ll find her exercising, reading a good book or indulging her addiction to Joss Whedon’s TV shows and movies.

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Finding Her Way Back by Heather Van Fleet

I admit, I don’t dive into a whole lot of contemporary romance. Call it my readerly quirk. Whatever. I guess I simply prefer a bit of a supernatural kick. But when I read the blurb for Finding Her Way Back by Heather Van Fleet, I knew I had to pick this one up. Anytime there’s a concrete penis involved…who can resist? Join us at Geeks, where Heather’s in the author hot seat.

Shift Happens – 99 Cent Sale!

In the off-chance you haven’t read Shift Happens by J.C. McKenzie, now you have no excuses. It’s on sale for 99 cents until November 27, so pick up a copy and prepare for some fine reading! Beast Coast (the sequel) is out December 1 (trust me, you don’t want to miss it – fanflippintabulous story!!).

The Carus Series – Book 1: Shift Happens

Andrea McNeily’s job as a government agent is not asking questions, but then a routine assignment turns into a botched assassination of a Master Vampire’s human servant. Answers become a priority. Her search to discover the truth is riddled with obstacles, the largest being an oversized Werewolf who resembles a Norse god. Andy can’t afford the distraction he offers, because if she fails, she faces eternal enslavement. 

Wick’s job is to monitor Andy, but he prefers more intimate activities, none of them G-Rated. His choices, however, are often not his own. His ability to help Andy is limited by his bond to the Master Vampire.

Facing many trials and challenges along her path to redemption, Andy learns the value of her freedom might be set too high. 

First in the 2013 Emerald City Opener Writing Contest (Paranormal Category)
First in the 2013 Southern Heat Writing Contest (Paranormal Category)
Second in the 2012 Golden Gateway Writing Contest (Paranormal Category)
Second in the 2012 7th Annual Dixie Kane Writing Contest (Paranormal Category)
Third in the 2013 Golden Acorn Writing Contest (Paranormal Category)
Third in the 2013 Great Expectations Writing Contest (Specialized Category)


 AUTHOR INFO:

Born and raised on the Haida Gwaii, off the West Coast of Canada, J.C. McKenzie grew up in a pristine wilderness that inspired her to dream. She writes Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance, and is a member of the RWA and the FF&P chapter of the RWA.

Her debut novel, Shift Happens, is published by the Wild Rose Press 

and is available on Amazon.

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