Mia Epsilon's Blog, page 5
January 6, 2018
New Year....New Life
I've always seen January as sort of the cold, dreary month. The excitement and rush, the anticipation and bustle, and COLOR of the Christmas Season is over. It's Winter, there's no outdoor blooms. The trees are naked and sad. The flowers buried deep in the earth. The Parties are over. And it's time to go back to the grind of a daily, weekly, monthly routine
From October on (and now in days, often even sooner) we have been saturated in CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS. Red and green, silver and gold, bright and gaudy, and most of all...BUY, BUY, BUY!!!! Sales! Sales! Sales! Clearance! Lowest prices of the Year!
And now...it's all over. Clearance is still there, of course. Stores trying to get rid of all the things they couldn't convince folks they couldn't live without. But if you are like me...I'm tapped out. I also have car insurance due, the power bill is higher, the gas bill is higher...and I'm paying off all those presents I bought.
And...Resolutions. *shudders* We are slammed with Diet Products commercials. you know the ones I mean: "Lose 10 pounds in your first month!" "Shrink 10 inches from your waist!" New year, New you!!!
After weeks and weeks of build up...it's all over. A bit like the months and weeks of wedding planning or the years of high school and college waiting to graduate...and then it's just over. Done. Finished.
AND we have to get used to writing 2018 instead of 2017 on everything.
Is it any wonder January is a dreaded month we just want to drift through?
But this January...I want to be different. It's time to let go of all the weighty things of 2017 and move on. It's a long, uphill battle. It's not easy. It's not smooth. It's damned freakin hard, to be honest, because I'm a creature of habit and I love my routine even as I rebel against them sometimes.
Have I made resolutions? Sort of. I have made more promises to myself. I think that's more important. Rather than some vague resolution about losing weight or cleaning a closet...I made promises to myself.
Because...Promises made to yourself mean more. At least to me. if I break them, I let myself down. And I need to make sure I build myself up. If *I* don't...how can I expect anyone else?
So my 2018 Promises to Myself.... Are the ones I keep buried and know just to me.
I DO promise here...Some surprises... some guest authors with epic good blogs... new book info and teasers.... new cover reveals...and catching up with some fav characters from past stories (Anna and Robin have been VERY busy...-s-).
So please watch this space...follow this blog...and let me know what you think. You won't be disappointed.
Do you make promises to your self this year? Keep them to yourself or does it help you to share them?
And by the way...
August 23, 2017
On the Day You were Born....
Whenever you make plans...the universe laughs. I stated a few weeks ago here on this blog I'd be back and doing posts more regularly.
And oh how the universe must have laughed and laughed and laughed.
Then I received a call from my youngest son on a stormy, pouring rain and booming thunder Friday night. "Mommy," he said, and I knew right away. I just KNEW. Not only because my twenty something son called me 'Mommy' (which he never does). But because I just KNEW.
My father had passed away.
It's been almost three weeks to the day since that phone call, and the first 'event' is happening. My oldest, my daughter, is having a birthday. Birthdays are events in our family. They always have been. I'm a December baby, and I don't have to tell anyone born near a holiday, especially Christmas, what that means. So every birthday is always an event like a holiday.
But my daughter's birthday...is special. She's the sole girl on both sides. She has two brothers and all male cousins, on her father's side, and her mother's side. Just her. One girl and thirty six boys.
When she was born, my mother-in-law told me to invest in boxing gloves so she could 'defend herself'. I said, and meant, "Those boys better be the ones to watch themselves. She is not going to be a girly girly. See her eyes? She's Wonder Woman."
Years later, Amy Pond on Doctor Who would say, "Melody Williams is a geography teacher. Melody Pond is a super hero" on the day her daughter, River Song, was born. That's how I felt about my daughter. She's not a typical girl. She's a Super heroine.
(Let me inject, least they be 'left out' and offended...my boys are special and super heroes too. All sons are special and super heroes to their moms. All girls are special and superheroes to their mother. or they should be.
So for their special event...my kids always get the, 'On the Day You Were Born' story. I have told them this story on their birthdays from the 1st one on. What was happening in the world, who was President, what Mom did, what their father said, who the nurses were, what I ate, what was on tv, etc. I try to time it to the actual time each was born, though I admit for the youngest, it's switched 12 hours, since he was born after 1 AM.
My daughter is special for so many reasons. I could make a book of all the reasons, just as every parent should. Her birthday is special. Because she is Mine. Because she was my first. Because she is the only girl. Because she had killer dimples that made all the doctors and nurses gasp and say, "Oh my GAWD. Look at those deep dimples!" Because she IS a super heroine and Wonder Woman. because she's funny and short tempered, and compassionate, and plays trumpet and reads everything and loves Harry Potter and Super girl and Marvel everything and Top Gear and playing practical jokes.
But for my Dad and my Mom...she was the first baby they ever saw born. They were the generation where the mother had a contraction, they drove to the hospital, their father went to a room to wait, mother got knocked out, and they both were handed a cleaning shiny baby a few hours later. They didn't get 4 D ultra sound pictures or Lamaze breathing. So they went through all of it with me, their youngest, and my daughter, the first baby 'we' gave birth to and got to watch be born.
So when I called them at 5:15 AM and said, "Guess what? My water just broke." My Dad was the first one banging on the door in 10 minutes, insisting we leave NOW for the hospital. I was calmly curling my hair and applying some eye shadow (oh good lord, what a young naive girl I was) and said, "We have lots of time."
Dad bundled me and my Mom in the car and bam we were off. he didn't race up the highway, but it was close. (The true race to the hospital came a couple of years later, when my oldest son decided to be three weeks late and then arrive thirty three minutes from the first contraction). At the hospital, Dad couldn't believe he actually got to come in 'the room' with me. He could sit in the recliner beside me while the monitor beeped and the nurses bustled about. He could watch tv. There was AC. And while my Mom fussed about, asking me if I wanted ice chips, Dad 'read'.
During a particularly hard contraction, I vividly recall looking over and seeing my Dad 'reading'. It was a book about John Wayne, his personal hero. He held it upside in his hands, his gaze focused on my stomach as if 'Alien' was about to burst through. I gasped out, "Daddy! What are you doing?"
"I'm reading," he said calmly and tore his gaze back to the book.
"Upside down?" Pant pant, breathe breathe, blow blow...all those Lamaze breathing things (that do NOT work).
"Well, I want to impress this baby."
I laughed, as meant, and less than an hour later, my doctor announced, "Time to push!"
And my Dad...who was National Guard...a Fire Fighter...fearless...literally RAN from that room.
But 37 minutes later, he was the third person to hold my newborn daughter. And he cried. I'd seen Dad cry once before, when his Dad died back when I was eight years old. But he looked down at my red face screaming little girl, who was bald and had the most enormous dimples ever and he said, "Now then, little girl. let's go have some coffee and a doughnut. And you will stop that noise."
That was Dad's answer to every trouble or problem. Have coffee and a doughnut. Everything looks better after coffee and a doughnut.
So while I told the 'day you were born' story, and made (okay, I'll be honest, ordered, the cake), my Dad took the kids out for doughnuts and coffee flavored milk on their birthdays.
And on Saturdays. And any day he wanted to cheer them up or 'just because'. I loved that about my Dad. He made each child feel special, because coffee and a doughnut was each special time alone with Pa-Pa (what my kids called him, started, of course, by my daughter who first called him 'Pa-Poo'). And things DID look better after coffee and a doughnut.
And this year...my daughter said, "Mom...tell the story and then, maybe, can we go get coffee and a doughnut? Because Pa-Pa isn't here to take me."
Yes he is. And he isn't. It's going to be a year of 'firsts'. The first birthday Dad isn't here. The first Halloween. The first Thanksgiving. The first Christmas. He won't be here to "dance at your wedding and sing, "when froggy went a courting" for my daughter. he won't be here to see them graduate college.
He's here, and he KNOWS. But he isn't HERE.
I miss you Daddy.
So, my beautiful Wonder Woman daughter who still has killer dimples and tons of naturally curly hair...Happy Birthday. Let's go have coffee and a doughnut. On the day that you were born....
And oh how the universe must have laughed and laughed and laughed.
Then I received a call from my youngest son on a stormy, pouring rain and booming thunder Friday night. "Mommy," he said, and I knew right away. I just KNEW. Not only because my twenty something son called me 'Mommy' (which he never does). But because I just KNEW.
My father had passed away.
It's been almost three weeks to the day since that phone call, and the first 'event' is happening. My oldest, my daughter, is having a birthday. Birthdays are events in our family. They always have been. I'm a December baby, and I don't have to tell anyone born near a holiday, especially Christmas, what that means. So every birthday is always an event like a holiday.
But my daughter's birthday...is special. She's the sole girl on both sides. She has two brothers and all male cousins, on her father's side, and her mother's side. Just her. One girl and thirty six boys.
When she was born, my mother-in-law told me to invest in boxing gloves so she could 'defend herself'. I said, and meant, "Those boys better be the ones to watch themselves. She is not going to be a girly girly. See her eyes? She's Wonder Woman."
Years later, Amy Pond on Doctor Who would say, "Melody Williams is a geography teacher. Melody Pond is a super hero" on the day her daughter, River Song, was born. That's how I felt about my daughter. She's not a typical girl. She's a Super heroine.
(Let me inject, least they be 'left out' and offended...my boys are special and super heroes too. All sons are special and super heroes to their moms. All girls are special and superheroes to their mother. or they should be.
So for their special event...my kids always get the, 'On the Day You Were Born' story. I have told them this story on their birthdays from the 1st one on. What was happening in the world, who was President, what Mom did, what their father said, who the nurses were, what I ate, what was on tv, etc. I try to time it to the actual time each was born, though I admit for the youngest, it's switched 12 hours, since he was born after 1 AM.
My daughter is special for so many reasons. I could make a book of all the reasons, just as every parent should. Her birthday is special. Because she is Mine. Because she was my first. Because she is the only girl. Because she had killer dimples that made all the doctors and nurses gasp and say, "Oh my GAWD. Look at those deep dimples!" Because she IS a super heroine and Wonder Woman. because she's funny and short tempered, and compassionate, and plays trumpet and reads everything and loves Harry Potter and Super girl and Marvel everything and Top Gear and playing practical jokes.
But for my Dad and my Mom...she was the first baby they ever saw born. They were the generation where the mother had a contraction, they drove to the hospital, their father went to a room to wait, mother got knocked out, and they both were handed a cleaning shiny baby a few hours later. They didn't get 4 D ultra sound pictures or Lamaze breathing. So they went through all of it with me, their youngest, and my daughter, the first baby 'we' gave birth to and got to watch be born.
So when I called them at 5:15 AM and said, "Guess what? My water just broke." My Dad was the first one banging on the door in 10 minutes, insisting we leave NOW for the hospital. I was calmly curling my hair and applying some eye shadow (oh good lord, what a young naive girl I was) and said, "We have lots of time."
Dad bundled me and my Mom in the car and bam we were off. he didn't race up the highway, but it was close. (The true race to the hospital came a couple of years later, when my oldest son decided to be three weeks late and then arrive thirty three minutes from the first contraction). At the hospital, Dad couldn't believe he actually got to come in 'the room' with me. He could sit in the recliner beside me while the monitor beeped and the nurses bustled about. He could watch tv. There was AC. And while my Mom fussed about, asking me if I wanted ice chips, Dad 'read'.
During a particularly hard contraction, I vividly recall looking over and seeing my Dad 'reading'. It was a book about John Wayne, his personal hero. He held it upside in his hands, his gaze focused on my stomach as if 'Alien' was about to burst through. I gasped out, "Daddy! What are you doing?"
"I'm reading," he said calmly and tore his gaze back to the book.
"Upside down?" Pant pant, breathe breathe, blow blow...all those Lamaze breathing things (that do NOT work).
"Well, I want to impress this baby."
I laughed, as meant, and less than an hour later, my doctor announced, "Time to push!"
And my Dad...who was National Guard...a Fire Fighter...fearless...literally RAN from that room.
But 37 minutes later, he was the third person to hold my newborn daughter. And he cried. I'd seen Dad cry once before, when his Dad died back when I was eight years old. But he looked down at my red face screaming little girl, who was bald and had the most enormous dimples ever and he said, "Now then, little girl. let's go have some coffee and a doughnut. And you will stop that noise."
That was Dad's answer to every trouble or problem. Have coffee and a doughnut. Everything looks better after coffee and a doughnut.
So while I told the 'day you were born' story, and made (okay, I'll be honest, ordered, the cake), my Dad took the kids out for doughnuts and coffee flavored milk on their birthdays.
And on Saturdays. And any day he wanted to cheer them up or 'just because'. I loved that about my Dad. He made each child feel special, because coffee and a doughnut was each special time alone with Pa-Pa (what my kids called him, started, of course, by my daughter who first called him 'Pa-Poo'). And things DID look better after coffee and a doughnut.
And this year...my daughter said, "Mom...tell the story and then, maybe, can we go get coffee and a doughnut? Because Pa-Pa isn't here to take me."
Yes he is. And he isn't. It's going to be a year of 'firsts'. The first birthday Dad isn't here. The first Halloween. The first Thanksgiving. The first Christmas. He won't be here to "dance at your wedding and sing, "when froggy went a courting" for my daughter. he won't be here to see them graduate college.
He's here, and he KNOWS. But he isn't HERE.
I miss you Daddy.
So, my beautiful Wonder Woman daughter who still has killer dimples and tons of naturally curly hair...Happy Birthday. Let's go have coffee and a doughnut. On the day that you were born....
August 4, 2017
When Real Life Takes Over....
It's been almost a year since my last post here. In many ways, that's unforgivable, especially to those of you who follow me. Apologies for not staying more in touch and up to date.
Real Life often is more fiction than truth. Have you ever noticed that? If I were to write the story of real life ... it would never be believed.
All that said...let me just nutshell state this past year has been one of numerous life change after life change, fairly major ones, and those had to, rightly so, take first and foremost place in my world.
But it's time to let the past stay the past and move to the future, one step at a time.
So....posts shall continue...new novels are on the way, finally...and guest authors will be featured.
Thank you for hanging in there.
And please Stay Tuned :)
September 2, 2016
DRUM ROLL: BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!
Multi-author boxsetReleased 29th August
Blurb Twenty Times Tempted
“The best boxset of 2016!”
Twenty bestselling authors have joined together to bring you this HUGE boxset FREE on Kindle Unlimited!
From sexy alpha males to dominating billionaires to gorgeous soldiers to cowboys with their wranglers hung low, there’s something for everyone. Including several never before released books! Don’t miss your chance to snap up this boxset.
We’ve even made it easy for you…with inside info from each author in the contents, it’s easy to choose which titles you’ll adore the most. If you want sweet and sassy...or hot and spicy, there's a novel here for everyone!
HEAs and full length stories are guaranteed in this set. Literally hours of fun, romantic, steamy and/or sweet reading. perfect for that realty break at work or rainy days with a steaming cup of tea.
Pick up one of the largest boxsets around, worth over $50 for a limited time only.
BUY HERE: http://amzn.to/2bev88DJoin our exclusive reader group for giveaways and updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1320722491280514/
Add to your Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31551488-twenty-times-tempted
My own, Take a Chance on Me, the very first book in the 'Weddings by C &C' series, is included!
Learn how the fastest growing destination wedding in the nation begin with a forbidden co worker relationship, murder, sabotage, embezzlement and much steamy, hot scenes. Charlie will take your breath!
GIVEAWAY WIN A KINDLE FIRE!!!
August 18, 2016
COVER REVEAL OF EPIC PORTIONS!!!!
I'm honored to be part of this special BOXED SET with award winning authors which is releasing on
August 29th.
You won't find a better deal nor better FULL LENGTH novels under one cover at an incredible LOW price!
(There's over 1,000,000 words in our set!)
This is the cover:
DRUM ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
There's a THUNDERCLAP also going on. Please visit, join and support at: http://thndr.me/zldhY5
AND
There's a Special Giveaway!!!!!
★★★COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY★★★
The Twenty Times Tempted authors have revealed their cover and are giving away a
$10 Amazon gift card
to celebrate!
To enter to win:
★ Add to your Goodreads TBR list: https://www.goodreads.com/…/s…/31551488-twenty-times-tempted
[image error]
★ Comment on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1320722491280514/
** Sharing/tagging gains extra entries. Please tag on separate lines.**
STILL MORE!!!!Have a BLOG?
Blog Tour: We're putting together a blog tour from the 30th August - 2nd Sept. We'll be awarding one host a $20 BN/Amazon gift card and There will be a rafflecopter for readers during the tour.
Sign up is here: https://goo.gl/forms/LjZ5DLPY0TLGqANV2
(There's over 1,000,000 words in our set!)
This is the cover:
DRUM ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
There's a THUNDERCLAP also going on. Please visit, join and support at: http://thndr.me/zldhY5
AND
There's a Special Giveaway!!!!!
★★★COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY★★★
The Twenty Times Tempted authors have revealed their cover and are giving away a
$10 Amazon gift card
to celebrate!
To enter to win:
★ Add to your Goodreads TBR list: https://www.goodreads.com/…/s…/31551488-twenty-times-tempted
[image error]
★ Comment on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1320722491280514/
** Sharing/tagging gains extra entries. Please tag on separate lines.**
STILL MORE!!!!Have a BLOG?
Blog Tour: We're putting together a blog tour from the 30th August - 2nd Sept. We'll be awarding one host a $20 BN/Amazon gift card and There will be a rafflecopter for readers during the tour.
Sign up is here: https://goo.gl/forms/LjZ5DLPY0TLGqANV2
August 6, 2016
NEW FROM MONICA CORWIN!!!!
It's my pleasure and honor to present MONICA CORWIN's latest novel to you. This series ROCKS everything you thought you knew about 'the four horsemen' and the end of the world.
https://books.pronoun.com/on-a-red-horse/
Scarlet needs a new job, but Horseman of the Apocalypse doesn’t sound good on a resume. Three years ago she followed her companions to Earth in an effort to live human lives. But the moment she left her husband Tyr she knew life wouldn’t be worth living. Lonely and longing for her husband, Scarlet is on a path of destruction that could endanger all the riders.
Tyr, god of justice, hunts his wife across the realms. From Hell to the Golden Throne, he travels until he finds her working as a phone operator. Scarlet is no longer the woman he fell in love with, and he is determined to bring that woman back to him if it takes the rest of eternity.
Even though the Horsemen live on Earth, they are still responsible for guarding four seals that can unleash the Apocalypse. When a prophecy is awoken by a deity who only has her own interests at heart, they must go on the defensive to keep their homes on Earth and protect the seals. If even one seal opens, it will start a chain reaction that will force the Horsemen to take up their mantles and destroy the new lives they’ve worked so hard to build.
Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/2a2cgiv
FB: http://on.fb.me/1cXqSLdTwitter: http://bit.ly/1Bj1xXMGoodreads: http://bit.ly/1JJgJOaAmazon: http://amzn.to/1JJgUJBWebsite: www.monicacorwin.com
https://books.pronoun.com/on-a-red-horse/
Scarlet needs a new job, but Horseman of the Apocalypse doesn’t sound good on a resume. Three years ago she followed her companions to Earth in an effort to live human lives. But the moment she left her husband Tyr she knew life wouldn’t be worth living. Lonely and longing for her husband, Scarlet is on a path of destruction that could endanger all the riders.
Tyr, god of justice, hunts his wife across the realms. From Hell to the Golden Throne, he travels until he finds her working as a phone operator. Scarlet is no longer the woman he fell in love with, and he is determined to bring that woman back to him if it takes the rest of eternity.
Even though the Horsemen live on Earth, they are still responsible for guarding four seals that can unleash the Apocalypse. When a prophecy is awoken by a deity who only has her own interests at heart, they must go on the defensive to keep their homes on Earth and protect the seals. If even one seal opens, it will start a chain reaction that will force the Horsemen to take up their mantles and destroy the new lives they’ve worked so hard to build.
Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/2a2cgiv
FB: http://on.fb.me/1cXqSLdTwitter: http://bit.ly/1Bj1xXMGoodreads: http://bit.ly/1JJgJOaAmazon: http://amzn.to/1JJgUJBWebsite: www.monicacorwin.com
June 16, 2016
NEW RELEASE FROM The God's Behaving Badly Series!
Today I welcome Guest Blogger the FABULOUS Sheri Velarde with the newest and next release in her ongoing series, GODS BEHAVING BADLY. Don't miss this fun and sexy new story!
Blurb: Sophia had fled New York and the feelings that a certain detective had stirred within her. Now she found herself alone in LA on New Year’s Eve, the former goddess of love reduced to having to look for a date. Hitting the Sunset Strip she finds the last thing she was looking for, but exactly who she was yearning for, Detective Bruce Stoker in the flesh. A night of passion leaves her with high hopes for the future, until an art heist threatens everything.
Bruce had followed Sophia across the country in order to rekindle the passion he felt during their one night together and to get some much needed answers from her about who he really was, what her really was. Just when he thought he would get his answers, Bruce begins to wonder if he can truly trust Sophia at all. Only time and a mystery will tell.Buy Links:Looted: smarturl.it/c1rs3m Lost Souls: smarturl.it/puu78m Stealing Hearts: smarturl.it/tl3f7k
Guest Post:Why Greek gods in modern times?When I decided to try my hand at an actual book series, the first idea that popped into my mind was that it should be about Greek gods. That is where the idea for the Gods Behaving Badly series started. People since then have asked me why Greek gods? Why not? Not only are there plenty of gods to choose from, which means lots of potential characters for a book series, but they are fascinating to me. I believe that you should write what you know and love, so ancient gods from mythology just made me want to write them. Plus let’s face it, all those overgrown personalities make for some pretty good fiction! Talk about drama! For my own personal deities of lore stories I chose to place them in modern times with diminished powers. Same egos, but more challenges. So far I am liking the results. Looted, the first in the series was pretty well received and I am hoping Stealing Hearts does just as well. I am loving writing this series and in the latest book have already brought in more gods and that means more stories to tell. Here is a little sneak peak from Stealing Hearts.
Author Bio:Sheri Velarde lives in New Mexico with her husband and their two dogs.Being an avid reader since an early age, she has wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember. She has been writing all her life, but only recently started to actually try to pursue her dream of writing for a living. She specializes in all things paranormal and that go bump in the night. Her heart truly lies in exploring unknown worlds or adding the supernatural to our world. If it goes bump in the night or has magical connotations, Sheri writes about it.She is constantly putting out new material with various publishers, so it is best to keep up with her on her website www.sherivelarde.weebly.com. In her spare time Sheri is an artist, jewelry designer, independent comic writer/artist and freelance non-fiction writer. Hiking in the mountains, going to live concerts, art openings, museums, and hosting intimate dinner parties.Links:Website/Blog: http://sherivelarde.weebly.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheri-VelardeKelly-Ryan/632892500084202Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sher_V
Excerpt:The next morning Bruce awoke feeling happier than he could ever recall feeling. Suddenly he snapped open his eyes to make sure that Sophia still lay beside him. Sure enough, she slept peacefully next to him, a slight smile played on her beautiful features, her long auburn hair mussed, making her even sexier. Thank god, or goddess in this case. He had been afraid she’d disappear despite her promise the night before. Now that his need for her had been abated ever so slightly, maybe he could get her to answer some questions that had been eating him alive since their first meeting. His stomach growled; he forgot when his last meal had been and he had certainly worked up an appetite the previous evening. Quietly, he slipped out of bed, praying that goddesses kept a fully stocked kitchen. Maybe a little breakfast in bed would make her more talkative about the magic she seemed to have awakened within him. He still needed to know what an empath truly was, what he truly was, and what he was capable of doing. It seemed too farfetched to believe he was anything but human. However, he certainly felt different when with Sophia.Making it to the kitchen, he was thrilled to see Sophia had all the makings for a fine breakfast. He turned on the small television on the counter as he began to get the eggs and bacon ready to cook. Mostly, he just wanted a little noise as he got to work, but something suddenly caught his attention.“This is the highest profile art heist to hit Los Angeles in history. What is even more puzzling, there is no evidence as to who could have stolen the painting. All cameras and security systems are working properly, and the guards on duty didn’t see or hear anything. No alarms sounded, and the Getty’s systems show that no one entered or exited the premises last night. Van Gogh’s Irises is valued at over fifty-five million dollars, but many consider it priceless. If you have any information please contact the police. This is certainly not how we wanted to start off the New Year…”
Bruce’s heart sank. As he lay asleep last night, exhausted by lovemaking, it appeared Sophia may have been up to her old tricks. How could he ever learn to truly trust a creature such as her? She seemed to be getting bolder too, now she wasn’t just stealing from nefarious rich men, but from the Getty Center, and a high profile piece as well. He must not have provided her with enough excitement last night after all.
Blurb: Sophia had fled New York and the feelings that a certain detective had stirred within her. Now she found herself alone in LA on New Year’s Eve, the former goddess of love reduced to having to look for a date. Hitting the Sunset Strip she finds the last thing she was looking for, but exactly who she was yearning for, Detective Bruce Stoker in the flesh. A night of passion leaves her with high hopes for the future, until an art heist threatens everything.
Bruce had followed Sophia across the country in order to rekindle the passion he felt during their one night together and to get some much needed answers from her about who he really was, what her really was. Just when he thought he would get his answers, Bruce begins to wonder if he can truly trust Sophia at all. Only time and a mystery will tell.Buy Links:Looted: smarturl.it/c1rs3m Lost Souls: smarturl.it/puu78m Stealing Hearts: smarturl.it/tl3f7k
Guest Post:Why Greek gods in modern times?When I decided to try my hand at an actual book series, the first idea that popped into my mind was that it should be about Greek gods. That is where the idea for the Gods Behaving Badly series started. People since then have asked me why Greek gods? Why not? Not only are there plenty of gods to choose from, which means lots of potential characters for a book series, but they are fascinating to me. I believe that you should write what you know and love, so ancient gods from mythology just made me want to write them. Plus let’s face it, all those overgrown personalities make for some pretty good fiction! Talk about drama! For my own personal deities of lore stories I chose to place them in modern times with diminished powers. Same egos, but more challenges. So far I am liking the results. Looted, the first in the series was pretty well received and I am hoping Stealing Hearts does just as well. I am loving writing this series and in the latest book have already brought in more gods and that means more stories to tell. Here is a little sneak peak from Stealing Hearts.
Author Bio:Sheri Velarde lives in New Mexico with her husband and their two dogs.Being an avid reader since an early age, she has wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember. She has been writing all her life, but only recently started to actually try to pursue her dream of writing for a living. She specializes in all things paranormal and that go bump in the night. Her heart truly lies in exploring unknown worlds or adding the supernatural to our world. If it goes bump in the night or has magical connotations, Sheri writes about it.She is constantly putting out new material with various publishers, so it is best to keep up with her on her website www.sherivelarde.weebly.com. In her spare time Sheri is an artist, jewelry designer, independent comic writer/artist and freelance non-fiction writer. Hiking in the mountains, going to live concerts, art openings, museums, and hosting intimate dinner parties.Links:Website/Blog: http://sherivelarde.weebly.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheri-VelardeKelly-Ryan/632892500084202Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sher_V
Excerpt:The next morning Bruce awoke feeling happier than he could ever recall feeling. Suddenly he snapped open his eyes to make sure that Sophia still lay beside him. Sure enough, she slept peacefully next to him, a slight smile played on her beautiful features, her long auburn hair mussed, making her even sexier. Thank god, or goddess in this case. He had been afraid she’d disappear despite her promise the night before. Now that his need for her had been abated ever so slightly, maybe he could get her to answer some questions that had been eating him alive since their first meeting. His stomach growled; he forgot when his last meal had been and he had certainly worked up an appetite the previous evening. Quietly, he slipped out of bed, praying that goddesses kept a fully stocked kitchen. Maybe a little breakfast in bed would make her more talkative about the magic she seemed to have awakened within him. He still needed to know what an empath truly was, what he truly was, and what he was capable of doing. It seemed too farfetched to believe he was anything but human. However, he certainly felt different when with Sophia.Making it to the kitchen, he was thrilled to see Sophia had all the makings for a fine breakfast. He turned on the small television on the counter as he began to get the eggs and bacon ready to cook. Mostly, he just wanted a little noise as he got to work, but something suddenly caught his attention.“This is the highest profile art heist to hit Los Angeles in history. What is even more puzzling, there is no evidence as to who could have stolen the painting. All cameras and security systems are working properly, and the guards on duty didn’t see or hear anything. No alarms sounded, and the Getty’s systems show that no one entered or exited the premises last night. Van Gogh’s Irises is valued at over fifty-five million dollars, but many consider it priceless. If you have any information please contact the police. This is certainly not how we wanted to start off the New Year…”
Bruce’s heart sank. As he lay asleep last night, exhausted by lovemaking, it appeared Sophia may have been up to her old tricks. How could he ever learn to truly trust a creature such as her? She seemed to be getting bolder too, now she wasn’t just stealing from nefarious rich men, but from the Getty Center, and a high profile piece as well. He must not have provided her with enough excitement last night after all.
March 10, 2016
Review: Justice for Abby
Justice For Abby (The Bodyguards Of L.A. County #6)Fashion designer Abigail Harris has been rescued, but her nightmare is far from over. Determined to put her harrowing ordeal behind her and move on, she struggles to pick up the pieces of her life while eluding the men who want her dead. The Mid-Atlantic Sex Ring is in ruins after Abby’s interviews with the police. The organization is eager to exact their revenge before her testimony dismantles the multi-million dollar operation for good.
Abby’s safety rests in the hands of former US Marshal, Jerrod Quinn. Serious-minded and obsessed with protocol, Ethan Cooke Security’s newest agent finds himself dealing with more than he bargains for when he agrees to take on his beautiful, free-spirited client. As the trial date nears, Abby’s case takes a dangerous turn. Abby and Jerrod soon discover themselves in a situation neither of them expect while Jerrod fights to stop the ring from silencing Abby once and for all.
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REVIEW:This story handled some very deep and troubling problems. Human traffic, the slave market, and PTSD were a few of the social problems discussed and handled with great attention to detail and care. It's difficult to accept our country still has troubling difficulties with trafficing and using humans as slaves, particularly young girls and women. Yet this problem is on the rise and a very real threat not just in our major cities, but in our smaller towns as well. In addition, PTSD is not just suffered by those who served in the military but anyone who suffered a horrific trauma, as this heroine did.
The characters were well written and part of an ever growing cast of players in this series. While I didn't get the same sense of 'I have to read the first book to know what is going on' that I have reading previous books, it was a bit difficult to keep up with 'who is who' and how they all fit into the big picture. That's always a problem with a huge cast and this author tackled that problem fairly well. I did still need to re- read a few paragraphs and try to sort everyone, but that was more my problem than the author's.
While the plot is somewhat predictable, and I felt the action lacked that 'omg stay up until 2AM to read' feeling, it was an enjoyable read and would be perfect for a 'beach time' or a much needed lunch break from daily life. Abby is a heroine who is trying to put her life back together after a life changing abduction and forced slave life. There were times I felt I 'missed something' because I hadn't read her sister's book which apparently details more of Abby's story. Also, because Abby is often described as having, 'the perfect body', or 'tiny' or 'model thin' it may be difficult for readers to identity with so perfect a heroine who often skips meals and doesn't work out yet is perfectly shaped.
Jerrod is a wonderful stick-in-the-mud hero, and I saw shades of Harrison Ford from the movie Sabrina in the way he was portrayed. I would have liked a bit more clearer picture of him; I never really fully connected with him and deeply missed that. Also described often as 'perfect', I kept hoping for some sort of flaw that might make him more human and less like the fictional Superman.
I would most definitely recommend reading these books in order. While they do 'stand alone' events and person from previous stories intertwined and make it hard, sometimes, to follow the current story.
All in all, a nice, light read.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
International bestselling author Cate Beauman is known for her full-length, action-packed romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County. Her novels have been nominated for the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, National Indie Excellence Award, Golden Quill Award, Writers Touch Award, and have been named Readers Favorite Five Star books. In 2015, JUSTICE FOR ABBY was selected as the Readers' Favorite International Book Award Gold Medalist, while SAVING SOPHIE took the Silver Medal. SAVING SOPHIE was also selected as the 2015 Readers Crown Award winner for Romantic Suspense and FALLING FOR SARAH received the silver medal for the 2014 Readers' Favorite Awards.
Cate makes her home in North Carolina with her husband, two boys, and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack. Currently Cate is working on Deceiving Bella, the eleventh novel in her popular Bodyguards series.
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March 8, 2016
REVIEW: Falling for Sarah
Falling For Sarah (The Bodyguards Of L.A. County #2)
Widow Sarah Johnson struggled to pick up the pieces after her life was ripped apart. After two years of grieving, she’s found contentment in her thriving business as photographer to Hollywood’s A-list and in raising her angel-faced daughter, Kylee... until bodyguard and long-time friend Ethan Cooke changes everything with a searing moonlight kiss.
Sarah’s world turns upside down as she struggles with her unexpected attraction to Ethan and the guilt of betraying her husband’s memory. But when blue roses and disturbing notes start appearing on her doorstep, she has no choice but to lean on Ethan as he fights to save her from a stalker that won’t stop until he has what he prizes most.
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REVIEW:
This is book two in a continuing series featuring sexy bodyguards and the ladies they love. While it is a 'stand alone', there were several events and people mentioned I could tell were from others books and it did throw me a bit. This didn't take away from the overall story.
Sarah is a single mom whose husband was killed in military service the day after their baby was born. His best friend Ethan has always been there for Sarah and her daughter. Now, two years later, they begin to have romantic feelings for each other right as a serial rapist begins a deadly attack on Sarah's neighborhood.
The characters are very true to life and well written. Sarah is portrayed as a harried, busy, devoted mom who realizes she also can begin to live a life as a woman and not just a parent after her husband's death. Ethan is a strong man who loves kids and big dogs. Supporting characters are, for the most part, also well written, although I found one or two a bit typical and a 'throw away'.
A pet peeve of mine is the 'kid speak'. While a two year definitely has a pattern of speech different from others, the constant 'dood' for 'good' wore on my nerves a bit. I found knowing who the rapist/murderer was both adding to the story and taking some of the suspense away. There were some twists and turns, but many were predictable and not much of a surprise.
Overall, this is a lovely story of finding love with someone who is already your best friend.
Review rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
International bestselling author Cate Beauman is known for her full-length, action-packed romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County. Her novels have been nominated for the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, National Indie Excellence Award, Golden Quill Award, Writers Touch Award, and have been named Readers Favorite Five Star books. In 2015, JUSTICE FOR ABBY was selected as the Readers' Favorite International Book Award Gold Medalist, while SAVING SOPHIE took the Silver Medal. SAVING SOPHIE was also selected as the 2015 Readers Crown Award winner for Romantic Suspense and FALLING FOR SARAH received the silver medal for the 2014 Readers' Favorite Awards.
Cate makes her home in North Carolina with her husband, two boys, and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack. Currently Cate is working on Deceiving Bella, the eleventh novel in her popular Bodyguards series.
SIGN UP FOR CATE’S NEWSLETTER TO BE NOTIFIED OF MONTHLY GIVEAWAY OFFERShttp://www.catebeauman.com/#!newsletter-sign-up/c9td
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January 10, 2016
I'm a Reviewer AND a YEAR LONG CONTEST for You!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! LET'S START 2016 WITH A YEAR LONG CONTEST AND LOADS OF GREAT BOOKS!
I'm decided to share reviews as part of a project I'm working on. Here's one of the sites where you can find me. As always, check this page first, since I plan to post loads of reviews here.
I also plan to have a YEAR LONG CONTEST. Here's how it works:
1. Read a book, either hard copy or e book. Buy it, borrow it from a friend, get it from the library, win it from the author, but please don't buy and return it. This must be a NEW book to you, read in 2016.
While I love to read just about anything, the focus of this contest is ROMANCE. Any romance novel, from extreme erotica to sweet to Christian to historical to contemporary to all in between is eligible.
2. Post a review on Amazon, Good Reads or Smashwords. You can either leave a star rating or give a written review (most authors and readers LOVE written comments to tell why you loved/hated the book).
3. As River Song (my absolute fav heroine) says: NO SPOILERS in your review. Don't ruin it for others :)
4. Post the link to your review here on this blog or on my Face Book Page (https://www.facebook.com/MiaEwrites/).
5. After you post the links to 10 reviews, you win an e book of your choice that's .99 or under.
6. After you post the links to 20 reviews, you win an e book of your choice that's between $1.00-1.99.
7. After you post the links to 50 reviews (WOW you are almost as big a reader as me -w-) you win an e book of your choice $5 or under.
Ready to start 2016 with a Reading Bang? Ready, Set, GO!
I'm decided to share reviews as part of a project I'm working on. Here's one of the sites where you can find me. As always, check this page first, since I plan to post loads of reviews here.
I also plan to have a YEAR LONG CONTEST. Here's how it works:
1. Read a book, either hard copy or e book. Buy it, borrow it from a friend, get it from the library, win it from the author, but please don't buy and return it. This must be a NEW book to you, read in 2016.
While I love to read just about anything, the focus of this contest is ROMANCE. Any romance novel, from extreme erotica to sweet to Christian to historical to contemporary to all in between is eligible.
2. Post a review on Amazon, Good Reads or Smashwords. You can either leave a star rating or give a written review (most authors and readers LOVE written comments to tell why you loved/hated the book).
3. As River Song (my absolute fav heroine) says: NO SPOILERS in your review. Don't ruin it for others :)
4. Post the link to your review here on this blog or on my Face Book Page (https://www.facebook.com/MiaEwrites/).
5. After you post the links to 10 reviews, you win an e book of your choice that's .99 or under.
6. After you post the links to 20 reviews, you win an e book of your choice that's between $1.00-1.99.
7. After you post the links to 50 reviews (WOW you are almost as big a reader as me -w-) you win an e book of your choice $5 or under.
Ready to start 2016 with a Reading Bang? Ready, Set, GO!
