Mia Epsilon's Blog, page 8

New from SHERI VELARDE

 I'm proud and honored to welcome good friend SHERI VELARDE to my blog today with her latest release Quest for Redemption.




Inspiration comes in many forms and from many sources. The inspiration for Quest for Redemption is a combination of things. This novel started out as a Nano novel. (That’s a novel that was written in one month for National Write a Novel Month.) So really the first inspiration was just to get something down on the page and quick as the clock struck midnight. The first thing that popped into my mind was to do a fantasy love story, something with elves. I am a huge Tolkien fan and he started me on my fascination with elven kind. Seriously, who doesn’t have crush on Legolas? Am I right? Anyhow, I also wanted to have a very strong female character, not some damsel in distress. In fact, she would be the warrior, the ruler, the strong one. And that is how Zanna was born. A little of her came from Underworld mixed with Xena Warrior Princess, but in elf form. I also wanted to play with the idea of a half magical creature who had no idea what he really was. Enter Will. Part human, part sprite, part really powerful elf. Throw in some evil, because truthfully I love bad guys. Basically I wrote the novel that I would want to read. I am not going to lie, the first draft was terrible. I let it sit for a year before even tackling it and trying to clean it up for submission. Then my life became a blur or edits and tears, but I must say I am happy with the result. Quest for Redemption started out as something just for fun and became something that I never imagined.



Blurbs:The fate of the realms rests on the hands of an elven princess yet to prove herself and an orphan just learning his powers.
Zanna is an elven warrior princess, who seems to have it all, yet really has nothing. Her fate is not in her own hands. Instead, it is bound to an ancient magic she has no control over. She wants to rule the elves, yet must prove herself worthy before she is accepted. She also wants to find her mate, but after two thousand years, didn't hold much hope. Her existence has become mundane, and she craves something new. A routine assignment suddenly turns into something bigger that could ruin all of them. Is she strong enough to save the world and find her own happiness too? Can she change and help change the fate of the world with her?Will is an orphan who has always been confused by his strangeness. He keeps himself apart, separate from those around him. A chance meeting with a remarkable woman changes everything. He not only learns about himself, but about a whole other world that he is a part of by birthright. However the father that abandoned him as an infant stands to ruin his future and the future of the world unless he can be stopped.Will and Zanna must face loved ones who work against them and their past as well as find the strength to fight a bigger enemy and save the realms from evil. Can love, friendship, family, and acceptance defeat evil before it brings the realms crashing down? Can Zanna prove herself worthy to rule the kingdom?
Author Bio:Author Sheri VelardeSheri Velarde is an author, artist, independent comic creator and jewelry designer out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is a creative soul with eclectic taste and style when it comes to her art and writing. Sheri is a multi-publisher romance author who is now branching into fantasy as well with her Defender of the Realms series. When not creating (which her fiancé argues is never), Sheri can be found spending time with her fiancé and their two dogs, reading, watching fantasy movies, attending metal concerts and just taking time to stop and enjoy life. You can view Sheri’s work on her website/blog: http://sherivelarde.weebly.com/, on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheri-VelardeKelly-Ryan/, and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Sher_V.
Quest for Redemption will be out on Three Worlds PressApril 23, 2015!Buy Links: Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00W2TDKGI
ARe: http://bit.ly/1I1ZSI0
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1KytyL2
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Q4rXzC
B&N: http://bit.ly/1GAt8QB
Three Worlds Press: http://bit.ly/1E0kEAB



Excerpt:  Zanna stood, stunned into immobility. While with Alana, she would have to travel the human way. The thought slightly annoyed her, yet fascinated her at the same time. "I do not travel by vehicle, so I will be forced to ride in yours." She could still smell and see the fear in Alana, so she tried to lighten the mood. "You know I have never actually ridden in a car before.""Really?" Alana seemed shocked."I have never had the need. I simply come and go in this world when I want. I usually arrive and leave the very spot I wish, and there is never a need for me to travel from place to place while in this realm. Not to mention I find the transportation of humans to be quite slow and cumbersome." Nonetheless, Zanna elegantly bent her long frame into the passenger side, slightly curious to see why many humans loved their cars so much. Sitting inside one, she felt rather cramped and uncomfortable, and while it was a fast means of transportation for a human, she didn't understand what was so special. Maybe one had to be human to fathom why vehicles fascinated them so.Alana very nervously started her car and began to pull out. "Aren't you going to put your seatbelt on? We don't want to get pulled over.""Excuse me?" Zanna had no idea what the sprite spoke of."The human law enforcement requires all people within a vehicle to wear a seatbelt." She pointed to the belt around herself.As she pulled the belt and fastened it like Alana's, Zanna asked, "What is it for?""Protection in case of an accident. Stops you from flying through the windshield," she explained. "How curious. You know it is completely unnecessary for me. But if it will keep human law enforcement from interfering, so be it. The less I have to deal with humans, the better." The drive to Alana's home did not take as long as Zanna expected, especially considering she was used to arriving in places almost instantaneously. She actually found the trip rather interesting, seeing the human world in a way she had never experienced before. The tall metal buildings and the harsh exteriors held a beauty to them in their angles and order that she had never realized before. While she could never give up the open airiness of the magical realm, viewing this realm as a human gave her some insight into humans and their nature. Alana pulled into the parking lot of a very tall and nice-looking apartment building. She turned off her car and Zanna could see that she was once again trembling. "What are you going to do to me and my mother?" She spoke so quietly that a mere human would have had a hard time hearing her."I am going to gather information. The more I hear about how little you know, the less inclined I am to punish you. I would like to know why you and your mother, who have magical blood, cannot enter our world. It is your birthright. If you cannot enter our world and have not been allowed those privileges of being two-natured, then I cannot punish you for not following our laws." Zanna tried to smile and reassure Alana that she meant her no harm. Judging by the look on her face, it worked. Zanna had been told before that when she smiled at humans and stared directly into their eyes they believed whatever she said. It came in handy when questioning them before erasing their memories. Alana took a deep breath and stepped out of the car. Zanna attempted to follow, but forgot to take off the seatbelt and found herself still restrained. To her surprise, Alana giggled, and after a moment, so did Zanna. That shocked her even more. She rarely laughed, let alone giggled like a young girl. Kalan had been right saying that something was up with her tonight; she definitely was not herself.As Alana took the lead, she said, "My mom's going to freak out that an elf is coming to our home. She always talks about how strong, powerful, and beautiful elves are. She's going to be so pleased, but mad that I didn't call to warn her that you were coming.""I told you I mean no harm to your mother. There is no need to warn her.""No, you misunderstand. She's going to wish she had time to clean and dress nicely for you. To make our home and herself more presentable to you," Alana explained.

Zanna was about to answer that this would not be necessary, but they had just walked inside the apartment building and a young man in the lobby, apparently leaving, walked right toward them. Alana and Zanna both stopped talking, not wanting to be overheard. Zanna also noticed that Alana's posture stiffened, and she could smell a little fear coming off her once more. She could tell that, this time, she was not the one causing the reaction. Zanna glanced and saw that Alana was blushing and peering shyly at the young man coming their way.

PIPPA JAY Returns!!

 WELCOME BACKPIPPA JAY!
Blurb:Welcome to Peaceville, population 2067 and rising...from the grave...
Luke Chester has had enough. He’s the school geek, the girls laugh at him, he’s lost his dead-end job at the pizza place, and in the midst of the world’s messiest divorce his parents don’t even know he exists. An overdose of his mom’s tranquilizers and a stomach full of whiskey should solve all his problems...

But they don’t. Instead, Luke finds himself booted out of the afterlife for not dying a natural death, with nowhere to go but back to his recently vacated corpse and reality. How the hell is he going to pass for one of the living without someone trying to blow his brains out for being one of the undead?

And it just gets worse. He’s got to fight his own desperate craving to consume the living, evade the weird supernatural hunter who’s having a field day with the new undeads rising, and there’s this creepy black shadow following him around. Add to that the distraction of female fellow undead Annabelle burning to avenge her own murder, and clearly there’s no rest for the wicked. Jeez, all he wanted to do was R.I.P.
Buy links:Web page – http://www.pippajay.co.uk/#!restless-in-peaceville/c19isAdd it to your Goodreads TBR here –  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22062985-restless-in-peacevilleSign up to my no-spam newsletter to get updated on the latest releases, giveaways and special offers. Exclusive snippets and stories coming soon! http://eepurl.com/IKX7bBio:
After spending twelve years working as an Analytical Chemist in a Metals and Minerals laboratory, Pippa Jay is now a stay-at-home mum who writes scifi and the supernatural. Somewhere along the way a touch of romance crept into her work and refused to leave. In between torturing her plethora of characters, she spends the odd free moment playing guitar very badly, punishing herself with freestyle street dance, and studying the Dark Side of the Force. Although happily settled in the historical town of Colchester in the UK with her husband of 21 years and three little monsters, she continues to roam the rest of the Universe in her head.
Pippa Jay is a dedicated member of the Science Fiction Romance Brigade and Broad Universe, blogging at Spacefreighters Lounge, Adventures in Scifi, and Romancing the Genres. Her works include YA and adult stories crossing a multitude of subgenres from scifi to the paranormal, often with romance, and she’s one of eight authors included in a science fiction romance anthology— Tales from the SFR Brigade . She’s also a double SFR Galaxy Award winner, been a finalist in the Heart of Denver RWA Aspen Gold Contest (3rd place), the EPIC eBook awards, and the GCC RWA Silken Sands Star Awards (2nd place).
You can stalk her at her website, or at her blog, but without doubt her favorite place to hang around and chat is on Twitter as @pippajaygreen.
Website – http://www.pippajay.co.ukBlogs – Adventures in Scifi - http://www.pippajay.blogspot.co.ukSpa... Lounge - http://www.spacefreighters.blogspot.comRomancing the Genres - http://www.romancingthegenres.blogspot.co.uk/SFR Brigade - http://www.sfrcontests.blogspot.co.uk/Twitter - https://twitter.com/pippajaygreenGoodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5054558.Pippa_JayFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Pippa-Jay-Adventures-in-Scifi/114058821953752Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/pippajaygreen/Google+ - https://plus.google.com/u/0/101080630877126516448/postsWattpad - http://www.wattpad.com/user/PippaJay Amazon page - http://author.to/PippaJayAll Romance eBooks - http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Pippa+JayNewsletter - http://eepurl.com/IKX7b

CHANGES

 Change, Change, Change. Loads of Changes going on.


 My Publisher, Breathless Press, has closed its doors. Sighs. So my books are no longer available...yet. Stay tuned for the new release dates for them...and loads of Changes in the stories, plots and characters.


 This Blog is going in a sort of different direction and will feature both the funny, the serious, and helpful. Look for real life advice on writing and publishing, plus memories and more from favourite authors. And even jokes and pictures.


 So bear with me as I transition, step on the journey with me, and let's have some fun, maybe some wisdom, and loads of laughter and sharing along the way.


Changes. Change is good, even as it seems to knock you down and throw you for a loop.

WEDDING BELLE BLUES is in PRINT

 Apologies for the extended way too long absence. A very nasty chest infection turned into pneumona which then revealed a fairly serious heart condition. Back now though and raring to go!

This week's feature is...WEDDING BELLE BLUES in PRINT!!!!

I can't express what it's like to see your book in print form. I have a short story in my Publisher's August 2014 print special edition The Wonderland Tales but this is my very first release, my very first print book!!!

This is the same ebook story released by Breathless Press in June 2014. I'll add the links below. Or email/im me for an autographed copy.

From the Breathless Press Home Site:
http://www.breathlesspress.com/index....

Photo by the amazing Torie James!
From Amazon. com:http://www.amazon.com/Wedding-Belle-B... Or email/im me at facebook. 
Happy Weekend Everyone! More news next week...and another release!!!!

CHRISTMAS POST from DEVIKA FERNANDO!!!

I asked the wonderful and talented DEVIKA FERNANDO to tell us about Christmas in countries other than the United States. She compares two below, Germany and Sir Lanka. Read on for her insights :) THANK YOU Devika!






Christmas in Germany and Christmas in Sri Lanka
First of all, thanks a lot for letting me loose on your blog (again). Here’s my guest post on the differences between Christmas in Germany and Christmas in Sri Lanka. I’ve peppered the text with links so you can get a better picture of it all. J
Christmas in Germany
During my childhood in Germany, Christmas meant 5 things: yummy sweets, presents, holidays, snow, and getting to spend some time with my grandmother. Later on I learned all the songs, I tried to understand why Father Christmas / Santa Claus was accompanied by the very frightening-looking Krampus on December 6thwhen he visited school, and I even went to church a few times.
There’s something magical in the air during Christmas in Germany – especially in the south where snowy Christmas is all but guaranteed and where there’s a Christmas market at every corner. The so called Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas Markets) are very popular in Germany. You can find at least one in each town, and sometimes many more. In Munich alone, there are up to 25 of them. Of course each of them needs a huge, merrily decorated Christmas tree. Some are simply like huge fairs, where people walk around with a steaming mug of mulled wine and wander from stall to stall to gobble up traditional, home-made sweets like Plätzchen and Stollen, and to shop artsy-crafty gifts. Some are modern and commercial. Others resolve around a theme like the Middle Ages or reflect a village’s culture and customs. Even though I hardly ever bought anything, and even though I hate the cold with a vengeance, I will fondly remember walking through such Christmas Markets for the rest of my life. Aglow with lights and happy faces, awash with sweet and spicy and woodsy and waxy scents, and filled with things you only ever get too see around Christmas, they are a world of their own.
Christmas in Germany is inescapable. Not only because of the Markets and the Advent Calendars with 24 tiny gifts, but also because of the Sternsinger. A group of three (or more) children will wander from house to house, ring the bell and sing Christmas carols before drawing a blessing on the doorstep. They are dressed as the Three Wise Men from the Bible, and the money they receive for their songs is donated to charity for children.



Christmas in Sri Lanka
The majority of Sri Lankans is Buddhist, but at least 7% of the population are Christians. Around December, it feels like 70% though, because the media and public places are flooded with everything Christmassy you can image. It feels decidedly strange to have (artificial) Christmas Trees in shopping malls and hotels and restaurants – maybe because to me Christmas and snow are inseparable. And the temperature difference of 20 to 30 degrees Celsius sure makes itself known… Also, I can’t help laughing at Christmas carols sung in Sinhalese. I am used to German ones and I don’t mind English or Spanish ones eitherAre there any similarities, you ask? Yes, the typical Christmas spirit of spreading joy. Christian Sri Lankans will throw lavish parties and invite friends from all religions to share the food and goodies. Children at international schools make decoration, and all the TV channels run kitsch stories about Baby Jesus, dubbed in Sinhala. Ultimately, it’s also about presents and togetherness and some moments of silent reverence among the shopping hullabaloo.

*Krampus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus *Weihnachtsmärkte http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/planatrip/inspire-me/lists/top-8-german-christmas-markets?page=all*Plätzchen http://www.germanchristmaskekse.com/*Stollen http://www.marthastewart.com/924283/how-make-german-stollen#924283*Sternsinger http://www.dw.de/three-wise-men-for-a-day/a-16491641*Christmas Carols sung in Sinhalese https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EonrCveyAdc *Christmas Cakes http://srilankafood.net/recipes/srilankanchristmascake/


DEVIKA FERNANDO writes incredible stories of romance, love, and real people in real situations. She can be found here and I HIGHLY recommend her books :)

www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=devika+fernando

WINTER WARM UP BLOG HOP!!!!

Hi Everyone!
Are you ready for some fun? The WINTER WARM-UP Blog Hop is December 19-22! Over 140 Romance Authors/Bloggers signed up with prizes on EVERY blog PLUS ONE GRAND PRIZE! Click the links below to enter then get to hoppin'! Merry Christmas!www.hopswithheart.blogspot.com



The Grand Prize will be a $75 Amazon Gift Card!Here’s the RAFFLECOPTER link:http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3ad276f824/?

For THIS Blog Give Away….Make a Comment and be entered to win a copy of the JUST RELEASED e book WHEN YOU BELIEVE! 


THE MOST ROMANTIC CHRISTMAS MOVIES
I admit it. I'm a hopeful romantic. I don't like the term 'hopeless romantic' because I think all romance is hopeful in some way. Besides, I don't want to be cured of my Romantic Nature. I like it. There's three movies I call my favorite romantic Christmas films, one a classic classic, one a classic, and one my new Christmas favorite. Each is, as of the posting of this blog, available on Netflix or Amazon Streaming. So grab a fluffy blanket, some tea, Christmas cookies, and a box of tissues. Then sit back and enjoy these movies with me. Happy Christmas to you and yours, I believe, and God Bless us, every one.
1. LOVE ACTUALLYRated R for sexual situations, nudity, and language (very free use of the 'f' word).
            This gem of a movie takes place in London during the five weeks leading to Christmas with a delightful countdown. It's not just one story and set of characters but at least ten in interweaving features of love, romance, and most of all, life. While I love the romance and love stories, I also love the 'realness' of them. This film tackles some heavy life subjects: death of a spouse, divorce, weddings, infidelity, family obligations, dating, career, child rearing, and many more with sensitivity, humor, and a bit of tear jerking. It boasts all star cast as well, including scene stealers from 'Mr. Bean' as a store clerk, the stoic Alan Rickman with the most comical facial expressions of any of his films combined and Martin Freeman (aka Sherlock's John Watson) as a film star, um, sex scene stand in. Be warned: Not all of the stories have a 'happy' or even a 'happily for now' ending, which while it breaks my heart, it's also 'real' to life. Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson are the strongest with a stellar performance from Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister and Colin Firth as a man I'd love to meet (plus he's a writer).BEST LINES:

"I'm going somewhere exciting and brilliant and amazing! I'm going to Milwaukee!""This is so much more than a bag. You won't regret it Sir." "Want to bet?""You turn out to be the love of my life.""If you can't say it at Christmas, when can you? I'm actually yours.""Let's do it! Let's go get the s&*^ kicked outa us by love.""I should have told her every day, because she was perfect every day.""Yes, yes you have been a fool. But you've also made a fool out of me and made the life I lead foolish too.""I've come here with a view of asking you to marriage me. Some will say I insane person cause I knows you no much but sometimes things are so transparency, they don't need evidential proof." (deliberate misuse of words spoken in another language)"All I want for Christmas is you.""I'm not usually this forward, it takes me ages to get the courage up to ask someone." (In context, the most hysterical line of the movie)"Another thing about romance. People only get together right at the end."
2. MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (THE ORIGINAL 1947 VERSION)Rated G, no bad language, nudity, or sexual situations            This classic black and white movie from Hollywood's High Days of filming follows one man's fight to be taken seriously as the REAL Santa Claus. Hired by career minded single mom Doris Walker as a fill in Santa for the Macy's Christmas parade float, Kris Kringle (his real name, he claims) quickly becomes the department store Santa. Before long, he is directing customers to other stores for cheaper or 'better' products. This action scandalizes the store psychiatrist and at first shocks then delights the owner, who floods the world with Macy's 'Spirit of Sharing in the True Meaning of the Season' media campaign. Of course arch rival Gimbels must then do the same to compete for customers in a tight Christmas market. Kris even manages to bring the two competitors together in a 'cease fire', at least for Christmas. The romance comes in the form of Doris, who has been burned, and badly, by love in a past relationship. She refuses to allow her daughter Susan any sort of fantasy play or belief so she won't grow up "believing all that nonsense about a prince waiting to sweep you away". Nick's lawyer Fred Gailey helps show Doris love doesn't have to take you over, but can add to who and what you are. At the same time, Kris teaches a very lonely Susan how to play make believe and 'zoo' as a monkey. The romance is secondary to the Santa story but it is the glue that holds the whole story together. All star (for the time) cast, Maureen O'Hara rocks the Doris role, John Payne is adorable as Fred, Natalie Wood is charming as Susan, and Edmund Gwenn even had me convinced he's the REAL Santa.BEST LINES:
"Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to.""Didn't you, Daddy?" "One day you're going to discover lovely intangibles are the only worthwhile things.""When you believe…when you really believe…""If... you can't believe, if you can't accept anything on faith, then you're doomed for a life dominated by doubt. ""I ask, which is worse: A lie that brings a smile or a truth which brings tears?""I believe. . . I believe. . . It's silly but I believe."
3. Scrooged Rated PG 13 for language, mild violence, and sexual situations                Many won't consider this cheesy screwball type comedy movie 'romantic' but I love the subplot story line of lovers who meet when she knocks him off his feet (literally), begin a relationship, and then separate when ambition takes one away. This re telling of the classic Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol" is a modern take on the grumpy, hateful Scrooge in the form of Bill Murray, an extremely mean TV executive named Frank, who hates Christmas, thinks only of money and position, and is rude to everyone around him. Three ghosts show him the past, present, and future, and are delightfully played by David Johansen and Carol Kane (who is hysterical as a manic angel with some serious anger management issues) and a hooded, unspeaking Chaz Conner. It's up to Frank to make the decision to change or not. When he does, during a live Christmas Eve broadcast televised in several different countries, you will stand up and dance with a wonderful rendition of 'Put a Little Love in Your Heart'.BEST LINES:
"I'm ready for it! I am, I'm ready for the miracle to happen to me.""She hit me with a toaster! I love a girl with spirit!" (double pun, in context)"I've never liked a girl enough to give her twelve sharp knives.""It says here there's a place you can touch on a woman that will make her bark like a dog.""You don't know who you are, you don't know what you want, and you sure don't know where you are.""It's Christmas Eve. It's not too late.""It's the one night a year when we all act a little nicer, we smile a little easier, we cheer a little more, and for a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be."

NEW RELEASE (MINE!!!!!) FRIDAY 12.19

I have a NEW RELEASE from BREATHLESS PRESS this Friday (12.19). WHEN YOU BELIEVE is book 3 of the 'Weddings by C & C' series. See where your favorite characters (Anna & Robin) are now plus meet Abbeville's newest couple Monica and Dan. There's also a Stranger in town. Has he come to help or to harm them?

http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=15&products_id=708
Dan and Monica's relationship gets a push from a handsome stranger, but will their love survive the test?Monica has deep roots in the small town of Abbeville and manages the local coffee shop, which serves as the hub of town news. Deeply in love with Daniel, she still can't help but notice the gorgeous stranger, Micheal, who seemingly appears out of nowhere. When Dan begins to pull away from her, what's a girl to do? Tempted to sit home and cry, Monica is determined to push through the uncertainty. Does that mean exploring new options?

Daniel carries secrets he can't share with anyone, even Monica. He's a man with no past and no relatives, so he doesn't believe he deserves a bright future. He is certain pulling away from Monica, his love and the closest thing he has to a family, is the only way she can truly find happiness. But when tragedy strikes Abbeville, will the man with no roots become its savior? Or will he discover Micheal's true reason for appearing among them?

HOT NEW RELEASE!!!!!

Honored to have the amazingly talented SHERI VELARDE back as a guest today with news and exciting blurbs on her new release LOST SOULS coming SOON.





First I want to give the lovely Mia a huge thanks for letting me stop by again! I promise to behave… well to behave as well as I can at least!
Today I thought that I would talk a little about the importance music plays in my writing process. I am a huge music lover (hello I just spent hours standing in line for Foo Fighters tickets) and music definitely plays a big part in my life and my writing. To me the type of music I listen to helps me set the mood for whatever story I am writing.
For Lost Souls, my main character is a fallen angel masquerading as a heavy metal maven here on earth, so it only made sense that I listened to a lot of female led heavy metal while writing this piece. Bands like Huntress, the Butcher Babies and Arch Enemy. All these bands embodied what I wanted Amy my heavy metal singing lady to be and I feel that the music helped Amy come into being. A minor character in the beginning of the story is even based off of metal legend Lemmy from Motorhead. To say that metal helped make this story come into being would be an understatement. And to me that is the power of music and writing when combined, one can serve to influence the other and that is why I love my music, metal or otherwise!

Blurb: Amy is a fallen angel living life on earth as a rock star, embracing her bad behavior and becoming a heavy metal goddess. With the excesses of her new career she almost feels happy. Almost. However something her old friend Aphrodite once promised her is still missing, love.Jade is a sweet and sexy woman, trying to make a place for herself in this lonely world. Lost in Los Angeles and just looking for a somewhere she belongs. As the holidays approach she only realizes how alone she truly is in the unforgiving city of Lost Souls.One night these two meet seemingly out of the blue and sparks fly. It is as if something is drawing them towards each other. Now they both are learning what true happiness can feel like, if only some secrets don’t rip them apart before their love even has a chance to bloom.
Buy Links:Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Souls-Weekend-Getaway-Book-ebook/dp/B00PYZ0ZD8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416788916&sr=1-1&keywords=sheri+velardeSecret Cravings Publishing: http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=4&products_id=990&zenid=fiineuhckm3phjtinmqh6dj1p7Author Links:Website/blog: http://sherivelarde.weebly.com/books-and-more-blogTwitter: https://twitter.com/Sher_VFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheri-VelardeKelly-Ryan/632892500084202

Excerpt:Suddenly she felt a warming sensation shooting through her body, something she had never felt before in her long life. She turned to see what had caused it, or she should say who. A beautiful woman with piercing green eyes and waist-length auburn hair stood in the doorway, casual jeans and black T-shirt hugging her body’s generous curves. She was the most alluring creature Amy had ever seen, and she was staring right at her with a look of intensity in her eyes, as if she had been searching for Amy all along and had finally found her. They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity before the connection was broken, the pale beauty shaking her head and heading towards an empty seat on the other end of the bar and returning Amy’s senses to her.
With the spell suddenly broken, Amy once again could hear Len finishing up his story as if nothing special had just happened. What the hell was that? Was the woman at the other end of the bar some sort of demon? She had to be magical and otherworldly to cause such a reaction. She certainly had otherworldly looks. Even though her hips and breasts were more ample than most angels and the like, she had the body of a goddess that begged to be touched. Amy shook her head. Len had finished, so she ordered them another round of drinks. As soon as her martini arrived she downed it and immediately signaled for another. If only alcohol affected her like it did most humans she would probably be calming down by now and not worrying about the mystery woman. Instead she still felt strange, like something had come alive inside her for the first time. She risked a glance at the red-headed siren down the way. The subtle temptress was sipping a beer, chatting with a bartender on that side of the bar. Suddenly she laughed and her whole face lit up, causing Amy to at once be jealous of the bartender and to want to be next to this woman and be the one making her laugh.
She must have been staring, for Len interrupted her inner turmoil. “She’s a looker, all right. A woman with curves too, not one of those too-skinny Hollywood types. They’re a rarity out here nowadays. If I were younger I might try to fight you for her.” He laughed. “Of course, if she picks you I would be out of the running anyways; you know, that pesky penis and all.”
It was Amy’s turn to laugh. “You know some women like both men and women.”
Len winked knowingly at her. “So I have been told. But I’ve never taken you to be the sharing sort of gal. Now get over there and let one of us live the fantasy tonight. After all, we are rock stars, go act like one!”

AMANDA MARIE New Release

It's a True Pleasure to feature AMANDA MARIE and her Cover Reveal and info about her new release
SCANDALOUS ENDEAVORS.  Look for it in December just in time for a fabulous Christmas gift.



Lady Amelia’s willing to create a scandal to stay in her beloved England. A Scottish Duke ignites her passion, but will she abandon her endeavor for love?
Amelia is devastated after her father's death. England holds a special place in her heart. Her new guardian, an American uncle, has ordered her to pack.  Her uncle agrees to give her four weeks to settle her affairs, and then she must board a ship bound for America.Not willing to give up on a life in England, the only home she has ever known, Amelia decides marrying an English peer is her only option. Despite her mourning period she endeavors to trap one of London’s eligible bachelors in matrimony.Lord Goldstone, a Scottish Duke, thwarts her carefully laid plans at every attempt. Sparks fly as the pair find themselves at odds with each other. Can they find a way to stop arguing long enough to explore their growing passion? Is it strong enough to make Amelia give up her English home after all?
AUTHOR BIO:

Amanda Marie dreams of days gone by when life moved at a slower pace. She enjoys taking pen to paper and exploring historical time periods through her imagination and the written word. Her hobbies include reading, writing, crocheting, traveling, photography, and spending time with her family. Some of Amanda Marie's favorite places in the continental U.S. are Harper's Ferry West Virginia and Sea Brook New Hampshire. She loves the history that surrounds them and visits them every chance she gets.
Amanda Marie lives along the Lake Huron shore line in northern Michigan with her husband and two kids. She holds a Master of Liberal Arts Degree with a concentration in literature and has a long standing love affair with sugary junk food.
Join Amanda Marie on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/#!/AuthorAmandaMarie1Visit her blog at http://musingsbymandy.wordpress.com/Write to Amanda Marie at amandamarieauthor@gmail.comFollow her on Twitter @AmandaMarieAuth

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: CAROLYN LaROCHE

I'm happy to host CAROLYN LaROCHE who will soon have a release from Breathless Press!







As far as the world knows, NYPD detective Angelina Ferrara died in a violent firefight on Chelsea Piers over a year ago. Living in the witness protection program as history teacher Lucy Taylor was supposed to save her life, but being alive and living were two very different things. Until she meets detective Logan James when he goes undercover in the same private school where she works. Something about the handsome man with the gorgeous blue eyes piques her interest. There’s no doubt he has secrets… but then so does she.  When the Ricci crime family discovers she’s still alive, she finds herself on the run with Logan. Her heart led her astray before. Can she trust it to let Logan help her survive?
PREVIEW: 
Her little car had an engine about as powerful as a hamster wheel. There was no way she was going to outrun the truck that was accelerating with lightning speed. On one side of her was a deep ravine, the other the steep slope of a mountain towered high and tree covered. The steering wheel shook violently as she pushed her little car to its limits, sheer adrenaline keeping her focused on the winding road. As she rounded a sharp curve, the back tires spun and fishtailed out from behind her. The tiny car shook violently as Lucy struggled to maintain control. The SUV caught up with her then, ramming into her rear bumper. The car groaned but held on. Lucy spun the wheel to make the next sharp curve, all the while her eyes searched for a way off the dangerous mountain highway. Another crash from behind jolted her car forward with such force Lucy lost her grip on the steering wheel. The car veered right but she managed to straighten it out before hitting the tree line."What the hell do you want with me?" she screamed at the truck in her rearview mirror.The driver responded by slamming into the back of her car again. Metal ground against metal, gravel flew everywhere, and the car careened toward a thick bank of trees to her left. Straightening the car once more, Lucy crushed the gas pedal to the floor and watched as the speedometer climbed quickly. Lucy felt the little rush of excitement she always got in a good pursuit despite the fact that she was the one being pursued.She whipped around yet another curve, and the SUV caught up with her. Just as she managed to get her little car under control again, the SUV crashed into her back end again with such force Lucy thought her car might shatter there in the middle of the road. The little car veered to the right, aiming straight for the side of the road and the ravine beyond. Lucy tried to regain control but the effort was in vain. She braced herself as the car plowed through thick vegetation, hit something, and started to slide down the steep embankment.She heard the growl of the SUV's engine roaring away over the revving of her own engine as the tiny car crashed through the underbrush. The car flew over a log and landed on the slick vegetation covering the incline. The car lost its hold on the ground and rolled its way down the slope, finally landing up against the trunk of a large pine tree where the engine died. Lucy's head smacked against the steering wheel knocking her near to senseless. Everything fell deathly silent as she fought to remain conscious.A loud crack broke the silence. As she watched through the broken windshield, the tree in front of her began to wobble. Blood trailed from her forehead into her left eye blurring her already shaky vision. Rubbing at it with the back of her arm, she used her other hand to desperately claw at the seat belt release. If she didn't get out of the car, the tree was going to fall right on top of her.The giant pine swayed once and then began its descent toward Lucy and her crumpled car. Yanking hard at the jammed seat belt, her head swimming and her stomach churning, Lucy finally freed herself. Just as the tree crushed the roof of her car, like it were nothing more than a tin can, Lucy pulled her body through the opening that used to be the driver's side window.Cracking wood and crunching metal stirred up a cacophony of birds and small animals protesting the intrusion in their habitat. Lucy lay on the damp moss and rotting leaves, her heart banging against her chest wall. The sound of her pulse racing in her ears muted the sound of the creaks and groans as the tree settled against what was left of her car. Every inch of her body hurt, but her head ached most of all.
AUTHOR BIO:



Carolyn LaRoche grew up in snow country but fled the cold and ice several years ago. She now lives near the beach with her husband, their two boys, two finicky cats and one old dog. When she is not at the baseball field cheering on big hits and home runs, she is busy teaching science to unwilling teenagers.  She is co-author of the book The Crazy Lives of Police Wives and hangs out online at both Carolyn La Roche - Author and carolynlarocheauthor.blogspot.com