Ayden K. Morgen's Blog
September 16, 2019
Fight for You: Excerpt #secondchance #romance
Happy Friday, lovelies!
I wanted to pop in and share the print wrap for Fight for You! I am so incredibly excited about this book, you have no idea! You can check out the print wrap, teasers, and an exclusive excerpt below.
EXCERPT
My eyes land on January and I draw to a stop. She's got her head bent as she whispers back and forth with another girl her age, Mariah something or another. I don't remember her last name. She's with January a lot, but I never pay attention to anyone but my girl.
They're not paying attention, so I hang back and watch January for a minute. She's beautiful. Most girls go through an awkward phase, but she never did. She went from a cute little kid to a stunning young woman with hair like silk and the brightest emerald eyes I've ever seen. Her skin is golden from all the time she spends outside. She's still tiny, barely even five feet. I know she hopes she's not finished growing yet, but I kind of hope she stays like she is. She's perfect. I'm big enough to engulf her little frame. I love how she feels in my arms when she gets excited about something and hugs me.
"Yo, January," someone calls to her.
She and Mariah lift their heads at the same time as a boy I've never met starts moving toward her. He's got his backpack slung over one shoulder and a pick standing up in his hair. He's tall and lanky, maybe a year younger than I am. I don't like the way he leers at January with a cocky smirk on his face.
Mariah tugs on her sleeve and giggles as he approaches.
"Hi, Cody." January gives him a shy smile that makes my hands clench into tight fists.
"Hey, gorgeous." Cody stops in front of her and leans down, getting in her personal space. He rests an arm on the lockers above her head, which pulls his shirt up in the back, showing his boxers where his pants sag.
I grit my teeth and start in their direction, pissed he's flirting with her and she's letting him. Maybe she's too young for me, but she's also too young for him. She's only thirteen. She doesn't need to be thinking about boys or any of that bullshit.
"Some of us are going to the dance together tomorrow and then to get pizza after. You wanna come?" Cody asks her.
"Um…I'm not sure," January whispers, and I'm not sure if she's hesitating because she wants to go with him or because she doesn't want to go and is just trying to be nice.
Fuck. Does she want to go with him?
"What do you say, babe? Want to go with me?"
"January!" I bark before she can answer him.
She jerks backward, almost falling over. Her head whips in my direction and her eyes get wide. Mariah whispers something to her before darting off in the opposite direction.
I stomp toward her and Cody, annoyed that he hasn't taken the hint and moved along.
"Hi, Cade," she whispers when I step up beside her and glare at Cody.
He frowns at me and draws himself up to his full height. He's tall, but I'm already six-two. I lift weights and run track. He's not even a match for me, but he's too stupid to get the point. Guess he doesn't know who I am yet. He will soon. I'll make sure of that.
"You ready to go, baby girl?" I ask her, holding his gaze as I step closer to her and sling my arm over her shoulder, making it clear that she's off limits.
Cody's eyes narrow on me, but he doesn't say anything.
"I…yeah, I'm ready." January glances between the two of us and frowns like she's only just noticing the tension rippling through the air between us. "Bye, Cody."
"See you later, January," he mutters and then turns and storms off.
I drop my arm from around her and stomp away, still pissed off even though I don't have any right to be. She isn't mine. She's never been mine. I wish she was though.
When we were younger, it was different. I didn't understand what I felt toward her. I thought I just wanted to keep her safe, especially after that crazy guy attacked her in the park. But it's not like that now. I mean, I still want to keep her safe and take care of her. But she's also the only girl I've ever thought about kissing.
"Cade?" she says from behind me, her voice worried. "Can you slow down a little?"
Shit. She's practically running to keep up with me. I slow down immediately and give her a chance to catch up. Her bag bounces on her back as we walk. I take it from her and slide it onto my shoulder with mine like I usually do. She doesn't say anything as we weave our way out of the building and then through the parking lot to the sidewalk. I think she's mad at me.
"Do you want to go to the dance with him?" I blurt out as we turn in the direction of our block. Like it, this part of the neighborhood is run down and depressing. The sidewalks and road are cracked and pitted. Most of the houses are falling apart.
January shrugs a shoulder and tilts her head down so her long hair hides her face. "I don't know," she whispers.
"Do you like him?"
She shrugs again, stepping around a large crack in the cement at her feet. "He's the only one who asked me to go. It was nice of him."
Well…shit. She used to get picked on a lot because she's so tiny. Most people leave her alone now, but thanks to Mandy and some of the older girls, she doesn't have many friends. Mandy's a jealous bitch. She hates that I've never paid her any attention and always preferred to hang out with January, so she makes life as miserable for my girl as she can. I hate that January doesn't have many friends because of it, but I still don't want her going anywhere with Cody.
"You shouldn't go with him," I say before I can stop myself. "You're too young to be thinking about boys and dating and all that shit. You're still just a kid."
She stops walking and gapes at me. Her eyes narrow on me and her cheeks flush pink.
Crap. She's really mad at me.
Her mouth opens and then closes a few times. I expect her to yell at me like she does at Titan. They love each other like crazy, but they fight like cats and dogs sometimes too. He usually gives her whatever she wants, but every once in a while, he puts up a fight. She's like a little soldier marching bravely into battle when he gets her wound up. She stomps her feet and growls at him. It's cute as hell. I'm pretty sure he only does it because he thinks it's funny to watch, but I'd never dare tell her that.
I expect her to let me have it like she does him, but she doesn't. She stares at me for a second and then she shakes her head like she's disappointed in me and mutters something under her breath before stomping away. I'm pretty sure she just called me the most clueless boy on the planet, but I don't know what she's talking about.
I stare after her for a second, not sure what to make of her reaction, and then I have to jog to catch up with her. She may have short legs, but she moves fast when she's pissed.
"January, wait." I grab her arm when she ignores me.
She stops walking and spins to face me. Tears shimmer in her eyes, stealing my breath.
I made her cry.
I instantly feel like the biggest asshole. I hate when she cries. Seeing tears in her eyes breaks my heart every damn time.
"I'm sorry, bab–"
She leans up on her tiptoes and presses her lips to mine, silencing me.
Her lips are so soft and taste like peppermint and sugary candy. I like the way they feel on mine. I like the way her breath blows sweetly across my face too. Her little body nestles into mine. I've thought about kissing her a thousand times, but this is so much better than I thought it would be.
Something settles deep in my chest, clicking into place. This feels right…like it's supposed to happen. I'm not sure what that means, but she smells like vanilla and sugar. I want to kiss her all day long.
As soon as the thought strikes, she gasps into my mouth and then jumps backwards. Her eyes go wide in obvious distress. "I'm so sorry!" she cries, then she spins around and runs from me.
Fight for You releases on October 15, 2019.
PRE-ORDER AT YOUR FAVORITE RETAILER: http://books2read.com/FightforYou
I wanted to pop in and share the print wrap for Fight for You! I am so incredibly excited about this book, you have no idea! You can check out the print wrap, teasers, and an exclusive excerpt below.
EXCERPT
My eyes land on January and I draw to a stop. She's got her head bent as she whispers back and forth with another girl her age, Mariah something or another. I don't remember her last name. She's with January a lot, but I never pay attention to anyone but my girl.
They're not paying attention, so I hang back and watch January for a minute. She's beautiful. Most girls go through an awkward phase, but she never did. She went from a cute little kid to a stunning young woman with hair like silk and the brightest emerald eyes I've ever seen. Her skin is golden from all the time she spends outside. She's still tiny, barely even five feet. I know she hopes she's not finished growing yet, but I kind of hope she stays like she is. She's perfect. I'm big enough to engulf her little frame. I love how she feels in my arms when she gets excited about something and hugs me.
"Yo, January," someone calls to her.
She and Mariah lift their heads at the same time as a boy I've never met starts moving toward her. He's got his backpack slung over one shoulder and a pick standing up in his hair. He's tall and lanky, maybe a year younger than I am. I don't like the way he leers at January with a cocky smirk on his face.
Mariah tugs on her sleeve and giggles as he approaches.
"Hi, Cody." January gives him a shy smile that makes my hands clench into tight fists.
"Hey, gorgeous." Cody stops in front of her and leans down, getting in her personal space. He rests an arm on the lockers above her head, which pulls his shirt up in the back, showing his boxers where his pants sag.
I grit my teeth and start in their direction, pissed he's flirting with her and she's letting him. Maybe she's too young for me, but she's also too young for him. She's only thirteen. She doesn't need to be thinking about boys or any of that bullshit.
"Some of us are going to the dance together tomorrow and then to get pizza after. You wanna come?" Cody asks her.
"Um…I'm not sure," January whispers, and I'm not sure if she's hesitating because she wants to go with him or because she doesn't want to go and is just trying to be nice.
Fuck. Does she want to go with him?
"What do you say, babe? Want to go with me?"
"January!" I bark before she can answer him.
She jerks backward, almost falling over. Her head whips in my direction and her eyes get wide. Mariah whispers something to her before darting off in the opposite direction.
I stomp toward her and Cody, annoyed that he hasn't taken the hint and moved along.
"Hi, Cade," she whispers when I step up beside her and glare at Cody.
He frowns at me and draws himself up to his full height. He's tall, but I'm already six-two. I lift weights and run track. He's not even a match for me, but he's too stupid to get the point. Guess he doesn't know who I am yet. He will soon. I'll make sure of that.
"You ready to go, baby girl?" I ask her, holding his gaze as I step closer to her and sling my arm over her shoulder, making it clear that she's off limits.
Cody's eyes narrow on me, but he doesn't say anything.
"I…yeah, I'm ready." January glances between the two of us and frowns like she's only just noticing the tension rippling through the air between us. "Bye, Cody."
"See you later, January," he mutters and then turns and storms off.
I drop my arm from around her and stomp away, still pissed off even though I don't have any right to be. She isn't mine. She's never been mine. I wish she was though.
When we were younger, it was different. I didn't understand what I felt toward her. I thought I just wanted to keep her safe, especially after that crazy guy attacked her in the park. But it's not like that now. I mean, I still want to keep her safe and take care of her. But she's also the only girl I've ever thought about kissing.
"Cade?" she says from behind me, her voice worried. "Can you slow down a little?"
Shit. She's practically running to keep up with me. I slow down immediately and give her a chance to catch up. Her bag bounces on her back as we walk. I take it from her and slide it onto my shoulder with mine like I usually do. She doesn't say anything as we weave our way out of the building and then through the parking lot to the sidewalk. I think she's mad at me.
"Do you want to go to the dance with him?" I blurt out as we turn in the direction of our block. Like it, this part of the neighborhood is run down and depressing. The sidewalks and road are cracked and pitted. Most of the houses are falling apart.
January shrugs a shoulder and tilts her head down so her long hair hides her face. "I don't know," she whispers.
"Do you like him?"
She shrugs again, stepping around a large crack in the cement at her feet. "He's the only one who asked me to go. It was nice of him."
Well…shit. She used to get picked on a lot because she's so tiny. Most people leave her alone now, but thanks to Mandy and some of the older girls, she doesn't have many friends. Mandy's a jealous bitch. She hates that I've never paid her any attention and always preferred to hang out with January, so she makes life as miserable for my girl as she can. I hate that January doesn't have many friends because of it, but I still don't want her going anywhere with Cody.
"You shouldn't go with him," I say before I can stop myself. "You're too young to be thinking about boys and dating and all that shit. You're still just a kid."
She stops walking and gapes at me. Her eyes narrow on me and her cheeks flush pink.
Crap. She's really mad at me.
Her mouth opens and then closes a few times. I expect her to yell at me like she does at Titan. They love each other like crazy, but they fight like cats and dogs sometimes too. He usually gives her whatever she wants, but every once in a while, he puts up a fight. She's like a little soldier marching bravely into battle when he gets her wound up. She stomps her feet and growls at him. It's cute as hell. I'm pretty sure he only does it because he thinks it's funny to watch, but I'd never dare tell her that.
I expect her to let me have it like she does him, but she doesn't. She stares at me for a second and then she shakes her head like she's disappointed in me and mutters something under her breath before stomping away. I'm pretty sure she just called me the most clueless boy on the planet, but I don't know what she's talking about.
I stare after her for a second, not sure what to make of her reaction, and then I have to jog to catch up with her. She may have short legs, but she moves fast when she's pissed.
"January, wait." I grab her arm when she ignores me.
She stops walking and spins to face me. Tears shimmer in her eyes, stealing my breath.
I made her cry.
I instantly feel like the biggest asshole. I hate when she cries. Seeing tears in her eyes breaks my heart every damn time.
"I'm sorry, bab–"
She leans up on her tiptoes and presses her lips to mine, silencing me.
Her lips are so soft and taste like peppermint and sugary candy. I like the way they feel on mine. I like the way her breath blows sweetly across my face too. Her little body nestles into mine. I've thought about kissing her a thousand times, but this is so much better than I thought it would be.
Something settles deep in my chest, clicking into place. This feels right…like it's supposed to happen. I'm not sure what that means, but she smells like vanilla and sugar. I want to kiss her all day long.
As soon as the thought strikes, she gasps into my mouth and then jumps backwards. Her eyes go wide in obvious distress. "I'm so sorry!" she cries, then she spins around and runs from me.
Fight for You releases on October 15, 2019.
PRE-ORDER AT YOUR FAVORITE RETAILER: http://books2read.com/FightforYou
September 13, 2019
New Release: Renegade by Jeanne McDonald #romanticsuspense
Happy Release Day, Jeanne! RENEGADE is now live!
Editor: Amy Gamache of Rose David EditingCover Design: Jada D'Lee DesignsPublisher: Enchanted Publications
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Romantic Suspense
SUMMARY
A rookie cop and a chance meeting with two men. One is strait-laced and perfect. The other is a tattooed, pierced, foul-mouthed criminal.
One is everything right and safe. A compliment to her in personality and temperament.
The other is all danger, mystery, and contradiction. Entirely wrong for her, yet so perfectly right.
When their worlds collide, Lucy Diamond will learn the true meaning of love and sacrifice as she embarks on the road of no return with bad boy, Jude Wallace, and good guy, Ian Clarke.
Like a thief in the night, love will take her by surprise.
**Originally part of the Branded: A Bad Boy anthology. Now a full-length novel**
➸ Add it to your Goodreads TBR today ➸ http://bit.ly/BeARenegade➸ Find on BookBub ➸ https://www.bookbub.com/books/renegade-by-jeanne-mcdonald ➸ Book Trailer ➸ https://youtu.be/264byZrM8xA
GET RENEGADE ON AMAZON!
About Jeanne McDonald
Jeanne McDonald enjoys writing contemporary romance filled with spice, drama, and humor. As JM Dodd, Jeanne's creativity explores the supernatural, relishes in the world of fantasy, and dabbles in contemporary fiction.
She prides herself in being a mother, a friend, a student of knowledge and of life, a coffee addict, a philosophy novice, a pop culture connoisseur, inspired by music, encouraged by words, and a believer in humanity.
Jeanne is the founder of the author co-op, Enchanted Publications, and is an avid supporter of autism awareness, combating senior hunger, and higher education access.
When she's not spending time with her amazing son, her dog, and her cat, she can be found reading, writing, enjoying a great film, or cooking for friends. In her house, there’s always music or a podcast playing.
A proud Texan, Jeanne currently resides in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with her son, Bacon, and Espresso.
You can learn more about Jeanne and her books at www.jmdodd.us
➙Facebook: http://bit.ly/JMMFacebook➙Amazon: http://bit.ly/JMMAmazon➙Instagram: http://bit.ly/JMMInstagram➙BookBub: http://bit.ly/JMBookBub➙Newsletter: http://bit.ly/FreeJMEbook➙The Break Room: http://bit.ly/JeannesBreakRoom➙Twitter: http://bit.ly/JMMTwitter
Hosted by RRR PROMOTION
September 12, 2019
Social Media Tools for Authors
As an author, you spend a lot of time on social media. Because my schedule is complete backward from everyone else (night shift life), I find that scheduling posts is a lot easier on some apps. They post while I'm sleeping, and I can interact when I'm awake.
There are a lot of useful tools out there for scheduling and simplifying social media. Here are some of my favorites!
Buffer - Buffer allows me to schedule posts for IG, Twitter, and Facebook. I mainly use it for scheduling series posts (like my Writer Wednesday series). I can schedule up to 10 posts at a time for each platform. For the WW series, this means I can have 10 weeks of posts scheduled at a time.
Later - Later allows me to schedule up to 30 IG posts at a time. It also keeps all of my previous uploads, and allows me to see what my feed will look like with all the posts laid out. It's a really powerful tool. Your monthly allotment of 30 resets on the 1st day of the month, but you can upgrade for a monthly fee, giving you the ability to schedule even more posts a month.
Tweetdeck - Tweetdeck is an old favorite. You can manage more than one Twitter account, schedule posts, and customize your layout so you see exactly what you want to see where you want to see it. I love this application.
Friendly.io - Because I have a personal account and an author account, having a second app on my phone makes my life easier. I don't have to sign in and sign out every single time I want to swap between profiles. Friendly is set up a lot like the FB app, making it super easy to navigate. It also allows you to receive messages in the app instead of having to download a separate application which is beyond annoying (I'm looking at you, Facebook).
Regrann - IG does not make it easy to share posts from others, but Regrann makes it super easy. Once you're set up, you don't even have to leave the IG app to reshare something using Regrann. It works the magic for you. I love how easy it is.
There are a lot of useful tools out there for scheduling and simplifying social media. Here are some of my favorites!
Buffer - Buffer allows me to schedule posts for IG, Twitter, and Facebook. I mainly use it for scheduling series posts (like my Writer Wednesday series). I can schedule up to 10 posts at a time for each platform. For the WW series, this means I can have 10 weeks of posts scheduled at a time.
Later - Later allows me to schedule up to 30 IG posts at a time. It also keeps all of my previous uploads, and allows me to see what my feed will look like with all the posts laid out. It's a really powerful tool. Your monthly allotment of 30 resets on the 1st day of the month, but you can upgrade for a monthly fee, giving you the ability to schedule even more posts a month.
Tweetdeck - Tweetdeck is an old favorite. You can manage more than one Twitter account, schedule posts, and customize your layout so you see exactly what you want to see where you want to see it. I love this application.
Friendly.io - Because I have a personal account and an author account, having a second app on my phone makes my life easier. I don't have to sign in and sign out every single time I want to swap between profiles. Friendly is set up a lot like the FB app, making it super easy to navigate. It also allows you to receive messages in the app instead of having to download a separate application which is beyond annoying (I'm looking at you, Facebook).
Regrann - IG does not make it easy to share posts from others, but Regrann makes it super easy. Once you're set up, you don't even have to leave the IG app to reshare something using Regrann. It works the magic for you. I love how easy it is.
September 11, 2019
Where do you write?
Happy Writer Wednesday!
Do you have a designated writing space in your home? If not, you should!
Creating a writing space can help minimize distractions, and keep you focused and on track. It doesn't have to be fancy, nor does it have to require thousands of dollars in renovations and makeovers. Find a quiet place and make it comfortable (but not too comfortable). When you need to focus, escape to your space and get busy!
I have my own home office that's my writing space. We opted to create it in a spare room upstairs so it's away from the dogs (who are loud as heck) and the cats (who are noisy). It's filled with my bookshelves, photos, and things that are important to me, and is decorated in my favorite color (purple). I have a gaming chair (that's quite comfortable!) and keep a warm throw handy since I keep my air set on Arctic year 'round.
I also have a fancy new swivel La-Z-Boy that I can curl up in to read or write when I don't feel like being stuck behind the desk. When I need to write, I escape to my office and get busy. Having that designated space has been a HUGE help in keeping me on track, especially when I've had so many books releasing this year!
Do you have a designated writing space in your home? If not, you should!
Creating a writing space can help minimize distractions, and keep you focused and on track. It doesn't have to be fancy, nor does it have to require thousands of dollars in renovations and makeovers. Find a quiet place and make it comfortable (but not too comfortable). When you need to focus, escape to your space and get busy!
I have my own home office that's my writing space. We opted to create it in a spare room upstairs so it's away from the dogs (who are loud as heck) and the cats (who are noisy). It's filled with my bookshelves, photos, and things that are important to me, and is decorated in my favorite color (purple). I have a gaming chair (that's quite comfortable!) and keep a warm throw handy since I keep my air set on Arctic year 'round.
I also have a fancy new swivel La-Z-Boy that I can curl up in to read or write when I don't feel like being stuck behind the desk. When I need to write, I escape to my office and get busy. Having that designated space has been a HUGE help in keeping me on track, especially when I've had so many books releasing this year!
September 4, 2019
Colons and Capitalization
Happy Writer Wednesday!
Colons are powerful tools, but in fiction writing, should be used as sparingly as possible. Colons are most frequently used to join two independent clauses, as well as to start lists and introduce quotes.
When using to start a list, don't capitalize the first letter of the first word after the colon unless it's a proper noun.
When using a colon to join two independent clauses, capitalize the first letter of the first word after the colon if it's a proper noun or if the clause is a complete sentence. Don't capitalize the first letter of the first word if the clause isn't a complete sentence.
xoxo,Ayden
Colons are powerful tools, but in fiction writing, should be used as sparingly as possible. Colons are most frequently used to join two independent clauses, as well as to start lists and introduce quotes.
When using to start a list, don't capitalize the first letter of the first word after the colon unless it's a proper noun.
When using a colon to join two independent clauses, capitalize the first letter of the first word after the colon if it's a proper noun or if the clause is a complete sentence. Don't capitalize the first letter of the first word if the clause isn't a complete sentence.
xoxo,Ayden
September 3, 2019
Teaser Tuesday: Stricken (The War Scrolls #1)
STRICKEN - The War Scrolls: Book One
It took only four months to bring the angels to their knees… With a virus ravaging the fallen angels on earth, mankind’s symbol of love and hope is at risk of extinction.
Centuries ago, a group of angelic warriors known as The Fallen risked everything to save themselves and carve a future for their kind. Hope slips away as The Fallen and their kin are cut down by an ancient menace, LaMorte Nera—and no one saw it coming.
Only one immortal can save them, and only one mortal can stand in his way…
When Nephilim warrior Killian St. James sets out on a quest to find a cure, he and his blade-brothers discover nineteen-year-old Aubrey Carter—a human with a past as dark as it is mysterious—cowering in an abandoned house in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee.
The corrupted races are chasing her, and Killian is determined to find out why…
But neither he nor Aubrey are prepared for their attraction to one another, or for the frightening truths lurking in the shadows. The painful childhood memories Aubrey has buried hold precious answers. Answers that threaten to tear Killian's world apart.
With her life hanging in the balance, Killian must choose between the future of The Fallen, and the human girl he's pledged to protect.
Demons are rising, and this time they plan to win the war for dominion once and for all.
Excerpt
“Where are you trying to go, boy?” Killian St. James asked, inching toward the Elioud shapeshifter in front of him.
The wolf responded by curling his upper lip in a soundless snarl. Saliva dripped from his fangs, causing flecks of foam to form all along his muzzle. Gray fur stood on end along his back. The white, matted fur of his chest seemed to shine in the darkness. His claws clicked against the rotted wood of the floor as he backed away from Killian, moving his head side to side in search of an escape route.
There wasn’t one, of course.
Killian had made sure of that, backing the shifter toward the corner of the room with every warrior-skill he’d learned over the last two centuries. His blade-brothers, Abriel and Dahmiel, flanked him, spread out into a loose spear-point to ensure the Elioud went nowhere.
He didn’t seem to appreciate their efforts.
Fury rolled from him in waves, stinging at Killian until his eyes and nose burned with the sharp, acrid scent of the diseased blood running through the infected man’s veins. Killian wanted to gag at the rancid smell but refused to give in to the churning of his stomach. He was stronger than that. He was a Warrior of Light, one of the last left to guard the world against the hordes of Hell. And Fallen warriors didn’t lose their shit in the middle of a hunt.
Besides, if Killian lost his focus now, things were going to get nasty, and quick.
As if realizing this, the shifter glanced between Killian and Abriel, his gaze flickering rapidly from one to the other. Killian watched as the shifter hesitated over the empty space between him and his brother, and then on the gaping doorway beyond.
Killian was ready when the thing made a last-ditch decision to run for it.
Before the shifter even altered its stance, Killian spun the flare in his hands, sending the thin tube whirling like a dancer’s baton. Blue sparks shot from both ends, piercing the darkness with an inky-blue light. Smoke curled upward, the sulfuric stench wavering in time to the pop and sizzle of the bright embers shooting from the ends.
“Not today, buddy,” he told the shifter.
The beast raced across the rotted floor with his head low to the ground. He weaved away from the flashing sparks, aiming like an arrow down the center of the room. Killian stepped to his left to cut him off, hoping the shower of sparks would slow the creature down.
The shifter howled as embers stung him like bees.
Chills raced up Killian’s spine at the pained sound. The smoke billowing from his flare burned his eyes, but he didn’t blink as he hoisted it higher, directly over the Elioud’s head.
The shifter darted away from the sparks now falling upon him. The sharp scent of singed fur wafted toward Killian, joining the disgusting mix already clogging his nose. His stomach roiled in rebellion again.
Why couldn’t he shut out the odor?
The smell of death and disease hung in the air around them like rotting flesh on a week old battlefield, but in the last four months, he’d learned to focus on other things. The corrosive smell of gasoline and the thick taste of tar wrapped like tentacles around human cities had been a good distraction from the walking, raving dead in the beginning, but not anymore.
The sickly stench clung to Killian’s skin. It seeped from his pores until all he smelled anymore was death, disease, and the damning scent of defeat lurking on the horizon.
The Fallen were losing.
La Morte Nera could not be stopped.
The realization stung worse than the blue embers falling upon his hands.
“Watch him!” Abriel shouted as the flare began to fizzle in a plume of dark smoke.
The crazed shifter twisted in midair, more frantic to escape now. The smoke billowed around him, confusing him as it had countless others before him. The infected didn’t like the sulfuric smoke any more than they liked dying.
Too damned bad for them.
Killian spun to cut the shifter off, but in wolf form he was fast, far faster than Killian had anticipated. The beast raced past him, tail swinging wildly, half a second before he reached position.
The shifter curled in upon himself, getting ready to leap through the door.
Son of a bitch!
Killian tossed the flare aside and lurched forward, reaching for the pair of throwing knives hidden in their sheaths up his sleeves. He doubted he’d get the knives out before the shifter completed his desperate dive, but Killian ripped them from the leather and threw anyway.Dahmiel loomed up in front of the doorway with a roar, his sword still strapped to his back and his tattooed arms outstretched. The Elioud caught sight of him and howled again, trying to turn himself mid leap.
Killian shouted a wordless warning to his blade-brother, watching in silent frustration as the shifter managed to twist its massive body to the side. The knives didn’t even touch the creature as they whistled by.
Dahmiel didn’t flinch as first one and then the other silver blade sank into his arm, cutting deep from the force of Killian’s throw. In fact, Dom paid the knives no attention at all, instead grabbing the rabid shifter by the scruff of the neck and slamming him to the floor as if the knives had never touched him.
The momentum of his body slam splintered the rotting wood at his feet.
Entire floorboards caved inward, dragging him down.
“Dammit!” Dom yelled, the impact of his fall ripping through the decaying building like a rocket blast.
Killian staggered and fell, landing hard on his knees. A second flare slipped from his belt, then bounced once before clattering harmlessly through one of the larger cracks in the floor. It landed in the basement below with a distant thump.
The shifter roared.
STRICKEN is available in Kindle Unlimited!
September 1, 2019
Fight for You Pre-Order Ex-SWAG-Aganza!
There are only a little more than 40 days left until Michael and January's story goes LIVE! I'm so excited for Fight for You. This story is one that I waited for years to write, and I cannot wait for all of you to read it! It's angsty and sweet and will give you all the feels.
To kick off the chaos of launching Fight for You, we're giving away all kinds of swag! Signed bookplates, signed keepsake photos, bookmarks, exclusive bonus chapters, and even bracelets are up for grabs! Check out the details below to claim your swag pack.
To claim your Swag Pack:
1. Pre-order Fight for You from your favorite retailer before 11:59pm on September 20th.
2. Email a copy of your receipt and your mailing address to marketing@akmorgen.com by September 21st!
3. Exclusive chapters will go out on October 1st. Swag packs will ship on 10/15.
**If you've already pre-ordered, you can claim your swag pack the same way. Simply email a copy of your receipt!**
Swag Packs include:
2 Fight for You bookmarks
2 signed bookplates
1 signed keepsake photo
Exclusive bonus chapter of Fight for You
+5 will also include bracelets!
The swag giveaway is open internationally. HOWEVER, bracelets can only be shipped to the United States. Sorry, guys! Shipping overseas is a beast and I'll be paying student loans until the day I die. Valid while supplies last. Cancelled pre-orders not eligible.
PRE-ORDER AT YOUR FAVORITE RETAILER!
AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | KOBO | APPLE | OTHER RETAILERS
ABOUT FIGHT FOR YOU
Some men deserve redemption. Some men are worthy of salvation. I'm not one of them. My name is Michael Kincaid, and I've got so much blood on my hands, I'll never wash clean.
For ten years, I've tried to outrun my gangbanger past by burying myself in my work with the DEA. I've tried like hell to forget the day I damned my soul and lost everything…my family, my home, and the only girl I've ever loved.
I still can't outrun it.
No matter how far I go, January James haunts me. Being without her is killing me, but what other choice do I have? We were still kids the first time I vowed to protect her. Instead, I destroyed her.
Now one of my enemies—a local gang member—has it out for her. He isn't going to stop until she gives him the territory I left her all those years ago. I swore I'd never set foot in Los Angeles again, but January needs my protection, and I'm not nearly strong enough to say no.
She deserves better than me, but she's mine anyway. It's time to stop running and fight for her.
She's an angel. I'm the devil on her shoulder. And this is my swan song.
When it's over, I'll either be the monster at the end of this book…or I'll be the man she deserves.
Fight for You, a contemporary romance, releases 10.15.19. Fight for You is the first book in the A Warrior for Her series, but can be read as a standalone.
To kick off the chaos of launching Fight for You, we're giving away all kinds of swag! Signed bookplates, signed keepsake photos, bookmarks, exclusive bonus chapters, and even bracelets are up for grabs! Check out the details below to claim your swag pack.
To claim your Swag Pack:
1. Pre-order Fight for You from your favorite retailer before 11:59pm on September 20th.
2. Email a copy of your receipt and your mailing address to marketing@akmorgen.com by September 21st!
3. Exclusive chapters will go out on October 1st. Swag packs will ship on 10/15.
**If you've already pre-ordered, you can claim your swag pack the same way. Simply email a copy of your receipt!**
Swag Packs include:
2 Fight for You bookmarks
2 signed bookplates
1 signed keepsake photo
Exclusive bonus chapter of Fight for You
+5 will also include bracelets!
The swag giveaway is open internationally. HOWEVER, bracelets can only be shipped to the United States. Sorry, guys! Shipping overseas is a beast and I'll be paying student loans until the day I die. Valid while supplies last. Cancelled pre-orders not eligible.
PRE-ORDER AT YOUR FAVORITE RETAILER!
AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | KOBO | APPLE | OTHER RETAILERS
ABOUT FIGHT FOR YOU
Some men deserve redemption. Some men are worthy of salvation. I'm not one of them. My name is Michael Kincaid, and I've got so much blood on my hands, I'll never wash clean.
For ten years, I've tried to outrun my gangbanger past by burying myself in my work with the DEA. I've tried like hell to forget the day I damned my soul and lost everything…my family, my home, and the only girl I've ever loved.
I still can't outrun it.
No matter how far I go, January James haunts me. Being without her is killing me, but what other choice do I have? We were still kids the first time I vowed to protect her. Instead, I destroyed her.
Now one of my enemies—a local gang member—has it out for her. He isn't going to stop until she gives him the territory I left her all those years ago. I swore I'd never set foot in Los Angeles again, but January needs my protection, and I'm not nearly strong enough to say no.
She deserves better than me, but she's mine anyway. It's time to stop running and fight for her.
She's an angel. I'm the devil on her shoulder. And this is my swan song.
When it's over, I'll either be the monster at the end of this book…or I'll be the man she deserves.
Fight for You, a contemporary romance, releases 10.15.19. Fight for You is the first book in the A Warrior for Her series, but can be read as a standalone.
August 29, 2019
Favorite Image/Graphics Tools
There are SO MANY graphic resources out there for authors. I'm always finding new and useful tools. Here are some of my favorites for finding stock photos, creating mockups and marketing graphics, and more!
Book Spark - Book Spark is a subscription service to a lot of different tools in one. You get access to their stock photo library, their instant mockup generator (with hundreds of available mockups), book trailer templates, pre-made cover templates, software to create marketing graphics, print and ebook formatting software, and more.
Book Brush- I recently discovered this one and really like it. I've been able to make some really great marketing graphics using their software and templates. The only drawback is that it's a yearly subscription. Sad face.
The Image Apothecary - Seriously one of my absolute favorite places to go to find incredible mockups. They have some absolutely gorgeous options available!
DepositPhotos - Their selection is satisfactory, and they're a lot more affordable than a lot of the other stock photo places out there!
MockupShots - Hundreds of instant mockups that can be used for a myriad of book projects. It's a little pricey, but worth the expense, in my opinion. I use it all the time.
Pixabay - Hundreds of free stock photos.
*MockupShots is the only affiliate link on the list. It's also one of my favorite author tools!
Book Spark - Book Spark is a subscription service to a lot of different tools in one. You get access to their stock photo library, their instant mockup generator (with hundreds of available mockups), book trailer templates, pre-made cover templates, software to create marketing graphics, print and ebook formatting software, and more.
Book Brush- I recently discovered this one and really like it. I've been able to make some really great marketing graphics using their software and templates. The only drawback is that it's a yearly subscription. Sad face.
The Image Apothecary - Seriously one of my absolute favorite places to go to find incredible mockups. They have some absolutely gorgeous options available!
DepositPhotos - Their selection is satisfactory, and they're a lot more affordable than a lot of the other stock photo places out there!
MockupShots - Hundreds of instant mockups that can be used for a myriad of book projects. It's a little pricey, but worth the expense, in my opinion. I use it all the time.
Pixabay - Hundreds of free stock photos.
*MockupShots is the only affiliate link on the list. It's also one of my favorite author tools!
August 28, 2019
Ignoring Grammar Rules
Happy Writer Wednesday!
One of the most important things you will ever learn as a writer is that some rules were meant to be broken. If every character in your novel acts and sounds exactly the same, you're going to bore readers. Give your characters personality by changing up the way they speak, the words they use, and even the way they think.
You want to write believable characters...and we aren't a world full of English majors! Use sentence fragments and slang. Drop the "g" at the end of certain words. Give your character a stutter. None of these follow the rules, but they can make a huge impact on the ability of readers to relate to your characters. Sprinkle these rule-breakers in to make your characters more three dimensional and believable.
Just remember that there are certain rules you shouldn't break. Don't start punctuating sentences all willy-nilly. Don't let passive voice take over your story.
You need to have a good grasp of which rules shouldn't be broken and which are free game. This will make you a stronger writer.
One of the most important things you will ever learn as a writer is that some rules were meant to be broken. If every character in your novel acts and sounds exactly the same, you're going to bore readers. Give your characters personality by changing up the way they speak, the words they use, and even the way they think.
You want to write believable characters...and we aren't a world full of English majors! Use sentence fragments and slang. Drop the "g" at the end of certain words. Give your character a stutter. None of these follow the rules, but they can make a huge impact on the ability of readers to relate to your characters. Sprinkle these rule-breakers in to make your characters more three dimensional and believable.
Just remember that there are certain rules you shouldn't break. Don't start punctuating sentences all willy-nilly. Don't let passive voice take over your story.
You need to have a good grasp of which rules shouldn't be broken and which are free game. This will make you a stronger writer.
August 27, 2019
Teaser Tuesday: Ravished #suspense #eroticromance
Ravished: The Teplo Trilogy #1
A disabled ballerinaa deadly new drug
and one h*ll of a bad decision
will change everything for DEA Agent Tristan Riley...
When Tristan Riley drags Lillian Maddox onto the dance floor at Teplo, he intends only to protect his cover… at least that's what he tells himself. But the lovely Lillian would tempt a saint, and Tristan is far from a gentleman. Beneath the bright lights of the Vetrov family's dangerous club, the weary DEA agent finds himself captivated by the ballerina, coaxing them both into a reckless, erotic encounter.
But Tristan isn't prepared for the intense connection between him and Lillian, or for the fallout of their tryst. In a matter of days, their lives careen wildly off course, catapulting them both into a deadly game of hide and seek with the Vetrov family and one of Mexico's deadliest drug cartels.
Trying to keep his hands to himself while working alongside Lillian to stop Anton Vetrov's deadly new drug proves almost impossible for Tristan, but what choice does he have when being with her might get her killed? He should know: his entire family was murdered by people just like Anton.
When the stakes are raised and innocent lives are lost, will Tristan be able to let go of the guilt, or will he destroy his chance at happiness with Lillian before it ever truly begins?
Excerpt A pair of large hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her upright. She slammed into a hard chest and clung, wrapping her arms around the man's waist without thought. Her face rubbed across the soft fabric of his shirt. A familiar scent, like sage and pine needles, tickled her nose beneath the aroma of hot food wafting through the restaurant. She knew that smell…loved it. But couldn't place it.
"Thank you," she said when her heart slowed its wild hammering. Sliding her hands along her rescuer's sides, she tried to shift her weight from him back onto her feet. His muscles flexed beneath her palms, rippling as if in response to the path her hands took.
"If you don't stop touching me like that, I'm going to fuck you right here, Lillian," a familiar voice rasped in her ear.
She gasped, her head shooting upward.
Tristan's bright blue gaze met hers, his teeth gritted as if in pain.
"Tristan?" she half mouthed, half squeaked.
"Hello, sweetheart."
Lillian stared at him, dazed. In the full light of the restaurant, he looked even better than he had beneath the strange lights of Teplo. His jaw was sharp beneath the stubble, his lips full and kissable. Long lashes framed those beautiful eyes…eyes full of wicked desire. His dark hair was riotous, as if he'd run his hands through it. He seemed a lot bigger, too. Not bulky, but made of lean, contoured muscle. The blue t-shirt he wore wasn't tight, but every time he took a breath, the fabric stretched, hinting at the fit body beneath. Even in jeans and that t-shirt, he was gorgeous.
Memories of the night before hit Lillian like a fist.
Tristan’s hard body pressed against her…
His voice in her ear and his hand beneath her skirt…
She licked her lips, wetting them.
Her hands were still pressed against his stomach, her fingers running along the ridges of his abdominals.
He glanced down, following the play of her fingers over his muscles. "You're killing me, beautiful," he groaned, setting her away from him with obvious reluctance.
Lillian jerked backward, her face flaming, and nearly lost her balance again. She righted herself as quick as she could, far too aware of the man in front of her and the way her heart threatened to beat out of her chest.
Quiet chatter and the clink of silverware on glass resumed all around them.
"You okay?" he asked, his eyes narrowing on her face as if he'd just noticed the tears drying on her lashes. He reached out as if to touch her, and then dropped his hand back to his side.
Lillian remembered her tears at the same time. Mortification fired through her.
"Fine," she mumbled, stepping around him. "Thanks for saving me." She all but fled toward the bathroom, not looking back. Once inside, she slammed the door closed, and took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.Tristan was here. In the same damn restaurant.
What were the chances?
She limped toward the sink. Her pale face stared back at her from the mirror hanging above the vanity, looking anything but calm and composed. She looked, well, she looked wild. Tears still clung to her lashes. Faint shadows marred the skin beneath her wide, watery eyes. Fine strands of her dark hair had come loose from the ponytail she'd tossed it into, and her cheeks were flushed.
She looked just like she had when she'd stumbled home from Teplo the night before.
"Shit," she mumbled, turning the faucet on full blast.
The door creaked open behind her.
Lillian squeezed her eyes closed when Tristan appeared in the mirror, a concerned frown hovering on his full lips. But not looking at him didn't make him go away. His footfalls echoed in the small bathroom as he moved toward her. Heat crackled along her spine, loosening something inside of her: that wild, wanton woman he'd woken last night.
"Lillian." His velvety voice was level and intoxicating at once.
She opened her eyes, gripping the sink with both hands as he stepped up behind her, so close his hips touched her bottom, trapping her between his hard body and the sink. His gaze locked on hers in the mirror, blue fire mingling with concern. Heat wound through her as his body brushed against hers.
Slowly, oh so slowly, she turned toward him. "Hi," she whispered, tilting her face back to look up at him.
He reached out, ran a single fingertip down her cheek. "You were crying."
"No, I–" She broke off and licked her lips when his frown deepened. "It's been a rough day."
He stared at her for a long moment, and then nodded once, his fingertip still traveling, inch by inch, down the side of her face and onto her neck. She tilted her head, unable to stay still when her stomach fluttered and her legs trembled, urging her to melt into him.
Flashes from the night before played through her mind…his hands roaming her body in the eerie, unreal light pulsing around them. The soft hitch of his breath. The feel of his lips moving over hers.
Despite everything she'd told herself this morning, she still wanted him. Desperately.
"I want to kiss you," he murmured, cupping her neck in his hand.
"Please?" she pleaded before she could stop herself or think her way out of taking what she wanted from him.
Tristan didn't wait for her to change her mind. He dipped his head, bringing his mouth to hers.
A soft sigh tumbled from her lips.
He guided her closer with the pressure of his hand on her neck, pulling her body into his until they were pressed together in one long line. His lips whispered against hers until she parted them and let him in.
She curled a fist into his shirt.
He lapped at her mouth as warmth became heat, fire…liquid flame rushing through her in an explosive rush. Their tongues came together in their own choreographed dance for long minutes as they melted into one another, lost to everything but the way they moved together.
His breath quickened.
Her heart pounded.
Reality slipped away from her.
He didn't stop kissing her, instead pulling her closer, closer, until not even air moved between them. The heat of his body called to her, the urgency of his kisses making her tremble.
"Goddamn, beautiful," he groaned into her mouth, running his hands all over her. His confident touch made her moan and shudder in his arms. "I want you."
That sexy, guttural confession pulled her up short. She froze, memory intruding into that star-filled place every brush of his hands against her body threatened to take her.
Ravished is only .99c!
Read the entire series with Kindle Unlimited!
Ravished: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SPGA4KW
Rhapsody: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014FUEUYM
Rapture: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RXX57N7
A disabled ballerinaa deadly new drugand one h*ll of a bad decision
will change everything for DEA Agent Tristan Riley...
When Tristan Riley drags Lillian Maddox onto the dance floor at Teplo, he intends only to protect his cover… at least that's what he tells himself. But the lovely Lillian would tempt a saint, and Tristan is far from a gentleman. Beneath the bright lights of the Vetrov family's dangerous club, the weary DEA agent finds himself captivated by the ballerina, coaxing them both into a reckless, erotic encounter.
But Tristan isn't prepared for the intense connection between him and Lillian, or for the fallout of their tryst. In a matter of days, their lives careen wildly off course, catapulting them both into a deadly game of hide and seek with the Vetrov family and one of Mexico's deadliest drug cartels.
Trying to keep his hands to himself while working alongside Lillian to stop Anton Vetrov's deadly new drug proves almost impossible for Tristan, but what choice does he have when being with her might get her killed? He should know: his entire family was murdered by people just like Anton.
When the stakes are raised and innocent lives are lost, will Tristan be able to let go of the guilt, or will he destroy his chance at happiness with Lillian before it ever truly begins?
Excerpt A pair of large hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her upright. She slammed into a hard chest and clung, wrapping her arms around the man's waist without thought. Her face rubbed across the soft fabric of his shirt. A familiar scent, like sage and pine needles, tickled her nose beneath the aroma of hot food wafting through the restaurant. She knew that smell…loved it. But couldn't place it.
"Thank you," she said when her heart slowed its wild hammering. Sliding her hands along her rescuer's sides, she tried to shift her weight from him back onto her feet. His muscles flexed beneath her palms, rippling as if in response to the path her hands took.
"If you don't stop touching me like that, I'm going to fuck you right here, Lillian," a familiar voice rasped in her ear.
She gasped, her head shooting upward.
Tristan's bright blue gaze met hers, his teeth gritted as if in pain.
"Tristan?" she half mouthed, half squeaked.
"Hello, sweetheart."
Lillian stared at him, dazed. In the full light of the restaurant, he looked even better than he had beneath the strange lights of Teplo. His jaw was sharp beneath the stubble, his lips full and kissable. Long lashes framed those beautiful eyes…eyes full of wicked desire. His dark hair was riotous, as if he'd run his hands through it. He seemed a lot bigger, too. Not bulky, but made of lean, contoured muscle. The blue t-shirt he wore wasn't tight, but every time he took a breath, the fabric stretched, hinting at the fit body beneath. Even in jeans and that t-shirt, he was gorgeous.
Memories of the night before hit Lillian like a fist.
Tristan’s hard body pressed against her…
His voice in her ear and his hand beneath her skirt…
She licked her lips, wetting them.
Her hands were still pressed against his stomach, her fingers running along the ridges of his abdominals.
He glanced down, following the play of her fingers over his muscles. "You're killing me, beautiful," he groaned, setting her away from him with obvious reluctance.
Lillian jerked backward, her face flaming, and nearly lost her balance again. She righted herself as quick as she could, far too aware of the man in front of her and the way her heart threatened to beat out of her chest.
Quiet chatter and the clink of silverware on glass resumed all around them.
"You okay?" he asked, his eyes narrowing on her face as if he'd just noticed the tears drying on her lashes. He reached out as if to touch her, and then dropped his hand back to his side.
Lillian remembered her tears at the same time. Mortification fired through her.
"Fine," she mumbled, stepping around him. "Thanks for saving me." She all but fled toward the bathroom, not looking back. Once inside, she slammed the door closed, and took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.Tristan was here. In the same damn restaurant.
What were the chances?
She limped toward the sink. Her pale face stared back at her from the mirror hanging above the vanity, looking anything but calm and composed. She looked, well, she looked wild. Tears still clung to her lashes. Faint shadows marred the skin beneath her wide, watery eyes. Fine strands of her dark hair had come loose from the ponytail she'd tossed it into, and her cheeks were flushed.
She looked just like she had when she'd stumbled home from Teplo the night before.
"Shit," she mumbled, turning the faucet on full blast.
The door creaked open behind her.
Lillian squeezed her eyes closed when Tristan appeared in the mirror, a concerned frown hovering on his full lips. But not looking at him didn't make him go away. His footfalls echoed in the small bathroom as he moved toward her. Heat crackled along her spine, loosening something inside of her: that wild, wanton woman he'd woken last night.
"Lillian." His velvety voice was level and intoxicating at once.
She opened her eyes, gripping the sink with both hands as he stepped up behind her, so close his hips touched her bottom, trapping her between his hard body and the sink. His gaze locked on hers in the mirror, blue fire mingling with concern. Heat wound through her as his body brushed against hers.
Slowly, oh so slowly, she turned toward him. "Hi," she whispered, tilting her face back to look up at him.
He reached out, ran a single fingertip down her cheek. "You were crying."
"No, I–" She broke off and licked her lips when his frown deepened. "It's been a rough day."
He stared at her for a long moment, and then nodded once, his fingertip still traveling, inch by inch, down the side of her face and onto her neck. She tilted her head, unable to stay still when her stomach fluttered and her legs trembled, urging her to melt into him.
Flashes from the night before played through her mind…his hands roaming her body in the eerie, unreal light pulsing around them. The soft hitch of his breath. The feel of his lips moving over hers.
Despite everything she'd told herself this morning, she still wanted him. Desperately.
"I want to kiss you," he murmured, cupping her neck in his hand.
"Please?" she pleaded before she could stop herself or think her way out of taking what she wanted from him.
Tristan didn't wait for her to change her mind. He dipped his head, bringing his mouth to hers.
A soft sigh tumbled from her lips.
He guided her closer with the pressure of his hand on her neck, pulling her body into his until they were pressed together in one long line. His lips whispered against hers until she parted them and let him in.
She curled a fist into his shirt.
He lapped at her mouth as warmth became heat, fire…liquid flame rushing through her in an explosive rush. Their tongues came together in their own choreographed dance for long minutes as they melted into one another, lost to everything but the way they moved together.
His breath quickened.
Her heart pounded.
Reality slipped away from her.
He didn't stop kissing her, instead pulling her closer, closer, until not even air moved between them. The heat of his body called to her, the urgency of his kisses making her tremble.
"Goddamn, beautiful," he groaned into her mouth, running his hands all over her. His confident touch made her moan and shudder in his arms. "I want you."
That sexy, guttural confession pulled her up short. She froze, memory intruding into that star-filled place every brush of his hands against her body threatened to take her.
Ravished is only .99c!
Read the entire series with Kindle Unlimited!
Ravished: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SPGA4KW
Rhapsody: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014FUEUYM
Rapture: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RXX57N7
