Mandy M. Roth's Blog, page 70
June 19, 2013
The Unabashed by Rory Michaels
Contemporary Western Threesome Romance
A Macon Valley Ménage 6
Logan Kanuho and Albert Hargrove have been friends since Logan moved to Macon Valley from the reservation. For years they’ve talked of little else than finding a woman to satisfy their manly needs and to be a bond between them. Albert found their one perfect woman but hasn’t felt the need to share her until now.
Misty Hargrove doesn’t know what to think when her husband of one year cashes in on her offer of anything he wants for their anniversary. She never expected him to select a threesome with his best friend. Can these three see to their baser needs while also seeing to their hearts?
Warning: This short story contains m/f/m ménage a trois, light bondage, voyeurism, explicit sex, strong/frank language and cowboys who will melt your socks off. The heroine is mild-mannered and eager for a guiding hand sexually. If you’re looking for long drawn out plots and sweeping romances, or women who are tough as nails, this isn’t your book. This story has a very strong willed alpha male in it. This is a short story that won’t apologize to anyone for any reason. If you want hot, dirty, sexy and to the point, you’ve found it. If not, it’s best to move right along, this isn’t the book for you.
EXCERPT
Must be 18 years and older to read. If not, please leave the site.
Chapter One
Logan Kanuho leaned back in his chair, watching his best friend make an ass of himself on the stage. It was karaoke night at their favorite hangout—Ackerman’s Bar. Albert was currently belting out an old country song. Since his twang was thick, he didn’t have to ham it up any. It was natural.
Logan snorted and sipped his water.
Albert’s wife, Misty, sat next to him, her knee to his thigh. She laughed as her husband hit a semi-high note. She reached out and lifted her soda, drinking from it. He liked that about her. She wasn’t a drinker. She didn’t get sloppy drunk like so many women who frequented the place did. Misty rarely drank. Logan never did. The stigmas attached to his people and the hard fact he’d seen too many of his people suffering from alcoholism kept him from ever entering that territory. Growing up on the Navajo reservation had opened his eyes to the harsh realities of life.
He glanced around the roadside bar. It was ironic he’d spent so much time in it since he was so anti-drinking, but it was his personal choice. He didn’t preach to others to sway theirs.
Albert swayed a little. He’d had too many. No surprise. Albert couldn’t hold his liquor. Never had been able to. They’d met when they were little. Albert’s father had done some work on the reservation and had brought his son with him. They’d become fast friends. Been that way ever since.
Misty laughed and the sound slinked over him, exciting his cock. He had to fight to keep from touching her. She was a vision of beauty. She was petite and much shorter than he normally liked his women, but she somehow ended up being perfect just as she was. “Look at him. He’s going to fall over,” she said.
Logan ignored Albert, focusing on Misty instead. “I’ll make sure he gets home safe and sound.”
“You always do,” said Misty, her hand moving over his.
Logan went perfectly still as her fingers absently caressed his hand. She’d been doing that more and more. Touching him. He closed his eyes, savoring her touch. When she squeezed his hand, he looked at her. Her green gaze wide and welcoming.
She cleared her throat. “Albert finally told me what he wanted for our anniversary.”
They’d been married almost one year. Logan knew. He’d been counting the damn days. He left his hand under hers. He noted the sharp contrast in their skin tones. She was so pale she burned at the suggestion of sun. He wasn’t. Far from it.
Misty swallowed so hard he heard it. “Logan.”
He leaned towards her. “Did he tell you about the crossbow he’s been eyein’ up?”
“No,” whispered Misty. She clutched his hand.
“Misty? What is it?”
She paled considerably. “Never mind.”
From her expression, Logan already guessed what Albert had asked for. He’d finally done it. He’d finally approached Misty about a threesome. Logan twisted his hand, cupping hers. He’d waited for ages for this. He didn’t want to blow it by scaring her off and he knew how intimidating he could come off. “Misty, we’re friends. Close friends, right?”
She nodded.
“You can tell me anything.”
She hedged and then eased even closer to him. “He asked me to… to be with you both.”
He’d have laughed at her inability to say sex in this situation, but he knew better than to. Misty was a sweet gal. One who didn’t run around flaunting her sexuality. He moved his free hand to one of her stray brown curls and eased it from her beautiful face. “He mentioned he might.”
“You knew?” asked Misty, her full lips forming an “O” of surprise.
He imagined those lips around his cock and nearly moaned. “I knew.”
“And you’re all right with that?” The top of her sundress pulled, revealing the mounds of her breasts.
Logan’s entire body tightened with anticipation. He wanted to fuck her. He had from the moment he’d laid eyes on her. She should have been his. That was the way of it. The plan he and Albert agreed upon years ago.
He put his head against hers and spoke low but firm. “Misty, I’m totally and completely one hundred percent all right with it.”
She gasped. “Logan?”
He grinned and lifted their joined hands. He kissed the back of hers. “I think you’ll be all right with it too, or am I wrong? Have I misread the signals from you?”
She tried to pull her hand free from him. “I’m a married woman.”
“I know. I was there when you married my best friend,” reminded Logan.
Albert kept singing, his voice riding over the bar as Logan stared into Misty’s gaze.
She stopped trying to pull away. “Logan, this isn’t right. What if this hurts Albert and me in the long run?”
“What if it makes you a stronger couple?” He refrained from pointing out the fact that once he had Misty he wouldn’t give her up. He’d be part of their unit. They’d be a threesome for good. Period. He didn’t want to scare her off from the idea. She was so damn skittish. It was part of what he loved about her.
And there was no mistaking the fact he was in love with her.
Albert ended his song and returned to the table. Logan made no move to release Misty’s hand. He kissed it again, his gaze finding his friend. “She told me.”
Sitting, Albert grinned from ear to ear. “Misty, baby, it’s the perfect gift. It’s all I want.”
She stilled. “When would we do this?”
The men shared a look. Albert answered, “This weekend.”
BUY LINK
http://ravenhappyhour.com/The_Unabash...
June 13, 2013
Fridays After Dark: Marcel Manor Part 1
Welcome to Fridays After Dark—a joint project between Yasmine Galenorn and Mandy Roth.
I thought I’d share a small portion from the expanded (nearly double in length from its original release) version of Marcel Manor (Lunatic Moon Series) by Mandy M Roth. You cannot buy this version anywhere. You can only get it here.
Darkness twisted his soul. Her light found way to his soul.
Chapter One
Paris, 1848
Marcel twisted, his body heaving as he stared at the carnage around him. What had he done? He remembered happening upon the barricade, something that had began to appear more and more in the city since the fighting began, but he remembered little beyond the thirst. There had been so many people at the barricade, in such a riled state of being. The anger. The burning hate. The emotions had fueled the monster within him.
Blood coated his hands, dripping as if he had bathed in it. His redingote was slick with the thick liquid. Portions of it were already beginning to dry. Denial wasn’t possible. The evidence was all over him, as were the dead. They spoke volumes without saying a single word. The horror of their final moments remained etched on their faces, forever locked in agony and anguish. He’d caused their pain, their suffering, their deaths.
“I warned you.”
Looking up, Marcel found the enemy was closer than he had been in five and a half decades. He hissed, spittle flying free. He knew no name beyond the Maker for the being before him. Long ago, he’d lured Marcel from a coffeehouse, promising adventures the likes of which one could not imagine. The country had been in chaos, the death of Louis XIV still fresh, and the makings of a new France were underway. Marcel had been a fool, believing himself worldly and that his family’s wealth would protect him from anything.
Money and power could not touch the darkness Maker had shrouded Marcel’s life with. The darkness had swallowed him whole, pulling him down to the depths of hell on Earth.
Eternal damnation.
Maker’s smile was wide and knowing. He swept an appraising glance over the bodies. “Nice technique. I could not have done better myself, son.”
Son. The word made Marcel cringe. He was not of Maker’s loins, but rather an abomination born from a bite—from shared tainted blood.
How could Marcel have lost control to the degree his demon had harmed so many? Maker had told him decades ago something of this magnitude would occur. That Marcel would not be able to fight the pull of darkness forever. He’d known, and Marcel had ignored the warnings, or rather taunts. He’d assumed himself more powerful, more secure with what he’d become. He was anything but. He hated himself and the demon he carried within. More to the point, he hated Maker—the man who had sired him.
Marcel’s fingernails lengthened once more as rage consumed him. His heartbeat thudded in his ears, almost deafening as the demon struggled for freedom. It wanted a pound of flesh from Maker. So did Marcel. “I am not your son.”
(Look for the next time I share… I’ll continue where I left off here.)
June 12, 2013
Irish Kisses, the complete collection, by JoAnne Kenrick is now available in PRINT!
A friend of mine, JoAnne Kenrick has a new release and a book trailer reveal!
Irish Kisses, the complete collection, is now available in PRINT.
~IRISH KISSES~
A collection of five romances set in Bell’s Irish Pub, each with its own special tasty treat served by the staff of Bell’s. The 1Night Stand dating service shakes and stirs things up for Bell’s. When Madame Eve puts two people together for just one night, anything is possible…. Throw in sexy cocktails and to-die-for Irish hotties, and it’s a recipe for sweet Irish kisses and perhaps even wedding Bell’s.
~SWEET IRISH KISS~
Can he win her over with his secret weapon, a Sweet Irish Kiss, or is Rachel still too scared to love?~SHAMROCKED~Will his Irish charm and toys be enough to hold onto his leading lady, or will his heart be Shamrocked into next week?
~THREESOME SWEETNESS~
Is a dash of Threesome Sweetness the remedy each is looking for, or will the date leave a bitter aftertaste each will regret for the rest of their lives?
~HOT WINTER KISS~
Can she hack it in the real world of romance, or are life’s complications and treacherous snowstorms best left to the pages of a book?
~MARRY ME, I’M IRISH~
Does she love him enough to leave the comforts of England? And is there something behind his sudden proposal?
More buylinks to follow – and you can order it direct from your book store
IBSN NUMBER: 1613335148
Or buy the ebooks separately
Book Trailer:
May 31, 2013
Pleasure Cruise (Pleasure Cruise I) by Michelle M Pillow & Mandy M Roth
Paranormal Erotic Romance
Clare needs to loosen up and have some fun—not to mention some hot sex with someone other than herself. Her best friend, Kira, knows exactly what she needs—a vacation full of hunky single men who’ll knock her panties off. When she booked the cruise for Clare’s birthday, the travel agent left out one tiny detail. It’s a supernatural cruise, and they aren’t getting off until they’re married.
The powers that be are tired of waiting for the supernatural to find their own mates and reproduce. In a desperate act to get the dwindling population back up, they’ve decided to take matters into their own hands. Dominik, a lycan, and Braden, a vampire, are just the two perfect candidates to start this experiment. They’re sexy, in the prime of their reproductive immortal lives and ready to mate—just as soon as they can seduce their unsuspecting brides, or at the very least, keep them from swimming back to shore.
WARNING: This book contains hot, explicit sex and violence explained with contemporary, graphic language.
EXCERPT
Must be 18 years and older to read. If not, please leave the site.
An Excerpt From: Pleasure Cruise
Copyright © MICHELLE M. PILLOW AND MANDY M. ROTH
Prologue
Interoffice Memo
From: The Powers That Be
Re: Pleasure Cruise, Cruise Line Corporation, Pilot Program
TOP SECRET
Due to the dwindling population of certain supernatural factions and the reluctance of the supernatural kind to take mates for all eternity, we will be establishing a comprehensive program to repopulate the various supernatural species. Many of the supernaturals we’ve observed are unwilling to take mates from within their own population. This reluctance has been exacerbated in large part by the old grudges still held from the Middle Ages. In addition, the ratio of supernatural females to males have widened considerably. There are significantly fewer females for men to choose from. We assume Global Climate Change is to blame—if not, it does seem a good scapegoat.
In an unprecedented move, we will now be allowing humans on the Pleasure Cruise to participate in the preordained mating process. Because of existing prejudices against supernaturals in human culture, some human participants will not be aware of the paranormal elements on the cruise. However, these humans will be blessed with a sixth sense so as to subconsciously recognize their mates upon first sight. We do not wish to have a boat full of frightened humans defying our will. Some resistance is expected, but in the end, we gods know what’s best for them.
We do expect some opposition amongst the supernatural factions to this plan. Not all species will be happy to have their food source considered as suitable mate material. If questioned, you are authorized to cite declaration thirteen: The gods have willed it so. If they continue to question our judgment, turn their names over for possible smiting. We expect banshees and leprechauns to give us the most problems. You all know how they are when dealing with change.
It is our hope that, by introducing humans into their bloodlines, the supernatural will be less reluctant to take a mate. All humans who mate themselves to a supernatural will be blessed with eternal life. They will also be given the gift of procreation. If this goes well, we will be slowly introducing humans into our other business ventures as well, including Pleasure Air and Pleasure Train.
Chapter One
Clare grimaced as she looked at the gangway of the cruise ship and took a deep breath, trying to steel herself to get on board. The walkway looked nothing like she’d imagined. It was a long, plastic-covered hallway leading from the second story of the check-in building.
A long strand of wavy, blonde hair worked itself out of her loose ponytail. Kira had talked her into the highlights, and every time she saw them it caused her to pause. Frowning, she pushed the lock of hair out of her face and reached down to grab her duffel bag. It was the only bag she’d managed to convince the rather pushy bag boys at the port loading zone to leave in her care. Of course, this was seconds before they demanded a tip for carrying her belongings two feet and handing them off to the next person. Already the cruise was starting off on a sour note.
Slinging the bag over her shoulder, she looked around. She felt like a product in an assembly line. First stop, luggage drop-off. Wait in line. Second stop, health declaration. Wait in line. Third stop, check in. Wait in line. Fourth stop, go upstairs to, yep, wait in line. Fifth stop, photographer. Clare sighed. Apparently waiting in multiple lines was a major memorable event on a cruise ship. And finally, wait in line to get on the boat.
Cruising on a luxury ship wasn’t something she’d ever imagined herself doing. No, she was a career-driven woman who never thought of anything beyond deadlines and new deals. Clare was still shocked Kira had gotten her to agree to this trip.
“Welcome to the boat of love. I wonder what will happen on this week’s exciting journey? Will the captain steer the boat off course and into a giant iceberg? Or will the tired executive toss herself overboard due to lack of intellectual stimulation and line waiting?” she muttered, a little too sarcastically.
“That was the Titanic that hit the iceberg. And for the record, I graduated with honors… summa cum laude, baby. And I’d gloat but you graduated with the same honorable distinction,” Kira, answered, batting her eyes in a dramatic fashion.
“I know. If you recall, I was there. Besides, I wasn’t implying you aren’t intelligent. Though I am happy to see you’ve decided to admit you’re smart. Why you always feel the need to hide it is beyond me,” Clare said. “You’re the top of your field. You should be proud of it, not ashamed. If men are intimidated by that, they don’t deserve you.”
“And then I’d never get laid.” Kira shrugged, as carefree as ever. The line inched forward, winding slowly through the clear plastic hallways. “I’m not ashamed. I just don’t want to be labeled as some boring pinstripe workaholic prude because I happen to be good at my job. I hate stereotypes.”
“We’ve already agreed to disagree on this topic. Because I love you like a sister, I’ll let it drop.” Clare did her best to appear chipper. This was a vacation, after all.
“Thank you,” Kira answered, grinning. “I don’t complain about your boring life and you don’t complain about my wild one.”
“Kira…”
“Okay, dropped.” Kira winked before whispering, “For now.”
“You know I’m not used to taking trips like this. I spend my life avoiding time-sucking getaways. You can’t get more useless than sailing on a boat that goes absolutely nowhere. Does this thing even make port anywhere interesting? Did you even check?”
Kira pursed her lips.
“You didn’t check the itinerary the booking company sent you?” Clare asked, surprised. Kira had refused to send it to her.
Kira shrugged again. “I looked to see what time to board. Don’t worry about it. Anyway, continue, you were on a pretty good rant of some sort.”
“Can’t a girl be left in her nice little pessimistic place?” Clare grumbled. “Even you have to agree that drowning might be preferable to learning how to play shuffleboard.”
Kira laughed. “Yes, I totally agree about the shuffleboard thing. Besides, with my lack of grace, I’d only end up slipping in front of the world’s sexiest man. Hopefully, he’d be a lawyer. Then he’d want to talk to me about a possible lawsuit. We could discuss it over a lovely night of screwing.”
“Kira!” Clare scolded.
Tossing her hands in the air, Kira snickered. “Just kidding. But thanks for taking on the stern mother role you do so well.”
“Someone has to try to keep you in line.”
“Ah, yes. Considering I’m a grown woman and have a mind of my own, the key word there is try.”
“Believe me, I know.” Clare took a deep breath. This was an old argument. She could no more control Kira than she could the shining of the sun. She loved her friend despite her quirks. The only thing she could do, as a friend, was to be supportive of her. “If one more person tells me to control you I’m going to scream. Short of locking you in the house, I’m screwed.”
“Tell them to kiss your ass. You aren’t my keeper, and if they want to try the job on, let them. I could use a good laugh.” Kira’s words were clipped. Clearly she was annoyed with the entire topic.
Deciding to make Kira smile, Clare changed the subject. The line moved, inching slowly forward. The people around them were busy pointing at the boat and paid no attention to their conversation. “Just think, if you do manage to fall while playing shuffleboard, you may end up with a hot doctor on board to care for you.”
“Oh my… I can’t believe you just said that. There may be hope for you yet, Clare. I’m proud of you.”
Thoughts of the endless times she and Kira had made fools of themselves around hot guys popped into Clare’s mind. Chuckling as the plastic hallway finally opened up to the fresh sea air, she took in the sights and sounds of the ship. It was breathtaking, much bigger than she had expected the boat to be, but Clare would wait to admit that to Kira. She waited to see what her friend would do next to try to cheer her. The woman had an endless supply of one-liners and the dirtiest mind in the world, but that was part of what made Kira unique. If Kira’s personality had been the same as Clare’s, they never would have become friends. Thankfully, it wasn’t, and neither one of them could deny how beautifully they gelled. Kira was the yin to Clare’s yang.
“Okay, getting a little touchy-feely,” Kira said, making a face. “Before we grab each other and hug for the entire week, can we at least find our stateroom? I love ya to death, babes, but this bag is heavy.”
Clare snickered, knowing that as open as Kira was, she didn’t like to get weepy. “It’s a deal. Besides, some of that body glitter you always wear might get on me. My luck, I’d spend the entire week with hives.”
“I’m willing to risk it. Heck, I’d even sit with you and hand you anti-itch cream as needed. Not as sexy as suntan lotion by the pool, but what are friends for?”
Picturing the scene in her head, Clare rolled her eyes. “Thanks for not saying you’d rub it on for me.”
“Ha, I almost said that. Damn, you know me well.” Kira sighed and rolled her shoulders. “Are we there yet, Mom? Seriously though, the boat of love joke sort of fits. It’s a floating paradise. That’s what the brochure claims anyways.”
It was early evening and a purple haze spread beautifully over the rolling waters of the ocean. A cool breeze whipped Clare’s gray T-shirt against her slender frame, and a strange feeling unfurled in her gut. Her knees weakened in apprehension, and her feet refused to move from their spot. Slowly, she began to back away from the large ship.
Great, I’ve reached whole new levels of neuroses.
Clare laughed softly and did her best to stay on top of their conversation.
“At least we look good in swimsuits. Unlike…” Kira pointed toward a short man with a gut that hung a good six inches over the top of his tight swimsuit. He glanced in their direction and cast them a smarmy smile. Kira leaned in and whispered, “I’ll bet he wears a budgie smuggler.”
“Budgie…? No, I don’t want to know. Kira, tell me again why I let you talk me into this?” Clare gave her a pointed look.
Grinning, Kira innocently tipped her head. Clare wasn’t buying it. “Because you never have any fun, you’re too serious and you’re too polite to say no to a birthday present from your very best friend. Who was very willing to kidnap you if need be to get you on board.”
Clare’s lip twitched as she fought back a laugh. That answer was so very like Kira. Everything she did in her life screamed carefree and confident. She oozed sex appeal from her long, straight black hair to her dark red lips. Her green eyes flashed with constant mischief. Regardless of what she was doing, she always looked like she was up to something sinful. From Clare’s experience, she usually was. Life without her, while quieter, would also be boring.
“Sometimes I really want to bop you over the head with a wet noodle,” Clare mumbled.
“Who says that? Bop me with a wet noodle? What are you? Pushing ninety? Man, Clare, we really need to get you out more. Oh, but if you’re willing to make the wet noodle a dildo, I’ll think about letting you.”
That did it. A steady stream of giggles escaped them both. They’d been friends for a long time and neither one of them took the comment seriously. Clare looked over the ship and shook her head. She’d really hoped that being friends with someone as carefree as Kira would’ve rubbed off on her. So far, unfortunately, none of Kira’s confidence and exuberant behavior had come her way. Next to her friend, Clare knew she looked like the ultimate prude. Just thinking of it caused a wave of sadness to overtake her. Perhaps she was.
Perhaps? I’ve spent the last three weekends alphabetizing my collection of dictionaries from around the world just because it annoyed me that they weren’t in order.
“You’re going to have to select another weapon for me to use. I’d freak out about hitting you with a dildo,” Clare whispered, not a fan of even saying the word out loud.
“A flogger?”
“No.”
“A horse whip?”
“NO!”
BUY NOW
http://ravenhappyhour.com/Pleasure_Cr...
May 21, 2013
Just Released! A King’s Ransom (Masters of Pleasure)
JUST RELEASED! This is the book that we’re standing up to the Advertising Powers That Be and saying erotic romance sells!
A King’s Ransom (Masters of Pleasure) by Reagan Hawk aka Mandy M. Roth
Sci-Fi Fantasy Paranormal Erotic Romance
Novel
On a quest to find his brother, King Kritan of Katarian on the planet of Panucia finds himself ambushed, beaten, tortured and then sold to fight in the arena games. The people of Tamonius–his rival kingdom–condone slavery, take public sex to new lows and try to turn a profit off anything they can. Nothing can change his hatred for everything Tamonius… that is until he meets the most breathtakingly beautiful woman he’s ever laid eyes upon. Surina of the House of Argyros, daughter to a powerful senator stirs the beast within him, making it want to lay claim to her as badly as the man does.
Free or not, Kritan is a master of seduction and has selected Surina as his newest prey. But this virginal beauty has secrets of her own–ones that change everything. And destiny just might have the last laugh.
Warning: Novel contains graphic violence, explicit sex, MF and MFM scenes, forced seduction, raw and gritty scenes of a society without order, sex scenes that may be offense to some, an alpha male shifter king who sees what he wants and goes for it, all else be damned, a head guard who has many secrets but shares a passion for the heroine and a virginal heroine who has longed to be taken rough and claimed fully by a man. This novel is not for everyone or the faint of heart. This novel contains adult content and is intended for mature audiences only. Must be 18 years or older to read.
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BL312GG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BL312GG&linkCode=as2&tag=mandmroth-20
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kings-Ransom-Masters-Pleasure-ebook/dp/B00BL312GG/ref=sr_1_7_bnp_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369130932&sr=1-7&keywords=reagan+hawk
Coming to all other major online ebook vendors May 28th.
May 16, 2013
Goodreads Print Book Contest–10 signed print book copies
Goodreads Book Giveaway
A King’s Ransom
by Reagan Hawk
Giveaway ends June 15, 2013.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
May 7, 2013
Excerpt: Civil Twilight (Project Exorcism) by Mandy M Roth
Futuristic Sci-Fi Shapeshifter Vampire Paranormal Romance
Linked to the following Project Exorcism Books: Paranormal Payload, Force of Attraction, and Point of No Return
Stegian is a man held prisoner in his own body by a demon. A demon hell bent on ridding the planet of all Janelles. He rules by fear and he rules well. But, when a mysterious, gorgeous woman arrives late one night, tempting him, claiming to want to save him from himself, everything changes. He longs for her and wants to believe her words are true—that she can separate him from the vampire he carries within. Dare he hope? Dare he believe?
Jacquelyn Janelle is no longer held to the same rules that apply to her people. She’s ascended and gained valuable insight into the universe and its plans for one thought lost to evil. More than that, she’s fully aware who he is to her—her true mate. She’ll stop at nothing to assure she saves him, even if it’s from himself.
Warning: This novella contains explicit sex and violence. It is a story about redemption against all hope and about how love can transcend time and space. Plus, it has hot sex scenes for those unconcerned with the frilly stuff.
EXCERPT
Must be 18 years and older to read this. If not, please leave this site.
Civil Twilight
Mandy M. Roth
Author’s Series Note
Each book in the Project Exorcism series is written to stand alone; however, I do recommend reading them in order to maximize reading pleasure. To aid any who have not, as of yet, read the other books, or any who are simply looking for a refresher, I thought this introduction might help.
Series background: Twenty-third century—Man has long since achieved space travel. Almost all planets in the known universe are part of the Commission, an intergalactic governing body that oversees the well-being of all within its quadrants.
Supernatural creatures were discovered among us in the twenty-first century and witchhunts quickly began to rid Earth of them. A battle broke out and Earth’s human population dropped. In the end, humans were victorious, but only because a few select figureheads in the supernatural world agreed to the terms of a peace treaty. The terms were simple. The supernaturals were to be escorted off planet Earth and relocated on other planets, ones that were not part of the Commission’s territory. Ones that were agreed upon ahead of time, and ones on which the supernaturals would not be a threat.
Thus began Project Exorcism. Five vessels set out on this mission. Only one arrived at its chosen destination. The others were thought lost during the meteoroid shower that occurred shortly after takeoff. Man now faces a new threat, only they are unaware of it. By shipping the supernaturals off, they unknowingly gave them access to other planets’ resources, including added magikal abilities, the ability to breed with their inhabitants, and so very much more.
Prologue
Nearing planet Sargaidia, onboard one of the Project Exorcism vessels, year 2056…
Vessel sirens continued to blare, announcing what Stegian already knew, the ship was in trouble. It had gotten swept into what he could assume were stellar remains. The ship had been plagued with issues since its launch. Stegian knew why. Those who had forced his kind from Earth cared little about their safety, only that they left the planet. The brains behind Project Exorcism had thought as far as getting supernaturals off the planet and out of the range of Earth. They’d sworn in negotiations that the planets they’d sought out were safe havens and new starts for the supernaturals. It, like everything else, had been lies. He was sure of it. He’d been a fool to believe them—to think mankind had an ounce of decency left in it.
Now, countless light years from home, their ship was damaged because of stellar remains. The pilot of the vessel swore the anomaly was rare and not showing on his instrument panel. Stegian believed the young vampire. He had nothing to gain by lying. He was as trapped on the ship as the rest of them were. Problem was the young vampire wasn’t as trained as he should have been. None of the supposed pilots were. They’d been put through a crash course on the matter prior to their departure. As had all members of the crew.
Stegian scanned the panels, doing his best to assess the damage to the ship. Two of the port side thrusters were completely gone and failing to respond in any way. Already the ship had begun to list to one side, something it should never do—that much he was sure of. It wasn’t like space travel was totally foreign to him. He, like any other well-to-do resident of Earth, had visited other planets for vacation—though he was careful to select ones that didn’t have much in the way of sunlight. Being a vampire left him unable to wake in the sun’s rays. He missed it but couldn’t dwell, not when the ship he was onboard was in such dire jeopardy.
Varying people on board moved quickly from location to location, none seeming to know what to do. Pandemonium broke out. Several of the banshees onboard continued to wail, as if everyone around them wasn’t smart enough to figure out people were going to die. They didn’t need a supernatural alarm stating the obvious. A shifter spun quickly, knocking one of the banshees out cold. Stegian wasn’t big on violence but even he’d wanted to silence her.
People rushed around like mad as the ship pitched hard to the right and then shook violently. He had to reach out to steady himself or he too would have fallen, like so many others had. Sirens blared and alert lights beeped. The computer continued to read out different, yet equally as depressing outcomes.
“We’re gonna die,” one of the men yelled.
Another snorted. “We’ve been as good as dead since the day they loaded us onto this ship like cattle,” another returned.
Stegian staggered towards the control panels. The young vampire pilot was hurt and currently having his wounds tended to. While he would eventually heal, there was no fresh blood at the ready so the medical staff needed to try to stop the rapid rate of his blood loss. A fill-in pilot, one with limited training, was doing his best to gain control of the ship. It wasn’t working.
“Life support systems are down,” Stegian said, remaining calm in the face of certain death.
“I can try to land it,” Yunoc, the young male shifter who was doing his best to pilot the vessel, said. “At our excepted rate of entry and with the velocity we are traveling at, there is a good chance we could burn up in the atmosphere.”
“Do your best,” said Stegian, bracing himself in the co-pilot chair. A planet came into view and Yunoc focused on aiming the craft in that direction. “No promises.”
A natural leader, Stegian was often who the people aboard the spaceship turned to. He’d been instrumental in negotiations with the humans on Earth and had done his best to prevent anymore loss of lives due to ignorance and fear of supernaturals. “Try to land us.”
He sucked in a hasty breath and prepared for rapid decent. It came with a vengeance. He was thrown free of the pilot area and slammed face first into a wall. Pain exploded throughout him, and he was fairly certain he’d broken multiple bones, and they hadn’t even impacted yet. It came with a shuddering, thundering thud and all around him went black for a moment.
Stegian pushed off of the unforgiving inner shell of the vessel he’d been banished to one year prior. The smell of smoke and charred remains coated the area. While he didn’t quite know the extent of injuries on the ship, his senses told him they were grave and many. As if the ship’s crew hadn’t been through enough already.
He snarled at the thought of the ignorant humans who had herded him and the other supernaturals like cattle onto the vessels, hoping to rid Earth of them for good. Their fear of what they did not understand prompted sanctions and even saw death squads coming to be. These squads had one mission, find and eliminate supernaturals. Stegian and a few select other figureheads had tried to reason with the humans. He’d tried to make them understand they did not have to live in fear of them. That supernaturals would police themselves as they had always done, but his pleas fell upon deaf ears. Soon, backlash from the death squads rippled through the supernatural community and attacks on humans began. From there, it was all downhill.
Now, one year later, but in truth, many a light year later, thanks to the courtesy of accelerated speeds and state-of-the-art highly efficient thrust-to-weight ratios, Stegian and his people were far, far from Earth and its reaches. They were, according to his calculations, far off their original course as well.
They’d encountered meteor showers shortly after departing Earth and had never quite been able to get their navigational maps back up and running to standard. No surprise. It wasn’t as if the people running the vessel were top notch. They’d been lucky to have anyone on board who could pilot the ship. Two of the vessels the supernaturals were herded upon had men who had to be trained on the spot to fly them. It wasn’t as if humans would risk or give up their valued human, qualified pilots.
BUY LINKS
http://ravenhappyhour.com/Civil_Twili...
May 4, 2013
Mandy Roth Contest Q & A
Mandy Roth contest Q & A
Q: I won a book by you but I know your situation with Mr Mandy not having a job and that you’re supporting five people… I don’t feel right about taking it (I’ve gotten this a LOT since Mr Mandy lost his job in Nov).
A: Accept the book! You won it! If you really really really want to help out, give it an honest review on a vendor site like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. Reviews help sell books. They really really really do! Also, spread the word about the book to your friends who love to read.
Q: I don’t live in the US. Does that mean I can’t enter your contests?
A: No. I will state very clearly if a contest if for US Residents only. I have only ever in my ten years of writing had a handful of contests that are limited to US. I believe fully that my readers come from all over the world, my contests should be open to all over the world.
Q: Why don’t I have more contests or give out more free books?
A: On average each year I give away over 100,000 ebooks (no, I’m NOT joking and no this isn’t counting pirate sites). I send out over 100 print books–I do NOT get my print books for free. Every print book I have I pay for–these add up. I give out thousands of dollars worth of gift cards. I give out thousands of dollars worth of other misc prizes. I spend thousands on mailing everything. I only make so much money–I think you can see and I’m guessing most readers will tell you all that I do a TON of contests and that I already go overboard prizes so that is why I do not do more.
Q: How soon will my prize be mailed if I win?
A: I do mailings 1-2 times a month. If I don’t do this I’m at the post office nonstop and not writing and earning money [image error]
Q: I missed your last contest. How can I be sure I’m finding out about all you’re doing?
A: Follow my FB Author Page Mandy M. Roth and be sure you set notifications for this to ON, follow me on twitter @mandymroth, check my blog www.mandyroth.com/blog, sign up for my newsletter http://mandyroth.com/newsletter.htm, I have a yahoo group as well that I do things at random on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mandy_M_Roth/join , and I do a LOT within my Street Team (these are a group of people who pass out my promo items, always help spread the word, give honest reviews, etc).
Q: Why do you tell winners if they don’t get in touch with you within 14 days that you will award their prize to someone else?
A: I don’t have the storage space/warehouse space to house prizes for extended periods of time. And I don’t have the manpower or time to keep checking back in.
[image error]
Mandy
May 1, 2013
RT Left Behind Party!
Romantic Times Convention 2013 is happening now! Problem is… I’m not there. Up side to this, a whole bunch of us romance book lovers are not there. My solution? Have a Left Behind Party!
All this week I’ll be hosting a Left Behind Party on my facebook author page. I’ll put up a post each day with directions on how to enter for a chance to win prizes. Sound like fun? I hope so.
My Author Facebook Page is located here.
April 26, 2013
Raven Author: Excerpt: Cupid’s Revenge by Michelle M Pillow
[image error]
Cupid’s Revenge by Michelle M Pillow
Naughty Cupid Series Book 2
Paranormal Historical Romance
Cupid’s livid. It’s bad enough he made two people fall in love, but now thanks to King Larus, the whole Immortal Realm knows about it. There’s only one thing a troll can do. Get Revenge.
Lady Mina and her sister, Sophia, are impoverished, starving and their castle is crumbling around there feet. Their father is dead, the servants are gone and it’s the dead of winter. Could things really get much worse?
After Cupid caused a great disruption amongst his lycans by bringing a human to their world, Larus has had to meet with the Council of Elders. He’s made sure it will never happen again. Or so he thought. Hearing two women scream-one whose enchanted to be madly in love with him and one who wants nothing more than to claw his eyes out-he’s quickly learning not to underestimate a troll bent on revenge.
Rating: Contains graphic sexual content, adult language, and violence.
http://ravenhappyhour.com/Cupids_Reve...
EXCERPT
Prologue
Damn the lycans anyway! Cupid’s little black eyes flashed with an inner fire. And damn the council of immortal elders! So what if he took his vengeance out on Ilar by entrancing the whole Lycan Guard at Lycaon to one mortal woman? It’s not like anyone had gotten hurt. Besides, Ilar, Commander of the Guard, deserved it for making fun of him–just as he deserved being forced to lifemate to an ugly human woman.
Cupid shivered in disgust to think of how his plan had backfired. Ilar had fallen in love with the hideous mortal and they were living their fairy tale, happily ever after. It was disgustingly romantic. It was hideously repulsive. It was unbearable to think about.
Bah! Ach!
Now he had to listen to the other trolls tease each time he saw them. They called him a cherub, a matchmaker, a rosy-faced babe who spread love and goodness throughout the world. If he had another basket of love darts left outside his cave door, he’d scream so loud the whole realm of magic would collapse in on itself.
Bah! Bah! Double bah!
Cupid hated the elders. He hated goodness and happiness. He hated Ilar and Rhiannon, his ugly human lifemate. He hated the council. He hated the realm of magic and the realm of mortals. He hated everyone and everything.
And, above all things, he hated love!
His humiliation wouldn’t have been so widely known if the council of immortal elders hadn’t been called forth. He blamed Larus, the elected king of the lycans, for that one. It was Larus’ court at Lycaon that had been affected by his small enchantment prank. He merely made the mortal woman irresistible to the lycan kind and brought the whole court howling to their knees with lust.
But, could the lycan king let it go? No! He had to draw attention to the fact that Cupid had found love for Lord Ilar and Lady Rhiannon. He had to tell everyone who would listen to him that Cupid was personally responsible for Ilar’s eternal happiness.
Now he’d never live his reputation down. First, he accidentally hit a man instead of a goat with a love dart, causing one couple to fall in love four hundred years ago, and now this. He was going to be branded for his immortal life as a matchmaker. It was beyond torture, beyond fair and right, beyond tolerable.
And, as far as Cupid could see, it was King Larus who needed to pay for that!
Chapter One
Lycaon Castle, Realm of Magic
King Larus watched Lady Rhiannon with her lifemate, Lord Ilar. They seemed really happy together and he was happy for them. Ilar was his best soldier, a great leader, and a true friend. He deserved happiness. But the fact that Rhiannon was human still made him uneasy.
Even though he liked Rhiannon, Larus hoped she would be the last human he ever saw in his eternity of living. Humans had killed his family–his parents, his brothers and sisters and cousins, until all he had left was his duty to his people. He did his duty with pride and dedication. For nearly a hundred and fifty years he’d been their ruler and, so long as they willed it, he would remain their elected king.
“Did the elders decide what to do with Cupid?” Ilar asked, coming near the head table of the empty council hall. “Will he be punished for opening a portal?”
King Larus looked up, gazing past the giant circular pit of flames that lit the room. He sat atop a long stone table, scratching thoughtfully at the back of his head. Slowly, he lowered his arms to lie on top of his crossed legs. He came to the hall often, especially when he needed to be alone and think. When it was empty, the room was complete silence, aside from the soft rustling of the fire pit.
“Naturally, they aren’t happy with him,” Larus stated after a time.
Cupid was a squat little troll and like all of his kind he had a horrible temper backed by extreme power. Trolls had no real allegiance to anyone, let alone mortals, and only used their magic for self-gain or mischief. They wouldn’t open the portals to humankind just so the mortals could flood into their world. No, they’d only open them for their own selfish reasons. Their stupid, narcissistic ways could end up being the downfall of the entire realm of immortals.
Larus had been outraged to discover Cupid had opened up the portal between the Mortal Realm and the Magic Realm. He didn’t want to relive the wars between the mortal and immortal. They’d fought once, long ago, and there’d been much death on both sides. In the end, it was decided the realms should be forever separated. That was why the portals had been sealed. That was why they had to remain sealed.
Only a few natural portals remained, as they couldn’t be destroyed. The doors on the mortal side were locked with the strong magic and charms of all immortal races. The only way the portals could be opened was from their side. But once opened, the realms could merge freely.
Cupid had broken the pact of the covenants that protected the Magic Realm from human greed for the last three hundred years. The risk of humans wandering back through was too great. It was a risk none of the elders were willing to take.
The lycans weren’t the only ones to leave the world of mortal men. The vampires, who were also hunted because of their ‘unnatural’ ways, had come with them. As did all things of magic–elves, fairies, even the goblins and dwarfs. They left the humans, tired of being trapped and forced to use magic for mankind’s gain. Then it was believed that humans would kill themselves off. It wasn’t to be so. To everyone’s amazement, the humans thrived. And, until Cupid’s little play of revenge against Lord Ilar, the realms had remained separated.
Larus glanced at Lady Rhiannon and smiled faintly. They were the only three in the hall and he knew, since she was lifemated to Ilar, he could speak freely before her. “Though, the outcome is good, what could’ve been is beyond forgiveness. Cupid risked too much over a petty insult.”
Lord Ilar had drunkenly offended Cupid one night by calling him a rosy-faced cherub. That in and of itself was comical, as Cupid’s wrinkled face was anything but rosy and, with the horrible smell he emitted from his foul, unwashed body, he didn’t come close to reminding them of a cherub.
Cupid, however, obviously didn’t see the humor in the jests. Just to get even, the troll had gone to the realm of the mortals, doused Lady Rhiannon in lycan pheromone to magically enchant her, and brought her to their world. The mere smell of her had sent the entire unmated population into a desperate, lustful frenzy.
The males of the Lycaon court had fought like madmen to possess Rhiannon and the women had fought to kill her. Because of the raging emotions, their telepathic mindlink had been blocked. The mindlink was the only way the lycan could communicate in their shifted form and they used it often to warn of attacks. Without it, their defenses were left weakened. Both Ilar and Larus had feared they were under magical assault until they discovered the real reason.
Knowing it was only a troll’s petty revenge that opened the portals and caused the disruption in his guards, Larus frowned. Cupid risked too much, but then trolls weren’t known for their consideration of consequences. As king, he’d been honor bound to report Cupid’s actions to the council. The troll was in some serious trouble.
“Death seems too harsh of a punishment and yet I feel, with Cupid, anything less would fail to make an impact on his troll brain,” Ilar said.
“Well,” Rhiannon offered softly, pushing her long, curly blonde hair over her shoulder. She looked more lycan than human as she wore the comfortable gown of their people–a large square piece of cloth that was wrapped around the body and secured with a brooch at the shoulder. Though, instead of leaving her body bare beneath, she wore an undergarment with long sleeves. Being human, the slight modification allowed her extra protection against the elements. Her wide blue eyes looked first to her husband and then back to Larus. “At least he won’t be opening the portal again, will he?”
“The council has ordered him not to bring back any more enchanted humans,” Larus said. “Although, they’re unsure what to do with him otherwise. Because no troll sits on the council, we can only do so much.”
“Then, he’s agreed not to enchant any more humans?” Ilar asked, his dark eyes steady.
“Yes, he’s agreed,” Larus answered. “I believe him. I think Lady Rhiannon’s and your happiness is punishment enough. By the time I got done telling the council, and everyone else who would listen, about his ‘good’ deed, he was thoroughly mortified. Word of your love has even leaked to the trolls. If I know that race, they will persecute him enough to ensure he never does anything so foolish again.”
© copyright September 2005, Michelle M. Pillow
This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.
http://ravenhappyhour.com/Cupids_Reve...
