Mila Ramos - Jademystique Blog

7 Tips To Writing Paranormal Romance

2012-07-12T00:30:00.000-05:00

I like read articles about ways to write paranormal scenes. Seeing that I'm currently on break from writing (the doctorate program kicks my butt at the moment), I like to keep up and read various tips.

I found this article to be quite helpful!

To see more articles related to this article, please visit the link at the author's (nighthag) site.

Enjoy!

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7 Tips To Writing Paranormal Romance

1. Originality in your writing

In a genre where the competition is so high, your paranormal romance needs to be as original as you can make it. Follow the rules of the romance genre, but create an original concept.
One of the reasons that Ann Rice, was so popular when she was first discovered was that her vampires where different, for a start, her story p.o.v was given from the vampires take on the world and what was happening. It worked very well for her, as not many authors had taken that approach at that time.

This same concept is needed today. Read what is being published, know the genre first and then make your plot as original as you can.

2. Mythology-create a solid mythology

When dealing with paranormal there a lot of things that we all know about some critters. Like Vampires don’t do sunlight and werewolves are allergic to silver, but the joy of fiction is that we as authors are gods of our worlds and the mythology created within our plots.

We can rewrite our vampires completely as Sherrilyn Kenyon did in her dark hunter series or Stephanie Myer with the twilight books. Both authors gave new views on an old idea, while touching only lightly on the traditional vampire lore.

No matter what your paranormal story is about take the time to write the mythology of your vampires, werewolves or whatever else has taken your fancy. Create a file filled with information, make it as detailed as you can.

Where did they come from?
What powers do they have?
What weakness?
How many of them exist in the world?
What sort of society do they have?
How do they hide from normal humans/mortals?
What laws do they have?
How do they survive?
Do they as a species have any natural enemies?

Sometimes you will find that you won’t need to use all the information that you gather, but by writing it out and researching it fully you be able to add layers to your supernaturals that may even surprise you.

This file or note book, will be invaluable to you as a writer, you will find yourself returning to it again and again updating it and using it as way to keep your story and characters consistent.

note, sometimes less information is more, when dealing with the paranormal, so many readers have their own ideas on what supernatural's are and what they can do, so by simply touching on your changes or mythology they may fill in the rest themselves.
A great site to check out on this is

How Much of My World Do I Build | Workshops
Website of novelist, author, and instructor Holly Lisle

3. A strong Female heroine.

A trend that I am happy to see growing is the stronger female lead, often just as skilled as the hero with talents that compliment his. The strong female lead doesn’t have to a ball busting werewolf, to be a strong character. She can be anything from a high school student to shy store keeper, but to be a strong feminine lead, she needs to be able to challenge the hero, to surprise him and possibly be the one who saves him in the end.

The paranormal romance gives our heroine a little bit more room to move then other genres, it is for example more acceptable for your strong female character to act more aggressively (werewolf or not) she can be cunning and downright ruthless, as long as it’s for a good cause. (Protecting a loved one, hunting down a killer etc.)

Strong doesn’t always mean physically buff, it can be her personality, her talents her choices in hard situations, how she deals with the conflict around her.

If you make your female lead a physically fit, capable, ball busting modern chick, don’t forget to keep her feminine with all the vulnerabilities of the rest of us have, keep her identifiable, a good example of this is Joss Weddons Buffy character, savior of mankind strong and physically able to best most super naturals in an arm wrestle yet so very vulnerable when it came to her love life and family, with all the insecurities of the next girl.

The damsel in distress still has its place in paranormal romance, but by growing such a character into a stronger personality you may hold your readers interest longer, personal growth is sometimes need to overcome some conflicts in life and this can be a great tool in your writing.

Tips for writing a strong female character

1. History,

Write out her full history, from childhood to the start of your novel, the events in our lives shape us as individuals and the same is true with your characters. Make notes, short stories or interviews about the major defining events in her life. write out any fears they may have, personality flaws and quirks, don’t forget their skills and abilities , you will find her forming more and more in your mind which will translate directly to your writing.

(Keep this with your files and notes so that you can add to it as you write your novel it can be a fabulous resource.)

2. Empathize

Be your characters, all writers endeavor to do this to some point with their characters, but to write truly convincing characters, you must feel the moment in the books and use your own experience no matter how embarrassing or ugly then you can add a new level of depth and realism to your character, which your readers will respond to.

3. Weak can become strong

even the strongest ball busting character has vulnerabilities, don’t be afraid to show your strong heroine having a moment a weakness, it’s through these moments that true inner strength can be found, barriers lowered and honesty reached.

Don’t forget to keep her feminine with all the vulnerabilities of the rest of us have, keep her identifiable, a good example of this is Joss Weddons Buffy character, savior of mankind strong and physically able to best most super naturals in an arm wrestle yet so very vulnerable when it came to her love life and family, with all the insecurities of the next girl.

Well balanced characters are needed no matter the genre that you are writing for, don’t be afraid to give your character’s some flaws, no one is perfect but that is the beauty of love is it not?

4. Hero!

The paranormal romance hero can be a brooding vampire with intense eyes, or he could be a beautiful fallen angel, but there are a few factors that need to be remembered when writing your paranormal hero

Source: fan art from deviant art.

Stand out

Generally speaking the paranormal hero is good looking if not drop dead gorgeous, he can be ugly but there MUST be something about him that instantly draws the female lead to him, and lust is a great motivator (even when we don’t want it to be)

Give your hero some solid sex appeal, don’t be shy creating the attraction for reader and heroine alike. It’s one of the reasons so many people read paranormal romance, happy to lose themselves in a sexy escape from their everyday lives.

2. Supernatural

More often than not the hero himself is of some supernatural or paranormal bend, adding to his dark charm and mystery. But no matter how dark your hero is, there should be some deep inner good that the heroine sees.

3. Violence

The hero should rarely be cruel, unless unusually pushed and should always overcome any compulsion in the long term. Even if your hero starts out evil, the violence he commits should be understood by the reader, empathy is hard to create for your romantic hero if your reader doesn’t like him.

The hero should only be really violent to protect those weaker than themselves or defense of himself. If he is taking the initiative and leading an attack it should for some greater good, he is after all meant to be the hero.

How to Write Great Characters
Great characters must have two main components.

5. Conflict and villains

Conflict is a big part of any story but even more so when writing paranormal romance.
From the common conflicts of two personalities, dealing with the supernatural world and the conflict of events it can be a busy time for the characters of your novel. But without conflict, your reader has no motivation to see what happens next and may lose interest in your story.

Types of conflict

Personal

this is the personal side of your story, take away the events and the supernatural elements and you are still left with two people trying to work out a relationship, to see if what they feel is real and dealing with the personal consequences of what it means.

Supernatural

This conflict arises from their differences in worlds and perceptions, be it a human meeting a vampire, or an angel falling in love with demon. The situation may be unpleasant to them or others, it may be more than one of them can accept. The possibilities go on...

Event conflict

Event conflict can bring the two characters together against thier will in first place, forcing two sworn eneimes to work together or tearing characters apart.

This sort of conflict is external and the characters have no real control over these events that happen, they can only react and do their best to overcome the situations that are thrown at them. Generally having to find a way to work together to win the day

Villains

Villains in paranormal romance are a great way to introduce conflict on few different levels, depending on the motivations of your bad guy.

The villain is generally darker and more powerful than the hero; he is more violent, seductive and cruel. Generally willing to do and kill whatever he has to, to achieve his goal.
He is the symbol of the evil that your characters struggle against, his defeat generally heralding the beginning of a happy ending.

By using conflict, you provide yourself with several plot starters, and ways to keep your story moving, it is a vital tool that should never be underated.

6. Violence

When writing the violence for your paranormal romance never lose sight of your target audience, most romance readers these days don’t mind violence, if it fits the scene. Gore and blood should only be used if it adds to the scene, to the message you are trying to convey. Be careful with its use so it adds to the story not distracts.

When writing your violence for your paranormal romance, sometimes less is more.

Imply where you can and save for the full description for the major important moments of the scene. Your reader has an imagination and sometimes it can fill in the spaces even better than you may expect

7. still needs a happily ever after

Even though you’re writing about supernatural themes, keep in mind that you are writing romance, and a key element of romance is the happily ever after ending. By the end of your novel, despite whatever hardships and adversity your characters have experienced and overcome the reader still wants to know that everything worked out in the end. That the characters are more deeply in love than ever and that their future looks bright.

A new trend occurring more often than not is the happily ever after for now, ending, where the reader knows there will be another book to follow on, but still gets the well rounded happy ending at the end of book one . Even knowing that more trouble will come the characters are strong in their relationship, ready for whatever comes their way, there needs to some tangible foreseeable future for the two love birds to be together to keep the readers of romance interested.

Texas Heart Series by Lisa Mondello

2012-07-10T10:40:00.000-05:00

Welcome once again to The Mystique Lisa Mondello author of great books The Knight and Maggie's Baby, and All I Want for Christmas is You. She brings with her today her Texas Heart Series.

So come and enjoy some more Lisa, cause I sure do love her writing.

Her Heart for the Asking
Lisa Mondello

Texas Hearts – Book 1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

ISBN: 9781465908490

ASIN: B0077EGDAI

Number of pages: 192

Word Count: 40,000

Book Description:

Mandy Morgan swore she’d never step foot in Texas again after Beau Gentry left her for life on the rodeo circuit eight years before. But now her uncle’s heart is failing and she has to convince him that surgery will save his life. She never dreamed the first thing she’d see when she stepped off the plane would be her biggest nightmare...the one man she’d never stopped loving.

Beau Gentry had the fever for two things: the rodeo and Mandy Morgan. But for Beau, loving Mandy was complicated by his father’s vendetta against her uncle. This led him to make the hardest decision of his life and he can still see the bitterness and hurt on Mandy’s face. All these years it has killed him to think Mandy had forgotten him and moved as far away as possible from him. But now they’re back in Texas, and he’s going to do all he can to win back her love.

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His Heart for the Trusting
Lisa Mondello

Texas Hearts Book 2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

ISBN: 9781466004849

ASIN: B007AWZGSM

Number of pages: 192

Word Count: 45,000

Book Description:

Ever since Mitch Broader set foot in Texas, he dreamed of owning his own ranch. Now that he’s bought a share in the Double T Ranch, he’s one step closer to the dream. Then his past greets him in the form of a baby basket, complete with infant and birth certificate naming him as the father. He can’t change diapers and work toward his dream at the same time.

When Sara Lightfoot, “Miss Hollywood” in Mitch’s eyes, rescues him with her particular knack for handling his precocious son, he hires her on the spot as a temporary nanny. No matter how much Sara’s dark eyes and warm heart make this bachelor think of making their arrangement permanent, she’s made it perfectly clear she has other plans that don’t include him or his dreams.

Sara Lightfoot never thought she’d return to her home on the reservation. Now she plans to reclaim the life she left by going back to the reservation as a Native American storyteller, teaching the Apache children stories of their culture. She didn’t expect Mitch Broader’s sexy smile or job offer as a live-in nanny to derail those plans. After all she’s been through to come home, can she open up her heart once again to love?

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The More I See
Lisa Mondello

Texas Hearts Book 3

Genre: Contemporary Romance

ISBN: 9781476431666

ASIN: B007W5CP9K

Number of pages: 192

Word Count: 45000

Book Description:

As a top-notch cutting horse trainer, Cody Gentry was riding high until he lost his eyesight after a freak chemical accident. Unable to see the hand in front of his face, never mind the horse or cattle he trained, he knows his life is over and slips deep into depression. His whole future hinges on the success of an eye surgery that could give him his old life back.

When guide dog trainer, Lyssa McElhannon, arrives on his ranch like Florence Nightingale coming to save him, he wants no part of her or her guide dog. But something about Lyssa’s musical laugh coupled with her tenacity digs under his skin and won't let go. Having been blind most of her life, Lyssa understands the paralyzing fear Cody feels after losing his vision. But she refuses to let the stubborn cowboy waste his life away sitting in a chair when she knows first-hand that a good guide dog can change his world. She just needs one month to prove it to him.

Falling in love with Cody was not part of Lyssa’s plan, nor was having him open her eyes to see that there was a whole lot of living she’d been missing out on.

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BIO:

Lisa Mondello (a.k.a. LA Mondello) has held many jobs in her life but being a published authors is the last job she'll ever have. She's not retiring! She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing novels. Otherwise, she'd still be penning stories with paper and pen. Her first book, All I Want for Christmas is You, was the winner of the Golden Quill contest for Best First Book and to date has had over 350,000 downloads worldwide.

She is currently the author of 14 novels under the name Lisa Mondello and LA Mondello.

You can find more information about Lisa Mondello at http://www.lisamondello.blogspot.com or chat on Twitter at @LisaMondello.

http://www.facebook.com/lisa.mondello.1

First Vision by Heather Topham Wood

2012-07-06T11:13:00.002-05:00

Tour wide giveaway

Five paperback copies of First Visions

and five e-books are being given away tour wide

See Below to Enter

First Visions

By Heather Topham Wood

Second Sight Book One

Blurb

Two years ago, 21-year-old Kate Edwards became deathly ill and slipped into a coma. While unconscious, she crept into the mind of a missing boy and awoke with the knowledge of his location. Friends and family were skeptical and wary of her new ability to see into the minds of others. Their fears prompted Kate to keep her psychic powers a secret. Feeling alienated, she dropped out of college and spent most of her days holed up at her mother's home.

Now another child has been abducted. Police detective Jared Corbett seeks out Kate for her help in solving the case. Reluctantly, Kate agrees and they must work together to bring 8-year-old Cori Preston home to her family. Although attracted to one another, Jared has a girlfriend with ties to the abduction case and Kate is sarcastic and guarded since her coma. With visions she can't control and an uncontrollable attraction to the detective, she wonders if she can leave the past behind and finally stop hiding from the world. Otherwise, Cori may be lost forever.

Jared and Kate have lunch together to discuss one of Kate’s visions about Cori’s abduction (Excerpt 1):

I get you? What the hell was that supposed to mean? His comments were making her feel unsure and suddenly exposed. Quickly, she decided to change the subject. “Your aunt doesn’t have any abilities?”

“No, she just always felt there was more to the world than we could see. Most of her major life decisions are based on answers she receives during tarot card readings. Some of her ideas are pretty out there. But I learned from a young age how to take things with a grain of salt,” he explained.

“Is she local?”

“Not anymore. Kind of lives off the grid now. She met this guy from Maine and moved up there about five years ago. He makes these amazing homemade brooms and Aunt Lizzie helps him run his business.” He gave a fond smile as he thought about his aunt. “You should meet her one day, you’d love her.”

“She sounds cool. Although introductions might be a little awkward. How would you present me? As your psychic sidekick?”

Before he could reply, the waitress returned for their order. He ordered a grilled chicken sandwich and potato salad. Against her better judgment, she went for the cheese fries with a side of gravy.

Jared gave her an undisguised look of distaste once the waitress had left. “How can you eat that crap? Sounds disgusting.” As he let his gaze run over her body, she felt heat rise to her cheeks. “Why are you so thin? You should be a hundred pounds overweight if you eat that kind of stuff.”

Kate snorted. Jeez, she really needed to stop snorting in his presence, talk about one of the least attractive qualities. “I’m hardly thin, I saw your girlfriend. I look like Cartman from South Park next to her.”

“Ugh, girls with their weight issues,” he said and waved her off. “Want to show me that sketch now?”

She pulled the picture out of her purse and he examined it thoroughly. After a moment of thoughtful consideration, he remarked, “You did a good job, I have a few ideas of what type of car it may be. Looks like an older model Ford or Toyota sedan. You said about ten years old and dark green?”

She nodded and he continued, “I’ll work on getting printouts of models from around that time period. See if we can get an exact match.”

“I wish I could’ve seen the license plate, but it wasn’t visible from the angle he brought Cori out in. The garage was well-lit, but the rest of the house was dark. The layout of the house looked like a Cape Cod style, but honestly he dragged her through so quickly I couldn’t say for sure.” She sighed and then took a sip of her diet soda. She figured ordering the diet soda helped to cancel out the massive amounts of calories in the cheese fries.

“Do you have any idea of a timeframe? How long she was in the car for?”

“She was unconscious for part of the ride. She didn’t have a good sense of time, but I would say he was driving for no more than twenty minutes while she was awake. It was very dark in the house which makes me guess it could have been a lot later after he left the Prestons. Not sure if he went anywhere first before heading to his house. Maybe someone near Cori’s house will remember seeing that type of car. I can’t imagine too many of the Prestons’ neighbors drive a hoopdie like that.”

He leaned back and chewed on his thumb. “With the damage to the front, it would definitely stand out. Of course, I wish we knew more, but this has been extremely helpful, Kate. Thank you.”

Closely, she watched his movements as he patted her hand. It only lasted a second, but Kate felt the touch long after he pulled away. Suffering a loss for words, Kate was grateful for the interruption when his phone rang.

After answering, he put his hand over the receiver and addressed her. “I’m going to step outside and take this. It’s a call from another one of the detectives working on the case.” After her nod, he disappeared out of the diner. While she waited, she fidgeted and tried not to think about how right his hand felt on hers.

A couple of minutes later, he returned with an apologetic look on his face. “Sorry about that. He wanted to let me know that they’re organizing a search party for tonight. The plan is to comb a few wooded areas in town to look for Cori. We have other detectives going door to door with Cori’s picture to see if anyone has any information,” he explained solemnly. It was hard to not get drawn in by his intensity as he spoke about Cori.

As the food arrived at the table, she became convinced greasy food would help get rid of these butterflies she was feeling. She saturated the fries with the gravy. After shoving a forkful in her mouth, she closed her eyes and sighed. “These are heavenly.”

Jared gave her a dubious look while taking a bite of his sandwich. “I can see your arteries clogging right before my eyes.”

She held out her fork to him. “Go ahead and try them. You know you want to.”

He looked on the verge of denial, but eventually caved. “Fine, but I have a feeling I’ll be regretting it.”

She grinned as he took a large bite. He showed no reaction, but she giggled as he reached over and took another large forkful. “I can’t tell if I like it. I better taste some more in order to make a sound judgment.”

“Sounds like a plan,” she said. She grabbed a side dish plate and piled some on it. “Here, stop denying yourself. One serving of disco fries will not kill you.” Her grin could not seem to fade as she pushed the plate to his side of the table.

“So, that’s what these are called? Now that you have me addicted to them, I can blame you when I get too fat to chase anyone down,” he commented between bites. He cut his sandwich in half and held out a piece to her. “Wanna share?”

She took the sandwich from him and felt a jolt as their hands brushed. She was in big trouble and she knew it. More of this and she was going to ask him to procreate on the table right then and there. He returned her smile and seemed to also revel in the intimacy of the moment. She wished she could’ve thrown his phone against the wall when it rang again a second later. Kate felt embarrassed that she was weirding him out when she noticed how uncomfortable he suddenly looked.

Author bio

Heather Topham Wood graduated from the College of New Jersey in 2005 and holds a bachelor's degree in English. Working full-time as a freelance writer for publications such as USA Today, Livestrong.com, Outlook by the Bay and Step in Style magazine, she writes fiction novels in her spare time. She resides in Trenton, New Jersey with her husband and two sons. Besides writing, Heather is a pop culture fanatic and has an obsession with supernatural novels and TV shows.

First Visions is the first book in the Second Sight series.

http://authorheather.wordpress.com

Http://twitter.com/woodtop255

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Her Loving Husband's Curse by Meredith Allard

2012-07-03T11:46:00.000-05:00

So I'm this book has me completely intrigued,

and I don't know about you but I can't wait to read this on my day off tomorrow!!!!

Her Loving Husband’s Curse
Book Two of The Loving Husband Trilogy
By Meredith Allard

How far will you go to protect the one you love?

Finally, after many long and lonely years, James Wentworth’s life is falling into place. Together with his wife, Sarah, the only woman he has ever loved, he has found the meaning behind her nightmares about the Salem Witch Trials, and now they are rebuilding the life they began together so long ago.

But the past is never far behind for the Wentworths. While Sarah is haunted by new visions, now about the baby she carried over three hundred years before, James is confronted with painful memories from his time with the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears. Through it all, the persistent reporter Kenneth Hempel reappears, still determined to prove that the undead walk the earth. If Hempel succeeds in his quest, James and Sarah will suffer. Will the curse of the vampire prevent James and Sarah from living their happily ever after?

Her Dear & Loving Husband
Book One of The Loving Husband Trilogy
By Meredith Allard

James Wentworth has a secret. He lives quietly in Salem, Massachusetts, making few ties with anyone. One night his private world is turned upside down when he meets Sarah Alexander, a dead ringer for his wife, Elizabeth. Though it has been years since Elizabeth's death, James cannot move on.

Sarah also has a secret. She is haunted by nightmares about the Salem Witch Trials, and every night she is awakened by visions of hangings, being arrested, and dying in jail. Despite the obstacles of their secrets, James and Sarah fall in love.

As James comes to terms with his feelings for Sarah, he must dodge accusations from a reporter desperate to prove that James is not who, or what, he seems to be. Soon James and Sarah piece their stories together and discover a mystery that may bind them in ways they never imagined. Will James make the ultimate sacrifice to protect Sarah and prevent a new hunt from bringing hysteria to Salem again?

Part historical fiction, part romance, part paranormal fantasy, Her Dear & Loving Husband is a story for anyone who believes that true love never die.

Author Bio:

Meredith Allard is the Executive Editor of The Copperfield Review, an award-winning literary journal for readers and writers of historical fiction. She received her B.A. and M.A. degrees in English from California State University, Northridge. She has taught writing to students aged 10 to 60, and she has taught creative writing and writing historical fiction workshops at Learning Tree University, UNLV, and the Las Vegas Writers Conference. Her writing has appeared in journals such as The Paumanok Review, Moondance, Wild Mind,Muse Apprentice Guild, The Maxwell Digest, CarbLite, Writer’s Weekly, and ViewsHound. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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The Copperfield Review

The Unsacred Gift by C.S. Dorsey

2012-06-30T06:55:00.000-05:00

GIVEAWAY!!

CS is giving away 2 kindle copies and 1 signed copy (paper copy) tour wide.

Enter Below!!

The Unsacred Gift

C.S. Dorsey

Book Description:

Have you ever had a dream that came to life? How about losing the one you love and not being able to save them? What about a gift that you were cursed with? Well image having all three like Sicily "Sissy" Monroe.

"Some might say what I have is a gift. I say, I want to return it." Sissy declares.

Sicily "Sissy" Monroe has all the qualities of a perfect young lady. She is almost where she wants to be in life. But lying deep in the pupil of her eyes hold something that she cannot get rid of which interferes with her plans. She fights everyday with no one but herself. After having her first vision at age six of her sister's (Misty) disappearance and the dreams of failing to save her, Sissy wants no part in another person's fate. For years Sissy tried hard to avoid contact with people because she feared foreseeing their death. In keeping with this, she tries to stay away from her family. Little did Sissy know she could not run from her past, or her gift. She hopes someone will put her out of her misery, but she will soon discover that her visions and dreams were just a mere image of herself.

___

What sparks My Creativity?

In order for me to create I have to hear voices. I know it sounds creepy, but it is the truth. I can just come up with an idea on my own and go from there to create a novel. Some people can, but I can’t.

Sometimes what I will do is if I get an idea I write it down. I may not come back to that idea for months at a time unless I hear the main character whispering to me. Once I hear the main voice of the character than I am able to develop the character more.

I have plenty of projects that I started. But the only problem was I started writing the story, and not the character telling me. So you know where the story goes? In my deleted file on my computer.

The main character in The Unsacred Gift, Sissy, was able to suck me into her world and I found that I could not get out until she finish telling me her story. Once I was done I was released. The same goes for the main character in The Lukos Trilogy, Alejandro Calderon (which is available in 3 novellas). A Piece of advice never get stuck in a teenage boy’s mind with a hormonal imbalance…LOL!

___

Excerpt

She sat across from me at the table. “So how are things going, Sissy?” My mother had a way of starting a conversation without getting to the main point at first, but slowly creeping up to it, so that it throws you off, because you’re trying to figure out how the subject got switched in the first place.

“Everything is going fine, Ma,” I looked at her carefully, aware of her tricks.

“How are your classes going? Are you keeping up?”

“Ma, I am a senior now. I think I have caught on by now,” I said, biting into the crisp bacon that was just right, crunchy like I like it.

“Have you finally decided on a major?”

“Yes. Psychology.”

“Why?” my mother asked nonchalantly, sipping on her coffee. I had a feeling something was brewing, so I kept the conversation at a steady pace.

“I just want to help people. You know, find out what’s on their minds, try and stop them from making any drastic decisions. Lead and guide them.”

“Sissy, you let the good Lord lead and guide those people. You can’t save people from bad decisions. People are going to do what they want to do.”

“I know, Ma, but if I can just help someone I will feel like I’m doing a good thing for people rather than—” I stopped dead in my tracks. I didn’t want to say too much.

“Rather than what?” my mom asked, eating her fruit, not taking her eyes off of me. I had to come up with something quick before I spilled too many beans.

“Rather than ignoring them like society does.”

“Is that how you feel? That society ignores people?”

“Yes. Society would throw people away and call them crazy, rather than trying to figure out what triggered the insanity.” Like me, I wanted to say.

It wasn’t just because I had visions and dreams. I wanted to understand the mind and how it works and functions. I wanted to know why people do what they do. I figured if I could get a few logical answers, I could take these theories and run with them.

“Are you saying that you’re being ignored, which is the reason why you majored in psychology?” She looked at me with eyes so intense, they could kill a fly.

This was the switch in subject I was looking for. She already had in her mind a link. She would link up my studying psychology with the feeling of being ignored, abandoned, and thrown away. Then she would link my acting out last night in front of Mark to my feelings of being ignored, abandoned, and thrown away. I swore this woman needed to become a psychologist herself. She was just that good.

“OK, Ma, let’s get to the real subject at hand,” I said, moving my plate to the side. By this time I was completely done with my food, believe it or not.

“Sissy, honey, I am just asking questions, but now that you have mentioned it…” she said, with a grin on her face. Dang, I fell for it. I knew it was coming. “Honey, do you feel like I am abandoning you because Mark and I are engaged?” She took a forkful of pancakes and stuffed them in her mouth.

I decided to keep this to a “yes,” “no,” and “maybe” conversation.

“Yes,” I said.

“Why do you feel that way, honey?”

I just hunched my shoulders.

“Oooh, no…you do know. Talk to me, Sissy, please.” The pleading in my mother’s voice made it sound like her heart was cracking into two. I needed to tell her the truth, but the truth would only break her heart more.

“I feel like no one understands me. I feel like the odd girl out.” I broke into tears. “I have no social life, no friends, and no boyfriends. I feel like if I get too close to someone, something bad is going to happen.” I buried my head in my hands, hoping that answer was good enough for her to leave me alone, but then I couldn’t help myself, I continued. “I fear if I get too close, I will be left with a broken heart, thinking it’s something when it’s not.” Then I cried more, because that was only part of the truth. I just had to say I feared a broken heart so it would seem like I was letting her into my mind, but not too much.

“It’s OK, honey, nothing bad is going to happen.” My mom reached over to rub my shoulder. I realized too late that I should have stuck with my yes and no responses.

____

About the Author:

C. S. Dorsey currently lives in Northern California. She graduated from the University of Phoenix with an Associate’s Degree in Financial Services, and is currently working for a financial institution. She never thought about writing until one day this girl started talking to her in her head and never stop.

Blog: http://csdorsey.blogspot.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/cs_dorsey

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/candicesdorsey

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An Unexpected Baby by Shadonna Richards

2012-06-29T09:11:00.002-05:00

Welcome Shadonna Richards and her book An Unexpected Baby.

I'm actually in the beginning parts of this book and can't wait to see how it unfolds.

AN UNEXPECTED BABY
(The Bride Series)

By Shadonna Richards

Getting a man is one thing…keeping him is a whole different story!

Recently wed to her hot boss, CEO Evan Fletcher, Emma Wiggins-Fletcher thinks her sizzling hubby is avoiding spending quality time with her…that is until Emma discovers that her pregnancy test is positive.

A baby changes everything. Jetsetter Evan discovers his new wife is pregnant and cancels an important business trip and prepares to rearrange his workaholic life to pamper his newlywed princess. Emma is over the moon about the new special affection from her spouse and her ill grandfather. Gramps has been given six more months to live, and he is so delighted about the baby news, he plans a surprise for the couple.

Too bad her world is turned upside down when she discovers the pregnancy test was false. Emma has been enjoying Evan’s renewed attention and he’s already shifted his life around to be daddy to their unborn. How could she possibly break the news to her husband and to her ailing grandfather without breaking their hearts? Still, pretending to be pregnant is a whole different story and can only last so long before they find out the truth.

EXCERPT

“So when are you going to make me a great-grandpa? You can have children, can’t you, pumpkin?” The old man’s eyes playfully narrowed towards his granddaughter.

“Gramps!” Emma Wiggins-Fletcher felt her stomach churn as she sat beside her ailing grandfather feeding him cornmeal porridge she had made earlier. She felt heat rush to her cheeks.

“Sorry, pumpkin. You know your old grandpa. Sometimes I just speak what’s on my mind. Didn’t mean to embarrass you, sunshine.”

“That’s okay, Gramps.” How could Emma be upset with her dear old grandfather who just six months ago was given a death sentence with prostate cancer? He was still not out of the woods yet, but at least he’d been given a few more months. A miracle. She wanted to spend every blessed moment she could with him, especially now that he was getting too weak to take care of basic needs like feeding and changing. Thanks to her rich new husband, Evan Fletcher, CEO of her former company, Fletcher Advertising, she could afford to have a personal support worker come in daily to bathe him and tend to his other needs. Still, his spirit was strong though his body was weak. His tongue, however, seemed to carry a lot of strength these days.
“But you can have kids, right?” Again, he persisted between mouthfuls of scooped porridge. He swallowed quickly to continue his speech to Emma’s chagrin. “Some people are infertile, you know. And they don’t even know it! Imagine that! Is something wrong with Evan that you’re not telling me?” He leaned closer to her, his eyebrows knitted together.

“Gramps!”

“Sorry, pumpkin. Sorry.” He leaned back in his reclined bed, folding his arms across his chest. He wore a smug but innocent expression on his face.

Talk about an invasive question. What happens between couples should stay…between couples!

Talk about pressure to fit into society’s expectations.

Truth was, nobody knew if they could have kids until…well, they had kids. She’d read somewhere that studies showed that a percentage of infertile couples have nothing wrong with them physically. It’s just the luck of the draw. That was the worst scenario. Sure, she had irregular cycles but still, Evan was alright. Wasn’t he? He was healthy. He wore boxers not briefs, so that could not affect his sperm count. Was the pressure to have kids within the first year of marriage so great? Still, she really wanted to be a mommy and the more people—meaning her grandfather and mother—stressed her about when she would finally become a mother, the more resentful she felt. Sheesh! It wasn’t as if one would go to the mall and purchase a bundle of joy. One little sperm out of a billion had to meet the egg thingy at just the right time in the month. How easy was that? If only couples with kids knew what a blessing they had—something that must not be taken for granted. Still, secretly Emma had been purchasing every single home pregnancy test at every drug store she could. She and her new hubby were having unprotected sex, even though Evan wouldn’t admit he’d love to have a child, he’d agreed to it. She wanted to increase her chances of pregnancy. It wasn’t like she was getting any younger. Children meant the world to her. Having Evan’s children would mean the world to her. Not to mention to be able to carry on the Wiggins family tree on her father’s side. Evan was facing lots of pressure himself, like his own father’s failing health and the fact he had to be placed back in an institution. That couldn’t be good for him or Evan. Probably it was the stress of having no choice but to return his father to the mental institution that was driving him…crazy. Maybe that could affect his sperm count. Sheesh!

What could Emma do, really? So much had happened during the last six months since her quickie wedding at her grandfather’s hospital bedside to Evan due to circumstances surrounding her grandfather given only days to live at that time and wanting to see his only grandchild married off before he reached the “Pearly Gates.” Thankfully, his prognosis had been extended to include months. After Evan agreed to marry her and professed his love for her just as she had always been in love with him, Evan insisted that her grandfather move in with them.

But then things changed suddenly.

Without warning!

The heat from Evan’s passion cooled off quite a bit after mounting pressure at work, including politics at the office and jabs at Emma, his former assistant turned bride and whispers of a “horizontal promotion” which Emma decided to back off from the promotion due to accusations of nepotism to work from home on other things like being his private secretary.
Was he having second thoughts? Did the whole marriage by guilt or having an elderly in-law live in their home cause him concern? She wished he would speak his mind.

**Here’s the set up for the prequel for AN UNEXPECTED BRIDE (Book 1 in The Bride Series) for those who haven’t read the first book.

Emma Wiggins is about to marry her heart-stopping, gorgeous boss, CEO Evan Fletcher, in seven days--too bad he doesn't know it yet!

Desperate to fulfill her ailing grandfather's last wish to see her settle down and get married, Emma Wiggins, a 30-year-old, career-focused executive tells him a little white lie on his deathbed that she is in fact engaged--to her boss, deliciously handsome and emotionally unavailable, Evan Fletcher.

The situation takes an unexpected turn when her grandfather's condition improves slightly and to her shock, he goes ahead and arranges a wedding ceremony at his hospital bedside before he passes on. Now, all Emma has to do is convince unsuspecting, commitment-phobic Evan to tie the knot with her in seven days. Can love blossom in the most unlikely situation?
“A feel good romantic comedy you won’t want to miss”

“The much anticipated sequel to the Kindle #1 Bestseller in Humor 'An Unexpected Bride' (The Bride Series) which has sold 45,000 copies in its first eight months of release on Amazon.com”

What some reviewers have said about An Unexpected Bride (The Bride Series)

"Author Shadonna Richards has an "unexpected" bestseller on her hands with this unheralded romantic comedy....An Unexpected Bride has sold 10,000 copies in its first three months..."
-KINDLE NATION DAILY

"Shadonna Richards is a wonderful author!...It's a sweet and romantic story that will sweep you off your feet."
-REVIEWS BY MOLLY

"This sweet and humorous romance is sure to keep you entertained as well as have you giggling" - TWEEZLEREADS

"I would recommend this book to fans of chick-lit and light romance or anyone looking for a book to curl up with on a rainy afternoon." -HANDS AND HOME

About the Author

Bestselling author Shadonna Richards has a B.A. Degree in Psychology and a Diploma in Nursing. She enjoys reading and writing about the magic of romance and the power of love. She is the author of the non-fiction books, A Gift of Hope and Think & Be Happy: 365 Empowering Thoughts to Lift Your Spirit (an Amazon Kindle #1 Bestseller in Meditation). Winner of Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write 2010 Day Two Challenge, she is a member of the Romance Writers of America. An Unexpected Bride became a #1 Kindle bestseller in Humor and is her first novel. It has sold over 45,000 copies in its first eight months on Kindle. She’s a proud mommy and wife and lives in Canada with her husband and son.

You can visit her at www.shadonnarichards.blogspot.com and join her mailing list for updates, giveaways and news on upcoming releases.

www.shadonnarichards.blogspot.com

TWITTER

www.twitter.com/shadonna

Beauty's Enchanted Beasts by Jessica Frost

2012-06-28T09:53:00.001-05:00

GIVEAWAY!!!
ENTER BELOW

2 prizes tour wide.

2 winners overall.

Each will get a $10 Amazon gift e-card with a choice of 2 of Jessica’s ebooks from either “Spells of Seduction” or “Haven for the Lustfully Damned” series (winner’s choice).

Beauty’s Enchanted Beasts
Spells of Seduction—Book 1
By Jessica Frost

Erotic Historical Fantasy/Paranormal Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, werewolves

Elizabeth Stuart thought she couldn’t hate the Duke of Norfolk any more than she did. After he wins her in a bet and she’s forced to live in his castle, she learns she was wrong. Penniless and distraught, she moves in, vowing to make him pay.

Richard Albert has loved Elizabeth for so long. When her father asks his help in protecting Elizabeth from the evil sorceress Pondora, he agrees wholeheartedly, not knowing Elizabeth’s father lied about why she’ll be staying with him. Now she thinks he’s evil incarnate.

George Albert’s not happy his brother brought Lady Elizabeth there. Considering the danger that lurks in Castle Norfolk’s dungeon, she’s no safer with them. But after seeing how much Richard loves her and realizing she’s the woman of George’s sexual dreams, whom he so desires, he changes his mind and plans on making every one of his erotic dreams come true.

Soon these three get caught in a web of deceit, sex, and love. Little do they know Pondora has figured a way past the castle’s enchantment and intends on executing her deadly curse.

Publisher: http://www.bookstrand.com/beautys-enchanted-beasts

Amazon

Barnes andNoble

Kobo

Excerpt: “Beauty’s Enchanted Beasts”

Elizabeth continued to search, opening doors to empty rooms or storage areas, until she came to a door and, upon opening it, was surprised to see a man sat on a chaise lounge reading a book.

“I’m terribly sorry. I thought this was the door leading outside,” she said blushing, trying to close the door behind her.

He instantly stood up, a look of shock plastered on his face. His wide eyes just stared at her while he remained silent. Then he broke eye contact and cleared his throat.

“It’s quite all right.” He approached her with a bright smile. The sparkle in his sharp eyes looked familiar and she lost her breath for a moment. “You must either be Lady Elizabeth or her sister, Ann.”

He took her hand and bowed, bringing her hand to his warm lips. Never breaking his fixed gaze on her, he continued, “But from my brother’s description, you must be the beautiful Lady Elizabeth, no doubt.”

Her cheeks warmed at his compliment and she couldn’t help but stare back at him in a trance. His beautiful azure eyes bewitched her, as did his full lips and strong chin. When she finally acknowledged in her mind she had been gawking, she immediately lowered her gaze to the floor in embarrassment. Words to reply came languidly as time seemed to stop. After taking a shallow breath, she said, “I didn’t realize the Duke of Norfolk had a brother.”

He chuckled. “Younger brother who gives him more headaches than he’d care to have, I’m afraid. Perhaps that is the reason he never mentioned me. My name is George.”

“Oh, well, your brother and I haven’t really spoken often, or for long. We’ve barely conversed.”

His brow lifted in apparent surprise. “Really? And yet here you are, Norfolk Castle your new permanent residence.”

“That, my lord, is your brother’s doing, not mine. I had no say in this arrangement he and my father made.” Her anger rose.

“Ah, yes, the supposed bet. Yes, yes, I had forgotten about that.” He walked around her tapping his index finger on his pursed lips while he looked her over like a prize.

It was obvious the Duke’s brother had his same rude manners and disrespect for women. Yet surprisingly a part of her found George’s admiring attention flattering. Before she could open her mouth to put him in his place, he remarked, “What if there were no bet, my lady?”
“Pardon me?” She frowned, not understanding his question completely.

“What if there really were no bet? Would you have come to live here just the same?” he asked as he came to stand before her a mere few inches away. She could swear she heard his heart beating for how close he stood. His virility seemed to intoxicate her that instant.

“If there were no bet? Well, of course I wouldn’t.”

“Ever?”

“Ever!” she reiterated with a firm tone.

“Even if your life were in danger?” George said, inching his face closer to hers while his gorgeous eyes fixed on her lips.

Her lips throbbed under his hungry stare and her voice cracked. “No, not even then.”
He broke his gaze then and frowned. “I see.” He turned and walked to the window, staring outside with a blank, far-off expression for a moment.

Feeling awkward, and disappointed he had diverted his attention elsewhere, she made her way to the door. “I’m sorry for interrupting you. I’ll be on my way now.”

He turned to look at her. “Where was it you were headed, my lady?”

“I was trying to find the door that led to the garden outside. I saw it from my bedroom upstairs and wanted to take a leisurely walk in it.”

“It’s a beautiful day outside and the perfect time for a walk in the gardens.” He walked up to her and extended his arm for her to take. His brow lifted and a smile spread over his lips. “If my lady would allow me the honor of showing her our prized gardens, I’d love to show them to you.”

Blushing once more, she replied, “I don’t want to be a bother, my lord. You were reading when I interrupted you.”

“Yes, and the book was dreadfully boring. I’d much prefer the company of a beautiful lady.”
Her brow lifted in warning at his wording and he laughed at his gaffe. “I mean I’d much rather accompany a beautiful lady to see our gardens than read a boring book.”

She looped her arm through his. A tiny shock, when her hand made contact with his, traveled through her arm and targeted her chest. Her breath caught in her throat and her legs became weak for a second.

He pulled her in closer, wrapping his arm around her waist, and began to guide her through the door into the corridor.

Being so close to him as they walked made her palms sweaty and her mouth dry. She wished the lump in her throat would dislodge so she could begin to breathe again. Her bodice tightened on her breasts as she tried to expand her chest to take in air. Then an uncontrollable, arousing urge she had never before experienced overcame her.

In fear of the unbounded excitement surging in her body, she desperately wanted to break free from him and run in urgency.

Places to buy the e-book:

Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/beautys-enchanted-beasts

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Enchanted-Seduction-Publishing-Everlasting-ebook/dp/B0076ZXKJK%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAJBDF5XQBATGDX4VQ%26tag%3Dspea06-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0076ZXKJK

Amazon.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Enchanted-Seduction-Publishing-Everlasting-ebook/dp/B0076ZXKJK%3FSubscriptionId%3D0V4JT1H35KWYMF0SKQR2%26tag%3Dnovelrank-21%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0076ZXKJK

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beautys-enchanted-beasts-jessica-frost/1108825318?ean=9781619262416&itm=1&usri=jessica+frost

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Beautys-Enchanted-Beasts/book-okcYSCer5E6MESUz4v7w8w/page1.html?s=22XRW0aVz0KGGU2qznuJ_w&r=1

About the Author:

Jessica Frost has always had a passion for fiction and the written word. Add to that her wild, vivid imagination and her pure romantic tendencies and she soon realized she had the traits needed to become a romance author. She decided to take the very big first step not that long ago and wrote her first erotic romance story. And she has not looked back since. Being a romance writer is a dream come true for her. Having the opportunity to create fantasy worlds where anything and everything can happen is an amazing feeling. She hopes these worlds and the delightful characters she creates will bring hours of enjoyment to her readers as they have done for her.

www.authorjessicafrost.com

http://authorjessicafrost.blogspot.ca/

www.twitter.com/Author_JesFrost

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Demonically Tempted by Stacey Kennedy

2012-06-25T08:30:00.000-05:00

Please welcome Stacey Kennedy as she brings us her latest book Demonically Tempted.

______________

Demonically Tempted

Frostbite Book 2

By Stacey Kennedy

Tess Jennings, now a member of the Memphis Police Department, is on her first cold case. The suspected suicide of Lizbeth Knapp ten years ago isn’t a theory her family accepts—they believe she was murdered.

But the case is only one of Tess’s worries. Ghosts are talking, and word of her abilities rapidly spreads. A dark ghost is terrifying the spirits of Memphis, and she must force the entity to cross over.

Tess doesn’t have to do this alone. Not only does she have her ghost-lover, Kipp McGowen, but the department has brought in a medium. Dane Wolfe might answer all her questions, but he also brings a world of trouble. Will Tess finally have all she’s ever wanted, or will everything she’s vowed to protect be ripped away?

*SERIES DOES NOT CONTAIN STANDALONE STORIES. MUST BE READ IN ORDER. FIRST BOOK IN FROSTBITE SERIES IS SUPERNATURALLY KISSED*

BUY LINK

BOOK TRAILER

About the Author

Stacey Kennedy’s novels are lighthearted fantasy with heart-squeezing, thigh-clenching romance, and they even give you a good chuckle every now and again. But within the stories you’ll also find fast-paced action, life-threatening moments and a big bad villain who needs to be destroyed. Her urban fantasy/paranormal and erotic romance series have hit Amazon Kindle and All Romance eBooks bestseller lists.

Stacey welcomes comments from readers. You can find her at www.staceykennedy.com

Chapter One

The old farmhouse had seen better days. Not only could it use a coat of paint, but it also needed a dose of love. Dry, brown grass surrounded the home, and the only flowers topped four-foot high weeds.

I glanced next to me at Zach—a cop with the Memphis P.D.—and crinkled my nose. “Someone actually lives here?”

His blue eyes met mine and he ran a hand through his blond, stylish hair and shrugged. “Max said the victim’s sister still resides in the home where the death happened.”

As he lowered his arm, he cringed, and I winced at the memory. Heck, only weeks ago he’d been stabbed and shot in the shoulder.

The man who caused Zach’s injury got it worse—by my very hand, no less—but I was glad Hannah Reid’s murderer hadn’t returned to haunt me.

I might have suffered some serious remorse. That is, if I didn’t believe God wouldn’t punish me because I killed a murderer. Brody would’ve done the same to me if I hadn’t gotten to him first. I tried my best to stick with that theory. It saved me from the lingering guilt I might—and would never admit to—have for taking a life.

Sure, there was an internal investigation through the police department, and I had been questioned until my voice went scratchy. But in the end, the shooting had been declared self-defense, and I was perfectly happy with that. Or so I told myself every day until I finally believed it.

Besides, the cops that I now worked alongside had my back throughout the investigation, and nothing would change that. We’d grown close through the time spent during the Reid case, and even closer in the weeks that followed.

“I’m going to see if Lizbeth is out here somewhere,” Kipp—a ghost, and my lover—said, dragging me from my thoughts.

Yes, our relationship was complicated and it’s insanely sick that I’m in love with a ghost, but I wasn’t about to fight my heart’s desire.

“If you find her, then come tell us, immediately. The less time I have to spend in that house, the better.” Scummy houses and me didn’t mesh well. I like cleanliness and hate spiders.

“He’s going off on his own then?” Zach asked.

As of late, Zach had caught on to our conversations better. Seeing that I was the only lucky one—or not so lucky as I viewed it—who could hear ghosts’ communication was annoying, at best.

Maybe I gave more descriptions in my answers than I normally did, or maybe he’d gotten used to having to fill in the blanks. Whatever it was, I appreciated the ease of our conversations now. The back and forth got on my last nerve.

As Kipp strode away, I stared at his scrumptious ass filling his dark blue jeans. The man might be a ghost, but he was sex packaged into muscular goodness.

One of his eyes was chocolate brown, while the other was crystal blue, and he had untidy brown hair that no matter how messy only made him look more attractive. And he was all mine.

I blinked, pulling myself away from my ogling, and frowned at Zach. “Ready?”

His gaze danced with laughter, yet a smile never appeared. “For someone who accepted a job with the department, you would think you’d hold more excitement.”

“Just because I can officially call myself part of the police department—which is absurd, by the way—doesn’t mean I still don’t have hesitations.”

My gift took a while to adjust to but I knew when to see reason. Helping ghosts that had met a horrible fate wasn’t a bad job. That is, as long as I didn’t run into any more crazy-ass killers who wanted to make me a ghost, too.
Zach approached the house, and I trailed after him, not showing half the confidence he carried in his gait.
I climbed the old steps, slightly worried the wood would break under my weight, but seeing Zach went first and the man was all power, the wooden planks could support my slender frame.

He knocked on the door. And a moment later, it opened to a woman who matched the house. She appeared to be in her fifties, but the dark circles under her eyes and the hunch to her shoulders made her look well worn.

“Ms. Knapp?” Zach asked.

“Yes.” Her voice dripped with despair. “Are you the detectives?”

Zach nodded. “Is it still all right if we come in?”

She widened the door, and moved aside. “Please call me Anna.”

“Thank you, Anna.” Zach entered the home. “We appreciate you taking the time to discuss Lizbeth with us.”

I hesitantly followed and tried my damndest not to let my repulsion in the house show. Not an easy feat.

“Please, will you have a seat?” She waved out to a couch that I wouldn’t sit on even if it had a layer of plastic over top of it.

I held back my desire to gag, and twirled my finger in my brown, shag-cut hair. “I’m okay here, thanks.”

Zach grimaced at me before he took a seat and shed all emotion as he turned to Anna. “We’re aware that this will be difficult for you to discuss, but we need you to remember anything you can from when Lizbeth died.”

“I’m not sure I can tell you anything that…” She peeked up at the ceiling. I followed her gaze seeing dark brown stains, and restrained my shudder. “…Max, was that who I spoke with?”

“That’s right. He’s the sergeant.” Zach smiled softly. “He told us the necessary information, but I’ve learned it’s always best to hear it directly for myself.”

In all actuality, I hadn’t heard all the details except that I was officially on my first cold-case.

Blitz Day! Blitz 3: Shadow of Kings

2012-06-22T16:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome Jack Whitsel as he rounds off our day of Blitzes!

He bring with him his book Shadow of Kings

_____________

SHADOWS OF KINGS by Jack Whitsel

BLURB:

Steel and sorcery clash as the Harhn incursion sweeps through the Hugue. Mankind faces its greatest peril without the Order Knights of legend to defend them. Crusading deep in the frontier, the Order is unaware of the savage beasts threatening their homeland as the Hugue realms muster their armies for war.

Between a cunning Harhn sorcerer, and an alliance forged with the decadent Darkfey, the horde threatens to extinguish the domains of men. Only Lord Baudouin and Lady Lucia, a Dragon Maiden from the Order, stand in the enemy’s path. One must find the strength to unify the realms. The other must discover the strength within her, while coming to terms with the agendas of her Order. But only together will there be any hope to repel the onslaught, and preserve the future for a mysterious girl they do not know.

Chapter excerpt: http://twilighttimesbooks.com/ShadowsofKings_ch1.html

Guest Blog by Jack Whitsel, author of SHADOWS OF KINGS

As my release date approached, I was bombarded by questions about I how I felt. I had always answered with the usual…I’m nervous, I’m excited, blah, blah, blah. But if truth be told, the emotion that overshadows them all is gratitude. Maybe it’s because this is my first novel, or perhaps I wasn’t expecting Shadows of Kings to get noticed as quickly as it did, despite my faith in its quality. But for whatever reason, I am consumed with gratitude – not only for being published, but for the many souls who have supported me during this journey. So this blog…instead of being about ME, is designed to help YOU- the aspiring writer. This article is an amalgamation of snippets from prior articles that focus on some of the philosophies and tricks of the trade I’ve embraced. So let’s get to work.

There is one notion I express to all aspiring authors I talk to: There is a story within all of us. Granted, having it come to life can be a little tricky, but the emphasis should be the DOING! What is DOING? Sitting down and committing yourself to putting thoughts on paper. The victory is building a routine that keeps you consistently in front of your notebook, laptop, typewriter, or 3-ring binder on a daily basis. If you're just beginning, start small, and don't punish yourself if you fall short of a goal. Just pick it up the following day and move forward.

Another key toward my writing is what I expressed earlier…gratitude. I've been humbled by the attention and interest so many have expressed. The process from scribbling my imagination on paper to having it committed to print is a long one. As exciting as the journey is, having Shadows of Kings go through the Publishing process while continuing to write can be an arduous affair. All of the wonderful sentiments from my supporters and fans have calmed the storm and revitalized my resolve. Remember to express your gratitude, for the universe will always pay it forward.

As you write, cast aside agents, critics, and publishers. But once finished, let your work be seen. And don’t be derailed by rejection. In the end...we are our worst critics. It's somewhat akin to hearing a recorded sound of your own voice. We always cringe when we hear ourselves played back, but this is the sound that everyone around us hears. Think of your writing in that light. You will find the perception of others to be quite different from the "cringe" you are feeling.

With that said…I’m open to any questions you may have about the writing process or my novel in particular.

Oceans of Love,

Jack

Author Bio:

Jack Whitsel is a native Californian, but has made Oregon his home since 1982. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Finance from Portland State University, but studies medieval history in his spare time. His favorite genres are fantasy and historical fiction with a medieval emphasis. Shadows of Kings, the first novel of the Dragon Rising Series is the love child born of these two passions.

“I love the elements of fantasy when mixed with the gritty aspects of a medieval society,” states the author.

Website: http://www.jackwhitsel.com

Blog: http://jwhitsel.wordpress.com

Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shadows-of-Kings-Book-one-of-the-Dragon-Rising-Series/119975978113722

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackWhitsel

Purchase info:

Title: Shadows of Kings

Author: Jack Whitsel

Author web site: http://www.jackwhitsel.com

Publisher: Twilight Times Books

url: http://twilighttimesbooks.com/

Genre: Fantasy

Print ISBN: 978-1-60619-223-8

Format: trade paperback

Distributors: Brodart, Follett, Ingram

eBook ISBN: 978-1-60619-222-1

Format: ebook in pdf, ePub, Kindle, Mobi, PRC, etc.

Distributors: Amazon Kindle; Apple iBookstore; BN.com Nook; eReader; Fictionwise; Kobo Books; OmniLit; Sony eBookstore, etc.

Blitz Day! Blitz 2: Blood Jewel

2012-06-22T08:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to another Blitz!!!

This time we look at Georgia Cates Blood Jewel

__________________

Blood Jewel

by Georgia Cates

With the mystery of Chansey Leclaire and Curry Brennan’s connection solved, they are free to explore their newfound love for one another. Or so they thought...

When Marsala uses a witch and black magic to discover Curry’s whereabouts, he and Chansey are left with no choice. The newly engaged couple is forced to relocate away from their families at the new compound in Savannah, which causes some major changes in the plans for their upcoming wedding.

Relocating to Savannah might have saved Curry and Chansey from being discovered by Marsala, but it doesn’t stop her attempts to reach Curry or her efforts to harm Chansey through the use of black magic. As Marsala closes in, Curry faces the decision he never wanted to make. Will he keep Chansey human or condemn her to eternity as the thing he hates most?

As Curry waits for his hand to be forced, a newly turned vampire arrives at the Savannah compound in need of help. Not only is she a fledgeling in transition, she brings reports of escaping from a vampire cult still in possession of her sister, a human. Any attempt to save the captive human from a cult of vampires puts everyone in jeopardy. Can they risk entering a large cult to save one human being? And is so, how could they possibly do it successfully?

Love will grow. New mysteries will arise. A battle will ensue. A Blood Jewel will be found.

_______

10 Things No One Knew About Blood Jewel

1. Blood Jewel is written from a male vampire’s POV, which is quite different from the ordinary human female love interest’s POV.

2. The entire “scene” of Marsala reaching Curry through Black Magic in Club Infinity was inspired by the song “Sleep Alone” by Bat for Lashes.

3. Chansey’s striptease scene was inspired by “Nasty Naughty Boy” by Christina Aguilera.

4. Chapter 3 “Seekers, Swans and Dolls” opens up a whole new plot for Book 3, “Blood Doll.”

5. Solomon’s character stepped up to the plate in “Blood Jewel” because we will be seeing a lot more of him in the future.

6. Although a Blood Jewel was discovered in Book 2, the explanation behind it won’t be revealed until Book 3, “Blood Doll” because of spoilers.

7. The setting in Pascagoula is a place I frequently vacation to visit my favorite aunt.

8. I have been to all of the settings in “Blood Jewel” with the exception of Savannah. I wanted to make a quick trip over so I could get a feel for it, but couldn’t find the time. That’s why there is little to no description about Savannah aside from being inside the compound.

9. Very little in “Blood Jewel” is random. Most everything has a reason for being included and you might not realize that until you read “Blood Doll.”

10. Chansey’s grandmother plays a bigger role in this plot than the reader knows and the reader may be shocked to find out what Granna has been up to.

_______

Blood Jewel Excerpt -

I waited until she was asleep to leave her side, slipping away as quietly as a thief in the night. My family was no longer gathered in the dining room and I walked outside to find Gia and Lairah in the pool taking a late night swim.

“Tell me you didn’t leave your bride in the bed alone,” Gia huffed.

“She’s not my bride. She’s my fiancé and I need your help with something big. Tomorrow is Chansey’s birthday and I need some ideas. I want to take her into the city and do something special, but I have no idea what.”

“Well, you made the right decision by coming to us instead of that buffoon you call your best friend. Really? What is his deal?” Lairah said.

“I think he’s jealous,” Gia answered. “And yes, Solomon...I know you can hear me inside the house.”

“Take it easy, girls,” I urged.

“Alright, we’ll forget the buffoon and get back to the task at hand. You’ve already given her the most precious piece of jewelry she’ll ever wear. Any type of bling-bling you come up with will only pale in comparison, so you shot yourself in the foot when it comes to jewelry,” Lairah told me.

“She loves your art, so paint her something. You can have it ready by tomorrow because you’re so awesome,” Gia suggested.

I blew that one, too. “That’s not going to work. I did a soft pastel of her on the day I met her, so anything I did would pale in comparison to that. Now, I’ve shot myself in the foot when it comes to art.”

Solomon walked out of the house and added, “Nice going, one trick pony.”

“In my own defense, she was never suppose to see it. It was supposed to be for my own private collection.”

Sol jumped into the pool with the girls and then came up. He ran his hands back over his slick dark hair. “I’m not jealous. If anyone is jealous it’s the two of you with your crazy ideas and dreams of romance that’s never going to happen for you. Both of you are living vicariously through this poor human girl and she’s probably scared to death to tell either of you ‘no.’ Shame on both of you.”

“You’ve become such an ass since Curry found Chansey. There’s no way you’re not jealous. I just haven’t figured out if it’s because Chansey is taking Curry away from you or because you want an Agápe too,” Gia accused, then bumped fists with Lairah.

A smug look crossed Sol’s face. “Well, this ass has a perfect idea for Chansey’s birthday, so do you want to know what it is or not?”

I threw my hands up. “Hey, I didn’t accuse you of anything. You’ve always been an ass in my book and that hasn’t changed since Chansey came along,” I joked.

He nodded in recognition and said, “You damn skippy.”

I was anxious to hear his suggestion. “So, what’s your idea, Skippy?”

“If I’m right, Chansey is so going to dig this and you’ll score some major fiancé/husband/Agápe points with her. Do you remember when you went back to Pascagoula about twelve years ago and went by your house?”

I was puzzled by where this was going. “Yeah , I remember.”

“If I recall correctly, you had just become very interested in photography and you took a lot of pictures of the house. You made me look through like five thousand pictures I cared nothing about, but I remember the owners were in some of them and they were having a birthday party for a kid out in the yard. Is it possible for that to have been Chansey and her family? If it was her, then you saw her for the first time when she was a kid and you captured it on film.

He was right. I went crazy taking pictures that day and used every roll of film I had with me. “You are absolutely brilliant, Sol. Girls, you can’t call him a buffoon anymore.”

Gia splashed water at Sol and said, “You don’t know if that was Chansey and her family, so we reserve the right to call him a buffoon until we have proof otherwise.”

Sol dunked Gia and when she came up, he said, “You are both going to eat your words on this one, girls. There’s no doubt in my mind that those negatives are full of Chansey Leclaire and her family because he was like a madman with all of the pictures he took of that girl and her family. At the time, I wondered if he was some kind of weird vampire pedophile, but it all makes sense now. It didn’t matter that she was a child. Even then, he was drawn to her because she was his Agápe.”

“I think you’re right and what makes this even more awesome is that Chansey told me today that she has no pictures of her family together because she lost all of them in Hurricane Katrina.” I started walking toward the house. “I’ve got to find those negatives before Chansey wakes up. Thank you, Sol. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m pretty awesome,” he boasted.

I went to my old darkroom where I kept my negatives filed away and began my search. Ugh! I should have filed these by date or something because I had years and years of negatives to search through. My heart pounded as I searched and I prayed Sol was right. Please let it be Chansey and her family.

After twenty minutes of searching, I found the negatives from that day. I held them up to the light and saw the outline of a family but even my vampire vision couldn’t make out if it was Chansey and her family or not.

I stopped using film when digital photography became popular, so it had been years since I printed photographs from negatives, but I didn’t need any of those supplies because I could scan the negative and upload it to my computer. Got to love technology.

I silently went to my bedroom and moved all of my necessary equipment to another bedroom so I wouldn’t wake Chansey and ruin the surprise. I scanned the negatives and waited to see the images on my computer screen. And there she was...a young Chansey with her family. I was ecstatic because I was going to be able to give her the one thing no one else could...an intact photograph of her family together.

I printed the best one on canvas and chose a few others for an album before I went back out to the pool to tell the others my good news.

I held up one of the photos and said, “Well, ladies, here’s the proof. I’m afraid you better come up with another name for Sol besides buffoon because he was right. It was Chansey and her family.”

“Dammit!” Gia swore as she slapped the water. “I’m sorry, Curry. I didn’t mean that. I’m happy for you.”

Sol got out of the pool and reached for one of the two towels on the table. “I think Mr. Fabulous has a nice ring to it.”

Lairah was fuming. “Well, I think jerk off sounds more like it. You didn’t bring a towel with you, so that means you just stole one of ours.”

“Sorry ladies, it’s one of the perks of being Mr. Fabulous,” he said as he used one of their towels to dry off.

“You make me want to throw up,” Gia gritted through her teeth.

Sol enjoyed the aggravation he was causing and said, “Darling, you haven’t thrown up since you were human.”

“Whatever, jerk off.”

Lairah attempted to cool Gia saying, “Calm down, girl. You’re giving him way too much satisfaction by getting all riled up.” She turned to me and continued, “I was thinking while you were inside. I know of a cool band playing tomorrow night at a club on Bourbon. My friend, Jett, plays bass. Chansey is musically inclined, so I know she will love to hear them. Why don’t we all meet at the club after you take her to dinner and we’ll celebrate her birthday together with a night out on the town? We’ll show her how to party vampire style.”

“I think she would love that and your suggestion gave me an idea. Do you think I could get your cool band to do a special song request?”

“Jett will do anything for me,” Lairah promised.

“And is your friend, Jett, a human or a vampire?” I questioned.

“He’s human, but he’s so cool. I wish he was vampire because I could so dig him if he was. What do I need to tell him to play?”

“Van Morrison’s ‘Steal My Heart Away.’It was playing during our first dance.”

“Nice one,” Lairah complimented.

“It was such a bittersweet first dance because I thought it was our first and last. I loved her so much and I thought I was about to leave her forever.”

“It was your choice to leave, you ignoramus. Nobody forced you. Maybe you’re the buffoon instead of Solomon,” Lairah laughed.

“That’s what I’m talking about...someone else being the buffoon,” Solomon interjected.

“I realized my mistake and it won’t happen again. That I can promise you.”

_____________________

About the Author:

I reside in rural Mississippi with my wonderful husband, Jeff, and our two beautiful daughters.

I spent thirteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before I decided to pursue my dream of becoming an author.

Blood of Anteros, Book One in The Vampire Agápe Series, was my first novel and it was released in September 2011.

I decided to step away from the paranormal genre to try my hand at a young adult romance and I loved it. It was so much fun, I plan to do it again in the near future.

Links

http://georgiacates.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Georgia-Cates/213130102082500

http://twitter.com/#!/GeorgiaCates

Welcome to Blitz Day!!! Blitz 1: Bewitched Destiny!

2012-06-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

Lets welcome Leia Shaw for her Blitz on her book

Destiny Bewitched

We will also be having a twitter part at 11am EST TODAY June 22.

You can ask questions and leave comments for the author all day using the

hashtag #destinybewitched

_______________

Destiny Bewitched

Blurb:

Deemed “trailer trash” by humans and the daughter of the most disgraceful family of witches and warlocks since the Puritan age, Samantha is used to fighting her own battles. When her younger sister is taken to the Underworld, Sam doesn't hesitate to rescue her.

To survive the harsh land, she makes a deal with a demon — the most dangerous of creatures in the realm.

Even with those lustrous horns, Geo is as hot as the hell she's stuck in. Fighting nasty beasts in a supernatural version of the gladiator games is easy compared to falling in love with a man who has no future to offer.
__________
EXCERPT

A growl tore through the cabin, startling her. She spun toward the noise so fast she fell on her ass. A giant…dog would be an understatement, flew out of the shadowy corner and landed on thick paws in front of her. Pitch black in color, covered in bulging muscle, it bared its oversized teeth and snarled at her. Holy mutant flea bag!

She crab-walked backward a few feet, never taking her eyes off the beast, until she felt her sword under her hand. “Nice doggie,” she whispered, dragging the sword closer.

She jumped to a crouch, the sword unsheathed and at the ready. The thing’s eyes glowed red as it stared at her weapon. “Nice possessed doggie.”

The fur on its back rose up and its chest rumbled menacingly. Heart pounding, she kept her sword steady in her hands though inside she was shaking. “Okay Kujo, I’m all for animal rights – I support PETA and all that – but if you attack me, I’ll stick you with this nice sharp sword.”

In answer, the oversized mutt growled.

“Erebus.” Geo’s voice filled the cabin. She hadn’t even heard him come in. “Down, boy. She’s a friend.”

Great. The demon had the equivalent of a pet mastiff on steroids and already the thing didn’t like her.

Apparently Erebus wasn’t the obedient type. He growled again, and a line of drool dripped from his mouth. Ew. “Not very well trained, is he?” she said to Geo, gaze still locked on the dog.

“He’s not a pet. Put your sword down.”

“What? No way.” In the middle of a showdown with a dog-beast that looked like it wanted to gnaw on her bones – the sword was going nowhere. “One of us is making it out of this alive. I’d prefer it be me.”

“Samantha.” She eyed Geo from her peripheral vision. “Put down the sword. Trust me.”

Author bio:

I began my writing journey while I was stranded at the airport waiting for my delayed flight. I browsed the Border’s kiosk and grew frustrated that I couldn’t find the “it factor” — the perfect combination of alpha male-ness, ass-kickery, strong females, magic, and sex.

So I spent the next four hours on an airplane writing my first book on scraps of paper and an airsick bag (which thankfully I didn't need to use).

Now I spend too much time in my head, plotting evil villains and the hot men (and women) who ruthlessly kill them. I think far too much about fae politics, dragon power games, and how fast werewolves can change forms. But writing my paranormal romance series has given me a productive place to express those dark places in my mind.

I live in New England with my husband and two kids. Though I will go to my grave denying it, my husband insists I would be thrilled if he suddenly sprouted fangs.

Media:

www.leiashaw.com
www.leiashaw.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/LeiaShaw
@LeiaShaw

Back on Tour!

2012-06-21T16:39:00.004-05:00

Hi all!

I just wanted to let you know I shall be returning with the tours tomorrow!!!

If you are an author wanting a few minutes of shine, please email me and let me know. I'm getting back to responding to some emails so just give me a bit of time. Or better yet, email me and ask me!!

So tomorrow we will have a Blitz Day with three great books. They are rotating the time every few hours, so there will be something different for everyone's taste.

This is the schedule for the rest of June.

June 22 – BLITZ DAY!

Blitz 1: Destiny Bewitched

We will also be having a twitter party for Destiny Bewitched 11 am EST on 6/22. You can ask questions and leave comments for the author all day using the hashtag #destinybewitched

Blitz 2: Blood Jewel

http://twitter.com/#!/GeorgiaCates

Blitz 3: Shadow of Kings

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackWhitsel

June 25th – Demonically Tempted Tour by Stacey Kennedy

June 28 – Beauty’s Enchanted Beasts by Jessica Frost

June 29 - Unexpected Baby by Shadonna Richards

June 30 - The Unsacred Gift by C.S.Dorsey

Family Emergency

2012-04-29T17:11:00.000-05:00

Dear readers, fans and friends, Due to a recent family emergency, my time will be spent in the hospital taking care of my husband. Until then I have to put the tours on a brief stop. Please pray, and send good thoughts for my husband, and when things get settled I will be back. Mila Ramos ~sent from my Samsung Epic.

MERLYN’S RAVEN by Rose Vanden Eynden

2012-04-24T10:27:00.000-05:00

A big huge welcome to Rose Vanden Eynden who brings to us her spin on one of the world's most intriguing Arthurian man and legend in Merlyn's Raven.

________

Merlyn’s Raven

By Rose Vanden Eynden

Soul Mate Publishing

Short Blurb

For a young woman, falling in love is the ultimate magic. But what if the object of her affection is Merlyn, destined to be King Arthur’s legendary advisor? Can Gwendydd work her own magic to capture the heart of the world’s most powerful enchanter, or will her desire destroy her and the people she loves most?

Back Cover Blurb

Falling in love is the ultimate magic. For Gwendydd, a young woman in 5th century Wales, it seems an unobtainable fantasy. She dreads the day her chieftain grandfather will marry her off to increase his allies among the warring tribes of Britain. When she meets the mysterious and handsome druid apprentice Myrddin, Gwendydd realizes just how difficult falling in love can be. The ire of her disapproving grandfather is not her only obstacle. Myrddin’s clairvoyant visions of a king who will unify the battling tribes and bring peace to the land become a dangerous obsession that threatens to obliterate their union. Can Gwendydd support her beloved, the man destined to become the world’s most powerful enchanter, King Arthur’s legendary Merlyn? Or will her devotion destroy her and everything she holds dear?

Soulmate Publishing Amazon

__________

I never thought of myself as a romance writer. I’ve been writing for many years, since I was in grade school, and my stories have run the gamut of genres. Romance, however, was not something I read on a regular basis or even really considered as I wrote. If someone fell in love in my stories, that was all fine and good, but I suppose I didn’t see it as the core of the tale.

Writing Merlyn’s Raven certainly changed all that. I’ve been a fan of Arthurian legend since high school and have read many, many stories set in that enchanting universe. I always thought it would be fun to write something to add to the Arthurian lexicon, but really, after thousands of years, is there anything new to explore?

Then, one day, I came across Vita Merlini, a cycle of poems from the 1100’s by the Welsh-Norman writer Geoffrey of Monmouth. In these poems following the later life of Merlin, King Arthur’s legendary advisor, I discovered a new character I’d never seen before in all my Arthurian exploration. Her name was Guendoloena, and she was Merlin’s wife. My head spun. Merlin? A wife? Now there was an interesting idea!

And so Merlyn’s Raven began. I wanted to create a story centering around a younger Merlin, told through the eyes of the woman who loved him. I sought to explore their relationship and find out what kinds of struggles and triumphs they might have together. I hope I accomplished this in the novel. For me, it was an extraordinary and rewarding writing experience.

Thank you, Mila, for letting me appear on your blog today! I hope everyone reading this will step into the magical land of Merlyn’s Raven and accompany Myrddin and Gwendydd, my versions of young Merlin and his beloved, on their journey.

EXCERPT:

The scream hung in the air like the waxing moon outside my window. I touched my face, expecting to feel the wound there, my skin cut somehow as Myrddin’s had been in the dream. My trembling fingers came away clean. My heart raced as my mind recovered, but I tore from my bedchamber nonetheless, darting through the shadowed hallways of Grandfather’s household, avoiding the guards that stood, dozing, at the ends of corridors. I knew I’d be beaten if I was caught, but nothing was as important as getting to Myrddin.

I reached the familiar door and slipped inside. He lay on his simple pallet beneath the window casement, but his eyes were open in the moonlight. They sparkled like dew on the grass, as did the sweat that dampened his hairline. His hand lay against his cheek, searching for the phantom wound.

“What is it?” I breathed, my heart still pounding as if it had never pumped before. “I had a nightmare about you.”

He sat up, his body shaking, and I pulled the blanket up over his shoulders as tremors wracked him. He gripped the cover with one hand and took mine in his other. It was not a fit, I knew, but an icy chill stole over me. “I had a vision.”

“It was you, was it not?” I forced the words out, even though they pained me to say them. “Trapped?

Tortured?”

He nodded. I could bear it no longer, and flung myself into him, burying my face in his chest. He hesitated, but then his arms came around me, and I nearly gasped from relief, from knowing he was with me, warm and alive and safe.

“What does it mean?” I moaned.

“It is the future we see.”

I tilted my chin up to look at him, and he stared down into my face, one brow arched as if puzzling over a new plant he’d found while scavenging. “How is it that we see it together, raven? How is it that we are connected?”

“I love you.” The words, so sacred and yet sounding so simple, tumbled out. I did not care. Here in the dark, where there was no one else, the rest of the world seemed frozen, unimportant, and far, far away. Blaise, sleeping in the next room, was forgotten. I did not think of my grandfather and his plot to find me a husband, or of his threats to kill any man that stood in the way of that.

Only this moment between us mattered. Myrddin had to know that I thought of nothing but him, sought naught but his presence, heard only his voice with the pounding of my heart. It was bold and brash and dangerous, it was everything I wanted to be, my own true self, and I knew he understood that.

“I know,” he whispered. “And you should not.”

He tried to pull his hand away, yet I clung to it, my voice hardening. “Why do you say that? You are everything to me.”

“You speak of love, Gwendydd, and yet you have told me countless times how you long not for a husband, but for freedom.”

“You are my freedom. Do you not see? You, who have taught me healing and storytelling and magick. . .so many things. You are right—I did not know what I longed for until I met you, and then I understood.” I lifted my hand, daring to touch his cheek, and he allowed it. “This must be love, for it to seep so deeply into me, into my very soul.”

Softness settled into his gaze as he stared at me. “You are a poet, raven.” He teased, I knew, to turn the subject, but I would not be abashed.

“It frightened me, Myrddin. The dream. I cannot bear to be without you, or to have you hurt.”

“And yet there is no way to stop it, if it is my fate.” He gathered me against him and pushed us both up to our feet, shaking the blanket from his shoulders. He guided me toward the door but did not pull away, and I savored his closeness. “Come. You must go back to your chambers. If Brychan finds you here, or if someone sees us and informs him, he will kill us both.”

We shuffled in silence along the corridors, slipping past the sleepy guards undetected. When we came to my quarters, Myrddin placed his hands on my shoulders and looked at me sternly, as Betrys sometimes did when she preached her gospel of Jesus.

“Blaise has told me, Gwendydd, that unrest stirs in the land. The Cymry chieftains like your grandsire cannot quell it, and it will come to call here very soon. But these changes, all of them, no matter what they are, must unfold as they are meant to. We may never understand all that happens, but that is our challenge in life. And that includes whatever this vision may portend for me.”

I matched his seriousness with my own. “Whatever happens, we are meant to be together. I understand that much.”

His hand moved underneath my loosened hair, cupping the back of my head like a pillow, and his expression of wonder made me dizzy. “It is foolish and reckless, raven, but yes. I think I understand it as well.”

left me standing there in a pool of moonlight, my mind spinning as the stars overhead, replaying his words over and over again to seal them permanently in my memory.

__________

About the Author:

Rose Vanden Eynden has always believed in magic, which probably explains how she is able to be a writer as well as a wife, mother, medium, massage therapist, minister, and instructor. She resides in a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, twin teenaged sons, and a dachshund named after Rudyard Kipling. In her spare (!) time, she enjoys performing in live theatre, watching films, reading, and walking in the woods. An avid believer in a balanced life, she meditates and eats chocolate daily.

Light Journey Enterprises

www.vandeneynden.biz

Read Rose's blog, STANDING BETWEEN THE WORLDS www.vandeneynden.biz/blog

Rose's books, available at all major bookstores:

SO YOU WANT TO BE A MEDIUM? A DOWN TO EARTH GUIDE

METATRON: INVOKING THE ANGEL OF GOD'S PRESENCE

ASK A MEDIUM: ANSWERS TO YOUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SPIRIT WORLD

Do you Twitter? Follow Rose: http://twitter.com/RoseofAvalon

Rose on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RoseVandenEyndenOfficial

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/542711.Rose_Vanden_Eynden

Look for Rose's first novel, MERLYN'S RAVEN, coming April 17, 2012 from Soul Mate Publishing.

Bloodstorm by Amber Kallyn

2012-04-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome Amber Kallyn as she presents to us her book BloodStorm.

She also presents to us one of her yummy recipes for a night of deliciousness to your palate.

Amber is giving away a $5 Amazon gift certificate to one lucky winner at this (and every) stop in the blog tour. Just comment and email below to enter.

And she will be giving away another $20 Amazon gift certificate to the reader who leaves the most comments on all the blogs she’ll be visiting.

(if there is a tie, she will use Random.org to select the winner).

___________

Need a lovely dinner for the special vampire in your life? Try some Steak Tartare. Not only will it leave your sexy date satisfied, he'll be ready to sate his other appetites.

Steak Tartare

Ingredients

Assorted fresh greens

12 ounces beef tenderloin or sirloin

Worcestershire sauce

Hot pepper sauce

Salt

Black Pepper

2 tablespoons drained capers

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/3 cup minced red onion

1/3 cup finely chopped parsley

2 eggs

4 slices of white bread, crusts removed, brushed with olive oil and lightly toasted

Extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

Garnish 2 plates with the fresh greens.

Place the beef on a cutting board and finely chop with a very sharp knife. Season to taste with Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, salt and black pepper. Shape the meat into 2 patties of equal size and center each on a plate of fresh greens.

Around each meat patty arrange half of the capers, Dijon mustard, red onion and parsley. Carefully break the 2 eggs, reserving the yolk and half of each shell. Place the yolks in their eggshell cups, then sit an egg cup in the center of each patty. Serve the steak tartare with toast points, olive oil, and hot pepper sauce and Worcestershire sauces on the side.

____________________

Bloodstorm
Heart of a Vampire Book 1
Release Date: April 13, 2012
Novella
Paranormal romance

Short Blurb:

When duty forces a shaman to stop a vampire from her revenge, love doesn’t just burn... it bites.

For two hundred years, Niki DeVeraux has been tracking the monster who murdered her family and made her a vampire. She finally catches up to him only to face more than she bargained for in a too-sexy sheriff who makes her remember she’s still a woman. With duties as Keeper of the peace and Sheriff, Shane Spencer must protect humanity and stop the friction between the local Arcaine races before it turns into an all out blood war.

When wolves start turning up dead, the tension between the races grows and suspicion falls on Niki. Shane knows she’s not to blame, and it has nothing to do with the primal urges she stirs within him. Working together, they must stop the hostilities from going over the edge. Trouble is, the desires raging between them might prove more dangerous than the surrounding threats.

Amazon

Long Blurb:

When duty forces a shaman to stop a vampire from her revenge, love doesn’t just burn... it bites.

For two hundred years, Niki DeVeraux has been tracking the monster who murdered her family and made her a vampire. She finally catches up to him in a small Arizona town, only to face more than she bargained for. Amid an imperious vampire King, a shaky truce between the local clan and shifter pack, and a too-sexy sheriff who makes her remember she’s still a woman, Niki’s single-minded purpose is threatened for the first time since her turning.

Between his duties as Keeper of the peace for the Magic Council and heir to his tribe’s shamanistic magic, Sheriff Shane Spencer’s job is to protect humanity and stop the friction between the local Arcaine races before it turns into an all out blood war. To make matters worse, there’s an irresistible rouge vampire in town enflaming his senses.

When wolves start turning up dead, the tension between the paranormal races grows and suspicion falls on Niki. Shane knows she’s not to blame, and it has nothing to do with the primal urges she stirs within him. Working together, they must find a way to stop the hostilities from going over the edge. Trouble is, the desires raging between Niki and Shane might prove more dangerous than the surrounding threats.

__________

About the Author:

One of those rare breeds, Amber Kallyn is an Arizona native who can trace her family's history through six generations in the state. She lives with her sexy husband, and their four very active children. Included in the menagerie are two cats (though there's always room for more) and two dogs. We won't count all the fish. She also writes urban fantasy under the name Higley Browne.

Amber loves the paranormal, from dragons to werewolves to vampires. She's currently at work on her next book, probably running around the house acting out a fight scene with her collection of swords and daggers. Or maybe, wishing she had claws to practice the other fight scenes.

A voracious lover of the written word, Amber found at an early age that she could read fast. Really fast. She devours novels by the day, novellas by the hour, and is always looking to get her hands on more.

http://www.amberkallyn.com/
http://amberkallyn.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/AmberKallyn
https://twitter.com/#!/AmberKallyn
Newsletter signup: http://bit.ly/H04jPF

Julie Rowe LIVE Twitter Party

2012-04-21T11:20:00.001-05:00

Please join author Julie Rowe and Bewitching Book Tours for a live Twitter Party Saturday April 21 at 7pm EST.

Please use #northofheartbreak to join the party and for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card and a free ecopy of North of Heartbreak.

Drop by for the fun!!

For more info on Julie's book North of Heartbreak, click here!!

North of Heartbreak by Julie Rowe

2012-04-20T10:12:00.000-05:00

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North of Heartbreak

By Julie Rowe

Since her divorce, Willa Hayes has thrown herself into her work as a nurse practitioner in the remote town of Stony Creek, Alaska. She's regained her self-confidence and her heart is almost healed. Then her newfound peace is shaken by the arrival of sexy flyboy Liam Reynolds. Willa can't deny she's instantly, intensely attracted to him—even if she's convinced he's yet another Mr. Wrong.

Liam has his own reasons for fleeing to the isolation of the north, and a relationship is the last thing he wants. He wasn't counting on being drawn to the pretty nurse who accompanies patients on his flights to southern hospitals.

Fortunately, the temptation—and the desire to avoid anything serious—is mutual. So the pair comes up with an arrangement: sensual, steamy, no-strings fun. But when things heat up on a cold Alaskan night, the rules of the game may change forever...

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/zSrqOW

B&N: http://bit.ly/zAuLQT

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Everything I Know About Writing Medical Romance I Learned From Star Trek

By Julie Rowe

The character of the doctor has always been one of the main characters in every Star Trek series made.

Why?

I believe it’s because we all have the same fears and expectations of doctors no matter where we come from, and it’s those similarities we need to draw from in writing any medical scene. Here’s a quote to illustrate my point:

McCoy to Chekov: “Now this isn’t going to hurt a bit.”

Chekov: “That’s what you said the last time.”

McCoy: “Did it hurt?”

Chekov: “Yes.”

McCoy and Chekov, TOS/The Deadly Years.

What’s great about this bit of dialogue is that anyone reading it can identify with Chekov.

I learned to write medical details in plain English from this little conversation McCoy had with a policeman and Kirk in The Voyage Home:

McCoy to policeman: “Damnit, do you want an acute case on your hands? This woman has immediate postprandial upper abdominal distension! Out of the way…Get out of the way.”

Kirk to McCoy: “What did you say she’s got?”

McCoy: “Cramps.”

Most readers don’t understand medical speak. You have to put things in terms they DO understand.

I learned to use medical scenes to deepen the stakes for my characters from this exchange between Kirk and a police man in The Voyage Home:

Policeman to McCoy: “How’s the patient, Doctor?”

McCoy: “He’s gonna make it!”

Police man: “He? You came in with a she?”

McCoy: “One little mistake…”

This made me laugh out loud when I heard it the first time, but for the policeman, it sure made him wary!

I learned that the best doctors are deeply empathic and need to be written that way.

Dr. Crusher to Picard: “Where are the calluses we doctors are supposed to grow over our feelings?”

Picard: “Perhaps the good ones never get them.”

Beverly and Picard, TNG/Code of Honor.

Dr. Pulaski to Doctor: “It’s a time honoured way to practice medicine – with your head and your heart and your hands.”

Pulaski to Doctor, TNG/Contagion.

Dr. Bashir to Garak: “I’m a doctor, you’re my patient, that’s all I need to know.”

Bashir to Garak, DS9/Life Support.

Practicing medicine is often an emotionally draining occupation. It’s important to remember this aspect when you’re creating medical characters.

I’ve learned that readers enjoy stories with medical characters engaged in a struggle to safe a life.

Dr. Bashir to Winn: “Listen to me. I don’t care about your negotiations, and I don’t care about your treaty. All I care about is my patient, and at the moment, he needs more treatment and less politics.”

Bashir to Winn, DS9/Life Support.

I learned that not all medical scenes need to be serious. Humor can be a powerful a tool in storytelling.

Chekov to Sulu: “’Give us some more blood, Chekov.’ ‘The needle won’t hurt, Chekov.’ ‘Breathe deeply, Chekov.’ ‘Blood sample, Chekov.’ ‘ Marrow sample, Chekov.’ ‘ Skin sample, Chekov.’ If…if I live long enough, I’m going to run out of samples.”

Sulu: “You’ll live.”

Chekov: “Oh, yes, I’ll live. But I won’t enjoy it.”

-Chekov and Sulu, TOS/The Deadly Years.

The final lesson is to end the story with an emotional satisfying ending.

Live long and prosper.

__________

About the Author

Julie Rowe’s first career as a medical lab technologist in Canada took her to the North West Territories and northern Alberta, where she still resides. She loves to include medical details in her romance novels, but admits she’ll never be able to write about all her medical experiences because, “No one would believe them!”

A double Golden Heart finalist 2006, Julie has two books out with Carina Press: ICEBOUND and NORTH OF HEARTBREAK. Her writing has also appeared in several magazines such as Today’s Parent, Reader’s Digest (Canada), and Canadian Living. She currently facilitates communication workshops for her local city college. You can reach her at www.julieroweauthor.com or on Twitter @julieroweauthor .

Off Limits by Renee Pace

2012-04-18T13:17:00.000-05:00

Please welcome Renee Pace as she brings us her book Off Limits.

An ebook copy of Off Limits will be given away to one lucky reader.

To enter, leave a comment and email below.

Also, Renee is giving away 2 Amazon Gift Cards tour wide.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

____________

Off Limits

By Renee Pace

Genre:YA

Blurb:

Lindsay looks and acts like the perfect fifteen year-old, but she’s hiding a dirty little secret that no amount of fashionista coverings can make better. Telling her mother her step-father is molesting her is not an option. Trying to kill herself again haunts her more than the scars on her wrists, and pretending to be perfect at school might very well drive her over the edge.

Megan knows all about lying. It's been part of her life ever since she realized the only way to escape her poverty-stricken neighborhood was to work hard, keep her mouth shut and wear a mask no one can penetrate. All that changes when Lindsay befriends her.

Can two girls who have little in common discover the value of a real friendship or will the secrets they dare not speak destroy them both?

______

I’m a young adult writer and romance/erotic writer. They two shall never meet but the reality is that in this world they do. Like many writers I have two pen names, and separate accounts for my twitter, Facebook and websites. Do I like writing one genre over another? Sometimes. My first love was romance writing and I always wrote in 3rd person. In fact there was I thought I’d never like to write in 1st person but like many writers I hit a wall. I had to try something new. That turned out to be writing YA. The book I started was a fantasy YA and I originally wrote it in third person and yes I finished it but truly felt something was missing. I put that book, so to speak, under the bed. I needed time to think about it. My critique partners said it was great and it even finaled in a contest but I felt something was missing.

So, I thought try something even more out of my comfort zone. Instead of third person I moved to first person and instead of fantasy I jumped into contemporary. Did I find it hard? Actually no. The characters voice jumped into my head and to add more difficulty I added an animal POV. Yes, you heard me. My first nitty gritty YA book Off Leash features a boy and a dog and yes, both speak. Once I wrote Off Leash I purposely moved to write a story with two girls showcasing their own POV and then Off Limits was born. After Off Limits I wanted to try something else so I started something with a girl and boy POV and Off Stroke came into existence.

Like when I started writing romance I didn’t want to follow a script. A number of my large romance novels have multi-POV, something I was told can deter a publisher. I was lucky my publisher took a chance on me and I’m also lucky that the industry has allowed Indie authors to take control of their own destiny.

My YA books don’t fit the mold. I shopped around for a publisher and while a number loved my voice they also said they couldn’t find a market for my books. Well, I found a market. I took control of my books and launched them as an Indie author and I haven’t looked back. The stories had to be told.

I’d like to know if you’re a writer have you ever pursued your dream and just gone with it?

_____

Off Limits Kindle http://amzn.com/B006JUVE1Y

Off Limits print link – http://amzn.com/0986890871

Off Stroke -Two teens with little in common tackle prejudice and stereotypes to risk it all to help each other – debuts Amazon May 2012

Off Leash –Kindle http://amzn.com/B005S34JO2

Print http://amzn.com/146643791X

Eternal Spring – YA Anthology – FREE -http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/150218

About the Author:

Renee Pace is a multi-published author who likes to tackle real teen issues in her nitty gritty series. She calls Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada home. Mother of four she juggles writing, deadlines and her children’s hectic schedules. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada, the Writers Federation of Nova Scotia, and the Society of Children Writers & Illustrators. Her first nitty gritty book, Off Leash was a 2011 semi-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest. Her second book Off Limits tackles poverty and sexual abuse, and for her third book, Off Stroke debuting May 2012 Pace writes about young love and prejudice.

renee@reneepace.com

twitter @ReneePaceYA

www.reneepace.com

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001054616665&sk=info

Blood Bound by Áine P Massie

2012-04-17T03:00:00.000-05:00

Please welcome author Áine P Massie who brings to us Book Two of the House Millar Series.

Blood Bound

(Book Two of the House Millar series)

by Áine P Massie

How many ways can a hearts true love be shared? After poisoning, near death attacks, consummated passions, and possible insanity visit Anya, Nicholas, and Declán they embark on their future. Or at least they try to. Jealousy can be a pain, in more ways than one.

Can Anya protect her lovers, find peace within herself, and lead the House Millar? With her loves and guards, Nicholas and Declán, she sets out to do just that. If only life, eternal life, were that easy.

Come take a walk with our loving family and witness the strange turns and twists as life, love, and passions collide with greed, politics, and evil.

Excerpt 1

I stripped my clothes off after climbing into the shower, taking a strange pleasure in watching the rivulets of blood slough off my body and swirl down the drain. This wasn’t a shower for pleasure or comfort though; I wanted to escape what had just happened. I turned up the heat again, hoping to burn the sick feeling of their skin and blood off me. I couldn’t seem to calm completely. I wanted, craved more of an outlet for the frustrations. Holding in my power all the time wore on me but what else could I do?

Growling in frustration I punched the wall, not the smartest thing to do considering. The beautiful tile cracked where the wall dented in around my fist. Great, now I have to have the shower wall fixed. With a heavy sigh I slid down the back wall into a sitting position letting the water crash down over my head taking with it the proof of my out of control violence.

Ma dame? Louis’s voice intruded cautiously on my solitude but considering the sound the punch had made I wasn’t surprised really.

Don’t worry, Louie. The only danger in here with me, is me.

Yes, Ma dame. Let me know when you’re finished. I have fresh clothes for you. He’d slipped back into servant mode, which was strangely comforting.

Thank you, Louie. Soon. I spent a little longer working through my frustrations and hair. With hair so long and thick it took a while to get all the blood out.

Excerpt 2

“Mine? You should check yours out sometime. As if being with Nic and me wasn’t enough to question it, now you’ve added Louie but in some type of servant-slash-lover position. I think you win the straight jacket award. But your taking of Louie actually isn’t what I wanted to question you about. Your battle lust is more my concern right now. You had a hard time calming down and being yourself again. You really didn’t seem better till after the shower, though smashing the tile seemed a little excessive to me.” I could see true concern in his eyes.

“A ghrá, I don’t know how to explain what’s going on inside me. I hate fighting because I enjoy it too much. I like it. Not the death part but the power.” I was trailing my fingers down his arm, enjoying the feeling of his hard muscles. For someone so powerfully built and trained it was almost comical that he was in college for architecture.

“Oh, I know you like the power,” he said gripping my wrists suddenly and pinning them down. “But you like the resistance too. You like to dominate, to conquer, but you like the fight as well. It’s something you haven’t quite figured out yet, I think.” He had a dangerous, hungry look in his eyes but wasn’t pushing beyond restraining my wrists.

“Oh I do, do I? I think you just like me trying to dominate your strength some days.” Flipping so I was straddling his waist and pinning him, I stared into those eternally deep sapphire blue eyes of his. Goddess knows I still wanted some form of physical release for this energy!

“Yes,” he panted as he struggled to break my hold on his wrists. I never use much of my strength with him, always too afraid to hurt him. For some reason I wasn’t being as careful this time. He would have to be more than just strong to win this one. “And I never said I didn’t like fighting back.” With that he bucked catching me off guard and allowing him the momentum to turn me over. He was smart though, he stretched out so his body held mine down as his legs and hands pinned me.

His face was only inches away and as the heat crashed over me a swirl of images came to mind. Pleasing yet disorienting. Disturbing . . .

Buy Links

Kindle – http://amzn.to/blood-bound

Nook – http://bit.ly/BN-blood-bound

Smashwords – http://bit.ly/bloodbound-smash

All Romance – http://bit.ly/bloodbound-ARe

eStore – http://bit.ly/blood-bound-estore

Amazon Print – http://amzn.to/blood-bound-pb

About the Author

Áine P Massie is originally from Florida, she now lives in Wisconsin where she works on her House Millar series full time while raising four children (the term herding cats comes to mind). Her major in College was Childhood Education (0-5) with a minor study in Deaf Culture/ASL. She is also a Wiccan priestess dedicated to the gods, family, and love.

A lifelong reader, Áine has always had a particular fascination with vampires, mythology, and the unusual. When she can escape from her children and books, she enjoys . . . oh yes, reading, playing, ritual, a good cappuccino, and working with her healing stones.

Her first published work came in high school where she was part of a writing and drama group. But, she’s been reading the likes of Shakespeare and Poe since late elementary school and enjoys most forms of fiction. Blood’s Voice has been a long time in coming and with its publication (June 2011) Áine embarked on a new chapter in her life.

Áine P Massie is currently working on her third novel, Glamour Blade.

Social Contact

Website – http://apmassie.com

Facebook (Author) – https://www.facebook.com/apmassie.author

Facebook (Series) – https://www.facebook.com/BloodsVoice

Twitter – http://twitter.com/AnyaMillar

Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/anyamillar

Google + – https://plus.google.com/115857487824411469639/

eMail – anya.millar@gmail.com

Book Data

BLOOD BOUND

Áine P Massie

Geas Publishing

Paranormal Romance / Fiction

eBook – $4.99

Paperback – $14.99

ISBN-13: 978-1463593025

ISBN-10: 1463593023

ASIN: B007CJ64WA

BN ID: 2940013969902

Seeking A Scribe by Marsha A. Moore

2012-04-16T04:00:00.000-05:00

**Giveaway **

Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One

Enter to win one of eight digital copies of Marsha A. Moore’s first book in her Enchanted Bookstore Legends series, SEEKING A SCRIBE.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One

Genre: Fantasy romance

Description:

Lyra McCauley is a writer and loves fantasy novels, but until she opens a selection from bookstore owner Cullen Drake, she has no idea he’s a wizard character who lives a double life inside that volume…or the story’s magic will compel her from the edge of depression to adventure, danger, and love.

His gift to Lyra, the Book of Dragonspeir, was actually her copy, misplaced years ago. Lost in her pain following divorce and death, she fails to recognize him as her childhood playmate from the fantasyland. Friendship builds anew. Attraction sparks. But Lyra doubts whether a wizard is capable of love. She’s torn—should she protect her fragile heart or risk new love?

Opening the book’s cover, she confronts a quest: save Dragonspeir from destruction by the Black Dragon before he utilizes power of August’s red moon to expand his strength and overthrow the opposing Imperial Dragon. Lyra accepts the challenge, fearing Cullen will perish if evil wins. Along with magical animal guides, Cullen helps her through many perils, but ultimately Lyra must use her own power…and time is running out.

Get it at Amazon

Excerpt:

Chapter One: Licorice Memories

The smell of anise greeted Lyra as she opened the door to Drake’s bookstore. It took her back to happy childhood memories. Licorice-shoe-string-rewards for following her parents’ requests to stay on the dock while they secured the family’s pleasure boat to its trailer. The aroma brought a fleeting remembrance of times long gone, a treasure now that her folks had recently passed. At ease with the familiar scent, she settled into browsing through rows of antique bookcases.

The shop owner stuck his head around a set of shelves. “Do you like tea?”

“Yes, I do.” Before she could finish speaking, he disappeared. “Is that the wonderful smell?” she called out.

Kitchenware clinked in the back room. Receiving no answer, Lyra followed the noises, scanning collections as she walked. This bookshop appeared established, but surely she would have remembered it from her last visit to the Lake Huron village five years ago. Books were her passion, especially fantasy. She paused in front of that section and studied its titles.

The owner appeared, holding a pewter tray with a teapot, two cups, sugar jar, spoons, and napkins, which he laid on the corner of an old library table. She watched him carefully pour the tea and hand her a cup. He was about her age, mid thirties or a bit older, and handsome. His medium brown hair, peppered with gray at the temples, grazed his shoulders in wavy layers, and his beard was trimmed into a neat goatee. He wore long shorts, a knit golf shirt, and sandals—typical casual attire for this island resort community.

She set down her bag from the drugstore and accepted his offer with a smile. “Thanks. My name’s Lyra.” She blew across the hot surface of the tea to cool it and then inhaled the anise-scented steam. She closed her eyes to fully enjoy the memory. “Ah!”

“Afternoons of boating and licorice with your parents? Right?” he asked.

Her mouth dropped open. How did he know that?

He slurped from his cup. “Go ahead, take a sip. My folks gave me the same reward for taking my kid sister along on bicycle rides.”

Forgetting all about the tea, she asked, “How do you know my childhood memory?”

“Taste it.” His lips curled into a sly grin as he took another gulp.

She cautiously took a tiny sip, just enough to wet her lips and the tip of her tongue. The flavor flooded her mouth, and her mind swam with wonderful memories. The taste transformed into that of gigantic popcorn balls the sheriff’s wife down the street made for Halloween trick-or-treaters, accompanied by images of Lyra’s costume—a red, fringed gypsy skirt borrowed from Mom. Next came a pumpkin flavor and vision of holding a cold piece of “punky-pie” in her five-year-old hand. Another swallow returned her experience back to anise. “What is this? How did you know?”

“Let me introduce myself.” His grin spread into a smile as his eyes met hers. He took a step closer. “I’m Cullen, Cullen Drake, and I know many things. What I don’t know is what sort of books you like to read.”

His keen interest caused heat to rise in her cheeks. “Well, actually I have several favorites, all fantasy and magical realism. You have a number of authors I like in this section.” She turned to refer to the shelves behind her, but found non-fiction hunting guides instead. “This case held classic fantasy a moment ago!”

Cullen put down his cup. “It moved. It’s over here, and I have just what you want.” He slid an old-fashioned library ladder along its track, set the locking device, and climbed straight up to the top shelf.

Lyra followed, walking between four comfortable leather club chairs grouped on a Persian rug. A portrait of a young girl and a man wearing a cloak caught her attention. Something seemed familiar in the child’s smile.

The noise of books sliding on shelves distracted her. She moved to the base of his ladder and glanced up. The ceiling of embossed tin panels decorated with Victorian teardrop chandeliers and paper Chinese dragons made a unique combination, to be sure.

But Lyra was more curious about the strange happenings in the store and its owner. He was certainly odd, although not the bookish, geeky sort who usually ran bookshops she frequented. He had an athletic frame and strong legs.

“Can’t find it!” he exclaimed and quickly descended. His brow furrowed, he dusted off his hands on his shorts. “I’ve got to find that volume for you. If you don’t mind me saying, there’s a sadness about you. The book will make you happier than you’ve been since those days of licorice shoe strings.”

“After magical tea and shifting bookcases, I almost believe you.” She laughed to cover her concerns. Even four months after it was final, she worried that the loneliness she felt after her divorce blazed like a beacon on her forehead. But, Cullen knew so much—it startled her…actually, intrigued her. Her ex didn’t ever see inside her, didn’t want to. This man read her as though he knew her. Did he? He seemed so familiar.

“Once I find that book, I promise, you’ll be pleased.” He stroked his goatee. “Hmm. Where did I last see it?” The twinkle in his gray-blue eyes captivated Lyra. “Will you be here for the week? I can look for it and call you later.”

“I’m staying the rest of the summer with my elderly Aunt Jean. She owns a lovely cottage at the end of Walnut overlooking Lake Huron. I thought I’d keep her company and give her time away from her nurse during my teaching break. While I’m here, I plan to write my novel.”

“Great! You’re a writer? What do you teach?”

“Yes, and I teach American Literature at Southern University in Florida. Seems like you already would’ve known that since you jumped into my childhood memories,” she stammered, attempting some humor. Taking a long draught of the tea, her mind filled with memories of her pet dachshund wiggling next to her, displacing a row of dolls. Another part of her past he knew—impossible! Her forehead beaded with sweat.

“No, only thoughts associated with a lot of emotion, like the happiness of snuggling with your dog.”

“How?” she exclaimed, shaking her head. “I don’t understand.” Her mind swam, trying to grasp what happened. She desperately needed some fresh air. With trembling hands she set the cup down.

“I realize it must seem odd, but the book I’m looking for will help explain.” He leaned closer with a smile that somehow reassured her. “This is Saturday. If you can come by next Wednesday morning, I think I should have it for you by then…if you’d like.” He paused and looked into her eyes, waiting for a reply.

“Yes…I’m curious.” In spite of the confusion, she found herself agreeing. “Wednesday will work.”

“Fine. Let me take down your number in case I can’t find it.” He walked to the counter and located a notepad and pen. She dictated her number and full name, which he repeated, “Lyra McCauley, a lovely Celtic name for a pretty lady.”

“I think I need to go now. Thanks for the tea.” With shaking fingers, she collected her shopping bag and headed toward the door.

He escorted her out and offered his hand to shake, the corners of his goatee lifting into an inviting grin. “Enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

Lyra smiled and looked into his eyes, trying to discern his unusual clairvoyant gift. “You too.” The initial touch, of his palm against hers, sent electrical shivers along her arm. She jerked, yet didn’t let go, fascinated by the strong emotions flashing through her mind—attraction, excitement, and acceptance. After an awkwardly long pause, she dropped his hand, half-stumbled over the threshold into the sunshine, and took a long, deep breath.

She ambled to an outdoor café a couple blocks farther down Tenth Street, while her mind buzzed with questions. How did he know those things about her? She dropped onto a seat at an empty table, shaded by an umbrella. He was fascinating and frightening at the same time…and familiar. Her divorce and loss of her parents left her lonely. He intrigued her.

“May I get you something to drink while you look over the menu?” The waitress interrupted with a bright young voice, a college student working a summer job.

Startled back to reality, Lyra murmured, “Just water, please.” Alone in a crowd of lunch goers, her thoughts returned to the bookstore and many unanswered questions.

The waitress placed a glass of water in front of her.

She almost hated to drink and remove the sweet aftertaste of anise from her tongue.

Author Bio:

Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Her creativity also spills into watercolor painting and drawing. After a move from Toledo to Tampa in 2008, she’s happily transforming into a Floridian, in love with the outdoors. Crazy about cycling, she usually passes the 1,000 mile mark yearly. She is learning kayaking and already addicted. She’s been a yoga enthusiast for over a decade and that spiritual quest helps her explore the mystical side of fantasy. She never has enough days spent at the beach, usually scribbling away at new stories with toes wiggling in the sand. Every day at the beach is magical!

Website: http://MarshaAMoore.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MarshaAMoore

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marshaamooreauthorpage

Fantasy Faction staff page: http://fantasy-faction.com/staff-members?uid=38

Goodreads author page http://www.goodreads.com/marshaamoore

Google + https://plus.google.com/u/0/100564214132835514192/posts

Tempted by Elise Marion

2012-04-10T11:42:00.001-05:00

I'd like to thank Elise for making it today.

I've been out of internet for 3 days, and because of her being here, I have it again!!!!

So not only did she tempt the internet to come back, she has more goodies for everyone!

GIVEAWAY!!!

Tour wide giveaway:

2 copies of book 1 'Fallen', and 1 prize pack containing both books

Enter Here!

Tempted

Book 2

By Elise Marion

In a world full of the sick and dying, the hurting and desperate, and those lost in darkness, angels dwell. Messenger angel Sarah is focused, dedicated to the cause of heaven in the war against hell. For centuries she has watched other angels succumb to temptation and break the rules governing relationships between angels and humans. Sarah has vowed to never become one of the ‘Fallen’ angels, now demons cursed to wander the depths of hell for eternity. She knows that she is stronger than the others, incapable of emotional attachment and the feelings of love and desire that can be so dangerous to her kind.

Jackson Bennett is alone in the world, and he prefers it that way. The former Army sergeant has seen more death than any human ought to experience in one lifetime. Even his dreams are haunted by the faces of those who have lost their lives because of him. He feels lost, purposeless, until an encounter with an angel reveals the secret purpose that he was made for. Born of a superior race of humans, Jackson learns of a special assignment.

Should he accept, he will become an important part of world that exists between heaven, hell, and earth. After all that he has been through, Jackson doesn’t know if he’s ready to take on such a heavy responsibility; what he does know is that he could lose himself in the eyes of Sarah, the intriguing angel assigned to him. She is the only person who seems to understand the darkness and pain that have enveloped his heart; she is the only person capable of driving them away.

In a battle between love or loneliness, divinity or damnation, Sarah’s choice once seemed easy. What she finds is that the black and white lines that once defined her world are now impossibly blurred and gray. What she finds is that she may not be not quite as strong as she thought.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/L2vXifpTQqc

Fallen

Book 1

By Elise Marion

In a world full of the sick and dying, the hurting and desperate, and those lost in darkness, angels dwell. An angel of healing, Amir has spent centuries performing miracles for people hovering at the very edge of death.

A professional ballerina, Shayla lives her life to dance. Abandoned by her family, she is alone in the world yet determined to pursue her dream. When a car accident leaves Shayla in critical condition and in danger of never dancing again, it seems that all hope is lost.

Amir enters Shayla’s life intending to heal her, but when he sees her laying in her hospital bed fighting for her life, something unfamiliar resounds within him. A stranger to desire and love, Amir is drawn to Shayla like a moth to a flame despite the fact that the rules of heaven forbid angels to engage in romantic relationships with mortals. Should he give in to temptation he will become one of the “Fallen”, demons cursed to the depths of hell for eternity.

As his desire for Shayla rises to fever pitch, Amir will face the choice between love and damnation, or loneliness and divinity. Will an angel who has roamed the earth alone for centuries choose to continue on the path of righteousness, or will he fall captive to his burning desires and be forever damned

Amazon Barnes and Noble ARe Smashwords

Elise Marion Bio

As a child I always had my nose in a book. From R.L. Stine to Chronicles of Narnia to The Babysitter's Club and Sweet Valley High, I read it all. When I started Junior High and found out that the school library had over 400,000 books, my goal was to read every single one! Of course I didn't achieve that particular goal, but I sure had fun trying!

In high school I developed a talent for writing and discovered romance. Needless to say I combined my love for both and am now a published Indie author. After almost a year of peddling my book from agent to agent with no success I decided that my work was good enough despite the constant rejection. That's when I discovered the world of indie publishing through e-books. I couldn't have made a better decision than stepping out on faith and doing something for myself instead of waiting around for someone else to do it for me.

A litle bit more about me: My husband Kevin and I have been married for 4 years and have two beautiful children, Haley (4) and Gavin (4 months). We are a military family, which means I spend alot of my time alone with two children. People often ask me how I deal with the military life. I simply say, someone's got to do it, right? I am proud of my husband for serving his country.

When I'm not reading (which is almost always) or writing (I try to every day), I am watching movies (which I love), cooking (which I love even more) or watching someone else cook on TV (love me some Paula Deen). I have been singing my entire life and enjoy being my church's choir every Sunday. My large, extended family is close and means the world to me.

website: www.elisemarion.com

blog: http://theromancewritersreads.blogspot.com

facebook: www.facebook.com/elisemarion86

twitter: @elise_marion

goodreads: www.goodreads.com/elise_marion

DARK SIDE OF PURGATORY By L.J. Hadaway

2012-04-06T08:32:00.004-05:00

***GIVEAWAY*****

Giveaway is an ebook copy of Dark Side of Purgatory

Please leave your email for your chance to win!!!

There is also a tour wide giveaway: to enter click here.

DARK SIDE OF PURGATORY

By L.J. Hadaway

Jaxon Slater was the life-of-the-party- guy until one day he woke up in Purgatory. He runs into a mean bunch of ...guys...an unlikely guide and... possible redemption. His quest is finding a certain young woman and steering her away from the path of Destruction that killed him. He will need to face the wreckage of his past. Old temptations linger. Dark forces shadow his path.

Book Trailer http://youtu.be/UEQ83Rxn-7Y

Long blurb

Everyone knows Jaxon Slater. He’s the life-of-the-party guy. He’s the fun guy we want to invite to our out door barbeques but not marry our daughters. He is our nephew, the next-door neighbor who drinks too much, a friend of a friend that overdosed on heroin. He’s the class clown in high school that was always in trouble from drinking and driving.

Jaxon Slater has ‘pushed the envelope’ and tried to scam his way through most of his life. He’s charismatic and good-looking. Many things come easy to Jaxon. Sobriety isn’t one of them. He’s tried staying clean numerous times but always falls back into relapse, using one more time. His long time sponsor had warned him plenty... His last use of heroin landed him dead-in Purgatory.

Jaxon believes he is having a terrible nightmare until he finds an old friend and recalls how he died. Reality sets in and Jaxon begins to learn the rules of the strange land. He runs into a mean bunch of guys, an unlikely guide and... possible redemption. His quest is to find a certain young woman and steer her away from the path of Destruction that killed him. In doing so, he will need to face the wreckage of his past. Old temptations linger and Dark forces shadow his path. Jaxon has no idea his journey will take him to an abyss of his deepest fears.

http://www.lindahadaway.com/#!__dark-side

Excerpt:

Jaxon panted from exertion while he jogged towards his old buddy. He stopped a few feet away, leaned over, and rested his hands at the top of his knees, gasping for air. It took a moment for him to catch his breath. He stood up and looked over his old friend. He looked identical to the last time Jaxon saw him. Skinny dude, his lean face held a beard with a touch of gray beginning at his temples and chin, sporting a ponytail, worn blue jeans, and a black turtleneck sporting The Doors.

Shorts gave a slight grin and shook his head.

“So, you’re here too?”

“Uh?” Jaxon responded, unsure if he heard him right. He smiled back. “I’m having this crazy dream. It’s funny you being here, I haven’t thought about you in....” He stopped. Jaxon’s eyes squinted a bit, trying to pull up an old memory. It came to him. “I thought you were....” His voice trailed off.

“Dead?” Shorts answered.

Jaxon nodded.

Shorts looked passed Jaxon, staring at what seemed like nothing, and paused. His voice was low and heavy, as if coming from a deep well. “One hellav’a pile up on my bike.”

Jaxon remembered hearing about it now. Shorts going too fast around a corner on his Harley, grazing a telephone pole. Tipping sideways, the only thing in his way was the damn guide wire, bolted into the ground.

His forehead furrowed deep calling up the memory...taking his head clean off. Jaxon glanced at Shorts’ neck, but the turtleneck he wore hid any...scars. He shuddered again. A feeling of anxiety began to stir in his stomach. “I guess I’m still dreaming.” He glanced down the paved road. “Where are we? It’s the old neighborhood, but different.”

Shorts tilted his head back and laughed. Meeting Jaxon’s look, Shorts’ eyes flashed red. Jaxon reared back, remembering the lizard’s eyes a few minutes earlier. His old friend opened his mouth to speak. Jaxon noticed his teeth were rotten, probably from all the meth he used to inject. His voice took on a different tone now. It seemed to echo as he spoke. An evil grin emerged.

“Why, we’re on the dark side of Purgatory, Jaxon Slater.”

“Purgatory?” Jaxon questioned, his nightmare fears expanding.

“Yeah. That limbo place between Heaven and Hell. And we’re on the dark side….” He laughed. “A long ways from Heaven, but only a hop and skip from Hell.”

Shorts climbed on his bike. “Come on, bro.” He waved for Jaxon to get on. Jaxon got behind him. Shorts turned, formed his fingers into a make believe gun, lowered his thumb, and pretended to shoot him. “And you’re dead.”

About the Author:

I live in a small town in Washington State near the Cascade Mountains. I have worked in the Human Services field for thirty years, mainly in chemical addition. My writing genre has taken me to different arenas: suspense- One Step Ahead Of Danger, contemporary-Life Choices and now, with Dark Side Of Purgatory, the paranormal.

Writing has always been a great passion of mine and seeing my books published in the last few years, has certainly made my dreams come true.

I hope that you, the reader, will share your thoughts about this book with me. Please drop me a line at: ljhadaway@hotmail.com

I make my own book trailers, which you can view at: www.lindahadaway.com

Thank you for reading…..If you have a “Jaxon Slater” in your life, please remember him in your prayers. There’s always hope.

Whistle Down the Wind by Sibelle Stone

2012-04-02T04:00:00.000-05:00

A big Mystique welcome to Sibelle and her book Whistle Down the Wind!

Sibelle is giving away a copy of Beneath a Silver Moon -

either a free Ebook or a print copy-

and a One $10 Starbucks Gift Card open to US Shipping-

Please leave your email in the comment box below!

___________

Whistle Down the Wind

Book One The Mystic Moon Series – Featuring the Glyndwr sisters

Elemental witches!

Genre: Historical romance with paranormal elements
Publisher: Moon Valley Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9839103-2-9
Page count: 360

Blurb:

Escaping from the persecution of the European witch hunts, a beautiful witch with the power to control the wind joins forces with a handsome Cavalier on a mission to save the King of England and the colony of Virginia.

Catlin Glyndwr is a tenth generation Mistress of Elements — a hereditary witch who can call upon her elemental spirits for assistance in casting spells.

Accused of witchcraft in seventeenth century England, she faces the hangman. Even though she took a vow never to hurt anyone with her magic, if her true powers are revealed, she’ll be executed.

Sir Griffin Reynolds is on his way to the colony of Virginia, on a secret mission to locate Puritan rebels intent upon seizing the throne of King Charles II. When his best friend becomes deathly ill while interrogating a beautiful Welsh maiden accused of using magic to attack a local official – Griffin is forced to strike a bargain with her in order to save his friend’s life.

When Catlin and Griffin travel together on a voyage to the American colonies, they try to resist the pull of erotic sensuality that flares between them. It is a temptation they both soon crave. But danger lurks aboard ship and evil haunts Catlin. She must learn how her destiny is linked with that of the man who has vowed to protect her.

In a dangerous and unexplored world, where superstition exists along side the new discoveries of science, powerful elemental spirits are capable of assisting the magical adepts. But there is always danger in harnessing magic and a price to pay when one calls to the spirit world for help.

While Griffin tries to deny his attraction to Catlin, she works her own special magic on his heart and he discovers he cannot resist falling under her sensual spell.

Together, Catlin and Griffin learn that a journey of the heart requires courage, trust and the ability to believe in the astonishing gift of love.

Tagline: A beautiful witch discovers there’s more then one way to be wicked!

__________

Mapping Your Way to Success: Goal Setting

Sibelle Stone

For many writers, the challenge to reaching their career goals begins with learning to set goals.

What is a goal? Something you want to achieve within a specific period of time. Based on what YOU can do, not based on the actions of outside people. Goals help you organize your time and stay on track.

Example: I will sell my book to a Big 6 publisher.

You don’t control this

No specific timeframe

Measureable only if you do or don’t accomplish it, no possible revision

Better Goal: I will query 6 agents about my completed manuscript (XX) by June 1, 2012.

SMART Goals

A useful way of making goals more powerful is to use the SMART mnemonic. While there are plenty of variants (some of which we've included in parenthesis), SMART usually stands for:

S - Specific (or Significant).

M - Measurable (or Meaningful).

A - Attainable (or Action-Oriented).

R - Relevant (or Rewarding).

T - Time-bound (or Trackable).

Creating Goals:

List Method – What do I want to accomplish in 10 years? 5 years? In 2012?

Career Plan for Authors – What do you want and how will you know when you arrive at your destination? What factors influence this goal?

MindMap – A drawing of your goal and all the “baby steps” you need to take to achieve it.

Journaling – Keep writing down things you want to do/accomplish as you think of them over a week. Then organize them into goals.

Prioritize Your Activity

Choose (3) main goals and work on those. Too many goals = too many distractions.

Be realistic, what can you accomplish in the stated period of time?

Performance, not outcome. What factors do you control?

You MUST write your goals down.

Create a monthly goal chart, then weekly, then a daily To Do list. This breaks your individual tasks into manageable bits. And you can always move things around.

Schedule a regular review of your goals.

What do you need to achieve your goal?

Education

Research

Reading/Books

Other people

Beware the Fear Monster! Fear of failure or success can be the biggest roadblock to achieving your goal.

Figure out what works for you, and then keep using it.

Author Bio

Sibelle Stone is the pseudonym for award winning historical romance author Deborah Schneider. Sibelle writes sexy steampunk and paranormal stories, filled with magic, mad scientists, dirigibles, automatons, and creatures that would scare the panties off Deborah. In her spare time Sibelle enjoys dressing up in Victorian ensembles, modding play guns into something that looks a bit more sinister and wearing hats.

Author Bio: Deborah Schneider

A lifelong love of American history led Deborah Schneider from teaching high school to writing novels. Her first book, Beneath A Silver Moon won the Molly award for “Most Unsinkable Heroine” from the Heart of Denver chapter of RWA and was later a finalist in the New Historical Voice Contest in 2000. Her most recent release Promise Me won the 2011 EPIC Award for Best Western Romance. Her first steampunk story, No Ordinary Love was published in fall 2011. Deborah is employed by the busiest and best library system in the U.S. She’s received the “Open Book Award” from Pacific Northwest Writers and was named “Librarian of the Year” by Romance Writers of America in 2009.

Portal by Imogen Rose

2012-04-01T11:26:00.000-05:00

Please welcome Imogen Rose as we delve into her book Portal.

For the Portal Tour, Imogen is giving away:

1. Kindle Fire

2. Five (5) signed paperback copies of Portal

Open to US shipping

Please go here to enter.

Portal

by Imogen Rose

Blurb:

Come Find Me Two Years Ago...

Six words that propelled ice hockey playing tomboy, Arizona, into an alternate dimension.

She suddenly found herself in the past. In one moment she went from being an ice hockey playing teenager in New Jersey to a glamorous cheerleader in California. She found herself transported from a happy life with her dad, Dillard, to a new, strange one living with her mother whom she hates. Apparently it's a life she's always lived in.

Everyone knows her as Arizona Darley, but she isn't. She is Arizona Stevens.

As she struggles to find answers she is certain of one thing- that her mother Olivia, a brilliant physicist, is somehow responsible...

PORTAL is the story of the repercussions of Olivia Darley's attempt at creating a perfect world for herself and her children. Arizona's quest for answers threatens to undermine the seemingly perfect world that her mother has so carefully constructed.

PORTAL is the first book of the Portal Chronicles. Fans of time travel, romance, and the supernatural will enjoy Arizona's quest for answers

Smashwords Paperback Kindle

Equilibrium Portal Book 2 Quantum Portal Book 3 Momentum Portal Book 4

Meet Imogen Rose

Imogen Rose is the author of the bestselling YA series, the Portal Chronicles. She was born in a small town in Sweden and moved to London in her twenties. After obtaining a PhD in immunology from Imperial College, she moved with her family to New Jersey, where she’s been based for the past ten years.

For as long as she can remember, Imogen has dreamt stories. Stories that continued from night to night, from dream to dream. So, even as a child, going to bed was never an issue, just an anticipation of the story to come.
PORTAL, Imogen’s first novel, would have remained in her imagination, to be shared only with her daughter, Lauren, had her eight-year-old not insisted that she write it down. In the course of a month, Imogen typed while Lauren waited eagerly by the printer for the pages to appear, and a novel took shape.

The warm reception PORTAL received encouraged her to continue with the story and the Portal Chronicles. The Bonfire Chronicles is Imogen’s new YA paranormal series.

Imogen is a self-confessed Hermès addict who enjoys shopping, traveling, watching movies and playing with her dog, Tallulah.

First Series by Dawne Dominique

2012-03-30T07:43:00.000-05:00

Hello and welcome to Dawne Dominique and her First Series to The Mystique!

Eden's Hell, I: The First

In the beginning…

God created man and called him Adam, a fine specimen replicated in his own image. He then created woman to ease Adam’s loneliness and named her Lillith. Unfortunately, God realized his mistake too late in giving woman free will, for she would rule her domain—not man.

When Lillith left Adam, God created another for his first-born son and gave her the name Eve and a kingdom called Eden, but by then it was too late, for he’d unleashed Hell into the world of man.

Publisher Print Kindle

Dark Diary, II: The First

Daniella Rolfe, a seven-century old First vampire is unwittingly drawn together with a City of Winnipeg detective, who happens to be investigating a string of some rather bizarre serial murders. It doesn’t take long for her to discover that this mere mortal man holds more power over her than any she's ever known.

And Aiden…he's only dreamed about women like Daniella.

Blood battles and broken vows are just the beginning of Daniella Rolfe’s woes.

Publisher Print Kindle

Kindred Blood, III: The First

There is nothing thicker—or stronger—than kindred blood.

Being married in Scotland sounds like the perfect romantic getaway, doesn't it? For Daniella Rolfe and Aiden Blackmore, the nightmare they'd left behind was just the beginning. When Aiden is kidnapped, Daniella will go to any lengths to ensure he's brought safely back to her, no matter the amount of blood to be shed. Together with Spencer Dalton, a private investigator she hired to help find Aiden, they begin to unravel more than they bargained for.

Broken vows are the least of Daniella's worries now.

Publisher Print Kindle

*These books are erotic romance novels with strong sexual content*

About the Author:

Dawné Dominique is a multi-published author of paranormal romance and fantasy. Weaving tales of intrigue that include riveting characters and spellbinding plots, she takes great pleasure in immersing an unsuspecting reader into the worlds she created, refusing to let them go until that last page is read.

She embraces life with one simple rule:

“Everything in life happens for a reason, be it good or bad, and

it’s because of this we learn to never take anything for granted.”

www.dawnedominique.com

www.DusktildawnDesigns.com

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000501135339

Mila Ramos - Jademystique Blog

7 Tips To Writing Paranormal Romance

7 Tips To Writing Paranormal Romance

1. Originality in your writing

2. Mythology-create a solid mythology

3. A strong Female heroine.

Tips for writing a strong female character

1. History,

2. Empathize

3. Weak can become strong

4. Hero!

Stand out

2. Supernatural

3. Violence

5. Conflict and villains

Types of conflict

Personal

Supernatural

Event conflict

Villains

6. Violence

7. still needs a happily ever after

Texas Heart Series by Lisa Mondello

First Vision by Heather Topham Wood

Her Loving Husband's Curse by Meredith Allard

The Unsacred Gift by C.S. Dorsey

An Unexpected Baby by Shadonna Richards

Beauty's Enchanted Beasts by Jessica Frost

Demonically Tempted by Stacey Kennedy

Blitz Day! Blitz 3: Shadow of Kings

Blitz Day! Blitz 2: Blood Jewel

Welcome to Blitz Day!!! Blitz 1: Bewitched Destiny!

Back on Tour!

Family Emergency

MERLYN’S RAVEN by Rose Vanden Eynden

Bloodstorm by Amber Kallyn

Julie Rowe LIVE Twitter Party

North of Heartbreak by Julie Rowe

Off Limits by Renee Pace

Blood Bound by Áine P Massie

Seeking A Scribe by Marsha A. Moore

Tempted by Elise Marion

DARK SIDE OF PURGATORY By L.J. Hadaway

Whistle Down the Wind by Sibelle Stone

Portal by Imogen Rose

First Series by Dawne Dominique