Lindsay's Scribblings

Guest blogger: LM Brown!

2012-02-16T03:29:00.002-07:00

Happy Thursday! Today's guest is author LM Brown. Enjoy!

You want me to dowhat?

Welcome to the fifth and final day of myblog tour in celebration of Valentine’s Day and also my newly releasedValentine’s Day themed short story.

During this short tour I have blogged aboutthe origins of Valentine’s Day, Lupercalia, how the tradition of the first mana woman sees being her husband might work in the modern world, and all aboutthe birds.

But that is barely touching the tip of theiceberg of Valentine’s Day traditions. Of course we all know the obvious ones – sending flowers (often roses),cards signed from Your Valentine, etc. But what about some of the less obvious ones?

If you see someone doing somethingremarkably odd or unusual at this time of year, there’s a small chance they mayjust be trying to find their Valentine in a more unusual way.

See that girl walking round the church atmidnight on the Eve of Valentine’s Day? Maybe she’s looking for a lost piece of jewellery or perhaps she islost? If she walks round the churchtwelve times though, she is probably hoping it will make her dream of herfuture husband that night.

No, it’s not very late ChristmasCarollers. In the 18^th and 19^thcenturies children singing door to door on Valentine’s Day was notunusual. Some sang songs of romance,others not so much.

Putting five bay leaves on a pillow (one ineach corner and one in the centre) is another way of dreaming of your truelove, provided you recite one of several rhymes before you sleep. Of course, there are so many variations onthe rhymes and the number of times you should say them, you may not get tosleep at all that night.

Despite the popularity of birds inValentine’s traditions, eggs are not so popular. If you feed your would be sweetheart eggs onValentine’s Day you are saying no to them. Best to stick to apples and pears, as they are said to mean yes.

Of course, you may not believe in all ofthis at all, or you may decide to make up your own tradition instead, just likethe friend of one of the heroes of my new release did with her Anti-Valentine’sParty.

Blurb

Can a wrong number lead to Mr Right? Nick Davis’s life takes anunexpected turn when a stranger starts leaving messages on his answer machine.Is there hope Nick can become more to Connor Hayes than just a wrong number?

Excerpt

Nick Davis stumbled from his bedroom intothe kitchen, cringing at the bright sunlight of the January morning. He snappedthe blinds down, causing him to simultaneously sigh with relief at the moresubdued light and groan at the sound, which echoed far too loudly for hisliking. Every step he took was careful and measured, so as not to make hisaching head pound any more than necessary. He spared a glance at the blinkingred light on the answering machine: a new message. Suspecting it to be aslightly belated Happy New Year greeting, and probably a loud one, Nick left itfor the moment. He headed for the fridge and a hangover cure in the form ofhair of the dog, also known as a nice cold beer.

Damn, what did I do last night? Heremembered meeting his mates at The Red Lion for a night out on the town.They'd had a few drinks there before moving on to The Royal Oak. Then they'dheaded out to the city, where things started to get a little hazy. He didrecall Marc screaming Happy New Year down the phone at least an hour early, butmidnight itself was a complete blank. He supposed he should be thankful he'dmade it home in one piece, and hadn't woken up to find a strange man in his bedthis morning.

After nursing his hangover until mid-afternoonNick finally remembered the message and hit the play button.

"Hey, baby! Happy New Year! Missingyou already. I can't wait to see you again. Give me a call to let me know yougot back safely. Love you."

Nick frowned at the answer machine. Hedidn't recognise the voice of the soft-spoken man on the other end of thephone. Chalking it up to someone too inebriated to dial correctly, he deletedthe message and promptly forgot about it.

Available from Silver Publishing

https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/coming-soon-c-2/gift-of-love-anthology-ebook-p-804

Where to find L.M. Brown

Website – http://lmbrownauthor.webs.com/

Blog – http://lmbrownauthor.blogspot.com/

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001471647696

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

Valentine's Day Blog Hop!

2012-02-12T08:33:00.001-07:00

Ah, Valentine's Day. To prepare for the upcoming most-romantic-day-evah, I'm busy writing an opening involving a kidnapping and a fight. This poor character will be put through the wringer, but she'll find love along the way.

Hopefully, they can make it last. Time will tell.

There's nothing more that I love than a suspense tinged with romance and maybe some hot sex in there somewhere. ;) Hope y'all are enjoying the blog hop! Here's a short excerpt from The Reign of Delila, releasing March 10th. And don't forget to swing on by here to visit the other sites for the chance to win some awesome prizes!

Finnglanced down at me and smiled at my nonchalant expression. "Nothing fazesyou, does it?"

"No."

Hishead dipped low to my ear. "Come dance with me, my love," hemurmured. "I might be able to shake you up a bit." He tugged me ontothe dance floor, running his long and cool fingers down my neck.

Finnpulled me against him, my back pressed to his front, and ran his hands up mysides. Smiling, I threaded my hands behind his head and leaned against him.Eyes were beginning to watch us, and I'd caught one set at the bar.

Theman was young, mid twenties or so, built from years of athletics. Not a typicalfootballer or basketball player, though. Something different. He reclinedcasually against the bar, sipping from his longneck while his eyes traveledacross my length. I kept my eyes locked on him, narrowing in on the meal, as myhips began a slow rhythm against Finn.

"Isee you have an admirer," Finn whispered, his lips pressed against myneck. With a sharp jerk of my hip, I was facing him, pressed against his bodywith his thigh sliding between my legs. "I'm not sure he can handle you."

Hishands slid down my back as the music changed to a sensual song. "I haven'tmet any who can," I replied. My head fell back as I bent from the waist oneach booming beat, and his hand ran down my exposed stomach. People around usbegan to stop and stare. He yanked me back up, our bodies pressed so closelight had no hope of penetrating between us. Weaving my hand into his hair andtugging hard, I relished in his sharp intake of breath.

"You vixen," he said with a softlaugh, and spun me out by a hand. When I twirled back in, he captured my waistand cradled my cheek. For a split second, I wondered if he might kiss me, butthen I blinked and he was stepping back. "Go get your man."

Valentine's Day Blog Hop!

2012-02-11T13:59:00.002-07:00

How dare I?

I can't believe I forgot to post a blog for the Valentine's Day blog hop. Sincerest apologies to all you fine readers, though I hope you enjoyed some of the guests I've had this week.

Well, how's everyone's weekend going? Big plans for the Valentine's Day, I hope. My husband and I just celebrated our big ten years of marriage. We were together in high school, too, and when he joined the Army I tagged along for the ride. Here's us in high school:

Yeah, he was a lot skinnier, as was I. LOL, life happens, you know? Here's a more recent picture of us:

This was during his fourth and final deployment. So, since we just had an anniversary, we won't be doing anything special for the 14th. No big deal, he just bought me a new car to replace the one wrecked on the freeway, and we're getting our family room back since somebody's taking the pool table! Hooray for fireplaces in this frigid weather!

I'll be back tomorrow with more tales of romance, as I see it anyway. In the meantime, let me tell you what I'm offering for the blog hop:

(1) winner for a choice of any of my backlisted titles.

(1) winner of my new release coming out March 10.

And (2) winners for gift cards to Amazon, B&N, or AllRomance!

Don't forget to visit http://thebloghopspot.com/event-page/ for the full list of prizes you can win form so many fabulous peeps!

Here's some info on the books so you can think about it. Have a great Saturday!

Delila has roamed the Earth for over one thousand years with her maker, Alaric. She has everything a vampire could want: Beauty, brains, a booming business, and an ability to read human emotions. When a werewolf makes an imprint in her life, Delila feels she may have finally found the soul mate she has been seeking. But when everything goes terribly wrong Delila finds herself burdened with a young half breed child to protect from the evil forces of her world.

When you rule the vampires, you can expect a few hiccupshere and there.

But Delila McAllister hardly expects to find newborn vampireswreaking havoc on her world. No one is sure where the little beasts are comingfrom, or why they’re not decimating unknowing human populations.

Even as she’s trying to figure out one problem, anotherarises. Her Alpha werewolf daughter, Ana, is torn between her loyalty to Delilaand her pack’s desire for war.

Delila knows what she has to do. But can shesave her race, herself, and her daughter?

Mel McIntyre thought she was all set in thislife. She had a fabulous job, a cute apartment and a cat. But when her sisterdies and her last living relative, her nephew Joey, disappears, Mel findseverything she knows turned upside down.

Unwillingly thrown into a world she neverthought existed thanks to an almost fatal mistake made by Joey, Mel findsherself suddenly involved with a vampire named Levi. And she quickly discoversthis relationship isn’t the good thing she thought it to be.

As Mel becomes a shell of her former self, can shefind the strength to battle back? Or will she let the vampires win?

A neighbor, arrested, covered in his wife’s blood. Awolf stalking her. To top it all off, the new neighbor is trying to kill her—inher nightmares.

Billie is having one hell of a time with the new guyon the block. She can’t decide if she hates him or wants to take him to bed,for starters. And every time she dreams about him, she wakes up with driedblood on her body.

There’s only one explanation, but even Billie thinksshe’s crazy for believing it. No way is her neighbor trying to kill her…

Right?

Abigail Jones is a former prostitute who buys her freedomfrom a Mexican cartel boss and forges a new life. Secure in the knowledge thatshe's escaped her past, Abigail's world falls apart when her brother's head isdelivered to her in a brown paper box. And when the cartel boss sends anassassin to take her life, Abigail can't deny the danger she faces.

While Abby struggles to recreate herself and tries to focus on conforming to the rules of the Witness Protection Program, not to mention life with her toddler nephew, the cartel continues their search for her. And although life seems to slowly return to some form of normalcy, little does Abby know that her past is slowly closing in on her.

So, there you have it! Enjoy, happy weekend, and as always:

Blog Hop: TD Jones!

2012-02-10T05:17:00.003-07:00

Happy Friday! Today, I'm welcoming TD Jones for an interview and flash fiction, the author of Coming Up For Air. Enjoy!

Please tell the readers a little about yourself: Myname is Teresa Jones and I write under the name of T.D. Jones. I’m a Texas galand have been all my life. I write romance/humor and family drama.

How about your latest release? My latest release iscalled Coming Up For Air. It is a sweet romance about love that was lost for along time and then found again later in life.

What was your primary inspiration for this book?Maggie Dawson, the main character for the story, came to me one night andstarted telling me how Kevin Walker left her standing at the altar eighteenyears ago.

Do you have any muses? My Aunt Hazel is my muse. Sheis always throwing something out there that makes me think “what if”

Do you control your characters or do they flog youinto shape? I try to control them in the beginning but they end up telling mewhat we are going to do in a story.

When you write, is there a special routine youfollow? I work full time at a hospital so I just grab writing time wherever andwhenever I can. I have given up a lot of weekend fun time to get my storiesdone, but it is all worth it in the end. I don’t have any kids at home so thathelps a lot.

If you could be one animal, person, or at a placefor a day what/who/where would it be? I would be my cat, Smokey. He was a strayand we took him in and he’s very spoiled.

Five random facts about you: I’m only 5’1. I love toorganize. I suck at math. I believe a bubble bath can cure anything. It’s hardfor me to stay up passed 8:30pm.

Are you working on any new releases later this year?Yes, I just finished Salem’s World and it will come out later in Feb. I have Wrangled Hearts coming out in Marchand I also have A Dangerous Game coming out sometime this spring. So, if youhappen to run into me somewhere you will know why my eyes are spinning and I’mrambling on…I have lost my mind!

Anything else you’d like to say? Thank you forhaving me. I hope you like me enough to let me visit again sometime. I love tohear from readers about anything so come to one of my sites and visit.

Contact info (Facebook, Twitter, website, blog):

www.tdjones.weebly.com

www.writingonthego.blogspot.com

www.twitter/TDJones5

Facebook: TD Jones/Author

Flash Fiction:

Dawn quickly opened her eyes when sheheard the noise. She slowly pushed her way up realizing she had fallen asleepin the tub. The noise got closer. What was it? Click, click, click. As she stood up and was reaching for a towelthe bathroom door swung open. She screamedas a big, dog came through the door. Click,click, his nails announced as hewalked up to the tub and looked at Dawn as if she was the one intruding.

“Hunter!Where did you go boy,” the male voice screamed.

Dawn quickly stepped out of the tub andwrapped a plush towel around her before she had any more surprise guest.

“He’sin here,” she hollered.

Sheheard footsteps enter the bedroom and then stop. “I’m sorry for my pest of a dog.I’m Pete’s nephew, Wade.” The voice announced. “You must be Miller’s niece.You’re all over the news.”

“Youmight as well come in, your dog has.”

“Hunter,you should be ashamed of yourself.” Wade tugged at the dog’s collar. “I’msorry, he loves water and he got away from me while I was downstairs.”

“Can we discuss your dog andhis issues after I get dressed?” Dawn shifted a leg, realizing that the toweljust barely covered all the necessary areas.

“Ijust came by to shut some of the windows I left open to air out the place. Noneed for you to put on clothes.”

“Excuseme.”

"I’msorry, that might have come out wrong. We better get out of here.” He tugged athis dog’s collar and turned him around. “I’m sorry again for theintrusion.”

Dawnstood in the middle of the room wondering what had just gone on and why wasthat handsome stranger carrying a gun?

Blog Hop: Deena Remiel!

2012-02-09T03:51:00.004-07:00

Welcome, welcome! Happy Thursday. I'm hosting Deena Remiel today, author of Relic. Enjoy!

Please tell the readers a little about yourself:

Well, I’m a mother of two girls - preteen andteenager. I’m taking condolences, thank you! I’ve been married for about 19years to a wonderful man. For 21 years I’ve taught kids, and for the last 5years, strictly language arts (reading and writing). I love music of all kindsand going to bars that do sing-alongs. If they let me dance, I love it evenmore. My husband and I have an open marriage. You see, I’m having an affairwith chocolate. It’s been going on for years now and he knows all about it. Heactually encourages it, especially on holidays. I love scrapbooking and havedocumented our family’s vacations. My best ideas pop up in the shower. Myangels are very thankful.

How about your latest release?

Relic, second book in the Brethren Series, releaseson January 27^th, and I couldn’t be happier! It picks up whereTrinity, the first book in the Brethren Series ends.

What was your primary inspiration for this book?

I wanted to know how Raphael was going to pickhimself up and move on after what happened in Trinity. I was intrigued by himand wanted to know his history. And I wanted it to be heart-wrenching!

Do you have any muses?

Interesting you should ask! Ijust met with a medium and she told me I have an angelic muse! I had no idea Ihad one. I’ve been convinced I had no muse whatsoever. She’s female with longbrown flowing hair. Guess that’s why I write about angels.

Do you control your characters or do they flog youinto shape?

It’s a tenuous balancing act. I give them parametersand then let them roam freely within them. It’s a happy coexistence. When I open myself up to listen to theirstories, it goes much better.

When you write, is there a special routine youfollow?

I usually read what I wrote last to get back in theframe of mind. I get my snacks and drink ready and sit on my office couch. Ican’t listen to music, like many other authors do because the melodies andlyrics distract me.

If you could be one animal, person, or at a placefor a day what/who/where would it be?

I would like to be a butterfly on Adrian Paul’sshoulder as he goes about his day. I’ve had such a crush on him! Do youremember him? He was the Highlander on the TV series adaptation of theHighlander movies. “There can be only one!” Hee hee

Five random facts about you:

I would love to have a real angel wings tattoo, butI HATE PAIN! So I have to settle for removable.

I would love to live full-time in Disney World.

I play piano, but would love to learn the flute andguitar.

I enjoy painting abstract art on canvas.

I love photography.

Are you working on any new releases later this year?

Yes, I’m working on the third book in the BrethrenSeries, Elixxir. I tell ya, I’m LOVING this story, too! Hee hee

Anything else you’d like to say?

Thanks so much for hosting me and my angels on yoursite!

Contact info (Facebook, Twitter, website, blog):

www.deenaremiel.com

www.decadentpublishing.com

www.facebook.com/deena.remiel

www.twitter.com/deeanremiel

http://riseofthebrethren.wordpress.com

http://plotmamas.com

http://paraposse.blogspot.com

Flash Fiction!

The gun fired and recoiled with such force itrattled the fragile bones in my hand and left a lingering tingling sensation. I rested the lethal weapon on the kitchencounter and smiled smugly. There he laid, a bloody mess, with the shrapnel of hisinnards splayed about on the floor around him. He’d always been such a pest.Ever since I’d moved into the house. Day in a day out he took advantage of meuntil I just couldn’t take it anymore. I’d thought to do away with him a long time ago, however, my nervesalways got the better of me. That is until I heard the news about the diseaseshe carried and realized it was no longer safe to live with him. So I did it. Ishot him dead. Mr. Rat is gone!

Relic:

Raphael, a Brethren Savior, an angel with a forgotten past, haslost his power to heal and is on a self-imposed guilt trip to get it back.

Serena Sikes is a wanted woman. Desired by “undesirables”for a stolen relic and its suspected healing powers, she is hunted down in theArizona desert and left for dead.

Raphael and Serena are inexorably bound together, for lockeddeep within the relic’s heart is the soul of his long lost wife. Danger lurksaround every corner as Raphael tries to keep both Serena and his dead wife’ssoul alive and lustful temptation at bay.

Three souls bound together by an ancient relic, bound by atimeless gift, and bound by a love that is eternal.

About The Author:

It was the mystique of Arizona’s history andlandscape that called to Deena and catapulted her career as an author. Whenshe’s not writing romance novels and poetry in the wee, small hours of themorning or in the deep, dark of night, Deena teaches language arts to middleschool students. She currently lives in Gilbert with her husband and twochildren, but New Jersey will always tug at her heartstrings. She lovesconnecting with her fans, so find her at deenaremiel.com.

Blog Hop: Liz Crowe

2012-02-07T04:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, all! Another fabulous day in the life of the interwebs. Today, I'm welcoming Liz Crowe. She's here to discuss her newest release, Floor Time, the first of The Realtor Series. Enjoy!

Pleasetell the readers a little about yourself:

I’m very likely the most overcommitted individualyou will ever meet. I have a hard time with “down time” perhaps. But I am partowner and marketing/sales director a fast growing craft microbrewery in Michigan.And I have 2 teenage daughters at home who either play soccer incessantly orrequire my attentions otherwise. I have an English degree and have had 7 bookspublished since 2010.

Howabout your latest release?

FloorTime, first of The Realtors Series with Tri Destiny Publishing:

Jack Gordon is Ann Arbor's most delectable bachelor. At age thirty-five, he's made millions as atop-selling Ann Arbor real estate broker and has the right connections to closea deal by any means necessary. With his rugged good looks and compellingpersonality, he has a virtual black book most men would kill for and heuses it often, never settling for one woman for very long.

While his D/s past remains buried, exactly where hewants it, an undercurrent of boredom and dissatisfaction runs through his lifenow. Disastrous experience years earlier made him swear off the wholescene, but the more Jack suppresses his natural Dom, the more hisfrustration grows.

Sara Thornton, just a rookie in the field, has fast-trackedherself to the top of the Ann Arbor real estate market. Her life evolvesinto a disciplined and focused routine, exactly what she wants. However,as her career takes off, the fulfillment she seeks remains inexplicably out ofreach. The one thing she knows for sure, she will not join the JackGordon groupies in her company, no matter how tempting that might seem.

A chance encounter, then a difficult transaction, throwJack and Sara together and the sparks fly high and hot and often. Forced toconfront the compulsions that gain momentum with each sizzling encounter, theirrelationship seems to spiral out of control until Jack finally admits what heneeds, and shows Sara what she's been missing

Whatwas your primary inspiration for this book?

I sold real estate for nearly eight years, was asuccess at it and used its stresses and many personalities I encountered tocreated Jack and Sara’s story.

Doyou have any muses?

Hans, my 6’5” blond haired blue eyed wonder boy of amuse wears lederhosen and no shirt. Back away ladies. He’s mine.

Doyou control your characters or do they flog you into shape?

I completely control them.

Whenyou write, is there a special routine you follow?

Other than becoming what you could call utterlyobsessed project-by-project, no. Hans whispers ideas lovingly into my ear,pours me a craft beer, and watches while I head write a bit, then sit at akeyboard until the damn thing is done. He gets a kick out of it really. At the moment he is sitting in thecorner pouting because I won’t let him whisper to me until I get my currentprojects through editing/promotion. Heis very cute when he’s pouting.

Ifyou could be one animal, person, or at a place for a day what/who/where wouldit be?

I would be that writer, who snagged That Agent, whothen procured That Contract from That Publisher that lead to That Premium CableSeries—the day that all came together. I’d be that person.

Fiverandom facts about you:

I’m a preacher’s kid.

I hate (no despise) to cook.

I can brew beer although I pay a couple of guys todo it for me.

I’ve lived in 3 foreign countries in my adult life.

My favorite soccer team is Real Madrid.

Areyou working on any new releases later this year?

Oh heavens, I’m always working on SOMETHING. The 2follow ups to FLOOR TIME will release in February/March so you can continue tofollow Jack and Sara’s story through SWEAT EQUITY and CLOSING COSTS.

I also have a really fun brewery-based intrigue,mystery, hot romance called CHEEKY BLONDE coming from Decadent Publishing plusthe prequel (THE DIPLOMAT’S DAUGHTER) and follow up novel (FLOWER PASSAGE:TARKAN’S STORY) to my very popular Turkish Delights trilogy with Decadent.

And I’m thrilled to say I just sold a novel toEllora’s Cave. “LUST ON TAP” is a brewery-based ménage romance that willrelease at some point in 2012.

Contactinfo (Facebook, Twitter, website, blog):

Beerblog: www.a2beerwench.com

Writingblog: www.brewingpassion.com

Website:www.lizcrowe.com

Facebook:www.facebook.com/lizcroweauthor

Twitter:beerwencha2

Blog Hop/Review: Priest And The Peaches

2012-02-06T04:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, hello! Today, I'm welcoming Larry Peterson, author of The Priest and The Peaches. You'll find an interview and review of the aforementioned title below. Enjoy!

Welcome aboard! Tell us a little about yourself, please.

Basically I am a “blue-collar guy”. It is the world I come from, a world of hard working, hard drinking construction workers, cops, long-shoremen, firemen, railroad workers, bus drivers, truckers, sanitation workers, etc. who were, for the most part, family men who loved their God, their families and their country---unconditionally. Consequently, if you would ask me to describe my work as a writer I would call it “blue-collar” meaning that I believe my work is simple fair, easily readable, no-nonsense, minimally superlative, and flows quickly. There is lots of dialogue and my tendency to be omniscient is obvious. I think that is because the characters and I are part of each other and I know what they are thinking.

What about your latest release?

“The Priest and the Peaches” officially launched on January 1st of this year. It is a story about five, newly orphaned kids growing up in the Bronx during the 1960’s who are now on a quest to remain together as a family. They have no money, the rent is past due, the utility payments are behind and the younger boys need clothes. Teddy Peach 18, is the oldest and he is determined to keep the family together but outside forces are at work trying to get the younger boys, aged 14, 10 and six, into a “properly supervised environment”. Enter Father Tim Sullivan, the local parish priest, who quietly acts as their guide as they begin navigating the turbulent waters of “grown-up world”.

Ok, let’s get down to the fun stuff. If you were stranded on a lush tropical island, and all of your basic needs were met, what two items would you have with you? What person would be with you? Remember, you’re stuck there for an indefinite period with only each other to occupy the time.

Well, I would probably like to have a bible. You can read it over and over and discuss it with the person who is with you. Since I am a mid-60s senior citizen I would also like (you ready) some denture cleaner. The person I would like to have with me would be my wife. She always has my back and my best interests at heart and could more than likely figure out a way to prepare the food that was available.

If you could play opposite any of your lead characters, which one would it be and why?

Probably, Dancer. He’s young, impetuous, and contrary. He would try to BS me but I am wise to him. I know that in due time I’ll wear him down and he’ll be the kid he should be. Plus, we love each other.
If you could lead any of your secondary characters, which one would it be and why?
I’m thinking the drunken attorney, Tom Hagenjack. Underneath his perpetual, drunken stupor is a kind man who is simply a victim of his own addiction. Maybe I might be able to reach out to him and help him get sober even though I know it is something only he can do.

You’re locked in a closet with Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, three paperclips and a string. How do you get out?

Well, I would not worry about them or the paper clip or the string. I would just kick the door down (trust me, I can do it) and walk out. I would make sure that they are all okay and then be on my merry way.

Name five things you can do with a pencil.

Print & write, sharpen, erase, sketch and use as a weapon.

Who’s your favorite character from your book(s)? Why? Don’t worry, we won’t tell.

Father Tim Sullivan. This man grew up in the “Hell’s Kitchen” section of Manhattan down by the docks. He is street wise, and tough yet has a simple faith which allows him to see the Hand of God working even amidst chaos. He is not preachy, heavy handed or authoritarian, and has the ability to make folks smile.
There should be more people like him.

Where can we find you around the vast interwebs?

Okay, vast interwebs is what intimidates me. So many places to go etc. So little time to get there. I am at the following: www.slipperywilie.bolgspot.com, http://www.thepriestandthepeaches.com, www.tribute-books.com also, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. If you google “Larry Peterson, author” I am there also. I also belong to several on-line writer’s groups.

What about your books? Where are they being sold at?

My first book is a children’s book, “Slippery Willie’s Stupid, Ugly Shoes”, which was released in Jan of 2011. This is available in hard-cover and e-book. Of course the new book is “The Priest and the Peaches” released Jan 1, 2012. This is an e-book. Both of them can be found at the sites listed above and are available thru Amazon (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook), iPad, Google, PDF and Smashwords.

Thanks for dropping in! Any last words? Yes---thank you so much for having me. I appreciate it.

And now, the review:

The Priest and The Peaches follow a young family who suddenly find themselves orphaned. Their mother has passed, as well as their grandmother, and now their father dies after a debilitating pancreatic attack brought on by drinking.

There are quite a few troubles in this book, the least of which are grief related. The children find themselves dealing with debts and a pesky neighbor who sticks her nose into their business regularly. They seek guidance from their local parish.

There's just a few things that caught my eye. I found the sentences to be choppy and dialogue repetitive, but I've seen far worse. All in all, this is a good read about a family forced to endure things children shouldn't have to see so young.

Author Bio:

Larry Peterson was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. A former Metal Lather/Reinforcing Iron-worker, he left that business after coming down with MS. He, his wife and three kids moved to Florida 30 years ago. Larry began doing freelance newspaper commentary after graduating from Tampa College in 1984.

His first children's picture book, Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes was published in 2011. In 2012, his full length novel, The Priest and the Peaches was released and he is presently working on the sequel.

He also has a blog (http://www.ThePriestandthePeaches.com) where he posts weekly commentary. He lives in Pinellas Park, Florida and his kids and six grandchildren all live within three miles of each other.

You can also find Larry here:

Kindle buy link
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006P0EYI8/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tributebooks-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B006P0EYI8

Nook buy link
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iBookstore buy link
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Smashwords buy link
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/116166?ref=tributebooks
PDF buy link
https://www.payloadz.com/go/sip?id=1538819

RWA Blog Hop: Romantic Suspense

2012-02-03T04:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome, and happy Friday! Today, I'm part of a tour for the RWA mystery romance writers members, and happy to host Phyllis Humphrey. Enjoy!

Why Romantic Suspense is the Best Genre:

Today’sreaders have lots of choices. Just in the romance category, there iscontemporary, historical, paranormal, and fantasy, among others. But, in myopinion--and that of thousands of buyers of e-books last year--romanticsuspense is the best.

And why not?It covers the two most engaging aspects of the reading experience, as well aslife itself. "Love makes the world go around," and none of us wouldbe here without it. In addition, we also have a universal need for safety andprotection. As Sherlock Homes might say, "Elementary, my dearWatson." So, combining these two necessities into romantic suspensesatisfies the reader more than any other type of novel.

Knowing that,the mystery/suspense chapter of Romance Writers of America--called Kiss ofDeath, or KOD--is the place to go for help in crafting those stories. Afterall, every story needs conflict, and that’s what mystery and suspense is about.Second, KOD helps with details. Got a question about weapons, legal problems,medical techniques? Some member will know all about it. Third, Lethal Ladieswill critique your work as you submit chapters, and they can get or keep you onthe right track. I know from personal experience with my romantic suspensenovel.

Finally, thechapter holds contests--the fabulous Daphne du Maurier Awards--for bothpublished and unpublished writers Add the "Death by Chocolate" partyheld at the RWA Conference and you have a combination (dare I say it?) "todie for."

Phyllis isone of the many talented authors who belong to the Romance Writers of America’sKiss of Death chapter. At Kiss of Death we believe that every great romanceshould include suspense. Whether a spy thriller in Regency times, a paranormalromance with a revenge-seeking zombie, or a traditional serial killer after theheroine, romance relies on suspense, leading the reader through the trials ofthe heroine and hero to see if they will get their happily ever after ending.If you can call your writing suspenseful, then the Kiss of Death has somethingfor you! Find out more and join at http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org and followus on Twitter at @RWAKissofDeath.

Find out more about Phyllis on her website at http://phyllishumphrey.com/.

North By Northeast, by Phyllis Humphrey:

A youngschool teacher boards a luxurious train for a relaxing week-long excursion fromNew Orleans to Washington D.C., but soon becomes an unwitting player in anintruige involving kidnapping and robbery. The culprit is apparently aboard thetrain but his (or her) identity is unknown. Even the handsome love interest shehas met on-board may be involved. Who is he, really, and what part will he playin all this?

Stop by I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read (http://www.sithereandread.com/) to visit Avery Flynn today, and Getting Naughty Between the Stacks (http://gnbstacks.blogspot.com/) tomorrow to visit with W. Lynn Chantale!

Blog Stop: When Copper Sun Falls

2012-01-31T04:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome, welcome! Today, I have a short little blog for you, featuring an excerpt from a YA novel by KaSonndra Leigh. Enjoy!

Here's an interesting character interview to get you more in touch with who's who in When Copper Suns Fall.

Meet Faris:

Can you introduceyourself to us?

Name’s Faris. FarisToulan. I’m a Caducean, a demon slayer. There isn’t really much else to say. **Glances at me with a set of intense grayeyes that shimmer inside the irises. I wonder if they’re really gray, or couldthey be silver** People around you might not understand why my skills are necessary inthis day and time, but they will. You’ll be glad you had this interview withme.

In what way are youconnected to Chela?

Hmm. **massages the back of his neck as he thinksabout this** Our connection is, well…difficult to explain.You see, if I tell you about it, then you’d be at risk. **I’m dying to know what he means. Before Ican say anything, he continues.** That means I’d have totake a part of your memories. I can do that, you know. **Isuck my breath. Did he just read my mind?** I’ll do anything to protect Chela. Our connection is beyondwords.

What can you say about yourlife?

I told you, thereisn’t really much I can say. But I will tell you to be happy with what you’vegot today. Your blue skies, clean air. **he glances towardthe window beside us, staring at it a long moment** Are those birds outside? 55 years in thefuture, that would be in this world after the Tidal Years, there are no birds.They’re gone. Poof. Vanished. You have robots. Big, black, ugly crows withcameras for eyes. They’re looking for me. Or rather, people like me. I’m anoutcast according to the new leaders. They blame the Caduceans for whathappened in the past: wars, earthquakes, hurricanes. **A distant look clouds his eyes. I want toknow what they’re seeing**

What do you think of thepresent world? (2012)

You’re lucky. Verylucky. See my last answer if you need proof of that.

What’s the strangestthing you’ve seen here so far? Why?

Everything about this world seems strange since the last time I was here.In my world, you get used to seeing dark stuff everywhere. Black waters, black beaches,gray skies. **I wonder what he means, but I’ve learned tobe patient with him.** I’ve been here before,you know. How is that possible? I can hear your thoughts so easily. **He smiles a drop-down-dead-gorgeous smilewith one dimple on the left cheek. My cheeks are probably blushing tomato red** You’ll have to readabout my story to see how I got here. And your outdated cellereaders crack meup. **He means my cellphone lying on the desk beside us. He’s giving it a look of pure pity. I tellhim this is the 4G version of the latest Droid. And I’m kinda mad because Iused six months worth of my wages to buy it.** The screen doesn’thave enough pixels. You can’t even read thumb imprints with that thing. Anybodycould steal it and use it. **again,he has a point. Sigh sigh**

What’s the mostsurprising thing you’ve seen here? Why?

As I said, I’ve beenhere before. But I don’t remember hearing so much laughter. What surprises me is all the happy-smileypeople you have here. In the future, smiles are an endangered species. Enjoythem while they last.

If you had a chance tochoose between living in our world and in yours, which one would you choose?Why?

The mirrorlands,that’s what we Caduceans call your world, can’t touch mine. Ours is older thanyours. I don’t mean to sound conceited. But it’s true. My world Bardonia is onthe other side of the doorway. It’s parallel to this world. The skies areclear. The waters are sapphire blue and jade green in some places. There’s eventhis island where the waterfalls flow toward the sky. No pollution. No diseasefrom contaminated waters. So tell me. Which one would you choose? **Does he even need to ask?**

Can you name one thing,event or custom that reminds you of your world?

Bonding.That type of connection Chela has with me, it’s the same way at home. But thething is I’m not at home. I can’t go back to Bardonia. I’m exiled, cursed tolive in the mirrorlands. And not a pretty little place like your 2012 world. Inthe future, I’m hunted like an animal by the humans. And targeted by ourenemies, the Tainted. I guess the answer could be violence, too. That reallyhasn’t changed much over time. **he sighs deeply, lowers his head, and stays quiet**

When Copper Suns Fall:

In fifteen-year-old Chela Prizeon’s city, alchemy isforbidden, and angels hide among the mortal. With a deadly virus ravaging theglobe, Chela’s nightmarish memories compels her to experience a past riddledwith gloom, and now her brother is infected.

Chela’s only hope is the Caduceans, slayers sworn to protectthe last seven Light Keepers and the ancient memories they share. A group led by the sometimes elusive, sometimesinfuriating boy who intrigues Chela. But can she trust this boy with themysterious past, someone who can influence her memories?

With the Caduceans aid, Chela races to defeat her rivals, tounearth dark family secrets, desperate to find a cure…only to discover theglutovirus is far more than a simple disease.

In this haunting debut, KaSonndra Leigh offersan escape into a world as intriguing as The Mortal Instruments and a story aschilling as Enclave. Full of celestial creatures, fascinating villainy,high-stake choices, and a secret romance, When Copper Suns Fall, is a fresh andoriginal urban fantasy—with a dystopian twist—that will take readers on anunforgettable adventure.

Excerpt:

Forcing my eyes to open, I found myself outside theCradlehack. I was standing in Faris’s arms, my head against his chest, myfingers entwined in his black vest. It was a smooth fabric that felt like silk.A cloth no one had worn outside of ceremonies since before the Tidal Years.This boy was no common citizen. His earthy-sweet smell made me feelhypnotically safe, as we stood among the crowd fleeing down the hillside. Helifted my chin, stared in my eyes. But this wasn’t some dumb player’s move.

No, amysterious thing stirred behind his silvery-gray eyes.

“Feelbetter, Chela?” he asked. I nodded.

“Thanksfor helping me,” I said, still fighting a light head. Still afraid the dreadedblack blobs lingered somewhere around us. Somewhat ashamed I’d spoken sohorribly to him moments ago.

“Youprobably shouldn’t do that,” he said.

"Dowhat?”

“Thankme.”

"Why?Because I caught you using alchemy? That’s what your kind does. Make magic inthe shadows, right?” I said.

His lefteye ticked. The girl in the hoodie had called him a Caducean. Could it bepossible? Father told me Caduceans were a mythical group—demon slayers from atime long gone. Yet, here I stood with a boy who didn’t deny my claim.

Aroundus, fewer people were leaving the Shack. They paid no attention to the twoidiots standing and staring at each other. Did Jalen and Lexa make it outsafely? They were taking forever toreach me.

Did Ireally want them to find me?

“They’llcall me, now, and make me a witness against you. I’m sorry, but I already havetoo many problems. So I—I have to tell the truth,” I said.

“Thatwon’t be a problem.” Faris smiled, a catchy one that lit his face up. Icouldn’t decide whether it was angelic or downright wicked. Just like Icouldn’t remember where I’d ever heard an accent like his. What kind was it?Old southern? Old English? Irish? It sounded like a mix of all three, but witha deep timbre, making him sound god like. “In a few minutes, you won’t rememberme or any of this.”

“Really?How do you figure that?” I asked, heart racing.

“Becausemy gift to you…” He moved his face closer to mine, pulling me into whatever washappening in his head. “My gift is to remove memories that cause you pain.”

"Okay,um, right.” Had I lost my mind? It probably wouldn’t have hurt to scream.

He held my gaze, locking me intosomething I couldn’t explain. A tear puckered up in his left eye, and slid downhis cheek where it stopped on his top lip. Then he blinked, snapping us out ofwhatever place he’d taken us to, and glanced behind my head. “Here comes yourdark knight,” he said, easing his arms away from me.

Hestrolled off into the last group of stragglers hanging around the Shack. Howdid he know my nickname for Jalen?

I wipedaway a tear rolling down my right cheek.

“Chela,there you are. You scared me, girl.” Jalen’s voice cut into the moment. He spunme around to face him. I blinked, clearing my eyes. “What’s wrong? Did you gethurt?”

Iglanced around us. The boy was gone. A dull headache joined the fuzziness in myhead. Lost inside a clouded mind, I forgot what I wanted to say. The entirenight’s events were hazy.

Ifumbled with my thoughts.

Whathappened to me in there?

About The Author:

KaSonndra Leigh livesin the City of Alchemy and Medicine, North Carolina. She likes to write aboutteens doing fantastical things in magical worlds. Her two sons have made herpromise to write a boy book next.

She holds the MFA in creative writing, and loves to playCLUE, Monopoly (the Indiana Jones version), and Pandora’s Box (good writer’sblock therapy). She lives in an L-shaped house with a garden dedicated to hergrandmother. It has a secret library complete with fairies, Venetian plasteredwalls, and a desk made out of clear blue glass.

When Copper Suns Fall is her debut novel.

Website / Twitter / Goodreads/ Facebook

Buy Links: Smashwords / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Blog Hop!

2012-01-27T10:20:00.001-07:00

Welcome aboard! Today, I have an interview with the chance to win a $25 gift card to amazon! Unfortunately, as my blog screwed up this morning and I'm posting from a mobile, I can't add pictures yet. Check back in about 5 hours for pictures! Thanks for reading!

*Note* This blog has been updated and corrected, and images added. Thanks for being patient!

Please tell the readers a little about yourself:

I had an interesting combination of jobs in the past, including being a chemical engineer, a market research manager, a university lecturer on ad copywriting, and an editor of two different magazines. Now I’m retired and doing what I want to do—write fiction and poetry. My first novel Sissy! was highly successful, had positive reviews and won the J. Donald Coffin Memorial Award. I’ve been considered for the Pulitzer on my second novel, All Parts Together, and won the Nelson Poetry Book Award for my poetry collection, The Uni Verse.

How about your latest release?

My latest release is Stories to Enjoy, a compilation of 16 short stories, some of which have won awards, others that had been previously published, and new ones written exclusively for this book. A successful novelist named Gordon Kessler loved the fact that I gave O. Henry twists that will surprise and entertain readers. These stories cover several genres—suspense, mystery, fantasy, children’s, thriller, and historical. I wanted readers to know I am comfortable in writing entertaining stories that cover a huge spectrum of life situations.

What was your primary inspiration for this book?

Since Stories to Enjoy has 16 different stories in it, I guess you can say I had 16 different inspirations. So I will pick out a couple of stories from this book to answer this question. “Breakfast Over Easy” was inspired by a friend of mine named “Doc” with whom I’d meet at a café for chai tea. Well, Doc died of pancreatic cancer. My story deals with a man who meets regularly with a guy named Larry, but one day he doesn’t show up and Larry’s fiancée’ informs him that Larry is dying from cancer. My other story, “Real Characters” was inspired by a stage play I wrote with the same title.

Do you have any muses?

The only “muse” I have which sometimes helps me drive my story forward is music. I wrote a thriller novel called Advent as I listened to Dvorak’s “New World Symphony.” It put me into a new dimension as I wrote that novel.

Do you control your characters or do they flog you into shape?

I learned early on that I cannot control my characters. When they become real to me they take on a life of their own and I watch them with fascination as they try to go in a new direction. Sometimes I let them so I could see if I agree with where they’re headed, but if they get too far afield I have to coax them to get back into the story.

When you write, is there a special routine you follow?

I wish I could say there was. I tend to write in spurts—unless I get so deeply drawn into my story and my characters that I cannot stop. This is both a good and a bad thing. Good, because I know I’m on to something. Bad, because it stops me from doing other important things, such as taking out the garbage.  If you could be one animal, person, or at a place for a day what/who/where would it be? I would like to be John Steinbeck sitting on a pier in Monterey, California watching the tide roll in while trying to come up with a novel that will win me another Pulitzer or Nobel Prize.

Five random facts about you:

1. I love teaching young kids how to write.
2. I have a deep fascination for composers like Beethoven and Mozart.
3. I wish I could go deep sea fishing again (I did it only once and caught a huge salmon.)
4. Even though I have an engineering degree, I still don’t understand computers and electronic gadgets.
5. I really hate hot summers where I have to have the air conditioner on and stay indoors.

Are you working on any new releases later this year?

I have a new novel coming out next spring called Angels at Sunset. If you’re interested in knowing what it’s about please write to me.

Anything else you’d like to say?

I’m mystified by the fact that people still come up to me and say they have a great idea for a book. They either want me to write I for them (not interested in doing that) or they want me to promise I won’t steal their idea (I’ve got plenty of my own story ideas, thank you), or they say they never have time to write (but they don’t want to give up watching TV at night). Lindsay's Scribbling to this one: That is quite interesting. I didn't think people would be so brass. lol

Thanks for the interview, Tom! Here's a excerpt from his novel:

This unique collection of 16 short stories written byprize-winner Tom Mach includes stories such as "Real Characters,"which is about a writer who gets his wish--that his characters come alive...."Breakfast, Over Easy" makes you wonder about loyalty in the face oftemptation.... "When Kansas Women Were Not Free" takes you to a timewhen women were less free than former males slaves.... "Son" make youthink differently about compassion. One novelist describes STORIES TO ENJOY as "memorableand intriguing, with O. Henry twists that are sure to surprise andentertain."

She leaned forward andher eyes searched my face. “How about joining me for breakfast?” she asked.

“Okay,” I said quietly.We talked for the next hour. As I told her about my having been a Hollywoodwriter for five years, with important contacts such as director Ron Howard oractors like Kate Winslet or Bruce Willis, her face brightened. I wanted tolearn more about her, but she never gave me the chance.

Before we parted companyat the entrance door, she brushed herself against me and widened her smile. “I canmake it here every Monday morning from now on if you’d like. It’d be just youand me. What do you say?”

I looked back at theempty table and stared at it for a long while. Then I returned my gaze to her. Damn, she was pretty.

“What do you say?” sheasked again, this time with a hint of desperation in her voice.

And last but not least, Tom's bio:

TomMach wrote two successful historical novels, Sissy! and All Parts Together,both of which have won rave reviews and were listed among the 150 best Kansas books in 2011.Sissy! won the J. Donald Coffin MemorialBook Award while All Parts Togetherwas a viable entrant for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize Award. He also wrote a collectionof short stories entitled Stories ToEnjoy which received positive reviews. Tom’s other novels include: An Innocent Murdered, Advent, and Homer the Roamer.

His poetry collection, The Uni Verse, won the Nelson Poetry Book Award. In addition toseveral awards for his poetry, Writer’s Digest awarded him ninth place in afield of 3,000 entrants. His website is: www.TomMach.com He also has a popular blog forwriters of both prose and verse at http://tommach.tumblr.com

http://twitter.com/kansasauthor

http://www.facebook.com/kansasauthor

http://www.linkedin.com/in/tommach

http://tommach.tumblr.com

Blog Hop: Carrie Ann Ryan!

2012-01-26T03:28:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Thursday, folks! Today, I'm hosting Carrie Ann Ryan. Enjoy!

Welcome aboard! Tell us a little about yourself, please.

Hi! Thanks so much for having me. I’m a chemist by day and aparanormal romance writer by night. I live in New England with my hubby and twokitties that seem to take over my day. J But the voices in my head needed a place to go –hence I write. J

What about your latest release?

An Alpha’s Path isa story of finding your soul mate – and then trying to figure out what to doabout it. J

Here is the blurb:

Melanie is a twenty-five year old chemist who has spent all of heradult life slaving at school. With her PhD in hand, she's to start her dreamjob, but before she does, her friend persuades her to relax and try to liveagain. A blind date set up through her friends seems like the perfect solution.Melanie can take one night away from the lab and let her inner vixen out on afixed blind date - a chanceto get crazy with a perfect stranger. The gorgeous hunk she's to meet exceedsher wildest dreams – but he is more than what he appears and Melanie's analyticalmind goes into overdrive.

Kade, a slightlyolder werewolf (at over one hundred years), needs a night way from the Pack.Too many responsibilities and one near miss with a potential mate made Kadehide in his work, the only peace he can find. His brother convinces him to meetthe sexy woman for a one night of fun. What could it hurt? But when he findsthis woman could be his mate, can he convince her to leave her orderly, saneworld and be with him and his wolf-half, for life?

Ok, let’s get down to the fun stuff. If you were stranded ona lush tropical island, and all of your basic needs were met, what two itemswould you have with you? What person would be with you? Remember, you’re stuckthere for an indefinite period with only each other to occupy the time.

Hmm… Henry Cavil and I will be secluded together I think.*sigh* Let’s see – my Kindle (because Henry has to sleep sometime LOL) and mycamera. To take pictures of the *ahem* scenery…sure…

If you could play opposite any of your lead characters, whichone would it be and why?

I would be Melanie – that way I can take Kade home. I mean,he’s her soul mate! And delicious.

If you could lead any of your secondary characters, whichone would it be and why?

I would love to know more about my Jamenson siblings – henceI’m writing a series about them. J

You’re locked in a closet with Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell,Kate Beckinsale, three paperclips and a string. How do you get out?

LOL. I will hand the paperclips to Kate and say good luck.I’ll take the string and hang out with Johnny and Colin. I’m sure we can comeup with something. *grins* (My poor hubby is reading this and shaking his head,but I’ve let him have Jennifer Garner and he said he’d take Kate as well, sowe’re even LOL)

Name five things you can do with a pencil.

Write, hold up my hair, amuse myself by pretending it’s arubber pencil, play darts with it against a picture of a coworker that bugs me,clean out those little holes on my calculator at work that gets dust in them…(reached for that last one, though I do it LOL)

Who’s your favorite character from your book(s)? Why? Don’tworry, we won’t tell.

Maddox. *sigh* You won’t meet him until book 2 in theseries, A Taste for a Mate. But he’s so tortured and quiet. I love him.

Where can we find you around the vast interwebs?

Website and Blog

FacebookAuthor Page

Facebook Friend

Twitter: @CarrieAnnRyan

What about your books? Where are they being sold at?

You can find An Alpha’s Path on Amazonand Barnes& Noble.

Thanks for dropping in! Any last words?

Thank you so much for having me! And your questions werehilarious!

Excerpt:

Melanie tooka deep breath as she gave herself a good look in the mirror. This bathroom maybe the greatest and most luxurious thing she’d ever seen, but she barely gaveit a second glance.

What thehell was she doing? There was a gorgeous god standing in the room that shepractically ran from. What the hell was she doing in here?

Allthroughout dinner, she couldn’t seem to string two coherent sentences together.She resembled acting like a ditzy, shy deer in the headlights. It was no wonderKade was just fine with not having sex tonight. Oh, he may have said that hewanted her, but he didn’t seem to fight for it.

Oh, that wasjust great. Kade was considerate of her feelings, yet here she was, making himthe bad guy.

This whole experience made her a wreck. Maybe Mel wasn’texperienced with men, but she was experienced with meeting people andcommunicating with another human being. Tonight was a once in a lifetimeopportunity to have wild and passionate sex with a near stranger. And oh yes,just looking at Kade, she knew it would be exactly that. She grew damp justthinking about him, and what wicked things could await her if she would justsay yes.

Andhonestly, what was stopping her? Going through with this would leave her withan amazing and glorious memory. She needed more of those. The need to hear shewas beautiful, sexy and wanted overwhelmed her. Mel didn’t want to be the“smart” one anymore. She squared her shoulders and looked at herself in themirror once more.

Wednesday Brief: Pam con't

2012-01-25T03:37:00.001-07:00

It's time for another Wednesday Brief! Today, I'm continuing Pam's story. Enjoy, and make sure to peep the other fabulous stories today!

Cinco de Mayo, and I was walking towards a ghost hunt of allthings, with a man I barely knew.

Granted, this guy had the best ass I’d ever seen, but still.What would my mother say? I know what she’d say. “Pamela! How dare you let thedevil in your heart like that. He’ll cut off your limbs and burn your body.”

Because she had an active imagination like that. Tommynudged me with his elbow.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing,” I replied with a smile. “How much farther is thisplace?”

“Just around the corner.” But instead of turning towards thehopping downtown district, we turned onto a deserted side street. Ahead loomeda building, the walls sagging with age, windows broken, and graffiti lining theaged bricks. I swallowed. “There she is,” Tommy said, a note of reverence inhis voice.

“We’re going…in there?” He nodded and I pursed my lips.“Ah…Is it safe?”

“Yeah, sure. Come on.” He dragged me a little quickertowards the side of the building. I looked to the front door and noticed achain around the handle and a nice long sticker with the word “Condemned”splashed across the front.

Tommy shoved open a door in the back corner of the buildingwith his shoulder. I jumped at the bang and dust settled across the entry.

“Tommy, I thought you said a group was coming on this.”

“They’ll be here. Come on, I want to show you something.”His eyes glistened with youthful energy, and I swallowed and followed him in.

Darkness engulfed us at once as the moonlight outside wassealed out with a creak of the door. I stood still, waiting for Tommy to findmy hand. He clicked a flashlight on and shone the beam down the hall beforetaking my hand.

A little thrill shocked me, but I hardly noticed as I tookin the building. The wavering light illuminated closed doors or partially openones, and peeling wallpaper reached towards us from the ceiling. I glanced intoan open room and the moonlight shone in past the torn curtains hanging loosefrom their rod to expose medical tools. Sharp scissors and rusted scalpelsglared at me before Tommy tugged me further down the hall.

“Watch your step,” he said, leading me to the edge of astairwell. The stairs were in surprisingly good condition compared to the restof the building, and I gripped the dusty rail as we began to ascend the steps.

“Okay,” I whispered. “This is kind of weird.”

“Just wait. You’re about to see what I needed to show you.”

What he needed to showme? I let my inhibitions slide to the pit of my stomach and pushed on,trying to ignore the creeping shadows along the wall. My heart pounded as wemoved along, Tommy’s sure footsteps guiding me behind him, until the worldopened up.

The entire floor had no ceiling, nothing to hide the brightmoonlight. My breath frosted in the cool air and Tommy turned to smile at me.

“Isn’t it beautiful? They call this the stairway to heaven.”

The stars seemed so close I could reach out and grab one.“It’s stunning.” I wrenched my eyes back to his face. “It didn’t seem like weclimbed that long.”

“Never does.” He stepped a little closer and brushed a strayhair from my cheek. “You’re beautiful, you know that?”

I blushed and looked away. “Thanks.” Something in a cornercaught my eye and I turned to look in the direction so fast my neck hurt. Butthe only thing I saw were shadows. Hand to my heart, I looked back at Tommy.“Did you see that?”

“What?” He had been facing the full moon.

“Something moved in the corner there.” A bang surprised meand I jumped with a little gasp. “What was that?”

Tommy pulled my arm until I hovered at his shoulder andstared into the darkness. He began murmuring words I didn’t understand, thoughthey reached my ears clear as day, and then a shadow rose from the corner.

I screamed and stumbled backwards, but Tommy kept chantinghis phrase. The shadow formed into a somewhat human shape and its black holesfor eyes stared into my very soul before it opened its mouth and released ahorrifying and high pitched scream. Everything bad I’d ever done flew before myeyes and every bad memory I held was laid out for display against the wall. Mymother beating me into submission to rid me of the demons, my uncle raping me,my first time trying heroin.

As I stared at the monster in the corner, his shape began tofold into itself and the scream died away until a soft pop was heard and then silence.

Sweet, blessed silence.

~End~

The Briefing Crew:

Nephylim m/m

Lily Sawyer m/m

Sara York m/m

Julie Lynn Hayes m/m

Blog Hop: Lila Munro

2012-01-23T19:23:00.002-07:00

Welcome aboard, folks! Today, I'm welcoming a special guest by the name of Lila Munro, and she's here talking about Assumed Identity. Without further ado:

Hi everyone!Thanks Lindsay for having me back over—it’s always a treat to come talk to youraudience. I know everyone is used to seeing something naughty from me, but Ithought I’d talk a bit today to the writers out there about vices by sharingwhat mine are and how I’ve dealt with them

When I firststarted out, as many people know, I was surprised and almost horrified that Igot an acceptance letter straight out of the gate from the first and onlypublisher I sent my work to. I thought, well, it’s either that good, or it’sthat bad and they just sign everything that comes their way. As it turned out,it wasn’t that good and it wasn’t that bad either. A few months after my firstrelease I tried again in another arena and that’s where I met up with a womannamed Edna, a barbarian of an editor and whom I adore to this day for pointingout my vices.

What were theyand still are? Good grief what weren’t they would be a more fitting question.Punctuation, passive voice, point of view issues, dangling modifiers…I could goon. At the time it was almost overload and I wasn’t even sure where to start orwhat to try to fix first. Along with that I was furious with my first editorfor not pointing all this out to me in my first story. If I’d known the firstgo around, I could have already resolved some of these issues and moved on. Asit was I had no choice but to get over my fury and adjust.

The passivevoice I got right away—don’t use felt anything. Okay that was easy enough, nowthat everyone and everything was owning their actions that looked much better.Dangling modifiers…attach them to something. Again, easy enough. Stop leavingthings dangling about. Okay. J Point of view. Let me tell you, that one came a little harder. Iwanted to tell what everyone was feeling and seeing and thinking at all times.Every other paragraph in some instances. Yikes! What a mess. So, that book wentout with a few POV issues still, but I started to work on it and now I canwrite an entire story from one person’s point of view without a problem. And mywork is much better because of it.

That brings usto punctuation…Oh. My. God. Would you believe I have a degree in English and Istill can’t figure out where to put a stinking comma? I hate, hate, hatecommas. They still haunt me and E and Dawn at Rebel are forever trying to breakme of my atrocious comma habits. If I had my way, the comma would be banishedfor eternity from the English language, but then we’d have serious issueswouldn’t we?

So many times Isee people bashing their editors publicly. I’d like to take this opportunity tothank mine, Edna, Dawn, and E, for helping me. Without them I’d never have gonefrom 3 star reviews that included rants about editing issues to 5 star reviewsthat focus on my plots and well-developed characters. I appreciate my editorsand wouldn’t trade them for anything.

My latestrelease is Assumed Identity, book 3 in my Identity series…

Innocentchildhood games of dress-up and pretend…

Julie Stevens is as straight as they come. Or so she tries to convince herself.But it isn’t easy believing that little white lie when she has the two mostsexually eccentric best friends on the planet. One is a bi-sexual Domme whobelieves if it looks fun, try it. The other is a gay man in the role of slaveto his very sexy Master whom Julie often wishes wasn’t gay. Dante’s commandingpresence makes her want to do things that set her on fire with need andembarrassment. Given her boring vanilla life, how exactly does she fit intotheir world? Would they like to have a shinier third wheel?

Are a completely different animal for grownups…

After one wild evening and a bit too much liquid encouragement, Julie discoversa side of herself she’s always tried to ignore. The realization she’s a sub notonly scares her, it excites her and she yearns for more. But the process offinding the right man to teach her becomes a real issue, until Mason comesalong. He’s everything Julie imagines a Dom should be. Armed with her masqueand Renaissance costume, Julie is thrown for a loop when the handsome Masterdraws more willingness out of her than she ever thought possible. Is itpossible she’s more than a submissive? And will the assumptions he’s made abouther identity end up tearing them apart?

“Are you wet, angel?” Mason asked, running onehand down the middle of her back. Her intake of breath told him she was andthat she didn’t want to admit it. “Answer me. Now.”

“Yes,” she whispered over a whimper.

Covering her body with his, Mason leaned overher and gently took her by her hair. “Tell me what you need, angel.”

Silence. Sniffling. Muffled moans.

“Julie. Tell. Me. What. You. Need.”

“Sex.” Her voice was barely audible.

“No. That’s what you think I want. I know whatI want. You’re to free your mind of thoughts concerning what you think I want.”Mason pushed back up and began moving one hand over her back in a soothingpattern. “Tell me what you need.”

“I need…I…Don’t make me…”

“Say it.”

“I need to come,” she whined.

“Good girl,” he praised. “Now tell me what youwant.”

“I don’t understand…”

“Yes, you do. Tell me,” he growled.

“I want you to make me come,” she gushed,arching her back into his constant touch.

“I’m going to do just that, angel,” he spokeharshly, leaning back over her and taking a handful of hair, raising her headenough he could nip her earlobe. “Tell me you understand.”

“I understand.”

“When’s the last time you had an orgasm?” Shestarted to answer and he cut her off. “With a man?”

“I can’t remember.”

“Shame on them,” Mason told her.

He stood and while keeping one hand on herlower back letting her know he was still present, he unbuttoned his jeans thenunzipped them slowly, adding to her agony by being forced to listen to theclick of each tine popping open. Scooting his pants down his legs along withhis boxers, he stepped out of them and when his hand left her so he couldsheath himself, Julie grunted in frustration.

“Get on your back on the bed,” he said as hefinished rolling the condom down. She needed the visual contact even if shecouldn’t see anything but shadows and reflections.

She hesitated, looked behind her as if tryingto determine if he was baiting her or not, then turned and backed across themattress before lying down with her legs spread and her arms at her sides, hereyes tightly squeezed shut. So clinical, as if she expected to be used as avessel. Who the hell had she been with before and what the hell had they doneto her to make her think sex was about lying like a dead fish while the man gotwhat he wanted? Then he remembered what she’d been like at the party, afterhe’d caught her in the chase.

She was carefree and happy, not at all a deadfish beneath him. As he’d lain on her in the garden, she was vital and eager.Mason believed she’d have done anything he asked of her she was so pliable…She’dbeen Hayden. Not Julie. She’d not just been dressed for the party. She wasliterally hiding behind her masque.

A bit of anger and sorrow wound around Mason’sstate of arousal and squeezed him as he realized she had to assume an identityto feel. Then he was almost ashamed at the bit of happiness that crept in atthe realization that she was not only fresh and new to his world but actually,she was like putty in his hands. She was ready to be molded into the person shewas perfectly capable of being. He could be the one to show Julie how good it really could be, notjust physically, but emotionally as well. For tonight though, she needed a safehaven, a place where she could turn her fears into dancing.

Lila Munro currently resides on the coast of North Carolinawith her husband and their two four-legged kids. She’s a military wife with anempty nest and takes much of her inspiration for her heroes from the marinesshe’s lived around for the past fifteen years. Coining the term realmantica,she strives to produce quality romance in a realistic setting. Her genre ofchoice is contemporary romance that spans everything from the sensual to BDSMand ménage. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can gether hands on, trips to the museum and aquarium, taking field research trips,and soaking up the sun on the nearby beaches. Her works include TheExecutive Officer’s Wife, Bound By Trust, Destiny’s Fire, Salvation, Three forKeeps, the Force Recon series, the Slower Lower series, and the Identity series.She’s a member in goodstanding of RWA and Passionate Ink. Currently she’s working on sequels toseveral series to be released throughout 2012. And has a brand new linescheduled for winter 2012-13. Ms. Munro also works as the VP of Business Affairsfor Rebel Ink Press. She loves to hear from her readers and can becontacted via her website http://realmanticmoments.blogspot.com or through Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Lila_Munro You can also contact her via email at lilasromance@gmail.com For more information about Rebel Ink Press please visit theirwebsite at www.rebelinkpress.com

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=lila+munro&searchBy=author&qString=lila+munro

Blog Hop: Shadonna Richards!

2012-01-19T04:00:00.000-07:00

Hi, folks! Back to hosting many spectacular guests, and here with me today is Shadonna Richards, author of The Unexpected Bride.

Enjoy!

BEAUTIFUL LOVE QUOTES & ROMANTIC WORDS

Hi,everyone!

I’mShadonna, author of An Unexpected Bride, a romantic comedy about Emma Wigginswho is about to marry her heart-stopping, gorgeous boss, CEO Evan Fletcher inseven days. Only he doesn’t know about it yet! Since An Unexpected Bridecenters around the theme of love and companionship, I thought I’d compile alist some of the most romantic quotes or the most beautiful words you can sayto someone you care about. Check this list out:

“Love means never having tosay you’re sorry.” —From Love Story(1970) - Jennifer (Ali MacGraw) to Oliver (Ryan O’Neal)

“You had me at hello.”—From JerryMaguire (1996) - Dorothy (Renée Zellweger) to Jerry (Tom Cruise)

“I love you. You’re my only reason to stay alive… if that’s what I am.”—From The Twilight Saga: New Moon Edward(Robert Pattinson) to Bella (Kristen Stewart)

“Love is like a sunshine. Itbrings a golden glow to its beholder’s face. And a warm feeling all over theirbody. It awakens souls and opens eyes. And when its over, it leaves a billionsof small memories called stars. To remind the world, that it still exists.” – Author Unknown

“If you are in love…that’sabout the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don’t let anyone make it smallor light to you.” – John Steinbeck

“When you love someone, it’s something. When someone loves you, it’s anotherthing. When you love the person who loves you back, it’s everything.” – Author Unknown

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and to be loved in return.– Author Unknown

“Don’t give up too easy onfinding true love…we all need love.” – ShadonnaRichards (An Unexpected Bride, Sept 2011)

“Life is about moments…we have to make each moment a special occasion.” – Shadonna Richards (An Unexpected Bride, Sept2011)

Hope youenjoyed the list. I thought I’d leave you with a synopsis of An UnexpectedBride. Enjoy.

Desperate to fulfill her ailing grandfather’slast 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 sheis in fact engaged--to her boss, deliciously handsome and emotionallyunavailable, Evan Fletcher.

The situation takes an unexpected turn when her grandfather's conditionimproves slightly and to her shock, he goes ahead and arranges a weddingceremony at his hospital bedside before he passes on. Now, all Emma has to dois convince unsuspecting, commitment-phobic Evan to tie the knot with her inseven days. Can love blossom in the most unlikely situation?

Wednesday Brief!

2012-01-17T19:06:00.000-07:00

Wednesday! This means some more great flash work, and a piece of my own. We've changed our name to Wednesday Briefs, but I'm sure you'll like this banner as much as the last. Enjoy!

Oh, my god.

A huge, shiny pimple right in the middle of my forehead.With a heavy sigh, I pulled out my arsenal of weapons. You’d think, at nearlythirty, I would have a crystal clear complexion made from shiny unicorn butts.

Not so.

And imagine my horror at finding this thing right after Iintroduced myself to the new stud at work. With a bald head and green eyes, andshirt sleeves rolled up to reveal brawny arms and a hint of a tattoo, he’severything I’ve ever fantasized about.

Tommy. Even a typical bad boy name. I sighed and yankedmyself from the daydream of fields of waving daisies and my luscious breastsspilling over a corset as Tommy carried me into the sunset. The cat wrappedaround my legs as I applied my face mask and wrapped my still wet hair in atowel. One soft, fluffy robe later I was ready for my cereal and favorite TVshows.

Just as the gangs on the documentary started shooting, aknock echoed through my small apartment. I angled my head to stare at the door,mouth full of cereal. The knock came again.

I shuffled to the door and threw it open, not expecting tosee Tommy staring at me from the hallway. With a gasp, I slammed the door shutand pressed my hands against the cool wood to try and think him away. But hejust knocked again.

Steadying myself, I opened the door again, slower that time.Tommy smiled at me as I floundered for words. “Tommy! What a, ah…a surprise. IfI’d known you were coming I would have, you know. Washed my face at least.”

He chuckled. “Not a problem, Pam. Can I come in?”

I stepped aside. “Sure. Let me go wash up and I’ll be rightback.”

He settled on my couch as though he belonged there and thedamn cat cozied right up next to his bulk. “Oh, hi, kitty,” Tommy said,scratching Boots in his favorite spot behind the ears.

Smiling, I darted down the hall and locked the bathroom doorbehind me. “Stupid,” I whispered. “What the hell was all that?” The cold watershocked my system. “Why not just throw yourself into his arms, naked andglistening. That would have gone smoother than all this.”

I muttered to myself as I shoved my jeans and a t-shirt on.Tommy glanced up as I came back in.

“You look nice.”

“Thanks. Anything to drink?”

“No, thanks. I came by to ask you something.”

Perplexed, I sat on the edge of my chair and looked at him,waiting. “What’s up?” I said after an awkward moment.

“Do you believe in ghosts?”

“Ah…” The question threw me, and I scratched my head. “Maybe.Why?”

“Come on a ghost hunt with me.” His face broke out with awide smile as he waited for my answer.

“A ghost hunt.” He nodded. “Like looking for ghosts?”

“Yeah.” Tommy stood and began making grand gestures as hedescribed his idea. “There’s this place right down the street, and a group ofpeople are going to hunt ghosts. It’s an amazing building with a ton of historyand I thought maybe you might join me.”

As in a date?Unique. “Okay, I’ll go.” What the hellwas I thinking?

~End~ (For now)

The other great flashers:

Lily Sawyer

Part Two of Kacey Hammel's stop!

2012-01-14T07:19:00.005-07:00

Kacey Hammel is dropping back by with an interview! Enjoy!

Welcomeaboard! Tell us a little about yourself, please.

Thanksfor hosting me on your blog! I’m a momof three awesome kids, wife to an amazing and loving hubby and a writer whosometimes struggles to find time to write. But, I’ve never been happier.

Whatabout your latest release?

SINFUL is a contemporaryerotic romance about an aspiring singer and a songwriter/record producer whoenters her life unexpectedly. They work hard, love their music and love thosearound them wholeheartedly. Together, they make beautiful music.

Ok,let’s get down to the fun stuff. If you were stranded on a lush tropicalisland, and all of your basic needs were met, what two items would you havewith you? What person would be with you? Remember, you’re stuck there for anindefinite period with only each other to occupy the time.

Withmy hubby of course. Cell phone and camera – have to call the kids periodically(if there is a signal, if not—oh well ROFL), and camera to remember the time wewere carefree and just being together. Wouldn’t that just be priceless time!

Iknow down deep I’ve had fantasies of Matthew McConaughey and I strandedtogether but… J

Ifyou could play opposite any of your lead characters, which one would it be andwhy?

Ialways thought Brady, from Illusions would be my main man, butwhile he’s still very near and dear to my heart (being my first! LOL), Dare inmy current WIP makes me salivate. He’s a P.I. too, though works exclusively fora law firm, and nearly drives me to my knees whenever he’s around. He’sdelicious. I’d want to be around him all the time!

Ifyou could lead any of your secondary characters, which one would it be and why?

Hmm,probably Connor from Illusions. He’s Isabella’s partner,and a tortured hero – can’t tell you why til his story – and I think it’s goingto be the most emotional story I’ll have written this year (or at least startthis year).

You’relocked in a closet with Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, threepaperclips and a string. How do you get out?

Dammit,do I have to get out? I mean, could I just push Kate out and fend for myself??Oh, no, can’t cuz the door is locked. Hmm, well, I’ll push her into the cornerand ignore her. That’s the ideal dream of course, and I wouldn’t even try toget out if I’m stuck between JD and CF. I’d be quite content between them.

Namefive things you can do with a pencil.

Write.

Scratchmy back just under the shoulder blade where my fingers can’t reach!

Curlmy hair, then stick pencil in to make a bun, and get any dang strands out of myface.

Ifrequently tap pencils as if playing the drums. I always wanted to play thedrums…

And Ijoke w/ my daughter (who’s 15) to always have a sharpened pencil in herpurse…never know when a boy will get out of hand…or if vampires will attack(good for stabbing through the heart) *g*

Who’syour favorite character from your book(s)? Why? Don’t worry, we won’t

tell.

Ohgood, thanks for not telling. These characters can be quite possessive anddomineering. They like being the center of my attention—all of them, at thesame time. It’s difficult!

Whilethe men are lusty and sexy and delicious…Isabella, from Illusions holds

a verynear and dear spot in my heart. A lot of friends/family that have read thestory say that she and I have a lot in common and that our red hair should beoutlawed for our tempers LOL

Shealso holds a personal connection of never believing true love would find her.With my own personal life, after tragedy and abusive past, love wasn’t even onmy radar years ago. So Isabella’s emotional struggles are identifiable for meand while she’s tough-as-nails like I am, we’re both relentlessly protectiveabout those we care about and hate being vulnerable.

Wherecan we find you around the vast interwebs?

Readers are welcome contact me at kaceyhammell@gmail.com

And follow me at …

Whatabout your books? Where are they being sold at?

LastMan Standingis available at Whispers Publishing

Sinful is available atAmazon, B&N, aRe, and all online stores. Links are on mywebsite

Illusions will be availableat Decadent Publishing onFebruary 28, 2012

Thanksfor dropping in! Any last words?

Thankyou so much for having me on your blog. I truly appreciate it and loved yourquestions.

Readers,please feel free to contact me anytime at kaceyhammell@gmail.com

Blog Hop: Sinful

2012-01-13T04:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome back! Today, I've got special guest Kasey Hammell, author of Sinful, with an excerpt. Enjoy!

BLURB:

Music was their only dream & passion...

Until they found one another...

For years, Mikayla Gallan hasdreamed of providing a better life for her younger brother, Matthew, andherself. Coming from a family of musicians, Mikayla and Matthew have dreams ofsomeday making it big. But Mikayla's first priority is always ensuringMatthew's future. When Houdini Records comes knocking on her door, offering hereverything she's ever wanted, Mikayla's scared to grab onto their offer.

Sinclair "Sin" Devlin, part-owner of HoudiniRecords has loved and lost and has no intentions of ever going down that pathagain. He's determined to put his company back on the map and is willing to dowhatever it takes to make it happen. Meeting Mikayla Gallan, hearing her sultryand passionate voice on stage, Sin believes he has found the only woman thatcould save the company. He's even more shocked to realize thatperhaps she's also the only woman to save him from himself.

EXCERPT #1:

Mikayla hung up her skirt on the clippedhanger, making a mental note to take it home after her meeting with DesmondRitchie and his brother-in-law so that it could be dry-cleaned.

Anxious to get out front, her hands shookand her steps clumsy, as she hurriedly put her things away, she rechecked hermakeup one last time.

Standing straight, Mikayla looked herselfover in the mirror. Normally after work she’d dress in an old, comfortable pairof jeans, sweatshirt and running shoes, but tonight that wasn’t an option.

For her meeting she decided to keep herblack halter-top on that she’d worn onstage, and instead of her normal wornjeans, she dressed in pleated black dress slacks that were comfortable, yetprofessional. She still wore her red heels with straps at the ankles. Thoughher slacks covered the straps, they were her favourite pair and she looked sexyas hell in them.

Nothinglike a pair of fuck me shoes to give a girl a boost.

Around her bare shoulders, she wore asheer silk, red shawl that added colour to her outfit and she just couldn’tresist. Red was a power colour in hermind, and exuded confidence in the person wearing it. Plus it brought out herblue eyes.

At least that was her opinion and tonightshe needed all the confidence she could get. If Desmond Ritchie was for real,then hers and Matthew’s lives could change forever.

Taking a deep breath and resisting theurge to giggle in her excitement, something a woman of thirty just didn’t do,she grabbed her small black purse from the dressing table, spun on her heel andheaded to the door.

Throwing open the door, she didn’t seeanything but a large black blur coming at her and then she was falling. Herpurse fell as she reached out to grab whatever she could to stay upright.

Landing on her back on the floor, thefluffy grey carpeting at her back cushioning the fall, Mikayla sucked in abreath.

Old Spice and an inebriating masculinescent filled her nostrils and she opened her eyes. Looking into the deepestpair of brown eyes she’d ever seen, she was surprised to realize that a largeman was lying on top of her.

A hell of a sexy guy to be exact. Wavy,chestnut brown hair, deep brown eyes and lush, full lips were all she couldsee. Never in her life had she seen such a god-like, beyond gorgeous Adonisthis up close and personal.

In many ways, he reminded her of theactor, Matthew McConaughey, but with darker hair.

Small differences didn’t matter,McConaughey was her favourite actor, the man of many of her fantasies as shepleasured herself in her own room in the dark. Any man that could come close toMatthew McConaughey in looks and what she believed he’d feel like in her arms,was okay with her.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Gallan. The door openedso quickly, I didn’t have time to…”

Hearing his deep baritone voice,Mikayla’s body felt things it hadn’t felt in years. Desire, pulsating need andwetness between her thighs all registered in her passion-filled thoughts as shestared into his brown eyes.

Licking her lips, swallowing to wet herparched throat, hoping to vocalize some outrage or say something at least,Mikayla watched his eyes darken as he stared at her mouth.

Heat pooled even hotter in her belly andbetween her legs. She couldn’t remember where she was or whatever the hell shewas about to say.

This man on top of her, her arms aroundhim, Mikayla was certain that all was right with the world. The building aroundthem could have fallen down and she wouldn’t have cared. Within his arms, shefelt she was where she needed to be.

“Ms. Gallan? Are you all right?”McConaughey look-alike asked, his eyes still watching her lips.

Wetting her lips again, she asked in astill-parched voice, “Who are you?”

“Sin. My name’s Sin.”

Ohmy god.

Mikayla couldn’t have asked for a hotterfire to fan the flames but the temperature had just risen another one hundreddegrees. Just his name, said in that deep voice, did things to her that shouldbe illegal.

“Yes, sin you most certainly are.”Mikayla barely had time to register that she’d spoken aloud when he groaned andlowered his head.

Lips met hers in an explosive, wet kissthat would have knocked her on her ass had she not been lying down. Those lush and full lips captured hers andtheir tongues tangled.

He tasted of all man and a faint hint ofpeppermint. His hands held her head in place as if she’d move it at any secondand she felt the softness of his palms resting on her cheeks.

Lost in the arousing and powerful sensations of theirkiss, Mikayla’s hands roamed his back, shaping his corded muscles, making hershiver. Groaning into his mouth, she opened hers wider, taking more of histaste and his tongue into her mouth. She didn’t want to stop kissing him anytime soon.

EXCERPT #2:

Sinclair heard the voice before he sawher. Her voice in itself was smooth, raspy and packed a hell of a punch to thegut. The vision before him—he wouldn’thave expected to have that voice. Des was correct, long flowing hair, and damn,she was hot. He couldn’t see her eyes, but he hoped to get a bit closer soon tohave a peek. About five-three in height, she was a itty bitty thing, but hervoice—he had to admit—Des had found him a woman who had more potential than thehundreds they had seen over the last few months.

Her voice called to him. He could closehis eyes, hear it and think of hot summer nights. The oohs and aahs in herlyrics brought his visions of satin sheets and hot bodies to life with sound.He could picture lovers walking hand-in-hand and satin sheets with sweaty,writhing bodies making love.

The more she sang, the deeper his senseswent on full alert. She was drawing him in, which of course was a good thingfor any singer to capture his or her audience, but his libido was coming tolife. She was seducing him.

He was finding it hard to settle hisnaughty thoughts and direct them to the task-at-hand.

He turned to look at Des, leaned closerso he could hear him over the music. “She’s good, I’ll give her that. What doyou know about her?”

Des stood tall and proud, obviously verypleased for his find. “Emilio feltshe had something, too, and a demo of her landed on my desk. There was a note,unsigned, with After Hours addressand the nights she worked. I was in awe of her talent and wanted to see her inaction before wasting your time, though I was confident from what I heard onthe demo. She’s thirty, single, no kids, works here at night. Haven’t found outher day job as yet, if she even has one. I was here a couple nights ago, when you had that meeting with thebanker…?”

Sinclair nodded, eyes riveted to thestage. He was listening to Des but his eyes were drawn back to her.

“Anyway, the one waitress, Christine,told me a bit about her. But when I started asking more and more questions,like her day job, where she lived, she stopped talking and wouldn’t answeranything else.”

“Well, those kinds of questions, sheprobably thought you were a crazed stalker after her friend,” Sinclairreprimanded.

“Yeah well. I had to have answers. Youcan hear her. She’s perfect, Sin! Youknow it, that intense look on your face is very telling.”

Sighing, Sinclair looked at his friend.“She can put on a good show and has power chords, but who’s to say she can dolive shows, night after night?” Sinclairneeded to remind Des that just because someone could carry a tune, hold a fewnotes didn’t mean that in front of large audiences and stadiums, in videos oron tour, that they could keep up and hold their own. Des might be a greatbusiness partner who had handled things for them solo over the last few years,but he often times let his emotions get the better of his common sense.

“Dammit, man. I wish you would take stufflike this from me seriously sometimes! She’s our girl. She’s exactly what we’ve been looking for. You’d be a fool to be stubborn on this!”

“Okay, okay, I am listening. What else doyou know?”

“Her name is Mikayla Gallan. That, andwhat I already told you, is about all I do know.” Des looked toward the stageas she held the last note for what seemed like an eternity.

Sinclair looked around the nightclub. Notone man in the room was paying any attention to their dates. Even the bartenderand male waiters had stopped to stare.

“Thankyou ladies and gentleman. I’m pleased to see so many familiar faces tonight.Sit back and enjoy,” came the voicefrom onstage.

Even her speaking voice had a breathlessquality to it that sent shivers down Sinclair’s spine. That voice, it was whathe wanted. The rest of the package was more than he could ever have hoped tofind attached to a voice like that.

Sinclair looked at Des. They stoodlooking at one another for at least thirty seconds. Sinclair had to admit thatthough Des sometimes let his emotions lead, there was no man he trusted morewith his career and life.

“See if you can get us backstage at somepoint tonight to meet this Mikayla Gallan. Let’s at least introduce ourselves,”Sinclair said, silently admitting defeat and giving in to his pal.

“Yes!” Des said, slapping Sinclair on theshoulder. “You will not regret this, Sin. I promise.” Des headed off to speakwith the bartender.

Sinclair looked back to the stage as thecrooning angel began the next song.

Unbeknownstto you, Mikayla Gallan, you are the only hope I have to stay in this business.I need you...more than you could possibly know.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon | aRe | Barnes & Noble (Nook) | Smashwords| Bookstrand

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Canadian-born author, Kacey Hammell is a self-proclaimed book-a-holic,who began reading romances at a young age and became easily addicted. Asa Mom of three, Kacey has made certain that each of her children know the valueof the written word and the adventures they could escape on by becoming book-a-holicsin their own right.

A decade ago, while working for multiple review sites,Kacey quickly discovered that she was developing the writing bug. Thanks to theencouragement of her own beloved hero husband, she decided to try her hand atwriting.

With a love of contemporary settings, modern day romancesand the happily ever after, as well as the excitement of suspense, Kaceycreates stories in genres she’s familiar with and that she loves most. She alsoloves vampires who nibble the necks of the heroines, ghosts who can't leave aloved one, shape-shifters who are sexier than hell and the thought of her veryown werewolf or were-cat to tame makes her tremble!

Readerscan contact Kacey at kaceyhammell@gmail.com

Readers can learn more about Kacey’s books and contact hervia …

Facebook

Twitter

Website/Blog

Blog Barrage: The Fall of Rain

2012-01-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome back! After a brief hiatus, I'm glad to get back in the swing of things. Here's a barrage of information for you, including an excerpt (oooooooooh, yeah), so enjoy!

Blurb:

LeifDæganssen, an archeologist from

Norway

,is determined to trace back his Scandinavian roots as far as the Dark Ages andfind proof of their existence on the Emerald Isle. After several years ofliving off the west coast of

Ireland

,he finally uncovers an ancient artifact—an intricately decorated chest withpagan carvings—buried beneath the very porch of his coastal cottage. Knowing itonly confirms the presence of a glorified Norse-influenced settlement on InisMór, he’s determined to establish a link between himself and those who onceinhabited the rugged isle.

For as longas she can remember, Lorraine O’Connor has had dreams of a Norse warriorkissing her. And even though she’s never fully understood the reason for hervivid subconscious imagination, she welcomes the meaningless and wantonpleasure of being in a Viking’s protective embrace—until the day she meets thatbrazen Northman on an impulsive vacation trip to Ireland.

Thoughblindsided by the relevance of her dreams and the strange familiarity of theman within them, Lorrainecan’t help but feel a deep-seated intimacy toward Leif. And the more she getsto know him, the more she’s convinced they’ve shared a life together in a timelong forgotten.

Are the cluesto their ancestral past hidden within the contents of the chest or buried deepwithin their hearts?

Excerpt:

Leif laughed inwardly as he heard thelock engage. Lorrainewas definitely an odd sort of female, with all her outlandish outbursts andpeculiar reactions, but no less interesting. She had this way about her thatmade him pay close attention, made him want to pay close attention, else hemight miss something. No woman had ever been able to do that to him.

He was not a man easily beguiled.‘Exceedingly picky’ were Kristoff’s words on many occasions when they could’vehad a few choice opportunities with several of the women who entered Tí Joe Mac’s Pub in Kilronan. But healways found a way to stay clear of them. Either their hair was too short,their fingers too long, or they were excessively giggly over anyone who spokeGaelic to them. No matter how beautiful they were to the eye, Leif alwaysmanaged to find some flaw, an imperfection he couldn’t get passed.

The only imperfection Lorraine possessed, if he could call itthat, was being unreadable. Even then, he couldn’t rightfully hold it againsther. He was glad that she left him guessing, left him wondering what she’d sayor do next. Every time he spoke to her, he had no idea what would come out ofher mouth.

Andwhat a pretty mouth it was.

Her lips were a delicate shade of roseand looked just as supple as the petals from which its color derived. Heimagined they felt as soft and delicate in a kiss, and longed to taste them, topress his lips against her and savor every blessed moment of it while watchingher eyes close in automatic response.

Oh,those eyes…

Their exquisite brilliance utterlyentranced him. He couldn’t look away no matter how hard he tried. They shone asbright and vivid as the intrinsic color of an emerald, with flecks of lightergreen pigments fissuring throughout.

Though he’d stared at them as if theywere rare jewels tucked within the hilt of a Viking warrior’s ceremonially-bentsword, uncovered from a sacred burial site, he couldn’t help but feel he wasgazing into something he’d known and seen before. Words could not describe whathe felt, except that his longing was innate—as if her eyes and all its wonders hadbeen engraved on him from years past.

Again, he laughed inwardly, remindinghimself that his entire week had fallen into the epitome of the absurd. Betweenfinding the carved chest of treasured antiquities buried beneath his porch tohaving a gorgeous woman bathe in his home, he could hardly believe his bizarrestroke of luck.

He quickly left the hallway and enteredthe kitchen, flipping the nearly burned fish in the pan. The unrelenting visionof her slick wet body clung to him like a wet blanket, drenched with his ownlustful musings of what she’d feel like if he dared to touch her. At least, hewas glad to know he was still a red-blooded man. As many times as Kristoff hadridiculed him for his lack of interest, tonight he didn’t have to ponder his gender.It was as plain as the nose on his face, and stuck out a bit further than hecared to admit.

Reaching down, he shifted himself, tryingto award his erection some more room in his jeans, while cursing it all thesame. “Now is not the time.”

“Not the time for what? Dinner?”

Leif turned at the sound of Lorraine’svoice, not expecting anyone to be behind him, and almost knocked the pan offthe stove. He caught it by the handle, fortunately, steadying it before it slidoff the edge.

“I take it you’re not used to a woman inyour home,” she stated discernibly.

Heaving a sigh, he smiled. “How was yourshower?”

“Exhilarating.”

I’msure it was. “Good.” He rallied hisbest casual voice and turned back to the fish, still simmering on the stove. Ashe resumed cooking, he secretly regarded the way the small swell of her breastsput curves in his oversized T-shirt that her raincoat had once hidden. Thoughher dainty figure had been virtually swallowed up by his cotton drawstringsweats, he knew somewhere beneath all that fabric was an enticing set offeminine curves.

“Since my clothes were still damp, I hungthem over the shower rod to dry,” she confessed. “I hope that’s all right.”

His grip tightened on the handle. Theimage of a lace-lined bra and delicate panties, hanging in his bathroom flashedin his mind and he could do little about the smile teasing the corners of hislips. Without facing her, he shrugged his shoulders, pretending he hardly caredand changed the subject. “I hope you’re hungry,” he replied, fisting aquartered lemon above the pan-seared cod and dousing it with lemon juice. “I’vemade enough for the whole village it seems.”

He thought he heard a slight chuckle,regretting that he’d probably missed the first opportunity to see her smile.But he kept to his mission of transferring the food to the two plates sittingon the adjacent counter. That little feat required more of his attention givenhe wasn’t much of a practiced chef.

“It smells delicious.”

Adding the final touches to the plate witha few island flowers he’d picked days ago—only because he heard from the moreexperienced chefs in Dublin’s pricey restaurants that presentation waseverything—and a slice of soda bread on top, he turned around and caught herlooking at him. Her eyes, however, did not meet his until they jumped up from alower direction.

She cleared her voice and looked away,feigning that she had ever been looking at his arse. Leif was not a stupid man,nor did things often get passed him, but for her sake, he acted as if he werenone the wiser.

“Please. Have a seat.”

She did as he suggested, wringing herhands in the extra T-shirt cloth at her waist.

She’sstill nervous.

For that reason, he sat in the seatdirectly across from her instead of next to her where they could share the samecorner of the table. Disappointed as he was, he refused to show it, keeping akeen eye on her facial expressions and body posture. At the present, she satstiff-backed in the chair, her eyes fixed on the bounty of food he placed in frontof her.

A quick grin teased her lips when she sawthe white and yellow daisy garnishing the corner of her plate. She never said aword in regards to his makeshift embellishment, but the smile that hung aboutthereafter was enough for him.

She didn’t waste any time taking herfirst bite, closing her eyes as she pulled the fork from her mouth. Hershoulders melted and a slight hum reverberated from her lips.

“Does that mean it’s good?”

“Are you kidding?” she asked, her eyesnervously diverting from his the moment they met. “This is the best pan-searedfish I’ve ever had.”

He shook his head, forking his firstbite. “Now I’m convinced you have a concussion.”

“I’m serious. I’ve never had fish like thisbefore. Most times it’s fried to a crisp or bland as hell.”

“Well, I don’t know much about Kentucky, but I believethey’re known for their horses, not herbs.” He took another generous bite andwaited. “That wasn’t funny?”

She mildly smiled and stuffed a piece ofbread in her mouth. “You make a better cook than a comedian.”

“Ah, look at that. Give the small town Kentucky girl a hotshower and some food and she’s as good as new.”

Another smile. That one he was sure tocatch.

“I don’t know about all that,” shereplied uncertainly.

“Well, you’re gaining a bit ofconfidence. It’s good to know you’re less fearful of me.”

Her hand froze, her fork stuck in another cutof fish. “I don’t fear you, Leif. I just don’t know you.”

He set his utensil down and crossed hisarms, eager to finally delve into a meaningful discussion. “What is it you’dlike to know?”

Ishied from his intrusive eyes, feeling the heat of his stare setting me ablaze.

Heleaned in. “I know you are avoiding me because you feel ‘tis right. ‘Tis moral.‘Tis safer. But you needn’t fear me.”

Itook a deep breath. “I fear you not, Dægan. I simply know not enough aboutyou.”

Hisface recoiled slightly as if my choice of words had stunned him. He released meand crossed his arms in front of him. “What would you like to know?”

“Rain?”

Leif’s voice caught her off guard and shelooked around, confused, the name Dægan echoing in her ears. She blinked,staring at the man across from her, his face illustrating as much bewildermentas her own.

“You all right?” he asked, reaching forher hand.

Instantly, she pulled away, trying togather her wits. It seemed she’d hear Leif’s words in the same minute she’dhear the exact same thing from a man by the name of Dægan.

What the hell was wrong with her? Why didshe keep seeing things that weren’t really there or hear conversations from anunknown past, which were so akin to what she was talking about now?

“You blacked out for a moment,” he explained.

“I did?” The question came out of hermouth even though she knew she had gone somewhere else, somewhere that seemedlike memories. It was as if she were having personal recollections of long ago,which involved her and a Norse warrior in some uncanny fashion.

“Yeah, you did. I asked you what you wanted toknow about me, and suddenly, your eyes glazed over. You stared straightforward, but focused on nothing. Are you sure you’re all right? Perhaps we needto wake up the good doc.”

She fidgeted in her chair. The thought ofa doctor looking her over and determining she was categorically crazy was notin her vacation plans. She tried to go back to her normal routine of eating,forking another bite of fish to prove to him, if not herself, he wasoverreacting. “Really, I’m fine. You shouldn’t worry. I just need to finisheating and get some rest. I’ve had a long day.”

Again, he didn’t look convinced. But whatelse could she say? She was as lost as he was when it came to her “blackingout” and no amount of pondering it could procure a logical explanation.

For the rest of the meal, they both losttheir tongues for small talk and the only sound heard was the casual clinkingof silverware on their plates. It was just as well, since neither seemed toknow what to say anyway. Despite the great food and warm hospitality Leif hadprovided her, Lorrainewanted nothing more than to be alone. To lie down with her thoughts andhopefully be exhausted enough to sleep.

She prayed for sleep. Sleepwithout dreams. Somehow, as she glanced over at Leif looking at her in the mostconcerned way, she didn’t think she’d get her wish.

Buy Links:

Amazon print: http://www.amazon.com/Fall-Rain-Emerald-Isle-Trilogy/dp/1937389553/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322576302&sr=1-1

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Fall-Rain-Emerald-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B006HM9QZA/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323032349&sr=1-2

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fall-of-rain-renee-vincent/1107867696?ean=2940013440005&itm=1&usri=renee+vincent

Turquoise MorningPress: https://www.createspace.com/3729821

All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thefallofrain-651760-140.html

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/110678

Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/the-fall-of-rain

About The Author:

I am anauthor with a passionate interest in Irish and Norse history. I live in therolling hills of Kentuckywith my husband and two children on a beautiful secluded farm of horses and hayfields.

When I am not writing, I love tospend my time on the back of a horse, whether with my family or with myfriends. There is nothing like feeling the sunlight on your face, the wind inyour hair, and the power of the animal beneath you as you enjoy the beautifulscenery. Seeing the world from a saddle is, by far, the best view and the besttherapy for a heavy heart or a troubled mind. My therapist's name, or myhorse's, rather, is "Statues Suddenly Lucky", a full-bloodedTennessee Walker, and of course, he goes by the name of Lucky for short.

I am a sucker for a good cup of coffee (lots of cream andsugar...and whipped cream if I can get my hands on it), great conversation, anda lilting Irish accent. I love to read and I can't resist watching great epichistorical movies.

Links:

Website: http://www.reneevincent.com

Blog: http://www.pasttheprint.blogspot.com

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

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ReneeVincent

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3005290.Renee_Vincent

Deep In The Heart Romance: http://www.deepintheheartromance.com/

Publisher:

Turquoise Morning Presshttp://www.turquoisemorningpress.com/

Organizations:

Romance Writers of

America

http://www.rwanational.org/

Kentucky Romance Writers http://www.kentuckyromancewriters.com/

Ohio Valley Romance Writers http://www.ovrwa.com/

Celtic Hearts Romance Writers: http://www.celtichearts.org/

Hearts Through History: http://www.heartsthroughhistory.com/

Reviews:

Ræliksen

*Winner of two categories by Love Romances Café

“Best Book Cover2010”

“Best Historical2010”

“This book and authorearn my highest recommendations and I feel privileged to have read one of thebest. It is a must read for any lover of historical romance or even lovers ofromance in general.”
~ 5 Stars TOP PICK ~ Night Owl Reviews

“…this story isrealistic, historically accurate and unforgettable; a story you will rememberlong after the last page is read.”

~ 5 Blue Ribbons! ~ Romance Junkies

“Every word of thisstory has meaning. Every moment leads to the next. Every word is simultaneouslynatural and brilliant, each one holding an unmistakable place in history withthe telling of this tale.”

~ Author Sarah Ballance

Mac Liam

*Winner of the “5Heart Sweetheart” Award

from The RomanceStudio

“It comes alive andwinds its way into your heart. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoyshistorical romance and I cannot wait to read the final book of the trilogy asthis story has stayed with me days after I read the last word.”

~ 5 Hearts ~ The Romance Studio

“I will admit tobeing skeptical that this story would capture me as much as the first had, butI was blown away by the awesomeness that is Mac Liam. Ms. Vincent surpassed allof my expectations with her impressive writing abilities, while offering moreincites and revelations that will keep readers coming back for more.”

~ 5 Stars TOP PICK ~ Night Owl Reviews

“The steadfast, truelove Ms. Vincent creates in Mac Liam takes one’s breath away.

A memorable,satisfying story!”
~ 4.5 Books ~ Long And Short Reviews

Silent Partner

"Ms. Vincent’swriting has the unique ability of capturing both the reader’s heart and mind… Ithoroughly enjoyed everything about this story and would love to see it becomea movie. Another highly recommended read by Renee Vincent!"

~ "5 Star TOP PICK" ~ Night Owl Reviews

Her writing sparkles,and given this is the author’s first attempt at contemporary mainstream romance,she creates the right impact for settings, pace and conflict. Her balance ofthe self-absorbed hero meeting emotionally challenged heroine is stunningbecause of her research into the heroine’s background. This book is akeeper."
~ "LASR BEST BOOK" ~ Long AndShort Reviews

Blog Hop: Sarah Ballance!

2012-01-03T15:23:00.002-07:00

Welcome to another day! And a special welcome to Sarah Ballance, who's dropped in with an interview for us. Enjoy!

Pleasetell the readers a little about yourself:

Hi,there! Thanks so much for having me here today. I'm an accidental author(truly, I never wanted to write fiction!) and love crunching numbers. (Yes, Iconfess, I'm fascinated by our family budget, LOL.) I've been married to anunbelievably awesome guy for going on 15 years and we homeschool our six kids,ages 13 down to 19 months. I've been blessed with an amazing life . . . andwriting offers me the chance to escape the chaos that comes with it. Yep—I cango anywhere I want through the worlds I create and I don’t have to pack foreight people. Definite WIN!

Howabout your latest release?

FAMILIARLIGHT is a romantic thriller complete with lost love and deadly obsession. :c)When Laney returns to her hometown hoping to reconnect with her first love,Bridger, his reception is not what she hoped, and it's not until she becomesthe victim of a threatening attack that Bridger realizes he can't deny hisfeelings. He promises to keep her safe, but not even he can protect her from asick man's obsession—or from the murderous intentions of a cold-blooded killer.

Whatwas your primary inspiration for this book?

Itwas written specifically for the Noble Romance Timeless Desire blog tour, so Ihad to work within that theme and also keep it to 10k words. The concept ofreunited lovers is actually a favorite of mine and worked well with the tour,so I went with it for FAMILIAR LIGHT. Mybiggest challenge, then, was writing a suspense plot—not because we had to, butbecause I love suspense so much. My husband, who does NOT read romance at all,is my go-to guy for plot help, so together we hammered out the suspenseelement. The beach setting came naturally, as that's easily one of my favoritespots. :c)

Doyou have any muses?

IfI do, they're ornery suckers! LOL. Rarely does writing come easy for me, and Ireally do admire (okay, I'm JEALOUS of) those authors who write effortlessly.

Doyou control your characters or do they flog you into shape?

Istart with a plan. By the end of my story, it's all I can do to keep up withthem and their bright ideas. (Yes, very much like herding children, LOL.)

Whenyou write, is there a special routine you follow?

Idiscovered during my older kids' horseback riding lessons that my best writingtime is spent in the truck with my favorite CD playing. (I stick to one CD formonths—it's like my brain is programmed to write as soon as the first notesplay). But riding lessons are only a small percentage of my writing time, sofor the most part I just write in the evenings after dinner—roughly 8:00 p.m.to midnight. My hubby keeps the kids entertained, which gives him plenty ofone-on-one time with them and me a much needed break.

Ifyou could be one animal, person, or at a place for a day what/who/where wouldit be?

Welove boating, and I can't wait to take a trip to the Keys, so that's my pick: onour boat in the Keys. (I prefer to stay out of international waters. I'dprobably get arrested for something I didn't know was illegal, LOL.)

Fiverandom facts about you:

I never missed a single day of school. At my high school graduation, I received a certificate for 13 years of perfect attendance.
My hubby and I planned our first five kids, but number six came as a shocker . . . after my tubes were tied!
In 1992 I spent several hours stuck in an elevator in Spain, missed the tour bus, and ended up touring the city (Seville) in a horse-drawn carriage instead. Best elevator fail ever!
I've never had a "real job."
I've been to nearly every state in the continental U.S., mostly by car. When I was a kid, my parents made a huge effort to "drive the country" so I'd see it firsthand, and those are among my fondest memories—memories I'd like to re-create with my own kiddos.

Areyou working on any new releases later this year?

Yes!In FAMILIAR LIGHT, readers meet Detective Holden Whitlow. In my upcomingromantic suspense TIDE OF LIES, someone from Holden's past resurfaces with adevastating secret, and as the truth comes to light, the consequences turndeadly. Lots of twists and turns to keep this one exciting! (Although thesestories are related and I hope you'll be interested in reading FAMILIAR LIGHTfirst (*grin*), TIDE OF LIES is a novel-length story that stands alone.) I'llalso be adding titles to my Packing Heat series with Noble Romance @ https://www.nobleromance.com/Books?series=30

Anythingelse you’d like to say?

Ifyou like freebies (*ahem*), I'd like to invite you to subscribe to my blog.Why? Because I offer a weekly giveaway. Each week random.org chooses one of my**email subscribers** to win their choice of a $10 gift card to Noble Romanceor a $5 gift card to Amazon. You'll be automatically entered into each weeklydrawing so long as you remain an email subscriber, so head on over and join me!(Full details and subscription box are available here: http://sarahballance.wordpress.com/weekly-giveaways/ )

Thankyou so very much for having me today!

Contactinfo:

WEBSITE http://www.sarahballance.com/

BLOG http://sarahballance.wordpress.com/

AMAZON http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003WKYEJI

TWITTER http://twitter.com/#!/SarahBallance

FACEBOOK FAN http://www.facebook.com/sarah.ballance.author.news

GOODREADS http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4103362.Sarah_Ballance

Review! Lady of The Drake

2011-12-28T18:54:00.002-07:00

Hello, hello, and welcome to another day on the blog! Today, I'm hosting J.V. Altharas for an interview and review of Lady of The Drake.

Enjoy!

Interview:

Welcome aboard! Tell us a little about yourself, please.

I’m an author, singer, podcaster and sex educator with apenchant for smut and fantasy fiction. I’ve always been a storyteller in oneway or another, and I’m really glad I started writing fiction again.

What about your latest release?

Lady of the Drake is a genuine fantasy novel that’s also asmokin’ hot erotic romance. Dragons have always been my favorite paranormalcharacters, and I really tried to envision them in new and exciting ways forthis book. There are classic elements like shape-shifting, but I wanted therest of their magic to be as much a part of who they were as things they coulddo.

Lana and Alaron were both fun to write, and I hope this bookdoes well enough to turn it into a series. I didn’t have room to do nearly asmuch as I wanted with a lot of the supporting characters, and I’ve got a lotlined up for them if I get to write sequels. So far it’s gotten a lot of greatreviews, so I‘ve got my fingers crossed.

The person is easy…I’d take my submissive, Shara. I can’timagine better long-term entertainment. If all my basic needs were met, I’dalso take a chess set and a bamboo rake to turn the beaches into giant Zengardens.

If you could play opposite any of your lead characters,which one would it be and why?

Lana, from Lady of the Drake. She’s the first female leadI’ve written who’s absolutely fearless and absolutely shameless. She doesn’tknow how to live at anything less than full-throttle, and I had a great timewriting her.

If you could lead any of your secondary characters, whichone would it be and why?

Celeste, also from Lady of the Drake. She’s a lot morecomplex than I had time to show in this book, and she needs some time in thespotlight.

You’re locked in a closet with Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell,Kate Beckinsale, three paperclips and a string. How do you get out?

-Tie the string into a lasso.
-Slip the lasso under the door and into the next question, snagging myself apencil.
-Use said pencil to eliminate Johnny and Colin, for being unable to get out ofa closet without help from an author. Also, I don’t like the way they’ve beenflirting with Kate. Coincidentally, my competition for her attention has alsodisappeared.
-Twist two paperclips into lock picks.
-Rub the pencil on the door frame until there’s enough graphite to lubricate myhalf-assed lock picks.
-Pick the lock, freeing Kate and I from our imprisonment. We’ve really bondedover the course of the ordeal.
-Show Kate what else I can do with a pencil.

Name five things you can do with a pencil.

-Open an envelope
-Stir paint
-Draw on a naked body for the sensory stimulation
-Clitoral massage with the eraser
-Get out of a closet

Who’s your favorite character from your book(s)? Why? Don’tworry, we won’t tell.

Ariel, one of the slaves from the Tales of Aeodar seriesI’ve just started releasing. I’ve only published one teaser short so far, butI’ve written a lot of her and she’s a really dynamic, interesting characterwith a deep understanding and acceptance of her own submissive nature. She’salso first-slave to one of the most powerful men in the kingdom, which comeswith its own unique set of challenges and opportunities. I can’t wait to finishup a few more of the pieces I’ve got going and share more of her with myreaders.

Where can we find you around the vast interwebs?

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/JVAltharas

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/JV-Altharas/100492053336458

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/JVAltharas

Ending the Sexual Dark Age, our (warning) gleefully explicitand brutally blunt sex education podcast: http://www.sexualdarkage.com

What about your books? Where are they being sold at?

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_at_ep_srch?_encoding=UTF8&sort=relevancerank&search-alias=books&field-author=J.V.%20Altharas

Ravenous Romance (best prices, all digital formats): http://ravenousromance.com/authors/altharas_j_v/

Free shorts at Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/author/JVAltharas

Thanks for dropping in! Any last words?

Thanks for having me as a guest, I had a great time withsome of these questions. Hopefully I’ll be back in 2012 to talk about a sequel.

Review:

Lady Of The Drake is a story of love found in the most unexpected places.

We meet Lana, a midwife and healer for her small village, as she treks into the mysterious forest in search of a cure for a plague hounding her friends. She meets Alaron, keeper of the forest, and we're immediately introduced to their incredible passion for each other. As their story progresses, we see the bond they form clearly and share in Lana's distress as she's separated from her love, and the life changing decisions she must make in order to be happy.

I found this to be an enjoyable story, with lots of wonder interspersed into the lines. The author creates a world easy to escape into, and the love scenes are fantastic. Overall, I give this one four stars.

A good read for a quiet weekend.

The Big Boom

2011-12-27T17:51:00.002-07:00

Welcome to flash fiction day! This is the last one for 2011, and I'm glad to celebrate it with the company of the flashing crew. Don't forget to check them out!

Enjoy!

“Adelaide.”

The single word drew my attention to a raggedy looking manleaning against a light pole. What’s his face from the old house, the crazy guywho told me the city would blow up in seven days.

That was, what? Six days ago.

I backtracked a few steps to lean next to him. “What’s yourname, slim?”

“You don’t need to know my name. Thought I told you not tocome downtown.”

I shrugged. “Yeah, well. You know what they say about thelure of the lights and all that.”

“You’re too smart to be doing this to yourself.” He glancedover to me, and I noticed for the first time how calm he was. No twitching, noincoherent talk. Just as calm and steady as a sunny day. “Why do you destroyyourself?”

“Gee, slim, I don’t know.” I stepped off the pole and turnedmy back to him. “Maybe my daddy didn’t love me enough.”

“Bullshit.” He stepped up behind me and I felt his hotbreath on my cheek when he spoke again. “Leave. Now.”

Slim’s voice sent goosebumps across my skin and I rubbed myarms. “Why?”

“Up to you, mama,” he said, suddenly backing away. But hegrabbed my arm before I could run for my life. I knew I should have finishedoff that tequila before I left the house.

“What are you doing?” I struggled in his grip, my effortsfutile. Slim was much stronger than he appeared.

“Come on,” he said, and tugged me into his side. “We’retaking a walk.”

I stayed silent as he drug me along the crowded streets ofdowntown. People jostled by, unaware of the silent struggle with their headstucked securely up their asses. So long as that smart phone was visible, theydidn’t care.

We finally reached the hub of downtown, a section of oldbuildings fashioned in a large circle. The courthouse sat to our left andpolice headquarters to the right, the same building I’d gone into just a fewdays before. The police didn’t noticeus, either. They were too busy getting a group of rowdy protesters to move.Slim smiled and led me down a small alley between the buildings.

“Where are we going, slim?” I asked in a sweet voice, hopingto disarm him.

He finally let go, but beckoned me forward. “I want to showyou why you shouldn’t have come back down here.”

Apprehension slammed into me with a gale force, leaving myheart pounding and breath coming fast. I stepped forward cautiously, followinghim into the shadows. Slim lifted a trash can to reveal a hole in the groundand pointed.

I leaned around him and gasped. Wires, thousands of them,ran in intricate patterns to a hub of some sort. It seemed to pulse withanticipation of the lives it would steal, the mangled bodies left behind in itswake. I glanced up at Slim and found him nodding with excitement.

“See, Adelaide? This doesn’t just end here, either. We’veset this bitch up all underground.” His arm swept

the area to indicate the sizeof the beast below us. Energy hummed through my feet as I prepared to run. “There’sanother set up on the other side of town and too many more to count across thenation.”

I fell back against the wall, clutching my chest as panicrose inside of me. “Why, slim?”

“Why what? Why two? You know, double your pleasure, doubleyour fun.” He winked, and for the first time I saw his calm clarity for thetruth: madness.

Utter madness.

“Oh, my god,” I whispered.

“Twenty three minutes, mama.” I bolted down the alley, hislaughter following me the entire time.

What do I do? All these people, all oblivious to what crawlsbeneath them. I looked to the protesters at the police station, embroiled in ameaningless battle with the law. Who cares? Freedom means nothing in theaftermath.

I ran up to them and grabbed an officer. He jerked away andstared at me.

“The hell do you think you’re doing?”

Tears flowed freely down my cheeks as I pointed to the alleywhere slim had just emerged from. “A bomb,” I said, willing him to believe me. “There’sa huge bomb in that alley.”

He frowned, waffling back and forth. Finally, he relentedand stepped down from the first stair to meet my gaze. “A bomb?” I nodded. “Inthat alley?” Another nod.

“Hey! Johnston!” Oh, god. The cop who didn’t believe me.

The officer stepped over and spared me a glance. “Yeah?”

“This young lady seems to believe there’s a bomb in ouralley.”

Before Johnston could form the clever reply, I threw myhands up, exasperated. “Will you just come down there and I’ll fucking show you.”

They kept their hands trained on their guns, which wasprobably a good idea seeing as slim was hanging around. “Here, right here.” Ipointed to the trash can. “Lift that up.”

Johnston stepped around me, keeping a side eye on me thewhole time. He kicked the trash can away to reveal the hypnotic core of themassive bomb beneath our feet.

I swallowed. “I told you. He said there’s twenty threeminutes to the explosion.”

Before I could blink, I was being dragged out of the alleyand tossed onto the street. After an agonizing minute of delay, a whole shebangof cops ran into the street. The radios crackled and feet pounded past me asthey tried to decide how best to evacuate the area.

I didn’t need to be evacuated. While they were distracted, Igot to my feet and ran. Three city blocks between me and the monster, I stilldidn’t stop running.

Even the ground rumbling beneath me couldn’t stop my feet. Ididn’t stop until the blast threw me from my feet.

~End~

The other great flashers:

Tom Mach Guest Blog!

2011-12-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

Please welcome back Tom Mach, who I'm offering a second day since I forgot to previously post his blog. Without further ado:

How I Let My Imagination Run Wild With MyMurder Mystery

by Tom Mach

I think writing is the onlyprofession where you can literally get away with murder without fear of beingarrested. I don’t know if this is true for other authors, but when I wrote AnInnocent Murdered, I got into the heart and mind of each majorcharacter, including the murderer herself. I could sense the anger building upin her heart as she confronted the priest in the rectory….

She slipped the Smith& Wesson into her pocket and removed a knife from her bag. “There’s nothingto talk about, you son of a bitch.”

He dropped his hands fora moment. “Please let me at least say a prayer.”

“Go ahead and beg forGod’s mercy, you pervert!”

He made the sign of thecross with his crucifix. “Oh my God,” he muttered, “I am heartily sorry forhaving offended Thee.”

His squeal vibratedacross the room as she slashed his throat. After his body slumped to the floor,she plunged the knife into his abdomen. He made a gagging sound from his throatas if he were drowning in his own blood. She plunged the knife into him again.And again. And again.

As I wrote this scene I could feel the weight of the gun asI returned it to the bag I carried and I took a good look at the sharp knife Iremoved. I could sense his entire body shaking and when I slashed his throat itfelt as if I were carving up a turkey. My anger rose as I continued to stabhim. After this scene, I had to take a break and regain my sanity beforereturning to my computer to type more.

Itwas rather interesting for me to pretend to be a woman in An Innocent Murdered. To do this, however, I had to draw on whateverexperiences I had with women involved in different lifestyles. Take, forinstance, a former nun named Susan Stratford, who plays an important part in AnInnocent Murdered because she helps Matt solve a cold case involvingthe murder of a child 25 years ago. Since I attended a Catholic elementaryschool, I knew several nuns and today I know a couple of nuns who go to mychurch. I became familiar with the daily routine they need to go through, andeven though Susan is no longer a nun, she still has strong religious convictions.Imagine her dilemma, then, when Susan confesses to Matt that she was a virginfor 46 years and has never even seen a naked man before, and wants theexperience of sexual intercourse. When Matt disrobes for her she still evokesmemories from her past about her intense feelings for God….

Herface turned crimson as she stroked his penis while touching his testicles. “I’msorry, Matt. I’m probably embarrassing you by doing this.”

“No,not all.”

Shelooked up at him. “From what I’ve read, these testicles create the sperm whilethe penis ejaculates it into a woman’s vagina to create life. It’s wonderfulthe way God designed man for procreation. Isn’t it?”

“Ican’t argue with that.”

Shenoticed his penis beginning to grow as she fondled it. “I mean, God produceshuman life from life. We’re all participants in the act of creation.”

“Iffeels as if I’m in a religion class right now.”

“Sorry.I can’t help but see God in everything.”

WhenI wrote about Susan, I felt her dilemma and guilt about satisfying hercuriosity while being convinced she was sinning. One thing I’ve learned is thatwomen tend to be much more involved and interested in relationships than in thesex act itself. Therefore, when Heather, an African-American woman with whomMatt wants to have sex with talks to him, she is much more interested inknowing about his ex-wife and his son Billy….

“Was your ex also an African-American woman?” Heather asks.

“Yeah. She was an oboistwith the Arkansas Symphony. Also taught music. But she had an ego larger than afull orchestra.”

Heather cocked her headin curiosity. “What was it like for Billy to be biracial—I mean to have a blackmother and a white father? Did he have problems with his school friends? Didpeople see him differently?”

“Not at all. Billy grewup in the eighties. By then folks were far more tolerant than they used to be.I’d say he had a pretty normal life—but a short one, of course.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’thave brought it up. It must have been agonizing to lose a son at such an earlyage.”

“No need to apologize.Bad things sometimes happen to people.”

It became painfullyquiet for a moment, but Heather laughed lightly to ease the tension. “You seemto have a fixation for black women.”

Initially,I had difficulty getting into the skin and mind of Detective Matt Gunnison.When I first wrote about him he was just a detective solving a case. But in my heartand mind he was much more than that. I finallybegan to identify with him when I made him a full human being, complete with ahorrible event from the past which soured him, his love for kids, histenderness to people such as Susan, the former nun, his anger at Heather forusing him, his intuitive sense in trying to solve the case, and his intensesorrow at learning how and why an eight-year-old girl was murdered 25 yearsago.

Ilove it when my imagination runs wild and different characters form in my headand develop a personality of their own. During the time I am writing about aparticular character I feel as if I am magically transformed into being that character. It’s fun being a personwith a different background, a different perspective, and a different genderand race. But I’m so glad that when I actually see myself stabbing a victim, Iam not brought up on charges of murder. This is because writers have a lot offreedom. It reminds me of the story of the pope, the president, and a writer inthe same canoe when it capsizes. With the island too far from shore, neitherthe pope nor the president can save themselves, but the writer simply walks onwater and arrives safely at the island. How is that possible?

Anythingis possible with creative writing—even first-degree murder!

LINKS FOR VBT: AN INNOCENT MURDERED

http://www.tommach.com/

http://twitter.com/kansasauthor

http://www.facebook.com/kansasauthor

http://www.amazon.com/An-Innocent-Murdered

http://youtu.be/ndsPTht08EA

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/74459

Tom Mach’s Bio

Bio:

Book Blurb:

Father O'Fallon has been murdered, and police officerJacinta Perez is arrested and charged. Detective Matt Gunnison, however, is notconvinced and with the help of Susan, an ex-nun, he discovers a fascinatinglink between the priest's death and the death of a child 25 years ago. WillMatt be able to solve both murders? See video: http://t.co/H1siZOg

Blog Hop: Rebecca Royce

2011-12-22T04:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome back! Today, I'm hosting Rebecca Royce. She's another splendid author form the Madame Eve's 1NS Christmas anthology! She's here today with an interview, so without further babbling from me, enjoy!

Pleasetell the readers a little about yourself:

As a teenager, I would hide in my roomto read my favorite romance novels when I was supposed to be doing my homework.I hope, these days, that my parents think it was worth it.

I am the mother of three adorable boysand I am fortunate to be married to my best friend. We live in northern NewJersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months.

I am in love with science fiction,fantasy, and the paranormal and try to use all of these elements in my writing.I've been told I'm a little bloodthirsty so I hope that when you read my workyou'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. I love towrite series because I love to see characters develop over time and it alwaysmakes me happy to see my favorite characters make guest appearances in otherbooks.

In my world anything is possible,anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.

Howabout your latest release?

I’llBe Mated For Christmas is a 1NS story from DecadentPublishing. If you are unfamiliar with that line, they are, essentially,multi-authored short stories that take place in one evening, at a date arrangedby the mysterious Madame Eve and it takes a look at how one night can changeyour life.

Here is a blurb for I’ll Be Mated For Christmas.

Bethany Johnson grew up one of theonly humans in a pack of werewolves. She didn’t have an easy time and herself-confidence was almost non-existent. Finally, after some seriouspsychotherapy and the help of weight-loss surgery, she is feeling like theBethany she has always wanted to be. But now she has to say goodbye to thewerewolves in her life. Out with the old and in with the new this year…

Luke Denarius is the new Alpha of theDelta pack. He’s never met Bethany but the second he scents her he knows she ishis. No way is she going off to Italy for adventure and hot sex with other men.

With the help of Madame Eve these twowill find that a mating is in the works for Christmas.

Whatwas your primary inspiration for this book?

I had written a 1NS story before called One Night With A Wolf. The idea waspresented to me to write a holiday-themed novel and I started to play aroundwith some ideas of who the characters could be and what their individualstories were.

My best friend is a bariatric surgeon, she doesweight-loss surgery and I’m always, always impressed with her abilities. Shegives people a second chance at life that they might never have been able tohave on their own. Maybe they never would have gotten that weight off on theirown.

I had wanted to write a heroine who had weight-losssurgery and was starting over with a new life but still had to deal with someof the ramifications of why she had gotten into that position in the firstplace. This seemed like the idealsetting. And Bethany was born. After that Luke just presented himself tome. They were a perfect fit.

Doyou have any muses?

I have a muse and she dictates what I write. LOL

Doyou control your characters or do they flog you into shape?

They flog me into shape. Its really not pretty.

Whenyou write, is there a special routine you follow?

I open up a Word document. I save it. I put it indouble space and I write until I reach page 13. I know this sounds odd but itsmy routine. In the first draft, all ofmy chapters are 13 pages. This alters greatly with the editing process.

Ifyou could be one animal, person, or at a place for a day what/who/where wouldit be?

Just for one day, I’d like to be a pampered Siamesecat.

Fiverandom facts about you:

I have red hair and fair skin. The sun is not myfriend but I love it.

I have a Border Collie and a Beagle.

I love to read and if I have nothing else to do in aday, I can read a whole book in one sitting

I’m a worrier.

I love red wine when we’re out to dinner

Areyou working on any new releases later this year?

I am always working on something else. LOL. On myblog, www.rebeccaroyce.com I keepthe most complete list of upcoming books.

Anythingelse you’d like to say?

I’m just so glad to be here and so grateful you hadme today!

Contactinfo (Facebook, Twitter, website, blog):

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebecca-Royce/172551376131638?sk=wall

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/rebeccaroyce

Website: http://www.rebeccaroyce.com

Blog: http://www.rebeccaroyce.blogspot.com

Flash Fiction!

2011-12-20T20:31:00.003-07:00

It's Wednesday again! This brings us to a new piece of flash fiction, and a start to an apocalyptic story I'll be penning over the next year or so.

Yes, it takes me that long to write a full novel. I'll never be able to pump one out faster than a rabbit breeding.

Anyhoo, enjoy! And don;t forget to check out the other great stories being offered this week!

Meet Adelaide:

The overwhelming stench of rotting alcohol and comatosebodies filled the room as I stirred to life in the early morning sun rays.Groaning, I flung an arm over my eyes and rolled to my side.

“Psst,” whispered a voice nearby.

I didn’t want to drag my eyes open just yet, only to befaced with the pathetic reality my life had become.

Booze and drugs, and liquorand repeat. But the stranger wouldn’t be ignored.

“Hey,” he whispered, louder this time. “You. I saw you move.Look here.”

“What?” I mumbled without opening my eyes. He didn’t answer.“I said, what the hell do you want?”

“Smells like pine needles in here, don’t it?”

His proclamation forced my screwed shut eyes to open just asliver. “Smells like what?”

“Pine needles, mama. Pine needles.” He stopped and sniffedthe air, his hands twitching and body rocking ever so slightly. “Or maybe catpiss. I can’t ever tell the difference.”

I shook my head and rolled over on the dirty mattress,attempting to squeeze the image of a thousand bed bugs crawling over me out ofmy head. The idiot next to me scooted closer. “Do you mind?” I glanced over myshoulder. “I’m trying to get some sleep.”

“You should listen to me, baby. I got some things going on.Some big things.” He smiled manically and began to rock again.

With an extensive sigh, I rolled to my back and propped upon my elbows. “The hell are you talking about, you crack fiend?”

“Ain’t no crack fiend. No crack. No drugs, no booze. I’musing this as my cover. Just another bum here, cops.” A trickle of laughterflowed from his chest.

My eyebrows shot up. “Right. Cover for what?”

“For the big bang.” His fingers flexed and he leaned closerso that all I could smell was his rancid breath. “I got plans. Plans for thiscity and the country.”

“You’re awfully ambitious.” I tried to scoot back but headvanced again.

“I have friends. They’re everywhere. In seven days, welaunch the bang and the whole world gonna feel this shake.”

The way his eyes changed from fun bum to intense truth mademe shiver. Every instinct in my body told me to run, far and fast, maybe toCanada. “You’re freaking me out.” I stood in a smooth movement, or as smooth asmy hungover body would allow, and dusted myself off. “I’m out.”

“Stay away from downtown, mama. I don’t want to see youhurt.”

I just gave a sharp nod and left. The shanty staircase feltlike it might collapse under my malnourished weight, but I made my way to thestreet outside and pulled a cigarette from my pocket. The lighter shook in myhand as I tried to get the first inhale.

As I walked away from downtown, I thought about the bum inthe building. How long had I known him? Six, seven months? And never once had Iseen him drink or take a hit of anything.

What if he was telling the truth?

Maybe I thought my next move was a good idea because I had alittle alcohol still running through me. Didn’t take much to keep me drunk thenext morning when my liver was already on its last breath. The police stationloomed in front of me, intimidating and busy. People flowed in and out in asteady stream past me as I walked in. The woman at the front desk looked meover once.

“How may I direct you?” Her nasally voice filled withpretention, and I wanted to slap her. I wasn’t always an alcoholic. I used tobe pretty, like her.

“I need to report a, ah…threat to the city, I guess.”

“Have a seat down the hall in the waiting area and anofficer will be with you shortly.”

“Thanks.”

The waiting room was crowded with women and men andchildren. They were all waiting on mom/dad/husband/wife to get out of theslammer so they could go home and repeat the cycle endlessly. When an officerstepped up to the door and beckoned me, I hopped up without hesitation.

Anything to get away from that doe eyed toddler looking atme around her mommy’s bruised face.

“Hello, ah…”

“Adelaide,” I supplied.

“Adelaide. I’m Officer Johnston. Pease, have a seat in hereand we’ll discuss your issue.”

“Well, it’s not a personal issue,” I said as I sat down onthe hard chair. Johnston sat across the steel table after the door was shut andlooked at me.

“So what sort of issue is it?”

“All right, look. I was down at this friend’s house and thisguy was talking to me like we’re friends or something. I’ve seen him aroundhere and there, you know…” Oh, god. I’m rambling. “Anyway, he tells me he’s gotsomething big planned for this city and he has friends in the rest of thecountry waiting. And they’re going to show this place the big boom or somethinglike that.”

“Do you find him credible?”

“Here’s the thing.” I leaned forward, wringing my hands. “I’venever seen him drink or take a drug. And he warned me not to go downtown.” Ipaused. “Seven days, he said.”

“I see. Well, thanks for your time and the notice. We’ll beon alert.” He held the door open for me.

I blinked, a little shocked at the blow off I was receiving.But I stood and walked by, pausing when I was just out of the door. “You don’tbelieve me, do you?”

“To be honest, Adelaide, why should I put any stock into somethingsomeone like you says?”

I lit another cigarette outside and took a long drag.

Someone like me, he said. I snorted. He’ll be praying he’dlistened when the whole fucking city blows up.

~End~

The magnificent flashing squad:

Review: Farsighted

2011-12-20T04:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another day on the blog! But today is a little different, because instead of the usual interview, you're getting a review of Farsighted by Emlyn Chand and a chance to win a copy of this book!

Enjoy, and make sure to leave some love.

And check out the end of tour giveaway here!

Farsighted:

Alex Kosmitoras maybe blind, but he can still "see" things others can't. When hisunwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could bein danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider.

Alex Kosmitoras's life has never been easy. The only otherstudent who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead-brokeand insanely overprotective, and to complicate matters even more, he's blind.Just when he thinks he'll never have a shot at a normal life, a new girl fromIndia moves into town. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friendswith Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Yes, sophomore year mightnot be so bad after all.

Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival--anunexpected and often embarrassing ability to "see" the future. Try ashe may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they begin tosuggest that Simmi is in danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic nextdoor and new friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex must embark on ajourney to change his future.

Review:

Right from the opening of this story, you can tell Alex Kosmitoras is not an ordinary kid. His deep perception of the smells and sounds surrounding him are amazing, and this author does a fabulous job of using those sensory explanations to tell us about the world surrounding Alex. Typically, a character can see the beautiful faces around him, or see what's coming ahead. But since Alex is blind, this proved to be a bit of a hardship.

Alex must learn to use his ability to see the future to help save his friend, Simmi. Ms. Chand does a good job of weaving troubles and humor into the story to keep us turning the pages. And a page turner it is. I was a little disappointed in the quick ending, but she did leave it open for a next book. I'll be letting my tween read this one and expanding her world beyond vampires for once.

Excerpt:

“Did Dad tell you? A new tenantmoved into the old pharmacy next door.”

“Really?” I ask, not letting onI already know. If I feign ignorance, Mom’ll divulge all the details. “What isit?”

“It’s a psychic shop,” Her voicecrackles with excitement like a fire that’s just beginning to burn. “TheAll-Seeing Miss Teak. Isn’t that cute? Miss Teak, Mystic. Ha, I wonder ifthat’s her real name.”

I laugh. “That is funny. Neverhad a psychic in town before. What’s she like?”

“Oh, she’s very friendly. Whydon’t you go over and say ‘hi.’ I’m sureshe’d like to meet you.”

“Okay, I think I will.” I’mincredibly intrigued, because first off, it’s a psychic shop—how weird isthat?—and second, its presence made Dad super uncomfortable—also very cool. Iwaste no time heading next door to check out the scene.

As I step cautiously into thenew shop, a recording of soft, instrumental music greets me. I can make outchimes and a string instrument I don’t recognize but for some reason reminds meof snake charmers. The smell of incense fills my nostrils, which explains theburning I detected earlier.

“Hello?” I call out into theotherwise quiet room.

Nobody answers. I walk indeeper, sweeping my cane out in front of me in a metronome fashion. This placeis new to me, so I need to be especially careful while moving around.

Thump! Despite my precautions, I stub my toe on something hard,big, and made of wood. Just my luck to stub the same toe twice in one day. Ireach down to press my fingers into my throbbing foot to alleviate some of thepain. Something teeters before rolling off of the chest and across the floor;the sound it makes indicates a curved path. Suddenly, the object stops.Somebody’s stopped it.

“Hello?” I call again.

“Hello,” a deep, feminine voiceresponds, placing more emphasis on the first syllable than the second.

“I- I’m sorry I knocked thatthing over. I didn’t mean to…” I hope she’s not angry. Probably not a good ideato get on a psychic’s bad side.

“That wasn’t just a thing, it’s a crystal ball,” she says asshe walks over, sending my blood pulsing through my veins. I sense her lookingat me for a moment before she places the ball back on top of the chest.

“Can it see the future?” I ask,allowing my curiosity to outweigh my uneasiness.

“No.” After a pause lastingseveral beats, she continues. “But I can see the future sometimes when I lookinto it.”

“Oh, okay.” I tighten my handaround my cane and turn to leave. It may not be the most polite thing to do,but all of this hocus-pocus stuff is freaking me out more than I would’veguessed.

The psychic lady speaks again, stoppingme cold. “Don’t run away, Alex Kosmitoras.” She must’ve spoken to Mom earliertoday. That must be how she knows my name.

“I’m not running away,” I saymeekly. “I’m just going back over to Sweet Blossoms.”

“Don’t run away,” sherepeats—this time she speaks louder and with more energy. “Don’t run away fromyour abilities. They are gifts.”

“What?” I ask in confusion. Whatabilities is she talking about?

“You already know. Watch.Listen. Be open to your gifts.”

I turn to face Miss Teak, butfind she’s already gone, returning to wherever she was before I got there.

Is it safe to leave? I trail my fingers across thewooden box I ran into earlier; a thick coat of dust clings to the tips as Ipull away. If this shop just opened, why is it already so dirty? I wipe myhands over my shirt to get the gritty substance off. Shivers rock my whole body.Something about this place is wrong, and I’m not sticking around to figure outwhat. Tapping my cane along the floor, I’m able to find the exit without knockinginto anything else.

Buy Links:

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Farsighted-Emlyn-Chand/dp/0983930805/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

B&N- www.barnesandnoble.com/w/farsighted-emlyn-chand/1106607652

Smashwords- http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/91611

About the Author:

Emlyn Chand has alwaysloved to hear and tell stories, having emerged from the womb with a fountainpen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). When she's not writing, sheruns a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PRfirm, Novel Publicity. Emlynloves to connect with readers and is available throughout the social mediainterweb.

Visit www.emlynchand.com formore info. Don’t forget to say “hi” to her sun conure Ducky!

Guest Blogger: Ashlynn Monroe!

2011-12-19T03:39:00.001-07:00

Hi, folks! Please help me welcome Ashlynn Monroe, multi published author and host of a giveaway! Enjoy!

I'm thankful to so many people this year. It's been a great year for me as an author. I've been very lucky to learnfrom wonderful editors who've improved my knowledge of the craft I adore. Writing is in my blood. I've had so many wonderful readers reach out tome. It's wonderful when someone tells you that your work has touchedthem. In thanks, I want to give away goodies during the holidayseason. I'm going to be giving away audio books, tote bags, t-shirts, andeBooks. Like me on facebook, Ashlynn Monroe Author, to keep up with thegiveaways.

I have three new releases in December. A Healer’s Touch from Wild Horse Press,Salvation book three in my Vengeance series from Decadent Publishing, and ADaddy for Christmas from Silver publishing will all be available throughoutDecember. I’m looking forward to readersenjoying these books.

A Daddy for Christmas:

When Charlie St.Claire became the caseworker for three, terrified little boys, she didn’t meanto let herself love them. But she did. The boys had unique issues, but with hertypical, positive attitude, she wanted to give them a better life.

Richmond Wolfehadn’t seen his sons in years. He couldn’t help what he’d become, but he’dtried to protect his children by leaving. Now some city girl do-gooder wantedhis kids. He wouldn't give them up, not to her or anyone. He loved them thatmuch.

Charlie soon discovers Richmond’s terrible secretand it puts her and the boys in danger. Her burgeoning feelings for the hunkyoutdoorsman fill her with confusion… and something more. Maybe her boys coulduse a daddy for Christmas.

A Healer’s Touch:

As if being a young single mother wasn't challengingenough, Phoebe is also the last adult descendant of the witch that cursedWillow Lake in response to her betrayal and murder. Phoebe inherited the familycurse, but with love and compassion, she uses her magic for healing.

Fabian Sterling likes money, he likes power, and helikes Phoebe. He's also the ancestor of the man who burned Phoebe's witchancestor at the stake. Can passion overcome a grudge that's lasted forcenturies?

When he looks at Phoebe, hedoesn’t see a witch, only an angel. Howcan anyone so beautiful be reviled by an entire town? Fabian vows to protecther, whatever the cost.

Salvation:

AudraJacobs finds herself alone and uncertain. Her overwhelming power is keeping her from her family, and herlover. The mysterious Phoenix has toldher things that she can’t believe are true about her new power. She was brought back from the dead for a reason;she just doesn’t fully know what it is yet. How can she be a hero when her lifeis falling apart? Could she even acceptbeing normal again if she’s given the chance?

CainMaddox loves Audra; the demon living inside of him loves her too. The Phoenix living inside of her wants tokeep them apart, but he’s determined to save her—again. When a higher power gives him an ultimatum,he has to choose between Audra and his freedom. Their enemy is closing in, and hurting the innocent people who love her. Whom can a hero call when he needs ahero? How can Cain keep her safe when hecan’t even touch her?

Buy bookone Vengeance http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=66&products_id=239&osCsid=6c1232251c1e45744bd0b3ee7262f414

Buy booktwo Retribution

http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=66&products_id=250&osCsid=6c1232251c1e45744bd0b3ee7262f414

I hope you’ll check out these books, and take partin the giveaways. Comment here to win a2012 calendar, emery boards, magnets and other fun swag today! I’ll contact the winner and request thephysical address to send the goodies. Ihope you have safe and happy holiday celebrations!

Special Guest: Lila Munro!

2011-12-17T06:27:00.002-07:00

Welcome back, and happy Saturday! Today's guest is Lila Munro. Enjoy!

Lila’s Top Ten…Sexy Foods….

Thanks, Lindsay for having me over today! I thought I’dshare a bit about me today rather than bore everyone with one of my lessons inwriting. JSexy foods anyone?

My idea of a sexy thing doesn’t necessarily embody what mostwould consider sexy…you know dark and lush and completely sinful. My list doesinvolve a few standards, but I think you’ll be surprised what else I finddecadent…tasty…sexy.

Before I get started, I’ll tell you a bit about how I cameup with my list. Several months ago I was asked what I thought was the sexiestroom in the house other than the bedroom. Without a second’s pause Iimmediately replied, “The kitchen.” Why you might ask? Because to me it’s theheart of the home where nurturing takes place…and that’s sexy. It’s alsosensual, and if I might say it lends to a completely submissive frame of mindin and of that is where you can care for someone, give yourself up to them in apleasing way, in a non-sexual way. I love to cook and when I know I’ve pleasedmy husband by feeding him something that satisfied him on not just a purelynutritional level…that makes me a very happy woman…

So here goes…Lila’s top ten sexy foods…

Number ten: Fondue. Yes you read that correctly. What’s morefun than gooey cheese or drippy chocolate that you can feed each other?

Number nine: Cheesecake. Need I say more? I mean comeon…it’s lush and decadent and feels so good on the tongue…yum!

Number eight: Oysters. I live on the east coast…yes, it istrue what they say. I’ve never been disappointed yet after one or a dozen.

Number seven: Strawberries. What’s not to love? Sweet, juicygoodness on a stem that can be rubbed across…

Number six: Chocolate. Yes, a standard, but this stuff isjust pure sin in any form. Would you not agree?

Number five: French fries. JI can hear you all right now…What? Okay, this one comes from a friend who tellsme one of the most romantic moments with her husband involved French fries…Ibelieve her. J

Number four: Pasta, specifically spaghetti and meatballs.Why? Because of Lady and the Tramp, that’s why…and that’s my husband’s and mymovie…I know a hopeless romantic.

Number three: Comfort food. See I told you I was outside thebox. What says love more than a plate of fried chicken, mashed and gravy, and abig fluffy biscuit? I think it’s a sexy way to feed my man after a hard day’swork and it keeps up his strength for other things…

Number two: Pizza. When I first met my husband I was workinghorrendous hours and he was an instructor. Dinner time was not a joy andsometimes didn’t exist. It was the sexiest thing for him to bring home a pizzaand feed me…see this erotic nourishing runs both ways. J

And, the number one sexy food for me: Wedding cake. There isnothing sexier than sharing that first piece as man and wife…sometimes I buy acute little cake just because I can and have it with my husband along with aglass of bubbly—also sexy by the way…

Lila Munro pens contemporary erotic romance andcurrently resides on the coast of North Carolina. She is a military wife andtakes much of her inspiration for her heroes from the marines she’s livedaround for the past fifteen years. Coining the term realmantica, she strives toproduce quality romance in a realistic setting. When she’s not writing, sheenjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, trips to the museum andaquarium, taking field research trips, and soaking up the sun on the nearbybeaches. Her works include The Executive Officer’s Wife, Bound By Trust,Destiny’s Fire, A Slower Lower Love, A Slower Lower Life, Salvation, ForceRecon: Beacon Bayou, Force Recon: Somalia, True Identity and Identity Crisis.

Currently she’s working on sequels toseveral series to be released throughout 2011-2012. She’s a member in goodstanding with the RWA and Passionate Ink. Ms. Munro is also the Vice Presidentof Business Affairs at Rebel Ink Press. She loves to hear from herreaders and can be contacted via her website http://lilamunro.weebly.com , or through Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Lila_Munro You can also contact her via email at lilasromance@gmail.com For moreinformation about Rebel Ink Press please visit their website at www.rebelinkpress.com

My latest release is Three for Keeps. It debuted throughRebel Ink Press November 17…

Zoey Matthews is in love.She’s been in love since the day she was dropped off by a social worker at yetanother foster home on a back country road miles from nowhere, Missouri. At ageten, she met the men of her dreams. Over the course of sixteen years, DaneCardwell, Jack Devereux and Ryan Wilkins fell in love with her, too. They’veeach told her they love her, they’ve shown her and each man has gone so far asto ask her to marry him. But what they don’t know is Zoey loves them all.

Her game of kiss and not tell allcomes crashing down around her the night of her graduation from veterinaryschool and Zoey runs for the mountains. Of Colorado. Hoping to outrun herobsession with three men and forget them all together, she stays gone for tenyears. But the wound has never healed. In fact, it's done nothing but fester.Needing to clear the air, Zoey agrees to spend a few days back home with theboys never imagining it would turn into a week filled with comparison sex asDane, Jack and Ryan each try to get Zoey to choose between them and theirvaried tastes.

When she finally tells the truth, a truth only one of them hasknown all along, Zoey fears the foursome will never be able to make a sharingrelationship work. After all, aren't there just too many personalities anddesires to sort through? Add in the kink factor and things get reallycomplicated. Zoey’s not convinced the truth has any merit, but there's onething she knows for sure…this time she's playing for keeps.

Please enjoy an excerpt:

“Dane, wait. Stay with me? Holdme? At least until I fall asleep?”

Showing had to startimmediately. She had less than a week to prove to these three that they couldmake this work and they could all live together in some sort of harmony if theywere just willing to try.

“Zoey, are you sure about that?We’re not kids anymore. If things get out of hand, I don’t think I can stopit.”

“What if I told you I don’twant you to try?” she asked, twisting the sheet into a tight ball.

“Jack and Ryan are downstairs.What do you think they’d think about this?” Dane looked at her seriously.

“Isn’t this weekend just asmuch about clearing the air as it is about the hope you all hold that I’llfinally pick one of you? If that’s what you expect then I expect to get to testdrive the goods before I buy. And I want to test drive as many times as I feellike and any way I feel like. Even if it means one on one, side by side,comparisons.” Zoey held her breath and waited for Dane to collect her thingsand cart her happy ass back to Springfield.

“Let me see if I have thisstraight. You think we have you here to force you to finally choose…”

“Don’tyou? Jack kissed me already and I almost let Ryan bend me over the bathroomcounter and fuck me silly.” Zoey let the thought sink in. “Hasn’t that alwaysbeen the issue, Dane? You all need me to decide?”

“Define any way you feellike and one on one comparison.” Dane’s eyes had gone from dark tojet black and his pupils were huge.

“I mean I have needs. ThingsI’ve discovered I like. Dark things, Dane. I think you have those needs aswell. Tell me you wouldn’t like to lash me to this wrought iron bed spreadeagle and make me come until I begged for mercy. Have you ever laid awake atnight and thought about bending me over and spanking me until my ass was aspink as the flowers on that chair over there? I have.” Zoey watched as Dane’sbreathing sped up and his nostrils flared. “Know what else? In my fantasiesRyan and Jack help. Sometimes they take turns watching while the other onefucks my mouth while you take me from behind. Now are you disappointed, Dane?”

“Hell no, Zoey. Get up,” herasped out and stood.

“Why?”

“Because we’re going downstairsto tell the others what you’ve decided. Then I’m bringing you back up here tofuck you seven ways to Sunday. In my room, not this frilly little princess roomwe thought you needed. And I'm starting with that filthy little mouth ofyours,” Dane explained as he walked to her side of the bed and grabbed herwrist, helping her stand. “Oh, believe me, Zoey Christine Matthews, I’ll giveyou exactly what you want and more.”

I hope so.

Zoey followed Dane down thestairs naked as the day she was born with her head held high. Ryan was sprawledout across the couch with a Michelob in his hand and a scowl on his face. Jackwas absent.

“Where the hell’s Jack?” Danespat as Ryan bolted upright at the sight of Zoey in all her glory.

“The kitchen. What’d she do,let you get to third base then bail?” Ryan snipped.

“No, she didn’t. Jack! Get yourass in here!” Dane yelled all the while still hanging on to Zoey’s wrist.

“Dane…”

“Did I give you permission tospeak?” he growled and shot her a look unlike any she’d ever seen from the menshe’d experimented with.

“No,” she squeaked.

“Then don’t.”

Zoey nodded and averted hereyes.

“What?” Jack asked, strollinginto the room with a sandwich in hand and a huge bite in his mouth. When he sawZoey he choked and wheezed then coughed twice. “What the hell?” He managedbefore coughing again.

“Zoey’s under the impressionwe’ve invited her here to make her choose between us,” Dane bellowed. “Herconditions to this are apparently that we fuck her senseless until she makesher decision. Am I getting this right, sweetheart?”

Zoey nodded and never lookedup.

“So, in light of this recentdevelopment, I’m first. Although she told me she’ll take us all at once and infact, she's had fantasies about it. Am I still on track here, Zoey?” Danedemanded.

Again she nodded.

“Zoey, sugar, are you sureabout this?” Jack wheezed.

“Answer him,” Dane said.

“Yes. Perfectly sure. I knowwhat I’m doing, Jack. Just as long as you all can live with my decision onceit’s made.”

“Well, can we live with it?”Dane asked.

The room was so quiet for a fewseconds Zoey swore she actually heard the men’s pulses pounding.

“I can,” Ryan finally said withquiet resolve. “Jack?”

“Yeah, I can live with whatevershe decides.”

“Good, we’re all in agreementthen. Now, does anyone have an issue with any of this before I take herupstairs and take her sweet ass to task?” Dane asked.

“Not as long as it’s what shereally wants,” Jack said flatly.

“Zoey?” Dane said

“It’s what I really want.”

“Ryan, any objections?”

“Nope.”

With themall in agreement, Dane almost flew back up the stairs with Zoey in tow.

Blog Hop Stop!

2011-12-15T04:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the blog once more! Today, I'm hosting Stacey Kennedy, one of the fabulous authors in the Madame Eves' 1NS anthology. Without further ado, here she is!

Pleasetell the readers a little about yourself:

Stacey Kennedy’s novels arelighthearted fantasy with heart squeezing, thigh-clenching romance, and evengive a good chuckle every now and again. But within the stories you’ll findfast paced action, life threatening moments and a big bad villain that needs tobe destroyed. Her urban fantasy/paranormal and erotic romance series have hitAmazon Kindle and All Romance Ebooks Bestseller lists. If she isn’t pluggingaway at her next novel, tending to her two little ones, she’s got her nose deepin a good book. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband.

Howabout your latest release?

Madame Eve’s 1NightStand service hasbrought together Blake and Taryn on a cold Christmas Eve at the Castillo Lodge.The two will set out on an adventure of pain and pleasure surrounded by Alaskansnow-capped mountains and nestled in a warm country lodge. But as the nightdevelops, Taryn discovers it’s not Christmas presents that will surprise herbut instead the very man who mastered her through a night of intense BDSM.

WARNING-This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and materialthat some readers may find objectionable: INTENSE BDSM theme and elements.

BUYLINK

Whatwas your primary inspiration for this book?

The heroine Taryn. I fell in love with her whilewriting Takedown and Somewhere in Between, and I knew rightthen and there that I would eventually write her story. She’s a strong woman andthat made for a perfect BDSM story.

Doyou have any muses?

Yes, one really annoying one who won’t leave mealone and gives me hundreds of ideas for stories, demanding I write them, butalways forgets that I have no time!

Doyou control your characters or do they flog you into shape?

I have no control over anything. When I firststarted writing I fought it and tried to keep in control, but after a while, Igave up knowing it was pointless. My characters always take over and I’verealized that they’re always right. I trust in them and they have neverdisappointed me.

Whenyou write, is there a special routine you follow?

Coffee. I need it. I love it. I can’t writewithout it. As long as I have a cup of coffee with me, everything is right withthe world when I’m writing.

Ifyou could be one animal, person, or at a place for a day what/who/where wouldit be?

I’d be Keri Arthur. I’d love to spend one day inher mind when she is writing a story!

Fiverandom facts about you:

I never refill ice cube trays. Drivesmy husband nuts.
I'm addicted to the show Supernatural.
I love chocolate…and lots of it!
Urban fantasy/paranormal romance is myfavorite genre to write and read in.
I’m coming to realize that I might bea workaholic.

Areyou working on any new releases later this year?

I don’t have anything else coming out this year,but next year I have tons of new releases. Two of my favorite series, Supernaturally Kissed and Werewolves Be Damned, both come out inearly 2012. I can hardly wait and am counting down the days!

Anythingelse you’d like to say?

As always, just a big thanks for all the support Ireceive on a daily basis. It’s a very special thing when a reader tells youthey love your characters as much as you do!

Contactinfo (Facebook, Twitter, website, blog):

Please do come and find me. I love to chat! Website,Facebook and Twitter.