Friday, 22 February 2013
Monday, 18 February 2013
Meet Mary Ting! Also, you can enter our giveaway!
Mary is the Bestselling author of the Crossroads Saga. She is joining us today to answer a few questions, and will also be giving one lucky reader the chance to win an ebook copy of 'Between', the second book of the series, and 'Beyond' which is the third instalment.
'Crossroads' The first book of the sage is available to download for free from Amazon US. Just click here to get your copy now! You can also download it for free for the Nook, just click here.
1. If you could meet up & chat with one author who would it be and why?
It would have to be Stephenie Meyer because she wrote Twilight based on her dream. Crossroads is also based on a couple of dreams I had in high school. She was one of my inspirations to write this book.
2. How long of a process is writing a book?
Ahhh!!! I say this in a good and bad way. First, it was so much fun writing about these characters, and many characters are based on people I know. In some ways, Claudia is a lot like me, so her character was easy to write. There was one time when I wiped out the last five chapters because my friend thought I could do better. I’m glad she told me I could, but deleting those chapters brought me to tears. Then there is re-reading, re-writing and re-editing. Let me just say that I found a new profound respect for authors.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever thought about becoming a writer. To tell you the truth, I didn’t really enjoy reading. I read because I had to. Not until I became a teacher did I find reading truly enjoyable. I started writing because it was a way for me to heal from the death of my grandmother. She is also a character in my story-Gamma J.
4. What were some of your "inspirations" for writing this novel?
One of my inspirations for writing this novel was my grandmother. Writing was a way for me to heal. Another inspiration was my dreams I had in high school. I can vividly recall all the details of them, which comprises chapter one and two.
Besides spending time with my hubby and my two children, I enjoy shopping, watching movies, oil painting and making jewelries. I also enjoy reading young adult novels. They help me escape the stress of everyday life.
6. Which character in Crossroads was the most fun for you to write?
It’s difficult to say because many of the characters are based on people I know. But I can narrow it down to two characters, Claudia and Michael. Claudia’s character is based on me and my experiences. The first car, the first job, camping, and yes…I was very sheltered…lol!!! Michael is also somewhat based on my husband, the protector and romantic. I especially had fun writing about them being together and the chemistry of getting to know each other, knowing that they didn’t have that much time.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today!
Now for the giveaway of Between and Beyond. Remember you can download Crossroads for free for Kindle and Nook by clicking the links above.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Huge Valentines Giveaway!
Hey everyone.
I wanted to try and do something really wicked for Valentines day, so I thought what better than a huge giveaway. Over the next three days you will have the chance to win a lot of books!! Yay!! Totally awesome. All these wonderful authors have donated a copy of their book for your reading pleasure, myself included. If you want to find out more about these authors, simply click their name and you will be taken to either their Facebook pages or their blogs.
JUST FOR FUN!
One way to enter is to leave a blog post comment! I thought it would be fun to ask you to describe your perfect date! Can't wait to see the responses.
Here are the books which are up for grabs and some more info on each. GOOD LUCK to all those who enter, the two winners will be notified by email.
Bloodlines - Lindsay Anne Kendal
Blurb.
Keira Jameson used to lead a normal life, she just had a gift, passed down through the generations of her family.
Now, after hearing voices, having strange dreams of others calling out to her, and her grandfather's last words haunting her, she sets out to find other families like hers. Along with her best friend Lily, the only person outside her family to know about her gift, Keira begins a hunt for her ancestors. A chance meeting with a young man, Lucian Turner, sets them on the right track, but their discoveries change the way Keira will see herself for ever more.
Fear, superstition and heritage are shaping Keira's future and she must face her enemies, even if this could mean losing her life.
Through loss and love her destiny becomes inescapable.
Part Buffy-style horror, part tender romance, Bloodlines will have fans of the genre on tenterhooks waiting for the next instalment of this gripping and hell-raising tale.
Desires Unleashed - D. N. Simmons
Blurb
Desires Unleashed is the first novel in the riveting, highly-addictive and sexually-charged Knights of the Darkness Chronicles. Experience the heart-pounding thrill of the chase in this electrifying page-turner as you uncover the mystery behind the series of gruesome killings that have been terrorizing the citizens of Chicago.
When a grisly decapitated corpse pops up on a Chicago Street, drained of blood, the highly-trained, government-funded special police force assigned two of their best detectives to the case. S.U.I.T. Detectives Warren Davis and Matthew Eric delve deep into their investigation to discover just who or what is leaving mutilated bodies in public places. They soon realize that the killer or killers is one step ahead of them and if they are going to stop the menace before another innocent human is viciously attack, they are going to need help.
Natasha Hemingway liked her life just the way it was... normal and supernatural-free. The vampires and shape-shifters were just where she wanted them to be--far away from her. All was going well until an unfortunate accident landed her in the hospital. It was then that she discovered she had an ability that could help her save countless lives. All of a sudden, she finds herself thrust into the dangerous and alluring world of the supernatural and into the arms of two very sexy and deadly vampires.
Original, gritty and sprinkled with just the right amount of humor and wit, the Knights of the Darkness Chronicles will suck you in and take you for a ride you won't forget. You don't want to miss out on this amazing series!
Guilt of the Innocent (Short Story) - Lindsay Anne Kendal
Blurb.
Rayne Marlow is trying to live a normal happy life. She has a good job, friends and boyfriend who she loves with all her heart. But Rayne has secrets and a tragic past that seems to endlessly haunt and torment her.
When Rayne’s dreams turn violent and she is harmed by a creature lurking in the darkness, her lover is determined to get answers and cure her once and for all. Rayne must now relive her past, reveal her secrets, believe in her innocence and defeat the demon who is preying on her and intent on dragging her soul into the depths of hell.
Immortal Embrace - Charlotte Blackwell.
Blurb.
Sophia Pierce has suffered since her brother left, and is unsure if she will ever get over it. That is until her family decided to move to Wenham, Massachusetts. Her and her siblings have been ordered to protect their little sister, and must return to High school. This is where Sophia finds her soul mate Nathanial and life as she knows it is about to change.
As a vampire, Sophia has always kept to herself, but as a high school student will she learn to step out of her comfort zone a little? Sophia has found a best friend in a powerful witch and a love to call her own. That is until something tragic happens and blood is spilled. Will Sophia be able to resist the sweet scent of her beloved's blood?
This is Sophia's story, a story of a girl who finds herself, love and everlasting friendship. The excitement of this story wraps mortals, vampires, witches, and shape shifters all into a romantic tale of young love, friendship, the meaning of family. The story of a girl who tries to finds herself when she thought it was all lost.
Forbidden Embrace - Charlotte Blackwell
Blurb.
Just when Sophia Pierce thinks her eternal life will be happy and peaceful, something else happens to turn it upside down. With rogue vampire approaching the town she has learned to call home, the Pierce family must prepare for battle. With some magickal help will they be able to save Wenham?
Even more trouble arises when Danika, the newest vampire of the family decides this might not be the right place for her. The Pierce family has already lost one love, Caspian, when he felt he was no longer worthy of their family name. Will Danika follow his footsteps and will he be able to save her from a fate far worse than his own?
Acadian Waltz - Alexandrea Weis
Excerpt.
“I didn’t realize you and my uncle were so close.”
Jean Marc smiled, a warm and uplifting smile that muted the sadness in his eyes. “Jack was always a second father to me. My dad was too busy with the business, and when he wasn’t doing that, he was bailing Henri out of some mess.”
“I’m sorry. I’m his niece. I should have been more involved, and then maybe I could have helped him.”
Jean Marc reached across the table for my hand. “Don’t blame yourself. You didn’t know. You aren’t responsible for your uncle, Nora.”
“Then why are you?” I questioned, feeling a sudden twinge of something strange as his strong hand held mine.
“Your uncle has been good to me.” He let go of my hand. “He’s been there for me and listened to me.” He lowered his eyes to the worn surface of the old pine table. “I owe him a debt.”
I shook my head. “You owe him the debt of friendship. I owe him the debt of family.”
“‘It’s better to owe a debt of love than blood,’ my grandfather used to always say. I never realized what he meant until now.” He paused and the chill returned to his dark eyes. “I can look after Jack here. You won’t have time to keep coming back and forth.”
I stared at him, a little taken aback by his comment. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“Nora, you have a great deal going on in your life. You have your wedding to plan and all the changes your new life will bring.”
“Did Uncle Jack tell you I was getting married?”
“He mentioned you were going to marry a doctor.” He paused and once again his eyes changed and a glint of warmth appeared in their darkness. “But he doesn’t believe you’re in love with this guy.”
I sat back in my chair, feeling slightly dumbfounded. “He said that?”
Jean Marc rose from his chair. “Make sure you love the man you’re going to marry, Nora. Otherwise, marriage can be a real bitch.”
I looked up into his face. “You were married once, weren’t you?”
He nodded. “Lasted less than a year. She was the daughter of a business associate I knew in Dallas. It was wrong from the start.”
“Wrong?” I asked, realizing how little I actually knew about the man.
He snapped his fingers. “There was no spark, no passion between Cynthia and me. Love needs passion to ignite. Without it you just have hormones.” He directed his attention to the small clock on the far wall. “You’d better get back to the city. It’s getting late. I’ll come back in a few hours and check on him. He’s much more reasonable when he’s sober.” Jean Marc placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll find something for him to do at the crawfish farms or, if need be, at the house.” He gave me an encouraging smile.
I stood from my chair. “Thank you, Jean Marc. You’ve been a good friend to my uncle and I’m very grateful.” And then, without thinking, I stood on my toes and gently kissed his lips.
The electricity that passed between us was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I could feel my body throb with the touch of his lips against mine. But before I could pull away, he threw his muscular arms about me and deepened his kiss. I could smell his woody cologne mixed with the scent of the bayou out back. I could hear the wild chirping of the birds in the trees along with the pounding of my heart. All my senses came to life, and the effect made me slightly dizzy. John’s kisses had never been like this.
I pulled away first, overwhelmed by the frenzy of sensations raging within me.
He took a step back from me. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, but the way the light reflected in his eyes, I sensed he really wasn’t.
I smiled, trying to appear unflustered. “Don’t worry about it.” I turned to go and grabbed on to the back of the chair beside me to keep my knees from giving way.
“Nora?” Jean Marc whispered.
I straightened up and faced him. My stomach clenched as I took in his smug grin and the way he was dissecting my features as if he were a detective interrogating a murder suspect.
After several agonizing seconds, he finally said, “Are you sure you want to marry that doctor?”
I hastily lowered my gaze to the old linoleum floor. “You don’t know John. We are a good team and—”
But before I could finish, he stormed out of the kitchen. A few minutes later, I heard the gun of an engine and the screech of tires on my uncle’s shell-covered drive.
I kicked the little pine table next to me. “Damn it!”
I fought to regain control over my emotions. I was engaged to another man, so how could I possibly have feelings for a man I had always despised? I assured myself that I was simply exhibiting some nerves over my impending marriage; at least, I hoped that’s all it was. To consider any other reason was, quite simply, dangerous.
Healing Summer - Elizabeth Seckman
Blurb.
Ditched at the altar…biopsied for cancer…Mollie Hinkle is having a bona fide bitch of a summer.When life sucks so hard it takes your breath away, what's a girl to do?
Road trip! Pack a bag, grab a few friends, and leave the past and the worry in the rear view mirror. What wounds can’t be healed by a drive across the Heartland, where quarter flips at cross roads determine the route and the future?
All roads lead to Craig, the second son and bad boy of the haughty Coulter line. Craig has spent his life taking care of number one—himself. He’s not interested in a relationship and he’s definitely not looking to fall in love. But if a morsel drops in his lap, who is he to refrain?
Mollie’s not looking for love either, but truth be told, she’s not opposed to it. Heck, if fate brought her to the miniscule Montana town to find happily ever after, she won’t fight it.Perhaps it is a summer where love, not time, heals all her wounds.
Leticia - Lindsay Anne Kendal
Blurb.
Leticia has a dark secret, and somebody somewhere knows what it is. After being tormented and brutally attacked, it becomes obvious they want her dead. A mysterious group come to her aid. They want to fight by her side and help her win the war someone has declared on her. Together, they present a force to be reckoned with.
Love, loss and longing put strains on the alliance. Not only must they fight their enemies, but their own fears and desires.
Leticia must also face a harsh reality. If she wants a happy future, she must first confront her past.
Crossroads - Mary Ting
Blurb
Claudia Emerson has a good friend who shares the same first name and last name. That friend unfortunately dies in a tragic accident during homecoming dance. Claudia is distraught at the loss of her friend, but is even more disturbed by her dreams, which seem to take her to another place called Crossroads. Unknown to her, Crossroads is like a second heaven, a place between heaven and earth. It is where the souls of humans in comas or near death experiences may wander. Where, Claudia meets Michael, a nephilim, a half angel, half human, whom she often meets in her dreams. It turns out that this isn’t her first visit to Crossroads, which is an enigma for no human can ever travel there until Claudia.
Now the fallen and demons are after her, suspecting she must be special and it is up to Michael and the other nephilims to protect her. Her dream becomes a nightmare as more secrets are revealed, about who she really is, and the true identities of the people she loves most. Can Michael fight his growing feelings for Claudia and protect her as a guardian angel should?
Between - Mary Ting
Blurb.
As the alkins head back to Crossroads, Claudia leads her normal life; but not for long. Having a special soul, Claudia attracts danger, and she soon finds out who Gamma asked to watch over her. The Twelve, known as Divine Elders on Earth, are very much involved when they find out that Aliah, one of the God's first angels, escaped from the Abyss when the gates were opened by Aden. Needing Claudia's soul to escape the only place Aliah can reside-a place between Heaven and Earth-he sends his demons in search of all Claudia Emersons on Earth. Taking her soul will enable him to be released from Between and cross over to Crossroads, which would give him immense power. As more secrets are revealed Claudia learns about the venators-nephilim, demon hunters.
Now two opposing forces must work together in order to save Claudia and humanity from the most dangerous angel ever created. But along the way, trust becomes a big issue. Will love be enough to keep Claudia and Michael together? Who will make the ultimate sacrifice? Who will betray them all?
Diary of a One-Night Stand - Alexandrea Weis
Blurb
Resilient and practical, Kara Barton has continually strived to live a respectable life. She went to college, embarked on a promising career as an attorney, married a great guy, and always appeared to be the perfect wife and mother. But all is not what it seems, and the troubling past Kara has been running from her entire life is about to catch up with her. Urged on by her insecurities about growing older, and desperately wanting to feel one more night of passion, Kara agrees to share a tryst in a hotel room with a sexy business associate, Scott Ellsworth. But Scott wants more than one night together, and Kara quickly discovers it is impossible to resist him. Soon Kara finds herself transformed into the kind of woman she vowed never to become, and the secure world she has struggled all her life to build begins to fall apart. Kara Barton is about to find out how a one-night stand can change everything.
Fall - Jennifer Latas
Blurb.
Being promoted to project manager is a dream come true for 21 year old Julia Dayle (J.D.) Halstead. And her first project is to convert a turn-of-the-century schoolhouse into a B & B.
However, an ancient secret hides within the walls of the schoolhouse. A secret nightmare that could unleash the Furies of Hell and cause a Host of Angels to weep for the loss of one of their own.
A secret that could scar J.D. for eternity.
Our Little Secrets - Merry Farmer
Blurb.
Michael West swore he would never fall in love again. So when the beautiful and wily Charlotte steps off the train looking for a new life he jumps at the business opportunity her search for a husband presents. Engaged forty-five minutes after meeting, married the next day, Michael thinks he’s found everything a respectable man should have. Except that Michael is as far from respectable as they come. They agreed not to ask questions about each other’s pasts, but when the past seeps into their present Michael suspects his passionate new wife is not who she says she is. But can he keep her at arm’s length when he’s already fallen in love with her?
Charlotte Baldwin has a secret. She fled Philadelphia to escape the sins of her past, but someone is following her. What better way to hide than by marrying Michael West, Cold Springs, Montana’s enigmatic shopkeeper? A new name, a new life, and am amorous husband is exactly what she needs to leave her sins behind. But when it comes to keeping secrets Charlotte may have met her match in Michael. When a connection neither of them expects catches up with them, the shocking revelation means Charlotte may have run right into the arms of her enemy.
In My Dreams - Cameo Renae
Blurb.
It was happening again. The dreams. The nightmares. It was something that seventeen year-old Elizabeth Hayes thought she d outgrown; dreams that would come true; detailed premonitions of how people would die. This time she dreams about her boyfriend, Michael Young, and soon discovers that he has been found... dead.
He has not crossed over because he was murdered, and now the murderer is after Lizzy. His spirit won't rest until she is safe. As a newbie spirit, the easiest way for him to make contact is through Lizzy's dreams. When she dreams, it's as if he hasn't died.
Lizzy must learn to pull on her inner strength to survive horrifying events, and is faced with a most difficult decision. Would she risk her life to save her best friend and the very person responsible for Michael's death?
Meanwhile, Michael learns everything he can about his supernatural gifts to help. But will it be enough to save her?
I Am Wolf - Joann H. Buchanan
Blurb
Angel, hero, monster,
devil--we all become what we really are.
Jonah has been sent to Sister's Oregon to live with his grandparents on the Reservation and he has no idea why. His entire life has been turned upside down and to top it off, a mysterious voice has been whispering strange things in his mind. Life couldn't get much worse for Jonah.
Upon his arrival, Jonah learns he is coming into powers handed down by his ancestors. He reacquaints himself with is old friends and falls in love with Alaynee. Their world is shattered by the
kidnapping of Alaynee's little brother, Jonah breaks the cardinal rule
of his gift and bites the kidnapper, creating a creature called the
unnatural. This sends him and all his friends on an adventure across the
states to a place in Tennessee. There they find not only must they stop
the unnatural creature, but they must save Cara--the girl the creature
is after. Jonah must ask himself the most important question of all,
would you sacrifice yourself to save another?
The Kiss - Joann H. Buchanan
Blurb
When you've been touched by the darkness, it leaves a mark on your soul.
Jonah and Alaynee are happily putting the past behind them. They're planning a wedding and moving forward. Great news is waiting for them and the youngling pack. When Cathy, Alaynee's mom, finds a stranded girl in the city and brings her back. Alaynee soon discovers there's more to her then meets the eye. Cleo is a lioness whose powers over men will haunt Alaynee in more ways then one. Will Jonah and Alaynee be able to plan their happily ever after or will the evil that resides have it's way? Can a kiss really trap a soul?
In Flames - Elissa Daye
Blurb
A cursed lineage. A secret magic. A destiny that neither one of them could have predicted.
When Elkliss Keep is rampaged by her sinister Uncle Simeon, Lysandra lost everything she had ever known or loved within a heartbeat. Destiny catapults her into a life she could never have foreseen; a life filled with an unquenchable desire for a man, whose aloof people harbor a secret almost as dangerous as her own.
When Aiden first sets eyes on Lysandra, the beast inside will not be fulfilled until he possesses her. He soon he realizes that Lysandra could be the one true mate that would make his cursed life easier to live.
In Rapture - Elissa Daye
Excerpt.
Madigan’s Army 1543
In the heat of battle, it was hard to tell where one beast ended and the other began. Grant dodged the claws that swiped menacingly at his head. The fight was fierce as Madigan’s Army of miscreants attacked the werewolves of the Lair.
Grant could shift into any animal that was required of him because of the anamorphic magic of Serenas that ran through his veins. He was currently assuming the shape of a black wolf. He fought alongside man and beast alike, as the men who followed Marshal Madigan were both everyday men and various types of shifters. No one was turned away from Madigan’s Army, for they fought to protect their countryside from the terrifying rampage of the cold hearted werewolves of Narcissa, who were hell bent on destroying any living being in their wake. This pack of werewolves had extended their reach when they had started to recruit other werewolves who were hungry for power.
Another snarling beast threw its body toward Grant, but his lithe limbs pushed him into the air fast enough to jump over the hurtling body. He faced the gnashing teeth of the rabid wolf before he saw Marshal Madigan’s sword cleave the beast’s head from its body. Grant shook the spray of blood from his coat and looked around him. Five wolves had beaten a hasty retreat, while six more lay limp and lifeless on the ground, moments before turning into their human forms. His eyes searched for the one that would bring him peace in the void that surrounded him, the one man who made him hunger for revenge, but Seamus Finnigan was nowhere to be found.
Seamus Finnigan, second in command in the Lair, was the one who had taken from Grant the only thing he had ever cared about. It had just been a few years ago when his wife Maria had been abducted from their home. Maria had recently given birth to their beautiful daughter, Sophia, and had gone out to take a walk in the brisk morning air. She had wandered farther than she should have and was attacked by Seamus and his wolf pack. She had fought them off as best as she could, but they had made sure that she would not return as the same person. They had taken their time, torturing her before sending her back to Grant battered and broken, bearing the bite that had turned her into a monster.
The Gathering - S.L.Dearing
Blurb.
Thirteen years after the last world war, the village of Lia Fail sits peacefully above the Hollywood Reservoir in the Santa Monica Mountains. The village is making ready for the fall Gathering, where the other colonies from various parts of what was once Southern California visit for ten days of fun and reminiscence. What begins as a normal Gathering, soon changes as the people of Lia Fail begin to see magic around them. Then they receive news of a horrific massacre and face a nightmare as a dark evil descends on the tranquil village. Alia Stark, the queen of Lia Fail, must face this evil along side her oldest and dearest friends as well as an incredible new ally as the fate of her people and the lives of her children rest in her hands. Will her new magic be strong enough to save those she loves the most?
7G - Debbie Kump.
Blurb.
In the near future, Smartphones will be obsolete. Instead, technological innovations provide virtual computer screens for texting, surfing the Internet, or reading an ebook on lenses worn directly over the eye.
With the upcoming conversion to 7G Network allowing instantaneous optical and audio recording, limitless military and civilian applications abound. Yet an unexpected programming glitch proves fatal, spelling disaster for the nation. In the aftermath of 7G, the fates of college sophomore Erik Weber and submariner Alyssa Kensington entwine. Will they escape and manage to survive in a crippled world?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I wanted to try and do something really wicked for Valentines day, so I thought what better than a huge giveaway. Over the next three days you will have the chance to win a lot of books!! Yay!! Totally awesome. All these wonderful authors have donated a copy of their book for your reading pleasure, myself included. If you want to find out more about these authors, simply click their name and you will be taken to either their Facebook pages or their blogs.
JUST FOR FUN!
One way to enter is to leave a blog post comment! I thought it would be fun to ask you to describe your perfect date! Can't wait to see the responses.
Here are the books which are up for grabs and some more info on each. GOOD LUCK to all those who enter, the two winners will be notified by email.
Blurb.
Keira Jameson used to lead a normal life, she just had a gift, passed down through the generations of her family.
Now, after hearing voices, having strange dreams of others calling out to her, and her grandfather's last words haunting her, she sets out to find other families like hers. Along with her best friend Lily, the only person outside her family to know about her gift, Keira begins a hunt for her ancestors. A chance meeting with a young man, Lucian Turner, sets them on the right track, but their discoveries change the way Keira will see herself for ever more.
Fear, superstition and heritage are shaping Keira's future and she must face her enemies, even if this could mean losing her life.
Through loss and love her destiny becomes inescapable.
Part Buffy-style horror, part tender romance, Bloodlines will have fans of the genre on tenterhooks waiting for the next instalment of this gripping and hell-raising tale.
Blurb
Desires Unleashed is the first novel in the riveting, highly-addictive and sexually-charged Knights of the Darkness Chronicles. Experience the heart-pounding thrill of the chase in this electrifying page-turner as you uncover the mystery behind the series of gruesome killings that have been terrorizing the citizens of Chicago.
When a grisly decapitated corpse pops up on a Chicago Street, drained of blood, the highly-trained, government-funded special police force assigned two of their best detectives to the case. S.U.I.T. Detectives Warren Davis and Matthew Eric delve deep into their investigation to discover just who or what is leaving mutilated bodies in public places. They soon realize that the killer or killers is one step ahead of them and if they are going to stop the menace before another innocent human is viciously attack, they are going to need help.
Natasha Hemingway liked her life just the way it was... normal and supernatural-free. The vampires and shape-shifters were just where she wanted them to be--far away from her. All was going well until an unfortunate accident landed her in the hospital. It was then that she discovered she had an ability that could help her save countless lives. All of a sudden, she finds herself thrust into the dangerous and alluring world of the supernatural and into the arms of two very sexy and deadly vampires.
Original, gritty and sprinkled with just the right amount of humor and wit, the Knights of the Darkness Chronicles will suck you in and take you for a ride you won't forget. You don't want to miss out on this amazing series!
Blurb.
Rayne Marlow is trying to live a normal happy life. She has a good job, friends and boyfriend who she loves with all her heart. But Rayne has secrets and a tragic past that seems to endlessly haunt and torment her.
When Rayne’s dreams turn violent and she is harmed by a creature lurking in the darkness, her lover is determined to get answers and cure her once and for all. Rayne must now relive her past, reveal her secrets, believe in her innocence and defeat the demon who is preying on her and intent on dragging her soul into the depths of hell.
Blurb.
Sophia Pierce has suffered since her brother left, and is unsure if she will ever get over it. That is until her family decided to move to Wenham, Massachusetts. Her and her siblings have been ordered to protect their little sister, and must return to High school. This is where Sophia finds her soul mate Nathanial and life as she knows it is about to change.
As a vampire, Sophia has always kept to herself, but as a high school student will she learn to step out of her comfort zone a little? Sophia has found a best friend in a powerful witch and a love to call her own. That is until something tragic happens and blood is spilled. Will Sophia be able to resist the sweet scent of her beloved's blood?
This is Sophia's story, a story of a girl who finds herself, love and everlasting friendship. The excitement of this story wraps mortals, vampires, witches, and shape shifters all into a romantic tale of young love, friendship, the meaning of family. The story of a girl who tries to finds herself when she thought it was all lost.
Blurb.
Just when Sophia Pierce thinks her eternal life will be happy and peaceful, something else happens to turn it upside down. With rogue vampire approaching the town she has learned to call home, the Pierce family must prepare for battle. With some magickal help will they be able to save Wenham?
Even more trouble arises when Danika, the newest vampire of the family decides this might not be the right place for her. The Pierce family has already lost one love, Caspian, when he felt he was no longer worthy of their family name. Will Danika follow his footsteps and will he be able to save her from a fate far worse than his own?
Excerpt.
“I didn’t realize you and my uncle were so close.”
Jean Marc smiled, a warm and uplifting smile that muted the sadness in his eyes. “Jack was always a second father to me. My dad was too busy with the business, and when he wasn’t doing that, he was bailing Henri out of some mess.”
“I’m sorry. I’m his niece. I should have been more involved, and then maybe I could have helped him.”
Jean Marc reached across the table for my hand. “Don’t blame yourself. You didn’t know. You aren’t responsible for your uncle, Nora.”
“Then why are you?” I questioned, feeling a sudden twinge of something strange as his strong hand held mine.
“Your uncle has been good to me.” He let go of my hand. “He’s been there for me and listened to me.” He lowered his eyes to the worn surface of the old pine table. “I owe him a debt.”
I shook my head. “You owe him the debt of friendship. I owe him the debt of family.”
“‘It’s better to owe a debt of love than blood,’ my grandfather used to always say. I never realized what he meant until now.” He paused and the chill returned to his dark eyes. “I can look after Jack here. You won’t have time to keep coming back and forth.”
I stared at him, a little taken aback by his comment. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“Nora, you have a great deal going on in your life. You have your wedding to plan and all the changes your new life will bring.”
“Did Uncle Jack tell you I was getting married?”
“He mentioned you were going to marry a doctor.” He paused and once again his eyes changed and a glint of warmth appeared in their darkness. “But he doesn’t believe you’re in love with this guy.”
I sat back in my chair, feeling slightly dumbfounded. “He said that?”
Jean Marc rose from his chair. “Make sure you love the man you’re going to marry, Nora. Otherwise, marriage can be a real bitch.”
I looked up into his face. “You were married once, weren’t you?”
He nodded. “Lasted less than a year. She was the daughter of a business associate I knew in Dallas. It was wrong from the start.”
“Wrong?” I asked, realizing how little I actually knew about the man.
He snapped his fingers. “There was no spark, no passion between Cynthia and me. Love needs passion to ignite. Without it you just have hormones.” He directed his attention to the small clock on the far wall. “You’d better get back to the city. It’s getting late. I’ll come back in a few hours and check on him. He’s much more reasonable when he’s sober.” Jean Marc placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll find something for him to do at the crawfish farms or, if need be, at the house.” He gave me an encouraging smile.
I stood from my chair. “Thank you, Jean Marc. You’ve been a good friend to my uncle and I’m very grateful.” And then, without thinking, I stood on my toes and gently kissed his lips.
The electricity that passed between us was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I could feel my body throb with the touch of his lips against mine. But before I could pull away, he threw his muscular arms about me and deepened his kiss. I could smell his woody cologne mixed with the scent of the bayou out back. I could hear the wild chirping of the birds in the trees along with the pounding of my heart. All my senses came to life, and the effect made me slightly dizzy. John’s kisses had never been like this.
I pulled away first, overwhelmed by the frenzy of sensations raging within me.
He took a step back from me. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, but the way the light reflected in his eyes, I sensed he really wasn’t.
I smiled, trying to appear unflustered. “Don’t worry about it.” I turned to go and grabbed on to the back of the chair beside me to keep my knees from giving way.
“Nora?” Jean Marc whispered.
I straightened up and faced him. My stomach clenched as I took in his smug grin and the way he was dissecting my features as if he were a detective interrogating a murder suspect.
After several agonizing seconds, he finally said, “Are you sure you want to marry that doctor?”
I hastily lowered my gaze to the old linoleum floor. “You don’t know John. We are a good team and—”
But before I could finish, he stormed out of the kitchen. A few minutes later, I heard the gun of an engine and the screech of tires on my uncle’s shell-covered drive.
I kicked the little pine table next to me. “Damn it!”
I fought to regain control over my emotions. I was engaged to another man, so how could I possibly have feelings for a man I had always despised? I assured myself that I was simply exhibiting some nerves over my impending marriage; at least, I hoped that’s all it was. To consider any other reason was, quite simply, dangerous.
Blurb.
Ditched at the altar…biopsied for cancer…Mollie Hinkle is having a bona fide bitch of a summer.When life sucks so hard it takes your breath away, what's a girl to do?
Road trip! Pack a bag, grab a few friends, and leave the past and the worry in the rear view mirror. What wounds can’t be healed by a drive across the Heartland, where quarter flips at cross roads determine the route and the future?
All roads lead to Craig, the second son and bad boy of the haughty Coulter line. Craig has spent his life taking care of number one—himself. He’s not interested in a relationship and he’s definitely not looking to fall in love. But if a morsel drops in his lap, who is he to refrain?
Mollie’s not looking for love either, but truth be told, she’s not opposed to it. Heck, if fate brought her to the miniscule Montana town to find happily ever after, she won’t fight it.Perhaps it is a summer where love, not time, heals all her wounds.
Blurb.
Leticia has a dark secret, and somebody somewhere knows what it is. After being tormented and brutally attacked, it becomes obvious they want her dead. A mysterious group come to her aid. They want to fight by her side and help her win the war someone has declared on her. Together, they present a force to be reckoned with.
Love, loss and longing put strains on the alliance. Not only must they fight their enemies, but their own fears and desires.
Leticia must also face a harsh reality. If she wants a happy future, she must first confront her past.
Blurb
Claudia Emerson has a good friend who shares the same first name and last name. That friend unfortunately dies in a tragic accident during homecoming dance. Claudia is distraught at the loss of her friend, but is even more disturbed by her dreams, which seem to take her to another place called Crossroads. Unknown to her, Crossroads is like a second heaven, a place between heaven and earth. It is where the souls of humans in comas or near death experiences may wander. Where, Claudia meets Michael, a nephilim, a half angel, half human, whom she often meets in her dreams. It turns out that this isn’t her first visit to Crossroads, which is an enigma for no human can ever travel there until Claudia.
Now the fallen and demons are after her, suspecting she must be special and it is up to Michael and the other nephilims to protect her. Her dream becomes a nightmare as more secrets are revealed, about who she really is, and the true identities of the people she loves most. Can Michael fight his growing feelings for Claudia and protect her as a guardian angel should?
Blurb.
As the alkins head back to Crossroads, Claudia leads her normal life; but not for long. Having a special soul, Claudia attracts danger, and she soon finds out who Gamma asked to watch over her. The Twelve, known as Divine Elders on Earth, are very much involved when they find out that Aliah, one of the God's first angels, escaped from the Abyss when the gates were opened by Aden. Needing Claudia's soul to escape the only place Aliah can reside-a place between Heaven and Earth-he sends his demons in search of all Claudia Emersons on Earth. Taking her soul will enable him to be released from Between and cross over to Crossroads, which would give him immense power. As more secrets are revealed Claudia learns about the venators-nephilim, demon hunters.
Now two opposing forces must work together in order to save Claudia and humanity from the most dangerous angel ever created. But along the way, trust becomes a big issue. Will love be enough to keep Claudia and Michael together? Who will make the ultimate sacrifice? Who will betray them all?
Diary of a One-Night Stand - Alexandrea WeisBlurb
Resilient and practical, Kara Barton has continually strived to live a respectable life. She went to college, embarked on a promising career as an attorney, married a great guy, and always appeared to be the perfect wife and mother. But all is not what it seems, and the troubling past Kara has been running from her entire life is about to catch up with her. Urged on by her insecurities about growing older, and desperately wanting to feel one more night of passion, Kara agrees to share a tryst in a hotel room with a sexy business associate, Scott Ellsworth. But Scott wants more than one night together, and Kara quickly discovers it is impossible to resist him. Soon Kara finds herself transformed into the kind of woman she vowed never to become, and the secure world she has struggled all her life to build begins to fall apart. Kara Barton is about to find out how a one-night stand can change everything.
Fall - Jennifer Latas
Blurb.
Being promoted to project manager is a dream come true for 21 year old Julia Dayle (J.D.) Halstead. And her first project is to convert a turn-of-the-century schoolhouse into a B & B.
However, an ancient secret hides within the walls of the schoolhouse. A secret nightmare that could unleash the Furies of Hell and cause a Host of Angels to weep for the loss of one of their own.
A secret that could scar J.D. for eternity.
Blurb.
Michael West swore he would never fall in love again. So when the beautiful and wily Charlotte steps off the train looking for a new life he jumps at the business opportunity her search for a husband presents. Engaged forty-five minutes after meeting, married the next day, Michael thinks he’s found everything a respectable man should have. Except that Michael is as far from respectable as they come. They agreed not to ask questions about each other’s pasts, but when the past seeps into their present Michael suspects his passionate new wife is not who she says she is. But can he keep her at arm’s length when he’s already fallen in love with her?
Charlotte Baldwin has a secret. She fled Philadelphia to escape the sins of her past, but someone is following her. What better way to hide than by marrying Michael West, Cold Springs, Montana’s enigmatic shopkeeper? A new name, a new life, and am amorous husband is exactly what she needs to leave her sins behind. But when it comes to keeping secrets Charlotte may have met her match in Michael. When a connection neither of them expects catches up with them, the shocking revelation means Charlotte may have run right into the arms of her enemy.
Blurb.
It was happening again. The dreams. The nightmares. It was something that seventeen year-old Elizabeth Hayes thought she d outgrown; dreams that would come true; detailed premonitions of how people would die. This time she dreams about her boyfriend, Michael Young, and soon discovers that he has been found... dead.
He has not crossed over because he was murdered, and now the murderer is after Lizzy. His spirit won't rest until she is safe. As a newbie spirit, the easiest way for him to make contact is through Lizzy's dreams. When she dreams, it's as if he hasn't died.
Lizzy must learn to pull on her inner strength to survive horrifying events, and is faced with a most difficult decision. Would she risk her life to save her best friend and the very person responsible for Michael's death?
Meanwhile, Michael learns everything he can about his supernatural gifts to help. But will it be enough to save her?
I Am Wolf - Joann H. Buchanan
Blurb
Angel, hero, monster,
devil--we all become what we really are.
Jonah has been sent to Sister's Oregon to live with his grandparents on the Reservation and he has no idea why. His entire life has been turned upside down and to top it off, a mysterious voice has been whispering strange things in his mind. Life couldn't get much worse for Jonah.
Upon his arrival, Jonah learns he is coming into powers handed down by his ancestors. He reacquaints himself with is old friends and falls in love with Alaynee. Their world is shattered by the
kidnapping of Alaynee's little brother, Jonah breaks the cardinal rule
of his gift and bites the kidnapper, creating a creature called the
unnatural. This sends him and all his friends on an adventure across the
states to a place in Tennessee. There they find not only must they stop
the unnatural creature, but they must save Cara--the girl the creature
is after. Jonah must ask himself the most important question of all,
would you sacrifice yourself to save another?
Blurb
When you've been touched by the darkness, it leaves a mark on your soul.
Jonah and Alaynee are happily putting the past behind them. They're planning a wedding and moving forward. Great news is waiting for them and the youngling pack. When Cathy, Alaynee's mom, finds a stranded girl in the city and brings her back. Alaynee soon discovers there's more to her then meets the eye. Cleo is a lioness whose powers over men will haunt Alaynee in more ways then one. Will Jonah and Alaynee be able to plan their happily ever after or will the evil that resides have it's way? Can a kiss really trap a soul?
Blurb
A cursed lineage. A secret magic. A destiny that neither one of them could have predicted.
When Elkliss Keep is rampaged by her sinister Uncle Simeon, Lysandra lost everything she had ever known or loved within a heartbeat. Destiny catapults her into a life she could never have foreseen; a life filled with an unquenchable desire for a man, whose aloof people harbor a secret almost as dangerous as her own.
When Aiden first sets eyes on Lysandra, the beast inside will not be fulfilled until he possesses her. He soon he realizes that Lysandra could be the one true mate that would make his cursed life easier to live.
Excerpt.
Madigan’s Army 1543
In the heat of battle, it was hard to tell where one beast ended and the other began. Grant dodged the claws that swiped menacingly at his head. The fight was fierce as Madigan’s Army of miscreants attacked the werewolves of the Lair.
Grant could shift into any animal that was required of him because of the anamorphic magic of Serenas that ran through his veins. He was currently assuming the shape of a black wolf. He fought alongside man and beast alike, as the men who followed Marshal Madigan were both everyday men and various types of shifters. No one was turned away from Madigan’s Army, for they fought to protect their countryside from the terrifying rampage of the cold hearted werewolves of Narcissa, who were hell bent on destroying any living being in their wake. This pack of werewolves had extended their reach when they had started to recruit other werewolves who were hungry for power.
Another snarling beast threw its body toward Grant, but his lithe limbs pushed him into the air fast enough to jump over the hurtling body. He faced the gnashing teeth of the rabid wolf before he saw Marshal Madigan’s sword cleave the beast’s head from its body. Grant shook the spray of blood from his coat and looked around him. Five wolves had beaten a hasty retreat, while six more lay limp and lifeless on the ground, moments before turning into their human forms. His eyes searched for the one that would bring him peace in the void that surrounded him, the one man who made him hunger for revenge, but Seamus Finnigan was nowhere to be found.
Seamus Finnigan, second in command in the Lair, was the one who had taken from Grant the only thing he had ever cared about. It had just been a few years ago when his wife Maria had been abducted from their home. Maria had recently given birth to their beautiful daughter, Sophia, and had gone out to take a walk in the brisk morning air. She had wandered farther than she should have and was attacked by Seamus and his wolf pack. She had fought them off as best as she could, but they had made sure that she would not return as the same person. They had taken their time, torturing her before sending her back to Grant battered and broken, bearing the bite that had turned her into a monster.
Blurb.
Thirteen years after the last world war, the village of Lia Fail sits peacefully above the Hollywood Reservoir in the Santa Monica Mountains. The village is making ready for the fall Gathering, where the other colonies from various parts of what was once Southern California visit for ten days of fun and reminiscence. What begins as a normal Gathering, soon changes as the people of Lia Fail begin to see magic around them. Then they receive news of a horrific massacre and face a nightmare as a dark evil descends on the tranquil village. Alia Stark, the queen of Lia Fail, must face this evil along side her oldest and dearest friends as well as an incredible new ally as the fate of her people and the lives of her children rest in her hands. Will her new magic be strong enough to save those she loves the most?
Blurb.
In the near future, Smartphones will be obsolete. Instead, technological innovations provide virtual computer screens for texting, surfing the Internet, or reading an ebook on lenses worn directly over the eye.
With the upcoming conversion to 7G Network allowing instantaneous optical and audio recording, limitless military and civilian applications abound. Yet an unexpected programming glitch proves fatal, spelling disaster for the nation. In the aftermath of 7G, the fates of college sophomore Erik Weber and submariner Alyssa Kensington entwine. Will they escape and manage to survive in a crippled world?
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Tuesday, 12 February 2013
Two weeks to complete Revelations!!
I'm both excited and upset. I can't wait to hold the book in my hands. It will be awesome to have all three paperbacks in front of me. But it's also sad because my time with my characters is coming to an end. I don't think it will matter how many books I write throughout my life, this story and my characters will always be the closest to my heart.
But, wish me luck! Here I go!
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
A beautiful place, rich in history - Must visit.
Firstly can I just say, this photo does NOT belong to me
and I do not know who the owner is.
This was found being passed around on Facebook. Now as some of you know I have a love of photography. I also intend to visit as many historic places and ruins as possible, I just need to save the money up, buy a car and then..... road trip! There are so many places I want to visit, High Gate Cemetery, Chillingham Castle, Lindisfarne Castle, to name a few. But this is now very close to the top of my list.
This photograph really got my attention, I think its incredibly beautiful. It's captured me. I believe it to be Glastonbury Abbey, in Somerset (UK). The more history a place has the more it interests me, and since this is around 1000 years old, it's definitely got my attention. If those ruined walls could talk - oh what stories they could tell.
Anyway, just thought I'd share.
Friday, 1 February 2013
Please Welcome Author Misty Burke and enter our giveaway. (18+)
She will be answering some questions for us and has also been generous enough to offer one of her books for a giveaway.
Please note all entrants to the giveaway must be 18 or over.
You will see all of Misty's titles throughout the interview and also be able to read an excerpt from one of her novels.
I’m a stay-at-home mom with four great kids and a wonderfully supportive husband. So it’s only when I’m not enjoying family time that I try to find a few moments to sit at my computer. And what do I do at my computer, you might ask? Well I try to have at least two writing projects going at the same time, usually a romantic fiction novel of some sort and a poetry collection. I also have at least one free-lance editing project. Oh, and did I mention, I just started graduate school. LOL. If I thought my life was busy before, it’s a three-ring-circus now. And to be quite honest, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Other than writing, what else are you passionate about?
Teaching writing. As much as I enjoy being an author and poet, I’m passionate about helping others achieve their writing goals. That’s why I ventured into the editing world, that’s why I’m getting my Master’s degree in Creative Writing… my “larger” goal in life is to become a college writing professor and help others reach achieve their dreams.
Writing has been my hobby for as long as I can remember. It’s been my escape and my joy. It’s the essence of my long-time love affair with words. So there was no real “deciding” to become a writer, being a writer is just an extension of who I’ve always been.
Can you tell us a bit about your book?Well, which book would you like to know about? I’ve got a little something for everyone in the romance genre. In Urban Fantasy, I have two novels – The Midnight Cup and The Last Watcher. In Paranormal Romance, I have four – The Genie of the Portrait, Meeting Online Bites, Chasing Tabby, and Catching Hell (I also have two short, paranormal romances in two different anthologies). In Steampunk, I have one erotic – The Madame of Gravestone. And in contemporary, I have two stories – A Twister of Fate and Truth or Dare.
Standing in the moonlight, he watched the neon sign blink in the window of the coffee house across the street. College kids came and went around him. Yet none seemed to notice his presence. The stranger had spent years learning to blend into the shadows.
The night hours slowly passed. It wasn’t until he could feel the coming dawn that he strode across the street and walked inside. Only a few students were left as he took a seat at a corner table. He was keenly aware that the backroom was now empty and this fact pleased the woman behind the counter.
They locked eyes as she approached. “What are you?” She leaned in and pretended to wipe down his table.
“I was just wondering the same thing about you.” She reminded him of a skittish foal. He reached out to touch her hand and she jerked back.
“Is that why you’re here?” Looking hurt, then angry, she motioned to the door. “Get out.”
She froze and gave him a long, hard look. “I’ll ask you again. What are you?”
He pulled a large wooden stake out of his trench coat and laid it on the table. “I’m a slayer.”
She sat down at his table and spoke with soft, hesitant words. “Are you part of the Society?”
The question hung in the air as he watched tiny sparkles of gold dance in her light blue eyes. Unknowingly, he reached for her again. The jolt of electricity that followed caused him to take in a quick breath of air. The surge was sudden and left warmth. Staring down at their point of contact, his large hand covering hers, he smiled in awe. “I’m Marcus McKinney. And yes, I’m with the Society.”
“Then you know I’m a natural,” she paused only a moment, “don’t you?”The glowing warmth evaporated as quickly as it had arrived. In one fluid motion, he disconnected from her and picked up the stake. Damn it, Josh. This was not in your report. He hid the weapon back in the folds of his trench coat and questioned his next move. There wasn’t supposed to be any other paranormal element. The Society might care, but his fight was only with the vampires. This white witch was not his problem.
The woman across from him looked so innocent. “Whatever it is that causes your heart to darken…”
****
Serenity didn’t have to watch him leave. She could feel it. This slayer, with his curly brown hair and eyes the color of dark chocolate, had an aura she hadn’t experienced before. It was more complex and torn than the simplicity of a human. Yet it didn’t have the vast emptiness of the vampire either. His soul was different, unique, hidden in shadow. Marcus McKinney was circled with a deep fog. There were layers to this man she just couldn’t see and that intrigued her.
What are your current / future projects?
Would you consider yourself adventurous?Not at all. I consider myself more of the “big-chicken” type. LOL. My idea of an adventure is reading and/or writing one.
Chocolate or ice cream?
Chocolate. The answer is always chocolate.Where can readers find you and more about your book(s)? Where can they purchase your book(s)?
Readers can visit my website at http://www.mistyburke.com
I’ve added cover art, blurbs, and several purchasing links. So my website is the best place to start.
Lindsay - Thank you for joining us today! I hope everyone has enjoyed the interview and don't forget, if you are 18 years or over, you can enter our giveaway below. Good Luck to all!
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