Category Archives: Authors
Finding Abigail by Carrie Ann Ryan – Book Blitz
Blurb:
Tyler Cooper is the town sheriff and, in the past, had been the only person keeping Holiday steady. Though the community is now finding out that it’s town is magical, Tyler has always known it—it’s in his blood. He has always known his fate of becoming a cupid, striking love into the hearts others, but an enemy from his past is set on keeping him from finding his own destiny—and love.
Abigail Clarke is leaving Holiday for good. She has to. After years of trying to fit in and make Tyler notice her, she’s giving up. She’s watched her friends fall in love and it’s heartbreaking. Acknowledging that the one man she’s always loved doesn’t want her, it’s time to move on and find her own future.
Right when the stars align and Tyler opens his eyes, his enemy is back and has his sights on Abigail. Abigail is in danger and Tyler may be the only one to stand up to him and save her.
Warning: Contains one sexy sheriff who turns into cupid, complete with bow and arrow, the sweetest teacher you’ll ever meet who needs to find her bad girl side, and a love of candy hearts that’s sure to bring them together.
Order links:
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00BAH7EAQ
A little about Carrie Ann:
Carrie Ann Ryan is a bestselling paranormal and contemporary romance author. After spending too much time behind a lab bench, she decided to dive into the romance world and find her werewolf mate – even if it’s just in her books. Happy endings are always near – even if you have to get over the challenges of falling in love first.
Carrie Ann’s Redwood Pack series is an bestselling series that has made the shifter world even more real to her and has allowed the Dante’s Circle and Holiday, Montana series to be born. She’s also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She loves meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens.
Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:
Revelations by Julie Lynn Hayes – Excerpt/Author Interview
Blurb:
Judas has never been very popular, not in any incarnation that he and Jesus and the others have lived through. But he doesn’t care about that. All he cares about is following the instructions of God as set forth in the script that they follow. And Jesus. For Judas has secretly loved the son of God for over two thousand years.
But now he decides that enough is enough, and he’s tired of watching Jesus die far too early, and for what? This time Judas is determined to see that Jesus lives a long and happy life, no matter what price he has to pay to accomplish it…no matter if he has to make a deal with the devil himself.
Revelations is a story of what could be, told by those who play it out, time after time after time, unbeknownst to the rest of mankind. They’ve come back again, for yet another round. But this time is going to be different.
Excerpt:
Prologue: God
It’s not always easy to sit on the sidelines and watch what is happening, to resist the urge to intervene in his best interest. My son’s that is. Jesus. But I do so, because I know it’s for his own good. As well as for the good of mankind. I can’t let my concerns as his father override my vested interest in the fate of man. But sometimes that is easier said than done.
This morning I am not alone. Someone else is with me, someone with his own agenda, although we are not as diametrically opposed as some would imagine us to be. Good and evil aren’t the simplistic concepts some would portray them as being—there are more grey areas there than you might think. And rightly so.
He smirks. Too much for my taste, I have to admit, but sometimes he does have his moments, and he too has a part to play in what is happening in the world of men. Someone needs to fill the role of the villain, after all.
The stage is being set for the third act, the scripts have been handed round, and the actors are taking their places. Will this time end any differently than the others? That depends on my son, on Jesus. I’m thinking this will be the time when he’ll make the change.
“He’ll change nothing,” Lucifer interjects, although I’ve asked him nothing, certainly not inquired as to his opinion.
I glance at him. He’s dressed to within an inch of his life, and wears the most ridiculous sunglasses I’ve ever seen. I decide not to comment on his fashion sense. “I think he might, this time. I think he’s ready for change.”
Lucifer snorts. “It’s been two thousand years, and neither one has exactly caught on yet. Why should this time be any different?”
“Care to put your money where your mouth is?”
He eyes me carefully. “I would, but you see you have this whole mystic omnipotent God thing going on. Personally, I don’t care for those odds.”
I arch an eyebrow. “I may be omnipotent, but Jesus does have free will and he does possess the ability to make his own decisions. You think I’d stack the deck in my son’s favor? Just to win a bet with you?”
“Let’s say I’m taking no chances.” He smiles. “Tell you what, though—give me free rein. Let me do what I want, and you not say anything or do anything to interfere with me? As far as they’re concerned, that is.”
I open my mouth to object, he hastily interjects. “No killing, I swear to it.”
That’s better. I still have some measure of control over the serpent.
“So be it.” I agree, turning my attention back to where it had been, to my son. I’m smirking now. Openly.
O ye of little faith, watch and learn.
Welcome Julie Lynn Hayes! Please start off by telling us a little about yourself.
Thanks for having me, Harlie! Well, obviously I’m a writer, have been for over forty years, which puts me on the other side of fifty lol I’ve lived most of my life in the St. Louis area, been married twice, have five kids, but only one still at home. I have two cats. My favorite thing to do is write, but after that I enjoy reading, watching movies, long drives in the country, visiting the Art Museum (St. Louis has a great one!), crocheting, knitting, cross stitch and needlepoint. I visit my kids when I can, and hope to do a lot more traveling in the future.
Is Revelations a single title, or part of a series?
Yes and no lol It isn’t part of a series, but there will be other stories that feature the characters. You might call them companion pieces, but they aren’t exactly sequels, and are still in the writing stage.
What were your inspirations for the story?
One of my biggest inspirations was Weber & Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar. I’ve listened to it so often I know most of the words and can sing all the parts (not well, mind you, so only in private). After that, I drew on inspiration from other movies I watched and books I read, and I formulated my own ideas and they became Revelations. I think one of the biggest spurs came from listening to someone talking about the Second Coming and what would happen at that time, his vision of a fire and brimstone God that I found to be rather strange, as I began to think to myself, how do you know there hasn’t been a Second Coming already, a non-announced one? Maybe more?
Please share your setting for Revelations. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?
Revelations has no specific setting, not geographically. It all takes place within a small area, including the jail of a small town, and the site where most of the action takes place, just outside of town. But you can see it as you wish, it’s anywhere you want it to be. The characters are what counts, not the setting.
When did the writing bug first bite?
When I was maybe nine or so. Our teacher was reading a book to us about some kids and the adventures they had and I began to imagine my own story and wrote it, a mystery involving an island and dinosaurs and an expensive diamond perfume (long before Elizabeth Taylor ever conceived of White Diamonds lol). Sad to say, no copy of this story exists any more.
Who are you favorite authors, book/series?
That’s a tough question, because there are so many. William Faulkner, P.G. Wodehouse are two. Charlaine Harris/Sookie Stackhouse, Sherrilyn Kenyon/Dark Hunter, Preston & Child/Pendergast series, Frank Herbert/Dune, Isaac Asimov/Foundation, not to mention great manga/yaoi series: Youka Nita/Embracing Love, Kizuna, Love Mode, Maiden Rose, and much much more. And great new upcoming m/m writers: M.A. Church, Chris T. Kat, Sui Lynn, and others. And let’s not forget graphic novels: Mike Carey/Lucifer, Neil Gaiman/Sandman, Mike Carey/The Unwritten, Joe Hill/Locke & Key
If you could have an author roundtable discussion with any authors, who would you invite?
Oh this would be fabulous! I’ll limit it to live authors, for expediency’s sake. Mike Carey, Joe Hill, M.A. Church, Sui Lynn, Charlaine Harris, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Neil Gaiman, Dan Brown, Christopher Moore.
Better stop there, that’s a full table lol
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?
Yes, I love to crochet, knit, cross stitch and needlepoint. I don’t do anything useful, like sew, though. I love jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles, the harder the better. And Sudoku.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?
That’s a hard question. I’ve seen a lot of things in my over fifty years. I heard the sound of my first husband being shot to death, although I did not see it. It doesn’t sound anything like in the movies. I’ve heard people talk in tongues, which I found rather strange. It’s hard to separate the strange from the normal sometimes, it all goes into the pool of our experiences.
Thanks for having me, Harlie! And thanks to everyone who stopped by!
Author Info:
Julie Lynn Hayes was reading at the age of two and writing by the age of nine and always wanted to be a writer when she grew up. Two marriages, five children, and more than forty years later, that is still her dream. She blames her younger daughters for introducing her to yaoi and the world of M/M love, a world which has captured her imagination and her heart and fueled her writing in ways she’d never dreamed of before. She especially loves stories of two men finding true love and happiness in one another’s arms and is a great believer in the happily ever after. She lives in St. Louis with her daughter Sarah and two cats, loves books and movies, and hopes to be a world traveler some day. While working a temporary day job, she continues to write her books and stories and reviews, which she posts in various places on the internet. Her family thinks she is a bit off, but she doesn’t mind. Marching to the beat of one’s own drummer is a good thing, after all. Her published works can be found at Dreamspinner Press, and MuseitUp Publishing, and she has also begun to self-publish at various places on the Internet.
My Links:
My blog: http://julielynnhayes.blogspot.com
My facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=527332074
My Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3442231.Julie_Lynn_Hayes
My Publishers:
Museit Up Publishing: http://museituppublishing.com/
Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_222
Hollywood Hook by Mamie Center – Promo/Debut Author
When I contacted by Mamie’s publicist at Simon and Schuster, I couldn’t breath. I mean, seriously? I’m a nobody in the reviewing world but some how I was contacted. Simon and Schuster is big. This is Mamie’s debut novel and I’ve already started reading it. Good lord…bring a hose, a toy or two and have your partner on standby. Harlie’s Books will be reviewing it on Monday, January 7th. *wipes brow*
Hollywood Hook
An erotic debut novel featuring a young actress who makes a deal with a hotshot Hollywood producer: in exchange for stardom, she’ll do whatever he tells
her—including fulfilling his darkest desires.
When promising young actress Jessica Barry moves to Hollywood in search of stardom, she gets more than she bargained for. Jacob, a Hollywood producer who knows everyone, assures Jessica that he will help her rise to the top of the business, as long as she does “exactly what he tells her.” She soon discovers this involves following every one of his sexually sadistic rules—including obeying his second in command, Magali, a gorgeous Frenchwoman who toys with Jessica, sexually teasing and tormenting her.
In exchange for stardom, Jessica must seduce Hollywood superstar Thomas Mansell. Using the newfound powers taught to her by Magali, Jessica wins Thomas’s heart. But when Jessica actually falls in love with Thomas, Jacob cruelly reminds her that he owns her—body and mind. Erotic and sensual, this is the side of Hollywood that no one dares to talk about.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
This edition: eBook, 352 pages
Publication date: December 17, 2012
Official Publisher Page:
About Mamie Center:
Mamie Center resides in the Hollywood Hills, just a few blocks from the guest house where she lived when she first moved to the city as a young, wide-eyed starlet. Most of Hollywood Hook is based on the cast of characters whom she met along her adventurous journey in the City of Angels. A committed hedonist, Mamie prescribes to indulgences in all forms, particularly exotic and unusual food, drinks, and her choices in company. When in town, she frequents several L.A. hotspots accompanied by former studio execs and producers, most of whom she has known intimately. She travels extensively while maintaining apartments in Rio and Madrid where she freelances as a travel writer and enjoys the company of the locals, especially the women in Brazil and the men in Spain. She speaks Spanish and French fluently and her hobbies include salsa dancing and playing the guitar. She is a connoisseur of all arts, aesthetic and intimate.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Mis sMCenter
Dangerously Mine by A.M. Griffin – Release Day Bookspotlight
Blurb:
After aliens invade and conquer Earth, Eva is transported to a distant slave trading planet. Escape and freedom are her only priority, but none of her martial arts training prepared her for what she faces. She finds herself enslaved to the warrior King Taio. Eva’s drawn to this sexy alien male who ignites her heart and body.
Taio is disgusted with the idea of owning a slave—until now. From the moment he sees her, he knows Eva is his for the taking. Torn between lust and duty, Taio knows nothing will stop him from protecting his little warrior.
Reader Advisory: Eva’s sexual awakening includes brief
female/female exploration.
Line: Aeon
ISBN: 9781419939631
MSRP/List
Price: $7.50
Our Cover Price: $5.95
Excerpt:
Eva pressed her face against the rectangular window in the training room, watching the lights of unknown origin whiz by. She stood in one of the training rooms Ship had sequestered for her. After lunch, she felt more than a little stir-crazy. She needed to work off some of the tension that coiled around her muscles. It took all her strength not to get up and leave the dining hall while Taio’s gaze bored through her back. Did he really have to keep sending those smoldering looks her way?
His lavender eyes locked on her whenever she entered a room. The intensity of his gaze made her body respond in a way that she didn’t want it to. No one would ever consider her to be a coward. But there was something about the way he looked at her that had her frightened.
And that tattoo on his face. Sometimes it intrigued her and other times it made her scared. Who would allow such an intricate drawing to be completed? The pain alone would have been enough to deter any sane person from getting it, alien or not.
His body was a whole different story. It was downright criminal to have a body like his. The man had a body that would make a nun want to sin. He was tall, unbelievably so, but he was all rippling muscle.
This vessel was full of men and the only one who would give her a second glance was Taio. The thought should have given her some type of comfort. Instead of beating off twenty men, there was only one she would have to worry about. There was no mistaking his intentions. Every time he looked her way, it was as if he were willing her clothes to fall from her body. Her only counterattack so far was to stay away from him.
But she did have to agree with Ship, being under the care of Taio was for the best right now. She was fed, the dining hall was open around the clock, which was a plus. Oftentimes she found herself standing in front of the computer, requesting the buro flank with nitlick soup after everyone else was fast asleep. These were the closest thing to Earth food she could find. They had the same taste as chicken and tomato soup.
She was finally clean. Although she would have loved to feel the caress of running water on her skin again, the ionized shower hit the spot. She had clothes, which, although they were tight, were at least clean. And most of all, she didn’t feel her safety was in any type of jeopardy, not at the moment.
She wanted to find Ally, but she had to face the hard facts.
She was far away from home.
In an alien world.
No money whatsoever.
Nowhere to go.
And alone.
Finally, pulling herself away from the window, she pulled a training bag from the corner to start her workout. Hand-to-hand combat always made her feel primal, the main reason she loved it so much.
Within minutes, her training suit clung to her body, the lightweight material not constricting her movements at all. Perspiration covered her from head to toe, her once tied-back hair hanging wet and loose around her. Her muscles thrived under the workout, coming alive once again.
Heavy breathing behind her caught her off guard. She flipped away, landing in a fighting stance facing the intruder.
Taio stood in the doorway, watching. He gave a curt nod her way, the acknowledgement doing nothing to make her feel relaxed.
“You have good skills, Eva.” He hooked his thumbs in the waist of his pants and leaned on the doorway.
Her name never sounded better.
“Thank you.” She relaxed and straightened, her eyes still watching him. This was his first time speaking to her since their ill-fated first encounter.
She didn’t dare move closer, especially since she still didn’t know his intentions. She didn’t move away either, fearing he would view that as a sign of weakness. So she stood her ground, her body betraying her in the worst way. Her heart sped up a little and her breathing became more labored. Now she found her nipples hardening as her name rolled off his tongue.
I know trouble when I see it.
Eva willed her body to fight against whatever “mojo” he was throwing at her.
Taio walked into the room and took a sword off a rack on the wall. He began flexing it, testing its weight. The gesture caused his arm and chest muscles to ripple with each movement.
Jesus.
“Who taught you fighting moves?” he asked.
“My sensei, he lived back home.”
“Earth,” he said as a statement, rather than a question.
“Yes, Earth. Ann Arbor, Michigan, more specifically.”
She eyed the weapons on the wall. She was trained to use various fighting weapons—sais, kamas, knives, nunchakus, bo staffs and swords. She could show him a thing a two.
She walked over to the rack and took another sword off the wall.
Shit!
It weighed a ton! No wonder he smirked when she picked it up. Even though she strained to hold it in both hands, she made sure not to let him know. She would give anything to smack that look right off his face. Instead, she concentrated hard on not dropping the sword. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. She dared not try to maneuver it as he had.
“A male taught you?” He sounded surprised.
“Yes. Thirteen Earth years of training.” Taio laughed and shook his head in disbelief. “It’s not unusual on my planet,” she said. “A male can teach a female how to fight or even a female can teach a male.”
He laughed harder and shook his head. “There could never be such a thing on my world.”
She turned away. “I earned a black belt, first Dan in Kyokushin Karate. On Earth I’m considered to be a great fighter.”
“Your people did not fare well in the war against the Loconuist. The fighting techniques of your species mean nothing to me.”
Ouch.
If the sword in her hands wasn’t so heavy, she would have swung it at him.
Asshole.
“We didn’t know how to fight them. We’d never encountered aliens before.”
“Then it is good that I will take care of you from now on.”
Her head snapped around. “I don’t need you to take care of me.”
“You were captured by the Loconuist and the Tresdonians almost killed you.”
She shrugged. “But they didn’t.”
He smirked. “Because I saved you.”
“Thanks, but I can take care of myself.”
“It doesn’t matter. You are my responsibility now. You are my slave.”
Her eyes, squinting and cold, fixed on his. “Ship told me those assholes on that planet gave me to you. I think you got cheated. I’m not a slave. Not yours or anyone else’s.”
“If this arrangement does not suit you, I could turn the vessel around and give you back to the Tresdonians.” He turned from her and put the heavy sword back on the wall rack.
Her heart began pounding in her chest. He wouldn’t… “No. I’m not going back there.” She held her sword tightly in her grasp.
“Then you are my slave.” He stalked slowly toward her. His eyes locked on hers.
“No.” She backed away from him.
This cannot happen.
“You are mine.” He took another step toward her. “You will need to get used to the idea.”
“Never.”
He stopped his advancement. They stood facing each other. Her breathing came out in deep and heavy breaths. Her heart thumped in her chest.
Abruptly, he turned and walked from the room. She blinked at the empty doorway. The cold surface of the wall was against her back. She held the sword close to her chest, shielding her body. She stayed there until her arms shook from the sword’s weight.
She was no one’s slave.
Enjoy! Griffin
Now available from Elora’s Cave – http://www.ellorascave.com/dangerously-mine.html
You can find out what else I’m working on by visiting: http://www.amgriffinbooks.com
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The Secret Santa Wishing Well by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Excerpt/Interview
The Secret Santa Wishing Well
Nikki Lynn Barrett
Published by: Nikki Lynn Barrett
Contemporary holiday romance
about 55,000 words
184 print pages.
Blurb: The magic of Christmas has been lost to Jacob Winston. At the suggestion of his ill sister, Jacob takes a job as a Secret Santa at the mall, hoping to restore his Christmas spirit. Even that doesn’t seem to work, until a special little boy ambles up to make a very special wish…
Cheyenne Jensen is struggling to raise her two kids without the help of her ex-husband who refuses to acknowledge his daughter’s existence and doesn’t provide for the son he does. This Christmas is shaping up to be as heartbreaking as the last, until her son Ben’s kind actions lead a stranger to them.
Ah, but it’s Christmas time and the magic has begun.
When Jacob and Cheyenne meet, neither can deny their immediate attraction to one another. As situations arise that require they spend more time together, their feelings grow stronger and stronger.
With Christmas fast approaching, the pair learn what matters most in life. Now, if only they could ditch the ghost of Christmases past.
Maybe this holiday will bring some wishes come true- for everyone after all.
Excerpt:
It didn’t take long for her to come back. Jacob moved to the living room, standing and waiting. When he saw her coming, he closed the gap between them. Before he could could think twice, he touched her shoulder gently, wanting to thank her for the evening.
But instead of talking, he leaned in and kissed her. Just a light kiss. Gentle. Friendly.
Until she responded. She had her arms around him, pulling him for another kiss. Deeper. Sweeter. She tasted so sweet. Her need made him swell. He could do this all night. Jacob pressed her against the wall, their kisses deepening with urgency. He ran his fingers through her fine hair. Hers wrapped around. his neck, rubbing lightly.
Jacob pulled back abruptly. “Cheyenne,” he ground out. “We have to stop.” Before I lose it. He didn’t want to stop. He never expected her to reciprocate like this. Wow. Maybe it wasn’t one sided after all. Jacob sighed.
That halted everything. She pulled away, looking at him with wide, beautiful eyes. “I’m sorry. I pushed. You must think I’m a fool. I thought, when you kissed me…” Cheyenne attempted to move out of Jacob’s embrace. Oh, damn. She thought he didn’t want her. He did, oh, how he did.
“No, no. Honey, that’s not it at all. Kissing you was magical. Amazing. But we just met. I don’t want to take things too far. But I would love to see you again.” He pushed back loose strands of her hair that hung over her face when she’d moved. She looked so vulnerable. Was she going to cry? Oh hell, he wouldn’t be able to handle it if she did. The last thing he wanted was for her to be upset with him.
“I’d like that, too. It was a wonderful, amazing day, and I have you to thank for it.” She nearly whispered the words, choking up on the last part. “God, I’m a mess. I’m sorry. There’s been so much going on, and my signals are going crazy at the moment.”
Yours aren’t the only one, Jacob thought. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket, typing in her name in the contacts and handing it to her. “Can I have your number?”
She laughed. “Of course.” Her fingers brushed his as she took the phone from him, tapping in her number. She handed it back to him. Electric shocks of awareness zipped through him. His gaze lingered on her, knowing he needed to get the hell out of here before he lost it completely.
Welcome Nikki Lynn Barrett!
Please start off by telling us a little about yourself.
I live in Arizona with my husband and young son. I long for cold and stormy days, but we don’t get many of those here…lol. I love all things creative! I have an addiction to Words With Friends and raspberry tea. I hate getting up in front of a crowd for a speech, but put a microphone in my hand and music in the background, and I can sing in front of any crowd. I often tell people that characters fight for my attention worse than siblings fighting for their parents’ attention. 
Is The Secret Santa Wishing Well a single title, or part of a series? It’s a single title! Now, I have had one person ask for a secondary character’s story, but if I wrote it, The Secret Santa Wishing Well would still suit fine as a stand alone.
What were your inspirations for the story? I had an idea for awhile about a man being some kind of Secret Santa, meeting a child, and connecting to the mother that way. The first week in August when my son started preschool, I toyed with a few writing projects. Then all of a sudden, the complete idea for The Secret Santa Wishing Well hit me. I only wrote three days a week, as my son only goes to school for four of them, and one mid week day is dedicated to jewelry making with my mom. I wrote 38,000 in six weeks. After not being able to write and finish a project for years, this was astonishing for me! After rewrites, it turned into an almost 55k book! Anyway, I’m kind of straying, aren’t I? But that was the gist of it. Had an idea, rolled with it, and boom! There is the birth of The Secret Santa Wishing Well
Please share your setting for The Secret Santa Wishing Well. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most? I set it in Prescott, Arizona. I love that city. It’s up in the high country, I love the cool mountain air, and it’s a nice escape from the Phoenix heat. I’ve been there many times since my first time in 2003. I’ve always said if I ever made it rich I was getting me a summer home in Prescott. Better storms up there in monsoon season, too. LOL
When did the writing bug first bite? You know….it always has been with me. I loved reading and writing from early on. By the time I was in fifth grade, I completed a book- well, an 80 kids book, lol. I used to write in those one subject spiral notebooks. I was happy if my parents bought me a ton of them and a package of pens. Stories turned into writing poetry for awhile, then song lyrics, and while I still wrote books, they weren’t the focus of my attention for awhile until I hit college and wanted to write them again. I finished my first adult romantic suspense in 2003, and unless it goes through MAJOR rewrites, it won’t ever see the light of day, although to this day, my dad swears he loves that book…..
Who are you favorite authors, book/series? I’m fairly eclectic. I grew up reading thrillers and horror. I will always love R. L. Stine. I’m stoked that he released Red Rain this year! I’m also a fan of Luanne Rice. Her stories are so emotional and always take me on a journey through characters that have suffered a loss, but always find a way to make it through. I love Wendy Corsi Staub. Excellent suspense. Same with Erica Spindler’s books. Diane Chamberlain, another women’s fiction author that always leaves me with a smile. Stephanie Bond. I fell in love with OUR HUSBAND, and crave more of her books! You can’t go wrong with JoAnn Ross, or Susan Mallery. And recently I’ve been reading erotic romances and fell in love- Maya Banks was my first, and now I can’t get enough of her stories! Same with Jaci Burton. But while I have a favorite group of writers, I always love to find new ones. I’m open to anything that looks good.
If you could have an author roundtable discussion with any authors, who would you invite?
Ooooh. Nora Roberts. Luanne Rice. R.L. Stine, Wendy Corsi Staub,….kind of toss a variety in there. LOL
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time? Spare…time? Huh, what? LOL. When I’m not writing or reading, I’m blogging, spending time with my husband and son. Okay…I do have a little spare time. My latest venture is jewelry making. My mom and someone else were going to go into business with it, but the other person kind of flaked out. I was taking pictures of the jewelry for them, and I wanted to do it too. Now, I can’t stop! It’s fun, addicting and soothing. So now my mom and I are partnering up. I love photography, mostly weather, but I’ve branched out. Often times I’m at a nearby pedestrian bridge and sunset with the camera and tripod, or when a storm is near. I love long walks, and swimming. I love singing. I need to get back in my lyric writing and learn more guitar. I love long car rides with music blaring. Oh, and I love sleep…except, I rarely get enough of it! haha
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen? I swear this street I lived on when I was a child was haunted or something. We were always seeing and hearing weird stuff. I know we were kids, but I still remember a lot of it. I don’t know now how true it was, but I thought the house we lived in someone was murdered in. I wonder now if I could look that up and figure it out, but I don’t remember the address. Still, there were some weird happenings on that block….
Thank you for having me here today! I’m so excited to be here.
I have edits and the blurb!
I have edits!!!! And a release date of December 28, 2012. Woo Hoo!!!!
Here is the official back cover blurb:
A woman has one thing on her mind tonight…sex. Dirty, sweaty, kinky sex with a cowboy. With her man gone more than he is at home, she needs the release.
After being away for two weeks, a cowboy goes looking for someone to play with for the night. Being away is part of the job but not having someone to come home to is hurting his soul. Feeling disconnected in his love life, the red head will be perfect.
Once they meet, can one night of pure passion led to more than just a one night stand for either of them? Communication is the key to every relationship. Can these two find a way to connect emotionally or are they destined for heartache.
What do you think?
Midnight’s Warrior by Donna Grant – Spotlight
ISBN-10: 0312552599
ISBN-13: 978-0312552596
Mass Market Paperback
Dark Warriors #4
November 27, 2012
Midnight’s Warrior
Ramsey ~ Our HERO!The fierce one. He’s not a man to show emotion, but Ramsey sees all. His destiny is before him, but will he be able to face his future with his past riding him? |
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Born: | September 1284 |
| Turned: | 1305 | |
| God: | Ehtexia, god of thieves | |
| Warrior Color: | Bronze | |
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Abilities:
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Manipulates mass
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TaraA Druid whose magic is so unpredictable that she doesn’t try to use it. Her family is, and when they try to force her to become one, she runs away. For ten years she’s kept on the run until a man unlike any other enters her life, a man who makes her yearn to trust again. |
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Master’s Submission by Helena Harker Author Interview
Blurb:
When Bethany reads her Master’s note, she expects it to contain the usual set of instructions telling her how to prepare for their Friday evening play session. But her Master asks for the unexpected—he wants her to be his Domme. Bethany is terrified at the prospect, but she doesn’t want to disappoint Master. She’ll need to tap into her inner dominatrix if she’s to give her newly submissive lover what he needs.
Interview:
What started your writing career?
I’m not sure if I’d call it a career. It’s an obsessive hobby that’s been with me since I was 15. I have so many ideas in my head, all begging to be set free on the printed page!
What are you favorite genres to write? Anyone more challenging than the other?
I have written thrillers, fantasy, urban fantasy, steampunk, contemporary erotica, BDSM. They all have their own challenges. Right now I am hopelessly in love with steampunk because I have always loved the Victorian era.
I noticed on your website that you are teacher? Have your students read anything that you wrote?
They definitely haven’t read any of the erotica! LOL! I write for young adults as well, but I think my students are a little too old for the books I have written.
Describe getting the “call” or “email” regarding your first book that was published?
My most thrilling acceptance wasn’t the first novel. My most thrilling acceptance came with my current story, “Master’s Submission.” I couldn’t believe that Ellora’s Cave accepted my very first erotic story. I was ecstatic! They have also accepted another one, which will be out soon, a cougar story called “Art of Desire.”
If you could invite 6 writers for a roundtable discussion, who would they be and what would be the topic?
Philip Pullman, Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, P.C. Cast, Kristen Callihan. I would ask them where they get their ideas and how they plot from beginning to end.
Where do you see yourself as a writer 5 years from now?
I hope to have lots more publications with Ellora’s Cave.
What’s next for you?
An erotic steampunk novella entitled “Camellia’s Cabinet of Curiosities.” Think hell hath no fury like a woman scorn’d set in Victorian times. There’s a touch of BDSM in there too!
Thank you so much Helena for answering my questions.
If you would like to read my review of Master’s Submission, it can be found at My review
Helena Harker is a teacher by day, writer by night, a daydreamer who loves to escape to other worlds. Her fiction is populated by strong men, passionate women and lots of paranormal creatures. In her free time she enjoys photography and curling up with a good book. She is multi-published and also writes in other genres.
Email: Author Email
Website: Author Website
Twitter: Twitter Link
Facebook: Facebook Link
Smoking Ruin by D.R. Martin – Author/Book Spotlight/Guest Post/Giveaway
Blurb:
Minneapolis PI Marta Hjelm failed to prevent a preventable murder. Her guilt has brought her right to the edge of burnout and dropout. But a prize specimen from her ancient past—her cheating ex-husband—appears out of nowhere with a gig too good to turn down. One last job, Marta figures, can’t hurt.
But hurt it does, as Marta tries to make sense of a terrorist plot at a major ad agency. In the dead of a long, bitter Minnesota winter, Marta struggles to survive attempts on her life. To understand her conflicted feelings toward an ex who wants her back, and toward the man who healed her when everything was dark. To make peace with the ghost of a victim she should have saved. And to crack open multiple conspiracies that lead to murder and smoking ruin.
Excerpt:
Snuggled tight in the heated basement garage, the ad agency’s Lexus started like a charm. I touched the button on the remote door control, and drove up and out into the brutal January night. I turned right, through the back parking lot, and right again, around the end of the building, into the front parking lot, past my frozen Mercury Marquis.
A minute later I was curving north and east at a good clip, toward Wayzata, feeling like a rally driver. The sky was a deep azure, clear as glass and full of the stars you don’t often see in the city.
It was the first time that day I’d felt relatively on top of the situation. Sure, plenty of things were screwed up.
My boyfriend Rick needed calming down and getting home, where he belonged. I’d had to go to work for people I didn’t like, for a cause that gave pause. And my reaction to seeing my ex Terry again made me a little queasy. What’s up with that? I asked myself. But clear them all up—and I had no doubt that I would—and things looked a lot better.
I tooled over a narrow bridge, went left, then right, the lake only a dozen feet away. The headlights caught the glitter of ice on the road. I lightly tapped the brakes, but didn’t feel them catch. No anti-lock kicking in. Doing something wrong, I thought, as my heart accelerated and my gloved hands squeezed the wheel harder.
I feathered the brakes again—a reflexive, fluttery tapping of my right foot, from teen driving days—as I came onto the ice. I was going way too fast. Again, nothing happened. The Lexus kept rolling.
Turning the wheel left, I could feel my heart coming up into my mouth.
The tires refused to find a purchase on the ice and the car began to yaw sideways.
I kept feathering the brakes, then pressed hard. The pedal went to the floor with a forbidding “thunk.”
The road curved left again, but the Lexus kept going straight.
A puny steel-cable guard rail came up fast as a shot and the front of the Lexus sheared through it with a percussive roar.
I was briefly airborne over eight feet of steep shoreline, starting to scream, when the car nosed down.
The frozen lake rushed toward me, brilliant in the headlights, like a wall of dirty, corrugated granite.
Writing from the other side of the gender divide
We’ve all done it—looked at a person of the opposite sex and wondered what in the world makes him/her act the way he/she does.
I had the chance to delve deeper into that mystery when I created Smoking Ruin. The book is written in first-person, from the point of view of a female PI.
My protagonist, Minneapolis PI Marta Hjelm (pronounced “Helm”), is facing a perfect little storm of trouble and danger. She wants to quit PI work and join her boyfriend Rick in his photography business. But he’s not so sure that’s a good idea. A last big job comes her way courtesy of her bad-boy ex-husband—who clearly wants her back. And once she delves deeply into the case—with her primary client murdered in a horrible way—the unknown killer comes after her.
The mystery part of this equation is fairly straightforward, in the manner of detective stories everywhere. But how does a male author like me go about getting into the head of this woman who’s facing terrific personal and professional challenges? Well, most authors put a bit of themselves in each of their characters. And in many respects Marta is me—with a whole lot more guts and gumption. She’s kind of tired and cynical. She’s a snarky observer of social foibles and is often baffled at the illogicalities of the world. She’s nearly middle-aged and out of shape and feeling not very attractive. She’s dogged and loyal—a work horse, not a show horse.
When I was writing Smoking Ruin, I was fortunate to have a technical advisor on the female point-of-view—my wife. But once I wrinkled out those inauthentic moments in the story (“Sorry, hon, a woman would never think that.”), the women who have read the book have uniformly liked, even loved, Marta. With an early version of the book I toyed with the idea of turning Marta into Martin—thinking a male PI might sell better. A female friend who had read the manuscript was appalled. “Don’t you dare!” she snapped at me. “Marta’s not a man!”
I think any good writer should be able to bring off first-person in the opposite gender. Simply create a real human being with the personality and history and character that’s required for the story you intend to tell. That human being can be based on you or someone else you know or a totally fictional creation. Then start tweaking the gender details. If you’re a woman, ask your husband, boyfriend or male friends for technical advice; if you’re a man, ask the women you know.
What’s really important is that you know your character, like your character, and believe in your character. I know I’m awfully fond of Marta Hjelm and I hope readers who pick up a copy of Smoking Ruin will be, too.
Other books by D. R. Martin
Johnny Graphic and the Etheric Bomb, a kids’ ghost adventure; website at johnnygraphicadventures.com
The Karma of King Harald, a canine cozy written under the pen name Richard Audry, to be published in early December; website at richardaudry.com
D. R.’s Goodreads author page is at http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5874298.D_R_Martin
You can contact D.R. at richardaudry120@gmail.com.
The Pirates of Vampire Island by Phoenix and Lover Boy – Spotlight
The Pirates of Vampire Island (Steamy Voyages #1)
by Phoenix and Lover Boy
Self-Published
61,700 words (eBook format)
Paranormal Romantic Thriller
Heat Level: Sizzling
Available at:
Amazon – Amazon Buy Link
B&N – Barnes & Noble Buy Link
Blurb:
Pretty Jane O’Doherty always chooses the wrong kind of guys. Her specialty seems to be guys who have serious flaws and who break her heart. Her last breakup was a year ago and still she can hear his final words, “I’m sorry, Jane. I’ve found someone else.”
A 30-day cruise through the exotic Indonesian Islands with a little unusual adventure with her best friend seems like the perfect distraction to mend her broken heart.
On board, she meets rich and devastatingly gorgeous Nick, who attracts women in droves to the possibility of a fantasy romance. And she meets Peter, who is a cute geek with puppy dog eyes, who is obviously totally enamored with her.
Will either one just lead to another broken heart? Should she run the other way from them both and just enjoy the cruise?
But before Jane can decide, the ship is attacked by modern day pirates. Unlike the pirates of old, these guys are vampires and are more interested in human treasure than gold and jewels.
They take over the ship and take twelve women hostage.
However handsome pirate leader—with eerie chalk-white skin, and red eyes, also has another agenda – he is looking for a special prize. He wants a woman for his mate and queen.
This creature is not your usual handsome, sexy vampire hero. No. He is evil . . . very evil and extremely vicious. Jane catches his eye, but she, along with Nick and Peter, manage to escape in a lifeboat and onto the open sea. They drift for fourteen days before finally finding an island.
But the fates are cruel. Soon the suspense and the horror of the occult begin when the island turns out to be the lair of the vampires.
EXCERPT #3:
As we approached the outdoor swimming pool on the top deck, I saw dark clouds threatening a storm. My hair was whipping in the wind. I shivered. Bad idea. But Remy was undaunted. She immediately ran and did a cannonball. As I stood wondering if I should just go back to the cabin, a waiter came up, a small, dark boy about sixteen, probably a native of the area. He wore a short white jacket with epaulets and black pants.
“Would you like a drink, mum?”
“How about a snow suit?” I laughed. “Just kidding. No, I’m good for now.” I surveyed the sunbathers and swimmers. There he was. As usual, he was surrounded by women. He was dressed in a simple white pullover sweater and tan slacks, but the cut and fabric screamed money. His luxurious, curly black hair whipped in the wind, making him look very unkempt, rugged, and nonchalant, as if fine grooming was so not important because he was stunningly handsome no matter what he wore or did.
“Excuse me, sir?” I said.
The waiter turned.
“What’s that guy’s name? The one with the black curly hair.”
“Nickolas Angelopoulos.” He stood for a moment. “Anything else I can help you with?”
“Nope. Thank you,” I said, not taking my eyes off the amazing-looking man.
“You’re gawking.”
I shook myself and looked down. Remy was hanging on the side of the pool. “Yeah, I guess I am.”
Enough of that.
“I’m coming in.” I walked over to the diving board and performed a perfect dive. I had always been very athletic, and I knew my body showed it.
I swam several laps, trying not to look at this guy named Nickolas, and climbed out of the pool, dripping water, and squeezing it out of my thick mane. I shivered a little in the cool wind, and as I finished drying, I saw out of the corner of my eye that Nicholas was staring at me – well, at my chest anyway. I looked down to see that my nipples were perfectly erect through my black bikini. I quickly draped my towel around my shoulders so it covered my breasts and was suddenly looking for a quick way to exit.
About the Author:
I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and grew up in California. I came from a long line of Americans who were pioneers and individualists. The family tree is filled with rugged people: rough coal miners, pioneers, and farmers living in log cabins in the early west. I wrote A Whisper from Eden, A Historical Fantasy, but like to write in several genres.
Lover Boy (aka my husband) was born and raised in Anaheim, California and wishes to remain anonymous because he doesn’t want anyone to know he likes to write romance novels. (Let’s keep his secret.)
We wrote THE PIRATES OF VAMPIRE ISLAND, A Paranormal Romantic Thriller (Steamy Voyages #1). And we are working the sequel to Steamy Voyages and a dystopian thriller, The Trash Pile People. We live in Hollywood with our ornery tomcat, Snickers.
Contact Phoenix at:
Website: http://www.fictionbyphoenix.com
E-mail: read@booksbyphoenix.com
Twitter: @PhoenixRead
Goodreads: Phoenix Reads
Facebook Page: Fiction by Phoenix
Facebook Profile: Lee Jordan
Pinterest: Lee Jordan
Amazon Author Central: Amazon.com/author/phoenixread
Amazon Reviews by Phoenix Profile Page: http://amzn.to/P8T5QD
