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By: Penny's Tales,
on 11/5/2015
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Title: Princess of the Light
Author: N. N. Light
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Romantic Suspense, Inspirational Fiction
Tagline:
Inspiring spiritual growth one person at a time
Blurb:
Gabriel, the Archangel and Messenger of God - yeah, that Gabriel - visits Mary Miller. He tells her, as the key, she is destined to spread the Light and vanquish the Darkness. Her first assignment is to restore the soul of the Walking Man. Sounds simple enough -- until she’s thrown into the face of evil. And then, Joe Deacons enters her heart. This battle just got a lot more complicated. She must complete her mission without losing all she loves.
Goodreads Contest:
Enter to win a signed copy of Princess of the Light by clicking on the link below:
This book is a perfect gift this holiday season.
November 1-30, 2015
Open to residents of US and Canada.
Excerpt:
Marie furrowed her brow and softly interrupted, "André is the Walking Man?"
I looked at Marie and asked, "You've heard of him?"
Marie nodded. "Of course. He is a staple of the Downtown area. There are a few groups I'm affiliated with that hand out food and clothing to those in need. He never comes to these events so I leave them by the area where he sleeps." She paused, thoughtfully. "I just can't believe that it is André."
Joe cleared his throat and looked at his father. "What happened to André?"
Alfred sighed and after a moment said, "It really was the fault of that witch he was married to. She and her family treated him horribly. She was a gold digger and all she cared about was money and the prestige."
Marie interrupted Alfred by saying, "I remember her. She was so mean to André and all she cared about was lookingrich. Wealth is a gift—she just wanted it for a toy. She treated André so badly... and his mother-in-law was the worst. She would put him down all the time. In front of other people, no less."
Alfred continued, "André was a good man and worked hard. He was working on a big project for the city. He worked night and day on the project and told me it was going to put Golden Lake on the map.
"He absolutely adored his daughter, too. I remember that clearly. She was his everything." Alfred paused, apparently lost in his thoughts. With a sigh he said, "There was a scandal with the project, though, and André got fired. Soon after, Dara left him, took Katherine with her and André fell apart. He started drinking heavily and, without his daughter, his life fell apart."
Joe looked at me and I fought to keep from throwing my hand over my mouth. There was purple fire in his eyes and I felt his anger. I already knew the story of André and I tried to smile at him.
I smelled burning flesh. Joe flashed in full armor fighting demons with a golden sword.
I gasped at the vision and brought my hand to my chest in shock feeling the key necklace, before I could stop the physical reaction. The necklace weighed heavily as did my heart. He would be fighting at my side soon.
Marie asked, "Are you okay, dear?"
Joe turned to look at his mother. He nodded and only said, "I never knew any of this."
Alfred continued, "I am sorry, son, but you asked for the truth. This is what I know. André was sleeping at the office and drinking all the time. He was supposed to give a presentation to a client and was drunk. He got into a scuffle with his boss and rumor has it, André punched him."
I feigned shock and said, "Oh my!"
Than is to blame. I don't know how I know or what happened but I vow to the Lord that I will make Than pay, thought Joe.
I choked and almost spit out my drink. I just heard Joe's thoughts! I had to set him straight and right away.
I cleared my throat and said awkwardly, "Joe, I think I left something in the car."
Joe looked at me with eyebrows raised. "Excuse me, we'll be right back," I said with a smile.
I walked outside and knew that Joe was right behind me. When I reached the car, I whirled and said in a stern tone, "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Joe stopped mid-step and said, "What are you talking about, Mary?"
I ran into his arms and whispered, "You cannot take on Than by yourself! I heard your thoughts in there. Now, I don't know how you know that it was Than who drove André to punching his boss but please promise me that you will not get revenge."
I paused to catch my breath and remembered what Gabriel told me. "Joe, in order to defeat the darkness and not become dark ourselves, we need to have a pure heart. We are filled with the Light and our motives must always be to speak the Truth and spread the Light."
Joe took several deep breaths while he held me. He stroked my hair and whispered, "I'm sorry, my angel. I didn't mean to frighten you and you are right. It was just a momentary thought."
I lifted my head and locked eyes with Joe. Tears filled my eyes but I was determined. I bit at my top lip and then whispered, "Promise me you won't put yourself in harm's way." Hot tears spilled down my cheeks.
Joe wiped at them and said in a deep, reassuring tone, "I promise, Mary. I promise I won't be a hothead and I won't be rash." Then, he laid his forehead on mine and whispered, "Please don't cry, darling. Please."
I nodded and whispered, "I would die if I lost you. Than will use you to try to get to me. You are my love, my everything." My voice cracked. "I would die if I lost you," I repeated.
Joe shook my shoulders a little and looked deep into my eyes. "Listen to me, Mary, you will never lose me! Do you hear me? I am by your side now and forever."
Overcome with emotion, Joe kissed me.
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Author Bio: N. N. Light has been creating stories ever since she was little. Her grandfather remembers when she was two years old, she would stand at the top of the stairs and tell him a story filled with emotion (and in a language foreign to him) with her hands on her hips. Let's just say she was a born storyteller.
She was born in Minnesota, lived in Southern California only to move to chilly Ontario, Canada to marry her beloved husband MR N. She is blissfully happy and loves all things chocolate, books, music, movies, art, sports and baking. Her mantra is to spread the Light.
Most of the time you can find her on Twitter or getting new ideas on how to spread the Light on Pinterest. She is a proud member of ASMSG, Independent Author Network and Marketing for Romance Writers.
Part of the proceeds of Princess of the Light will go directly to food banks in order to feed the hungry and help those in need. With only 7,500 books sold, N. N. Light will be able to set up a monthly endowment for the local food bank.
In addition to being an author, she's also a book promoter/reviewer and social media marketer. She loves books, has ever since she was young. Matching up books and readers is something that gives her great pleasure.
She’d love to connect with you either via email or via these various social media sites:
By: Penny's Tales,
on 10/30/2015
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Book Title: Never Surrender
Author: Rosie Miles
Release Date: 10/19/2015
About the book:
Police officer Maggie Sinclair prides herself on her independence. She doesn't need anyone, especially her ex-lover. Working undercover to expose a prostitution ring, Maggie rescues two teenaged girls—but blows her cover in the process. Now she's in deep, and the only person who can help her is the last man she wants to call... Detective Quinn Keller remembers Maggie telling him Hell would freeze over before she needed him. He offered her everything, and she rejected him. Now he has the opportunity to show Maggie they're stronger as a team—even as their attraction becomes increasingly hotter. But this passion won't just bring them together or tear them apart...it could get them both killed. Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Entangled
About the Author: Rosie Miles has always been fascinated by cops. If she didn’t hate guns with such passion, she would have joined the force. Instead she writes about the cop behind the badge and the loves that challenge them. She enjoys overseas travel but relishes the road trips she takes with her forever man, to different destinations throughout Australia, looking for settings for her next story. Married with three adult children, Rosie believes that: Life is to be lived, You never stop learning, and you never, ever, give up on your dreams.
Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter
Tour Schedule: http://sizzlingpr.com/tour-never-surrender-by-rosie-miles/
Giveaway: $20 Gift Card/Voucher to Bath & Body Works (spa package) International entries welcome. a Rafflecopter giveaway
Excerpt 1: He wanted to rise, meet her, but he was afraid, of what he wasn’t sure. She needed him, and that was what counted. She had sent for him, and like the fool he was where she was concerned, he’d come running. Maybe he should have handled it by the book and alerted his superiors. Maybe. Gut instinct had decided him against it. The tip-tap of heels halted directly before him. Then the heartbeat of the street ceased, as though the world stopped breathing. His gaze started at the four inch stiletto heels, slid up over well-shaped calves and thighs that stretched on until they met the hem of her short, short skirt. Heat crawled over his skin, and his breath caught. Beneath her open coat, welcoming hips and a tiny waist beckoned him. He scanned upward until his eyes feasted on full breasts failing to hide behind a slinky, black camisole. He didn’t need to look further. He knew. “Maggie.” Her name sounded so good on his lips. For a mere second, the memory of their taste filled him with naked longing for another time, a happier time, but he pushed it away. She hadn’t called Quinn-her-ex, she’d called Quinn-the-cop. “Maggie’s dead,” she snapped. “Really?” He quirked a brow. “You look a hell of a lot like her.” “I look like a two-bit whore. Trust me, Maggie’s long gone.” Quinn pushed to his feet and stepped toward her. For a moment they stared at each other. Quinn’s breathing stalled as he gazed into her haunted eyes. Distance and time might have separated them physically, but she’d lived in his heart, his thoughts, constantly. Her face accompanied him to sleep most nights. Damn, he’d missed her. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket and stepped back. “Why did you contact me? It’s been over twelve months. Why now?” Maggie closed the gap and linked her arms loosely around his neck. “Because I need your help,” she whispered against his cheek. Quinn withdrew his hands from his pockets and tugged on her arms, wary that the familiar contact, any contact, would shred his resolve.
By: Penny's Tales,
on 10/28/2015
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Whisper of Yesterday
Julie A. D’Arcy
Publisher--iHeart Publishing
Genre--Paranormal, Ghost, Historical, witchcraft, Sensual Romance
BLURB
Whisper of Yesterday
A cry for help, echoing through the ages, inspires a young nobleman to
rewrite history– and rediscover a passion he had only dreamt of…
Cole d’Morgan is contacted by a lawyer telling him he has been left a castle in Cornwall, but to inherit he must arrive at Castle Thornwood on All-Hallows-Eve.
As he pulls his car to a halt at the castle gates he sees a beautiful red-haired woman clutching the bars in the rain. However, before he can climb from his car she vanishes into the night.
On arriving at the Castle he is told the tragic tale of Aidan and Alyssa d’Morgan …
A love story that spans three hundred years.
Alyssa d’Morgan burned as a witch for refusing to wed her dead husband’s father in 1644 haunts the castle where she was put to death. She has sworn she will not rest until she is reunited with her husband and soul mate, Cai.
Aidan d’Morgan, re-incarnated soul of Cai d’Morgan is reborn in the 1800’s and wins back Castle Thornwood on the turn of a card.
On entering the castle he cannot shake the feeling he is being watched, and soon learns that the castle is haunted by a beautiful red-haired woman who speaks to him in his dreams. However, these are not simply dreams, but a past life, which he is forced to revisit in order to find an answer to an age old curse…
What transpires is an interwoven tale of chilling betrayal and a haunting love story that traverses three centuries...
Julie A, D'Arcy-Author 17 years,
www.julieadarcy.comiHeart Publishing-
Silverdawn-Urban Fantasy -witchcraft, sorcery, time travel, urban romance.Whisper of Yesterday-ghost-witchcraft-re-
incarnation historical
COMING SOON-Wild Rose Publishing-
Moonlight spell-Modern day-time travel, witchcraft fantasy romance
Excerpt
Whisper of Yesterday-
Aidan stared down into the courtyard. All was darkness. Nothing moved. Not a night creature called. He swung to face into the room. It was lit by only the faintest of moonlight and a low-burning fire.
It had to have been a dream.
Naked; the breeze was cold, but sweat still trickled down his back. He stared down at his hands. They trembled. “It was a dream.” If he repeated the words emphatically enough, perhaps he would believe them.
He ran a hand through his hair. He had been in Cai de Morgan’s body. He had seen what he had seen, done what he had done, and thought what he had thought. It was as if he was a spectator in another time and all had been beyond his control. Yet as incredible as it was, he had been there. And who was Cai de Morgan? What was the man to him? And more so, who was the woman? Why did she remind him so much of the woman in the fire? Countess Llewellyn, the woman who supposed to haunt this castle?
He strode to the dresser, lit a candle, and crossed to the large freestanding mirror in the corner. Critically, he viewed his features. Was it his imagination, or was there the slightest hint of another image superimposed over his own? Did the face look more angular, the jaw harder? He held the candle closer to the glass, and a chill prickled the back of his neck. The hair on the man in the mirror waved and curled past his shoulders, and there standing behind him was a woman. A woman with a riot of deep red hair, brilliant emerald eyes, full lips, and fine brows—a woman with the face of an angel—the woman in his dream. His hand tightened on the candlestick. It felt as if it were frozen; his fingers glued and could not be uncurled.
She no longer wore the yellow gown and headdress, but instead the white shift she had worn the first night he had seen her amidst the fire in the courtyard.
Their eyes met and held in the reflection.
He swallowed, trying to free up his throat, trying to force words that would not come. As he watched, she drifted closer, yet no step could he hear on the polished wooden floor.
“Who are you?” he managed at last, his words a strained whisper. He twisted around. She vanished. He swung back and stared into the mirror. She stood behind him with a look of accusation in her green eyes. It was as if he was a moth and she pinned him with her diamond bright gaze. “I’m sorry,” he said. “But I had to be certain.” He spoke quietly, afraid to raise his voice least she disappear. “Will not you speak to me? Will not you tell me your name?”
She opened her mouth, and just a soft sound issued forth, almost a sigh, as if it was coming from a long distance. “Cai.”
Cai. Had she said Cai? The man in the dream had been Cai. The man whose body he had inhabited for a short time. Inhabited. The thought disturbed him, but he could think of no other word to describe the happening. Was he going crazy? But no crazier than seeing and talking to a ghost. Again he wondered what Cai de Morgan had to do with him. How Cai was connected to the murdered Countess.
“I have so many questions,” he said, holding her reflection in the mirror.
She moved closer, pressed her warm soft body to the length of his back, and encircled his waist.
His mouth went dry. He couldn't swallow. He had always thought a ghost would be cold, but he had never felt such heat as that which now filled his body and hastened to pool in his loins at the soft caress of her silken hair and the touch of her hands on his sweat-damp skin.
She leaned her smooth cheek against his shoulder, and his body hardened with desire as she tilted her head to the side to watch him for several painful heartbeats through sooty lashes, her eyes dark, intense, wanting.
Suddenly he swung to seize her, but his hand passed through a draught of cold air. Goose bumps raced up his arm. She was gone, and he cursed himself for a fool. He should have known better than to try to capture something as elusive as an angel...
You can find more about the author and her works here:
By: Penny's Tales,
on 10/24/2015
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About The Fourteenth Quilt:
Annie, Celia and Lynn are all that are left of the Relief Society quilting class, but they are still determined to make baby quilts for the new mothers at church. Annie, who is just south of eighty years old, calls the quiltsters (short for quilting sisters) together to ask for more. She wants to make lap quilts to give to some of the “forgotten” oldsters she sings to each week at the nursing home—something to wrap them in love at Christmastime. It’s a good idea, but the trio discovers that life and making quilts don’t always go as planned.
The quiltsters discuss recipes and quilting ideas including a crocheted cat mat to use up their fabric selvage and trim scraps, all of which they share in the book.
Sarah and Brian meet at the university. Their first date is after Sarah’s First Saturday Block of the Month class she attends with her mom at the local quilt shop. Their romance grows, and they plan their future together—a plan that will require them to be separated for six months before their wedding. But, can they bear to be apart that long?
What wraps together this Christmas tale? The Fourteenth Quilt.
Excerpt #2: (Quiltsters)
“Okay, here they are,” said Annie as she returned clutching five puffy quilts in her arms. Celia and Lynn shoved everything on the big table aside so Annie had room to drop her armload.
“This one here is the giant star block Celia cut out and sewed together to show me how to do this pattern for a quilt I made for my daughter,” said Annie as she picked up a lap quilt with a thirty-six inch Sarah’s Choice block using dark blue and a tiny blue floral pattern. “She used only two pieces of scrap fabric to make this. I couldn’t see it going to waste just as a sample. See how I bordered it with a couple of rows of coordinating strips and finished it off? How do you like the back I picked out for it?” Lynn cooed her approval at the coordinating blue floral backing.
“Then Celia and I made this out of triangles sewn into squares,” said Annie as she picked up the next quilt.
“This one will knock your eyeballs right out of your head,” Celia commented, “But, it turned out pretty good.”
Lynn blinked at the large splashes of hot pink and fluorescent green as Annie held the quilt open.
“The right person is going to love it,” murmured Lynn. She then focused her attention on a different quilt. “Now, is this one of the baby quilts?”
“No, no,” Annie shook her head as she reached for the next quilt. “Most of these are lap quilts for the rest home.”
After Annie had finished showing her the completed quilts, Lynn asked, “Tell me again, what is your plan for these other quilts that are not baby quilts for the new mothers in the ward?”
“You know, I sing for three rest homes. I love to sing to those oldsters. They are so happy to see me and it just makes my day to be with them.”
Lynn refrained from pointing out Annie was probably older than many of the “oldsters” at the rest homes.
“But, some of those oldsters have no one to visit them. A few don’t have any family in the area and some are just dumped off and forgotten. I want to make sure I have enough quilts so those who don’t get anything else for Christmas will receive at least one gift—a beautiful quilt made with love.”
“That’s what we work on every Monday,” said Celia.
“I really like your plan,” said Lynn. “The quilt guild donates to a lot of good organizations, but I like this project, too. So, if we’re making these for the oldsters, what does that make us? Quiltsters, short for ‘quilt sisters?’”
About Robyn Echols:
Robyn Echols has been writing since she was in junior high school. By choice, she spent most of her evening hours in her "dungeon", as her mother called her downstairs bedroom, writing stories, only joining her family in front of the television upstairs when her favorite programs were playing. She has spent hours learning and teaching family history topics, and focuses on history from a genealogist's perspective of seeking out the details of everyday life in the past.
Now Robyn resides with her husband in California near the “Gateway to Yosemite” and has fun researching and writing the books that she hopes will interest and entertain her readers. She writes Young Adult/New Adult and contemporary fiction under Robyn Echols and adult historical romance under her pen name, Zina Abbott.
The author is a member of Women Writing the West, American Night Writers Association, and Modesto Writers Meet Up. She currently lives with her husband in California near the “Gateway to Yosemite.” She enjoys any kind of history including family history. When she is not piecing together novel plots, she pieces together quilt blocks.
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By: Penny's Tales,
on 10/21/2015
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Dream Casters
Adrienne Woods
Blog: http:woodsadrienne.wordpress.com
Name of Book: Dream Casters: Light
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Fire Quill Publishing
Blurb
Mr. Sandman, send me a dream, ta da da da…..Seventeen year old Chasity Blake knows the Sandman is just a silly children’s story parents tell their children to get them to sleep. At least she thought it was, until the day a mysterious, light golden sand appeared in her hands during a high school prank that went horribly wrong. A sand that has the power to send anyone it touches into a deep, sound sleep.
Fearing she had lost her mind, Chasity soon discovers the shocking truth of her heritage- she is a Dream Caster. Chasity was never supposed to be raised on the Domain, or what humans call Earth and she is determined to return to her true birth place, Revera – the world of Dreams.
However, in Revera there is no balance between good, the Light Casters, and darkness, the Shadow Casters, and Chasity is caught square in the middle. She soon learns that there is no place for anyone containing both the light and the darkness within them, and the shocking truth that if anyone in Revera ever discovered her shadow self, Chasity would be thrown into the Oblivion – the world of Nightmares.
Dreams are always more than they seem, and this time Chasity is going to discover just how different they can be.
By: Penny's Tales,
on 10/16/2015
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IT'S GONNA BE BIG!!!
November 1, is the Sooper Sekret Project Reveal. Come over and join the fun @
https://www.facebook.com/events/1663311033925580/
By: Penny's Tales,
on 10/15/2015
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Daisy Banks writes both sweet and spicy romance in the Historical, Paranormal and Fantasy genres. Her focus is to offer the best tale she can to readers. Daisy is married, with two grown up sons. Antiques and collecting entertain Daisy when she isn’t writing. There are also some rare occasions she makes a meal that doesn’t stick to the pan.
Serving the Serpent will be available from Liquid Silver Books on 23rd of November 2015
Blurb
In Wales, Ceridwyn takes up her inherited duty to care for the dragons in the mountains. Awed by them and the huge book about them, she is determined to prove her worth.
Far away in Norway, Leif has growing concerns for his sick dragon. He discovers only one cure will stop his dragon’s suffering. The mighty Herensuge must journey to find his bonded mate.
When they meet, Ceri and Leif make combined efforts to aid the dragons and discover an astonishing surprise. The great lore book each of them protects tells they have a responsibility to the future. At this rare and magical time, not only the dragon pairing must occur.
Join Ceri and Leif as they work to keep the sworn silence and keep the dragons safe. Friendship is growing between them, but will it be enough? Can love blossom between two chosen to serve the serpent?
Excerpt.
Ceri said a swift, silent prayer and ducked into the cave mouth. Here, she undid the belt at her hips so her robes hung smooth as they should, and she slid off her Wellington boots. From this entrance, she’d tread barefoot over the chilly surface of the compacted pale clay and raw quartz pebbles of the path. Along and down, she searched with her fingers over the cold and damp rock wall, feeling her way down. She descended deeper into the gloom and passed the low-hanging lump of granite Mam always called Lizzie’s Pap. The darkness now complete, her stomach rolling and her breathing rapid, she heard the echo of Mam’s instructions in her mind as she stepped for the first time onto the gravel-edged shore where the dark waters of the Jet Llyn joined her world to that of her new charges. She counted four paces forward. Blind for now, she stretched out her right arm and felt about in the darkness until she found the thick branch of wood holding the torch she needed to light.
Tiny pebbles stuck under her toes. The nip in the air sent a shiver over her as she set her willow wand down, and with her fingers a bit shaky, she struck the match to light the moss wound around the top of the pole wedged into the gravel. The torch flared. The dry stalks, which must be replaced each visit here, took easily and burned up bright. She breathed out in a rush of relief. So far, everything was as it should be. A fresh rash of trembles raised gooseflesh all down her arms and not because of the chill in the cavern.
Ceri picked up her wand and lifted the lit torch. She carried the light in front of her in her left hand until she reached the scrap of gritty beach with its short rock causeway that projected forward like a finger reaching out toward the middle of the deep water. Here, she held the torch shoulder high so the light glittered and reflected as in a mirror off the depths of the Jet Llyn. In her other hand, she held the quartz-crystal-tipped rod, and pointing it, she positioned the clear stone on her wand so it hovered over the still dark surface.
She swallowed, gave a little quiver, forced down her apprehension, and sucked in a breath.
Beneath the quartz point of her rod, illuminated by the bright torchlight, a single fat bubble rose. The water rippled. Stronger circular movements followed until small waves lapped at the shore inches from where she curled her toes so they gripped into the stones. An itch tickled in her palm, but she kept the rod steady.
Just as Mam said, they were coming for her.
The dragons were coming.
Find Daisy banks here:
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Daisy Banks is the author of:
Christmas Carols
Marked for Magic
To Eternity
A Perfect Match
Timeless
Valentine Wishes
A Gentleman’s Folly
Your Heart My Soul
Fiona’s Wish
A Matter of Some Scandal
Daisy Banks writes a regular monthly story in the
Sexy to Gocompilations.
By: Penny's Tales,
on 10/8/2015
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Detective Cami Davis and her sexy, cowboy-turned-vampire informant are all that’s standing between humanity and monsters who would rule the world—and all that’s standing between them having a torrid love affair is the fact that he’s an enemy of humanity.
THROUGH DARKEST TEMPTATION
When Dallas police detective Cami Davis joined the city’s vampire unit, she planned to use the job as a stepping-stone to a better position in the department. She didn’t know then what she knows now: A silent war rages between humans and their supposedly pacified predators, and the vampires are winning. With the clock running out on her kind, Cami will do whatever she must to defeat the “Sanguinary.”
Enter Reese Fulton, a disaffected ex-cop and a vampire. She can’t exactly trust him, but with his cowboy boots and good-ole-boy drawl he’s the perfect beard for Cami’s fledgling undercover operation. Yet playing Reese’s Claimed—a vampire’s personal bloodgiver—isn’t as straightforward as she was led to believe. His bite is as enthralling as his dimpled smile, and soon Cami is wondering which will pose more of a challenge: subduing the enemies of humanity...or her own desire.
_____________________________________________
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Excerpt
It hit me, hard, that no matter how I twisted it around in my head, Reese was going to be more than just an informant to me. I didn’t know if I could trust him, this cowboy-vampire I had been thrown together with. But something about him sang to me, like a tune just out of hearing, almost recognized—a song of protection and death. And I wanted to dance to it, almost as much as I wanted to escape it.
The department wouldn’t force me to stick it out, wouldn’t expect me to team up with a vampire for anything more than the most superficial of connections.
It helped to know I could walk out at any time.
But I also knew I wouldn’t.
I was certain that Reese would help us find and stop whoever was killing these women.
That’s why I’ll stay in this.
“I’ll tell you everything,” I said to the vampire snarling at me. “But I’ll need your help.”
Reese’s lip dropped back down, covering the fang.
I was glad—it was easier to contemplate joining forces with him when he wasn’t reminding me that he was one of the monsters.
“Talk,” he said.
I shook my head. “Not here.” I spoke quietly. How good his hearing might be was only one of the many things I didn’t know about vampires.
He slid up to the bar beside me.
“We can’t leave,” he replied, equally softly. I had to lean close to hear him.
“Why not?” I asked.
“Mendoza all but dared me to Claim you, back there.” He didn’t look down at me. “If I don’t bleed you at least a little before we go, he’ll be suspicious.”
At his words, the half-healed bite mark Reese had left on my shoulder throbbed once, sending a hot pulse throughout my entire body.
I wanted the response to be revulsion.
Almost everyone who went undercover with the vamps came out addicted to their bite. The ones who could still string two sentences together, like Garrett, stayed on the force.
The others…
The press portrayed the police as bumbling and stupid—and maybe we were. Sending detectives in against humanity’s worst nightmare? We were like little kids trying to hold back the dark with matches, bound to get our fingers burned, and worse, maybe burn the house down around us.
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_____________________________________________
About the Author 
Margo Bond Collins writes urban fantasy, contemporary romance, and paranormal mysteries. She lives in Texas with her daughter and several spoiled pets. Although writing fiction is her first love, she also teaches college-level English courses online. She enjoys reading romance and paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time daydreaming about heroes, monsters, cowboys, and villains, and the strong women who love them—and sometimes fight them.
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Connect with MargoNewsletter:
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https://plus.google.com/116484555448104519902Goodreads Author Page:
http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchyFacebook Author Page:
https://www.facebook.com/MargoBondCollinsPinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/mbondcollins/Tsu:
http://www.tsu.co/MargoBondCollins_____________________________________________
Other authors participating in the tour:
Carmen Stefanescu: http://shadowspastmystery.blogspot.ro/
Daisy Banks: https://daisybanks.wordpress.com/
Flossie Benton Rogers: http://flossiebentonrogers.com/blog/ M. S. Kaye: http://booksbymsk.com/
Kim Kasch: http://www.kimkasch.blogspot.com
Cassandra Ulrich: http://cassandraulrich.blogspot.com/
Julie Dárcy: http://juliedarcystoryweaver.blogspot.com.au/
Margo Bond Collins: http://www.MargoBondCollins.com
Adrienne Woods: https://woodsadrienne.wordpress.com/
N. N. Light: http://princessofthelight.wordpress.com
Lyndi Lamont: http://lindalyndi.com/reading-room-blog/
By: Penny's Tales,
on 10/6/2015
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Cover reveal for Too Old for Christmas, a novella, by Zina Abbott. This is the first book in the Too Old in Columbia Series.
Book Description:
Irishman Sean Flood survived the potato famine, crossing the Atlantic, the Mexican-American War, and wandering the Western wilderness with his mules and freight wagon. But, due to poor diet and deprivation, his teeth did not fare well. It’s November of 1854 in Columbia, California, Queen of the Southern Mines, a city Sean is helping to rebuild after the disastrous fire the previous summer. Intense stabbing tooth pain drives him to see Doc Massey, the local dentist. He first stops by the mercantile to pick up a bottle of whiskey—for medicinal purposes—and food he’ll be able to eat when it’s all over. If only the beautiful but aggravating woman ahead of him who keeps her face half hidden and insists she won’t accept charity would finish up with her purchase so he can get his supplies, his tooth pulled and return home to his mules and half-built cabin….
That night, Sean meets the woman’s two sons, Jesse and Benjy McNair, and learns her secret. He decides with only three teeth left in his head, he needs widow Ona McNair’s charity—and he’s willing to pay for it. Sean won’t accept nine year-old Jesse’s declaration his family’s poverty means the boy is too old for Christmas that year. Sean is a full-grown man and he’s not too old for Christmas. He not only plans to come bearing gifts to Christmas Eve dinner with the McNairs, but he knows exactly what gift he wants for himself.
*Sweet RomanceTo stay updated on the blog tour and Facebook event, stop by and visit Zina Abbott's blog and sign up to follow by email or RSS reader by clicking HERE. Blog tour participants are listed in the right sidebar. AUTHOR LINKS:
By: Penny's Tales,
on 10/2/2015
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About the Author:
Born and raised in Southern California’s Los Angeles basin, K.C. Sprayberry spent years traveling the United States and Europe while in the Air Force before settling in Northwest Georgia. A new empty nester with her husband of more than twenty years, she spends her days figuring out new ways to torment her characters and coming up with innovative tales from the South and beyond.
She’s a multi-genre author who comes up with ideas from the strangest sources. Some of her short stories have appeared in anthologies, others in magazines. Three of her books (Softly Say Goodbye, Who Am I?, and Mama’s Advice) are Amazon bestsellers. Her other books are: Take Chances, Where U @, The Wrong One, Pony Dreams, Evil Eyes, Inits, Canoples Investigations Tackles Space Pirates, The Call Chronicles 1: The Griswold Gang, The Curse of Grungy Gulley, Paradox Lost: Their Path, Canoples Investigations Versus Spacers Rule and Starlight. Additionally, she has shorts available on Amazon: Grace, Secret From the Flames, Family Curse … Times Two, Right Wrong Nothing In Between, and The Ghost Catcher.
Blurb:
Ghosts are popping up all over Landry. The town is being overrun and no one knows why—least of all Hailey Hatmaker and her Ghosties crew. Only none of these ghosts are talking. They’re terrified of something that only Hailey and her team can figure out. Something which could prove disastrous for them all.
Excerpt:
It felt so good to discover ghostly action in Landry once again. The Ghosties had just finished a dry spell like no other we had ever seen. We’d just gone through five months with nary a ghost to bother us. No goo oozing out of heating vents, or papers flying out of hands to plaster against the ceiling.
The call this morning had me, the fantastic, fabulous Hailey Hatmaker, gathering my group together lickety-split. We met up on the run, and raced all the way over to Bank of Landry. Once there, we had almost danced with glee at what greeted us. That was an hour ago. This particular ghost was proving far more difficult to exterminate than we had anticipated.
We could have got harsh long ago. I grinned. I sure don’t want this to end any time soon. I’m having fun again.
“You won’t stick around. No ghost has ever ignored me.”
I planted my pink and white beret more firmly on my head and darted forward. When I put on white jeans and a peppermint pink t-shirt this morning, I never expected an emergency call.
Nope, I wasn’t a cop, a firefighter, or even a paramedic. I had my thirteenth birthday just before Halloween and started dealing with ghosts nine years ago. Me and my fellow Ghosties had helped Landry, Georgia deal with weird hauntings, and this one proved we had a lot more ghostbusting to do in the future.
“Banks don’t give out free samples,” I yelled. “Tell me who you are, and what you want.”
That should have worked, except for one little thing. The wispy man behind the counter wearing a baggy black coat, vest, and pants with a white shirt ignored me. With a frantic expression and a bobble of his checkered bow tie as he swallowed, he tossed more money in the air. It was the worst thing to do when the Ghosties carried weapons that brought instant obedience from the other ghosts we had encountered.
I signaled the other Ghosties over. They gathered in a circle, two on each side of me.
“Did you get the dirt?” I asked.
“The manager said he worked here in 1912,” Annie Knott said. “He went bonkers after the Titanic sank.”
She tucked one side of her chin length, light red hair behind an ear after delivering the current info in a clipped voice. Her green eyes darted from side to side when the ghost cackled.
“Did he do this when it happened?” Freddie Conders asked.
“Of course,” she replied. “I’m pretty sure that he won’t quit because we asked nice. Lemon juice and salt?”
“No other way to handle it.” I pulled out a spritzer from a fanny pack. “Sly, Freddie, take the left. Annie, you’re in the middle. Tink and I will handle the right. Don’t miss.”
Sylvia ‘Sly’ Cherboom broke into giggles while Tinker ‘Tink’ Kacklin groaned. None of the others ever lost a chance to remind him about the day he doused one of our sworn enemies. He still claimed that it was an accident.
Like the rest of us wouldn’t have loved to cover Suzie in lemon juice and salt. Tink really needs to explain that better than he has.
“Places,” I said.
Tink held up a salt sprayer, a baby bottle with the tip of the nipple sliced off. I stood beside him with a spritzer filled to the brim with lemon juice. Annie faced our target. She had a weapon in each hand since she was such a great shot. Sly and Freddie hauled out their containers and skidded to their position.
“One last chance,” I said to the spook. “Leave. Don’t come back.”
The ghost tossed a bundle of hundreds into the air. The Ghosties fired. Our target sizzled and howled before vanishing.
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By: Penny's Tales,
on 10/1/2015
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It's finally here - Paranormal Romance Thursday! It starts with my story Dugan's Creek! I am going to draw one name from the comments to send an eBook of Dugan's Creek. Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to leave your email address! Be sure to check out the other wonderful authors involved in Paranormal Romance Thursday at the bottom of my post. Have a fabulous day!
Blurb
A devastated Heather Stone is driving eight hundred miles to cry on her sister’s shoulder, after her boyfriend of three years has dumped her.
He needed space! Our sex life is boring! You need to find the passion that’s been lost!
“Well, screw you!” she yells, just as her overheated car, pings, coughs, and shudders to a stop on a deserted road by the Arizona eastern border. Could anymore happen to her? She grabs her purse and starts walking. The sign Dugan’s Creek, leads her to an oasis of lush foliage and rushing water to cool off her blistered feet.
The sun starts to set and Heather is thinking this might not have been the smartest move. Moving shadows and night sounds from the brush lets Heather know she isn’t alone at Dugan’s Creek.
Excerpt
“Space?” Heather asked slowly.
“Look…” Steve stopped, running his hand through his hair. “Yea - space.”
“No, please,” Heather said, folding her arms across her chest, “continue with what you were going to say.”
Steve plopped down on the Ethan Alan black leather, no-armed straight back chair. “It’s us, Heather. We’ve been together for more than three years and…and, well it’s just not fun anymore.”
She took her Liz Claiborne suit jacket off and carefully hung it on a dining room chair. “Well excuse me if one of us needs to play the part of an adult.”
“Christ, Heather, we never go out. This is October! We have had to back out of 2 different Halloween parties because you have unexpected obligations. Don’t you remember our plan? I was going as the werewolf and you were going to be Little Red Riding Hood?” He watched as her face turned angry. “Couldn't you just tell them, 'Sorry, I’ve got plans?”
“Not if I want to get somewhere in this company! I thought you were with me on this?” She started
pacing. “It’s all make believe, Steve. It used to be fun to pretend, but we have to grow up. You…you have to grow up!”
Penny Estelle writes stories for all ages. Her stories for children include pictures books and middle grade contemporary, time travel and fantasy stories. Her books for adults include family dramas, and contemporary, paranormal, and historical western romances!
www.pennystales.com
By: Penny's Tales,
on 9/30/2015
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I am very excited to have Heidi Mason on my blog today. She is the talented author with then new book, Investigating The Heart. Let's see what Heidi is all about!
- Tell us all about yourself and what makes you tick and what do you like doing when you aren’t writing!
* I’ve always loved to write. When I was a kid, you could find me in the shade with my nose in a book. As I got older, my love of reading turned into a love of writing. Most of my days are filled with writing, but I also love music, genealogy, and of course, reading!
2. Tell us about your family – married? Kids? Where you live!
*I’m a native Ohio girl, but I now call the Pacific Northwest home. I love being so close to the ocean, and that’s where I go to recharge. I am married to my wonderful husband, and I have three daughters. I’m a homeschooling mama, so that keeps me busy too.
- If you could travel anywhere in or out of this world, where would it be?
*That’s easy…Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. As I said, I’m a genealogy nerd, and I’ve traced my ancestors to these three places. I’ve always had a deep love for the Celtic culture, and if I could go anywhere in the world, that’s where it would be. The problem would be getting me to come home!
- What is your favorite all time movie?
*My favorite all-time movie is Gone With the Wind. I love the romance and refinement, but also the grit that Scarlett shows by meeting any challenge thrown her way.
- What about weekly TV show? Why?
*Hands down, my favorite weekly TV show is Outlander. I could say it’s for the obvious reason of men in kilts, but I think it’s also a beautifully written and acted love story. I’m a sucker for romance.
- What is the most scared you have ever been?
*I think the most scared I’ve ever been was when I was pregnant for the first time. I was so worried that something would go wrong. I read every pregnancy book I could get my hands on and obsessed about every ache and pain for the whole nine months.
The second most scared I’ve ever been is now, with the release of this book. It is terrifying to open yourself up to people and pray that they like the words you have bled.
- If you could have any fantasy, what would it be?
*My fantasy would be living in a stone cottage in Ireland near the Cliffs of Moher with nothing to do but write books all day.
- Now, Tell us about your book?
*My book is called Investigating the Heart. It is about Emma, a single mother of three daughters who has had a terrible experience with love. In order to make sure she never gets hurt again, she has sworn off of men. When a handsome stranger comes into her coffee shop one day, he is very hard to resist, despite her wish to remain unattached. The stranger, Liam, pursues her and she feels her resolve crumbling. What she doesn’t know is that Liam is connected to her past in a way that could jeopardize their future. There is also a bit of suspense thrown in when Emma discovers that she has a stalker.
- Where did you come up with the idea for your story?
*I feel like I constantly have stories running around in my head. This story is obviously fictional, but the characters are based on bits and pieces of people I know. Emma, my main character, is very similar to me. I understand her.
I started out with the idea of a single mom, alone and trying to juggle her busy life. I wanted a happy ending, but of course, there had to be a struggle to get there. The story just sort of made itself up as I wrote. I often say that I just do what the voices in my head tell me to, but to anyone other than another writer, that just makes me sound insane.
What is your favorite thing about writing?
*My favorite thing about writing is the surprise I always get when a story takes an unexpected turn. I don’t always have a definite idea of where I’m going when I write. As I wrote Investigating the Heart, so many things changed and ended differently than what I had thought they would. I could honestly hear the characters talking to me, telling me their stories. I love that I don’t always know what to expect, and that I can’t plan everything out.
- What is your biggest pet peeve about writing?
*My biggest pet peeve about writing is my lack of time. Between maintaining a house, homeschooling three girls, and carving out time for my husband, there never seems to be enough hours in the day.
- Where can people find you? (give all your links)
@heidireneemason on Twitter
And Heidi Renee Mason on Facebook
- Most important – where can we buy your story?
Back of the book!
After the death of her husband in a plane crash, Emma McCoy, a single mom of three, has given up on love. When she meets Liam O’Reilly, an FBI agent who is new in town, the chemistry is immediate. Emma tries to keep her distance, but Liam is determined to win her over. As the two navigate their feelings, Emma’s resolve begins to crumble. What Emma doesn’t know is that Liam is connected to her past in a way that she could never have imagined, and this connection could put their future in jeopardy. In the small town of Beckland, Ohio, danger is the last thing that Emma expects. However, since Liam’s arrival, it seems like peril is waiting around every corner.
Heidi Renee Mason always knew she would be an author. Heidi is passionate about writing, and writes fiction, as well as poetry. In her spare time, Heidi enjoys music, genealogy, all things Celtic, and chick flicks. A native of the Midwest, Heidi now resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and three daughters. Investigating the Heart is Heidi’s debut novel.
Stop by for a visit!
Readers may contact me at
[email protected], via my website,
www.heidireneemason.wordpress.com, on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/HeidiReneeMason, or on Twitter @heidireneemason.
By: Penny's Tales,
on 9/28/2015
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I am very excited to be part of this blog hop - Paranormal Thursday Romance! Every Thursday, from October 1 - December 17, an author will present their story on Penny's Tales. There will be everything from werewolves to vampires. Take a look at the fabulous books involved in this great hop!
By: Penny's Tales,
on 9/27/2015
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Blurb:
The Servant of the Blood, Allatu, will always come when called and has for generations. She will fulfill wishes - for a price. Set in Tunisia, an ancient creature is called to do her master's bidding but nothing comes without a price.
Release date:
September 15, 2015
Buy link:
Excerpt:
Prologue
Two covered figures, one bent with age and the other a child, quietly made their way from the main house into the night. The older of the two pulled the smaller one along in the dark by the hand as they walked further and further into the shadows.
This was the night of the new moon. It was the perfect chance to see the deed done. If what her son, Samir, told her was true, this would be the last chance she would have. She could not let her son and his family fall to ruin. She would not allow it. They thought her an old and feeble woman. True, the years have taken their toll on her body – but not her mind. Her mind was as keen as it ever was.
She remembered many things. Many lost and forgotten things handed down to her by her own grandmother. For many years, she had forgotten them all. Her marriage, her duties as a wife, and then motherhood whisked those tales away as if a hawk swooped down and carried them off. Only as she lay in her birthing bed, laboring to bring her sons into the world, did pieces of the tales return. They gave her strength. She was a wife, mother, and now a grandmother – but once she was Luja who knew the family’s secrets.
Now, after so many years had passed, she turned once again to those memories of her grandmother. The new moon was when one did this sort of thing, she remembered. Her granddaughter, Hala, was her ever-present shadow and she meant to share this thing with her. She pulled the sleepy child along in the dark, headed for the farthest corner of the gardens.
“I’m tired, Grandmother.” Hala whispered.
“Hush, child. We have things to do, you and I.” She looked once more over her shoulder and pushed on, past the unkempt and dying gardens to the farthest corner beside the stone wall. “I think this will do.”
She handed Hala a small bundle wrapped in cloth before kneeling on the ground. She felt around until she found a stick big enough to suit her needs. With more force than she knew she still possessed, the old woman began to dig a hole beneath the olive tree. Her arthritic hands ached, but her spirit soared. She would see this thing done. It had to be done. No one else knew what she did. She would save her family.
Hala sat heavily on the ground, her head resting in her hands as she watched her grandmother dig. That was good. Let her see each step. Let her understand there are ways beyond those of the modern world to get what one needs. Tonight, she was herself again. She imagined herself the young and beautiful Luja who had a wild spirit and a quick temper. In the morning, she would be Grandmother again… but not yet.
Satisfied with the size of the hole, Luja reached for the bundle in Hala’s arms. She snatched it from her and anxiously unwrapped the contents. The girl’s curiosity roused her from her fatigue. She leaned forward to see the objects of the bundle laid out in the dirt. A precious bowl of honey and two figs sat beside another, longer item.
Luja carefully began unwrapping linen from around it. It was sacred to her family, her grandmother told her. It was only to be used in the direst of circumstances. How to use it was only taught to the daughters of the family, for men were not permitted to touch such things.
“What is that, Grandmother?” Hala whispered.
“Our salvation, sweet girl.” From the folds of aged linen, a statue emerged. It was carefully made. The age, Luja did not know. She knew it was delicate and priceless. It was made from clay but held together by a thin layer of gold. It was the image of a woman, naked but for carvings on the body. She did not know what they meant but she showed Hala the statue reverently. It was as shiny as the day Luja’s own grandmother showed it to her. She remembered her voice shook as she told Luja of the power in the statue and how it worked. Luja asked her grandmother if she would ever use it. “I would not dare,” she told her. Well, Luja dared.
“Who is it? Why is she naked?”
“She is the one who will help our family.” Luja told her.
“How? Papa says we have no money and soon we’ll be living on the streets. Are we going to sell this, Grandmother? Sell it to pay the money Papa owes?” Hala’s words drove a knife into her heart. No child should know of the woes of her parents. Samir was foolish and selfish to say such things where the children could hear. But his foolish and selfish ways were the reason they were in such dire straights. He gambled what they had and risked everything on dreams that never came true.
“No, my child. We will not sell her. She is priceless and too powerful to sell, but she can help us in other ways. Give me your hand,” Luja carefully placed the golden statue in the hole and reached for Hala. “It will only hurt for a moment.” Before the child could understand, Luja pulled a knife from the folds of her dress and made a small cut in the palm of her hand.
“Ouch, Grandmother!” Hala tried to pull her hand back but Luja kept it firmly grasped over the gold statue.
“She only requires a little blood, child. When you come of age, you will bleed every month. Blood is nothing to women. Men like to think they know of blood and pain but we are the ones who truly know. Now, you know the power of your blood. It is precious because you are a virgin, unspoiled by men. Mine would not do for this. There,” she released her grip on the girl’s hand and watched as the crimson droplets painted the gold surface. “That is enough.”
“Who is she?” Hala asked, holding her injured hand close to her chest.
“She is the servant of the blood. She is the giver of desires and the force of the Mother. I do not know her name. She is what she has always been to our family – our salvation and our curse.”
“What do we do now?”
“We bury her, Hala. Then leave the offerings. If they are pleasing, if we are pleasing, she will hear them and come to answer our prayers.”
“Is it right what we are doing, Grandmother? I’m not sure Papa will approve,” Hala said as she stood.
“Certainly, he wouldn’t. If he did, I should question my actions.”
“I don’t understand–”
“Never you mind, my dear. Come, help me cover her and set these offerings to right.”
“How will we know? How will we know if she will help us or not, Grandmother?” Hala asked as she scooped dirt back into the hole.
“I am not certain. We women must do what we can to save those we love. Here, hand me that bowl.” Luja placed the bowl of honey directly above the buried statue. “There, we have done what we can. It is out of our hands now.”
Luja and Hala covered their heads once again and silently made their way back through the garden toward the house. The girl still held her injured hand close to her chest and her grandmother pulled her along in the dark. It had been years since Luja felt so alive. She committed a great sin tonight. This sin was one she would not apologize for. She was a woman and women must do what they can in the shadows to see their families prosper in the light of day.
Social Media Links:@melmmassey
By: Penny's Tales,
on 9/25/2015
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“All I can tell you is this. When love is right, it’s true.
When it’s true, it’s forever.”
Torrential rain spikes. A scream pierces the dark night.
Shattered glass, and a wash of blood.
The haunting dream came upon Greye yet again as it had in years past. It was a nightmare a child could never fully comprehend, and remained as unsettling as an adult. Always set in a faraway place and time; yet there was something more. Under its surface hinted at an unknown that should somehow be familiar. It was like an ending that wasn’t quite finished.
What if love found the right people at the wrong time?
Raegyn Perry, Author
Affiliations: PNWA (Pacific NW Writers Association)
Publisher: Solstice Publishing/Summer Solstice
Bio: Raegyn Perry is thrilled to soon (fingers crossed this summer!) share her debut novel, LavenderFields, with readers. This is the first book in the Eternal Journey Series. It asks the question,
‘What if love found the right people, at the wrong time?’
As an actor, Raegyn’s been in various productions over the years onstage in Ohio, then Seattle and even Everett. She played a doctor in front of the camera with Ned the Cactus in a Taco Time commercial, as well as other fun spots. Raegyn wrote a full length play, she hopes to one day see performed onstage. When not writing, Raegyn has been known to turn into a T.V. and movie-watching junkie, and is just as happy going to a movie, happy hour, concert, or theater show. She’s perfectly content either curled up with a good book, or on a fun travel adventure. Anyone who knows her knows she loves to dance (a lot!) wherever and whenever possible! In addition to romance, Raegyn proudly claims to be a geek fan of most Sci-Fi, paranormal, or comic-book related media. She also recently wrapped a teaser video for Lavender Fields, which she scripted and starred in with friends down in Portland, Oregon. She is currently working on edits for Lavender Fields, as well as the second book in the series. Raegyn has called the beautiful Pacific Northwest home since 2001, and has one son she’s quite proud of.
By: Penny's Tales,
on 9/23/2015
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Crystal Bouchard AKA Crystal Dragon is re-united with her family after spending five years imprisoned as an underground fighter for the vampire/werewolf community. As her familial ties are woven, Crystal’s prior kidnapper, vampire Jace "J.T." Templeton and his henchmen seek revenge on her, forcing her to make a decision that could kill her and her family. Only this time she brings a new breed to the fight.
Bio -
LYNN MULLICAN was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, where she currently resides with her husband and her three adult children. She has woven her fascination with the paranormal into written works including short stories, dramatic plays, poetry, and full length novels. In Crystal Dragon and Blood for Blood, of the Bad Elements series, she incorporates years of extensive knowledge in self defense and martial arts as well. Lynn began writing in her childhood, and to this day, her family has continued to support her dream.
By: Penny's Tales,
on 8/28/2015
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Fighting the Naysayers
What is a dream? Is it what you woke from this morning? Or maybe it was interrupted by your alarm clock, blaring away. No, it’s not that kind of dream.
I’m talking about that crumb of inspiration in your head, the one that nags at you while you’re going on about your day. It’s that goal just out of reach. Unless you’ve already attained it. Then, by all means, I must applaud you for it’s a rare, yet beautiful thing to see. But, it’s never too late to find another dream…
Some people haven’t found that dream, or, if they have, they let it get away from them for a time. It sits there, festering in the corners of the mind, taunting them. I will say it again because I wholeheartedly believe it’s the truth. I’ve seen it with my own eyes, not just in my life but with others who have lived it.
It’s never too late to pursue your dreams. No matter what that dream is, there is no reason you can’t start pursuing it today.
Take writers, for example. The urge to write eats away at us every day. Heart pounding, eyes straining, the page awaits. The muse is there, taunting us with the crumb of a dream. Some will ignore it, let it fester inside them like a madness threatening to consume them. Wise writers won’t and can’t ignore the call. The words will inevitably find their way on the page, the pen scrawling wildly in an attempt to cease the chaos within. The story must be told.
There are two types of writers. One is a hobbyist. These writers enjoy constructing their stories or essays, and they keep a treasure trove of finished and unfinished works lying around somewhere. Most of us start out this way. Some are content to stay in that wonderful writing cocoon where nothing can hurt them. It is a pleasant place to be, and I greatly admire hobbyists because they’ve found something that they enjoy. And without passion, what is living?
Then there is the published writer, or at least what a lot of us aspire to be. This writer works day and night on the craft, learning everything he can so that he can finally see his name in print one day. Or in the modern age, ebooks and other electronic mediums work just as well. Some writers seek fame while others pursue less lofty goals. They write because they can’t stop, and putting their work out in the world just seems like a natural next step. It’s only later on that the published writer learns there is a lot more to this career than sitting pretty and seeing your name in print. It is a lot of work, and not for the faint of heart. But for those who seek the dream of being published, they’ll find it was well worth the wait and the effort involved.
But why do we bother? Why do we pursue these things called dreams? Is it because they eat away at us, and if we don’t tend to them, we’ll be sorry? Sure, that’s part of it. I’d like to think it’s about purpose. Haven’t you ever wondered if you were part of something bigger, that you were meant for more?
Well, who hasn’t? And I’m not speaking of spiritual beliefs. We’re all free to pursue whatever religion moves us.
No, this is different; it’s a personal purpose, a reason “you” exist. You were meant to do great things. I believe we all can change the world, even in our own little ways, in our own lives.
We all evolve. We grow from infancy to adulthood all the way until we no longer exist. But, our dreams will go on, inspiring others in their lives.
Dreams can change. You can have many dreams in your life. We’ve all had them. When you were a kid, what did you want to be? An astronaut? A fireman? A princess? What was that fun dream you had? Before all the responsibilities of life came crashing down on you, you once had carefree dreams. Do you remember that? Take a minute and think of the way you felt.
You were excited, right? The world was full of wonder and possibilities. There wasn’t anything you couldn’t do. And maybe your parents encouraged you. Did you dream of things you know now aren’t possible? Maybe you wanted to be a fairy or even a popsicle. That’s the lovely thing about a dream. It’s precious and should be unmarred by reality.
But, that’s not the way of the world, is it? Obligations come and suddenly our responsibilities tend to overshadow our dreams. Common sense tells us we can’t be those things. Or can we?
Isn’t there a dream – however small – isn’t there something you’ve always wanted to do? Write, paint, learn something new? Well, why not pursue it?
“That’s easier said than done, Marie.”
Maybe you’re right. But, no matter what your dream is, if you can imagine it, it’s probably manageable. Obviously we can’t be fairies or princesses, but there’s no harm in getting into the mindset of thinking creatively now and then. Keeping your mind open can go a long way towards attaining your goals.
I bet you’ve had lots of dreams in your life. So let’s say one or more is possible. Why not do everything you can to achieve your dream?
“It’s silly to dream. I’m too old to start.”
It’s never too late to start dreaming, to put an effort into doing what makes you happy. If you want something, you have to go out and get it. I know writers who got a late start in writing, and they still got published. And they have no regrets. Just as it’s never too late to go to college or take a class in something that interests you, your dreams are more manageable than you believe.
“Even if that’s true, I don’t have the time.”
Don’t make excuses. Excuses will kill your dreams faster than anything. We all make excuses to avoid doing things we don’t want to do. If putting in the work to pursue your dream seems too daunting, then you obviously don’t want it bad enough. We’re all busy. We don’t have time. We have a million obligations. We have families, jobs, everything dragging us away. I get it. But, take five to ten minutes every day and dedicate it to figuring out how you will pursue your goal. Planning is half the battle. You may need more time than that, but a few minutes are a good start.
Do everything you can to build the tools necessary to reach your goals. Want to write? Write! But also learn the craft of writing. Research it. There are lots of self-help articles out there. Want to get into woodworking? Take a class. Learn your craft well.
“What if I fail?”
Failure happens. So you fail. That’s okay. Just get up and keep trying. I guarantee that you’ll regret when you didn’t try more than when you did. How many attempts did it take for Edison to invent the lightbulb? A LOT. But he kept trying. And look how amazing that turned out to be. Don’t be afraid to fail. Be afraid NOT to try.
And then there are the naysayers. We all know them. We hear them every day. They often use words like “can’t” or they question you at every turn. “Why are you pursuing this crazy dream? What is the point?” Their lack of faith in your dream can kill a dream too. These naysayers can be people we are close to – family, friends, people we think should understand us. Strangers can discourage us too. A naysayer will say you “can’t” accomplish your goal. He or she will try to destroy your dreams with harsh doses of reality. They will try to teach you that what you’re doing is a bad idea. Naysayers will do everything they can to try to make you give up. Why? Because it’s convenient for them, in one way or another, if you fail.
Don’t listen to naysayers. Do everything you can to protect your dream. Cradle it. A dream is a precious thing. It’s like an infant. It has to be held a certain way, and he or she trusts you to protect them from then on. Preserve your dreams. Hold them close with an iron fist.
Naysayers are often people who never pursued their own dreams. Bitterness set in, and whether they realize it or not, they use a coping strategy of belittling your dreams to make themselves feel better about their own unrealized dreams.
I have met and known these kinds of people for a long time. They often lament what could have been, but never pursue those beautiful dreams they had. Even if you tell them it’s never too late, they are too scared or too bitter to believe you. Don’t let their fear and bitterness destroy what you can have. Hold onto your dreams tight and when you’re ready, fly on the freedom of that journey. Go down the path less traveled.
Be brave. Courage is a big part of pursuing your dreams. Don’t be afraid to try new things, to take risks that you might never have imagined. Do everything you can to reach your goal – well, as long as it’s not illegal. LOL.
Dream. Live and fly. Do you want to be a pilot? Do it. A writer? Then write. Start today. At least try. Take those small steps towards that goal.
Be brave. Do things you didn’t think were possible before. Climb those steps…take that stage with the crowd staring at you. Even as you think you’ll fall or fail, just do it.
Take a chance. Fly on the precious wings of your dreams. Don’t be the embittered individual who discourages another from his ambitions down the road. Respect your dreams and respect the dreams of others. That’s quite a legacy to leave behind, isn’t it?
Be courageous, take a risk and pursue a dream that’s been floating around in your mind for some time. I know you won’t regret it.
Because trying is better than nothing. What is that Tennyson quote? “Tisbetterto haveloved and lostthan never to havelovedat all.” It’s the same with a dream. Hell, wouldn’t you rather live a full life, filled with the pursuit of your dreams, no matter how crazy people think they are, than to live an empty, bitter one? I know I would.
Remember: it’s never too late to find your dream and pursue it.
I’ll sign off now. Here’s to a multitude of beautiful dreams pursued and no regrets. And to those who may still be listening to me prattle on…live and fly, friends!
Author Bio
Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 20 other books. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.
Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 21 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series and The Blood at First Sight Series.
A list of her books and pen names are as follows:
Marie Lavender:Upon Your Return; Magick & Moonlight; Upon Your Honor; Second Nature; "Lovers Like Us" (from the book anthology, Poets & Writers in Action); A Little Magick; Second Chance Heart (coming soon) Erica Sutherhome:Hard to Get; Memories; A Hint of Scandal; Without You; Strange Heat; Terror in the Night; Haunted; Pursuit; Perfect Game; A Touch of Dawn; Ransom; Leather and Lace
Kathryn Layne:A Misplaced Life
Heather Crouse:Express Café and Other Ramblings; Ramblings, Musings and Other Things; Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things
By: Penny's Tales,
on 8/26/2015
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FROM CAMPFIRE TO CLAY TABLETS AND SCROLLS
I have wanted to be a writer since I was 15 years old. Why?
Well, financial reward, for one thing. But even if I never gained a penny I would still write. For several years after beating my head against a brick wall, I chose not to write. But the desire—need—to write did not disappear. It simply smoldered without release. So I returned to writing. After several more years I started becoming published. By now I have had well over five dozen short stories, novellas, and one novel published.
I suspect that telling stories is as basic to mankind’s nature as is art, music and dance (I love music but am tone deaf, and have absolutely no rhythm).
When I look at the photographs of the painted caves of Spain and France, I wonder what motivated prehistoric men and/or women to paint such images. I wonder if these painters also told stories around campfires. How did the early storytellers make clear the meaning of gods, demons, monsters, and heroes? Who were their heroes and what adventures did they have? More, where did this spark of oral storytelling come from?
For example, when was the story or poem of the Sumerian god-king Gilgamesh, first told?
For Gilgameshto make the leap from campfire stories to the written word, writing itself being a miraculous feat, to become “a poem of unparalleled antiquity, the first great heroic narrative of world literature”, to quote The Norton Anthology of Western Literature (W.W. Norton & Company, 2006) is an awesome, earthshaking achievement. Not only is Gilgamesh a literary achievement, but it also offers a glimpse of a world and a people newly emerged from prehistory.
That world and people are gone now, remembered only in the written word as inscribed on clay tablets.
No less important is Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey. Both are from the Greek (Achaean) “age of heroes.” The Iliad tells of two kingdoms that went to war over Helen, the woman whose face launched a thousand ships. The Odyssey tells of one of the Achaean heroes, a crafty king named Odysseus who thought of building a wooden horse filled with warriors as a means of gaining entry to Troy. After Troy burned it took him 10 years to return home.
The oral tradition of these two poems certainly predates their being written on papyrus and/or parchment.
I always wonder, what was the spark that led to oral storytelling around campfires? What was the spark from which descended Gilgamesh, The Iliad, and The Odyssey? What other prehistoric heroes, gods, and goddesses have we not heard of? Yes, from prehistoric stories told in a coarse, early proto-language to the Sumerian and Greek written poems, mankind has traveled far. For that we owe a great debt to those early storytellers and their imagination.
After reflecting on this heritage, I still cannot say why I want to tell stories
So, what compels you to tell stories?
“The Ferryman.” Ed. Mel Jacob. Melange Books.
ISBN: 978-1-61235-414-9
BLURB: Sometimes even a servant of the gods may become curious and intrigued by other possibilities beyond their assigned role, which threatens to upset everything. Charon the Ferryman witnessed an act of love when a little girl offered him a song bird to pay for her grandfather’s shade to be ferried across the Styx. And the shade of a barbarian woman taught him that there was more than the underworld…
EXCERPT: Strong sunlight faded to a pale shadow of itself as if drained of life to create deep shadows along the sloping floor and the uneven walls of the long cavern entrance. Long, narrow stalactites hung from the cavern roof and stalagmites of various heights and thicknesses angled upward from the floor, resembling the scattered, uneven teeth of a monstrous dragon’s mouth. Flowstone along the widening cavern walls had once oozed onto the cavern floor to form rolling stone waves that became a wide, sandy beach to disappear into the shadows.
The cavern roof arched upward, lost to sight save for the pale tips of hanging stalactites. The scattered stalagmites marched into the rippling surface of dark waters. A thick gray mist coated the water that splashed onto the beach. The mist swirled into strange formations caused by a moaning, chilly wind that swept out of the darkness and up the long tunnel.
From deep within the darkness of the gigantic cavern came the ghostly notes of pipes and the echoing steady rhythmic beat of a drum. Torches along the beach burst into flickering life as their flames danced to the ghostly rhythm of the pipes.
The torchlight revealed pale shades, the spirits, of weeping men, women, and children, who shuffled through the sand along the edge of the waters of the River Styx. The river was one of the dark rivers of Hades, the underworld of the dead. The sunlight filtering into the cavern rippled with the shadows of weeping shades descending the length of the cavern entrance. A gilded figure with torch held high lit the way before them.
The music grew louder. A dark shape, lighter than the darkness, appeared in the distance. The gathering shades milled at the water’s edge and waited as the bow of a boat fitted with a bronze beak sliced through the misty waters. A large red eye rimmed in black decorated each side of the polished wood bow. On both sides of the bow square wooden boxes dangled bronze anchors. Behind that lay a narrow platform from a tall, narrow, wooden walkway rose into the chill air. An angled black bow sail and a large black square sail behind it strained with the moaning wind…
http://www.melange-books.com/authors/sshampton/ferryman.html
Stan Hampton, Sr. is a full-blood Choctaw of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, a divorced grandfather to 13 wonderful grandchildren, and a published photographer and photojournalist. He retired on 1 July 2013 from the Army National Guard with the rank of Sergeant First Class; he previously served in the active duty Army (1974-1985), the Army Individual Ready Reserve (1985-1995) (mobilized for the Persian Gulf War), and enlisted in the Nevada Army National Guard in October 2004, after which he was mobilized for Federal active duty for almost three years. Hampton is a veteran of Operations Noble Eagle (2004-2006) and Iraqi Freedom (2006-2007) with deployment to northern Kuwait and several convoy security missions into Iraq.
He has had two solo photographic exhibitions and curated a third. His writings have appeared as stand-alone stories and in anthologies from Dark Opus Press, Edge Science Fiction & Fantasy, Melange Books, Musa Publishing, MuseItUp Publishing, Ravenous Romance, and as stand-alone stories in Horror Bound Magazine, The Harrow, and River Walk Journal, among others.
As of April 2014, after being in a 2-year Veterans Administration program for Homeless Veterans, Hampton is officially no longer a homeless Iraq War veteran.
In May 2014 he graduated from the College of Southern Nevada with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Photography – Commercial Photography Emphasis. A future goal is to study for a degree in archaeology—hopefully to someday work in and photograph underwater archaeology (and also learning to paint). He is currently studying in a double major in Art and Creative Writing at University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
After over 14 years of brown desert in the Southwest and overseas, he misses the Rocky Mountains, yellow aspens in the fall, running rivers, and a warm fireplace during snowy winters.
Hampton can be found at:
Barnes and Noble
Dark Opus Press
Edge Science Fiction & Fantasy Publishing
Melange Books
MuseItUp Publishing
Ravenous Romance
Amazon.com Author Page
Amazon.com. UK Author Page
Goodreads Author Page
By: Penny's Tales,
on 8/25/2015
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Writing For Children
Writing children's books is not kid's play. For one thing, you have to remember to keep your words simple and age appropriate. I once read a fellow writer's MS and found the word 'apparently' in it. That is a definite no, no.
When you sit down to write your book you have to know exactly what age will be your readership. The younger the child, the easier you need to be. I will say that the easiest for a writer is to use words that convey their ideas.
You can't really do that with kids books because the child must be able to understand. And unless your book is about teaching new words, forget about teaching new words. The young 'uns just want to enjoy.
Cat, has, bad, good are all great words for a child. You have to go back to when you were a child and try to think like that again.
For one thing, all those words are black and white. Like a kid thinks. Good. They know what good is (one hopes). Bad. They know is the main character is throwing water on someone it's bad. If you want to go into motive, you can say he's mad.
Another thing you must remember is to only have one idea. The story must be about one thing. There can be no sub-plots and sometimes that can be hard for the writer to do. Kids get distracted easily and you are in charge of directing their attention on your storybook.
Of course, good illustrations help a great deal. So if you wish to be a children's picture book writer, you need to get a good publisher who has access to great illustrators. It's harder than it looks to make great drawings.
The hard thing is, do you wish to teach the child, or entertain? Most publishers now-a-days want to entertain but in my opinion there is still a place for a bit of entertaining 'moral'.
My own first picture book will be available September 5, 2015. Fox tots is the publisher and I'm greatly excited about it.
By: Penny's Tales,
on 8/23/2015
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Sunny’s Grand Adventure is available exclusively through my site at
It is a printed story/colouring book limited to 1000 copies.
Follow the links on Val’s Books for Kids.
About Sunny:
Sunny is a brave little daisy with a special dream. She wants to fly!
Having a dream is the easy part. How to make it come true is the part that takes a whole lot of work and even more courage. We know what we want but how do we get there?
Well, when you have some very special friends who are willing to help it’s a whole lot easier.
Sunny teaches children of all ages that it is important to have a dream and to be brave enough to share it with others.
She encourages children to draw and improve their reading skills as they read along with mom and dad at bed time. There is lots of room to add to the drawings or add your own in the white spaces. Hey go ahead…it’s your book.
Sunny is a fun bedtime book for mom and dads to read with their children.
A bit about Valerie
I have been asked many times why I write. I have to. It’s that simple. My mom wrote some really cool poetry and verses as a teenager and her mom wrote a lot as well so I can hardly escape the inevitable.
I also like to read so I figure that if I write I’ll always have something to read.
As for my reading I like fun who done its. Two of my favourite authors are Lillian Jackson Braun who wrote the totally delightful Cat Who series and Edith Partiger’s Brother Cadfael a twelfth century Welsh Benedictine Monk.
Through all of my adventures and misadventures I have always had my writing to help give me a sense of sanity.
Whether it’s helping a student improve their reading skills through the PAL program (Partnership Approach to Learning), hosting writing workshops or creating verses and poems I love it all when it comes to writing.
In February 2010 I married my husband Brian who definitely appreciates the fact that I can’t stand to be late for anything! We still live in Lethbridge with no dogs or cats…just us.
By: Penny's Tales,
on 8/21/2015
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You Are Not Your Thoughts, Mindfulness for children of all ages.
You Are Not Your Thoughts…but what you think matters.
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By: Penny's Tales,
on 8/17/2015
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| Jami Gray |
Why Editors Save Writers
I love my editors. That's right, I am proud to announce I have more than one, more like five to six if you combine both sets from Black Opal and MuseIt Up. If you're not familiar with what happens to your favorite book after your author types "#END#", here's a quick run down.
The poor baby begins a weight loss program. The first round will beat that baby down until it's bawling in corner. The second round will coax it out, wipe its nose, then proceed to show it the way with some very straightforward talk. After some pouting, the story will straighten up, and face down the last round--where the final, professional polish will be applied--hair combed, pants pressed, shoes polished. Because of this, some writers have a love/hate relationship with their editors, they just love to hate them even as they lovveee the final product.
In preparation for putting SHADOW’S EDGE up for free for the summer, my editor asked me to go back over it and ensure there were no specks of dust on my shiny baby. She’s my editor, I didn’t refuse.
Know what I found? The difference between the fourth book of the series, SHADOW'S CURSE and the first, SHADOW'S EDGE is...well...tremendous. As in, if I was doing the first book now with what I've learned, it might be a very different novel, but I digress.
In 2011, I got my first round of edits back on SHADOW'S EDGE. I spent at least a week solid going over every point raised, making notes on style (don't make this passive, show don't tell), and pondering each question my editor poised. This turned into long discussions via track changes through all three rounds of edits, until I finally I let the little bugger go, free to walk on its own. It's very difficult as a new author to release your clutching hold and see your story as a new reader, because you've breathed, cried, screamed at it for so long. Move ahead six months to SHADOW'S SOUL, this time the track change discussions we're down to "got it" , "yep, I can see that", or "What about this?".
Then came SHADOW'S MOON and part of the reason I love my editors. Every bit of feedback I got from editors on the first two books pushed me to look at my craft critically and asked myself, what can I do to strengthen my writing? Challenge myself as a writer? Create something really cool for my readers?
I decided I wanted to change character perspective for my third book since Gavin and Raine needed some breathing room. Plus, well, I was challenged to write a romance. (Challenge me will you?) Not only did I want Shadow's Moon to focus on the evolving relationship between Xander and Warrick, but I decided to mix it up even more, I did two points of views instead of my normal one. It wasn't easy, but it did teach me quite a bit about what I still had to learn and practice.
Then, mid 2013 when I handed off SHADOW'S MOON and the proposal for SHADOW'S CURSE to Black Opal's caring hands, I decided to pause before starting SHADOW’S CURSE. I'd been living in the Kyn universe for a long time, much longer than the publication dates on the books. Other characters and worlds were pestering me for their spotlight. Plus, since I write from limited third person point of view, and at one time wrote SHADOW’S EDGE completely from Raine's POV (oh yes, much therapy was needed after that), I decided to brave the wild new frontier of first person point of view.
Not as a New Adult story where first person seems prevalent, but in an adult Paranormal Suspense story, one where I could explore my love of military suspense and paranormal abilities. But here was my challenge—I didn't want every damn sentence to star with "I" . Come on, if all you hear is "I, I, I..." you may wanted to gouge out said "I's" eyes. It wasn't easy, it was difficult, enough so I almost gave up, but finally, FINALLY, I finished HUNTED BY THE PAST and it became part of the MuseItUp family. It also created a new series, the PSY-IV Teams.
Then while working through the toughest Kyn book yet, SHADOW'S CURSE and the fiendishly difficult Natasha, I got hit with the edits for SHADOW'S MOON and HUNTED in one fell swoop. Anxious, I opened up the track changes, leery I may soon find myself curled up in a bloody pile in front of my computer. Instead I got something better. Both editors left me notes, really heart warming ones, on how much my writing had deepened and how much they were touched by the story. And this hardhearted wench of words, got a little bleary. There were still discussions and muttered comments (not in Track Changes because I didn't want a hit put out on me), but I'm still loving my editors, because they are still providing me insight on things I can do better, ways to consider things differently, and how to ultimately become a more successful writer.
So when the conversation arises among my partners in writing plots about what makes a successful writer, my first answer is: EDITORS.
Whether your Indie or Traditional or any mixture of writer, an editor can only help you. Not only can they give you an unbiased opinion on your work (Like my question prior to writing TOUCHED BY FATE of "So I'm going to change the POV on Book 2 of PSY-IV, you're okay with that right?), they will keep your story straight, catch when you add an extra arm, leave a character standing at the side of the road, or another one decides to not only change hair color but their height (w/o shoes), they will be the first one to push you off that cliff of what ifs when you can't get your feet to move. Because if you want to be a successful writer, you need to continue to grow your craft and your skill set. Otherwise--same story, different....you get the picture.
Pick up SHADOW’S EDGE for FREE for a limited time and dive into the shadows of the Kyn…
THE KYN KRONICLES (Urban Fantasy series w/Black Opal Books)
WRAPPED IN SHADOWS, Kyn Kronicles .5
(Things That Go Bump For The Holidays Anthology)
The magic of the holidays can be hell…
Celebrations abound during the holidays, but this Christmas an engagement celebration goes horrifically wrong. What appears to be a simple murder/suicide hides a vicious surprise. The type of gift Raine and Gavin, elite member of the Kyn, didn’t want humans to unwrap, because revealing the monsters in the shadows isn’t the way to spread holiday cheer.
SHADOW’S EDGE, Kyn Kronicles #1
Everyone fears what hunts in the shadows—especially the monsters…
When the supernatural lurks in the shadows of the mundane, hunting monsters requires unique skills, like those of Raine McCord. A series of deaths threatens to reveal the Kyn community and forces her to partner with the sexy Gavin Durand.
As the trail leads to the foundation haunting Raine’s childhood, she and Gavin must unravel lies and betrayals to discover not only each other, but the emerging threat to them and the entire magical community.
SHADOW’S SOUL, Kyn Kronicles #2
Some nightmares are born of love…
A simple assignment turns into a nightmare when Raine McCord follows Cheveyo to the Southwest on a consulting gig. When the most feared beings of the Kyn kidnaps Cheveyo and leaves Raine for dead, her ability to heal her mind and spirit hinges on the one man who can touch her soul, Gavin Durand.
Unraveling the Southwest Kyn’s web of secrets and hidden vendettas will either bring them together or tear them apart forever.
SHADOW’S MOON, Kyn Kronicles #3
Even wild hearts can be broken…
Tracker, Xander Cade, confronts an enraged Shifter in a crowded human nightclub, fraying the thin secrecy shielding the supernatural community from public scrutiny. Danger stalks the pack and she must protect her alpha and mate, Warrick Vidis, even if he doesn’t want it.
If they don’t find a way to trust each other and accept their rare bond they risk losing everything-their pack, their friends and each other.
SHADOW’S CURSE, Kyn Kronicles #4
Death and chaos can devastate even the best-laid plans…
After tragedy strikes the Northwest Kyn, leaving the houses in chaos and the Wraiths hungry for blood, the fallout threatens Natasha Bertoi’s carefully laid plans. When the Council sends Darius Abazi, the one man guaranteed to skew the odds, she faces her toughest opponent yet.
As death stalks the Northwest Kyn, can Natasha trust Darius, a man well versed in subterfuge, to uncover the truth before treachery destroys them all?
Coming Fall 2015:
A collection of Kyn shorts, including WRAPPED IN SHADOWS
By: Penny's Tales,
on 8/7/2015
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The Other World: Suspension of Disbelief by Marie Lavender
In college, I would often hear a certain phrase floating around in my writing classes. My Creative Writing professors talked about suspension of disbelief. This device was a way to ensure that the reader accepted what happened in a story without question. No matter how bizarre things were, it would seem completely natural to the reader because a story was told well. What they didn’t talk about was suspension of disbelief for the writer.
In my thirty and some years, as I’ve spent twenty-five of them in the practice of writing, nothing except literature, movies and my own twisted imagination prepared me for the worlds I would encounter on the page. As authors, we do, in a sense, create another world for readers. Fiction is an escape from reality, and if it’s done well, you can become absorbed in the tale unfolding before you.
In a way, it is the same for a writer. And for writers of science fiction or fantasy, even the paranormal genre, a different set of skills is required. I have written many stories and books that required me to suspend my own disbelief. The key in the end was to start to see each tale as another world. “I’m entering a place where the laws of physics may not necessary apply, and there are no limits…” This was a hard concept to grasp at first. Even with general fiction, there are still some rules. When I’m writing both contemporary and historical romance, I have to pay attention to the facts about that time and place. An accountant wouldn’t be throwing a ball of fire, unless you were aiming for a different genre entirely. Although consistent inconsistencies in a character are more than welcome. With these “magical” genres, a writer has to honor the kind of fiction that has gone before, yet still make it their own entirely.
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that writers have to wear different hats. That is true because writing and marketing are such diverse animals. But, a multi-genre author has to wear a different hat for every story. Each one has its own set of rules. In the course of a day, I can go from historical romance to paranormal romance to children’s fiction, then to romantic fantasy. It gets confusing. Though I still float around when I have nothing else to do, I have taught myself to try to focus on one project at a time. The muse often has other plans, however.
So, when I am immersed in writing a scene, I have to prepare myself just before going in. Often I write on the fly, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have to do some mental preparation. Like the pilot going through his checklist before firing up the engine on his plane, in the back of my mind I’m aware that the project I am working on has its own set of rules. Whether the tale is historical, modern, or it’s about witches, ghosts, aliens, demons, even vampires, I know that I have to prepare. In the case of fantasy or paranormal, all bets are off. Suddenly, I have to train my brain not to think of facts, but to let my imagination run wild. I must allow myself to see the story as a new world. In the case of urban fantasy, it’s a world within our world. So, research is still required, but there’s room for creative license. It’s also a challenge to include the necessary facts about a story if it’s part of a series. A writer must juggle a little, decide how to introduce new readers to a sequel in a series, and yet continue the plot without alienating longtime fans of the series.
Fiction is a world most of us enjoy immensely. The reader gets the opportunity to explore a world he or she didn’t know before, while the writer gets a different kind of seat in the auditorium. As writers, we are in control, and yet we are not. It is a common misconception that we are like puppeteers, amused at the way we can stage a story and move our characters around. There is but a small grain of truth to that assumption. In reality, the characters rule us. The plot takes hold, driving us through days with very little sleep until the story is told and told well. By the end of the experience, it has been somewhat of an addiction, a drug we cannot refuse.
And still, that suspension of disbelief is necessary for us as writers to maintain. Even weare human beings, and we can get too grounded in reality with life dragging us away from the page.
Though I love writing any kind of story, it is nothing compared to when I can release the reins on my imagination. Spinning tales always requires some imagination, but the stories which are a little out of the ordinary take a bit more. In those fantasy worlds, I can become a witch, a vampire tasting blood for the first time, a spirit trying to come to terms with her new reality, a woman fighting her worst nightmare. I can take on different personas, wear many hats, so to speak, and I adore the experience. It’s just as exciting to me as it is for readers!
Once I have suspended my disbelief, the story all but spills onto the page, begging to be finished. I relish the journey. My characters come alive and the story possesses me until the project has reached its completion. I can’t even describe the wonder I feel with this kind of freedom.
And still the stories come, the characters demanding their say. Whether they are fantastical creatures or regular human beings, at the core they’re all the same. Wondrously flawed and wanting to live their lives blissfully, at peace. Of course, something always prevents that from happening. That’s a story for you, though. It often throws curveballs when you least expect it.
I must honor the characters, tell their stories, and let these worlds unfold on the page without limits. The result? Something even I am amazed by because I certainly didn’t plan for it to happen. LOL. Nonetheless, it keeps me believing in magic and the unexplained. I would have the process no other way, though. And I can’t think of a better career for myself than this constant plunge into the unknown. It’s so compelling that I just can’t wait until the muse dares to honor me with the experience again.
Below, I am including information about some of my books that contain other worlds – paranormal and fantasy alike. Enjoy!
The Magick Series
Magick & Moonlight(Book 1, Genre: Romantic Fantasy)
Blurb:
Messing with free will is always a bad idea…
Ethan Hamilton moves to a lazy little town in Oregon, hoping to escape his demons. But, instead he discovers a woman dancing nude in the moonlight. This woman who claims she is a witch dazzles him with her sensual presence. He thinks she’s crazy, but what if she’s not?
Jessie Anderson has been taught that her kind hides who they really are. And she has a problem on her hands. Someone knows her secret and she has to do all she can to protect herself. What other choice does she have? Jessie casts a love spell on a good man, a man with whom she can’t fight her attraction. The spell doesn’t work quite as planned – she ends up falling for Ethan.
To top it off, Ethan’s treatment of her, his “love”, is so addictive. Deep down, she knows the spell will wear off, and yet his feelings seem genuine. It’s just a spell…right?
Purchase Links:
A Little Magick (Book 2, Genre: Children’s Fantasy)
Blurb:
Little Rosie goes to stay with her uncle. There she meets some new friends…and some enemies. She doesn’t know that her emotions will trigger something unusual. So far from home, suddenly Rosie has become a full witch like her mother. For a time, it is great fun to use her powers the way she wants, but can Rosie figure out how to use these newfound powers for good or will she be lost to the dark side forever?
Purchase Links:
The Blood at First Sight Series
Second Nature(Book 1, Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy)
Blurb:
She never expected it…
Desiree Edwards has a problem. She’s been attacked, kidnapped and forced to get along with a vampire of all things. It’s something right out of the story books she reads, or her worst nightmare. But, sometimes he’s not the monster he appears to be. He seems so humanlike that she can’t help it when her emotions betray her, when her body betrays her. To make matters worse, she finds out more about herself than she ever wanted to know.
She was unlike any other…
Alec has a problem. The animal in him wants Desiree. But, so does the man. The more he learns about her, the harder it is to deny what he wants. But, he’s a freak, and she’s just a human. The two species don’t mix that way. Then an old enemy surfaces and Alec is forced to make a choice. His life or hers.
Can Alec’s soul be saved by this unique human? Or will it be far too late?
Purchase Links:
Standalone Books
A Misplaced Life(Genre: Paranormal Mystery/Thriller)
Blurb:
Death is only the beginning. That is what Alexa Hamilton realizes when she discovers herself beyond the land of the living. She must enlist the help of her best friend and a handsome, but stubborn detective to try to put the missing pieces of her life back together. Alexa faces the biggest challenge of her life when she has to choose between seeking revenge upon her killer or the hereafter. Or perhaps she can have both? Only time will tell.
Purchase Links:
Terror in the Night(Genre: Paranormal Romance/Thriller)
Blurb:
There was no reflection. Just a dark face and a pair of red eyes that glistened. "What do you want?” she whispered. There was no answer. He only smiled. All of a sudden, a powerful force slammed her back against the door.
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Claire Retin has been dealing with the same nightmare for years. Little does she know that she is not the only one. When she meets a kindred spirit, she realizes there's more to this nightmare than she previously thought. With the aid of a new lover, she seeks to combat this foe while the past threatens to overcome her.
Purchase Links:
Author Bio:
Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 20 other books. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.
Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 21 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series and The Blood at First Sight Series.
A list of her books and pen names are as follows:Marie Lavender:Upon Your Return; Magick & Moonlight; Upon Your Honor; Second Nature; "Lovers Like Us" (from the book anthology, Poets & Writers in Action); A Little Magick
Erica Sutherhome:Hard to Get; Memories; A Hint of Scandal; Without You; Strange Heat; Terror in the Night; Haunted; Pursuit; Perfect Game; A Touch of Dawn; Ransom; Leather and Lace
Kathryn Layne:A Misplaced Life
Heather Crouse:Express Café and Other Ramblings; Ramblings, Musings and Other Things; Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things
Author Links:
By: Penny's Tales,
on 7/31/2015
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Oil Spill Fuels Imagination
By D. G. Driver
I was 19-years-old and living in Southern California when the Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill occurred. I barely remember it happening. I was a young adult, busy with college, working, a boyfriend (or two), etc. I wasn’t watching the news much. I mean, what teenager does, really? Ten years later there was a huge retrospective about it, though, and I was fully an adult by then. The 10-year anniversary of the spill was all over the radio and TV. Slowly the story worked itself into my imagination, the same way the droplets of oil coated the ocean floor from Alaska to Northern California, and the premise of a novel was born: What if mermaids were caught in an oil spill?
I began writing Cry of the Seaback then. It took many years and several major rewrites to get it to be a strong enough story to be picked up by a publisher. Over those years I did a lot of research about oil spills – the damage they cause, laws regarding oil tankers, how animals are treated during rescues. I wanted to be accurate about these things even though my book was a fantasy. The reason was because my novel wasn’t meant to be a Little Mermaidtype of romantic fantasy. It was meant to be more of an X-Files-what-if-mermaids-were-real science fiction.
The young adults of 2015 have grown up learning about the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. There was a spill just this year off the coast of Santa Barbara. I believe that teens are much more aware of these environmental issues than we were in the 1980s. I think they watch the news more – or at least get their headlines from the internet. I’m impressed at the intelligence and willingness of teens to want to help do their part to keep oceans clean of litter and pollution.
Cry of the Seahas a major environmental theme. Juniper Sawfeather’s parents are environmental activists and have been raising her to follow in their footsteps. When the mermaids are discovered during an oil spill, she is in the center of the turmoil between her parents, the media, kids from school, a marine biologist and his intern, and the oil company itself over the fate of the mermaids.
In June, 2015 Cry of the Seawon 2ndplace in the YA category of the Green Book Festival contest for environmentally themed books. Reviewers are raving about the environmental angle of the book. “It was an eye-opening read, at times really shocking and heart-breaking, and definitely one I won't soon forget. This is a great, mold-breaking YA for those who want more from their books than just silly romance stories and sparkling mythical creatures.It's a story of bravery, dedication, protecting all those things that are unable to protect themselves, and making a difference,” wrote Evie Seo of Bookish Blog. “As expected, this book has a strong message about environmentalism, but I'm impressed that the author was able to convey it without sounding preachy in the slightest. You're not going to get a sermon but you will see enough of the damage caused by oil spoils to be horrified by it. To be honest, I'm barely interested in the subject, but I went through a whole range of emotions and I cared about what was happening,” from Rachel Poole, Cullen House Reviews.
Cry of the Seais the first of a 3-part series. The sequel, Whisper of the Woods(which will center around the destruction of Old Growth trees) is scheduled for release from Fire and Ice Young Adult Books in November. Follow me to get updates www.facebook.com/donnagdriver
Book blurb
Juniper Sawfeather is choosing which college to attend after graduation from West Olympia High School next year. She wants to go to San Diego to be far away from her environmental activist parents. They expect her to think the way they do, but having to be constantly fighting causes makes it difficult to be an average 17 year old high school student. Why do her parents have to be so out there?
Everything changes when she and her father rush to the beach after a reported oil spill. As they document the damage, June discovers three humans washed up on the beach, struggling to breathe through the oil coating their skin. At first she thinks they must be surfers, but as she gets closer, she realizes these aren't human at all. They're mermaids! Now begins a complex story of intrigue, conspiracy and manipulation as June, her parents, a marine biologist and his handsome young intern, her best friend, the popular clique at school and the oil company fight over the fate of the mermaids.
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By: Penny's Tales,
on 7/30/2015
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