Saturday, August 3, 2013

Juliet Chastain is Celebrating Her Hot New Release - Vampire Cowboy!

I want to welcome Juliet Chastain to my blog today! First, let's take a look at her super hot cover:



Wow! I absolutely LOVE your cover, Juliet. Now, let's have some info about you as a writer and what you have cooking in the works of your writing: 
Juliet: As soon as I learned how, I became a voracious reader. My mother had to go with me to the library every week because otherwise the librarian wouldn't let me take out more than three books at a time and that wasn't nearly enough.
In sixth grade, inspired by one of my most treasured possessions, a wall calendar with photographs of kittens, I wrote a sad story about a couple of kittens. The tragic tale made me cry but got me an “A” from my teacher.
Along the way, I switched focus, so to speak, and became a photographer. But here I am, after fifteen years of photographing fashion, writing again. This time my stories have lots of steamy romance and happy endings. No kittens no sad tears.
Writing is hard work, but I suspect that's the case for a professional at any job. From my years as a photographer I learned that if you want to be a pro in that field, you have to be creative and productive no matter how you feel. I was paid to take beautiful, interesting photographs. It didn't matter if I didn't feel inspired that day, I still had to produce that kind of photographs—and I did, no matter what.
Same goes for the writing. Inspired or not, I must sit down and start tapping away. What I don't have with the writing is the energy of working with other people to nudge me along—no models, stylists, make-up, hangers-on, whatever. It's just the computer and me—and the computer is simply a tool, like the camera. I am all alone trying to find my way through—or to—a story.
I start off with an idea or two—a whole scene maybe or just a small piece of one and a character. I can't seem to find the plot before I write the story, so I have to bumble along, bumping into a walls now and then or finding myself at a dead end. It can be frustrating but I have learned to allow myself to do those things as part of the process of writing a story.
In some ways the most challenging thing is to get my butt to the chair in the morning and start writing. I used to swim year round in an indoor pool that was unheated. It was really hard to get in that water in the winter and I never got used to doing it. It's that way with writing the first draft. It's so hard getting started and I never get used to it. But just like when I'd done the first ten or twenty laps in the pool, once I've been writing for a bit, I don't want to stop.
Another difficult thing is when I'm in the middle of a story and suddenly I don't know where I am going with it, and I can't imagine what comes next. Very demoralizing. That’s when I start thinking that I really have no business doing this, that its hopeless etc., etc. The best thing for me when that happens is to get up, do some little non-writing thing and then come back and work on something else for a day or two. Often when I get back to the piece with the problem I know what to do. It just needed to percolate in my unconscious for a while.

****************************.

My latest story, Vampire Cowboy, my first e-book with Ellora's Cave, is a  Quickie—you could read it in an evening or two. It's a 19th century western featuring a smooth-talking vampire who is looking to get a little wild on his way out West.

One bad hand of cards stranded Eliza on a failing ranch in the middle of nowhere. She’d do anything to sell the ranch and make her way back to the city, even seduce the handsome stranger who rides into town and expresses an interest in her land.


It’s been hundreds of years since anything has caught Daniel’s interest. He doesn’t expect much in the two-bit dusty town he’s passing through to change that…until he sets eyes on the sassy, stubborn Eliza. A look ignites their chemistry and soon enough a shared dinner is tossed aside for more carnal delights.


Eliza and Daniel both have plenty of reasons to keep their affair to a single night, but the sex between them takes temptation to a whole new level. Now every time they try to walk away, they’re reminded that some cravings can never be satisfied. 

  


A Romantica® western historical erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave 

Available now from: Elloras Cave eBooks | Amazon | All Romance eBooks

Okay, seriously, a smooth talking vampire wanting to get a little wild out in the old West? Definitely a must read for every type of romance reader out there! 
Thanks so much for taking the time to visit Juliet! Happy writing :)

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Highlander's Hope By Collette Cameron

I want to welcome fellow author, Collette Cameron, to my blog today. She has a wonderful new Highland Romance coming out in April!


Highlander's Hope: Not a day has gone by that Ewan McTavish, the Viscount Sethwick, hasn't dreamed of the beauty he danced with two years ago. He's determined to win her heart and make her his own. Heiress, Yvette Stapleton, is certain of one thing; marriage is risky and, therefore, to be avoided. At first, she doesn't recognize the dangerously handsome man who rescues her from assailants on London's docks, but Lord Sethwick's passionate kisses soon have her reconsidering her cynical views on matrimony. On a mission to stop a War Office traitor, Ewan draws Yvette into deadly international intrigue. To protect her, he exploits Scottish law, declaring her his lawful wife—without benefit of a ceremony. Yvette is furious upon discovering the irregular marriage is legally binding, though she never said, "I do." Will Ewan's manipulation cost him her new-found love?   

Here's a sneak peak excerpt from Highlander's Hope!
Highlander's Hope Excerpt - Carriage Scene
Peeking at him from beneath her lashes, she reached up to straighten her bonnet. It hung askew off the side of her head, like a giant drooping peony. She shoved it back into place but the moment she removed her hand, it flopped over once more.
The stranger's unrestrained laughter filled the carriage.
“Oh, bother it all.” Yvette’s patience with both her rescuer and the silly bonnet were at an end. She had no choice but to remove the dratted thing to reaffix it. Several strands of hair tumbled to her shoulders when she removed the cap from her head. Suppressing a shriek of annoyance, she placed the hat beside her. She then set about securing the wayward curls. Pinning the last strand in place, her eyes met those of her companion.
Momentarily forgetting her unanswered questions, she stilled, as did the world around her. The air hung suspended in her lungs. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her stunned gaze riveted on his face. “You exist?” Her voice was husky with awe.
Raising an ebony eyebrow, a flicker of humor softened the nobleman’s features. “So it would appear.”
A voice, deep and dark, caressed Yvette’s heightened senses. She stared. Her gaze roved across his handsome features returning, as if compelled by some unseen force, to his eyes.
Those eyes. Fringed by thick lashes, the mesmerizing turquoise pools gazing back at her sent her senses reeling in recognition. Her mouth dropped open. No, it couldn’t be. “Am I dreaming?” Giving a quick shake of her head, she lowered her eyelids for a moment. Lud, but she was befuddled. "Who are you?
Great sneak peak, Collette! Now, here's a little info about this amazing author: 

 Okay, I've asked Collette a few questions about what makes her tick as an author, here's what she had to say: 
1.)    When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? The truth?  It was when I sat down to write a book one day and discovered writing was more fulfilling to me than anything else.  With the exception of the hubby and kids of course. . . Oh, and teaching. I do like that. . . most of the time!
2.)    What type of genre do you write in? I write historical suspense, Regency era. I fully intend to branch out from Regency, but even if I start writing other genre’s I think I'll always continue to write historical.
3.)    What inspires you to write in this genre? I adore that time period. Actually anything from the Georgian to Victorian era fascinates me. My house is very Victorian inside and out.
4.)    Where to you get your ideas for your writing? They usually start out as a single idea, a scene that pops into my mind. . . often when I'm in the shower. Go figure.
5.)    Who are your favorite authors and why? I don't have any favorites. I like so many, it would be unfair to name just one or two. I will confess though that I named my daughter after Brianna in "The Flame and The Flower" by Kathleen Woodiwiss.
6.)    In your opinion, what key parts of a story make it great? I appreciate humor in what I read and write, and I Iike it when the readers know something the characters don't. It's like they are my co-conspirators. I also appreciate unexpected twists and unusual customs or facts introduced through the storyline. 
7.)    What activities do you undertake for inspiration? Am I supposed to engage in activities?  Oops. Seriously though, I have so many ideas jotted down in my "Writing Bible" right now, I'm not looking for anymore inspiration. And, this might strike some people as odd, but when I need a solution to a plot problem, or need an unusual idea to incorporate into my story, I pray about it. I feel so clever when an answer pops into my head. . . divinely inspired you might say.
8.)    Do you belong to any writing communities, or critique groups? I am a member of RWA, Rose City Romance Writers, The Beau Monde, Faith, Hope, & Love, Inc., Savvy Authors, World Literary Cafe,  Facebook's Author and Book Lover's Group, and Romantic Fiction-For Readers & Writers of Romance. I am part of The Beau Monde's critique group, have three critique partners, and four beta readers. Plus, I belong to several author/reader groups.  
9.)    Do you have a day job? I do indeed. I am a substitute elementary teacher. Right now, I'm finishing out the year as a long-term sub for third grade. The kidlets love it when I tell them stories. I had a class do an author interview of me recently. Some of the questions were what you'd expect: "How long does it take you to write a book?" "When did you start writing?" "How many pages are in your book?" When I told them about 400, one little guy got this horrified look on his face and said, "No pictures? Just words?"  I was also asked, how much I weigh, how old I am, and if I slap myself. No, honey, I don't write that genre. 
10.)  If you could do it over again, what aspects of the writing/submission process would you change before becoming published? I didn't have any critique partners for my first novel. I believe if I had, I wouldn't have had complete so many drafts to make it publishable. I'd also have researched basic manuscript formatting, and read more books on the craft of writing.
11.) What is the title of your upcoming/newly released novel, and where can we find it? HIGHLANDER'S HOPE is my debut novel. It is scheduled to be released through Soul Mate Publishing in April 2013. It will be available as an Ebook through Soul Mate Publishing's website, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. The print novel will be released a few months later

Here's Collette's Bio:
A life-long Oregonian, Collette Cameron was born and raised in a small town along the northern Oregon coast. Today she makes her home in a rural community, 30 minutes west of Portland. Her Victorian farmhouse sits on a one-acre certified wildlife habit, interspersed with a plethora of gardens: English, rose, butterfly, rock, water, and of course, vegetable.
A voracious reader of romance since her teens, she even named her daughter after a heroine in her favorite romance novel. An enthusiast of times gone by, and anything related to romance, she writes Historical Romance, with a dash of inspiration, a pinch of humor, and a liberal portion of suspense.
Having dabbled in interior decorating in her youth, Collette returned to school, graduating summa cum laude from Oregon State University, and went on to obtain her Master's Degree in Teaching. She is member of Romance Writers of America, Rose City Romance Writers, The Beau Monde, and Love Faith and Hope, Inc., and a whole slew of other author/writer groups.
Some of Collette's favorite things include unique blends of coffees and teas, trivia, Cadbury Milk Chocolate, inspirational quotes, and scented candles. Her Christian faith, husband, three adult children, and five miniature dachshunds round out her life quite nicely! When she's not teaching or writing, she is a content and copy/line editor for an Ebook publisher, enjoys amateur photography, bird watching, gardening, interior decorating, rock-hunting, boating or fishing on the Columbia River, and reading of course.
To connect with Collette, please visit www.collettecameron.com/ or http://blueroseromanceblog./ 
Here are some more places to connect with Collette: 

Book URL: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/meet-collette-cameron/highlanders-hope-by-collette-cameron/
This is not a "buy" link.

My Links:
Web site: http://collettecameron.com/
Blog: http://www.blueroseromance.com/
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/collettecameronauthor
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/collette.cameron.5
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Collette_Author
Google+: https://plus.google.com/?gpsrc=gplp0
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/collette-cameron
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/colletteauthor/
Soul Mate Publishing Author's Blog: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13595899-collette-cameron

Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy writing schedule!


Saturday, February 23, 2013

Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick Free!!!!

Like paranormal romance? Looking for a great new series to ready? Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick on Free on Kindle Today and Tomorrow!!!


Here's the Link: 
http://www.amazon.com/Bizarre-Life-Sydney-Sedrick-ebook/dp/B005VHKYA8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1361646442&sr=8-2&keywords=bizarre+life+of+sydney+sedrick


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Halloween - The Best Holiday of the Year

Halloween is questionably the best holiday of the year. As a paranormal romance author, this time of year is a great time for inspiration to create steaming hot romances involving the sexiest vampires, were persons (to be politically correct, even in fiction) demons and the latest craze; the fae.
To celebrate Halloween, I'm posting the first chapter of Betrayal Bites, the 2nd full-length, paranormal romance in the Tales of Sydney Sedrick Series. Fanged Fury, Book 3, is set for release in 2013. Hope you enjoy and have a fun and safe holiday!


Excerpt:


Chapter 1

Sighing while I dusted the stone and glass figurines throughout the store, I had hoped the mundane tasks would help distract me from the anticipation of the mailman. Kieran, leader of the local vampire coven, was sending out his invitation to the Blood Rites Ball. The purpose in having the ball was to see who would next be elected to watch over the Selected. Since I am the Selected, there was a lot at stake, considering my life and overall well-being hung in the balance. It was possible whoever my new babysitter was might decide to imprison me.
Not everyone believed the Selected should be allowed to walk around of her own free will. Actually, there were a lot of people, vampires, werewolves, demons, and rogues who felt the Selected should be kept in a gilded cage her entire life, or to be executed. They felt the potential threat of the Selected’s powers was too high.
Needless to say, the upcoming events of the Blood Rites Ball had me on pins and needles. The thought of not being invited had me feeling like a furry lump had taken up permanent residence in my gut. If someone else was going to make decisions with such an impact on my future, I thought it would be nice to have them do it in my presence. Kieran said the ball was planned for tomorrow night. He hadn’t mentioned if he put me on the invite list.
While debating which would be better, to go or not to go, the door chimes jingled, signaling the arrival of either a customer or Dale, the mailman. I turned around with a smile on my face to see who it was. The moment reality struck at what my eyes saw, the smile dropped off my face and pain set into my chest like an icy hand had wrapped itself around my heart and had given it a good squeeze.
Blake, the sexiest man to ever have walked the earth, stood in front of me holding his right arm with his left hand. His chest heaved as he struggled for air. Blake was a werewolf who had extra speedy healing abilities, so whoever or whatever hurt him had to be very strong and very dangerous. The dark red blood staining the front of his shirt and caking the right side of his neck made me nauseous and light-headed.
“Blake!” Running past him to the front door, I threw the deadbolt lock into place. It would be very hard to try and explain it if one of my customers walked in and spotted Blake with blood smeared all over him. I raced back to inspect his wounds. He must have lost a lot of blood. My Selected senses hadn’t alerted me to his presence before he walked through the door as it should have. Usually, they kicked in when a vampire or a werewolf entered a five hundred foot radius around me. That included outside the walls of buildings, and my senses seemed to be growing stronger every day.
Even though Blake bore such serious wounds, I couldn’t help but appreciate his wild dark-brown hair that hung just past his shoulders. Typically Blake didn’t look so disheveled like he did at that moment. Looking toward him from the door, his amber-gold eyes bore into mine. He was in a lot of pain. I could tell by the way he winced as he moved. Sighing in dismay, I watched his backside as he stumbled over to the couch on the far side of the store next to the fireplace. He dropped down, groaning in pain as he landed on the cushion.
It didn’t bother me that his boots had dragged in remnants of the slushy snow covering the streets outside.
Blake had a fine backside.
My center throbbed to by caressed by him.
Where did that come from?
“Sydney, I was attacked by a demon, and not just any demon. She was a Judge.”
“Judge? What’s a Judge?” Could my life get any more bizarre? Not long ago, I discovered that vampires and werewolves existed. Oh, and I found out I was the Selected, which meant everyone wanted me to be on their side because according to some old prophecies, I was destined to be some kind of savior.
Blake groaned in pain, bringing me back to the present. My life was a little overwhelming at times. Blake resituated himself on the couch in such a way to avoid putting pressure on his injured arm and shoulder.
“Please explain to me what you meant by ‘Judge’. I’ve never heard you use that term before.” A chill ran down my back as I gently put my fingertips on the pulse point near his wrist. His heart rate was beating a bit fast, but not too fast.
“Judges are demons assigned to the king of the vampires. They do his bidding, uphold vampire law, and execute punishment to misbehaving bloodsuckers when Kieran and his Knights can’t. Someone owed the vampire king big, so they negotiated the Judges’ contract to be servants of the king.” Blake closed his eyes and took a guarded deep breath.
My mouth dropped open. There were royal vampires? No one ever mentioned that fun fact before, not even Aunt Judith. In all the discussions we’ve had, neither Blake nor Kieran had mentioned them either.
A knocking came from the front door, startling me. If the Judges came after Blake at the store, there was little I could do to protect him. I highly doubted if they followed Blake that they’d bother with the consideration to knock. After seeing Blake injured and hearing about demon assassins, I was on edge.
A shadowed figure passed the window.
Dale’s face peered through the glass. He looked around to see if anyone was in the store.
I cracked the door open to keep Dale from seeing Blake, drenched in blood, on the couch. Dale’s knit hat was dusted in fluffy white snowflakes and his cheeks were bright red from the chill in the air.
“Dale, now’s not really a good time, the stock delivery guy just dumped a huge order off, and I have to deal with that before opening the store. You can just give me my mail from here, okay?” I squeezed two fingers through the door and waited.
“Miss Sydney, is everything all right?” He repositioned his big mail carrier’s bag to sit more on his side to allow him to get closer to the door and a better peek inside.
I put a friendly smile on my face to reassure him that everything was on the up and up, but from his expression, he wasn’t buying it.
“Everything’s just fine. I’m busy, that’s all.” I didn’t want to be rude, but I really needed to go hold pressure on Blake’s wounds. He hadn’t stopped bleeding yet.
“Miss Sydney, I think it would be best if you let me in to take a look around and make sure for myself that you’re all right.” Dale wasn’t budging. What was with this town? The people that lived here in Kenosha all seemed to have taken the same medication that made them super bossy.
A little more sternly, I said, “Everything’s fine, Dale. Really, I’m just busy. That’s all, now give me my mail, and you can be on your way.”
Dale was a really nice guy, and it was clear he was just worried. He didn’t deserve the harshness in my tone of voice, but Blake really needed me. Hopefully, Dale would get over my rudeness, but it wasn’t like I’d ever be able to explain to him the situation.
Dale’s eyes narrowed.
“Miss Sydney, if you got one of them abnormals in there, maybe I can help. The abnormal’s blood stinks all the way out here. You see, not many people know this about me, but I’m a healer, Miss Sydney.”
“What do you mean by abnormal?” Did Dale really know? I was coming to believe that maybe I was the only one in the city, before I was bitten, that didn’t know vampires and werewolves existed.
“I know all about them dang vampires and werewolves. They’re everywhere around these parts, and well, my granddaddy taught me a few tricks. Sydney, I know you’re different, special. Well, my family has a special streak in its blood, too.” Dale leaned his head closer to the door and whispered, “You see, we got some fairy blood running in us, and we can heal people with our hands. Plus, I got some supplies in my bag might be of some help.”
His sincerity made me smile. Dale looked at me with such genuine concern. Before making a decision on whether to let him into the store or not, Blake called out in pain.
Decision made.
“Fine, but you have to promise you won’t tell anyone about what you see. You said that I’m special. You’re right, and I have a temper to match. So don’t betray me, Dale. If you do, you’ll have a lot of abnormals pissed and looking for you.”
Dale came into the store. The snowflakes melted into his clothes the moment the fabric hit the warm air. He went straight for Blake. Very carefully, he removed Blake’s shirt to see where all the blood was coming from. After cleaning Blake’s chest and face with a cool washcloth from the storeroom in back, Dale made a quick diagnosis and set to work.
“Blake, these gashes look like you’ve been attacked by a fire demon.” Awe and disbelief was written across Dale’s face as he said it.
Blake looked from me to Dale. Suspicion darkened his gaze as he assessed the mailman.
“You’re right. It was a fire demon, and she wasn’t happy to see me. How do you know about fire demons?” Blake attempted to sit up straighter on the couch, but Dale patted his knee in reassurance.
“Wait, what? The fire demon that did this to you is a female?” It was pretty hard to believe a female of any sort could beat Blake in a fight. He was one of the strongest and fastest werewolves in his pack. His strength came straight from the pack leader himself, Blake’s father. Whoever this fire demon was, she must be pretty nasty.
Dale fidgeted where he knelt on the floor in front of Blake. The talk of demons and werewolves seemed to make him uncomfortable. Placing my hand gently on his shoulder only made him squeak in surprise. The mailman was wound more tightly than me.
Blake must have seen Dale’s uneasiness through his fidgety movements. “Ah, yes. I have heard of your family. You don’t have to involve yourself in our business. We know who you are. My pack appreciates what your people do. We’d be fine if you wanted to stay out of the war. We don’t mind that you keep tabs on us. I’m sure your knowledge will come in handy one day when we need it most.” With the recognition of Dale, and what he stood for, Blake sat back against the couch. His body seemed to relax a smidgen. Apparently, he didn’t see Dale’s knowledge of his pack quite as threatening as I would have thought.
There was a clear understanding between the two men. To my dismay, neither one of them bothered to explain it to me.
“Okay, enough secretive, behind-the-scenes action going on. I must say I’m getting pretty tired of it. Dale, help Blake with his injuries. Blake, start explaining what is going on, right now.” Blake stared at me. I could tell he was hesitating because he didn’t know how much information he should divulge to either of us. If he knew what was good for him, it would be all of it.
Dale nodded and dug around in his mail-carrier bag. When he found what he was looking for, he brought out a leather pouch and a small clear vial filled with a blue liquid. He busied himself adding yellow powder to the liquid making a paste that smelled like fresh lemons. He then applied the green-colored concoction to Blake’s chest wound.
The manipulation of tissue made my stomach churn. The pressure Dale was applying to the wound with the applicator caused more blood to leak through the tissue and drip down Blake’s toned abs, soaking the waistband of his jeans. Ordinarily, such things didn’t make me swoon. Seeing someone important to me injured and in pain was a whole other ballgame.
Blake’s face tightened and he clenched his jaw as Dale packed the paste into the deep gash created by the fire demon’s attack. Dale used his fingertip to push the paste into the jagged parts of Blake’s flesh until the wound was completely covered with the green substance.
“Sydney, a few members of my pack and some of Kieran’s Knights have been doing recon on the compound where you were taken by the lightning demons a few months ago. There has been abnormally high activity buzzing around the place, so we’ve been watching who’s been coming and going. It seems the rogue vampires and werewolves are amassing a small army. Unfortunately, it looks like they have recruited more demons than we originally thought.”
“So, that’s why the fire demon attacked you? Because she found you watching the compound? That doesn’t make any sense if she’s really a Judge, like you said.” I thought Judges were supposed to punish naughty vampires and not attack innocent werewolves. I didn’t understand what had started the fight.
He shook his head and continued to explain while Dale made a makeshift sling out of clean towels from the storeroom to secure Blake’s arm. Luckily no customers had arrived on my storefront’s door wanting to do some shopping.
“The fire demon wasn’t one of the demons from the compound. I actually interrupted her recon mission. When she spotted me, she mistook me for the enemy, attacked first, and asked questions later.” It was obvious from Blake’s tone that he was impressed with the fire demon. To my surprise, his admiration of the female who attacked him sparked some serious jealous feelings on my end, and I could feel the tips of my ears burn.
“So, she attacked you for no good reason? Who is her boss?” It wasn’t like a fire demon’s boss would really take a complaint from a human very serious, but her hurting Blake pissed me off. Maybe the awe I saw in Blake’s eyes when he spoke of her ticked me off, too. I was the Selected with powers of my own. Problem was, my powers were taking their own sweet time developing and getting stronger.
“Sydney,” Blake said as he sat up on the couch. He moved his shoulder a bit and nodded thanks to Dale for his efforts. “The fire demon isn’t just an ordinary demon. She’s a Judge.”
“But that doesn’t make any sense, why is a Judge even here? Aren’t they supposed to be watching over the king and his family?” The pieces of the story weren’t falling into place in my very confused mind. Blake didn’t seem all too surprised to run into the demon, only impressed.
Blake nodded as he spoke to both Dale and me. “I’m not sure what the Judges are doing in town. She mentioned that it had something to do with the Blood Rites Ball Kieran is hosting tomorrow night. The vampire royals are planning on attending. That’s the only explanation I can think of for having the Judges in town. Usually, they are very close to the king at all times. It’s not the first time we’ve run into one, but they’re pretty rare, and there’s always a royal around that they are protecting.”
Dale stood to repack the supplies into his overly large bag. His secret history surprised me. One day I would make him sit down and tell me all about how his family is involved with the war between the vampires and werewolves. Did Dale and his family have a side they were on? I never would have thought he had special healing powers. He’d never bothered to mention that before, even though he came into the store six days a week and personally hand delivered me the mail.
Before leaving, Blake said that he heard the rogues talk about Ley Lines and power points. The compound was situated over a demonic power point, an energy vortex that allowed the rogues to call forth demons from the Underworld. Once the demons were called forth, they were obligated to complete a task before being set free upon our world. The Judge was tracing the Ley Lines to the compound that originated from the underground royal palace located a few miles outside of the Kenosha city limits.
“Blake, so the rogues are calling forth these demons, making the demons beholden to them, but what for? What sort of task do they plan on making the demons perform before they are set free?” My mind was running wild with the possibilities. The rogues seemed to be focused on creating mayhem and destruction among all the vampires and werewolves. They also wanted to live without the rules the Elders and the leaders of the werewolf packs instilled upon them. They wanted to be their own bosses, but right now, they weren’t strong enough to carry out their goals without help from beings stronger than them, such as demons from the Underworld.
My guess was that’s what they wanted to use the demons they were calling forth for; they wanted to rid themselves of any governing body that hindered their lawless lifestyles. Could the rogues demand the demons, as their price for free passage into our world, to kill all the coven and pack leaders? I hoped not. Having out of control vampires and werewolves running amok would be madness.
“We’re really not sure yet, but it’s looking like they have something planned for the Blood Rites Ball. The Judge I ran into also believes that. Sydney, you should really reconsider and not go.” Blake used every opportunity to try talking me out of dealing with the vampires. He knew my obligations to them were just as important to me as my obligations were to the werewolf pack, but he didn’t like it.
Dale decided at that moment to hand me my mail. On the top of the stack sat a crimson-colored envelope. After opening it and pulling out a piece of paper made from thick card stock, I studied the blood-red ink glistening off the bright white paper. Blake leaned over my shoulder to see what had made me stop short. A grumble came from his throat.
“Sydney, I’m telling you that you should not go to that ball. The rogues are clearly brewing up something, and we don’t know what it is. It would be safer for you if you were far away from that ball. Having the Elders, members from the royal family, leaders from other covens, and the Judges all in one place? That’s going to be a very target-rich environment. If the rogues are going to make their move, the ball would be the perfect place and time to do it.” Blake’s forehead crinkled in frustration. I knew that look. He was going to say anything he could think of to try and talk me out of going.
“How are they even going to know where it is? Kieran put right on the invitation the location of the ball will be disclosed one hour before it is to start. The rogues will have a pretty hard time putting their plans in action if they don’t even know where the ball is going to be.” I put my hands up when Blake began to interrupt me. “Don’t worry. There will be plenty of people there to make sure nothing happens to me.” Blake didn’t need it pushed in his face that Kieran, the leader of the local vampire coven, made it his personal responsibility for my protection and safekeeping, so I kept that fun fact to myself.
Blake roughly readjusted the sling Dale made for his injured arm. “You hanging out with the bloodsuckers is bad enough. Having to sit around while you’re surrounded by the worst of them is going to drive me nuts. I’ll have Morris contact Kieran and figure something out. I’ll have him see if there is anything my pack can do to help with the security detail of the ball. Helping them keep you safe would be better than sitting on my hands doing nothing.”
The concern in his gorgeous, bronzed-gold eyes made my heart melt. Even though he insisted we were meant to be together, no matter how much I wanted to run into his arms and accept his mark, it wouldn’t be a good idea. Having a werewolf for a boyfriend would surely piss the vampires off.
Being the Selected meant having to stay neutral and not divulge secrets of one side to the other. In the recent past, the vampires and werewolves were able to work together to rescue me from the lightning demons, but that was pretty much the extent of their working relationship. Otherwise, they tended toward hating each other, both wanting to rule Kenosha for their own selfish needs.
With my being the Selected, I was the only one able to fulfill both of their prophecies that would enable them to dominate the other. If I gave my blood freely to the vampires, it would allow them to walk in the sunlight. If I mated with the heir to the werewolf pack, and a child was conceived, then that child would have complete control of their change, no longer being prisoner to the moon phases. That child, my child, would then be able to infect all werewolves through their saliva. Once that happened, all werewolves would be able to change on a whim. That would give them the strength, speed, and healing capabilities to wipe out the vampires.
As the Selected, it was my decision who I was going to help. I’ve decided to help both the vampires and the werewolves, by not fulfilling either of their prophecies. Neither species deserved to lord over the other. The decimation of the covens or the packs wasn’t an option in my book, so neither one would get any assistance from me on the matter.
I had to go to the Blood Rites Ball no matter how bad Blake wanted to keep me away from it. Since I received the invitation, my presence became required and expected. My worrying about being invited, or not, was over.
The last time Kieran had thrown a small gathering for the vampires, Aaron, Kieran’s second hand, had explained that if I didn’t show up, Kieran would personally come and find me. I didn’t particularly care for Aaron. He was an uptight, overbearing, jerk of a vampire, who thought he could boss me around, and he did it while wearing a fancy suit. Aaron had made it quite clear when he’d come to the store prior to the last gathering that Kieran’s invitations were to be seen as a summons, not a request. I had no choice but to attend the ball, not unless I wanted to be hunted by a very old vampire that I’d personally offended.
No, thanks.
I’d go.
Well, I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Betrayal Bites :) I have enjoyed creating the complex supernatural world Sydney has been thrust into all while being pursued by the sexiest werewolf in town. 


Monday, October 1, 2012

Winter's Magic by Cynthia Gail - new release contest!


Thank you for inviting me to join you and your fans today. I’m so excited to finally reveal the cover to my debut novel, Winter’s Magic. It’s the first in a four-book series called Music City Hearts.

It’s kind of ironic that I decided to keep the cover under wraps until my contest launch, because I’m rarely able to keep secrets. When I was in grade school, I was the daughter who snooped around in closets before Christmas, trying to find out what my presents were, before Mom had time to get them wrapped. Maybe that’s why I love to read romance so much. I can enjoy the story – all the ups and downs, the tears and laughter, breakups and black moments – without anxiety, because I know the end is always happily-ever-after.
So, the wait is finally over. Today is October 1st and I’m kicking off a month-long contest with the unveiling of Winter’s Magic:


Back Cover Blurb:
Owner of La Bella Vita, a five-star day spa nestled in the affluent suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee, Beth Sergeant knows her elite clientele first hand. She attended their private schools. She was even engaged, although briefly, to one of their most recognized bachelors. But she never fit in to their social-elite world.
After losing his parents to a car accident at a young age, Nick Chester was raised by his grandfather, the wealthiest man in Nashville. When he chooses to socialize, he has a never-ending list of exclusive events and beautiful women vying for his attention. Yet he never lets himself forget that everyone has an agenda.
Beth can’t resist Nick’s charm and accepts an invitation to dinner, despite her deep-seated insecurities. She proves she’s nothing like other women Nick's dated and learns to trust him in return. But just as the last of their resistance crumbles and true love is within reach, challenges from Nick's past threaten to destroy everything and force Beth to reveal her most guarded secret.


Did you catch that? There’s a secret!
But I’m not going to tell you what it is.
I can’t.
I won’t.
No matter how hard it is to keep it inside, I have to make you wait until October 24th, when Winter’s Magic goes on-sale, so you can read the book, meet Beth and Nick, and experience their story first-hand.

In the mean time, I’m hosting a fantastic contest. All you have to do is follow my blog or like my Facebook page (you receive an entry for each) and you’re automatically entered in the drawing.

The prizes? I CAN tell you what those are: 5 copies of my ebook, a $25 Visa GC, and a $50 Visa GC. Oh, and of course lots of swag. (If your name is drawn and you’ve already purchased my ebook, I’ll give you one copy of any ebook from the Soul Mate Publishing website.)

But that’s not all. Join me at my launch party, November 2nd from 3pm – 6pm EST, on Facebook.  We’ve got lots of games lined up – each with more great prizes. And at the end of the launch party, we’ll announce the winners of the October drawing.
So, tell me - Do you peek or wait?

Okay, the temptation is huge, so I can't say if I do or not  :)

Congrats on your upcoming release and I can't wait to read all the novels in this series!


Feel free to visit Cynthia's website, if you leave a post, let her know who recommended you :)

Winter's Magic coming October 24th from Soul Mate Publishing
Spring Surprise coming 2013 from Soul Mate Publishing


Saturday, September 29, 2012

Adrienne Clarke is Celebrating Her New Release - To Dance in Liradon


Please welcome one of my Soul Mate Sisters, Adrienne Clarke, as we celebrate the release of her new novel! Thanks so much for visiting today, Adrienne, and I have to say that I absolutely love your cover! I'm a huge Fae fan, can't get enough of it, so I can't wait to read your new release :)
Please join in with Adrienne and find out what inspired her to become a writer!


Writing and the Unlived Life
People often ask me what attracted me to writing. My usual answer is that I loved reading so much writing became a natural extension of that passion. Equally powerful, however, was the feeling that writing allowed me to see and do things I couldn’t experience in my real life. When I was little I used to spend hours in my mother’s walk in closet hoping to find the way into Narnia. I stopped doing this when I discovered writing was a more heady and satisfying way to transport myself to all the magical places I longed to visit.
I’d been dreaming about the setting for my novel To Dance in Liradon long before I sat down to write it. Although I’d never been to Ireland, I’d devoured so many Irish fairy tales, ballads, and mythical retellings that the Ireland of my imagination had become as real to me as my own small Canadian town. Of course, the real Ireland is very different from my fantasy world of Liradon, but I was greatly inspired by Irish tales of the Sidhe or ‘Fair Folk,’ as I refer to them in my novel.
Brigid, the heroine of To Dance in Liradon, is a perfect example of my living vicariously through my characters. Although I always dreamed of becoming a writer I had another passion as well, ballet. I loved everything about it, the music, the costumes, the artistry, and most of all the mysterious, often tragic, and fairy tale like stories. I wasn’t good enough to become a professional dancer, but the dream remained, and when I began thinking about Brigid I knew she would be a dancer; someone whose body tingled “with the familiar urge to dance until she felt her very soul underneath her feet.”
Brigid’s love of dance fitted beautifully with Irish faerie mythology where dance and music are considered the special gifts of the Fair Folk. One of the scenes from the novel has Brigid competing for “the cake.” The dancers take their place in the ring and dance around and around in a circle showing off their fancy footwork until they can’t take another step. The last dancer standing wins a beautiful cake festooned with ribbons and meadow flowers, and more importantly, the distinction of being the best dancer in the village. I discovered this early form of competitive dancing in my research of Irish culture, and I knew I wanted to include it in the novel.
If I have a wish for To Dance in Liradon it’s that readers have the feeling of being transported to another time and place. That like Brigid, they enter the world of Faerie, and in spite of all their human ties, a part of them never wants to leave. I think that’s what the best stories do, take you somewhere you long to go, even if you didn’t realize that place was for you until you started reading about it.
Despite my best efforts, sitting in wardrobes, hiding behind oak trees, and leaving gifts of milk and soda bread (faeries have a fondness for soda bread), I’ve yet to meet a real fairy. I haven’t given up hope though. My daughter, Callista, is convinced they’re biding their time waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves. “Faerie’s are quite haughty mommy,” she told me recently, they don’t come out for just anyone. I suspect she’s right. In the meantime, I shall continue to read and write about faeries, and hope that one day when I least expect it, one of the fair folk will make their appearance.

Here's where you can find out more information about Adrienne and her upcoming events: 

And here is where her novel, To Dance in Liradon, can be purchased: 


Thanks again, Adrienne, and I wish you nothing but success in all your writing adventures!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick - Now in Print!!!

Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick, Book 1 in the Tales of Sydney Sedrick, is now officially available in Print through:
www.barnesandnoble.com
www.amazon.com
www.soulmatepublishing.com

Here's the back cover blurb:

After a rogue werewolf attack triggers her latent powers as the Selected, Sydney Sedrick is reluctantly dragged into a war of vampires and werewolves, both battling for total species domination. Each try to use her as their pawn and are willing to use any force necessary to gain control of her special gifts. For her protection, Sydney is armed with only her grandmother's journal and Blake, the sexy werewolf who insists they are meant to be together. In order to succeed, Sydney must embrace her destiny and join the battle to protect both sides from genocide. Caught between two very different worlds, belonging to neither, Sydney is forced to risk it all, or lose everything and everyone she holds dear.

Betrayal Bites - Book 2 in the Tales of Sydney Sedrick is now available on ebook