Wildfire Gospel (Book 3 of Santeria Habitat Series): Excerpt #2

I don't think people understand how happy I am that Wildfire Gospel is finished. Of all my book series, the Santeria Habitat one is the hardest to write because the fans are absolutely LOONEY! 

(Yes. I said it! You are!)

Why are they looney?

I think it is because Habitat Readers expect certain things.

FYI, I DO read fan mail. This is what Habitat Fans say:

"conclude the goddamn love triangle!"

"get these supernaturals out of the caged city!" 

"More DANTE please!"

"Stop killing people off or your next!"

"WTF? Stop taking so damn long to put the next ones out!"

"No more cliffhangers. I just can't take it!"

"Don't bring MeShack back!"

"Bring MeShack back!"

"Can we get a sex scene with Prime?"

"What is the Palero?"

See what I mean? Scary! The worst fan mail are the ones that say things like:

"I already know what's going to happen and I'm so freaking pissed!!"

All I'm thinking is. . .oh shit. . .what is going to happen? Tell me! 

Because in the end, I have no idea what is going to happen with each book. I really just sit down and let Lanore do her thing.

That being said, the book is with its second editor, but I'm too excited, so I'm going to put out the second Excerpt for the book.

If you didn't see the first, it's here in my Goodreads Fan Group, HERE .

 (FYI, I post excerpts there first before anywhere else)

Background info to understand this excerpt. . .Zulu and Lanore are trapped somewhere. He's trying to catch a specific scent that will help them pick the right path to get out of there.

EXCERPT #2

Zulu lifted his lip up in a sneer. “You should have let me kill him when I had the chance.”

“I know.”

“Instead, you went over there to him to talk some more and fucking made me insane with worry.”

“It’s not like I have all the answers.”

“You’re supposed to. You’re the smart one.”

“What?” I raised my eyebrows as he walked to the path’s entrance on our right and inhaled. I placed my hand on my chest. “I’m the smart one?”

“Yeah. You’re the one that went to college. You read tons of books and are always spouting off more philosophy than the Prime.” He walked over to the path’s entrance on my left and inhaled that area. “I’ll admit it. You’re the smart one in the relationship.”

I felt weird from the compliment. “And what are you? If I’m the brains, are you the beauty?”

He glanced over his shoulder and tossed me a fang-filled grin. “No, baby. You’re the beauty.”

“Then what are you?”

“I’m death and destruction. I’m the one that destroys, when the brains points. I’m the one that pleases, licks, and thrusts, when the beauty requests it.”

I bit my lip. A sensual shiver hummed through me at the thought of his licks and thrusts. “I don’t think those are all actual designated duties in relationships.”

“It is in ours.”

Stay tuned for the next Excerpt on next friday 9/27. A hilarious scene between Angel and Lanore out on the dance floor of FLAME night club.

Blog Tour: The Photo Traveler by Arthur J. Gonzalez - Excerpt & Giveaway

This is a stop on Arthur J. Gonzalez's tour for his young adult time travel novel, The Photo Traveler. There's a giveaway toward the bottom of this post!

Check out the other blogs participating in Arthur's blog tour.

THE PHOTO TRAVELER
by Arthur J. Gonzalez
Genre: YA Paranormal, Time Travel

Seventeen-year-old Gavin Hillstone is resigned to being miserable for the rest of his life. Left alone in the world after his parents died in a fire when he was four, he was placed in foster care, which for him meant ending up in an abusive home with an alcoholic adoptive father.

Gavin’s only escape is in taking and creating images. His camera is his refuge from the unending torture and isolation of daily life in his “family.”

Until he learns by accident that he isn’t alone in the world after all. His father’s parents are still alive and living in Washington DC.

When he takes the plunge and travels 3,000 miles to find his grandparents, he learns that they—and he—are part of something much bigger, and more dangerous, than he could ever have imagined. Something that has always put his family at risk and that will now threaten his own life, while forever changing it.

He learns that he is one of the last descendants of a small group of Photo Travelers—people who can travel through time and space through images. But his initial excitement turns to fear, when he soon discovers that he and his grandparents are being pursued by the fierce remnants of a radical European Photo Traveler cult, the Peace Hunters. What Gavin has, they want!

His adventure will take him to past eras, like The Great Depression and the Salem Witch Trials. Gavin will have to discover who he really is and must make choices that spell the difference between life and death for himself, for the relatives he now knows and loves, and for the girl he will come to love.

For Gavin Hillstone, life will never be the same.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

EXCERPT
What do you do when a sudden gust of wind forces your boat totally off course and into the unknown? When from one moment to the next, the life that you thought you’d always be living morphs into one you’d never imagined?

Ever since I could remember, I believed there had to be something more to life than the one I’d been thrown into as a child. Even though I sometimes told myself I had to be crazy because just the idea seemed so hard to imagine—given how things had gone so far, anyway.

I would ask myself if it was wrong for me to feel this way. If I was being naïve to think there was something greater out there. Something that really belonged to me. But what do you if you feel an unknown force pulsating through your blood, constantly reminding you of it? Are you just supposed to ignore it?

I suppose that most of the time that’s what they teach us to do. You know, “Forget it. Take the easy way out.” Sure. Never the right one.

That’s what they kept telling me. “You’re kidding yourself if you think you can have a better life. Learn to live with what you’ve got.” Things like that.

Maybe that’s why I started taking photos as soon as I got my hands on my first camera. It was a way I could distance myself from the life I was being forced to live. It let me create images of the world around me, finding life in the most ordinary moments…like when the sun makes a lonely tree sweat and it in turn gives water to a struggling, thirsty grasshopper below. Those things were real. Not the crappy life I’d always been trapped in.

And then, just a few weeks ago, my life took a turn for the unexpected. And now all I have to say to you is—believe in your gut instinct. Intuition is what kept me alive. It’s what made me believe. At the end of the day, it was all I really had that was mine. And you can find what’s really yours, too.


GIVEAWAY!

This giveaway is open internationally. Thank you, Arthur!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 
MEET THE AUTHOR

WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
GOODREADS

My name is Arthur J Gonzalez. I’m 28 years old, born and raised in Miami, FL. I graduated from the University of Florida. I am currently releasing my debut novel, The Photo Traveler. The premise surrounds 17 – year old Gavin, who discovers he is part of a small group, called Photo Travelers, who can time travel through photos and images.

Blog Tour: Excerpt from Playing Hooky, by Rita Webb

We're playing tour host for Rita Webb, author of a new adult paranormal romance novella, Playing Hooky. Following the book description, we have an excerpt from this novella. Enjoy!

And thanks so much to Rita for offering the generous giveaway posted below the excerpt. She's giving away 18 ebooks, a necklace, a bracelet, and two bookmarks.

Check out the other stops in Rita's blog tour.

PLAYING HOOKY
by Rita Webb
Series: Paranormal Investigations #1
Publication: January 21, 2013
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella (100 pages)

Valentine’s Day.

And my 21st birthday.

Whoop-de-doo.

Just another college day full of classes and more homework than is humanly possible.

…until Jason, my best-friend-since-kindergarten, shows up to take me out for the day.

Like old times: the two of us on a wacky adventure, playing hooky from real life. With his lopsided grin and tickets to a circus full of misfits and monsters, he introduces me to a whole new world—one full of magic and mystery—and turns my reality upside down.

Except nothing goes as planned, and we end up running through the city to find a missing siren before someone brews a love potion with her blood.

Sirens and love potions, witches and elves, and Valentine kisses. Nothing will be the same for me again.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

EXCERPT
Above the entrance, a sign reads Michael Magnificent and the Magician Magellan’s Magical Menagerie of Malicious and Monstrous Misfits. The word Misfits was smaller than the other words most likely because the painter almost ran out of room. Someone got a little carried away with the alliteration.

Carrying loads of boxes and pushing wheelbarrows, people bustle from tent to tent, and nobody pays any attention to us.

I blink as I stare at the sight before me and then glance at Jason.

He gives me a smile. “Welcome to a whole new world.”

“A circus?” I make a high-pitched noise, that is not a squeal. Because I do not squeal.

“Calm down.” Jason rubs his ears. “Not just any circus, Miss Acrobat.”

I’m normally not the squealing type, but I love the circus. As a kid, I dreamed of being an acrobat and pestered my parents until they finally got me into gymnastics. They stopped complaining about the cost when I got a full athletic scholarship.

“We’re a little early, but I thought you’d like to wander around and explore with me. The animal tents are…well, you’ll like it.”

“Jason, you’re the best friend a girl could ask for.” I give him a big bear hug.

“I know.”

“And geez, humble too.”

“I know.” He grins.

Inside the closest tent, stalls filled with white horses line the center aisle. Tack hangs along one wall in the entry way, and stacks of hay and barrels of oats fill the other side.

White horses with long horns protruding from their foreheads.

“How did they glue the horns on?” I lean in close to inspect.

“They’re real.”

I raise an eyebrow, and he grins.

“Seriously?”

“Would I lie to you?”

“There was that time you told me the mud pies would give me flying powers if I ate them.”

“Not my fault. I really thought they would.”


GIVEAWAY!

Thanks to Rita, the author of Playing Hooky, for this lovely giveaway. It's open internationally.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
MEET THE AUTHOR: Rita Webb

WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
GOODREADS

Leaving the house to go to school, I had schoolbooks spilling out of one hand, the other holding my place in a Nancy Drew novel, and bunny slippers still on my feet. My mom was a wee bit upset.

I haven't changed much. Still always have a book (or two) in my hand or creating stories in my head, and although I don't have any bunny slippers, I love writing in my jammies and snuggly slipper socks.

When I grow up (maybe a hundred years from now), I'd like to be a superhero, but for now, saving the day, one page at a time, suits me just fine.

With my husband TJ (my own cuddly werewolf), I home-school our three girls, who keep us busy with art, science projects, books to read, dance classes, and walks about the park.

Blog Tour: Saving Casey by Liza O'Connor

We're pleased to host Liza O'Connor as part of her virtual book tour for Saving Casey, a young adult suspense thriller. There's a giveaway at the end of this post!

SAVING CASEY
by Liza O'Connor

Eighty-year-old Cass wakes up in the body of a troubled seventeen-year-old girl named Casey, which all believe has survived a suicide attempt. Cass intends to turn the girl’s life around, only it’s harder than she expects. All Casey’s troubles have now become Cass’s and someone wants her dead.

Pick it up: Bonobookstore / Amazon / Barnes & Noble




Check out the book trailer!



EXCERPT
Any chance you’d be willing to go to a different doctor to get another treatment on your face?”

“I really like Dr. Grey.”

“I know, but we can’t take the chance. You’d visit a doctor in Montana after office hours.”

“Does he have the equivalent experience and skills as Dr. Grey? Because I already have nightmares where I’m blind and irreparably scarred.”

“He won’t touch your eyes. He’ll just work on the cheeks.”

“And if I’m scarred, causing little children to scream at the sight of me, will you still love me?” She expected him to flounder with his response because it required him to actually admit he loved her, something he’d refused to do. To her shock, he replied at once.

“Absolutely.”

“No hesitation?”

“Nope.”

“So explain why you’ll love me without hesitation if I’m hideously scarred, but won’t even kiss me when I’m just ghoulishly tattooed?”

“Simple. Dan wouldn’t mind if I’m the only man in the world who still thinks you’re beautiful. But as long as millions of better alternatives exist, Dan would never forgive me for stealing your future.”

She hated it when he nailed the truth. If she were really seventeen, she would agree a hundred percent. Sighing heavily, she muttered, “I’ll see the doctor.”

“He’s not going to leave you scarred, Cass.”

“I hope not, but if he does, I’m holding you to your word.”

“You have it.”

She smiled at the turn of this conversation. “So you think I’m beautiful?”

“Inside and out,” he replied. “We need to change the conversation now.”

“Why? I like this conversation.”


MEET THE AUTHOR

WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER

I live in Denville, NJ with my dog, Jess. We hike in fabulous woods every day, rain or shine, sleet or snow. Having an adventurous nature, I learned to fly small cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and raft a class four river in Tasmania. I’m an avid gardener, amateur photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through my entire life, my first love has and always will be writing novels. I love to create interesting characters, set them loose, and scribe what happens.

GIVEAWAY!
The author, Liza, will award prizes to randomly selected commenters during her tour—which means that every comment on this blog post counts as an entry. A $25 Amazon gift card goes to one commenter chosen from all blogs participating in the tour. Other randomly drawn commenters will receive: $5 Amazon gift cards, tattoos like Casey’s, or offers to place tattoos like Casey’s in a digital image for the winner.

The more you comment on the tour, the better are your chances to win! Check out the other tour stops here.

Book Excerpt: Memories of Murder by Lara Nance + Giveaway!

Today, we're pleased to host Lara Nance as part of her virtual book tour for Memories of Murder, a paranormal romance novel. There's a giveaway at the end of this post!

Memories of Murder
by Lara Nance

When Maeve McKenna renounces her witch powers and accepts a low-key nurse practitioner position at a Virginia retirement community, the last thing she expects is a suicide her first day on the job.

As the town's sexy sheriff, Paul Sutton, starts looking into the tragic death of his father's friend, Maeve can't help but get involved--with both the case and him. Their informal investigation unveils an old journal that connects the ruins of a nearby asylum and long-forgotten cemetery with the shiny new retirement community's memory unit--and Maeve's Alzheimer's patients.

Maeve senses a sinister presence in the old asylum, calling to the patients, but in order to stop it from killing again, she must first conquer some demons of her own and reclaim the magic she's denied herself.

Get the book on Amazon now!
EXCERPT
She imagined the thoughts that must be running through his head. She had to tell him everything now. If she didn’t, he would be dead in the next few days. He needed protection.

She stood up. “Want a glass of wine? This is going to be a long conversation.”

“Since I was just nearly killed, how about some whisky?” He fell back against the sofa. Liadan put her paws on his chest and licked his face.

Maeve went into the kitchen, trying to figure out how she’d gotten her powers back. It dawned on her that the morning after the Gems had arrived, her tea was not in its regular spot on the counter. She’d assumed her mother had only been cleaning, but apparently she’d also switched the contents of the jar to non-spelled tea.

She reached into the cabinet for the tea container and looked at it, shaking her head, then laughed. Never had she been so glad for the Gems meddling in her life. She threw it in the trash and returned to the living room with glasses, red wine, and a small bottle of George Dickel missing a few sips. “Here you go.”

He took the whiskey and tossed back a shot, then poured another glass, which he held between his hands. “So, what is it that tried to kill me and my father today?”

“You’re not going to believe me at first, but if you’ll hear me out, I think I have a pretty good case.”

He gestured with one hand for her to begin.

“Everything I’ve seen and heard, all the information in the journal, points to the presence of an evil spirit. I believe it’s the spirit of Dr. Colton Carterage.”

Paul stared at her for several moments. “You’re serious.”

“Completely.” She poured herself a glass of red wine from the freshly opened bottle, and sat in the chair across from him. A tingle of energy floated in the air. She recognized a witch cat at work. She tried desperately not to laugh at Liadan working her little cat magic on him, licking his face, nuzzling his chest, pushing her paws against his arm. He didn’t know what was happening, but darling LiLi was removing the mists of doubt from Paul’s eyes.

Maeve explained about patients in the dementia unit seeing ghosts of people described in the book. She told him about the white deer and why the limb had fallen. When she came to the part she dreaded most, she looked at LiLi and the cat complied. She curled up in his lap, purring, increasing the intensity of her witchy magic to ease his believing.

“There’s one more thing you need to know. My mother, my aunts…and me…we’re witches.”


MEET THE AUTHOR

WEBSITE
TWITTER

Lara Nance grew up and lived in many cities throughout the South. She loves to write in a variety of genres within the scope of women’s fiction. But the basis of all her stories is a tale that will entertain and intrigue.

If you want to escape and lose yourself in a novel, you’ve come to the right place. Choose your genre and settle in to be entertained. From thrilling mysteries and steampunk tales, to paranormal romance and adventure, Lara’s willing to explore a variety of compelling stories full of danger and suspense, with a touch of romance.

Having been on the fencing team in college and now living on a sailboat convinces her that she was a pirate in another life, or possibly kin to Errol Flynn… However, due to the unfortunate demise of the romantic pirates of the past, she lives out her fantasies, thrills and adventures in her stories.

Currently docked in Norfolk, Virginia (until the wind changes) Lara enjoys living on her sailboat and spends time reading, of course writing, indulging a variety of artistic endeavors, cooking and sailing with her husband, Joe and their Yorkie, Rio.

GIVEAWAY TIME!
Because she is just that awesome, the author Lara will award prizes to randomly selected commenters during her tour—which means that every comment on this blog post counts as an entry. (Comments on our Goodreads feeds do not count. Sorry.) A signed cover flat goes to one commenter on this post. And a $50 Amazon gift card goes to one commenter chosen from all blogs participating in the tour.

The more you comment, the better are your chances of winning. Ready . . . GO!

Excerpt for Giving Up The Ghost by S. A. Price

 

 

 

BOOK SUMMARY:



Rhys Bellamy is the front man for the wildly successful 13 Shades of Red, a band hailing from New Orleans that is just a bit more then they appear. He’s sexy, caustic and on a path of self destruction that has everything to do with the fact that he can speak to the dead. A man hounded by the death of his fiancée, Rhys is a lothario of the highest caliber. His life, his band, and his agony celebrates his lost love, Phaedra, and it has made him a very popular man with the ladies, even if they will never mean anything to him. Too bad Phaedra has never and will never contact him.

When the band’s first US tour meets with some unforeseen management issues, Saffron Richards is brought in to take care of it. A veteran of the business, Saffron knows all about Rhys and his reputation and doesn’t want to become another notch on his belt. Too bad fate has it in for the both of them, and gives them an attraction neither can deny.

But life on the road with an up and coming band has its problems, from bosses to groupies to just plain old flat tires. And Phaedra, who has been watching from the mists and reveling in the misery of her lost lover doesn’t want to see him happy. Being together is harder than it sounds, especially when Phaedra crosses the veils on All Hallows Eve to reignite the love that Saffron has set to ash in Rhys. And Phaedra is not giving him up without a fight. Not because she loves him, but because she doesn’t ever want him to forget.

Warning: this is considered a New Adult genre release. Reader discretion is advised.


EXCERPT:

Sound check. It figured she would get there late. She figured a straight flight from JFK would have gotten her here on time, but a torrential storm and a 5 hour backed takeoff were the culprits. No matter, she was here now, and ready to work.

Xxieda had told her to find Nyx, she would have all the info for her, so after she had made it up to her room, she came back down to the event space to search for her new employers.

She walked in to the drummer and guitarist playing a song, an instrumental, Nyx nowhere to be found. She stood there, listening. Regardless of the style of music, these guys had talent. Loads of it.

The drumming got softer and she saw Rhys walk out and scream out the beginning of the one song she knew. Holy shit. She blinked. Wow. Talk about a 180 from what she first heard. He wasn’t to playing to the crowd, because there wasn’t one.

He turned as the bridge started, but didn’t look out yet. She had a chance to look him over and sighed.  Tall, emo sexy in the ‘I don’t work out but I’m cut as hell’ way, his ass and better things hugged perfectly in the jeans he wore, leaving nothing to the imagination. She had ten bucks that said he didn’t wear underwear.  Perfect emo haircut, long in front, falling over a side of his face, shorter in the back, didn’t have any product in it but she was sure it was because he wasn’t pandering to the crowd just yet. His skin was pale, in contrast to the bassist he was standing next to, who had the sexy caramel color of a guy used to being in the hot Louisiana sun. Clearly Rhys Bellamy wasn’t a hug fan of the sunshine.

That was when he turned and started singing to the crowd, or more appropriately, her. His eyes locked on her and Saffron had chills. Holy Hell. Now she knew why girls got wild over him. That look was pure sex, so at odds with the screaming coming out of his mouth. His eyes flashed in the lights hitting him, giving him a more sinister air but it didn’t matter, that look had done its job, and Saffron tried not to fidget as he watched her.

Once again the music changed up and he started singing, really singing. He was good. He sang a line and looked right at her and winked and then turned and the music changed again and he started screaming, the breakdown getting heavy. If she was in the pit right now and there were fans there, she knew she would be getting her ass kicked. Well she was sure if she was on the east coast she would. West coast hardcore kids, by all accounts, couldn’t hold a candle to their east coast counterparts. East coast kids were brutal.

The song ended abruptly and they all looked at each other. Rhys turned towards the sound guy. “Perfect Jerry. Thanks.” He said and hopped down off the stage and strode, well, it was more like a swagger, towards her.

“This is a closed sound check. How did you get in Cher?” he looked her over and licked his bottom lip.

She cocked her head, getting a really good look at him. Hot damn, the Cajun was hot and the accent, she tried not to squirm under the scrutiny of his eyes. She was in trouble. His eyes were green, but with honey running through it. Most would call them hazel, but the green was just too vivid, like moss after a rainstorm. She could feel the cool around her. Damn.

“I’m looking for Nyx.” She said with a clear, non lust drenched voice. She was quite proud of herself.

“Nyx? Why would you look for her?” he asked and walked closer. The accent was thick, and sexy.

“Is she around?” she asked and looked around him, trying to ignore the effect he was having on her. In all her years, men didn’t effect her as such. Why of all people would she get the urge from a guy reported to be an even bigger slut then Madonna in her heyday.

“She is. Backstage. I could take you back there.” He looked her over. “I don’t see a pass anywhere on that amazing outfit.”

Saffron rolled her eyes. Okay so he was digging on her. That went with what she knew of him and his exploits. All signs pointed to the fact that he was quite the lothario and she was sure he was getting a semblance of his full come on.

She smiled at him. “Nyx? It’s kinda important.”

He pouted and shrugged, clearly not happy with her impervious nature. He probably relied on his charm and accent with women. It wasn’t that she didn’t like it, she did, more then she cared to admit, but this was work, not play and while She would revisit that look he gave her later after she had gone to bed, Right now was all about proving she could do this.

She followed him behind the stage to a corridor and then through to a set up of rooms. He walked to one and rapt loudly on the door. “Nyx? Some hot chick is here to see you, and she is not fazed by my charm whatsoever.”

Nyx opened the door and looked at Rhys, then at Saffron and smiled. “Oh thank god!” she said and went to Saffron and hugged her.

Rhys leaned back against the wall and smirked. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. So who is she? Cousin? Sister? Nah you don’t hug family like that. Ooh Nyxie did you happen to start playing for the other team? Not a bad choice if I do say so myself. Can I watch?”

Saffron almost choked. Nyx turned to Rhys and frowned. “Hardly, you oversexed bastard. This is Saffron, our new tour manager.”

Saffron smiled at him and he just paled and shook his head. “Knew this was too good to be true…”

“Why?” she asked and detangled from Nyx, surprised on how okay she was with the other woman’s affection. Normally she didn’t get chummy with other women. It lead to catty bullshit.

Rhys smirked and looked her up and down and pushed off the wall. “Forget I said that, I reserve the right to pass judgment until a later date.” He winked. “Welcome to the insanity Saff.” Then he turned and walked back towards the stage and the waiting band.

Nyx sighed. “Well he just threw down the gauntlet. Good luck with that.”

 

About the Authors:

               Website                    Twitter

 

Bi-continental, Stella and Audra break all misconceptions about siblings. Writing as a team they have produced well over eighteen novels as well as several novella's and short stories. And nary an argument has come from it.

On their off time from writing, Audra is a makeup artist and Stella is a graphic artist and web designer, as well as the convention director for the Authors After Dark convention. They both love animals and have several including several snakes and a peacock.

Audra lives in Scotland with her husband and children, while Stella Lives in South Carolina with her dogs Moo and Poe and her husband.

Book Excerpt: In Training by Michelle Robbins

I have an absolutely awesome new book that I am introducing to my fantasy floozies. As everyone knows, I read everything. This book below is by a good friend in my MFA program at Seton Hill. She's freakin hilarious so I'm pretty hyped to bite into her new book. Check it out the book and read an excerpt!

by Michelle Robbins
Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Release Date: 11/25/12

His life in turmoil due to past unpleasant experiences, Seth Taylor isn't looking to get involved with anyone or anything. He especially isn't looking to train another slave. But the arrival of Abigail --Abby-- Harrison changes his mind. She's a delicious little bit of slave meat, eager to please and learn, and so sweet it makes his teeth ache. Although the complexities and unpleasantness in Seth's life aren't going away any time soon, the temptation Abby presents to him is irresistible.

A Master/slave relationship has always fascinated Abby. The idea of being owned by a dominant male is both terrifying and alluring to her, yet stirs her mind and body into a white hot heat. Taking her courage in hand, she makes an appearance at a local BDSM event at the invitation of her friend Liz. There she meets the sexy, enigmatic Seth Taylor and is given the chance of a lifetime--to make her fantasy come to life and to be possessed by The Master.

Will Seth and Abby let their respective fears deny them Fate's gift of a perfect match?

IN TRAINING is a exploration of one woman’s journey into internal enslavement in the consensual BDSM scene of Master/slave dynamics.

EXCERPT

Seth watched the girl across the table from him. He liked what he saw.

The desire to conform, to be a peacekeeper, was the hallmark of a good slave. That willingness of spirit, that sweet desire to please, couldn’t be trained in. A slave either had it or didn’t have it. Trying to force the point led to a wealth of shit and misery. Since her arrival, this girl had displayed warmness, generosity, and a kind heart, all of which told him that she’d make an excellent slave one day.

This girl’s eagerness to please would make his job all the easier.

Except he didn’t train slaves anymore.

Seth had a flashback of her face as she’d taken her first bite of Liz’s dessert. She’d closed her eyes, her face flushed with delight and a purr in her throat. His dick had twitched in a way it hadn’t in a long time. He’d sworn to himself he’d be balls deep inside her the next time he saw that expression on her face.

Except he didn’t train slaves anymore.

He rose to his feet. “I must be off. Enjoy yourselves.”

“It was nice meeting you,” said the girl, a sweet look of disappointment on her face.

He’d managed two steps from the table before the adamant itch in his blood became impossible to ignore. Returning to the table, he stopped beside the girl—Abby?—and pulled one of his lifestyle cards out of his wallet. He set it down near her plate. “If you have any questions regarding slave training, feel free to email me.”

She smiled at him, making him blink against the pull.

“Thank you,” she said and tucked the card into her purse.

She missed the concerned exchange of glances between Liz and Mike.

Seth did not…

The Cliff by Christie A. C. Gucker

The Cliff by Christie A. C. Gucker

Genre: Steamy Romance

Publisher: Pagan Writers Press

Release: September 28, 2012

Buy Links

Pagan Writers Press

Blurb

Can a childhood pact affect the lives of three adults?

Love and betrayal surrounds the lives of lifelong friends Lanie Rhodes, Grant Bennett, and Dane Voight. Years ago, they made a pact to remain together as friends forever. The boys also made another secret pact that same day—to never vie for Lanie’s love.

Grant and Lanie have secretly been pining for one another since they were children.

Now grown up, they finally admit their feelings for each other and what ensues is a twisted tale of deception as Dane does everything he can to stop them.

The story weaves around this uneven love triangle. What will happen to the pact? Will friendships be destroyed? Will lovers emerge?

Excerpt

“You go first,” I said.

“All right. I missed you so much these past six months,” he offered.

“I already know that; that doesn’t count.”

“But I don’t think you know the extent or how.”

“Okay . . . how then?”

“I don’t ever want you to be away again.”

“Grant, work will always cause one of us to travel for extended—” and he put a finger over my lips. I suddenly felt the urge to wrap my tongue around it.

“No, Lanie. I don’t ever want you to be away from me; never again. I missed you terribly.”

“Um, terribly?” God I was so lame. I stared into his eyes. The heat between us became intense. It was almost like electricity was crackling between us.

“Lanie, do I have to spell this out for you?”

“Yes, please. Spelling, definition, and then use it in a sentence.”

And then he  just kissed me. It was a soft, gentle kiss that sent a shock wave from my lips right to my girliest of girl parts. When he pulled away, not very far away, he just stared into my eyes with something that was not looking at me like a sister. What was he searching for?

“Could you please spell that again?” I murmured. He relaxed and laughed softly and kissed me again, this time allowing his tongue to brush across my bottom lip. I was melting.

It took everything not to pounce on him and do all the naughty things that were suddenly running through my head right there on my porch.

“Use it in a sentence, please.” I whispered with my eyes still closed, my head still tilted.

“Of course.” And he crushed his lips to mine, pulling my body against his. I was lost in him. His tongue began swirling with mine and my head began swirling, too. We remained in this sentence, which was slowly approaching a paragraph. I didn't care, I would have been happy kissing a novella with him.

When our lips finally parted, I wasn't sure what to do next. “Would you like to come in?” I sounded like a complete idiot.

“Lanie, I'm not sure this is right or wrong. I just know it's what I want. But I want to go very slowly. I don't ever want to hurt you or ruin things between us. Maybe not tonight. Promise you understand.”

I raised my right hand and stated, “I promise I understand.”

And then his lips were on mine again. I reached up and curled my fingers into his hair and drank him in. I wanted to pull him inside to see where this would go, but I had promised. So I released him.

Christie A. C. Gucker 

Author Links 

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Christie A.C. Gucker lives in NJ with her husband, two daughters and a menagerie of pets. Being a mother is one of the greatest joys of her life. She has worked in the advertising industry for over 20 years as a degreed artist, but also works in the fine arts, especially sculpting out of stone or snapping photographs. Christie is also a singer and musician, and can be found singing on a few CDs.

After the death of her father, Christie searched for something to fill her desire to make a mark in this world. Her love of the arts and creativity allowed her to search for a new medium, which she found with a pen instead of a brush. Being an avid reader her whole life, and with her family cheering her on, she decided to take her shot, and began writing.

Fascinated by the supernatural and sharks, Christie studies both avidly. You’ll be sure to find something spooky lurking somewhere in her stories. Her greatest joy is sitting on a beach with her family while surf fishing, flying kites or building sandcastles with her girls.

Across the Winds Book Blast



BLURB:

While on a genealogical research journey through the Midwest, Molly Hamilton impulsively buys a 100-year-old Victorian house in the middle of a cornfield, and falls in love with the house’s owner...the original owner, that is. Can he be a ghost? The handsome, intriguing attorney certainly feels solid—and somehow her soul knows she has always loved him.

Darius Ferguson has no idea how he has come to present-day Iowa. The last thing he knew, the year was 1880, and he had just buried his fiancée, who happens to look exactly like Molly. He cannot separate the two women in his heart—to him, they are one.

In spite of being drawn to him, Molly thinks Darius is unhinged. Darius wonders if he has joined his fiancée in purgatory. If time travel is possible, will love be enough to build a future together?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT ONE

“Molly, wait!” 

I froze in place for a moment.  It was definitely a man under the tree though I couldn’t see his face...and he knew my name. 

 “Do I know you?” I called in an unsteady voice.  It seemed, though, as if my words were taken by the wind.  Who was this man?  And how did he know my name?     

He moved away from the tree with a tentative step.  His clothing was formal—a dark suit and white shirt—as if he had just been to a funeral.  I hadn’t remembered seeing a canopy for a funeral on the grounds, but I wasn’t about to take my eyes off the stranger for one instant to confirm that suspicion.

I thought I saw a flash of white teeth from under his dark mustache, but he was still some distance away.  Golden highlights in his chestnut hair caught the sunlight, and my mouth dropped open.  He was undoubtedly one of the most handsome men I had ever seen in my life.  My stomach rolled over at the sight of him, though not with admiration of his good looks.  Cold sweat broke out on my forehead, and I put my hand to my mouth as if to hold back the morning’s breakfast...if I’d had any.

For here—in the flesh—was the man of my dreams.  Not just any dreams.  More specifically, my dreams of the previous evening.  Yet I couldn’t for the life of me remember ever seeing him before until this moment. 

“Be careful what you wish for,” I muttered behind the hand that covered my face.  

 “Molly, don’t be afraid.  I can see that you are.  I don’t want to frighten you.”  He took another step forward and held his hands up palms out...as if to show me he wasn’t armed, I thought hysterically, or to calm me down.  Either way, it wasn’t working. 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 WEBSITE                 BLOG

Bess McBride made her first serious writing attempt when she was 14.

She shut herself up in her bedroom one summer while obsessively working on a time travel/pirate novel set in the beloved Caribbean of her youth, but she wasn't able to hammer it out on a manual typewriter (oh yeah, she's that old) before it was time to go back to school. The draft of that novel has long since disappeared, but the story is still simmering within, and she will finish the adventure one day soon.

Bess was born in Aruba to American parents and lived in Venezuela until her family returned to the United States when she was 12. She couldn't fight the global travel bug within and joined the U.S. Air Force at 18 to "see the world." After 21 wonderful and fulfilling years traveling the world and gaining one beautiful daughter, she pursued her dream of finally getting a college education. With a license in mental health therapy, she worked with veterans and continues to work on behalf of veterans. She writes romantic suspense, contemporary, light paranormal/fantasy and time travel romances and currently has eight novels published.  





Book Blast: Whisper of a Witch by Suza Kates

ATTENTION: Suza will award signed cover flats and pens to a commenter at every stop, a total of five $15 Amazon/BN GCs to randomly drawn commenters during this tour and her Name Before the Masses tour, and gift basket to one commentator from both this tour and her Name Before the Masses tour!

BLURB:

Biologist Shauni Miller, a beautiful as she is compassionate, harbors a secret that could alter her life forever. If she chooses to share it. Dr. Michael Black helps Shauni in her time of need, but sees more in the raven-haired temptress than she ever meant to reveal. He knows she’s hiding something, but then, so is he. Both Shauni and Michael have a role to play and decisions to make as a centuries-old prophecy has yet to be fulfilled. Only the fates know if they are meant to be together. Or if one of them has to die.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

Willyn opened her mouth to speak, but paused and looked down at the stone floor. All of the women stilled and listened.

They sensed.

Shauni grasped Hayden’s arm just above the elbow when she felt a low but very distinctive vibration. It was more like a hum and came from the floor, the walls, possibly the ceiling. It was all around them, and judging by the others’ faces, they felt it, too. “What is that?” she whispered.

A new voice spoke gently but with the authority of one who was well acquainted with privilege and position. “What you’re all feeling is the power of the nine.”

They turned to find another had joined them. Sable brown hair fell around her shoulders and brilliant blue eyes held warmth and welcome above a serene smile. “You’ll get used to it, so that you probably won’t even notice. And it only occurs when we’re all together.” Her lips spread into a playful grin. “Just wait until we link.”

“Cool,” Kylie said. “Hey, Anna.”

Shauni remained where she was but zeroed in on the elegant woman, still very young to be so comfortable wearing the unseen but almost palpable cloak of power. “Link?”

“You know why we’re here?” Paige asked. “Because I’m ready for some…”

“Answers,” Anna finished for her. “Yes, I know.” She stepped back and swept a hand toward a door in the back of the room. An invitation. “And I have some.”



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

FACEBOOK                  WEBSITE

Suza Kates can’t remember a time when she didn’t love books, but two particular memories stay with her. “As a young girl I picked up Little Women, read it straight through, and promptly turned to page one to start all over again. The next book I did that with was Mind Hunter by John Douglas, tales about profiling serial killers.”

Thus a twisted romantic was born.

Throughout her teenage and young adult years, she read everything from horror to historical romance yet never imagined writing anything of her own.

It was during a long, cold winter in a tiny apartment in Germany that Suza picked up a pen and notebook to entertain herself. “The apartment was so tiny, my bed also served as my living room couch. Plus, I shared it with three cats.”

Missing the warmth, the hospitality, and the food of the South, she wrote about those things with a huge dose of family thrown in. She says she still has a sweet spot in her heart for her first book, Southern Moon, but to date, she hasn’t revisited it for submission to her publisher.

Suza followed her heart to Savannah, Georgia, and it was the gorgeous city with its moss-covered oaks and secrets of history that inspired her to consider paranormal romance. “I had an idea about sisters and magic, so I went to work on the first book of The Savannah Coven Series, Whisper of a Witch. The series is still going strong, and I am grateful every day that I took a chance on paranormal romance, a genre I wasn’t very familiar with and had never actually read before writing it.”

Suza has since joined RWA and can’t say enough about this organization. “The education and support are unparalleled. I am so grateful to all of my fellow writers who have offered advice.”

Suza still resides in Savannah and is currently working on her next book. She considers it a perfect day when she can sit at the keyboard with coffee in her cup and one of her cats purring in her lap.