Think there's nothing worse than becoming like your mother? Try being possessed by her spirit. #TakinItBack by @ashkrafton

USA Today Bestselling Author Ash Krafton is bringing a new twist to the old swish-and-flick...magic is all in the way you cast it in TAKIN' IT BACK, her newest urban fantasy novel!

Think there's nothing worse than becoming like your mother? Try being possessed by her spirit.

Twenty-year-old Aerie hates running collateral recovery for her father’s magical supply shop. Repossession is a nasty business, even when you’re good at it. Her dream job? The store’s new Acquisitioner…but Pop says that job’s for someone who finds things, not loses them. When a mysterious amulet must be found, Aerie sees an opportunity to prove her worth to him.

That’s when a spirit trapped inside the amulet possesses her, instead. Demonic powers are handy on a door-knock or when facing down one’s nemesis, but mages can’t use the demonic ley without becoming tainted. Worse yet, the spirit may be Aerie's difficult, dead-beat, long-gone mother.

The possession will destroy Aerie if she doesn’t get the amulet off—but the only person who can do that is the guy she repo’d it from. Mr. Probable Ulterior Motive says if she finds some crummy old book she’d lost years ago, she may discover the spirit’s true identity and prevent its damnation. Aerie must entrust her fate to a complete stranger or let the demon get what it wants—and it wants Pop dead.

Gonna be one Hell of a family reunion.

Lara Croft meets "The Magicians" in this tale of magic, adventure, and hidden truths...

Grab TAKIN’ IT BACK today for a possessing urban fantasy read that won’t let you go!

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Come Hell or High Heels...New Release in The Demon Whisperer Series

Simon Alliant will find his abducted partner, come Hell or high heels. He just doesn't realize he's in for a bit of both. The newest book in The Demon Whisperer series and follow-up to CHARM CITY...

MURDER THE LIGHT (The Demon Whisperer #2)

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned-especially the woman scorned by the King of Hell himself.

Chiara has been abducted by her own mother: an Enochian defector who has taken up arms against the Light. Luminea will use Chiara to ensure the future of her empire and to burn away her painful past with the man who'd stolen everything from her, so long ago.

Unknowingly, that's exactly the guy to who Simon turns for help. He makes the ultimate deal with Chiara's father to get her back...but he'll have the Devil to pay.

Now available on Amazon

FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

New Release by Christine Karper-Smith: UNCHARTED COURSE #rockstar #romance

I'm so glad to be able to share this next book with you...I first "met" author Christine Karper-Smith over at QueryTracker.net, where we were both deep in the trenches for years. It's a special thing to celebrate a new book release, especially when you've been a part of that book's path to publication. Each of my QT buddies' book releases is a shared celebration for me!

And, hello? Rock star romance? You KNOW I was born to love this story :) Hope you will, too. Enjoy!

Josh Evans: How I Met My Hero
by Chris Karper-Smith

Readers and new writers believe that an author creates their characters out of thin air, somewhere in the right side of their brain. However, they actually meet them as they stroll through the newly written chapters. My characters slowly introduce their selves as I wrote Uncharted Course.

I first met Josh Evans, my male lead character in mid-2010. He was a one-dimensional rock star, who was a flirt, but respected women. He introduced himself to me by way of a memory of when I met a television star while working in radio. The star asked me to lunch, but I had to say no because I had another two hours to my shift.  Following the old rule of write what you know, I got to meet a new literary friend.


The first thing I did to bring him to life was to find out what he looked like. He had to be someone Corrie could love.  He started out as a six-foot, brown haired Brit with green eyes.  However, after a couple of revisions, his eye color changed to blue.  That lasted one edit.  His true eye color came through in the final revision – blue-grey.

He and I agreed that he would have the typical missing h when he spoke. But since he lived in the US, it was a trait that waivered depending on how long it had been since he visited England.

To the new writer, these things sound absurd and remain steadfast that they are the creator of the world in which their characters live, along with those who live there. But it’s when the writer listens to their character, they become someone people want to read about. Listen to how character A speaks to character B. Watch how character B reacts to character A. If the reaction or response isn’t natural or true, then the writer must listen harder to see who needs to change.

If the relationship between the character and writer continues after the final draft, the writer has listened to their them. For example, Josh and my relationship continues. I know what happens after the final sentence. I’ve envisioned it and considering adding it. But part of the art of writing is also knowing when to stop listening to the characters in one book and start paying attention to the characters in the new book.


Josh and Corrie’s story is told by her, as she reminisces about their relationship, in order to write a speech for his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction. She discovers nothing she writes can compare to the love songs he wrote for her over their years together. Each attempt fails, so she looks for inspiration outside of his office. Instead of writing, her thoughts take her back through their life together.

British rock legend, Josh Evans, and his group, Evantually, enter her life when they arrive at the radio station where she works as a producer. The hour she spends with them isn’t enough for her after looking into his eyes. She doesn’t hesitate to say yes when he asks her to go out with him that night.
Their relationship endures long-distance, groupies and months apart while his band is on tour, along with the peaks and valleys all couples face. But can these memories lead to a speech worthy of Josh?

Uncharted Course is now available on Amazon

The August day was like any other day Corrie had been called in to work an extra shift at the radio station until British rock legend Josh Evans and his band came in to be interviewed. Her life changes when they go on a date that night, but she doesn't foresee what is ahead of her - exes, groupies, tours, and marriage - all the things she remembers, as she attempts to write a speech for his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction...

The Pirate’s Lady by Tricia Schneider: Excerpt and Giveaway!

One of my favorite things to do is spotlight other authors when they have new work to share. In this case, I am doubly blessed...not only is Tricia Schneider my fellow Wild Rose Press author, she's also a beloved friend. She has been one of the biggest sources of inspiration to me along my writer's road. I'm thrilled to share her newest achievement with you!

Tricia Schneider captured my heart with her Merriweather Witches a long time ago... Recently, she has released a new historical romance. Gorgeous cover, gorgeous story. *hearts* I hope you enjoy the excerpt! (And make sure you enter the giveaway down at the end...)

The Pirate’s Lady by Tricia Schneider

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: November 11, 2016

Cover Artist: RJ Morris

ISBN: 978-1-5092-1065-7

ASIN:  B01LZU45G4

Rating: Spicy

Number of pages: 70

Word Count: 16,330

About the Book

Captain Marco Dante was captured and sentenced to hang two years ago, but he escaped before his punishment was carried out. Now he's come back to the woman whose memory kept him alive those long months in prison. Arianne had been his grand passion, but he failed to see how much she meant to him until it was too late. Can he recapture her heart? Or has he lost her forever?

Arianne never imagined she’d see her notorious pirate lover again. Though her heart sings with joy at his return, she knows he hasn't come back for her but for the treasure he left behind. She agrees to help him find it, but can her heart withstand one more adventure with him?

Excerpt

“I have a life here now.”


“There’s nothing for you here. Your place is by my side. In your heart, you know ’tis true.”


She looked away, turning her gaze to the ocean’s waves pounding the beach with hypnotic rhythm. A few moments ago, she sat here, mulling over her life’s misfortunes and attempting to reach a decision about her future.


Her fate.


Arianne shook her head. “I no longer travel your path. You sail without me, my friend.”

She pushed her bare toes into the grainy sand and stood, brushing the remaining sand that clung to her petticoats. In the silence of the crashing waves, she turned and walked away.

Inside, her heart bled. Yet, she deserved no better. Her life led to this heartache. That she walked away from this man now, after all this time only confirmed it.

“Arianne, you’re coming with me.”

His serious tone warned her of his intentions. She spun to face him, unsheathing her sword in time to block his attack. The sound of metal striking metal pierced the moonlit darkness. Her ears rang with the sound.

They stood, neither moving. She stared into his eyes. “You would take me by force?”

“Never by force,” his voice lowered to a growl. “You will come willingly.” And he smiled, that knowing one she hated.

She let out a howl of outrage and swung her sword. He easily blocked. They stepped a deadly dance of striking blades, until again they were trapped by heated gazes.

Her breathing was heavy, labored, filled with excitement. She looked at his lips, wanting to taste them but knowing she dared not. Her will was never strong around him. With one touch she might lose herself and want him again for forever. But that dream would never be achievable with Marco.

With him, she’d always be alone.

“Come with me, Arianne.”

“No.”

She pushed away and again they danced. Her feet moved lightly as she sprang, her petticoats swirling with each movement though she hoped they would not entangle her legs. Her arm swung with lithe movements as she fought. She equaled him with skill and grace. Each time their swords clashed, the noise pierced her soul. That she fought him was a testament to her determination to escape his tyranny over her heart. She could not succumb to him again.


As they battled, a sheen of sweat appeared upon his brow. The exposed skin of his chest glistened in the moonlight. His arms flexed as he swung his sword. His grace, his power, his energy seduced her.


Her heart pounded. Her skin ached to touch his. The heat in her lower regions grew to a fiery inferno.

She trembled.


Again, they locked blades.


They stood a moment, staring. His gaze burned into her soul. She licked the salty sweat from her upper lip, and his eyes followed the movement with utter fascination.


He pushed their swords away. With his free hand, he grabbed her shoulder, pulling her tight against his chest. Arianne tilted her head to look into his eyes. The blue depths called to her, like the ocean’s waves licking at her feet. The yearning to go to him was too great. She hadn’t the will to fight.

 Goodreads / Amazon / The Wild Rose Press /

Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

About the Author:

Tricia Schneider is an author of historical, paranormal and gothic romance. Before the supernatural took possession of her pen, she worked for several years as Assistant Manager and bookseller at Waldenbooks. After the store closed, she turned to writing fiction full-time. She has written both short stories and full-length novels published by The Wild Rose Press, including her newest book, The Pirate's Lady, and her historical paranormal romance series, The Merriweather Witches. Tricia is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives in the Pennsylvania coal region with her musician husband, their 4 young children and 3 rescued cats.

Website / Blog

Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads / Pinterest

Tour Giveaway!

Enter for a Chance to Win a

$20.00 Amazon eGift Card

&

a Pirate Treasure Chest Trinket Box

RAFFLECOPTER

Author RA McCandless: Three Ways to Hook Your Reader in the First 500 Words #specufic

Today we're visited by spec fic author RA McCandless. He's launching his newest book today so be sure to check out Hell Becomes Her. Hope you enjoy!

Well there's something you don't see every day.

Plot, characters,
complexity—none of that matters on the first page.  What's important is to hook your
readers.  The cliche is that you need a
very good first line, but the truth is that if a reader has picked up your book
(or read the synopsis enough to buy the ebook/download a sample) they're
already invested and willing to give you some of their time.  Usually, a page at least.  So you have that much time to set the hook
and start to reel them in.  Then,
complexity and layers and characters can all do their work.

Here's a few things that I try
to do with my first page (about the first 300 to 500 words:

1 - Establish my world.  Obviously, I'm going to need a couple ten
thousand words to really build out the world, but I want to give my readers a
real sense of what they're reading.  So,
a steampunk books gets some steamalicious gears, or brass patina, or leather
and tin goggles out of the gate—even if it's only in passing.

Tension!  Conflict!  Character!

Meet the Trifecta!

2 - Establish my main
character.  The primary character, even
if he/she later fades to the background or is subsumed by other character POVs,
is introduced and the solid core of that characters is introduced on the first
page.  Scoundrels are doing
skullduggery.  Paladins are shining their
white cloaks.  Harrison Ford is being a
good man under extreme pressure.  You get
the idea.

3 - Tension/Conflict.  You don't want your readers on the edge of
their seat throughout the entire story, they need some breathing room every now
and then.  BUT in introducing the book,
there should be some kind of conflict, even minor and easily overcome, that
will draw them in and keep the pages turning.
Witnessing an airship docking.
Winning (or losing) a high stakes poker game.  Being confronted by a police captain for a
bust gone horribly wrong.  All of these
create tension or establish conflict that will (hopefully) pique readers'
interest.

It is me, or did it just get complicated in here?

Of course, you don't do these
separately.  With 300 to 500 words to
work in, you weave these elements together to create a tapestry of world,
characters and tension.  With any luck,
this informs your first line, and you've laid the bait, allowed the reader to
nibble, and by word 301 (or 501) you'd set the hook so firmly that no matter
how complex, layered or characterific your story, everyone is along for the
roller coaster ride. 



R.A. McCandless is the author of the urban fantasy Flames of Perdition series.  His first book, Tears of Heaven, was named a 2015 EPIC eBook finalist and winner of the 2014 Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Reader's Poll by Preditors & Editors.  His latest book, Hell Becomes Her, is available now.  He continues to write genre and historical fiction, battle sprinklers and play with his three boys.

Interview with Alex McGilvery, one of the authors of BEYOND THE WAIL

Beyond the Wail: 12 Grave Tales of Love and Loss

What is it about fear and the unknown that pulls so passionately at the human heart? Perhaps we are drawn not to the darkness itself, but to the resolution, the overcoming of what we most deeply dread. After all, the more terrible the struggle, the greater the victory when it comes at last. Presented in this anthology are twelve remarkable stories of the darkness that overshadows us, and the resolution that may be found beyond them. They are stories of fear and oppression, but ultimately stories of hope, stories that will take you BEYOND THE WAIL.

 

Beyond the Wail is available at

Amazon (Kindle)

Amazon (Paperback)

Goodreads

Xchyler Publishing

OF MICE AND MONSTERS by Tirzah Duncan: Troubled by ghosts within and without, Benjamin struggles to become the man his girlfriend needs instead of the monster he is.

GO GENTLE by Julie Barnson: After the death of her boyfriend, a young musician uses her talents and a fabled violin to stop the fatal accidents at a dead man’s curve.

DEAD WATER by Amanda Banker: A stalled truck, an abandoned graveyard, and a town not found on any map take two brothers on a detour they’ll never forget. 

COLD SPOT by Jay Barnson: When a laptop is stolen from their computer security company, two high school buddies go to extremes to investigate. But, will they manage to return?

THE WEEPING LADY by A. F. Stewart: Eva Douglas must face her mother issues, past and present, when the disappearance of her sister forces a confrontation with a terrifying ghost.

THE POLTERGEIST AND AUNT BETTY by Ginger C. Mann: Aunt Betty is eccentric, but how much is ghost, how much is medication, and how much is just plain crazy?

THE ‘GRIM’ REAPER by L. K. McIntosh: When a soul reaper loses the source of their power,

they must either find the witch who stole it or a new purpose for living.

SHRINE OF MIRRORS by F. M. Longo: A spy on a mission becomes a believer in the supernatural when the theft of three ancient relics threaten to bring down the empire.

DEAD MAN HOCKING by T.N. Payne: A world-weary zombie learns to beware what you wish for, and not all sure bets are worth the gamble.

ST. PETER’S FISH by Alex McGilvery: Sam is a walking disaster of biblical proportions, but how much is he willing to sacrifice to escape, and will the Powers That Be allow it?

THE DIORAMA by Sebastian Bendix: A play set turns life around for Martin Taper, but things take a turn for the worse when he neglects it and the lonely child obsessed with it.

DATE DUE by Danielle E. Shipley: A magic library’s guardian determines to protect her treasured books, whether their authors elect to do things the easy way … or the fatal one.

 

 

Interview with one of the authors from BEYOND THE WAIL... Alex McGilvery!

How did you come up with the concept of your story? This one started as a challenge. I was responding to a blog stating never start a story with the weather. I posted the first couple of paragraphs and got a good response. When the contest came up I knew it was time to finish the story.

How did you come up with the title?The fish in the story burps up gold coins. It is a direct reference to a fish Peter caught to pay taxes. 

Please provide some insight into or a secret or two about your story.In the first iteration of the story the climax is a bar fight in Toledo and God is a biker. That either needed a full novel to deal with, or a switch to a heavy comedic tone. I shifted it around to match better with the contest.
What was the most surprising part of writing this book?The fork. I had no idea that blasted fork was going to show up and confuse everyone. In the end I like the concept. 

What was the hardest part of writing your book, and how did you overcome it?The biggest challenge was not to overdo the voice of the story. It would have been so easy to fall into writing the lilt instead of the story. I kept being reminded the story came first and making the words serve the tale, not the voice.

What are some of your other published works? In order of publication, The Unenchanted Princess, Playing on Yggdrasil, Sarcasm is my Superpower, By the Book, and Sparkles and Blood.

What is your advice to writers?Write. Really. You aren’t a writer if you don’t write. Then find someone to help you deconstruct your writing to help you make it better. Then write some more.

What's up next for you? I’m bringing out another collection of novellas in November called The Heronmaster and a middle grade book for Christmas called Unboring the Princess. I’m also resubmitting a fantasy novel which is the first in a trilogy. I’m in the initial planning stages of a collection of my romance stories called ‘Romantic Shorts’.


About the Author: ALEX MCGILVERY
Alex McGilvery is an author living in Flin Flon, Manitoba with his wife, Alex, and three dogs. He has been an avid reader all his life and wrote novels in his early teens. He has been writing short stories and poetry ever since. In addition to his first twenty-year work, he writes a novel every year through NaNoWriMo and another with the 3-Day Novel contest. He also writes reviews, specializing in indie authors, and works on short stories for contests.

He has now published five books, most recently Sparkles and Blood, a collection of horror novellas, edited an anthology along with the Flin Flon Writers Guild, and continues to be active in the Guild. In order to pay for his writing habit, Alex works full time as a minister in the United Church of Canada. Some of his parishioners wonder at the occasionally dark and twisted nature of his writing.

http://alexmcgilvery.com
http://celticfrogreviews.com
https://twitter.com/AlexMcGilvery
https://www.facebook.com/Author.AlexMcGilvery
https://www.facebook.com/alex.mcgilvery
https://plus.google.com/u/0/114087438435065925650/posts
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6900023.Alex_McGilvery
https://www.pinterest.com/alexmcgilvery/
https://plus.google.com/107831724901800759460/posts
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/celticfrog
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00GTQYDJS

Mia Thompson: On Stalking Sapphire's newest episode, fun in Helsingborg, and captive company with a literary hero.

Today, I'm visited by author Mia Thompson, one of my fellow writers at the Prose Cons blog. She's getting ready to release the latest title in her Stalking Sapphire series. I had the pleasure of getting to know her better and I think you're going to love her, too.

Welcome, Mia! Tell us about your series, Stalking Sapphire, and the latest installment, Sentencing Sapphire.

Mia: The series is about Sapphire Dubois, a Beverly Hills heiress/vigilante who secretly captures serial killers. Stalking Sapphire, the first book, picks up right before an inciting incident catapults Sapphire’s life into an irreversible change. Essentially, the books are about the two lives she leads and what happens when the wall she has put up between them starts to crack.  

We both write New Adult fiction. Recently, we chatted about my thoughts on the genre…let's talk about your view. What draws you to the audience and why do you write NA?


Mia: I love the boldness of NA. I don’t like to walk on egg shells when I write and, to me, New Adult is a genre that is meant to push boundaries. The readers, usually in their twenties, are now free of parental supervision and are pushing and breaking boundaries to figure out who they want to be. Writing for them feels natural for the way I write.

The ages-old question is "what came first: chicken or the egg?" Let's twist it and ask: what comes first, the story or the genre? Did you set out to write NA stories or did you develop your idea first then decide the best audience for it?

Mia: The story came first. I think I was twenty-three when I started it, so it felt more organic to build everything around a MC in her early twenties. Once I was writing it, and started researching books similar to it, I realized how few there were. New Adult had barely been coined back then, so I didn’t even know what my book was until my agent told me.

You were born in Sweden which automatically makes you cooler than me. Just so I can vicariously live through you, let's pretend I'm visiting Sweden and you are my travel agent. Tell me about your favorite must-see location, your favorite Swedish dish, and an activity I couldn't do better anywhere else.

Mia: Ha! I’d send you to Helsingborg, the harbor town I grew up in. It’s about 1000 years old, and only a twenty minute ferry ride away from Denmark. People often don’t even get off the ferry; they stay to eat good food and drink pilsner as the boat goes back and forth between Sweden and Denmark. It’s a phenomenon we call “Tura” and it’s a Must-Do in Helsingborg.

I’d send you there in August, just in time for the crawfish fest. Basically, we put on funny hats and eat crawfish that’s been resting in cold dill brine—delish. Every two minutes or so, someone will raise their schnapps and start singing a drinking song, at the end of which everyone around the table must empty their glasses. By the end, you’ll be full and drunk as a skunk. 

I think I'd really like that--it's been a long time I went on a crawfish binge. Never had them in a dill brine, though... dill is one of my favorite scents so I know I'd love it. Think I'll be Goodling a recipe later on today... 

Do you have a hero author? If you could spend a day with them doing anything you wanted, who would it be and what would you do? One caveat: you only have 100k to spend (so save it for bail money if necessary).

Mia: It’s a tough choice, I have several hero authors, but I have to pick Marian Keyes; I’ve devoured her books since I was a teen.

It would be a simple Talk & Tea session in her chic kitchen—I imagine her having a very chic kitchen—while we enjoyed some biscuits. However, five hours later, three of which she had spent asking me to leave because two hours is quite enough, I’d be hauled out the door by the police and charged with “Excessive and Invasive Brain Picking.” In which case the money would, indeed, become useful for both bail and upcoming fines. 

Well, that's only if she doesn't drop the charges. And, who knows, it might make for a good story after the restraining order is lifted...

Has anyone ever asked you if your stories are based on your own life? (I get asked that all the time, even though I write about vampires, werewolves, and other mostly-improbable creatures.) How do you answer them?

Mia: All the time. If I’m in a good mood, and they don’t know my books, I’ll respond: “Let’s hope not; I write about serial killers.” If I’m in a bad mood, and they do know my books, I’ll respond: “Yes, they are. I wrote them from prison.”

That would be awesome on a t-shirt :) Time to fire up PhotoShop!

I'd be a happy typer if being a writer meant 100% of my time went to, well, writing. (No such luck.) Do you have a tip for writer time management?

Mia: The bad news: Besides from prioritizing, I have nothing. The good news: I’m currently building a machine that freezes time for everyone but writers. As soon as I can get the cardulator, the dinklehopper, and other made up words to work, we’ll all get the writing time we need. Hell, we may even get to have a life!

I have a wild imagination, but even I have a hard time believing that "have a life" nonsense. This is all we get: writing, reading, and hanging out with other writers online as we muck on through. Where can we stalk find you online?

Mia: You can find me at...
http://authormiathompson.com
http://twitter.com/mia_thomp
http://facebook.com/authormiathompson

You can also find me at wattpad.com/user/authormiathompson where I’m currently running the book clubs for both Stalking Sapphire and, the second book, Silencing Sapphire.

About The Author
Mia Thompson is a Swedish-born author living in Sacramento, California. Her international bestsellers, Stalking Sapphire and Silencing Sapphire, were published in 2013, and followed by the third book in the series, Sentencing Sapphire. Mia is currently working on completing the series’ last two installments, due out through Diversion Books in 2016 and 2017.

AF Stewart: Colours of Poetry #NewRelease

Anita Stewart is celebrating the release of her newest book of poetry: Colors of Poetry

 

 

Light through a prism, and we see colour.

Colour is all around, enveloping our lives and feelings. Through tinted shades we see the world, with emotional ties that bind.

Within the book, Colours of Poetry, you will find eleven sections, all representations of different hues, each featuring seven poems that explore the intricacies and fallacies of our world. Come and sail the Sapphire Sea and Sky, cringe at the Crimson Bloodstains, wonder at the Emerald Creation, dazzle in the Lemon Daybreak, linger in the Tangerine Sunset, sniff the Violet Petals, feel Umber the Earth, let the Black as Night and Death surround you, shiver as you pass by White Winter Bones, lose yourself in the Grey Haze, and stare up at the Silver Stars…

 

 

To celebrate, she's hosting a poetry slam on Facebook. Visit us here on Tuesday, April 7.

 

She also has a giveaway going on. You can find the Rafflecopter here.

 

If you appreciate poetry, I hope you'll stop by!

 

About AF Stewart:

A. F. Stewart was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, and still calls it home. She has always had an overly creative mind, and an active imagination. She is fond of good books (especially science fiction/fantasy), action movies, and oil painting as a hobby.

Ms. Stewart has been writing for several years, her main focus being in the fantasy genre. She also has a great interest in history and mythology, often working those themes into her books and stories. She has authored and published several books, including Fairy Tale Fusion, Gothic Cavalcade, Ruined City, Killers and Demons, Chronicles of the Undead, and Reflections of Poetry.
Her stories have been published in the charity anthologies, Coffin Hop: Death by Drive-In, Christmas Lites III, and the upcoming Christmas Lites IV, as well as in Mechanized Masterpieces: A Steampunk Anthology published by Xchyler Publishing. Another story, Grail Days, appears in the Xchyler Publishing anthology, Legends and Lore.

 



 

 

Holy hot as Hades! Max is back and she’s SMITTEN BY DEATH! #AuthorSpotlight @SharonSaracino

SMITTEN WITH DEATH (Max Logan 3)By Sharon Saracino


Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Release Date: February 20, 2015


The Blurb:

A year after the death of her ex-husband and boyfriend, Roger-the-Proctologist, Max has accepted the loss and moved on. Well, at least she’s tried, but a dating pool consisting mostly of weekend golfers in plaid polyester has left her unenthusiastic about her prospects. When Morgan Kane, the sexy Hellhound Grim Reaper, suddenly reappears seeking her assistance to rescue the bumbling teenage Zombie King from Cerberus' filthy paws, Max realizes that maybe she was holding out for snug denim all along. But a trip to Hell during Vegas Week, with Lucifer masquerading as a tone-deaf Wayne Newton and Kane’s psychotic mother as Satan’s Showgirl Bride, isn’t exactly her idea of the perfect date. In Hell, everything has a price, and though Max discovers she’s already paid dearly, if she and Kane are to succeed, another sacrifice is required. Will Max finally get her happily-ever-after or will she lose the man she loves to the Sweet Hereafter? Again.

Excerpt:

“Reaper, I need a favor,” I choked out and cleared my throat.
“Sure, Logan.” His gaze came back to rest on my face. “What can I do for you?”
“Um, kiss me?” I squeaked as my face heated with the fire of a thousand desert suns.
“Huh?” Judging by the expression on his face, whatever favor Morgan Kane had been anticipating, locking lips with the crazy woman hadn’t even made his list.
“Look,” I whispered in a rush after glancing back to confirm Denise had almost gotten the invading hoard under control. “My sister is determined to hook me up. The minute she sees you, she will devote the remainder of the morning to cute and embarrassing stories designed to impress you with my charm and delightfulness. Trust me, you’ll want to stab knitting
needles in your eyes after about ten minutes.”
“Oh, I don’t know, Logan.” He had the temerity to smirk while crossing his arms over his chest. His broad, muscular chest. “I think I might enjoy the cute and embarrassing stories. And I already think you’re charming and delightful.”
My eyes widened in shock, and my mouth fell open yet again. “You do?”
“Logan? You digress.” He snapped my pie hole shut as he had before. But this time he didn’t remove his hand. Instead, he stroked his forefinger lightly along my jaw, sending my pulse into a gallop to rival the Clydesdales pulling a beer wagon away from a crowd of alcoholic zombies.
“I do? Oh yeah. I do. So, anyway I thought if we gave her the impression we already had something going, well maybe it would divert her attention away from my relationship status for the day.”
“I see,” he murmured as he slipped his hand along the side of my neck and curled his fingers around my nape. Suddenly my knees buckled. I must have twisted my ankle more seriously than I thought. Fortunately, Morgan Kane caught me around the waist before I hit the ground and pulled me hard against him. I absently wondered if it would be considered rude to toss a breath
mint in my mouth. Then it occurred to me I didn’t have any. Oh well, moot point. His soft chuckle skittered along my skin like a physical caress. I swallowed hard. I tipped my head back, licked my lips enticingly, and closed my eyes, resigned and ready to make this sacrifice in an effort to thwart my sister and her underhanded plans. Kane chuckled again and then
gently swept his lips over mine.
Except for Roger and that one tequila-induced episode of poor judgment right after senior prom, I
didn’t have a whole lot of experience with men. I know, I know. Up until now, I’ve sucked you into that whole sophisticated woman-about-town façade I
wear so well, but really, it’s true. Morgan Kane, on the other hand, apparently knew
his way around this town and most of the continental United States. The ground tilted, the sun spun backwards, and I had difficulty remembering my own name when Morgan Kane finally lifted his lips from mine. Would I never learn my impulsivity always
comes back to bite me in the ass?
I coughed loudly, attempted to gather my wits, and looked around to gauge my sister’s reaction. Denise, et al, was nowhere to be seen. The whole crew had apparently hustled past our lip-lock and continued into the house completely unnoticed. At least, by me.
Kane’s wicked grin said he was well aware of the effect he’d had on me, and it was precisely the one he’d intended.
Wucking fonderful.


The Author:

Sharon Saracino is a paranormal and fantasy author who resides in the anthracite coal country of Pennsylvania with her long suffering husband, funny and talented son, and two insane dogs. She is the author of the Max Logan series and the Earthbound series with The Wild Rose Press. When she is not reading, writing, or enjoying photography and genealogy, she brews limoncello, dreams of living in Italy and works as a Certified Registered Rehabilitation Nurse.

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   GOODREADS   TWITTER

The Scent of his Feathers ... Release Day! #Dark #Fantasy #Poetry

I first introduced my latest book during the Bloody Valentine Horror Hop... and it's finally here.

Happy Release Day!

The Scent of his Feathers:

A collection of dark verses

 

About THE SCENT OF HIS FEATHERS:

 

 

"My crow leaps in a sudden sweep of wing and sails past, the scent of his feathers a balm to a soon-broken soul..."

Pushcart Prize nominee Ash Krafton opens this volume with a piece that leaves the reader wondering: Is the speaker victim or victor? Shadows can obscure the details that would cement our perceptions of individuals or events. Sometimes, shadows tell us more than we want to know.

Shadows prevail in each of the poems in The Scent of his Feathers, but Krafton is not afraid of the dark. In this poetry collection, she explores the darkness that surrounds us, dimming the edges of our well-lit worlds. Themes of death, devotion, despair, and desperation are expressed in subtle shades, allowing the reader to determine their own definitions.

How a person interprets these pieces--a collection of tiny everyday deaths--will depend on the reader and the flavor of the shadows within that person’s heart.

Join Krafton as she explores the inherent beauty of twilight. Sympathize with the shadows of a soul. Understand what drives a spirit to desperation.

And remember: without darkness, there can be no light.

Get your copy on Amazon...

 

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon FR

Amazon DE

Let THE WITCH'S KISS Spellbind You...new #paranormalromance from @TriciaSchneider

Paranormal Romance Author

Tricia Schneider continues

the saga of the Meriwether witches

in her brand new release...

The Witch's Kiss!

 

 

Blurb:
Marianne Grey is a ghost. But, she's not dead. Cursed by a necromancer, Marianne searches for the elusive spell needed to merge her spirit with her physical body. She's not alone in her search. Her neighbor and best friend, Sage Merriweather, has vowed to help her break the curse.

Sage suffers from his own demons. Literally. After surviving a horrific attack, a demon has bonded with him, mutating Sage's magic so he can only conjure fire. Until he can break the bond, he is a danger to everyone near him, including those he loves.

From the glittering ballrooms of London to eerily dark graveyards, Marianne and Sage battle forces of evil destined to claim their souls for eternity. Though their newfound love for each other may be the toughest battle of all.


Excerpt:

“Do you ever wonder why I never propositioned you?” Sage asked, the anger in his soul making him lash out. “I’ve been with many women. They call me the Merriweather Rake, did you know?” He laughed at the absurd moniker the ton had dubbed him. “Yet you are the only one I’ve never seduced.”

She flinched.

He thought the pain spreading across her face would make him feel just in his cause. He needed to push her away. From the look on her face, he succeeded. Instead of the satisfaction he thought it might bring, he felt only pain.

Pain from her sadness, her suffering.

“You are a good man, Sage,” she said with a slight tremor in her voice, the only sign she was affected by his cruel words.

“Do not fool yourself.”

She stood and walked away.

The lavender scent faded. Sage rubbed a hand over his eyes, trying to block the image of her sadness from his mind.

Had he done the right thing?

This curse confined Marianne to a select few. Essentially, she was forced to speak with him, spend time with him, even just for the pure sake of her sanity. What choice did she have when no one else could hear or see her?

Marianne was not to blame for the fact that Sage’s feelings regarding her were changing, that when he looked at her he saw not a child with gangly limbs, but a woman full-grown. One who had become a close friend. And that he desired their friendship to grow into something much more…intimate.

Was he a fool to punish her for his own misgivings?

Sage heaved a heavy sigh, then slapped the surface of the water since he had nothing else nearby to strike. The water sloshed over the rim.

Since the bathwater had cooled and any therapeutic effects it might once have owned vanished, he stepped out of the tub. After he dried and dressed, he went out in search of Marianne to make his apologies. He couldn’t push her away. Instead, he needed to restrain his own growing emotions. No need to burden her with any more troubles. Who else could she speak with other than him? Only Julia. He could not imagine the invisible prison she suffered. He’d not make it worse for her.

He wandered the hallways, searching each room until he found her.

Well, in a manner of speaking.

He thought to check the yellow room in the east wing, hoping she might have retreated there to lick any wounds he had inflicted.

Although her body was in the room, her spirit was nowhere to be found.

He approached the bed where they had neatly laid her body. To the untrained observer, Marianne could be sleeping. Her chest rose and fell, indicating she breathed still. A rosy color kept her cheeks pink with life. He reached out and took her limp hand in his, feeling the warmth of her skin.

She was no corpse. Merely sleeping. A deep, deep sleep. And she could not wake without her soul.

About the Author:

Tricia Schneider is an author of paranormal and gothic romance. Before the supernatural took possession of her pen, she worked for several years in a Waldenbooks store as Assistant Manager and bookseller. Since the closing of the bookstore, she now writes full-time while raising her 3 young children. She lives with her musician husband and 2 neurotic cats in the coal country of Pennsylvania.

Website: http://www.triciaschneider.com
Blog: http://www.shadowsofromance.blogspot.com
Twitter: @TriciaSchneider
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authortriciaschneider
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/triciaschneider
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/triciaschneider

The Witch's Kiss is available today!

 I woke up to find my shiny pre-ordered copy waiting for me :)

You can get your own at...
 The Wild Rose Press        Amazon

Other Information:
SubGenre(s): Regency, Gothic, Paranormal
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Imprint: Black Rose
Length: Rosebud
Rating: Spicy (PG13)
Page Count: 208
Word Count: 49640
Keywords: romance, paranormal, historical, witches, witchcraft, demon, ghost, necromancer, magic, spells, Regency, England
Digital Price: $3.99
Print Price: $13.99
Release Date: February 18, 2015
ISBN Digital: 978-1-62830-751-1
ISBN Print: 978-1-62830-750-4
Series: Book 4 of The Merriweather Witches

Terri Rochenski Talks Fantasy, Sequels, and Fun With Toothpicks

 

Longtime friend of the show author Terri Rochenski is celebrating the second book in her Pool of Soul series...SECRET OF THE SOULS! She's stopping by to say hi, share her new book, and talk about writing sequels. (The toothpick part comes further down.)



First, the shiny new book!

Blurb:

Thrust out of their homes by a human High Priest on a vengeful mission, the Natives of Derlund no longer have a place to call their own. One escaped capture, however, and now she, Hyla, is the only one who can save her people. 

For, Hyla, though, saving her nation isn’t her ultimate goal—returning to the Pool of Souls is. Becoming its Guardian and preserving their faith is her heart’s desire. The perils of her current journey, though, could leave her unable to fulfill that dream. 

To find her way back to the Pool, Hyla must live among dangerous, powerful humans willing to defend the Natives, and must submit herself—her Talents—to them. While her protection is paramount, plots to end Hyla’s life will push her to her physical and emotional limits. 

On the edge of sanity, her courage tested, and convictions nearly broken, Hyla’s final test of loyalty to her faith comes with the death of one she could have loved.


Paperback: 

Amazon
B&N 

Ebook:

Amazon
B&N
Kobo 

New to the series?

Pick up Book One: Eye of the Soul at a fabulous price!

 

Amazon /  Barnes & Noble  

My thoughts on writing a sequel... by Terri Rochenski 

My initial thought? UGH.
 

I mean, really. How the heck am I supposed to remember ALL the loose ends that need tied up in my fantasy series? How the heck am I supposed to keep track of what’s already been said, who’s met who, and what foreshadowing I did or didn’t use?

Stress much?

Yeah. And, I’m a planner with a capital P. It’s hard enough for me to keep track…how do pantsters pull it off???

Can you imagine George R.R. Martin’s writing space? I’ve never seen it – or pictures of it – but I can only imagine the pin boards, sticky notes, and notecard boxes. File folders. 3-ring binders. And the list goes on…

At least, that’s what I would need if I was him.

Thinking on my other genre-love, historical romance, the thought of sequel writing isn’t as scary. A love story doesn’t have various PoV’s, a half-dozen plot lines, and character arcs to complete. A sequel to a romance is either a continuation of that first book’s couple OR the story of a secondary character.

Easy peasy, IMO.

Well, perhaps not EASY, but a smidge easy-ER than attempting a fantasy sequel.

How ‘bout you? Think sequel writing is easy? What do you do to keep it easy-ER?

Terri Rochenski, Author:

Terri started writing stories in the 8^th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with storytelling.

Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her three young children allow. When not playing toys, picking them back up, or kissing boo-boos, she can be found sprawled on the couch with a book or pencil in hand, and toothpicks propping her eyelids open.

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Toothpicks? *shudder* :)