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Saturday, August 27, 2016

Savvy Saturday: Series in Fantasy by Olga Godim

Fantasy novels frequently run in series. One reason is that fantasy readers seem to expect it since J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Another reason is about how we, fantasy writers, envision the development of our stories. We do it in different ways, but one book is rarely enough for most fantasy writers, perhaps because we build our world from scratch. While the writers of mainstream fiction – stories that happen here and now – rely on their readers to know what’s going on, from geography and commerce to humor, in fantasy, even urban fantasy that utilizes our own world but adds magic to it, world-building is an important issue. Nobody knows how a particular fantasy world operates until its creator, the writer, comes forward and says: yes, there are dragons in my world. Yes, werewolves exist, and they are the good guys. That’s why ‘epic’ is a phenomenon almost unique to fantasy.

There are several different approaches to writing a series.


1. One story arch runs through several books of the series. All books have the same set of leading characters, although their importance for each particular book vary. George R.R. Martin and his Game of Thrones are a good representation of this approach.

Many such books have cliff-hanging endings—a literary device that I dislike, but many editors endorse because they think it would ensure that the readers stick with the series. I’m not certain it’s true for every reader. Definitely not for me. When I read a book ending in a cliff-hanger, I feel cheated. The writer promised me a story but delivered only a part of it. I get angry and I never read the next book.

Such approach also guarantees that the series had a limited number of entries: you can’t stretch the same story forever. The average number of volumes in such a series is three to five.


2. A series united by one hero. Such series often follow the same protagonist(s) chronologically, but each book has its own story, and it ends when the book ends. Sometimes, the hero has a faint subplot that runs through several or all books of the series, but that subplot is always secondary to the main storyline in each book. A good example: Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson novels.

In each book, Mercy has a different and dangerous adventure, performs different heroic deeds, battles a different villain, but she also lives her life from book to book. Her personal travails are on the periphery of her tale, but the dedicated readers of the series pay attention and cheer for them as well as engage wholeheartedly in the main plot.

Most books in this type of series could be read as stand-alone, and the number of volumes in such a series could be very high. Ten to twenty is not unheard of, but for some reason, such series often grow darker as they progress to the higher numbers. The protagonist’s exploits become more perilous, and the antagonists increase their vileness factor.


3.
A series united by a world. That’s my favorite type of series. It often includes sub-series, like two book or trilogies about the same protagonist, but overall, each book belonging to such a series is a stand-alone. Each novel explores the world of the series through different characters in different times and places, although sometimes they overlap. The tales go back and forth over their world’s history, explore flora and fauna, analyze various religions, and send their protagonists on journeys across all sorts of wild and urban landscapes. A whole world lies open in front of them.

Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar series belongs to this group. In one interview with her, she said that she intentionally started writing her Valdemar series open-ended. She introduced different countries and different cultural conflicts in the first book and then concentrated on one specific problem for one specific heroine. She is still exploring that world after more than 20 novels and a few short story collections. In general, the possible number of books in such a series is almost unlimited.


About the Author:


My novels Eagle En Garde and Almost Adept belong to this type of series. They both happen in the same world but in different countries with different protagonists. I plan to continue both sub-series, and my leading characters might even meet one day, but there are also other facets of my world waiting to be explored. There are other characters and other time periods, and they all deserve to have their own stories.

Check out Olga's website for more about her new works!

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Savvy Saturday: Interview with Jenna Greene and Her "Agents"

CBG: Today on Savvy Saturday we have Jenna Greene and her...um...press agents here to give us a status update on the world of Oren.

Welcome and how are you today?

Jenna: (in hushed voice) I'm good. Thanks for having me here today.

CBG: Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions about your writing. First offerm, why are you whispering? 

Jenna Greene
: Well, two of my characters have nominated themselves as my press agents and I'm not sure they're very qualified for the job. If we could finish this interview rather quickly, then

Brownies: We're here!

Jenna Greene: (groan)

Petie: Did you miss us?

Alana: That is a silly question, brother. Of course she did! We are AWESOME!
CBG: Hello again guys! Welcome. I understand you know our author, Jenna Greene. 

Petie: Yup. Tup-bub. She's really good at hide-and-go-seek.

Alana: She's been hidden for days.

Petie: Jenna, were you sad when we couldn't find you?

Jenna Greene: (sigh) Of course. I love you little guys. It's just that sometimes I have to deal with work and…

Petie: (Straightening posture) Right.

Alana: Let's be professional.

Petie: Do I need glasses for that?

CBG: No. No glasses needed. Alright, first question: What's it like on Oren right now?

Jenna Greene: That's an interesting question. There are developments with the Elementals' adversaries, particularly the Coalition. Kat will learn

Petie: Mostly flat. Sometimes bumby.

Alana: Oren is cool. Autumn is coming. Lots of brown. Some green.

Jenna Greene: That's not really what she meant by the question, guys.

Petie: You don't know that. You aren't sidekick.

Alana: Psychic.

Petie: That either.

CBG: Well, Alana and Petie, how about more about yourselves? Would you say you guys are troublemakers?

Alana: No.

Petie: Never. We help. Like when we poured seven spoonfuls of sugar into Jenna's tea in order to give her more energy. Helpful. Very helpful.

CBG: Is there anything going on near Areth that might be important for people to know?

Petie: Probably.

Jenna Greene: There are many political developments that might be disturbing to someone that knows the history of that region. In the book, Reality, which is soon to be released, Eston and Renin learn that 

Alana: I can do a cartwheel.

Jenna Greene: (Face palm)
Alana: Wanna see?

CBG: Um... sure.

Petie: No fair! I want to do a cartwheel!

Alana: You don't know how.

Petie: I can learn.

Alana: No you can't. You're a stupid boy and I'm a girl. Girls rule and dogs drool!

CBG: Hey now! Let's just 

Jenna Greene: That's it. I'm going to take a nap.

Petie and Alana: We're coming! That sounds fun.

Jenna Greene: Oh, goody.

CBG: Well, I guess that concludes our interview. Tune in next week for another fun post!


About Jenna Greene:

Jenna (Butrenchuk) Greene is a writer from Alberta, Canada. She is also a middle school teacher, so writing is not just a career, but a path to sanity! Jenna recieved both her Bachelor of Arts in English and her Bachelor of Education from the University of Lethbridge.






Imagine

A fierce wind and a blast of green light during a strange storm causes everything to change for Katharine Bowers and Becky Thatcher. The girls wake up in Oren, an entirely different realm than their earthly city. They meet Enalie, a fading magical presence who sets an incredible destiny before them… then simply disappears. Left alone to fend off creatures that hunt them in the night, they must relay a magical heritage that doesn’t make sense, and – if possible – save a world that they know nothing about.

Available on AmazonKobo, and at the Champagne Bookstore.

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Savvy Saturday: Shiela Stewart Talks about Romantic Couples in Movies ***WIN A BOOK!***

Romantic Couples

Romance. It’s the constant in life. It's all around us. Even in the hardest moments in life, there is romance. Love. I found my soulmate 33 years ago and he’s done plenty of romancing since. Not just big things like taking me out, or buying me stuff. It’s the little things that make it so special, like bringing home one single red rose. Or buying a pie or cake he knows I love. I’m a lucky gal to have such a wonderful husband. My love of romance started before I was a teen. I saw couples all around me in love. They looked so happy. I hoped one day I would have what they have. And I do. That was what sparked my need to write romance. My books aren’t the traditional, boy meets, girl and fall in love. Nope, I like to put my couples through…well, hell at times. I like horror, paranormal, supernatural and suspense. But my couples always find their way through the darkness to each other.

I’m not the type who likes to watch mushy romance movies, but there have been some I really enjoy. Below are some I’ve enjoyed and some I still need to see.

Tell me about your most memorable romantic encounter or experience and you could win a copy of the first book in my Darkness Series, Seducing the Darkness. Leave your email address to be eligible.

Dirty Dancing


Me? I’m scared of everything. I’m scared of what I saw, I’m scared of what I did, of who I am, most of all, I’m scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole like the way I feel when I’m with you.”

Baby to Johnny.“You make me want to be a better man.”

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return.”
—Christian, Moulin Rouge

“I was looking up… it was the nearest thing to heaven! You were there…”
—Terry, An Affair to Remember

When Harry Met Sally:

Harry Burns: I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible

Fox Mulder & Dana Scully (X-Files)

It seems to me that the best relationships, the ones that last, are frequently the ones that are rooted in friendship. You know, one day you look at the person and you see something more than you did the night before. Like a switch has been flicked somewhere. And the person who was just a friend is suddenly the only person you can ever imagine yourself with.

Jack Dawson & Rose Bukater (Titanic)


Rose: I love you, Jack.
Jack: Don't you do that, don't say your good-byes. Not yet, do you understand me?
Rose: I'm so cold.
Jack: Listen, Rose. You're gonna get out of here, you're gonna go on and you're gonna make lots of babies, and you're gonna watch them grow. You're gonna die an old... an old lady warm in her bed, not here, not this night. Not like this, do you understand me?
Rose: I can't feel my body.
Jack: Winning that ticket, Rose, was the best thing that ever happened to me... it brought me to you. And I'm thankful for that, Rose. I'm thankful. You must do me this honor. Promise me you'll survive. That you won't give up, no matter what happens, no matter how hopeless. Promise me now, Rose, and never let go of that promise.
Rose: I promise.
Jack: Never let go.
Rose: I'll never let go, Jack. I'll never let go.

Casablanca

llsa: can't fight it anymore. I ran away from you once. I can't do it again. Oh, I don't know what's right any longer. You have to think for both of us. For all of us.
Rick: All right, I will. Here's looking at you, kid.
Ilsa: [smiles] I wish I didn't love you so much.

Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara: Gone With The Wind


Scarlett: Oh, Rhett! Please, don't go! You can't leave me! Please! I'll never forgive you!
Rhett Butler: I'm not asking you to forgive me. I'll never understand or forgive myself. And if a bullet gets me, so help me, I'll laugh at myself for being an idiot. There's one thing I do know... and that is that I love you, Scarlett. In spite of you and me and the whole silly world going to pieces around us, I love you. Because we're alike. Bad lots, both of us. Selfish and shrewd. But able to look things in the eyes as we call them by their right names.
Scarlett: Don't hold me like that!
Rhett Butler: Scarlett! Look at me! I've loved you more than I've ever loved any woman and I've waited for you longer than I've ever waited for any woman.
Scarlett: Let me alone!
Rhett Butler: Here's a soldier of the South who loves you, Scarlett. Wants to feel your arms around him, wants to carry the memory of your kisses into battle with him. Never mind about loving me, you're a woman sending a soldier to his death with a beautiful memory. Scarlett! Kiss me! Kiss me... once...

About the Author:


Raised on a rural farm in Saskatchewan, Shiela Stewart relied on her vivid imagination to fill her days. Never did she realize that her need to tell a story would someday lead to becoming a published romance author. In the fall of two thousand and six, Shiela published her very first book and hasn't stopped since.

When not writing, Shiela spends time with the love of her life, William and their three children. She has a strong affection for animals which is evident in the five cats, one dog, three turtles and ten fish she owns. Some of her passions aside from writing are drawing and painting and proudly displays her artwork in murals in her home.

Her favorite time of day is sunset and loves to stargaze.

Check out Shiela's website, or go to Amazon, Kobo, or the Champagne Bookstore to grab a copy of her book! Seducing the Darkness, only $0.99 for a limited time.

About Seducing the Darkness:

Trinity was once a fragile girl. Being taken by a powerful vampire prince changed her. Discovering him in the arms of another woman changed destiny. Alone, she’s learned fast how to be tough, how to survive, and how to protect the people in her city from the evil that lurks in the dark. She was managing just fine, until Basil walked back into her life.

Basil Hawthorn has been the reigning prince of vampires since banishing his father to the Realm of Dark Mystics decades earlier. When a prophetic dream makes him realize Trinity’s life is at risk, he decides the only way to save her is to push her away. Doing so is not easy. Trinity is the only woman he has ever loved, ever will love, and he can’t seem to let her go.

When rumors arise of a plan to raise the King and blot out the sun, both Trinity and Basil know they must do everything to stop it. Even if it means working together. Despite the betrayal and the threat, they find themselves drawn to each other. Love has no boundaries, especially in the face of danger. But will they be able to stop the ritual before it’s too late?

Or will the darkness capture them both?
Available on:

Excerpt:

“I don’t think you want to be doing that.”

The tall, gangly, greasy haired vampire jerked and spun around to face Trinity. His teeth were primed for the kill, his yellow eyes glaring at Trinity as if she were his next meal. The poor girl in his arms was wailing something awful.

Now you regret going through the dark alley.

“Yeah, says who?”

Trinity lifted a brow, cocked her body to one side and rested her hand on her hip. “Jesus, could you have said anything more lame? Let the girl go and no one has to get hurt.” Okay, so that wasn’t completely the truth. He would be more than hurt when this was over.

He would be dust.

“How ‘bout I keep her and you wait against the wall until I’m done?” He jerked the girl towards him, yanking her head back to expose her neck. He was just about to bite down when Trinity placed a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and his face froze.

“How ‘bout I don’t.” Trinity bared her fanged teeth to show him she was not going to back off. “Beat it kid.” She clamped her hand on the vampires shoulder, her nails digging into his flesh as she jerked her head at the girl. As she’d suspected, the guy was a wimp.

He released the girl who immediately ran off screaming.

“Now, you wanna take off, or am I going to have to mess up that pretty face of yours?” she asked sarcastically as she glared down at him.

“You couldn’t handle me, bitch.” He slapped her hand free, then curling his fingers in a fist, threw a punch at her face.

She was ready and ducked out of the way. Slicing her hand up, she chopped him in the neck, sending him crumbling on the ground. “You don’t want to mess with me, jerk,” she advised as she planted a booted foot on his jugular. The razor blades she had attached to the toe drew a small amount of dull gray, deoxygenated blood as she pressed it just below his chin.

“Go ahead and dust him, he’s useless.”

Trinity glared over her shoulder at the man she had once been destined for and felt her heart ache. She couldn’t stop herself from admiring the beauty of the man before her. His long dark hair floated in the light breeze sweeping away from a face sculpted of fine bone and delicate skin. He looked so dark and dangerous in that long, black leather coat he always wore. One look into his translucent blue eyes turned her heart to mush.

Then she reminded herself how much she detested him.

To show she wasn’t a push over, Trinity pressed her foot harder, the razor blades cutting into the vampire’s neck. His arms flailed out, trying to yank her foot away from his neck. His legs kicked wildly, but Trinity had a good ten pounds on the scrawny vamp. Tilting her toe downward, she sliced deep into his neck, finally cutting his head off. In a whoosh he disintegrated into a pile of dust, his last breaths used to scream his way to death.

She took a deep breath, shook the remnants of a useless life from her boot then turned. “Basil.”

“Trinity.” They stalked each other like the predators they were, neither taking their eyes off the other. “You’re looking good.”

Her breath always caught in her throat when she looked into those icy blue eyes of his. Unlike the rest of her race that had yellow eyes, he had the color of his heritage. He was royal. “So are you, but you already know that.” She circled him, her eyes never leaving his. She knew how quick he could be, and she was prepared. “Was he one of yours?”

“Would I have cared if you dusted him if he was one of mine?” His hand slid to his pocket and he pulled the pack of cigarettes from his pocket. “How have you been?”

She rolled her shoulders, the itch still irritating her. “Better now that I left you.” And wasn’t it odd how acrid a lie could taste?

“I noticed you’ve had your belongings gathered from our home.”

“Your home,” she corrected, keeping her distance from him. She knew perfectly well being close to him would have dire repercussions.

“Have you settled into your apartment then?”

He was being so nice, so civil. She didn’t like it. “Why are you here, Basil?”

“I might ask the same of you, Trinity.” He lit the cigarette smoothly and the flame showed a devastatingly handsome face, with curves and lines and strength.

“I’m protecting the humans,” she remarked with an edge in her voice. “Always the warrior, my fiery princess.” He smiled sweetly as he drew long and hard on his cigarette then smartly blew a ring of circles in the air. All without taking his eyes from hers.

“Don’t call me that.” She hated when he called her that. Okay, once upon a time hearing him call her that made her hot, but that was then. This was now.

“It’s what you are and always will be to me.”

“Yeah, I was such a treasure, that’s why you decided to fuck another woman. Leave me alone, Basil.”

In a quick shift that surprised her, he was in front of her, his hand clamped on her chin as he tilted her face to meet his. “Despite my indiscretion, I will always love you.” He dropped his cigarette and ground it out beneath his boot.

She jerked her chin free, snarling, “You have a funny way of showing it.”

Grabbing her chin again, this time he held a little tighter. “Love has many sides to it, my sweet.” He sealed his words with a sharp kiss, his teeth scraping her bottom lip right before he vanished into the night.

Cursing, Trinity spat on the ground, wanting to eliminate his flavor from her tongue. Bastard thought he could come back and act as if nothing had happened. Fuck him! She still remembered all too clearly what it had felt like to walk in on him and the woman crawling over his naked body.



Shaking herself free of him, Trinity walked away. The last thing she needed was the memory of Basil’s kiss or the feel of his touch on her skin. What she needed was a vicious kill. If only she could find one.

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Savvy Saturday: Author Schedules for August

Just in case you missed them in July, here is the schedule for some of your favorite authors in August. Check them out, and then maybe try a new author here. We can guarantee their awesomeness!

Amy McKinley

This great paranormal romance author will have her book featured on a Goddess Fish Productions tour August 22-26th, and will be featured on Archlibrarian - I dig good books August 29th- September 12th 
(link not active until August 29th)

Why not take a closer look at Taken here.




Keith Willis

Not able to leave your house last month? That's alright! This champion of dragons will be at the Rensselaerville Public Library, Rensselaerville, NY on August 12 doing a reading and author ask-me-anything.

He will also be at the Lake Pleasant Public Library, Speculator, NY on August 18 also doing a reading and author ask-me-anything.

Are you also a fan of dragons? Then you definitely want to get in contact with this guy!

Veronica Hart

Veronica says she will be "Conducting a workshop at the Carroll County Creative Writers Group, August 23rd, Carrollton, GA. At the Carroll County Arts Center. Will speak on my work in progress, Talk to the Knife, a paranormal murder mystery romance set in Carroll County." So put your writing hats on and head over!

What's that Veronica? You want people to take a look at your website?



Colleen Myers

This lady has done an amazing job with promotion! This month she has a Rafflecopter for her local RWA Chapter planned for August 15-30th. But she likes to keep things interesting, so make sure to watch her Facebook for more fun times.

Make sure to look at her site too for more on where Colleen will be.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Excerpt from The Queen's Game

The Queen’s Game
By R. J. Hore
Fantasy
eBook $4.99
Print $14.95

Amazon: https://goo.gl/YmtTYx
Kobo: https://goo.gl/QqkyNO
Champagne Books: http://goo.gl/NJZuCc

Harow, now a respected duke, longs for a quiet life, however duels, battles and monsters find him at every turn. Can a poor farm boy ever find peace?


Excerpt

Harow was standing outside in the dark staring up at the river of stars and wondering if there was a way to hide among them when Annabelle appeared through the doorway.

“There you are.” She pointed at him and he backed against the cold stones of the hall. Her finger poked him hard, mid-belly. “We have been looking for you.” Her chin came halfway up his chest.

“You’ve found me.” He shivered, not necessarily from the cool night air. She was a strange one. “How is your mistress?”

“She will survive, no thanks to you.” The words fell out short and clipped.

His neck began to ache from having to look down at her. He wondered if she had cursed him. He could barely make out the grim line of her jaw and narrowed eyes in the dim light.

“Our princess has decided that when she returns to High Vale she will tell the duke she is prepared to entertain suitors for her hand in marriage.”

“Oh.”

“Is that all you have to say? By the black beard of Saint Satore, you can be wooden-headed sometimes,” she hissed between clenched teeth. “Listen, you great lump, as soon as you can safely get away, ride to High Vale Castle. You have to save our sweet princess from herself, and there are other, darker matters, to consider.”

“Other matters?” He wondered at the changes happening to this once gentle girl, or maybe she truly was connected to the ghost he met back at Grey Crag. Perhaps her new life in the duke’s castle, or more likely the royal princess herself, were bad influences on her.

“Yes. Prince Regnar has a black magician who searches for his sister the queen, or her daughter, from the safety of his den at Castle Wurthi. We have sensed his vague presence in the halls but he flees when we approach. There are others who seek to do our ladies harm. We especially fear for her safety. Her mother is less likely to take foolish chances. We want you there to protect them both.” She glared. Her finger stabbed him hard in the ribs. “And, we want you to beg forgiveness and worm your way back into our princess’ favor even if you have to do so on your hands and knees.”

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Excerpt from D.I.C.K.s Case One: Holy Murder

D.I.C.Ks
Case 1: Holy Murder

A New Smyrna Beach Mystery
By Victoria Roder
Cozy Mysetery
$3.99
Amazon: https://goo.gl/tdT5TA
Kobo: https://goo.gl/psXbJP
Champagne Books: http://goo.gl/qYSGdQ

A prescription drug ring, a murder, and a kidnapping lead three friends to form Dames Investigating Crimes and Killers, otherwise known as D.I.C.KS.


Excerpt


I had to admit it, Adamary and Liz were helping make the transition of moving the body run rather smoothly. Beside the open baptismal pool in the sanctuary, Adamary and I both pushed down on the handles of the two wheeled appliance cart tipped at an angle. “How does it look?” I said.

Liz shook her hands in the air. “Yuck, yuck, yuck. It looks like you’ve got a dead guy in a garbage bag with a sheet thrown over. Oh man, disgusting. It’s a tablecloth from the cafeteria. I’m gonna have to burn it.”

“Let’s put the cart down,” I said.

We released the handles.

Adamary tapped the cart handle. “Are you saying you can make this look better?”

Liz shuddered and stepped forward. “I can’t believe I’m going to touch him again.”

“It’s not so bad, he’s in plastic,” Adamary said.

Liz tugged at the material and attempted to loosen it from behind the corpse’s back. “If we have the cloth a little looser...” She jerked the cloth, and the stiff body tipped forward. She screamed. The cloth still clasped in her hand, Liz tumbled backward into the baptismal pool. The rigid body in the bag splashed into the water on top of her.

Adamary screamed.

Liz screamed again, flailed her arms and kicked her feet. She struggled against the sheet and the dead man. She spun herself and pushed the corpse beneath her kicking her legs until her feet managed to touch the bottom of the shallow pool.

Adamary and I both gasped. “Are you okay?”

Liz’s lower lip quivered. “No. No. No. I’m not okay. I’ve just been assaulted by a dead man. Take my hand, get me out of here.”

The creak of the sanctuary door drew their attention. “Lay down!” Adamary ordered.

Liz pushed soaked hair out of her face. “What?”

I waved my hand toward the baptismal pool. “Lay down on top of the body.”

“No way in hell.”

“Do it, or it’s all over,” I said.

Butt first, Liz moved her arms behind her and pushed the body lower in the shallow water. Several times her hands slipped off the plastic and she bobbed up and down before she was able to steady the body beneath her.

Adamary kicked off her high heels, jumped from the altar platform, and stood in front of the window of the baptismal pool to block the view of the corpse.

Mrs. Boeller crossed the threshold into the sanctuary and waddled down the aisle. I bolted forward to meet her.

Mrs. Boeller waved a piece of paper. “There is a typo in the bulletin for my great-nephew’s baptism today.”

I stopped in front of her.

Mrs. Boeller pointed. “What in God’s creation is she doing in the baptismal pool?”

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Excerpt from Charming the Darkness

Charming The Darkness
Darkness Book 4
By Shiela Stewart
Paranormal Romance
$3.99
Amazon: https://goo.gl/yfxVBK
Kobo: https://goo.gl/ViCdW2
Champagne Books: http://goo.gl/0oun2x

A vampire with attitude. A witch on a mission. All bets are off in the battle against the darkness until hearts get in the way.

Excerpt

She bolted up and Danny had a moment to think damn before his body locked up. It was the best way to describe why he had no ability to move any of his limbs. “What the hell?” As hard as he tried to move he just couldn’t.

“You’re a vampire?” She backed away from him, her brown eyes wide as she glared at him.

“Well…yeah. What the hell is wrong with me? Why can’t I move?” It was like his brain had lost communication with the rest of his body, yet he could feel everything. Weird.

“I froze you. You were going to bite me.”

“Once again, yeah. Vampire here and what do you mean you froze me?” He was straining so hard to move that if he wasn't careful he was going to drop a load in his pants.

“I’m a witch.”

“A what?”

“A witch.”

At least he could use his face and, frowning at her, said, “You’re a witch?”

She folded her arms over her chest and cocked her hip to the side. He corrected his earlier thought. She wasn't just hot. She was damn hot! “Yeah, what’s wrong with being a witch?”

“Nothing wrong with it. You just don’t look like a witch.”

“Why, because I don’t have a green face and a pointy nose?” She rolled her eyes.

“No, because…well, you’re hot.” There was no denying it, the woman had curves in all the right places and that tight black v-neck t-shirt she wore teased of ample breasts. Never mind the blue jean that looked painted on. “Only children think witches look like that. I’m not that stupid.”

She planted her fists on her hips and gave him an indignant look. “I don’t like your attitude.”

“No problem. Unfreeze me or whatever you need to do to give me back the power of my body and I can be on my merry way. Killer, hurry your ass in there already!” Where was that cat anyway?

“Killer? There are more of you in here?” She spun around, facing towards the entryway to the kitchen.

Oh, this was too perfect. “Oh yeah, there’s a whole bunch of us here and we are all going to take turns sucking the life right out of you.”

She narrowed her eyes as she turned to face him. Maybe he should have used less sarcasm. “I don’t believe you.”

“Suit yourself. Come on out, guys!” This was too much fun. Her face went white as snow.

Then Killer walked in, meowed, and wound his body around Danny’s legs. How was he supposed to pretend to be mean when the cat was cuddling up to him?

“There’s no one else here, is there?”

“Sure there are.” He was losing her rapidly.

“I don’t think so.” Daringly, she inched towards the doorway, peering around the corner.

Danny just couldn’t resist. “Get her!”

She jumped, spun around in some sort of karate kick, her fists raised and ready.

It was the hottest thing he’d ever seen.

Monday, August 1, 2016

Release Day Madness!

For the last days of summer, we would like to offer you these three amazing books. Two from some much-loved series and one brand new book with a familiar face. Get ready because we think you are going to just eat these up!

Charming The Darkness
Darkness Book 4
By Shiela Stewart
Paranormal Romance
$3.99
Amazon: https://goo.gl/yfxVBK
Kobo: https://goo.gl/ViCdW2

Daniel Vega had never been comfortable as a human so when he was offered eternal life as a vampire, he turned his back on his family and welcomed the darkness. Then Chaos, the one man Danny thought he could always count on, goes missing. Now, shunned by his own kind, it seems that leaving Jacob’s Cove is his only option. Until he crashes into a high-spirited redhead.

Born from witches, Starla Raine has spent her entire life learning to control and manage her powers. Drawn to Jacob’s Cove, a city magically cloaked in darkness, Starla runs into Daniel, a man connected to the infamous spell, and she knows just what to do. Hold him hostage and, use any means possible to make him give her what she wants.

The two forge an unlikely partnership, with Danny agreeing to help Starla find the ritual, but only if she’ll work with him to locate Chaos. At first he doesn’t mind using her magical abilities, or her body, for his own gain. Sex is just sex, after all… until someone’s heart gets in the way.

D.I.C.Ks
Case 1: Holy Murder
A New Smyrna Beach Mystery

By Victoria Roder
Cozy Mysetery
$3.99
Amazon: https://goo.gl/tdT5TA
Kobo: https://goo.gl/psXbJP
Champagne Books: http://goo.gl/qYSGdQ

When three friends and co-workers stumble upon a murder, they decide to hide the body until they can find their kidnapped Pastor before he meets the same fate. With humor and a little love along the way, the newly formed D.I.C.KS., Dames Investigating Crimes and Killers, stumble upon a prescription drug ring that leads them to break and enter buildings, follow criminals to an adult bookstore, and be betrayed by the most unlikely of suspects.

The Queen’s Game
By R. J. Hore
Fantasy
eBook $4.99
Print $14.95
Amazon: https://goo.gl/YmtTYx
Kobo: https://goo.gl/QqkyNO
Champagne Books: http://goo.gl/NJZuCc

With the queen safely married and his family joining him, Harow’s life should be back to normal. Instead, his fate leads him down a different path. He is still at odds with the princess, and he has a beautiful and deadly neighbor who raises dragons in her spare time.

Amongst duels, battles, and monsters, Harow is taxed with the assignment of assisting the princess in her campaign to choose a suitable suitor. When she is kidnapped and held by an evil magician, he leaps into action once again, leading a hunting party into the tower to rescue her.

With the princess safe and his world finally at peace, can Harow find his happily ever after?

Tattle and Wrye column August 2016 edition

FROM THE DESK OF
DONA PENZA TATTLE, ESQ.
AND
ASSOCIATE WRYE BALDERDASH

Greetings,

“What arrrre you doing?”

Tattle pats the assortment of flowers she just arranged in her hair. “To quote Susan Polis Schultz, ‘Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair...’”

“Ok, it is official, you have spent too much time in the summer sun!”

“Wellllll, maybe, so let’s go in the shade for our Love of Literature Leap review.”

COURAGEOUS CAIN by D.J. Davis?”

“You betcha.”

The two leap into the pages of the thriller.

“The year was 1986 and Josie Spephard, a loner except for her charming champion, lovable Border Collie, Fletcher, finds herself squarely in front of the fan when the crapola hits.”

Tattle gives Wrye a sideways glance. “Dog do-do aside, Josie has her reasons to be a loner, and finding a dead women staring back at her with open, dirt-filled eyes can turn anyone into a hard-shell duck-and-tuck turtle.”

“Or into a runner, and, our wild-haired, little athlete likes to run. Not talking just about putting on the sneakers and dashing down the trail.” Pumping his arms and moving his feet, Wrye does an imitation of a jogger. “She is a hard body cross-country runner with a shelf of trophies, metals and ribbons to show for it.”

“Yup, yup and triple yup, but she also runs from the world. Her dog plants a muddy paw on a map and that’s where they go, the moment life takes a twisty-turn that she doesn’t like.”

Wrye frowns, “That sounds harsh. I like Josie. She is self-reliant, independent and after a childhood of being raised by a grandmother who teaches her that love is a trap, the young lady has reasons to run, especially when her boyfriend Bradley Swanson, dumps her when she won’t marry him. She has no ties since her grandparents died, why should she stay put.”

Tattle holds up both hands defensively, “Hey, I’m on your side. I like Josie, too. The only love she really ever had was from her stroke handicapped grandfather who could barely talk and the current dog in her life. I feel her, and…” Peeks ahead in the book. “…find her brave and resilient. And, she needs all the bravery she can get when a serial killer has her in his sights for his personal affection and attention.”

“Thank doggone goodness she also gets the attention and affection of Deputy Gordon Wolfe, shy, scarred, and an amazing gentle giant.” He wiggles fluffy brows. “And what about their last names… Wolfe…Shepard… Coincidence? I think not! She soon finds herself not being able to run from the emotions he elicits so easily.”

“Ah, but there is another that claims her attention,” Pointing at a name in the story, Tattle offers a triumphant smile. “Cain! No one seems able to handle the massive dog but its evasive owner. Only Josie has a special connection to dogs, and she can see the abuse he suffered and the good dog behind what others see as a beast. Soon Cain connects with her receiving the only love he has ever known.”

“Then more bodies appear. The killer steals Josie’s undergarments and they show up in pictures of tortured women. She wants to run, but then there is Gordon, Cain, as well as a new friend, Darby, who ends up also abducted.”

Tattle shoots back. “Cain is being used as the killer.”

“Can she help find her friend? Can she allow herself to love Gordon? Can she resist the urge to run?”

“That last option is taken away when Josie finds herself trapped by the killer and Cain. Can her connection to the dog save her and Darby?” Tattle offers a worried sigh then brightens as she puts the book away and reflects. “This story is a heart-wrenching experience tumbled with biting-your-nails suspense and dramatic intensity. The depth of characterization creates real people. They aren’t the typical formulized type found in fiction but unique and flawed. But it is those imperfections that makes them perfectly human while their personal growth within the story is well-paced and believable. D. J. Davis’ descriptive prose puts you fully in the time and place. Today’s world is gone. Whatever is around you is gone. You are part of the COURAGEOUS CAIN universe. The small town and its community comes to life, while the villain stays well-hidden yet so obviously there. His first person narrative that appears in short bursts is down-right chilling. This book hooked me from beginning to end.”

Wrye takes over. “Being a dog enthusiast, I couldn’t help but warm to the animals within the story but especially to Cain. Even when he first appeared as a vicious brute, I felt the heart within. D. J. did a brilliant job of making him genuine and a creature you couldn’t help loving. The storyline is amazing, with hold your breath scenes and tissues at hands moments. I can’t offer enough praise for the storyline’s consistent momentum and the intricate character interaction. I highly recommend this book, and can’t wait to get my hands on the next!”



UNEARTHED, Duty Bound II by J. S. Marlo, is a contemporary woman’s suspenseful romance and the heroine put the A in adorable!”  

Ohhh, Rowan “Ro” O’Reilly, is a spit fire and has the rebellious red hair to prove it. I like her!” announces Wrye.

“Did you know she is daughter of…wait for it… Riley Kendrick and step-daughter of Blythe Huxley from UNSCRIPTED, Duty Bound I?”

“Yup…yup…the one that went to Iceland for school, and the very one who returned from said country, heart-broken, coerced into giving up, Bjorn, the man who had stolen her heart.” Wrye shakes his head at the injustice of it all. “At the same time, she inherits, from her Aunt Mattie, the Buccaneer Bed & Breakfast, on Prince Edward Island. According to her good natured cook and housekeeper, every summer it sported a no vacancy sign. This year her establishment has few guests. It is due to a couple of bad reviews, that made little sense, since the B&B offers fabulous food and a clean, though, dated backdrop.”

“She does have one consistent guest, the hunky,” Tattle hits the air with a finger and makes a sizzle sound, “hot-beyond-hot, mysterious Avery Stone. He is a moody guest with a haunted expression who is nursing a limp. Meanwhile, another hottie with charm and a bed-side manner, yes, a young doctor and friend of her deceased aunt gives her a loan to help fix up the B&B. Only, that makes Rowan feel obligated to at least give the man his endless attention a chance. Yet, her heart still grieves for her old love and she is also continuously drawn to Avery.”

“Then there is the mysterious groundskeeper, the certainty her aunt’s death wasn’t an accident but can’t prove it, the bats in the closet that lead to old letters and family secrets annnnnd finding bones upon bones upon bones buried under the gazebo. It all keeps Rowan searching for the truth.” Wrye does the brow wiggle. “Da…da…da…daaaaa.”

“Only, all that digging about puts her in lethal danger!”

“And then?” urges Wrye.

“And then the reader has to read the book! And it is a book that will keep your nose buried in the e-pages and your heart clenched. Sometimes due to suspense, and other times to the heart wrenching trauma of her broken heart, trying to mend itself. Once again, J. S. Marlo has delivered a tale that combines genres with delightful and seamless perfection. Her writing style has become tighter and clearer. She, also, has this amazing skill at dangling just enough bait to make you want to read the next book in the series. And, I can’t wait.” Tattle offers a thumbs up.

“The characters, as in her previous book, were dimensional and interesting. There was also enough suspects to keep you continuously guessing until the very end, and the end has you wondering who will truly survive the villain’s unscrupulous, deadly intentions. I fully enjoyed reading this story. J. S. Marlo has delivered another winner!”


We have another Love of Literature Leap behind us and are looking forward to the next! Until then, keep reading.


Dona Penza Rutabaga Tattle, Esq. and Associate Wrye Balderdash
of Blather City, Wannachat

Created and written by:  Angelica Hart and Zi

Books by: Angelica Hart and Zi
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