Savvy Saturday: Exclusive Excerpt from Tempting the Darkness

Tempting The Darkness
Darkness, 5
By Shiela Stewart
Paranormal Romance
$3.99
Amazon: https://goo.gl/C8UN3r
Kobo: https://goo.gl/45LsUX
Champagne Books: https://goo.gl/vLbzIS

Death is not the end for a vampire in love.

Excerpt

Gabriella fought to open her eyes and couldn’t understand why they felt as if they were laden with lead. Struggling, she pushed them open and blearily tried to look around. It was all so fuzzy, as if something were coating her eyes, blurring them. She scrubbed her fists over them and blinked away the fog.

Where was she?

Her body felt…odd. Heavy, different. Energized.

She took a good look around. It was a bedroom. She was in a bedroom.

Cooper’s bedroom.

How had she gotten here? Her mind seemed as foggy as her eyes. Her mouth was as dry as the desert. She pushed the blankets aside, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. They were bare. Well, of course they are, you were in bed. She caught sight of the rest of her body and gasped. She was completely naked.

Then it all came barreling back into her mind.

Cooper had woken her. He’d bathed her. He’d made love to her.

He’d made her a vampire.

Her hand flew up to her neck and she felt the distinct impression of two marks just below her ear. He’d bitten her. While he’d poured himself into her, he had bitten her, drank in her blood, and made her like him.

“It’s the only way.”

She bolted out of the bed and her legs gave way, nearly sending her tumbling to the floor. Plopping back down onto the bed, she took a few deep breaths, then slowly got to her feet. Though they wobbled, her legs managed to carry her as she walked to the mirror over the dresser. The room was utterly dark yet she saw with perfect clarity. Her eyes were a translucent blue green with a tint of yellow. Opening her mouth, she saw the fangs penetrating from her gums

She gasped, backing up, and bumped into the bed.

Whirling around, her heart racing, she felt panicked.

She needed to get out of here.

In a desperate search, she ran about the room looking for her clothing. It was nowhere to be found. How was that possible? Spotting a robe hanging on the back of the door, she yanked it down and quickly slipped into it. It hung off her like a droopy sack of silk. She did her best to belt it up to cover her nudity.

He’d made love to her, then made her a vampire.

Why would he do that?

Carefully, she opened the bedroom door, peering through the crack. She saw no one and heard nothing. Throwing the door open, she bolted. She didn’t know where she was going, or what she was going to do, she just knew she had to run.

“Gabriella.”

She screamed and spun around to see Cooper standing before her. Her heart raced with both fear and love, and in the conflict of emotions, she was momentarily frozen.

“Are you all right, my sweet?”

“Don’t touch me,” she blurted out in a voice much too frail to be hers. Spinning around, she searched for an exit.

“You should be resting.”

“Leave me alone.” Seeing an escape, she bolted for the door, throwing it open as she ran. Her bare feet slapped on the paved steps leading down to a small cobblestone path. Everything was so dark. It felt so…unnatural.

“Gabriella, please, come back inside.”

His voice startled her and she ran a little faster. “No, leave me alone. Leave me alone,” she screamed as she ran.

“Gabriella, stop.”

She jumped when he appeared in front of her, and screamed even louder.

“My stars, love. What has gotten into you?”

“Don’t touch me. You turned me into a vampire. Just leave me alone.” Spinning around, she darted off, not knowing where she was or where she was headed.

“Gabriella. Please.”

Her blood curdling scream echoed in the still air as he grabbed her arm and stopped her. “Leave me alone. Please, please, just let me be.”

“What is going on?”

Her head twisted to the male voice behind her and she saw a man with dark hair and beautiful, glowing blue eyes. “Help me. Please, help me. Save me.” Jerking her arm free, she raced to the gentleman. She didn’t know who he was, but she hoped he would help her. “Please, don’t let him near me.”

About the Author

Raised on a rural farm in Saskatchewan, Canada, 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 author.

In the fall of two thousand and six, Shiela published her very first book and she hasn’t stopped since.

When not writing, Shiela spends time with the love of her life and biggest supporter, William. She enjoys doting on her children and granddaughter. She has a strong affection for animals which is evident in the five cats, one dog, plenty of fish and one turtle she owns.

Some of her other passions are home décor, crocheting and knitting.

New Release: Tempting the Darkness

Tempting The Darkness
Darkness, 5
By Shiela Stewart
Paranormal Romance
$3.99
Amazon: https://goo.gl/C8UN3r
Kobo: https://goo.gl/45LsUX
Champagne Books: https://goo.gl/vLbzIS

For twenty long years, Cooper Hawthorne has kept the brightest light in his bleak existence a deeply hidden secret. All this time, his beloved Gabriella has slept safely in cryogenic stasis, awaiting the day he finds a cure for her terminal cancer. As love blooms amidst the Darkness, and still no cure in sight, loneliness drives Cooper to drastic measures. He awakens Gabriella and breaks his last promise to her—by turning her into a vampire. Gabriella’s sense of betrayal weighs heavily on her attempts to deal with what Cooper has done to her. Pushing him away, she turns to his friends for support—and finds she isn’t the only one hurt by his actions. Cooper fights the temptation to use his powers to wipe her mind of the damning memories. But, when he comes face to face with the monster that created him, he knows what he must do.

Will Gabriella be able to save him before it’s too late? Or will the Darkness swallow him whole?

Savvy Saturday: Where to Find Our Authors in December

Keith Willis

There's dragons galore on this guy's website!

From the man himself:

On Wednesday, December 7 @ 7:00pm I'll be appearing at the William K. Sanford Public Library Colonie, New York, (http://www.libraryinsight.net/eventdetails.asp?jx=vjp&lmx=576865&v=3) for a reading from Traitor Knight and discussion of writing, fantasy, and dragons. And there may be dragon cookies...

On Sunday, December 11 from noon - 5:00 PM I'll be participating as a vendor in the Altamont New York Victorian Holiday Celebration & Winter Market. I'll be in the Altamont Community Library with copies of Traitor Knight for sale. In addition I'll be raffling off some cool swag, and I'll have a special treat for any kids (or kids-at-heart) who come by--because everyone needs a dragon for a pet, right?

Amy McKinley

Check out her website for everything Amy!

December 10, 2016 Donation giveaway at Merry X-Mass Bash event beginning at 8:30 am CST. https://www.facebook.com/events/220046208430597/

December 10, 2016 Ani Bishop's Always You Release Party event takeover at 3pm EST. https://www.facebook.com/events/1128591860565405/?active_tab=discussion

December 13, 2016 25 Days of Christmas event takeover at 3pm. the event is presented by Books and Boys Book Blog https://www.facebook.com/events/396651237391882/?active_tab=about

December 14, 2016 Naughty or Nice event takeover at 9pm. Happening in The Party Palace Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/331392913872568/

December 15, 2016 12 Days of Kiltmas event takeover at 6pm EST. https://www.facebook.com/events/1615588348743472/

Amy's books are now available at the Tinley Park Public Library in Tinley Park, Illinois.


Veronica Helen Hart

Veronica Helen Hart will be signing books at Book Warehouse in Tanger Square Mall, Daytona Beach, Florida on December 17th, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Also with her will be Robert Hart, William G. Collins, and Lois Gerber.

Veronica's books are now available at the new Change Jar Books in Ormond Beach, Florida located on Nova Road.



Kay Latour

This new CBG author will be having a guest interview at her blog with author Natalia Brothers on December 15th.

Tattle and Wrye column December 2016 edition

FROM THE DESK OF

DONA PENZA TATTLE, ESQ.

AND

ASSOCIATE WRYE BALDERDASH

Greetings,

“Brrrr, it’s chilly outside,” Tattle enters the office in a Mrs. Claus Suit.

“Not if you live in Arizona!” Wrye does a two step, ending with, “Ta…da!”

“Ah, so it’s duelling Christmas jokes ye are after, m’elfin friend.” She swirls about and verbally assaults. “What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? Claustrophobic.”

Wrye thinks, huh, but counters, “Why does Santa have 3 gardens? So he can ho-ho-ho.”

Walking around Wrye, Tattle’s skirt swirls “Why was Santa's little helper depressed? Because he had low elf esteem.”

“What do you call an elf who sings? A Wrapper!”

“What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? Frostbite.” She holds up a hand. “Enough. I win. Time for our Love of Literature Leap Reviews.”

Again Wrye thinks, huh, but bows concession and off they go.

The duo find themselves in BORN IN ICE by Linda LaRoque, a futuristic/sci-fi/romantic suspense.

Zana Forrester left her young daughter and elder mother to brave the unstable roadways in the year 2080. She lived in a world where global warming had taken control, and avalanches, like the one that killed her husband, were not uncommon. Having to survive and keep her family fed and warm, she works from home as a computer programmer, but now and then she had to leave to pick up supplies.

Not to overtax her mother, she had taken her baby boy Jonathan with her and left her daughter, Katy. Soon after they start out, they are consumed by an avalanche.

Seventy-five years later, Brock Callahan and his crew salvage a rare all-terrain vehicle buried in an iceberg. After outrunning a dreaded pirate, they take the vehicle aboard his ship. Inside, unconscious, Zana holds her dead son. In her time, drugs had been administered to keep tissue from freezing completely, which allowed for Zana’s rebirth. Her son had been too young for the treatment.

Hence, Zana awakes to a world much different from her own, without her son, and not knowing what had happened to her daughter or mother. Finding her daughter becomes her main concern despite being instantly attracted to Brock and the new life he can offer her.

Meanwhile, Brock, a widow, is immediately drawn to the lovely Zana, and believes she would be the perfect wife and mother to his own daughter. Yet he refuses to love her. Death always follows those women he had loved. Both have their own agendas, but fate keeps them together as they battle through the dangers and heartache of the weather torn planet and its survivors’ tumultuous days and nights.

To further complicate their goals, a foreboding evil stalks them. Though Zana had been reborn, death is once again at her heels, threatening not just her but those she is beginning to love. 

Tattle whoops, “Wow! If you like adventure, suspense well-dosed with the unexpected and romance, this is the book for you. The prose pulsates with persistent realism despite being set in a futuristic world. You find yourself glancing out the window to remind yourself you don’t live in a city under the sea or a modernized cavern. The story absorbed me within the first paragraph, and I felt the characters pain and trauma. I became Zena’s and Brock’s cheerleader as their fortitude helps them overcome both physical and emotional bouts of intense ordeals. This read became part of my heart long after I put the book aside.”

Wyre nods in agreement. “The story itself captivated me.  The characters crawled under my skin and held me enthralled. I was in constant anticipation of what would happen next, and whether or not they would survive. The writing itself was so accomplished and well-done, I could almost hear a musical score adding to the background suspense. It was such an enjoyable journey, I found myself wanting to visit that world, meet the people, and applaud their bravado. Many books have captured my interest, but this one baited, hooked, and cooked me well. I am forevermore a LaRoque fan!”

Tattle and Wrye read their way through CLAIMED by Andrea R. Cooper, a paranormal, fantasy romance. 

Dream jobs aren’t always the dream you expect them to be, and Renee Maxwell soon discovers that truth. Being an assistant to sensuous and dreamy archaeologist, Damon Cubins, in the ancient ruins of Turkey has its perks.  Mostly, it is gruelling work and feverish nights. Not, hot, ooh la la type of nights but actually feeling sick with a legit fever. It doesn’t help that visions insert themselves over reality. Damon, though, incredibly handsome to begin with becomes even more tempting, taking on the traits of a chiseled, perfect hot-to-the-bone god. Meanwhile, Travis, a volunteer, she swears is beginning to look gnome-like. Was it the heat? Was it the flu? Was it the weird dreams? No, no, and no! She had recently dug up a crystal, an insignificant find, she pocketed, intending to make it into a necklace, but it is also affecting her.

What she doesn’t know is that the crystal is the very one Damon has been seeking. Damon Cubins is an incubus and if he doesn’t find the crystal and feed off of its energy, he will turn into a full demon. Once he knows Renee has found it, he realizes he must get that crystal away from her. Ironically, the full-figured beauty has feminist views and, unlike most women who fall for his charms, she resists his romantic overtures. She is quite content to let his model thin girlfriend have him all to herself. Well, maybe content isn’t the exact word. Attempting to resist might be more accurate.

Damon though needs that stone. Though he can feed off others’ sexual energy, he refuses to do more than siphon a taste, rather than hurt them. Unlike his cousin, Clive who feeds off violence and war, Damon cares for humanity. He soon finds he also cares for Renee. Will she run when she realizes what he is? Will Clive create enough chaos to put them all in danger? Will Damon lose Renee and become a demon? Read to find out!

Tattle sighs. “This is one of those romantic, paranormal romps you want to jump into as if it is a shimmery lake and discover it has a tumultuous undertow.  It has just the right blend of danger, adventure, sexuality and romance to satisfy every emotional nook and cranny of your literary being. I really like Renee, especially how she keeps sticking to her views and independence. It was a hoot, however, watching the very likeable and sexy Clive not get the girl right off the bat. Cooper’s writing has a clean, crisp feel, giving the storyline a swift pace. The dialogue is very believable with a grand amount of bantering that kept me smiling even though I kept rooting for them to reveal their true feelings to each other. This is the perfect book to curl up with on a quiet, cozy night with only enough light to read by.

Wyre grins. “I thoroughly enjoyed reading CLAIMED. It is reminiscent of the grand style of romance novels blusterous beginnings. It is a compelling read yet had its own unique speed, I couldn’t put it down but I didn’t want to rush it. I felt the need to read each phrase, every word. I liked the play of good and evil, especially showing an incubus that is more than simply sexually driven. Cooper took paranormal to a different level, writing a story that wasn’t a clone of what is already out there. It had a unique plot and its own remarkable style. This author will quickly gain a following, and I am personally looking forward to her next book.”

Hope you all enjoyed our reviews! Until next month, 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

KILLER DOLLS ~ SNAKE DANCE ~

CHASING YESTERDAY ~ CHRISTMAS EVE...VIL

http://www.champagnebooks.com/

Books by: Vixen Bright and Zachary Zane

STEEL EMBRACE

BOOK NOOKIE-A LIBRARIAN'S BUIDE TO THE DO-ME DECIMAL SYSTEM

http://www.carnalpassions.com/

angelicahartandzi.com

.

Savvy Saturday: Exclusive Peek at Rita Bay's New Book Ely's Epiphany

Lexie slapped the dash of the Tahoe. “You’ve been silent the whole trip. You are going to tell me your problem before I get out of this car.”

Todd grimaced. “I know you’re pissed at me, Lexie, but it’s not right to dump my worries on you.”

He jerked when she stabbed his arm with a finger. “I’m going to sit here until you fess up. If I’m late to see Colonel Travers, it will be all your fault and I will never forgive you.”

He rubbed the sore spot. “Lexie, it’s personal and none of your business.”

He cringed when she sent him a hurt-filled look and whimpered. She bowed her head and covered her face with her hands. “I can’t leave you like this, but I’ll be in so much trouble.”

Todd knew he wouldn’t be able to withstand her tears. He would crumble and they both knew it.

“Okay, baby, just don’t cry. I’ll tell you what I can.”

She popped up impatient to hear the story. “Hurry, I don’t have all day.”

“It’s Ely. There’s something going on with him. He’s behaving strangely. Way too nice.”

She shook her head. “I’m not seeing it. He fixed a great breakfast. He’s making Christmas plans. Nothing unusual there.”

“I know differently. We’ve been together too long for me not to notice the signs. He said he was going to the restaurant yesterday, but he lied. I checked the GPS on his phone and he was miles away. I could narrow him down to the post but couldn’t get any closer. He was moving around.”

“What do you suspect?”

“I’m afraid he’s found someone else. He’s tired of me and is being nice to let me down easy.” His voice broke. “I love him so much, I don’t know what I’ll do if he leaves me.”

She threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “I love him too. Enough to know that he would never leave us. Don’t worry. I have to go now, but we’ll discover the real story soon. Love you.”

She jumped out of the Tahoe, waved as Todd pulled away, and then turned and ran straight into Colonel Cochrane’s chest. As she rubbed her sore nose, Lexie knew she was screwed.

About the Author

Rita Bay has worked as a Registered Nurse, educator and school system administrator. While juggling family and work, she has participated in archaeological digs, earned a black belt in Shotokan karate, prospected for gold and crystals, and camped across Europe. She lives on the Gulf Coast, except when she's in Atlanta, at least for now.

Rita is happily published with Champagne Book Group (paranormal, erotic mythology), Secret Cravings Publishing (contemporary M/F and M/M), Siren BookStrand (historicals). She posts random bits of trivia for lovers of American and European history and culture at Rita Bay's Blog at http://ritabay.com. You can also grab this book on Amazon, Kobo, and at the Champagne Bookstore.

Savvy Saturday: Interview with Brantwijin Serrah and Serenity from The Pact

Hello Brantwijn! Welcome back! I hear you have a new book out, care to tell us a little bit about it?

B: The Pact is a supernatural fantasy western. A little bit Dark Tower, a little Firefly, a little bit Dresden Files. It's about a woman seeking justice for the murder of her mentor, going so far as to make a deal with a demon to do it. It's not a one-time deal, though; it binds her and the demon as partners for the rest of their lives. So it's going to be a long adventure.

And is this lovely lady you brought with you from that book? Care to introduce yourself ma’am?

S: I'm Serenity Walker, the aforementioned demon summoner.

Serenity, what would you say was your favorite part of your most recent adventure?

S: The story looks back on my past now and then, before I met D'aej--that's my demon partner--and while I was still learning magic. My favorite part, I guess, is my final night with my second teacher, Rook, when he initiates me into the order of most ambitious magic practitioners and knowledge-seekers, the Sons of D'Shaye. That was right before I made my demon pact.

In turn, what was the worst?

S: Hard to tell you that without giving to much away. Safe to say, though, I didn't appreciate the author throwing a giant scorpion at me about halfway through the book.

If you had to ask Brantwijn for just one thing, what would it be and why?
S: It would be just fantastic if maybe she could give me one horse, just one, who doesn't get eaten by a monster.

Now it’s Brantwijn’s turn: what would you ask of Serenity and why?
B: Keep a better watch out for monsters, genius.

Alright guys, it was nice talking to you. We hope to see more of your adventures soon Serenity!

S: Oh, you will. She doesn't let me get a lot of R&R.

B: Whiner. What she means is, we've still got seven books to go.

When she isn't visiting the worlds of immortals, demons, dragons and goblins, Brantwijn fills her time with artistic endeavors: sketching, painting, customizing My Little Ponies and sewing plushies for friends. She can't handle coffee unless there's enough cream and sugar to make it a milkshake, but try and sweeten her tea and she will never forgive you. She moonlights as a futon for four lazy cats, loves tabletop role-play games, and can spend hours watching Futurama, Claymore or Buffy the Vampire Slayer while she writes or draws.

Brantwijn's books can be found on Amazon, at the Champagne Bookstore, Kobo, and at Barnes & Noble. You can also visit her on her website.

Savvy Saturday: Interview with Glenn McCorkhill, Co-author of Chatel’s Vision

Welcome to Savvy Saturday! This week we have an interview with Glenn McCorkhill, co-author of Chatel’s Vision.

Hello Glenn! We are exited to have you here on the Champagne Books Blog!

Very happy to be here, and thank you for this opportunity.

So, I hear that your journey to co-writing the second book in the Cheetah Princess series was a little odd. Mind telling us about it?

The review I wrote of Cheetah Princess in 2012 ended with the remark that I hoped a sequel might be in the works. The author, Joan Conning Afman, pleasantly responded. She said another book may follow, but had other new works that were occupying her time just then. About six months later we became Facebook friends and that’s when our journey began. Since the ending of Cheetah Princess left open the possibility the story might continue, I asked again if she had given it more thought. We discussed what might happen to the main characters if the antagonist, Vadent, found his way into their lives once again. After tossing around several ideas for what the sequel might entail, we got down to the serious business of putting it on paper.

How did co-writing the book go? Can you tell us a little bit about your fellow author?

It was a mess right from the start! We settled on writing alternate chapters, and gave it a good try for about six months. But with Joan being a seasoned author with many titles and experience under her belt, while this was my first real go at writing, trying to make our separate works mesh together into a seamless story proved a near impossible task. With little to show, we decided it was time for a new approach: I would write, and she would edit and mentor (for which I am very grateful!)

What was your inspiration for Chatel’s Vision?

Cheetahs have always been one of my favorite animals, and I’ve read many books that feature them. But the lead cheetah always seemed to be male, so I wanted a female cat to be the hero for once. And not born into the role, but coming from a simple background just like her owner, Chatel. Together, they could be swept up into a world unlike anything they had seen before, and come of age in the process.

Is this your first published work?

Other than a few sentences I managed to squeeze into an issue of Reader’s Digest last year, yes. But now that Joan and I have found a way to write together and make it work, we have more stories of all the Cheetah Princess characters in progress.

What would you recommend to a fellow aspiring author looking to be published?

Don’t be afraid to take a chance. Write reviews of your favorite author’s stories, and send them friend requests on Facebook. I haven’t had one author turn down a friendship offer. If they have a book signing in your area, go and meet them, even if it’s just to have a good book autographed by the person who put a large part of their life into telling the tale. And, if possible, try to experience as much in this world as your characters experience in theirs. If they go horseback riding and you never have, give it a try. Climb a mountain, paddle a canoe, do volunteer work. When it’s time to put your character’s adventures on paper, life will be the best teacher out there.

It was great having you Glenn, and we hope we haven’t seen the last of you.
Check out Chatel's Vision on Amazon, Kobo, or at the Champagne Bookstore.