Jacqueline Paige

Priestess of the Nile by Veronica Scott

2012-02-08T08:36:00.001-05:00

Another fabulous book to check out!
Here's a peak at Chapter One...

Blurb:

Drawn to his abandoned temple on the banks of the Nile by an enchanting song, Sobek the Crocodile God is even more captivated by the sight of the singer herself. Appearing to her as a man, he learns she is Merys, a descendant of his last priestess. Though filled with lust, Sobek believes Merys deserves to be more than just his mistress. But the rules that govern the Egyptian pantheon forbid anything beyond a physical joining of a Great One and a human.

Merys is attracted to the handsome stranger, who arouses passions in her that no man ever has. But with no dowry and no hope of ever leaving her village, she dares not dream of the future—or love.
Sobek takes every opportunity to visit Merys, taxing his resolve to leave her pure. When he saves her life, their mutual desire must be sated. But can a love between a human and an immortal survive the ultimate test of the gods?

Priestess of the Nile excerpt:

Chapter One

The old abandoned temple remained one of his favorite spots along the Nile, overlooking the river from a small bluff, with a deserted beach below. Bek stood gazing across the sparkling water at bronze- and black-spotted crocodiles sunbathing in the final rays of the setting sun. A breathtaking mix of colors stained the sky as the Goddess Nuit spread her cloak across the heavens, sprinkling the black velvet with stars.
A beautiful soprano voice rose from the beach below the bluff. Bek recognized the words of a familiar old song, given new meaning by the hypnotizing, alluring voice. I must see this songbird. She’s cast some kind of spell over me.

He strolled along the path from the ruins toward the beach. Taking the last turn on the trail, he walked out on the sand and found the woman. She waded in the water, casting a small fishing net and retrieving it, every once in a while picking out a wriggling silver fish and throwing it into a waiting basket on the beach.
Her ample breasts flashed into view when she leaned over. She had kilted her skirt to her thighs, revealing shapely legs. Long ebony hair was caught behind her ears with combs in the shape of seashells.
Wouldn’t I like to take those combs out and see her hair tumble down—she’s as beautiful as her voice. He must have made some sound. She stopped singing and wheeled, taking an involuntary step deeper into the river at the sight of him, a stranger. Her face paled under her tan and her eyes opened wide as she staggered, caught by an eddy of the current.

“Don’t be frightened, please. I mean you no harm.” He held his hands up, palms out, and smiled. “I heard your singing and it drew me here. I only wanted to give my thanks for the concert.”

She laid one hand on her graceful throat, toying with an amulet on a thong. “You startled me.” Poised to bolt, the girl appeared wary, probably planning an attempt to run past him.

“I apologize.” He kicked off his sandals and waded into the water at an angle from her. The net drifted lazily in a whirlpool; he reached out and caught it, lifting the tangled strands from the river.

“Oh, don’t! You’ll ruin your fine kilt, sir.” She came to him hastily and took the net from his hands. “The river runs muddy at this time of the year. Your servants will labor in vain to get the stains out.”

He glanced at his waist. Oh yes, I did choose to wear the pleated white kilt of a nobleman. He followed her to the shore as she splashed through tiny waves with her net. “Fortunately, I have no servants to worry with such things.”

While putting his sandals on, Bek frowned at the Nile crocodiles lying deceptively immobile on the opposite bank, then glanced at her. “You take great risks, walking into the river with those beasts nearby.”
One of the animals twitched. Bek glared at it. The creature met his eyes for a second, then settled onto the sand.

“Oh, I’m not afraid. I’m protected.” She was busy folding the net and packing it into a compartment in the lid of her fish creel. She didn’t even spare a moment to consider the predators across the water.

He coughed to cover his instinctive laugh. “Protected? And exactly how are you warded against attack?”

She stood briskly, raised her chin and tugged an amulet free of her dress to show him. It was a small green stone crocodile hanging on a frayed black leather thong. “My great-grandmother was the last priestess of the temple on the bluff above.”

He indicated the amulet. “May I see it?”

The girl unlooped the cord from her neck and handed the necklace over. “Great-Grandmother told me the amulet was blessed by the Crocodile God himself and would protect me from his creatures.” Bek chuckled, holding the tiny figurine in his large meaty hand. “Mighty protection indeed.” He momentarily closed the pendant in his fist, then tossed it to her with a slight bow.

“Nonetheless, you shouldn’t take such chances. Crocodiles are crafty and fierce.”

When she refastened the amulet the stone pendant fell between her shapely breasts. She unkilted her skirts and the simple dress fell to her ankles. As she bent to lift her basket of fish Bek put his hand atop hers on the handle. She gave him a wide-eyed glance but stepped aside to let him lift her burden.

“Thank you, sir. I’m going to sit in the shade and eat my dinner now.” She pointed at the nearby grove of palms. “Would you care to join me?”

“I’m not hungry, but I’ll sit if you don’t object. An hour of good conversation is a pleasant way to end the day.”

She peeked sideways at him while she walked. Eventually she smiled shyly. “I’m grateful for the company. My name is Merys.” She stood nearly as tall as him, unusual in a woman, but he found it distinctly attractive. Her face was lovely, oval and browned by the sun, which set off her sparkling black eyes. She was all lush curves and smooth skin—his cock stirred with lust but he restrained his arousal.

She seems to be an innocent maiden, of good family by her educated speech, not a woman to be lightly trifled with for an afternoon. He realized he was standing rooted to one spot, lost in admiration of her beauty. Shaking his head, he started walking again. “Call me Bek.”

“A propitious name for this place, if your naming was in tribute to the Crocodile God.” Merys slanted a look at him sideways and chuckled. “Are you a merchant? Is your ship anchored somewhere nearby?” Not waiting for an answer, she sank bonelessly under the tallest palm. Lifting a shawl that lay draped there across some wicker hampers, she pulled out a hard roll filled with dried meat.

Bek set the stinking fish creel on the sand well away from where he planned to sit, but safely in the shade. He lowered himself into a cross-legged position and leaned against the tree, hands clasped behind his neck. “I travel along the Nile quite often, yes.”

She blinked and raised her eyebrows. He hadn’t precisely answered either of her questions but she didn’t press the matter. “Did you come to see the temple ruins?”

He nodded. The truth, as far as it goes

About Veronica Scott:

Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library full of books as its heart, and when she ran out of things to read, she started writing her own stories. Married young to her high school sweetheart then widowed, Veronica has two grown daughters, one young grandson and cats.
Veronica's life has taken many twists and turns, but she always makes time to keep reading and writing. Everything is good source material for the next novel or the one after that anyway, right? She's been through earthquakes, tornadoes and near death experiences, although nothing is as stressful as meeting a book deadline. Always more stories to tell, new adventures to experience--Veronica's personal motto is, "Never boring."

Web & Social Media:

http://veronicascott.wordpress.com/

http://twitter.com/#!/vscotttheauthor

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veronica-Scott/177217415659637

http://www.amazon.com/Veronica-Scott/e/B006CUCJ92/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

http://community.harlequin.com/blogs/veronica-scott

This weekend and progress

2012-01-31T10:01:00.000-05:00

This weekend I'm going to be part of a fun event.
Fellow authors from Class Act Books will be over at
Ravencraft's Romance Realm chatting it up and giving things
away!!

Click on the picture to go and see the list of prizes.

On the writing front I sat down and attempted to figure out
what I need to be focusing on the most. The list of things
to do and deadlines is a little overwhelming!!

The never ending WIP (Cross Over Huntress) is two chapters
away from completion and only 20,000 words past what I had
planned on!

Once that is finished I will be wearing my edit hat for quite sometime.
I've informed my muse there will be NO NEW PLOTS at this time.
I will be busy with promoting the new releases and completing edits for
those coming up.

Here's the line up for me for February and March:
Book IV in the Magic Seasons - Autumn Dance (polish up and get that
submitted- my editor is dying to know what happens!)
Animal Heart Book I in Animal Trilogy (rewrites and re-submission)
Book III in Hidden Senses Trilogy -Inner Reflections
finish and submit (this one has a projected release date already!!)
Book I in the Ancestor's Enchantment Trilogy - The Witch Within (polish up and submit)
Book V in the Magic Seasons - Winter's Mist (polish up and submit)

Okay so this list will most likely bleed into April as well, now that I sit here and
look at it. Now that I've tossed it out into the blogosphere, I will have to stick to it
right?

Meh!

Have a great day and I hope to see you on the weekend over at Ravencrafts!!

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com

Author Avery Flynn

2012-01-30T06:30:00.013-05:00

Today author Avery Flynn is stopping by on her tour for
A Dry Creek Bed

The Ideas Cramming My Brain

By Avery Flynn

Where does inspiration come from? Everywhere.

A Dry Creek Bed is Beth and Hank’s love story at heart, but the mystery surrounding them involves the trifecta of villainous motivations: revenge, land and greed.

First, let me set it up a bit for you.

In A Dry Creek Bed, readers discover Beth Martinez still mourning the deaths of the grandparents who raised her after her parents died in a car accident. Beth has seen her share of tragedy, including having the dream of starting her own family ripped away from her. Though quietly in love with Hank for years, she knows they’ll never be together. Hank, now the Dry Creek County sheriff and divorced from his first wife who lied to him about her desire to have children, wants a family, something Beth can never have and can’t give him. Despite their mutual desire for each other and Hank’s determination to pursue her, she manages to keep him at a distance.

All Beth has left of her family is the home built by her grandfather. So when a mysterious developer makes an offer on the property, she refuses. Soon she’s receiving threats and can no longer hide what’s happening from Hank. Forced together by circumstances, it becomes harder and harder for them to rein in their passion. Suddenly, the stakes go higher. Coercion turns into murder and it’s up to Beth and Hank to uncover who wants the land and why—before they both end up dead.

I have to go back to one of my favorites, Gone With the Wind for the first nugget of inspiration for A Dry Creek Bed. In it Scarlett’s dad tells her it’s all about land and in Nebraska that’s true too. My stepfather recently sold his farm and it was heartbreaking for him. He thought he’d be farming it until he dropped in the hayfield. That got me thinking about the importance of land and how it can tie families together. The question that popped into my head was: what if the land is the only tie you have left to your family, what would you do if someone tried to take it away?

From that developed the villain of A Dry Creek Bed, a mystery developer pushing people off their land. Beth is the only person standing between the developer and millions in profits. Verbal threats morph into vandalism which morphs into physical violence. It’s up to Hank and Beth to uncover decades-old secrets, revealing that all is not what it seems in their rural Nebraska home.

Inspiration strikes all the time and I have far more ideas rolling around my brain than I’ve had time to write - thank God for the little notebooks I carry everywhere. These ideas slow roast in my noggin for a few weeks, months, years until their time comes. Usually I know it’s time when the characters start popping up in my dreams. Then I know I have to get my butt in the seat and my fingers on the keyboard.

A Dry Creek Bed

By Avery Flynn

Book 2

Blurb

"I do believe I can arrest you for looking at someone like that. You've got to be breaking some indecency laws."

Taking a deep breath, she recovered her bearings. Mostly. "You're out of your jurisdiction, sheriff."

Dry Creek County Sheriff Hank Layton is the stuff of dreams. Nasty, steamy, delicious fantasies that leave Beth Martinez weak-kneed and desperately wanting the man she can never have.

Hank can’t stop thinking about Beth to the point where he’s afraid of becoming permanently bowlegged. And even though the sexual tension between them is thick enough to trip over, she runs every time he chases.

But when a mysterious developer forces her neighbors off their land, Beth becomes the one person standing between the scoundrel and millions of dollars. Only Hank can help her uncover the truth. Together they risk their lives exposing decades-old secrets and learn that everything is not as it seems in their rural Nebraska town.

A Dry Creek Bed Excerpt - The Kiss

She stopped with her back to him. "One kiss?"

“One little kiss.”

A fall breeze brushed the tips of her mahogany hair across her back and she straightened her shoulders. Spinning around, she made her way back to him with a fuck-you strut. Stopping just short of his feet, she dropped her gym bag. It hit the pavement with a thud, the whole world seeming to have gone silent around them.

"Let's get it over with."

Something primal inside of him howled its approval. He wanted to devour her full lips then and there.

Stick to the plan, dude.

He held firm. Barely. "OK, you can kiss me."

"Wait a minute -"

"You're the one who says there's nothing between us, so I figure you should set the tone of the kiss. It's up to you to disprove my theory."

"Of all the stupid things." She huffed out a breath. "Fine."

Hank held his breath, hoping all his bluster would pay off. God, this woman undid him.

She laid her soft hand against his chest. There was no way she could miss the hammering behind his ribs. Navy blue nails shone bright against the red of his cotton shirt. Her shoulders twitched with a shiver. A flicker of doubt shook him. Maybe she'd ignored him after the party for a reason.

Then her lips touched his. Chocolate and caramel coffee teased his taste buds as their tongues twisted around each other.

His hands roamed to the bottom of her soft, wool sweater, snuck underneath the hem and caressed the soft skin above the low waist of her jeans.

Her vanilla perfume surrounded him as he lowered his mouth to taste the sweetness of her neck. He lost himself to the hungry lust streaming through his veins and the moaning woman in his arms. There was no street, no gawking neighbors, no one else in the world.

"Hank, stop." Beth's breath brushed against his cheek.

More plea than demand, her words sliced through his euphoria. Unwilling to let her go yet, he lifted his head but kept his fingers tucked into her waistband. Still tasting her on his lips, he couldn't form any words.

A flush pinked her cheeks as she pursed her kiss-swollen lips. "So ... that's ... out of the way."

Her hand shook when she patted him on the chest, her fingers lingering for a few seconds over his pounding heart. With a sigh she pulled out of his embrace and trudged up to the house, never looking back.

She thought this was over? After a kiss like that? His balls couldn't be any bluer if they were made of blueberries. For a smart woman, she sure wasn't thinking straight.

About the Author:

Avery Flynn, the author of UP A DRY CREEK and A Dry Creek Bed, books one and two in the Dry Creek series set in Nebraska, grew up in a small town in the western part of that state, a far cry from her present day home just outside of Washington, D.C. It was no accident that she went back to her roots for the small town setting for her romantic suspense.

“When I graduated high school,” she says, “I couldn’t cross the state line fast enough. The older I got and the farther I moved away, the more I realized what a wonderful place Nebraska had been to live. I swore I’d set a novel there as a way to give people a look into the amazing folks that live in my home state.”

The name Avery Flynn is a pseudonym for the author who, at least for now, prefers to remain behind the scenes. She believes having Avery as her alter ego is a very good thing because, as she says, “Pen name Avery is way cooler than me. Her favorite color is hot pink. She drinks single malt scotch on the rocks. She loves the Argentinean tango and stays at Iceland’s Ice Hotel.”

Author Avery has been writing since she was a child and her father gave her a baby blue Brother typewriter. She couldn’t read but nonetheless wrote numerous stories about her stuffed animals in gibberish. She hasn’t stopped since, though she maintains that her spelling has gotten much better and she now prefers to write in English.

Today she’s enjoying her own happily ever after with her dashing husband, three crazy kids and two arthritic dogs. She dreams of one day having a floor-to-ceiling library à la Beauty and the Beast and is working to perfect the coffee IV drip.

http://www.averyflynn.com

http://www.evernightpublishing.com

Twitter: @averyflynn

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Avery-Flynn/177161972329973

Thanks for stopping by, Avery!

Random pic Sunday

2012-01-29T18:40:00.000-05:00

This morning I took pictures of all the sweets I'm surrounded by
each day, cakes, muffins, pastries... but damn if I can find them in
my phone now! (new phone I can't quite work yet) It was also at 4:30
in the morning, so maybe I just thought I took them but really didn't...

So my random pic is what was waiting for me in my email when I got home.

Not as tasty as the pictures I had wanted to post, but I'll take it!

Thank you to everyone that voted.

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com

Excerpt Thursday - From Beltane Magic

2012-01-26T12:01:00.000-05:00

Owen found himself placed between Dade and Chris among the drummers. He was caught up in learning the rhythms and watched either Chris or Dade’s hands to pick up the beat. This he found was also a good place to be as the dancers stopped often and danced right in front of the drummers or brought them drinks.

After an hour his arms were tired and he honestly had a new admiration for the men beside him who were still going strong, moving effortlessly from one rhythm to the next.

During a slower beat, he noticed several of the dancers moving through those at the edge of the circle and through the drummers. He watched as the dancers took their wreaths off and placed them onto a male’s head. He was sure the males didn’t realize how silly they looked wearing flowers and ribbons, although when the dancers gave them a kiss, he was also sure they didn’t care how odd they looked.

Kasey paused in front of the drummers and began to weave her way toward them, slowly taking off her wreath. She smiled in a shy, nervous kind of way at the drummers. Neither Dade nor Chris paused in their drumming, but Owen could feel them both waiting to see who she was going to place her wreath on. When she passed Dade and went to Chris, Owen noticed and enjoyed the grin on his new friend’s face.

Chris actually missed a few beats in the rhythm as he raised a hand to place behind her head to receive the kiss. Owen didn’t see steam, but he felt warmer just witnessing their kiss.

He found himself wishing some woman would make him look like an idiot and place her wreath on his head. He turned to watch the same with Doc and Rachel. He was sure Steven was blushing after it, or maybe it was just from the heat of it.

At the point when Cora began seductively dancing her way into the drummers, his heart stopped. She was far too exotic a woman for him to handle, but if she placed her wreath on his head, he would certainly try. He felt like a schoolboy wanting to jump up and say, “pick me,” but he dug deep and found his dignity somewhere.

She passed him by and held the eyes of the man beside him. When she placed the wreath on Dade’s head and leaned her mouth down to his, Owen was sure the sparks that flew between them somehow burned him. In his own amazement, he realized it was a kiss out of a movie that made your heart speed up. Dade didn’t miss a single beat on the drum, though the kiss seemed to last more than just a few moments.

He found himself wishing for mistletoe or a cute puppy, anything that would bring one of them to him. His heart tripped and almost stumbled when he noticed Leena was dancing toward the drummers. He fought the urge of wanting to look around and make sure he was the only one in the area without a wreath on his head but held onto what adult-like composure he had left.

When she stopped in front of him, it was all he could do to not stand and meet her halfway, so he held the drum in front of him tightly and stayed seated. As the wreath touched his head, she smiled a smile that made his insides burn. He reached up to gently guide her head down to his.

Purchase Links:

http://www.classactbooks.com/From-Beltane-Magic-by-Jacqueline-Paige-PDF_p_320.html

http://www.amazon.com/Beltane-Magic-Seasons-ebook/dp/B006XNI92O/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1327597221&sr=8-5

Book II coming in March 2012

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com

WIP 109% complete??

2012-01-25T11:26:00.000-05:00

I began writing the Cross Over Huntress for my NaNo in
November and once I hit the targeted 50,000 words I completed
my goal for NaNo !
In December I went back to the story to finish it and it was to be
roughly 80,000 words. Actually at the time in November I didn't think
I was going to make it to 50,000. Apparently all the characters needed was a little time to plot without me.
Today it is 109% complete! That's using the 80,000 word count.

Obviously my characters don't realize I have other deadlines because they won't let me be until this is finished!

I have five days off (first time in a year I've had more than two days in a row!) and I hope to finish it up by the time I have to go back to work. Of course I spent day #1 napping on and off but I'm awake and rested now!

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com

Random pic Sunday

2012-01-22T14:38:00.001-05:00

Yes I've actually remembered Sunday while it is still Sunday!

The pic today is one my daughter took on a trip, she gets the greatest

animal shots. It seemed appropriate too with this cold spell we've been going

through.

On the writing front... Curses cover is up for cover of the month.

You can vote here : http://yougottareadcovers.blogspot.com/2012/01/vote-for-your-january-2012-favorite.html

Jacqueline Paige

http://jacqpaige.webs.com

New Cover!

2012-01-19T19:22:00.000-05:00

A week ago the first book in the Magic Seasons came out

and then this week I received the cover for the second book!

Seeing the cover of my story makes all the work and edits worth it.

It will be out on March 15th.

I've added the extra pages to the blog with more details on all of my books.

This Saturday (21st) I am chatting at Romance Lives Forever.

I'll be randomly giving away books again during the chat and on Twitter.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancelivesforever/join

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com

The Apocalypse Gene

2012-01-18T04:38:00.020-05:00

The Apocalypse Gene

By Suki Michelle and Carlyle Clark

Genre: YA Urban Fantasy

Global pandemic is raging. Olivya Wright-Ono's once loving home has been converted to a hospice for the dying. Her ability to see auras forces her to witness, with agonizing detail, the vibrant colors of life consumed by malignancy.

The beautiful and troubled, Mikah, is an elite Empath in the ancient Kindred clan, led by the brooding, ever-morphing, monster named Prime. Mikah has learned a terrible truth . . . the plague is linked to Kindred origins. When Olivya sees evidence of disease creeping into her mother's aura, she has no one to turn to but Mikah. Can he unearth the Kindred secrets and find a cure? Can she trust this boy whose power allows him to manipulate her very emotions?

With her mother's life, and that of the world, in the balance, Olivya and Mikah embark on a quest to stop the Pandemic, only to discover it is far, far more than a mere disease . . .

Excerpt – Chapter One – The Good As Dead: Olivya has just learned that her mother plans to upgrade their home-based hospice center to euthanasia, a service called “deliverance”. GAD is short for “Good-As-Dead”. The first “customer” as arrived:

Deliverance. Olivya hated that slithery word, that thin euphemism. Why not call it what it was? Murder. Her legs tensed, straining to run through the front door, down the street, east to Lake Michigan, and keep on going, right into the cool deep waters. Instead, she crept to the foyer, careful to stay out of Mama's line of sight.

The new GAD lay mummy-bound in a pale blue blanket. This one had no intention of hanging out in a tranquilized coma or happily zoned on Hypno-Peace. He just wanted out. She wanted to look into the soul of this death-wisher. Did it take courage to broadcast that invitation to the Reaper? You are cordially invited to escort me to oblivion.

The sickly sweet stench of diseased flesh and stale urine wafted from the GAD. His sweat-soaked orange hair lay like worms on his forehead. Straps held his wrists to the side rails. His lips fluttered with each labored breath. She frowned. He looked just like all the others. Nothing special - shrunken, coma-tranked, and reeking. Was he a coward or a hero? The answer didn't show in his face, but she could find it in his aura.

A chill breeze rippled, raising gooseflesh on her arms. Maybe the old Reaper was already standing right there, ready to claim his prize. If she allowed herself to fully Sight, would she see Death's black robes, its bottomless eyes rimmed in bone? She wanted to curse it, spit in its hideous face. Like Papa, this newcomer had set out a welcome mat for Death.

Mama would be furious if she caught her gaping, disobeying orders to stay away. Olivya would have to hurry, but a moment was all she needed.

She closed her eyes, lifted her defenses and willed the Sight to come. Colors, shapes and lights swirled behind her lids. She compressed them into a single point of white-light deep inside her mind, then she opened her eyes.

The GAD's aura, at first vague and wavy, sharpened into view. Despite the drug-induced coma, misery rose from him in sluggish waves. The dull red of malignancy throbbed against a background of greenish-gray - similar to the other Good-As-Deads, but somehow weightier. Intuition told her to look more closely.

Faint hues darted behind that auric death-shroud, ghosts of the man's former emotions. A streak of robin's egg blue, shimmers of peach. An eerie feeling came over her. Something looked familiar about this combination of gentle pastels in this particular pattern.

The face of a smiling man rose in her mind's eye, one who had always been patient with the friendless psychic girl. Mr. Gragg. Her Seventh Grade English teacher from the old brick and mortar. Could this be him? It looked nothing like him. Mr. Gragg had been thick-muscled and robust, his hair a riot of bright orange ringlets. Yes. That pastel aura was Mr. Gragg's. She recognized the colors of his unique, unflagging kindness. Why him? Then again, so many in the world had cancer. Why not him?

Olivya caught Mama's voice in the kitchen. “Any family?”

“Not any more,” the deliveryman said.

Website: http://www.TheApocalypseGene.com

Blog: http://www.TheApocalypseGene.com/cy-chi

Facebook FanPage:

http://www.facebook.com/TheApocalypseGene

Goodreads Amazon Amazon Kindle Smashwords

Reviews of The Apocalypse Gene:

" ...a wildly imaginative young-adult apocalyptic thriller that also utilizes elements of science fiction, fantasy, folklore, mythology and romance...the well-choreographed, thematically powerful conclusion, coupled with the deeply developed characters of Olivya and Mikah, make this a memorable read.” --Kirkus Critics' Pick

"With its snappy, razor-sharp dialogue and wildly vivid imagery, the book, while geared toward young adults, has plenty for adults to enjoy as well." --Foreword

""The Apocalypse Gene" is a thoughtful read with plenty to consider, highly recommended." --Midwest Book Review

About the Authors:

Suki Michelle is a life-long Chicagoan, happily divorced and still good friends with her Ex. She lives and writes with her soul-mate, Carlyle Clark. She has one beautiful daughter, Bree, who is the first reader and critic of The Apocalypse Gene, and without her input, it wouldn't be nearly as cool! Suki's other children are of the four-legged type, Dahlia, the German shepherd; Kilala the lazy calico chub-cat; and Koney, the tortoise-shell demon cat from the Seventh Ring.

Carlyle is a burly dude from San Diego. He can look menacing at a glance, but as soon as he opens his mouth, pure intellectual. They are eternally grateful for the day they met at an on-line writer's workshop. They've been together for four years. On the outside. Suki and Carlyle are totally disparate. On the inside, they are the REAL Neo-Twins. You'll have to read The Apocalypse Gene to find out who the Neo-Twins are, but here's a hint: They are twisted devils with mirror-melded auras.

As writers, Suki and Carlyle have complementary skill sets. Lyle is plot master and edgy dialoguer. He is a huge fan of Japanese anime, and he draws upon this to choreograph fight scenes. Suki enjoys painting a character's emotional landscape and writing vivid descriptions. They both have wild imagination.

Suki and Carlyle treasure every opportunity to share their work.

Twitter: @Suki_Michelle

From Beltane Magic is available!

2012-01-17T09:44:00.000-05:00

In the mood for a little romance and magic (and I do mean witch magic)?
Maybe for a little mystery and suspense?

FROM BELTANE MAGIC

Book I the Magic Seasons

Each were willing to spend their lives alone and safe; until they’re touched by Beltane Magic.

Can they survive their pasts to be together as they struggle to find a killer before the wheel turns again?

Extended Blurb:

Leena is a woman that is gentle in everything, her personality and moods. She always feels maternal with her closest friends and would go out of their way to look after any one of them. Her ability of controlling the elements and knowledge of plants make her magic abilities strong and unbreakable. She is a leader at work and in life, always working hard to keep those around her close, but never allowing anyone to get too close.

To the outside world she is just Leena Duncan, a quiet woman who works a normal job and lived a quiet life.

A few times a year she can openly use her magical gifts at celebrations within a small community of people she calls friends.

Having lived through the horrors that can come from the hands of someone you thought loved you; she decided never loving again would prevent more emotional scarring.

It takes one man at a rainy Beltane celebration to change everything she is comfortable with and one killer to change her safe world.

Owen is a man that reflects humour and cavalier vibrations to others, he is gentle and caring as is his ability to draw negative and heal others. If you didn’t know him, you would never realize he came from violence. Knowing how the real world can be, he has vowed to never put himself into the position, or allow anyone else that could open up the world he has carefully sealed shut forever.

He creates worlds and puts them on paper to entertain others. After years of using his imagination he finds out his friends can do things he thought only his mind created.

For his entire adult life Owen Grey has always played it safe and kept to his own world of writing, never getting too close to anyone.

Having lived a nightmare growing up he would never take the chance of repeating history. He may write about happily-ever-after, but knows it is pure fantasy and doesn’t exist.

Until her ...

Available at CLASS ACT BOOKS

Also available in KINDLE Edition at AMAZON

Step into a world of magic and passions....

Recipe for the Magic Season series:

Take a dash of spice, heat it

Add a flash of magic and watch the sparks fly

Toss in a killer that's targeting women

Add a handful of witches from all paths to stir it all together...

(warning this will raise your body temperature, use with caution)

The Solstice Heat

Book II the Magic Seasons

Passion and magic that burns

Coming on March 15, 2012

Jacqueline Paige

http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

5 Stars for Dreams

2012-01-13T20:10:00.000-05:00

I never go searching for reviews, but I love it when people
share the good ones with me.

"This was quite a steamy, and very enjoyable, read. A unique take on what it would be like if we were to meet the person of our dreams within a dream. The book is very fast-paced and keeps the reader riveted as he/she seeks to know more about what happens next between Jennah and Dominic. Totally recommend it."

http://www.simplistik.org/shbooks/?p=442

Thanks for that!!

I've been working on a draw for the Magic Seasons,
with the first three books coming out between Jan 15th
and May 15th I'll have to come up with something worthy of
three releases back to back.

Check back soon for the details!!

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com

Author M.M. Shelley interview

2012-01-12T18:42:00.000-05:00

Today I have the pleasure of having M.M. Shelley here to interview
while on her tour for Mishap and Chaos.

1. Who is M.M. Shelley, really?

Let’s see, I grew up in southern California in a Latino neighbourhood, I say that because of the significance of the rich Mexican culture. This influenced me while growing up because Mexican folklore is full of magic and mystical beings.

2. Where did you get your inspiration from for Mishap and Chaos?

It was while I was in Hawaii, a story began to develop and it wasn’t until I returned home that it all came together.

3. Mishap and Chaos is part of a series, tell us a bit about the other books.

This is the second in the trilogy, the first, Mishap & Mayhem, really sets the tone for the series and sets the reader up to believe that magic is possible.

4. If you could only use five words to describe the series to grab my attention, what would they be?

An action packed fantasy adventure.

5. While working on a story, do you directly onto the computer or are there notebooks and plot ideas jotted down in various places?

I have a notebook that I keep my ideas in and I can have it with me all the time.

6. What do you do when you’re not writing/editing or thinking about writing/ editing?

My weeks are pretty busy, I teach confirmation at St. Josephs to teens, I also train at a martial arts studio in Whittier, CA its Tai Shing Pek Kwar, and it’s an amazing style of Kung Fu. Lastly I do yoga mostly so that I don’t hurt myself while training. And of course my family keeps me busy.

7. If you had one piece of advice for all those writers sitting out there procrastinating about making that first submission, what would it be?

Just go for it!

8. What is your favourite scene in Mishap and Chaos? Why that one?

This is a great question, but I don’t really have a favourite! There are many scenes that really created themselves and add intrigue to the story.

Thanks so much for taking the time to be here today! J

More about Mishap & Chaos

Mishap and Chaos

By M.M. Shelley

Genre: Paranormal YA

Book 2

Deep within the Hawaiian islands is a hidden danger. An island witch who wants nothing more than to end the line of Pele, the fire goddess. Her influence has breached Pele’s inner circle.

The twins are also faced with the consequences of a freed Mnemosyne who no longer stands alone. As others from her world have traveled to earth with unclear intentions.

Grasiella and Tatiana’s only focus is to find their missing grandmother. Risking everything, not knowing if she is dead or alive.

About the Author

M.M. Shelley is a storyteller, word smith and dreamer. MISHAP AND MAYHEM, a captivating story of faerie's and magic, is her debut novel. She has traveled the world extensively in search of the magic which is often overlooked in everyday life. M.M. Shelley is a native of southern California, and a student of mythology from which she gets much inspiration.

Visit M.M. Shelley at her blog: www.mmshelley.blogspot.com

Back to normal

2012-01-10T12:35:00.000-05:00

I'm very excited that the Christmas holidays are over!
The kids went back to school yesterday and everything should
go back to normal. Work will settle back into routine with
all the families home and not passing through my little sleepy
town on their way to the mountain. All will be semi-peaceful until
the spring break hits, well, that and weekends ...

I sat down last night and went over my calendar for 2012 and
can't believe how busy it's going to be on the writing side for me.
I know, I know I signed contracts and did the happy dance for
a few weeks, but the reality of the work involved didn't hit me
until I looked at the large picture. If I'm missing for long periods of
time, there is a very good reason for it.

In five days time From Beltane Magic is out and then the adventure
begins! With a new release every other month until September I
am going to be a very busy person!

I tried to not get sucked into any new plots and projects,

but failed miserably on that front with two new stories to get
ready for submission and three already on the editor's desk, the rest
of the year may fill up shortly.

Now, I must get off the net and get going on some edits that are
calling my name.

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Out with the old

2011-12-31T10:27:00.000-05:00

Before my day turns chaotic (aka I go to work) I thought

I'd put this up. I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year!!

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

2011-12-28T12:33:00.000-05:00

My last newsletter for 2011 is posted over at my site.
You can download it directly
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/newsletter.htm

Inside it you will find a few excerpts from upcoming
releases, and a new series I've been working on.

The details for the 1 million words draw are also in it so be
sure to hop over to my site and download a copy and find out how you
can win one of my books!!

The Dreams anthology and Curses kindle version
are still on sale on amazon for $2.99 until Dec. 31st
http://www.amazon.com/Jacqueline-Paige/e/B003LDHJAW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

I'm busy working away on edits and finishing up the last two
books for the Magic Seasons as well as site/blog updates so if I get
distracted and lose track of time (again) I'd like to wish everyone
a Happy New Year!!

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Interview with Author Lizzy Ford

2011-12-27T12:25:00.001-05:00

Please welcome author Lizzy Ford to the blog today!

1. Who is Lizzy Ford, really?

I get asked this question a lot! I’m basically just a normal (slightly overweight) woman with a love for writing and a somewhat freak of nature ability to write a new novel every month. I live in Arizona with my husband and our three animals. I view my books and success as the result of the incredible amount of support and feedback I receive from readers as well as a team effort: I work with a freelance book editor, freelance graphics artist, and my husband, who is an I.T. genius.

2. Where did you get your inspiration from for Damian’s Oracle?

Many of my books start out in my dreams, usually with an intensely emotional scene or just a straight out movie in my mind. Damian’s Oracle was no different. I dreamt the opening scene, where Sofi is trying to figure out what’s wrong with her. Unknowingly, she’s transitioning from a human into an oracle, but she doesn’t know that yet, so the dream (and opening scene!) were intense. She’s frustrated and convinced she’s dying, and no one can help her.

3. Do you ever have problems with writers block? If so how do you get through it?

Not yet. I’ve never had an issue yet with writer’s block. If anything, I have the opposite: too many ideas to keep up. I dream stories and write fulltime – more like writer’s overload!

4. Damian’s Oracle is book I in the War of the Gods, what’s next?

Book two in the series, “Damian’s Assassin,” and book three, “Damian’s Immortal,” are both out as well. I’ll release book four, “The Grey God,” in May. I’m also planning to launch two spin-off series from this one with one starting next Summer.

My 2012 publishing line-up will consist of ten novels, a novella, and short stories as needed/requested for anthologies. I’m getting ready to release my first young adult fantasy, too.

5. While working on a story, do you directly onto the computer or are there notebooks and plot ideas jotted down in various places?

Everything is in my head. The only time I take notes is during revising, when I need to make sure I’ve caught all wandering subplots or standardized speech or other language essential to the world I’ve built.

6. What do you do when you’re not writing/editing or thinking about writing/ editing?

I plan and run my business! Being an indie writer is like being a business owner. I’m fully responsible for marketing, advertising, building an online platform, managing the financial aspect, strategic (long term) planning, analyzing what’s working and not ... so writing and editing make up about 50% of what I do. I normally designated 2 weeks a month to write and revise a book, then the rest of the time is spent networking, connecting with readers, researching marketing/advertising opportunities. I love it – there’s always some new challenge!

7. If you had one piece of advice for all those writers sitting out there procrastinating about making that first submission or taking that first publishing step, what would it be?

You’ll never succeed if you don’t take that first step, whether you go the traditional route or the indie route. It takes a little bit of talent and a whole lot of will in this industry to make it. I feel fortunate and grateful for how far I’ve come this year, but it took a team and it took every spare moment I had when I was working fulltime. Now that I’m a fulltime writer, I’m still putting in 10-12 hour days and corresponding with readers and fans outside the time I designated for work. I’ve wanted this since I was knee-high dreaming of becoming a writer, and I count my blessings daily that I’ve reached the point in my life where I can. There are no bad days when you love what you’re doing.

8. Please share your favourite scene with us from Damian’s Oracle.

I imagine it’s the scene where Sofi has transitioned from human to oracle but still doesn’t know what that entails. She knows she’s different, and the feeling of being a freak among freaks hits home one evening while she’s watching the other immortals sit around and eat pizza. She can’t eat, because she’s been blood bound, and all she can do is watch them, knowing she doesn’t fit into their world or the human world. That feeling of utter loneliness was one I’ve had for much of my life, and I think everyone has gone through some stage of their lives where they felt like they were the only outsider in existence!

Thanks so much for taking the time to be here today, Lizzy! J

Lizzy Ford is the hyper-prolific author of the "Rhyn Trilogy" and "War of Gods" series, both launched in 2011, as well as multiple single title young adult fantasy and paranormal romances. Lizzy's books have reached into the bestseller lists on both Amazon US and Amazon UK in multiple categories. Through her unconventional online marketing strategies, Lizzy has gone from selling 20 books in January 2011 to around 5000 books in September 2011 and from over 7,000 free downloads of her work in January 2011 to over 40,000 downloads in September 2011.

The Lizzy Ford team consists of: Matt, IT and search engine optimization expert; Christine LePorte, freelance book editor; Dafeenah, graphics artist; and Toni, English-Spanish translator.

Lizzy is considered by most to be the ultimate writing freak of nature for her ability to write and epublish a new book every 30-45 days. She is also a regular contributor for the Curiosity Quills website and is an active member of a small guild of nine passionate, talented writers, the Indie Eclective. Lizzy's books are available from Amazon, BN, Smashwords, iBooks/iTunes, and all other eReader libraries.

Lizzy’s links:

· FB: http://www.facebook.com/Lizzy

website: http://www.guerrillawordfare.com/

· Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/LizzyFord2010

· GR: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4558309.Lizzy_Ford

· Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lizzy-Ford/e/B004XTTYOC/

Inspired by Slavic mythology, Damian’s Oracle is the entree into the ongoing battle between good and evil over the fate of humanity. The White God, Damian, and his Guardians protect the world from the Black God and his monsters while rescuing Naturals – humans with extraordinary paranormal gifts – from the Black God, who would kill or convert them.

Caught in the middle is cool-headed Sofia, a Natural whose gift will tip the scales in the war. Sofia begins her transformation from human into oracle, the first in thousands of years. Damian rescues her from the Black God in time to complete a ceremony that will bind her to him for eternity. Sofia struggles with her new world and her role as an oracle and Damian’s mate while haunted by a mysterious man from Damian’s past who’s supposed to be dead. Unbeknownst to her, her link to the dead man may be all that saves Damian, his Guardians, and the fate of humanity.

While he wants nothing more than for the petite beauty to take her place at his side like the oracles of legend did his White God forefathers, Damian can’t quite rationalize having to win her over instead of command her. Further complicating his life is the sobering realization that there are spies in his organization who are helping the Black God take out his Guardians. Damian must help Sofia reach her potential fast, especially when a threat from his past returns.

Damian’s Oracle links:

· BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/damians-oracle-lizzy-ford/1029664032

· iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/damians-oracle/id416014301?mt=11

· Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10183211-damian-s-oracle

· Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Damians-Oracle-War-Gods-ebook/dp/B004JN0KHM/

Happy Holidays to everyone!

2011-12-24T18:48:00.000-05:00

I'll be back on the blog next week and there

will be a give away to celebrate reaching my

goal of 1 million words over all with all of my books!!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

The Immortalis Series by Katie Salidas

2011-12-21T04:36:00.022-05:00

Immortalis Series, Book 1
Primary Genre: Urban Fantasy
Secondary Genre: Paranormal Romance
Adult Content: Some strong language. No sexual content.
Page Count: 323
Word Count: 85,000
Publisher: Rising Sign Books, LLC.
Print Publishing Date: March 2, 2010
Author: Katie Salidas

Synopsis:

Bleeding to death after brutal mugging on the campus of UNLV, Twenty-five year old Alyssa, is rescued by the cold and aloof, vampire, Lysander. Taking pity on her, he shares the gift-and curse-of immortality. She awakens as a vampire and is soon devastated by harsh realities of her new way of life: the loss of her friends, her independence, and her humanity.

As if having her humanity stripped away was not enough to make life interesting, Alyssa finds out her “turning”, did not go unnoticed by the rest of undead society. Old enemies; an ancient sect of vampire hunters, known as the Acta Sanctorum, as well as a powerful Vampire mistress, each set plans in motion to destroy both Alyssa and Lysander.

Only by accepting her newfound immortality, seizing the night, will Alyssa hope to survive. She and Lysander must fight together against two sets of enemies bent on destroying them both.

Available in print and/or ebook at:

Amazon.com USA

Amazon.co.UK UK

Amazon.co.DE Germany

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Immortalis Series, Book 2
Primary Genre: Urban Fantasy
Secondary Genre: Paranormal Romance
Adult Content: Some strong language. No sexual content.
Page Count: 263
Word Count: 75,000
Publisher: Rising Sign Books, LLC.
Print Publishing Date: December 10, 2010
Author: Katie Salidas

Synopsis:

Becoming a vampire saved Alyssa from death, but the price was high: the loss of everything and everyone attached to her mortal life. She’s still learning to cope when a surprise confrontation with Santino Vitale, the Acta Sanctorum’s most fearsome hunter, sends her fleeing back to the world she once knew, and Fallon, the friend she’s missed more than anything.

Alyssa breaks vampire law by revealing her new, true self to her old friend, a fact which causes strong division in the group that should support her most: her clan.

Worse yet, her revelation entangles Fallon in the struggle between vampires and hunters and The Acta Sanctorum is ready to attack again, with a new army of hybrid creations: the Frenzy Soldiers.

If Alyssa hopes to survive and keep her mortal friend safe, she’ll have to be willing to make a deal with the enemy, and regain her clan’s support. It will take everyone working together in a precarious truce to fight against the Acta Sanctorum’s new threat.

Immortalis Series, Book 3
Primary Genre: Urban Fantasy
Secondary Genre: Paranormal Romance
Adult Content: Some strong language.
Page Count: 238
Word Count: 65,000
Publisher: Rising Sign Books, LLC.
Print Publishing Date: July 12th 2011
Author: Katie Salidas

Synopsis:

After a few months as a vampire, Alyssa thought she’d learned all she needed to know about the supernatural world. But her confidence is shattered by the delivery of a mysterious package – a Pandora’s Box.

Seemingly innocuous, the box is in reality an ancient prison, generated by a magic more powerful than anyone in her clan has ever known. But what manner of evil could need such force to contain it?

When the box is opened, the sinister creature within is released, and only supernatural blood will satiate its thirst. The clan soon learns how it feels when the hunter becomes the hunted.

Apparently powerless against the ancient evil, the clan flees Las Vegas for Boston, with only a slim hope for salvation. Could Lysander’s old journals hold the key? And what if they don’t?
And how welcome will they be in a city run by a whole different kind of supernatural being?

http://www.katiesalidas.com/

Guest author Karen A Wyle

2011-12-14T06:30:00.001-05:00

Today I have the pleasure of having Karen A. Wyle here
on my blog while on her tour for Twin-Bred.

Character Interview with Levi

Introductory Note: this would be, to say the least, a difficult interview to arrange. "Levi Thomas" was the name that would have belonged to Mara Cadell's fraternal twin, had he survived to be born. He died shortly before that point. Mara, emotionally traumatized by that loss, coped by keeping Levi alive in her mind as a companion. (The traumatic nature of her loss is based on reports from many twin survivors.)

Q. I'll start with the question many readers would particularly like to ask you: are you purely a creature of Mara's imagination, or do you have some independent reality?

A. Wouldn't you like to know?

I could tell you to ask Mara -- not that she's in a particularly good position to answer that question -- but of course, she doesn't like to talk about me. She'd be quite perturbed that you even know of my existence (if that's what we call it for purposes of discussion).

Q. Do you agree with Mara that it would harm her career, and/or endanger the Twin-Bred project, if people on Tofarn found out about you?

A. Definitely. I've told her as much. You must understand, Mara is not the easiest person to get along with. She's prickly and doesn't suffer fools gladly. And she has a very low tolerance for organizational politics. All of which means that only her exceptional scientific ability induces people to put up with her. There are many who would like to be shut of her if they had a good enough excuse. Delusions of twin-hood? Good enough.

Q. Do you think Mara would be better off without you?

A. Allow me a small sigh. . . . Mara would be better off if I had lived. And it's possible she'd be better off if I had never existed. I'm not sure "better to have loved and lost" applies in these circumstances, if it ever does. . . . But there we were, twins. There's no getting around that starting point. And she's tenacious, in love as in other things. It wasn't in her nature to simply move on. All things considered, I think she's better off isolated and secretive than seriously depressed. And of course, I'm good company.

Q. Do you think it's made things easier or harder for Mara, being surrounded by twins?

A. Both. But on the whole, I think it's been more healing than otherwise. All around her, she sees humans and Tofa, most of whom would never have had a twin if not for her. You could say that she's ensured I didn't die in vain. Though I doubt she's thought if it in those terms.

Q. Do you play any part in Mara's artwork -- her drawing and cartooning?

A. Not directly. I don't think I would have been that visual. I'm more about the words. We often talk about her drawings. Sometimes I lack the context to understand them, and she explains. And her cartoons show a sense of humor that she doesn't normally indulge. That side of her, that hidden mischief, is where she and I are most alike.

Twin-Bred

By Karen A. Wyle

Can interspecies diplomacy begin in the womb? After seventy years on Tofarn, the human colonists and the native Tofa still know very little about each other. Misunderstanding breed conflict, and the conflicts are escalating. Scientist Mara Cadell’s radical proposal: that host mothers of either species carry fraternal twins, human and Tofa, in the hope that the bond between twins can bridge the gap between species. Mara lost her own twin, Levi, in utero, but she has secretly kept him alive in her mind as companion and collaborator.

Mara succeeds in obtaining governmental backing for her project – but both the human and Tofa establishments have their own agendas. Mara must shepherd the Twin-Bred through dangers she anticipated and others that even the canny Levi could not foresee. Will the Twin-Bred bring peace, war, or something else entirely?

Amazon (Kindle): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005VDVHQ2

Amazon (POD):

http://www.amazon.com/Twin-Bred-Karen-Wyle/dp/1463578911/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Nook Store:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twin-bred-karen-wyle/1106674642?ean=2940013311077&itm=1&usri=twin%2Bbred ;

Smashwords (various ebook formats): http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94490

CreateSpace (paperback): https://www.createspace.com/3541557

Excerpt:

The human colony on Tofarn and the indigenous Tofa have great difficulty communicating with and basically comprehending each other. Scientist Mara Cadell is running a project where host mothers carry twins, one human and one Tofa, in the hope that the bond between twins can bridge the gap between species. Alan Kimball, a member of the governing human Council, is hostile to the Tofa and has inserted agents into the project.

Excerpt #1 from Twin-Bred

Tilda looked at her twins, cuddled close together in the crib. Mat-set had all four arms wrapped around Suzie. They seemed to cuddle any chance they got. Maybe they were glad to be free of separate amniotic sacs.

She looked down at Mat-set and remembered the rumors of Tofa with five arms instead of four. She had even seen pictures, but who knew whether they were authentic. Certainly none of the Tofa Twin-Bred babies had been born with extra limbs.

Tilda glanced over at the big dormitory clock and then back down at the babies. She gasped and staggered a step back. Mat-set was still holding Suzie with four arms. So how was he scratching his head with another one?

Tilda looked around wildly for a chair, found one blessedly nearby, and sank down on it. She pinched herself. Nothing changed. Well, who said you couldn’t pinch yourself in a dream and keep on dreaming?

She got up and walked, a bit unsteadily, to the intercom and buzzed for a nurse. Then she went back to the crib. Of course. Four arms, only four, and what was she going to do now?

She decided to be brave and sensible. If she had really seen it, the staff had to know. And if she hadn’t, and she didn’t wake up, then she was ill, and she should get the help she needed.

The chief nurse tucked Tilda in and watched her drift off to sleep, sedative patch in place. Then she went back to her station and called up the monitor footage on Tilda’s twins.

Well, well.

* CONFIDENTIAL *

CLEARANCE CLASS 3 AND ABOVE

LEVI Status Report, 12-15-71

Executive Summary

Anatomical Developments

Observation of the Tofa infants has shed some light on the longstanding question of whether the number of Tofa upper appendages is variable among the Tofa population. The thickest of the four armlike appendages is apparently capable of dividing when an additional upper appendage is desired. . . .

Councilman Kimball bookmarked the spot in his agent's report and opened his mail program. He owed an apology to the young man who had claimed his poor showing against a Tofa undesirable was due to the sudden appearance of an extra appendage. Apparently the man had been neither dishonest nor drunk.

After discharging that obligation, Kimball made a note to seek further details as to the divided arms' placement, reach, and muscular potential. His people needed adequate information to prepare them for future confrontations. After all, forewarned — he laughed out loud at the thought — was forearmed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Karen A. Wyle was born a Connecticut Yankee, but eventually settled in Bloomington, Indiana, home of Indiana University. She now considers herself a Hoosier. Wyle's childhood ambition was to be the youngest ever published novelist. While writing her first novel at age 10, she was mortified to learn that some British upstart had beaten her to the goal at age 9.

Wyle is an appellate attorney, photographer, political junkie, and mother of two daughters. Her voice is the product of almost five decades of reading both literary and genre fiction. It is no doubt also influenced, although she hopes not fatally tainted, by her years of law practice. Her personal history has led her to focus on often-intertwined themes of family, communication, the impossibility of controlling events, and the persistence of unfinished business.

www.KarenAWyle.net

Twin-Bred Playlist Promotion

I'm running a special promotion for Twin-Bred: be the first reader to suggest a song for a Twin-Bred playlist, and if I agree with your selection, your name and song choice will be included in an appendix to a future edition of the book!

Please send an mp3 file, or a link to a YouTube video where I can hear the song, to Karen A. Wyle at kawyle@kiva.net. (At the same time, please let me know if you'd like to be on my email alert list, so you can hear about upcoming releases and events.)

I'll post occasional updates about the playlist on Twin-Bred's Facebook page.

Thanks for stopping by today, Karen!

One Million Words!

2011-12-08T13:33:00.000-05:00

What started as an innocent question from one of my kids turned into a goal for me.
They wondered months ago how many words I've written in total (completed books, pre-submission and published) so I added them up.

I've had the pink counter on the bottom of my blog for months and today I moved it to the top because I'm at 99% !!! That's a whole lotta words!!

When I get closer, sometime this month, I'll be having a random give-away on twitter to help celebrate and then ... well I guess we up that counter to two million and see how many more books it takes to reach it.

Keep an eye on the counter...

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

New Cover!

2011-12-05T18:50:00.003-05:00

I'm always thrilled when I see the cover for one

of my books.

I just received the cover for the first book in the

Magic Seasons series

and yes I'm doing the Happy Dance!

Blaise Kilgallen did a beautiful job!

Stay tuned in the coming month for more details

before it's release in January at Class Act Books.

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Judy Powell - Hot Summer!

2011-12-04T05:41:00.000-05:00

Genre: sizzling romance

A hot-tempered spitfire and a strong-willed, arrogant man – put them together and sparks fly!

After her first embarrassing encounter Summer Jones vows to stay away from suave, sexy and oh, so arrogant Lance Munroe. But then she ends up working for the man. Her quick temper and sharp tongue keep landing her in hot water with him but no matter how hard she tries she can’t deny her growing attraction for him. Then they go on a business trip to Jamaica – and that’s when things get really hot.

Lance is intrigued by the feisty woman who practically tells him off the first time they meet. When they begin working together he realizes how much he enjoys the challenge of taming the little tigress. But, before he knows it, he’s the one caught in the snare of passion. The tables are turned – the tigress has tamed the lion.

For a sizzling romance, follow Summer and Lance from Chicago to Jamaica and be swept away in the thrill of their hot summer.

Excerpt

Summer’s breath came in shallow gasps as she sat still, not feeling she could move even if she wanted to. She was like a bird frozen in the mesmerizing stare of a snake, knowing it was about to be eaten alive but not able to make a move to save its own life.

She moaned and closed her eyes as his lips stroked the sensitive skin then moved to the base of her throat where he licked softly and gently. She didn’t realize that she was still clutching the handkerchief tightly in her hand until she felt his strong fingers pry hers open to pull it away so that he could seduce her palm with his thumb.

“Relax, baby.” He moved his lips up her neck and to her ear. “You’re so tense. Just relax.”

As he spoke he pushed her back gently into the plush pillows and began to nibble her ear lobe. He gave a lick just behind her ear and shock waves ran down her spine.

“Oh, God,” she breathed, “what are you doing to me?”

“What someone should have done to you a long time ago, Summer Jones,” he whispered. “Teach you what it means to be a woman.”

He dipped his head and slid his lips back down her neck, over her collar bone and down to that oh, so sensitive place between the curves of her breasts. Here he paused and she held her breath, eyes shut tight, wondering if he was going to stop now. She prayed he wouldn’t.

She was not disappointed. An involuntary gasp escaped her lips as he slipped a warm tongue down her cleavage, sliding it between the orbs and teasing her soft flesh until her body screamed and she felt she would die from the sweet sensation. She grabbed the back of his head and pressed him into her, wanting more of the pleasure, more of the sweetness.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Judy Powell is a writer and marketing consultant living in Ontario, Canada. Her first romance novel, Hot Summer, placed second in the Toronto Romance Writers Contemporary Romance Competition. She has two additional romance novels in stores: Hot Chocolat, which is the sequel to Hot Summer and Some Like It Hot, her sensual romance. An excerpt from Judy's first novel, Hot Summer, is featured in Canadian Voices – An Anthology of Prose and Poetry by Emerging Canadian Writers.

Judy loves to learn, and has Master’s degrees in Spanish, Marketing, Literature, and Creative Writing and a BA in International Business/Foreign Languages. She loves to travel, and has lived and worked in various countries including France, Puerto Rico, the USA, Canada and Jamaica. She has also travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. International cultures are always featured in her work.

Judy shares information on her books and learning resources at www.judypowell.com

Interview with Author Jeffe Kennedy

2011-11-30T06:30:00.019-05:00

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Jeffe Kennedy while
on her tour for Sapphire.

1. Who is Jeffe Kennedy, really?

Really? Hmm. That’s a closely guarded secret, with all associated information monitored by the International Police. I appear to be a mild-mannered – okay, kind of dramatic and impatient – woman with long black hair, a Santa Fe tan and green eyes, but really I’m a cat in a human suit. It’s all about the opposable thumbs for me.

2. Where did you get your inspiration from for Sapphire?

I had this fantasy about a guy, handcuffs and a party on a yacht. I rolled the story from there. Why would she let him do it?

3. Do you ever have problems with writers block? If so how do you get through it?

I don’t, really. But I also make myself write every day, at the same time, for the same amount of time. I sit there and dream about the story (with the internet turned off) until the time is up. I almost always get a lot done. Even if I don’t write many words or revise many pages, I still make mental inroads on the story.

4. Do you have any future works we should keep an eye out for?

My novel, OBSIDIAN, is coming out the first week of July! It’s about a Neuroscientist who ends up in Faerie by accident – and contracted to bear the firstborn child of a manipulative and roguish Fae man.

5. While working on a story, do you directly onto the computer or are there notebooks and plot ideas jotted down in various places?

I’m a computer girl. I compose on the computer. I keep spreadsheets in Excel and notes in Word. I do have a little paper pad in my purse, for when I’m out and about in the world, but those notes go into my electronic file, to become “real.”

6. What do you do when you’re not writing/editing or thinking about writing/ editing?

I work. I have a day job with an environmental consulting firm that keeps me very busy and often on the road. I’m writing this in a Hilton hotel in Springfield, Illinois, in fact. If I’m not working the day job or writing, I try to keep the house semi-clean, I take long walks, I watch movies with the man. I read as much as I can squeeze in. I like to play with my cats.

7. If you had one piece of advice for all those writers sitting out there procrastinating about making that first submission, what would it be?

Hmm. Interesting question. If you’ve followed the steps and you think it’s done, then submit the damn thing already! If it’s not ready, fix it. Don’t obsess. Submitting your work isn’t a decisive thing, no matter what the agents or editors threaten. Submit your work and learn from the response. It’s the only way.

8. Please share your favourite scene with us from Sapphire.

I confess I love the lunch scene. Because I love lunch with wine in the sun. And it cracks me up when she asks if he’s had his OCD diagnosed.

“I thought we’d walk—it’s great weather today.” Kirliss took her elbow to guide her in the right direction. “So, how are you planning to break up with me?”

“I don’t have to break up with you,” she returned, “as we don’t have a relationship.”

“Everybody has relationships. It’s just a matter of determining what kind.”

“Well, then I’m determined that you and I will have a business relationship.”

“Negotiations are always fun. I look forward to hearing your business plan. And presenting my own counteroffer.”

Taylor pressed her lips together. How could every damn thing this man said sound sexual?

They sat at a table on the deck overlooking the harbor. Taylor enviously noted that some of the other women were enjoying golden wine in full-bellied glasses, but she opted for iced tea. She didn’t need the afternoon sleepies—or to let down her guard with Kirliss, who ordered a café Americano.

Taylor opened her mouth to begin her speech, then bit down on it when he reached into his jacket and withdrew a rose to lay on her plate. Extraordinarily large and perfect, the rose’s pristine white petals were tinged scarlet at the edges, as if they’d been dipped in blood. She brushed the velvety texture with tentative fingertips, oddly moved by the gesture.

“‘For even the love that is purest and sweetest has a kiss of desire on the lips,’” Kirliss quoted in a husky voice.

She looked up to find him observing her with inscrutable brown eyes. She raised her eyebrows, deliberately arch. “Love poetry? And here I thought this was about sex.”

“That too. Desire is about both, don’t you think? O’Reilly thought so.”

Taylor gazed at his intent expression, feeling off balance again.

“What I think,” she said in a crisp tone, deliberately setting the rose aside and starting her speech, “is that you and I are business associates. A sexual…dalliance is not appropriate.”

“None of the good stuff is,” he agreed in an easy tone. “But when your life is all about the job, like it is for you and I, we have to find ways to work around that.”

“I’m not interested.”

“The hell you aren’t. You’re just afraid of the way you lose control with me.”

Taylor sipped her icy tea. “What happened last night was—”

“Delicious.”

“A horribly inappropriate fluke.”

“Don’t you believe in love?” Kirliss leaned over his plate, steepling his fingers. “In the intimacy of sex and the dark desires people can share?”

“Never mind that you’re mixing emotion and lust—what I believe is irrelevant and immaterial to this conversation, Mr. Kirliss.”

“I’ve decided I like how you call me ‘Mr. Kirliss.’ I picture you whispering it, hands tied behind your back, kneeling naked at my feet.”

Taylor’s heart thumped, her groin clenching with unexpected heat. She cast about, looking to see if anyone at the nearby tables had overheard. The ladies who lunched at the next table laughed and clinked their wineglasses, in another world. The suited men on the other side were talking loudly of the stock market. Still, enough was enough. Taylor carefully folded her napkin, laid it across her plate, started to stand.

Kirliss’s hand shot across the table, steel fingers wrapping around her wrist, wrapping her heart in that scary feeling of helpless need.

“Let go of me,” Taylor said softly.

“I’ve only just got a hold of you—how can I?”

“I can’t do this.”

“You’re afraid of it. Afraid of how much you want it.”

“Hi, folks. Sorry to keep you waiting. Ready to order your lunch?” The chirpy waitress fluttered at Kirliss, eyes only for him.

Kirliss released her wrist, turning the gesture so he stroked her palm with slow heat. “Well, M, what did you decide on?”

Taylor could see herself walking away. She could tip her wrist and exclaim at the time on her silver watch, cite an important meeting she’d forgotten. Kirliss watched her, brown eyes intent. This was absolutely the moment for her to walk.

She ordered the crab salad. And a glass of Chardonnay.

She didn’t hear what Kirliss ordered, her ears too full of rushing blood. She hadn’t agreed to a damn thing, she told herself. It was just lunch.

“So, what does the M stand for?” Kirliss sat back, relaxed.

“Have you had your OCD professionally diagnosed?” Taylor returned in the same conversational tone.

Kirliss chuckled. “You know well that I can be quite obsessive about details I’m interested in. I’m interested in you, M. I’m looking forward to uncovering that sweet, hot, gooey center that Taylor protects so carefully.”

“I find it…unsettling, that you talk like I’m two different people.”

“And yet, you don’t argue the point.”

“Debates with you tend to end up in one place, I’ve found.”

“Oh yes?” Kirliss purred. “Is this the place where you’re naked and I’m ravishing you?”

“I haven’t agreed to anything.”

“Haven’t you? You’re still sitting here.”

Taylor shrugged. “A girl needs to eat.”

“And yet you were about to get up and walk out five minutes ago.”

The chirpy waitress brought Taylor’s wine, sighed in Kirliss’s direction and reluctantly left again. Taylor sipped it, watching Kirliss warily over the rim.

“First rule, M—you may not walk out of any situation I put you in, unless you call your safe word.”

Sapphire. She hadn’t forgotten. A wise woman would have defused this entire situation with that one simple word. All along she’d had the key to escape. But she hadn’t used it. Not last night. Not today. Her blood ran hot. Did she dare put herself in this man’s hands?

“Perhaps I don’t choose to use that word because I refuse to engage in your game.”

“It’s understandable. You need to put up a token effort for the propriety of your conscious mind. You maybe find the struggle thrilling. I’ll let you in on a secret.” Kirliss leaned forward and stroked the petals of the rose. “I confess I like it when you struggle too. It…stirs me.”

Taylor gathered herself. Desire raged through her, filling her with life. Everything seemed sharper: the blue of the sky, the gold of his eyes, the crisp oak of the wine. Lust and curiosity drove her. The words came out of her mouth before she fully formed the question in her mind.

“Let’s say I don’t use my out. What would the other rules be?”

Triumph flared in the eyes across the table. “It’s very simple, M. You do as I say, without hesitation.”

The waitress set their plates down, but Kirliss never glanced at her, he was so focused on Taylor. As soon as she left again, he continued in that quiet, relentless voice.

“I will never interfere with business or cause you to consider that your career or reputation might be harmed. What goes on between us is, and always will be, private. But I will ask a great deal of you, M. Things that Taylor might not be comfortable with.”

Taylor couldn’t meet his eyes. Her chest felt too tight for breath. She tasted some of the succulent crab. Surreal, having this conversation. Feeling the arousal pulse through her.

“So I just let you do whatever you like to me. Unless I cry off.”

“Yes.”

“You make it sound easy.”

“Oh no, M. It won’t be easy. I intend to break you apart and rend you open. You’re right. This isn’t about love. Nor is it just about sex. It’s about possession and knowledge. I want all of you and I will open every secret, dark corner of you until I’ve had it all.”

Taylor stared at him, terrified and aroused. How was it possible to feel both things at once?

“And then what?” she asked, her voice unsteady.

Kirliss shrugged. “Who knows the answer to that at the start of any relationship?”

He had a point.

“I seem to recall you saying you weren’t interested in having a slave?”

He flashed white teeth at her. “I’m not. I’m interested in having a lover. One who shares my particular bent.”

“And you think I do.”

He leaned forward, fingers tightening around her wrist. She trembled at the touch and she knew he felt it.

“If I slipped my hand into your panties right now, I’m sure I’d find you dripping wet. Shall I tell you to accompany me to some dark corner so we can test my theory?”

She stared at him, helpless to answer. Part of her wished he would pull her into that corner and do all the things he’d done the night before and more. The other part protested that she couldn’t allow it.

He rubbed his thumb over her pounding pulse and smiled at her. “Hold that thought—we’ll take it up tonight.”

Taylor tugged her hand back to fork up some salad. “I’m supposed to do whatever you say in all aspects of my life? What happens if you tell me something like that and I have another engagement—a business dinner or if I need to work late?”

“That’s what your safe word is for.”

“What if—” Taylor took a bite and pointed her fork at him, “—I don’t choose to use that word.”

“It’s not a capitulation to use it. It’s a way of communicating.”

“I’ll communicate how I choose. What if I can’t meet one of your demands and I don’t use the get-out-of-jail card?”

“If you tell me no without the safe word, you’ll be punished.”

The crab stuck in her throat. “Punished? How?”

Kirliss shrugged and flipped careless fingers at the perky waitress for the bill. “However I choose. That’s part of it.”

“If I do…meet you tonight, what happens? Dinner? Full-out kinky sex or what?”

He chuckled, shaking his head slowly. “Oh no, Taylor, you don’t get to control this. That’s the whole point.”

“Well, how do I know what to wear?” she snapped. He seemed to find her buttons with uncanny accuracy.

He raised his eyebrows. “Why, darling, you’ll wear what I tell you to.”

Thanks so much for taking the time to be here today, Jeffe! J

Thank you for hosting me!

More about Sapphire:

Publisher: Carina Press

Date Published: October 24, 2011

A successful executive, M. Taylor Hamilton is on track with her ten-year plan. Too bad her personal life consists of hitting the gym and grocery shopping. Enter the seductive Adam Kirliss. They may have a working relationship, but everything changes at an office party when he handcuffs her to the rail of a yacht. Taylor writes the adventure off as too much champagne, but when Adam challenges her to a date, she agrees to meet up with him. And follow his rules. They share a night of exquisite intimacy, brimming with both pain and pleasure. But afterwards, fearful of losing her heart, Taylor pulls back emotionally. Adam is determined to prove that she longs for the loss of control he can give her – and the passionate release it provides. How can he make her see that he wants her, and not just her body?

Amazon

More about Jeffe

Jeffe (pronounced Jeff- ee) took the crooked road to writing, stopping off at neurobiology, religious studies and environmental consulting before her creative writing began appearing in places like Redbook, Puerto del Sol, Wyoming Wildlife, Under the Sun and Aeon. She has been a Ucross Foundation Fellow (2001), was a Wyoming Arts Council roster artist, when she lived in Wyoming, and received the state’s 2005 Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Award for a woman writer of exceptional talent in any creative writing genre and the 2007 Fellowship for Poetry. Jeffe has contributed to several anthologies, Drive: Women’s True Stories of the Open Road. (2002), Hard Ground (2003), Bombshells (2007) and Going Green (2009). Her first book, Wyoming Trucks, True Love and the Weather Channel was published by University of New Mexico Press in 2004. An erotic novella, Petals and Thorns, came out under her pen name of Jennifer Paris in 2010, heralding yet another branch of her path, into erotica and romantic fantasy fiction. Jeffe lives in Santa Fe, with two Maine coon cats, a border collie, plentiful free-range lizards and frequently serves as a guinea pig for an acupuncturist-in-training.

Who Is Jennifer Paris?

I was doing the “Jeffe Kennedy writing as Jennifer Paris” thing, but Angela James, my editor at Carina, said no, no, no. Since I really don’t want to “flesh out” Jennifer Paris and tweet or blog as her (she was only a cardboard cut-out anyway), I decided to retire her. However, I have one book “Petals and Thorns” that is by Jennifer Paris.

http://jeffekennedy.com/

http://jeffekennedy.com/category/blog/

http://twitter.com/#!/jeffekennedy

http://www.facebook.com/jeffe.kennedy

Another November insanity complete!

2011-11-29T15:57:00.000-05:00

I did some mad writing last night and today and finished

a little over the 50,000 word goal for a final count of

53,207 words!

Of course in the next few months when I have time to go

through it I will have to cut out probably about 3000 of those and

correct another 10,000

but I made it with one day to spare and despite the insanity of

the last month for me I already made a note on my calendar to plan

next years NaNo novel in September so I know what I'm writing.

And now I can rest my brain and hands for a few days.

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2011-11-25T22:54:00.000-05:00

I actually missed Canada's Thanksgiving as I worked
right through it - so I thought I'd get all the upcoming
holiday wishes in one swoop - just in case I'm lost at
work again through those!

Something else that's going on is the Kindle version for
DREAMS and for CURSES is now only $2.99 until Dec. 31st

See I even come with gifts for all occasions!!

Have a great holiday season!!!

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Interview with Author Emlyn Chand

2011-11-23T05:59:00.029-05:00

Today I have Author Emlyn Chand here for an interview
about her release Farsighted.

1. Who is Emlyn Chand, really?

A 26-almost-27-year old YA author. I am also the president of Novel Publicity and a crazy bird lady too. And, oh yeah, I emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in my left hand (at least that’s what my Twitter bio says).

2. Where did you get your inspiration from for Farsighted?

Everything started with a single image—my face in these tacky oversized sunglasses reflecting out at me from the car’s side mirror. I was daydreaming while my husband drove us across Michigan for my sister’s wedding. Something about my image really struck me in an almost horrific way. I felt the glasses made me look blind but found it so weird that there was still a clear image within them; it seemed so contradictory. At the time, my book club was reading The Odyssey, which features the blind Theban prophet, Tieresias. I started thinking about what it would be like to have non-visual visions of the future and began forming a modern Tieresias in my mind. Lo and behold, Alex Kosmitoras was born. I didn’t want him to be alone in his psychic subculture, so I found other characters with other powers to keep him company. Thank God for my poor fashion sense. J

3. Do you ever have problems with writers block? If so how do you get through it?

Writer’s block has not really been a problem for me. I have so many ideas swimming about in my head, I don’t generally come up short. What I do experience is writer’s detour, or pursuing wild tangents to the detriment of my story. If I can’t find focus myself, my beta readers are great at letting me know it’s time to kill some darlings.

4. Do you have any future works we should keep an eye out for?

Farsighted is a 5-book series. Each book will be told from a different character's point-of-view, so in book #2, we'll actually be able to see what Grandon looks like! Next up is Open Heart. I hope to have that ready by the middle of next year. And don't worry, Alex will remain an important character throughout the entire series; we just won't be in his head anymore.

5. While working on a story, do you directly onto the computer or are there notebooks and plot ideas jotted down in various places?

I use the computer so much, I’ve virtually forgotten how to write long-hand, so no notebooks for me! I do keep crazy to-do lists and outlines either on scrap paper or gigantic poster boards. I’ve also been known to sketch pictures of my characters or log ideas in a voice recorder—whatever’s closest when I have an idea.

6. What do you do when you’re not writing/editing or thinking about writing/ editing?

I work, of course! I started my book marketing business, Novel Publicity, because of my love for writing and reading, but often times it keeps me away from my writing. That’s why I have to hold myself “writing hostage” at the local Panera for hours on end sans wi-fi—it’s the only way I can ignore work long enough to write. Ultimately, I’m lucky, because I have two all-consuming passions instead of just one.

7. If you had one piece of advice for all those writers sitting out there procrastinating about making that first submission, what would it be?

Just do it. You can almost guarantee that you’ll receive a rejection letter, but this is an important rite of passage for us, and it really does make us stronger; it really does get easier with time. Sorry to be so cynical, but I find it’s better to have a realistic understanding of the insane query process than hopes that are too high. That first “not for us” form letter is like a dart through a hot air balloon. Prepare to crash and burn. But you can patch up; you can rise again. Maybe even float higher.

8. Please share your favourite scene with us from Farsighted.

Sure! My favorite scene actually occurs at the end of the story—spoiler-alert :-P So I’ve attached “Meeting Miss Teak,” a scene from the second chapter that many readers seem to enjoy.

Thanks so much for taking the time to be here today, Emlyn! J

“Did Dad tell you? A new tenant moved into the old pharmacy next door.”

“Really?” I ask, not letting on I already know. If I feign ignorance, Mom’ll divulge all the details. “What is it?”

“It’s a psychic shop,” Her voice crackles with excitement like a fire that’s just beginning to burn. “The All-Seeing Miss Teak. Isn’t that cute? Miss Teak, Mystic. Ha, I wonder if that’s her real name.”

I laugh. “That is funny. Never had a psychic in town before. What’s she like?”

“Oh, she’s very friendly. Why don’t you go over and say ‘hi.’ I’m sure she’d like to meet you.”

“Okay, I think I will.” I’m incredibly intrigued, because first off, it’s a psychic shop—how weird is that?—and second, its presence made Dad super uncomfortable—also very cool. I waste no time heading next door to check out the scene.

As I step cautiously into the new shop, a recording of soft, instrumental music greets me. I can make out chimes and a string instrument I don’t recognize but for some reason reminds me of snake charmers. The smell of incense fills my nostrils, which explains the burning I detected earlier.

“Hello?” I call out into the otherwise quiet room.

Nobody answers. I walk in deeper, sweeping my cane out in front of me in a metronome fashion. This place is new to me, so I need to be especially careful while moving around.

Thump! Despite my precautions, I stub my toe on something hard, big, and made of wood. Just my luck to stub the same toe twice in one day. I reach down to press my fingers into my throbbing foot to alleviate some of the pain. Something teeters before rolling off of the chest and across the floor; the sound it makes indicates a curved path. Suddenly, the object stops. Somebody’s stopped it.

“Hello?” I call again.

“Hello,” a deep, feminine voice responds, placing more emphasis on the first syllable than the second.

“I- I’m sorry I knocked that thing over. I didn’t mean to…” I hope she’s not angry. Probably not a good idea to get on a psychic’s bad side.

“That wasn’t just a thing, it’s a crystal ball,” she says as she walks over, sending my blood pulsing through my veins. I sense her looking at me for a moment before she places the ball back on top of the chest.

“Can it see the future?” I ask, allowing my curiosity to outweigh my uneasiness.

“No.” After a pause lasting several beats, she continues. “But I can see the future sometimes when I look into it.”

“Oh, okay.” I tighten my hand around my cane and turn to leave. It may not be the most polite thing to do, but all of this hocus-pocus stuff is freaking me out more than I would’ve guessed.

The psychic lady speaks again, stopping me cold. “Don’t run away, Alex Kosmitoras.” She must’ve spoken to Mom earlier today. That must be how she knows my name.

“I’m not running away,” I say meekly. “I’m just going back over to Sweet Blossoms.”

“Don’t run away,” she repeats—this time she speaks louder and with more energy. “Don’t run away from your abilities. They are gifts.”

“What?” I ask in confusion. What abilities is she talking about?

“You already know. Watch. Listen. Be open to your gifts.”

I turn to face Miss Teak, but find she’s already gone, returning to wherever she was before I got there.

Is it safe to leave? I trail my fingers across the wooden box I ran into earlier; a thick coat of dust clings to the tips as I pull away. If this shop just opened, why is it already so dirty? I wipe my hands over my shirt to get the gritty substance off. Shivers rock my whole body. Something about this place is wrong, and I’m not sticking around to figure out what. Tapping my cane along the floor, I’m able to find the exit without knocking into anything else.

More about:

Farsighted

by Emlyn Chand

Genre: Paranormal YA

Short Synopsis:

Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still “see” things others can’t. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider.

Long Synopsis:

Alex Kosmitoras’s life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead-broke and insanely overprotective, and to complicate matters even more, he's blind. Just when he thinks he'll never have a shot at a normal life, a new girl from India moves into town. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Yes, sophomore year might not be so bad after all.

Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival—an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to “see” the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they begin to suggest that Simmi is in danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and new friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex must embark on a journey to change his future.

In this enthralling debut novel, Emlyn Chand creates a world in which friendship, perseverance, and a handful of psychic powers come together to fight against what appears to be the inevitable and all-too dangerous future. This is a book you won’t want to put down—even after you finish it!

Excerpt - http://www.emlynchand.com/2011/09/farsighted-chapter-one/

Book trailer - http://youtu.be/tZjskE5zjzM

GoodReads 10-book give-away - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12368215-farsighted

Check out the fun quiz readers can take to determine which character they are.

It's just 7 questions long and has badges that readers can use to display their results http://www.emlynchand.com/farsighted/quiz/

Author Bio:

Emlyn Chand has always loved to hear and tell stories, having emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). When she's not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm, Novel Publicity.

Emlyn loves to connect with readers and is available throughout the social media interweb.

Visit www.emlynchand.com for more info.

Don’t forget to say “hi” to her sun conure Ducky!

Finishing the tour

2011-11-22T10:18:00.000-05:00

Today is the last day for my month long book
tour - and I have to say it's been quite the adventure.
I've been to a lot of great sites on line and have
talked to a lot of awesome people.

With all of the new releases scheduled for 2012,
I decided to sign up with Bewitching Book Tours
to do a monthly promotional gig - otherwise
I'd just finish one month long tour and have to start
another!

My hats off to Roxanne over at BBT for keeping me
organized this past month, if it weren't for her I would
have made more than one blunder and forgotten where
I was supposed to be!!

Stop by my last two stops today for another chance
to win in the draw.

And now I'm off to see if I can use my day off to get closer
to the finish line in NaNoWriMo.

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

The Body Snatcher Wears Lipstick

2011-11-20T06:44:00.000-05:00

The Body Snatcher Wears Lipstick

By Artemis Hunt

Genre: Romantic Comedy with Paranormal Elements

Word Count: Approximately 83,000

BLURB:

Abby Watson is about to move in with the man of her dreams. Too bad the body she wears isn't hers.

Abby Watson's life is an airtight box of a dead-end job, a skinflint boss, and a best 'frenemy' who thinks Abby has the fashion sense of a tubeworm. When a lab experiment at work blows up in Abby's face, she develops the ability to jump into other people's bodies. Suddenly it's goodbye frump, hellooooo . . . anyBODY gorgeous.

Abby's leaping into the bodies of heiresses, her best 'frenemy', anyone who has ever been mean to her in high school, her scrooge boss, and even the President of the United States (!).

When a chance encounter with the Ferrari of her childhood idol -- stunning movie A-lister, Jake Carradoc -- leaves one of her beautiful bodies in the hospital, Abby feigns amnesia . . . then a spot in Jake's home as his indefinite 'houseguest'.

But Abby's real body is dying in her soul's absence. What must she do to get and keep Jake, the only man she's ever loved with all of somebody else's heart?

Get it at: Amazon and Smashwords

EXCERPT:

I’m on Cloud Platinum.

Jake Carradoc is beside me, driving his red Ferrari 599 GTB (personalized and customized) – the very Ferrari which floored me into procuring the very litigious medical diagnosis of retrograde amnesia – and we are cruising to his home in Beverly Hills where I’m going to live!

That’s right.

I’ll be staying with Jake Carradoc (!) until such time I recover my memories and decide I want to go back to my life. He has very kindly offered me food, shelter, money, and his complete hospitality until I get my memories back, or if someone with a similar backpack from a rat-infested, one-star ‘the bar soap on the grimy sink is as thin as an insurance agent’s promise’ motel ultimately claims me.

This is so incredible I have to literally cradle my bladder from shooting out a squirt of excited pee every time we navigate a bump.

Jake, of course, completely believes I have severe amnesia.

“We’re. Now. Going. To. My. House,” he says slowly, enunciating every syllable just in case I’ve forgotten the specifics of English grammar. “Do. You. Remember. What. A. House. Is?”

Since leaving the hospital, we have conversed no more than three very prolonged sentences in this manner.

“How. Are. You. Feeling. Today?”

“This. Is. My. Car. This. Is. The. Key. That. Unlocks. My. Car.”

“This. Is. A. Seatbelt.”

I’m going to let Jake continue to think I have complete amnesia, but not so severe we’d have to descend to smoke signals to get communication across.

“I remember what a house is,” I tell him. “I remember the meaning of words, and grammar, and what things are. I just don’t remember specifics. Like where my house is. Or my street address.”

I’m tempted to add it’s just like Samantha Who, except I remember I’m not supposed to remember who Samantha Who is.

“That’s great.” He is visibly relieved. For a long-accused-to-be-monosyllabic actor, he doesn’t like monosyllables.

He gives me a sidelong glance. “Do you know who I am?”

This is the time to decide once and for all how much of a sham I want this to be.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR :

Artemis Hunt has a husband who thinks all fiction is nonsense and all writers of fiction should get their heads checked for situational delusions. At any one time, they have 16 to 20 dogs, many of suspicious virtue.

Artemis frequently wishes she has telekinesis, so she doesn't have to lift a finger to change the room temperature. She's constantly glued to her computer, which serves as her gateway to her friends, books, movies, TV serials and sometimes husband, even though they're sitting on the same bed two feet apart.

Artemis writes under the name of A.R. Hunt for the adult thriller and suspense genre.

BOOKS BY ARTEMIS HUNT

The Body Snatcher Wears Lipstick

The Hunt for the Catalyst (Ether World Chronicles)

Snow White and the Alien

The Ether World Chronicles: Beginnings

Books by A.R.HUNT

Psychotic

WEB LINKS:

http://artemishunt.blogspot.com/

www.artemishunt.org

Twitter handle: @ArtemisHunt1

Are we there yet?

2011-11-16T20:48:00.000-05:00

I'm afraid that's the status of my brain and exhausted
body - are we there yet?

I'm going to blame the clocks being set back on how
out of it I am lately and as long as my children aren't
reminding me of the real reason - bad clocks!

First round of edits are complete for January's release
From Beltane Magic.

NaNoWriMo is flying right along having reach over 40k
right around the half way mark! Of course I do not look back
once the word is on the page because the typo's and mistakes
are usually too numerous to admit. Fixing NaNo stories is the
event that takes place in December.

And then there is my book tour. I'm over at All the Days of..
tomorrow. Stop by and give me a reason to pretend I'm not
at work when I check in throughout the day.
:)

Hope to see you there!

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Interview and Live chat!

2011-11-12T09:15:00.000-05:00

With ten days to go on my book tour- I might just survive it!

Today I'm over at Word of Wisdom from the Scarf Princess
for an interview.
http://wowfromthescarfprincess.blogspot.com/

Tonight at 7pm (EST) until 9 I'm chatting at the
Romance Lives Forever group. I'll be giving some
prizes. Drop by and say hello.
Author friends are welcome too.
http://tinyurl.com/rlf4ever

Hope to see you there!!!

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Guest Author Michael J Lee

2011-11-11T05:30:00.023-05:00

Today I have the pleasure of having Author Michael J Lee
here discussing The Romance of the Spy Game.

Someone once told me professional wrestling was soap operas for guys. If that’s true then James Bond is a guy’s idea of a romantic movie.

The guy has everything but he’s risking it all for the girl at the very end.

Seriously though, Bond is very closely linked to romance. The books first came out at the same time the first issues of Playboy were being published. Some might not think of Playboy as being that romantic but in the beginning it was the guide to becoming a sophisticated gent. You want to look at what Hugh Heffner was selling in those early days, besides naked pictures, you need only look at the James Bond films; cocktails, suits, exotic locales, and a sense of danger.

The Bond of the movies was definitely a romantic icon. He was strong, dashing, he always knew what so and what to do whether in the bedroom or in a gunfight. Whoever played Bond on film, his sex appeal had to be undeniable. Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig all had it. George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton, they weren’t bad but definitely not in the same league.

The Bond from the Fleming novels is a tough professional. But even in the beginning he had a tragic past. It was actually brave of Fleming to open his series with Casino Royale and have Vesper die at the end. Later in the series Bond would marry only to lose his wife in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Bond is no emo but he does have a heart and his creator took perverse pleasure in breaking it.

To modern eyes Bond can be seen a little too callous when it comes to relationships. His adventures are the most dangerous one night stands in history. In paranormal writing the characters take their relationships pretty darn seriously. Breaking up usually involves world shattering consequences. That was where From Russia with Blood differed from Bond. I made Ian and Larissa a couple. This wasn’t a couple of trips around the earth in a space shuttle and then off on their separate ways. This is more about that one true relationship. Maybe decades ago you could say that a night of passion was enough. But know it’s about two heart finding each and nights of passion that never end. Or if they do end, it’s cataclysmic.

About Michael:

Micheal J Lee was born in the Midwest and has spent time out on the East Coast and in LA.

He learned the craft of screenwriting the hard way, as a barely paid reader. That’s how he got a good feel for writing form and the craft of storytelling. His approach to a story is a lot like Bruce Lee's approach to fighting, absorb what is useful.

Lee published his first paranormal romance, My Frankenstein, recently. It's been an adventure – and now he’s on to book 2, From Russia with Blood.

http://myfrankensteinebook.blogspot.com/

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4849011.Michael_Lee

From Russia with Blood:

400 year old vampire Ian Redd joined British Intelligence during the Cold War. But after the Berlin Wall came down they decided they no longer needed his services. He was retired, almost permanently. Ian escaped and has lived the quiet life in a small town until a professional hit team arrived at his doorstep. Who sent them? That’s a question that will lead Ian into the arms of a beautiful woman named Larissa Barton and into the most dangerous operation of his unlife.

Larissa Barton’s life has barely begun and it’s already gone off the tracks. She’s back in her hometown working as a barista. But things change when Ian Redd enters her life. Dark, mysterious and gorgeous, Ian is her only protection her from the people and creatures who suddenly want her dead. With Ian by her side Larissa plunges into a world of magic, werewolves, vampires, spies and assassins and discovers her own secret past.

"One part James Bond, one part Dracula, and a whole lot of action and adventure. From Russia with Blood kicks ass!" - Vivi Anna, award winning author of the Valorian Chronicles

Thanks for stopping by today, Michael!

Guest Author Theresa Meyers!

2011-11-08T06:30:00.000-05:00

Today I have Author Theresa Meyers while on
tour for her book The Hunter.

About Theresa Meyers:

Raised by a bibliophile who made the dining room into a library, Theresa has always been a lover of books and stories. First a writer for newspapers, then for national magazines, she started her first novel in high school, eventually enrolling in a Writer's Digest course and putting the book under the bed until she joined Romance Writers of America in 1993.

In 2005 she was selected as one of eleven finalists for the American Title II contest, the American Idol of books. She is married to the first man she ever went on a real date with (to their high school prom), who she knew was hero material when he suffered through having to let her parents drive, and her brother sit between them in the backseat of the car. They currently live in a Victorian house on a mini farm in the Pacific Northwest with their two children, three cats, an old chestnut Arabian gelding, an energetic mini-Aussie shepherd puppy, several rabbits, a dozen chickens and an out-of-control herb garden.

Blending Steampunk and Paranormal Romance

By Theresa Meyers

There’s something inherently fascinating about bringing two distinctive things together to create something new. Take Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Chocolate, perfect in its own right and deserving of a food group all its own. Peanut butter, the staple of probably more than half of the school kid lunches in America on every given day. Both all on their own fantastic, but when put together, well, the angels sing.

That’s what blending steampunk and paranormal romance is for me as a writer, and it’s why I wove them both into THE HUNTER. I love both as their own thing, but when merged into one story, it’s simply irresistible. It also makes my steampunk world a little different bend than most. Yes, of course there are the wonders of science, the mad genius, the spirit of adventure, but there’s also a darkly mystical side to my world. My heroes in the Legend Chronicles, three brothers named after their father’s favorite guns, are supernatural hunters in the Wild Weird West.

Winchester, Remington and Colt have been trained to hunt down and destroy the Darkin that threaten humanity. So while regular people go about their daily lives, these guys don’t bat an eye-lash when it comes to fighting down demons, slay shape-shifters, battling hell-hounds or going up against ghosts. They just do it with some fantastical steampunk help, such as Colt’s clockwork horse, Tempus, Sting Shooters (that are steampunk, Tesla-coil-powered tasers) and the specially designed Darkin-killing bullets perfected by their inventor friend Marley Turlock. They know that while ordinary people might not see the ending of the world coming, they are the first, last and only defense in making sure humanity survives.

Part of what I love about steampunk is the essence that anything was possible if you were just curious, adventurous or determined enough to make it happen. It’s accepting that we can be more, do more, than we ever thought possible by reimagining the past as it could have happened. I love the clothing, the elegance and intricacy that was part of the Gilded Age. I’ve a bit of a Victoriana nut with a strong love of tea, and I’m a maker in my own right. I sew, design, paint, and can my own home-grown fruits, veggies, sauces and soups, when I’m not out tackling my herb garden. For me steampunk is like the peanut butter. It’s gritty, it’s brown, it’s got a specific flavor you won’t find anywhere else and you know it when you taste it.

With paranormal romance, I’m just as fascinated by the things we can’t see that still influence us. Most of my writing tends to take a paranormal path, likely because when I was little my mother did things like pretend we had elves in the tree stump in the back yard. They even talked under my window one night—which I later found out in my 20s was due to a tape-recorder. She made my brother and I believe in the magic all around us and I still have that rose-colored tint to how I look at the world today. But if there’s one thing about the paranormal I’ve learned, it’s that there’s balance. Dark must have light to survive and vice versa. And with paranormal romance, the ending is always sweetly satisfying. You know the good guys win and that love can conquer all. Paranormal romance is like chocolate. It’s dark, it’s varied, the subtle changes and flavors are nearly endless and when done right it can be an experience you can’t get enough of.

So when it comes to blending steampunk and paranormal romance, it’s not just about the fantastic inventions or goggles, nor is it about the balancing act between the dark and light forces of the paranormal world and the power of love. It’s a bit of both, blended together to create a flavor of fiction that’s something familiar but also completely different. That’s what I’ve tried to accomplish in my Legend Chronicles series, but you may have to taste it yourself to find out.

THE HUNTER
by Theresa Meyers

978-1-4201-2124-7

Price is $6.99

Zebra paranormal romance with steampunk elements

They’re the Chosen—Winchester, Remington and Colt—brothers trained to hunt down supernatural beings using the latest steam-powered gadgetry. It’s a hard legacy to shoulder, and it’s about to get a lot more dangerous…

A DEVIL OF A JOB

Colt Jackson has gotten his name on many a wanted poster with success in the family business: hunting supernaturals across the frontier. Lately, though, there’s a sulfur stink in the wind and the Darkin population is exploding. A rift in the worlds is appearing. To close it, Colt will have to do the unthinkable and work with a demon to pass arcane boundaries no human alone can cross.

Except when he summons his demon, he doesn’t get some horned monstrosity: he gets a curvy redheaded succubus named Lilly, who’s willing to make a bargain to become human again. He also gets Lilly’s secret expertise on the machinations on the dark side of the rift. And her charm and cleverness help to get them out of what his silver-loaded pistol and mechanical horse can’t. Of course, when all hell breaks loose, he might have to sacrifice his soul. But what’s adventure without a little risk?

Here's where you can find Theresa:

You can find her online on Twitter, Facebook, at her Web site or blogging with the other Lolitas of STEAMED!

http://www.theresameyers.com/

http://www.theresameyers.com/blog/

http://twitter.com/Theresa_Meyers

http://www.facebook.com/TheresaMeyersAuthor

http://www.ageofsteam.wordpress.com/

Thanks for stopping by today, Theresa!

Coming this week...

2011-11-06T21:07:00.001-05:00

I have another busy week on the way but a fun
kind of busy!

Tomorrow I'm over at URBAN STARS

Tuesday I have Theresa Myers here on my blog with her release The Hunter

Wednesday I'm doing a double and will be in two places at once!
here RAVENCRAFT'S ROMANCE REALM

and here GETTING NAUGHTY BETWEEN THE STACKS

Friday I have Michael J Lee here on my blog with his release From Russia with Blood
and I'll be over at CHARLENE BLOGS

Saturday I'm over at WORDS OF WISDOM
and Saturday night I'm having a chat at ROMANCE LIVES FOREVER

Sunday I sleep! I wish lol

I've just been given the tentative release schedule for the four contracts I signed
last week - January, March, May, July ... and possibly September for one that isn't even finished yet.
With all of that in mind I have a new best friend, here's a nice pic - isn't she photogenic?

I here chocolate covered espresso beans are pretty tasty...

Hope to see you around the net this week!!!

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Four new contracts!

2011-11-03T08:34:00.000-04:00

I think I've figured out what I'm doing for the long winter
months the are going to be arriving before I really want
them to. Editing...

I have signed the first three books of the Magic Seasons in
the past week- Book I From Beltane Magic will be released in
January 2012 at Class Act Books -
Also signed is the second book in the Hidden
Senses Trilogy!!!

In the meantime while I await edits to begin - I'm still
touring around the web for Dreams and Curses

Stop by today and catch me at

Tomorrow I'll be over here

and I have some more great stops next week,
along with a live chat!!!

Hope to see you along the way!

Jacqueline Paige
http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Can we do it again??

2011-11-01T11:00:00.000-04:00

Once again I'm feeling the 'blah' feeling that Halloween is gone
until next year. Can't we just do it again for fun? Do I really have
to wait for next year??

The Jack-o-lanterns are carved.

Quick picture before the make-up goes on

Fog check before it's dark..

more fog to check...

Dusk is coming! Lights, music, fog ready...

Jack is ready!

Jack had a blast being a 'display' and waving to cars and people as they went by.

Seriously can't we do this once a month??

Please?

Halloween is over - now back to my regularly scheduled life...

Be sure to follow along on my tour for the next few weeks.

Jacqueline Paige

http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Warm up for Halloween with. . .

2011-10-30T16:15:00.000-04:00

From Behind the Mask

Gracelyn came in the door. She danced across the wide foyer in her ballerina costume and dropped her purse on the table. It was well past midnight, but she felt vibrant and wonderful. Humming to herself, she wandered toward the sitting room, only to sense being watched. Stopping, she turned to the long staircase. Near the top stood her sister, Faith, her face scrunched up and eyes accusing. Gracelyn smiled. “I just had the dreamiest time . . .”

“With Grady! You were with Grady! How could you?”

Puzzled, Gracelyn leaned against the railing and looked up the stairs toward her. “Yes. How could I what?” She watched her sister stomp down several stairs and then saw the tears on her cheeks. “Faith, what is it?”

“You know how much I’ve wanted to be with him. I spend days at a time trying to find ways . . .”

She raised her eyebrows and held a hand to her throat. “I had no idea. I swear.”

“You liar!” She smacked a hand on the railing. “I am so tired of perfect little you! Every man falls over his feet to impress you while I have to work to get one to speak to me!”

Gracelyn put her hands on her hips, seriously not happy that her sister dramatics were once again at the forefront and ploughing all over her happy thoughts. “I’m sure you’re exaggerating. Just last week I sat and watched you talk to . . .”

“Tom? Of course he talked to me. He’s more hideous than I am . . .”

“You are not hideous, Faith. You’re sweet and . . .”

“Invisible whenever you’re around!”

She watched her sister stomp down a few more stairs and lean forward, her face hovering over hers. “Faith . . .”

“I’m putting a stop to it now. No more beautiful and precious Gracie.”

Frowning, Gracelyn backed up a few feet and scowled at her. “You’ll behave! We do not use magic on whims or out of spite.” She pointed to the kitchen. “Now drag your butt in there, we’ll have some tea and discuss . . .” She paused and looked at her sister mouth moving, her eyes were suddenly looking untamed. “Faith? What are you doing?”

Faith threw her head back and laughed. “From now on, the only time you’ll see beautiful Gracie is on Samhain from midnight start to midnight finish. The rest of the year, you’ll be a blur!” She trotted down the rest of the stairs and stopped a foot from her. “And from now on, no one is going to be at your beck and call. No one will remember you.” She laughed in an eerie way. “To break it, you’ll need to find the one that can truly see you and kiss him on sacred Hallows Eve, just before midnight.” Laughing loudly and venomously, she waltzed to the door and left, slamming it behind her.

Gracelyn stood there, for how long she had no idea. Finally shaking her head, she turned to go to the kitchen and fell to the floor at the bottom of the stairs.

Find out what happens to Gracelyn and the curse her own sister cast on her in Behind the Mask

The first story in

Two tales of Curses...

Buylink:http://www.amazon.com/Curses-ebook/dp/B005XBDUU8/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1319147185&sr=8-8

Jacqueline Paige

http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

A Haunting Halloween Weekend!

2011-10-30T09:37:00.000-04:00

Several times today I'll have post over at The Long and Short of it and
Goddess Fish Promotions Party Pavilion - along with many other authors.

I will be giving away a copy of CURSES to one lucky commenter from my
posts later today.

GODDESS FISH PAVILION

LASR

SEE YOU THERE!!!!

Jacqueline Paige

http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Haunting Halloween blogs!

2011-10-29T09:05:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow I'm joining forces with dozens of romance

authors that will be blogging at two locations.

Commenters and blog followers will be eligible to win

$150 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC!

There will also be numerous $5 & $15 GC's awarded

several times during the weekend - along with author contests

on several posts.

I will be giving away an e-copy of CURSES from one

commenter on both sites.

Here are the links so you can

join in the fun

http://lasrguest.blogspot.com/

http://goddessfishparty.blogspot.com/

Watch for my posts...

Jacqueline Paige

http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Guest Author Shadonna Richards

2011-10-28T04:33:00.015-04:00

Today I have Shadonna Richards stopping by on her
tour for An Unexpected Bride.

THE TOP 20 LOVE SONGS

Hi, everyone!

I’m Shadonna, author of An Unexpected Bride, a romantic comedy about Emma Wiggins who is about to marry her heart-stopping, gorgeous boss, CEO Evan Fletcher in seven days. Only he doesn’t know about it yet! Since An Unexpected Bride centers around the theme of dream weddings, I thought I’d compile a list some of the most romantic songs for weddings (in no particular order). Check this list out:

At Last by Etta James
When I Fall in Love by Nat King Cole
The Power of Love by Celine Dion
Can You Feel the Love Tonight? By Elton John
Eternal Flame by The Bangles
This I Promise You by ‘NSYNC
You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker
Here and Now by Luther Vandross
All My Life by K-Ci & Jojo
Have I Told You Lately? By Rod Stewart
On Bended Knee by Boys II Men
A Moment Like This by Kelly Clarkson
Thank You (For Loving Me) Bon Jovi
Everything I Do (I Do it For You) by Brian Adams
We Belong Together by Mariah Carey
My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion
I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley
Always by Atlantic Starr
Endless Love by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie

Hope you enjoyed the list. I thought I’d leave you with a synopsis of An Unexpected Bride. Enjoy.

Desperate to fulfill her ailing grandfather’s last wish to see her settle down and get married, Emma Wiggins, a 30-year-old, career-focused executive tells him a little white lie on his deathbed that she is in fact engaged--to her boss, deliciously handsome and emotionally unavailable, Evan Fletcher.
The situation takes an unexpected turn when her grandfather's condition improves slightly and to her shock, he goes ahead and arranges a wedding ceremony at his hospital bedside before he passes on. Now, all Emma has to do is convince unsuspecting, commitment-phobic Evan to tie the knot with her in seven days. Can love blossom in the most unlikely situation?

AN UNEXPECTED BRIDE
By Shadonna Richards

Emma Wiggins is about to marry her heart-stopping, gorgeous boss, CEO Evan Fletcher, in seven days—too bad he doesn’t know it yet!

The situation takes an unexpected turn when her grandfather's condition improves slightly and to her shock, he goes ahead and arranges a wedding ceremony at his hospital bedside before he passes on. Now, all Emma has to do is convince unsuspecting, commitment-phobic Evan to tie the knot with her in seven days.

Can love blossom in the most unlikely situation?

Only .99 for the Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/An-Unexpected-Bride-ebook/dp/B005GXLALY/

REVIEWS

"I can feel her heart beating out of her chest. Great pacing...good descriptives…I look forward to buying this story one day soon." - Judge, TARA contest 2010

"Very sweet...great foreshadowing!" - Judge, TARA contest 2010

BIO

Shadonna Richards enjoys reading and writing about the magic of romance and the power of love. She is the author of the non-fiction books, A Gift of Hope and Think and Be Happy: 365 Empowering Thoughts to Lift Your Spirit (an Amazon Kindle #1 Bestseller in Meditation). Winner of Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write 2010 Day Two Challenge, she is a member of the Romance Writers of America. An Unexpected Bride is her first novel. She’s a proud mommy and wife and lives in Canada with her husband and son.

You can visit her at www.shadonnarichards.blogspot.com or join her on twitter at www.twitter.com/shadonna or send her an e-mail at Shadonna@ymail.com

Spooky Swap!

2011-10-27T17:47:00.000-04:00

A month ago I stumbled on the Author's Halloween Spooky Swap

http://www.ataleofmanyreviews.com/index.php/2011/09/book-bloggerauthor-halloween-spooky-swap/

Today I received mine from Midnyte Reader.

I love it! Especially the glow-in-the-dark PEZ dispenser!!

Thank you so much!!

Interview, Review and giveaway

2011-10-26T09:52:00.002-04:00

My stop on the tour today is over at
Rage, Sex and Teddy Bear's blog.

It was probably one of the most interesting interviews
I've done up until now.

Stop over and make sure you comment and enter the
giveaway!!

CLICK HERE

While I have you ....
Today is the last day for voting on You Gotta Read Cover
contest.
The link is listed to the right of this blog. Vote for Dreams
#17 .... I don't usually push for votes, but my son made this
cover and I love it!!

Jacqueline Paige

http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

http://ragesexandteddybears.blogspot.com/

From Russia With Blood by Michael J. Lee

2011-10-25T04:30:00.010-04:00

Here is a book to be added to your TBR list!

From Russia with Blood

By Michael J Lee

"One part James Bond, one part Dracula, and a whole lot of action and adventure. From Russia with Blood kicks ass!" - Vivi Anna, award winning author of the Valorian Chronicles

Michael's Amazon author page : http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Lee/e/B0050YPE20/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Other places to find out more:
http://myfrankensteinebook.blogspot.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4849011.Michael_Lee

Random Sunday and a blog stop

2011-10-23T09:11:00.000-04:00

I'm over at Donna's Blog today talking about
Characters that pick their own powers with a few
peaks at some excerpts from Dreams.

CLICK HERE to get there

and while I have your attention ...
The Dreams cover is up for favorite cover
over at Your Gotta Read and I'd love a vote
or two. I put the link over to the right of
this blog. Voting ends on the 26th.

Here is the random pic for Sunday.
I considered putting up one of my own
pics but when I was helping my daughter
look for information for a school assignment
I saw this old pic and it just suited how I
felt this past week working extra hours, solving
one issue after the other at the cafe all while keeping
up with my own book tour..

Maybe you'll recognize it and relate..

Jacqueline Paige

http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Guest Author LK Rigel

2011-10-22T04:30:00.029-04:00

Today I have the pleasure of having Author LK Rigel
here at my blog with a peak into her book Give Me : a fairy tale.

Thanks for stopping by today, LK.

Thank you, Jacqueline, for hosting the Give Me, A Fairy Tale blog tour here at All Things Paranormal. This is the fourth scene of Piccadilly Woo, a story from the world of Give Me.

Piccadilly Woo – scene 4

Dan led Beverly to the fountain. Two couples stood up to make room, the people that had been making out in broad daylight. Two of them, a guy and a girl, wore corded chokers. Their partners looked quite upset at having their fun interrupted.

Normally, Beverly would suggest they get a room, but she felt the same way. First Dan, then Aubrey, and now Dan again – her body had responded to them both with bewildering heat.

The guy with the choker started to speak, but Dan stopped him with the same growl he’d used on Aubrey. “Be off.”

The two in chokers led their partners away but glanced back at Beverly with approving grins.

“What is it with those necklaces?” It was a relief to have Dan beside her and to feel the rush of desire when they sat down and his thigh touched hers. “Cissa said you came to London to play. Are you all in a club?”

“Cissa shouldn’t be talking.” He brushed a stray lock of hair out of her eyes and ran his fingers down her cheek. “She likes you.”

“You’re not like Aubrey,” Beverly said. “There’s kindness in you that he lacks.”

“Kindness.” Dan chuckled. He stared at her lips and traced them with a finger. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

She wanted him to kiss her. Dan was vital and young. Lord Dumnos’s opposite. This was what she’d come to London to find out: Whatever happened, she could never marry without love. Without passion.

“Kindness isn’t a quality found in my people.” Dan dropped his hand and moved away, though his thigh still touched hers. “Aubrey is a special case. It’s not a good idea to let him play with someone from Tintagos.”

“Why?” Was that the only reason Dan had stepped between her and Aubrey, because she was from Tintagos?

“A long time ago, Aubrey loved a woman named Frona who lived near Tintagos. When she died, he lost any part of him that could be mistaken for kindness. My people rarely love, but I believe he truly loved her. We live secluded, but at this time of year we come out into the world to enjoy and experience others. Aubrey keeps trying to recreate the feelings Frona stirred in him. But he knows that even if love comes to us once, it never comes twice. If Idris would let Aubrey visit Tintagos, I don’t think he’d be so messed up.”

“Why? And who is Idris?”

“Idris is our leader. And Aubrey has a daughter in Tintagos.”

“What’s her name? I wonder if I know her.”

“Not likely. She’s called Elyse. She lives in the cottage at the edge of the woods.”

“Oh, yes! I always forget about that place until someone mentions it. According to legend, a wyrding woman lives there.”

“Just so.”

“Great gods.” Beverly’s heart pounded. “Are you telling me that you and your people are wyrders?”

Dan burst out laughing. It was a relief that the thought was so ridiculous to him. But of course it was ridiculous! She must still be a little high from the brownie.

The music stopped, and Cleopatra and the Romans packed up their instruments. Daylight was fading, and the neon signs came on.

“Did you come to London to play?” What Beverly really wanted to ask was Have you ever loved?

“No.” Dan laughed. “I came to make sure Cissa doesn’t get into too much trouble. And I came as a tourist, to see the Anteros, for example.” He pointed to the statue above the fountain. “And there’s a display I want to see at the V&A.”

“Anteros?” Beverly said. Isn’t that Eros, the god of desire?” Her face flushed at the word.

“Many think that,” Dan said, “or that it’s a cupid. Anteros is Eros’s twin. He’s the god of mature, selfless love.”

Not like the selfish desire that’s about to consume me this moment.

“This concept is unknown to my people,” Dan continued. “It fascinates me.”

“You keep saying my people like you’re from a foreign country,” Beverly said. “Cissa said you’re from Dumnos.”

“Cissa said a lot, it seems.” Dan stood up. “I’m going over to the V&A. They’re showing Bausiney’s Abundance.”

“The faerie cup? I can’t believe Lord Dumnos let them have it.”

“It’s the chance of a lifetime,” Dan said. “It’s never left Faeview since some idiot left it there on Halloween a hundred years ago. Do you want to go with me?”

“Sure.” Beverly still needed to get a place to stay the night, but she’d deal with that later. She accepted Dan’s outstretched hand and tried to control the longing that coursed through her at his touch.

MORE ABOUT GIVE ME

A young witch with a good heart. Two lovers in mortal danger. A spell that ends in disaster.

Lilith Evergreen lives in the California desert, an ordinary woman until her fiancé returns from London with a ring he bought from a street vendor. When Lilith puts it on she dreams of a green land that's anything but desert, a tree at cliff's edge, a ruined castle, and a handsome prince.

Then she discovers that it's all real.

When Lilith visits the ruins of Tintagos Castle, she discovers a world of magic and love - and its dark side when she's entangled in the remnants of an ancient spell gone bad. From the moment Lilith sees Cade Bausiney, she's overwhelmed with desire for him. Cade is drawn to Lilith too - but their feelings might only be sparked by dark and dangerous magic.

Lilith and Cade must break the old spell or be forever possessed by spirits who've waited a millennium to consummate their love.

Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, and Smashwords

About LK

LK Rigel lives in California with her television-watching cat, Coleridge. (His favorite show is Castle, but he was enthralled by Game of Thrones.) Rigel wrote songs for the 90's band The Elements, scored the independent science fantasy karate movie Lucid Dreams, and was a reporter for the Sacramento Rock 'N Roll News. Her work has appeared in Literary Mama and Tattoo Highway.

Rigel writes the postapocapunk "Apocalypto" series about the end of the world and the new reality in which the gods return to save humanity from itself - and end up fighting with each other.

Her short story "Slurp" about an author with muse problems on Halloween is included in DEADLY TREATS, Anne Frasier's Halloween anthology published by Nodin Press.

Her latest book, GIVE ME, is an adult fairy tale about possession.

website: http://www.lkrigel.com/
Amazon page http://www.amazon.com/LK-Rigel/e/B0043WEB06/

Excerpt Thursday - This Ring

2011-10-20T18:54:00.000-04:00

It's Thursday and I'm actually aware that it is!

More excerpts have also been added to my website.

With the release of Curses I thought
it would be appropriate to put excerpts up for
the second story in Curses

This Ring

All in all it had been a long tedious road to this point with no turns what so ever—until this morning when she had looked right at him with both disbelief and dismay on her face. It may not have been a positive cosmic vibe but it was a hell of a lot more than he’d had in all the years he had been waiting and wandering.

Before he was filled with that woe feeling that plagued him daily, after all spending an eternity with no one but yourself got to you after a few years, he turned back to study her. This hadn’t been a huge past time of his, most of the time when there were people around he wandered the other way. After all they represented the one thing he wasn’t – there. With her though it was different, she was somehow different than all the others. What was it about her?

There wasn’t anything in particular that stood out about her. She seemed to be an average height and build. He pinned her age somewhere close to thirty that much about women hadn’t changed that he couldn’t guess an age range and be pretty close to right. Her hair was a mousy brown, for lack of a better way to describe it, and she had it all chopped up like scissors had randomly been placed wherever and cut—he liked it, it was original. Of course he didn’t know what the current in thing was, so it may not be all that original. He wasn’t close enough to see her eyes, but thinking about when they were huge and staring in his direction, he was fairly certain they were brown. So she was very much average across the scales—but what was it about her that just kept him sitting here on this rock, not that he felt his body against it, watching her.

There were choices here, at least a few. He could sit here and continue doing what he was doing until night came, bringing morning closer. That would get a few bits past boring if she went back inside again and didn’t return. The second option was to go wander around the lake and pass the time with more speed than he was doing now. Grinning, he shook his head—because making time go faster had worked out so well for him in the last decade, or two.

Follow my tour to find out more or possibly win a copy of either Dreams or Curses

http://bewitchingbooktours.blogspot.com/2011/10/now-on-tour-dreams-and-curses-by.html

Stop by tomorrow when I'm at Lisa's World Of Books

And on Saturday I have LK Rigel here at the blog with her book Give Me: a fairy tale

Jacqueline Paige

http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

First stop

2011-10-19T08:49:00.000-04:00

My month long book tour starts today!

The first stop is over at Roxanne's Realm

For the rest of the tour and you can find

the entire list over at Bewitching Book

Tours.

http://bewitchingbooktours.blogspot.com/2011/10/now-on-tour-dreams-and-curses-by.html

Follow along, there will be draws. A form is posted at each stop and with each comment made along the way you'll get more chances.

Jacqueline Paige

http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Jacqueline Paige

Priestess of the Nile by Veronica Scott

This weekend and progress

Author Avery Flynn

Random pic Sunday

Excerpt Thursday - From Beltane Magic

WIP 109% complete??

Random pic Sunday

New Cover!

The Apocalypse Gene

From Beltane Magic is available!

5 Stars for Dreams

Author M.M. Shelley interview

Back to normal

Out with the old

Newsletter

Interview with Author Lizzy Ford

Happy Holidays to everyone!

The Immortalis Series by Katie Salidas

Guest author Karen A Wyle

One Million Words!

New Cover!

Judy Powell - Hot Summer!

Interview with Author Jeffe Kennedy

Another November insanity complete!

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Interview with Author Emlyn Chand

Finishing the tour

The Body Snatcher Wears Lipstick

Are we there yet?

Interview and Live chat!

Guest Author Michael J Lee

Guest Author Theresa Meyers!

Coming this week...

Four new contracts!

Can we do it again??

Warm up for Halloween with. . .

A Haunting Halloween Weekend!

Haunting Halloween blogs!

Guest Author Shadonna Richards

Spooky Swap!

Interview, Review and giveaway

From Russia With Blood by Michael J. Lee

Random Sunday and a blog stop

Guest Author LK Rigel

Excerpt Thursday - This Ring

First stop