August 2012 Bewitching Reader Magazine Issue 2

Welcome to the second issue of the Bewitching Book Tours Reader Magazine.

So far the first issue has been a great success. Thank you to all the bloggers who shared the magazine and embedded it into your sites. You guys are great and I know you are all a big reason why we’ve had so many readers in such a short time.

Also thank you to the bloggers who submitted book reviews and the authors who contributed materials and purchased ads.

Huge thanks and gratitude to Lisa McGeen for putting the magazine together and making it look awesome and to Tishia (aka ParaGraphic) for the gorgeous cover.

Everyone had a part in making the launch issue fabulous.

I hope with each new issue the magazine gets better and better and attracts more and more readers.

I believe the Bewitching Book Tours Reader Magazine is a great promotional outlet for authors and a fun new way for readers to connect with authors and discover new books.

Our monthly magazine will provide articles by Bewitching authors, book reviews by Bewitching hosts, and will feature exclusive interviews, excerpts and book extras.

The magazine is now open for article, poetry and recipe submissions from authors. I am also interviewing authors for the magazine.

So if you are a Bewitching author (past, present or upcoming) that would like to be featured, are a tour host who has a great review you’d like to submit or are a reader with suggestions and ideas of what you would like to see from this reader magazine please email me at RoxanneRhoads@bewitchingbooktours.com Thank you for taking the time to read our second issue. ~Roxanne

Auntie Ann’s Homespun Advice Hey there you Bewitching follower! How’s your life going? Any rough spots you’d like to run past an absolute stranger for a curbside consult?

I’m a psychologist with about thirty years’ experience (licensed in California). I’m also a writer, so I understand about family members and their, ah, irritation when the writer in the family drifts downstairs looking mildly dazed because they’re not really there.

Nope. They’re living somewhere in the story they’re writing. Sometimes it’s way more interesting than real life, but you can’t expect your spouse to understand that.

I’ve done lots of couples work and even more family work. I raised three kids, so I know firsthand how frustrating they can be.

I think the plan is for me to pick two or three questions each month and answer them in the Bewitching Book Tours Magazine. Don’t worry, I’ll never reveal your name. If you’d like to send me questions, my email is ann@anngimpel.com Looking forward to hearing from you!

Publisher: CreateSpace (July 25, 2011) eBook: 252 Pages Series: Gwen Sparks #1 Purchase Links Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords Gwen Sparks just wants to live a peaceful life in the supernatural town of Flora, but from the moment she read about the first murdered witch, all hope of peace was abandoned. Possessing the rare ability to read the memories of dead, she volunteers to help catch the culprit behind the string of drained witches. Gwen has to team up with the one man who broke her heart, deal with a ghost who pulls her into the deathly realm at will, and a fight off the advances of sexy but frustrating vampire who not only craves what runs through her veins—he wants her heart.

Review by Kate CRAVED, by Stephanie Nelson, is a fantastic start to a new paranormal series. We are introduced into a world of witches, weres, and vampires. Gwen Sparks is a witch in the small paranormal town of Flora. Using her awesome gifts she is thrust into an investigation to find out who is draining witches of their blood. Along with her new vampire beau and were ex-boyfriend she struggles with more than just a criminal mastermind.

I honestly did not think I would enjoy this book as much as I did. Nelson created a cast of characters and a setting that sucked me in and held me there until the end. I connected well with Gwen and I loved her connection with Aiden. Their chemistry was steamy and I really rooted for them as a couple.

Nelson truly has a talent for creating a great story with the perfect balance of ups and downs to keep a reader interested. I did, however, notice that she did a lot of 'telling' versus 'showing' and sometimes

that took me out of the story for a minute but did not hinder my love for the book. She is an awesome storyteller and I am excited to read the next Gwen Sparks book after the semi-cliffhanger in this one.

Originally published at http://www.sithereandread.com/2011/10/craved-by-stephanie-nelson-guestpost.html

An Interview with Kate Lutter What inspired you to become an author?

That is such a great question, and I’ve been wracking my brain trying to remember the single moment when I decided I wanted to be a writer.

I wrote my first novel in eighth grade. I founded the literary magazine in my high school. I started writing novels the night I heard a newly published author speak at a local library. I just came home and started writing the first fifty pages of what would be my first novel. I guess I started to write because I liked to read. I am a voracious reader. And an eclectic reader. I read across genre and keep my eye on the NY Times Best Seller List, but I absolutely adore the classics. Jane Eyre. Wuthering Heights.

Pride and Prejudice. Those novels and those women writers inspired me to become a writer.

Do you write in different genres?

Now, I am writing paranormal romances, but I am projecting ahead and after I finish the sequel to Wild Point Island, I would love to get back to a women’s fiction book I’ve been working on about a reporter who discovers a one hundred year old murder in a diary . . . which links to a small town scandal. Oh, and there’s also a ghost stalker in the local cemetery. Title is in flux. The Ghost Stalker? We’ll see.

How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

Well, I’m a Jersey girl, through and through. Two years ago I was staying at my sister’s shore house—a lovely turn of the century Victorian house originally purchased from the Sears catalog, circa 1910 (believe it or not) on a tiny island off the coast of New Jersey. The island is called West Point Island. It is only about two miles long. I needed the name of an island for my story and thought Wild sounded more dangerous, more intriguing to readers than West, so voila, I penned the title Wild Point Island.

Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

For the novel I’ve just published, the title came rather quickly because I knew the story was going to be about two sisters who return to an island, where they were born and then banished from, and that their “hometown” so to speak would be a mysterious place and the focal point of the story. However, I’ve written four other novels, and it wasn’t always easy coming up with a title. In fact, the second novel I ever wrote, which I hopefully want to publish one day, is still in a state of title flux. As I’ve tinkered with the story line, I have changed the title. Some authors liken writing a story to baking a cake. They advise—bake the cake, then frost the cake SO they feel you should write the novel, then write the title. Perhaps, they’re right.

If yes which is your favorite genre to write?

It’s a toss between romance and women’s fiction because those genres are broad enough to include all the elements that make a good story—romance and mystery and yes, even a bit of the paranormal or the unexplained.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Yes, the most important theme deals with the central conflict in the story—should the revenants be allowed off the island or not? The revenants are different from humans. They pos-

sess a slightly different skill set and could be perceived as threatening. Do they have the right to join human society? Or should they be forced to remain on Wild Point Island forever?

Ella, my heroine, is a half human/half revenant.

She was banished from the island as a child and has been forced to hide her true identity all her life. Now, as she tries to rescue her father from the island, she is faced with a decision.

Should she try to help the revenants get off the island? The revenants represent all groups of people who are different from the established quo, who don’t quite fit in, and who struggle for acceptance in the mainstream.

If this book is part of a series…what is the next book? Any details you can share?

At present I am working on the sequel to Wild Point Island called Beneath Wild Point Island, which is Lily’s story. She is Ella’s sister, and she was a real antagonist in my first novel, but because the story was written from Ella’s point of view we never really knew what was motivating Lily. I can tell you now that Lily knew things that she couldn’t share in the first book. She knew things about the island and about her father. Lily, too, will be drawn back to the island.

She will have her own mission to accomplish.

My greatest challenge is to make the readers fall in love with Lily because she was so tough in the first book. She gave Ella such a hard time. She fought Ella at every turn.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I’d like to share what readers have been saying about the story. I’ve had several readers say that this is a very different kind of paranormal than they’re used to reading. The storyline is unpredictable, and it is keeping them on their toes. Since it’s written from Ella’s point of view and she’s returned to an island she was banished from twenty years before, you as the reader must go with her as she deciphers the world around her. Who can she trust? Readers

have called it a real page-turner as they follow Ella on her journey. It’s a mystery and a bit of an adventure rolled into one. And it’s also a love story.

Who designed the cover of your latest book?

I’m so glad you asked this question because most writers live in fear until they see their cover. When I saw my cover for the first time, I literally lost my breath. Jeannie Reusch designed a cover for Wild Point Island that captured my story exactly—the Blue Dolphin Restaurant, the bridge that connects Wild Point Island to the mainland, the antique decanter of Euphorbia Candelabra that sits in the foreground.

Even the blood red color of the title sends out that message of danger. You come to the island at your own risk. My favorite part of the cover is the stars that twinkle around the bridge indicating that only revenants can see the bridge. Yes! I love my cover.

When you’re not writing what do you do? Do you have any hobbies or guilty pleasures?

I’m addicted to learning Italian. My best friend was born in Italy, and most of her family still lives there. When she returns to visit, I sometimes go with her, and my dream has always been to speak Italian with them. That must sound crazy but years ago I was stuck in a room in Florence— alone—with a relative who spoke no English and I spoke no Italian. We stared at each other. Finally—in desperation—he said, “Greta Garbo.” I said, “Yes.” And he proceeded to name every American actress and actor he could think of. He was trying so hard to be a good host. Then and there I swore I’d learn Italian. Since then, I’ve returned to Italy at least a dozen times and have

been able to talk to this same relative, Pasquale, and I remind him of that day when we couldn’t speak to each other. Now we can laugh, but he was the one who inspired me to learn to speak this beautiful language.

I’m also addicted to pizza. And cats. I volunteer at a privately owned cat shelter called Tabby’s Place. They house over 100 cats. It’s a great place.

What is next for you? Do you have any scheduled upcoming releases or works in progress?

Well, I’m working on the sequel Beneath Wild Point Island. And then next I’ll be jumping into what I’ve tentatively entitled The Ghost Stalker.

Your readers can keep up to date with all my antics by logging onto www.katelutter.com or by going to my blog: www.katelutter.blogspot.com Take care and thanks so much for interviewing me for this wonderful reader’s magazine.

Kate Lutter believes she was born to write. She wrote her first novel when she was in eighth grade, but then almost burned her house down when she tried to incinerate her story in the garbage can because she couldn’t get the plot to turn out right. Now, many years later, she lives in NJ with her husband and five cats (no matches in sight) and spends her days writing contemporary paranormal romances, traveling the world, and hanging out with her four wild sisters.

She is happy to report that her debut novel, Wild Point Island, the first in a series, has just been published by Crescent Moon Press. She is busy writing the sequel and her weekly travel blog entitled Hot Blogging with Chuck, which features her very snarky and rascally almost famous cat.

Promote Your Book in the Bewitching Book Tour Magazine Contact RoxanneRhoads@bewitchingbooktours .com

Living the Dream There was a time long ago, maybe in my sophomore or junior year in high school, I longed to be a writer. I read like a fiend. I entrenched myself in Anne Rice and V.C. Andrews. I wrote countless poems of distraught and despair, because as a 15 or 16 year old with no responsibilities, one has so much to stress about. I wrote short stories about the worlds I wanted to run away and hide within.

My fictional life was much more exciting and fulfilling than my actual world.

Then one day my mother snapped me into understanding I couldn’t lie around dreaming all the time. One day soon, I would have to pick a real career to study when I go to college.

Writing was not a job. To my Korean mother, it was a waste of one’s time, which could be used to focus on more productive endeavors, like becoming a doctor or engineer or some sort.

Just to let you know…I’m neither. But I did grow up and I did the responsible adult thing and got a “real” job (not the one my mother wanted, but it worked out in the end), got married, and raised my children.

In the hustle and bustle of real life, namely working to pay all the bills, I forgot about my passion for writing. Although I left writing behind, I never lost my love for reading. The joy of books kept me sane through many difficult times throughout my life. I found escape in the fantasy worlds built by so many wonderful writers. They allowed me to travel to times and places only my imagination could escort me to. I read many genres and authors. A well written story was my only criteria.

Then one day, not too long ago, I decided to pick the proverbial pen again. I had no clue as to what I was doing, but it felt right. I not only found an exit strategy to a stressful reality, I created my own fantasies. I no longer used the images someone else created. I was able to develop my own storyline with characters I envisioned.

It brought me an outlet reading only skimmed.

Today, I’m writing and others are reading my stories, hopefully finding the same happiness the authors I read provide me. Never would I have believed I would have published stories. I was going to delve into my real job and make something of myself, support my family and be a productive member of society.

I have the best of both worlds. My children are almost adults, taking their place as contributing members to the “real world.” While my day job takes a lot from me, I still find time to listen to the voices in my head, creating new worlds, which can only exist in one’s mind. No matter what, hold on to your dreams. You may have to postpone them for a while, but it’s never too late to re-visit your passions.

I hope you find some time to stop by and say hello!

Vivi Dumas Website Facebook Dueling with the Devil Fan Page Twitter Email

Why YA? I was sitting at lunch with my Mom one day, and we were talking about my writing. She asked, “Why don't you ever write about adults? I'd really like to see you write something with older characters sometime.”

Coming up with an answer was hard. Do I want to write books for adults? You betcha! Most of the time, I want to write about characters in their 20's. Probably because that's the age group that my life currently falls under. Plus, there's something so much fun about being in your 20's.

You're just getting out into the world on your own, growing up, being responsible for yourself, etc. And being in college is a lot of fun because there's the sense of independence without having to do everything for yourself.

Unfortunately for me, that age group is a tricky one to write about. It doesn't quite fall into adult fiction, but it also doesn't fall into young adult either. It's a new and growing genre that still needs a good official name.

See, I want to write about the growing up part.

The coming of age story. Most of my characters fall into the 16+ range for that reason. At around 16-years-old, people start figuring out who they really are. They also start to live for themselves instead of fitting into molds, most of the time.

Those who don't, they have the struggle of wanting to fit in without giving up their real selves.

Many times, a person's true colors don't come out until after high school. And that is the journey I want to write about. The one of self-discovery.

I've always felt led to write about and mentor the younger crowd. Writing YA is one way to do that.

I can draw from my own experiences and say: this is what worked for me and this is what failed miserably. I can tell the stories of people I know, or that friend of a friend who did that one stupid thing. The stories that stick in your head and teach you something. If I can tell one of these tales, and have one reader relate to it or draw a piece of wisdom from it? Then I'll be super successful.

But writing YA is more than just getting on a soapbox and talking about life choices. It's about saying: you're not alone, and what you're feeling is normal. That's what books in general are about.

We tell stories to communicate our emotions. It's a release and an escape. Out there somewhere in the world is real life version of one of my characters, looking for someone to understand. Teens especially need to not feel alone because it's such a difficult time of life. It's that moment where everything you believe is challenged for the first time and you start to become jaded. You realize the world isn't as perfect as it seems, and that all of your dreams might not come true.

You're not alone. And that's why I write YA.

Drained

By Roxanne Rhoads Sinewy steel and marble grace stilettos clicked across cobblestone She moved in and out of the shadows She stalked me, my soul on her lips Surreal passion drenched me in sex swirled thoughts Desire bubbled and boiled, I couldn’t say no Her grip was a silk covered vice Pleasure penetrated my weakness I tried to fight, I screamed at the blood covered moon The liquid eclipse only mocked me I flowed like a fountain into a river Drained I gave into her embrace Eternal beauty stopped my heart As I stared into the lifetime of her eyes

My First Reading (Or How I Learned Yelling Sex! Vampires! Zombies!

Always Draws a Crowd) Awhile ago, I offered to help out at the Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America booths at the Kensington Day of the Book Festival. I thought I would just take an hour or two in a booth to tell people about what the organizations did. Meetings, community of writers, blah blah blah. Then I received an e -mail telling me I would be one of five authors featured in the festival and that I was supposed to do a reading. That hundreds, possibly thousands would be at the festival. Needless to say I was a little daunted by this prospect. I hadn't been in front of an audience since high school in my acting days.

What if I burped? What if I forgot how to read? What if I was boring? So the day before I practiced three times, only stumbling a few times but quickly covering up like I was taught in acting class. I was as ready for the hundreds who might show up as much as I could be.

I didn't need to worry. I forgot that my life is ruled by Murphy's Law. It was pouring down rain, freezing, windy, and there were maybe three people in attendance while I was there. The day before, fine. Beautiful. The day I'm supposed to shell my baby, not so much. At least I was only there for about an hour, my poor fellow authors had been manning the booths for hours. Kudos to them. Us brave and freezing five walked over to our deserted reading area. We were the only people in the audience. It was a bummer. One author decided not to even go. I so didn't blame him, we were performing for each other. The whole purpose was to sell books, hard to do when you have no customers. The first two authors went, just giving a general overview of their books. I panicked. I hadn't prepared anything but my reading. They each spoke for about five minutes, my planned reading was ten as I was told to do. The entire thing was a cluster f**k from the get go. But since I had nothing to lose I decided to go big then go home.

My turn came third. I had my book marked to my reading, I looked great, and I wasn't nervous at all.

Until I decided to implement my master plan I had come up with ten seconds before. I got behind the microphone, and smiled at my fellow authors. "I'm going to try something. I apologize in advance."

Then, into the microphone, as loud as I could I bellowed, "SEX! VAMPIRES! SEXY VAMPIRES! ZOMBIES! MURDER!" The people working the booth beside the reading area, including three teenagers, all looked over at me with surprise.

I heard one ask, "Did she say zombies?"

"Yes, ma'am, I did! Zombies! Everyone loves zombies! And sex! Come on over!"

And damned if four other people, including the teens, came over and listened as I did my reading. I was kind of afraid to look at my fellow authors in case they disapproved of my antics, but I did almost double our audience. And the teens stayed after my reading to listen to my fellow Midnight Inker and semi-mentor Alan Orloff (Killer Routine, Killer Campaign) do his stand-up. They even giggled at his jokes. The cherry on the cupcake was that those same girls came over to me after and asked how they could buy my book. So, in the end, I had two potential sales by making an ass of myself. Got a good story out of it too.

So that was my first reading. The glamorous life of an author, huh?

Check out my next book, To Catch a Vampire with more sexy vampires and murder. Did I mention there are SEXY VAMPIRES?! MURDER?! What more do you want out of entertainment?

Jennifer Harlow spent her restless childhood fighting with her three brothers and scaring the heck out of herself with horror movies and books. She grew up to earn a degree at the University of Virginia

which she put to use as a radio DJ, crisis hotline volunteer, bookseller, lab assistant, wedding coordinator, and government investigator. Currently she calls Northern Virginia home but that restless itch is ever present. In her free time she continues to scare the beejepers out of herself watching scary movies and opening her credit card bills. Visit her website www.jenniferharlowbooks.com for her popular blog Tales From the Darkside.

Medusa Sasha Summers Crescent Moon Press Some books speak to a reader before the first page is turned. That’s exactly how I felt about Medusa, A Love Story when I saw its cover and read the background information. And, fortunately, it lived up to the expectations.

Author Sasha Summers takes one of the most feared mythological creatures – Medusa, a vile woman with serpents swarming in place of hair, who turns any man who looks upon her into stone – and instead creates a complex, loving woman who dotes on her family, and gives up her happiness for that of others.

Not all born into families look like their siblings and parents. Before Medusa took on the characteristics a dreaded Gorgon, she was but a lady, a priestess in Athena’s temple. She took the position as payment for her parents’ misdeeds.

“Love had never been peaceful, not for Medusa. In truth, she’d seen very little to indicate love existed. Duty was her fate. Duty did not waver. It was constant. And she was content with her station – most of the time.” (p. 19) Medusa’s view of love shifts with her new guard duty, Ariston. As a leader of soldiers, Ariston is supposed to escort Medusa to and from the temple, but something about her calls to him.

“She was indeed well, easing his worry while tempting his soul. Her veils offered no buffer to his heart, the whisper of her smile was a shadow through its gossamer fall – enticing him all the more.” (28) For those knowledgeable of Greek mythology, or even viewers of Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Medusa’s life doesn’t end happily-ever-after. While Summers stays pretty true to the classic tales, she offers an ending that should leave readers satisfied.

In Medusa, A Love Story, Summers doesn’t weave a simple tale of romance, but an epic adventure of the heart.

By Louisa Bacio

http://veronicascott.wordpress.com/

Recipe for fresh salsa straight from the garden

By Wenona Napolitano

You will need: 5-6 tomatoes depending on size 1 green pepper 4 garlic cloves, crushed with a garlic press 1 sweet onion 1 banana pepper 1-2 limes, juiced 1 half package of taco seasoning garlic salt to taste Chop up the tomatoes into small diced pieces and place in a colander with garlic salt sprinkled over the top to drain while chopping everything else.

Chop up the peppers and onion and place in large mixing bowl.

Crush the cloves of garlic with a press and mix into the onions and peppers.

Sprinkle a bit of the taco seasoning over everything in the bowl and mix.

Juice a lime or two for at least a tablespoon and a half.

Start mixing the tomatoes in a little at a time, sprinkle with taco seasoning as you go along

until you have the flavor you like.

Drizzle the lime juice over the mixture and combine.

Add more seasoning to taste.

I found that it is best to let the salsa sit for a couple hours in the fridge to let the flavors soak together. I like my salsa chunky so I can eat as is with chips, veggies or crackers but my husband puts his in the blender so the veggies aren’t in chunks. You can make your salsa whichever way you’d like. This recipe is good both chunky and blended. ~Wenona Napolitano is the local green author of The Everything Green Wedding Book.

Visit her online at www.creativelygreen.blogspot.com She can be contacted by emailing everythinggreenweddings@yahoo.com

Featured Book of the Month Blood and Whiskey: The Cowboy and Vampire Thriller Series, Book Two When a young homeless woman is snatched from the streets of Portland, Oregon, she has time to make one terrified call to her uncle Lenny in tiny LonePine, Wyoming. A way-off-the-grid survivalist and paranoid conspiracy theorist, Lenny turns to his best friend Tucker for help.

But Tucker’s got his own problems, including a vampire girlfriend.

A perpetually broke, down-on-his-luck cowboy, Tucker fell hard for Lizzie, a whip smart, big city girl and hotshot reporter. To everyone’s surprise in LonePine (all 438 of them), she fell hard for him too.

Their unlikely love is central to the first book in the series, The Cowboy and the Vampire: A Darkly Romantic Mystery (Midnight Ink, 2010), when Lizzie finds out the awful truth about her dark heritage. Tucker, with a little help from his Dad, Lenny and an overly-sensitive cow dog named Rex, take on Lizzie’s maniacal vampire father and his beautiful consort Elita. It’s a blood-spattered undead apocalypse of terror and tumbleweeds.

In Blood and Whiskey (Pumpjack Press, 2012), the second book in The Cowboy and Vampire Thriller Series, Tucker, Lizzie and the rest of the gang are back with a vengeance. Lizzie is pregnant, with a growing, unquenchable thirst for human blood and trouble on the horizon. The most powerful vampires from the ruling clans are headed to LonePine to test her new powers. If they find her lacking, Lizzie, her growing baby, and all of LonePine will be destroyed — not that it would take very long.

It’s certainly an inconvenient time for Tucker to take a road trip, but sometimes friendship trumps common sense. With a duffle bag of improvised weapons, he sets out for Portland with Lenny to find the kidnapped girl.

Blood and Whiskey is a story of love, loyalty and loss in the modern American West. With meditations on the nature of good and evil, a new cosmology for vampires — including a meta-consciousness where vampire minds reside between deaths — and a cast of gritty, quirky, realistic western characters, Blood and Whiskey tangles the vampire and cowboy myths into a groundbreaking new “modern gothic western” genre.

A few quotes from readers and reviewers: While a number of existentialist underpinnings give the series some depth, the book is first and foremost a thriller, upping the ante in every chapter as bullets fly and relationships strain under the weight of old loyalties and new revelations. Kirkus Reviews An awesome mix of funny, evil and sexy, with loads of interesting vampire politics and wacky characters. For The Love of Reading blog The authors mix humor, the Wild West, vampires, metaphysics, religion, and geology into a story that will keep the most finicky vampire fan wanting more. Bertena Varney, Examiner.com I friggin LOVE this book! Fangs, Felines, Fins & Fun Fiction If you’re looking for a combination of sex, blood and Western romance, pour yourself a shot of the good stuff and settle in for a wickedly good read. Renee Struthers, Eastern Oregonian Newspaper Kathleen with her scientific and journalistic background and Clark being the poetry writing cowboy brought their two worlds together and ended up with this incredible tale. The Cabin Goddess An excerpt from Blood and Whiskey, the second book in The Cowboy and Vampire Thriller Series

The Set-Up: Tucker has just returned from the tiny town of Plush, Oregon, where he and Lenny rescued Rose, Lenny’s niece, from the clutches of vampires operating a horrific blood farm. Meanwhile, back at the ranch in LonePine, Lizzie is trying to navigate the complexities of her growing thirst for blood and a vampire nation on the brink of civil war. She’s been thrust unprepared and unwilling into the role of queen and Rurik, the handsome, scheming vampire leader of the Russian tribe, is a bit too eager to help. After more than a week away, Tucker arrives home tired and uncertain about the future, only to find Lizzie smoking on the porch of their doublewide trailer nestled close to Rurik.

“Please tell me you ain’t smoking,” Tucker chastised from the darkness. Rex, hearing Tucker’s voice, exploded in a fit of frantic barking from inside the trailer.

“It was just the one, and you don’t need to be an ass about it,” she said, momentarily taken aback.

“Honey, you know you shouldn’t be smoking and who the hell is tall, dark and ugly keeping you company on my porch?” Tucker asked.

Rurik bowed slightly with forced deference. “I am Rurik, and you must be …”

“Tucker. A human. All too human.” He looked at Lizzie. “Want to tell me what he’s doing here and why I ought not to just kill him?”

Rurik smiled lazily. “Many have tried and failed.”

“I’m not scared of you,” Tucker said. “I’m just tired from killing a goddamned passel of Vampires over in Plush. Now my best friend is pissed at me, maybe forever, on account of you all have been casually drinking the blood of his niece. And then, I get home and find my woman all cozied up to an undead stranger piping cigarette smoke down to our unborn child. Pardon the hell out of me if I don’t come off as deferential enough, your fucking majesty.”

“Tucker, please,” Lizzie said. “We obviously have a lot to talk about. Things have happened to both of us these past few days.”

Tucker clomped past them both and pushed open the door. Rex rushed onto the deck, whining and yelping, wagging his stubby tail fiercely and crabbing sideways to bump against Tucker’s legs again and again. “At least one of you is happy to see me,” he said, swatting his hand roughly against Rex’s haunches and walking inside. Rex looked at him, then at Lizzie, and then back again, confused, finally slinking inside on Tucker’s boot heels.

Tucker held the door and shot one last look back over his shoulder. “Are you really willing to risk the health of our child to feed your selfish addictions?”

“This is the man you defend,” Rurik said softly, catching Lizzie by the shoulder. She jerked her arm free, surprised at the tingle where his palm rested.

“Hello everybody, including pretty lady I don’t know.” He glared at Elita as Lizzie and Rurik followed him in. “You know that blood you’re drinking,” Tucker said, nodding at Elita. “The blood you’ve all been drinking, do you know where that’s from?”

“Why would I care?” Elita asked.

“We were told it is from the Red Cross,” Jenkins said.

“No, it ain’t. It’s from a feedlot. A goddamn blood farm. A bunch of goddamn Vampires, like all of y’all, were draining blood from people they kidnapped off the street, like Lenny’s niece Rose, and then killing them.”

“It’s homogenized. We couldn’t taste the evil,” Elita said.

Lizzie caught his arm, understanding. “I’m sorry. That must have been a terrible shock.”

“It’s no shock,” he said grimly. “Not really. Just having my eyes opened to the truth finally.”

“It must be disorienting to finally learn your place in the hierarchy of things,” Elita said, already losing interest. She turned her attention to the phone and

resumed texting.

“Not now,” Lizzie said, cautioning Elita.

“Naw, let her talk,” Tucker said. “She’s the only one of you who has ever been straight from the beginning. She don’t pretend like things can be different than how they are.”

The door to the back bedroom opened and Dad emerged, sleepy-eyed and disheveled. “What the hell is all the racket?” He squinted.

“Oh, I should have known. Welcome back boy. Did you find Rose?”

“Yep. Kidnapped by a bunch of bloodthirsty Vampires.”

“Wait,” he said, puzzled. “No offense to those present, but ain’t they all bloodthirsty?”

Elita laughed. “Yes. By definition.”

“Dad, they were draining her and others to fill up them juice boxes.”

“Good thing you sprung her then. You heard there are bigger problems, though, right?”

Tucker shook his head in disbelief, as if unsure of what he heard. “What could possibly be a bigger problem than a blood farm killing innocent people?”

“For starters, there’s a bunch of strange Vampires hanging out in LonePine, more on the way and, and near as I can figure it from what Lizzie told me, the fate of the world may depend on whether or not she can turn humans into blood-suckers.” He looked quizzically at Lizzie. “That about right?”

She nodded. “That pretty much sums it up.”

“Elizabeth has convened a summit,” Rurik said. “Within two days, the most powerful Vampires in the world will be here. Their decisions, obviously, will have a great impact on you and your kind.”

Tucker sighed, pushed his hat back and rubbed his forehead. “Jesus jumping Christ on a crutch. Why can’t things sometimes be easy?

I’m tired. I damn near had my head ripped off my shoulders. I’ve been up for damn near three days straight. I got to shower, sleep for about ten hours and when I wake up tomorrow, I’ll set things right.

Come on, Rex.” Tucker stomped across the room and held the door open so Rex could scoot through after him then slammed it shut loudly. Virote cringed in Elita’s lap and sat partially up.

“Virote, come. We shall return to the Westerner Motor Lodge,” Rurik said. He caught Lizzie’s eye. Lizzie shook her head savagely and then slipped into the bedroom.

“I stay?” Virote asked and Elita arched her eyebrow.

Tucker was already in the shower, steam billowing out from the bathroom. Rex was curled up on his clothes tossed haphazardly at the foot of the bed and he thumped his stubby tail cautiously as she entered.

“Traitor,” she whispered and sat down on the toilet seat, watching Tucker through the glass door. His head was bowed down under the spray of water, shoulders slumped and lost in thought. He was motionless for so long she wondered if he was drowning himself, but at last he sighed and turned the knob off.

He opened the shower door and jumped when he saw her. “Jesus.

You scared me.”

She handed him a towel and watched as he dried off.

“Listen to me,” she said. “I’m scared too. Of everything. Of what’s happening around us. The baby. Losing you. What I’ve become.”

“Just ignore me,” he said. “You ain’t no different.”

“I am. You can’t deny that. It’s been months since I’ve seen the sun.”

“Maybe you’re a little different.”

“What you saw must have been terrifying. I know you must think less of Vampires. You should. It’s the only rational conclusion. I’m sorry. I would rather die than cause you unhappiness, and I would never kill someone innocent.”

He sighed and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I know. Just shush now. Ignore me and my stupid mouth.”

She pushed him away and he marveled, again, at how strong she was becoming.

“Listen to me. There’s one thing I have to know. Do you think I am a freak, a monster?”

“That’s two things,” he said. “And the answer to both is no.”

“I am,” she said, turning her head to the side. “Really, on some level, I’m no longer human.”

“Yes, you are.” He caught her chin in his hand and tipped her head up so she was forced to look in his eyes. “On the best level. You’re human plus something extra. The best part of you is still human, the other part is just different. Something we haven’t quite got our arms around yet.”

“I want to cry,” she said, “but it doesn’t come easily anymore.”

“That’s something,” he said, leading her to the bed. He slid between the covers and patted for her to join him. “I was just tired, and still a little shook up. Mostly it pissed me off to see you sitting there with that handsome son of a bitch. And smoking. Really? You’re preg-

nant.”

“I won’t do it again, I promise,” she said, smiling. “Even though it’s likely our baby is undead, at least half the time.”

“Smoking will likely make him come out with fangs or something. Plus, it can’t be good for you.”

She smiled and unbuttoned her shirt and pants and slipped out of them, swatting good naturedly at his hand as he touched her belly, “Honey, it’s likely I’ll live for a long, long time no matter what I do.”

“Longer than me, that’s for sure.”

“I’m not sure which is worse,” she said, “that you are a petty, jealous man, or that you blew it all up into a whole Vampire thing.”

“Just come to bed.” She stretched out beside him and he shivered. “I will never get used to how cold you are now.”

“I’m not cold all the time,” she said, sliding her hands down his stomach and lower. “In fact, I’m pretty easy to warm up.”

“I’m so tired,” he groaned.

“I can feel that,” she said, smiling mischievously.

“I did miss you a little bit.”

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She rolled on top of him and began to kiss him, gently at first and then with increasing passion until she was raining kisses on his chest and neck. She pulled off her panties and straddled him, sighing as he slipped inside her.

“God,” he said, teeth gritted. “Take it easy, it’s been a while. Slow down a little.”

He tried to pace himself but she began to rock on top of him, her passion mounting and once she pressed his hands over her breasts, it was all but over for him. “They can hear us,” he groaned.

“I don’t care,” Lizzie said, but she did, and slumped forward, trying to stifle her moans by biting his shoulder. As her orgasm built, she bit too hard, breaking the skin so that a trace of blood seeped into her mouth. It tipped her over the edge as pleasure exploded between her legs like a flash of light and heat.

Tucker felt a tiny shiver of fear as her teeth broke his skin and then he too was lost in the moment, releasing into her.

About the series Long before Twilight and True Blood, Llewellyn published the first book of a thriller series, The Cowboy and the Vampire, in 1999. In response to the resurgence of interest in vampires in Midnight Ink, an imprint of Llewellyn, released a second edition in 2010, and, for the first time, with an e-book edition. Blood and Whiskey, the second book in the thriller series, is published by Pumpjack Press. Both books are by husband and wife writing team Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall.

About the authors Stuff Clark likes: sagebrush, the American West, clouds, whiskey and graphic novels. Stuff he hates: running quarterbacks, drivers who don’t use turn signals and the sound of flip-flops.

Stuff Kathleen likes: Russian literature, anarchy, martinis, lava and the ocean. Stuff she hates: intermissions, Halloween corn mazes and high-speed vehicular sandwiches. And the Muppets.

Learn more and stay in touch www.cowboyandvampire.com www.facebook.com/cowboyandvampire @cowboyvamp

About the Authors Clark Hays grew up in Montana in the shadow of the Tobacco Root Mountains. In addition to his fiction work, he is a cowboy, a published poet and occasional food critic. Recently, he was nominated for Pushcart Prize for short fiction and not so recently for a Rhysling award for poetry. Clark brings a deep knowledge about the modern west, weaponry, country music and existentialism to his writing.

Kathleen McFall grew up in the heart of Washington, D.C. She worked as a petroleum geologist and, later, as a journalist, and has published hundreds of articles about scientific research, energy and natural resources. An interest in the overlap of science and mysticism are an essential aspect of her fiction writing. She received an Oregon Literary Arts Fellowship for fiction writing.

As a fan of Jeffe Kennedy’s shorter books such as Petals and Thorns (2010) and Sapphire (2011), I was very excited to have the opportunity to read her first full length story, Rogue’s Pawn, the first in the Covenant of Thorns series. To put it simply, I was completely blown away! Kennedy has built what is sure to become a favorite world for all fantasy/fae lovers to escape into. Full of bright scenery, colorful (quite literally) characters, and non-stop intrigue I easily found myself trapped in the world of Faerie along with Jennifer, or Lady Sorceress Gwynn as she comes to be called. The story has an Alice in Wonderland feel to it with all the crazy characters that Gwynn meets, however there is a much darker side to this land and Gwynn faces things that would make even the strongest shrink away.

I loved the strength of Gwynn’s character and how she moved from a scared and lost woman to a strong and stubborn one.

Gwynn is a stranger in a land with a language she doesn’t understand yet somehow her magical mind translates images and words into things she knows. This makes for some very funny conversations, misunderstanding, and unique character names that seemingly fit their personalities or appearances.

Rogue’s character was very tough to figure out.

Throughout the book it’s hard to tell if he’s a good guy or bad guy, victim or ring leader. When every characters seems to have two faces I often felt like I was walking along side Gwynn and checking over my shoulder to see who would show their true colors. There are so many characters in this book it’s hard to list every one of them and give them sufficient attention. Just know that each one is developed to a depth that lets them

come alive in this vivid story like a child’s pop up fairy tale book.

As with all of Kennedy’s work, every detail is flawless and each scene flows effortlessly from start to finish. There is so much more to tell of this world and the brilliant characters that I can’t wait to see where Kennedy takes it. Anyone who enjoys the fantasy world of the Fae will love this book. Just beware, these fae may be bright and carnivalesque, but they hide their talons and fangs under colorful clothes and twisted words.

I really cannot say enough about Rogue’s Pawn.

Jeffe Kennedy has outdone herself in this masterful story of love, betrayal, power struggles, and magic in a land where getting what you wish for could be your last mistake. ~~~Rhonda Valverde, VampireRomanceBooks.com http://www.vampireromancebooks.com/2012/06/ review-rogues-pawn/

THE VAMPIRE LORE J.E. Hopkins One of the facets I love about the vampire folklore is that it is filled with so many varying myths that it allows authors the flexibility to come up with really dynamic characters that reflect the author’s imagination.

What is a vampire? It is whatever we want it to be—whatever our imagination can craft. There are some fundamental characterizations that authors use as a baseline for a vampire such as the thirst for blood; the need for blood as it is the vampire’s salvation. One way to acquire this sustenance is for the vampire to use his or her sexy sharp fangs to pierce the flesh of the willing or unwilling donor. Of course vampires are known for their superior strength and other supernatural abilities, but the rest of the myth is up to the author’s creativity. Throughout the years we have seen so many talented authors come up with their own uniquely appealing vampires that there is a version to satisfy everyone’s taste.

One of the challenges for me embarking in the world of the paranormal is to come up with my version of the quintessential vampire. As an author, I had to accept that the vampire I desired to create may not please everyone. As much as I would love to be able to create the perfect version that would satisfy all, I don’t think it’s possible for any writer. The goal for me was to craft a vampire I felt comfortable writing a series about and then hoping to find an audience who would appreciate this version. The wonderful thing about this genre is that there is an author out there for every fan and for every author, there is an audience.

I started working on my Misfits of the Lore series in late 2009 and I published the first book, Lov-

er’s Betrayal, in March 2011. Although the series features many types of paranormal creatures, at the heart of the story is a vampire family. Olivia is the vampire matriarch who has been mourning the loss of her mate who she regrettably abandoned 175 years ago to marry another which resulted in decades of torment at the hands of her abusive spouse. That painful union resulted in two sons who are constantly at war with each other as well with themselves.

As an avid reader, I enjoy stories where the characters face issues that I can understand and possibly may have experienced at some point in life. I want a combination of escapism and realism – a difficult, but satisfying blend of storytelling.

What I tried to do with these characters in my Misfits of the Lore series is to preserve their otherworldly vampire nature, but I also wanted them to be relatable. I created immortals with very human faults and very human problems. As mentioned by one of my characters, “vampire family issues are the same as humans’. The only difference is that because we’re immortals, our problems last longer.”

Although my characters are immortal, their experiences are so much like mortals yet with the added twists that result from dealing with the supernatural. It’s a fun challenge for me to create this paranormal world filled with mortal struggles.

For my Misfits of the Lore, my vampires are modern. Some are quite old, but they adapt to the current times so there are lots of contemporary references. As they have lived for centuries, their mindset is so vastly different thus their history has

a considerable impact on how they view modern times. At times, they struggle with the world around them, but they also learn to embrace it.

My vampires live amongst humans but they hide their true nature as do the other immortals in my stories. They do not avoid humans completely as humans do make the occasional good snack, but they prefer to be among other immortals as that is where they can reveal their true natures and not hide the fundamental aspects of their being. Yet, within the immortal races there is much dissension as social and racial classes have formed within their world where the pureblood lycans and vampires reign supreme at the expense of the lesser immortals who are treated as inferior beings unworthy of the purebloods. Not so unlike the racial, ethnic, economic and other class distinctions that have plagued our history books and continue to be prominent stories in the news.

I have attempted to inject a certain amount of realism within my Misfits of the Lore paranormal world. I certainly hope that comes across through my characters especially my vampires. They are such tragically, but beautifully flawed creatures who are not beyond salvation, but they have a long ways to go.

In humanizing them somewhat, I think it’s easier to empathize with their struggles. At times you want to hug them, strangle them, bond with them and strangle them some more, but that’s something I could say about most people.

I hope you enjoy the Misfits of the Lore series: Lover’s Betrayal, We Shall Rise, and Arctic Prison.

Heroes Live Forever--"Great love can transcend anything even death and time."

Journey in Time--"The right woman, the right man...trapped in the wrong place and the wrong time."

Golden Chariot--"Myth, murder, and money clash in this gripping undersea adventure."

Interview with Laura Bickle Can you share a little of your current work with us?

THE HALLOWED ONES can be described as "WITNESS meets 28 DAYS LATER." Katie is on the verge of her Rumspringa, the time in Amish life when teenagers can get a taste of the outside world. But the outside world comes to her when a helicopter falls out of the sky near her house. Katie must confront not only a massive disaster unfolding in the world outside her community, but also the threat of darkness in her own increasingly fragile society.

The firs chapter is available here: http://laurabickle.com/the-hallowed-ones/? action=excerpt How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

I wanted something a bit ominous but also speaking to sacredness. THE HALLOWED ONES refers to Katie's community. They believe themselves to be safe from the terrors facing the outside world by virtue of their faith. But evil always finds a way in, and Katie must confront that.

Of all the characters you’ve ever written, who is your favorite and why?

Katie was an interesting character to write because she's very strong in a quiet, enduring kind of way. She struggles to develop her own moral compass, independent of her parents and community. That requires a great deal of fortitude, just as much fortitude as dealing with the evil creatures in her world.

Do you write in different genres?

I write YA and urban fantasy. Central to both is my love of fantasy. I love asking the 'what if' questions: "What if the Oracle of Delphi survived to the modern day?" "What if we could really control dark energy?" "Would fire salamanders blow up microwave ovens?" The field's wide open to ask and answer those kinds of questions, to create a skeleton of a story and give it life.

Sometimes, a story comes out as a YA story, and sometimes it comes out as one for adults. THE HALLOWED ONES was originally intended to be contemporary fantasy for adults. But it came out as a YA book, purely by accident. The character spoke in the voice of a young Amish woman. I didn't want to tamper with her perspective.

My other books were squarely in the adult realm. DARK ORACLE and ROGUE ORACLE, by my alter ego, Alayna Williams, are about a criminal profiler who uses Tarot cards to solve crimes. EMBERS and SPARKS, which I wrote as Laura Bickle, are best described as "Ghostbusters in Detroit with dragons and arson."

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Nothing intimidates me more than a blank page. A blank page suggests a point a thousand miles away from where I want to be. It's formless and paralyzing.

What books/authors have influenced your life?

I read Robin McKinley's HERO AND THE CROWN when I was a kid, and it really made an indelible impression on me. It was the first fantasy I'd read in which the heroine slew her own dragons. It opened up a whole world of possibil-

ities for me.

What book are you reading now?

I'm reading Tahereh Mafi's SHATTER ME and loving it!

When you’re not writing what do you do? Do you have any hobbies or guilty pleasures?

When I'm not writing, I'm working in a library - which is a dream job for a book lover.

My husband and I are amateur astronomers. I also belly dance a bit...but not in public. Nobody needs to see that, trust me! ;-) What is next for you? Do you have any scheduled upcoming releases or works in progress?

I'm working on edits for the as-yet-untitled sequel to THE HALLOWED ONES. Katie will have the chance to see the outside world, but not necessarily in the way in which she would have liked. It will be released in fall 2013.

Eviana is a mermaid who is faced with the responsibility of an arranged marriage and leading her Clan at the very young age of seventeen. The kicker? She already has a boyfriend who she’s been with since childhood, and it’s not the fella she’s been ‘promised’ to. So what does she do? Well, she takes matters into her own hands and resolves to run away with the Selkie equivalent of Romeo Montague. Unfortunately, trouble is afoot and Eviana is faced with a difficult decision to make. Promises is a GraveTells Recommended Read!

Title: Promises Series: Syrenka Trilogy #1 Author: Amber Garr Prominent Characters: Eviana, Kain, Brendan Genre(s): Young Adult, Paranormal Romance Recommended Reader Age: 14+ Sexual Content Level: Light. Hugging, kissing. Sex is loosely hinted. *** This review has very slight plot spoilers that should not lessen your enjoyment of the book *** Seventeen year old Eviana isn’t like most girls her age — She’s a Mermaid. Unlike most mermaids we read about in contemporary YA literature, she is also a Shifter much like a Were… except a mermaid. The first half of the book could be considered contemporary fiction. It’s Eviana’s basic day to day interaction with her family and friends, and trying to figure out the person that she really is. The second half, is full of fantasy and wonder. I’ve never read something quite like it before. Promises was not cheesy, and it was not about surfing wanna-be-mermaids, and most of all, it was blissfully absent of evil teen-speak.

This novel isn’t about a girl who may or may not turn into a mermaid on her seventeenth birthday, it’s about a teenage girl who is already a mermaid, and needs to come into her own in order to rule her Clan. She has issues and family problems that really do reflect every day life now–and some issues that really don’t!

Unfortunately, the book is sprinkled with grammatical errors here and there. I would strongly suggest an editor to the author for the next installment. I found the grammatical errors to be somewhat distracting, and felt that they took away from the story in their own small way.

I adored reading interactions between Eviana and her friends. While this book has a love triangle, it’s the best kind. Instead of watching the protagonist’s head spin while she frets which boy she likes more, Eviana knew who she was in love with and stuck with him throughout the entire book (even though Team Kain is the obvious choice ), which made me applaud her even more. I have a soft spot for Kain, her fiance; he’s good looking, funny, and he’s protective and caring…what more could she ask for? Enter Brendan, the mysterious boy who appeared from out of the water ten years ago. Eviana and Brendan’s connection is definitely otherworldly, and the spark between them is electrifying. I went from wanting her to stay with Kain, who is perfect (dare I say it?) husband material, to wanting her to run away with Brendan, who is gorgeous and forbidden.

In short, even with its small disappointments, I enjoyed Promises, and am definitely going to be reading the next volume. I hope Garr really goes into more detail the next time around, because I want to experience everything about this brewing war between Clans as much as I can. This was a great beginningof-summer read, and gave me the strangest urge to go swimming. Definitely a great read, so give it a try! It’s available now.

Can’t fault a man who’ll sing you to sleep, no matter how terrible his song selection.

“Now sit back and enjoy my wonderful voice.” He cleared his throat and began to sing Baby Beluga. I had to cut him off.

“Really? This is the song you choose?” He ignored me.

I really enjoyed the debutante-ish aspect of Promises, and found that it reminded me a lot of polite society in the South. If this is something that intrigues you, look no further than The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch. As for more books about the magnificent creatures that grace the pages of Promises, I suggest checking out Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs.

Promises was a great beginning to what I believe will be an astonishing trilogy. The world constructed

by Amber Garr has endless possibilities and believe me, I will remain a groupie no matter where this world leads.

Originally published at http://gravetells.com/2012/05/11/review-promises-syrenka-trilogy-1-by-amber-garr/

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Nashville Nights Series By Cheryl Douglas "I think that Cheryl Douglas does a great job of showing real characters, real feelings, and presents it in an in-yourface kind of way that bodes the characters and their stories very well." **** Where's My Muse?

"Shameless has wonderfully flawed characters that have to fight to get back what they lost, but when they get it right, it is absolutely fantastic." **** Cocktails and Books

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THE LAST ARAKAD Q&A

by Guillaume Wolf “Prof. G” What inspired you to write this book?

work?

The backstory is a little bit strange. In 2008, I

I naturally have a personal connection with the

literally woke up, one day, with a complete sto-

feminine. I’m really interested in it; both in real

ry in my head — with these characters de-

life and in art. There’s a quote by Malraux that

manding I put it on paper. And the very curious

says "the twenty-first century will be feminine or

part was their insistence. I wrote the first chap-

won't exist,” and I totally agree with that. The

ters; but I got distracted with some other pro-

feminine is the key to our future; therefore, it

jects, and the story disappeared in a

makes sense for my hero to be an hero-

drawer. Then, in 2011, my daughter

ine. We need more heroines.

was born, and right after her birth she

The Last Arakad principally takes

became really sick. She spent several

place in Paris—why this city?

weeks in intensive care, which was

I grew up in Paris and I know the town

devastating. We did not know if she

like the back of my hand — especially

would make it. In this time of stress, I

the Paris that’s a little bit mysterious . . .

suddenly remembered the story and decided to

esoteric. It’s a unique city because it’s so old.

finish it when the baby would be back. Miracu-

To give you an example: In the book, there are

lously our daughter healed (she’s been the pic-

a few secret passages . . . I actually lived for a

ture of health ever since), and a profound feel-

while in an apartment, near the Louvre muse-

ing of gratitude compelled me to finish the sto-

um, that came with a secret room, hidden under

ry. The book is dedicated to both my wife and

the bathroom. Sometimes, I would hide in it for

my daughter.

fun, wondering who used it and why. Paris is full

Your main protagonist is a young woman

of interesting and mysterious layers; it’s a per-

and you are a male author: How does this

fect place for a novel.

Your book connects magic and hermeticism;

just following my intuition (just like Maya in the

do you have a special relationship with these

book). I knew it was there, but I had no map to

subjects?

find it. These ancient stones (located both in Brit-

Yes, I’ve spent decades reading old grimoires—I

tany and England) are truly amazing. It sounds

even own a small collection of rare hermetic

like a cliché, but there’s a lot of energy coming

scrolls and documents. I’m interested in ancient

from these monoliths.

lore because some of the concepts discussed

Do you believe in magic?

are extremely modern and forward-thinking.

I do, but in a very unique way. I believe that all of

In the book there’s a character called ‘the Old

our lives can be truly magical if we decide to pay

One’ who’s a monolith (menhir). How did you

attention to them. Life is very magical, don’t you

come up with this idea?

think?

A few years ago, I traveled alone on an island in Brittany, France, and I found a giant monolith by

A Perfect World In a perfect world, I’d write every day without time constraints. In a perfect world, no animals would suffer, people would love one another, I’d be married with seven kids (one for everyday of the week) and be a house wife who took care of her family and wrote while they were asleep. To me, that’s a perfect world (less maybe six of those kids).

I don’t live in this mentioned world. Animals are beaten and neglected every day, people kill one another as if it’s some bizarre sport and I still haven’t met Mr. Perfect (or even ‘he’ll do’). To my dismay, my womb is barren and if I had to take care of a family all day I’d be passed out on the couch before I had a chance to cook dinner.

There is a place, however, where I can create this perfect world.

Maybe it’s a cop out, but I don’t care. When I sit in front of the computer and press my fingers to the keys, my real, perfect world begins. If I so chose to, I could develop the perfect man, the perfect life, the perfect child… Puppies who never feel the wrath of a human, people holding hands as if they were drug-free hippies and I’d have all the energy imaginable to be a super mom/writer!

And yet, that’s not what I write about. My worlds

are never perfect. I don’t get to be a super mom in any of them or have that perfect family. Why? Why would your dreams not reflect what you write? Who, when given the opportunity, doesn’t try to fix what’s broken?

How can you have the gift of creation (at least on paper) and yet refuse to change things?

The elimination of hunger, war, death, poverty, cruelty… It can disappear! Just with a few clanks of my keyboard and presto I’ve got world peace. You and I could be happy. You and I would be free of the anxieties we face. Money won’t hold us, neither will the law. Freedom of choice, freedom to live as if we work hard but never having to work at all…

Why don’t I write about that?

Maybe, my life, full of mistakes, missed dreams and struggles, is what makes my reality perfect.

Sometimes I look back and see things much different than how they went down. Like, when you’re broke and have three bucks left and that‘s the day you have the most fun.

When things are grim, people are much kinder, helping you in your moment of need. I remember being stuck on the side of the road, (a forgotten wallet and cell phone that didn’t work). Three people stopped and gave me help. The time prior, (when I was able to call for a tow), no one

A fun, quirky, beach summer read by Twilight Times Books!

Daniella is an architecture student living with her narcissistic artist boyfriend in San Juan. Abandoned by her father at an early age, Daniella always falls for the ‘wrong’ type of man. Her most enduring male relationship so far has been with her cat.

Several strange mysteries are threaded through Daniella’s everyday life: her ex-husband, Ismael, has just opened an outlandish hotel for animal lovers that has her distraught; Ismael’s wife, a rich woman Daniella fondly refers to as ‘Lady Dracula’, has some gruesome ways to keep her skin looking young; Daniella’s mother is founding a revolutionary, feminist society called The Praying Mantises; the island’s national forest is being depleted of hallucinogenic mushrooms; meanwhile, young girls are disappearing and there’s a nut loose dressed as Zorro slashing the rear ends of women who wear miniskirts.

Oppressed by all these eccentric characters, Daniella feels herself falling into an abyss. Then something terrible happens, making Daniella wake from her stupor and take charge of her life.

Read an excerpt: http://twilighttimesbooks.com/ Sunstruck_ch1.html From the author:

The conception of this book stemmed from two factors: my personal observations of Puerto Rican artists when I was a teen and my love for satiric writing. My mother was—and still is—an artist, and although she’s retired now, back in the early eighties she was an active painter in San Juan, showing her works at art exhibits and galleries regularly. She took me everywhere with her, so I attended all these shows and activities and I observed.

The art scene can be extremely interesting and that is because so many artists are eccentric, unconventional people. There’s so much competition, jealousy and gossip! I guess all these experiences must have made an impression on me. When the time came to write my book, I knew these were the people and situations I wanted to write about. I decided I would make the book a parody, this way I could keep it upbeat and have the freedom to exaggerate to the point of being ridiculous. I was sure an upbeat, sharp, satiric, darkly humorous style would be perfect for my novel.

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LYYOWM Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sunstruck-mayracalvani/1100071271 OmniLit - https://www.omnilit.com/product-sunstruck-882354-237.html Author web site: http://www.mayracalvani.com/

stopped.

While I see someone hurting an animal, it pains me. In the same breath, someone who puts a stop to the abuse enthralls me. Sometimes we’re the ones to do wicked things to those we love.

How would we fit into this perfect world of mine?

We couldn’t.

Perfection is a funny thing. It festers inside our minds like a virus, hoping to get out. Some want power, others money, a family, all of the above…

It’s never enough. Have you learned that too?

Once a goal is attained, we strive for something else.

So, maybe I want a family and haven’t received it yet. The greatest journey is now, searching for the man who will help me succeed in my goal.

The mishaps along the way, create the bond we’ll always share when that child is born. Then, I’ll have another person to share with me in that mission of family life.

Just like in a novel, in a perfect world, imperfect people I know and have yet met, fill my life with their good and bad deeds. In a perfect world, there’s always people. The outcome isn’t what we should strive for, (power, money, family) but the experiences we gain interacting with the ones we meet along the way.

Maybe that’s why, the perfect book is always filled with relatable, complex human characters…

About the Author Christina Leigh Pritchard, author of the C I N Series,was born and raised in South Florida with her mother and sister. She’s always had various animals, from dogs to cats, to iguanas and bearded dragons. She loves taking the train, sitting next to someone new, and learning all there is to know about them.

*** This review is spoiler-free! Read on with confidence! *** Pride, a 17 year old werewolf, is pretty much a slave. Kept in a cage, she is only allowed out into the world when her master says so. When an opportunity arises for her to gain her freedomsomething she wants more than anything- Pride takes it. But she is being hunted- and it’s not just her master who’s after her…Pride’s Run is a GraveTells “must read!”

Title: Pride’s Run Series: A Wolf’s Pride book #1 Author: Cat Kalen Prominent Characters: Pride, Logan Reccomended Reader Age: 14+ Sexual Content Level: Very little Pride has lived her whole life in captivity. Her sole purpose is to use her werewolf abilities to track, kill, or capture the targets her master sends her after. The rest of her life is spent training for missions and being locked in a cage like an animal. Parentless and without any siblings, Pride has no family to comfort her. The only people she has are a few fellow werewolf friends who are also prisoners. She can shift at will, but on every full moon, she is forced to change and has no control over her wolf.

Days before the next full moon, Pride receives some terrible news- her master will be forcing her to spend the night of the full moon in Stone’s cage to mate. Stone is not like the other captives, however. He’s several years older than Pride, and is an aggressive, almost cruel, alpha male. Horrified and angry, Pride knows she has to find a way to escape her master’s estate. When she is sent on a new recruiting mission, Pride takes advantage of the situation and bolts. She meets up with Logan, the werewolf target Pride was supposed to capture, and knows she’ll need this alpha’s help if she wants to outrun her master, as well as the PTF (the Paranormal Task Force, which is a group of people who hunt werewolves.)

Pride was such an enjoyable character to read about. I love that she was not only strong, but intelligent, too. She has plenty of reasons to want to kill her master, but she knows she has to bide her time and not act impulsively. She thinks before she does anything stupid, and I admire that about her. There are so many heroines in the YA genre

who don’t have this trait, so it was refreshing to read about someone who knew when they had to remain calm, even though they didn’t want to, because it was the smart thing to do. And though initially she didn’t want Logan’s help, she realized and accepted the fact that she needed someone with his knowledge of the outside world if she was going to survive. I like that she kept her attitude throughout all the years she was kept a prisoner, and that she never let herself be “broken.”

And speaking of Logan, can I just say how much I love him? He’s a sweet guy, but also protective and possessive. He had to earn Pride’s trust (as she does NOT trust easily) but he never lets her down. The two of them make an amazing, powerful couple. Pride may be a trained killer, but when it comes to relationships, she’s kind of lost.

It was amusing to read about her attempts to sort out and manage the new, foreign feelings she developed for Logan.

Pride’s Run was an awesome book, with intriguing characters and the perfect amount of action and romance! It was a great book to kick off the series with.

Aw, poor Pride…

The pewter in his eyes bleeds into his inky black pupils and when he looks deep into my eyes, I get the sense that he can see past the fur, the eyes, the girl, and see into my soul, and can see how damaged I really am.

Now THIS is chemistry…

Everything in the way he touches me, and everything in the way he looks at me has shattered my last vestige of control and I know in this instant, life as I know it will never be the same again.

Check out Moon Spell by Samantha Young, the first in the YA Tale of Lunarmorte series, which also feautures a teenage werewolf heroine. Oh, and it has a pretty hot love interest, as well, who’s *also* an alpha werewolf.

I recommend Shiver, too, the first book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls series, by Maggie Stiefvater. This series is also a YA series about werewolves!

Overall, Pride’s Run was a fun, entertaining read.

Cat Kalen is a talented writer, and it clearly shows in this book. I can’t wait to start Pride Unleashed, the next book in the series. If you’re a fan of YA, and like reading about werewolves, you have to check this one out! It’s a GraveTells must read!

What makes an erotic book worth reading?

By Dawn Chartier I think that’s a loaded question with many various answers. As a reader, the erotic novels I've read have to have a plot and great characters to tag along with. (This is a must for “all” books I read.) The characters can’t be TSTL, (Too stupid to live.) and they have to grab my heart. The erotics I read can’t be just about the sex.

I have several friends who disagree with me though. They don’t mind a book full of sex, sex, and more sex. They don’t care if the plot is neatly tied up at the end, or if the hero and heroine (or multiple characters) have a HEA (Happily Ever After.) or not.

Take the Shades of Gray books for an example. (Why not, most of you have read it. LOLl) I can certainly see why the books sold very well, but at the same time I’ve read so many books that were much better than the Shades books. And I wonder why this book? Why this series? I shrug. I haven’t the faintest idea, and I don’t want to waste time trying to figure it out. I’m happy James had a hit, and hope she continues with her success.

And it’s the same with other books that reach the top of bestselling novels. 95% of those bestselling novels I will never read. Nor do I want to. Or if I do read them, I sometimes wonder why it made it.

So what made the Shades books so erotic to readers? In my opinion, I think it was the author’s hook of what the (characters) are going to do next. We had no clue. I think the erotic part was the anticipation of what could happen next, but not knowing for sure. I also think it was because the heroine constantly disobeyed, and I wanted to know how he would punish her. (Kinda sick now that I think about it. We are some messed up readers. LOL) I know many readers said these books really didn’t have much BDSM, compared to other erotic books.

And I won’t lie; I don’t read many BDSM books, unless a friend says you have to read this. They know I’m a reader who wants my HEA every time. They also know not to recommend books with more than one male and one female lover. (*Ducks at the books flying at my head.*) Why you ask? I don’t really know. Maybe, I just want that special bond between one man and one woman. I don’t want them to share themselves with other people. I’ve tried reading stories with more than one male, and I felt so sorry for the first guy. My heart broke for him that he truly didn’t get the girl. They got the girl. I didn’t like that feeling, so I don’t read those anymore.

However, many of my friends enjoy the fantasy of reading ménage.

They often say, “You read the wrong books, Dawn. Give it another try.” And you know what? I probably will. It was the same with Historicals. Long ago, I tried one and didn’t enjoy it, so I didn’t read anymore for years, until recently. My book-club had us read one. Now, I can’t get enough of them. (Jennifer Ashley and Sabrina Jeffries got me hooked! I would say they have erotic scenes in them, but you may not think so.)

So to get back on the subject of what makes a book erotic, I think it’s all in the eye of the beholder. Just like what makes a man sexy. I see a man who I think it the hottest man alive, and my friend’s will

say he’s okay. (What? Are you kidding?) Like when my buddies and I were watching Magic Mike last week. I was drooling over Joe, and they were enjoying, Channing or Matthew. In the end, our different taste is what makes the world go around, and it’s what makes us think of different books as erotic.

In my latest novel, DIAMONDS, I wanted to take the least likely man, and make him loveable. What better way to do that than to take a thief, and have him robbing the heroine, and then have her fall for him. Can it be done? Well, I hoped so. Erotic to me was taking the unexpected and making it work. (Praying it worked. J) And instead of having the usual rich man, I enjoyed making my heroine wealthy. (In the Stiletto Millionaire Series, all my heroines will be wealthy. Well, they will start out that way.) My heroine doesn’t need a man to provide for her, she just needs a man to love her for herself. So for me, the unexpected is erotic. Having the tables turned on a bad boy is erotic. Make them uncomfortable. Make them squirm. Give her the upper hand.

I know I’ll have some readers comment that several men and/or women in an erotic is a great read, and I’m not denying that. *No throwing things at me, unless it’s chocolate.* I just need to find the right one (book) to make me a believer. I’m sure you’ll be happy to share, right? J So, what makes a book erotic for you? Is it just the sex? Is it the amount of people in the sex act? Or is it the entire story with plot and great characters you want to win in the end? Or maybe it is something different. And maybe you don’t read erotic at all.

Dark Heirloom (An Ema Marx Novel) Book 1 By: J.D. Brown Genre: Urban Fantasy First Sentence: A scream tore from my throat.

Ema Marx, a red-headed twenty-three year old, suffers a vicious attack, falls prey to her attacker, unconscious, and awakens far from home.

Her life changes in that nano-second of waking.

Prince Jalmari ta Korento, a vampire, lives with his own demon, like a puppet on a string. The love of his life will never be accepted as his anger festers.

Jesu ta Korento, also vampire, soft spoken with a serious history of violence seems to play a savior roll with Ema, reaching back to a two thousand year old premonition.

The brothers aim to train Ema in her newly emerging abilities, but the dynamics of the three oppose each other…so who ends up beating the odds?

J.D. Brown pushes the extreme in the storystars. Behaviors, emotions, and moods are so realistic it could be you or I waking up as a vampire. I totally resonated with the first person POV in this one, especially Ema’s feisty, fiery disposition. So good! And I didn’t mention a cat earlier…but I love this guy.

The ending satisfied, but also left a few unanswered questions…just enough to entice me to read the next book for my inquiring mindJ And, I look forward to it.

Kay Dee Royal 5 stars

In the Clearing

By Roxanne Rhoads Chasing butterflies I found you in the clearing bathed in sunlight soft and sweet Willow wisp and grass lithe your body was the rock that grounded me Butterflies fluttered by as I tasted your desire wild on the air, thick as honey I kissed your lips to ease your need Nature stood sentinel around us testament to beauty, love, creation Keeper of primordial secrets Guard of our private playground Butterfly kisses and tongue tickling caresses love made blissful in sunlight glow More than just a roll in the hay a union of souls in dewy morning grass You touched my soul as I held your heart Butterfly whimsy and childish delight, laughter and love sounds broke the silence of the wood Bare sweat and dew drenched limbs lay tangled in sun glow Breathless bodies eventually parted Full of joy and love soaked energy Drunk off passion play Not quite ready to face a busy day Never wanting to leave but there was work to do I followed the butterflies but they always led me back to you

The Perses Effect Excerpt

By R..E. Robinson Jr. “How long ago did we lose contact with them?” the voice echoed inside Cord’s head as if it came through his two-way communication headset. Cord concentrated and thought; we haven’t heard from them in a couple of days. He didn’t like not knowing where his neighbors were. Cord knew that Richard’s telepathic powers would pick up on his response but if he concentrated it was easier for Rich to hear what he was thinking.

Crouched just inside the tree line of their neighbor’s yard Cord looked down the barrel of his ACR rifle scanning the property. The composite bodied rifle was light and felt reassuring in his hands.

The ACR was a prime candidate to replace the venerable M-16. It was versatile and adaptable to various conditions. Having multiple calibers on a single platform it would meet different demands. Cord had the pleasure of field testing the rifle in the desert.

After serving as an Army officer for fifteen years Cord Tranum decided not to reenlist but instead remained in the Middle East working for a private security company. The pay and benefits were far better than active duty and there was none of the bullshit associated with being Government Issue. Cord would have worked over seas longer but with the negative press from the rising civilian casualties he decided it was time to come home. Even after he was back in America his skills remained honed and those skills kept him and his pacifist wife alive as they traveled to join their friends. The journey to the Root farm was treacherous. They traveled over some unfamiliar territory while the world was being turned on end. Cord grinned as he reminisced.

Being late August in Georgia the heat and humidity are still unbearable even at this hour. What he wouldn’t give for some Air Conditioning right about now. During the summer months the AC in his old house could barely keep up with the temperatures. It meant a big power bill but there was no way to cope without the AC. It’s not as if opening a window or turning on some fans would stifle the heat so he sucked it up and paid the damn bill. Maybe when they got back Evan would let him run the AC a little while tonight. He slept so much better when the room was cooler. Those creature comforts were always a good motivator for completing the mission.

Now because of things hiding and waiting in the dark, everyone knew they needed to keep in touch. The members of this community were always in communication. Even though this neighborhood was a group of farms spread out over miles in the rural part of the county.

Neighbors used to help each other out but as technology grew and people moved farther and farther away they started becoming more self-sufficient. Tractors with satellite navigation did the work of several farm hands. Now with technology taking a backseat to survival helping out your neigh-

bor is important again.

People forgot how to care for one another. They became materialistic and spent their time trying to outdo one another. Racing from one of their children’s sport practice to the others ballet practice and all the while bragging about how their child was accepted to this college or that university. People were selfish, self-centered and self-serving. That way of life had become the norm.

Perses changed everything. Now the people who were left had to work together if they want to survive.

Sweat poured from Cords brow as he scanned the yard waiting for Tim Lavin to return from scouting the perimeter. The night was still and without a sound. One hundred percent humidity made the air thick so it stuck to the skin. A full moon hung in the evening sky and bathed their surroundings in a warm blue/white light.

Wiping the sweat from his brow he could hear the buzzing of mosquitoes in his ear. They would be one more nuisance he could do without but at least they were still small here. He had heard stories of some giant mosquitoes that would literally carry people off. Every state in the south claimed they had the biggest mosquitoes. No one wanted to claim that prize any longer.

He looked to his wife Violet. He could see her ivory skin glisten in the moonlight and her blue eyes glowed slightly absorbing all the light they could which allowed her to see in darkened conditions. He could tell by the look on her face that she was nervous; this wasn’t the sort of thing she liked. Violet was a pacifist and disliked the use of violence to solve problems. It took her a while to get comfortable enough with a gun to shoot it much less use it in a firefight. She stuck mainly to pistols often needing a free hand to heal someone.

She was still as beautiful as ever. When the metamorphosis started neither one of them knew what

Dawn’s website: www.dawnchartier.com Facebook: www.facebook/dawn.chartier

Blog: www.dawnthewriter.blogspot.com Twitter: @dawnchartier

was going to happen. Violet mutated physically into what would later be called the elven race. Her skin didn’t turn gray like Lavin’s but turned lighter almost like ivory. She gained elven vision and heightened senses.

No one knew what the outcome of their friends and loved ones once it all started. After those changes were complete friends and families were divided some even became enemies. She was one of the lucky ones that when they changed physically they weren’t disfigured; turned into monsters. Some didn’t survive at all.

Violet gained the ability to heal wounds with her touch. It took her a while to learn the concentration part of her healing touch while being shot at but on the trip to Evan’s farm she became proficient. Cord would have died on the trip if she hadn’t kept her wits about herself. Unlike others in the medical field she did not require the use of gloves. First of all she had to have contact with the skin to be able to heal but what kept her immune to germs and disease was her new race.

Her blue eyes met his and she gave him a reassuring smile. Returning the smile Cord then looked to Evan’s group about thirty feet from his position. They all scanned their surroundings as they had been trained.

Blurb: The world has been changed forever. Death and mutation have swept across the planet leaving some of the survivors altered into non-human races and gaining powers that would take time to comprehend.

Always thinking ahead Evan Root invited family and friends to live on his farm shortly before the comet that started it all was destroyed.

As the remaining population rebuilds Evan Root and his wife Jordan are producing bio-fuel to use and trade. On a routine trip to the market murmurs of disappearing town’s people span the crowd. While at the market Evan’s group is ambushed and when he finally makes it back to the farm he finds out his wife has been abducted. Evan feels her abduction has everything to do with her power.

Hoping it will lead him to his wife Evan and his companions must discover who or what is behind the disappearances while defending themselves at every turn.

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFxoHUeavP8 Amazon Amazon Paperback Barnes and Noble Hardcover

Nook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-PersesEffect/200288616653927 http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10793607-the-perses-effect

Bio: Ronald E. Robinson Jr. served in the US Army and has a criminal justice degree. He lives in Georgia with his family.

Writing a Paranormal Series

By Kay Dee Royal

I love reading a ‘good’ paranormal series ~ books carrying plot and character threads and elements from one book to the next all the while staying true and precise in every detail and nuance. For someone who has the memory of a stick that can be a huge task. (grins) I’ve had some help along the way, so there will be name dropping in this post as well as workshop recommendations.

Before I even made the decision of writing my first series of books, I read a number of series, the last being Mary Abshire’s Soul Catcher Series (very good books I might add that keeps me hanging until Jessie’s next adventure - I'm patiently waiting for her next book). I suggest you find and read a good book series in the genre you write before getting started.

FIRST – The idea – does my story merit more than one book? What is the common thread or element through my series – and it isn’t always the main characters.

In my current Lycan International Investigation Agency Series (LIIA), the agency is the common thread through my series. My MC’s (Main Characters) will be sharing the stage. They also switch around for each book, stepping down and finishing their personal story or adding to it as a separate running thread in the books that follow, while a new hero and heroine takes center stage.

SECOND – Establish the paranormal. I took an awesome workshop, Writing Paranormal by Susan and Harry Squires, through Savvy Authors – www.savvyauthors.com . If you get the chance to take this workshop (which I believe was eight weeks long), do it. Even if you don’t write paranormal, their lessons really “popped” with me for laying out plot, characters, and scenes. Good instructors and authors, I might add, and constant

input throught the course.

There’s a lot to consider when developing non -human main characters. In my story, my paranormal MC’s are Lycan (werewolves), but I wanted my own unique Lycan. Yes, they have some characteristics, abilities, and society structures that are traditionally known and accepted, but with a few additional as well, a blending of their own.

A few questions I considered in my Lycan development: * What makes them different than humans?

Abilities? * Where will they live? Community? * How will they interact with humans? Are they a secret society? * What is their society structure – like territorial? Hierarchy? Birthright? An Elders Council? * How do they procreate? Do they mate for life, many partners? * What are the laws/rules of the pack? The Alpha?

THIRD – With the idea and paranormal aspects in place, I write up my MC sketches – the hero, heroine, and villain (protagonists and antagonists). I go a little more detailed with these, greater depth, especially if there will be a number of characters by the end of the series. I don’t want every hero and heroine sounding and acting the same. I’m developing my own set of questions and will share this in another posting.

FOURTH – Meet in the Middle Plotting, Plot Your Novel in 15 Minutes! This is something I learned by Claudia Suzanne at a The Muse On -Line Writer’s Conference –

www.themuseonlinewritersconference.com .

Before I took Claudia's workshop I flew by the seat of my pants for plotting or outlining. I can’t believe how simple and fast this is and how much time it has saved me while writing…keeping me on track in the long haul.

Quick instructions from Claudia: “Number a piece of paper from one to fifteen. Write a one-line blurb of where the story begins next to number one. Then jump down to the bottom and write the ending next to number fifteen. Now go back to the top and write a blurb for what happens after the opening next to number two. Scoot down to number fourteen to write what happened just before the story ends. Continue bouncing up and down from the top of the page to the bottom and in a matter of minutes – voila! Modify this basic outline of the entire novel with additional sequences, subplots, and character plots, motivations, actions, etc. to bring the story to life.”

For complete instruction on this wonderful writing tool – go to: http://claudiasuzanne.com/ Meet_Middle.pdf For more information about Claudia Suzanne, you may connect at any of these links: Claudia Suzanne, Ghostwriting Expert 714-954-0580 800-641-3936 http://claudiasuzanne.com claudiasuzanne@gmail.com Join her on: LinkedIn (http://linkedin.com/in/claudiasuzanne) Twitter (http://twitter.com/BookGhost) Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ claudiasuzanne)

FIFTH – I wrote the first book, Staring into the Eyes of Chance, which took three to four months from first draft to the finished product.

When the final draft was completed, I submitted it.

SIX - I printed a copy of my book. I went through each page with a highlighter and pen, making notes of thread lines, character elements, and anything I came across I wanted to carry into my following books. This part took me days completing, but I knew it was something I must finish before beginning the second book.

And now you have it, each book would be a repeat of these steps.

There are a couple other workshops I found helpful in my character and story development that I'd like to share.

Intensifying Emotion by Lauri Sanders - I actually took this one twice, the first time through Muse Online Writer’s Conference and the second time at Savvy Authors. It’s a lot of good, intense information for romance writers…or mystery, suspense, and thriller writers; great for making strong characters.

The Dark Hero by Misa Ramirez, Tonya Kappes, and Lee Lopez - I took at Savvy Authors. I found this one helpful with creating a hero where one misstep, one moment of weakness can throw him over to the dark side as a villain. I’m striving hard to make this hero happen in my work.

Writing Erotic Romance by Louisa Bacio - another great workshop I attended through Savvy Authors. This course gave awesome direction on what it takes for writing a good love/sex scene and all the emotions, plus the events leading up to it and following it. Louisa had some good input over and above her lessons.

May I add, there are many...many great work-

shops at The Muse OnLine Writer's Conference, held on-line every year in October. It's a week-long conference and well worth your time. There are excellent instructors, and workshops for any caliber of writer. They also have publishing houses in attendance ready to take your pitch. Check out the site and bookmark it for this coming October.

Kay Dee’s latest release is Staring Into the Eyes of Chance (1st Book of the LIIA series ~ Lycan International Investigation Agency) If you’d like to find out more about Kay Dee Royal and her work please visit: Kay Dee Royal ~ Paranormal & Erotica Romance Musings; Ravencraft’s Romance Realm; MuseItHot; Twitter; FB

ReVamped by Ada Adams: Review http://www.sithereandread.com/2012/05/revamped-by-ada-adams-review-giveaway.html Series: Angel Creek #1 Genre: YA Crossover/Paranormal Buy Links: Kindle | Print Nineteen-year-old vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the confines of her father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a mission to revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful little town of Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have finally come true. What starts off as a simple task, turns into something unexpected, changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the action-loving, thrill-seeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger and intrigue.

When a human girl is kidnapped by a group of rogue vamps, Dawn discovers that there is more going on in Angel Creek than meets the eye. And it all connects to Ethan, the cute newcomer who seems too perfect to be true, Sebastian, the mysterious vampire with a turbulent past, and even Dawn herself. Dawn must not only succeed in revamping the troubled recruits, but must also prevent the vampire race from being overtaken by a malevolent villain who has a strange and obsessive fascination with her. As threat escalates, romance blooms, and ghosts from her past begin to surface, Dawn is sure of only one thing: her life will never be the same.

Review by Kate REVAMPED, by Ada Adams, is a fantastic read for adult and young adult fans of the paranormal genre. We follow Dawn, a Born vampire, who is given her first mission at nineteen. She is a kick-butt fighter and is ready to hold her own among the vampires. Her assignment is to train replacement guardians for a human town, and it is anything but easy.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the world that Adams created and I jumped right into the story without a lot of background information dumping. Adams sprinkled tidbits about her world without me getting bogged down with the details.

The characters were fun as well. I loved Dawn (of course) because she was a strong female with a kind heart. Her vampire reject trainees were cringeworthy at first (in terms of their guardianship abilities) but they definitely developed along with the story. There was a definite love triangle between Dawn, Sebastian, and Ethan but the one I thought made the most sense won out in the end (no I won't say who!)…or at least for now…

Overall, this is a great fast-paced book for all paranormal readers and it's a great introduction to the genre for those who haven't jumped on the bandwagon. Even though people say vampires are "done", I think Adams created a truly unique perspective and story (lots of amazing twists!) that makes me excited to read the rest of the series.

About the Author: "Many people sing in the shower. I, on the other hand, write scenes in my head and act them out."

At age five, Ada read her first chapter book - Pippi Longstocking. Ever since that moment, she developed an intense passion for the stories and characters found within the pages of literature.

In her career as an actress and a writer, Ada currently spends most of her days immersed in imaginary worlds. Much like the characters she enjoys playing and writing about, Ada is a martial artist with a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate. She is also a big proponent of lifelong learning, and has attained Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (it aids in creating characters with unique quirks!) as well as a Master's of Science in Education.

Ada strives to bring a fresh voice and perspective to fiction. She has been writing creatively for many years. "ReVamped" is her debut novel.

She lives in Toronto, Canada, and enjoys adventurous nature hikes with her adorable puppies Cara and Oreo. Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The Foxworth Coven Series: The Foxworth Coven Title: Death of Innocence Genre: Paranormal Romance Publisher: Solstice Publishing Length: Novel/93K Warning: Off-scene rape, mild violence Buy-Link E-Book: http://www.solsticepublishing.com/ downloads.aspx?categoryid=121 Buy-Link Print: http://www.amazon.com/Death-Of-InnocenceKayden-McLeod/dp/1466248459/ref=sr_1_20? s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332695363&sr=1-20 Love cannot always banish an eternal nightmare.

The Foxworth family has blazed a trail through human and vampire history alike, changing the ways of both races in Canada for all time. The Council has demanded a full report for the long and twisted tale of how the Surrey Coven had come to be the most powerful and feared; an assemblage that anyone would question before coming up against.

The Leader of the Surrey Coven, Canya recalls how her family came to be. A story filled with pain and heartache, until she meets Gregory Foxworth: a debonair CEO to the family shipping company. Gregory remembers taking her away from a life that shocks him, hoping to shelter and love her. But little does he know all he has done, was make her a target for a sadistically warped man. One who will have her and his own personal brand of vengeance.

Sometimes, a grudge is forever.