Excerpt: Zombified by Lyra Mcken

YA Paranormal

Cassie is a typical teenager. She’s crushing on a boy and trying to make it through high school. It’s a typical day of classes when all hell breaks loose. Forced to run and hide the situation just keeps getting worse. She makes a mistake and soon becomes infected. She meets others like her and together they sent out to find a cure. Is their fate already sealed? Can they find a cure before it’s too late? See what happens through the eyes of the infected when Cassie tells you how Zombies are people too.

“Cassie, wake up.” He stood back up over me as I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

I noticed that Ted was not with him, and he looked defeated as he sat down on the floor beside me. I crawled over to wrap my arms around him, and he looked surprised at first but then he put his arm around me and we were silent for a little while.

“We are going to have to move soon.” Brett was speaking quietly as he rubbed my arm. “He knows where we are, so when he wakes up, he may come for us. I was too late to help him.”

I did not know how long Brett had been gone, but I assumed by his tone that he had found his friend in very bad shape. It scared me that if he turned into one of them then he would know where we were. I sighed as I leaned my head on Brett’s shoulder. Something struck me as odd as I inhaled his scent. I thought that he smelled tasty.

Tasty! I was alarmed. He smelled good, but tasty was not something that should describe my crush. Something bad was happening to me, and I could keep trying to fight it, but as I glanced at my finger, I knew in the back of my mind it was only going to get worse.

He was looking at me while I was having all these thoughts, and he was too close for comfort. He smiled as he took my face in his hands and brought his lips to mine. It was everything I had hoped for in our first kiss. There were fireworks, and my whole body felt alive. I allowed him to ease me down onto the tarp and welcomed his body weight on top of me. This felt right and I wanted him all over me just like this. I had dreamed of this moment countless times and it was finally happening.

Our kisses became more urgent, and he moved one hand down to slide up my shirt. I heard a low growl come from somewhere within me. Something wasn’t right. It happened very quickly, but before I knew it, I had reared back and bitten into his chin hard. He cried out in severe pain, and tried to push me off of him, but I was latched on. I felt the skin break in my mouth, and felt my hunger as I ripped the skin away from his face. When I realized what I had done, I was horrified.

I stood back thinking of how I could remedy the situation. He sat there with blood pouring from his face and a hurt look in his eyes. All I could think of was one word: tasty. I had to get out of there. What the hell had I done? How many times had I pictured my lips near his, and I manage to get them there by biting his face off? I had to get as far away from him as possible. I ran out the entrance and into the school hall. Tears were streaming down my cheeks as I contemplated where to go. I was changing into one of those monsters.

I had literally bitten my crush’s face off!

I hope you enjoyed the excerpt because this was a great read! You can read my review HERE. Join us later this month for an interview with the author!!

Lyra Mcken is Emily Walker's pseudonym for her paranormal novels.

Emily's blog site is http://www.selfpublishordie.com where she interviews other Indie authors and traditionally published authors alike. She also offers reviews, guest posts, and features for authors.

http://www.lyramcken.com

Lyra on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/LyraMckenFans

Zombified on Goodreads

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15840735-zombified

Buy Link

http://www.amazon.com/Zombified-ebook/dp/B0091375BY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1346127782&sr=8-2&keywords=zombified+lyra+mcken

Cover Reveal: DAZZLE by Amber Garza

YA Paranormal Romance

October 2012

Sixteen-year-old Delaney Scott possesses a special gift. Ever since she was a child she has known about her calling and the duty she’s expected to fulfill.

However, all Delaney wants is to be normal. That’s why she is drawn to Sam.  He can offer her the life she’s always desired. Only Sam has secrets of his own.

Secrets that are deadly. Secrets that can change everything.

Dazzle: Book One in the Delaney's Gift Series is a new YA paranormal romance by Amber Garza

About Amber

Amber Garza lives in California with her amazing husband, and two hilarious children who provide her with enough material to keep her writing for years.  She has had a passion for writing since she was a little girl, making books out of notebook paper and staples. As an adult she has worked hard to make her dream of being a published a reality. The Prowl Trilogy was her first published series and it was released in the beginning of 2012. She also has an adult suspense book entitled, Engraved.
 

Amber's Blog: http://www.ambergarza.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amber-Garza-author

Click these links to buy her Christian teen thrillers PROWL,  ENTICE, UNVEIL Or click here to read her single-title adult suspense novel: ENGRAVED

Interview~Excerpt~Giveaway with Linda Andrews, Author of Brianna(Daughters of Destiny Book 3)

Adult Paranormal Historical Romance

Love, lies, and an ancient Egyptian curse. Brianna Grey holds the key to mankind's destruction and someone is willing to kill for it. Having spent most of her life dying, one man's kiss has resurrected her desire to live. For US Treasury Agent, Duncan Stuart, love means death. He works alone, lives
alone and plans to die alone until he meets Brianna again. Under the harsh Egyptian sun, Duncan will break all his rules to save her but will it be enough to overcome the secrets that could get them both killed?

Tell us a bit about yourself

I'm a wife, mother of three humans, 4 felines and one scared dog. I live about five miles from the house I grew up in and picked up my husband in the package pick-up area of Sears when I was 19 and he was 28. Yeah, I didn't tell my folks his age until after we were engaged 3 months later. And I had to ask him out. It was the only time in my life that my heart overrode my brain and ordered my body around. We're still together 25 years later, so I think I've always been a romantic and I've reaped the rewards of it.

When did you begin writing?

I began writing in 1997 during a 65 mile commute (one way) to the place where I worked. I recorded the book during my drive and transcribed it on the weekends.

Have you ever been discouraged in regard to your writing ability and if so, how did you get past

it and move forward?

Writing is hard and I've never liked doing it. But I love a challenge so I keep at it. I suck at grammar and punctuation, but I am drawn to telling stories (ask my mom). Every time I start a new book, I wonder if I know how to write. If I can write. Certainly bad reviews let me know in no uncertain terms that I can't write. I tell myself to ignore them. And sometimes I actually do it ;-). The only way I know how to get past the feelings is to write. Every book is better than the last and I learn best when I'm doing.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

Getting the words right. When I reread a line and I think 'holy cow, I wrote that?'. Thankfully those days of awe outnumber the days when I say the same thing and then lean on the delete key.

What is something you've written that will never see the light of day?

My first book. Ugh. One day I might have to go and change that because heaven forbid it should surface after I'm rich and famous.

What is your writer food?

Just like in my reading habits, I don't like to discriminate against food. I love food. And it loves me, preferring to hang around on my hips and behind long after it should have left.

What inspires you to write?

Characters. I have notebooks full of ideas but no characters to populate them. I sit around with my net and catch them when they fall out of the sky. Only then can I write a story.

What inspired you to write Brianna?

My two favorite things: Egyptian mummies complete with curse and the Victorian era. Brianna needs to travel to Egypt to return Imhotep's necklace. For those who watched The Mummy, you may recognize the name. While Imhotep never appears in the story, his necklace is a map to his final resting place. As the only man who was ever turned into a God, many people believe his tomb contains secrets to immortality. Of course, Brianna isn't on this quest alone. She has a cat that is the incarnation of the Goddess Sekhemet and the reluctant hero, Duncan. Since the story featuring my Victorian heroine's journey to Egypt has been subjected to Murphy's Law, my publisher has graciously agreed to put the ebook featuring her parents' love story on sale.

http://www.amazon.com/Ghost-of-a-Chance-ebook/dp/B004NNUXGG/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ghost-of-a-chancelindaandrews/1100069406?ean=9781936144914

And as a special bonus for the blog tour, I have a free paranormal short story available here:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-love-lottery-linda-andrews/1111399144?ean=2940033238446

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/162749

And lastly, on August 31st, I'll be giving away one Ankh necklace. To enter, send an email with

the topic of today's blog to contests at lindaandrews dot net (placed in proper email format).

 “Brianna, can ye hear me?” Panic fed the primal rage bucking through Duncan. He bound the fury. A
treasury agent had nerves of tempered steel, control of iron. A white lock rested on her pale cheek.
Peppermint-scented breath slipped past pink lips. She was fine. She had fainted, nothing more. Nothing
more.

Yet she had not wakened.

“I had thought she would be accustomed to violence, especially after the tales she told of Arizona.” Miss
Phillips’s whine sliced through his musings.

A man had been murdered, poisoned in front of a roomful of wealthy, influential witnesses. August
would have been the likely suspect—it was his valet, after all. Except, he couldn’t have known his
servant would be in the room, let alone would drink from the glass. So who was the intended victim?

He laid Brianna on the plush carpet and knelt beside her. He brushed her bangs out of her eye, sweeping
aside the feather headdress.

And who was the poisoner?

He might have spied something if he hadn’t dallied over his evening dress, and what had his delay
accomplished? Not a bluidy thing. His hair still stuck up a little in front. As for the noose around his neck,
he could feel the ends brushing his jaw.

“Damn it, Brianna, wake up!”

“Señor Stuart?” Esmé pried apart the Van Sargents. Worry pinched her features, increased the pitch of
her voice. Two men in ship’s uniform squeezed through behind her, parting the assembled crowd. An
elderly man in a somber suit appeared and set a black bag on the table.

Ignoring the newcomers, Duncan leaned close to Esmé’s ear. “Has Brianna eaten anything tonight?”

Shock flashed in her brown eyes. Her gaze flicked to the corpse before meeting his.

“No, señor. The dinner, it has not been served.”

He nodded. Relief flooded him.

“I believe she has fainted.”

“There are smelling salts in our room.”

“Get them.”

“Are you a doctor, sir?” Curry and garlic permeated the air as the elderly man who’d arrived with
the ship’s crew creaked to a stop beside Duncan. He leaned over Brianna with his ear near her
mouth. “Peppermint,” he whispered, straightened then peeled the glove off her left hand. His index
finger settled comfortably against the inside of her wrist. “An admirable heartbeat.”

“I’m nae a doctor.”

“Hmm, yet your prognosis is undoubtedly correct.” The man peered at Duncan over the gold rims of his
spectacles. “The ladies do like to lace tightly, don’t they?” His Adam’s apple bobbed in the wattles of his
throat. “Smelling salts should set Miss to rights. You’ve sent the companion to fetch them, hmm? ”

“That won’t be necessary.” Sir Reginald stepped forward. “Mrs. Van Sargent, the salts, if you please.”

Duncan grabbed the small glass bottle—he didn’t trust the missionary any more than he did the others.
Glass scraped glass as he plucked the stopper free. Ammonia invaded his nose, stripped the moisture
from the back of his throat. Definitely smelling salts. He shoved them under Brianna’s nose.

She winced, turned her head and coughed. Her eyes flickered open.

“Duncan. Wh-what happened?”

“You fainted.”

“You are very much mistaken.” She shoved herself into a sitting position, tucked a stray lock of hair
behind her ear and straightened her bodice. “A Grey does not faint.”

“It’s alright, dear.” Mrs. Van Sargent tucked the bottle back in her purse. “I daresay, if Mr. Stuart hadn’t
caught you you would have crashed right into the table.”

Movement caught his eye. At the doctor’s nod, the burly crewmen lifted the body. Duncan shifted his
weight to block Brianna’s view. Her lips parted; her eyes grew round. He had acted too late. She had
seen the corpse.

“That man.” She pointed to the blanket-draped body with her bare hand. “He...”

“He’s dead, dear.”

“Choked to death,” Van Sargent added with relish.

“Such a terrible tragedy,” said Miss Phillips, dabbing her dry eyes.

“Sir Reginald doesn’t think it will prolong our stay aboard the <i>Osiris.”

Duncan’s skin crawled as Mrs. Van Sargent beamed down at them like a goddess spreading her
benevolence.

“But he—“ Brianna’s nails dug into Duncan’s arm.

”Choked to death.” He kept his voice firm, his tone final. Brianna had been around death most of her
life, was intimately acquainted with most of its faces. He wouldn’t allow her knowledge to get her killed.

Review: Zombified by Lyra Mcken

YA Paranormal

Cassie is a typical teenager. She’s crushing on a boy and trying to make it through high school. It’s a typical day of classes when all hell breaks loose. Forced to run and hide the situation just keeps getting worse. She makes a mistake and soon becomes infected. She meets others like her and together they sent out to find a cure. Is their fate already sealed? Can they find a cure before it’s too late? See what happens through the eyes of the infected when Cassie tells you how Zombies are people too.

Source: Received the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Did not receive any payment for review.

My Review 

Cassie's day starts off like any normal day, passing notes with her friend in class. She notices a man outside of the classroom window and he looks like he may have been in an accident. His skin is a grayish tone and his clothes are bloody and torn. He breaks the window, startling the teens. Their teacher tries to scare the man off with her yardstick and she gets hurt in the process. Men show up, armed with guns and shoot the man. The school is now in a panic with these gray skinned people eating everyone. Somewhere along the way, Cassie is infected. She doesn't turn immediately like the rest of the zombies. 

After leaving the school, Cassie sets off on her own. She meets another woman who has been infected but not yet changed. They agree to accompany each other, to where, they don't know quite yet. They meet more people on the way.

I don't want to spoil too much so I will stop there.

I was hooked immediately after reading the prologue. I found it disturbingly hilarious. I really hope that it was meant to be that way or I will feel pretty twisted for finding it comical lol. I haven't read many zombie books, but this one was extremely refreshing.  I enjoyed reading Cassie's experience before and after her turn. It was very enjoyable and I would definitely recommend it! I must say, the epilogue was just as entertaining as the prologue. It kinda leaves it open for another book... hint, hint, Emily :-) 

Lyra Mcken is Emily Walker's pseudonym for her paranormal novels.

Emily's blog site is http://www.selfpublishordie.com where she interviews other Indie authors and traditionally published authors alike. She also offers reviews, guest posts, and features for authors.

http://www.lyramcken.com

Lyra on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/LyraMckenFans

Zombified on Goodreads

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15840735-zombified

Buy Link

http://www.amazon.com/Zombified-ebook/dp/B0091375BY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1346127782&sr=8-2&keywords=zombified+lyra+mcken

Cover Reveal: Naturals(The Lost Souls #2) by Tiffany Truitt

YA Dystopian

Tess is finally safe from the reach of the Council, now that she is living in the Middlelands with the rebel Isolationists. With James having returned to Templeton, she easily falls back into her friendship with Henry, though her newfound knowledge of Robert’s chosen one status still stings. Even surrounded by people, Tess has never felt more alone. So she’s thrilled when James returns to the settlement, demanding to see Tess — until she finds out that it’s because her sister, Louisa, has been recruited into Tess’s old position at Templeton, and that the dangerously sadistic chosen one George has taken an interest in her.

About Tiffany
Tiffany Truitt was born in Peoria, Illinois. A self-proclaimed Navy brat, Tiffany spent most of her childhood living in Virginia, but don’t call her a Southerner. She also spent a few years living in Cuba. Since her time on the island of  one McDonald's and Banana Rats (don't ask) she has been obsessed with traveling. Tiffany recently added China to her list of travels (hello inspiration for a new book).

Besides traveling, Tiffany has always been an avid reader. The earliest books she remembers reading belong to The Little House on the Prairie Series. First book she read in one day? Little Woman(5th grade). First author she fell in love with? Jane Austen in middle school. Tiffany spent most of her high school and college career as a literary snob. She refused to read anything considered “low brow” or outside the “classics.” Tiffany began teaching middle school in 2006. Her students introduced her to the wide, wonderful world of Young Adult literature. Today, Tiffany embraces popular Young Adult literature and uses it in her classroom. She currently teaches the following novels: The Outsiders, Speak, Night, Dystopian Literature Circles: The Hunger Games, The Giver, The Uglies, and Matched.

Contact Tiffany

http://tiffanytruitt.wordpress.com/    

https://twitter.com/tiffanytruitt

Pre Order Naturals 

 http://www.amazon.com/Naturals-Lost-Souls-Tiffany-Truitt/dp/1620611473/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345929106&sr=8-1&keywords=naturals+tiffany+truitt 

NATURALS on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15811135-naturals

New Release & Excerpt: Lighthouse Nights by Jake Vander Ark

Jules and Trevor take advantage of potential suicide victims by encouraging them and profiting off their deaths. When Jules falls in love with their seventh target, she’s forced to make a series of life-or-death decisions and a single, impossible change.

Lighthouse Nights is a frightening novel about haunting regret, maniacal hatred, the longing to create, and ultimate redemption. This fast-paced story is as touching as it is twisted, and highlights a disturbing new trend among American teens

     gabe’s faculty critic was younger than he anticipated--african-american, sweater-vest, glasses pressing dents into his nose and cheekbones--”welcome to the art institute” were the only words he spoke while actually looking gabe in the eyes.

“thanks,” he said and took a seat.
the man opened gabe’s portfolio with casual ineptitude as if he was thumbing insurance forms instead of a boy’s lifeblood. “tell me about yourself,” he said.
  this was it! “well, i’m eighteen years old and dying to finish my senior year of high school. i live about three hours north, in grand harbor, michigan. before i could even talk, my parents found me doodling.”
  the man seemed to be fully engaged with the portfolio. “go on,” he said without looking up.
“well, the art institute is my dream school. it’s the only college i applied to because, honestly, nothing else compares. i’m currently enrolled in a summer photography class--”
“tell me something real.”
  “i’m sorry?”
  “tell me something real,” the professor repeated.
  gabe’s brain became liquid and seeped from his forehead pores. his ribs trapped a dozen seagulls in his chest and their beating feathers tickled his heart. 
  breathe through your nose, gabe, he told himself. you’ve got this.
  “your technical proficiency is the best i’ve seen today.”
  “thank you,” gabe said.
“but i don’t see anything new in your work.”
  “i--”
  “where do you stand politically, gabriel?”
“i don’t--”
  “what are your thoughts on organized religion?”
  “sir, i--”
  “what excites you? what frightens you? what turns you on? what can you show me that i haven’t seen fifty times today, other than skilled use of a pen?”
  gabe’s throat swelled.
  “i think you’re a romantic, gabriel.”
  “what does that mean?”
  “do you feel prepared for daily critiques?”
  he nodded. “i do.”
  “then retort.”
“i’m sorry?”
“where’s your anger? why aren’t you throwing your hands in the air, telling me i’m full of shit for thinking a photorealistic drawing of a dog catching a frisbee belongs in a hospital waiting room?”
gabe’s leg bounced. if he didn’t think of something fast--
  the man flipped backward through the pages, then closed the portfolio altogether. he folded his hands, placed them on gabe’s work like a twisted headstone, and looked up for the first time. “there’s nothing in here to disturb the soul in the slightest. i would recommend taking a few years to develop a unique worldview. run away from home, get stoned, lose your sentimental outlook... and we’ll reconsider your application next year.”
  shit.

Announcement

http://jakevanderark.com/2012/08/20/lighthouse-nights-is-here/
 
Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Lighthouse-Nights-Jake-Vander-Ark/dp/1257807617/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1


Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11915676-lighthouse-nights


About Me/Project http://jakevanderark.com/about/me/

Contact Links for Jake

www.jakevanderark.com

www.facebook.com/JakeVanderArk

Twitter: @JakeVanderArk

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5005386.Jake_Vander_Ark

Review: Cosmo's Fifty-One Shades of Blonde by Jessica Knoll

***Not suitable for readers under the age of 18***

Erotic Romance

The sexy story that first burned up the pages of Cosmopolitan is here—with three new chapters that are so hot they may steam up your screen Christopher Reiss is the handsome and extremely intimidating CEO of a major financial firm. Megan’s nothing but a lowly assistant. But when she stumbles upon some incriminating evidence that could threaten Christopher’s career, she finds herself on his radar . . . and eventually his desk, his kitchen counter, his bed . . . you get where this is going, right?

Source: Received the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Did not receive any payment for review.

My Review

Megan is an assistant at a finance firm. She goes out to one of her local hang outs with her friend and sees the CEO of her company there. He happens to be with a mob boss and Megan wonders if the rumors about him being mob-connected are true. She heads out, hoping that her boss doesn't spot her. Megan works late one evening and gets a call from the CEO, Christopher. He tells her to see him in her office and he accuses her of leaking a story to the press about his mob connection. Of course, Megan had nothing to do with "said story" and she tells that to Christopher. One thing leads to another and they have a steamy, passionate romp right there in his office.

Megan was telling the truth when she said she didn't leak the story about his mob connections, but that didn't stop her from doing some digging to write a new piece on the allegations. While working on the piece, she gets a text from Christopher. He comes by her apartment and they have another hot sex session. After Christopher leaves, she realizes that he saw her article on him and he deleted the entire content.

I wont go any further considering it is a short story.

I was really excited when I was contacted to review this story. I'm a huge fan of Cosmopolitan magazine and my favorite part is the stories in the back of the magazine. I read the first few chapters of this one a few months ago, but my TBR list is massive and I simply forgot to follow up on it. I have never read Fifty Shades of Grey, but I can see where there would be some similarities. Christopher is very dominant when it comes to the sex scenes in the book. He tells Megan how he wants it, and it's frickin' hot! The book was also a bit of a thriller. I didn't know what to expect and I was a bit shocked with the outcome. I enjoyed this the first time around and I am stoked to have finished it. If you want a quick, sexy read, this book is definitely worth it!

http://www.openroadmedia.com/books/51-shades-of-blonde.aspx

Buy Links (Available 8/28/12)
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Google Play
iTunes

Damon (The Protectors, #1) by Teresa Gabelman

Paranormal Romance

Damon DeMasters is a vampire warrior who has taken an oath to not only protect his own kind, but humans as well. Crimson Rush is the new drug on the streets and it’s their duty to find who is behind the selling of vampire blood and stop it.

As a social worker, Nicole Callahan fights for the right of every child placed in her care. There’s a war now as vampires have stepped out into the spotlight taking their place in society and the children are at the heart of it all.

Damon and his fellow warriors have been ordered by the Vampire Council to train Nicole and her colleagues against the dangers they now face in their new world. Even as sparks fly and tensions mount, Nicole and Damon depend on each other to protect the children of both races.

“Do you have any idea what kind of danger you put yourself in?” Damon demanded, looking at the small blonde woman with the biggest blue eyes he'd ever seen. The bruising under one of those lovely eyes had his blood raging. Ever since she walked in the door he had an overwhelming urge to protect her and that confused the hell out of him, making him growl his question at her.
“Yeah, I do, but at the time my only concern was for Sam.” She scowled back. “I have never, and I hope I never, again see what I saw tonight. For a child, vampire or human, to go through something like this is uncalled for and I will do everything in my power to see that Mr. Mullins is never allowed to be near a child again.”
“I still think you are taking grave risks, even with our training, that you are ill equipped to take, human.” Damon scowled, his voice a low deep rumble of authority.
“Yeah, well it wasn’t you who put that child in the hands of a monster, vamp.” Nicole shot back. If he thought to scare her with the big bad vampire warrior thing he had going on, he was sadly mistaken. Backing down wasn't an option when it came to her job.
“Ah.... okay.” Duncan stepped in not liking where this was heading. “Everybody partner up.”
Mitch glared a warning at Nicole, who just shrugged and mouthed, “He started it.” Taking a quick peek at the warrior she noticed his smug grin. Oh yeah, this was going to be a problem.

Buy Links

Amazon Kindle book

Amazon paperback

Barnes and Noble Nookbook

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/damon-the-protectors-series/id491882415?mt=11

Smashwords

Contact Links

http://teresagabelman.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Teresa-Gabelman/191553587598342

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5356562.Teresa_Gabelman

https://twitter.com/TGabelman

Giveaway~Excerpt~Guest Post: In Flames by Elissa Daye

Paranormal Romance

A cursed lineage. A secret magic. A destiny that neither one of them could have predicted.

When Elkliss Keep is rampaged by her sinister Uncle Simeon, Lysandra lost everything she had ever known or loved within a heartbeat. Destiny catapults her into a life she could never have foreseen; a life filled with an unquenchable desire for a man, whose aloof people harbor a secret almost as dangerous as her own.

When Aiden first sets eyes on Lysandra, the beast inside will not be fulfilled until he possesses her. He soon he realizes that Lysandra could be the one true mate that would make his cursed life easier to live.

Chapter 1
Outlands 1342
The Outlands was a favored stopping place for the soldiers of Blackwolf Keep. It was a village filled with wanton women who had decided to live away from the rest of the world. The soldiers were always eager to slake their lust within its walls. The wars that waged across the countryside had almost diminished, making their visits to their favorite stopping point few and far between but always treasured. When they arrived within the wooden gates, the women of the village rushed toward their horses with their buxom chests and swaying hips. Everyone knew that the night would be filled with sounds of passion.

Lord Aesov walked into the middle of town like he owned the place. After days of conquest

he was more than ready to find a warm body to relieve the tension from his aching body. The Outlands was certainly the place for that. He had taken his pleasure with most of the women in the village and today would certainly be no different. The women were lounging all around him, but none of his usual conquests would quench his thirst today. That was until he spotted Bridget from across the camp. Something about her distracted him from the swarm of beauties before him. Perhaps it was the fiery hair that fought to escape from its ties, the way her chin jutted out
in defiance as he perused her body, or maybe even the way she tried to ward off the blush that crept up her face. He had never seen her in the Outlands before. He would certainly have remembered her. When he dismounted, he walked over to where the quiet woman stood. When he reached out to take her hand, she pulled it away. He bowed low to her and let his eyes meet hers slowly. “I’m Lord Aesov, leader of Blackwolf Keep. I am humbled by your beauty, my lady.”
“Humbled my arse,” she chided him.
“I’ve never seen you before. Are you new to Outlands?”
“What you mean to say is you’ve never ridden me before. I’m not a doxy and I do not tussle for the mere sport of it, my lord.” She lowered her blue eyes away from his and turned away from him.
“Aye. I can see that.”

From that moment on, Aesov made it a goal to stop in the Outlands as often as he could and

a slow courtship began. He had never been turned down before and his ego made him feel like a stuffed porcupine; his prickles were always up whenever she was around. It took time and perseverance on his part, not to mention spending time away from his husbandly duties at Blackwolf Keep. His wife, Lilyana, had known better than to keep him on a tight leash. While it would have been objectionable to most women, the riches she enjoyed made turning her back on his dalliances easier to do. 

When Bridget finally caved in to his demands, Aesov could not get enough of her. He had

stayed with her for weeks at a time hoping that soon his desire for her would be quenched. He knew she was becoming attached to him, so he planned on breaking it off as soon as he had his fill of her.

Aesov ran his warm hands all over the beautiful body before him, his desire for her so

unworldly he thought he would explode. She had been rather difficult to seduce away from her naive notions that love was the only thing that separated them from the wild animals of the forest. It had been hard to trick her, to make her believe that her feelings were returned, but Aesov had been persistent. He would never settle down with the fiery redhead, not the way she

The Roads I’ve Traveled
By Elissa Daye

Reading started me down the path to writing. I was an avid reader from the moment I could read my first words. I read everything I could get my hands on. I loved reading and escaping into other worlds. My favorite books when I was a child were written by C.S. Lewis, Judy Blume, and Jean Craighead George. I very much wanted to live on my own and survive in the forest.

As a writer, I started early. In second grade I remember getting a notebook as a prize from a teacher and I started writing poetry where every line had to rhyme. Something like “The little kitten lay, fast asleep in the hay.” In Middle School I constantly entered the Young Authors contests with my poetry. I remember when my mom attended a parent teacher conference for 8th grade. My English teacher told her how impressed
she was with my writing and told her that I wrote like a 20 year old. It was the best compliment I had ever received at the time and it made me want to do even better.

When I entered high school I started writing short stories, mostly for school assignments. By the time I was a junior in high school, my English teacher encouraged me to enter for a chance to attend the Illinois Summer School for the Arts. At that point in time I had already been writing longer short stories, one of them being a ghost story, which I entered as an example of my writing. I won a scholarship to attend the two week
summer camp and had the time of my life. That summer allowed a whole new door to open for me, and while my journey through that portal has not been without challenge, it has certainly been worth it.

The Destined Series started after I had completed my first two books, and while it was not the first completed, it had been in my head for many years. First it was a series of scenes that I thought would work well together. Then I discovered that there really were no limitations for what I wanted to do. A story with magic? Absolutely, no problem. Add some werewolves? Ok, why not? A steamy love story? Of course, what other kind is there? When I let go of all my preconceived notions of what should and could be involved in a romance novel, writing it was easy. It was passionate, it was uplifting, and it was freeing.

In Flames is the first in the series, and perhaps the easiest to write, for the beginning it just a starting point in the world. Connecting each story and growing the world in each has been more of a challenge. Each book has to be able to build on the other and stand on its own. With book one, I introduce Lysandra, who enters the story with pretty much the worst case scenario thrown at her from the beginning. She channels the power
of love through her journey and becomes quite a striking heroine. Aiden is our love interest, a man who really has no interest in love at all. He lives with the curse of his people, a curse that becomes a blessing in disguise.

In Flames is just the first leg of the journey. My goal is to create a diverse series that shows the empowerment of women, and how the world could work in balance. I hope.

that my readers will appreciate these stories and get a break from their world, if only for a moment.

Contact Links
http://daenira.wordpress.com
http://www.amazon.com/Elissa-Daye/e/B008K1YK48/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com/author-elissa-daye.html
Twitter @daenira
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Elissa-Daye/167094080042272

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Excerpt and Guest Post: Learn to Love Me by Sinead MacDughlas

Despite her secret past, Emily O’Shea was finally living a normal life.There had been some arguments with her husband, Trevor, lately, but no marriage is perfect. At least the column she writes for the local paper is going well…that is, until one of her interviewees goes missing, and a monster from her past resurfaces.

Within a week Emily’s life spins into chaos. Missing girls, a telephone stalker, murder, a monster, and an intense ex-lover; it’s turning out to be one hell of a summer!

Her husband is acting erratically, her boss is threatening to pull her column, and the police suspect she’s the muse for a murderer. Can Emily save her marriage, her job, her life and her sanity? More importantly, are her darkest fears justified? Does Emily already know who the killer is and, if she does; can she do anything to stop them?

The Shorthand of Emotion

“Music is the shorthand of emotion." ~ Leo Tolstoy

Music is a powerful tool for writers. I know a few who can’t write a word without music playing while they work. Some prefer instrumental music, so they won’t be distracted by lyrics. Others solve the same issue by picking songs performed in a language foreign to them.

My preference is for lyrical pieces, sung in English. Powerful lyrics inspire emotional writing for me. In a recent interview I said, “I bleed words and breathe music”. That’s a little backward, as I tend to listen to the music before I write.

For some scenes, I’ll listen to several pieces with a similar feel, and then turn the music off and write the scene in silence. When I’ve finished the scene and done some flash edits, I’ll read it back with the same music playing quietly in the background, to see if it still has the emotional ‘punch’ I’d intended. Other scenes
are composed edited and reread with a specific song playing in a continuous loop.

I do tend to fall back on songs that remind me of personal experiences. If a character is going through heartbreak, for example, I still have a playlist from just after my first marriage imploded. Even though I’m happily remarried now, with no lingering regrets, those pieces can take me right back to a time when self-
doubt, self-loathing, defeat, bitterness and crushing loneliness were the air that I breathed. The events I need to write could be completely different from my experience, but the songs allow me to immerse myself in the emotions again, for the sake of describing them, clearly, to the reader.

Music may not be the voice of the muse for every writer, but for many music serves as a vital writing tool, and after over thirty years of writing, the muse still sings for me.

I’ve included a list of several of the songs that inspired me while I was writing Learn To Love Me. They are in alphabetical order, by title:

Absent Elements - Finger Eleven
All the Things I Wasn't - Grapes of Wrath
Always – Saliva
Angel - Sarah McLachlan
Away From the Sun - 3 Doors Down
Bent - Matchbox 20
Black – Sarah McLachlan
Break Your Heart - Natalie Merchant
Breakdown - Tantric
Bring Me To Life - Evanescence
Broken – Lifehouse
By The Way – Theory of a Deadman
Change the World - Eric Clapton (unplugged)
Do What You Have To Do - Sarah Mclachlan
Don't Leave Me Now - Pink Floyd
Down With the Sickness – Disturbed
Elsewhere – Sarah McLachlan
Epiphany – Staind
Every Lie – My Darkest Days
Fade - Staind
Forsaken - Disturbed
Good to You - Mariana's Trench featuring feat. Jessica Lee
Going Under - Evanescence
Gunnin' - Hedley
Hello - Evanescence
Hesitate - Stone Sour
How Could You? – Saliva
I Will Remember You – Sarah McLachlan
I'll Keep Your Memory Vague - Finger Eleven
Imperfect – Stone Sour
It only hurts – Default
Let Me Go – Three Doors Down

Life Less Frightening – Rise Against
Love You To Death – Type O Negative
Lover Dearest – Mariana’s Trench
Memory – Sugarcult
Middle of the Night – Stabilo
My, My, My – Rob Thomas
One Step Closer - Linkin Park
Other Light – Finger Eleven
Outside – Staind
Panic Attack – Finger Eleven
Possession – Sarah McLachlan
Rain Awhile - Stabilo
Remember – Disturbed
Rest in Pieces – Saliva
Running to Stand Still – U2
She Don't Want the World - 3 Doors Down
Therapy – Finger Eleven
This Ain't Goodbye - Train
Thousand Mile Wish - Finger Eleven
Set Fire To The Third Bar – Snow Patrol feat. Martha Wainwright
Sick of it All – Finger Eleven
Weapon - Matthew Good
Whisper - Evanescence
You Won't Be Mine - Matchbox 20
Zzyxz - Stone Sour

"He was my mentor when I started here too," Greg shrugged. "He’s pretty entrenched in the way things used to be done. I evolved; he didn’t. He was a damn good reporter in his day, but things have changed a lot since then. Don’t let him hold you back, Emily."

"He’s still a great reporter, Greg," I rushed to Stan’s defense. "Not one of us can hold a candle to him, even you, Mr. Senior News Reporter. If he was here, you wouldn’t dare talk like that!"

"Easy, girl!" Greg threw up his hands in mock surrender. "I’m just trying to help. Your loyalty is admirable. Old Stan is a wordsmith of the first order. I'd never deny it. I’m just saying his journalistic ethics are a bit outdated for the times we live and work in. You’ve got good instincts, Emily. Listen to your conscience and follow your intuition, and you’ll do fine." He winked and picked up his phone, punching some buttons.

This new, more gallant Greg made my teeth ache and my skin itch. It was almost as though he was setting me up for something. I wanted to believe he was being sincere, but the goodwill was too much like a brand-new pair of leather shoes, too stiff, oiled, and shiny.

I was saved from having to think of a response, when my phone sprang to life at my desk. I dashed across the newsroom to catch the call before the automated message kicked in.

"The Herald. Emily O’Shea!" I answered, over-bright. There was a brief period of silence, and a loud click
followed by a low hiss. I was just about to hang up when someone spoke.

"Do you love me, Emily?" It was spoken in a weary monotone. The receiver clicked again. I didn’t recognize the voice.

"Trevor?" Perhaps he was calling from his car phone, but it didn’t sound like Trevor. Another click sounded, like someone tapping a fingernail on the mouthpiece.

"Do you love me, Emily?" The voice repeated with exactly the same inflection. It was eerily like the tone you’d expect from a robot, a machine, or an old B-movie zombie. It was unnerving. Feeling weak, my knees gave out and I sank into my chair. My heart was pounding in my ears.

"Who’s speaking?" It took an enormous effort to sound composed. The response was one last click,
followed by the dial tone. Fear sprinted up my spine on a thousand tiny feet, and I had the sudden, paranoid sensation of being stared at. I spun in my chair to scan the newsroom, but the only one on the phone was Greg and he was obviously still speaking to someone. He caught me looking at him and gave me a grin and a slow wink. If it was intended to charm me, it failed miserably. The chill was wiped out by the rising heat. If this is some kind of sick practical joke, someone is going to pay!

About Sinead

Sinead MacDughlas is a Canadian writer with an addiction to the written word. Though she's been honing her craft for over thirty years, Learn To Love Me is her debut full-length novel, and the result of over two years of intensive work. Her favourite writing fuel is coffee, with the music she loves playing in the background, and the inspiration of a lifetime of people watching. Sinead plans to continue writing as long as there are readers who enjoy her work.

Connect with Sinead

Facebook / Twitter / Google + / Goodreads / Amazon Author Page

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Conjure by Lea Nolan

We are so excited to bring you the cover reveal for Conjure by Lea Nolan. This is sure to be another great one brought to you by Entangled Publishing.  Without further ado...here is the gorgeous cover for Conjure!

YA Paranormal Romance

Be careful what you search for… Emma Guthrie expects this summer to be like any other in the South Carolina Lowcountry--hot and steamy with plenty of beach time alongside her best friend and secret crush, Cooper Beaumont, and Emma’s ever-present twin brother, Jack. But then a mysterious eighteenth-century message in a bottle surfaces, revealing a hidden pirate bounty. Lured by the adventure, the trio discovers the treasure and unwittingly unleashes an ancient Gullah curse that attacks Jack with the wicked flesh-eating Creep and promises to steal Cooper’s soul on his approaching sixteenth birthday.

When a strange girl appears, bent on revenge; demon dogs become a threat; and Jack turns into a walking skeleton; Emma has no choice but to learn hoodoo magic to undo the hex, all before summer—and her friends--are lost forever.

About the Author

Believe it or not, I couldn’t read until I was in the third grade.  After a lot of hard work I finally got the hang of it, and quickly learned the best way to get out of doing chores was to tell my parents I was reading.  Soon I was hooked, devouring books by Roald Dahl, E.B. White, Judy Blume, C.S. Lewis, and anything I could find with a shiny Newberry Award sticker on the cover.  Books provided a portal to enchanted lands where anything was possible and characters relied on their wits to wiggle out of sticky situations.  Today, even though I'm all grown up, I write the kinds of stories I sought as a teen -- smart paranormals with bright heroines, crazy-hot heroes, diabolical plot twists, plus a dose of magic, a draft of romance, and a sprinkle of history.  I've got an undergraduate degree in history and a master's in public policy and women's studies, which believe it or not help a lot in my fiction writing.  I live in Maryland with my heroically supportive husband and three clever children, who’ve figured out how to get out of doing their chores.

Contact Lea

Lea's website: http://www.leanolan.com/  

Lea on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lea_Nolan

CONJURE on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13425130-conjure

Buy Links Coming Soon!

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