Howloween Blog Hop

Happy Halloween! I'm taking a few moments from my Samhain celebrations to bring you a post for the Howloween Blog Hop. To get your howl on and hop from blog to blog exploring other great authors and their posts just follow the links below. You can also enter to win a $50 amazon gift card from the blog hop host, Romance Blog Hops. Giveaways and such are listed below the post.


As for the post today I was thinking I'd share a tidbit from one of my stories, but they are surprisingly void of Halloween topics. Strange considering I write on many paranormal topics. So here's a run down of why Halloween is the best time of year to play with the beasties.


Halloween Beastie Fun

1. Halloween is a free for all. Kind of. It's a lot like Vegas. What happens on Halloween should stay with Halloween night. So long as it isn't illegal.
2.  No matter what flavor of paranormal you love they all come out at Halloween. I outgrew vampire love years ago, but a cute vamp walking around might re-spark my interest. (As long as they don't sparkle.)
3. Halloween is the time when the paranormal is at its most powerful, depending on which myth you go by, and that's sure to equal some extra fun and adventure with your chosen beastie.
4. Rather have the monster slayer or the demon hunter. I'm sure one or more of them might be roaming around hunting down our lovely beasties.

Well there you have four great reasons to go out and enjoy a romp with the beasties this year. Before heading out make sure to stop by the other great blogs for giveaways and more Halloween treats!

Romance Blog Hops Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I've got a giveaway setup for those who visit over the Halloween Holiday. You can enter for your chance to win the first two novels in my Saving Grace Saga, Witch Hunt and Fox Hunt.




Howloween Giveaway

 

Halloween With The Boys

To celebrate Samhain in a special way I decided to sit down with the boys from the Saving Grace Saga and ask them a few question about Halloween. Tonight we have Aidan and Mike. Our third gust hasn’t shown up yet, but maybe he’ll be in a little later. 

Image by nvadim from freimages.com

Mike and Aidan are relaxed on the couch with a couple of beers enjoying some friendly banter when I interrupt them. “Okay fellas, what’s your favorite thing about Halloween?”

With a laugh Mike answers “The tricks. Dilly and I always get into a prank war this time of year.”

Aidan speaks up, “This time of year? You two are always going at it.” He turns to look at me and goes on, “I found a fake spider in a pot of chili last spring. Dilly figured Mike would the first one to dig in.”

“Really? A fake spider? Anyway, what’s your favorite thing about Halloween, Aidan?”

“I love the scary movies,” he answers with a grin. “The really scary parts make Rei jump right into my lap.”

I can’t help but laugh at this a bit as I ask the next question. “So what costume would you guys pick out for your ladies if you had the choice?”

Aidan’s the first to answer. “Easy. Little Red Riding Hood.” He tips his beer towards Mike and adds, “I could chase her through the forest to Grandma’s any night.”

Mike bursts out with his own laugh and answers, “I had an idea, but I like his better.”

image by Ale Paiva from freeimages.com

Just as I’m about to ask the final question the door bursts open and a tall, lean man rushes in. He closes the door quickly behind him and he appears to be out of breath. “Edmund! Glad you could join us just in time for the last question.”

Edmund struts over to an empty chair and flops down. He takes the beer Mike is offering and tips it towards me, signaling he’s ready. “Alright guys, finally what scares you the most?”

Mike and Aidan both look a little taken aback by the question. Finally Mike says, “Loosing Dilly.”

Aidan nods in agreement and answers, “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to Rei or our Aiyana.”

I look over to Edmund who is drinking his beer rather quickly. “Our readers want to know, Edmund.”

He holds up his finger as he finishes the beer and lets out a satisfied sigh. “My greatest fear?” There’s a loud bang on the door behind him and he turns quickly before jumping from his seat. “That she’s going to catch me,” he answers, running across the room towards the other exit.

The two hunks on the couch and I watch as one door slams open and Edmund escapes through the second. A pretty blonde races through the room, ignoring us completely.

And that concludes our Halloween interview. Hope you enjoyed!

P.S. Don't forget get to stop by on Halloween for the Howloween Blog Hop! There will be treats a plenty in store.

Review: Wolf's Haven by Ambrielle Kirk

I found a freebee and wanted to read it. I love shifter romance novels and tend to take a chance when I find a free one. I finished this book in a day and a half so it's a quick read. Here's my take:

Wolf's Haven by Ambrielle Kirk

Blurb-

"Tamara would risk her life to gain freedom. She's finally built up the courage to escape from a world of abuse by the hands of the man who promised her the world. One night she makes a break for it, but her plans backfire. She begins to believe that she was never meant to be happy. When all hope of freedom fades, she stumbles across a wolf that brings her to safety. She learns to trust the wolf, but has yet to trust the man.

Devin, potential future leader of the Caedmon Pack, returns to the foothills of his Virginia home after five long years as a lone wolf. Rivals within the circle challenge him and threaten to strip him of his true birthright. Being bound to lead the pack was not something Devin had planned for his life, but letting his people fall prey to turmoil under the rule of his cousin Darius is out of the question. The night of Devin’s rise to Alpha leader is approaching. Despite opposition, he’s gained an impressive following. That is until he brings a human among the pack."



I'm a big fan of empowering women, especially abused women, and the first few chapters of this book really touched that mark for me. It starts with Tamara desperate to get away from an abusive dick. In her attempt to escape she jumps from a window and is found/rescued by a wolf. The wolf turns out to be a man, Devin. Through some trail and error she learns to trust men again, somehow.

I won't lie. This story left me wanting and not in the good way. There was a strong plot line, with some nice twists here and there, but altogether it could have been a little stronger. Also the character development was less than engaging. I think going a little more in depth with a side character or two would have helped a bit and developing both the main character some would have helped too.

The romance side of the story was also lacking. I understand the mated/bonded idea, but it's hard for me to wrap my head around it within this storyline. Tamara was abused and the writer does show moments when that abuse affects her mentally, but I really can't see Tamara jumping into a sexual relationship with Devin so fast. 

I don't like writing a bad review, but I will say that I'm going to give the next book, Wolf's Promise, a try. Maybe characters are developed a little further and more of the story opens up.


Until next time, happy reading and peace!

My Sexy Saturday: Another Sexy Moment

 

It's a Blog Hop so make sure you follow the links below to read some great bit from other awesome authors along the way.

It's time for another My Sexy Saturday blog hop. This week authors were asked to share another sexy moment between their characters. I've taken a short bit from my work in progress, Fire Hunt, which is the last story in the Saving Grace Saga. Here's your first glimpse at Edmund and Julia as they take refuge in a dark nook in the underground of Baltimore. 

Image by chrisroll @ freedigitalphotos

Fire Hunt:

Edmund took hold of her elbow and pulled her deeper into the darkness. “Just be quiet,” he hissed. The nook was too small to allow for any space between them, and the inadvertent press of her backside against him made his mind start to drift. Edmund could think of a lot better things they could be doing instead of lurking through old, nearly forgotten tunnels.

The sweet strawberry scent of her hair filled his senses, and he had to keep himself from leaning down to nuzzle her neck. In that moment Edmund couldn’t remember the last time he’d been with a woman, but it didn’t matter. The only woman he was worried about hadn’t slept with him in more than ten years and her delicate figure was right in front of him.

The rapid swelling in his pants was just more proof that he wouldn’t mind another roll in the sheets with Julia, and within seconds she noticed it. She squirmed to make room between them, but that didn’t help at all. In fact, Edmund felt an urgent jolt of need shoot through him. “What the hell?” she demanded in a harsh whisper.

“Just stay still,” he ground out, biting the tender flesh of his cheek. “And be quiet.” Edmund heard her mumble something, but he was too busy trying not to think about her to catch it. Think about what’ll happen if you get caught. The torture and the most likely painful death. You don’t have time for this.

His inner argument was getting him nowhere, especially when Julia twisted around to face him. Edmund could barely make out her soft features in the darkness, but he still had to squeeze his eyes tight to keep from staring. “This isn’t exactly the place, Eddie,” she said, leaning back towards the ancient brick wall. Edmund managed not to follow the heat that retreated from him, but he knew it was only because she couldn’t move that far away.

“Jul, please, just be quiet and still,” he begged her through clinched teeth. She was still close enough that he felt her start to tremble slightly. It wasn’t an altogether bad feeling. He just hoped it wasn’t fear that was doing it to her.

Edmund took a deep breath and tried to regain a better form of control; Control that was instantly shattered when a loud crash from down the tunnel sent Julia jumping straight into him. His arm wrapped around her waist protectively, and before he realized it he had captured her lips in a hungry, breath stealing kiss. 

And that's it for now. Wondering what these two are hiding from? Maybe you'd like to know more about their history. All in good time so skip on over to the other blogs in the hope for now and happy reading.

Full Moon New Releases (Oct 2014)

Enjoy these treats!

Reckoning 
by S.J. Harper

Special Agent Emma Monroe has a secret. She’s a Fallen Siren, cursed by the gods and banished to Earth for her failure to prevent the kidnapping of Persephone. As an FBI agent she saves the lives of others believing redemption could be one rescue away.

Her partner Zack is a werewolf and former Black Ops sniper who once carried out a string of questionable assignments. Now he’s determined to atone for his past. Ironically, there’s a portion of his past Zack doesn’t remember—an affair with Emma. Giving into their attraction for one another almost led to their undoing. Now it’s back to business as usual.

While trying to unravel the mystery behind a series of kidnappings in Southern California, Emma and Zack become entangled with political tensions in the vampire and Were worlds. Not to mention the struggles they face in their relationship with one another. With so much uncertainty, they come to realize the only thing they can really count on is one another…or can they?


Releases Oct 7th and sold by the  Penguin Group

Unbinding
by Eileen Wilks
     Book 11 in the World of Lupi series.

 In the newest Novel of the Lupi, the human and elven worlds are both about to come under attack…

After questing through the sidhe realms with her ex-hellhound lover, Nathan, Kai Tallman Michalski has finally returned home. But she knows Nathan will eventually be called back to serve his queen—and Kai will have to decide whether to enter her majesty’s service as well. Sure, the job comes with great bennies, but there’s one big downside: she would have to swear absolute fealty to the Queen of Winter.






 Published by Berkly and released Oct 7th.






'Til Dragons Do Us Part
by Lorenda Christensen

Savannah Cavenaugh became a top art thief thanks to a secret ability—a dragonmorph, she can literally fly away from the scene of the crime. Next up: stealing a priceless painting out from under the snout of Lord Relobu, North America's fearsome dragon ruler. True, she's never had to work in the midst of Earth's most polarizing nuptials before. Keeping her identity hidden will demand she get creative, to say the least.

Cameron Shaw has one last chance to prove himself. As Lord Relobu's interim security head, he'll ensure the world's first interspecies wedding happens without a hitch. That means keeping an extra close eye on the wedding planner's pretty young assistant. She's adorable, but something's not quite right.

Fumbling her way through bouquets and linens turns out to be the least of Savannah's problems. Crushing on Relobu's hottest human henchman was not part of the plan, and neither was revealing her—ahem—ferocious side. But when her archrival shows up to nab the very same painting she's after, all bets are off…

Coming Oct 27th from Carina Press.






Love Me To Death
by Marissa Clarke

Medical research scientist Elena Arcos has always lived her life under the radar. When she is shot in a convenience store robbery, she finds herself rocketed into supernatural insanity courtesy of a sexy immortal law enforcer. He’s convinced she’s some kind of freaky half-vampire thing and that her deceased dad was the real deal: a blood sucking monster. Yeah, right.

As a Slayer, an elite law enforcer descended from Azrael himself, Nikolai Itzov's orders from the Underveil General are clear: Kill Elena Arcos or die. The only thing holding him back from that directive is the overwhelming urge to protect her. Too bad she's also the offspring of his father's murderer. Kissing Elena, let alone being with her body and soul, can never happen.

Nikolai and Elena find themselves in a life and death battle to stop a plot designed to lift the Underveil and enslave humans. With her analytical mind and his centuries of training, they might be able to foil the plot with their lives, and maybe even with their hearts intact. But in order to succeed, he must help her become the very thing he hates the most: an Undead.

Coming Oct 28th from Entangled Publishing

Burn for Me 
by Ilona Andrews

#1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews launches a brand-new Hidden Legacy series, in which one woman must place her trust in a seductive, dangerous man who sets off an even more dangerous desire . . .

Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile situation. Nevada isn't sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.

Then she's kidnapped by Connor "Mad" Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run and wanting to surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.

Rogan's after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she's getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world.

From HarperCollins Publishers and coming Oct 28th.





Happy Reading!

Writers' Block: Cure #33

We all deal with writers' block. I've already added a few of my favorite ways to deal with it and sadly I deal with it enough that I've got a few more cures sitting around in case of emergency. One trick I use is fighting off the block before it even starts. I set myself up for inspiration. It isn't as hard as it sounds, but it does take some focus. I inspire myself through my surroundings. The desktop background image, the arrangement of pictures around my desk area and even in the things I have out in the yard.

The big inspiration for me are the background images. I end up spending an evening here and there picking through different free wallpaper sites. I try to keep my story idea in mind while I'm doing this so I can narrow down the images I'm looking at. For the short story I just finished I searched for magic and standing stones. Lots of images came up and I was able to scroll through and grab a few that called to me. I then set them up on a rotation as background images. Now anytime I'm sitting at my computer I can at least see the edges of these images through the task bar and when I get stumped on a scene I minimize the window and watch the images flash through. That normally has me back into writing pretty quick.

I also have a number of things hanging on the wall around me desk. If I'm wanting to look at one of these pictures or decorations while I'm staring off into "what does she do next" space I'll move things around. I'll also move the yard chairs around pretty often when I start a new story. I try to find a view that seems to feel the most like the story I'm working on.

These are the things I set up to help ward off writers' block. It helps, but sometimes it still strikes and I have to do something else. That's okay because it's all part of the writing process.

Peace and love.