Book Trailer Madness

So I decided over the weekend that I would take the plunge and create a book trailer for Witch Hunt. This was something I had been thinking about doing for a while and I'm happy to say that considering I did it myself I like it. It was also within my budget. For any writer finding money to add to the budget can be hard. I used mostly free stock footage, images and music for this video, and along with Windows Movie Maker it was complete within a day.

I used a haiku that I wrote to help market the book for the text and the desktop image the art department at Cobblestone Press provided me. I've also been working on a trailer for Fox Hunt and with any luck I'll be able to share it also.

 

Until next time, peace and love!

 

#MySexySaturday : Sexy Carriage Ride

It's a blog hop!

It's time for another My Sexy Saturday post. This week writers were asked to share scenes under the theme "Sexy Carriage Ride". It is a nod to the historical writers out there, so make sure to follow the links below for some great scenes. I've pulled a scene from my WIP Rip Tide that centers around just what Phinn thinks he and Kara should be doing on the space ship during their two day travel. Enjoy!



Rip Tide Outtake:

His arm shot out next to her, and Kara felt the instinct to defend herself start to kick in. She was just able to stop herself from kicking him or shoving his arm away when Phinn leaned in close to her. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting to get you alone for a while now.”

Image by Victor Habbick @ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Kara ran the tip of her tongue across her lips and rolled her eyes up to meet his. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, feeling a shudder in her voice.

Phinn flashed a knowing grin at her, and leaned in just a little closer as he said, “Really? Cause I’ll tell you what’s going through my head right now doesn’t have anything to do with the next system and has a lot to do with my cot.”

Her heart kicked up a beat as she felt his breath glide across her skin. “What?”

“You’re attracted to me, aren’t you, Kara?” he asked, his breath brushing against the shell of her ear. 

“Getting a little full of yourself.” The gentle glide of his fingers across her cheek and down her neck, made Kara take in a sharp breath. “Even if I did want you, Phinn, now is not the time for it.”

The deep sound of him chuckling lightly filled her senses as he pulled slightly away. “Really, I think it’s the perfect time. Nancy and Aaron are off ship and we’ve got another forty-two hours before we reach the next system.”  She meet his eyes for a moment before he stepped fully away, and she had to suppress a groan at the loss of his body heat. He spread his hands out innocently and said, “I’m just making the offer. If you really don’t want to we don’t have to.”


That's it for today. I hope you enjoyed the tease and make sure to check out the other blogs in the hop.

Full Moon New Releases (Aug 2014)

 

SCI FI NIGHTS 

Five out-of-this-world authors

share their science fiction romance heroes—

hot as the sun, cool as depths of space,

and all boxed up for you in one

sexy, irresistible package!

Open the pages and fall into the

otherworldly arms of a sci-fi man

who will make you see stars!

Included in this anthology is the much anticipated

DARK RUNNER, Book 3.5 of The LodeStar Series by Cathryn Cade

Tal Darkrunner is more than a tattooed bad boy, he's the alpha leader of a dangerous gang. Serpentian outlaw Scala Raj knows this--so why can't she stay away from him? She's supposed to be spying on him to gain back her freedom, not falling for him.

Tal fought his way to the top in the vicious streets of New Seattle, Earth II. Now he rules his gritty kingdom, his skin marked with a piece of inked body art for every victory won through his courage, cunning and refusal to back down--ever.

Only one thing could send him hurtling into deep space--a mission to find and destroy the slavers who tried to take the one woman he wanted. He trusts no one, including Scala, the sloe-eyed beauty with a lethal body who offers to guide him.

Lack of trust won’t stop him from enjoying the pleasures of her body. But no matter how fiery the passion that arcs between them, he’ll never risk his heart.

Unless she slips under his guard and steals it ...

Coming August 12th.

Heaven's Sacrifice by Scarlet Hunter

When mankind's existence is taken for granted, the only hope at saving their soul from an afterlife on the fire-pits of Sheol, are angels of God.

Percival, an angel, is sent on a mission to help save a human soul. When he arrives, he is tested by not one, but two, sisters. Should he fail the mission, he will lose an angel’s most cherished possession—his wings.

Ava and Brianna are sisters. Struggling to continue their uncle's business, one sister is left running the place, while the other’s attention is on anything but. After placing an ad in the local paper for a handyman, their only source of help arrives. A man, who both sisters discover, is more than he appears.

Coming August 19th.



Hero of a Highland Wolf (Heart of the Wolf #14) by Terry Spear

 She's ready for change...
Colleen Playfair has never been to Scotland, but when she discovers she must spend a year and a day overseas learning to manage her newly inherited estate, she's ready for the challenge. She even has some ideas for improvements-if she can get past the sexy werewolf who seems convinced he's the one in charge.
But he's digging in his claws...
Grant MacQuarrie and his clan have been managing Farraige Castle for three centuries. The last thing he wants is a meddling American heiress trying to change the way things have always been done. He's more than willing to fight the she-wolf every step of the way, using every tool at his disposal. And if that means taking the lass to bed, well...all the better.
Locked in a battle of wills, caught in an attraction they can't escape, Colleen and Grant must find a way to work together...or face losing it all.

Released August 5th by Sourcebooks Casablanca.

Inspiration and Short Stories

I've moved back to the writing desk, moving away from my sci-fi and returning to the world of the Saving Grace Saga. I've started an outline for the third, and maybe final, novel in the set and I've got to admit I'm wanting to write a short story to fill in a small part of the missing back story.

At the beginning of Witch Hunt readers followed along as Rei, the heroin of the story, watched her brother be murdered for his magic ability. His name was Richard and while he didn't play any big part other than memory in Witch Hunt he did have a lot of background that didn't get explored in the story.

Richard spent most of his life protecting his sister and never really got to live a normal life, if that's even possible for a witch in this world. He took on the responsibility of making connections with other roving covens and packs, allowing Rei to stay quietly behind in the shadows. Thus keeping her off the radar of the feared Witch Hunters. Richard gave up so much for his sister's safety.

Wouldn't it be nice to get a glimpse of what was there?

My muse thinks so and I'm finding that as I work out details for this third novel I'm making side notes for a short story revolving around Richard. Only time will tell if it moves past ideas and notes, but it's a thought to play with.

Review: Blood of the Pride by Sheryl Nantus

I found another great book for the Shifter Reading Challenge. I tucked this book away in my bag when I went camping this past weekend and I was not disappointed.

Blood of the Pride by Sheryl Nantus

Blurb:
 
"When a severed rabbit's paw is delivered to her office, outcast cat shifter Rebecca Desjardin recognizes the summons home. One of their own has been murdered--and a shocking photo published in a local tabloid--and her Pride needs Rebecca, now a private investigator, to track down the killer.

Investigative reporter Brandon Hanover wants to find out who slipped the photo of the half-shifted cat-woman under his door, marking him as a suspect in her death. Determined to stay one step ahead of the sexy journalist, Rebecca reluctantly agrees to partner with him to find the real murderer. But as their mutual attraction heats up, Rebecca finds it harder and harder to keep Brandon from discovering the existence of the shifter society--and her own true nature.

When the search leads them back to the Pride, Rebecca must attempt to Change for the first time in years to face the killer, and save the man she loves..."

I've always loved the idea of cat shifters. Normally I see them as panthers, but these cat shifters are unique unto themselves. Rebecca was kicked out of her pride because she is unable to shape-shift, which left both emotional and physical scars behind. This created a wonderfully in-depth character right from the get go, which had me hooked. The reporter, Brandon, pops into the story with a flurry of alpha maleness that few humans have in paranormal stories. 

Along with an interesting cat human hybrid the story also offers a great detective plot. The plot runs deep within the pride and before Rebecca knows it she's tossed to the wolves, or cats in this case. It was hard to put down the book without finding the next break through clue in the story line.

Over all a great story with a nice sprinkling of romance. 


To my readers I'll add that this story is more of a detective story than a romance and does have closed door love scenes.

Just Three Wishes

A genie grants you three writing-related wishes: what are they and why?

That's a tricky question. If a genie poofed up and could grant me three wishes related to writing I'd have to stop and think for a little while. What would I want? What would I not want? One thing is for sure, I don't think even the all powerfully magic of a genie could banish writers' block.

My first wish would end up being something really simple: A notebook that can hold all of my writing notes and never runs out of blank pages. All those stacks of papers and books that sit around the different rooms of my home tripping up my daughter and husband would be gone! I'd also never have to shuffle through all those stacks looking for that page where I jotted down my main character's name down two weeks ago.

The second wish relates to the first: A pen that never runs out of ink and is erasable. When I was young I would get ink all over my fingers because I would shake the pens so much trying to get to the very last drop. The old school glitter pens were the worst. While they weren't to my taste you take a pen when you can get a pen and those thing ran out of ink so fast.

For the final wish: An extra room added to my home where I can go and write. I guess I'd have to call it an office, but really it's a writing room where I'd be able to sit down, bounce a ball around and think without the distraction of dishes or laundry. Yeah, I know I've got to get to those at some point and I swear I will, but it'd be nice to have my own writing space.

Well those would be my wishes. Any other writers out there have a few wishes they'd like to share?

My Sexy Saturday: Sexy Howl

It's time for another My Sexy Saturday blog hop. This week writers were asked to supply something to the theme of My Sexy Howl. I thought this was perfect for displaying a short scene from my debut novel, Witch Hunt. In this scene Aidan, a werewolf, asks his lover, Rei, to show him her wolf form. While Rei herself isn't a werewolf she is a witch who can shape shift.

Make sure to check out the other great writers in the blog hop by jumping over to My Sexy Saturday or by checking out the links at the end of this post.

Witch Hunt:

What Aidan saw sitting there before him was a very powerful, full-grown female timber wolf. She was smaller than his kind but was large for her kind, appearing well over a hundred pounds. Then there were her eyes. Those deep, engulfing black eyes stared at him confidently.

Aidan slipped his feet off the edge of the couch, sitting up. Remembering how his own kind reacted in their furry form, Aidan gently moved his hand, fingers outstretched, toward her. Rei leaned forward and bumped his palm with her muzzle. “You’re really coherent right now,” Aidan said in amazement. Rei let out a little whine. A smile drifted over Aidan’s lips, and he quickly amended what he had said. “It’s rare for a werewolf to be so coherent at such an early age. I assumed you’d be the same.”

Rei stood up and, showing just how coherent she was, began to spin in a slow circle. Aidan recognized the movement at once. Rei was showing off her appearance for him, asking if he liked what he saw. He was captivated by the sleek look her light-colored fur gave her. Her movements were so graceful and natural. Aidan felt his own wolf stirring and knew that his furrier half liked the image of Rei’s wolf form too.

“You are gorgeous,” he said finally. Rei stopped her spin and faced him again. Her head was held high with pride from his praise. “Let me hear you. I want to know what you sound like.”

She looked defiant for a second as she let out what sounded like a gruff harrumph, but in the next second, she lifted her head back and let out a low howl. Aidan was stunned. Rei sounded like a natural wolf. The deep tone engraved itself in Aidan’s mind. All wolves had a different tone to their voices, a different sound in their hearts, and Rei’s would be easily recognized from then on. When Rei ended her quiet howl, Aidan smiled at her.

In a shimmer of fur, Rei was once again a fully clothed woman, kneeling in front of him. She looked innocently inviting with her arms stretched out to the floor and the top of her milky breasts pressed tight against her pale blue shirt. Her breathing was uneven and restless. He slipped slowly off the futon to his knees in front of her and watched as her breathing began to even out. The way her eyes slowly changed back into their deep blue made Aidan remember the way she had felt when he was making love to her. She had been flooded with passion, and her natural power had responded. The thought brought a sharp need rushing through his groin.

He stroked her lower neck and collarbone. Her skin was so soft, and he swore he felt her already frantic heart skip a beat at his touch. Aidan leaned into her to brush his lips across hers. The gentle kiss was brief, and Aidan slowly let his lips trail along her check until he reached her ear. Just before nibbling on the tender lobe, he whispered, “It’s a shame. All your clothes came back too.”