Welcome to my stop on the Enticed Blog tour! If you've been following me a while, then you know how much I adore a certain character from Ms. Belfield's Holloway Pack series, and I'm excited to be a part of his birthday celebration! After all, I *was* the object of his affection for a short time.
It's true, I'm totally telling the truth on this.
And then Ms. Belfield decided to change my name back to Shelley in the final draft and ... well. Our affair ended. But it was beautiful. Beautiful and perfect and didn't need editing. So when you read your copy of Enticed, simply replace 'Shelley' with 'Keri' and all will be right again. Hehe
Okay, now that we've cleared that up, let's get this party started!
Check out the Rafflecopter below for a sweet prize Ms. Belfield is giving away in honor of Ethan's birthday. You can grab a copy of Enticed for FREE. That's right. Smexy time with Ethan for the same amount of money it will cost you to suck in a deep breath when you begin to pant while reading this little gem.
Why wouldn't you grab some of that??
Book info:
Title: Enticed: A Holloway Pack Mini
Author: J.A. Belfield
Release Date: April 16th, 2015
ENTICED is a FREE short story that will enrapture both Holloway Pack fans and virgins alike.
Gifts aside, Ethan’s morning hasn’t been anything to write home about. Sure, life is good, the pack is staying out of trouble, he finally has a mate who boils his blood … in a good way.
Except Shelley hasn’t called. Hasn’t come by. Didn’t even bother to join her son and his girlfriend for Ethan’s annual I’m-a-year-older breakfast.
What Ethan doesn’t know is that Shelley has plans. Plans that have been in progress for weeks. Ones that Ethan will never see coming, and that she’s banked on him not knowing a thing about.
She can only hope her secrecy doesn’t force his inner wolf to the surface—at least, not too early.
*Can be read as a standalone.
Excerpt
Catching sugary wafts of sweetness, I crossed the room to the kitchen doorframe, leaning against it as I peered in. Oak doors shuttered the cabinets, and on the countertop sat a large white box with its lid not quite connected, from where I suspected the scents drifted out. Stretching onto my tiptoes, I peeked over the rim of the box through the sliver of space, and spotted the edges of white fondant icing.
I smiled like a moron. “You made me a cake, Shel?”
“Technically, I bought you a cake, but we can pretend otherwise,” she said from the bedroom. “But that’s not your gift.”
I turned, and I could’ve sworn my mouth opened in slow motion as I drew my hands from my pockets. My eyebrows probably would’ve creaked, if they had sound effects to accompany their upward rise.
Leaning into her bedroom doorframe and glancing up at me through lowered lashes, Shelley had donned some lacy getup—a Basque, all laced up along the front with a satiny thread, which her naturally plump breasts pretty much danced atop of. Beneath that, tiny, tiny knickers barely covered her groin V. Everything in a warm raspberry—including the suspender straps, hanging downward and clipped to stockings of chocolate brown that shimmered with the slightest move of her legs.
The entire getup, from her hair to toes, matched, making her look fucking edible.
“Damn, Shelley,” I muttered—about all I could manage. The room seemed too hot all of a sudden.
Giveaway Time!
Prize: 1 Signed Print Copy of ENTICED for your reading pleasure (and it will bring pleasure)
1 ENTICED 6×4 Coverart Print for your viewing pleasure (because Ethan is work viewing)
1 Thornton’s Viennese Truffle Bar to enjoy whilst you devour Ethan (as you will want to devour him)
Happy Friday the 13th!! I thought this would be a great day to showcase some PNR, and it just so happens I've got a new vampire series to pass along!
Congratulations to JL McFadden on his new release, Choices. I've not yet read this series, but the images on the covers are GORGEOUS! Looking forward to reading these, as the male MC is from Detroit, and you know how much I love the D. ❤
Check out the books, the characters, then enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Follow his blog tour, going on throughout the month of March, and be sure to grab a copy of Choices (scroll down for links)!
The Guardian: Book 1 in the Guardian series
In The Guardian, John, a young man from Detroit, realizes he has a special bond with a vampire, Gala. This gives him special abilities and makes both of them a target, as the ancients will stop at nothing to destroy him and his relationship with this unbridled female vampire.
Choices: Book 2 in the Guardian series
In Choices, Adela, head of Gala’s coven, and John both have their fair share of choices to make. Adela must think of her coven, but at the same time she feels a burning desire for Gala’s Guardian.
John is torn between the woman he is fated to and Adela. He feels a desire to protect Gala, but also a yearning for Adela. At the same time, Adela must search for the secret journal known as the Guardian journal and protect those she loves from the dangers that lurk in the shadows.
Adela: the prequel to the Guardian series
Also available is Adela, the prequel to the series. The book follows the adventures of Adela, a beautiful young woman of a very wealthy family in Eastern Europe, who is fending off advances from an older aristocratic German businessman with an evil presence about him.
When she falls madly in love with another man, her suitor attempts to use the enslavement of her father’s land and people to force her to be his own.
Character List: Adela
Adela is the leader of a vampire coven in Lithuania and of the strongest vampires in the world. Gala is her great-great niece and a member of her coven. In Choices, Adela struggles with her attraction to John, her grandniece’s Guardian.
Height: 5’9
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Born: 1194 AD
Turned: 1215 AD
Gifts: Has ancestral abilities –strength and gifts vampires gains at a certain age.
Family: Deceased – except her grandniece of many generations whom she turned to save from a terminal illness.
Character List: Gala
Gala is Adela’s right hand and C.O.O of the research company that is owned by the coven. Though her Guardian bond is so strong with John that she saved him from a car crash before his Guardian powers took hold, she finds herself wanting to push him away; she has never been able to handle any sort of relationship with anyone.
Height: 5’6
Hair Color: Dirty Blonde
Eye Color: Ice Blue
Born: 1972
Turned: 1989
Gifts: Has a Guardian
Family: Deceased
Character List: John
John is Gala’s Guardian. He is torn between Adela and Gala: he feels his bond with Gala, but her constant rejections and fits is making it even harder to deal with his attraction to Adela. He wonders if his attraction is due to the one ability Adela has gained through her ancestral powers – to be irresistible to anyone.
Height: 6’2
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Blue
Age: 23
Job Description: Guardian
Gifts: Guardians gain their supernatural powers from their bond with a vampire; their spirit is so connected to the vampire that if the vampire parishes the Guardian will soon follow.
Family: Deceased
About J.L. McFadden
J.L McFadden was born in Pennsylvania and spent his life bouncing around the States until beginning to travel the world. Starting out, he was a well-known musician in upstate New York that had a heavy playing schedule. Later, he went back to his home state to work in the Lumber mills of the mountains. In California, he worked in sales, management and even directed a small moving company until deciding to see the world.
His travels around the world have allotted him to not only join an International Aikikai Aikido Federation, but to have trained with Sanseis from Belgium, Ukraine, Russia and other European countries. He accounts his journeys and meeting of new people to his broad character types in his books.
Okay, I'm NOT going to take credit for the birth of this story, but I will tell you that about a year ago, I BEGGED J.A. Belfield to write a short about Ethan, "and make it really steamy ..." happened to be part of the request.
Then, a few months ago, a story popped up in my inbox, and J.A. asked me to check it out and holy shizzzz, it was my sexy Ethan short!! I say 'my' because she'd gone so far, in the first draft, to change that other leading lady's name to mine! Do you have any idea what it feels like to have your smexy book boyfriend telling you (directly) to lie back and spread your ... nevermind--that's between Ethan and me.
Moving along, this story is short and sweet and all kinds of sexy. It has Ethan in all his broody hotness (and who doesn't love Ethan's broody hotness?), in a way you've not seen him in previous books. Fans of paranormal should definitely add the Holloway Pack boys to the TBR--loaded with action and romance, it's sure to please!
Speaking of pleasing, let's take a look at that cover for Enticed!
Gifts aside, Ethan’s morning hasn’t been anything to write home about. Sure, life is good, the pack is staying out of trouble, he finally has a mate who boils his blood … in a good way.
Except Shelley hasn’t called. Hasn’t come by. Didn’t even bother to join her son and his girlfriend for Ethan’s annual I’m-a-year-older breakfast.
What Ethan doesn’t know is that Shelley has plans. Plans that have been in progress for weeks. Ones that Ethan will never see coming, and that she’s banked on him not knowing a thing about.
She can only hope her secrecy doesn’t force his inner wolf to the surface—at least, not too early.
Mucho congrats to my friend, J.A. Belfield, on the re-release of her prequel novella, INSTINCT!! For a limited time (Friday January 23rd to Sunday, February 1st), you can grab a copy of this incredibly romantic story for FREE!
Blurb:
Werewolf Sean Holloway treats the village marketplace like a sexual buffet, though his charm does little to win over his latest entrée of choice. Whether because of Jem Stonehouse’s unique scent, her headstrong nonchalance, or the fact he is forbidden to see her by his pack’s rules, Sean wants her.
When Jem is nothing but flippant toward his advances, he pursues her with vigour, stealing moments alone with her without a libido-driven agenda.
The new and heady experience for him drives their relationship beyond romantic interest, and straight toward love.
That is, until Jem learns the truth about Sean’s heritage. Knowledge of the existence of werewolves leads to only one outcome: death.
In this prequel to Darkness & Light*, we are taken back in time, to the very beginning of Jem and Sean’s love-across-the-centuries relationship.
Did it end there? Or did Sean defy his own pack to save the woman he loves?
*Can be read as a standalone.
Enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win $10 Amazon gift card and an ebook copy of ETERNAL, the sequel novella to INSTINCT.
The marketplace had to be the best venue to pick up females. At the age of twenty, I would have been happy to visit every day, but James would not permit me. As Alpha, his commands were followed without question, so my visits were limited to once a week. I had to admit, it worked out better that way.
From fruit to art, to lace, to the blacksmith’s stall, I walked. Paintings of marketplaces often depicted them as cheery, colourful, and bustling with activity. The latter conception may have been correct; although, they leaned more toward grey and dreary than bright, and the air often filled with yells of anger and bitterness, as opposed to joyful greetings.
At least there were the scents: hams and boars’ heads, fruits, wines, the steam of cooking soups, and, my most favourite of all, the freshness of ripe women. Lorna Rushford, Helena Longbarrow, Matilda Thornberry named only a few, each of those alone bringing with her a memory.
The females noticed me as much as I did them, even though my past catches never approached, never asked why I had not called to visit, or if I would tend them again. Of course, my refusal to conform to the current trends in attire ensured I stood out from the other males who bothered to arrive. Whereas the women’s glances would be appraising, perhaps even hopeful, the men’s glares offered nothing but scorn for my dark trousers tucked into knee-high leather boots, and for the shirts I never bothered to secure with their woven laces. Men had been hung for far less than inconsiderate fashion sense, yet I did not care. I was not like them and never pretended to be.
A whisper drifted across, as I meandered through the crowd: “’Tis Mr Holloway, Eleanor.”
With a tilt of my head, I spotted the speaker leaning into her sister, who fluttered her lashes in a clear attempt to catch my attention.
Eleanor had turned out to be a worthy virgin. The scent of her blood had driven me wild as I had plunged into her.
I smiled to myself as I turned away.
Farther along, pausing to sample the crisp apples, I caught Mrs Lawson’s scent. The older ladies may not have been as pure, but they could not be denied their eagerness to please. For that reason alone, they made for an entertaining afternoon.
My nose lifted to track her, and I found the woman beyond a table stacked high with fresh loaves, hidden behind her fan, which she waved with vigour. I recalled that her petticoat had held many layers, and the removal of them turned out to be almost as much fun as the act itself. I wondered how she had explained the damage to her pompous husband.
At a new aroma begging for notice, my step faltered as my nostrils flared.
Strong, yet understated, alluring and seductive, the unsullied flavour carried the exceptional deliciousness of womanly musk. Possessed by a need to find the source, I tilted my head and allowed my nose to lead.
It should have been difficult, impossible even, to locate such subtlety amongst the overpowering wafts of food and body odours, yet the strong pull beckoned to me, drawing me on.
Whispers continued, as I passed one stall after another, but they no longer held my interest. My mind seemed only able to focus on the unfamiliar scent. Although it intensified with each step, I half wished for a stronger breeze to invade the clear morning, to bring me a more wholesome dose and appease my sudden and unbidden greed.
My eyes shifted, as I moved, searching. I skimmed over those who held no appeal, the ones whose flavour had already been tasted, until, at the end of the row ahead, I spotted two young women.
From the angle of their positions, I doubted they could see me. The purchasing of herbs distracted the darker haired of the two. Animated, she possessed a flamboyance which showed in her movements, and in her pleasant tones, as she bartered with the stall owner.
I imagined she would get her own way with the price.
To her side stood a fairer female, with a quiet calm that showed in the relaxed set of her shoulders. Taking a step closer, I studied her.
Appearing younger, almost lacking in confidence, she was also somewhat taller and certainly far more beautiful. I did not recognise her, yet could not mistake her scent. I had been tracking it for the past five minutes.
Leaning across the jewellery on the stall beside me, I caught the proprietor’s attention. “Who is the girl?” I asked, pointing toward the one who held me so rapt.
“Regular of mine.” He nodded and smiled. “The Stonehouse sisters often purchase my quartz and amethyst.”
As he spoke their name in a conspicuous overtone, the females turned.
Blue eyes, as dark as sapphires, appraised me from beneath wisps of blonde, and a smile widened the girl’s lips, as my own mouth curved at the corners.
Beside her, the darker girl leaned into the fair tresses of her sister. “Sean Holloway is a ladies’ man and not to be trusted,” she hissed, her words carrying to me with ease, before she walked off. When her sister remained, gaze locked with mine, the seemingly older girl called out, “Come along, Jem. Mother is waiting.”
My eyebrow twitched upward. Jem?
With her attention tugged back toward her departing sibling, she dipped her head and followed behind.
Still, the essence her body had left in its wake lured me, and, unable to do otherwise, I trailed after her.
Welcome to my stop on the Christmas Cracker Scavenger Hunt!!
If this is your first stop, here's how this is going to work:
From each of the participating blogs, you'll collect a letter, which will form an anagram, of sorts, to something related to Christmas. At the bottom of this post, you'll find the link to the next stop. Hop from blog to blog and collect the letters. If you arrange the letters correctly and figure out the mystery word, the prizes up for grabs are:
Grand Prize:
Second Prize:
Here’s the clue you need from my blog for your entry into the Scavenger Hunt Grand Prize draw:
Winner will be drawn at MIDNIGHT on Monday, December 15th.
You can enter ANOTHER Rafflecopter below for a chance to win an ebook copy of Eye of the Soulor Secrets of the Soulby the very lovely Terri Rochenski! I'll be drawing a name for the ebook on Monday, December 15th!
Thrust out of their homes by a human High Priest on a vengeful mission, the Natives of Derlund no longer have a place to call their own. One escaped capture, however, and now she, Hyla, is the only one who can save her people.
For, Hyla, though, saving her nation isn’t her ultimate goal—returning to the Pool of Souls is. Becoming its Guardian and preserving their faith is her heart’s desire. The perils of her current journey, though, could leave her unable to fulfill that dream.
To find her way back to the Pool, Hyla must live among dangerous, powerful humans willing to defend the Natives, and must submit herself—her Talents—to them. While her protection is paramount, plots to end Hyla’s life will push her to her physical and emotional limits.
On the edge of sanity, her courage tested, and convictions nearly broken, Hyla’s final test of loyalty to her faith comes with the death of one she could have loved.
That should be Hyla’s first thought as her people are chained and imprisoned for no imaginable reason.
Instead, Hyla finds herself traveling through a land void of Natives, with human soldiers pillaging in desperate pursuit of her, and in search of the mystical Pool of Souls—home to the one man who can save her people.
Or so she believes.
Led by her faith in the deity Fadir, Hyla is met along her journey by Jadon—a human male and fierce King’s warrior, and his childhood best friend Conlin—one of the few Natives aware of his Fadir-given Talents.
Protected by Jadon, guided by Conlin, and with an unfailing belief in the purpose of her pilgrimage, Hyla carries on.
Like her, though, another searches for the Pool, and should he gain access first, everyone she loves, and everything she knows, could be lost.
Forever.
~~~oOo~~~
Terri started writing stories in the 8th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with storytelling.
Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her three young children allow. When not playing toys, picking them back up, or kissing boo-boos, she can be found sprawled on the couch with a book or pencil in hand, and toothpicks propping her eyelids open.
No purchase necessary, but you must be 18 or older to enter. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter, and announced on the widget. Winner well be notified by emailed and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Terri Rochenski.
Today marks the RE-release of J.A. Belfield's Darkness & Light, first book in the Holloway Pack series. I'm super excited for J., as I am a big fan of the Holloway Boys!
And to celebrate it's release, as well as her birthday (which is also TODAY) there's a GREAT giveaway going on, including a paperback copy of The Fallen from yours truly.
But first, let's check out the book.
Jem Stonehouse, a housewife with a neurotic husband bent on keeping her in line, dreams about werewolves in, what she believes, is a bid to escape boredom.
Sean Holloway is a werewolf, living a charade within the human race, whose mind drifts to a bond he shares with a woman he hasn't met — at least, not in this lifetime.
Apart, the two are safe but live unfulfilled lives.
Together, they'll become prey to rival packs just as they have been for hundreds of years.
When their worlds collide, and not for the first time, instinct takes over. Dreams become reality. Futures are uncertain. To keep history from repeating itself, Sean must teach Jem about his heritage, convince her of her role, and win her love.
Can Jem accept her destiny before it's too late, or is her inner wolf buried too deep to save her future with Sean?
You can add it to your Goodreads by clicking on the cover art above.
And if you want to grab your own copy, you can do so at the below links:
And now for the giveaway.
Check out these awesome prizes*
Yup, yup, ALL of those prizes are up for grabs for ONE lucky winner.
You can enter via the Rafflecopter below**
**Comment entry must be made over at Katherine Skye's original post HERE, but feel free to comment here, too, because we love comments!
Thanks for stopping by & good luck!
From the author ...
"I would HUGELY like to THANK Katherine Skye for arranging this giveaway for me and her generosity. I would also like to thank Jen of At Random for her prize donation, AND Keri Lake for the donated signed copy of The Fallen & swag."
J.A. Belfield lives in Solihull, England, with the best husband in the world, aka Mr B, a couple of back-chatting but pretty cool kids, a pooch she treats likes the baby of the house, and a couple of scrawny cats that like to vomit in unnecessary places.
Although best known for her Holloway Pack series: DARKNESS & LIGHT (July 2011, J. Taylor Publishing/September 2014, J.A. Belfield), INSTINCT (February 2012, J. Taylor Publishing), ETERNAL (July 2012, J. Taylor Publishing), BLUE MOON (December 2012, J. Taylor Publishing), RESONANCE (April 2013, J. Taylor Publishing), CAGED (August 2013, J. Taylor Publishing), and UNNATURAL (April 2014, J. Taylor Publishing), amongst other titles, she is currently trawling her way through a New Adult Post Apocalyptic and would LOVE to try her hand at YA. Maybe she will.
Because HEREDITARY is a FREEEEEEE Holloway Pack short story, which means you can go grab your copy now and not have to pay a penny.
\o/\o/ \o/ \o/ \o/
And if you've yet to read the Holloway Pack series? Fear not, because HEREDITARY can be read just as easily as a standalone. So, you, too, can go grab your copy now.
Here's what it's all about:
The trouble with one-night stands: you never know who—or what—you’re sleeping with.
~~~
Being a parent isn’t an easy ride. Even more so for single mum Shelley Lewis.
When her thirteen year old son’s hormones kick in, she’s faced with his immense growth, insane sweat, and ridiculous hairiness, not to mention all the normal teenage issues.
Discovering her only son isn’t human on top of those is the shock of a lifetime, and Shelley knows she’s the only one to blame.
It may be too late to save her son from her mistakes, but she can still try to save Gabe from himself.
~~~
For fans of J.A. Belfield’s Holloway Pack series, Hereditary is a look back at the origins for characters met in Resonance.
Release Date: August 13th 2014
Grab your copy!
Pssst, if you visit J.A. Belfield's post, you can listen to her read a short passage, too!
But before you vanish, be sure to enter below in the celebratory giveaway to win a pair of signed Caged bookmarks ....
AND a $10 Amazon GC.
Hey, maybe you can use it to add MORE Holloway Pack to your eReader. ;)
Sorry it's been SO LONG since I've posted something here. Busy, busy, busy!
Hope everyone is having a fantastic summer!
Today I've got a treat ...
You know how much I love the Holloway Pack, right? Well, my lovely friend J.A. Belfield is offering up another installment in her addictive paranormal series, a short story that can be read independently of the series (though why would you want to miss out on a pack of sexy wolfy men?), and it's FREE!!!
Before we get into the details, let's check out the gorgeous cover first:
The trouble with one-night stands: you never know who—or what—you’re sleeping with.
~~~
Being a parent isn’t an easy ride. Even more so for single mum Shelley Lewis.
When her thirteen year old son’s hormones kick in, she’s faced with his immense growth, insane sweat, and ridiculous hairiness, not to mention all the normal teenage issues.
Discovering her only son isn’t human on top of those is the shock of a lifetime, and Shelley knows she’s the only one to blame.
It may be too late to save her son from her mistakes, but she can still try to save Gabe from himself.
~~~
For fans of J.A. Belfield’s Holloway Pack series, Hereditary is a look back at the origins for characters met in Resonance.
Earlier in the month, one of my favorite writer buds, J.A. Belfield, released the fourth book in her Holloway Pack series. Now, for those of you who haven't heard of this series, let me tickle your mind for a moment... a houseful of alpha male hotness (*cough* Ethan) and breaking the rules to be with their mates.
Um ... what's not to love??
So in this installment we have Kyle. I was first introduced to him in Caged and although Ethan stole the show, Kyle held his own enough for me to take notice of the little side story going on with him and Brooke. I'm pretty excited to read this one because J.A. Belfield doesn't disappoint and the reviews for Unnatural have been fantastic!
For the tour stop, I asked J to prepare her Top Ten Coolest Cats. But before we get to that, let's check out this book:
Unnatural. One word to sum up werewolf Kyle Larsen—his mood swings, abnormal body, and choice of female.
The first two, he blames on the vampire venom.
The third, though? No, feline shifter Brook Nicholls was all his doing—a female of whom the pack will never approve.
As part of the Coalition, an organisation with even stricter rules than the pack and a rigidly warped sense of responsibility, Brook comes with a whole lot of opposition of her own.
No wonder the two of them keep their relationship secret for as long as they can.
Now, distanced from his family by his own indiscretions, Kyle’s left to fight battles he’s unsure how to win—some of them even against his own pack.
Is one woman really so important that he’s willing to defy his Alpha for her?
If his heart has any say in the matter, the answer will be yes.
There are a lot of folk in this world—some real, some fictional—who I happen to consider pretty cool for one reason or another. When Keri suggested this post to me, I thought it sounded fairly easy. Coming to write it, however, and narrowing these down to just ten? Nah, not so easy at all.
However, after a lot of deliberating—with myself—I think I’ve managed a respectable list. Check it out.
Mr B
Yes, yes, I know very few of you guys actually know him, but he is and always will be my Number 1 Cool Cat, so I’m sticking him here right at the very top. He picks me up when I’m down, he makes me laugh when I frown, and he gets me out of the house whenever I’m at risk of turning into a hermit. Some days, he has been the reason I have found in within myself to write.
Will Smith
There’s this saying I have with my bestie, Carla, that goes along the lines of ‘Will Smith—he never disappoints’. I dunno what it is. It might be because I grew up with Fresh Prince of Bel Air. It might be that annoyingly cute and cheeky grin. Heck, it might even just be that voice—‘cause, ya know, I am female, after all (don’t tell Mr B I said that).
So, I’m branding Will as my Wild Card Cool Cat—because I dunno what it is about him, I just know that it is. ;)
Queen Elizabeth.
She’s a cool lady. Keeps calm in a crisis. Offers pearls of wisdom and inspiration. And on top of that, her presence and poise and manner in which she carries herself make me proud to be British.
Stephen King
I’ve never read a Stephen King novel. *ducks for cover*
With that admission, I guess you’re all wondering how he made it onto my list. Well, he’s on here for three reasons: 1) because he has held a high spot in the horror genre for a long time, and that can’t be an easy deal to achieve; 2) I read his On Writing. This was the first book on writing I’d ever read. It’s also the only one I’ve ever read. I learned more from this autobiography-style book than I could have learned from anywhere else, and he deserves kudos for that; 3) because he didn’t give up. Becoming initially successful as a horror writer wasn’t easy for him. He had his knockbacks. He had his kicks. But he didn’t give up. That makes him an inspiration. Because, no matter the odds, he followed his dream.
Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead
If ever there’s a zombie apocalypse? Dude, I wanna be on Darrel’s team. Ya know? Not only does he seem sure in the pointing of his weapon, he does what he does, whatever that happens to be at any given time, with a total ease. I wish I was as chilled as this guy.
Prince Harry
I love Harry. As a royal prince, there are certain standards one must adhere to … but good ole Harry has never been afraid to be himself. He’s never been afraid to follow his own path in life. His work alongside the armed forces, despite how much danger he’s in because, boy, he would be a MASSIVE bargaining chip for the ‘other side’, right? He still just does it. And I respect him for that.
Brigid Kemmerer
From one writer to another, I have so much respect for what this lady produces. Her writing is consistent, her characters deep and full of life, and her world building is pretty neat, too. But what I learn most from reading her books is the art of pacing. She has the most consistent pacing of any author I’ve read. Plus her YA Elementals series is awesome. You should read them, for realz.
Uncle Si
Yeah, *holds hands up* I’m a Duck Dynasty fan. And this dude makes me guffaw my freaking hide off. Anyone on TV who has the ability to make me and Mr B simultaneously laugh until our sides hurt deserves a cool cat medal, for sure.
Diana Spencer
I still remember her as Lady Diana Spencer, but to those not from the UK, you’ll more likely know her as Princess Diana. She acted out her royal duties with elegance and grace, whilst fighting to cling onto her own identity during her time at the palace. She was what I would refer to as one of life’s gems. A true lady. I believe her attitude to life contributed a great deal to Harry’s headstrong ways.
Man, and I never realised just how much respect I have for our royal family over here until three of them crept into this post. However, just as calm and graceful in what she does is my final cool cat …
Keri Lake
Yeah, I went there—though it had to be done. And not just because I’m here today, on her blog.
I’ve known Keri since before we were both published, when our writing was still pretty rough around the edges, and I’m glad this virtual relationship has bloomed from that. Not only are her story ideas so out there that they are freakily awesome, but bouncing ideas off her, and being a board for her bouncing, is almost like working with a reflection. For some reason, we seem to get where the other is coming from, and those kinds of relationships between writers don’t happen every day.
Here’s looking at you, chick. ;)
So, those are my Cool Cats—who’d make it onto your list?
Oh man ... I'm blushing behind my computer screen right now. Thank you, J ❤
About the Author
Best known for her Holloway Pack Stories, J. A. Belfield lives in Solihull, England, with her husband, two children, two cats and a dog. She writes paranormal romance, with a second love for urban fantasy.
Back in January, one of my good writer friends, Krista Walsh, released Evensong, the first book in her fantasy trilogy. I had the pleasure of beta reading this beauty sometime last year, and thoroughly enjoyed the story! Reading about an author was a very cool experience and I felt like I had a lot in common with the MC. Haha! Although ... you don't have to be a writer to enjoy this one.
Now, as some of you know, I'm a huge fan of music. I NEEEEEEED music to write. In fact, if I don't have the right playlist prepared prior to starting a new book, I often find that I cannot connect to the characters. So music is very important to me. And I happen to know Krista is a fan of music as well (we often recommend songs back and forth ... in fact, one of her songs listed below is a favorite of mine) so I asked her to offer up her playlist for Evensong.
Before we get to that though, here's some info about Evensong! Grab this one while it's only 99 cents!
Blurb:
Author Jeff Powell wakes up to find the impossible has happened. He is within his own novel—summoned into the fictional world of Feldall’s Keep by a spell he didn't write. One the House enchantress hasn't figured out how to reverse.
When the villain he's been struggling to write reveals himself, unleashing waves of terror and chaos, Jeff must use more than his imagination to save the characters he created—and the woman he loves.
Trapped within a world of his own creation, he must step outside the bounds of his narrative to help his characters defeat an evil no one anticipated, even if he must sacrifice his greatest gift. In the end, he has to ask: are novels really fiction, or windows into other worlds?
When Keri asked me to offer my top 10 musical inspiration for Evensong I thought it would be easy! I always create a list of songs to listen to while I write. Trouble is, I wrote the first draft of Evensong for NaNoWriMo 2012, so I had to wrack my brain trying to go back in time.
Like my lovely host, a soundtrack is necessary for my writing process. All day I get distracted by the real world: my morning routine, remembering to take out the garbage, remembering to go to work, work, figuring out what to make for dinner … after all of that, it’s difficult to get grounded in the fictional world again. Music helps drown out everything except the words, the characters, the setting.
There’s pretty much no genre of music I don’t enjoy or derive some kind of inspiration, but with the Meratis series, I found myself leaning heavily on Of Monsters and Men. The tone, the lyrics, the whole feel of their album My Head is an Animal fit so well with Jeff’s situation that the two are permanently associated in my mind.
Each book has an OM&M song attached for it. Because I had to pick only one for Evensong, I opted for “From Finner”
Other songs that come to mind:
Artificial Nocturne – Metric
Stadium Love – Metric (went on a bit of a kick last year)
Angel – Massive Attack
Lux Aeterna – Clint Mansell (because I don’t believe anything I can write can ever NOT be inspired by this song)
If There’s a Rocket Tie Me To It – Snow Patrol
Little Lion Man – Mumford & Sons
Pompeii – ES Posthumus (really, this whole album is fantastic to work to. Can’t praise it enough)
Teardrop – Jose Gonzalez
Stubborn Love – The Lumineers
About the Author
Known for witty, vivid characters, Krista Walsh never has more fun than getting them into trouble and taking her time getting them out. After publishing a few short stories and novellas in various anthologies, she has now released her own anthology, the serial collection Greylands.
When not writing, or working at her day job, she can be found reading, gaming, or watching a film – anything to get lost in a good story.
She currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario.
For first grab at Evensong sale price, other promotions, news & announcements, you can sign up for her Newsletter
Unnatural. One word to sum up werewolf Kyle Larsen—his mood swings, abnormal body, and choice of female.
The first two, he blames on the vampire venom.
The third, though? No, feline shifter Brook Nicholls was all his doing—a female of whom the pack will never approve.
As part of the Coalition, an organisation with even stricter rules than the pack and a rigidly warped sense of responsibility, Brook comes with a whole lot of opposition of her own.
No wonder the two of them keep their relationship secret for as long as they can.
Now, distanced from his family by his own indiscretions, Kyle’s left to fight battles he’s unsure how to win—some of them even against his own pack.
Is one woman really so important that he’s willing to defy his Alpha for her?
If his heart has any say in the matter, the answer will be yes.
To celebrate Unnatural's release, CAGED, Holloway Pack 3 is on SALE!
The UNNATURAL Blog Tour begins tomorrow, and throughout the duration of the tour, CAGED will be available for just 99c.
To grab your own copy of UNNATURAL, click on any of the purchase links below.
~~~~~
Best known for her Holloway Pack Stories, J. A. Belfield lives in Solihull, England, with her husband, two children, two cats and a dog. She writes paranormal romance, with a second love for urban fantasy.
Happy Monday! Today I have a treat! A writer bud of mine will soon be releasing the second book in her Darkness & Light series and today is the cover reveal! I had the pleasure of beta reading this beauty and I can tell you, if you're a fan of fantasy, you'll want to nab this one. The writing is superb, with well-developed characters that you can't help but fall in love with. *sigh* Bolin ....
So, without further delay, here is the cover for EMERGENCE, book two in the Darkness & Light series by K.L. Schwengel:
BLURB:
The battle for Ciara's power has drawn the full attention of the Emperor and the Imperial Mages, forcing Bolin to put duty above safety and take her to Nisair. It won't be an easy trip, even with an Imperial escort and a Galysian elder accompanying them. Especially since Donovan has found himself some new allies, one of who wields a dark magic that has literally gotten under Bolin's skin.
For Ciara, coming to terms with the increasingly tangible manifestation of her power could destroy her. Even if they make it to Nisair--something that grows more unlikely by the day--there is no surety of safety for Ciara, or any of them. Not with Donovan willing to gamble everything to achieve his goals, or Bolin's uncharacteristically reckless behavior, the result of which is the attention of something that has everyone worried.
Loyalties will be tested, lives will be lost, and no one will emerge unchanged as they find things are not always so clear on the line dividing Darkness and Light.
About the Author:
K. L. Schwengel lives in southeast Wisconsin on a small farm with her husband, a handful of Australian Shepherds, Her Royal Highness Princess Fiona the Cat, and assorted livestock. Growing up as the youngest of nine children, and the daughter of a librarian, Kathi spent many hours between stacks of books, and secluded away in dusty archives, drawn to tales of medieval heroes and conquering knights. With so many characters and ideas spinning in her head, she had to get them onto paper or risk what little sanity she possessed. She has been penning wild tales of magic and mayhem as long as she can remember, but opted to follow her artistic muse first. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts and spending many years working as a freelance artist, grocery clerk, art teacher, graphic designer, stable hand, advertising account coordinator, dog trainer, and process technician (among other things) she answered the call of her writing muse. When not writing, Kathi trains and trials working Australian Shepherds, still paints, dabbles in photography, graphic design, and anything else creative her assorted muses send her way.
Kathi's work is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and other on-line retailers in both paperback and e-book versions. Signed copies are available via her blog.
Happy Humpday!
To celebrate the mid-week marker, I have the absolute pleasure of introducing one of my writer buds, Terri Rochenski, whose fantasy series, Pool of Souls, just kicked off this past Monday with the release of Eye of the Soul!
Congrats Terri!
This baby is next up on my Kindle. Over the last couple of months, I managed to catch little snippets here and there, and I am hooked ... hooked, I tell you! So I'm very much looking forward to grabbing something warm to drink, curling up in a blanket and immersing myself in this world.
Now on to the deets so you can do the same! AND BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE AWESOME GIVEAWAY!
That should be Hyla’s first thought as her people are chained and imprisoned for no imaginable reason.
Instead, Hyla finds herself traveling through a land void of Natives, with human soldiers pillaging in desperate pursuit of her, and in search of the mystical Pool of Souls—home to the one man who can save her people.
Or so she believes.
Led by her faith in the deity Fadir, Hyla is met along her journey by Jadon—a human male and fierce King’s warrior, and his childhood best friend Conlin—one of the few Natives aware of his Fadir-given Talents.
Protected by Jadon, guided by Conlin, and with an unfailing belief in the purpose of her pilgrimage, Hyla carries on.
Like her, though, another searches for the Pool, and should he gain access first, everyone she loves, and everything she knows, could be lost.
Forever.
CHARACTER GUEST POST
While the world may not be massive in size, the one I live in is quite small and sheltered. Born a Native-blooded Derlunder, my 18th birth passings have been spent upon the island of Taran, just off Derlund’s southeastern shore.
The only times humans visit our secluded land is when they’re sick or dying and in need of our gifted healers. Yes, they have simplers and healers of their own kind, but my people have a special understanding of herbs and how they can heal. I’ve been an apprentice for my last three birth passings learning from many of our elders, but mostly from our sect leader and my guardian, Soroca.
She has never been especially fond of me, but not knowing who my mother was or where she had hailed from before arriving on Taran to deliver me, I have no other place to go.
A handful of Natives still live upon the mainland among the humans, but I cannot fathom why they would choose to do so. The three times I’ve been ashore to collect wild herbs and roots from the Wolverwood, I have been met with nothing but prejudice and wary glances. We aren’t so very different. Shorter than humans, yes, but unless one notices the green hues of our eyes and our slightly pointed ears we could easily pass for their kind.
Our hearts beat the same. Our minds work as theirs do. The medicines which heal their bodies does the same for us.
So why are we disliked—distrusted by most?
If anything, the humans should be thankful we allowed them to live among us when volcanic eruptions and earthquakes tore their lands apart before the first age. We welcomed them with open arms, fed and clothed them, and healed the illness which threatened to wipe their race from our world.
The histories speak of many such things, but one issue never addressed is how the fertility of our people began to diminish with every human bloodline introduced into ours. No full-blooded Native remains, only a few score of beings still carry the blood which causes our appearances to be different. Of those few, none have conceived in over eight birth passings.
It seems our people will soon be gone from Derlund’s shores just as our Talents of old have disappeared. Well, almost disappeared. For some reason, I retain what has been lost. A curse of my forefathers, a secret one that I loathe. An involuntary one that keeps me even more secluded from those I dwell among.
I see within the eyes of souls.
EXCERPT:
Cursing her arthritic fingers, Miri squeezed out a rag and draped it over the human man’s hot forehead.
“I’ve seen a lot more harvests than you, old goat,” she muttered, lifting his eyelids. “I’m thinking you’ll never catch up either. Doubt you last another half-moon’s phase.”
Miri pushed to her feet and stretched her hunched back. A heavy sigh slipped past her wrinkled lips as she glanced around the sick house. Keeping the night watch wasn’t too bad—she’d volunteered often since her old bones wouldn’t allow much sleep.
“Joints wasted, hearing all but gone …” Miri yanked on the long white braid lying over her shoulder. “I’m the old goat.”
She shuffled down the aisle, woolen kirtle swishing in the silence. A cool, autumn breeze rustled the crimson leaves of the magnolia and palm fronds overhead, drawing her gaze upward. Violet streaks lit the pre-dawn sky.A dog barked, yipped, and fell silent.
Miri peered across the village green to the thatched buildings beyond. A shadow passed between two cottages. Another three hurried toward the neighboring dwelling.
“Sight fading or my mind, too?” Miri rubbed her watery eyes, blinked, and leaned forward. Light flickered through the palm trees behind the outlying homes.
Torches?
The flames drew closer, weaving between the trunks.
Humans from the mainland? Miri’s hand clutched at her throat. Soldiers. Fadir have mercy.
The men crept through the village, taking up positions at every doorway. Two brutes, more horse-like in size than human, approached the sick house.
Sputtering torch held high, the first strode forward, dark eyes intent upon Miri. A green surcoat covered broad shoulders and fell to his thighs. The golden wheat sheaf of the city of Varosh adorned his chest.
Cold sweat beaded upon Miri’s brow. Breath burst from her lungs, and she moved back, clutching the door jam.
The second soldier stepped closer, chains and shackles clanking in his hand. He stopped two paces away from Miri, and a smile stretched his stubbled cheeks, revealing rotted teeth. “Good morning pointy-ears.”
Miri stared, heartbeat thundering in her ears. She’d been called worse in her eighty-three birth passings but never with such malice.
A single cry rang out across the village, and doors crashed inward. Screams rent the air.
A scowl narrowed his gaze, and his fist shot forward.
Bursts of light and pain exploded through Miri as she crumpled to the floor.
#
Miri’s people huddled on the village green as fall’s pale sun crested the trees. Cold metal had been clasped around their necks and ankles. Many trembled in the cool air, little more than night clothes covering their nakedness. Miri held to her braid with a white-knuckled grip, her head and its egg-sized bump throbbing in time with her pulse.
A handful of other battered Natives who had attempted flight were the last to join them, the soldiers tossing them forward like sacks of potatoes.
Terri started writing stories in the 8th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with the fantasy genre.
Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her two young daughters allow. When not potty training or kissing boo-boos, she can be found on her back patio in the boondocks of New Hampshire, book or pencil in hand
I think I've mentioned the very talented J.A. Belfield and the yumminess of her Holloway brood ...
Well guess what? There's MORE Holloway hotness on the horizon and I'm giving you a peek at the cover! I thought Caged was a sexy cover--and it is--nothing will top Ethan. But I gotta say, this cover is pretty damn gorgeous ...
Unnatural. One word to sum up werewolf Kyle Larsen—his mood swings, abnormal body, and choice of female.
The first two, he blames on the vampire venom.
The third, though? No, feline shifter Brook Nicholls was all his doing—a female of whom the pack will never approve.
As part of the Coalition, an organisation with even stricter rules than the pack and a rigidly warped sense of responsibility, Brook comes with a whole lot of opposition of her own.
No wonder the two of them keep their relationship secret for as long as they can.
Now, distanced from his family by his own indiscretions, Kyle’s left to fight battles he’s unsure how to win—some of them even against his own pack.
Is one woman really so important that he’s willing to defy his Alpha for her?
If his heart has any say in the matter, the answer will be yes.
Oh ... oh oh oh. Do I have a TREAT for you today, kiddies!
Grab a cup of coffee, a drool bib and find a cozy spot because this entire post is going to be devoted to my favorite hunky wolf.
Check out the book info, the author info and my review below! PLUS!! There's some AWESOME goodies that J.A. Belfield is giving away!
If the meek can become deadly, the strongest can be weak.
For Ethan Holloway, his mission to find a missing werewolf should be simple. Crack a few heads, bust a few chops and the solution always reveals itself. Always.
Not this time.
Ethan’s reputation precedes him, and because it does, someone is ready. Waiting. Unbeknownst to Ethan, he’s about to go down. Hard. Against a foe he never suspected and in a world he never imagined could be real.
What awaits Ethan is a fight not only for his reputation, but also his pack, his female, and his life. If he survives, damage control will become priority number one.
If he survives.
Because even Ethan’s not sure he’s strong enough to take on an entire race all by himself.
Especially one hell bent on exposing who and what he is in the name of sport.
Excerpt
1
“… from the Shropshire area. Following Carly McDowd’s disappearance on the fourth, and Andrew Doherty’s on the seventh, this is the third incident this month …”
I turned from the square-jawed newswoman on TV to Dad, where he sat in his corner armchair.
His attention remained on the screen, a frown across his brow.
“… the duo of friends were first reported missing late last night by their parents, after they discovered neither of the teenagers …” The newscaster’s voice infiltrated once more.
Images of a couple of lads flashed side by side on the screen. The one on the left had the appearance of any late teen, with shaggy overgrown hair and the twinkle of mischief in his expression.
From the other image, brilliant blue eyes stared out at me from beneath a shock of pale blond curls.
“Oh, shit!” I pushed to my feet, took a step forward. “That’s …”
“Nineteen year oldGabriel Lewis was believed by his mother to be staying at Colum Delaney’s since Friday evening, whilst Colum’s parents …”
Dad stood, his fingers retracting his mobile from his jeans pocket as I worked my own out. He paused, nodded to me. “Go on. You make the call, Ethan.”
Shelley Lewis’s number had been saved in my phone book since the beginning of the year, right after we met for the first time. I hit dial and paced to the window. September sunshine, of the early morning variety, blinded me as my phone rang.
It took only a few trills for her to answer. “Ethan?” Her voice held hope, as well as a heavy weariness and the thickness of tears.
“Is it true?” I’d promised to support her—a lone parent, a female no less, raising a werewolf son with no guidance. So far, I’d delivered on that promise.
The sob hitting my ear gave confirmation enough. “Oh, Ethan.”
“Hold tight, Shelley. I’m on my way.”
“I’ll come with you,” Dad said, as I hung up and spun to him. “Shout Sean, too—in case we need to do any scouting. I think I heard him stir upstairs.”
“What about Connor’s lot?” The Larsen’s made up the other half of our eight-wolf pack, but lived separately to us on the south side of the forest.
Dad shook his head. “I’ll update Connor whilst you deal with Sean—”
“And Jem?” I asked with a lifted eyebrow.
Dad’s lips twitched, but he continued as though he hadn’t noticed my reference to his buck-passing. “Just the three of us will go. Connor and his boys can spend the morning here and stay close to Jem and your mother unless we need them.”
One day, a character and scene popped into J. A. Belfield’s head, and she started controlling the little people inside her imagination, as though she were the puppet master and they her toys. Questions arose: What would happen if …? How would they react if …? Who would they meet if …?
Before she knew it, a singular scene had become an entire movie. The characters she controlled began to hold conversations. Their actions reflected the personalities she bestowed upon them. Within no time, they had a life, a lover, a foe, family … they had Become.
One day, she wrote down her thoughts. She’s yet to stop.
J. A. Belfield lives in Solihull, England, with her husband, two children, four cats and a dog. She writes paranormal romance, with a second love for urban fantasy.
I’ll just start out by saying when I first sat down to this book, before I even pulled the first page on my Kindle, I had a nervous feeling in my gut. Have you ever fallen for a character, one you weren’t necessarily supposed to fall for because he doesn’t really have that big of a role in a story, but had so much charm and sexiness, you couldn’t help but become enamored?
Yeah, this is what happened when I read Darkness & Light. The star of the book was clearly Sean. And he’s the guy J. made so damn irresistible that I really should’ve been knocking Jem right off the pages just so I could steal him away from her.
Instead, I felt happy and content at the end of their story. One of those, *sigh* good for you, moments.
Why’s that?
Because I’d just been introduced to my newest book boyfriend, the brooding Ethan Holloway. The not-so-star of the book and Sean's brother who had my fangirl flags waving full speed by the end.
So when J. announced that he’d have an ENTIRE book all to himself and that it’d be all Ethan’s POV I was both out-of-my-mind excited and biting-my-nails terrified.
What if I don’t want to be inside Ethan’s head? What if I like him always being the not-so-attached guy who always has everyone’s back? The silent hero in the background that you don’t realize has been watching you the whole time until you’re smack in the middle of a deadly situation and he’s all kicking some antagonist’s ass all over the page to save you, then leaving you with nothing more than a nod and a wink before he sets off into the woods for a night run.
I really should’ve known better …
This book is action-packed and chock full of mystery that had me turning the pages for more than just detailed descriptions of Ethan’s bod. J. didn’t disappoint with this story as there were moments that I found myself tense and biting my lip waiting to see how the hell Ethan would get himself out of some pretty frightening predicaments.
Ethan was … amazing. Like, I need to scour Youtube to find a guy with a deep, British accent just to imagine what it would sound like being sweet-talked by this guy amazing.
Well, yeah, I was a little jealous, but I gotta admit, I liked her.
If you’re looking for a great paranormal romance with sexy alphas, kickass fight scenes and some steam to top it off, you need to pick up this series! And okay, a little biased but particularly this book. You’ll not be disappointed. It has a great plot, well-developed characters and a whole lotta heart. At the last page of the book, I kept swiping my finger across the Kindle screen, desperate for the next scene, bummed when I realized I'd reached the end of the story.
Trust me, you’ll be one of the fiending females who wants to get Caged with Ethan Holloway.
My Rating: 5 Stars
And now it's ...
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Check out these prizes that J.A. Belfield is giving away!!
1st Prize: Signed copy of Caged, Caged swag pack (see image), $10 Amazon Gift Card
2nd Prize: Caged swag pack (see image)
3rd Prize: 5 runner’s-up will each receive a digi-signed Caged cover
I'm going to keep my intro to this brief because somewhere in this post is some mancandy, and I know you hate when I ramble on before introducing the goods. This month J.A. Belfield released RESONANCE, Holloway Pack #2.5 (that's right ladies, be patient ... Ethan Holloway is right around the corner!). And to celebrate, I asked her to prepare a guest post for my blog. Not just any guest post.
Something fun. Something sexy. Something exclusive.
I'll admit, I'm one of the nags who's asked her time and again, 'So what exactly does Sean look like through your eyes?'
Just goes to show ya ... ask a million times and ye shall receive!
Now I am a HUGE fan of this author's work and so to finally get to meet one of the hotties I've been reading about for a while is well ...
So I'm going to pass this post on to Ms. J, because the sooner I shut my mouth, the sooner we'll all FINALLY get to see Sean Holloway!!
Oh yeah!!
Wanna (FINALLY) See Sean Holloway?
Putting a face to a name is a toughie for me. Even more so when I’ve been asked since Darkness & Light was published, ‘How do you picture Sean?’ or, ‘If you had to cast him, which actor would you choose?’
I get asked this a lot in interviews, too. And I’m always stumped. Always!
Because when I write a character, I know who they are, but other than a list of physical attributes, I often have no diggety dang idea what they actually look like as a complete package. I’m more about the presence and personality of a character. But then, I’m like that when I’m reading, too. Ask me what a character is like at the end of reading a book, and I can easily list a few quirks and ‘ways’ of theirs. Ask me what they looked like, however, and I’m hard pressed to do so.
So, for that reason, I’ve never (BEFORE) been able to give you guys a visual on this main Holloway Pack male.
But that is all about to change.
Yup.
You see, a couple months ago, I, by happenstance, stumbled across an image of a somewhat hunky male on the Internet, whereupon I literally threw up my hands and muttered, “My God, that’s Sean Holloway!”
So ... whatcha think? He anything like you’d think he would be?
(Hot dude’s name is Aaron O’Connell, btw. Here’s his Twitter Handle. You’re welcome.)
*wipes drool* I'm sorry ... did you ask me something J? *adds Twitter handle onto Tweeps to Stalk list* And there you have him, folks! The sexy Sean Holloway ... *~*~showering*~*~
Happy Monday morning! *inserts coffee IV* Today it's my pleasure to introduce my co-author for the Witch Hunt: Of the Blood Anthology, K.L. Schwengel! She just released First of Her Kind, book one of Darkness and Light. Having collaborated with her, I can tell you she is one talented wordsmith. I love her writing and this novel has already won top spot on my TBR list!
She's here today to talk about why she does what she does. But before I get to her guest post, let's take a look at the cover and blurb for First of Her Kind:
It seems everyone wants to dictate what Ciara does with her life: Serve the Goddess, destroy the Goddess, do as you promised your aunt -- all Ciara really wants is to keep the two magics she possesses from ripping her apart.
And that's not going to be easy.
Not only is her earth magic in complete opposition to her other power, blood ties pull her in divergent directions as well. And then there's Bolin, the man sworn to protect her. There's no denying the growing attraction between them, but is it Ciara he wants, or her power?
None of which will matter if Ciara can't overcome her fear and learn how to use her gifts. No one knows the depths of the ancient power she possesses, or what will happen if it manages to escape her control. Will she lose herself entirely? Or be forever caught between darkness and light?
Guest Post
Why Do I Do What I Do?
One question a lot of creative types get is, "Why do you _________." Fill in the blank with paint, draw, dance, act, write . . . or anything that is a passion.
In terms of writing, my quick answer has always been, "For the same reason I breathe." It sounds rather flippant and so very grandiose, but it hits pretty close to the truth. Obviously if I stop breathing there's going to be a mad scramble to find a suitable boat and some flaming arrows for my Viking Funeral
and some of you will be getting three days funeral leave.
If I stop writing – and, for the record, I did try once – the only Viking funeral will be for that bit of my psyche that needs to put words down on paper, regardless of whether or not anyone will ever read them. I have always had muses pestering me. Always felt that drive, the need, the desire to create the images in my head. They've manifested themselves in drawing, painting, photography, and writing. Way too many muses for one person but, well, who am I to argue.
It's something I can't not do.
Which takes us back to that line above where I admit I did try to stop. Why? Partly, life interfered. Partly, self-doubt. That pesky, niggling, black-hearted little beast that likes to sit on our shoulders and tell us we suck and shouldn't be wasting our time on such a fruitless pursuit. But even during that period, my muses would not back off. I have file folders full of handwritten notes, scenes, character descriptions, and other assorted snippets that I had to get out of my head.
Yes, we writers have whole worlds buzzing around in our heads. The need to get them out of there is what drives us to spend hours in seclusion, neglecting our friends and families for sake of our sanity.
Stop laughing. I am too, sane. Well, sort of.
And no, writing is not easy. Not for this author, anyhow. Stories don't come to me fully formed. Often they come as a single character in a situation, or the vague hint of an idea that flitters by like a will-o-wisp on the wind. My current book First of Her Kind came to me in the line, "There was nothing for it, in another turn of the glass, Meriol would be dead." Yeah. Thanks, muse. You want me to do what with that? Let's not forget how characters take on lives of their own. They fight the direction I want them to go. They argue. They do things I didn't expect. Sometimes they abandon me and I sit, staring at the page feeling lost and unsure. Sometimes, as in my current WIP, a minor character demands more of a role. Yep, goes out, gets himself some big shot musely agent, next thing I know he's got more page time and his own point of view!
Of course, I have a way of dealing with those types. Mwahahahahahaaha!
*ahem*
So, there you have it. I write because I have to. Plain and simple. And heck, it's sometimes even fun. When that scene finally comes together, when a reader tells you how much they enjoyed your book – yeah, take that self-doubt.
Author Bio
K. L. Schwengel lives in southeast Wisconsin on a small farm with her husband, more than a handful of Australian Shepherds, Her Royal Highness Princess Fiona (the cat) and assorted livestock. Growing up as the youngest daughter of a librarian, she spent more time between stacks of books and secluded away in the dusty archives than was even remotely normal. With so many characters and ideas spinning in her head, she had to get them out onto paper or risk what little sanity she possessed. (Try being the youngest of nine children and see how sane you stay.) When not sitting in front of a keyboard, or scribbling furiously in a notebook, K. L. spends her time training and trialing her dogs, finding ways to avoid housework by doing anything else, spending quality time with friends and family, and sorting out arguments between various creative muses. Though she has published a few poems and non-fiction articles, her real passion is fantasy and urban fantasy.
SOCIAL LINKS:
Want to know where you can find out more about this wonderful writer?
Have you met Nathan Garrett?
Well, let me tell you, you're missing out! I had the pleasure of reading the first book in the Hellequin Chronicles, titled Crimes Against Magic, and author Steve McHugh is back with the sequel to his best-selling novel!
There was a time when Nathan Garrett was feared. When the mention of his name was enough to stop his enemies in their tracks. That time has long since passed.
When Nathan’s friend asks for help investigating a pattern of horrific crimes, he reluctantly agrees. But his investigation leads to a serial killer who is something more, or less, than human, a creature of pure malevolence and hatred.
There are some things that even a 1600-year-old sorcerer hesitates to challenge. But when evil targets those Nathan cares about, his enemies will discover exactly who Nathan used to be. And why they will learn to fear him once more.
Born of Hatred is an action-packed, Urban Fantasy set in modern-day England with historical flashbacks to late nineteenth century Montana. It’s the second book of the Hellequin Chronicles, following the widely praised Crimes Against Magic, which introduced sorcerer Nathan Garrett.
You can pick up a copy of Born of Hatred on Amazon and Amazon UK.
Steve McHugh is the author of the popular Urban Fantasy series, Hellequin Chronicles. The first book of which, Crimes Against Magic, was published in April 2012 and followed by the sequel, Born of Hatred in December 2012.
To learn more about Steve and his work, you can find him lurking around Twitter and Facebook.
Oh have I got a treat for you today ...
For many series out there, I can be a bit of a fickle whore, jumping from one male lead in the story to the next. Hey, if he's sexy, has some personality and the author leads me to cheer for him along the way, I'm usually sold. Yeah, I have my favorites, but they can be easily outshined by another character.
There is, however, one fictional man that I remain devoted to and when the author of this series asked me to be part of her cover reveal, well, let's just say she didn't have to ask me twice ... or wait long for my response, for that matter. And when I finally received the email with attached cover for the book? Sa-woon!! No really, a fixed stare, gape mouthed moment of drooling. But don't take my word for it. Check it out yourself:
If the meek can become deadly, the strongest can be weak.
For Ethan Holloway, his mission to find a missing werewolf should be simple. Crack a few heads, bust a few chops and the solution always reveals itself. Always.
Not this time.
Ethan’s reputation precedes him, and because it does, someone is ready. Waiting. Unbeknownst to Ethan, he’s about to go down. Hard. Against a foe he never suspected and in a world he never imagined could be real.
What awaits Ethan is a fight not only for his reputation, but also his pack, his female, and his life. If he survives, damage control will become priority number one.
If he survives.
Because even Ethan’s not sure he’s strong enough to take on an entire race all by himself.
Especially one hell bent on exposing who and what he is in the name of sport.
Le double sigh. You see why I adore this man? He's tough. He's protective. And dayum, he has one fine looking back ... scars and all.
Unfortunately, this baby won't be ready to roll until August. In the meantime, catch up on the series: