Straight Reading from the Library: Hidden Gypsy Magic by Tena Stetler

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Tena Stetler will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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The Salem Wildlife Sanctuary is Gwen Taylor's life work. Her Irish Gypsy heritage provides a hidden talent she uses to help the creatures under her care. But even her magical skills can't help new rescues in dire need of veterinary care.

The opportunity of signing on as the vet for Gwen's sanctuary dropped into Brock Scutter's lap after he expanded his practice to include wildlife. The personal attraction he and Gwen experience is undeniable the more their professional and personal lives collide.

Touring the only "non-haunted" house in Salem they both feel a spark of magic. A trip to his family's cabin uncovers a heritage he didn't know existed. If they want a future together, it means facing the consequences of awakening hidden Gypsy magic and a race against the clock to correct past wrongs.

READ THE REVIEW

Easy, breezy and comfortable right from the start, "Hidden Gypsy Magic" is a joy to read. 

I will say that it's clear this book is part of a series, and I haven't read the others, so felt a little "plopped into the middle" of the story when it starts.  There are a good half dozen or so characters introduced in the first chapter alone and there's kind of an assumption that you know them already. They clearly know each other well, and there's history (like when the H/h make a casual date right off the bat or when there are discussions of babies, etc.) so that was a little tough at the start, but it smoothed right out.

I love that one of Brock's requirements for the house he's hunting for is that it's not haunted.  Of course, living in Salem, that's understandable.  I also appreciate that there is an easy camaraderie between Brock and Gwen.  The small town feel, here, too was wonderful.  I'm a sucker for character driven stories, and this one has that in spades.  It's not hard to get attached to everyone in the book (so it's wonderful that it's a series...and I'll have to hunt down the others).

I also love the menagerie of animals we meet throughout the story--given the animal sanctuary and veterinarian angle, that's not necessarily surprising, but honestly the author makes each one unique and interesting and certainly characters in their own right.

The heat level, too, was just right for me.  Not exactly behind closed doors, but not super explicit. Just perfectly romantic with a touch of spice. Loved!

So, honestly, except that this didn't exactly stand alone--I mean, I wasn't lost after the first couple of chapters, but I still felt like I was missing something--this was a great book. And the author's voice and skill sold me on trying her other books.  Good job and 4 solid stars!

READ AN EXCERPT

A mischievous twinkle in his eyes, he swept her off her feet and twirled her around. “Four glorious days, no clinic, no sanctuary, no emergencies—just you, me and the cabin in Puffin Cove, Maine.”

“Wow, you are excited.” She grinned. “Me too. But, I gotta ask. How’s the owl?”

He set her down on the ground and kissed her lips affectionately. “She’s doing great. Doubt she’ll ever fly again, but we’ll be transferring her to you when we get back. She needs rehab on that busted wing and to strengthen the other. Cuts and scrapes are healing well.”

“Great to hear. We look forward to having her. Everything is all set up for the birds arrival. I’ll see to her rehab myself. Though Pepper is going to consult. She did such a fantastic job with Kaylee years ago. In addition, she’s had a couple of endangered owls in her care recently.”

“Figured. Between the two of you, that’s one lucky owl.” He took her bag and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Ready?”

“You betcha.”

MEET THE AUTHOR

Tena Stetler is a paranormal romance and cozy mystery author with an over-active imagination. She wrote her first vampire romance as a tween, to the chagrin of her mother and the delight of her friends. With the Rocky Mountains outside her window, Tena sits at her computer surrounded by a wide array of paranormal creatures telling her their tales.

Colorado is her home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-year-old box turtle.

Any winter evening, you can find her curled up in front of a crackling fire with a good book, a mug of hot chocolate and a big bowl of popcorn. Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure, and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.

Authors’ Secret’s Blog: https://www.tenastetler.com/category/authors-secrets-blog/
My Say What Blog: http://www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author
Twitter Page: https://www.twitter.com/TenaStetler
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14187532.Tena_Stetler
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/tenastetler
Newsletter: https://www.tenastetler.com/newsletter-signup/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tenastetler
Tribber: http://triberr.com/TenaStetler
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tena-stetler
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Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/tenajean2014
BookGorilla: https://www.bookgorilla.com/author/B014E0PEPM/tena-stetler

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Gypsy-Magic-Witchs-Journey-ebook/dp/B08FXBNLW5/

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Straight Reading from the Library: The Trail to Love by Tina Susedik

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Tina Susedik will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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Jack Billabard, mourning the loss of his wife and baby in childbirth, vows to never to love again. After their funeral at Fort Laramie, he rides into the Wyoming hills beyond the ranch he built for his wife. Through his grieving tears, an ancient tree appears, giving him the hope he doesn't believe is possible. For the next four years, he acts as a guide on the Oregon Trail, taking families to a new life while his looms lonely and stagnant.

The night before her abusive husband’s death, an ancient tree appears in Sarah Nickelson's yard as she agonizes over how to survive her marriage. The tree gives her hope she can’t help but reject. After all, a tree doesn't just appear out of nowhere. After her husband 's death, and with no options as a widow in Independence, Missouri, Sarah decides to travel to Oregon City as a Mail Order Bride.

During their trek west on the Oregon Trail, Jack and Sarah encounter one another, each afraid of being hurt again. Can they survive dogs and puppies, wind and rainstorms, Indians and unfavorable fellow passengers, while their love blossoms? Will the tree fulfill its promise?

READ THE REVIEW

A well written, fun and romantic romance, The Trail to Love was a good read for any old west romance fan!

I liked the strength Sarah shows from the start. She's lucky, too, as she seems to be surrounded by good friends old and new (from her home originally to the trail).  Life was tough for women then, and it was heart warming to see them pull together.

Jack was wallowing a bit in depression.  I get that he lost his wife and unborn child during childbirth, but I had a little bit of a struggle believing that such a young, vital man would decide he'd never fall in love again. Still, he didn't fight that hard against his attraction to Sarah. *grin*

Horace was the only character that didn't ring 100% real to me.  He reminded me a bit of the old time melodrama villains who ran around twirling their moustaches before tying the girl to the train track. Still, he was necessary for a good amount of the conflict in the story. 

The soul mate tree figures into this story some and I love that it was included during their first love scene.  As a dog person, I do wish we'd seen more of the dogs (and puppies)!  It was a cute tidbit that sort of got lost as the time on the trail progressed. 

I did like this story very much. I loved Sarah and Jack (and Sarah's son, Tommy) as well as the strong secondary characters.  This author's strength is clearly her ability to create a setting and characters that feel real and three dimensional. A good books! 4 stars.

READ AN EXCERPT

Shaking his head, Jack moved to the next wagon, checked the supplies, argued with the husband to lighten the load, then moved on. As he approached the middle of the line, a woman held the hand of a small boy. She glanced over her shoulder.

Jack's heart slammed in his chest, and his vision blurred. For four years, he'd carried the memory of the woman by the strange tree. But that had been a dream. Hadn't it?

The boy tugged on her skirt, and she bent to say something to him. Wisps of blonde hair tumbled from her bun, touching the bonnet hanging down her back. A premonition hit him like a horse’s kick to the stomach. Was this the widow woman? Please don't let this be the widow woman. His legs and hands shook as he approached. Hell, he was a man, and she was just a woman. He shouldn't be nervous to talk to a woman, should he?

With a deep sigh, he slapped the side of his leg for his dog, Avery, to follow, then pulled back his shoulders and strode over to the woman and her wagon. The only thing he could do was his job. He tipped his hat.

"Ma'am. I'm Jack Billabard. I'm here to check your supplies and equipment. Can I meet with you and your husband?"

The woman reached out her hand. She wanted to shake his? That was a first. Women didn't usually shake hands. Must be one of those progressive types. Her hand and fingers were slim, almost delicate. When she slid her palm into his hand, warmth spread up his arm.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Tina Susedik is an award-winning, multi-published author with books in both fiction and non-fiction, including history, children’s, military books and romances. Her favorite is writing romance stories where her characters live happily ever after. She lives in Northwestern Wisconsin and is a member of Romance Writers of America, Wisconsin Romance Writer's of America, Wisconsin Writer’s Association, and Sisters In crime. Her twentieth book will be released in November with her Chandler County book, Missing My Heart. Tina also write spicier romances as Anita Kidesu.

Buy link for The Trail to Love: http://a.co/8IPpl7M

Social Media Links for Tina Susedik
Website: tina-susedik.com
Blog: https://www.tina-susedik.com/blog
Twitter: @tinasusedik
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TinaSusedikAuthor/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tina-susedik

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1754353.Tina_Susedik
Authorgraph: https://www.authorgraph.com/authors/TinaSusedik
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tinasusedik/
Newsletter: http://tinasusedik.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=874ff86e3f10f756a138fbc3a&id=1cfdf516fc

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Straight Browsing from the Library: The Dawning of Scarlett by Jennifer Osborn

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jennifer will be awarding a digital copy of The Dawning of Scarlett via iBooks to 3 randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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As a pale revenant—the vampire faction believing all life is sacred—sixteen-year-old Scarlett Ellis has learned to hide in the human world. She goes to night-school, works at a coffee shop, and her uncle Chasem trains her in martial arts. No matter what, she has to be prepared, because when she turns seventeen, she’ll be of Dawning age—and her biological father Apollo vows to see her dead first.

Expecting her Dawning to be impossible, she accepts the fact that she will become a rogue, forever hunted by revenant renegades and outcast by her own people. Scarlett thinks she’s prepared for this—until the curly-haired Nicholas Lightener walks into her life and asks her out on a date.

Torn between her feelings for Nick and the danger of the revenant world, Scarlett’s strange life is turned inside-out when she’s kidnapped and forced to do the one thing she swore she’d never do. Plus, she has no idea whose memories keep appearing in her dreams, or if they can even help her. Determined to free herself from a death sentence, Scarlett must fight to become who she was born to be.

READ AN EXCERRPT

His lips freeze in surprise for a moment, warm and tasting like salt, but they quickly yield to mine. Before I know it, his surprise melts into participation, and he kisses me back. It’s all pleasantly confusing, and I feel dizzy. My blood pounds wildly in my veins and I’m worried my eyes are going to change out of excitement. But before I can pull back, he does first, and his breath is hot on my cheek.

I keep my eyes down, for fear of what they might show. I glance up at the artery in his neck, veiled by the paper-thin skin of a human. The blood moves in thick shots and I hear his heart pounding. I feel the urge to let my canines drop and lean over to bite him. I've learned to control myself so much around humans that I’m able to push the desire down. But he gives off the most intoxicating smell. I find myself wondering what his blood would taste like. It’s odd to even think about, because I don’t even need blood right now, but he’s somehow attracting me in a way I don’t understand. It’s a strange desire to bite—not to hurt, not even to drink, but to bite. I can’t make sense of it.

MEET THE AUTHOR

After working in the legal and technical fields for many years, Jennifer Osborn took the plunge into full time writing in 2015. She is the award-winning author of The Shilund Saga and The Sentinel’s Insurgency. When not writing, she listens to a different muse and creates paintings and collages of all sorts.

She lives in the Cincinnati area with her husband, three dogs, and two cats.

You can find out more about her at

WEBSITE: http://www.jenniferosborn.org
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenniferOsborn
TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/hondagirljen
INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/hondagirljen
AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Osborn/e/B00EMWYFX0/

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Straight Reading from the Library: Stricken by Marcia Collette

This review is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Marcia Colette will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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Personal tragedy convinces half-werewolf Alexa York to get away to the town of McCormick, Pennsylvania where she’s charged with protecting Dr. Aiden Joss, physician to the supernatural community. Not only does she need the money, she needs the distraction. Unfortunately, she gets it in spades when Joss’s personal issues and a myriad of dangerously sick patients make her new job nearly impossible.

A mysterious disease is running its way through the New York Order of the Amazons and leaving bodies in its wake. The same warrior who had chosen her clan over Joss has asked for his help. Even though the disease is real, Alexa has reason to believe his ex’s sincerity is not.

Given the other numerous problems she has to deal with that are outside of her job description, Dr. Joss might be the biggest threat to his own safety. But, protecting him comes first. That’s difficult to do when his efforts to find an antidote put everyone in his remote clinic in danger, including Alexa.

READ THE REVIEW

I've read Marcia Collette before, but not this series. Still, even though this was book two, I snapped it up because I'm a fan of her writing prowess.  I wasn't disappointed.

Mostly, she lets us know the important facts from book one that we missed. I likely still didn't catch some things because I haven't read it, but mostly I didn't miss reading it (though I think I'm going to have to go back and do so, just because it sounds like a good read!).

Alexa is a hybrid werewolf, and the pack hates her for her human blood.  She's married to Matt, a purebred werewolf and it's created a lot of strife for them, but Matt's a good guy and sticks by her. Shortly before the start of this story, though, they suffer a loss that tears them apart (sort of).  As a result, Matt's only in this story for a few pages, and honestly, I missed him because I'm a huge romantic.  And that missing romance for our heroine was really the only downside to the book.

The author creates an amazing group of secondary characters here and I got attached to them all pretty quickly.  I love the idea of a doctor who only treats paranormals... certainly made life interesting for all!  Sammy and Joss and Claudia and maybe even a couple of the Amazons ... boy do I hope they show up again in future books. 

There is a whole bunch of action, and the author does a bang up job with it. I think writing a fight scene has to be one of the hardest things to do, but she handles them perfectly. Plenty of clear description and enough of the internal thoughts that I could "see" what was happening so clearly.  The mystery of who was poisoning the Amazons, too, was well handled and kept me guessing for some time.

I feel like a bit of a fan girl, but this is my second book by the author and my admiration is only growing for her.  She's got a great imagination and the skills to translate that clearly to paper.  I only hope the next book has just a little more romance for the primary character .... my soft heart craves it!

4.5 Stars!

READ AN EXCERPT

“Sounds like you’ve already given it enough thought and gave up.”

“Well, what do you propose I do, Ms. York? Put out a want ad?”

“No, but you ask around. Start with people you trust. Hell, I know one guy in Boston who might actually be interested enough to hear your proposal.” That was assuming my husband’s friend, Tate, wanted to risk being ostracized by the Boston Pack, too.

Heck, Matt wasn’t even ostracized as much as he was chased out like a putrid mutt because he’d decided to mingle with a lower, half-bred species like me. Just like Matt who was a lawyer — another skill that was hard to come by in the supernatural community — Tate was a nurse practitioner who worked in a human hospital and was as close to a doctor as the Boston Pack would ever have.

Dr. Joss sighed and started back through the clinic.

I hurried after him and touched his arm. “I’m not letting you off the hook about the drinking, you know. If you care about your patients, you won’t be falling down drunk right before they call you out to their homes. Send Sammy or Macy, but not you.”

“I’ll have you know, Ms. York, I’m able to metabolize alcohol faster than the average human.”

“Funny. Your making out with the carpet said otherwise.”

“When I care for your opinion, I’ll ask for it. In the meantime, you’ll do as you’re told or walk.”

“Finally. A sound piece of advice.”

I left him standing there.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bestselling author Marcia Colette didn’t discover her love for reading until her late teens when she started reading John Saul and progressed to works by Bentley Little, Stephen King and Laurell K. Hamilton. Her reading tastes convinced her to write paranormals where curses cause people to shift into spiders, psychotic and telekinetic mothers are locked away in attics, and murderous doppelgangers are on a rampage. Let's not forget about the hunky werecheetah coalitions who live throughout North Carolina. As long as she can make it believable, that's all that matters.

Born and raised in upstate New York, Marcia now lives in North Carolina with her mom and beautiful daughter. They’re not raising zombies in the backyard. There aren’t any hellhounds living in the den, only a rabbit and a cockatiel. So where she gets her ideas is as much a mystery to her as anyone else.

The best place to find her--when she's not stirring up trouble--is on her blog where she loves connecting with readers.

Links:
www.marciacolette.com
http://marciacolette.wordpress.com
http://twitter.com/MarciaColette
www.facebook.com/marciacolette
www.goodreads.com/marcia_colette
http://www.amazon.com/Marcia-Colette/e/B002BOHDOE/
http://purplesword.com/

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Straight Chatting From the Library: Dealing With Devils by Pembroke Sinclair

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops in the tour.

Do you have any bad book habits?

I love to break the spines of my books. As I open them to read them, I fold them back until it pops. Aaaaah! Love that sound! And I love that my book will lay open.

E-Reader or print? and why?

I’m fine with both. I love how a book feels in my hands, but I also like being able to have multiple on one device.

One book at a time or multiples?

Anymore it’s one book at a time. I don’t have time for multiple. But when I was out on maternity leave with my kids, I read several books at one time. I also read a book a week. Oh, it would be so lovely to have that kind of time again.

Dog-ear or bookmark? (don't worry—Librarian Judith won't hold it against you—much)

Both! If there’s important information on a page I want to save for later, I dog-ear it. Normally, though, I use a bookmark, which is usually any scrap of paper I happen to find sitting around.

When do you do most of your reading?

Whenever I can squeeze it in. Most days it’s before I go to work or when I’m home at lunch. Sometimes I read before bed, but I’m usually so tired I don’t last very long. I also read at my boys’ wrestling practice. I have an hour and half to really get into books!

Do you loan your books?

I do. I’m more than happy to share my books with others if they’re interested.

Re-reader or not?

Not normally, but there are a few books I’ve read multiple times, including Alice in Wonderland. LOVE that book!

What would make you not finish a book?

If it doesn’t hold my interest, I won’t finish it. Life’s too short and there are too many books in the world to read something you don’t enjoy.

Keep books or give them away?

I keep my absolute faves and donate the rest—but only because I don’t have the space to keep them. It’s really hard for me to give books away. They hold such memories.

READ THE BLURB

Dating a demon has its advantages, like helping deliver souls to Hell. Wait...what? Katie’s world has been turned upside down. She's fallen for Josh—despite the fact that he’s a demon from Hell. Wes is finally out of her system and her life. Convinced she can change Josh, she sets out to make him a better person, only to find out things aren’t as simple as she’d originally thought. For one thing, Josh has Katie help him deliver souls to Hell, and she kind of likes it. And to top it off, other more powerful demons are battling for her soul, and revelations from the past could change the course of her life forever.

ENJOY AN EXCERPT

A red light shone in front of them, growing in intensity as they approached. It was reminiscent of the last time she was in Hell, and she expected to see the edge of a cliff that overlooked a red lake. Instead, they stepped into a massive cavern. In the middle was a pit that sucked every last ounce of light from the immediate area. Katie imagined that was probably what a black hole looked like. Demons of every shape and size milled around the wide space. Wings flapped above her, and her gazed drifted upward, but she couldn’t see the demons, only their glowing white and red eyes. Was it because of the darkness or was the cave so massive? She didn’t know. Her gaze drifted back down. Katie instantly noticed large, black, winged creatures and heard the distinct buzz of Tormentors. She tensed, wondering where they were and thankful the sound wasn’t close to her ear. Hell Hounds zipped through the crowd, and white demons with fire-red eyes towered above them all. They looked almost like bats without wings. Their skin had a leathery sheen, their eyes were beady. Fangs protruded from their lips. Her heart skipped as she looked at them. Dread tried to push through the other feelings, but it couldn’t. Despite the heat, a chill ran through her. But so did fascination. The demons were unlike anything she had seen before, and they were so thin and frail looking, Katie was amazed they were upright at all. She thought a gentle breeze would snap them in two.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pembroke Sinclair is a literary jack of all trades, playing her hand at multiple genres. She has written an eclectic mix of fiction ranging from horror to sci-fi and even some westerns. Born in Rock Springs, Wyoming--the home of 56 nationalities--it is no wonder Pembroke ended up so creatively diverse. Her fascination with the notions of good and evil, demons and angels, and how the lines blur have inspired her writing. Pembroke lives in Laramie, Wyoming, with her husband, two spirited boys, a black lab named Ryder, and a rescue kitty named Alia, who happens to be the sweetest, most adorable kitty in the world! She cannot say no to dessert, orange soda, or cinnamon. She loves rats and tatts and rock and roll and wants to be an alien queen when she grows up.

You can learn more about Pembroke Sinclair by visiting her at http://pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com/

Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/jessicarobinsonauthor
https://twitter.com/PembrokeSinclai
https://plus.google.com/102808614523341154478/posts
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3522214.Pembroke_Sinclair

Find the Book:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24298358-dealing-with-devils

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dealing-Devils-Road-Salvation-Series-ebook/dp/B00S98RT4K
Barnes and Noble: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dealing-with-devils-pembroke-sinclair/1121068597

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Straight Browsing From the Library - The 13th Descent by Ky Lehman

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Ky will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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ONE CHOICE CAN MAKE AN IMMORTAL HUMAN.

BUT WHAT CHOICES NEED TO BE MADE TO GO BACK AGAIN?

The revolutionary year following Serenay "Ren" Avalon's eighteenth birthday could rival Clark Kent's entire adolescence.

After her mother and her grandmother were killed in a car bomb explosion at the heart of their sleepy hillside town where nothing extraordinary usually happens, she discovers that her mother is actually alive and in hiding, her long lost father is a Father, and her best friend, who turns out was once an Archangel, has taken a gargantuan step back in his evolution to live on Earth with her for the past thirteen lifetimes. And besides being the only one in her immediate circle with a serious case of past life dementia, she learns that during her first lifetime, she was married to one of the greatest teachers history has ever known who is now the gorgeous lead singer of a hot new rock band taking the world by storm, and who is keen to meet up with her again in the twenty first century.

As Ren realizes that the powerful family name she bears also brings with it the promise of an unnatural death, she is reminded that it has always brought hope to people on both sides of the veil, human and Tor. As the world draws closer to being completely shrouded by the dark cloaks of her age-old enemies, the Bloodstones, she now, more than ever before, has to draw strength from her origins to protect her family and their ancient truth from this global force responsible for torturing and killing centuries of her ancestors.

As she struggles to unearth who she was, who she is, and who she chooses to be, as well as the expectations of her first mortal love and the heavenly love she has always guiltily denied, she has until midnight on the Solstice find a way to bring light to a compromised heart and to a world on the brink of perpetual darkness.

This first book in The Rosefire Trilogy by debut YA author, Ky Lehman, is a reminder of how the choices we make in the throes of love, loss, hope, and adversity are what makes the divine human, and the human divine.

READ THE EXCERPT

“Come on, Renay! You’re as slow as a wet week,” she snaps.

“Right behind you,” I grumble, trying to coax my jelly legs to step out of the car.

She bustles us inside and disarms her house alarm. She grabs my hand, leads me straight to the navy blue comfy couch and gestures for me to sit. “Drink?” she asks.

“No, thanks.”

She goes to the kitchen and gets me a tall glass of water anyway.

Then everything goes from strange to downright bizarre when she sits down, squishes in next to me, puts her arm around my shoulders and rests her cheek on my hair. I am wedged in-between her and the armrest: I couldn’t move if I tried, and I honestly don’t want to. Hugs from my one and only aunt are like sunny days in the winter. They are rare. They are warm. They smell of cream and cinnamon. They go by too quickly. And you know you’ll have to wait a while for the next one.

“Look at me, Renay,” she gently commands. Bleary eyed, she carefully scans my face and sighs.

It seems she is already regretting what she is yet to say. A chill of forewarning forces a shiver: it sets my heart pounding and my legs that have finally regained feeling start to twitch and shake, preparing to run. She senses my panic and holds me tighter, and starts to softly hum a familiar tune that Nanna must have used to calm her down too. Slowly, the dread resides and the warmth returns. My stiff posture thaws allowing me to slump into her side. Realising she has been given the green light, she takes a deep breath and starts talking.

Aunt Romey has never been one to beat around the bush. Simple English. No fluff. The bare facts followed by her opinion of them. But this time, the candour I usually appreciate brings with it a realisation that hits me so hard, that, for the first time since the bomb went off, I am relieved the undercooked takeout chicken kept me home that night.

Bedtime stories that once lulled me into sweet dreams now leave me feeling cold, heavy and sick.

Horrifying truth gives a voice to the intoxicated mutterings of a grieving husband and father.

Nanna’s fairy tales.

Georgie Pa’s drunken rants.

All of the frayed strands and loose ends I’ve obliviously left hanging tangle and weave into the blood stained tapestry that is Aunt Romey’s history lesson.

Three versions of the same unfathomable story, each with its own conclusion. The fairy tale ends in hope.

The drunken rant ends in fear.

And the history lesson will only end with the death of the Three Roses, who my newfound enemies believe are Nanna, Mum and me.

Surrounded by the ghosts of our ancestors and their vindicating screams, I cling to the only olive branch within reach.

Mum may be on the run, but she is alive and well.

But the sinewy little branch is not strong enough to bear the weight of centuries of lost life. It snaps, and I limply fall into large, familiar, bloodstained hands that carry me off into the black quiet.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

KY LEHMAN is a novelist, a children's author, a teacher of swimming and water safety, wife to her high school sweetheart and the proud mother of their three very tall sons. She lives in the Yarra Ranges, Victoria, Australia, with her husband and their children where she is currently writing the second book in The Rosefire Trilogy, The 13th Rising.

Facebook ~ Amazon Author Page ~ Twitter Buy the book at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Straight Browsing From the Library: Deadman's Blood by T. Lynne Tolles

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. One randomly drawn commenter will receive a $50 Amazon gift card while five others will receive premium swag packs. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

READ THE BLURB

As the dust settles from the destruction of the Bloodstone Heart, a small scroll that had been hidden in the hearth of the altar room for hundreds of years, reveals a prophecy that seems to be about the Larsen family. While the group tries to unravel the riddles of the prophecy they also start to notice they've acquired some interesting new powers from the Bloodstone itself, some of which are going to take some getting use to.

Darby and Devon head to Ireland to set up house and get ready for their impending nuptials when Darby is asked to help cure the Summer Queen of the Everworld or the delicate balance of power between the Seelie and Unseelie courts will topple throwing the planet into a deadly ice age. While at home, things take a turn for the worse when there's a tragic airplane crash, the Larsen vampires start dropping like flies, Bernard goes missing, and all the bad deeds dealt seem to point towards one person - the Dark Angel.

What's so important about the altar room? Why are people dying in the name of this prophecy? Will the Larsen's survive these new tragedies? These questions and other deep seated secrets will be revealed in this final installment of the Blood Series.

READ AN EXCERPT

The rest of the group had started to stir when Bernard poked his head into the dining room and asked Josh to join him. Josh got up and headed for the door, holding onto Melanie’s hand and pulling her behind him.

“What’s up, Bernard?”

“Well, I called Dr. Rowe here to check on your hand. I felt with such a bad cut, he should take a look at it,” Bernard said.

“You shouldn’t have, Bernard. It doesn’t hurt a bit,” Josh said.

“You should have it looked at, Josh. It looked like it was bleeding pretty badly before you took a shower,” Melanie urged.

“Fine. But I’m telling you it’s fine,” Josh argued.

Bernard walked Josh and Melanie into a room at the other end of the house, where Dr. Rowe was unpacking something from his bag.

“Ah, Mr. Brenner and the lovely Ms. Harper. How are you both?” Dr. Rowe inquired.

Melanie said, “Very well, Dr. Rowe. Thank you for coming.”

“So, Josh. I hear you had a run in with a nasty jar,” Dr. Rowe joked.

“It’s not a big deal,” Josh said.

“Are you kidding? He crushed it and the lid,” Bernard interjected.

“I’m sure the jar just had a flaw in it and I grabbed it at that fragile spot,” Josh argued.

“Well, let’s see how deep it is. I’m sure Bernard cleaned it well. He’s been patching you all up so much lately that he’s practically an MD himself,” Dr. Rowe said with a chuckle.

Josh held out his bandaged hand to the doctor. The bandages were red all the way through. Dr. Rowe carefully unwrapped his hand. “Hmm,” he said, looking at Melanie. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were a vampire and healing yourself quite quickly.”

Bernard stepped forward as Melanie and Josh both looked at the unbandaged hand. There were two red lines across his palm, one about an inch across and the other about a quarter inch, but the wounds looked two weeks old and almost completely healed.

Bernard stuttered, “But...but...this morning...”

Dr. Rowe looked from Bernard to Josh then said, “Been biting vampires lately?”

“Uh, no,” Josh said.

“Well...I don’t know what to say, you certainly don’t need my services. It looks fine. No infection. At this rate, by tomorrow you won’t know you had a cut at all. Quite remarkable for a human. The only explanation I can come up with is that you were in contact with a ‘healer,’” Dr. Rowe said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lynne Tolles can be found most days, juggling one of two cat muses and a laptop, tripping over a Newfoundland puppy and washing a never-ending pile of laundry. When life doesn’t get in the way, she writes paranormal romances for new adults.

Her passion for witches, ghosts, and vampires together with a light-hearted wit are reflected in her loveable characters and the adventures of mystery they unravel to find their happily ever after.

web: http://tlynnetolles.me.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/tlynnetolles
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/T.LynneTolles.Author
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4132968.T_Lynne_Tolles
Newsletter - http://tinyurl.com/tltnewsletter
Trailers: http://www.youtube.com/user/tlynnetolles/videos?view=0

Books:

http://amazon.com/author/tlynnetolles
http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=t.+lynne+tolles
https://ebookstore.sony.com/search?keyword=t.+lynne+tolles
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/t.-lynne-tolles/id398441115?mt=11

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Straight Talk From the Library: Character Creation from Terri Herman-Ponce

Terri Herman-Ponce, author of IN THIS LIFE, is at The Library today to talk about the hardest part of character creation as part of her virtual book tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. Terri is giving away a digital copy of IN THIS LIFE (Book 1 of the Past Life Series) to a randomly drawn commenter at each stop during the tour, and a Grand Prize of a $50 Amazon gift card to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. You can see the other stops on the tour here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/03/virtual-book-tour-in-this-life-by-terri.html

Hardest Thing About Character Development

Character development? Oh man, this has got to be one of the most difficult things to do as a writer. It’s a vicious cycle, and just thinking about it gives me the shakes and shudders.

For me, character development is scary and fun and stomach-turning at the same time. Wanna know why? Because when I begin a new story almost every character I set out to write starts off sounding like me. My words, my thoughts, my emotions…it’s stamped over each and every page. Which is all sorts of wrong, but I can’t help it. I hear stories of authors who say that a character’s voice is just SO strong in their head that they can plow through their writing in record time. Me? Not even close. It usually takes me about thirty or forty thousand words before a character finally settles in my head and my heart. Thirty or forty thousand! And it’s because it takes me that long to see the character—to feel their pains and joys, to see the world through their eyes, to discover their quirks and hates and nuances—before I’m confident enough to let go of the me on the page and write the character on the page.

Sometimes I wonder if it’s the result of writing almost everything in first-person. There’s an intimacy about writing in first person that doesn’t exist with other points of view. You’re just so closer to the action that you just can’t separate. And I’ve tried doing character questionnaires. Oh yes, I’ve tried. But that kind of activity feels disconnected to me. Maybe it’s the way my brain works, but I can’t answer a series of questions and know who my character is when I’m done. I need to get my hands dirty instead. I need to write, and develop story, and see how the character reacts from their own perspective, even if it takes me those painful thirty thousand words to find out just who that person is. I need to push the character, or characters. I need them to surprise me. And then I’ll push them again, and keep pushing, until their true colors come out in all their vibrancy. It’s an exhilarating (and exhausting!) process but it’s the only one that works for me.

But when I find a character that sticks with me? One who grabs my heart and refuses to let go? The one who is with me when I wake in the morning, who sits with me over coffee or on the train ride to work, or who stands by my side when I’m food shopping? Well, then I know they’re a part of my soul. David Bellotti, the male lead in my Past Life Series, is one of those characters. His voice, after writing him all these years, is SO strong in my head I often will be in a situation and wonder how he’d handle it. And that gives me food for future stories. It’s wonderful…

…Until I sit down and start writing a new novel with all new characters. Where those characters sound just like me, Terri Herman-Ponce, until I get about thirty or forty thousand words in. And the cycle starts all over again. Write. Rinse. Repeat.

For the record, I’m writing Book 3 of the Past Life Series now. I’m over 35,000 words into it and I still haven’t figured out three of the major players. But I’ll get there. Hopefully in another five thousand words…

That said, thanks for having me here and giving me the chance to chat a little about myself and showcase In This Life. Truly appreciated!

READ THE BLURB

Hidden memories. Buried secrets. Resurrected revenge.

Psychologist Lottie Morgan knows something is wrong when she relives memories of a lover she's never had. At first she attributes them to fever-induced dreams. But when the fever disappears and the visions don’t, Lottie realizes something else is going on.

Then she meets Galen. Their first encounter is as intense as it is eye-opening, and his revelation that they shared a passionate relationship thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt entices Lottie into wanting to learn more about her past. Her decision, however, comes at a price. Galen may hold the answers but he could destroy the devoted, lifelong relationship Lottie has with her current lover, David.

It also could mean her death—again.

Someone is protecting millennia-old secrets, determined to keep them buried while exacting a revenge on Lottie for a mistake made a very long time ago. A mistake she could be destined to repeat.

Take a trip to mysterious ancient Egypt, where Lottie becomes caught between two lifetimes, two men, and long-buried deceptions. Hank Phillippi Ryan, Agatha, Anthony and Macavity-winning author, calls this paranormal suspense "Inventive, original and thought-provoking; this mystically romantic mystery will instantly intrigue."

READ AN EXCERPT 

The restlessness I’d been feeling surged through me again, stronger this time, and I didn’t like the way it felt. Something seemed off, and I wasn’t sure if it was with David or with me. Remnants of last night’s sleep started trickling in, and then a connection clicked into place.

“I had a dream last night and I started remembering it in the bathroom.” I closed my eyes, trying to remember more. “I was in a room with a servant who was waiting on me. She was preparing me to meet someone. A boyfriend.” No, that wasn’t quite right. “A lover.”

I felt a tingling uneasiness as I said the word.

“A lover?” David asked.

I opened my eyes, saw David’s grin and recognized the bait for what it was.

I grinned back. “The lover wasn’t you.”

His grin widened and then faded away. “That still doesn’t explain your behavior in the bathroom. You looked like a statue.”

“I’m tired, David,” I said, sliding down under the covers. “ The human mind is capable of doing unusual things when a person is under stress, like when they’re sick, and the gods only know I’ve been feeling a lot of that these past few days. Forget about it. It’s not a worry.”

David paused. “Is that your professional assessment?”

“Yes.”

It looked like David wanted to say more but he got up and walked to the windows that overlooked the backyard instead. I wasn’t sure what was going through his mind but I knew him well enough to know not to pry. It always backfired whenever I did. So I let him have his moment, toyed with the toast, and then passed on it in favor of some tea. My cell phone rang as soon as I put the mug on the nightstand, and I answered it on the second ring.

“Tough night’s sleep, Lottie?” The voice on the other end was male and one I didn’t recognize. “You shouldn’t tell your boyfriend about your other lovers. Especially those you dream about.”

“Who is this?” I asked.

“I’m disappointed you don’t recognize me.” He laughed, the sound crawling over my skin like a snake over sand. “I’m the man you dreamed about last night.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Terri looks for any opportunity to make stuff up. She thinks anything that can’t so easily be explained is worth an extra look and often makes a great story. She loves red wine, scotch, sunrises, Ancient Egypt, the beach—and a host of other stuff that would take too much real estate to talk about. The youngest of five children, Terri lives with her husband and son on Long Island. And, in her next life, if she hasn’t moved on to somewhere else, she wants to be an astronomer. Terri’s fascinated with the night skies almost as much as she’s fascinated with ancient Egypt.

Terri is a member of member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, and you can read about her at http://terriponce.com/.

If you love social media, you can also find Terri on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Terri.Ponce.Author and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TerriPonce. Come visit. She’d love to hear from you!

Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Terri-Herman-Ponc%C3%A9/e/B009FMZV3K/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1394838446&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/This-Life-Book-Past-ebook/dp/B00JS5AZ4Y

BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/terri-herman-ponc%C3%A9

Straight Chatting From the Library: Between Land and Sea by Joanne Guidoccio

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Joanne will be awarding a $75 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click the tour banner for all the dates -- the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

READ THE INTERVIEW

Tell us about your current book in 10 words.

A mermaid is aged beyond recognition and must reinvent herself.

What are you reading right now?

I am reading This is the Story of a Happy Marriage, Ann Patchett’s latest collection of articles, essays and speeches.

Dog-ear or bookmark? (don’t worry—Librarian Judith won’t hold it against you—much)

In my early twenties, I discovered the world of bookmarks and started collecting and using them. Prior to that, well...

When do you do most of your reading?

I love reading right before going to bed, a lifelong habit that I have been unable to break. Sitting and reading during the day simply does not appeal to me, not even in retirement. I associate the daytime hours with work and tend to read online posts and articles pertaining to writing or current events.

Favorite place to read?

I love reading in my den. Originally, I had intended the second bedroom to be an office, but found the small space too confining. It’s perfect for late night reading. Surrounded by family pictures, overflowing bookshelves, diplomas and Monet prints, I can stretch out on my comfortable sofa and read for hours on end.

Favorite genre?

I have eclectic tastes and enjoy reading contemporary women’s fiction, cozy mysteries, historical fiction, self-help and memoirs.

Favorite book to recommend?

I find it hard to limit myself to one book, so I will recommend my top five during the past year:

The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro
The Comfort of Lies by Randy Susan Meyers
The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty
The State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor

How do you keep your books organized?

I have two bookcases in my den and one in my living area. I don’t use the Dewey Decimal System or even follow alphabetical order. Instead, I group my books thematically. In the living area, I have recent best-sellers, history and art books, while self-help and all other genres are in the den.

What would make you not finish a book?

I use the first chapter of every book as a litmus test. If the author has not been able to “hook” me, I stop reading. Several friends have accused me of being too harsh, but I counter with the following argument: There are so wonderful books out there. Classics I haven’t read. Classics I wish to reread. Memoirs of inspiring women. My reading time is limited, and I refuse to waste it on books that fail to move me.

Keep books or give them away?

As a book reviewer, I receive many ARCs. Several times a year, I gather these books and redistribute them among friends, relatives, and retirement and nursing homes. Periodically, I revisit all my books and give away any that I haven’t read or plan to reread. In spite of these purges, my book shelves are still overflowing.

READ THE BLURB

After giving up her tail for an international banker, Isabella of the Mediterranean kingdom is aged beyond recognition. The horrified banker abandons her on the fog-drenched shores of southwest England, leaving her to face a difficult human journey as a plain and practically destitute fifty-three-year-old woman.

With the help of a magic tablet and online mermaid support, Isabella evolves into the persona of Barbara Davies. Along the way, she encounters a cast of unforgettable characters, among them former mermaids, supportive and not-so-supportive women, deserving and undeserving men, and several New Agers.

READ AN EXCERPT

Isabella stumbled as she got out of bed and tried to balance herself on the stumps that now served as permanent legs. She willed herself not to cry as she recalled the magnificent tail that had been the envy of the Mediterranean kingdom. Her mother and grandmother had also been blessed with the same tail. Now only Annabella held this birthright.

She heard her stomach growl and thought longingly of her favorite kelp dish. She closed her eyes and visualized the steaming goodness that would satisfy her hunger. And then she remembered that she could no longer manifest her desires.

No more powers. No more comfort and ease.

Her lips trembled as she looked about the small, neat room filled with large wooden pieces and smaller metallic ones. She tried to move one of the larger pieces and then gave up in frustration. Andrew had promised her a beautiful home with servants, and now she must live this life of ordinary humans.

The flickering of a green light caught her attention. She approached and noticed the tablet lying on one of the wooden surfaces. It was blinking at her. Tentatively, she touched the green light. The blinking stopped and a smiling face materialized.

“Greetings, Isabella. I am Lisa738. Annabella has asked me to guide you through your orientation.”

Isabella frowned and tried to recall her connection to this lowly mermaid from the Numbers class.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

In high school, I dabbled in poetry, but decided to wait until I had more life experiences before writing a novel. The original plan was to get a general arts degree and take a few years off to travel and write. Instead, I gave in to my practical Italian side and obtained degrees in mathematics and education.

While I experienced many satisfying moments during my teaching career, I never found the time and energy to write. In 2008, I took advantage of early retirement. Slowly, a writing practice emerged and my articles and book reviews started appearing in newspapers, magazines and online.

My debut novel, Between Land and Sea, a paranormal romance about a middle-aged mermaid, was released by Soul Mate Publishing on September 18, 2013.

I live and write in Guelph, Ontario.

Where to find Joanne…

Website: www.joanneguidoccio.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/joanneguidoccio

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BetweenLandandSeaJG

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jguidoccio/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7277706.Joanne_Guidoccio

Amazon: http://is.gd/AVpoVs

YouTube (Trailer #1): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xipZ6quZDOs

YouTube (Trailer #2): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfiKOQe_yuU

Buy Link:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Between-Land-Sea-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B00F9U5Q50