Sunday, July 29, 2012

Six Sentence Sunday - WIP - Marriage Values


Welcome back to Six Sentence Sunday! Thank you for taking time out of your busy Sunday to stop by my blog. I really appreciate it and your comments.

Today I'm offering a snippet from my newest WIP, an as yet untitled romantic suspense about Detective Cassie Tucker and P.I. Jack Pierce. In this snippet, Jack has asked her to marry him after he walked out seven years earlier. She told him he's too late and he comes back with something like "what better offers have you had lately?". She throws an egg at him.

“Fuck you, Jack!” The egg hit the wall behind his head as he ducked. “You think you’re the only man who’s asked me to marry in the last seven years?” She snorted derisively. “You think you’re the only woman? Step in line, jackass.”

I think he's gonna have to work harder to win back his girl. Thanks so much for stopping by. There several very good authors on the Six Sentence Sunday list and a few of my favorites are Cara Bristol, Dianne Hartsock, Goran Zidar, Zee Monodee, Karla Doyle, Gem Sivad, and Sarah Ballance. Happy reading! :)

Friday, July 27, 2012

#ThursThreads - Week 32 - Winners


Week 32 of #ThursThreads had some great tales and many new folks joined us! Thanks to all who entered this week. I'm honored to see all of you and read your stories. And it was great to have some new "faces" join us along with our returning regulars. Great thanks also goes to judge David A Ludwig for reading all the tales.

Entries:
  • Robin Abess | @Angelique_Rider
  • Theresa Breaux | @theresabreaux
  • Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
  • Cameron Lawton | @CameronLawton
  • Elaine Hillson | @tollykit
  • Jeffrey Hollar | @Klingorengi
  • Olivia Grambo | @KelseyPotter13
  • Charles W Jones | @ChuckWesJ
  • Lisa McCourt Hollar | @jezri1
  • Goran Zidar | @gzidar
  • Mark Ethridge | @LurchMunster
  • Martha Bechtel
  • @LupusAnthropos
  • Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
  • Nellie Batz | @solimond
  • Jason McKinney | @jason_mckinney

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

Theresa Breaux | @theresabreaux
  David says: Great opening hook! Feeds right into the tension and mystery of the piece! The vague circumstances, likely very closely tied to said ‘overdose in a motel bathroom’, and enigmatic voice are great. I would definitely read the rest of this story to learn more about both the narrator and the mysterious benefactor. I especially want to know more about the sorts of favors a being capable of giving this sort of second chance would be interested in.
The last 4 words are perfect for summing up the piece and giving the reader direction after they leave it. Great imagery, great voice and a really compelling scenario are all so excellently presented; you definitely earned your honorable mention. You build and maintain a consistent atmosphere with this piece, with a lot of clouds and shadows, then leave us with hope at the end—and that is beautiful.

Charles W Jones | @ChuckWesJ
  David says: Wow… I don’t have a lot to say to this one, you really nailed my concept of love and that is a lot of points right there. I also kind of dig self-sacrifice for reasons I don’t feel like analyzing, so his insistence on a life of strife and suffering in order to be with “Her” is incredibly beautiful to me. Lines like “the cost of it is far too much” and “in that short time, I have everything I need for eternity” are exactly what I love about this one. Great capture of the character, the woman granting his incarnation, and the deep feelings around an entire life to be lived. I guess I did find something to say!
This one gets one of the coveted honorable mentions in very large part because it spoke to me so personally. I don’t know if it has the same effect on others who read it, but for me this is a story about someone who has his priorities so perfectly in order even angels are taken by surprise. That’s powerful.

Nellie Batz | @solimond
David says: Ooo! A contract killing witch and her supernatural cat familiar, or something like that. I love the sense of mysticism and weight to the old woman contrasted with the nonchalant relaxation of the sunbathing cat, which in proper feline fashion was ready to leap straight from pleasure to attack. Quick, simple, but very much in my genre and well executed. The cat is like a metaphor for the whole story, so appropriately you create a very clear image of the creature. I like it. In fact, I love it. This is definitely an honorable mention, because I have never seen a better ‘old woman and her cat’ scene than this. It’s got all the great things about a real old woman and her cat, plus the mysticism that takes it from endearingly accurate to awesome.
 
Week 32 Winner

  David says: Great voice in your characters, I’m already smiling by the time the first speaker responds to the beleaguered administrator. Then his vindictive assignation of the problem client to Hebrew slave gave me very morbid joy. I’m left wanting more, it sounds like an amazing program/company/whatever-it-is with so many rich story possibilities I’m actually salivating a little. Perfect ending, in that the one client’s story is now fixed but there’s always more to come. It does make me curious whether the administrator is normally more accommodating and the one client just pushed him too far, or if he generally screws the patrons—and how much power he has to get away with that sort of behavior.
Picking an actual winner was extremely difficult after I narrowed the field to my top four. Ultimately what I feel gives this story an edge over the others is the infinite variety of additional stories that can be spun out from the seeds laid in this one—all without sacrificing anything in terms of completeness or self-containment of this particular story. You’ve got what I consider a writer’s gold-mine with your History Holidays company. I think the runners-up had stronger imagery, but there’s something here that I just want to keep coming back to, want to pick up and play with myself. I’d almost call this one proof-of-concept.

Your choice.

“Oo! Yeah! A pirate! A female pirate and that cute one with the headband falls in love with me, that one, all Black Pearl stuff, yeah.”

The administrator sighed and asked, “Is that really the story you wish?” His stylus was poised over the boxes on the screen. “Are you sure this time?”

“No! No – a Viking shield maiden! That's it! A Valkyrie. I wanna be a Valkyrie!”

Another deep sigh and the administrator repeated, “Is that really the story you wish? We have been through most periods of the human race's history. I must remind you that when you go, you are there. You cannot come back until the end of the holiday. If you become ill or are killed, it will neutralise your time in that sphere.”

“No! That Jane Heyer gal – Mr Dorchester's mad wife. That stuff!”

“Your time is running out, Miss. Would you decide please?”

“Pirate!”

The Administrator smiled and pressed the squares marked Egypt, Hebrew slave.

Enjoy, he thought, enjoy building your pyramid. The next client swam into view on the screen.

“History Holidays – how can I help you?”

Congratulations Cameron, Theresa, Chuck, and Nellie! Claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! :)

Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the stories here and I hope to see you all back next week for #ThursThreads. :)

Thursday, July 26, 2012

#ThursThreads - The Challenge That Ties Tales Together - Week 32


Welcome back to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked. It's Thursday again, so what should you be doing? Writing #FlashFiction, that's what! Welcome to Week 32 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Need the rules? Read on!

Here's how it works:
  • The prompt is a line from the previous week's winning tale.
  • The prompt can appear ANYWHERE in your story and is included in your word count.
Rules to the Game:
  • This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250.
  • Incorporate the prompt anywhere into your story (included in your word count).
  • Post your story in the comments section of this post
  • Include your word count (or be excluded from judging)
  • Include your Twitter handle or email (so we know how to find you)
  • The challenge is open 7 AM to 7 PM Pacific Time
  • The winner will be announced on Friday, depending on how early the judge gets up. ;)
How it benefits you:
  • You get a nifty cool badge to display on your blog or site (because we're all about promotion - you know you are!)
  • You get instant recognition of your writing prowess on this blog!
  • Your writing colleagues shall announce and proclaim your greatness on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus

Our Judge for Week 32:


The writer for introspection and entertainment, and certified bartender, David A. Ludwig.
 
 
 
And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:

“Is that really the story you wish?”

All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck! :)

Monday, July 23, 2012

Authors After Dark Romance Convention

Woot! I'm going to Authors After Dark 2012 in New Orleans! Can I get a "YYEEAAAAHHHHH!"?


I'm so excited. I've never been to New Orleans (though we do have the Orleans Hotel and Casino here in Las Vegas) and I've heard great things about it. This will be my first big romance convention that I've ever attended.

Authors attending include Joey W. Hill, Shayla Black, Yasmin Galenorn, Pamela Palmer, Cat Johnson, and Erin Kellison.

Plus, I'll be there! :D And I'm rooming with Kallypso Masters, so if you're coming to the conference, we'd love to chat with you.

It's going to be awesome and there's a masquerade ball. You'll just have to figure out which lovely lady is me. :D Hope to see you there!

Happy reading! :)

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Six Sentence Sunday - WIP - Star Trekkin'


Welcome back to Six Sentence Sunday! Thank you for taking time out of your busy Sunday to stop by my blog. I really appreciate it and your comments.

Today I'm offering a snippet from my newest WIP, an as yet untitled romantic suspense about Detective Cassie Tucker and P.I. Jack Pierce. In this snippet, Cassie is having a rough day and she remarks she can't take much more. Jack and her partner Daniels are teasing her with Star Trek's Scotty and Captain Kirk. The first line is Jack's.

“She’s all droopy and sad. She hasn’t had a drink in weeks, and her lower extremities are startin’ to mold to the plastic chair.”

While Jack’s fake Scottish accent cracked her up, his last statement irked her. “Are you saying I have plastic chair butt, Jack?”

A pregnant pause swelled into place as the men exchanged trepidatious glances.

“You’re on your own there, Pierce,” Daniels said.

I love it when guys get nervous. Thanks so much for stopping by. There several very good authors on the Six Sentence Sunday list and a few of my favorites are Cara Bristol, Dianne Hartsock, Goran Zidar, Zee Monodee, Karla Doyle, Gem Sivad, and Sarah Ballance.

I also want to mention the winners of the When Darkness Falls Blog Hop and Giveaway!
Kelly Reci
Carolyn Rosewood

Congratulations to you both! Thanks so much for participating and happy reading. :)

Friday, July 20, 2012

#ThursThreads - Week 31 - Winners


Week 31 of #ThursThreads had some great tales and many new folks joined us! Thanks to all who entered this week. I'm honored to see all of you and read your stories. And it was great to have some new "faces" join us along with our returning regulars. Great thanks also goes to judge Lisa McCourt Hollar for reading all the tales.

Entries:
  • Kimberly Gould | @Kimmydonn
  • Robin Abess | @Angelique_Rider
  • Theresa Breaux | @theresabreaux
  • Olivia Grambo | @KelseyPotter13
  • Stevie McCoy | @theglitterlady
  • Jeff Xilon | @JXilon
  • Rebecca Allen | @RGraceAllen
  • Elaine Hillson | @tollykit
  • Sarah Aisling | @SarahAisling
  • Cameron Lawton | @CameronLawton
  • Rebekah Postupak | @postupak
  • Mike E Miller | @MikeEMillerBook
  • Charles W Jones | @ChuckWesJ
  • Jalisa Blackman | @J_M_Blackman
  • Alissa Leonard | @lissajean7
  • Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
  • Mark Ethridge | @LurchMunster
  • David Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
  • Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
  • Nellie Batz | @solimond
  • Nanette Pitts | @nanettePITTS
Lisa says: Wow, this wasn’t an easy decision. So many great stories, so many twists on the prompt; I loved them all.Thank you for allowing me to judge! I had a lot of fun reading all the stories

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

Robin Abess | @Angelique_Rider
Lisa says: This started out as a simple story about betrayal. As I’m reading it I think she was having an affair. Then the twist at the end caught me by surprise. Not such a simple story after all. I would love to read more, find out just what Joey’s story is.

Cameron Lawton | @CameronLawton
Lisa says: The story put me in mind of I, Robot, one of my favorite technology movies. From the way she kept referencing the husband, I was expecting the robot to be worse, especially after it mentions the ‘defect’.  The ending made me laugh and couldn’t have been better.

Rebekah Postupak | @postupak
Lisa says: I wonder who her husband was and why she wanted him dead. Who is Jamir? And the last line, so bitter sweet.
 
Week 31 Winner

  Lisa says: This is the story that I wanted to read over and over again. I loved the fun names, the stories he offered to tell… I wanted more. I see the beginning of an epic fantasy here

The Storyteller

“I’ll tell you whatever you wish to hear.”

That was the storyteller’s promise, and we all crept closer, lured by his sincerity.

“Will you tell about the day the moon cracked?” Twisted Sally asked him.

“I’ll tell you of the day the moon cracked and the Goblin King came to steal the clouds of earth.”

“I want to hear about when the the oceans boiled,” Big Gus said.

“I’ll tell you of the roiling, boiling oceans and how the Atlanteans had to crawl onto the the beaches and beg for sanctuary.”

“I want to hear about the great revolt,” One-eyed Jane called out from the back.

“Of course!” the storyteller said. “I can tell you of the rebellion that felled the arcologies and brought the Oxygen Barons low.”

“What about our parents?” Red Anne, the smallest child, called out. “Will you tell us where our parents went?”

Silence fell like dominoes as each child held his breath and looked to the storyteller. He clasped his hands together and stared at Red Anne.

“Is that really the story you wish?” he asked her.

She nodded slowly, as if she were afraid a faster movement might break something delicate.

“Is that the story you all want to hear?” the old man asked the other children.

No one said no. No one said yes.

The storyteller bent his head in agreement. His voice was barely a whisper. “Our tale begins a long time ago, though not so long as you might think…”

Congratulations Jeff, Robin, Cameron, and Rebekah! Claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! :)

Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the stories here and I hope to see you all back next week for #ThursThreads. :)

Thursday, July 19, 2012

#ThursThreads - The Challenge That Ties Tale Together - Week 31


Welcome back to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked. It's Thursday again, so what should you be doing? Writing #FlashFiction, that's what! Welcome to Week 31 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Need the rules? Read on!

Here's how it works:
  • The prompt is a line from the previous week's winning tale.
  • The prompt can appear ANYWHERE in your story and is included in your word count.
Rules to the Game:
  • This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250.
  • Incorporate the prompt anywhere into your story (included in your word count).
  • Post your story in the comments section of this post
  • Include your word count (or be excluded from judging)
  • Include your Twitter handle or email (so we know how to find you)
  • The challenge is open 7 AM to 7 PM Pacific Time
  • The winner will be announced on Friday, depending on how early the judge gets up. ;)
How it benefits you:
  • You get a nifty cool badge to display on your blog or site (because we're all about promotion - you know you are!)
  • You get instant recognition of your writing prowess on this blog!
  • Your writing colleagues shall announce and proclaim your greatness on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus

Our Judge for Week 31:


The Queen of Zombies, and only woman I know brave enough to marry a Ferengi, Lisa McCourt Hollar.
 
 

And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:

“I’ll tell you whatever you wish to hear.”

All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck! :)

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Guest blog post from Zee Monodee, Discipline and Success

Good morning, dear readers. Today I have special guest Zee Monodee talking about how to have it all. Bottom line: you have to want it bad enough. Zee is a great example of never giving up, never surrendering. A woman after my own heart. :)

Hello everyone; my name is Zee Monodee. I am a wife, a mother, a stepmother, a writer, an editor, a critique partner, and I also dabble as a cover artist. Seven years ago, I was diagnosed with malignant breast cancer, a disease that tried to make a comeback some two years ago. I turned twenty-nine this year, and amidst all these roles and setbacks, I have studied eight years through distance learning to earn my bachelors’ degree in communications science.

No, I’m not superwoman; I’m not a heroine; I’m not “brave” or whatever else comes to your mind when you hear the word “cancer.” I’m just a woman, just like you women reading this – and I’m a human being with dreams and wishes and issues and problems, just like everyone else.

In the past seven years, since I started writing, I have completed eight full-length manuscripts and two short stories. I’ve handled countless other manuscripts as a freelance editor (and one-time when I worked as a senior editor and assistant to the editor-in-chief at an epublishing house). Oh, and did I mention I am also a voracious reader who devours some twenty-five to thirty novels a month?

No, too – there aren’t enough hours in a day; I make do with the same twenty-four hours we all get. And yes, since my body took such a blow with cancer twice, I need the sleep. Seven to eight hours a night, otherwise the residual fatigue from the chemo drugs and the radiation treatments can leave me sluggish.

Why am I telling you all this?

Because everyone asks me how I can get all that done. My answer is - how can I not?

You see, there is one little thing we all seem to forget about in this time and age of instant gratification and non-existent patience – it’s called discipline!

Remember when you were a kid, and when you wanted to play when it was time to head to school, your mother would tell you that “there’s a time and a place for everything”? Well, guess what – your adult life is not any different. You are the one responsible for everything you do and don’t do...and discipline helps you get there.

I’m not speaking of a rod and cane type of discipline here. My point is – you owe yourself this dedication, once you decide what you wish to be in your life. When my first marriage crumbled, I vowed that if I ever got married again, I wouldn’t let distance worm its way into my couple once more. When I met this man who came with a three-year-old son in the bargain, I vowed I would not be an evil stepmother who resents that kid for taking some of my man’s time. When I found out I was pregnant, I vowed to be a good mother to this child, never mind that I was certain I would be an imperfect mother at the best of times, and a totally incompetent one at some points. When I started the distance learning program to earn my degree, I vowed I would pass every one of these thirty papers on the first try. When I started writing, I did it with the aim of being published, of being more than a flash in the pan with one pubbed book and endless unfinished manuscripts.

All of what I highlighted above happened in the scope of three years. Yes, I tripped, and fell, and bruised myself and got the scraped knees to prove all that. I wasn’t a success immediately – it took a lot of trial and error to find the “right” spot. I worked out schedules, rolled out routine after routine to find some semblance of order in the chaos. But none of that worked... especially not when I didn’t have the discipline to put myself into one of those roles’ shoes and be what I vowed to be.

It is so tempting to make excuses! Trust me – I know that temptation, and I fall prey to it often. But I also know if I don’t do it (whatever “it” turns out to be at that moment), no one will get it done for me. Nobody would study and pass my exams for me; nobody would bring up my son and then hand him to me on a platter and go, “here’s your boy all reared up”; no one would hand me a coupon that says “happy marriage for 1 month” and tell me to cash it in on the first day of every month; nobody would write the stories I desired to write, and that my publishers were waiting for, if I didn’t write them myself.

So I discipline myself. My day is spread out in such a way that I can dedicate a piece of me to every role I have to play. There’s a time and a place for me to be everything I have to be – when my son is at school and my husband at work, I am the writer that writes. When my boy – and his brother – gets home from school, I am the mum and stepmum they drive crazy with their too-loud videogames and endless fights. When my husband gets home, I am still the mum but that goes a little in the background, because I am then the woman that this man desired to make his wife and with whom he’s wanted to spend the rest of his life (poor soul... I know, I feel for him too...).

Without this discipline, I know I would be at my computer all day – writing, surfing the web, helping other writers with crits and beta-reading feedback, taking on freelance editing jobs often to help my fellow editing crew and take a load off their shoulders. Believe me – I came close to losing it all at one point. I was working as the senior editor/assistant to the editor-in-chief/right-hand woman/ jack of all trades/*insert whatever job had to be done at the pub house here*... and work was twenty-four hours, seven days a week of my existence. I didn’t realize – until it was nearly too late – that discipline is what I owed myself, and what I owed the people in my life.

You, too, reading this, are a writer and a spouse/parent/friend/daughter or son/employee. None of us is just one thing without being another. If this is your reason for not going out to chase your dream, then stop hiding behind this smokescreen – you can do it all... as long as you stay true to yourself!


Bio:
Zee Monodee
Stories about love, life, relationships... in a melting-pot of culture
Zee is an author who grew up on a fence - on one side there was modernity and the global world, on the other there was culture and traditions. Putting up with the culture for half of her life, one day she decided she'd stand tall on her wall and dip toes every now and then into both sides of her non-conventional upbringing.
From this resolution spanned a world of adaptation and learning to live on said wall. The realization also came that many other young women of the world were on their own fence.
This particular position became her favorite when she decided to pursue her lifelong dream of writing - her heroines all sit 'on a fence', whether cultural or societal, in today's world or in times past, and face dilemmas about life and love.
Hailing from the multicultural island of Mauritius, Zee is a degree holder in Communications Science. She is married, mum to a tween son, & stepmum to a teenage lad.

Check out Zee’s latest release in the Corpus Brides romantic suspense/espionage series, out with Noble Romance Publishing.

Before The Morning
. . . is a time of great darkness. . .

A trained killer with borderline sociopathic tendencies:
Rayne Cheltham traced out her life's path when she was twelve: she would marry her best friend and bear his children, and in the process, stifle the restless edge in her. When he vows never to marry, she gives in to the darkness and becomes a clandestine agent—until the day he walks into her world again, and her carefully fabricated façade crumbles.

A former cop burned by life and his personal demons:
When Ash Gilfoy meets a woman who reminds him of his childhood best friend, he starts upon a path that leads him down into an abyss once again. The day Rayne waltzes back into his life, he knows she is his second chance, and the one who will save him.

Each thinks the other is their redemption . . . until they discover how deep the other's edge of darkness goes
No one knows Rayne used to be a spy and an assassin, and no one knows why Ash left the police force. The secrets between them make them sit on a keg of gunpowder with a lit fuse in their hands. Neither knows what 'normal' means now, especially Rayne, whose whole life is built on a lie. Truth is threatening to explode in their faces, and that is not the only menace they have to face. Someone is out to get Rayne, and she must disclose her past before it is too late.

Can Rayne and Ash survive all that's thrown in their path? Can they hang on to the last thread of their relationship, and can they emerge, still together and still alive, in the morning after the deepest darkness?

Watch the book’s trailer at http://youtu.be/ivUw0X9odFk and grab the book at this address https://www.nobleromance.com/Books/420/Before-the-Morning

And check out Zee’s other works:

WALKING THE EDGE (Corpus Brides: Book 1): Currently FREE - A romantic suspense novel, wherein an amnesiac woman is on the quest for her forgotten memory... Escape from London all the way to Marseille, France, and discover the secrets, deceit, danger, & the powerful love, she uncovers during her search! https://www.nobleromance.com/Books/304/Walking-the-Edge

CALLING HOME (A Destiny's Child Book): A heart-warming romantic tale of a cold and reserved forensic pathologist, the riotous tween that lands into her life, the chaos of motherhood... and the prospect of love, with the handsome (and much younger!) village doctor next door! https://www.nobleromance.com/Books/369/Calling-Home
  
ONCE UPON A STORMY NIGHT (1NightStand): On the paradise island of Mauritius, British billionaire Lars Rutherford isn’t looking for a woman, & corporate law executive Simmi Moyer isn’t looking for a man. But when a matchmaker pairs them together on a blind date, both face open doors towards a future they refused to contemplate... until now. http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=553&osCsid=joff4lkh610umgtpmk3mg4qvr4

Contact Links:


Facebook & Goodreads: Zee Monodee

Twitter: @ZeeMonodee

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Six Sentence Sunday - Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack - On The Job


Welcome back, Sixers! It's Sunday again and I have one last little piece of my recent release to share. But don't worry, next week, I'll share an upcoming WIP romantic suspense I'm working on. Thank you so much for coming to visit my snippet. I really appreciate it.


In this snippet of Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack, Julianna is at her job at Jeff's bar and a young punk is treating her with less respect than the crap on the bottom of his shoe. Jeff is not amused, but it's still enough to make Julianna's heart flutter.

Turning her head, Julianna’s gaze caught Jeff stalking toward them through the crowd. His face was composed and looked even mildly amused, but Julianna scented the fury rolling off him in waves. Excitement zinged through her at the sight of his furious beauty, and she inhaled shakily.
Holy God, he’s frickin’ sexy!
“Is that any way to talk to a lady, Bobby?” Jeff said, his voice deceptively calm.
He stopped next to Julianna, cocking his head like a curious wolf, while Bobby swallowed hard and held very still.


Never underestimate an Alpha werewolf defending his bar and his female. :D Thanks so much for stopping by. There several very good authors on the Six Sentence Sunday list and a few of my favorites are Dianne Hartsock, Goran Zidar, Zee Monodee, Karla Doyle, Gem Sivad, and Sarah Ballance. Happy reading! :)

Friday, July 13, 2012

When Darkness Falls Blog Hop and Giveaway


Welcome to the When Darkness Falls Blog Hop and Giveaway!

In the world of the weird, the wild, & the wicked, many things come out when darkness falls. Werewolves sing to the moon, vampires breathe a sigh of relief from the sun, and succubi infiltrate the dreams of the unsuspecting.

In my upcoming WIP tentatively entitled Murder in Eve's Paradise, a M/F/M romantic suspense, Lady Aislynn is the owner and operator of Eve's Paradise, ostensibly a strip club in Las Vegas.

Aislynn also runs an underground BDSM club, catering to those with more extreme needs. She's not a madam and it's not a whorehouse, but sexual energy abounds. She set it up that way because she's a 20K year old succubus who'd rather not kill anyone. Taking little sips from everyone who participates in either the strip club on the surface, or the BDSM club underground, she satiates herself and kills no one. A light in the darkness of her soul.

The members of her BDSM club are invite-only, checked thoroughly, and usually discreet. Everyone agrees to the rules and the authorities don't need to be involved.

Until a murder happens in her club.

Now Aislynn has cops and investigators all over her establishment, trying to ferret out her clients, her background, and her finances. What's a succubus to do? Well, when darkness falls, she can infiltrate the two lead investigators' dreams, seducing and distracting them. Or can she?


Werewolf twin brothers, Nik and Chayse Wolffe, come from a law enforcement family. Nik is a private investigator hired by the wife of the victim to find her missing husband, while Chayse is a CSI with Las Vegas Metro PD assigned to the case in Eve's Paradise strip club. Same case, twin brothers, perfect situation, right?


Wrong. The brothers have been estranged for years ever since Chayse stopped sexually sharing women with Nik to "fit in". Plus, when Chayse meets Aislynn, he knows exactly what she is and reviles her. He's been addicted to a succubus before and he'll be damned before this one touches his or his brother's dreams. Too bad she's their True Mate, eh? And they are her redemption. Bwahahahaha!


So, today, dear readers, is Friday the 13th, usually a day people dread or fear. But I've found that great and wonderful things happen on Fridays the 13th, and this blog hop stop is just one of many. There are 13 other authors (lucky, eh? :D) offering up prizes when you stop by their blogs, so you have many chances to win great things.

I'm giving away signed book covers of Her Devoted Vampire and Siobhan Muir magnets to two (2) lucky commentors. Please leave a valid email address or Twitter handle so I can notify you when you win. My giveaway is open to US/Canada residents only, and you must be over 18 years of age to win. Please void where prohibited. The giveaway is open until July 21st and I will announce the winners on my Six Sentence Sunday post on July 22nd.

Don't forget to visit all the other authors in the blog hop. The linky list is below and it will give you plenty of opportunities to visit the darkness. ;)

So, embrace the darkness, for only in the darkness can the light be seen so clearly. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)

#ThursThreads - Week 30 - Winners


Week 30 of #ThursThreads had some great tales and many new folks joined us! Thanks to all who entered this week. I'm honored to see all of you and read your stories. And it was great to have some new "faces" join us along with our returning regulars. Great thanks also goes to judge Charles W Jones for reading all the tales.

Entries:
  • Jeffrey Hollar | @Klingorengi 
  • Cameron Lawton | @CameronLawton
  • Robin Abess | @Angelique_Rider
  • Olivia Grambo | @KelseyPotter13
  • Rebecca Allen | @RGraceAllen
  • Elaine Hillson | @tollykit
  • Jeff Xilon | @JXilon
  • Michela Walters | @michelawalters
  • Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
  • Mark Ethridge | @LurchMunster
  • Eli M. Clark | @EliMClark
  • Deb C | @debc
  • Stevie McCoy | @theglitterlady
  • Miranda Boers | @PurpleQueenNL
  • Rosalind Smith-Nazilli | @MrsNazilli
  • David Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
  • Goran Zidar | @GZidar
  • Wakefield Mahon | @WakefieldMahon
  • Martha Bechtel
  • Nellie Batz | @solimond
  • Stacy Bennett-Hoyt | @Rowanwolf66
  • Jalisa Blackman | @J_M_Blackman
  • Jason McKinney | @jason_mckinney
  • Ruth Long | @Bullishink
  • Lisa McCourt Hollar | @jezri1
  • Anna Meade | @ruanna3

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

Robin Abess | @Angelique_Rider
Charles says: wow, I hate the dark too. I want know what happens next.
  
Jeff Xilon | @JXilon
Charles says: I really felt the emotion of this story. Wonderfully written.

Jason McKinney | @jason_mckinney
Charles says: ooooh, Nazi’s and werewolves, awesome.
 
Week 30 Winner

Charles says: I love the vivid imagery of the landscape and the way I was drawn into the story.

“Tell me I’m not giving my life away for nothing.” Jayden paused looking up into Micha’s red-lined pupils solemnly. This wasn’t her idea of perfect vacation but she didn’t have much of a choice in the matter.

“I’ll tell you whatever you wish to hear.” Micha took her hand in his. Petting her hand with a soft thumb he proceeded to smile in opposition to his stone set face.

“Tell me, please.” Her insistence, she could tell, grated on Micha’s patience; his hand twitched trying to hold back the irritation from boiling over. Jayden was thankful, for a moment, at having her angelic powers bottled up; it meant she couldn’t feel his deep seeded anger and pain piercing at her human flesh.

“Your life isn’t ending only changing.” He led her further into what seemed like an endless desert.
“How long will I stay here?”

“Don’t be daft Jayden, this is your new home,” Jayden looked around at the red dirt and the steaming cracks creeping up the rocky walls, “This is the outskirts obviously we won’t be staying here; I plan on giving you the royal treatment.”

Jayden swallowed feeling the scratch in her throat from the dry air. It made her nervous the more being down here became and felt more real. This wasn’t a dream and the “royal treatment” probably didn’t mean massages and fluffy bunnies.

“Welcome to Hell, my sweet bird.”

Congratulations Stevie, Robin, Jeff, and Jason! Claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! :) Please DM Charles for your copy of Circus Tarot.

Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the stories here and I hope to see you all back next week for #ThursThreads. :)

Thursday, July 12, 2012

#ThursThreads - The Challenge That Ties Tales Together - Week 30


Welcome back to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked. It's Thursday again, so what should you be doing? Writing #FlashFiction, that's what! Welcome to Week 30 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Need the rules? Read on!

Here's how it works:
  • The prompt is a line from the previous week's winning tale.
  • The prompt can appear ANYWHERE in your story and is included in your word count.
Rules to the Game:
  • This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250.
  • Incorporate the prompt anywhere into your story (included in your word count).
  • Post your story in the comments section of this post
  • Include your word count (or be excluded from judging)
  • Include your Twitter handle or email (so we know how to find you)
  • The challenge is open 7 AM to 7 PM Pacific Time
  • The winner will be announced on Friday, depending on how early the judge gets up. ;)
How it benefits you:
  • You get a nifty cool badge to display on your blog or site (because we're all about promotion - you know you are!)
  • You get instant recognition of your writing prowess on this blog!
  • Your writing colleagues shall announce and proclaim your greatness on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus

Our Judge for Week 30:


The giggling, torture-loving horror author, Charles W. Jones.
 
 
Charles is generously offering an .EPUB copy of Circus Tarot to the winner of #ThursThreads this week, so get ready to write! And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:

"Tell me I’m not giving my life away for nothing."

All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck! :)

Monday, July 9, 2012

Sunshine Blog Award


I woke up yesterday morning, opened my email, and found I'd been awarded the Sunshine Blog Award by my friend and fellow writer Jeffrey Hollar. Imagine my surprise. Jeff is known for his dark and probing tales, and I thought, "He's giving me sunshine?" :)

It turns out it is a fun way to connect writers and I'm so grateful Jeff thought of me. Thanks, Jeff. :)

So here's how this goes. It's something like the Kreativ Blogger Award in that I must give you ten "surprising" facts about myself, and then nominate ten other authors who I think you should meet (to promote them and help them sell their books). :D

  1. I can't stand the taste of cilantro - it makes me gag and I'm quite happy living without it. Fredrick MacGregor doesn't like it, either. ;)
  2. I've visited 8 different countries all before the age of 25 and I wasn't in the military. 
  3. I've lived in India and Russia.
  4. I'm a recovering volcanologist.
  5. I was the mime at the Colorado Renaissance Festival for two years (can you imagine me being "silent"?)
  6. I once drove 1200 miles (from Las Vegas to Albuquerque and back) just to see a hot air balloon at home. :{
  7. I spent six weeks on a remote Aleutian Island, ostensibly to study the volcanoes there, but I was really studying the Harbor seals, sea otters, Aleutian terns, willow ptarmigans, caribou, and Arctic foxes. ;)
  8. I can speak three languages fluently (I'm a little rusty): English, Russian, and Spanish.
  9. I received 11 Arctic fox carcasses in the mail (from that remote Aleutian Island), skinned them myself, and had 4 pelts tanned.
  10. For Valentine's Day one year, Mr. SM gave me a Canis dirus (Dire Wolf) skull. Isn't he sweet? :D

So there you have it. There's a reason why this blog is called The Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked. ;) Below is the list of ten authors I think should receive this award. They are some of my favorites and people worth knowing.

Gem Sivad (@gemsivad)
Shannan Albright (@nae0309)
RM Sotera (@rmsotera)
Nichole Severn (@TheLVWriter)
Cara Michaels (@caramichaels)
Katie Salidas (@QuixoticKatie)
Emerald (@Emerald_GLD)
Tom Keller (@dryadsgarden)
J. Whitworth Hazzard (@zombiemechanics)
Jason McKinney (@jason_mckinney)

Check out these nominees and let the sunshine blaze! :) Thanks so much for stopping by and happy reading!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Six Sentence Sunday - Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack - First Date


Welcome back, Sixers! It's Sunday again and I have a little piece of my recent release to share. Thank you so much for coming to visit my snippet. I really appreciate it.


In this snippet of Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack, Jeff and Julianna are on their first date since the party at a restaurant. They're trying to play it cool, but their wolfish natures (and urges) are shining through.

“Do you know what you want?”
“Yessssss,” she mused slowly, then grimaced. “Unfortunately, it’s not currently on the menu.”
“Oh,” he asked surprised and a little concerned, "what’s that?”
She looked up at him, met his green-gold gaze, and smiled slowly.
“I’m not sure what the proper term is, but I think it has something to do with cocks and kittens.”


Oh my. Julianna really knows how to get a guy's attention. :D Thanks so much for stopping by. There several very good authors on the Six Sentence Sunday list and a few of my favorites are Cara Bristol, Dianne Hartsock, Goran Zidar, Zee Monodee, Karla Doyle, Gem Sivad, and Sarah Ballance. Happy reading! :)