Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Mid Week Tease: Jonarrion's Claim


Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for this week's Mid Week Tease hosted by Sandra Bunino.

Authors: this is a great opportunity to spotlight a few lines or even a paragraph or two from a new release or backlisted title. Readers: you get to sample some delicious snippets! We’ll do our best to tease, titillate and tantalize you into the weekend.

My Mid Week Tease is from Not a Dragon's Standard Virgin. Jonarrion has caught up with the fleeing Isabelle and laid claim to her. This bit is for folks 18+, just FYI. :)

Her body reacted to his kiss before her mind knew what was going on. Fury and frustration shifted into needy desire, and she gave in to his kiss. Lustful fire burned through her veins as his tongue thrust into her mouth and caressed hers. She realized the hard object pressing against her lower body was not a dagger, but the hard ridge of his cock straining against his leather braies. She squirmed against him, but whether to get away or to get closer, she didn’t care.
Isabelle pushed against his hard chest, but Jon didn’t budge. His tongue licked her lips before he nipped them playfully, and she growled at him. He growled back and grabbed her hands, forcing them up over her head. He pressed his body against hers, pinning her to the wall with his weight. A combination of trepidation and excitement flared as she struggled to get away, but he held her fast.
Her nipples hardened against the flat planes of his chest, and she squirmed to relieve the aching tightness. Bloody hell, she swore she’d drown in the surge of the emotions he elicited from her. Lust, pleasure, fear, anger, frustration, desperation, and need washed over her as he clasped both her wrists in one hand. Isabelle jerked on her arms, and arousal flared at the ease with which he held her bound with a single hand.

Get your hot dragon fix here:


Friday, July 26, 2013

#ThursThreads - Week 80 - Winners


Week 80 of #ThursThreads had some terrific tales and a great turn-out! I'm honored to see all of the returning writers and read your stories. Thank you for coming back again and again to write. And welcome to the new folks who stopped by. Great thanks to Maureen O. Betita for judging this week. :)

Entries:
  • Dee Little
  • Silver James | @SilverJames_
  • Rebecca Brennan | @bexbrennan
  • Greg Nance | @acenance
  • Brandon Yusuf Toropov | @BYToropov
  • Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
  • Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil 
  • Susan Hayes | @capricia13
  • Imaginator | @theimaginator20
  • Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
  • Dr. Magoo | @drmagoo
  • David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
  • Kayla West | @bookwormattack
  • Lisa McCourt Hollar | @jezri1
  • Rebecca R. Kovar | @RRKovar
  • Ryan Derham | @Ryan_Derham
  • Kirsten Arnold
  • Cara Michaels | @caramichaels

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

Dee Little 
Maureen says: I really liked the revenge aspect of this bit. I really am a sucker for a good vengeance tale… I bought into the need for a pound of flesh. Very good!

Silver James | @SilverJames_
Maureen says: When a tidbit can make me want to read a full MS, it’s good. I’ve only read one other dragon shifter type story, but this makes me rethink that. I do love a confident man!

Greg Nance | @acenance
Maureen says: I really suck at a full story in few words, this was masterfully done. I saw the whole story in this snippet.
 
Week 80 Winner



Maureen says: I wrestled a lot between this and one other, but in the end…this proved terribly invocative. I’m partial to a steady eye when it comes to dealing with a bloody scene. Very well done, Lisa! You didn’t blink, you didn’t overdue, just enough description.

The Wolf

It was born at midnight, all teeth and fur… and hungry for blood. It climbed from its mother’s belly after having eaten through her womb. Even then it was hungry, so it picked her bones free. Watching the creature, Kylee reached out to pet it, but Nanna slapped her fingers back.

“Leave it alone.”

Kylee watched the creature feed and then studied its mother. Tara had been her sister. Kylee had been jealous when she’d been chosen for the Quickening. To be the mother of the wolf god was an honor. Tara hadn’t thought so. She’d screamed while its seed was planted.

When it was done eating, the creature looked at Kylee, growling slightly. Kylee felt something stir inside of her. It sniffed at her, sticking its nose close to her sex. Then Nanna shoed it away.

Kylee watched it leave, disappointed. “Will it come back?”

“When it reaches the end of its life it will return to choose a new vessel.”

“So he can be reborn.” Kylee felt the yearning again, a combination of fear, hope and desire.

“By then you will be very old. You will be Nanna.

Kylee looked crestfallen. “Oh.”

“Don’t be so disappointed, child. The wolf only exists when the moon is full and then it must feed. You do not want him here those nights.”

“And the other nights?”

“He will take another form, one more pleasing than the wolf, though no more tame and sometimes more dangerous. Those nights he is a man.”

Congratulations FourTime Winner Lisa, Dee, Silver, and Greg! Don't forget to 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. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)


Thursday, July 25, 2013

#ThursThreads - The Challenge That Ties Tales Together - Week 80


Welcome back to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked. Wow, where did half the year go? It's Thursday again, so what should you be doing? Writing #FlashFiction, that's what! Welcome to Week 80 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 80:


Corset goddess, Kraken connoisseur, and piratical adventure author, Maureen O. Betita.


And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:


“Leave it alone.”

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! :)

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Character Interview and New Release by J. Annas Walker

Today I'm hosting paranormal romance author J. Annas Walker and her new release from Siren Publishing, Scion's Avalon. She has graciously brought along her heroine, Princess Cassandra, the former heir to the vampire throne, to tell you a little about her story. Just remember she does bite. ;)

Thanks, Siobhan, for having me today! Joining me is Princess Cassandra from the House of Dracul series talking about her favorite things. Her Highness is the Scion and second in line to the vampire throne. Born in the 1830’s, she has had the advantage of seeing some of the most inventive and tumultuous times in human history.

Q. Princess Cassandra, when you think of movies, which one stands out as your favorite?

A. Please. Call me Cassy. I can remember going to the nickelodeons when they were brand new. Movies have some such a long way since those simple, early days. But if I had to choose just one, I would say Gone With The Wind tops the list. For the first time in my life, I saw the world in daytime colors.

Q. How did that make you feel?

A. As a born vampire, I had never seen the blue sky. It was the most amazing thing I ever saw. I attended the opening night showing with my best friend, Erica. Clark Gable was so dashing. All the bright colors of the costumes were beautiful. It brought back memories of when I use to dress that way every day. Of course, we lived in Atlanta during the Civil War and was there during Sherman’s invasion.  I really identified with the fleeing Scarlett, only being a vampire meant I was limited to the night.

Q. What music do you like to listen to?

A. I’ve always made it a point to listen to the most current music. It helps us get a sense of the new generations of humans. Understanding what they find current allows us to fit in better. After all they change, but we don’t. Sadly, during The Fall and for almost a decade afterward nothing new was produced. Society focused on rebuilding after the global economy crashed and spent little or no energy on entertainments. It was quiet possibly the darkest period of my life.

Q. But do you have a favorite singer or group?

A. Don’t laugh, but I really like the music in the 1980’s. The songs were catchy and fun. People spend a great deal of time exploring their wants and trying to push things to the extreme. All that exuberance came out in the music. All the hair bands were really great. I enjoyed the grunge scene, too, as we transitioned in the 1990’s. If I had to pick just one band, I’d have to say AC/DC. They really were icons from the 1970’s and on. Even now, over thirty years after The Fall, their music can be heard on radio stations. I was really sorry to hear when they passed away in the 2020’s.

Q. I know born vampires can consume human food, if blood has been added. What is your favorite dish, and what dish do dislike the most?

A. Oh, well, I’d have to say black pudding. Humans have been eating it for centuries. It’s really high in nutrients and protein. Black soup is another good one. The worst are those sugary, carbonated blood soft drinks. I mean, who thought those were a good idea. Cold, fizzy blood? Really?

Q. Speaking of blood, do you have a favorite type?

A. I like AB positive. It’s rare, but of the types, it’s my favorite. The trick to getting good blood is finding donors who grew up and stayed outside of cities. I miss the days when most people lived out in the country and on farms. All that clean living made for clean blood. You could almost taste the sunshine and fresh air in every drop.

Q. Holidays and food go hand in hand. What is your favorite holiday and why?

A. I really like fall harvest festivals. There is something about the smell of falling leaves, and the way the air feels around Mabon. By the autumn equinox in late September, most of the summer heat is gone. The cold winter nights haven’t settled in yet. People tend to be in a really good mood.

Well, I hate to have to stop here, but I can see there is only a few more hours left in the night. Princess, thank you for taking time out of your busy night to talk to us. And to everyone out there, I hope you’ll keep reading for an excerpt from the latest adventure in the House of Dracul series. Thank you and happy reading!

Blurb:

Three years have passed since vampire princess Cassy Daniels, Scion of the House of Dracul, gave up her title to turn and marry David Ashe. Together, they live in exile with the Council of Crones, a group of elder witches. Isolated from the world, they found bliss. However, vampire politics soon intrude. Born vampire women are being kidnapped, and Cassy’s next on the list.

After a failed attempt to take Cassy from the Council of Crones estate, magical portals lead back to the missing women. Cassy and David are tasked with bringing them home. David is sent after Elisabeta, Cassy’s sister-in-law, who is still on Earth. Cassy, however, has what it takes to enter the elf-kingdom of Avalon and retrieve the other three vampires.

Can Cassy and David hold on to their bliss, or will Avalon’s magic lure her from home?

A Siren Erotic Romance
Siren-Bookstrand.com
Amazon.com

Excerpt:

Her fangs dropped down to their fullest extension. A burn overtook her, but this time, it was not a burning thirst. Desire spread across her skin like a tangible layer of heat. She wanted him, needed him to take her, to merge into a single being.
There was a desperate edge to her need. When she thought him lost, a hole had ripped its way through her soul. Now David was here. The hole disappeared. The bond held them by magic, but she needed him to make love to her to make the past few days, or months, just a dream.
Cassy shifted her legs, wrapping them around his hips. Spreading her arms open wide on the bed, she gave him free access to her body. Rolling her head to one side, she exposed her elf-blood-covered neck. She trusted him completely.
He made small movements with his hips, pressing his cock against her sensitive pearl. His soft, wet tongue lapping her nipple into a pebbled peak replaced his circling thumb. Licking the blood from her skin, he made his way from one breast to the other. His fangs scraped along her flesh, but he did not break the skin.
Cassy whimpered with pleasure. She felt her juices flow along her slit, lubricating his cock. Her clit plumped under the now-slippery head of his cock and practically trilled with excitement. Her pussy began to ripple with pleasure. If he kept it up, she thought he might get her off with just the foreplay.
David followed the blood up to her neck and sucked on the throbbing pulse of her carotid artery. He kept the small hip movements going but applied more pressure, grinding his dick harder against her. Twisting one hand in her hair and holding her head still, he pressed his fangs into her neck, drinking small mouthfuls between needy groans.
She let go of the sheets to grip a fistful of his hair and brace the other hand on his back. Their souls had been merged when they fully bonded, but if it were possible, she would have merged their bodies into a single being. She wanted to offer more than flesh and blood could give.
The warm hum in her core purred with satisfaction like a happy kitten and dropped down to the lowest possible point. It radiated pure joy throughout her body. Every touch, every caress between their bodies made the purring more intense. It seemed to be waiting for something. The purring added to her trilling clit and the ripple of her pussy. Together, the effect was a near constant stimulation from the inside. She could only hope the bond shared this intense sensation with David.
Cassy took her leg off David’s hips and placed them firmly on the bed. She pushed off, flipping him over onto his back. Gently pulling free from his fangs, she sat astride his body.
She shifted to position herself lower, allowing her to carefully slip his hard rod into her waiting mouth. She swirled her tongue over the round, fleshy cockhead and sucked it into her mouth. Placing it strategically between her fangs, she slowly bobbed up and down the length of his cock. The feel of her lips wrapped around his hard shaft and the taste of his pre-cum intensified her desires. She fondled his balls and gave him head until she could no longer take the anticipation. She had to have him inside of her. She quickly shifted her body to be on her knees with his hips between them again.
His eyes smoldered as he looked up at her. He placed his hands on her hips, encouraging her to lift her body. Then, he positioned his cock beneath her, allowing her to sink the full length of him into her hot, wet opening. His eyes rolled up, and a look of ecstasy came over his face.
Cassy enjoyed watching him as she settled herself into a comfortable position. The desperation to be filled with him relaxed. She savored the way his cock felt as it parted her soft flesh. His balls pressed against her ass as he reached fullest limits. She shifted her hips. Once the right pressure was applied in all the best spots, she began rocking her weight back and forth. Riding him, she lost herself to the moment.
The outside world no longer existed. Time was irrelevant. They were the only two creatures alive. Nothing else mattered except their love.
She pulled his hands free of her hips and laced her fingers with his. Using his hands for more support, she added more up-and-down movement to the rocking motion. She rode his cock as if he were a saddled steed. She leaned forward slightly, balancing more on his hands. Her pace quickened. Her pussy quivered with anticipation. She felt his cock throbbing inside her and knew he was close to release.
The bond layered their skin with golden translucent energy. Emotions ebbed and flowed from one body to the other, allowing them to share in each other’s pleasure. For a moment, she felt there was no end or beginning for them. They were a single being dancing its way through perfection.
The warm purring hum became more pronounced the closer they came to orgasm. The warmth became red heat, the hum a vibration pulsing in time with their heartbeat.
She did not slow her pace. Her thighs pressed in, gripping his body and giving her more leverage. Her pussy begged for more, for release. She stepped up the pace. Her breasts bounced harder, but she did not care.
David squeezed her hands tighter, almost to the point of being painful. His back arched slightly as his cock bean to spasm. A deep, throaty groan escaped him when he came.

About J. Annas Walker:

I started my love affair with vampires as a kid by reading Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It was the only vampire book our little local library branch had back then. Then, I discovered mail order books and fell in love with the tortured characters in Interview with a Vampire.  In the mid 80’s, the most amazing thing happened! My family bought a VCR, and I was finally able to see movies! All the vampire flicks I could beg for flickered across the screen, making the love affair into a passionate, lifelong relationship. Today, I write fantasy and paranormal romance and never pass up a chance to pair up vampires with the less-than-usual characters. Witches and elves currently top my list. I love weaving vampires into legends and myths where none exists. It’s my private world of the erotic, weird, and wonderful, and I invite every reader to go along for the ride.

More from J. Annas Walker:

Monday, July 22, 2013

Hero or Average Joe? A Guest Post by Charley Descoteaux

Thanks, Siobhan, for inviting me to your blog to celebrate the release of my novella, Directing Traffic!

I have a confession to make:  I don’t really like Alpha Males.  Even though my first Romances were Kathleen Woodiwiss epics from the 70s—and oh did I love them!—heroes who think they made the world don’t do much for me.  As a Romance author I probably shouldn’t say that out loud, but there it is.  I’m not saying I dislike gym bunnies or dudes with confidence, sometimes I fall in love with them and their stories.  But my favorite stories are about two regular guys who are lucky enough to find each other and fall in love.

Because some Alphas are darned near irresistible, I pondered why I gravitate in the other direction.  Why do I scour all the usual places for stories about the guys next door?  I love all the usual heroes, the cops and fire fighters (!!) and rock stars, and even vampires—but when I sit down to write I almost never get one of those guys. 

Okay, crazy alert:  I’m one of those writers whose characters speak to them.  When I was a kid I had a beanbag chair in my internal rec room, and somewhere along the way it became a kitchen table.  People sit down with their coffee, tea, or tequila and start talking.  If I listen, most of them stay.  That’s what I mean by never getting one of those guys. 

I’ve always been the slightly awkward corner-hugger who’s happier people-watching than mingling, an introvert who’s perfectly able to entertain myself for days without feeling like I’m missing out on anything.  So maybe it’s no surprise I get the quirky folks strolling (or sidling, or even sneaking) up to my kitchen table.  So far I’ve had a variety of people sit there, unknown musicians, bikers, students of all ages, characters who don’t have to work and some who are homeless.  Recently I’ve met a few with scary-cool powers, but most of those characters are factory and retail workers whose main goal in life is to stay off everyone’s radar.

The heroes in my Dreamspinner debut, Directing Traffic, are perfect examples of my average guys. Neil’s partner was a corporate lawyer who left him with a posh condo and a Mercedes Roadster but before he met Lloyd, Neil was just an average guy who didn’t know what he wanted to major in or even where he wanted to go to college. Ty is a middle school teacher who’s just been laid off for the second time in two years and is relying on his elderly uncle to help him cope. Neil plays the hero when Ty’s uncle has a heart attack but he’s not comfortable wearing that label. He’s much stronger than he thinks, though, something that’s true for many of us. I hope you enjoy his story.

What about you?  Do you like Traditional Heroes or the Average Joes? 
If you have a reason behind your passion I’d love to hear it—some of the folks at my table would like to know too.

Blurb of Directing Traffic by Charley Descoteaux

A new love was the last thing on his mind...

Neil Sedwick expects to spend his vacation in a sleepy tourist trap mourning his late partner’s death. Instead, he puts his recently acquired CPR certificate to use and saves an elderly resident’s life. But it’s the survivor’s nephew, sexy middle-school teacher Ty Bigelow, who causes Neil to reevaluate his routine and consider reopening his heart.

Though the electricity between them is undeniable, Ty is struggling with his own feelings of inadequacy, and Neil is moored to the past. Even the healing peace of an old man’s garden and the ever-changing waters of the Oregon coast may not be enough to prepare Neil to overcome a crisis of the heart.

Excerpt:

Neil stood outside the little cafe and read the sign advertising burgers, beer, and fun. He thought that to be an overly optimistic—possibly even arrogant—claim, but went in anyway. Ty sat at a table in the far corner on the other side of a pool table. Two boys, who looked barely legal, did more laughing than shooting as Neil went to sit across from Ty.

“I didn’t know this place had a pool table,” said Neil after they’d said their hellos and thank-you-for-comings.

“Do you play?” Ty sat up a little straighter and smiled wider.

“Not for a while. And I never was very good.”

“Neither am I. We should play after lunch.”

The waitress came and took their orders. They chatted about the beach and how much the little town had changed over the past few years. It turned out they’d both taken their vacations there since well before the gentrification started and agreed the project had robbed the town of much of its charm.

“But we keep coming back anyway,” said Ty, dragging his last fry through the mixed ketchup and grease on his plate.

Neil wondered how he stayed so slender if he ate like that. He finished the last few bites of his Caesar salad and thought how unhappy Julius would be to see what this dive had done to his namesake entrée.

“Um, yeah, I guess. The beach is nice, though, and clears out pretty quickly once the kids go back to school.”

“How about a game?” Ty jumped up and started racking the table.

Neil wondered if he’d really seen a shadow pass across Ty’s face at the mention of kids and school. He was probably—straight, married, or both—worried about his uncle.
“I don’t want to keep you if—”

“You’d be doing me a favor. Once I leave here, I have no plans. Idle hands and all that.” Ty grinned and sauntered over to the rack on the wall.

Neil literally shook his head to remind himself where he was and that he really shouldn’t stare at this kid he’d just met, especially not his ass, and then forced himself across the little room to choose a cue. If that perfect round bottom had been created by burgers and fries, maybe he should reconsider his own eating habits. He was a little uncomfortable bending over the table with Ty standing right there watching, but his break probably wouldn’t have been any better had he been standing anywhere else.

Neil had felt a static tension in the room as soon as he reached the table, and as they played it only got worse. And all that bending over and thoughtful lining-up of shots that were missed by miles didn’t help.

They each had two balls left on the table, and Ty asked if Neil wanted to make it more interesting.

Neil laughed. “Not sure I can handle more interesting. But what do you have in mind?”

“Loser buys dinner.”

Ty bent over to line up his shot and his tank top draped over the table, giving Neil a prime view of Ty’s tanned chest and a tease of muscular stomach. Ty missed an easy bank shot.

“Or I can get it after I win.” Neil sank the two ball in the side, and then bumped a stripe in for Ty along with the six ball. As he lined up the eight ball, Neil realized what he’d done. He’d just asked this young guy out to dinner. He’d never asked anyone out before, not once, and this seemed as though he’d done it behind his own back. His hands shook enough to ensure the cue ball followed the eight straight into the pocket.

Ty laughed. His laugh made Neil grin, even through the burning blush he was sure encompassed his entire face, neck, and most of his chest.

“I warned you I wasn’t very good.”

Ty shook his head. “You weren’t kidding.” He replaced his cue in the rack, and maybe he was a little pale when he turned back around. “You don’t have to—”

“You’re suggesting I welch?”

Ty’s grin returned fast, forcing Neil to wonder again about his age. When he grinned like that, he looked almost as old as Neil himself, who wasn’t quite ready to admit he was pushing forty. But when he turned away from the cue rack, he seemed barely old enough to be in the bar. Ty raised an eyebrow, and Neil realized he’d been staring.

“Where would you like to eat?”

“You’re buying, so you decide.”

“My hotel has a restaurant next door. I’m not sure if it’s any good….”

“Sounds fine to me.”

Neil smiled and nodded, and they agreed on a time. When Neil left the cafe, Ty walked alongside him. They continued in a companionable silence to the end of the main drag. Neil expected him to drop away at any time, stunned by the realization he didn’t want that to happen. Ty kept walking with him, his flip-flops matching every step of Neil’s canvas deck shoes.

They reached the hotel, and Ty said softly, “Food’s good here.”

Neil glanced at Ty and then started up the weathered wood staircase to his room, holding his breath. He slowly let it out when he heard the slap of Ty’s flip-flops behind him. Neil’s hand shook the tiniest bit as he swiped his key card and opened the door. He hesitated, and Ty brushed past him into the room. Neil flinched away from the jolt he got when their arms touched.

Neil closed and locked the door and Ty was right there, his auburn curls shivering with his quiet laughter. Close up, his hazel-green eyes were even more beautiful than from across the table, and before Neil was able to think past them, Ty’s hands were on his chest and one snaked up into his hair.

Just before Ty’s mouth found Neil’s, he whispered one word that made Neil smile too.

“Electricity.”

****

Thanks for reading!

Before I go I wanted to mention a contest that’s running on my blog—Christmas in July! One entry gets you a chance at 7 prizes, from ebooks to swag to book money. Stop by and check it out—the more the merrier!

Rattle Charley’s Cages, she’d love to hear from you!

e-mail: c.descoteauxwrites@gmail.com

Sunday, July 21, 2013

#SnippetSunday - The Beltane Witch - Blessings and Responsibilities


Welcome to the Snippet Sunday on the Weird, the Wild, and the Wicked. Thank you so much for visiting. If you choose to comment today, I really appreciate it. Currently, the snippets are from my newest release, and while they aren't consecutive, they are in order within the story. You can read last week's snippet HERE.

Today, I'm offering a snippet from The Beltane Witch, the second book in the Cloudburst Colorado series. It's available on Smashwords, All Romance Ebooks, Amazon, and B&N. In this snippet, Darius is once again trying to convince Sabrina that she should do the rituals because it's a great honor. Sabrina speaks first.

“And you don’t understand. Unlike you, I don’t live in the world of the Sidhe. I live in this one and after the Summer Court leaves, I’m going to have to deal with the consequences, not the least of which will be some of my neighbors. You saw what Marty and the others think of an unwed mother. I’m not getting married just to appease them, but I won’t chance another pregnancy just to satisfy the Elves.”
“Children are a blessing.”
“Yes, they are, but those blessings take a lot of time, effort, and attention, and I only have so much I can give. I already have two blessings and they’re enough for me to take care of on my own.” Sabrina stopped, frustration and pain making her head throb. “Look, Darius, I appreciate the vote of confidence from the Summer Court, but I’m not the witch for the job. You’ll just have to find someone else or go elsewhere.”
 
Darius is definitely not a dad yet. Parenthood isn't easy. :) There are several great authors on the Weekend Writing Warrior list and in the Snippet Sunday Facebook group. A few of my favorites are Anastasia Vitsky, SJ Maylee, Goran Zidar, Zee Monodee, and A.S. Fenichel.

If you're interested in The Beltane Witch, here's the cover and the blurb:

Magic, mayhem, and motherhood… a witch’s work is never done, but Sabrina draws the line at the Fae.

After almost two decades as a practicing witch in Cloudburst, Colorado, Sabrina Foxglove is done with men, magic, and the fertility rituals of High Beltane. She’s dealt with all three before and ended up with two young daughters and no partner. Twice. She’s looking forward to a magic-free May Day, with nothing more exciting than making brownies for a kindergarten class and decorating a May Pole. She definitely doesn’t have time for a handsome, Fae-touched man…

After almost two centuries as the human chamberlain to the Fae’s Summer Court, Darius Winterbourne is a man accustomed to getting his way. So when the Summer Queen tasks him with finding a witch to perform the annual rituals and strengthen the ancient warding magicks, he figures it should be easy. He doesn’t expect Sabrina’s hardheaded refusal, her untrained abilities, or his attraction to her. With less than a week to Beltane, he must gain Sabrina’s trust before he loses his home, his position…and his heart.

Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)