Mid Week Tease - Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack - Clarity of Hindsight

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for a new year of 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.

Today I'm offering snippets from Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack, a paranormal romantic suspense. Julianna Morris has been chosen as a Luna candidate, the Alpha female hopeful, and Sabrina is helping her understand her Sister self, the wolf half of her. This is Julianna's first controlled shift.

The world had changed significantly. Every detail was sharper. Honeybees buzzed around the few flowers in the clearing wearing sharp jackets of gold and black while the rocks cast knife-edged shadows on individual blades of grass, waving gently in the breeze like green bristly hair. Everything seemed bigger or taller than she remembered. Even Sebrina looked down on her, though her face showed a satisfied smile.

“Very good, my daughter.” Her whisper carried like a normal voice to Julianna’s ears.

Sounds she’d been ignoring, such as the woodpecker pounding on a tree somewhere nearby or the patter of little rodent feet through the under growth, were as clear as if she’d put on headphones. She inhaled deeply and smelled the rodents and flowers and bees and the deer that had passed through this clearing earlier that morning. Sebrina’s scent wove its way into her awareness, a mixture of satisfaction, wolf, and pride. Before Julianna could savor the sights and scents, sharp surprise, sorrow, and regret tainted the air around the Paiute woman, and her smile disappeared.

Quick as lightning, the woman grabbed Julianna’s muzzle and turned her head sharply to the right, staring at her intently. Julianna had never seen herself in her wolf form so she had no idea what Sebrina was looking at, but whatever it was, the woman paled, and her hand shook where it touched Julianna’s muzzle.

Julianna whined uncertainly and thought, “What, Sebrina?”

The woman jerked as if she’d been slapped and stared at Julianna’s eyes with surprise and disbelief.

“It cannot be,” she whispered then, shaking her head in denial without letting Julianna free of her grip. “It cannot be.”

Julianna whined again. “What can’t be? I don’t understand.”

“Great Mother Moon, I never thought…to see…”

Julianna’s Sister didn’t like the scents coming from Sebrina and tucked her tail between her hind legs, trying to back away from the agonized Paiute woman. A whine full of fearful confusion escaped from Julianna’s chest, and she quailed at the loss of confidence in her inner wolf.

You must be your Sister’s leader, her protector. You must lead in your transformation from now on. It will keep you and your Sister safe. Sebrina’s instructions shot through Julianna’s awareness, and she pushed forward, taking the lead from her Sister.

Julianna tugged her head in Sebrina’s hand, pulling her lips back to bare her teeth, but the woman held fast for a few more moments. Sebrina appeared to be lost in whatever showed on Julianna’s face and the sorrow radiating from her overwhelmed her scent. Julianna’s Sister started to panic, and when Julianna growled like an animal cornered at the edge of fight or flight, Sebrina released her, dropping to her knees in the grass.

“I’m sorry, daughter, so sorry!” Sebrina wailed as she flattened her hands in the grass and placed her head between her arms until her forehead touch the ground. “I didn’t understand all those years ago, and I was afraid. Please forgive me.”

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Mid Week Tease - Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack - May the Best Wolf Win

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for a new year of 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.

Today I'm offering snippets from Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack, a paranormal romantic suspense. Julianna Morris is invited to her high school crush's house for a party and meets up with the mysterious Sabrina. Then she finds out the town is a whole lot more furry than she originally thought, and she's at the alpha female selection party.

“Jeff is the next Alpha of the whole pack?”

Sebrina nodded with a satisfied smile. “He is. He has been groomed for this position since his birth some forty years ago.”

“Isn’t that a bit old to take over?”

Sebrina laughed, patting her hand again like an indulgent parent. “Oh my dear daughter, Moon Singers can live a hand of centuries, especially when they’re True Mated. Jefferson is quite young to take the reins.”

I’m going to live for centuries? “I see.”

“Tonight is a very special night because now the pack begins the search for the Luna.”

“Luna? Is that some sort of…Moon Princess?”

Sebrina looked at her shrewdly, her smile full of approval. “In a manner of speaking, yes. The Luna is the female Alpha, the feminine energy that balances the masculine. To be an effective leader, the future Alpha must pick his Luna, the female to rule with him with the Lady Moon’s blessing.”

Julianna bit her bottom lip and smoothed a wrinkle in the tablecloth in front of her. “Will the Luna be the Alpha’s mate for life?”

“Yes. They are a life-mated pair.”

He is your True Mate. Your male.

“How is the Luna chosen?”

“In the first days of the Moon Singers, when the Lady walked this world, it was a simple matter of the Alpha finding his True Mate and she would be the Luna. But as time passed, and Moon Singers were outnumbered by humans, it became harder for the Alphas to find their True Mates. Balanced leadership was still necessary, so the elders of each pack decreed that the strongest alpha females would be presented for candidacy for Luna in hopes that one of them was the True Mate to the new Alpha.”

“Wait, wait. You said alpha too many times here. What’s the difference between alpha”—Julianna used air quotes—“and Alpha?”

At first, Sebrina looked at Julianna as if she’d lost her mind. Then she lifted her chin in understanding and smiled.

“It is like referring to the president. There are many presidents out there, those of companies or clubs. But only one President of the humans’ United States. For Moon Singers, there are many alpha members, but only one Alpha pair. This candidacy party is for the selection of the Alpha female.”

“So the candidates for Luna are selected in…a beauty pageant?” Julianna’s eyes narrowed in disgust.

“Well, not for beauty, but to find the strongest and most capable female to lead the pack with the Alpha.” Sebrina gestured to the colorful female guests milling under the tents. “That’s what this party is about. This is where the Luna candidates will be presented to the ruling Alpha and his Successor.”

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Mid Week Tease - Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack - Entrance Exam

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for a new year of 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.

Today I'm offering snippets from Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack, a paranormal romantic suspense. Julianna Morris is invited to her high school crush's house for a party. But before the party, she sits down with the family for what she thinks is a social reconnection. Turns out to be something else.

“You didn’t like leadership or management?” Richard’s voice was sharp.

Julianna felt the warning underlying his words. She stifled a frown. What is that about?

“I liked aspects of it, but I’m really more of a team player than a lone leader. I prefer to be ‘second-in-command’, sharing the responsibility but not the one to make executive decisions. I liked working with a partner rather than doing it all myself.”

Jeff shared a look with his dad that made ice run down her back. Was her answer wrong? She’d told the truth. Why am I worried if I answered wrong or right? When did this become an entrance interview? She shrugged her disquiet away and sipped her tea.

“What did you finally settle on studying?” Jeff’s voice was reserved.

“I chose Native American anthropology, particularly the Nations historically found within Nevada’s boundaries. Most of what UNR taught undergrads was general anthro, but I managed to find an older professor close to retirement who had made his career in the oral traditions of the Nations around our country. He was willing to take me on as his research assistant, even though I wasn’t a graduate student. I was second author on the book about the myths and traditions of the Paiute, Shoshone, and Ute Nations.”

“That sounds interesting,” Richard mused, dismissive. “I assume you graduated?”

Was he just humoring her? She raised her chin with indignation as anger blossomed but clamped down on her temper in the face of his disinterest. “Yes, I did, summa cum laude, actually.”

“Wow,” Jeff murmured with appreciation, and pleasure eroded some of her anger. “That’s great. What did you do after you graduated from UNR?”

“I worked in the casinos while I figured out what I was going to do next. I took the opportunity to learn tai chi, how to hang-glide, play pool, and play the Irish Tam.”

“That’s quite a list. Did you learn anything useful?” Richard tilted his head and rested it on his fist as if bored.

Julianna flattened her lips before she said something stupid. What was the old man’s problem? Did he think women should just stay home and mind children? Or was he maligning her selection of activities? Who the hell was he to criticize her choices in life? It was her life, dammit!

Deep breath, stay calm. Don’t insult the “big man” in his own home. Just find the right words to tell him he’s being a shit and do it with a smile. She thought hard before she responded.

“Yes, I did,” she said with a tight smile. “I found almost everything taught me patience, persistence, and cadence. None of them were easy to learn, and all of them took discipline and focus. I’d say those two things were the most important.”

Richard rubbed his chin thoughtfully with one finger, a half-smile curling his lips. Julianna had the sudden realization she’d passed some kind of test or at least the first hurdle. She almost frowned, but she forced her muscles to remain still. She glanced at Jeff, and his smile matched his father’s. Did he know what was going on?

Who am I kidding? Of course he knows what’s going on…at least, I hope he does. Does everyone meeting this family need to have an entrance interview?

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Mid Week Tease - Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack - Mine, mine, mine

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for a new year of 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.

Today I'm offering snippets from Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack, a paranormal romantic suspense. Jeff Lightfoot is the heir apparent to the Callowwood Pack and now Julianna Morris has returned to her hometown for her dad's funeral. This is his POV and he's getting a whole new perspective on things at a crucial time in the turnover of pack hierachy.

Mine! Mine! Mine!

Jeff watched the burgundy Camaro slide away through the sunshine and clenched his fists at his sides to keep from bounding after it. He was fast enough to catch up to Julianna Morris, but it wouldn’t be appropriate for the future packleader of the Callowwood Pack to run after a female like a rabid dog. Protocols had to be followed and appearances had to be upheld. He tried to remind his cock of that, but the damn thing had a mind of its own, and right now it told him to run after his True Mate, appearances be damned.

“Dammit, calm down!” he snarled, and pounded his fist against his thigh hard enough to divert his attention from his groin to the pain. “You have to go back inside and face all those bitches and their families.”

The idea made him snarl even harder as he ground his teeth. He didn’t want any of them. They might be alpha females, true enough, but most were simpering, self-aggrandizing whelps wanting him only for his position and the prestige it gave them and their families. Every one of them thought she deserved to be the Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack.

Emphasis on bitch, he thought nastily, gulping great breaths of air to settle not only his hard-on but also his primal fury.

Pack policies and leadership protocols required him to interview several alpha female candidates for the position of his mate and Luna, the top Alpha female, for the betterment of the pack. It was tradition, left over from a time when Mates were few and far between. The pack needed a balanced leadership of male and female protection by their Alphas, but the Alpha’s True Mate hadn’t always appeared. The elders of each pack decided, if the future Alpha’s Mate did not appear, the leadership would be chosen by competition, and the future Alpha would choose from a group of likely alpha female candidates who passed a series of tests.

Times had changed. More Moon Singers—werewolves—lived among the humans now and finding True Mates was much easier. However, the tradition of the Luna selection remained in place for the Alphas, and he was bound by his rank to follow it. Before Julianna Morris had returned to Callowwood, the political requirements hadn’t bothered him.

Now everything had changed.

Holy First Canid, even her scent beguiled him. The combination of climbing gardenia and heated ponderosa pine forest wrapped around him with sensuous fingers. His hard-on flared again, along with uncertainty. Why didn’t I know she was a Moon Singer before?

Jeff had been attracted to Julianna ever since she’d started to develop breasts and hips. She’d flaunted herself at him all through her high school years with her cute, tight shirts and pants, sexy summer dresses and flirty attitude. Raging hormones filled her scent, taunting him with her delicious feminine musk. It was all he could do to treat her like another little sister and stay away from her, throwing himself into cold showers and punishing exercise routines. He’d never been so buff.

Whenever his mind demanded he take her and fuck her hard, he only stopped himself with two thoughts. First, she was too young and not nearly ready for sex, despite her beauty and innocent flirting. Second, she wasn’t a Moon Singer. She hadn’t smelled like one or acted like one, and her parents were human.

When the hell had that changed?

And when had she become his True Mate?

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Mid Week Tease - Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack - Still Friends

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for a new year of 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.

Today I'm offering snippets from Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack, a paranormal romantic suspense. Julianna Morris swore she was human until she shifted for the first time. Now she's returned to her hometown for her dad's funeral and has to hide it from the one guy she's crushed since high school. Jeff Lightfoot always treated her like another little sister and now that she's a werewolf she has another reason to stay away from him. Even if it's the last thing she wants.

“Actually, I’m a little tired.” Julianna turned to her mother. “Mom, I think I’m going to go.”

“What? Why?” Beth’s face creased with concern.

“I’m tired, and I just need to be alone.” She shrugged uncomfortably. “Too many people around for me.”

“Do you want a ride home?” Jeff’s voice promised comfort and sweet intimacy, but his expression showed only friendly concern.

“No, thank you, I can drive myself. But can you take my mom home? We came in my car.” She began to push her way out of the booth. Her mother moved aside, and Jeff followed, making her heart flutter with excitement despite her fatigue.

“Of course. I’d be happy to do that.”

“Thanks, Mr. Lightfoot.”

He stiffened with surprise at her formality and pulled her to face him. His nostrils flared as a tremor shifted through her body with his touch.

“Call me Jeff. ‘Mr. Lightfoot’ is too formal for friends.”

“Are we friends, Jeff?”

He cocked his head, thoughtfully. “I always thought we were. Didn’t you?”

Can we be friends with benefits?

“Sure.”

“‘Sure’ as in you’re humoring me, or ‘sure, you guessed it’?”

“The latter.”

His eyes narrowed. “But that isn’t what you want? To be friends?”

Boldness bubbled up and she lifted her chin. “No, it isn’t.”

“Ouch!” He thumped himself in the chest with one hand. “What do you want, then?”

“Do you really have to ask? I thought it was pretty obvious from my pathetic efforts to throw myself at you all those years ago.”

His eyes turned gold as he grasped one hand, squeezing unconsciously. “You were my little sister’s friend. It didn’t seem right to court you then.”

She raised her eyebrows dubiously. “Is that your excuse?”

He laughed. “Not an excuse, a reason. You’re still bold as ever, though.”

“I’m still six years younger, Jeff, even if I’m no longer your sister’s friend. Has anything really changed?”

“You have.” His hand squeezed hers again. “You’ve changed a lot.”

“Actually, I haven’t,” she stated with a disappointed smile. “I’m still the same girl who threw herself at you all those years ago. I’m just older.”

Julianna pulled her hand free and shook her head, sorrow sliding through her. She wished she was different, more exciting or glamorous. But at the end of the day, she was still Julianna Morris, the girl with the larger-than-life-crush on Jeff Lightfoot. If he hadn’t seen it then, why would he see it now? 

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Mid Week Tease - Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack - Not Quite Alone

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for a new year of 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.

Today I'm offering snippets from Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack, a paranormal romantic suspense. Julianna Morris swore she was human until she shifted for the first time. Now she's been invited to her long time crush's home for a party and an older woman is trying to explain everything that's going on around Julianna. And she finds out she's not quite alone.

“Take me to my seat and sit beside me for a moment. I’ll try to explain as quickly as I can before you must play your part in this pageant.”

Sebrina directed them to the table closest to the podium and Julianna helped her into her seat . Reading the place cards, she noted Sebrina shared the table with Richard, Tawny, and Jeff. She spied her own name on a place card beside Sebrina’s and was grateful someone had seen to it she’d sit with the few people she knew, even if they were the hosts of the party.

 Julianna took her seat beside the older woman and smoothed her skirt in an effort to stave off her jitters. Still, her heart pounded, and she hoped she presented a serene and confident façade. Her gut told her something big and frightening barreled her way, a runaway train of events she couldn’t stop. She could see the light coming, but she felt tied to the track.

“Now then, daughter, there’s no reason to be so concerned.” Sebrina patted her hand where it unconsciously clenched in her lap, and Julianna forced it to relax. “I know you’ve only recently returned to Callowwood, so all of this will be a rude shock or worse, but the timing cannot be helped, and you must do the best you can with what’s presented to you.”

 “What’s going on, Sebrina?”

The old woman settled herself in her chair. “Since you’ve been home, I’ve scented when you’ve changed into your Sister form, but she seems to have taken most of your choices from you when you changed.”

Julianna blinked. “My Sister form?”

“That of the Moon Singer, the dusky brown wolf who is the other half of your soul.”

Julianna felt all the blood leave her face. “How do you know about that?”

“Don’t look so worried, daughter. We all knew what you’d become the moment you returned.”

“All?” Julianna repeated weakly.

“Everyone here at this gathering.” Sebrina frowned a little, cocking her head to one side like a curious dog. “You’re now among more of your kind. Did you not know? Everyone here is a Moon Singer. You’re sitting with the members of the Callowwood Pack, the largest and strongest werewolf pack in the north central Basin and Range.”

The words hit Julianna like thrown stones: Everyone here, werewolf, your kind.

Julianna swallowed hard and gripped her chair tightly. Holy shit! All of them are werewolves.

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Mid Week Tease - Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack - Don't Be So Grabby

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for a new year of 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.

Today I'm offering snippets from Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack, a paranormal romantic suspense. Julianna Morris swore she was human until she shifted for the first time. Now she's been introduced to the local pack as a Luna candidate (Alpha female prospect) and she's learned the females are often used as sex toys by higher ranked alpha males. Not her happiest moment. Her "Sister" self is the wolf side.

Julianna strode confidently through the house toward the front doors, her fury banked but still smoldering as she tightly gripped her purse, in which she’d dropped the token. She’d sought out Jeff, but he’d disappeared while Richard gave her the pendant, and he was nowhere to be found under the tents.

It figures he’d make me look for him so I can seek his approval for departure!

As she passed a darkened hallway to her right, a male arm reached out of the darkness and jerked her against a hard body. Rage blazed hot as she crashed into the wall of flesh with an unladylike grunt of surprise, but it dropped into icy fury as she slammed her elbow into her assailant’s gut.

Her Sister’s nature surged into the forefront of her awareness and she turned on her attacker with pent up ferocity.

He yelped as she stomped down on his instep, twisting in his arms. Then she shoved his shoulders back against the wall and slammed her knee into his groin. He collapsed, panting and groaning, when the irresistible scent of the desert rain penetrated her adrenaline rush.

Understanding dawned.

She’d just kneed Jeff Lightfoot in the balls! It would’ve been funny if she wasn’t so angry. His original grip had been sexually domineering, complete with raging hard-on.

“Jeff?” She grasped his shoulders. “What are you doing?”

“What the hell was that for?” he groaned, cupping his crotch protectively.

“Haven’t you learned never to grab a woman out of the darkness?” Julianna shook her head as some of her anger drained away. “I lived in the big city for a long time. More than one man tried to take me down. Are you okay?”

“No.” He sounded strangled, and she had to hide a smile. “Can’t breathe.”

“Sorry.”

“Damn, woman!”

“Damn, yourself! Why did you try to grab me?”

“I didn’t want you to leave yet,” he whispered as he slowly straightened up. His face looked a little gray, but it might have been the dim light. “I wanted to say a more private good-bye, but I think I’m only going to say good-bye to my balls. Shit!”

“I am sorry, even if I was defending myself.” She bit her bottom lip. “Do you want to sit down?”

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5 Questions of a Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Author: Silver James

Welcome back to the Weird, the Wild, and the Wicked. Today I have the honor of hosting paranormal romantic suspense author Silver James (who’s one of my all time favorites, btw) with a new release, Christmas Moon. I finally met Silver at Hot Mojave Knights 2013 and she is even cooler in person than she is online. Hoorah! She is also graciously offering an excerpt to everyone, and a copy of her ebook to one lucky commenter.

Welcome, Silver. Thank you for being with me today. *Squeee!* Okay, fangirl moment done. :D

What started you on the path to becoming a paranormal romance author after being a first responder?

What’s that old adage? Write what you know? I was a writer long before I became a first responder and I’ve been a fan of paranormal romance since I first discovered the genre. It just made sense to combine the two and add in my experiences as an officer’s wife when my husband was in the army. As a result, all my main characters seem to be involved either in the military or public service in some form or another.

Congratulations on your recent release on Christmas Moon. Introduce us to the main characters and premise of your story for those who haven’t read the series.

This is tough to answer because all the wolves are in this story. I suppose Mac and Hannah, the hero and heroine of the first book in the series—BLOOD MOON—lead the way in CHRISTMAS MOON. The Wolves were part of a Special Operations unit in the army. Due to circumstances and on account of because, the unit was disbanded and subsequently brought back together. There’s a civilian corporation wanting to exploit their “unique” genetic structure and we all know no good will come of that! LOL Hannah was an army major sent on an assignment with the Wolves and during the course of it, she and Mac discovered they were mates. The premise for this particular story is that the Wolves are now outlaws, which is tough with wives and kids involved, it’s almost Christmas, and they owe a debt of honor to the family of a deceased comrade.

Did anything in particular inspire this story?

Actually, it was the fans of the series. Lots of readers were “poking” me about when the next book would be out and even though I was in the middle of launching a new urban fantasy series, I decided to write a Christmas story for them. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen for sure but when Liam (Mac and Hannah’s preteen son) reminded me that his first change was about to happen and he really wanted his dad to be there to help, the plot just fell into place.

I love your blending of werewolves and military. What are the Wolves’ origins and how did they get involved in the military?

According to their backstory, the Wolves have been around and serving in the military since the Declaration of Independence, basically. Several of them rode with Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox. Nakai, one of the Wolves in the first three books, was a Navajo Code Talker. In my werewolf mythos, the wolf DNA traces back to two roots—either Celtic or Indian (Native American). As a result, my wolves tend to be of Scot/Irish descent or like Michael Lightfoot and Jacob Nakai, Indian. These two “ancestry” groups tend to have a strong sense of military duty in real life. In the series, the military has always had a need for the type of missions they go on, though the true nature of their unique abilities is a state secret. Or was until Black Root Corporation got involved. Cue the dramatic music here…

Uh-oh...What other projects are on the horizon for you that we’re likely to see?

Where to start? LOL There’s at least one wolf who hasn’t met his mate yet so Antoine’s story is still to be told. Look for BLUE MOON next spring. I also plan on producing full novels that detail more of the backstory and some of the things that happen between each of the novellas. The first, MOONSTRUCK: SECRETS AND LIES will encompass the first three stories—BLOOD MOON, BAD MOON, and HUNTER’S MOON. The second, MOONSTRUCK: BETRAYAL, covers the next three books, WOLF MOON, BRIDE’S MOON, and ROGUE MOON. They’ll be available in digital and print formats next spring as well.

Additionally, I’ve launched my new urban fantasy series, The Penumbra Papers, with the prequel novella, THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC, and the first book in the series, SEASON OF THE WITCH. I’m at work on the second book, THE DEVIL’S CUT and it will be available in 2014.

Thank you for joining me today, Silver, and we look forward to all your upcoming releases. Definitely!

If you’d like a copy of Christmas Moon, you can find it at:

Amazon

If you’d like to read the rest of the Moonstruck series, you can find them here:

The easy way is to just go to the Moonstruck page at my website. All the books with buy links are listed here: http://silverjames.com/excerpts/

You can find Silver at:

Website 

Twitter: @SilverJames_

My Author Page on Facebook 

And finally, Google +

Silver has graciously offered a copy of Christmas Moon (Kindle or PDF) plus a copy of the winner's choice of one other Moonstruck book (they're all good - you can't pick wrong- in Kindle or PDF format) to a lucky commenter who tells us: Pick your favorite "Wolf gene pool." (Hint: their DNA is dicussed in one of her answers.)

Please leave a valid email or twitter handle in your comment to be included in the drawing. The giveaway is open internationally to anyone 18 years or older. Please void where prohibited. The giveaway will go until 8:59 pm Pacific US Time Thursday, Dec. 5 2013, and the winner will be announced on the blog on Friday, Dec. 6 2013.

EXCERPT of CHRISTMAS MOON:

Liam stood in the door of the RV, so angry his whole body vibrated. “We won’t have a Christmas? Mom, you promised!” He whirled and was gone before his parents could react.

“Aw, crap. I’m sorry.” Sean’s expression turned hang dog. “I didn’t realize he was standing there.”

By the time Mac got to the door, with Hannah close on his heels, Liam was already ducking into the woods at the edge of the campsite. Cody stood frozen in place, his eyes wide and scared, as he squeezed Micah’s hand to keep the little boy from crying. He turned to the adults.

“No Christmas?” His voice quivered as his bottom lip trembled.

Micah let out a wail, which brought his parents barreling through Hannah and Mac. Sean and Annie followed close behind.

“What the hell? What did you promise, Hannah?” Mac’s lips pressed into a tight line.

She scrubbed her hands through her hair. “He was worried about Christmas, Mac.”

“And?”

Hannah’s fingers curled against her palms as she fought down her temper. “And, while the holiday has tended to be a little loose for us because of our jobs, this year, he decided it was important.”

“So you promised him?” Exasperated, Mac turned away to hunt his son. He paused when Hannah’s hand grabbed his biceps.

“No. I promised him I would try. There is a difference, Mac.”

“Mommy, does that mean Santa won’t find us?” Cody stared up at Annie, his gaze darting between her and Sean.

Annie looked helpless and Sean wanted to kick himself for ever opening his mouth. “Charlie foxtrot,” he muttered. “It’ll be okay, little man.”

Liz cradled Micah in her arms and leaned against Michael. “I know you have to do this, but yeah, I sort of feel the same way.”

Picking up a rock, Hannah hurled it against the nearest tree. She muttered curse words, aware of big eyes watching her every move. After counting to a hundred, for the second time, she inhaled deeply, held her breath then exhaled in one long gust. Turning to face the crowd now gathered outside the RV, she slid into her role of commanding officer like a chameleon changing colors.

“It will be okay, Cody. Santa is full of magic and he knows where all the good little boys and girls are sleeping on Christmas Eve. At the rate Liam is going, he’s liable to get coal and switches in his stocking.”

Cody’s eyes widened so much Hannah could see the whites all the way around his pupils.

She closed her eyes briefly then opened them and tried again. “Santa will find us no matter where we are, Cody. And there will be a tree and presents and Christmas dinner.”

“You bet, Cody.” Jacey stepped over to side with Hannah. “I’ll make cinnamon rolls for breakfast and we’ll figure out turkey and dressing and all the trimmings.”

“Olives? I like olives.”

Annie rubbed her son’s shoulder. “Absolutely olives, Cody. The pitted kind and I won’t even fuss if you eat them off the tips of your fingers.”

Thank you for stopping by, good luck in the giveaway, and happy reading! :)

Big Cocks and Broomsticks Halloween Hop

Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for the Big Cocks and Broomsticks Halloween Hop. Sounds naughty, doesn't it? It just might be.

Have you ever wondered how werewolves and vampires celebrate Halloween? What would they dress up as? What do they think are mythical creatures?

I stopped by the little town of Callowwood, Nevada last weekend and asked some of my favorite Moon Singer residents what their costumes would be this year.

Julianna Lightfoot nee Morris: "HAHAHAHAHAH. Holy Goddess, I haven't even thought about it. What happens when you are the monsters they've been warning you about?" *shakes head* "I think I'll go as Lady GaGa this year. She's sufficiently weird, and she's human...I think." *looks worried*

Jeff Lightfoot: "I'm going as a dog catcher. I get a kick out of the nervous looks from some of the betas when I walk around with my tranq gun and leash with collar." *winks*

Tawny Lightfoot: "I'm going as Elvira, Mistress of the Night. I'm pretty sure I can get my boobs to do that. Goddess knows I have to match my Luna." *grins*

Eloise Farkas: "I think I'll be a zombie bride. It's really the only way I'm likely to get married at this point." When I asked her what happened to her engagement to Tommy Scatterstone, she raised an indignant eyebrow at me and said, "Yeah, what do you suggest happened?"

Kyle Howler: "I'll be dressing up as a werewolf - you know, the goofy kind, wearing torn up clothes and a cheesey mask that looks vaguely like an ape. That should piss off a few folks."

Sabrina Westwind: "I'll be dressing up as Siobhan Muir, paranormal romance author." *winks* "I hope this gets her on the ball to write Kyle and Eloise's story."

Eep! And on that note, I'd best get after it. But first, here's the blurb to Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack.

Julianna Morris didn’t know werewolves existed…until she became one.

Hiding her new identity, Julianna returns home only to find her teenage crush, Jeff Lightfoot, is the future Alpha of the Callowwood werewolf pack. She’s unexpectedly chosen as a candidate for the pack’s next Luna, the Alpha female—and Jeff’s mate. This is perfect, except Julianna knows nothing about being a werewolf, and someone’s determined to make her fail the Seven Tests of the Luna.

Jeff Lightfoot lusted after Julianna for years, even when he thought she was human. Now she’s home and all his—if she passes the tests. She’s his True Mate and he wants no one else, but pack politics trump Mother Nature and will prevent him from choosing Julianna if she fails.

For the future she wants, Julianna must pass the tests to become Queen Bitch of Callowwood—or watch Jeff take another woman as his mate.

You can find Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack at:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookstrand | Kobo Books

Now for the Giveaway. I'm giving away some Hot Mojave Knights conference swag with goodies from Starla Kaye, Jacelyn Rye, Shannan Albright, Sabrina Devonshire, Lexi Ryan, Morgan Kearns, and many more who came to the con. To win, answer this question: What will you be for Halloween? Just leave your answer with a valid email address or Twitter handle. You must be 18 years or older to win, and please void where prohibited. It's open internationally, and ends 11:59 pm Pacific US time on November 11, 2013.

Plus there is a grand prize of $100 Amazon or Barnes and Noble card, winner's choice!

Second place: $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble card,

Third place: $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble card.

Just sign up in the raffle copter below and follow the linky list to have more chances to win. Thanks for stopping by and happy hopping!

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