Friday, July 26, 2013

Cover Reveal - Chasing Morgan by Jennifer Ryan

CHASING MORGAN
Chapter One
 
One year ago…
Morgan’s fingers flew across the laptop keyboard propped on her knees. She took a deep breath, cleared her mind, and looked out past her pink-painted toes propped on the railing and across her yard to the densely wooded area at the edge of her property. Her mind’s eye found her guest winding his way through the trees. She still had time before Jack stepped out of the woods separating her land from his. She couldn’t wait to meet him.
Images, knowings, they just came to her. She’d accepted that part of herself a long time ago. As she got older, she’d learned to use her gift to seek out answers.
She finished her buy and sell orders and switched from her day trading page to check her psychic website and read the questions submitted by customers. She answered several quickly, letting the others settle in her mind until the answers came to her.
One stood out. The innocuous question about getting a job held an eerie vibe.
The familiar strange pulsation came over her. The world disappeared like a door slamming on reality. The images came to her like hammer blows, one right after the other, and she took the onslaught, knowing something important needed to be seen and understood.
An older woman lying in a bed, hooked up to a machine feeding her medication. Frail and ill, she had translucent skin and dark circles marring her pain-filled eyes. Her pain washed over Morgan like a tsunami. 
The woman yelled at someone, her face contorted into something mean and hateful. An unhappy woman – one who’d spent her whole life blaming others and trying to make them as miserable as her.
A pristine white pillow floating down, inciting panic, amplified to terror when it covered the woman’s face, her frail body swallowed by the sheets.
Morgan had an overwhelming feeling of suffocating.
The woman tried desperately to suck in a breath, but couldn’t. Unable to move her lethargic limbs, she lay terrified and helpless under his unyielding hands. Lights flashed on her closed eyelids.
Death came calling.
A man stood next to the bed holding the pillow like a shield. His mouth opened on a contorted, evil, hysterical laugh that rang in her ears and made her skin crawl. She squeezed her eyes closed to blot out his malevolent image and thoughts.
Murderer!
The word rang in her head as the terrifying emotions overtook her.
Morgan threw up a wall in her mind, blocking the onslaught of disturbing pictures and feelings. She took several deep breaths and concentrated on the white roses growing in profusion just below the porch railing. Their sweet fragrance filled the air. With every breath, she centered herself and found her inner calm, pushing out the anger and rage left over from the vision. Her body felt like a lead weight, and lightened as her energy came back. The drowsiness faded with each new breath. She’d be fine in a few minutes.
The man on horseback emerged from the trees, coming toward her home. Her guest had arrived.
Focused on the computer screen, she slowly and meticulously typed her answer to the man who had asked about a job and inadvertently opened himself up to telling her who he really was at the heart.
She replied simply.
You’ll get the job, but you can’t hide from what you did.
You need help. Turn yourself in to the police.
None of her personal information appeared on the website, and she’d put a lot of time and effort into keeping her identity and location a secret for reasons of her own. He’d never find her.
A chill ran over her, despite the warm sun on her skin.
She put through the charge and tried to erase the vision from her mind. She’d told him to go to the police. Nothing more she could do. She didn’t have any proof a crime had been committed. You couldn’t make accusations against people based on a vision. Even if she went to the police with what she knew, they wouldn’t take her seriously. She’d learned that the hard way.
The help she provided Tyler and the FBI was different. Her unique link with Tyler allowed her to assist him with some of his cases. Tyler had nothing to do with this man. She could ask him to investigate, but why would he? He had a hard enough time believing what she told him about the cases he was working on. She didn’t want to have to convince him all over again that what she saw was real and true. It hurt to have to convince him every time, despite the ample proof she’d given him on multiple cases. After all this time, he should believe her - believe in her.
She didn’t want to think about Tyler right now. He’d be in Colorado today. Close. Their connection that much stronger, and the harder he’d ignore it and push her away. Maybe she should give in and go see him.
Why couldn’t he stay in San Francisco?
It wasn’t time for them to meet again. She sighed and tried to put him out of her mind. Not possible. They were connected on an elemental level, and had been for a long time.
Why did things between them have to be so complicated and difficult?
Dealing with her customers was simple. They went to her website and clicked on the link to ask a question. She charged fifteen dollars for requests she answered. If she couldn’t answer the question, or wouldn’t answer, she didn’t charge and sent a standard reply, telling the person she couldn’t help.
Either the person believed in her enough to pay the fifteen dollars, or they didn’t.
Sure, they had to accept her Terms and Conditions. After all, what she “saw“ was open to interpretation and the result may not be what the customer expected. In short, if they didn’t like the answer, they couldn’t shoot the messenger.
She specifically informed customers to beware what they ask, and how they ask it. You may get the answer to a question you hadn’t intended.
If you suspected your spouse of cheating on you, don’t be surprised if she confirmed it, and that the other person is your best friend. She wouldn’t lie, or tell you only what you wanted to hear. 
In a few cases, she simply refused to answer. People often wanted to know when they were going to die and how. Her opinion, this kind of information did more harm than good. It usually altered the course of a person’s life, and she didn’t want to be responsible for changing one’s fate and destiny.
One thing she knew for certain, life had a pattern. Mistakes are repeated until the lesson is learned. Knowing something ahead of time didn’t necessarily mean you could change the outcome. Some things were meant to be and nothing could stop them from ending the same way she saw them, even if the path that led to that end took a detour first. That wasn’t to say the course of the future couldn’t be altered. It could. She’d done it several times. For Tyler’s family, she’d do it again.
 


Monday, July 8, 2013

Forever Freed Cover Reveal


A heart can break, even one that no longer beats.

I stalk my new neighbors, a single mother and her child, drawn by the irresistible scent of their joy and love. I crave their blood, starved for some healing respite from my ancient guilt and grief. Now to lure them into my grasp.
But they surprise me. Little Olivia accepts me without fear--talking, smiling, offering innocent affection that tugs at my long-lost humanity. Her mother, Samantha, seeks me out when she should stay away, offering sweet friendship, and tempting the forgotten man within me. They lure me instead.

Ah, Dio, Lucien, run and spare them while you can...



NJRW GOLDEN LEAF WINNER FOR BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE OF 2011

NJRW GOLDEN LEAF FINALIST FOR BEST FIRST BOOK OF 2011

GDRWA BOOKSELLERS’ BEST CONTEST FINALIST FOR BEST PARANORMAL 2012

GDRWA BOOKSELLERS’ BEST CONTEST FINALIST FOR BEST FIRST BOOK OF 2012

Buy Links:

Amazon Kindle

Amazon Paperback 

B&N (coming soon)

Kobo 

Other stores to follow!

Optional Excerpt (Adult):

The bedroom door had barely clicked behind me when Samantha grabbed and shoved me toward the bed. I fell backward, and she was on top of me, clawing at my clothes and ripping off her own. Whatever had been going on with her all day was now clearly finding a release.

"Sam?"

She kissed me roughly and shoved her tongue into my mouth. I groaned and pushed her back.

Though we french kissed all the time, I generally kept her out of my mouth.

"Sam?"

Finally, she stilled. With her hands braced on my shoulders, her eyes burned down into mine. Her anger squeezed my chest. Her voice was strained. "Lucien, we’ll talk later. I promise. But right now I want you, and I need you. And I need you to know it, feel it." Her words clarified little, but I nodded.

She unleashed herself on me, kissing and licking and roughly nipping at my upper body all while maintaining eye contact. I thrust my hips into her when she lingered over my Blood Mark. I finally had to grab her hair and tug her attention away from it.

With a groan, she reached a hand down between her legs and worked herself as she devoured me. When I realized what she was doing, I moaned and gripped her shoulders and rolled on top of her.

I grabbed her hand and pulled it to my mouth, then noisily sucked on her wet fingers. I groaned at the sweet nectar of her arousal.

"You see what you do to me, Lucien? What only you do to me?" she rasped. "Take me, Lucien. I’m yours," she offered as she planted her feet flat on the mattress and pushed herself up forcefully against my erection.

Her aggression spurred mine, and I grunted. "You want me?" I asked as I ground myself against her wetness. She ran a hand over the bedspread and found the packet she’d apparently laid out earlier. She slid herself against me as she opened it and then rolled on the condom. "God, yes," she whimpered.

I plunged forward and filled her in one hard stroke. She screamed and wrapped herself around me. Hard breaths and grunts and strained curses in two languages filled the room as we battled through Samantha’s emotions with our bodies. She kissed me roughly and dug her nails into my flesh. The physical pain mingled with her radiating pleasure to coax what I was sure was going to be one of the most intense orgasms I’d ever experienced.

She came in a frenzy of screams and muscle contractions. And then bit against the taut skin at the base of my neck. Hard.

My fangs and release shot out at the same time. I growled and in a blur turned my head in search of my biceps. I missed the tender skin of her shoulder by a hair as the urge to bite down became irresistible.

Finally, I willed my fangs to retract and licked at the wound I’d made on my arm, then slid down a little and laid my head on her heaving breasts.

"I love you," I whispered breathlessly.

She hugged my shoulders and combed her fingers through my hair. "I love you, too." We lay together, panting, for a long time. "Lucien?" I lifted my head off her chest to look at her. "I’m ready to talk now."

About Laura Kaye:
Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

 

Friday, July 5, 2013

Welcome to the Sara Humfreekend!

I am so super excited that Sara has released the first in her self-pub series "Asmodeus: Demon of Lust Part 1".  So far there will be 3 episodes released monthly and each eppy is only $0.99!!!! That's less than the price of a cup of coffee people!

Here's a snippet:
“You want me to put your order in now or do you want to wait?”
“I think I’ll hold off until Kai’s date gets here. After all, I have to see what kind of man entices my new friend, here.” He leaned back in the booth and draped one arm along the back of it as he took a sip of his beer.
“You got it, doll.” Matilda sauntered off toward the bar. Kai didn’t ...

miss the seductive swing of her hips or the fact that Aaron’s gaze was fixed firmly on the waitress’ ass.
“Charming,” Kai sighed as she picked up her beer. “Well I can clearly see what entices you.”
“What?” He asked innocently. “I’m only looking.”
“Forget it,” Kai said with a laugh as she sipped her beer. “Boys will be boys. So, what do you do aside from ogle waitresses and catch fainting women in gas stations? What’s your story, Mr. Miles?”
“Not much to tell,” he said with the shrug of one shoulder. “I guess you could say I’m on sabbatical.”
“Oh really?” Kai rubbed at the condensation on the beer bottle with her thumb. She was, in spite of her better judgment, thoroughly intrigued by the handsome enigma in front of her. “What exactly are you taking a break from?”
“Guess,” he said playfully. Aaron leaned both elbows on the table and leveled a challenging look in her direction. “I dare you.”
Kai’s stomach fluttered as those intense, light blue eyes locked firmly with hers. Her gaze flickered over his stubble-covered chin and along his tanned, muscular arms, until she came to his large, masculine hands. Long, strong fingers were curled around the glass bottle and in a flash she pictured them curled around her arms...pulling her closer...
She cleared her throat and sat back in the booth, as her body warmed at the thought of his hands wandering over her body. Kai sipped her beer, attempting to cool the sudden and unexpected flare of desire. What in the hell was wrong with her?
Given everything her mother had told her about the Dark Ones, Kai should be running in the other direction—instead, she invited him to dinner. She was inexplicably and undeniably drawn to the stunningly beautiful man in front of her. Mr. Aaron Miles was danger and desire all rolled into one, but above all he was unique...and forbidden.
Kai’s eyes locked with his once again and met his challenge.
“Based on your build and the look of your hands, it’s clear you’re not afraid of hard work. You ride a motorcycle and from what I can tell, you only have one duffle bag, which means you are a man who travels light. You have a weakness for women and it would seem, based on Matilda’s reaction, they have a weakness for you.”
“Do you?” He asked in a low seductive tone.
Kai’s breath caught in her throat as she held his stare. She gripped the bottle tighter as heat crawled up her back but before she could answer him, a familiar voice interrupted the moment.
“I’d like to know the answer to that question as well.”


Nook
Kindle
All Romance
Smashwords
Stay tuned boys and girls, I will be posting the first of my reviews on this series shortly.  I have just had a long day at work and am getting a bit bleary eyed here.


Sara is a graduate of Marist College, with a B.A. Degree in English Literature & Theater. Her initial career path after college was as a professional actress. Some of her television credits include, A&E Biography, Guiding Light, Another World, As the World Turns and Rescue Me.
Sara is the President of Taney Speaker Training, which specializes in public speaking, presentation development and communication skills training. She has trained executives at Verizon, Bristol-Meyer Squibb, Westchester County and the United States Navy. Her speaking career began with Monster's Making It Count programs, speaking in high schools and colleges around the United States to thousands of students.
Sara has been a lover of both the paranormal and romance novels for years. Her sci-fi/fantasy/romance obsession began years ago with the TV Series STAR TREK and an enormous crush on Captain Kirk. That sci-fi obsession soon evolved into the love of all types of fantasy/paranormal; vampires, ghosts, werewolves, and of course shape shifters. Sara is married to her college sweetheart, Will. They live in Bronxville, New York with their 4 boys and 2 insanely loud dogs. Life is busy but never dull.




His Seduction by Diana Crosby

AN IMPULSIVE ACT…

Lady Rois Drummond is fiercely devoted to her widowed father, the respected Scottish Earl of Brom. So when she believes he is about to be exposed as a traitor to England, she must think quickly. Desperate, Rois makes a shocking claim against the suspected accuser, Sir Griffin Westcott. But her impetuous lie leaves her in an outrageous circumstance: hastily married to the enemy! Yet Griffin is far from the man Rois thinks he is—and much closer to the man of her dreams…

 AN IRRESISTIBLE OUTCOME…
 Griffin may be an Englishman, but in truth he leads a clandestine life as a spy for Scotland. Refusing to endanger any woman, he has endured the loneliness of his mission. But Rois’s absurd charge has suddenly changed all that. Now, with his cover in jeopardy, Griffin must find a way to keep his secret while keeping his distance from his spirited and tempting new wife—a task that proves more difficult than he ever imagined…



Excerpt:
 Nay, Lord Monceaux must nae see her father! Rois rushed into the torchlight and pointed a pale finger at the baron. “He canna be trusted!”
 Against the smoke and stench of anger, all eyes shifted to her.
 Heart pounding, Rois took in the powerful lords, Scots who knew her, nobles who would believe her claim. She caught her da’s frown and shook her head, thankful when he remained silent.
 “And why is that, lass?” de Moray asked from his seat on the dais.
 “Yes,” Lord Monceaux added softly, his hooded gaze raking her from head to toe, “a fact I would be interested to hear as well.”
 The anger in the English baron’s deep voice swept her, but his eyes, God in heaven, their intensity seared her like a whip. What reason could she give to convince those within the chamber he was unworthy? Thoughts battered her mind, but she discarded each.
 An idea ignited in her mind. Nay, she couldna. ’Twas outrageous? As if with her da’s life at stake, she couldna take the risk.
 With her heart pounding, she faced the Scots. “A month past, the baron took liberties with me. After,” she hurried, refusing to meet Lord Monceaux’s gaze, “he gave me a false promise he would return.”
 “God’s teeth, lass,” Lochlann muttered. “Are ye daft?”
 Nay, desperate. Several warriors cast curious glances toward Lochlann, but she didn’t acknowledge him. She refused to endanger her friend or her father. She would endure the consequences of her actions alone. Rois took another step forward and started to speak.
 But her mind went blank.
 Her father’s face darkened with displeasure as he moved in her direction.
 What was he doing! Stay, she mouthed, and motioned for him to remain where he stood.
 With a frown, he paused.
 Her body trembling with relief, she turned toward Lord Monceaux, his expression that of a man confident in his decisions, who scrutinized her as if prey. Heaven help her, what had she done? Could she make her father understand her actions? Would he ever forgive her? However much she longed to look at her father, she kept her gaze leveled on the intimidating warrior.
 After a long moment, Lord Monceaux’s mouth curved with a confident tilt. “You were saying? I believe something about why I cannot be trusted?”
 At the soft challenge of his words, her irritation trampled caution. Fine, let the braggart talk his way out of this. “And, shamed I am to say, this man has left me with child.”
 Griffin stared at the woman in disbelief. Against the wash of torchlight, a tumble of chestnut hair embraced the sweep of her pale cheeks, and she had full lips that any man would desire. But it was her eyes that held him, eyes as green and enchanting as the fields of Scotland.
 He stiffened. Her beauty mattered naught.
 Griffin assessed the room stunned how the nobles eyed him with violence. Did they believe her ludicrous claim?
 His anger grew. How dare the chit sabotage a situation already dire! From her sultry burr, he knew she was a Scot and that she understood his presence within this enemy stronghold placed his life in danger. Did she want him dead? God’s teeth, never had he seen this woman in his life!
 The warriors closed around him, shaking their claymores, their teeth bared in the smoky light.
 Bloody hell, if he didn’t quell her lie now—
 “He does nae deny it,” one man yelled.
 Griffin rounded on the Scot. “Wait!”
 “Nay,” a scar-faced laird growled, striding forward, “’tis long past time for waiting.”
 At the man’s words, the woman shifted. Face pale, she took a step back.
 God’s teeth, she was not abandoning him in this mire. The woman would admit her lie! When she made to take another step back, Griffin caught her hand, aware of every Scot in the room watching and waiting for the slightest error, for any excuse to kill him. God’s teeth! In all his years of service to the king, he had never been foiled by a woman.
 Nor would he be now.
 “My lady,” Griffin said, his words strong, clear of doubt, and, through sheer will, void of anger. “’Tis my deepest regret you believe I have slighted you in any manner.” He raised her hand, and was at once irritated by the sweep of awareness, by the softness that lured him.
 Anger sparked in her eyes. She tugged to free her hand.
 Griffin held firm, lifting her fingers and pressing a chaste kiss upon her knuckles. Nerves darkened her impossibly green eyes, eyes a man could drown in, eyes that would make him beg. Bedamned. After her outrageous claim, he should feel naught but contempt. But he wanted her, damnably so.
 “If indeed I have left you with child,” Griffin said, “’tis honor I offer you.” Eyes narrowed, he scanned the room, meeting the impenetrable fury of each Scotsman’s gaze. Satisfied, he turned to the stunning woman whose hand trembled within his. “Before your peers, I will take you for my wife.”
 Her face drained of color, a reaction he’d expected. Well he understood Scotland’s custom of handfasting, that once a pledge was issued in public and agreed upon, they would indeed be wed. Feeling confident, Griffin waited for her to admit the truth.
 The growing concern in her eyes assured him that she regretted her lie. ‘Twould be but moments before she declared her false accusation to all, and he could return to de Moray’s decision concerning King Edward’s offer.
 Silence battered the crowded chamber, thick with expectation.
 Rois again tried to yank her hand free of Lord Monceaux’s grip. He smiled down at her, but no warmth existed in his hazel eyes. Could she fault him for his resentment?
 Aye, Lochlann had asked her if she was daft when she voiced her assertion. Well, now she sat in a fine mess. Proof her mind was indeed muddled.
 Shame filled her. Of all of the mischief she’d stirred over the years, naught had reached this magnitude. Why had she insisted on attending the meeting? And what of her promise to her da to stay in the shadows unnoticed?
 Her father.
 Thank heaven the men crowding around her and Lord Monceaux were blocking him from sight.
 “Enough,” her father declared. “Let me through.”


 Nay! He couldn’t make his presence known! Rois met the baron’s smug expression. Pulse racing, she nodded. “Aye, I accept your offer of marriage.”