Karen Greco

Thanks so much for inviting Hell's Belle protagonist Nina Martinez for a chat! Here's a bit of background on the novel:

Half-vampire, half-human, Nina Martinez spent most of her life underground as part of an elite secret team of government agents who quietly take down rogue monsters -- the human world none the wiser. She moves back to her hometown of Providence, RI to keep an eye on the recent uptick in supernatural activity, and to help run the bar she co-owns with her aunt. Her attempt at a “regular” life, not to mention a budding relationship with smoking hot FBI agent Max, is cut short because of a string of ritual murders targeting the city's community of witches.

But Nina's investigation unearths deadly secrets from her long buried parents. Now the target of supernatural assassins, could Nina be the most dangerous vampire hybrid to ever exist? No wonder she can’t get a date.

An urban fantasy set in a decaying Providence, Rhode Island, HELL'S BELLE is a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled roller-coaster ride through a city on the cusp of becoming an urban wasteland. HELL'S BELLE is an energetic, expansive, and cinematic beginning of a new series in the urban fantasy genre.

Tell us about Blood Ops.

I'm sorry? Blood Ops?

Blood Ops, the government agency that takes care of supernatural threats.

Whoa! I work at Babe's on the Sunnyside. That's a bar. And I think maybe you've had enough to drink for the night.

So, are you saying there's no such thing as vampires? Or werewolves? Ghosts or poltergeists?

All I am saying is that I work at Babe's on the Sunnyside. As for this other stuff, can anyone prove they are real? And can anyone prove that that they aren't real?

Hypothetically speaking…

Okay, I can talk hypotheticals.

Hypothetically speaking. If there was a government agency that deal with supernatural threats. What do you think it would be like?

I think it would be top secret, don't you? All hell would break loose if the human population believed for a second that monsters were real. It would be apocalyptic. If there was a government agency that kept a lid on the monsters, they would have to operate underground.

Who would be crazy enough to go up against a monster such as a vampire? Wouldn't that be deadly to a human?

Absolutely. You need a not-so-bad monster to take care of the horrible monsters. Hypothetically speaking.

So are you saying that there are monsters that are good?

Well, it's kind of like saying that all Rottweilers or Pit Bulls are killer dogs. It depends on a lot more than just their breed. How were they treated when they were raised, what were they taught? Are they able to control their basic instincts so that they can live safely around humans? Can they control their urges to keep from holding ultimate power? Do they understand that power taken by force is not the way all of us--humans and "monsters"-- should be forced to live under?

If this were real, which, you know. It isn't. None of it. At all.

Tell us about Babe's on the Sunnyside

Babe's is a great little neighborhood bar. It's popular with the college kids who want a low-key evening and some decent beer. Or even cheap beer. We aren't averse to serving craft beers next to the PBR. We also have our neighborhood barflies, and they're a kick. My aunt and I own the place, and it's a nice little business.

I heard Babe's was haunted.

You know, that's a great idea! I bet it would be great for business if we got ourselves a little ghost. Honestly, you are obsessed with the supernatural. What's up with that?

What about your friend Frankie? How come we only see him at night?

Have you taken a good look at him? Frankie is like a Goth. Sunlight would tan him, and it's like in the Goth rulebook to be pale. What's your point with this question?

I thought maybe he was a…

Let me guess, a vampire? Nope, no vampires here. Just Frankie the Goth. Who hangs out in a bar owned that's not haunted by someone who is so totally not a vampire hunter. Hypothetically.

You know what? I think we're done. These questions are weird.

I was wearing the wrong damn shoes. Bounding through the pitch-black overgrown empty urban lots, my legs were long past aching and well into screaming territory. I gulped in the crisp fall air and forced myself to sprint harder.

"Do you need me to carry you?" My partner Frankie, the vampire I was trying to keep pace with, shouted over his shoulder. His voice was thick with sarcasm.

I slowed down just enough to yank off my heels, carrying one in each hand. I wasn't expecting to play decoy tonight, and I'd be damned if I was going to lose my shoes in some godforsaken overgrown lot in the middle of Newark, New Jersey. These were custom-designed heels from SteamTropolis in Seattle, after all. These vampires would have to pry them from my cold, dead hands before I let them go.

Newark had a pretty major vampire infestation. The despair and decay that the city had fallen into over the past several decades lured us, and the population was exploding.

Frankie and I had spent the last three weeks here, advising the Mayor on how to eradicate the pests. We are part of a small but efficient top-secret task force of hunters that handle rogue supernaturals for the Defense Department. The program had the highest security clearance. Even the President had no idea we existed, or that the crew Frankie and I assembled to help eradicate their vampire pest problem was flying in to join Newark's finest the next day.

So Mayor Cory Booker, head of a crime-soaked New Jersey city, had one up on the Commander-in-Chief. We only let the mayor in on what we were doing because he walked in on a vampire sucking the life out of one of his staffers in his office in City Hall. Even more shocking, Mayor Booker kicked the vampire's ass before driving a stake through his chest. Not only was he unflappable politically, but Mayor Booker’s wild adrenaline surge also made him a first-rate vampire slayer. With that kind of muscle, he deserved to know the truth.

It was our last night in Newark and, to show his thanks, Mayor Booker threw us a bon voyage party at his home. I busted out my best outfit for the occasion: a beautiful strapless number that looked like long silk bandages crisscrossing over each other. The addition of a bustier underneath made my usually small boobs appear more ample. And, of course, finishing the outfit were my fabulously impractical heels.

Since Mayor Booker was the newest threat to the vampires’ stronghold, a vampire nest crashed the party. Six very motivated vamps thundered feet first through his front window. Clearly whoever was in charge considered it a suicide mission and sent out his flunkies. Dressed like a cheap imitation of a Hell’s Angels biker gang, it was vampire amateur hour at the Booker household. They actually brought human weapons in with them, including a submachine gun. Some waved metal pipes.

An amateur vampire is still a vampire, and still just as deadly. Between the fangs, the pipes and the gun, not to mention the glass shrapnel from the window, the place was a bloody mess. Newark’s police chief had a nasty gash on his throat, the vampire missing his jugular by mere centimeters. I was able to stake him with a broken broom handle before he could kill the poor man. Shattered window glass embedded into the arm of the Mayor’s press secretary. Vampire Moron started shooting up the place, so blood was flowing freely. The carnage appeared to be a violent political hit gone wrong. It’s shockingly easy to hide a supernatural attack.

It was bedlam. Frankie and I distracted the hit squad so the Mayor's security forces could get him out of there. It was a good reminder of why I don't usually get dressed up.

After kicking my heels off, I closed the distance between me and Frankie. I could barely make out his aristocratic profile in the sliver of moonlight peeking through the dark clouds. Frankie still looked impeccable in his fitted black blazer, skinny trousers and dress shoes, which he was running around in just fine.

"You need me to carry you, old man?" I huffed, throwing his earlier sarcasm back at him.

Frankie laughed, the rich sound echoed down the alleyway we had turned into. He wasn't the least bit out of breath.

Wait. Echoed? Shit.

I reached out and grasped Frankie's forearm and squeezed. We skidded to a stop, gaping at the brick wall in front of us. My eyes darted around. There was a fire escape about 15 feet above us. Frankie could probably jump it. But there was no way I would make it up there. And Frankie wouldn't be able to jump it with me on his back. Too much weight for a straight-up vertical leap. At over 500 years old, Frankie was one of the strongest vampires I had ever met. But a jump like that was pushing it.

I bent over at the waist, grasped my kneecaps and sucked in air as my mind raced through scenarios for escape. None of them were good. We were going to have to fight our way out of this.

Reluctantly dropping my exquisite shoes on the ground, I reached down the front of my dress and pulled a silver-tipped stake from my bustier.

Frankie's eyes were wide. "Nice tailoring." He nodded appreciatively and peered down my dress. "What else do you have in there?"

I smacked him upside the head. "Focus!"

The five vampires appeared at the mouth of the alleyway.

I crouched low, trying to pick out the weakest link in the dim light. With my mixed blood, I was stronger than a regular human, but I had to be realistic.

"Second from right," Frankie whispered, nostrils flaring. He knew my limits too. "Pretty new dead. Still smells almost human. But watch your back."

Hell's Belle

Hell's Belle Series Book One Karen Greco 

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Date of Publication: June 17, 2013

ISBN: 1484830202 Cover Artist: Jeff Brennan 










Book Description:

Half vampire, half human, Nina Martinez spent most of her life underground as part of an elite secret team of government agents that quietly take down rogue monsters, the human world none the wiser. She moves back to her hometown of to keep an eye on the recent uptick in supernatural activity, and to help run the bar she co-owns with her aunt. Her attempt at a “regular” life, not to mention a budding relationship with smoking hot FBI agent Max, is cut short because of a string of ritual murders targeting the city's community of witches.

But Nina's investigation unearths deadly secrets from her long buried parents. Now the target of supernatural assassins, could Nina be the most dangerous vampire hybrid to ever exist? No wonder she can’t get a date.

An urban fantasy set in a decaying Providence, Rhode Island, HELL'S BELLE is a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled roller-coaster ride through a city on the cusp of becoming an urban wasteland. HELL'S BELLE is an energetic, expansive, and cinematic beginning of a new series in the urban fantasy genre.

About the Author

An award-winning playwright, Karen Greco has spent close to twenty years in New York City, working in publicity and marketing for the entertainment industry. A life-long obsession with exorcists and Dracula drew her to urban fantasy, where she can decapitate characters with impunity. HELL'S BELLE is her first novel.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17858864-hell-s-belle

Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenThegreco

Blog: http://karengreco.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellsbellebykarengreco

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More of the tour...

June 28 Interview
Books & Tales
http://www.booksandtales.blogspot.co.uk/

July 1 Spotlight
Chapter Break
http://chapterbreak.wordpress.com

July 5 Interview
Fang-tastic Books
www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com

July 8 Guest blog
Butterfly-o-Meter Books
http://butterflyometerbooks.blogspot.com/
author’s choice: guest post, character profile/interview (author Q's), top ten, playlist

July 9 Interview
Mom With A Kindle
http://momwithakindle.blogspot.com/

July 12 Guest blog
http://claireashgrove.blogspot.com/
Topics: Top Ten that showcases the humor I sense in here; Character Interview of the heroine; Inspiration behind the story; Most enjoyable part of writing the story / favorite scene, etc.

July 15 Interview (return by July 1)
Bewitching Book Tours Magazine
www.issuu.com/bewitchingbooktours

July 15 review
A Girl and Her Kindle
www.agirlandherkindle.com

July 16 Interview
Pembroke Sinclair.
pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com

July 17 Spotlight
Cover Reveals
http://CoverReveals.blogspot.com

Interview and review?
Happy Tails and Tales Blog |
www.magluvsya03.wordpress.com/

July 19 Spotlight and review
Faerie Tale Books
www.faerietalebooks.org

July 19 review
Musings and Ramblings
http://www.judy-ree.blogspot.com

July 22 review
Gimme The Scoop Reviews
http://gimmethescoopreviews.blogspot.com/

Shannon McRoberts

Guest Blog Post and Excerpt by Shannon McRoberts

My characters are gifted with many magical powers of different degrees and that often makes me think…what would I want mine to be? It is hard to choose just one as all my life I’ve watched movies and played games with people that have powers from super strength to the ability to wield magic. However, one has always stood out to me and that is Telekinesis. I’m not talking about any rinky dink kind though. I’m talking Jean Grey level 5 mutant Telekinesis that can do more than bend a spoon!

Who needs super strength when you can use your mind to push and pull even the biggest things?

Who needs to control minds when you can bend the very matter around you to do your will?

Who needs dynamite when you can command things to blow up?

I think this would be the best power if you just had to pick one. It offers the most possibilities IMO for the greatest exploitations…both good and evil. Sure flying is fun, but technically couldn’t you will yourself to fly with the power of your mind?

Of course, I would love to have more than one power. So, maybe being “magical” would be better. Like Harmonia, Andraste, or Athine in The Daughter of Ares Chronicles. Andraste created a magic, Harmonia has command over the chronicles of time, and Athine literally has control over every element of the realm she protects in addition to using her familial magic.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ObsidianPoetPress

Twitter: @obsidianpoet




Book Trailer on YouTube: http://www.shannonmcroberts.com/




Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/shannonmcroberts

Website: http://www.youtube.com/user/shannonmcroberts

Blog: http://www.obsidianpoet.blogspot.com/

“Athine, hold the sword in one hand and cast a spell with the other!” My mother, Raelin, was always barking orders. It was always practice and then practice some more. Didn’t she know how bored I was? I had been practicing for eons to protect a land that was at peace. I could cast magic with my eyes closed and my fighting skills were second nature to me. Why did I need to practice so much if my skills were already honed? 

“Mother, this is useless. No one has attacked Olympus, Draosia, or Ximira for several centuries. Why must I keep practicing to be a protector of the lands with these poorly made weapons? They break when I use them. How can I possibly fight with this stick?” 

“Athine, you are a goddess of war born from three different bloodlines. You must to live up to your legacy. That is why you have to keep practicing. I do not know why the weapons keep breaking. Maybe if you focused more on using your Sh’cersay and less on your poor attitude the weapons would perform better.”

Ah yes, my ever present poor attitude. Perhaps it was borne out of sheer boredom. I had no desire to be a warrior protector. That was supposed to be my mother’s job. Yet, she kept trying to make it mine. Something about a vision or prophecy; I never really paid attention. 

“Athine, stop day dreaming. Andraste and Sabrina will be here tomorrow for your A’samrad. Do you want to embarrass your grandmother by not completing the rite of passage? As a potential ruler of Ximira and maybe even Olympus you are expected to do well. Anything less would be an embarrassment to the bloodlines; all three of them.”

“Embarrassment? Potential ruler? Has anyone asked me if I cared lately? I practice day in and day out just for the possibility that I may be ruler of a humdrum, peaceful country. Maybe if I did fail the A’samrad you all would let me be. I have no desire to be a ruler. I do not care that my entire family is of noble immortals that love to rule. I want to see other worlds. I want to live a life of adventure.” 

How much clearer could I get? I had no desire to rule any of these lands, yet they all hoped I would rule one day. Any of my other siblings, cousins, aunts, or uncles would love to play this role. I was meant for so much more, but alas no, becoming a “ruler” keeps being dumped on my lap. I secretly wished I could fail the A’samrad and become an embarrassment. That way I could go off on an adventure and discover what lay beyond the walls of our palace. I knew there were harsher worlds out there ready for me to conquer. I just had to get out of this world to find them.

Verses of Athine 

The Daughter of Ares Chronicles
Shannon McRoberts

Genre: Fantasy


Publisher: Obsidian Poet Press

Date of Publication: April 2013

ISBN: 978-1483934112 ISBN: 9781301957460 
ASIN: B00C0FZ53A 






Book Description:

Take what you know about mythology and throw it out the window....

Do you have any idea what Zeus, Odin, Pandora's Box, Atlantis, Machu Picchu, Hera, Nike, Dragons, Vlad, Clones, and Vampires have in common? Athine does!

Athine is not your ordinary immortal born goddess. Learn of her mysterious origins, learn why Zeus hates her so much, find out where vampires come from, and learn what really happened to the dragons.

The Daughter of Ares Chronicles follows Athine as she uncovers the secrets of her destiny while interacting with key figures from many mythologies.

This printed version contains novellas one through four in one complete edition.

About the Author:

My name is Shannon McRoberts. I am an independent artist, author, and poet. I have been self-publishing books of all kinds since 2005. My first book was a poetry book called Poetry for the Chronically Heart Broken and Depressed. That book has since been replaced with a more robust collection called Erosion of the Heart. I am currently working on bringing this book to paper format and expanded distribution through Smashwords.

My first ever sci-fi book, The Secret of Genetic Corp X, has been compared to Blade Runner. I am also currently working on having this book brought back to a paper edition.

My favorite series, The Daughter of Ares Chronicles, features Athine, an immortal born goddess that I created for the series. In this series, I take mythologies of all kinds and turn them on their ears!

When I am not working or creating fantasy worlds for my characters to live in I enjoy being lost in MMORPGs, good books, and in the company of my friends and family.

I currently live in Kentucky with my wonderful husband and beautiful daughter.

www.shannonmcroberts.com

www.daughterofares.com

@obsidianpoet

https://www.facebook.com/ObsidianPoetPress

http://www.obsidianpoet.blogspot.com/

http://www.goodreads.com/shannonmcroberts

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June 26 Interview
JeanzBookReadNReview
http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.co.uk/

June 28 review
Jennifer @ Book Hoarder
http://bookhoarder.jennmcclelland.com

July 1 Spotlight and reviewMichelle's Paranormal Vault of Books
http://concisebookreviewsbymichelle.blogspot.com

Minnie Lahongrais

Spotlight on Minnie Lahongrais 

Take a ride with Sinner on the rollercoaster of her life but be prepared to get so wrapped up that you forget everything going on around you until you finish the last page...

Go to the amazon site or click the links to read reviews of Sinner's Ride then get you a copy and join the discussion.

“Easy read with a great story line and twisted plot! ”SL

“Can't wait for Ms. Lahongrais next book. ”Thitsa

“Its a damn fine and well written intelligent book and I highly recommend it to everyone. ”Joseph V Sultana 

"Brillant new novel" Rosmar37ny

"A Great Ride!" Darren's Dad

"I need to add 5 more STARS....." Tropicana917

Book Description:

What happens when your whole world is turned upside down? What do you do when the people around you aren’t who they seem to be? This is Sinner’s story. Sinner is a teenager living in the Bronx in New York City. On the eve of her eighteenth birthday she is sexually assaulted by her father. Following the attack, she undergoes a dramatic change and makes a life changing decision for which she pays a heavy price.

Or does she? Take a ride with Sinner and hold on tight because the twists and turns of this story will take your breath away!

Sinner's Ride on Amazon.com

Sinner's Ride on Nook

Sinner's Ride is also available in the iBookstore.

Go to the amazon site or click the links to see what people are saying about Divergent Lives then get you a copy and join the conversation...

“The story is really well written and definitely keeps you interested. ”Fallen Angel 

“The horror begins in the very first chapter and does not stop until the very end. ” Tabitha 

“Adina in her ways is a soulless Domme who likes to be in control and inflict pain so she doesn't get her feelings hurt by falling in love. ” Johanna K. Pitcairn

"So Good You Don't Want it to End" J. Janon

"Magnificent" Johanna K. Pitcairn

"Always on Edge..." Pen Name



Book Description: 

Psych Thriller Adds Deviant Twists to Sociopath Theme

RJ and Adina enter the world as fraternal twins, one raised by old-world, controlling immigrants in El Barrio, the other sold into a religious home filled with lies and scorn. Both are sociopaths.

Turns out, RJ's got a secret that enrages him with the flip of a switch. Adina uses her sexual power to dominate every man in her life. They are on a mysterious trajectory to cross paths in New York City, where the end of their lives culminates in an apex of horror and carnage.

"One must feel sorry for those who have strange tastes, but never insult them. Their wrong is Nature's too; they are no more responsible for having come into the world with tendencies unlike ours than are we for being born bandy-legged or well-proportioned." -- Marquis de Sade, "Dialogue the Fifth," Philosophy in the Bedroom


Divergent Lives in Paperback at Barnes and Noble

Divergent Lives in both formats on amazon.com

Worldwide purchase links: Germany/Deutschland

France

Spain/Espana

Italy/Italia

Japan/Nippon

Canada

Brazil/Brasil

About the author:

Native New Yorker, Minnie Lahongrais unwittingly kick-started her second career when she began writing an urban fantasy tale intended to help her cope with the death of her father. November of that year, she set that story aside to immerse herself in the annual madness of NaNoWriMo, meeting the challenge head on. Her first novel, “Sinner’s Ride” was published Spring of 2011. That summer, she found herself obsessed with the story idea for “Divergent Lives.”

Next on her agenda is the urban fantasy she began at the outset of her journey. She now plans to write that story as a trilogy.

Ms. Lahongrais currently lives in New York City. She finds time to write every day and spends her free time with her family.



Contact the author:

Website: www.minnielahongrais.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Lahongrais

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lahongrais

Jacqueline Paige

Guest Post by Jacqueline Paige

All about Dade (Autumn Dance)

Sometimes when you’re writing there’s one character that just jumps in and fills all the little blanks in the plot, Dade Jones is that character throughout the whole Magic Seasons series.

While writing the first book in the series (From Beltane Magic) Dade was supposed to be in the back ground as a secondary character. Of course when I started the first book, it was going to be a single story and not an entire series. It didn’t take long to see that there was no way Dade was going to stay in the shadows as he kept stepping up and being the white knight in the book.

I’m not saying he’s infallible, not but any means, Dade gets himself into more trouble throughout the series than any of the other characters do, but his caring heart always helps to redeem him.

I was so thrilled to write his story and finally let him get the girl by the time Autumn Dance came to light. (Even though I’m going to give away little bits of the story line, there’s so much packed into the first four books, I won’t be spoiling any of the good parts. )

Aside from everyone using Dade as their sounding board throughout the series (at all hours of the day or night) this is a few other things he’s done that won him a place in readers hearts; He takes the lead in repairing the bridge after the storm so everyone can go home. He has no problem chasing down killers, whether on foot or car chase.

Here is a new excerpt from Autumn Dance and a little taste of poor, lovable Dade and how well he gets himself into trouble.

Steven shook his head slowly and walked through the door. He stopped suddenly and Dade walked into him.

Looking around the other man Dade saw the women they’d just mentioned standing in his living room with their hands on their hips looking very unhappy. All four of them, he thought. “Oh, shit,” he whispered.

“Uh-huh,” Steven answered back.

Rachel smiled and walked over to Steven. “So, Doc, how’s the…” She studied Dade half hiding behind her fiancé, “Patient this evening?”

Steven wasn’t sure if falling to his own knees would save him any cross fire so he just quietly answered. “He’ll live.”

“That’s debatable,” Leena said walking over. She stopped and glared at Dade—or what she could see of him from behind Steven. “Head okay, Dade?” she asked quietly. He shrugged. “Good,” she said sweetly.

Kasey looked around the living room again then turned and glared at Dade. She walked towards them and both stepped aside as she opened the kitchen door and looked in the room. “There isn’t a clean place to sit anywhere,” she said looking at Cora. She spun back towards the men.

Steven went to step away and felt Dade grip his shirt from behind in a silent plea. “Don’t sit on the couch—uh, we poured water over him.”

Dade looked at him in surprise.

“Did you think Rachel wouldn’t share the details with us?” Cora asked in a hissing voice looking at Dade.

He swallowed and shook his head. He studied her face trying to see, something.

Leena blew out a breath and walked over and looked in the kitchen. “Well, at least it’s dry in there.” She pointed to the kitchen. “Sit.”

Neither man had ever heard her use that tone and immediately turned and walked into the kitchen. Steven turned and looked at Rachel.

She smirked at him. “Stop looking like the guilty child, Doc, we’re not mad at you.”

He put his hand over his heart and let out a quick breath. “Whew.” He stood behind her and pulled her back into him. Then looked to see Dade sitting at the table looking around at the three women hovering looking at him.

Kasey leaned on the table and brought her face down level with Dade’s. “Well?”

He looked up at her. Then down at the table. The buttons were sitting there. Leaning forward he put his hands over them. “I’m an—asshole,” he said quietly searching for the right word to make them happy.

She snorted. “Clearly.”

“Kase?” Chris’s voice bellowed from the door.

“In the kitchen, Chris.” All heads turned towards the door as Chris stepped in.

He looked around and rubbed his jaw. Then gave Dade a sympathetic look. “Need a lawyer?” he asked him quietly with a smirk. Kasey glared at him. “Sorry,” he said softly and leaned back against the counter. He looked at Dade sitting on the hot seat and shook his head with sympathy ‘you’re on your own’ his expression said clearly.

Dade let out a long breath. “I appreciate the concern…”

“Concern?” Cora hissed. “You appreciate the concern?”she repeated. Slapping both hands on the table she leaned down and stared at him. Speaking quietly in a low voice she hissed, “Do you have any idea, any inkling of an idea how worried we’ve all been for the last two weeks, Dade Jones?”

He opened his mouth then closed it and shook his head. “I didn’t realize…”

“Realize what?” Kasey spat at him stepping back to the table.

Owen stepped into the room and looked around. He smirked at Dade. “Bet you wished you did die now, you dumb son of a bitch.”

Dade closed his hand over the buttons and started to stand. A slap of wind knocked him back into his chair. He looked around to see Rachel shaking her head.

“We’re not finished yet,” she said almost sweetly.

He stuffed his hands into his pockets shoving the buttons in. He watched Steven glance towards the table then his hand. Looking around at them he shrugged. “I fucked up. I was messed up…”

“From?” Cora asked quietly crossing her hands over her chest.

He opened his mouth, then clenched his jaw thinking.

“Do you know anything that’s been happening in the last few weeks, Dade?” Leena asked him. He shrugged. “You know we have a handfast happening in three weeks?”

He grinned and nodded.

“And that you agreed to be a witness with Cora for all of us?”

He looked at Steven for confirmation. He nodded at him. Not knowing what to say he looked back at Leena.

“Did you know Owen sold his house?

He grinned. “Yes, I know that,” he added quickly.

“To Cora,” she finished quietly.

He looked from Owen to Cora. “Oh.”

Kasey crossed her arms. “Did you know Kevin was going to be working here and is subletting Cora’s apartment?”

He looked quickly at Cora then back to Kasey and shook his head.

Kasey threw up her hands and walked out of the room leaving the bottles on the counter rattling. “I can’t talk to him right now!”

Chris shot Dade a look and went after her.

Dade let out a slow breath. “I’m sorry, more than you know. I’m over it. It won’t happen again.” He rubbed his hands over his face.

Cora hissed out a breath and walked out of the room.

He watched her go then turned to look at Leena. “Lee, I can’t talk about this to everyone, I just…”

Leena looked at him sympathetically for a moment and turned to look around then walked out.

Owen looked at him and shook his head. “Well, when you fuck up you do it large, Bro.” He followed Leena out.

Dade groaned and sat back for a minute. He looked up at Steven who raised his hands then dropped them back to Rachel’s shoulders. Rachel was looking at him.

Shaking her head she turned and walked out the door.

Steven dropped his head down and let out a long breath. Smirking at him he quipped, “Well, you’re still alive.” He opened the door then turned his head and whispered, “You are going to be sucking up for months over this one.”


Thanks for having me here today! 

From Beltane Magic Book I in the Magic Seasons


Paranormal Romantic SuspenseAvailable in eformats and paperback

Publisher: Class Act Books











Step into a world of magic and passions....

Take a dash of spice, heat itAdd a flash of magic and watch the sparks fly
Toss in a killer that's targeting women
Add a handful of witches from all paths to stir it all together...

Each were willing to spend their lives alone and safe; until they’re touched by Beltane Magic.

Can they survive their pasts to be together as they struggle to find a killer before the wheel turns again?

The Solstice Heat  Book II in the Magic Seasons series
By Jacqueline Paige


Publisher buy link: Class Act Books


Passion and magic that burns

Kasey is a woman that exudes energy and brightness; she is as equally passionate when angry as she is when she’s happy. The energy she carries from life comes through in all her magical workings with spells and stones, giving them great magical strength. She is a dreamer and often wishes she could re-write her own story so that she was charming and sophisticated enough to be with a certain wealthy male lawyer she wants more than anything else.

Chris is a force of strength and experience that is carefully hidden behind the easy mannerism he has adapted so carefully. There is nothing he cannot do where magic is concerned and he has tried all manner of things, whether right or wrong. His fortune has left him wanting for nothing else in life, except the one thing money can’t buy him, the woman he feels too unclean to approach.

Separated by two different life styles yet their passion and magic ignite sparks hotter than the Solstice heat.

Can they work out a way to be together as they try to stop a killer from striking again?

Harvest Dreams
Book III in the Magic Seasons series
By Jacqueline Paige

Publisher buy link: Class Act Books

Armed with magic and a plan ...

Armed with magic and a plan for the Lammas festival as a group they are determined to stop the killer from harming anyone again.

With a plan of his own, Steven decides to persuade Rachel that they’re meant to be together.

Rachel is a woman that lives carefree with a buoyant recklessness. She loves being a flirt and has spent many years indulging that side of her personality. Her energy draws others; her character is to protect all those that cannot protect themselves. When she’s not riding on life, she is helping children less fortunate then herself.

Steven is man that gives more than his energy usually allows. He is a highly respected pediatrician that always goes that extra step to ensure all in his care are receiving his utmost attention. He often sacrifices sleep to spend time with his friends, and he can’t seem to help affably chasing the skirt of the one woman that breaks his easy going charm and makes him forget he’s supposed to be the jovial. He hides his strength in body and magic, never letting others know that he is more than the carefree man with everything he needs.

Armed with magic and a plan for the Lammas festival as a group they are determined to stop the killer from harming anyone again. With a plan of his own, Steven decides he’s done waiting for Rachel to see that they’re meant to be together and takes things into his own hands.

Autumn Dance

Book IV in the Magic Seasons series

At the autumn gathering twelve angry and determined witches use their power to draw out the killer before anyone else can become a victim.

With his magic ability Dade has control like no other— if he had that in his everyday life he could have the one thing he wants.

Coralee is a woman that represents grace and simplicity. She has the skill of being able to feel emotion, aura and see beyond the now. The pain sometimes associated with this gift has forced her to live her life from a distance. She decided early in life what she wanted, and returned from her years away at school set to obtain her biggest dream. Unfortunately she has found the past few years lacking just that as she waits for the man she wants to stop and look at her instead of every female that throws themselves in his path.

Dade is a man that follows life simply, yet his charitable personality brings him a wealth of satisfaction. He is the first to lend a hand, the last to stay and help and the one everyone calls when something goes wrong. Even though his own generous nature fills his life, he still manages to find time enough to get himself into a mess at every turn and spends most of the time imploring forgiveness from the one sexy voodoo woman he can’t seem to get close to.

Winter Mist
Book V The Magic Seasons series
Jacqueline Paige

Release date: March 15, 2013

CLASS ACT BOOKS author page

AMAZON author page

Step into a world of magic and passions....

Take a dash of spice, heat it

Add a flash of magic and watch the sparks fly

Toss in a killer that's targeting women

Add a handful of witches from all paths to stir it all together...

Patrick is a man that has lived a violent life undercover in all the wrong places, for too long. His light charm carefully keeps others from seeing the dangerous man that lies inside. He is the first for justice and will go out of his way to keep the innocent safe. He finds himself falling for the woman that was a victim of a sick and vile person and is caught between keeping her out of harm’s way and completing the job he needs to finish.

Rhonda is a woman that becomes a victim to the vicious attack of a killer. Even though she survives, she will have to learn to live with the scars for the rest of her life. In hiding she has to rebuild the strength to get through it. She is forced to spend her days and nights in the company of a detective, that seems to have no other plan in life than to constantly aggravate her and make her want things she may never have again.

When Patrick’s cover is blown and he is badly injured, the group of friends pull together to keep him and the recovering victim of a killer safe. As a result, the group of twelve become targets of the criminals after Patrick and have to live together in a safe house for Yule.

Can twelve witches follow orders or will they take matters into their own hands?

About the Author:

Jacqueline Paige is a world class multi-tasker being a mother to five adventurous and unpredictable children, a cafe manager and having a colossal imagination that allows her to step outside of reality into a world of paranormal romance —with just a touch of suspense.

Jacqueline lives in Ontario, Canada and avoids the ever changing weather of the region she lives in by creating other worlds to fall into in her stories of all things paranormal.

Her first book was published in 2009 and since then has published ten. She is always writing and currently has more than a dozen stories in one stage or another of the writing process.

You can find all of Jacqueline’s books at: www.jacqpaige.webs.com


More of the tour...

June 18 Guest blog and review (entire series)
Jessica Loves Books
http://www.jessicalovesbooks.com


June 19 Spotlight and review (entire series)
Faerie Tale Books
www.faerietalebooks.org

Cassi Carver

Cassi Carver

Copyright © 2012 Cassi Carver
All rights reserved — a Samhain Publishing, Ltd. publication

Kara dropped into a crouch behind the leaves of a giant bird of paradise as her claws silently pushed through the tips of her fingers. Her thigh muscles burned from the continued strain, but they could catch fire for all she cared. He wasn’t going to get her. Not this time.

When the sound of furtive footsteps approached, crunching softly through the thick, tropical undergrowth, Kara grabbed onto a low-lying branch and swung herself up, then quickly scaled the side of the tree. Her heart beat full-throttle, hammering so hard she hoped he couldn’t hear it. But if his hearing was that good, even the shallow breaths she took might give her away.

The buckskin-clad shape came closer. Head to toe, he wore a suit made of animal skin with a leaf pattern hand-drawn on the material. It was a hunting suit. But Kara didn’t feel like being hunted tonight.

She waited until he was directly under the tree where she hid. His chest and back were strapped with weapons that slowed him just enough to put him at a disadvantage. With a silent, decisive breath, Kara leapt.

Claws extended, she pounced on his back from above, flattening him to the ground under her, crushing a mass of fern fronds under his thick chest. She pulled a knife from his back strap and held it to his throat.

Smiling, she leaned down to whisper above his hooded ear, “Give up, big guy?” If it came out a little throaty and seductive, she couldn’t help it. Victory was a major turn-on. But then again, when it came to Gavin Cross, just breathing the same air was enough to get her hot and bothered.

He shifted under her, and his hulking body had no problem moving her with him. With her knees straddling his hips, she lifted up to allow him to roll onto his back.

“Lady Kara…” the man began, “you have need of me?”

Kara dropped the knife and jumped off, falling to one knee and clobbering a sprig of wild orchids in the clumsy maneuver. “Who the hell are you?”

“Patrick. You don’t remember me?” The warrior sat up and searched her eyes for a moment, but then his confusion cleared, as though he’d finally caught on to what was afoot. “Ah, you really don’t remember me, do you? You simply have need of a man. I don’t mind, my lady. I would be honored to service you.”

It still bothered Kara that his offer lit fuses all up and down her body. If she hadn’t grown up as a regular gal, she probably would have taken him up on his offer. Right here. Right now. Already, his substantial interest was growing.

She stood and brushed the debris from her black jeans. “I’m so sorry, Patrick. I really didn’t intend to…jump you. Lord Gavin and I are doing training exercises out here, and I thought you were him. You may want to hunt somewhere else until we’re finished.” When his brows rose, she added, “Finished training.”

Patrick stood, assessing her with a wry smile, then he retrieved his knife and returned it to its sheath. “Lord Gavin, you say? But he was the one who ordered the hunt.”

“He did what?” But just as she said it, something slammed into her from behind, carrying her blindingly fast through the maze of trees and vines until the blurred image of a clearing appeared.

In the next instant, she crashed into the tall grass face first and rolled onto her back—or was flipped, more like it. The hulking form above her blocked out the light of the moon with his massive silver wings. Her back pushed into the soggy soil, the moisture soaking through her shirt, and a root of some sort pressed against her ribs.

She glared up at Gavin, but with only an inch separating them, his hazel eyes were huge, eclipsing everything else in her vision, and his grin seemed to stretch as wide as his wings. “Gotcha.”

“What was that?” she demanded, but it was hard to yell at him with his lips so close to hers.

He brought a hand to her neck and ran his finger slowly across her throat. “If I had a knife, you’d be dead. I win again.”

Kara’s hands found his waist of their own volition. “No you don’t. You cheated. You sent a horny hunter into our training ground. I thought he was you!”

His breath was sweet and spicy, and the corners of his eyes crinkled with soft lines as he smiled. “Cheating is irrelevant when it comes to life and death, princess. Don’t expect integrity from those who want you dead.”

Her hands raked over the bare skin covering his ribs, until she curled her fingers into her palms to keep from touching him again. “Okay, that one doesn’t count.”

Gavin laughed and pulled her to her feet. “It counts. That’s three hundred sixteen for me and seven for you.”

“Shit,” she ground out. “Let’s try again.”

He reached out and adjusted her damp black T-shirt so that it lay smoothly against her chest. “You’re not ready, Kara.”

She batted his hand away. “So I can’t flash like a silver-wing. That doesn’t mean I’m defenseless.” She’d killed his brother, who was incredibly strong for a silver-winged fallen angel—but she didn’t think there would ever be a right moment to throw that in Gavin’s face. Besides, he’d just tell her that his brother hadn’t been an almost invincible black-wing like the beast they were planning to bring down now.

“We’ve done enough for one night. Let me take you home. It must be almost three pm in San Diego, and you said you had to work tonight.”

Now that Kara was officially part of the Mercury Clan—a band of more than three hundred fallen angel hybrids—Gavin had finally confided that Mercury Island was located in the Seychelles chain of islands. Albeit, with all the wards and defenses, there wasn’t a good chance of a fisherman or passing cruise ship catching on to that fact.

Being halfway around the world from San Diego, it was almost twelve hours off from where she called home. Three pm in San Diego meant she’d kept Gavin up all night here on Mercury Island.

“Yeah, I do have to work. And you need to get some rest.”

He wrapped his arms around her, preparing to flash. “Have you thought about my offer?” As he asked, they began to dissolve. He carried her through the inky tar, and a moment later, they were standing on the balcony off her living room overlooking downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.

She let the nausea and the boneless feeling pass before she answered. “I can’t.”

He growled and released her. “No lady of the Mercury Clan needs to work. I have enough resources to keep you comfortable from now until the Armageddon. Did I ever mention that Teras’s daughter working at a bar for minimum wage and paltry tips is just plain absurd?”

“Only about a dozen times. Don’t you ever get tired of this subject, Daddy Warbucks? I know I do.”

“Your father was my king, Kara. How can I hold my head high when I’m not caring for his only daughter?”

Kara reached up—way up, given Gavin’s six-foot-seven-inch frame—and patted his cheek. The dark blond stubble along his jaw was just starting to poke through and it tickled her palm. “You’re so cute when you go all protect-and-provide on me, but I gotta get ready for work now. Bye.” When she wiggled her fingers in farewell and turned to enter the apartment, Gavin slapped her on the rump. She yelped and dashed into the living room.

“Brat!” he called after her, and then he flashed.

And with the sting his hand left on her ass, he was lucky he did.

She growled and swallowed down her body’s reaction to her golden-haired protector. Since her lover, Julian, had called things off three weeks ago, bringing Kara’s sex life to a screeching halt, her starving body couldn’t handle even grappling or sparring with Gavin without her wanting to unstrap his weapons belt to unsheathe his broadsword.

She sat hard on the edge of the sofa and ran a hand over the side of her throbbing backside. What if she did quit her job? What if she took her place on the island as a lady of the clan? What would it be like to trade her boots and jeans for island wear and an ever-present supply of men eager to do her bidding?

As it was, she wondered how long could she pine for Julian, hoping he’d reconsider—and not just for the sake of her broken, humiliated heart, but also for how effective his attention was at helping her control her raging libido.

Truth was, females of Kara’s kind didn’t do well with abstinence once they’d reached her age. Hell, they didn’t even attempt it. And now more than ever Kara could see why.

She began to pull off her boots, but her face was angled toward the balcony window, pointing towards Mercury Island however many thousands of miles away. “Celibacy sucks!” she shouted.

But unfortunately, rolling around with Gavin Cross in a totally different exercise couldn’t happen until they’d accomplished their primary objective—sending that black-wing bastard Brakken to the Abyss before he got hold of Gavin’s only child.

Dark Flight

The Shadow Slayers, Book 3

Cassi Carver

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Date of Publication: May 21,2013

ISBN: 978-1-61921-550-4

ASIN: B00B99RJPK

Cover Artist: Angela Waters

Amazon BN Samhain

Book Description:

In a world of shadows, a pure heart can be the most dangerous weapon of all.

Kara has been training for months to help take down Brakken—the merciless black-wing who is making life hell for the Demiáre. But when Julian discovers a scout has been tracking Kara, he wants her out of the fight—even if it means breaking her heart in the process.

Gavin isn’t much better. He’s already lost so much to Brakken and has no intention of allowing the woman he loves to be the next sacrifice. He and Julian have their hands full trying to fight Brakken’s army and keep Kara safe, especially after her recent visit to the mythical white-wings. Since her return, she’s been acting decidedly…strange.

With a terrible battle looming, Kara doesn’t have time to think about her conflicted feelings for Gavin and Julian—or the fact that she’s developed an unnatural taste for Gavin’s blood. But if she thought it was complicated evading mysterious scouts and fending off vicious black-wings, she’s learning that’s nothing compared to loving two strong-willed men.

Product Warnings:

This book contains angels that aren’t what they seem, a heroine with mad midwifery skills, and a metamorphosis that will change life as we knew it. 

About the Author:

Cassi Carver lives in sunny Southern California with two dogs, four kids, five chickens, and one hubby who gives great massages. She gets to San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter for research (okay, happy hour) as often as possible. She’s never saved the world, but she keeps sexy boots on hand just in case the opportunity arises.

When Cassi isn’t busy plotting or writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, caring for pets, getting outdoors, and watching sappy movies that deliver reliably happy endings.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CassiCarver

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CassiCarverAuthor

Website: cassicarver.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5307736.Cassi_Carver

More of the tour...

June 15 Interview (review Later)
Offbeat Vagabond
http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/

June 15 review
Musings of Mistress of the Dark Path
mistressofthedarkpath.wordpress.com